Carne Asada Fries: The new American comfort food

Who knows where these things are officially decided? As far as I know, President Obama has not yet appointed a Popular Food Czar. So assuming there is no one person or organization that can grant this distinction, I propose the American public consider the idea that Carne Asada Fries has rightfully earned the distinction of being called an American “comfort food.”

With all due respect to healthy food fare advocates, Carne Asada Fries should not be shunned as nutritionally deficient, but instead celebrated as a delicious and comforting example of bi-cultural fusion.

See related: Eight great San Diego pizzas |  Eight great San Diego burgers

Carne Asada Fries are obviously a local favorite — a San Diego area original that is apparently starting to catch on in other parts of the Southwest. This dish is a staple of Mexican fast food joints in the area, but not something you see on the menu of a full-fledged Mexican restaurant.

I can understand their appeal. Carne Asada Fries are exactly what’s needed at the end of a hectic workday — the kind of food one turns to for emotional security, familiarity, or as a special reward.

I am convinced Carne Asada Fries will soon rival on the national level such traditional comfort food staples as macaroni and cheese, pizza, mashed potatoes, and ice cream. The timing is right.

After all, what this country needs right now is more comforting!

I realize not everyone appreciates the delights of Carne Asada Fries. Some see the dish as a mere novelty, a freakish, accidental combination of disparate greasy fare that gets passed off as Mexican fast food. Others are alarmed at the 2,000 calories per dish.

But I see something more significant. I see Carne Asada Fries as an interesting hybrid that accurately reflects the productive amalgamation of Mexican and American culture here at the border. It’s not an entirely foreign item that has slipped across the border to infect the natives, nor is it an entirely American one that has foisted itself on unsuspecting immigrants.

Carne Asada Fries is a compromise between two cultures. It is a food that seems to cry out the words “Let us put principle aside in the name of comfort and taste.”

I find it hard to believe right wing critics of immigration could actually turn down the opportunity to eat this food, especially after a hard day of work. Perhaps if we renamed them Carne Asada “Freedom” Fries they would put aside any possible resistance, but I don’t think that option is necessary.

Any Mexican national objections, on the other, could be overcome by recognizing the dish is designed in such a way as to have that paragon of popular American cuisine — French fries — completely smothered by the Mexican food elements, which include the Tri-colors of red (pico de
gallo), green (guacamole) and white (sour cream).

If President Obama is not going to appoint a Popular Food Czar, possessed with the power to appoint the distinction of official American comfort food, I recommend the next time he takes his wife out for a Friday date night, that he come to San Diego for a plate of Carne Asada Fries. Then the rest of the American public will surely jump on the Carne Asada Fries bandwagon.

Tags: carne asada, Mexican food

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 11:47 am and is filed under Food Toolbox, Mexico. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.