Top Taco 2025: Bold Flavor, Fierce Competition and a Reminder of Resilience

The scent of grilled meats, fresh lime, and slow-stewed fillings wafted across Westminster City Park as taco lovers poured into this year’s sold-out Top Taco festival. DiningOut Magazine and Top Taco delivered another crowd-pleasing success for attendees and competitors alike. Since its inception in 2014, the taco-and-tequila showdown has grown to become a Colorado staple, and this year, despite ominous clouds and sweeping winds, the party didn’t miss a beat and 303 Magazine was there to cover.

With over 40 vendors dishing out bites in five categories—Traditional, Creative, Vegetarian, Cocktail, and VIP BBQ—attendees were tasked with the glorious challenge of sampling and voting for their favorites via QR code, while a panel of judges crowned their own champions. Perennial favorites like My Neighbor Felix, Wild Taco, and Taco Mucho Bueno impressed once again, but it was newcomers like Cencallita Taqueria and Sarahi’s Kitchen who brought surprises to the table—and trophies home.

General admission offered a lively, all-you-can-eat tasting tour from 7 PM onward, but those with First Taste or VIP access were allowed in an hour early. While early entry helped beat the crowd briefly, lines filled quickly and the exclusivity of VIP — which included private restrooms, additional dishes, and seating — felt slightly underwhelming given the ticket price.

Still, what truly mattered was on the plate. Each taco delivered its signature flair — smoky, spicy, sweet, savory. Whether you were handed birria, mole, or a brisket-filled tortilla glazed in pineapple salsa, every bite offered a glimpse into someone’s heritage and hustle. Even as the weather turned aggressive —sending tents flapping and attendees scrambling — chefs stood their ground, smiles unwavering as they plated up for the masses.

Beyond the Plate – While Top Taco delivered on flavor and fun, it also arrived at a time when national headlines paint a much darker picture for the same communities this event celebrates. As the crowd danced and sipped tequila cocktails, stories of ICE raids, anti-immigration rhetoric, and policy uncertainty loomed like the clouds overhead— quiet, but present.

And yet, it was the Latinx vendors, staff, and families who made the event what it was—gifting their flavors, time, and culture to a city that has long enjoyed their cuisine. Be sure to support these local businesses to ensure their success — a little support from a wide audience can go a long way, especially now.

So if you missed Top Taco, don’t fret. You can still show up — by visiting these restaurants, tipping well, sharing their stories, and recognizing that food is never just food. It’s history, identity, resistance, and love folded into a tortilla.

All photography by Kiddest Metaferia

2025 Top Taco Winners