Comida de Baja: Street Vendors
Slowly but surely, I’m going to get these posts out. Our third, fourth, and fifth stops on our whirlwind Mexican food adventure through Northern Baja were all about street vendors. Fish taco stand, ceviche stand, and more fish tacos. Locations and names escape me for this segment primarily because I was driven to each one of these spots and then handed delectable little treats accompanied by “try this.”
After a late night of munching at Manzanilla, we grabbed fish tacos for breakfast in Ensenada – yes breakfast. Nothing like a crispy fish taco at 9 in the morning. I could pound a couple of those magical little tacos, regardless of the time. This stand is run by a mother and her daughters who make all the salsas fresh each day. If you’re not willing to make the trek to Ensenada (and it is worth it) the closest LA proxy IMHO is Ricky’s Fish Tacos in Hollywood.
Next stop was this bomb little ceviche stand in the shadow of the gigantic Mexican flag – you know the one. All the ceviches are seafood based – just pick the meat from the big blue banner hanging at the back of the cart. Each fish blend comes served on a tostada/round fried tortilla chip. Many different sea creatures were had, but my favorite by far was the clam, which was only moments before living “happy as a clam” :p in a makeshift aquarium then shucked, diced, covered in hot sauce, lime juice, and avocado and served back in the shell from which it came. You really can’t get much fresher.
This stand is famous not only for the food, but for all the wild salsas they make and sell. The whole front of the cart showcases all the choices, ranging from mild sweet sauces to stuff that would make Satan sell his soul for a cup of water (it’s the black oily stuff that looks like it’s never been touched, if you’re in the mood for pain). I thought it was pretty awesome that this little cart even has a little “brag board” sitting prominently out front (image below). That wood sandwich board is covered front and back by reviews and press from acclaimed chefs and food media from Mexico and around the world.
Last stop was on the way to wine country (more on that next time) and it was recommended by Solange, Chef Benito’s wife from Manzanilla the night before. We’re not totally sure this was the correct place since our only instructions were “it’s by the police station just past the OXXO” well there happened to be an OXXO about every other block and just as many taco stands. We went with the all red stand since it seemed to best fit the general location. Either way we were a little disappointed, but I think it’s because we already had found the best pescado in Ensenada during breakfast. It also smelled like hot rotting ass in that part of the city. And I’m not talking your regular third-world funk, this was serious stink.
So there you go. Some sweet Mexican street action. Next post we’ll be bringin’ the classy with cheese and wines. Stay tuned.
- Curt
don’t worry i still love seeing these! i’m still posting asia pics!! have a good weekend c+j!
j.
Comment by jennifer young — June 11, 2010 #
[...] recapping our Baja food adventure (if you missed the first few posts, they’re here, here, and here)… but we couldn’t leave out our tour of Baja’s wine country, a beautiful area [...]
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