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In various Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in the US, all of the dishes seem to be made from a limited selection of ingredients. Although potatoes originated America, I never see potatoes in any of the dishes.

  • Are there any Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes that call for potatoes?
  • Is there a reason why potatoes are seldom used with these dishes?
Village
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2 Answers2

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Potatoes are very popular in some parts of Mexico. When I lived in Guadalajara, potato tacos were common, usually deep-fried. Diced (and possibly pre-cooked) potatoes with some seasoning added to a soft taco shell, then the entire thing fried together until crispy. After frying, such tacos (whether with potatoes or other filling) were cracked open to add lettuce or salsa or whatever other toppings/fillings might be desired, or salsa might be poured over the top, and eaten with a fork.

tacos de papa

One of my favorite local dishes was gorditas, which are basically a double-thick tortilla split at the middle (like pita bread) and stuffed with a filling of choice, and grilled. Diced and cooked potatoes were a common choice, often with beans or cheese as well.

gorditas de papa con requesón

Potatoes are also common in Mexico prepared much the same as they are in the U.S.: Baked, or as french fries, or the ever-popular potato chip. Always with a Mexican flair, usually in the form of extra spicy seasoning or sauces added.

I also had a "Breakfast taco" in Austin, Texas a couple months ago, which had potatoes. So there is some tex-mex food with potatoes, but I think this is probably not as common as it is in true Mexican cuisine. But then, Tex-Mex has never been a very close substitute for true Mexican food :)

My best guess as for why potatoes are not common in Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in the U.S. is that potatoes are not considered an exotic/exciting enough food/flavor to be considered "special" by most people who frequent such places.

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Flimzy
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4

Mexico City is rather high and not too dry so, not surprisingly, ate Tacos con papas on the street.

They were basically a seasoned mash in corn tortillas. What I remember most was the pretty colorful mix of diced bell-peppers in a basket pushed towards me when I got my order. Funny how quiet it got when I loaded up and took the first bite: you guessed it -habenero! Delicious nonetheless even with the top of my scull blown off.

Chorizo and potato, I remember our local SoCal Mexicans enjoying at breakfast...

Pat Sommer
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  • Do you know if potatoes were grown and eaten there *before* European colonization, or even if the potatoes you had were grown there? I suspect tacos de papa were created much more recently, and don't have much to do with the climate of Mexico City. – Cascabel Mar 16 '12 at 16:31
  • The climate is quite varied in the vicinity: snowy peaks and spring-time valleys. They grow broccoli on Popocatepetl but the valley heat means it blossoms the same day it is picked. I'll bet they grow spuds; might have had them pre-colombian...? – Pat Sommer Mar 18 '12 at 02:53