L.A. Foodies who've spent time in Texas, what's the difference between Cali and Texas Mexican food? (San Diego: school, vs.)

[ladysrodgers]

Originally Posted by CalBerkeley2002

I lived in CA and TX....CA mexican food emphasizes vegetables more and thinner steak. TX mex food is all about thick fajita meat and cheese. I'm not saying which is better, they are very different though. I prefer CA mex food because I like more than just a plate full of meat with cheese smothered all over it. But, if you are into cheese and meat and clogged arteries I guess you might prefer tex mex!

I'm a CA native of 50 years, and now reside in Plano, TX, which is a suburb of Dallas. The Tex-Mex in this area has the same amount of veggies as did both So. Cal, and Nor. Cal. The biggest difference is they don't serve shredded beef, nor carnitas, and certainly not fish. The restaurants here serve the same ole same ole brisket beef, chicken or ground hamburger for meat, and the cheese isn't even real cheese - it's a semi-liquid cheese sauce. Bleh

I don't consider Tex-Mex authentic Mexican food at all, however the Texans here have told me it's because Tex-Mex is influenced by the recipes from the portion of Mexico that used to be Texas, as opposed to Baja style.

To me, Tex-Mex is American Mexican food, and not nearly as good as the Mexican food I ate for years in California.

[bklynchapin]

I am a New York native who lived in the Bay Area for 4 years, in LA for 2 years and am now living in Austin for the last year. My job has also taken me multiple times to El Paso, the Rio Grande Valley, Dallas, Houston (Ninfa's was amazing) and especially San Antonio. I must also say that I have lived and or travelled through every Mexican state except for Aguascalientes. Here are the main differences as I see them:

California Mexican food uses more sour cream and fresh vegetables. As stated before there are also more seafood options. You definitely see more burritos and tacos (taco trucks are everywhere) and tortas for that matter. It is definitely more authentic Mexican food with more variety from the various regions of Mexico.

Tex-Mex food has developed over a longer period and has more similarities across the state. There is definitely more cheese involved, and enchiladas seem to be the centerpiece of most menus. There are some items I have only experienced in Texas such as Queso, Breakfast Tacos and Puffy Tacos. Also for some reason the tamales here are all very thin. They are good, but you usually eat about 6 at a time.

I definitely miss the tortas and taco trucks from Cali. But I also imagine I will miss the queso if I leave Texas.

I am not sure who mentioned pupusas in an earlier post, but those are Salvadoran and therefore not relevant to this conversation, though damn good.

[Slauson Rosecranz]

BklynChapin, your analogy, like many others posted, is spot on.

Enchiladas do indeed seem to reign supreme in Houston. Burritos in the Bay Area, and tacos and tamales in L.A.

It's really interesting how each city gravitated toward different dishes (as a local 'signature dish').

I would imagine enchiladas are so popular in Texas because of Texans love for Queso. But if that's the case, Burrito Suizo (or Mojado) should be equally big out there. But it doesn't seem to be.

Like the poster above you said, brisket (and LOTS of meat) is also a part of the Tex Mex landscape. Obviously influenced by Texans love for steak. It is cattle country, after all.

You certainly get around! If you don't mind my asking, what do you do?
I remember you said in another post that you lived in Playa Del Rey and didn't like it.

Seems like you've lived in every cool city except for Toronto!

[bklynchapin]

Originally Posted by Slauson Rosecranz

BklynChapin, your analogy, like many others posted, is spot on.

Enchiladas do indeed seem to reign supreme in Houston. Burritos in the Bay Area, and tacos and tamales in L.A.

It's really interesting how each city gravitated toward different dishes (as a local 'signature dish').

I would imagine enchiladas are so popular in Texas because of Texans love for Queso. But if that's the case, Burrito Suizo (or Mojado) should be equally big out there. But it doesn't seem to be.

Like the poster above you said, brisket (and LOTS of meat) is also a part of the Tex Mex landscape. Obviously influenced by Texans love for steak. It is cattle country, after all.

You certainly get around! If you don't mind my asking, what do you do?
I remember you said in another post that you lived in Playa Del Rey and didn't like it.

Seems like you've lived in every cool city except for Toronto!

Yeah, I've moved around quite a bit. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, I went to college in the Bay Area and I have moved to LA and now to Austin puposefully seeking a change of pace. I have always worked in educational non-profits. I love New York and will probably end up back there some day, but since I am not married and don't have too many commitments, I have been able to move around a lot. One of the perks is the great food I have been able to try from all over. People always ask me if I miss the food from NY and I definitely do (pizza, canolis, Caribbean), but now I also miss my Cali food (Mexican, Persian, In n' Out) and will definitely miss my Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex if and when I move to the next spot.

[Capt. Dan]

The biggest difference I have noticed is the meat.
The poodle used in California is a gamier tasting.
The Chihuahua used in Texas is rather mild without the celantro!

[bklynchapin]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

The biggest difference I have noticed is the meat.
The poodle used in California is a gamier tasting.
The Chihuahua used in Texas is rather mild without the celantro!

Yeah, the pitbull used in NYC is not authentic at all!

[ditto]

Tex-Mex is 100% pure gringo crap - it shouldn't even be considered Mexican food. ANY recipe that uses ground beef is NOT authentic Mexican food, unless it's something like albóndigas (soup). And this is coming from a white guy.

[Slauson Rosecranz]

Originally Posted by ditto

Tex-Mex is 100% pure gringo crap - it shouldn't even be considered Mexican food. ANY recipe that uses ground beef is NOT authentic Mexican food, unless it's something like albóndigas (soup). And this is coming from a white guy.

But fish tacos, and burritos with french fries in them (Sorry, San Diego) aren't authentic, either.

So does that negate Cal-Mex cuisine?

Ground Beef (Picadillo) IS authentic. Not as popular as carne asada or pollo, but authentic nonetheless.

[imaterry78259]

Santa Fe and San Antonio has the best

[ditto]

Originally Posted by Slauson Rosecranz

But fish tacos, and burritos with french fries in them (Sorry, San Diego) aren't authentic, either.

So does that negate Cal-Mex cuisine?

Ground Beef (Picadillo) IS authentic. Not as popular as carne asada or pollo, but authentic nonetheless.

Ground beef is not authentic. If it was, Taco Bell could possibly be considered authentic Mexican food.