Without a doubt, Oaxaca is about food. Molé is king but there are so many other choices.

We wandered into the local Mercado de Noviembre yesterday, recommended by one of the travel blogs we follow, and found this wonderful chaos of smoke and meats.

Every vendor had its own ‘representative’ taking orders as fast as they can. Meat from one vendor, tortillas from another. And cerveza from yet someone else. No problem.

After ordering, our rep inserted us into a long, family style table to dine elbow-to-elbow with others. Hot and steamy.