Skip to Content
Events

Your Taco Madness 2018 Recap ~ Photos, Vol. 1

11:49 AM PDT on May 7, 2018

[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]n a stunning show of presence for the vegan aficionados of Los Angeles, Taquería La Venganza overcame the strong competition from runner-up Macheen and was crowned winner of the online vote for Taco Madness 2018.

An estimated 3,500 people gathered for the free annual event at the outdoor space of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, with the towers of the downtown skyline glistening in the distance. Good food, good drinks, good music, and good vibes abounded.

The Love Crew brought three members to paint live at the event entrance, setting the mood of creativity with their graffiti creations. Local legend Sand One posted up next to the Partida Tequila booth and painted one of her iconic “dolls” live for a crowd that gathered around her. Musical guests included Metralleta de Oro, J. Rocc, Que Madre, Sleepwalk, and Ganas.

People were playing games in the Xbox lounge from the minute the festival opened to the very end, with some incredibly competitive Pro Evolution Soccer matches drawing in spectators. Meanwhile, guests enjoyed a mini guacamole battle between Guerrilla Tacos' Wes Avila, and La Venganza's Raul Medina.

AT&T provided charging stations and picnic tables where people could both devour and photograph their plates of tacos.

Taco Madness, now in its ninth year, is the premiere live event by LATaco.com and has become an unofficial tradition for taco-lovers in Southern California.

Hats off to the @LATACO crew n everyone else who made #TacoMadness possible yesterday,” tweeted writer Erick Huerta. “I'm still digesting #tacolife.”

Hats off to the @LATACO crew n everyone else who made #TacoMadness possible yesterday. I'm still digesting #tacolife pic.twitter.com/R53sSO0daV

— Erick Huerta (@ElRandomHero) May 6, 2018

Photo by Brian Feinzimer.
Photo by Brian Feinzimer.
Photo by Daniel Hernandez.
Photo by Brian Feinzimer.
Ramona's hosted a lookalike contest, which was won by the lovely Michelle Roman, here she poses with company CEO Robert Bañuelos.
Photo by Brian Feinzimer.
Photo by Brian Feinzimer.
Staff photo.
Photo by Brian Feinzimer.
Photo by Daniel Hernandez.
Photo by Daniel Hernandez.
Photo by Brian Feinzimer.

RELATED:

Taco Madness Recap 2017

Taco Madness Recap 2016

Taco Madness Recap 2015

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

The Westside’s Most Thrilling New Modern Mexican Restaurant Is . . . Rustic Canyon!?

The 19-year-old Santa Monica farm-to-table legend is surprisingly now serving a vermilion fish taco, oyster mushrooms al pastor, and pork chops spread with beans and salsa mojcajete.

September 11, 2026

The 19 Best Carne Asada Tacos in L.A.

You could argue that asada is the official taco of Los Angeles. Exhibit A: These mouthwatering 19 tacos, ranked.

September 10, 2026

ICE WATCH Newsletter: Over 170,000 Salvadorans With T.P.S. Protections Are Safe, For Now

Questions and anxiety, however, still remain for these people and their families. Every option ahead of them now is their worst nightmare come to life.

September 10, 2026

Seven L.A. Tattoo Artists Supporting Palestine Through Ink and Flash Sheets

While not everyone can donate funds, these tattoo artists prove that you can donate time, skills, and hope.

September 9, 2026

ICE Watch Newsletter: ICE’s Demolition Derby

ICE’s recklessness, aggression, and use of vehicles as assault weapons is nothing new. Recently, it went into overdrive.

September 8, 2026

A Kinky Afternoon with L.A.’s Legendary 72-Year-Old Dominatrix

Mistress Cyan’s dungeon sits in an industrial pocket in South L.A., and her clients range from local cops to couples who swear BDSM saved their marriage.

September 8, 2026