5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.
If you think Mexican food is all chimichangas and chalupas, think again.
If anyone should know, it's chef David Suarez, the Culinary Director of Rosa Mexicano Restaurants - which has expanded from its New York City flagship to nine locations throughout the country.
Now, he's stopped by to bust some myths about the comida south of the border.
Five Myths about Mexican Food: David Suarez
1. It’s all about carbs, carbs, carbs
"The staples of Mexican cuisine do include corn and beans - which are full of fiber - but also vitamin-rich peppers, tomatoes and fruit. Authentic Mexican food incorporates seasonal produce, fresh cheeses, seafood, herbs and meats, as well as complex carbohydrates."
2. Mexican food is always spicy
"Chilies definitely play a vital role in Mexican food's robust and vibrant flavors, but there are scores of different types of chilies like ancho, guajillo, chipotle, etc. used in a myriad of ways, from traditional moles marinades and stews. The heat in these chilies can vary from sweet and smoky to rich and piquant."
3. Mexican meals are grande, muy grande
"Overstuffed burritos and enormous salads in a large fried taco shell are definitely not Mexican imports. In fact, throughout Mexico, antojitos, translated as "little cravings" or "whims," are among the most popular dishes for dinner. Available everywhere from street vendors to restaurants, authentic antojitos are small plates that offer variety so you can sample as much - or as little - of the menu as you like. Mexican tacos are actually small corn tortillas no bigger than the size of CD topped with a proportional amount of fresh filling."
4. A Chimichanga is Mexican food
"Oftentimes, Mexican food gets a much-maligned reputation because of Americanized or Tex-Mex interpretations of it that are mostly fried and covered with melted cheese. A massive platter of cheese and sour cream laden nachos is not common at all in Mexico and you would be hard-pressed to find any version of a chimichanga south of the border."
5. Mexican food is monotonous
"Mexican cuisine is extremely diverse and varies according to climate, geography and ethnic differences. Northern Mexico is known for its specialty meat dishes and braises, particularly the arrachera cut. Whereas the Veracruz province is famous for its fresh seafood - all beyond the typical tacos and big burritos."
Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down.
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I, too, have lived in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco for seven years and nothing that is served in ANY american "mexican" restaurant should be considered "authentic mexican" unless there is an "authentic" (and legal) mexicano preparing it that speaks spanish only. I cringe when friends want to go out for "authentic" mexican and we end up at a Taco Bell or Taco John's (nothing but crap food) or any of the other purported "authentic" mexican neighborhood restaurants. I truly laugh when they order. You could put a plate of truly authentic mexican in front of a gringo and they would never know it. Mexican cooking only uses fresh ingredients, never canned, processed foods except for dairy and even mexican brand dairy products are better than ours and they taste better too. I have never eaten any thing that was drippig in fat. Nothing but fresh seafood (which is to die for) – pescado sarendeando (OMG). I miss fresh mexican food and can't wait to go back! I could eat it everyday and never get tired of it!
Next he's going to say Taco Bell isn't really mexican food.
I wonder why the fat content wasn't discussed. I love Mexican food and would eat it 6 days a week!
the last time i was down in LA i was shocked by the number of Latinos id seen, there must be a lot of Mexican restaurants to feed so many Mexicans, as far as quality even mediocre mexican food has to be better than some of the american crap i see people down there eating
While I reallyy like 'authentic' Mexican food – Chimichangas are like cheeseburgers – if you love – they are a craving that you just gotta feed once in awhile.
Mexican food ... YUK!! Give me Italian any old time !!
You can thank Mexicans for that Italian food you like to eat. Without salsas (sauces) tomatoes, chiles, and corn gruel(Atolli) you wouldnt have polenta or pretty much any sauce.
O dumb assh%%@ELS eat mexican crap food
I love making authentic Mexican chow but man is it labor intensive to make. My favorite is a soup called pozole rojo and also chili rellenos.
Does mexicans daily eat tacos and burritos at home?
Does Mexicans eat Tacos and Burritos daily at home?
You all have missed the point. there is a big difference. Most all mexican food is TEX-MEX. all created in central and south Texas. most restaurants north of Texas serve americanized versions of TEX-MEX. come to Texas if you want great mexican food
we've lived in: TX, NM and CA... so my version is called: New Cal Tex Mex. and it is yummy
Dang, I guess CNN pulled leafs post. I was curious to read what the moron said.
Unfortunately, a lot of Americans are exposed to the same ingredients (tortilla, beef, lettuce, tomatoe and cheese) in different formats and told it is mexican food.
In case you did not know, Del Taco and Taco Bell are not real Mexican food.
For flour tortillas, you need lard.
Been growing ancho pablano chilies in containers. My son made some great chili rellenos.
how about some article on Indian food?
Spent two weeks a few years ago driving all around the Yucatan! Feel compelled to comment that the most wonderful part of the trip was the food – especially the breakfasts!! What we have here in the states is the americanized version of what WE like. Not what they eat there. It is all wonderful. My mouth waters just thinking about it! Sign me, loving my neighborhood taco joint here – but, fondly, fondly remembering all the great meals we had south of the border...
