Shows
10,000 TACOS®The Last TacoAs I wrap up this podcast, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support throughout our episodes. This podcast has been a reflection of my life, my family, and the lessons learned in our taco truck days. A special thanks goes to Stanford Florence (Flobama), Patrick Owen, and José Ralat, as they all helped me on pivotal paths to achieve many of these episodes. My siblings, Martha, Jose, Victor and Mike have not only contributed to the richness of our podcast but also profoundly shaped my identity as the proud son of ta...
2024-08-2816 min
10,000 TACOS®Inappropriate MotivationRecently, when I heard some white girl call her salsa ‘restaurant style home-made’ I was triggered to make a reaction video to call her out on her use of ‘catchy’ words to attract an audience. When I think about social media's influence, I wonder if I would have taken to promoting our food like so many do today, claiming we had the best tacos. On today’s episode, I tell you about what I call inappropriate motivations – when guided by bad intentions, you will likely yield negative results. I often reflect on the role my mother's fier...
2024-08-1218 min10,000 TACOS®Five Dollar Crisis - REPLAY Episode Summary Thinking back four years to when the pandemic began is like rewatching a tough episode because it reminds us of how hard things were. Many people lost loved ones during that time. But it's also important to see that we made it through and are moving forward. Even though we still face challenges from the pandemic, if we stop and ask ourselves, "Are things better now than during the pandemic?" I believe a lot of people would say yes. It's like looki...
2024-07-2414 min
10,000 TACOS®Cilantro is a Choice Episode Summary In this episode, I express my deep love for cilantro and its essential role in creating real tacos. To me, a taco isn't complete without the fresh burst of flavor that cilantro, along with onion and salsa roja, brings to the table. But my affection for cilantro goes beyond its culinary necessity. It symbolizes a profound sense of gratitude for my journey to the USA. Growing up in my parents' taco truck exposed me to the art of chopping cilantro, a skill that laid the foundation for my success today. This...
2024-07-1215 min
10,000 TACOS®Peace, Love and Tacos: Taco Truck rules to live by!Episode Summary In this special episode, we honor my dad on his birthday by sharing the invaluable lessons I learned from him that shaped his success as a taquero. These lessons, which I call "Taco Truck Rules to Live By," are not just for running a taco truck—they are principles for living a fulfilling life. Key Points Today is my dad’s birthday. Honoring him by sharing the "Taco Truck Rules to Live By." Taco Truck Rules to Live By: 1. Don’t be late – Always be punctual. 2. Be...
2024-06-2724 min10,000 TACOS®Authenticity's Myth Authenticity used to be a word with significant meaning, but I think it has now become subjective and often exploited as a marketing tool. I once tweeted, "The closer you come to making it from scratch, the more authintic it will be." And that tweet reflected my beliefs at that time. The belief in the value of effort and craftmanship. Howeveer, a friend's perpective, based on the "abuelita principle," has challenged my assertion. Or at least that's how it felt when he replied, "Authenticity is a myth!" His point was valid. He argues that what we consider a...
2024-06-1308 min10,000 TACOS®Microwaved my TortillasToday on the show, I want to share a recent internal conflict that inspired me to create a reaction video on TikTok. The video featured a Mexican lady making tacos, but they weren't just any tacos; they were White People Taco Night tacos. This stirred feelings of sadness and internal conflict within me. However, this experience also led me to some podcast therapy. During this episode, I was reminded of the struggle encapsulated by the phrase "Ni de aquí ni de allá" (not from here nor from there). I came to realize that Mexicans making white people ta...
2024-05-3018 min
10,000 TACOS®Change DispenserToday on the show, I delve into personal stories and the life lessons I learned from my dad, especially as he faced dementia. We'll explore the profound impact these lessons have had on my life and how they've inspired positive changes. Join me as I reflect on the question, "Who are you?" and share how this journey has influenced my self-discovery and growth. But we start with a confession and how that’s leading me to question my growth on some social platforms. Finally, I tell you of the little device my dad used to us...
2024-05-1922 min
10,000 TACOS®The Power of TacosToday on the show, I want to share with you the extraordinary power of tacos. Now, this is a kind of force that isn't visible to the eye. I remember as a kid, when I looked up the definition of work, it said, "Work is the ability to produce power!" Well, the power of tacos definitely requires some work, and this work manifests in numerous ways. It's a force that's somewhat elusive, hard to put into words. But I'm going to give it my best shot. I'll do so by sharing a recent experience that allowed me...
2024-05-0123 min10,000 TACOS®La Carne Asada Today on this episode I want to revisit what carne asada means, as it relates to getting together. If you ever get invited to a carne asada consider yourself special. That event is seasoned and the experience would just make it taste better. I also want to tell you what this meat, or rather the saying, “carne asada” really means to me. How my experience moving to the United States helped shape how I see this meat and more importantly, how it has helped shape my life. Carne asada just makes everything better.
2024-04-1819 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Freakin Holders Taco Freakin Holders Today on this episode we explore my opinion of taco holders. Not going to lie, I freakin hate them. I think taco holders are superfluous at best and colonial hierarchy at worst. But on this episode we’ll just focus on the good. I tell you a quick story of how taco holders are like scheduling apps that don’t work if you are not going to deliver on what was promised. I also flip the tortilla and tell you about a recent t...
2024-04-0318 min10,000 TACOS®Sazon FinaleWelcome to the season finale of our podcast! This episode closes out a sazon of amazing conversations, topics, and of course, tacos. We’re about to wrap up, no pun, with some fun tasting insight from our hosts. We’ll revisit some of the good takes from this season, introduce a new guest host, and look forward to what’s coming next. Yes, new hosts – we welcome a new member of our 10kTacos podcast, Rodrigo Bravo. Get ready for an unforgettable finale through discussion, reflection, and of course taco fun! ...
