One of the most fascinating things that I discovered when I arrived in Mexico City was the tacos stands on the street. Whilst many may have found more interest in the historical sites and traditions in the city, for me it was these little stalls which sold some of the city’s best foods. I have to be honest that it did take me a little while to understand how it all worked, especially when things get busy. If you don’t speak Spanish this can be something of a challenge, but there are some basic tips which I would pass on to anyone who is coming for the first time and cannot wait to get stuck into the tacos.
Here then are things that I have learned.
No Queue
There were many times that I visited the taco stand and had tow hit so long to be served that it just became so frustrating for me. The first time I went with my local friend Javier Burillo however, everything became clear. The reality is that there isn’t a queue system when you go to the taco stand, if it is busy then you rock up, you shout out your order and you stay attentive for when it is ready. If you wait with your mouth closed, you’ll be staying there for a very long time.
Watch The Salsa
I do enjoy a little bit of heat when I eat my tacos but I am not someone who puts a whole load of hot salsa on the tacos when they arrive. At first I thought that I had the perfect rule in place, green means warm and red means hot, this is absolutely not the case. In fact some stands will do a hot red and a warm green, others will do things the other way around. Some of these salsas are super hot so always add a little to the side of your plate, and then have a try before layering it over your taco.
Watch What You Eat
I am not a picky eat really but there are some parts of the animal that I just cannot stomach, and these are very often sold in tacos across the city. For this reason I would recommend that if you don’t know what something is and you are a little picky, it is better not to ask for it. Here you will find brains, trotters, nose and tongue of the animals, so don’t just go in blindly if you have reservations.
Eat Small And Go Back
At first you may have the urge to get 6 tacos in because you are feeling hungry, but it is always better to eat them right off the stove. For this reason I’d say only ask for 2 or 3 and then go back for some more once they are done, so that you can get the very best out of the taco stand.
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