First Person
Wilson Tang, the owner of Nom Wah Tea Parlor in Manhattan’s Chinatown, isn’t letting fear stop him from supporting his neighborhood.
Wilson Tang, as told to Elyse Inamine
In the kitchen, I teach my kids how to be Mexican and proud.
Manuel Gonzales
You probably know him as Machete, or the uncle in Spy Kids, or that guy who gets his head stuck onto a tortoise in Breaking Bad—but it’s tacos that taught this actor turned entrepreneur some of his most important life lessons.
Danny Trejo, as told to Hilary Cadigan
Sometimes, your salve becomes your kryptonite.
Katie Gutierrez
Growing up in the South, I struggled to locate my Mexican roots. Then, Mexico came to me.
Jennifer Zyman
Is a love story even a love story if it doesn’t feature tacos?
Ada Limón
For actor and comedian Margaret Cho, fusion is the finest form of flattery.
Margaret Cho, as told to Sasha Levine
Through life’s greatest, worst, and most hungover moments, this euphoric mash-up has been there for me.
Gabe Bergado
My path to becoming a Chicano taco expert was paved with internalized racism. But now the food I grew up rejecting is my greatest passion—and my career.
Javier Cabral
For much of her career, chef Claudette Zepeda resisted making tacos. Then she realized they’re the clearest expression of who she is.
Claudette Zepeda, as told to Hilary Cadigan
Sandra Cisneros’s grandfather didn’t hug, kiss, or even talk much—instead, he spoke through his handmade flour tortillas.
Sandra Cisneros
There were no fresh tortillas or taco carts in our new town, so my mom did what she could with the Global Flavors section of the grocery store.
Amanda Shapiro
Chef Raymond Li of Miami’s acclaimed Palmar tells his story.
Raymond Li, as told to Clarissa Buch
They were new to this country, to the holiday, to us. And we made space for them.
Celeste Ng
After years of self-imposed coffee austerity, Nicole Rucker embraces the very extra beverage.
Nicole Rucker
The activist and sommelier talks inequality, intersectionality, and how her mom taught her to hold people accountable.
Ashtin Berry, as told to Hilary Cadigan
The chef and owner behind our No. 2 Best New Restaurant in America, Khao Noodle Shop, shares his story.
Donny Sirisavath, as told to Hilary Cadigan
Chef Jay Foster had two landmark restaurants in the Bay Area. Then, suddenly, they both closed.
Jay Foster, as told to Jesse Sparks
After 12 years in the restaurant industry, chef Katianna Hong is using her leave to explore something totally new.
Katianna Hong
Adopted at seven months old, I grew up burying my Korean identity and presenting myself as culturally white. And then, I learned to cook.
Alyse Whitney
There was real reward in his unbridled curiosity for places more honest than famed. For Alex Delany, the notion was a revelation.
Alex Delany
Chef Nina Compton remembers her mentor and friend, who died this week at 96.
Nina Compton
Personal narratives can be powerful. They can also be dangerously limiting—depending on who’s doing the telling.
Amanda Shapiro
Four years ago the musician was messing around with a Big Green Egg. Now he’s cooking ribs for 400 people.
Dave Grohl, as told to Adam Rapoport