Taco Mama

Let’s taco ’bout the Mexican food scene in Nashville. There are literally hundreds of options, and I have written reviews on a few of the well-known spots, including Nada which is more upscale, and Taqueria del Sol which is more fast-casual. Taco Mama (not to be confused with Taco Mamacita) is not as well known, but does this mean it should rank lower on the list? I definitley don’t think so.

Taco Mama started in Alabama and has since expanded to North Carolina and one location in Tennessee on 21st Avenue in Nashville. It is a quick service restaurant with a funky vibe featuring an extensive menu that allows you to be creative without breaking the bank.

There are numerous choices of tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, salads, nachos, and quesadillas, along with the option to build your own. All quesadillas are served with a complementary side of chips & salsa, and taco & burrito baskets come with chips & salsa plus a side. Side options include honey chipotle corn, ancho chile slaw, cilantro-lime rice, mexican mac & cheese, black beans, chorizo refried beans, guacamole, and even queso! The prices vary depending on your choice of protein, but most choices are around $9 which is pretty incredible considering the size of portions they serve, and the fact that refills on chips & salsa are free.

I created my own burrito when I visited Taco Mama (pictured below). I was a plain Jane and chose chicken as my protein, but there are tons of other options like barbacoa, steak, grilled shrimp, ahi tuna, ground beef, pork, chorizo, flounder, and even a veggie mix for you vegetarians out there. Next, I chose several things from the seemingly endless list of fresh, free toppings. I got cilantro-lime rice, chorizo refried beans, grilled onions, lettuce, guacamole, and queso fresco. To top it all off, you can choose from several salsa & sauce options including, “Mama’s Chipotle BBQ,” “Red-Chile Butter Sauce,” & “Chipotle-Ranch.” (I did not add an additional sauce and instead chose to dip my burrito in the complimentary house salsa.) Lastly, I chose queso as my side because who wouldn’t take advantage of FREE queso?!!

This meal was delicious and filling. The burrito was HUGE, and the picture does not do it justice. I could taste each of the toppings I asked for and could see that none were left out. The guacamole and refried beans added a great texture to bring it all together. The chips had just the right amount of crispness and salt. The salsa was the perfect consistency, not too chucky or runny. The queso was smooth and creamy. The fact that I paid less than $10 for the entire meal made it even better.

I went to Taco Mama with a couple of friends, and one also built her own burrito. Like me, she chose chicken as her protein, but she added some different toppings and sauces and stated hers was tasty as well. She opted for guacamole as her side and reported it was delicious. She liked that it was smooth and not chunky like the guacamole at some other mexican restaurants.

My other friend ordered the “Justice is Served” taco basket which included two tacos with either flounder (grilled or fried) or grilled shrimp and ancho chile slaw, avocado, tomatotes, & roasted poblano tarter. She got one with grilled founder and the other with grilled shrimp (pictured below). They were both filled well with toppings, and she said they each tasted amazing. She also chose queso as her free side and agreed it was superb.

I think it’s pretty obvious I thouroughly enjoyed my meal at Taco Mama, and I will definitley be making plans to go back in the near future (or whenever quarentining is finally over). Since the restaurant is quick-service, it makes for a fast place to go for a fresh and filling meal. The prices are great, and the restaurant defintiley gets an extra gold star for offering free queso with certain meals. The only complaint I have is related to parking, and that isn’t even the restaurant’s fault. Since it is located on 21st Avenue, parking options are limited, but you may get lucky and find an open spot in the small reserved lot located behind the restaurant.

So, what are you waiting for? Quarentining won’t last forverer! When it ends, go get yourself a massive burrito with chips, salsa, & queso and see for yourself why Taco Mama is my new favorite Mexican restaurant in Nashville.