Street Food

Posted by Timothy Dzurilla Jul 28, 2007

"If you are what you eat, I'd be cheap and easy." Anon.

Around the corner from the US Embassy in Mexico City everyone from businessmen to diplomats to street sweepers to cab drivers can be seen sitting at tacos stands munching on local cuisine.

Street food is one of the fastest ways to get in touch with the local flavors and cuisine of a particular location. Every city has its own varieties and cities in Latin America and the Caribbean are no different.

Give me deep fried treats with questionable cuts of meat any day over the over garnished, under portioned dishes served at high-priced restaurants.

Some of the best food is to be found on the street. Some of my favorites from Mexico so far are:

Chilies rellenos found in Puebla

Carne Machaca found in Northern Mexico

Pambazos found in Vera Cruz state

Nachos found mostly near the northern border with Texas

Tamales found nearly every where in Mexico

Tlyudas found in Oaxaca

and

Mole found in Puebla

Many people fear the chance of food poisoning. Avoid precut fruits and other uncooked items sitting in the sun and you have the same chance of getting sick from street food as any other restaurant. Plus, eating should be an adventure and every adventure involves a little risk.