Favorite things about Mexico

Cinco de Mayo!! A great excuse to drink and party, and supposedly only truly celebrated in America.  Seeing all of the ads today for bar specials made me think, what are my favorite things from our neighbor to the south?  This list could honestly be a top 10 or 15, but that's not what I do here. So, without wasting more time, here are:

The Top 5 Favorite things from Mexico:

#5 - The Sombreros

How can you not love the big, old, crazy looking hats that Speedy Gonzalez wears? (picture courtesy of cartype.com)  An essential to the Mexican holiday, anybody can get away with rocking a sombrero today.  The hat's name translates to "making shade", and on a bright and sunny day here in Philadelphia, a Sombrero would definitely help on that front.

#4 - The Vacation Spots

Yup, take a good look, everyone.  This is the Valentin Imperial Maya, an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.(picture courtesy of kinkaa.com)  This is where myself and my beautiful girlfriend will be vacationing at the end of June.  I've been to Riviera Maya before and it is THE best vacation.  To be able to not worry about money, finding restaurants or bars for a week is great.  Not to mention the pools, pool bars, and the immaculate beaches.  By word of mouth, another great spot is Cabo.  My buddy Buuf goes there all the time and raves about it for about two weeks before and two weeks after he goes.  If you want a REAL vacation, go to Mexico..it's absolutely worth it.

#3 - The Tequila  (picture courtesy of tequila.net)

Ahh yes, the tequila.  How many times have we all been put to bed by the three bottles above?  Tequila has won many times on my scoreboard, but it is one of my favorites.  Why, you ask?  Because of margaritas.  One of my favorite summer drinks, a nice margarita is the best thing to compliment Mexican food.  It's kind of hard to screw up a margarita, but the really good ones are made at the BYOB Mexican joints.  You bring the tequila, they bring the drinks.  It's great.  The best ones I've ever had though? Papasito's Cantina in Dallas, TX.  More on that place in a little bit.

#2 - The Beers (picture courtesy of sodahead.com)
The beers from Mexico are great! I've had every one of the beers in the picture above, except for the third from the right.  I don't know what it is, and if someone could let me know, I'd appreciate it.  Anyway, Corona is one of my favorite beers of all time, Dos Equis is great, and Modelo is a very good substitute if Corona is not around.  All very good summer beers, Mexican beers are a great addition to any BBQ.  One thing I can't wait for in Mexico...Corona on tap! I've never seen it here in the States, only in Mexico.  It's a brilliant idea.



#1 - The Food    (picture courtesy of http://www.varaderocubancafe.com/)
How could anything else be #1?  The reason this is number one is because it is the most frequent thing from Mexico that I get to enjoy. (Hense Vacation Spots being at #4)  Mexican food is the tits...period.  Whether it's Taco Bell, On the Border, California Tortilla or my absolute favorite, Papasito's Cantina in Dallas, it's all good.  Of course, the quality changes from place to place, but you have to like something at any one of these places.  If you ever have a chance to go to Papasito's Cantina in Texas (I go to the one on Lombardy Lane in Dallas) I beg you to get a plate of Chicken Nachos and Beef Nachos.  They are the largest helpings of nachos I've ever had.  On top of that, they are spread out with tons of chicken and cheese on each.  Add in a few pitchers of margaritas, and you're set, my friend!

Well, all this talk about food and booze has made me hungry and thirsty.  I need some enchiladas and margaritas in my life asap.  Let me know what your favorites are, because I'm always open to suggestions.  Have a great Cinco de Mayo everyone, and as always, I'll be kicking back, sipping beers (Coronas today), you should too!