I wish I was making this up, but there's a place here in central Mexico where I live that we tried out once because it's supposed to be great and they topped the food with cheese. Which might be forgivable except that it was that sliced Fake American Cheese, aka FAC. Needless to say, I do not like FAC, was not impressed and haven't gone back, but maybe they think that's just the ticket for tourists.
I wish you were making that up too - it is discouraging to see FAC on plates in Mexico. But, the tourists must be appeased, lest they get angry and start demanding crispy tacos. Thanks for reading, Victor!
I live in a weird pueblo in Sonora and they put melted cheese on all the food. The sushi has no fish despite being on the Sea of Cortez (fish is for export these folks eat chicken fingers) and is mostly meat (!) or chicken in what we'd call a California roll. Then they top it with fake Oaxaca cheese and it's served warm. Pretty rough. Sonora is another animal all together but there are 10 places to get tacos de carne asada. If you want variety you're outta luck!
Thanks Michele for the Sonora perspective! I was aware that some of the northern states have their own, quite different food traditions than central or southern Mexico (of course). I'm not familiar with much of it, beyond the Baja peninsula. Enjoy the tacos de carne asada (sounds like you don't have much choice), and thanks for the comment!
I cook my own food. it's a food desert both literally and figuratively! I'm here by accident...quite literally. And I stuck around to set up spay and neuter clinics and vet svcs for hundreds of abandoned dogs. I eat an occasional taco. it's the worst place i've been in Mexico for food or otherwise. hahahaha. I'm nearing the end of my Mission from Dog though. It's been a weird ride! Looking forward to digging into your blog. And looking for my next location. I was having a grand time in Veracruz and of course Oaxaca. I was tboned just driving through. The Universe had other plans for me I guess? But nice to 'meet' you!
Nice to 'meet' you as well, Michele. I just read your post on how you ended up (well, how you ended up staying) in Mexico. Wow - what an adventure. Life does have a way of catching us off-guard, doesn't it? Looking forward to reading more. Dogs are near and dear to me, bless you for witnessing the need here and meeting it. Just amazing. I hope you find your next "place" here, or wherever else your wheels take you.
thank you. Only I don't have wheels anymore. Ha! There's the rub. This place is tough to get to and tough to get out of. And as you likely know it's hard to buy a car as a gringo. A legal plated one. And around here it's so "caliente" with cartel violence on the highways hither and yon I feel like my road trippin days are over. I've got my eye on a couple pet transporters with people seats up front. But yea gonna have to find a destination first. It's like a game of jenga. :-) Thanks for your kind words. Appreciate it.
Chips and Salsa might not be a Mexican staple but at least it's great game day food. After reading this article I am now considering finding a good local Mexican restaurant, any advice for my search?
You’re right, Fahim - nothing beats it for game day! Regarding searching for Mexican food, I’d suggest looking for someplace that serves mole. Even if that is not what you want to eat, it will likely surface a place with a more authentic vibe.
We have the advantage here in Puerto Rico that not everyone has a preconceived notion of the food, and just find it amazing. Lovely fun to hear about "real" food, thank you for the giggles!
Great fun to read your writing! US seems to like distorting many foreign cuisines but probably none so dramatically as Mexican food. In California it is everywhere and no understanding tgat it’s not really Mexican food!
My mouth is watering. My eyes are tearing. And, that's because of your writing. Your story evokes vivid and fond memories of travel around Mexico with my family who, like me, seek Epicurean experiences. Yet again, I learned a few things this morning and I always savor learning. A close second, to your food review was another person who asserted Mexican food suffered even more distortion East of the Mississippi. The food critic talked about a dish called Chicken with Pollo. "It is Ok if you push aside the pollo".
Hilarious! I lack the intestinal fortitude to order Mexican food east of the Mississippi (well, with the exception of Chicago). Bistec con res, anyone?
“Couldn't be more American if you served it in a bald eagle's nest and topped it with apple pie.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
The Wizard of Park Slope!! Great to hear from you, buddy!
I wish I was making this up, but there's a place here in central Mexico where I live that we tried out once because it's supposed to be great and they topped the food with cheese. Which might be forgivable except that it was that sliced Fake American Cheese, aka FAC. Needless to say, I do not like FAC, was not impressed and haven't gone back, but maybe they think that's just the ticket for tourists.
