Taco Riendo

Whether you’ve heard of the three-year champion of the “Best of Florida Food Trucks” or not, you will now. Taco Riendo is a family-owned and operated Mexican cuisine food truck based in Lake Wales, FL, serving their food “Fresh, Hot and Authentic” since 2019.

Taco Riendo originally began as an expression of love for sharing homemade tamales with individuals on the weekends out of a Thunderbird. It’s now grown into a family business serving an array of communities in Polk County, Orlando, and Tampa. “My parents were actually the ones that started it,” shared Jessica Cordova, one of the owners, “And when I was nine years old, that’s what I would do. I’d just go with my mom and dad and sell food and help them out.”

Daisy, Margarita, Jessica

Before they opened, Jessica shared that it’s a dream her family kept coming back to. While they worked other jobs and went through school, they never gave up their passion for cooking for others. “We still kept going, and sometimes friends or family would ask, ‘Can you cook this or that?’ because they knew we were always making food.”

When they finally launched their business, they knew it would be rooted in love, kindness, and family traditions learned from previous generations. From starting in their kitchen and solely making tamales for the community, the business has expanded to tacos made with homemade corn tortillas, quesadillas, tortas, and seasonal fruit cups mixed with Tajin, Chamoy, and lime. They also serve unique aguas frescas including the refreshing strawberry horchatas. Vegetarian options include a burrito poblano consisting of poblano peppers with queso fresco and rice on a flour tortilla, and a grilled cactus taco.

“We do a lot of different recipes that are very authentic, but also that we feel is with the season,” the owners shared. For example, during the strawberry season, they have strawberry pico de gallo and for New Years they offer lentil soup.

When ordering one of their meals, you’ll quickly notice the variety of house-made sauces that set Taco Riendo apart. “We like to play around with our salsas to keep things fresh and new—not just the usual red and green,” Jessica shared. Many of the flavors are inspired by dishes she’s tasted at other restaurants and during trips to Mexico, including a hibiscus salsa that left a lasting impression on her. “I tasted it and thought, I think I can make something like this. I love taking flavors I’ve experienced before and figuring out how to make them our own.” That creativity extends throughout the family, as her mom brings her own specialties to the menu. “My mom makes a peanut salsa with roasted peanuts and chile de árbol,” she shared, “sometimes we get creative.”

When sourcing their ingredients, they buy produce from local farmers markets and vendors. Everything is homemade and prepared fresh daily, except for the tamales being prepared the night before and steamed in the morning, ready to fill bellies. The tamales are a personal favorite of Jessica’s and the community. “My mom makes the tamales,” Jessica said, “because she’s the one with the recipes in her head.”

For the past five years, Taco Riendo has been located in the parking lot of the Lake Wales Art Council. Before moving there, the truck operated down the road, where it never felt quite right. While exploring other options, they had their eyes set on the Art Council from the start. “I was looking around at options, but I really wanted this spot,” Jessica explained. Knowing it offered more visibility, and with strong relationships already in place with the previous managers who visited often during lunch time, the family took a leap of faith. “We just decided to risk it,” she shared, confident it would be the perfect spot. That decision became reality when they approached the Art Council, who were delighted by their offer! “They told us they would love to have us there,” Jessica shared, “and that since they already loved our food, it would be a good thing for both of us.” Since opening Taco Riendo in that location, they’ve not only served daily visitors but also have had the honor to cater and participate in the Art Council’s events.

In addition to catering for the Art Council, they’ve also been invited to a number of festivals including the Orange Blossom Revue, Día de los Muertos, Mardi Gras, turkey drives, weddings at Bella Cosa, and to a business on wheels event called The Roll Up hosted by the Lakeland Film Lab. They are available to cater school functions, private parties, and more.

Along with cooking and selling their food, they also love to give back to the community in a different way. This past November they started a food pantry that they thought would last only for the holidays. But as needs in the community have risen, they’ve kept it open. “We were gonna just do it for the holidays because that’s where most people struggle with food,” they shared, “but then people just kept picking food up and bringing food. So we’re just gonna leave it and see what happens.” They’ve also partnered with the Polk Period Pantry to supply their community with essential hygiene products as well.

As Taco Riendo looks to the future, the family plans to continue serving their community with the same care and authenticity through their taco truck and a smaller rolling cart designed for indoor events and more intimate gatherings. “For us, it’s about focusing on a smaller scale so we can offer better service and better food,” Jessica shared. That intentional approach reflects the heart of Taco Riendo itself, a family-driven business rooted in kindness, legacy, and connection. The name, meaning “smiling taco,” perfectly captures the warmth, joy, and hospitality they bring to every interaction. With each family member contributing their strengths, from cooking and prep to creative direction and customer care, the business remains personal and hands-on.

That same mindset is why the family has chosen flexibility with their business on wheels over a brick-and-mortar location. “We don’t want to commit to a brick-and-mortar because we like to do different events, travel to different places, and get to know different people,” Jessica explained. “When you’re in one spot, you’re waiting for people to come to you, but when you’re moving around, you go to the people.”

Taco Riendo is more than a taco truck. It’s a place where a family has extended themselves beyond their own kitchen to serve the community with award-winning food that’s always fresh and prepared how you like it!

Visit and follow their social pages to find out where they will be serving next.

TACO RIENDO

tacoriendolw.com

FB & IG @tacoriendotruck

Photos by Erick Cordova