Taco at Rio Frio; Coco Loco; Ricotta (1859)

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TACO AT RIO FRIO

   From FRANCIS TOOR'S NEW GUIDE TO MEXICO (1944, 1946), pg. 183 (MEXICO CITY TO PUEBLA):

   _Rio Frio_ is just beyond the highest point along the way.  Centuries ago it was noted for its bandits--and now for its excellent _tacos_ or Mexican sandwiches.

(Manuel Payno's LOS BANDIDOS DE RIO FRIO (1888) doesn't have "taco," at least not in my quick read-through.  Now, what Rio Frio material (in English or Spanish) can be found between 1888-1944?--ed.)

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COCO LOCO & PIE-EYE

JOHN WILHELM'S GUIDE TO ALL MEXICO
McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., NY
1959

Pg. 51 (Acapulco):
   You can have a non-alcoholic coconut-milk drink in the original shell, or have it with a jigger of gin if you prefer (called a _coco loco_)...

Pg. 52:
   Here you can enjoy a _coco loco_ or a _pie-eye_ (a hollow pineapple filled with rum and ice).

Pg. 198 (Berta's Bar, Taxco):
   She makes the best _tequila limonada_ in the world and also serves soft drinks.

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TORTILLA ILLUSTRATION (1844)

MEXICO AS IT WAS AND AS IT IS
By Brantz Mayer
J. Winchester, New World Press, NY
1844

   Page 17 has a nice, early illustration titled "MAKING TORTILLIAS."  I read these three books at NYU, where George Thompson wasn't in his office.
   I was looking for "chile con carne," and page 17 has:

   Into this he causes his frijoles, or _chile_ and meat, to be thrown, and making a spoon of his _tortillia_, gradually gets possession of his food, and terminates his repast by eating the spoon itself!

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BREAKFAST, DINNER, AND TEA:
VIEWED
CLASSICALLY, POETICALLY AND PRACTICALLY.
CONTAINING NUMEROUS CURIOUS DISHES AND FEASTS OF ALL TIMES AND ALL COUNTRIES.
BESIDES THREE HUNDRED MODERN RECEIPTS.
NEW YORK:
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
1869
(copyright 1859)(?--ed.)

Pg. 242 (ARTICLES OF FOOD IN ITALY):
   They have delicate preparations of milk resembling our curds, but much nicer. called _ricotta_ and _giuncata_. (...) --MISS SEDGWICK.

(OED and M-W both have 1877 for "ricotta"...This is an interesting collection of food writings.  "Sir Loin" is here--ed.)