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!“

“We had our new place set up for internet today. Our installer highly recommended Pepo’s Burrito Bar. We visited for dinner tonight and everything was absolutely delicious!!! We all loved our food!!! We will be back time and time again!!!!“

“We have been coming here for 3 years, since we bought our house in the area. This has become our weekly family dinner out, and they(staff)have become like family to us. The food is extraordinary, the service and staff are fantastic. When our friends and relatives come to visit, going to Monterrey’s is a given. We tried a new dessert tonight that they are considering adding to their menu. I am not a sweets eater, but I did sample a taste, at my husband and kid’s insistence. It was fantastic! Then.. I had more than one bite, lol. It is a guava infused cheesecake and absolutely divine!“

“We absolutely love Zapata! All of their servers are great, food service is always so fast, and the food is excellent!“

“My mother and I stopped in for lunch. It was her first time eating there but I usually get some food here every time I'm in town. Love this place. The food is always hot, fresh, and made to order. Service is excellent and portions are excellent for the price point. I'll continue to eat here when I'm in Knoxville as long as they keep the food great, service excellent, and prices competitive.“

“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“

“We eat her at least once a week. Ever time it delicious.“

“We love this place!! We have now dined in and gotten take out. We just moved from San Diego, where they are known for great Mexican food, and we confidently think Celestina is the best we have ever had. The food is well seasoned with tons of flavor. The portions are large. DO NOT skip the guacamole!! The cocktails are amazing too. We’ve had the sangria and one of their margaritas.

Dine in: The staff is great. Friendly and attentive. They give great recommendations and explanations of the menu. The atmosphere is great and the restaurant is always extremely clean.

Take out: Our food was ready on time and was still warm when we got home. It was extremely well packed. Our meal came with close to 15 different sauces, and we had absolutely no spills.

We cannot wait to bring all our visiting friends and family here. We also are excited to try the brunch menu soon!

Parking: Each time we have been there has been ample parking in the strip mall where Celestina is located.“

“Omg delicious! I was visiting family and we came here for a quick dinner. The food is outstanding - and so affordable. If I'm in the area again, I'll def be stopping by.
(I had the birria tacos and my husband had the tortas. Both delicious!)“

“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“

“try the mariachi bowels.. delicious. great service. 20 for a pitcher of margaritas“

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

“My family is from from SoCal and when it comes to our street tacos and horchata, we're particular. We've had the best in California and in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX so when I tell you my kids love it here for their tacos al pastor and horchata, they've only known authentic their whole lives and are quick to express their critiques. They always enjoy coming here while home here in Knoxville now from college. I'm sure their other menu items are good too, but we've regularly ordered the same.“

“We were passing through and found them on Fido app. They have a comfortable patio that is great place to dine with your dog ?

We enjoyed the Mini Chimi’s and a Burrito Supremo. The food was scrumptious. However, the complimentary salsa with chips were not as tasty. The service was fast.“

“Wonderful staff and amazing food!“

“The food was very good! But the super friendly, helpful waitress hadn't had such professional service in years. I think her name is Kelly, something like that. I don't remember exactly, but if you go ask for her, you won't regret it. I will definitely come back more often. I was delighted!“

“Tasty food at a fair price.“

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

“Tues Sept 17 2024

The food was delicious. It's different from other Mexican restaurants (not to say that the others are not good just different). To begin, it was a taqueria inside a deli. I had the Pollo Quesadilla. It was a good portion and I had to bring half home to eat later.

The guacamole and rice was just yummy. A lot of Mexican places the rice is bland.

You can tell how authentic a place is by its clientele. My husband also bought some tamales and I bought some Mexican candy. Warning: their candy is not like our candy. We will be coming back.“

“great service and great atmosphere wonderful time even better margaritas“

“Best food truck in TN, more people need to give this place a chance. Everything on the menu is satisfying to eat. The Horchata is perfect. I usually get steak with everything but all of the other meats have perfect seasoning. Try everything on the menu and you will not be dissapointed. Parking is alittle rough, hopefully these guys get a fixed up lot soon.

Parking: Parking is at the smokeshop. The lot is mostly damaged so watch for pot holes“

“New to the Knoxville area, my husband and I have been to quite a few Mexican Restaurants and Taco Madres is by far the best!! Portions were great and the food was phenomenal! We will be back.“

“The food server acted as if I was a bother to her. I stop here every time I drive from Detroit to Atlanta because the food is good and you get a nice size portion of the food you order. But if there were two tip jars.... The cook would get tipped over and over.... Not the server.“

“Great salsa, diced onions and cilantro. First basket of chips free, then 3.99. Coca cola was crisp and refreshing. Large menu, food was good but took a bit to arrive. Staff is friendly and professional. Eclectic/busy interior - it truly is a party. Lovely murals painted on the walls. Single occupancy bathrooms - the Men's bano was not in the best condition. Clean overall but with peeling paint, grimy corners and the paper towel dispenser was a struggle to use.

