Is there authentic Mexican food in Texas? (Houston, Dallas: movies, vs)

[madrone2k]

You brought up one thing I've always wondered about: why do we (in Texas) have so many mediocre taquerías compared to Mexico, when the main clientele in both places seem to be working-class people? Or am I missing something? Do working-class immigrants here settle for less or is it just because they didn't experience the best in their home country?

In thinking about that, perhaps the best taquería I've been to is (or was) located near the US Embassy in a nice Mexico City neighborhood that I guess has a lot of affluent professional people. I dunno how much difference that demographic makes. I could think of examples involving other kinds of food, but I'll stop.

I've certainly had bad food, for instance in touristy parts of places like San Miguel de Allende. Also, great food. But, it does seem to help to have locals to guide one.

I guess I got spoiled early, since I visited such places in the 80s and 90s. I apologize to all the people who want to tout their city or state, but I haven't found many places here that reach that level of goodness. I do read here from Californians that want to crow about how good their Mexican food is. I travel there often and I'm open to being convinced, but from what I've tried out there, I'm not super-convinced either.

[Campeador]

Originally Posted by madrone2k

You brought up one thing I've always wondered about: why do we (in Texas) have so many mediocre taquerías compared to Mexico, when the main clientele in both places seem to be working-class people? Or am I missing something? Do working-class immigrants here settle for less or is it just because they didn't experience the best in their home country?

In thinking about that, perhaps the best taquería I've been to is (or was) located near the US Embassy in a nice Mexico City neighborhood that I guess has a lot of affluent professional people. I dunno how much difference that demographic makes. I could think of examples involving other kinds of food, but I'll stop.

I've certainly had bad food, for instance in touristy parts of places like San Miguel de Allende. Also, great food. But, it does seem to help to have locals to guide one.

I guess I got spoiled early, since I visited such places in the 80s and 90s. I apologize to all the people who want to tout their city or state, but I haven't found many places here that reach that level of goodness. I do read here from Californians that want to crow about how good their Mexican food is. I travel there often and I'm open to being convinced, but from what I've tried out there, I'm not super-convinced either.

For one, in Mexico City, Taquerías aren't just for blue collar folks, and there is a wide range of levels. In the early 2000s I remember some places had 1 peso tacos. The decent places were more like 5 pesos or more. IMO, there's a noticeable difference between taquerías in provincial Mexico (anywhere outside of DF) and in the Distrito itself. Even in Oaxaca, we never found tacos al pastor that we loved, it was more of a DF thing. That may have changed in the past 15 years, but I suspect it's mostly true. Folks from Provincia will argue with that, but any chilango worth his/her salt will know that it's true.

I think the Mexican food here in TX reflects the cuisine of the majority of folks that feel the need to flee their homeland in search of a better life. It's country peasant food; simple, straightforward and often hearty fare. It's quite different from what you'll find in the nicer places in the interior of Mexico.

[mingna]

[quote=Campeador;52947306]For one, in Mexico City, Taquerías aren't just for blue collar folks, and there is a wide range of levels. In the early 2000s I remember some places had 1 peso tacos. The decent places were more like 5 pesos or more. IMO, there's a noticeable difference between taquerías in provincial Mexico (anywhere outside of DF) and in the Distrito itself. Even in Oaxaca, we never found tacos al pastor that we loved, it was more of a DF thing. That may have changed in the past 15 years, but I suspect it's mostly true. Folks from Provincia will argue with that, but any chilango worth his/her salt will know that it's true.

I think the Mexican food here in TX reflects the cuisine of the majority of folks that feel the need to flee their homeland in search of a better life. It's country peasant food; simple, straightforward and often hearty fare. It's quite different from what you'll find in the nicer places in the interior of Mexico.[/QUOTE]



If you or your wife are ever in Houston, I recommend a visit to Xochi, an upscale Oaxacan-style restaurant. The same owner also operates Hugo's, another upscale and inventive place that has a wider variety of regional Mexican dishes, including a tasty chapulines-accented dish.

Then let us know what y'all think...

[Campeador]

[quote=mingna;52950490]

Originally Posted by Campeador

For one, in Mexico City, Taquerías aren't just for blue collar folks, and there is a wide range of levels. In the early 2000s I remember some places had 1 peso tacos. The decent places were more like 5 pesos or more. IMO, there's a noticeable difference between taquerías in provincial Mexico (anywhere outside of DF) and in the Distrito itself. Even in Oaxaca, we never found tacos al pastor that we loved, it was more of a DF thing. That may have changed in the past 15 years, but I suspect it's mostly true. Folks from Provincia will argue with that, but any chilango worth his/her salt will know that it's true.