Mexican food is great but more than any other ethnic food it is is Hell on your Gerd!
The mexican water treatment is chicken wire strung across the river – it all flows south.
Be careful with eating food in mexico, the bathrooms of mexico drop straight into their river system – untreated. The farmers south of town pump water and raw sewage onto their fields while the vegetation is still on the plants. Does anyone remember last years tomato scare, over 1000 people died and many more got sick. So go ahead and eat a taco..
If you want a great meal try eating real authentic greek food, fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, olives and olive oil and of course the best wines. Give me three months of greek food and you will feel and look alot better.
Chi chis is great and they make better food than most mom and pop mexican rip joint.
i go to a boarding school in dallasss and so manyyy people hvae never had REAL mexican food!! I crave the food at your restaurant (being a Mexican myself that is tired of all the fake Mexican joints around here) ! please open up a restaurant in the south!! that's where all the Hispanics are at!!
Oh I am offended! I grew up in Texas and Tex Mex food is not always fried and covered with cheese! Think carne guisada, carne asada, fajitas, posole, barbacoa. I miss Tex Mex food so much. I refuse to let a New Yorker define Mexican Food. At least in my book. I will never forget the time a bartender from NY fixed me a magarita. It was sprite, tequila, and a twist of lime. I told him that was no margarita and he said well, that's how we do it in NY.
If a person stops eating mexican food, cut out soft drinks(regular or diet) and eats only fresh food they will lose all the unwanted fat lumps. Oh also start some exercise.
All the people in the US that know Mexican food are in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and a few of them of migrated (hope they don't get caught – ha ha) to Phoenix and Tucson. The only place in Texas that has any decent Mexican food is the dirty little town of El Paso. The rest of Texas (sorry Austin – I love your town, but you can't make Mexican food any better then Dallas) is crap. But I will give it to you Liz M, Mexican food on the East coast is even worse. I don't know why anyone, anyone would listen to a New Yorker when it comes to Mexican food.
You're right. Mexican food in NY does suck. I've tried it several times and just can't seem to stomach it. Maybe that's because I have yet to try Mexican food made by somebody's grandma LOL! They always cook the best. Either way I love my Puerto Rican food and give much credit to Mediterranean and Vietnamese food as well.
My husband is from El Paso and we lived there in the 80's. He just went back and I begged him to get me some tortillas from La Colonia tortilla factory. They had a steam table for lunch with awesome goodies for the local workers. I used to go there for lunch and point at what I wanted because I could not speak spanish. Hubby surprised me with a burrito from there upon his return and I swear I inhaled it. Barely even chewed. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
Anyone that has ever lived in Southern AZ or New Mexico knows the Chimichanga was invented in Tucson. But does that mean it is not Mexican, no it does not. It is Mexican, but specifically it is Sonoran Mexican. Mexican food does not have to be from the Mexico of today to be authentic. New Mexico and Arizona where once part of Mexico and the foods that New Mexico and the So Arizona regions had then (this is esp true in New Mexico) are still the foods that are served in these regions today. Here in the So Arizona we always distinguish between Sonoran, Mexican, and New Mexican cuisine. The Mexican food most of America is used to is a version of the So Arizona Sonoran type. New Mexican food truly has a taste all of its own. All Americas should have take the time, even for a weekend and travel to the oldest capital city in the US, Santa Fe, to enjoy its unique tastes (and yes I wrote oldest capital, Santa Fe was established as the capital of New Mexico well before any capital city in the 13 colonies – its food is like no other place).
If you eat traditional mex food you will have the runs for about 4 days! The average mexican is entering the United States illegally to escape from the lousy food of Old mexico.
Much of the quality so called mexican food is an American invention, basically traditional mex food is simple and loaded with carbs, salt, and sugar. Why do you think all of those illegals look small and fat?
how about them Yankee's?
There is TEX-MEX and then there is real Mexican food. There is a difference.
Most traditional mexican food is slop – comes from a simple food that is loaded with salt, and mucho carbs.
Left out fideo! Easily the best Mexican dish!
Did you say fido?
Dyslexic, are we?
I agree with my Mexican friends who say the so-called Mexican food here is "pirated." Having travelled extensively in Mexico, I have never eaten better, healthier, tastier food. A variety of fresh foods are available there in abundance, on every corner, year round, and I can't recall anyone ever opening a can...The convenience of highly processed foods here is a disgrace to our health and taste.
"Pirated"=Not the real thing
I have no pants.
i love Mexican food! It also gives me great farts, which is an added bonus.
Gino's giants ( forerunner of Big Mac's & Whoppers) used to do the same to me – i couldn't finsh one without it IMMEDIATLEY running thru me – i only ever ate 2 & learned my lesson.
The only lines i see at the local mex places are to get IN the place – the line at the restroom is to use the urinals.
I could eat Mexican food every day of my life. Hi baby!!
Let's blow off this lemonade stand and go grab some Ortegas. :)
Yeah, Oz, I'm with you. Peace!
Man, poor pendejos. Hi baby!
