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Mando Rayo

April 21, 2026

Cesar Chavez allegations continue to spur examination of legacy

Mando Rayo talks to Texas Standard host David Brown about the fallout from the sexual assault allegations against labor leader Cesar Chavez.

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April 14, 2026

Tamal or tamale?

Tamal or Tamale? Corn husk or banana leaf? Taco Journalist Mando Rayo weighs in on the great Texas debate…Or is it Tejas?

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April 8, 2026

Healthy Without Breaking Up (with Tacos)

From cauliflower to nopales, swap in some different fillings – but make sure you keep the seasonings. The interview featured in this bonus episode of Tacos of Texas originally aired on the Texas Standard in February 2025. Tacos of Texas is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation […]

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March 31, 2026

Tacos of Texas wraps fifth season delving into politics, new Michelin honorees and more

The Michelin Guide ranking top places to eat was announced in October, 2025. In this bonus episode, Mando Rayo sits down with the Texas Standard to discuss the new Michelin luminaries, as well as details on how he plans to celebrate the podcast’s fifth season. The interview featured in this bonus episode of Tacos of Texas […]

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March 24, 2026

Street vendors in Texas feeling the pinch among heightened immigration anxiety

“They are doing it by selling what they know. They know their food. They know their culture.”

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March 17, 2026

New year, new do’s – and don’ts – of tacos

Taco journalist Mando Rayo shares how he feels diners can be more intentional with how they engage with the cuisine we all love. The interview in this bonus episode of Tacos of Texas was originally aired on the Texas Standard in January, 2026. Tacos of Texas is made possible by listeners like you. You can […]

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March 10, 2026

Behind the Tacos of Texas Podcast with story producer, Louise Van Assche and Mando Rayo

Get to know our story producer, Louise Van Assche! You can find Louise on Instagram at @whereareyoureallyfrom. This interview was originally aired on Austin Signal in November 2025. Special thanks to Jerry Quijano and Kristen Cabrera of the Austin Signal for having us on the show! From the Austin Signal on KUT 90.5, : Tacos […]

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December 9, 2025

Bonus: Flipping the Tortilla: One on One with Mando Rayo

In today’s episode we’re flipping the tortilla. I’m actually the one being interviewed by El Mero Mero and Jr. Taco Correspondent Samuel Franco. So sit back and relax and get to know a little more about El Taco Journalist Mando Rayo (me!)

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About

Let’s talk tacos with TacoJournalist, Mando Rayo in the Tacos of Texas Podcast. We’ve got some muy rico conversations coming up in season tres and this season we’re reconnecting with the roots and history of nuestra gente including Mexican Hands, Redefining Tex-Mex, Black Mexicans, Taco Tuesday in School Cafeterias y más!

CREDITS:
IDENTITY Productions

http://www.identity.productions

Host and Producer: Mando Rayo

Story Producer: Sharon Arteaga

Audio Mixing: Nicholas Worthen &
Ever Calderon

Creative Producer: Dennis Burnett

Host

Mando Rayo’s experience is deep-rooted in Latinx & BIPOC communities. Mando is a digital story-teller and uses his Latinx identity to inspire and build bridges through his production company, IDENTITY. From working with Laredo Taco Company, Beef Loving Texans, KLRU-TV, PBS Austin, Whataburger, Austin Film Society, People en Español y más, Mando shares stories through food, culture, documentaries and digital platforms. As an avid taco ambassador, food explorer and street ethnographers, Mando has traveled across the U.S. to uncover the tastiest tacos, from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to L.A. and New Orleans to New York City. Mando is the producer and co-author of ‘The Tacos of Texas book (UT Press) & docu-series with PBS Digital Studios and United Tacos of America TV Show on El Rey Network. Mando’s work has been featured on Bon Appetit Magazine, The Food Network, NPR, The New York Times and SXSW.

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