The Mexican Dishes Americans Can’t Get Enough Of

The United States is a diverse nation, not only in its culture but in its food choices as well. In a nation known for its vast selection of different cuisines, certain fares stand out as favorites among Americans. One of these is Mexican food, a cuisine that combines ancient traditions with modern techniques and blends simplicity with elegance. Using fresh ingredients, many Mexican kitchens include staples of beans, corn, cheese, and chili and can range from vegetarian, like sopa de tortilla and tamales, to meaty dishes like chili con carne.

Mexican cuisine uses fresh flavors creatively, leaning on what works. You can also deviate from a standard burrito and opt for a chimichanga, which has all the fillings but gives you a crispy texture to enjoy, and is more on the Tex-Mex side of the cuisine. Whether you prefer a traditional Mexican dish or enjoy the creations of Tex-Mex, there's no denying how tasty Mexican-inspired food is and the dishes are easy enough to make in your own kitchen.

To put together this list of the Mexican dishes Americans can't get enough of, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data provided by YouGov, a website that collects answers from surveys and compiles them into neat data sets. (Once you've read this article, see how to tell the difference between authentic Mexican food and Tex-Mex.)

• Fame: 86%
• Popularity: 55%

This Mexican dish is vegetarian, incorporating eggs, tortillas, and salsa. The tortilla is fried to crispy perfection and the eggs are served on top. Salsa is served generously over both. In some cases, other ingredients may be added, including refried beans and cheese.

• Fame: 94%
• Popularity: 65%

This meal is familiar because it's just like a burrito—only deep-fried until you get a crispy exterior. The filling varies but traditionally incorporates rice, beans, cheese, and meat. Since this meal is crispy, the experience is different than biting into a soft burrito.

• Fame: 92%
• Popularity: 66%

The translation of this meal is "chili with meat." While some people like their chili with beans only, those who love a robust meal enjoy the meat in chili. This is a stew with a kick. Typically, the Mexican recipe calls for beef, beans, tomatoes, garlic, onions, chili powder, chili peppers, and cumin.

• Fame: 98%
• Popularity: 68%

This tangy dip is perfect for tortilla chips. Each restaurant has its own variation but the traditional Mexican recipe calls for plenty of ripe avocados, lime or lemon juice, and chopped veggies. The veggies include tomato, onion, and jalapeno peppers. You also add cilantro to complete the flavor profile.

• Fame: 97%
• Popularity: 79%

A standard quesadilla is a cheese-filled tortilla folded over and grilled. However, you can always customize a quesadilla to beef it up by adding meats, beans, and spices. Corn tortillas tend to be more popular for quesadillas, but some people prefer flour tortillas.

• Fame: 97%
• Popularity: 79%

If you frequent Mexican restaurants, you know there are many types of salsa to select from. Some are mild, and friendly even to those who can't stand spice. But some can have you sweating in seconds. An authentic salsa typically incorporates tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a handful of cilantro.

• Fame: 97%
• Popularity: 79%

The sound of sizzling fajitas arriving at your table is unmistakable. Typically, these are served on a hot skillet, so you have to be careful when you start digging in. This dish includes meat (beef, chicken, shrimp) along with grilled peppers and onions. On the side, you also get tortillas, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream so you can prepare your meal however you'd like.

• Fame: 99%
• Popularity: 80%

Burritos are not just delicious, but they're also easy to take with you on the go. It's a convenient meal neatly wrapped up in a flour tortilla. The filling varies but most often includes rice, beans, meat, and cheese.

• Fame: 99%
• Popularity: 81%

Nachos demonstrate the versatility of a tortilla. These are deep-fried tortilla chips topped with cheese. However, there are no hard and fast rules. You can add beans, meat, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or pico de gallo for a fully loaded meal. (Here's a surprising look at Mexican dishes people in Mexico don't actually eat.)