two guys sitting on a yellow awning — Rene’s Mexican Kitchen opens in Ybor City, Florida on Aug. 15, 2023. Credit: Photo via Rene Valenzuela/Facebook

You have a week to find bigger sweatpants, Tampa Bay, because one of Tampa’s beloved food trucks opens its brick-and-mortar storefront in Ybor City next week.

A Rene’s Mexican Kitchen sign popped up on at 2802 N 16th St. last month, and over the weekend, the restaurant’s namesake Rene Valenzuela announced an opening date: Tuesday, Aug. 15. Doors open at 9 a.m. (so breakfast tacos??) and close at 5 p.m.

As previously reported, the building on the outskirts of Ybor City was formerly occupied by local catering business Gaston’s Culinary Services, which recently relocated to 301 S 22nd St. in South Tampa.

Valenzuela told CL last month that the new Rene’s is a bodega-style, ultra-casual pick-up window and not a full-service restaurant.

Only outdoor seating is available, so plan on getting your food via the pickup window or from delivery companies like Uber, DoorDash, etc.

The new spot will also support Valenzuela’s Seminole Heights food truck by offering additional refrigeration and storage space. The menu at Rene’s Mexican Kitchen is exactly the same as that food truck offering—think tacos loaded with proteins like al pastor, barbacoa, chorizo and cheese, picadillo-stuffed peppers and spicy shrimp, in addition to vegetarian options like oyster mushrooms and butternut squash—with the addition of tortas, a Mexican sandwich served on a soft roll. Various burritos, house specialties and expected sides will join its taco-heavy menu, too.

Valenzuela has deep culinary roots in Tampa, and founded Taco Bus, which now has multiple locations throughout the Bay area. He sold his stake in the company in 2015, he continued to dish out his beloved Mexican food through other ventures.

Rene’s Mexican Kitchen’s Ybor City location will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

For the latest news on Rene’s Mexican Kitchen’s grand opening this summer, head to its Facebook or Instagram, both at @renesmexicankitchenofficial.

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