El Jinete Mexican Restaurant is a favorite of the Dining Duo in Oak Ridge so when the family opened another on Emory Road, we had to see if it would be an equal. It is definitely a match for its Oak Ridge sister.
Deceptive from the outside as it is situated in a strip of businesses along the FirstBank side of Emory Road across from Kroger Marketplace, it expands deep into its location with an ability to accommodate multiple parties of any size.
Matching the expansive table seating is the restaurant’s five-page menu including offerings of any Mexican flavor a diner can imagine including appetizers, quesadillas, nachos, burritos, fajitas and any combo conceivable.
It offers one specialty not offered at any Mexican restaurant we have noted: special guacamole made with mangoes. It is incredible and always enough to take home at under $10.
The Duo each ordered fajitas with one enjoying the Shrimp Fajitas that were accompanied with sauteed onions, green peppers, refried beans, Mexican rice, guacamole, sour cream, Pico de Gallo, lettuce and choice of tortillas. The other Duo ordered the Fajitas Texanas which included steak, chicken and shrimp on a bed of sauteed onions, and all the above that came with the shrimp. The servings were more than enough for two meals so that boxes went home for future meals.
We highly recommend traveling from any part of town to Powell for this Mexican food experience! Fresh, delicious, and plentiful with fair prices.
El Jinete is located at 237 E. Emory Road, Powell, Tennessee.
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
The Dining Duo is looking for the “hidden gem eateries “where the locals fill the breakfast and lunch hour; those local haunts tucked into the out of way or right on the way places missed in the hustle and bustle of the day. Email us your recommendations at email here.
