Skip to Content
Echo Park

Taco Madness 2009 ~ Taco Tournament

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 from L.A. TACO

Letter From the Editor: L.A. TACO Shop Closed Tomorrow, and How We Are Striking

We are shutting down and closing down our online shop for the day. We will only be posting our essential ICE coverage and Daily Memo, which has been proven to prevent abductions and has helped families identify loved ones who have been unfairly taken.

January 29, 2026

A Running List of Everyone Participating in the January 30 National Shutdown

Activists, businesses, nonprofits, and political groups in southern California will take part in various actions on Friday, January 30 as part of a nationwide effort in solidarity with the people of Minneapolis and the nationwide efforts to rein ICE and the DHS.

January 29, 2026

DAILY MEMO: Border Patrol and ICE Raid Almost 20 L.A. Communities, Almost 30 Total in SoCal in Record Numbers

Today, ICE and Border Patrol set a new daily record, surpassing their previous daily average of about 30 reports with nearly 50 incidents. There was a time when 25-40 was the total number of incidents I’d report for a whole week; they just did that in one day.

January 28, 2026

L.A. TACO Neighborhood Guides: Chinatown

A stroll through Chinatown feels like slipping between the shifting planes of time and space. Here are our recommendations for places to eat and shop, along with a look into its dark history.

DAILY MEMO: Border Patrol Attack and Follow Community Watchers Home While We See A New Raid Approach Unfold

Border Patrol and ICE took at least 15 people from the Southland, mostly from Los Angeles, Compton, and Lynwood.

January 27, 2026
See all posts