The combo platter is the best deal going. It’s a huge platter of your choice of two items (chalupa, enchilada,
tostada, chili relenos or taco filled with chicken or cheese), plus rice and beans for $7.50.IF YOU GO
¦ Where: El Kyoto Mexican and Japanese Restaurant, 8718 Hixson Pike, Lakesite.¦ Phone: 423-521-8444.¦ Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.¦ Price range: $3.25-$10.50 (Mexican); $1-$12.95 (Japanese).¦ Alcohol: American, Japanese and Mexican beer.
So what’s your favorite side to an enchilada? Maybe an egg roll – with a fortune cookie for dessert?
Fusion cuisine has been a trend among chefs for years, representing the evolution of culinary enlightenment. Tex-Mex and Pan-Asian are the two most likely fusions you might have encountered. But never have I heard of fusing Japanese and Mexican cuisines until I drove through Lakesite and noticed that Kyoto, a barbecue barn turned Japanese eatery, had added Mexican to its name, now El Kyoto. And while the restaurant doesn’t combine the two cuisines into one dish … or maybe it does … it certainly makes for an interesting menu.
THE MENU
El Kyoto’s menu opens to reveal Mexican specialties on the left, Japanese dishes on the right. You won’t find dozens upon dozens of offerings on either side. But what’s there is a good representation of the two cuisines: tacos, burritos and fajitas along with sesame chicken, Bonsai Shrimp and Dragon Steak.