Most restaurants serve bistek or Carne (beef), pollo (chicken), and pescado (fish) dishes. Vegetarian dishes are usually available, ask for vegetariano. Many visitors from North America are used to spicy Mexican food mistakenly assume that Costa Rican food is similar, it is not. Costa Rican cuisine is a much more healthy and some people say a bit more bland. However I tend to disagree, they have some of the freshest fruits and vegetables that I have ever experienced. Most juices are fresh as it is cheaper to buy the fruit than the pre-made juices, so the restaurants squeeze or blend the fruits there and it makes for great breakfasts.
Some of the more popular dishes include the following:
Gallo Pinto – Very traditional and served for breakfast. It consists of rice and black beans, usually from the night before, pan fried with onions and bell peppers, cilantro, and Salsa Lizano (Costa Rica’s main condiment). Gallo Pinto is usually served with eggs and sour cream (natilla).
Casado – A set meal that is often filling and always the most economical. It usually consists of rice, black beans, a portion of meat (fish, chicken, or beef), and a chopped cabbage salad.
Arroz con Pollo – A basic but tasty dish of rice vegetables and chicken.
Palmitos – Hearts of palm (literally the center or heart of a young palm tree), usually served in a salad with a vinegar dressing.
Olla de Carne – A meal sized soup containing beef and vegetables such as potatoes, corn, squash, plantains, and yucca (similar to the potato).
Of course, internationally popular food is widely available including: pizza, spaghetti, hamburgers, sandwiches, Chinese food, and steaks.
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