WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – It doesn’t have to be a Tuesday for people to enjoy a good taco, and the City of Williams last Saturday had plenty to offer.
Billed as the inaugural Guerra de Tacos, the Williams Recreation Department hosted its first Taco War, bringing out six vendors who battled it out for bragging rights and prizes.
“I liked the turnout for the first year,” said Recreation Director Ben Padilla, who organized the event in Venice Park. “I think everyone did a good job.”
Community members had their choice of judged Asada, Adovada, Chicken, and Chorizo tacos, although some vendors offered specialty tacos outside the judged categories.
“The tacos were fantastic,” said Makayla Freed, who came to the event from Maxwell. “Everything was very tasty and each place (vendor) had their own unique layer.”
Cindy Freed, who also enjoyed the variety, said a Taco War is something she thought the Williams community could really build upon to garner more attendance.
“They could have a Mariachi band,” Freed said.
Mayor Don Parson, Councilwoman Maria Leyva, Noel Bautista, Patti Tinoco, and City Administrator Frank Kennedy had the hard job of judging the tacos.
“It was extremely difficult,” Parsons said. “They were all good and I think they were all different too.”
“It was a good variety,” agreed Kennedy.
In the end, only three competitors could be declared winners with Tacos El 88 taking first place, winning a tabletop Blackstone Grill and table. Second place was awarded to Tacolgando, who said their secret to a good taco is adding a little mayonnaise. Sacred Heart Church won third place.
Tacos Don Memo won the salsa competition.
Padilla said the Taco War will be an annual event, but because of harvest, he may change the date.
“Hopefully, we can build on this and make it a huge event in the next couple years,” he said.
Among the community, who were able to taste all the judged tacos for $2, it was Taco Valencia’s $3 non-competition shrimp taco that was among the fan favorites.
“Maybe we will add a shrimp category next year,” Padilla said.