Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Ann Arbor
Categories
Location on the map
Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan, US
Site: https://www.getchapala.com/
- Monday:12–10PM
- Tuesday:12–10PM
- Wednesday:12–10PM
- Thursday:12–10PM
- Friday:12–11PM
- Saturday:12–11PM
- Sunday:12–9PM
Delicious! High praise when I can’t decide what to order because everything looks too good (lobster quesadilla, yes you should try it).The chapala colada (pictured) is vacation in a pineapple, the decor and service were outstanding - we’ll be back!
Dined here last thursday for my birthday and there were lots of flys in the restaurant. the hostess didn’t even bother to shoo them away from the table before they sat us. i ordered the paleta margarita expecting an authentic paleta but it was an outshine bar placed haphazardly into a very strong drink. the food was good but the carnitas was very fatty. i also had to flag down my waiter even though it wasn’t busy.
Tacos de Aguacate were delicious, the Blueberry Mojito so tasty, La picante Margarita is a Must! Food was Great and Excelent service!
I had been ordering take out from hear during the pandemic but this time I was finally able to go and dine in. I was not disappointed. It was absolutely delicious. The drinks were nice and the service and atmosphere was first class. I had the shrimp tacos, chorizo dip and coconut blueberry mojito.
Love the vibez here. Really colorful and fun, drinks are as big as your head, its great. Baja tacos were seasoned just right, guacamole was good.
Staff is quick and good. But food is a bit expensive. Ambience is nice and gives you a Mexican feel, specially with good music. Food tastes good. If you order the food you already know you can ask some modifications as per your choice like quesadillas can be asked to make more brown and crispier.
Second time I Ate here.. Sooo freaking good..The Environment is Awesome.. They have some Strong drinks! Food is Authentic just like my Grandmas!! And the swings at the bar is so fun! Love it here!
Came here while visiting Ann Arbor for my birthday dinner and just loved being able to speak some Spanish with the friendly staff! The drinks were amazing and exactly what I needed for a bday celebration! I ordered the Al Pastor tacos which were delicious and my boyfriend got vegan tacos which he also enjoyed. What a great experience!
Amazing margaritas, large portions with rice and beans, fun atmosphere - especially for birthdays! The shrimp tacos were huge and overall great, more like from a taco truck and tasted great! The piña colada comes in a full pineapple!
It’s a pretty decent place. Food is really good, drinks are a bit too expensive (but that’s normal for Ann Arbor). The one thing about I don’t like is that the seating is so crowded. It’s very popular and I understand that you want to get as many people in as possible, but maybe they could add an extra room or something because it’s almost impossible to move in there I’m not a particularly big person but if you are, you will not be able to get to a restroom. I can only imagine what the waitstaff have to go through just to reach a table. It’s poorly designed in that way but a pretty good joint otherwise
Great food!!! Great atmosphere!!! Great price on food and drinks!! Great server!! Great time!!!
When first arrived estimated wait time was 45 mins then after checking in after that time was told an additional 30 min wait. Finally after being seated and ordering , food came out fairly quick. Food was fresh but was quite flavorless, lacked any type of seasoning overall. The alcoholic drinks were not that great either. Was pretty overpriced for what you get, mainly paying for atmosphere and presentation. The staff was very nice though.
Great food! Usually has a wait and has a combined bar and dinner feel which sometimes makes it too loud to really hear the person you are dining with. But food is always great and typically once you are seated the food comes out quickly.
I’ve dined here many times. The food is always creative and fresh. The drinks are awesome. Service has been wonderful. The staff has a great sense of humor and can take it as well as dish it out. I’ve enjoyed reading the owners responses to the fake reviews. This is the go-to Mexican for Ann Arbor/ Ypsi
I have eaten here twice, the first time was 5 star food and service, my wife and I couldnt wait to come back. Unfortunately the second time was more of a 2/3 star visit. So much potential, but your mileage may vary, as they say.
This was my first time here and it was fantastic! I tried the new Habenario Nachos one of the best Nachos I have ever had. The drinks were amazing too. I Highly recommend trying this restaurant out you wont be disappointed.
Had margaritas and birria tacos. We were not disappointed! Everything was great. I would definitely recommend. The restaurant itself has a really cool vibe and the service was fast and friendly.
Wouldnt go here for Tacos. They are bland and tasteless; it just doesnt work. The rice and beans look unappetizing. Drinks are maybe and other stuff was okay at best. For whatever reason, they kept increasing the music volume hoping no one would notice but it was quite disruptive.
Hands down best experience had in a long time staff is 10/10 and the food is 11/10. The time from order to the table was 12 minutes, drinks where filled the entire visit. Our waiter stoped by often to make sure everything was to satisfaction. I recommend anyone with a tast for mexican food to stop here first and let the food do the talking
Authentic and delicious, with great service. I had the lobster quesadilla and my husband had the carnitas - we loved them both. Large portions and nice presentation!
Food and service are great! We just love the Caribbean vibe!!
The salsa is good, side dishes are good. Enchaladas taste like boiled chicken with no seasonings. Red sauce taste like cinnamon water. Could not even eat 1
This place was absolutely incredible. The Carne Asada fries were amazing and the Baja shrimp tacos were out of this world. Drinks were delicious and service was awesome. 10/10 will be back.
My wife and I took my college aged niece, and our college aged two sons for dinner here last night. Food was good, and right sized. Among the group, orders included Chicken Quesadilla, Steak Fajita, and Chicken Chimichanga. Only one box needed for left overs, and none of us felt over stuffed.The vibe inside is definitely younger crowd, and the music from the speaker right over our table was a bit on the loud side for having a conversation.There is nearby metered street parking, but half a block west is a municipal covered garage with cheaper rates.Consider the review 4½ stars as I reserve 5 stars for truly exceptional experiences with food that wows the senses.
