The Murfreesboro area certainly has no shortage of Mexican restaurants (or Mexican-themed, or Tex-Mex, or chip-and-salsa shacks … call them what you will, you know what I’m talking about).
Every few years, as the city expands and new strip malls and neighborhoods are constructed, a new one will open to service the area with that popular style of dining and all of its standard favorites: burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, tamales, chimichangas, queso and guacamole are now all part of the American dinner vocabulary.
Most of these restaurants are quite similar, offering nearly the same items on the menu. But each has its own specialties, environment and customers.
A quick survey of 44 local diners revealed that Murfreesboro is far from united in its preference for Mexican fare.
When asked the simple question “What’s the best Mexican restaurant in the ‘Boro?” 13 different restaurants were cited as being someone’s favorite in town, just in this small sampling group of 44 people.
Carmen’s Taqueria led the way (with 8 votes out of the 44 individuals), and Blue Agave placed a close second. Mi Patria and Sal y Limon tied for third place in this informal poll.
The King
Carmen’s Taqueria has a legitimate cult following; many are rabidly loyal to this unique spot. Fresh-baked bread, a $6 chorizo torta (sandwich) and three types of salsa delivered to your table upon arrival make this little jewel on Northfield worth giving a shot. It’s just a little different from all of the other Mexican joints in town: fresher, spicier, homemade.
“Nothing compares to Carmen’s,” said Danielle Danger.
But others can get frustrated with elements of Carmen’s: it can be difficult to substitute ingredients, or to hold the jalapeños on an item, there’s not much of a patio space, no margaritas nor full bar, they can charge for some items some feel should be complimentary (to-go boxes, side of sour cream) and some specials can be difficult to redeem.
Still, the food is good enough to build a customer base that is passionate about Carmen’s Taqueria.
Blue Agave’s flaming fajitas. Photos by Sarah Mayo.
Best Presentation
(Unfortunately, Blue Agave has since vacated its spot since this was put together. It did have great guac though…)
Blue Agave gets some style points for their tableside guacamole cart, where a server will create fresh and delicious guacamole made to order right in front of your eyes. Tell them what you like or don’t like, and get jalapeños , cilantro, lime, onion, tomatoes, and more in your personalized guacamole. They also offer flaming fajitas; the server lighting up your fajitas right in front of your eyes sets this common dish apart from a lot of the other local Mexican restaurants (En fuego!).
For those who enjoy the fermented nectar of the agave plant, Blue Agave can also boast one of the best tequila collections around.
Chris Nichols cites Sal y Limon as his favorite in the area.
“Best shrimp dishes in town,” he said of Sal y Limon, located just off of the Square on Broad Street.
(Left) The margarita makes the Mexican meal for many. (Right) Sal y Limon’s Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo. Photos by Christy Simmons.
Best Free Dip
Mi Patria earns a mention for its Patria Dip, which it serves every customer in lieu of plain salsa. While one can expect chips and salsa to be served immediately upon entering most of the area Mexican eateries, Mi Patria kicks their dip up a notch by adding cheese and sausage to their complementary dip. But know, only the first dish is free and they charge you for refills on this one after getting you hooked on a taste, but many diners find the flavor worth it.
“Mi Patria is the place I like to go to drink. Their specials are always great,” said Jenna Maxfield. “To eat, I usually go to the Camino Real on Broad Street. The staff is really great at both; I usually go where I know the people and like the people.
Camino Real is quite popular among the people of Murfreesboro. Reportedly, the food among the four locations in the city remains consistent, but each location offers a slightly different atmosphere. The one adjacent to the MTSU campus is often largely filled with students socializing and drinking on the outdoor patio, while the one in the Indian Hills area, on Church Street, offers more of an upscale, family atmosphere.
Some of the less common dishes the Caminos offer include ceviche (shrimp and tilapia cured in lime juice), Entomatadas (corn tortillas stuffed with grilled chicken topped with tomatillo sauce), Choriqueso (cheese dip with chorizo) and Pollo Rotissere (rotisserie chicken).
“The Caminos are the best,” said Ben Spjut. “Liver tacos? Yum.”
Grilled chicken from MexiVen. Photo by Bracken Mayo.
Horchata! Photo by Bracken Mayo.
Most Authentic
MexiVen, located in the heart of Murfreesboro’s “Hispanic District” on Bradyville Pike, offers some of the best tacos, grilled chicken, horchata and tamales around.
