Where is the best Sunday morning barbacoa in Mexico City?
For the classic Sunday morning ritual, head to El Pica 1 in Texcoco if you want a day trip, but inside the city, El Hidalguense in Roma Sur is the gold standard. They only open Friday through Sunday because they spend the week slow-roasting whole sheep in underground pits in Hidalgo. Order the barbacoa by the quarter-kilo, which comes with warm, hand-pressed tortillas, fresh herbs, and a bowl of rich consomé.
What locals actually do
Locals treat Sunday barbacoa as a cure-all and a family gathering. We do not eat this on a Tuesday night; it is strictly a weekend morning affair. A true chilango starts with a bowl of consomé—the spiced broth that drips from the meat during roasting—and spikes it with lime, chopped onion, and salsa. Then comes the main event: pulling the tender, smoky mutton off the maguey leaves to roll your own tacos. If you are in southern CDMX, El Parnita's weekend cousin, El Páramo, is great, but neighborhood tianguis (street markets) like the Sunday market in La Condesa or San Angel also harbor incredible, low-key barbacoa stalls that have served the same families for decades.
If you only have one Sunday morning for barbacoa, go to El Hidalguense in Roma Sur by 10:00, order a quarter-kilo of espalda (shoulder), and pair it with a cold pulque.
Practical notes
- 01El Hidalguense only operates Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 07:00 to 18:00, so plan your week around these limited weekend hours.
- 02Order your meat by weight (such as a quarter or half-kilogram) rather than individual tacos to get the best selection of cuts.
- 03Always request a bowl of consomé first; it is traditional to sip this rich broth before diving into your meat.
Good to know
- ✗El Hidalguense is extremely popular after 11:00 on Sundays; arrive early to avoid a 45-minute wait for a table.
- ✗Bring cash with you, as many traditional neighborhood barbacoa stalls in local weekly markets do not accept credit cards.
- ✗Specify if you want lean meat (maciza) or richer, fattier cuts (surtida) when you place your order.