La Esperanza
2412 Washington Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37917
La Esperanza Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2412 Washington Pike
Knoxville, TN, 37917 - Phone (865) 637-9292
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : 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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Joey D.
I don't know how I haven't reviewed this place yet. This is, without a doubt, the best taco place in the city. And the enchiladas, rellenos, caldos.......oh my. I've seriously had nothing bad here. And it's moderately priced too. The restaurant is tucked away in the back corner of the market, so be sure and walk in and head straight to the back right. Find a table and you'll be greeted shortly with a most attentive wait staff. I've posted numerous pictures. Take a look and find your passion. Also, I was in there on a Saturday afternoon once, and everyone was ordering micheladas. I will certainly be giving those a try ASAP!
(5)Audrey C.
I love the food here. I've been to many Mexican restaurant around Knoxville and this is my new favorite. The food is clearly fresh, the portions are huge and the service is quick. My boyfriend and I ordered a chicken burrito to go. We ordered beers while we waited and we had hardly finished them before our food was ready. I've seen the reviews about slow service and I haven't personally experienced this issue. We usually eat here during the week but I'm sure there have been busy times but I haven't seen them for myself. I highly recommend La Esperanza to anyone who wants an authentic experience and great food.
(5)Matt W.
This ain't fast food hombre. It's down home Mexican cuisine served with no frills in styrofoam and foil. It takes a while, but the flavors are great combinations. The tacos are soft, on corn tortilla shells. They are also quite small, so this fat American needed three to break the ice. I wanted more, but I didn't go back to get it because I felt it would seem gluttonous. Restaurant is in the back of the Mexican Grocer, which had a good variety of groceries. I like the Mexican versions of soda. Pretty neat.
(5)Erika S.
There are a few things you need to know before you eat at La Esperanza! 1) You will need to be able to speak some spanish to order your food. The alternative to this is an awkward silence followed by a lively game of charades where you do your best to act like a burrito. 2) What you will find here does not resemble what you would find at most local Mexican restaurants. If you are looking for somewhere where they deliver your meal shouting "hot plate, hot plate" or a plate covered in some gooey cheesy meltiness, you should stick to your favorites. 3) If you are willing to step out of your comfort zone, you will discover some amazing Mexican food, delivered in ginormous portions by delightful servers who light up when you even attempt their language. The whole fam-dam stopped in over the weekend for lunch and we ordered avariety of entrees from a burrito, to enchiladas, a quesadilla, and (for the win) a plate of chorizo tacos. While we waiting for our food, which seemed to be delivered in lightning speed, we snacked on chips and salsa. If I wrote letters, I just might write home about this heavenly sauce. Fresh and with a kick... just the way I like it! Our food did not disappoint. And holy portion size! We were all able to take some home for leftovers. It's like 2 meals in one...SCORE! If you like authentic and delicious food, I'd highly recommend discovering La Esperanza.
(4)Kim M.
They are best food and i would go back and waiter need get off cell phone and get people order fast the good is fast
(5)John G.
I would give this place two and a half stars, not sure if I would go back or not. We didn't have any language problems, got some food to go. If you lived in Texas, then the "Barbacoa" you get here is NOTHING like what it is in Texas, which is a fine, shredded fatty beef taken from the cheek of the cow, what I had here was good, but looked more like pot roast. My lady ordered three different tacos and thinks they all had the same meat. Chips and salsa were very good, loved their salsa verde!
(3)Andrew S.
By far the best Mexican food in Knoxville. The carne asada is my personal favorite, but just about everything on the menu is delicious.
(5)Kelly V.
This place is the best. Their salsa is amazing and the servers are really sweet. Their sopes are dopes.
(5)Dee O.
Nice friendly service. Being able to speak Spanish is definitely a plus. They were able to make me a vegetarian enchilada even though it wasn't on the menu. I will be back.
(3)Zach W.
This is by far the best taqueria/Mexican market that I've been to in Knoxville. I can't stop going. The salsa is great and the chips are always fresh. The tacos are on point! It's the normal cantina setup; corn tortilla, diced onion, cilantro, the red or green hot sauces. The meat choices are all the usual suspects as well like steak, chorizo, fish and pork. Try the tongue or head tacos. Don't be scared. The are truly delicious and amazing! YOU HAVE TO GET THE TORTA! I've tried the pastor and the Hawaiian and they were both excellent! For those that don't know, it's essentially a Mexican panini. Meat, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, avocado, jalapeños and cheese on grilled bread. Best in town easily! The second best thing about La Esperanza is the market/grocery. The have a great meat selection with stuff you won't find at your normal grocery. Since I've already discussed tongues and heads, you know where I'm going with this. They have a great Mexican beer selection, as well as a huge soda and drink selection. I for one love buying exotic sodas and juices and they have TONS! They also carry a vast selection of the Agua Fresca (Mexican Kool-Aid) mixes. Also...if you don't speak Spanish you will be fine. Some of the other reviews could potentially scare a newbie away. They speak English. As long as you can say the name of what you're ordering, don't sweat it. All in all, La Esperanza is a fantastic place to eat or shop. Go there.