Fantastic restaurant! The music lures you in off the street into a tropical getaway dining experience and you forget all about being in Ann Arbor.The hospitality is beyond awesome and the staff courteous and friendly. Did I mention there are swings at the bar?Food was delicious and the portions were more than we expected which was great because we have awesome left overs in the fridge.Whether its for lunch or dinner I cant recommend this place enough. Theres no other place in Ann Arbor with the hospitality & atmosphere of Chapalas
Omg this place is amazing! So happy Ann Arbor is finally getting a good Mexican restaurant. Delicious high quality food, quick super friendly service, fresh unique drinks. Forget about any other taco place, COME HERE!!!!
First time in today for takeout lunchAbsolutely legit and delicious. Great portions...as in, we both have dinner now too.We got a chicken dish with veggies and a California burrito. Everything was wonderfully seasoned, and the veggies nicely grilled. Salsa verde had just the right kick and amazing taste. Great fresh chips, fantastic quest blanco. I know I’m repeating myself, but man, it was good.In a town with some weak Mexican food choices (sorry AA), Chapala stands way out.Nice staff too. It’s always cool when they address you by your name. We can’t wait til it opens back up for indoor dining.
As soon as I saw carne asada fries on their menu, I had to check them out. Having spent over a decade living in Southern California I have eaten more carne asada fries and California burritos than I can count.First, the preparation of both the California burrito and carne asada fries are not perfectly true to what youll find at your favourite Mexican place in California. Both dishes, though, are absolutely made in the spirit of the authentic dishes and both are very good.Second, both dishes were massive! I was not prepared for the quantity of food I bought. Chapala is a great value in that sense.Having only been during covid times, we did takeout so I cant speak to the quality of in-house service, but my limited interactions with the staff were good.Overall Im very happy with the experience and will certainly will be adding Chapala into the regular restaurant rotation.
Overall, the food is good. Scallops can be fresher. Not a proper place for young kids because the music is a bit too loud.
Drinks menu dont have prices and we found out theyre really overpriced! Staff gets really antsy during the dinner rush so better for takeout.
Great authentic food, especially for Michigan. Salsa was delicious and homemade, service was great, and Ill definitely go back soon. Prices were great too, and they have veggie flautas! A new favorite!
Thank you to our server Juan, who went above and beyond to make our dining experience at Chapalas unforgettable!If youre looking for authentic Mexican cuisine I would definitely recommend Chapalas!
The food was great, and so was the server. The food is definitely on the pricier side, but it came out in a good time and was really good. Even the bathroom was pretty clean. Great place.
Great salsa, great food! Wonderful servers! First time and will be back!
House Margarita was great, got lobster quesadilla which was nice with mango salsa
Friend of mine Joe recommended this place and I’m so glad I went. Absolutely amazing food and drinks. We will be back!
Excellent authentic Mexican. Fish tacos, beans & rice, tortillas, salsa were fantastic. Service was perfect, bravo Juan 👏👏
Had a friend pick it up but food was great! good portion sizes and food was cooked well. would definitely buy again!
Food was wonderful but the wait staff needs work on focusing on their customers.
The atmosphere and the food were fantastic. Best salsa and guac Ive had in a long time
Had a California burrito. It was absolutely fantastic. Be warned it’s huge. I was only able to finish half of it. Certainly worth it. I’ll be back.
Forget main street ventures, the best seafood on main is at Chapala! Get the shrimp tacos or lobster quesadilla. Youre welcome.
Such great queso and avocado tacos! Always experienced amazing service the few times I have been here as well :)
Chapala’s has become our favorite Mexican restaurant. Menu is large, food is excellent, and service is fantastic!
Had a great dinner with good drinks!Service was good. Loud, fun ambiance.
Good food but they forgot to include rice and beans with my carryout order, menu said they came with the enchiladas.
I got takeout from here. First off, the whole place looks so cool. When I got there the wait staff was super friendly. I got the fajita burrito and I’ve gotten food here before and it was good not great but this burrito is one of the best I’ve ever had. Not to mention it was huge. Easily two meals worth.
Response from the owner5 months agoStrongly doubt it. You want your $9 back? Sounds like you work at taco bell.What type of owner says this to customers or anyone for that matter. What’s wrong with people that work at Taco Bell? Places like this should be out of business.. you don’t deserve it
Atmosphere is colorful, active, and over the top. Cocktails the size of your head are actually not bad. Food is surprisingly good for a restaurant that feels sorta gimmicky. Overall, pleasantly surprised by the quality.
This was our first visit and is now my new favorite Mexican restaurant since the Prickly Pear closed last year. We drove 45 minutes each way from Commerce Township and it was worth it.Juan is an excellent waiter. He recommended the large MONSTER burrito. The grilled chicken, steak, shrimp ,and scallops are amazing. Everything was FRESH! The casual atmosphere very inviting. Prices were reasonable and portions large.Very clean floor and table. Restroom was clean with excellent water pressure. The Pina Coladas had nice coconut flavor. We got to park directly in front of the restaurant. Looking forward to returning soon!
It tasted fresh but none of the flavors were super strong. I had the chicken enchiladas And sat outside. All in all as one of the more expensive mexican restaurants I have gone to it didn’t really seem worth the trip for the food. There was very excellent service, and the inside looked like a very fun vibe. I plan to go back and try their fish or shrimp tacos to see if that would change my mind.
