Boda: Tampa’s New Must-Try Mexican Restaurant

The best meal I’ve had in a while.

Grace Shafer, Co-editor-in-chief

September 10, 2025

Shot of the restaurant’s floor, courtesy of their Facebook account

There aren’t many restaurants I’ve been to where I’ve walked out feeling like a different person. Usually, a meal is just a meal, good in the moment but nothing that really sticks. Servers are polite, the food is fine, and life goes on. Boda is different. It goes above and beyond in every category: food, atmosphere, and service.

Boda is a new fast-casual Mexican restaurant in Tampa, taking over the former Not Your Average Joe’s Pizza location at 2038 N Dale Mabry Hwy. The restaurant is owned by Andres Farfan, who also owns Riveters sports bar.

The location has only been open a couple of weeks, so new it does not even show up on maps yet. Stumbling across it felt like fate, and I am very glad I did.

Farfan opened Boda to fill the gap in Mexican dining. Many restaurants are either upscale or casual taquerias. Boda offers something in between, polished, accessible, and full of flavor.

The moment you walk in, that vision is clear. Guadalupe, the cashier, is one of the most welcoming and knowledgeable people I have ever met in a restaurant. On both my visits, she took the time to explain the menu and Boda’s story to every guest with genuine enthusiasm.

She is not the only one who radiates passion for the restaurant. Everyone there clearly cares about what they do. Watching that kind of energy for a local, up-and-coming spot makes me want to never eat at a chain again.

But the service is only part of the story. The food is what really sets Boda apart.

I have tried different dishes each visit, and nothing disappoints. My favorites so far are the carnitas tacos, chicken bowl, horchata and especially the plantains.

The plantains deserve a paragraph of their own. Smothered in sour cream and cheese, they do not sound like they should taste good. Plantains are sweet, not savory. Yet Boda somehow makes them perfect, blending the best of both worlds.

If you just want a drink or a sweet treat, the horchata is a must. It is a classic Mexican beverage made with rice, cinnamon, sugar, and water, and Boda’s version is sweet and refreshing. My friend ordered only that and left completely satisfied.

I cannot recommend this place enough. If you are tired of the same old chains, Boda is proof that eating local is better for the food and the people.

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About the Contributor

Grace Shafer, Print Co-Editor-in-Chief

Grace Shafer is a senior at Robinson high school and currently serves as co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. Grace chose to join the newspaper because of her passion for storytelling and filmmaking. “I’m excited to work on print and digital content, especially for multi media,” Grace said. Beyond her role in the newspaper, Grace is also an aspiring director. She showcases her creativity through photography and music videos on her online portfolio. “I want to create short films and hope to attend FSU for film studies,” Grace shared. Grace enjoys exploring the great outdoors, particularly through hiking. She visits to North Carolina allowing her to connect with nature and challenge herself physically. “A fun fact about me is that I love thrifting. I always look for unique finds and then grab a bite to eat with friends,” Grace said. In addition to hiking, Grace is a movie enthusiast. Her favorite genres are drama and horror, and she can often be found at the theater thanks to her AMC Stubbs membership. “My next concert is in October, and I can’t wait to experience more live music!” Grace explained. Grace’s goals for this year on staff are to bring her creative vision to life. “I hope to contribute by writing great stories and sharing my passion for film and photography,” Grace said. (Profile by Jasmyn Mitchner)