The LA Food Podcast

We’re reaching into the Taqueando with Bill Esparza archives for one of the only episodes Luca has ever joined Bill on, a deep dive into the glorious, deceptively complicated world of the real Ensenada-style fish taco. Bill breaks down what makes the Baja classic legit, why so many versions miss the mark, and everything Luca didn’t know about one of Southern California’s most iconic foods.
There’s also a reason we’re bringing Taqueando to The LA Food Podcast feed today: big changes are coming to the Acquired Taste podcast universe. Plus, Pizza Run Club returns, worker-owned restaurants might not be quite as socialist as Luca initially assumed, and The New Gourmet becomes Buffet.
Pizza Run Club tickets!

Food writer Karen Palmer returns to defend Hillstone, revisit the Hard Rock Cafe and examine whether Go Greek can become the Shake Shack of frozen yogurt. Luca shares recent meals at Doto, Sora Craft Kitchen and LA’s newest spots before they debate $40 sandwiches, protein maxxing, restaurant branding, Michelin’s Texas snub and the return of chicken as a marquee menu item. Plus, the best sandwiches in Los Angeles, the problem with restaurants that have nowhere to put your purse and an Aperol Spritz controversy nobody saw coming.

Does Tony capture the real Anthony Bourdain, or does it take one creative liberty too many? Luca is joined by Nancy DaSilva (Compliments to the Chef) and Father Sal for a spirited, spoiler-filled review of Matt Johnson’s Bourdain biopic, from Dominic Sessa’s occasionally uncanny performance to standout turns from Antonio Banderas and Leo Woodall. They debate whether the film needed Bourdain at all, why its romanticized portrait of a formative Provincetown summer works, and whether the backlash from Bourdain purists is justified.

Hot Tongue Pizza owner Alex Koons joins Luca as guest co-host for a pizza-heavy tour of the LA food scene, from Queens, Cacao Mexicatessen and FurnSaj to Bar 109’s Michelin-starred burger, fried pizza at Pizzeria Sei and the prospect of paying $4,000 for pasta for life. Be sure to check out his show, Fast Casual, by the way!
Then restaurateur Lawrence Longo tells the incredible story of going from elite hockey player and Hollywood assistant to building an empire that includes Prince Street Pizza, Irv’s Burgers, Bar Next Door, Henry’s Secret Ice Cream, Tenderfest and Burgers Never Say Die. Longo reveals how a Sean Avery street fight helped bring Prince Street to Los Angeles, why its first LA pop-up caused two car crashes, how he revived Irv’s, why he turned down venture capital and why LA may now be America’s best pizza city.
Plus, the rise and fall of Off the Menu, the one-craveable-item theory of restaurant success, the brutal economics of operating in Los Angeles and an exclusive announcement for Irv’s Burgers’ 80th birthday.
Tickets to Pizza Run & Walk Club: Silver Lake
Tickets to Taqueando After Dark

Matt Rodbard, founder of TASTE and host of This Is TASTE, returns to The LA Food Podcast for an unfiltered conversation at Crudo e Nudo about Los Angeles vs. New York dining, Santa Barbara’s rising restaurant scene (shouout Drift Hotel), twenty-dollar burritos, René Redzepi’s return to Noma, RFK Jr.’s cooking show and the growing influence of credit card companies on restaurants and pop-ups. Then Kevin Noparvar, better known as How Kev Eats, joins Luca at Café Telegrama to rate the restaurant’s pancakes, burger and tuna melt live, reveal his favorite LA pizza, tacos and burgers, and explain how six years of making no money led to millions of followers and the launch of Biter. Plus, Kev breaks down his approach to honest restaurant reviews, the responsibility that comes with influencing small businesses and the new Biter Concierge before committing the episode’s greatest crime: declaring pasta the worst carb.

Taqueando After Dark Tickets
LA Pizza Run & Walk Club Tickets