Tacocity: Recent Episodes
Rob Gokee
The taco. We’ve all had one. It doesn’t matter where you live. Race, religion, diet. In the last few years, it’s become the new burger. In its simplest form in America, it’s meat, onions & cilantro in a tortilla. Host Rob Gokee, a Los Angeles native & author of the book Tacocity, takes you on a journey of not only taco discovery, but the people who took a chance, and in some cases risked everything to bring their own recipes & dreams to life. Every episode is a different story, a unique look into taquerias across the country!
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=1000430177118
Macheen on Instagram www.instagram.com/_macheen_
You can order from Bar Hermanito on their site https://barhermanito.com or call (424) 465-9029
You 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=1000408576565
You 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%2520Elliott
Twitter www.twitter.com/eaterla & www.twitter.com/overoverunder
Instagram www.instagram.com/eaterla & www.instagram.com/overoverunder
Follow 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=1000396237557
Yuca’s Tacos
2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 662-1214
1075 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 788-7448
Instagram www.instagram.com/yucasla
Follow 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 90272
Instagram www.instagram.com/graciassenor
Yelp https://www.yelp.com/biz/gracias-señor-pacific-palisades
Follow 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-TACO
5303 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
4333 Admiralty Way #001, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
www.skystacos.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SkysTacos
Twitter: www.twitter.com/skystacos
Much 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-history
Follow 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.
We learn about the history of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and meet George Mireles of Cafe Corazon, who talks to us about tacos, seafood, and cow tongue!
This week, we talk about the connection between French & Mexican cooking, and we meet Chef Basile of Taco Window to talk tacos, pastries, why he chose the South LA neighborhood for his gourmet take on the taco!
We head to the land of Breakfast Tacos - Texas! Specifically, Austin, birthplace of Tacodeli, the king of the breakfast taco. We talk to founder & owner Roberto Espinosa about migrating to the great state of Texas and putting Austin on the taco map!
This week, we discover the origin of Cerritos, California, and we meet Rosendo Jacquez of BALAM Kitchen, and how his gourmet tacos quickly dominated the town of Lynwood!
This week, we sit down with EaterLA Senior Editor Farley Elliott, who talks to Rob about street food and tacos, and how the landscape of Los Angeles food has changed over the last decade.
This week, we head to the Ozark Mountains & Arkansas to talk about how the town of Rogers, Arkansas was established, and what amazing food Chef Fernando Martinez is concocting at The Social Taco. Then, Rob walks you through an encyclopedia of Mexican meats! Music this week by www.soundcloud.com/showmeeyes
This week we head to the state you can see from Russia - Alaska! Rob talks to Dave McCasland, a fisherman who became a cook, and serves up the freshest fish tacos in the North! Then Rob and special guest Robb Padgett make... Snickerdoodle Tacos!
This week, we head to Germantown, Maryland, to discuss it's role in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and how - in 2018 - Tortacos and John Espana have brought West Coast tacos to the East, and how the restaurant was born out of a love of Mexican food. Then, Rob & guest chef Ed Robinson cook a new taco recipe - Carne Deshebrada en Salsa Roja with Blueberry Compote!
This week, it's a crossover episode - Rob interivews Isidro Salas of the podcast 10K Tacos, and vis versa on Isidro's podcast! Isidro talks about what it's like growing up in a family that owned a taco truck, and what it was like to be a kid in San Jose, CA.
This week, we talk about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, and about a taqueria that rose from the ashes and continues to make what is arguably the most unique taco we've ever tasted. Then, Rob takes you on a chile pepper primer - learn about the flavor & heat level of almost every chile you'll need to cook with!
This week, we head to Algeria to learn about the food that Chef Farid Zadi of South Los Angeles' Revolutionario makes every day - the only North African taco joint in town! Then, Rob & Allison make Panko Crusted Salmon tacos!
This week we're in the small but mighty town of Rialto, CA, to talk with Luis Magana about Corazón Azul & his signature, one-of-a-kind blue corn tortillas, and how food & family intersect. Then, Rob takes you in the kitchen to make your own corn tortillas at home!
This week Rob sits down with his sous chef, Allison Vanore to talk about the history of tacos, taco crawls in Tijuana, and what place in Long Beach started Rob's taco obsession!
This week, we interview Minerva, owner of Tornandez Restaurante Mexicano in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and she talks to us about how she brought the flavors of Puebla to the Garden State. Then, Rob & Allison break down breakfast with a recipe for Potato, Egg & Chorizo tacos!
In this week's super-sized episode, Rob sits down with Chef Ed Robinson to discuss tacos, taquerias, sense memory, and more, before they head into the kitchen together to make Bacon Lettuce Tomato Avocado tacos. Did we mention there's drinking involved?
