If you are searching for the best Mexican restaurant in the Crossville area, you have to look no farther than Mexico Lindo.
Mexico Lindo restaurant is a welcome addition to the Crossville dining scene. Relying on recipes not often seen on other menus, Lindo has a nice variety of food at good prices. Also, you will not find a more friendly wait staff in Crossville, in any restaurant. Mexico Lindo promotes themselves as “Mexican Dining with A Low Country Flair.”
Mexico Lindo serves authentic Mexican food in a “beautiful” and comfortable setting. (Editor’s note: The definition of Lindo is “beautiful.”)
The restaurant features a very expansive menu with many of the basic entrees you will see on most Mexican menus, but it is their buffet that makes the difference for “Lindo.” The buffet is available everyday for lunch for $5.99. Their dinner buffet is available Wed., Thurs., Friday and Saturday for $7.99, which is one of the best food deals in town. Their very popular Seafood Buffet is provided every Thursday, from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
They open everyday at 11 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. on Sunday; at 9:30 p.m. on Mon. thru Thurs. The closing hour is 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear here. I am not a Mexican food critic. I have never been to Mexico, and I have limited experience eating “Mexican.” But, I know what I like, and even if I might not know what to call it, I can say with a clear conscience, Mexico Lindo is one of my favorite places to eat in Crossville, and is my “clear” favorite Mexican restaurant.
Before I ate for the first time at Lindo, I had the habit of ordering the same thing any time we went Mexican. I like Carne Asada and Lindo serves a good piece of beef. It is cooked with onion, served with rice, beans and Pico de Gallo for $8.95. It’s like my safety net. “Don’t know what to order? . . . go for the old tried and true.”
One really strong endorsement for “Lindo” comes from my 15-year-old daughters, Lyndi and Laura. Being from China, they both love rice of all varieties and Mexican food is built around rice. They also love shrimp, so the first time we ate the buffet and found nice, big jumbo shrimp on the steam table, we were all happy. Anytime I let them choose where we eat, “Lindo” is a popular choice for them.
You may be like I was. You may be driving right past “Lindo” and not stopping. They are located between “The Donut Shop” and “Dollar General Market” on the Miller Avenue by-pass across the street from Cumberland County High School.
The Food
The owners of Mexico Lindo say that everything containing cheese is made with traditional Mexican queso blanco instead of the usual yellow cheddar used everywhere else; this helps add to the authentic tastes. There is an unusually large vegetarian selection, as well.
The first time I ate at Lindo, I really liked their menu. The Seafood Enchiladas are awesome (Two shrimp and crabmeat-filled enchiladas topped with white sauce and served with rice, beans and a tossed salad). The Seafood Chimichanga is a close second (two deep fried Chimichangas filled with crabmeat, shrimp and topped with white sauce) with the same rice, beans and salad.
But this entree is number one. Mojarra Moreliana. Mexico Lindo’s chef has a knack with seafood. Mojarra is made with Tilapia, deep fried and served with six jumbo shrimp in a red sauce, served with French Fries, tomatoes and sliced avocados. All for only $11.25.
Sure, all your favorites are here; Quesadillas, Fajitas, Tacos, Chalupas, Burritos, Enchiladas, Tostaguacs, Tostadas, combination plates, lunch specials, etc., but they also have your favorite appetizers; wings, dips, nachos, and three different deserts in addition to the traditional (and very good) “Flan.” When they have the buffet running, you will love the fried bananas and cinnamon chips.
Great Salsa
Every Mexican restaurant serves chips and salsa before the meal, but none serve a salsa like Mexico Lindo. The cilantro is prominent, but not overbearing. It’s heavy on the onions, but not very spicy. It’s homemade and the fresh taste is far superior to what you typically get in chain restaurants.
Combos & Deals
There are more than a dozen different combo deals offering three main items (enchiladas, burritos, tacos, chalupas, tamales, quesadilas, etc.) plus beans and rice. The beans are creamier than is commonly the case and the rice milder. These combos are priced well and provide a very good value because what you get is quite filling for usually less then $10. Combinations are priced at $6.50 except during lunch hours, when you get a buck off the regular price.
Service
The staff at the Lindo was friendly and helpful. The wait staff was knowledgable about the food and could answer questions about the dishes and whether or not they were hot or mild.
There are several more things I’d like to try on the Mexico Lindo menu and I look forward to eating there again. Mexico Lindo is truly an authentic Mexican cuisine resturant. The food is awesome and you get an awful lot of it! I would highly recommend this resturant to anyone. It is affordable as well.
