Midtown Lunch

You now have even more reasons to go to Tacolandia, this weekend’s massive taco event put on by L.A. Weekly and Bill Esparza.  In addition to sporting tacos from 40 vendors and restaurants across L.A. and Mexico, this year they’re partnering with the Vendy Awards to award a special cup to the best street taco.  Run by the Street Vendor Project, a New York City non profit dedicated to street vendor advocacy, the Vendys have been held in L.A. twice before (once in 2012 and once in 2010). But for 2014 they’ve decided to team up with the biggest taco event of the year.

Tacolandia takes place this Saturday (6/28) from 3-7pm at El Pueblo de Los Angeles in DTLA.  Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased here.  There are premium and tequila garden tickets available as well, which include alcohol.

See you there!!!

You would think that winning the First Annual L.A. Vendy Awards would have been a great thing for any of the nominated vendors… but sadly it’s been bittersweet for Nina’s Food, the Breed St. Vendor who took home the top prize last month in MacArthur Park.  Since winning the Vendy Award Nina’s has attracted a ton of new customers and press, and sadly the extra attention has resulted in an increase in the attention from the police too.  She’s been shut down and harassed so often since the Vendy’s, she doesn’t think she can continue unless she gets a truck, which she can’t afford.  (Until now, she’s vended from a table.)

Enter Vendy Award Judge, and Good Food host, Chef Evan Kleiman who has put together a benefit to help Nina raise the money she needs to get a truck.  The event will take place at Evan’s restaurant, Angeli Cafe, this Sunday (June 20th) from 11am to 3pm. It’s a chance to make a difference and eat some great food. Get more details here>>

Related:
Breed Street Vendor Nina’s Food Takes Home the First Ever L.A. Vendy Awards

This was the scene on Saturday in MacArthur Park, as over 250 people (and 6 finalists) gathered for the the first ever Los Angeles Vendy Awards.  The judges (Evan Kleiman, Bill Esparza, Javier Cabral, and Jon & Vinny from Animal) had a tough tough job (after all, how do you compare a short rib stuffed grilled cheese with a chile dipped pambazo) but in the end Nina’s Food, a  Breed St. vendor who specializes in Mexico City style street food, took the top prize.  Music was played, beer and wine was enjoyed, and nobody left hungry… but most importantly, money was raised for the organizations that advocate on behalf of street vendors all over the city- like Los Loncheros.

Check out scenes from the day, after the jump…

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The nominees for the 1st Annual Los Angeles Vendy Awards have been announced… congrats to India Jones, the Hot Dog Kings, Bigmista’s BBQ, Nina’s Food, Grilled Cheese Truck, & Tacos El Galuzo. The winner will be crowned on May 15th in MacArthur Park, tickets are $50 and all proceeds go to benefit non profit organizations that advocate on behalf of street vendors here in Los Angeles. (It’s like a charity street food version of the Oscars!)

Watch a video about all of the nominees, plus buy your tickets for the event here…

Related:
The Vendy Awards Are Coming to L.A.
India Jones’ Butter Chicken is a Force to Be Reckoned With