Newcomer truck impresses at 9th annual Taco Truck Throwdown

Taco trucks and long lines of people packed the Chuckchansi Park on Saturday night for the ninth annual Taco Truck Throwdown.

More than 30 taco trucks, including eight new contestants, competed for the title “Best Taco Truck in the World.”

And it was a newcomer who impressed the most - at least among the judges.

Tacos Pinto, a food truck that opened just four months ago, competed for the first time at the Taco Truck Throwdown and took home the Judges’ Choice award.

“Never in the history of Taco Truck Throwdown has this happened,” said Ray Ortiz, entertainment manager of the Fresno Grizzlies.

The taco truck owned by couple Maritza Silva and Luciano Morfin is located on Shaw and West. Their popular breaded shrimp taco impressed the judges and captured first place.

“We make everything from scratch and everything is always fresh,” said Maritza.

The People’s Choice was being tallied late Saturday night.

Roughly 10,000 people attended the popular summer event, Ortiz estimated.

Last year’s winner was El Mexicano who took home Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards.

This story was originally published August 17, 2019 at 11:23 PM.