Los Barriles

New to the area and we got lucky and found this little Mexican restaurant gem.
Everyone told us that Tennessee doesn't have good mexican food.
Coming from Orange County, this place offers great menu selection if mexican food.
The Birria tacos are delicious.
Thr Mexican street tacos are ok and I wouldn't order again.
The burrito Hawaiian is also delicious.
This is now on the list of our favorite places in town.

You have to check this place out.
I have driven by countless times.
Fantastic and distinctive signage makes it hard to miss.
The decor with cute little wooden barrels hanging were so unique - you have to give bonus points.
Ample dining area and for a Sunday after church & G'ma visit late Linner (lunch-dinner), there was an unexpectedly robust patronage.
Always a good sign - yes? And ample parking none the less. Menus: you might be surprised just how many places I go where something as simple and fundamental as a menu is overlooked.
At Los Barriles they didn't.
It's not a contest to see how small you can print text and how much you can cram on to a page to save a sheet of paper which you put in a vinyl jacket anyway. So what's the verdict? You can read the menu and get a sense of what to expect.
Which is what they are for right? And, they, like everything else in sight were clean.
That paragraph might sound trite and trivial but you would also be surprised how often - I can't say that.
A dirty or hard-to-read menu is a hard fail in my book.
AC - not too cold nor sweltering, no annoying or offensive music.
All in all a very pleasant spot. Now, the hyper critical review portion.
First: the mainstay of this style cuisine -- chips and salsa.
A little unusual, the chips were warm.
I have been to places that make chips fresh with a big doughnut looking machine.
I don't know that was the case here, but warm chips and cold salsa just tastes better.
And another small thing, the salsa bowl seemed just slightly larger than the norm.
(See pic for chip to salsa volume ratio.
😉 ). Two rather small things, hardly worth mentioning at all but - they did prevent a "perfect score" in category.
Now I did on this occasion order off the lunch menu for a terrific price so I fear sounding ungrateful because the price was right; but, the California style burrito was, well - was served not particularly hot and the beef a little salty.
If you follow me you know that's no step for a stepper.
It's just one item off an expansive menu so don't judge too harshly - do give the Barrels a try.
A group of 4 or 8 ordering different things would be better to access. Second, also super minor, but I almost always order plain water with the meal so the drink doesn't throw the taste buds off.
And I specifically order without lemon (please note: I'm, not one of those "5 lemons, 3 pieces of ice, tall chilled glass, filtered water" nutjobs.
Admit it, you know one right? Now lemon on the rim isn't going to throw me in anaphylactic shock - but they missed it.
Think about a diabetic or someone making carb trades - you would not want to bring a "sweet Coke" as we say in the South for a diet.
Getting a drink order correct is important. And, while I probably got the only one in the entire restaurant, the tableware was metal not plastic - but it was soft and unremarkable.
Fork times were snagged-tooth and the stem bent easily when taking fork-sized bites off the burrito.
Not a huge thing that will draw many comments.
But no customer want the guilt that they are destroying a business' tableware.
It just wasn't on par with the time and attention they spent on decor and atmosphere. I do post detailed reviews and want to be fair and helpful to the restaurant - even when like this, it was pretty flawless on the sum. Los Barriles keep up the good work and people -- try them out.
You can't go wrong.

Edit #2 - Ok.
So, I've had numerous meals here and I have to say that this really is the best Mexican you can get in town.
There are close runner ups, very close.
But, ultimately Los Barriles is the best imo. Edit - It's unfortunate.
Los Barriles have raised their margarita prices.
I wish the interior matched the higher prices.
The food is still amazing.
The drinks are still amazing.
It's just now you get what you pay for, haha.
Service has been hit or miss as of lately.
Again, the food and drinks are incredible here ---------------- My family and I will definitely be coming back.
I'm not sure how long this place has been here, but it's our first time trying it out. Absolutely loved their margaritas and the adorable/colorful glass it comes in.
No janky plastic cactus looking cup that some Mexican restaurants will serve you.
No no, this is a beautiful hand colored glass cup.
It really makes a difference in presentation. The food, salsa and cheese dip were all really good.
The chips were stale however.
Letting that slide as it could have been just that batch. Our server was really nice and prompt. The atmosphere was just enough.
String lights, wooden posts and a beautiful bar greets you right when you walk in. The tacos pastor was the best pastor I've personally had.
It was true BBQ.
Loved it. Definitely coming back!