Taco the Town

Episode 214: LOS GUAPOS LATIN FOOD! On Location! (w/ Dan & Sam Billen)

Sometimes we gotta venture outside of KC proper to taste test the tasty tacos in other neighboring Taco Towns and that's what we're doing this week...hitting LOS GUAPOS LATIN FOOD in LAWRENCE, KANSAS with special returning guests DAN & SAM BILLEN (Primary Color Music, The Post Haus & Adventures in Advertising Podcast!) Dan (who walks to Los Guapos multiple times a week to eat their tacos) and his brother Sam share with Dave their love of Los Guapos' amazing tacos & share the tale of their recent controversial Super Bowl TV spot for Quality Plumbing! Dave and his guests chat about advertising, To-Go Margaritas & recent Lawrence Taco Spot Closings! We also have a BREAKING TACO NEWS Report about Salty Iguana & On The Border! In the TACO TICKER we taco 'bout Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant in Overland Park closing, a robbery at the Taco Republic in Prairie Village & Taco Bell's new Crunchwrap Sliders! WOULD YOU TRY IT? ALL OF THIS PLUS: We learn why the Billens love Beans and Teens love T-Bell! And the group ponders if they all passed away during the episode and went to Taco Heaven?! AND DON'T MISS: Dan has his 'Tacos are bigger than religion' moment! Has he gone koo koo or is that just the delicious margaritas and tequila shots talking? SAD ENDINGS AND HAPPY BEGINNINGS: ALL THIS WEEK ON TACO THE TOWN! MUSIC: Suneaters courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: Rancho Grande, KCK Taco Trail/Visit KCK & Lost Found & Rewound Podcast. 

Episode 213: DOS TEQUILAS KC! On Location! (w/ Tiffany Michelle)

This week we're celebrating National Margarita Day at another new KC Taco Spot...DOS TEQUILAS KC in Shawnee, Kansas! With our special guest Taco Reviewer Actress & Comedian TIFFANY MICHELLE! And not only are we taste testing tasty tacos...we are taste testing tasty TORTAS! In a T3 FIRST Dave takes a bite of one of the most delicious Tortas he's ever had and it's a life-changer! Also Tiffany tells us about life as a stand up comic, growing up in Texas and New Mexico (Great Taco States) and taking the road less travelled driving through Mexico! What taco gems did she find? Dave and Tiffany also discuss the recent snowstorms and polar vortexes and how they survived! (Hint: KFC Mashed Potatoes and Gravy!) In the TACO TICKER the gang tacos about the Fuzzy's Taco Shop location in Lawrence closing after 13 Years, KFC (Yum Brands) moving out of Kentucky for Texas and we hear a CHEESY GORDITA CRIME story about a Florida Black Bear that stole a $45 Taco Bell Order off someone's front porch (and it came back for the drinks!) ALL THIS AND: Living in New Mexico Food Tips and Hot Air Balloon Tips! SHRIMP & CHEESE! A Good Combo or Nah? TACO THE TOWN AT DOS TEQUILAS! GREAT TACOS & TORTAS! JUST WATCH YOUR STEP! Sponsors: Rancho Grande Cantina, KCK TACO TRAIL/Visit KCK & LOST FOUND & REWOUND Podcast. MUSIC: Suneaters courtesy of Lotuspool Records. 

Episode 212: TACOS BORRACHOS! On Location! (w/ The Weatherford Brothers)

Once again we're checking out a new KC area Taco spot and this week's episode finds us back in Overland Park, Kansas at TACOS BORRACHOS with our special guest Taco Reviewers THE WEATHERFORD BROTHERS (STEVE & MIKE!) It's Chiefs Super Bowl Week so we're finding out Steve & Mike's Big Game Party Plans! (Any game day rituals? And what's your go to Super Bowl Snack? Did someone say HUMAN SIZED TACO?) We even give our predictions for the BIG GAME! The Weatherford's also give us an update on the musical they are writing, TACO CITY, which now seems to be in a holding pattern for many reasons! We also talk about The Nelson Snow Butt, Would Travis & Taylor be interested in investing in an Animatronic Puppet company and What does Taylor Swift buy at Trader Joe's? Steve tells us about Elton John's Cousin...BELTON JOHN and would Milli Vanilli perform again with a Vanilli hologram? And Steve sings us a Taco blues song from the Musical!! In the TACO TICKER, we discuss the recent TACO BELL Live Más Experience Event at the Palladium in LA where they announce the latest in Taco Bell Innovations! (Why wasn't Dave invited to this?!) And we also chat about Taco Bell's latest creation: Cheesy Dipping B-Words! ALL THIS AND: We learn about the Other Taco Via in Topeka! Does Buc-ee's have Tacos? What do you get if you stuff a b-word into a taco? AND DON'T MISS AS WE REMINISCE ABOUT MIKE'S OLD BAND FROM 8th GRADE 'FLAVOR KISS'!! (We also take a twirl on the Taco Wheel as well!) DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND TAKE A LISTEN TO THIS SPECIAL TACO THE TOWN GEM! DON'T LET BELTON JOHN DOWN! Sponsors: Rancho Grande Cantina, KCK TACO TRAIL & VISIT KCK, Lost, Found & Rewound Podcast. Music by Suneaters courtesy of Lotuspool Records. 

