A report released earlier this month highlights the top Mexican fast-food restaurants in the United States as well as the top five options in each state. So, what’s America’s Mexican restaurant of choice and does this trend align with the top spot in Texas?
The report from the TOP marketing agency presents many key findings related to the hospitality industry both nationally and at the state level. Beneath a chart titled “US Taco Craze,” a graphic in the report details taco consumption across the country noting that 21.4% of respondents said they consume at least 24 tacos per month. Although about one-quarter (23.3%) said they consume zero tacos monthly and 42% stated that they consume four to 12 tacos each month.
Overall, taco consumption increased 12.8% during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the report.
“The last 12 months have been tough, leaving many of us seeking extra comfort wherever we can find it. It seems that for many Americans, that comfort can be found in tacos,” reads a portion of the report, citing the increased taco consumption during COVID.
Best Mexican restaurants in Texas
Nationally, the report found that Chipotle Mexican Grill was the most popular U.S. taco restaurant during the coronavirus pandemic, stating that the chain was the “overwhelming victor” and took the top spot in 14 states. Comparatively, Taco Bell claimed the No. 1 spot in 10 states whereas Qdoba Mexican Eats reigned supreme in seven states.
In Texas, Moe’s Southwest Grill claimed the top spot, followed by Qdoba Mexican Eats, Chipotle Mexican Grill, El Pollo Loco and Taco Bell, in order.
Between January 1, 2019, and May 5, 2022, U.S. search interest in “tacos” spiked on two occasions, according to Google Trends data, with the first spike occurring between May 3-9 in 2020 and the second one a year later between May 2-8 in 2021.
Below, this Google Trends chart highlights Texas search interest in “tacos” during this same time, with similar early May upticks in 2020 and 2021.
Methodology
To track Americans’ “love of tacos,” TOP Data assessed GPS data at the “largest taco restaurant chains” to track taco chain restaurant visitation and surveyed 1,000 people in the U.S.
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