CARNE (meat)

adobada – literally “marinated;” meat, usually pork, in a spicy red vinegar-based sauce

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al pastor – literally “shepherd-style;” thinly sliced pork that has been marinated then grilled on a rotisserie, much like the meat in shawarma or gyros

asada – literally “roasted;” grilled beef steak

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barbacoa – slow-cooked and shredded meat, usually beef

buche – beef stomach

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cabeza – literally “head;” meat from the head of a cow, usually the cheeks

carnitas – shredded, fried or roasted pork

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chicharrón – soft and chewy pork skin

chorizo – spicy sausage

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lengua – beef tongue

pollo – chicken

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tripa – tripe, or beef intestine

BEBIDAS (Drinks)

aguas frescas – literally “fresh waters;” cold fruit drink that usually comes in jamaica (hibiscus), tamarindo (tamarind) and horchata (rice milk with cinnamon) flavors

Coca Mexicana – Coca-Cola made in Mexico with real sugar instead of corn syrup

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Jarritos – popular brand of Mexican soda that comes in several fruit flavors, from grapefruit to strawberry to tamarind

jugo – fruit juice

OTHER HELPFUL WORDS AND PHRASES

arroz – rice

cebolla – onion

con todo – with everything, meaning all the extra toppings above onions and cilantro, like lettuce, cheese and sour cream

fríjoles – beans

para aquí – for here

para llevar – to go

queso – cheese

torta – sandwich

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