Mexicali (Mexicalli)
"Mexicali" (much less frequently spelled "Mexicalli") is from the names "Mexico" and "California." There is a town in Baja California (Mexico) called…
Buildings/Housing/Parks
Mexican Banana Split
A "Mexican banana split" is a traditional banana split with Mexican elements added, such as Kahlua sauce and cajeta. "Mexican Banana Split" is on the menu of the Adobo Grill…
Mexican Brownie
A "Mexican brownie" is a chocolate brownie. There is no standard recipe for a "Mexican brownie" and some food authors (see the 1997 citation below) question if there really is…
Mexican Caviar (ant larvae or escamoles)
Caviar is the processed, salted roe of fish (usually sturgeon). "Mexican caviar" is a nickname that has been applied to insect eggs in Mexico that resemble and that eaten similar to…
Mexican Caviar (huitlacoche or corn smut)
Huitlacoche (also spelled "cuitlacoche") is a corn fungus (corn smut) that has long been popular in Mexican cuisine. In the 1980s, huitlacoche began to be introduced into American…
Mexican Chocolate or Mexican Hot Chocolate (and “molinillo” or “little mill”)
Mexican chocolate (or "Mexican hot chocolate") has been served in the Americas since before Europeans arrived. Mexican hot chocolate is a popular treat in Texas (especially San Antonio…
Mexican Combination Plate
Miguel Martinez supposedly invented the "Mexican combination plate" at his Dallas "El Fenix" restaurant, some time in the 1920s or 1930s. A combination plate might feature…
Mexican Cranberries (cranberries + jalapeños)
"Mexican Cranberries" is a name given to a dish of cranberry sauce, with jalapeño pepper jelly and cilantro. The recipe appears to have originated in Southern Living magazine in the…
Mexican Day Parade
The Mexican Day Parade (or Mexican Independence Parade) celebrates Mexico's independence from Spain. The parade began in the 1990s. New York City has seen a large increase in immigrants from…
Mexican Eggs Benedict
"Mexican Eggs Benedict" is a popular dish at Trudy's (Austin, TX) and Dos Caminos (New York, NY). "Eggs Benedict" is a classic dish of poached eggs placed on a slice of ham…
Mexican Food Shit (Mexican Shits; Taco Shits; Screamers)
Mexican food has resulted in some scatalogical language, such as "Mexican food shit" or "Mexican shits," "Mexican food poop," "Mexican food poo," "taco…
Mexican Pizza
Italian pizza became a popular American dish following World War II. By the 1950s, several restaurants began to serve "Mexican pizza." Matt's El Rancho (established 1952 in Austin)…
Mexican Po’boy Sandwich or Mexican Poor Boy Sandwich (Torta)
A "torta" is a Mexican sandwich, noted for its crusty white sandwich roll and overstuffed ingredients. New Orleans calls its version of a stuffed sandwich a "po'boy…
Mexican Polka (Conjunto)
"Mexican Polka" is another name for the accordian-driven music of conjunto. Polka: History of DancePolkaPolka is defined as a vivacious couple dance of Bohemian origin in duple time; was…
Mexican Potato (jicama nickname)
The jicama has been called a “Mexican potato” since at least 1972; jicamas became popular in the United States since the early 1970s. The bulbous root vegetable is a member of the legume family…
Mexican Rice
Mexican rice is served with many Tex-Mex dishes, although rice is not native to Mexico. Some recipes include tomato paste with the rice, while other include chiles and onions. The term…
Mexican Roadblock (Mexican Road Block)
A "Mexican roadblock" (or "Mexican road block") is when two cars travel at the same speed on both lanes of a two-lane highway (or three cars on a three-lane highway, etc.). This…
Mexican Standoff
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Mexican standoffMexican standoff is a strategic deadlock or impasse, in which no party can act in a way that ensures victory. OriginsThe phrase came into usage…
Mexican Straw Hat (similar to Frito pie)
"Mexican straw hat” is a recipe that’s similar to Frito pie. It contains corn chips (Fritos), plus beef, cheese, and more. The recipe dates from the 1960s. "Mexican straw hat" is…
Mexican Truffle or Mexican Corn Truffle (huitlacoche or corn smut)
Huitlacoche (also spelled "cuitlacoche") is a corn fungus (corn smut) that has long been popular in Mexican cuisine. In the 1980s, huitlacoche began to be introduced into American…