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.
228: Jamie Rosenthal, Roots Down (Atlanta, GA)
227: Kristian Niemi, Bourbon & Black Rooster (Columbia, SC)
226: Christian Spears, Tennessee Brew Works (Nashville, TN)
225: Hank Tisdale & Tracey Tisdale Richardson, Lillie's of Charleston (Charleston, SC)
224: Elizabeth Heiskell, Cook, Author, Caterer, & TV Personality (Oxford, MS)
223: Diane Flynt, Foggy Ridge Cider (Dugspur, VA)
222: Lisa Marie White, Biscuit Love (Nashville, TN)
221: Chris Winn, Tradesman Brewing (Charleston, SC)
220: Germaine Jenkins, Fresh Future Farm (North Charleston, SC)
219: Julia Sullivan, Henrietta Red (Nashville, TN)
218: Demi Natoli, White Limozeen (Nashville, TN)
217: Tandy Wilson, City House (Nashville, TN)
216: Kyle Jacovino, Pizzeria Vittoria (Savannah, GA)
215: John Zucker, Cru Cafe and Catering (Charleston, SC)
214: Amethyst Ganaway, Writer, Chef, Content Creator (Charleston, SC)
213: Brittney Miller, Manchester Farms Quail (Columbia, SC)
212: Mashama Bailey & John Morisano, The Grey and The Grey Market (Savannah, GA)
211: Season 5 Finale, Steph looks back and awards some "bests"
210: David Adedokun, The War Mouth (Columbia, SC)
209: Putt Wetherbee, Schermer Pecans (Albany, GA)
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