Carnitas el Momo mixed pork. Photo by Elise Thompson.
LA Taco, one of the best LA-centric sites for local news and taco happenings is currently in the first heat of Taco Madness 2019, a quest to find the best taquero in Los Angeles! This is the 10th annual bracketed online tournament, and competition is fierce! Voting in the first round will be open until April 7th. Vote! Represent!
Tacos are coming from all corners of Los Angeles and bringing their top taco game. The selection of competitors was chosen by the Team Taco community and some of L.A.’s top food writers. And the whole thing is powered by Jarritos, the rainbow-colored sodas that are just meant for drinking with tacos. You’ve got NoHo taco truck Tacos El Venado, Downey’s Tacos Don Goyo, and even tacos from Texas!
This year LA Taco is “officially recognizing BBQ tacos as an emerging new taco style.” Pioneers of this style, East L.A. BBQ Taco Co. at Xelas and newbie A’s BBQ will be representing along with longtime favorite. Macheen who lost in the final round last year. They are back now to make it right. Guerrilla Tacos, which recently published their cookbook and are currently opening their brick and mortar, have a big reputation to uphold.
Mariscos Jaliscos taco truck window. Photo by Elise Thompson.
The 2018 Taco Madness champion, Taqueria La Venganza, caused some controversy due to being plant-based. But they are back this year to defend their championship against the super-meaty Dia de Los Puercos. Vegans vs. The Carnovores–who will win out? As of today it is La Venganza in the lead at 57%>43%
In other brackets, Sonoratown is kicking Loqui’s ass and Guerrilla Tacos is leaving Tamix in the dust. We are rooting for Mariscos Jalisco, which is leading with 75% of the vote over the specialty game tacos of Cacao Mexicatessen. But our favorite carnitas from Carnitas El Momo are barely holding on to the lead against Lynwood’s Tacos Estilo Guadalajara.
The winner will be announced on stage at this year’s Taco Madness festival, which brings together all of the best taqueros in the city. The winner will be toasted with micheladas by I Love Micheladas, The festival will also feature local craft beer, and cumbia cuts by Metralleta de Oro. The festival will take place on May 4th at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Admission is FREE! 21 and over only.
