Taco Bus Satisfies Your Taco Cravings

Taco Bus is now a well-know restaurant in Seminole Heights. Writing a review on it seems a little silly, really, as most people I know have probably eaten there at least once if not many times.  The owner, chef Rene Valenzuela, has supported the neighborhood for years.  He holds events, contests, and concerts from time to time.  

My review of the restaurant is simple: if you like real, South of the border Mexican food, then you should eat there.  Often. 

What Taco Bus is not is fussy. It is not Mexicanized american food.  It is not a theme restaurant you might find at Disney.  It is not reaching out to envelope you in ambiance or any sort of unique vision. 

What the Taco Bus is boils down to just really good food for a low price. It is served out of a real bus parked at the side of a building with no kitchen. The building has some amount of air conditioning and tables. There is a covered outdoor area and a shaded outdoor area.  The tables are made from plywood and the chairs are hand-me-downs with some of them wood and some plastic.  The paint is chipped and peeling in places.  The low-brow conditions of the space have a sort of charm to them but what they really do is underline the most important thing going for the Bus--its food.

The traditional taco is made from two soft corn tortillas topped with one of many kinds of grilled or marinated meats (and vegetarian). That is topped with shredded cabbage, onions, and served with salsa and a lime on the side.  The Taco Bus provides enough variety that anyone could be happy eating there, even vegetarians and vegans. 

If you are vegetarian (and even if you are not), there is a particular dish you should sample--the butternut squash tostada.  A crispy corn tortilla is topped with roasted squash, tomatoes, and a white mexican cheese similar to parmesian.

On the weekends, the Taco Bus sells tamales.  These are a cornmeal cake stuffed with roasted meats wrapped in a corn husk and steamed.  Mexicans make this for special occasions, especially Christmas.  The Bus makes them large so if you are used to eating them I recommend ordering one or two to start.  (Apologies for the state of the photo but I had forgotten to take the picture before diving into this tamale. Oops.)

Every day of the week there is a special dish; you should try them all.  My favorite is Friday's chicken chipotle in a cream sauce servied with rice and beans.

They are open 24/7 and ready to handle any taco craving you may have.

913 E. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa FL 33604 
813-232-5889
Check out their website here.