Explore TOMA, the new Latin-inspired eatery at Busch Gardens Tampa. See our full review of the TOMA empanadas, including hours and why it is worth visiting.

Based on a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay pass member promotion, we found ourselves back at the new TOMA quick service dining location. This quick service dining location resides near the soon-to-open Wild Oasis area in the Jungala section of the theme park. It operates from 11:00 a.m. until two hours before the theme park closing. The menu consists of Latin-inspired bowls, empanadas, and croquetas. In addition, we reviewed the TOMA Beef Barbacoa Bowl on the opening weekend when this new quick service opened.

What is TOMA?

TOMA is a Latin-inspired culinary brand co-founded by Manolo Gonzalez Vergara and his mother, actress Sofía Vergara. Launched in June 2024 alongside hospitality executive Sam Nazarian, TOMA offers a modern take on Latin American comfort foods such as empanadas, croquetas, pandebono, and salsas. Manolo leads the culinary direction, while Sofía oversees the brand’s aesthetic and creative vision.

The name “TOMA” combines their nicknames—Toty (Sofía) and Manolo—and also means “take” or “drink” in Spanish. The brand reflects Manolo’s passion for cooking and Sofía’s dedication to sharing Latin cuisine with a broader audience.

TOMA at Orang Cafe Quick Service

Still, after a week, this place has experienced very little traffic. In fact, during our visit on the Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend, we were the only people dining when we got our food at the TOMA dining location. Since this quick service restaurant does not participate in the all-day dining program, it reduces the number of guests who paid for that on this day.

However, business started to pick up as we recorded our video and wrote a review. Nevertheless, we noticed several large groups entering the queue to order and then leaving since TOMA at Orang Café does not accept all-day dining. For example, a larger school group wanted to eat at TOMA at Orang Café, but they paid for all-day dining. Hence, the ambassadors encouraged them to visit the Zambia Smokehouse.

TOMA Empandas

We decided to provide an official review of the signature TOMA empanadas. Also, these look like the best value at this quick service restaurant. Guests receive two for $13.99. These empanadas are larger than the ones served during food festival events at Busch Gardens. Guests can mix or match with three flavor choices that include:

• Beef
• French Onion
• Vegan Lentil

When we spoke with Manolo, he mentioned how perfect empanadas are for walking around a theme park and eating on the go. We did not try walking around the theme park, eating these. As you might imagine, typing a blog and recording a vlog becomes challenging while carrying your food.

We received our two empanadas, which were very warm in the TOMA takeout container. These come with salsa roja, and we were also given salsa verde during this visit. We chose the French Onion and Vegan Lentil versions. We have previously tasted the beef versions at other events at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

TOMA Empanadas: French Onion

While the concept of French onion empanadas sounded strange to us when we first tasted them at a special media event, the flavors work well. The French Onion Empanadas taste exactly how they should. Unlike during the media event, when these mainly tasted like cheese and no touch of onion, these match those flavors very well.

However, we did not feel that the salsa rojo paired as well with the French onion-flavored TOMA empanadas as it does with the beef version. However, the French onion flavors carry this empanada. The combination of cheese, onion flavor, and the empanada shell makes this an excellent option.

TOMA Empanadas: Vegan Lentil

On initial inspection of the lentil version, we noticed the shell was drier and harder. After our first bite, we had that concern confirmed. This happens with theme park quick service, so we did not panic at this point.

We had a few more bites, receiving better flavor but not as good as on the media day. This makes a solid vegan dining choice. The texture might throw off some guests. Still, quality varies with quick service, so we were not too concerned because the one we tasted on this day lacked the robust flavor of the lentil empanadas we enjoyed a week earlier.

The salsa rojo works better with this empanada than with the French onion ones. If you order the salsa verde, it offers a decent spicy kick. In fact, it provides more than the salsa roja.

Overall, this still makes a great non-traditional vegan theme park meal. For $14, guests receive two reasonably sized empanadas.

TOMA Quick Service Details

This dining location does not participate in the all-day dining program. However, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay pass members receive a standard food discount of up to 15%. Overall, the service from the Busch Gardens ambassadors was excellent during our visit.

For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. As always, eat like you mean it!

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