La Botana Tex Mex Restaurant — Restaurant in Chamblee

To know if you're getting good Tex-Mex or Latin food, look around the room, if the only ethnicity is white people, like Karen's and Ken's as far as the eye can see, then this will be a bland affair. Which it was. I like real Tex-Mex with heat and Colby Jack, not white boring cotija that's more like Velveeta than the great crumbly cheese in Mexico. Also, between this restaurant & El Azteca, they wouldn't know a chile releno if it smacked them in the face. And what's the deal with SE "Mexican Restaurants" burying a beautiful shredded meat tamale in gross ground beef? Also, ever heard of a Green Chile tamale? Yum, but missed opportunity for vegetarians here. I've eaten a lot of Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Baja style Mexican and the Southeastern states butcher the food. Don't get me started on the chips here, they're not freshly fried restaurant style, they're like eating sheet rock. May I also point out that the refried beans on my "chalupa" aka a glorified tostada were dryer than the Mojave desert and the corn tortilla was overcooked, yet soggy & cold which is an accomplishment in of itself. I asked for jalapenos in my white cheese dip and it still lacked any heat. I would've asked for some Cholula, but this place is so small, I don't think they store any condiments anywhere because the tables don't even have salt or pepper shakers. The al carbon lacked flavor as well, it should have been oozing marinade that should've made it tender without needing to bury it further in line juice. You get what you pay for here, it's not expensive, but it's not great either. I think this place needs to stick to simple dishes to make them great and flavorful while removing items that should never leave the kitchens around here. Street tacos, regular Tex-Mex tacos, and Baja tacos are a staple, then add on things like tostadas and make a vegetarian, chicken, or beef variation and get rid of the names chalupa and tosta-guac. Give options of refried, pinto, or black beans.

Good luck Georgia and Florida you have a long way to go on inexpensive, easy, and...

I'm really surprised that I didn't write a review about this place sooner but you know they say good things come to those who wait. I have been coming to this restaurant for a couple of years. An old friend of mine took me here and I've been hooked from the first bite. First let me start by saying the prices here are very reasonable. You can get a pitcher of Texas margarita for like $18 frozen or on the rocks. A friend and I shared one the other night and it definitely took me to a good place. I believe a glass of regular margarita is like $4.25. I'm never disappointed by the drinks I receive at this establishment. One of my favorite things to order is their soft shell chicken tacos. They're considered a side item and at $1.50 a piece they are quite a steal! They never skimp on the cheese or the chicken so when I order 2 or 3, they usually fill me up. I also LOVE the Cancun salad they offer. I get mine with no mushrooms or cucumbers and extra green olives (in case you want to order me one). The shrimp and onions on there are so flavorful that I never even need dressing on it. I just let the salad do what it does on its own. The chips and salsa here are great, especially if you like spicy. I always have to continually get my salsa bowl refilled and it tastes really good when you pour some on the chicken tacos. My coworkers and I order food to go from here all the time and they almost always get our orders right. They are typically really quick. When we call in an order, it's ready in 15 minutes even with all of the add-ons and specifications they make (you know how WE do lol). This is definitely one of my favorite Mexican restaurants! I bring friends here as often as possible. Sometimes it's a little tough to find parking but once you do,...

I will begin with the positive. The staff are friendly, and the service was quick. The food I ordered had a good presentation, and was served hot. I ordered the Pollo La Botana. It was delicious. The chips and salsa were really good, too.

What I did not like however, was that the music was exceedingly loud, which caused everyone to have to practically yell, rather than speak normally to someone seated directly across from them. That was extremely annoying, and, quite frankly, it ruined my dining experience. Especially because there was a couple sitting behind me, and having to sit there, for my entire visit, with this couple practically screaming their conversation at each other. I could not enjoy my meal. I love music playing during dining, but not so loud that it causes guests to need to yell their conversation at each other just to be heard.

One other thing that I did not care for was the atmosphere. It was not inviting or comfortable.

I would definitely return for the delicious food, but I would order my food for take out, unless they lowered the music to a normal level to where no one is shouting to each other.

Please go and experience it for yourself. The Pollo La Botana...