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In 2021, it seemed like Miguel Vidal had the golden touch and his famous food truck Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ was doing over $4.5 million in sales. But by 2024, he was not only out of business, but he left behind millions of dollars of debt and found he had made more enemies than friends. Miguel has never shared what really happened publicly. Until now.
Welcome to Behind The Food TV! On this channel I document my journey to become a better cook. I travel to meet chefs and pitmasters at the top of their game – and somehow convince them to teach me the techniques that make their food special. I enjoy getting to know them, their families, and their communities – and I hope you enjoy it all just as much! Make sure you subscribe and turn on that notification bell so you know when new videos drop!
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🎥 I Got Schooled by the Most Misunderstood Man in BBQ
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Chapters in this video:
00:00 Miguel Vidal – The Most Hated Man in Texas BBQ
02:09 Preparing for a Tough Conversation
03:58 Cook: Cooking with Mesquite
04:40 Cook: Making Homemade Tortillas
06:39 Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ – The Origin Story
09:21 Cook: Trimming Brisket – the Miguel Vidal Way
12:15 Opening Day
13:45 Cook: Seasoning Brisket – the Valentina’s Way
16:18 SXSW – South by Southwest
17:33 Cook: Skirt Steak for Fajitas and Wrapping the Brisket
20:44 The Valentina’s Food Truck Days
22:57 The Decision to Open a Brick and Mortar Restaurant
29:17 Cook: Rolling & Grilling Tortillas Like Miguel’s Mom
32:21 Cook: Pulling & Resting the Brisket
32:58 Helix Sleep
34:44 The Collapse and Failure of Valentina’s
44:32 Cook: Putting it all together
50:27 Does Miguel Deserve a Second Chance?
53:30 Tasting
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Another banger! I appreciate the homie being so real and unscripted…..and for you letting him
you content just keeps getting better. Massive love and respect to MIguel!!!!!!!!!!! keep fighting brother. the restaurant business will kill you! everything for a reason. Much love to you and your family.
I remember the first time my husband and i ate at Valentinas. We were so excited to see la raza repping. We were both born and raised in east Austin and supporting local and hispanic businesses is always something we love to do. I pray Miguel finds a way to continue his food passion. My husband and I will be back supporting wherever he goes.
Second chances are God’s Way. “Keys to the Kitchen not to the register”! Give this couple the hand they need to reacquire their self-respect. He can clearly cook. Trust and verify. Make sure he has a plan to extend a helping hand to someone else who needs it when he is able. I’ll buy his food for sure.
hi Al! Shana Tova!
MAN THAT GUY. is a true cook. the fact he went through all that and still loves cooking… god bless. i got burnt out…. i cant do it.
THANK YOU!
Love it! U only lose sometimes if u man enough to play. Stay winning brotha !
Everyone deserves a second chance
A rich MAN is that Dude that have his family behind him. Peace and Love from Boston Miguel!!
You can tell his passion for cooking, and im glad he's gonna be back at it again.
dude i cried like im such a sorry sack POS for trolling him without knowing the full story. i feel soo soo bad dude and hope he starts over and i rather him have his own restaurant than to work for another location. but wheres his link? i wanna buy his seasoning
Happy to see that Miguel still loves cooking! Looking forward to his new projects!
I’m rooting for Miguel and his family. I am currently selling my bbq trailer because of the stress and financial pressure that comes with it all. To hear your story makes me want you to come back stronger and better. We all fail but it’s shows the kind of person you are that you’re willing to fight to get back on top. Good luck
Accepting the fact that he failed and willing to establish himself as a pitmaster to offer his skills and talent is amazing. MIquel stay strong and continue on your path. Thanks and God Bless.
I miss that real deal holyfield !
Wow! I wish this dude the very best. I hope he gets back on his feet. I’d love to drive through buda on my way home to south Texas to try his food. He reminds me of myself and my father’s passion for bbq. No matter what, don’t stay down, you got this man! Wishing you and your family success!
Wow I remember seeing a video in YT years ago, that made me want to check out their original spot, then the new place, I’m happy he still has a passion, and never lost it, for his art. There are always 2 sides to a story and I’m glad yall gave him a platform to tell it all and much more.
Always loved Valentina’s and I hope Miguel and his family find success again.
Subbed because of this interview. I miss Miguel’s Q. I heard the bad part of the story in the local news but I figured there was more to it. Thank you.
Wow I’m amazed on the truth behind this man’s story. Thank you for sharing no one knows how tough it really is
I'll take select when there is humility seasoned with humbleness over prime any day !
People do not realize how hard this business is. It’s even harder trying to grow it while managing your own expectations and not letting your employees, friends, family, and customers down. I see the look in his eyes and I know how he feels.
The key is he recognizes and has learned from his mistakes. It’s not all about good food.
He deserves another shot. And if he was in Tennessee, he would be working with us tomorrow.
Hope Miguel goes back to cooking next to his son and wife!!
Great video! Feel bad for the family, lord knows the BBQ biz is tough even on the best of days.
This story is about most people in this country who start a restaurant business and try to take it to another place! Miguel needs to get back into it again! Stay away from brick & motor and get back to basics. Very talented guy, you shouldn't hold back the passion!!!
such an amazing video, i never knew what happened to Valentinas until now, i will def be planning a trip to finally try Miguel BBQ.
I can't WAIT for his comeback! I'd buy tacos from his garage if he sold em. Living in South Austin and not having my Holy fields and loaded queso has been the saddest thing for me. Miguel invented Tex Mex BBQ. He's the OG Goat and he is who always is thought of when anyone says that term. Been a fan of his since day one. We miss you so much in South Austin/Buda! I moved overseas and it was the last thing I ate before I left, the first thing I had when I came back to visit, and it was the last place I went on my way to the airport back to Asia for 3 holy fields and they made the trip all the way to Vietnam with me! Nobody knows his struggles like him nor does anyone know his personal story. I'm so freaking proud of him and his resilience. I'm here for his rise again annd can't wait to see him soar to the top!! Keep your head up Miguel and Modesty!!! Pumped to support you and your family again. Stay blessed and be a blessing!!!
What tortillas are those??? always wanted to get them
Swung for the fences and failed – I respect it. I hope the next chapter is informed by past experience/mistakes and they find the formula that works. On the food side of things, it was always on point. I can't speak to the business side because I wasn't there. Best of luck to them.
Just saw your video on Behind The Food. You and your family are in inspiration to all. You definitely deserve and will have a bright future. Your passion for food is something that can't be taught or bought. Everyone makes mistakes, but it is how you learn and recover that matters. I would be honored to eat your food, and others would as well. Keep going, Miguel and family!!
Miguel is straight gangster. Most would have permanently checked out after going through what he has. To see him enjoying the process of cooking and getting his head out of the funk was amazing. There will always be a kitchen waiting for him. I wish nothing but the best for you and your family Miguel.
Hated by many, loved by few, heard by all. There are so many places that are in Miguel's shadow because of what Valentina's built regardless of what went down.
This guy has a gift. Time for a comeback.
Love this! Praying for you Miguel!
Honesty is the best policy. You got an amazing wife .
Everyone deserves a 2nd chance. Especially if the intent of the original idea was positive , productive. Shit happens in life .
All the best to the entire family.
I admire his food skills but in a business, it's not enough. You need business skills too. Sad story.
He was born to smoke meat
You can tell he has a passion for cooking hope he try’s again
Animo amigo tengo fee que vas a volver a la sima dios nos pone pruebas y eso que te paso es parte del plan que tiene para ti y a tu familia animo
Everyone deserves forgiveness and I love this guy