Got mild food poisoning here a few nights ago. Food tasted alright, spicier than anticipated. Girlfriend didnt finish hers for the same reason. Definitely not as good as Los Amigos. The tres leches was good, and had good presentation, but nothing spectacular. Id stick to getting drinks here, wont be back for the food.
Passing through Ann Arbor on my way to the Detroit Airport. The outside is colorful and welcoming. We had a very personable waiter. The food was excellent, good sized portions, but they didnt offer whole beans instead of refried, which I prefer. We decided to have flan for dessert and tried to order two but were told that would be too much! It came in a special dish, a large portion of flan baked unto a chocolate cake accompanied by chocolate and caramel sauce. A great dessert! Would definitely recommend the waitstaff, food, atmosphere and definitely the flan dessert!
Drinks were great! Food looked amazing! Fun & friendly atmosphere. We will be back!
Great drinks, food, and service. It was nice to have the option of eating outside or inside. COVID friendly staff in a good location.
Jake is the best…he saw what fun we were and took it from there. Margaritas catered to my personality and desire to enjoy the day!
The food is great! The service is great! The prices are very reasonable!
4-stars because I have not had a meal that has blown me away, although they are all decent, average tasting Mexican meals. Husband loves the tacos though. Bartender really makes the place. Spice levels vary depending on who is cooking, which sucks for me because I am spice sensitive and love their salsa but cant eat it half the time.
Definitely try Chapala, you wont be disappointed. Great service (if you are lucky you will have Juan Z), fast and friendly. Water glass was never empty, food took minutes to hit the table and everything was delicious. Small, artistic, great atmosphere only topped by the food. Dont miss it.
The best Mexican food in Ann Arbor! Great service and very flavorful food! Definitely coming back soon!
On my last day in Ann Arbor visiting my daughter we decided to have something besides American food. We were trying to decide what cuisine we wanted and decided on Mexican food. My daughter said her friends recommended this place because they said the food is good and the portions are big.We were on our way back from spending a day in Chicago and hadnt eaten breakfast. I looked at the reviews and pictures of the food before getting there and wanted everything because it all looked delicious.When we got there I immediately loved the look of the place because it looked very authentic. I cant stand when I go to a Mexican place and its whitewashed and overpriced. This was not the case.The menu is extensive. They do have a lot of Tex-Mex dishes but they also have a lot of authentic Mexican dishes. They do have a full bar and offer many signature drinks. Even though I looked at the menu before arriving I still couldnt decide what I wanted. Upon arrival they serve complimentary chips and salsa. I think the salsa isnt homemade it sort of tasted like a commercial brand. The chips were warm.My daughter ordered a drink that had a frozen strawberry ice pop in it. I didnt get a drink because I was driving. I wound up just ordering fajitas Tejanas which is just a trio of protein- steak, shrimp and chicken. It came with Pico, sour cream, guacamole and your choice of corn or flour Tortillas (3). Its also accompanied with rice and beans. You can get it with melted cheese on top for an extra $1. I did, because I love cheese. My daughter ordered a lobster quesadilla. It came with a Chipotle sauce and topped with a mango salsa. Her quesadilla was huge!! My portion of food was really big too. It was full of protein and not just the veggies which I love. A lot of times you order fajitas and theyre full of veggies and no protein. The fajitas came out sizzling like at most places. What I loved was how the onions and peppers kept cooking on the skillet and caramelized. I asked for hot sauce and they brought out a bowl or their house sauce. It was spicy but had a really good flavor. They also have Tabasco if you like. Oh, I also wanted to add that the rice and beans were tasty as well. I dont normally eat the rice that comes with Mexican food because it always tastes like box rice- but this one didnt.Service was quick and the staff were friendly. I would go back and my daughter said she will be returning (she lives over there).
William the manager was amazing. Drinks were great and so was the service. Food well above average. My girlfriend got the el diablo shrimp and it was crazy hot. He brought a free plate of Garlic Butter shrimp to make sure she had enough to eat (without us asking). Will definitely be back for more! Only thing Id suggest is expanding the outdoor seating into the street where parking is! 10/10!
Amazing place! Ann Arbor Mexican at its finest! Outstanding staff, great food, and a passionate owner. Everything you need to succeed! Thank you!
Definitely recommend coming here for a birthday. 100% an experience you’ll never forget. Hilarious 😂
Great place. Every time we go there its great. Food is amazing, drinks are on point, and the atmosphere is fantastic. The margs are good and they have cool designs on the walls. Service is excellent !
After reading good things about this online and learning a little history about the owner/restaurant from an Ann Arbor Observer article, my husband and I decided to try out the place. The food was fresh, delicious and the most authentic Mexican food you can get in A2. It was like being back home in LA. Mario, our server, was excellent and super friendly. We loved it so much, we went back the next day!Reasonable prices and quality food is just what we needed in our town. Give it a try. You’ll love it, too!
I absolutely loved this place! My daughter brought me here because she recently tried it and loved it so much she said I had to come. The food was beautiful- super fresh ingredients with a lot of flavor. We had the sopas, flautas and chori- cheese. The portions are generous for appetizers. The drinks were amazing and garnished with a beautiful edible flower along with some citrus. Our bartender made some suggestions and they didnt disappoint- they even have tequila on tap! The bar is whimsical with a thatched roof and swings to sit in. The bar top is designed well with Dia De Muertos (Day of the Dead) skulls etched on top. The decor is fun and inviting with brightly colored artwork painted on the walls. Its not a huge restaurant but seems to provide plenty of seating nonetheless Its a great place for a date night or just fun afternoon of day drinking and apps with your kid 😉.
