There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Asian restaurants in the city as immigrants from that continent have found a home here. Several long-established local restaurants have opened up second locations, often in the burgeoning northwest section of the city, but one of the coolest trends has been the emergence of young, dynamic chefs, eager to take advantage of the wide variety of fresh foods in the city and the willingness of Austin diners to try new things. But there are certain signature cuisines that do have a connection to Texas culture. Given the fact that Texas once was part of Mexico and Mexican-American life is vibrant and very much a part of the state's cultural weave, it is only natural that Mexico's culinary influence is felt in a number of ways. Tex-Mex is probably the most prevalent and recognizable.
Standard fare includes enchiladas, tacos, chalupas and refried beans.
That's not to put Tex-Mex down. But readers who want to go beyond that point have a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, including several that celebrate interior Mexican culinary traditions. Those unfamiliar with that territory should not hesitate to explore. Not all Mexican food is spicy hot. The chile pepper is a staple of the Mexican kitchen, but not all peppers are hot, and many are served in rich sauces, called moles, that blend the pepper with herbs, spices, even chocolate to create multi-nuanced tastes.