Casa Chapala

This was our first time and here and we were pleasantly surprised! We pass this place all the time and we finally stopped after a recommendation from a friend. The food was good, definitely not out of this world but very solid and quality with good portion sizes. Our server Bayron was exceptional and made our experience here amazing. He was funny and gave us recommendations for the food when we were on the fence. Very prompt and good with the refills on drinks and chips.Will definitely be back!

Chapala is a dual restaurant and catering group. They operate their restaurant like a flashy colorful Tex-Mex style cantina where you'll feel like you're visiting San Antonio. A great touch about eating at the restaurant is the table salsa is semi prepared in front of you. You can select how spicy you'd like it and they'll mix it together in front of you. Food wise, it's not bad. The beans are very good for being vegetarian. A waitress confirmed that there is no meat used to create the black beans, and also none in the refried beans. The pastor tacos (see my photo) definitely didn't taste like pastor. Or really anything. They kind of taste like...achote meat. Same thing with the green enchiladas. Nothing was particularly memorable, but I can't say anything was bad. Go at lunch of for the lunch specials, and drive in from the south for an easier time getting into their parking lot. I'd return and try something else.

I passed this place around 11pm and it was truly jumpin!! I love the atmosphere even at 5pm!! The food is amazing! A go to anytime im in the area.

Nice spot, loved the huge outdoor area. The drinks are pretty good and big size. The service was great and the food was hot and made fresh. My only issue was the price, the plates seemed very overpriced for what you received. For that I won’t be returning often, but worth a try for sure.

Came to Casa Chapala and had the best experience! Our server Martha was the sweetest lady ever—so kind, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect the whole time. The food was amazing and the drinks were great too. Definitely recommend coming here for the food, drinks, and outstanding service. Thank you Martha!

Celebrated a birthday on the patio with a DJ, which made the atmosphere fun and lively. I had the enchiladas, they were okay. Service was a bit hard to get since we had to look around to get a server’s attention. Overall, a decent spot for a celebration

Great service during lunch! Table side made salsa is always a winner - we need to try the table side made guacamole next time. Food came out quicker than expected and was piping hot. Beef enchiladas covered with queso ;) and my date had the beef tacos. Delicious - We will be back !

Omg you guys don’t know how amazing their salsa is. I promise you hands down the best I have tasted. You know how sometimes the salsa can be too spicy you gotta take a break. Well I can’t stop.😍 phenomenal. Down to the burritos to the beans and guacamole ughh yesssss. And do not get started on their rice yummmmm. Coming here every chance. And their menu is not like other restaurants okay, I’m telling y’all come here now.😫 p.s definitely order the mango or coconut frozen bombbbb. Update to the review these guys came by with a harp and a violin and OMG the sounds they were playing through those instruments are amazing literally, I cannot wait to come back.

Updating this review upon our 2nd visit. We tried some different dishes this time - enchiladas. We also got the queso (not the flaming kind) and it was very good!! Salsa was also very good. We kept it simple with enchiladas for lunch. It was a good portion (I couldn't eat all of mine). Pretty standard. We did have a mixup with my entree, but our waitress fixed it as soon as she saw. She did get pretty busy for a while so it took quite a bit of time for her to see, but everything was fixed once she did. We sat in a booth on the opposite side as the patio & had no issue. However, even at lunch they have some musicians who come over to your table & offer to serenade you for tips. We politely declined, but just know that does happen. Overall glad we tried again. Not our favorite place in ATX for Mexican food (& isn't a part of town we are in often), so 50/50 on if we'll be back..

I've been a loyal customer of Casa Chapala for nine years -- I even wrote a positive review back then because I truly enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and friendly service. Unfortunately, my most recent visit left me very disappointed. I was charged for a refill of chips and salsa without being informed, something that has never happened before in all my years dining here. I was just here last week and wasn't charged, so this felt inconsistent and confusing. When I asked about it, the manager simply said, "that's how it is supposed to be," which was frustrating since there was no transparency or explanation ahead of time. I've always supported this place and brought friends and family here, but I left feeling unappreciated and even a little targeted. I hope Casa Chapala can be clearer with their policies and treat long-time customers with the same respect and consistency they've always shown in the past.