Im not even sure where to start with this place because so much went wrong when we ordered takeout from here. Not only was our order missing items but it just wasnt an exciting meal to eat. My entree was just okay & my partners was less-than-fantastic.If youre ordering takeout, it might be best if you add some extra time to whatever estimate they give you (especially if its on a busy night). We were told 10-15 minutes and it probably took more like 30-40 min. Normally, it wouldnt be a huge deal to hangout for a few extra minutes but they seem to be seating at full capacity inside meaning its quite busy, which may not be the most comfortable environment for those that are more risk-adverse.Im also pretty sure we were overcharged. Admittedly, this is something we couldve corrected or at least asked about, but by the time we were able to get our food, we just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.Even if we were confident we were charged the right amount & our food was ready right when we walked in the door, Id still rate this place a solid 2 stars for the food alone. While it wasnt the worst thing Ive ever eaten, its not something Id ever consider ordering again. Maybe their dine-in experience is a lot better, but we wont be going back to find out.
Rafa is the chef and he is absolutely amazing, best Mexican restaurant in Michigan. The owner Caesar is a the best, absolutely charming. Im also excited to eat at his new cuban restaurant that is next door and will be opening soon.
If I could give this 0/5 I would. The food is decent and the drinks are good but the service is despicable. My friends and I went to get a couple of drinks paid the seemingly too expensive bill without question and left in a hurry. Upon further examination, they charged us $2-4 more PER DRINK than they ever have before. Keep in mind they don’t have any prices noted on the menu. Once discussing with a few other friends it seems that their prices are NEVER consistent.The same night my friend, who joined us late, went to order a drink at the bar and the waitress wouldn’t let her because she was “part of a table” and wanted to over charge her as well.Essentially Chapala charges you whatever they feel like for the item you order.Me, nor any of my friends, will ever be returning.
The service was fantastic. Staff is so nice and helpful.It is very well served - with good portion.The price is fair for Main Street.The food is actually very good, they have the usual tacos but the truth is all the other specialty ... Everything is good.5stars
Soooo delicious and staff very nice. Fav place for margs, the swings at the bar are 👌🏾 amazing tacos, my husband craves the arroz con pollo nearly daily.
Good food but didn’t cut quesadilla and it’s saucy so it’s a big mess n hard to eat.
Always great food -- and fast. Recommend the chimichanga and Yucatan. Tacos are excellent too, especially pastor with pineapple Friendly staff including owner Caesar. Last visit Kevin was our waiter -- excellent.
This is my new favorite place downtown! Its almost like a hidden gem because its not on the main section of Main Street so its not as crowded on weekends. I love their Arroz Con Mariscos and Portabello Fajitas. They also have tequila on tap, so it comes out chilled! The staff is incredibly nice and the owners are great!! They have great lunch prices, too!
Two days ago, my wife and I ordered the carnitas meals from Chapalas, and my wifes mouth started bleeding while she was eating the food. We found a small piece of glass in the food, which cut her mouth. I have no idea how it got there, but we will not be going back. Its very unfortunate, because we both really liked Chapalas and went there often.
Another fun night & all of our party of eight had excellent meals & good, friendly service. Warning, if you choose a table in the upper back, youre by the speakers & the music can be very loud.
The service was good. I ordered a combination and got enchiladas instead of tacos and the food was very spicy even my 4 year olds sons kids meal. Sadly I wouldnt return due to this as it may just be their style of food but it wasnt at all what we were hoping for.
Hands down the worst experience I have ever encountered!! We ordered guacamole for a side with our chips and it had to be the worst guacamole EVER!! Oh yea, for six ounces of the guacamole they charge $9!!!!!!Birria tacos were soggy and the meat was really bad quality. I promise you Taco Bell has this place beat by a mile.
Fantastic staff. Ill always judge places like this in relation to my home state of Texas and this reminds me of home.
Keep coming back for the chorizo burrito… service is always friendly and food always comes out fast!!
Fantastic place! The atmosphere was great and the food was delicious! Definitely plan to visit again!
I love the look and vibe of this place. Ive been there for drinks a few times and havent ever been disappointed. The staff is very friendly and attentive, and the drinks are great and with eye pleasing garnish.I finally had dinner there, and their chips and salad are awesome. I wish they had more vegetarian and vegan options. Fortunately their beans are lard-free, so I was able to find something I could eat, but be careful if youre vegetarian or vegan, their rice has chicken stock in it. Im glad I always ask!My date is picky about Mexican restaurants and he actually liked it. He ordered the chori queso dip to start, and the pollo mole for his entre. He gave it a B+Overall, I love it here, and while I likely wont go for dinner again since my choices are so limited with my dietary restrictions, Ill always go back to sit at their awesome bar and have drinks and chips!
Best Mexican food Ive had in Downtown Ann Arbor since moving out here from CA, and by far the most reasonably priced. House Margs are legit too! Had the Pollo Jalisco, delicious. Great service as well, our waiter and someone who looked to be the manager (or owner?), came by and checked in on us multiple times over the course of our meal. My wife and I will be going back!
I love this place! I travel for work so I dont like to venture far away from hotel but this place will be somewhere I visit every trip. The lobster quesadilla is out of this world. This is my 3rd time here and Ive only had the lobster quesadilla. The margaritas are amazing and the customer service is through the roof, from the bar tenders to the owner running around making everyone laugh, this place is awesome!
We celebrated my daughters birthday here food was excelllent and the food was perfect
Tasted like real authentic Mexican food! Ceasar at the bar introduced me to a new brand of tequila, one of many they had on shelf. Ill definitely be going back!
