Many Mexican food favorites began as street food. Tacos and burritos are probably the best-known of these types of foods, but there are many others, including sopes. Sope is a beloved traditional Mexican dish that brings together rich indigenous roots and the vibrant flavors of modern Mexican cuisine. Sope originated in southern Mexico and traces its heritage back to the pre-Hispanic era, when indigenous peoples like the Aztecs and Mixtecs prepared corn-based foods as a dietary staple. The name sope likely evolved from indigenous languages, and the dish itself is built around the cornerstone of Mesoamerican cooking: masa, known to English speakers as corn dough.
Let us introduce you to your new favorite Mexican dish: sope. Here’s a look at how we make this traditional Mexican street food.
The Masa Base
A classic sope starts with a thick, round base of masa (corn dough) that’s fried until it’s lightly crisped. While still warm, the edges are pinched to form a shallow rim that can hold savory toppings. This ingenious design turns the sope into a hand-held edible plate, ideal for holding meats, vegetables, and salsas. Remember, sope is a popular street food, so it’s designed to be eaten on the go.
Add the Toppings
Now that we have the perfect vessel for holding toppings, it’s time to load up the sope’s masa base. First, there is a layer of refried beans, followed by some type of meat (often beef or chicken) and then lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. It’s also common to top off a sope with sour cream and salsa. While beef and chicken are the most popular meats to put on a sope, pork and chorizo are also common.
Regional Variations
At Los Reyes, we stick to traditional favorites when it comes to sop toppings. However, there are several regional offerings. For example, chorizo and potatoes are a popular combination in northern Mexico. In Oaxaca or Puebla, it is common to see sopes topped with mole sauce. There are also vegetarian sopes, featuring sautéed mushrooms or grilled squash.
Enjoy Traditional Mexican Food at Los Reyes
Los Reyes is the place to visit if you want to enjoy your favorite Mexican food and explore other traditional offerings you may not have tried before. All our dishes are based on traditional family recipes, so you’re always getting the real thing when you eat with us.
