40 New Orleans area restaurants competed for various when the first-ever Top Taco New Orleans took over the Riverwalk yesterday.
The night’s big winner was Kenner’s Taqueria Chilangos, who took home the Top Taco title, as well as the Judges Choice Award for Best Traditional Taco and the People’s Choice Award for Best Traditional Taco. John Besh’s Johnny Sanchez also won big, earning the People’s Choice Awards for Best Creative Taco and Best Traditional Margarita.
The Top Taco festival started in Denver four years ago and quickly became one of the largest food festivals in Colorado. The New Orleans version featured live music by Los Po-Boy-Citos, Otra, Mariachi Jalisco US and Muevelo. A portion of the proceeds from the event went to One Heart NOLA, a charitable organization that raises funds and awareness for New Orleans’ foster children.
Here’s a look at the winners according to NOLA.com:
JUDGES CHOICE AWARDS
Creative taco
3rd – La Casita
2nd – Kingfish
1st – Blue Oak BBQ
Traditional taco
3rd – Felipe’s Taqueria
2nd – Canal St. Bistro
1st – Chilangos
Traditional margarita
3rd – Carreta’s Grill
2nd – Johnny Sanchez
1st – Mizado Latin Kitchen
Creative tequila cocktail
3rd – Cochon Butcher
2nd – Del Fuego
1st – Mizado Latin Kitchen
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Traditional taco
3rd – Felipe’s
2nd – Tequila House
1st – Chilangos
Creative taco
3rd – Velvet cactus
2nd – Rum House
1st – Johnny Sanchez
Traditional Margarita
3rd – Nacho Mama’s
2nd – Mizado Latin Kitchen
1st – Johnny Sanchez
Creative Tequila Cocktail
3rd – Barcadia
2nd – Masquerade
1st – Tequila House
Ultimate Top Taco Award:
Chilangos
