NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Year five of Top Taco presented by Modelo Beer, the all-inclusive taco and tequila throw-down, takes place at Lafreniere Park in Metairie on Thursday, October 27, from 6 – 10 p.m. The one-night-only event will benefit the PLEASE Foundation, a non-profit that provides mentorship, leadership training, and scholarships for at-risk teens to attend local college-preparatory high schools.
This year’s Top Taco will include three stages of live music featuring James Andrews and the Crescent City All-Stars, Otra, Muevelo, and Bogue Chitto. Additional entertainment includes live Lucha Libre, Mariachi, Gulf Bank’s G.O.A.T. Petting Zoo, Trixie Minx Burlesque, DJ 2NYCE, and the Casamigos Costume Contest.
The biggest addition to this year’s event is the Herradura Ultra VIP Experience featuring Herradura cocktails and premium extra anejo tequila tastings in a relaxing recharge lounge. Under the big tent, eight of the best BBQ joints in town will compete in a live one-hour cook-off curated by World-BBQ Champion James Cruse and emceed by popular Mississippi restaurateur Brad Orrison of The Shed. Competing restaurants include City Pork, Crawfish King Seafood & BBQ, Desi Vegas Smokehouse, Frey Meat Company, Gonzo’s Smokehouse & BBQ, The Joint, Pyre Provisions, and Smoked. Desserts provided by Laurel Street Bakery and Debbie on the Levee.
“The Herradura Ultra VIP Experience is more ambitious than anything we’ve ever done. BBQ joints have always done well in Top Taco so it’ll be interesting to see how the barbecue tacos compare to one another. And you can watch the competition while sipping on some Herradura Ultra. What can be better than that?” said event producer Shane Finkelstein.
VIP, First Taste, and General Admission ticket holders can enjoy tacos and cocktails from some of their favorite restaurants while voting for their tops in five categories: Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, Top Creative Tequila Cocktail, Top Traditional Margarita– and new this year- Top Vegetarian Taco. And of course, the grand champion takes home the big NOLA Boards trophy for the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Tacos).
Confirmed restaurants include Alma, Banh Mi Boys, Barracuda, Billy Wright’s Manuel-style Tamales, Burrito’s Grill, Casa Maria, Crawfish King Seafood & BBQ, El Cucuy, Devil Moon BBQ, Felipe’s Taqueria, The Fillmore, Habaneros, The Hanger, Johnny Sanchez, Junior’s on Harrison, Leah Jane @Barcadia, Los Jefes Grill, Palm&Pine, Peacock Room, Rizzuto’s Ristorante & Chop House, Rock-n-Tacos, Saint John, Secret Birria, Shenanigan’s, Sidecar NOLA, Soulé Cafe, Southerns, Table & Tap, Tacos del Cartel, Tacos Para la Vida, Taqueria La Lucha, Tava Indian Street Food, Velvet Cactus, The Will & the Way, and Zócalo.
Participating spirits include 400 Conejos, El Afan, Avión, El Buho Mezcal, Canteen Spirits, Casamigos, Cazadores, Cenote, Corralejo, Deep Eddy Vodka, Del Maguey, Don Julio, Dos Hombres Mezcal, Ghost Tequila, Gran Centenario, Gran Coramino, Grey Whale Gin, Herradura, Hornitos, Hussong’s, El Jimador, Jose Cuervo Tradicional, Lalo, Lunazul, Maestro Dobel, Milagro, Mijenta, Mockly, Olmeca Altos, Patrón, Tequila Ocho, Teremana, Tres Generaciones, Villa One, Wetlands Sake, and Who Dat Spirits.
In addition to Modelo Beer, presenting sponsors include Gulf Coast Bank, Where Y’at Magazine, NOVative Print, The Law Offices of Chip Forstall, and Performance Food Service.
Fest-goers will also enjoy creative pop-up bar areas and DJ lounges, tequila and mezcal tastings, and eye-popping visual elements. Ticket options include $135.00 VIP, $105.00 Early Entry/First Tasting, and $85.00 General Admission. Once inside the festival, all food, drinks, and entertainment are included. Visit www.toptaconola.com for more information.
LaFreniere Park is located at 3000 Downs Blvd. in Metairie, ten minutes from downtown New Orleans, just off the I-10 exit at Veterans Blvd.
