According to Saveur magazine, Border Food is defined as Mexican food with a distinct identity —influenced by the cooking of Chihuahua and Texas, but with a number of little twists. Because Texas is so large and diverse, it’s a more nuanced label than the overarching Tex-Mex, and one surprising spot that it is celebrating with abandon is in Greenville, SC. Dayna Lee is the chef and operator of Comal 864, a petite spot with a big heart and a smoking hot flattop. With her clear vision of the food of her childhood and a combination of grit and introspection on her own life path, she’s gained some well-deserved attention, from being named of Eater's "18 Essential Greenville Restaurants" to a nomination as a 2023 James Beard semifinalist. Originally from South Texas and specializing in Mexican American cuisine, she began her work in a series of brewery pop-ups, teaching herself to channel homesickness into cooking and making more room for others at the table along the way. Last summer, I had the chance to eat my fill of tacos at Comal on a hot June night, and I’ve been wanting to sit down with her ever since, so we finally got the chance to record at this year’s Charleston Wine + Food Festival. The only thing missing? More tacos.
Episode 144: Dana Cowin, Speaking Broadly Podcast, NYC (Live from FAB Charleston)
Episode 143: Nick Melvin, Doux South All Natural Pickles (Atlanta, GA)
Episode 142: Robert Stehling, Hominy Grill (Charleston, SC)
Episode 140: Mickey Bakst, Charleston Grill (Charleston, SC)
Episode 139: Cheetie Kumar, Garland (Live from Thrive NC, Raleigh)
Episode 138: Brian Noyes, Red Truck Bakery (Marshall, VA)
Episode 137: Chris & Tara Goulet, Birdsong Brewing (Charlotte, NC)
Episode 136: Ashley Christensen, AC Restaurants (Raleigh, NC)
Episode 135: Clark Barlowe, Heirloom Restaurant (Charlotte, NC)
Episode 134: Robert Barber & Hope Barber McIntosh, Bowen's Island Restaurant (Charleston, SC)
Episode 133: Griffin Bufkin & Mark Hanna on Brunswick Stew with Southern Soul BBQ, St. Simons Island, GA (Live from Charleston Wine + Food)
Episode 132: Bill Thomas, Jack Rose Dining Saloon, Washington, DC (Live from Charleston Wine + Food)
Episode 131: Matt and Ted Lee dish catering secrets and discuss their new book Hotbox (Charleston, SC)
Episode 130: Drew Dzejak, Caliza, Alys Beach, FL (Live from the 30A Wine Festival
Episode 129: Angie DuPree, One80 Place (Charleston, SC)
Episode 128: John Currence, City Grocery Restaurant Group, Oxford, MS (Live from 30A Wine Festival)
Episode 127: Bonnie Benwick, The Washington Post (Washington, DC)
Episode 126: Johnny Caldwell & Taneka Reaves, the Cocktail Bandits (Charleston, SC)
Ep. 125: Steph Solo, A Talking with My Mouth Full Season Finale (Charleston, SC)
Ep. 124: David Guas, Bayou Bakery (Arlington, VA)
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