On the clock today is David Tyda, co-founder of Affordable Food Festivals, ex editor-in-chief of Desert Living Magazine (that’s us), general bon vivant, fan of downtown Phoenix, taco and bbq expert, and video-clip-making machine. 

So David, you know how this works, we start the clock and rapid fire some questions to you, you answer them and bam, we post them up on the interwebs for the world to see and share.  Let’s begin.

You have an upcoming Taco Festival Oct 15th, have you already picked out your outfit?
Have you read about our scuffle with the Nordstrom people over that PUBLIC parking garage?? I’ll probably be wearing something from Neiman Marcus.

What’s the most challenging part of these affordable festivals that you didn’t expect when you and Rick Phillips set out?  Being able to keep up with demand. Apparently, we struck a nerve (a good one!) with people when we gave them a $10 day out with $2 food samples and affordable drinks. The crowds are crazy.

Last (meaning most recent) meal?  Was it good?
Got into Dominick’s at Scottsdale Quarter for friends and family. Mastro’s – they do everything right, man. Chuck Wagner was in the house and he sent a bottle of Caymus Cab over to our table. It’s not everyday that happens.

Your favorite local taco?
It’s gonna sound like I’m plugging the fest, but Lee Hillson’s $2 Taco Tuesdays at T.Cook’s … I went last week, and damn. That guy seriously makes a mean taco.

Are you a hard shell or soft guy?  I don’t discriminate.

Mild or spicy? Never ever mild.

Chicken, pork, or beef?  Again with discrimination … Love ‘em all.

Who wins taco eating contest between you and co-founder Rick?
Tie. But I win the drinking contest that ensues after.

Tequila shots chilled or room temperature?
Whatever. It’s a shot, it’ll be over in a second.

Margaritas with or w/o salt?  Favorite local margarita?
You know, you guys actually make a good one over there at MercBar.

Two reasons why you choose to live in Phoenix?
Originally, Desert Living Magazine. And then, I wanted to see how the Valley would go on without it. Thankfully, there’s peace out there in a post-DL world.

Where would you live if not here?  There.

Least favorite aspect of Phoenix?  This city will never become the city everybody here wants it to be.

Have you hiked Squaw Peak before?  Did little kids do it faster than you?  Hiking blows.

What is your local restaurant where “everyone knows your name” type thing? 
I’m going to try and make Dominick’s it, because a discount on bone-in ribeye would be pretty sweet.

Do you still read magazines in print?  If so what?
NYTimes Sunday Magazine and Vanity Fair are the sole survivors from my obsession-with-print days.

Would you like to write a column for DLT called “Ask Tyda”?
You gonna fucking pay me the $1,700 you owe me, bitch?  (A: you never know, if this post spikes traffic, we’ll talk)

What is the next video we can expect from you?  I’m taking requests.

What does Gnosis mean?  Steel beams, a bunch of glass, some concrete, and a Toto toilet.

Times up.  See you at Taco Festival next weekend.   If you still need tickets you can purchase them HERE

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