- Valenzuela hard at work in Taqueria Monterrey's kitchen.
Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, Rene Valenzuela was interested in the restaurant business. Although his heart belonged to Mexican street food, Rene was intrigued when McDonald’s announced it would open a location in his home town. It would be Mexico’s second McDonald’s in history, and the buzz in the city was palpable. Rene worked on opening day when the crowds squeezed in. He had never seen such a buzz for a restaurant before. At least until now, as his latest Taco Bus is the most anticipated restaurant in some time, and in St. Pete, that’s saying something.
- Seafood guacamole
Early on, Rene was keenly interested in cooking. At age 9, he sold tacos out of a cooler at the mercado after school. He was hooked from day one, “awakened” when he heard the compliments and noises of happy customers. While he dabbled in hospitality school, he ran a small taco stand. Rene catered to late-night revelers with a menu of only three items at the Centrito de la Del Valle market.
Later, Valenzuela worked in food sales and became a broker. In 1991, he came to the U.S., worked hard, and saved money. He moved to Tampa in 1994 and sold tacos out of a small trailer at various sites.
In the meantime, Rene plotted his first restaurant, Taqueria Monterrey in Plant City. Rene knew it might be easy to serve bastardized food to a broad audience, but he would not compromise. “I’m a contrarian, I bring the food I like,” he says. Valenzuela wanted to serve authentic Mexican street food.
