Mallena's

This is the epitome of urban exploration. I can finally say I ate food from a bus...well, a motor home. It’s no marginal affair – this trailer has satellite. It is a family affair – mom does the cooking and the kids help out. They do quite a service in providing a delicious glimpse of their homeland for the citizens of Tampa.
I was slightly apprehensive when Jackie B. asked, “so…how good is your Spanish,” (mediocre?) but I had an easy time of it. Jessica, a very sweet girl, handed us laminated menus in English, which she speaks fluently. When Jackie and her friend used to go to the bus, her friend would order in swift Spanish and the only menu options were painted on the side of the vehicle. Jackie always ordered "torta con carnitas" which she thought of as a generic meat product. She finally asked her roomie who told her it was chicken. For months Jackie consumed a mystery meat until she finally figured out somehow was pork. It just proves that you don't need to know something's identity to enjoy eating it!
The neighborhood does not inspire confidence - I thought I might be shot, but the food is GOOD. My torta was the size of a dinner plate (the photograph is just half) and only $4.50. I ate the whole thing, though I’ve no idea how. (It didn’t seem like it would keep, especially with the avocado in there.) Splitting is a definite possibility. The whole thing is very flavorful - just yummy. A huge vat of horchata is $3.00. That also is really too big, but hey, if you have some time on your hands, you can just keep plugging until it’s all gone. Since my visit, I have been informed that there is a more manageable size. Jackie pointed out that horata is not very easy to find in Tampa, and it is worth finding.
Jackie says there is a “special sauce” which other people have IDed as simply mayonnaise, but since I don’t like mayonnaise, I’ll go with the secret sauce idea.
The bus years are coming to a close however, and a real restaurant on Fletcher is opening soon. It brings the interest quotient down perhaps, but the comfort level up significantly. However, there's just something about ominous looking fellows circling aimlessly on bicycles that gives flavor to a place. The bus is a limited time experience! Get it while you can!!
The food and prices will keep you coming back!

Location - Turn north off Fletcher at Krystal’s near
1916 E Fletcher Ave
Tampa, 33612
Price - :-)!
Hours: Mostly weekends, but it really varies...