Taco Mamacita
If you can't judge a book by its cover, what can you tell about a restaurant from its exterior signage? In the case of Taco Mamacita - newly opened in the former location of Durty Nelly's on North Market - based upon its ambitiously iconic signage (my fav in the Scenic City) you might conclude that the food & experienced contained therein was something distinct & fresh that took almost whimsical pleasure in the more eccentric elements of traditional mexican cuisine. You would not be wrong.
Again, I love their signage and really respect that the owners (Mike & Taylor Monen) had the guts to go all. Kudos to Steve Hamaker for an all around great identity.
The food: a clever spin on "Mexican" food, with inventive and substantive central dishes, like the Caribbean Jerk taco: toasted Caribbean jerk chicken served with shredded cabbage, refried black beans, spicy jerk sauce and a peach aioli. The Chicken Tortilla Soup is distinct both in flavor and presentation (they pour the broth at your table). Not your typical "taco joint" by any measure.
The service: consistently good, even during the hectic opening weeks, which are always difficult for a new restaurant with a new staff as it irons out its kinks and figures out its system. Managers are quick to troubleshoot and fill in wherever needed.
The decor: cracks me up (I've got a soft spot for Lucha Libre) and utilizing an outdoor message board (with plastic letters) to post your specials is clever (and effective).
The layout/space: comfy & open with only a couple of issues. The benches running down the center of the space are deep, making it difficult to lean against the back of your seat while still being able to reach your table/food; try to get a booth along the east wall. When it's warmer, it can be a little awkward to get around the table between the bar and the outdoor seating area (although I love that table).
It's exciting to have a thoughtful, unique, and altogether good restaurant concept enter the Chattanooga Food Scene. It's made our very short list of "Restaurants Other Than The Meeting Place to Get Good Food", and you'd be remiss not to make it a regular haunt.
Taco Mamacita
109 North Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 648-MAMA
hours: not sure, evenings for certain
www.tacomamacita.com
Chattanooga Restaurants | By Josiah Roe | 10:12 AM
Comments
nice writeup, thanks. I've emailed them about gluten-free possibilities...probably a longshot for a taco place, but worth asking.
Posted by: bobw at January 2, 2009 11:09 AM
I was pretty impressed with the place myself. The food is good and the service is great (both of which are unfortunatly rare among northshore resturants).
Posted by: James at January 3, 2009 12:21 AM
It's my opinion your first run at a restaurant review is all style and no substance, but that's my take - in general - on Taco Mamacita as well. Why didn't you cover prices?
Posted by: Robert T. Nash at January 3, 2009 10:02 AM
Taco Mamacita is one of my new favorite eateries as well. The Dirty Sanchez is one mean drink special and the taco's are great.
And good review by the way.
Posted by: David Morton at January 5, 2009 12:04 PM
Good luck to these owners. They copy Taqueria del Sol in Atlanta which is a good thing but then they charge twice as much for everything. In Chattanooga? Ghetto North Chatt? Ive heard horror stories of people going there getting ONE TACO and ONE drink and the tab being $13 before tip! And charging TWICE as much for guacamole dip than La Altena charges and then La Altena's is better... Come on.
This is the reputation Taco Mamacita has, period. I am not saying anything that everyone already doesn't knows. Good Luck folks. Sorry it didn't work out. We'll be hearing about your drink the bar empty party in a few months.
Posted by: Fred at January 28, 2009 3:28 AM