#6: eating mexican food will create an agitated, slow moving line at the restroom door. oh wait these are myths
US MEXICAN restaurant food is like US Italian or Chinese restaurants – some rel good – most mediocre – most not authentic – canned beans, frozen tortillas, too psicy, too salty -
It's so true, Mexican food, "real Mexican food" that is, is actually pretty healthy. I use to live in Mexico, and all food was fresh. Fresh foods, vegetables, meats, and most meals did not have one fried item in it at all. A good meal contained some beans straight from the pot, a fresh salsa, and corn tortillas. Also allot of stews and soups were a common meal. The fried crap topped with yellow cheese and cream cheese we see at restaurants frequented by Americans is not real Mexican food and shouldn't even be called "authentic Mexican restaurants".
Isn't it sad? People don't know what they are missing. I can't wait to finish school and relocate there. How about the Liquados–fresh fruit smoothies? WOW!
Of course this is no different than countries around the world where you will find restaurants with names like "New York Pizza" or "American Burger Restaurant", "Texas BBQ" etc. that serve awful imitations of American food.
There is a wonderful Mexican restaurant in Orange, California, called Gabby's. Everything is very fresh and I highly recommend the huitlacoche quesadillas (similar to mushrooms), the tres leche cake, chiles en nogada and a wonderful light salad made with citrus dressing, pinenuts, pumpkin seeds, mango, wild greens and sheets of manchego cheese topped with six succulen camerones. They make the best tortillas onsite and you get them right off the griddle. The tamarind margaritas are to die for. Be sure to make reservation! Mexico is a beautiful country filled with wonderful people who know how to be happy. The drug dealers are having their way because of the huge market in the U.S. I'll bet all those cocaine snorters out there never give the harm they are causing a second thought. The sooner we can legalize drugs the better for all! Viva U.S.! Viva Mexico!
That salad sounds heavenly. You actually made my mouth water!
There are plenty of illegal Mexicanos and other Latin Americans in my neighborhood. "¡Viva!" is usually the last thing to come to mind, the yumminess of their cocina notwithstanding.
Jake, if you think us legal Latinos are going to fade into the background and shrink before your presence just to nurture your tender need for routine and uniformity...you're screwed.
Sounds dynamite, think I'll try it. Thanks for the tip.
Next time in San Diego visit Ortega's in Ocean Beach.
Num.
Spuiddy79 You are right. Tex-Mex is not Mexican food. I thought the same thing until I was told different.
Carol, Texas-mex is mexican food with more flavor.
Mexican food is sparse in meat because of the economy of the people in Mexico. They drink mucha fruta agua, eat maiz and frijoles because they don't have the money to buy the food we buy in America. I was not a "lover" of Mexican food until I had many friends from Mexico and other South American countries, and learned the situation. I enjoy more of their food now, because I love these wonderful people.
not everybody, I grew up in Sonora, I was very poor (I did not know that then) and I grew up eating way too much meat. There were cows and deers at every table in the town. One family will kill one and gave away most of the meat to the friends and family. I try eating less now.
I live in Houston Texas... the Mexican food here is horrible it all taste the same just called a different name depending on how you roll the tortilla. However, I have heard that in Mexico the food has nothing to do with the Tex-Mex nastiness that they have here. College guy, you have not had good ceviche until you have had Peruvian ceviche. Peruvian food is amazing!
Squid, this blog is about mexican food, not peruvian.
I live in Katy and I concur. This crap they try to pass off as Mexican food is the same thing you can get at Taco-Cabana,Taco Bell or even Jack in the Box. Guess I'll have to drive to San Antonio to get my fix.
all mexican food consists of beans, meat, cheese and tortilla. yea, its all the same.
Wassamatter, can't count any higher than four?
haha damn hicks are jealous because america does not have any culinary history. its all stolen from other cultures. I dont think anything can be called "American cuisine" maybe burgers? stick to your roadkill burgers damn hicks
How is it "stealing" for people to bring their traditional cuisine with them to America? Jeez, you are an idiot.
¡Abajo tu racismo! Leave your hate at the door, ese.
Ever heard of bbq? No other country does bbq like america, other countries are the ones copying american bbq techniques.
BBQ is actually not american, the original term is BARBACOA and is the most delicious slowed cooked meat you can ever find. It originates in northern Mexico and made its way to South US. Is really fascinating to learn about origins of food (actually, is fascinating to learn about anything, you should try it some time!)
American bbq is unique. BBQ just means grilling meat, all countries have their own form of BBQ but american bbq is the most famous and influential. Barbacoa has nothing to do with things like slow smoked brisket rubbed in a paprika based spice blend and tomato/molasses sauce.
You're right Takeout. What you're talking about came a long time after the original mexican Barbacoa dish. Extremely slow cooked meat, cooked in low heat, away from the hottest part of the fire. You're right though, that has nothing to do with actual BBQ. In all truth, the original term came from the native Taino people.
takeout, the term barbeque comes from "barbacoa" a Spanish transliteration of the Caribbean Taino native word "barabacu", which means 'holy fire pit". The Spaniards, the French and the buccaneers inherited the cooking technique from them, using grills made of green wood and placing earthen or metal pots under the meat to gather the drippings for basting sauce or gravy, they then took the refined technique to their northern colonies (what is now the Southern U.S.) with them, changing to masonry pits and iron grills. So... yeah, barbeque is not original U.S. cuisine either.
