Markets 
A cult-favorite Los Angeles taco shop that rocketed to national fame thanks to Bad Bunny will open in Las Vegas — but some SoCal fans aren’t celebrating.
Highland Park hotspot Villa’s Tacos, the Michelin-recognized taqueria that famously appeared in the pop superstar’s 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, announced it was heading to Sin City on Monday — opening its first location outside California at the Durango Casino & Resort.
The casual Mexican spot is set to open this summer at the property’s “Eat Your Heart Out” food hall.
The expansion marks a major milestone for chef-owner Victor Villa, whose operation famously began in his grandmother’s front yard — before becoming one of LA’s buzziest taco destinations.
While Villa is ready to double down on Vegas, some fans back home worry the brand is losing its soul in a rush for expansion.
“Villas is growing too fast and serves cold tacos,” one disgruntled diner complained on a Reddit forum dedicated to all things food in Los Angeles.
The taqueria, famous for blue corn tortillas and signature crispy Monterrey Jack cheese skirts, has become an LA icon.
After sharing the stage with Benito during his Big Game performance, Villas Tacos solidified its star status — becoming an “it” spot for LA style street food.
However, the rapid scale up from humble beginnings to a multi-location mini empire spanning two states has some locals asking for a pause.
“If they’re going to make it long term they need to invest in operations, not more expansion,” a Redditor wrote. “All their spots can improve how they’re run.”
Others claim the quality is already taking a hit as the lines get longer.
“Their meats are not good and they are not run well,” another critic chimed in. “They take 45 min to get through a line that angels could get through in 15 minutes.”
While many applaud Chef Villa’s savviness and hustle, others find the rapid-fire expansion as “obviously financially motivated” and fear it is “ill-fated.”
Despite the hometown heat, Durango Casino & Resort execs are betting big on the brand.
“Their distinctive flavors, quality ingredients and strong connection to their community make them a natural fit for the property and a compelling new offering for our guests,” said David Horn, Vice President and General Manager of Durango, as part of the announcement.
Villa’s isn’t the first SoCal taqueria favorite to try their luck in the Vegas market — Tacos 1986, started by taquero Joy Alvarez-Tostado in 2018 as a street food stall, recently opened at The Resort at Summerlin.
Meanwhile, Tacos El Gordo, a San Diego-area staple that originated in Tijuana in the 1970s, has been a late night Las Vegas Strip essential for years.
Read the full article here
