A WHALE SIZED SEASFOOD BURRITO? Today we take on a bus sized burrito challenge filled with blackened fish, and blackened shrimp! This fried fish and fried shrimp burrito also was filled with cabbage, pico de Gallo, and salsa!
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Taco Bus Donates Meals To Tampa Bay First Responders
Tampa – More than 300 meals were donated to the Tampa Police Department and the Communications staff. This is part of an effort on behalf of local staple, Taco Bus to thank Tampa Bay first responders for the sacrifices they are making every day to keep us safe. CW44 also thanks first responders and our food service industry workers for all of your efforts!
Taco Bus to feed hundreds of first responders
TAMPA – Taco Bus, in partnership with Express Beverage of Tampa, will be donating meals to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday and Wednesday. Roughly 500 first responders will be fed between the two days. The meals will consist of individually packaged containers of chicken tacos, chips and salsa along with bottles of water.
“These first responders have been working tirelessly the past few weeks and feeding them is only a small token of our appreciation,” said Heather Chaudhry, director of marketing for Taco Bus. “This is the second time we have been able to give back and help our community through this unprecedented time and we hope to continue to do so.”
Taco Bus is available for take-out, delivery from UberEats (who have waived delivery fees) and DoorDash. Taco Bus is also offering “A Bus-Load of Essentials” where you can purchase toilet paper, paper towels, meat, bread, shrimp, and other essentials that are hard to find at local grocery stores. Information can be found at www.Taco-Bus.com
Taco Bus steps up to feed first responders, kids in need amid cover-19 pandemic
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Local businesses, like Taco Bus, are stepping up to feed the first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. According to Florida health officials, more than 5,400 Floridians have tested positive for the virus, and it has killed more than 60 people statewide. “It’s hard to understand what they’re going through,” Taco Bus Marketing Manager Heather Chaudhry said. “I can’t even imagine.”
Taco Bus will be feeding about 500 Hillsborough Co. deputies with District 2 Tuesday and Wednesday. The company also plans to feed Tampa police officers next week. Chaudhry told Reporter JJ Burton they are also partnering with another organization to feed kids in need while they’re out of school.
“Even though we may take a little bit of a hit, it’s something we’re willing to take to help out any way we can,” she said. Several of the stores in the Tampa Bay area are sold out of paper towels, tissues, paper plates, and even meat. Taco Bus is now selling some of those items as well.
“We’re doing what we’re calling a ‘bus load of essential items.’ We’re [ selling] several different kinds of protein options, toilet paper, paper towels, wheat and white bread,” said Chaudhry.
This will also help Taco Bus bring in revenue. It will help the business, and keep their employees working.
“We’re being very upfront and honest with our employees,” Chaudhry said. “We told them their hours might be cut back, but we’re still going to try to give them as many hours as we can so they can get paychecks.”
If you are interested in purchasing some of the items for sale, you can pick them up at any Taco Bus location. You are asked to call first, so you will know if they’re sold out of the item or not.
Taco Bus to Feed Local Veterans
Helping Those In Need During Coronavirus Crisis
Tampa, FL (March 23, 2020) – Effective immediately Taco Bus announced it will be providing daily meals to veterans in need during the Coronavirus Crisis at five local Liberty Manor for Veterans locations.
“The need to serve the underserved and give back to the community who has been so good to us has never been greater,” said Heather Chaudhry, Director of Marketing for Taco Bus. “We also want to remind everyone they can order Taco Bus for delivery from UberEats® (who have waived delivery fees) and DoorDash®. Check out our website for our menu and order on-line or call in to your local restaurant to place an order.”
Taco bus will be delivering weekly meals that will include tacos, chips, salsa, and water to feed over 50 veterans at the five locations over the next 4 weeks.
ABOUT TACO BUS
Twenty years before the food truck trend was filling up hungry stomachs and cable-TV time slots, a converted school bus rolled into Tampa, bringing with it unforgettable Mexican food. That was the birth of Taco Bus. Since then, Taco Bus has grown to 15 locations throughout Florida and has won many awards and recognitions. Taco Bus has been featured on Food Network, Cooking Channel, USA Today, and Travel Channel to name a few. Taco Bus was also featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives where he claimed “The best torta I’ve ever had” when dining at the Tampa Taco Bus location.
ABOUT LIBERTY MANOR FOR VETERANS
Liberty Manor was organized in 2006 as a 501(C)3 non-profit organization by Connie Lindsay, our founder, and Chief Executive Officer, with the objective of promoting the developmental and social needs of veterans who have served our country, fought for our independence but fallen victim to homelessness. Liberty Manor vows to provide supported housing and establish long-term objectives designed to prevent future homelessness.
Taco Bus Offers “Win and Win” Promotion to USF or UCF Fans and Students
Tampa, Florida – November 7th, 2019 – The “War on i4” has quickly become one of Florida’s most exciting collegiate rivalries. Taco Bus’s latest promotion will offer a 50% discount to fans and students of the winning team.
On November 30th, any diner who presents their student ID or is wearing team spirit clothing for the winning team will receive the 50% discount on their entire order from participating locations.
“Our Tampa locations have long served USF students, and they have played an essential role in our success. However, our new Orlando location has quickly been embraced by UCF students.” says Taco Bus Director of Marketing, Heather Chaudrhy. “We see this promotion as a great way we can show our support to both communities. Tying the promotion to the winning team is a way for us to keep it chido.”
However, not all Taco Bus owners are as impartial. “As a UCF graduate and lifelong Orlando resident, I am putting my support behind the UCF Knights.” says Priyanka Shetty, the owner of Taco Bus Orlando. “UCF students have welcomed the brand to Orlando and have quickly made us part of the Knight life.”
This promotion will be offered at the Tampa location at 2320 E. Fletcher Avenue and the Orlando location at 11325 University Blvd.
About Taco Bus
Twenty years before the food truck trend was filling up hungry stomachs and cable-TV time slots, a converted school bus rolled into Tampa, bringing with it unforgettable Mexican food. The Taco Bus had arrived. For over a decade, The Taco Bus traveled through Tampa, changing to meet the needs of our community. Today, The Bus takes you on a trip to Mexican Flavortown at each of our locations. Using traditional recipes from every region of Mexico, we provide a modern twist on Mexican tastes, ensuring fresh, affordable options for everyone. Taco Bus now has 15 locations throughout Florida.
Creative Loafing’s 2017 Best Food Truck
Taco Bus was chosen as Creative Loafings Readers Pick for Best Food Truck of 2017!
Thank you to our fans for voting for us!
http://local.cltampa.com/publication/best-of-the-bay/2017/food-and-drink/best-food-truck
10 best foodie spots in Tampa/St. Petersburg
Tampa Bay in the past 15 years has added eclectic restaurants to a handful of traditional, can’t-miss places. Our recommendations blend those two elements and a pinch of geographic dispersal. Ranked in order:
10. Taco Bus – Everyone from college students to Guy Fieri has “discovered” the Taco Bus chain, which originated in a refurbished school bus. Now the five brick-and-mortar locations plus buses offer a range of Mexican hand-held wrappers that you can stuff with diced or shredded beef, beer-battered fish, even fermented soybeans. Also recommended: the butternut squash tostada.
9. Pane Rustica–This busy dining room offers flatbread pizzas, spectacular burgers, entrees such as acorn squash stuffed with chicken salad, and imaginative sandwiches on a choice of nine breads, all baked here. A changing mystery lunch entrée is the “Shut up and eat, don’t ask.” Save room for the bakery’s delish desserts.
8. Rococo Steak – No funeral home-turned-YWCA ever looked lovelier. Dating to the 1920s this building was recently converted into a steakhouse – the name refers to elaborate ornamentation – and a brewpub. The third-generation chef turns out both corn-fed and grass-fed steak options starting at 7 ounces, climbing to 22 ounces for a bone-in ribeye. The menu also offers Texas venison, Pacific oysters, creamed corn, and even quinoa and kale chips.
7. Maritana Grille– Not all beach restaurants are dive bars with sandy walkways. This dressy restaurant is the grand pink wedding cake that is a Florida Gulf coast landmark, Loews Don CeSar Hotel. The menu is big on fresh snapper and grouper with accents of the Med or the Floribbean (island and mainland). A solid wine list – with fine views from the bar, too.
6. Bella Brava – If it’s good enough for author Dennis LeHane, isn’t it good enough for us commoners? This trattoria and its horseshoe-shaped bar are just an open-collared shirt this side of fancy. The menu is to drool for: wood-fired oven flatbreads and pizzas, penne pasta with wood-grilled chicken, cotto ham, peas, roasted mushrooms and Asiago cream sauce. LeHane? The mystery writer lives about half the year within a mile of this downtown St. Petersburg restaurant.
5. The Refinery – Arguably serving Tampa Bay’s consistently best meals (Zagat named it the area’s best in 2012 and 2013), executive chef/co-owner Greg Baker – with three James Beard nominations – shuffles his menu every Thursday night, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients. He adds a French twist to Southern traditions, leavened with his 20 years in kitchens across America.
4. Bern’s– Founder Bern Laxer’s restaurant offers the best aged beef, organically grown veggies and a superb wine list numbering more than 6,800 selections, many by the glass. It is arguably Florida’s No. 1 steakhouse. Insider tip: Sample all of this for less than $30 by sitting at the bar and ordering the steak sandwich and a glass of the house wine.
3. Z Grille– Named for ebullient founder and James Beard-nominated chef Zack Gross, this downtown room is usually crowded and can be loud, but sitting at the bar facing the show kitchen is fun. The menu includes Mexican-influenced staples; trademarks are the deviled eggs (emphasis on deviled: the core includes some avocado, while the egg is lightly topped with hot sauce, bacon and jalapeno) and Dr. Pepper-sauced fried ribs.
2. SideBern’s – Created to relieve crowding at Bern’s, SideBern’s has taken off: Chef Chad Johnson was a 2012 semifinalist in the James Beard awards, while general manager Dean Hurst is considered “a superstar in national bartending competitions,” according to the Tampa Bay Times. Johnson’s menu is “modern Mediterranean” themed: starters such as oysters with a smoked shallot and oak mignonette, entrees including sweet and sour duck breast.
