10,000 TACOS®

10,000 TACOS®

Episode Summary In this deeply personal and reflective episode, I mark the one-year anniversary of my first brain surgery to remove a pituitary tumor I nicknamed "Luke Brainwalker." I open up about processing the fear, gratitude, and emotional weight of surviving two major brain surgeries in a single year, the therapy that's helping me work through it all, and the accidental way my condition was discovered. Connecting my health journey to my family roots, I reflect on the immense sacrifices made by my parents through their taco truck business. I share a poignant discovery about my...

10,000 TACOS®

I’m coming to you today with a slightly different setup because I’m diving headfirst into something I never saw coming. I have been given the incredible, beautiful responsibility to narrate my very first audiobook. It's a heartwarming story that is right down my alley, but I'll admit—I'm terrified. If you know me, you know I started this podcasting journey back in 2017 to pay tribute to my parents and our life in the taco truck business. Over the years, I know I've strayed from those original stories, but this new gig has made me realize that absolutely everything in life is spiritually...

10,000 TACOS®

S7 E12: Denver Food Scene Sucks The Denver food scene sucks. At least, that's what I used to think. After living in Colorado for nearly six years, I realized my opinion wasn't based on experience—it was based on assumptions. Too often, I found myself saying, "This place sucks," before I'd actually taken the time to explore it. The truth is, I was wrong. Welcome to 10,000 Tacos. I'm Isidro Salas, proud son of taqueros. In this episode, we're breaking down why so many people think Denver's food scene falls short, how personal experiences shape our tastes, and the deep roots of...

10,000 TACOS®

"That’s not a pizza, that’s a quesadilla!" That was just one of the lovely comments that rolled into my socials this week after I posted a video highlighting a local taquero's "pizza birria." A few years ago, that angry commenter would have been me. I used to be incredibly protective—adamant, even—about what "real" Mexican food was supposed to be. I even lost a friendship once over the proper pronunciation of tamal versus tamales because we got into a public shouting match. But today, I want to talk about change. To help illustrate that, I brought out a special piece of my childhood:...

10,000 TACOS®

In this episode of 10,000 Tacos, I am sharing a recent experience at a Denver taco truck that has been lingering on my mind for the past week. I met an older, humble taquero who instantly gave off a good, honest vibe and reminded me of my uncles from Mexico. The food was absolutely incredible—I had a barbacoa taco with a subtle, smoky flavor on the back end that you rarely find. Even though he used store-bought tortillas, his chile de árbol salsa used small, roasted tomatillos that gave off a natural citrusy flavor, tasting exactly like my mom's salsa.   As I usually do, I offered to...

10,000 TACOS®

Episode Summary What does a stacked Mexican street burger have to do with deep identity reflection? Turns out, a lot. This week, we’re hitting up the La Comarca taco truck for a culinary masterpiece, sharing bites with strangers, and diving into a bittersweet question from my late father that completely changed how I view myself and my work. Key Moments & Takeaways The Mexican Burger Breakdown: If you've never had one, you're missing out. This beast from La Comarca came loaded with a seeded bun, avocado, a perfectly smashed patty, a hot dog, and ham. It is pure, fabulous chaos in the...

10,000 TACOS®

Episode Description: What happens when greatness just… stops? In this episode, a chance encounter with a young taquero in San Jose sparks a deeper conversation about endings, expectations, and the subtle entitlement of being a consumer. From the legendary culinary staples of San Jose to the abrupt retirement of NFL icon Barry Sanders, we dive into why it's so hard to say goodbye to the things we love. It’s a candid reminder that instead of being bitter when things end, we owe it to the creators (and ourselves) to just say "thank you." 📋 In This Episode, We Discuss: ...

10,000 TACOS®

We’ve all had those moments where our best intentions meet a harsh reality. You finally get the perfect ingredient ratio down, you visualize the fluffy tortillas you're about to enjoy, and then… a mishap with the oven timer and a blazing temperature leaves you with a tray of burnt sopes instead. 440°F for 40 minutes is a recipe for a kitchen disaster, but it’s also a masterclass in resilience. This episode is dedicated to the beauty of the attempt. Join us as we talk about the messy, frustrating, and entirely necessary process of trial and error. Because whether you are standing over a...

10,000 TACOS®

Episode Overview The floor keeps shifting, but the grind stays the same. In this episode, we dive into the exhausting tension between running a traditional physical business and maintaining a modern digital presence. Reflecting on a time 30 years ago when marketing tools didn’t exist, we ask a tough generational question: Would our parents have used social media to promote their business? From "ghost town" Instagram feeds to the discomfort of "showing off," we break down why the algorithm will never replace the soul of a taquero, why a dead social media page is often a sign of a...

10,000 TACOS®

Real Talk, Real Taste (Why I’m Not a Reviewer)   Episode Summary Let’s set the record straight right from the jump: I am not a food reviewer. In this episode, I’m breaking down the two main reasons why I absolutely hate that label. First, unfair negative reviews can genuinely destroy a small business that's just trying to get by. A packed parking lot doesn't change how the tacos taste, and a language barrier with your waitress is no excuse to drop a one-star review. That’s bull shit, plain and simple. Second, taste is entirely subjective, and I’m the first to admit I still have...