A tortilla makes a handy mouse pad, an acceptable patch for stiff denim jeans, and, if you draw a face on it, an ideal companion on fishing trips or after-prom parties. But it has many other uses, as today's Groupon proves: for $15, you get $30 worth of Mexican sips and savories at The Local Taco. Your Groupon can be used toward alcohol and other drinks, but you must order at least one food item.

The casual Murphy Road eatery serves up a south-of-the-border menu with a local kick. Spark things off by dipping locally made white corn chips into a duo of red and green housemade salsas ($2.50) or a vat of fresh, whole-avocado-based guacamole ($4). But the true estrellas of the menu are The Local Taco's namesake local tacos (all are $2.50)—particularly rarely seen varietals such as Texas brisket, Korean barbecue with Asian slaw and toasted sesame seeds, tequila lime chicken, and Southern fried (buttermilk-fried chicken-breast strips with honey lime sauce, lettuce, and tomato). The Local Taco's menu even offers a taco that somehow contains all tacos, but you'll need to be able to see in 12 dimensions in order to perceive it. The Local Taco also offers enchiladas, sides, and soups.

An inviting, outdoor, heated patio—painted a cheery blue and accented by stainless steel and playful plastic chairs—makes The Local Taco feel like a picnic in the park, only without the lumpy, flavorless potato salad; ants; and thieving, hat-wearing bears that display an intelligence far beyond that of an average bear. Stop by lunch or dinner Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday for lunch, dinner, or a snack from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Reviews

Metromix calls The Local Taco Nashville's Best New Restaurant, and the Nashville Scene and City Paper sing its praises:

• The menu is just intriguing enough; the smallish bar (with a TV for sports and mason jar pendant lights), more than inviting; the interior, a clean color scheme combo of black, blue, white and yellow; the outdoor eating area, perfect for lustily devouring a tasty fish taco and a cold Sol beer on a humid Saturday. – William Williams, City Paper
• Whatever you do, try the Texas brisket taco. No, wait, the Korean barbecue. Hold it — the tequila-lime chicken. Or the shrimp. . . . Really, we haven’t found a bad choice. The ingredients are fresh, the atmosphere convivial, and at $2.50 a taco, you can order a basketful and keep the margaritas coming. – Metromix
• The favorite so far has been the Korean barbecue taco—grilled hunks of sweet-and-tangy marinated beef adorned with Asian slaw and sesame seeds. – Carrington Fox, Nashville Scene

Yelpers give The Local Taco a solid three stars, and 78% of nearly 100 Urbanspooners recommend it:

• I had the Thai taco and the Korean BBQ taco. Both were really good. I'll definitely be back for more! – Maya, Urbanspoon
• Margs are great because they're made daily with fresh ingredients, not some super sugary tart mix from a machine. I've already made this a weekly stop for casual drinks and/or dinner with friends. It's also family-friendly so even friends with kids can join -- hard to find. – kathrynw81, Urbanspoon