Exotic Mexican Foods

Exotic Mexican Foods – sopa de mariscos – tacos del trompo 

With “Mexico” Mike as our partner, we felt safe & enjoyed our trip. He delivered more than promised.

Just as COVID restrictions have been relaxed in other countries, so have they been in Mexico. Some restaurants still require masks, but they are fe,w. In small villages locals can be adamant about masking in general so it is best to have one just in case.

Is it safe to eat out in Mexico? It is as safe as anywhere else. Place settings are not delivered until you are ready. But, as before, use commo,n sense, look around and get a feel for the precautions before ordering.

Very thin slices of meat (pork shoulder usually) are cut from a kids-toy top-shaped cone of small bits of meat, cooking over coals. The meat is marinated in chiles and gets its distinctive red color from achiote. But the meat is not spicy hot, so fear not. This delight was introduced to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants and is similar to shawarma or a kebab.

Sopa de mariscos is deceiving. First, if you think soup is merely an appetizer, disabuse yourself of that notion. Secondly, while seafood soup sounds unappetizing, this is excellent and very hearty fare. A bowl is a meal. It is almost universally good – providing you with like octopus, squid, fish, shrimp, oysters, and other things that swim. Camarones al mojo de Ajo is shrimp in garlic sauce and are my other favorite. Mole, I can take or leave, but my wife would rather take a good mole and leave me, so I’d best be careful what I say about that complex dish. She feels about cabrito like I feel about the mole. There is no accounting for taste (even if mine is right).

Oh, and if you order a shrimp cocktail, order one for two people. Unlike the dinky shrimp cocktails you are used to, these come in a big beer mug with several shrimp, lots of cocktail sauce, cilantro, avocado, onions, and probably some other stuff. One is a meal, not an appetizer for most people. Several very thin slices of this meat are served on a corn tortilla with chopped onions, cilantro, and some sauce served on the side.