All About Traditional Mexican Food

While there are many types of restaurants that serve culinary favorites from all over the world, traditional Mexican food is usually a little different than those you would find in an American eatery.  Many different types of cuisine end up with more and more influence from the country that they are being served in and less influence from the country of origin.  This is the case with this type of menu.  While the menu served here in the United States is really good cuisine, there are differences to be noted.

Just like in any other nation, traditional Mexican food will vary depending on what part of the country you are visiting.  For instance, in the northern part of the country many people relish the recipe for Carne Asada which is a thin beef that is grilled.  In the central part of the country, Pozole and Menudo are part of the everyday fare.  Conchinita Pibil, which is a pork dish, is a favorite for those who come from the southern part of the country.  

Unlike most of the restaurants in the United States, most of this country’s culinary menu, such as tacos, does not feature cheese as part of the dish, and they generally use the soft taco shells instead of the hard ones that most people are familiar with in this country. 

Because the country is known for its ostrich and goat farms, these meats are used in many of the traditional Mexican food dishes, unlike here in the States.  Chicken is used for a lot of the dishes prepared in the U.S., as are many different types of seafood.  It is also possible within the country of origin to find recipes that include other types of meat such as iguana, snake, spider monkey, insects, and even corn fungus, along with deer meet.  However, north of the border restaurants tend to substitute all meats with either strips of beef, chicken or hamburger, especially in establishments that are considered fast serve varieties. 

As one travels from the northern part of the country to the southern part and all points in between, the cuisine will differ because many dishes are made from spices, animals, vegetables and other ingredients that are indigenous to the region.  Some ingredients are found throughout the country such as avocado, guava, peppers and pineapple.  Many areas throughout the world hand down recipes from generation to generation that are derived from the ingredients that were plentiful and abundant to the area.

Traditional Mexican food is often very spicy and very different than the milder dishes that are available in the United States and other areas where these restaurants have begun to do business.  It tends to be very colorful and flavorful. 

Most people would agree that the best place to taste the closest relative to traditional Mexican food would be close to the southern border of the United States.  Many of these states have expats who have brought their culinary magic with them from their country to offer in their restaurants for the dining pleasure of those who have never had the pleasure of visiting their country.