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Javier Cabral

Editor 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).

Fires In Oaxaca Have Claimed 5 Farmers’ Lives and Are Still Burning. Here’s How To Help

"Where is the support for Oaxaca right now? Where are those ambassadors and celebrities doing fundraisers? Where are they?," ask two ambassadors of L.A.'s Oaxacan community to owners of major mezcal brands.

March 5, 2024

Why Is Highland Park’s Last Backyard Street Punk Band Finally Calling it Quits?

"Punk music will not solve our problems," Nick Carabajal, the band's frontman and co-founder reminds us. "Only punk people."

March 1, 2024

Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg Blasted Through 38 Songs In One Hour In Echo Park

Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg started their hour-long set with “Do You Wanna Dance” and ebbed and flowed through classics from the early-to-middle Ramones era, including their later hits, such as “R.A.M.O.N.E.S.” and even an extremely heartfelt rendition of Joey Ramone’s masterpiece, “What a Wonderful World.”

February 23, 2024

Long Beach’s 100-Year-Old Bar Goes Through More Than 450 Pickled Eggs a Day

"This place is a church, everyone respects this place."

February 16, 2024

Five Street Vendors By L.A. Metro Stations That Feed Their Public Transit Community

Where to find L.A.'s best street food vendors cooking for their community in transit, from the realest pad thai in the city to Puebla-style picaditas in Boyle Heights. All accessible by L.A. Metro.

A Dive Into L.A.’s Punk Scene: Decolonize-Core with Xibalba

L.A.-based hardcore band Xibalba recently headlined a record-release show at 1st Street Billiards in Boyle Heights. Their new album "Aztlán" is a tribute to L.A.'s thriving DIY punk and hardcore scene that is led by Latinos born and raised in Los Angeles.

February 8, 2024

‘Ankle Bandits’ Steal Foos Gone Wild’s Knee-High Socks and Puppet Heads From Black SUV In Skid Row

"I don't want no cops involved. I got a cash reward." - Lil Mr. E tells L.A. TACO. In addition to the puppet heads, the thief took off with a a pair of white K-Swiss shoes, a white FGW hoodie, knee-high Foos Gone Wild-branded white socks, and blue plaid extra-long jorts. Foos Gone Wild has also confirmed that there were indeed broken windows on the floor at the scene of the crime. The anonymous admin is asking the "ankle bandits" to DM him to return the stolen items—no questions asked. "Please wear high socks when returned."

February 7, 2024

The San Fernando Valley’s Only DIY Punk Space Asks For Help to Recover From Severe Water Leak From Rain

The Midnight Hour in San Fernando has hosted dozens of benefit shows, raising thousands of dollars for local LGBTQ+ and Palestinian organizations. Its landlord reportedly refused to help with repairs or lost income due to damaged equipment and goods at the shop. A fundraiser is now up.

February 6, 2024

The 8 Best Tacos Along Metro’s 18 Bus Route, From East L.A. To KTown

Connecting East L.A. to the rest of Los Angeles, Metro's 18 bus is a legendary mainline to spectacular tacos, including curbside tacos de canasta, famous Baja fish tacos, insane tlayudas, and the most taco-y plate of vegan barbacoa pasta you've ever seen.

February 1, 2024

Dark Wave Atmospheric Acid Cumbia Arrives: ‘El Keamo’ Comes Straight From L.A.’s San Fernando Valley

Just when you thought you'd heard all cumbia subgenres, here comes El Keamo and his atmospheric instrumental "Cumbia Dark Wave Gaze." It's a uniquely utilitarian variation that is both perfect for micro dosing LSD and zen-ing out, but not spooky enough to scare off your family from dancing to it at a backyard family party.

January 26, 2024