I grew up going to El Palenque once a week with my family or friends! Went over the holidays with my family and I love how the same people are still working here after 20+ years. The remodel they did this fall was a nice updated. Make sure to try the chicken soup. :) read more

If you like cheese, this is the place for you. Be prepared for your entire order to be covered in cheese! El P is really affordable especially for the amount of food you get. For about $8.50, I got ample beans, rice, a burrito, and an enchilada. There are plenty of combo-type platters that make a great combination and a filling meal! The wait staff was really nice. My favorite part was the Mexican candy for sale by the register. read more

Good service, decent & cheap mexican food in Green Hills.

The food was pretty tasty. Service was okay. A little pricey for the amount/quality of food that you receive.

The server wouldn't let me substitute vegetarian options on the lunch menu even though they were cheaper on the regular menu than the full priced meat options. Said I could just have a bean burrito and cheese quesadilla if I wanted something off the lunch menu or pay the full price. Server had the personality of a wall was difficult to understand and forgetful. Then avoided us for the rest of the time. No gracias. Too expensive for bad service. read more

This is a great, old school, Americanized Mexican restaurant. Total comfort food. I had a bean and cheese burrito, a regular, crunchy taco and a cheese enchilada. It was everything I was hoping for. Guacamole is good. I wasn't crazy about the Queso starter. Loved it. I'm sure I'll become a regular! read more

This is my new favorite Mexican food place. Great food with very good sweet tea. The chips were fresh almost too hot to eat. Overall a great experience! read more

After reading the reviews we were mixed and wanted to give this place a try. However, the bad reviews are correct. The service was horrible. Our waiter never came by after the food got there to see if we needed refills and when we called him over, he was unbelievably rude to us for the remainder of our time. The margaritas taste very mix-ish and almost undrinkable and the food is average. The only positive thing was their fresh avocado. read more

My husband and I though we'd try this place with some friends for dinner last night and will certainly not go there again. The servers were rude and made it very clear that anything we asked for down to water refills was an inconvenience to them and they didn't want us there. We should have taken the cue when we first walked in and the server glared at us as we ordered drinks. Only good thing I can say is that the portions sizes were adequate for the price even if the taste and quality was sub-par. read more

Just had to throw in my two cents since the reviews are so mixed... This is our family's (two adults and a toddler) favorite mexican restaurant in town! We venture away occasionally but still keep coming back to El Palenque. When we do stray, it usually just confirms how much we like it. Granted, it's not the most authentic but it's delicious, the staff always remembers us and it's a great place for a toddler. Try the Huevos Rancheros or the Camerones con Ojo. read more

$6.00 buys you a glass full of Margarita mix, no alcohol at all. Green enchiladas were full of plain boring ground beef, no seasoning at all. Overall tasteless and a waste of money. read more

El Palenque is my go-to spot for authentic Mexican food in Nashville. Jesus (the owner) and his staff (most of whom are members of his family) make sure that every visit is a good one with fast, tasty and relatively cheap eats. The green enchiladas are one of my favorites, as is the shrimp quesadilla. The standard margarita is always a good accompaniment. Located within walking distance of the Green Hills mall and movie theater in an unassuming strip, El Palenque is a reliable choice that I highly recommend. read more

I've been a fan of El Palenque since the 80's, before they were even in their current location. My all-time favorite is the Nachos with Beef off the appetizer menu. I have dreams of this stuff. Sadly I've moved out of state, but make it a point to eat here whenever I'm back in Nashville. read more

Best tacos and enchiladas! We go about once a week. Service is great-they are super friendly. The back patio is the perfect place for a margarita! read more

Work friends recommended this place and oddly, I'd never heard of it. Traditional mexican fare. Great for a quick and inexpensive lunch in Green Hills. Watch out for parking though. I parked illegally and luckily received no citation. read more

Why had I not tried this place before? I've been living in Green Hills for a year, and working here for two, but just NOW came upon El Palenque. The food was very tasty, and the margaritas were great. Everything I would expect from a Mexican restaurant. The service, however, was WAY better! I felt very welcomed and not rushed, which is unusual for some of the Mexican places in the area. I will definitely be returning!!! read more

I don't know why this place doesn't have 5 stars on Yelp! Great, fresh food, very fast and efficient service despite only a couple of servers working when I was there during the lunch rush. Everything was very clean. Wish I'd discovered this place sooner! read more

