Food For Thought

Everyone has one snobby friend who always derides five-pound Chipotle burritos because they’re not “real Mexican food”. Maybe it isn’t as authentic as his favorite hole in the wall, but we’d argue it’s at least a tasty homage to south of the border cuisine. Luckily, ¡Ask a Mexican! columnist Gustavo...

By Becky Bartkowski

April 19, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Everyone has one snobby friend who always derides five-pound Chipotle burritos because they’re not “real Mexican food”. Maybe it isn’t as authentic as his favorite hole in the wall, but we’d argue it’s at least a tasty homage to south of the border cuisine.

Luckily, ¡Ask a Mexican! columnist Gustavo Arellano will clear up the bean and cheese mess when he discusses his latest book, Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America ($24), Saturday, April 21. Arellano will explain the elusive powers of salsa, frozen margs, and nachos in a historical and cultural context.

Don’t come hungry to Arellano’s free book signing – we’re pretty sure Changing Hands Bookstore doesn’t want its floors covered in drool.

Sat., April 21, 4 p.m., 2012

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.