Where to Buy Quesillo in Oaxaca City

Mercado 20 de Noviembre

The state tourism office singles out the cheese aisle as one of the highlights here. You will find fresh cheeses such as panela and queso crema, aged ones like cotija and ranch-style cheese, and above all quesillo, a soft white cow's milk cheese that is stretched and wound into balls. The market is best known for its pasillo del humo, the smoky aisle where tasajo, cecina and chorizo are grilled to order and eaten with handmade tortillas. Stalls also sell Oaxacan chocolate, tejate, bread and mezcal, and some of the cooks have worked here for more than 60 years.

Mercado Benito Juárez

Next door, bounded by 20 de Noviembre, Las Casas, Flores Magón and Aldama streets. It opens every day from 7:00 to 21:00 and has stalls of queso fresco and quesillo among the dairy, along with mole pastes, chocolate and crafts.

How to Buy and Eat Quesillo

Quesillo is sold by weight, from small balls to large ones. Pull it into strings and eat it plain, or have it melted in a tlayuda or a quesadilla at the market stalls.

Going to the Source

Quesillo comes from the Etla valley, just north of the city, and especially from Reyes Etla. Its Expo Feria del Queso y Quesillo runs for three days each July, during the Guelaguetza month, with free entry.

Tips

The tourism office's information module at Avenida Juárez 703 in the centre can help with directions and day trips into the valleys.