Tex-Mex or Authentic Mexican? How To Spot The Difference

Tex-Mex or Authentic Mexican? How To Spot The Difference

When you are craving Mexican food, it can be tricky to find an authentic restaurant. Many places that appear to serve Mexican cuisine are actually Tex-Mex restaurants, a modern mix of Texan and Mexican food. Learn about the origin of Tex-Mex and how to spot authentic Mexican food, with this guide. 

Mexican Food Misconceptions You Might Think Are True

Mexican Food Misconceptions You Might Think Are True

There are no buts about it: Americans love Mexican food. With so much variety and tons of crowd-pleasing elements, it's not surprising that Mexican cuisine is the most popular ethnic food segment in the U.S., accounting for 42% of all ethnic food sales. But as with most cuisines derived from other cultures, many Mexican restaurants in the U.S. have Americanized certain dishes or have added ingredients not found in authentic Mexican meals. There are also some misconceptions people tend to have regarding Mexican food, likely due to eateries that didn't provide authentic experiences in the past. We've compiled just a few of those widely held beliefs about Mexican cuisine so we can set the record straight.

Mexican Food: History, Culture, Deliciousness, and... Nutritional Value?

Mexican Food: History, Culture, Deliciousness, and... Nutritional Value?

Everything in this world has its own piece of historical significance. This is multiplied by about a million when it comes to the food we eat. Every bite of food is like a bite out of history, and depending on the kind of food, a significant amount of rich and interesting history. It's important to consider not only just the taste, smell, and ingredients of each dish, but the origins and nutritional benefits as well.

4 Signs You're NOT at an Authentic Mexican Restuarant

mexican restaurants

One out of every 10 restaurants in the U.S. serves Mexican food, but how many of those dining establishments can actually say that their cuisine is authentic? There are certainly a lot of places that pass themselves off as Mexican restaurants. Yet, most of their employees have probably never even been to Mexico or even know the difference between flour and corn tortillas. You yourself may not be able to tell the difference, but wouldn’t you like to know when you’re eating the real thing and when you’re simply consuming a cheap knockoff? Below are a few ways to tell if you’re at a real Mexican restaurant or an Americanized imitation.

  1. Are fajitas on the menu?
    Guess what? Fajitas don’t actually exist in Mexico. They were invented in the U.S. in the 1960s and have become a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine -- a fusion of Mexican and Southwestern American foods.

  2. Is the establishment called a “cantina?”
    In Mexico, a cantina is a men’s social club featuring alcohol, appetizers, and tables games like cards and dominoes. They typically don’t allow women or minors and sometimes even exclude police officers or anyone in a military uniform. So, look around you. Do you see women and children? Is there a distinct lack of gambling? You’re probably not in a real cantina but rather an American restaurant with a cactus motif.

  3. Did you order cheese with a side of cheese?
    Did your dish come out covered in cheese? It’s not that Mexicans don’t eat cheese; it’s just that they don’t glob cheese on top of cheese on top of cheese like Americans tend to do. Authentic Mexican restaurants include cheese as an essential ingredient in most dishes, not as a topping on all dishes.

  4. Is your waiter dressed like he’s in a mariachi band?
    If your waiter shows up at your table in a black trimmed vest, pants with silver pegs up the side, a wide-brimmed sombrero, and cowboy boots, you’re not in a Mexican restaurant -- you’re in a Mexican restaurateur’s worst nightmare. This costume is called a “traje de charro” and it is typically worn by musicians. If your waiter is serving you rice and beans in full “charro” getup, don’t expect the best Mexican food you’ve ever had.

Mexican is the most popular style of international cuisine in the U.S., but if you want an authentic Mexican dining experience, avoid any place that exhibits the warning signs listed above. Provecho!

Mexican Food: Definitions and Words You Need to Know

Mexican Food: Definitions and Words You Need to Know

When you do eventually find that restaurant that serves traditional Mexican fare, it can be hard to make sense of the menu if you've never seen some of the items before and don't speak Spanish. But don't worry, you won't miss out -- just check out this glossary of ingredients, foods, and terms often used in the menus at the best Mexican food joints around the country:

Here's What You're Missing When You Go Out For Mexican

Here's What You're Missing When You Go Out For Mexican

Mexican food enjoys a rare status in the United States -- it is a staple across the entire country. In fact, at this point, Mexican food is American food. And while there are a few holdouts who will say that they don't enjoy Mexican restaurants, they are the exception to the rule. It helps that no matter where you live, it is widely accessible. Here in the States, there are 67,391 restaurants that serve burritos, and one out of every 10 U.S. restaurants sells Mexican food, making it the most popular international cuisine in the country.
 

The 10 Best Mexican Food Dishes, Ranked

The 10 Best Mexican Food Dishes, Ranked

Mexico is one of the top four "megabiodiverse" countries of the world, meaning that 60-70% of the planet's diverse plant and animal species are in Mexico. That incredible range of ingredients has given the country a highly distinct culinary tradition that is, in itself, also incredibly diverse.