A deeper exploration yields a world of surprising opportunity

Trend-forward takes on Mexico’s beverage builders

Three proven classics with menu potential

Cal-Mex’s innovative spin on Mexican flavors

Expand your culinary point of view with boldly flavored premium meat toppings

Leverage the signature flavor profiles of three classic dishes

bd’s Mongolian Grill | Based in Irving, Texas

California Tortilla | Based in Rockville, Md.

California Avocado Commission + Libelula

Sally Can Wait | New York

Norms | Based in Bellflower, Calif.

Bad-Ass Breakfast Burritos | Based in Pasadena, Calif.

Pollo Chilango with pickled vegetables, crushed tomato salsa and roasted corn esquites

Pibil Chicken Taquitos with housemade garlic ranch, salsa verde and Cotija cheese

Build-your-own al pastor and achiote-lime chicken tacos, served with heirloom corn tortillas, Cotija cheese, cilantro, onion, lime and salsas

Pulled Pork Thepla Tacos with sour cream, micro greens and pickled red onions

Suprema de pollo, papas rajas, poblano béchamel

Short Rib Ropa Vieja with roasted red pepper sauce

Silver tequila with a sour mix of hibiscus, prickly pear and red jalapeño purées and lime juice

Kulcha Chalupa Tacos with butter chicken and vinegared onions

Green Chorizo Quesadilla with smoked pecans, roasted mushrooms, avocado and black bean salsas

Featuring cochinita pibil, birria, marinated grilled chicken, wood-fired portobellos, vegan “meat” or chorizo, two sides, tortillas, toppings, housemade chips and salsas

Fried chicken, lettuce, cheddar and jalapeño-ranch, wrapped in a flour tortilla

Plant-based ground meat, black beans, romaine, roasted corn, salsa fresca, tortilla strips, avocado and pickled jalapeño-ranch dressing

Spiced crispy chicken, pickled chiles, Chihuahua cheese, “Rooster Sauce,” lettuce, tomato, pickles and avocado

Battered coconut meat, Mexican kimchi, carrot aïoli, micro greens

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 100-proof bourbon, Nixta Licor de Elote, Aztec chocolate bitters and a roasted cinnamon stick

It’s time to fall in love with salsa macha

Chefs rely on proteins that go the distance on flavor, temperature and texture

Walnut Chocolate Mole Tostada with roasted pork, corn, tomato, cilantro and Cotija cheese.

Broken Yolk Café | based in San Diego

Brunch Chilaquiles con Huevos: Crispy tortilla chips, guajillo chile salsa, Mexican cheeses, fried eggs and avocado.

Chilaquiles are a perfect salve for late-night shenanigans, and have already made moves onto brunch menus

Modern Mexican cuisine is diving into authentic cookery from different regions in Mexico - one of the regions being explored thoroughly is Oaxaca, thanks to its rich culinary heritage and its craveable cuisine

Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar offers Cajundillas: Chipotle tortillas with chicken, boudin sausage, andouille sausage, spicy chipotle ranch, Monterey Jack cheese

101 Beer Kitchen offers Green Chili: Roasted pork, puréed tomatillo, roasted poblanos, served over yellow rice with sour cream, charred lime, queso fresco and cilantro

California Milk Advisory Board with Alta Calidad offers a Pumpkin Blossom Quesadilla: Espuma over tortilla filled with pumpkin blossom, onion, Chihuahua cheese; garnished with ancho- chile activated-charcoal ash

Alto Bajo offers a Hangar Steak with mole rojo—pasilla and ancho chile, ground nuts and sesame seeds, chocolate