The Tacocalypse Is Here
Forget the market crashing more and more every day! The clear sign of the apocalypse is more and more carne asada and mango street vendors popping up!
And for those of you that want more ties, the Latino politics angle here is that Bill Richardson said some stuff on NPR about how Latinos matter (ha!) in this election/ in New Mexico, which shares the first half of its name with New York, which brings us to…
How Mexican brown can do way more for you, you white hipster! Because, you know, it’s way nicer to enjoy street tacos at 2 AM than it is to pay attention to the mariachis on the subway or the parking attendant.
Top 10 signs of the New York taco-over
Big Apple rings suddenly passé. How about Big Enchilada?
The spectacular rise of New York’s Mexican community in the past two decades is one of the most fascinating demographic stories in a city used to sweeping population changes.
From an official census count of about 61,000 Mexican-born city residents in 1990, city demographers estimate that there are currently about 350,000 New Yorkers of Mexican descent.
Mexican mothers had more city-born babies last year than Dominicans, which had been, up to now, the largest immigrant group in New York. The city has been transformed, one tortilla at a time.
So basically there’s more Mexican babies now. And of course, here’s their biggest contribution (aka non-threatening stuff white people like about Mexico):
1. Mangoes on a stick & sticky Churros
Busting out of their ethnic enclaves, vendors bearing the flower-shaped, chili-dusted fruit can be found in places like Coney Island.
Also the beloved churros, those tubular sugar-dusted pastries, are popping up in menus all around town and have become an alternative to newsstand candy bars within several major subway stations.
2. Hipsters dig ‘naco’
The imported DF cool of monthly parties such as Fresa Salvaje and Nacotheque, and hangouts such as Hecho en Dumbo is attracting big crowds of hipsters of all nationalities who are learning the meaning of “naco=chido†(tacky=cool).
3. Jarritos & Mexican Coke
The Mexican soda brand Jarritos, with flavors like tamarind, grapefruit and Jamaica (hibiscus), has become a staple at the average corner bodega. Foodies prize Mexican-bottled Coca-Cola, sweetened with sugar instead of corn syrup.
4. ‘Ugly’ amigos
“Ugly Betty’s†tamales-loving, irresistibly dysfunctional Suárez family has won our hearts over and easily become the most beloved fictional New York Mexican family — all the more now that they’ve abandoned cheesy Hollywood studios to film the third season right here in the city.
5. Urban cowboys
There are lots of places in town to stock up on vaquero chic: ostrich skin boots from Guanajuato, satin Western shirts embroidered with the scorpion logo of Duranguense stars K Paz de la Sierra and psychedelic suede chaps to show off at the jaripeo (rodeo).
Good for you, you young cultural ambassador, you. Keep enjoying those tacos and voting for the border fence!
Themocracy
did anyone not notice the name on that taxi?!!
NACO!!!
hahahaha!