Chapala is a dual restaurant and catering group. They operate their restaurant like a flashy colorful Tex-Mex style cantina where you'll feel like you're visiting San Antonio. A great touch about eating at the restaurant is the table salsa is semi prepared in front of you. You can select how spicy you'd like it and they'll mix it together in front of you. Food wise, it's not bad. The beans are very good for being vegetarian. A waitress confirmed that there is no meat used to create the black beans, and also none in the refried beans. The pastor tacos (see my photo) definitely didn't taste like pastor. Or really anything. They kind of taste like...achote meat. Same thing with the green enchiladas. Nothing was particularly memorable, but I can't say anything was bad. Go at lunch of for the lunch specials, and drive in from the south for an easier time getting into their parking lot. I'd return and try something else.

What a wonderful Mexican restaurant in Austin! Came here with a very large party for my friend's birthday and they were able to accommodate us especially since we were all coming from different directions and some were late. Our server was patient and had a lot of help with our large party. Food was really good. Drinks were even better! Love the bang for your buck at this place. When I go back to Austin we will definitely be eating here again.

This was our first visit to Casa Chapala and it was amazingly authentic Mexican food. From the margarita to the fajitas it was all spot on for flavor and taste. I even loved their salsa that perfectly paired with the chips. The service was great and the ambiance was perfectly festive.

hey guys my name is Pedro and I would like to recommend you guys to try this place out. try the mar y Tierra plate and shrimp tacos but more than anything try there tequila awesome people specially the bartender David cool and respectful you guys should meet the owner of this place Seńor Lupe Mr Tequila Man, fun place to dine in people

Cool temp for the hot weather, clean, friendly My bartender madeleine was the best! give this girl a raise. the chips with beans and salsa are delicious and i'm glad i came!

Got to try their Chicken quesadilla and chips and guac at an event -- really tasty! I would definitely have them cater an event and I want to go try a brick and mortar location. Delicious and fresh guac, especially for a hot day with a long catering window! They know how to serve food at a party.

The service from Mario was amazing, always checking in to make sure we're good. Not to mention how fast the service was as well. I never was left waiting for a drink or my food.

I ordered the chicken fajitas for one to go from Casa Chapala and it was SO good. The portion size was huge. It was enough for at least two meals for me. It was also definitely a good amount of food for the price. It came with rice, beans, and a separate container filled with toppings like cheese, sour cream, pico, and lettuce. It also came with three tortillas which were super tasty. I wish they gave me a couple more because they were super good and fresh. The staff was really friendly and helpful. The restaurant itself was spacious with tons of seating. I want to come back and try more of their menu items.

The best salsa I've ever had--truly authentic and bursting with flavor! You can taste the fire-roasted tomatoes and smoked red chilies in every bite. The vibrant disco-party ambiance, warm service, and even an in-house photographer (who captures fantastic memories) make this place unforgettable. We'll definitely be back soon!

I was just here for a private event. The venue is clean and I was warmly greeted when I arrived--though I was only pointed in the general direction of the event location. The main restaurant had music which was cool. I enjoyed steak and chicken tacos, both of which were great. The guacamole and salsa were very tasty. Servers were very helpful if not especially motivated. If I were in the area near The Domain, I might return. There are also many other great options in the area.

What a fun night! This was our first time at Casa Chapala--and definitely not our last. The fajitas and queso flameado hit the spot, but what really made the evening was the service. Victor took great care of us, and Helen from Lucky Stash tequila added such a cool vibe to the whole experience. Big cheers to the Casa Chapala crew--y'all crushed it!

