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To the Birmingham, Memphis, & Jackson guys: Babalu's Tacos and Tapas
Posted on 5/29/15 at 2:14 am
Posted on 5/29/15 at 2:14 am
They've just announced downtown Knoxville will be their 4th location following the 3 listed above. Shooting for completion some time this fall.
Has anybody been there that can offer some insight/thoughts on the food, vibe, drinks etc? Would you recommend this joint?
Has anybody been there that can offer some insight/thoughts on the food, vibe, drinks etc? Would you recommend this joint?
This post was edited on 5/29/15 at 2:18 am
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Posted on 5/29/15 at 6:43 am to TRUERockyTop
I haven't been to the Bham location, but a buddy of mine is one of the chefs there. The friends of mine that have been say its good. The food my buddy puts out looks great, just haven't found time to get there.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 6:58 am to TRUERockyTop
I went to the one in Jackson and really enjoyed it, so while the SO and I were in Memphis we ate at the one there and I didn't like any of the food we got, and we got the exact same thing we had in Jackson.
I think it just depends. It has the potential to be good though. They make the Guac right in front of you and I'm not a huge Guac fan but that shite was good there.
I think it just depends. It has the potential to be good though. They make the Guac right in front of you and I'm not a huge Guac fan but that shite was good there.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 7:01 am to TRUERockyTop
The restaurant in Jackson is one of my favorite places to eat in the metro-area. The freshly-made guacamole is the best around and the Baba Burger is amazing! They have daily specials and one my favorites is the braised short rib enchiladas. Beer is cold and the service is usually great.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 8:05 am to TRUERockyTop
It's ok. it's tapas so you know the vibe/crowd you're going to get.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 8:43 am to TRUERockyTop
Went to the one in Birmingham once. Not a big tapas person so we all ended up getting the "extra" or whatever to make it our own individual meals. The food was pretty good, but there are a lot of places in Birmingham I'd rather go.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 8:46 am to TRUERockyTop
My GF loves tapas type places and Im not a fan. Just give me a generous portion of something good and an excellent beer.
That said, Glocksville needs places like this. I hope it does well. I'm sure I'll get suckered into going at some point.
That said, Glocksville needs places like this. I hope it does well. I'm sure I'll get suckered into going at some point.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 8:46 am to TRUERockyTop
First time I went it was very good. Second time was very meh. Cool atmosphere though.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 8:53 am to TRUERockyTop
I wanted to like it, but just didn't. I didn't really dislike it either though. I'd go there again, especially if it's open late(it may be, I don't know) after a concert or something.
I like El Barrio better.
I like El Barrio better.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 8:59 am to The Spleen
quote:
I like El Barrio better.
I like El Barrio, but I don't get the craze over it. Last time we walked in, it was an hour and a half wait...and they wouldn't call you if you wanted to walk down the street to Paramount or somewhere in order to pass the time.
Its good, but I don't think its worthy of having a line around the corner.
This post was edited on 5/29/15 at 9:00 am
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:02 am to FairhopeTider
quote:
Its good, but I don't think its worthy of having a line around the corner.
Agreed. I don't think any restaurant is worth that long of a wait, but I'm extremely impatient when it's time to eat. We always go around 5 before the younger crowds get there. We had to wait about 10 minutes once, but every other time we've been seated immediately.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:02 am to FairhopeTider
I live within 2 blocks of El Barrio and have been 1 time. That is how highly I think of it. 
I wish they'd call you. I'd just sit at home till they called. As I've said before on here though, there are better places to go in Birmingham to spent $50 on 2 dinners and 2 drinks.
ETA: I had the same experience as Spleen. I went before they even opened (4:50 when they opened at 5 I think) they let us wait inside but couldn't seat us till 5. There were about 4 other groups that did the same so we had a table in about 10 minutes.
I wish they'd call you. I'd just sit at home till they called. As I've said before on here though, there are better places to go in Birmingham to spent $50 on 2 dinners and 2 drinks.
ETA: I had the same experience as Spleen. I went before they even opened (4:50 when they opened at 5 I think) they let us wait inside but couldn't seat us till 5. There were about 4 other groups that did the same so we had a table in about 10 minutes.
This post was edited on 5/29/15 at 9:04 am
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:10 am to TRUERockyTop
Memphian here. Bablu is a very popular restaurant here. I've been twice and it's pretty good.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:23 am to TRUERockyTop
They are tasty but vastly over priced and severely undersized tacos . Eating 3 tacos plus chips dip and quac shouldn't leave me debating on going to Wendy's for a cheeseburger
This post was edited on 5/29/15 at 9:25 am
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:43 am to yellowhammer2098
quote:
I wish they'd call you. I'd just sit at home till they called.
I'm pretty sure the same group that owns El Barrio also owns Paramount. You'd think they'd have no problem letting you go elsewhere & notifying you with a text instead of just letting money walk out the door. I guess that's why I'm not in the restaurant industry.
This post was edited on 5/29/15 at 9:44 am
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:47 am to FairhopeTider
I really enjoy Paramount. I've gone for just drinks, just food, and food and drinks. I'll be interested to see what Tavern on 1st is like. Hoping its not another Collins. 
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:53 am to TRUERockyTop
Food is good in Jackson.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:54 am to yellowhammer2098
We really need Uber down there because I like Paramount too, but I'm not a fan of circling 3 times only to park 4 blocks away.
I'm interested to see Tavern on 1st as well. That whole area is becoming a lot of fun.
What I'm not a fan of is Carrigan's. Worst. Service. Ever.
I'm interested to see Tavern on 1st as well. That whole area is becoming a lot of fun.
What I'm not a fan of is Carrigan's. Worst. Service. Ever.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 9:57 am to TRUERockyTop
Been to the one in Jackson several times. They haven't been entirely consistent with their food, but enough so that I'd go again. It's a bit overpriced. Excellent local beer selection. The misses says the wine selection is good too. Service can be hit or miss, but that's most places these days.
Posted on 5/29/15 at 10:05 am to piggidyphish
quote:
it's tapas so you know the vibe/crowd you're going to get.
I despise tapas. I didn't even know that the hell that meant before I went to a place on a date once. She was like "oh yeah it's smaller portions so you order a bunch to share". I was like ok, get to eat a bunch of different stuff, I can get on board with this. Then I realized that the portions are small as shite so you only get like 1.5 bites of each "meal", yet the prices are still fairly high, as in only a few bucks less than an actual, real meal would be. I will never eat tapas again if I have any say in the matter.
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