A lot of people on social media have beef with a British-born man running for governor of California ― and it’s all because of a taco.

Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and Republican gubernatorial candidate, attempted to connect with Golden State voters over the weekend by extolling the virtues of a taco he had purchased after doing a town hall in Barstow.

“Why am I holding a Barstow street taco right now?” Hilton said in the clip, which he appeared to film standing beside a freeway in a button-down shirt. “Because I just bought it at this historic location.”

The “historic location” Hilton was referring to is the original location of the first Del Taco, a chain restaurant with around 600 locations across 17 states.

Oh, and that “Barstow street taco”? It looked just like the chain’s typical hardshell, ground beef taco complete with a single slice of tomato balanced precariously on top.

After our town hall in Barstow went to grab a taco at the ORIGINAL Del Taco! 🌮 pic.twitter.com/TazicZAZdT

For those not in the know: Street tacos are typically served in a soft tortilla with some kind of grilled protein, along with onions, cilantro and salsa.

Considering Hilton only became a naturalized U.S. citizen five years ago on May 11, 2021, it’s probably not reasonable for him to become an expert on all of the nuances of Mexican cuisine.

But since Mexican food is so ubiquitous in California, many people mocked his praise for a mere fast food taco ― that he didn’t even eat on camera.

A British man running for governor in California, going to Barstow, and calling THAT a street taco… it’s gonna be a long 6 months… https://t.co/w9pKLZjGbG

The first Del Taco was in Yermo, and that’s DEFINITELY not a “street” taco. Signed, the guy who wrote the book about the history of Mexican food in the United States https://t.co/gqDDXppMZ6

Steve Hilton called the fast food Taco Bell equivalent of Mexican food an “authentic street taco.” 🙄Sir, you’re British. We already suspected you didn’t know what a good taco was. You did not need to submit video evidence.Standing near a road doesn’t make it a street taco.… https://t.co/5vTci5WLjJ

A lot that could be unpacked here, but he didn’t even take a bite. https://t.co/HCLKBTBNnY

Hilton responded to the outcry after one person criticized his description of the hardshell taco in his video as a “Barstow street taco.”

He calls it a “Barstow street taco”. Instantly disqualifying!😠

But his response just reiterated his knowledge of Mexican food is sorely lacking.

It's what they call it!

The person he was responding to didn’t accept the excuse.

“They” must not be Californians (much like yourself) if “they” think a hard shell Del Taco abomination is an authentic street taco. Stand down, sir, you are not fit for this fight.😏

Hilton then tried to move the conversation away from the authenticity of the “Barstow street taco,” and said he visited the Del Taco because Lt. Gov. candidate Gloria J. Romero worked there as a teenager.

“Not everything in life has to be turned into a political argument!!” he insisted.

My point is that my running mate @GloriaJRomero worked there when she was a teenager and she took me there after a Town Hall in her home town! Not everything in life has to be turned into a political argument!!

Romero said she appreciated the visit.

Thank you, Steve, for joining the Barstow community today! The town hall was a great success!And I’m so glad you took everyone’s advice to stop at the historic @DelTaco ORIGINAL site! Del Taco was my first jog as a teenager and I’ve always been thankful of all the workplace… https://t.co/mmFp88pwUa

But people on social media thought Romero should have done a better job schooling Hilton on the intricacies of California’s Mexican food culture.

And they took it upon themselves to do the work.

Please teach @SteveHiltonx what a 'street taco' is, because that hard shell ain't it. 🌮 https://t.co/EVC910cMrn pic.twitter.com/qDUDqoISb1

Not anyone in California, but your eliteness wouldn’t understand. pic.twitter.com/FppehGABEA

No," they" don't.Not even Del Taco calls it that.Pendejo pic.twitter.com/XRdUzCxFXR

Hilton currently leads a crowded field of candidates with 20% of the vote. The top two vote getters after the June 2 primary ― regardless of party ― will advance to the November election ballot.

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