Mexican Food: The Third Most Popular Menu Type in the USA

If you are craving Mexican food, you should visit the popular El Rincon Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar in Frisco, Texas.  Get the feel and taste of authentic Mexican dishes that have become popular in the USA.

In fact, Mexican is the third most popular menu type in the USA!  Americans have come to love tacos, tamales, and tequila, and other classic Mexican dishes.  Cinco de Mayo has also become a popular celebration where American families, whether they have Mexican descent, prepare great Mexican food.

The Mexican Restaurant Market in Numbers

According to the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS), here are questions and answers about the Mexican restaurant industry you would be interested to know:

● How many businesses are there in the Mexican Restaurant industry in the US in 2021?

There are 47,923 Mexican Restaurants in the US as of 2021, an increase of 2.9% from 2020.

● What is the growth of Mexican restaurant businesses in the US over the past 5 years?

The number of Mexican restaurant businesses in the US has grown 2.9% per year on average from 2016-2021.

● Which States have the highest number of Mexican restaurants in the United States?

  • California –  74,669
  • Texas – 45,139
  • New York – 44,599

● What is the market size of the U.S. Mexican restaurant industry?

In 2019, the Mexican restaurant sector in the United States was estimated at approximately 62.24 billion U.S. dollars.  In 2021, the Mexican restaurants in the US market size is 66.9 billion U.S. dollars, a 22.5% market size growth with a 4% annualized market size growth from 2016-2021.  This market size of the Mexican restaurants’ industry in the US increased faster than the Consumer Goods and Services sector overall.

● Which companies hold the largest market share in the Mexican restaurants industry?

  1.  Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
  2. Taco Bell Corp.
  3. Del Taco
  4. Qdoba Mexican Eat

● How popular is Mexican cuisine in the US?

Mexican cuisine is the most popular ethnic cuisine in 27 states, followed by Chinese cuisine in 22 States and Thai cuisine in 2 states.

A Dominating Mexican Menu Type

Mexican cuisine is popular because of its distinct flavor and aroma.  Mexican dishes are packed with flavorful herbs and fresh vegetables and ingredients like avocados, beans, chiles, tomatoes, and different types of meat like beef, chicken, pork, lamb, among others.

Brad T. Bloom, Director of Sales at CHD Expert North America commented, “Americans love Mexican food, and this popular cuisine type appeals to palates all across the nation.”

The important and unique elements of Mexican cuisine that make it well-sought after and well-loved include the use of fresh ingredients and proteins, which favors the evolving restaurant market landscape.

Why is Mexican food well known?

1. Different types of cuisine

Mexican food is a fusion of various types of cuisine that create amazing taste with fresh and unique ingredients.  You will find different preferences and options with meats and vegetables in some dishes.

2. Rich and healthy food

It’s not just the flavor.  Mexican food is a combination of different ingredients that provide all the minerals, proteins, and vitamins you need.

3. Ideal for those who love spicy food

Chili peppers are a popular ingredient in Mexican dishes that add a delicious flavor.  There are many different types of chili used and they are as important as other ingredients in other traditional Mexican dishes like rice, cacao, avocado, beans, and cactus.

4. Sweet desserts

You cannot order a Mexican dish without a Mexican dessert.  Mexican food is also famous not for flavor and spiciness alone but also for delicious dessert-like churros, cornbread, and sweet tamales.

According to Chefs Pencil, here are the top 10 most popular Mexican foods of all time, from the 30 listed:

  • Chilaquiles
  • Huevos Rancheros
  • Machaca
  • Discada
  • Tacos
  • Burritos
  • Pozole de Pollo or Guajolote
  • Menudo
  • Cochinita Pibil
  • Tamales

Do you love Mexican food?  You wouldn’t want to miss it if you don’t because there are definitely good reasons why it is the third most popular menu type in the U.S. 

Although Mexican restaurants still have to dominate the northeastern region, you will still find thousands of Mexican restaurants there that you can visit if you are from there. 

Anywhere else in America, there are Mexican restaurants where you can buy more affordable, grab-and-go food for any meal of the day.

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