mexican food in knoxville? [Archive]

iggy73

04-06-2006, 01:20 PM

Man, you've gotta try La Paz (actually called Chez Guevara, but old-timers still use the La Paz moniker).
It's located in the corner of Suburban Center out west (where Toys R Us/Barnes & Noble reside).
Great food and a most unique atmosphere! It is also not the typical cookie cutter taco/burrito, order by number joint like so many other Mex places in Knox are (i.e. El Charro)

iggy73

04-06-2006, 01:20 PM

Senor Taco is also authentic and good.

mar

04-06-2006, 01:23 PM

I gotta go with Carl on this one....Senor Taco is the best. Their salsa bar kicks butt, and the food, service and margs are great.

Randall

04-06-2006, 01:36 PM

I would pick Chez Guevara over Senor Taco most any day, but Senor Taco is much closer to Corner Lounge.

market square district

04-06-2006, 01:43 PM

Taco De Mexico on Beaumont is always an experience

jeffx

04-06-2006, 01:45 PM

el charro in all its locations and incarnations is still awesome.

soccer taco on bearden hill (in the old mexicali rose/el charro building) is okay, but not great.

we ate at la playa on northshore near kingston pike (where spooky's and by the tracks use to be) for the first time recently; their salsa is not very good, but everything else we had was delicious.

cozymel's has a few amazing dishes.

and yeah, you can't go wrong with senor taco.

liltimmy

04-06-2006, 01:47 PM

Senor Taco ... Senor Taco ... and Senor Taco

DanceDiva

04-06-2006, 02:00 PM

I'm a Mexican-food snob. I think La Paz is severely overrated and I despise Cozymel's. However, I've never been to Senor Taco. Seems like that's the consensus here.

jeffx

04-06-2006, 02:02 PM

there's a new place opening up on market square, but i'm not sure when it's supposed to be ready.

James

04-06-2006, 02:12 PM

Mexican food? Knoxville? There's so may good ones it would be hard to pick one. One of my favorites is in Maryville. But near the Corner you can't beat Senior Taco.

The thing I missed most about the South when I lived in Ithaca was the utter lack of good Mexican resturants.

kag

04-06-2006, 02:15 PM

I love....

Senor Taco

(or as we call it around our house, "Mr. Taco" or just "The Taco" )

I actually don't think the food is that amazing. It's pretty good, though. But it's a real neighborhood restaurant (my neighborhood) and I always run into people I know there and the wait staff is super friendly. Plus, it's quite close to The Corner Lounge. They are also really great about having kids in the restaurant. It's very kid friendly.

K, when are you coming into town and what's the band? When are they playing?

kag

04-06-2006, 02:17 PM

Also good is the taqueria in the back of the hispanic grocery at the corner of Whittle Springs -- on the edge of North Hills near that Tudor-looking fire station...

jah

04-06-2006, 02:17 PM

Mr. Taco!

I'd recommend the Chez if you were in the neighborhood and looking for something trendy, but you're not and you're not.

Mr. Taco!

jah

04-06-2006, 02:19 PM

The best mexican restaurant I've ever gone to, though, is in Clinton, SC. So if you need mexican a few hours after you hit the road....

Clint

04-06-2006, 03:24 PM

there's a new place opening up on market square, but i'm not sure when it's supposed to be ready.

Info on Gregg's new place from MP.

It’s What’s For Dinner
Nama owner Gregg White purchased the former Tijuana Taco space on Market Square months ago and is now anticipating its grand opening in late April. It’s called La Costa, or The Coast, in case you forgot from that drunken spring break in Cancun. White calls it “The Coast on the Square, because we lean heavily toward seafood.” The “Nuevo Latino” menu, brainchild of original Mango chef Dean Holsberry, also features local organic produce, natural beef, free-range game, and fresh non-farm seafood as ingredients in Latin-inspired dishes like empanadas, burritos, ceviche, tamales and quesadillas. Likening the mood to Nama, White foresees the ambiance as upscale, but casual enough to stroll in wearing jeans. “I really love these small, boutique neighborhood restaurants,” he says. “When I walk into a restaurant, I want to know everyone there and for people to be able to talk to me.” Who are we kidding? This place has “hipster Mecca” written all over it.

jeffx

04-06-2006, 03:48 PM

Info on Gregg's new place from MP.

