Fast Food & Street Food of Belize
Along the highways of Belize, it is common to see people selling food or locally made products, such as honey or coconut oil. Most of the basic road side stands set up in front of their homes featuring what they made for the day to provide a little extra income and to provide travelers with snacks. Remember, there are no chain fast food restaurants in Belize. However, some of these road side stands that sell many items are called “fast food,” meaning they serve “grab and go” food and snacks for a few dollars, and do not have restrooms. There is a combination of permanent and reliable road side stands, while some spontaneously set up for only a day or two.
In Silk Grass, a village just six miles from Hopkins, the men and women are typically out every day selling boiled corn on the cob. Also common for them to sell is dunkunu, a roasted corn and spice mixture steamed in corn husks. Coconut oil and coconut water are common to be sold on the side of the road. The coconut oil is usually in re-purposed rum bottles and the coconut water is sold in small plastic bags, where one makes a small hole and drinks from the bag. (This cuts down on plastic waste and is less over head for the seller.) Many times, if there is a large speed bump going through a village, people will stand beside it to advertise their various food products, to the drivers as they slow their vehicle down to navigate the speed bump.
Tamales are a popular fast food item. In Belize, the tamales have chicken bones in them. Bones are considered the most flavorful part of the meal. The chicken foot is thought by many to be a special treat. If you want a tamale without any bones, just ask if they have one “gringo-style.”
In Garifuna villages, cassava pudding is popular.
When in season, conch fritters are common. Many people make their own home-made version of Marie Sharp’s pepper sauce and sell it in re-purposed jars, usually former instant coffee jars.
After school, many children are tasked with going out to sell whatever their family baked that day. Treats like banana cake, pumpkin cake, and creole bread are common, although most Belizeans use the British term of pudding. So, what many call banana bread is called banana pudding in Belize. One can also find meat paddies, a favorite of mine, that are similar to an empanada. Sometime snacks like fish panades or ganaches are sold. If someone on their bike asks you “do you want to buy?” say “yes!” These treats, sold out of a 5-gallon bucket, usually sell for about .50-$1US/$1-$2BZ each, so it’s a great way to economically sample different foods.
Common Items sold street-side or fast-food items:
*Boiled Corn on the Cob: Bag of three cobs for .50BZ/$1US.
*Breads & Pastries: These vary widely but price range runs about .50US/$1BZ.
*Burritos: Flour tortilla with common fillings such as beans and cheese or chicken and beans. $1.50US/$3BZ
*Cassava Chips: Made from cassava, a staple in the Garifuna culture. In the U.S. we use the term tapioca. When in the chip form, they are similar to the consistency of Pringles chips. When cooked in other forms, they are like a potato. $.50US/$1BZ for package.
*Plantain Chips: Made from plantains, which are referred to as green bananas. They are in the banana family but quite different in flavor and taste. $.50/$1BZ for package.
*Coconut Oil: Used instead of olive oil for cooking. For a fifth of locally produced coconut price ranges $7.50-9.50US/$15BZ-$19BZ.
*Coconut Water: Alternative to bottled water. In Belize, the pulp is usually included in it. Small plastic bag is $.50US/$1BZ.
*Dunkuno: A roasted corn and spice mixture steamed in corn husks that sells for $.50US/$1BZ.
*Garnaches: Corn tortillas with a thin layer of refried beans and cheese with a drizzle of ketchup. Three for $.50US/$1BZ.
*Johnny Cakes: The Belize version of a southern biscuit. Served plain or stuffed with cheese, beans, chicken. Can be enjoyed with jam too. Plain Johnny cakes are .25US/.50BZ and stuffed run about $1.50US/$3BZ.
*Meat paddies: Spicy ground beef with a crust that are like empanadas. $1US/$2BZ.
*Meat pies: Spicy shredded beef or chicken with a crust that look like small pot pies. $1US/2BZ.
*Panades: Deep fried empanadas stuffed with fish or chicken with a pepper sauce and a little slaw. Three for $.50US/$1BZ.
Peanuts: Locally grown peanuts in a small sack for $.50US/$1BZ.
Tamales: Belizean tamales have the chicken bones in them and are wrapped in banana or plantain leaves. $.50US/$1BZ. The gringo-style do not have bones and are usually a little more in price.
