# Does Tex-Mex exist anywhere outside of Texas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 12, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785 "2009-07-12T21:12:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/61 "2009-07-15T21:48:36Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I used to go to Albuquerque frequently on business, but no more. Is ther any good New Mexico style Mexican in the Boston area? mmm..green chile, pozole, spaipillas..I’m hungry! I doubt it. My sister and I grew up in New Mexico. She now lives in Boston and is always on the look out for that sort of thing. I have seen a New Mexican restaurant in Santee (suburb of San Diego) and I think Garduno’s still has a couple in Las Vegas. Posole can be found in lots of places but green chile is sadly lacking outside of the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico and southern Colorado. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/62 "2009-07-15T21:50:34Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > In your opinion, “Authentic Mexican” places don’t serve tortilla chips? My opinion has nothing to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/63 "2009-07-15T21:53:40Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Not necessarily. Plenty of 100% authentic places have adapted to American expectations and offer complimentary chips and salsa-type appetizers with their meals. Even in my Mexican neighborhood, chips and salsa are pretty common even in places you’ll rarely find gringos. My favorite local Mexican restaurant is a Yucatecan family establishment where the owner/head chef comes from Cazumel, from a family of restaurateurs, and who serves recipes from his home town, mostly ones that have been passed down in his family. His grandmother comes over twice a year to check on the food, the quality, and adherence to their traditions. And, yes, they serve chips and xni-pec, a type of Yucatecan pico de gallo made with habaneros and sour orange. So the presence of chips and salsa are not a particularly good barometer of whether a Mexican restaurant is “authentic” or not. Maybe so, but using chips as a barometer of what constitutes authenticity is like saying “Authentic Chinese places are the ones that serve homemade fortune cookies.” ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/64 "2009-07-15T21:56:52Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > My opinion has nothing to do with it. How much time have you spent in Mexico? What parts? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/65 "2009-07-15T22:43:50Z")
Well “Tex-Mex” is painted right on the wall at Jose Tejas in Iselin, NJ (just north of the Woodbridge Mall on Route 1. Huge neon sign that says “EAT.” You can’t miss it.) I love that place. The food is great and cheap. They make their own chips. The decor is…well, unusual for NJ, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/66 "2009-07-15T23:36:28Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Maybe so, but using chips as a barometer of what constitutes authenticity is like saying “Authentic Chinese places are the ones that serve homemade fortune cookies.” Well, we don’t disagree in that. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/67 "2009-07-15T23:48:24Z")
Tex-mex where I am at, are third generation migrant families from the Northern Mexico Borderlands of Texas and their food is usually charcterized by spiced ground beef in Enchiladas with Red Gravy (Flour Tortillas). Tacos in lightly Fried Corn Tortillas or lightly fried flour tortillas , Dense “two finger” tamales made with Beef or Pork, (preferrably a Cebesa Vaco-- definitely no gravy or cheese). Crispy Bean Tostadas, Green pickled Jalapenos, Red Salsa, Pinto Frijole Refritos, Usually an American Cheese blend to top… Velveeta isn’t out of the question… Usually a blend. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/68 "2009-07-16T00:14:11Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > How much time have you spent in Mexico? > > What parts? Take your pissing contest elsewhere. If you disagree with me, then say so & quit asking passive-aggressive questions. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/69 "2009-07-16T00:17:58Z")
While you two are fucking around, the rest of us are enjoying our chili rellenos, sopapillas and Bohemias. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/70 "2009-07-16T00:19:08Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > While you two are fucking around, the rest of us are enjoying our chili rellenos, sopapillas and Bohemias. I salivate in your direction. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/71 "2009-07-16T00:32:32Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Take your pissing contest elsewhere. If you disagree with me, then say so & quit asking passive-aggressive questions. Sounds like your expertise in “authentic Mexican” restaurants was hard won in the barrios of Des Moines… Seriously, you obviously hold yourself out to be an authority on Mexican cusine, why cant you tell us what areas of Mexico you have spent the most time in? ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/72 "2009-07-16T00:36:57Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Sounds like your expertise in “authentic Mexican” restaurants was hard won in the barrios of Des Moines… > > Seriously, you obviously hold yourself out to be an authority on Mexican cusine, why cant you tell us what areas of Mexico you have spent the most time in? I can tell you, but I am not going to stoop to answering baited questions. If you can’t contribute to the thread, kindly leave me alone. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/73 "2009-07-16T00:41:25Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > That’s ridiculous. Pre-bought ingredients just makes for bad Tex-Mex. Great Tex-Mex is made with fresh ingedients. The term “Tex-Mex” is just Diane Kennedy’s attempt at drawing the distinction b/t authentic Mexican food and what most Americans think of as Mexican food. > > Also, using the words “Authentic Mexican restaurant” and “chips” in the same sentence is pretty hilarious. I suppose its hilarious because in your extensive travels of Mexico, you never ate in a place that served tortilla chips, si? You are putting yourself out there as an authority on this subject----why so reluctant to share where your knowlege and experience comes from? ETA—Forget it, as I dont really care, but for you to act like such an expert on this topic, I would hope that you have actually been to Mexico, before laying down such a blanket statement. