Mexican Menu Q & A

Since I started this project, there are several questions that have come up over and over again from friends, family members and blog followers. Today I will answer one of the most frequently asked questions I get: What do Mexicans typically eat for breakfast?

They eat a wide variety of things depending on where they live, their socio-economic situation, health concerns, and individual likes and dislikes. I lived in one home for five weeks where we got the same breakfast every day - toast with strawberry jelly, freshly squeezed orange juice, and hot tea. In another home I was asked each day if I wanted eggs, how I wanted them, or if I preferred cereal (mostly Corn Flakes at that time), pancakes, or toast with jelly.
One popular breakfast item that was offered to me over the years was chilaquiles (see picture above) which is a dish made from day-old corn tortillas, salsa, eggs (sometimes) and queso fresco. This is a delicious dish, but since the tortillas are fried in oil before being covered in salsa and cheese, it is high in calories.
What I did not see a lot of in Mexico was breakfast meats such as ham, bacon, and sausages - except for some chorizo which was often scrambled into eggs, sausage grease and all. Finally, I observed many Mexicans (including children) start the day with a glass of cafe con leche - Nescafe stirred into a glass of hot, steaming milk - and a pan dulce. Some prefer a Mexican hot chocolate (which they just call "chocolate") with their pan dulce or warmed-over bolillos.
In Javier's home town, it is common to see people go into town and enjoy a breakfast of steak, frijoles, salsa, tortillas and a bottle of soda pop on the side for their breakfast.
My favorite Mexican breakfast is still a plate of fresh fruits with a warm quesadilla on the side. I'm not sure how many Mexicans eat breakfast this way, but the abundance of fruit year round in Mexico makes it a healthier option than chilaquiles, pan dulces, huevos con chorizo, and pancakes.
Please write in to the comment section below and tell us about any breakfast eating habits you have seen or heard of in Mexico!