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Taqueando with Bill Esparza: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Acquired Taste Media
Taqueando with Bill Esparza is your front-row seat to the vibrant world of Mexican and Latino food culture. Hosted by James Beard Award-winning writer Bill Esparza, we go way beyond tacos, diving deep into street food, regional cuisines, travel adventures, chef interviews, and the real stories behind the food. From the mercados of Mexico to the kitchens of Los Angeles, Bill brings decades of expertise, insider access, and serious passion to each episode. Expect no-BS conversations, big personalities, and a whole lot of taco talk.
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- Yesterday1h 7m
Eater LA's Mona Holmes Confronts Bill Esparza Over Villa's Tacos
Bill Esparza welcomes Mona Holmes, editor of Eater LA, to Taqueando for a candid, hilarious, and occasionally confrontational conversation about Los Angeles food, journalism, and the people shaping the city's restaurant scene.First, Bill and Mona lay down the rules of food event etiquette, including how to escape a conversation that just won't end. Then they get into the increasingly precarious state of food journalism, the rise of influencers, and why great restaurant coverage requires more than a camera and a supposedly impeccable palate.Things get especially interesting when Mona confronts Bill over his infamous criticism of Villa's Tacos, sparking a debate about journalistic responsibility, professional boundaries, and whether food writers sometimes go too far. They also tackle allegations of AI-generated Michelin Guide reviews, the political failures making life harder for LA restaurants, and what city leaders should actually be doing to help.Finally, Mona shares her personal restaurant recommendations for convincing skeptical New Yorkers that Los Angeles is one of the greatest food cities in the world.It's a spirited conversation between two people who love LA, love its restaurants, and aren't afraid to disagree about either.Follow Mona Holmes and read her work at Eater LA.TAQUEANDO with Bill Esparza is part of the Acquired Taste Media podcast network.
- 1 weeks ago1h 20m
LA TACO's Meltdown: Memo Torres, Javier Cabral & the Fallout
All hell has broken loose at LA TACO. Following the firing of longtime reporter Memo Torres, the departure of Izzy Ramirez, and a series of increasingly contentious public statements, one of Los Angeles' most beloved independent publications finds itself at the center of an extraordinary controversy.Bill Esparza and Rob break down the entire saga, from the ethical questions surrounding Torres' relationship with a California state senator to LA TACO's handling of the fallout, its ownership structure, and allegations of newsroom dysfunction. Bill also opens up about his own complicated history with editor-in-chief Javier Cabral, including a little-known story about how he landed the book deal for L.A. Mexicano.Then, in a stunning late-night twist, Torres publishes his side of the story while Bill and Rob are recording, prompting an emergency addendum and a whole new set of questions about LA TACO's future.Plus, the guys recap the LA Times 101 Best Restaurants celebration, the growing influence of Latino chefs on LA's dining scene, and some of the list's biggest surprises.It's an unusually explosive episode of Taqueando, and nobody is holding back.
- 2 weeks ago55 min
LA Has a Wet Trompo Problem. Danny Trejo Has a Bigger One.
Los Angeles, we have a wet trompo problem. And Bill Esparza has had enough.This week on Taqueando, Bill and Robert Haleblian get to the bottom of why so much of LA's beloved al pastor is drowning in adobo. From Angel's Tijuana Tacos to the legendary trompos of Mexico City, they break down what separates a truly great taco from a soggy imitation, why the traditional taco brigade matters, and where to find the best al pastor and adobada in Los Angeles.But first, Bill has some words for Danny Trejo. Following news of the actor's involvement in a controversial film depicting an ICE agent, Bill reflects on his own history with the Hollywood icon, the disappointing tacos he once gave a pass, and why he's now calling for a boycott of Trejo's restaurants.Plus, an unforgettable seafood takeover at Sāntō, a Holbox collaboration at Paseo, and plenty more from Bill's latest adventures across LA's dining scene.On this episode:Why LA has a wet trompo problemAngel's Tijuana Tacos and the economics of street tacosThe secrets of Mexico City's greatest al pastorBill's favorite al pastor and adobada spots in LADanny Trejo, ICE, and a Hollywood icon's controversial career decisionSeafood, chef collaborations, and the latest Antojitos RundownThis is Taqueando, where Mexican food, culture, and the people behind it always come first.Part of the Acquired Taste Media network.
- 3 weeks ago42 min
Is Michelin Falling for Mexico City’s Taco Hype?