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/74 "2009-07-16T00:47:22Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > I suppose its hilarious because in your extensive travels of Mexico, you never ate in a place that served tortilla chips, si? > > You are putting yourself out there as an authority on this subject----why so reluctant to share where your knowlege and experience comes from? Because you aren’t interested in the slightest about my knowledge about Mexican Food or Tex-Mex food, nor are you interested in where I acquired any of it. You want to hijack the thread, and I am trying (unsuccessfully) to avoid that. I initially posted to point out that chips are not a good indicator of what is or isn’t Tex-Mex. If you disagree then say so. Otherwise I’m done with you, even if you accuse me of never having been outside Toledo, or whatever other Midwestern city you think of next. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/75 "2009-07-16T00:58:36Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > That’s ridiculous. Pre-bought ingredients just makes for bad Tex-Mex. Great Tex-Mex is made with fresh ingedients. The term “Tex-Mex” is just Diane Kennedy’s attempt at drawing the distinction b/t authentic Mexican food and what most Americans think of as Mexican food. > > Also, using the words “Authentic Mexican restaurant” and “chips” in the same sentence is pretty hilarious. El jefe has spoken!!! Se muy bien… ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/76 "2009-07-16T01:13:32Z")
Oh, where I’m at too… it is sometimes characterized by the use of Green Tomatilloes and Jalapeno’s for salsas and Enchiladas Verdes. ---
**Author:** ![Sealemon2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sealemon2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sealemon2.0)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/77 "2009-07-16T01:15:43Z")
> [@](#): > > One of the primary indicators of whether the food is Tex Mex is whether or not a lot of the foods have cheese as an ingredient, especially American or Cheddar cheese This, to me is one of the biggest indicators of Tex Mex (I live just outside of Hosuton, TX). I’ve eaten on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border, as well as Cancun many, MANY years ago (The Macarena had just been introduced as a hot new dance when I was there). Not that I’m a food expert or anything, but that seems to be the main difference. There’s even a resturant I’ve eaten at that has its menu split between Tex Mex dishes and Mexican dishes (menudo, tortas, huaraches) and what I consider typical tex Mex (Cheese enchiladas, tacos with cheese as a standard topping, ect) All I know is, I love Mexican food in all it’s “flavors” (Pun intended) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/78 "2009-07-16T13:35:01Z")
**I am speaking as a moderator in this post.** > [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Also, using the words “Authentic Mexican restaurant” and “chips” in the same sentence is pretty hilarious. > [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > In your opinion, “Authentic Mexican” places don’t serve tortilla chips? > [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > My opinion has nothing to do with it. Actually, it sounds exactly like an opinion to me – which is fine, this thread is all about opinions. Both of you, however, need to dial it back a bit. It’s fine to disagree, but please avoid dragging personal comments into that disagreement. **Labrador Deceiver** , you are presenting yourself as stating facts, not opinions, which opens you to the question of the nature of your expertise; **MPB** has the right to ask you about that. (Of course, a person presenting opinions may also be asked for information about the nature of his or her expertise.) **MPB** , if you’re going to ask someone for his or her credentials after that person presents him- or herself as an expert, pls. do so in a civil manner. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/79 "2009-07-16T14:11:34Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > **I am speaking as a moderator in this post.** > > Actually, it sounds exactly like an opinion to me – which is fine, this thread is all about opinions. > > Both of you, however, need to dial it back a bit. It’s fine to disagree, but please avoid dragging personal comments into that disagreement. > > **Labrador Deceiver** , you are presenting yourself as stating facts, not opinions, which opens you to the question of the nature of your expertise; **MPB** has the right to ask you about that. (Of course, a person presenting opinions may also be asked for information about the nature of his or her expertise.) > > **MPB** , if you’re going to ask someone for his or her credentials after that person presents him- or herself as an expert, pls. do so in a civil manner. ETA: I’m not going to get into this again, but saying I presented myself as a expert is factually incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785/80 "2009-07-16T16:59:56Z")
> [@Sealemon2.0](#): > > This, to me is one of the biggest indicators of Tex Mex (I live just outside of Hosuton, TX). I’ve eaten on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border, as well as Cancun many, MANY years ago (The Macarena had just been introduced as a hot new dance when I was there). Not that I’m a food expert or anything, but that seems to be the main difference. > > There’s even a resturant I’ve eaten at that has its menu split between Tex Mex dishes and Mexican dishes (menudo, tortas, huaraches) and what I consider typical tex Mex (Cheese enchiladas, tacos with cheese as a standard topping, ect) > > All I know is, I love Mexican food in all it’s “flavors” (Pun intended) One of Houston’s best, [Pico’s Mex-Mex](http://www.picos.net/AboutUs.htm) offers specialities from all parts of Mexico. But they also offer _Especialidades Tex-Mex_. Per Texas State Law, chips & salsa hit the table just after you are seated. And their special margaritas are served in shakers; like old fashioned milkshakes, you finish your drink & then pour yourself another one. Yes, I know that isn’t how they serve tequila in Jalisco–but I don’t claim to be pure. Damn, these discussions are making me hungry. And I haven’t been back to Pico’s in far too long; if [this menu](http://www.picos.net/pdfs/Main_Menu.pdf) doesn’t interest you, consider a tastebud transplant. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tex-mex-exist-anywhere-outside-of-texas/502785.md?page=5)