Margarita Wars is coming – Get your tickets here!

The best places to eat on National Taco Day in Tampa Bay

By CL Staff on Wed, Oct 3, 2018 at 4:55 pm

National Taco Day is back. Annually observed on Oct. 4, the food holiday is arguably one of the most popular around. Here's a round-up of the Tampa Bay establishments offering special deals and events for Taco Day, plus our favorite places in town to chow down on the beloved menu item at regular price. As CL Music Editor Ray Roa put it, we've noticed that this holiday is mostly only important to us plebes who don’t make the tacos, but still — we're fully committed to ensuring you know where the best ones reside.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

International Plaza, 2223 N. Westshore Blvd. #203, Tampa
Choose between four kinds of tacos: hongos (vegan mushroom, tequila, jalapeño, garlic), The Korean (hoisin barbecue beef, kimchi, cilantro, spicy peanuts), chorizo (spicy sausage, cotija cheese, cilantro, onion, verde) or The Brooklyn (pulled pork, smoked bacon, chorizo, pork belly, cilantro, onion, salsa brava).
Photo courtesy of Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

Chicken & Taco Loco

408 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon
A year-round haunt for fans of Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican fare. The open-air taco stand with a varied menu also recently rolled out three new vegetarian tacos: cactus, squash blossom and mushroom. Go loco.
Photo by Chris Fasick

Taco Dirty

2221 W. Platt St., Tampa
A new taco spot in Hyde Park from the minds behind Ciccio Restaurant Group. Taco Dirty hasn’t announced plans for the holiday, but its Taco Tuesday special — $2 tacos, $3 beers and $4 margs — is pretty great.
Photo via Taco Dirty

bartaco

Thursday, Oct. 4
Hyde Park Village, 1601 W. Snow Ave., Tampa
Enter the Taco Takeover Search for the chance to be featured in this upscale street food chain’s Instagram story on Taco Day. As many as three runners up will also take home a bartaco party pack for 10, valued at $140.
Photo by Manny Vargas

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

Thursday, Oct. 4
2874 Providence Lake Blvd., Brandon
From open to close, breakfast and Baja-style tacos are $1. Best part? Patrons of Tampa’s Temple Terrace location can get in on the solid discount, too.
Photo courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop

Capital Tacos

Thursday, Oct. 4
Various locations, Tampa Bay
Buy one taco at any location for this Tex-Mex taco joint, then get a second on the house. But you must come dressed in Tampa Bay Lightning gear.
Photo courtesy of Capital Tacos

La Fiesta

1202 S. 22nd St., Tampa
The wholly authentic Port of Tampa grocery store took home Best No-Frills Taco Shop from this year’s Best of the Bay awards, so why the hell would it run a Taco Day promo? Tacos, tortas and the Saturday menudo are the truth — and everything’s featured on the cheap.
Photo by Meaghan Habuda

Bite Squad

Thursday, Oct. 4
This on-demand restaurant delivery service is set to take $5 off taco orders of $20 or more. Use promo code TACOTIME while checking out.
Photo courtesy of Bite Squad

Tijuana Flats

Thursday, Oct. 4
Various locations, Tampa Bay
Tijuana Tuesdaze returns later in the week for Taco Day revelers. Stop by the Tex-Mex chain to score two tacos, chips and a drink for $5.99.
Photo courtesy of Tijuana Flats

Nueva Cantina

1625 Fourth St. S., St. Petersburg
OK, so it’s kinda Taco Day everyday here. But have you tried the steak and eggs fajitas… with hash browns?
Photo by Mike Dupre

Taco Bus

Various locations, Tampa Bay
Taco Bus is one of the originals, and while many worthy competitors have popped up over the years, the restaurant-on-wheels will always hold a place in the bean-clogged hearts of taco lovers. The Bus is already looking forward to its Día de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 29, so you’re on your own for Taco Day.
Photo by James Ostrand

California Tacos to Go

1450 Skipper Road, Tampa
We recommend the original Skipper Road outpost, but that’s only because we like our taco joints with grit. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (ewww, Guy Fieri) in the past, Cali Tacos is famous for its fish taco and pico.
Photo via Facebook

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Various locations, Tampa Bay
Local outposts for the fast-casual chain don’t have anything special planned for Taco Day. But go on Oct. 7, to ring in the holiday a little later while spreading do-goodery. To help Chipotle’s 152 participating locations in Florida donate 33 percent of every sale to Special Olympics Florida, all you gotta do is mention the cause at checkout.
Photo courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill

Rubio’s Coastal Grill

Thursday, Oct. 4
1824 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa
You need the coupon, but Rubio’s supplies customers with an original fish taco on the house after they purchase any beverage. The dine-in freebie is available during regular business hours.
Photo courtesy of Rubio’s Coastal Grill

El Chapo Taco

3038 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport
Tacos start at $3.50. If you’re human, go for the tinga and — when they have it — the ahi with pineapple salsa. If you’re not human? Well, you’re probably still gonna want it all, including the Mexican street corn.
Photo by Cathy Salustri

Casita Taqueria

2663 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
The Best of the Bay-winning taqueria is a regular go-to for a reason (house-made corn tortillas, ahem). Besides, why wouldn't you listen to the readers of the greatest alt-weekly in town? Observe the holiday at either location in St. Pete.
Photo by Ryan Ballogg

Chronic Tacos

10420 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
Fast-casual tacos are the name of the game inside this Mexican grill franchise. Using the standard build-your-own format, diners select a mix of fillings and toppings to celebrate the Taco Day of their dreams.
Photo courtesy of Chronic Tacos