Came here for cinco de mayo! The place was a total vibe- authentic Mexican restaurant I've been to both locations (Austin and Bastrop) my friends and I had a great time Prefer the Austin location, patio was cool I ordered the fajita taco salad WITHOUT meat and the rest of the table ordered meat entrees I was very specific about no meat- and I found two pieces of steak and one piece of chicken in my bowl... The rest of the bowl was mainly onions and rice and it was bland.. The drinks were great (strong) and the atmosphere was awesome but the server was a bit over whelmed and service was slow- took 10/15 mins per drink and the food took about 30 mins. I told the manager about the issue-not like the server could have done anything- I would have to wait another 30 mins for a redo and I was starving so I just ate around the meat.. the manager was apologetic but didn't seem concerned. Upset that they aren't more careful with cross contamination- if this had been a food allergy I could have ended up the hospital - I wish more places took this seriously- I have been vegetarian for 10+ years and this happens way more than you think. This could have been our go to Mexican spot but they kind of ruined it for me with not being careful and not having any concern for it. Do better

Overpriced, Underwhelming, and Abysmal Service I wish I could say my recent visit to Casa Chapala was just a bad night, but after speaking with another regular customer who shared similar frustrations, it's clear this place has systemic issues. From the moment we walked in, the lack of ambiance was obvious-- the decor looks like leftovers from a 2005 quinceañera--dusty piñatas, faded papel picado, and party supplies that should've been retired a decade ago. The whole place feels like a sad, forgotten banquet hall, with zero effort put into upkeep or atmosphere. The service was, frankly, insulting. The all-male front-of-house team (waiter, manager, and host) spent most of the evening clustered at the front chatting, completely disengaged from diners. Getting their attention was like waving down a taxi in a rainstorm--nearly impossible. The women on staff (who actually seemed to care) noticed our struggles and stepped in, but they shouldn't have had to compensate for their coworkers' negligence. To add insult to injury, we ordered food our waiter explicitly said was on happy hour, only to be charged full price. When we pointed this out, the manager couldn't even be bothered to come speak with us--no apology, no correction, just indifference. Another diner mentioned he's had similar experiences but keeps returning *only* because of the location. That's not loyalty; that's resignation. The food? Fine, but wildly overpriced for what you get. Combine that with the abysmal service and complete lack of ambiance, and there's zero justification for the cost. Save your money and go somewhere that actually values its customers.

Hands down best tequila selection in austin Every visit i find another reason to love this place. Owner active in community, always ready to give back!

Buena atencion la comida exelente muy sabroso todo laos meseros muy buena onda me encnto toso

My second time eating here. The food i'd say is ok. More of Tex Mex than authentic Mexican. Yes I know I was in Texas. Haha. Service is ok. The place was clean.

Gracias franco por el servicio muy increíble! Mi familia y yo nos la pasamos bien! La comida estaba súper buena! Festejando el cumpleaños de mi tía! :)

great service by Sebastian. good food. Had a great Friday evening in this place. Allowed substitutions without any issues

Had never heard of this place but went here with a coworker recently. We got watermelon margarita which were totally delicious. The salsa was also very good. We ordered queso which came with a literal fire ontop. It was tasty but turned too thick and we couldn't eat with the chips breaking. I ordered a quesadilla which was average. I had a cucumber cocktail which wasn't good at all, but I didn't return it. I actually was not shown my bill and was a bit surprised at the cost, and now that I read other reviews I'm wondering if there was an extra fee or tipped slipped in.

We use to frequent this place but lately we have decided to rethink considering the last few times have been less than satisfactory. The last time I was there, I ordered a steak burrito which was over $24 and barely had any steak in it and was small. (Picture added), unfortunately this has been an ongoing issue. Although the service is always great, the food quantity, quality, and pricing has not been, which is why we must knock this review down.

