4PM SATURDAY, APRIL 21 Meet Gustavo Arellano: Taco USA
Nationally syndicated "Ask a Mexican" columnist Gustavo Arellano visits with his new book Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America.
Arellano combines history, cultural criticism, personal anecdotes, and Jesus on a tortilla to explore America's century-long love affair with Mexican food. Did you know that salsa overtook ketchup as this country's favorite condiment in the '90s? In every decade since the 1880s, America has tried new food trends from south of the border—chili, tamales, tacos, enchiladas, tequila, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, and so many more—loved them, and demanded the next great thing. As a result, Mexican food dominates American palates to the tune of billions of dollars in sales per year, from canned refried beans to frozen margaritas and ballpark nachos. In Taco USA, Arellano addresses the all-important questions: What exactly constitutes "Mexican" food in the United States? How did it get here? What's "authentic" and does it matter? And why do Americans love Mexican food so much?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gustavo Arellano was born in Anaheim, California, to a tomato canner and an illegal immigrant. His "¡Ask a Mexican!" column won the 2006 Association of Alternative Newsweeklies award for the best column in a large circulation weekly. He's a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Times and has appeared on Today, Nightline, NPR's On the Media, The Situation with Tucker Carlson, and The Colbert Report. He'll also mow lawns for $15 - $10 if he gets a water break. More »
