Contributed
For its fourth annual event, The Real Taco Fest upholds its pledge to unite Tri-State taco lovers with the best tacos in town, all in one spot.
The Real Taco Fest’s straightforward approach to celebrating local businesses that proudly serve tacos continued its streak of popular appeal last year, as event attendance grew steadily and served over 13,000 tacos. Therefore, it may seem obvious that the organizers are bringing back their celebration of all-things-taco for a fourth time on Saturday, May 10, aiming to accommodate even more guests on the banks of the Ohio River.
“Our mission from the beginning has been to create a definitive and inclusive showcase of arguably the most universally loved food dish to ever be adopted in this country,” says Festival Producer Ben Howard, “where every local taco enthusiast can be steps away from discovering their new favorite taco (and taco-maker) in the area!”
Attendees will have the opportunity to try tacos from over fifteen different local restaurants and food trucks—including Mazunte, El Trompo Mexican Grill, El Caporal Mexican Bar and Grill, Casa Mexico, El Taco Veloz, El Vaquero, J’s Fish Tacos, El Cardenal Taqueria, Jenn’s Hot
Tamale, and more—all in one location at Smale Riverfront Park (166 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati). And what pairs better with street tacos more than an ice-cold beverage? Margaritas will be flowing, as well as an exclusive Mexican Lager, ESPECIAL, brewed by local sponsor Fifty West Brewing Company, and refreshing ready-to-drink canned beverages from local sponsor Canvus Premium Cocktails, made by Boone County Distilling.
Tickets are required for entry and are $10 in advance ($15 day-of), but it should be noted that Entry Tickets are limited to mitigate long lines. Attendees will be able to choose from one of two available sessions: 12–4pm or 5:30–9:30pm. The first 250 people through the gate at each session will receive a 2oz sample bag of “Covington Gold Dust” by Farmer Nate’s Sauce. Tickets to attend are now on sale at CincyTicket or via the official fest website.
Once inside the fest, attendees can purchase food and drink tickets for $4 each that will be redeemed by Vendors when ordering. A “Super Taco Pack” in the form of 11 food and drink tickets for the price of 10 is also available for advanced purchase along with an Entry Ticket—that is to say, a free taco awaits you for planning ahead. Vendors will all have limited menus focusing on street tacos, however, some premium options and desserts may be found. Rest assured, the formula will largely remain the same across the festival from all food Vendors: 1 Ticket = 1 Taco. A complete list of Vendors and offerings will be provided closer to the date of the festival.
Additional entertainment includes a live DJ and a small assortment of lawn games. The event is very much family-friendly with children 10 and under free to attend, as well as access to the park’s built-in playground attractions and frozen paletas for sale by Streetpops. For the brave of heart and iron of stomach, this year’s festival will introduce a spicy eating challenge, where a small group of attendees who have placed their name in a hat at the Farmer Nate booth will be chosen to speed-eat 5 tacos doused in a uniquely formulated “criminally hot” sauce, with the winner receiving an assortment of prizes (to-be-announced).
A portion of the proceeds from The Real Taco Fest 2025 will benefit their non-profit partner, The Ion Center for Violence Prevention, in their mission to support all survivors who have been impacted by power-based personal violence (sexual and/or intimate partner violence) by offering 24/7, free and confidential responsive services, as well as survivor-centered advocacy programs that engage with individuals and local communities to prevent violence.
Real Festivals LLC was founded in 2020, with a commitment to offering simple yet inclusive events across the Tri-State Cincinnati area.
If you would like more information about The Real Taco Fest 2025, please feel free to email info@realtacofest.com.
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