Signal Mountain's El Metate serves authentic Mexican dishes

The Pollo Charro at El Metate on Signal Mountain features three seasoned and grilled chicken breasts, topped with sautéed onions, mushrooms and cheese, and served with three tortillas, rice, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. Takeout orders come with complimentary nachos and salsa. The guacamole dip costs extra but is worth the splurge.

In the last few years, my hectic lifestyle affords little spare time to enjoy a relaxing dinner at a restaurant.

My version of eating out these days is hitting a restaurant's drive-through or running inside to grab something to go.

My most recent "eating out" experience was getting takeout at El Metate Mexican Restaurant on Signal Mountain. It's close to home, reasonably priced and, based on word of mouth, has a great-tasting menu.

I found out for myself last weekend. I'm not a huge fan of spicy food, but the menu at El Metate offers dishes for every palate. Best of all, according to the restaurant's website, the food is cooked from scratch and stays true to original Mexican recipes.

THE MENU

There are tons of items on the menu - some of which I recognized, some of which I didn't. Meat (chicken, pork and steak) and seafood dishes are listed separately from the typical nachos, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, burritos and antojitos tradicionales (which translates to "traditional snacks," I've discovered). Side orders include refried beans and Mexican rice ($1.69 each), cheesy rice ($3.99) and corn or flour tortillas (74 cents). Diners can order combinations that may, for example, include an enchilada, a tamale, rice and beans. Each dinner combination costs $8.25.

A lunch menu, served between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., offers express options with an entree, rice and beans for $4.99; fajitas, $7.29; taco salad, $6.25; and specials ranging from $4.99 to $6.99. Diners also can order a breakfast burrito for either $5.99 or $6.99, based on fillings.

THE ORDER

Not being a regular connoisseur of Mexican food, I'm not familiar with dishes other than the basics: nachos, tacos and burritos. But being a fan of chicken and wanting to try something different, I chose Pollo Charro ($9.99). Oh my goodness, good choice.

Pollo Charro is seasoned grilled chicken breast (three, huge, pounded pieces), topped with sautéed onions, mushrooms and cheese. It was served with rice, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes and three tortillas. The onions and mushrooms were sautéed to perfection. Not only did I have enough ingredients to stuff three tortillas (which I shared with a granddaughter), the remaining amount was a meal in itself.

My takeout order included a complimentary bag of nachos and a generous container of salsa. I chose mild because of my sensitivity to heat, and it was perfect. I also got a small container of guacamole dip ($3.29) that was delicious.

I rarely order dessert, but I did notice several tasty treats on the menu. Options include Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, which is cheesecake swirled with caramel in a graham cracker crust, topped with caramel mousse and caramel drizzled on top ($5.95); Tres Leches Cake, a vanilla sponge cake made with three types of milk and topped with a mango purée sauce ($5.95); and Fried Ice Cream, vanilla ice cream covered with raisins, coconut and corn flakes, deep-fried and topped with honey whipped cream, butter and cinnamon and served on a taco salad shell ($3.99).

THE SERVICE

My husband picked up my to-go order. It was about a 15-minute wait.

My daughter and her children eat there often. She says the in-house service is excellent. She wouldn't frequent a restaurant that would make her and her three children wait beyond a reasonable length of time.

THE SPACE

It's a comfortable dine-in, kid-friendly restaurant, my daughter says. Because the food is good and the kids menu is affordable ($3.99, including drinks), she takes them there a few times a month. The kids menu includes burritos and tacos as well as cheeseburger and fries, chicken tenders, hot dogs, corn dogs and macaroni and cheese. There's also a TV, which helps to keep them entertained.

THE VERDICT

I loved the Pollo Charro. It was so good, I'm inspired to try another dish.

Typically, I don't gravitate toward Mexican restaurants. I'm a fan of typical Southern dishes and sushi. But because my daughter and my grandchildren love eating at El Metate (and, the fact that they welcome children), I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did. My meal was excellent.

The Signal Mountain location is one of five in this area, plus another in Knoxville. The other Chattanooga-area locations are in Hixson (5922 Hixson Pike), Soddy-Daisy (9332 Dayton Pike), Whitwell (14007 Highway 28) and Dunlap (16952 Rankin Ave.). The restaurants are part of a chain that also operates Camino Real, El Molcajete, El Sombrero, El Comal and Mi Camino Mexican restaurants in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-747-6396.