Just as at one point all the people in the US were from somewhere else (except for the Native Americans), the cuisine all came from somewhere else, too. But once it got here it was adapted to use local ingredients and mixed with other cultures. Haven't you ever heard the phrase "American as apple pie". Pies were savory dishes in England – making them into desserts was an American invention. Hot Dogs are American, as is most steakhouse fare. And I believe barbeque actually came from the indigenous peoples of Florida and the Carribean islands, Madga Andrade, not Mexico. Columbus named it barbecoa.
All the recipes I use were handed down from the neanderthals.....Jr. you are an idiot.
WRONG! There IS authentic, American cusine! It is called SPAM.
Junior's evidently never heard of Cajun, Creole or the Gullah cooking of South Carolina. They're pure American cooking styles and, like everything great about America, a mixture of cultures that would never have happened in the "old" countries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=559KZ0NnVDs here is the YOU TUBE video of the flour tortillas
BURRITOS AND CHIMICHANGAS: I was in awe when I first came to LA decades years ago to find Burritos and Chimichangas on mexican restaurants. I had traveled around Mexico to know other parts of the country did not know of these to items. Growing up, they were our basic to-go meals on my hometown in Sonora, for rancheros and anybody who had to eat lunch away from home. Still, people in the cities would look down on them and even there I would never find them on sit-down places. I asked my grandma once what was her firts memory of a burro or chimichanga, of course she could not trace it because they were part of her whole life and she had been born in the 20's. I do not think the burro or chimichanga was invented in the US, because that would mean it had to travel from the US to the remote towns in the Sonora Sierra and even travel back in time to isntall itself there. I know because the main ingredient is the "tortilla grande" and that is something only there is done as it should. The best tortillas grandes you would ever know! I posted in youtube a video of my aunts making these tortillas. No doubt, burros and chimichangas are mexican, Sonora también es México! (Sonora is also Mexico)
the chimichunga comment he made inthe article threw me also – my mother was Mexican – i have 300+ cousins etc in s.Az & Sonora,Mx area (Cananea)
i have a video of my priest cousin( Mexican by birht, American by choice) make them in my home in Dela. So, yes, they are definatly a Mexican food.
If it's served by a Mexican in a Mexican restaurant, then I consider it authentic Mexican food. Just like when I go to Big Joy Buffet, I know that General Tso's chicken is straight out of Beijing.
Mexican food=YUMMY!!!!!
I love Mexican food. I also love Mexican people! I live in New England and sadly we don't have much to pick from here as far as Mexican food goes. I'd love to try the really authentic cuisine some day.
I'm sure most of the Mexican people you meet will love you too, Lisa.
Mmm... this is making me jones for a big "Grilled Stuffed Beaf Burrito Supreme".
Chef Suarez should spend more time at Rosa and less time writing articles. The food at the Rosa Mexicano in River Edge is not good at all. For a fifth the price I can find better at a hole in the wall on 10th avenue.
Also it is arrogant and insulting to say a chimichanga is not mexican food. Maybe it is not found in Mexico City or other regions but it is a part of the Sonoran Cuisine. The chimichanga was invented and perfect by real mexicans in southern Arizona, which at the time was more Mexican in culture than American.
Right on Miguel. As far back as I can remember here in Arizona, (1940's), Sonorans have been frying their Burritos and calling them Chimichangas. I think they coined the word Burrito too. I've heard Mexicans saying flour tortillas are not Mexican either. They've probably never tasted a flour sobakera tortilla from Sonora.
RIGHT ON!! A mexican restaurant here in LA called "el Cholo" claims to have invented burritos in the 50's here in LA, coincidently, it was a lady from Sonora who "invented" them. yeah right.
And for a lot of central mexicans in the US, just because they do not know them they insist they are not mexican.
Whatch the youtube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=559KZ0NnVDs that's my aunt and my mom "en un pueblito en la sierra" doing the incredibly hard to do "tortillas sobaqueras"
AGREE!! thanks for pointing it out, Sonora tambien es Mexico! and my grandma had been making chimichangas and burros since the 30's, as her mom did before her. Where are they from? trace the Tortillas GRandes and you will find the birthplace of burritos and chimichangas! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=559KZ0NnVDs that is how they are done in the sierra!
Mexican is OK... Tex-Mex is always better.
I agree!
I be lovin me some Tex-mex!!!
TEX-MEX is the only way to go. El Fenix in DFW! AWESOME!
It's a shame that anyone doesn't already know all of these things about Mexican food. It's one of the most varied and rich culinary traditions in the world. Taco Bell is okay and all, if you're hungry, but it sure ain't Mexican food.
Braised hombre with peppers and squash blossoms was a delicacy in Aztec times.
Why are there people bashing mexican food: the cuisine of GUAC?!!??!?!?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE???!!! take a trip to mexico once in a while.
Who the hell wants to go to Mexico? Not even Mexicans want to go back.
We do. I know tons of them do. Just like the thousands of Americans living in Mexico come back to visit the US. Nothing wrong with expanding your horizons (and opening your minds a little)
There are lots of Mexicans who love their country and are proud of their rich culture.
