TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Jaliscan Foods
Bionico is a popular Mexican street food item in the form of a fruit cocktail, originating from Guadalajara. Chopped fruits such as papaya, strawberries, cantaloupe, apples, and bananas are topped with a sweet cream mixture, granola, pecans, raisins, and desiccated coconut.
The dish was invented in the early 1990s as a healthy breakfast meal. As its popularity grew, the dessert spread throughout Mexico and even to some parts of the United States. Today, bionico is mostly served by street vendors or it can be bought at numerous juice bars and ice cream shops.
MOST ICONIC Bionico
Torta ahogada is Guadalajara's signature sandwich, a salted bun that is crunchy on the outside and soft on the interior, filled with pork, and submerged in a spicy salsa consisting of vinegar, cumin, and chile de árbol pepper. The sandwich is then filled with onions, mild tomato-garlic salsa, and a squeeze of lime juice.
It was invented in the early 1900s, and today it is a staple dish for curing hangovers, usually found on small stands on street corners and busy urban centers.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Tortas
MOST ICONIC Torta ahogada
View moreCarne en su jugo is a traditional beef soup with bacon, beans, garlic, and onions. The broth can be additionally flavored with chilis and vegetables. The soup originates from Guadalajara, and it was first made in the 1950s in a restaurant called El Gallo, when it was used as a hangover cure in the late hours of the evening.
Today, carne en su jugo is traditionally served in clay plates.
MOST ICONIC Carne en su jugo
Adobera is a traditional cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese is shaped like an adobe brick, hence the name. It has a fresh aroma, and the texture is firm, crumbly, and grainy, while the flavors are mild and salty. Due to its texture, Adobera can be crumbled, grated, shredded, and melted easily, making it versatile and very popular in Mexican cuisine.
It is believed that the cheese originated in the Jalisco area. Use it in ecnhiladas, burritos, tacos, soups, and salads.
Pair with
Charales is a Mexican specialty dish consisting of small, deep-fried, minnow-sized fish consumed with salt, chilis, and a squeeze of lime juice. They are usually served as a snack or as an appetizer, although charales can also be used as a taco filling.
There is also a dried version of charales that is especially popular during Lent, when the fish is cooked with nopales, green salsa, and wild herbs.
Frijoles puercos estilo Jalisco is a traditional dish originating from Jalisco. These refried beans have a number of varieties, and this is the Jalisco-style preparation that's usually served as a snack with drinks. The dish is usually made with a combination of cooked beans, chorizo, olives, jalapeños, bacon, lard, and shredded cheese such as queso ranchero or romano.
The chorizo is crumbled and cooked with chopped baon in lard, then set aside. The beans are then cooked in the remaining lard, mashed, and mixed with the bacon, olives, chili peppers, and chorizo. The top is sprinkled with cheese, and the mixture is then served with toasted tortillas.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Birria tatemada is a variation of the traditional Mexican birria dish, typically made with goat meat. The meat is marinated in a blend of chili peppers and spices and then slow-cooked until very tender. The "tatemada" refers to the process of charring or roasting, which adds a distinctive smoky flavor to the dish.
After cooking, the meat is often shredded and served with corn tortillas and salsa. It can also be served with rice and beans or used as a filling for tacos or burritos.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Birria
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Jaliscan Food Producers
Cierto Tequila is a premium tequila producer renowned for its artisanal approach and commitment to excellence. Crafted in Jalisco, Mexico, Cierto sources 100% Blue Weber agave grown in both the highlands and lowlands, ensuring a balanced and complex flavor profile.
The brand emphasizes sustainability and traditional production techniques, including slow cooking in brick ovens and careful aging in French and American oak barrels. Cierto offers a range of luxury tequilas, including Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo expressions, each celebrated for its smoothness, richness, and elegance.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
BEST Cierto Tequila Spirits
Ocho Tequila is a renowned producer of high-quality, artisanal tequila, celebrated for its commitment to tradition and transparency. Founded by Tomas Estes, a global tequila ambassador, and Carlos Camarena, a master distiller from a legendary tequila family, Ocho is known for being the first tequila to designate its production from specific agave fields, emphasizing terroir in its flavor profile.
Crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in Jalisco, Mexico, Ocho Tequila is produced using traditional methods, including slow cooking in brick ovens and natural fermentation. Each batch is made from agave harvested in a single estate, showcasing the unique characteristics of the land.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
BEST Tequila Ocho Spirits
Don Fulano is a premium tequila brand rooted in the rich heritage of the Fonseca family, who have been cultivating agave in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, for five generations. Their journey began over 140 years ago in Atotonilco, where they started as agave farmers before acquiring the historic La Tequileña distillery in the mid-1980s.
This distillery, with over a century of history, became the foundation for producing their exceptional tequilas. Don Fulano tequilas are crafted using estate-grown, hand-selected mature agave, proprietary yeast, and natural volcanic spring water, ensuring a product that honors the natural gifts of the agave plant.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2022
BEST Don Fulano Spirits
1800 Tequila, part of Proximo Spirits, is one of the oldest and most recognized tequila brands, crafted from 100% blue Weber agave harvested in Jalisco, Mexico. Known for its quality and variety, 1800 Tequila offers expressions ranging from Silver to Extra Añejo and specialty editions, including Cristalino and limited Artist Series releases.
