THIS is great information folks, in the next month or so I would like to summarize everyone's choices, maybe it could be a guide for those traveling to games starting this fall. I ALWAYS want to know the best MX place in any locale. That said, it would be helpful if everyone could distinguish the Categories being discussed, then your favorites can be understood in perspective. I would like to suggest the following categories:
TexMex - The hybrid most Texans were introduced to sometime during their childhood. Most true TexMex is likely not good for you due to the presence of saturated fats (Lard, Cheeses, etc.) in large quantities. However, this category is the equivalent, to most of us, of your Grandmother's cooking or Southern Comfort Food. Every so often, you just gotta have it! So in this category, comfort, familiarity and atmosphere are likely more of an influence that actual taste, authenticity or originality. Also, TexMex is almost NEVER available anywhere in Mexico. And the word "Favorite" is HIGHLY subjective!
Regional Mexican - This is a difficult category, because most Texans (myself included) have not traveled extensively South of the Border and therefore not tasted the Regional Cuisines from which all Mexican Recipes are derived. There are also influences from Cuba, the Islands and Countries further south than the highly diverse (just like the USA) country of Mexico. However, I truly believe that this category represents not only the MOST authentic Mexican Cuisine but the best tasting, freshest, most original and healthiest.
Southwestern (Mexican) Cuisine - This is a US based Category, representing regional diversities created by the rich history of Mexican cultures that either settled (prior to the Civil War) the Southwestern US or emigrated to the newly formed states of New Mexico, Arizona and California. There are serious local and regional distinctions. And I suspect (hope) many Texans have had the pleasure of tasting a True New Mexico Green Chile Pork Stew or a bowl of Posole (Pozole, actually a Pueblo Indian Dish) made with Northern New Mexico (preferably Chimayo) Red Chile Powder.
Mexican (US Based) Chains or Fast Food (Franchise) Mexican Restaurants - This is where the Great Tragedies of the world of Mexican Food are cleverly created. In this atmosphere cost control, speed, marketing and familiarity of taste reign supreme. Sadly, many children were introduced to this wrapper disguised slop before they had the comforting pleasures of your local Mom and Pop Tex Mex Restaurant. Shame on you parents who took your kiddos to Taco Bell before a local Tex Mex place. It could take years of training, even therapy, to work their taste up to the level of Tex Mex, the next rung up on the MX Food chain. I will stop before I admit how I REALLY feel about Mexican Fast Food Restaurants!!! Still, somewhere in here there are SOME good dishes (like Chango's in Austin).
Hybrid MX or Southwestern Nouvelle Cuisine - MORE Tragedy at the other end of the taste pretension (and cost!) ladder. Hybridized versions of dishes created with lots of seemingly trendy sauces or "drizzles". The word "Aoli" is used a lot here, and at least three combinations of things that sound way cool to the uninitiated are always present on the menu. The white tablecloth of the world of Mexican Food in Texas, and usually available only in the trendier areas of larger Texas cities. Despite the pretension, there are some darn good dishes cleverly hidden among the confusing descriptions, but I expect not too many of these places will be on anyone's radar. Unless you happen to have the misfortune of living in Dallas or Houston or (like me) Austin!
ONE LAST CATEGORY - Breakfast Tacos - This is an animal unto itself, and neither Darwinists or Creationists can explain the true origins. Although I'll bet my best gimmie cap that both camps will argue incessantly about the veracity of the other's theories. I have no idea where they came from, but I cannot live without them. Some people now say that Austin is also the Breakfast Taco Capitol of the world. Any takers? Please include your BT favorites here, I really wanna know. And I'll bet you do too!
I hope I have inspired some of you to categorize your faves, I would love to make a summary for the common consumption of all Devoted Six Man Fans who travel and are curious about those local culinary gems many of us know nothing about. Thanks in advance - ALAN
