Mamá Mela — Restaurant in San Miguel de Allende

What can I say about this place that has not already been said. The food is amazing, the owner is one of the most hospitable and friendly people I have ever had the decency of meeting in the foo industry and it is conveniently located by the center of SMA. Not to mention that it is fairly priced in comparison to the other restaurants here in the city.

I was wandering the city, hungry and desperate for something good to eat but also affordable when I came across this place. A restaurant that seemingly only sells burritos with many different variations for the toppings.

As I walked in, it was empty and the owner, Humberto, came in as he was sitting outside conversing with his friends. He quickly gave me his seat and got to work without hesitation. I asked for a burrito with cochinito pibil (pork) on a cactus tortilla and boy oh boy, was it delicious. I can honestly say that I have never tried or eaten anything like this before. I have had burritos in the past, dozens if not hundreds, but this one was really unique, from the size of it, right down to the flavor.

While I waited for Humberto to finish making the food, we had a really great conversation about the city of SMA, Mexico and its amazing variety of dishes and cuisine and he even talked to me a bit about his past. One thing he told me that really stood out is that when he opened this restaurant, his goal was to make something special, something you cannot get or eat somewhere else and I think he hit the nail right on the head.

The standout of the burrito was the hot sauce he threw on top of it once he was done making it. It was sensational. A perfect blend of spicy and a bit of sweetness.

I say this is a must try if you come to SMA, you will not be...

This place is awesome. I highly recommend that you try it, since the burritos here differ from how we conceive of burritos in the US. Here, you’ll find thin and long burritos filled with cheese and a specialty sauce or stew. They may be more simple than a typical American one, yet all of the burritos we’ve tried here have been superb.

I’ve tried many mole negros in my life (even in Oaxaca) and Humberto’s rivals those for sure. My favorite, however, is the Cochinita Pibil. Excellent execution and one of my favorite burritos of my life.

Humberto will very curiously ask you how you like your burrito. He really cares about his offerings. If you get a chance to talk to him, he has a lot of stories to share about being an SMA native, and also his passion for food....

I’d argue it’s a crime to visit San Miguel and not eat here. Without question, this was one of the best things I’ve eaten in all of Mexico. Everything is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, packed with flavour, perfect texture, and all at a very reasonable price.

This charming little hole-in-the-wall is run by a super friendly and welcoming owner, which only adds to the experience. There’s a world map on the wall with pins from the homes of his many happy customers — a testament to how memorable this place is.

I tried the Cochinita, Pollo, and Champiñones burritos — all were incredible, but the Cochinita was hands-down my favourite. So juicy, so flavourful, the kind of bite that sticks with you long after. I’ll be dreaming about...