Vitamin G (grease)
"Vitamin G" (grease) is the essential ingredient in some fast food restaurants, used in making many fried foods. John Kelso of the Austin (TX) American-Statesman used the term…
Vitamin T (tequila and/or tortillas, tacos, tamales, tostadas, tortas, tlacoyos, tlayudas)
"Vitamin T" has long been a humorous nickname for "tequila." Many Mexican dishes begin with the letter "T," and "Vitamin T" has come to mean the Mexican (and…
Tlayuda or Clayuda (Oaxacan “Mexican pizza”)
Tlayuda (also spelled "clayuda") is a specialty of Oaxaca, Mexico. Tlayuda/clayuda refers to a large corn tortilla, but it also refers to that same tortilla when topped with beans,…
Biscochitos or Bizcochitos (anise seed cookies)
Biscochitos (or "bizcochitos") are anise seed cookies, often made into a fleur-de-lis shape. In 1989, bizcochitos were named the official state cookie of New Mexico. Biscochos (Spanish…
Stacked Enchiladas (Enchiladas Chatas) or Mounted Enchiladas (Enchiladas Montadas)
Most enchiladas in Texas are rolled, but New Mexico is famous for its stacked enchiladas, resembling stacked pancakes. Stacked enchiladas (enchiladas chatas) are also a specialty of Sonora, Mexico.…
Gringa (tacos al pastor; salsa gringa)
A "gringa" is a female "gringo," a nickname for an Anglo. The "gringa" taco began probably as El Fogoncito (Mexico City) states on its website. (See below.) Two…
Botana (Botana Platter/Botanas Platter; Botana Plate/Botanas Plate)
Botanas (also called "antojitos") are appetizers or snacks. A "botana platter" or "botanas platter" (also called a "botana plate" or "botanas…
Garnachas
Garnachas are antojitos (appetizers or snacks) that are almost identical to gorditas. Garnachas are simply stuffed corn tortillas. "Garnachas" are cited in English from 1888. Glossary -…
Frankenfence (border wall nickname)
"Frankenfence" is a nickname for the border wall (actual and proposed) between the United States and Mexico. The nickname was popularized in 2007-2008 articles in the Austin (TX)…
Molotes (Oaxacan “cigars”)
Molotes ("cigars") is popular dish of Oaxaca, Mexico, consisting of corn masa for tortillas and usually filled with chorizo and potato. The antojito (appetizer or snack) slowly entered…
Mollete
Molletes (Spanish for "cheeks") were originally soft round white bread served in Spain. In Mexico, however, molletes are bolillos (similar to French bread) made into an open-face sandwich…
Cajeta
Cajeta (a caramel-like thick, dark syrup or paste) is Mexico's answer to Argentina's dulce de leche. Cajeta is traditionally made with goat's milk, while dulce de leche uses…
Salbutes
Salbutes and panuchos are popular antojitos (appetizers or snacks) in the Yucatan area of Mexico. Salbutes are small, thick tortillas, deep-fried, and then topped with shredded meat and vegetables.…
“Texas does not…simply have indigenous dishes. It proclaims them” (Alistair Cooke)
Alistair Cooke (1908-2004) was a British journalist who had a popular series about America on public broadcasting stations in the 1970s. He wrote numerous books and columns about America, educating…
Larrupin’ (Larruping; Larapin; Larapen; Larepin)
"Larrupin'" (also spelled various ways, such as "larruping" or "larapin" or "larapen" or "larepin") originally meant a good, sound beating,…
Tlacoyo
Tlacoyos are antojitos (appetizers or snacks) that are popular in Mexico, but have been cited in restaurants in the United States since only the 1990s. "Tlacoyo" is from the Nahuatl words…
Huaraches (sandal- or shoe-shaped Mexican appetizers)
Huaraches (Spanish for "sandals" or "shoes") are thick, oval-shaped corn tortillas, often topped with meat, cheese, beans, and cooked cactus leaves. The name…
Antojitos (“little whims” or Mexican appetizers/snacks)
Antojitos (Spanish for "little whims" or "little cravings") are usually fried snacks containing masa, such as tostadas, tacos, tamales, and quesadillas. The term…
Gordita
"Gordita" is Spanish for "little fat one." Taco Bell popularized the gordita when it introduced its "Gordita Supreme" in 1997, but the word "gordita" has…
“Some folks look at me and see swagger, which in Texas is called ‘walking’” (George W. Bush)
George W. Bush accepted the Republican nomination for president in September 2004 in New York City, stating: "Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called…