Top Taco Festival Announces Best Taco In New Orleans

The quest to determine New Orleans' most beloved taco and tequila drink has come to a conclusion with the announcement of Top Taco Festival's champions. The inaugural festival, which was attended by more than 3,000 hungry taco and tequila enthusiasts and raised more than $20,000 for One Heart Nola, was held on March 23 and showcased 40 of the city's top chefs and mixologists. Tacos and tequila concoctions were judged by specified judges — but also by attendees — in four categories: Traditional Taco, Creative Taco, Traditional Margarita, and Creative Tequila Cocktail. In the end, the Kenner-based traditional taqueria Taqueria Chilangos took home the ultimate prize, proving that only one can win the title of Top Taco.

The full list of winners in each category is below:

JUDGES' CHOICE

TRADITIONAL TACO
1st Place – Taqueria Chilangos
2nd Place – Canal Street Bistro
3rd Place – Felipe's Taqueria

CREATIVE TACO
1st Place – Blue Oak BBQ
2nd Place – Kingfish
3rd Place – La Casita

TRADITIONAL MARGARITA
1st Place – Mizado
2nd Place – Johnny Sanchez
3rd Place – Carreta's

CREATIVE TEQUILA COCKTAIL
1st Place – Mizado
2nd Place – Del Fuego
3rd Place – Butcher

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

TRADITIONAL TACO
1st Place – Taqueria Chilangos
2nd Place – Tequila House
3rd Place – Felipe's Taqueria

CREATIVE TACO
1st Place – Johnny Sanchez
2nd Place – The Rum House
3rd Place – Velvet Cactus

TRADITIONAL MARGARITA
1st Place – Johnny Sanchez
2nd Place – Mizado
3rd Place – Nacho Mama's

CREATIVE TEQUILA COCKTAIL
1st Place – Tequila House
2nd Place – Masquerade
3rd Place – Barcadia

ULTIMATE TOP TACO
Taqueria Chilangos