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Tex-Mex food occupies a special place in America's stomach.

It's not Mexican, but it comes from the Southwest region of the US that used to be part of Mexico and New Spain. Like burritos? You can thank Tejanos. Tacos? They're as American as apple pie, spaghetti and meatballs, and fortune cookies. 

Today, there are two major American fast-food chains that sell Tex-Mex food: Taco Bell and Del Taco. Both were founded in California by men with no Mexican heritage. The concept at the core of both brands is the same: cheap, tasty food made from tortillas, beef, beans, and cheese.

Back in January, I sampled as much as I could stomach from both chains' menus. I attempted to order a representative spread of food from each chain for a total cost of about $60 per meal.

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Here's how my meals compared:

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