Did you know that the minimum wage in Mexico is about 200 dollars a month for working 48-60 hour weeks? If this was your situation, why wouldn't you want to move to a place where you could earn much more for the same and sometimes less amount of work? (I'm a native U.S. citizen who has worked and lived in both countries and generally my experience is that Mexicans tend to have harder jobs and be harder workers than Americans, in each country.) Not all countries are fortunate enough to be exceptionally wealthy, and some economists even think that the ability of one country to enjoy vast wealth is necessarily dependent on the poverty of another. I think your condemnation of Mexico reeks of nationalism and ignorance.
You sound like a typical redneck, who thinks that the only good place in the world is America, and everyone else in the world should kiss our ass. It's arrogant people like you that are the reason that alot of the world hates us.
Yeah, so let's let millions of them cross over the border illegally and spend our tax dollars educating them and giving them free health care.
Hoog, the good thing about Latino descent and the expanded horizons that it can bring if you are open-minded is that you can speak at least two languages, live in and experience ANY major city in the U.S. as well as the rest of the Americas and not stick out like a socially and idiomatically impaired sore thumb. I've had more fun and made more friends in Puerto Rico, Curazao, the Dominican Republic, the BVI, Mexico and Florida on work trips than most Americans make on vacation.
Aahhhh, I looove Mexican food. I try to find more authentic Mexican food here, but all I find is tex-mex (though I really like that, too!). I wish I could cook real Mexican foodz but it's hard to make P:
As I grew up & still live near the US/Mex border, I read this with interest. I eyeballed Suarez' restuarant menu. Frikkin yuppie scum chow. LOL Gluten free mexican food? Yeah, that's real mainstream! Prolly good tasting food, but you'd not likely see that haute cuisine ANYwhere South of the border!
Actually, you probably could – in Mexico City or other major cities. It's fine dining for urban clientele, not a street vendor.
Agree, any major metropolitan city, Mexico being the second largest in the world, has the vast variety and experiementation of everything. Vegan this and vegan that is probably there as well.
Wow, nothing but ignorant yankees on here today! Mexican food is excellent, some of the best meals I've ever had have been in Mexico. In Merida you'll find a blend of Lebanese and Mexican. Oaxaca has some of the best food any where. Get a life people.
Agreed! The food in Oaxaca is excellent. I love the coastal areas too, because of the great fresh seafood.
I always love the "this is bad because I don't like it" comments too-it takes all kinds, thank goodness, some people like certain foods and others don't. Its called personal preference. Personally, I love traditional mexican food-won't eat Crotcho Smell or any of those ridiculous chains, they just don't do it for me.
While I am sure that there are plenty of ignorant Americans posting on here, your criterion for them being ignorant is that they disagree with you about Mexican food? The irony here is unreal.
I eat Mexican food just about every day. I love the carne asada tacos, which are smaller than the size of my hand and include a small corn tortilla, carne asada (like diced flank steak marinated and cooked), with cilantro, onion and a little lime juice. Yummy!
I wonder what those tourists ate before they were enslaved by the drug cartels and either used for drug mules or killed en masse. Ah, Mexico. No muy bueno, but thanks for the chow! We got it from here.
hmm i wonder too, but its probably not the same type of breakfast that kids have in the US before they get murdered by there class mates at randome, you know, just a thought... its far worse for these "educated" kids killing each other off, so by your comment if vacationing in mexico will get you killed, going to school in the US at any level does too right? interesting....
There may be drug cartels in Mexico, but who are the buyers? They sell because Americans consume. It's not like the black market is free from cause-and-effect economics.
Does this mean that Taco Bell is crap?
Yes.
Yes, TACO BELL and DEL TACO should market themselves as "KNOCK-OFF IMITATION FAKE MEXICAN FOOD FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW!"
Pretty much... I eat more at Chipotle's anyway...
Oh my look at all dem mexicans living in my neighborhood lmao
It beats steak and potatoes any day of the week.
you are forgetting carne asada with papitas fritas is very mexican and very delicious.
nom nom tamales nom nom chilaquiles nom nom bacon wrapped cheese enchiladas in cream sauce
Mexican Food Sucks!
It beats corned beef and grits.
There's a local hole in the wall that's close to my neighborhood that servest the best fucking tacos de barbacoa I've ever eaten.
Keep your grits and your cornbread, i'll settle for my ceviche and barbacoa.
There are those of us who don't appreciate it when users violate CNN's Terms of Service by using profanity.
Good for you. In trying to prove a point as to how ignorant it looks to bash cultural cuisine, you just succeeded in doing the same. I grew up in the south eating grits, and being born in America, and raised on "traditional southern America food", I see nothing wrong with it, thank you.
Good for you. In trying to prove a point as to how ignorant it looks to bash cultural cuisine, you just succeeded in doing the same. I grew up in the south eating grits, and being born in America, and raised on "traditional southern American food", I see nothing wrong with it, thank you.
Ann, my apologies. I didn't read the terms of service.
Jacque, I'm not sure what you read but I wasn't "bashing" your choice of food. I'm simply stating my opinion/preference in food. I am repulsed by grits. I've never liked them. I've grown up in the South as well and Grits are everywhere. Like I said before, I prefer Mexican food. I'll take frijoles con chorizzo over grits any day of the week.
