Taco the Town

Episode 165: Jalapeno Tacos KC (w/ KC Funk Legend BUMP FUNK, Robert Kelly, Jeremy Scott & Chris ’Lost’)

This week we're honored to be joined by special guest BUMP FUNK, KC Funk & Soul Legend! Bump and Lotuspool Records just released his long awaited album 'Our Music' by The Bump Band which was recorded in 1983 and thought to be lost forever! Also joining us this week is Bump Band vocalist and bass player ROBERT KELLY, Bump's Son JEREMY SCOTT (who helped rediscover his Dad's music) and Lotuspool Records Head Honcho CHRIS 'LOST' (also from the Lost & Found & Rewound Podcast!) We review the tasty tacos from JALAPENO TACOS KC in the NORTHLAND! In this episode Bump and the crew tell the story of how the album OUR MUSIC was found and brought to Lotuspool Records for release and Bump and Robert tell us about the early days performing KC Funk! Bump also described his famous stage attire (futuristic arctic caveman diaper?) and we do a run down of some of the tracks on the OUR MUSIC album! In the Taco Ticker we taco 'bout a man who started a weight loss journey when Taco Bell took the Grilled Stuffed Nacho off the menu! And we also get into the Florida Bride and her caterer who were arrested for lacing their Wedding Lasagna with Marijuana! And don't miss Bump telling us about the time a young Bump accidentally stumbled upon The Beatles concert at Memorial Stadium in the '60's! In Town of The Taco we tackle The Best Italian Spot in KC, The Casinos and 18th & Vine! Also Don't Miss: Bump tells us about a bad taco experience he had in Tijuana! Chris Lost wants Dave to nominate him for the Buck O' Neil Seat at a Royals game! And Jeremy, Chris and Bump tell us about their bowling league! In Random Taco Question of The Week we touch on: Best Nachos in KC! What's the furthest you've traveled for tacos? Have you ever been in a fight over food? And do you have a song that you're embarrassed is on your listening device? TACO THE TOWN WITH THE BUMP BAND!! THE PERFECT ELIXIR FOR THOSE WHO WANT A TASTE OF FUNK WITH THEIR TACOS! Editor: Matt Allen. Music: SUNEATERS and BUMP BAND courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsored by: SPANISH GARDENS TACO SAUCE. KCK Taco Trail. OUR MUSIC by the Bump Band. 

Episode 164: Third Street Social! ON LOCATION! (w/ Natalie Fieleke, Hannah Williams and Po Wang)

We're back on the South Plaza this week checking out the tasty tacos at THIRD STREET SOCIAL with special Taco Reviewer Guests NATALIE FIELEKE (Snack & Style Aficionado) and Savor & Swirl Co-owner HANNAH WILLIAMS! Natalie tells us about her days working at Taco Bell as a teen! (What secrets did she learn? Did she get to use the meat hose?) Hannah remembers her weird childhood Taco Bell order! (Sour Cream and Black Olive Taco?) Natalie fills us in on her recent trip to Mexico and DAVE WANTS TO PAINT A NEW TACO MURAL! WHO WANTS TO HIRE HIM? Also: Ketchup in Taco meat? Yay or Nay? In the Taco Ticker we taco 'bout Dolly Parton and Doja Cat releasing the parody musical "Mexican Pizza: The Musical" on Tik Tok to celebrate Taco Bell bringing back the Mexican Pizza! And we tell the tale of the Couple who found a bag of 1950's McDonalds good in the walls of their home while doing a renovation! Were the fries still crispy? What other fast food relics are out there waiting to be found?! Did Tom Pendergast leave a half eaten box of chicken in the walls of the building we are recording in?! In Town of The Taco we ask 'What's Your New KC Slogan'? And who is your favorite KC Historical Figure? Our guests sip on some delicious Spicy Margs as we chat with PO WANG the culinary director at Third Street who introduced us to his tasty tacos (and Burger)! That's right, we review our First Burger on T3 as we go HAM on the Animal BURGER! Dave eats a Taco that reminds him of a taco he ate in a past life centuries ago! And Dave also reveals what he thought of his first visit to Whataburger! In Random Taco Question of the Week we ask: If Tacos weren't called tacos what would you name them? And What would you fill your personal pinata with? TACO THE TOWN AT THIRD STREET SOCIAL! LIKE A PINATA FILLED WITH GUACAMOLE, THIS ONE IS CHOCK FULL OF GOODNESS! (Just don't hit us or green stuff with start spewing out.) Editor: MATT ALLEN. Music: SUNEATERS courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: Our Music by The Bump Band. KCK Taco Trail. 

