Even growing up in Southern California, as a child the only tacos I ate were made of seasoned ground beef, chopped tomato, shredded lettuce and a sprinkling of grated cheddar cheese in a crisp, yellow, U-shaped shell. When I was finally introduced to the soft, vegetable-less, cheese-free taco truck version, I realized the tacos I grew up eating were not Mexican at all. But where did the American taco originate? And what's with the crispy shell?
The SF Weekly talked to two taco experts to find out the origins of the "anglo taco." Although there are a couple restaurants in Texas that could lay claim to inventing the crispy taco, it was Glen Bell, the founder of Taco Bell, who made them popular. He started the chain in Southern California, inspired by the fast food of McDonald's, which was founded around the same time.
Bell, in search of the taco version of the McDonald's hamburger, invented the preformed taco shell. It was so popular, Tex-Mex restaurants began frying their own taco shells, clipping tortillas to a bent coffee can and frying them in oil. And from there, the crispy yellow shell swept the nation.
• Read more: Where Did Crispy Tacos Come From? at the SF Weekly
Were "anglo tacos" the tacos you grew up with?
Related: Easy Weeknight Dinner: Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)
(Image: Flickr member TheCulinaryGeek licensed under Creative Commons)
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Yep, the picture looks just like the "tacos" from my youth. funny, I've always hated the hard shell taco. It was such a treat when I was little to go to Taco Time and get a soft shell!
I like tacos of all stripes, but I definitely have a big soft spot for the hard shell taco. They were the kind of taco I grew up on, as they were pretty much the only kind of taco you knew about in the Midwest.
as if I needed another reason to love Taco Bell more. THEY INVENTED THE CRUNCHY TACO SHELL!
I live in a city where there are fresh tortillas in every grocery, and tortillarias around every corner. Was at Target last week and saw a woman buying the crispy ones in the box--had to stop myself from saying something to her.
I generally prefer soft tacos, but my favorite Mexican restaurant back home makes a pretty good crispy one. They put some meat in the bottom of the shell then fry the whole thing fresh. It's a world away from the pre-formed, boxed crunchy shells.
@Escondido - I love a genuine article Mexican tortilla most of the time but sometimes nothing beats the comfort foody crunch of hard tacos in a box. It's like picking up Kraft dinner instead of making macaroni and cheese... Maybe like me she buys real tortillas all the time but craved an old school "taco night".
I never liked the crunchy taco shells. Growing up I was the only one to request a soft flour tortilla instead of the shells. I dunno, they just didn't seem that efficient to me - every time you bite down shards of shell would go everywhere, or you'd get a bigger bite than you intended! I stuck (and still do) to tortilla chips for that kind of crunch.
@Escondido it's none of your business what people are buying to eat, please get off your high horse.
I used to only like soft tacos, because that is what my mom liked better, but have grown to love the crispy shells as a nostalgic meal. I absolutely love authentic, taco truck or hole in the wall tacos, with the radishes, cilantro, and lime on top of amazing meat, but every once in awhile, I get a hankering for the awful, ground beef version my parents would serve. Tastes like home!
I buy soft corn tortillas, and fry them one at a time in hot oil. While the tortilla "cooks" I turn it over and then in half with a wooden spoon and tongs, then I turn it upside down to drain on a paper towel over a thick layer of newspaper. If all things work out perfectly, you get a crispy yet pliant shell that is utterly delicious.
All the "fixings" are ready on the table: hot (drained) hamburger meat, shredded lettuce, tomatoes sliced in thin half slices, grated cheese, and a variety of salsas. Avocados and sour cream if I have planned ahead. I don't season the meat with anything except salt and pepper. The salsa provides all the spice that is necessary.
I don't know how "authentic" this is, but the one and only time I bought preformed taco shells, my family threw a snot fit, and warned me to never do it again :)
I just had tacos tonight but the soft shell. I think I like the hard shell taco better.
@Escondido- I live in a neighborhood with tons of authentic taco places. And a Taco Bell. I just saw a Latino family walking down the street holding a box of Taco Bell tacos. Authentic is not always better for all people.
I like tortillas in all forms!
I grew up in San Francisco. Absolutely not.
Lay off, Escondido, people. I read her comment to be shock that someone wanted box stuff when they could get the real thing. I didn't see it as a judgement call on the woman