One sign of a good restaurant is that it attracts more than just one crowd. if everyone there looks and dresses exactly the same, there’s a good chance they’ve come more for the scene than the food. When you walk into Senor Taco, the combination of ethnic groups, hipsters, and neighborhood folks should clue you in that something good is happening here.
Senor Taco attracts so many people because it’s menu is arguably the most diverse Mexican menu in town. Have a friend who claims they only want authentic Mexican fare? Bring them here for beef tripe, tongue and a big glass of horchata and see if they really mean it. Those who like a more Americanized version of Mexican food can still find the chimichangas and quesadillas they crave.
The specialty at Senor Taco is seafood, just like in the coastal regions of Mexico. The menu lists dozens of seafood specialties, from simple fish tacos, to the Mojarra Rellena, a whole fried tilapia stuffed with shrimp and octopus, and one of Examiner’s picks for best menu item of the year in 2011. Try a seafood appetizer, like ceviche or a shrimp cocktail to start, if you’d rather have an earth-bound entree.
If there’s one thing that sets Senor Taco apart from the rest, though, it’s the salsa bar. After the server delivers your chips, visit the bar and serve yourself one or more of the restaurant’s housemade salsas in varying degrees of heat. The salsa bar also has toppings like chopped onions, cilantro, and pickled cactus so you can dress your entrees with extra if you like.
Be prepared that Senor Taco’s portions are monstrous. A simple burrito is large enough to make two meals for all but the largest appetites. You can wash it down with margaritas by the pitcher or jumbo-sized glass. Senor Taco makes some of the strongest margaritas in town, and offers specials on top-shelf margaritas that work out to a huge value for those who like their liquor. You might want to visit just for drinks -- and plenty of people do.
Examiner’s top menu picks for Senor Taco
Chile Relleno Burrito - An ingenious idea, and great for vegetarians: a big, cheese-stuffed chile relleno rolled into a hefty burrito with rice.
Mojara Rellena - For seafood lovers, this dish is three times the seafood. A whole fried tilapia is topped with fresh shrimp and octopus, served with rice and avocado salad.
Arroz con Pollo - Senor Taco’s classic chicken and rice dish featuring juicy grilled chicken is the perfect dish when you want something a little lighter than the standard Mexican fare -- though the portion is still quite large.
Chicken Carnitas - These extremely tender carnitas are slow-roasted and served to you in two huge chunks to shred apart yourself and wrap in warm corn tortillas.
Carne Asada Tacos - Meat lovers will appreciate the grilled sirloin tacos with all the traditional toppings.
Address:
3325 N Broadway St.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone number:
(865) 688-0306
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