20 under-the-radar Tampa Bay taco spots everyone needs to try

La Fiesta Mexican Store

1202 S 22nd St., Tampa
Tucked deep within the working class, waterfront Palmetto Beach neighborhood, this convenience store and restaurant hybrid's tiny dining room offers big plates and inexpensive helpings of street tacos while you shop for your Latin goods. Ask for a beer out of the fridge, and order up a full plate of build-your-own tacos by the pound.
Photo by Colin Wolf

Taqueria Emanuel

2800 N MacDill Ave, Ste E Tampa,
Taqueria Emanuel has been a West Tampa staple for at least a decade. Don't be shy when ordering, this is your time to sample the menu. Treat yourself to three tacos to start, carne asada, pollo al horno, and barbacoa. You just might find yourself getting a second helping.
Photo via Taqueria Emanuel /Facebook

Hector’s Mexican Food

3121 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
A local favorite that pretty much always has a line any time, day or night. Hector's has been a staple of Hillsborough Avenue for years. Don't let the taco truck exterior and picnic tables scare you away, because the taco platters are the main event here and they're definitely worth the wait (don't skimp on the empanadas either).
Photo by Colin Wolf

Ranchero Tacos

4901 N Florida Ave., Tampa
This joint was CL's Best of the Bay's 2021 "Best Seminole Heights Restaurant," and for good reason – tortillas are fresh and pressed to order and carnitas are juicy and crispy. Also, don’t sleep on the weekend-only tamales.
Photo via Ranchero Tacos/website

Rene’s Mexican Kitchen

2802 N 16th St., Tampa
Chef Rene Valenzuela sold his stake in Taco Bus in 2015, but never stepped away from the taco life. His latest digs are over in V.M. Ybor, where you can get down on his famous 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. Various burritos, house specialties and expected sides will join its taco-heavy menu, too.
Photo via Rene’s Mexican Kitchen/Facebook

Agave

6410 Gulf Blvd., St. Petersburg
This small place can get packed, so seating is sometimes a challenge. But don't be discouraged, this beach-side spot supplies some of the best margaritas and tacos near the sand. Dishes like quesadillas, Mole Poblano, and Bistec con Chorizo Taco round out a small menu. First time visiting? Try the Agave's "Trio," house-made chips served with pico de gallo, guacamole, and cheese dip, and then top it off with a chicken fajita burrito.
Photo via Google Street

Taqueria Margarita

4001 W. Dr. Martin Luter King Jr. Blvd., Tampa
Tampa’s Taqueria Margarita serves sublime handfuls of old Mexico. Formerly in the shadow of Steinbrenner Field, with the expansive RayJay in the distance and the Pink Pony just a few steps away, the tiny Taqueria Margarita food truck brings an authentic taste of Mexico to Drew Park (but is only doing catering for now). It’s a family affair in honor of the late matriarch who is the namesake of the tiny kitchen where Elia Maldonado makes tortillas by hand at 6 a.m. (two daughters help when they’re not at their day jobs). There are no dollops of sour cream or chunky guacamole to distract from the goodness of the warm soft meat-topped homemade tortillas. Only a few grilled onions and a judicious sprinkling of fresh cilantro accent the meat. Plus, of course, a spritz of fresh lime for extra zip.
Photo by Dave Decker

Chile Verde

2801 22nd Ave. N St. Petersburg
This former gas station, current Mexican restaurant and grocer is hard to miss—it's the one with the giant pair of horses out front. Chile Verde is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with menu highlights like huevos rancheros, tamales and tacos. Guests can even choose between Mexican tacos with cilantro and onion or American tacos with lettuce, tomato and cheese.
Photo by Chile Verde/Facebook

El Huarache Veloz

7100 49th St. N, Pinellas Park
Located at the end of a small a strip mall in Pinellas Park, this authentic eatery serves up big plates of hearty entrees. Guests can choose between the cozy dining room or convenient drive-up window if you're on the go.
Photo via Google Street

