Authentic Mexican Restaurant (that is not authentic)
First of all I live in Santa Maria California (a agricultural town) that has 65% Mexican population. Recently I had a conversation with 2 Mexicans and the topic of food came up. Laughter; about Authentic Mexican Restaurants was discussed.
Ok what may be found in American "Authentic Mexican Restaurant" that is not authentic. This list is what of we discussed and what I myself have found on my frequent trips to Mexico that is not authentic.
- Yellow cheese on beans -- maybe white cheese but usually plain and add your own salsa.
- Tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream -- maybe guacamole on the side.
- Seafood/Shrimp Cocktail with a tomato paste type of sauce.
- Enchiladas with a flour tortilla.
- Chili with beans. (only with meat and red or green chilies
- Corn kernels in soup. -- corn is left on the cob in 1-2" pieces and eaten with your hands.
- Tamales served with rice (never) -- maybe with beans but not common.
- Taco Salad. (no such thing)
- Fish or fish taco with tartar sauce.
- Cheese and creamy dressing on salads. (Maybe some crumbled goat cheese)
- Milk/Soda Pop -- (never milk, but soda pop can be found)
- Ground beef in tacos or buritos. (I don't think I have ever had ground beef anything in Mexico except when I ordered a hamburger)
- Fried buritos.
- Chimichungas.
- Concentrated Orange Juice or Lemonade. (always fresh squeezed)
Have you guys got any other things to add to this list that is not authentic? (just for fun you know) Jeezzle I know you live in Texas; you have to have something to add.
6 Answers
My friend from Colombia said "this is Colombian rice. Try it, you'll love it". After having sampled the rice I asked her "what makes this Colombian rice"? She said "I made it".
In my small town we have one Mexican restaurant. The owner is from Mexico, and he's also the cook. I guess his food would be authentic, unless he lets his Costa Rican wife cook it. 
- We never once saw sour cream in Mexico...
- Salad was always shredded green cabbage, not lettuce
Here in Mexico there is just "Crema", which is pretty much the same thing from what I can tell. It is very common.
Corn kernels in soup. -- corn is left on the cob in 1-2" pieces and eaten with your hands.
We eat a soup called elote (corn), and it has corn kernels, onion, lettuce, and chicken along with a few other things. You can also squeeze in some lime... yum 
I'm sorry to say I went to one that served chicken nuggets and hot dogs on the kids' menu.
Here is a link to a popular Mexican Restaurant in Mexico. It contains photos so you can see what you're getting.
We have elote here in Texas, but it is boiled corn removed from the cob, with spices in a cup sold by street vendors. Really delicious except that they put mayonnaise in it unless you are quick to say no mayonnaise.
We have that too... hehe. They put chile, cream, butter, cheese, and lime. Both are called "elote".
