Taquerias for gringos - Page 2

**Jesus** · 12-11-2002

Ok, you got it.
Try Platanos Fritos, that is Fried Bananas. This are special bananas, not the regular ones you have at breakfast, is Platano Macho wich translates to "male banana", is larger and with a different flavor. You have to wait until it's ripe (the "cover" gets black spots) to fry it in butter or oil, when it's well fried you can add cream or condensed (sugary) milk.

In the Yucatan peninsula and others parts it is used as companinon to some main dishes instead of potatoes, but also is a dessert when the cream or milk is added.

Another way to prepare them is baking them. This way it doesn't get cruncky but it's still very good. If you are on a diet this is the way to go.

Buen provecho
I haven't discovered the translation in English to this phrase in a way that expreses all the meaning of it. Is not only "enjoy your meal" is more than that, is wishing that you take advantage of your food and also that this food is good to you. Is like the French "bon apetit"

jimbo · 12-11-2002

Gracias, Jesus. Platanos Fritos is similar in a way to a dessert I make which is somewhat in the New Orleans style. Saute bananas in butter and brown sugar with a pinch of cinnamon, add a touch of rum or other liquor, and serve over vanilla ice cream.

Also thanks for your explanation of the meaning of buen provecho, which illustrates the richness and beauty of your language.

btilk · 01-07-2003

I am a lover of trying all local specialties however I just recently read that Tacos al pastor were singled out as a good way to catch some local intestinal diseases. I have never had a problem in MX before and hate to miss out on something that sounds so good.
Am I reading too much or worrying too much or should I pass? I only have 1 week there.

Thanks

Bullet · 01-07-2003

Don't pass up a great thing. I've never gotten sick from the food in PDC. I always eat a small out of the way local places and from the street vendors. The food is fantistic...don't miss it.

btilk · 01-07-2003

Thanks Bullet that is exactly what I wanted to hear (yum yum).

**Jesus** · 01-09-2003

If you are a little afraid of catching a dissea from the tacos al pastor, my only suggestion is to aks the taquero to make them "bien cocidos" (well done) to destroy any posibility of a bug in the meat, otherwise if you have never experienced any trouble with the salsas, go for them, lots of them.

I work in Mexico City and recently we had the Cirque du Soleil group Alegria, a lot of the guys wanted to try real mexican food and went all by themselves to eat in the street stands, none of those got sick at all. And I can tell you that pollution and hygiene conditions in this city are not the best I had experienced.

Funny thing, a lot of those that avoided eating in the stands got sick by eating at restaurants and at their own kitchen service, that talks a lot about where you can catch something.

So all that said, Buen provecho

smachim · 01-11-2003

We totally agree with El Sarape, excellent, and after reading this tread we order our tacos pastor with and without cheese. Both were yummy. Also El Fogon (on 30 av) is really good and inexpensive.

**denisea** · 01-11-2003

Tacos el pastor yummy. I could go for some of them right now. We enjoyed them late one night at El Serape. The place was filled with locals. It reminded me of being at an all night diner back in the US late at night after the bars all close. What fun!

We also enjoyed them at El Fogon (calle 28th and 30th ave). One of the best meals (or rather I should say feasts) we had during our visit. Very local and inexpensive. 8 people with 10 beers and lots and lots of food for $80 including tip. Definitely worth the trip. Took us about 15 minutes to make the walk from La Quinta.

mindz · 01-12-2003

Anyone know what time El Fogon opens? We tried to eat there, went at 1:30 but there were no signs of activity yet.

mindz · 01-12-2003

We had a birthday while in Playa, and I bought a fabulous pastel con tres leches from El Molino bakery on 30th (and 4th? not sure). It's on the east side of the street, on a corner, set back a bit. Look for the big windmill sign. (I guess this is a new topic...start one on sweets/bakeries, James?)

**denisea** · 01-12-2003

Mindz, not sure what time El Fogon opens. We were there in the evening for dinner. Can't remember the exact time (vacation has a habit of doing that to me) but I think it was around 8:00pm.

jimbo · 03-02-2003

I couldn't take it anymore. It's 9 degrees F. here (In March!). I had to have tacos al pastor.

I knew they wouldn't be as good as they are there. I used the recipe linked to earlier, with variations. Stacked the strips in a pan, topped with pineapple, and baked at 375 F. until just starting to crisp at the edges.

Next time I'll make a ballsier salsa than the version I made today with chiles de arbol and a little chipotle.

Tonight's tacos al pastor were not quite as good as they are there, but still damn good, and I feel much better now.

Yes, addictive like crack.

Kenster · 03-04-2003

I've eaten at Don Cafetos and Toni y Simones in Pueblo Tulum as well as the better known beach road establishments like Zamas and Gringo Daves. What are some other suggestions in and near Tulum for excellent, cheap and local fare? Heading to Tulum for my third annual trip in June.
Ken

Jen · 03-06-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by "Kenster"

Heading to Tulum for my third annual trip in June.
Ken

Yo, K-fly! It's Jen, who used to post on the Air Travel Board. I just returned yesterday from my third annual trip to Playa.

Just saying "hi". Have a great trip to Tulum in June!

