Taquiza

Learn about Taquizas in Mexico

Also Appears In: Connecting with Spanish-Speaking Family Discovering Your Roots (Mexican Spanish) Culture File: Mexico

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Lesson Transcript

Culture File: Mexico - Lesson 15: Taquiza

Hello, and welcome to the Culture File: Mexico series at SpanishPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring essential cultural information about Mexico, Mexican Culture, and Mexican People. In this lesson, we will talk about Mexican folklore and traditions. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 15 - Taquiza

This episode, we will talk about one of the most common Mexican culinary experiences, which is usually associated with special events and parties. It’s called “taquiza," and to put it simply, it’s like a Mexican taco buffet.

Taquizas are party events that are held outside, in which long tables, or "mesones", adorned with colorful tablecloths, or "manteles", are placed on one end of the garden or yard. Chairs are set all around the site so that attendees have room to talk and socialize with the other guests while enjoying their food and drink. On the tables, there are always big containers filled with stews, or "guisados", corn tortillas, salsas, side dishes, salads, and other food items. There’s also a table used as a makeshift bar where beverages, or "bebidas", such as sodas, beers, liquors, and fresh fruit waters flow freely.

These kinds of parties are popular in part because there’s no need to hire waiters, cooks or additional help; everything is set up to be self-served. The guests get to fix their own plates, choosing between a variety of dishes, or "platillos."

After the people have eaten, the adults spend the afternoon chatting and listening to music. If it’s a big event, there’s even sometimes singing or dancing.

After everybody has had a great time with their family and friends and the event is over, everyone helps clean up after the party, putting things back in place, washing the dishes, and making sure the house is spotless before heading back home.