TOMA is Gone at Busch Gardens: Why the New BG Cuban Cafe Might Be a Major Win
Is the new Jungala eatery at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay a hit? Our BG Cuban Cafe review explores the flavors, pricing, and seating of this new dining location. The celebrity-backed TOMA is gone, replaced by the in-house BG Cuban Cafe. Is the $19.99 Ropa Vieja worth your All-Day Dining Plan usage?
The dining landscape at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has seen its fair share of changes over the last few years. From the high-energy pulse of Pantopia to the lush, quiet corners of Jungala, the park has always tried to balance thrills with diverse culinary options. Still, a major shift recently occurred in one of the most scenic spots in the park. The celebrity-branded TOMA, which focused on boutique empanadas, has been retired to make way for something different: the BG Cuban Cafe.
This change is more than just a new sign on the wall. It represents a fundamental shift in how the park handles value, nutrition, and the guest experience. In this review, we are going to break down everything you need to know about the BG Cuban Cafe, from the flavor profiles of its signature bowls to the strategic math of the All-Day Dining Plan. Is it worth your time and money in 2026?
What Is the BG Cuban Cafe?
The BG Cuban Cafe is the newest quick-service dining addition to the Jungala section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. It occupies the space formerly known as TOMA at Orang Cafe, which is situated directly across from the orangutan habitat and Wild Oasis. This location has always been a hidden gem for guests who want a quieter, more shaded atmosphere away from the loud music and metal-on-metal screeches of the park’s major roller coasters.
The vibe here is distinctly relaxed. Unlike the frantic energy of the Dragon Fire Grill or the crowded queues at Zambia Smokehouse, the BG Cuban Cafe offers a lush, tropical setting. The seating area is entirely outdoors but heavily shaded, making it one of the more bearable places to sit during a humid Florida afternoon. You are close enough to hear the occasional call from the orangutans, which adds a layer of “edutainment” to your lunch that you just can’t get at a standard burger joint.
Operationally, the BG Cuban Cafe typically opens at 11:00 a.m. and remains serving until roughly two hours before the park closes. It functions as a traditional walk-up counter service where you order your food, receive it on a tray, and find your own seating.
The move to an in-house brand like the BG Cuban Cafe marks a transition away from the “boutique” feel of TOMA at Orang Cafe. By taking the operation entirely in-house, the park has been able to standardize the menu and, more importantly, fully integrate it into the park’s meal plans. It is a location built for volume and value, targeting the thousands of families who pass through Jungala every day looking for a meal that feels a bit more “real” than a basket of chicken tenders.
The Transition From TOMA at Orang Cafe
To understand why the BG Cuban Cafe is such a talking point in 2026, you have to look at what was there before. For the past 11 months, the Orang Cafe footprint has been home to TOMA, a high-profile partnership with actress Sofia Vergara and her son, Manolo Gonzalez Vergara. The “TOMA” brand name was actually a portmanteau of the founders’ nicknames: Toty (Sofia) and Manolo.
TOMA was essentially a “love letter to Latin food,” focusing on premium, handcrafted empanadas and Colombian cheese bread known as pandebono. When it first opened, it was a hit with foodies and fans of the Vergara family. The empanadas were high quality, and the branding was sleek. However, as the novelty wore off, several friction points emerged for the average park guest:
1. Pricing vs. Portions: TOMA was often criticized for its price-to-portion ratio. While this may have been unfair, it still happened
2. Dining Plan Exclusion: Perhaps the biggest hurdle was that TOMA was often excluded from the All-Day Dining Program. For guests who had already paid for their meal, this caused them to dine elsewhere. Eventually, TOMA at Orang Cafe was to the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay All-Day Dining Plan. However, it appears the damage was done. Additionally, the Chick-fil-A nearby was part of All-Day Dining most of the time TOMA at Orang Cafe operated at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
3. Not Always Open: TOMA at Orang Cafe was often closed during the week at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. With it closed and Chick-fil-A only a short walk away, this place faced challenges from the start. In fact, we visited on some Sunday afternoons, finding TOMA at Orang Cafe closed when Chick-fil-A would not have been open either.
Strategic Pivot?
