Saint Anejo
Mexican restaurant · Music Row ·
Over 120 tequilas, tacos, margaritas, and brunch favorites
Over 120 tequilas, tacos, margaritas, and brunch favorites
"It’s 2014. Iggy Azalea is doing her thing on the radio. Your outfit? On fleek. And you’ve packed your selfie stick to take pictures at this new-ish spot that opened in the Gulch called Saint Añejo. Good thing, too, because everyone is there. The rock-themed Mexican cantina, from the restaurant group behind Kayne Prime, Virago, and Moto, is packed with people eating guac and chips to cushion those really edgy spicy margaritas. Fast forward to now, and Saint Añejo is like a culinary Axl Rose—still clinging to its glory days even though it's painfully obvious those times are long gone. The menu is still focused on Mexican-style dishes, but the food is bland and watered down. Rice is oddly seasoned and dry, protein fillings in tacos and burritos are scarce, and the tortillas oscillate wildly from arid to borderline raw. However, the margaritas still hold their own. They’re well-balanced and not overly sweet, running you somewhere in the $12-$15 range ($45 for a pitcher), which isn’t terribly outlandish for the Gulch. But if you’re looking for a better marg or a livelier bar scene, just head over to Rosepepper Cantina in East Nashville or Pushing Daisies downtown. Food Rundown Tacos Al Pastor “Where’s the beef?” Indeed, Clara. Indeed. The scraps that we manage to find are dry and stick to our throat in a really uncomfortable way. Steak & Shrimp Fajitas It's not totally offensive, but again, Saint Añejo suffers from a flavor issue. The steak and shrimp almost taste the same—forgettable at best. Mexicali Rice We’re not sure what makes this rice Mexican or Californian, but the odd blend of seasonings that tastes overly anise-forward doesn’t do much to save the clumpy grains. Margaritas The margs here are solid and under $15. The Perfectamente Picante is nice and spicy." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones
"Margarita enthusiasts can choose from a selection of over 120 (yes, you read that right) tequila options at Saint Añejo in the Gulch. Whether they prefer blanco, reposado, joven, añejo or extra añejo, bar-goers are sure to find the tequila for their margarita of choice. A compelling array of tacos, including barbacoa, crispy potato, and chili-lime shrimp, house-made guacamole, hot chicken nachos, and the lone star burrito complement the margarita bounty. Stop by between 2 and 6 p.m. for happy hour, or between 4 and 10 p.m. for Tequila Tuesday specials, featuring half off tequila flights and two-for-one pours." - Bailee Mulder
"This Mexican joint from M Street is the kind of place where it's easy to camp out at a table and spend the afternoon. You'll find a big, wide patio outside and a ton of seats, meaning they can accommodate big parties even on busy brunch mornings and weekend nights, then the bar starts to heat up. Menu-wise, they're known for excellent brunch-time cocktails, like their Bloody Marias (a ridiculously good Bloody Mary that subs tequila for vodka) and Mexican breakfast classics, like huevos rancheros and smothered breakfast burritos. Don't miss the chips and guac. "
"Head to M Street’s Mexican food hang for a green chile-laden queso con chorizo with smoky salsa and thin house chips. There’s also a massive tequila and mexcal selection, and of course margaritas to wash it all down." - Delia Jo Ramsey
"Possibly for its location (M Street in Nashville is known for its country superstar and supercar sightings) and possibly for the fresh ingredients it uses to whip up dishes like Short Ribs Benedict, Saint Añejo is regionally one of the best-known brunches in middle Tennessee. The Latin-Southern fusion and Cucumber-Habanero-Lime margaritas, plus two-for-one tokens given for hard drink orders, make it popular with bachelorettes, college kids, and vacationers alike. It's great for people-watching, too." - Margaret Littman