It’s What’s For Dinner
Nama owner Gregg White purchased the former Tijuana Taco space on Market Square months ago and is now anticipating its grand opening in late April. It’s called La Costa, or The Coast, in case you forgot from that drunken spring break in Cancun. White calls it “The Coast on the Square, because we lean heavily toward seafood.” The “Nuevo Latino” menu, brainchild of original Mango chef Dean Holsberry, also features local organic produce, natural beef, free-range game, and fresh non-farm seafood as ingredients in Latin-inspired dishes like empanadas, burritos, ceviche, tamales and quesadillas. Likening the mood to Nama, White foresees the ambiance as upscale, but casual enough to stroll in wearing jeans. “I really love these small, boutique neighborhood restaurants,” he says. “When I walk into a restaurant, I want to know everyone there and for people to be able to talk to me.” Who are we kidding? This place has “hipster Mecca” written all over it.

wait a minute... did that gregg white guy use to manage at preservation pub?

jah

04-06-2006, 03:50 PM

Yes.

jeffx

04-06-2006, 03:53 PM

oh. nevermind then. senor taco it is.

DanceDiva

04-06-2006, 03:57 PM

oh. nevermind then. senor taco it is.

LOL

Bknox

04-06-2006, 04:00 PM

oh. nevermind then. senor taco it is.

Ahh..I sense issues.

For the record I thought P.Pub had better service when Mr. White managed. Two cents and what nots...

And yes on the vote for Senor T. Carnitas rule.

SBL

04-06-2006, 04:01 PM

my vote goes for the señor... hippest little taco joint in town.

and their van has a happy smiling taco on the back.

sbl

metulj

04-06-2006, 04:01 PM

oh. nevermind then. senor taco it is.

Greeno Greenamo
Greenas Greenais
Greena Greenan

Las Cubas!

Raincrow

04-06-2006, 04:22 PM

Senor Taco ends the discussion: close to the Corner and good.

Yuss Luke for thee deeslexeek Mehican flag!

spinetingler

04-06-2006, 04:29 PM

I love....

K, when are you coming into town and what's the band? When are they playing?

April 21, with the Explorer's Club @ The Corner.
I think I sent you an email from The Blab about it.

Apeville

04-06-2006, 04:38 PM

senor taco has a great salsa bar-

incredible.

BUT my favorite food is at that small joint near book eddy. fantastic. speak spanish if you got it.

James

04-06-2006, 04:42 PM

senor taco has a great salsa bar-

incredible.

BUT my favorite food is at that small joint near book eddy. fantastic. speak spanish if you got it.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that place. Ate there once and loved it.

jeffx

04-06-2006, 04:49 PM

April 21, with the Explorer's Club @ The Corner.
I think I sent you an email from The Blab about it.

ooh, i'm predicting a pre-gig daredevil margarita fiesta. olé!

~Rumormonger~

04-06-2006, 05:08 PM

As an actual Mexican (well half of me is of Mexican descent, anyway ;~) Senor Taco is authentic Mexican Food, like you would get in a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint in East LA.

La Paz, while good, is definitely not Mexican. Mexican style food, yes, but not Mexican. It's more like what you would find in a boutique hole-in-the-wall wanna-be Mexican joint in Hollywood.

kag

04-06-2006, 05:10 PM

ooh, i'm predicting a pre-gig daredevil margarita fiesta. olé!

I'm in.

