23 hidden Tampa Bay taco spots you should’ve tried by now

Rene’s Mexican Kitchen

4414 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, 813-500-2510
This area of Nebraska Avenue has foodie spots on every corner, but Rene’s stands on its own. The joint takes a more creative take on Mexican grub with dulce de leche made of goats milk and oyster mushroom tacos. If there's an OG king of Tampa street tacos, it's Chef Rene. Pro tip: chef's crew is masterful will call ahead orders if you don't have time to sip on a soda in the parking lot across from Southern Brewing.
Photo via Rene’s Mexican Kitchen/Facebook

Mayra’s Tacos at Cinco Soccer

5305 Henry Ave., Tampa
Sheltered in a shack behind a soccer field and certainly the most secluded place on this list, the Michocán native prides herself on the no-frills menu with an affordable price tag. Four for $10 tacos can be enjoyed with a smooth cerveza from the Cinco clubhouse a few steps away. Don't skip the torta either.
Photo via Cinco Soccer/Instagram

Ranchero Tacos

4901 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 813-495-2635
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/Facebook

Esther’s Cafe

3001 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-232-6217
A few steps away from street corner produce markets, this hole-in-the-wall would be easily lost if it wasn't already a hometown favorite. Affordability is common with small shops like these, but $5 for a steak quesadilla? It doesn’t get better than that.
Photo via Google Maps

Taco De Oro

Multiple locations
Next to a Mobil car wash, this cart is eye-catching thanks to its Mexican flag color paint job and a friendly taco character slapped on the side. You can't go wrong with $2 tacos.
Photo via Tacos De Oro/Website

Tacos 4G Inc

4349 W Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-374-8059
Another strip mall spot to savor, multi-color flags along the sidewalk of Waters Avenue advertise the tacos and burritos, ensuring it can’t be missed. Cheap lunch and made to order tacos are the real winners here.
Photo via Google Maps

Antojitos Mexicanos

6118 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-310-7542
Quick bites like empanadas and chiccarones (fried pork skin) can be picked up alongside the classic street taco, if you can find the well-secluded taco truck located South of Gandy.
Photo via Antojitos Mexicanos/Facebook

Casa Mexicana Bar and Grill

3642 W Gandy Blvd., Tampa, 813-443-0962
Serving the people of Tampa for multiple decades, the spiced dishes here are as explosive as the fireworks shop it sits next to.
Photo via Google Maps

Chile Verde

2801 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, 727-800-2679
Its gas station layout is truly fitting, because you’ll want to fill up on these beloved St. Pete street tacos to fuel you for the rest of the day.
Photo via Google Maps

Taqueria Emanuel

2800 N MacDill Ave E, Tampa, 813-453-5954
Enjoy the eats at this family-owned spot in the heart of West Tampa. You can sip on a marg while dining in on MacDill Avenue or munch on barbacoa tacos wherever you want thanks to a food truck you can order for any special occasion.
Photo via Google Maps

Jimmy’s Tacos

1604 N 17th St., Ybor City, 813-242-0242
The historic Ybor district is a homegrown eatery haven. The bright yellow signage on Jimmy’s place guarantees it won’t blend in with its street corner location, and its past life as the long-shuttered Mema's Alaskan Tacos mean good vibes all night long.
Photo via Jimmy’s Tacos/Google

Pinch A Taco

13502 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, 813-735-6268
Pregame your slot at Tampa Karaoke VIP located across the block with some carne asada specialties.
Photo via Pinch A Taco/Facebook

Taquitos Mexican

9617 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, 727-256-1617
Hidden amongst the beige buildings of this Pinellas plaza is this authentic eatery with larger-than-life dishes, like the loaded carne asada fries and quesabirria tacos.
Photo via Google Maps

Taqueria Margarita

4001 W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa, 813-466-2484
On the outskirts of grassy fields a few streets down from Raymond James Stadium is a food truck taqueria whose menu scores more touchdowns than the Bucs. 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 via Google Maps

Hector’s Mexican Food

3121 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-234-3646
The food trailer in East Tampa is a hideaway for all things traditional, the 24-hour spot helping you get your late night fix of sopes and Argentinian pupusas.
Photo via Hector’s Mexican Food/Google

El Huarache Veloz

7100 49th St N, Pinellas Park, 727-525-6028
A strip mall in Pinellas Park is where this restaurant makes its home. Big plates of hearty authentic eats await inside its doors or at the carryout window.
Photo via Google Maps

La Fiesta Mexican Store

1202 S 22nd St., Tampa, 813-241-2477
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 helping of street tacos while you shop for your Latin goods.
Photo via Photo via Google Maps

Mangonadas Mexican Kitchen

6823 N Habana Ave., Tampa, 813-374-7705
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.
Photo via Mangonadas Mexican Kitchen/Facebook

Taquería El Nopal

8307 N Dale Mabry Hwy., 813-679-8609
Next to a PNC Bank and shaded by the trees is this food truck with an abundance of taco options packed with traditional flavors.
Photo via Photo via Google Maps

Señor Taco

6447 Park Blvd. N no. 2, Pinellas Park, 727-289-7080
Housed in a bright blue building is this gem of a taco shop, ready to serve homemade tacos, burritos, and fajitas.
Photo via Google Maps