Elote

Elote / Esquites Also: Mexican Street Corn, Elote en Vaso, Corn on the Cob
Dairy: Likely contains restriction
Egg: Likely contains restriction
Gluten: Check with staff

Grilled corn on the cob or corn kernels in a cup, coated with mayonnaise, crema mexicana, cotija cheese, chile powder, lime, and salt.

Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.

Your dietary restrictions

The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.

Full allergen breakdown

Ingredients

  • corn
  • mayonnaise
  • crema mexicana
  • cotija cheese (Dairy)
  • chile powder (chili, lime, salt)
  • lime

Hidden Ingredients

These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.

  • mayonnaise contains eggs
  • crema is dairy
  • cotija cheese is dairy
  • chile powder sometimes contains Maggi or other wheat-based additives

Allergen Breakdown

Dairy-Free

Likely contains restriction

Crema mexicana and cotija cheese are primary components, not optional toppings.

Gluten-Free

Check with staff

Corn is gluten-free but some chile powders contain wheat-based additives (Tajin is GF, others vary). Verify.

Peanut-Free

Likely OK

No peanuts in elote.

Tree Nut-Free

Likely OK

No tree nuts in elote.

Shellfish-Free

Likely OK

No shellfish in elote.

Egg-Free

Likely contains restriction

Mayonnaise contains eggs.

Fish-Free

Likely OK

No fish in elote.

Soy-Free

Check with staff

Commercial mayonnaise sometimes contains soy. Verify brand.

Sesame-Free

Likely OK

No sesame in standard elote.

Vegetarian

Likely OK

Fully vegetarian (contains dairy and egg).

Key risk: Elote appears to be a simple grilled corn dish but is layered with dairy (crema and cotija), egg (mayonnaise), and sometimes wheat (chile powder additives). All three components — mayo, crema, and cheese — arrive together and are the point of the dish, not optional toppings at street stalls.

Checking dishes one at a time? Menu Decoder scans the whole menu at once.

Scan a menu now

Other Mexican dishes to check

At the restaurant, the menu will have dozens of dishes you haven't checked.

Menu Decoder scans the actual menu in front of you and checks every dish against your dietary profile in seconds.

Scan a menu now

Important: Dish Scout is a reference guide, not medical advice. Traditional recipes vary by restaurant, region, and chef. Always verify ingredients with restaurant staff before ordering. When in doubt, don't eat it.