El Jaliciense Mexican Restaurant
3225 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN, 37216
El Jaliciense Mexican Restaurant Menu
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Address :
3225 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, TN, 37216 - Phone (615) 227-9866
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Krystal T.
A hidden Nashville gem. Seriously, this place may not look like much from the outside, but this is probably as authentic Mexican as you can get in this portion of Nashville. As small as their parking lot is, it is overflowing every night with die-hard fans who are willing to wait in line to pick up their take-out orders or wait for a table. The chile relleno is the best I've had in Nashville, and the spice level is more what I'm used to back home in the Southwest. One small downside: El Jaliciense does not have a liquor license, so sadly no margaritas :(
(5)Christina D.
Authentic Mexican ! The food is super affordable/ cheap, can't beat that in east hipster Nashville. I enjoyed their fish and shrimp tacos, guacamole, and a beer for under 12! They only sell bottled beer, which I'm totally fine with. I had first tried their food at a friends house who had their ceviche, It was amazing! The perfect place to grab some delicious cheap Mexican.
(4)Chris A.
Hands down the best Mexican in the city. With the exception to the taco places off Nolensville Rd. Try the light green sauce. Its really good! everything is good here. I got the mar y tierra. very good. Keep this place secret.
(5)Johnny T.
I should have left it at one visit. I should have gotten in and gotten out, enjoyed my food and kept it moving. I shouldn't have allowed myself to hope for a Mexican restaurant to put in my rotation. I was let down. My times at EJ started strong but it's all in how you finish. Let me begin by saying that I've never eaten here. All my EJ experiences have been to-go. As a to-go restaurant, things make sense. You walk to the to-go counter, open the menu, order, wait, pay, leave. It's pretty basic. At least, it was on my initial visits. I liked the fact that the restaurant didn't try too hard (famous last words). The TV was blaring. Children were running around. Organized chaos was all about. Expected. I ordered a chicken burrito and a strawberry paleta and kept it moving. I was happy with the price, taste and amount of food I received. Much like the praise found elsewhere on this page, I was a fan. And, then I came back. Just like previous times, I parked in the parking lot (deep enough to enable you to back out and not wind up on Gallatin; this is a good thing), walked in, stepped to the 'order here' area, ordered, waited, watched rambunctious children, ignored the blaring TV... and waited... and waited. Wait. Isn't this where I pay and leave? What's going on? As I sat and waited, I noticed three other parties pay and leave, two of which ordered after I did. I asked if everything was alright. I was told it was. The woman behind the register left. She was replaced by an older woman. I waited some more. A bag of food came out from the kitchen. I asked if it was mine. I was told it was not. Two other parties came in, ordered, waited, received food and left. By this time, I am over it. I am not waiting for my food. I am waiting to see how long this will take. The older woman leaves from behind the register. She is replaced by the previous woman. Again, I ask about my food. She leaves (to go to the kitchen?), comes back and tells me that the now cold bag of food that had been sitting by the register is mine. Incorrect. It's yours because I'm not paying for cold food, questionable service and ignored questions. It's too bad. We could have had it aaallllll. Ea-ting bur-it-too-oh-oos... Never again. The hunt continues...
(2)Oscar Y.
Everything about this meal was OK (except maybe the rice, except maybe the salsa, and the beans are plain). I get the feeling that 'plain' is the operating formula. I asked for a recommendation from the seafood page, and the server suggested the Parita because you get shrimp AND fish. And yes, you do. There are shrimp, and there is fish, and there is lettuce, and there is rice, and there are beans. The beans help everything else get a bit more saucy. The lettuce is good if you pour the tomato sauce, I mean salsa on it. The rice at first seems like an invading fuzz creature from another planet - - but if you soak it with the green creamy salsa in the squeeze bottle, all of a sudden you want to eat it. The shrimps were actually really plump, and roasty satisfying. The fish was a bit harder to decipher the character. OK - - there was lettuce and beans and rice and shrimp and fish - - and an intriguing creamy green salsa, and a bit less intriguing red one. Food should not be this hard to try to savor - - and when you leave, you shouldn't be having a hard time figuring out whether you enjoyed your meal or not.
(3)Josh H.
When I'm craving authentic Mexican food in East Nashville, this is definitely where I'm heading. The meal begins with complimentary chips and a trio of salsas (or duo, depending on the day): a standard but good tomato, a smoked chile and roasted tomatillo, and a punch-packing creamy jalapeño purée, served in a squeeze bottle. On the thick/chunky end of the spectrum, the guacamole is also wonderful. It's very simple but perfectly executed with lots of lime juice and just enough salt, tomato, raw onion, and cilantro. I ordered a Coke and was pleased to receive a half liter bottle of Mexican Coke. Their michelada is refreshing, served over ice in a glass stein, mostly beer with a splash of their tomato/lime/spice mixture. For food, I look no further than the tacos, which were authentically presented on two small corn tortillas and topped with cilantro, onion, and lime. The asada, chorizo, and birria (envision Mexican pot roast) are my favorite meats. The chorizo is some of the best I've ever had. The birria is incredibly tender and packed with unexpected flavors - I detected hints of star anise and clove. Also available were chicken, pastor, and for the more adventurous, tripa and lengua. Be aware that the pastor is a little on the dry/crispy side, but that's intentional and traditional. At $1.50 per taco, this place is hard to beat. They get a 4 instead of a 5 because of inconsistency and slow service. Their tacos are a little inconsistent, ranging from pretty good to the best I've ever had. When they take the time to get their chorizo a little crust on their chorizo and toast their tortillas on the plancha, they can't be beat. But sometimes they skip these details. Service is usually a little slow, and I've come to expect this. Even so, I'm rarely in there for longer than 30 minutes. A tasty, cheap, and quick option on the east side.
