Barbecue beef tacos at Mercados Marias
The ethnically diverse stretch of Bradyville Pike between Tennessee and Rutherford Boulevards remains untouched by the cookie-cutter corporate chain restaurants. But fear not, this area may actually be one of the most fabulous culinary districts in town. Behold, the hidden dining treasures of Bradyville Pike:
MexiVen
1706 Bradyville Pike
Quesadillas, the Pabellon Criollo and a Sope at MexiVen
If you want authentic Mexican/Venezuelan food, head over to MexiVen on Bradyville Pike.
The chorizo and fish tacos are amazing. The chorizo is flavorful and topped with lots of fresh cilantro and onions. The fish is sauteed, not fried and heavy like most fish tacos, and topped with a crunchy cabbage slaw and crema. Both come with little wedges of lime to squeeze over.
Or try the Pabellon Criollo, a Venezuelan dish consisting of tender shredded beef on a plate with white rice, black beans and roasted plantains. MexiVen also offers sopes, quesadillas, grilled chicken, fresh fruit cups, soups, juice and delicious horchata.
Mercados Marias II
1820 Bradyville Pike
The produce section and a plate of barbeque at Mercados Marias; quench your thirst with a coconut water.
Mercados Marias II (its other location is on Heritage Park Drive) is not only a grocery where you can get that avocado, cactus, dried shrimp or tripe, the market also has hot food available.
A generous portion of barbacoa borrego (lamb) can be had, along with rice, beans and corn tortillas, for just $7.
Single tacos, in double-corn tortillas topped with cilantro and onion, are available in chorizo (with some tasty potatoes cooked in with the meat), carnitas and more. These are served with some delicious sauces a little on the hot side, so you may want to grab one of the tropical Hispanic beverages in the cooler, such as guava nectar, coconut water or aloe yogurt to accompany your meal.
Various other meats (some quite uncommon to the Murfreesboro area) are available prepared, or raw from the extensive meat counter for your recipes at home.
Oriental Express
1617 Bradyville Pike
Yum Beef and Shredded Papaya from Oriental Express
Oriental Express is on Bradyville Pike, in the building at the corner of Minerva and Bradyville. It’s easy to miss because they don’t have a sign out on the road and they are on the back side of the building. Plus, it’s not visible from Bradyville nor from Minerva. But inside Oriental Express is a bright, surprisingly modern-looking interior, complete with really cool steel tables and an aquarium.
Oriental Express specializes in Thai home cooking. If you are not familiar with Thai food, you might not want to try it spicy. For most of us who like a little heat with our food, medium will do just fine.
Try dishes such as basil tilapia, ginger chicken and Yum Beef and shredded papaya. The menu is well-rounded, featuring everything from curry to noodle and seafood dishes; it’s a simple family restaurant that serves good food.
Read more about Oriental Express
Taqueria Lupita
1629 Bradyville Pike
A quesadilla and a burrito from Taqueria Lupita. Luis holds a bag of heat.
Though housed in the gas station/convenience store known as USA Mart, some local diners proclaim Lupita as having the best and most authentic Mexican food in Murfreesboro.
The former operators of a food truck now cook out of the store and offer burritos, gorditas, tacos, sopes, quesadillas and more.
Lupita offers four different salsas to dress up the dishes. “We make everything here. We make the sauces, we cut the lettuce,” said Luis, as he held up a magic Ziploc bag containing “some of the hottest peppers in the world,” in addition to habaneros (“those are nothing,” he says).
International Grocery
1622 Bradyville Pike
The International Grocery serves up a variety of rice and noodle dishes.
Another Bradyville Pike grocery store houses an excellent spot for hot food, this one of the Oriental persuasion.
International Grocery serves excellent pho, pad Thai, stir fry and rice dishes, and is becoming one of the favorite Thai spots in the ’Boro for many a discerning diner.
The cafe provides a good amount of food for the money, and one satisfied customer says the staff is so friendly that the experience is like dining at a friend’s house.
