By Kristina Lawrence, UCF senior, majoring in communication and conflict
If you’re anything like me, then you crave the satisfaction of a good meal at an even better price. Of course, as a seasoned college student, this includes the search for great meals without the tear-jerking price tag or having to settle for the drive-thru. Thankfully, there’s amazing options around downtown Orlando no matter where you look.
If cooking every night is nacho thing, here are the best deals on one of the most mouthwatering days of the week: Taco Tuesday!
Tako Cheena
What do you get when you fuse Latin and Asian cuisine with Orlando’s art district? A whimsical menu from Tako Cheena, of course. This artsy late night hot spot on Mills serves up tacos from a wide-ranging selection of pork belly, chicken, beef, shrimp, fish and tofu – meaning there’s a tako for everyone’s diet here. You can grab 3 takos for around $10 here, making it a popular spot for the foodie crowd.
If you’re feeling adventurous or you don’t follow rules when it comes to Taco Tuesday, the restaurant also offers sausage dogs, empanadas, burritos and desserts all with a flavorful twist. The best part? Tako Cheena is open until at least 1 a.m. every night, with even later hours on the weekend.
Gringos Locos
If you haven’t already done yourself the favor of eating at Gringos Locos on main campus, you’ll want to add it to your summer to-do list and treat your tastebuds to an Orlando original! With the Lymmo stop at UCF Downtown, the downtown Gringos Locos is just a free bus stop away. Prices range from $2.99-$12.99 and the Gringos Locos menu is filled with great traditional-style tacos and new fusions alike. While they don’t have a set Taco Tuesday celebratory deal, they do have a happy hour special with $2 tacos from 4-8 p.m. daily! Whether your study break is on Washington Street or Gemini Blvd, you’re in for a filling meal to keep you going! Gringos Locos is open until 3 a.m. every night of the week.
Chela Tacos
If the phrase all-you-can-eat makes your stomach grumble, Chela Tacos is the perfect spot to fill up. Located to the right of the Chase Plaza in downtown Orlando, this popular lunch and dinner spot hosts a variety of downtown social events during the week. The Chela concept takes a fresh approach to Mexican-inspired flavors; offering bold and unique dishes like mushroom and poblano tacos on their large menu. On Tuesdays, you can enjoy $3 tacos for lunch and $15 all-you-can-eat tacos for dinner!
Tin & Taco
First of all, they have a taco called “Tacosaurus” that’s topped with crumbled Doritos. Need I say more? Tin and Taco is a relatively new taco spot closer to campus which offers a wide array of food possibilities. This concept located off of Washington Street in downtown was created by the owner of another spot on this list – Gringos Locos, meaning you’re already set for an incredible meal. Featuring creations such as white cheddar mac and cheese with beef, pulled pork, and bacon tacos; this menu stays away from traditional styles and invites you to try something new. From chicken and beef tacos to vegetarian-friendly fixings, you can grab a friend for lunch anytime and enjoy two tacos for $8. Your tastebuds will thank you!
MX Taco
The newest restaurant on the list is MX Taco, located on Bumby Avenue in downtown Orlando. MX Taco is a fast-casual restaurant featuring fresh tacos, traditional soups and street corn in the style of a traditional Mexican kitchen. This taco joint boasts authentic cuisine with everything from the tortillas to the sauces made from scratch in-house daily. You can also pair the flavors of Mexico with handmade aguas frescas.
BONUS: Bungalower’s Taco Map
Bungalower, the trendy local Orlando blog that covers downtown’s districts, released an interactive taco map earlier this year and we can’t get over it. Zoom in to see taco spots near you, or check out the 9 spots that are walking distance from UCF Downtown!
Know any more hot spots for Taco Tuesday? Tag us in your pictures with #ucfdowntown and you could be featured on our blog!