Legend has it that nachos were born north of Coahuila, but soon after the Americans took the dish characteristic of Mexican cuisine and implanted it in their territory. A dish that has been recovered thanks to the boom of the Tex-Mex kitchen, retaking the concept of nachos made with Mexican products.
The most famous Mexican snack, made with guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream. A simple dish becoming more and more common in the streets of Barcelona. And today we woke up with an appetite for Mexican food, eager to dip our fingers in sauce and grab some nachos with our fingers. A succulent and appetizing dish perfect for days like today, in which to immerse ourselves in a gastronomic street culture as authentic as Mexican.
The nachos are one of our favorite dishes so here we leave our five favorite places where we can dip our fingers in salsa and devour some real nachos in the pure Mexican style. Andale!
In the Gracia district there is a small Mexican enclave with the name of Pikio Taco. We know it after opening its doors; cactus, masks, aromas and colors of Mexico. If we add a big red neon sign with the phrase “Me importa un taco”, the result is an iconic Mexican place in the heart of the Catalan city. In Pikio Taco, they are experts on the subject and know that after sitting down to eat some of their tacos, the worries you brought with you will diminish at least a little bit.
Fernando welcomes us in this recently completed, two year old taco shop, and has a simple menu based on fresh ingredients. Here they have tacos, but their nachos don’t go unnoticed either. The secret ingredient? The chili with meat. A Mexican specialty that gives unconditional flavor. Add cheddar sauce made their way, a little jalapeño, cream and some chips, and you get some of the best nachos in town. That simple!
What to say about Pachuco that you don’t already know… the most popular corner in the Raval district. From the time they open their doors to the time they close, the bustle of people is uncontrollable. A gastronomic temple where authentic Mexican street food is worshipped.
As the name suggests, a defense of Mexican culture that is kept alive thanks to places like El Pachuco. An identity mark of the house where José Luis has been able to retake the typical cuisine of his native Mexico and elevate it to the maximum splendor.
A no-nonsense gastronomic offer, based on the real generational cuisine with quesadillas, micheladas and nachos. And they make their own chips every day. But what really identifies El Pachuco is their nachos. Synonymous with perfection and flavor, the chips are their star dish.
Homemade nachos made with chicken, beans, guacamole, chicken tinge with onion, chipotle and tomato, grilled cheese, pico de gallo, homemade Mexican cream, house sauce with roasted tomatoes and chipotle sauce, pickled jalapeños and cilantro. Pachuco’s nachos are another story!
Tacos, nachos, margaritas are some of the things you can get at Taco Alto. A real taco with all the essence of Mexico in the heart of Rambla del Raval. An innovative concept of authentic Mexican take-away food.
A few months ago they opened their second location, and here it works. You enter, take a look at the menu, although you probably know it by heart, make your order and while you wait you choose between their hot sauces from 1 to 5 depending on how tough and brave you are.
But not everything is tacos, they also make some nachos that will blow you away. Our favorites are the Poblanos made with chicken tinga, au gratin cheese, black beans, guacamole and cream. Some real Mexican chips!
If anyone can boast a genuine Mexican cuisine, it’s La Antigua de México, an authentic factory of tortillas, snacks and chips made from all kinds of corn. A small bakery in charge of supplying its three brothers: Cantina Machito, Chido One and Teicawey.
The real Tex-Mex cuisine in the heart of the Gracia district. With very original decorations from Mexico City, a colorful atmosphere and a casual style where we can find all kinds of Mexican preparations. In addition, here they make some nachos with chips of several types of corn, accompanied with cheddar sauce, jalapeño and pico de gallo in to-go format so you can devour them while walking around the neighborhood.
Ah! And they have their own food truck, always ready to roll!
If there is a local in Barcelona specializing in Mexican gastronomy, it’s La Taquería. A real restaurant of Mexican street food located in the Passatge de Font; a small hideaway outside the hustle and bustle of its adjoining streets surrounding La Sagrada Familia. But that calmness breaks when you open the door. It is then that the best Mexican soundtrack, guiriguay and intense smells take over the environment being the perfect companion to a “mother” evening that will transport you to Mexico City.
A taco shop that has been in business for almost six years where Marc, Rodrigo and Hector offer the best street bites from their native Mexico. Their nachos are a marvel, the best way to open up in a casual place with bright colors. Its chips come au gratin with cheese, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream and jalapeños. All that with pieces of homemade Mexican sausage bathed in guajillo sauce.
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican street food, it’s called La Taqueria.
Text: Alejandro Moneva
Photos: Anel González
