Overview

Nela's Tacos is a true gem nestled in the heart of Cleveland, Tennessee. This Mexican restaurant brings an authentic taste of Latin America to 247 Keith St NW with dishes that celebrate traditional flavors and heartfelt craftsmanship. Whether you’re craving classic sopes, flavorful shrimp tacos, or the signature pollo con tajadas, each plate is a journey that honors the culinary roots of the region.

The menu stands out not just for its variety but for its devotion to freshness and authenticity. From the handmade corn tortillas used in their combos to the meticulous preparation of Honduran breakfast options like Desayuno Hondureño, the restaurant showcases a deep respect for traditional recipes. The fajitas—be it chicken or steak—are grilled to perfection, infused with bold spices, and presented alongside vibrant sautéed peppers and onions, complemented by Mexican-style rice and refried beans.

The atmosphere at Nela's Tacos is warm and inviting. Although the space is modest and shows signs of everyday wear, it feels genuine and unpretentious—perfect for families, groups of coworkers, and anyone seeking a relaxed dining experience. A notable feature is the attached ice cream parlor that offers a creative selection of Latin-inspired frozen treats, adding a sweet finish to your meal.

Customer experiences reflect the restaurant’s commitment to both quality and service. Patrons often praise the attentiveness of staff and the way every dish is served at the ideal temperature, bearing fresh ingredients and expertly balanced flavors. The pride in preparation shines through, especially in dishes like the baladas vegetarian option or the homemade pupusas, both well-loved for their generous portions and authentic taste.

Nela's Tacos appeals to food lovers who appreciate honest Mexican cuisine with a Honduran twist, served in a friendly and casual setting. It’s a destination for those who value fresh, made-to-order meals, and a place that offers a sincere taste of Latin flavors far from the usual urban hustle. Whether you stop by for lunch or dinner, this restaurant confidently promises a satisfying, memorable experience that leaves you eager to return.

For anyone passing through Cleveland or locals in search of authentic Mexican fare, Nela's Tacos is a must-visit that delivers authenticity and heart in every bite.


Amenities & Services

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves cocktails
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy

What Customers Say

E F
Dec 11,2025
5/5
I have officially been virtually trasported to honduras!!!! I had the pastelitos and they are phenomenal!!! The mix of flavors and explendid presentation are just BRILLIANT! I am surprisingly impressed by this little humble restaurant in the middle of Cleveland Tennessee. Not in my wildest dreams I thought I could find something so authentic so delicious in the middle of nowhere. It is noticeable The pride they take in the delivery and the taste of their dishes. Everything was served at the right temperature fresh and with a smile in their face. I wish I had better words to describe the taste of every single item that made up a dish... from the tomato relish to the slaw & the sauces, to the rice & the meats as! well as their impecable attention to detail! The "baladas" art of vegetarian dish and I must admit absolutely delicious just marvelous! The pupusas are 3$ but are larger than usual with HOMEMADE masa and ingridients...and the quesadillas are $3.50 all dishes are MADE TO ORDER super fresh!!! What an Amazing find!!! A MUST TRY! Ask for miriam and Rafael!!! Rafael made sure to take tge time to ezplain every dish in excellent detail. I wad told i mist try the "pollo con tajada". This dish is their signature dish and it takes about 30 minutes to prepared!! I will be trying that next!
John King
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Carne asada tacos and the BEST darn shrimp cocktail I've ever had. This place is awesome and brought me back for more. Not the biggest place in Cleveland but extremely good authentic Mexican food. If you're near the south side of town, you need to stop by for lunch or dinner. 2 thumbs WAY UP
Jonathan Durichek
Dec 11,2025
5/5
absolutely delicious food right here and reasonable priced too. i would highly recommend this place if you are in town.
No Way
Dec 11,2025
5/5
I ate at this place with 2 of my co-workers. We arrived around 11:37 AM. This is one of those places where you place your order at the counter, pay for it, take a number for your table, and then seat yourself. One of my co-workers ordered chips and dip and sopes. My other co-worker ordered fish tacos. I ordered 1 pupusas with carnitas, 1 baleadas especiales with beef tongue, and 1 baleadas with egg. The total amount of time for our food to arrive was 13:59 minutes. The interior of the restaurant does have some wear and tear here and there, but nothing really bad. As for the bathroom, its a single person bathroom that I'd say was "Walmart bathroom" quality (though everything worked). But overall, those things didn't bother me. As for the food itself, we all really enjoyed our respective orders. One thing none of us knew was that on the right side of the restaurant was an ice cream parlor (which is part of Nela's Tacos, so its not like a completely separate business in the same room). This parlor had a decent variety of Hershey's ice cream flavors, but you could also get Latin smoothies/beverages and other kinds of frozen desserts. I didn't partake in any desserts, but my co-workers did. The fish taco co-worker got 1 scoop of coconut ice cream, which he said was superb. The sopes co-worker got 1 scoop of coconut chocolate almond ice cream, which he enjoyed. Last thing I'll mention is that the people working at the restaurant were very sweet. Overall, this was a great place for a group lunch and I think each of us will be coming back at some point
Noah Jones
Dec 11,2025
5/5
I had an unforgettable dining experience at this amazing restaurant! From the moment we walked in, the warm, inviting atmosphere made us feel right at home. The food was absolutely outstanding--each dish was bursting with authentic flavors and fresh ingredients. The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. It's clear they take great pride in their food and culture.
Sabrina “theNonPerfectMom.com” TheNonPerfectMom
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Get the Horchata to drink! Milky cinnamon goodness. It tastes like chair tea latte without the tea/caffeine. The breakfast Desayuno is a must have! The eggs, avocado and plantains are an amazing combo!!! The tacos were also great! They are more like flautas/taquitos the way they are rolled up and fried than a taco. I like taking all the lettuce based topping off of the chicken taco and dipping it in the liquid cheese sauce that comes with the breakfast platter.
nadchen
Dec 11,2025
4/5
I've always passed by this area but I didn't realize that there was a taco place and la michoacana here! My friend and I stopped by for lunch to try their food. When we walked inside we realized that both places were combined inside which was cool. It was very spacious with many tables and places to sit. We came on a Tuesday for lunch, it wasn't that busy. I ordered a Carne Asada plate and chose flour tortillas. It also came with a Jarritos drink too, you can choose which flavored drink you want from the fridge by the counter. My friend got a pupusa, and carne asada (beef) and chicken tacos. The carne asada was phenomenal. I was really surprised at the portion of beef that came with my plate, it was huge. Not only that, but it was flavored and seasoned so well. It was savory and tasty. The frijoles (beans) and arroz (rice) was good, and the veggies on the side tasted very fresh. I took a bite of my friend's beef taco too and it was great. Every bite from my dish was great, I loved it. The only thing was that I wish the sides were a little bigger in proportion to the carne asada. For me, the sides are just as important as the protein. So I wish they gave a little more to balance out the whole dish. Other than that, I liked what I ordered. I'd come back for the carne asada and ice cream.
Jason Mitchell
Dec 11,2025
5/5
We just moved to TN from AZ and were worried we wouldn’t be able to find some good Mexican food. (We have a lot of authentic Mexican food in Arizona, being so close to the Mexico border.) This place was authentic. I got 4 tacos (carne asada, tinga shredded chicken, al pastor pork, and carnitas)… they were all really good!

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM
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