Service was not great; not very attentive staff. Took 10min to get water when we sat down, another 15min to get chips n salsa to munch on while waiting for our food, and another 25min to get our food (which shouldn't take that long since it's a cheese quesadilla and grilled chicken salad). And waiting for the bill took another 25min after our dishes had been cleared and we're just sitting there. Luckily, I had good company.
(2)
brandon M.
Great food and price with generous portions. Ordered the Mixed Fajitas they came with plenty of juicy meat. Will be back again! Thanks.
(5)
Marcia S.
1. Plato El Paso...wow...Lobster mix Chicken and Steak... Fahita all the traditional trimmings. 2. Camarones Brochette...hello Shrimp and Bacon...setup is delicious... 3. Jalapeño Stuffed with Chicken...yummy...let me tell you they ran out. I got the last two. 4. Drinks....hello Please go to the bar area. It's awsome.
(5)
Bunny S.
This review is for the bartender/server. Her name is Gaby and she is by far the dumbest person I've ever met working in the restaurant industry. Chapala is a common spot for me so I know what I always want and what I always order. As we arrived, we asked her about a large size bottled beer (Regia) and she said I only have Guinness in large size, then we said its called (Regia) and her immediate response was "I told you so" ..I'm sorry did I miss something? you told me what exactly? Then we order 1 beer 1 margarita, she leaves, comes back in 30 seconds and asks..2 beers? we say no 1 beer 1 margarita, she leaves, then comes back in 30 seconds again to ask if I wanted salt with my margarita...how hard is it to get an order of 2 drinks?!! Then we order pupusas and ask for them to come a bit earlier as appetizers and a twin (chicken) burritos and she comes back with both orders at the same time..and guess what?! the twin burritos were 1 beef, 1 pork!!!!! SERIOUSLY?!! ((sour cream is extra charge since is not added on the plate). Here is the best joke..she ends up charging us for 2 bottles of beer!!! Dumb much?!!! And for the record the green hot sauce bottle is super yucky and fake sauce too, the color is more teal and looking at the ingredients it has yellow #5 and blue #1 (thats how the hot sauce is made) haha
(1)
Jodi S.
Oh, Chapala... I used to love you. But, not so much anymore. I will say that deep down, I knew that dining at Chapala on Cinco de Mayo would probably be a bad idea. But, this is the third year in a row that my family and I have dined at Chapala on Cinco de Mayo and this is the first time we have ever had such a horrible experience. Our server was rude. She didn't seem to care about our table at all - she catered to all of the tables around us - all of which were ordering a lot of alcohol. It was so obvious that our table didn't matter as much, because our bill wouldn't be as high. Our drinks rarely got refilled, we asked for more chips and salsa several times and never received it. She rarely checked on us and when she did, she was condescending. We waited more than an hour for our food and this is what we ordered: Mango mojito (good, but super duper sweet and very little alcohol) Diet coke (my son never received a refill) Unsweet ice tea (waitress forgot my daughter ordered this and it took forever for her to get it - never got any refills) Water (I asked for a water refill many times - never got it) My husband ordered fish (pescado frito and he said it was good). My daughter ordered a bean burrito. It was not hot, but it served its purpose. As I said, we waited a long time for our food and by the time it arrived we were all hungry. My son ordered a beef taco. He was served a beef burrito. Since we waited more than an hour for our food, he was willing to just take the burrito. We told the server he would eat it, but she took the plate right out of his hands and walked away. Several minutes later, he received his taco but the rest of us were finished eating (those of us who could eat...see below). I ordered nachos. How hard is it to screw up nachos?! Well, the cheese wasn't even melted. THE CHEESE WAS STILL SHREDDED ON TOP OF THE TORTILLAS. After waiting over an hour, you'd think the cheese would at least be melted? When I pointed this out, the server took my plate back to the kitchen and had them reheat everything (after I told her not to - we just wanted to check at this point). How can you reheat nachos when there is sour cream and guacamole on top?! She re-served me the original, reheated nachos, which at this point were nice and hot, but goopy and gross. Ain't no way I was eating it. I ordered my 18 month old son a cheese papusa. The papusa was so covered in grease, I could not even pick it up. It completely fell apart all over the plate and slid around in it's own greasy, slimy mess. Nope - not eating that either. The mariachi music was fantastic. The singers sang to our older children and our baby and even invited him to try and play the guitar. Our little guy got up and danced along while the musicians played and this was literally the highlight to our evening. Who wouldn't smile at an 18 month old dancing to mariachi music?! :-) The manager visited our table. He was gracious and apologetic. He removed some of the items from the bill - not nearly enough in my opinion considering every one of us was affected by the poor, inattentive service, but whatever... He gave us a gift certificate to return, and while I appreciate the gesture, I doubt we will go back to Chapala. We have been dedicated fans of Chapala for many years, but we've seen a steady decline in food quality and service over the years and I think it is time to move on. By the time we left, it was almost 9 p.m. (we arrived just after 6), and everyone was still hungry. I literally had to stop at Roy Rogers on the way home to feed everyone!!
(1)
Joe E.
This location has great food-- offers some great deals via online services like yelp. Highly recommended. Excellent chips and salsa, drinks, and steak burrito. Delicious. Good find in an area without many restaurants to offer.
(4)
Lauren B.
This review is based on my experience on the bar side of Chapala. I went there with two friends to see some local bands. We sat at one of the tables, and the waitress came over and gave us one menu to share. She asked if we wanted drinks, but couldn't tell us what beers were on tap. I asked for waters for the table (which never came), and ordered the Sangria. My friends ordered a Coke & a beer. Anything resembling good service ended there. For dinner I ordered the Carnitas Enchiladas. 45 minutes passed before I asked the waitress if the food was coming out soon. She rolled her eyes and said it was coming. When it came to the table, it was obvious that the waitress forgot about my order, and the food had been sitting under a heat lamp for a while. The food itself was ok, not a lot of flavor. My friend who ordered the beer had to constantly flag down our server to get another one. She refused to check on us, and even though I wanted another drink it became too much of a hassle to get one, so I gave up. When I was ready to close out, I asked for my check. She returned with the table's tab. I didn't think it was a big deal, and simply asked if she could separate it (my friend who ordered the beer wasn't done). She said no. When my friend asked for another beer, the waitress took the check from me and stormed off. I caught up with her asked again if she could split, seeing as how she had to run it again to add the beer and she told me, "no, it's impossible." Maybe the service in the restaurant part is better, but I'm not in any hurry to find out.
(1)
Shelly C.
Great food and service as always:) Missing Chapala as a regular :( lol
(5)
Yolanni S.
Yesterday was my first time at Chapala and my visit was not so pleasant. There was no wait so I was pretty happy about that and when I got in they had a band playing so the atmosphere was pretty cool. After being seated no one came to the table for about 15 minutes. Which I thought was weird considering the place was pretty empty. Our waitress than came over and asked us what we wanted to drink and she took our order and left us with some chips and salsa. The waitress didn't seem friendly at all. It seemed as though she had a little attitude or like she was irritable about something. The warm salsa and chips were nice, but she hadn't brought us glasses of water. Then another 15 minutes rolled around and she came with drinks. The menu was so overwhelming, they have so many options, if I were you I'd look at the menu before going. I am an American, and I don't speak any Spanish. So while ordering she was laughing at the pronunciation of the dishes we ordered. Which was very disrespectful. I ended up ordering a sampler. The wings reminded me of McDonalds mighty wings and I got a flour tortilla with cheese inside. The sampler also came with jalapeño poppers stuffed with chicken and the little burrito things were the joy of my night. Nevertheless, I will not becoming back to Chapala's.
(2)
Carol F.
Great food, however after bringing meal never come back. Can't get more to drink and can't get salad dressing. Dropping off lunch and not coming back for an hour is not good service for people who tip well and are on their lunch hour. My coworkers and I have decided, after this has happened 3/4 times not to return.
(2)
Shawn M.
Still rocking it. Tonight I had a Sante Fe burrito, which was excellent and some tres leches for dessert. They had a fairly decent live band, though two guys with Spanish guitars is hardly a band.
(5)
Amanda H.
This place is one of my favorite restaurants! I have been coming here for a few years and have never been disappointed. Very family friendly but also has a bar section in the back. Extensive menu with everything you'd expect.. fajitas, burritos, pupusas, etc. Good happy hour deals for appetizers and margaritas! Chips and salsa when you sit down. As Melissa said.. parking can be awful because it is a small lot. I definitely reccomend a cheese pupusa to start and steak fajitas! Yum.
(4)
Janet L.
What an interesting restaurant! The front is your typical tex-mex restaurant with birthday singing going on what seems like every 15 minutes. There's a bar in the back (with a very different, much younger crowd) and a small, cozy, intimate stage area for shows. As for the food itself? I'd say it's A-Ok. Nothing too special, exactly what one would expect. I have the say the churros were a little too dry/hard. The service was pretty good and there's plenty of parking in the back.
(3)
Ryan V.
When I am being a good grandson and visit my grandparents in tiny Burtonsville, MD - we always eat here at least once. My grandparents are awesome and total creatures of habit. For about 10 years (perhaps longer, how long has this place been there?) they have both ordered chicken enchiladas with 1 strawberry margarita. Can't beat that consistency. For me, I'm a bit more adventurous. Yes they serve pretty average to below average Mexican food, but that's because the people who own this place are not Mexican. They are El Salvadorean and you immediately know it based on their offerings. Next time you dine here - try their pupusas - they are pretty good. I think they have a veggie one, but can't remember if they had a loroco. Anyway, they also have some good plantains and vegetable based dishes that are more El Salvadorean in nature. So 2 stars for their Mexican offerings, and 4 stars for their El Salvadorean food. Cheers.
(3)
Tylvia E.
The platter on Sundays is a great deal. My fiance and I always leave with full, well satisfied bellies. The atmosphere is pretty average though as well as the service.
(4)
J R.
Quite ..easy to get to ..parking out front food was eat able to good . Service was pleasant. Restaurant was clean. I give it a 3.5 stars
(3)
Kathie P.
The food is "not bad". I have had much better at other places. The staff is very friendly and accommodating, but I don't think I'll go out of my way to go there. The parking is very crowded and it is difficult to get in and out of.
(2)
Margy C.
There's something burning in my mouth. Let's just put it out there now, I do not do spicy foods. One would think a simple chimichanga order would be safe. I ordered the pork carnitas. I was asked whether I wanted it grilled or fried. I don't believe other places have ever asked me this so good on them. I went with the grilled since it's healthier. All was going well. Attentive service with extra chips and salsa while we wait for our dinners. My chimi arrived with your typical little salad and refried beans. Surprised to see no guac or cheese either on my refried beans or my chimi. Am I in a Tex Mex place or not. Where's the cheese? Where's the guac? Okay, chimi was still edible without such accoutrements. As I'm munching away, something very spicy enters my mouth. It was so hot, I started stuffing whatever bland thing I could find on other people's plates - beans, black beans, refried beans, sour cream, water. And I don't even like sour cream! I have no idea what it was but most likely it was something in that little salad. I hope it wasn't a pepper that they normally put in the salad. That was such an unpleasant experience. That just made me carefully chew the remaining portion of my dinner in fear. Atmosphere and service was just lovely. Chimi was okay. I can't say it was the best I've ever had but good enough for a low key Tuesday evening with friends.
(3)
Jennifer B.
After skimming through the reviews, I don't think anyone has mentioned that they have PAPUSAS!!! I was unaware of this as well (are they even on the menu?), until my friend (who is a regular) ordered them. My seafood enchilada order went out the window and I ordered some too. They were delicious. They only have two to choose from though...cheese and pork and cheese. The pork ones were better than the plain ones. After drinks, chips and salsa, and two of those delicious papusas, I was full. Next time I want to try some of their seafood dishes. Oh, and the house margaritas ($3 during happy hour) and mojitos are excellent!!! I love a good mojito and Mexican places seem to be a hit or miss with them. Btw, we sat in the bar area during happy hour. Nice crowd and good music (mostly hip hop, then Latin). Service was great, too!
