This week, we're talking to José Ralat, the taco editor at Texas Monthly and author of the forthcoming book, American Tacos: A History and Guide. It sounds like arguably the best job in the country (and yes, it is), but it's not just about eating great tacos. José has committed the position to being as much about the history, the culture, and real voices as it is about the food itself. Juan and José chat (for a long time) about what makes for the perfect taco, the gentrification of tacos in the U.S. as well as the cost and labor behind them – which is why they deserve all the respect.
And if you contribute to our Patreon at the $15/month level or higher, you can listen to a bonus minisode (we told you they talked for a long time) on the great "Burrito vs. Taco" debate.
Produced by Juan Ramirez and Stephanie Kuo. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions.
Bonus Episode: Pride month
Episode 30: Squid and Prejudice (w/ Viet Thanh Nguyen)
Bonus Episode: The Pushback against White Supremacy in Portland
E29: Anh Luu Gives You Wings
E28: The Cacahuate Diaries (w/Daniela Perez and Soleil Ho)
"Bonus Mother's Day Episode: Zahir interviews his Mom."
E27: Planting Seeds Among Concrete (w/ Wanda Stewart)
E26: Coffee Level Over 9000 (w/ Nick Cho)
E25: Do What You Wanna (w/ Ruby Tandoh)
E24: Stop Asking Me About Kabobs (w/ Persian cookbook author Yasmin Khan)
E23: Combating Hunger with Hawaiian Musubi (w/ Darrell Yuen)
Bonus Episode: (Not) Feeding the Trolls (w/ Celeste Noche)
E22: Traveling Better With Bani Amor
E21: New Look, Same Great Taste (w/ Alan Montecillo & Juan Ramirez)
E20: Talking in New Orleans in the Age of Trump (w/ Maurice Ruffin)
E19: Soleil's First Restaurant Job
E18: Fries Before Guys (w/ Randa Jarrar)
E17: Hari Kondabolu Eats Beef
E16: And You Tried to Change, Didn't You? (w/ Salimatu Amabebe)
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