I had a great experience here! The food was great and the drinks! Until the waitress refused to split our check (there were 4 of us) and decided to tip herself 20%. I have never been treated so poorly in the service industry before. Overcharged us and forced us to pay or we wouldn’t be able to leave. Would not recommend this place to ANYONE
Really wanted to find an awesome Mexican place in town. Reviews looked amazing. Unfortunately all the food we ordered was extremely greasy, way too salty, and our seafood was too fishy to eat. Was hoping for so much out of this place, but ended up disappointed. We did take out. Maybe its better in the restaurant.
Ann Arbor is not known for good Mexican food. Stumbled across Chapala accidentally and because where I was planning to go was closed. Went begrudgingly, disappointingly thinking, “great another mediocre at best Mexican restaurant.” I was wrong! The salsa was above average, but good salsa does not make for a good Mexican restaurant despite a good start. The guacamole was fresh, flavorful and delightful. Okay, this place keeps getting better. The carnitas topped with green chilies brought back memories of great memories of childhood and the food I loved and crave. Hands down the best in Ann Arbor. Worth visiting. I will certainly be coming back! Bravo to an entrepreneur who has confidence in his craft and art to bet on opening during a pandemic.
Update: Appreciated receiving a timely response from business owner to feedback. Minor edits below...more facts over emotions.[edited]Went a couple weeks ago on a weekend night because it had recently opened. We were sat quickly (outside) by a friendly but not yet very knowledgeable waitress. Several questions answered hesitantly with “I think...”, but then no offer to go find out. Complimentary chips/salsa were ok, but would guess both are bulk purchased. Would love to see these improved and some variety (heat level, types) of fresh salsa offered. It’s a small thing but big with us and a huge first impression opportunity. Prices were reasonable, but overall the food taste and presentation were disappointing (taco salad with grilled chicken, 4 x mini chimichangas plate). The grilled chicken seemed pressure cooked/steamed rather than grilled and rest of the salad was fairly plain with limited dressing choices which were commercially packaged (due to Covid?)...Mini chimis and sauce were ok, appreciated getting 2 of each flavor/meat, but the chicken ones were bland.
Went there for the first time today and was pleasantly surprised!! FINALLY theres a place in Ann Arbor with delicious queso!! That alone will bring me back. Food in general was good and the owner was particular about making sure it was done right. Theyve only been open a week but it didnt feel like it-- they seemed to know what they were doing! Fast and accurate service.Only issue was drink prices werent listed on the menu and we thought all margs were included in the special so were surprised when we got the bill. Sangria was a bit too sweet for me too. But otherwise an overall good experience!
Very nice tex mex! Latin x owned. The sangrias are good and I love their enchiladas. Would recommend the chorizo queso as an appetizer and their carnitas burrito or enchiladas (red) were very good!!
The only reason I am giving 2 stars is because of the atmosphere (colorful and fun feel) and friendly waitress. The food was NOT great. The manager was very rude and had no desire to please. The bathroom sink is faulty and does not turn on, and the paper towel dispenser does not work. The guacamole and salsa do not seem authentic but rather bought in bulk.
I visited this restaurants 3 weeks ago and was so happy with the experience that I posted a review which you can see below. However two weeks ago I went there and was very disappointed in the lack of public safety. The small restaurant that pack with people. There was NO social distancing. When I asked the host about social distancing, she said that it was over turn and they don’t have to do that nor wear masks. Which is incorrect in washtenaw county. I’m leaving my original post and review but will not be visiting this restaurant anytime soon because of the lack of social responsibility.We moved to Ann Arbor two years ago from Dallas and noticed right away there wasn’t a lot authentic Mexican restaurants. Finally we have one with Chapala. Everything was perfect. Our waitress, Paulina was amazing. Will definitely be back.
TO-GO CUSTOMERS BEWARE! After being ignored by bar and wait staff, we finally picked up our phoned-in order only to discover that it was completely wrong. We called and spoke with a manager who claimed his name was “Jake”. He proceeded to call us “unlucky” because we had the “misfortune” of placing our phone order with an employee who “does not speak english”. He took our order a second time. When we arrived to pick up the order, we explained the situation to the hostess and asked if she could hand us our order. She said we had to wait for bar staff. After we got our order ourselved, I received notifications that my credit card was charged THREE times. I called back and spoke with “Jake” again who was completely unapologetic, unprofessional and provided very little assistance. The absence of basic customer service skills was astonishing so I say again…TO-GO CUSTOMERS BEWARE!
If Ive eaten at a better Mexican Restaurant, I could not tell you where or when. 20 out of 10 on the FOOD! Great food is an understatement. Micah our waitress was outstanding, polite, cheerful and on track with refills etc. Definitely recommended, what ever they are paying Micah and the chef are not enough. Great experience!
Chapala had great service. We ordered 10 different non vegetarian dishes and they were all great. We felt they were permutations and combinations of the same ingredients but i guess thats how authentic mexican food is. The restaurant has lovely ambience, very colorful.
10/10 recommend going here !!! I had the asada fries and they were really flavorful and the drinks were amazing and had great presentation !!! And the service was great, and food came out nice and hot. Definitely my new favorite place in Ann Arbor.
I want to like them. The food is great - the best Mexican in Ann Arbor - but they never follow any instructions or requests. Today, this lead to them literally ignoring the entirety of our order and giving me (a vegetarian) meat items.
