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Taco Mamacita-August 6, 2011

August 9, 2011

Saturday night we decided that we were going to go downtown to eat and then pick up groceries at Greenlife after.  Our first thought was to go to The Terminal, but because it was Saturday evening we weren’t too sure how long we’d end up waiting if we went to a more “bar-ish” restaurant.  We tossed around a couple of ideas and then Philip suggested Taco Mamacita.  I had been once, and, to be honest, was not bowled over that first time.  Not that there was anything bad, I just wasn’t dying to go back.  Since Philip hadn’t been, though, I was willing to give it another try-and I’m glad I did.

We got there pretty early-around 5:30 or so-so we didn’t have to wait at all.  We walked right in and got seated, and our server came over immediately, took our drink orders (two waters, of course), and talked to us about the menu.  I had tried their chips and salsa the first time I was there, so we ordered chips and queso.  They came out very quickly.  The chips were hot and fresh, and the cheese sauce was very similar to what you get in more “traditional” Mexican restaurants, but a thicker with a little more complexity to the flavor (look at me throwing out all the fancy terms!).  Still, pretty much standard queso-which is not a bad thing.

Chips and queso

Our server went over the menu with us really quickly when she took our drink orders.  She recommended that if we were really hungry we would probably want to get a salad or enchiladas, which are both a full meal.  Philip’s ears perked when she pointed out the brisket rancheros enchiladas (I believe I have mentioned that he has a thing for brisket) but in the end we both decided that the name of the restaurant isTACO Mamacita, so we wanted to get the namesake.  We each ordered the two tacos and a side meal.

 I decided on the Oy Vey (slow-cooked chipotle beef brisket, topped with ranchero sauce, crispy lettuce, pico de gallo, monterey jack cheese, guacamole, and fresh escabeche), the black bean taco (housemade black bean cake topped with crema, crispy lettuce, pico de gallo, monterey jack cheese, guacamole, and fresh escabeche), and Mexican street corn (off the cob).  Philip decided on the Memphis (slow-braised pork, diced white onion, chopped dill pickle, jalapeno corn slaw, dry rub seasoning, and barbecue sauce) and the Taco Royale (double-stacked taco-yes, as in double decker a la Taco Bell-with roasted chicken, salsa verde, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, crumbled chorizo, black bean mash, and chipotle cream sauce) with churros beans, which our server described as beans in a vinaigrette.  Those four tacos really just scratched the surface-Taco Mamacita offers fourteen different tacos!

As I mentioned before, I wasn’t totally sold on my first try here.  I guess I ordered the wrong thing!  My tacos were really, really great today.  The chipotle in the brisket gave a really nice smoky flavor, and all the different flavors and textures really worked together.  I wasn’t too sure about a “black bean cake” on a taco, but the server recommended it (she pointed out that the shrimp po’boy BLT taco I was contemplating was “pretty fattening.”  She clearly doesn’t know me!) and I was willing to give it a try.  I wasn’t sad that I did!  It was like a great black bean burger, but on a taco.  The corn was really good, too….but it was corn.  No big news there.  Philip’s “Memphis” taco was simply fantastic.  I will definitely order it when I go back.  It had all the classic barbecue flavors, and the dill pickle really set off the flavor.  I didn’t try the Taco Royale, but Philip said that it was really good.  The charros beans were very interesting-I’ve never had beans in vinaigrette before.  Tasty!

Oy Vey on the left, black bean on the right...

...and again

Taco Royale in front, Memphis in back...

AAAANNNNND again!

By the way, Taco Mamacita serves their tacos on flour tortillas.  I really prefer corn, but I guess with all the toppings flour tortillas hold together a lot better (corn tortillas fall apart if you look at them too hard!).  I was hoping that they were housemade, but my server checked and told me that they buy them.  However, she did point out when she was going over the menu with us that everything is made fresh to order, so if you want them to leave something off (or add something, I presume) they’ll be happy to do so.

I always feel like I should at least mention atmosphere, and with a lot of small local restaurants I feel bad because I am always trying to gloss over the lack of decor.  I don’t feel like it’s necessary to judge a restaurant on its appearance, but Taco Mama definitely has atmosphere.  It’s brightly (but not eye-jarringly) decorated with large pictures on the wall, decorative tabletops, and pendant light fixtures.  There’s also a patio so you can eat outside if you like, but it was so hot that we did not think that was a good idea!  There were families with children there, so I think it’s safe to say that it’s a family-friendly atmosphere (the toddler sitting at the table next to us apparently enjoyed his/her food, as it was all over the floor!).

If you are in the mood for Mexican food with an interesting twist, I’d definitely recommend that you try Taco Mamacita.  They are located at 109 North Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405 (the old Durty Nelly’s location).  They can be reached at 423-648-6262.  Check out their website or Facebook page.

Taco Mamacita on Urbanspoon

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Filed Under: By Location, By Type, Downtown Chattanooga, Restaurants, South of the Border (Mexican, South American, etc.) Tagged With: downtown Chattanooga restaurants By Mary // Chattavore 6 Comments

Perfect Salad!

The Terminal BrewHouse-August 20, 2011

Comments

  1. Greg says

    August 10, 2011 at 8:25 am

    I have eaten there twice and was not terribly pleased either time. Like you said, "Not that there was anything bad," I just wasn't pleased. Your write up intrigues me, perhaps I will give them a third chance, but there is that whole three strikes thing and if I am not pleased again then; ya me despido Taco Mamacita.
    Reply
    • Mary says

      August 10, 2011 at 4:54 pm

      Try the Memphis if you haven't. It really was SO good!
      Reply
  2. christy beach says

    August 10, 2011 at 11:19 am

    You must try the Brisket enchiladas!!! sooooo good. and I don't like Brisket. I also think the frozen margaritas and sangria are great. Of course Nacho Mamacitas with chicken are good and I even think the chicken tortilla soup is "interesting". Chop Salad is good and fresh. My first time was not that great but since then....it is a favorite. Even the kids suggest that we go there so it is def. family friendly.
    Reply
    • Mary says

      August 10, 2011 at 4:54 pm

      I have a feeling that we'll be going again, and I am sure that the brisket enchiladas will be ordered at some point!
      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fried Pickles with Buttermilk-Lime Dressing - Chattavore says:
    July 10, 2014 at 1:34 pm
    […] of my sorority sisters took me to Durty Nelly’s (the restaurant/bar that used to be in the Taco Mamacita location) and said, “You have to try fried pickles!” and I was all, “Fried […]
    Reply
  2. Clyde's on Main - Chattavore says:
    September 22, 2014 at 6:04 am
    […] I read an article from TFP months back that the Monens (of Taco Mamacita, Urban Stack, Community Pie, and Milk & Honey fame) were turning Clyde’s Auto Glass on […]
    Reply

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About Chattavore

Hi, I'm Mary! Welcome to Chattavore, a destination for people who want to feed themselves and their families well every day! Life can be crazy, which means that getting dinner on the table can be a challenge (more often than not!) and my mission is to take all your favorite recipes and figure out how to serve them on a Tuesday.

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Want recipes from scratch & restaurant reviews in your inbox weekly?
Subscribe below to get Chattavore's weekly newletter AND a free set of recipe cards to help you learn to cook from scratch!
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
 

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