Carmen's Taqueria — Restaurant in Murfreesboro

I've been going to Carmen's nearly every Friday for years, so take that as immediate bias. That being said, ask yourself if you like good food, good service, and getting your drink on. Carmen's provides all three.

(Note that at the time this is being posted, Carmen's is extraordinarily busy on Friday nights and may include a wait and slower service. The music and food and margaritas will make up for it, though.)

Food:

If you like your food authentic, Carmen's does not disappoint with great huaraches, menudo, and flautas. If quantity is your go-to, try the molcajetes (filled with tons of seasoned meats and veggies) or practically any "large" dish (personally, my favorite is the large sincronizada which is basically an inside-out grilled chicken taco-pizza beast). The rest is pretty typical for a Mexican restaurant, but shouldn't be confused for tasting typical. I knew a man that was lost at sea who had a choice to have Carmen's or 8 gallons of fresh water; he chose Carmen's. He's dead now, but I think the point is clear.

Service:

The staff is very patient with all its customers, especially given that most are drinking (I'm looking at you, you lush). They'll take requests for substitutions and deliver with a smile. Service is typically fast save for the very busy peak days/times. Ask for tomatillo (green) sauce if you want your chips and dip to be spicy (no charge!).

Drinks:

Ah, yes. You scrolled directly here, didn't you, you margarita fiend. Their margaritas are to die for. They kick like a mule and taste like the sweet nectar that flowed from Mt. Olympus upon its being. Two will be enough for most (and they are typically 2-for-1). Three will make you dance against your will. Four will crush your language skills. Five will make the next 24 hours hell for everyone else. Six will cause time rifts and let you see multiple choices across several realities. Any more than six and you should probably re-evaluate your priorities in life. Live free, die hard.

Just please sober up before you leave for the night. The rest of us depend on you.

Happy and safe...

APPRECIATION OF YOUR GUESTS IS EVERYTHING AND THIS PLACE IS NOT IT!!!! We have been frequenting this restaurant for several years. Up until our last visit last Friday we have been pleased with the service and food. HOWEVER, we decided to have an early 4:30pm dinner with another couple and their child. There was a total of 6 of us. When we arrived it was before the rush and the place was close to being empty. We enjoyed the food and fellowship , got our check , and discussed leaving to go see Christmas lights somewhere. Before we got up the waitress came over and advised us that the manager had requested that we leave if we were not going to order any more food/drink. There was NO LINE at the door and still a few empty tables. I WAS APPAULED!!!!!! I have NEVER been asked to leave a restaurant! Being that I have experience in the hospitality business, I am always completely aware and considerate of keeping things moving as far as the turning of tables. They were extremely quick to ask us to leave. It wasn't at all like we were lingering . Our friends do not drink so it wasn't like we were being rowdy AND our children are between the ages of 8 and 13 so they were not noisy or making a mess. Seriously, no underlying or hidden perspective here....Everything was fine up until that point. HOW RUDE!!! WE WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK TO CARMEN'S AFTER BEING SO UNAPPRECIATED AND TREATED WITH SUCH DISRESPECT! There was no reason for this request and we were quite taken back by the whole thing. We will continue to give our favorite place Camino Real off Memorial and Thompson our continued business as they are ALWAYS amazing in every way and the line is worth the wait. We also found Margarita's off Northfield last night and I have to say the food is wonderful , good service, and the place is extremely clean and well kept! We LOVE supporting our local businesses but Carmen's has been marked off the list permanently and I will gladly spread the word to whomever I can. You just don't treat your...

If I had only one word to describe this restaurant, it would be "authentic". An expansive menu, including posole and menudo, plus a menu that actually explains what the dish actually is (really helpful for those of us not entirely sure what we are ordering most of the time). I had the barbacoa chimichanga (and yes, I am aware that the chimichanga may have been a tex-mex creation) which was fantastic. The BBQ beef was tender and delicious. Rather than guacamole from a jar, it was served with fresh sliced avocado. I had perhaps the best fresh sliced tomato I have had in a restaurant in years! The chips were not the flat greasy fare normally encountered in traditional restaurants. They were crispy, fluffy affairs. Truly amazing! And the salsa! Absolutely fantastic! My wife had the taco salad with ground beef. I thought it was fantastic. In fairness, she "borrowed" some of my fresh-shredded lettuce to round it out, but I recognize that preferences vary. Next time she orders the taco salad, she will request more lettuce, and will ask to substitute half the beef for refried beans but again, personal tastes vary. Considering this place is less than 10 minutes from our house, I look forward to visiting again and again. The food was amazing and the service was spectacular. Definitely 10/10! Oh, and the price...