Taqueando has a new home! Search “Acquired Taste” on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and follow the feed for new episodes of Taqueando with Bill Esparza, alongside The LA Food Podcast and Compliments to the Chef.This week: are Mexico City’s most viral tacos worth the hype? Bill and producer Robert Haleblian dig into Michelin-starred taquerías, La Once Mil, and the influencers steering tourists toward luxury tacos. What happens when premium ingredients get more attention than the traditions, family recipes and neighborhoods that make Mexican street food special?Plus, Bill shares favorite Mexico City taco stops and reports back from LA’s Chef’s Conference.Follow Acquired Taste now so you don’t miss what’s next.Produced by Robert Haleblian.
- 4 weeks ago53 min
Heritage BBQ's Danny Castillo Wants All The Smoke
This week's Taqueando is available on the Acquired Taste podcast feed! Bill Esparza sits down with Heritage Barbecue's Danny Castillo to uncover California BBQ's Mexican roots, celebrate forgotten barbecue pioneers, and discuss the future of Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. Plus, Bill shares his latest LA restaurant adventures and revisits the controversy surrounding Asadero Los Ángeles.To hear the full episode, head to the Acquired Taste podcast feed and subscribe! That's where you'll find all new episodes of Taqueando, alongside more great food conversations from across Los Angeles.
- Sep 30, 20261h 3m
Q&A: Mariscos Backlash & Taco Truck Mythbusting
Bill Esparza is back answering your questions, your DMs and, yes, your hate. Bill and Rob tackle the backlash over their LA mariscos guide, what makes great ceviche and aguachile, oyster red flags, King Taco’s place in taco truck history, the best pozole and chile en nogada in Los Angeles, Coyoacán recommendations and Bill’s perfect day of eating in LA.Plus, the Antojitos Rundown covers Loreto, Broken Spanish Comedor, Holbox, Disciples of the Corn and Mariscos El Tambo.Important: Taqueando is moving to the Acquired Taste feed. The transition will happen gradually throughout October, but all new Taqueando episodes will ultimately live on Acquired Taste. Follow or subscribe to the Acquired Taste feed now so you don’t miss an episode. This feed will remain available as the Taqueando archive.
- Sep 23, 20261h 13m
Is Hype Making Taquerias Worse? Matt Kang on Asadero, Influencers & Carne Asada
Bill Esparza is joined by longtime food writer and Eater LA contributor Matt Kang to unpack the hype around Asadero, one of Los Angeles’ buzziest new taco stands. They debate whether it’s really Sonora-style, how LA diners and influencers can reshape a taqueria, why salsa and tortilla matter as much as the meat, and what separates a viral taco from a truly great one.Plus, Bill and Matt get into LA’s carne asada evolution, the pressure to please customers, and whether Asadero can turn its early momentum into a more focused, lasting concept.Produced by Robert Haleblian
- Sep 16, 202651 min
32 States of Mexico, One Dinner: Inside Evil Cooks’ Disciples of the Corn
This week on Taqueando, Bill Esparza sits down with Chef Alex Garcia of Evil Cooks to talk about the restaurant’s evolution from a backyard pop-up into one of Los Angeles’ most distinctive Mexican restaurants, and the return of Disciples of the Corn, an ambitious dinner celebrating the food of all 32 states of Mexico. Alex shares the story behind the event, the chaos of pulling it off, and this year’s lineup of chefs including Ray Garcia and Tomás Ortega, while opening up about his partnership with Elvia, his heavy-metal ethos and the life experiences that shaped Evil Cooks.Plus, in this week’s Antojitos, Bill recaps a Los Angeles food crawl with Nithya Raman through Evil Cooks, Distrito Catorce and Casa Gish Bac; makes the case for where to find truly great caldo, pozole and menudo in LA; visits the Guatemalan night market; and breaks down the ultimate Hollywood Bowl food experience. Somehow, there’s also room for Sheila E., the Commodores, Kenny G., smooth jazz slander and some very strong opinions about aging rock stars.Produced by Robert Haleblian.
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About Taqueando with Bill Esparza
Taqueando with Bill Esparza is your front-row seat to the vibrant world of Mexican and Latino food culture. Hosted by James Beard Award-winning writer Bill Esparza, we go way beyond tacos, diving deep into street food, regional cuisines, travel adventures, chef interviews, and the real stories behind the food. From the mercados of Mexico to the kitchens of Los Angeles, Bill brings decades of expertise, insider access, and serious passion to each episode. Expect no-BS conversations, big personalities, and a whole lot of taco talk.
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