Where To Order The World's Most Expensive Taco
While the exact origin of the taco is vague, one theory credits Mexican miners who called gunpowder rolled into paper "tacos," and the first written mention of a taco that was a food was "miner's tacos" (per Smithsonian). According to Babbel Magazine, it wasn't until Glen Bell opened Taco Bell in 1962 that Mexican or Mexican-inspired recipes began appealing to a wider American audience. "What Glen Bell was doing was allowing Americans of other racial and ethnic groups to sample Mexican food without actually gong into Mexican neighborhoods," Professor, author, and researcher Jeffrey Pilcher told Smithsonian Magazine.
"Mexican food was seen as street food, lower-class food," Pilcher explained. Two years after Taco Bell opened its doors, Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson sold tacos for 19 cents at Del Taco's first location (per Del Taco) — a stark contrast to the price tag of the world's most expensive taco. Now, it's possible to buy a taco for $25,000 at a resort in Mexico.
A taco of luxury
Chef Juan Licerio Alcalá reported to Agence France-Presse (AFP) via Yahoo! News, "People are excited and a little surprised about how you can eat a taco for $25,000 when you can find one on the street for 10 pesos." The taco is served at the oceanside Grand Velas resort, and travel site Sand in my Suitcase discovered at least two of the tacos have been sold. The extravagant dish wraps a gold-infused corn tortilla around lobster and Kobe beef, then is topped with black truffle Brie cheese, Beluga caviar, and more gold (per CNBC). According to Gourmet Food Store, Beluga caviar can be priced up to $10,000 per kilogram and is the most expensive caviar on the market.
The taco is finished with a salsa made of dried morita chiles, añejo tequila, and luwak coffee (per Globe Trender). Though we were informed Alcalá no longer works at the restaurant, a Grand Velas representative confirmed that the taco can be ordered and served upon request at the resort's restaurant, Frida. However, tonight, we'll be making tacos at home.