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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).

Remembering the Whittier Man Who Taught Us to Sip, Not Shoot, Tequila

Everyone laughed when Tomas Estes first preached about tequila having terroir in the 70s, just as much as a French wine. Today, the premium "single estate" tequila this Whittier kid co-founded is one of the best-selling and smoothest in the world.

April 25, 2025

Wes Avila’s Game-Changing Sweet Potato Taco Is Back In Flauta Form (And Better Than Ever)

Thirteen years after Wes Avila first turned the classic taco de papa on its head by using in-season, local sweet potatoes, he continues to evolve his iconic, accidentally vegetarian taco. Avila’s sweet potato taco has been copied by many in L.A. and beyond. It’s also one of the best-sellers at his taquería in Kyoto, PioPiko, proving that this taco is also effectively also huge in Japan.

April 23, 2025

The 15 Best Carnitas Tacos in Los Angeles

We scoured every corner to bring you the most melt-in-your-mouth, sticky, slow-cooked carnitas all over. These are some of the best cazuela players in Los Angeles, including a handful that make their own handmade corn tortillas, too.

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