Casita Taqueria — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

Walking in the door, it was a cluster of confused people walking in all directions. This restaurant is not a standard dining restaurant, you order at a counter then pick up your food then find your own table (not cleaned prior, and no tables were cleaned between customers during our visit). There is terrible flow for customers entering and exiting. The order counter, where there is NO menu board on the wall, is all the way to the right-- but the menus are on the other side of the restaurant! Customers must walk past the exit door where customers are walking out, to get a menu before walking all the way back to the right to order. Customers are waiting for their food by the counter in a crowd in front of the entrance door and blocking the order line (due to the layout), causing further frustration because this place is far too small. About the food: the salsa is very good and is restaurant style (minced) with smoke flavoring added. The large size is generous with enough for 4+ people or enough to take home. The chips are good. I had 3 different tacos, of which the brussels sprouts taco was by far the best. The beef barbacoa was not traditional but it was good if you like plain beef. The chicken was good. My friend ordered the taco salad and liked it. This is NOT traditional Mexican food by any stretch of the imagination, so if you're seeking traditional this isn't it. That doesn't mean it's bad, it's just different. The decor is basic inside and lacks a theme (mismatched chairs for example but no quirky vibe otherwise) and the outside is painted in loud colors. 1960's dance music was playing, which was odd for the ambiance of millennia. There is an outdoor space for dining. Parking was fine and easy to get in and out. Staff were kind, though we had minimal interaction since ordering at a counter is the only staff interaction. This restaurant has a fast food (with dine-in only) restaurant design, but worse due to no menu board (correction: beer list is on a wall board, but not FOOD... At a restaurant!) and menus being across...

The Best Tacos in Saint Petersburg!!

I am always cautious when trying a new restaurant particularly when it comes to Mexican or various Hispanic style food (They are either hit or miss). As I walked in I was enveloped by a cheerful greeting, a pleasant aroma of cooking food and a stylish/fun decoration set up. At the register a smiling Employee asked me if I had ever been there before and upon my answer that I had not, she proceeded to give me a detailed overview of the restaurant and what their specials were currently. She also was an excellent resource when it came to explaining the different types of dishes that they offered and gave excellent recommendation to her personal favorites. After ordering their “Carne Asada” or “Tacos” I sat at my table for only a couple of minutes before my food was delivered to my table. As I took my first bite an Explosion of pleasurable flavor erupted in my mouth. The seasoning of the meat was not too strong that it overpowered the dish (as is commonplace with many of these types of restaurants) and blended so well with the other items in the Taco. It was so good that I finished eating, got back up and ordered again! I left there full, happy and to my delightful surprise, hours later, no stomach trouble! This place has become our favorite and we go at least...

I came here to try this place out. It's on 66th Street right by Speedway.

As I was walking in one of the workers opened the door for me. The ambiance to this place is casual but it's decorated with a really modern and relaxed feel to it.

The young ladies behind the counter were very pleasant and helpful. I decided to order two shrimp tacos: one grilled and one fried.

The tacos are a good portion and two will make you feel satisfied but not stuffed. The lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes and onions in the taco were incredibly fresh and had a pleasant crunch to it. They have three types of salsa to add to the tacos and I tried the Devil's Handshake (has a good kick to it) and Honey Habanero (a sweeter salsa that's quite mild). Both of them hit the spot.

I also had some chips and salsa. The chips were good, but the salsa was great. The chips come in a bag and is enough for two people to share. I also got a queso sauce that was extra/leftover (?) for free. Granted, she warned me it was cold, and it was, but it definitely had a good taste to it.

Overall, the food is wonderful, this place is very clean and the service is beyond friendly.

I will definitely be coming back and trying a...