Los Angeles Taquerias Unite for Tacolandia

Food festivals come in all shapes and sizes, but perhaps none is quite as tasty as the annual Tacolandia event in downtown Los Angeles. Each year Tacolandia takes over the historic El Pueblo of Los Angeles and crowds line up around the block for this 21 and older event.

This taco-filled festival gives guests the chance to sample unlimited tacos from some of Los Angeles’ most renowned — and delicious — vendors. The selections were curated by street food guru, Bill Esparza, and featured more than 60 varieties of tacos. There were also ample pastries, a cash bar and free flowing beer to keep the fiesta going all afternoon.

© Tacolandia | Veronica An

Tacolandia showcased the creativity of local taquerias. Some vendors switched it up by using blue corn tortillas or serving taquitos, rolled fried tacos. Vegetarian tacos were a rarity but Follow Your Heart, a vegan mayonnaise company, gave vegetarians a reason to smile. Their vegan taco slathered with chipotle “mayo” and topped with diced mango and avocado was tasty enough to whet any meat eater’s appetite.

In addition to taco eating, guests enjoyed live music and had the chance to vote on their fan favorite taco. A portion of the festival’s proceeds went towards the El Pueblo Park Association, an organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the historic El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and park.

© Tacolandia | Veronica An