Food is a family affair for Hugo and Noe Lopez. The brothers co-own Amigo’s Mexican Grill in the Nashville area, and they’re known for welcoming every customer with handshake and a smile (and their authentic Molcajete, of course). We sat down with Noe to learn what makes Amigo’s stand out from the hip, urban taquerias in Nashville and other traditional Mexican restaurants that perforate the outskirts of town.

How did Amigo’s get its start in Spring Hill, TN?

My brother, nephew, and I have been working in restaurants since we were 10 or 11 years old, so we decided to start our own. We opened Amigo’s Mexican Grill in Spring Hill in 2011. We also have a second location in Chapel Hill.

How long have you been working with Fooda?

We’ve been working with Fooda for a year.

What’s the inspiration behind the menu at Amigo’s?

We learned to cook the dishes on our menu from family members but use other spices and ingredients to make everything a little bit different.

What is your most popular dish?

Our most popular dish is Molcajete, which is marinated, tender strips of chicken, steak, shrimp, and chorizo with sautéed onions, peppers, tomatoes, and Mexican cactus. It’s all cooked with our special sauce and melted mozzarella cheese and served in a traditional Molcajete. It’s something different than what other places offer. Our tacos are really popular, too.

Why do you think Fooda consumers voted Amigo’s the Best Mexican Lunch in Nashville?

Our food tastes fresh, we serve big portions, and our prices are reasonable. We’re also friendly and we like to take care of our customers.

Do you have any exciting news or fun events coming up?

We have a free Trivia Night every Thursday at 7pm. It’s free to play and the winning team takes home a prize.

There you have it. When it comes to tasty tacos, spicy fajitas, and traditional south-of-the-border cuisine, it doesn’t get better than Amigo’s Mexican Grill. Think this family-focused eatery has what it takes to win top honors in the Best of Fooda Nashville Awards 2017?