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Javier Cabral

Professional punk and Editor-In-Chief for James Beard Award-winning L.A. TACO. Associate Producer for JBA-winning Las Crónicas Del Taco. Former restaurant scout for Jonathan Gold. Co-author of “Oaxaca: Home Cooking From the Heart of Mexico (2019, Abrams) and “Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling” (2023, Abrams).

The Demons Behind the Brisket: Heritage Barbecue’s Daniel Castillo’s Untold Raw Story to the James Beard Awards

He never told anyone—until now. Heritage Barbecue’s Daniel Castillo on alcoholism, fitting in with punk and rockabilly culture, and redemption. These are the questions no one asked him about. This is how he overcame his broken family to become the celebrated pitmaster he is now.

NELA Couple Behind Sourdough Pizza Pop-Up with Cult Following Opens Brick & Mortar In Eagle Rock

In a time when pizza has gotten so serious, Brandon Conaway and Carolina Pedroza-Conaway are going the other direction—always remembering to have fun with every single pie they bake. Brandon's experience working at celebrated Italian-rooted places like Osteria Mozza, Sotto, Ronan, Rossoblu, and Quarter Sheets guides his pizza compass.

April 15, 2025

Angel’s Tijuana Tacos, L.A.’s Street Taco Kings, Open First Brick and Mortar Taquería

Seven years after opening his first stand in North Hollywood, 31-year-old Angel, born and raised in Glassell Park with Guerrero roots, has a whopping 16 stands across the I.E. and L.A.. And now this new home for guacamole-slicked al pastor fresh off the spit on handmade corn tortillas.

April 9, 2025

Music Festival Abruptly Canceled After Crane Collapses and Kills Two Photographers In Mexico City

Popular artists like Tyler the Creator and Massive Attack were scheduled to play on day two, before the Mexican authorities shut down the event to investigate the tragedy.

April 7, 2025

The Taquería Behind the #1 Al Pastor Taco In L.A. Is Opening a Second Location In Silver Lake

The second-generation taquero from Tijuana is particularly excited about the bigger kitchen in this second space that is closer to Dodger Stadium to offer new limited-edition tacos like his family’s secret recipe for crispy tripitas. He will also serve ice-cold cold fresh beer.

April 4, 2025

Long Beach’s Sourdough Panadería Is a Back-to-Back National Best Bakery Finalist

“We didn’t study business or baking, Ana [Salatino] and I just dove into it all with absolutely no experience, just romanticism for bread and passion for our community. So to be recognized nationally inspires us to keep going," says Arturo Enciso as he reflects on being named a finalist again for the "Outstanding Bakery" category of the James Beard Awards.

April 3, 2025

Villa’s Tacos Opens Taquería #3 Specializing In ‘L.A.-Baja-Style’ Fish Tacos In Highland Park

The three-time TACO MADNESS champion, proudly born and raised in Highland Park, took over the beloved former location of Tacos Estrella, where he grew up eating. More than 3,000 loyal customers came out to the the grand opening, happily waiting hours to try his fish, shrimp, octopus tacos, and even a special "Mar y Tierra" taco with A5 Wagyu.

March 26, 2025

The 13 Best Breweries to Drink Fresh Beer at In Los Angeles

The L.A. breweries that remain open in 2025 survive solely due to a commitment to consistently delicious beer. Here are the best of the bunch.

March 17, 2025

San Francisco Taquería Launches Tariff-Era Menu: ‘Avocado-Garbanzo Guacamole’ and Limes Only On Request

This taquería is the first in California we've seen that is being transparent with its immediate price and menu changes. The open letter to its customers has been received well by its loyal customers: "People like to understand why things are the way they are, and if they have clear information, they can more easily buy in," says the chain's owner.

Har Gow and Highballs at Long Beach’s Nocturnal New Dim Sum and Cocktail Bar

The cocktail menu ranges from an intriguing matcha negroni variation with orange liqueur to a bit more savory and experimental drinks like a “Fried Rice” cocktail with baijiu, rice punch, pineapple, and sesame oil. Foodwise, all the dim sum essentials like shrimp dumplings, steamed bbq pork buns, and turnip cakes are there to soak up all the booze.

March 4, 2025