1. Cantina Laredo
Located in The Shops at Wiregrass, Cantina Laredo serves up authentic Mexican cuisine and the best traditional and strawberry margaritas in town. After a day of shopping (or work) its hard to imagine something better than Mexican food and a cocktail. Cantina Laredo is almost as famous for their table side guacamole as their happy hour. The guacamole is made fresh at your table and serves two to four people depending on your appetite. If guacamole isn't your thing, try the ceviche or the queso laredo.
2000 Piazza Ave
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543-5429
(813) 907-3068
2. Taco Bus
Food trucks are all the rage in Tampa Bay right now and the Taco Bus does not disappoint. When it comes to lunch getting something fast and cheap seems to be what everyone is looking for. Getting something that tastes great is a welcomed bonus. Taco Bus offers two out of three. It tastes great and is cheap, but the fast part depends on you.
No surprise here, their signature dish is Tacos and they feature soft corn or flour tortillas with your choice of filling and taco veggies. Taco veggies are tomatoes, onions, cilantro and shredded cabbage.
2324 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL, 33713
(727)- 322-5000
3. Mekenita Mexican Grille
Mekenita Mexican Grille is located at the intersection of Van Dyke Road and Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz. Rand and Tiffani Packer opened the restaurant in 2007.
Some house favorites include the citrus grilled chicken & pineapple plaintain nachos, the crispy homemade petite tortilla “pies,” the citrus grilled pacific wahoo tacos and the Mekenita grande burrito.
Several of the dishes drop to $5 a pop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and one of the most delicious items that is on the happy hour menu is the smoked chicken black bean “eggrolls”. They may sounds like they don’t belong on a Mexican menu, but they are a must try!
17623 Dale Mabry Hwy N
Lutz, FL 33548-4535
(813) 264-1212
4. Chihuahua Mexican Grill
Chihuahua Mexican Grill has some of the best Mexican platters this side of the border, but to save some pesos wait until lunchtime to visit. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 16 of their platters drop to just $7.50 a plate and include a sweet tea.
The best dish on the menu is the chicken enchiiladas. The tasty corn tortillas are filled with the meat and yummy sauce then baked to bubbly perfection and slathered with cheese. The platter is served with beans and rice and everything nice!
No matter what you order at Chihuahua Mexican Grill, you can be rest assured you will leave full.
4101 South MacDill Avenue
Tampa, FL 33611-1936
(813) 837-2138
5. Estela's Mexican Restaurant
Every single concoction you can think of to put on a tortilla is available at Estela's Mexican Restaurant. The best part about their menu is the combinations allow you to try multiple dishes for one low price. For example, you can get one taco, two enchiladas and rice for $10.79. Or try three items in one dish such as the burrito, taco and chile relleno for $11.46. If the combinations on the menu still are not satisfying your needs you can order from the a la carte menu and add as many pr as few side dishes as you like.
4234 West Bay to Bay Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33629-6608
(813) 832-6626
6. Vallartas
Vallartas Mexican Restaurant is known for their 60 oz margarita and their huge food portions. With 30 combo meal options at $8.75 you are sure to find something you like on the menu. Make sure you visit their website before you visit because they always have some kind of coupon available.
13731 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33618-2417
(813) 264-7691
7. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill has been referred to as the Subway of Mexican restaurants because of the way they serve their food. You begin at the front of the line and decide between a salad, a burrito, a burrito bowl, tacos or quesadilla and then add to it as you go down the "conveyor belt" towards the cash register. Throw on some meat, cheese, veggies, salsa and sour cream and you've got your meal for under $10.
Sure, it's a chain, but who cares?!? It's delicious!
309 N Westshore Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 289-9820
