Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Video: Australian Aghast That L.A. Chef Uses Soft Tortillas For His Tacos
Relations between the U.S. and Australia have always been friendly, save for some minor friction. Those ties were nearly severed this week, however, when an Australian news reporter questioned a L.A. chef about his use of soft tacos.
Reporters Sarah Harris and Jessica Rowe from Australia's Studio 10 paid a visit with Guerrilla Tacos, the famed taco truck that has climbed the hallowed halls of Jonathan Gold's "101 Best Restaurants." Chef Wes Avila, in the true spirit of Guerrilla Tacos, decided to make something unique for his Australian guests. This taco was to include Australian lamb meatballs, jasmine rice, mint, avocado, feta cheese, and sweet potato. The one ingredient that made Harris stop in her tracks?
Soft tortillas.
Support for LAist comes from
"A bit of a controversy at the moment," said Harris. "Soft. Shell. Tortillas? Really?" She then hinted at a preference for hard shell tacos.
"This is the way we do it in Los Angeles," said Avila.
"Is that the proper way to do it?" said Harris, seemingly still unconvinced.
Avila then provides a crash course in Tacos 101 by saying, "Soft shell is more traditional. The crunchy stuff is more of a Tex-Mex thing."
Rowe then abruptly changed the subject, either because she wanted to have those tacos ready pronto, or because she wanted to prevent World War III. "That's so good!" Rowe exclaimed when she took a bite of the finished product. The video cut out before Harris could sample her taco, leaving us to ponder the fates of both nations.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist