Taco & Drink Pairings

When you think of food and drink pairings, your mind probably tends to gravitate towards wine pairings. However, no matter what type of alcohol you’re looking to serve with a dish, there are likely to be some important guidelines you’ll want to keep in mind for the best flavors. And believe it or not, this even applies to your weekly taco night. Specifically, there are some beers, wines, and cocktails that tend to pair especially well with your favorite Mexican tacos recipe. By gaining a better understanding of what pairs well with tacos, you and your guests can better enjoy your next taco night!

Beer Pairings

What could be better than tacos and beer? The right combination of tacos and beer. Generally, you can’t go wrong with an American Pale Ale (APA) when you’re serving up any type of taco—whether stuffed with chicken, pork, fish, or beef. Specifically, the bitterness from the hops and the malt from the beer are perfect for bringing out the best flavors of the tortillas and spices without them becoming overwhelming in the process. Furthermore, APAs with a touch of citrus (such as lime or orange) are excellent when paired with an authentic taco with cilantro and lime.

Wine Pairings

Wine might not seem like the obvious go-to for Mexican food, but the right wine paired with tacos can be truly outstanding. Perhaps the best rule to keep in mind when pairing wine with tacos is that you should match the color of your meat to the color of your wine. In other words, if you’re serving up a white meat with your tacos (such as chicken), then you’ll want to go with a white wine. On the other hand, red meats (such as steak or beef) should be paired with a red wine. Generally, it’s best to stay away from sweet wines when pairing with tacos, as the sweetness in such wines can contrast too harshly with the spices in the average taco seasonings. When all else fails, you really can’t go wrong with a red rosé or a sauvignon blanc.

Cocktail Pairings

When it comes to liquor and tacos, it should probably go without saying that tequila is a popular go-to liquor that goes great with just about any type of taco you could be enjoying. Tequila goes great on its own or even in a margarita. But what about other liquor pairings with your taco dishes? Believe it or not, the right vodka can be a wonderful complement to your next taco night. Try, for example, this Mexican martini recipe:

  • a half cup of ice
  • 1.5 ounces of vodka
  • 1.5 ounces orange liqueur
  • 1.5 ounces orange juice
  • 1.5 ounces lemon juice
  • 1.5 ounces lime juice

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker; shake well, then strain into a martini glass and garnish with a fresh orange, lime, or lemon wedge (your choice). Try this with your next taco recipe!

Now that you know you can enjoy tacos with more than just tequila, what will you pair with yours on taco night?

 

Mexican Street Tacos: A Brief and Delicious History

When most people think of Mexican food, they tend to think of tacos—at least in the United States. It’s no secret that the taco is a Mexican food staple here in the states, as evidenced by the estimated 4.5 billion tacos consumed here each year. But have you ever stopped to actually think about the history of the taco: where it came from, how it made its way to the United States, and how it grew to become such a prominent food? The next time you’re enjoying a delicious taco, you’ll be glad you took the time to learn.

The Origins of the Taco

Believe it or not, nobody actually knows for sure who first invented the taco. We do know, however, that the first tacos were served up at some point in the 18th century. The name “taco” actually has quite a colorful history, as it’s believed “taco” first referred to dynamite used in mines; the gunpowder in this dynamite was wrapped tightly in paper, much like a modern-day taco’s ingredients are wrapped in a tortilla. Most people agree that the term was probably adapted as a reference to the food by the Aztecs, back when they ruled what is now Mexico.

The United States’ Adoption of Mexican Street Taco

Obviously, the taco is a Mexican food, so just how did it make its way over to the states? It’s hard to know for sure, but evidence suggests that tacos were first introduced in the United States by an influx of Mexican immigrants in the 19th century. More than likely, this first occurred in the Los Angeles area, where Mexican street tacos were sold by vendors. However, as generations of Mexican immigrants saw continued success in America, so did tacos. Gradually, they began making their way from food trucks to the menus of gourmet restaurants.

The Modern-Day Taco Love Affair

Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find a major city without at least a few different Mexican-inspired (or authentic Mexican) restaurants within its limits. And while it’s true that tacos have been Americanized in many ways (with the addition of piles of cheese, tomatoes, and other non-authentic toppings), you can still find good, old-fashioned Mexican tacos in some restaurants across the country.

How do you know when you’re eating an authentic Mexican taco? For starters, take a look at the shell. If the taco is wrapped in a flour tortilla, you’re probably enjoying an Americanized taco, as authentic tacos are usually served up in corn tortillas. Furthermore, authentic tacos tend to have just a few simple ingredients: some kind of meat (chicken, carne asada, or pork…not ground beef), some lettuce, and a small amount of cheese. Lime wedges may be served on the side.

As you can see, the taco has an interesting and rather mysterious history. Here at Macayo’s, we pride ourselves in dishing up some of the most delicious tacos and other Mexican dishes you’ll ever taste. Stop by today and give our famous chicken tinga tacos a try for yourself! We’re sure you’ll love them.

 

Come Celebrate National Taco Day October 4

It seems like there’s a holiday for just about everything imaginable these days. From National Best Friend Day to National Cheesecake Day, no matter where your interests lie, surely there’s a holiday to celebrate. But did you know that there’s also a National Taco Day?! Well, there is—and this year, it’s falling on October 4. As if you needed an excuse to enjoy some delicious tacos.

The History of the Taco

Before we get into more detail about National Taco Day, let’s briefly recap the history of the taco as we know it. It’s widely believed that the first tacos were served up in Mexico in the 18th century, consisting of a tortilla wrapped around some sort of spiced meat. Then, in the 19th century, it’s believed that Mexican immigrants first brought tacos into the United States (most likely to street vendors in Los Angeles). From there, the popularity of the taco grew exponentially, and the rest is, well…history.

Celebrating National Taco Day

With National Taco Day coming up on October 4, now is a good time to consider how you’ll celebrate. Maybe you’ll take it easy and make some tacos from the comfort and convenience of your own home. Brown a little taco meat, chop up some veggies, and maybe cook some rice on the side. Sounds good enough, right? But what if you don’t want to bother with prepping, cooking, and cleaning up? Are you destined to run through your local fast food drive through for some non-authentic, Americanized tacos?

Nope! You can stop by Macayo’s for some delicious, real Mexican tacos and save yourself the time and work. We have some absolutely delicious and spicy chicken tinga tacos on our new menu that our customers seem to love, but we’ve got plenty of other options for you to explore as well. And the best part (aside from the taste)? You won’t have to worry about cleaning up! Let our friendly wait staff bring you rounds of margaritas and yummy food as you enjoy National Taco Day with your loved ones.

Celebrate With Real Mexican Tacos at Macayo’s!

We’ve got 12 different locations for you to choose from, so no matter where you’re coming from, we’re sure you can find a location that’s convenient for you. Consider gathering some co-workers or friends together, or bring your family in for a day of celebrating the rich and delicious history of tacos as we know them today. And of course, we won’t judge you too much if you choose to order a non-taco dish from our impressive menu. We’ve got lots of options for you to choose from regardless of what your taste buds may be calling for. Oh, and we’re always serving up our signature drinks, such as the delicious and refreshing Macayo Mule.

Don’t let National Taco Day pass you by this year without allowing yourself to enjoy some authentic Mexican food in a fun, friendly environment. Just stop by Macayo’s for some real Mexican tacos, great service, delicious drinks, and an overall amazing time!