Birria, a traditional Mexican stew, has indeed seen a surge in popularity across the United States in recent years, dominating restaurant menus from coast to coast. There are a few factors contributing to this phenomenon.
1. Fusion Food Movement: With the rise of the foodie culture and innovative chefs experimenting with crossover cuisine, birria has found a new place at the heart of the fusion food movement. These delectable stews are being reimagined in tacos, quesadillas, ramen and even pizza.
2. Social Media Influence: With visually appetizing dishes grabbing attention on social media platforms, birria has become a must-try food sensation. As more food bloggers and influencers share pictures and videos of mouth-watering birria, more people are made aware of, and given a taste for, the dish.
3. Highlighting Cultural Cuisine: There has been a significant drive to celebrate and popularize authentic cultural cuisines, and birria, being deeply rooted in the Mexican culinary tradition, had inevitably caught the spotlight.
4. The Comfort Food Appeal: Birria, with its warming and hearty qualities, fits perfectly into the comfort food category. This may be linked to the current socio-economic climate, where comfort foods are highly sought after.
5. Ubiquitous Street Food: Birria has become a staple street food in major cities. Food trucks selling birria tacos or quesabirria (a cheesy spin-off of the traditional birria taco) are popping up everywhere