Randall

04-06-2006, 05:45 PM

jah

04-06-2006, 06:07 PM

it's "trendy."

it's good, and I like it a lot, but it's not Mexican.

market square district

04-06-2006, 06:07 PM

i'm no south american cuisine afficianado, but i'm not sure "La Paz" was ever going for "mexican." Lula - wasn't "Mexican," La Costa - won't be either

perhaps there's mexican and Mexican. how about "Spanish Fusion," "Pan-Latin" doesn't really work.

fwiw i like Senor Taco better than La Paz, i'm jest sayin'.

i like Senor Taco better for a "meal" than Taco de Mexico, but if you haven't tried Western Heights finest you're missing out and they are mighty close to the Corner.

i think "Los Arcos" is the one you are referring to near DE#1. Are they still open? didn't look good last time i passed by.

also there's one on Magnolia between Randolph and Winona, Los Molcajetes. haven't been. anyone have the scoop.

i caught the tail end of the Mexicali Rose, where did it stack up in it's hey-day?

jah

04-06-2006, 06:26 PM

No, he's talking about the little taqueria beside the book eddy.

and Los Arcos is open, I think, for "special occasions" and some weekend hours.

Randall

04-06-2006, 06:32 PM

No, he's talking about the little taqueria beside the book eddy.

and Los Arcos is open, I think, for "special occasions" and some weekend hours.

On certain nights, Los Arcos is the party capital of South Knoxville.

On a barely related note, I finally made it to I Love NY Pizza yesterday. It rocks!

jah

04-06-2006, 06:38 PM

Never heard of it.

wazzit?

spinetingler

04-06-2006, 06:51 PM

ooh, i'm predicting a pre-gig daredevil margarita fiesta. olé!

Si!

he who

04-06-2006, 07:02 PM

Wow I used to live across the street from senor taco and liked it very much...I thought it was nice that senior citizens had their own taco place....but I am surprised to see it listed as so many peoples favorite in town. It is good and the salsa bar is great but the best?!?!? I gotta go back there and try it again.

I gotta go with La PAz or El Charro too as my present favorites...El Charro delivers to my house. Gotta love that.

he who

04-06-2006, 07:05 PM

On certain nights, Los Arcos is the party capital of South Knoxville.

On a barely related note, I finally made it to I Love NY Pizza yesterday. It rocks!

So true about los arcos...

I am glad you got out to I love NY. I eat there once a week...Love it!

binR Bishop

04-06-2006, 07:08 PM

also there's one on Magnolia between Randolph and Winona, Los Molcajetes. haven't been. anyone have the scoop.

I heard this was really good - we tried to go one night but it was closing time. However, I hear they've closed up now. Anybody know?

kippenberger

04-06-2006, 07:10 PM

The little place at Whittle Springs and Washington Pike is called La Esperanza and the food there is great. Definitely worth a try and it's also a pretty good little market. They get homemade tamales most Fridays or Saturdays and they sell out quick.

kczmrski

04-06-2006, 07:11 PM

bring back lula. scott and mahasti were ahead of their time. the place would make a killing now.

Daizy

04-06-2006, 07:11 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot about that place. Ate there once and loved it.

I've tried to go there a couple of times and found them closed. Will try again! I like Senor Taco, most of the time. Though, I don't think they always appreciate the fact that not every diner is into mex-seafood combos, or mex w/meat for that matter. To wit, I've had chille releno there, both good and horrid, and the same split experience with vegetarian tacos. Not sure what gives there.

As for service at Pres. Pub - I hardly go there anymore. Mostly because I ususally go out by myself (gads! I got this over 40 chick sitting ALONE at one of my booths!) and I tend to feel ignored. I guess it's all the waitresses that keep walking by me, or something.

