Everyone loves a good taco Tuesday night, but what if we told you some of your favorite “Mexican” dishes aren’t actually from Mexico? Many foods we associate with Mexican cuisine actually have origins elsewhere and some are even entirely made up by Americans. Is your favorite Mexican food on the list?
Margaritas
Margaritas might be the go-to cocktail at every Mexican restaurant outside of Mexico, but this tequila-based drink leans more towards American invention with Mexican inspiration. Sorry to burst your happy hour bubble, but this drink is just a cultural mashup that took off globally.
Cheesy Tacos
The cheesy tacos served up in many places bear little resemblance to traditional Mexican tacos. Loaded with heaps of melted cheese, this version caters more to American tastes. Tacos in Mexico are a much lighter fare with fresh toppings like salsas and pickled vegetables being favored over heavy cheeses and sauces.
Chili Con Carne
Often associated with Mexican cuisine, chili con carne is actually a Tex-Mex creation. It combines Mexican-inspired spices with American food trends, making it a staple in the US rather than Mexico, where beans and meats are rarely mixed in traditional dishes.
Sopapillas
Sopapillas are a puffy, fried pastry often found in Mexican restaurants in the US but they actually come from New Mexico. It’s hard to knock this one though because who doesn’t love some good fried dough?
Queso
The creamy, melted cheese dip known as ‘queso’ in the US is a far cry from anything traditionally found in Mexican cuisine. It’s a Tex-Mex classic, stemming from the fusion of Mexican ingredients and American tastes for cheese-laden dishes. Of course, ‘queso’ is a real word and means cheese in Spanish, but the dish itself is largely American.
Hard Shell Tacos
A far cry from the soft corn tortillas used in authentic Mexican tacos, hard shell tacos were popularized by fast-food chains in the US. It’s thought that the founder of Taco Bell is largely responsible for this whole movement. So next time you’re offered a choice of hard or soft tortillas, you’ll now realize the inauthenticity of the restaurant you’re in.
Fajitas
Originally from Texas, fajitas are a Tex-Mex innovation that involves grilled meat usually served on a flour tortilla. While the concept draws from northern Mexican traditions, the fajita as known today, complete with sizzling platters, is a US dining spectacle that gets oohs and ahhs from everyone at the table when served.
Burritos
Oversized burritos filled with a multitude of ingredients are more a Californian creation than a Mexican staple. In Mexico, burritos are typically much simpler, if they exist at all, often containing just one or two ingredients.
Chimichangas
Chimichangas, or deep-fried burritos, are believed to have originated in Arizona. This indulgent twist on the burrito combines Mexican-inspired fillings with the American love for fried foods, making it a beloved dish in Tex-Mex cuisine rather than traditional Mexican fare.
Flour Tortillas
Flour tortillas are used very infrequently in Mexican cuisine. Traditionally, you’ll only find corn tortillas for Mexican meals, especially tacos. The large, burrito-sized tortillas commonly found in the US are a far cry from the smaller, thinner versions used in Mexico. They cater to American tastes for bigger and heartier meals.
Churros
This one might surprise you because churros are definitely enjoyed in Mexico. In fact, I had some really epic ones on a cobblestone street in Puerto Vallarta a few years ago. But this delicious sugary dough has its roots in Spain where they’re traditionally served with thick chocolate to dip them in and were likely brought over by Spanish settlers.
11 Italian Foods Americans Totally Made Up That You Won’t Find In Italy
As a second generation Italian-American, I grew up eating a lot of Italian food. I’ve also been to Italy eight times and can tell you that all those dishes you know and love from your favorite local Italian food restaurant aren’t actually from Italy. Americans have taken Italian concepts and made them bigger, cheesier, meatier and more convenient. That part shouldn’t really come as surprise, it’s what we do here, right? But seeing some of your favorites in this list may feel like a sucker punch to the gut. In a delicious way of course.
Read it Here: 11 Italian Foods Americans Totally Made Up That You Won’t Find In Italy
10 Controversial Food Ingredients Used In America That Are Banned Globally
Around the globe, countries take varied approaches to food safety, setting their own rules on which ingredients and production methods are deemed acceptable. What’s routine in the U.S. food industry often faces stricter scrutiny abroad. With the U.S. grappling with high rates of chronic illnesses and food-related disorders, it begs the question: could certain widely-used, yet overseas-banned, additives be contributing to America’s public health challenges?
Read it Here: 10 Controversial Food Ingredients Used In America That Are Banned Globally
*Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
