When I’m visiting a new place, I make a point of trying as many unique and interesting restaurants as possible. If they fit the “hole in the wall” description, so much the better. Yet, I’m prone to miss the hidden gems that I drive past every day. This was the case with Taco Loco in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Vital Stats
Name: Taco Loco
Address: 2167 Fort Campbell Blvd, Clarksville TN, 37042
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 1 pm to 9 pm
Monday through Friday, 10 am to 9 pm
Cuisine: Latin American/Asian fusion
Price: $10+ per person
Background and Location
A number of businesses have occupied the small, non-traditional building where Taco Loco now stands – a fireworks stand and a hotdog shop, for example. But Taco Loco has been there for years now. It’s always crowded with customers at lunchtime, and months ago a friend told me her family often drove across town just to get their taco bowls.
On appearances alone, you might not recognize Taco Loco as a flavor powerhouse. It consists of a mobile home-type structure with a gazebo out front, and picnic tables underneath. There’s another wooden structure and a food truck, as well as painted 50-gallon drums full of plants.
The unique, haphazard setup is part of the establishment’s charm. The trailer houses indoor dining, with plants and other items for sale, and it’s full of detailed street art-style murals. Place your order at the window of the smaller wooden structure. The food truck houses heavy-duty cooking equipment, such as the deep frier.
What Is the Food Like at Taco Loco?
When you arrive – and if you look a bit lost, as we did – the manager will welcome you and ask if you’ve eaten there before. If you say no, he’ll explain the menu, ask whether you prefer spicy or mild, and bring out samples of their meats, sauces, and drinks for you to try.
Their main menu consists of a selection of tacos or bowls. Tacos are street taco style, with meat, sauce, and veggies in a fresh tortilla. Bowls have cilantro lime or jasmine rice plus your meat, sauce, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese. Choose your meat – steak, chicken, or shrimp – and choose your number. Each number denotes a flavor profile, such as Thai sweet chili, Philly cheese, buffalo chicken, or jerk chicken.
There are also rotating specials on a nearby board. The day I was there, specials included dumplings, empanadas, and loaded French fries. Unique drinks include Thai tea, hibiscus juice, and a milky mango drink.
If you have dietary restrictions, don’t worry. The manager asked about this as well, and he was very conscious that none of my samples contained dairy. He also verified that my selections were safe for me. All items are customizable, so, for example, you could ask them to omit the cheese and sour cream.
You may be thinking, “Wait a sec – isn’t this a taco shop? What’s with the dumplings, Thai, and Jamaican seasonings?” The family who owns the shop has a diverse background that includes Thailand and Puerto Rico. The result is a tantalizing fusion of traditional flavors and cooking methods.
What We Recommend
Below are dishes we’ve tried and loved.
Loco Taco Chicken Bowl – This bowl (combination #1) consisted of cilantro lime rice, black beans, chicken with Loco sauce (a green, creamy, pesto-like sauce), huge chunks of chicken, spinach, guacamole, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
Thai J.J. Taco – Strips of steak, spinach, tomatoes, and onion on a tortilla, smothered in J.J. sauce (combination #3), which, according to the manager, “Is like Thai sweet chili sauce, only it’s more spicy and less sweet.”
Aloo Curry Empanadas – I always seek out the most unique menu item, and this was it. “Aloo” means potato, so this was a crispy, fried empanada stuffed with curry spiced potatoes. The combination was excellent!
Chicken Dumplings – these were the juiciest, most succulent dumplings I’ve ever had. Each serving has four large dumplings (each about an inch in diameter) served on a bed of shredded cabbage with peanut sauce.
How Much Does Taco Loco Cost?
At the time of our visit, tacos were $3.75 and bowls were $9.95. Our purchase of one bowl, one taco, two empanadas, and two bottles of water totaled $27 and some change, plus a tip. Expect to pay more than $10 per person when eating at Taco Loco
Conclusion
The moral of this story? Try the little taco shop, Thai restaurant, or whatever food truck you drive past every day. You might just find your new favorite spot.
Until then, check out more Clarksville, TN eats and things to do.
One part Lois Lane, one part Jimmy Olsen, one part Johnboy Walton, and a bit of that Clark Kent secret identity thing thrown in for good measure.
Cara Siera is a freelance writer and photographer with a passion for travel and exotic cuisine. Join Cara, her husband Marc, and one very spoiled German Shepherd on their next great adventure.