Taco wars: Indiana's Cool North holds competition to determine best taco in Northern Indiana

Let the war begin! And food, that is. Right now seven restaurants across Northern Indiana are competing to win the title of 'best taco' including one right here in South Bend.

Los Aces is competing to win that tile in all of Northern Indiana in a competition for Indiana's Cool North, part of the Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission. It's a regional partnership of visitor bureaus in the seven Northern Indiana counties that wants to bring business to our area.

In previous years, Indiana's Cool North hosted pizza and burger wars.

Representatives said this is more than a food war, it's about bringing awareness to shops right in our backyards.

"They promote our local businesses that don't normally get the spotlight," said Robby Bearss, Marketing Coordinator at Indiana's Cool North. "We're just looking to promote our small businesses and show people from inside the communities and outside the communities that we have amazing restaurants right next door. We just need to discover them and find out what they are."

Last week Los Aces was crowned champion of St. Joseph County for best taco. The staff still can't believe they won.

"My uncle is just so excited and he is working hard every day and he hopes to keep going, you know?" said Saul Gonzalez, the nephew of the owner. "And get more customers."

The restaurant only opened in November of 2016..

"We're so surprised at the same time because we're competing with other taquerias and they have a long time here in the area," said waitress Diana Landra.

Employees said the taste and flavor are what helped them win. Customers said it was the fresh cilantro on top.

The project is funded through area convention and visitor bureau companies and doesn't cost the mom and pop shops a dime. It's here to help get them more foot traffic in their businesses.

The seven restaurants in the competition include:

-Mila's Mini Market at 213 East Jefferson St in Plymouth

-Woodfire Meat Market at 1202 Formula Dr. in Valparaiso

-Los Primos Mexican Grill at 124 West Jefferson or 122 East Clinton, both in Goshen

-Cabos Ice Cream Shop & Care at 731 Washington St. in Michigan City

-Courtside Restaurant Lounge at 112 East Spring St. in La Grange

-Tacos Jalisco at 1301 North Detroit St. in Warsaw

-Los Aces at 3622 Edison Rd. in South Bend

Voting is now until Aug.14 at noon.

You can vote here for your favorite: