The Mexican street food consisting of a folded tortilla filled with meat, fish, or vegetables is a taco.
A taco is built around a tortilla, usually made from corn or wheat, that holds a filling and is eaten by hand. Common fillings include grilled or stewed meat, seafood, beans, cheese, and vegetables. Onions, cilantro, salsa, and lime are frequent accompaniments, but there is no single universal taco recipe.
Tacos have deep roots in Mexican food traditions, especially the use of maize tortillas as a practical food wrapper. The modern word and the dish’s urban street-food culture developed over time, with regional styles becoming associated with particular fillings and cooking methods.
Tacos are often confused with burritos. A burrito is generally a fully rolled tortilla enclosing its filling, while a taco is typically folded and open at the sides. Hard-shell tacos are common in some countries but are not the only taco form.