Have you noticed how fast time seems to move?
A year ago, I posted about one of my favorite food festivals: Tacolandia.
For those of you who didn’t read the review of last year’s event, Tacolandia is the creation of Bill Esparza, a renowned blogger (he won a James Beard Award this year), food entrepreneur and world’s first “tacorazzo.”
Since he is considered an authority on the taco department, he gathers the best vendors of Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and Baja California Norte. This year the event included 150 vendors from all over the counties (tell me that number doesn’t blow your mind). In addition, he brought a vendor from Phoenix (Barrio Café) and another from London (Breddos Tacos). How great is that!
I have to be honest. The event has grown a lot. Several Instagram account estimated 8,000 people attended the event. There is no doubt Los Angeles is crazy about tacos. But, the thing is that certain magic has been lost. The lines were long and there was not a lot of opportunities to interact with the vendors.
On the other hand, the food was delicious and abundant. Tons of vendors provided samples for the entire four hours. I have to say I was a happy camper after all was said and done. It is hard to comprehend the many varieties I got to try.
But, I am not going to continue writing. I will let you judge the event by the photos.
Hope you gotta learn a little bit more about Mexican and the city which is considered the taco capital of the USA.
Warning! Mouthwatering photos ahead!
Cielito Lindo
Taquitos drenched in green sauce
Kokopelli
Grilled octopus taco with Mexican pesto
Casa Vega
Tacos al pastor – al pastor style means pork marinated in chiles, spices, and pineapple and cooked and cooked in a giant spit, shawarma style (we call the spit “trompo”)
La Barbacha
Barbacoa Hidalgo style – barbacoa is lamb meat cooked for a long time (12 hours in this case) underground in maguey leaves. Hidalgo is the state from where the restaurant owners originate.
Mariscos El Guero
Fish ceviche, shrimp ceviche and shrimp aguachile – for aguachile, the shrimp are butterflied and submerged in chili peppers, lime juice, salt, spices and slices of onion.
Pink Taquiza Gourmet
They were serving a more “modern” take on tostadas and tacos. They had ground meat and hard boiled eggs on them. The avocado and chile de arbol sauces were delicious.
Oaxaca on Wheels
Taquitos covered in black bean sauce, avocado sauce and chile de arbol sauce. They served steak tacos too.
Taqueria Vista Hermosa
Tacos al pastor. Gotta recognize this vendor because of making their own tortillas on site.
Dia de los Puercos
Fried pork belly tacos
El Shuko
Hot dog taco – this is a big thing in Guatemala
El Coraloense
Shrimp taco
RBTA X Monkey Bar
Salmon tostada and pork belly taco
Amor y Tacos
Stewed pork in chile sauce taco. Everything was topped with crispy chicharron.
La Tostaderia
Fish tostada
Coni’s Seafood
Shrimp, pineapple and peppers taco. The tortilla is made of a thin slice of jicama.
Barrio Café
Shredded pork taco and guacamole topped with pomegranate seeds.
Las 7 Regiones de Oaxaca
Mole negro and chicken taco
Birrieria Jalisco
Goat birria
Balam Mexican Kitchen
Sopork – citrus marinated carnitas, caramelized onions and basil jicama coleslaw
Kuxxum – Huitlacoche (corn fungus) and Portobello with dry cheese and chipotle dressing
Caribbean taco bomb – beer batter coconut shrimp, mango, pico de gallo and pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds) in a hibiscus-infused jicama tortilla
Tacos Punta Cabras
Lamb Mex samosa
Rakken Tacos
Pho Taco
Lemongrass al pastor
Macheen
Ensenada Taco
Fish taco
Which taco would you like to try?
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Photo Cache says
Oh this is awesome! I love tacos. I am actually in search of the best taco so far.
Ruth says
That is something I am doing to. But, with so many good tacos in the area, I am happy to change my favorite once in a while.
image-in-ing: weekly photo linky says
Looks yummy!
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/06/west-side-story.html
Ruth says
I know they looks great but they tasted awesome too.
Life Images by Jill says
My goodness. I love tacos, but I think I would be hard pressed to pick which one I would choose from this amazing array of varieties. What a fabulous event this must be.
Happy travels, have a fabulous week, and thank you for stopping by my blog last week.
Ruth says
Jill, it will take me forever to visit the brick and mortar establishments of this vendors. That is why the event is good since you can try a lot in a short period of time. I have a list of the restaurants I want to explore more.
Leah says
Wow! I’m soon hungry after reading this! This looks amazing!!
Ruth says
I warn you before pasting the pictures! I feel hungry too when I revisit the photos.
Anna says
so many interesting tastes!! the Barbacoa Hidalgo intrigues me the most!
Ruth says
The barbacoa was one of the softest and juicy I have tried. The meat can be eaten by itself without garnishes.
Van @ Snow in Tromso says
I’ve tried Tacos for the first time in Norway – Norwegians are crazy for them and Fridays are traditionally TacoFridays here! I love them though the ones you show here look way more healthy than what Norwegians consume every Friday 😀
Ruth says
I would like to learn more about the taco culture in Norway. Here is the states we have Taco Tuesdays. That is when the tacos are sold between one or two dollars (and people go in droves to get them). When you say the ones in here look healthier, what are you referring to? What ingredients are used there?
Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders says
I don’t think that there’s anything better in the world than a taco festival! I promise that I’m not really hungry, but after looking at these pictures I’m ready to eat some tacos!
Ruth says
You are right! Tacos all the way! There are tons of them in Los Angeles but Tacolandia is definitely the best.
carrie says
OH MY GOODNESS, Ruth! I love taking something simple like a taco and jazzing it up with amazing new flavors. this looks amazing and delicious!
