Reddit mentions of Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America

My Japanese cars were made in America, you laptop may have been designed in America and made in China. You’re “Mexican” food is American food.
https://www.amazon.com/Taco-USA-Mexican-Conquered-America/dp/1439148627

Taco U.S.A.: How Mexican Food Conquered America by Gustavo Arellano is a great read which does cover both the history of food in Mexico from the origins of corn cultivation through the Spanish arrival and then focuses on its deep integration into American culture. The author is a highly respected Mexican-American food writer with a whole lot of unique insights on Mexican food's past, present & future. Essential reading, IMO.

Having grown up near Los Angeles, I've come to deeply appreciate the different styles of Mexican cuisine that are present in the city. Over the years, it simply became unfair to lump all food that had semblance to Mexican cuisine into one category, so there was a movement that began a few years ago with acclaimed food writer Bill Esparza and legendary food critic Jonathan Gold to distinguish the various styles from each state in Mexico in the city. There was also a new style of Mexican that emerged over the years in L.A. called Alta California that was a sort of haute cuisine approach to Mexican cuisine. When it comes to "Mexican food chains", I definitely feel they have their place, but it comes back to the notion of lumping these chains into one generic category, which many people unfortunately do. That's my one issue with even mentioning the word "Mexican" to describe the food sold in these spots.

For further research, I recommend a few sources:

Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America by Gustavo Arellano

L.A. Mexicano by Bill Esparza

The Migrant Kitchen, S2, E1: Alta California

Course text: Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America by Gustavo Arellano.

Mexican food is the drug more addictive than meth or cocaine.

Wow, you're so wrong that you managed to piss off both Gustavo Arellano and Rick Bayless in one sentence. That's a pretty big feat.