A Mexican Food Tour
Join Karla on a mouth-watering tour of the most delicious and photo-worthy food we've enjoyed in Mexico.
“Food is everything we are. It's an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It's inseparable from those from the get-go.”
-Anthony Bourdain
To visit Mexico and not explore its culinary delights is like going to New York City and never looking up to appreciate its towering skyscrapers. Or like going to Las Vegas without losing a few hard-earned dollars at a casino. Certain things simply go hand-in-hand, like food and Mexican culture.
Naturally, food is a centerpiece of our daily adventures in Mexico, so for this edition, Karla will lead a visual behind-the-scenes exploration of the food that has shaped our daily lives. Warning: drool-worthy photos ahead!
Why is Mexican food so special?
Mexico is not unique in its deep cultural connection with food. Across many countries, food carries rich knowledge across generations. It creates social bonds within and among societies. For most humans, the act of preparing and eating food is not only a necessity; it’s an emotional experience.
What sets Mexico apart from other countries’ relationships with food involves factors like time and diversity. Staple ingredients like corn and beans (and chocolate, which originated in Mexico) have been used for millennia, surviving colonization and time1. Mexican food varies from region to region, with food in Yucatán being significantly different from that of Oaxaca or Puebla. Some of the ancient methods used to cultivate food (like milpas) still shape food production today.
The retention of history, food diversity, and the rich connection between food and identity are some of the reasons UNESCO deemed Mexican food worthy of protection. In 2010, Mexican cuisine landed on the “Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”2, a designation that enables advocacy and the promotion of safeguarding policies and legal frameworks.
I (Karla) grew up learning about and savoring Mexican food from various regions, including Mexico City, Tamaulipas in the northeast, Yucatán in the south, Oaxaca in the southwest, and Colima on the central west coast. Knowing how valued Mexican cuisine is in the international sphere is not surprising and inspires pride. Over the next few sections, I’m proud to share with you some of the most interesting and delicious Mexican food that Noah and I have enjoyed while in the state of Guanajuato.
When and where do Mexicans eat?
Like many other cultures, Mexicans typically eat three meals a day: “el desayuno” (breakfast), “la comida” (a heavy meal typically around 2 or 3 pm), and “la cena” (a light to mid-size nighttime meal). Growing up, my family and I would eat in one of three places: usually at home, at restaurants on special occasions, and often on the street on weekends.
Since we arrived in Mexico, Noah and I have rarely eaten at home. Staying in San Miguel de Allende next door to a “Mercado” (a market) and where many locals live, means we have easy access to some of the best food in town, usually for under USD $10 (for us both). We’ve eaten at many food stands, food carts, “fondas”, and restaurants. In the next few images and their captions I share some of the best food experiences we’ve had at these establishments.
Food stands
Hungry? In Mexico, chances are that you’ll find someone selling food on the street within a few blocks’ radius. Some stands seem well-established; others follow the whims of the seller and whichever location they choose to set up for the day. Here are some of the noteworthy meals we’ve had at food stands.
Food carts
Though more mobile than their food stand counterparts, it’s common to see food carts here reappear daily at the same tried-and-true spots. Carts vary in size, from the large ones that require at least two people to push (like the taco one below) to simple one-person setups.
“Fondas”
Most Mexican markets typically have “fondas”, a word of Arabic origin that means “small restaurant” or “tavern"3. For me, fondas bring memories of my dad eating a “comida corrida” at a fonda close to his office in the middle of his workday. While the terms “comida corrida” imply “fast food”, this cuisine is a far cry from hamburgers. Rather, comida corrida usually involves a plate with rice, beans, and a “guisado” (a main dish stew). Warm corn tortillas and a cold Coke in a glass bottle (the one with real sugar) to accompany your meal are a must.
Restaurants and cafés
We have mostly avoided restaurants and cafes (since our dog, Lolis, is usually with us), but on occasion, we have stopped at those that offer outdoor seating to enjoy “antojitos” (traditional Mexican dishes, sometimes served as appetizers). Here are some of the best ones we’ve enjoyed.
Staying hydrated
Here’s a secret I’m not proud to admit: I’m Mexican and I don’t like margaritas. Instead, I’m a big fan of excellent tequila and mezcal served and sipped “derecho” or straight - no water, no frills. I’ve also grown to appreciate “pulque”, a more mildly sweet beverage.
What’s for “postre” (dessert)?
As the descendants of those who first turned the cacao plant into chocolate4, Mexicans sure have a sweet tooth.
Our most interesting food so far: grasshoppers
Thanks for joining us on this culinary adventure! We hope you’ll continue to follow our travels and be inspired to pursue adventures of your own, whether at home or on the road! If you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss our upcoming editions.
¡Provecho!
(If you’re at a restaurant and you leave while other people are still eating, this is a polite way of saying goodbye, wishing other patrons “bon appetit”).
Karla is a Mexico-born writer and coach for women, and one-half of Aventura Road, a couple of Mexican/American nomads who live in an RV and travel full-time. Connect with Karla on Instagram or LinkedIn.
https://www.worldfoodwine.com/mexican-food-history
https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-mexican-cuisine-ancestral-ongoing-community-culture-the-michoacn-paradigm-00400
https://www.goodfoodmexico.com/home/whats-in-a-fonda
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/history-of-chocolate
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So fun to read about delicious food and your adventures! Looking forward to next installment!