Tampa's Taco Bus Expands to St. Petersburg's Grand Central District

The Taco Bus, a mobile take-out restaurant at the intersection of Hillsborough and Nebraska in the Seminole Heights district north of downtown Tampa, has opened a second location at the Grand Central District, across the bay in St. Petersburg.

In Tampa, the Taco Bus is a converted school bus with a take-out window, parked on a courtyard. It is fashioned after the roadside taco stands popular in Mexico.

At the new St.Petersburg location at 2324 Central Avenue, the Taco Bus is actually a smaller tacos truck, with the take-out window. Since opening recently in the Grand Central District, the Taco Bus was so overwhelmed with customers it had to shut down for two days, while it retooled and hired new people to meet demand. The Mexican owner, who grew up on Mexican street food, said this was a good problem to have.

The arrival of the Taco Bus is welcome by area residents and merchants, offering an inexpensive outdoor Taqueria dining experience in the Grand Central District, which is undergoing a slow resurgence with mixed results.

Empty commercial spaces still dot the Grand Central District, which has a few eateries, boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, with an art supply store a recent arrival. The historic Haslam's Book Store, which is the oldest in the city, is a busy longtime attraction.

In contrast, a transitional housing building, a homeless shelter for men, plus at least two thrift shops are also at Grand Central. There are other outdoor dining spots, but none offering the inexpensive fare that the Taco Bus is known for, in an area free of food franchises. Only local eateries at the Grand Central District.