(4)
Melissa C.
I love this place. Been coming forever. We used to have every family members birthday dinner here, would even bring cake and the staff always accommodated and we of course shared. Food never disappoints. I always compare other restaurants to Chapala lol. Only reason I gave 4 stars is because sometimes parking is a pain in the butt.
(4)
Ju L.
Pros: Large portion sizes at reasonable prices. Chips come fresh and hot. Bartender doesn't skimp on alcohol. Bar, dining, and event areas are separated. Cons: N/A
(4)
Jack W.
This place was OK. It was a pretty cheap lunch with the lunch special. I went with coworkers and they all got lunch specials. The special came with a drink and was around $7.00. The cost was low but the portions were small. I didn't get a lunch special and got a California burrito which was pretty good. It came with a side of cantaloupe and rice and beans in the burrito. It was the same costs as the lunch special but doesn't come of with a drink. I think this is the menu item to get for the cost.
(2)
Brittany S.
A WHOLE plate of food for $6.99?! Hell yea I'm a fan! Came here for lunch with my mom and we both ordered off of the lunch menu which has about 9 items for $6.99 and that includes a soda! They have a picture for each meal too to help you choose. I ordered the beef soft taco and burrito combo which came with a side of rice and beans. You'd think for a $7 meal that it wouldn't be all that, bland, blah and fast food - which was not the case here! We got chips and salsa as soon as we sat down and our food took awhile but it came out hot and fresh so I'm OK with that. The beef soft taco was yummy. The beef was ground beef, it was seasoned perfectly but made the taco shell a little soggy at the bottom. The burrito was smothered with cheesy goodness and stuffed with shredded beef. Now usually when the actual entrees are good the sides tend to lack flavor but they we're on point too! No boring sides! The rice was cooked perfectly and the refried beans were sooo good and creamy! They we're a little skimp on the beans though. My mom and I ate until we were stuffed for under $15! How can you beat that?
(4)
Mandana Y.
Monday nights $9.99 fajitas! Oh hay. We were planning on going to Cuba de Ayer but upon arrival we saw that the place was closed. What, people don't eat on Mondays in Cuba? I digress. We yelped and found this to be the closest solution to our hunger pains. The reviews looked promising and so did the specials board they had up at the hostess stand. It looks like every night of the week there is some kind of deal. I was fortunate to come on $9.99 fajita night. The menu, a little over whelming, so the special helped narrow down my choice. Their drink menu is great, very large selections of beer. But I opted for tamarind juice. It was a little too sweet but it's what I've come to expect from this area. The steak fajitas were on point, and the portions made the 10 dollar price tag a bargain. My only complaint is that we didn't get the chips and salsa until we asked for it, and that was after our food came. An oversight I think, but it just takes away from the Mexican restaurant experience I've come to love. You know, being full before your food arrives. I would describe this place as Rio Grande without the fancy, but with actually good food. You can't go wrong with a place like this, but it definitely will not be a memorable experience.
(3)
Muturi M.
Liked the place for a minute...always great drinks n great food. Good place for watching sporting events...and certain holidays too!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Went there for lunch and really liked it. The chips were fresh and warm, the salsa was good. I had the burrito with shredded chicken and the enchilada with shredded beef. The shredded beef was surprisingly tender. The flavors were very good for both and they were moist with lots of cheese. The refried beans were good but seemed a little runny for my taste. The rice was good. The caramel flan was also very good. This is a great spot for lunch, the service was fast and friendly. We were in and out in an hour. I will be back for sure!
(4)
Cat S.
Their beef tacitos are delicious! I strongly recommend their mojitos and piña coladas! If you want your colada stronger, add a shot; if you want it sweet, don't add anything. Otherwise, this place is awesome and the basement has live music (Spanish or American) on different nights
(4)
Susana H.
I really wanted to love this place, I heard great things about it. So I'm going to start with the positives. There was a "band" playing, more like a duo. But they were amazing, it made my night. I had a The Patron margarita and it was one of the best margaritas I've had in a very long time. We had a party of 12 and got seated fairly quick. Now the negatives, Once we were seated it took a very long time to even get menus, which was only given to half the table. once we got our drinks we didn't get any refills for the rat of the night or ben asked if wanted any additional drinks. If they would have asked I'm sure plenty more margaritas would have been ordered. After waiting over an hour for our food, two of our dishes were cold. We asked the waitress to warm one up and she rolled her eyes. I ordered the Plato gavillan, i didn't think anyone could mess fajitas up but they did. my chicken was pink ( i work in the food industry) a big no no. One more positive thing My friend had the plato mucho and they loved it. I am a firm believer that a waiter or waitress can make or break a restaurant and i have to say that was the case here. Not once did she check on the table and gave attitude when things were asked. Parking was terrible. Overall it was just a bad experience, I like supporting small businesses so like i said before i really wanted to love this place, very disappointed.
(1)
Chris C.
I love this place.... I host and dj my Funkete Bass Parties here every once in a while. Good drinks, good food, good service. Love it. Def rec.
(5)
Susie K.
I'm not sure how I feel about Chapala. I don't particularly love it but I don't mind it either. Their chips/salsa/guac are good. I had the chicken fajitas which were well seasoned and came out sizzling hot. Served with tortillas, pinto beans, rice, and a small side of pico de gallo, sour cream, and guac. The sangria is yummy and the service is pleasant.
(3)
Freda I.
Came to celebrate with at least 27 co-workers and the service was not great at all. The 2 workers we had were bland, didn't ask if we wanted food at all (very dumb move since they could have made $$$), and didn't ask if we wanted another drink!! My margarita was great but damn...who doesn't ask If you want a second?? I wouldn't come back here. Are you in business to make $$ or what. Maybe today was a bad day since other reviewers liked the place but co-workers at my end of the table were not happy with the service!!!
(1)
Aisha W.
I like this place, reasonable prices, plus I love the mariachi band they have when I go there. Plus, it is just a nice atmosphere, dim lighting and just relaxed. So many places in this area are too bright and sterile feeling, this place has a homey feel. I like it. I think it is a good place to take a date.
(4)
Seythe M.
I just grubbed for a little over $10! Salsa and chips starter, papusas for appetizer, and the taco platter to seal the deal! All of it was really good. The staff were friendly and the place is clean and the temperature comfortable. It was a Sunday so I expected the restaurant to be short handed and to my surprise, they had plenty of hands available. I felt like I was being served by two people. This is my first time sitting in the restaurant, I have dined in their bar area. I will come back!
(4)
Christina M.
I am from So.Cal and I LOVE Mexican food. This is El Salvadorean Food and I like that too but you gotta know the difference and manage your expectations. The folks are nice, the crowd is even better. My friend and her boyfriend are regulars and they love it but I would say meh! Its good for a neighborhood hangout and if you like a little karoke, rock and nice El Salvadoreans -- GO. But please ask the lovely bartender if they can put the cokctails and beer in the right glass? It makes the people who drink because they like the actual taste feel better. truebeer.com/Beer-Glass-…
(2)
HowChow B.
Three years in Los Angeles will leave a person with short patience for mosquitos and a longing for Mexican food like she used to get right outside her office. My wife's long search is over. For years, she has talked about the corn tamales that she used to eat at the farmer's market in Westwood. Last month, we found them at Chapala in Burtonsville. We just wanted a light lunch because we were late and already planning to meet friends for dinner in Baltimore. So we ducked into the casual Chapala on the advice of our friend Scott, a professional chef who talked up the Tex-Mex food. The corn tamales were spectacular. They're steamed corn cakes, lightly sweet and served with a cream. Imagine the lightest corn bread that you have ever eaten. Now get a lighter texture and the full, mild flavor of corn. Chapala serves them as an appetizer, either plain or filled with pork or chicken. We paired them with a plate of fried yuca and chicharron -- chunks of boneless pork quickly fried and contrasted with a vinegary cole slaw. Chapala seems like a serious restaurant, and our small lunch suggests that they're doing way more than standard Tex-Mex. The menu has basics like burritos, enchiladas, tacos and fajitas. But the kitchen was also doing fresh guacamole, a pan-fried rockfish, and a bunch of interesting-looking dishes with grilled steak and shrimp. They have some $7 lunch combos, including a tamale special with meat, rice and beans.
(3)
Laura E.
It was good, not great. My family is from Mexico so I know how Mexican food should taste....this was alright. People who are not familiar with authentic Mexican food will probably be impressed. One gentleman sitting at a table next to us exclaimed, "My food is on fire!" when he received his fajitas...that pretty much sums up the clientele. The decor is also a bit over the top for me. It's very colorful, which I appreciate, but it's a bit tacky. Overall--there are better authentic Mexican restaurants you can go to.
(3)
Phi N.
This place is sick. I just ate here for the first time yesterday... I think I had the Palenque platter and Camarones Brochette. Both delicious! I've also been here a bunch to drink before. They'll have live local bands perform. And when that's not happening, they play a lot of spanish music. You might catch some people wearing sombreros, alcoholic girls doing salsa dancing, and other crazy stuff... If you're asian like me, you'll have no idea what's going on. The owners are really cool though. Service has always been great too.
(3)
Taylor M.
Good food, terrible atmosphere in the front but bar is bangin' but the food (especially the pupusas, burritos and enchiladas) makes up for it. The boyfriend and I have been a couple times now and we have made that a go to place in the near future.
(3)
Jude T.
I don't understand some of the negative reviews, especially ones that mention the beans and rice. The beans and rice are both good compared to anywhere else in the area, and while I don't really like beans much, my girlfriend is from San Diego, and she loved them and said they remind her of the stuff you can get there. I'm not sure what other people have been eating, but the rice is definitely flavorful. The portions here are large. You order a taco platter and you get three large tacos. But don't order them soft shell or the liquid from the tomato can cause them to fall apart before you're finished eating them. The salsa, as some have said, is unremarkable. It's not bad, but it's not amazing either. If you really like the chips, though, get the queso... It is served extremely thick and extremely warm (both times I've had it, it's steaming). It has the right amount of spice and the right amount of meat in it. In the back/on the side, they have a bar that sometimes has local bands perform on a little stage. Good stuff!
(4)
John D.
Food is always good. Service its great. Been coming for years at least every week. Fajitas its the best Sri is the nachos platter.
(5)
Amna C.
The food here is mediocre at best, and the service is even worse! My husband and I waited ten minutes for the waitress to come to us, and the restaurant had only ONE other table!! We had to repeatedly ask for refills on water and chips/salsa. She never came to check on us after we got our food. My husbands chicken fajitas were lacking flavor and authenticity. We were hoping for a good experience since it's so close to our house but needless to say, we won't be returning.
(2)
G F.
Recently, my husband and I ate an early dinner here and made a credit card payment to which the tip was added. While recently reviewing my newest credit card statement, I noticed that the tip had been tinkered with and increased! The internet has multiple sites and comments devoted to this widespread practice at bars and restaurants - apparently not uncommon. I called the restaurant 5 times before connecting to a manager (Samuel?) who claims his receipt differs from mine. Moreover, I was informed by another employee that this type of misuse/fraud occurs there occasionally. Stay away or pay in cash so your bill is not 'adjusted'. Update: Our credit card company was notified of the fraudulent use of the card, will put the charge in dispute and contact the restaurant's bank. Ultimately, crime does not pay.
(2)
Eduardo S.
In my opinion, there are 3 things in life that were meant to go together..... pizza w/ beer, hot girls & baseball games, and punk rock & mexican food... And at Chapala's you can find lots of cool rock bands playing on Friday nights, and get your grub on too ! I had Shrimp & Crabmeat Enchiladas for $12.00 ... they were AMAZING. I crushed the rice & beans too... sooo delicious that I want some more Right Now as i'm writing this. They also have Karoake on Thursdays and they also show all the important WWF Wrestling events on TV too.. Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, if you're into that come watch it here.... oh and the latina bartenders are smoking hot. I recommend this place highly.
