16 Best Mexican Restaurants near Gate City

“El Ranchito is my go to place in Gate City. The atmosphere is relaxing and comforting. Unlike other places the booths are comfortable and afford easy access for getting in and out. The table sit 4 very comfortably and both tables and booths are beautifully painted with traditional pictures of Mexican culture. The addition of a large screen TV for watching sports is a great touch. The menu is excellent with a huge selection of various dinners for all different likes and new experiences, my favorite is the Enchilada Supreme. The food is served on "out of the oven" hot plates or cast iron serving plates. The menu also includes (in the kids section) the best Hamburger in the town at a better price then any of the fast foods in the area. The employees (servers) are polite and attentive, always making sure that glasses are full and everything is going well. The owner/manager is always at the customers disposal and ready to greet and sit his customers. Overall my experience is always a pleasant and enjoyable one. The price per meal is more than reasonable based on the quality and service of the meal. I am very glad that Gate City has a warm and friendly place where my neighbors and I walk to and have a good meal and occasional a good drink. El Ranchito is a very easy recommendation for me to make ans easily a 5 out of 5 rating.“

“I was so happy about the Taco Bell when I moved to Gate City. Coming from Jacksonville, Florida. I'm used to the Taco Bell employees punching my taco before they hand it to me. And it can be kind of frustrating knowing that whole damn crew smokes weed but not a single one of them can roll a f'ing burrito. 🙄 But the one here is awesome! A whole year and I haven't got a single messed up order or a taco that was beat to shit. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it is. Thank you! You guys are the shit! 💙👊🏻“

“You are missing out if you have not tried this place! It is without a doubt, the absolute BEST Mexican food anywhere in the Tri-Cities!“

“Absolutely the most delicious Mexican Restaurant in the TriCities with the best Margaritas and guacamole ever and it’s located downtown Kingsport! The staff is wonderful and always friendly! We have been so many times, they already know what we are going to order! If you have not been, please give them a try, you will not be disappointed ♥️“

“This is in my top 3 places in the tri cities. I grew up never being big on Mexican food. Just wasn't my thing. That all changed when I came here. This restaurant became a staple for our lunch breaks while working in Kingsport. The food here is not only incredible, but incredibly consistent. And so is the service. It's always lightning fast and so fulfilling. I love this place and I love the staff that work here. My only regret is that I live so far from this place. Oh Pollo loco con chorizo my beloved 💙“

“EL Poblano is the best Mexican restaurant in Tennessee. Don't believe the bad reviews on this website or others. The owners and employees are kind and wonderful. The food is delicious and less expensive than any restaurant around. I go there 2 or 3 times a week. Every time is a enjoyable experience.“

“hands down the best Mexican restaurant in the Tricities! I'll pick it every time! so good!!!“

“we had beef fajitas and chicken chimicha and it was out of this world! service was EXCELLENT as usual. good arrived at table plentiful and hot as usual. price was excellent for the amount of food. we highly recommend this place for anyone who has. a hankering for Mexican food. Food was not overlying spicy. Just the right blend.10+, out of 10!!!“

“This was some of the freshest Mexican food that I've had the pleasure of eating in quite some time. The staff were very friendly, our drinks stayed full without asking, the salsa and chips stayed full without asking, and the food was out super quick. This is now my go-to Mexican restaurant.
Keep up the great work and thank you for your hard work!“

“first time trying, will definitely b back,best tacos in town 😋“

“Me encantó🫶 Excelente comida y servicio! Love it! Excellent food and Service🫶 💯 recommended!!“

“We are the best Mexican Resurant around!!!! We have great service!!!“

“My thousand miles a week on the road brought me to this restaurant today. I had glanced at the menu here on Google prior to showing up and didn’t see the Cocktail de Cameroon that I liked on the menu. I called and asked if they had it, they said yes, though it wasn’t on the menu, they’d be happy to make it for me, which is fantastic. The server knew exactly what I was asking for. This is some of the best I’ve had in months probably the only oneI’ve had better is my own cause I think I make a pretty good one. This was outstanding the shrimp were fresh and tender. They were not overcooked and I personally like it with lots of pico de gallo in it so I had asked about putting some extra in and you can tell by the picture they did. Unfortunately, this is a part of the country that I don’t cover so it’s unlikely that I’ll be back anytime soon. Just my luck. ☹“

“Food was great as it normally is decent price for the amount you get however I do want to suggest that they offer a discount for college students since the college is 2 blocks away and the majority of the daytime customers are college students“

“This is a new Taco Bell. When it first opened, the orders usually had something wrong with them (three times in a row) but it has improved a lot. We recently went there on June 1, 2026, sometime after 5 p.m. and before 9 pm, and the place was spotless, the service was impeccable, and the order was perfect. (Food, meh, it's Taco Bell.) Five stars for service and cleanliness. Not only did I pull up in a handicap spot and have someone open the door, but everything was well-stocked, and the packets of sauce were even impressively organized in the proper containers. (I wish I took a picture.) The food came out super fast and was hot when I received it. Nothing was wrong with the order. I was impressed. Great improvement. Great team.“

“Honest to God, Raymond is one of the best people I have ever had an interaction with at a Taco Bell from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, my fat self loves me, myself some Taco Bell, but But got Taco Bell’s lucky to have someone like Raymond, he is awesome. I want to him tonight and by God he is outstanding. He can make you laugh and serve you food at the same time.“