(4)thomas h.
Easily the best Mexican food in East Nashville. Super authentic and delicious. It's kind of a hole in the wall compared to some of the bigger budget places but that just mean locals only.
(5)Bob R.
Wow. I can appreciate a hole in the wall place. Rave reviews brought me here and I cannot for the life of me figure out why. Guac and salsa apps, super tasty. I was excited for my entree of chilies rellenos. Man was I disappointed and literally nauseated. Let's just start with the simple. Rice and beans. Flavorless, overcooked gloop. Maybe useful for repairing the bricks on my house. Tortillas: definitely nuked and a strange sour flavor. No bueno. On to the main dish. Wow. Chilies were bitter. Deep fried and then somehow turned into a soft mush by a nondescript soup poured overtop . (See photo). What am I missing that brings these 5 star reviews in? Nunca mas.
(1)Kimberly S.
This is my new favorite place. The food is incredibly tasty without being the heavy Mexican that you so often find. My husband and I like to start with the guac, which is delicious and incredibly fresh. My go to order is the Camarones a la Plancha, which includes shrimp sauteed with onions and jalepenos, rice and beans, and corn tortillas on the side. It's pretty spicy, which is good because it makes me eat more slowly. Seriously, the only problem with this place is that I want to eat EVERYTHING so adding a lot of spice at least makes me stop and reassess. Highly recommended.
(5)Cher Y.
Wow what a gem in terms of food and authenticity! Thanks to fellow Yelpers I stumbled on this place. Food is great ! fresh, tasty and affordable! Friendly service. they also have a freezer full of Mexican flavored Popsicles to fight off the summer heat. Ambiance: hole in the wall divey place that feels like a lot of restaurants in developing countries. This one does have a charming cultural decor and has the World Cup broad casting on two tvs. cons: hopefully this was just a 1 time thing but bathrooms were clogged up... I will def be back sampling more of their menu!
(5)Hiroko O.
This place serves authentic Mexican foods. I ordered torta de carne asada, and my kids tacos de carne asada. They were good although the meat could have a little more taste. They have selections of Mexican soda. I am not a coke drinker but I have been told the taste of Mexican coke is much better than US version. My favorite sodas, by the way, would be Lift (apple soda) and Fresca.
(4)Jason E.
Awesome guacamole. Salsa is great too. Chips nice and warm. Monster taco is a good deal... Big and and tasty. I would recommend the chorizo. Very quick service as expected at a traditional Mexican place. I will definitely be back to try more.
(5)Queen B.
What a great bunch of people who work here and run this place. Last night, 12 of my friends joined me for an evening of taco's, fajitas, burritos, guacamole, ceviche, quesadillas, beer, chips and salsa! The beer kept flowing with no one having to hunt down staff... chips were kept on the table, as was a variety of salsas. Everyone was happy, staff kept up with my gang.. Everything came out of the kitchen hot and freshly made. The street tacos have gone up 25 cents.. Parking was a little tough. Our 14th guest couldn't find a parking spot and left.. So it was just the 13 of us. Everyone was pleased. Everyone ate all their meal. One person ordered another meal for her late night job.. All in all, we were all happy, satiated and full. My party said they would return. Easy in, easy out.
(4)Ben M.
Love the ceviche here, it can be super spicy. Only issue I have with the place is the salsa, it is really bad, other people seem to like it though, I dunno.
(4)Zeb M.
This is a perfect backup place for East Nashvillians when Mas Tacos is closed when you want authentic Mexican. Las Maracas just down the street does not compare! And they're cheaper than Rosepepper. I ordered their chicken tacos, which were quite delicious, and ordered the guacamole as an appetizer. Both were fantastic! I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)Edgar G.
I came from Los Angeles just to try this place. I got the shrimp tostadas they are bomb!!! with a cold beer can't go wrong with that. Best in Nashville. I will be coming back soon.
(5)Danny N.
I visited for the first time tonight. A friend ordered the guacamole and I had a few bites. It was legit. I ordered a shrimp tostada and two big tacos: One shrimp and one fish. They were all huge. The sour cream was a bit excessive but that's ok. The shrimp on the tacos were way larger than expected. All options were quite good. This is definitely a no frills shop and the eat in area only has a few tables. I'll probably be a regular.
(5)David C.
If you've ever heard the admonition "don't judge a book by its' cover," it certainly applies to this establishment. Located in a run-down area of NE Nashville, I NEVER would have stopped here had it not been for the tremendous YELP reviews and WOW are we glad we did. My wife just returned from a three week teaching assignment in Greece (yeah I know rough job) and was craving Mexican cuisine. After 28 hours in planes, trains and automobiles, she was too tired to do anything but crave food. The outside of this place looks rather divey and questionable, but inside, it is clean and welcoming. We were greeted by our host and told that we could choose a table anywhere. The menu is diverse and had some items I had never seen before. From the appetizer section, I ordered the Sincronizada which looked like a standard quesadilla, when it arrived, it was anything but an appetizer ... it could well be an entire meal. What was so unusual about it was that it was a pretty normal quesadilla with shredded lettuce, guacamole and salsa on top, but what was on the inside was a surprise. It was Spam and cheese! Talk about a folksy Mexican treat! I can only imagine this being served on special occasions and it was soooooo very very tasty! For my entree, I ordered the Shrimp Ceviche Tostada. It was delicious. Served with rock shrimp, guacamole, salsa and lettuce, and the tostada tasted like it was home made ... it definitely hit the spot. My wife had the chicken burrito which was a bit disappointing. The meat was boiled and a bit tough with nothing else inside the burritio. It was topped with large slices of avocado and tomato with a small amount of sour cream. The two types of salsa, red and verde were excellent as was the side of guacamole, made fresh to order with large chunks of delicious avocado goodness. They also had a creamed jalapeno sauce that was not but not overly hot. I tried a small amount on a chip and I was hooked. The service was great, the price was amazingly affordable, the staff was friendly and efficient and the food was, for the most part, GREAT! Too bad we don't live closer to Nashville, but whenever we return, you might just find us at this uniquely delicious and authentic hideaway!
