In Mexico there are many small hole in the wall, out of the living room, type restaurants which offer comida corrida, mid day economical hot lunches. The set menus are generally scribbled on a paper or verbally listed off at the table, as they change daily. These meals usually include soup, main dish, desert and a pitcher of agua fresca (fresh fruit flavoured water), usually for around 30-60 pesos (ie. under $5). We had eaten at many places offering comida corridas and have found they were some of our favourite meals. Not only are they super affordable but they are what I would refer to as good homestyle cooking, no fancy plating, no waiters standing in corners waiting to take your plate away, just simple food done right served by the women who actually prepare the food.
In Coatepec El Menú was recommended to us as a great spot to grab a comida corrida. We saw the sign hanging in a doorway and entered into a courtyard. We were slightly confused at first, with no signs of a restaurant, but we glanced to the right where an oversized fork and spoon hung above a staircase. We took that as a sign and walked up the stairs. At the top, we found the typical set up of plastic tables and chairs and a group of chattering women chopping vegetables and stirring large hot pots waiting for the lunch rush. It was slightly earlier than the typical lunch time (usually between 2-4pm) so the restaurant was empty but the ladies happily welcomed us in and told us to sit wherever we liked. We choose a table with an amazing view and placed our order of two comida corridas.
El Menú: Alimentos para Personas que cuidan su salud “food for health conscious people”
Adrian standing beneath the oversized cutlery hanging in the stairwell which led to the restaurant.
The view from our table.
A pitcher of agua de naranja (water flavoured with orange juice) was brought to our table soon after followed by hot steaming bowls of vegetables in a consomme broth. Vegetables were something we had be longing for. After the soup, came a salad of shredded cabbage and carrots with a wonderfully simple tangy, peppery dressing. For the main dish we had chicken cutlet in a curry sauce. We were not expecting much from a curry in mexico, but were pleasantly surprised as the yellow aromatic sauce was a welcomed change to the typical mexican fair. We were both rather full when our desert arrived, large pieces of pineapple embedded in gelatine, it was cold and refreshing (and dairy free – unusual for a mexican desert and good news for Adrian).
Vegetables in a flavourful broth.
The chicken curry, a deceivingly unappealing photo, but we insist that the flavours were wonderful.
Throughout our meal we had been snapping photos and the lady who was serving us took notice. She told us that if we wanted she would let us up onto the rooftop as the views were spectacular. We were so delighted by her hospitality and kindness as we followed her up the narrow staircase where she unlocked the door which led to the rooftop. She stuck around for a few minutes pointing out some landmarks and other interesting sights and then left us to take photos giving a quick explanation of how to lock the door on our way down.
Photo op on the rooftop.
A church on the corner.
The terra cotta tiled roofs hanging over the street below.
The colours and hillside of Coatepec.
When we got back to the house we explained to our host, Julia, how wonderful we thought El Menú was and how kind the ladies were for letting us out onto the rooftop. She was glad to hear we had enjoyed ourselves, as it is a place that her and her friends frequent, and she was surprised to hear about our great photo opportunity as she had never received such an invite. This was one of our best eating experiences, the delicious food, prepared with love in a setting that felt almost like a grandmother’s kitchen, we highly recommend El Menú.
Viva Oaxaca 2013 