Mexico City’s food culture lives and breathes in the streets, 24 hours a day, all year long. One of the most densely populated cities in the world and the largest in North America, Mexico City relies on street food vendors to feed millions of people every day. Chilangos – as we CDMX locals are called – have an intense romance with street food. It is visceral, emotional and often irrational. We argue passionately about where to find the best tamale and what day of the week is best to visit. We go on and on about who is who in the suadero (brisket) lore, and we share intel about which stand has the spiciest salsas.
Since the debut of Netflix’s Taco Chronicles series in 2019, street food in Mexico City has become an obsession for international travelers as well. In 2024, for the first time, a taco stand was rewarded with a coveted Michelin star.
Advertisement
Hype and trends aside, it is important to note that street food in Mexico City is essential to the way chilangos live and eat every day. According to a recent study, street vendors who prepare food in Mexico City are part of a sustainable food system, bringing diverse and affordable options to a large population that often has limited access to good and nutritious food because of lack of economic means or geography. According to data from the Secretary of Economy of Mexico, Mexico City has around 59,904 units devoted to food services, with 82% of those in the informal sector, placing street food stands as a significant economic force for thousands of local families.
What to know before ordering
Where there are a lot of people, the food is good
Follow the lead of locals. Chilangos have a lifetime of experience assessing which stands are top-notch, good, bad or terrible. You might walk by a street with stands, one right after the other. Choose the one that is the busiest. Observe. Look at other people’s orders and follow along.
Pay in cash after you eat
In Mexico City, first you eat, and then you pay. Chilangos order one or two tacos to start and then a couple of extras to finish because we like tacos right after they are prepared.
The fact that food is prepared or served in the streets of Mexico City does not mean that is not safe to eat
As a local standard and practice, most stands use bottled water to prepare food. It is a good idea to check the level of cleanliness of the stand to get a better understanding of their food…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Stories – Lonely Planet…