(4)
Deborah S.
This has been a favorite of mine, and of several friends, for years, as a great place to meet up and enjoy some good Mexican food and great margaritas. However, the last time we were there, we spied cockroaches crawling on the wall next to our table. Sadly, we will not be returning.
(1)
Amanda K.
I love this place. Wasn't expecting it to be that great but the fajitas are some of the best I ever had. The guacamole is pretty good. I love how they also have Salvadorian food. The pupusas are good and margaritas yummy. There's a little bar side too. The service is good. What's not to love!
(5)
Meagan C.
I'm at the bar right now and just spent over $200 and the bartenders didn't talk to us and are on their phones. I'm a bartender as well. If I want a good tip I talk to customers not make them look at my ass.
(2)
Alex O.
Oh come on people...really? How did this decidedly average tex-mex place captivate so many of you? This place is your basic, run-of-the-mill, "American Mexican food" joint. There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING authentically "Mexican" about this place. At this point you can find find a place like this in most areas of metro DC (or the rest of the country) about every fifteen minutes or so apart. The things with cheese in them (or on them) have LOADS of flavorless cheese. Enchilada sauce comes from a can. Dull rice and beans come with just about everything. Fajita steak was acceptably tender but basically tastes like any other fajita steak anywhere else. Fish tacos edible but unremarkable. They claim some sort of Salvadorean food, but that basically means you can get mediocre pupusas. Margaritas are not weak, but not particularly strong either. Oh, and the salsa... You wanna know why it's runny and has a "unique" flavor? It's because they use tomato soup as a filler in it. Seriously, I'm not kidding. It tastes pretty...bad. You want crappy salsa, go to Chapala's. You want to recreate the taste at home? Dump a can of Campbell's tomaoto soup into a blender with a can of diced tomatoes. Add salt. Puree and eat with chips. Sound amazing? Yeah...I don't think so either. If you wanted cheap Ameri-mex food and this was your closest option, it would be suitable, but honestly, there are better options in the area if you want to make even a modest drive.
(2)
Seetha K.
I didn't think their food was very special but you get what you pay for and for that, it's fine. Cute little place with a fun ambiance. I will definitely be returning to check out the bar and live music. Waitstaff was very friendly and I had an overall good experience.
(3)
Greg W.
The food was good. The service was very good. They have great hot sauces. They had live music. Plenty of seating. We were seated immediately. Taco's were good.
(3)
Jack D.
Went to this restaurant some 15 years ago based on the recommendation of a friend from El Salvador. It was immediately promoted to my favorite place. Their fajitas are a must try. I moved out of the area, but now I'm back. I was glad to see Chapala is still going strong. My wife and I went tonight and it didn't disappoint. Still amazing food for a good price. It may seem like a bit of a hole in the wall, but I've found that all the best places are. Inside you'll be greeted by a cozy and clean atmosphere and a friendly host. I love this place!
(5)
Anita W.
My husband talked me into trying this place for the second time, and for the second time I was completely underwhelmed. I have nothing good to say for the food. The chips were stale, the salsa was a smokey variety that I really disliked, the medium spice on my soft corn tortilla chicken tacos was as mild as can be, the waitress didn't seem to understand me...for the second time, I really disliked this place. The location is in the far suburbs in a building that might as well be part of a strip mall. Maybe the neighborhood likes this place, but I wan't be making any special trips there.
(1)
Mang J.
I need new friends. Whenever we end up in Burtonsville, no matter how much I tell them that I don't like Chapala and their food is terrible, they say, "Oooh, Mang, let's go get Mexican at Chapala." Suckerrr! My friends either secretly hate me or they get some deal with Chapala if they drag me in there. So, one star for slammin' margaritas and tender yuca, and zero stars for slow service (seriously; if you ***don't*** have kids, you'll be waited on by the time ***your kids*** graduate from law school), watery and bland salsa, tougher than rawhide chicharrón, and that strange odor.
(1)
Kat L.
No seriously. Best mexican food I've had since I moved to DC. Let me just say that I must love it as i burned the $H*T out of my finger on my fajitas the first time I came here, and yet a week later I was running back for more. Friendly service, HUGE bar- tender steak with the steak fajitas, plentiful onions, great beans, pinto and refried. I kinda (even though i shouldnt) love their american cheese queso dip. I wish it had more pico / salsa in it, but you can always rectify that yourself :) I like it here. no. I love it here. I really really really really love it here. oh and fri and sat pm they have guys walking around with guitars... yes yes yes..
(4)
Stephanie F.
I go to Chapala's often, more often than not on weekend nights for the fun bar scene. The food is good, the steak fajitas are juicy and tasty. I like the restaurant section also, it allows families to have a place to eat away from the bar area. Many nights they have live mariachi in the dining section as well. My son loves that! On weekend nights they often have local bands perform, or a dj on saturdays. Overall it is a fun place to go with good food. My only complaint is that once one of the waitresses didnt speak a LICK of english, I mean, its a mexican place, but its in America right? I mean nothing, not one english word" Made us all look like mimes with the pointing at the menu and hand signals. Besides her, the bar staff is pretty slow. Dont ask for a drink on a saturday night and expect it before Sunday am. Moral of the story is: service sucks, food is good, drink are cold. You decide whats most important.
(4)
paul s.
This place can be totally summed up in one word: Meh. As if Laurel doesn't already have enough places serving up bland, uninspired "tex-mex" food. The words "red sauce" and "green sauce" and "guajillo sauce" pop up all over the menu, but our burritos and enchiladas didn't seem to have any sauce on them at all, just lots of melted cheese. The tasty refried beans might have been some small cause for celebration if they weren't served room temperature. The only dish on the table that had any guts at all was the salsa that came with the chips, and that's not nearly enough to get me to come back. Disappointed.
(2)
Greg M.
wow horchata....... I typically ask but don't expect to receive. The response to my request for horchata is usually a pretty good indicator to me if the food will have inkling of authenticity, well SOCAL authenticity anyway.
(3)
K B.
I'm starting to think that places in the Burtonsville/Northern Silver Spring area have a serious overrating problem. 4 stars for this place? The margaritas taste fine, but I think they are made from a mix. Most of them are made with Montezuma Tequila, which outside of being bottom-shelf-plastic-bottle quality, has a name too close to a type of "revenge" that is inflicted upon traveler's to Mexico who drink the water. Do yourself a favor and ask for an upgrade. The food is competently cooked, but there is nothing special about the flavors. Nothing that would make me come here unless every other Mexican place in the area absolutely sucked. Which they do, but I think I would rather just buy a decent bottle of tequila and make myself some quesadillas and call it a night.
(3)
Joelyne K.
My husband and I eat here two to three times a year, if that. The food is nothing to brag about, it's just Mexican food. I could take it or leave it, to be honest. They should put more seasoning in their food as sometimes it can be a bit bland. The people that work there are very nice.
(2)
Tiffany L.
I definitely do not understand all the hype. I went there for lunch and got beef fajita for myself and spicy chicken fajita for my boyfriend. Everything was just standard. The salsa was.. different.. I know I wont be craving the salsa.. ever. I was somewhat disappointed. Maybe this place is rated high because of the lack of good dining establishments around Burtonsville? I dont know. The food was edible and not bad but I dont think I'll be visiting Chapala anytime soon.
(3)
Nicole R.
Fajitas, salsa and margaritas. Oooooohhhhhhh! One word - - Authentic. Non-pretentious, casual atmosphere combined with friendly service and great food. I believe they still have live music from time to time. The prices are easy on the wallet, there is plenty of parking and they do have happy hour specials at the bar. I absolutely love their salsa and chips. I could eat it for dinner! Great restaurant for a group or dinner for two.
(4)
Amanda B.
My cousin loves this place so I always go with her. Certain nights they do karaoke, so it's kind of fun. Seems like a place the locals go and unwind, since it's not much to do in Burtonsville. The food isn't bad at all, so if you're in the area stop by. I don't think I would drive long distance just to eat there though.
(3)
Courtney C.
I have fond memories of going to Chapalas with my Dad when I was young (10ish). As an adult, its not so great. We sat at the bar (its in the back behind the restaurant portion) because they don't honor happy hour in the restaurant. No big deal. The bartenders were young, cute and really great all around. I started with one of their pricier margaritas. It was good and very strong. I only needed one. They have a few happy hour specials so, I tried the mini chicken quesadilla. It was good, but no better than your standard bar dilla. The carnitas enchillada I ordered was just okay. It tasted like packaged food thrown together and put in the microwave. I could have made this at home with little fuss. I took the beans and rice home for the little one. He hated them, I understood. This place is dirty and just left me feeling grimy. I've heard the fajitas are good, but I won't be back to try them. I would return for a margarita and some chips and salsa if I had to. I hope I don't. I'll stick with my fond memories.
(2)
Caroline L.
I have always driven by this little, unassuming restaurant until my bf suggested Chapala for dinner. To be honest, I expected it to be a dive but was pleasantly surprised when I walked inside. It was much bigger than I expected and had this cozy feel to it (created by the 2 musicians playing guitar). It didn't have the crazy or hectic vibe of chain tex-mex places which I hate. Food: I didn't care for their chips and salsa. Their salsa is just too runny for my taste. My chip could barely get any salsa on it b/c it would just run off before I could put it in my mouth. If you stick your fork in it (which I did), the fork would grab onto almost nothing. However, the servers didn't seem stingy about refills which was great. The Baja Fish Tacos were really good- lots of cilantro so make sure you love cilantro (which I do). I LOVED how it came with guacamole as most places will make you pay extra. My bf got some sort of trio dish- steak, chicken (which he went on and on about how good it was), and ribs. He ate a double portion of the rice and then ate mine's! Oh and they did a great job on refilling our drinks! The wait time on the food is what reduced my rating. Maybe I've just become more inpatient over the years??... but the entrees just seemed to take forever. It seemed like a lot of the patrons were regulars so maybe Chapala just takes longer since they didn't seem to mind.
(4)
Veronica R.
I love this place. It has a nice warm ambiance. They make fantastic chicken and steak fajitas! They also have a good variety of drinks to choose from. The staff are great and friendly.
(5)
Nicole L.
My BFF came here on a Thursday night for dinner and we were pleasantly surprised to find out Thursday is Ladies Night which means BUY ONE GET ONE FREE DRINKS UNTIL 12am! YAY! AND they had karaoke! It was just crowded enough to have fun and bond with strangers over songs we sing. Can't wait to go back with my girlfriends!
(4)
Carl T.
The salsa is delicious. It's spice profile is very complex, and mine was served hot! I ordered the beef enchiladas. They came with a delicious green sauce on top. The quality at this place was surprisingly high quality. Out waitress was very polite and attentive. The restaurant is clean and tasteful. This is a great place for lunch!
(5)
Mo D.
I disregarded the yelp reviews and went anyway. After purchasing the $7 for$14 coupon they offered we headed over. The waitress came over after almost 10 minutes of us sitting down and asked if we wanted something to drink. After finally ordering and getting our food we never see her again. We had to flag her down to ask for a refill on water. Once we were done we asked for the bill and there was an automatic 15% gratuity added. I politely let her and her manager know that they must remove it asap and they did. The waitress didn't deserve a tip at all. Anyways the margaritas and papusas ate really good. Just not worth the 30 minute drive. Service ducks and food is mediocre.
(1)
Shannon D.
My friends and I came for a birthday dinner, and the service was absolutely superb. Our server, Michael, was extremely attentive, gave great recommendations and did a wonderful job anticipating our table's needs. He noticed that I was using hot sauce and brought out another variety for me to try...He brought out a delicious dessert for the birthday girl...He even sweetly offered to take a group photo of the table. Overall, the food was delicious. Love this place!!!
(5)
Bill K.