Of course, most anyone would feel ignored if they've been forced to wait more than 20 minutes to order their shot of tequilla....never happened that way when Gregg was there. ;)

ernie

04-06-2006, 07:13 PM

OK. With all the noise I made about PT, I have to admit that we went to Senor Taco, once. Had a bad experience and never went back. My bad. I do not think I could talk Anna into giving it another try, though.

jah

04-06-2006, 07:24 PM

As for service at Pres. Pub - I hardly go there anymore.
I loves me some pres pub. I just wish they had a better beer selection on tap.

metulj

04-06-2006, 07:36 PM

I loves me some pres pub. I just wish they had a better beer selection on tap.

Not exactly Mexican food, but I love the pub food (when drinking) at the Brewpub, especially the Fish and Chips.

Look(out) for my wife there as she is in Knoxville on business this week.

Hildegard

04-06-2006, 07:59 PM

I'm a Mexican-food snob. I think La Paz is severely overrated and I despise Cozymel's. However, I've never been to Senor Taco. Seems like that's the consensus here.

Ditto on La Paz and Cozymel. I would use exactly the same language to define my opinions of them.

You should try Senor Taco, as suggested elsewhere on this thread. It's within walking distance of my house, but I would drive across town to go there when in the mood for real Mexican food. The beef burrito actually has steak meat in it, not that slimy cat food they use in the usual Knoxville facquerias. AND you can get real ceviche.

Caveat: it becomes a nightclub on Saturday nights. Like a Mexican Michael's.

gypsy

04-06-2006, 08:50 PM

Randall

04-06-2006, 11:37 PM

Never heard of it.

wazzit?

Are you asking me? If so ... I Love NY Pizza is the new anchor-store (so to speak) at the former location of the Chapman Highway Wal-Mart. It's not in the old WalMart space, mind you, but a few doors down.

We now return to Mexican food discussion already in progress.

Senior's Taco is more authentic, Chez Guyabera is more stylized. I say "stylized" instead of "trendy" because the Chez has been doing their thing for along about 20 years. That's a substantial trend. But in anser to Spinetingler's original question, I'd have to go with the suggestions of the Norte contingent.

While I'm rambling, I'll mention a book I got today, "Hide This Spanish Book (http://www.berlitzpublishing.com/berlitz/display.asp?isb=9812464301&TAG=&CID=)." It's conversational Spanish that addresses colloquialisms and offensive things one might say en Espanole. Pretty nifty. It goes with a book I got last week, "The Meaning of Tingo (http://www.themeaningoftingo.com/)." "Tingo" reminded me of Douglas Adams' "The Meaning of Liff," a slightly more erudite and British version of Rich Hall's "Snigglets."

Mykhailo

04-06-2006, 11:38 PM

what's that one in maryville? los amigos or something. is that still there? used to stop by there for burritos and beers after hiking in los smokies. i'm not sure if it's actually good or if it just tasted really good after all that walking.
Yeah, it's still there, and it's still good.

Someone needs to convince some Bolivians to move down from Arlington and open up a Peruvian chicken place here.

We need Pollo Campero, too. Free investment advice -- buy their stock, cause they'll be everywhere in 10 years.

metulj

04-06-2006, 11:45 PM

Yeah, it's still there, and it's still good.

Someone needs to convince some Bolivians to move down from Arlington and open up a Peruvian chicken place here.

We need Pollo Campero, too. Free investment advice -- buy their stock, cause they'll be everywhere in 10 years.

The one in our nabe closed. The closest one is Sunset Park down 7th Ave about 50 blocks. No thanks. We have Los Pollitos II which is a Mexican Roti chicken place. Outstanding.

Mykhailo

04-06-2006, 11:50 PM

The one in our nabe closed.
A POLLO CAMPERO CLOSED??? No way. Really? Three years after opening, the one in Arlington still had half hour lines at lunch and dinner. Or are you talking Peruvian chicken joints? (Did I say how much I luv me some Peruvian chicken? I luv me some Peruvian chicken. Mmmmm.)

metulj

04-06-2006, 11:52 PM

A POLLO CAMPERO CLOSED??? No way. Really? Three years after opening, the one in Arlington still had half hour lines at lunch and dinner. Or are you talking Peruvian chicken joints? (Did I say how much I luv me some Peruvian chicken? I luv me some Peruvian chicken. Mmmmm.)

