Since 2011, Gladys Vega and her family have been running The King’s Bistro, a beloved food truck located in Tampa, Florida. Since opening, this family-owned and operated business has found success by serving freshly made long-held family recipes to the community.
The truck serves a varied menu featuring burgers, quesadillas, extra-large burritos, fries, and much more, all derived from old family recipes. Their food has a fresh, authentic, and homemade feel that draws in customers and keeps them coming back.
Their most popular dish, and the one they’re most proud of, is their chicken on a stick, which features expertly grilled, skewered chicken breast smothered in customers’ choice of sauces, making it the perfect, easy-to-eat street food. At almost every event they go to, this dish sells out. At catering events, they also serve rice, beans, sausage, and barbecue chicken that frequently receive high praise.
Over the years, they’ve won various awards, including best burger, best salsa, best mac and cheese, and best chicken wings. These accolades are a testament to their dedication and ongoing success.
Although Vega describes the Bistro as “a blessing,” it was founded from a place of hardship. Shortly after both Vega and her husband lost their jobs, their family home burned down. They found themselves living out of a hotel, faced with the weight of an immeasurable loss and an uncertain future.
Not willing to give up, the family decided to try something new. They were aware of the rising popularity of food trucks, and with a long-time passion for great food, they decided to start one of their own.
With a lot of hard work and perseverance, The King’s Bistro quickly gained local popularity. They began to sell at various local events and high-traffic spots around the city.
In 2014, The King’s Bistro was featured on Discovery Turbo’s “Truck U.” The show, as the name suggests, was an informational program centered around repairing and modifying all kinds of trucks. In keeping with this format, they decided to do an episode to celebrate the world’s largest food truck rally.
They selected The King’s Bistro as their main spotlight because their truck was in need of some repairs. The show’s hosts revamped the engine and applied new decals to the exterior. This upgrade made them more eye-catching, allowing them to attract more customers. It also made it easier for the Vegas to travel between events.
At the end of the episode, they highlighted the Bistro’s food offerings with behind-the-scenes shots of them preparing the dishes, in addition to footage of friendly service and happy customers. Their appearance on the show helped spread their name across the community and showcased how fresh and delicious their food really is. It brought in a lot of new customers, driving their business forward.
Eventually, they got a contract with a large local company. This account became one of their largest sources of revenue and a noteworthy marker of valuable growth.
But misfortune struck again when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the company they had been working with to transition to fully remote work. The Vegas lost their largest account and had to figure out another way to support their business.
They spent the next year looking for new opportunities before finding success catering for private events. They also began serving breakfast at a nearby military base. Their ability to pivot and take on new challenges allowed them to move forward and continue growing their business.
The Vegas take great pride in their food. They cook everything day-of, and nothing is ever reheated. If they don’t love it, they don’t serve it. They enjoy their own food, and they enjoy what they do. The Vegas want to give their customers the best possible experience, and they work hard to achieve that goal.
But the Vegas’ favorite part about running their own business isn’t the food, but the family connection it creates. Every morning, they start with a prayer to keep them centered and show gratitude for the opportunities their restaurant has provided them. It’s a business built around love, family, and tradition.
In 2025, The King’s Bistro got a call from Fooda asking if they would be interested in becoming one of our restaurant partners. Gladys thought it would be a great opportunity and decided to give it a try. Since then, the family has grown to truly enjoy this partnership. They love getting to see people appreciate their food, and they’re always proud to interact with customers.
Since joining Fooda’s restaurant network, they’ve become a popular, valued addition. The King’s Bistro hopes to continue doing more private catering, community, and Fooda events. They value the personal interaction these opportunities provide, and they’re looking forward to what’s to come.
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