Several have asked our opinion of the "Tacos of Texas Map." I hesitated at first, but since it was posted on my personal timeline three times in twelve hours, it's become necessary to respond.
First of all, the map shouldn't be confused with the Tacos of Texas website (tacosoftexas.com) nor the forthcoming book regarding the same subject. Though I'm not the author of the book - Mando Rayo and Marco Torres are writing and photographing it - I was selected as a Taco Ambassador for the book due out in Summer of 2016.
From the look of the map, it appears that the designer is from the Corpus Christi/Laredo area. (I know, it seems weird to put those cities together, but they are relatively close and were actually part of the same Catholic diocese at one time.) One quick look at Mr. Garcia's Facebook page confirmed a Corpitos heritage. It's human to think that good, authentic, perfect anything comes from wherever we call home. This is why your abuela's carne guisada always tastes the best, while I know you're wrong because it's my abuela's carne guisada that would change your world. (See what I mean.)
Moving west to east: the assessment of the El Paso area isn't too far off, though like the rest of the map is overly simplistic. El Paso does revel in its Mexican-ness, but there's also a New Mexico influence and we can't forget the entire nomenclature issue: burro or taco?
I really can't argue with the upper-west Texas and Panhandle assessment. It makes me kind of sad, actually to think about those poor, unenriched people. But then, I realized that there are two fellow Taco Council members in the Midland/Odessa area so I know that not all hope is lost.
While Dallas is home to expensive food, it's not all. I've seen some great pics of tacos I'd love to try from that area and they really do look corn-tortilla authentic.
I'm not sure there are tacos in Tyler, nor that they mind.
If I was from Houston, I would be most upset about this map. There are certainly more options than chile relleno. Personally, I had some tacos off a truck, from a well-to-do section of the city and was unexpectedly delighted. More research has to be done.
I'm not sure about where the expensive little tortillas are located. Is that Austin? Waco? West? (If you're looking for tacos in West, stop. Get yourself an authentic kolache and thank me later.) In any case, if it's the Austin area, then you're dealing with fusion and hipster influences. Yes they're tasty, delicious, innovative, but not my personal style. Also, there's an entire book of breakfast tacos from there, and that has to be noted.
San Antonio - it's my humble opinion that this area has the legendary breakfast tacos. Also, it's where the puffy taco was invented and perfected, so reducing it all to just barbacoa and Big Red is, well, like saying that Corpus is only important because Selena was from there.
Laredo needs its own place on the map. It has its own tortilla style, which I'm sure has the biggest Monterrey influence of all places on this map.
I'm from the RGV and I hear there's great pastor here, but the two best tacos I've had have been fajitas from a political pachanga and anything my mom makes. Also, I've encountered a strong affinity, as much as El Paso, toward the corn tortilla in this area.
All in all, the map sparks a great debate, but Texas is too complex to reduce to a few words mixed with geography. Further, the map does prove where the best tacos are: closest to home.
That's something we taco bout all the time.
