Podcasts about taco zone

In this episode, Claudia Saric and Spencer Michiel sit down with Cody Bates, restaurateur, hospitality leader, and co-founder of Bates Co.- the group behind Kansas favorites like the Burger Stand, Taco Zone, Bon Bon, and the art-driven Cider Gallery. Over the past 17 years, Cody and her husband, Simon, have grown a single neighborhood burger spot into a portfolio of creative, community-focused concepts.Cody shares her journey from a 22-year-old barista and student to running multiple restaurants, including the early days of flipping a $2,500 kitchen into a gourmet burger spot. She reflects on lessons learned from building a business without investors, developing a unique staff culture with livable wages, and navigating the challenges of tipping, hospitality fees, and pandemic-era disruptions.Beyond her restaurants, Cody is a board member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition and founding board member of the Lawrence Restaurant Association, fighting for workforce sustainability and independent small business resilience. She also discusses how her background in art and passion for creating “third spaces” inspired the Cider Gallery, a thriving combination of gallery, event space, and catering hub.Listeners will gain insight into what it takes to innovate in the restaurant industry, prioritize community and staff, and balance creative vision with sustainable operations. Cody's story is a testament to how independent restaurateurs can make a meaningful impact—both locally and nationally - while staying true to their values.Key Takeaways:Building a restaurant business organically without outside investorsStrategies for livable wages, team culture, and equitable tip-sharingCreating multi-use spaces that combine dining, art, and communityAdvocacy for independent restaurants on national policy issues like credit card fees(00:52 – 02:53) – Introduction & Early BeginningsMeet Codi Bates, restaurateur and community advocate, and hear how she and Simon started their first burger spot in Lawrence, Kansas.(02:54 – 06:03) – From One Restaurant to a Growing PortfolioThe story of how Bates Co. expanded from a single gourmet burger concept to multiple locations, learning on the fly.(06:04 – 09:31) – Wearing All the Hats: Lessons in OperationsInsights on running a restaurant, solving problems from plumbing to tech, and being hands-on in every aspect of the business.(09:32 – 16:41) – Staffing, Wages & Creating CultureHow Codi built a team-focused culture, implemented livable wages, experimented with a hospitality fee, and maintained trust with staff and guests.(16:42 – 18:10) – The Economics of Independent RestaurantsUnderstanding razor-thin margins, community impact, and why independent restaurants reinvest most of their revenue locally.(18:11 – 25:28) – Expanding Into Unique Concepts & Community SpacesFrom Taco Zone to Bon Bon to the art-driven Cider Gallery—how creative spaces and mixed-use concepts shaped Bates Co.'s growth.(25:29 – 27:11) – Advocacy & the Independent Restaurant CoalitionCodi discusses her national work with the IRC, advocacy efforts, and issues like credit card processing fees affecting the industry.(27:12 – 32:00) – Credit Card Fees & Financial ChallengesDeep dive into the Credit Card Competition Act, the real costs of card processing for independent operators, and how these policies affect restaurants' bottom line.(32:01 – 36:00) – Supporting the Independent Restaurant CommunityThe role of advocacy in workforce sustainability, small business resilience, and Codi's perspective on keeping independent restaurants thriving post-COVID.(36:01 – 40:30) – Lessons Learned & Advice for RestaurateursCodi shares key takeaways from 17+ years in hospitality, advice for aspiring operators, and reflections on balancing passion, community, and business.(40:31 – End) – Closing Thoughts & What's Next for Bates Co.Codi wraps up with insights on future projects, maintaining authenticity, and continuing to create community-centered restaurant experiences.Brought to you by Back of HouseYour most trusted resource for restaurant tech. Stop guessing and start making data-driven decisions for your business.Learn more at: https://backofhouse.io/Proudly Sponsored by:RestauRentThe no-fee booking platform helping restaurants and venues book private events.Try it risk-free (3 months free): https://bit.ly/soyouwanttorestaurentConnect with the PodcastFull Episodes: https://linktr.ee/soyouwanttorunarestaurantFollow Claudia: @claudia.saricFollow Spencer: @RestaurantSpenny

For our first HotTasteus/HiTasteus episode, David and Winston explore a round of Hot Tastes where Winston believes deep dish pizza is best the second day and David wants vanilla milk to have the same ubiquity as chocolate milk. They then highlight and reissue the February 15th, 2018 episode with Eater Senior Editor Farley Elliott where they ate the entire menu at Echo Park taco truck Taco Zone. __ SHOW INFORMATION Facebook Page: @tryitlikeitpod Instagram: @tryitlikeitpod Twitter: @tryitlikeitpod Email: tryitlikeitpod@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

We're ON LOCATION again this week coming to you LIVE from one of our favorite taco spots, TACO ZONE in Lawrence, Kansas! Singer-Songwriter-Musician HEIDI LYNNE GLUCK stops by to talk to Dave about music, growing up in Manitoba, Canada, and her upcoming variety show concert at MYERS HOTEL BAR in Tonganoxie on Saturday Sept. 29th. We also discusss her upcoming appearance on THE MYSTERY HOUR (Check your Local Listings!). Dave and Heidi also tackle FACTS ABOUT MANITOBA and WINNIPEG; CANADIAN FOOD and CANADIAN SLANG; and...CANDADIAN TACOS?!! Quick! Eat those tacos before a Polar Bear gobbles them up! Heidi's Latest Record "Pony Show" is available now from Lotuspool Records!" 

Farley Elliott (Senior Editor for Eater LA and author of Los Angeles Street Food: A History from Tamaleros to Taco Trucks) joins us to dive into Taco Zone, the Echo Park based taco truck. The hosts and Farley sample the entirety of their menu and why Farley chose to single out this particular truck instead of a specific food for a slight break in the show’s format.

What’s not to love about LA? Besides the perfect weather and socially acceptable, child free lifestyle, and the shitty parking? We sat down with fellow podcast host, comedian, and fellow mixed baddie, Lisa Chanoux! This episode we ask the hard questions: Why can’t you take your dog to all the beaches? What’s everyone’s obsession with “networking”? Why are people shocked when you wear a dress? Taco truck recommendations (mostly Taco Zone, duh!), brunch spot shoutouts, our fave after hours spots, and wear to get stuff that’s fallen off the back of the truck. And since this is an “I Love L.A.” episode, it wouldn’t be complete without a healthy f**k you to NYC for messing with our real estate prices. Follow us everywhere @mixeduppod. Follow Lisa Chanoux @asilnoux on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to Rumor Has It with Lisa Chanoux!

This week we are the champions.Subscribe in iTunes | Direct mp3 linkWalpaper's RT theme songHit us up: thatrealtalk@gmail.com, 323-545-6252LACC and Keyboard CatLos Lakers win it all, RT at the victory paradeLil DezTaco Zone fire(bombed?) (KS, EG, LAT)Banh Mi My-ThoNam Thai (banh mi truck)Jared's adventures in AlhambraIKIWYThe Debo moment