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There are ample opportunities to try food prepared and cooked by locals. If you come to La Manzanilla and don't try a taco from a taco stand, you are really missing out. Below is some information about the types of food available from local street vendors.
Taco Stands Between 6-7 p.m. taco stands start setting up around the main part of town. Don’t miss a chance to dine at a taco stand! You can usually have your choice of carne asada (beef), pollo (chicken), chorizo (sausage), De Cabeza (cow head), Al pastor (pork), and quesadillas. Each stand has its own salsa and may have beans and lettuce.
Carnitas Braised and season pork served in a tortilla and accompanied by salsas. The best place in La Manzanilla to get carnitas is in front of Chonas aborrtes on Sunday morning. They make handmade tortillas and a spicy pico de gallo salsa. It's located accross the street from Jolanda's on Maria Asuncion.
Tamales Be on the lookout for a red tuk-tuk type vehicle cruising around town in the late afternoon. That’s Juan, the tamale and atole man! If he’s in your part of town on Monday he won’t be back until Wednesday, so flag him down if you want some fresh handmade tamales. The poblano pepper and cheese tamale and the dessert fresa (strawberry) tamale both come highly recommended. He also offers chicken and pork. The tamales take about two hours to prepare and two hours to cook. At the end of each evening he parks at the jardín, if there are any left to sell. And on Saturday and Sunday he’s at the jardín (town square).
Atole A thick, warm drink made with masa and sweetened with cinnamon and brown sugar.
Licuado Heavenly drinks typically made with a combination of blended milk, fresh fruit, sugar, or honey, these are not to be missed. Each morning around 7:30am, just where the road splits in the middle of town, two ladies set-up shop for the morning. They are equipped with blenders, juicers, milk, sweeteners, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Try the combination of milk, apple, banana, strawberry, chocolate, and cinnamon. If you prefer a combination of carrots and beets, they can certainly oblige. NOTE: The drinks are served in plastic bags, so it is best to bring your own cup so the discarded bags don’t end up in the Mangrove or in the ocean.
Coco juice The palapa restaurants on the beach can all serve coconut juice fresh from the nut. They whack off the top the coconut, insert a straw and serve it up. After you finish the juice be sure to ask them to cut it open for you and enjoy the flesh with some fresh lime juice and chile.
Tuba You’ll find this served on the beach from vendors walking around carrying big gourd-like bottles. It’s “agua de palma” or juice from a palm tree served in a cup with peanuts tossed in. Vendors say the addition of peanuts is a Colima tradition. It makes for an interesting flavor and texture combination.
Ice Cream There is a lovely elderly lady named Ophelia you’ll see on the beach or at the jardín, pushing a white cart. She’s selling homemade ice cream and it’s a real treat. Try the guava! |
La Manzanilla Street Vendors