Tenerife Taqueria Joins Spain’s National Taco Championship

Mexican cuisine is gaining serious traction in Spain, a trend highlighted by the fourth annual Spain Taco Championship, which kicked off on May 28th. Organizers are on a mission to crown the country’s best taco for 2026, with over 50 restaurants competing this year. Among them is Chile Verde, a taqueria in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, hoping to put island cuisine on the map.

Their entry, the "Taco de Asada," features a guajillo chili-infused corn tortilla topped with ribeye steak, guacamole, ranchero sauce, onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. The recipe uses a blend of green and red tomatoes, garlic, and jalapeño, but is kept at a mild spice level (one out of three) to ensure it appeals to a wide range of diners.

The competition relies on both public feedback and expert opinion. Customers can rate the tacos based on presentation, ingredient quality, and flavor balance. These scores are then combined with evaluations from a panel of food critics and influencers to decide which entries move to the finals. A professional jury will crown the winner during a blind tasting on June 30th.

For Chile Verde, located at 2 Doctor Celestino Cobiella Zaera Street, this competition is the latest milestone for a restaurant that already boasts a 4.7-star rating online. The taqueria is open for dinner from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and for both lunch and dinner on weekends from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Events like this not only boost the local hospitality scene but also highlight the growing focus on quality and technique in Spanish specialty dining.