JOURNAL STAFF
This year’s Taco Wars festival promises to be even more exciting than the last, with more of everything — more tacos, more salsa, and more fun!
The ultimate taco and salsa showdown — presented by Modelo, Jose Cuervo, Maestro Dobel, and the Prize Foundation — is returning on Saturday, April 29 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm outside the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium along Elvis Presley Avenue.
The festival is open to the public and family-friendly, and admission is free.
The 16 taquerias battling it out for the coveted Golden Taco (Best Taco) and Golden Molcajete (Best Salsa) include: Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria Mi Palmar, Ramirez Mexican Restaurant, Mi Mercadito, El Novillo Carniceria, Taqueria La Reyna Del Sur, La Potranca, Taqueria Bazzar Mexicano, Mi Meza Latin Cuisine, Taqueria San Miguel, Taqueria El Eden, Taqueria Flores, El Taconazo, Tacos El Culebrito, Tamalocos, and Taco Joe’s Authentic Wet Tacos.
And that’s not all! There will be not one, but two Maestro Dobel Casa de Tequila tents — where you can indulge in the finest tequila and margaritas. They’ve also added more vendors selling sweet treats like popsicles, churros, and ice cream.
All competing taquerias will sell their tacos to a hungry crowd and provide attendees with free samples of chips and salsa. All attendees will receive voting tokens upon entry to the festival and will vote to crown the Golden Molcajete or Best Salsa Award. A panel of celebrity taco aficionados will taste and determine the winner of the Golden Taco Award.
“Taco Wars celebrates Latino culture, and it features one of the most amazing foods on the planet,” said Gregory Kallenberg, executive director of the Prize Foundation and founder of Taco Wars. “That said, my hope is that everyone comes down to this unique festival to connect and eat together as one community united under our common love for the mighty taco.”
This year’s festival will also feature live performances by local DJ Briant Garcia and local bands Grupo ReMiFa and Los Rancheritos. Plus, there will be a programmed kids’ activity area with plenty of fun games and crafts all day long.
Coca-Cola products will be for sale again this year, along with Modelo beers, Maestro Dobel margaritas, and the Casa de Tequila tasting experience from Maestro Dobel (for those 21 and over). All food and beverage purchases will be made using tickets, which will be available for purchase for $1 each at the festival.
Taco Wars is the region’s largest taco, salsa, and Latino cultural celebration, with 90 percent of food sales going directly to the taquerias and food vendors. Visit www.LATacoWars.com for more information and to purchase advance tickets and VIP passes.
