Cheap Eats: The Taco Bus

(Credit: Elizabeth Atkins)

The Taco Bus (El Taconazo) is an institution in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood. The kitsch factor (that the kitchen is located in a bus and the dining room backs up to it) brings ‘em in.  The food (fresh, flavorful, authentic and easy on the bank account) keeps ‘em coming.

The digs:  El Taconazo is a favorite lunch spot and a no frills dinner stop.  The music is loud (some may call that atmosphere while others call it a distraction) and the décor is hardly posh.  Just east of the corner of Nebraska and Hillsborough, right across the street from High Tide Fish and Chips, high class it ain’t. But this neighborhood favorite consistently delivers to satisfied repeat patrons without leaving a dent in their wallets.

The grub: Make your choice from daily specials or a multitude of options (for both carnivores and herbivores) – burritos, tacos, quesadillas, salads and more.  The best value, in my opinion, is the Meal Deal ($5.95 for lunch and $6.95 for dinner, $6.50 all day on weekends) – a Taco Bus “value menu”: 2 Tacos (any filling) or one Burrito plus rice and beans.  Try the Meal Deal with the Conchinita Pibil filling – pork marinated in achiote and bitter orange, then wrapped in banana leaves and slow roasted in a smoker.  Based on a 5,000 year-old Mayan recipe, this choice withstands the test of time.  It’s tender and flavorful – albeit a little messy.  Just grab a big handful of napkins and you’ll be golden.

Or forego the Meal Deal and opt for the Burrito Prenado ($4.95), a gigantic belly buster stuffed full with a meat of your choice, cheese, veggies, rice and beans.  It’s a two-hander.  Or better yet, pick up your fork, for crying out loud.

The rice and beans are a nice compliment but pale in comparison to whatever main attraction you choose.

In it for the true experience? Wash your tacos down with a cold bottle of Jarritos Mexican Soda ($1.50) – sweet and fruity with flavors like strawberry or guava.  Then top of your meal with a slice of Tres leches cake ($2.99) soaked in sweetened condensed milk or traditional Mexican Flan ($2.49), silky custard situated in a puddle of caramel sauce.

The cost: At most, you’ll rack up a little over $11 for a meal, a drink and dessert. Not too shabby for the high quality food dished out in a quirky locale.

The bottom line:  El Taconazo is a must for ridiculously tasty and affordable Mexican food. Period.

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El Taconazo
913 E. Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL
813-232-5889