The taco as we know it today is a blend of ancient Mexican recipes and

International influences. However, before it was known in America, natives in

Mexico were eating a version that looked quite different.

Where did America’s favorite comfort food originate? Here’s the history of one of
the best foods on the planet.

Tacos are thought to come from Mexico, long before the Spanish arrived. Ancient
Mexicans used freshly made, soft, flat corn tortillas and gave them with fillings
like fish and cooked organs. It was a staple meal that provided vital nutrients and
energy to those who consumed it.

These tacos didn’t contain the cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and tomato that we
associate with the meal today. In fact, the taco as we know it is less than 100
years old.

The Name “Taco”: A Modern Invention

The word "taco" is quite new.

It originated from Mexican silver miners in the 18 th century. Gunpowder was

wrapped in a paper like a “taquito” and inserted into rocks before detonation.

By this time, tacos were known as the food of the working class, which included
miners. This resulted in their portable street food being called “tacos de minero“,
also known as “miner’s tacos”.

The tortilla in these miner’s tacos wasn’t a hard U-shaped shell like we know
today. Instead, it was a corn tortilla with a spicy filling. This daily staple was
filling, delicious, and affordable.

Coming to America
The Taco was first introduced to the United States in 1905. Mexican migrants were
coming in to work on railroads and other jobs and started to bring their delicious
food with them.

Tacos were essentially a street food at this time since they were highly portable
and cheap. In fact, Americans first became exposed to tacos through Mexican food
carts in Los Angeles that were run by women called “chili queens”.

These ladies sold delicious economic Mexican food like soft corn tortilla tacos,
and they were deemed exotic by any American that tried one. The fillings were
incredibly spicy and unfamiliar to the American palate.

The Change
By 1920, the food Mexican immigrants brought in started to fuse with American
ingredients.

Organs were replaced with the more palatable ground beef and chicken. Cheddar
cheese, cool lettuce, tomato became standard fillings. This became known as the
ultimate taco to Americans whose traditional cuisine favored more subtle flavors.

In short, the taco was becoming something of a Mexican-American fusion. Things got
even more interesting when Taco Bell became mainstream and created a breed of
“Mexican” food that wasn’t authentically Mexican at all.

The Best Taco… Wasn’t Even Called a Taco

Did you know that Taco Bell’s Founder, Glen Bell, found that “taco” was actually a
word that Mexicans didn’t use to describe the meal? Instead, Mexicans used other
words to describe tacos that varied by region and local culture.

“Taco” was a word that Mexicans would use toward Americans to identify the dish.
This is much like how the Korean food chain Bon Chon calls their “egg rolls”
“potstickers” on their mainstream menu but the dish is properly called “mandu”
among Koreans.

That Crunchy Shell

The pre-fried u-shaped taco shell we love didn’t come into existence until the
1940s. Mexicans patented this idea first to expedite the taco-making process. Taco
Bell took this idea 10 years later to streamline their operations.

Previously, tacos were cooked to order and were just soft tacos. The pre-made
crunchy taco shell made it easier to mass-produce the taco in America.

Tacos Today
Nowadays, you can find tacos practically everywhere, from your local street food
stand to Chipotle. Each place has a different experience to offer, whether it’s
authentic or a Mexican-inspired fusion meal.

Lately, due to a Millennial preference for “mom and pop” restaurants, Taquerias are
starting to become more popular. These restaurants offer authentic Mexican food
like Tacos al Pastor, de Barbacoa, and Carnitas.

Mexican restaurants are turning away from Americanizing their ingredients and are
now bringing the real taste of Mexico—and Americans are falling in love.

These tacos are different from the ones Americans preferred in the 20th century.
There’s no cheese or lettuce. Instead, you’ll see soft corn tortillas filled with
authentically flavored meat, cilantro, radish slices, grilled onion, and an
assortment of hot sauces.

Tacos of All Kinds

The future of tacos looks bright. As confident chefs bring in the real taste of
home, the cultural exchange only deepens America’s appreciation for Mexico’s
ancient taco. As a result, you can see more delicious fusion tacos coming to be. In
fact, you can sample tacos that embrace flavors from both Mexico and around the
world at Twisted Taco.

Here you can find tacos loaded fresh tomato, lettuce, and sour cream with the
authentic flavor of cilantro while experimenting with delicious meats like gyro
meat, American barbecue, and Korean bulgogi. Come experience these great tastes for
yourself today!