Episode 211: K-TACOS & MORE! On Location! (w/ Nancy Le)

It's our first episode of 2025 and we're hitting a new taco spot up in Historic Downtown Parkville, Missouri....K-TACOS & MORE with our special guest Taco Reviewer NANCY LE from @EatswithNancy on Instagram! We chat about where Nancy ate KC RESTAURANT WEEK and what some of her favorite Northland Taco Spots are! We also get to the bottom of Nancy's foodie travels and find out the best place to get a Coney Dog in Tulsa! In the TACO TICKER, we taco 'bout the break-ins back in December at two of our favorite KC Taco spots and what the city can do about it. We also discuss the Guy Fieri Look-a-Like Contest happening at Guy's Dive at the P&L for his birthday (You win a signed cookbook!) and Dave also reveals that he tried the new TACO BELL CHICKEN NUGGETS! What did he think of them? Ya gotta listen to find out! ALL THIS AND: We Taste test the tasty tacos at K-TACOS, Take a Twirl on the Taco Wheel and get into some juicy TACO TOPICS!! HAPPY NEW TACO YEAR FROM TACO THE TOWN!! Music: Suneaters courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: KCK TACO TRAIL & VISIT KCK. Lost, Found & Rewound Podcast. 

Episode 210: AN OZARK MOUNTAIN TACO CHRISTMAS! On Location in Branson! (w/ Conrad & Tiffany Bear)

We're heading south for this year's Christmas Episode...down to the Ozarks...to the CHRISTMAS TREE CAPITAL OF AMERICA...BRANSON, MISSOURI to have a good ole fashioned Ozark Mountain Taco Christmas!!! Our special guests this week are Actors/Performers  CONRAD AND TIFFANY BEAR, who appeared in the Hallmark Christmas Film "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story" and who also grace the Branson stage at the Sight & Sound Theatre! Conrad & Tiffany introduce us to the tasty tacos at their favorite Branson Taco spot MEZCAL and also tell us about the Christmas show they are currently performing in and they also give us their BRANSON TOP 5 THINGS TO SEE AND DO!! Dave also flashes back to the last time he was in Branson (1984!!) and ponders the GINAT CHICKEN at Senor Cluck's on the Branson Strip! In the Taco Ticker, we cover the story of CHIPOTLE warning us that a price hike is coming in 2025 & we also Taco 'bout TACO BELL's Retro 'Decades' Menu! We also get I to the holiday spirit by tackling some TINSEL TOPICS!!! (Who has the best Egg Nogg in Branson?!) We also take a twirl on the TACO WHEEL!!! IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TACO TIME OF THE YEAR!!! IN KC...AND BRANSON!!! MUSIC: Suneaters courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: KCK Taco Trail & Visit KCK. Lost & Found & Rewound Podcast. 

Episode 209: ACOSTA'S TAQUERIA! On the KC WHEEL! (w/ Annie Dauzat & David Cross)

