About Team Rahim
Hi! We are Team Rahim (pronounced RAH-HEEM), otherwise known as Usman and Monica, the creators and food explorers behind Tacostan. We live in Southern California with our three young children, but have lived in several places over the past decades. Between us, we’ve lived in New York City, Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco, Detroit, Champaign, Pakistan, and Australia.
Monica is a proud Puerto Rican-Mexican-American who was born and raised in the food-rich culture of New Orleans. Growing up, she traveled to Puerto Rico and Mexico to spend time with her family and also explored the United States and Europe. Usman grew up in Pakistan and often joined his father on business trips to places ranging from France to rural Pakistan, always coming home to a mother who used hearty foods to show her love. He moved to New York City when he was 11 and was also heavily influenced by two years in Australia, where he fell in love with the cafe and coffee culture.
We met in New Orleans in 2012. Although we came from parts of the world that seemed different, we also had a lot in common. We shared family-centric values, an open-minded exploration of other cultures, and, of course, our love of food! Food became a way to share time together, to understand ourselves and others, and to explore our own backyard.
About Tacostan
Tacostan is a call to dig below the surface of delicious flavors to understand the history and individuals behind ingredients and cuisines. Although we include unique recipes with aspects of various cultures, the real value of Tacostan lies in nudging you out of your comfort zone. Experiment with a new ingredient. Visit an Indian or Asian or Latin grocery store and strike up conversation with the owner or the butcher or even other customers. Invite old friends over for a new meal. Tacostan isn’t just about food. It’s a mindset.
We’re happy you’ve joined us on this journey!
If you have any questions or suggestions for recipes, people, or ingredients to explore, please let us know!