Villa’s Tacos represented Angelenos in the Super Bowl

The celebration of the most epic halftime Super Bowl of recent years is not only because Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio AKA Bad Bunny performed completely in Spanish, but also because of the many side stories and people that shared the stage with him.

In Los Angeles many fans cheered when they saw Victor Villa, owner of Villa’s Tacos from Highland Park.

After the halftime show, Villa posted on his social media that Benito hand selected him to participate in the halftime show. He said he felt proud to represent his people, culture, family and over all his business of Mexican tacos. 

During the halftime show we can see Benito giving a piragua or raspado to Villa, who is in a taco cart with the Villa’s Tacos logo in the front. 

“This one is for all the immigrants who paved the way before us to make this moment possible,” said Villa, highlighting his parents' courage to leave Mexico in search of a better life. “Villa’s Tacos is a product of immigrants. As a [first] generation Mexican American born and raised in L.A., it was an honor to represent my raza and all the taqueros of the world by bringing my taco cart to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX 2026 halftime show.” 

Villa said he sold his first taco in the front yard of his grandmother's house in Highland Park more than eight years ago. and feels that every taco along the way puts him in the spotlight. However, his commitment and social media presence during the COVID-19 pandemic catapulted his business.

On Monday, still excited for the moment, Villa wrote on social media that it still felt like a dream. 

“Like one of those ‘pinch me” moments,’” he said. “Benito lives his life with the belief that love is greater than hate & that’s exactly how I live my life. Love will ALWAYS overcome hate.”

By the afternoon Villa was already in his taqueria where hundreds of clients stopped by waiting in a long line to get the popular tacos made with hand-made blue tortillas and  also to see Villa. 

“Now remember, I didn’t just play the role of taquero, I AM A TAQUERO & A VERY PROUD ONE AT THAT,” Villa said in his Instagram post.

Recognizing the Angeleno’s hard work

Villa’s halftime show appearance was the topic of conversation everywhere. Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho wrote on his social media that Villa and his work is a reminder that culture travels, dreams grow and roots always stay strong. “This is what happens when community, flavor and pride come together. Together we shine,” wrote Carvalho in social media. “Salsa in the air, tortillas on the comal, carne asada sizzling and orgullo in every bite. A taco cart that started with heart now shining on the world’s biggest stage with @badbunnypr. From neighborhood streets to global spotlight, puro sabor, puro hustle, puro Los Angeles.” 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the halftime show reminded us what America truly looks like, “unity, honor, pride, and cultures coming together to create something beautiful.”

She also congratulated Villa and Villa’s tacos appearance on stage with Bad Bunny celebrating Latino culture and the representation of Los Angeles, a city of immigrants. 

“Seeing @villastacoslosangeles on the Super Bowl stage was a proud moment for our city. ¡Qué orgullo!” she said. “It was a powerful reminder that the contributions of immigrants and diverse communities are integral to our nation’s past, present and future.”