Arlington’s 4th Annual #SaveTheTacos Contest Returns Bigger Than Ever
Published on August 22, 2025
The 4th Annual #SaveTheTacos campaign officially launched this week and this year it’s “beefier” than ever. With 24 participating restaurants, the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is calling on taco lovers everywhere to help crown Arlington’s Favorite Taco while encouraging people to use their well-earned paid time off to enjoy life’s most flavorful moments.
Running August 19 through September 30, the fan-voted contest challenges local chefs to dream up one-of-a-kind, limited-time taco creations. From fine dining twists to unexpected bakery surprises, each dish will be available exclusively during the competition, giving food lovers a reason to explore Arlington’s diverse culinary scene.
The annual campaign also highlights an all-too-common tragedy: the billions of hours of unused vacation time that Americans leave on the table each year. For the ACVB, it’s a battle cry to turn unused PTO into unforgettable memories - and to ensure that no taco goes uneaten.
“Arlington is home to an incredibly creative food community, and #SaveTheTacos is one of our favorite ways to celebrate it,” said Casey Mallory, Director of Communications for the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This year’s lineup is our biggest yet, and the competition is fierce. We’re inviting everyone to take a break, try something new, and help us decide which taco reigns supreme.”
Additionally, all three past winners - Ventana Grille at Tierra Verde Golf Course (2022), Grounds & Gold (2023), and Tom’s Burgers & Grill (2024) - are back to defend their titles. The winning taco/restaurant will be announced on October 3, 2025, and officially claim the title on October 7, 2025: National Taco Day. The first 50 customers to dine at the winning restaurant on National Taco Day will be treated to the winning taco by the ACVB.
2025 participating restaurants include:
- Amore Mio Trattoria
- Beaux Boudin
- Cake-aholics Bakery
- Churro On Top
- Cup o’ Vibes
- Cut & Bourbon
- Egg Bar Brunch
- Grounds & Gold (2023 Winner)
- Home Plate at Texas Rangers Golf Club
- Hurtado Barbecue
- Jambo’s BBQ
- Lac Bleu Brunch Café
- Los Molcas Tacos Bar and Grill
- Marquez Bakery
- M’Jays House of Smoke
- Papaya Mexican Grill
- Prince Lebanese Grill
- Smoke’N Ash BBQ
- Taipo
- Taste Community Restaurant
- Tic-Taco
- TJ’s Catfish and Wings and BBQ
- Tom’s Burgers & Grill (2024 Winner)
- Ventana Grille at Tierra Verde Golf Course (2022 Winner)
View photo gallery of participants
Fans can browse the full taco lineup, find participating locations, and cast their votes online at www.arlington.org/savethetacos.
About Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) markets, sells and promotes the city as a premier sports, business, and leisure entertainment destination to generate visitor spending, tax revenue and jobs. With16.3 million visitors annually and 8,500 hotel rooms, Arlington’s tourism and hospitality industry employs more than 18,000 people. The ACVB’s continued commitment to growth and development promises even more exciting transformations for the future, positioning the city as a prime destination for leisure visitors, meetings and events. For more information about the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, visit http://www.arlington.org.