HOW TO TELL THE

DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN TEX-

MEX AND REAL

MEXICAN FOOD

BY RULO LUNA

OCTOBER 5, 2015

Photo: Stefan Andrej Shambora

1. The yellowness of your cheese is an indicator of the Tex-mex-ness of your food.

This is perhaps one of the most obvious distinctions between both cuisines. Mexican food favours white cheese, to the point Mexicans associate yellow cheese with gringo-style fast food. Believe it or not, nachos are not considered Mexican anywhere in Mexico.

2. Tacos in Mexico are made with soft tortillas.

The only exception to the rule are flautas (fried tortillas filled with cheese, chicken or mashed potatoes), but that’s the reason we call them flautas and not tacos! Taco shells are practically unknown throughout Mexican territory and most Mexicans will laugh out loud at the idea of using those things in their everyday meals. I mean, taco shells are cool and everything, but they’re…