Taco ’bout a triumph!
The owner of a restaurant that began as a humble roadside taco stand was greeted by roaring applause and massive crowds eager for his award-winning tacos — just hours after his surprise appearance during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
Victor Villa received a hero’s welcome Monday outside his Highland Park taqueria, Villa Tacos, hugging his parents and sharing stories of rubbing shoulders with a Latin music superstar.
“He’s a kind dude,” Villa told The California Post of Bad Bunny
It’s unclear how one of the world’s biggest music stars got word of the LA taco spot — both Villa and his parents say they’ve never seen him at the restaurant.
“Maybe he came around in one of his sprinter vans that comes around here all the time, maybe he sent someone in to get tacos,” Villa said. “That’s my theory.”
Bad Bunny’s people came to see Villa three weeks ago to tell him he would be part of the big show, but it had to be a secret. Something he admits was hard to do.
“I mean being there for three weeks and everyone is asking where you are, it was extremely hard”
Villa was part of the stage design Bad Bunny danced through during last night’s Super Bowl halftime performance which was greeted by mixed reviews.
Bad Bunny rehearsed the show in Los Angeles for two weeks before making his way to San Francisco for the last week of rehearsals, Villa was with him every step of the way.
The Super Bowl performance “was amazing” for Villa, but he was anxious to get back to his restaurant by open on Monday at noon. Hungry customers started lining up at 8 a.m. for plates of the Villa Trio — Villa’s specialty of three layered tacos featuring chorizo and smothered with guacamole.
The first in line, Richard, a Rams fan, said he saw the Super Bowl halftime show and decided to come down for the first time. “I ordered 10 tacos, they’re really good. I’ve already eaten 4. I’m going to save the other six.”
Villa got emotional as he made his way into the kitchen where he picked up a towel and started washing down the counter. “Gotta wipe up a little, gotta keep clean. We gotta work hard guys,” he yelled.
He also revealed he’s got plans to open another store soon.
Villa’s parents watched the moment beaming with pride, shot off confetti cannons, and relived the moment they saw their son on the big stage.
“I get emotional easily, we were jumping up and down crying,” his dad told The Post.
