Gastronomic Recommendations
Tamaulipas, the surprise of Mexico
By
Fernanda Balmaceda - 2022-04-14T15:10:10Z
Long live the north, the little truck, and the good food! Tamaulipas is a vibrant destination where magic happens at the table and is shared generously with the proud tamaulipecos, who take pride in the riches their state has to offer.
To start: an oyster
The freshness of this state can be tasted with tamaulipeco oysters. They are beautiful and flavorful. Moreover, they are the result of collective work between the private initiative and the government of Tamaulipas, who ten years ago saw the potential to cultivate, reproduce, and grow this endemic species of the Gulf and consolidated COSTAM, the Oyster Company of Tamaulipas, and its brand Purple Point, in the town of La Pesca, in the Municipality of Soto La Marina.
Here, each oyster goes through a 14-month process before reaching your table, from its reproduction stage in the laboratory to growth phases until they reach fattening in the waters of Laguna Almagre. The cultivation is supervised at all times by researchers and students from the Universidad Tecnológica del Mar de Tamaulipas Bicentenario, whose graduates come from the rural sector and are continuously trained with other institutes in Mexico and the United States. Today, Purple Point oysters supply the tables of Tamaulipas and states like Nuevo León, proving that Mexican oysters taste better.
The main dish: the classics
Tampico is colorful and full of life, but also of family tradition. This is the case for these three restaurants that are a must-visit on your trip.
The restaurant El Lindero began its story in 1961 with Doña Josefina Cruz, who lived along the Osuna highway and decided to offer travelers delicious enchiladas with cecina that have now become iconic in Tampico. In her family restaurant, now with a branch in Nuevo León, they serve them enfrijoladas, encremadas, enmoladas, enchorizadas, campechanas, encacahuatadas, and my favorites, empipianadas. You have to try them, along with their bakery that will enchant you with its aroma.
Los Curricanes is a must-stop for lovers of meat and seafood. The kitchen is run by Ricardo de Gorordo Cantú, a passionate advocate of seafood and its collection and transformation process. It began operations in 2009 and now has 4 branches where it offers the best combination of sea and land. You must try their ceviches and aguachiles.
A memorable closing is at El Porvenir. A space with 99 years of history, hard work, and commitment. Don Jesús García Santiago created El Porvenir in 1916 as a grocery and dry goods store, added bar service in 1921, and finally, in 1923, started serving food and consolidating snacks that are now classic must-tries like the crab a la Frank (cheese tortilla filled with crab). The service is unbeatable in this space, and the family tradition is present in the dining room service and, of course, in the kitchen. José Guadalupe Sánchez, the dining room manager, is the second generation to work in the restaurant, and Ángel García, the son of Don Jesús, passionately continues the culinary legacy, proving his great family motto: “Prestige is not improvised... it is cooked.”
The closure: always by the sea
Just a few minutes from the Historic Center of Tampico is Miramar, one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Its turquoise blue color and expanse make it perfect for forgetting the daily hustle and reconnecting with nature. Additionally, it is the first certified beach in the Gulf of Mexico in terms of sustainability (it has received the international Blue Flag certification for two consecutive years). There are many activities to do in Miramar, but the favorite of adventurers is exploring the Dunas Doradas on a racing adventure. Adrenaline, flavor, and adventure await you in Tamaulipas!