Jen

Jen · 03-06-2003

yesterday yesterday....I can't edit that post! :oops:

12-11-2002	#16 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 5,590	Desserts Ok, you got it. Try Platanos Fritos, that is Fried Bananas. This are special bananas, not the regular ones you have at breakfast, is Platano Macho wich translates to "male banana", is larger and with a different flavor. You have to wait until it's ripe (the "cover" gets black spots) to fry it in butter or oil, when it's well fried you can add cream or condensed (sugary) milk. In the Yucatan peninsula and others parts it is used as companinon to some main dishes instead of potatoes, but also is a dessert when the cream or milk is added. Another way to prepare them is baking them. This way it doesn't get cruncky but it's still very good. If you are on a diet this is the way to go. Buen provecho I haven't discovered the translation in English to this phrase in a way that expreses all the meaning of it. Is not only "enjoy your meal" is more than that, is wishing that you take advantage of your food and also that this food is good to you. Is like the French "bon apetit"

01-07-2003	#18 (permalink)
btilk sandflea Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portage la Prairie, Canada Posts: 9	Tacos al pastor I am a lover of trying all local specialties however I just recently read that Tacos al pastor were singled out as a good way to catch some local intestinal diseases. I have never had a problem in MX before and hate to miss out on something that sounds so good. Am I reading too much or worrying too much or should I pass? I only have 1 week there. Thanks

01-09-2003	#21 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 5,590	tacos and stomach problems If you are a little afraid of catching a dissea from the tacos al pastor, my only suggestion is to aks the taquero to make them "bien cocidos" (well done) to destroy any posibility of a bug in the meat, otherwise if you have never experienced any trouble with the salsas, go for them, lots of them. I work in Mexico City and recently we had the Cirque du Soleil group Alegria, a lot of the guys wanted to try real mexican food and went all by themselves to eat in the street stands, none of those got sick at all. And I can tell you that pollution and hygiene conditions in this city are not the best I had experienced. Funny thing, a lot of those that avoided eating in the stands got sick by eating at restaurants and at their own kitchen service, that talks a lot about where you can catch something. So all that said, Buen provecho

01-12-2003	#24 (permalink)
mindz beachaholic Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 254	What time does El Fogon open? Anyone know what time El Fogon opens? We tried to eat there, went at 1:30 but there were no signs of activity yet.

01-12-2003	#25 (permalink)
mindz beachaholic Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 254	Pastel con tres leches We had a birthday while in Playa, and I bought a fabulous pastel con tres leches from El Molino bakery on 30th (and 4th? not sure). It's on the east side of the street, on a corner, set back a bit. Look for the big windmill sign. (I guess this is a new topic...start one on sweets/bakeries, James?)

12-11-2002	#17 (permalink)
jimbo toe in water Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Jefferson, WI USA Posts: 54	Gracias, Jesus. Platanos Fritos is similar in a way to a dessert I make which is somewhat in the New Orleans style. Saute bananas in butter and brown sugar with a pinch of cinnamon, add a touch of rum or other liquor, and serve over vanilla ice cream. Also thanks for your explanation of the meaning of buen provecho, which illustrates the richness and beauty of your language.

01-07-2003	#19 (permalink)
Bullet way into it Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 224	Don't pass up a great thing. I've never gotten sick from the food in PDC. I always eat a small out of the way local places and from the street vendors. The food is fantistic...don't miss it.

01-07-2003	#20 (permalink)
btilk sandflea Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portage la Prairie, Canada Posts: 9	Thanks Bullet that is exactly what I wanted to hear (yum yum).

01-11-2003	#22 (permalink)
smachim way into it Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 107	We totally agree with El Sarape, excellent, and after reading this tread we order our tacos pastor with and without cheese. Both were yummy. Also El Fogon (on 30 av) is really good and inexpensive.

01-11-2003	#23 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,033	Tacos el pastor yummy. I could go for some of them right now. We enjoyed them late one night at El Serape. The place was filled with locals. It reminded me of being at an all night diner back in the US late at night after the bars all close. What fun! We also enjoyed them at El Fogon (calle 28th and 30th ave). One of the best meals (or rather I should say feasts) we had during our visit. Very local and inexpensive. 8 people with 10 beers and lots and lots of food for $80 including tip. Definitely worth the trip. Took us about 15 minutes to make the walk from La Quinta.

01-12-2003	#26 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,033	Mindz, not sure what time El Fogon opens. We were there in the evening for dinner. Can't remember the exact time (vacation has a habit of doing that to me) but I think it was around 8:00pm.

03-02-2003	#27 (permalink)
jimbo toe in water Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Jefferson, WI USA Posts: 54	I couldn't take it anymore. It's 9 degrees F. here (In March!). I had to have tacos al pastor. I knew they wouldn't be as good as they are there. I used the recipe linked to earlier, with variations. Stacked the strips in a pan, topped with pineapple, and baked at 375 F. until just starting to crisp at the edges. Next time I'll make a ballsier salsa than the version I made today with chiles de arbol and a little chipotle. Tonight's tacos al pastor were not quite as good as they are there, but still damn good, and I feel much better now. Yes, addictive like crack.

03-04-2003	#28 (permalink)
Kenster into ruins Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 78	Tulum holes in the wall? I've eaten at Don Cafetos and Toni y Simones in Pueblo Tulum as well as the better known beach road establishments like Zamas and Gringo Daves. What are some other suggestions in and near Tulum for excellent, cheap and local fare? Heading to Tulum for my third annual trip in June. Ken

03-06-2003	#30 (permalink)
Jen sandflea Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: MN Posts: 4	yesterday yesterday....I can't edit that post! :oops:

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