Guanajuato to Zihuatanejo

[benzipperer]

We are taking a day to drive the long drive from Guanajuato to Zihuatanejo. What chow-worthy spots along the way should we be sure not to miss?

It looks like the route goes through Morelia (lunch?), then onto 43D, 14D, 37D.

[cristina]

In Morelia, you'll want to try the incredible tasting menu offered at the Hotel Best Western Casino, directly in front of the Cathedral. The *menú de degustación* offers four courses of small portions of regional Michoacán foods, beginning with the pre-Hispanic times and ending with today's era. I know it's odd to recommend a hotel dining room, but this is truly the best restaurant in the city. The chef has created stunning presentations and fabulous meals. The tasting menu is priced at 215 pesos and is more than worth it. The four courses are a lot of really marvelous food!

My personal favorite single menu item is the uchepo-stuffed chile relleno.

I live in Morelia. Email me (address in profile) for more information.

Link: http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

[benzipperer]

Thanks, Cristina! I've only had Uchepos as in tamales. Does uchepo-stuffed mean a corn-stuffed chile relleno? Sounds great.

Do you or others have any other fare to recommend? I would love to some Michoacán foods but we might also try to avoid the hotel scene.

Are there any other restaurants or markets (street food recommendations especially welcome) in Morelia or elsewhere along our route that folks recommend? We will be traveling on a Sunday.

[cristina]

Uchepos are a Michoacán fresh corn tamal. The uchepo-stuffed chiles rellenos are a chile poblano with an uchepo inside, bathed in a fantastic cream sauce.

The Best Western Hotel Casino is not your normal 'hotel scene'. It's cocina de autor from Chef Lucero Soto, it's the best restaurant in Morelia, it's inexpensive compared to other 'international' style restaurants, etc. I'd say it's a don't-miss.

Another restaurant, equally wonderful but very different, is Fonda Marceva, at Abasolo 455 in Morelia. Marceva specializes in cuisine from the Tierra Caliente, specifically Huetamo. It's not the same high-style meal that you will eat at Hotel Casino, but it's actually my favorite restaurant in Morelia.

Best street food recommendation: in Pátzcuaro, Super Pollo Emilio on the Plaza Chica--but only after about 6:00PM. All they serve is Pátzcuaro style enchiladas placeras, the best I've eaten anywhere in the region.

Try hard to forgive the restaurant at Hotel Casino for being in a hotel. You will be astonished at the food.

Link: http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com