Mexico Dietary Concerns

Vegetarians are rare in Mexico, and vegans are almost unheard of. Expect incredulous stares in many places—sometimes from concerned patrons at nearby tables as well as waiters. “Soy vegetariano,” translates into, “I’m vegetarian”; “Sin carne/puerco/pollo/pescado/animal” is “Without meat/pork/chicken/fish/animal.” If you just ask for your meal “without meat,” your waiter may assume that you eat chicken or fish, so be sure to specify what you cannot eat. When pressed, allergies or illness (“Soy allérgico; voy a vomitar si como mucha carne. “I’m allergic; I will vomit if I eat lots of meat”) make better alibis. With that said, the carnivorous culture of Mexico can make it difficult for vegetarian tourists, as almost all meals are prepared using animal products. Some popular vegetarian dishes available in most restaurants include quesadillas (melted cheese between tortillas), chilaquiles (strips of fried tortillas baked in tomato sauce with cheese and fresh cream), molletes (french bread smothered with refried beans and cheese), tortas de queso, and frijoles (beans). Be aware that nearly all flour tortillas and many types of beans are prepared with manteca (lard). Vegan tourists will have a harder go at it and may have to subsist on the old standbys of corn tortillas and rice. Wherever possible, Let’s Go includes vegetarian dining options.

The travel section of the The Vegetarian Resource Group’s website, at www.vrg.org/travel, has a comprehensive list of organizations and websites geared toward helping vegetarians and vegans traveling abroad. It lists Mexican vegetarian establishments at www.vrg.org/travel/larg.htm. For more information, visit your local bookstore or health food store, and consult The Vegetarian Traveler: Where to Stay if You’re Vegetarian, Vegan, Environmentally Sensitive, by Jed and Susan Civic (Larson Publications). Some good resources on the web are www.vegdining.com and www.happycow.net.

Despite the increasing number of Jews in Mexico (especially in Mexico City), keeping kosher can be difficult. Many large supermarkets sell kosher foods, but travelers will have less luck in restaurants and smaller towns. Those who keep kosher should contact Mexican synagogues for information on kosher restaurants. Your own synagogue or college Hillel should have access to lists of Jewish institutions across Mexico. If you are strict in your observance, you may have to prepare your own food on the road. A good resource is the Jewish Travel Guide, edited by Michael Zaidner (Vallentine Mitchell; US$18). Travelers looking for halal restaurants may find www.zabihah.com a useful resource.