Skip to Content
Tacos

Everything You Need to Know About Taco Madness 2019 ~ Celebrating Ten Years of Tacos!

5:18 PM PDT on April 30, 2019

[dropcap size=big]Y[/dropcap]es, I tried every taco. Carnitas El Momo, Mariscos Jalisco, Guerrilla, Macheen. I had all the micheladas. Near the end of it I found a new friend and I danced as the sun crested over the towers of Bunker Hill. The people, the tastes, the sounds, the vibe — everything about Taco Madness last year was perfect, and this year, Taco Madness Live 2019 promises to be even better.

Now stop dillydallying and mark that schedule. Here is everything you need to know to attend the tenth annual Taco Madness Live.

An image from Taco Madness 2017 (Photo by Desilu Muñoz).

What is it?

Taco Madness is L.A. Taco’s signature annual food event featuring the city’s best taquerías. The live gathering is the culmination of an annual online voting bracket that is open to the public. One taquero is named champion, but we're all the winners. The event is about fun, community, excellent local food, your favorite chefs, great drinks, meeting new friends, and celebrating that taco lifestyle!

When and where is it?

Taco Madness 2019 is this Saturday, May 4, at LA Plaza de Culturas y Arte in the historic heart of el pueblo de Los Angeles, from 6 pm to 12 am, aka Cinco de Gringo.

Crowds lining up for taco tickets at Taco Madness 2018 (Photo by Brian Feinzimer).

How much is it, or how does it work?

It is free to enter! However we are capping attendance inside at 5,000 to ensure everyone’s comfort. You can buy individual tickets for plates and drinks at $8.00 each, so super flexible: eat and drink as much or as little as you like. But keep in mind, the event is 21 and up.

That’s it?

Yes and no, because once again this year, we are offering a VIP early entry period from 5-6 pm, that is only for ticketholders and for our exceedingly cool and lucky L.A. Taco Members. (Join today, like immediately, if you want this perk and other incredible deals for members only!)

Frontrunners Sonoratown are the team to beat once more in the 2019 final (Photo by Brian Feinzimer).

Who puts it on?

Taco Madness is a production of Taco International (L.A. Taco’s parent company), in collaboration with Hecho in LA productions by Fernando Lopez and Suavicrema by Paola Briseño, as well as partnering producers, partnering sponsors, and friends who support our mission to elevate tacos for all. We are an independent, community-oriented operation.

What’s the event like, or what?

It’s like, really fun. We have another stellar lineup of DJs and live artists. L.A. Taco will also have a booth featuring members of our crew to, you know, answer your questions and generally talk about tacos and life. The vibe is super friendly and easygoing and honestly I don’t know why we don’t this at least once a month.

LA loves tacos (Photo by Brian Feinzimer).

How should I get there?

Try transit, or try car-pooling. LA Plaza is a skip or two away from Union Station, hub for regional rail lines from Inland Empire, Orange County, and San Gabriel Valley, as well as the local Red Line and Gold Line in L.A.'s subway rail. Of course any bus that hits Union Station or crosses downtown north-south will get you close enough, too. You will want additional micheladas and tequilas!

What hashtag should I use?

Thanks for asking. We’re going for #TacoMadness to keep it simple.

Get all your other deets here, on FB, and at the ticketed Eventbrite page. Nos vemos el sábado!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

Robbie Conal, L.A’s Most Infamous Street Art Firebrand, Is Still Flaming Our Power-Mad Leaders at 81

From Ronald Regan to Donald Trump, Conal has skewered them all in his prints of their twisted visages. He tells us he just made "the angriest poster" of his career.

September 4, 2026

Beijing’s Crispy Bing Burgers Are Coming to the SGV This Week

It's got crispy, puff pastry-ish bun made in-house, which pockets various spiced meats. The sandwich is styled after by Xian’s traditional rou jia mo with big plans to expand in the U.S.

September 4, 2026

After More Than 20 Years, This Iconic Gay Bar In Montebello Is Closing

Spaces like Chico gave nearby East L.A. LGBTQIA+ residents a sense of community they often don’t find elsewhere on the Eastside.

September 3, 2026

The 17 Best Steakhouses in Los Angeles, Ranked

From 45-day dry-aged ribeye to marbled, grass-fed wagyu that almost counts as health food, these are L.A. TACO's top 17 steakhouses in Los Angeles.

Here Are The Six L.A. Punk Bands Playing Our Zine Release Show On Friday

Get in the pit to support independent journalism. From femme-fronted street punk, punk ramonero en español, and pioneering melodic crust, here are all the bands playing at our favorite DIY warehouse art gallery south of 10 freeway.

September 2, 2026

Mom Channels Grief into New Boba Truck after Firework Tragically Killed Her Eight-Year-Old Daughter

Greatea Bubble Tea House in Anaheim was a neighborhood staple for four years but closed down after Jasmine's death.

September 1, 2026