50 Best Mexican Restaurants in Knoxville

“First time in and it was amazing! Great food, drinks and service.“

“WOW! What a gem Caza Brava Mexican Restaurant is! My friend Jason was craving Mexican food to celebrate his birthday. I just googled nearest restaurant to us and this came up first. So glad we decided to give it a try! From the moment Xavier graciously and enthusiastically greeted us at the door, we had the most scrumptious meal served by our most attentive waitress, Mary Bell. What a lovely person and hard worker! Oh, right! You want to know about the food! Fantastic! Jason had nachos and I was torn between a shrimp dish and their vegetarian dish which had more and varied vegetables than you see on most Mexican restaurant menus. I asked Xavier if he could add shrimp, and he came up with a solution immediately, which turned out to be SO FLAVORFUL And the presentation was truly beautiful! I never take pictures of my food at restaurants, but last night I did! And I’ve never written a review of a restaurant, not ANY restaurant…ever. Xavier and the rest of the staff, the quality of the service, and the tastiness of the food deserves five stars plus plus plus! I’ll be bringing more of my friends here!“

“On brief vacation with my lovely wife, our hotel clerk suggested Monterrey which was close by. Visited of Friday evening and the place was packed. Many of the patrons appeared to be of Mexican descent, always a good sign of good, authentic food. We were quickly seated in a super clean, delicious smelling dining room and immediately greeted by a lovely young lady who brought us hot, fresh tortilla chips and a wonderfully tasty, fresh salsa which must have been made in house with chunks of fresh tomato and the perfect blend of chillies and herbs. We noticed that everyone was super clean and superbly efficient in doing their assigned tasks without being in the way, all the while appearing to be genuinely happy! This is a sign of an excellently managed business. A handsome, well I groomed gentleman (who I think is a part of the nuclear family who has operated this business for 35 years) stopped at our table to greet us and express his genuine appreciation for our patronage. He recommended a house specialty 'POLLO MONTERREY'. What a magnificent dish! Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked chicken with spinach and some secret ingredients and spiced most excellently. Sizzling hot dancing sauces made this dish visually stunning and aromatically enticing. I cannot recommend this dish too highly. It was so delightfully good that we came back today, Saturday, for a repeat performance. This restaurant shows me how well an establishment can be operated. Nothing but excellence, unpretentious class, and the utmost in genuine customer service and satisfaction. Just so you know, my wife and I are not food critics, just common folks who appreciate being so well cared for in every respect. I forgot to mention the prices! We found the entire experience to be a tremendously good value. Do yourself a favor and visit this place. I expect you'll become regulars. We would be except that we live on Jane beautiful west (best) coast of Florida. Once again, Monterrey is in our decades long experience, right at the top of restaurants we would chose to frequent. Alan & Jane“

“Really glad it’s finally open. Food is great. Disappointed they do not serve whole wheat tortillas.“

“this place was amazing !! the food was very good and they had some of the best cheese dip and margaritas i've tasted. also our waitress bella was so sweet and friendly and made our experience even better. definitely would recommend this place!“

“We had a group of 30 Jeeps stop in there after the Halls Christmas parade and our entire group had 1 server. At first I was a bit concerned but he was phenomenal! All of our orders were taken correctly, the food was hot and amazing, and it all came out together! I’ve eaten there a bunch and always had excellent services and delicious food!“

“I do recommend Country Burrito. However…today I visited your Town Center location, and my experience wasn’t great. The food was fantastic, bathroom was very clean, atmosphere was nice, but it seems the hostess waited on us, and unfortunately she was not attentive to our table, kept forgetting us it seemed like. We didn’t even get a check back for a refill on our drinks until towards the end of the meal. Then, out of nowhere she straight up left work. We sat there for 30 minutes trying to flag down another waiter who was busy with what seemed like all the tables in there. I’m not sure they know, but staff shouldn’t leave work unless all of their tables are closed out. If our table was meant to be taken over by another server, we should have been told. There was no communication. I have never not tipped for service, but in this case there was literally no service. My only recommendation would be to have your front of house employees be more structured and responsible. Sadly, this also isn’t our first experience with something like this happening before, either. We may have to just get our food to go from now on. I’d hate to see the company fall under because of no service. Please do something about it.“

