Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

Elote is the quintessential Mexican street food, sold by vendors called eloteros from steam-filled carts on practically every corner in Mexico. Whole ears of corn are grilled until smoky and slightly charred, then generously slathered with a mixture of mayonnaise and crema, rolled in salty cotija cheese, dusted with ground chile, and finished with a bright squeeze of lime. The combination of sweet, charred corn with creamy, salty, tangy, and spicy toppings makes elote one of the most perfectly balanced street foods in the world.