Home- Food

This website started as an ode to the border of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. La Frontera! Although this blog has focused on many things, especially the music, one thing that I keep in mind is home.

Although I now spend 80% of my time outside of El Paso, it is that time away that makes me appreciate certain aspects of the border that I didn't before. I'm not the most eloquent with words, but I always long for a piece of home when I am away. Whether I do it consciously or unconsciously, I have that yearning. I really notice it when it comes to food. Every time I crave Mexican Food and buy it outside of El Paso or Juarez, I can't help but compare it. Nothing compares to Frontera food. I feel like I should know better by now, but I every bite of Mexican food outside of El Paso is followed by a, "I told you so" in the back of my mind or a very disappointed stomach. Perhaps part of the authenticity and flavor of frontera food is our proximity to Mexico and the fact that El Pasoans are not afraid of spice. No shade intended, but it is my opinion. It is that symbiotic relationship of la frontera that makes all the difference. 

Recently, I found myself grinning the whole time I was re-reading "Drink Cultura: Chicansimo" by José Antonio Burgiaca and on page 29 he states, "El Paso is the Mexican-food capital of this country". Literally could not have said it better! This post has no rhyme or reason. I just wanted to talk about how I miss the food in El Paso and provide another reason as to why it should not be overlooked. Anywhere I go, I compare it to El Paso (and Juarez) cooking. Rare are the times I am truly surprised and many times I am disappointed and think "I could have made this better at home" or "my mom makes it better" or "this salsa is so diluted"! 

On that note, and drastically changing topics because I have no end this to reason besides saying I am missing frontera food, what is you favorite Mexican restaurant where you live? 


* Burciaga, J. A. (1992). Drink Cultura: Chicanismo (1st ed.). Joshua Odell Editions.