Episode 163: PORT FONDA! ON LOCATION! (w/ Alena Lee, Bill Hurrelbrink, Nick Leckey, Becca Stout and Dave’s MOM!)

It's a big week on T3!! It's Cinco De Mayo Week and Mother's Day Week so Dave kicks off the episode by interviewing his MOM, the woman who started Dave on his Taco Journey! She even answers some TACO TOPICS questions! Then Dave and his guests, KCTV 5's ALENA LEE & BILL HURRELBRINK and Super Bowl Champ & NFL Vet NICK LECKEY, belly up to the bar at Westport's PORT FONDA and taste test the tasty tacos and salsas and preview their Cinco De Mayo Street Party!! Alena helps us figure out what exactly MUD RAIN is, we check in with Bill on how KCK Taco Tourism is going and Nick re-tells his Coyote Carcass/Taco Bell Drive Thru Story! (Alena also shares her own weird late night Drive Thru shenanigans!) We also celebrate the NFL DRAFT this episode by conducting our First TACO THE TOWN MEAL DRAFT, where we draft different Taco The Town Food types to see who creates the tastiest and toughest meal!! Nick shares memories of the day he was drafted and we ask Alena if she thinks the NFL will catch on in her hometown of Las Vegas? Bill ponders what legendary K-State coach Bill Snyder's Taco Bell order would be and Nick gives us the scoop on one of his favorite new  secret Taco spots in KC! Also: We are introduced to the SALSA CLOCK and Amazing Taco varieties by BECCA STOUT!!! In the TACO TICKER we taco 'bout the Kindergartners who accidentally drank tequila during snack time! And the USFL Player who was cut from his team when he ordered pizza over chicken salad! In TOWN OF THE TACO we touch upon our favorite Pizza places in town, favorite Hole-In-The-Walls and Things KC Gets a Bad Rap About! ALL THIS AND: What are your Cinco De Mayo plans? Great Hangover Songs! Dave meets a Cauliflower Taco that confuses his taco senses! Will there be a Taco Bell Cantina vs. Port Fonda rivalry in Westport? Did Mini Chimis go too early in the draft?! It's our CINCO DE MAYO Preview on TACO THE TOWN!! THIS IS THE TIME ON SPROCKETS WHEN WE DANCE!! Editor: MATT ALLEN. Music: SUNEATERS courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: KCK TACO TRAIL & OUR MUSIC BY THE BUMP BAND. 

Episode 162: Jose Peppers vs. Mi Ranchito! TACO THROWDOWN SHOWDOWN # 2! (w/ Steve & Mike Weatherford)

It's way past time we had another Titanic Taco Tussle!! That's right! It's time for another TACO CHAIN THROWDOWN SHOWDOWN!!! This is where T3 pits two taco chains (this time two local taco chains) against each other to determine who has the tastiest tacos! This time it's the two KC titans with multiple locations....JOSE PEPPERS VS. MI RANCHITO!! We're putting their tacos, espinaca and chips n' salsa to the ultimate taco cage match! To help us get to the bottom of these tacos we are joined by our special guest Taco Reviewers THE WEATHERFORD BROTHERS, STEVE & MIKE! They help Dave figure out if Jose Pepper was a real man and Steve updates us on his Richard Marx Cover band EX MARKS THE SPOT! Steve and Mike also unveil and perform some tracks from their new musical 'TACO CITY: THE MUSICAL', which maybe loosely based on the life of T3 Host Dave! (But they deny it.) In the TACO TICKER, the gang taco 'bout Taco Bell's MEXICAN PIZZA coming back on May 19th and the also try to figure out what Phil Collins's hit song 'IN THE AIR TONIGHT' has to do with the Mexican Pizza's Return! They also cover Taco Tattoos and the Denver Taco festival that will give you free tickets if you have one! They run down a list of Taco Tattoos they wish they had and chat about tacos being their own perfect Food Pyramid! In TOWN OF THE TACO they cover KC Restaurants and Food Trucks as well as 'What's on your KC Postcard?' The throwdown goes down and the tacos are NECK & NECK! Don't miss the shocking results!!! It's too close to call!! What taco do the boys gush about for minutes on end and will it determine the final champion?!! ALL THIS AND: Would you trade your children for a taco?!! What Hollywood Actors would star in Taco: The Movie?! And: Worst & Best Laughs!!! IT'S ALL ON THE LINE ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF T3!! TACO CHAIN THROWDOWN SHOWDOWN EDITION!!! Editor: Matt Allen. Music: SUNEATERS courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: Una Familia Tequila. KCK Taco Trail. Our Music by The Bump Band. 

