Leche Quemada (Burnt Milk Candy)
Leche Quemada (Spanish for "burnt milk") is a popular Mexican caramel-like candy that has a long history in Texas. Pecan halves are usually added to evaporated milk and sugar (or corn…
Dulce de Leche
Dulce de leche (Spanish for "sweet milk") is a product of 19th-century Argentina that quickly became popular throughout all of Latin America. The caramel-like taste can be found in…
“The New York Idea”
The New York Idea is the title of a 1906 play by Langdon Mitchell (1862-1935). The comedy about marriage included the line: "Marry for whim! That's the New York idea of marriage."…
Bien Me Sabe or Bienmesabe (“Tastes good to me” spongecake with coconut cream)
"Bien me Sabe" or "bienmesabe" (Spanish for "tastes good to me") is a term given to several foods across several cultures. Most frequently, "Bien me Sabe" is…
Chimichurri (Dominican Chimichurri Burger; Chimi Truck)
"Chimichurri" is a spicy sauce usually containing parsley, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, onion, vinegar and olive oil. The Argentine sauce is supposedly named after an Englishman named…
Mexicatessen (Mexican + Delicatessen)
"Mexicatessen" appears in the names of several restaurants, an obvious blend of the words "Mexican" and "delicatessen." Houston's famous Herrera's…
Curtido (Salvadoran Cabbage Salad)
"Curtido" (from the Spanish encurtir, "to pickle") is a Salvadoran cabbage salad that's served with pupusas, the popular national dish. Curtido is usually made with…
Pelado
"Pelado" means "to peel." Pelados were the shirtless of Mexico, the underclass. The slang term has been used frequently in parts of Texas, especially along the border.…
Taquito
"Taquitos" are rolled tacos. A taquito is a tortilla (corn or flour) with a filling (usually chicken or beef) that is deep-fried. Taquitos often have cheese, lettuce, guacamole, sour…
Flauta
"Flautas" (flutes) are rolled tortillas (either flour or corn) with a filling (usually chicken or beef) that is deep-fried. Flautas often have cheese, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and…
Flaquito
What is a "flaquito" (little skinny one)? And how is it any different from a "flauta" (flute") or a "taquito"? A "flaquito" is a flour tortilla rolled…
“The Lower Rio Grande Valley is a great place to live—it’s so close to the United States”
The Lower Rio Grande Valley is heavily influenced by Mexico. A current joke is: "The Lower Rio Grande Valley is a great place to live. It's so close to the United States." The joke…
Bolillo (Mexican bread)
"Bolillo" is a Mexican bread that's similar to French bread. The name "bolillo" means bobbin or spindle, and a short rolling pin used to make the bread also is called a…
Telera (Mexican flat bread)
"Telera" (sometimes misspelled "Talera," and often given in plural as "Teleras") is a Mexican bread popularly used for "tortas" (submarine sandwiches). It is…
Piloncillo (Mexican Brown Sugar)
Piloncillo is unrefined brown sugar from Mexico that comes in a small conical shape. Piloncillo is served in drinks such as Cafe de Olla and champurrado., and the sugar can also be used in moles…
Champurrado
Champurrado is a thick, hot Mexican drink, usually consisting of masa harina (hominy flour), piloncillo (or brown sugar or molasses), milk, and Mexican chocolate. Champurrado is a bit stronger and…
Big Taco (summary)
Los Angeles was briefly called "the Big Taco" by one California political writer in 1975, when both Los Angeles and New York City were competing for the 1976 Democratic National…
1920s Vaudeville/Ragtime “Big Apple” Citations
The Chicago (IL) Defender is an African-American publication that has a national circulation. "Ragtime" Billy Tucker (a vaudeville/ragtime performer) wrote for the Defender from Los…
Buñuelos
Buñuelos are fritters (dough rolled out like a tortilla, then deep-fried and covered with sugar and cinnamon) that have been cited in Spain from at least the 1700s. Buñuelos have been served on…
Churros (Spanish fritters or doughnuts)
Churros are neither Texas nor Mexican, but have become associated with both cuisines and are sometimes served as a Tex-Mex dessert. Churros are fried dough, usually stretched into a long string and…