“Great food, friendly service.“

“Excellent food and service. Highly recommend.“

“rude, blamed me for my sea food allergies after they poisoned me with seafood when I ordered chicken. rude nasty people. offered to pay for the free chips and drinks, got sworn at even after they saw that we only ate 2 bites of our food. they cross contaminate the sea food with everything else. good luck to all who dare enter, the waiter was a jerk, his boss was even worse. when asked if they cooked seafood with everything else (after my allergic reaction) he said why wouldn't we. & his boss said that it was our own fault for getting sick for going there. my advice don't go there unless if you don't care about your safety or your life“

“Great food, friendly service.“

“This is great!!!! The food the service the hole nine yards. In the back is the restaurant in the front is a true Mexican store. It’s amazing the things that you will find in here. Overall, great place. I love it.
1000 percent recommended!!!!!!“

“Yes great food and cold beer. I recommend eating here. The staff was on it.“

“Ordered 2 sopas... THE SHRIMP 🍤 WAS AMAZING...I honestly have never had better sopas in my entire life.. the bread was perfect the avocado 🥑 was ripe and fresh.. the wait staff is so sweet and genuinely kind.. 💕 💗 for my first time eating here I give this a perfect 5 stars.. with a glass bottle coke 😋 perfection.. will be back often!!!!“

“Siete mares! Great people. Great food.“

“Wonderful food, fabulous craft Margaritas, attentive service, and the outdoor patio was perfect!!“

“Best tasting Mexican I have had in my commute to Nashville. I will remember this place in my travels and look forward to returning. I got the Burrito Pinata with rice on the side, and a tall Dos Equis. The food is not expensive and worth the exit if you are searching for good eats on your commute on I40. I consider myself a connoisseur of Mexican restaurants, and this one, although humble on the outside has all the love on the inside. You won't regret it.“

“If you are wanting traditional style Mexican food, excellent service, and a friendly, clean atmosphere then this is the place for you! We have shared on multiple occasions different selections off of the dinner menu and each one of them have been outstanding! The quality of the food, the presentation, and the taste of everything...delicious! My favorite is the Chicken Mole... amazing! At times it can be a little bit noisy (especially with family and kids) but the booths are very quiet and cozy. We will definitely be back for more! Love this place!“

“We were pleased to find that the food, drinks, and service of Don Gallo's was as it used to be when it first opened in Hardin Valley. We'd had some rather disappointing drinks and meals on several occasions from 2019 to 2022, so we stopped eating there. Gave it another try for dinner and we were very pleased with everything. We will return.“

“I’ve been to a lot of Mexican restaurants in the area, but they have the BEST street tacos! My husband loves their posole. Very authentic“

“rude, blamed me for my sea food allergies after they poisoned me with seafood when I ordered chicken. rude nasty people. offered to pay for the free chips and drinks, got sworn at even after they saw that we only ate 2 bites of our food. they cross contaminate the sea food with everything else. good luck to all who dare enter, the waiter was a jerk, his boss was even worse. when asked if they cooked seafood with everything else (after my allergic reaction) he said why wouldn't we. & his boss said that it was our own fault for getting sick for going there. my advice don't go there unless if you don't care about your safety or your life“

“🐙 seafood menu is extensive. my octopus + shrimp was cooked delightfully. the many salsa options was excellent. I am a queso afìcionado. the queso was delicious. next trip I will get the grilled whole octopus. Happy to have found an authentic Mexican seafood place 🤍 good service.“

“Great food, friendly service.“

“Great food, friendly service.“

“I do recommend Country Burrito. However…today I visited your Town Center location, and my experience wasn’t great. The food was fantastic, bathroom was very clean, atmosphere was nice, but it seems the hostess waited on us, and unfortunately she was not attentive to our table, kept forgetting us it seemed like. We didn’t even get a check back for a refill on our drinks until towards the end of the meal. Then, out of nowhere she straight up left work. We sat there for 30 minutes trying to flag down another waiter who was busy with what seemed like all the tables in there. I’m not sure they know, but staff shouldn’t leave work unless all of their tables are closed out. If our table was meant to be taken over by another server, we should have been told. There was no communication. I have never not tipped for service, but in this case there was literally no service. My only recommendation would be to have your front of house employees be more structured and responsible. Sadly, this also isn’t our first experience with something like this happening before, either. We may have to just get our food to go from now on. I’d hate to see the company fall under because of no service. Please do something about it.“

