jparis

Leaving for Oaxaca in 2 weeks and I am reading conflicting reports about whether it is safe to eat at the food stalls in the market. Also, what about fruit drinks? Anyone with any experience? thanks

Graziella5b

Safe or not I would not eat....but...

gomexico

I've eaten in some of the Oaxaca markets. Like anywhere else in Mexico you should eyeball the operation before buying something - so see if it's being cleanly run. When I'm in Oaxaca I take most of my dinners in the Central de Abastos market (the city's central marketplace), and find local dishes lovingly prepared and I've not gotten sick. If one does get stomach upset it typically passes quickly, from what I've experienced elsewhere in Mexico.

Dude

You definately want to be careful. The biggest things to look for are- do the places do a good business, and do the folks preparing the food have a way to clean their hands. If they using a bucket full of tap water over and over for eveything I would pass for sure. I have eaten both from vendors and in the abastos market and have not gotten sick. The only time I got sick in Oaxaca was at a private home. I thought I was going to die. I belive it was because there was tap water on the plates left from washing them. You definately want to be careful but not to the exclusion of enjoying yourself.

ltt

some of the best meals in mexico are from local vendors. another thing to watch for is how often is the food being "moved" - is it being cooked and sitting there for 20 minutes or is it being cooked fresh. if it is a busy stall and especially if other mexican's are eating from there, it's a good sign.

mikemo

Definitely not in the warmest, driest months before the rainy season.
M

jparis

Thanks for everyone's response.
I am not sure what mikemo means about "not in the dry season".

Poppa

Watch the locals.

Mexicans are fanatical about freshness.

SrFlojo

Go for it! The food at the different stalls are fine. A good sign is if the local are eating there and is the food being prepared fresh for you. A treat is the Friday "Tianguis" or flea market by the Plaza Conzatti (by the Holiday Inn Express). Great tacos a two different stands and you will sea the lines forming. It does help if you know some Spanish to order your food. Also the licuados or fruit smoothies are not to be missed in the stands from the interior of the markets. They use only the freshest fruits and if you want it to go thet will put it in a baggie with a straw.

mikemo

jparis,
There is lots of dust and several food/water bourne illnesses carried on same: Typhoid is a perfect example.
M

suze

I would not recommend fruit drinks or water based 'punch' style beverages. It's not about how "fresh" the fruit is or isn't that makes the problem.