Hi, nhrookie! There are no street vendors selling food in the hotel zone, however, on the opposite side of the street near the Intercontinental el Presidente Hotel, km 8, there is a strip of restaurants that sell local food and will be as close as you can get without going downtown. They sell tortas, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, aqua jamaica and other "goodies". And don't miss eating at Ty Coz. It's not really mexican, but they have the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. There's also a bakery that sells yummy mexican pastries.
Or at Playa Delphines there are some people that walk the beach selling Kibbis sp?. Which are really good. They will have them in what looks like a aquarium. They look like a fried banana but its a dough of some sort deep fried with pork and stuff in them. Be sure to get the salsa with them. Yummy. I think they were about 20 pesos each (cheap). There are more vendors weekends but you will still see them during the week just not as often.
There are definitely food vendors selling some tortas, tacos and hotdogs in the Party Zone. But they normally set up around 10 and sell til the wee hrs of the morning....and they are DELICIOUS!!!
Where Zena is speaking of on the right end of the building is Ty-Coz. Tiny and carry out only but the sandwichs rock and are cheap. They have several places in Cancun, the biggest of which is downtown, across from the bus terminal, to the left of the Comercial Mexicana grocery. R-1 to downtown and get off right in front. Big McDonalds sign is the landmark. Where Gonzo is talking about is in the parking lot and you cannot miss them. There is a Mediterranian version that we used to call Lebanese Hand Grenades as they are shaped and sized. They also have these little fruit cup things that are very good. Locals get them with the red chili powder but it really kicks fruit up a notch. BUT IF YOU WANT AUTHENTIC, YOU MUST COME DOWNTOWN. CHEAP AND QUICK ON THE BUS. TOTALLY SAFE. If you want "street food" aka "street meat" come downtown. R-1 bus and get off at the stop on Tulum in front of Palacio Municipal. 2nd stop after getting downtown and the bus makes a right on Tulum. Cross the street and go down the pedestrian street to the left of Burger King. The big park, Parque las Palapas, is within sight. Many options there. Suggest Marquesitas which are like a long, rolled, but skinny, crepe. Cooked over gas or open flame and filled with cheese and choice of things like cajeta (caramel), nutella (choc) Philly cream cheese, etc. Yummy. About $20 pesos, with one of the options, another $5 if more. They are crispy when served. A good photo or video opportunity. OR Elote, a giant ear of corn on the cob, steaming hot, on a stick, then covered with mayo (sounds nasty but this is worth it), grated cheese, salt and pepper if you ask, and optional chile. Take this option $15 - $20 pesos. At the same stand you can get Esquite (Es- KEY -tay) and these things rock. Corn off the cob and served in a styro cup, with mayo, cheese, limon (lime juice) and some hot sauce. Salt and pepper usually optional. Stir and eat with a spoon. $15-$20 for sm or lge. Now if you want steet meat, usually meaning tacos, go through the park and about 40 yards ahead is a busy street, the main downtown party area, called Yaxchilan. Be careful crossing as the median is narrow. But cross later. Take a right and go 4-5 short, safe blocks. Cross the street to La Taberna, a sports bar where lots of English folks hang out. To the right of La Taberna, on the side street there are 4 choices. I prefer the one on the right, closest to Yaxchilan. They even have a few plastic chairs but this is way beyond casual dining. Choose your tacos and they make them right in front of you. Then choose your poison in terms of salsa. Mild to Holy Smoke, plus cilantro, onion, etc. Order a coke to drink and you will get a cola but not a coke. I love this place. Keep in mind. Always add limon (lime) as everything here is eaten with it. Well, not the Marquesitas.
Hi guys , listening to you describe this food , it sounds delicious. Yet you hear all the horror stories about eating off the street carts and getting sick. Now I am sure it happens , just as it does eating in a good restaurant in the states now and again, but how common is it really?
I have never been sick, and I only know one person to get sick and blame the food off the cart she ate at. So I can in my eyes, it's more of a myth. Now you have to make sure you are getting cooked food, and not something that may have had contact with tap water and never properly sanitized. I am talking fruits and vegetables.
I think my first street meat post was on the old board. I've been eating the street meat for over 15 years... The only time I've felt any discomfort is when I stood on the wrong side of the cart. The hot sauces are generally not labeled, but the standard rule is mildest on the left and hottest on the right... If you accidentally start on the wrong end, you might feel your heartbeat on the wrong end as well.
