4. Restaurants

Ovalle’s Mexican Cafe

3210 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN, 37408
  • (423) 485-3218
  • Store is closed

Ovalle’s Mexican Cafe Menu

  • Antijitos
  • Salads
  • Soup
  • Plato
  • Tortas

Healthy Meal suggestions for Ovalle’s Mexican Cafe

  • Antijitos
  • Salads
  • Soup
  • Plato
  • Tortas

  • doneby l.

    I lived Arizona for years. Used to travel extensively in Mexico. I love authentic Mexican food and thought I would never have it again after moving here. But now that I have found Ovalle's I know that at least there is one very good Mexican restaurant here. Definitely get the guacamole--it's prepared fresh at your table side the way it should be. And the mole is something I thought I would never get to enjoy again. I will definitely be coming back again and again and....

    (4)

  • Allyson B.

    My boyfriend and I decided to swing by Ovalle's for lunch after seeing pictures of the Ahogado Torta on Yelp. I was prepared to be blown away after reading all the great reviews! The place is actually pretty nice. Since it's adjacent to an extended motel I assume that the space is actually the old lobby and kitchen. Either way they did a pretty good job renovating it. It was pretty slow for the lunch hour there was only one other person in there so the service was quick. For it being slow I was a little annoyed that the table she seated us at was dirty. It had salt and pepper all over it. After scanning the menu we decided to go for the Queso Flameado and of course the Ahogado Torta. Queso Flameado- Oaxaca cheese, tomato, onion, roasted poblano, tequila!!, and spices. I mean it's pretty obvious why we decided to go for it ;) mehh it was okay. It was actually a little clumpy and grainy. We were already pretty hungry and eager to snack on chips and queso to hold us over till our meal arrived. Ahogado Torta- Chicken carnitas, black beans, Oaxaca cheese, pickled red onion, and chile de Arbol served in a toasted bun with a tomato broth. Alright so the flavor was okay but it was lacking so much! Like they skimped on the filling. Each bite I got like part of a chicken, a tiny bit of the black beans, but honestly it was mostly bread. I kept dipping the torta in the tomato broth (which really is nothing special because it just tastes like super plain canned tomato sauce). I'm pretty disappointed because I came here with such high expectations. Now I know why there was only one person there during the lunch hour. I don't think I'll be coming back.

    (1)

  • Meghan B.

    This is authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine. After living in New Mexico for 7 years I can tell you these owners use the freshest ingredients, cook their dishes to perfection and deliver beautiful presentation. Our server was so gracious, sweet and professional! It was an outstanding experience - HIGHLY SUGGEST!

    (5)

  • Bruce A.

    No longer open, unfortunately. It was great, but it is closed for good. Building is now Moccasin Bend Brewing Co.

    (1)

  • Jess B.

    Lunch menu prices and selections are great. I ordered a grilled quesadilla which was prepared so much different than the average 'dilla. The flavor was original and delicious! 4 stars because the service was slow, but it was the middle of the day and I only saw one waitress.

    (4)

  • Shaylee S.

    I purchased a Living Social coupon for this place and was planning to take my boyfriend for his birthday while we were in Chattanooga. I made reservations for 6pm about two weeks in advance. We arrived minutes after 6 and there was nobody at the front. We rung the bell that was at the front desk twice and no one ever came. After about 10 minutes we walked into the dining area and were finally noticed. Some lady took us back to the front and asked us to sit down (at this point I figured we would be waiting even longer). While we were waiting kids kept running in and out of the front door and people would come in and just go into the dining room. I believe they were having some event for a kid's art class. We waited another 10 minutes and no one ever came so we just went across the street to Long John Silvers. A great way to ruin what I planned for my boyfriend. We were also already rushed for time because we needed to be somewhere at 7. Thanks for nothing. Won't ever return and will tell others not to go.

    (1)

  • Keith M.