Episode 161: RED BRIDGE BARRIO! ON LOCATION! (w/ Marisa ’Madame’ MacKay & Jenny Pierce w/ the KC Burlesque Festival)

KC has a rich taco history but it also has a rich Burlesque history so this week we're combining them both as we taste test the tasty tacos at the RED BRIDGE BARRIO (BARRIO KC) with KC Burlesque Performers MARISA "MADAME" MACKAY and JENNY PIERCE! Marisa and Jenny help us preview the upcoming 10th Annual KC Burlesque Festival on MAY 7th at the Historic Folly Theatre (Get your tickets today!!) and Dave is offered the chance to be a judge at the show! Will he accept?! Jenny tells us about growing up in the Non-Taco-Centric city of Lexington, Kentucky and Dave and Marisa remember the KC Taco scene of the 1980's! (Why are hipsters always eating spaghetti?) Marisa shared some stories about the Folly Theatre's historic past and tells us why she thinks it is haunted AF! We play some TACO GAMES and taste test the taco-rrific Fried Avacado, Carne Asada and Birria Tacos at the Barrio! All this and Jenny shared some weird stories from her days as a Flight Attendant! In the TACO TICKER we discuss LIQUID LASAGNA and which Missouri City is healthier: KC or St. Louis? In TOWN OF THE TACO we ask: What's the Best Concert you ever attended in KC? And Best Thing/Worst Thing about KC! Also Don't Miss: Who has the best churros in town? Unpopular Taco Opinions! And in Random Taco Questions of The Week we ponder: Do Tacos make a good First Date Meal? And Jenny answers the GREAT ELEVATOR TACO CONUNDRUM! TACOS AND BURLESQUE!!! MYSTICALLY ENTERTWINED AND GONNA STAY THAT WAY!!! THIS WEEK ON T3! Editor: MATT ALLEN. Music: Suneaters courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: KCK Taco Trail & OUR MUSIC by the Bump Band. 

Episode 160: FAJITA PETE’S! (w/ Mariah Kelli & Eliza Williams)

This week we step into the Fajita-verse to review the tasty Fajitas and Tacos at FAJITA PETE'S in Overland Park with special guests Mariah Kelli and Eliza Williams (KC Fashion Models, Fashion Honors Autism)! Mariah tells us about how she has recently abandoned tacos for quesadillas (WTF?) and Eliza gets shook when we tell her about the Pancho's/Rancho's name change! Our guests also tell us about their High School years flirting with a handsome Taco Bell employee that worked the drive thru window which might have also led to their love of Taco Bell! We get into some SIZZLIN' FAJITA CHAT (Did you ever go through a Fajita phase? What are the traits of a Fajita Guy/Girl? Are Fajita people all Geminis?) We also crack open some Fajita History or Faj-history and learn about the origin of Fajitas! In the Taco Ticker we taco 'bout the Taco Bell Nacho Fries shortage, get into some deep French Fry talk (Mariah has some serious thoughts on Fries!) and we also discuss Chipotle using influencers to promote their new Pollo Asado menu item! In Town of The Taco we answer the questions KC NEEDS A (FILL IN THE BLANK) and What's the Worst Idea KC Ever Had! All this and: Dave eats Bean Dip! We try not to celebrate National Burrito Day! Does Fajita Pete's deliver on little red scooters or not? Eliza puts our Burrito censor to work! CAT HAIR TACOS! A REAL TACO NO NO! And in Random Taco Question of the week we ask: 'Whats the Longest You've Ever Gone without eating a Taco?' and 'Whatcha Watchin'?' Hop on your Red Scooter and enter the Fajita-verse of Madness this week on T3!! Editor: MATT ALLEN. Music: SUNEATERS courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: KCK Taco Trail & 'Our Music' by the Bump Band. 