We're always making KC Taco History here on TACO THE TOWN and this episode is no different as we become the FIRST HUMANS TO EAT TACOS ON THE KC WHEEL!! That's right! Dave and his special guests Dancers/Performers/Engaged Couple ANNIE DAUZAT & DAVID CROSS eat some tasty tacos from ACOSTA'S TAQUERIA (a new spot on Southwest Boulevard) on board the KC (Ferris) WHEEL which is celebrating 1 Year spinning over the KC Skyline this December! Annie & David tell us about working & living (and dancing) on a cruise ship for the last year and a half and we find out what the taco scene is like on the high seas! We also find out what some of their favorite ports were and learn about the top spot to get tacos in Juneau, Alaska and Mexico! In the TACO TICKER we taco 'bout the restaurant chain CHI-CHI'S that is planning a comeback in 2025 after a 20 Year hiatus and chat about Taco Bell's plan to install certain drive thrus with Photo Booths for an upcoming Super Bowl Commercial! Will they be coming to your city? ALSO: TACO DRONES! CILANTRO HOES! Ferris Wheel FUN FACTS! And Daves's B-Boy Past! ALSO: If there is pineapple on a Mexican Hamburger should there be a written warning? TACO THE TOWN! High Above Downtown KC!! Overlooking the Golden Taco Road of Southwest Boulevard on the KC WHEEL!! Like our forefathers intended!! MUSIC: Suneaters Courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: KCK TACO TRAIL/VISIT KCK. Lost & Found & Rewound Podcast.   

Episode 208: TAKO TAKO! On Location! (w/ TART PARTY's Kate Haugan & Christina Schafer & Ricky Torres from Tako Tako)

T3 is back at it checking out another new taco spot in the city of taco fountains! This week Dave and his guests KATE HAUGAN & CHRISTINA SCHAFER from the TART PARTY Podcast enjoy the tasty tacos at TAKO TAKO, a new Sonoran Taco spot on State Line!! Kate & Christina tell us all about their KC Food-centric podcast and even give us the inside scoop on some of their most recent favorite Kansas City Restaurants & Meals! Kate gives us the skinny on her recent Head Massage & Accidental Boob Massage while Christina tells us her Taco Origin Story (Growing up in California, then moving to the Taco Desert of Massachusetts but then making her way to Kansas to have a first date at Jalapeños in Stanley!) ALSO: We celebrate Kate's 10th Appearance on the Show and take her down a taco memory lane of her past appearances! And she is gifted a special hat!! AND: RICKY TORRES from TAKO TAKO sits down with the gang and gives us the 411 on Tako Tako's origins and delicious menu! (Sonoran Dogs Coming soon!) In the TACO TICKER we taco 'bout the Jalapeños Mexican Grill Mystery in Downtown KC, The New Olathe Tiki Taco, the TACO CABANA Chain looking to move into the KC market, Abelardo's expanding its KC locations AND we take a Look at The Pitch's BEST OF KC 2024 Issue! What did the readers get wrong and right when it comes to the KC Taco Scene? ALL THIS AND: Kate tries the 'If You Know You Know Hot Sauce!' We ask: "What is your Level of comfort with Robot Ordering Screens at Restaurants?" Christina tells us the proper way to say RAGAZZA!! KATE FACES THE TACO GAUNTLET!!! And what are TART PARTY'S THANKSGIVING PLANS?! TACO THE TOWN AT TAKO TAKO!!! Much like a Tiny Taco Waterfall, the smell is not easy to shake!!! Music by SUNEATERS courtesy of Lotuspool Records. SPONSORS: KCK TACO TRAIL/VISIT KCK. Lost & Found & Rewound Podcast. 

Episode 207: BARBACOA! On Location! (w/ Jason Nivens & Shelbi Neel)

Happy Tacovember, Taco The Towners!! We've got another amazing new tacotastic Taco Spot for you this week and this one's FANCY! Winner of The Pitch's Best New Restaurant of 2023...it's BARBACOA, a KC BBQ/Mexican Cuisine Mashup! And this week's special guest Taco Reviewers tell us what they think of this hot new KC Taco Spot: JASON NIVENS from the Jason Nivens' Kansas City Podcast and years on KC Rock Radio & back for her 3rd Time on the show SHELBI NEEL (Insurance Agent @bestinkansascity, Actress, Friend of Stray Cats, & Superfan of Barbacoa!) In this week's episode we delve into some deep rock concert/rock musician talk and even dip into KC's dark past (Annie Chambers Brothel Chat, anyone?) Nivens tells us where to get some tasty turkey tacos on Southwest Boulevard, Shelbi tells us about her unhealthy obsession with Jack White, KC Concert Etiquette and we discuss the best venues to see a show in the town of tacos! In the TACO TICKER we taco 'bout LOS CABOS in Independence going out of business & 8 Area Applebee's Restaurants surprisingly closing their doors! AND did the now bankrupt T.G.I. Friday's really start as a pick up joint with Potato Skins? Is this an end of an era?! ALL THIS AND: Barbacoa Chef Roman Raya swings by! MICRO CILANTRO! The Chesterfield Club! And Nivens remembers a Late Night Del Taco meal in St. Louis!! AND DON'T MISS US TAKING A TWIRL ON THE TACO WHEEL!!! TACO THE TOWN AT BARBACOA!!! Almost as Good as a Historic Re-enactment of the Battle of Westport using Tacos instead of bayonets!!! MUSIC: Suneaters Courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: KCK Taco Trail/Visit KCK. Lost, Found & Rewound Podcast. 

