The Vendys

No, not the Dundies.  The Vendys.

Tonight at the French Market, nine of New Orleans' favorite food vendors will vie for "street food glory." Begun in 2005, the Vendy Awards are a yearly cookoff whose goal is to celebrate the street food vendors of NYC. After the competition expanded to L.A. and Philly in recent years, organizers decided that New Orleans was ready for its own satellite competition.  The Vendys are the brainchild of The Street Vendor Project, and cult favorite Brooklyn Brewery lends a helping hand by offering libations.

After tallying up nominations from the public, the list of competitors has been chosen:

• Woody's Fish Tacos
• Vaucresson Sausage Co.
• Taceaux Loceaux
• The Ya-ka-Mein Lady
• La Cocinita
• Hot Tamale Mama
• Empanada Infitada
• Fat Falafel
• Foodie Call

A team of distinguished judges will score these finalists and decide who earns the coveted Vendy Cup.  (Note: the Vendy Cup is not as iconic as a Dundie Award). The general public can also vote for a people's choice award.

A limited number of tickets are available, so purchasing in advance is strongly suggested.  Prices start at $6 for the pay-as-you-go option and up to $36 for premium package, which includes samples from each vendor and unlimited beer.  Proceeds from the event benefit the New Orleans Food Truck Coalition and Slow Food NOLA.

Taceaux Loceaux

Welcome to what might be my favorite taco purveyor in the city.  Taceaux Loceaux is the creation of Alex and Maribeth del Castillo, the better half* of whom first crossed our radar back after tasting her incredible hand pies at the now shuttered Fuel Cafe.**  Apparently the del Castillos' culinary talents extend beyond baking, because the couple is slinging some might fine tacos from this big white truck.

These are not your ordinary tacos, whether your barometer is Taco Bell or Taco San Miguel.  For me at least, what sets these tacos apart are the loads of fresh herbs and thinly sliced radishes which adorn each tortilla.  The names are pretty clever too, such as the "Messin' with Texas" filled with shreds of brisket, cabbage, cilantro, radishes, and crema.  Or the "Carnital Knowledge" featuring pork, all of the above vegetation, and a squiggle of chipotle aioli.  The "All Hat No Cattle" may be vegetarian, but the the taste is still meaty goodness.  And lastly, underneath each order of tacos is a hidden treasure of thinly sliced, spicy pickled carrots.

Tacos are served two per order and cost at most $7.  You can usually find Taceaux Loceaux setup outside Dos Jefes on Tchoupitoulas, but other locations include 45 Tchoup and The Kingpin.  The best way to track them down is by following their twitter feed.  They even have to go boxes for those of us who may not be up for a night on the town but still want to eat as if we were.

Taceaux Loceaux - Birdie

* This is no knock on Alex, but in case you didn't know, the "better half" of a couple is always the woman. Unless there are two of them, in which case it's best to avoid using such terms for fear of having both turn on you and each other.

** Even though Maribeth left Fuel before it closed, you can still order her handpies through her personal venture called Betty's Bake Shop.