Yeah. There was an article in the Daily News about how the bloom was off the rose. There is only one left in Brooklyn and a couple in the bronx and queens.

Mykhailo

04-06-2006, 11:56 PM

Yeah. There was an article in the Daily News about how the bloom was off the rose.
WTF? Who would eat fast-food fried chicken anywhere else if there was one of those nearby? Seriously. It's worlds better than any Amurican chain.

[edit:Most of the Latinos in Arlington are Guatemalan or Honduran or Salvadoran, so maybe you need a big population of people from the right country(s) to support one. But I'm still convinced they're going to take over.]

Daizy

04-07-2006, 12:49 AM

I loves me some pres pub. I just wish they had a better beer selection on tap.

Can't speak to the beer - gives me a headache. ;) I would like to enjoy P. Pub again, believe me, and I'm glad for it's existence. I really like most of the music that they book.

It's just the service problem that really spoils what could be a nice evening out...

Brownlow

04-07-2006, 10:20 AM

jah

04-07-2006, 10:24 AM

The little Mexican place on Magnolia closed several months ago. As for Pres Pub, it has a good selection of bottled and canned beer, and a decent selection on tap. Service is the big problem. I've had some bad experiences with the servers there, and I have heard stories that are even worse. I still stop in there occasionally, though. They must be doing something right, they're busy a lot of the time.
Seems like Jack Neely mentioned it when that Mexican place closed.

As for bottled and canned, I'm enough of a beer snob not to want to go out if I'm just going to drink the same thing as I can get at home but for three times the price.

But I do like preservation; I'm just saying that I wish they'd have more (or better) taps.

Hi Top

04-07-2006, 10:45 AM

Is Beaumont the street that runs into Baxter? I really want to try taht place. Those are always the best places. Best MExican food I've had was in Gonzales Tx. It's was a gas station that has been converted into a restaurant. All older Mexican ladies in the kitchen cooking all day. Damn! I want Mexican for lunch!

carmelita

04-07-2006, 10:59 AM

Aaaah, I miss the three-times-a-week Mexican lunches of the old days! But thats all I miss from that time!!!

Hammer-on

04-07-2006, 01:56 PM

senor taco has a great salsa bar-

incredible.

BUT my favorite food is at that small joint near book eddy. fantastic. speak spanish if you got it.

I agree--the place to the right that's almost behind McDonald's. BUT!!!!!

Have you all seen the occasional tour bus and COMPLETELY pack parking lot there some nights around midnight and later? Have any of y'all been to giant party going-on inside the Mexican restaurant to the leftside of the Book Eddy?

I've gotta check that out!

butterbee

04-07-2006, 02:38 PM

authentic Mexican Food, like you would get in a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint in East LA.

What was it that the farmer said about the little hole in the wall?

~Rumormonger~

04-07-2006, 03:05 PM

it becomes a nightclub on Saturday nights. Like a Mexican Michael's.

Ay carumba (http://www.mariachidosmundos.de/sound/joe/sjoempg41.mp3) ;~)

mgdrum

09-15-2006, 08:10 PM

Thanks for all the info on mexican joints in town. I think we're going to check out Senor Taco tonite. However, I must put a plug in for the best mexican restaurant I've ever been to located in Austin, TX.

http://www.fondasanmiguel.com/

The website is worth going to just for the artwork photos. The best time to go is for Sunday brunch. $25 I think, plus they make tableside margaritas with fresh squeezed limes. I never knew what mexican food was supposed to taste like until I went to FSM. Seriously, the best dining experience I've ever had. If you ever find yourself even near Austin it's worth a trip.

By the way, it's truly not like any mexican restaurant I've ever been to, no combination plates on the menu here.