Air Jordan: A Food Podcast Jordan Okun

Food writer Bill Esparza joins Jordan and Max to review their recent voyage across Los Angeles and beyond, exploring (possibly too) many great tacos across the city. There was lots of lamb, plenty of goat, enough prawns to keep Jordan happy, the pig everyone needed, a king in the beef world, all sorts of tortillas, stewed meats, and a surprise guest Jordan did not want to see. Plus, Bill's bite strategy saved Max, apparently mezcal is for sipping, the taco that put Jordan over the edge, and an out of body experience in Hancock Park.
 
The Stops:
Barbacoa Estilo Hidalgo
Gish Bac
Mariscos Los Corchos
Birrieria Nochistlan Zac
Asadero Chikali
Tacos La Carreta
Los Sabrosos Al Horno
Del Mar Ostioneria 

Jordan reviews a recent trip to Las Vegas, where he found the hotel, spa, and peking duck of his desert dreams at the Fontainebleau. Plus, Max sampled a $500k bottle of wine while Jordan doesn't understand a $400 bottle of wine, new dishes at Dunsmoor, the return of Oxalis meal planning is spiraling out of control, and Angler is kinda back with Leopardo, where the fellas give a first look of the pizza, meats, cocktails, and all the Angler feels that are most definitely not at the Beverly Center.

The hottest foodie travel destination is reviewed and debated by Shapiro and Ben Hundreds, who both recently returned from gorging themselves in the capital of Mexico. The fellas talk their eating tales, including favorite bites and misses from Maximo, Contramar, Pujol, Em, and all the tacos they chewed down. Plus, air travel, hotel, and museum tips, the state of Mexico City air conditioning (or lack thereof), Ben and his Coke Lites, Max and his carajillos, all the celebrated bars, a bakery scene not to be ignored, and an extremely serious quiz to see who really knows something about this south of the border cuisine.

Jordan and Max discuss a massive change occuring in the LA restaurant scene and how it will manifest in future California meals, including the fate of automatic gratuity and that horrific additional tip line, and a possible silver lining for diners. Then, Max reviews two restaurants he recently visited for the first time, Jordan talks some very special deep fried bites, and menu creation for "Can Shapiro Actually Cook 2" incorporating Saint James has commenced. Plus, young Jordan eating horror stories, charging for lettuce wraps, fries vs. loaded fries, Roy Choi tacos, and an upcoming Mexico City episode spoiler alert.

Jordan, Max, and Jon talk the most authentic East Coast pizzeria on the West Coast, which is just a zip away, and it's all godly galamad, two types of fried shrimp, a sausage pizza like no other, and the "white people taco night" pie shocks them all. Plus, Jordan begs the fellas for their Ozempy needles after a very chubby day, Max will LEARN to cook more romantically, Travis Lett's MTN is re-opening in Venice, Slab is closing in Pasadena, and Buscemi reviews one of the most exclusive dining destinations in the country. 

Audience questions are answered by Jordan and Max, supplying the food knowledge you need, from tipping etiquette to personal maritni recipes, celebratory birthday destinations, and more trash sushi talk. Plus, Mideast Tacos, lunching in the 818, waiting in line for food, Beautiful loves Tito's, open faced bagels, 90's music, Addison advice, the L.A. bread scene, frozen pizza, more on KB, an if Shapiro can actually cook status update, and a review of Eater L.A.'s recent essential restaurants list.