2022-12-2545 min10,000 TACOS®Replay - Tamales SeasonIt that time of year! If you look around you, almost everywhere you go, you will see festive lights, crowds gathering at Christmas parks, packed ice rinks, and, of course, tons of suckers, I mean, people at shopping malls. Yes, the holiday season is in full swing! But there is another season that is in full swing. A type of activity that involves tons of minutes of prep time. Perhaps tons of pair of hands and definitely tons of love, graciousness, and tons of gratitude. The season I'm referring to is TA...
2022-12-0221 min10,000 TACOS®Loco MotionWhen I think of Mexican sports and athletes, I think of golfer Lorena Ochoa or boxer great Laura Serrano. Speaking of boxers, I think of Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez. I also think of the relationship Mexicans have with their futbol (soccer) greats. I don’t ever think of winter sports when it comes to Mexico and its athletes. Today on the show, we speak to Regina Martinez. She is attempting to become the first Mexican woman to qualify for the winter Olympics in her sport, Cross Country Skiing. She’s also a medical doctor...
2022-09-2347 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Pit-MaestroToday, we not only get to talk tacos, we also get to talk barbecue and where the two intersect. Today we speak to Joe Zavala from Zavala’s Barbecue. Zavala’s Barbecue is in Grand Prairie, Texas. It’s owned by Christan and pitmaster Joe Zavala. Zavala’s, the barbecue joint, began as a backyard pop-up before moving into a brick-and-mortar in 2019. It’s been a hit ever since, finally gaining the esteemed honor of a spot on the 2021 Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints list, something he had been striving for since opening and celebrated b...
2022-09-0747 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Literacy w/ Steven AlvarezToday on the show we bring you someone who studies TACOS, specifically the culture and food. As we’ve said before, “Tacos are bigger than us.” Perhaps no one knows this better than Steven Alvarez. A poet and professor at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, Dr. Alvarez hails from the small mining town of Safford in southeastern Arizona. Alvarez is a literacy scholar who walks the line through his academic books, including Brokering Tareas: Mexican Immigrant Families Translanguaging Homework Literacies, and in real-life applications—not just in tacos but also in his poetry in bo...
2022-08-2055 min10,000 TACOS®Good Sauce with Ali KahnToday on the show we speak to Ali Khan, a native of St. Louis. Ali Khan has been in food writing and showbusiness for a long-o time. He went to film school at USC. He’s written for L.A. Taco. And he got his big break in 2015 with the Cooking Channel series Cheap Eats. The show ran for five seasons and visited almost 60 cities in 40 states. Ali is currently the host of the Spring Baking Challenge on Food Network and a recurring judge on the Chopped series. Ali also has a big online presence with...
2022-08-0845 min10,000 TACOS®Tacos In VerseTacos In Verse This week’s guest infuses culture, food–which is culture—and Spanglish in inspiring ways. His work has appeared in chapbooks, anthologies, and the streets of San Antonio. He’s traveled the country to perform his work, including, most recently, Louisville, KY, where he won a haiku contest. He is the host of the Sunday open mic at Dakota Ice House in San Antonio, a native of Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a longtime resident of the Alamo City, a high school teacher, a co-founder of the International Taco Council, and a good sport when...
2022-07-2142 min10,000 TACOS®The Mexican'tToday’s show is a special one. We’re going to talk about one of Jose’s articles, specifically, his review of The Mexican, a fancy new restaurant in Dallas, specializing in—wait for it, yes, you guessed it—Mexican food. But not just any Mexican food: Overpriced Mexican food with commodity tortillas and a $250 margarita named after a famous revolutionary. That revolutionary was Pancho Villa. The cocktail and the tortillas, we’ll get to those shortly, underscore what José calls cognitive dissonance. TAQUOTE “Don’t waste y...
2022-07-0842 min10,000 TACOS®Tacos & TechToday on the show, José and I welcome Martha Niño, a Silicon Valley veteran who has a good story to tell. It’s a story I’m very familiar with. Beneath the Silicon Valley lies the Santa Clara Valley, which really should be called TACO VALLEY. When I first met Martha, I referred to her as my Silicon Valley twin. Martha’s story is one of cracking the code - making it past a barrier. A barrier that gets established by the gatekeepers. And sometimes, a barrier that may be self-imposed. Martha s...
2022-06-2441 min10,000 TACOS®Powered by SazonThere is something magical about combining ingredients to make a delicious plate. It's like creating a work of art with every meal. And, just like an artist, you can use different seasonings to create different flavors. For me though, the magic comes from watching others add a healthy dash of pepper, a muscle-memory pinch of salt, or blind handful of oregano to make magical plates. To watch others do it with a mental measuring spoon and be confident the food will come out mouthwatering. How do you describe that magic? How do you tell others...
2022-06-0949 min10,000 TACOS®FACO The Alamo!On this episode we talk with Jason Stanford, former chief of communication and community engagement for the Mayor of Austin, Steve Adler. We speak to him about the Great Breakfast Taco War, the book he co-authored, Forget the Alamo, and other taco wars. We begin with José telling us how Texans take everything personally. Especially as it relates to food. That character trait or flaw, whatever you’d like to call it, occasionally causes a big to-do. One of those occasions occurred in February 2016. That’s when Eater.com writer Matthew Sedacca’s story a...
2022-05-1948 min10,000 TACOS®Reclaiming Cinco de MayoIn our previous episode, we touched on the history of Cinco de Mayo. We also spoke a little more on the French and their ambitions to help, you know, Racistas del Sur, we mean the Confederacy. We also touched on the way some people celebrate this day, and dress up like a Mexican. This week, we’re discussing how to best celebrate Cinco de Mayo, how to celebrate the commemoration of the pivotal battle turned into a Corona and margarita-fueled drunk fest. It’s actually really easy. Our special guest this week is...
2022-05-0650 min10,000 TACOS®Cinco de GringoThe nineteenth century was a year of almost constant war for Mexico. One of those wars was against the French who invaded the country because Mexico’s president, Benito Juarez, refused to pay its debts to France. Secretly, though, the French dreamt of expanding their empire, installing a puppet ruler, and then marching northward to assist the Confederacy in the Civil War. Before that was possible, the French army needed to capture Mexico City. To do that, they needed to pass through Puebla. The invading forces, 6,000 strong, expected this to be easy. They did not exp...
