The number of food stalls scattered along the busy streets of Mexico City can be a little bit overwhelming. This legendary city is well-known all over the world because of the endless array of delicious Mexican cuisine. With Mexico City's vibrant street food scene, here is a short list of some of the best street-side delights that you must try.
Chicharrónes
This fried pork rinds are literally addictive. There are actually different versions of Chicharrónes all over the world but in Mexico City, it is usually made with pork skin that is crisped to perfection. Chicharrónes, which are best eaten with a beer on the side, can also be accompanied with lime, salsa, and prickly cactus paddles commonly known as nopales.
Carnitas
The literal English translation of this dish is "little meats." Carnitas, which originated in Michoacán, is made of pork that is either braised or simmered in oil for three to four hours or until the meat is perfectly tender. It typically comes with chopped onion, cilantro, guacamole, and frijoles refritos or refried beans. According to the Lonely Planet, many street food stalls in Mexico City which sell Carnitas use the entire pig in preparing the dish including the intestines.
Barbacoa
Barbacoa is a dish that is made using lamb meat that is wrapped with agave leaves or the pencas de maguey and is slow-cooked in an open fire. Barbacoa can also be cooked underground and is covered with maguey leaves. Traditionally, this is served over warm corn tortillas and is topped with diced onions, salsa, guacamole, and a hint of lime juice.
Flautas
Literally translated as "flutes", Flautas is a Mexican dish made of a tortilla that is rolled with a filling of cheese, potato, and a choice of either shredded pork or chicken and then fried until crisp. According to Culinary Backstreets, the long, tubular-shaped Flautas are often confused with taquitos because the two actually look identical with each other. Just like any other Mexican street foods, Flautas are usually garnished with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Chapulines
Mexican street foods are not all about tacos and nachos. A food travel to Mexico City will never be complete with the toasted and salted grasshoppers called the "Chapulines". Grasshoppers that are hatched during the late summer are washed and thereafter, toasted in a huge clay surface called comal. Chapulines comes with salt, lime juice, garlic, and toasted chilis for an amazing spicy-sour-salty taste.