Typical Tex-Mex and some Salvadoran specialties done well. Not award-winning, but very good. This was the second visit for my wife and I, which was the result of another nearby Mexican place that we planned to go to (La Palapa, Too) being overcrowded on a Friday at 7 pm. I tried something interesting this time, the "super mole enchilada," which was three different types of enchilada with mole sauce (chicken, beef, and carnitas). It was very good, a nice variety. The portion size was pretty big, I ended up taking home half for another meal. There were two caballeros providing live music who were a bit on the loud side, but were good - a nice touch. The service was a little on the slow side, but acceptable.
(4)
Alan S.
Very disappointing. We had previously enjoyed Chapala, but had not been in a while. Tonight, all the food was lukewarm at best. My wife got fajitas, and while the platter was sizzling, even that food was tepid. Must be under new management or something. If I wanted food ladled cold out of a vat, I'd go to the fast food places. I absolutely will not return here.
(1)
Erick A.
Chapala's Palenque bar is great fun!! specially if you like loud latin rock!!
(4)
Tyson B.
My better half and I happened to be in that local area conducting business elsewhere so she wanted to try something different and "authentic" which she has a tendency to do at times. She discovered this establishment on the Yelp website and saw it had great reviews so we checked it out. The frozen margaritas were great not to mention the steak was extremely fresh and well prepared. It also had a very cozy feel to it meaning that wasnt incredibly crowded either. Our entrees along with our drinks were served to us in a timely fashion. If you happen to be in the Briggs Chaney area and have a taste for "authentic" Tex-Mex, this is definitely the place to go.
(4)
Samantha B.
Amazing food! Had the camarones brochette, very good! We will be back!
(5)
Jon S.
I'm from San Diego and have never remotely found a Mexican restaurant anywhere in Maryland that comes close to SoCal Mexican. I was craving Mexican and planned to go to La Palapa but two friends said NO, go to Chapala! So I did, as I thought the menu looked way off base compared to what I'm used to. I sat at the bar and the bartender was awesome! I was able to order off menu for my dinner plate of carnitas with rice and beans with my flour tortilla on the side. It was awesome! Only thing, they topped with cheese but that was fine! I killed it and was stoked I found a great Mexican restaurant in Maryland. I will be back during my stay!
(4)
Ivette O.
Food is pretty good here, especially for people used to eating Tex-Mex food. Don't expect it to be authentic.
(5)
Melbourne B.
It's a little pricey for family, but the food is good and the vegetables always taste fresh
(4)
Harry E.
Great portions, fresh authentic food! Everything is so tasty but the steak quesadilla rock. Good service with a smile! Chips and Salsa! BIG HIT!
(5)
N S.
You know the place you can count on to be an instant high school reunion whether you would like it to to be or not? Well, Chapala's Palenque Bar is that for me. It's filled with tons of Paint Branch and Springbrook alums, and you will never escape a massive hangover the next day. They've been having a lot of live bands lately, and the music is good. I've never had the ceviche, but my friends regularly order it and seem to enjoy it. I generally go with standard drinking fare, you know, all the greasy stuff (quesadillas and the like) to eat up all that alcohol you are throwing back. I would say it's average food, and definitely hits in that moment of debauchery.
(3)
Melissa C.
LOVE Chapala food! Been going forever and we always seem to go for birthday dinners in our family. The bar can be fun or it can have some creepy guys in there LOL you just never know. The waitresses and bar tenders are all nice. Don't really have a complaint!
(4)
Apollo L.
The Vegetarian Angle After reading positive reviews of Chapala, I decided to pay the place a visit when I was in the area for an errand. I ordered the Veggie Platter, which featured a Vegetable Burrito, a Cheese Enchilada, and a Bean/Cheese Taco. I added a Chile Relleno to the plate to complete a decent assortment of vegetarian fare. Now I'm a fan of cheese, so don't get me wrong here, but cheese was far and away the highest percentage component of everything. There was little variety in flavors - gobs and gobs of melted cheese, and a boring non-Ranchero tomato sauce. The vegetable burrito featured non-traditional vegetables for the cuisine, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. The bean and cheese taco was mostly bean, and not well flavored. While I cannot speak as to the meat-containing items at this place, if you're a vegetarian, I would recommend against Chapala in favor of a chain restaurant such as Don Pablo's or something else.
(2)
Linda T.
3.5 Stars Went to dinner here with my boyfriend because I really wanted to try El Salvadoran food. I didn't find that anything was that different than what you can get at any Mexican chain restaurant. They do have really good and tasty margaritas. I'm not sure if every night they a Mariachi group, but the night we went they did which added a nice touch to our dining experience. The front entrance of this restaurant is their actual "restaurant" and the side towards the back is their "bar". The Bar has its own separate side entrance.
(4)
Bruce R.
I've been to Chapala a couple times in the past and was never really impressed compared to other Mexican places in the area, but last night was perhaps the worst meal my wife and I have ever had in a Mexican restaurant. The ribs on my platter were 80% bone and what little meat that was on the bone was cooked until it was the consistency of shoe leather. The kitchen should be ashamed of themselves for sending out a plate of food that bad. Even my wife's burrito was bad, mostly filler and very little meat. We went because we had a coupon for one meal free, even with a coupon I would never go back again.
(1)
S N.
Bad first impression! I ordered Take Out and was directed to a large bar toward the back of the building. I'm not a fan of bars so I was upset that my order could not be placed at the front. Parking is terrible, I got blocked in (along with others) and had to wait for the manager to locate the owner of the vehicle. Lastly, I ordered a regular size guacamole, i got home and opened the container, and noticed it was half full! All that, and the food was below average...I should have went to Chipotle. Thumbs down.
(1)
Ami C.
I went to Chapala on Saturday for a show. Their margaritas were better than I would've expected for the price. The salsa wasn't all that, but everything else was awesome. I have to recommend the Mango + Vanilla Ice Cream margaritas. Service was good. I'd definitely go here again.
(4)
Patrick C.
I've been here a couple of times to see my friends band play. We usually get their early to grab food and a few drinks before the bands go on. The Nachos are listed as an appetizer, but those could easily fill you up as an entire meal. They are really well made. The drinks are a bit pricey if you ask me, five for a Miller Lite seems a bit steep, but the bartenders are really nice. The waitress we had was bit snooty but beyond that Chapala's is a good trip for a night out with some good Mexican food.
(3)
agneta o.
One of my favorites even though it has the worst chairs, but the food is so yummy. Love the hokey 1950's mariachi music on Fri. & Sat. nights. Try the Mexican coffee but have a D driver!!!
(5)
Miss Z.
Bad service and you have to pay for all the little extras most places give you for free!!! Chapalas probably is rated higher on this site than it deserves because there are no mexican restaurants, nor very many other restaurants anywhere near it. Burtonsville is a little town, and you can choose to drive 3 minutes to Chapalas or 20 minutes to a much better place like Mango's in Laurel. Sometimes, time is not on our side and we order from Chapalas. But believe me, we wish we didn't have to. The food at Chapalas is not bad. It's not spectacular, nor even above average, but it tastes okay and you'll feel like you got somewhere near the value for your money. The problem lies with their customer service and the little extra they don't add to the food. 1) Some of their servers are simply terrible. Yes, I've had good service once. Sadly, I never saw that server again. Sigh. The girl who usually works the bar is so bad it's funny to watch. She sits on a stool and plays on her smartphone the whole time, and when a customer needs a drink she looks annoyed that she has to serve them and miss her texting time. 2) Nothing is gratis here. You want a little more salsa? You'll have to pay for that. They've obviously never heard of keeping the customer satisfied. I once ordered over $40 in takeout and realized they hadn't given us any chips. I asked for some chips, and the waitress said I'd have to pay for chips. I said that the other Mexican restaurants in Laurel all give chips with your meals gratis. The waitress said they don't do that at Chapalas. I talked to the manager and asked him if we could have some chips, and that since chips cost them next to nothing it would be good business sense to give a little side to customers who order takeout meals. He refused and said we would have to pay for them. Now, if you're that shortsighted, you shouldn't be running a restaurant. Enough said. If you can take an extra 20 minutes out of your day, go get better food and better service in the town over!
(2)
David M.
This place has great food and I love going here. I think the best time to go for the best service is weekday evening. I am a vegetarian and I find a lot to eat here. I particularly love their veggie chimichanga. Last time I went, I think it was removed from the menu, but they were able too prepare it for me anyway. The locations is not great, but don't let that deter you!
(4)
Viv J.
Great Authentic Mexican Cuisine! The salsa was served warm, which was new to me. It was pretty good. I absolutely looked my dish and the guacamole was yummy. The Margarita's were excellent, and they were not too tart. I am usually not a fan of Margarita's unless they are strawberry. However, theirs had freshly squeezed lime juice. The service was a little slow for lunch but the waitress was very nice. I would not recommend going for lunch unless you had at least 11/2. I heard the Happy Hour was really good too! I will be going back soon!
(4)
Cristi D.
Yummy food. Forget chipotle, this is real mexican food. And it's yummy. I recommend the fajitas. Prices are not bad either, and they have mariachis walking around serenading you on the weekends.
(4)
Christina O.
I really like this little place. Good authentic mexican food. Plus, the margaritas are the bomb, but be careful they will put you on your ass. Fajitas a must (don't do the lobster)
(4)
Shanna A.
This place is yummy and filling for not as much money as you would expect. I went in for lunch and the menu has a lot to offer. I was craving just standard fajitas with veggies but couldn't decide on chicken or steak and the options weren't on the menu. I was offered a fajita mix, both steak and chicken and I added the peppers to the onions already included. This came with a very small portion of rice and beans, but that wasn't the main thing obviously so not a biggie. The steak was not tough and seasoned lightly and very hot. The chicken was really good -I'm not a chicken lover either- and tender and juicy. The peppers were undercooked and the onions overcooked, but ironically it gave a good balance on textures and a charred taste I enjoyed. I asked for the dinner sized portion instead of lunch but still only got 3 tortillias, I think for the dinner size, you should get at least 5. I brought the rest home and will have for dinner or tomorrow's lunch and I'm just as excited as when I originally got it.
(4)
Lynn M.
My family has been eating here and getting carry out from here for years. Food is consistently good. On the weekends it's a nice family place to eat... they have the live entertainment with the two dudes walking around and singing to individual tables. Fun, great atmosphere, margarita's are great and love the fajitas!! Would give 5 stars, but parking is horrific on a busy night :(
(4)
Larry H.
Went here on a whim because we pass it all the time, nice restaurant on the inside. The food took a little while to get (30 minutes) at the time we ordered, it wasn't real busy so I don't understand the long wait. We had gotten some chips and salsa when we sat down, it was bland to say the least. I had ordered the soft taco platter with beef, chicken and chorizo sausage, it all tasted the same with not much taste. It wouldn't take much for this to be a better place with some much needed attention to spices in the dishes.
(2)
Shayron B.
Our Favorite. Good food, drinks & service. Love their salsa, guacamole, fajitas, soft taco platter. We've been frequenting for years!
(5)
Melissa S.
My husband and I have gone to Chapala almost 4 times a year for the past 8 years but this past weekends visit ruined the experience for us. The salsa and chips are always good, but evidently they have changed their menu -- and not for the better. The Shrimp Brochette used to have a piece of scallion in them but this time it was jalapeno (and large chunks at that). Yes, the waitress showed us the menu after my mouth was on fire, but as I told her, it would have been nice if, as semi-regular customers we were notified of the change beforehand (the name of the dish and the look of the menu were the same so it didn't occur to either one of us to read the fine print again). Also, I ordered (as did my husband) the steak and shrimp brochette fajitas and my steak tasted off. It was so bad that I did not finish my steak nor was I willing to take it home to my dog. Granted, the shrimp were larger than in the past, but bad meat and random jalapeno does not make for an experience worth repeating. I honestly am only writing this review in the hopes that Chapala will re-think what is going on in their kitchen and lure myself and my husband back.
