Every great story has a beginning. The Taco Bus story starts in 1995 on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, long before food trucks were a national trend. It began with a simple idea: to bring authentic, no-frills Mexican street food to the people of Florida.
That idea was the spark that became Taco Bus. What started as a single, converted school bus serving unforgettable Mexican food has grown into a Florida institution. This is the story of that journey.
The Dream on Hillsborough Avenue
The original Taco Bus wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a destination. It was where, as we liked to say, “broken English is perfectly spoken.” It quickly became a beloved spot for late-night crowds and daytime lunchers, all drawn to the incredible flavors and authentic recipes that were unlike anything else. After nearly a decade of winning over Tampa from its mobile kitchen, the demand was so great that we parked the bus permanently and opened our very first brick-and-mortar location right where it all began. The revolution had found a home.
A Legacy of Being the “Best of the Bay”
As word spread, the accolades followed. The Tampa Bay community has always been our biggest supporter, and for over a decade, they have consistently honored us in Creative Loafing’s prestigious “Best of the Bay” awards. We’re also starting to win contests all over the state, including awards from Sunshine State Tourism. We’re incredibly proud of this long history of recognition, which showcases the loyalty of our amazing fans.
We are humbled to have been named the winner in so many categories over the years:
2026: Creative Loafing Best of the Bay — Best Burritos (Finalist), Pinellas Taco Fest Best Seafood Tacos, CommunityVotes Lakeland — Platinum, Best Mexican Restaurant
2025: Florida’s Best Fish Tacos (3rd Place)
2025: Best Tacos (Winner), Best Burritos (Winner), Best Food Truck (Finalist), Best Mexican Restaurant (Finalist)
2024: Best Food Truck (Winner), Best Late-Night Restaurant (Winner)
2023: Best Late-Night Restaurant (Winner)
2022: Best Food Truck (Winner), Best Late-Night Restaurant (Winner)
2021: Best Food Truck/Vendor (Winner), Best Tacos (Winner)
2020: Best Food Truck/Vendor (Winner)
2018: Best Food Truck/Vendor (Winner)
2017: Best Food Truck (Winner)
2016: Best Food Truck (Winner), Best Late-Night Restaurant (Winner)
2015: Best Food Truck (Winner), Best Tacos (Winner), Best Late-Night Restaurant (Winner)
2014: Best Food Truck (Winner), Best Late-Night Restaurant (Winner), Best Tacos (Winner), Best Local Chain Restaurant (Winner), Best Bargain Restaurant (Winner)
2013: Best Food Truck (Winner), Best Mexican Restaurant (Winner), Best Bargain Restaurant (Winner), Best Late-Night Restaurant (Winner)
2012: Best New Bus Stops: The burgeoning Taco Bus Empire (Critic’s Pick), Best Mexican/Tex-Mex Restaurant (Winner), Best Late-Night Restaurant (Winner)
2011: Best Kept Secret (Runner Up), Best Mexican/Tex-Mex Restaurant (Winner), Best Late Night Restaurant (Winner), Best Drunk Eats (Winner), Best Bargain Restaurant (Winner)
This incredible history of recognition comes directly from you—our fans and neighbors. Thank you for being on this journey with us.
The National Spotlight: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
It wasn’t long before the national media caught on. Our little bus from Tampa started making big waves, earning features on major networks and prestigious national lists. We were named one of the “10 Best Foodie Spots in Tampa” by USA Today and recognized by Buzzfeed as one of the “Top 25 Most Popular Food Trucks in the U.S.” But that was just the beginning.
Then, Flavortown came calling.
We’ve been featured on the Cooking Channel and Travel Channel, but our most famous close-up was on the Food Network’s hit show, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Host Guy Fieri paid us a visit, and after trying our food, he said something that has become a legendary part of our story. Holding up one of our signature dishes, he declared, “The best torta I’ve ever had.”
Years later, Food Network still points back to that visit. In its 50 States of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives roundup — one pick for every state in the country — Taco Bus is Florida’s.
The national features continued to roll in. We were thrilled when Adam Richman stopped by for the “Street Eats” episode of the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food Nation,” showcasing our authentic flavors to a nationwide audience. According to Adam, our taco flavors “takes other tacos to school.”
Our journey didn’t stop there. We’ve been humbled by the continued recognition from local and regional outlets who appreciate our commitment to authentic, fresh Mexican food:
- The Huffington Post named us among the 15 “Can’t Miss Dining Experiences” in Tampa Bay, cementing our status as a must-visit destination.
- Florida Rentals celebrated our authentic flavors by naming us one of Florida’s 10 Best Taco Restaurants.
- Our dedication to community and quality was honored by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, which recognized our St. Pete location as an Outstanding Business of the Year in the Florida Main Street Awards.
The Secret? Keepin’ It Chido.
The awards and TV spots are an honor, but they aren’t the reason we do what we do. Our secret has always been in the food itself. Everything is cooked fresh from scratch. Many of our recipes are based on ancient Mayan traditions, and our menu is designed to offer delicious, health-conscious options for everyone, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.
From a single bus to a statewide icon, our journey has been incredible. But no matter how much we grow, our promise remains the same: to serve fresh, authentic Mexican food and to always, always “Keep It Chido.”