Tacos date back to the days when Montezuma.

When Montezuma and the Aztecs ruled Mexico; Cocoa beans were used as currency, and human sacrifice was often practiced throughout Mesoamerica. Ah, those were the days! Those were also the days when the people of the area used to roll up corn tortillas to scoop up their food. The wives of the farmers and field pickers would take their husbands meals at midday. For practical reasons, they would wrap the food in tortillas, and tacos were born.

As cities grew and the Spanish invaded, people migrated to find work. Mexico City was the largest city in the world – and is still one of the largest – and attracted people from all over the country. With this massive migration came foods from the different regions. Stands started popping up left and right, offering speciality tacos from every part of Mexico. Street carts eventually came about, making it easier for people to enjoy muy rico tacos at affordable prices.¹

Warning! Are You Eating Tacos or Tex-Me

1. Authentic Mexican tacos involve corn tortillas, not Hard Shell Tacos
2. American tacos usually involve hard taco shells, while authentic Mexican taco are soft
3. Authentic Mexican tacos are not topped with cheese like most American versions. Instead, they are topped with fresh cilantro and finely diced white onion
4. American tacos are topped with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese
5. Authentic Mexican tacos are not typically spicy, but if you add homemade salsa, you can make them as spicy as you want
6. American tacos are usually mild and include store-bought or jarred salsa
7. Authentic Mexican tacos are made of stewed, fried, or grilled meat. The grilled meat is marinated overnight with cumin, oregano, paprika, lime, onions, and chilies. The cooked meat is lightly seasoned with nothing but salt and pepper
8. American tacos usually involve baked chicken or baked pork. Occasionally, they will include oven-broiled steak mixed with a store-bought taco seasoning package²

Source: Fix.com Blog

 

Sources:

1. http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2098-wrap-it-up-a-guide-to-mexican-street-tacos-part-i
2. http://roguepriest.net/2014/05/21/how-are-authentic-mexican-tacos-different-from-american-tacos/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsa_(sauce)
4. http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/07/the-serious-eats-guide-to-taco-styles.html