In Search of the Perfect Taco
Those who know me, have heard some the countless stories of my travels to Veracruz México, particularly the ones as a child, traveling during the winter holidays or summer breaks from school.
The countdown to each trip always began at least two months in advance, beginning with my mother’s check list of “requested” items from the E.U.A. Whether it was silk stockings for Tia Reina, or a Parker Pen for Lucino, my mother would begin her efforts to abide by each request, and do her absolute best to collect all the items on her list, adding to it, her own miscellaneous items, like the latest facial moisturizer or jar of Porcelana fade cream – just in case anyone forgot to put in a request.
I, on the other hand, being the bookish and nerdy kid that I was, would begin on my list of places I wanted to see and explore in México. I would write out the names of Mexican attractions – places like El Zocalo, Museo Rufino Tamayo, Chapultepec Park or Teotihuacán. I had to be prepared by knowing not only where, but why I wanted to go and visit these places on my list. You see, our trips to Veracruz always included a lay-over in México City. My Godfather, Padrino Lucino, lived in the DF, and although our stay would be brief, three days at most, I knew my Godfather would comply with my wishes – but if and only if — I was clear on why I wished to visit.
Every visit with my Godfather was filled with excursions to places on and off my list, and each journey was filled with not only fun, but facts. My godfather was a teacher and as such, he made it his purpose to make sure we’d learn a bit of Mexican history and culture on every trip. From the moment he’d pick us up at Benito Juarez International Airport, our lessons would begin. Our vibrant taxi rides to his home would be underscored with ceaseless pointed fingers at passing landmarks, ushered by brief histories of said sites. The next three days would be spent running around, metro to metro, absorbing anything and everything Mexican, including the food!
As an adult, I often forget how moments, like the ones I experienced with my Godfather in México City, were influential. So you can imagine how happy I was to come across TACOPEDIA: The Taco Encyclopedia by Deborah Holtz and Juan Carlos Mena. Like my memories of cultural lessons learned, TACOPEDIA is richly illustrated in a spirited style that makes you want to delve deeper into the gastronomy of a people and beyond – whether you’re Mexican or not!
Filled with over 250 images of evocative street photography, food photos, illustrations, graphics and maps, TACOPEDIA brings the vibrancy of the Mexican taco culture to life. Each chapter is devoted to a different style of taco and offers in-depth information on the region it originates from, the different cooking methods, and then the very best places in México to sample this type of taco. Documenting their finds, authors Holtz and Mena, have placed stock into one enormous and influential volume that is packed with everything you need to know about tacos and life south of the border.
Eye catching, entertaining, informational and utmost influential, like my memories with Padrino Lucino, TACOPEDIA will leave you hungry for more.