Why don't you learn English, instead of writing to you mother?
Ann doesn't like us to use nasty words like ceviche.
sorry to burst your bubble, but the only place you can eat GOOD cebiche is in Peru. I once was offered a "cebiche", tiny little pieces of fish that had been marinated in lemon/lime juice and something green (maybe cilantro?), by a Mexican coworker. It looked more like a greenish fish puree than fresh cebiche. It was 1pm, she had brought it in at the beginning of her shift, 8am. I said thank you, but declined. Cebiche is to be made and served from fresh fish only, and I've only seen Peruvians make it right. If you don't believe me, get it from a REPUTABLE Peruvian restaurant. You will never go back to anything but. Other than that, I have had authentic Mexican food and it beats what you can get at a gringo restaurant, but it is definitely nothing to rave about.
Mexican food does not suck. Just because YOU don't like it, it doesn't mean it sucks. Because, by this type of thinking, since I don't like you, it must mean you suck.
NO, but your narrow-mindedness SUCKS
What's your favorite food, rocky montain oysters?
Myth #1 of Mexican food: Mexican food tastes good.
myth #2: mexican food will not give you diarrhea
Sanchez: Exactly. I have never been a fan of Mexican food, and I've tried everything from the most Americanized non-Mexican Mexican food to absolutely authentic, down-home Mexican food prepared by wonderful Mexican cooks. I just dont like it at all and I dont understand its universal appeal, but hey – variety is the spice of life. If I dont eat it, that leaves more for everyone else to enjoy! =D
do mexicans really eat dogs? or is it cats ? rats ? everytime i eat mexican i get the suarez's ... does this offened you ? and if so why ?..
I've never known any mexican's to eat dogs, cats or rats. Is that some kinda delicousy where you're from or something?
Do you eat Mexican food from Mexico or are you talking about like Taco Bell? I'm mexican and Taco Bell gives me something a kin to food poisoning. Actual Mexican food is fucking awesome. I can't drink the water in Mexico though. That's a hell of a way to ruin a vacation :(
PS: People shouldn't be offended by the ignorance of others.
Glad to know I'm not the only one to get sick when eating at Taco Bell
@Eseloco Love your response to the scum bag insinuationg that Mexicans eat dogs, cats and rats. And yes, Taco Bell totally sucks. Too too much salt. I could dig on real Mexican food every day. Love it and you!
It is not customary in Mexican culture to eat dogs or cats but many poor nations eat cats and dogs when beef is too expensive. It happens in all countries among the poor even in the united states.
Most americans are noted for their ignorance regarding other cultures and the rest of the world. some americans continue to perpetuate this for mexico, it makes them feel better but of course, only keeps our country looking, rather backwards, like backwoods hicks.
Incluso los que hemos vivido en Mexico la mierda, donde la comida no es exactamente saludable.
Appropriate name, he is a sphincter.
I really hope you didn't have any offspring after marrying your mother.
ROFLMAO!!!
Actually, the indeginous people of mexico, the maya for example, did eat their dogs when needed. Indegenos folks in most countries around the world probably did too. Most americans have limited knowledge of our culture, much less of others. Sad but true.
Indeed, the mayan eat dog, it was bred for the same purposes, the Xoloexcuintle, nowdays I don't know anybody that eats them. We don't eat dogs and cats, there is a joke regarding street tacos stands where they sell goat meat tacos (barbacoa) and sometimes they even have the skull of the goat on display, but some people say it is dog meat, who know?
I know Filipinos and other Asian countries eat dogs. Is just a different culture so I would not be offended for someone asking if Mexican do that too. I know mexicans (as my family) even if they are very poor would have a good diet of corn, beans, and full with fresh fruits veggies, meat is not a must in mexican cusine.
We had a TX-MEX comissary open near where I worked in the 80's. They served Tacos at their stores. All the dogs in the neighborhood disappeared.
They eat dogs in South America, not Mexico.
I have seen dog served in mexico. In mexico the average mexican is eating all bad food, because they can't afford better food. Reading the article made me laugh because the food is prepared in the states not in mexico, maybe phillip calderon is eating seafood with his beans, but I guarantee Jose in the street is not.
Maybe you're just a persistent pooh pirate, billy.
I was born and raised in Mexico city for most of my life and I have to agree and disagree with the comments here. It is not common for people in Mexico to eat otehr animals other than your cow,lamb,goat, fish, pork, etc. but there are some areas in Mexico where more exotic animals are a delicacy. such as armadillo, iguana, parrot, escamoles (worms), grasshoppers, and yes some dog and even river rat (nutria). just because most people dont eat it it does not mean it does not have a place in the cuisine.