    TLDR: These folks roast their own coffee and cacao beans from their family's farm in Guatemala. The hot chocolate and chocolate tort are divine. The tortas, mole, and guacamole are authentic and tasty. Eat here and skip the cookie cutter mexican places. Full Review: We came on a Sunday afternoon. The restaurant is in a building shared with an empty space. The parking is sort of small on the side of the restaurant but there appears to be more around the empty side of the building if it's needed. The front of the building leaves a little to be desired in terms of presentation. We almost didn't go in, because the hours on the door said they were closed from 2 to 5. The owner who was in his car outside came over to us and told us they were in fact open from lunch to early dinner close at 9. The inside is a totally different feel from the outside. It feels like being inside a hacienda, with adobe walls painted in bright colors. What later turned out to be our server took us down the hall to the dining room. There is an interesting display in the hall of how cacao beans become chocolate. We found out that the owner's (incidentally the man who told us the restaurant was open) family has a coffee and cacao farm in Guatemala. They roast and prepare the chocolate and coffee. We were seated in a corner booth. There were only two other people in the restaurant, which was to be expected given the hour. The server (also the hostess) advised us on the sections of the menu. We ordered guacamole app, my wife ordered hot chocolate and papaya aguas frescas and I ordered the mango aguas frescas. The owner came out to make our guacamole table side. He also chatted with us about the food, telling us that they wanted to offer authentic mexican cuisine. I told him I was glad to see this available in Chattanooga, particularly tortas which are difficult to get done well in Tennessee. He expressed concern that they were offering too much authentic mexican food and not enough standard American mexican dishes (chimichangas, fajitas, etc.). He is apparently still adjusting the menu to make it more accessible. During this conversation he was making the guacamole. He asked us for the spiciness level prior to making it, and spent a good deal of time and care, preparing it in a traditional stone bowl. The care showed because this was damn fine guacamole. Additionally the salsa that came before the guacamole was fresh and spicy. The aguas frescas were good but a little sweet for my tastes. My wife loved them. The hot chocolate was nothing short of magical. It had ground chili powder in it giving a wonderful level of spiciness to the hot chocolate. I ordered the mole chicken (chocolate from the farm) which came with a side of spanish rice and sauteed squash and zucchini. My wife ordered the ahogado torta. Both of these were absolutely fantastic. The chicken was moist and the mole was rich and chocolatey. Not the best mole I've ever had, but the best I've had in Tennessee. The squash and zucchini were simple, which was perfect. They had a nice char and seasoned to balance with the inherent sweetness of the vegetables. The rice was mild but totally good. The torta was awesome. The bread was crusty, and the chicken was flavorful. The sandwich was served with the cut sides down in the broth, which was also fantastic. The broth made the cut side of the sandwich soggy but flavorful. My wife wasn't crazy about the soggy parts, so I gladly got rid of them for her. These bites were awesome. She enjoyed the rest of the sandwich greatly. We were utterly full halfway through the entrees, but we persevered, finishing the rest of the meal. We couldn't pass up the chocolate tart with house made pomegranate ice cream, though, so we ordered it to go. We ate this later and it was just as great as the rest of the meal. All of this was 45 dollars, which was a great value in my opinion. A couple of points where they could improve is by offering more vegetarian and kid-friendly options. Also, I'm not sure why, but they offer no alcohol of any time. It's kind of strange. Honestly, though, it's obvious that these people take great pride in what they are doing and it shows through and through in the food. The hot chocolate alone would be worth going in here. But then there are also the authentic tortas and fantastic mole. Even the guacamole was fresh, flavorful, and chunky in the traditional style. These people roast their o

    (5)

  • Fanny P.

    A failing health inspection score of 66 out of 100. Major safety and sanitation issues. I won't be back. From WRCB-TV Restaurant Report: "We do have a failing grade this week. Remember a failing grade is any score lower than a 70. At 66 we take you south of the border to Broad Street at Ovalle's Mexican Cafe, where there's actually an entire sheet of violations. Inspectors found: Cooks not washing their hands Chicken and rice were not at proper temperature and had to be thrown away Spoiled vegetables Insects in juice containers Ice machine filthy Dishes were not being cleaned properly Once again the score is a 66." Go read them yourself at the Tennessee Department of Health. dogwood.healthspace.com/… Type in the City or restaurant. This is not a simple dirty rag or dirty bathroom. To me the violations are a lack of proper sanitation that was easily visible, but without apparent concern by staff. You decide for yourself. Re-inspection August 26, 2013 -- Score 85 Yeah, it's better, but at this point is doesn't matter. The earlier score of 66 tells me all I need to know. I suggest you start checking every Friday on WRCB for their Restaurant Report yourself. wrcbtv.com The information comes directly from the local Health Department. I wasn't impressed the first (and only) time I went to Ovalle's. While the food was OK, it wasn't great. I'm not a fan of Mexican food in general at local places. When I'm in Arizona or New Mexico near the border it's different. But most local Mexican is gringoed and Syscoed. I won't be returning to Ovalle's as a possible Montezuma's Revenge is a two-step tango to avoid. Remember that the front of the restaurant doesn't tell the whole story. It's the back end that counts.

    (1)

  • Chris T.

    Excellent! I was more impressed with this quaint cafe than I have been with any new restaurant in Chattanooga. First of all, the restaurant is very tastefully decorated and very clean. The service was fantastic as well. Most importantly, the food was delicious and very fresh. I ordered the Tinga, which is a chicken torta. It was mouth watering. I look forward to trying every item on the menu. Ovalles is just what S. Broad needs. I'll be recommending it to everyone I know and eating there very often. I can't wait to try the guacamole next time!!

    (5)

  • Andrew K.