(2)
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :15530 Old Columbia Pike,Ste B
Burtonsville, MD, 20866
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Pia A.
Service was not great; not very attentive staff. Took 10min to get water when we sat down, another 15min to get chips n salsa to munch on while waiting for our food, and another 25min to get our food (which shouldn't take that long since it's a cheese quesadilla and grilled chicken salad). And waiting for the bill took another 25min after our dishes had been cleared and we're just sitting there. Luckily, I had good company.
(2)brandon M.
Great food and price with generous portions. Ordered the Mixed Fajitas they came with plenty of juicy meat. Will be back again! Thanks.
(5)Marcia S.
1. Plato El Paso...wow...Lobster mix Chicken and Steak... Fahita all the traditional trimmings. 2. Camarones Brochette...hello Shrimp and Bacon...setup is delicious... 3. Jalapeño Stuffed with Chicken...yummy...let me tell you they ran out. I got the last two. 4. Drinks....hello Please go to the bar area. It's awsome.
(5)Bunny S.
This review is for the bartender/server. Her name is Gaby and she is by far the dumbest person I've ever met working in the restaurant industry. Chapala is a common spot for me so I know what I always want and what I always order. As we arrived, we asked her about a large size bottled beer (Regia) and she said I only have Guinness in large size, then we said its called (Regia) and her immediate response was "I told you so" ..I'm sorry did I miss something? you told me what exactly? Then we order 1 beer 1 margarita, she leaves, comes back in 30 seconds and asks..2 beers? we say no 1 beer 1 margarita, she leaves, then comes back in 30 seconds again to ask if I wanted salt with my margarita...how hard is it to get an order of 2 drinks?!! Then we order pupusas and ask for them to come a bit earlier as appetizers and a twin (chicken) burritos and she comes back with both orders at the same time..and guess what?! the twin burritos were 1 beef, 1 pork!!!!! SERIOUSLY?!! ((sour cream is extra charge since is not added on the plate). Here is the best joke..she ends up charging us for 2 bottles of beer!!! Dumb much?!!! And for the record the green hot sauce bottle is super yucky and fake sauce too, the color is more teal and looking at the ingredients it has yellow #5 and blue #1 (thats how the hot sauce is made) haha
(1)Jodi S.
Oh, Chapala... I used to love you. But, not so much anymore. I will say that deep down, I knew that dining at Chapala on Cinco de Mayo would probably be a bad idea. But, this is the third year in a row that my family and I have dined at Chapala on Cinco de Mayo and this is the first time we have ever had such a horrible experience. Our server was rude. She didn't seem to care about our table at all - she catered to all of the tables around us - all of which were ordering a lot of alcohol. It was so obvious that our table didn't matter as much, because our bill wouldn't be as high. Our drinks rarely got refilled, we asked for more chips and salsa several times and never received it. She rarely checked on us and when she did, she was condescending. We waited more than an hour for our food and this is what we ordered: Mango mojito (good, but super duper sweet and very little alcohol) Diet coke (my son never received a refill) Unsweet ice tea (waitress forgot my daughter ordered this and it took forever for her to get it - never got any refills) Water (I asked for a water refill many times - never got it) My husband ordered fish (pescado frito and he said it was good). My daughter ordered a bean burrito. It was not hot, but it served its purpose. As I said, we waited a long time for our food and by the time it arrived we were all hungry. My son ordered a beef taco. He was served a beef burrito. Since we waited more than an hour for our food, he was willing to just take the burrito. We told the server he would eat it, but she took the plate right out of his hands and walked away. Several minutes later, he received his taco but the rest of us were finished eating (those of us who could eat...see below). I ordered nachos. How hard is it to screw up nachos?! Well, the cheese wasn't even melted. THE CHEESE WAS STILL SHREDDED ON TOP OF THE TORTILLAS. After waiting over an hour, you'd think the cheese would at least be melted? When I pointed this out, the server took my plate back to the kitchen and had them reheat everything (after I told her not to - we just wanted to check at this point). How can you reheat nachos when there is sour cream and guacamole on top?! She re-served me the original, reheated nachos, which at this point were nice and hot, but goopy and gross. Ain't no way I was eating it. I ordered my 18 month old son a cheese papusa. The papusa was so covered in grease, I could not even pick it up. It completely fell apart all over the plate and slid around in it's own greasy, slimy mess. Nope - not eating that either. The mariachi music was fantastic. The singers sang to our older children and our baby and even invited him to try and play the guitar. Our little guy got up and danced along while the musicians played and this was literally the highlight to our evening. Who wouldn't smile at an 18 month old dancing to mariachi music?! :-) The manager visited our table. He was gracious and apologetic. He removed some of the items from the bill - not nearly enough in my opinion considering every one of us was affected by the poor, inattentive service, but whatever... He gave us a gift certificate to return, and while I appreciate the gesture, I doubt we will go back to Chapala. We have been dedicated fans of Chapala for many years, but we've seen a steady decline in food quality and service over the years and I think it is time to move on. By the time we left, it was almost 9 p.m. (we arrived just after 6), and everyone was still hungry. I literally had to stop at Roy Rogers on the way home to feed everyone!!
(1)Joe E.
This location has great food-- offers some great deals via online services like yelp. Highly recommended. Excellent chips and salsa, drinks, and steak burrito. Delicious. Good find in an area without many restaurants to offer.
(4)Lauren B.
This review is based on my experience on the bar side of Chapala. I went there with two friends to see some local bands. We sat at one of the tables, and the waitress came over and gave us one menu to share. She asked if we wanted drinks, but couldn't tell us what beers were on tap. I asked for waters for the table (which never came), and ordered the Sangria. My friends ordered a Coke & a beer. Anything resembling good service ended there. For dinner I ordered the Carnitas Enchiladas. 45 minutes passed before I asked the waitress if the food was coming out soon. She rolled her eyes and said it was coming. When it came to the table, it was obvious that the waitress forgot about my order, and the food had been sitting under a heat lamp for a while. The food itself was ok, not a lot of flavor. My friend who ordered the beer had to constantly flag down our server to get another one. She refused to check on us, and even though I wanted another drink it became too much of a hassle to get one, so I gave up. When I was ready to close out, I asked for my check. She returned with the table's tab. I didn't think it was a big deal, and simply asked if she could separate it (my friend who ordered the beer wasn't done). She said no. When my friend asked for another beer, the waitress took the check from me and stormed off. I caught up with her asked again if she could split, seeing as how she had to run it again to add the beer and she told me, "no, it's impossible." Maybe the service in the restaurant part is better, but I'm not in any hurry to find out.
(1)Shelly C.
Great food and service as always:) Missing Chapala as a regular :( lol
(5)Yolanni S.
Yesterday was my first time at Chapala and my visit was not so pleasant. There was no wait so I was pretty happy about that and when I got in they had a band playing so the atmosphere was pretty cool. After being seated no one came to the table for about 15 minutes. Which I thought was weird considering the place was pretty empty. Our waitress than came over and asked us what we wanted to drink and she took our order and left us with some chips and salsa. The waitress didn't seem friendly at all. It seemed as though she had a little attitude or like she was irritable about something. The warm salsa and chips were nice, but she hadn't brought us glasses of water. Then another 15 minutes rolled around and she came with drinks. The menu was so overwhelming, they have so many options, if I were you I'd look at the menu before going. I am an American, and I don't speak any Spanish. So while ordering she was laughing at the pronunciation of the dishes we ordered. Which was very disrespectful. I ended up ordering a sampler. The wings reminded me of McDonalds mighty wings and I got a flour tortilla with cheese inside. The sampler also came with jalapeño poppers stuffed with chicken and the little burrito things were the joy of my night. Nevertheless, I will not becoming back to Chapala's.
(2)Carol F.
Great food, however after bringing meal never come back. Can't get more to drink and can't get salad dressing. Dropping off lunch and not coming back for an hour is not good service for people who tip well and are on their lunch hour. My coworkers and I have decided, after this has happened 3/4 times not to return.
(2)Shawn M.
Still rocking it. Tonight I had a Sante Fe burrito, which was excellent and some tres leches for dessert. They had a fairly decent live band, though two guys with Spanish guitars is hardly a band.
(5)Amanda H.
This place is one of my favorite restaurants! I have been coming here for a few years and have never been disappointed. Very family friendly but also has a bar section in the back. Extensive menu with everything you'd expect.. fajitas, burritos, pupusas, etc. Good happy hour deals for appetizers and margaritas! Chips and salsa when you sit down. As Melissa said.. parking can be awful because it is a small lot. I definitely reccomend a cheese pupusa to start and steak fajitas! Yum.
(4)Janet L.
What an interesting restaurant! The front is your typical tex-mex restaurant with birthday singing going on what seems like every 15 minutes. There's a bar in the back (with a very different, much younger crowd) and a small, cozy, intimate stage area for shows. As for the food itself? I'd say it's A-Ok. Nothing too special, exactly what one would expect. I have the say the churros were a little too dry/hard. The service was pretty good and there's plenty of parking in the back.
(3)Ryan V.
When I am being a good grandson and visit my grandparents in tiny Burtonsville, MD - we always eat here at least once. My grandparents are awesome and total creatures of habit. For about 10 years (perhaps longer, how long has this place been there?) they have both ordered chicken enchiladas with 1 strawberry margarita. Can't beat that consistency. For me, I'm a bit more adventurous. Yes they serve pretty average to below average Mexican food, but that's because the people who own this place are not Mexican. They are El Salvadorean and you immediately know it based on their offerings. Next time you dine here - try their pupusas - they are pretty good. I think they have a veggie one, but can't remember if they had a loroco. Anyway, they also have some good plantains and vegetable based dishes that are more El Salvadorean in nature. So 2 stars for their Mexican offerings, and 4 stars for their El Salvadorean food. Cheers.
(3)Tylvia E.
The platter on Sundays is a great deal. My fiance and I always leave with full, well satisfied bellies. The atmosphere is pretty average though as well as the service.
(4)J R.
Quite ..easy to get to ..parking out front food was eat able to good . Service was pleasant. Restaurant was clean. I give it a 3.5 stars
(3)Kathie P.
The food is "not bad". I have had much better at other places. The staff is very friendly and accommodating, but I don't think I'll go out of my way to go there. The parking is very crowded and it is difficult to get in and out of.
(2)Margy C.
There's something burning in my mouth. Let's just put it out there now, I do not do spicy foods. One would think a simple chimichanga order would be safe. I ordered the pork carnitas. I was asked whether I wanted it grilled or fried. I don't believe other places have ever asked me this so good on them. I went with the grilled since it's healthier. All was going well. Attentive service with extra chips and salsa while we wait for our dinners. My chimi arrived with your typical little salad and refried beans. Surprised to see no guac or cheese either on my refried beans or my chimi. Am I in a Tex Mex place or not. Where's the cheese? Where's the guac? Okay, chimi was still edible without such accoutrements. As I'm munching away, something very spicy enters my mouth. It was so hot, I started stuffing whatever bland thing I could find on other people's plates - beans, black beans, refried beans, sour cream, water. And I don't even like sour cream! I have no idea what it was but most likely it was something in that little salad. I hope it wasn't a pepper that they normally put in the salad. That was such an unpleasant experience. That just made me carefully chew the remaining portion of my dinner in fear. Atmosphere and service was just lovely. Chimi was okay. I can't say it was the best I've ever had but good enough for a low key Tuesday evening with friends.
(3)Jennifer B.
After skimming through the reviews, I don't think anyone has mentioned that they have PAPUSAS!!! I was unaware of this as well (are they even on the menu?), until my friend (who is a regular) ordered them. My seafood enchilada order went out the window and I ordered some too. They were delicious. They only have two to choose from though...cheese and pork and cheese. The pork ones were better than the plain ones. After drinks, chips and salsa, and two of those delicious papusas, I was full. Next time I want to try some of their seafood dishes. Oh, and the house margaritas ($3 during happy hour) and mojitos are excellent!!! I love a good mojito and Mexican places seem to be a hit or miss with them. Btw, we sat in the bar area during happy hour. Nice crowd and good music (mostly hip hop, then Latin). Service was great, too!
