Everything You Know About Mexican Food Is A Lie

Nachos aren’t considered Mexican food — and neither are chimichangas, fajitas, burritos, queso amarillo, refried beans, or cheese enchiladas.

“Tex-Mex is often confused for Mexican cuisine,” explained chef Saul Montiel of Cantina Rooftop and Cantina 48. “I don’t know everything about Mexican food, but I know a lot because I was born and raised in Atotonilco El Grande, Hidalgo. Next to my grandma and my mom, always in the kitchen.”

According to Montiel, people’s perception of Mexican food is very different from actual authentic Mexican food. Nothing from Taco Bell (which was named the number one Mexican restaurant in the country in a recent national survey) resembles actual food eaten in Mexico.

“I think what Taco Bell is doing and some other brands are taking Mexican and commercializing it and that’s ok, but at the same time we are losing our history, we’re losing our culture, we’re losing who we are as Mexican cuisine,” he explained. “You know, besides those hard-shell tacos, go and order a gordita with burrata. In our menu we have gordita with burrata and heirloom tomatoes, so it’s old school and new school, but don’t be afraid, nothing is going to happen. If you don’t like, it, you send it back.”