By Isabella Gerardo, February 24, 2026

Victor Villa, a Los Angeles native who used to serve tacos from his grandmother’s house, surprised Angelinos when he appeared in this year’s Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny. 

Villa and his Villa’s Tacos stand cameoed at the beginning of the show during “Tití Me Preguntó” at Levi’s Stadium. Villa has three Villa’s Tacos locations in the L.A. area, two in Highland Park and one in Downtown L.A. 

“It was an absolute honor to be part of that halftime performance and be part of history,” Villa said. 

Customers line up to order at the first Villa’s Tacos storefront that opened in 2023. Isabella Gerardo | The Poly Post

With these successes and accomplishments, Villa first faced adversity. At one point, he had an over drafted bank account, no food in his fridge, a newborn daughter, was late on bills, and had maxed out credit cards.  

Villa said he kept going because he knew someday, he would be here eight years later. 

“If we would have gave up, we wouldn’t have made the Super Bowl,” Villa said. “It’s easy to give up, but it’s harder to keep on going.” 

Success didn’t just happen overnight for the northeast L.A.-based eatery. Prior to the halftime show, Villa’s Tacos received a Michelin Bib Gourmand and was featured in Netflix’s Taco Chronicles. A Michelin Bib Gourmand is an award given to restaurants that offer great dining at a reasonable price. 

Steven Robles, Northeast L.A. local and Villa’s Tacos employee, found out about Villa’s Tacos’ halftime show involvement beforehand but did not anticipate the gravity of the actual performance. 

“(Victor) represents something more now,” Robles said. “And he literally showed everybody, you put your mind to it, you believe in God and you believe in yourself, you can do anything you want.” 

Villa’s Tacos tortilla’s are made with handmade blue corn. Isabella Gerardo | The Poly Post

Patrons like Asante Madrigal lined up at the restaurant Thursday after the Super Bowl ahead of opening to secure the renowned blue corn tortilla tacos. 

Madrigal visited the taqueria because he “had to come and show support, especially with all the things going on in the world. Everything’s so political.” 

When Bad Bunny’s halftime show was announced, some eyebrows were raised along with complaints that his songs are primarily in Spanish. Political commentator Benny Johnson, said, “— Massive Trump hater — Anti-ICE activist — No songs in English,” about the Puerto Rican rapper on X. The singer even faced criticism from popular figures including President Donald Trump. 

Madrigal, who is half-Latino himself, believes in the positive impact of representation because of how powerful it was for him as a child to see someone who looked like him. 

For Villa, representation goes beyond one aspect. He represents every customer he’s greeted, every customer he’s thanked, his family, his community, his city, his culture and Michoacán — the past, the present and the future. 

At the end of the show, Bad Bunny left a unifying message where he listed countries and nations of the Americas.  

“It wasn’t just about one ethnicity, one race,” Villa said. “It was about anyone who considers themselves Latino or Latino by association. You didn’t necessarily have to be Latino to appreciate this performance.” 

The Super Bowl ranks as the No. 1 place he has served tacos, said the taquero. 

Bad Bunny’s halftime performance played in the background as customers ordered food. Isabella Gerardo | The Poly Post

With an average of 128.2 million viewers, Bad Bunny’s halftime show was the fourth-most-watched halftime show, according to ESPN.com. 

The restaurant saw more customers and reporters following Super Bowl Sunday, but other than that nothing else has changed for Villa. 

“I continue to be the same person that I was before the Super Bowl, and I’ll continue to be the same person after,” Villa said. 

For all college students, regardless of background, Villa said once you graduate, you have to continue to learn, continue to grow as a student, as an individual and as a person. 

Villa’s Tacos’ future continues to look bright as a new location is expected to open in South Pasadena. For those who have not yet been to the restaurant, Villa recommends Villa’s Trio.