How popular is Mexican food?

Mexican foods and flavors are showing up on more menus in the US, and this increased exposure is helping more consumers discover how varied the country’s cuisine can be. A few decades ago, Mexican cuisine in the US largely consisted of inauthentic Tex-Mex dishes made with packaged salsas and a heavy dose of cheese. Today, eateries across the US are highlighting dishes and ingredients from Mexico that satisfy diners’ growing curiosity about Mexican food.

The fastest growing Mexican entree on US menus is chilaquiles, which appear on 24% more menus now than they did four years ago, according to research by Datassential. Tortas and tacos are also on the rise, with menu mentions over the past four years up 19% and 16%, respectively. Tacos and other street foods are especially appealing to restaurant operators because they offer a combination of authenticity and approachability. According to Datassential MenuTrends, the word "street" has increased nearly 40% on menus over the past four years.