The Best Street Food in Puerto Morelos You Can't Miss

Some of the most memorable meals on the Mexican Caribbean are eaten standing up or perched on a folding chair. In Puerto Morelos, street food follows the rhythm of the day: seafood around midday when the boats are in, grilled meat once the sun drops, something sweet as the plaza fills up after dark. Here is how to eat your way through a day in town, plus a few habits that make it easier.

Midday: Seafood Straight From the Pier

Fishing boats return to the town pier in the morning, and by lunchtime the catch has found its way onto tostadas. Ceviche here is usually fish or shrimp "cooked" in lime juice, then mixed with diced onion, tomato, cilantro and avocado and piled onto a crisp corn tortilla. Ask for the habanero salsa on the side if you are cautious; it is properly hot. Pair it with a cold drink and a seat in the shade.

Fish tacos are the other lunchtime staple. Battered or grilled, wrapped in a warm tortilla and finished with cabbage, crema and salsa, they show up at many stands and small cocinas. Everyone in town seems to have a favorite, and the honest answer is that most of them are good. Try a few and form your own opinion.

Evening: Tacos al Pastor on the Corner

As the light fades, look for the trompo: a vertical spit stacked with marinated pork, slowly turning beside a flame. The cook shaves thin slices onto small tortillas and tops them with a sliver of pineapple, onion and cilantro. Order a few at a time so they arrive hot, and add salsa roja or salsa verde to taste. Al pastor stands often set up near the plaza and stay busy late into the evening.

After Dark: Something Sweet

A marquesita is a Yucatán peninsula favorite and a must-try. Batter is pressed thin on a hot iron until crisp, then rolled around grated Edam cheese and a sweet filling such as chocolate spread, cajeta caramel or condensed milk. The salty-sweet mix sounds unusual and works perfectly. Follow the smell of warm sugar in the plaza and you will likely find the cart with a line of kids in front of it.

Anytime: Fruit Cups and Agua Fresca

Fruit vendors near the central park sell cups of mango, papaya, pineapple, jícama or coconut, finished with lime and chili powder. In the heat, it is the most refreshing snack in town. To drink, ask for agua de jamaica, a tart hibiscus infusion, or horchata, a creamy rice drink spiced with cinnamon. Both are made fresh in big glass jars and are ideal after a morning on the beach.

Tips for Eating Like a Local

• Head inland. The beach road has plenty of sit-down restaurants, but the busiest stands are often a couple of blocks back.
• Follow the crowd. A stall full of locals usually means fresh ingredients and fast turnover.
• Carry small change. Most stands are cash only, and small bills make life easier for everyone.
• Pace yourself with chili. Taste a drop of each salsa before spooning it on.
• Slow down. Street food here is social. Pull up a chair, say hello, and do not be surprised if a quick snack turns into a long evening.

Buen provecho.