Skip to Content
Echo Park

Taco Madness 2009 ~ Taco Tournament

1:28 PM PDT on March 12, 2009

tourney_09_taco

Welcome to the Taco Madness 2009 LA Taco Tournament! After weeks of consultations, we've seeded the top 16 taco places around town. If you don't see your favorite, don't feel bad-- next year we'll expand to 32 places. Spots were chosen for a combination of taste, fame and authenticity.

ROUND ONE

UPDATE MARCH 20th: 3 polls still open, the rest are closed. Vote now in the last three!! The last poll closes on Sunday, then on to the SABROCHO!!!!!

UPDATE #2: CLICK HERE TO VOTE IN ROUND II

The first battle is between East side heavyweight King Taco, and a small west side outpost with two locations, Tacomiendo. Vote below!!

The second battle is between East LA's famed fish taco kings Tacos Baja Ensenada, and one of the best taco trucks in town, Tacos El Korita. Vote below!!

The third first round battle is between Highland Park's outlets La Estrella, and Echo Park's popular taco wagon, Tacos Zone.

The fourth first round battle is between Los Feliz's family owned Yuca's, and the two location Loteria Grill. Vote below!!

The fifth first round battle is between Santa Monica's most popular taco spot Tacos Por Favor, and the wonderful carnitas of Carnitas Michoacan. Vote below!!

The sixth first round battle pits the King Taco affiliated El Taurino against the Westside's best-known (and arguably most controversial) taco stand, Tito's Tacos.

In the second to last first round battle, we have the spot many have proclaimed the best in the city, East LA's famed Cinco Puntos going up against the well-known and respected (especially by the city's late night crews) Cactus Taqueria. Vote Below!

In the final round battle, we have the internet sensation Korean fusion taco truck Kogi BBQ going up against the one of the top spots in the valley Tacos El Zorro. Vote Below!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

Ten L.A. Gamers Tell Us How to Make Money Playing Video Games For a Living

How to win thousands in prize money and amass millions of followers, according to the experts.

August 13, 2026

Seven Dancers Proving L.A.’s Burlesque Scene Is the Best in the World

In a city where younger generations aren't necessarily going out, drinking, or dancing the way they used to, burlesque quietly continues to thrive.

August 12, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Cuban Asylum Seeker Deported to Africa Without ID, Money, or Cell Phone

Around 80 detainees were forcibly deported to the Central African Republic, which the U.S. strongly advises against visiting due to potential danger. L.A. TACO spoke with 37-year-old Aristides Fernandez Garcia, who has no idea what the future looks like after his 90-day visa expires.

August 11, 2026

How (and Why) to Remove Yourself From Data Miners Tracking You, Using California’s New Privacy Website

Data brokers sell everything they know about you—browsing history, pregnancies, Social Security numbers—to organizations like ICE and CBP, under a recent LexisNexis contract worth up to $22.1 million.

August 11, 2026

Watts’ Viral Tri-Tip BBQ Smoker Just Wanted to Feed His Sick Dad. Now He Feeds a Community

Raul Martinez Jr. of 105BBQ tells L.A. TACO, "Pre-orders sell out within days of posting." People DM him offering to pay in advance, just to hold a spot.

August 10, 2026

Cockroach Found in Adelanto ICE Detention Cell

A detainee from Adelanto ICE Detention Center showed L.A. TACO a live cockroach during a video call. It’s not the first time they have found roaches in their cell.