El Jinete - Hixson

El Jinete in Hixson, Tennessee, offers an authentic Mexican dining experience that transports guests straight to the heart of Mexico. Located at 5031 Hixson Pike, this family-owned restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite since opening its doors, serving made-from-scratch dishes that showcase the rich tapestry of regional Mexican cooking. The menu features standout items like griddle-seared street tacos piled high with chicken, served in warm corn tortillas with salsa roja, fresh lime, onion, and cilantro. Their Enchiladas Supremas are rolled and smothered in house-made sauce, finished with crema, offering a different filling in each bite. The restaurant also serves savory tamales, hand-mashed guacamole, and the legendary fried ice cream—a warm crispy shell surrounding cold vanilla ice cream, topped with caramel and a cherry. The full bar serves handcrafted margaritas made with fresh-squeezed citrus, shaken and salted to perfection. Reviews consistently praise the phenomenal margaritas, the spectacular food, and the inviting atmosphere decorated as if your favorite abuela hit the lottery and opened a restaurant. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday until 10:30 PM. Both pickup and delivery are available through their online ordering system.