Skip to Content
Film

The Taco Oscars: The 15 Best Appearances By a Taco or Tortilla In a Feature Film

Our favorite scenes from movie history center on food, from Charlie Chaplin, making his dinner rolls boogie and Violet Beauregarde getting her comeuppance to an imprisoned Paul Sorvino slicing garlic to every Capo's paper-thin ideal in Goodfellas and whatever the fuck that dude is thinking with a live octopus in Old Boy.

But where, for the love of Godard, are the tacos?

Today L.A. TACO is finally paying tribute to Hollywood's most unsung stars: The soft, tempting, professionally lit tortillas and tacos gracing the silver screen in some of cinema's most appetizing scenes.

Welcome to the TAC-OSCARS!

Let's meet the nominees.

Most Futile Attempt To Recreate Senator's Alex Padilla's Tortilla-Roll By A Legend of Physical Comedy: Three Amigos, 1986

Best Supporting Appearance By the Alleged Son of God On the Face of a Tortilla: Tortilla Heaven, 2007

Most Mind-Fucking Tortilla in a Supporting Role: The Menu, 2022

And Our Gobernador's Award Honoree Goes To The "Hard, Horny Taco" in Sausage Party, 2016

Best Original Taco Truck In A Leading Role: Machete, 2010

Most Villainous Taco In a Supporting Role: Tacodile Supreme in Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, 2021

 

Greatest Movie Starring Vicente Fernandez As a Taquero: Tacos Al Carbon, 1972

Best Denouement Positing Tacos as The Remedy to Murderous Rampage: Birds of Prey and the Emancipation of Harley Quinn, 2020

Best Cameo By Corn Tortillas Supporting A Pescado Zarendeado In A Mouthwatering Overhead Shot: Tortilla Soup, 2002

Most Nefarious "Taco Tuesday" Promotion In Cinema History: Lego Movie, 2014

Most Dystopic Scenario Centered Around the Expansion of Taco Bell: Demolition Man, 1993

Best Fantasy Brawl Between an Anthropomorphized Taco and Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Hot Rod, 2007

Best Endorsement For Letting Meth-Moving Psychopaths Do the Cooking: Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul (we know it's a T.V. show, but these Oscars aren't real)

Most Redemptive Tacos Gifted From the Mitts of a Gamma-Radiated-Scientist-Turned-Mean-Green-Superhero-Monster-Thing: Avengers End Game, 2019

Best Dumb Comedy Starring Tension Between a Neighborhood Taqueria and a White Nerd's Gourmet Food Truck: Taco Truck, 2018

Did we miss any other iconic taco moments in film history? Let us know in the comments. 

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

How the Old L.A. Zoo Was Turned Into Police Academy 2’s Punk Hideout, 40 Years Ago

A large portion of Police Academy 2 was filmed in and around the Toy District, as well as bits of Skid Row and the Fashion District. But it was our Old Zoo that enjoyed the most screen-time.

March 27, 2025

Villa’s Tacos Opens Taquería #3 Specializing In ‘L.A.-Baja-Style’ Fish Tacos In Highland Park

The three-time TACO MADNESS champion, proudly born and raised in Highland Park, took over the beloved former location of Tacos Estrella, where he grew up eating. More than 3,000 loyal customers came out to the the grand opening, happily waiting hours to try his fish, shrimp, octopus tacos, and even a special "Mar y Tierra" taco with A5 Wagyu.

March 26, 2025

The 11 Best Taquerías Near Dodger Stadium

Here's where to go for some of L.A.'s best tacos. Whether before or after the game or whether they win or lose. Go blue!

See all posts