2014 TACO TEAMS

2014 TACO TEAMS (I.E., RESTAURANTS TO VISIT NOW!)

America’s Taco Shop Chandler
Fast casual, family-owned, and yes, related to all the other great America’s you see around the Valley.

Amuse Bouche
When a classic French bistro in Surprise decides to throw down some tacos at a festival, you know you’re in for a treat. Saturday only.

Blanco Tacos & Tequila
This Fox Restaurant Concepts foray into Mexican food is a total hit. Wave Hello to chef Saul Velazquez and his crew at the Fest. Note: Blanco is Saturday only.

Blue Hound Kitchen + Cocktails
A marquee dining destination at CityScape in downtown Phoenix. Note: Blue Hound is one of the Saturday-only taco teams.

Bootleggers American Smokehouse
If it’s smoked meat you’re looking for, Bootleggers is the place to get it.

Coach’s Corner
The game, the food, the drinks, the service - it’s always a home run at this spot across from Chase Field.

Dave & Buster’s
It’s not all fun and games, especially when it comes to their seriously delicious menu.

Distrito
Top Chef Jose Garces’ Arizona outpost of his wildly popular Mexican food restaurant.

Dos Gringos - BAR SPONSOR
There is perhaps no more relaxing place to hang out in town than Dos Gringos.

El Hefe Tempe - BAR SPONSOR
Check out the new Mill Avenue location of this legendary party spot, and stay for some tacos!

El Palacio Cantina - LOUNGE SPONSOR
They are one of the most winningest teams of the My Nana’s Salsa Challenge, Taco Fest, and just about any other food competition they enter.

Fogon Mexican Eatery
This new spot serves up Mexican cuisine in a teppanyaki-like setting, with chefs entertaining small groups while they cook.

Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup
Last years’ Best Chicken Taco winner. Order the “Taco Fest Chicken” for a special off-the-menu combo.

Gallo Blanco / Otro Cafe
Authentic Mexican cuisine by chef Doug Robson served up at The Clarendon Hotel (Gallo) and in midtown Phoenix (Otro). Note: this team will operate at Gallo Blanco on Saturday and Otro Cafe on Sunday.

Hacienda’s Mexican Grill
Where do North Scottsdale folks go for good Mexican food? Hacienda’s - for huge margs and giant taco platters!

Hip Veggies / Dos Manos
What a powerhouse duo! Monika Woolsey of Hip Veggies (AZ’s biggest proponent of cooking with nopales, or cactus), and Joseph Aguayo (formerly of Verde restaurant, now launching a pop-up taco shop) are teaming up to dish out tacos for the first time under the Dos Manos name and with nopales in hand! Vegetarians should stop by this booth.

Jennifer’s Catering/The Market by Jennifer’s
Jennifer Russo and her team caters with style, operate the funnest market in town, and drink great wine while doing it. You’ll love these people! Stop by this booth for a vegetarian option. Note: this team is Saturday-only.

Krusin’ Cuisine Food Truck
Rollin’ out of Mesa and straight to the taco fest, look for their wildly popular short rib tacos and other surprises. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for the full schedule so you can visit them anytime!

La Chica Loca

Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar & Grill
One part Asian, one part Latin, and all parts delicious, Ling & Louie’s is where you go when you can’t decide between egg rolls or tacos. So why not get both.

Loco Patron
Celebrating their 10th Anniversary at the Taco Fest, this cool, casual spot has locations on Scottsdale Road and Mill Avenue.

Milagro Grill
Everyone remembers Milagro Grill’s legendary 2012 sweep at the Taco Fest. But nobody wants that crown back more than this team. Meanwhile, visit their fantastic patio right in the heart of Arcadia.

Modern Margarita
Bringing tacos and tequila to High Street in North Scottsdale CityNorth development, Modern Margarita has a great patio and huge indoor-outdoor bar you’ll love.

Queso Good Food Truck
The truck is bright, it’s yellow, and no matter it goes, it reminds us that people absolutely love their quesadillas. Track them online via the website.

Rosana’s Taco Trailer
Her business is brand new and Rosana wants you to fall in love with her food so you will hire her to cater. Stop by to meet her!

