Taco Journalism

San Anto y todos. Check out my interview on Texas Public Radio Fronteras. So much fun talking to Norma and digging into the culture.

Fronteras: A fourth helping of taco culture and stories with the 'Tacos of Texas' podcast In the latest season of the podcast, Taco journalist Mando Rayo explores the personal journeys of chefs and taqueros from across the state who are connecting to their roots.

It's launch day for Tacos of Texas Podcast! First episode out now. Los Verdes but first, tacos! Get to know the taqueros inside and outside the stadium including Con Todo ATX, OneTaco - an urban taquería and Austin FC's Executive Chef, Mil gracias to Visit El Paso for sponsoring el podcast!

https://kutkutx.studio/tacos-of-texas/los-verdes-goooool

Subscribe y Like, where ever you get your podcasts.🌮🌮🌮

Feliz Juneteenth! Listen to our episode of Black Mexicans right now on K*T Austin. You can listen online or on your radio 90.5 fm.

K*T, Austin's NPR Station News stories for Austin and Central Texas from the local K*T newsroom, National Public Radio NPR, the BBC and public radio. K-U-T 90.5 FM

Big time congrats to Regina and familia!

Austin is known for its trendy food scene, but a lone stretch of food spots and taquerias has earned the moniker “Austin’s Taco Mile.”

The invited the "Taco King" himself, Mando Rayo (), to talk about this part of Austin. He’s a James Beard Award nominee, a taco journalist and host of the podcast “Tacos of Texas” (). He spoke with the Standard about his experience on the Taco Mile and how its existence shows a history of gentrification, but also a celebration of immigrant culture.

So, where is the "Taco Mile"?

"If you head outside of the trendiest spots in Austin, Texas, you got to go to where immigrants go and eat," Rayo said. "And that’s off of Rundberg Lane and Lamar. Out of that stretch of one mile, there’s over 40 places."

Rayo said it's not just taco trucks that make this strip of businesses special. "So you got pupuserias, you got quinceañera shops, tire shops. You have abarrotes Mexicanos," he said. "So, in a sense, it’s the barrio, if you will, that’s still kind of in the city of Austin that, you know, unfortunately goes unnoticed a lot of these times because they’re not trending on Instagram or what have you."

What are Rayo's recommendations for those looking to partake?

"Some of my favorite spots are Carnita El Guero, which have some of the best carnitas in town. That’s right off of North Lamar. La Chilanguita – it’s actually tucked away kind of next to or behind a tire shop, which is a really great sign," he said. "Those are some of the best places. If you see a tire truck or a gas station, the taco truck next to it probably is a good sign."

Another favorite of Rayo's is Tacos El Charly, a truck that does tacos al pastor. "But it’s a whole scene there. You know, you have vendors there, people are selling homemade products, they’re selling balloons for the kids and it’s a whole scene," he said. "I think when you look at culture and thriving in culture and the richness, you’re going to find it here at Austin’s Taco Mile.

Tap the link in our bio for a map of taco spots and to read or listen to Rayo's interview with the Texas Standard.
Photo: Identity Productions

Taco Fam! We're a finalists for our episode: Austin's Taco Mile for Signal Awards.

If you enjoy our stories about food culture, immigrant perseverance and how we use tacos as a Trojan horse to understand people, communities and issues, please take a couple of minutes to vote!

Vote Here---> https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?fbclid=IwAR37yRONqmIKZhya33idtT6fr7SZWgKc4xI7HZB2hZdvJs-8NmxMPqrwSOU #/2022/individual-episodes/general/lifestyle

On the next proximo episode, we explore the original purveyors and growers of our foods and honor the hard work of Migrant Farmworkers.

Listen aquí: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NitLVWhpVsmFssFjnWGBa?si=52ee56dc52014182

And we're back exploring taco culture in Texas through the eyes of the people in the Lone Star State. So grab your mix tape and 3 de asada and get ready for some muy tasty taco conversations.

Listen to Ep. 1 Taco Beats: What goes better with tacos than with a little Screwmbia, that's cumbia chopped and screwed.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3SBpUOjHlsKQbjULmueLIN?si=ccda345c9d9049c1

Taco Beats Listen to this episode from Tacos of Texas on Spotify. What goes better with tacos than with a little Screwmbia? That's cumbia chopped and screwed. We'll talk with los mero meros de screwmbia, including Principe Q (Corpus Christi DJ, chef, and nephew of Selena, yes that Selena) and Gracie Chavez (co...