New restaurant Taco Dirty hits all marks

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Vendela Busbee

Displaying choices of protein or vegetables in neon colors, Taco Dirty’s menu includes everything from vegan to gluten free options. The ordering area was created with a similar setup to Fresh Kitchen, as it is owned by the same Ciccio Restaurant Group.

Taco Dirty is the newest addition of the Ciccio Restaurant Group, and so far, it’s been a big success.

Walking in, I was struck by the buzzing atmosphere. Loud music and neon pink lights on the ceiling, avocado sculptures on the walls, and a big neon sign that says, “Tacos, yes. You, maybe,” are the most noticeable features. 

The menu includes both vegan and gluten-free options yet is very complicated because it has so many different choices. The line to get food was up to the door, but that gives you enough time to fully go over the menu and have an order prepared.  

The restaurant’s concept is similar to that of Fresh Kitchen – where you go through and pick a base, a veggie, a protein, two add-ons and a sauce – which makes sense because they are part of the same group. 

Vendela Busbee
Decorated with pink, green and white lights, the Taco Dirty sign faces Platt Street which offers visual appeal to potential customers. South Tampa families have come to the family-friendly environment that the restaurant provides.

The food itself was very flavorful. The avocado rice is definitely a popular choice, and for good reason. The grilled lime chicken was seasoned well, and the green poblano sauce was refreshing with hints of basil and cilantro.  

The only food item that wasn’t up to par was the sweet potato hash, which I found to have an unpleasant texture.  

People in the restaurant were friendly, and there is one long table in the center of the dining area with enough barstools to sit multiple groups. This allowed strangers to start up conversations, giving off an overall family-friendly and welcoming environment.  

I would recommend Taco Dirty to anyone who enjoys Mexican cuisine and a fun vibe that is a nice break from the stress of daily life.