Tacos al Pastor Cancun: The Iconic Mexican Dish From Lebanon?

Tacos al Pastor Cancun, MMMM, our absolute FAVE topic! It is our pleasure to introduce you to the delicious street food known and loved by Mexicans around the country. Tender pork marinated in a selection of spices and slow roasted on a spit till the juices roll down and the edges get a little crispy. The savory meat is then expertly sliced onto a corn tortilla and sprinkled with onions and cilantro and a flick of pineapple from the top of the spit deftly cut by the taquero. It’s more than just a taco, it’s a ritual and the hunt for the best in town is a favorite sport of all Cancunenses and one of the tacos we taste in our Cancun Taco Tour.

The mighty taco al pastor is a relative newcomer to the culinary lexicon of Mexico and its origins may surprise you. When you think of Mexico you don’t normally think of a Middle East influence, but in the 1930’s there was an influx of immigrants from the Ottoman Empire who brought with them their delicious shawarma. A taste of Lebanon was introduced to the streets of Mexico City and the delicious vertical spit of lamb was welcomed. The children of these immigrants took their parents’ shawarma, changed the lamb to pork, added some essential Mexican flavors and the “taco al pastor” was born in the 1960’s in Puebla and Mexico City.

From Lebanon With Love to Mexico: Tacos al Pastor Cancun

The young culinary history of Cancun is a fabulous mix of dishes and flavors from all over Mexico. The city was built in the 1970’s by people from every corner of the republic and you’ll find street food representing all the regions of the country. Everyone loves tacos al pastor and while many will claim that Mexico City or Puebla is the only place to find the real deal we know better. There is great pastor to be found in Cancun and we can’t get enough!