Honestly any day you’re in town this is a great way to spend an afternoon. But if you’re looking for something chill and fun for your first day this is the Taco Tour for you! La Condesa is a super safe and really relaxing neighbourhood inside bustling Mexico City. This part of town eases you into the history and culture of Mexico City all through food!

About The Taco Stops

All the stops we’ll make along the are established restaurants, so you won’t need to flex any street food savvy just yet. While street food is incredible in Mexico City and something I really recommend everyone try, I realize on your first day you might want to start slow, with more easy-to-find and order at stops. A little bit of Spanish goes a long way as many of these shops don’t have servers that speak English. That being said, since we’re in a touristy area, a few of the restaurants actually have English menus.

DIY Taco Tour La Condesa Map

List of Restaurants:

1. Taquería Orinoco
2. El Pescadito
3. Tacos Don Juan
5. Taquería El Califa
6. Taqueria El Greco
7. Tacos Hola El Güero

Taquería Orinoco

We start our tour in the north of La Condesa, inside Taquería Orinoco. Taquería Orinoco serves up Northern-style tacos. Their menu is tiny, with three types of meat; trompo (al pastor pork), res (beef), and chicharron (fried pork skin). You can order each flavour on a maize (corn) or harina (flour) tortilla. Or even opt for the crispy tostada. In the north, eating a flour tortilla is expected, so if you want to go for the traditional version you’ll order the harina. 

Once you’re seated, either side or outside, they’ll bring you a large platter of their salsas, which are some of my favourites! Get a glass of freshly made agua fresca (I recommend the hibiscus flavour) to wash it all down! Remember, this is just the first stop, so be sure to only order one taco; you can always come back for more.

Address: Avenue Yucatan 3, Hipódromo
Cost: 24-36 pesos/taco

El Pescadito

Take a walk west along with Avenue Álvaro Obregón until you arrive at Parque Espana. This is a beautiful little parkette worth exploring if you’re taking your time along this Taco Tour. Just off the Parque Espana is the famous El Pescadito. El Pescadito is a little chain in Mexico City that specializes in fish tacos! You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the cheery face of their fish mascot above the sign on the door beckoning you to enter!

The fish on offer here is the smoked marlin which has the most indearing pink colour against the yellow corn tortillas. They also serve up my favourite which are the shrimp (camarón) tacos. You can also get the campechano taco which combines battered fish and shrimp, so you can try both the options! The best of both worlds. One of my favourite aspects of this restaurant is the toppings bar! Here you can get everything from pickled red onions to shredded cabbage, hot sauce and loads of limes! All self-serve so you can really customize your own perfect taco.

Address: Calle Atlixco 38, Colonia Condesa
Cost: 46 pesos/taco

Tacos Don Juan

Directly across the street from El Pescadito is another hot spot in La Condesa; Tacos Don Juan! Hidden under a small, unassuming sign inside an old art deco-inspired building is a family-run joint with a handwritten menu that changes daily. Make sure you place an order for the quesabirria taco. Birria is beef stew, and the tacos are made from this incredibly tender and flavourful meat. The Quesabirria taco is served with a scoop of meat, then covered in cheese and given a quick fry-up on the grill. What you’re left with is this incredible crispy yet still moist taco that is bursting with flavour!

Address: Calle Atlixco 42, Colonia Condesa
Cost: 46 pesos/quesabirria taco

Walk south along Calle Atlixco until you reach Avenue Tamaulipas. From here, it’s only one block east to our next stop; . claims to be where tacos Al Pastor were first invented. However, almost all shops selling tacos Al Pastor seem to make this claim. Nonetheless, this is one of my favourite places to try out the famous taco.

Tacos Al Pastor was more than likely invented in Puebla in 1930. It was made by a Lebanese immigrant family who introduced the concept of shawarma and roasting meat upright on a spit to the Mexican people. The distinct red colour of the meat is made from marinating the meat in achiote paste. This popular marinade is made from annatto seeds, pepper, cumin, coriander, oregano, garlic and cloves. Once the meat is cooked, it’s shaved off the spit giving it the most intoxicating slightly burnt, crispy flavour. The tacos are served with a fresh slice of pineapple, onion, and cilantro. The meat here is super fresh, and I love how they top it off with their tasty salsas.

Address: Avenue Tamaulipas 122, Colonia Condesa, 
Cost: 27 pesos/taco

Taquería El Califa

At the edge of La Condesa sits a huge taco instituion Taquería El Califa. This is one of the big “grill joints” in town where you can get a ton of different types of tacos. The restaurant is as big as its menu with two floors of seating. Although there are lots of different options, for me, this is where to come to get beef tacos. The bistec (marinated flat iron beef) and costilla (beef rib) are very thin slices of beef, quickly grilled up and placed onto a taco. You can dress it up at the table with their various toppings to your preference. I would be sure some onions and avocado, as the pairing is absolutely perfect.