2022-05-0544 min10,000 TACOS®A Burrito Is A Taco!Is a burrito a taco? In this new season, we tackle this question. I know the answer, but 10,000 TACOS now has a new voice as of this moment. And this voice has a different answer to mine. We take this moment to introduce you to José Ralat. He is the author of American Tacos, A History and Guide. As the first of his kind, José is also the Taco Editor for the Texas Monthly. We are excited to have him on this show, and we hope you are too!
2022-04-2710 min10,000 TACOS®Neighbor HOOD WatchGrowing up in East San Jose, hearing the phrase "Neighborhood Watch" had a different meaning. It meant watching out for one another. Yet in some cases, it meant watching out for the cops. Today on the show, we take you back to my college days when a FACO commented why he thought crime was high in the area where I grew up. His comment led me to explain what Neighborhood Watch means in Eastside San Jose. I also tell you a story of what led to me getting slapped and what came of that day....
2021-10-1713 min10,000 TACOS®International Taco Council AnnouncementThe announcement of the International Taco Council with discussion following. Panelists Isidro Salas is a proud son of a taquero and host of the 10,000 Tacos podcast. José R. Ralat is the Texas Monthly taco editor and author of American Tacos: A History and Guide. Serena Maria Daniels is the Detroit-based editor-in-chief of Tostada magazine and the president of the International Taco Council. Eddie Vega is a poet and educator in San Antonio, Texas. Diana Medina is a poet and educator in Los Angeles. Luis Silva and Antony Macias are Instagram influencers in Dallas-Fort Wor...
2021-09-1752 min10,000 TACOS®Soft-shell FallacyWhat do we mean by a soft-shell fallacy? It’s a phrase used to describe tortillas and therefor tacos. And for many years it’s gone unchecked. Today on the show we give you our take as to why it’s a fallacy. Soft and shell are two contradicting terms. Yet not much is made of it. Simply put, tortillas are called tortillas and tacos are called tacos. There is really no need for translation. Why is this important? For thousands of years the process of making tortillas is considered sacred. It’s...
2021-08-1213 min10,000 TACOS®Nixtamalization - A panel discussion on ClubhousePanelists: Andrea Aliseda is a Tijuana-born journalist living in Los Angeles. Andrés M. Garza is a culinary anthropologist, chef, and the owner of Neighborhood Molino tortilleria in McAllen, a Texas border city in the Rio Grande Valley. Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman is a first-generation Tejana and the executive chef of José in Dallas. Emmanuel Chavez is a chef and co-owner of Tatemó, a pop-up and molino-tortilleria. Edgar Rico is the executive chef and co-owner of Nixta Taqueria in Austin. Also heard: Evil Cooks is a taqueria and Mexican food pop-up owned by Alex Garcia and Elvia...
2021-07-011h 10
Casa De Confidence Podcast | Grow Your Business, Life and ConfidenceIsidro Salas from 10K Tacos Visit Our CasaI want to hear your thoughts about the show and this episode. Text us here...We live in a world where we have lived entirely different lives from the one we are living.At Casa DeConfidence, we want to share the stories of others of different backgrounds and lives. We aim that by sharing diverse cultures and individuals, we can appreciate the commonalities that make us more similar. After all, we are all part of the human race.In this episode, I address the sensitive matter of Rachel Hollis and how she h...
2021-04-111h 31
The LindberghsIsidro Salas - 10,000 TacosErik and I had the honor of meeting Isidro Salas, an immigrant to the United States who was raised in a Taco Truck. You'll enjoy his stories of second chances and friendship economy. See the full show notes and meet Isidro Salas here: https://www.thelindberghs.com/post/isidro-salas You can support his Podcast, 10K Tacos here: https://www.tenthousandtacos.com/store/ ***** The Lindberghs Podcast is a production of Erik Lindbergh and his wife Lyn Lindbergh. Erik is the Chairman of The Lindbergh Fou...
2021-03-281h 0810,000 TACOS®Burrito LoyalWho here likes being challenged? It's rarely a good time to be critiqued or challenged. Today on the show, I want to tell you about a time when my (older) brother stepped in and corrected a mistake I was about to make. A possible mistake as it came to serving our customers burritos made the correct way. It's a time that helped change my outlook on how burritos should be made and how it was essential to fulfill our parents' wishes—the lesson of taking the time, the proper time, to do something correctly. I a...
2021-03-2121 min10,000 TACOS®No Mo'e California SnowIn this bonus episode, we update you on our move to Colorado. I also come to this moment in my podcast journey to see what my "WHY" is. I'm passionate about tacos and the culture. But what I'm more passionate about is the word TAQUERO. I believe the word TAQUERO should be elevated to that of Executive Chef. No disrespect, but I feel a taquero is more than just a taquero. Join us on this bonus episode and find out why I am super stoked. I also want to...
2021-02-2013 min10,000 TACOS®Obama SelfDo you remember when you learned to brush your teeth? Do you remember who taught you how to tie your shoelaces? If you're as old as me, that may take you a while to recall those things. But the truth is that perhaps those are the little things that we forget, and as life goes on, our brains do those little things for us automatically. But how important is that? And, how important are the other things that you've learned to do that contribute to a better life for you today? For...
2020-12-2212 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Blockchain (REPLAY)Imagine being able to get credit to buy as much food as you can from a taco truck. Imagine not having a credit limit. Also, imagine not having to have a background run on you to get this credit. If you cannot imagine a world where this exists, then you may want to listen to this episode. My father used to have a notebook in the taco truck. We would often refer to it as La Libreta. This notebook had in it all the names of people who my dad extended credit to...
2020-11-2317 min10,000 TACOS®McCreery AveWhat does a street (avenue) and wearing a mask have in common? McCreery Ave is a street in East San Jose that we used to use to get to that infamous corner to sell tacos every weekend. And because it was narrow, having to pull to the side to let incoming cars go through helped me see that being considerate was such an important part of making a living. Download this episode to get a different perspective on why we should wear a mask. TAQ...
