Interview with my boyfriend from Mexico:

Me: What's the biggest cultural difference you feel like is in Mexican food?

Edgar: Good Mexican food can not be cheap or mass produced. It takes a lot of love to make Mexican food just right, and I think that's what a lot of chefs and even family's in Mexico try to achieve in their food.

Me: What would you say is the largest cultural difference between American food and Mexican food?

Edgar: Mexican food is always fresh, and really isn't oily. My dad hates when Americans put oil on things like vegetables. The food is more pure, whole, and untouched in my opinion.

Me: Why do you think it's more pure, fresh, whole, etc?

Edgar: We don't process things like Americans do. Everything is done by hand and rarely touches machine processing. Even meat that is raised here is slaughtered outside, by hand, by someone who knew the animal. Though its gross, even chickens are plucked by hand. Trust me, I've done it.

Me: What's your favorite Mexican food dish?

Edgar: Barbacoa is my favorite. It's traditionally made with goat. My dad has made it all of his life, and actually learned it from a chef in Mexico himself in the village they both lived in. Even now he makes it. Over years he has perfected the art of Barbacoa. Our family friends, no matter how long they've gone without seeing him, ask; Hey, you still make that Barbacoa? It always makes me laugh.

Me: What is your favorite American food?

Edgar: Hawaiian BBQ hands down. Its the most delicious, fatty thing. Also, the rice is the fluffiest I've ever been able to eat. I wonder how they get it like that. It makes me feel like a pig, but whatever. I love the feeling after eating a giant plate of the stuff.


Me: What is your favorite memory of Mexican food?

Edgar: Hahaha, okay well this isn't really a "good" story but its fun. So, when I was about five I was still living in Mexico. The grocery stores had amazing bakeries, and my mom bought me a slice of this vanilla cake. So, we're in the car and I wanted to eat it while driving home. Traffic in Mexico is awful, by the way. I didn't have my seat belt on, so my dad told me once it was on I could have it. I fussed, and put it on, but as soon as I got that cake I took it off. Needless to say, he got pulled over very soon after for me not having my seat belt on. He yelled at me. Didn't learn my lesson, haha.

Me: What would you tell my classmates about eating Mexican food?

Edgar: Stop eating f*cking Taco Bell and splurge on some quality Mexican cuisine once in a while. It's totally worth it. Even better if you can find a bakery in a Mexican restaurant, or even find somewhere with good barbacoa, because that stuff will change your life. Even making your own Mexican food with friends can be fun. It's why the internet exists.