From East L.A. street corners to the Super Bowl LX halftime show, Villa’s Tacos became a powerful symbol of immigrant pride, labor, and Latino identity.
The appearance of a taco stand during the Super Bowl LX halftime show wasn’t just a decorative detail or a visual eccentricity. The inclusion of Villa’s Tacos, run by Mexican immigrant Víctor Villa, was part of a conscious decision by Bad Bunny to place one of the most representative figures of Latino life in the United States—the food worker and migrant entrepreneur—at the center of the show.
Who is Víctor Villa, the Super Bowl Taco Vendor?
Víctor Villa, known as Vic, is a first-generation Mexican-American born and raised in Los Angeles, the son of immigrant parents from Mexico. For over eight years, he has run Villa’s Tacos, a business that began as a street stand and is now one of the culinary landmarks of East Los Angeles.
His concept, based on Michoacán recipes and blue corn tortillas, earned the taqueria recognition from the Michelin Guide, a rare achievement for a project born from street food. Villa didn’t transform his roots to climb the ladder; he made them his trademark.
During the Super Bowl LX halftime show, Bad Bunny interacted directly with Víctor Villa on the Levi’s Stadium stage, as if it were just any street corner in Los Angeles. The gesture had a clear political and cultural message: to dignify a profession that is often overlooked or persecuted by local authorities.
The scene also served as a symbolic bridge between Puerto Rico and Mexico, two cultures that have shaped much of the Latino identity in the United States. At one of the world’s most-watched events, the artist elevated a taquero to the level of major entertainment stars.
After the event, Víctor Villa shared a message of gratitude on his social media, dedicating the moment to his family and the immigrant community. In his post, he wrote:
“To my dear friend Benito, thank you for letting me step onto the court with you and giving me the opportunity to represent my people at the highest level. Thank you @badbunnypr. This moment will go down in history and is something I will never forget. This was for all Mexicans. This was for all Latinos. This was for all immigrants,” Villa expressed.
In another message, the taquero emphasized the personal significance of his participation: “As a first-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in Los Angeles, it was an honor to represent my people and all the taqueros of the world.”
