Real Mexican Mariachi experience: Restaurant El Salón Tenampa (14. April 2017)
Given I had failed so far to see Mariachis live, it was about time to fill this gap. So, when you’re in Mexico City, you should definitely go to the Plaza Garibaldi where all the Mariachis are and order a mariachi song for you. Or, you enter one of the many establishments around the square where you can sit down, eat, drink, and listen to mariachi songs. The Tenampa is apparently one of the most famous ones, so I gave this one a try. The majority of the people are Mexicans – there aren’t many foreigners really – and they kept ordering Mariachi songs (120 MXN each) which was at some point quite impressive.
As the goal is not only to spend a good time with your family and to listen to mariachi songs but also to be a bit drunk in the end, it makes sense to order some food rather early in the process and I went for the “Botana Tenampa (platón con 3 sopecitos de chorizo, 6 taquitos dorados de pollo, guacamole y 6 quesadillas con tortillas de harina, 3 gorditas de chicharrón, 2 pambazos y 3 tlacoyos)” (208 MXN) which is basically a mixed platter and works perfectly for three people! The dishes are better than I had expected – with the exception of the quesadillas which were cold when served.
When you are lucky enough, you get the Mariachis to play in your vicinity so you don’t have to spend the money on the songs (plus, as a foreigner you don’t know the songs anyway). And that is actually perfect as it allows you to get a closer look and here quite a few of these songs …
… where the singer is quite emotional and passionate …
… really going the extra mile. The place, as stated, is packed with locals (or at least Mexicans) …
… and decorated quite colorful but simple really. As the place is so full, and the waiters have to run between the various mariachi groups, you have to be patient when you want to order something as your waiter will most of the time not be in your vicinity.
The prices for the dishes and beverages (i.e. Corona, 41 MXN) are decent and you feel quite comfortable in this place. So, definitely another place which must absolutely be visited when you visit Mexico City.
Now, just to make that clear to you – the place is rather loud, so not ideal for any deep conversations but if that is not your goal, then you’re absolutely perfect in this place! Try, if you manage, to book a table in advance or show up early as there was a huge line of people wanting to get in around 11:30pm when we got out – even around 6:30pm, we had to queue a bit!
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Contact Details:
Restaurant El Salón Tenampa
Honduras 2
Cuauhtémoc
06010 Mexico City (MX)
Tel.: +52 55 55 26 61 76
Homepage: http://www.salontenampa.com
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
