Tulare County’s Taco Trail Closes with Over 25 Stops, Community Support, and a Push for Local Business

Tulare County’s Taco Trail Closes with Over 25 Stops, Community Support, and a Push for Local Business Main Photo

1 Aug 2025


Tulare County’s Taco Trail Closes with Over 25 Stops, Community Support, and a Push for Local Business

 

[Left to right]: Tulare County Resource Management Agency's Student Intern Caleb Smalley, City of Porterville's Community Development Director Claudia Calderon, Tulare County RMA's Economic Development Manager Alida Verduzco Silva, Owner Omar Magaña, City of Porterville's Mayor Greg Meister, Vice Mayor Ed McKervey, and Interim City of Porterville City Manager Rich Tree pose for a photo in front of Papas The Loaded Baked Potato Company in Porterville, Calif.

After three months of savory stops, community connection, and celebration of local businesses, the Tulare County Taco Trail Check-In Challenge has officially come to a close. One of the final stops on this countywide trail was Papas Loaded Baked Potato Company in Porterville, a growing success story in Tulare County’s vibrant small business landscape.

The Taco Trail campaign spotlighted the region’s top-nominated taco spots, drawing together city officials and community leaders from across the county. The campaign served not only to celebrate local cuisine but also to boost small businesses and tourism across Tulare County. Community members were surveyed on social media back in January to chime in on the best taco spots to visit, including taco trucks and restaurants. Then, the top spots were mapped out on the Discover Tulare County app, with participants encouraged to check in by July 31, 2025, for a chance to win prizes.

“We appreciate the County bringing the Taco Trail to the City of Porterville,” said Porterville Mayor Greg Meister. “It’s crucial to highlight small businesses like Papas [The Loaded Baked Potato Company], which puts out a great product. We enjoy businesses that support our community.

The Taco Trail was supported by the County of Tulare Board of Supervisors and city staff from throughout the eight municipalities, including Visalia, Porterville, Exeter, and other participating communities. This demonstrated a unified commitment to regional collaboration and economic growth

“I think it’s terrific that the County is here supporting our City and small businesses like Papas that are relatively new to the community,” said City of Porterville Vice Mayor Ed McKervey. “It's great to have the partnership with the County. We are all working together like a family. The relationships we have in the city and county are cemented in initiatives like this.

Though the trail has officially ended, participants who downloaded the Discover Tulare County app and checked in along the trail still have a chance to win one of five grand prizes: Discover Tulare County backpacks filled with unique goodies from around the region, each one a celebration of Tulare County’s local charm. The backpacks contain movie tickets from Galaxy Theatres Tulare, delicious pistachios from Setton Farms in Terra Bella, complimentary memberships provided by Sequoia Parks Conservancy, and many more giveaways from local cities and communities.

“I think it’s just amazing that we have a local business experiencing such success,” said Interim City Manager Rich Tree. “That’s what we celebrate, encouraging the community to come out, try their tacos, and support local entrepreneurs.”

Business Owner Omar Magaña serves City of Porterville Mayor Greg Meister tacos at Papas The Loaded Baked Potato Company in Porterville, Calif.

Papas The Loaded Baked Potato Company exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that the Taco Trail aimed to spotlight. Husband-and-wife business partners, Omar and Diana Magaña, began their journey selling churros during the height of the pandemic in 2020. They ran operations from a single Churroholix churro trailer, which then expanded to two trailers that travel the Central Valley regularly, and in 2024, they launched their brick-and-mortar location at 1549 W. Olive Ave. in Porterville. Today, Papas is a thriving business, serving up loaded potatoes, tacos, quesabirrias, and even a curated menu of Randy’s Italian favorites to honor the legacy of the location they now occupy. Also present at the Papas location on Olive is a churro cart ready to serve up handcrafted churros. Papas adds to the growing list of microbusinesses scaling toward expanded operations, often including brick-and-mortar pursuits. In mid-July, Tacos San Marcos, another Tulare County business, expanded from taco trucks to brick-and-mortar in Traver and then in Visalia.

“When counties and cities actively support local businesses, they help create jobs, inspire entrepreneurship, and keep local economies strong. These partnerships build community pride, showcase the unique character of each town, and strengthen the bond between residents and the places they call home, says Michael Washam, ACE, Associate Director of the Tulare County Resource Management Agency, which houses the Economic Development Office (EDO) team driving the Tulare County Taco Trail collaborative campaign. The Taco Trail was a testament to the power of collaboration, local innovation, and shared success. “The County’s EDO is currently working with its city, chamber, and community partners on upcoming campaigns focused on driving tourism and local engagement across the region with residents, visitors, and businesses top of mind,” added Washam.

For more updates on prize winners and future campaigns, follow Discover Tulare County on social media or visit www.discovertularecounty.com.

Direct Instagram Links: Taco Tastings
Lindsay: Tacos La Muñeca
Porterville: Papas The Loaded Potato Company
Springville: Chavi Taco Poblano
Tulare: Tacos Tequila
Visalia: California Tacos
Woodlake: Espuelas

Full List of 25 Taco Stops and 5 Honorable Mentions available online.

The Tulare County Taco Trail Tasting Team poses for a picture with their tacos at Papas The Loaaded Baked Potato Company in Porterville, Calif.