Whether it’s sugary fried dough churros in downtown Manzanillo, a tall glass of chilled, fruity flavored water, or delicious sopes piled high with toppings, eating your way around town is a great way to savor Mexico.
If plain beef tacos are an adventure, look no further than the “taco strip” along the main boulevard where there are countless stand
s selling their own version of the little pouch of meat. Try the tacos al pastor at El Rinconcito across from Bar de Felix for a tasty slow-cooked meat on a spit served with a slice of pineapple. A tip for the wise: look for busy stands as locals know where to go if they don’t want to get sick.
However, if roasted chicken calls your stomach, buy a bagful hot off the grill with corn tortillas, rice and salsas at the stoplight before entering Santiago. At the bright orange awning of D'Migue, a secret recipe of spicy flavors keeps a steady stream of cars stopping for takeout orders all lunch hour.
The Saturday Santiago street market is also an ideal hotspot for local flavors. A taco stand serves them with all the fixings (fresh tomato salsa, guacamole, and a squeeze of lime) for a few pesos. Sample thirst-quenching fruit water in refreshing local flavors: tamarind, Jamaica (hibiscus flower), lime, orchata (cinnamon rice water) or coconut.
Around the corner from the covered market in Santiago, you can’t miss the line of tall stools full of hungry eaters at Antojitos Mexicanos Lulu (top left). It’s the best place to try homemade sopes, little tortillas with raised rims to hold in the tasty toppings.
In the evenings, tasty tamales (little corn meal pouches wrapped in banana leaves and stuffed with savory meat) are sold from large pots in front of the Santiago and Salahua gardens. Buttery corn meal steamed to perfection envelope chicken in green mole sauce, barbequed pork and a host of other stewed meats. Elote (corn off the cob) is served the local way, with chile, lime and a dab of cream.
Locals also have the inside scoop on the best seafood in town. They have been visiting a small shack, El Alivio, outside of Hotel Playa Santiago on Manzanillo's original tourist beach for years. And although the prices aren’t cheap nor the décor fancy (we're talking plastic stools, wooden benches and seating for maybe 10), we can vouch for the freshness of seafood that tastes like it was plucked straight from the sea to your plate.
In downtown Manzanillo don’t miss the street stand by the municipal library selling piping hot churros rolled in sugar. And amid the clutter of Avenida Mexico, duck down the side street Maria Galindo to a sprawling food market filled with senoras selling home cooked recipes at local prices. Try a bowl of steaming pozole, corn hominy stew with shredded pork, or some chile rellenos (stuffed chiles) smothered with tomato sauce.