Food was just ok by good atmosphere. The drinks were bad, didnt know you could mess up a margarita. Fajitas were ehh and my stomach hurt until noon the next day. Wait staff was inexperienced
Awesome experience here! They are definitely taking COVID seriously- masks, distanced tables, everything. Food and drink are BOMB. I am not a local, but when my family and I return we will definitely be visiting again. The owner is very generous and kind as well, gave us great recommendations and helped us out with a menu item we werent jazzed about. Check it out!
The food was amazing! Very attentive staff as well. Glad to of found this gem. We will be back!
Updated review:I got disappointed today by the service. I ordered a delivery through doorDash and once the delivery girl arrived to the restaurant they told her they don’t do doorDash anymore. The manager was rude to the poor girl.Update your service options so we don’t have to wait for a delivery that will not happen.Original review:Such a great restaurant very friendly staff, the food is delicious and the drinks tooEvery time I go to this place it brings gd vibes.
Where do I begin...this place changed my mind about restaurants in Ann Arbor. Being a student here for three years, I’ve gotten accustomed to overpriced restaurants claiming to be more authentic/organic/bougee than the rest at whatever they do, just to bump up the price more than what it should really be worth. I thought this restaurant was was just like the others. I saw the other reviews, however, and went in with an open mind, and BOIIII was I happily mistaken. The chips and salsa, amazing. The guac, house made and felt homemade, and the main dishes...don’t want to get too descriptive because it would be very inappropriate 😂, but it made me feel full and happy and tingly inside. The drinks were really great too, so hats off to the bartender. The staff was great and our waitress was very friendly and enthusiastic. The ambience was welcoming and felt like I was visiting a Mexican family party and the music made me want to get up and start dancing. As a Latino, I couldn’t be more proud of having a restaurant like this here. On top of that, not being able to go visit my family in Ecuador because of Rona, this place really made me feel much better and at home. I told my roommates I will be bringing them there as soon as they all get back for classes, before I even got my food. I hope the quality stays the same, because they seem to have a bright future ahead. Cheers!
Super cute place. Love the atmosphere. Bartender Jake was the absolute best! Very attentive. Really great drinks. Definitely recommend this place and sit at the bar for a super great experience!
Loved Agave when they were there, but WOW Chapala really stepped it up! The atmosphere and new aesthetic of the restaurant is very enjoyable. Will be returning soon!
**BEWARE** **AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!** **SCAMMERS**MUST READ:Went to order a veggie burrito ( no meat ) which is advertised on their website for 14 dollars. its costs me 16? hmmi call back to see if they can put the meat on the side and i am told they cannot do that???when i confronted them about the price i was told they will not honor it and i must pay 16 or cancel my order. they said theyre having trouble reaching the people responsible for the website so its not their fault. I was shocked.She smart alecly asked me if they should shut down their entire business until the website is accurate.THE WORST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OUT OF ANY ESTABLISHMENT IVE EVER DEALT WITH IN ANN ARBORWHEN I ASKED FOR A MANAGER I WAS LEFT ON HOLD FOR OVER 10 MINUTES UNTIL THEY HUNG UP. UNBELIEVABLE
Staff was incredibly rude in person and over the phone. Food was flavorless and nothing special. Hard to even call this Mexican food. Whole bag of takeout was dumped in the bag leaking through the bottom at time of pick up. We wont be going back.
Love this restaurant the food Is fresh and good drinks are amazing
Owner is a really cool guy. Bartenders, servers, and hostesses are amazing and super friendly. The fish tacos are by far my favorite thing on the menu.
I had the chorizo burrito and it was delicious and very filling. The peach margarita was very good as well, however it would be helpful to see a price on the drink menu.
A fun atmosphere with good quality food and drinks. Definitely recommend.
Wow! Where do I start? Thousand times better than the previous restaurant. Quality, authentic, value, service and atmosphere all in one. Much needed breath of fresh air in Ann Arbor. Not trying too hard, just authentic and amazing. 6/5
Dear Lord. I walked in HUNGRY and walked out fully and absolutely satiated and well, well pleased! The Baja Shrimp tacos battered in a paprika-tinted crispy (think: KFC) shell and were adorned with avacado spears and topped with cabbage, cilantro and a wonderful (aoili?) drizzle. HEAVENLY.The beans were creamy, rich and almost buttery. The rice was perfectly cooked with a rich red tint and were, frankly the best I:e had north of the border.Try the hot salsa: habañero and Lava. $20 for enough wonderful food to feed me TWICE!My hat is off to the kitchen staff, the propietor and all those who work to make this a SOLID restaurant choice for those who love eating on Main Street downtown Ann Arbor, but dont have the dough to flush down the commode for some ostentatious avante garde trash at the price of several hundred dollars.. GraciousJuan Zeta, youre the Man, Compadre
This place was amazing. Excellent food, margaritas, sangria,v and bar area. Staff super friendly. Our new go to for Mexican food.
Great atmosphere, great staff, great decor, and most importantly AMAZING FOOD!!! 🙌
Food was good, but they put all of our checks on one and refused to split.
California burritos are sacred & specific. They aren’t supposed to have beans, rice or lettuce!! They are made w carne asada, french fries, cheese, sour cream, guacamole & pico de gallo. The fries are meant to take the place of the carbs. And why are Ann Arbor’s Mexican restaurants obsessed w waffle fries? Just no.
The food was absolutely fantastic! This place is a hidden gem!
Chorizo burrito pretty good. HUGE though…enough for two. Will return for sure.
