"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."

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