Las Maracas is nothing earth-shaking but certainly does offer solid Mexican food. I recommend the Chiles Poblanos.

I've been to the one on Gallatin Rd a few times. It's a'ight.

The only food in that neck of the woods? You skipped over the Picnic Cafe, which, albeit a bit ladies-who-lunch is very good. And you don't have to go too far around the corner down White Bridge to get some very good food. O'Charley's and Wendy's notwithstanding.

Oh, and I don't mean to be picky, but it's another Tex-Mex restaurant, not an authentic Mexican restaurant. The telltale signs--being able to order by number and the inclusion of chimichangas and the Speedy Gonzales lunch special. I hope it has better guacamole than the nearby Las Palmas, Cinco de Mayo, and that place in Lion's Head Village.

I'm a fan of the Inglewood location -- nothing mind blowing, but it's reliable, friendly, cheap, close to home, and open reasonably late. Also, I luuurve their spinach enchiladas.

Will this place have any type of Oaxacan Mole?

If not lavishly fabulous food...there is plenty of food in the area, especially if you're looking for a quick-er bite and not as expensive a meal.

Yes, there is marvelous food along White Bridge Road and Charlotte Pike. And the lemon pies at the Picnic are to die for. But let's face it, if you want to, say, stroll a baby carriage down Harding Road on a Saturday morning to get some breakfast, you're pretty much SOL between the Dairy Queen at 440 and the Taco Bell, unless the guys at the Belle Meade fire station pop out of the garage and offer you a donut as you walk by. I miss Moon's Drug.

excuse meeeee...time out please - just one quick sec, ok?

carrington - i had gravlax from zabar's with their sweet mustard dill sauce on an H&H bagel at my mom's house tonight. it's one of my fave things and i always start my trip with that or chinese take out. i wanted to share this with youuuuu because i know you care. stay tuned. the eating frenzy starts tomorrow with lunch at an undisclosed location and BLT Market for dinner which i am very excited about. it's a high end locavore kinda place.

now back to your regularly scheduled show!

Carrington,
I miss Moon Drugs as well. Their egg salad on toast was always a great Saturday brunch item when I was in the neighborhood.

Taco Bell or Zabar's? Ouch. Claudia, have a great trip. Keep the dispatches coming.

Claudia, eat a bialy for me! Uh, Moon drug. I think I only ever ate the fountain stuff there like ... chocolate milkshakes. In that neighborhood, a big, sloppy RIP to Belle Meade Cafeteria -- I took Sweet Cheeks there just a month or two before it closed and DANG it was great, classic homecooked Southern food.

The Las Maracas on Gallatin Rd recently switched over to what seems suspiciously like pre-made guacamole. Gone are the telltale chunks of avocado; it's not a good sign.

"Will this place have any type of Oaxacan Mole?"

Absolutely not. But you will have seventy-seven different ways to layer the same five ingredients, three of which are cheese.

Oh baby. I once walked 30 blocks just to try a single bialy at Kossar's bakery. Then I had to backtrack for a Reuben at Katz's Deli. Sweet, sweet New York. So H&H is the bagel place, hmmm?

no bialy's yet but i did hit otto for lunch and blt market for dinner. and the morgan library - a beautiful museum on 38th inbetween where we spent 3 glorious hours.

and it snowed today - nearly all day and it was BEAUTIFUL. cold but not too cold. like 30ish.

i am in HEAVEN.

Barbara Please - i would like to just say that you are exaggerating because when I COUNTED THERE WERE ONLY 47 WAYS TO LAYER THE 5 INGREDIENTS - 3 BEING CHEESE. YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN INCLUDING THE LUNCH MENU.

oops cap lock - but so appropo...

Oh Claudia. Be my Valentine.

Thank you Barbara Please! I was really asking the question about finding some good mole in this town, and I appreciate you for giving me a straight answer about food in this town. I need to keep searching I guess.

I once walked a block and half for a Twinkie and a 22oz Budweiser.

So basically Las Maracas is Taco Bell with table service, no drive thru, and worse hours?

Another victory for sysco beans and yellow cheez!

Don't get me wrong - Las Maracas is great for a hangover. The huevos rancheros on a Sunday cannot be beat. It's a perfectly servicable low-end Tex-Mex joint, identical to about thirty other ones in town.

Can I put in a plug for Back to Cuba here? I went last week for the vaca frita, and it was freaking unbelievable. About $8 for crisp shreds of beef, full of flavor and so much of it I took home more than half to Big Fella. An enormous side of the best black beans and rice I've ever had, outside of homemade, and again, more than two servings. But I ate the whole sauteed plaintain all by myself! It isn't "Mexican" but neither is most of what is called Mexican in Nashville.

Glad to hear it, because the phones aren't answering at Los Happy Bellys any more. Not that LHB was a world-beater.

I think it's gone. I drove past it the other day, and it looked like Los Empty Bellies.

I mean Bellys.

Is Back to Cuba supposed to be Mexican? I thought it was Cuban, like the owner and his mama, the cook.

I don' think Back to Cuba is Mexican at all, but it is wonderful food! Though be prepared for everything on you to smell like the grill since it's just one large room. Not a bad reminder of dinner, but after a few days I wanted my coat to stop smelling like grease.

I went for lunch after reading these posts, and it was OK. The vaca frita left a really unpleasant garlic aftertaste and wasn't as crispy as I hoped, but the fried plantains—yum! Speaking of which, I sure wish someone would post something about plantains....

Reason No. 4,011 to love Mr. Pink.

I like Maracas. The guys are fun and friendly, and the food is good for its type. It's also an easy place to find a cop.

and I remember when we used to sit around and complain that there were NO Mexican options in Nashville...now, everyone's an expert.

ole'!

(as opposed to, mole...)

Just ate there...not impressed. For the best mexican in the area, head to garcia's in franklin. for something a bit closer, tequila's at charlotte and old hickory blvd is great!!!