Introduction
In a country where the taco embodies identity, affection, and sustenance, the Michelin Guide’s 2025 edition recognizing street food vendors is more than a gesture of acknowledgment; it’s a declaration of respect for Mexico’s popular gastronomic culture.
The Recommended Taquerias
Los Milanesos – Olivar de los Padres, Álvaro Obregón
If you were a student at the Universidad Anáhuac Sur in the early 2000s, you likely know this place. Los Milanesos started as a modest stand outside the Olivar de los Padres colony. Now, nearly 25 years later, they are part of the city’s gastronomic map—and now also on Michelin’s list.
Their signature taco: milanesa with ham and cheese, golden in generous oil, served on two tortillas with beans and green or red salsa. Each bite is a tribute to street food abundance. They also offer other gems like chicharron in red sauce, stews, and options for those seeking more than the classic milanesa.
From early morning, dozens of customers line up for these tacos, which cost around 35 pesos at the stand and can double in delivery apps. The taste, however, remains as good as when only the neighbors and hungry university students knew about them.
El Gran Abanico – Colonia Tránsito, Cuauhtémoc
In a discreet local in the Tránsito colony, El Gran Abanico has been cooking one of the city’s best carnitas tacos for over three decades. They do it with the same recipe their founder, a former butcher, developed from day one.
Here, the rib taco is the crown jewel: juicy, powerful, perfectly balanced between fat and flavor. They also have campechanos, pastor, and beef tacos. But if it’s your first time, start with carnitas. And come early: weekends or after noon can have long lines.
Despite the fame—over 5,000 reviews on Google with a rating close to 4.8 stars—prices remain affordable: 35 pesos per taco, cash only. No luxuries, except the flavor.
Tacos de Canasta Los Especiales – Calle Madero, Centro Histórico
In the heart of the Historic Center, a few steps from the bustle of Madero, Los Especiales have become an obligatory stop for office workers, tourists, and locals.
Beans, potatoes, chicharron, and adobo are the classics, and can be ordered in combo with a drink. But what truly elevates these tacos is their trio of sauces, especially the green guacamole style, which has become their signature.
At less than 15 pesos per taco, these humble flavors have withstood the test of time. Michelin recommends them not only for taste but also for consistency and the unending flow of customers. A simple, quick, and absolutely satisfying experience.
The Taco: Everyday Luxury
Michelin’s recognition of these taquerias is not a gourmet whim but a validation of the cultural and gastronomic value of street food. Not all luxuries come on porcelain plates; some are served with salsa and double tortilla.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of Michelin recognizing these taquerias? It’s a validation of the cultural and gastronomic value of street food in Mexico.
- Who are the three taquerias highlighted by Michelin 2025? Los Milanesos, El Gran Abanico, and Tacos de Canasta Los Especiales.
- What makes each taqueria unique?
- Los Milanesos: Known for their milanesa tacos with ham and cheese.
- El Gran Abanico: Renowned for their carnitas tacos using a recipe from its founder, a former butcher.
- Tacos de Canasta Los Especiales: Famous for their steel canasta tacos with a signature green guacamole salsa.
- Why is this recognition important? It acknowledges the cultural significance of street food and its contribution to Mexico’s gastronomic identity.
