18 Popular Mexican Street Foods To Try

Mexico is a vibrant, dynamic country with incredible culture, history, and – of course – Mexican food! In particular, Mexico is well-known for its diverse array of tasty, savory street food.

But if you don’t plan to visit the country for yourself soon, why not try making some of these delicious street foods in the comfort of your home? I’ve compiled a list of my favorite recipes that you can choose from.

Here are the best Mexican street foods, with linked recipes you can use for guidance (but feel free to get creative as well)!

1. Grilled Mexican Street Corn

Grilled Mexican street corn is one of the most popular Mexican street foods that has gained traction worldwide for its savory, sweet, and spicy flavors combined.

I love preparing this Mexican street corn on the outdoor grill for the best, smokiest flavor and eating it alongside chicken tacos.

2. Mexican Gorditas with Maseca

Gorditas are traditional Mexican corn pockets typically filled with meat, stew, or sauteed veggies – or a combination of all three!

I love making these gorditas with Maseca, a Mexican brand of corn flour because it stays true to the authentic taste.

3. Sopes

Sopes are a traditional Mexican street food favorite – small, thick, fried dough rounds you can prepare with many toppings.

My favorites are sopes filled with refried black beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and Mexican crema.

Sopes are fantastic snacks to make when you’re in the mood for something savory, satisfying, and delicious all at once.

4. Mexican Tamales

Tamales are a classic Mexican street food made with masa and steamed in a corn husk.

These tamales are always a hit when I make them for family gatherings and events, as they seem more complicated to make than they really are!

5. Tortas

Torta is one of the Spanish words for cake or pie, but Mexican tortas are more akin to savory sandwiches.

I love making tortas with a great mix of veggies, cheese, beans, and – of course – seasoned meat like steak (or “carne asada”).

6. Mexican Churros

I’m sure many of us are familiar with churros, but if you haven’t tried making them on your own because they seem difficult.

But if you don’t know, churros are a Mexican fried dough that you dip in chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert.

7. Mexican Street Tacos

Another familiar Mexican street food is street tacos, my absolute favorite.

I like making (or buying) small corn tortillas so that I can justify having a handful of tacos and mixing and matching them with various types of meat (chicken, pork, and beef are my favorites).

8. Mexican Street Corn Tostadas

Tostadas are crunchy and delicious discs of fried corn tortilla goodness.

I love making Mexican street corn tostadas with crema, feta cheese, cilantro, and cotija cheese.

The contrast of the crisp tostada with the creamy corn and feta is the perfect mix of savory and sweet, creating a snack I can’t resist. And it’s even better when I add a squeeze of lime before digging in.

9. Esquites

Esquites is a Mexican street snack made with corn, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and hot sauce – all mixed in one cup.

There are various additional ingredients you can add, and I like how this recipe suggests jalapenos, garlic, and chili powder for the ultimate spicy and flavorful kick.

10. Mexican Street Corn Fritters

Mexican street corn fritters are a yummy fried snack you can make when you want something with some heat, some crunch, and a whole lot of flavor.

This recipe uses an array of ingredients for the fritters themselves, including smoked paprika, pepper, cilantro, and chili powder.

Then, includes equally important ingredients for the accompanying sauce, like sour cream, mayo, and lime juice. Talk about flavor!

11. Cemitas

Cemitas are a type of torta, or sandwich, that originated in Puebla, Mexico.

What sets a cemita apart from other sandwiches is that it is served on a sesame seed roll.

This recipe includes homemade rolls, so you can enjoy an authentic cemita poblana from start to finish.

The sandwich calls for either carnitas or chorizo with chipotle chilis in adobo sauce, avocado, and Mexican cheese.

12. Mexican Street Corn Nachos

This recipe for Mexican street corn nachos was immediately added to my “Favorites” list because of what I deem as an appropriate amount of nacho toppings – a lot!

It’s not for the faint-hearted (or those on a diet) because these nachos are filled with delectable ingredients like mayo, whipping cream, Monterey Jack cheese, cotija cheese, sour cream, and butter. Yum!

13. Fried Mexican Quesadillas

Who can say no to fried quesadillas? I sure can’t!

I already appreciate standard quesadillas for their significant emphasis on gooey, melty cheese, but when you deep fry them, you get an even tastier result.

You don’t have to add anything besides Mexican cheese, but I highly recommend a few other fillings, like shredded pork or jalapenos.

14. Paletas

This Mexican street food is perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day! Paletas are essentially Mexican popsicles.

Most paletas are made with fresh fruit, so they’re much better than the popsicles you’d pick up in the frozen aisle.

This recipe calls for mango, pineapple, strawberries, and kiwi, sweetened with a bit of sugar or honey and lime juice.

15. Mexican Street Corn Dip

This Mexican-inspired recipe features a version of corn dip that’s perfect for parties and events, as everyone will quickly fall in love with it!

Jalapenos, cheese, yogurt, mayo, chili powder, and more come together to create a dynamic, gorgeously creamy dipping sauce for your tortilla chips or sliced veggies.