Skip to Content
L.A. TACO home
L.A. TACO logo
Log In
Events

Taco Madness 2013 Competition Recap: Mexicali Takes Home the Trophy; Mariscos Jalisco Captures Jury Prize

9:20 AM PDT on April 22, 2013

taco_Madness_bracket_2013_winner

In what proved to be the biggest Taco Madness of all time, over 40,000 unique votes were cast online by taco lovers all over Los Angeles. The finals pitted two of L.A.'s favorite tacos (and past winners of the online event) against each other in a friendly but intense competition. 32 Taqueros entered, but in the end, only Mexicali Taco & Co. was left standing.

Congratulations to everyone at Mexicali Taco & Co., who have now become the first two-time winner in Taco Madness history. Mexicali Taco & Co. is officially LA's favorite taco!

At our event on Saturday (full photo recap coming soon!) our esteemed panel of judges (Bill Esparza, Bricia Lopez, Zack Brooks, Hadley Tomicki, Alexis Rivera, and Tien Nguyen) declared Mariscos Jalisco to have the best taco of the day. They are the first ever winner of the Taco Madness Jury prize!

Congratulations to both of our deserving winners. Can't wait until next year!

Share the taco:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Food

René Redzepi Exits Noma L.A. Amid Allegations, Protests, and Fleeing Sponsors

On Wednesday, the Noma head chef and co-owner announced his departure after protests broke out in Silver Lake.

March 12, 2026
News

Daily Memo: While ICE Lays Low, They’re Still Active While Building Up Its Fleet, Offices, and Detention Centers

ICE activity still continues at a slower pace, but it has not disappeared. This past weekend was a rare, quiet one. What we’re seeing is that ICE is laying low, sticking to courthouses, jails, and check-ins, especially from their special ISAP unit.

March 11, 2026
News

ICE Rams Vehicle and Hospitalizes the Same U.S. Citizen Again in Ventura County

"I expect this kind of lawlessness from ICE, I don’t expect the hospitals to be complicit in that lawlessness and detain people," says Thomas Harvey, one of Leonardo Martinez's lawyers, after the hospital refused to remove his handcuffs.

March 11, 2026
Drink

One of the Best San Fernando Valley Coffee Shops Owes Its Success to Argentine Culture

Mate has been enjoyed in the region for centuries, originally by the Indigenous Guaraní people and eventually spread by Jesuit missionaries. In time, the drink became a symbol of unity and togetherness since it is a common pastime in Argentina.

March 10, 2026
Photo Essay

The Best Signs That Turned Tired Legs into Smiles at the 41st L.A. Marathon

Despite those who found street closures a nuisance, the overall consensus was that this city shows up for its people. In a time when community is most needed, supporters showed up with a level of commitment L.A. could use more of these days.

March 9, 2026
ICE

Iranian National Dies in Mississippi, Marking 17th ICE-Related Death Since December 31

Fifty-nine-year-old Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi is currently the 11th person to have died while in ICE custody this year that we know of, and the 17th ICE-related death since the killing of Keith Porter on December 31, 2025.

March 9, 2026
See all posts