Is All Mexican-American Food Tex Mex?

Americans absolutely love Mexican cuisine. In fact, Mexican food comprises 10% of all U.S. restaurants. Some are what we'd generally label as "authentic," established by immigrant chefs building on generations of culinary tradition. However, many dishes Americans might think of as Mexican were invented in America. Mexican-American food is distinct from the cuisine that inspired it, and while there is a wide range of Mexican-American styles, the most famous is arguably Tex-Mex.

Texas was once part of Mexico. When they split, the lines between their cultures were naturally blurred from the start, and the similarities in climate meant that many of the same ingredients were at hand. Mexicans living in Texas originally based their cuisine on North Mexican peasant food, which appealed to Texan farmers due to its affordability. Chili con carne, originally a cheap street food, was one of the first Tex-Mex dishes.

The lines between Texan and Mexican culture became more defined, and Mexicans adapted their food to suit new ingredients and American tastes. Other immigrants, particularly from the Canary Islands, also influenced the cuisine. Some of the most famous Tex-Mex dishes today include fajitas, chimichangas, and nachos. You surely know these well, but Tex-Mex doesn't tell the whole story of Mexican-American food. Mexican-Americans have impacted cuisine throughout the entire United States, not just in Texas.

California has a significant Mexican-American population that produces unique dishes throughout the Golden State. Among all the Mexican foods associated with California, burritos top the list. The California burrito famously substitutes beans and rice for french fries, but its name is a bit deceptive. These burritos are primarily found in San Diego, while other California cities have their distinct versions. San Francisco is renowned for the Mission burrito (named after its historic Mexican-American neighborhood), which adopts a more-is-more approach, packing large tortillas with meat, rice, beans, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and a variety of salsas.

The Mississippi Delta might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Mexican food, but a particular Mexican-American dish there has won the locals' hearts: hot tamales. They differ from Mexican tamales in that they're smaller, made from cornmeal, simmered, and considerably spicier.

Chili is a common feature in many regional styles of Mexican-American cuisine, and perhaps the most controversial take on it comes from the Midwest. Walking tacos, a.k.a. Frito pies, consist of chili, cheese, and various toppings ladled into a bag of Fritos. Dishes like these are just the beginning of what Mexican-American food has to offer, and the best way to discover it all is to explore your local food scene.