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July 12, 2021

The Rise of Tex-Mex BBQ

By: Mando Rayo

If you asked any natural born Texan what food they most associate with their home state, chances are you’ll get one of two answers: BBQ and Tacos. In this episode we examine how these two disparate food traditions collided to to create the Lone Star sensation that is Tex-Mex BBQ. We’ll get a comprehensive look at this trend’s history, uncovering what exactly is Tex-Mex BBQ? How far do the style’s roots go? And most importantly, where are the best BBQ Tacos in Texas found? Guests include Ernest Servantes of Burnt Bean Company in Seguin, Joel Garcia of Teddy’s BBQ in Weslaco, and Eliana Gutierrez of Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ In Austin. Check out this Tex-Mex BBQ map we made with all the spots we mention in this episode.


Episodes

March 11, 2025

Mando Rayo’s Taco Glossary

Mando Rayo walks through some of the terms you need to know if you want to cook tacos in Texas. You can learn more in the book “The Tacos of Texas.” The programming in this bonus episode of Tacos of Texas originally aired live on the Texas Standard in 2017. Still reading? We appreciate you! And […]

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March 4, 2025

Texas chefs have strong showing at James Beard Awards in recent years

Need to find your new go-to Mexican food spot? Taco journalist Mando Rayo has you covered as he talks about the 2024 James Beard Award nominees of Texas. The programming in this bonus episode of Tacos of Texas originally aired live on the Texas Standard in April 2024.

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February 25, 2025

Going to SXSW? How to get good tacos and avoid ‘taco traps’

Chances are if you’re going to South By Southwest this year, you’re gonna need to grab a bite on the fly. In this bonus episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast, Mando Rayo gives you the scoop on where to find the best tacos during SXSW and just as importantly, where not to! Bonus Taco […]

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February 18, 2025

Soup recipes for caldo weather that aren’t caldo

Mexican soup recipes to keep you warm this winter. From cozy classics like pozole and menudo, to more modern fusion dishes, like carnitas ramen.

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February 11, 2025

Why El Paso Mexican food hits different

In this bonus episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast, Mando Rayo, taco journalist joins the Texas Standard, to talk about El Paso’s unique flavors. The programming featured in this bonus episode was originally aired on the Texas Standard in February, 2024. As we gear up for the next season of Tacos of Texas, we […]

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February 7, 2025

‘It impacts all of us’: A Day Without Immigrants 

Earlier this week, folks in several industries participated in an event called “A Day Without Immigrants.” The focus was to highlight the contributions immigrants make every day, including to the economy.  Mando Rayo, taco journalist and host of the Tacos of Texas podcast spoke with Texas Standard about the protest and the contributions of the […]

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February 4, 2025

Taking your tacos to the next level in 2025 – BONUS

Mando Rayo shares his “taco hacks” for both restaurants and home cooking. This is a previously aired segment of the Texas Standard from 2024.

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December 24, 2024

The Best thing I ate in 2024 (Live at El Perrito ATX) — BONUS

We’ll bring El Cuatro, season 4 of the Tacos of Texas Podcast with a live event at El Perrito ATX. We recap some of the best things we ate in 2024 and talk to our special guest from Visit El Paso, Julio Cotto about his identity and favorite taco spots. 

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