Feature

Dear Albuquerqueros

Dear Albuquerqueros: Ustedes will always have a special place in my heart, since the Alibi was the first paper with huevos to print my ¡Ask a Mexican! column. Unfortunately, I can't live in your wonderful town since my demented homeland of Orange County, Calif., needs me to expose skinheads and pedophile priests on a regular basis. But fate is bringing me back to Albuquerque this week on account of a book I'm working on—Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America (And Soon, the World)! It'll be released next year and deal with how "Mexican" food has evolved in the United States—and I'll devote a whole chapter to the Land of Enchantment, because the rest of the States used to like "Southwestern" food until pinche taco trucks became popular.

New Mexicans remain an alien species to the rest of us Mexis—we share the same Hispanic blood, language and propensity to get drunk, but little else. I needed a guide, so I decided to ask some questions of Alibi contributor Joseph Baca—¡Ask a New Mexican! if you will. Hope you enjoy our back-and-forth, and see ustedes on St. Patrick's Day!

—Gustavo Arellano