Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Today the group was off to see the Tulum Ruins, which I did not like the first time round so I opted out of going again. I think I made the right decision despite seeing where the group had puerco pibil for lunch.
But who needs one lunch when you can have three!
Yes it’s true I have not learned! Well I actually did learn a little, this time I did not eat breakfast so I could eat more. But if you want to know where to eat in Playa del Carmen you need to ask someone who lived in Playa del Carmen. This was not actually difficult as Mexicans are not short of opinions when it comes to food.
My first meal was from enthusiastic Sergio who works at Blue Diamond. When he heard I was going into town he offered up his favourite taco stand that he drives out of the way to visit to get the chile relleno tacos. Knowing I was taking a collectivo into town he wrote the directions on a piece of paper to give to the driver.
Just like outside the ADO in Cancun, the women who cook the food do not touch the money. This is the sign on a clean place because money is disgustingly dirty. If you go to PDC you must head to the Red Cross on Avenida Benito Juarez. I wanted another but I had more food coming.
Next up was Los Aguachiles, which all the locals seem to know about but another Mexican blogger told me about. There is a bit of a Canadian connection as the restaurant uses Clamato juice in its dishes. I asked the waiter what he recommended and I had aguachido, shrimp marinated in lemon juice with clamato and fresh vegetables, smoked tuna and camaron ensabanado another delicious shrimp dish.
If I had to choose only one restaurant in PDC it would be Los Aguachiles, the tostadas shine a spotlight on the brightness of Yucatean cuisine and you will never want to eat tex mex again. I was so impressed at how fresh and light the food was, and it was also a feast for the eyes, the restaurant really knows how to please all the senses.
My last meal recommendation was from Daniel from Blue Diamond. When I asked him if El Fogon has the best tacos as everyone had told me. He said indeed they were good but not the best. He directed me to Taquria Arandas at Prive av Norte and 10 av Norte and the place was packed with locals. While I usually don’t like organs, I decided to follow Daniel’s advice and get the tripe along with sodero, which was described as random pieces of meat that no one really know what it is.
Verdict: Amazing. I was never able to eat tacos al pastor El Fogon because they do not start serving until 6pm and I couldn’t fit it into my eating schedule. But if you only eat at Arandas you will leave very satisfied.
When I returned back to the resort I stepped on the scale and I am 2 lbs heavier, totally worth it. I’ll diet at home.
 |
I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
I love Mexico’s fish tacos!! Ahhh. I miss them so.
Meg | One Love Meg recently posted..Sweat Until Your Forearms Drip!
They are my absolute favourite, actually I am not sure if I can pick an absolute favourite.
I want to go to Mexico. Now. All these treats look really good.
Italian Notes recently posted..Museum crawl in Venice
Have you ever been? Honestly I think the culinary prowess goes head to head with Italy.
I’m always up for the multiple meal lunch. I haven’t tried these ones in PDC yet so I’m excited to get back there!!! I LOVE me some taquitos!!
jenjenk recently posted..Los Angeles: KitchenAid Lunch
Alas I am up for the multiple meal lunch far too much!
You may have missed the awesome puerco pibil at the hacienda, but those aguachido and camaron ensabanado tostadas look absolutely divine!
And then we all returned to the hotel only to go back out again for another huge meal…was afraid to get on the scale after that one
I still have not recovered from eating. I don’t know how you guys do it in Oaxaca.
Perfect timing. Thanks to you, I’ll be checking out Los Aguachiles today.
Looks delicious!
I agree. Those tostadas look almost too perfect to eat!
Christy recently posted..Five Ways to Enjoy a Different Side of Paris
I love it when a plate arrives and you almost feel guilty for eating it.
That’s how I felt about my trip to Savannah earlier this month: I came home a few pounds heavier, but it was totally worth it!
I really want to go to Savannah, it seems like another world.
Oh man, I’m HUNGRY now! (Should not have read at lunchtime before I had eaten!) I love the pic of the Creature from the Black Lagoon two-fisting the beer. Hilarious! Also, the name of your blog is GREAT!!!!
Courtney Mroch recently posted..Ghost Doctors Diagnose Paranormal Activity in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art
Is that the creature of the Black Lagoon? I just thought it was hilarious.
Only two pounds? That’s not bad at all!! That food looks amazing.
Oh bless you D, because 2 lbs looks like 10 on me.
Luckily I don’t care, I would rather have a life filled with great food than a great number on the scale.
Those tostadas are so pretty and colorful – I can only imagine how fresh they must’ve tasted.
I am so picky about seafood but they were really fresh.
I really miss chile relleno tacos… I really miss MEXICAN food. I want to go back!
Erica recently posted..Into the Unknown: The Bolivian Amazon
There’s nothing like it. I really love Mexico.
What a treat – I would have loved to taste each one!
Jeanette recently posted..Chocolate Marbled Cupcake Recipe {Gluten and Dairy-Free} – $50 Bob’s Red Mill Gift Card Giveaway
Jeanette you would have loved Agua Chiles, you could tell everything was so fresh.
So glad I have already eaten dinner! Your pictures and descriptions are fabulous. I’m not crazy about this part of Mexico, but it’s been a while – may have to go back sometime!
Have you been to Merida or Campeche? They are also really lovely.
It all looks so good – I would have had three lunches too
Damn, damn, damn! I wish I would have read this before I went to Tulum. My lunch didn’t look nearly as yummy.
There’s always a second trip
Who puts a scale in a resort?!!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Learning to Cook in Chile: Ceviche, Pisco Sours y Mas!
You know I thought it was weird too but I was too curious not to step on it.
Great post and photos! Brings back memories of tacos de rajas y queso at El Fogon in the late hours. It’s been years. Craving now.
I need to go back and try the tacos at El Fogon.
2 pounds is oh so worth it!!!!
Totally agree Andi!
Planning my visit now…and never eating Tex Mex again.
You won’t regret it!
Hmmm….this info would have been good to know when I was there. We ended up eating at all the tourist hot spots. Uggh! Your choices look MUCH better.
You know what is interesting when I asked about the good restaurants a lot of people said 5th Avenue, despite looking like a tourist street was where a lot of locals ate too. I heard this from a lot of people which is so perplexing but really speaks to the integration of the city.
I’m sure it was just water weight:) I have no problem gaining weight from good food that you can’t find elsewhere either.
Laurel recently posted..Trier, Germany – the Second Rome
Love your take on things Laurel.
Just how DO you make every ounce of food look so good?
Never shoot brown food my friend
Makes me HUNGRY! Too bad you didn’t get to try the Pastor at El Fagon, best we had south of DF,and their steak tacos rock as well. though it doesn’t look like you fared too badly.
Eric @ Trans-Americas Journey recently posted..Old Copán – Copán Archaeological Site, Honduras
Not at all. But I so want to go to DF to eat, if only to eat.
Man, I want to head there to eat now. There’s not really any good Mexican food in Berlin and I miss it so much.
Nice photos!
I was excited to find your blog because I am planning a trip to Tulum. I will bring your food suggestions for PDC and have already looked into the Cozumel food tour. Thank you!
Los Augachiles is my favorite place in Playa. We spent 4 months there, and ate at Los Augachiles at least twice a week. I still dream about their fish tacos. Mmmmmmmmmm….
Kelly recently posted..New Zealand Road Trip – A month in tweets!
It’s definitely some of the best seafood I’ve ever had.