Q&A: Noma Scandal, Salsa Rules, Taco Culture & Finding Great Food Anywhere

In this Q&A episode of Taqueando, James Beard–winning journalist Bill Esparza and producer Rob Haleblian tackle listener questions about taco culture, Mexican food traditions, and the biggest controversy shaking the global dining world. The episode opens with a deep dive into the Noma scandal involving chef René Redzepi, the protests surrounding the restaurant’s Los Angeles pop-up, and what the controversy reveals about power, labor, and leadership in fine dining. Then the show shifts into listener questions covering everything from salsa pairings for tacos, the origins of LA’s taco truck culture (including King Taco), and how to recognize restaurants chasing Michelin stars. Bill also shares his expert tips for finding incredible food when traveling, how to approach unfamiliar cuisines, and the cultural rules behind tortillas, tacos, and regional Mexican dishes. Whether you're obsessed with tacos, curious about restaurant culture, or planning your next food trip, this episode is packed with insider knowledge from one of the world’s leading voices on Mexican cuisine. -- Presented by MVA.wine - a wine collective that's disrupting the OG wine club model and bringing you rare wines from small producers that rarely make it to the US. First 20 people to subscribe using code "LAFOOD" receive their first collection for $50 off.