Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Zapopan, Mexico
1. Birria de Res (Zapopan Style)
Slow-cooked goat meat served in a rich, flavorful broth, traditionally enjoyed with homemade corn tortillas. Try it at La Birreria Zarco.
- Authentic Flavor: Zapopan-style birria uses goat meat, which gives a unique and robust flavor.
- Slow Cooking: The slow cooking process allows the flavors to develop and marry together.
- Homemade Tortillas: Using fresh, handmade tortillas enhances the overall experience.
2. Tamales de Pork (La Unica Tamalera)
Delicious tamales filled with tender pork, wrapped in corn husks. La Unica Tamalera offers a variety of flavors such as mole and green chili.
- Authentic Ingredients: La Unica Tamalera uses traditional ingredients to ensure an authentic tamale experience.
- Wide Range of Flavors: They offer multiple flavor options, catering to various taste preferences.
- Freshly Prepared: Tamales are made fresh daily, ensuring a tasty and satisfying meal.
3. Enchiladas Zapotecas (El Tucán)
Traditional enchiladas made with fresh corn tortillas filled with chicken, cheese, and covered in a spicy tomato sauce. El Tucán offers a taste of authentic Zapopan cuisine.
- Fresh Corn Tortillas: Using freshly made corn tortillas enhances the texture and flavor.
- Spicy Tomato Sauce: The homemade spicy tomato sauce adds a unique kick to the dish.
- Authentic Recipe: El Tucán follows an authentic Zapopan recipe for these enchiladas.
4. Carne en Su Jugo (Restaurante La Fonda)
Beef in its own gravy, served with rice and beans. The tender beef is slow-cooked until it falls apart at Restaurante La Fonda.
- Slow Cooking: The slow cooking process ensures the beef becomes tender and flavorful.
- Homemade Gravy: Restaurante La Fonda's homemade gravy is a key aspect of this traditional dish.
- Authentic Experience: This classic Mexican dish offers an authentic experience of local cuisine.
5. Tacos al Pastor (Taquería El Viejo Fuerte)
Grilled pork marinated in a blend of spices and pineapple, served on corn tortillas. Taquería El Viejo Fuerte is known for its flavorful tacos.
- Flavorful Marinade: The blend of spices gives the meat a unique and delicious taste.
- Grilled on a Trompo: Tacos al pastor are traditionally grilled on a vertical spit, enhancing their flavor.
- Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh ingredients ensures the best possible taste experience.
6. Chiles en Nogada (Restaurante El Refugio)
Poblano peppers filled with picadillo (meat and fruit mixture), topped with walnut sauce, pomegranate seeds, and parsley. Restaurante El Refugio serves this patriotic dish during the Independence Day season.
- Patriotic Dish: Chiles en nogada's colors represent the Mexican flag, making it a symbol of patriotism.
- Unique Ingredients: The combination of fruits and nuts in the sauce adds a unique twist to the dish.
- Historical Significance: This dish was created during the Independence War, making it a historical culinary treasure.
7. Pozole Rojo (Pozolería La Estrella)
Traditional Mexican hominy soup made with pork and red chili broth. Pozolería La Estrella serves this comforting dish in a generous portion.
- Comfort Food: Pozole rojo is a hearty and comforting soup, perfect for cold days.
- Homemade Broth: The homemade red chili broth gives the pozole its unique flavor.
- Generous Portion: Pozolería La Estrella serves a generous portion, ensuring customers leave satisfied.
8. Sopa de Barbacoa (La Barbacoa)
Delicious barbacoa meat soup made with corn tortillas, onions, and spices. La Barbacoa serves this hearty dish in a large bowl.
- Hearty Soup: Sopa de barbacoa is a filling and satisfying soup, perfect for a meal.
- Traditional Preparation: The meat is traditionally cooked in a pit covered with maguey leaves.
- Generous Portion: La Barbacoa serves a generous portion, ensuring customers leave satisfied.
9. Gorditas de Pollo (Taquería Los Ranchos)
Fried corn dough pockets filled with shredded chicken, cheese, and salsa. Taquería Los Ranchos offers a variety of fillings for these tasty treats.
- Unique Texture: The fried corn dough pocket gives the gorditas a unique and satisfying texture.
- Variety of Fillings: Taquería Los Ranchos offers various fillings, catering to different taste preferences.
- Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh ingredients ensures the best possible taste experience.
10. Tortas Ahogadas (El Tucán)
Sandwiches made with bolillo rolls, filled with pork carnitas and drowned in a spicy tomato sauce. El Tucán serves this popular street food.
- Unique Presentation: The sandwiches are 'drowned' in a spicy tomato sauce, giving them a unique appearance.
- Flavorful Filling: The tender pork carnitas and flavorful sauce make the tortas ahogadas a tasty treat.
- Authentic Experience: This classic Mexican dish offers an authentic experience of local cuisine.
11. Cemitas de Baratilla (Baratilla)
Sandwiches made with sesame seed rolls filled with meat, cheese, avocado, and chipotle chili. Baratilla is known for its tasty empanadas as well.
- Unique Roll: The sesame seed roll gives the cemita a unique texture and flavor.
- Flavorful Filling: The combination of meat, cheese, avocado, and chipotle chili makes the cemitas a tasty treat.
- Authentic Experience: This classic Mexican dish offers an authentic experience of local cuisine.
12. Huevos a la Mexicana (Restaurante El Tostaderito)
Scrambled eggs cooked with onions, tomatoes, and green chili. Restaurante El Tostaderito serves this traditional Mexican breakfast dish.
- Authentic Breakfast Dish: Huevos a la mexicana is a classic Mexican breakfast dish, offering an authentic taste of local cuisine.
- Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of onions, tomatoes, and green chili gives the eggs a unique flavor.
- Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh ingredients ensures the best possible taste experience.
13. Tostadas de Tinga (Taqueria El Guero)
Crispy fried tortillas topped with shredded chicken in a chipotle tomato sauce, avocado slices, and cheese. Taqueria El Guero serves this popular dish.
- Unique Texture: The crispy fried tortilla gives the tostadas a unique texture.
- Flavorful Sauce: The chipotle tomato sauce adds a smoky and flavorful touch to the dish.
- Authentic Experience: This classic Mexican dish offers an authentic experience of local cuisine.
14. Sopa de Garbanzos (Restaurante El Tostaderito)
Chickpea soup served with a slice of bread. Restaurante El Tostaderito serves this comforting and filling dish.
- Comfort Food: Sopa de garbanzos is a hearty and comforting soup, perfect for cold days.
- Traditional Preparation: The soup is traditionally cooked with onions, garlic, and bay leaves.
- Generous Portion: Restaurante El Tostaderito serves a generous portion, ensuring customers leave satisfied.
15. Enchiladas Suizas (El Tucán)
Corn tortillas filled with chicken, covered in a creamy sauce made with sour cream and tomatillo salsa. El Tucán serves this unique take on enchiladas.
- Unique Sauce: The combination of sour cream and tomatillo salsa gives the enchiladas a unique and creamy texture.
- Flavorful Filling: The tender chicken filling adds flavor to these enchiladas.
- Authentic Experience: This unique take on enchiladas offers an authentic experience of local cuisine.