Itanoní — Restaurant in Oaxaca

CONGRATULATIONS! - Yes, YOU found this gem without my aid, so now,as it evidently has become so popular 20 years after my visit,I have no problem sharing the precious info, as that is what travellers ought to. I will not review same stuff as other, just say that if you're in this quite safe part (middle-class area) of Oaxaca, then you're close to encounter el Mexico Autentico ! As one of the reviewers already mentioned; get there as early as you can. As I had a long trip, I arrived just after dawn, and even saw the metal shutters rolled up,still several other were waiting before me. Got an excellent seating, and observed the women preparing nice sized tortillas in the dome of meter-high stoves, that seemed to have been very little changed since their distant ancestors millennias ago did the same. POOF-and the dry maize puffed up like a soufflé! - and WHAT a scent, mixed with local farm cheese and diff. herbs, all provided by traditional Mixtec milpa-farmers from an area in the scorched landscape enroute to Villa Sola de Vega. (Yes, gringo/gringa; you can learn a lot if you're as open to people as you're prudent with security!). And the rest is up to YOU to discover. I envie you somewhat, but I already had my experience, the sights, the flavors, the people... All travellers will sooner-like me-or you (likely much later) be laying, where Marco Polo did at the end of his final trip, and mayby also have some ''wise-guy''saying: ''NOW, it's time to admit that you made up everything, that you never travelled anywhere!''. I then intend, like that eternal source of inspiration for any Odyssean wanderer just say: '' Sorry, but I never even told more than a miniscule fraction.......''.

So enjoy your visit to the ''MAIZE-FLOWER''. After all,it was a food-source so important, already 1000s of years ago, that Olmec sculptures or bas-reliefs were adorned with the upright maize-ear with 2 lhanging leaves, and acc. to the much latter Maya Creation story Popul Vuh humans were created from that all-important plant! HASTA LUEGO, your...

Itanoni is outside of the city center. But just a little bit. And as you get oriented to Oaxaca, you will find how easy it is to get here by local bus. The street is actually a fun street to walk down to get to the restaurant. Their specialty? Regional dishes made with different types of corn tortillas, a lot of specialties from the coastal region. Just a lovely place.

Some things to consider from the menu: Champurrado - chocolate drink with corn masa as a thickener. It comes in a bowl.

A taco called "of these" (de ese ) with hoja santa

The tetela which is the triangular taco you will see in my photos.

North on E. Carranza to Belisario Dominguez. Turn right and restaurant (#512) is on the north side of the street. Walking, if my memory serves me, you will also pass by the artisan bread store, Boulenc.

Now. If you plan to take photos, they will kindly ask you to sign a form. I think because they want to protect their cuisine from being used in commercial photos for profit.

Visited...

We came here as a family group of five for a breakfast. Delicious food. Tetelas - triangular shaped parcels of maiz of such a high quality - of chicharron and one of Chiapan cheese. Coffee from the traditional olla and served to us in traditional eathenware mugs.

The dining area here is in a large open area (part yard / part garden) with roofing to screen the sun. Flooring of woodchips.

The food is tasty and prepared well in the kitchen area toward the front of the restaurant. For authentic food with a genuine Oaxacan flavour this is a revered place. Prices relatively high for the food. However you eating in a local institution. Enjoy the total experience.

Only a few blocks down the hill you are in Jalatlaco. Don't be surprised - when you ask for the bill - if they bring a tombola cage to the table. If you pay cash you can play the tombola to win a discount on...