Mango. Tacos. Hot sauce. Peppers. Lettuce. What do each of these have in common? Well, first of all, one encounters them all in Mexico. And, in my case, it was a struggle to eat them without getting into trouble. 
Here are the 6 Mexican food challenges I faced recently, which you may find yourself dealing with if you travel to Mexico, and solutions I offer that may/may not work. It all depends on…you.
Challenge 1. Mango in Your Teeth
I know there’s a certain way to cut up a mango. But I’m too impatient to do it that way. Instead, I slice it and eat if off the skin—the way you might eat an orange. This is where the trouble begins. Then, it gets worse. Why? Because I attempt to eat the remaining mango off the pit.
The problem? Long/string-like strands of mango get caught in my teeth. They’re evil, I tell, you. They seem to enjoy doing what they do. Like unwanted guests, they’re really hard to get rid of. One must be an expert dental floss user to get them out.
Solution: Cut the damn mango the way you’re supposed to!
Divide it into quarters, then cut into it and make little cubes. Cute the cubes off and eat them. Don’t get greedy (like me)–unless the mango is the right consistency and seems to come right off the skin. Then maybe you’ll be able to get away with it.
Challenge 2. Taco Fillings Spilling Out
Are they toppings? Or are they fillings? Is it real or is it Maybelline? Who the hell knows?
Actually, I sort of know. You’re supposed to put fillings inside and toppings on top (hey, maybe that’s where the name came from) of the tortilla, then sort of fold it (to keep the stuff inside), then eat it.
But somehow, as shown in the photo above, some of what I put inside seems to fall out. It’s sort of annoying. I end up having to shove it in my mouth, eating like a savage who just returned from a hunting expedition. It makes me look and feel like a slob.
Am I missing it something?
Well, yes, I am. I recenly learned what one should do.
Solution A: Use the ‘Mexican Houdini Taco Technique’
When in Mexico, do as the Mexicans do…
The locals’ technique (in Baja) was nothing short of a Houdini sleight of hand. In a matter of seconds (so fast that you could easily miss it), they would grab the toppings with the tortilla itself, immediately folding it in half. Or maybe it was simultaneous and not in steps. I’m not sure.
Like magic, the fillings and toppings stayed inside, with little to no overflow. I tried it and it did seem to work.
Maybe it’s not magic after all…
Solution B: Ask for a fork
Or just do what you want. Take a walk on the wild side. Fill that plate, let everything spill out. And then, ask for a fork. Un tenedor.
I know what you’re thinking. It’s like using a fork when you’re in Asia and ‘should’ be using chopsticks. Eh…whatever. Do what you need to. Eat some of it the right way, then the rest—whatever falls out—the other way. The main thing is to not leave anything on your plate!
Challenge 3. Softball-Sized Cinnamon Rolls Hard to Eat
Upon a foodie friend’s advice, I went to the Todos Santos Café, known for having great desserts, and ordered a cinnamon bun. She said they’re amazing there, and she was right, but…
Holy crap—it was huge! And that wasn’t the only supersized dessert I saw there. Believe me, some pieces of cake and pie I ordered were gigante!
Solution: Cut into it…unravel the damn thing
That savage-like feel overcame me (see the taco filling challenge) and I almost grabbed it and took a bite out of it. I wanted to have the roll + cinnamon + sugar simultaneously.
But I knew that was impossible. So, despite my instincts, I opted to unravel and unroll it. This was distressing for me and it might be for you–if you also prefer the ‘simultaneous 3-ingredient experience.’
My advice: be flexible, go with the flow. Imagine it’s a piece of cake or another non-roll dessert and you’ll be fine.
That’s what I did and I lived to tell the story.
PS: I asked for the cafe’s secret icing recipe, and they refused to give it to me. Oh well…maybe I’ll have to go back.
Challenge 4. Choosing the Wrong Salsa, Sauce and/or Peppers
I thought that all the time I put in at Chipotle had prepared me. The chopped tomatoes in the big vat were not too spicy. The other salsas, the green included, were. I knew which pepper was which. I was confident that I’d figured it out.
I guess I got a bit cocky, which is what led me to get…burned.
When I arrived in Mexico, I realized my pseudo Mexican food chain training had failed me. I got confused re: the various salsas and peppers and made some boo boos. There were so many of them and in all different colors. Sometimes the line blurred between a sauce and a salsa, too. (I believe the difference is that salsa has more chunks, usually of tomato, etc.) and sauces are smoother. Please correct me if I’m wrong.)
One day, at a local taco place (that some Mexican friends said was their favorite), I felt overwhelmed. There were 20 or more toppings, many of which were salsas, sauces and peppers.
And so, more than a few times, I screwed up. Picked the wrong one and felt my mouth burn a bit. I had to drink extra beer to make up for these mistakes. Not complaining, mind you.
Solution A: Ask questions
Here, you’ll need some Spanish. The word for hot/spicy is picante. I recommend, if your Spanish is limited, asking which is less spicy–as in, point at two different salsas or peppers and ask for a comparison. ‘¿Mas picante? ¿Menos picante?’ Then choose accordingly.
Solution B: Have water and beer on hand
Self-explanatory, I think.
5. To Eat the Lettuce or Not–Now That Is the Question
From experience with prior travels, in countries such as Ecuador and Indonesia–where you really have to be careful–I know it’s often best to skip the lettuce.
However, I don’t follow that rule everywhere. In Mexico, I often break it. Here’s why…
I go to a restaurant that looks good…they bring out the food…and there’s that damned lettuce. And it’s touching the other food. I see a big blue container of filtered water. I ask if they wash food with it. They say yes.
I throw caution to the wind. And so far (knock on wood), I’ve been OK.
Solution: Do what makes you feel comfortable.
Everyone’s stomach is different. Some of us seem to get sick very easily. Other don’t.
On my recent trip, I ate the lettuce when I went to restaurants. The water there (in Baja Sur) is allegedly drinkable. I also ate it on the street. But only if the taco stand looked super busy.
Note: I’ve gotten my Hep A shot recently and I often take Chinese herbs when I travel–the kind that are supposed to prevent parasites.
Challenge 6. Eyes Bigger Than Your Stomach
I’m a huge fan of Mexican food and often order way too much. My eyes are bigger than my stomach (well, not literally, but…) It’s easy to do because the food is so good and is often very inexpensive.
Solution: Pace yourself
If you’re at a taco stand or restaurant, just order one at a time. See how full you get before ordering another one. Or just eat two meals a day so that you can stuff yourself.
Your Thoughts/Experiences?
Have you been to Mexico? Have you experienced any of the food challenges I mentioned above? If so, which one/s and how did you handle it?
Do you tend to eat or skip lettuce in certain countries? Where and why?
Have you experienced any food challenges in other countries? Where and what? How did you cope?
Photo Credits: Special thanks to the photographers who made their work available via Flickr/Creative Commons; click on a photo to be taken to their page (full list of credits to be provided). The taco stand display and cinnamon roll photos are mine.