Episode 159: WALKING TACOS at UP DOWN! ON LOCATION! (w/ Jason Ramos & Nick Fuston)

On this week's episode we finally unwrap (or should that be unbag?) the enigma that is the WALKING TACO down at UP DOWN in the Crossroads with guests JASON RAMOS and NICK FUSTON from Up Down and the It's A S I.N. Podcast! Jason and Nick tell us about their podcast and what it's like working at Up Down! Dave and his guests share some Arcade/Video Game stories from their past and Jason tells us about holding the Taco Eating Record at The Easy Inn (32 Tacos!!) We get down the the nitty gritty on Walking Taco history and finally determine if a Walking Taco is a taco or just taco adjacent! We also consider some other names that a Walking Taco could be called! (Taco Salad Bag? Taco Satchel? The No Tortilla Taco?) In the Taco Ticker we taco 'bout TikTok TV Coming Soon to Fast Food Restaurants and Medical Offices! We touch upon the avocado shortage and avocado inflation and also talk about the Communist Leader from Vietnam who ate a Gold-Flecked Steak from Salt Bae's restaurant in London! In Town of The Taco we cover 1.) "I always wondered this about KC!" and 2. Favorite spots in The Northland! In random Taco Question of the Week we ask: Would you eat a $60 Taco? And will our future be filled with Virtual Tacos or is it already? All this and: What's the best club sandwich in KC? A very violent answer to 'Would you ever turn down a taco?' NFT Tacos!! AND THE ULTIMATE QUESTION: WHERE ARE WALKING TACOS WALKING TO?! Taco The Town!! Extra Sour Cream Please!!! Editor: Matt Allen. Music: Suneaters courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsors: KCK Taco Trail, Una Familia Tequila and "Our Music" by The Bump Band from Lotuspool Records. 

Episode 158: TACO BELL CANTINA! ON LOCATION! (w/ Liz Cook)

It's Spring Break in KC!! Why not head down to the newest Cantina in town...the TACO BELL CANTINA! We're joined by Special Guest Taco Reviewer Restaurant Critic LIZ COOK (Haterade, The Pitch, Defector, Midwesterner) who does a quick re-cap of some her most recent and infamous food articles (Rodent Repelling Automotive Tape, Malort Parties, Hot Beef Sundaes, Loose Meat Sandwiches, Chicken Drink and Make-At-Home Edible Cheese Covered Packing Peanuts!) She also tells us about growing up in Iowa in a Taco-centric Town and tells us why everyone should be eating more Taco Pizza! It's our first time at the Taco Bell Cantina so we partake of the Liquor Infused Baja Blast Freezes and Liz tells us about some of her other favorite spots in Westport past and present! In the Taco Ticker we cover some of the latest Taco Bell news such as: Taco Bell cancelling plans to add Beyond Meat to the Menu, Taco Bell bringing back Choco Tacos after a 7 year absence (but only in LA & Milwaukee) and we get into the Cheesy Gordita Crime story of the week where Police shut down a Georgia Courthouse after finding some mysterious Taco Bell Cravings boxes on the courthouse steps! WHAT'S IN THE BOX?! In TOWN OF THE TACO, Liz tells us what her favorite store/shop In KC is as well as some of her favorite taco spots she reviewed last summer! We also get into the Pancho's/Rancho's name change! (Will Liz be writing an in depth dep dive about that next? Ya never know!) ALL THIS AND: Dave breaks out a new impression, Liz tells us what the best brand of store bought Tater Tots are, we get deep into some Nacho Cheese Chalupas and Cheesy Gordita Doritos Locos Tacos! In Random Taco Question of the Week we ask: Who has the Best Chips n' Salsa in KC? TACO BELL CANTINA IN WESTPORT! Truly the Next Evolution of T. Bell or as Liz so eloquently states: "(Taco Bell Cantina is) the Live Mas Ethos made manifest in glorious Technicolor and Neon!" EDITOR: MATT ALLEN. MUSIC: SUNEATERS Courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsor: KCK Taco Trail. 

