Knoxville Area Tex-Mex Restaurants (excluding Chuy's)?

[SlingBlayde]

Used to go to Don Pablos up in north Knoxville but it shut down a while back. Does anyone know of any real Tex-Mex (i.e. non-authentic) restaurants besides Chuy's around Knoxville?

Tried Chuy's a few times. Food was ok but didn't like the salsa very much. Thanks.

 

[Hurley Mooncalf]

El Chico is alright on Cedar Ln. You can get fresh guacamole made right at your table.

 

[VolInNorthCack]

Chuy's sucks. At least the one near my house in NC does. Too bad Garcia's and Casa Gallardo aren't around anymore.

 

[SlingBlayde]

El Chico is alright on Cedar Ln. You can get fresh guacamole made right at your table.

Thanks. I'll give it a try next time I'm up that way and have the opportunity. Most of the areas I end up going to around Knoxville are the west side along Kingston Pike and Turkey Creek.

 

[volfanbill]

Legitimate question, not judging: Why do you prefer Tex-Mex over authentic?

 

[SlingBlayde]

Legitimate question, not judging: Why do you prefer Tex-Mex over authentic?

Well I didn't say I preferred one over the other. I do like authentic. However, those are EVERYWHERE around Knoxville. Good Tex-Mex seems very rare which prompted the question.

 

[volfanbill]

Well I didn't say I preferred one over the other. I do like authentic. However, those are EVERYWHERE around Knoxville. Good Tex-Mex seems very rare which prompted the question.

I'm still confused, but afraid I'm going to sound like a prick, so I might better stop. Good Tex Mex is just average Mexican food to me. I'd rather have good authentic every time.

 

[MAD]

Not sure if you have them up there but Tijuana Flats is really good and they are famous for their hot sauce bar.

 

[Danl]

Isn't TexMex a completely different cuisine than Mexican, whether good/bad/great or otherwise?

 

[SlingBlayde]

Isn't TexMex a completely different cuisine than Mexican, whether good/bad/great or otherwise?

I'm by no means and expert. I have lived around Ft. Worth and Houston. It's difficult to explain. Sometimes the salsa is different with Tex-Mex. More of a chipotle flavor and sometimes brought to the table slightly heated which is strange if you aren't used to it. Most of the time you can get chile relenos stuffed with ground beef whereas authentic only stuffs them with cheese (not always, but sometimes). I'm sure there are other differences but these come to mind.

 

[SlingBlayde]

Not sure if you have them up there but Tijuana Flats is really good and they are famous for their hot sauce bar.

I checked out their website. They aren't in TN at all. Good to know though if traveling to NC, FL, IN or VA.

 

[SlingBlayde]

I'm still confused, but afraid I'm going to sound like a prick, so I might better stop. Good Tex Mex is just average Mexican food to me. I'd rather have good authentic every time.

I guess that depends on the caliber of Tex-Mex and authentic restaurants you've tried. I've had good and bad in both. Personal preference also comes into play.

 

[Buzzbait]

I checked out their website. They aren't in TN at all. Good to know though if traveling to NC, FL, IN or VA.

If you are in Asheville or the SC upstate, look for Papas & Beer. You can thank me later.

 

[SlingBlayde]

If you are in Asheville or the SC upstate, look for Papas & Beer. You can thank me later.

Ha, ha I've had that. I worked near Asheville a few years back. Lots of great Mexican restaurants around there for sure. Most of them had salsa bars which are rare around here.

Not Mexican, but did you ever try Rocky's Hot Chicken? That's some great food. I got the ghost pepper chicken once just to see if I could hack it. I was able to eat it but I wouldn't get it again LOL.

 

[golfballs]

Legitimate question, not judging: Why do you prefer Tex-Mex over authentic?

I’d take Taco Bell over some of the mole I’ve had.

 

[kiddiedoc]

In the Farragut area, Parrilla Cantina, Dos Agaves, and Don Gallo are all very good.

 

[VolInNorthCack]

Not sure if you have them up there but Tijuana Flats is really good and they are famous for their hot sauce bar.

Loooove Tijuana Flats! I think they are mainly in Florida. We have a few in North Carolina.

 

[VolInNorthCack]

I think Chili's is considered Tex-Mex/Southwestern style.

 

[SlingBlayde]

I think Chili's is considered Tex-Mex/Southwestern style.

Didn’t even think of Chili’s. Not a fan of their Mexican offerings except for the chips and salsa. Like those a lot.

 

[VolInNorthCack]

Didn’t even think of Chili’s. Not a fan of their Mexican offerings except for the chips and salsa. Like those a lot.

Love their chips and salsa. The Southwestern Eggrolls are pretty good too. I like Chili's pretty well. It's probably my favorite of the "fast-casual" chains.

 

[Buzzbait]

Ha, ha I've had that. I worked near Asheville a few years back. Lots of great Mexican restaurants around there for sure. Most of them had salsa bars which are rare around here.

Not Mexican, but did you ever try Rocky's Hot Chicken? That's some great food. I got the ghost pepper chicken once just to see if I could hack it. I was able to eat it but I wouldn't get it again LOL.

Never got to Rocky's when traveling in that area. The lure of a 32oz draft and 3 tacos de carnitas for $9 at happy hour was too strong.

 

[SlingBlayde]

Never got to Rocky's when traveling in that area. The lure of a 32oz draft and 3 tacos de carnitas for $9 at happy hour was too strong.

You missed out!

 

[MAD]

I wonder what they call Tex-Mex food in Mexico?

 

[SlingBlayde]

I wonder what they call Tex-Mex food in Mexico?

Mex-Tex

 

[zooguy]

From Texas. Have yet to eat anything approaching good Tex-Mex (or, for that matter, good Mexican Food) in the Knoxville area. That’s the one thing I miss about Texas. Every “good” place I’ve been told about has sucked.

Salsa here seems to be tomato paste. Queso seems to be what you’d get in nachos.

Chuys in Texas was considered below average at best (on par with Taco Bell).

No good mole here. Not enough spices in any of the food. I just make my own.