In the ‘90s, fajitas were an iconic food trend and salsa dethroned ketchup as the number one condiment in America. More than 20 years have passed and yet, Mexican food is still everywhere-from tacos and burritos in food trucks to nachos on appetizer menus of almost every restaurant in the country.
If you’re wondering how the American love-affair with Mexican food, began, read on.
Close To Home
America’s fascination with Mexican food started largely because of the Mexican Revolution. At that time, many Mexican refugees fled their civil war-torn land and sought a home in the US, being the nearest country to Mexico. While in America, many of these immigrants continued to cook and serve their local dishes to their families to keep their culture intact, as well as for nostalgia’s sake. Some of them even started selling tortillas and other Mexican food in their neighborhood for a living.
In the 1920s, small Mexican restaurants or cantinas sprung up in Texas and Southern California. From then on, the popularity of chili, fajitas, tacos, tortillas, and enchiladas spread to other parts of the country, much to the delight of Americans who wanted to try authentic Mexican cuisine.
Giving Birth To Tex-Mex
Indeed, Mexican cuisine has become highly influential in shaping the American food culture. This influence, in fact, is what birthed Tex-Mex-a delightful fusion of northern Mexico food and Southwestern Texas cooking style and elements. With an interesting and relatable mix of flavors, Tex-Mex has become a solid part of the American food scene. Today, several fast-food chain restaurants serve Tex-Mex food and grocery shelves are laden with ready-to-cook Tex-Mex food products.
The United States is a melting pot of different cultures-and Mexican cuisine has become an important ingredient in this pot. It has found its way into the daily eating habits of Americans; for that, it’s safe to say that this American’s love affair with Mexican food will continue for years to come.
If you’re now craving a bite of a burrito or a plate of sizzling fajitas, visit our Mexican restaurant in Springfield today.
