If you're seriously watching your pesos but want to try some truly authentic, good local fare, a tasty option would be to have a Oaxaca style meal at any of the many popular, family-owned and operated food stands in one of the Main Market buildings, which serve a HUGE Oaxacea meal plus juice or drink for 30 pesos or so. They'll be more than happy to explain the selections available (but only in Spanish). By all means do try a local drink made from slightly fermented, uncooked rice seasoned with spices called "Ochata", it's creamy white, thick and absolutely delicious! Here are more options for satisfying the cravings of the ole barriga: RESTAURANTS AND EATERIES: El Meson Restaurant - Taqueria (All-You-Can-Eat Buffet) Address: around the corner from the zocalo at Hidalgo No. 805 Phone: 515 - 2729 A popular eatery of Oaxaceos that features an all-you-can-eat breakfast or dinner buffet for $3.50. A selection of local dishes and specialties along with an assortment of fruit and vegetable platters, including desserts, are yours to leisurely sample. It's a good way to know some of the local staples. Restaurante Las Maanitas Address: Rayon No. 221 at the corner of Fiallo (across the street from Pochcalli Institute) Phone: 514 - 2868 A simple, quiet little place that serves tasty, inexpensive local fare. Service is fast and friendly. They'll even take the time to explain any new or unfamiliar items on the menu. Restaurante El Amigo Address: 20 de Noviembre between Hidalgo and Independencia You just can't get any cheaper than this! At El Amigo a charcoal-roasted chicken dinner for four costs just $7 (seven dollars) that includes one whole roast chicken, salad or cole slaw, a sky-high stack of steaming corn tortillas, rice pilaf, soft drinks all around, and a selection of salsas and picantes. The atmosphere is plain, but the food is good and definitely filling enough. It's a good late evening spot right in the market district. Casa de Cartera (La Casa de la Guelaguetza) Address: Murgia No. 102 Phone: 514 - 7585, 514 - 4603 You may just want to splurge a bit and try this elegant restaurant-bar which features a dazzling show in the style of Oaxaca's annual Guelaguetza festival in July. Most platters are Oaxacea style meals. Their colorful, musical shows begin around 8:30pm nightly. Call for reservations. Hacienda San Agustin Address: Km. 2 Carretera to San Agustin Yatareni Phone: 517 - 6477 e-mail: hdasagus@oax1.telmex.net.mx Another great family spot for Oaxaceos is the Hacienda San Agustin. Not on the "tourist track" since it's out a ways from the zocalo, the Hacienda offers a huge all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffet of typical Mexican and Oaxacea dishes, charcoal-grilled meats and sausages, moles, exotic fruits and desserts, beers and other alcoholic drinks including excellent samplings of local mescals, with more food, drinks and selection than you could possibly manage in a week. All this at the manageable price of 40 to 50 pesos - most definitely worth the price. Some afternoons and evenings there's live entertainment too. A Final Note on Cheap Eats Another possibility is a truly low-cost but excellent meal at a "Rosticentro". These are open-air barbeque establishments which will sell you an entire roast chicken with salad, potatoes, salsa, and of course, a stack of warm corn tortillas for two people, all for the paltry sum of $4.50 - that's right, four dollars and fifty cents! I still haven't figured out how they make any money off that one. Apparently they do however, because the joint's jumping from morning till late. They're all around town but a good one to try is at Mina No. 108 - 3 in the market district. Just look for the smoke from the grill or follow your nose. Pick up some soft drinks first from the supermarket across the street on the corner for 6 pesos (about $0.60) each and you'll be all set. Buying Mescal La Perla de Matatlan Address : 6a. de J.P. Garcia and Mina Phone : 4 - 09 - 79 Hours : Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm Sundays 10am to 2pm "La Perla" (The Pearl) is a tiny factory-outlet store with virtually every square inch of available space crammed with bottles of mescal in a staggering variety of qualities and prices. If you want the lowdown on how mescal is produced, from the Maguay plant to the bottle, they'll be more than happy to give you the whole story - all three hours worth! (but only in Spanish) As this is a principal product of the region, and one of which they can justly be proud, you've just got to buy a bottle or two while you're in the region. Which kind to buy? Don't worry; they give free samples to help you "decide". Extra worms are available just a few steps away in the city's main market building. Good luck. |
