I can see that. When I was real little (late 70s/early 80s), the only way you were getting traditional Mexican food was either from a Mexican friend/family or at a restaurant and those were typically owned/run by Mexicans. If someone lived in a city with few to no Mexicans, it was unlikely to have a restaurant so I think people missed out in many places until Taco Bell got there.
Side note - west coast road trips when I was a kid usually consisted of diners and other American food restaurants. Very little variety at all. Once we left L.A./SoCal, Mexican and Asian food basically disappeared.
I’ve read that Taco Bell was largely responsible for popularizing Mexican food back when it was seen as exotic.
I can see that. When I was real little (late 70s/early 80s), the only way you were getting traditional Mexican food was either from a Mexican friend/family or at a restaurant and those were typically owned/run by Mexicans. If someone lived in a city with few to no Mexicans, it was unlikely to have a restaurant so I think people missed out in many places until Taco Bell got there.
Side note - west coast road trips when I was a kid usually consisted of diners and other American food restaurants. Very little variety at all. Once we left L.A./SoCal, Mexican and Asian food basically disappeared.