I think the Mexican food here in TX reflects the cuisine of the majority of folks that feel the need to flee their homeland in search of a better life. It's country peasant food; simple, straightforward and often hearty fare. It's quite different from what you'll find in the nicer places in the interior of Mexico.[/QUOTE]



If you or your wife are ever in Houston, I recommend a visit to Xochi, an upscale Oaxacan-style restaurant. The same owner also operates Hugo's, another upscale and inventive place that has a wider variety of regional Mexican dishes, including a tasty chapulines-accented dish.

Then let us know what y'all think...

Will do, thanks for the tip!

Fonda San Miguel in Austin is fantastic, BTW. Not only is the food really good and faithful to interior Mexican cuisine, but the overall ambiance nails it too.

[River City Rocky]

Does anyone know of any good authentic Mexican restaurants in San Antonio?

[madrone2k]

Paloma Blanca is one SA place you could consider. I haven't been there enough to compare it to Fonda San Miguel in Austin, but it's nice. I've been disappointed in many other places in SA that are hyped. In Houston (where I live) I tend to like Pico's, Las Alamedas, and Merida. I also go often to La Tapatia, but I don't consider the food to be exemplary (but, it's cheap and my friends like the food there). Los Cucos is another place like that, and I think the carnitas there are not bad (although there are grocery stores here that sell much better cooked carnitas). I don't think they are in Austin or SA, but they are in Seguin, New Braunfels, and Waco.

A lot of people have different tastes that me, and I respect that. But, these are some that I enjoy.

As an aside, I get turned off by places in which I see roaches crawling up the walls of the dining room. That includes Hugo's and Chuy's (the oldest Houston location). I've been to Xochi and Caracol (both associated with Hugo Ortega) and enjoyed them a lot, plus didn't see roaches.

None of the ones I mentioned portray themselves as being Tex-Mex, but can I enjoy that genre also, when it's well-executed. Yellow-cheese enchiladas with chili gravy can be delicious, even though I've never seen them in Mexico.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by River City Rocky

Does anyone know of any good authentic Mexican restaurants in San Antonio?

I live on the South Side by lots of blue collar Mexican joints. I make no claim to knowing what’s authentic or not but my favorite is Taqueria Nuevo Vallarta at Roosevelt and Military.

My favorite Mexican restaurant overall is the Mexico Steak House in Bridgeport on the South Side of Chicago, you know that joint? I’ve seen you post on the Chitown forum.

[River City Rocky]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I live on the South Side by lots of blue collar Mexican joints. I make no claim to knowing what’s authentic or not but my favorite is Taqueria Nuevo Vallarta at Roosevelt and Military.

My favorite Mexican restaurant overall is the Mexico Steak House in Bridgeport on the South Side of Chicago, you know that joint? I’ve seen you post on the Chitown forum.

Yes I know what you mean, I stay on the West side and there on tons of Mexican spots but most of them seem to have the same types of food. I was wondering if anyone knew of one that was more interior Mexican food.

My favorite Mexican places are las islas Marías and El DF off culebra rd.

Ive never been to Chicago but when I go I'll checc it out.

[madrone2k]

I've heard talk of Chicago having some good Mexican food, on the "authentic" side. It's a bit surprising, and I haven't tried it there yet.

I'll repeat something I said before, everyone is entitled to like the things they like. Be it fajitas/arracheras, enchiladas of various kinds, sopes, moles, quesadillas. There are are also a lot of dishes that might fall more in the category of fancy cuisine (I guess moles could be in that category also).

We've already touched on the idea that not everybody from Mexico has the same tastes. I would say, though it's not a rule, that many affluent Mexicans who come here -- or even have 2nd homes here -- never eat at any of the places we've discussed, whether humble of fancy. My neighbors are like that ... they don't come to the US expecting authentic Mexican food. They eat out, but they don't go to places that are labeled Tex-Mex or Interior Mexican or anything like that.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by madrone2k

I've heard talk of Chicago having some good Mexican food, on the "authentic" side. It's a bit surprising, and I haven't tried it there yet.

Lots of Mexicans in Chicago, lots. There are now more taco stands in the city than hot dog and Italian beef stands. What might surprise you is hearing Mexicans talking with a Chicago “da Bears” accent.