EATING INEXPENSIVELY IN OAXACA

A NOTE ON CHEAP EATS;


If you’re seriously watching your pesos but want to try some truly authentic, good local fare, a tasty option would be to have a Oaxaca style meal at any of the many popular, family-owned and operated food stands in one of the Main Market buildings, which serve a HUGE Oaxaceña meal plus juice or drink for 30 pesos or so. They’ll be more than happy to explain the selections available (but only in Spanish). By all means do try a local drink made from slightly fermented, uncooked rice seasoned with spices called “Ochata”, it’s creamy white, thick and absolutely delicious!

Another possibility is a truly low-cost but excellent meal at a “Rosticentro”. These are open-air barbeque establishments which will sell you an entire roast chicken with salad, potatoes, salsa, and of course, a stack of warm corn tortillas for two people, all for the paltry sum of $4.50 – that’s right, four dollars and fifty cents! I still haven’t figured out how they make any money off that one. Apparently they do however, because the joint’s jumping from morning till late. They’re all around town but a good one to try is at Mina No. 108 – 3 in the market district. Just look for the smoke from the grill or follow your nose. Pick up some soft drinks first from the supermarket across the street on the corner for 6 pesos (about $0.60) each and you’ll be all set.

RESTAURANTS AND EATERIES:

Name: El Meson Restaurant – Taqueria (All-You-Can-Eat Buffet)
Address: around the corner from the zocalo at Hidalgo No. 805
Phone: 515 – 2729

A popular eatery of Oaxaceños that features an all-you-can-eat breakfast or dinner buffet for $3.50. A selection of local dishes and specialties along with an assortment of fruit and vegetable platters, including desserts, are yours to leisurely sample. It’s a good way to know some of the local staples.

Name: Restaurante Las Mañanitas
Address: Rayon No. 221 at the corner of Fiallo (across the street from Pochcalli Institute)
Phone: 514 – 2868

A simple, quiet little place that serves tasty, inexpensive local fare. Service is fast and friendly. They’ll even take the time to explain any new or unfamiliar items on the menu.

Name: Restaurante El Amigo
Address: 20 de Noviembre between Hidalgo and Independencia

You just can’t get any cheaper than this! At El Amigo a charcoal-roasted chicken dinner for four costs just $7 (seven dollars) that includes one whole roast chicken, salad or cole slaw, a sky-high stack of steaming corn tortillas, rice pilaf, soft drinks all around, and a selection of salsas and picantes. The atmosphere is plain, but the food is good and definitely filling enough. It’s a good late evening spot right in the market district.

Name: Casa de Cartera (La Casa de la Guelaguetza)
Address: Murgia No. 102
Phone: 514 – 7585, 514 - 4603

You may just want to splurge a bit and try this elegant restaurant-bar which features a dazzling show in the style of Oaxaca’s annual Guelaguetza festival in July. Most platters are Oaxaceña style meals. Their colorful, musical shows begin around 8:30pm nightly. Call for reservations.

Name: Hacienda San Agustin
Address: Km. 2 Carretera to San Agustin Yatareni
Phone: 517 – 6477
e-mail: hdasagus@oax1.telmex.net.mx

Another great family spot for Oaxaceños is the Hacienda San Agustin. Not on the “tourist track” since it’s out a ways from the zocalo, the Hacienda offers a huge all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffet of typical Mexican and Oaxaceña dishes, charcoal-grilled meats and sausages, moles, exotic fruits and desserts, beers and other alcoholic drinks including excellent samplings of local mescals, with more food, drinks and selection than you could possibly manage in a week. All this at the manageable price of 40 to 50 pesos – most definitely worth the price. Some afternoons and evenings there’s live entertainment too.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com