Taco Mafia

Food Series / 1 Season

A new generation of taqueros is showing how to achieve success in a post-pandemic world, while expanding the impact that a business can have in its own community. The self-proclaimed ‘Taco Mafia’ is forging a new path through friendship, sustainability, tradition, authenticity and a commitment to give back, while addressing issues such as sustainability, immigration, gentrification, and beyond.

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Supervivencia Preview

30s

Anthony and Xose host a pop-up at Discada serving a special made by their employee; Edgar and Sara invite their friends to Xochimilco to celebrate their wedding, then return to Austin to view a potential new restaurant space; Beto reflects on his personal and family health issues while reconnecting with his roots in Mexico City; the Taco Mafia reflects on its formation.

Inspiracion Preview

30s

Edgar and Sara explore Mercado Benito Juárez in Oaxaca City and tell their engagement story; Beto catches up with his friends and neighbors at La Santa Barbacha and Ensenada ATX and discusses the importance of supporting others in your community; Xose and Anthony serve discada tacos at a charity event for Relief Gang at J-Bar-M in Houston.

Tradicion Preview

30s

Edgar and Sara fly to Oaxaca and visit a corn farm in San Martin Tilcajete to see the man behind the heirloom corn they use at Nixta Taqueria; Beto and his General Manager drive to San Antonio to tour their tortilla purveyor’s tortilla factory and get lunch at Taquitos West Avenue; Anthony and Xose have lunch at The Olive Oil Greek Restaurant and reflect on challenges they faced after high school.

Amor Preview

30s

Edgar and Sara work a night shift at Nixta Taqueria while recounting how they fell in love; Beto picks up his daughter from school and discusses balancing business ownership and co-parenting while working on his menu from home; Anthony and Xose explain the history of the discada recipe and recount how they became best friends while hosting a backyard discada party at Xose’s parents’ house.

Familia Preview

30s

Meet Nixta Taqueria owners Sara Mardanbigi and Edgar Rico, Discada owners Xose Velasco and Anthony Pratto, and Cuantos Tacos owner Luis ‘Beto’ Robledo as they introduce their parents, discuss their childhood experience as children of immigrants, and explore the paths that led them to becoming celebrated small business owners and local heroes in the Austin community.

Season 1 Preview

30s

A new generation of taqueros is showing how to achieve success in a post-pandemic world, while expanding the impact that a business can have in its own community. The self-proclaimed ‘Taco Mafia’ is forging a new path through friendship, sustainability, tradition, authenticity and a commitment to give back, while addressing issues such as sustainability, immigration, gentrification, and beyond.

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