Podcast
Tacos of Texas
Hosted by KUT & KUTX Studios, Mando Rayo · EN
Exploring taco culture in Texas through the eyes of the people in the Lone Star State.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Uncertain Times: Dreamers, MAGA Latinos & Taco Politics
Oct 1400:56:11Tap to summarizeLet’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! The full transcript of this episode of Tacos of Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post Uncertain Times: Dreamers, MAGA Latinos & Taco Politics appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →Trailer: Tacos of Texas Season Cinco Coming Soon
Aug 5, 202500:02:03Tap to summarizeThe fifth season of The Tacos of Texas podcast premieres on August 19. In Season Cinco, taco journalist Mando Rayo explores whole-hog butchering, the difference between Mexican food and Tex-Mex, how ICE raids are affecting taquerias, Texas’ Latinx Michelin-star honorees, women in BBQ, and kids making their own salsas. Find it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts! 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 post Trailer: Tacos of Texas Season Cinco Coming Soon appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →For Los Topos, borders and other dividing lines don’t matter in the wake of tragedy
Jul 31, 202500:06:54Tap to summarizeThe programming in this bonus episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast was originally aired live on the Texas Standard in July, 2025. Tacos of Texas host Mando Ray discusses the search and rescue group who came from Mexico to help find victims of the July 4th floods. In the weeks since the Fourth of July floods hit Central Texas, help has come in many forms. From relief concerts to restaurants donating profits, volunteers have been a huge part of relief efforts – including one trained rescue group from Mexico, which made it a priority to search for flood victims despite current rocky U.S. relations with Mexico. The group is known as Los Topos Azteca and formed after Mexico City’s devastating 1985 earthquake. Tacos of Texas podcast host Mando Rayo discusses their involvement and the magnitude behind it in this political climate. 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 full transcript of this episode of Tacos of Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post For Los Topos, borders and other dividing lines don’t matter in the wake of tragedy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →Why you’ve seen the Mexican flag at protests
Jul 2, 202500:07:31Tap to summarizeThe programming in this bonus episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast was originally aired live on the Texas Standard in June, 2025. For many in the Latino diaspora in the U.S., the flags of their heritage hold weight and meaning. You’ll see them in homes, restaurants and as many might have noticed recently, protests. As someone who grew up on the Texas/Mexico border in El Paso, Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas podcast knows a thing or two about this. He spoke with Texas Standard on why the Mexican flag is so ubiquitous on this side of the border. Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below. The full transcript of this episode of Tacos of Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post Why you’ve seen the Mexican flag at protests appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →Bring out those fancy dresses, quinceañera season is upon us
May 14, 202500:07:18Tap to summarizeTacos of Texas podcast host Mando Rayo talks about what to expect at one of these celebrations – and, of course, what might be on the menu. This episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast was originally aired live on the Texas Standard on May 8, 2025. It’s the time of year for fancy dresses, limo rides, and all the photos. Yes, it’s prom season, but in Texas, that also coincides with another tradition: quinceañera season. These celebrations of young women are prominent across all parts of Texas and typically include a big party and, of course, lots of food. The full transcript of this episode of Tacos of Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post Bring out those fancy dresses, quinceañera season is upon us appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →A new platter of cookbooks lets home chefs unleash Tex-Mex flavors
May 6, 2025Tap to summarizeFrom South Texas barbecue to a deep dive into the world of salsas, these chefs from the Lone Star State can help up your kitchen game. This episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast was originally aired live on the Texas Standard on May 1, 2025. As more folks look to tighten their wallets by forgoing the restaurant and cooking at home instead, there are a handful of cookbooks hitting the shelves. Taco journalist Mando Rayo says these books will make those home meals a little bit better, with some Tex-Mex flavors for sure. The Tacos of Texas podcast host joined the Standard with more. Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below. The full transcript of this episode of Tacos of Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post A new platter of cookbooks lets home chefs unleash Tex-Mex flavors appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →What is a carne asada and what can you expect if you’re invited?
Apr 14, 202500:07:01Tap to summarizeTortillas, sides, or a six-pack are a few things on the list of what to bring – just don’t come empty handed! Enjoying spring weather in Texas before it gets unbearably hot for some means getting outside and throwing something on the grill. Chargrilling meats and veggies to share with friends, family and neighbors is a longtime tradition that goes by many names in different cultures: “cookout,” “barbecue,”etc. But for Mando Rayo, it’s the “carne asada.” The Tacos of Texas podcast host spoke with the Texas Standard to dish on what it is and who’s invited. Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below. The programming in this episode of Tacos of Texas was originally aired live on the Texas Standard on April 3, 2025. As we gear up for season 5 of Tacos of Texas, we want to hear from listeners like you. Please visit our listener survey at kut.org/tacosurvey ¡Vamos! And thank you! The full transcript of this episode of Tacos of Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post What is a carne asada and what can you expect if you’re invited? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →Mando Rayo’s Taco Glossary
Mar 11, 202500:07:44Tap to summarizeMando 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 as we gear up for season CINCO of the Tacos of Texas podcast, we want to hear from dedicated listeners like you! Please tell us what you want to hear on the show by taking our listener survey at kut.org/tacosurvey Thank you. ¡Vamos! The post Mando Rayo’s Taco Glossary appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →Texas chefs have strong showing at James Beard Awards in recent years
Mar 5, 202500:08:14Tap to summarizeNeed 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. The post Texas chefs have strong showing at James Beard Awards in recent years appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Transcribe →Going to SXSW? How to get good tacos and avoid ‘taco traps’
Feb 25, 202500:06:08Tap to summarizeChances 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 Tip! Bookmark the 2024 SXSW Austin Taco Map before hitting the streets this SouthBy season! The programming in this bonus episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast was originally aired live on the Texas Standard in March, 2024. Still reading? We appreciate you! And as we gear up for season CINCO of the Tacos of Texas podcast, we want to hear from dedicated listeners like you! Please tell us what you want to hear on the show by taking our listener survey at kut.org/tacosurvey Thank you. ¡Vamos! The post Going to SXSW? How to get good tacos and avoid ‘taco traps’ appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
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