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

This Egyptian-Mexican Taquería in El Sereno Does Kofta Burritos and Falafel Sopes

After closing their first restaurant in Downtown L.A., Tirsa and Steve Farah opened Tirzah's Mexi-Terranean where they serve fusion dishes inspired by their home cooking.

March 3, 2026

The Smallest Theater in L.A. Is Inside of an Electrical Box

A seemingly ordinary electrical box is home to L.A.'s smallest theater, created by guerilla artist S.c. MeRo.

March 3, 2026

Daily Memo: ICE Detains U.S. Citizen With Infant As Kavanaugh Stops Continue

Today, at a 7-Eleven in Victorville, four ICE agents in vehicles blocked off and stopped a woman with an infant in her vehicle and briefly detained her. She was eventually let go after they learned she is a U.S. citizen.

This Artist Peyote-Stitched 30,000 Beads on Utility Poles to Say “FUCK ICE”

L.A. artist Kimberly Dawn Robertson created “bead bombs,” fastening Native feminist resistance to the city.

March 1, 2026
See all posts