(4)Diana B.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Nashville. I always make sure to come on the weekend so I can get the pozole, which I will only admit on yelp, is better than my Mexican mother-in-law makes (and that's pretty hard to do)! I have also tried their tacos de lengua and asado, also delicious. my husband's favorite are the tacos de tripa and those usually sell out early on a Saturday. His family is from Jalisco so the food is exactly the same style as his mother's cooking and the tacos are exactly the same as the ones I ate in the streets of Guadalajara. I even brought my in-laws here when they came to visit and they were impressed. Now if only they could add tortas ahogadas (a Guadalajaran specialty) to their menu!! Oh and they make their guac fresh to order!!
(5)Adam B.
El Jaliciense (that is a handful to type) is a typical mexican restaurant. They have the usual lunch specials, good prices, crazy fast service, and nothing that really stood out to me. Its not as if I didn't enjoy my meal. It's just that, if you took all the signs down and gave me a plate of food, I wouldn't be able to tell it apart from most other Mexican restaurants I have been to.
(3)Caitlin D.
I have debated whether to write a review, because El Jaliciense is so incredibly good, I'm scared to draw attention to it for fear it will always be crowded. It's that good. If you like REAL Mexican food (not the bland, lardy crap you find everywhere else in Nashville), then this is your place. It's a hole in the wall. They don't serve margaritas because they don't want to deal with drunk fools. There is beer and the tastiest Mexican fare in town! We always get the guacamole, which is the real deal: fresh avocados, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, made just right. They always bring out a variety of salsas, one red, one dark that tastes roasted, and the spicy green salsa. My favorite items are the ceviche tostada, shrimp taco and asada taco. Everything tastes so fresh, authentic and it's so reasonably priced! I brought my sister in law who is from Puerto Vallarta, and she said its the best Mexican she has had in TN. That's some cred for ya. In short, please don't pack this place so I can't get seated right away anymore, but in fairness to this family owned and operated gem, I have to share that I think it's the bee's knees.
(5)Brian H.
I almost don't want to tell you how great this place is! I eat here about once a week, and it has never let me down. The shrimp ceviche tostada is a favorite - don't be scared! That, a plate of tacos, and a bottled coke = muy delicioso!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it... (Also, they have a hot / smoky salsa that they don't always bring out unless you ask - it makes everything even tastier!)
(5)Ashley T.
We have ordered food to-go a few times now and my husband and I love this place for affordable, authentic Mexican food. I can't rate based on service while dining in, but everyone is always friendly when we pick food up. I always order the guacamole because it is really fresh and so good. Normally I am a fish taco gal, and I do like their version. However, I can't get enough of the shrimp ceviche. Holy crap. It's so great. I had actually never had it before trying it here but ordered based on the pics/reviews/value. I am hooked now. My husband always orders the veggie burrito. Its huge and packed full of rice, beans, peppers, and onions. For some reason, they've never given us the regular salsa to-go, so I don't know how that is. I'm not a fan of the other 2 versions we received the first time (the second time we didn't get any salsa at all). Next time we will dine in and try it. This is now our go-to spot when we want Mexican.
(4)Sarah S.
Street Tacos! And in my neighborhood! Oh my gosh I am madly in love with these tacos. My favorite is the chicken, but I thoroughly enjoy the pork and Asada tacos as well. I also ate a few bites of a friend's killer delish burrito. Before your meal you do receive chips as salsa but I like that it's not in excess, and they only serve fresh just cooked chips to each table. Let's talk "sauce". My husband is Team Red and I'm oh so all the way Team Green. That sauce makes my mouth water (and my nose run- it's spicy!). Each meal we have there (or to go) is perfected with a Mexican bottled cold Coca-Cola available in the restaurant or to go. There are also several great beers, including my favorite import, Pacifico. I label this an East Nashville neighborhood must try! Enjoy :).
(5)Andrew M.
Being a California native I've struggled to find decent Mexican food in Nashville...until I found this place. This place does it right. Family owned and operated, quality authentic food, solid service. I feel it can hold it's own versus most California Mexican food. I'm hooked.
(5)Ryan B.
The reviews here are fantastic. I was eager to go here and did so for lunch today. My wife and I consider Mexican to be one our favorites, and dives don't startle us. Here were our observations: * All the salsas had a bite. Our mouths were on fire well before the water came. * The service was responsive but we had to track them down...three times. We never saw the waitress after she served us our food. I had to go to the kitchen door to ask for a side, ask for water, ask for to-go containers. * There was nothing exceptional about the food. I had the pastor burrito. The meat was very good, but on the whole the entree didn't impress at all. I liked the meat and diced tomatoes on top. It was interesting that they smothered it lightly in sour cream. My wife's chicken fajitas were very bland. She had to pull out the salt. * Through the meal our mouths were still to hot from the salsa. Tell me what I'm missing. I love this place's rating, and it's convenient to my work. What should I order? I'm willing to try it again.
(2)J'Nene M.
The key thing to know about this restaurant is that it is authentic Mexican! You are not going to get a fancy plate of decorative food like you would at an Americanized chain. It's reminiscent of Mexican home cooking. The food is simple but good. The family who runs it were all very polite and accommodating. The chips and salsa were the main drawbacks. The chips were stale and the salsa was very tomato saucy. The jalapeño sauce was very good, as were the refried beans and rice. My husband had steak and shrimp and thought it was good. Overall it was all right for an experience.
(3)Lee C.
I had heard this place had good food from a few of the locals. Loving good Mexican food like I do, I decided to drop in for a quick bite. When my friend and I first set down it looked promising, with all the hole in the wall decor and the salsa wasn't bad. In case you didn't know the salsa is usually a tell all, not at this place. I ordered Pescado a la Diabla, this should be fish with a la Diabla sauce. Anyone who knows this dish, knows that the sauce is made from a tomato base with the two main ingredients being: Chile de árbol and Guajillos peppers. This provides a smooth smokey flavor with heat. They served me, what tasted like spaghetti sauce. After tasting this horrible sauce and the soggy rice, I did not need any further convincing. I asked the waitress to return it to the kitchen and that I would a refund. When she returned to the table she insisted that I get it in a to go box, since the manager/owner was going to charge me for it anyway. I had only taken one bite of rice! When I got to the counter, He refused to issue me a refund and again offered a to go box, insisting it was prepared correctly. I ended up having to yell at the guy to get a refund, even then he only did it because the waitress said she'd pay for it. After getting home I found out why it tasted the way it did. They had used a botched recipe from Food Network that uses ketchup as the base, Geez. This guy has NO clue how to run a business and in my opinion no business behind a grill.
(1)Ashlee C.
When you walk in it's very casual and gets packed quickly but the food is worth the wait and they do take out orders! I love the giant coke glass bottles it just always taste better then the fountain. The service is great super fast and friendly. I go for the tacos chicken is the best but everything is amazing! Get the monster taco if your starving its loaded and takes up the entire plate! The guacamole is made fresh and it's simple. They also serve beer which is always a plus not a big selection but this place isn't very big either. It's definitely my favorite in Nashville specially since mos tacos closes at 3 this place is the next best thing!
(5)Anonymous ..
OMG! It's a complete dive. Between the TV's blaring, the phone ringing off the hook and the constant distraction of car radios and traffic this is no quiet place to eat. Every few minutes the lights in the whole restaurant flickered. We sat worried that we would make it out alive, really. If I don't finish this review please send help.... Ok, I lived through the meal. And it was the absolute best mexican I've ever had. Steak tacos. Guacamole. Shrimp ceviche. Chicken fajitas. All awesome. Not your typical neighborhood mexican. Awesome in a 3rd world unaltered type of way. The menu and food were simple but fresh and delicious. If I were going to review the building I would give it 1 star. The front window was broken. Neighborhood sucks. Phone and TV blaring. Power flickering. Etc. But Yelp is all about the food. And it was damn good. So my advice is to go. .. but bring a big gun and keep you eyes on the front door! The food is just that good.
(5)Dan A.
After seeing other reviews, we decided to give it a try - the other place we have been going to was getting a bit boring. So instead of regular dinners, we opted to go ala carte so that we could try a variety. We started with the guacamole to go with the fresh hot chips & salsa. Guacamole was fresh made and good, but a good bit mellower than we usually like - could use a bit of fresh garlic, green onions & fresh jalapeño (we like it with a little bit of zing). We followed that with a mix of a few tacos - steak, spicy pork and fish. There were several other options as well. Of the meats, we preferred the steak, good taste and texture. The spicy pork was a bit dry and really lacked much taste. The fish taco was grilled tilapia with fresh cilantro and a lime simple, moist & tasty. All of the tacos are served on a fresh made double layer tortillas with excellent taste and texture. They also have plenty of crisp lettuce & fresh chopped tomatoes. I could not resist trying the chili releano - every place has their own version. This one was good. Every item we had was good, tasted fresh and was served quickly. We will be back to try some other items.
(4)Rhina S.
Authentic Mexican food with lots of flavor. The tacos are incredible. My favorite tacos are the shrimp and fish tacos. The shrimps taste very fresh and the fish isn't too fishy like other places I've tried. Pair your meal with a Mexican coke out of a glass bottle to cool down your mouth from the spicy hot sauces. Definitely one of my favorite spots to eat at on lunch break when I attended NADC.
(5)Joyce G.
Truly a delight to find authentic Mexican food. The ceviche was spot on. Guacamole prepared as it should be. Finally found our spot!
(5)Julie W.
Nice and inexpensive hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. It's a neat little place and we go here every now and again for dinner. It has a more "authentic-ness" about it compared to most other Mexican restaurants, I've never had any problems at all here.
(5)Carey W.
This place is my go-to when I don't have the energy to cook and want something fast, cheap and delicious. All the tacos are great -- the chorizo is my favorite. Don't miss out on the guacamole (made to order!) and the pico de gallo -- it's the freshest I've ever had.
(5)Douglas W.
I ordered 3 tacos, guacamole and a side of beans. The tacos, both chicken and a couple with pork were really dry. I hated the marinade on the pork and I really thought the tortillas weren't good either. The beans were good. The salsas were also good but I could only manage the red one due to the spice level. The guacamole was good but I wished there was more. I wouldn't go back. These were really poorly executed tacos. I've had better just about everywhere.
(2)Jason M.
Hmmmm. Found this on yelp while visiting opryland hotel. Sooooo let's give it a try. My wife was with me and when we pulled up her exact words were "huh, noooope ain't know way we are eating here". After some coaxing she agreed. This place was the literal definition of a hole in the wall. But, the inside wasn't bad. So we sat down. I am adventurous so I ordered the cow tongue tacos and a ceviche. She got the chicken tacos. They brought out the chips and salsa to us. Stale stale stale, unedible. The salsa taste literally like tomato juice and nothing else. I thought well I hope this doesn't reflect on the food and thank goodness it didn't. The tongue was cooked to perfection, often it is over cooked and taste like liver. In this case it was tender, moist and still had the beef taste to it. The chicken was ok some Mexican flavor but mainly cumin taste is what I got. This is truly authentic Mexican food. I gave it two stars cause the check out wasn't cumbersome and they weren't that friendly.
(2)Eric T.
I was very unimpressed. The interior doubles as a dusty bodega complete with Mexican spice and pharmacy sections. The guacamole was ok, but not great. The pork burrito was sad: the meat was tough and obviously been sitting around for hours - also, the over use of curry and cumin killed any real flavor. Do yourself a favor and skip this less than mediocre place.
(2)Kat W.
I will be honest. When we got our chips, salsa, guacamole, and cheese dip I just knew I was going to leave a bad review. We can in an hour before closing and I could tell the young waiter wasn't to pleased about that. But it was just two of us. The salsa tasted like paste, and the guacamole had too much lime. Our chips also weren't hot or even warm. But then the magic happened. My husband and I both ordered the carne asada. Cooked beautifully with great flavor. The tortillas were warm and soft. After the beginning I was pleasantly surprised.
(4)Isaac O.
Best "authentic" style Mexican joint in East Nashville. As others have mentioned, the tacos are only $1.25 a piece and well worth it. And not that I'd claim to be any sort of expert on the subject of guacamole, but I can honestly say that this place makes some of the best that I've ever had. As for the rest of the menu... I couldn't really say. I usually stick with the tacos. One of the waitresses was nice enough to let me try a sample of the menudo one night and while personally, I thought it tasted like what could only be described as an entire barnyard in a single bite, it was a nice gesture on her part. One thing to note if you're thinking about going here - if the moustache dude with the sideburns and slicked hair rings you up at the register then it would probably be in your best interest to pay close attention to what he's charging you. He's overcharged me once or twice. Update - Well, it would seem the tacos have once more increased in price to $1.50. I believe that's the second time in a year or so. Kind of a shame... it's not really that great of a deal anymore considering the size.
(4)Scott K.
Wow! My favorite Mexican restaurant in Nashville .... Maybe anywhere. The flavorful sauces - Diablo and chipoltle are incredible.
(5)Samantha S.
HOLY. MOLY. This place is so damn good. I love that I can cure my heartache from missing being in Mexico here and it's only 2-3 miles away from my place. Very authentic. Best guacamole I've never had in Nashville. Service is fine. CHEAP! Best $1.25 taco in Nashville in my book!
(4)Ali R.
By far the best guac I've had in town. The garden burrito was huge and yummy! Defiantly give this place a try.
(5)Lauren W.
I have overlooked El Jalicience for years. I pass it multiple times per week, as it's on Gallatin Road, but just passed it off as another Mexican market that served some food. It's proximity to the local Radio Shack and train tracks weren't helping. My friendstold me that they love this place, they eat there at least once a week, and you can't beat the prices. Well, the secret is now out and I deem El Jaliciense as the jam for Mexican food outside of Nolensville Road. hile the decor is nothing fancy and the tables and chairs are pretty standard, the place is filled with bright colors, murals and a little bit of kitsch. When I told my buddy that we were finally going to try out El Jalicience she told me that I had to get their guacamole. AND OH MY GOD BEST GUACAMOLE EVER. It was basically a bunch of avocados that were smashed up with a bit with cilantro, lime and tomatoes; it was clearly made fresh when we ordered it. Plus, it was only about $3.50. For dinner I ordered an assortment of tacos: tripe, tongue, and barbacoa. The tongue taco might be my favorite tongue taco I've had in Nashville. The meat was cut in large chunks, it was super tender and the flavor was amazing. The tripe and the barbacoa were solid choices. Plus, at about $1.50 a taco, you can't go wrong. The market part of El Jalicience is really small; basically one aisle of products. But if you are in need of some fresh queso or some jarritos, this can be your place. Overall, I really liked El Jalicience. The food was super tasty and it was a great value. The staff was friendly and attentive and the place just has a really comfortable vibe. I'm happy to know I don't have to go all the way across town the next time I want a tongue taco.
(4)Shaina L.
After an underwhelming first experience, I hoped it was a fluke and decided to try again. Alas, the food was still meh. The guacamole was the tastiest of what we ordered, fresh and chunky. I also ordered a shrimp tostada, fish and chicken tacos, and the hubs had a quesadilla with beans and rice. The shrimp tostada was supposed to come topped with pico de gallo, which turned out to be 3 leaves of cilantro and a few pale, flavorless diced tomatoes. The shrimp were unseasoned and smelled fishy, the tostada not made in house. The fish and chicken tacos both lacked flavor, and while the quesadilla was pretty tasty, the beans and rice tasted canned, like your average Americanized mexican restaurant. But people seem to love this place--perhaps I've been ruined by Seattle's taco trucks.
(3)Rob O.
Great Mexican, fast and cheap. Al Pastor tacos were excellent.
(5)Bryon L.
Great non-Americanized Mexican food. Tacos are a great choice. Simple, but put one of three homemade salas over them and they come alive. The salas are a medium red, a roasted green pepper that is medium, and a creamy green Jalapeño that is typically hot. Occasionally they have homemade tamales which are some of the best I have had. I would suggest the carnitas. Ditch the typical over salted cheesy typical Mexican fare for the real deal.
(5)Benjamin E.
dropped in while visiting Nashville, and this placed delivered. Awesome street tacos - exactly as you get 'em in California. double wrapped, lime, cilantro and onions, and the meat was excellent - especially the pastor. Don't come here expecting some incredible venue - the neighborhood is kinda sketch, the dining room is decent and clean - no complaints. But the food is awesome. Come with an appetite.
(5)Kristin Marie S.
