The places in Guadalajara the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.

Off the beaten plate

Tejuino Mercado Corona ★ 4.1

centro-historico

Tejuino Mercado Corona in Guadalajara is the Avenida Hidalgo Mercado Corona stalls for tejuino, the canonical Jalisco fermented-masa drink with lime and salt.

Why locals love it: The Mercado Corona tejuino stalls Tapatio cooks shop daily for the fermented-masa drink, a hyper-local Jalisco specialty.

Tip: Ask for tejuino con limon y sal; the lime sorbet on top sets the Tapatio version apart.

Fonda Dona Gabina Escolastica ★ 4.2

centro-historico

Fonda Dona Gabina Escolastica in Guadalajara is the Francisco I. Madero technicolour Mexicaltzingo fonda, a Tapatio family favourite for pozole and Sunday.

Why locals love it: The Mexicaltzingo technicolour fonda Tapatio families book for Sunday lunch, with traditional Jalisco plates and a colorful courtyard.

Tip: Sunday lunch books out two weeks ahead; weekday lunch is walk-in only.

El Meson de la Nieta ★ 4.0

tlaquepaque

El Meson de la Nieta in Tlaquepaque is the Calle Madero family fonda, a low-cost San Pedro spot hidden by the El Parian crowd for traditional comida corrida.

Why locals love it: The Tlaquepaque family fonda where Calle Madero artisans still take lunch, a Tapatio comida-corrida room hidden by the El Parian crowd.

Tip: Weekday lunch at 14:30 is the easier seating; the menu changes daily.

El Grillo ★ 4.2

lafayette

El Grillo on Calle Marsella in Guadalajara is the Colonia Americana mezcaleria, a Lafayette favourite for small-producer Oaxaca mezcal and Tapatio nights.

Why locals love it: The Calle Marsella mezcaleria Tapatio bartenders drink at after their shifts, with small-producer Oaxaca and Michoacan mezcal flights.

Tip: Ask the bartender for the off-menu raicilla; Wednesday is bartender night and the flight discount is real.

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