TACO TEAMS

2015 TACO TEAMS (I.E., RESTAURANTS TO VISIT NOW!)

THESE RESTAURANTS & FOOD TRUCKS COMPETED IN A FIERCE BATTLE FOR PORTIONS OF A $10,000 CASH PRIZE PURSE. IT’S LIKE SPORTS, BUT WITH TACOS.

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

Blanco Tacos & Tequila
This Fox Restaurant Concepts foray into Mexican food is a total hit. They win awards, they serve great tacos, and look good while doing it. Note: Saturday only.

Burgers Amore
Who says a burger food truck with an Italian twist can’t make tacos? They’re ready to surprise us all in October!

Cha Cha Charlies
Sadie Fisher is building a taco food truck but it’s not ready to hit the road yet. That ain’t stopping her from participating in this year’s Taco Festival!

Cien Agaves
Cien Agaves stocks over 100 tequilas and dishes out handcrafted margaritas and a fantastic menu of Mexican classics right in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Note: Saturday only.

Creations by Sergio
This team has won countless (like dozens) of awards for other teams at the Taco Festival, Salsa Challenge, and other events. This year, they’re teaming up as independents to take home the trophies for themselves. Note: Sunday only.

Diego Pops
This incredibly fun taco shop in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale serves up a delicious menu of classic Mexican faves. They’ve all been coming to the Taco Festival for years, now it’s time for them to win it.

Distrito - BAR SPONSOR
Top Chef Jose Garces’ Arizona outpost of his wildly popular Mexican food restaurant always serves up mouthwatering tacos with a gourmet twist. This year, they’ll also serve two upgraded El Jimador margarita options.

Dos Gringos - BAR SPONSOR
There is perhaps no more relaxing place to hang out in town than Dos Gringos. As always, they’ll be located at stage right (or is it left?) at the Taco Fest.

El Hefe Tempe - BAR SPONSOR
Check out their new Mill Avenue location or hit up their legendary downtown Scottsdale location, either way, you’re always in for a good time and good tacos at El Hefe!

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.

Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup
Still representing their Best Chicken Taco win from two years ago, be sure to order the “Taco Fest Chicken” when you stop in for a special off-the-menu combo.

Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
With six Valley locations, Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant specializes in dishing out traditional Mexican fare by a friendly staff! This will be their first year at the Taco Fest.

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

Joyride Taco House
With locations in Central Phoenix and Gilbert, Upward Projects shows they know how to create a cool place with equally cool and delicious tacos.

King Bacon Mexican Grill
Check ’em out and see why they wear the crown. Well, the bacon crown that is…

Loco Patron
Head to their Mill Avenue or Scottsdale Road location and see why they are consistently one of the top taco sellers at the festival each year.

Macayo’s
Family owned and operated for 69 years, Macayo’s may be home to the legendary Baja Burro, but they’re also constantly adding new twists to the menu that keep the iconic spot tasting fresh, on trend, and on point.

MAD Tacos
Winner of the Yuma Taco Festival, this authentic taco diner knows how to dish out some tasty food. Stop by their booth to cheer them on! Note: Saturday only.

Mexx32
From the founders of Delux Burger next door, Mexx32 is a hot, new taco shop and tequileria at 32nd Street and Camelback. Outfitted with a huge bar, sexy lighting, and great food, this is a great spot for lunch, dinner, late night, or anything in between. Note: Saturday only.

Modern Margarita
They bring home a couple trophies almost every year - stop in to this CityNorth taco shop and you’ll see why. Chef Mark Dow and his crew dish out solid, consistent, and mouthwateringly good Mexican fare on a daily basis.

No Que No!
This new Mexican restaurant on Scottsdale Road and Oak is owned by a previous member of one of the top taco teams in previous years. Stop by to meet them at the fest and then stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Off The Hook
With their fun spirit and even more fun menu of great tacos, you will see why they are “Off the Hook.”

Otro Cafe
Authentic Mexican cuisine by chef Doug Robson served up at his midtown Phoenix hotspot. Note: Saturday-only.

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.

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!

Showtime Concessions
You know when people say, “Don’t quit your day job?” Well that’s exactly what the owner of Showtime Concessions wants to do. An IT technician by day and a catering biz by, well, day and night - meet him and his crew at the Taco Fest and taste why quittin’ day is around the corner.

SOL Cocina
Wonderful tastes and laid–back beach vibe of the Baja Peninsula all rolled into one fantastic restaurant that’s throwing down at the Taco Fest this year! Note: Saturday only.

Sunrise Shoppe
Look out for breakfast tacos from this new restaurant! Note: Sunday only.

SuperFarm SuperTruck
With the chef behind Frank. food truck and the organizer behind top-notch food truck round-ups, watch out for this badass truck at the Taco Fest!

Taco Guild
Some people believe in Holy Water, others believe in Holy Tacos. Taco Guild dishes them out from an old church in midtown Phoenix. Will the divine power help them win awards, or will it just be amazing recipes.

Tacos Huicho (Los Primos Carniceria)
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.

Tapacubo
Make a pit stop at this hip taco shop at the base of The Graduate Hotel, across from ASU Gammage in Tempe. Their tacos bring the heat - will they bring the awards? Note: Saturday only.

Taqueria El Fundador
This family-owned and operated taqueria at 32nd Avenue and Van Buren is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year with a debut run at the Taco Festival. Check out their booth for an authentic menu that may include lengua, tripas, and trompo al pastor.

The Herb Box
If you’ve been to The Herb Box booth at the taco festival, you know their sweet potato tacos are one of the tastiest options out there. We’re excited to have them back at the Festival!

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: Saturday only.

The Wigwam Resort
Not only is the Wigwam an Arizona landmark and historic property, they have also learned along the way how to rock out some pretty landmark tacos!

Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market
Need gas and a carwash? Need BBQ tacos and a beer? Need to pick up a bottle of wine or a gift? Tom’s Thumb literally has it all. Stop by and you’ll leave with a clean car and full belly. Note: Sunday only.

Top Golf
When you’re done working on your backswing, then head over to grab some tacos that make par every time!

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: Saturday only.

Union Barrelhouse
Located in the original home of Salty Senorita on Scottsdale Road, this craft beer bar and restaurant will be represented at the Salty booth at Taco Fest.

Valle Luna
This iconic Mexican restaurant is participating for the first time and celebrating the opening of their newest location. Our mouth is watering as we write this!!

Wasted Grain - BAR SPONSOR
This Old Town Scottsdale spot knows how to party and serve great food at the same time - that’s why we love ’em participating in the Taco Fest.

Yaya’s Tacos
Looking for healthier, gluten-free, paleo-friendly tacos? This food truck has got you covered! Yaya’s is new to the scene in AZ, but they’re killing it with enthusiasm, great food, and good vibes. Note: Saturday only.