Sure, there had been tacos al pastor before he did them, but after the popularity of King Taco, everybody had tacos al pastor. People had had carnitas before, but, suddenly, everybody had carnitas. It just seemed to form the template of what the modern Los Angeles taqueria should be. 

--Jonathan Gold, 2013

Nine years ago, Los Angeles lost an unsung hero, Raul Martinez Sr., the founder of King Taco. To find out why this man was so important to LA, I shared a taco or two (or three) with the late Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold at King Taco #1 in Cypress Park. (Gold died in 2018.)

Support for this podcast comes from Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.

In 2013, I visited an utterly charming and impish Harlan Ellison at his remarkable home and talked at length with him about his work as a prolific Sci-Fi writer. Then came the dreaded - and expected - phone call from Harlan's alter-ego. (Ellison died in 2018 but I wouldn't be surprised if he sent an angry message from beyond about using his name and "Sci-Fi" in the same sentence.)

Support for this podcast comes from Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.

Bob Kholos; City Hall Tower; It isn't easy being Green; Sana Sana; Santeria Botanica; Rooney Weighs In; Trivia: AnimeExpo

AnimeExpo 2007 This (pictured) is what your kids are up to when you're not looking, and it may be the future of the entertainment industry. But don't worry too much. Anime and manga are mostly about doing the right thing. Come with animation expert Charles Solomon and me to AnimeExpo 2007! - John Rabe

Happy Birthday de Havilland; Skirball's Ark; The NFL, not!; Bug's Eye View; Eden's Edge at the Hammer; Homeless Crackdown; Re-Gifting Sound; iWait; What Are You Doing for Summer Break?; The Art of Haiku; There Are Some Things Alli Doesn't Alleviate...; Futile Fuel?; Plaque Attack

Dixon's West; Landscaping America; The ABC's of BBQ; Matthew Monahan in Eden's Edge; Caruso; The (other) Happiest Place on Earth; Malibooster Malice; Short Attention Span Theatre; Animayhem; Reporter's Roundtable: Five More Years; Adios to Aguilar; Short-Sighted Shirt

Architectural Texture; It's Not a Knack; Fresh from the Can; Sopranos Sleep with the Fishes; Beyond Muscle Beach; Artists At Eden's Edge; Humble Art; Exene's L.A.; The Art of Punk; The Politics of Marriage; The Nancy Drew Philes; Farewell to Rachael Myrow; Have something to tell us?

Artists at Eden's Edge ; Hitting the Links; Holy Gifts; Space Aliens and Sea Fish; Alternate Route; Breaking the Rules of the Road; Driving with the Top Down; The Fast Sandwich; Space Talk; Bozo The Bling-Bling Clown; Dance Legend Remembered; Letters: Civil Disobedience

Summer Fun in Malibu This week, watchdog Jenny Price gives us tips on how to enjoy Malibu despite the efforts of some residents.

A Last Goodbye; Hello Tiki-Ti ; Tiki Tribute; Ghost in the Machine; Dad's in Jail; For want of a fingernail...; Eve's Apple; Urban Survivalist; Web Extra