Watch Taco Chronicles

Taco Chronicles is a one-of-a-kind gastronomic documentary series, brought to viewers by Netflix, that explores the intricate history behind Mexico's most emblematic and popular street food: the taco. It's a six-part series that takes a thorough dive into what seems, at first glance, like a simple dish wrapped in a tortilla.

Each episode tells the unique story of a different kind of taco, and the people who make, sell, and love them. The series takes you on a mouth-watering journey across six regions of Mexico, from the bustling streets of Mexico City, to the seafood-rich coasts of Baja California, to the mountainous beauty of the central highlands.

What makes Taco Chronicles so special is its remarkably immersive cinematography, which takes viewers right to the heart of each episode's region. The series is shot so gorgeously that it is hard to resist the urge to march to the nearest Mexican restaurant to indulge in the delicious-looking tacos yourself.

The series starts with the most basic type of taco: the pastor. This taco is usually prepared with spit-roasted pork, marinated in red chili sauce. It originated in Puebla, but it is Mexico City where it has truly blossomed into a story of tradition and passion that could fill its own documentary. The episode blends interviews with taqueros, taco lovers, and cultural figures in the city, exploring the enduring appeal of the food for locals and visitors alike.

Next, the series covers the humble canasta taco, which is usually steamed and filled with simple ingredients, such as chorizo or potato. This type of taco has been a fixture on the streets of Oaxaca for generations, and the episode paints a vivid picture of the daily life of one such taco vendor.

The third episode of the series is dedicated to the seafood taco, which is beloved along the coasts of Baja California, where it's filled with fresh fish and seafood. The episode showcases the creativity of the area's culinary scene and how the seafood taco has become a symbol of its identity.

The cochinita pibil or pit-roasted pork taco is next to be featured, and this episode takes viewers deep into the Yucatan, where Mayan culture merged with Spanish influence to create a mouth-watering cuisine that's unlike anything else in the world. The episode covers classic dishes, such as cochinita pibil, and the people who still make them using time-honored methods.

The Penca and barbacoa episode is fascinating in the way that it explores the unique tradition of steaming the meat in underground ovens, known as pibils. Tucked away in the mountains of Hidalgo, this age-old culinary technique is still practiced by some of the most talented taqueros in the area.

Finally, the final episode of the series focuses on guisados or stews in Mexico City. Like most dishes in the country, stews are made with love and dedication to the regional ingredients available. Episode six delights in the street food scene of the capital city and how this often maligned genre has grown to be a point of pride for its diners.

What makes Taco Chronicles such an accessible and appealing series is its followable structures. Each episode follows a similar format, and the cultural background of every dish is explored with consideration (although obviously, in less depth than could be fully immersed in). The interviewer is a constant presence, engaging with each and every taquero he comes across, and coaxed out plenty of interesting stories and opinions.

Overall, Taco Chronicles is a must-watch series for anyone with an interest in Mexican cuisine and culture. The juxtaposition of the stories of the people who make and sell tacos with the stunning visuals of their home regions is a real treat to watch. This series is an ode to the passion, history, and love that goes into each of these iconic dishes, and it's hard not to be inspired by the taqueros’ dedication to their craft. It is certainly a feast for the senses, both for those who love tacos and the uninitiated alike.

Taco Chronicles is a series that ran for 3 seasons (21 episodes) between July 12, 2019 and on Netflix