Tacocity | Food Stories, Mexican Food & Cooking

We got to sit down and get an update from Chef Jonathan Perez of Macheen about how he's been affected by the pandemic, and what he's been working on the last few months. Macheen is in the Final Four of LA Taco's annual Taco Madness competition, and there's still time to vote! https://www.lataco.com/taco-madness-2020/ You can vote until midnight on Sunday, May 17th, so head over and give Macheen a nod! There's no registration, just a few clicks and you're done! But I suggest you hang around and read some of the amazing stuff LA Taco has been publishing;)Our original interview with Macheen is here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tacocity-food-stories-mexican-food-cooking/id1277314149?i=1000430177118Macheen on Instagram www.instagram.com/_macheen_You can order from Bar Hermanito on their site https://barhermanito.com or call (424) 465-9029You can find them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/barhermanito/

We sat down again (via phone) with EaterLA's editor Farley Elliott, to talk about the restaurant industry right now, the impact of the virus, and where he sees things going in the new normal we're about to enter.If you missed my original interview with Farley, you can find it here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tacocity-food-stories-mexican-food-cooking/id1277314149?i=1000408576565You can find Eater's website here https://la.eater.com and if you're looking for articles specifically by Farley, you can find them all here https://la.eater.com/authors/Farley%2520ElliottTwitter www.twitter.com/eaterla & www.twitter.com/overoverunderInstagram www.instagram.com/eaterla & www.instagram.com/overoverunderFollow Tacocity on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tacocitypod and Instagram www.instagram.com/tacocitypod

This episode, we sit down with Dora from Yuca’s to talk about how the pandemic has affected business, why she added meal kits to her menu, and how she thinks things will be when we get back to normal.You can find the original interview with Dora and Yuca’s here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tacocity-food-stories-mexican-food-cooking/id1277314149?i=1000396237557Yuca’s Tacos2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 662-12141075 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 788-7448Instagram www.instagram.com/yucaslaFollow Tacocity on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tacocitypod and Instagram www.instagram.com/tacocitypod

This episode, we catch up with Rodolfo Barrientos of Gracias Señor, located in Pacific Palisades, CA. Rodlofo talks about how the current quarantine is affecting his business, and his plans for reopening.You can find the original interview with Rodolfo & the origin story of Gracias Señor here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tacocity-food-stories-mexican-food-cooking/id1277314149?i=1000430647424 Gracias Señor 15120 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272Instagram www.instagram.com/graciassenorYelp https://www.yelp.com/biz/gracias-señor-pacific-palisadesFollow Tacocity on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tacocitypod and Instagram www.instagram.com/tacocitypod

We're back for Season 3! This week, we take a trip to Chicago, the place where Barbara Burrell of Sky's Gourmet Tacos found her love for the taco, and how she opened her two restaurants in Los Angeles, California. Barbara talks about her beginnings in the corporate world, how she started Sky's, and what she's learning about her business during the Covid-19 pandemic and current quarantine.Sky's Gourmet Tacos (833) SKY-TACO5303 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 900194333 Admiralty Way #001, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292www.skystacos.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/SkysTacosTwitter: www.twitter.com/skystacosMuch of the history portion of this episode is from the Eater article "How Chicago Became A Mexican Culture Center" https://www.eater.com/a/mofad-city-guides/chicago-mexican-historyFollow Tacocity on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tacocitypod and Instagram www.instagram.com/tacocitypod

We're back! Rob lets you know what's in store for season 3, and how all of us can help taqueros during the pandemic. New episode drops Tuesday!

A full review of Bill Esparza's first Taqueando Festival in Los Angeles - all the vendors we hit up, all the tacos we ate, and who won the best taco!

Visalia, California - home to Tacos Lucha! In the Season 2 finale, we talk to Chris of Tacos Lucha about food, family, and what drew him to California's Central Valley and why he chose to share his tacos with the community there!

We're in Austin, Texas this week with Vaquero Taquero! Daniel & Miguel Cobos sat down with us and talked about how they went from a cart in front of the museum, to a truck, to a brick and mortar taqueria, with the best al pastor around!

This week, we've got one foot in Texas & one in California - as we talk Breakfast Tacos with HomeState! LA's famed taqueria sits down with Tacocity to talk about bringing the breakfast taco to Hollywood while maintaining roots in native Texas!

Chef Fernando Valladares of Portside Fish Co. in Irvine, California talks this week about his rise from culinary school to chef and co-owner of Portside, and why they have some "do not miss" fish tacos on their menu!

“Viernes de Tlayudas.” Tlayuda Friday in Los Angeles at FIOB, and it's where you'll find Poncho's Tlayudas every week. We got to sit down with Poncho and talk about his unique rise to fame in the LA food scene, and what makes the tlayuda so unique.

Austin, Texas - we're back! This week, we got to interview Nick Belloni of Trill Taqueria, which has been blowing up Austin with his unique recipes & amazing vegetarian menu!

James Beard Award-winning writer, author, and taco expert Bill Esparza talks food, family, and his inaugural Taqueando Festival, happening in Los Angeles on June 15th, 2019! No one knows Mexico & Mexican food better than Bill Esparza, and he imparts some of that cultural & culinary knowledge in this week's episode. www.taqueandofest.com

Tijuana, Mexico - home of the Tijuana style taco that's sweeping across Southern California with ferocity. It's also the birthplace of Tacos 1986, Los Angeles' taco rock stars. We sit down with Jorge Alvarez-Tostado to talk about their beginning, cooking for SXSW, and why he thinks they have the best adobada in town.

What's Taqueando? When does Taco Madness start? We update you on all the new taco news in LA, and tease the next round of episodes coming up!

The Puffy Taco. It originates in San Antonio, Texas, but it's been in California for over 4 decades, and its story starts with Gloria Lopez of Arturo's Puffy Taco in Whittier, California. We sat down with Gloria to talk about her world-famous taco, and where it came from.

Teddy's Tacos in the city of La Puente fought off Chipotle for a year, one month at a time. Brother/Sister team Ted & Adriana talk about how they became taqueros, why raisins are a huge part of their recipes, and how they figured out a way to survive when facing demolition.

Pacific Palisades, California - sun, sand, and the home of Gracias Señor. We sat down with Rodolfo Barrientos and talked tacos and startups, and how he's changing the food landscape one taco at a time.

Have you ever had tortillas infused with the flavors of the taco? Jonathan Perez of Macheen talks about how his time at culinary school shaped the tacos he makes every weekend at Smorgasburg LA on this week's episode.

Because we love hot sauce so much, we decided to hit up Julio Lopez-Velasquez of Formosa Hot Sauce for an in-depth interview about his story as a chef turned entrepreneur, and how Formosa got into stores all over the world!

Beef Heart. Who knew it was the most eaten street food in Peru? Danny Rodriguez of Pablito's Tacos does, and he's serving it up in Burbank, California. We sat down with Danny to talk about how he combines Tijuana and Peruvian styles together to make some of the best tacos in the Valley, from a taco stand in front of his Peruvian restaurant, Pablito's Kitchen.

The Habanero Cartel. In a time & place when peppers are the world's currency, one man is brave enough to make a sauce to rule them all - Kill Sauce. This week, we sit down with Ryan Demirjian and talk hot sauce - why he created them (using all natural ingredients) and why he founded the Habanero Cartel!

Harrisonburg, Virginia, home of La Morena. This time around, we get to hear the story of La Morena from Javier “Angel” Rodriguez - where the name & logo came from, why his salsas are being ordered by the cup, and what makes this taqueria so unique & delicious.

We're back at Smorgasburg LA! This time, we're talking to Armen Martirosyan of Mid East Tacos about his amazing flavors, how a burrito launched his famed taqueria, and how Instagram plays a role in his success.

In the final installment of this trip's On The Road, Rob & Allison find a gem in Harrisonburg, Virgina called La Morena. Also, they hit up Las Palmas Mexican Grill in Rome, Georgia.

El Burro in Farmingdale, New Jersey is this week's On The Road episode - Happy Holidays, everyone! We talk about this hip taqueria as Rob & Allison dissect their inaugural visit there.

Rob & Allison drove from Los Angeles to New Jersey this week, and they're bringing us a taqueria review from the Jersey Shore - Fins Tropicali Cuisine!

Querétaro is the birthplace of two of the greatest revolutionaries in Mexico's history - and we've got one of them on this week's Tacocity! Pobre Diablo - aka The Evil Cook - stops by to tell his story, and to talk about his upcoming gig at El Sereno Park to benefit the Women & Children's Shelter on December 15th. He's swapping tacos for donations from 5pm til he runs out!

This week, we head to the Jersey Shore - specifically Asbury Park, and meet Sam & Jay of the taqueria MOGO, and how they brought Korean Mexican fusion tacos to the boardwalk. Also, an exciting update about Tacocity mainstay Esdras Ochoa!

