Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina — Restaurant in Gatlinburg

On a work project, this was my first visit to the city of neon in the mountains. After settling in to my hotel, I went on a Main Parkway stroll and eventually saw a sign saying Fajitas Ritas. I stopped and used my phone to find the menu. I never found a reference to this establishment so I wandered up a steep flight of stairs to find a dining room and bar along with a rooftop seating area. I stood for roughly five minutes at the hostess stand but no one responded. A young woman holding an electronic credit card swipe box walked by and I asked if I could get a table. She curtly said someone would take care of me soon. A few more minutes went by while a group of four waited behind me and soon a man arrived and directed me to a table. Many other tables were available but no, I got the one next to the kitchen entrance. I noticed a neon sign hanging from the ceiling that said Loco Burro outlined with the shape of the state of Texas. OK, that was also at the top of the menu. From the sidewalk below, that name was not apparent to me.

So, I gave the server my order and within a short time my food arrived, a half order of veggie fajitas. This was one of the better fajita orders I’ve had. The sizzling veggies included lots of onions, green Bell peppers, yellow squash, and Zucchini. In addition the platter included a few small pieces of Portobello mushrooms and Brussels Sprouts! The side plate included seasoned rice (with a green seasoning with a pleasant mild flavor) and a cup of delicious thick seasoned black beans. The third oval plate included Avocado, sour cream, diced tomatoes, lettuce and Jalapeños. In a metal bowl were three warm small tortillas (I chose the flour version). This was enough to feed two hungry people and the flavors were excellent. I like to eat fajitas solely on tortillas and these were too small to accommodate the melange of ingredients set before me.

I don’t know why, but most of the Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants I’ve frequented all seem to squirt way too much oil on the veggies when they are being skillet charred. The flavor in these was good and they had a dark red seasoning on them that may have been a seasoning that was being advertised in the restaurant. I never got a clear understanding of that. So, half the oil would have sufficed, especially not knowing what kind of oil was being used.

Finally, I have to give five stars for the food. The portions are large judging by my order and by what I saw delivered to other guests. The service was very lame and my server came by the table one time just minutes after the food was brought to me. I waited and waited for my check. The credit card machine was brought to the table pre-set at a 20 percent tip with an additional suggested tip between 3 and 7 percent. REALLY? We don’t have that kind of tipping arrogance even in Nashville. I changed the tip to the only lowest position of 18 percent. I pressed the button requesting a paper receipt. Again, I waited and waited. The server saw me continuing to sit and I finally caught him and asked for the receipt. It had already been printed and was sitting on a table next to the bar. Attentiveness is not his middle name. Otherwise, the atmosphere was that of a resort area boardwalk with a party atmosphere notwithstanding fairly heavy Jack-hammer music that was a tad too loud.

Conclusion: I have worked with many different types of restaurants over a good number of years. I assume street traffic makes this restaurant a success in spite of the problems I see here plain as day. Complacency creeps in when business is almost too good to bother with sloppiness. I am seeing too many recent one star reviews here to believe anything otherwise. Ongoing training at highly successful restaurants always takes center stage. Most of the reviews start with comments about a photographer but the food is the star and I’m personally glad my meal was...

So, I have eaten here 4 or 5 times during my vacation. I'm visiting from Houston, Texas. Not only am I well versed in the difference between TexMex and authentic Mexican food, I can get it on every corner at home.

To be clear... this is a TexMex restaurant. If you are looking for authentic Mexican, then I suggest going on vacation to Texas or California. One of the major selling factors for me is that there is a rooftop bar/eating area that allows you to bring your dog. If vacationing like me, with yourself and your dog, it's a great perk.

This is the only place I have ever eaten where chips and salsa do not come complementary with your meal. Definitely not a perk. However, they have really good drinks...more flavor than alcohol... but still tasty. I was actually impressed with the chicken fajitas. Good portion sizes. However, the regular sour cream that comes with your meal is "cilantro sour cream". I personally can't stand cilantro, but they were happy to substitute regular for me instead.

Overall, the atmosphere on the roof (I always had my dog, so never ate in the main restaurant) is really good. Great staff and great music. However, the recurring theme of this restaurant is literally charging you something for everything but water (tourist business model). Pay attention to the details on the menu!! Chips and salsa, extra side of regular sour cream, extra side of cheese (because the fajitas do not come with cheese), etc...all have charges when you get your bill. In addition, you pay your bill on a handy little portable electronic thing that the servers use to take your order and stuff. When the server gives it to you to complete payment they have already set the tip to 22%. You have the option to adjust higher or lower. However, if you didn't notice and then set your tip off of their suggested amount on the screen... you are still going to potentially tip higher than you expected.

All of the above isn't a big issue for me as I'm eating alone. However, it could be a huge deal for a family of 4 or more! To give you an idea...I get chips and queso, chicken fajitas, 2 blackberry mojito, substitute regular sour cream and ask for a side of cheese. My bill has been $75 each time (including tip)... and I'm eating alone. But, I'm personally okay with that and might be the best tourist...

Loco Burro has a festive and bright atmosphere with a sports bar/ restaurant feel to it. While I will say it definitely gets the job done here are a few things I wish I knew before heading in.

The menu is extensive so you will definitely find something tasty to eat. I on the other hand did not have much luck with that. I ordered the veggie taco trio for a lighter lunch and I absolutely hated them. The veggies were flavorless and weird with a less than stellar choice of vegetables for a TexMex taco. I think it had mushrooms and some other type of “seasonal vegetable” that overall was just not what one would expect. The tacos did have a sauce over them that had all the flavor and the rice and beans, that came on the side, stole the show. Overall, skip the veggie tacos. Go for rice and beans.

My husband got a chicken quesadilla, which I thought lucky him until he described how incredibly salty it was. Another bummer since he was the one who really wanted to stop here. Not sure what more I could say here but maybe other quesadillas are better.

The food did come out super quick, so kudos to the kitchen for being on top of their stuff. The service on the other hand was subpar, our waiter wasn’t bad but he was just so awkward. We weren’t even seated for a minute before he came to take our orders. He then came back 2 more times before we had a chance to read the whole menu (and it’s pretty big) additionally he came by 4 more times to ask if everything was ok with the food. It was attentive but it bordered overbearing.

The restaurant offers outdoor and indoor seating; and inside by the bar you will get to see the game (that we loved). Lastly, this is the type of restaurant where they come to your table for those picture print out things. It’s a no for me, but if you want some neat souvenir then this...