One of L.A.'s biggest and best taco fests is going virtual, and for a great cause.
Author, reporter and one of the world's foremost taco authorities Bill Esparza curates Taqueando every year, featuring row upon row of taco stand from Southern California and beyond. Given we can't gather for Esparza's usual in-person taco throwdown, the event resurfaced as a series of pop-ups this fall—and now, it's coming back as a virtual event with food and drink all conveniently boxed up for you.
Esparza has collected a meal from some of his favorite spots: Each box includes one birria taco from San Ysidro's Tuetano Taqueria; a meatless Impossible taco from L.A.'s Chicas Tacos; two tamales—one savory, one sweet—from Bell Gardens' Tamales Elena y Antojitos (one of our Best New Restaurants of 2020); ceviche de pescado from Ensenada's La Guerrerense; a chicharron burrito from San Diego's Mujer Divina; and salsa from Bell's La Casita Mexicana.
Want a few cocktails to wash it all down? The VIP boozy Taqueando at Home box includes all of the above plus a tequila cocktail from L.A.'s Madre; mezcal from Oaxaca-distilled El Silencio; beers from Tecate; a michelada kit from L.A.'s Salsa Sinaloa; and a few extra surprises.
The regular boxes run $50 apiece while the VIP offering is set at $100, and are both available for preorder now. On Monday, December 28, you'll pick up your Taqueando at Home box in the Arts District (1850 Industrial St, from 10am to 10pm), then on Tuesday, December 29, log on to taqueandofest.com at noon for music, cooking demos, guest chefs and more.
What's more, a portion of the virtual event's proceeds will benefit CIELO, a nonprofit that aids indigenous communities in Los Angeles.