This week we got an exclusive with the Taco Legend, Netflix’s The Final Tables’s Chef Esdras Ochoa, who spearheaded Mexicali Taco Co, Salazar, and 11 Westside in Hong Kong. Then, learn how to make Cheese & Poblano Taquitos!
This week we take a trip to the Southwest and talk about The Order of The Golden Fleece and how it relates to tacos - specifically tacos at El Cotorro in Albuquerque. Then, a vegan recipe for Cauliflower Tacos!
What do Maple Fried Chicken tacos and Scotland have to do with each other? This week Rob takes you on a trip from Scotland to Mexico to Los Angeles, and we learn about Diablo Tacos. Then... a Big Mac taco recipe. That's right.
This week, we explore the link between an Armenian family fleeing from their homeland & how their Mexico City roots created the best Machaca Tacos in the San Fernando Valley. Then, make your own shredded beef tacos with Rob!
This week, we're in the town of Ameca, Mexico, where we learn about the torta ahogada, tacos de canasta, and how the restaurant Tortas Ahogadas Ameca came to be. Then, a recipe for Tacos de Canasta!
This week, we head back to the Yucatan - this time to the ancient city of Chichen Itza, and we talk to Chef Gilberto Cetina and his South Los Angeles restaurant of the same name about the flavors of that region. Then, in the cooking portion - Salmon Tacos!
This week, we visit Manny Anaya, who talks about door-to-door taco samples & his West Adams restaurant Taqueria Los Anaya. Then, in the cooking section, we make Carnitas Tacos!
We learn all about the death of dinosaurs, the Yucatan, and Yuca's Tacos! Trust me, all those things thread together. Then, learn how to make Cochinita Pibil Tacos!
This week, we interview Mely Martinez from the popular recipe blog Mexico in My Kitchen, and she talks to us about where her recipes come from, and why she loves to cook. Then we'll make Mely's Salsa Verde con Aguacate!
Most everyone who grew up in the 80's remembers the fast food staple Naugles. They disappeared in the 90's, but Christian Ziebarth decided it was time to bring them back, and we'll find out how and why. Then, learn how to cook Chicken Tinga Tacos!
This week, we meet a man who feeds the homeless with tacos from his cart on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, which he tries to make a living himself - Ben McMillan of White Boy Tacos. Also, Rob concocts a recipe for Shiitake Mushroom & Brie Tacos!
What do pirates have to do with tacos?! Rob finds a connection between the two, & interviews Dario Wolos of NYC's Tacombi about how he took a VW bus from Mexico City to New York, all while cooking tacos out of it! Then, this week's recipe is Shrimp Tacos!
Rob spent the week on podcaster panels at the Austin Film Fest, so this week we've got a special interview episode - Chef Chris Hill & Rob talk about the Mexican influence in the food industry across America.
Ever wonder where the Caesar Salad came from, and what it has to do with tacos? We travel down to Tijuana to find out, & discover the story behind Chicas Tacos! Then we make vegan calabacitas tacos!
We take a trip to San Diego to visit with Puesto! Eric Adler & Chef Katy Smith sit down with Rob & talk about the principles & recipes behind San Diego's favorite Mexican restaurant. Then, learn how to make your own Salsa Roja!
This week, Rob has a conversation with Wes Avila, the chef behind the insanely popular Guerrilla Tacos in Los Angeles. Chef Wes talks about his upbringing in Pico Rivera, why he chooses the ingredients he does, and tells the incredible story of going from taco cart to pimped out taco truck! Then, Rob walks you through making Chili Cheese Dog Tacos. What?!
This week, we head southeast to Orlando, Florida, where we meet John & Juliana Calloway, who brought authentic tacos to the Mills 50 neighborhood with their hit restaurant Black Rooster Taqueria. Then, Rob will teach you how to roast your own Hatch Green Chiles!
This week we explore the origins of the Boyle Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles, and how Guisados put it on the taco map. Learn about their handmade tortillas, stews and how a father & son turned an empty building into a thriving enterprise. Then, Rob teaches you how to make your own Pork Green Chile Tacos!
In this episode, Rob takes you south of San Diego into Ensenada, Mexico, to learn about the history of the fish taco, and how Ricky Pina carved out a business bringing his own fish taco recipe to life in Los Angeles.
Host Rob Gokee takes you on a trip to the city of Mexicali, where you'll learn about how Chinese immigrants affect the food and culture, and how Esdras Ochoa gave birth to Mexicali Taco Co., creating one of the best carne asada tacos in Los Angeles in the process,
Teaser episode for the new podcast Tacocity. Meet host Rob Gokee and learn about what's going to be covered weekly in this taco-centric show!