Breakfast at El Mayor

We make it a point to search out the best places in Latin America to enjoy a breakfast that includes eggs and a good strip of bacon or a sausage link. If you’re from the USA, the British Isles or Australia you’re used to a big ole honkin’ breakfast that includes these essential ingredients.

That until recently, were almost impossible to find in Latin America (except for Mexico, that like North Americans and Brits, can appreciate a huevo or two in the morning.

Well, good news for you gringos, the residents of Mexico seem to enjoy eggs for breakfast as much as you do. And a bonus for you Brits and Aussies, they often serve them up with beans. They even add chili peppers and other interesting ingredients to the mix.

One of our favorite places to enjoy breakfast or weekend brunch is at El Mayor. Located on the rooftop of an old building overlooking the archaeological excavation of the Templo Mayor, this place is just about as pleasant a setting as you can find for enjoying a cup of coffee and your daily allotment of eggs.

You can have your eggs scrambled (that’s the ones that say “revueltos”), with tomatoes and mild chili peppers, with sausage, or ham and cheese mixed in. If you ask politely and offer to pay an upcharge they’d likely bring a plateful with all of that stuff.

But wait, there’s more. If you’re a Frenchie, you can have all sorts of French omelets. Just want a couple of fried eggs? They’ve got you covered. Order the “Divorciados” and you get two fried eggs, one sitting on a red sauce (“salsa roja”), one sitting on a green sauce (“salsa verde”). Both come with a bit of refried beans. Just want the eggs without the sauce? That’s the “Estrellados”. You can have just the fried eggs, or you have them accompanying a variety of other traditional Mexican ingredients, like chicken in a mole sauce. Why not make it an eggsistential experience?

If eggs aren’t your thing, that’s okay too. They have all sorts of breakfast breads. Even pancakes and crepes.

Service is top notch. The waiters are friendly and efficient. There’s even a little gal making homemade corn tortillas while you watch. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, El Meyor is a guaranteed pleasant experience.

The breakfast will cost you somewhere between US$4.25 and US$6.00 (70 - 95 pesos) plus another US$1.80 to $2.50 (30 to 40 pesos) or so for coffee or juice.