Food was amazing, fish tacos are highly recommended, margaritas had amazing flavor. We live out of town but we will be back, the service was on point
Restaurant is very beautiful. Great service. Food was spicy compared to other maxican restaurants. Not sure what was the red sauce.Overall nice experience. Will come back
Great service and tasty food. The ambience was nice too. We got mojitos and different dishes to try!
Fajitas were the best Ive had! Zucchini and squash was a perfect addition to the veggies. Drinks were beautiful and delicious! Already looking forward to going back!
Fantastic margaritas and fajitas. The staff was great, the atmosphere wonderful, and there no wait when we went. A new favorite
I do not rate but I thought this place deserved a review. AMAZING! From the vibe to the food and service. I have been in few times now and cant believe its like a new experience every time. Thank you CHAPALA! Keep it coming.
WORST PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! The customer service is TERRIBLE!!!!! They are extremely rude and disrespectful. Even the manager was rude and leered at the females at the table. Everything about this place was DISGUSTING! From the food to the service. DO NOT GO HERE!
Waited about an hour for the food, were not offered a discount. People came, ordered, and left in the time we waited.Finally got the food, most of the family could not eat it.Restaurant environment is loud, absolutely no attempt at social distancing.Save yourself the disappointment and go to Minys Mexican.
I really enjoyed this food 🤩
We went to this new restaurant for lunch on Sunday. We were so impressed! The place has great ambience & food. The staff was super friendly and provided quick service. Definitely recommend!
Food, wait staff, and atmosphere were awesome. Loved the Asada Fries, Cantarito, Pollo Mole Poblano, and Tacos de Birria.
Fun atmosphere, food was excellent and the drinks were too!
Nice restaurant, kind of struggling with flies, leaving the patio door open will do that. Food was delicious, drinks left something to be desired.
Love this place. Been here like 4x in the past few weeks. The food is so delicious. Definitely recommend the Pollo Jalisco or Carnitas.
Service was horrible.... bartender at the bar is awful...trying to get a drink here is like pulling teeth.. watch your bill.. they will throw on an automatic 20 percent.. I drink on Main Street frequently and never deal with that. Sad that the customers that are good are treated like they would not tip....
Beautiful presentation of the food. However the food was not as authentic as one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. Management seems to be on top of customer service . Might give this place another shot.
Always great service food and drinks
I’ve had a good time here before, but the second time we came, the server was extremely arrogant and the manager disrespected us. We ended up leaving. Very disappointing because I used to like that place.
Great drinks and food, and friendly staff. Despite long waits we got our table pretty quickly.I would come back here.
Fantastic! Service was fast and friendly, food was delicious, drinks yummy!! We will definitely be back!!
I got the chorizo burrito, and it was fantastic. Too much to eat for lunch. Not a bad price for downtown Ann Arbor.
Best food in the world I have been there over 100 time since they have open. We always start with the queso then the carne asada fries followed by whatever special burrito we can make.
Went to Chapela tonight, I got there and the server was like we closed at 9 I got there at 9:05 called and the manager answered earlier and said we close at 10 pm, we felt rushed, he threw the menus on our table and just rushed us through everything, definitely thought they had better service then this and if you say you close at a certain time then don’t lie and say you’re closing earlier just to get home.
Most new places dont have it together - but Chapata does! (Tios was having a bad day which led me here) & Im so glad!! I received great service, reasonable prices and very yummy guac! will DEF be back 👍🏼
Such a great addition to Ann Arbor dining: excellent food, fun atmosphere, and exceptional service. Highly recommended!
Check your order before you leave. They did not include an item and then would not refund the cost of the missing item when I called.
Fun atmosphere, great drinks and food!
This place is fun. Latin music, margaritas, salsa and chips to start. The food is good although not the best Mexican in AA.
Best tacos I have ever had. Love the mango tea also.
Absolutely awesome dining experience. Top notch food, great service, and great people. Love it.
Our meal was outstanding and the staff super friendly. Cant wait to come back and try More things!!!
Love this place! Plenty of vegetarian options. The drinks are delicious.
Great food and strong margaritas at discount prices before 6, will be going back.
We ate at the outside tables. Ordered seafood fajitas & they were wonderful.
Great little place with authentic food!
Loved the salsa served with great chips off the start. Cocktail was super. Entree was delish.
They poured me a drink and told me to kill myself. the restaurant had roaches, rats, spiders, ticks. a roach was crawling on the rim of my drink
Great food & yummy drinks!
Fajita burrito = AMAZING!
Food is great and they have excellent portions. The drinks are strong so be careful.
Nice experience. Good service.
Loved it truly authentic. Best tacos around cant wait to go back.
Heard the owner started this restaurant during covid. Place was booming! Good for owner for being an entrepreneur!!! Great food at very reasonable prices.
Very fast! Fried avocado
Great food, friendly staff. I would definitely go there again.
Visited this place during a short trip. Great food. The owner is a great guy.
Clean , friendly atmosphere, the food was descent and i especially enjoyed the tacos.
Very good. Food was affordable and delicious and the margaritas were fantastic.
I love chapala. it has such a good vibe and good food, the quesadilla is amazing. highly recommend
Big shout out to the manager. They had an issue with table notification last night and she sorted a table out in short order. Thank you again.
Vegetarian quesadilla is SO GOOD!! house margarita on rocks is SO GOOD!!!
Great service - they easily accommodated my diet restrictions and the food was wonderful!
Such a cute little restaurant & the food was amazing !
Good vegetarian options (and meat). Yummy drinks. Colorful interior
Wow... best Mexican plate Ive eaten since I got to Michigan state. Im at Texan
OMG! AMAZING! I could eat this every day. Everything on their menu and I mean everything is absolutely delicious. I would HIGHLY recommend.
