Sometimes when you go to a Mexican restaurant, it can be intimidating when the list of proteins are explained using different terms than you are used to. With most dishes containing meat, it is safe to say that those who truly appreciate Mexican food enjoy eating meat. Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant is here to distinguish the difference between the different types of meat used in authentic Mexican dishes.

Mexican Meat Food Culture Explained

If you aren’t fluent in speaking Spanish, you may look at the dishes in a menu at Mexican restaurants and wonder what they could possibly be talking about. There are several different types of meat to choose from, but if you don’t know what these meats are called, it is hard to choose. Following are the common meats you will usually see as you sit down for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant:
– Carne Asada: This meat is commonly used for burritos as well as tacos and is a marinated beef steak. It is usually somewhat spicy with a delicious flavor.
– Pollo Asada: The word ‘Pollo’ in Spanish is chicken. Pollo Asada is marinated, spicy and grilled chicken. This is also used as a filler for burritos and tacos.
– Lengua: This slow cooked beef tongue is often cooked twice. The second time it is cooked, butter is used to make it softer and more flavorful.
– Carnitas: Carnitas is a favorite as it is pork that has been braised and is extremely juicy. That, plus a mixture of herbs and spices and you have an excellent dish. It is often cooked in an oven once finished to give it crispy edges.
– Chorizo: This is a pork sausage. Pork meat as well as pork fat are seasoned with paprika with the addition of salt. When this is prepared, it can be prepared so it is either sweet or spicy.
– Zapata: This is a burrito filler that is a mixture of carne asada and chorizo. This is a favorite for many that are looking for authentic Mexican food.
– Chori Pollo: This grilled chicken that is mixed with chorizo makes a great combination with beans and rice. Some people love to put it in tacos as well.
– Hamburguesa: This is what Americans refer to as hamburger. It is not used as often when you are looking for authentic Mexican food, but you may see it pop up in menus occasionally.

Authentic Mexican Food in Las Vegas, Nevada (Just Minutes from Summerlin, North LV & Henderson, NV)

While the chefs at Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant prepare several vegetarian dishes, you will find commonly used meats in all of the other food we serve. We look forward to serving our delicious menu to you, your friends and your family the next time you visit!