Salsa, Burritos, Margaritas and Sombreros… Everyone seems to just love Mexican food! With the array of cuisines in Tampa that are offered, especially Mexican, it can be an overwhelming experience trying to narrow down which Mexican restaurants in Tampa are the best. Luckily, the work has been done for you. Here we find a few of the most popular and authentic Mexican restaurants in Tampa for you to choose from:
Taco Bus – Featured on the Food Network when Guy Fieri made a stop to the Taco Bus in Tampa, and now both a local and tourist favorite. The bus is still an actual bus that you can order from and sit on one of the patio tables in a sort of tiki hut setting or there is an actual restaurant where you can sit and be served. I suggest using the bus because it is definitely part of the experience! Favorites here include Horchatas (drink), the giant burritos, tostadas and Cochinita Pibil for topping choice. Truly anything you order here will leave you craving more and now being open 24 hours a day, you can satisfy those cravings whenever you want!
Mema’s Alaskan Tacos – Hidden away on 8th Ave, this Mexican restaurant in Ybor City is a popular place for those craving authentic Mexican food but would prefer to stick to a reasonable budget. The recipe for the fish at Mema’s has been in the family for years, making their favorite fish tacos a one of a kind taste in the community. Another favorite here is the Gator Taco, a must try in my opinion. Although there are not servers, you can still order a Mexican beer at the counter to accompany your plate full of authentic, delicious and affordable food.
Algusto – This place isn’t just one of the best Mexican restaurants in Tampa Bay, it has been voted as one of the best restaurants in general, top 10 in Tampa Bay in fact! Focusing their cuisine mostly on Guadalajara and Mexico City, the team at Algusto serves up incredibly fresh, authentic and healthy meal options. They strive to create healthy dishes that are still very tasty, making this a win-win for everyone’s diet or lack thereof.
Estela’s – Davis Island has many amenities that make it a popular place to visit, and Estela’s is definitely one of those amenities. Estela’s offers wonderful authentic Mexican cuisine in Tampa and they not only promise 100% satisfaction with their food and service, they guarantee it. Sit on the front patio on a nice day and enjoy the scenery, and do not miss out on the margaritas! Go see why Estela’s is a local favorite Mexican restaurant in Tampa and tell us what you think!
Vallarta’s – Warning, Vallarta’s is so authentic that you may have to brush up on your Spanish before dining here. Ok, you don’t need to speak Spanish, but we cannot stress enough how authentic this Tampa Mexican restaurant is. From the floor to ceiling, food to drinks, servers to people, this place makes you feel as if you literally stepped into Mexico and dined there. No wonder there are so many ‘regulars’ at Vallarta’s, the sweet tea and menu choices are beyond tasty! Let’s not forget to mention they have a great happy hour and a 46 ounce, yes 46 ounce, margarita called the Monster!
If there is even one Tampa Mexican restaurant on this list that you haven’t tried yet, what are you waiting for? Grab your amigos and go, go, go!
