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    El Tapatio

    4.2 (70 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 10:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    Order El Tapatio Takeout or Delivery

    El Tapatio Photos

    Business Info

    EL TAPATIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Tapatio

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    Tacos are packed full!
    Erin J.

    Go here for some authentic Mexican food! Open late, no frills, delicious food. They might even have a mariachi band! Service is friendly and quick.

    Bug from the rice

    Absolutely sickening and disgusting. Do NOT eat here. We (my partner and I) just moved into our new home today and ordered some local takeout through DoorDash. We both got the chicken quesadilla. My chicken was pink and his quesadilla had pieces of chicken bone in it. But that was the best part of our meal! As I was eating the rice I looked on my spoon and noticed a bug. We immediately stopped eating our food and threw away an entire meal. We each had a bite of our quesadillas and a couple bites of rice. Now we're nauseous thinking about the fact that we probably just ate a couple bugs, hungry, and just lost about $30 worth of a dinner.

    Tiffy D.

    I got three tacos and extra carrots. Unfortunately all three tacos were very bland and not that good. The carrots were a tad mushy and seemed old, not like fresh escabeche at all.

    3 tacos
    Elizabeth B.

    Very mid on flavor and quality, but for the price point, it may be worth a stop. Keep in mind they don't serve margaritas or any liquor, they do have beer. It's a cute restaurant and seems like it has more potential. Service was kind and quick. Found a hair in my drink so that left me with a lil' ick, but oh well.

    Carnitas, birria, carne asada, chicharron
    Kyle W.

    This place is excellent whether it is for lunch, dinner, or late night! I got 4 small tacos with carne asada, carnitas, birria, and chicharron (pork rinds). They arrange it relatively nicely in the plate and each is 1.25 only! I've never seen such amazing prices in the last few years maybe because I live in California and recently Seattle, but quality is definitely up there. Probably not as good as the LA tacos but here in Nashville, it's pretty good and does the job. What's even better is for each order, you get plenty of sautéed onions as well as a pepper to further fill you up. Overall, value and quality is amazing! However, there are a lot of quirks that first timers will be very intimidating but not something to dock a star off since it's a non-issue once you know, and I surprisingly learned it pretty quickly. 1) Menu has prices and below that have pricier options, but each of the sections you need to pick a meat. The meat that is not listed in the pricier section will be the cheaper price you see at the top of the section. 2) There is a pretty big language barrier so it is good to learn some Spanish for some basic requests like more water, forks, etc 3) It seems like you just sit down and then wait for the waiter or waitress to serve you, as long as you acknowledge your presence. They won't direct you to a table - we stood there 5 min awkwardly until a group straight up walked to a table and got menus immediately after 4) It seems you pay at the counter, since we never got our checks for 15 min

    Veronica M.

    For the past 6 years this place has been my one and only to go place when I want tacos. There is another one down the street closer to Bell rd, but this one always wins. I wonder off the menu from my regular tacos today. I had the barbacoa burrito! Super yummy but a little too much rice. I asked for no beans. It brings, rice, onions, cilantro and avocado. The "agua de piña" was on point today, it usually has too much pulp. They have outside sitting and heaters for the winter. They offer different plates and offer beer on the can and bottles. Definitely a place I would continue to come, unless they become bad.

    Torta de salchicha
    Britney T.

    My friends and I love going to El Tapatio! The food is always tasty and fresh. They have the best tacos in the Nashville area! Their pickled carrots are also amazing. This place is a must try!

    Torta Cubano
    Danny N.

    El Tapatio met my requirement of when I see a giant smoker outside in action to stop by and grab lunch. You can eat on the patio or inside. We are inside. I ordered the Cuban torta. If was massive. There were tons of meats like a fried egg, ham, sausages, and some type of fried pork. The torta was on point. I was with three friends and all of our eyes were irritated from either chemicals or smoke. That's my only complaint. Overall I thought it was very good and I would return.

    Carne azada & chow-rea-so (Mexican sausage) taco, Green sauce
    Adriann P.