(5)Josh G.
This is best taqueria, by and far, in Knoxville. From Horchata to Cabeza, everything is tasty. Look for the candied/dried fruits on the counter are also awesome if they have them in stock. I occasionally work at the fire station next door, and frequent the restaurant when I do.
(5)Lesley S.
Yum! We've only had takeout. Delicious tacos (carnitas and carne asada) and a chicken burrito. Both were really good. Beans and rice also great. No problems ordering and we do not speak more than the little bit of high school Spanish we retained. Did take kind of a long time to check out, but I think they were using one card machine for the restaurant and the store. But not a problem.
(4)Joe S.
Being from southern California where there is good, authentic Mexican food nearly everywhere, I have been really disappointed with Mexican food in the midwest and the south. After reading reviews about La Esperanza and how the employees don't speak any English I was hopeful that there might be a chance this place was really good. I was happy to find this place to be really good and authentic. It made me feel a little more at home here in knoxy. This is no gringo, cheese smothered plate of rice and beans or southern queso drenched everything sort of place. yay! The guacamole is great. I had two tacos (al pastor and asada) which were loaded with meat and a sprinkle of onions and cilantro... Perfect. the restaurant Is in the back of a Mexican market, (really more market than restaurant) which is great. The carneceria counter looks good, and they have small produce section and pretty much everything you might want to cook authentic mexican food. Not the best mexican restaurant I've been to, but it's definitely the best I've seen so far in the south for authenticity.
(4)Corey H.
Great little market/restaurant. The lengua is delicious. I agree with other reviewers that its hard to communicate if you don't know at least a little Spanish, but that adds to the flavor of the place.
(4)Sarah G.
the best thing about la esperanza is the food (which is important, duh) but also dug the grocery and cookware that surrounds the eating area. but even the best food cant negate the bad taste of an unexpectedly long wait. the burrito i ate was freshly made (fresh ingredients and clearly not simply warmed in a salamander like most texmex places) and i appreciated the Univision soaps playing in the background (ambience leaves a lot to be desired, admittedly). however, on my visit, it took us an HOUR to eat--apparently, you can call in orders and we (ma and i) were unaware we had queued behind a sextet of guys who arrived and were served immediately. now, to their credit, they explained this situation in the best spanglish they could manage, but if a kitchen is unable to push out food more quickly than they did that evening, avoiding peak mealtimes is strongly recommended. the last time i waited this long, i was offered a half price meal. no such luck here.
(3)David G.
A fairly authentic feelings Mexican food experience! Fresh delicious ingredients with large portions of food. If you speak Spanish its fun to practice conversing with the employs. :) Try the guacamole!
(5)J R.
Agreed with the previous reviewer that you need to speak Spanish. That said, I don't speak much and the staff were still very kind and we understood each other well enough! The restaurant is within the market in the back. I had some great food and got to watch a telenovela as well. Fun night! The food was fantastic and I got a popsicle to eat on the way home from the market part. This is a great little place to have in the neighborhood and its food is very good. Definitely worth a trip.
(4)Loretta L.
I hope you speak spanish, beacuse most people working here don't speak english. The guacamole is incredible and I don't even like quacamole! I get the shrimp (Camaron) quesedilla. They don't have much for vegetarians. They grill the shrimp with some magical red oil and my tastebuds pretty much faint, i think. They serve large portions. You can also buy fresh cactus at the annexed store......cowboy boots......soup pots.....and soccer jerseys. I think they just openned one in south knoxville, too.
(4)Lyndsey L.
Soccer Taco was packed (as usual on a Friday night), so we turned to Yelp and found this gem. I'm from Texas (so I know good Mexican food) and this stuff is delicious!! It's super cheap but I'd pay 3x what they're charging for it. It's nothing fancy, but the best Mexican places often aren't. Go now. Get some tacos. And get some salsa to go. You won't regret it.
(5)