Fresno's No. 1 Food? It's Tacos. No Ifs, Ands or Buts.

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 6 years ago on

July 21, 2018

A common theme emerged when talking with the operators of the 30-plus taco trucks at Chukchansi Park: They are uber passionate about what they do.
Nearly 10,000 fans showed up for the food, taco-eating contest, and yes, an 8-7 victory by the Grizzlies — oops, I mean Tacos — over the Sacramento River Cats.
Whether it was meat from the cow’s tongue, cheek or body (or even no meat at all), the taco trucks loved serving it, and the fans chowed it down.

TACO TRUCK THROWDOWN – DAY TWO 🌮 #TheOcho #TTT8
Presented by @TapatiaTortilla
• Gates open at 5pm
• 30+ trucks
• Entertainment: @iamramonayala, @djquik, @DJKayRich, Califas, @40WattHype, @LuchaXtreme, World Taco-Eating Championship @eatingcontest pic.twitter.com/piqXOdl1Yw

— Fresno Tacos (@FresnoGrizzlies) July 20, 2018

That’s how day one of the eighth annual Taco Truck Throwdown in Fresno went. The event concludes tonight (July 20). There is no ball game, but trucks will be on the field. And there will be pro wrestling, musical acts, and a professional taco eating contest.

A Champion is Born?

The vascular Zach Armas, a 23-year-old bartender from Clovis, wolfed down 20 tacos in about three minutes to win Thursday’s amateur contest. He received a gift certificate to the Grizzlies team store. And Friday night he will compete with the big boys in another taco-eating contest.

Photo of bodybuilder Zach Armas — Clovis bodybuilder/bartender Zach Armas won the amateur taco-eating contest Thursday, July 19, 2018, at Chukchansi Park. (Twitter Photo)

Apparently, the act public act of gluttony did not deter Armas from post-contest photos with young admirers of the opposite sex.
Watch the video above for a flavor of the TTT8.
Video editor: Jahz Tello

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David Taub,

Senior Reporter

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email