Top Atlixco Eats: Food & Drink You Won’t Want to Miss

Atlixco, Puebla, that really is a spot that’s known for its flowers, colorful nurseries, and a surprisingly tasty food scene, actually. But, it is more than just a pretty face, that’s for sure! This place offers some seriously delicious culinary experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. So, you’re planning a trip and want to make sure you don’t miss out on the very best eats? You, like your stomach, are totally in the right place. I will tell you all about it. We will review our top five food and drink spots in Atlixco, that very place, giving you, like your taste buds, something to look forward to, right?

Chalupas Atlixquenses: A Tiny, Tasty Bite of Heaven

Okay, so, first up: the chalupas atlixquenses. You know, those little fried tortillas topped with shredded meat, salsa, and onion? Now, these are totally different from what you might find elsewhere in Mexico. They’re small, crispy, and come with either red or green salsa. Basically, they’re like little flavor bombs. They’re, well, quite inexpensive, honestly, it’s almost impossible to have just one (or five!).

You know, a bit of history about these tiny treats: they’re actually a really traditional snack that has been around for, very many, many years. As I was saying, local vendors often make them fresh, so, arguably you’re getting a real taste of Atlixco’s food culture.

If you want to find the best chalupas, check out the local markets. Those, like, that is the Mercado Benito Juárez, by the way. Many vendors offer their own unique version, so, you can easily sample a few to find your very favorite, actually. That very market is a fantastic place to grab a quick bite and people-watch, too. The very market is really the heart of Atlixco’s local life.

Read our full review: Atlixco Chalupas Full Review and Details

Barbacoa de Borrego: Slow-Cooked Lamb Perfection

Okay, next, Barbacoa de Borrego. Seriously, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried this! It’s, you know, slow-cooked lamb, traditionally prepared in an underground oven. The meat is, so very tender, succulent, and infused with the flavors of the earth and the smoky wood it’s cooked with.

Now, this is more than just food; it’s really an experience, alright? Barbacoa is often prepared for special occasions, so it is quite a celebratory dish. Restaurants specializing in barbacoa often start serving early in the morning, that very place, as the cooking process takes several hours.

As I was saying, a very good place to try barbacoa is at a family-run restaurant a bit outside the town center. A bit away but honestly worth it. Just, many places offer barbacoa with tortillas, salsa, and consommé, which is a lamb broth, actually. Pro Tip: That is said to cure any ailment. Really. The consommé is very flavorful and considered a hangover cure by locals, too!

Read our full review: Barbacoa de Borrego Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Here)

Mole Poblano: The Rich and Complex Sauce

Alright, so you cannot visit Puebla without trying mole poblano. It’s one of the region’s most famous dishes, actually, so, I really mean it when I say you need to make sure to have it. You know, it’s a very complex sauce made from, seemingly, over 30 ingredients, including chilies, spices, chocolate, and nuts, as a matter of fact. Typically served over chicken or turkey, so that flavor is very rich, deep, and slightly sweet.

Anyway, Atlixco, since it’s located in Puebla, offers really excellent mole, actually. Each family has their own recipe, and so you might find variations in flavor. So, trying mole at various restaurants, like, really gives you a better sense of the dish and its potential, I’d say.

That place in Atlixco serves mole that many folks, quite rightly, rave about: Restaurante La Casita. It, that very place, it has a cozy atmosphere, so too it’s quite perfect for savoring this very complex dish, like. As I was saying, the traditional recipes passed down through generations will probably win you over, very quickly.

Read our full review: Mole Poblano Full Review and Details

Tlayoyos: Stuffed Corn Goodness

Then comes the next: tlayoyos. You know, these are oval-shaped, thick corn tortillas that are stuffed with beans, cheese, or meat, you see? They’re, alright, they are then topped with salsa, onions, and sometimes nopales (cactus). So too they’re very hearty and filling, frankly it’s just perfect for a midday meal.

They’re really popular street food in Atlixco, anyway, they are often sold by vendors near the zócalo (main square). It is, honestly, really easy to grab one on the go, and there is something deeply satisfying about this very simple dish, which will become obvious after the first bite.

Now, for what it’s worth, one very solid option is the Tlayoyos stand in the main square. Many residents consider them some of the most authentic in the very place, too, that. They are always fresh, that’s why it’s nearly certain you’ll find them at the peak hours for hungry lunch goers!

Read our full review: Tlayoyos Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (See Tlayoyos Locations)

Pulque: The Drink of the Gods (and Locals!)

Alright, now for something to drink: pulque! Do you know what that is? Well it’s, uh, a fermented beverage made from the sap of the maguey plant. Well, it has a very milky, slightly sour taste. People are a bit divided. As a matter of fact, it has been consumed in Mexico for thousands of years and holds a place with serious cultural significance. You will soon understand why I would push someone to try it even though it might not become your “usual”, so, don’t judge it before you give it a try.

Pulque is not as common as beer or tequila, but really it is available at specific pulquerías (pulque bars), alright? These bars are very traditional and offer a taste of authentic Mexican culture.

Okay, Pulquería Los Amigos is a cool spot in Atlixco to try pulque. It offers plain pulque as well as flavored versions, or “curados”, like. Anyway, curados can be flavored with fruits, vegetables, or even nuts, so it makes the introduction much easier and more playful! The very pulquería is usually filled with locals, too it’s actually a great place to strike up a conversation and learn more about the drink, actually.

Read our full review: Pulque Full Review and Details