Although many Texans likely have a favorite taco, the variation is endless, and much of it is about more than personal taste. Austin-based taco lover and journalist Mando Rayo has spent years chronicling regional distinctions and communal histories on top of tortillas in his highly regarded Tacos of Texas podcast, and he's back for a fourth season. The first episode dropped August 20.

Topics across the 12-episode season include vaqueros, queso, border culture, and tools for making tacos. It takes some deep dives, and many of the topics or interviewees have a connection to El Paso, Rayo's hometown. One of those, episode 4, is a profile of San Antonio chef Rico Torres of Mixtli, who was born in El Paso. It will discuss his career "from chef to historian," something even people who aren't familiar with the chef's trajectory can see in Mixtli's menu.

Right now it (and until October 19), that menu is focusing on "Tierra Caliente" in Guerrero and Michoacan, Mexico. "As the name suggests, the region is characterized by a hot climate," explains a current menu overview. "The overall precipitation is also low - around 600 mm/year, but can be as low as 400 mm in some low-lying areas of Michoacán and Guerrero."

This isn't the first episode in San Antonio; Notably, in the third season, Rayo records a contest for the best bean-and-cheese taco in the city.

Expect more of those culinary deep dives across the season, which includes not just fine dining like at Mixtli, but also popular chains and other local spots. One episode debates whether Chico's Taco's — served in sauce and topped with cheese — really serves tacos.

The first episode focuses on Austin FC games, featuring interviews with ConTodo owner Joseph Gomez, Austin FC executive chef Sam Boisjoly, and Onetaco Taqueria co-owners Axel Beverido and Tony Avila. ConTodo is located at Celis Brewery, which shows Austin FC games on the TVs and sometimes partners for giveaways, and Onetaco has a location inside Q2 Stadium, where the team plays.

Rather than overlaying editorial opinions on the restaurants and food customs featured, Rayo gives the spotlight to interviewees all over Texas. These interviews really make this a podcast for the people, and a fitting survey of the taco landscape rather than another trend feed.

Rayo was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2022 for his Made Right Here Road Trip, a video series in which he traveled around Texas looking for authentic Mexican food and the stories around it. Tacos of Texas, the podcast, has received Signal Awards and there is also a related TV show and book.

Tacos of Texas benefits from some of the expertise of the Austin-based KUT and KUTX radio and podcast studios, which also puts out the popular podcasts ATXplained, Pause/Play, Song Confessional, and The Breaks.

Listen to Tacos of Texas for free at kutkutx.studio.