Address: Altata 22, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc
Cost: 30 pesos/taco

Taqueria El Greco

Head diagonally west across Avenue Nuevo León towards the intersection of Avenue Michoacán. Here you’ll find Taqueria El Greco which is home to the original Arabian bread tacos. Their Doneraky tacos are made in an Arab style using a pita instead of a tortilla. Another gift from the Lebanese immigrants who came to Mexico City in the 30s. They would change the taco game forever by introducing these new takes on the classic taco. The roasted meat is so tender and fresh and the softness of the fluffy pita absorbs all the fatty drippings making it such a delight to eat! Get it along with cheese and avocado for an absolute taste sensation!

Address: Av Michoacán 54-Local B – 91 And 92, Hipódromo,
Cost: 76 pesos/taco with cheese and avocado

Tacos Hola El Güero

The infamous Hola Tacos is just a block down from El Greco, around the corner on Amsterdam Avenue. This taco shop specializes in Guisado tacos. Guisado means “stew” in Spanish. Various ingredients are marinaded for hours and hours, making them super juicy, flavourful and tender. But you can get much more than just meat there. If they still have any of the nopales (cactus pads) available when you arrive (which they might not as this sells out quickly), I would highly advise trying them out. Nopales are a popular filling and topping on tacos. But I find the stew they make here with them adds so much flavour to the nopales than when they are only grilled. The stewed Poblanas peppers with cream is also one of my favourites!

Address: Amsterdam 135, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc
Cost: 23 pesos/taco

We end our tour here on Amsterdam Avenue, across from Parque Mexico. This is the perfect place to take a rest after all those tacos. Take a seat under the pergola around the Teatro Lindbergh or inside the peaceful Audiorama. As you digest, think about your favourite taco of the day and let me know in the comments if you managed to finish the tour! Or if you had to come back for more

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate DIY Taco Tour of La Condesa, Mexico City; a Foodie’s Dream! first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

But if you’re just looking to dip your toe into street food, as you’re a little hesitant to eat an entire meal, Mexican Street Snacks are a great alternative! Plus, these snacks can really fill you up if you manage to sample a little bit of everything. Below are a few of my favourite Mexican Street Snacks! Keep your eyes out for these reliably delicious and traditional treats.

Mexican Street Snacks

1. Fresh Fruit Vendors
2. Chicharron
3. Duritos
4. Dorilocos
5. Papas
6. Paletas
7. Snack Cart
8. Tamarind Candies
9. Mangonada
10. La Molienda
11. Vero Mango
12. Slaps Lollipop
13. Mazapanes de la Rosa
14. Takis
15. Pepitoria
16. Churros

Fresh Fruit Vendors

My favourite treat is always found at the fruit vendors. Their food carts are always easy to spot as they feature vibrant red or striped umbrellas. Underneath, their glass front carts are filled with brightly coloured fruits like watermelon, mango, pineapple and papaya.

After selecting what kind of fruit you want the vendor will ask you if you want the traditional toppings. This includes; lime, salt and chilli. I know what you’re going to say, “salt and chilli on fruit?!” and I know it sounds strange, but if you’ve never tried it, you need to try it at least once. The salt contrasts the sweet fruits so perfectly! And the hint of spice adds another level of flavour.

Another topping often drizzled on top of the fruit is chamoy. Chamoy is a savoury condiment made from pickled fruit. The flavour is salty, sweet, sour, and spiced with chilis. It’s wonderful and something you need to try at least once!

Chicharron

Chicharron can be found in two different varieties. One is a large piece of pigskin, which has been deep-fried. It looks like a giant piece of foam insulation, but I promise it’s more than edible. Chicharron also comes in a bite-size variety if you prefer not to eat one large piece. The fried skin is doused in chilli sauce and freshly squeezed lime juice. (You’re starting to see a pattern with the lime and chilli aren’t you?)

Duritos

Duritos (not to be mixed up with Doritos) are pinwheel-shaped snacks. They are definitely the most adorable of all the Mexican Street Snacks. The treat is made from deep-frying a wheat-based batter into these cute little shapes. They are crunchy and very addictive. Top it with hot sauce and lime to crank up the flavour.

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Dorilocos

Also found at the chips stands is a dish called Dorilocos. This invention was actually made right here in Mexico City in recent years. It consists of a bag of Doritos sliced open and topped with various fresh ingredients. These can be anything from carrots, cucumber, peanuts, radishes, corn, and peanuts. Then you can add sauces like chamoy, Valentina and of course a fresh squeeze of lime. It’s eaten with a fork and looks like a chip salad!

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Papas

For something a little more simple, hit up the Papas stands. Papas are freshly made potato chips. There is really nothing like fresh potato chips and these really make bagged chips seem so sub-par. Once more, they are offered with a topping of hot sauce and lime if you want.

Paletas

On a hot day, the best thing you can get is a cool Paleta. These are frozen fruit bars made with fresh and natural ingredients. They are made with either milk or fruit juice base. You’ll often even find chunks of fresh fruit, like strawberry and mango, inside the pop. My favourite has got to the mango and chilli!

