Taqueria Juquilita — Restaurant in Chehalis

Came here on April 5 2023. Hands down the worst I've ever been ripped off at a restaurant. Extremely expensive, tiny portions, bad service, even worse management. Went here on a weeknight around 8PM. Ordered the Oaxacan Mole for $20. The menu described it as "Boneless" in large font and depicted a plate filled with mole-smothered chicken. They brought me 2 skinny drumsticks, 3 cord tortillas and about half a cup each of rice and beans. Bone-in of course. Three ounces of chicken for $20? That's INSANE. That's 20 cents worth of chicken and maybe another 10 cents of rice and beans. Most Mexican places load you up on the cheap sides, and offer free chips and salsa but this place was stingy even with the rice and beans and charged us $4 for small basket of chips. I pointed out that the bone-in chicken mole was not what I ordered, that it was not boneless, in fact by weight it was at least half bones, and not anything like the picture. He gave some lame excuse I'm sure he gives 10 times a day about trying to get the "photographer" to portray the picture with bones but they didn't come through. People have hang-ups about bones and I think it's impossible that they don't get called out for this regularly so it came off as very disingenuous. Instead of offering to bring me what was described on the menu he tried to smooth it over by offering me a few more tortillas. Like, what am I going to do with more tortillas? There's not even enough food to fill the 3 I was given halfway. I was starving and by this time everything else was closing soon so I ate it but in other circumstances I would have left it on the table and walked out. When they brought the tab, they'd discounted it $3 for the "mistake". I considered it a futile gesture. I felt like I'd been mugged and the mugger had handed back a few bucks of my money as if that would make me think he was a nice guy. $17 for 3 oz of chicken is still highway robbery, and that's just the portion size, never mind the food not being anything like what was described on the menu. I might have been willing to pay, say $5 for this amount of food? IF it was actually what the menu described? Lastly, the mole was way too sweet. I understand the Oaxacans have a sweet tooth, but this mole was sweeter than a milkshake. Candied chicken basically. Maybe that's how they do it in Oaxaca, but it was way too sweet for me. I could have looked past that, but for many other reasons it was the worst dining experience I've had in years and by far the worst I've ever been ripped off by a restaurant in my entire life. In summary, bad management, dishonest menu representation, bad attitudes toward correcting their mistakes, bad service, bad food,...

Very friendly staff... I read a few negative comments and after eating the food, I believe that if you're looking for "Americanized" Mexican food (like cheddar and Jack cheese, a little more salt and sugar), you may be disappointed. We found the food different from many Mexican restaurants we have been to, but the flavors were incredible! The mole was my favorite as other moles I have had have been way too sweet. The red salsa has some chili flavors I couldn't identify but loved. It is a bit spicy. The salsa Verde was a tad runny for me but the rest of my party thought it was excellent. The Pico de Gallo was so fresh, I wouldn't be surprised if they made it after I ordered it. We also had quesadillas. Unlike other places that will put in everything but the kitchen sink, these were simple, with chicken, lettuce, and "Mexican cheese" (cotija?) which is creamier and more mild than the more popular cheeses most places use. We chose the homemade tortillas, and although I did put salsa (and a little mole) in my quesadilla, I would definitely order these again... but I'm already planning to have either enchiladas or street tacos next time!

This place is definitely worth visiting again! (Especially if you are not looking for "the same...

5/5 Stars

"I've been searching for an authentic Mexican dining experience, and I'm thrilled to have found this gem! The restaurant's commitment to traditional flavors and techniques shines through in every dish. The carne asada burrito, was cooked to perfection, with a tender, smoky flavor that's simply irresistible. The homemade salsa is delicious.

The service is exceptional – our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made excellent recommendations. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with vibrant colors and lively music that adds to the festive ambiance.

I've been particularly impressed by the restaurant's attention to detail, from the handmade tortillas to the thoughtful presentation of each dish. Whether you're in the mood for classic enchiladas, chiles rellenos, or something more adventurous, this restaurant is sure to please.

The prices are reasonable, especially considering the generous portions and high-quality ingredients. I've already recommended this spot to friends and family, and I'm confident you'll love it just as much as I do. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience truly authentic Mexican cuisine – visit this...