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Traditional MexicanCentro Historico
Azul Historico in Mexico City is chef Ricardo Munoz Zurita's traditional Mexican kitchen inside the courtyard of the Downtown Mexico hotel on Isabel la.
OrderThe mole negro from Oaxaca; the cochinita pibil tacos.
TipSit in the open courtyard under the Indian laurel; ask for the table closest to the fountain. Brunch lasts till 17:00 weekends.
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Veracruz MexicanPolanco
El Bajio in Mexico City is chef Carmen Titita Ramirez's Veracruz-rooted regional Mexican kitchen with locations across the city, with the Polanco branch.
OrderThe carnitas; the empanadas de platano with frijoles refritos.
TipOpen daily 09:00-22:00; the Azcapotzalco original opened 1972 and is the deeper room for connoisseurs.
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Traditional MexicanAzcapotzalco
Nicos in Mexico City is Gerardo Vazquez Lugo's family-run Azcapotzalco room on Cuitlahuac, the traditional Mexican kitchen ranked on the Latin America 50.
OrderThe mole almendrado; the sopa seca de natas, a layered creamy casserole.
TipClosed Sunday dinner and Monday; the slow-cooked moles are the move at lunch. Worth the cab from Polanco for the home-cooking depth.
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Hidalgo BarbacoaRoma Norte
El Hidalguense in Mexico City is the Roma Sur weekend-only barbacoa pit on Campeche, the Hidalgo-style maguey-pit lamb that fills the room from Friday.
OrderThe barbacoa de borrego with consomé; the pancita stew on the side.
TipOpen Friday to Sunday only, 07:00-18:00. Arrive by 09:30 Sunday or the consomé runs out by 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 on Yucatan in Roma Norte, the kitchen that built its name.
OrderWhatever the daily handwritten menu lists; the blue-corn tlacoyo with squash blossoms.
TipNo reservations; only ten counter seats. Open Wed-Sun 13:00-19:00; arrive at opening and bring cash.
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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 in San Angel where the Margarita.
OrderChiles en nogada when in season July to September; the sopa de tortilla year round.
TipThe patio is the seat; book two weeks ahead for Saturday lunch under the bougainvillea. Mariachi runs Sunday afternoon.