Vegetarianism & The City

Ok, so I didn't write this story for The News, the freelance food writer did. However, I thought to highlight some anecdotes just to show what being vegetarian in DF is like.


Eating vegetarian in the city

BY NICHOLAS GILMAN
Special to The News

Being a vegetarian in Mexico is no easy task - we're deeply entrenched in a meat-loving culture. Mexico City's air plays host to competing breezes from smoke-belching cars and simmering pork shanks. You can't escape it.

While most streets in Mexico City seem to host one "tacos de cabeza" stand or an Argentine parilla, the pleasant surprise is that there are many meatless options in the city....

Two types of strictly vegetarian restaurants exist. The first is the old style "regular-food-but-hold-the-beef" type places, some of which have been around longer than Gayelord Hauser. Then there are the hipster health joints, recent arrivals, the "California stickers still on their luggage.

I have tried several of both. I found vegetarian versions of Mexican classic dishes, new age "faux-meat" concoctions, and lots of plain boiled vegetables and fresh salad....

U.S. concepts of what is and isn't vegetarian may be unfamiliar here. I've ordered "vegetarian pozole" and been served broth made with pork stock, but without the addition of shredded meat. Likewise, "dairy-free" is not a common concept, nor is total veganism. So if you adhere to these diets, you have to explain your needs carefully....

For those who eat fish, there are no end of good seafood places. And the street food scene can be veg-friendly: just find any quesadilla or gordita stand. Many "tacos de guisado" places offer vegetable or egg fillings (be sure to ask if they are augmented by ham or sausage)....

At the top of the list of contemporary, American-style, organic food restaurants is Origenes Orgánicos, in the heart of La Condesa, and its sister venue Eco-Bistrot in Polanco. .... I liked the "Thai" salad (although their geography is confused - there's nothing Thai about yogurt, cucumbers and ginger)....

So even if you crave "tacos al pastor," or salivate at the thought of a juicy steak, eating vegetarian in the city is perfectly doable. And it never hurt anyone to eat vegetarian every once in awhile.