Chef Jesse Newmister chats with Chef Daniel Saldivar of Tootsie Truck
We were out of town for the opening of one of the most talked about new restaurants in Knoxville. Jesse Newmister, chef/owner of a Knoxville favorite Kaizen, recently stretched his reach to Tako Taco. Housed in the Mill and Mine event/concert venue, Tako Taco springboards from Kaizen’s Itzakaya concept and takes it further. Chef Newmister’s new place takes inspiration from world street food with quality ingredients like Springer Mountain Farms Chicken and locally grown vegetables from the Market Square Farmers Market. The menu is not bound by a certain geography, only by the limits of his creativity. We sampled a number of dishes that drew from Latin, French, and Asian streetfare. Each dish packed a punch of flavor and was completely unique. As with Kaizen, we can say that no other spot in Knoxville does anything like it. This will undoubtedly become one of our regular hangouts and it should be on your list.
A view from outside Tako Taco
The industrial vibe of the interior fits perfectly with the beautiful Mill and Mine design with 2 walls of floor to ceiling glass, concrete countertops from Paulk and Co, and a spacious covered patio. Normal hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to 10pm and during shows at the Mill and Mine. Ample street parking surrounds the restaurant (just mind the meters if your space has one).
I didn’t get a photo of the clarified margarita, but if you enjoy something really unique, and like tequila, you simply MUST have this cocktail!
The best margarita I’ve had in a long time!
Dishes are moderately priced and servings are more than generous. As with Kaizen, Chef Newmister combines flavor profiles you wouldn’t expect and they come together beautifully. Congratulations on another success chef!
Beautiful spacious bar
We typically try to pick different dishes so we can show the variety of what a restaurant has to offer, but together with friends, we all wanted many of the same items. And we were just fine with that because it was all amazing.
Tako Taco Menu Designed by Robin Easter
Corn-Doggo-Yaki with Bonito Flakes
Ribeye Tacos
Chicken Skin Nachos… if you like pork rinds, you’re going to love this dish!
Papaya Slaw
Chicken Verde en Croute was one of the best dishes I’ve had all year!
Spicy, sweet, citrusy wings with just the right amount of funk
