Many people regularly dine out in order to eat new types of cuisine. It’s common for people living in the United States to want to try dishes from other countries that they aren’t able to regularly visit. In fact, research shows that 75% of consumers are in search of new flavors when choosing to consume ethnic cuisines. Statistics gathered from 2011 found that there were nearly 38,000 restaurants serving Mexican cuisine across the United States. That being said, it’s important to understand what is authentic Mexican food and what is not. Considering that, here are three signs that you’ve found an authentic local Mexican restaurant.
- Offers Dishes That Aren’t All Spicy
Statistics show that 71% of all households in the United States use ingredients used to prepare Mexican cuisine. For many years, certain people have grouped all Mexican cuisine into being spicy. However, some of the best Mexican food doesn’t contain a lot of spice. If you find yourself in a restaurant only offering spicy foods, it’s unlikely that you’re receiving an authentic Mexican cuisine experience. - Salsa is Often a Major Indicator
One of the first things customers typically receive while waiting for their main meal in a local Mexican restaurant is salsa. You’ll find that tasting the salsa at a new Mexican restaurant can often help you determine if the food is authentic. Unfortunately, bland salsa is often a sign that the restaurant probably isn’t making their meals as fresh as possible. Authentic local Mexican restaurants pride themselves on creating many types of fresh salsa with a taste you won’t find on any supermarket shelf. - Don’t Expect to Fully Understand the Menu
Unfortunately, certain larger food chains employ fake marketing words used to sell their products that aren’t true Mexican dishes. With that in mind, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when thinking of dining at a place where you don’t speak the language. However, you’ll find that a quality local Mexican restaurant will employ staff who are more than happy to help you make the right meal selection.
In closing, there are a few distinct things to consider when searching for an authentic local Mexican restaurant. Mexican cuisine should never be focused completely around spicy dishes. While many popular Mexican dishes contain a fair amount of spice, there are plenty of less spicy meals that should be on the menu. One of the most important aspects of any local Mexican restaurant is the salsa they offer. If the salsa leaves a lot to be desired, it’s likely your meal will make you feel the same way. It’s perfectly fine to not understand the menu entirely while dining at an authentic Mexican restaurant. You’ll often find that staff members are more than happy to help you place your order.