Menus

Reading Menus in Mexico

Reading menus can be a challenge if you don't understand Spanish. This page aims to assist the traveler in reading and understanding menus by providing some sample menus, photos of some of the dishes, explanations of regional differences, and links to relevant materials.

Menus will sometimes have English translations if the restaurant is in the area where there are sufficient foreign travelers to warrant it. This is quite helpful and sometimes entertaining as well. But it is still a good idea to at least have a grasp of some of the basics, so here we go.

Here are some sample menus from restaurants we have visited:
• Bananas a popular breakfast spot in Barra de Navidad, Jalisco.
• Los Portales a Mexican restaurant, popular with locals and tourists alike, in La Crucecita (huatulco), Oaxaca.
• Elia Carmelita is a palapa restaurant on the beach at San Agustín, Oaxaca.
• Mozoka is located on the lagoon in Barra de Navidad, Jalisco.
• Sabor de Oaxaca is a popular restaurant featuring Oaxacan Cuisine. It is located 1/2-block east of the zócalo in La Crucecita, Oaxaca. The menu has English translations.
• L'échalote is a popular international restaurant in Huatulco, Oaxaca.

Huevos Divorciados Mexicans like their eggs scrambled. If you don't, this is one way to get them whole. "Divorced eggs" are two fried eggs, one with ranchero sauce and the other with green sauce. Both sauces vary from mild to medium hot, depending on the region and the restaurant, the green is usually a little hotter.

Huevos Rancheros Huevos Rancheros, 2 fried eggs with ranchero sauce, is the other way to get your eggs whole.

Hash Browns a Caballo This dish from Los Portales is not a typical Mexican offering but reflects the influence of the tourist trade in Huatulco.

Plato Oaxaqueño This sampler of Oaxacan cuisine at Sabor de Oaxaca is for two persons but will easily feed three. It includes quesillo, cecina, tasajo, chorizo, pelliscadas, frijoles, guacamole, mole negro, chile relleno, and tamal Oaxaque&ntile;o. Recommended. Click on the image for a closer view.

Sopa de Tortilla I don't care much for soup back in the U.S., after all I still have my teeth. In Mexico, it is a different story. The soups are great; try them! You'll find them on the menu under the terms consomé, sopa, caldo, crema, and caldillo.

Brocheta de pescado con salsa rouille This is an international dish with a Mexican flair from L'échalote. International restaurants are well-received by the locals. The international dishes still have a hint of Mexican style and ingredients. The Mexican entrees tend to be better at the Mexican restaurants though.

Ceviche, Jalisco style The ceviche in Jalisco is finely chopped and contains carrots. Usually served with tostadas.

Chili relleno Artfully presented by La Vida Verde in Puerto Escondido

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The Pacific Coast of Mexico www.tomzap.com Tom Penick:  tom@tomzap.com