American Tacos

A deeply researched guide to north-of-the-border taco culture and history. ~Los Angeles Times

[Ralat] gives an in-depth look at each taco's history and showcases other aspects of taco culture that has solidified it as a go-to dish on dinner tables throughout the nation. ~Smithsonian Magazine

A handsome tome…maybe don't read this when you're hungry. ~UrbanDaddy

These 280 pages [in American Tacos] delve into every imaginable angle, from the barbacoa tradition to Baja-style seafood, from Revolver Taco Lounge in Deep Ellum to Hugo’s in Houston. All the cabrito, cabeza, and chapulines you ever could desire are here. He’ll make you dream of tangy-bright or roasted salsas and masa, whether blue or golden-yellow or white. And to that we say, amen. ~D Magazine

When [Ralat] talks about tacos, this dish undergoes a transformation. It's not just a filling-stuffed tortilla. It's a cultural beacon that tells the story of the United States from San Antonio to Memphis to Los Angeles. ~Matador Network

Ralat is at his fiery best while dismantling two of the biggest myths in taco lore: the dueling stereotypes of 'authentic street tacos' and 'white people tacos.' His extraordinary cataloging of the many varieties of Mexican and Mexican American taco experience is more than mouthwatering—it proves just how diverse and exciting this food is, well beyond the 'authentic' stereotype of a tortilla, a meat, some white onions and cilantro...Ralat proves, joyously, that the taco can't be pinned down. ~Dallas Observer

If you thought this would be a polite and matter-of-fact history of America's most popular taco styles, you're in for a surprise...[American Tacos] offers plenty of recommendations on where to get great tacos…But it offers much more than that, tackling history, culture and some controversial points as well. ~Chicago Tribune

[American Tacos is] a 280-page deep dive into the past, present, and future of tacos found around the United States...The lore around Korean tacos, breakfast tacos, parmesan-dusted tacos, Jewish tacos, Chicano locavore tacos, crunchy tacos, and a particularly enticing chapter on the newish brave new world of 'Sur Mex' taco culture of the American south along the Gulf Coast are all brilliantly presented by Ralat. ~L.A. Taco

You'll learn an enormous and entertaining amount about [tacos] in…American Tacos...The book literally covers the map of American tacos, from Texas and the South to New York, Chicago, Kansas City and California. ~Forbes

[A] fascinating look at America's many regional tacos...From California’s locavore tacos to Korean 'K-Mex' tacos to Jewish 'deli-Mex' to Southern-drawl 'Sur-Mex' tacos to American-Indian-inspired fry bread tacos to chef-driven 'moderno' tacos, Ralat lays out a captivating landscape. ~Houston Chronicle

Taco lovers will want to get their salsa-stained hands on [American Tacos]…The book explores the history of tacos in America and offers tips on finding the best regional variations ~Texas Journey

American Tacos is a must-have guide for taco amateurs and aficionados alike...With glowing reviews from journalists and chefs, Ralat’s latest is a treat for both your mind and your stomach. ~Alcalde

Ralat does a lot of work to show where tacos come from and how they got to be where they are now…One of the great pleasures of this book is the opportunity to to taste many of these tacos through Ralat's descriptions: he has persuaded me that as soon as it’s safe to travel again, I’m going to have to get myself down to San Antonio to gorge myself on puffy tacos. ~The Takeout

You might think that opening a book on tacos right now would be recipe for frustration, its pages loaded with delicious tacos that are just out of reach. You would be, in part, correct — this book will make you salivate like one of Pavlov’s dogs in a bell factory. But it’s also a satisfying meal by itself, and inspiration for future exploration both in the outside world and your own kitchen. ~The Statesider

Ralat's casual, conversational style and his passion for all things taco make for a delightful read. Reading American Tacos is like listening to a friend share his adventures over a shared plate of tacos and a bucket of cold beers. You'll find yourself dipping back into this book like your favorite salsa...American Tacos is the perfect book to help you appreciate the social and culinary importance of tacos and El Paso's influence on Mexican food across America. ~El Paso Inc.

Ralat gives a Texas-sized tribute to the Mexican food staple. ~Austin Monthly

[An] exhaustive food travelogue. ~Santa Fe Reporter

[An] impressively reported new book…a fast-paced cultural survey and travel guide…American Tacos is an exceptional book. ~TASTE

[A] flavorful book...[Ralat] becomes sort of a 'Taco Country Guide' and you’ll know quickly he knows what he's talking about. ~Corpus Christi Caller Times

Fabulous. ~San Francisco Chronicle

Ralat has the experience to select life stories, recipes, places, and preparation processes that reveal the historical, cultural, political, and symbolic dimensions that every American taco has...This is a travel book, it is a series of interviews, it is a cookbook at the same time, it is Ralat’s own life story that passes from one format to another to tell the unique tale of the taco. And of course, it is a book to delight us. Once you finish reading the book you will want to go out and eat an American taco. ~Pacific Historical Review

Everything a food history book should be: illuminating, well-written, crusading, and inspiring a taco run afterwards. You'll gain five pounds reading it, but don't worry--most of that will go to your brain. ~Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times features writer, ¡Ask a Mexican! columnist, and author of Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America

Mexican food is borderless, and José Ralat does an extraordinary job of exploring the diverse and fascinating array of tacos in America. Salud to this work! ~Pati Jinich, chef, cookbook author, and James Beard-award winning host of Pati's Mexican Table on PBS

If tacos ever had a family reunion, José Ralat would help you remember the names and stories of all those in the room . . . even the distant cousins. American Tacos is a detailed, diverse, and salivating exploration of one of our nation's most iconic foods. ~Adrian Miller, James Beard Award-winning culinary historian and barbecue judge, author of Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time

Warning: do not read this book when you’re hungry, or you may find yourself booking a ticket to one of the spots across America that offers regional interpretations of tacos, giving the Mexican stalwart of tortillas and fillings a uniquely American spin. Bravo to José Ralat for his in-depth exploration and analysis of the American taco scene. If you love tacos, you want to read this book. ~Lisa Fain, author of The Homesick Texan Cookbook

José Ralat is the ideal guide to what has become an American staple, the US taco: a taco with a unique history and diversity of flavors here in el norte, or Mexico afuera. In this book, we learn of the importance of tacos in relation to cultural respect and appropriation. Ralat's work expands the taco canon. ~Steven Alvarez, assistant professor at St. John's University and creator of the "Taco Literacy" course