An embattled dreamer who puts his friends and neighbors first. A revolutionary spreading a personal philosophy of peace and compassion. A taquero of great skill in a masa wasteland. A business major who crafts killer surf-and-turf tacos and glorious breakfast burritos.
L.A. TACO is proud to award its first-ever “Taquero of the Year” trophy to Rodolfo “Rudy” Barrientos, the owner of Gracias Señor taquería, for his generosity towards community in times of trouble, his wise words extolling universal empathy, his urging us all towards a greater sense of humanity, and for bringing excellent food to a barren land of much affluence.
In late 2024, we were covering Rudy’s persecution by dark forces within the Kroger-owned Ralph’s grocery chain, as the business sued Barrientos in an increasingly aggressive push for his removal from the sidewalk in front of the store where he legally operated for over a decade.
Despite the frustration and a subsequent forced move, Rudy handled the pressure with characteristic grace.
When the grocery store burned down in early 2025 alongside great swaths of the surrounding neighborhood, this young taquero only offered words of compassion for its employees.