Ole! Top Taco Denver lets chefs come out of their shell

Quien es el mejor? (Who is the best?)

That will be determined when gobs of local chefs compete in Top Taco Denver, presented by US Foods, a taco and margarita tasting event from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 26 in the Sculpture Park on Speer Boulevard between Arapahoe and Champa streets. VIP ticket holders will be admitted at 5:30 p.m.

Tacos in Denver have made a fundamental shift over the years from Tex-Mex to authentic. It’s a change that suits Denverites’ obsession with Mexican fare and quest for new flavors and great food.

Top Taco trophies will be awarded by judges and for people’s choice for the Top Creative, Top Traditional Taco and Best Margarita . 

Tickets are $65 for general admission; $125 for VIP hosted by Patron Private Lounge with bar and specialty menu, private tasting by chef Mark Ferguson, a complimentary three-month Dining Out card, a specialty rare and premium Patron tequila tasting and VIP restrooms.

The event benefits The Colorado Restaurant Association Education Foundation ProStart Scholarship Program. Tickets and more information: www.toptacodenver.com.

Competing restaurants are:

Adelitas – www.adelitasdenver.com; Billy’s Inn  – www.billysinn.com; Comida Cantina – www.eatcomida.com; El Camino –  www.elcaminotavern.com; El Chingon – www.elchingondenver.com; El Matador –  www.matadordenver.com; Highland Tap and Burger –  www.highlandtapdenver.com; Illegal Petes –  www.illegalpetes.com; The Kitchen Next Door – www.thekitchen.com/next-door-glendale; La Biblioteca –  www.richardsandoval.com/labibliotecadenver/; La Loma –  www.lalomamexican.com; La Sandia Cantina – www.richardsandoval.com/lasandiacantina; Lime –  www.eatatlime.com; Los Chingones –  www.loschingonesmexican.com; Machete Tequila and Tacos – www.machetedenver.com; Mestizos Fusion Tacos – www.denverstreetfood.com/tag/mestizos-fusion-tacos/; Moon Tower – www.moontowertacos.com; Pinche Tacos – www.tacostequilawhiskey.com; The Rio Grande – www.riograndemexican.com/denver; Rosa Linda’s Mexican Café – www.rosalindasmexicancafe.com; Solitaire – www.solitairerestaurant.com; The Squeaky Bean – www.thesqueakybean.net; Tamayo – www.richardsandoval.com/tamayo; Uno Mas Cantina – www.unomastaqueria.com; Zengo – www.richardsandoval.com/zengodenver/.

Dessert from Sweet Cow Ice Cream – www.sweetcowicecream.com.

Spirits: A variety of tequilas and whiskies for specialty Margaritas,  including Patron, Blue Nectar, Sauza, Hornitos, Dulce Vida, Cintinela, Casa Noble, Solera Whisky, Yolo Rum, Spring 44, El Tesoro, Casamigos (with Redbull), Suerte, Bacardi Rum, Cazadores, Don Julio, Corallejo, Altos, Mile High Spirits, Milagro, Montelobos Mezcal, Familia Camarena, El Jimador, Herradura, Trinchero and Peach Street.

Entertainment by Sambadende www.sambadende.com.