This week, Michelin Guide released its first-ever guide for Texas restaurants, recognizing fifteen businesses with one star for their high-quality food. Additionally, two restaurants received a green star for their sustainable practices. The top cuisines represented in the guide are barbecue, American, and Mexican.
Mando Rayo, host of the “Tacos of Texas” podcast, shared his thoughts on the recognition during an interview with Texas Standard. He expressed his joy for the hardworking people in the restaurant industry, especially those working in Mexican kitchens. Rayo highlighted Chef Edgar Rico, who was awarded the best young chef, and establishments like La Santa Barbacha, Cuantos Tacos, and Discada.
While Austin received seven out of the 15 Michelin stars, Rayo mentioned some notable omissions such as Vaquero Taquero in Austin, Mi Tierra in San Antonio, and Ninfa’s. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the future and looks forward to more recognition in the coming years.
Reflecting on the fourth season of his podcast, Rayo emphasized the importance of guests sharing their own stories and building communities through cooking and storytelling. He mentioned small mom-and-pop shops and taquerias winning prizes, as well as exploring themes like the history of vaqueros and breakfast tacos. The podcast also delved into spooky stories with Susto, highlighting the power of food storytelling.
Overall, Rayo is proud to showcase these stories and use his platform to amplify diverse voices in the food industry. If you found the reporting valuable, you can consider making a donation to support the work on Texas Standard and KUT.org. Your contribution helps sustain quality journalism and content production. Thank you for considering a donation today.