2020-10-2814 min10,000 TACOS®One to get TacosWelcome to our fourth season of 10,000 Tacos! While we were away, we lost a sail of our podcast. Juan Salas, my father, took his last breath on May 12, 2020. This podcast is about him, my mother, and my siblings. This podcast is a collection of stories and experiences around how growing up in a taco truck shaped the wonderful life I have today. This podcast is a tribute to them, my parents. In honor of his passing, we are dedicating this season to what we call "The Friendship Economy." My pare...
2020-09-2916 min10,000 TACOS®Let it Burn How do you flip tortillas? For me, it’s always been normal to flip tortillas with my bare hands. I’ve always thought that flipping tortillas with tongs, or any other device (a forklift) is not normal. But somehow, I’ve got it flipped. Today on this episode I tell you why I think it is normal. And how and why it’s important to flip tortillas with your bare hands. I guess people play it safe by using tongs. I guess people just don’t want to get burnt. It turns...
2020-09-0814 min10,000 TACOS®Salsa Network (REPLAY)Today’s episode originally published in JUNE 2018. It’s also my father’s birthday. So today we take some time to look back at the connections that brought my siblings and I to this country. We go back to a time when I went to a World Cup match with my dad. The year was 1994. It was a special time because - not only was I celebrating my dad’s birthday – I also was in attendance while the US National Team was up against one of the best soccer clubs in the world – Brazil National Team. All this on the...
2020-06-2424 min10,000 TACOS®Pilot LightIn loving memory - Juan Salas 06-24-36 to 05-12-20 If you wish to help cover funeral expenses, you can contribute to: 10,000 TACOS Podcast https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=iICQO7qptLnckAnQlqrLn7pzJZr9euIW_ogcpwcCocLYTzrB6QIjdKKJL0V-JjyOPM--AW&country.x=US&locale.x=
2020-05-1618 min10,000 TACOS®Five Dollar CrisisWith the ongoing and fast-changing COVID-19 pandemic, I'm shortening these episodes to take less of your time. This episode speaks about the questions we ask that serve us no real purpose. And it stems, for me, at least, from a time I'd been robbed while working in the taco truck. "Questions that Waste Time" What are the lessons I learned from the day someone took 5 dollars from my hand and ran away? TAQUOTE: "Be kind to one another and be kind to yourself"
2020-04-0112 min10,000 TACOS®Nacho Snitch Would you get into a self-driving car? If you say no, then you are not alone. As for me, I would. I actually do it every day. You see, I do it as a full-time job. I drive an autonomous vehicle every day as part of my job. It's a pretty cool job. Sometimes a bit scary, but for the most part, it is fun. I get to be part of the generation that helped get that started. When I applied for the job, I had to meet several req...
2020-03-1020 min10,000 TACOS®FORGIVENESS (Tacos Al Pardon)Today on the show, we dive right into "Forgiveness" – in Spanish, it means Perdon. Perdon is usually used to say, "Excuse me" or "Pardon me." That's not what we're talking about. We are referring to forgiveness. Forgiveness, in many cultures is seen as weakness. It's seen as a weakness because of the perception it assumes that the person who hurt you is allowed to get away with it. That by forgiving means you've allowed those who hurt you to take advantage of you. I used to believe in that too. But now I se...
2020-02-0720 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Lotto (REPLAY)Have you ever dreamed of winning the lottery? Today on the show, I'll tell you of a time I was in a conversation with an ex-coworker where the subject was just that — winning the lottery and my perspective of what it means to me to have won the lottery. To win the lottery, one has to be extremely lucky. What is luck? It is success or failure brought not by one's actions but by chance. My parents meeting one another, making children (having us), and eventually migrating us to th...
2020-01-2117 min10,000 TACOS®Tamale Season (REPLAY)It’s that time of year! If you look around you, almost everywhere you go, you will see festive lights, crowds gathering at Christmas parks, packed ice rinks, and, of course, tons of suckers, I mean, people at shopping malls. Yes, the holiday season is in full swing! But there is another season that is in full swing. A type of activity that involves tons of minutes of prep time. Perhaps tons of pair of hands and definitely tons of love, graciousness, and tons of gratitude. The season I'm referring to is TAMALE Season! Most ca...
2019-12-2921 min10,000 TACOS®Between 2 Mics - A Podcast from SquadCastIn today's episode (bonus), I'm a guest on the podcast called "Between 2 Mics" with hosts Zach Moreno and Rock Felder. They are not just hosts. They are CEO and CFO, respectfully, of SquadCast – A professional – and arguably the best way to - platform that allows you to record remote interviews in studio quality. Zach and Rock ask me about how the podcast got started, my journey in storytelling, and, most importantly, why I'm podcasting about my Taco Truck Life. For more interviews and information on past guests helping to t...
2019-12-1138 min10,000 TACOS®The Kids Go FirstToday on the show, I want to tell you about a young lady named Maria. A young mother from a central town in Mexico. More specifically, I want to tell you about the time Maria took her four children from the home they ever knew and traveled north. They traveled north to reunite with her husband and to start a new life in the United States of America. There were many obstacles in her way. And many of those were well within Maria’s will to overcome. But there was one ob...
2019-11-2124 min10,000 TACOS®Sesos and SadnessToday on the show, we tell a story about a couple, a young couple who met at the night club where we used to sell tacos all those years ago. A story of love, tragedy, and perhaps forgiveness without having to say it. A story that helped me understand the importance of being a listener when someone is going through a dark time. We tell you a story of being susceptible to making mistakes. We all make mistakes. Some are just more tragic than others. Finally, this story...