Food was awesome! Service was spot on. Thanks for a great evening. Highly recommend.
Great Food & Service!! Super friendly staff, prices were very reasonable for the amount of food served!
Awesome food and drinks. Staff was invredibly friendly. Will be back again for sure.
Love this place! Food is amazing! Staff are really nice!
Had a very reasonably priced Taco dinner here! Popped in for supper and was not disappointed!
Exceptional service, the drinks are prepared delicious and are so beautiful, and the food is so authentic!!!!
Authentic and delicious Mexican food. Quick to bring out our meals.
Loved it on so many levels! The atmosphere, the drinks and delicious food!
Our first visit--excellent service and delicious tacos. Will certainly be returning!
Possibly the best Mexican food Ive had in Michigan since moving from Houston 3 years ago.
Legit af. Best Mexican food I’ve had in a while.
The food is great and the margaritas will mess you up!
Total reviews rating 4.4
199 Reviews for Chapala Mexican Restaurant 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-17Split some pretty great tacos Al Pastor. One taco plate was plenty for two people for lunch, so even though its relatively expensive its a huge portion.Our server was friendly and attentive, and the outdoor seating was great and easy to have our dog with us.
Review №2
2022-08-30I loved the food!!!! It did hit all the right notes for me, and the vibe is explicitly cute, played all the mexican hit songs but the sound could have been a little less, but i guess its their thing.. the bar has cool swings and the seating area is colourful. The waiters were very patient and were keen to serve to all the requests placed. The margarita is too beautiful to drink and tasted amazing, shrimp diablo is spicy and yumm , chicken nachos were the best ones i ever had and i think its their popular dish too and i see why, a must try!! A bit pricey but definitely worth the prices.
Review №3
2022-04-16This place is really good. Zero complaints! My kids loved their meals and said they were very filling. My birria tacos were out of this world. Our waitress was fantastic, but the whole staff pitched in and everyone was kind and armed happy to be there. Its a cool atmosphere with lots of options I highly recommend stopping in when youre looking for good Mexican food at a decent price.
Review №4
2022-05-21We stumbled upon this place by accident, but OMG what a great place! The atmosphere is super fun. The drinks and food are incredible.Ive been here twice now and Ive not been disappointed. Its a funky spot for food and drinks. Its on the smaller side, which is my preference.Ive only gotten the sopes and the tacos mexicanas, and a few cocktails, but I plan to try more things when I go back... which I will - a lot.The bar is fun with the swings; very cool and very different. The whole vibe of this place is great. I cant wait to go back.
Review №5
2022-04-10Amazing, authentic and fulfilling. What an experience. Went with the family after a tour of A2, and couldn’t have hoped for more. Service was fast and kind, ambiance was colorful and matched the vibe. I started witty the House Margarita on the rocks, and went for the Large; I kid you not, this cocktail is not for the faint of heart. Delicious and all the adults at the table had their share. Then my main dish was the Pollo Yucatán, and it was superb. Perfectly cooked veggies, chicken seasoned on point, rice, lettuce, guacamole and sour cream; oh yeah, warm tortillas. Can anyone really ask for more?? Needless to say, I will make this a regular stop on my visits to Ann Arbor.
Review №6
2022-03-29Food was EXCELLENT as always! They have a great menu selection for food and drinks. Their cocktail menu is awesome, I highly suggest the blueberry coconut mojito! The service is always great, definitely no complaints. One of my favorite Mexican restaurants around.
Review №7
2021-08-11Loved the steak fajita bowl and chicken tacos (loved the cilantro in place of lettuce and a fresh half jalapeño). Margarita was pretty good too - I ordered mango on the rocks and I swear it was just regular flavor/color but it was good, and strong. And a little pricey at $17 for the large.I guess happy hour is 4-6 ($6 for 16oz?) but we arrived at 6:30 :(. And taco Tuesday- $2.50 per taco for select tacos.Would’ve given 5 star but no AC (we were all sweating!) and music was too loud.
Review №8
2022-06-27Another first for me! Came with a friend on a Friday night. There was a 30 minute wait for a table, I actually had to come back to the host after we waited over 30 minutes and was able to get a table. We sat outside. We quickly realized that lots of undergrads go to this bar, which is fine but there was a group who was a little obnoxious. This made it hard for our server to be available to us. We did wait another 10 minutes just to see our server.We got drinks. The peach margarita was very good and my friend enjoyed her sangria. We got complimentary chips and salsa. We added queso, which was a little runny but still good. Our entrees came out pretty quickly. My friend got the chicken flauntas which she enjoyed and I for the Baja shrimp tacos which were delicious! I like how the rice and refried beans came with everything. We were starving when I arrived and we were very fully and satisfied when we left. Which is why this review is getting 4 stars and not 3. I will definitely be returning again, probably at a time when there are less students!
Review №9
2022-03-13Up beat, colorful atmosphere. Quick, kind service. Delicious food. Favorite Mexican place Ive been too
Review №10
2022-09-05Every single dish we ordered was absolutely delicious and the staff was quite friendly. I had the steak burrito grande and simply cant praise it enough. The sauces and the meat and the rice and beans all blended together in a wonderful combination that would made me scarf it down so quickly that it didnt seem like my plate had food on it to begin with. The cocktails were spot on, and the tres leches cake was unlike any tres leches Ive ever had before with notes of cinanmon and carrot in a way that exploded in my mouth. Oh and how could I forget that the salsa had a fresh cilantro flavor and just the right amount of bite. Its clear they make everything in house and I cant wait until the next time I come back to try more items on the menu!