By Ellen H.

March 9, 2020

We know and love them. Tacos, the delicious Mexican delicacy that can be found all around the world. From street-style soft shell to the Americanized hard shell, this staple food can be found anywhere. 

The origin of tacos is slightly unknown, but Jeffrey M. Pilcher, professor of history at the University of Minnesota has an idea of where it all began. He believes that tacos mostly originated from silver mine workers in the 18th century. The miners used little pieces of paper wrapped around gun powder to extract silver from the ore, these were called “tacos.”  The first origin of the word in a dictionary came up at the end of the 19th century, and the phrase it was used in was “tacos de minero.” Tacos were most likely around before the first uses of the word taco; since people have been putting meat into tortillas as long as they have been around. 

There are many different kinds of tacos. Each kind has its own origin story. Tacos Al Pastor was first created in Mexico in the mid-20th century. The classic taco filling was introduced when Lebanese immigrants brought the spinning trompo. This was a game-changer for tacos. Classic Lebanese Kabob was combined with pineapple. Al pastor tacos did not catch on until the 1960s but eventually became the official food of Mexico city was born.

Mexico city plays an important role in the history of tacos. The city became a melting pot of women from all across the country during the industrial revolution. Women combined and shared their cooking styles from their villages. There was a combination of traditional Mexican food and Spanish and European food. The urbanization of the industrial revolution plays an important role in the spread and creation of different foods during this time. The assimilation of European food, immigrant foods, and indigenous foods resulted in diverse combinations of foods. 

Tacos were first brought to the US through migrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The immigrants worked in mines or built railroads. In Los Angeles when tourists started arriving there by train, they had two things they would want to see: the Alamo and the Chili Queens. The Chili Queens that would sell Tacos and other Mexican food to the tourists during festivals for a little extra cash, but with the number of tourists attracted to them they became a daily attraction. These women were sexualized and considered dangerous, but safe, which was part of their appeal. Personally, I do not agree with this, but that is the findings of Jeffrey M. Pilcher. Events like these lead to the entrance of tacos into streamlining American minds.

When tacos were first brought to the US they were seen as food for lower-class people, but as second-generation Mexican-Americans moved up in classes they continued to eat the scrumptious food. As their social status rose their food was introduced to more people. Taco restaurants were opened up and the food became popular all across the country. 

Tacos were changed over time because of the ingredients that were available in the US. The meat was changed from offal meat, (pluck or organ meats, the entrails of a butchered animal) to ground beef, the cheese changed to cheddar, and iceberg lettuce and tomato were added.

Street-style tacos have always been around in the US, but have become more popular in the last few years. Food trucks and local family-owned Mexican restaurants that sell street-style tacos have become supported by a broad range of people. Craft-taco restaurants are also popping up here and there, serving a variety of street style tacos, but usually with a little twist.