Team FAQs

TEAM FAQs

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FAQS…

WHAT’S THE GIST?

You sell $2 tacos, compete in various categories, and market your business to taco lovers.

DON’T I HAVE TO BE A MEXICAN RESTAURANT?

No! That’s the beauty of the Taco Festival – everyone makes a taco. It’s the most adapted cuisine in America.

DOES IT COST TO ENTER?

Yes, it costs $150-$450. Here’s how:
Taco teams $200 single day / $400 weekend
Food trucks with power: $150 single day / $300 weekend
Sidecart (salsa, guacamole, veggie taco, dessert taco, anything taco, best booth): $50 one-time fee

WHAT DO I GET FOR THAT MONEY?

You get a 20’x20’ area. In front, there’s a 10’x20’ tent (with sidewalls), and a 10’x20’ area in back for your cooking equipment. Also, two 8’ tables, 2 chairs, a team sign, menu board and power. You are also entered into the taco competition, which means you receive turn-in boxes for your competition tacos to be submitted in.

HOW MUCH POWER CAN I HAVE?

Teams are provided with two 110v outlets. If you need more outlets or heavier power, alert event organizers.

CAN I KEEP A VEHICLE AT MY BOOTH?

Generally, no. If it is integral to your booths’ operation and/or adds to the overall flair of the event, you can put in a request with the event organizers. Vendor parking is available for utility vehicles and is within easy walking distance.

CAN I SELL FOOD?

Yes! THIS IS NOT A FOOD DONATION, like many events. You can sell any kind of taco, taco sample, salsa, and guacamole to attendees for $2 each. You collect 1 token for an item sold and turn your tokens in at the end of each day. We will then reimburse you $1 for every item sold. Sell 1,000 tacos and you get $1,000!

CAN I SELL THINGS THAT ARE NOT TACOS?

Other items are allowed but only on a case-by-case basis. Elote, churros, rice, beans, salsa, guac, nachos, stuff like that, please let us know. Generally, beverage sales of any kind are not allowed. If you have a really special non-alcoholic beverage you want to sell, it may be considered. All approved menu items must be priced at $2 and you will make $1 from each item.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I PREP FOR?

Teams have historically sold between 500 and 3,000 tacos per day. This number depends on your ability, but 1,000 or more is a safe bet (meaning $1,000 back to you if you sell 1,000 tacos).

ARE HAND-WASHING STATIONS PROVIDED?

No. If you do not have one, please alert event organizers and we will offer guidance.

ARE PLATES OR UTENSILS PROVIDED?

No. You must provide disposable plates, napkins and utensils as needed. Remember, it’s an outdoor festival, so napkins, foil, and paper towel could act as a plate.

DO I NEED A HEALTH PERMIT?

Yes. Since this event is on the Reservation, it must be acquired through Pima County Health. Organizers will walk you though this process. It’s not complicated, and it’s free!

DO I NEED A BUSINESS LICENSE?

Yes. It’s a simple application and costs $25. We will walk you through it.

ANY OTHER HASSLES?

We need a copy of your insurance listing us as additionally insured. Details will be provided, but this is a simple call to your broker.

IS THIS A RAIN-OR-SHINE EVENT?

Yes… the show must go on!

HOW DOES THE COMPETITION WORK?

When you sign up, you receive one sample competition box to practice with. Then, on each day of the event, you receive four boxes, one for each meat category (chicken, pork, beef, and seafood), so everyone has equal time to decorate the actual boxes. Turn-ins take place every hour and are designated by organizers. You are judged on taste, presentation and texture. Winners are named in each category, but the title “Grand Champion” is cumulative from all of your scores. So although you don’t have to enter every single category, you should if you’d like a chance to win “Grand Champion.”

DOES THE TACO I SUBMIT TO THE JUDGES HAVE TO BE THE SAME ONE I SERVE TO ATTENDEES?

Nope. But remember, you’re representing your business. People want to see you put your best foot forward.

WHY DO I ONLY GET FOUR BOXES?

The taco categories are chicken, pork, beef, and seafood. You submit each category in its own box (with six tacos in each box). For the other stuff, like salsa, guac, and anything goes taco, veggie taco, presentation is up to you – but there still should be six samples of each because each team has six judges assigned to it. We will have extra boxes if you’d like to use those.

IS THERE A PRIZE?

Yes. We pay cash prizes for 1st through 3rd in every taco category and an Overall 1st and 2nd place. Plus, there’s 1st and 2nd for all Sidecart categories. The total prize purse is $10,000 over the weekend ($5,000 each day) that is divided among the categories. See below for the payout schedule.

WHEN DO I GET MY MONEY?

Within 7 days after the festival.

DO I HAVE TO DO BOTH DAYS?

Nope. Choose one or do both. Up to you. Last year’s attendance was around 15,000 on Saturday and 10,000 on Sunday. If you are using the Taco Festival as marketing, we suggest both days, but understand that strains your staff & business. BUT, the people that come to the Taco Fest are YOUR potential customers – so give it all you’ve got!

SPONSORSHIP

For restaurants looking to make a bigger impression, we have sponsorship options that offer additional marketing such as logo inclusion on festival marketing, as well as further integration into the festival itself, and a larger on-site footprint. For more details on available team sponsorship options, please inquire.

CONTESTS

Categories / Turn-in Times / Prize Money

NATIONAL TACO ASSOCIATION

Grand Champion: $1,000

Reserve Grand Champion: $250

12PM • CHICKEN TACO

1st place: $300
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100

1PM • PORK TACO

1st place: $300
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100

2PM • BEEF TACO

1st place: $300
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100

3PM • SEAFOOD TACO

1st place: $300
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100

SIDE CART CATEGORIES

3:45PM • SALSA