A visit to this establishment is a much different experience from one to any other restaurant in town. Over the past few years, this still-modest eatery has added such amenities as picnic tables, walls and air conditioning, and though it’s still small and rustic, the fresh, flavorful food earns many loyal followers.
“It’s the most authentic in town. Literally, like stepping off Bradyville and into Mexico,” said Sarah Mayo. “Best fish tacos ever.”
But it’s not for everyone, evidently.
“MexiVen is far from authentic. Their chips are like baseball game nachos. Yuuuck,” Danger said.
The outdoor grill loaded with chicken pouring smoke into the air calls to the hungry man.
“I don’t know about the nachos, but I can highly endorse MexiVen’s tacos, grilled chicken and horchata. I encourage everyone to go into MexiVen, order ‘grilled chicken plate and a large horchata,’ and enjoy,” Bracken Mayo said.
Timothy Hawkins, meanwhile, recommends the tamales at MexiVen.
Across town, Garcia’s beans are slightly different from many of the local Mexican restaurants. Rather than the typical mashed, refried beans they offer black beans served with feta cheese.
Nachos has a nice fountain in the center of the restaurant with some beautiful, fun, guitar-playing metal frogs.
OK Jose’s Potato Deluxe, loaded with steak, shrimp, bacon, chicken and more. Photo by Bracken Mayo.
The Honorable Potato Award
OK Jose may just have the best potato in the county (and how many restaurants have a whole potato section on the menu, spud lovers?). For $8.99, what a hearty dish is the Potato Deluxe. A potato topped with bacon, steak, chicken, cheese, shrimp, sour cream, peppers and onions, served in a skillet fajita-style, is enough to satisfy the heartiest appetite.
Pay OK Jose a visit and Vincente and Sergio will take good care of you.
“I’ve been a regular at La Siesta for years. Need to try these others,” said local diner Everette Brown. “La Siesta always gives friendly service; that’s important as well as the cuisine . . . Fajitas Texanas is my favorite.”
Cassie Hollywood said “the guys at La Siesta make my ‘ritas crazy strong.
Others have fallen for the taste of Oscar’s Taco Shop.
“Oscar’s is the only real one. The rest are Mexican-themed,” said Jason Galaz.
The Z-Train echoed those sentiments.
“The fajitas at Oscar’s are banging,” Zach Maxfield said.
Christy Simmons said Chuy’s, and its creamy jalapeño dip, deserve some recognition.
“Chuy’s tortillas are completely delicious . . . in fact I think they would also win for their beans, sauces and desserts as well. The sopapillas are crazy good,” she said. “I love Blue Agave’s guacamole, Camino Real’s chimichanga; I love the rice at Las Palmas,” she said of that establishment on Old Fort Parkway, near the Sam’s Club.
So while many have a spot they frequent and their seat or plate that they enjoy, perhaps venture out of your comfort zone the next time you go for something spicy or south-of-the-border, and you may discover a new dish, server or special that will keep you going back for years.
The tres salsas served at Carmen’s
Murfreesboro
Mexican
Restaurant
Roundup
Blue Cactus
2805 Old Fort Pkwy.
Camino Real
105 Lasseter Dr.
301 NW Broad St.
3205 S. Church St.
2628 Rideout Lane
Carmen’s Taqueria
352 W. Northfield Blvd.
Chuy’s
801 NW Broad St.
Cozumel
277 N. Lowry St., Smyrna
Don Ramon
2069 Lascassas Pike
El Pueblo
210 Country Village Dr., Smyrna
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
4183 Franklin Rd.
La Loma
2658 New Salem Hwy.
La Siesta
1111 Greenland Dr.
1608 NW Broad St.
2424 S. Church St.
421 Sam Ridley Pkwy. W., Smyrna
Las Palmas
2450 Old Fort Pkwy.
MexiVen
1706 Bradyville Pike
Mi Camino
1890 Almaville Road, Smyrna
Mi Cancun
536 Enon Springs Road E., Smyrna
Mi Patria
230 Stones River Mall Blvd.
Mi Pueblito
409 Smyrna Square Dr, Smyrna
Mi Tierra
579 Almaville Rd., Smyrna
Margarita House
145 N. Lowry St, Smyrna
Nacho’s
2962 S. Rutherford Blvd.
OK Jose
2804 S. Rutherford Blvd.
Oscar’s Taco Shop
1875 Memorial Blvd.
331 Sam Ridley Pkwy, Smyrna
Sal y Limon
521 NW Broad St.
A chorizo torta from MexiVen. Photo by Sarah Mayo.