Stopped by to have some drinks and appetizer and out of no where the owner comes to our table and offers us a shot (I thought wow that's nice) but when the bill came by I was charged 42$ for a shot I understood as a sample !!! My friends paid but said they would never go back for overpriced enchiladas. Also look in between the booths ( rat poop)

I have lived in Austin forever and can't believe I had never been to this little gem of a place before! The interior is bright and authentic, the menu is extensive and affordable, the chips were fresh and crunchy and came with a side of refried beans (which were yummy), and the table side hand mixed custom hot sauce and guacamole were really a "WOW"! I went with the ceviche tostada for my entree and it was absolute perfection! My server Legma was outstanding and truly a delight! I will be back again very soon and bring my friends along next time for margaritas!

Dishonest and deceitful business practices. I joined a meetup event, the billed price didn't match the menu price. When I asked the waitress she wanted to argue with me. Then she brought someone else to argue about it. All this over a small discrepancy, wasted ten minutes trying to get them to correct it. The food is not good, atmosphere is mediocre, take your business elsewhere.

Had the best time last night--delicious food and drinks, mariachi band, fun and relaxed vibe. Not too noisy and no rush to leave the table. My husband had the mole and it was so so so good. Both times I've had a veggie option and it was great. Won't go back to Manuel's again.

Go see victor, happy hour at 3pm is UNMATCHED. I've been to 80% of happy hours in town. This one is elite.

It's Mexican food! Tacos and guacamole the only requirement I need for a decent Mexican place.

We had an office gathering here and the food did not disappoint. There was plenty of food -- we each had to go boxes, all was savory, flavorful and delicious. The service was helpful, attentive and courteous. The corn tortillas were the star for me. They were homemade and made all the difference. It is a comfortable, light environment and great for small gatherings.

I went here during organizational meeting. The staff doesn't judge you. This establishment serves traditional Mexican cuisine, yet it offers a few Vegetarian options. Furthermore, they can convert these Vegetarian options to Vegan options, upon request. What more can you ask? 4 stars!

ok so....this is my 3rd time here. First two times were yumm. It's always very overstimulating lol and the DJ has wild music selection (from 2010s to 80s like crazy mash ups hahah). The staff always seems kind of in a hurry but always kind and helpful. Today we got the following: Oysters: these were the craziest tasting oysters ever, I would probably not get again. Extremely plump and weird texture! Someone who likes larger oysters might prefer this, but not the freshest/coldest I've had Frozen marg: yummmmy Spinach enchiladas: beans were lackluster, seemed to be swimming an ambiguous liquid soup, sour taste. Enchiladas were good. Rice was fine had random peas in it but would've preferred yellow rice Chips/salsa: great! They randomly Brought refried beans out as a dip and they tasted old lol Not sure if I'd come back, but definitely taking a break from this spot

Food is good and the lunch buffet is great but the added surcharge on credit or debt card transactions that is not advertised anywhere in the restaurant and no one tells you about is ridiculous. I just so happened to be told by a waiter and yet I find out it's been happening for 3 years!!! We've eaten there several times and were never told about it. That to me is sneaky business and I don't condone it. For a business to withhold information lije thar from customers is shady. What else are they not telling customers? They charge per salt granule when you use the salt shaker? If I go again, a really big if, I'm taking cash and checking the ticket closely before paying. I've seen other establishments charging this surcharge but posting about it before entry. This gave us the option to dine there or go somewhere else since we didn't have cash. Don't be shady!

Lupe runs a fantastic business with delicious food and festive atmosphere. Thank you, Sebastian, for your excellent service!

Just wanted to add on previous review, since this time we ate at the restaurant. All I can say is wow! Tucked away in a strip of restaurants on 183 access road, I wasn't expecting much inside, but it was fabulous. Noticed a lot of Senior citizens inside which I'll get to later. It was taco Tuesday, and our fantastic server, Roberto, offered some recommendations which were very tasty. They make their own corn tortillas. We sat next to that area and watched as they made them fresh. The tortillas were so warm, fresh and fluffy, we thought they accidentally gave us flour, they were that good. Roberto was a great server and helped recommend the right ingredients for my wife's queso flamado. I cannot remember all the tacos, but you can see the pics. The margaritas were good and they don't skimp. You can tell since everyone and their brother there were having one, even the grandparents. For those who work or live close to here definitely recommend trying lunch. They have a full buffet, and decent discounted priced lunch menu. One very classy thing I noticed is that they offer the lunch menu to Seniors all day, and why many of them were there for dinner. That is such a cool thing for the owner to do, and you can tell how much they appreciated it by how packed the place was. It was loud, full of conversations by all laughing and enjoying great Mexican food and conversation. Felt like I was back in Mexico at a fantastic fiesta.

