My day in Hermosillo

The very rustic "cahuamanta" roadside diner.

Cahuamanta.


The street popular sushi roll chain, Que Rollo(What a roll!), in Hermosillo.Didn't try one, but it was a first for me, a sushi roll stand in Mexico?


The carne asada(L), and the al pastor(R) from Tacos Jass.


Carne asada tacos at Taco's Jass are made from a blend of three quality cuts of Sonoran steaks including the New York steak being prepared by the grill man.


Hermosillo is a true Mexico experience to encounter.It's a classic. It's a clean city, full of amazing carnes, perhaps the best in Mexico, mariscos, banda street concerts, and a real family atmosphere.It's located in the Sonoran desert and only about an hour from the sea of Cortez.Surf and turf!! That's right, a thriving cattle industry and a bounty of seafood all in the same area code.

I was only in town for a quick turn on business, so my planning had to be precise and my consumption disciplined. So much for that.How can you take a bite of this mind-blowing food and put it down and walk away?

I started the afternoon with the local and famed Caguamanta, a splendid soup made with manta ray. It used to be made with turtle, but was then substituted with manta ray as turtle became illegal. I found a real roadside shack.What this place lacked in aesthetics, it made up for in hospitality and sabor! After a little business related stuff, it was off to Tacos Jass. The best carne asada taqueria in town.They use a blend of prime new york steak, palomilla, and another cut that escapes me. These carne asada tacos were outstanding, tender, and moist.After walking it off, I explored the street options available on my way to the upscale steak house, Sonora Steak.Believe it or not, sushi rolls have become a fad as a street food in Hermosillo, Mexico. I know sushi has taken Mexico by storm in recent years, but this was new.Watching Hermosillo college students chat and devour street sushi rolls chased down by some pickled chiles was a sight to behold.

Finally, I made it to Sonora Steak for a taste.That's all I could muster at this point.I ordered their aged Angus steak priced by weight.I opted for 200 grams of tender succulence accompanied by roasted Mexican green onions and jalapenos, and a baked potato. Oh, i forgot to mention the queso fundido made with locally produced cheese topped with hongos(mushrooms). A little Herradura Anejo and sangrita to end my day of feasting followed by a cohiba while reclining in the desert air is alright.

My Hermosillo favorites:
Tacos
Tacos Jass
Don Chuy
Fine steakhouse
Sonora Steak
El Marcos

Steakhouse serving complete dinners(paquetes)
Xochimilco
Mariachissimo
El Lenador

Seafood
Los Arbolitos
Aquarios

Caguamanta
7 Mares Guaymas on the highway to Guaymas

Special foods:
Carne asada, machaca,queso fundido, tortillas de harina(Sonora style), chilorio, caguamanta, chiles de chiltepin(hot!!!), tripas de leche, mantarraya, Arrachera (steak).....

Beverages:
Bacanora(agave spirit made locally)

Hope to make it back to Sonora soon.