Puesto Brings California-Born Mexican Cuisine to Nashville Yards
Nashville’s dining scene has a new restaurant for modern Mexican cuisine. Following a lively grand opening celebration on Thursday night, October 22, Puesto officially opened its first Tennessee location to the public on Friday, October 23. The California-born restaurant is known for its Mexico City-inspired flavors and vibrant dining experience. Located at 991 Exchange Lane, Puesto brings its signature tacos, fresh blue corn tortillas, and colorful margaritas to Nashville Yards. The opening marks a major milestone for the family-owned restaurant, as Nashville becomes its first location outside of California.
Puesto began as a taco stand in San Diego in 2012. Since then, the restaurant has grown into a recognizable name in California’s Mexican dining scene. Its Nashville debut introduces a menu rooted in family recipes, Mexican culinary traditions, and a modern approach to familiar favorites. The restaurant combines Southern California influences with the bold flavors of Mexico City, creating an experience centered around food, drinks, and hospitality.
The new restaurant sits on the ground floor of The Everett at Nashville Yards, near The Pinnacle and is just a short distance from Broadway. Its arrival adds another dining option to a growing downtown Nashville neighborhood. Guests can expect made-to-order tacos, shareable plates, seasonal selections, and a tequila-focused bar program. For Puesto, Nashville represents more than another expansion. It offers an opportunity to share the family’s culinary heritage with a city the owners have grown to love. Explore more photos from Puesto’s grand opening in our gallery below!
A Family-Owned Restaurant With Nashville Connections
Puesto was founded by brothers Alex, Eric, and Alan Adler and their cousins Isidoro and Moy Lombrozo. The family built the restaurant around recipes and flavors that connect them to their Mexican heritage. Their approach pairs traditional inspiration with contemporary techniques, fresh ingredients, and a colorful dining atmosphere. That family connection remains central to the brand as it expands beyond its California home and into Tennessee.
The city also holds personal significance for one brother, Isidoro Lombrozo, who attended Vanderbilt University. His connection to Music City helped make the move feel like a natural next step. During an interview at the grand opening, Isidoro Lombrozo expressed why Nashville stood out. “It’s an amazing city with amazing people. I went to college here, so it’s nice to be back. Always wanted to come back, and now I’ve brought the whole family back here, and now we’re back!”
The owners also see Nashville as a strong match for Puesto’s approach to dining. Noting that they appreciate the city’s culture and welcoming atmosphere. Music City’s energy complements a restaurant built around bold flavors and shared experiences. Eric Adler shared his enthusiasm for the move, mentioning his longstanding love of country music. The family’s excitement reflects a broader appreciation for Nashville’s character and growing culinary reputation.
Family ownership also shapes how Puesto approaches each opening. The team wants every new restaurant to feel personal rather than simply adding another location. That intention carries particular weight in Nashville, where the owners hope to build lasting connections with local diners. As Alex Adler explained, “We’re family-owned. We make every opening very personal.”
Mexico City Flavors Meet California Creativity
Puesto’s menu draws inspiration from Mexico City street food while embracing a contemporary Southern California style. Handmade blue corn tortillas serve as the foundation for many of its signature dishes. The kitchen presses these tortillas to order using organic fresh masa, bringing texture and flavor to each taco.
The restaurant’s taco selection offers something for a range of tastes. Chicken Al Pastor taco combines signature crispy melted cheese with hibiscus and chipotle tinga, avocado, and piña habanero pico. While the Carnitas taco features braised pork, tomatillo salsa, avocado, and the restaurant’s signature crispy cheese. Both options highlight Puesto’s layered approach to flavor, balancing rich ingredients with fresh toppings and vibrant sauces.
Guests looking for something more indulgent can order the Filet Mignon taco with avocado and pistachio serrano salsa. The Surf & Turf Héroe combines filet mignon, Maine lobster, avocado, crispy onions, and melted cheese. Meanwhile, the Short Rib Quesabirria pairs crispy cheese with Jalisco salsa, guacamole, and radish. These combinations give the menu a distinctive taste while keeping tacos at the center of the experience.
Seafood lovers can choose Baja tacos with grilled shrimp, grilled swordfish, or crispy corvina. The restaurant also serves Tamarindo Shrimp tacos with crispy shrimp, tamarind-chile sauce, and guacamole. Vegetarian diners can enjoy the Mushroom taco, which features pickled onions and stone fruit serrano salsa. Each option brings together rich textures, fresh toppings, and sauces that emphasize the kitchen’s bold flavor combinations.
For a heartier dinner, the Ribeye Trompo Tacos feature manzano chile, cilantro, onion, and demi-glace. This three-taco plate is available during dinner service. Guests can also explore enchiladas, a guacamole bar, and shareable dishes designed for the table. The menu encourages diners to mix individual favorites with larger plates, making Puesto suitable for casual meals and group gatherings.
