The food and staff were so friendly and the ambience in the restaurant with the hand paintings on the wall, which just outstanding very authentic looking. The food was nice and fresh and the drinks were OK. That's also a super on the chips was super fresh. We didn't stay for dessert, but we'll be back to try it again. read more

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Outstanding service - very friendly, attentive team. I ordered the California burrito. I misunderstood - this is not a burrito with sides - every dang thing listed is inside the burrito. None of the many things inside have any seasoning, the meat was overcooked, and it was simply not good. Quite disappointing :( Margarita ok. Chips great. Salsa completely forgettable. BUT - if you go, ask for the Spicy salsa - it is bonkers good! But I won't be returning. read more

We had Easter lunch at this location recently and it was a mix of reviews from all of us. My steak was fairly chewy and a small portion. Our server also became fairly inatentive quickly on, with many of us waiting for drinks or chips. Other than the main complaints, the store was clean, a majority of our food was delicious, and the food was quick. read more

The best Mexican food in Oak Ridge! Love the birria and the rice is fluffy and perfect read more

Every dish I ordered for take out was soup. The meat was dry, tough to chew, and overcooked. There was supposed to be cheese on my dish but was a tiny piece here and there buried in soup. $14 for a chimicanga and two spoons of beans. This place is one of the worst mexican places O have been to and I have no clue how it has good reviews. read more

El Jinete Mexican - Mexican Near Me - Oak Ridge, Tennessee

My favorite Mexican restaurant in Oak Ridge. The staff is always friendly, the atmosphere is really nice, and the food is delicious. Especially the birria tacos which are a 10/10. read more

Took my daughter for dinner here. It was a bad experience and will not be returning. They had a ton of staff, but rarely even checked on us. Instead, they sat at a table nearby and just talked. Meanwhile, we needed utensils and napkins. My food arrived quickly, but we waited for 15 minutes for my daughter's kids quesadilla. They brought her chicken strips, and the server was annoyed when I said that was not the correct order. We had to wait another 15 minutes for them to cook a quesadilla. Which means my food was cold and we had to wait. The food was not good and the service was terrible. Would not recommend. read more

El Jinete Mexican - You can see the servers all hanging out and not helping anyone. Would have been nice to have a fork to eat my food. - Mexican Near Me - Oak Ridge, Tennessee

My absolute favorite place to get Mexican food! Everything is so good and I take all my friends and family here. The queso is amazing as well as the birria. Everyone is also so nice here too! read more

Be aware these people are thieves. They added $7 to my credit bill! I left a five dollar tip on a $24.12 lunch bill. After we left they added $7 for a total of $36.12. read more

El Jinete Mexican - Receipt - Mexican Near Me - Oak Ridge, Tennessee

I had an excellent meal at El Jinete yesterday. Having just moved here from the Death Valley area a month ago, I was really missing Mexican food, so I thought I'd give this restaurant a try. I was confused at first, as a lot of their parking spaces had cones in them and I began to wonder if they were even in business. However, I drove around to the other side and parked. I was seated quickly and took some time to look over the very big menu while eating chips from the huge basket they provided. The chips were mostly whole, not tiny broken pieces like you sometimes get at Mexican restaurants, which I appreciated. The salsa was smooth (not chunky) with a very mild flavor; it could have used more seasoning. After ordering, I didn't have to wait long for my food. I played it safe since this was my first time there, and ordered the fajita bowl jalisco (beef, chicken, and shrimp). The portion size was huge, enough for leftovers tonight for dinner. It was very good, the meat was cooked properly, and the shrimp was not tough. I will be back to try some of the other items on the menu. read more

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Great food and service, very tentative to refills and the best Margaritas. Never have to wait for a seat either. read more

The service was great. The food was very good, and the the drinks were spot on! This is our 8th Mexican restaurant in 8 weeks and it get a top spot on our list!!!! read more

El Jinete Mexican - Menu cover - Mexican Near Me - Oak Ridge, Tennessee

My order was chicken not ground beef chimichanga for the second time that I ordered from here. They are usually spot on but the last two times it was wrong. read more

This was our first time going. We were seated quickly and, despite it being so busy, service was very good. Sadly the food wasn't very good. The sauces, chips, beans and rice tasted bad. The nachos were cheese sauce mixed with some "ground beef," but tasted and smelled off. Not for me, but we did have good service hence the three stars. read more

Good local Mexican restaurant. El Jinete isn't in the "real authentic" category -- the type of place that you'd see mainly native Mexicans. It's a restaurant that caters to the masses. Yet, despite that, it's pretty darned good. They have a lot of unique items too. My favorite is the Huevos Albonil - eggs on a tortilla topped with steak. I haven't seen this any other place in town. Their items are done right - good portions and tasty. Only downside is they have the standard rice and Refried beans you see everywhere. Chips and salsa are maybe a cut above. But, nothing special. Overall: Good place in Oak Ridge. Nicer atmopshere than the competition in town. read more

El Jinete Mexican - Huevos Albonil - Mexican Near Me - Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Good service and quick. The group was pleased with the quick service but the food itself was ok. Most of the group left part of their orders. The tortillas are corn not flour and were bland and that didn't help the dishes. The highlight was the queso which was very flavorful read more

Nice atmosphere inside. Service was fast, friendly and attentive. Food was great! Salsa was a tad bland but it was free so free is always good So far this has been the best Mexican food I've had in Oak Ridge. read more

Way better than el canterito's!!! Service here is great, it sucks there. The younger guy at el cants is rude so we left and came here, it's the new spot. read more

