This gem of a restaurant is hidden in a strip of fast food restaurants less than a half mile from the Tyson McGee airport in Knoxville. Our waiter Carlos helped us pick out some of the restaurant's featured dishes. The al pastor tacos took us right back to Mexico! But the stuffed deep fried avocado was super delicious. If you like spicy, try the charro beans! And don't forget the churros and ice cream for dessert. read more

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My favorite Mexican restaurant in Knoxville area. Food is always great. Staff has always been friendly.

Service is good, great drinks, food is typical American Mexican. I am picky with Mexican food but this place has a full menu with many options with good flavor. It's close the airport for those traveling. Full service bar. Good margaritas. Casual restaurant. read more

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I really like this place! The inside decorated nicely with lots of seating. The booths have plenty of room as well. The service is some of the best I have had in the area. The food. It is fantastic. I go 1-2 times a week with coworkers. I've had their tacos, and the Molcajete. The chips and salsa are great. If you enjoy heat they have a spicier sauce. Its all good here for me and I recommend. You will leave full, and may even have leftovers! read more

El Sazon Mexicano Restaurant - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Alcoa, Tennessee

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I would never think to write a review for an airport roadside Mexican Food restaurant in Knoxville! I have to say, I need to change my standards. Flights got canceled so we overnighted in a close by hotel. Fast food being the options, we found El Sazon. With mild expectations, we came in and were welcomed by a great staff. Attentive, friendly and fast. The place was clean, served a wide variety of margaritas and beer and really good food. I had the Tacos Deshembreo, which I had never heard of in California or Mexico. Basically braised beef with jalapenos and onions. Charro beans were spot on and accompanied by homemade Spanish rice. If you find yourself on Alcoa Highway and can't stand the idea of fast food or chain restaurants, give El Sazon a try!!!! read more

The service was good and the food was delicious. We got seated right away and food was out in a timely manner but unfortunately having to give it a one star and we will not be returning due to the finding in the restroom. Before we left, my mom went to the restroom and found a cockroach on the floor in her stall. read more

El Sazon Mexicano Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Alcoa, Tennessee

Food is excellent! Been coming here for almost 4 years since I moved to the area. I actually travel from Karns. Big portions and even an occasional discount code emailed to me. It's the only Mexican restaurant I will go to! A+++ read more

We had a family dinner out, and we were not impressed with the quality of the food. The server was not very friendly and seemed put out having to serve us. The Food came pretty quickly, but it looked like we had ordered from Taco bell and plated it. No sides were served with any of our dishes, which always have the basics: cheese, sour cream, quacamole, salsa, etc. Overall, I was very disappointed and will not be returning to El Sason. Lots of selection in the surrounding areas and worth driving a bit more for a good Mexican restaurant. read more

My wife and I went to this wonderful Mexican restaurant the food was delicious. I ordered borriito dinner and a large XX beer. Waiter was Jesus he was great! read more

My daughter and I called in beef and cheese nachos for pick up for dinner. When I got home with the order it was just cheese nachos. I called them back to have the girl that answered the phone tell me she took the order there is nothing wrong with it at all( I was setting beside my daughter when she called it in and heard her tell the lady 3 times meat and cheese). I was going out there at least weekly but after the girls attitude and her arguing with me and calling me a liar I will not bother going back there. I managed restaurants for years and if your employee is going to argue with customer and call them a liar I'll order elsewhere. read more

I used to eat here 1-2 times a week. I don't know what happened, but the food quality has taken a nose dive over the last couple of years. My last three visits have been disappointing. Chips and salsa are still good. I probably won't be coming back again. read more

Hands down great food. The shrimp fajitas are amazing and service was awesome. The bathrooms and restaurant was very clean and the cheese dip and chips were so good. They have really good salsa as well. The kids had tacos and cheese quesadillas. They are all their food. read more

Stopped in to El Saxon on my way back to Gulfport as I was craving some Mexican food. The location is good, lots of open parking. Walked in and was seated pretty quickly at a nice large table. There is lots of room in the restaurant which is nice, and the service was great. I ordered the chicken nachos and I liked how all the toppings are on a separate plate which makes it nice to be able to pick and choose what you want vs trying to tell someone what you do not want. The only reason for the 3 stars was because the nachos were a little too wet for my liking. I definitely will give it a second try next time I am through! read more

El Sazon Mexicano Restaurant - a plate of chicken nachos - Mexican Near Me - Alcoa, Tennessee

Was great tonight....my waiter Josue was wonderful....food was awesome....nice and cool in here. I recommend the chimichanga.. ..was great!!! They only complain was the young, tall slim host...medium length hair...not friendly...walked super fast to your table...threw the menu down and walked off. He need to be retrained!!! read more

