Anyone visiting Mexico soon learns about the food vendors. If you are craving local tacos, you need to wait for the evening. As soon as the sun sets, the taco booths set up. Since the afternoon meal is the biggest meal of the day, tacos make a nice evening snack.
As you walk the darkened streets in Mexico, the air is full of the smell of seasoned meat. Many of the city vendors will stay open until midnight or later. Why so many vendors? Take a look. Tacos sold at the vending booths differ through the methods of cooking used or the type of meat being served.
Tacos al Pastor
Tacos Al Pastor, or “shepherd-style tacos,” are similar to the gyro sandwiches from the Middle-Eastern communities. Originally made from lamb, pork is almost universally used now in Mexico for these tacos. The thinly sliced pork is marinated in spices and herbs, then stacked on a vertical spit and roasted. Thin slices are cut off and added to a thick flour tortilla with a spicy chipotle salsa.
Tacos de Carnitas
Made from pork, the meat for tacos de carnitas is cooked in lard with the rind of an orange, which gives it a rich color. Local will choose their favorite part of the pig for their tacos. Some prefer the liver, the heart, the cheeks, the skin, the ears, or other parts, while tourists tend to choose the boneless meat.
Tacos al Carbon
Tacos al carbon, or carne asada, have thin slices of beef grilled quickly over mesquite coals. The meat is then chopped before being used to fill tortillas. Customers can then garnish their own tacos with onions, salsa, cucumbers, limes, radishes, or guacamole.
Tacos de Fritangas
These tacos contain fried meat. Chorizo sausage, breastbone meat, and lamb testicles may be some of the meats you will find at the fried taco stand. Topped with fresh cilantro, chopped onions, and hot salsas, these tacos are delicious, but may not be for the faint of heart… at least, until you try them.
Tacos de Cazuela
A cazuela, or clay pot, plays a key role in this dish. The meat is cooked in one of these traditional pots on a low heat. You may find a choice of chicken, turkey, duck, pork, beef, goat, or lamb. You may also get vegetables in this taco such as squash blossoms, mushrooms, or cactus leaves. In some areas of Mexico, these tacos also can be found with iguana, seafood, or grasshoppers.
Tacos Dorados
Also known as taquitos or flautas, tacos dorados have the filling rolled up in a tortilla instead of being folded inside. Once they are rolled, the whole thing is deep-fried until it is crispy on the outside. You may find tacos dorados filled with chicken or beef. They will be topped with grated cheese, lettuce, salsa, and crema. Sometimes you can also find dessert flautas filled with fruit or other sweet fillings. They make popular authentic Mexican dessert recipes.
Tacos de Pescado
All along the Pacific coast, fish tacos are very popular. Served in either flour or corn tortillas, the fish is often topped with salsa, onion rings, shredded cabbage and guacamole.
Cinco de Mayo party ideas include sending festive invitations, decorating with balloons in Mexico’s colors, hanging lights around your house, and decorating with symbols of Mexico. Serve some terrific Mexican dishes that your guests can enjoy at their leisure. Dance to mariachi music and party until dawn.
