If you want to see why people line up early in Oaxaca, Memelas Doña Vale is one of those places that really lives up to the hype. This tiny, no-frills stand in the Central de Abastos market is all about memelas, thick handmade corn bases topped with refried beans, quesillo and extras like egg or tasajo, all cooked fresh right in front of you. They’re super affordable at around 12–37 MXN each, and most people order a few because they’re filling but impossible to stop at one. The best tip is to go early in the morning, bring cash, and be ready for a bit of a wait once the locals start lining up. It was also featured on

Netflix’s Street Food: Latin America, which helped put Doña Vale and her legendary memelas on the global food map.