Everyone loves tacos of course, but there is probably a wider range of fillings than most people are aware of. Thus range is very much on display down in Mexico City, probably more than anywhere else that I have been fortunate enough to travel to. Not all tacos are for everyone, in fact there are many in the city which are created using some parts of the animal which many aren’t keen on, think brains and intestines for example.
Beyond these exotic fillings there are some true delicious options to choose from in the city, and here are my top picks.
Tacos Al Pastor
Many aren’t aware of the impact which middle eastern travelers had on the country of Mexico, and tacos al pastor are arguably one of the things which they left behind, which is most loved. This is usually pork meat which is heavily marinated in herbs and spices. The meat is stacked onto a long pole and then cooked on a spit. This is one of the most prevalent and low cost tacos available in the city and it is served with the usual salsa, lime and cilantro, with the addition of a slice of pineapple.
Barbacoa
I took a trip up to the state of Miguel Hidalgo with my friend Javier Burillo last year, and was introduced to some traditional barbacoa. This is slow cooked mutton which is traditionally cooked in an earth oven. Throughout the city you’ll find this served on weekends, and whilst they don’t cook it in the same way, the taste is equally as delicious. The meat is soft and succulent and rich with flavor. Make sure that you get the soup which is served alongside the taco, a beautiful mixture of the juices and fat which come from the cooking of the meat.
White Fish
Most people usually go crazy for meat-filled tacos but we shouldn’t overlook just how tasty fish tacos can be. This is especially true for white fish, which is usually marlin or tilapia. The fish blends really well with the mixture of spices and the freshness of the lime, and offers something different from the usual meat-based taco.
Tongue
For those of you who do wish to be a little bit adventurous, beef tongue is a delicious and rich flavor which combines perfectly in a taco. The best advice which I can give you is that should you go for a tongue taco, make sure that you eat it right away whilst it is hot. If you wait until you get home then the tongue will cool down and become tough, which is not the texture that you should be getting here. You will find this on taco stands throughout the city, and you cannot miss that enormous tongue being cooked on the hotplate.
These are just a few of my favorite picks for tacos in Mexico City, which one will you look to try first?