2019-10-2422 min10,000 TACOS®I HATE GUAC!In today’s episode, find out why I hate GUAC! Now, don’t take this the wrong way, I love Guacamole. I have a deep respect for Guacamole. It was imperative for us to offer it and not charge extra for it to our customers, and because of that, we had to make it every day. So my love for Guacamole goes deep. But I hate that people refer to Guacamole GUAC. I have a problem with that because it reminds me of when I was growing up. I have a difficult name to pro...
2019-10-1021 min10,000 TACOS®Birthday SauceWhat is the first thing you think of when you hear that name, Birthday Sauce? You can whisper it to me. I promise I won't judge you. But what if I told you it has nothing to do with whatever you were thinking. Today on the show I'll tell you how switching to this name brought me a lot of luck in my fantasy football league. And not just fantasy football, Birthday Sauce has brought me success in other parts of my life. So download the episode, or tap listen (if you're on the 10Ktacos...
2019-09-2624 min10,000 TACOS®The Tortilla is the StarThere are two schools of thought when it comes to tacos. There is the Taco Bell (the American taco) thought and the REAL (traditional) taco. Today on the show, we talk about these two schools of thoughts and how that leads people to feel the need to distinguish between the two. Some people think that they have to say “soft shell tacos” to describe the traditional tacos. I don’t believe that a soft shell taco exist. It simply is just a taco. You cannot have a taco without a tortilla. So what we are...
2019-09-1121 min10,000 TACOS®Mother of All FACOSThe word Taco is being Columbused. To find out more about what is “Columbused” please download and listen to it. But this time, the word taco is being Columbused by, not just FACOs who claim their Tacoma trucks are Taco Trucks. I have a problem with that. On this episode, we talk about what is NOT a Taco Truck and what IS a Taco Truck! We’ll share with you a short story on how I found out #tacotruck (hashtag) was being used for Toyota 4x4 Tacoma trucks. As you can imagine, I was no...
2019-08-2220 min10,000 TACOS®Trust the Tortilla (REPLAY)Today's episode was originally published in April of 2018. It's one of my favorites. We wanted to replay it right before launching our 3rd season. It's about one of the hidden ingredients that went into making the great tacos we made, offered, then served. You'd never think it, but it was that, trust!
2019-08-0117 min10,000 TACOS®Season 3 Preview: Meet FACOAs we get ready to launch Season 3 of 10,000 TACOS, we introduce you to a new character on the show. It's a fictional character by the name of FACO or FACOS. As we get ready to launch Season 3 of 10,000 TACOS, we introduce you to a new character on the show. It's a fictional character by the name of FACO or FACOS. FACO represents the people who make it a habit to misrepresent what a TACO really is. But it's not just tacos. Why are we doing this? Well, it's because there is a problem. Not a big problem, but...
2019-07-1714 min10,000 TACOS®A Taquero's Birthday WishToday is my father's Birthday. He turns 83 today. Though we are very lucky to still have him in our lives, he suffers from a wide array of ailments. One of those ailments, or conditions, is dimentia. But today I'd like to ask all of our listeners for a favor. If you can record Happy Birthday on your device's voice memo app and send it to us at "comments@10ktacos.com" or text, if your mobile plan allows it and does not charge you extra, to 646.926.2490. Don't worry if you cannot sing very well. The plan i...
2019-06-2512 min10,000 TACOS®Baddest Taquero Pt. 3 (REPLAY)Today’s episode is a replay of one of my favorite episodes. On this Father’s Day 2019 I tell you why my dad was one of the baddest taqueros ever to roam this earth. It’s the last episode of a three part series that was published back in January 2018. Join me as tell you how my dad was always GAME! This episode is difficult because - now that my dad is nearing his 83rdbirthday - it’s hard to see him age. I’m thankful for having him around even though his health has...
2019-06-1718 min10,000 TACOS®10,000 Download MarkOn this bonus episode, I want to thank all of you for helping me get to this milestone. Yes, in many other instances (podcasts) 10,000 downloads is not a lot. But to me, it's a significant number, and I don't take it lightly. It is difficult just to get one download, let alone 10,000! You cannot have a podcast called 10,000 TACOS and not commemorate 10,000 downloads! There are no downloads without YOU ALL! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
2019-05-2109 min10,000 TACOS®Menudo BailoutHaving just one call to make, not to bail you from jail, but to get you out of a tense or drastic situation, who would that call be to? I'd venture to guess most of you would call a dear, trusted friend. Or most would call a family member. Someone who they knew would answer that call. But have you ever wondered if the call would be answered? Would that someone answer the call? Today on this the last episode of Season 2, we tell you about a time I had to make this...
2019-03-2627 min10,000 TACOS®You Get What You Deserve "You get what you deserve" What goes through your mind when you hear that? Is it Karma? Do the hairs on your arms rise when you hear someone say that to you? No, don't worry, that is not what this episode is about... This episode is about the concept of working for what you earn. Or better yet, the power behind having something because you have worked for it, and thus you have earned it... Today on this episode we go back to a time I was overpaid on my first ever Corporate job pay ch...
2019-03-1223 min10,000 TACOS®You Can Go Sell TacosHow do you know when it’s time to leave? How do you know when it’s time to get out? What is it that tells you, “You have to get out of here!” Like a bad relationship, in which you want to get out but you can’t seem to find the strength and will to do so, what I’m talking about is a job, a place of work. On this episode, we take you to a time where I was sitting with a sickening feeling. A feeling that lead me to resign from a job t...
2019-02-2625 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Blockchain: La LibretaImagine being able to get credit to buy as much food as you can from a taco truck. Imagine not having a credit limit. Also, imagine not having to have a background run on you to get this credit. If you cannot imagine a world where this exists, then you may want to listen to this episode. My father used to have a notebook in the taco truck. We would often refer to it as La Libreta. This notebook had in it all the names of people who my dad extended credit to...
2019-02-1224 min10,000 TACOS®Dirty Dignity Have you ever wondered how restrooms at public places get cleaned? More specifically, who cleans these restrooms? What about those who clean our roadways, drains, and gutters? Is that something you would do? If you were in need of employment and this is the only job offered, would you do it? If not, why not? Today on the show I tell you of a time when I took a job that I felt was degrading and embarrassing. I wanted to quit. But a little voice – a humble bee – told me to stick it through. And remem...
