In CDMX there is everything for everyone. Who is hungry will find something tailored to him; the fashionable places, the hidden ones, the unexpected ones, the simplest ones; Here the food offer never stops. Among this sea of possibilities, I made a list of my favorite places to eat that do not appear in most lists and recommendation sites, those that I consider unmissable, both for "chilangos" and for visitors to our city. I carefully chose these places considering not only the gastronomic experience, but also taking into account the ease of getting to the place, which makes its visit more accessible to anyone who is interested. Tacos, seafood, huaraches, no matter what it is, I guarantee that visiting any of these places will be a "chilango" experience full of flavor.
I would like to know what you think of this list, which of these places you have been to and what you think of them. But more importantly, I would like to know what places you recommend to get lost in the city and explore its delights, and why not, make a second edition of this list.
The list does not have a predetermined order, nor is it a ranking, so the order of appearance is merely circumstantial. Enjoy.
Los Palomos
This old taqueria is located a few blocks from Villa de Cortés metro station. It has a somewhat unique format, because when you arrive you are greeted by a high “L”-shaped bar and equally high wooden benches on which climbing is quite a challenge. But once in your place and in front of the bar, that's when the magic really begins. Suddenly you find yourself in the front row for the visual show that means having the grill in front of you where the orders of tacos and wires pass quickly all the time. Here, everything you order is good, very good, and you can feel the quality of the meat and the other ingredients. But if there is something worth trying above all other things, it is the ancho chile taco stuffed with cheese. Uffff. After being grilled and grilled, the taquero cuts and stirs the chili with the melted cheese and places it on two very hot tortillas. A delight. And if that were not enough, you can order some steak, chorizo, pastor, etc. on top. In my opinion, a must-try in Mexico City.
Balmaceda, Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, Benito Juárez, 03410 Ciudad de México, CDMX
2. El Tarasco
When it comes to carnitas, each Mexican has their own opinion and their own favorite place, because if there is something to win over, it is styles for making carnitas.
This particular restaurant specializes in Michoacán-style carnitas, deep fried in lard until the meat is soft and juicy. Here the carnitas are ordered by kilogram, and they arrive at your table accompanied with a good dose of warm tortillas, sauces, chilis and plenty of lemon. The place is sober and meets what every good carnitas restaurant should have: the aroma of the carnitas frying in the pot, hot tortillas, good sauces and refrigerators full of cold beer. Don't count how many tacos you eat, I guarantee you that you will exceed your own expectations, just enjoy yourself until you see your empty plate without traces of what happened. Recommendation, ask for "surtida". Ten out of ten.
Eje 1 Ote, Av. Andrés Molina Enríquez 4932, Nueva Sta Anita, Iztacalco, 08210 Ciudad de México, CDMX
3. Huaraches de La Güera
If I can consider myself an expert and a professional taster in anything, it is huaraches. Anyone who knows the city knows that here in Jamaica neighborhood, huaraches are a true delight, the flagship dish of this colony. Here there are all prices and for all tastes. Perhaps the best thing about this food is that it lends itself to playing creatively with everything that can be put on top and with everything that can be accompanied. With all that knowledge and expertise in tow, lately I have become a regular consumer of Huaraches La Güera, which are found in the Jamaican food market. If you arrive at a less crowded time and day you will be able to avoid the wait, otherwise you will have to wait a few minutes to be able to take a place at the long tables that protrude from the stall's kitchen. Everything you eat here will be good. My recommendation, go straight for the huaraches, better yet, go straight for the rib huarache and bathe it in green sauce. You thank me later.
Mercado de comidas, local 41, 29 y 30, Jamaica, 15800 Ciudad de México, CDMX
4. El Huequito Ayuntamiento
This is going to be the only recommendation that includes a restaurant chain. To be honest, there is so much to try in the city and so many places to go, that I rarely find myself in front of a chain restaurant. But in this particular case, the food and the experience are truly worth it. I am not very sure if this branch of El Huequito was the first that existed, nor do I know in depth the history of the narrow place, but if there is something worth trying in Mexico City, it is the famous “pastor especial” placed on the metallic tables installed on the sidewalk a few centimeters from the Metrobús track, which blows your napkins every time it passes by. I know, it doesn't sound the most comfortable, but anyone who lives that experience once understands why it is unique. The “pastor especial” is basically a mountain of al pastor meat smothered in sauces, caramelized onions, and a pile of warm tortillas on top. A true delight. Take a tortilla, fill it with the meat, and squeeze a lemon into the center. Repeat the process until your shepherd's mountain is more a crater, it will happen faster than you would like.
Ayuntamiento 21, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX
5. La Perla de la Obrera
Few things are as enjoyable as a good "pescadilla" (deep fried fish quesadilla) prepared with avocado, cilantro, onion and a few good drops of salsa. If you add to that a shrimp broth with lemon and finish the scene with a cold beer, you have in front of you a true delicacy of kings. But be careful, because this is not just any restaurant, the legend says that many years ago, La Perla de la Obrera was nothing more than a metal stand installed on the sidewalk, that from there and thanks to its success, today it is a two-floor restaurant, with the good news that the metal stand where it all started still exists and continues to provide service. My recommendation is the following: if you want to eat shrimp cocktail, octopus cocktail, "Vuelve a la vida" and those types of quickly prepared dishes, do it outside, sitting at a narrow table on the bench at the metal stand. If, on the other hand, you are going with your whole family and someone wants a fried mojarra, or a broth and you are looking to have a comfortable and pleasant time, you should ask for a table inside the restaurant, which is right on the sidewalk in front of the metal stand.
Fernando Ramírez 8, Obrera, Cuauhtémoc, 06800 Ciudad de México, CDMX
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