Mexicali and Sonora: their best street stalls

Mexican food is a cultural heritage of humanity. Each state houses its typical recipes and products that make it unique and diverse. For this issue of corner jewels, we share, with the help of two great travelers, the exceptional places to eat cahuamanta and, why not, some very tasty tacos. Cahuamanta La Atarraya, MexicaliWant to cure your hangover like a champion? Viko Rodríguez recommends an order of cahuamanta from “Cahuamanta La Atarraya,” which will save you from that cruel ailment and all that follow. “Since 1993, this place in Mexicali has been preparing dream broths made with manta ray, shrimp, and tuna —in season— that nourish hungry souls regardless of race, gender, or social status. All that concentrated flavor comes from the origin of the house recipe: Ciudad Obregón, Sonora.Many locate the place thanks to the enormous salty pine tree in front of the venue that offers shade during the cruel summers in the city. They treat you like an old friend of the house. That warmth in service allows you to relax and pay due attention when placing your order. Now, your menu choice will depend a lot on the level of hangover (or hunger) you arrive with at this sacred dining place. If your level is low, you can start with a delicious vichi broth alone or with shrimp. You can jump right to a marlin taco or its quesadilla version. But if the emergency is severe, don’t hold back and choose the order of cahuamanta. When that powerful broth arrives before you, steaming, with its cilantro and cabbage accompanying the pieces of manta ray, you will know you are safe. With the first bite, it brings you back to life, and with the next, even hope.”Find it at: FB Cahuamanta La AtarrayaAddress: Calle E y Arista #1300-B, Mexicali, Baja CaliforniaHours: 8:00 am to 12:30 pmCahuamanta El Wilo y La Carretera, Sonora Of course, Cahuamanta is famous in Sonora. And to recommend the best spots to eat it, Marcelo Aguilar, master grillman and Sonoran cook, recommends visiting El Wilo and La Carretera. “El Wilo is a gem of Hermosillo. Their cahuamanta recipe with manta ray is unmatched, but so are their specialty tacos: octopus and spicy shrimp. They prepare them on the grill, with two corn tortillas, which they melt with cheese in such a way that it sits between the two tortillas and on top of your octopus or shrimp. They are unique! And you can accompany it with the different elements you will find at their bar: cabbage, red onion, coleslaw, lime, and a spicy and tasty black sauce. Additionally, here you will find manta ray machaca, unique in the region. La Carretera, on the other hand, is another classic spot in Hermosillo. It is a street-side stand where Gilberto serves his famous version with cahuamanta (made with manta ray) in ½ and 1-liter cups, which you can accompany with shrimp, radish, bandera sauce, lime, cabbage, onion, and freshly made tostadas. If your hunger is indulgent, accompany your broth with some cabeza or barbacoa tacos. They are also memorable.”Find it at: FB Cahuamanta El Wilo AddressEl Wilo: Av Uno & Heroes de Caborca, Jesus Garcia, 83140 Hermosillo, SonoraLa Carretera: Calle Francisco Javier Mina, corner with Periférico (behind the gas station), Hermosillo, Sonora.