Matt Martinez Jr., 'King of Tex-Mex,' 63
Matt Martinez Jr., the "King of Tex-Mex," died on Friday. He was 63. Martinez and his family owned the Dallas restaurants Matt's Rancho Martinez and Matt's No Place as well as a stake in Matt's El Rancho in Austin, the restaurant his father founded. Robb Walsh, on his embrace of the term:
Matt Jr. was attending a cooking class taught by Englishwoman Diana Kennedy, who spoke derisively of Americanized Mexican food."She said she only did authentic Mexican food, not Tex-Mex," Martinez fumed in the introduction to his book [Matt Martinez's Culinary Frontier]. "I was so insulted." To defy Kennedy and those who belittled his heritage, he decided to abandon any claim to "authentic Mexican" and call everything he cooked Tex-Mex.
Our condolences go out to Martinez's family, friends, and fans.
Related
Matt Martinez, Jr., R.I.P. [D Magazine]
Rumination on food and family: Matt Martinez, Jr., R.I.P. [Salt Lake]
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4 Comments:
Matt Jr. wrote good cookbooks.
check them out sometime if you run across one.
sad to hear.
my mom runs a preschool right near Matt's El Rancho.
smells really good out on the playground.
I want a taco.
intheyearofthepig at 11:50AM on 03/17/09
I didn't know anything about him except that his recipe for Spanish rice is the one I tweaked and made my own for the last 2 years. I LOVE it and so does my Mexican husband. I will never use another one.
Sad to hear he's gone so early. RIP.
alosha7777 at 2:21PM on 03/17/09
His cookbook, Matt Runs For the Border, I think is it's name, has a great recipe for boneless chicken breasts that are great-moist and flavorful-it has never failed me. After a fast saute (minute on each side) the seasoned, pounded breasts go in the oven for an hour at 200 degrees.
He was quite a character. Rest in peace.
Bhdancegirl at 6:53PM on 03/17/09
I worked for Matt Jr. for 4 years in the mid-70's at the old location on 1st St. (#2). He was very generous with his time and his talent and had many friends and admirers. I learned a lot about food from Matt and many important lessons on being a good host to your guests. He will certainly be missed.
GianniB at 1:29PM on 03/18/09