BATTLE OF THE...TACOS.
Food Fight!
Who has the best tacos? Find out during a Mexican Riviera cruise.
ByChris Cognac
Taco. How one simple four-letter word unleashes such passion and debate in foodies throughout the West Coast of the United States and all of Mexico. A taco is pretty simple, right? It’s just a folded up tortilla with some meat inside, maybe a bit of cheese, and some sauce. So what’s the big deal?
The big deal is that the taco has been around since the 16th century (most likely longer) and has been eaten by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortes as well as an untold number of vaqueros (Mexican cowboys), fisherman, surfers, and tourists throughout history.
The taco has remained pretty much the
same since its creation after the invention of the tortilla around 10,000 B.C. It used to be that locals would put whatever ingredients they had available inside the tacos, so different cities and regions became known for tacos based on the local catch or the local “herd.” The ingredients have changed a bit due to the invention of refrigeration, so you can now get a decent fish taco inland and a great asada (beef) taco at the beach.
As simple as a taco is, it’s an item that can be utterly fantastic or really bad based on the skill of the chef, the quality of the ingredients, and the technique used to prepare it. In fact, some of the best tacos on the planet are served by street vendors or small restaurants that grew from street vendors.
On the West Coast of California and the Pacific Coast of Mexico, tacos are a way of life, a staple that people have grown to love, and will go to great lengths to enjoy. Here are the top picks for the best tacos that you’ll find during a Mexican Riviera cruise.