A record-breaking crowd gathered in downtown Shreveport on May 2 for Taco Wars, celebrating Latino culture, food and music at one of the country’s largest one-day taco, salsa and tequila festivals.
Presented by the Prize Foundation along with Modelo Especial, Maestro Dobel, the Caddo Commission, Delta Utilities and Ochsner LSU Health, the festival took place outside the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. Taco lovers from across the region filled downtown for the annual event.
Views photos from Taco Wars 2026.
“It was definitely our best Taco Wars ever!” said Gregory Kallenberg, executive director of the Prize Foundation and founder of Taco Wars. “For me and Team Prize, to see that many people from our community celebrating together was inspiring and joyous to see! We are honored to be able to put this festival together with our partners and taquerias. That said, we now have our sights set on Prize Fest in October, and we look forward to raising a glass with everyone again!”
The Prize Foundation partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Alliance of Northwest Louisiana to recruit 13 taquerias from Northwest Louisiana and East Texas. In a new partnership this year, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council presented live music in Common Park featuring Mariachi Los Caporales, Los Varela and Quimikoz.
Best Taco 2026
A panel of celebrity chef judges, including Golden Fork winners Chef Dylan Teekell and Chef Melvin Nelson, conducted a blind tasting of all 13 tacos. After deliberation, La Reyna Del Sur was awarded Best Taco along with a $1,000 cash prize.
Best Salsa 2026
Taquerias also offered free tastings of chips and salsa to attendees, who received voting tokens upon entry to select their favorite. Ramirez Mexican Restaurant defended its title of Best Salsa and earned a $500 cash prize.
Organizers said 90% of taco sales go directly back to the taquerias. Participants for 2026 included Bazzar Mexicano; El Novillo Meat Market La Potranca; La Villa Taqueria; Mi Mercadito; Mi Meza; Pedro’s Tacos and Tequila Bar; Ramirez Mexican Restaurant; Taqueria El Eden; Taqueria Flores; Taqueria La Reyna Del Sur; Taqueria Mi Palmar; and Taqueria San Miguel.
Photos courtesy of Jeremy Hernandez/Prize Foundation.
