Where to eat Mexican Lenten food in the D-FW area

Mexican cuisine has countless savory options for Lenten dishes that don’t include meat.

Lenten Fridays are usually special for Hispanics who follow the Catholic tradition of not eating meat. Many Lenten dishes are passed down through the generations, evoking nostalgic memories for those who eat them.

Nopalitos (sliced prickly pear cactus), green chard, spinach, cheese, fish, shrimp, lentils and potatoes are some of the main ingredients in these dishes, which are available especially on Fridays during Lent and Holy Week.

Lent is the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, when Christians of different denominations prepare to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Not eating meat signifies a sacrifice in the name of faith.

Here are some options in North Texas for Lenten Mexican food:

El Ranchito

On Fridays and Holy Week days, El Ranchito serves a special Lenten dish with breaded fish fillet, lentils, fish patties, grilled shrimp, nopales con huevo (eggs with cactus) and capirotada, a bread pudding bathed in a sweet sauce. All of that comes on a single plate. The menu also includes other meatless options.

El Ranchito is at 610 Jefferson Blvd., in Dallas and 3517 S. Cooper St., in Arlington. elranchito-dallas.com.

Sales Mexico Lindo Restaurant

This restaurant’s Lenten dish, served on Fridays and Holy Week days, comes with lentils, broad beans with nopales, shrimp patties and capirotada. Other meatless options from the menu include cheese enchiladas and chile rellenos.

Sales Mexico Lindo Restaurant is at 7515 E. Grand Ave., in Dallas. mexicolindodallas.com.

Los Primos Tacos & More

Known for its traditional Monterrey food, this restaurant offers meatless options on Lenten Fridays including fish milanesa, fish tacos and fish-chicharron tacos.

It also offers the traditional sopa de fideo (noodle soup), which is usually served with pork chicharron, but can be ordered without meat. Red potato tacos are also available as a meatless option.

Los Primos Tacos & More is at 5012 Sharp St., Suite B, in Dallas. losprimostacostx.com.

Frida’s Tacolandia

For Fridays during Lent and Holy Week, Frida’s Tacolandia has several options, such as shrimp cocktail, fried mojarra, shrimp tacos and a special dish of shrimp tortitas with nopalitos, rice and beans.

Frida’s Tacolandia is at 839 Singleton Blvd., Suite 100, in Dallas. facebook.com/fridastacolandia.

El Hoyo Mexican Restaurant

Lent-friendly options at this restaurant include shrimp tortas in nopalitos sauce, fish a la veracruzana, shrimp cocktail, shrimp a la diabla, fish fillet, ceviche, lentil soup, nopalitos salad and capirotada.

El Hoyo Mexican Restaurant is at 4822 Gaston Ave., in Dallas. facebook.com/elhoyorestaurante.