5 Best Street Foods in Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the world with no shortage of incredible street foods. At nearly all times of the day or night, you can find something delicious to devour.

And, if your exposure to Mexican food is mostly chips and salsa, you’re in for a real treat. Fun fact, most Mexican people don’t even eat chips and salsa. They’d opt for guacamole or put salsa on their other delicious freshly cooked items.

Point is, you can’t turn a corner without bumping into a food stand of sizzling goodness. Meat lovers will be delighted.

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TACOS AL PASTOR

Al pastor tacos are made with grilled pork which is stacked up vertically onto a skewer over a grill flame. It is a Mexican take on the Middle Eastern influence and was brought to the region during an influx of Lebanese immigrants.

The flavors are a mix of Middle Eastern spices and Mexican spices to create a truly mouth-watering experience. The tacos are served onto corn tortillas, and topped with cilantro, pineapple, chopped onions, and all the salsas! Green, red, dark red… watch out though because some of them are very spicy (picante!).

TLACOYOS

Tlacoyos are a traditional Mexican food that can be found all over the city. It is a prehispanic dish that is made of a thick, large masa tortilla and stuffed with beans, ground meat, chicharron (fried pork, chicken, or beef), or cheese.

They are absolutely delicious! Be prepared to be super full afterward, because you probably won’t want to eat just one. Traditional tlacoyos are usually only topped with salsa and a side with other traditional dishes such as sopas (or soups). However, street vendors usually include all kinds of toppings for their customers, including cheese, onions, and fresh herbs. Yum!

TAMALES

Tamales are a traditional Mesoamerican staple that is made from a corn masa base and wrapped in leaves. In Mexico City, they use corn husks to wrap the masa dough whereas some other parts of Latin America use banana leaves.

Along with the corn filling are either cheeses, meats, vegetables, and various red or green sauces. My personal favorite is the one with mole, which is a traditional dark reddish chili sauce. When you eat them, you remove the corn husk and eat the filling usually with salsa or hot sauce.

CHILAQUILES

Usually eaten for breakfast, chilaquiles are absolutely delightful. They are an indigenous dish to Mexico and are served all over the city at restaurants and street food spots.

The dish is made of corn tortillas that have been cut into slivers and fried. Green or red salsa is poured over it and simmered until the tortilla chunks have absorbed all the flavor and become soft. Shredded chicken or egg is typically added to the dish, with a variety of toppings including crumbled queso fresco, cream, onions, avocado, and herbs. 

BIRRIA

Birria is a traditional meaty stew from the Mexican state of Jalisco. Usually made with goat, beef, mutton, it is commonly made with beef on the streets of Mexico City. A dish often made for family gatherings and wedding celebrations, this stew also makes its way into the mouths of the everyday average Joe.

The meat is marinated in a sauce made of adobo, chiles, herbs, and other spices. Street carts that serve birria are called “birrierias” and can be found all over the city.

Taste it all, vamos!

Next time you’re in Mexico City, definitely give these 5 dishes a try. They will not disappoint, and you will probably find that street foods such as these are even more flavorful and delicious than the fancy, Michelin star restaurants on TripAdvisor!

To get the true Mexican experience, get out there in the streets and start tasting!