Earlier this week, a grand opening event unveiled Taco Bus’s newest location in downtown Tampa. Ironically, this location isn’t a bus at all. Instead, it's an actual storefront with a bus replica attached. The replica sports the Taco Bus logo, of course, but is also eye-catching and charming to passersbys. Not only that, but this “magic bus” doubles as a take-out window.
The Taco Bus concept was developed by Rene Valenzuela, and originated as a taco stand in his native country of Mexico. After relocating in Tampa Bay, he created a kitchen within an actual school bus, and soon he had two mobile units, on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, the other in St. Petersburg. Up until now, that is.
This article appears in Jan 19-25, 2012.