Puesto started in San Diego in 2012 as a walk-up taco stand. Today, the Mexican restaurant counts eight full-service locations across California and has a few concession outposts in stadiums. On October 23, the concept expanded outside of California for the first time, opening in Nashville Yards, a 19-acre mixed-use development in Downtown Nashville.
The family-owned restaurant was founded by brothers Alex, Eric, and Alan Adler, and their cousins Isidoro and Moy Lombrozo.
“We chose Nashville to be the first Puesto outside of California because we fell in love with the city and its people,” Co-founder Eric Adler said, adding that Isidoro has loved the city since he attended Vanderbilt University there. On top of that, he said the city’s hospitality scene keeps getting stronger.
Grilled branzino is one of the local exclusives. | Puesto Nashville
“When we started looking at markets across the country, Nashville felt a lot like San Diego,” Adler added. “We kept meeting people who had moved there from San Diego, and they made us feel at home. Add in all the growth, the companies moving there, and the fact that it’s truly the music capital, and it’s a really unique city. We felt confident Nashville would embrace Puesto.”
The restaurant’s design is meant to evoke Mexico City. Powell, a local interior design firm, created the lively space with lots of vibrant colors, Aztec-inspired woodwork, textured artwork, and sculptural elements. It seats up to 380 guests across multiple dining areas, an outdoor patio, and a big bar.
Puesto is known for Mexican staples like made-to-order guacamole, ceviche, esquites, enchiladas, and carne asada. Tacos are served on blue corn tortillas that are hand-pressed in house and include options like filet mignon, chicken al pastor, and Baja seafood.
“We like to tailor our menu to each location and the guests we’ll be serving,” Adler said. “Nashville has several items we created especially for the city, specifically with group dining in mind.”
The restaurant serves grilled meat on lava stone tablitas. | Puesto Nashville
Those include lava stone tablitas, bone-in short rib barbecue birria, premium hand-cut steaks, branzino Zarandeado, and a banana cream sundae.
“I’m extremely excited about the bone-in short rib barbecue birria,” Adler said. “It’s incredibly tender, and you can savor it on its own or turn it into incredible tacos. The chicken al pastor taco with crispy melted cheese will always be my favorite taco. It’s so flavorful, sweet, and spicy, with fresh pineapple.”
He counts the Pink Cadillac, made with guava and fresh lime juice, as his favorite Margarita on the menu. And he also likes the fresh churros, which he describes as “puffy, melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts,” served with coffee dulce de leche and vanilla bean cream dipping sauces. He said that these dishes are a perfect representation of what Puesto is about: bold, unique flavors rooted in Mexican tradition.
As the Puesto team looks forward, they’re excited to continue growing the concept, but they’re not tied to any particular market.
“Instead, we look at the city, its demographics, and the specific real estate projects and opportunities available,” Adler said. “Ultimately, we need to feel confident that a market is the right fit for the Puesto guest.”
Dining and Cooking