Dining Out
The Corner Taqueria, Smyrna
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays.
Starters and sides, $1.25-$9.99; tacos, $3.99-$5.99; burritos and bowls, $7.99; salads, $3.99-$8.99; kids menu, $3.75-$4.99.
2860 Atlanta Road, Suite C, 770-805-8204, www.thecornertaqueria.com
From the owners of Zucca Pizzeria and Vintage Tavern, The Corner Taqueria joins those two spots in Smyrna Market Village, offering a full-service menu of gringo tacos and specialty drinks and an energetic sports bar atmosphere.
The look: Located in a corner storefront, TCT’s neat brick facade blends with the bustling Village street scene. Beyond the front door, the decor is a miscellany of rustic wood plank walls and Mexican curios like sombreros, blankets, saddles and skulls. An overhead garage door opens to a cozy enclosed patio.
The scene: One Saturday evening, the multiple flatscreen TVs that hang above the bar and surround the dining areas were tuned to ESPN, though food, drink and conversation were the focus at most tables. Young food runners wearing TCT logo T-shirts loped in and out of the kitchen, while a bartender delivered a top shelf tequila flight to a server and commented: “This is how classy people get drunk.”
The menu: In addition to free chips with red and green salsa, sharable starters include queso fundido with chorizo ($7.49), guacamole ($7.99), and nachos with chicken or pulled pork ($9.49). Tacos include Buffalo chicken ($4.99), fried or grilled fish ($4.99), steak ($5.99), and a breakfast taco with eggs, chorizo, potatoes and cheese ($4.25). Order the custom burritos or bowls ($7.99, plus extras) and you choose from a list of proteins, veggies, salsas and sauces.
The drinks: Libations begin with the TCT margarita ($5/$6), served on the rocks, frozen, or up in a martini glass. The Sneaky Rita ($7) stakes its dietary claim to a 15-calorie margarita mix. Tequila flights ($10-$30) are served on a wooden paddle with limes and housemade sangrita. A recent draft beer list featured Dos Equis ($4) and Blue Moon ($5), plus several craft offerings, such as New Holland Mad Hatter IPA and Sweetwater Exodus Porter.
The extras: Look for weekday lunch specials and drink specials some nights. Desserts include fried ice cream ($4) and caramel empanadas ($5). On the kids menu, find a chicken melt ($4.99) and a taco plate ($4.99).
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