by Danny Trejo
First published 2023
Danny Trejo opens his kitchen and shares the food and drinks that define his cantina philosophy. The legendary actor and restaurateur presents 100 recipes that welcome everyone to the table, from Vegan Tamales and Fight Night Nachos to Chorizo Smash Burgers and Tijuana-Style Birria. He crafts inventive cocktails like spicy Margaritas and Oaxacan Moscow Mules alongside refreshing non-alcoholic options including Agua Frescas and Tamarind Fizz. Trejo teaches practical skills like building a booze-free bar and mastering tamale techniques while sharing stories from his Los Angeles upbringing, barhopping on Olvera Street with his uncles, and sneaking into movie theaters. His approach makes entertaining accessible to cooks at any level, emphasizing celebration and community over perfection.
Genres: memoir, cooking, 21st-century, food-and-drink
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: celebration, found-family
Setting: Los Angeles, Olvera Street, Tijuana
Period: 21st Century
224 pages · Hardcover · Clarkson Potter