Taqueando with Bill Esparza

What happens when the chefs behind Fauna bring their cooking to a city where everyone has an opinion about Mexican food?This week on Taqueando, Bill Esparza sits down with chefs David Castro Hussong and Maribel Aldaco, the husband-and-wife team behind Valle de Guadalupe’s celebrated Fauna, as they prepare to bring La Morocha to LA’s Arts District. Their vision: Baja comfort food, from tostadas and carne asada to flatbreads that might get the pizza police involved.David and Maribel trace their journey from young cooks working abroad to opening Fauna, finding their own styles, and building a restaurant that keeps people coming back. They also discuss Michelin versus 50 Best, the creative disagreement that transformed Maribel’s desserts, and why opening a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles comes with a particularly complicated set of expectations.Plus: lettuce-wrapped tacos, banana ice cream with corn cake, the evolution of Mexican wine, and why David has no intention of putting mole on the menu just because someone expects it.Explore La Morocha Los Angeles and follow David Castro Hussong, Maribel Aldaco, and Fauna.Follow Bill Esparza for more Mexican food discoveries, and leave Taqueando a rating or review wherever you listen.Produced by Robert Haleblian.

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.

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.

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.

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.