Photo: Marcos Castillo/Shutterstock

8 Signs You've Never Had Real Mexican Street Food

Mexico Food + Drink
by Alice Latham Jan 7, 2015
1. You’re expecting to use a fork.

That is not how it’s done. One of the most enjoyable things about Mexican street food is that nearly all of it is eaten with your hands. So roll your sleeves up and dig in!

2. You have no idea what a comal is.

A lot of Mexican street food is made using a comal, a flat griddle, such as memelas, quesadillas, and gorditas.

3. You think there is only one type of Mexican sandwich.

You are hugely mistaken if you think Mexican sandwiches are limited to tortas. The list is actually extensive and includes cemitas, pelonas, chanclas, and pambazos.

4. The closest thing you’ve had to a chalupa is at Taco Bell.

Real chalupas are actually flat small corn tortillas, fried and topped with salsa, onion, and chicken. None of that sour cream and grated cheddar business, and they seriously look and taste nothing like the ones sold in Taco Bell.

5. You don’t know about the importance of lemon.

Well for you it’s a lime. But in Mexico, limes are actually lemons and it’s a well-known fact that everything tastes better with a squeeze of citrus.

6. You’re scared of salsa.

Spiciness is intrinsic to Mexican street food. No dish is complete without some salsa, rajas, or powdered chili. Once you’ve had real Mexican street food you will embrace the spiciness!

7. You’ve never had the best corn on the cob in the world!

Mexico takes corn on the cob to the next level. ‘Elote’ is corn on the cob smothered with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lemon, and chili powder or hot sauce. Seriously, your life will be changed forever.

8. You think that street food is just a lunchtime and evening affair.

You couldn’t be more wrong. One of the best things about Mexican street food is that it’s available 24 hours a day. For example, street food in the morning includes options such as fresh juices, tamales, and pan dulce. Yum!

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