Chismoso in Knoxville Unveils New Chefs and Revamped Latin Menu

Chismoso in Knoxville Welcomes New Chefs and Menu Changes

Knoxville, a city known for its vibrant food scene, has exciting news coming from Chismoso, located at 131 South Gay Street. Since its opening last May, the restaurant has evolved significantly, and recent developments hint that it’s only getting better. Co-owner and manager Corbin Azambuja is thrilled with the changes brought about by the restaurant’s new chefs, Will Stagg and Mauro Chavez.

The culinary duo has wasted no time introducing a fresh menu that aims to showcase Latin cuisine in a way that goes beyond the typical offerings of “chips and queso” and “fajitas.” Corbin expressed a desire to elevate the standards of Latin food, ensuring it reflects the richness of various flavors and high-quality ingredients. With the summer vegetables in abundance, the new menu is centered around freshness and locality.

Fresh Dishes with Local Ingredients

Recently, a delightful tasting session at Chismoso allowed us to sample several dishes that truly highlight what the restaurant stands for. Starting with the Chips and Queso, we did indulge in the classic despite knowing it’s quite the expected starter. To my delight, Urban Woman proclaimed it to be the best queso she had ever tasted. But from there on, we took a leap into flavors that were both adventurous and satisfying.

We shared several dishes, each showcased local produce. The first standout was the Mountain Roots Blistered Shishito Peppers, featuring cilantro, garlic chili crunch, and cotija cheese with a sprinkle of pork rind dust. This dish balanced flavors perfectly, bringing joy to our taste buds without overwhelming spice. I must confess it was my favorite of the evening.

Next, we enjoyed the Myer’s Brother’s Farm Grilled Zucchini, paired beautifully with ET mushrooms, crispy leeks, yellow squash, salsa macha, and squash blossom butter. Urban Woman noted the freshness of the zucchini as exceptional and almost chose this dish as her top pick after it had been served. The mushrooms were a delightful added touch that I could have eaten all night.

We also couldn’t resist adding a Spencer Mountain Tomato Salad as a side. This dish featured shaved green tomatoes, cilantro, toasted seeds, and cholula ranch, arriving with a light and tangy flavor profile that complemented our other selections well.

A Hearty Main Course

For our main course, we shared the Chicken Enchilada Stack. Constructed with house-made tortillas, jack cheese, a rich red sauce, and topped with lime crema and fresh veg, this dish was everything one hopes for when enjoying Latin cuisine. Even split amongst the two of us, the portion was generous. Urban Woman favored this dish as much as the zucchini, noting the perfectly ripe avocado amidst the vibrant ingredients.

Meet the Chefs

Before wrapping up our delightful dining experience, I took a moment to speak with the talented chefs Will Stagg and Mauro Chavez. The chefs expressed their excitement about collaborating full-time, having previously worked together during pop-up events at various local venues. Mauro, who brings his Mexican heritage into the kitchen, explained that their current menu evolved from their time working together. They’ve set out to create dishes that pay homage to traditional Latin flavors while showcasing fresh, local produce.

Chef Will shared his pride in their tomato salad creation, emphasizing the high-quality tomatoes sourced from nearby Spencer Mountain farms. Both chefs aim to let the ingredients shine through simple combinations rather than overwhelming them with complexity.

As the two culinary talents collaborate, they hope to expand diners’ perceptions of what Mexican and Latin foods can be, moving past the simple notions of rice and beans. They are already busy planning their next menu, making it clear that there’s more to look forward to at Chismoso.

Restaurant Hours

Chismoso is open from Tuesday through Thursday from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and on Friday and Saturday from 4:00 PM to midnight. For an exciting exploration of fresh, local, and distinct Latin flavors, it seems there’s never been a better time to visit this Knoxville gem.