(4)Melissa C.
I love this place. Been coming forever. We used to have every family members birthday dinner here, would even bring cake and the staff always accommodated and we of course shared. Food never disappoints. I always compare other restaurants to Chapala lol. Only reason I gave 4 stars is because sometimes parking is a pain in the butt.
(4)Ju L.
Pros: Large portion sizes at reasonable prices. Chips come fresh and hot. Bartender doesn't skimp on alcohol. Bar, dining, and event areas are separated. Cons: N/A
(4)Jack W.
This place was OK. It was a pretty cheap lunch with the lunch special. I went with coworkers and they all got lunch specials. The special came with a drink and was around $7.00. The cost was low but the portions were small. I didn't get a lunch special and got a California burrito which was pretty good. It came with a side of cantaloupe and rice and beans in the burrito. It was the same costs as the lunch special but doesn't come of with a drink. I think this is the menu item to get for the cost.
(2)Brittany S.
A WHOLE plate of food for $6.99?! Hell yea I'm a fan! Came here for lunch with my mom and we both ordered off of the lunch menu which has about 9 items for $6.99 and that includes a soda! They have a picture for each meal too to help you choose. I ordered the beef soft taco and burrito combo which came with a side of rice and beans. You'd think for a $7 meal that it wouldn't be all that, bland, blah and fast food - which was not the case here! We got chips and salsa as soon as we sat down and our food took awhile but it came out hot and fresh so I'm OK with that. The beef soft taco was yummy. The beef was ground beef, it was seasoned perfectly but made the taco shell a little soggy at the bottom. The burrito was smothered with cheesy goodness and stuffed with shredded beef. Now usually when the actual entrees are good the sides tend to lack flavor but they we're on point too! No boring sides! The rice was cooked perfectly and the refried beans were sooo good and creamy! They we're a little skimp on the beans though. My mom and I ate until we were stuffed for under $15! How can you beat that?
(4)Mandana Y.
Monday nights $9.99 fajitas! Oh hay. We were planning on going to Cuba de Ayer but upon arrival we saw that the place was closed. What, people don't eat on Mondays in Cuba? I digress. We yelped and found this to be the closest solution to our hunger pains. The reviews looked promising and so did the specials board they had up at the hostess stand. It looks like every night of the week there is some kind of deal. I was fortunate to come on $9.99 fajita night. The menu, a little over whelming, so the special helped narrow down my choice. Their drink menu is great, very large selections of beer. But I opted for tamarind juice. It was a little too sweet but it's what I've come to expect from this area. The steak fajitas were on point, and the portions made the 10 dollar price tag a bargain. My only complaint is that we didn't get the chips and salsa until we asked for it, and that was after our food came. An oversight I think, but it just takes away from the Mexican restaurant experience I've come to love. You know, being full before your food arrives. I would describe this place as Rio Grande without the fancy, but with actually good food. You can't go wrong with a place like this, but it definitely will not be a memorable experience.
(3)Muturi M.
Liked the place for a minute...always great drinks n great food. Good place for watching sporting events...and certain holidays too!
(5)Elizabeth B.
Went there for lunch and really liked it. The chips were fresh and warm, the salsa was good. I had the burrito with shredded chicken and the enchilada with shredded beef. The shredded beef was surprisingly tender. The flavors were very good for both and they were moist with lots of cheese. The refried beans were good but seemed a little runny for my taste. The rice was good. The caramel flan was also very good. This is a great spot for lunch, the service was fast and friendly. We were in and out in an hour. I will be back for sure!
(4)Cat S.
Their beef tacitos are delicious! I strongly recommend their mojitos and piña coladas! If you want your colada stronger, add a shot; if you want it sweet, don't add anything. Otherwise, this place is awesome and the basement has live music (Spanish or American) on different nights
(4)Susana H.
I really wanted to love this place, I heard great things about it. So I'm going to start with the positives. There was a "band" playing, more like a duo. But they were amazing, it made my night. I had a The Patron margarita and it was one of the best margaritas I've had in a very long time. We had a party of 12 and got seated fairly quick. Now the negatives, Once we were seated it took a very long time to even get menus, which was only given to half the table. once we got our drinks we didn't get any refills for the rat of the night or ben asked if wanted any additional drinks. If they would have asked I'm sure plenty more margaritas would have been ordered. After waiting over an hour for our food, two of our dishes were cold. We asked the waitress to warm one up and she rolled her eyes. I ordered the Plato gavillan, i didn't think anyone could mess fajitas up but they did. my chicken was pink ( i work in the food industry) a big no no. One more positive thing My friend had the plato mucho and they loved it. I am a firm believer that a waiter or waitress can make or break a restaurant and i have to say that was the case here. Not once did she check on the table and gave attitude when things were asked. Parking was terrible. Overall it was just a bad experience, I like supporting small businesses so like i said before i really wanted to love this place, very disappointed.
(1)Chris C.
I love this place.... I host and dj my Funkete Bass Parties here every once in a while. Good drinks, good food, good service. Love it. Def rec.
(5)Susie K.
I'm not sure how I feel about Chapala. I don't particularly love it but I don't mind it either. Their chips/salsa/guac are good. I had the chicken fajitas which were well seasoned and came out sizzling hot. Served with tortillas, pinto beans, rice, and a small side of pico de gallo, sour cream, and guac. The sangria is yummy and the service is pleasant.
(3)Freda I.
Came to celebrate with at least 27 co-workers and the service was not great at all. The 2 workers we had were bland, didn't ask if we wanted food at all (very dumb move since they could have made $$$), and didn't ask if we wanted another drink!! My margarita was great but damn...who doesn't ask If you want a second?? I wouldn't come back here. Are you in business to make $$ or what. Maybe today was a bad day since other reviewers liked the place but co-workers at my end of the table were not happy with the service!!!
(1)Aisha W.
I like this place, reasonable prices, plus I love the mariachi band they have when I go there. Plus, it is just a nice atmosphere, dim lighting and just relaxed. So many places in this area are too bright and sterile feeling, this place has a homey feel. I like it. I think it is a good place to take a date.
(4)Seythe M.
I just grubbed for a little over $10! Salsa and chips starter, papusas for appetizer, and the taco platter to seal the deal! All of it was really good. The staff were friendly and the place is clean and the temperature comfortable. It was a Sunday so I expected the restaurant to be short handed and to my surprise, they had plenty of hands available. I felt like I was being served by two people. This is my first time sitting in the restaurant, I have dined in their bar area. I will come back!
(4)Christina M.
I am from So.Cal and I LOVE Mexican food. This is El Salvadorean Food and I like that too but you gotta know the difference and manage your expectations. The folks are nice, the crowd is even better. My friend and her boyfriend are regulars and they love it but I would say meh! Its good for a neighborhood hangout and if you like a little karoke, rock and nice El Salvadoreans -- GO. But please ask the lovely bartender if they can put the cokctails and beer in the right glass? It makes the people who drink because they like the actual taste feel better. truebeer.com/Beer-Glass-…
(2)HowChow B.
Three years in Los Angeles will leave a person with short patience for mosquitos and a longing for Mexican food like she used to get right outside her office. My wife's long search is over. For years, she has talked about the corn tamales that she used to eat at the farmer's market in Westwood. Last month, we found them at Chapala in Burtonsville. We just wanted a light lunch because we were late and already planning to meet friends for dinner in Baltimore. So we ducked into the casual Chapala on the advice of our friend Scott, a professional chef who talked up the Tex-Mex food. The corn tamales were spectacular. They're steamed corn cakes, lightly sweet and served with a cream. Imagine the lightest corn bread that you have ever eaten. Now get a lighter texture and the full, mild flavor of corn. Chapala serves them as an appetizer, either plain or filled with pork or chicken. We paired them with a plate of fried yuca and chicharron -- chunks of boneless pork quickly fried and contrasted with a vinegary cole slaw. Chapala seems like a serious restaurant, and our small lunch suggests that they're doing way more than standard Tex-Mex. The menu has basics like burritos, enchiladas, tacos and fajitas. But the kitchen was also doing fresh guacamole, a pan-fried rockfish, and a bunch of interesting-looking dishes with grilled steak and shrimp. They have some $7 lunch combos, including a tamale special with meat, rice and beans.
(3)Laura E.
It was good, not great. My family is from Mexico so I know how Mexican food should taste....this was alright. People who are not familiar with authentic Mexican food will probably be impressed. One gentleman sitting at a table next to us exclaimed, "My food is on fire!" when he received his fajitas...that pretty much sums up the clientele. The decor is also a bit over the top for me. It's very colorful, which I appreciate, but it's a bit tacky. Overall--there are better authentic Mexican restaurants you can go to.
(3)Phi N.
This place is sick. I just ate here for the first time yesterday... I think I had the Palenque platter and Camarones Brochette. Both delicious! I've also been here a bunch to drink before. They'll have live local bands perform. And when that's not happening, they play a lot of spanish music. You might catch some people wearing sombreros, alcoholic girls doing salsa dancing, and other crazy stuff... If you're asian like me, you'll have no idea what's going on. The owners are really cool though. Service has always been great too.
(3)Taylor M.
Good food, terrible atmosphere in the front but bar is bangin' but the food (especially the pupusas, burritos and enchiladas) makes up for it. The boyfriend and I have been a couple times now and we have made that a go to place in the near future.
(3)Jude T.
I don't understand some of the negative reviews, especially ones that mention the beans and rice. The beans and rice are both good compared to anywhere else in the area, and while I don't really like beans much, my girlfriend is from San Diego, and she loved them and said they remind her of the stuff you can get there. I'm not sure what other people have been eating, but the rice is definitely flavorful. The portions here are large. You order a taco platter and you get three large tacos. But don't order them soft shell or the liquid from the tomato can cause them to fall apart before you're finished eating them. The salsa, as some have said, is unremarkable. It's not bad, but it's not amazing either. If you really like the chips, though, get the queso... It is served extremely thick and extremely warm (both times I've had it, it's steaming). It has the right amount of spice and the right amount of meat in it. In the back/on the side, they have a bar that sometimes has local bands perform on a little stage. Good stuff!
(4)John D.
Food is always good. Service its great. Been coming for years at least every week. Fajitas its the best Sri is the nachos platter.
(5)Amna C.
The food here is mediocre at best, and the service is even worse! My husband and I waited ten minutes for the waitress to come to us, and the restaurant had only ONE other table!! We had to repeatedly ask for refills on water and chips/salsa. She never came to check on us after we got our food. My husbands chicken fajitas were lacking flavor and authenticity. We were hoping for a good experience since it's so close to our house but needless to say, we won't be returning.
(2)G F.
Recently, my husband and I ate an early dinner here and made a credit card payment to which the tip was added. While recently reviewing my newest credit card statement, I noticed that the tip had been tinkered with and increased! The internet has multiple sites and comments devoted to this widespread practice at bars and restaurants - apparently not uncommon. I called the restaurant 5 times before connecting to a manager (Samuel?) who claims his receipt differs from mine. Moreover, I was informed by another employee that this type of misuse/fraud occurs there occasionally. Stay away or pay in cash so your bill is not 'adjusted'. Update: Our credit card company was notified of the fraudulent use of the card, will put the charge in dispute and contact the restaurant's bank. Ultimately, crime does not pay.
(2)Eduardo S.
In my opinion, there are 3 things in life that were meant to go together..... pizza w/ beer, hot girls & baseball games, and punk rock & mexican food... And at Chapala's you can find lots of cool rock bands playing on Friday nights, and get your grub on too ! I had Shrimp & Crabmeat Enchiladas for $12.00 ... they were AMAZING. I crushed the rice & beans too... sooo delicious that I want some more Right Now as i'm writing this. They also have Karoake on Thursdays and they also show all the important WWF Wrestling events on TV too.. Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, if you're into that come watch it here.... oh and the latina bartenders are smoking hot. I recommend this place highly.