The decision to transition to the BG Cuban Cafe in early 2026 was a strategic pivot by Busch Gardens. They replaced the “celebrity boutique” model with a “high-volume staple” model. In fairness, this may not have been Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s choice. Either way, while TOMA remains focused on grocery store distribution and retail sales, the park now has a location that can handle the sheer volume of the All-Day Dining crowd without the licensing overhead of a celebrity brand.
| Feature | TOMA | BG Cuban Cafe |
| Branding | Sofia & Manolo Vergara | In-house Busch Gardens |
| Primary Menu | Handcrafted Empanadas | Ropa Vieja & Pork Bowls |
| Dining Plan | Often Excluded / Limited | Fully Included (All-Day Dining) |
| Target Audience | Foodies / Celebrity Fans | Value-Seekers / Families |
| Value Rating | Moderate to Low | High (on Dining Plan) |
Reviewing the Flagship $19.99 Ropa Vieja at BG Cuban Cafe
If you are visiting the BG Cuban Cafe, there is one dish that dominates the menu: the Ropa Vieja. Priced at $19.99, it is the most expensive individual entree at this location, and for good reason. It is designed to be the “hero” of the menu, providing a hearty, flavorful meal that justifies the walk into the back of the park.
The dish itself is a classic interpretation of the Cuban staple. It features shredded beef slow-braised in a tomato and pepper-based sauce, served alongside a generous portion of white rice and seasoned black beans. The bowl is topped with pickled red onions, guacamole, lettuce, roasted corn, and some pico de gallo.
Taste and Texture Breakdown
The most immediate improvement over the previous TOMA era is the texture of the beef. Early reviews of the barbacoa bowls at TOMA often complained about the meat being “stringy” or “mid-tier” in quality. While we did not experience that during any of our visits for the barbacoa bowl at TOMA at Orang Cafe, the narrative began.
During our recent visit, the Ropa Vieja beef was consistently tender and juicy. The slow-braising process has clearly been refined, allowing the sauce to penetrate the meat without it becoming mushy.
The pickled onions are the “secret weapon” of this dish. They provide a much-needed acidic “zip” that cuts through the richness of the beef and the starchiness of the rice and beans. When you get a bite that includes the savory beef, the salty cotija cheese, and the sharp pickled onion, it is genuinely one of the best flavor profiles currently available in a quick-service theme park setting.
The black beans are well-seasoned, avoiding the blandness that often plagues theme park sides. They have a slight earthiness that complements the rice. However, the rice can occasionally be a bit dry if it has been sitting under a heat lamp for too long, so we recommend trying to eat here earlier in the day versus later for the freshest possible grains. Additionally, during our visit, we were told that the dish could be served with just rice and not rice and beans.
Value Judgment: Is It Worth $19.99?
If you are paying cash (not on a dining plan), compared to what you would pay for a similar bowl at a local Tampa Cuban restaurant. However, when you compare it to other $19.99 options in the park (like a basic burger with generic fries), the Ropa Vieja is a much better value. You are getting real protein, complex carbohydrates, and a flavor profile that doesn’t just taste like “salt and grease.”
Nutritional Value: Why the Rice and Bean Bowl Matters
One of the most overlooked aspects of theme park dining is the “crash.” After a morning of riding coasters, your body needs fuel. Most theme park food provides a massive spike in simple sugars and fats (burgers, fries, and funnel cakes), which inevitably leads to a mid-afternoon energy slump. This is where the BG Cuban Cafe shines from a nutritional perspective.
The Ropa Vieja and Lechon bowls at BG Cuban Cafe are built on a foundation of rice and black beans. This combination is a nutritional powerhouse for a long day at Busch Gardens:
- Complete Protein: When paired together, rice and beans provide all nine essential amino acids, making them a “complete” protein source. This is vital for muscle recovery after walking 15,000+ steps around a 335-acre park.
- Complex Carbohydrates: Unlike the simple carbs found in a burger bun or a bag of chips, the rice and beans provide a slow release of energy. This helps you avoid the “coaster crash” and keeps your energy levels stable until dinner.
- Fiber and Satiety: The high fiber content in the black beans keeps you feeling full for longer. You are much less likely to start reaching for a $10 churro 45 minutes after lunch if you’ve had a bowl of beans and rice.
For guests looking for “cleaner” energy, this is arguably the best spot in the park. It is a meal that makes you feel “good-full” rather than “heavy-full.” If you are someone who prioritizes how you feel throughout the day, skipping the Asian cuisine at Dragon Fire Grill for the braised beef at the BG Cuban Cafe is a no-brainer.
