elote
/eˈlote/
Mexican street corn is elote in Spanish.
In Mexico, elote is the standard term for the street food snack consisting of grilled corn on the cob with toppings.
Which one should you use?
Use elote specifically for corn served on a cob, whereas esquites refers to the same ingredients served in a cup without the cob.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In central Mexico, people might use the term esquites to refer to Mexican street corn.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is los elotes.
How do you pronounce it?
/eˈlote/
Did you know?
- While elote is the go-to word for street corn in most of Mexico, people in other Spanish-speaking countries use maíz or choclo for the same vegetable.
- The word elote traces its roots back to the Classical Nahuatl word ēlōtl, meaning 'green corn cob'.
- Customarily, elotes are served on a wooden stick called a palito, which allows the eater to handle the corn without touching the creamy toppings.
Examples in context
- Por favor, ¿me puede dar un elote callejero estilo mexicano?Could you please give me a Mexican-style street corn?
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar elote callejero con los ingredientes tradicionales?Where can I find street corn with traditional ingredients?
- Quiero un elote con mucho chile.I want a Mexican street corn with lots of chili.
- El elote de este puesto es muy bueno.The Mexican street corn from this stand is very good.
- ¿Te gustaría probar un elote caliente?Would you like to try a hot Mexican street corn?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are walking through a street fair.
- AlejandroMira, Elena, hay un puesto de elote.Look, Elena, there is a Mexican street corn stand.
- Elena¡Qué rico! Me encanta el elote.How delicious! I love Mexican street corn.
- AlejandroCompraré un elote para los dos.I will buy a Mexican street corn for both of us.
- ElenaPerfecto, gracias, Alejandro.Perfect, thanks, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry elote, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries elote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