    They're open late and very affordable. Service & atmosphere overall 5 stars! You should try their pineapple juice, & their roasted chicken are made to order!

    Shredded beef tacos

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    9 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Just know this place is amazing! Excellent tacos especially the steak and shrimp ones!

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    9 years ago

    Prices are high but the food is good and authentic. The location is small and cozy. I would go back here when I'm in the area.

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    8 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Best place to get real mexican! Only reason not 5 stars is bc sometimes it tastes very diff depending on the cook, but we always come back!!

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

    This place is amazing! The sandwiches are enormous, as are the quesadillas. Easily my favorite Nolensville Rd mexican spot.

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    8 years ago

    when Bar Taco and Nada aren't doing it for you and you really need some good old fashioned tacos, This is the place

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    13 years ago

    Carne asada burrito for lunch they now added avocado in it.... Sometimes dry but good and cheap

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

    seriously good tacos! Worth the trip. Will be back. I just need to ask for light on the onions next time.

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    Calacas Mexican Cuisine - Dining Room

    Calacas Mexican Cuisine

    4.5(227 reviews)
    7.0 miSobro, Downtown
    Family-owned & operated
    Free parking

    We had a great experience at Calacas Mexican Cuisine! We were celebrating our anniversary, and they…read moremade us feel special right from the start with a sweet anniversary card at the table--a really thoughtful touch. We started with the guacamole and salsa trio, which was fresh and delicious and came with plenty of warm tortilla chips. The entrées were just as good. The Chingon Carnitas were incredibly tender and flavorful, and the enchiladas with verde sauce were excellent. Everything tasted fresh and the portions were generous. They also have an impressive tequila and mezcal selection and a great cocktail menu, so this would be a fun spot to come just for drinks and appetizers too. Great food, great drinks, friendly service, and a fun atmosphere. We especially appreciated the little extra effort they made for our anniversary. Definitely a Nashville spot we'd return to!

    Visiting Nashville, I came across this place while searching for cauliflower tacos, and I am SO…read moreglad I did! I would honestly give it more than 5 stars if I could. Everything we had was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere was lovely. We wanted a booth but were told it was reserved even though no one was ever sat in it, but the table by the windows was nice to watch the nightlife go by. We started with the salsa trio, guacamole, and chips. I loved having a variety of spice levels for everyone at the table, and the guacamole was easily one of the best I've ever had. It was incredibly fresh, with the perfect balance of heat and salt and just the right amount of chunky avocado. Even the chips were perfect! For our main course, I ordered the cauliflower tacos with rice and refried black beans to split with my daughter-in-law, while my son ordered the chicken tinga enchiladas. My daughter-in-law also had the soup of the day which was a poblano pepper cream-based soup. She said it was very good. The cauliflower tacos were the star of the meal for all of us. Whatever combination of flavors they use is absolute perfection. If I hadn't filled up on the guacamole and chips, I would have ordered another one. I'll seriously be dreaming about those tacos! Even though we were completely stuffed, we couldn't resist trying the queso flan for dessert, and I'm so glad we did. It tasted just like the flan my Tia makes in Puerto Rico. Absolutely out of this world! From beginning to end, everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. If you're in Nashville and looking for a great authentic restaurant, this place is an absolute must-try. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town! If you want, I can also make it a little shorter and punchier for Yelp, while keeping all the best details.

    Photos
    Calacas Mexican Cuisine - Calacas Margarita

    Calacas Margarita

    Calacas Mexican Cuisine - Grilled Fish

    Grilled Fish

    Calacas Mexican Cuisine - Fish Tacos

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    Fish Tacos

    Mas Amigos Mexican Kitchen - House margarita and belly bowl with charro beans and Mexican rice

    Mas Amigos Mexican Kitchen

    4.7(77 reviews)
    3.9 miSouth Nashville

    On the road trip back to north Alabama it was time for a food refuelling and I was craving some…read moregood Mexican. The reviews for Mas Amigos were positive and it was easy to find from the freeway. Any Mexican place with free chips and salsa is a good find! The chips were crisp and the salsa was tasty, just enough spice. The wet burrito with chicken I ordered was really good. Our server was friendly and service was efficient.

