Mexico Topico — Review by Brennen Taylor
Murfreesboro, United States — Mexican
Mexico Topico is a busy Mexican restaurant that offers creative and unique dishes with generous portions. While the ceviche was overly tomato-heavy, the standout items like the al pastor pizza and shrimp tacos delivered bold flavors and interesting preparations that justified the packed parking lot and long lines.
What was great: Al pastor pizza with great flavor, shrimp tacos with cheese sauce, chile relleno with perfect seasoning and salsa, unique dishes not typically found elsewhere
What could improve: Ceviche tostadas were too tomato-based and lacked traditional ceviche flavor, heavy use of cheese throughout all dishes, some dishes had less meat than expected
The Dishes
The meal began with ceviche tostadas that disappointed with their heavy tomato base, lacking the fresh ceviche flavor expected. The standout was the al pastor pizza, which featured perfectly charred crust and generous toppings, though the al pastor meat came in small pieces rather than substantial chunks. The shrimp tacos, called the Garbonador, arrived overflowing with large shrimp and came with a house-made shrimp soup for dipping, creating a messy but incredibly flavorful experience that was compared to an elevated version of the traditional barbacoa. The chile relleno was exceptional, arriving soaked in salsa verde with perfectly seasoned meat and beans that made it a winning plate. A quesadilla also appeared on the table, though it received less attention.
The Experience
The parking lot was packed upon arrival, with customers constantly flowing in and out, indicating strong local popularity. There was a noticeable line inside, showing the restaurant's draw despite the casual atmosphere. Staff were friendly and helpful, explaining dishes and making recommendations. The restaurant maintained a straightforward, no-frills aesthetic with minimal decor, focusing on food quality over ambiance.
Value and Pricing
Pricing details were not extensively discussed in the review, but the portion sizes were generous with multiple large plates ordered and the food quality suggested fair value for the amount served.
Notable Moments
This is what I'm thinking about when I order chili. I like them when they're a little bit soggy, you know, when they're soaked in that salsa verde.
Divine like I wish I had some lime. Divine so good. This should be a crime.
Finding them is scarce. So, we're going to finish up what we can here and then we're going to bust out of here.
The Verdict
Mexico Topico earns an 8.3 out of 10 rating and is highly recommended for anyone in the Murfreesboro area seeking authentic Mexican food. The restaurant excels with cheese-heavy dishes and creative preparations like the al pastor pizza and shrimp tacos, though it may be heavy-handed for those who don't enjoy abundant cheese. Best for adventurous eaters willing to explore unique Mexican dishes beyond traditional offerings.