The Pig Hands of Puerto Vallarta

I had an afternoon to myself to wander the streets of Puerto Vallarta. Why would they ban corgies? Those dogs never hurt anybody, and have no political leanings of which I am aware.

I asked the taxi drivers where they go to eat and they all said they only eat at home. Finally I said I wanted to go somewhere where a grandmother was cooking and they understood. I was delivered with haste to the door of Cenaduria Dona Raquel.

It was all about the pozole, and I could not be happier. The English side of the menu advertised "Delicious corn soup with pork, chicken or pork hands. Especial: with tripple portion of head meat." I totally ordered the head meat. The broth was so hot and comforting, intense with the taste of pork and hominy.

I also ordered a pig hand tostada. Who can resist that? It was a ham hock so intensely cooked the cartilage was softened. The meat was rich and tender.

This is what it looked like after I destroyed it. Yes, I felt very primal.

But my hunger was not yet sated. I needed some mole. I ate a stunning rich, dark enchilada mole and flauta combo.

So if you're ever wandering rudderless around downtown Puerto Vallarta, you know where to go! I even got a sign from above.

And if you get lost these little pebble trails lead you back to the malecon.