On this episode Mark Simon was joined by José Ralat. José is the taco editor, yes, the taco editor, for Texas Monthly magazine. He is the author of American Tacos: A History & Guide. Ralat is a two-time winning editor of a James Beard Award, which is foodwriting's most prestigious honor.

He is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

José explained what he does as a taco editor and why it's important that the magazine has one. He shared how he covers food and stories related to it by traveling across the entire state of Texas. He talked about how covering this beat also means covering immigration-related stories and detailed his own experiences with ICE. He also discussed how he manages his epilepsy and his mental health in what is a difficult time in his state.

Jose's salutes: National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Javier Cabral of L.A. Taco.

José's website

https://joseralat.net/

José's story on the Missions

https://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/forgotten-old-missions-texas-history/

José's story on the Smashburger Taco

https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/smash-burger-taco-history/

José's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/tacotrailofficial/

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