Why Am I Searching the World for Mexican Food?

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  07.10.06 | 6:19 PM ET

imageI enjoyed seeing a few letters in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle in response to my recent story about eating Mexican food in France. In the piece, I (courageously, I think) came clean about my Mexican food addiction and complained about the curry-flavored fajitas I was served in Lyon. But at least one reader, a Mr. Brown, was not sympathetic to my plight. “If Jim Benning is searching the world for Mexican food, I understand you can find it in Mexico,” he wrote. “Personally, when I go to a foreign country, I try to eat what the locals eat.” Believe me, Mr. Brown, I am not searching the world for Mexican food. I enjoyed many fine French meals in France. The trouble, you see, is that I am a Mexican food addict, owing in large part to my upbringing in Southern California, where seriously excellent taco shops can be found on almost every corner. Now, as an adult, I am powerless when confronted with Mexican food, especially when I’ve gone without for a few days, and even when I know it will be awful. So when I stumbled upon El Sombrero restaurant in Lyon, in I went. And that is when the trouble began. Alas, I suspect this is something only fellow addicts can understand. You are a lucky, lucky man, Mr. Brown. If you suffered from my condition, I know you would be more sympathetic.

Tags: Food, News and Briefs


5 Comments for Why Am I Searching the World for Mexican Food?

TambourineMan 07.11.06 | 9:14 PM ET

I don’t know, Jim. I’m a Mex food addict, too. But Mr Brown sorta has a point.

Here in SoCal, I also seek out the classic barrio taco shops, where no Ingles is spoken, ranchera music blasts and the Coke bottles are hecho en Mexico. I ate Mexican food last night and will likely feast on it again tonight. I too have jonsed for carne asada like a heroin junkie. But I absolutely will not eat Mexican outside of North America. You’re asking for trouble if you do. But you seem to enjoy it. I understand.

As you said in your story, greasy Chinese food does seem to fly almost everywhere. I guess MSG is universal.

Ron Mader 07.12.06 | 7:32 PM ET

Mmmmmmm…. Mexican food! I just ate my first chapulines yesterday.

Mind you, I live in Mexico but I thoroughly enjoy the local concoctions when I am traveling. Viva la globalizacion!

Jim Benning 07.12.06 | 7:54 PM ET

TambourineMan, I can’t argue with your logic. Trouble, indeed. What can I say? I have a problem.

Chapulines, Ron? You are very brave. I’m impressed.

I’ve been getting yet more e-mail feedback on all this, which I’ll have to cover in another blog item. Clearly, this is an important topic and more needs to be said.

Ron Mader 02.13.07 | 5:40 AM ET

Mmmmm ... Mexican Food at the Channon Market, NSW, Australia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planeta/388980864

pete tannahill 02.19.08 | 1:26 PM ET

jim, i’ve lived in france
for some years and the basic problem for a broad-band eater is that the frence, generally, only eat french cuisine. soy sauce has only recently come into use here and it is seen as “exotic” - 5euro ($7.5o) for the small kikoman table top size.
i am currently searching for a source of jalapeno and serano peppers. if you see any in a french market please let me know.
what was the date of your chron.article?  regards, pete

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