Imagine walking down a busy street in Mexico City. You smell grilled meat and warm tortillas. You hear the sizzle of arepas on a grill in Bogotá. This is the world of Latin American street food, and it's where you'll find the most authentic and delicious flavors of a country. Eating at a 'puesto' (stall) or a food truck is a key part of traveling like a local. But it can be a little scary. The vendor is busy, people are waiting, and you don't know what to say. Don't worry! You don't need perfect Spanish. With just a few simple phrases, you can order food confidently and enjoy this amazing experience. This guide will teach you the most important words and questions. We will show you how to ask what's available, how to order, and how to customize your food. Learning these phrases will open a door to new foods and friendly conversations. Get ready to eat well and practice your Spanish!
Hello, good day/evening.
Use this as a simple, polite greeting to get the vendor's attention when you approach the stall.
What do you have to eat?
A general and very useful question to ask when you can't see a menu or don't know what's being offered.
What is the specialty?
Use this to ask for the vendor's recommendation. They are often proud of their signature dish.
What is this?
A direct way to ask about a specific food item you see on the grill or counter. You can point while asking.
Give me one 'al pastor', please.
A very common and natural way to order. 'Me da...' (Give me...) is slightly more common than 'Quiero...' (I want...) in this context.
Two to go, please.
Use 'para llevar' when you want to take your food with you instead of eating it at the stall.
One to eat here.
Use 'para comer aquí' if the stall has a small counter or a few chairs and you plan to eat there.
Without onion, please.
Use 'sin' (without) followed by any ingredient you don't want. Very useful for customizing your order.
How much is it?
The standard question to ask when you are ready to pay. You can also ask '¿Cuánto le debo?' (How much do I owe you?).
Do you accept cards?
Always good to ask, but be prepared for the answer to be no. Most street food stalls are cash-only.
Cash only.
This is not a phrase for you to say, but one you will hear often. It's important to recognize it.
Here you go.
Say this when you hand the money to the vendor. It's a polite way to complete the transaction.
How delicious!
A simple and friendly compliment to give the vendor after you've tried the food. They will appreciate it.
Thank you, enjoy your meal.
You will often hear 'provecho' from the vendor or even other customers. It's the equivalent of 'bon appétit'.
A traveler stands in front of a busy taco 'puesto' on a street corner in Mexico City at night. The 'taquero' (taco maker) is working quickly behind the counter.
Hola, buenas noches.
Hello, good evening.
Buenas. ¿Qué le damos, joven?
Evening. What can we get for you, young man?
¿De qué tiene los tacos?
What kind of tacos do you have?
Hay de pastor, suadero y longaniza.
There's al pastor, suadero, and longaniza sausage.
Ok. Me da dos de pastor y uno de suadero, por favor.
Okay. Give me two al pastor and one suadero, please.
Claro. ¿Con todo?
Of course. With everything?
Sí, con todo. ¿El de pastor lleva piña?
Yes, with everything. Does the al pastor have pineapple?
Sí, un poquito. Sale.
Yes, a little bit. Coming right up.
Perfecto. Y para tomar, ¿un agua de horchata tiene?
Perfect. And to drink, do you have a horchata?
Sí, aquí está. Son sus tres tacos y el agua.
Yes, here it is. Here are your three tacos and the water.
Gracias. ¿Cuánto es?
Thank you. How much is it?
Son 75 pesos.
It's 75 pesos.
Aquí tiene.
Here you go.
Gracias. Provecho.
Thanks. Enjoy your meal.
¡Gracias! Se ven muy ricos.
Thank you! They look very delicious.
Cash is king ('Efectivo es el rey'). The vast majority of street food vendors do not accept credit cards. Always carry small bills and coins. Trying to pay for a 20-peso taco with a 500-peso bill can be problematic. It's also customary to pay after you receive your food, not before. You often eat first, then tell the vendor what you had, and then pay.
Follow the crowd. The best and safest street food stalls are almost always the ones with a long line of locals. A busy stall means the food is fresh and constantly being turned over. Also, observe the vendor's hygiene. Do they handle money and food with different hands or use gloves? Is the cooking surface clean? These are good signs.
Understand the salsa station. Most stalls have a self-serve area with various salsas and toppings like limes, radishes, and pickled onions. A general rule of thumb is that red salsas are spicier than green ones, but this is not always true. It's wise to put a tiny drop on your hand to taste its spiciness before generously adding it to your food. Nothing ruins a meal faster than unexpected, overwhelming heat.
Don't be shy about asking for a taste. If you're unsure about an 'agua fresca' (fruit water) or a particular stew ('guisado'), it's often acceptable to politely ask for a small taste. You can say, '¿Puedo probar un poquito?' (Can I try a little bit?). Vendors are usually happy to oblige, as they are proud of their product and want you to enjoy it.
The word for a stall is 'puesto'. Tacos are the main event. You might be asked '¿Con copia o sencillo?' which means with a double or single tortilla. Vendors often address customers as 'joven' (young person), 'güero/a' (light-skinned person), or 'jefe' (boss) as a friendly formality.
Look for 'puestos' or 'chazas' selling 'arepas' (corn cakes), 'empanadas', and famously elaborate hot dogs ('perros calientes') with toppings like pineapple sauce and crushed potato chips. Ordering, you would say 'Me regala una arepa...' which literally means 'Gift me an arepa...' but is a very common and polite way to order.
Street food often revolves around meat sandwiches from a 'carrito' (cart). The 'choripán' (grilled chorizo sausage on a roll) is iconic. Ask for it 'con chimichurri'. Another classic is the 'sándwich de milanesa'. Hot dogs are called 'panchos'. The scene is less about small, varied items and more about hearty sandwiches.
Street food is less common than in Latin America, but popular at festivals and in certain contexts. Look for 'puestos' or 'churrerías' selling 'churros con chocolate'. In winter, you'll find 'castañas asadas' (roasted chestnuts). 'Bocadillos' (baguette sandwiches) are also a common quick meal, though often sold from small bars rather than street stalls.
Found this useful? Save it for later.
Is it spicy?
A crucial question before ordering if you are sensitive to spicy food. 'Picar' is the verb for 'to be spicy'.
What do you have to drink?
'Tomar' is more common in Latin America, while 'beber' is also understood. Street vendors often have 'aguas frescas' or sodas.
With everything.
This is the magic phrase for getting your food with all the standard toppings, like cilantro, onion, and salsa. It's how locals usually order.
A little bit of sauce, please.
Use this if you want to be cautious with the salsa. You can specify 'salsa roja' (red sauce) or 'salsa verde' (green sauce).