Need authentic local food in cozumel

[El Graduado]

Both the cacao and the durian share a common progenitor. They diverged 65 million years ago. The durian essentially cloned itself, duplicating its genes (it has twice as many as man), keeping the progenitor’s genes intact and letting the cloned set mutate. The cloned set quadrupled one type of gene (the methionine γ-lyase class) that regulates the production of volatile Sulphur compounds, which make up part of the putrid smell (cacao only has one of these Sulphur-regulating genes). There are over 50 other genes involved in producing the smell for a durian, and mutations in humans have also affected the way different people perceive these volatile compounds.

Or, as horn344 says, it just smells bad to him, period.

 

[El Graduado]

I am putting the finishing touches to my latest book, Natural History of Cozumel. Coming soon!

 

[Snoweman]

Durian just smells terrible, period. I've never met anyone that had some who thought the smell was pleasant.

Tastes good, terrible stench.

I've watched Andrew Zimmern try to eat durian three times. He just can't get it down his throat.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I've watched Andrew Zimmern try to eat durian three times. He just can't get it down his throat.

And I've never understood the revulsion. To me it smells ... complex ... maybe like a ripe cheese. The only thing I find difficult about eating it is that the smell and the flavor don't mesh in my brain; I think my brain expects a savory flavor, like cheese, but the tongue finds it sweet. Anyway, until they start growing durian in Cozumel, I guess I have led us down the off-topic path far enough. But cilantro, on tacos!--that's Cozumel enough.

 

[AdivingBel]

durian...who cares about durian??? We're talkin' cilantro here... @horn34 , why do you even go to Coz???

 

[JamesBon92007]

Mr. Taco is great, our new favorite is Tacos Diaz on 30. Excellent pastor, a cross between Pique and Mr Taco, being the meat is cut larger like Mr. Taco but caramelized nicely like Pique.

Is Mr. Taco quieter than Tacos Diaz? I have a genetic mutation and can't stand loud music.

 

[Zman96]

Is Mr. Taco quieter than Tacos Diaz? I have a genetic mutation and can't stand loud music.

In some ways. It's mostly an outdoor taco stand with a few tables under roof. The street noise is loud but no music if memory serves me correctly. Of course the times I have been to Diaz the music was at appropriate levels.

 

[JamesBon92007]

In some ways. It's mostly an outdoor taco stand with a few tables under roof. The street noise is loud but no music if memory serves me correctly. Of course the times I have been to Diaz the music was at appropriate levels.

Every time I walked by Diaz it was packed with locals and the music was blasting. Now you have me wondering if the music is only loud outside to "attract" customers. I've noticed a few farmacias here and there that play loud American music outside which I assume is to attract gringos. The locals I've talked to sure didn't shop there.

Maybe next time I'll bring along my ear protectors and give Diaz a chance. Ordinarily, if a place has that many locals eating there then I assume it must be good!

Good thread! I've added a few new places to try and now know not to order tochitos

 

[ggunn]

Every time I walked by Diaz it was packed with locals and the music was blasting. Now you have me wondering if the music is only loud outside to "attract" customers. I've noticed a few farmacias here and there that play loud American music outside which I assume is to attract gringos.

That's one of the very few things I don't like about Cozumel - the loud gringo rock music that so many places play. Please don't do it to make me feel at home; if I wanted to feel at home I'd have stayed there.

 

[El Graduado]

That's one of the very few things I don't like about Cozumel - the loud ***** music that so many places play. Please don't do it to make me feel at home; if I wanted to feel at home I'd have stayed there.

Yeah, loud music in restaurant bothers me too. However, loud music is a Mexican cultural preference. It is not done specifically for the benefit of tourists. The quality of sound equipment makes no big difference in Cozumel. Decibels are the name of the game, not quality of sound. Supermarkets use portable speakers with excruciatingly loud techo music to "draw attention" to a deli meat sale. New businesses put loud speakers on the street to "pull in customers". And many restaurants let the kitchen help and waiters pick the music and it's volume. I have talked to many a business owner in Cozumel about this awful habit and get absolutely no positive feedback. It's just the way things are done, is the usual answer.

You may note I inserted a series of asterisks in your quote. Gordon, I am not picking on you, I am just fed up with that word. I am posting my thoughts on it on a new post.