There is much more to a taco than what’s inside it. Its tastiness is defined not only by its meat, onions or tortillas, but whether it’s created with the most special ingredient of all: love.
This Sunday, 10 of the best taco makers in town will go head-to-head in the first-ever Taco Death Match in downtown Long Beach, each crafting specialty “ofrenda tacos” as a poignant tribute to loved ones who have passed on.
In addition to the event’s Día de los Muertos connection, each taco will be paired with an exclusive beer from local breweries and judged by professionals and festival attendees.
Local food and culture writer, and founder of Long Beach Food Scene, Brian Addison was approached by Smoke & Fire and Broken Spirits Distillery to create a festive taco competition.
“We knew we wanted to activate the space beyond our distillery and we know no one is more connected to the food culture of Long Beach than Brian Addison,” said Isaias Hernandez, founding partner of Broken Spirits and Smoke and Fire, in a public statement.
Addison then brought LB Living into the event, with the idea of showcasing the significance of the taco in local cuisine — but with a personal touch for the chefs taking part.
“I wanted to honor the taco in a way that treated it like the culinary wonder it is and showcase how the taco has become universally known in SoCal food culture. In that sense, I wanted chefs to challenge themselves with a food-as-storytelling approach—and that’s what Taco Death Match really is,” said Addison said in a public statement.
The following is a list of the participating chefs and taqueros in Taco Death Match:
- Asadero Chikali
- Bar Becky
- Battambong BBQ
- Ellie’s
- Tacos La Carreta
- Taqueria “Camerones”
- Chinitos Tacos
- Los Dorados
- Los Reyes del Taco Sabroso
- Smoke & Fire
The featured lineup of 10+ breweries will include local brewers such as Long Beach Beer Lab, Ambitious Ales, ISM Brewing, Trademark, Beachwood and Altar Society. Those looking for something other than tacos to feast on can check out vendors like Shlap Muan, Golden Skewers, Foodologie and Modica’s.
Taco Death Match will also include live entertainment, Catrinas, and cumbia and mariachi tunes from Banda Cervantes, Mariachi Cielito Lindo, Cristhian y su Orquesta, Cello Azul and Tease Band.
Tickets can be purchased online, ranging from the $15 general admission to the all-inclusive $150 VIP pass:
- General admission ($15) – This gets you in the door, but does not come with any included food or drinks in the price.
- GA + Tequila Tasting ($45) – This pass grants full participation in the tequila tasting, with over 20 different selections to sample from. (The tequila tasting is only from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
- GA + Taco Competition (No Alcohol) ($50) – Comes with five taco tickets to sample half of the participating contestants’ tacos.
- GA + Taco Competition ($60) – Comes with five taco tickets, with each one paired with a beer tasting from a local brewery.
- GA + Taco Competition + Tequila Tasting ($100) – Includes all the taco competition benefits, plus the tequila tasting.
- Exclusive VIP ($150) – Comes with 10 taco tickets, each with a beer sample, a Taco Death Match T-shirt, two exclusive VIP areas and private bathrooms, a VIP only bar and unlimited tequila tastings from Don Julio.
The inaugural Taco Death Match will take place Sunday, Nov. 3 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Mosaic, located at 290 E Fourth St.