I love the chicken, rice and avocado soup here. The guacamole is good too! My friend always orders the flan, and it is delicious. Service could be friendlier, but stopping by for delicious soup works for me! read more

If you are in the Green Hills area this is *the* Mexican restaurant to go to. It's definitely on my top 10 list for best Mexican in Nashville and I will tell you why. They have green enchilada sauce! You will have to forgive me but I do prefer tomatillos'. They also have a better Vegetarian selection than most Mexican restaurants. Which is saying a lot. It's also clean and centrally located. read more

Apparently they've just remodeled because several patrons complimented the owner on the work. There are several tables outside as well overlooking the parking lot to Green Hills. Good food, reasonable prices. Service was a little slow but not inattentive. Glad we saw the YELP reviews! We'll be back. read more

This place isn't your typically Tex-Mex.... IT'S BETTER!! They don't rely on salt to flavor their foods but instead really add flavor. Their prices are reasonable especially considering the quality of the food. I would recommend this place to anyone and will be going back ASAP! read more

Horrible service! Waited forever to order, no refills and we were never served two items that we ordered. Avoid this place! read more

Chicken tortilla soup is the best ever. I love the chicken soft tacos. Service can be slow and the service staff does lack emotion and some personality. Price is right and food is delicious. read more

Came in here to grab a bite for lunch, gotta tell you this waiter is about as rude as one can be. If I come back I'll surely kick him in the face. read more

Went here for a few after dinner margaritas. The margarita on the rocks was so sweet that we couldn't stomach it. We asked management if there may have been a mistake, but we were told that they sell a lot of margaritas and never have complaints. My only conclusion is either that they legitimately serve the worst margarita I've ever tasted, or that they are unwilling to admit an error when they make one. Either way, never returning to this establishment. read more

Food and service both were mediocre. We needed to go to the Apple store so we decided to stop here for a late lunch. First time here for both of us. We experienced 2 of my pet peeves when dining at restaurants. 1.We must've arrived during a shift change because one person took our drink order and another our food order. I was a server for many years so I know how it is. But there should've been some sort of mention of who our actual server was. Something like "my name is ___ I'll be your server. My coworker helped me by getting your drinks started, I'll be taking care of you now etc" 2. Auctioning food( ie who got the burrito)Let me first say, if someone runs your food for you, I don't fault you for them auctioning your food. But, if you took the order for 2 people at a slow time AND you deliver the food, you should be able to remember who got what. If you don't, then write yourself a reminder next to what they ordered. (ie. blue shirt) anyway rant over. On to the food... I ordered the steak super burrito. I give it a D. The presentation was terrible, they cover it with mounds of lettuce and a dollup of sour cream. They top the burrito with a cheesy sauce so why on earth would you want to hide that?! The water from the lettuce mixed with the cheesy sauce and made it worse. The steak inside tasted like it came out of a package. The fiancé ordered a combination plate of a beef enchilada and beef tamale. The presentation on it was much better, but needed more taste. He gives it a B+ overall. The prices are higher than average. We also ordered a strawberry and Texas margarita. Both were ok., nothing I would crave (i would drive across town for a good margarita), mostly tasted like drink mix and no alcohol. I would come here again to give them a second chance, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here or recommend it. read more

El Palenque is a favorite since the late 80's. Love the salsa, cheese dip. As a regular, it's always fun to see the same friendly faces - some of them the same since I first started going. Very reasonable prices. Favorites Chicken Q's, Burrita Pancha. Some current finds: Carne Asada - (although they started making them a different way and I don't like as much) and the CHICKEN SOUP! CHicken soup is really good and great for lunc on a winter day. Check them out! read more

I will not go to any other Mexican food restaurant. El Palenque has the best prices with large servings that make you leave the restaurant stuffed. They are always consistent and the food taste great every time ! read more

