Can't really speak to other types of food, but the #1 reason Mexican food doesn't taste the same outside of New Mexico is there's no chile in it, red or green. If it does have chile, then it's weak-ass chile. The heat or bite or whatever you want to call it can be addicting. Jalapenos don't cut it. I suppose you could ship frozen chile to wherever. Maybe this is how Garduno's in the Palms does it...I'll have to eat there next time I go to Vegas to see.

Damn I'm hungry for some rellenos.

ScottieK