This fall, I visited Mexico City, the sprawling food paradise and culinary mecca. Throughout the years, Mexico City has been making its way up the ranks of international food destinations, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. From street food, to multi-course tasting menus, Mexico City just about has it all.
Upon my return, I didn’t want to end my culinary vacation and sought out to find dishes in Jackson that resemble some of my favorite Mexico City eats. Lucky for me, this challenge was easily met and multiple restaurants around Jackson are serving up dishes that may as well be from my new favorite foodie destination.
Mexican street corn
Street corn: the perfect combination of Mexican flavors and one of my favorite snacks in Mexico City was something I wasn’t willing to give up. At first I was disappointed when I arrived back to Jackson and didn’t see food stalls lining the streets offering up fresh corn smothered in Mexican spices and lime, but I soon discovered Hatch Taqueria serves a delicious street corn appetizer. Their freshly roasted corn is covered with queso fresco, dried chilies, lime, cilantro and Mexican spices. When eating it, if I close my eyes, it takes me right back to the hustle and bustle of the Mexico City streets.
A medley of tacos at Hatch
A stand out taco during my time in Mexico was a simple al pastor taco served on corn tortillas and topped with pineapple and cilantro. This taco is very similar to Hatch’s al pastor tacos, which are topped with mesquite grilled pineapple and served with the traditional al carte toppings of salsa, onion and lime. Made with fresh and traditional ingredients, this taco is out of this world. Streetfood at the Stagecoach also does an excellent and authentic version.
I don’t think I had a single day in Mexico without my trusted friend guacamole. Whether ordered at a street vendor, or fine dining restaurant, guacamole is one of my all-time favorites. Although offered a few places around town, nothing quite beats the chips and housemade guacamole at Merry Piglets. I have been eating Merry Piglets guacamole since I myself was still a little piglet and the simple recipe still remains my favorite. Not to mention, their guacamole pairs excellently with their house margarita.
Merry Piglet’s guacamole tops their Twisted Cowgirl Dip
There is only one thing that may trump the food in Mexico City, and that is mezcal. The smokey brother of tequila can be found in just about every restaurant, bar or store, and is nothing short of exquisite. Thankfully, coming home did not result in giving up my new found love for mezcal and our bartenders over at Rendezvous Bistro serve up a Mexico worthy mezcal cocktail. Named Sanguin & Smoke and made with reposado tequila, mezcal, aperol, blood orange and lemon, this cocktail is a mezcal lover’s dream.
Vegetables in mole at Pujol. Photo by Pujol.
If you’ve ever watched Chef’s Table then you have most likely heard of Pujol, ranked twelfth best restaurant in the world in 2019 and the restaurant that put Mexican fine dining on the world stage. I was lucky enough to get a reservation and try their playful, elevated take on street food, and let me tell you–it blew my mind. Although every course of the ten course tasting menu was phenomenal, my favorite was the mole. The dish was simple and made up of a fresh tortilla covered in mole madre, which is mole that has been aged for over five years and mole negro, which is fresh mole sauce. With mole on the mind, I sought it out around town and found a traditional mole dish at Pica’s. Their chicken mole is a traditional mole poblano sauce made from the heart of Tlaxcala, and I was blown away to find it has the complexity and richness of mole madre!
