Taco Guide in Mexico City / El Charco de las Ranas and the Death of Paco Stanley

By: Youyi Mayora Eng

Photos courtesy of: El Charco de Las Ranas website

Periférico Sur, the wind hits my face as the only means to endure the blazing sun of Mexico City that burns my skin with its radiation. I peek my head out like a dog; I'm lucky, my best friend is driving because apparently the nephew of insomnia visited me last night. Suddenly, an unmistakable monument to morbidity and memory takes my mind back to secondary school—it's been twenty-five years. During recess, there was talk, "Paco Stanley was killed." The confusion, the news broadcast, my mother's radio while driving. Violence in the capital had spilled over onto a legend of Mexican television. They had killed Paco Stanley.

When did El Charco de las Ranas open?

El Charco de las Ranas is a massive taquería located in the south of Mexico City. It opened its doors in 1996 with a concept that no one quite understood. A taquería that serves breakfasts and resembles more a huge cinema with its lights, it promised tacos that were either too expensive or too immaculate. So since the 90s, they've been offering the famous chilaquiles with eggs, which supposedly caused indigestion to one of Paco Stanley's best friends, saving him from death. Its eye-catching building doesn't adhere to the classic taquería tradition—small, discreet, and filled with smoke—where diners must stand to eat. Here, you sit at well-set tables, promising quality and service. And although some might think sitting down to eat tacos is an outrage, I think it's something different, another protocol, another school, I don't know, you be the judge. The menu makes you want to devour everything, confuses you with its variety, delays your decision. Mole, chalupitas, enchiladas—it seems to be more than just a taquería.

"Let's go back to eat tacos," my friend says.

"Don't say it, don't say it," I think as my stomach burns.

"They killed Paco Stanley there," my friend continues, tradition is present.

Morbid thoughts take over, but the eternal El Charco de las Ranas once again wins us over as time passes. Paco, in your honor: five tacos with everything. Come and join us to toast that comedian among tacos, salsas, and memories.

• Address: Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos 2772
• Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 12 am, Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 am.
• Ideal For: food, breakfast, dinner.
• Type of Cuisine: Mexican.
• Payment: cash and cards accepted.
• Accessibility: yes.
• Parking: yes.
• Reservations: not necessary.
• Nearby Public Transport: too far, we suggest going by car.
• Pet-Friendly: no.
• Suitable for Children: yes.
• Vegan Options: yes.
• Price of Beer: 54 pesos.