19 mouthwatering foods to eat in Mexico

Mexican food is my life. 

My maternal grandparents are from Guadalajara, Mexico, so growing up, there wasn't a dish in my household that didn't feature a bit of Mexican flare — even if it was just a dash of my mom's homemade hot sauce.

While some local dishes, such as tacos and quesadillas, are incredibly well known, there are many other Mexican basics that are slightly more under-the-radar.

Here are 19 mouthwatering Mexican foods you need to eat.

Nopalitos is a dish made up of diced nopales, which are part of a cactus. Sometimes they are made into a salad with tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado, or with an egg for breakfast.

Elote, or corn on the cob, is a popular street food in Mexico, where it is sold covered in salt, chili powder, butter, cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise.

Chilaquiles are lightly fried tortilla chips covered in an array of sauces (either green salsa or red salsa, sometimes mole). Chicken, cheese, and various other toppings can also be added.