La Tacopedia

by Deborah Holtz, Juan Carlos Mena

Quien crea que lo sabe todo acerca del mundo del taco, se sorprenderá ante esta original y divertida enciclopedia, donde se desmenuzan los 19 tipos principales de tacos y sus “primas” (enchiladas, tlayudas y quesadillas): origen, secretos, recetas, salsas que deben acompañarlos, taquerías recomendadas de todo el país, entrevistas con taqueros legendarios... Las excelentes fotografías se acompañan por una tacografía, una lotería del taco y otras “botanas” que hacen de éste un libro delicioso.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Nonfiction, History, Food and Drink

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Adan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking good! A literal encyclopedia of tacos (hence the name of the book) with tacos from all over Mexico. Every taco entry comes with an explanation of what it is, where it comes from, how it's normally made, the variations thereof, recipes on how to make your own, and a list of restaurants in Mexico that serve the best versions of the taco.

There's even a section in the back for taco "cousins", like enchiladas, quesadillas, and tamales. The book includes tons of recipes for tacos, the cousins, and enough salsas to fill up a hundred molcajetes.

I have only one gripe for this book: regardless of where a particular taco comes from (whether the coasts, up north, central Mexico, or the Yucatan Peninsula), most of the restaurants with the "best" versions of that taco seem to be on Mexico City? Come now.

[T.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting, thoughtful, and beautifully designed reference book, not a cookbook. Tacopedia is packed with historical and contemporary perspective and great photos. Its 300+ pages of information are a treat to explore. There's even an appendix with 36 salsa recipes.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so much fun. If you like Mexican food and want to try more authentic recipes, this is the book for you. There are histories, recipes, and lists of recipes for each type - and there are so many types!

[Kookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tacos!! Everything you've wanted to know about tacos but were afraid to ask. Made me hungry.

[MBybee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pictures, many recetas that I need to try, and lots of interesting information and anecdotes.



Coming as I do from a place where tacos in many forms are a dietary staple and chiles one of our chief exports, I love that this nice Scandinavian woman was so impressed with the food and culture of this overall region that she traveled widely and wrote quite a huge book just about tacos.



At some point I will be able to review the recipes as well as the writing and photos, but not today. Today I'm busy making quesabirria. I'm sure she would understand.

[Larkin Tackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

My work book club read this and I really enjoyed it. Although more of a coffee table or cookbook, I went through it front to back and enjoyed learning about how authentic tortillas are made using nixtamal dough and molcajete, as well as unique regional dishes like the tlayuda in Oaxaca. At some future phase in my life, I’d love to find time to up my taco-making game. In the short-term, I also really want to visit some of the Mexican restaurants featured in this book.

[E. Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fluff, not that much content. The recipe sections are good but very small.

I'd call it food porn except the photos aren't that good.

Probably deserves two stars instead of three but I'm grading on the "foodie book" curve.

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book even though it had very that I could eat within it. Being a vegetarian aces you out of classic tacos as most are meat driven. But...the history of tacos and the regional variations in Mexico as well as the places you can get great tacos is well worth the reading. Wonderful book.

[Chartreuse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of all things taco. Wonderfully illustrated and peppered (chiled?) with quotes, songs, proverbs, and recipes.

[Michael Chuang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I've ever wanted to know about tacos, plus everything I never knew I wanted to know about tacos.

[Shayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. A bit fluff, but contains important taco information!

[Shantanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and accurate portrait of tacos their geographic origins with tips for consumption.

A taco praxis for those already acquainted.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun graphic format with fascinating information about taco culture and recipes from all of the regions of Mexico.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically pretty much everything you could want to know about tacos - tons of photos, drawings, very colorful, tons of amazing recommendations for Mexico City restaurants, and most importantly.. NOT written by white people.

This definitely makes me want to get my taco on hardcore. I've already bought a taco pan, and a taco press in preparation. W00T!

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Popsugar 2017 reading challenge: AVANZADO
6. Un libro de un género o sub/género del que nunca hayas oído - ¡UNA TACO-PEDIA! TACO...PEDIA... <3

Todo cuanto deseen saber sobre los tacos, lo encontrarán aquí. No digo que sea el libro de cabecera respecto a este manjar de dioses, pero es bastante completo, descriptivo, entretenido y simple para que conozcan sobre el tema.