P.S. dog taste pretty damn good like slow roasted goat.
yummy. now I'm hungry.
i just ate "mexican" food from campus dining. :P it was yuck. Having worked in a restaurant with a tinge of mexican influence, eaten at rosa mexicana, Dos caminos, been to mexico, cooked many mexican dishes, and made ceviche and being a guacamole master/aficionado, I know REAL mexican food. BTW chef Suarez, love the guac recipie. Think the dishes at rosa could be made to be a little lighter. As someone who does not eat a lot of meat, i feel somewhat challenged to find a suitable entre at your restaurants. That is not to say im against eating just guacamole and ceviche for dinner :D. i would love to see a richard sandoval like fish dish on the menu. speaking of real ,mexican food, i would love CNN to have Julian Medina on this thing. He is chef/owner at 2 up and coming places in nyc. He hails from mexico city. and to me is the most authentic mexican chef in the city of new york. Sandoval, Suarez and the dos caminos guy be weary of mr Medina. Would love Rick Bayless to open shop in NYC!
If you want a great meal try eating real authentic greek food, fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, olives and olive oil and of course the best wines. Give me three months of greek food and you will feel and look alot better.
In case you did not know, Del Taco and Taco Bell are not really Mexican food.
college guy – I will never let you steal Rick Bayless from Chicago!!!!
Rick Bayless is a Chicago icon... You can't have him!
I agree...once you've had authentic Mexican food it's difficult to enjoy so called Mexican food that is far from authentic.
Hey Beach....Only Greeks like Greek food. If I want to taste Feta, I'll just lick the inside of my kids shoes. Greek food is friggin terrible.
Hey Patrick...you are probably just a fat @ss American you does not really know how to enjoy food. So shut your stinking cake hole. Enjoy your SPAM and your American cheese......you whizzzz.
Hurry. Someone give Matt his Valium. He is out of his mind!
Must be a "mouthy liberal" who knows all about personalities.
cliff
I like how most of the "authentic restaurants" I've been to here in MI have the most repulsive rice and beans I have ever had. It hurts me to hear people say "it's just rice and beans, who even eats it?" because these long forgotten "side dishes" have the potential to be so much more. 'Refried' beans aren't meant to be pale and have copious amounts of cheese on them to cover up the fact that they are so bland. Also, I am sick of neon orange rice!!
Nothing reminds me of my childhood more than my mom's cooking, she didn't just slop beans from a can and throw kraft cheese on it and open a box of minute rice and throw some onions and tomatoes on it, which is what I am forced to eat at these "la fiesta ..." joints. I usually have to wait every few years and wait for the family to decide they want real Mexican food and we spend the 4 hours in the car and venture down into little Mexico in Chicago.
I take it you've never been to Mexican Town in Detroit then?
Agreed. Why not save some gas and hit Mexican Town in Detroit?
this is why i love living in tucson. sonoran style mexican is the all around best.
Mexican food having the spicy stereotype is a joke. I've never had spicy mexican food unless you count salsa, which is just a side item and not part of the actual recipes in dishes. The only commonly spicy food is Asian food.
Mexican food not spicy? My flaming arse it isn't. I used to live in Jalisco and ate at home, and about half of the plates were just too picante for normal human beings.
Yeah, if you want spicy, try Thai or Filipino. Mexican is more variable IME>
Like Mexican food, asian food is not all spicy. My wife cooks many Filipino dishes that are not spicy at all. Same is true with Japanese, chinese, etc. Just goes to show just how typical stereotyping is.
What does this have to do with food?
Your comments make a lot of sense... you anonymous idiot. Take your off-topic rant to Fox News
Thanks
Leaf you have no idea of what you are talking about.
Please informe your self, then comment, not the other war around.
where did you learn your countries? South America is not a country, age of consent is 18 in Mexico not twelve, N Central America is also not a country. Drugs are notlegal, it just means the goverment is not going to waste their time with small time users and focus on the dealers, just like the US (they just left Paris Hilton go and she was carring cocaine, same thing) and NOT, 80% of mexicans are NOT in the cartels.. I would say not even a 1%, since I see a lot of them are actually not from Mexico. Mexico has the biggest producers of drugs south the border and THE bigest consumer north of the border, how could it not be in the middle of it? You can continually look for lies and outragously erroneous facts to condemn mexico if that makes you feel better. There's bad people everywere.
Mr. Leaf, do you LIVE in Mexico, such as I do? Are you SURE that 80% of the population is involved in the cartels and that the age of consent here is 12? What about there being "millions" of cartel members in Mexico? Your source is Wikipedia? Do you see nothing wrong with that fact? I didn't know that many drugs were LEGAL in Mexico. Let me straighten things out a bit. NO, 80% of the population is NOT involved in the drug trade. I would say that a gross over exaggeration would be about 1.5%. NO, the age of consent in Mexico is NOT 12, it is 18 just like in many other developed nations. NO, there are not millions of cartel members in Mexico. This statement is just ridiculous. NO, meth, cocaine and heroin are not legal drugs in Mexico under ANY circumstances. Your accusations are blind and erroneous. Let's find valid sources and information before we go ranting incoherently. Oh, and this article is about Mexican FOOD. Go spread your false statements elsewhere.
