Las carnicerías de México – short version

The Meat Markets of Mexico

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  • First, read the English version.
  • Next, read the Spanish version.
  • Click the control to hear the audio.
  • Listen several times, following along on the transcript.
  • Finally, listen without looking at the transcript.
  • See how many words and phrases you can pick out.
  • Then try the long version.

Short Version

The Meat Markets of Mexico

Those who are accustomed to buying meat in a big grocery store might be taken aback when they first see the carnicerias, or butcher shops of Mexico. The air carries an intense odor of freshly slaughtered meat. Carcasses hang from the walls, while slabs and chunks of meat rest on the counters. Customers order cow tongue, beef heart, tripe, shredded chicken and pigskin. A pig’s head is mounted on the wall to attract customers. The carnicerias seem unsanitary, but the meat is killed and sold the same day. Interestingly, with the great influx of Mexicans to the southwestern United States, carnicerias are springing up in many towns north of the border.

Las carnicerías de México

Quienes están acostumbrados a comprar carne en un gran supermercado podrían sorprenderse al ver las carnicerías de México. El aire tiene un intenso olor a carne acabada de matar. Cuerpos de animales cuelgan de las paredes y pedazos de carne descansan sobre los mostradores. Los clientes piden lengua de vaca, corazón, tripas, pollo desmenuzado y chicharrón. Montada en la pared, la cabeza de un cerdo atrae a los clientes. Las carnicerías parecen poco higiénicas, pero la carne se mata y se vende el mismo día. Es interesante que, con el influjo de mexicanos al suroeste de Estados Unidos, están surgiendo carnicerías estilo mexicano en muchos pueblos al norte de la frontera.