Mexican Street Food – Weekend Travel Inspiration

If there’s one common denominator that inspires us to travel, it has to be the local cuisine. Exploring different food is one of our favorite ways to get to know another culture – each plate tells a story and invites you to share these cultural expressions through a unique combination of textures, aromas and flavors.
When Francisco and I are on a budget, places like Mexico are perfect because they have a vibrant street food side to their delicious cuisine. Throughout Mexico, we tried their antojitos (snacks) everywhere we went, and many times they were at places like this:
We had tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, tamales, cuernitos, chilaquiles, flautas, and the list goes on. They might not have been the most nutritious meals, but they were so good and cheap!
As much as I love eating at restaurants, in Mexico City’s Historic Center we literally feasted on street food one afternoon, in the park right in between the Palace of Fine Arts and the Benito Juárez Hemicycle. It was lined with carts making alambres, gorditas, tortas, etc., freshly squeezed juices and aguas, and fresh fruit. For dessert, I introduced one of my childhood favorites to Francisco – mango with lime and chili powder… He wasn’t a big fan of this.
Have you ever tasted, smelled, or heard something that took you back to a particular moment in time? A country’s cuisine is a window into that culture, an introduction to the more complicated history and people behind it. Mexican food will always have a special spot in my heart because it reminds me of my mother and our family get-togethers. It’s a celebration of our culture in one plate, and when I took a bite into those familiar Mexican dishes, images of my family and memories of living in California rapidly flashed through my mind.
Do you like to try street food when you’re travelling? What has been your favorite so far?
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Crystal, I have definitely not spent enough time in Mexico…I really want to do the country right next time I go! Love the food!
Corinne recently posted…Easter Island World Heritage Site
The food is amazing, and the next time you go, we’ll definitely give you some recommendations! For us, Mexico is one of those countries we plan on visiting over and over again because there is so much to experience.
I’m curious about the mango with lime and chili powder … would love to taste it
Rachel@safari254 recently posted…The Sands at Nomad Restaurant
Rachel, it’s definitely an acquired taste, but I really enjoy it. It’s worth a try!
I am with you on this. I love to try new foods, and experience new cultures through foods. However, I am not so sure about spicy mango. My sister on the other hand is afraid to eat food outside the US, part of the reason she rarely travels.
Rhonda Albom recently posted…Weekend Travel Inspiration: Beach at Waipu Cove
interesting point… want to discover new flavours is part of traveling..without that you are lacking an important part of the interest in doing it
Francisco recently posted…Curso de Cerveza Artesanal en L’Emporio della Birra, ValparaÃso
I always go for street food over restaurants when I travel. You get a much more authentic taste, you get to meet more of the local people, and it is far cheaper. Besides, I have never been sick eating street food ( a lot of common sense choices) but have often been sick when eating from a restaurant!
And I love how food can evoke such strong memories.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted…Wanderlust Movies & Link Party
I’d love to go to Mexico just for the street food! My fave street food place so far has been Malaysia, I ate so much there! Thanks for hosting Weekend Travel Inspiration together – here’s to many more weeks!
Margherita recently posted…Grà cia Food Stories