Forums > Specific Focus > Mexican Kitchen

zoeq1000

Jun 6, 2006, 4:55 AM

Post #1 of 8 (1719 views)

Shortcut

What do you look for when you eat at food stalls?

Can't Post | Private Reply

My husband and I spent a good deal of time quite sick last year from eat out. We have gotten to the point that we won't eat at food stalls including impermanent ones such as at a fair. I love freshly cooked corn and would love to eat at some of the taco stands. I feel like we're missing out but don't want to be sick again. Does anyone eat at food stalls and, if so, what do you look for besides handling both money and food?

Rolly

Jun 6, 2006, 5:05 AM

Post #2 of 8 (1717 views)

Shortcut

Re: [zoeq1000] What do you look for when you eat at food stalls?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Lots of customers. Local folks get sick too, so the word gets around if a stall/vendor is making folks sick. If the place is not busy, I pass it by. I have been sick only once from eating at a food stall, and that was my own fault -- I dropped a bite on the counter, picked it up, and ate it. Bad move.

Rolly Pirate

esperanza

Jun 6, 2006, 6:38 AM

Post #3 of 8 (1712 views)

Shortcut

Re: [zoeq1000] What do you look for when you eat at food stalls?

Can't Post | Private Reply

As Rolly said, lots of customers. I also watch to see if the person handling the food is also handling the money and if he or she is wearing a glove or plastic bag over the hand to take the bills or coins. This latter has become common practice here.

Over the years I've found the most delicious food at daytime street market puestos, fondas in various markets, night-time taco stands, etc. In addition, there are particular vendors whom I frequent over and over again: the enchiladas placeras booths, my favorite corundas stand and the women who sell atole de grano on the small plaza in Pátzcuaro (don't get me started on that--I salivate), churipo at a temporary stand in Uruapan, a tianguis stand in GDL with the best coctel de camarón I've ever eaten anywhere in Mexico, Asian food at a fonda in the GDL Mercado de Abastos, raspados (bombas!) in the Parque Nacional in Uruapan, my dear friend Mago, who makes tacos worth traveling for, the Torta Loca stands in the Mercado San Juan de Dios, a certain taco stand in the DF--oh, a long list.

The sickest I've ever been was from eating cheese made of unpasturized milk--in France.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Bloviator

Jun 7, 2006, 7:30 AM

Post #4 of 8 (1681 views)

Shortcut

Re: [zoeq1000] What do you look for when you eat at food stalls?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Remember one definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over and expecting different results as time passes. If you get sick from eating out, it is probably a good idea not to eat at open air stands. Some people have cast iron stomachs. You obviously do not.

Anonimo

Jun 7, 2006, 1:50 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1666 views)

Shortcut

Re: [zoeq1000] What do you look for when you eat at food stalls?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Things to look for: besides other customers and good food handling practices, I will buy only foods that are bubbling or steaming hot. There have been a few daring exceptions, as in the fruit cup stalls of the Pátzcuaro mercado. http://www.pbase.com/panos/patzcuaro_mercado It was fine, but there was a sense of risk.
I also try to wash my hands with soap and water, even cold water, before eating. These measures have pretty well protected me from intestinal distress, unlike the illnesses I had in years past when I was more careless.

¡Ah, atole de grano! Hace mucho tiempo desde lo comimos.

Saludos,
Anonimo

zoeq1000

Jun 11, 2006, 4:28 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1625 views)

Shortcut