What the heck is Tex-Mex?

Coming from a half-Hispanic background, I grew up eating delicious Mexican food made by my mom and grandmother. I never thought twice about the dishes they prepared until I started dating my boyfriend, who is from New Mexico. When I met him here at UT Austin, I realized that we had very different ideas about what "Mexican food" meant.

The only place I've been in Mexico is Cancun, and the food I ate there hardly counts at "authentic" Mexican dishes. I think that Texas has great Mexican food, but after eating the same dishes in different states and areas of Texas, I realized that what I always thought was just Mexican food is indeed, Tex-Mex.

So what is Tex-Mex, and who came up with it? The term "Tex-Mex" first appeared in the 1940s, and according to historians, it commonly described anything that was influenced by or derived from both Texas and Mexico. (Seems obvious enough, right?)

Some Americanized dishes that are often found in Tex-Mex eateries include Texas-style chile con carne, fajitas, a heavy use of melted cheese, and different flavors and spices in traditional dishes like rice and beans. The burrito is also sometimes attributed to Tex-Mex cooking, but others claim that it originated in Tuscon or Los Angeles.


This New York Times article does a good job of explaining some of the roots of Tex-Mex cuisine, though I don't know if I agree with their favorite restaurants in the state. I would say that Texas Monthly has a more comprehensive list of places to eat.

Here in Austin, there are many restaurants that serve Tex-Mex food, but I have to admit my two favorite places to get a delicious carne guisada or enchilada plate (besides my grandma's kitchen) are Joe T. Garcias in Fort Worth and Mi Tierra in San Antonio.

...And you have big hair

This summer I lived and worked in Los Angeles with co-eds from all over the country. We spent the first few days getting to know each other and talking about what life was like in our respective states and colleges (what football season is like in Michigan, how summers are in Minnesota, the best thing about growing up in Ohio). I think that most of us were pleasantly surprised to find out that no matter where we came from or where we went to school, we all had similar stories about the party that went all wrong, the mysterious roommate, or the guy/girl we wish we could forget.

During this story-telling/getting-to-know-you phase, a co-worker from Minnesota told me, "You know, you're exactly what I think of when I think of a Texas girl." We were a few beers in, so I didn't know whether to be flattered or insulted. I asked, on the defensive, "And what is that supposed to mean?" "I mean... You're part Mexican, have that Southern hospitality...and you have big hair."

Well...

All of those things are true... and they are quite Texan... and I am proud to be a Texan... so I decided to take it as a compliment. (Even if you didn't mean it that way, Claire.)

All in all, I had the time of my life in California this summer. The weather was amazing, the beaches were beautiful, and the people reminded me of the easy-going atmosphere of Austin. I had to dispel quite a few rumors about gun totin' tots and George Bush fan clubs while I was there, yet somehow at the end of the summer, I found my heart aching for the Lone Star State. Sure, Cali's great, but I'll go right out and say it: I love Texas. And that's where my idea for this blog came from: we're good people here- how about I show you a Texas perspective?

Can I explain all the crazy things that Texans do? Hardly. But I can at least attempt to show you that we're not quite as backwards as some believe. We are a people deeply rooted in tradition because many of us have families that have lived and worked on this land for generations. Texans know how to work hard and play hard, and still do it with a smile. We love good food, good friends, and boy do we love football.

So if you've always had a pressing question about Texas (why do y'all talk that way?) or want to put in your two cents about this lovely state or yours, feel free to leave a friendly comment. I'll be sure to return the favor.