The occasional three hour wait to be seated on a Friday or Saturday night does not often deter the regular customers of this local Mexican restaurant with the rather unique name.

"If you're busy, that's the sign of a good restaurant," Soccer Taco manager Jorge Bernal said.

The restaurant and sports bar, Soccer Taco, is now a small chain. The original Bearden Hill restaurant opened in 2005, but owners wanted to open a second restaurant, and the new, larger location opened on Market Square Mall in downtown Knoxville in August.

Bernal said patrons lined up outside the store's entrance waiting to be seated, and on several instances, the restaurant even ran out of its most popular food items, like the menu's wings during the second location's opening week. Many restaurants would love such troubles, especially on opening weekends.

If you're busy, that's the sign of a good restaurant.  Jorge Bernal, Soccer Taco manager

Regular Bearden Hill Soccer Taco patron Megan Spoone recently experienced the new location's environment.

"I have been awaiting the arrival of Soccer Taco to Market Square and am glad to say I was not let down," she said. "The food and drinks were just as good, and they continue to maintain their casual yet energetic atmosphere."

Soccer Taco is known for its busy but laid back atmosphere and the uniqueness of its sports-related theme. Televisions line the restaurant's walls and sports ranging from soccer to football are broadcast during all hours of operation.       

The venue attracts various types of clientele and is an appealing option to many patrons because of its weekend hours; it is open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

According to Bernal, the change of ownership in November 2007 helped amplify the business' success, and the restaurant is now more professionally managed.

"They're really, really good people," he said. "They knew this (Market Square) would be a good location." He says the Soccer Taco staff is also pleased with the changes.      

Every person that comes in becomes a regular. Jorge Bernal 

The new restaurant offers the same food and drink specials, but Bernal said some of the Market Square patrons' choices differ from the popular selections at the Bearden Hill location. He said one of the most ordered menu items at the Market Square restaurant is the fish tacos, while the chimichangas are continually a frequented choice at the original location.

On her visit to the new venue, Spoone said she herself opted for something new.

"I split the chicken fajita nachos, which was more than enough to share and topped it off with a glass of Blue Moon," she said. "No margaritas on this trip, although I hear they have the best in town."

Indeed, the restaurant's reputation packs red carpet heat--many local "celebrities" have dined at the Bearden location, including former University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer and former UT basketball player Dane Bradshaw. Bernal said the restaurant attracts many regular customers because of its friendly and helpful wait staff and affordable prices.

"Every person that comes in becomes a regular," Bernal said.