First Food Impressions

There are many food options in Costa Rica from fried chicken, western fast food to tico food. Love the little boy in the opening of Pollolandia–Chickenland. Notice also the sink in the corner of Pollolandia. I was surprised to see sinks with soap in almost every eatery, even a market stall.

Pollolandia–Chickenland for the whole family

Yes, the whopper is apparently a bit like me and makes it’s home wherever it finds itself in the world.

Fast Food in Costa Rica

No Burger King monopoly, McDonalds is also here; I spotted the golden arches high above the weekly farmers’ market. A few organic venders were here and I got my first pipa fria since Thailand 12 years ago. With his machete, the vendor hacked the top off the green coconut shell just enough to poke a straw through so I could drink the cold coconut water. When I finished he skillfully cut a slice of the green shell off and then hacked the coconut in half, and with that piece, scooped the coconut meat so I could eat it.

Golden Arches above the weekly Farmers’ Market in Alajuela, Costa Rica

Pizza delivery is possible too.

Pizza Delivery in Costa Rica

My first meal in a market stall was one of my best first meals. A simple meal of rice and shrimp with fresh ‘salad’ that was like a tasty fresh salsa. I added homemade chilero (not the stuff pictured in the bottle), which is various veggies such as carrots, cauliflower and hot peppers fermented in vinegar. Fresh fruit juices are quite common. My first was cas, which is a bit like guava, but more acidic.

Arroz con camarón

One example of a typical meal is called a casado, which is means married because it is as if the rice, beans, ‘salad’, tortilla and choice of meat are married. My drink of choice for lunch this day was tamarind juice.

Typical Costa Rican Dish: Casado

There was a steady stream of ants along the curb of the market. They found leftover snacks to take home for dinner.

The ants got takeout