Long Beach is set to hold its first Taco Week later this month, giving residents and visitors an eight-day stretch devoted to one of the city's favorite foods.
The event, officially called Long Beach Taco Week, runs from April 20 to 27. Dozens of restaurants, taquerias, food trucks, pop-ups and other taco makers will take part, offering special pricing and, in some cases, dishes created specifically for the occasion.
"Everybody loves tacos and we have a lot of restaurants here in Long Beach that make great tacos," said Leysla Rubino, a co-organizer of the event.
Participating businesses will sell tacos or combos at set prices of $5, $10 and $15. The offerings span a wide range of styles, including birria, carnitas, pork belly and BBQ brisket. Plant-based versions made with jackfruit or mushrooms will be available, as will lobster tacos. Rubino said the variety will be broad, noting that some restaurants are developing special tacos just for the week.
Diners will need to visit the individual restaurants to order the deals. Among those signed on so far is Kalaveras, a modern taco chain known for the clubby atmosphere at its locations and for its chicharron and mushroom tacos. Taco Shore Long Beach, whose menu features fish, tongue and potato tacos, is also on the list.
Teddy's Red Tacos is recommended for Tijuana-style birria tacos, which are dipped into birria broth, while vegans may want to try the vegetarian tacos at The Grain Cafe. Rubino singled out The Lobster Guys and their signature lobster tacos as one of her top picks. "I'm really excited about the lobster tacos because they are really unique and people don't always hear about lobster tacos," she said.
Tacos have drawn crowds in Long Beach before. In November, 10 local taco makers competed at a downtown festival called the Taco Death Match, which also featured taco booths for attendees.
Taco Week will include its own competition among the participating restaurants. The public can vote online for their favorites, narrowing the field to the top three. A food critic will then choose the best taco in town.
More information is available at tacoweeklb.com.