Would give this zero stars if possible as some others have said. The management is garbage, and the owner refuses to take American Express, though he advertises the brand with a sticker and pen attached to the counter. When I pointed that out, he grabbed a Sharpie and marked over the Amex logo. The food is marginal and overpriced for Mexican, and the service is never great. I feel like the owner/management bullies the waitstaff into being as rude as they are, and the service staff probably suffers on tips because of it. I asked for special hot sauce (many Mexican places make their own which is delicious), and I was charged $2 for a small cup of it. I was willing to pay for a better sauce, although it is free at every other establishment, but I was disappointed by the sauce which seemed like someone just walked across the street and stole a cup of the salsa from Chipotle and then charged me $2 for it. I recommend any place on Nolensville Rd. Or Lopez on Murfreesboro Rd. instead of this poorly run bastion of mediocrity with terrible service. read more

The owners need to stay in the kitchen and hire some nice people for waiters and cashiers. They have zero personality. I like the food but it's not worth the rude atmosphere . We need a New Mexican restaurant in green hills or new owners for this one we have gone 20 times but not again . read more

Tried this place once before, decided to give it another try tonight and I regret it. My friends and I ate here tonight and it's the WORST service ever. Never in my life have I experienced such attitude and rudeness from a server. Not worth a $20 meal. read more

I have been going here for years and as much as I love their chicken soup, I am over the bad attitudes and lack of smiles in this restaurant. There are too many other good Mexican restaurants where the service is good and people are friendly. Will not be back! read more

So great. Your basic cheap Mexican food that's quick & easy. Vegetable fajitas are great -- loaded with Broccoli & Cauliflower. For vegetarians, excellent options. Avocado Enchiladas are in no way good for you but absolutely delicious. Also, the staff is always sweet & very on top of it. read more

This restaurant deserves five stars for being exactly what it is presented to be - a neighborhood Mexican restaurant that is fast, good, and cheap. As a group of four on New Year's Eve around lunch hour, we were seated right away. Our service was extremely quick, food was great, margaritas were strong, and the bill was inexpensive. read more

If you like food with no salt or other seasoning this is your place. If you like food with actual taste find somewhere else.

I love these folks...been going for 15 years...always good and consistent and if you live in the neighborhood (Green Hills or Belle Meade) it is tough to go in there and not see someone you know. Great Maragaritas. The people who have run it for years continue to get better and better at their English, but a real Mexican experience in the middle of Green Hills! read more

An unexpected good Mexican restaurant amidst chain restaurants. Had the chicken and rice soup and a fish taco. The best sopa de pollo I've had. Taco ok. read more

The food here is better than what you'll find in most other Mexican restraunts. The service nice and you get your food quicker than you would at other places. Even though it's off the beaten path, it's worth your time and money. read more

The worst thing about this restaurant is definitely the service. Our waiter was pissed from the moment we sat down and scowled at us while ordering our food. He also gave my ID a two-minute inspection, front and back, before tossing it back to me unceremoniously. I'm a margarita person, but I couldn't drink more than a sip of mine. It was way too sugary-sweet and tasted like syrup. Definitely not more than a hint of tequila in the drink. I didn't think I should be paying $6.25 for a sugared-up margarita with virtually no alcohol in it, so I sent it back as nicely as I could. (My first time ever sending a drink back to the bar). The waiter rolled his eyes at me and shook his head, muttered an obscenity in Spanish, and told me that he just brought me just what I ordered. Then he rudely asked me, "What do you want?" I opted for water--a safer option. He ended the exchange by grabbing the margarita from me and slamming it down on the table next to us so hard that it spilled over the sides. He didn't talk to me for the rest of the meal. The food itself wasn't bad (I ordered some kind of chicken dish), but it didn't have any "Mexican" flavors and was something I could make myself at home from a packet of dry rice, a frozen chicken breast, and some frozen broccoli. The one star is for the rude service and the disgusting drinks. Not going here again. I'm gonna stick to Cinco de Mayo. read more

The food was ok. My sister in law ordered cheese dip it was cold. Our waiter was nice but took awhile to get refills. The hard part was paying the bill! They put all of our orders on one ticket even though we said we needed separate one. I thought no big deal I've had that happen before and they just separate out at the counter. Not here! Even though the prices for each item is on the ticket the cashier didn't know what to do instead he just tapped his fingers and gave us a crazy look! After 15 minutes no lie 15 minutes he tells us we have to go back to our waiter and have him make us two new tickets! Well that took another 15 minutes because he was busy. It wasn't a fun experience especially since we had 4 cranky little kids by then! And they over charged us but we were so ready just to get out of there we didn't fight it. I gave it a 2 just because the food was edible. read more