    Ahh, since coming here from Texas, tough to fill my Mexican/TexMex fix - but Ovalle's fits the bill! The restaurant isn't in the nicest part of town, but man - I'd recommend the trip for the food! Chips and salsa were great Guacamole with chips was just amazing... (I'm not a guacamole fan, but when they make it right in front of you - super fresh, and w/ a nice kick, yet refreshing) - I couldn't... not eat it. The fajitas were flavored well, salty and savory, served with bell peppers and tomatos and the portion size was EXCELLENT. There's enough meat in the fajita plate to fill 7+ just meat only loaded tortillas. Add vegetables to your tortillas and... well, you better be hungry, my friend. Definitely a hit on my list - I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Dan N.

    This is hands down the best Mexican in Chattanooga. We've been their twice and have had great experiences both times. I've had the queso, guacamole, fish tacos, and carne asada. They are still new, and in a weird location - so don't mind if it's a little empty when you go. The restaurant is very well kept and has nice decor. It's not a hole in the wall like you find most They make the guacamole table side and it is top notch. Very smooth and creamy with just the right amount of kick and salt. The fish tacos are lightly fried and compete with what I've had in the South West. The Carne Asada is amazing. It's the best I've ever had. You need to try it. All in all, you need to go hear. It's a great authentic Mexican restaurant. We have so few good "ethnic" style restaurants in Chattanooga that I feel it is my duty to tell you to go here so we can save the ones we have. It's amazing. You won't regret it. One last point - they do not have an alcohol license. It is BYOB. However, if you go to the wine/liquor store across the street and mention Ovalle's, you get a 10% discount.

    (5)

  • shawn r.

    I can't really elaborate on what has already been said about this great place. The best Mexican food in Chattanooga, hands down. You will not be disappointed. Things that are awesome: Guacamole (made at your table in a mortar and pestle). The Tablones, Corn Chowder, The Ceviche, The Agua Fresca, Oh and the my favorite torta is the Choripan. Do not leave without trying the Chocolate as others have stated. Have fun and eat well my friends.

    (5)

  • Kari F.

    We just stopped in to grab lunch and the food was good and the service was good but we were the only ones in the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Victor B.

    We are used to trying new spots and we were not disappointed with Ovalle's! This was our first time dinning here. I had the short ribs (my new favorite restaurant for short ribs) and my wife had the soft tacos, which were outstanding. Not your typical Mexican food meaning the food is presented very well and would be deemed more upscale than most other Mexican fare. Prices were good given the portions, quality, and presentation. Our server, Omar, was very friendly and we will be coming back to see him.

    (5)

  • Vivek J.

    Excellent food (with veg option). And the server(Omar) helped pick some great dishes.

    (5)

  • Bill P.

    We were so excited to try this place after seeing a thumbs up from an internet foodie friend. We got there at 9:15 on a night when their fancy website said they close at ten. The place was dark inside -- not a sign of life. But there was a number to call for reservations. I called it and someone who spoke bad English answered. I heard a lot of activity in the background -- dishes being washed. What the heck? "We closed it down since there was no business." I said that was wrong since you have to honor your business hours and since we drove a long way to eat there. I have to give the guy credit: He asked where we were and when we told him we were a block away, he said to turn around and they would serve us. I said that I appreciated that and was not mad. But I suggested that he honor their business hours. Anyhow, no report on Ovalle's. Have the feeling it is not going to be that good, but we'll see. Maybe. I give it 3 stars just to get this post up. UPDATE: Made it there tonight. Hours of operation sign was gone. They must read Yelp. They have softened up the old bright colors that were in this former Mexican place. Has somewhat of an elegant feel now. No liquor license. Strange. So went across street for six pack. They have beer and wine glasses. No corkage fee. Typical chips and salsa. Salsa very thin but tasty and full of cilantro. Queso flameado cheese dip app. Bland. We got tortas (sandwiches). I got carne asada; wife got chorizo. Shoddily assembled sammys. Hardly any of the cilantro garlic sauce on mine so had to ask for more. Sammys were just OK. We saw table next to us having guac made tableside. Looked very good. We also saw other diners getting their plate entrees. Next time we are getting guac, chicken soup, and chicken plate with mole sauce, rice, veggies. Considering I can make cheese dip, salsa, sandwiches, etc., better than Ovalle's, I give it only 2 stars. Maybe when we go back, I can upgrade.

    (2)

  • Emmanuel E.

    Amazing and uniqe experience. Its a reason its called "mexican cafe" not restaurant. You will not find boring canned refried beans and bland rice here, everything in the menu its true to its mexican roots with an amazing neofusion. If you are done going to dull copycat. Mexican restauraunts and are ready for real flavor come here. Take it from a true mexicand and foodie.

