Tacocity artwork

Tacocity

88 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 48 ratings

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!

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Episodes

Macheen COVID-19 UPDATE

May 16, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 41.5 MB

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 ...

Farley Elliott of Eater COVID-19 UPDATE

May 15, 2020 10:00 - 15 minutes - 34.3 MB

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...

Yuca's COVID-19 UPDATE

May 09, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 25.9 MB

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-...

Gracias Señor COVID-19 UPDATE

May 07, 2020 10:00 - 24 minutes - 56.1 MB

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....

Sky's Gourmet Tacos

May 05, 2020 10:00 - 30 minutes - 69.7 MB

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, M...

Tacocity Season 3 Teaser

May 01, 2020 13:00 - 7 minutes - 17.1 MB

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!

Taqueando Festival

June 23, 2019 04:01 - 33 minutes - 76.4 MB

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!

Tacos Lucha

May 14, 2019 10:00 - 29 minutes - 67.9 MB

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!

Vaquero Taquero

May 07, 2019 10:00 - 32 minutes - 73.3 MB

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!

HomeState

April 30, 2019 10:00 - 40 minutes - 92.4 MB

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!

Portside Fish Co.

April 23, 2019 10:00 - 29 minutes - 67.4 MB

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!

Ponchos Tlayudas

April 16, 2019 10:00 - 39 minutes - 90.8 MB

“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.

Trill Taqueria

April 09, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 54.6 MB

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!

Bill Esparza

April 02, 2019 10:00 - 49 minutes - 113 MB

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

Tacos 1986

March 26, 2019 10:00 - 42 minutes - 96.7 MB

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.

March Update

March 19, 2019 10:00 - 7 minutes - 17.6 MB

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!

Arturo's Puffy Taco

March 14, 2019 06:48 - 24 minutes - 56.8 MB

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

March 05, 2019 11:00 - 36 minutes - 82.5 MB

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.

Gracias Señor

February 26, 2019 11:00 - 31 minutes - 71.1 MB

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.

Macheen

February 19, 2019 11:00 - 34 minutes - 78.8 MB

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.

Formosa Hot Sauce

February 12, 2019 11:00 - 39 minutes - 91.1 MB

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!

Pablitos Tacos

February 05, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 57.7 MB

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.

Habanero Cartel (Kill Sauce)

January 29, 2019 11:00 - 37 minutes - 85.2 MB

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!

La Morena

January 22, 2019 11:00 - 40 minutes - 91.5 MB

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.

Mid East Tacos

January 15, 2019 11:00 - 22 minutes - 50.5 MB

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.

On The Road - La Morena

January 08, 2019 11:00 - 13 minutes - 30.6 MB

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.

On The Road - El Burro

December 23, 2018 17:23 - 15 minutes - 35.9 MB

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.

On The Road - Fins

December 18, 2018 11:00 - 11 minutes - 26.8 MB

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!

Pobre Diablo

December 11, 2018 11:00 - 31 minutes - 72.2 MB

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!

MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos

December 04, 2018 11:00 - 26 minutes - 60.2 MB

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!

LA Taco Editor Daniel Hernandez

November 27, 2018 11:00 - 58 minutes - 135 MB

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

Tacos Ah Carbon

November 20, 2018 11:00 - 25 minutes - 58.4 MB

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.

Tacos Los Desvelados

November 13, 2018 11:00 - 24 minutes - 56.3 MB

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!

B.S. Taqueria & Broken Spanish

November 06, 2018 11:00 - 33 minutes - 76 MB

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.

Taco Loco

October 30, 2018 10:00 - 24 minutes - 56 MB

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.

L.A. Taco's Erick Galindo

October 23, 2018 10:00 - 35 minutes - 82 MB

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

Little Llama Tacos

October 16, 2018 10:00 - 27 minutes - 62.7 MB

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.

Tacocity Week Off

October 09, 2018 10:00 - 4 minutes - 10.8 MB

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!

Ricky Piña (Ricky's Fish Tacos)

October 02, 2018 10:00 - 43 minutes - 100 MB

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

September 25, 2018 10:00 - 42 minutes - 96.2 MB

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!

Jaime and Ramiro

September 18, 2018 10:00 - 49 minutes - 112 MB

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!

Burritos La Palma

September 11, 2018 10:00 - 23 minutes - 54.5 MB

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!

Breddos Tacos

September 04, 2018 10:00 - 40 minutes - 93.4 MB

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!

Bonus Episode - Tacocity On The Road (Episode 3)

August 20, 2018 18:32 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

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

Bonus Episode - Tacocity On The Road (Episode 2)

August 08, 2018 19:53 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MB

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!

Bonus Episode - Tacocity On The Road (Episode 1)

August 04, 2018 01:06 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MB

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!

Bonus Episode - Bulgogi Tacos

July 25, 2018 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

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...

Bonus Episode - Q&A and Ceviche Tostadas

July 13, 2018 10:00 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MB

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!

Bonus Episode - Mom's Tacos

June 19, 2018 10:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MB

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!

La Tortilleria

May 29, 2018 10:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MB

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!

Twitter Mentions

@tacocitypod 4 Episodes
@overoverunder 1 Episode
@eaterla 1 Episode
@skystacos 1 Episode