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Traditional MexicanSan Angel
San Angel Inn in Mexico City is the 1692 hacienda turned restaurant on Diego Rivera, a courtyard-and-garden colonial room where the Margarita Sabra anchors.
OrderChiles en nogada (July to September); sopa de tortilla year round; the Margarita Sabra.
TipBook two weeks ahead for Saturday lunch on the patio. Mariachi runs Sunday afternoon.
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Regional MexicanPolanco
El Bajio in Mexico City is chef Carmen Titita Ramirez's Veracruz-rooted regional Mexican kitchen with the Polanco branch on Alejandro Dumas.
OrderCarnitas; empanadas de platano relleno de frijol; tamal de mole.
TipOpen daily 09:00-22:00. The Azcapotzalco original is the deeper room for Veracruz regional depth.
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MexicanRoma Norte
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.
OrderTacos de pescado al chipotle; pulpo a la brasa; the tamal of the day.
TipClosed Sundays. Lunch service runs the heaviest; the patio is dog friendly. Walks-ins land most days.
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Hidalgo BarbacoaRoma Norte
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.
OrderBarbacoa de borrego with consomé and pancita on the side.
TipOpen Friday to Sunday only, 07:00-18:00. Arrive by 09:30 Sunday or the consomé runs out before noon.
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Heirloom-corn MexicanRoma Norte
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.
OrderThe daily handwritten menu; the blue-corn tlacoyo with squash blossoms.
TipTen counter seats; no reservations. Open Wed-Sun 13:00-19:00; arrive at opening with cash.
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MexicanJuarez
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.
OrderA bowl of pozole blanco with all the garnishes; a tostada de tinga on the side.
TipOpen 24 hours at many branches; cash and card accepted. A reliable late-night pozole stop after a long Roma or Centro night.