Asadero Cien
Av. Maestros Veracruzanos No. 89
Xalapa (Jalapa), VE Mexico
Phone: 228-817-8062

Specializing in arrachera, but you’ll also find great chicken, pork, and even ostrich; queso asado, pieces of semisoft cheese baked golden brown and nutty outside, soft and creamy inside; and frijoles charros (stewed beans). $6–$15.

El Feliz Pollo
20 de Noviembre Oriente No. 401-B
Xalapa (Jalapa), VE Mexico
Phone: 228-818-4984

Actually two locations. Call to find address of alternate (Mercado Rotondo). A great pollo al carbón (grilled chicken) joint; very clean, and popular with the locals. Painted bright orange with a tall smokestack—can’t miss it. $4–$8.

El Vecindad Tacos
Enríquez No. 12
Xalapa (Jalapa), VE Mexico
Phone: 228-818-3265

Specializing in tacos al pastor (marinated and grilled pork tacos with spices, pineapple, and onion). Grilled-meat plates, taco buffet. Home-style cazuelas (spicy, tomato-based, chile-infused meat and poultry stews). $3–$5.

La Parilla de Diamante
Plaza Crystal 6, 7, y 8
Xalapa (Jalapa), VE Mexico
Phone: 228-815-7422

Originally on Callejón de Diamante, La Parilla recently moved out to a roomier spot in the mall (Plaza Crystal Shopping Center) to accommodate the many people who believe it’s one of the best asaderos (grilled meat restaurants) in town. Special favorites include the carne asado and the sausages. $7–10.

La Pérgola
Universidad No. 2, Colonia Lomas de Estadio
Xalapa (Jalapa), VE Mexico
Phone: 228-817-4714

La Pérgola is famous not only for its tasty grilled meats but also for its sumptuous salads which are huge, loaded, impeccably fresh, and topped with grilled meats or not. Live music on the weekends; polished service. $5–$20.

Súper Pollos Sinaloa
Murillo Vidal No. 165
Xalapa (Jalapa), VE Mexico
Phone: 228-817-4855

Fire-grilled chicken, with all the fixins, norteño-style. (In other words, it’s citrus-marinated, split, grilled, and served with grilled onions, salsa cruda, and tortillas with a side of frijoles charros.) $7–$9.