New Orleans premiere taco and tequila festival will return this fall with a new date and a new location! Top Taco, presented by Cerveza Modelo, is returning for a fourth year on Thursday, September 23 in Metairie's Lafreniere Park at 3000 Downs Blvd. The event was cancelled just one week out of its scheduled date in 2020 due to COVID, but will be back with all its taco bells and whistles this fall thanks to the help of the event's sponsors and participating restaurants.
"Top Taco would have been difficult to put on if our fans had given up on us; more than 1,500 ticket holders had faith and held on to their tickets instead of requesting a refund last year," Festival Producer Shane Finkelstein said. "We plan to reward them with an amazing night of tacos, tequila, and entertainment."
Top Taco is a one-night-only event and will benefit the PLEASE Foundation, which strives to provide educational opportunities to at-risk students. Since its inception, Top Taco has raised more than $50,000 for local non-profits.
Top Taco fest-goers will have the opportunity to enjoy tacos and tequila from a variety of vendors who have been confirmed for the fest, like past winners Johnny Sanchez, Tacos & Beer, Barracuda, Los Jefes, and Velvet Cactus. Joining the past winners are Zócalo, Tacos del Cartel, Mawi Tortillas, El Paso Mexican Grill, El Cucuy, Hotel Fontenot's Peacock Lounge, Way of the Taco, Palm & Pine, Pedro's Taco & Tequila Bar, Mama's Cantina, Seither's Seafood sponsored by the Louisiana Pepper Exchange, Justine, Casa Borrega, Flamingo A Go-Go, Espiritu, and Felipe's Taqueria.
Fest-goers and celebrity judges will decide who has the best traditional and creative tacos, as well as the best traditional margarita and creative cocktail. There will also be pop-up bars, live Latin music, tequila tastings, and other exciting things to enjoy at the fest, according to Top Taco's press release.
Although 1,500 ticket holders seem to have already grabbed their spots for the event, there will be 900 more tickets available to attend Top Taco starting Wednesday, June 9. There are 300 tickets available for each of the following prices: VIP tickets for $125, Early Entry/First Tasting for $95, and General Admission for $75. All ticket prices include food and drink, so there's no need to worry about bringing along extra cash.
VIP tickets include access to the Top Taco VIP lounge, giving members a "Night in Paradiso," presented by El Tesoro tequila and furnished with food and drink by Dickie Brennan & Co.
For more information about tickets, visit toptaconola.com.