So, so good! Their guacamole might be my favorite in the city. It's chunky and more like a salad than a guacamole paste. Last time I got the quesadilla con chorizo and it was incredible. The chorizo hit the spot! The quesadilla is also large enough to fill me up and if I'm lucky I will end up with leftovers. My lovebug usually goes with the street tacos and he's decided that they are the best in Nashville. If you are a lover of Mexican food you need to try El Jaliciense. The price is right and the food is on point!
(4)Matt M.
We went here on a tip by a fellow Yelper and the experience was better than I imagined. Needing a quick meal on a cold night in December, we popped in here to see what they had. I'm sure they had plenty on their menu, but the sight of $1.25-$1.75 tacos quickly gave me tunnel vision and I zeroed-in on the three I wanted: the pastor, barbacoa and chicken. We also requested an order of guacamole. The guacamole came out within just a few minutes of ordering, and it was insanely fresh. The style of this guac was more rustic, with big chunks of avocado and tomato mixed in with onion and cilantro. Soon, the tacos followed and I was incredibly impressed by the taste, size and quality of each taco, given their price. Each one was dressed with cilantro and onion, and three were enough to fill me up. The place is a bit unassuming, but if you look beyond the exterior, you're in for a delicious treat.
(5)tron d.
Mmmm such tasty and authentic Mexican food and for mere pesos. Try the pastor quesadilla and be warned the quesadillas are huge. Most of the tacos are $1.25 and its a true family effort. Recently I've been getting the veggie quesadilla which is stuffed with multi colored bell peppers, cheese of course, onions, and cilantro and its only $5.99. Carlos and his family know what's up! *8/9/15 tacos are now $1.50
(5)Devon W.
I'm shocked with the reviews I'm seeing so far. If this place is the number 1 yelp Mexican restaurant in all of Nashville, then we as a city has a long way to go. First I thought the service and environment was poor. When the chips and salsa first came out and I went in for my first bite, I was like OMG these chips are just stale, stale, stale. The salsa was just puree tomatoes with a limited amount of ingredients. The salsa was so boring no flavor and yelpers are saying this is the number 1 restaurant in all of Nashville Yeah Right. The first thing you need to nail as a Mexican restaurant is great salsa and guacamole and for me this was a bad start. I had the Mar Y Tierra dish it came with a skirt steak and it was very tough/chewy but the shrimp was okay. The rice and beans were mediocre definitely had better. I also tried one of their tacos and that was great. They seasoned their foods but all restaurants should do that. Overall it was average and no way it could be the best Mexican restaurant in Nashville. I only had one dish but will not return.
(2)Bob S.
Went over for lunch today and got to go!! It my number one place for 1.25 taco now. The green sauce that came with the taco was killer!!! The Guacamole was extremely fresh!!! Great Deal.
(4)Karen K.
Wasn't expecting this place to be as good as it was! It doesn't look special, just run of the mill... The beef fajitas were well cooked, nicely caramelized veggies and tender beef, good seasoning. The guacamole was outstanding. Really fresh and balanced as far as the flavors...If you're in the mood for mexican food, I recommend this place, hands down.
(5)Eliza R.
I found out about this place a little under a year ago, but I have only recently begun going on a regular basis. If you want cheap, delicious, authentic Mexican food, this will be your jam. The only other Mexican joint that holds a candle is Mas Tacos. Rosepepper and Las Maracas pale in comparison. I love the unpretentious hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, too, with the televisions on the wall playing Telemundo. This is the real deal, folks!
(4)Michael B.
Authentic....that's what we look for these days in everything, right? Look no further than El Jalicience. The Tacos are simple and delicious. The Guacamole is a must have. I'm working my way through the menu and haven't been disappointed yet. After suffering the pablum Mexican food on Gallatin Road for years (Maracas, Red Pepper and on and on) this is the go to spot. I also like that the tv's aren't blaring. Try, you'll like it...
(5)Aashna S.
Good Mexican good (and I'm from cali). This place is like a hole in wall. No enchiladas. But overall, yummy food and cheap.
(4)Amy C.
GREAT authentic street tacos right here in East Nashville! I, like many other East Nashville residence, have driven past this place many times and have never stopped in, but boy am I GLAD I did! The tacos are only $1.25/ea...CRAZY! You can eat like a king for pennies and be completely satisfied! When you go, I also recommend their guacamole...it is the BEST I have had! It's the huge chunks of fresh avocado that make this over the top! I will be back and SOON!
(4)Michael B.
This place is so good. Do not expect Tex Mex. This is real delicious Mexican food. Hidden gem of a family owned and runned restaurant. Do yourself and the community a favor do not go to a chain Mexican place have a taste bud adventure and go here!
(5)Beth H.
My husband and I were driving down Gallatin one day and saw El Jaliciense. We decided to give it a try and it was so good! Delicious, fresh, and authentic mexican food! Great tacos, quesadillas, salsa and cheese dip. It is really casual and has a mexican market inside as well. El Jaliciense has now become the place we go when craving mexican food. It is open from 10am-10pm Monday-Sunday and they also do takeout. Highly recommend checking it out!
(5)Derrick A.
This little East Nashville treat has really grown since we started going there! They have expanded their seating and can accommodate much larger crowds which is great because things were getting pretty tight after their write up in the Nashville Scene as Best Tacos on the East Side. I have to admit I normally rate a mexican restaurant by its Fajitas but the tacos here are second to none! I also love their Quesadillas but I've heard people complain of them being too cheezy. Me, I'm a cheese lover, so bring it on! :) There is no liquor/margaritas but you can get several types of beer from the connected grocery store. Overall, definitely my current favorite place for a cold beer and a plate of tacos! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(4)Claudette M.
