The Real Deal...

[DDT (12)]

It truly never stops. We do indeed continue to learn new things throughout our entire lives... no matter how long we wind-up hanging around upright and consuming oxygen on this verdant chuck of space debris we call home. I know this, at least in my own case, because hardly a single day goes by without some sort of amazing revelation, new discovery, or entirely different take on something comes into focus. Sometimes it's nothing more than an alternative way of seeing something familiar or a variation of the definition of a word.

ALI and I cruised into Buffalo, WY, not so long ago, and I got a room to hunker down for a few days. It was time for some R & R, laundry, and oil & filter change... plus a couple of assorted other lazy-day chores. I often come up with a list of worthwhile projects like those to justify not doing anything much, and this was one of those times. Besides, I needed to allow the 'weather picture' to become a bit clearer before deciding upon a direction for the next big leg of our journey...

Another Mexican restaurant just happened to be right next door to my most recent 'home' selection; and, while this was not exactly Deja vu, it did remind me of another similar set-up not so long ago... different result, though... It is mighty handy to have an eatery within a short walking distance from the room, and while I don’t look for that specifically, I do take advantage of it whenever I can.

No, what distinguished this restaurant from that other place in at least one significant way was here they boasted 'authentic Mexican food'... Now, I'm certain the ingestible people-fuel was prepared on-premises, so it wasn't actually 'from' Mexico. I seriously doubt the ingredients were imported either. No, it had to be that the methods and recipes were what had been developed in the 'old country' and then replicated locally for our dining enjoyment... All that does beg a question, though…

I sauntered across the threshold and into the dining room unsure of what might lie just ahead, but I was more than willing to find out. I can't say that I was particularly eager or anything, though, more that I was simply hungry, and this establishment was mighty convenient. I happen to like most Mexican food offerings, and I’ve been consuming variations of it for many decades… Some of it is better than others, naturally, while some… you know… Oh well, this was said to be ‘authentic’, so… I couldn’t help but wonder, though, just what specifically that might mean?

Ever since I’d seen that label, I’d been searching my recollector archive trying to recall if I’d ever had that before… Surely I have, but no specific memory could be dredged-up. Hmmm, just what the heck does that actually mean anyhow…? Is there really any discernable difference between that and the more typical, regular Mexican fare? Would I like it better, or…? Only one way to find out, I concluded, so here goes…

After perusing the menu, I selected the ordinarily safe main course item, a beef & bean burrito. Hard to go wrong with one of those, I reasoned… Well, as soon as it arrived, I dug right into it, and… hmmm… different, I thought as a first reaction. That difference, however, was not of the sort that might ‘distinguish’ it from other variations of this culinary genre. After several bites, I concluded it was pretty tasty, but it was also not destined to become a favorite of mine… My favorite beef burrito is one served in a 'New Mexican’ restaurant shown to me by F6Banger a decade or so ago… Can’t remember its name or even the town where we dined a couple of times, but I do vividly recall that awesome meal! The ‘authentic’ one that evening fell well short of ‘New Mexican’, as far as this unsophisticated diner is concerned.

So, after finishing my meal I was still left with that nagging puzzle… just what does ‘authentic’ mean, and how does one distinguish that from other varieties? The following morning I had an answer… of sorts… perhaps… Now, it has been more than four centuries since Cortez screwed-over Montezuma, and the latter is said to have imposed that diabolical curse upon all Europeans in retaliation… Apparently he also included the Aztec word for ‘forever’ in that curse, because it is still regularly being visited upon those of us of the pale skin persuasion…

I wouldn’t go so far as to proclaim with any degree of certainty that I’ve learned anything solid here… However, there does appear to be at least a casual relationship, in my mind anyway, between ‘authentic’ Mexican food and that cursed curse… Does it then follow that the way to authenticate the authenticity of ‘authentic’ is to patiently wait several hours for certain gastro-intestinal feedback? The lesson here may take further research and a while to become conclusive… and that just might not even be in the cards anyway… See, at present, I’m thinking I’ll be giving a wide berth to any ethnic food labeled ‘authentic’… at least for the foreseeable future…

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

  (I'm sorry to laugh at your authentic affliction, I just can't help myself)

[hubcapsc]

Some of us ate at a "New Mexican" place in Taos... it was the best meal I had
while we were on that trip...

-Mike

[t-man403]

I figure if it's a different venue, cook and it's not franchised, it's definitely "authentic" and not to be had anywhere else! 

[signart]

I would have assumed that with all of your experience, that you had traveled to Mexico, where probably is the only place to get authentic Mexican food. Thinking if you had, you would steer clear of authentic Mexican food. I know I would.
In my experience it is the most bland and tasteless cuisine (maybe thankfully) found in any country.
It would be interesting to hear form anyone else's experience with authentic Mexican cuisine from the "bowels" of Mexico.
Til then, I'll just say  "There's nothing more American than Mexican food".

[The emperor has no clothes]

I would have assumed that with all of your experience, that you had traveled to Mexico, where probably is the only place to get authentic Mexican food. Thinking if you had, you would steer clear of authentic Mexican food. I know I would.
In my experience it is the most bland and tasteless cuisine (maybe thankfully) found in any country.
It would be interesting to hear form anyone else's experience with authentic Mexican cuisine from the "bowels" of Mexico.
Til then, I'll just say  "There's nothing more American than Mexican food".

It’s a mixed bag in my opinion. When I was a kid my Granddad used to take the family over to Matamoros shopping for cowboy boots and hats. He always ended the trip at his favorite “authentic” restaurant. I suspect it was more to do with cheap beers and margaritas though. When I was stationed in San Diego, I would venture over to TJ occasionally. I found the best, cheapest food and drinks were at the Greyhound races and Jai Lai arena. There were MANY places to avoid. Swarming flies landing on the meat is kind of a buzz kill for me.
 I think the best “Mexican” food is here in the U.S. 

[Valkorado]

The really authentic Mexican food is seafood from a south of the border oceanside restaurant.  Most of the the fare we consume here is a southwestern New Mexican or Tex-Mex variety.

That said, when I was a teenager I paid a heavy non-monetary price for indulging in a late night taco stand in Mazatlan.

Glad to hear you're staying nourished while you eat up the road Bruce.

[old2soon]

         Bruce-I believe yer the only guy that can describe normal or abnormal-depending on what you've ingested-bodily functions that after said description git a good chuckle if not a down right huge guffaw!  When I was in Thailand I ingested some "stuff" that the next day I hoped some of my elimination devices had been stainless steel lined at the time!  Also beware of resturant logos that boast-just like Mom used to make!  RIDE SAFE.

[signart]

         Bruce-I believe yer the only guy that can describe normal or abnormal-depending on what you've ingested-bodily functions that after said description git a good chuckle if not a down right huge guffaw!  When I was in Thailand I ingested some "stuff" that the next day I hoped some of my elimination devices had been stainless steel lined at the time!  Also beware of resturant logos that boast-just like Mom used to make!  RIDE SAFE.

That and Ho-made Chili