2019-01-2922 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Truck Training Today on the show, we start a series of episodes collectively called: Taco Truck Training. These episodes will cover some of the hidden benefits of working in the taco truck so many years ago. In this case, unintended benefits that helped me get out of a particular situation that, perhaps, may have turned out differently had it not been for the taco truck. On this episode, we go back to 1988. On that summer night in which I was involved in a “Quarters” match. I was up against a legend who was known for bring...
2019-01-1524 min10,000 TACOS®ChileOn this, the first episode of 2019, we talk about chile. No, not the country of Chile, though Santiago - the capital - is a lovely place to visit. So, why do I love chile so much? Today we dive deeper into this question. In doing so, I tell you a little bit more about my personality, my perspective, and my home! I grew up eating chile. I can't tell you exactly when it was that I took my first bite and my mouth felt the fire. All I know is that I cannot remember a...
2019-01-0121 min10,000 TACOS®Tamales SeasonIt that time of year! If you look around you, almost everywhere you go, you will see festive lights, crowds gathering at Christmas parks, packed ice rinks and, of course, tons of suckers, I mean, people at shopping malls. Yes, the holiday season is in full swing! But there is another season that is in full swing. A type of activity that involves tons of minutes of prep time. Perhaps tons of pair of hands and definitely tons of love, graciousness and tons of gratitude. The season I'm referring to is TAMALE Season...
2018-12-1821 min10,000 TACOS®LOL (Laugh out Lengua)Today on the show I want to share with you my take on Lengua. Not that many people, at least in America, are familiar with this tender type of meat. Especially on a taco. Lengua translates to tongue. It's beef tongue. I'm going to tell you a little bit about this meat. I'm also going to tell you a bit about how this meat and the many steps to ultimately get it into a taco used to drive me nuts. And how one day, that task went from dreaded to a moment which...
2018-12-0419 min10,000 TACOS®Intermitten Pod-FastingSome time ago, I took a vow not to insert ads into our episodes. I feel it's essential to tell a story without breaks, especially commercial breaks. Instead, we invite you to visit our site and check out the merchandise we offer to support the show. https://tenthousandtacos.com Thank you for listening, and thank you for your support! Isidro
2018-11-2001 min10,000 TACOS®Chile ResilientChile Rellenos is a very popular dish in Mexico. It's also a favorite of mine, but for a reason, you may not expect. Today on the show, we talk about the some of the hidden steps a chile poblano goes through to then become a Chile Relleno. The transformation of this chili pepper is fascinating to me. It starts as a pure chile pepper. It gets called up – sort of - “You're up” It’s your turn. This is its wake up call! It then gets throwing into an oven or over some heat – most likely a skillet...
2018-11-0623 min10,000 TACOS®Choice SauceYou ever come up to a taco truck and stare at the menu? And before long you just don’t know what to order because everything you see looks so freakin good! The power to choose the right one becomes very difficult. “The Paradox of Choice” the concept of “Why more is less” and how too many choice, at times, can leave us motionless in our ability to choose. It actually slows us down. It’s something we do every single day. We do it from the moment we wake up, to as we go on about our...
2018-10-2321 min10,000 TACOS®The Taco Man - Israel MirandaOn today’s bonus episode 2, we take trip down to southern California. Ontario California to be exact. Here, we are hosted by Israel Miranda, the owner of The Taco Man. He runs two locations in the outskirts of Los Angeles (east of LA) – in what is locally referred to as the Inland Empire. He also operates a thriving and efficient catering service out of the Ontario site. We sit down with Israel and discuss a variety of topics. We start out with why and how he got the “The Taco Man” name. He has a very simple but drive...
2018-09-2252 min10,000 TACOS®10 K TACOS - Bonus episode 1On this bonus episode we check-in to let you know - while we are working on season 2 - we'll be providing updates both for the podcast as well as my personal life. This update is a personal one. I've decided to no longer field calls from recruiters or employers seeking to fill an EHS position. EHS stands for Environmental Health and Safety, which is what I did for the past 12 years. After getting a call from a perspective employer in which she said, "We've decided to go with the other candidate" and getting over my f...
2018-09-0510 min10,000 TACOS®Food Truck BullyAt some point or another, we’ve all had to face a bully. For my parents, that happened early on in their journey to break into the TACO TRUCK business. But first I tell you a bit about a recent trip I took to Southern California. A special trip to visit a few taquerias. But more importantly, I visited the person who’s father started the company which built our taco truck. During that visit I was reminded of the time we got back from Los Angeles with our new truck and it was then this bully trie...
2018-08-0725 min10,000 TACOS®TACO LOTTOHave you ever dreamed of winning the lottery? Well, on this episode, I’m going to tell you of a time I was in a conversation with an ex-coworker where the subject was just that. Winning the lottery and my perspective of what it means to me to have won the lottery. To win the lottery one has to be extremely lucky. What is luck? It is success or failure brought not by one’s actions but by chance. My parents meeting one another, them making children (having us) and eventually migrating us to the US at a time...
2018-07-2417 min10,000 TACOS®Born this way (Aci Naci)Today’s episode, Isidro tells us something many people do not know about him. He is a huge OAKLAND RAIDERS fan. Those who know him wont be surprised he’s a big RAIDERS fan. But even those close to him may not know the real reason he is a RAIDERS fan. Isidro tells us how he initially became a big fan and how getting ridiculed at a young age sent him on a mission to find out as much as he could about the RAIDERS. In doing so, Isidro found things about the late owner AL DAVIS that made him...
2018-07-1017 min10,000 TACOS®Salsa (red) NetworkIn today’s episode of 10,000 Tacos, Isidro takes us to a time where he and his dad went to a World Cup game. The year was 1994. It was a special time because - not only was he celebrating his dad’s birthday - he also was in attendance while the US National Team was up against one of the best soccer clubs in the world – Brazil National Team. All this on the 4thof July. One of the biggest surprises of that day was not that the US team almost beat the Brazilians but the fact that Isidro’s dad and his...