Episode 206: CONCHITA TACOS & KON TIKI! On Location! (w/ Paige Crosswhite)

T3 is celebrating TacoWeen by hitting one of the newest Taco (and Tiki) Spots in the Crossroads...CONCHITA TACOS & KON TIKI!!! Two of Dave's Favorite things! TACOS N' TIKI! What a Combo! Dave is joined by special guest Tiki Critic/Painter/Art Teacher/World Traveler PAIGE CROSSWHITE! We cover a wide range of topics in this episode such as: A list of KC's Haunted Halloween Pop Ups! Paige tells us what makes a Tiki Bar a LEGIT Tiki bar and shares a whole lotta Tiki Fun Facts! As we sip on some Tiki Drinks, Paige tells us about her recent trip to Italy and reveals the worst taco she ever had! Dave & Paige reminisce about KC Tiki Bar of the past Tiki Cat (Who got to keep the Creature from the Black Lagoon?) and Paige reveals her favorite all time Tiki Bar and Tiki Drink! In the TACO TICKER we taco 'bout the Mad Scientists that are injecting Mice with Dorito Dust making them INVISIBLE! Are humans next?! We also chat about the New York Taco Bell customers that are enraged with the price increases on their Cheesy Gordita Crunches! When will the madness stop? (Is the Luxe Cravings Box a better deal?) ALL THIS AND: Dave remembers a bad rum experience in Negril! What's it like eating a pizza in the land of its birth? Do Hot Pockets not have pockets anymore? ALSO: We land on NOT TACOS on the TACO WHEEL! What topic will we discuss? And will it be Kansas City's MOST HAUNTED PLACES?!! It just might be!! JOIN US IF YOU DARE!!! FOR SOME TASTY TACOS AND TERRIFYING TIKI DRINKS!! ALL ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF TACO THE TOWN! Music: Suneaters courtesy of Lotuspool Records. SPONSORS: Bad Movies/Worse Opinions Podcast, KCK TACO TRAIL/VISIT KCK & Lost, Found & Rewound Podcast. 

Episode 205: CAMPESINO vs LOS GALLITOS! TACO THROWDOWN SHOWDOWN! (w/ Carrington Harrison)

To celebrate 7 Years of Taco-ing The Town, we've got another Epic TACO THROWDOWN SHOWDOWN episode for you this week on T3! That's where we pit two Taco spots against each other in a titanic taco tussle to determine who has the tastiest tacos! And this time we've got two of the Newer Mission, Kansas Taco Spots going up against each other... CAMPESINO vs LOS GALLITOS!! It's the Gigantic Jostle on Johnson Drive!!! Joining Dave to taste test the tasty tacos is a man with some strong food opinions: CARRINGTON HARRISON (BAD MOVIES, WORSE OPINIONS Podcast & The Drive on 96.5 The Fan!) Dave chats with Carrington about his BAD MOVIES, WORSE OPINIONS Podcast (What are some of our favorite Bad Movies?) and Carrington gives us his opinions on In-n-Out, Chili, Whataburger and where to find the best chicken wings in town! In the TACO TICKER, we taco 'bout Taco Bell bringing back the Double Decker Taco! (But for how long?) And what is this new NOSTALGIA MENU T- Bell says is on the horizon? ALL THIS AND: Carrington tells us how Home Alone 2 and a Double Decker Taco led him to radio! Bad Dates at the Peanut! Dave remembers the time he lost his keys bumping and grinding in the Lucky Brewgrille basement! PLUS: The T3 'Sports' Corner!! Tortilla Ranch in Mission: CLOSED! And Does T-Pain have a taco song?! WHO WILL WIN THIS TACO THROWDOWN SHOWDOWN?!! Ya gotta listen to find out!!! Music by SUNEATERS. Sponsors: VISIT KCK, KCK TACO TRAIL, BAD MOVIES, WORSE OPINIONS Podcast, LOST FOUND & REWOUND Podcast.