The 2026 Taco Fest took place on Oct. 17 and 18 and had a different structure this year. In previous years, the judges awarded gold, silver and bronze. This year, the festival featured 17 taco trucks and restaurants that competed in four categories: judges' and people's choices for Best Taco and Best Experience.
Taco Chelo won all four categories.
Co-owned by Aaron Chamberlain, Gennaro Garcia and chef Suny Santana, Taco Chelo served al pastor tacos made on a charcoal trompo and topped with onion, cilantro and grilled pineapple; a taco gobernador, made of a smoked marlin and shrimp quesadilla with cabbage, avocado and pickled onion; and a tetal de rajas, handmade and filled with poblano rajas, queso crema and corn, topped with poblano cream, queso fresco
and salsa macha.
This year's judges included Jose Ralat, editor of Texas Monthly and two-time James Beard Award winner; founder and owner of RAS Professional Agent Services and writer Rodrigo Bravo; celebrity chefs Beau MacMillan and Aarón Sánchez.
Just Tacos and More (last year's winner) came in second and Lola's Tacos food truck came third for Judge's Choice.
Why Taco Chelo swept Taco Fest 2026
"Everything from tortilla, nixtamalized from maíz criollo to the filling, cooked over mesquite onsite, to the flavors and story of the foods, Sonoran, had me hooked," Ralat wrote a statement to The Republic.
According to Taco Fest producer David Tyda, Garcia "designed and custom printed table-top decor, tent decor and a paleta cart. It all communicated the vibe at Taco Chelo." They even created an experience with a band while Garcia grilled meats and snacks for attendees.
Taco Chelo's winnings totaled $4,000, plus the trophy, designed this year by Bang Bang Design, a local maker.
"I think possibly the most important part for me with any tacos is the corn," Garcia wrote in a statement to The Republic. "I really think big part of winning was our new corn program; we're the only taqueria/restaurant in Arizona using maíz criollo for our tortillas (Mexican organic heirloom corn). We nixtamalize overnight, then we make our own masa on site at our Tempe location while you’re in line ordering your tacos. This, plus el sazón from chef Suny cooking over charcoal, is the magic."
Details: 501 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. 602-368-5316. And 521 S. College Ave., Tempe. 480-209-1731, tacochelo.com.
Reach the restaurant critic at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @baharcreative on Instagram.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Mexican restaurant swept Taco Fest 2026 with charcoal 'magic'
