

Ask Americans to describe a taco, and you’ll get a variety of answers—each one more mouthwatering than the previous. You can enjoy a taco with carne asada (sliced grilled beef) and corn tortillas in East Los Angeles. In Dallas, it might be a flour wrap with pit-grilled pork known as al pastor (“shepherd style”). A Memphis taco could come with albondigas (meatballs!) and collard greens. Really?
It’s true. The American love affair with the taco has brought adaptations of the dish across cultures and preferences in the Great American Melting Pot.
José R. Ralat is the Taco Editor (yep, that’s his actual job title) at Texas Monthly. He’s written a book exploring how this simple dish has spread and transformed. Ralat traveled the United States researching the evolution of the taco. He recorded his findings in American Tacos: A History and Guide.
“No one owns the taco,” Ralat says. “It’s a living food, and I wanted to see how it is changing as we change.”
The taco is a creation of “the encounter.” That’s the meeting of Spanish and indigenous American peoples. That meeting led to the corn tortilla coming together with meats, beans, and greens. After the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, some ethnic Mexicans became Mexican Americans. The taco north of the new border evolved based on available resources. One example: The Mexican Americans in Texas had access only to yellow cheese. Switching cheeses gave birth to what we refer to as “Tex-Mex cuisine.”
Next door, isolated New Mexico residents used red and green chiles in their tacos. California’s diverse population added its own flavors. Some tacos there incorporate an Asian palate.
Some taco creators say they try to stay true to traditional taco orthodoxy—but no one seems to agree on just what that is. Ralat says the strongest advocates for original traditions come from Texas, the heart of Mexican Americana. “San Antonio does its best” to remain authentic, Ralat says.
The history sparked Ralat’s interest, but he enjoys the diverse epicurean results. He’s tracked the taco through demographic upheavals and mass migrations. He found Indo-Mex tacos in Houston. There, Indian restaurants offer snack-sized versions with potatoes and curry called aloo tikki tacos. In both Oregon and Florida, he stumbled upon K-Mex tacos with Korean fried chicken or bigeye tuna sashimi. Jewish-influenced kosher tacos exist in Los Angeles, and Brooklyn combined its famous brisket into a green salsa taco. “Deli-Mex” is what some dub that melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
No matter your heritage, there’s a taco for you. “The taco is Mexico’s gift to the world,” Ralat says. “And the world is responding,” with a robust “¡Buen provecho!”
This is Mylee
We have lots of tex mex restaurants here... Taco history it sounds so fun lol. Anyone heard the raining Tacos Song ? I love tacos they are yummy!
London S., I love tacos too!
London S., I love tacos too! :-P
Oops, sorry, my above comment
Oops, sorry, my above comment was to Mylee.
This is Mylee
That’s ok
@ Everyone
i <3 tacos, 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
6th comment P.S. this is Caro
Me three! But the tacos I eat are really simple.. Ground beef(with spices), cheese, and bellpepers, in a hard shell.
Seventh comment
When I have homemade tacos, I like flour tortillas with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes or salsa, and sometimes fried potatoes or grilled onions and bell peppers.
this is London it’s raining tacos from out of the sky
I love tacos they are so good : ) Caro i eat tacos more simple too like ground beef cheese lettuce and sometimes tomatoes.
Yum
I love tacos. Sometimes my family has a taco night. Our tacos have: Soft shell with ground beef and beans, lettuce, tomatoes, limes, onions in lemon juice, cheese, sour cream,and salsa. (I know, that a lot of stuff)
from us both
btw, what curriculum('s) r u all doing 4 school this year? our list is posted below: (it would b cool some of us were doing the same stuff! btw, we're homeschooled :)
Math: Teaching Textbooks
Language Arts: Learning Language Arts Through Literature
History: Sonlight Old World History
Science: Apologia Human Anatomy and Phisology
@Above
I LOVE tacos!! They are one of my favorites! We have a basic homemade taco, with seasoned ground beef, cheese, refried beans (sometimes), sour cream, lettuce, cilantro, and if we have it, tomatoes, salsa, or guacamole. That is interesting that he wrote a whole book on it!
Toño's Tacos
I eats tacos at the mall that has a theater where I saw the Star wars sequel trilogy.
The tacos are SO good!! Try Toño's Tacos!!!!!!!!!!!!
YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
\––/
I <3 tacos!!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
My Taco
My tacos are extremely simple, but extremely healthy.
My brother goes fishing, and catches a great northern pike. My mom fries up the fish, and pulls the meat off the bones. then she sets out cheese and tomatoes and lettuce. the fish is salted, and my personal favorite ay to have it is a corn tortilla, little fish, lots of cheese, lettuce topping it off. MMMMMMMM
FISH TACOS ARE THE BEST!
My Taco
My tacos are extremely simple, but extremely healthy.
My brother goes fishing, and catches a great northern pike. My mom fries up the fish, and pulls the meat off the bones. then she sets out cheese and tomatoes and lettuce. the fish is salted, and my personal favorite ay to have it is a corn tortilla, little fish, lots of cheese, lettuce topping it off. MMMMMMMM
FISH TACOS ARE THE BEST!
My sister who does WORLDKids likes tacos.
My sister who does WORLDKids likes tacos from a place called Taco Bell.