[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]he day is almost here! Our yearly version of End Game or the Battle for Winterfell, Taco Madness, is this Saturday. After all the truly exciting taco battles, we get to relax and try several of the contenders May 4 at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. The competitors get to showcase some of their fantastic tacos so you can try them and decide in person.
One of the major differences this year was the addition of BBQ-style tacos. A's BBQ and East L.A. BBQ Company are two exciting Chicano-Q vendors who offer wonderful smoky tacos. Expect a tangy smoked cochinita pibil taco from A's, and a soft and smoky lengua taco from East L.A. BBQ – both on Kernel of Truth tortillas!
Leo's is gonna be slanging their iconic tacos al pastor, shaved from an enormous trompo. Catch Macheen making their version of a birria de res and pulpo taco – of course each taco will have its own colorful tortilla. Mariscos Jalisco is bringing what has become one of L.A.'s most recognized food items, tacos dorados de camaron. For dessert Balam, one of the exciting taquerias from my hood, is making a dessert taco. Paramount's Horchateria Río Luna (shout out SELA!) will be selling several of their dessert drinks that have earned them long lines. And I Love Micheladas will be serving their signature miches.
It's gonna be a great fucking time and probably more exciting than Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones. Check out the complete list of food vendors and their menu items below.
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Sonoratown
Three tacos de costilla on handmade flour tortillas.
Guerrilla Tacos
1. A tostada and a chicken taco.
Leo's Tacos
Four tacos: asada, al Pastor, pollo, carnitas.
Mariscos Jalisco
Two tacos de camarón and a tostada de ceviche.
A'S BBQ
One taco de cochinita pibil on a blue corn Kernel of Truth tortilla and a chopped brisket taco with a three cheese queso blend and mole BBQ sauce.
Balam
1. Pork belly taco: orange pork belly, salsa macho, papaya, Jarritos glaze, bean sprouts.
2. Cochinita taco: cochinita en recado negro, jamaica jicama, black beans, habanero onions, chicharrón de ajonjolí.
3. Desert taco: vanilla tortilla, flan, orange peel, candied coconut, polvoron cookie.
Macheen
An octopus and a birria taco.
East LA BBQ
A smoked lengua taco and a smoked tri-tip taco with pico slaw.
Horchateria Río Luna
1. Horchata, regular or vegan (which is made with oat milk).
2. Iced green tea horchata.
3. Horchata iced coffee.
4. ChataMaica (iced horchata with hibiscus tea).
Entrance to Taco Madness is free from 6 pm to midnight, Saturday, May 4 at LA Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. VIP tickets will get you in an hour early and feature an open bar. The year's Taco Madness is powered by Jarritos, the official drink of tacos.
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