Chorizo is a type of sausage that originated in Spain and later became popular throughout Latin America. In this recipe, I specify to use Mexican chorizo, as Spanish chorizo is closer in consistency to andouille sausage due to being smoked and fermented. Unlike Spanish chorizo, Mexican chorizo is a fresh sausage. It has a softer, crumblier texture and a spicier, more complex flavor than Spanish chorizo, making it a popular ingredient in many Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, and huevos rancheros. Taco meat, on the other hand, is a Tex-Mex invention made by cooking ground meat (usually beef, but sometimes turkey or chicken) with a bevy of Mexican-inspired herbs and spices that are often referred to as "taco seasoning." While you're welcome to use taco meat in these potato tacos, the flavor won't be quite as smoky or interesting as if you were to use chorizo.