Skip to Content
Tacos

Taco Madness Is Back ~ L.A.’s Original Head-to-Head Taquero Bracket Returns

[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]ime to stand with your favorite taquero, Los Angeles. Taco Madness, L.A.'s original bracket-style taco battle, returns for the 10th year in a row, with brackets released March 25 and online voting starting April 1. This year's ballot is brought to you in partnership with Jarritos, the official drink of tacos.

As in years past, the online vote will pair 32 of L.A.'s favorite taco shops, stands, trucks, and restaurants in head-to-head battles to determine LA's favorite taco. The 32 locations will be picked by our panel of experts which includes our food writers and others from around the taco-verse.

Readers can nominate their favorite places to be considered by our panel by tweeting using #TacoMadness2019 or tagging us on Facebook and Instagram with your top picks. You can also nominate a taquero for consideration in the comments below.

Last year's winner was Taqueria La Venganza who defeated Cena Vegan, Ricky's Fish Tacos, Burritos La Palma, and Carnitas El Momo on the way to the finals against Macheen.

This year's online vote runs through five rounds and concludes May 3. On May 4, we will celebrate all the taqueros and the winner at LA Plaza with Taco Madness Live, where some of the best tacos in L.A. will be available along with the city's best music, micheladas, live artists, and more. Last year's event was a true celebration of the best of L.A. and we plan on repeating the good times.

See you there!

Key Dates:

March 25: Brackets released

April 1: First round voting begins

April 8: Second round voting begins

April 15: Third round of voting begins

April 22: Final Four voting begins

April 29: Final vote begins

May 3: Voting concludes.

May 4: Taco Madness Live at LA Plaza!

RELATED: Taco Madness 2018 Bracket and Winner

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

What To Eat In L.A. This Weekend: Parisian Hot Dogs, Steak-Stuffed Eggrolls, and a New Nicaraguan Fritanga

Plus a beautiful shawarma sandwich in Sherman Oaks and a weekend-long celebration of a Chicano brewery in La Puente.

July 26, 2024

Street Vendors Successfully Sue City to Remove Illegal ‘No Vending’ Signs And Won

L.A. will also have to reimburse the street vendors for their past fines relating to this controversial sign. However, this does not include any other fines related to equipment restrictions or lack of permits. This also means that while a vendor can’t be cited for vending in areas like the Hollywood Walk of Fame anymore, they can still get cited for other city regulations. 

July 25, 2024

Empathy Through Tacos: Meet the Skid Row Taqueros Giving Away Free Food Every Friday to Downtown’s Homeless Community 

One of the taqueros who organizes the weekly pop-ups used to be homeless himself and broke out of poverty by selling breakfast burritos in front of a courthouse in Van Nuys. Now, he is sober and pays it forward every week. The group uses TikTok to raise funds and donate up to 1,500 tacos and more a week.

July 24, 2024

Open Thread: What’s The Best Live Show You’ve Ever Seen In L.A.?

Was your life changed by a Circle Jerks show at Blackie's? Chaka Khan dropping in on Snoop and Too Short at the Palladium? Dudamel with a special guest at Disney Hall? Chime in!

See all posts