La Michoacana is a popular Mexican ice cream shop and restaurant chain known for its paletas (popsicles) and other frozen treats. However, many people wonder if they also serve esquites, a popular Mexican street food consisting of grilled corn served off the cob and topped with mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder and lime. Here’s a quick look at whether or not you can find esquites at La Michoacana.
What are esquites?
Esquites are a popular Mexican street food made from grilled corn that is cut off the cob and served in a cup. Traditional esquites are topped with mayonnaise, cotija cheese (or queso fresco), chili powder, lime juice, and salt. The corn imparts a sweet, smoky flavor while the mayonnaise and cheese add creaminess. The lime juice and chili powder provide a citrusy kick and heat. Additional toppings like chopped onion, cilantro, or hot sauce can also be added.
Esquites make for a satisfying savory snack or light meal and they are commonly sold by street vendors and food stands in Mexico. They are especially popular in the summer when sweet corn is in season. The name “esquites” comes from the Nahuatl word “izquitl” which means toasted corn.
Does La Michoacana sell esquites?
Unfortunately, esquites are not traditionally part of the menu at most La Michoacana locations. La Michoacana is best known for its paletas, aguas frescas, ice cream, and other frozen treats. They do not typically offer hot foods like esquites.
However, some individual La Michoacana franchises may offer esquites depending on location and management. For example, a La Michoacana located inside a Mexican supermarket or mercado might sell additional hot foods like esquites from a separate counter. But standard standalone La Michoacana shops likely do not have esquites on the menu.
So in summary – while you can find incredible paletas and ice cream at La Michoacana, do not expect to find fresh esquites sold at most locations. You will have to look for street vendors or other restaurants if you are craving authentic Mexican esquites.
Where to find esquites near La Michoacana
If you are visiting a La Michoacana and find yourself wanting esquites too, here are some tips for finding esquites close by:
- Check Mexican supermarkets, food courts, or mercados in the same area as La Michoacana. They sometimes have food stalls that sell snacks like esquites.
- Look for esquites street carts, especially near parks, plazas, and beaches where street vending is common.
- Search for restaurants nearby that specialize in Mexican antojitos (street snacks) like esquites.
- In some cities, you may find esquites food trucks parked close to La Michoacana locations.
- Ask locals and search Yelp, Google Maps, or food delivery apps to find top rated esquites to go in the same neighborhood.
So while you may be out of luck finding esquites at La Michoacana itself, a little hunting in the surrounding area can usually yield some delicious esquites to enjoy alongside your ice cream or paletas from La Michoacana.
How to make esquites at home
If you’ve tried esquites from a Mexican street vendor and want to recreate that experience at home, making them is relatively simple. Here is a basic recipe:
Ingredients:
- 6 ears of corn, husks removed
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija or queso fresco
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 lime, juiced
- Salt to taste
- Cilantro, onion, or hot sauce for topping (optional)
Steps:
- Grill or broil the corn until lightly charred on all sides, about 10 minutes total.
- Allow corn to cool slightly, then stand ear on its end in a large bowl and scrape kernels off using a knife to release them.
- Add mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. Season with salt to taste.
- Mix well to coat corn kernels evenly.
- Serve esquites warm, topped with extra cheese, cilantro, onion or hot sauce if desired.
That’s all it takes to make this tasty Mexican snack at home. Adjust seasonings to your taste and be sure to use fresh sweet corn in season for best flavor. Enjoy your homemade esquites on their own or pair them with tacos or paletas for a great summer meal.
Conclusion
La Michoacana is an iconic chain beloved for its frozen treats but unfortunately esquites are not typically on the menu. Your best bet for finding esquites is to check nearby Mexican eateries or street vendors. Or embrace your inner Mexican street food chef and whip up a batch of esquites at home by grilling fresh corn and topping it with classic ingredients like mayo, cotija cheese, and chili powder. Either way, enjoy this tasty snack that highlights the best flavors of Mexican cuisine.