José R. Ralat 🌶️
@tacotrail.bsky.social
Family man. Taco editor, Texas Monthly. Author, American Tacos. 2x James Beard Award winner. Taco Chronicles 3. Panzón. Highly opinionated. Opinions mine.
Pinned
José R. Ralat 🌶️
@tacotrail.bsky.social
· Oct 25
The 50 Best Tacos in Texas
We traversed the state from the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle to find the most superb tacos and taquerias. Along the way we found a new movement. Welcome to New Tejano.
www.texasmonthly.com
The weekend is almost here & so is your tacoing itinerary.
Reposted by José R. Ralat 🌶️
FUN FACT: Turns out other people have done the research and the five-second rule for food has connections to both Genghis Khan and Julia Child.
www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the...
www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the...
November 8, 2025 at 6:46 PM
FUN FACT: Turns out other people have done the research and the five-second rule for food has connections to both Genghis Khan and Julia Child.
www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the...
www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the...
TIL that San Antonioans don’t eat enchiladas, whether of the Mexican or Tex-Mex variety, according to one of their own. They eat soft tacos. That’s right, folks. Someone who thinks he knows better than you says, food such as the one pictured below, is actually a taco. 🤣
November 8, 2025 at 7:25 PM
TIL that San Antonioans don’t eat enchiladas, whether of the Mexican or Tex-Mex variety, according to one of their own. They eat soft tacos. That’s right, folks. Someone who thinks he knows better than you says, food such as the one pictured below, is actually a taco. 🤣
Tune in this weekend for the next Texas Monthly Presents on PBS episode. I’ll be diving into ascendant New Tejano cuisine with chefs, taqueros & Texans.
Join our taco editor José R. Ralat along the taco trail to discover the dishes that define the New Tejano culinary movement.
Watch the trailer for episode fifteen of 'Texas Monthly Presents' here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/texas-monthly-presents/episode-115/
Watch the trailer for episode fifteen of 'Texas Monthly Presents' here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/texas-monthly-presents/episode-115/
New Tejano: About Episode 115 of 'Texas Monthly Presents,' on PBS
Join José R. Ralat along the taco trail to discover the dishes that define the New Tejano culinary movement.
www.texasmonthly.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Tune in this weekend for the next Texas Monthly Presents on PBS episode. I’ll be diving into ascendant New Tejano cuisine with chefs, taqueros & Texans.
Headline from @texasmonthly.bsky.social November letters to the editor: "Kolache Editor Wanted: Apply Inside." www.texasmonthly.com/the-stand-up...
Roar of the Crowd: November 2025
Reader feedback published in Texas Monthly’s November 2025 issue.
www.texasmonthly.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Headline from @texasmonthly.bsky.social November letters to the editor: "Kolache Editor Wanted: Apply Inside." www.texasmonthly.com/the-stand-up...
Visit Las Cuatros Milpas before the pilgrimage-worthy restaurant closed permanently. I've been thrice & think of my meals there often, sometimes in my sleep. sandiegomagazine.com/food-drink/l...
Las Cuatro Milpas: SD's Oldest Taco Shop Prepares to Close
The closing of Las Cuatro Milpas is the end of an era, not only for the family but for San Diego's entire culinary landscape.
sandiegomagazine.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Visit Las Cuatros Milpas before the pilgrimage-worthy restaurant closed permanently. I've been thrice & think of my meals there often, sometimes in my sleep. sandiegomagazine.com/food-drink/l...
Reposted by José R. Ralat 🌶️
In San Antonio, so trying one of @tacotrail.bsky.social’s recommendations from this year’s top 50 list - Con Huevos Tacos. Because a breakfast taco for lunch is an amazing thing. ❤️❤️🌮🌮
November 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
In San Antonio, so trying one of @tacotrail.bsky.social’s recommendations from this year’s top 50 list - Con Huevos Tacos. Because a breakfast taco for lunch is an amazing thing. ❤️❤️🌮🌮
Read this insightful story by Paula.
October 29, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Read this insightful story by Paula.
Tex-Mex restaurants were iced out of Michelin bib(s?) gourmand at the 2025 Texas ceremony. But New Tejano made a respectable showing for a young regional Texas cuisine. I’m looking at you Papalo & Mezquite.
October 29, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Tex-Mex restaurants were iced out of Michelin bib(s?) gourmand at the 2025 Texas ceremony. But New Tejano made a respectable showing for a young regional Texas cuisine. I’m looking at you Papalo & Mezquite.
Dia de Muertos is upon us, and with it pan de muerto. From my @texasmonthly.bsky.social archives. www.texasmonthly.com/food/tex-mex...
Tex-Mexplainer: Pan de Muerto Is a Cross-cultural Taste of History
Ancient, colonial, and contemporary traditions are woven together in Dia de Los Muertos—and baked into the holiday's signature bread.
www.texasmonthly.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Dia de Muertos is upon us, and with it pan de muerto. From my @texasmonthly.bsky.social archives. www.texasmonthly.com/food/tex-mex...
Orinification, the concept of taqueria owners championing high design over the food on the menu, is a roblem. Most restaurants that try it serve bad tacos, especially Taqueria Orinico. Not Tacos Santos. Read why and how in my latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social. www.texasmonthly.com/food/tacos-s...
This New Tijuana-Style Taqueria Is Already One of the Best Taco Joints in the Houston Area
Tacos Santos nails Tijuana’s food and its famous aesthetic.
www.texasmonthly.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Orinification, the concept of taqueria owners championing high design over the food on the menu, is a roblem. Most restaurants that try it serve bad tacos, especially Taqueria Orinico. Not Tacos Santos. Read why and how in my latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social. www.texasmonthly.com/food/tacos-s...
“But mostly we serve tacos. Tacos from every nation. Ugandan tacos. Burmese tacos. Yugoslav tacos. What’s inside the tacos? Chef’s choice. Just don’t expect rice and beans. If you want Mexican, order the crepe.” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/peo...
People Are Dying to Eat at Our Insufferable Pop-Up Restaurant
Hooray, you’re on the list. Take this buzzer, stand across the street in that puddle, and wait for a little shock. The estimated wait time is six h...
www.mcsweeneys.net
October 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM
“But mostly we serve tacos. Tacos from every nation. Ugandan tacos. Burmese tacos. Yugoslav tacos. What’s inside the tacos? Chef’s choice. Just don’t expect rice and beans. If you want Mexican, order the crepe.” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/peo...
@reinhart.bsky.social Nailed it. Nailed Dallas diners! Nailed Michelin! Nailed El Califa de León! Nailed influencers! www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2...
Inside Dallas’ Disastrous El Califa De León Michelin Taco Pop-Up - D Magazine
Nobody came out of the pop-up looking good: not the restaurant, its host, its customers, Dallas food media, or the Michelin Guide.
www.dmagazine.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
@reinhart.bsky.social Nailed it. Nailed Dallas diners! Nailed Michelin! Nailed El Califa de León! Nailed influencers! www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2...
Reposted by José R. Ralat 🌶️
Instead of ridiculous viral stunts with two-hour lines, why not visit fun new restaurants that are here to stay?
Four New Taquerías Every Dallas Taco Lover Should Try
Instead of ridiculous viral stunts with two-hour lines, why not visit fun new restaurants that are here to stay?
www.dmagazine.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Instead of ridiculous viral stunts with two-hour lines, why not visit fun new restaurants that are here to stay?
All hail the tampiqueña plate, a Tex-Mex and a Mexican combo platter for the ages. www.texasmonthly.com/food/tampiqu...
The Combo Plate That Changed Tex-Mex Food as We Know It
The carne asada a la Tampiqueña crossed the border and changed how Texans eat.
www.texasmonthly.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
All hail the tampiqueña plate, a Tex-Mex and a Mexican combo platter for the ages. www.texasmonthly.com/food/tampiqu...
Best State Fair of Texas tacos—ever. They also have a surprising history behind them. Read my latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social.
These Tacos Are the Best Thing I’ve Ever Eaten at the State Fair of Texas
Yes, they’re deep-fried. But that’s not the most important part.
www.texasmonthly.com
October 4, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Best State Fair of Texas tacos—ever. They also have a surprising history behind them. Read my latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social.
Do you know how to eat a tostada siberia? Permit me to help if you don’t. My latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social
There’s a Simple Trick to Eating This Messy Tostada
The tostada Siberia comes with a handy tool: an extra tostada.
www.texasmonthly.com
September 28, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Do you know how to eat a tostada siberia? Permit me to help if you don’t. My latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social
First @lataco.bsky.social is surprised that NYC got a beef trompo before they did. Texas has had them for nearly ten years. Now they're annoyed we have an automated taco machine before them. I'm over here scratching my head over the fact that my LA Taco member login isn't working.