Food is good but the drinks are definitely worth coming to drink. The ambiance of the place is awesome very Mexican authentic decor. We had Rubi as our waitress and she was great, very attentive and great service. The prices are kind of high though for the amount of food you get. Portions are average and they don't even serve tortillas with the plates. I do love the salsa made to taste preference and they will even make you 2 different heat levels if you ask. I tried an avocado Margarita which didn't sound appealing but my niece urged me to try it. It was delicious! The lime that I squeezed in it added just a little more zest. I love that they do to go drinks! Stop in and try it especially during happy hour

My son and I accidentally drove into the plaza. That's at the corner of Burnett Road and Research Boulevard and we were starving. Upon entering the doors, we were overly impressed by the Amazing atmosphere including the delicious aroma of homemade delicious authentic cuisine. We were greeted with great hospitality and had an exceptional experience which included prepared before our eyes salsa to our heat level. WOW amazing, we are coming back soon with the entire family!

Had my mom and kiddo out on a shopping adventure. Ikea and attempted school clothes. Famished we stopped in at this Casa Chapala on a friends glowing recommendation. Never seen salsa prepared to your spice level tableside! Order placed for steak and chicken fajitas for two ($40). OK folks, we're talking near Pappasito's money now which I consider the most epic fajitas to be had. If you're not in the know skin on chicken breast and medium rare perfectly cooked and seasoned steak. You know, Casa Chapala was closer than I thought they would be. The dinner for two fed two adults and an almost adult easily with some leftovers taken home. The beef was flavorful but could have been cooked less. Chicken was fine but became tougher as we ate. Solid accoutrements in the form of guacamole, pico, cheese, and sour cream. Requisite beans and rice too. BUT, the love affair was over quickly. I had to beg for drink refills; waitress with the name tag Banda (check said Maria B) seemed to enjoy ignoring my mom. She came to take our plates and ran away before we could even order dessert. Once she finally came back around we ordered fried ice cream. Menu said choice of chocolate or strawberry topping. We requested chocolate. She argued it comes with vanilla ice cream; we explained the menu description. She says they only have vanilla ice cream. Low and behold how does it come out? Chocolate fried ice cream. We grabbed what I hoped was a manager type person as our server is absent again....sent it back. Next offering the ice cream was correct buy it didn't spend enough time in the fryer. The advertised cornflake crust was the same color as the cereal in the box and was 100 percent terrible. From almost stellar to never going back ever in about 1.5 hours.

Gracias por el exelente servicio muy amables Aldersi nos Brindo todo lo necesario la comida muy rica

Went to Casa Chapala to get some Mexican on a Sunday. The restaurant was packed with families and screaming babies so be ready for that. Our waitress was very nice and she was great. The chips and salsa that came out complimentary for the table was a great starting point. I had a skirt steak for lunch and it was just alright. It could've used more flavor and It was super thin. A marinade or a good chimichurri would've gone a long way I think. The price you pay is great for how much food you get don't get me wrong, but we weren't really wow'ed at any point throughout the meal.