PUFF PUFF PASS! WOW
Mr. Leaf, do you LIVE in Mexico, such as I do? Are you SURE that 80% of the population is involved in the cartels and that the age of consent here is 12? What about there being "millions" of cartel members in Mexico? Your source is Wikipedia? Do you see nothing wrong with that fact? I didn't know that many drugs were LEGAL in Mexico. Let me straighten things out a bit. NO, 80% of the population is NOT involved in the drug trade. I would say that a gross over exaggeration would be about 1.5%. NO, the age of consent in Mexico is NOT 12, it is 18 just like in many other developed nations. NO, there are not millions of cartel members in Mexico. This statement is just ridiculous. NO, meth, cocaine and heroin are not legal drugs in Mexico under ANY circumstances. Your accusations are blind and erroneous. Let's find valid sources and information before we go ranting incoherently. Oh, and this article is about Mexican FOOD. Go spread your false statements elsewhere, please. Better yet, DON'T spread your lies.
The possession of small amounts of drugs in mexico was decriminalized. This occurred Sometime in September of 2009. The maximum amount of marijuana for "personal use" under the new law is 5 grams – the equivalent of about four joints. The limit is a half gram for cocaine, the equivalent of about 4 "lines." For other drugs, the limits are 50 milligrams of heroin, 40 milligrams for methamphetamine and 0.015 milligrams for LSD.
Has the law changed since then that outlawed small amounts of drugs?
From what I understand, this law was created to differentiate drug addicts from cartel drug runners.
What in the HECK is the matter with you? The article is about the myths (and greatness) of Mexican food, and you go on this off-topic rant about the supposed horrors of Mexico?? Get out of here, you fool!
MONSTRACITY must be destroyed! Death to all extremists !Those bastards!
Ok you ridiculous GRINGO (no offense to other Americans)...
1. Our President's name is not Phillipe Calderon...it's FELIPE CALDERON, do not translate President's names
2. Where do you get your information that those drugs can be carried legally here? there are people being picked up left right and center in possession of drugs. Read a Mexican news paper now and then to get your facts straight.
3. The war on drugs is a lengthy, hard, bloody and dangerous affair that MY country has to fight because AMERICANS are amongst the world's top countries in drug consumption....THAT is how we have to be living this drug war.
4. Mexico is in North America in all non-"made in USA" maps...broaden your horizons
5. Mausoleums in cemeteries are not only for drug lords...visit ANY Mexican cemetery and it is full of mausoleums because people here are extremely religious and ostentatious. Anyone that has money can build whatever they want for their death family members. Here you are wrong AGAIN, it is not the cartel who builds the mausoleum but the family of the member of the cartel (often members of the cartel themselves but not always) and since building a mausoleum is not illegal then they are free to do it...remember their money comes from Americans mostly so it's not money stollen from our government.
6. You are severely misinformed if you think 80% of the Mexican population is involved in drug cartels...severely misinformed.
7. A war on drugs can only succeed when and only when the government purges all the corruption from its office...which I have to admit is close to impossible. Great efforts are being taken, lots of lives of innocent people have been lost and we now depend and trust mostly the army...which have proven to be true to our country.
8. Mexico is NOT a horrible country...many people in Mexico, as in USA, do horrible things but you dont say USA is a horrible country for that, do you?
9. Do not generalize and inform yourself before going off ranting ridiculous statements.
Francisco: I am delighted that your English is so much better than leaf's. By the way, I don't think I've ever had anything that would qualify as "authentic" Mexican food. I think I'd like to try it.
Mexican food is a treat for the taste buds...hot peppers clears my sinus & it's theraputic. It's a visual enjoyment, too.
Yum..just thinking about all them treats exploding in your mouth like flavor crystals.
L E AF !! you are a very ignorant and stupid racist person!!!
Are you serious, please take your small minded, obviously racist comments elsewhere, this article is regarding food. Incompetent twit.
Leaf, hate to say it but I agree with your synopsis there. Fact is, Mexico, regardless of its culture, good people, and food, is in big trouble. The culture, as well as the politics and other aspects of the country and its people are in trouble. In the United States, 33% of illegal aliens children drop out of high school. Mexican-Americans have now and are projected to have one of the largest high school drop out rates, highest rate of poverty, highest illegitimate birth rates, and be a serious part of the gang element in this country. These are statistical facts. I think anyone living in Mexico or from Mexico needs to look at their children and their country and loved ones that live there and have a serious conversation with their families the situation there in Mexico and ask "do I want to be enslaved by a drug culture, by a culture of drop outs and poverty in Mexico and the US?". If you do not believe the facts, read them for yourselves at pewhispanic.org. So sad...
idiot!
Leaf, what a bunch of idiotic nonsense!
You're a freakin' moron! Enough said.
Leaf, what a bunch of idiotic nonsense!!!
You are a seriously twisted individual. You would rather murder millions of people than allow us to use drugs? I'm more worried about you moving in next to me than any cartel member and I've spent time with them in Culiacan.
Some people on the board are calling leaf "racis"t. He's not...he doesn't have the attention span and focus to be a racist...something tells me mr. leaf hasn't is a paranoid crank who hasn't ventured off his lawn in the past decade, but claims to know all the intimacies of a foreign country. Tell it to your pet cat Leaf....don't waste our time with your BS.
With all due respect...
Take a hike. Your comments are incredibly out of place, and unwarranted here.
Kindly take it to another article thread that may be more relevant to the subject matter.