El Chapala Mexican Restaurant

Three stars are «A-​OK» according to Unilocal,and that is what this place rates. There are times I’m looking for cheap fast Mexican… ok maybe some cheap beer too. This place works. Not to mention with world cup around the corner, it could be a great spot to watch soccer errr football, uh futbol, I don’t know, but I know they have a good sports bar area in back with $ 2 dos equis. So, yeah, A-​OK for a cheap lunch with co-​workers or a fun/​different atmosphere for some sports viewing. Just don’t expect anyone to bring a date here.

I felt this was your average little Tex-​Mex kind of place. It has a great location but a horribly boring menu. I don’t know if it was the time of day that affected my visit or what, but my server took my order with what I thought was almost a hint of disgust, disdain, or just plain boredom. Although the food was quite prompt, fresh, and delightful, I didn’t manage to see my server again until she appeared out of thin air with the check… well after I was done. I can’t complain about the food but the atmosphere was just boring.

Food is average, but everything is cheap! $ 1 draft beers! However it’s tricky see tips for ordering instructions. The service is usually, but not always, below par. the servers are prompt, but seem like they really don’t want to be there. I think this comes from the manager. He has such a bad attitude and smokes right next to the patio while yelling at people over the phone, seriously this happens allot. Also, the kitchen staff loudly complains about the customers in Spanish. Yo intiendo. Most of us took Spanish in high school. All things considered if you need a cheap place to eat and have a beer this is your place, but it could be so much better. The location is great, tucked away and intimate. The price is right, just needs a gut check from whom ever owns this place (hope it’s not the mngr in question).

God I hate doing this… but this place was not at all good. The location tucked away off of Merrimon in N. Asheville was appealing. And we finally tried it. It is a really really old Mexican restaurant. The menu is appealing but the food is just not. The service was seriously slow… gringo style margaritas that were like cool aid… I tried a flank steak dish and the cut of meat was simply not that… it was grisly… and frankly hard to eat. They attracted me with a description that included goat cheese… none of that on it. And nopalitos… and salsa… all of it was canned that I could have also dumped on a plate and not wanted to eat.
Seriously Asheville has some really boring terrible Mexican sit down joints… but INCREDIBLE real authentic taquerias sprouting up… with home cooked REAL mex food. Please drive by this place and try the cheaper… and really authentic Taqueria Fast up on Weaverville Highway. Its real… its not fancy… but its light years better. Also try Taqueria Gonzales on Haywood in the heart of West Asheville.
Come on folks… we really really really really wanted to like you… but not.

Went last night for dinner, actually quite terrible. I ordered Chili rellenos, they brought a plate of hamburger sprinkled with cheese, with a thin slice of a pepper under it. The salsa, a big clue to the quality of a mexican restaurant, was canned tomatoes with very little else. Refried beans, no flavor at all, basically paste, no flavor to the rice.
I have to say stay away– they took our money and gave us so little for it. Mexican food is easy to make flavorful unless you either don’t know what you are doing or you don’t care. This may be a case of both.

This place was real popular at one time. I don’t know how. It’s always been average Mexican and the servers are all business, which some people like, but I’m looking for friendly service too. They certainly don’t do anything to make you want to come back. The food is typical Mexican food, nothing you order is going to be great.