"Who doesn't like Mexican Food?"
There are moments when I know that I am really from the South. Last night during a family dinner was one of them.
My sister and father were reminiscing about how my brother didn't like Tex-Mex as a kid and would sit in the car alone eating a sandwich or plain burger or something while we ate dinner inside at El Fenix and my Mother-In-Law said "He didn't like Mexican food? Who doesn't like Mexican food? What's not to like?". (And yes, remember back in the 70's when it was OK to send your kid to the car when they misbehaved? You could lock them in there and not even blink an eye. Damn I am old.) Anyway, everyone at the table totally nodded in agreement that it was bordering on blasphemy that someone could not like Mexican food. Really?
You see, when I think of the "universal food that everyone likes" I think americanized Italian food like Pizza or Spaghetti. Show me a kid that hates pizza and I will...be shocked. When you have those family dinners at school, they serve spaghetti! It's the total safe go-to food in most cases, right?
And the term "Mexican Food" is also very misleading. Now that I have been traveling a lot I fully understand that Mexican food means something different in almost every state. Allow me to clarify: when we say Mexican Food, we mean the TEX-MEX we grew up on in Texas: Refried Beans, Cheese, Tortillas, Chili, Rice and Beef/chicken assembled into things like Enchiladas, Tacos, Tamales, nachos, migas, etc. I do not mean "Central Mexican Regional Cuisine", or "Salvadorian-Mex" or even Miami's own "Cuban-Mex". I mean TEX MEX. The stuff that was americanized even further and turned into Taco Bell and Taco Bueno that has inspired billions of gringos to run for the Border and enjoy.
Lets do a visual aid. This is Tex Mex:
"Hi! I am a real Tex-Mex Combo Plate!"
See the refried beans? Those are not black beans my friend. And that's not fish in that taco. Oh no sir!!
OK, so now that you understand let's revisit the conversation:
"Who doesn't like Mexican food?"
Well, honestly...I don't personally know of anyone who doesn't. I thought about it. A lot. And even some of my "Yankee-transplant" friends like Mexican food. Now, there are many of us that may argue about the onion content or the smattering of jalapeno slices but that may just be weenies like me with tender tummies. And you may get those who do not like sour cream or guacamole, but generally you can't go wrong with cheese and tortillas paired with Beef, Chicken and/or beans.
So I ask you, is this a Southern thing or is Tex-Mex the new Pizza/Spaghetti? Will we start serving more enchiladas and fajitas than Spaghetti and Pizza at 5th grade graduation parties? Well, ok--in Texas we already do but you know, for the states that don't border Mexico?!?!
Not that you will see me complain...unless there's onions or black beans. Black beans instead of refries? Get a rope.
My sister and father were reminiscing about how my brother didn't like Tex-Mex as a kid and would sit in the car alone eating a sandwich or plain burger or something while we ate dinner inside at El Fenix and my Mother-In-Law said "He didn't like Mexican food? Who doesn't like Mexican food? What's not to like?". (And yes, remember back in the 70's when it was OK to send your kid to the car when they misbehaved? You could lock them in there and not even blink an eye. Damn I am old.) Anyway, everyone at the table totally nodded in agreement that it was bordering on blasphemy that someone could not like Mexican food. Really?
You see, when I think of the "universal food that everyone likes" I think americanized Italian food like Pizza or Spaghetti. Show me a kid that hates pizza and I will...be shocked. When you have those family dinners at school, they serve spaghetti! It's the total safe go-to food in most cases, right?
And the term "Mexican Food" is also very misleading. Now that I have been traveling a lot I fully understand that Mexican food means something different in almost every state. Allow me to clarify: when we say Mexican Food, we mean the TEX-MEX we grew up on in Texas: Refried Beans, Cheese, Tortillas, Chili, Rice and Beef/chicken assembled into things like Enchiladas, Tacos, Tamales, nachos, migas, etc. I do not mean "Central Mexican Regional Cuisine", or "Salvadorian-Mex" or even Miami's own "Cuban-Mex". I mean TEX MEX. The stuff that was americanized even further and turned into Taco Bell and Taco Bueno that has inspired billions of gringos to run for the Border and enjoy.
Lets do a visual aid. This is Tex Mex:
"Hi! I am a real Tex-Mex Combo Plate!"
See the refried beans? Those are not black beans my friend. And that's not fish in that taco. Oh no sir!!
OK, so now that you understand let's revisit the conversation:
"Who doesn't like Mexican food?"
Well, honestly...I don't personally know of anyone who doesn't. I thought about it. A lot. And even some of my "Yankee-transplant" friends like Mexican food. Now, there are many of us that may argue about the onion content or the smattering of jalapeno slices but that may just be weenies like me with tender tummies. And you may get those who do not like sour cream or guacamole, but generally you can't go wrong with cheese and tortillas paired with Beef, Chicken and/or beans.
So I ask you, is this a Southern thing or is Tex-Mex the new Pizza/Spaghetti? Will we start serving more enchiladas and fajitas than Spaghetti and Pizza at 5th grade graduation parties? Well, ok--in Texas we already do but you know, for the states that don't border Mexico?!?!
Not that you will see me complain...unless there's onions or black beans. Black beans instead of refries? Get a rope.