About
Mexico City is a kaleidoscope of cultures. Ever since ancient times, many “microcities” have flourished within this metropolis, all with their own history, style and subtle differences in cuisine – unique markers often obscured by the chaos of urban Mexico City. On this tour we will focus on one of the most emblematic – and unexplored – neighborhoods of the city, Azcapotzalco, a place of significant history and culinary traditions. With the backdrop of factories-cum-cultural centers, former farms, and city streets lined with distinct architectural styles, we will track down those flavors born in Azcapotzalco, learn about their origin and meet the people preserving them in neighborhood restaurants, street stalls, bakeries and cantinas. We will begin our day, as much of the neighborhood does, with a cafe de olla, spiced coffee, and a piece of sweet bread. Our second breakfast will be something more extraordinary: huevos encamisados, enchiladas, freshly-made juices as well as other incredible treats at a family-run backstreets restaurant that also happens to be one of Mexico City’s best. Later on, there will be succulent offal tacos, a reminder of slaughterhouses that were once located here. We’ll also stop into an artisanal tortilleria for a deep dive into the production of this most elemental of Mexican foods along with a tasting. And at a 3rd-generation street stand we will sample drinks that trace their roots to Aztec times. We’ll finish up in a cantina opened some 110 years ago by a family from Italy, where we’ll try the house cocktail and small dishes that reflect both classic Mexican traditions and the founders’ European roots. Once complete, an understanding of Azcapotzalco’s collage of foods and landscapes will emerge, showing the multiple sides of this unexplored neighborhood – one with perhaps the strongest personality in all of Mexico City.
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