The American Food Invasion

 Mexico has always had  distinct regional cuisines. There are recipes that have been around for millenia . yet something is happening to the food, mostly in Mexico City. American tastes and flavors are creeping in. This is causing a big backlash and Mexicans are fighting back,

Regular contributor Priya Kirshna wrote about this phenomena in yesterday's Wednesday's New York Times Food section.Mexico City along with other international cities like Barcelona ,Kyoto and Paris are also furious about the influx of tourists  during the height of the season. extra people do put a strain on cities' infrastructure. seasonal visitors also clog up everything from streets to restaurants. They bring their tastes with them, hoping for a taste of home.Mexico City is even a bit more taxed than its' global counterparts. Some Americans come and never go.from 2020 to 2023 the number of temporary residents and renewals of temporary residents cards have doubled to 24,000 according to  report from the newspaper ElPais. Yet this is only seven per cent according to another journal Milenio. Yet whole swaths of Mexico City's food sscne have been distinctly Americanized . New York style restaurants, cafes and wine bars are popping up. There are some Mexico City residents who do embrace this but many do not. They  don;t like the  American prices that come with the food.

Residents like Oscar Rodriguez feel it's a form of colonization.He pointed out the north of the border influences  at his local jugueria or a juice stand in the Condesa neighborhood of Mexico City.It now offers almond milk, peanut butter and protein powder, foods that are really not part of the national diet. He states that foreigners come in with all different sorts of foods that Mexicans have a tendency to adapt them. Yet it's not surprising that American food has taken off here. Crimes rates have dropped making t much safer to visit along with fine dining restaurants such as Quintonol and Pujol. The city has received international acclaim and the first Michilin guide, this is thanks to  Mexico City former mayor  and current president Claudia Sheinbaum She teamed up with Air BNB to attract remote workers from around the world. This dish not sit well with the city's inhabitants. Hundreds of Mexicans protested in the Condesa neighborhood bearing signs that said"GRINGO GO HOME" some eateries catering to American tastes were vandalized. Mexican chefs have been accused of  everything form raising prices to take advantage of serving such dishes as pizza and croissants along with lattes and cappuccinos.

Mexican food should stay Mexican. It's so varied and rich in both history and flavor. These are what makes the cuisine unique.