Tio Fun!

"Let us present you with Nashville’s current lunch holy trinity: a massive tijuana hot dog covered in chipotle crema, carnitas melt on texas toast, and agua frescas with free refills. This should be your go-to spread at Tio Fun, a Tex-Mex spot in North Nashville that's ideal for a casual, delicious, and extravagant lunch that won’t cost you more than $30. Definitely come with another person (or five) and split all of that, plus whatever else looks good on the menu—we’ll be back for you, mexican pizza and torta de chilaquiles. The dining room is super colorful, the staff is mighty friendly, and there’s even a small parking lot out back. " - ann walczak, carlo mantuano, jackie gutierrez jones 2

"If we had to describe Tio Fun in one word, it’d be joyful. The restaurant is a temple for anybody who identifies spiritually as a fun uncle, with a menu of dishes perfect for spoiling our respective nieces and nephews everywhere. Walk into its sunny, mural-covered space, pay your respects at the altar to Selena, and dive into classic Mexican snacks that are good for a ton of different occasions. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin Need a quick budget-friendly lunch? Order a couple of sizable barbacoa and al pastor tacos. Want to stay a while and socialize? The airy restaurant has several big tables for groups, plus a cute cactus-lined patio that’s a great setting for sipping margaritas. And to top it all off, the service is super friendly, with staffers keen to keep your aguas frescas full and the good vibes going. Food Rundown photo credit: Casey Irwin Carnitas Patty Melt This is the thing to order here. The cheese and carnitas melt in your mouth in equal measure, and the chipotle cream drizzled across the top delivers a nice zing to keep the whole thing from feeling too heavy. It's an unexpected (and very welcome) upgrade to the regular ole patty melt. photo credit: Casey Irwin Aguas Frescas & Funcle Frozen Margarita The drinks match the playful energy of the food menu. Tasty aguas frescas (we’re partial to the blackberry) are perfect for washing down tacos, and if it’s a buzz you seek, look no further than the “Funcle” frozen margaritas. They’re blended, on tap, and have a bunch of rotating flavors: strawberry and coconut are winners. photo credit: Casey Irwin Tijuana Dog We love a good hot dog, especially one that’s a foot long and covered in fajita vegetables, chipotle mayo, pico, and jalapeños. Tio’s Tijuana dog is both indulgent and ridiculous. Order it. Churro Served piping hot out of the fryer in a classic paper wrap, Tio Fun’s churro doesn’t try to do too much. It’s crispy, coated in just the right amount of cinnamon sugar, and stuffed with caramel cream. It’s everything you’ve ever loved about a churro—just a bit better." - Bailey Freeman

"Brian Riggenbach and Mikey Corona of downtown’s the Mockingbird have ventured into the Buchanan Arts District with a cheery little bungalow featuring potted plants, a patio with rainbow-colored umbrellas, and a shrine to famous fictional uncles —“tio” means “uncle” in Spanish — throughout pop culture. On the fast-casual joint’s menu: Mikey’s Super Taco, a plate-sized flour taco brimming with eggs, beans, potatoes, and cheese. Also, a foot-long Tijuana-style hot dog topped with jalapeños, caramel-stuffed churros, agua frescas, and margaritas." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Eater Staff

"Brian Riggenbach and Mikey Corona of downtown’s the Mockingbird have ventured into the Buchanan Arts District with a cheery little bungalow featuring an assortment of tacos including marinated chicken thighs, Norteno-style skirt steak, and, for a truly vegan experience, shredded jackfruit (homemade flour and corn tortillas are both available as options). If you’re packing an appetite, opt for Mikey’s Super Taco, a plate-sized flour taco brimming with eggs, beans, potatoes, and cheese, paired with one of the agua frescas or margaritas on the menu. Tio Fun is also opening a second location in downtown Franklin this May." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Eater Staff