“Great atmosphere, service is top notch. The house salsa is very good, ceviche was outstanding, this is a particular favorite of mine, so I am picky. The chicken soup was very tasty, and the tamale was great too. Would highly recommend this resturant. I am still sitting here as I post, swung when I saw this place on a whim. Glad I did!“

“Great food, friendly service.“

“Great guys and great food. I highly recommend checking them out! Tacos were only $2 for Taco Tuesday and the quality for the price was amazing. Give these guys a try!“

“Wonderful staff and amazing food!“

“I am from California, living in New Jersey now. Visiting family in Knoxville. I will admit, this was the best Mexican food I've had since we moved to the East Coast. I'm still craving their Carnitas. Everyone in our group loved what they ordered. Leftovers were even better the next day!“

“This place has by far the most wide-ranging salsa bar in town. It's so good that I always want to try something new that they have come up with, but the regular salsas are also delicious. You can only carry so many cups in your hand back to the table!

You will not wait long for your food, and it will be hot and tasty. However, it is the normal-tasting Tex-Mex food you will find in most places. There area really no 1, 2 or 3 signature dishes -- at last not in my experinece. My experiences with service are good.“

“El ranchero is 5 ⭐️!! All the food is amazing but if you want the best steak taco you’ve ever had then this is definitely the place!! Went by for lunch during the work day then brought my family back for dinner!!“

“Fantastic service! Everyone was so attentive and kind. The food was absolutely delicious. Best salsa and guacamole we’ve had in a long time.“

“This is hands down the best Mexican restaurant in Farragut! The food is authentic, flavorful, and always fresh. The portions are generous, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere makes you feel right at home. Whether you’re here for tacos, fajitas, or just some chips and salsa, everything hits the spot. Definitely a place you’ll want to come back to again and again.“

“Sat at the bar. Great service. Attentive staff and management. Above average food and margaritas. Live music on Tuesday and the molcajete is our favorite.“

“El Charro catered our daughter's wedding. Guests LOVED, LOVED the food!!! I cannot say enough great things about Juan and his team. They are professionals and made the process so easy. Even with hurricane impact at the venue, El Charro team made it work at excellence. I would recommend them for any catering event!“

“This place is awesome, I am a regular here. It’s Affordable, good mexican. Service is fast and friendly. The best place to go if you are at hardin valley, ive heard great things about the other knoxville location too. If you are expecting a taco bell type experience, this is not it. Unlike TB, this place is clean, consistent, and uses real ingredients. 5/5 I’ll be there again soon.“

“Always great service and food. Treated like family. "Go to" for 9 years!“

“Good food and friendly service.“

“Fantastic tacos, fabulous service, and a nice welcomed change from all the “Tex-Mex” style restaurants in town. Highly recommended!“

“Wife and I have always enjoyed it. I just miss the beep beep beep beep beep beep song that they use to play a few years ago.

Parking: In a small strip mall so parking isn't an issue.

Wheelchair accessibility: They have a few tables that work fine for some one in a wheelchair“

“Great food, friendly service.“

“I went to this location today after church and was very pleased and reminded why I love Qdoba! I haven't had Qdoba in about 4 years now, but my burrito was packed and they have more toppings than I remember them having. I love that queso and guac aren't an extra cost too. My guy absolutely blew my mind with his skills in how to fold a burrito too! Aside from it being freezing inside, uncomfortably so, I will definitely be back! It's a drive for me from Oak Ridge, but definitely worth it! Thank you“

“2022.03.24 We always eat here on our way through Knoxville, in both directions. And we really miss El Chico Cafe in Nashville. El Chico is often imitated but never duplicated. El Chico has the best food & service anywhere!
2025.10.05 El Chico is still the best! And we still miss El Chico in Nashville. Ask for Sherry a most excellent server!“

“We could eat here every night!“

“This is a place you go for great food, not fancy atmosphere! The floor was dirty, but tables were clean. Tekemundo was on and the jukebox was blasting in Spanish. The corn tortillas are outstanding! Don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path, even though it might look a little sketchy! It was great!“

“great service and great food!“

“Spinach queso and the Margaritas!!!“

“One of the best food I’ve ever tried loved it so much I would definitely will visit a thousands times. Fenomenal services“