Austin on a Friday night.....Ooouuuwee let me tell y'all ALL DA RESTAURANTS ARE JAM PACKED! The bright side is that the wait time is minimal, 10-15 at best. We pulled up to a party happening inside this joint. One side is a restaurant while the other is a nightclub. It was definitely that place to be. We were added to the wait list & 10 minutes later, we received a text that our table was ready. We were seated by two large parties(a group of 25 ppl and the other 7 ppl) that were extremely LOUD!!! It was annoying, to say the least, but eventually, they all left while our table was beginning to eat. Various dishes were ordered.... Two beef tacos with beans and rice combo Chicken quesadilla Two beef enchiladas with beans Chicken fajitas with beans and rice Complimentary chips and salsa Everyone enjoyed their meals. My only complaint was that the ground beef for the tacos had a spicy kick to it. Making it unpleasant to my taste buds as I don't care for spicy food. Our waitress Diana was so sweet and polite. We could tell she was tried, so we gave her a generous tip. Ivie's bday pick

Sooo amazing! This experience is great I love the attention that the waiters give to us! They never had me asking for anything literally always attentive! Food is great very savory! I love that they make everything from scratch and the ambience is great I love it so much and recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Austin!

So first view it's in a shopping center didn't think much of the restaurant until we got in front and noticed how big the restaurant is it's huge inside it has different sitting sections with DJs and mariachi so this is the place to be at night so many people coming and going! So the salsa lady comes and ask you how hot you want your salsa which I thought was pretty cool! Tortilla chips were really good! The queso flameado was really good with homemade tortillas de harina!! Everything, We Had Was Really Really Good! Tacos de alambre , enchiladas, camarones envueltos! We're so so good I highly recommend those plates! But my favorite was cochinita Pibil 10/10- I have had that plate in a few spots already and I'm always disappointed. I have to say this is the best I have tasted here in Texas.! Food was amazing. Service was perfect and the best part was the beer was super cold. I loved it and the total atmosphere was amazing DJ and mariachi no wonder this is a place to be on the weekend.!!!

This was one of our favorite restaurants when they were off Anderson and we have enjoyed our visits to the restaurant's current location. However we ordered a meal using doordash. I specifically asked for the yellow cheese on my blackbean nachos compuestos and no onions. I got no cheese and green onions along with a tablespoon or less of the rest of the toppings-chopped tomatoes, guacamole, sourcream. Jalapenos were fresh sliced instead of pickled. I was disappointed with my meal which I had to doctor up to make them nachos.

Really fun vibe at this place! Beautiful people front of house, live music, huge amounts of food. The food is totally edible. I always get stomach aches after but then I forget and say, "let's go to that fun Mexican spot again!"

Great classic Tex mex, fun atmosphere and excellent service. Loved the big patio and live music on the weekends!

For a fan of Mexican food, this is your place to satisfy your taste buds. My favourite part is their weekend buffets, they have so many options and it all tastes good. Service is good, walk ins allowed, and their house margs are HUGE haha.

The restaurant had a really nice vibe. I arrived a bit late one evening, so it wasn't crowded. We chose to sit outside, and the waiter was quick to take our order, although the food took a bit longer to arrive. The drinks were strong, and the food was decent--it leans more towards Tex-Mex. I appreciated the option to choose the heat level for the salsa, especially since they prepared it right in front of us.

We were really excited to try this place out. Custom made salsa? Mariachis? Patio? Let's go! We dined here on a Friday night, so it was busy. When we walked in the front door, the mariachis were playing and it seemed to be too loud inside, so we opted for the patio. Hoo boy, the DJ game was strong out there, like too strong. Am I at a college bar? It was obscenely loud. Onto the food, we ordered Cordero (lamb) and the seasoning was absent. That was a shame. The other plate was a pineapple halved with mixed seafood inside and cheese on top. It was served cold and sent back to the kitchen. It came back cold. Sadly, we'd pass on this place for a future meal. Positives? We ate at the bar and the service was terrific. Look, if you are ok with loud noise, cold and unseasonably food with great service, then this is your joint.

I don't like doing this and I disagree with other reviewers that do it. But... I'm doing it. Great food. Great drinks. Suck service. I believe that if the food is great then you should not give one star. Yet in this case, these people need a lesson in class and respect for the customer. And it's not cool when the staff is whispering and pointing at your table all day for which what appears to be because we are a mixed race family. Regardless of there reasoning, we will never return to this place. Slow service and suck attitude from the female manager.