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Street foodCentro HistoricoCash only
Tortas El Cuadrilatero in Mexico City is the Centro torta counter on Luis Moya opened in 1991 by the family of luchador Super Astro, walls covered in masks.
OrderThe Gladiador kilogram torta if you can; otherwise the regular Pierna with chipotle and queso Oaxaca.
TipClosed Sundays; the Gladiador is free if you finish in 15 minutes. Cash only and arrive hungry.
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Street foodCoyoacanCash only
Tostadas Coyoacan in Mexico City is the cluster of yellow-and-orange-signed tostada stalls inside Mercado de Coyoacan on Ignacio Allende, the city's most.
OrderOne tostada de pulpo; one tostada de tinga; a tostada de pata.
TipArrive before 14:00 for the freshest mariscos and to avoid the post-Frida crowd.
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Street foodCentro Historico
El Huequito in Mexico City is the 1959 Centro Historico al pastor stand on Ayuntamiento, one of the earliest taqueria operations to plate the trompo-cut pork.
OrderThree tacos al pastor with the house red salsa; a pina (pineapple) agua fresca on the side.
TipThe original Ayuntamiento alley counter is barely a window in the wall; sit-down branches now run across the city but the original counter is the relic.
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Street foodCondesa
El Tizoncito in Mexico City is the 1966 Condesa taqueria on Tamaulipas that claims to have invented the modern tacos al pastor served on a small corn.
OrderFour tacos al pastor con pina; a side of grilled green onions.
TipThe Tamaulipas original holds the strictest quality control; the sister branches scattered across Polanco and other neighbourhoods are looser.
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Street foodNarvarteCash only
El Vilsito in Mexico City is the Narvarte mechanic shop by day and taqueria by night on Peten, a Bib Gourmand spot where the al pastor trompo fires up.
OrderFive tacos al pastor with the house green and red salsas; a Coca-Cola in a glass bottle.
TipOpen evenings only; the queue is real after midnight Friday and Saturday. Cash; metro Eugenia is the easiest arrival.
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Street foodCentro HistoricoCash only
Los Cocuyos in Mexico City is the 24-hour Centro Historico taqueria on Bolivar since 1980, the Bib Gourmand counter known for melting suadero, longaniza.
OrderThree suadero tacos with both salsas; a campechano (mixed suadero and longaniza).
TipOpen 24 hours; a second annex three doors down has tables and is the quieter option after midnight.