Forget plates piled high with nachos. Here are five yummy Mex dishes that locals swear by.
Tamales
Traditionally cooked under ground, hangi style, beef or pork filled tamales are too high maintenance for your typical Mexican housewife these days. But never fear, little shops and food trucks specialize in tamales and you can get a plate of them for about NZ$2. Shredded meat is marinated in chili and spices, well cooked, then wrapped in a homemade dough and rolled like sushi in a corn husk.
Empanadas
I had the best empanadas on the side of the road somewhere between San Jose del Cabo and La Paz. These are the Mexican equivalent of the Cornish pasty. Typically filled with chicken, beef or shrimp, they are folded into half circles and baked until golden brown. I also had them in a restaurant and they were just as good - but cost a bit more!