Lunch

[Enlarge] It’s not ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, but lunch at Elefantes is an equally reviving experience. My friends and co-workers join me for lunch at a wonderful vegetarian cocina econmica.

At least twice a week you will find me, and some of the people from the company I work with in Morelia, having lunch at Elefantes. Elefantes is a vegetarian restaurant in the style of a “cocina econmica”—a local restaurant that serves the equivalent of good home-cooked food. It isn’t expensive, 40 pesos will get you the complete meal of the day, which is about average for cocina econmicas in Morelia.

Cocinas are usually in a part of a family home. It might be a garage that has been built out for the purpose or the whole bottom floor of a house. They are usually a way for the wife and a few of the kids in the family to make a little extra money without leaving the house. But it isn’t unusual for this family restaurant to make more than the husband can make on his own, and in those cases, the husband joins the enterprise. Cocinas have grown to become full restaurants in some cases—it all depends on the dedication and knowledge of the family.

[Enlarge] Graciela preparing lunch for her customers at Elefantes.

I have enjoyed cocinas since I first started to work in Mexico, but never as much as Morelia. Of course, that is primarily because my main meal of the day is lunch and a good cocina can provide a full, nutritious meal for a very reasonable price.

Elefantes is a little different than most cocinas—there is only one choice for lunch. That isn’t a drawback because the food is always good, but it is a different approach. There are many vegetarian restaurants in Morelia, but none that I know of as good as Elefantes. I am not vegetarian by any stretch, but if it is good food, I’m all for it. Besides—it’s healthy!

Graciela and her husband run their restaurant in the downstairs section of their home. It is light, airy and always welcoming. I find myself relaxed and happy after a meal at Elefantes. A meal usually includes a soup, a salad, a main course, fresh rolls, an agua, dessert and tea to finish. For good food it is a bargain. And by the way she told me at lunch today she has a room with separate bath available for rent if anyone is interested…