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Snack Cart

When I first walked around the Parque Mexico in La Condesa, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a man pushing a huge blue cart chock-a-block full of sweets and nuts. I have the world’s largest sweet tooth and couldn’t resist walking about to see what was on offer. I was a bit shy, as I didn’t know how to order. But after just pointing to a few items, he placed them in a bag and handed them over to me for what felt like pennies! The candies were mostly fresh, save for a few outliers, but more than worth what I paid.

You can also usually find some candies pre-packaged and, therefore, a set price. Easier for people who don’t speak much Spanish. We would pick these pre-packaged sweets up anytime we saw them, trying to get a taste of every different flavour. While the candies are the easiest to identify, you should try so many other things. Red chile plantains, cinnamon almonds, roasted pumpkin seeds and more can all be found on these carts!

Tamarind Candies

Mexico is known for their super unique candy. Found at busy parks you’ll always find lots of vendors selling brightly packaged sweets. If you’ve never tried Mexican candy before, you need to give them a try. They are all so cheap you don’t have much to lose. One of the most popular varieties is tamarin-based snacks. Look for brands like Tama-Roco, Pulparindo or Pelón Pelo Rico. For the most part, they contain a sweet tamarind paste combined with other flavours. Tamarind candy has a sweet and sour taste and I found it pretty addictive. There is also Salsaghetti which is watermelon candy in the shape of spaghetti noodles. And it comes with a packet of “sauce” which is, of course, made of more tamarind paste.

Mangonada

Often seen next to the prepackaged tamarind candies are empty plastic cups with a bright yellow straw covered in thick red paste. This is a Banderilla Tamarindo, a straw-covered in a sweet, spicy tamarind paste and rolled in chilli powder. They are used to drink the famous mangonadas that are sure to cool you down on a hot day! The mangonadas are made from fresh mangoes chopped into a puree. Then the purree is layered inside the cup with chamoy and topped with more fresh mango. As a final flourish, a sprinkling of Tajín (chilli lime salt) is added. All of this is drank through the huge Banderilla Tamarindo. It’s something you can only find in Mexico and a must-try if you see one!

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La Molienda

A simple yet delicious treat is the La Molienda. La Molienda is a coconut candy bar in the colours of the Mexican flag. An excellent choice for almost anyone but a real hit with kids. Plus, the fun colours make it all the most enjoyable to eat.

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Vero Mango

Perhaps the most famous Mexican candy is the Vero Mango. Vero Mango a mango-flavoured candy lollipop, in the shape of a mango. But as these candies can never just be that simple, the lolly is then covered in chile powder! The sweet and spicy balance out perfectly.

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Slaps Lollipop

Everywhere you look, you’ll see these colourful paddle-shaped lollies hanging off the street vendors’ umbrellas. Often held up by vibrant clothes pins. The flat lollipops are placed between plastic wrap as they are actually fairly malleable. They are called Slaps and are the Mexican version of a fruit roll-up. A sweet fruit leather made with pectin. To eat them correctly, once they are out of the plastic, wrap them around the stick like a lollipop or else you’re in for a mess! They taste just like a jolly-rancher.

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Mazapanes de la Rosa

Mazapanes de la Rosa are peanut-based sweets. They are famous for the fact that the crushed peanuts and sugar just crumble upon biting into the little disk. But that crumbly texture is also what makes them such a delight to eat. They are light, sweet and nutty. Absolutely delicious!

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Takis

Ok, now I know Takis has become popular out here in North America in recent years but for many Europeans or people who just might not have tried them before Takis are a must. Takis are a rolled corn tortilla chip known for the spciy and intense flavouring. There is something about corn chips that just hits different and I have to say, I prefer a Takis over Doritos any day! In Mexico there are lots more flavours than in the States so definitely keep your eye out for those unique tastes.

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Pepitoria

Pepitorias were one of my favourite discovering while visiting the historic Dulceria de Celaya candy shop in the Historic Centre. And I was thrilled to see after trying them that there were available all over at these street vendors. Pepitorias are made of crunchie wafers, in a rainbow of colours, and sandwiched between honey or caramel. They are then decorated with little pumpkin seeds that poke their heads out of the wafers. So cheap and so delicious!

Churros

While the trendy Churrería El Moro is known for the world’s best churros, and rightly so, that doesn’t mean it’s the only place where you can find them. Usually found on the weekends or holidays, churro vendors can either be found pushing their large cart of hot oil and dough or seen with their baskets of freshly made churros walking around the park. They are so cheap and really delicious even if they weren’t made right before your eyes. Covered in cinnamon sugar, they are a delight, and you won’t be able to stop eating at just one!

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I hope you enjoyed this little guide of my favourite Mexican Street Snacks. Let me know in the comments what your favourite street snacks were or any foods you want me to cover next!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Complete Guide to Mexican Street Snacks! first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.