| Keyword |
Description |
| Envenenado |
Means “poisoned.” It’s a taco with a unique name, but it's totally safe and delicious |
| Sudado |
Means “sweaty.” It describes tacos that are moist because of steamy oil preparation, not actual sweat |
| Basura |
Means “garbage.” A taco loaded with many tasty ingredients—even though the name is odd, it’s made with fresh food |
People say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and that’s true for tacos, too. Many Mexican tacos have strange or even gross-sounding names, but their flavors are unforgettable. For example, the taco envenenado (“poisoned taco”) from Zacatecas isn’t dangerous at all. It got its name from a joke by the creator, Don Lauro, but soon became popular because of its tasty fillings like beans, potatoes, and chorizo, all fried in pork fat that gives a special flavor.
Then there’s the sudado taco, which means “sweaty.” These tacos evolved from the meals made for miners in Mexico. “Sweaty” refers not to real sweat, but the way tortillas are dipped in hot oil, filled, then kept warm in baskets so they become moist and extra flavorful.
Finally, the basura (“garbage”) taco started in Querétaro only about 20 years ago. The name comes from the giant mixture of ingredients—like beef, bacon, turkey, eggs, and veggies. Even though the name sounds odd, this taco is delicious and super filling. There are other weird taco names, too, like “transmission fluid” and “nothing” tacos, but they all show that what really matters is what’s inside, not what you call it.
Sometimes strange-sounding foods end up being the most memorable. These tacos prove that names don't always tell the whole story.
Time to discuss
- Why do you think people keep eating tacos with such unusual names?
- If you made your own taco, would you give it a funny name? Why or why not?
- What other examples do you know of foods that taste better than their names sound?
