Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered AmericaThe nationally syndicated columnist and bestselling author of ĦAsk a Mexican! presents a fascinating and tasty trip through the history and culture of Mexican food in this country, uncovering great stories and charting the cuisine’s tremendous popularity in el Norte. Nationally syndicated columnist and bestselling author of ĦAsk a Mexican! Gustavo Arellano presents a tasty trip through the history and culture of Mexican food in this country, uncovering great stories and charting the cuisine’s tremendous popularity north of the border. Arellano’s fascinating narrative combines history, cultural criticism, food writing, personal anecdotes, and Jesus on a tortilla. In seemingly every decade for over a century, America has tried new culinary trends from south of the border, loved them, and demanded the next big thing. As a result, Mexican food dominates American palates to the tune of billions of dollars in sales per year, from canned refried beans to tortilla wraps and ballpark nachos. It’s a little-known history, one that’s crept up on this country and left us better for it. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Whatever Happened to the Chili Queens | 29 |
How Did the Taco Become Popular | 50 |
Who Were the Enchilada Millionaires | 71 |
How Did Americans Become Experts | 86 |
Whatever Happened to Southwestern Cuisine? | 108 |
Is TexMex Food Doomed? | 122 |
What Took the Burrito So Long | 139 |
How Did Mexican Food Get into | 175 |
Is the Tortilla Gods Favored Method | 195 |
How Did Salsa Become Americas | 215 |
Tequila? Tequila | 230 |
What Are the Five Greatest | 245 |
Special Ask a Mexican Question How and | 271 |
Acknowledgments | 289 |
When Did Mexicans Start Making Food | 157 |
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Common terms and phrases
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