Mexican Restaurant 101: From aguachile to guacamole, this is the dish beginners should order

Curious about what to order at a Mexican restaurant? The chef and restaurateur explains the menu. (Photo: Aloy Thai; designed by Quinn Lemmers)

Every few weeks, I crave a giant burrito filled with meat, cheese, tomatoes, guacamole, lettuce, beans, corn and salsa. You guessed it – I’m describing my Chipotle order. But sometimes, I find myself getting tired of my usual burrito bowl or fried tortilla and can’t help but wonder what exciting dishes a real Mexican restaurant would serve.

To prepare you for my next visit, I talked to chefs at Mexican restaurants across the country about the history of this cuisine – and more importantly, what beginners should order besides chips and guacamole.

To make the most of Mexican restaurants, you need to enter with an open mind …… and palate, says Fernando Romero, owner and chef of Corazon Modern Kitchen in Brea, Calif.

Mexican Restaurant Menu 101

When ordering at a Mexican restaurant, it’s best to ask questions if you’re not sure about ingredients or flavors, Romero says. “We have complex flavors and use seasonings and chilies that may scare some people away from trying the dish,” he told Yahoo Lifestyle. “Our chefs want you to enjoy the culture and cuisine we offer. Ask us questions: Where do you find your ingredients? What inspires your menu?

For appetizers, called aperitifs, you’ll usually find things like quesadillas (tortillas stuffed with cheese), queso fundido (hot melted cheese dipped in chorizo), bean dips (beans, salsa, cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, chili powder and cumin) and nachos (crispy tortillas, queso, black beans, chopped cheese, tomatillo salsa, sour cream, guacamole and your choice of chicken (or beef.)

Fideo seco is sometimes referred to as the Mexican version of angel hair pasta. (Photo; Rose Wong)

You can also choose from a variety of soups (sopa) and salads (ensalada) to start your meal. There are sopa azteca (seasoned tomato chile broth served hot over crispy tortilla strips with cheese, guacamole and sour cream) and ensalada tacos (lettuce, cheese, beans, onions and avocado in a fried tortilla bowl.)

For entrees, you will find different categories such as burritos, bowls, empanadas, fajitas, enchiladas, mariscos (seafood) and grande platos (large plates). The burrito, arguably the most popular Mexican dish among the masses, consists of a tortilla shell stuffed with meat, cheese and vegetables. The same applies to bowls (which are usually taco fillings without the shells.)

Fajitas are made with grilled meat and sautéed peppers and onions. They are usually served with flour or corn tortillas. Enchiladas are tortillas rolled around a filling of meat, cheese, beans, potatoes and vegetables. They are usually topped with a special sauce to add spice.

Large plates in Mexican restaurants usually consist of meat or fish served with rice, beans and guacamole. Popular types of meat in Mexican cuisine include pollo (chicken) and bistec (steak). As for mariscos (seafood), those that usually appear on the menu include camarones (shrimp) and ceviche (marinated raw fish).

Last but not least is dessert. At Mexican restaurants, you’ll find a variety of desserts, including arroz con leche (rice pudding), flan (custard-like dessert with caramel sauce), pastel de elote (sweet corn cake) and gianduja (hazelnut sponge cake with chocolate) and salted caramel ice cream.)

Consider spices when ordering

When reviewing the menu, you’ll want to consider the spices, especially if you haven’t tried other dishes. Many Mexican dishes are spicy because they contain ingredients such as cumin, chili, black pepper and cayenne. If you don’t like spicy food, Gerardo Alcaraz, partner and executive chef of Aldama in Brooklyn, N.Y., says not to worry because there are several options on the menu that are either not spicy or can be modified.

Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican dish made from fried tortillas. (Photo: Yellow Rosa)

The history of Mexican cuisine

Want to learn about the origins of Mexican cuisine? Here’s what you need to know about the cuisine behind Joel Roland, the restaurateur behind Rosemary Wong in Dallas, Texas, described as “vibrant, diverse and intense.

Roland says modern Mexican cooking is considered by culinary historians to be a fusion of three cuisines – indigenous, Spanish and French. Mexican cuisine was most influenced by Spanish food, as the Spanish brought new livestock – including sheep, pigs and cattle – as well as the dairy products, garlic, herbs, wheat and spices that can still be found in Mexican food today.

“Most recipes include some type of white rice and additional spices as an explicit respect for European influences,” he added. “Since colonization, many cuisines have influenced Mexican cuisine, including French cuisine.”

Because Mexicans didn’t have stoves in the early days, they used cast-iron skillets to prepare many dishes – the same method still applies today in restaurants around the world.

5 best items to order as a beginner

Still not sure what to order? Roland recommends going with the following items, that should be found on any menu, for the best first time-experience.

  • Fideo seco: Start your meal with an appetizer like this one which consists of dry noodles with chipotle sauce and sour cream. Roland says it’s ideal for those who like pasta and a bit of spice.
  • Guacamole with chapulines: For adventurous eaters, Roland suggests trying guacamole mixed with dried insects like grasshoppers, scorpions and ants.
  • Enchiladas: Enchiladas typically include marinated meat, and can be ordered with many different sauces and fillings. Roland recommends this dish for those with basic taste buds since there are a plethora of combinations to choose from.

Aguachile served with verde (green) sauce at Yellow Rosa. (Photo: Yellow Rosa)
  • Aguachile: A straightforward meal, slightly similar to ceviche, that hails from the Sinaloa region of Mexico, Roland, says the ingredients that give the dish its name include fresh raw shrimp, cucumber, red onion, lime juice and chile water.
  • Arroz con leche: This is a tasty dessert with a rich history that dates back to the time when Spain was influenced by the Moors. Roland says that these days arroz con leche typically consists of cooked rice, milk, sugar, cinnamon sticks and either lemon or orange peel.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *