10,000 TACOS®

Episode Summary

Welcome to another season of 10,000 Tacos! I'm Isidro Salas, the proud son of a taquero. In this season premiere, I'm kicking off our new theme—relleno (refill)—by getting candid about my recent absence, processing heavy personal loss, and working through the emotional fallout of being uninvited from a local taco festival I love.

I open up about losing my beloved dog, HP (Handsome Pants), and how I've been struggling to process his loss. I then share the story of being uninvited as a judge from a local taco festival through social media. While I appreciate the event organizers for having an adult, face-to-face conversation with me about their business decision, I address the deeper root cause: ending a multi-year friendship after private grievances were aired publicly on social media.

I reflect on why this hurt—especially after scheduling two brain surgeries last year around this very festival and helping select the winning chile relleno taco—while emphasizing that taco culture is far bigger than personal drama. I close out the episode by discussing my efforts to step back from personal social media use and focus on refilling my emotional reserves for the season ahead.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

• Welcome to Season 8 — Theme: Relleno (Refill): Why this season centers around refilling our emotional reserves in a world filled with noise [cite: 3].

• Remembering HP ("Handsome Pants"): Processing the painful loss of my dog, his shelter roots, and the unexpected impact he had on my life [cite: 3].

• Uninvited via Social Media: How I found out I wasn't returning as a taco festival judge after seeing a promo post without my face [cite: 3].

• Professional Respect vs. Broken Trust: Appreciating the festival organizer's mature approach while addressing the real reason behind my exclusion—ending a friendship because personal grievances were made public [cite: 3].

• Two Brain Surgeries & The Chile Relleno Taco: Recalling my dedication to attend last year's festival despite two brain surgeries in July and September, and helping crown the winning chile relleno taco [cite: 3].

• Tacos Are Bigger Than Us: Recognizing that the success of the taco festival and the advancement of taco culture matter more than personal feelings or ego [cite: 3].

• Refocusing Energy: Weaning off personal social media usage to protect mental well-being and reconnect with real-world experiences [cite: 3].

Timestamped Outline

Timestamp

Topic

00:00

Welcome Back to 10,000 Tacos & Introduction to Season 8

01:50

Processing the Loss of My Dog, HP ("Handsome Pants")

04:10

The Main Story: Getting Uninvited from the Taco Festival

06:00

Adult Conversations & Professional Respect with Event Organizers

07:15

The Root Cause: Ending a Friendship Over Public Social Media Grievances

11:00

Judging Tacos After Two Brain Surgeries & The Champion Chile Relleno Taco

13:40

Understanding "Relleno" & Refilling Emotional Reserves

16:00

Why Tacos and Taco Culture Are Bigger Than Any Individual

18:15

Stepping Back from Social Media, Closing Remarks & Outro

Connect & Follow Along

@10kTacos (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)

If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've seen the viral joke about "White People Taco Night"—the boxed hard shells, packet seasoning, and cold shredded cheese. But when I see that yellow box, I don't think of suburban kitchens. My mind goes straight back to East San Jose in the '80s and '90s. In this episode, I take you back to my childhood driveway. Every day, my parents drove our family taco truck across Silicon Valley, feeding construction workers, farm hands, and office employees. But when they pulled back into our neighborhood after a 12-hour grind, our driveway became the last stop of the day—where the neighborhood kids gathered to eat the leftovers. I reflect on how the Black kids on my block first experienced our authentic street tacos, why fast-food like Taco Bell was an untouchable luxury for working-class families, and how Black single mothers used store-bought taco kits out of sheer economic survival. Before it was a social media meme, the hard-shell taco was a staple of working-class struggle—and it's time we reframe the narrative. What We Cover in This Episode:

• Life in '80s/'90s East San Jose and our family's taco truck.
• The "last stop of the day": Feeding the neighborhood kids from the truck's leftovers.
• Why Taco Bell was a luxury, and how 15-hour workdays birthed the home hard-shell taco.
• Deconstructing the "White People Taco" meme through the lens of class and struggle food.
• Black and Mexican-American solidarity on the curb of my driveway.
• Why struggle knows no race, and how community always finds a way to feed itself.

TAQUOTE:

"Life might toss you extra struggles, but in our kitchen, every shell is just a vessel for survival."

Connect With 10,000 Tacos

Instagram:@10ktacos Facebook:@10ktacos TikTok:@10ktacos

Episode Summary

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, I mark the one-year anniversary of my first brain surgery to remove a pituitary tumor I nicknamed "Luke Brainwalker."

I open up about processing the fear, gratitude, and emotional weight of surviving two major brain surgeries in a single year, the therapy that's helping me work through it all, and the accidental way my condition was discovered.

Connecting my health journey to my family roots, I reflect on the immense sacrifices made by my parents through their taco truck business. I share a poignant discovery about my mother's kitchen shortcut—switching to canned tomatillos due to painful arthritis—and honor how her hard work paved the way for my own life and access to care.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

• A Year of Reflection: I look back on the one-year anniversary of my first brain surgery, grappling with the fear of mortality and immense gratitude for surviving.
• The Accidental Discovery: How routine checkups as I turned 50 led to an unexpected MRI and the discovery of my growing pituitary tumor.
• Taco Truck Legacy: Remembering the grueling 18-hour daily grind of my parents' food truck business and realizing how their work made my current opportunities and healthcare access possible.
• The Tomatillo Secret: The emotional story behind why my mother secretly began using canned tomatillos for her famous salsa, and how she cleverly neutralized the metallic taste.
• "Tacos Are Life": Why tacos are much more than a trend or "Taco Tuesday"—they represent family, survival, and a legacy that literally saved my life.
• Farewell to "Luke": I leave a parting message for my removed tumor, "Luke Brainwalker."

TAQuote

"When I say 'tacos are life,' that's one of the major reasons... Tacos saved my life. I guess you could say one canned tomatillo at a time."

Connect With 10,000 Tacos

Instagram:@10ktacos Facebook:@10ktacos TikTok:@10ktacos

I'm coming to you today with a slightly different setup because I'm diving headfirst into something I never saw coming. I have been given the incredible, beautiful responsibility to narrate my very first audiobook. It's a heartwarming story that is right down my alley, but I'll admit—I'm terrified.

If you know me, you know I started this podcasting journey back in 2017 to pay tribute to my parents and our life in the taco truck business. Over the years, I know I've strayed from those original stories, but this new gig has made me realize that absolutely everything in life is spiritually connected. Just like masa binds everything together, every single step of my journey has led me to this exact moment.

In this episode, I'm opening up about my lifelong struggles with reading, how I used to let fear and imposter syndrome hold me back from public speaking, and the bizarre (but brilliant!) strategy I'm using to record this book completely backward. Key Takeaways from the Episode

• A Massive Milestone: The mix of excitement and nerves that comes with stepping into the booth to bring someone else's book to life.
• Overcoming My Reading Struggles: A candid look at my history with reading difficulties, how I survived school by being a front-row listener, and how I'm pushing past those boundaries today.
• Facing Past Regrets: Reflecting on a missed opportunity in 2019 to MC an event, and how I finally realized that it simply wasn't my time yet.
• Recording from the End: Why I'm choosing to start my voiceover work from the final chapter and work my way forward to keep my tone and energy completely consistent.
• The Taquero Connection: How my parents' survival-driven journey to build their taco truck business mirrors my own unpredictable path into content creation.

Notable Quotes "Everything we do is connected. I believe things are connected, they're not by coincidence, and everything that you have that has led to you now is connected." "Whether my parents knew it or not, in 2026 I would be standing in front of a camera in my home with a setup where I can do the voiceover for a character that's very special. I'll take that a thousand times over." Thank you for listening to 10,000 Tacos! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Connect With 10,000 Tacos

Instagram:@10ktacos Facebook:@10ktacos TikTok:@10ktacos

Thank you for listening, downloading, and following along.

See you on the next episode.

S7 E12: Denver Food Scene Sucks

The Denver food scene sucks.

At least, that's what I used to think.

After living in Colorado for nearly six years, I realized my opinion wasn't based on experience—it was based on assumptions. Too often, I found myself saying, "This place sucks," before I'd actually taken the time to explore it. The truth is, I was wrong.

Welcome to 10,000 Tacos. I'm Isidro Salas, proud son of taqueros.

In this episode, we're breaking down why so many people think Denver's food scene falls short, how personal experiences shape our tastes, and the deep roots of Mexican culture throughout Colorado. Along the way, I'll share a few of my favorite spots, plus several restaurants that are next on my list.

Favorite Spots El Gaucho Food Truck

For authentic Tijuana-style flavors, El Gaucho consistently delivers. The picaña, aguachile, and straightforward, no-nonsense guacamole make this one of my favorite stops.

Location: 45 E Collins St Eaton, CO 80615 (Parked at NAPA Auto Parts)

Fiestas Tacos Mexican Food

Their birria strikes the perfect balance—rich without being overpowering. They even created a birria pizza for me that completely changed my expectations. The family running the truck also reminds me of my own parents, which makes every visit special.

Location: 1360 New Beale Street Castle Rock, CO 80108 (Lowe's parking lot)

Rosa Mexican Kitchen

This is what I call true DenMex. The owner brings flavors and techniques from Zacatecas while putting his own creative spin on the menu. Don't leave without trying the crunchy chile relleno and the Red Taco.

Location: 8355 N Rampart Range Rd #109 Littleton, CO 80125

On My Radar

There are still plenty of places left to explore, and these are at the top of my list:

La Calle Taqueria y Carnitas

1565 Federal Blvd Denver, CO 80219

Tacos El Huequito

2001 S Federal Blvd Denver, CO 80219

Chile con Quesadilla

1234 E Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80218

The Taco Economy

A special thank you to my childhood friend, Efrain Carrasco, for sharing a story that perfectly captures the spirit of the taquero community.

While visiting Big Sur Taco in Carmel Valley, Efrain watched a customer approach the counter and nervously ask whether his card could be tested before ordering. Without hesitation, the taquero replied:

"Don't worry about the card. What would you like to eat? You can pay me when it works."

That is the taco economy.

That is the friendship economy.

The story immediately reminded me of how my parents treated people through their own work. Acts of kindness like this continue to prove that generosity and community are very much alive.

Gracias, Efrain.

Connect With 10,000 Tacos

Instagram:@10ktacos Facebook:@10ktacos TikTok:@10ktacos

Thank you for listening, downloading, and following along.

See you on the next episode.

"That's not a pizza, that's a quesadilla!" That was just one of the lovely comments that rolled into my socials this week after I posted a video highlighting a local taquero's "pizza birria." A few years ago, that angry commenter would have been me. I used to be incredibly protective—adamant, even—about what "real" Mexican food was supposed to be. I even lost a friendship once over the proper pronunciation of tamal versus tamales because we got into a public shouting match.

But today, I want to talk about change. To help illustrate that, I brought out a special piece of my childhood: my dad's old coin dispenser from the '80s and '90s. Back in the day, we affectionately called it la chenchera (Spanglish for change dispenser). It used to spit out quarters when chips were 75 cents and sodas were 50 cents, but looking at it today got me thinking about how we dispense change within ourselves.

Back when I first started on TikTok in late 2020, I realized that being the "angry gatekeeper" who criticized everyone got me a ton of views. My follower count literally skyrocketed overnight. But eventually, I had to look in the mirror and ask myself if that's really how I wanted to show up online. The answer was no. Choosing to change came at a price—my views and engagement absolutely tanked once I stopped being angry for entertainment—but it brought a massive sense of relief. It is so much lighter when you drop the ego, accept responsibility, and admit when you're wrong. I've even gone back and apologized to creators I unfairly judged in the past.

Which brings me back to the pizza birria. Today, I am proud to put on my "proud son of a taquero" cape to support and promote Fiesta Tacos in Castle Rock, Colorado. The couple who runs it remind me so much of my parents—they are incredibly dedicated to their family and their craft. They were recently forced to relocate their truck unexpectedly, which took a massive hit on their sales. I went out to visit them, tried their pizza birria (and yes, dipped it in that rich broth with the cilantro and onion), and it was freaking delicious. If a passionate taquero wants to call it a pizza birria in 2026, let him!

We need to stop fighting online and start supporting the good people behind the food. Thank you so much to everyone who keeps tuning in to the podcast. Our numbers are steadily climbing, but I need your help to keep this momentum going! If you have a second, please rate and review the show on your favorite platform so we can climb the rankings and spread the word.

Thank you for letting me vent, and for being part of this journey as I relaunch the podcast. If you enjoyed this bit of taco therapy, please be sure to rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Fiesta Tacos Mexican Food truck is located in the parking lot of Lowe's in Castle Rock.

1360 New Beale St.

Castle Rock Co 80108

TAQUOTE: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why they call it the present... though personally, I prefer it wrapped in a warm tortilla and called a burrito."

You can still find me on:

· Instagram (25k followers)

· TikTok (39K followers)

· Facebook (95k followers)

In this episode of 10,000 Tacos, I am sharing a recent experience at a Denver taco truck that has been lingering on my mind for the past week. I met an older, humble taquero who instantly gave off a good, honest vibe and reminded me of my uncles from Mexico. The food was absolutely incredible—I had a barbacoa taco with a subtle, smoky flavor on the back end that you rarely find. Even though he used store-bought tortillas, his chile de árbol salsa used small, roasted tomatillos that gave off a natural citrusy flavor, tasting exactly like my mom's salsa.

As I usually do, I offered to make a free video to promote his business on social media, but to my surprise, he kindly said no. In a world where small businesses are usually clawing for social media attention, his rejection shocked me and left me feeling like I had been punched in the mouth.

I use this episode as a bit of therapy to figure out why this polite refusal hurt me so deeply. It made me deeply reflect on my own parents, who ran a food business in the early '80s. They faced a lot of abuse trying to assimilate into a culture that didn't really want them, while navigating a language barrier, but their amazing food ultimately bailed them out. Thanks to the life they gave me and the support of my wife, I am now in a position where I can afford to promote taqueros entirely for free—it's what I believe is my calling to honor my dad's legacy.

I also share some tough love and eye-opening advice I received from my support system. My brother pointed out that my approach sometimes makes it sound like I am "begging" businesses to let me promote them, which made me wonder if offering my services for free makes people assume the product is inferior. Ultimately, a good friend helped me realize that this taquero wasn't rejecting me; he was likely rejecting the overwhelming stress of sudden growth and having a line "50 people deep" that often comes with viral social media fame.

I am learning that a tortilla has two sides, and the best way I can honor a modest taquero is just to keep showing up, buying their tacos, and telling them their food is great.

Thank you for letting me vent, and for being part of this journey as I relaunch the podcast. If you enjoyed this bit of taco therapy, please be sure to rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

TAQUOTE: "The tortilla always has two sides!"

You can still find me on:

· Instagram (12k followers)

· TikTok (29K followers)

· Facebook (25k followers)

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Episode Summary What does a stacked Mexican street burger have to do with deep identity reflection? Turns out, a lot. This week, we're hitting up the La Comarca taco truck for a culinary masterpiece, sharing bites with strangers, and diving into a bittersweet question from my late father that completely changed how I view myself and my work. Key Moments & Takeaways

• The Mexican Burger Breakdown: If you've never had one, you're missing out. This beast from La Comarca came loaded with a seeded bun, avocado, a perfectly smashed patty, a hot dog, and ham. It is pure, fabulous chaos in the best way.
• The Mission: I firmly believe my dad put me on this earth to promote these local trucks. I don't charge them a dime—it's pure passion for the food and the community.
• A Heartbreaking, Healing Question: Toward the end of his life, my dad battled dementia. He would often look at me with total bewilderment and ask, "Who are you?" While it hurt deeply in the moment, that question became a unintended gift. He was still being a dad, forcing me to reflect on exactly who I am.
• Owning the Title: For a long time, I was uncomfortable promoting myself. But thanks to him, I've found my confidence. Today, I am proud to look in the mirror and say, "I am a content creator." I'm taking my craft seriously, and I have my dad to thank for that push.

Featured in this Episode

• Food Truck: La Comarca

A Note to the Listeners: Who are you? It's a question we all struggle with. If you're hiding your talents or feel uncomfortable promoting your passion, consider this your sign to step into the spotlight and own your title.

TAQUOTE: "Life, much like a Mexican burger, can get messy and full of unexpected ingredients—but it's the layer of family that ultimately shapes who we are."

You can still find me on:

· Instagram (12k followers)

· TikTok (29K followers)

· Facebook (25k followers)

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Episode Description: What happens when greatness just… stops? In this episode, a chance encounter with a young taquero in San Jose sparks a deeper conversation about endings, expectations, and the subtle entitlement of being a consumer. From the legendary culinary staples of San Jose to the abrupt retirement of NFL icon Barry Sanders, we dive into why it's so hard to say goodbye to the things we love. It's a candid reminder that instead of being bitter when things end, we owe it to the creators (and ourselves) to just say "thank you."

📋 In This Episode, We Discuss:

· The San Jose Encounter: Running into a local taquero and the heartbreak of learning a favorite truck has closed its windows for good.

· The Anatomy of the taco I'll miss: Reminiscing on freshly pressed tortillas, meats cooked to order, and the infamous San Jose orange sauce debate.

· The Entitlement of Fans: Looking back at the ugly backlash surrounding Barry Sanders' retirement and unpacking why we feel "owed" forever-service from our favorite icons.

· Gratitude Over Grievance: Why we need to do better when we don't get our way, and the art of gracefully letting go.

TAQUOTE

"Though tacos have been around for what seems like forever, at one point, they'll stop existing too…… I just hope it's not today."

You can still find me on:

· Instagram (12k followers)

· TikTok (29K followers)

· Facebook (25k followers)

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We've all had those moments where our best intentions meet a harsh reality. You finally get the perfect ingredient ratio down, you visualize the fluffy tortillas you're about to enjoy, and then… a mishap with the oven timer and a blazing temperature leaves you with a tray of burnt sopes instead. 440°F for 40 minutes is a recipe for a kitchen disaster, but it's also a masterclass in resilience. This episode is dedicated to the beauty of the attempt. Join us as we talk about the messy, frustrating, and entirely necessary process of trial and error. Because whether you are standing over a hot stove or navigating the complexities of life, the magic doesn't happen instantly. It takes patience, adjustment, and the willingness to burn a few batches along the way. Like the perfect tortilla, one day you'll catch that steam, and you will puff up. In This Episode, We Cover:

• The Kitchen Reality Check: The exact moment a tortilla experiment turned into burnt sopes, and why 440°F for 40 minutes is just too hot and too long.
• The Power of Trying: Shifting your perspective from "I failed this recipe" to "I'm still learning, growing, and showing up."
• Finding the Bubble: A poetic look at resilience—how to keep believing in the good and waiting for your moment to rise, even when you're currently surrounded by the "bad" (or the burnt).

Key Takeaways & Quotes: "But the important thing is that I'm trying. I'm still learning. I'm still growing. And like the tortilla, one day I'll puff up… That is the bubble."

• The Pivot: You might set out to make one thing and accidentally create another. Even when it burns, the fact that you stepped into the kitchen and tried is what matters.
• Watch Your Temperature: Sometimes we push ourselves too hard and too fast (metaphorically living at 440°F). True growth requires the right environment, not just maximum heat.

Taquote: Faith is believing in good when surrounded by bad……"

You can still find me on:

· Instagram (12k followers)

· TikTok (29K followers)

· Facebook (25k followers)

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