    (5)

  • kir h.

    this place doesn't have the usual mexican fare. i imagine it's more authentic, but regardless i love it!!! it was really good, fresh, and flavorful. i absolutely recommend getting the guacamole. they make it tableside in a lava bowl and do it to your liking, so tell 'em what you want! i'll definitely be going back there over and over again.

    (5)

  • Tammy P.

    This place is a hidden gem! Great atmosphere! They do table side guacamole and the ingredients are very high quality. The restaurant owner told us they have a very strict training session with the servers who have to pass a taste test from the owners before they are allowed to make it on their own. The spicy smoked guacamole was hand down the best guacamole I have ever put it mouth!

    (5)

  • Jill S.

    Good Mexican food and healthier than typical Mexican restaurants in the area. Mole sauce is really tasty. Good choices for kids too. I'd go back if in the area.

    (3)

  • Kenny T.

    What? The best Mexican in Chattanooga? Not even close to what we expected given the great reviews. Maybe we're missing something, but we walked out of there laughing at just how well Ovalle's failed to meet our expectations. I won't recount our experience chronologically, but will touch a bit on the food. Maybe the guacamole is good, but that's the only thing this place has going for it (why is this touted like some huge achievement?). The mole chicken was bland and too sweet, nothing like traditional mole that balances savory, heat and sweet. The piece of chicken for that dish was a flat, dry and overcooked. My wife ordered the chorizo sandwich thing, and this too left a lot to be desired. There was just nothing to it: thrown together then scorched in the oven (a wood-burning one, I presume). Our entrees came with a measly rice side and some beans, which offered nothing flovor-wise over your typical Americanized Mexican joint. All in all, Ovalles is nothing to write home about.

    (2)

  • Bruce K.

    If you're looking for Mexican cuisine that doesn't include burritos, enchiladas or refried beans, you should try Ovalle's. We've eaten at Ovalle's 4 or 5 times over the past couple of months, and our experiences have been very positive. The ambition is several notches above any of Chattanooga's other Mexican restaurants, bringing a touch of Frontera Grill to town (I know I'll take heat for that one!). The guacamole is made tableside, and it is delicious. We've sampled all of the entrees (the number is small), and they've all been excellent: short ribs, chicken mole, enchilladas Suizas and skirt steak. Desserts are decadent. Prices are exceptionally reasonable for the quality they are putting on the table. For the moment they have no alcohol available, but you are welcome to bring your own, with no corkage fee. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Mike R.

    Great place. Try the tortas for something different. Best guacamole ever! Bring your own beer.

    (5)

  • Maryanne M.

    The food was amazing! The guacamole made at the table was superb. I had fish tacos that were wonderful and hubby had a delicious Mexican sandwich. The only complaints is it's a dry restaurant and we were hoping for margaritas, and the service was not very attentive.

    (4)

  • Connie W.

    Amazing! The food was fantastic. We really enjoyed. Portion sizes we more than filling. Worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Todd B.

    Guacamole and chips for an appetizer. That was good, though I've had better. Main course was pibil torta, which should've been called pollo en achiote probably, as I don't think it was really slow roasted for hours. More important, much more traditional cochinita pibil (pork) would've been a lot better than chicken. The torta was too dry because the chicken was very dry and they didn't put mayo or guacamole on the bread as you'd find in a more authentic Mexico City style torta. The fries that came with the torta were good, but not great. They needed to be crispier. The best part of my meal was the hot chocolate I had for dessert. Homemade, yum. Bonus points for having horchata, even though I had to push the waitress to try to find some for me. In the American southwest, this restaurant would get three solid stars but since I think decent Mexican food is a rarity in Chattanooga, I'm upgrading my review to four. What I would personally love to see is some Guatamalan food on the menu since that's where the owner is from.

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    A great meal at an affordable price. Owner Edwin greeted us at the door and brought us into this simple and colorfully decorated restaurant. Pay attention to the cocoa bean photos in the lobby as you enter; Edwin's family hand makes the chocolate used in the deserts. We enjoyed handmade guacamole that Edwin prepared tableside, just outstanding. I had the Mole chicken plate and my wife enjoyed the Carne Asada, both were beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. We are not desert fans so Edwin provided us with a small taste of the handmade Pomegranate ice cream he pairs with chocolate cake, he won us over with the handmade chocolate!!! Rich and filling and again presented beautifully. Do not come here if you are expecting a cheesy covered watery tortilla filed with cheap ground beef with dried beans and dried rice, there's plenty of that in Chattanooga at other places. Come here for fresh Latin food that is prepared with dignity and presented artfully. Edwin advised us that the signature dish is Tortas. The menu is not finalized but will combine tastes of Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala and Puerto Rico to reflect the backgrounds of the able staff. We look forward to returning and recommend this cafe to those seeking a tasteful Latin dining experience

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

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.

Ovalle’s Mexican Cafe

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