(4)Deborah S.
This has been a favorite of mine, and of several friends, for years, as a great place to meet up and enjoy some good Mexican food and great margaritas. However, the last time we were there, we spied cockroaches crawling on the wall next to our table. Sadly, we will not be returning.
(1)Amanda K.
I love this place. Wasn't expecting it to be that great but the fajitas are some of the best I ever had. The guacamole is pretty good. I love how they also have Salvadorian food. The pupusas are good and margaritas yummy. There's a little bar side too. The service is good. What's not to love!
(5)Meagan C.
I'm at the bar right now and just spent over $200 and the bartenders didn't talk to us and are on their phones. I'm a bartender as well. If I want a good tip I talk to customers not make them look at my ass.
(2)Alex O.
Oh come on people...really? How did this decidedly average tex-mex place captivate so many of you? This place is your basic, run-of-the-mill, "American Mexican food" joint. There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING authentically "Mexican" about this place. At this point you can find find a place like this in most areas of metro DC (or the rest of the country) about every fifteen minutes or so apart. The things with cheese in them (or on them) have LOADS of flavorless cheese. Enchilada sauce comes from a can. Dull rice and beans come with just about everything. Fajita steak was acceptably tender but basically tastes like any other fajita steak anywhere else. Fish tacos edible but unremarkable. They claim some sort of Salvadorean food, but that basically means you can get mediocre pupusas. Margaritas are not weak, but not particularly strong either. Oh, and the salsa... You wanna know why it's runny and has a "unique" flavor? It's because they use tomato soup as a filler in it. Seriously, I'm not kidding. It tastes pretty...bad. You want crappy salsa, go to Chapala's. You want to recreate the taste at home? Dump a can of Campbell's tomaoto soup into a blender with a can of diced tomatoes. Add salt. Puree and eat with chips. Sound amazing? Yeah...I don't think so either. If you wanted cheap Ameri-mex food and this was your closest option, it would be suitable, but honestly, there are better options in the area if you want to make even a modest drive.
(2)Seetha K.
I didn't think their food was very special but you get what you pay for and for that, it's fine. Cute little place with a fun ambiance. I will definitely be returning to check out the bar and live music. Waitstaff was very friendly and I had an overall good experience.
(3)Greg W.
The food was good. The service was very good. They have great hot sauces. They had live music. Plenty of seating. We were seated immediately. Taco's were good.
(3)Jack D.
Went to this restaurant some 15 years ago based on the recommendation of a friend from El Salvador. It was immediately promoted to my favorite place. Their fajitas are a must try. I moved out of the area, but now I'm back. I was glad to see Chapala is still going strong. My wife and I went tonight and it didn't disappoint. Still amazing food for a good price. It may seem like a bit of a hole in the wall, but I've found that all the best places are. Inside you'll be greeted by a cozy and clean atmosphere and a friendly host. I love this place!
(5)Anita W.
My husband talked me into trying this place for the second time, and for the second time I was completely underwhelmed. I have nothing good to say for the food. The chips were stale, the salsa was a smokey variety that I really disliked, the medium spice on my soft corn tortilla chicken tacos was as mild as can be, the waitress didn't seem to understand me...for the second time, I really disliked this place. The location is in the far suburbs in a building that might as well be part of a strip mall. Maybe the neighborhood likes this place, but I wan't be making any special trips there.
(1)Mang J.
I need new friends. Whenever we end up in Burtonsville, no matter how much I tell them that I don't like Chapala and their food is terrible, they say, "Oooh, Mang, let's go get Mexican at Chapala." Suckerrr! My friends either secretly hate me or they get some deal with Chapala if they drag me in there. So, one star for slammin' margaritas and tender yuca, and zero stars for slow service (seriously; if you ***don't*** have kids, you'll be waited on by the time ***your kids*** graduate from law school), watery and bland salsa, tougher than rawhide chicharrón, and that strange odor.
(1)Kat L.
No seriously. Best mexican food I've had since I moved to DC. Let me just say that I must love it as i burned the $H*T out of my finger on my fajitas the first time I came here, and yet a week later I was running back for more. Friendly service, HUGE bar- tender steak with the steak fajitas, plentiful onions, great beans, pinto and refried. I kinda (even though i shouldnt) love their american cheese queso dip. I wish it had more pico / salsa in it, but you can always rectify that yourself :) I like it here. no. I love it here. I really really really really love it here. oh and fri and sat pm they have guys walking around with guitars... yes yes yes..
(4)Stephanie F.
I go to Chapala's often, more often than not on weekend nights for the fun bar scene. The food is good, the steak fajitas are juicy and tasty. I like the restaurant section also, it allows families to have a place to eat away from the bar area. Many nights they have live mariachi in the dining section as well. My son loves that! On weekend nights they often have local bands perform, or a dj on saturdays. Overall it is a fun place to go with good food. My only complaint is that once one of the waitresses didnt speak a LICK of english, I mean, its a mexican place, but its in America right? I mean nothing, not one english word" Made us all look like mimes with the pointing at the menu and hand signals. Besides her, the bar staff is pretty slow. Dont ask for a drink on a saturday night and expect it before Sunday am. Moral of the story is: service sucks, food is good, drink are cold. You decide whats most important.
(4)paul s.
This place can be totally summed up in one word: Meh. As if Laurel doesn't already have enough places serving up bland, uninspired "tex-mex" food. The words "red sauce" and "green sauce" and "guajillo sauce" pop up all over the menu, but our burritos and enchiladas didn't seem to have any sauce on them at all, just lots of melted cheese. The tasty refried beans might have been some small cause for celebration if they weren't served room temperature. The only dish on the table that had any guts at all was the salsa that came with the chips, and that's not nearly enough to get me to come back. Disappointed.
(2)Greg M.
wow horchata....... I typically ask but don't expect to receive. The response to my request for horchata is usually a pretty good indicator to me if the food will have inkling of authenticity, well SOCAL authenticity anyway.
(3)K B.
I'm starting to think that places in the Burtonsville/Northern Silver Spring area have a serious overrating problem. 4 stars for this place? The margaritas taste fine, but I think they are made from a mix. Most of them are made with Montezuma Tequila, which outside of being bottom-shelf-plastic-bottle quality, has a name too close to a type of "revenge" that is inflicted upon traveler's to Mexico who drink the water. Do yourself a favor and ask for an upgrade. The food is competently cooked, but there is nothing special about the flavors. Nothing that would make me come here unless every other Mexican place in the area absolutely sucked. Which they do, but I think I would rather just buy a decent bottle of tequila and make myself some quesadillas and call it a night.
(3)Joelyne K.
My husband and I eat here two to three times a year, if that. The food is nothing to brag about, it's just Mexican food. I could take it or leave it, to be honest. They should put more seasoning in their food as sometimes it can be a bit bland. The people that work there are very nice.
(2)Tiffany L.
I definitely do not understand all the hype. I went there for lunch and got beef fajita for myself and spicy chicken fajita for my boyfriend. Everything was just standard. The salsa was.. different.. I know I wont be craving the salsa.. ever. I was somewhat disappointed. Maybe this place is rated high because of the lack of good dining establishments around Burtonsville? I dont know. The food was edible and not bad but I dont think I'll be visiting Chapala anytime soon.
(3)Nicole R.
Fajitas, salsa and margaritas. Oooooohhhhhhh! One word - - Authentic. Non-pretentious, casual atmosphere combined with friendly service and great food. I believe they still have live music from time to time. The prices are easy on the wallet, there is plenty of parking and they do have happy hour specials at the bar. I absolutely love their salsa and chips. I could eat it for dinner! Great restaurant for a group or dinner for two.
(4)Amanda B.
My cousin loves this place so I always go with her. Certain nights they do karaoke, so it's kind of fun. Seems like a place the locals go and unwind, since it's not much to do in Burtonsville. The food isn't bad at all, so if you're in the area stop by. I don't think I would drive long distance just to eat there though.
(3)Courtney C.
I have fond memories of going to Chapalas with my Dad when I was young (10ish). As an adult, its not so great. We sat at the bar (its in the back behind the restaurant portion) because they don't honor happy hour in the restaurant. No big deal. The bartenders were young, cute and really great all around. I started with one of their pricier margaritas. It was good and very strong. I only needed one. They have a few happy hour specials so, I tried the mini chicken quesadilla. It was good, but no better than your standard bar dilla. The carnitas enchillada I ordered was just okay. It tasted like packaged food thrown together and put in the microwave. I could have made this at home with little fuss. I took the beans and rice home for the little one. He hated them, I understood. This place is dirty and just left me feeling grimy. I've heard the fajitas are good, but I won't be back to try them. I would return for a margarita and some chips and salsa if I had to. I hope I don't. I'll stick with my fond memories.
(2)Caroline L.
I have always driven by this little, unassuming restaurant until my bf suggested Chapala for dinner. To be honest, I expected it to be a dive but was pleasantly surprised when I walked inside. It was much bigger than I expected and had this cozy feel to it (created by the 2 musicians playing guitar). It didn't have the crazy or hectic vibe of chain tex-mex places which I hate. Food: I didn't care for their chips and salsa. Their salsa is just too runny for my taste. My chip could barely get any salsa on it b/c it would just run off before I could put it in my mouth. If you stick your fork in it (which I did), the fork would grab onto almost nothing. However, the servers didn't seem stingy about refills which was great. The Baja Fish Tacos were really good- lots of cilantro so make sure you love cilantro (which I do). I LOVED how it came with guacamole as most places will make you pay extra. My bf got some sort of trio dish- steak, chicken (which he went on and on about how good it was), and ribs. He ate a double portion of the rice and then ate mine's! Oh and they did a great job on refilling our drinks! The wait time on the food is what reduced my rating. Maybe I've just become more inpatient over the years??... but the entrees just seemed to take forever. It seemed like a lot of the patrons were regulars so maybe Chapala just takes longer since they didn't seem to mind.
(4)Veronica R.
I love this place. It has a nice warm ambiance. They make fantastic chicken and steak fajitas! They also have a good variety of drinks to choose from. The staff are great and friendly.
(5)Nicole L.
My BFF came here on a Thursday night for dinner and we were pleasantly surprised to find out Thursday is Ladies Night which means BUY ONE GET ONE FREE DRINKS UNTIL 12am! YAY! AND they had karaoke! It was just crowded enough to have fun and bond with strangers over songs we sing. Can't wait to go back with my girlfriends!
(4)Carl T.
The salsa is delicious. It's spice profile is very complex, and mine was served hot! I ordered the beef enchiladas. They came with a delicious green sauce on top. The quality at this place was surprisingly high quality. Out waitress was very polite and attentive. The restaurant is clean and tasteful. This is a great place for lunch!
(5)Mo D.
I disregarded the yelp reviews and went anyway. After purchasing the $7 for$14 coupon they offered we headed over. The waitress came over after almost 10 minutes of us sitting down and asked if we wanted something to drink. After finally ordering and getting our food we never see her again. We had to flag her down to ask for a refill on water. Once we were done we asked for the bill and there was an automatic 15% gratuity added. I politely let her and her manager know that they must remove it asap and they did. The waitress didn't deserve a tip at all. Anyways the margaritas and papusas ate really good. Just not worth the 30 minute drive. Service ducks and food is mediocre.
(1)Shannon D.
My friends and I came for a birthday dinner, and the service was absolutely superb. Our server, Michael, was extremely attentive, gave great recommendations and did a wonderful job anticipating our table's needs. He noticed that I was using hot sauce and brought out another variety for me to try...He brought out a delicious dessert for the birthday girl...He even sweetly offered to take a group photo of the table. Overall, the food was delicious. Love this place!!!
(5)Bill K.
