With the growing diversity of the US population, people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds are constantly exposed to new cultures through work, social groups and media. Likewise, one of the best ways to learn about a new culture is through its food. Meanwhile, this is the time when global cuisine is influencing everything and popping up everywhere—from top-end restaurants to food trucks.
The proximity of Mexico to the United States, and the large Hispanic population here, are two contributors to the fajitas and burritos consumers encounter with increasing frequency at many casual dining restaurants. But these items are not the slick, cookie-cutter fare of the past. Today’s consumers want more sophisticated and authentic options. They want to experience Mexican cuisines as though these foods were prepared in the heart of Mexico City or from individual regions throughout that huge nation.