Absolutely enthralled. We ordered one taco of each "meat" from the menu. For two. Great taste. They don't have buche or tripa.... The guacamole is to die for. Great prices.
(4)Benjamin S.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Nashville! Authentic Mexican food for a great price. Everything is good, but I recommend the tacos.
(5)Sarah S.
I can't believe I'm just finding out about this place after living in Nashville my entire life. I would argue that this half taqueria/mercado is the most autentico Mexican in town. Definitely on the east side at least. Trust: order ceviche, guacamole (chunky delish, not goopy), tacos del pastor, asada, Tripe, and the cow tongue soup. Oh and they serve beer too. Viva dos Equis
(5)Charles C.
I found this hole in the wall while on the road. I can only rate it based on one meal: tacos al pastor, and horchata. The service was friendly but "so so" and the decor is run down and pretty depressing. So you might ask why I would rate this a 5? Because I go to restaurants to eat and if you are looking for authentic, like I was, this is the spot. The tacos al pastor tasted like tacos you'd find in Mexico City. And if you like salsa verde with a kick, don't even get me started. Go here if nearby.
(5)William W.
Their traditional tacos are great. Whenever I don't feel like making dinner at the last minute, I call ahead and pick up some tacos.
(5)Casey H.
I have been looking forward to finding a place that was close to the house that serves Menudo... this place does but I don't recommend it at all. $7.99 for a medium size bowl. If you aren't used to eating clean tripe, you'd probably be fine with it here. I was spoiled and didn't realize it until I couldn't have the homemade menudo from San Antone! Anyway, I think you're suppose to boil the tripe a few time to get the stinch out. When they brought out my menudo, I was pretty disappointed because 1) I took a big wiff of it 2) no pozoles. I was a sad panda. I would give it one star but my boyfriend said he liked the tacos there.
(3)David R.
Really wonderful little find. Tacos are a must--simple and delicious. Fast too. The atmosphere is slightly ad hoc but very comfortable feeling. Most of the food I've had has been better than average to blow-me-away fantastic.
(4)Keith P.
Our second time here and we will come back again. We had the steak quesadilla and the bbq pork quesadilla. Plus four tacos, beef tongue was great as was the bbq pork and bbq beef.
(4)Rudy S.
Sometimes a hole in the the wall restaurant doesn't have good food... like this place. It started out with very bad service and it went down hill from there. Very little meat in the fajitas we ordered. Never again.
(1)Larissa S.
Love love love their guacamole and tacos! Everything is authentic, so if you are looking for American Mexican go elsewhere. This is the real deal. Their guacamole is made fresh and their corn tortillas are made fresh too. Oh and I love their queso dip with Mexican sausage! Their tacos are only a $1.25. I will be back!
(5)Jana B.
We went to this restaurant around lunch time and when we came in no one greeted us. Then when they did we got seated. Then we waited for 20 minutes and didn't get any sort of acknowledgment and the waitress came out twice to wait on other people and didn't look our way. Do not recommend and would not go again.
(1)Jared L.
Very happy, authentic mexican. I had 3 tacos (1-lenges 1-chik 1-chorizo). Sauces where very good... a jalapeño Sauce came out with the plater (very tasty) And chips and salsa had your standard tomato salsa and a charred tomatillo and pepper salsa (very spicy).
(4)Bobby D.
Best fish tacos in Nashville. Hands down. Perfectly cooked, juicy, seasoned to perfection. I have also had, the shrimp ... for once I have found a place that cooks shrimp to order, and doesn't over cook them! Chorizo, Lengua, and Pastor will make you sit in silence while you enjoy the food porn. Salsa verde is really hot! The kind of hot that makes you come back for more, I almost killed the entire bowl myself. To the gentleman accusing them of giving him food poisoning, I was recently infected with Salmonella. It was so severe, I nearly died. Its in every kitchen in America, professional kitchen and in your home. The only way to know where you contracted it, is to give a fecal sample to a doctor, have it analyzed, and the genetic strain found in you, tested against other strains that have been collected. There are varying levels of food poisoning one can contract, and may take up to 16 days to fully incubate in your system. Did you only eat at the market the two weeks prior to getting sick? I doubt it. The strain I had was traced back to an egg, then to a purveyor, then to a farm, and several restaurants were using items from this farm. Thus not being the restaurants fault. You are more likely to get poisoned from the pink slime in your beef you buy at walmart or kroger. Know your facts before throwing around accusations like that. Hopefully your ignorance has not scared anyone away from this diamond in the rough of East Nashville. That is all.
(5)C R.
Most authentic Mexican place on the Gallatin Road strip. Soft tacos are great as are the large half liter Cokes.
(5)Amanda L.
Thank you to my friend who recommended this place. It's not fancy, but the guacamole is the best I've ever had from a restaurant. I definitely will be back & I'm thankful it's so close to my house!
(5)Kristen F.
Seriously, go here. If you are looking for REAL authentic Mexican, and I DON'T mean Las Maracas, go here. The tacos are fresh with the real simple ingredients: homemade tortillas, cilantro, onions and you get TONS of fresh delicious salsa. The other great part is that because it's a store you can grab beer and bring it to your table; or they even have the large cokes in glass bottles imported from where else, Mexico. You might get a few weird looks from some of the locals that I assume eat there, but it's really good food. I always get the chorizo tacos. I'm a huge fan of chorizo, but usualy it's way too salty; it's just right here. Don't judge this place from the outside, sometimes the best places are dives! Did I mention it's CHEAP? We've gotten 4 tacos, rice and 2 cokes for around $10.
(4)Tiffany N.
