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.

Phantograms; Keystone-Mast Collection; Projecting 3-D Ain't Free; Leaves of Photographs; Tim Sullivan; D.I.Y. 3-D; Reel-D; LA's First Family Of Photography; Julius Shulman; Take My Picture; Shooting History

Note from Off-Ramp Dear Listeners, Frank Stoltze is sitting in for John Rabe this week, and we're going to take you on the Off-Ramp Art Walk. We'll visit three notable exhibits in Los Angeles, a city that's become an international center for contemporary centers. Sit back and enjoy! ~ Queena and Frank Stoltze

Don't laugh! The comics are second in readership behind the front page of the newspaper. This week on Off-Ramp, we talk about the not-so-funny pages, learn about LA's society registers, and hear Tim Hawkinson's organ, now installed at the Getty. And by the way, thanks so much for your contribution during KPCC's Spring Fund Drive! -- John Rabe

My Story; The Whole Story; Tai Chi and Sleep; The Unsung Pelon; Harper Woods; Holy Gifts; Holy Icons; Oscar Honors; Oscar Shorts; Russian Pronouncer; Call Sheet

LA Phil Reaches Out; The Phil's Four Seasons ;Blacksmith Rising; The Golden Pig; The City of Mahagonny in Los Angeles; Bark Off; Transportation Trajectories; The Mayor of Gladys Park; Dragon Ball Z; LA Experience; Hip Hop; Call Sheet

Auntie Diluvium; LA River - Take Two; Take Three: Down By the LA River; Vija Celmins; Okies at the Getty; Astronauts and Cupids; Crack Time; Crossing Guard; Mighty Mo; Radio Lolly; Call Sheet; Paolo Nutini

Message from John Rabe With cold and flu season still upon us, we decided to re-run this show on germs. This week, hand washing, flu shots, and the new sneeze. And... oboist, super music agents and more -John

Rabe, baby; LAPD HQ; Populist Critique; Metergate; The View of Us Guys; Wither Jane?; ViewMaster; Paine in the Neck; To Protect and Surf; Strange New World; Poor Howard's Almanac