The taco is a dish that originates in Mexico, though the forms Americans eat, especially from places like Taco Bell® bear little resemblance to the true taco form. Generally the taco is made on one or two heated or lightly fried corn tortillas, and can contain any number of different traditional Mexican meats or fish. Tacos can be dressed up with a variety of condiments, including salsa or pico de gallo, a bit of lettuce, tomato, onions, and sometimes cheese.

When the traditional taco is served it is flat, not pinched up into the hard taco shells that many Americans consider the essential taco base. Hard shells that are in a semi-circle form are largely an American invention. However, to eat the traditional form of tacos, people often pinch up the ends of the tortillas, creating a sandwich like way of eating the food. Tacos do have a tendency to drip from the end you’re not eating, particularly if they’re overfilled with ingredients.

Traditional meats that may top the tortilla include carne asada, which are roasted meats, especially beef. Chorizo, a spicy sausage, grilled chicken, fish, or roasted pork are also popular. Many tacos use various other parts of the animal, not typically part of American fare. For instance, tacos de tripita are popular and use crisply fried cow intestines. Tacos made of the cow head, and other ingredients less familiar to the US palate are often available on request from taquerias, stands that specialize in making numerous tacos for hungry guests.

Tacos aren’t necessarily differentiated from other Mexican dishes. For instance flautas and tacquitos are considered variants. They are both rolled up versions, often containing grilled chicken, which are deep-fried.

Though corn tortillas are standard for this dish, you can use flour tortillas if you choose. Tex-Mex cuisine makes use of the flour tortilla to serve one of its classic dishes, the fajita. Essentially fajitas are filled with meats, salsa, beans, cheese and whatever else you’d like, and as such resemble the classic Mexican dish.

American style tacos tend to rely on the hard shell, and fast food restaurants generally make this type utilizing ground beef, or in some cases grilled chicken. The beef is often given seasoning and these tacos may be topped with a variety of things, much like the Mexican version. Traditional toppings include cheese, sour cream, and salsa. People who are used to the American style may be surprised by the relatively simple style served at an authentic taqueria. The trick is in the ordering. You can pretty much ask for anything you’d like on tacos made in the traditional manner. If you don’t ask, you’re likely to be presented with one or two corn tortillas with some meat on it, and very little else.