2018-06-2624 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Truck Cover Up - Pt.2Today on this episode of 10,000 Tacos, Isidro concludes his story about how he got caught in a big lie and how not even the taco truck could have saved him from that embarrassment. His then partner was adamant about finding out why there were others telling her he was out in a limo instead of the taco truck. She did not want to believe them but then the evidence was too good to ignore. As the old saying goes, “things happen for a reason” - this is an example of that. As luck would have it, s...
2018-06-1221 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Truck Cover Up - Pt.1 On today’s show, Isidro takes us back to the time he was caught in a little lie – it was actually a big lie. He takes us back to a time he thought the taco truck was going to help him cover up for that lie. On this part 1, Isidro talks about a time he made plans with his then special friend only to skip out on her as he and his brother (the wing-man) rode around in a limousine through the busy cruising streets of San Jose. He then used the excuse of s...
2018-06-0519 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Truck ExhaustOn today’s show, Isidro takes us back to the time his sister started driving. Recall in a previous episode – Trust the Tortilla -, he told us of a time when his sister would take the neighborhood kids to school in a car though she was too young to legally drive. In this episode, Isidro sits down with his folks to ask them how his sister came to drive. What were the circumstances that lead them (his parents) to allow his sister to drive a car at such a young age? This is a tale of why his mom need...
2018-05-2218 min
Why Should I Care?There Is No Straight Path - Isidro SalasI speak with Isidro Salas, a man who had a circular career path. He started in one place, took a long journey of self discovery, and finally returned to where he originally was. He now runs the podcast Ten Thousand Tacos. Here's his website: www.tenthousandtacos.com
2018-05-1457 min10,000 TACOS®ProbechoWe do not break our episodes with ads. We feel it's important to tell a story without breaks, especially commercial breaks. Instead, we invite you to visit our site and check out our merchandise we offer in order to help support the show. https://tenthousandtacos.com Thank you for listening and thank you for your support! Isidro
2018-05-0802 min10,000 TACOS®Taco Truck ParentsOn today’s episode Isidro talks a little about parenting, specifically a time when his parents helped him, at the ripe old age of 31, set up his own apartment. The lesson he learned was not to be so quick to judge people when it comes to how and what parents will do for their children. Isidro talks about how some of his childhood teachers would, at times, criticize the way his parents were raising their children. Saying that his parents were not there for them (because of the business). Isidro totally disagrees - he is ve...
2018-04-2421 min10,000 TACOS®Trust the TortillaToday on the show, Isidro starts by asking what are the hidden ingredients in every great taco? Though it may be hidden by all sort of toppings on a taco, it’s not the meat. It also isn’t the seasoning or the blended ingredients in the salsa. And though all those things are important, it is not what he is referring to. Con confianza! Which translates to "WithTrust!" Isidro asks if that has ever been considered when ordering these great eats. He points out - in fact - it is trust that allows you to ch...
2018-04-1017 min10,000 TACOS®Tacos that I used to knowToday on the show, Isidro talks about what he refers to “Tacos that I used to know.” When he thinks of them, a little sadness ensues because he knows he will never get to taste those tacos again. Isidro tells us a little more why he hated selling tacos as a kid and some of the reasons for that odium. Although he’ll never get to taste them again, he does not regret it. He reminds us how regret, if not handled properly, can lead to anger and how that anger could infect your well being. Tacos make Is...
2018-03-2717 min10,000 TACOS®Rob Gokee - TacocityOn this episode, Isidro sits down to have a good conversation with a fellow podcaster – Rob Gokee, the host of Tacocity Podcast – Rob shares a little bit of his journey as well as some personal stories while growing up in Los Angeles. They both agree, this conversation could have lasted a whole week! This is part of a crossover episode where Isidro also joins Rob on his podcast. To get the other episode, please follow this link: https://goo.gl/ZKNQDe - You can also find his podcast on his site: http://robgokee.com
2018-03-1344 min
TacocityIsidro SalasThis week, it's a crossover episode - Rob interivews Isidro Salas of the podcast 10K Tacos, and vis versa on Isidro's podcast! Isidro talks about what it's like growing up in a family that owned a taco truck, and what it was like to be a kid in San Jose, CA.
2018-03-1356 min10,000 TACOS®No Me Chinglés!In this episode Isidro talks about how his dad would use the following phrase to deal with the harsh rhetoric from people telling him things like, “GO BACK TO MEXICO!” or “IF YOU DON’T SPEAK ENGLISH, THEN YOU SHOULDN’T BE IN THIS COUNTRY!” The phrase he’d use was, “NO ME CHINGLES!” – which, if you speak Spanish, can be easily construed as a “bad” phrase. “Don’t mess with me” – But to Isidro’s father, and later for the rest of his family, the phrase simply meant, “Don’t English Me!” – For those who were vulgar and threatening to his fami...
2018-02-2719 min10,000 TACOS®Tacos de GanasToday’s episode Isidro describes what he referred to his parents having a whole lot of “Ganas” – recall in the very first episode– which is popularly known today as GRIT. What is it? How do you know if you have it? He gives us a few examples of what it is as well as a personal tale told to him by his good friend who grew up in the same side of town as Isidro did. “The excuses that we put in front of ourselves to talk ourselves out of doing something, those excuses, are fe...
2018-02-1315 min10,000 TACOS®Baddest Taquero pt. 3Today’s episode concludes this 3 part series of how Isidro’s dad became one of the “Baddest Taqueros” who roamed this earth. Isidro best describes why his dad was a badass taquero by telling us his father was always “GAME”. Being up to doing what ever it takes to get the job done is what Isidro describes as being GAME. Isidro takes us on an exciting and a bit of an emotional journey by giving us a couple of examples of why his father was always “GAME”. Taquote: “ When you make great tacos, you got game!”
