Pasillo de Humo — Restaurant in Oaxaca

Great experience with very tasty food. Be warned, this isn’t a stroll in the park and it can be overwhelming, but it is hands down some of the best tasting meat I have had. I will try to break down what I saw.

There are 2 types of vendors in this “smoke hallway” the ones selling the meats and the ones selling the toppings and drinks. Both types of vendors will try very hard to get your attention so that you choose them. You should first choose the toppings vendor because they will usually have seating and they will also hand you a basket which you will use for step 2: choosing the meat vendor. Once you choose the meat vendor they will cook wherever type of meat you pick. I did not see chicken in this particular hallway, so if you do not eat red meat this will not be the place for you. Once you have your meat you can go back to the toppings vendor and buy the toppings you wants and drinks. There is usually someone floating around selling tortillas as well so that you can make tacos.

My pro tips would be: Making sure you have cash carrying hand sanitizer If you are sensitive to smoke, do not go here, it lives up to its name. The smoke comes in waves so it might seem like there isn’t a lot, but by the time you are ready to eat you are surrounded by smoke. Do not go if you cannot...

Busy popular peeped food market in the middle of town, near centro (city center) within Mercado 20 de Noviembre. There are lots of food stalls with typical Oaxaca food. Be prepared to traverse through a number of patrons with menu cards enticing you to eat at their stalls. Pasillo de Humo (Smoke Alley) refers to an alleyway where you can pick up an empty platter and then head through what can best be described as a gauntlet of uncooked meat stalls, where you’ll select the meat you want and they will grill it for you over charcoal at these same stalls. Once the meat is done, you’ll proceed to the end of the alley where there are tables where you can sit and eat. There you will be offered what will accompany your meat, like pico de gallo, guacamole, grilled onions and chili, tortillas and drinks. Prices are very affordable since this is geared for locals (do not expect a fancy restaurant atmosphere). Make sure you bring something to clean your hands well before and after you...

Absolute scam for getting a table. DO NOT ORDER from this stall. They will take your money happily but provide bad service.

They are located as soon as you enter the main Passilo from the street, on the left side. The shop is labeled "Carne Asada 192".

I ordered 195mxn of meat, then another 20mxn in tortillas, and another 80 in sides . They seat us at a table and then DEMAND that we buy a drink. Joining the scam is the lady selling the salsa sides as the tables are next to them.

When I refuse, they move me to another table and again demand that I buy a drink.

What a disappointing tourist experience in an otherwise wonderful city. Anyone knows how to complain against this scam? If I buy 300 pesos of food, it has to come with a table with no other compulsions. There's no sign when ordering the meat that a drink is compulsory too. If it is, include it in your...