Oaxaca, Mexico – Best Breakfast Spots

Delicious Chocolate de Agua at Comedor Chaguita

  If you’re interested in eating some delicious, typical, cheap, and different kind of breakfast then this is the place for you. Oaxaca is a world food mecca and thus has many varieties of dishes for everyone. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for me so I wanted to share a small list of places to grab breakfast at. So if you need a little help knowing what to order, I got you covered:  

Delicious Entomatadas at Comedor #30 

  2. Comedores at Mercado Cuarto Centenario  – Mercado Cuarto Centenerio has some of the best Comedores (food establishments) in Oaxaca . As you are coming down the stairs from Calle 2 de abril street, you’ll be able to spot these Comedores walking down the alley. My personal favorite was the first establishment # 30 (next to comedor Alejandra), and Comedor Chaguita 2 doors down. This is where the long-time residents and families stop by and eat in the mornings and where everyone knows each other. These places are small so there’s typically one long communal table so don’t be afraid of sitting next to a friendly stranger and say Buenos Dias. Although these places are limited in kitchen space, they do offer a wide-variety of breakfast items that include Entomatas, Enfrijoladas, Huevos Rancheros o Al gusto (Eggs), Enchiladas en mole, Chilaquiles, Tasajo, etc. They will typically bring you a small basket with Pan Dulce (Mexican sweet bread) along with a cup of Chocolate or Coffee, although you don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to since it’s not free. Prices are very cheap so don’t be afraid of stuffing yourself. Additionally this place is walking distance from Caracol Purpura which is a nice plus.

What to Order:

• Entomatadas – Fried corn tortilla bathed in a tomato sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, onion, oregano, chile serrano and salt. Typically sprinkled with some Queso Fresco (Oaxacan Cheese) on top. Ask the to throw an egg on top and make it extra nutritious! (not a spicy dish)
• Enfrijoladas – Fried corn tortilla bathed in a blended bean puree, these are usually stuffed with cheese which make them extra delicious.
• Huevos Rancheros Con Tasajo – Sunny-side up eggs topped with fresh Salsa made of tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, cilantro. Typically accompanied by refried beans, and avocados. Also ask for a side of Tasajo, which is a thinly sliced grilled beef, typically served with other dishes.
• Enchiladas en mole – Corn tortilla rolled around, filled with cheese, and covered with Mole Sauce. Typically served with a side of refried beans or rice.
• Chilaquiles – Corn tortillas cut in quarters and lightly fried with salsa roja (red sauce) on top. Typically topped with queso fresco, raw onion rings and avocado (depending on the region). I personally like throwing a sunny-side up egg on top of it for protein.

There’s other items in the menu so I’d encourage you to try other things not covered in this post. They’re more than willing to make your eggs a specific way, or not use certain ingredients that you might be allergic to, just let them know exactly what you want. What to Drink:

• Chocolate de Agua o De Leche – You already know the drill!

Other Snacks:

• Pan De Yema – A typical Oaxacan Yolk Bread that may be dipped in the chocolate and consumed in the mornings. It’s delicious!

Business Information:

Operating Hours: Mon-Sat: 7:30 AM Address: De Montaño, Santa María del Marquesado, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, Oax., Mexico  Exact Location: Street View    

Tacos at Plaza Del Carmen

  3. Tacos De Comal Plaza Del Carmen – This place has been opened since 1974! And although they sell tacos, they also serve your traditional Tlayudas, Quesadillas, and Memelas. This is a perfect spot to start off your day before exploring Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca at Santo Domingo or other places of interest. They have a small bench in which you can sit down and enjoy your tacos while you watch the locals stop by and eat a delicious Taco de Chicharron or a Tinga de pollo.  