I wish you were making that up too - it is discouraging to see FAC on plates in Mexico. But, the tourists must be appeased, lest they get angry and start demanding crispy tacos. Thanks for reading, Victor!
In Art I had to make a tiny appetizer and this is the image I used to go off of.
It honestly look amazing
I live in a weird pueblo in Sonora and they put melted cheese on all the food. The sushi has no fish despite being on the Sea of Cortez (fish is for export these folks eat chicken fingers) and is mostly meat (!) or chicken in what we'd call a California roll. Then they top it with fake Oaxaca cheese and it's served warm. Pretty rough. Sonora is another animal all together but there are 10 places to get tacos de carne asada. If you want variety you're outta luck!
Thanks Michele for the Sonora perspective! I was aware that some of the northern states have their own, quite different food traditions than central or southern Mexico (of course). I'm not familiar with much of it, beyond the Baja peninsula. Enjoy the tacos de carne asada (sounds like you don't have much choice), and thanks for the comment!
I cook my own food. it's a food desert both literally and figuratively! I'm here by accident...quite literally. And I stuck around to set up spay and neuter clinics and vet svcs for hundreds of abandoned dogs. I eat an occasional taco. it's the worst place i've been in Mexico for food or otherwise. hahahaha. I'm nearing the end of my Mission from Dog though. It's been a weird ride! Looking forward to digging into your blog. And looking for my next location. I was having a grand time in Veracruz and of course Oaxaca. I was tboned just driving through. The Universe had other plans for me I guess? But nice to 'meet' you!
Nice to 'meet' you as well, Michele. I just read your post on how you ended up (well, how you ended up staying) in Mexico. Wow - what an adventure. Life does have a way of catching us off-guard, doesn't it? Looking forward to reading more. Dogs are near and dear to me, bless you for witnessing the need here and meeting it. Just amazing. I hope you find your next "place" here, or wherever else your wheels take you.
thank you. Only I don't have wheels anymore. Ha! There's the rub. This place is tough to get to and tough to get out of. And as you likely know it's hard to buy a car as a gringo. A legal plated one. And around here it's so "caliente" with cartel violence on the highways hither and yon I feel like my road trippin days are over. I've got my eye on a couple pet transporters with people seats up front. But yea gonna have to find a destination first. It's like a game of jenga. :-) Thanks for your kind words. Appreciate it.
Chips and Salsa might not be a Mexican staple but at least it's great game day food. After reading this article I am now considering finding a good local Mexican restaurant, any advice for my search?
You’re right, Fahim - nothing beats it for game day! Regarding searching for Mexican food, I’d suggest looking for someplace that serves mole. Even if that is not what you want to eat, it will likely surface a place with a more authentic vibe.
I stared at "bistec with res" straining to viscerally connect to a Mexican childhood comfort food memory until ...until ... I saw the side of humor!
We have the advantage here in Puerto Rico that not everyone has a preconceived notion of the food, and just find it amazing. Lovely fun to hear about "real" food, thank you for the giggles!
You can't take life too seriously. Sometimes. Enjoy your Puerto Rico bounty!
Yes, your writing is wonderful and there is nothing "lazy" about it!!!
I am putting an enormous amount of effort into being lazy! Thanks for the kinds words, Doug. Take care.
Great fun to read your writing! US seems to like distorting many foreign cuisines but probably none so dramatically as Mexican food. In California it is everywhere and no understanding tgat it’s not really Mexican food!
I'm glad you're having fun with this! Send me a Mission burrito next time you have a chance, so I won't have to buy groceries for a week😉
My mouth is watering. My eyes are tearing. And, that's because of your writing. Your story evokes vivid and fond memories of travel around Mexico with my family who, like me, seek Epicurean experiences. Yet again, I learned a few things this morning and I always savor learning. A close second, to your food review was another person who asserted Mexican food suffered even more distortion East of the Mississippi. The food critic talked about a dish called Chicken with Pollo. "It is Ok if you push aside the pollo".
Hilarious! I lack the intestinal fortitude to order Mexican food east of the Mississippi (well, with the exception of Chicago). Bistec con res, anyone?