Margaritas, Tequila, and a Lively Bar Program
Puesto Nashville extends its food-focused approach to a bar menu built around tequila and creative cocktails. Signature margaritas combine familiar citrus flavors with fruit, herbs, and unexpected ingredients. The Puesto Perfect keeps things classic with Corazón reposado tequila, organic agave nectar, and lime. It offers a straightforward option for guests who appreciate a balanced margarita.
Other cocktails bring brighter flavors to the menu. The Cucumber combines Dobel Tahona blanco tequila, cucumber, and lime. The Watermelon pairs watermelon and lime with a choice of 400 Conejos Espadín mezcal or Levantó blanco tequila. Guests seeking a tropical option can try the Coconut Nash, made with Arette reposado tequila, coconut, and lime.
The Hot Sauce margarita blends Corazón blanco tequila with pineapple juice, cucumber, habanero, and lime. For a fruit-forward option, the Fruit Cart Nash combines 818 blanco tequila, mango, pineapple, cucumber, chamoy, and Tajín. The Mango margarita offers another refreshing choice with El Tequileño reposado tequila, mango, and lime.
Beyond margaritas, the bar serves house-made agua frescas and zero-proof cocktails. These options provide alternatives for guests who prefer a drink without alcohol. Together, the drinks menu and varied food options make the bar an appealing destination for a laidback afternoon visit or a fun evening out.
A Spacious Setting Designed for Groups and Gatherings
Puesto Nashville offers considerably more than a place to grab tacos. The restaurant accommodates up to 380 guests across multiple dining rooms, booths, family-style tables, and an outdoor patio. A 362-square-foot bar anchors the beverage program, giving guests another place for enjoying cocktails and casual dining. The layout supports different occasions, from smaller meals to larger group celebrations.
Local design firm Powell shaped the restaurant’s interiors. The design complements Puesto’s energetic identity while creating room for guests to settle in and share a meal. Multiple seating options allow the restaurant to welcome different group sizes and dining preferences. Families, friends, and downtown visitors can enjoy the space without feeling limited to one style of dining.
The restaurant’s opening also introduced Nashville diners to the broader Puesto experience. Before its public debut, the team planned an exclusive grand opening celebration featuring margaritas, curated menu bites, live music, special activations, and surprises. The launch reflected the brand’s emphasis on hospitality and lively gatherings. It also connected Puesto’s California roots with Nashville’s well-known appreciation for music and entertainment.
Puesto Nashville Hours, Happy Hour, and Taco Tuesday
Puesto Nashville serves guests throughout the week, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. Its happy hour gives diners another reason to visit the bar lounge, while Taco Tuesday provides a dedicated weekly deal for taco fans.
Restaurant details:
- Address: 991 Exchange Lane, Nashville, TN 37203.
- Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 3 pm–10 pm & Friday–Saturday: 3 pm–midnight.
Happy hour:
- Daily, 3–5 pm, in the bar lounge.
- Wednesday–Monday, 9 pm–close, in the bar lounge.
- Happy hour menu available for dine-in guests only.
Taco Tuesday:
- Half-off tacos every Tuesday, 5 pm until close.
- Dine-in only.
These weekly specials make Puesto a great option for an early evening meal, a late-night stop, or a midweek gathering. Guests can pair tacos with signature margaritas or explore the broader menu with friends. The restaurant’s flexible seating and shareable dishes also make group dining an easy fit.
A New Chapter for Puesto in Music City
Puesto’s arrival at Nashville Yards marks a significant step for a restaurant built on family, tradition, and a love of Mexican food. Its first location outside California brings the brand’s signature blue corn tortillas, creative tacos, and tequila cocktails to a new audience in Middle Tennessee.
The restaurant’s mix of traditional inspiration and modern presentation offers downtown diners a fresh way to experience Mexico City-inspired cuisine. From tacos to margarita, the menu balances familiar favorites with inventive combinations. Its spacious dining rooms, outdoor patio, and lively bar also create room for everything from casual dinners to group celebrations.
For the Adler and Lombrozo families, bringing Puesto to Nashville is about more than opening another restaurant. It’s a chance to share their family’s food traditions with a city they’ve fully embraced. With its downtown location, flavorful tacos, creative margaritas, and vibrant atmosphere, Puesto brings something new to Music City’s growing dining scene. Alex Adler shared what initially drew the family to Nashville: “We know it’s a great city. But the more we’ve been coming, the more we’ve been impressed by all the culture, the food, the people, the landscape, we just love it. It’s a fun place.”
Puesto’s Grand Opening Photo Gallery!
