Roberto Espinosa

Owner, Tacodeli

https://www.tacodeli.com

Biography

In 1999, Roberto Espinosa opened the first Tacodeli on Spyglass Drive in South Austin with the goal of serving authentic Mexican tacos in a friendly environment. From the beginning, Espinosa emphasized made-from-scratch tacos and dishes, and a level of quality and service not found at the average Austin taqueria. “We source responsibly and locally as much as possible, and have authentic food that is very reminiscent of what you would find in a Mexico City taqueria,” Espinosa says, “but we also offer some of our own in-house creations like the Cowboy taco, the Otto or other creative interpretations on familiar Mexican themes.” Today, Tacodeli has grown to three locations, offers nearly 40 types of freshly made tacos (including daily specials and award-winning breakfast tacos, which Espinosa notes aren’t necessarily authentic to Mexico but are a must-have for breakfast-taco fanatics in Austin), a growing staff and a commitment to support local growers and the Austin philanthropy community. It’s a business that would make Mexico City proud.

The Art of the Mexican Cookery

Martha Chapa

My first Mexican cookbook, lifted from my Mom's library! A classic that yielded my first modern mexican recipe; Pork tenderloin in a maple syrup, sherry and soy sauce flavored with fresh garlic and ginger. Still delicious.

El Gran Libro de la Cocina Mexicana

Susanna Palazuelos

Great reference book with regional notes.

Julia Child's Menu Cookbook

Julia Child

My first intro into French cooking and a well used book in my early days of cooking. A gift from my Mom.

Larousse de la Cocina Mexicana

Alicia Gironella De'Angeli

Invaluable resource, encyclopedic if you will.

Y la Comida se Hizo

Beatriz Fernandez

An 8 book paperback series with very simple recipes presented in a down and dirty fashion. These were hand me down's from my Mom.

The Great Steak Book

Grady Spears

This is a perennial favorite of mine and am a big fan of Grady Spears. His Cowboy Rib Eye recipe inspired our Cowboy taco. This one should be included for this reason

Yucatan: Recipes from a Culinary Expedition

David Sterling

Beautiful book with fantastic photos and great recipes, many of which are the same ones in my mind's eye from my days in the Yucatan.

Los Ritos del Lujo

Ignacio Medina

A lifestyle book written about "the rites of luxury" by a Spanish writer. I gleaned one of my favorite habits from one of his. Farm fresh tomato passed through a press with olive oil, salt and pepper, a little lime when the mood strikes, then sop it up with a good loaf of bread. Best eaten on a slow and lazy weekend at home.

Especialidades Regionales, Cocina Mexicana

Socorro Puig

Socorro Puig, Maria Stoopen. Very good resource for regional cooking.

Turkish Cooking

Carol Robertson