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.
201: Christian Hansen, Blue Ridge Creamery (Travelers Rest, SC)
200: Cheers to 200 with Dale DeGroff, King Cocktail (Stonington, CT)
199: John Warren, Spade and Clover Gardens (Johns Island, SC)
198: Charlotte Jenkins, Gullah Cuisine (Awendaw, SC)
197: Anne Quatrano, Star Provisions & Bacchanalia (Atlanta, GA)
196: Steph's Food Philosophy Inspiration: Early Days & Evolution (Charleston, SC)
195: Dalton Espaillat, Sabor Latin Street Grill & Raydal Hospitality (Charlotte, NC)
194: David Bancroft, Acre Restaurant & Bow & Arrow (Auburn, AL)
193: Lindsey Ofcacek, The LEE Initiative (Louisville, KY)
192: Alex Lira, Bar George & Estadio Charleston (Charleston, SC)
191: Alba Huerta, Julep (Houston, TX)
190: Zachary Smith, Dalai Sophia (Charleston, SC)
189: Angie Bellinger, Workmen's Cafe (James Island, SC)
188: Ashley English, Author, Teacher & Homesteader (Candler, NC)
187: Femi Oyediran & Miles White, Graft (Charleston, SC)
186: George Motz, Filmmaker & Writer, Hamburger America (Brooklyn, NY)
185: Teresa Smithmyer, Bulls Bay Saltworks (McClellanville, SC)
184: Shorlette Ammons, Center for Environmental Farming Systems at NC State (Durham, NC)
183: Dale Hawkins, Fish Hawk Acres (Buckhannon, WV)
182: Elijah Heyward III, International African American Museum (Charleston, SC)
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