Most of us Duke students are familiar with Sazón, Duke’s most popular on-campus spot to grab Latin-American inspired food. Sazón is perfect for those days when you need something quick, filling, and something that’ll give you a great food/price ratio. But in honor of Latinx Heritage Month, here’s some of the best underrated Latinx-inspired food both on campus and in Durham.
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Pincho Loco—Ice Cream, Popsicles, Other Sweets
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Close to 9th Street, Pincho Loco is super convenient for freshmen with a sweeth tooth. But even if you’re not on East this year, it’s definitely worth the travel. The shop is a locally owned ice cream and popsicle shop that features native Latin flavors like tequila, tiger tail (a mix of vanilla, mexican vanilla, and chocolate), guava, tamarind, and more. Their mangonada treat is a mango slushie with chamoy sauce (a spicy and salty sauce made from pickled fruit and chilies) along with a tamarind paste stick. It’s really good.
- Cacao Canela (Cocoa Cinnamon)—Drinks and Sweet Treats
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This iconic coffee shop is committed to craftsmanship, honoring their Latin-American roots, and cultivating wonder in the Durham community. You really can’t go wrong with a drink from Cacao Canela, but some of their best drinks are the hot chocolates with flavorful spice add-ins like chili powder. You can find them right off East Campus or across from the Lakewood shopping plaza if you’re closer to Swift Avenue.
- Beyu Blue—Mexican Coffee
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Beyu’s Mexican coffee is soul-warming when hot, but will still make your day when iced. It features a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, dark chocolate, and coffee that’s just sweet enough but not as sickly sweet as McDonald’s.
- El Chapin—Guatemalan Grill
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This one is off campus, but definitely worth the travel. El Chapin is a cozy place with half of the space dedicated to a sit-in restaurant, and the other half an authentic grocery store. According to Jess M. on yelp.com, some favorites are Tierra De Mar (a marinated and deliciously grilled ribeye and shrimp) and the whole fried tilapia. Portions are large, and the food is both authentic and delicious. It’s a great choice for a fun takeout dinner night with friends.
- La Superior Carniciera—Cafe and Grocery Store
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Similar to El Chapin, La Superior Carniciera combines grocery with delicious fresh food. Users on yelp.com love the barbacoa tacos, red tamales, seasoned pork, beef tongue, and flavorful rice. The tortillas are also known to be amazing, they’re made in house and are sold in bulk in the grocery end. The extensive grocery section of the establishment carries a variety of products imported directly from Latin-American countries, so it’s a great way to spice up your usual Harris Teeter routine.