Tuesday, not only brought the previously mentioned Carnaval, San Martín Tilcajete style, it also provided comida, muy sabrosa. No, not one of the 4 restaurants in Oaxaca recently listed in the 101 Best Restaurants in Latin America and the Caribbean. I’m talking about al fresco dining in a roadside restaurant. Sitting under the branches of a large shade tree on plastic chairs, around a plastic table, with cars and trucks speeding by, it was surprisingly tranquil.
We had ringside seats as our lunch was prepared on a well seasoned comal. I couldn’t help thinking as we sat at this unpretentious restaurant, in the middle of the fields that yielded the ingredients for our lunch, prepared according to culinary traditions passed down through generations of Zapotecos, this is quintessential “slow food.”
That’s my tlayuda (sometimes spelled, clayuda) being lifted off the comal — and it was one of the best I’ve eaten! Fyi, tlayudas are one of the 10 Essential Things To Eat And Drink In Oaxaca.
For more on our yummy lunch, see Chris’s blog post, Fat Tuesday done right. Alas, neither one of us took note of the name of the restaurant — all I know is it’s on the east side of Hwy 175, between San Martín Tilcajete and San Tomás Jalieza.
Mexican Peso Converter
Were you by any chance at Azucena Zapoteca??
Have been to Azucena Zapoteca many times, but no. This place is not upscale and touristy — hardly more than a roadside stand and closer to San Tomás Jalieza. The food was fabulous, the staff delightful, and much less expensive!
I’m pretty sure I know the place where you ate, just outside of Sto. Tomas. The food is great and their joven mezcal is quite good too!
Probably… didn’t know about the mezcal! However, on a hot day, we were quite satisfied with our refreshing agua de naranja.
Wow, I could eat that tlayuda right now! Chris’s salad looks especially fresh and yummy too.
Everything was fresh, delicious, and definitely worth several return visits!
Shannon;
I have been in communication with Laura in preparation to take Spanish classes from her. She sounds wonderful. Have you been a student of her’s? Did you know she is moving to Querétaro in May? She gave me a recommendation for a Luz de la Rosa. Do you know her? Could you give me another recommendation? Renee
Hi Renee,
Yes, I took lessons from Laura and she is a caring and intelligent woman, with lots of experience teaching and a boatload of energy. And, yes, I know about the Querétaro move. She will be missed! Will you be taking classes with her via Skype? I think she would be a very good “fit” for you. Alas, I don’t know Luz, though I think a friend may have taken classes from her. If you want, I can ask.
I’ve been meaning to email you privately re all your news and will do so shortly.
Abrazos, Shannon
[…] Hwy. 175 and a lunch stop at the roadside restaurant, between San Tomás Jalieza and San Martín Tilcajete, from almost two weeks […]