    It was a sad day when La Hacienda vacated this spot after 31 years. From 1992 to 2023, it was one…read moreof only two Nashville restaurants visited by President Obama during his presidency, once sitting at the bar that still stands today. And I always hoped something worthy would take over the empty spot left behind by a Nashville legend. Well, I think Mas Amigos is definitely worthy. While La Hacienda still makes their delicious tortillas in town, the new kid on the block is getting very high ratings! And you can tell Mas Amigos is going to be good from the complimentary salsa and chips. The sauces are all fantastic. The enchiladas are delicious. I don't even like beans and I literally love their bean enchilada! The cheese enchiladas is probably their best, with the chicken coming in second. They deserve the high ratings, and you'll thoroughly enjoy what they have to offer. Amongst the hundreds of Mexican eateries on Nolensville Road, Mas Amigos is definitely a standout.

    Photos
    Mas Amigos Mexican Kitchen - Dining area

    Dining area

    Mas Amigos Mexican Kitchen - Mas Amigos Bandido Rice

    Mas Amigos Bandido Rice

    Mas Amigos Mexican Kitchen - Dining area

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    Dining area

    Federales Tacos & Tequila - Brunch spread

    Federales Tacos & Tequila

    3.9(118 reviews)
    6.7 miThe Gulch, Downtown
    $$
    Free WiFi
    Outdoor seating

    Must-try brunch spot in downtown Nashville! In the heart of The Gulch, we stayed here for the…read more2-hour Breakfast Buffet all-you-can-eat... and all-you-can-drink option... and what a memorable experience :) FOOD: So it isn't a self-serve "buffet", but for food they have a menu and you can order multiple items at a time. Choose between Appetizers, Tacos and Entrees and the kitchen will serve up dishes that are brought to you at intervals. Standout items we tried are, ranked from best-to-least, were: 1) Steak & Eggs 2) Papas Chorizo Skillet 3) Chicken & Waffle 4) Breakfast Taco 5) Al Pastor Taco 6) Biscuit & Gravy The biscuit I loved, she didn't. It's very thick and dense, so will depend on your preference. Some of the tastiest overall Mexican-style breakfast's we've har! DRINKS: The all-you-can-drink option adds $$ (I think $20-25/person), so it isn't cheap... but is worthwhile if your group loves Mimosa's, Vodka's, Bloody Mary's and fresh Fruit Juices. To their credit, Federales' service staff POURS THE DRINKS CONSTANTLY lol. They brought out bottle after bottle, esp for the Mimosa's. We enjoyed it and felt this was part of the experience there - chill out, sink into the vibe, enjoy live music and loosen up while sitting in a modern open-air concept with everyone around smiling and feeling good ... In conclusion, this rivals Adele's for my favorite Nashville brunch spot. The two have very different vibes, and I highly recommend checking out Federales!

    I would go 6 on the rating if available. Slight hint of chili -lime on chips. Fresh deep red…read moresalsa. Queso was the best I have ever had. Had roasted corn on top. Excellent. SW chicken salad was fresh and colorful. Smoked chicken quesadilla was outstanding. Super cool vibe in the Gulch.