Overall enjoyable, I'd recommend this as a nice local hole-in-the-wall. Just go before you go.“

“Have eaten there three times and had one to go order. Very pleased each time with the food and service. Very reasonably priced also.“

“The price.

That's why I gave it a 4 star. This is my weekly lunch for school. There are really cheap items $3-$5 and filling value items $6+.

Tasty as heck, quick, hot made to order Mexican food. Salsas are good and seemingly homemade.

What you lose in service quality you definitely save on cost of food.

Parking: Connected to an Arby's.

Kid-friendliness: Kids menu.

Wheelchair accessibility: Flat surfaces with low sloping ramp to door. No automatic door, decent handicapped parking space.“

“We had the new Hawaian Shirmp Appetizer which was great if you like pineapple I would definitely recommend. Had a pastor meat sope and some barbacoa tacos. They only have barbacoa on weekends and it’s definitely worth the wait to Saturday and Sunday.
The service is great, our waiter Evila is super nice and helpful when ordering.

Kid-friendliness: My kids love the arroz con pollo and the portions are great“

“O M G I have another favorite Mexican restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious! The best empanadas in Knoxville. Good portions that are worth every penny. The staff are so fast you might wonder if they are on skates. And the margaritas don't taste like some cheap mix. Had a mojito and I don't think I have ever had better. Now this is how you end a rough week.“

“I enjoy going to Whole Foods. Great selection of healthier food choices. I can pick up a fresh slice of pizza, some sushi, and a sandwich. Good selection on the hot bar and salad bar. I'm not a fan of Jeff Bezos, but it's a good place to shop.“

“Great food! Excellent service!!“

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

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

“Good food and friendly service.“

“In Knoxville for a few days on a house hunting trip from upstate NY. This spot was just a little bit from our air BNB so decided to check it out. Hello Knoxville and La Pinata, so glad to find you, amazing service, clean, bright and festive atmosphere, or waiter was helpful, friendly and courteous. Wait...did I mention Monday and Tuesday is all day Happy Hour with 16oz Marga for $5 and the food was delicious. My wife got Taco Salad, it was awesome, the mixed fajitas for $14.99 were enough for 2 people and we got the largest hot sauce carafe I've ever seen at no extra charge, seriously, this has to be 16oz of decadent, delicious salsa! Don't waste your time on a Mexican food chain, La Pinata is worth the drive no matter where you live or are staying.“

“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“

“You have got to try this place best Mexican food in town! Found them at Victor Ashe park on a Sunday tried the chicken quesadilla and steak burrito, both were excellent with toppings and condiments available for you to add yourself . I wanted to try the birria pizza but it’s only available at their Ebenezer Rd location . I made it there today and it did not disappoint ! This is now my new favorite thing . Loved everything about it . The people are so nice here and friendly please go visit and try their awesome fresh delicious food !“

“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.“

“Everyone is so friendly. They always get the order right and everything is consistent. Always hot and fresh.

Parking: Always easy to park and convenient to run in the store to get gas, drinks, etc... while waiting on your food.“

“We could eat here every night!“

“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“

“I had this location cater for my daughter’s baby shower and the food was amazing. Everyone kept talking about how great it was. I was super pleased with how it turned out. Great job!! Thank you!!“

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

“It's one of the only mexican restaurants I will eat at in Knoxville. The staff and family are amazing. It's probably the most authentic I found locally.

Parking: Parking is plentiful and easy to maneuver around the parking lot.

Kid-friendliness: My children love it here. They are always happy to see and sit on the donkey outside. We miss the fountain ⛲️ though ?

Wheelchair accessibility: Easy to get in and out plus the staff would be more than willing to assist if needed. Couldn't ask for better people in an establishment.“

“Made to order nothing pre-made. Authentic and Amazing tacos . Fresh corn and flour tortillas made daily . Salsa bar was great also they pack the fire away all nice and neat but add it to your tacos and elevate your experience ! You get what you pay for and this place is low key throwing down ?
I see so many people going to get chicken nuggets and feel sad that they don't know the street taco love hiding in plain sight ! Tell them Zan sent you and make sure you thank the man who makes your food .
P.s try to corn“

“The people we met were nice and service was quick. The food was great. Carnes asada nachos knocked me off my feet.“

“honestly salsarita's is better than any other Mexican restaurant I've been to“

“Excellent dude...F’er sure“

“This place was wonderful. We had a party of 30 for my late partner's memorial. I had made a reservation or call ahead, 2 weeks in advance but the information had not relayed to the MOD. Not only did they accomodate our group, the food & service were fabulous. The management & staff were amazing!!! They made our day really special!“