Restaurantes campestres are country-style establishments that serve steaks and side dishes like beans, quesadillas and tortillas. The food is accompanied by mariachi music and entertainment—sometimes in the form of a charreada, or rodeo, giving willing customers the opportunity to go mano a mano with a young bull. Restaurantes campestres are located within the city and also along main highways outside the urban area.
There is also an astounding variety of street food. Inexpensive taquerías can be found along Plaza Tapatía; the freshly made corn tortillas are wrapped around a variety of meat or vegetable fillings. The Mercado Libertad is a great destination where you can choose from countless tiny stands offering full-course comida corrida meals, tamales, enchiladas, quesadillas and other treats. You can also find cheese, fruit and pastries. Cleanliness levels vary, however, and anyone planning to nibble their way from stall to stall should keep in mind the possibility of bacterial contamination, especially if the food has been sitting for a long time.
Except at first-class hotels and restaurants where purified water is customarily used, be careful of drinking water; this includes the ice cubes in drinks. Avoid unpeeled raw vegetables and fruit as well as untreated milk and dairy products. See the Lodgings & Restaurants section for AAA Diamond designated dining establishments.