Why is mexican food served on hot plates?

[bogey1]

At lunch today at Mazatlan (cheapish mexican food) and, as usual, they bring out the food and says "Watch out, the plates are hot?"

My friend wondered why this only seems to be the case with Mexican food that they serve it on hot plates. Chinese, Greek, etc, all are just on your normal room temperature plate.

Is it a cultural thing or is there actual some culinary reason for serving the food on hot plates?

[blacklab]

Many dishes are covered in cheese and then placed in a oven to melt the cheese, hence the plates get hot too.

[guids]

Depends on what you ate, but there is a lot of cheese usually, so keeping the plate warm keeps the cheese at the right temp so that it doesnt "crust"

[TiK]

Hot dishes should be served on hot plates. This is not a Mexican thing. My grandmother used to put dishes in the oven before she served food on them (she's white American).

[MortalWombat]

Mexico is a hot country. Therefore their plates should be hot too. Otherwise it's not authentic.

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
Many dishes are covered in cheese and then placed in a oven to melt the cheese, hence the plates get hot too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup. Also to warm the entire dish up after assembly from pre-cooked ingredients.

[bogey1]

[ QUOTE ]
Mexico is a hot country. Therefore their plates should be hot too. Otherwise it's not authentic.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds good. I was almost sold on the "melt the cheese" angle, but I think you've nailed it.

[tuq]

OP,

Ask the dishwasher.

[happyhappyhappy]

Lots of 'cheapish' restaurants also put their food under heat lamps when they can't expedite their tickets properly.

[szw]

I've found that many restaurants serve food on hot/warm plate, including Chinese and Greek. I think it depends on the restaurant more than anything else.