Typical Tex-Mex and some Salvadoran specialties done well. Not award-winning, but very good. This was the second visit for my wife and I, which was the result of another nearby Mexican place that we planned to go to (La Palapa, Too) being overcrowded on a Friday at 7 pm. I tried something interesting this time, the "super mole enchilada," which was three different types of enchilada with mole sauce (chicken, beef, and carnitas). It was very good, a nice variety. The portion size was pretty big, I ended up taking home half for another meal. There were two caballeros providing live music who were a bit on the loud side, but were good - a nice touch. The service was a little on the slow side, but acceptable.
(4)Alan S.
Very disappointing. We had previously enjoyed Chapala, but had not been in a while. Tonight, all the food was lukewarm at best. My wife got fajitas, and while the platter was sizzling, even that food was tepid. Must be under new management or something. If I wanted food ladled cold out of a vat, I'd go to the fast food places. I absolutely will not return here.
(1)Erick A.
Chapala's Palenque bar is great fun!! specially if you like loud latin rock!!
(4)Tyson B.
My better half and I happened to be in that local area conducting business elsewhere so she wanted to try something different and "authentic" which she has a tendency to do at times. She discovered this establishment on the Yelp website and saw it had great reviews so we checked it out. The frozen margaritas were great not to mention the steak was extremely fresh and well prepared. It also had a very cozy feel to it meaning that wasnt incredibly crowded either. Our entrees along with our drinks were served to us in a timely fashion. If you happen to be in the Briggs Chaney area and have a taste for "authentic" Tex-Mex, this is definitely the place to go.
(4)Samantha B.
Amazing food! Had the camarones brochette, very good! We will be back!
(5)Jon S.
I'm from San Diego and have never remotely found a Mexican restaurant anywhere in Maryland that comes close to SoCal Mexican. I was craving Mexican and planned to go to La Palapa but two friends said NO, go to Chapala! So I did, as I thought the menu looked way off base compared to what I'm used to. I sat at the bar and the bartender was awesome! I was able to order off menu for my dinner plate of carnitas with rice and beans with my flour tortilla on the side. It was awesome! Only thing, they topped with cheese but that was fine! I killed it and was stoked I found a great Mexican restaurant in Maryland. I will be back during my stay!
(4)Ivette O.
Food is pretty good here, especially for people used to eating Tex-Mex food. Don't expect it to be authentic.
(5)Melbourne B.
It's a little pricey for family, but the food is good and the vegetables always taste fresh
(4)Harry E.
Great portions, fresh authentic food! Everything is so tasty but the steak quesadilla rock. Good service with a smile! Chips and Salsa! BIG HIT!
(5)N S.
You know the place you can count on to be an instant high school reunion whether you would like it to to be or not? Well, Chapala's Palenque Bar is that for me. It's filled with tons of Paint Branch and Springbrook alums, and you will never escape a massive hangover the next day. They've been having a lot of live bands lately, and the music is good. I've never had the ceviche, but my friends regularly order it and seem to enjoy it. I generally go with standard drinking fare, you know, all the greasy stuff (quesadillas and the like) to eat up all that alcohol you are throwing back. I would say it's average food, and definitely hits in that moment of debauchery.
(3)Melissa C.
LOVE Chapala food! Been going forever and we always seem to go for birthday dinners in our family. The bar can be fun or it can have some creepy guys in there LOL you just never know. The waitresses and bar tenders are all nice. Don't really have a complaint!
(4)Apollo L.
The Vegetarian Angle After reading positive reviews of Chapala, I decided to pay the place a visit when I was in the area for an errand. I ordered the Veggie Platter, which featured a Vegetable Burrito, a Cheese Enchilada, and a Bean/Cheese Taco. I added a Chile Relleno to the plate to complete a decent assortment of vegetarian fare. Now I'm a fan of cheese, so don't get me wrong here, but cheese was far and away the highest percentage component of everything. There was little variety in flavors - gobs and gobs of melted cheese, and a boring non-Ranchero tomato sauce. The vegetable burrito featured non-traditional vegetables for the cuisine, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. The bean and cheese taco was mostly bean, and not well flavored. While I cannot speak as to the meat-containing items at this place, if you're a vegetarian, I would recommend against Chapala in favor of a chain restaurant such as Don Pablo's or something else.
(2)Linda T.
3.5 Stars Went to dinner here with my boyfriend because I really wanted to try El Salvadoran food. I didn't find that anything was that different than what you can get at any Mexican chain restaurant. They do have really good and tasty margaritas. I'm not sure if every night they a Mariachi group, but the night we went they did which added a nice touch to our dining experience. The front entrance of this restaurant is their actual "restaurant" and the side towards the back is their "bar". The Bar has its own separate side entrance.
(4)Bruce R.
I've been to Chapala a couple times in the past and was never really impressed compared to other Mexican places in the area, but last night was perhaps the worst meal my wife and I have ever had in a Mexican restaurant. The ribs on my platter were 80% bone and what little meat that was on the bone was cooked until it was the consistency of shoe leather. The kitchen should be ashamed of themselves for sending out a plate of food that bad. Even my wife's burrito was bad, mostly filler and very little meat. We went because we had a coupon for one meal free, even with a coupon I would never go back again.
(1)S N.
Bad first impression! I ordered Take Out and was directed to a large bar toward the back of the building. I'm not a fan of bars so I was upset that my order could not be placed at the front. Parking is terrible, I got blocked in (along with others) and had to wait for the manager to locate the owner of the vehicle. Lastly, I ordered a regular size guacamole, i got home and opened the container, and noticed it was half full! All that, and the food was below average...I should have went to Chipotle. Thumbs down.
(1)Ami C.
I went to Chapala on Saturday for a show. Their margaritas were better than I would've expected for the price. The salsa wasn't all that, but everything else was awesome. I have to recommend the Mango + Vanilla Ice Cream margaritas. Service was good. I'd definitely go here again.
(4)Patrick C.
I've been here a couple of times to see my friends band play. We usually get their early to grab food and a few drinks before the bands go on. The Nachos are listed as an appetizer, but those could easily fill you up as an entire meal. They are really well made. The drinks are a bit pricey if you ask me, five for a Miller Lite seems a bit steep, but the bartenders are really nice. The waitress we had was bit snooty but beyond that Chapala's is a good trip for a night out with some good Mexican food.
(3)agneta o.
One of my favorites even though it has the worst chairs, but the food is so yummy. Love the hokey 1950's mariachi music on Fri. & Sat. nights. Try the Mexican coffee but have a D driver!!!
(5)Miss Z.
Bad service and you have to pay for all the little extras most places give you for free!!! Chapalas probably is rated higher on this site than it deserves because there are no mexican restaurants, nor very many other restaurants anywhere near it. Burtonsville is a little town, and you can choose to drive 3 minutes to Chapalas or 20 minutes to a much better place like Mango's in Laurel. Sometimes, time is not on our side and we order from Chapalas. But believe me, we wish we didn't have to. The food at Chapalas is not bad. It's not spectacular, nor even above average, but it tastes okay and you'll feel like you got somewhere near the value for your money. The problem lies with their customer service and the little extra they don't add to the food. 1) Some of their servers are simply terrible. Yes, I've had good service once. Sadly, I never saw that server again. Sigh. The girl who usually works the bar is so bad it's funny to watch. She sits on a stool and plays on her smartphone the whole time, and when a customer needs a drink she looks annoyed that she has to serve them and miss her texting time. 2) Nothing is gratis here. You want a little more salsa? You'll have to pay for that. They've obviously never heard of keeping the customer satisfied. I once ordered over $40 in takeout and realized they hadn't given us any chips. I asked for some chips, and the waitress said I'd have to pay for chips. I said that the other Mexican restaurants in Laurel all give chips with your meals gratis. The waitress said they don't do that at Chapalas. I talked to the manager and asked him if we could have some chips, and that since chips cost them next to nothing it would be good business sense to give a little side to customers who order takeout meals. He refused and said we would have to pay for them. Now, if you're that shortsighted, you shouldn't be running a restaurant. Enough said. If you can take an extra 20 minutes out of your day, go get better food and better service in the town over!
(2)David M.
This place has great food and I love going here. I think the best time to go for the best service is weekday evening. I am a vegetarian and I find a lot to eat here. I particularly love their veggie chimichanga. Last time I went, I think it was removed from the menu, but they were able too prepare it for me anyway. The locations is not great, but don't let that deter you!
(4)Viv J.
Great Authentic Mexican Cuisine! The salsa was served warm, which was new to me. It was pretty good. I absolutely looked my dish and the guacamole was yummy. The Margarita's were excellent, and they were not too tart. I am usually not a fan of Margarita's unless they are strawberry. However, theirs had freshly squeezed lime juice. The service was a little slow for lunch but the waitress was very nice. I would not recommend going for lunch unless you had at least 11/2. I heard the Happy Hour was really good too! I will be going back soon!
(4)Cristi D.
Yummy food. Forget chipotle, this is real mexican food. And it's yummy. I recommend the fajitas. Prices are not bad either, and they have mariachis walking around serenading you on the weekends.
(4)Christina O.
I really like this little place. Good authentic mexican food. Plus, the margaritas are the bomb, but be careful they will put you on your ass. Fajitas a must (don't do the lobster)
(4)Shanna A.
This place is yummy and filling for not as much money as you would expect. I went in for lunch and the menu has a lot to offer. I was craving just standard fajitas with veggies but couldn't decide on chicken or steak and the options weren't on the menu. I was offered a fajita mix, both steak and chicken and I added the peppers to the onions already included. This came with a very small portion of rice and beans, but that wasn't the main thing obviously so not a biggie. The steak was not tough and seasoned lightly and very hot. The chicken was really good -I'm not a chicken lover either- and tender and juicy. The peppers were undercooked and the onions overcooked, but ironically it gave a good balance on textures and a charred taste I enjoyed. I asked for the dinner sized portion instead of lunch but still only got 3 tortillias, I think for the dinner size, you should get at least 5. I brought the rest home and will have for dinner or tomorrow's lunch and I'm just as excited as when I originally got it.
(4)Lynn M.
My family has been eating here and getting carry out from here for years. Food is consistently good. On the weekends it's a nice family place to eat... they have the live entertainment with the two dudes walking around and singing to individual tables. Fun, great atmosphere, margarita's are great and love the fajitas!! Would give 5 stars, but parking is horrific on a busy night :(
(4)Larry H.
Went here on a whim because we pass it all the time, nice restaurant on the inside. The food took a little while to get (30 minutes) at the time we ordered, it wasn't real busy so I don't understand the long wait. We had gotten some chips and salsa when we sat down, it was bland to say the least. I had ordered the soft taco platter with beef, chicken and chorizo sausage, it all tasted the same with not much taste. It wouldn't take much for this to be a better place with some much needed attention to spices in the dishes.
(2)Shayron B.
Our Favorite. Good food, drinks & service. Love their salsa, guacamole, fajitas, soft taco platter. We've been frequenting for years!
(5)Melissa S.
My husband and I have gone to Chapala almost 4 times a year for the past 8 years but this past weekends visit ruined the experience for us. The salsa and chips are always good, but evidently they have changed their menu -- and not for the better. The Shrimp Brochette used to have a piece of scallion in them but this time it was jalapeno (and large chunks at that). Yes, the waitress showed us the menu after my mouth was on fire, but as I told her, it would have been nice if, as semi-regular customers we were notified of the change beforehand (the name of the dish and the look of the menu were the same so it didn't occur to either one of us to read the fine print again). Also, I ordered (as did my husband) the steak and shrimp brochette fajitas and my steak tasted off. It was so bad that I did not finish my steak nor was I willing to take it home to my dog. Granted, the shrimp were larger than in the past, but bad meat and random jalapeno does not make for an experience worth repeating. I honestly am only writing this review in the hopes that Chapala will re-think what is going on in their kitchen and lure myself and my husband back.
(2)