Cultural history of taco

The hard-shell or crispy taco is a Mexican dish that developed in the United States.
The earliest references to hard-shell tacos are from the early
1890s, and by the early 20th century this style of taco was available in Mexican-American communities across the US.
Fast food chains began to market hard-shell tacos to Americans in the mid-1950s, with Taco Bell playing a significant role in popularizing the food.

A taco is a traditional Mexican food consisting of a small hand-sized corn- or wheat-based tortilla topped with a filling.
The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand.
A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, beans, vegetables, and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety.
They are often garnished with various condiments, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, and vegetables, such as lettuce, onion, tomatoes, and chiles.
Tacos are a common form of antojitos, or Mexican street food, which have spread around the world.

Gidget, nicknamed the Taco Bell Chihuahua, was an advertising figure and mascot for Taco Bell from September 1997 to July 2000.
She was voiced by Carlos Alazraqui, and developed by TBWA.
The Chihuahua is a breed commonly associated with Mexico.

Taco Cabana is an American fast casual restaurant chain that serves Tex-Mex cuisine.
It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of YTC Enterprises LLC, and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.
As of January 2022, Taco Cabana has 148 locations throughout Texas and New Mexico.
Taco Cabana is recognized for its pink color scheme and semi-enclosed patio dining areas.
Many menu items are handmade daily on-site, in open-display cooking areas.

Taco Chronicles is an American-Mexican documentary streaming television series focusing on tacos, Mexico's favorite street food.
There is rich history and culture behind each variety of tacos, and the series tries to be both educational and stylish about the different kinds and where they come from, through interviews with food writers, experts, and owners of the stands seen on the streets, who describe them and the ingredients in depth.

Filip Tadeusz Szcześniak, better known by the stage name Taco Hemingway, is a Polish rapper, songwriter, and musician.

A taco stand or taquería is a food stall, food cart or restaurant that specializes in tacos and other Mexican dishes.
The food is typically prepared quickly and tends to be inexpensive.
Many various ingredients may be used, and various taco styles may be served.
Taco stands are an integral part of Mexican street food.
Tacos became a part of traditional Mexican cuisine in the early 20th century, beginning in Mexico City, as what had been a miner's snack began to be sold on street corners in the city.
Shops selling tacos have since proliferated throughout Mexico and other areas with a heavy Mexican culinary and cultural influence, including much of the Western United States and most other larger American cities.
More typical taquerías specialize in tacos, as expected, but in some localities it can be used to refer to restaurants specializing in burritos, where tacos themselves are less of a point of emphasis.

Taco Trucks At Every Mosque is a community initiative started in Orange County, California that aims to bring together Muslim and Latino communities through sharing food.
The events were the idea of Rida Hamida and Ben Vazquez.
The first event took place on June 3, 2017 and have taken place throughout California, in Mexico and Milwaukee.

Colloquially referred to as Loncheras, Taco trucks have become an iconic symbol of Mexican culture in the United States.
Popularized in Los Angeles, Loncheras are often characterized by rough exteriors, bright colors, and bold murals.
Operators have been able to build loyal clientele using familiar parking spots, social media, and after-dark hours.
Though taco trucks are a staple food for Angelenos of every race, Loncheras in Los Angeles are chiefly owned and operated by Hispanic and Latino families in low to moderate-income areas.
Since Raul Martinez's first mobile truck success, taco trucks have continued to serve as windows of opportunity for migrant families and prospective chefs to earn a living.
Taco trucks, like all Mexican street food, have allowed Mexican Americans to stay connected to their heritage while adjusting to a new country, community, and way of life.
Success among authentic Mexican taco trucks later inspired fusion taco trucks. Roy Choi's Kogi BBQ food truck, a Korean-Mexican short rib taco truck, is considered to be the first fusion taco truck in Los Angeles.
The opening of Choi's truck marked a gastronomic explosion on the Los Angeles taco truck horizon.
Both regular and fusion taco trucks help meet the high demand for fast, affordable, and convenient street food in the Golden city.