L.A. Foodies who've spent time in Texas, what's the difference between Cali and Texas Mexican food? (Los Angeles: live in, prices)

[katenik]

Originally Posted by motoman

Yes, they are very different. Not necessarily better or worse than the other, it just comes down to what you prefer. Perhaps because I grew up on the stuff I prefer Tex-Mex hands down. But had I grown up in LA I might think differently.

In LA was the first time I ever had a soft tortilla taco, like from the taco trucks. They don't have those in Tex-Mex. I am not saying you can't find them in Texas, but it isn't something that is served in a restaurant. I'm sure you can get them from a taco truck though.

Even something as simple as enchiladas are totally different. Tex-Mex enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, whereas those in LA are typically flour. Even the cheeses used are different.

The Herrera's restaurant I love in Dallas has the best ground beef I have ever had anywhere. I can't remember the Spanish name for it. But I think it's ground beef with corn meal and spices. It has an amazing flavor. I haven't run into anything like it anywhere else.

where did you have enchiladas made with flour tortillas?

[motoman]

Originally Posted by katenik

where did you have enchiladas made with flour tortillas?

I don't remember actually. I've stopped getting enchiladas for the most part because I haven't been able to find any good ones out here. It's been a while.

[califantastic]

Mexican food in CA is vastly superior to what you get in TX. I lived in Dallas for a short time, went to tons of Mexican restaurants. I found a very good one but the vast majority were terrible compared to what you can get in CA.

[the one]

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CALI MEX!!!! seriously, you cant compare. and i think LA has a greater variety of mexican places. you have DF places, oaxaca places, tortas GDL style. it is more authentic. and flour tortillas for enchiladas is blasphemous!!! who does that? i do agree that there are a lot of marisco places in LA. even trucks that offer mariscos. thats the diversity that LA has. all of mexican cuisine, from high cuisine fusions to veracruz style fish. LA hands down.

[shannon94]

Originally Posted by Claire_F

Carne Guisada is like a stew. Carne Asada is usually grilled. There's a difference.

I don't know about the rest of Texas, but in Houston, Carne Asada is probably similar to Tacos Al Carbon, or fajitas.

NO...lol...carne asada is not like fajitas!! I can get fajitas anywhere....

[mrdave]

I've lived in California my whole life and only visited Texas a few times. The only difference I've noticed is that the meat in Texas is fresher and tastier. Maybe the cattle have more room to graze and that keeps them healthier. I've seen cattle housed up in small quarters up the I-5 near Bakersfield and Fresno. I think that makes a difference.

As far as the rest of the spices and ingredients, I've tasted a huge variety of Mexican food here in the L.A. basin and some good food in Houston and Dallas. Quality-wise, I don't think Tex-Mex could be much better than what I've already tried here in Cali.

Oh, by the way, Ensenada style fish tacos and burritos are excellent when made well.......Taco Nazo in South El Monte rules!

[Burbankhotty]

The only thing I miss about Texas is the chicken friend steak, and biskits and, whats that stuff??? Gravy? Right gravy.....I miss that stuff.

[Arbutus]

Originally Posted by ibarrio

It is different. Tex-Mex is tastier then Cal-Mex. Of Course New Mexican trumps all and there is nothing close to New Mexican in Cali.

And I say thats a good thing! I have been served food in New Mexico that was too caliente to eat. (However, those sopaipillas in Albuquerque were magnificent)

There are a few wonderful Mexican restaurants in LA/Orange County area. There are MANY poor ones. Same for Texas. We had a really awful meal in Amarillo one afternoon. The waitress was smoking a cigarette as she plunked our plates in front of us. Now, the food in San Antonio was a treat!

[SnappyBob]

Carne Guisada is chunks of beef stewed in a rather thick gravy. Carne Asada is almost the same thing but the gravy is thinner or more watery. Both very good.

[Claire_F]

Originally Posted by shannon94

NO...lol...carne asada is not like fajitas!! I can get fajitas anywhere....

Carne Asada literally translates to "roasted meat." I've eaten Mexican food all my life, and everywhere I've been, Carne Asada is grilled meat - either sliced, or served as a steak.

Carne Asada

Carne Asada

Carne Asada (http://www.tacosalad.com/recipes/recipe.asp?recipeid=18 - broken link)