Food is amazing! Especially the Mexican rice! Nice people, beautiful music, and they even celebrate birthdays! The best local Mexican restaurant! My favorite restaurant! read more

This place is my go-to for Mexican food in Oak Ridge. There are other quality Mexican restaurants in Oak Ridge and the surrounding area but this one was is conveniently located near our house. Regardless, the menu selection is huge and the prices are reasonable! The wait and kitchen staff are always super friendly and accommodating. They now have Barría tacos which are amazing! The beef is slow cooked and simmered in a special sauce and is served with a sauce kind of like au jus for dipping. My wife's favorite is the Tacos de Pastor which is marinated pork with pineapple. My other favorite include the Trio Tamales and the Pork Mole! We're definitely regular customers. Check them out! read more

I had lunch here today. It was the best Mexican food I've eaten here in Tennessee. The service was fast, the restaurant was clean and the food was delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

The place was clean as a pin. We hadn't been there 60 seconds before we were seated. There was a good crowd. Lees than a minute before we got very warm chips and awesome salsa. Our waitress, Yazmin was a sweetheart, never up in our business. Big smile, real smile as a matter of fact. The food was excellent. EXCELLENT. My wife and I absolutely loved it. It was our first time there. (Get the quesadillas). read more

If you are searching for a swanky Mexican place with the nicest dining room, then El Jinete is the place for you. However, the place was very noisy and the food is much more expensive than other spots in town. Different strokes I suppose. The place was crowded so clearly they are doing something right. If you are looking for great food and great service at a great price, I'd recommend Gallo Loco or El Canterito. Their dining rooms are simple and dated, but they are about half the price of EJs. read more

This new addition to Oak Ridge is trying very hard to be the best. The interior is inviting and seating is comfortable. The service is friendly and the food is up very quickly. All great positives. There is ample parking nearby. For Lunch it was busy when we visited. The chips were warm and the salsa was well a little flat. It was good that someone had dialed down on the cilantro but it certainly needed a little more garlic and perhaps a Serrano. Portions at Lunch are massive, way bigger than I am used to. My Flouta's were nigh on perfect. The rice was a little bland and the beans are fresh from a can. The chopped salsa buffeting the iceberg lettuce was interesting and spiced correctly. The Guacamole was also flat, it too needed garlic and maybe tomato added. The other meal was a burrito and the queso sauce was again spot on. Another large meal. Having lived in the part of Mexico, for over 2 years, where the owner hails from, the food is authentic albeit customized for the local clientele. Sitting across from our table were Mexican day laborers. A decent sign the food is not too far off the mark. We plan to return soon for dinner, hopefully the salsa and guacamole improve by then. read more

OUTSTANDING My husband and I enjoyed THE BEST "Especial Camino Real" Fajitas for two! This place is PHENOMENAL! Best Mexican restaurant in this region read more

My last couple of visits have been wonderful. So far my favorite is their Tacos Al Carbon, the meat is always grilled to perfection and the presentation was as good as any high end restaurant. The staff is always very attentive and make sure that you're experience is a happy one. read more

Best food around!! Service always above average!! Nice relaxing place !! Enjoy the atmosphere

Food was great, portions were large. Definitely a new favorite Mexican restaurant in Oak Ridge!

Ordered the Burrito Vegetarian and Chorizo tacos for take out, the Burrito had 3 slices of mushroom, a tablespoon of spinach and a pound of onions. The tacos were orange and dripping with grease. We have dined in many times and had great experience but takeout leaves a lot to be desired. Chips snd salsa not included with takeout. Not impressed with our meal tonight! read more

We love love love this place! The service is always stellar. And now, with COVID, they have curbside. Food is superb and service is great!

My husband and I visited this location, with high expectations. There were only two other tables occupied, and service was slow. We ran out of drinks more than once. The food wasn't terrible, but it definitely was not great. The steak was exceptionally tough. We did not request to-go boxes for our leftover food... read more

Oak Ridge is not lacking in great restaurants . Many of the Mexican restaurants we have went to for over twenty years and some as long as they have been open. Did I mention we live in Maryville ?, which doesn't have a Mexican restaurant worth my time or money (Las Amigos Gross). It's hard to believe that with all the competition that another Mexican food establishment would even try. I'm so glad they did. The food ,drink and atmosphere at El Jinete is spot on. We will still frequent our other favorites depending on our mood but this place will fit in just fine. Menu is large and full of options for every taste. read more

El Jinete immediately became our favorite Mexican restaurant. Friendly staff, great food, generous portions, and super Margaritas. We have been going weekly. You won't be disappointed. Sharon C. read more

My favorite local Mexican restaurant. A cut above most. Excellent street tacos, boyfriend won't eat anything else. I've liked everything there. Good friendly service, clean building, don't normally have to wait for a table but it can get busy. Margaritas are also great! read more

Their food is much better in the restaurant than as carry out. We will return but not until the world opens up. We didn't get what we ordered but I didn't check before I pulled away. read more

Service was great, food was excellent and atmosphere was exceptional. Went there as a suggestion from our daughter and we had a coupon. (Forgot to use the coupon). Prices are reasonable and similar to other places we've been to. Will go back! read more

Great atmosphere (typical chain Mexican w bar) and interesting menu. This restaurant opened recently (April 2019-ish) and has already become very popular. I can't find a website for it, strangely enough. There are many local, authentically-Mexican restaurants in Oak Ridge that I love and will continue to enjoy, but I'll definitely return to El Jinete for a fun meal on occasion. The food was excellent; the staff attentive, and the manager stopped by our table to make sure we were happy. All in all, it's a great meal. read more