We sit down with Daniel Hernandez, celebrated author, journalist & editor in chief at LA Taco. Daniel talks about growing up in San Diego, spending 8 years traveling living in & embracing Mexico City, and why independent journalism is so important in 2018. www.lataco.com

From Pueblo to Pico Rivera, taquero Ether Aguilar talks about what makes his tacos at Tacos Ah Carbon different from the competition, and what makes his carne asada so authentic.

Sinaloa, Mexico, known for its cartels, is also home to some amazing flavors. Tacos Los Desvelados in Maywood, CA - home of the sushi taco - is our new home away from home. We spend some time with Adolfo Valenzuela, who talks about his record label Twiins, growing up in Sinaloa, and he tells us what's in a Desvelado taco!

Renowned Los Angeles Chef Ray Garcia of both Broken Spanish & B.S. Taqueria talks with us about where he pulls inspiration from, how to open two restaurants at the same time, and how the taco has become the unofficial food of Los Angeles.

Taqueria el Taco Loco #7 in the historic neighborhood of West Adams in South Los Angeles is the topic of today's episode. Rob sits down with Julio Garibay to talk work ethic, hand made tortillas, his unique method of cooking meat, and the moment he realized cooking was his passion.

Erick Galindo of the news organization L.A. Taco talks about his journalistic journey, growing up in Paramount, CA, his favorite taquerias, and why L.A. Taco is telling all the important Hispanic stories in Los Angeles. Hit up www.lataco.com/join

Lima, Peru. That's where the flavors of Little Llama Peruvian Tacos comes from. This week, we're at Smorgasburg LA to find out what makes Little Llama's tacos so irresistible, and the history behind the thriving stand.

Host Rob Gokee was sick this week, so we've got an update on what's coming up the next 4-5 weeks on Tacocity, and Rob's 3 favorite episodes to go back and check out!

An in-depth interview with Ricky Piña of Ricky's Fish Tacos. He talks about growing up in San Quintin, Mexico, why he chose fish tacos, and... he teaches you how to make HIS fish tacos by divulging his time-tested, award-winning techniques!

Catarina's Food Truck in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the topic of this week's episode. We talk tacos with chef/owner Juan Navarrete, why he wants to bring the food truck culture to Murfreesboro, and what recipe didn't go over well with local residents!

World renowned chefs Jaime & Ramiro of La Casita, Mexicano & Flautas sit down with Tacocity to talk recipes, food, Mexico's Magical Towns, and their secret for great mole!

It's a burrito episode! We talk with Alberto & Lauren Bañuelos of Burritos La Palma about the their hand-made flour tortillas & delicious guisados. Jonathan Gold named them one of his Top Five Burritos, and we agree!

In the Season 2 premiere of Tacocity, we head to London, England to talk with Nud Dudhia of Breddos Tacos about his rise from a cart on the corner to 2 blockbuster locations, and arguably the best tacos on the continent!

The third and final installment of Rob & Allison’s trip across the U.S. and back. This episode, Rob talks about taquerias in Washington D.C., Louisiana & Texas - including the legendary Torchy’s Tacos! Season 2 of Tacocity premieres September 4th

It’s round 2 of Tacocity On The Road! Rob & Allison hit up 3 taquerias - Mona’s Cocina in Texas, Casa Marina in Jackson, Tennessee and Mano Taqueria in Lexington, Virginia!

Rob & Allison are on a roadtrip from LA to New Jersey, and hit up taquerias in Arizona & New Mexico. Enjoy these quick picks as Rob reviews tacos from the road!

Another bonus episode before the Season 2 launch September 4th! This week, Rob & Allison cook Bulgogi Tacos and talk about their upcoming trip across the U.S. AND... there may be a secret trailer to a new podcast in there somewhere...

Another bonus episode - this time around, Rob answers listener questions, makes Ceviche Tostadas with Chef Ed Robinson, and announces the premiere date for Season 2!

It's a bonus episode/update! We'll tell you what to expect for Season 2, and we drop a brand new cooking lesson - which will be called Taquitos - where Rob & Allison Vanore cook the tacos their moms made!

In the Season 1 finale of Tacocity, we take the podcast global -all the way down under to Australia, where we talk to Diana & Gerardo of La Tortilleria, who make their tortillas from the ground up - literally!

This week, we talk about the Portland Rum Riot of 1851, and we meet Karen Rasumussen & Manuel Peña of Portland, Maine's Taco Trio. Chef Manny talks about his mole sauce, and growing up the son of a butcher in Central Mexico.