Dos de las cosas que más me gustaron:
-Está dividido por tipos de tacos (y sí, existen todos esos e incluso puede que más)
-Tiene recetas y recomendaciones de restaurantes (varios de los cuales ya he tenido la oportunidad de visitar y que también recomiendo ampliamente).

Léanlo si quieren conocer al menos un poco sobre uno de las más grandes delicias de mi país y/o sobre una fracción de su cultura.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a neat history book/cookbook hybrid. Although I'm more of a burrito fan than anything else, I do enjoy a good taco (or 3...). And so when I heard about this book I thought it sounded fantastic. The cooking/making part did not interest me so much, but I thought it sounded like an interesting way to learn a bit about a food I do enjoy.
 
The book isn't quite what I thought it would be. It's basically a rundown of different types of tacos, the types of meat used, the tortillas, the seasonings, etc. all by region(s) where they are often eaten/made. Some are very specific, some can be found all over Mexico. And while it was interesting to see how tacos differed (or not) this got a bit boring since it was just a slice of each taco for each area. Sometimes it was tough because there are often Spanish words/phrases that are not always clear or translated. I also felt the layout was funky: sometimes the text is cut off for an illustration but it doesn't pick up until a page or two later as there's another picture or some neat factoid or something.
 
It's an interesting approach, but it's also trying to be a cookbook as well. This part didn't interest me, but I would imagine I'd be quite upset actually. The recipes are simply printed, with no pictures of what they should look like at X stage. I've also not cooked a lot of Mexican recipes so I also wouldn't know (as I've read from other reviews) that the recipes are apparently very simplistic or assume a cultural/cooking knowledge/expertise. So in reality I'd say this is more of a history/reference/travelogue book than a cookbook, which will likely disappoint.
 
That said, I'm sure there is an audience for it. If you're considering giving this as a gift or getting this for yourself however, you may want to flip through it before you make the purchase. It is not a hardcover, but rather a slick looking soft cover. It's also not great for laying out as a cookbook either.
 
I liked it but I'm glad I borrowed it from the library rather than buying it.

[Theresa Malloy Lemickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Named one of the best books of 2015, this book is exactly what it sounds like - an encyclopedia about tacos. The amount of time and work that goes into making true authentic tacos. I learned quite a bit and couldn't put it down. I have come to terms that I will never be a brilliant tacoist. I feel more prepared to delve into this cooking culture. However, I was not persuaded by the whole insect taco chapter. Fun fact, in Mexico there are more than 500 types of insects people eat, including stink bugs. Um, no thanks. A very quick read.

[John Carruthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's nice to see a cookbook with a cross-section of regular people who make their living with a single or small handful of dishes. The recipes aren't the most complex things in the world, but it's a great break from the glossy-spread cheffy cookbooks. The author and translator manage to put the vendors front and center still retaining a charming editorial personality.

Plus, I really, really want to make those basket tacos. Anyone want to come over for 80-something tacos?

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical-geographical look at Mexican cuisine, in particular Tacos and other foods on/in tortillas. Interesting, amusing, and informative. The appendix of salsa recipes can't be beat, and the recipes throughout the book on the various forms of tacos are fascinating. Highly recommend.

Can't really go wrong with a book from Phaidon publishers.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like eating and/or cooking tacos, this is a fascinating book. I really enjoyed learning the origins of my favorite tacos' history and geography. The recipes are great, too. My only complaint is sometimes the layout is a little weird and distracting. Recipes are spread across two pages, interrupting the reading flow of the intervening stories at odd points.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME. I will probably never make any of these recipes but the historical material, drawings, photographs and anecdotal information is just FABULOUS. Such a great research project. Great for anyone who loves food, Mexican food, or Mexican history.

[Geoffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part encyclopedia, part guide book, part cook-book... What more could you want in a book about tacos? Really fascinating stuff about the origins of various tacos. And the section with the salsa recipes.... Ay yi yi!!!

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una investigación sobre el taco. Hizo que me diera hambre x)

[Shea]

Everyone should own this book. If I ever make tons of money, I will have it distributed in motel rooms and lounges everywhere.

[Kathleen Kosiec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have though we needed a Tacopedia? But we do! This book is well-researched, full of gorgeous pictures of delicious food, and lists all of the places the locals go for the best tacos.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes me wish I was in Mexico to try the many places they recommend.

[Walter Lopez Hernandez]

Quereos abrir una Taqueria con lo mas apegado al sabor y cultura Mexicana, queremos traer un Maestro Taquero , creemos que este libro es magnifico para nosotros.

gracias