Here are some tasty, authentic alternatives to Chili's and Taco Bell the next time you're in the mood for Mexican fare in Tampa Bay. With Cinco de Mayo on the horizon, start planning your dining (and drinking) game plan accordingly.
AGAVE 6400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-367-3448. Serving a unique style of Mexican food seen nowhere else in the Bay area — Baja and Oaxacan-influenced fare — plus a stunning array of tequilas. A bit pricey, but tasty nonetheless.
ALGUSTO FINE MEXICAN CUISINE 912 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-250-3500, algustomexicanrestaurant.com. A favorite of former Tampa mayor Pam Iorio, Algusto puts an upscale spin on simple Mexican classics.
CARMELITA'S MEXICAN 5042 E. Bay Drive, Clearwater, 727-524-8226; 5211 Park St. N, St. Pete, 727-545-2956; 6218 66th St. N, Pinellas Park, 727-545-8226; 7705 Ulmerton Road, Largo, 727-533-8555; carmelitas.net. A perennial favorite in Pinellas, Carmelita's serves inexpensive, authentic fare and plenty of it at four locations.
CASA TINA 369 Main St, Dunedin, 727-734-9226, casatinas.com. Most folks think of Casa Tina as the anchor for downtown Dunedin, thanks to its interesting and authentic Mexican cuisine and lively atmosphere. It helps that the owners also have two other restaurants within a few blocks. —Brian Ries
EL MAGUEY RESTAURANT 4327 66th St. N, St. Pete, 727-547-9366, restaurantelmaguey.com. After chowing down on homestyle Mexican fare, stop at the Mexican grocery next door to grab ingredients to recreate the dishes at home.
EL TORO NEGRO 5780 54th Ave. N, Kenneth City, 727-541-4901, eltoronegromexicanrestaurant.com. Serving authentic dishes that some turn up their noses at and others crave, like tripe, chicharrones and tongue.
ESTELA'S MEXICAN 312 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-657-1421; 209 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa, 813-251-0558; 4015 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-832-4030; 10478 Roosevelt Blvd. N, St. Pete, 727-578-5380; estelas.com. More gringo than Mexican, but the menu is large and the margaritas and lunch specials can't be beat.
GUADALAJARA MEXICAN 4502 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-879-4096. Reasonably priced fare in a cozy setting. Live music on Friday nights.
LA CABANA DEL TIO 1709 Drew St., Clearwater, 727-466-0504. At first glance, it's just a tiny, hole-in-a-strip-mall Mexican lunch counter. But go inside and experience some of the tastiest, most authentic tacos in Tampa Bay. It's no wonder they were the Editor's Pick in CL's Tournament of Tacos. Cash only.
LOS MAYAS MEXICAN 1200 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-441-2535. Formerly Los Mariachis, Los Mayas dishes up large plates for small prices. The homemade spicy salsa is a must-try if you can handle the heat.
MEKENITA MEXICAN GRILLE 17623 Dale Mabry, Lutz, 813-264-1212, mekenitamexicangrille.com. Having won the readers' vote in CL's Tournament of Tacos, Mekenita is definitely worth a visit. The food is Pacific-style, the flavors are bold and the dishes are filling. Check out the creative daily chef specials and don't pass up the gourmet salsa bar.
MEXICO LINDO 6050 Park Blvd. N, Pinellas Park, 727-548-8721. A restaurant/grocery hybrid with simple but authentic tacos, soups and other delights. Grab a Mexican soda to wash it all down.
MIGUEL'S 3035 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-876-2587. Warm homemade chips, fresh salsa and creamy guacamole make great starters at Miguel's. Follow those up with one of the many seafood dishes on the menu.
PEG'S CANTINA 3038 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-328-2720, pegscantina.com. A true Gulfport gem, Peg's is famous for gourmet Mexican fare served in a cozy, casual setting. The dishes are made to order, but they're worth the wait — this means you'll have time to try more of their house-made craft brews. Cash or personal checks only.
POBLANO'S MEXICAN GRILL AND BAR 2451 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-796-7080, poblanosmex.com. Offering a huge menu and huge portions. With so many choices on the menu, they bring you samples of dishes before you order to help make it a little less difficult. The inexpensive but filling lunch specials and happy hour drink prices can't be beat.
RED MESA CANTINA 128 Third St. S, St. Pete, 727-896-8226, redmesacantina.com. Sister to the original favorite on Fourth Street, this locale takes more of an authentic, street-food take on Mexican with individual tacos and small plates. Weekly bar specials and the huge tequila list make it a great happy hour spot.
RED MESA RESTAURANT 4912 Fourth St. N, St. Pete, 727-527-8728, redmesarestaurant.com. A St. Pete staple, Red Mesa is known for mouthwatering Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. Its popularity may mean a long wait on a busy night, but that just gives you an excuse to grab a glass of their homemade sangria.
TACO BUS 913 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-232-5889; 324 Central Ave, St. Pete, tampatacobus.com. This place has garnered a cult following in Tampa, so owner Rene Valenzuela opened up a St. Pete location earlier this year to please the folks in Pinellas. It's simple, tasty street fare done very well, served out of a converted school bus (hence the "Bus"). Lots of vegetarian options available.
TAQUERIA MONTERREY 2320 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, 813-977-6808, taqueriamonterrey.net. Much like its older sister, The Taco Bus, Taqueria Monterrey serves seriously tasty Mexican fare, but with a broader selection and a salsa bar. Taqueria does a culinary public service as it gives USF kids a better alternative to Taco Bell.
VALLARTA'S 9212 Anderson Road, Tampa, 813-901-8027; 9255 N. 56th St., Tampa, 813-987-2720; 13731 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-264-7691; vallartastampa.com. A local chain with a large menu of standard combo plates and sizable portions. But the pitchers of margaritas are the star menu item in my book.
This article appears in Apr 28 – May 4, 2011.