If you want good barbacoa, you're gonna have to put in the work to make it. Making it the traditional way is a 24-hour process that involves roasting lamb, goat or beef in an underground fire pit until the meat is velvety and almost melts on your tongue.

And if you're not making it yourself, finding the real thing can take some digging, too -- a deep search on Facebook Marketplace, or asking around the neighborhood.

This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Gustavo Sagrero, KUOW’s immigration race and identity reporter about his search for traditionally-made barbacoa and how it led him to a family barbecue. 

Read Gustavo’s story on barbacoa here: WA immigrants continue traditional Barbacoa, despite looming threats of deportation 

Seattle Eats is a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at seattleeats@kuow.org.

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Seattle Eats is edited by Jim Gates. It’s produced by Alec Cowan  and Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

If you want good barbacoa, you're gonna have to put in the work to make it. Making it the traditional way is a 24-hour process that involves roasting lamb, goat or beef in an underground fire pit until the meat is velvety and almost melts on your tongue.
And if you're not making it yourself, finding the real thing can take some digging, too -- a deep search on Facebook Marketplace, or asking around the neighborhood.
This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Gustavo Sagrero, KUOW&rsquo;s immigration race and identity reporter about his search for traditionally-made barbacoa and how it led him to a family barbecue.&nbsp;
Read Gustavo&rsquo;s story on barbacoa here: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/immigration/2026-09-30/wa-immigrants-continue-traditional-barbacoa-despite-looming-threats-of-deportation">WA immigrants continue traditional Barbacoa, despite looming threats of deportation</a>&nbsp;
Seattle Eats is a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.
Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at seattleeats@kuow.org.
Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Seattle Eats is edited by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates">Jim Gates</a>. It&rsquo;s produced by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/alec-cowan/">Alec Cowan</a>&nbsp; and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/brandi-fullwood">Brandi Fullwood</a>.&nbsp;
Become a member today at <a href="http://kuow.org/eats">kuow.org/eats</a>.

The Seattle food scene and the best things to eat in it. New episodes every Thursday.

 

The Seattle food scene and the best things to eat in it. New episodes every Thursday.
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Seattle Eats

This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Gustavo Sagrero, KUOW’s immigration race and identity reporter about his search for traditionally-made barbacoa and how he that ended up at a family barbecue. 