Reel deal

Growing up in the bright Miami sun, Brenda Bueno spent many years enjoying time on the ocean to escape the intense Florida heat. The coastal breeze across her father’s boat brought with it big skies and big dreams. Inspired by the magnificent waters teaming with life, Brenda’s father, Captain David Bueno, often ended each day with a meal that embodied life at sea - fresh catch of the day wrapped in a toasted corn tortilla and the freshest toppings! In 1996 Robert “Bob” Thomas stayed in Miami visiting an uncle for the summer and took work helping Brenda’s father refinish a large, blue fishing schooner named “The Reel.” That was one of the best summers of his life. Finally, in 2011, at the age of 30, after over two years in the Peace Corp, improving the lives of people in communities around the world, Bob returned to Miami to once again enjoy work near the Florida sand, seas, and starlit nights.

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Soon Brenda and Bob would cross paths through their love of fresh local seafood. Their shared memories flourished into another oceanside summer with talk of the future. Brenda, managing a small organic farm, supplied local restaurants with the freshest certified organic produce within a 50-mile radius. Through fresh limes, cabbage, herbs, and sunshine, Brenda’s reputation grew. A year later, in 2012 Bob opened the White Sail Tavern in Miami, and, owning a small fleet of fish boats, the Tavern provided the locals with fresh catch daily.

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Unfortunately, in 2013 Tropical Story Barry docked half of The Tavern’s fleet and the Tavern became in danger of sinking. Brenda, a beacon of loyalty, estimated that her dad’s boat, The Reel, could net enough fish for the weekend or weeks, whatever it took to keep the Tavern's doors open. Though no small feat, the dedicated vessel proved worthy and nets returned full of fresh fish each evening.

Within six months, Brenda and Bob were married at the Miami Vineyard Community Church. They honeymooned at the Hotel del Coronado, located ten minutes from downtown San Diego, on the southern coast of California. They tested the best fish tacos along Mission Beach. They loved the sunsets, energy, and mixed flavors and people of San Diego and there, under setting suns and rising stars, a spark of imagination ignited a new dream. The two combined their love for ocean fresh fish, ripe organic tastes, and their warm memories of grilled fish wrapped in fresh corn tortillas, to create the concept of Reel Deal Tacos.

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The Reel Deal food truck begins each day at the markets of the coastal docks and locally grown certified organic farms to sell only the freshest catch and organic foods to friends and customers. The truck currently schedules stops throughout San Diego at the San Diego Zoo, UC San Diego, San Diego State University, the famous Hotel Del Coronado, and the Downtown Gaslamp District.

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Reel Deal Taco serves only the freshest ingredients and can be found wherever fresh ideas, ocean breezes, and sunshine are abundant.