Street Meat

Even if he’s eating the freshest, most delicious fish dinner looking off to the sun setting into the horizon, Xavi will still say, “God, isn’t this delicious, Emily? I could eat this everyday for the rest of my life and not need anything else … well, that’s not true. Sometimes I’d want those hot dogs.”

And the dogs in Valladolid did not disappoint. For just $.60 ($8 pesos) you can get a fresh grilled hot dog wrapped in ham, with sautéed onions, jalapenos, ketchup mustard and mayonnaise. And there you have a satisfying dinner to enjoy on a walk or in the main zocalo. You could probably even splurge for two at that price. This particular stand was located on Calle 35 just out and to the left of Hostel Candelaria – a great location and a great hot dog.

For other street food options, Calle 44 is a good option for finding tamales or bags of fruit. Around the ADO station on the corners of Calle 39 and 46 you can generally find food carts as well.

Bazar Municipal:

Several restaurant stalls make up the bazar municipal in Valladolid – located on Calle 37 across the street from the main Zocolo.

A variety of food stalls all offering the same menu for the same prices, more or less. But for just over P$45 you can get a full chicken, pork or steak meal (meat, tortillas, beans, salad, rice) or for half the price you can have a filling torta (sandwich) or tamale, a Yucatecan delicacy made out of hominy generally stuffed with meat then wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed or boiled. I think they are delicious, definitely a local food worth trying. The cochinita pibil is also a good representation of local flavor – pork slow roasted in a banana leaf and flavored with local spices.

In short, the bazar municipal is sure to have something to tickle your taste-buds, and the prices are just set so you can be a little adventurous without being too regretful. The best way to choose which stall to eat from is to see which is the most popular, and to ask what comes with the meals – the offerings vary slightly from place to place.

Dona Hermalina:

Located on Calle 44, between 37 and 39, Dona Hermalinda serves up tortas, tacos, pibuhua, and other dishes on the cheap. To place your order, you choose torta/taco/etc… pick your meet, and the food is on your table fast. You can eat light for P$30 or less, or totally stuff yourself, if you choose. Horchata and other drinks are sold here. It’s more fast food than the Bazar, but a good option if you aren’t looking for a big meal.

La Cantina:

photos of La Cantina

A small and cozy restaurant/bar on the main sqaure, you can get some typical meals here for around P$60 and up, which seems pricey when the Bazar is just across the street…Soups are P$45; they offer a creamy Chaya soup, and a broth based sopa de lima (lime). Coffee costs P$25, and more for espresso drinks. Coffee shops aren’t popular in Valladolid, so it’s a good find if you are searching for espresso. And when it’s too hot for coffee, La Cantina sells ice cream outside in front of the restaurant. It’s pricier than the carts in the park, but the ice cream is made in house, and might be worth the extra pesos. A single scoop is P$20, and two scoops in a cone is P$35.

Cacao:

more photos of Cacao

A wonderful Cafe just down the street from Hostal Del Fraile, Cacao doesn’t just sell hot-chocolate, they make it, in house. Chocolate here is made by hand, from cacao beans. Free tours are offered, in Spanish and English, explaining how chocolate is made and what other products can be produced from Cacao beans. You’ll also get to sample some 12 different varieties of chocolates, each with completely natural flavors. All chocolates are also sweetened with natural cane sugar, rather than granulated sugar. And if the bags of chocolates are out of budget, try the drinks in the cafe instead. Hot chocolates and coffees are around P$20-P$35. Desserts are served as well.

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