    Photos
    Federales Tacos & Tequila - Food Spread

    Food Spread

    Federales Tacos & Tequila - Food Spread

    Food Spread

    Federales Tacos & Tequila - Vibes

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    Vibes

    Superica - Pork Belly Tacos Al Carbon

    Superica

    4.4(401 reviews)
    6.9 miThe Gulch, Downtown
    $$

    We finally found some excellent Tex-Mex in Nashville, and Superica is officially our new favorite…read morespot! Starting with the fantastic margaritas and queso is the perfect way to kick off a meal. The margaritas are so well balanced -- refreshing, flavorful, and just perfect. We've tried several different dishes now, and I have to say, everything we've ordered has exceeded our expectations. There hasn't been a dish we haven't loved! A special shoutout to Steven, who is our favorite server. He's incredibly friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and always has great recommendations. He really makes every visit feel special. And our son gives Superica 1,000 stars! One of the best tips for families: the kids' meal comes with a popsicle at the end, which is quite possibly his favorite part of the entire meal. Great food, amazing margaritas, wonderful service, and a fun atmosphere. We're so happy to have found this place in our new neighborhood. We can't wait to come back and try brunch!

    Man what a good brunch we had today! Restaurant has a nice vibe, good service & the food to match…read more I've been eyeing this Pancake for a while so I had to get it. It was too good! Crunchy edges and fluffy center so believe the syrup was Butter scotch or Carmel either way banging. - Queso had great flavor with a hint of spice. -Steak & Eggs real good! The steak was tender and flavorful whatever marinade the use was in point! I have to come back!

    Photos
    Superica - Dining area

    Dining area

    Superica - Chicken Quesadilla

    Chicken Quesadilla

    Superica - The Bada$$

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    The Bada$$

    Fonda 12 South - Tostada de Pulpo

    Fonda 12 South

    4.2(170 reviews)
    5.8 mi12 South
    $$$

    We had heard of Fonda but haven't been in until last week. It's a great gourmet Mexican spot with a…read moreseafood focus and everything is served family style. Most importantly, they have free validated parking behind the restaurant which is a rarity in 12 South! We highly recommend the swordfish sashimi and the guac (add crickets for a fun crunch!). Everything we tried though was something we agreed we'd both get again. They also have taco boards that a table beside us got that looked awesome! The strawberry colada mocktail was our favorite mocktail we tried. Sadly we went during a sober week so didn't try their margs.... But they have a "famous" frozen pomegranate marg that I want to try next time!

    First impression of this restaurant was the parking was kinda weird but a quick phone call cleared…read moreeverything up. It was a quick walk through an apartment hallway and leads you out right to the front door. Once walking in the door everyone was so nice and inviting. This was a late lunch hour so it wasn't busy and basically got sat immediately. But I would think lunch hour and weekends can get pretty busy. I knew what I was craving so we ordered pretty much as soon as we sat down. Omg the food was soo good and the perfect size for what I wanted. The taquitos were soooo good! The perfect flavors and texture. I would definitely get these again! The birria tacos were just as equally good! Next time you're in the area make sure you check them out!

    Photos
    Fonda 12 South - Another inside view '

    Another inside view '

    Fonda 12 South - Birria enchiladas with rice

    Birria enchiladas with rice

    Fonda 12 South - Shots of Centenario

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    Shots of Centenario

    Maiz De La Vida - Masa Shape Especial Chicken & pork blue corn tamale with heirloom beans & sunny-side eggs

    Maiz De La Vida

    4.5(94 reviews)
    6.8 miThe Gulch, Downtown

    Truly fantastic! The team here has perfected the marriage of Nashville true service and that…read morecorrect southern hospitality with authentic and modern Mexican flavors. Table service is great, but for me a seat at either bars is the way to go. Behind the bar are some truly fantastic bartenders and the knowledge of agave spirits is unsurpassed in Tennessee if not the south. They have a special bottling from 5 sentidos that is amazing and the cocktails are all well balanced and delicious. The other "bar", the kitchen counter is the highlight though. It takes either bravery and skill or a complete lack of self awareness to allow guests to sit at the kitchen pass, but here the service is clean, the chaos is somehow managed and the food seems to taste just a little better when you watch them cook it and hand it right to you off the plancha. If you in the area it is worth the walk down the alley to grab a seat and some great food and cocktails!

