El Fogon del May — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

First off, I walked by this place several times during daytime hours and there were 2-3 guys scrubbing down and power washing the whole restaurant and cooking equipment. It was definitely so over the top that it stood out to me as unique. I saw this happen several days - so there is no question in my mind this place is clean! Then, in the evenings when I walked by they were always packed with a great atmosphere.

I’m probably 90% vegetarian so seeing a Shawarma carving station right up front made me a little nervous but their menu looked okay for non-meat-eaters.

I finally went last night and it’s 5 stars…maybe the best Mexican food I’ve had in Playa (and I’ve been here a month).

Servers: super nice and attentive, ours spoke English. Atmosphere: we sat up front near the road and it was nice - love the open air vibe. Inside decor is a little dated, but cool evenings, happy people, great smells, and a drink made all the chicken wall art fade away. Menu: I’ll have to say there are quite a few options for both vegetarian and vegans, in addition to tons of options for meat lovers. It’s a big menu. Drinks: it was a rather limited cocktail and beer menu, but the margaritas were excellent. I’m usually turned off by margaritas that are too sweet or citrus sour, but these were really good. Not too sour not too sweet. Highly recommend. Appetizer for vegetarians: we got the full guacamole and while the presentation was a little basic, the taste was great. We loved it. They also serve 3 salsas, grilled cactus, and lime/cucumber/radish fixings to everyone. All are great accents to the food. Dinner for vegetarians: we got the grilled vegetable plate (arrachera - kind of like fajitas) and split it between me and my wife and it was too much food and it was so good. Very flavorful and a good variety of veggies, including pineapple. Again, they don’t get bonus points for presentation, but that’s totally great when the food is so good. The tortillas they serve with the dish were excellent (again, best we’ve had in Playa). They were street taco style, fresh, and the perfect size/fluffy.

One last note, check out the video I attached. We enjoyed watching the shawarma chef, especially the pineapple slicing/catching maneuver at the end. I might actually try one of those...

El Fogon del May promises an incredible dining experience, but unfortunately, it falls short of expectations. While the restaurant boasts a reputation for its traditional Mayan cuisine, the overall experience left me underwhelmed. Service at El Fogon del May is efficient but lacks warmth and attentiveness. The staff seems focused on quick turnover rather than providing a personalized and memorable experience. This rushed approach can leave diners feeling overlooked and unappreciated. While El Fogon del May may have its shortcomings, it does offer reasonably priced options for those seeking a quick bite. It can be a convenient choice if you're in a hurry or looking for a simple meal without high expectations. In conclusion, El Fogon del May did not live up to the hype for me. While the speedy service and affordability may appeal to some, the lackluster flavors and impersonal service were disappointing. I would recommend exploring other dining options to truly experience the rich flavors of...

There are multiple El Fogón locations and this is my favorite. Everything is just a little bit better. Part of the magic is the traffic. The pastor is constantly moving and being cut into. My standby is the taco loco and the pastor. This is the best tacos al pastor in Playa. Yum!!!! Go early or prepare to queue. And if you do need to wait… it’s worth it. Also note that the del May location is dinner only but the location has lunch too....