I'm not too sure about this place. It's probably because I love Mexican food and I always compare it to all the great Mexican places I always frequent. I was on my way to the airport and a couple of co-workers took me here. The place was super crowded since we got here at 12pm but luckily we were seated right away. The services was great and the place was pretty clean. We started with the chips and salsa. There was no flavor in the salsa, it tasted like crushed tomatoes with a touch of garlic and onion powder. My co-worker asked for the "spicy" salsa and I think his definition was bell pepper spicy because there was no spice or flavor in the spicy salsa. I got a 3 item combination ($9). The price is definitely good for the amount of food they serve. I got the beef tamale, beef and cheese enchilada and beef taco. Thy put a lot of beef in each of the item and thank goodness that they do season their beef. If I was in Alcoa, TN again, I will pick something else than El Sazon. read more

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Been here twice great service Great Food omg! alwaysHot and freash! my favorite would be ? Chicken and Steak fajita omg! Trust me I'm old cook that like Good thng? I'm honest and well tell what I think ! lol but GOFORIT $ cheap for airport area! bye hope u like read more

The best part of El Sazon is the salsa and chips. Of all the standard mexican places in town it is the most flavorful. Everything else is standard fare. Our server didn't write anything down, didn't miss anything, but after she placed our order we never saw her again. Apparently she was too busy with the other table that she was waiting on to get our drinks refilled, or bring the check etc.. Eventually we grabbed the hostess for help. It's quick, okay prices. But if that is how service is there I can think of thirty other places just like it to eat at. read more

We use to eat here all the time but me and my wife came in on 4/28/24 and had to go to the hospital the next morning because I could not stop throwing up and cramping all over. First time I have ever had food poisoning. read more

So, first of all I realize that the end of a busy holiday is not the best time to eat at or review a restaurant, but at least I'm admitting that it wasn't perfect timing for them. Still, 3 stars means OK. And this place is like many Mexican (and Chinese) places. You go in expecting standard fare, not to be blown away by special cuisine. So in a way I'm just saying it's an OK, standard Mexican (tex-mex) joint. I thought my dish (in the special section, avocado stuffed) was pretty good. The beans with it were very good; I usually don't even eat the beans given as sides but these were just too tasty. Also, the chips and salsa were plentiful and were replaced often (we were a hungry foursome). Beer on tap had a good selection and we enjoyed those, at a very good price, too. Not so good: others said their enchiladas were stiff, as if the tortillas weren't too fresh or soaked in sauce enough. They were out of shrimp but didn't tell us till we'd all ordered (two of us ordering shrimp dishes. I dropped a fork; the server was right there and picked it up and said he'd bring a new one, then we waited and finally asked another server to bring one. Just little things added up for the 3 stars. Would I go again? Sure, if I was in the mood for Mexican and it was the nearest place. But would I go out of my way to go there as opposed to 5-10 other similar Mexican places within 7 miles? No, I don't think so. read more

El Sazon Mexicano Restaurant - Stuffed avocado dish - Mexican Near Me - Alcoa, Tennessee

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I love a good Mexican spot and this place met all of my needs! * I love that you get your very own salsa for starters. I really hate sharing salsa with the table. lol. The salsa was a tad on the sweet side...so we asked for jalapenos & a side of queso. The side of queso is huge & just your typical queso, nothing fancy. * I ordered the chicken fajitas. They didn't come out sizzling and hot like most places so they were kinda cold. But the taste was pretty good and there was so much food!! Plenty of leftovers. * Our server was awesome!!! She was super friendly & really fast!!! read more

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One of the worst Mexican restaurants I've ever ate at first off a large cheese sauce is $10. You get charged extra if you changed instead of red sauce on your. Enchilada three dollars to be exact. I ordered a plan and Chilada and I got one plane and one with jalapeños and I hate spicy so thank God I looked at it if I could give negative I would read more

20 minutes before taking our drink order. Over 30 minutes before getting food. Food was cold. Waitress was rude. Never smiled. Barely said anything when taking our order, and when we asked for extra napkins, she turned without saying a word, came back and tossed a stack of napkins from several feet away, and left. Other observations: Ripped up chair upholstery, food on floor, loose sink pipes in bathroom. read more

El Sazon Mexicano Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Alcoa, Tennessee

I've eaten here several times before, and have usually enjoyed it. Had lunch here yesterday with 4 other people, and three of us were on the toilet with severe cramping issues all night. Be weary. read more

5pm on a Tuesday. Sat for 15 minutes without anyone showing up to bring chips, bring water or take my order. At least 4 or 5 employees standing around. Will never come here again. read more

