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This is part of The Power of Us, a series running across Hearst Magazines that celebrates the deep and profound ways that Hispanic and Latinx culture has shaped America. To see the complete portfolio, head here.
You can’t talk about “American” food today without mentioning tacos. Fast food tacos, taqueria tacos, fancy tacos: tacos have become as ubiquitous and beloved as burger or pizza in this country. One in five people living in the United States eats at least one taco per day—our love for the handheld antojito skyrocketed 13 percent during Covid-19, claiming its spot as a top feel-good food—and there’s a (legit) national holiday dedicated to the dish. But the real significance of the taco is the larger story it represents—the influence of the Hispanic and Latinx communities in the