Hacienda Ayala’s

We have tried several Mexican restaurants in Knoxville and have lately found them disappointing in one way or another. We were quickly seated and provided chips and salsa. Our drinks were brought quickly and we ordered cheese dip to go with the chips for my wife, which she enjoyed. The salsa was not as spicy as other restaurants but still enjoyable. My wife ordered tamales which came with rice and beans. I had the house fajitas that came with chicken, steak and shrimp cooked with green peppers, onions and tomatoes. The fajitas also came with the usual fixings, refried beans and rice. We both enjoyed our meals and left feeling stuffed for $ 36 not counting the tip.
We plan to return to this restaurant the next time we are in Lenoir City. If you want good Mexican food for a good price, try this place!

Seeing all the 5 star reviews, we had to try this establishment… Upon walking in, I couldnt help but notice their score was a 92 on the health department rating hung where everyone could see it, which was a good sign for me since this was our first time in this establishment.
We had a party of 5 and it took the waitress awhile to take our order as we went through alot of chips and dip waiting cause we were very hungry. It was dinner time around 6pm. Not busy. Just a couple in front of us and a party of 6 with kids running out of control through the restaurant and screaming.
Now onto the food:
The chips and dip:
The salsa lacked cilantro, spices. It was very bland. Very mild. It is just tomatoes. (See picture)
The chips were very thin and cold. No taste to them.
Ordered a large cheese dip and was brought out a very tiny bowl, I then told the waitress that I needed a wayyy bigger bowl. She also brought a not much bigger bowl to our table then found out she charged me for her mess up.
Hot sauce: you have to ask for it. It’s hot, but not the hottest I have had. Pretty close though.
(On the reciept it showed 2 charges of $ 7.00 each (sm cheese dip $ 7.00 lg cheese dip $ 7.00)
Ordered the Chicken & Shrimp Fajitas:
Came out sizzling lots of onions a few green peppers. 10 shrimp and the rest chicken. Bland.
We each got 2 soft tortilla shells asked for extra, got charged for extra.
(On the reciept $ 26.94 + $ 1.07 for extra tortilla shells pp)
3 sweet teas: $ 5.00
2 water: free
2 Chicken Chimichangas:
Bland with cheese sauce on top. Just chicken on the inside. Just ok.
$ 16.95 each
(Total on the check $ 79.15)
No flavoring on the food. If you like bland mexican food, this is for you. Drowning it in bland salsa helped a little but not much.
VERY disappointed.
Was it worth it? No.
Would I be back? No

FAR BETTER than the rest! Very impressed with the quality of meat and freshness of garnishments. Amazing price, EXCELLENT service, very friendly wait staff. We have been here a couple of times now and will never go back to another Mexican restaurant in Lenoir City. Definitely, definitely impressed.

I think it’s often difficult for a Mexican restaurant to stand out among the crowd. Ayala’s accomplished this by being excellent. Incredibly fast service, (we had our drinks and chips within moments of sitting down) good food, and nice people. We will definitely return anytime we are working in Lenoir City!

Just opened a few weeks ago… had lunch… very reasonable for a $ 4.50 lunch special. Good Size on the portions