Episode 157: TACO-HOLICS CLUB! On Location! (w/ Paige Fickbohm & Sydnee Owens from Actually Actualized)

If a taco lover was to be a member of any club there might not be a better club than the TACO-HOLICS CLUB in Downtown Lee's Summit, MO! And that's where the show is this week with our special guest taco reviewers PAIGE FICKBOHM & SYDNEE OWENS from the ACTUALLY ACTUALIZED Podcast, a local KC podcast that helps it's listeners live a healthier and more productive life! Paige & Sydnee give Dave a little advice to help him Actually Actualize his Taco Easting Journey and to reach his full taco potential! Our guests also give tips on how to block time on your schedule to eat more tacos, solidify your morning breakfast taco routine & introduce us to a Taco High Five! (Will High Fives and Low Fives ever come back?) Paige tells us about being a Taco Bell Party Pack Girl from way back and Sydnee tells us about growing up in Lee's Summit and eating at that one place on the highway with the plane crashed into the side of it! Since we are at TACO-HOLICS CLUB, we run down a list of the different types of Taco-holics and find out what type our guests might be! (Happy, Sloppy, Sentimental, Infantile, Touchy Feely, Violent, Naked, Broken Down or Blackout!) ALSO: Have you ever whispered to your tacos? If so, what did you say? AND: Cold Left out tacos? Yay or Nay? In the TACO TICKER we discuss the new Taco Bell Cantina opening up in Westport and we taste test some of the new Brach's Late Nite Taco Truck Jelly Beans! Just in time for Easter!! In Town of the Taco we taco 'bout First Friday and the Crossroads and ask "What's the best place in town to bring Out-of-Town Guests?" We also wonder if you can purchase an insulated/heated fanny pack for keeping your tacos warm? ALL THIS AND: Sydnee reveals her hatred for BEANS!! In Random Taco Question of the Week we wanna know WHAT WOULD YOU PUT INSIDE YOUR PINATA? AND WHAT'S THE LONGEST YOU'VE EVER GONE WITHOUT EATING A TACO? Taco The Town at Taco-holics Club!! No Jacket Required!! Music by SUNEATERS courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsored by KCK Taco Trail. 

Episode 156: QUIKTRIP TACOS! (w/ Kevin & Danny Ritz from the State Your Line Podcast)

We love a good gas station here in the midwest (OPE!) and we are blessed to have one of the best in abundance here in KC...QUIKTRIP!! QT has always been a great place for taquitos but now they have TACOS so we gotta put them to the test with our special guests KEVIN & DANNY RITZ from the STATE YOUR LINE Podcast! Kevin & Danny talk about being members of the Lopez Family, the First Family of KC Tacos! They also taco 'bout growing up eating their Grandpa Manny's Tacos and working at Manny's in their youth! (Is there a magical taco portal in the Manny's Restaurant basement?) We also get into some FAJITA CHAT! Are the State Your Line Guys really Fajita Guys? Dave tells us some QuickTrip History and Fun Facts as the gang share their favorite QT Memories! In the TACO TICKER, we discuss the new Chipotle Restaurant design where Chipotle doesn't want you to eat inside!! We also get into NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY on 2/22/22! Will you be celebrating? And we also talk a bit about Taco Via on 95th Streets Staffing Issues leading to cutting store hours. In RANDOM TACO QUESTION OF THE WEEK We ask the brothers what toppings should never go on a taco! KETCHUP?!! MAYO??! PEANUT BUTTER?! TACO THE TOWN! NEVER NOT EATING ALL THE TACOS IN THE TOWN!! AIN'T THAT RIGHT, LAMAR? WOOF!!! Editor: Matt Allen. Music: SUNEATERS courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Sponsor: KCK Taco Trail.