Thirsty AF: Caza Brava

I will be the first to suggest that weeknight festivities don't have to be whole productions. You don’t need expensive cocktails at some hot new place in order to have a night out. Sometimes that night out might just be the comfort of queso and a friend. (Sometimes the friend is even optional when you just want to be elbows deep in queso and chips, but KGS is a social group, and I should advocate for sharing.) When you just want the food done for you, here enters Caza Brava - yes, with a Z - a Mexican/Cuban restaurant in north Knox on Clinton Highway. I shan’t call it a hole in the wall as it is actually its own building with a screened-in patio, but it is pretty under the radar. I assume because it is in north Knoxville, even Powell depending on who you ask, that most people don’t venture by it often. That should stop.

The owner, Javier, would be a familiar face to some of you who have been in Knoxville longer. He was at Cocoa Moon on Market Square years ago when it was a popular spot for gay nightlife. He would be responsible for the Cuban elements on the menu at Caza Brava, and he is also responsible for a welcoming atmosphere. Oh, and he also makes a damn good margarita - on the rocks here as they do not have any frozen margaritas. You won’t mind. It’s delicious!

I know my readers tend to be gastronomically adventurous, but your dining companions can rest assured that Caza Brava features all your basic dishes like arroz con pollo, and trust me, they will want arroz con pollo. I want my hands covered in spicy mango sauce from their wings. I want an order of guac. I want to try something that’s not dinner combination #8, and yeah, I’ll drink a marg if you will. Split a pitcher instead? Done.

I most often order the Cuban tostones or carne asada, but I’m always tempted by bang bang shrimp. You know the bang bang sauce: It’s kind of orange/kind of pink, kind of spicy, and definitely is made of mayonnaise. It’s not at your neighborhood Mexican restaurant; it’s a fun little surprise!

I do suggest Caza Brava as a weeknight destination, specifically on Mondays when their house margs are on special. It’s always during the week anyway when you’re scrolling Instagram and watching happy people eat chips and salsa when you want to leave work and also be eating chips and salsa. That IG reel was your sign to go eat the chips. This blog is also your sign to go eat the chips. It’s been a weird weekend, so we all need to eat some chips and salsa.