TOMA Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the Latin-inspired eatery by Sofía Vergara and Manolo Vergara, opened. See the menu and what we tasted!

The new TOMA quick service dining location at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay opened on May 16. We had a chance to sample some of the food offerings that guests could enjoy here. We were also happy to see the former dining area near the orangutan habitat being used again.

Back in September 2024, during Howl-O-Scream season, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced a partnership with TOMA, bringing their empanadas to the event. TOMA was created to share the best of Latin cuisine with the world. It began with Sofia Vergara’s love for Latin food and her son Manolo Gonzalez Vergara’s passion for cooking. Together with well-respected hospitality executive Sam Nazarian, they established TOMA.

Back then, we received quotes like, “I can’t wait for Toma to be available at Busch Gardens. It’s maybe even more exciting than their roller coasters! Toma is the perfect food for theme parks because it’s handheld, can be eaten quickly and is delicious – the perfect combination,” says Manolo Gonzalez Vergara. Also, we heard, “I am so excited that Toma will be available at Busch Gardens. I know people will love it – it’s fun and delicious food in the perfect, fun setting,” says Sofia Vergara.

During 2024, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay guests got to try some of the TOMA products during Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town events. Also, a special media event was held in early December to show off the TOMA products and to meet Manolo Gonzalez Vergara. At this event, we officially first heard about a permanent brick-and-mortar quick service TOMA Busch Gardens restaurant coming.

More About TOMA

This company specializes in empanadas. The TOMA website indicates that they also produce cheese bread, creamy cilantro salsa, and arepas. However, from our view of the TOMA menu at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, we know that the company makes many more things.

Where did the name “TOMA” come from? According to Manolo Vergara, “My mother’s nickname is Toty. Mine is Manolo. TO-MA. TOty, MAnolo. Toma also means take, or drink, in Spanish, so we loved that.”

Regarding how the responsibilities are shared between Manolo and his famous mother, Sofía Vergara, Manolo said, “I handle the food, my mother handles the overall aesthetic, vibes, and creative direction!” According to the official Toma blog, it is probably good that Manolo does the cooking. Manolo was asked: “If Sofía is cooking dinner, what are you hoping she’s making?” His one-word response was: “Reservations.”

Manolo Gonzalez Vergara came to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay at the December media event. We spoke briefly with him and the TOMA chief operating officer, Mary Wolff. In that conversation, we learned a few things about TOMA. Manolo told us that his inspiration for this Latin American food line was simple: hunger. He expressed that he could not find great-tasting empanadas. This led him to create his own.

He also told us that partnering with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was a no-brainer. Busch Gardens guests move around and are on the go, and he thinks the TOMA empanadas make a great on-the-go food option.

TOMA Busch Gardens at Orang Cafe

As of May 16, the TOMA quick-service dining location in the Jungala area of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay operates daily. The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay website describes this new quick service dining option as “Vibrant quick-service restaurant offering a Latin-American inspired menu, complete with a prime view of the park’s orangutan habitat a perfect spot to relax and refuel while enjoying the sights and sounds of the realm.”

Menu TOMA Busch Gardens

• Barbacoa Bowl – Beef barbacoa, cilantro lime rice, black beans, cotija cheese, pickled onions, sweet plantains, creamy cilantro salsa
• Pollo En Salsa Verde Bowl – Chicken in salsa verde, cilantro lime rice, black beans, cotija cheese, roasted corn, guacamole, salsa roja
• Plantas Bowl – Cilantro lime rice, black beans, guacamole, roasted corn, salsa roja, cotija cheese
• Empandas, served with salsa roja, in three varieties (Toty’s Beef, French Onion, and Vegan Lentil
• Chicken croquetas.

TOMA Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Taste Test

We enjoyed trying several of the items on the TOMA Busch Gardens menu. For full disclosure, we did not pay for any of these items. Also, the samples were specially made for the media members before the quick service location opened for all guests. However, we suspect that the quality of the TOMA quick service will continue at least for the near future.

We sampled the three empanadas. The beef version tasted good, like our previous times enjoying TOMA empanadas. The lentil version surprised us with its quality. This makes an impressive vegetarian theme park option. The French onion empanadas surprised us with a nice cheese flavor. On our most recent visit, we tried the chicken croquetas. They provided quality flavor.

In future visits, we will enjoy a few more of the TOMA offerings at this new quick service location. For more theme park news and information, visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!

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