Ruth says
That is the beauty of the taco scene in Los Angeles. You have your traditional, really flavorful tacos but, at the same time, you have all these people who are trying to innovate by using different ingredients and flavors. How not to love that?
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
OMG. All tacos all the time! I need to travel just to try all of these!
Ruth says
Los Angeles is the perfect place to do a taco crawl. I can assure you we have the best of the country.
Sharon says
The variety is staggering. So many tacos, so little time. and room in the tum. Fun!
Ruth says
I know! I started to get full kind of fast. That is when I started to eat the filling only to save space on my tummy.
Jackie Smith says
Amazing! Who would have thought the humble little taco could take on so many personalities and become such a siren to the taste buds! Would love to have attended the event ‘back when’ there weren’t so many attendees. That has happened to a number of events around here, wine tastings and such, to the point we don’t even attend. Would love one of those tacos right now!!!
Ruth says
Jackie, I feel your pain. As much as I love the event, we are not attending next year. I do not want to thing how much bigger is going to be in 2017.
Lauren says
Ok.. That’s it. I’m not reading your posts in the middle of the work day anymore. They make me WAY too hungry!! All of these tacos look amazing! And Mexican food its definitely my weakness!! Good thing I have fajitas and guac planned for dinner tonight. Still though- going to be dreaming about these tasty treats the whole time!!! Thanks for sharing! Glad you enjoyed 😀
Ruth says
Nice you are having fajitas and guac! Recently, some friends move from Chile to the States and they were telling me how difficult it was to find good Mexican ingredients in Chile. They are trilled about being back in the States where Mexican food in plenty.
Marcella ~ WhatAWonderfulWorld says
WOW, now this really is a delicious post! What an amazing event, there is seriously something to please everybody’s tastes, mmmm!!
Ruth says
That is true. There were plenty of options for vegetarians, people who does not eat pork or fish.
budget jan says
We’ve not been anywhere in the States outside of NYC but I admit that one of the major driving forces of a visit will be to try all that amazing Mexican food!
Ruth says
I am not sure how strong is NYC in Mexican food but I believe there are some good places. I would like to try those.
Indrani says
Elaborate spread! The fillings delight me! The rolls will taste superb no doubt!
Happy eating to you! 🙂
Happy #TPT!
Ruth says
Glad you enjoyed the post!
Rashmi says
Looks so inviting!
Ruth says
Great since there was some really good food served that day!
Cat says
Omg! I will fly to LA for THAT! You’re making me hungry!!
Ruth says
That sounds like a god idea. People fly from all over the country for other festivals. I do not see why this one should be missed.
Bushra Muzaffar says
The variety is stupendous! No doubt an entire festival is dedicated to just Tacos. Amazing drool-worthy clicks!
Ruth says
I like your way of describing it. It is hilarious! But, glad you liked it.
Erin Klema | The Epicurean Traveler says
Wow! So many tacos, so little time. #WeekendWanderlust
Ruth says
I know. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed with the variety. But, I guess I should not complain about that.
Jessi (Two Feet, One World) says
Well, now I know what I’m having for lunch – yum!! I am all over any kind of pulled pork or slow cooked meat… so tasty.
Ruth says
The slow cooked meat ones are delicious. My husband has a coworker who prepare barbacoa on the weekends. He does a great job.
Anisa says
I want to go next year! I love tacos.
Ruth says
You should sign in for LA Weekly’s newsletter. In that way, you are going to get the pre-sale notice and get your tickets at a lower price.
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute says
Well, I’m not sure I could pick just one to try, but if I was limited to only one it would have to be the “Kuxxum – Huitlacoche (corn fungus) and Portobello with dry cheese and chipotle dressing.” I keep hearing about Huitlacoche and really want to try it.
Ruth says
My husband loves huitlacoche. It is not that easy to find it in restaurants. You have to get it when you see it in the menu.
Rhonda says
I am packing on the pounds just looking at the photos. Please put some in a box and ship them to New Zealand.
Ruth says
We should come with our own business: a taco subscription box. That would be great!
Brooke of Passport Couture says
All of these savory tacos look incredible! I would love to try the Salmon Tostada.
Ruth says
The taco tostada was great. I have come to love the raw fish combinations over a crispy tortilla.
Kathy says
Oh yes the pictures of the food do speak for themselves! It all looks delicious. So strange because I made tacos for dinner last night! 🙂
Ruth says
Great! I have to try your tacos one day!
paula McInerney says
WOW, I have never seen so many different types of tacos, and have never heard of the term tacorazzo before. May need to do some experimenting and make some of these.
Ruth says
Here in Los Angeles people come up with all sorts of terms and taco varieties. And, not only in Los Angeles because San Diego and Baja come up with great tacos too.
eileen g says
everything looks very fresh and delicious and interesting. It’s amazing the variety of things you tried! We tend to avoid most local food festivals these days though, i have to say, because of the lines and crowds you mention. Glad it was worth it for you.
Ruth says
I probably will not attend the event next year. I am glad I was able to enjoy it this year.
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net) says
Oh.My.Gosh! Suddenly, I’m starving and have a craving for tacos. Next time, I will heed the warning signs. 😉
Ruth says
I know, it is hard not to think about food after taking a look at all these photos.
Vlad says
I’m so glad I ate before reading your post. Because I started drooling when you said grilled octopus. Can you believe I’ve never had a taco? There’s a (supposedly) good Mexican restaurant in town that I’ve always wanted to try, hoping to go soon 😀
Nancie says
WOW! I am drooling. I want to try one of each. Thanks for co-hosting. Once again, sorry that I am slow in visiting. I am just finishing up my semester. Almost time to breathe again! #TPThursday
Whitney Carson says
After looking at the photos, I am hungry now and I want tacos. I should visit Tacolandia one of these days.