In much of Mexico, the day is not divided into breakfast, lunch and dinner the way it usually is in the United States. Instead, many families eat a light desayuno early in the morning, a heartier almuerzo later in the morning, the comida as the main meal of the day in the middle of the afternoon, and a lighter cena in the evening. The names, the times and the foods vary from region to region and from household to household, but that general rhythm is common across the country. Here at El Chubby’s in Aurora, we have been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1991, and we think the Mexican way of eating is worth understanding, because it explains a lot about the food itself.
What are the meals of the day in Mexico?
Most descriptions of Mexican mealtimes start with four meals. Not every family eats all four, and the clock can shift a lot depending on work, school, city life and region, so think of what follows as a typical pattern rather than a rule.
Desayuno, the early start
Desayuno comes first, often soon after waking. For many people it is small: coffee or hot chocolate, maybe a piece of pan dulce (sweet bread), some fruit. In some households, and especially on weekends, desayuno can be a full plate of eggs, beans and tortillas. The word itself comes from the same idea as the English “breakfast,” breaking the overnight fast.
Almuerzo, the mid-morning meal
Almuerzo is where things get confusing for visitors. In many parts of Mexico, almuerzo is a substantial meal eaten in the late morning, somewhere around 10 or 11, after a lighter desayuno. This is when you might see egg dishes, tacos, tamales or chilaquiles. People who start work very early often treat almuerzo as their real breakfast. In other Spanish-speaking countries, and in some parts of Mexico, almuerzo simply means lunch, which is why textbooks do not always agree. Both uses are real.
Comida, the main meal of the day
The comida is the big one. It is usually eaten in the middle of the afternoon, commonly somewhere between 2 and 4, though that varies. Traditionally it is a sit-down meal that can come in courses: a soup, then a “dry soup” of rice or pasta, then a main dish such as a stew or meat with tortillas, and sometimes something sweet to finish. Many restaurants in Mexico offer a comida corrida, a set multi-course meal at midday, built around this same pattern. In families where schedules allow, the comida is also the meal when people gather and take their time.
The word comida also simply means “food,” which adds to the puzzle for English speakers. Context does the work.
Cena, the lighter evening meal
Because the comida is so filling, the evening cena is often light and eaten fairly late, sometimes 8 or 9 at night or later. It might be pan dulce with coffee or atole, leftovers, a few tacos, or a quick plate of something simple. Street food stands that open in the evening serve plenty of people who want a small bite rather than a full dinner. On special occasions, of course, cena can be a big family event.
Some people also mention a merienda, a snack in the late afternoon or early evening, which in some households takes the place of cena altogether.
Why do Mexican meal times differ from American ones?
The short answer is that the main meal sits in a different place. In the United States, the biggest meal for many families is dinner, eaten in the early evening after work. In much of Mexico, the traditional big meal lands in the afternoon. Everything else arranges itself around that.
History plays a part. Long workdays that began very early made a mid-morning meal practical, and a large afternoon meal fit the rhythm of farm and household life. Modern city schedules have changed things for a lot of people, with more workers eating a quicker lunch and a bigger dinner, so you will find plenty of Mexican families who eat on a schedule that looks a lot like an American one. That is part of why it is wise to treat any description of “how Mexicans eat” as a generalization.
The foods tell the same story. Dishes that are easy to eat with your hands, like tacos, tamales and burritos, make sense for an almuerzo or a casual cena. Soups and stews make sense for a long comida. If you are curious about how some of those dishes came to be, our post on the history behind the Mexican dishes you enjoy is a good next read.
How do the words translate?
If you are learning Spanish or traveling, a simple rule of thumb helps. Desayuno is breakfast. Cena is supper or dinner. Comida can mean the afternoon main meal or just “food” in general. Almuerzo can mean a late-morning meal or lunch, depending on where you are and who you ask. When in doubt, asking what time a meal happens usually clears it up faster than arguing about the word.
How El Chubby’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
We run on Aurora time, so we keep it simple: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our doors open at 7am Monday through Saturday and at 9am on Sunday, and we close at 9pm every night. That means you can come for an early desayuno, a late-morning almuerzo, a big afternoon comida or a light cena, and we will be ready for all of them.
If you want to eat the way a lot of Mexican families do, start with the breakfast section of our menu. Huevos Rancheros, Huevos con Chorizo and Steak Rancheros make a fine almuerzo, and our breakfast burritos come with fillings like potato and chorizo, bacon, ham, sausage or steak. Our breakfast burritos have quite a following, which we wrote about in our guide to the best breakfast burritos in Aurora.
For a comida-sized meal, one of our combination plates, all served with rice and beans, or a smothered burrito with our green chili, made fresh every day, will carry you through the afternoon. For a lighter cena, a couple of tacos or a tamale might be all you need. Everything is made to order, so you can make any meal as big or as small as the hour calls for.
However you divide your day, we would be glad to feed you for part of it. Visit us at 1191 S Abilene St, use the drive-thru, or order online for pickup or delivery.