Rubio’s - LOUNGE SPONSOR
When the book of taco history is written and the authors need to describe the most consistently perfect fish taco ever created, they will put Rubio’s at the top of that list. Visit any one of their 15+ Valley locations to see what we mean.

Salty Senorita - BAR SPONSOR
The Salty group has recently swam up north up Scottsdale Road to a new spot with a new look and new and improved tacos. Check ‘em out!

Santos Lucha Libre
This small but highly successful taco shop out of Tempe and Phoenix knows how to brings the skills when it comes to making street tacos!

Second Story Liquor Bar
Located above downtown Scottsdale’s Gelato Spot, the SSLB kitchen is run by one of the most talented young chefs in the biz-Josh Bracher. Stop by their Taco Fest booth for something amazing.

Sol Diablo Cantina
Located in the heart of Tempe across the street from Sun Devil Stadium, Sol Diabo features a menu of 10+ $3 tacos, gourmet entrees, and a sweet patio right in the middle of it all.

Someburros
Their bean burritos and carne asada are hailed as some of the best around, even by AZ’s top chefs. Stop in to any of the multiple Valley locations to see why. Note: this team is Saturday-only.

Taco Guild
If tacos are your religion, then you’ll want to check out this church-turned-restaurant. An extensive tequila list, top-shelf margs, and imaginative gourmet tacos are all part of the holy service here.

Taco Pirates
The Taco Festival is the only place you can eat the food of Chef Karsten Hartig and his team, unless you join Cottonwood Country Club, where they currently chef.

Tacos El Mauri
They don’t have a restaurant, but they do have lucha libre masks and some of the best tacos you’ve ever eaten. Try their food at the Fest and then take a card for catering!

Tacos Huicho
If you saw a really long line at last years’ fest, it probably led to Los Primos, where taco legend Huicho and his family had a booth. Visit them at 26th Street and Oak in their tiny carniceria Phoenix.

The Hangar
They’re brand new, they’re around the corner from the event, and they’re gonna fly in on Sunday at the taco fest and dish out some tacos that are sure to impress!

The Herb Box
Did you know that spending $500 or more for an event or catering gig with The Herb Box could score you two tickets to Super Bowl XLIX? How ’bout them tacos!? At the Fest, possible veggie taco option…

The Mission / The House Brasserie
Last year’s Saturday Grand Champion winner is back at it. Sister restaurants that serve “Modern Latin” and “Globally Inspired” cuisine seem to be a recipe for winning. Note: this team is Saturday-only. They serve as The House, but compete as The Mission.

Traveling Monk
Did somebody say ‘bacon tacos’?! That’s how the Traveling Monk rolls, right out of Chandler’s Hungry Monk restaurant and into the Taco Festival.

Triple Dot Food Truck
Barely a couple months old, this empanada food truck run by a husband-and-wife team is going to try their hand at tacos. Meanwhile, check out their schedule online for the best empanadas in town! Note: this truck is Saturday-only.

Uncle Bear’s - BAR SPONSOR
They brew beer, they serve great food, and they’re always one of the funnest parts of our festivals. Stop by any of their many Valley locations soon and check out their newest Barktoberfest Lager. At the Taco Fest, they’ll be operating an El Jimador Tequila Shake & Bite Shot Bar!

Wasted Grain - BAR SPONSOR
Replacing the old Martini Ranch in downtown Scottsdale was no small task, but the folks at Wasted Grain hit a home run with this soon-to-be-iconic spot for games, grub, and good service.

Wigwam Resort
This picturesque resort in Litchfield Park is heading into “event season” filled with wine dinners, beer and bacon tastings, and more. Stop by their Taco Fest booth to hear all about their upcoming schedule. Note: this team is Sunday-only.

White Eyes Fry Bread
Not only can you put anything on fry bread, you can turn fry bread into tacos. How do we know? White Eyes does it every year.

Yucca Tap Room
Nothing goes better with live music in a small venue than street tacos. The Yucca’s got ‘em: chicken, sirloin, or ground beef.