Taco Roc — Restaurant in Chattanooga

Didn't realize what I was missing until I went! There were several different Spanish-speaking customers, so you don't just have to take my word for it that the food was REALLY good. Small place but clean. It’s in between the BP gas station on the corner and the Goodyear Tires place. The guy at the register spoke English and was friendly about answering some of my questions about the menu. The lady who brought our food did not speak English. I wasn't sure what to do when we were done eating (there wasn't a place to put our dishes, and I hate being that person who leaves the dishes if you're supposed to bus your table yourself). I tried to ask the lady who brought the food, but she didn't understand what I was saying. The guy from the register came over and said to just leave them. Bring in a quarter if you don't anticipate finishing your plate (the dinner portions are enough for 2 meals if you don't eat a lot). They ask for 25 cents for the take out box, but the meal was priced pretty reasonably (I think my entree was around $10). And it’s not like they’re watching to see if you pay. The boxes are located by the door. Also, if you go to the Food City across the street, the receipt back will often have a coupon for a free appetizer with a purchase of 2 entrees. That was my first time there, and I definitely plan on going back!

Update 8/5/18 I think Food City has since stopped with the coupons on the backs of the receipts....

Called for directions but no one could speak enough English to help us. 2. Finally found it, but very disappointed. Building looked dumpy and in need of a good cleaning and remodeling. 3. Entire foyer looked and SOUNDED like a day care for the employees young children. 4. Had trouble placing our orders the way we wanted them because of the language barrier. They also make you order and pay BEFORE you sit down at your table. 5. They don't serve free salsa and chips while you're waiting on your meal. You have to pay for them each time you ask for them. 6. They also charge $1.50 for every drink refill. 7. Had one working TV that was playing too loudly but not loud enough to drown out the "day care" noise. 8. Saw a teenaged female walk out from the kitchen/office area to get a drink refill wearing house shoes and pajama bottoms! (Are people living on the property???) 9. I ordered the #7 and the pork and chicken tasted so bad, I returned my 98% full plate for a refund. And again, that was awkward because of the language barrier. When the manager was called out, she never said a word when she was giving me my refund. No one else did either. 10. And last but not least...after seeing a third cock roach crawl under our table, we were outta there! * There were 2 smiling and friendly girls who were nice and polite to us, but other than that, it was a bad experience. I am puzzled by all of the good reviews...

On first visit, Taco Roc was exactly as I expected. You go to the counter, place your order, you are given a table marker, and when your order is ready it's brought to the table.

It's distinctly a no frills affair, but that is reflected in the prices. The most expensive menu item was $11.00. I ordered the taco plate. For $6.25 + tax I got 2 tacos, rice and beans. You choose ground beef or chicken and flour or corn tortillas. I chose chicken on flour.

Everything was delicious and the refried beans were the best I've ever had. The weren't at all pasty or dry and topped with an actual mild Mexican cheese instead of white American cheese sauce. The tacos had plenty of mildly seasoned chicken and fresh lettuce, tomato, onion and cilantro. The rice was as good as any I've had though I admit I'm not a big fan generally.

The restaurant was clean and open and had plenty of natural light.

If you want incredibly authentic Mexican food at a very good price you can't do better in...