Mexican Food: A Popular and Diverse Cuisine in the U.S.

Mexican food is not only delicious, but also widely available in the U.S. According to a Research analysis, about 1 in 10 restaurants in the country serve Mexican food, making it the most common type of Hispanic or Latino cuisine. Whether you prefer tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or quesadillas, you can find a Mexican restaurant in almost every county in the U.S.

Where to Find Mexican Restaurants

Mexican restaurants are especially prevalent in California and Texas, which have large Mexican American populations. These two states account for 40% of all Mexican restaurants in the U.S. In fact, Los Angeles County alone has more Mexican restaurants than any other state except Texas.

However, you don’t have to live in the Southwest to enjoy Mexican food. Mexican restaurants are also popular in Florida, New York, and Illinois, which each have 4% of the national total. You can also find Mexican restaurants in places like Alaska, Maine, and Vermont, where they make up a small but significant share of the local dining options.

What to Expect from Mexican Restaurants

Mexican restaurants offer a variety of dishes, flavors, and prices. Some of the common features of Mexican restaurants are:

• Fast food: Many Mexican restaurants are fast food chains, such as Taco Bell, Chipotle, or Del Taco. These restaurants offer quick and convenient meals, often with customizable options and sauces. About 22% of Mexican restaurants in the U.S. are fast food restaurants.
• Tacos: Tacos are one of the most iconic and versatile Mexican dishes. They consist of a tortilla (usually corn or flour) filled with meat, cheese, vegetables, salsa, and other toppings. Tacos can be soft or hard, and come in different sizes and styles. Some 12% of Mexican restaurants specialize in serving tacos.
• Food trucks or carts: If you are looking for a street food experience, you can try a Mexican food truck or cart. These mobile vendors offer fresh and authentic Mexican food, often at affordable prices. You can find them in parking lots, festivals, or near busy areas. About 8% of Mexican restaurants are food trucks or carts.
• Tex-Mex: Tex-Mex is a fusion cuisine that combines elements of Mexican and American food. It is especially popular in Texas and the Southwest, but also widely available elsewhere. Some of the typical Tex-Mex dishes are nachos, fajitas, chili con carne, and cheese dip. About 6% of Mexican restaurants offer Tex-Mex food.

Mexican restaurants also tend to be modestly priced, with 61% of them rated as one dollar sign on Yelp’s four-point pricing scale. However, if you are looking for a more upscale dining experience, you can also find some Mexican restaurants that have a rating of three or four dollar signs on Yelp. These restaurants are mostly concentrated in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

Other Types of Hispanic or Latino Restaurants

Mexican food is not the only type of Hispanic or Latino cuisine in the U.S. There are also many other types of restaurants that serve food from different regions and cultures of Latin America and Spain. However, these restaurants are much less common than Mexican restaurants, accounting for only 2% of all restaurants in the U.S.

Some of the most common types of non-Mexican Hispanic restaurants are:

• Caribbean: Caribbean restaurants serve food from the islands of the Caribbean Sea, such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Haiti. Some of the dishes you can find in these restaurants are jerk chicken, rice and beans, plantains, and mojitos. Caribbean restaurants make up 0.8% of all restaurants in the U.S.
• Cuban: Cuban restaurants serve food from Cuba, a Caribbean island with a rich and diverse culinary history. Some of the dishes you can find in these restaurants are ropa vieja, cuban sandwich, croquetas, and flan. Cuban restaurants make up 0.6% of all restaurants in the U.S.
• Latin American: Latin American restaurants serve food from various countries and regions of Latin America, such as Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. Some of the dishes you can find in these restaurants are arepas, ceviche, empanadas, and churrasco. Latin American restaurants make up 0.5% of all restaurants in the U.S.
• Peruvian: Peruvian restaurants serve food from Peru, a South American country with a diverse and flavorful cuisine. Some of the dishes you can find in these restaurants are lomo saltado, causa, anticuchos, and pisco sour. Peruvian restaurants make up 0.4% of all restaurants in the U.S.
• Salvadoran: Salvadoran restaurants serve food from El Salvador, a Central American country with a distinctive and delicious cuisine. Some of the dishes you can find in these restaurants are pupusas, curtido, yuca frita, and horchata. Salvadoran restaurants make up 0.3% of all restaurants in the U.S.
• Spanish: Spanish restaurants serve food from Spain, a European country with a rich and varied culinary tradition. Some of the dishes you can find in these restaurants are paella, tapas, gazpacho, and sangria. Spanish restaurants make up 0.3% of all restaurants in the U.S.

These types of Hispanic or Latino restaurants are not evenly distributed across the U.S. They are more common in places like Florida, New York, and New Jersey, where there are large populations of Hispanic or Latino origin groups other than Mexican. However, even in these areas, Mexican restaurants still outnumber other types of Hispanic or Latino restaurants.

Conclusion

Mexican food is a popular and diverse cuisine in the U.S., with a presence in almost every county and state. Mexican restaurants offer a variety of dishes, flavors, and prices, catering to different tastes and preferences. However, Mexican food is not the only type of Hispanic or Latino cuisine in the U.S. There are also many other types of restaurants that serve food from different regions and cultures of Latin America and Spain. These restaurants are less common than Mexican restaurants, but they also offer delicious and authentic food that reflects the diversity and richness of Hispanic or Latino culture.

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