Street Meat

Located just in front of the church, on the east side of the zocalo, is a row of cheap eats. They all offer more or less the same thing for more or less the same price.

Whether you want breakfast, lunch or dinner the women working these sidewalk restaurants are your best bet (unless you want pollo asado – then go to Pollo la Brasa). An order of salbutes for $1.80usd ($25 pesos) is more than enough to sate your stomach for lunch. They are delicious and overflowing with toppings. Or any of the antojitos there are a good choice as well. Also, you can bring your own beer to these restaurants — another great way to save some money. You can also get sandwiches for $1.30usd ($18 pesos) and dinners of chicken, beef, cochinita, served baked or stewed for $3.00usd ($45 pesos).

Pollo la Brasa

Palenque abounds with chicken joints roasting a grill full of birds over open coals — but one place is different. It first got our attention in 2009; the place was always full of locals on their lunch breaks and can sometimes be difficult to get a seat — but it’s worth the effort. The man on the grill knows how to cook a chicken, and the fixings that come with it are perfect. As with most restaurants you can bring your own beer in as well. And with the prices at this place, it’s hard to put together a meal on your own any cheaper. To find la Brasa: Head near the bus terminals and colectivo stations. Follow the main tourist street (Av Juarez) toward the round-about, and at the Y in the road, head to your left!

PRICES:

*price includes tortillas, lettuce, salsa, beans, tortilla chips and hot sauce

Whole chicken –  ($100 pesos), 3/4 chicken –($75 pesos)

1/2 chicken –  ($55pesos), Single order – ($35 pesos)

Pollo a la Lena

If you find yourself near the Zocolo when hunger strikes, fear not: Pollo a la Lena is an equally excellent choice for chicken. And the prices are the same as Polla al Brasa. Here, the chicken is cooked over a wood fire, and as far as we could find, it’s the only wood-fire chicken in town. And as far as budget meals go, these chicken joints are the best we’ve come across in a while. 1/4 chicken is perfect for one person… and still under $3 USD (P$35.) You can eat in or take the food to go. The chicken comes with tortillas, rice, beans, and sauce. And if you can, show up before dark. The choices are better and sides are warmer. Prices are the same as Polla la Brasa above. If you are facing the church, Polla a la Lena is to your right.

 

Cafe Te’El

Xavi and I both have an impenetrable affinity for coffee. I don’t like to call it an addiction because that makes it sound bad, and coffee is so incredibly good. Well, I should say some coffee is so incredibly good. This type of coffee is very difficult to come by when tramp traveling through Mexico. Many places serve instant, or a very diluted version of the real thing. But here at Cafe Te’El you can get a satisfying cup of coffee for the same price or less than what other restaurants pass off. This shop also offers espresso drinks and pastries. It’s definitely worth the stop if, like us, you’ve been jonesing for a decent cup of coffee at a decent price since you arrived in Mexico.

Las Tinajas

When a friend asked the colectivo driver where to eat in town, he recommended Las Tinajas. It’s not a budget restaurant, but it won’t break the bank either. It’s prices are what you’ll find across town, except at the smaller restaurants and food stands. (P$60 and up for a main dish.)

Tinajas was the first restaurant where I’ve waited on a table. It was full when we arrived and stayed full. The restaurant serves typical dishes, from soups to chicken, beef, enchiladas, etc… and the portions are large. The house salsa (made with habeneros) is hot, and the beers are cold.

If walking towards the Zocolo on the main street (Av Juarez) take a Right one block before the park. Two blocks town and Las Tinajas will be on the corner.

Grocery and Street Market

Although you can eat pretty cheap in Palenque there are still some good options at the grocery. You can get some pollo asado, bread and vegetables to make hearty chicken sandwiches for lunch and pick up some pastries for deserts all for under $2usd ($24 pesos) and that will be enough to sustain two meals.

It’s worth checking out the groceries here for fruit for breakfast or small snacks if you’re planning a long haul out of Palenque. The street market is also a great place to find anything you might want for a meal or snack. Vendors sell everything from chicken to fish and all the fruits and vegetables in between.

Near the bus stations, and on the same street where you can catch a colectivo to the ruins, you’ll find several small tiendas selling fruits and vegetables, and other basics that you’ll need to get by.

Eating: El Panchan

 

Don Mucho’s

This is the main eatery in El Panchan (and also the only spot with WIFI— which you can access for P$25/hour), and a good place to lay down a few extra dollars even if you aren’t staying in El Panchan. It’s certainly not as budget-friendly as picking up some food at the market or grocery in Palenque, but you won’t likely be disappointed by the food or the atmosphere. Live music is part of the atmosphere here, afternoons and evenings.

Wood-oven pizzas go from $4.50usd to $8usd ($65 – $110 pesos), calzones and pasta dishes fall somewhere in the middle. Beer sells for around $1.50usd (around $22 pesos) a bottle and a liter of Modelo is $2.60usd ($35 pesos).

 

El Mono Blanco del Panchan

This little restaurant has fairly decent drink offers, if you’re stuck in the jungle and haven’t made it to town to pick up some beer from a minisuper or liquor store. A liter of cervesa sells for $2.60usd ($35 pesos) and you can get two-for-one margaritas for $3.70usd ($50 pesos) total.

 

 

GETTING // GOING          •          SLEEPING          •          EATING          •          DOING          •          MAP

Take me back to MEXICO // Take me HOME