Full BG Cuban Cafe Menu
Entrées (Served with Black Beans & Rice)
| Item | Price | Platinum Member Price |
| Ropa Vieja (shredded beef in tomato-pepper sauce) | 19.99 | 16.99 |
| Lechón Asado (slow-roasted pork with mojo) | 17.99 | 15.29 |
| Pollo Asado (citrus-garlic marinated roasted chicken) | 17.99 | 15.29 |
Sandwiches (Served with Sweet Fried Plantains)
| Item | Price | Platinum Member Price |
| Cuban Sandwich (roast pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles and mustard) | 17.99 | 15.29 |
| Pan con Lechón (roast pork, onions, mojo) | 16.99 | 14.44 |
Sides
- 4 Ham & Cheese Croquetas: 8.99
- 1 Chicken or Beef Empanada: 7.99
- Arroz-White Rice: 6.99
- Black Beans & Rice: 6.99
- Sweet Fried Plantains: 6.99
Desserts
- Tres Leches Cake: 8.29
- Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche): 8.29
Beverages
- Coca-Cola Beverages: 6.49
- Dasani Water: 5.29
- Smart Water: 6.99
Souvenir Bottles & Refills
- Buy 1: 21.99, Buy 2: 19.99, Buy 3: 17.99
- All Day Refills: 10.29 (when you pay to refill a previously purchase souvenir bottle)
Pass member prices based on discount for Platinum Pass members. Applicable taxes will be added to all purchases.
BG Cuban Cafe vs. Universal’s Minion Cafe Ropa Vieja
If you are a theme park foodie, you probably know that Universal Studios Florida also has a Ropa Vieja dish. It is served at the Illumination’s Minion Café. Since both parks are competing for the “best Latin bowl” crown in 2026, a direct comparison is necessary. Universal’s version is called El Macho’s Salsa y Salsa Ropa Vieja and is priced at $19.99. Here is how they stack up.
The Verdict on the Battle of the Bowls
The Universal Orlando Resort version costs the same and offers the massive advantage of air-conditioned indoor seating. However, the Busch Gardens version gets closer to a traditional Ropa Vieja. However, both are not going to impress a talented chef. .
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay also wins on the “heartiness” of the portion. The rice and bean base at the Cafe feels more substantial, whereas Universal’s bowl can sometimes feel a bit “light” on the actual beef-to-rice ratio. If you want a meal that feels like it was made in a home kitchen (or at least a decent Cuban cafeteria), Busch Gardens takes the edge. If you want to escape the heat and have a whimsical, themed experience, Universal is the winner.
BG Cuban Cafe: Maximizing Value With the All-Day Dining Program
We’ve mentioned it several times, but it cannot be overstated: the real reason to visit the BG Cuban Cafe is the All-Day Dining Program. For $59.99, you get to eat once every 90 minutes throughout your visit.
Strategic Advice for Plan Users
We recommend making the BG Cuban Cafe your “big” meal of the day. Since the bowls are filling, you probably won’t be able to eat another full entree 90 minutes later. However, if you hit the Cafe at 11:30 a.m., you can get your Ropa Vieja, a side of croquetas, and a soft drink. That single transaction has a cash value of roughly $32. You’ve already paid off more than half of your dining plan in a single sitting.
For those who are NOT on the All-Day Dining Plan, don’t forget your Pass Member discounts. Depending on your tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum), you can get up to 15% off your purchase. This brings the price of the Ropa Vieja down to about $17.00, which is a much more reasonable “cash” price for a theme park lunch.
Start Your 2026 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Dining Adventure
The BG Cuban Cafe is a perfect example of a park listening to guest feedback. They’ve moved away from a celebrity brand that felt a bit “exclusive” and replaced it with a location that is accessible, high-value, and genuinely delicious.
Whether you are a group looking to stretch your All-Day Dining dollars or a solo traveler looking for a healthy, high-protein meal that won’t leave you feeling sluggish for your next ride on SheiKra, the Cafe is a top-tier choice. It may not have the star power of Sofia Vergara anymore, but in 2026, it has something much more important: real food at real theme park value. Next time you find yourself in Jungala, skip the generic snacks. Grab a seat near the orangutans, order a bowl of Ropa Vieja, and enjoy a taste of Florida-Cuban culture in the heart of Tampa’s favorite theme park.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!
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