KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

Tacos of Texas

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 of Texas podcast is nearing the completion of its fifth season – “El Cinco.” The team behind the podcast join us to talk about the work that’s gone into this season and their upcoming Taco Party.

Austin Signal and Tacos of Texas is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Amid ethics probe, Rep. Tony Gonzales admits affair

South Texas lawmaker, Rep. Tony Gonzales, is facing a runoff and has now admitted to carrying out an affair with an aide who later died by suicide. Now a House committee is investigating the scandal.
How the primary election turned Tejano music star Bobby Pulido into a Democratic political contender in the general election.
The taco truck: A staple of life in Texas. Taco journalist Mando Rayo on why many working in those trucks are feeling more anxious right now.
A preview of the Texas Film Awards happening tonight.
And commentator W.F. Strong on a love of Texas authors and what may be untapped wealth on your shelf.

Uvalde school shooting trial is underway

Over three years later, the first criminal trial over the police response to the Uvalde school shooting is underway. We’ll have a live report with the latest in the trial of one of the first police officers to arrive at the scene of the deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary.
With a big meeting set at the White House on Friday, we’ll review the stakes for Texas’ oil industry after the capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
We’ll hear why a Texas teachers union is suing the Texas Education Agency over social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Plus, social media’s struggles to keep a lid on AI deepfakes.

Tamales in Texas: A holiday debate with deep roots

Millions of student loan borrowers are bracing themselves for big changes. We’ll have details on the end of the so-called SAVE program and why experts worry millions of student loan borrowers may be forced into default.

As some Texas cities cut funding for homeless services, a look at one approach from nonprofits: giving cash directly to people who need it.

With Netflix in the news this week, tech expert Omar Gallaga notes some users are already spotting a change in how they stream the service at home as mobile casting is discontinued.

Plus, the great tamale debate: Corn husk or banana leaf? Sweet or savory?

Bonus: Los Tacos de ACL Fest with Rosa and Daniela from La Santa Barbacha

Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas podcast talks to Daniela & Rosa De Lima Hernandez from La Santa Barbacha about how they started one of the best barbacoa places in Austin, what it felt like to get a nod from the Michelin guide and what’s involved in bringing tacos to the people at ACLfest.


Bonus: Tacos of Texas Podcast live taping with Journalist Maria Hinojosa

In this episode, Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas Podcast talks with award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa as they discuss the intersection of tacos, culture, and community resilience. Together, they’ll dig into how food tells our stories, how taquerias serve as cultural anchors, and the harsh realities immigrant communities face when ICE raids threaten not just businesses, but livelihoods and traditions. From the flavor of carne asada to the fight for dignity, this conversation will go beyond the plate—exploring how tacos connect us, sustain us, and reflect the struggles and triumphs of the people who make them.

Deal to end shutdown could impose THC ban

The deal to reopen the federal government included a ban on intoxicating hemp – potentially undoing measures taken by the Texas Legislature last session.
Houston’s 9th congressional district is among those most affected by redrawn political maps. We’ll take a trip there to explore the impact.
Corpus Christi is trying to shore up water supplies. What city leaders are considering.
Apple wants to keep you connected, even on a hike in a remote place. How they might accomplish that.
Plus, both Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott made their campaign bids official this week.

Lamb Barbacoa at El Grandpa’s Mexican BBQ

Get in on the barbacoa craze that hit Grandpa’s Barbacoa. Find out how that slow cooked lamb barbacoa hits differently in an outdoor, above-ground Pozo.

If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

Whole Hog Butchering with Chef Jesse Griffiths (Part 1)

Whole Hog Butchering with Chef Jesse Griffiths (Part 1)

Let’s take a class on whole hog butchering with Chef Jesse Griffiths, co-owner of Dai Due and learn the essentials of cutting a wild hog to prep for your favorite dish, from the shoulder to the tenderloin. From cabeza to colita, we’re getting real hands-on con estos maranitos. This is a two part episode, in part 1, we are doing a one-on-one interview with Jesse Griffiths and in part 2, we’re gonna let Jesse get to butchering in the whole hog class.

If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

Austin Taco History

Let’s take a deep dive into the history of tacos and Mexican restaurants in Austin, from the early 1900s to the effects of the 1928 Master Plan and the Tejano establishments still standing to the next generation of taqueros and taqueras. Guest is Alan Garcia, the creator of the instagram page ATX Barrio Archive.


If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

Uncertain Times: Dreamers, MAGA Latinos & Taco Politics

Let’s get a pulse of the community and how tacos play a role in identity and politics in 2025; how taquerías are being impacted by ICE raids and explore how some Latinos or people of Mexican heritage can feel deeply connected to their culture – through food, traditions, or family – while also supporting political views that might seem at odds with their identity; and ultimately ask a Maga Latino, how he feels about undocumented immigrants picking and making his food. Guests include Chef Victoria Elizondo, DACA recipient and owner of Cochinita & Co. in Houston and Daniel Estrada, a self-described MAGA Latino and Trump supporter.

If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

Cocineras: The Backbone of Mexican restaurants

Join us for a conversation with Esme Tejeda from El Dorado Cafe and what it takes to run the back of the kitchen as well as how cocineras play a major role in a restaurant’s success.

If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

Women in BBQ

Standing out in Texas BBQ is not easy. Let’s find out how Pitmaster Chuck Charnichart and the team from Barbs-B-Que are making a name for themselves in the Barbecue Capital of the World.”

If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

Tex-Mex vs Mexican

Join Chef Kirk (Jesse Kuykendall) and Mando as they break down the major components of Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine.
If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

A history of the Texas Civil Rights Project

Remember the Democratic walkout this summer over Texas redistricting? Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit accusing Beto O’Rourke of bribery and other charges for supporting the walkout continues – but O’Rourke appears to have the upper hand.

Recovery funds are finally on the way for many in Houston who suffered damage during Hurricane Beryl and last year’s derecho. But the need for assistance continues to outweigh available resources.

For decades, the Texas Civil Rights Project has been a force in battles for voter rights, disability access and racial and economic justice. We’ll hear from founder Jim Harrington, who’s released a new book tracing the organization’s history.

A new episode of the “Tacos of Texas” podcast delves into tequila’s deeper meaning, including personal connections and heritage.

Tacos y El Michelin Guide

A primer into the Michelin guide and how tacos took over the list in Texas with Chef Edgar Rico from Nixta Taqueria.

If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

Salsa Daddy: Chef Rick Martinez 

Let’s dip our way into Mexican Cooking and salsas with Chef Rick Martinez, author of Salsa Daddy: Dip your way into Mexican cooking. 

If you’d like to support the Tacos of Texas podcast and other podcasts like it from KUT & KUTX in Austin, please visit supportthispodcast.org. Thank you for your support!

The Texas House passes new district map designed to give Republicans an edge in Congress

President Trump claims a big win in Texas as the state House passes new congressional maps giving the GOP an edge in 2026. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom and Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media share what it means for the political landscape going forward.
Are Americans falling out of love with their credit cards? Not quite, but a new trend suggests a certain spending binge is over.
Texas’ top taco journalist, Mando Rayo, previews the new season of the Tacos of Texas podcast.
In the U.S., peyote – important to Indigenous religion – is only naturally grown in Texas. But the supply is drying up.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

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