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Cafe El Popular

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JesusW
JesusW
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
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5
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Part of the History of the Downtown Area

  • February 25, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by JesusW from Mexico city, Mexico
Part of the History of the Downtown Area

This is one of the ever present places in Centro Historico, they have been in business since 1948, it may not be much, but going there is a tradition for people attending events at el Zocalo or the Cathedral.

Service is fast, efficient and the food is tasty and cheap. Sounds too good? well it's true, the cafe has customers at all hours of the day or night, they stay open 24 hours like a road side dinner place and as conveniently cheap and reliable. Been partying until late, no problem, a good plate of enchiladas and some cafe con leche will set you for the night or pretty early morning (madrugada we call between 1:00am and 6:00am, the time when is dark but belongs to the next day).

This type of little cafes are called "Café de chinos" because they began with Chinese emigrants. Is funny because in other places of the planet it would be a Chinese restaurant, but in Mexico city the trend was to offer coffee and milk (Café con Leche) with sweet buns (pan dulce) and Mexican dishes, not Chinese food. It's odd, but there are really few Chinese restaurants in the city.
The menu is mostly Mexican: enchiladas; eggs many styles; milanesa (breaded beef); chilaquiles; roasted chicken; etc. and they make breakfast combos like: 1 glass of coffee, 1 bun, enchiladas, fruit, all for less than $6.00 usd. (prices of 2008).

In the restaurant you will find all the classes of Mexican society mixed together: the politicians, cops, office workers, taxi drivers, tourists, women on a shopping spree, people from other states of Mexico visiting or for business or to see a doctor, and now and then the trendy upper class youngs after a night of heavy drinking and partying.

If you are in the neighborhood, why don't pay a visit, is very inexpensive and a good culture learning experience.

From journal The Food of Mexico

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