Hungry for new flavors? Condado Tacos brings 'experimental' BYO menu to Farragut

Nancy Anderson
Updated 2 min read
0

It was a packed house at Knoxville’s newest taco joint, Condado Tacos on 11383 Parkside Drive, during the All Access 42 soft opening April 5.

The margaritas flowed freely and the tacos were a taste sensation to be sure. It’s a build-your-own concept so you get exactly what you want, but suggestions are on the menu. The claim to fame, according to owner Joe Kahn, is Lucy’s Fire. Stuffed with chicken (or protein of your choice) and wrapped with a shell, it has a secret ingredient named after Kahn’s wife, Julie.

The restaurant seats about 225 including an outdoor patio and employs about 60 staff members. The menu is filled with innovative ingredients such a Tajin, cilantro-lime aioli, jicama and Condado’s own Kewl Ranch Shell. They have tacos for everyone including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options, starting at $4.

Menu items are preservative free and GMO free. Even the straws are made from biodegradable agave.

Condado Tacos owner Joe Kahn says he thinks the Parkside Drive location will be "one of our top five stores."
Condado Tacos owner Joe Kahn says he thinks the Parkside Drive location will be "one of our top five stores."

Joe Kahn explains how he first fell in love with tacos.

“My family traveled to Guatemala back in the ’80s and women would walk the streets with flour tortillas in baskets on their heads. They will pull one off and rub it down with butter. I swear that was the most magical thing I ever tasted,” he said.

Kahn is also an artist, which is evident in every restaurant. All the walls are painted by local artists using vibrant colors, each restaurant with its own theme. Condado’s #42 features signs of the zodiac.

“You can look at these walls all day and still not see everything,” said Lincoln Workman, assistant regional manager.

Kahn said he enjoys acrylic painting in the neo-Impressionist style, which he said was weird and wacky.

Colorful murals line the walls at Condado Tacos in Turkey Creek. The restaurant seats about 225 with an outdoor patio.
Colorful murals line the walls at Condado Tacos in Turkey Creek. The restaurant seats about 225 with an outdoor patio.

“I love the walls, they’re vibrant and exciting. They really came out well,” Kahn said.

He said he’s impressed with East Tennessee.

“We love this area so much. I think this will be one of our top five stores. Knoxville has everything you could ever want, but what you don’t see much of is experimental tacos.

“People are excited to come to a place like this where you can get a taco, a drink … an alcoholic drink … and a side for less than $20. For this quality of food it’s just amazing,” Kahn said.

While Condado’s is a chain – with restaurants in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Canton, Toledo, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Lexington, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Charlotte – it has a local feel welcoming to everyone.

Condado’s opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. most days. Friday and Saturday closing is midnight.

Info and menu: condadotacos.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Condado Tacos opens new restaurant in Knoxville

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