Street food is a many splendoured thing.

It’s delicious, cheap, readily available, and available in most parts of the world.

This is Part 2 of our three-part series on street food we have eaten all over the world. The first part was all about great street food in Asia.

This time we discover great street food from all over North America.

But first we look at a world first – a tiny taco stand (more than 70 years old) in Mexico City – Taquerias El Califa de León – getting a one star from the prestigious Michelin Guide in Paris .

Michelin inspectors review restaurants anonymously with several visits said this about the taco stand.

”Think One Star dining is only elegant dining rooms with tables set with pressed white linens? Think again, as this taqueria is standing room only. To get a better sense of the place, one Inspector shared, “There are no tables and seats here—just a metal shelf-style counter to balance your plate.” Another noted, “it’s a humble spot that you could easily walk by. Obscured from view by clothing vendors and various shops, this taqueria is a mere slip of an operation dominated by a griddle, a tortilla press, refrigerator, and a short counter.” A third Inspector put the space in perspective: “The interior doesn’t allow for more than a handful of people to be inside at once.”

Why It Stands Out

“It’s often said that you should do one thing and do it well, but in this taqueria’s case, they do four things well. Our Inspectors appreciated the simplicity of El Califa’s approach. “It’s about the meat and tortilla without any fuss or garnish to dress it up or hide behind.” High quality products and consistency are key to this taqueria’s success. “Their technical ability shines, and since they only have four options on the menu, it allows them to maintain their standards throughout.” Whether they visited in the morning or at night during the busy dinner hours, the quality remained the same on every visit.”

So now let’s look at the street food from throughout North America.

Mexico City – Mexico

Tacos – come in various types but the best are Al pastor – grilled pork that has been sliced off a spit. Add those delicious toppings and a juicy, succulent, memorable, treat awaits you.

Portland – U.S.

Fish Sauce Chicken Wings – Out of this world, delicious little morsels of goodness. These Vietnamese chicken wings are special – marinated in fish sauce and garlic, then deep fried to golden perfection, and smothered in a caramelized sauce consisting of garlic, brown sugar, ketchup, fish sauce, lime zest, and chile peppers.

New Orleans – U.S.

Muffaletta Sandwich – it’s special, it’s delicious, a New Orleans creation of Lupo Salvadore, a Sicilian immigrant at his Central Grocery deli in 1906. Made on large rounds of sesame bread and layered with olive salad, genoa salami, ham, mortadella, provolone and Swiss cheese, it’s fabuloso.

New York – U.S.

Pizza – it’s delicious, proving the point, simple often is the best. Two toppings only, tomato sauce, shredded Mozzarella, on a large hand-tossed thin crust, sold by the slice, are the hallmarks of New York’s own style pizza.

Vancouver – Canada

Japadog – a flavour bomb – glazed with sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce, kewpie (made with egg yolks not whole eggs, giving it a richer, more velvety texture) mayonnaise, bonito flakes and seaweed flakes. An awesome combination, a hot dog unlike any other.

Santiago – Chile

Empanadas – are a Latin American staple with each county offering its own unique version. In Chile they are filled with a mixture of ground beef, onions, with the raisins and black olives, being the unique part. And they are delish.

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

Pão de queijo – a small, baked cheese – slightly spicy, mildly acidic – roll. The Cassava flour gives the snack its distinct texture – chewy and elastic, crunchy on the outside. A small treat that tickles the taste buds in a good way.