Tacos el Borracho

2602 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
You can fuel up times two at this taco truck neighboring a Marathon gas station. Reviews praise the food truck's friendly staff and impeccable birria and barbacoa tacos.
Photo via Tacos el Borracho/Facebook

Carmelita's

Multiple Locations
This family-owned local favorite has four locations spanning from St. Pete to New Port Richey, and has been serving all the classics for over 40 years. Regulars return for the great service, yummy meals and of course, live mariachi on the weekends.
Photo via Carmelita's/Facebook

Taquería El Nopal

8307 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
This food truck is where it's at. You can get tacos with typical fillings like carne asada and carnitas, but they also offer more rare finds like cabeza and nopales. The taqueria also offers seating so guests can enjoy their perfectly cheesy quesadilla in the shade.
Photo via Taquería El Nopal /Facebook

Xtreme Tacos

6809 N Nebraska Ave. Suite A, Tampa
This Seminole Heights spot offers classic Tijuana-style and Mexican-American style dishes and a wide selection of Mexican beers. Guests can choose from a variety of tacos and burritos, including the foot-and-a-half-long Stoner Burrito that will surely satisfy any munchies. Plus, they serve up a burrito that's as big as your forearm.
Photo via Xtreme Tacos/website

Lolis Mexican Cravings

Multiple locations
A local chain (with five locations) that makes one of the best fish tacos around, Loli's has been a Tampa favorite for years. The flagship location on Benjamin Road is still the go-to for plenty of locals, but the they're all good, and serve up 11 different proteins, including ribeye, fish, lengua and a vegetarian option. Agua frescas are also offered on the beverage side.
Photo via Lolis/Facebook

Esther’s Cafe

3001 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
A few steps away from street corner produce markets, this truly hole-in-the-wall spot would be easily lost if it wasn't already a hometown favorite. Esther's is consistently one of the highest rated taco joints in Tampa, and for good reason, they make their own tortillas and the taco's are some of the best in town.
Photo via Esthers/website

Casa Mexicana Bar & Grill

3642 W Gandy Blvd., Tampa
Decked out with colorful Tex-Mex ambiance, Casa Mexicana is still a favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner after almost 10 years of business. The extensive menu has a variety of soups and appetizers alongside classic Mexican dishes.
Photo via Casa Mexicana Bar & Grill/Instagram

Mangonadas Mexican Kitchen

6823 N Habana Ave., Tampa
Don’t worry folks, your GPS did not take you to Chevron. Behind the gas station is an eatery with the trendiest of menu items, the namesake “Mangonada”— a frozen mango drink with swirls of chamoy, to be sipped through a tamarind straw—is a must have for every patron. But truly, don't leave this spot without a least tacos, which mostly all run under $4.
Photo via Mangonadas Mexican Kitchen/Facebook

TacoSon

7521 N 56th St., Tampa
Serving up northern-style Mexican cuisine, TacoSon is a family-owned Institution that originated from Sonora, Mexico. You can find the classics like tacos, quesadillas and flautas. And curiously enough, a Sonora style hot dog, which is an underrated icon in itself.
Photo via TacoSon/Facebook

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant

209 Davis Blvd, Tampa
A Davis Islands institution, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant has been serving up some of the area's best chips and salsa and margs for years. But they're also known for their tacos. Fish, shrimp, carne asada, all the traditional favs are here, and area served with rice and beans. Just don't go too nuts on the 1/2 gallon margaritas.
Photo via Margaritas /Facebook

Señor Taco

6447 Park Blvd N #2, Pinellas Park
Family-owned Señor Taco is a go-to hidden gem in Pinellas Park for serious Mexican/Mayan cuisine junkies. Taco's are the main event, so make sure to swing by on Taco Tuesday's to sxore em for $1. plus, there's tortas, burritos, fajitas and more.
Photo via Señor Taco/Facebook