Five to try

SONORAN HOT DOG

El Guero Canelo’s take on this snack — a bacon-wrapped sausage topped with beans, onions, jalapeño sauce, mustard and mayo, tucked into a soft bolillo bun — won an America’s Classics Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2018. It’s since become one of the city’s most iconic foods. elguerocanelo.com

HORCHATA

This refreshing rice drink is served at Mexican joints citywide, but among the few to make it from scratch is Seis Kitchen, where the queue is often as impressive as the beverage. The horchata, blended after the rice has been bathed in cinnamon for 24 hours, is well worth the wait. seiskitchen.com

CARNE ASADA

This thinly sliced and grilled (ideally over mesquitefuelled flames) beef is the stuff of weekend gatherings in backyards and quick fixes at local taquerias. For the latter, head to local favourite Tacos Apson and order the taco de carne asada al carbon. tacosapson.com

TAMALES

Essentially just husk-wrapped steamed corn dough with whatever extras you choose, this is the kind of comfort food that everyone’s abuelita (granny) irrefutably makes best. At Tanias ‘33’ Mexican Food, the tamales stand out for both their flavour and range — options include a vegan hibiscus variety. tanias33.com

RASPADOS

Sometimes known as Mexican snow cones, these desserts tend to go far beyond just shaved ice and fruit syrup. Elevating the artform are such standouts as Oasis Fruit Cones, where the add-ons include condensed milk, chilli powder and tamarind sticks. oasisfruitcones.com