1. Mise en Place – Opened in 1986, it’s still ahead of most of the competition. Check the menu and consider the cornmeal-crusted oysters with green tomato chutney as a starter, followed by venison loin with rabbit chorizo palla risotto. Do get the favored side: lobster Manchego mac ‘n’ cheese.
Taco Bus makes list of top U.S. food trucks
Buzzfeed has named Tampa’s Taco Bus one of the top 25 “Most Popular Food Trucks of 2013,” after a nationwide survey which selected food trucks from across the country.
Buzzfeed has named Tampa’s Taco Bus one of the top 25 “Most Popular Food Trucks of 2013,” after a nationwide survey which selected food trucks from across the country.
The list was created in partnership with the social networking site Foursquare.com
Taco Bus ranked 6th and given a rating of 9.2 out of 10. The website said visitors should try the “Butternut squash tostada and some horchata to wash it down.” The top-ranked food truck on the list was the Halal Guys of New York City, with its specialty of chicken and gyro served over rice with white sauce, Buzzfeed said.
Taco Bus is a Tampa institution that has grown to include four locations including its flagship bus restaurant in the Seminole Heights neighborhood. Founded by Rene Valenzuela, it has been featured on national television programs including Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.”
Salem Solomon
Contributing writer-
Tampa Bay Business Journal
As Seen On TV: Tampa Restaurants Revel In Their Close-Up
By JOHN O’CONNOR You may know Taco Bus for its street food standards with recipes direct from Mexico. Or, you may know them from their frequent appearances on the Food Network, Travel Channel or Cooking Channel.
By JOHN O’CONNOR
You may know Taco Bus for its street food standards with recipes direct from Mexico.
Or, you may know them from their frequent appearances on the Food Network, Travel Channel or Cooking Channel.
Owner Rene Valenzeula says he fine with either. “We hear people telling us about the shows all the time,” he said. “Like every week we get an email from someone up North that is coming to Tampa and they either saw us on the Food Network with the ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.’ Or on the Travel Channel…And usually, it goes like: ‘We’re going to Busch Gardens. Which location is the closest to you?’ Or ‘What time do you close the one downtown because we’re going to be there for a convention or something?'”
Taco Bus isn’t alone. The growth of food-centered cable channels has turned several Bay area restaurants into television stars.
That includes Bern’s Steakhouse on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” Ted Peter’s Famouse Smoked Fish on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and Munchie’s 420 Cafe on “Man vs. Food.”
Food shows have featured at least two-dozen local restaurants over the past several years.
Why? Well some of the reasons are obvious. Here’s Fieri again.
“Oh I dig rolling into Tampa Bay,” he said on a Tampa Bay-themed episode. “I mean, we’re talking about great weather, really cool people and some truly memorable Triple D locations.”
Carlos Hernandez writes about restaurants with the nom de blog Carlos Eats.
He sees two other trends working in the Bay area’s favor: An emphasis on local food and the still-recovering national economy.
“Actually, it’s really surprised me how much we have been featured,” Hernandez said. “What I’ve noticed is that we’ve kind of taken the shift, especially after the financial crisis, towards more local businesses. And a lot of people who are into food, or food writers, food personalities, like Adam Richman, they prefer local places.”
The Bay area is known for a handful of high-end restaurants. But Hernandez says you can also do high quality food with middlebrow appeal.
“I think that perception is changing,” he said. I mean, I think when you look at food culture you have to realize there’s different types of food lovers. New York City has its own standards. If the menu’s not $300 then people aren’t probably going to eat there.
“I think that people have realized you don’t necessarily have to go for that. You can go for the regular meal and it might be better than the high end. The food culture has slightly shifted.”
Hernandez says the exposure is helping improve the region’s food scene.
Rene Valenzuela – the owner of Taco Bus – agrees. The exposure has changed his business.
But that first appearance — on “Man Vs. Food” in 2011 – almost didn’t happen.
“Well I didn’t want to do it, because he had this show where he eats a lot of food and it always grosses me out to see him eating like that,” Valenzuela said. “So I told the lady that called me and said ‘I don’t have anything big for him to eat.”
The show’s producer told Valenzuela they were featuring food truck on the East Coast, in Texas and in California — with the challenge in California. So Valenzuela was happy to show off his beef kabob taco recipe on national television.
Taco Bus has expanded to five locations the past two years. But a TV appearance alone isn’t enough.
“Now if the question is, that if the Food Network made a difference?” Valenzuela said. “Well it brought a lot of sales, but I also know other people that the Food Network came to them and they had these huge sales the month or two that follow it and then that’s it. So they promote it like ‘Oh, we were on the Food Network.’ But that doesn’t pay the bills.
“It’s just like the cherry on top, really, it’s not going to be the main thing.”
Valenzuela says he was most impressed by Food Network host Guy Fieri, who ran the Taco Bus shoot like a quarterback.
“I was thinking he’d be more of a puppet and he’s not,” Valenzuela said. “He’s a super leader. He’s in charge of business.”