2018-01-3018 min10,000 TACOS®Baddest Taquero pt. 2On this second part of “The Baddest Taquero”, Isidro describes how his dad was a taco truck pioneer. Isidro talks a little bit about how his father set himself apart from the rest of the taqueros of his time. How a price point of $1.25 for a big taco was a brilliant idea, from a marketing perspective! While others were offering a small taco, Isidro’s father got customers to come in with a competitive price. Once they came in, they were hooked! Isidro also mentions how by listening, his dad corrected a potential mistake. Respecting their customers includes...
2018-01-1616 min10,000 TACOS®Baddest Taquero Pt.1 Today we talk about the person who literally drove the truck! Isidro’s father - the person who Isidro considers the “Baddest Taquero” who roamed this earth. In this episode, Isidro tells us about why he gets emotional when talking about his dad as well as what his folks went through on the initial day of operating their first food truck. The intentions, persistence and the difference a turn can make. Taquote: “Make today better than yesterday” Reach out! If you have a spot to recommend, a taco story to tell, or just want t...
2018-01-0211 min10,000 TACOS®Between the WheelsToday we dive into some of the operations within the wheels of his parent’s taco truck and all the work that went into making it run smoothly. It’s not an easy task to run a taco truck and Isidro’s parents did it every day, 7days a week. Hours of prep along with early mornings and late nights were a testament to how devoted his family was to run the truck correctly. If you think your chores growing up were tedious, listen to Isidro’s story! It’s a great lesson to remind us to surround ourselves with those...
2017-12-1914 min10,000 TACOS®The Catering (Taco) TruckThe vehicle in which Isidro and his family served up amazing food with a strong personal connection wasn’t just your normal truck. For that, we dedicate today’s episode to La Chiquita, the special taco truck. He walks us through the truck and breaks down how they managed to cook and put out so much good food in a small cozy space. Once his family purchased the truck they began a way of life they felt good about and that they wanted to commit to every day. To keep that level of connection with the food they...
2017-12-0519 min10,000 TACOS®TaqueraIn today’s episode we get an “inside-the-shell” look at Isidro’s family and how they founded, cultivated, and operated a successful taco truck business. Isidro’s mom was the CEO of their family and used her resources and experiences of farm life as one of 17 children to create a fruitful business for the family. Before modern-day electronics people actually needed to know information in order to guide them to make decisions. Isidro's mom was like the Google of humans, she seemed to have all the answers quickly. She seemed to have a gut instinct of running the taco truck — fr...
2017-11-2112 min10,000 TACOS®First Time Taco-ing with David ShirraThis episode features a first in the world of 10,000 Tacos — our very first guest! We welcome David, visiting from Melbourne, Australia. David grew up in Scotland, where Mexican restaurants are few and far between and where their “Taco Tuesday” consists of a hard-shelled boxed taco and salsa out of a jar. David is traveling through the Bay Area on vacation and Isidro scooped him up for the podcast to share a foreigner’s perspective on tacos. David describes tasting carne asada, the fresh tortilla, and the simple yet tasty garnishes and sauce. As long as he can get the ingredie...
2017-11-0718 min10,000 TACOS®Street Food @ HomeIn today’s episode, we take a bit of a different approach. We’ve talked about making tacos but from the truck’s perspective. Today we tell you a little bit about the food the truck used to bring home. This episode was inspired because I remember what my friends would say every time they would come over to eat. And that was, “Dude, where did you get this food - from what restaurant?” My friends did not realize that my mother would make this food and that it was from the food tru...
2017-10-2413 min10,000 TACOS®Little Taco SyndromeWe begin by introducing LTS. LTS stands for “Little Taco Syndrome” or also known as “Little Man Syndrome” and the “Napoleon complex.” Isidro himself has dealt with being “vertically challenged” and was the object of teasing as an adolescent. With the help of the lessons learned from his family's taco truck, he went from being a cute little kid standing on a milk crate to an adult that understands how important it is to treat people the same no matter what we perceive their limitations may be. The irony of short people being a big target stayed with him throughout his l...
2017-10-1012 min10,000 TACOS®Stung by too many Tacos!“Slow down! You are eating so fast!” If you have ever heard this statement before, this episode is for you. It’s easy to eat fast when you are preoccupied, rushed or just really into your food and can’t hold back the excitement of the beautiful taco before you. Or maybe you are like Isidro, who even ate fast because of a sibling rivalry and once clocked in at scarfing a whole burrito in 32 seconds. Those in the restaurant and service industry can also relate, as you have sometimes just a few minutes to eat your delicious meal before t...
2017-09-2612 min10,000 TACOS®Carne AsadaToday’s episode features the great “meat on a grill,” or as we know it, carne asada! The carne asada taco represents many good things to Isidro as we hope it does for you as well. This was the most popular dish that his family sold through their taco truck, and the time and attention they took when preparing it for their customers folded into his tight family unit and strong bond. Even if you don’t have a family tie with carne asada, it can be a time to make a fresh and tasty dish with loved ones. Similar...
2017-09-1214 min10,000 TACOS®The Perfect TacoAs we mentioned in our introductory episode that we'd be talking about the perfect taco. In today's episode, we ask, "Is there such a thing as the perfect taco?" We give our opinion, but more importantly, we uncover why some people think there is such a thing. We finish off with what I think comes close to how the tacos our family used to make. This familiarity with how they used to make them only to find out the perfect taco is not a taco at all. At least not by itself! ...
2017-08-2917 min10,000 TACOS®Welcome to 10,000 Tacos PodcastWelcome to the 10,000 Tacos Podcast! This is a podcast about, you guessed it, tacos! Maybe even the occasional tortas, enchiladas or chile relleno, but tacos are the reason we are here. Isidro’s family sacrificed tremendously so that himself and his family could have the best life possible, and this podcast is just one way of sharing the gratitude he has for all their hard work, heart and ganas. Isidro has been immersed in the world of tacos since he was a child. His family purchased a food truck in the early 1980’s and sold tacos...
2017-08-1510 min