El Morral Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Rockwood

&tldr; Stick with the Shrimp Fajitas, but be prepared to pay extra for a decent amount of tortillas. Avoid the tacos.

I’ll preface this review by saying that we’re from California, and so are used to a certain level of Mexican cuisine and service. We were driving through the area on a Monday evening of our cross-country trip, and stopped in because we were craving fajitas. The restaurant had only two other patrons when we arrived.

Chips and salsa were brought to our table almost immediately, and our drink orders taken. The chips were surprisingly unsalty and barely warmed (if at all) and the salsa was mild to the point of being completely unspicy. The waiter returned to take our order shortly thereafter, and my wife ordered the Shrimp Fajitas and I ordered the Trio Fajitas. The sandwich board out front had advertised that it was $1.00 Taco Day, so I couldn’t resist trying one of those (beef) as well.

The taco arrived first, and it was something of a disappointment: a crunchy shell filled part way with a ground beef substance that tasted like it been boiled without seasonings. It did, however, come with a generous portion of shredded lettuce and cheese. The overall flavor was “bland”, though. Between the salsa and the taco, I was beginning to fear for the flavor of the fajitas.

Our sizzling platters came next, looking and smelling impressive indeed. Unfortunately it took several minutes for the tortillas and plates with the “fixings” and tortillas to arrive - by which time the platters were no longer sizzling and starting to cool (most good restaurants will deliver all the items at the same time, or the sizzling platters last, to prevent this from happening). Thankfully the flavors of everything on the “fixings” plate was dead-on delicious, and the shrimp were perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection as well.

The beef was a bit overcooked/tough, and the chicken a little dry, though. Both were adequately seasoned. And they seemed to have given almost all the onions to my wife since her platter had plenty and mine practically none, so I had to steal some back (hopefully you’re on good terms with YOUR dinner companions if this happens to YOU 😉).

The tortilla situation was bad, though. My fajitas came with 3 small (5-6 inch? - definitely fewer and much smaller than I’m used to getting) tortillas wrapped in foil, which weren’t enough to get through even half of the fillings. I asked the waiter for more, which came reasonably promptly - but for which we were charged extra for on our bill. Now, being charged extra for more tortillas isn’t completely unheard of - but we take issue with not INFORMING the...

Well here we ago again....in the search for a decent cover on the mexican side, i insisted we try this place ...im new to Tennessee from Southern California not far from the border so i know good Mexican food . My tastes are somewhat simple in most cases , I love a good chile relleno and a couple shredded beef tacos in a combo cover with beans and rice. First problem I find out here is getting a combination on a single plate thats hot , it seems that for some reason that doesnt happen...so my order came on three plates i picture A lone chile, couple tacos and a plate of beans and rice ....all cold ! Not too mention the tacos in a pre made type Taco bell shell that was soggy from the juicy shreeded beef that actually wasnt bad tasting...of course they fell apart the minute I tried to eat them. Typically a shredded beef taco will be deep fried with the meat in the tortillas more authentic then garnished . Pretty simple for a good crispy taco...the chile was somewhat sad to say it was probably sometime prior and reheated to death...i know they are hard to make fresh as i have made them myself....but maybe served on a plate with beans and rice and smothered with sauce and cheese then carmalized could of saved it....i had to ask for more sauce and combine it with the beans and rice to make it edible but it was all cold anyway...needless to say i wasnt terribly impressed with my dinner. My son had the cammarones di ablo Grossly over cooked shrimp in what tasted like something of semi spicy ketchup not another failed attempt at a classic dish he usually has. His wife had the chicken something that was thin overcooked chicken breast smothered in onions that was bland and had no seasoning . Granny had the giant taco shell looking chicken salad bowl sort of thing smothered in sour cream and gauacomole with little chicken or lettuce to be found at the bottom . I will say the beer was cold and the chunky guacomole was pretty good. The server was very nice and very good we enjoyed her service as she did the best she could with what she had to work with. Sorry folks i tell it as it is ...and over a 100 bucks for dinner cant say i would give it another try....personally i have found in town the place by the 40 and the 27 has been the best bet for me although the service left something to be desired the food wasnt bad... Theres only one other place in town im sure ya'll know it i cant say i was impressed by but have yet to review as i didnt take any pictures but i may try it again as sometimes it just a matter of what you order as some dishes...

First visit review: TBH, without a neighbor's high-recommendation, I would NOT have eaten here (e.g., dated Walmart-anchor strip-mall)... traveled 25 miles (one way) to do so. Topline - I doubt you can find a better Mexican restaurant in East Tennessee Repeat! These people seem to be into proper, old-school restauranteuring. Clean facility/decor/lighting/music (didn't check restrooms). Polite, clean-cut, well-dressed staff. Food is WELL-BEYOND the typical 'pour-n-heat-Cisco-Mexican' REPEAT! NICE food! Family-friendly dining room with booths (love 'em), tables... and a nice, offset, small bar. Generous, well-priced portions! The Premium Margaritas Selection is FAR SUPERIOR to the typical bar offering (although the truly higher-end Margarita mix itself seems 'overly authentic' for my taste [super agave...???]). Given my experience in the Kingston/Harriman/Rockwood areas... this IS THE [ALL-THINGS-CONSIDERED] BEST RESTAURANT around! I'm literally eating leftovers as I edit... and soon...