Smorgasburg LA | Rob Gokee

Episode: Macheen

February 21, 2019

Have you ever had tortillas infused with the flavors of the taco? Jonathan Perez of Macheen talks about how his time at culinary school shaped the tacos he makes every weekend at Smorgasburg LA on this week’s episode.

“To this day, I thank my mom. I feel like my mom is one of the big influences, why I decided to go towards a culinary route. I approached her and told her, ‘Hey, I don’t know what I want to do next, after high school and stuff.’ She’s like, At least get some kind of degree. Do something. I don’t want you to be here at home[….] Be better than us.’“ –Jonathan Perez on his mother’s influence

Listen to the episode:

[spreaker type=player resource="episode_id=17079407" theme="light" autoplay="false" playlist="false" width="100%" height="200px"]

Macheen is located at:

Smorgasburg LA

Episode: Pablito’s Tacos

February 12, 2019

Beef Heart. Who knew it was the most eaten street food in Peru? Danny Rodriguez of Pablito’s Tacos does, and he’s serving it up in Burbank, California. We sat down with Danny to talk about how he combines Tijuana and Peruvian styles together to make some of the best tacos in the Valley, from a taco stand in front of his Peruvian restaurant, Pablito’s Kitchen.

“Having that little bit of integration of people who are coming here to the restaurant who may get a couple of tacos. Or the other way, which has happened more often. You know the taco thing went kind of viral. So many people are coming for the tacos who didn’t know about [Pablito’s Kitchen].“ –Danny Rodriguez

Listen to the episode:

[spreaker type=player resource="episode_id=16941263" theme="light" autoplay="false" playlist="false" width="100%" height="200px"]

Pablito’s Tacos is located at:

3803 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

Episode: Habanero Cartel – Kill Sauce

January 29, 2019

The Habanero Cartel. In a time & place when peppers are the world’s currency, one man is brave enough to make a sauce to rule them all – Kill Sauce. This week, we sit down with Ryan Demirjian and talk hot sauce – why he created them (using all natural ingredients) and why he founded the Habanero Cartel!

“I started to create this world behind the product in my head. Thinking of it from a cinematic perspective. It turned in to this other world, like a dystopian future or past, it doesn’t matter which. Where peppers are essentially – because I use fresh peppers and focus on the flavor. Seeing a box of peppers I started to feel like – what if this box of peppers is currency?“ –Ryan on the origin of the name behind Kill Sauce

Listen to the episode:

[spreaker type=player resource="episode_id=16852449" theme="light" autoplay="false" playlist="false" width="100%" height="200px"]

Kill Sauce is located at:

Smorgasburg LA or www.killsauce.com

Episode: Mid East Tacos

January 15, 2019

We’re back at Smorgasburg LA! This time, we’re talking to Armen Martirosyan of Mid East Tacos about his amazing flavors, how a burrito launched his famed taqueria, and how Instagram plays a role in his success.

“I make my salsas raw the night before. Have it sit overnight so it can kind of blend well together. And then top it off with tomatoes, Thai basil, cilantro, a little bit of parsley, jalapeños, and a special ingredient that I can’t tell you about, that takes it to the next level.“ –Armen Martirosyan

Rob Gokee
The Mid East Tacos crew at Smorgasburg LA
Mid East Tacos
Armen of Mid East Tacos

Listen to the episode:

[spreaker type=player resource="episode_id=16697410" theme="light" autoplay="false" playlist="false" width="100%" height="200px"]

Episode: Burritos La Palma

November 15, 2018

It’s a burrito episode! We talk with Alberto & Lauren Bañuelos of Burritos La Palma about the their hand-made flour tortillas & delicious guisados. Jonathan Gold named them one of his Top Five Burritos, and we agree!

“The flour tortilla is made with vegetable shortening. That’s a big difference between others. We add some butter so the end product is a little on the flakey side, stretchy. Not gooey and not too chewy. And we realize that with the heat of the guisado it just becomes a super super product.” -Alberto Bañuelos

Burritos La Palma is located at

5120 N Peck Road, El Monte CA 91732

410 N. Bristol, Santa Ana CA 92703

3939 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles 90037

and at SmorgasburgLA every Sunday at

787 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Listen to the episode:

[spreaker type=player resource="episode_id=15686648" theme="light" autoplay="false" playlist="false" width="100%" height="200px"]

Episode: Little Llama Tacos

October 25, 2018

Lima, Peru. That’s where the flavors of Little Llama Peruvian Tacos comes from. This week, we’re at Smorgasburg LA to find out what makes Little Llama’s tacos so irresistible, and the history behind the thriving stand.

Customers sometimes say, “But there aren’t tacos in Peru.”

Angela: “Well, right. So, what Jean’s idea was to take the classic Peruvian dishes and put them in a taco format so that people are less intimidated to try it.”

Listen to the episode:

[spreaker type=player resource="episode_id=15969559" theme="light" autoplay="false" playlist="false" cover="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/images.spreaker.com/original/a2d0a8c2dc2d111b3675f731a04c4234.jpg" width="100%" height="400px"]

smorgasburg-la

Episode: Macheen

Macheen is located at:

Episode: Pablito’s Tacos

Pablito’s Tacos is located at:

Episode: Habanero Cartel – Kill Sauce

Kill Sauce is located at:

Episode: Mid East Tacos

Episode: Burritos La Palma

Episode: Little Llama Tacos