A sope is a small, thick, round patty of nixtamalized corn masa, fried or griddled until crisp outside and soft inside, with a pinched raised edge that holds toppings like a shallow bowl. It's a traditional Mexican dish associated with central and southern Mexico, particularly Hidalgo, the state of México, and Puebla.
Common toppings include refried beans, shredded chicken or beef, lettuce, cheese, salsa, crema (Mexican sour cream), and diced onion or tomato. Sopes are usually eaten as a starter or a light main course, and are a common street-food item.
Regional variations exist: parts of the Yucatán top sopes with cochinita pibil or relleno negro, and some northern versions use a wheat-flour dough instead of corn masa.