    Finally found authentic Mexican food!…read more Came here with family on a Saturday morning. Tried the mole enchiladas, chilaquiles, quesa birria taco, ceviche, chips and salsa. Lemme tell ya the flavor was on point in all of the dishes All of the salas tasted like abuelas. And the mole was our absolute favorite. Service was good the interior was decorated nicely, I appreciated the corn wall art of one of Mexicos pyramid. We were blown away.

    Photos
    Maiz De La Vida - Inside Christmas decor

    Inside Christmas decor

    Maiz De La Vida - *Salmon Ceviche Salmon Belly, Avocado, Leche de Tigre, Aji Amarillo, Red Onion, Sweet Potato

    *Salmon Ceviche Salmon Belly, Avocado, Leche de Tigre, Aji Amarillo, Red Onion, Sweet Potato

    Maiz De La Vida - Hibiscus tea

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    Hibiscus tea

    Bakersfield Nashville

    Bakersfield Nashville

    4.5(1.6k reviews)
    7.2 miSobro, Downtown
    $$

    Stopped in for a light lunch break. Everything was great. Would definitely recommend and go back.read more

    Bakersfield was one of my favorite food stops in Nashville! The location is perfect if you're…read moredowntown, and the atmosphere has that fun, energetic Nashville feel without feeling like just another tourist spot. The tacos were fantastic and packed with flavor. We tried several different options, and each one had its own unique flavor combination. The short rib taco was definitely one of my favorites, and the overall quality of the food really stood out. We also enjoyed the chips and queso, which made for a great starter. The margaritas were another highlight. They were fresh, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the tacos. Bakersfield also has an impressive selection of tequila and American whiskey, so there's definitely no shortage of drink options. The service was excellent as well. Everyone we interacted with was friendly, attentive, and helpful with recommendations. Even though the restaurant has a busy, lively atmosphere, everything felt well organized and we never felt rushed. I really liked the overall atmosphere here. It's upbeat, casual, and a great place to grab a meal before heading out around downtown Nashville. You can tell this is a place that's meant to be fun while still taking the food seriously. If you're visiting Nashville and looking for great tacos, good drinks, friendly service, and a lively atmosphere, I'd definitely recommend Bakersfield. It's an easy 5-star experience for me, and I'd absolutely come back the next time I'm in Nashville!

    Photos
    Bakersfield Nashville
    Bakersfield Nashville
    Bakersfield Nashville

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    Little Rey - Soft serve

    Little Rey

    4.1(81 reviews)
    7.4 miMidtown

    I've been looking for good Mexican/Latin grilled chicken since I left southern California, and…read moreLittle Rey nails it. Tacos are excellent (and thank you for the choice of corn tortillas), meats are flavorful, the drink choices hit the spot, and the service and laid-back ambiance are spot-on. (A big shout out to the more obscure classic rock and blues that they play.) The salsa bar provides a nice variety of flavors to add to the meal. The only problem? They don't have a location closer to West Nashville. Alas.

    Never heard of this restaurant until trying to find the "best pancakes" in Nashville and seeing a…read morevideo recommendation for Little Rey's on Instagram. We decided to go after church on Sunday to try it out for ourselves! Visited around 9:45/10am on Sunday. Lots of seating outdoor and indoor! The people working there were all super nice and seemed happy to be there. The restaurant was clean and had beautiful decor. You order at the counter and they bring out the food to you. We ordered the family style pancake, which was massive. Think as big as a pizza and there was not only one but two of them! The pancake itself was delicious, warm, fluffy and perfectly cooked. My only critique was with the syrup. It's promoted as buttermilk syrup but it tasted like strait caramel/butterscotch. Think of those little butterscotch hard candies. This was the only disappointing part, I was looking forward to a light buttermilk syrup to melt into the pancake but it was heavy and had way too much flavor. I will definitely be back to try other items on the menu! Super cool place and a great atmosphere. Also, they have their own parking lot with lots of spaces! So helpful.

    Photos
    Little Rey - Interior

    Interior

    Little Rey - Soft serve

    Soft serve

    Little Rey - Front of building and sign

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    Front of building and sign

    El Tapatio - mexican - Updated September 2026

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