what the difference between tex-mex, southwestern, and authentic mexican food?

Answer 1

Tex-Mex is just what it sounds like - a Texasification of Mexican food (kind of like Taco Bell); southwestern could be like New Mexico cooking like my grandmother used to do; Mexican cooking is extremely varied and is the genuine food of Mexico.

Answer 2

Here's one difference I have noticed. Real authentic mexican food does not have all the sour cream and melty cheese that most tex mex crap food has.

Answer 3

Authentic Mex is what they eat in Mexico, prepared how they prepare it.

Southwestern is what they eat in the Mexico prepared how Americans eat it.

Tex-Mex is a combo of both.

Don't see the difference? Neither does anyone else I know.

Answer 4

Let me give you some examples

Texmex is those enchiladas that are made out of hot dog chili sauce and yellow cheese.

Southwesteren is those enchiladas that are made with 'spicy hot dog chili sauce and yellow cheese.

Authentic is those enchildadas that are made from scratch, even the tortilla with queso fresco, onions and the sauce is made from chile anchos, chile california and various other mexican condiments.