A taco is a traditional Mexican food consisting of a small hand-sized corn- or wheat-based tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, beans, vegetables, and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety. They are often garnished with various condiments, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, and vegetables, such as lettuce, onion, tomatoes, and chiles. Tacos are a common form of antojitos, or Mexican street food, which have spread around the world.
Taco Bell is an American-based chain of fast food restaurants founded in 1962 by Glen Bell (1923-2010) in Downey, California. Taco Bell is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. The restaurants serve a variety of Mexican-inspired foods, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, novelty and speciality items, and a variety of "value menu" items. As of 2018, Taco Bell serves over two billion customers each year, at 7,072 restaurants, more than 93 percent of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees and licensees.
The cuisine of California reflects the diverse culture of California and is influenced largely by Hispanic American roots, alongside Eastern Asian and Oceanian influences and Western European influences, as well as the food trends and traditions of larger American cuisine.
Cheetos is a crunchy corn puff snack brand made by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. Fritos creator Charles Elmer Doolin invented Cheetos in 1948, and began national distribution in the U.S. The initial success of Cheetos was a contributing factor to the merger between The Frito Company and H.W. Lay & Company in 1961 to form Frito-Lay. In 1965 Frito-Lay became a subsidiary of The Pepsi-Cola Company, forming PepsiCo, the current owner of the Cheetos brand.
Al pastor, is a preparation of spit-grilled slices of pork originating in the Central Mexican region of Puebla, although today it is a common menu item found in taquerías throughout Mexico. The method of preparing and cooking al pastor is based on the lamb shawarma brought by Lebanese immigrants to the region. Al pastor features a flavor palate that uses traditional Mexican adobada (marinade). It is a popular street food that has spread to the United States. In some places of northern Mexico and coastal Mexico, such as in Baja California, Mexico, it is known as taco de trompo or taco de adobada. A similar dish also from Puebla that uses a combination of middle eastern spices and indigenous central Mexican ingredients is called tacos árabes.
Wahoo's Fish Taco is a U.S.-based restaurant chain that offers Mexican food mixed with Brazilian and Asian flavors. Categorized as a "fast casual restaurant", the quality and preparation time of its food is between that of a fast-food restaurant and a more formal restaurant. Wahoo's provides many vegetarian and some vegan options, such as tofu, banzai veggies and brown rice, and also provides a kids' meal menu. They serve Wahoo fish in their tacos, as well as Mahi-mahi.
A burrito is a dish in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine that took form in Mexican cuisine, consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped into a sealed cylindrical shape around various ingredients. The tortilla is sometimes lightly grilled or steamed to soften it, make it more pliable, and allow it to adhere to itself. Burritos are often eaten by hand, as their tight wrapping keeps the ingredients together. Burritos can also be served "wet", i.e., covered in a savory and spicy sauce, when they would be eaten with a fork and knife.
Don Chow Tacos was a Chinese-Mexican fusion food truck based in Los Angeles, California. A veteran in the food truck industry, Don Chow was founded on April 22, 2009, by Dominic Lau and Lawrence Lie. Their motto, “Where Chino meets Latino”, represents the pair's Chinese heritage,, and the Hispanic influences that had been constant in their lives as they grew up in LA. Don Chow Tacos ceased operations on February 16, 2015.
Jet Tilakamonkul, known professionally as Jet Tila, is an American celebrity chef, author, restaurateur, and restaurant developer.
A taco stand or taquería is a food stall, food cart or restaurant that specializes in tacos and other Mexican dishes. The food is typically prepared quickly and tends to be inexpensive. Many various ingredients may be used, and various taco styles may be served. Taco stands are an integral part of Mexican street food. Tacos became a part of traditional Mexican cuisine in the early 20th century, beginning in Mexico City, as what had been a miner's snack began to be sold on street corners in the city. Shops selling tacos have since proliferated throughout Mexico and other areas with a heavy Mexican culinary and cultural influence, including much of the Western United States and most other larger American cities. More typical taquerías specialize in tacos, as expected, but in some localities it can be used to refer to restaurants specializing in burritos, where tacos themselves are less of a point of emphasis.
Mac n' Cheetos are a deep-fried macaroni and cheese product based on the Frito-Lay snack Cheetos. Mac n' Cheetos were introduced in late June 2016 and sold at Burger King in limited supplies. The original product contained five pieces and was served with a side of ranch dressing. Today, Mac n' Cheetos are available frozen at grocery stores around the United States.
California Fish Grill is a chain of restaurants located in the Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento metropolitan areas and Las Vegas which specialize in seafood. Their slogan is "Liberating the Love of Seafood". The chain was founded in 1998 in Gardena, California.
Locol was a restaurant founded by Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson. The name connoted both "local" and "loco". The restaurant aspires to serve healthy alternatives to fast food at affordable prices while benefiting communities and disrupting food deserts. The restaurant's first location was in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. After opening several other locations in California, all closed in 2018. Choi later revived the brand in 2020 as a delivery-only "virtual restaurant".
The El Cholo Spanish Cafe is a Los Angeles restaurant serving Mexican food. Founded in 1923, the restaurant is credited with the introduction of the burrito to the United States in the 1930s. The restaurant has expanded to a chain with six locations in Southern California.
Spoon & Pork is a restaurant specializing in Filipino cuisine. First opened as a food truck in 2017, its main location is presently located at 3131 Sunset Boulevard in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Quesabirria is a Mexican dish comprising birria-style cooked beef folded into a tortilla with melted cheese and served with a side of consommé for dipping. Eater has described quesabirria as "a cross between a taco and a quesadilla." The dish, which has origins in Tijuana, Mexico, gained popularity in the United States through Instagram.
La Bonita: Food for the People, or simply La Bonita, is a small chain of Mexican restaurants in Portland, Oregon, United States. The family-owned business operates three locations in north, northeast, and southeast Portland, serving burritos, chilaquiles, tacos, tamales, and other traditional cuisine. The restaurant has a good reputation, and has been included on two Thrillist lists of the country's best burritos.
Toki is a Korean restaurant in Portland, Oregon.
Birrieria PDX is a Mexican restaurant in Portland, Oregon.
Tacos Chukis is a chain of Mexican restaurants with multiple locations in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington.