September 18, 2025 at 9:32 PM
First @lataco.bsky.social is surprised that NYC got a beef trompo before they did. Texas has had them for nearly ten years. Now they're annoyed we have an automated taco machine before them. I'm over here scratching my head over the fact that my LA Taco member login isn't working.
For my latest @texasmonthly.bsky.social story, I fulfilled a years-old wish of attending a @texastech.bsky.social home game to witness the legendary & nuanced tradition of the tortilla toss & all the nuances involved. Have you seen or partaken in the tortilla toss? texasmonthly.com/food/texas-t...
A Rule Change Threatened an Old Texas Tech Tradition, but the Tortilla Toss Persisted
Red Raiders fans said regulations be damned.
texasmonthly.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
For my latest @texasmonthly.bsky.social story, I fulfilled a years-old wish of attending a @texastech.bsky.social home game to witness the legendary & nuanced tradition of the tortilla toss & all the nuances involved. Have you seen or partaken in the tortilla toss? texasmonthly.com/food/texas-t...
Staying up so late for the Canelo fight was not worth the loss sleep. What a boring match!
September 14, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Staying up so late for the Canelo fight was not worth the loss sleep. What a boring match!
Mexican Independence Day is next week. Find your chile en nogada, arguably the most patrotic Mexican dish. I haven't had one this season, so I best get me some too. www.texasmonthly.com/food/tex-mex...
Tex-Mexplainer: The History Behind Mexico's Most Patriotic Meal, Chile en Nogada
Plus, our recipe for the celebratory dish.
www.texasmonthly.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Mexican Independence Day is next week. Find your chile en nogada, arguably the most patrotic Mexican dish. I haven't had one this season, so I best get me some too. www.texasmonthly.com/food/tex-mex...
Felicidades to New Tejano baker Mariela Camacho, owner of Comadre Panaderia, in Austin, for being named @foodandwine.com Best New Chef 2025. While I've quoted her for several stories over the hears, I finally wrote a profile last year. She is awesome! www.texasmonthly.com/food/comadre...
Comadre Panadería’s Riding the Wave of Popularity, One Concha at a Time
Mariela Camacho’s experimental Mexican pastries—like her candy corn conchas—inspire long lines, but keeping up with the ebb and flow of demand is a constant learning experience.
www.texasmonthly.com
September 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Felicidades to New Tejano baker Mariela Camacho, owner of Comadre Panaderia, in Austin, for being named @foodandwine.com Best New Chef 2025. While I've quoted her for several stories over the hears, I finally wrote a profile last year. She is awesome! www.texasmonthly.com/food/comadre...
Beautiful! @reinhart.bsky.social nails this: www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2...
It’s Time for the *Dallas Morning News* to Review Restaurants Again
One of the largest newspapers in the country has not employed a restaurant critic, even freelance, in more than three years. Under new ownership, the Morning News should reconsider.
www.dmagazine.com
September 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Beautiful! @reinhart.bsky.social nails this: www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2...
I wasn't able to get a reservation in June. Now I'll never get one. 😂https://www.nytimes.com/shared/v2/interactive/2025/dining/best-restaurants-america/mezcaleria-alma.html?smid=url-share&rsrc=deeplink
The Best Restaurants of 2025: Mezcaleria Alma
Here are the 50 best places in America right now.
www.nytimes.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I wasn't able to get a reservation in June. Now I'll never get one. 😂https://www.nytimes.com/shared/v2/interactive/2025/dining/best-restaurants-america/mezcaleria-alma.html?smid=url-share&rsrc=deeplink
Read my latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: Taqueria El Novillo is the definition of comida casera (homestyle cooking). Some customers aren't even given menus. The staff just knows. Babies are kissed! How's that for abuelita love?
www.texasmonthly.com/food/taqueri...
www.texasmonthly.com/food/taqueri...
September 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Read my latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: Taqueria El Novillo is the definition of comida casera (homestyle cooking). Some customers aren't even given menus. The staff just knows. Babies are kissed! How's that for abuelita love?
www.texasmonthly.com/food/taqueri...
www.texasmonthly.com/food/taqueri...