What does "casado" or "cassada" mean? I read to try the mahimahi casado at the Marlin Restaurant near Manuel Antonio park entrance. Or at any of the local sodas throughout Costa Rica, ask for "la plata typica o cassada" which, I think, means the daily special of typical local food. My Spanish phrasebook/dictionary defines "casado(a)" as meaning "married". Is this the same word? Is it like a stew where they combine (or marry!) all the ingredients? Just wondering...

Casado means "married man". It is the name of the most popular meals in Costa Rica. When you order a casado (with beef, chicken, pork, or fish) you get a plate full of food. I love em!

Rice, beans, salad, platains (platanos in espanol), yucca or other veggie, meat, and sometimes a big old fat fried egg on top!

We were told that this plate lunch grew popular because it is so filling and the working fellows often just ate one meal a day--so it needed to be a plate full! I'm sure there are other reasons for the name as well.

DO try one--they are just great! It is comida tipica at its finest!

Thanks, shillmac. We will order them. I won't worry now that they will laugh at me for ordering "a married man" if that's what everyone else is ordering!

I agree, it's an often delicious and unique dish. Shillmac, I had no idea what the word translated to LOL!

Be sure not to accidentally say "cansado" which means tired or sleepy.

Abit different in MX, but well done by the CR folks.
M

I am told by natives that casado means the "Marriage" of beans and rice, the prototypical Latin American dish, often used as a side dish.

I think mixed rice and beans is called casamiento o gallo pinto