I'm not sure what all these people are talking about - this place was terrible. The service was bad, the staff unfriendly, the bathroom was dirty and the food was not good. We had guac, carne asada and the bistec ranchero. The guac was flavorless and the meat in both dishes was really low quality and fatty. The veggies on the bistec were nice and spicy but everything else was bland. We also had horchatas which were not good. Want good Mexican? Come to Texas, or better yet, go to Mexico.
(1)Jolly R.
Once a hidden gem in East Nashville. Simple street tacos. It can't be beat. I crave the carne asada tacos here.
(5)Mag N.
love their tacos and their beer selection -- specifically their Michelada's. the only thing i would suggest changing are the chips...house made chips would be awesome. the salsa is on point, as well as the tamales that they offer as a special item sometimes. yum.
(5)Renee A.
Please note -- I've honestly only experienced the tacos from El Jaliciense, and I've only ever gotten take-out. Also? I only ever order the chorizo and barbacoa tacos. Maybe I'm not qualified to write a well-balanced review of the place, but I'm posting this regardless because those chorizo and barbacoa tacos are fantastic. This is our go-to taco place. The business is hidden in plain sight on Gallatin Road in Inglewood, and there are often unsavory-looking men standing about outside the building. Please don't let that deter you. In my (limited) experience, the ingredients taste fresh and delicious, and the service is always friendly.
(4)Anthony C.
This unassuming, and let's just say it, sort of questionable looking restaurant/market is way more than meets the eye. We decided to give it a try after hearing great things about these delicious, fresh, and best of all, cheap tacos they were rumored to serve. The interior is nothing fancy, but who cares about the decor at Las Blah-Blah if the food is subpar? I'll take humble, authentic, and tasty, please. The dining area is to the right when you enter and is quite small, probably 8-10 tables total. But what the place lacks in interior design, it makes up for with good service and delicious and inexpensive food. I ordered three tacos (chicken, carne asada (marinated and grilled steak), and barbacoa (usually barbecued beef or pork) with pricing ranging from $1.25-$1.75. Each taco was simply dressed with onions and cilantro, with lime slices for squeezing on if you like a little extra citrusy zip, which I love and even add to my Coke every time I have Mexican. They also bring three salsas to the table for dressing your tacos and the dipping of the chips. I think one was a tomatillo, the other a slightly spicy red, and another one that was smoky and had more of a kick, maybe salsa verde, but not sure. We also added an order of guacamole, which was obviously made to order and as fresh as it comes. It was deliciously simple, with a few chunks of tomato, onion, lime juice, and cilantro. It was all so simple, yet all so good! This isn't the place to impress a date as far as ambience, but if you are looking for some of the best and least expensive authentic tacos and sides, then look no further than the shady looking little orange & yellow block building at 3225 Gallatin Pike.
(4)Dagan B.
the guacamole is amazing... the freshest and best i have had. i have had people try it that didnt even like it before but they like this one. the rest is just decent mexican food. i am starting to think except for a few bad places it all tastes the same lol
(4)Janet S.
Yep it is true the fish tacos are yumkins, buttery and grilled not fried. Asada tacos delish, and the shrimp tostada plump and filling with a massive amount of avocado on top. all this and a super sweet bottle of artificial sangria for less than $10.00. Good service, but nothing fancy here, out paint splattered jeans matched most of the clientele. I always think I found my fave taco and then it gets trumped.
(4)Myelin G.
This is by far the best Mexican spot on this side of Nashville...maybe even all of Nashville. Place is legit. Tortas, real tacos, giant quesadillas and big burritos. Salsas are really tasty and it's cheap. Mexican sodas and beer for sale on the store side too. Looks sketch from the outside, but don't let that fool you.
(5)Dante' T.
Where this hole in a wall restaurant lacks in decor, they certainly compensate abundantly in food and value. My husband and I had the tostada de carne asada @ $1.99 each. They were tender and flavorful. This is my new favorite East Nashville Mexican restaurant...
(5)James S.
Very good tacos and Guacamole
(5)Tom J.
After ascertaining that their tacos contained no ground beef, I ordered a couple of Monster Tacos. Not bad! The corn tortillas were soft-fried, not crispy as I like. It had the usual lettuce and tomato filling. There's so MUCH filling that they serve it flat like a (soft) tostada. So far this is the best "loaded taco" (as opposed to street taco) I've found in Nashville. Seems their menu is basically a la carte. Later I ordered beans and rice as a side dish, and I must say that they weren't very good. I also ordered a tostada, and it was good, but not as good as the Monster Taco.
(3)Logan B.
The people were very nice, the food was tasty, but after eating there this past Monday my wife and I came down with some pretty nasty food poisoning. I would recommend staying clear.
(1)Stacy D.
Crazy awesome! Def the best tacos I've had in Nashville! Authentic Mexican is impossible to find in the South. I love their chorizo tostadas, asada, pollo, and veggie tacos, and their pollo quesadilla - it's big! I always grab a couple Jarritos sodas from their store to take home with me. Very nice staff and super cheap prices! Highly recommend!
(4)M L.
I have to agree, I had an itch for a Torta today after seeing this in the feed. I have to say it was amazing! I had a Torta Pollo (chicken) it has chucks of avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, and some queso fresco. The bread was the star of the show, sorta sweet yet able to hold up to the heft of the fillings. Highly suggested!
(4)David G.
The tripe tacos were over-cooked, but every other taco we tried (all of them) was quite good. The barbacoa in particular was excellent. Overall, not as good as the tacos we had recently from El Tapatio way down on Nolensville Pike, but definitely the best North Mexican-style simple authentic taco we've had in East Nashville. We want to try some of the places on Dickerson Pike, but for now this will be our go-to for small simple tacos with cilantro-onion-lime at $1.25 a piece. (Mas Tacos will continue to be our go-to for larger, more complex tacos.)
(4)