Bounty of food-and-drink kicks at Soccer Taco

Margaritas and good company bring friends, from left, Jeremy Batson, Kyndall Monroe, Scott Campion and Chris Simmons together at Soccer Taco.

Margaritas and good company bring friends, from left, Jeremy Batson, Kyndall Monroe, Scott Campion and Chris Simmons together at Soccer Taco.

David Barrowdough and Jessica Jones, from left, chat over chips and drinks at Soccer Taco.

Fine Mexican fare livens up a night out for, from left, John T. Black, Cindy Epperly and Andrew Henderson.

In recent months I've found something missing in Knoxville's bar scene. Sure, there is plenty of booty-shaking, binge drinking and all-you-can-watch football throughout Knoxville, but where are all the margaritas and jumbo beer specials?

There are places that often seem to get overlooked that have some of the best prices on beer, specials where you can get two basketball-size margaritas and some killer food - all in that convenient sports-bar style package. Welcome to the Mexican restaurant.

Sadly, not all Mexican restaurants are created equal in their desire to provide a quality nightlife experience, and are mostly content filling you with beans and cheese until you can simply take no more. The wonderfully named Soccer Taco, however, not only provides a suitable dining experience, but decent nightlife as well.

Located in Bearden on Kingston Pike, Soccer Taco has been one of my favorite places to grab a bite or just get a few drinks with some friends over the last few years. While the building is fairly small and the patio is only relevant during the warmer months, I've never had trouble getting a seat even when the parking lot appears to be full.

There are booths lining three walls with tables in the center and a bar on the fourth wall, making the floor space at Soccer Taco minimal and cramped. If you prefer a less intimate experience, Soccer Taco might not be for you. There are a few large flat-screen televisions in each corner booth and behind the bar, with three or four smaller LCD screens spread out on each wall.

If you are trying to catch a sporting event, chances are Soccer Taco will be airing it. In addition to the usual suspects at most sports bars, including all Vols games, Soccer Taco also airs a wide variety of European sporting events throughout the year.

For those looking to drink, Soccer Taco has enough options to keep the average drinker happy. A 12-ounce glass starts at $2.25 for domestics and $2.95 for one of their many (mostly Mexican) imports, which include Pacifico, Dos Equis Amber, Tecate, Corona and one of my personal favorites, Negra Modelo.

Moving up, you can get a 32-ounce mug for $4.95 on the domestic side or $5.95 if the imports are more your fancy. Pitchers are $7 and $8.95, respectively.

However, the real way to start off your evening is with a margarita. Soccer Taco has some of the best, starting at $4.25 for the smallest size and running up to $22.95 for a top shelf pitcher. As far as specials go, there isn't anything spectacular. From 2-6 p.m. you can grab two for one small margaritas and a $2.99 tequila on the rocks.

Soccer Taco has some of the better Mexican food in town, and it's pretty cheap too. My buddy and I both had the vegetarian Colts combo - a bean, cheese and tortilla affair for $7. Another pal decided to try the Ultimate Chicken burrito for $8.95. All of it was delicious as usual, and a great way to wash down the 32-ounce beers.

Soccer Taco is open late on Fridays and Saturdays, making for an interesting way to dine and spend an evening out.

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