Each bottle showcases a commitment to tradition and innovation, making 1800 a staple in premium tequila.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024, 2022
BEST 1800 Tequila Spirits
AY! AY! AY! Tequila is a premium Mexican tequila brand celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. Founded by Alberto Robles and Jorge Godínez, the brand is produced in partnership with Destileria la Experiencia in Jalisco, using a mix of traditional and modern methods.
Each bottle is a work of art, inspired by Mexican traditions like papel picado, and filled with high-quality, 100% agave tequila. The brand's iconic mascot, Nacho the mariachi skeleton, represents the vibrant, celebratory spirit of Mexican fiestas.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
BEST Ay! Ay! Ay! Spirits
Nobleza 33 is an ultra-premium tequila crafted by Master Tequilero Engineer Felipe Camarena at the El Pandillo distillery in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico. This 100% agave spirit is produced through meticulous processes of cooking, resting, grinding, fermentation, and traditional distillation, all reinterpreted for modern times to honor the rich traditions of tequila-making.
The agave plants used are carefully selected, with a minimum age of five years, ensuring maturity and quality. The result is a tequila that embodies the dedication and expertise of its creators, offering a complex and noble flavor profile.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
BEST Nobleza 33 Spirits
AWARDS
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2023
BEST Partida Spirits
AWARDS
World's Best Honey - Winner
2024
World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
BEST APICULTORES DE GUADALAJARA SL Liqueurs
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
BEST CAVA DE ORO GRAN CAVA DE ORO Spirits
Casa Maestri is a renowned tequila distillery located in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. Founded by Celia Maestri and her husband, the distillery has gained recognition for producing high-quality, award-winning tequilas. The distillery offers a variety of tequila expressions, including Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo, each crafted to highlight the unique flavors of the agave plant.
Their products have been praised for their smoothness and well-integrated flavors.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2023
Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars
2025
BEST Casa Maestri Spirits
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Jaliscan Food Products
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
Cierto Private Collection Extra Añejo is an exceptional tequila, aged for 48 months in rare French Limousin oak casks. This careful aging process gives the tequila a rich and luxurious flavor profile, blending deep notes of tobacco, vanilla, oak, and cherries.
The aroma offers a tantalizing mix of oak, cherry, and cooked agave, while the palate reveals layers of dark chocolate, black cherry, and subtle hints of cognac, creating a refined and complex sipping experience. The finish is smooth and memorable, leaving traces of honey and spice that linger long after the last sip.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
Tequila Avión Reserva 44 is the pinnacle of luxury within the Avión portfolio, crafted for those who seek an exceptional tequila experience. This ultra-premium tequila is made from the finest handpicked agave and aged for 43 months in traditional oak barrels.
It is then finished in petite oak barrels for an additional month, adding complexity and depth. The result is a beautifully balanced tequila with a rich and velvety profile. It offers enticing notes of roasted agave, warm vanilla, and baking spices, alongside hints of finely toasted oak and dried fruits.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2023
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023, 2020
AWARDS
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023, 2022, 2021
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2023, 2022, 2021
Tequila Ocho Plata is a premium, 100% blue agave tequila known for its high quality and distinct taste. It is produced in small batches at the Ocho distillery, which is known for crafting tequilas with unique flavors that reflect the terroir of the agave plants used.
The Plata expression is unaged, offering a crisp and fresh flavor profile with notes of citrus, pepper, and agave. It's typically enjoyed neat or in cocktails like margaritas.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2022, 2020
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2020
Cierto Private Collection Reposado is an exquisite tequila crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave, grown in Jalisco's Highlands. Aged for 11 months in French Limousin oak casks, this reposado delivers a smooth and refined experience with layered flavors.
The initial notes of butterscotch and cooked agave evolve into hints of caramel and finish with a warm cinnamon spice, offering a rich and balanced taste profile.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
Don Fulano Reposado is the great representative of the spirit of Don Fulano: a marriage of mature highland agave with French limousine oak. It’s rich and buttery, yet strangely delicate and ethereal at the same time. Cooked agave fully expresses itself and blends seamlessly with an herbal sweetness, hints of mature fruit compote and dark chocolate.
There’s also a slight spice element which emerges from its delicate finish. A joy to sip on its own, paired with food or in a great cocktail.
AWARDS
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023, 2022
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2023, 2022
1800 Milenio is a luxury tequila crafted from 100% Weber blue agave and carefully aged in French Oak Cognac barrels. This extra-aged tequila offers a balanced and unique flavor profile with notes of vanilla, red fruit, and cinnamon, and a smooth finish with hints of mint chocolate.
Milenio is the pinnacle of 1800 Tequila’s craftsmanship, embodying both tradition and innovation.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024, 2022
Tequila Ocho Reposado is a premium tequila made from 100% blue agave. It is aged in oak barrels for a few months, giving it a smooth, rich flavor with hints of caramel, vanilla, and spice. This reposado offers a balanced profile, combining the fresh agave notes of blanco tequila with the complexity from aging.
Ideal for sipping or in cocktails, it showcases the craftsmanship of the Ocho distillery.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
AY! AY! AY!® Tequila Blanco is crafted from 100% Blue Agave from the highlands of Jalisco, the birthplace of tequila and mariachi. The spirit is presented in a unique, porcelain bottle inspired by Mexican folklore, decorated with "Papel Picado" elements that celebrate Mexican artistry dating back to 1930.
This tequila offers a crystalline, silver color with flashes of gold, a balanced herbal aroma with notes of agave, dried fruits, and caramel, and an ultra-smooth palate with a crisp finish featuring agave, citrus, and caramel undertones.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
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