Despite the disastrous San Francisco event, widely labeled a "scam," the West Coast Taco & Beer Festival is still planning an incarnation in America's Finest City this fall. They are also hosting a Brunch on the Bay Festival in downtown San Diego this summer. But the real question is: should they even be allowed to return?
On August 5, hundreds of ticket holders flocked to The Midway in San Francisco, lured by promises of bottomless taco samples from top chefs and restaurants, along with unlimited craft beer, cider, and seltzer samples. With ticket prices ranging from $35 to $80, attendees expected a premium experience and plenty of food and drink. However, most attendees left with an empty belly and only a bad taste in their mouth.
In the days following the event, a flood of online criticism has emerged on platforms like Reddit and Yelp. It is also alleged that organizers have removed negative comments from the event's Instagram and Facebook pages, adding to the growing distrust. Attendees reported waiting in line for hours, battling overwhelming crowds, and facing a severe shortage of the promised food and drinks. The event was so poorly managed that some have labeled it an "absolute scam" and a "fraud," with comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival. Many angry patrons are calling for the event organizer to issue refunds.
West Coast Taco & Beer Festival is the brainchild of Blue Stream Entertainment, led by 38-year-old Orange County resident Brandon Mozley. Unfortunately, this isn’t Mozley's first brush with controversy. His previous events, like the Bay Area Taco and Beer Festival in San Jose in 2019 and the LA Taco and Beer Festival in August 2019, have also been slammed for false advertising and poor execution.
In response to the San Francisco fiasco, the West Coast Taco & Beer Festival postponed its scheduled August 31 San Jose event citing "overwhelming amounts of feedback." Despite this, the San Diego version is still set to take place at Encore Events Center on October 5.
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| A post on the event's Instagram from August 13 shows the bayfront installment without explaining the October event is in Kearny Mesa. |
The website for the San Diego event boldly promises "bottomless Beer, Cider & Seltzer Samples with 60+ selections + access to 20+ chefs, restaurants and taco vendors with the best tacos in town + live music on 2 music stages and more!" But based on recent history, these promises may ring hollow.
Blue Stream Entertainment is also hosting another event in San Diego. Brunch on the Bay Festival is scheduled to take place at Spanish Landing Park on Saturday, August 24. This event promises bottomless mimosas, craf beer and brunch inspired drink samples, as well as access to 20+ brunch-themed food vendors, chefs and restaurants. A Reddit post from three months ago warns people not to attend the San Diego Brunch festival, alleging it is a "scam" and claiming "THIS COMPANY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU...THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY AND RUN."
The West Coast Taco & Beer event already hosted a local version this past March at downtown San Diego's Broadway Pier. Like its counterparts, this festival was met with a barrage of online criticism, echoing the same complaints that have plagued most of Mozley's events across the state.
Given the festival's consistent failure to deliver on its promises, locals may want to think twice before shelling out hard-earned cash for what many have described as nothing more than a well-marketed disappointment. San Diego deserves better, and there are plenty of other ways to enjoy tacos and beer without the risk of being let down.