Thousands hit downtown Fresno for the return of Taco Truck Throwdown. Here’s what you missed
Fresno’s celebration of taco culture returned to Chukchansi Park on Saturday night — to an eager crowd.
More than 8,000 people showed up for Taco Truck Throwdown Ten, according to the official tally, with long lines zig-zagging across the stadium’s outfield for much of night, only really calming down once the event’s concert headliner Ginuwine took the stage.
There were rumors among those in line that a truck came in from Santa Barbara, after Fresno called the city out over its placement on a list of best places for tacos.
The rumors were unfounded.
The 18 trucks that competed were from Fresno and around the Valley. Half of them were new; not only to the event, but to the food truck scene, said event organizer Mike Osegueda.
“They didn’t exist the last time there was a taco truck throwdown (in 2019),” he said.
El Premio Mayor, a longtime competitor and one of the event’s most popular trucks ,did not compete this year. Instead, the owner served as judge.
“We don’t get to try too many taco trucks,” said manager Bianca Loza.
“It’s nice to relax and actually enjoy it.”
Taco Pinto, Taco La Vaporera take home awards
Taco Pinto had been opened just three months when it first entered the Thowdown and won the Judges Award in 2019.
It took home the award again Saturday.
Prior to winning that first throwdown, the business to that point and the owners were ready quit.
“Once we won, that changed everything,” says Maritza Silva, who operates Taco Pinto with Luciano Morfin.
In the years since, the couple has grown the business and expanded from a taco trailer to a brand new truck.
It debuted at the throwdown on Saturday and had the most interest of all the competitors, if judged by the hour-plus long line for most of the night.
“It’s overwhelming,” Silva said of the crowd’s response.
Tacos La Vaporera won the People’s Choice Award. This was the truck’s third time competing in the event and its first win. This year, the owners say they worked to get guests to order their specialty steamed meats.
A Michelada throwdown, too
New to the throwdown this years was a Michelada competition.
A Michelada is Mexican drink made from beer, tomato juice and spices. It’s a kind of blue-collar Bloody Mary and has become increasingly popular over the past few years.
Miche Firme, which sells its mixes in 16-oz. mason jars, took home both the People’s Choice Award and Judge’s Choice Award in a unanimous decision that “wasn’t event close,” event organizers said.
Concert headlined by Ginuwine and Mi Banda El Mexicano
In 2017, the throwdown expanded to include a live music as part of its celebration — typically a mix of Mexican and R&B and hip hop acts. It was Ramon Ayala and DJ Quik in 2018 and Too Short and the Kumbia Kings in 2019.
This year, the entertainment opened with Alexcis, a young singer from Arizona who has a song with T Pain, the video for which was filmed on a taco truck.
Fresno violinist Patrick Contreras, who hosted his own taco truck tour during the pandemic, used the events as an album release part of sorts. His self-released album “A Little Night Music” is currently No. 1 on the Latin iTunes charts. And now he’s shooing for Billboard.
“Billboard called me up and asked, ‘Who’s your label?’ Fresno’s my label,” he told the crowd.
Mi Banda El Mexicano had the crowd dancing, and also TikToker Chocolate Uno who joined the band on stage multiple times during the set.
Fresno cover band The Box returned as the throwdown’s unofficial house band. They’ve played at least three years.
Ginuwine capped off the night, to the audible delight of some women in the crowd. The ’90s R&B singer took the stage just before 11 p.m. for a set that included a beat boxing collaboration with Contreras.