Everywhere I Ate in Mexico City, Part 2
More great finds — and a few caveats
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Mexico City is something of a gluten-free paradox to me. In theory, it should be one of the easiest places in the world for a celiac to eat safely — this is, after all, a cuisine built on corn. And yet, in practice, the experience is far less straightforward. Flour tortillas appear in many dishes — more than I ever expected — cross-contamination is common in many kitchens, and even something as simple as a taco comes with a side of uncertainty thanks to accompanying sauces that are commonly made with gluten.
What makes it more complicated is that gluten-free awareness doesn’t map neatly onto the city’s dining tiers. It’s possible to find a taco vendor or pizzeria that understands exactly what a gluten-free diner needs, and then sit down at a fancy restaurant where the actual meaning of “sin gluten” is met with confusion. While I was in CDMX, I realized I was constantly balancing trust and vigilance. It paid to keep asking questions, and never to assume that something was safe.
One thing that helped? The Latin American Spanish celiac translation card from Legal Nomads. I bought one for $9.99, made a bunch of paper copies and also downloaded it onto my phone, and it was worth its weight in gold. You’ve heard me say that I’ve ventured to many places without a celiac card in hand, but I would never do that in CDMX.
Here’s part 2 of my dining adventures!