Comal Tacos at Tacos De Comal Plaza Del Carmen

What to Order:

• Taco de Tinga De Pollo con Quesillo – A shredded chicken in a sauce made from tomatoes, chipotle chilis in adobo (marinate), and sliced onions.
• Taco De Chicharron –  Pork Grind taco cooked in salsa. 
• Taco De Champiñones con Quesillo – Mushroom tacos with cheese, a great vegetarian option.
• Taco De Chile Rellejo – Cheese Stuffed roasted chili pepper. (not spicy).
• Tlayuda – A large, thin, crunchy, partially fried or toasted tortilla covered with a spread of refried beans, asiento (unrefined pork lard). Topped with Queso Fresco, veggies, and meat (Typically shredded chicken, or beef tenderloin).

Note: (The tacos are pretty generous in terms of size so you won’t need more than 2 to be satisfied). What to Drink: They serve Coffee, Atole, and Sodas, but most likely you’ll end up drinking a Coca Cola as they run out of the Atole.  

Business Information:

Operating Hours: Mon-Sat: 8AM–3:30PM Sun: Closed 🙁 Address: Jesús Carranza 110, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, Oax., Mexico     4. Itanoní antojeria y tortilleria – Step back in time, at a point in time where people consumed various species of Maiz (corn) and these varieties flourished throughout Mexico. Unfortunately most of the corn consumption whether in the U.S. or Mexico is all the same genetically modified kind, and people have forgotten that other specifies of corn exists. This was the basis of finding Itanoni, a restaurant that focuses on corn-based antojitos (snacks), and other interesting dishes inspired by corn.  

A variety of corn displayed at Itanoní

More than good food, this place is an experience of it’s own as the first thing you see walking into the establishment is a comal (griddle) in display and the cooks making tortillas from scratch and other corn-dough dishes. You’ll see various colors of corn dough which might seem strange to some folks that have never seen colored maize. For me, it was the realization that this is what my ancestors used to consume and I was rediscovering these flavors all over again.

Various types of stuffing and toppings such as scrambled eggs with chili sauce, chicharrones, potatoes.

Outside of your traditional Tacos & Quesadillas, Itanoni offers other corn-based dishes such as Telelas, Memelas, and corn-based drinks such as Atole de Panela, and some interesting items such as their Pozole mixteco.

What to Order:

• Telela – Tasty triangle-shaped corn masa (dough) treats filled with beans and cheese.
• Memela – A thick corn tortilla that’s toasted on a hot comal, spread with refried beans, cheese, potatoes, and whatever else you’d like to add.
• Pozole Mixteco – A traditional Mexican soup usually served with Hominy, this version uses La Mixteca-based corn (Region in Oaxaca), mixed with onions & lime. You have a choice of shredded pork shoulder or shredded chicken.
• Tacos –  No need to explain this; however, order them with Barbacoa (Slow cooked beef/lamb), Cochinita Pibil (slow-roasted pork), Chicharrón (pork rinds), eggs with red chili, beans and cheese, or other delicious options you might see.

What to drink:

• Atole de Panela o Champurrado – Chocolate-based drink, a warm and thick Mexican drink, prepared with either masa de maíz (corn dough), cinnamon, and piloncillo (unrefined whole cane sugar). Made with water or milk.
• Tascalate – A chilled-served-drink, consisting of mixture of roasted maize, chocolate, ground pine nuts, achiote (Annatto), vanilla and sugar.
• Chocolate – you know the drill, water-based or milk-based.
• Café de Olla –   Traditional way of making coffee in a traditional earthen clay pot which gives it a distinct taste with cinnamon added and sugar.

Business Information:

Operating Hours: Mon-Sat: 7AM–4PM Sun: 7AM–2PM Address: Av Belisario Domínguez 513, Reforma, 68050 Oaxaca, Oax., Mexico      Find these places on Google Maps.

 

Final Thoughts:

Although you can’t go wrong with most food spots in Oaxaca, again a “Food Mecca”, I did wanted to focus on delicious breakfast spots that any local person would go to and  eat along with including a personal favorite of mine “Itanoní”. Although very well-known, Itanoní does provide an introduction to corn-based antojitos (snacks) that many non-Mexicans might not be aware of. I hope you enjoy your stay in Oaxaca and enjoy these places as much as I did. Enjoy the food slideshow!