Salsa Showdown is a fundraising competition between local restaurants & catering companies to determine who offers the best salsa, guacamole, queso, and specialty dip in the Birmingham area. Unfortunately, the event was canceled this year due to COVID-19. We look forward to the return of the event in 2021!
Jury
Best Salsa
1st: La Paz
2nd: Little Donkey (Salsa rojo)
3rd: Little Donkey (Salsa arbol)
Best Queso
1st: Spoon + Ladle
2nd: La Paz
3rd: Rojo
Best Guacamole
1st: El Zun Zun
2nd: Spoon + Ladle
3rd: Taco Mama
Best Specialty Dip
1st: Little Donkey
2nd: Simi’s Salsa
3rd: Moss Rock Tacos and Tequila
Audience
Best Salsa
1st: Dos Amigos Salsa
2nd: Rojo
3rd: Moss Rock Tacos and Tequila
Best Guacamole
1st: El Zun Zun
2nd: Spoon + Ladle
3rd: Taco Mama
Best Queso
1st: Rojo
2nd: Spoon + Ladle
3rd: La Paz
Best Specialty Dip
1st: Moss Rock Tacos + Tequila
2nd: Tostadas
3rd: Spoon + Ladle
Hosted at Cahaba Brewing Co.
Presented by Spire
Jury
Best Salsa: Tony’s Tejas Salsa
Best Queso: Tony’s Tejas Salsa
Best Guacamole: Spoon & Ladle Soup Co.
Best Specialty Dip: Tarez Kitchen
Audience Choice
Best Salsa: Tarez Kitchen
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Spoon & Ladle Soup Co.
Best Specialty Dip: Whole Foods Market
2018 photo album here! Special thanks to Joseph deSciose and Jacob DelaRosa for capturing the day.
Hosted at Cahaba Brewing Co.
Presented by Spire
Jury
Best Salsa: Tarez Kitchen
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Babalu Tapas & Tacos
Best Specialty Dip: Tarez Kitchen
Audience Choice
Best Salsa: After Midnight Salsa Co.
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Babalu Tapas & Tacos
Best Specialty Dip: Tarez Kitchen
Hosted at Cahaba Brewing Co.
Presented by Alagasco
View event photos from Joseph De Sciose and Karen Downs here!
Jury
Best Salsa: Rojo Birmingham
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Babalu Tapas & Tacos
Best Specialty Dip: Rojo Birmingham (Mango Habanero Salsa)
Audience Choice
Best Salsa: After Midnight Salsa Co.
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Babalu Tapas & Tacos
Best Specialty Dip: After Midnight Salsa Co.
Hot Pepper Eating Contest Winner:
James Williams
Hosted at Avondale Brewing Co.
Presented by Alagasco
View 2016 Photo Album here! Special thanks to Amanda Myers.
Jury
Best Salsa: After Midnight Salsa Co.
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Babalu Tapas & Tacos
Best Specialty Dip: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Audience Choice
Best Salsa: After Midnight Salsa Co.
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Babalu Tapas & Tacos
Best Specialty Dip: Whole Foods Market Mountain Brook
Hosted at Avondale Brewing Co.
2015 Photo Album here! Special thanks to Darrell Nance.
Jury
Best Salsa (tie): Chuy’s and La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Queso: Tin Roof Birmingham
Best Guacamole: Tin Roof Birmingham
Best Specialty Dip: Rojo Birmingham
Audience Choice:
Best Salsa: La Bamba Grill
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Rojo Birmingham
Best Specialty: Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
Hot Pepper Eating Contest Winners:
Bill Hancock
Christopher Johnson
Tim Scherer
Kendra Risse
Hosted at Avondale Brewing Co.
Jury
Best Salsa: Tin Roof Birmingham
Best Queso: Little Donkey
Best Guacamole: Sol Y Luna
Best Specialty Dip: Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
Audience Choice
Best Salsa: Sol Y Luna
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Sol Y Luna
Best Specialty Dip: Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
Hosted at Avondale Brewing Co.
Presented by Alagasco
Jury
Best Salsa: Chili’s Grill & Bar
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Taco Mama
Best Specialty Dip: Little Donkey
Audience Choice
Best Salsa: El Barrio Restaurante
Best Queso: Little Donkey
Best Guacamole: Taco Mama
Best Specialty Dip Category 1: El Barrio Restaurante
Best Specialty Dip Category 2: Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
Hot Pepper Eating Contest Winner:
Bill H. (second year in a row- pictured)
Hosted at The Market at Pepper Place
Presented by Alagasco
Jury
Best Salsa: Chuy’s
Best Queso: Chuy’s
Best Guacamole: Chuy’s
Best Specialty Dip: Rojo Birmingham
Audience Choice
Best Salsa: Chuy’s
Best Queso: La Paz Restaurant & Catering
Best Guacamole: Chuy’s
Best Specialty Dip: Chuy’s
Hot Pepper Eating Contest Winner:
Bill H.
