Mexican fare isn’t usually a cuisine that sits on the ranks of the elite or expensive taste palate, but with the low price usually comes the sacrifice of fresh ingredients and a good flavor. Oscar’s Taco Shop, located at 2121 Cumberland Ave., may be new to the Strip, but the restaurant has been a Tennessee favorite for quite some time.

The restaurant was started by brothers Oscar and Rico Rumiz, who migrated from San Diego to Franklin, Tenn., in 2007 and opened their first location. Word quickly spread, and soon nine other locations were opened in Middle Tennessee, including locations in Murfreesboro and Nashville.

The restaurant totes itself on serving authentic Southern California-Mexican fare, and while I’ve never traveled to the west side of the U.S., friends who have traveled to the area say it’s pretty close to home. The menu is large with plenty of options. Popular items include the tacos, which patrons can choose from a long list of proteins or opt for a vegetarian version. I chose for the chicken tacos when I visited the cozy restaurant Sunday afternoon. The tacos, made from corn tortillas (the only way to go), are filled with the meat of your choosing, pico de gallo and guacamole. It’s simple, but that’s the idea of the flare. And the price is not bad either with each taco priced at $2.29.

There isn’t much room to move around in the restaurant. Right behind the ordering counter is the cooking space, where anyone can watch their food be prepared. The chicken is tossed and chopped before it hits the tortillas, and then covered in the dressings. They even toss in a lime to garnish your meal, which is always a nice touch to any Mexican dish.

While the taco was delicious, it wasn’t necessarily filling. I followed my stomach’s urges to order another dish and opted for the rolled tacos. Customers can choose an order of three or five depending on their hunger level or their willingness to share with friends. The tacos are filled with meat, rolled in a flour tortilla, then deep fried and covered with lettuce, cheese and guacamole. It’s not the healthiest option on the menu, but for those who have a bigger appetite, these tacos do the job. Unfortunately, as far as taste goes, these tacos did not compare to the chicken ones, possibly due to the fact that they’re prepared beforehand.

All in all, it’s a small restaurant with a big menu and an inviting atmosphere. The food is cheap and tasty, and it will satisfy the taste buds when you need a taco hit.