It is one of the worst Mexican restaurants I've ever sat down to eat at the tortillas were completely raw. I eat all over the country. This place is by far one of the top 10 worst read more

Decent Mexican food for an excellent price. Stopped in for lunch before heading to airport to head home. The place was pretty empty, but it was almost 2:00. I was immediately shown a booth and served with an enormous basket of chips with some salsa. The chips were fresh and the salsa spicy. I ordered a margarita and the make your own lunch platter with 2 items for $7.99 ($8.99 because of Covid). I had the pork tamale and chicken enchilada. Both the tamale and enchilada came smothered with a red sauce that was tasty. The chicken enchilada was excellent; the tamale was just ok (all of the stuff in the middle was already flowing out, but it tasted good). Biggest issue was the margarita, which tasted like it was made with store-bought sour mix, but it was only $5.00, so I cannot complain too much. read more

Close to the hotels. Off a crazy divided highway though, so dangerous and sometimes can get stuck for 10 minutes before you can cross. Service was good, food was good. Adult Beverage was WARM. C-! read more

Went with girlfriends tonight. Our initial server was awful. Waited 25 mins without so much ad water. They were steady but not swamped. Finally took drink order, 5/8 were brought wrong. 45mibs in we still hadn't been able to order food. Thankfully one of our group asked for another server to help. Next server was far better. Food was just ok. Queso and guac, average. Def wouldn't bother going back. My margarita was blah. Tasted like prepare mix even though I ordered top shelf on the rocks. read more

Aside from fighting Alcoa Hwy, this Mexican restaurant was very good. Great salsa! Extensive menu ...seriously. Large food quantities, good quality. Fast attentive service. Definitely will be back. read more

The service was great! The salsa and chips were really good. This was supposed to be a steak stuffed avocado, wrapped in cheese and deep fried. It only had 1 piece of steak inside (-1 star). The steak in the burrito was really tender and flavorful - I ended up gutting the burrito and put it on the avocado. read more

El Sazon Mexicano Restaurant - a plate of food - Mexican Near Me - Alcoa, Tennessee

My copilot and I were really pleased with the food quality, service and prices at this restaurant. We eat Mexican all over the USA so have a good perspective to compare by. I give it 5 stars! read more

Great food. Accurate takeout order. Everything was ready when I said it would be, and when I got home it was exactly what we ordered. Everything was delicious. read more

Great food. Large portions. Great prices. Full bar. My mixed fajitas with 2 already eaten. 8.99$ lunch size. Enough for two to split, in my case 3 people with the chips and salsa. Will definitely be back. This was my second visit read more

El Sazon Mexicano Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Alcoa, Tennessee

Horrible customer service! The waiter I had was so slow. Chips were stale and the food was mediocre

DO NOT EAT HERE!!! The service was horrible, the lady taking my order was rude and mean. Got my order wrong, which would be fine asides the fact that the food was disgusting. Only ate a couple bites of the nasty food but still had to pay. read more

Our server was great. We shared a single portion of the vegetable fajitas and there is plenty to share. Food was delicious.

Good food, reasonably priced. Quick, attentive service. Outdoor seating available. Menu is online at http://elsazonmexicano.net/el-sazon-menu/ read more

El Sazon is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Blount County! Their salsa is my absolute favorite. It is seasoned well and has a nice kick to it. My favorite dish on the menu is the arozzo con pollo. It's fajita style chicken and veggies served on a bed of rice topped with queso. It is so good we order it for takeout about once a week. They also offer online ordering now which is so convenient. El Sazon is near my work so it's super easy for several of us to order online for pickup. read more

I been coming to this restaurant for years. Real good food and good service until tonight. Met a lazy server who would not go check to see if they had a drink that was listed on the menu because he did not want to make to many trips. One he did not make himself understood his accent was to strong (I am bi-lingual) I could not understand at first. Then I got what he was saying, VERY RUDE like " what else do you want, I dont want to go all the way over there and then come back to take the rest of the order. What other drink. Twirling his pen like we were to much trouble. My in laws don't speak spanish, and my father in law did not understand this guy. He was lazy and very rude. I decided to leave and he followed me to the front telling me to go with God. Then he accused me of hitting him, he was right next to me i moved my hand to put my handbag strap back on my shoulder and he walked into my 2 fingers with his mouth. I should be filing suit for contaminating me with his germs. Never has this happen to us and we very good tippers always more then 20- 25 %. My stepmom was a waitress. read more

Food was okay but we're having a LOT of heartburn 2 hours later, which we rarely get. The ladies bathroom was truly dirty. The floor drain was filled with gunk and litter. The metal stall walls are rusting out from the bottom. There's no way to keep an old, rusty bathroom even reasonably clean. The whole bathroom needs a redo. read more