El Parnita in Mexico City is the Roma Norte antojitos kitchen on Yucatan since 2010, a casual modern Mexican room with hand-rolled tortillas and a tight chipotle-fish taco menu.
Signature dishes: Tacos de pescado al chipotle, Pulpo a la brasa, Tamales
Must order: Tacos de pescado al chipotle; pulpo a la brasa; the tamal of the day.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Lunch service runs the heaviest; the patio is dog friendly. Walks-ins land most days.
Address: Av. Yucatan 84, Roma Norte, Cuauhtemoc, 06700 Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City
El Hidalguense in Mexico City is the Roma Sur weekend barbacoa pit on Campeche, the maguey-pit lamb that fills the room from Friday through Sunday morning with Hidalgo-style platefuls.
Signature: Barbacoa de borrego, Consomé de borrego, Pancita
Order: Barbacoa de borrego with consomé and pancita on the side.
Tip: Open Friday to Sunday only, 07:00 to 18:00. Arrive by 09:30 Sunday or the consomé runs out before noon.
Expendio de Maiz in Mexico City is chef Jesus Salas' tiny no-reservations heirloom-corn counter in Roma Norte, the kitchen that built its name on native masa from Oaxaca and Tlaxcala.
Signature: Heirloom-corn tortillas, Tlacoyos, Quesadillas de masa azul
Order: The daily handwritten menu; the blue-corn tlacoyo with squash blossoms.
Tip: Ten counter seats; no reservations. Open Wed-Sun 13:00 to 19:00; arrive at opening with cash.
Fonda Fina in Mexico City is the Roma Norte modern fonda on Medellin from chef Juan Cabrera, a daytime Mexican kitchen that updates traditional Mexico City home cooking with a tasting-menu format.
Signature: Sopa de mariscos, Pescado a la veracruzana, Mole de la casa
Order: Sopa de mariscos; whichever guisado fills the chef's plate that day; the daily mole.
Tip: Lunch is the move; the dining room runs more festively on Saturdays. Closed Monday.
El Hidalguense in Mexico City is the Roma Sur weekend barbacoa pit on Campeche, the maguey-pit lamb that fills the room from Friday through Sunday morning with Hidalgo-style platefuls.
Signature: Barbacoa de borrego, Consomé de borrego, Pancita
Order: Barbacoa de borrego with consomé and pancita on the side.
Tip: Open Friday to Sunday only, 07:00 to 18:00. Arrive by 09:30 Sunday or the consomé runs out before noon.
Expendio de Maiz in Mexico City is chef Jesus Salas' tiny no-reservations heirloom-corn counter in Roma Norte, the kitchen that built its name on native masa from Oaxaca and Tlaxcala.
Signature: Heirloom-corn tortillas, Tlacoyos, Quesadillas de masa azul
Order: The daily handwritten menu; the blue-corn tlacoyo with squash blossoms.
Tip: Ten counter seats; no reservations. Open Wed-Sun 13:00 to 19:00; arrive at opening with cash.
Casa de Tono in Mexico City is the citywide pozole and antojitos chain that opens daily and hands out free atole de arroz at the door; the Londres branch in Juarez is the closest sit-down room from Roma and Reforma.
Signature: Pozole blanco, Tostadas, Enchiladas suizas
Order: A bowl of pozole blanco with all the garnishes; a tostada de tinga on the side.
Tip: Open 24 hours at many branches; cash and card accepted. A reliable late-night pozole stop after a long Roma or Centro night.
El Pescadito in Mexico City is the Sonora-import battered-fish taqueria with multiple branches; the Condesa stand on Atlixco runs the standing-counter style with marlin, shrimp and battered fish tacos.
Signature: Tacos de pescado capeado, Tacos de camaron, Marlin tacos
Order: Two tacos de pescado capeado; one taco de camaron; salsa cremosa.
Tip: Stand-up counters; no reservations. Open 12:00 to 22:00 daily. Cash preferred.
Fonda Fina in Mexico City is the Roma Norte modern fonda on Medellin from chef Juan Cabrera, a daytime Mexican kitchen that updates traditional Mexico City home cooking with a tasting-menu format.
Signature: Sopa de mariscos, Pescado a la veracruzana, Mole de la casa
Order: Sopa de mariscos; whichever guisado fills the chef's plate that day; the daily mole.
Tip: Lunch is the move; the dining room runs more festively on Saturdays. Closed Monday.
Azul Historico in Mexico City is chef Ricardo Munoz Zurita's Centro Historico courtyard kitchen at the Downtown Mexico hotel, the regional Mexican mole specialist with seats under the Indian laurel.
Signature: Mole negro, Cochinita pibil, Chiles en nogada
Order: Mole negro from Oaxaca; cochinita pibil tacos; an agua fresca de la temporada.
Tip: The open courtyard table closest to the fountain is the seat; brunch lasts till 17:00 weekends. Walk-ins land most weekdays.
