As you may have noticed, Mexican food is highly popular in the U.S. no matter what region you visit. According to IBISWorld, the U.S. supported over 48,000 Mexican restaurants in 2022 alone. Before you go ordering your go-to favorite, give these four authentic dishes a try.

1. Flautitas

You may recognize the little brother of this famous Mexican dish, taquitos. However, authentic Mexican flautitas are far from the microwaved snack you're probably used to. The idea is the same: a tortilla with beef, chicken, bean, or cheese filling that's then deep-fried. The primary difference between taquitos and flautitas is that taquitos are made with small corn tortillas while flautitas are made with large flour tortillas. However, ordering these in a restaurant also means they are cooked with authentic spices and don't have the soggy texture that comes with spending time in a freezer.

2. Tamales

Tamales are a corn-based dough mixed with various spices, topped with meat, beans, or cheese, then steamed in a corn husk. They originated as a Mesoamerican dish going back hundreds of years, but to this day, they remain an iconic staple in many Mexican households. Homemade tamales are often considered one of the best Mexican foods! There's a reason people have made them for so many generations. These days, the ones made in restaurants are hard to beat.

3. Chalupas

Chalupas, famously from central Mexico, are now one of the most famous Mexican street foods. These are very similar to street tacos, except chalupas shells are thick and fried. They're made from a masa harina, a type of very finely ground corn flour. This makes them crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. The food is named after the flat-bottomed boat that it looks so much like.

4. Fajitas

We usually equate fajitas with tacos, but if you order this dish at a restaurant, you're in for a surprise. Served still sizzling on a cast iron platter, you'll have to wait a moment before digging in. Onions and peppers are sautéed alongside your protein of choice, though chicken or steak is usually the most popular. With rice, refried beans, and homemade tortillas on the side, you're in for a real treat! Without meat, it's a great vegetarian option. The best Mexican restaurant will always be one with fajitas on the menu.

Keep these authentic Mexican favorites in your back pocket, and the next time you visit your local Mexican restaurant, you'll soon have a new favorite! Want to try real Mexican food today? Visit us at Casa Rosa Restaurante! We'd love to have you.