El Chaparro Tex-Mex Cantina — Restaurant in Covington

Found this place when I was traveling home from Chattanooga after attending the last of the festivities for my nephew's wedding which was a Sunday brunch. I was about 8 hours into what should have been a 6 hour trip in total due to wrecks on I-24 and I-75 and rerouting over and through the mountains plus Atlanta traffic. When I realized it was Sunday and everything to eat was closing soon, I decided to get off in Covington and take my chances on finding something. I'm sure glad that I did cause this is definitely a hidden gem. I love Mexican food of all types. I saw it was still open and asked some locals that were in the strip mall parking lot if the place was any good and they said they were heading in to eat so I figured why not try it. This was the best thing that happened to me since leaving the brunch which was the last time I'd had food so I was hungry. It was close to closing time but no problem they said and immediately sat me at a table. My waitress was very nice and was able to answer any questions I had. Remember I love Mexican food and had no idea what I wanted since there was so much to choose from. I asked if I could order ala carte since no combination had exactly all I wanted to try-- no problem at all. I ordered maybe 5 or 6 things this way. I didn't have anything that didn't taste great and I do mean great (I'm very picky by the way). I ate half of everything and took the other half home with me even though I still had a three and a half hour trip left before getting home and it was just as good when I ate the leftovers the next night. This will absolutely be a stopping place for food from now on when traveling past it. The staff was wonderful and never rushed me even though it was after closing. They let me stay to finish my meal. They just cleaned around me so I know that they really clean the place well. I never rate anywhere 5 stars unless it's somewhere outstanding and El Chaparro Tex-Mex Cantina definitely was in my book. Thank you to the staff that was so courteous and accommodating to me late on a Sunday night.This road weary traveler truly appreciated it. I will be back for sure. Keep up...

This was my last time visiting this establishment. When you attempt to call to place a to-go order, they have consistently over the past 6 months either not answered the phone, put you on hold and never come back, or answer them hang up. I've complained to the manager before and she at least apologized and gave me a free cheese dip. This time when I complained, I explained that I don't want free cheese dip, I would like for them to address their customer service issue (although he didn't offer an apology, an adjustment on the bill, cheese dip, NOTHING!). Instead, he chose to complain about the people who come near closing time and want service, which was NOT my case (I tried calling well before closing time)! I asked how does any of that apply to me calling in the middle of the afternoon or earlier in the evening, NOT at closing time. Eventually with an attitude he decides to ask what I want [to eat] smh. ... So my food comes and I inquire about my total. He offers to not charge me but I insist on paying for it because I reiterated that I wasn't looking for free food, and that customer service is important and they should value where customers choose to spent their money. I point out to him the fact that he never acknowledged that there is a problem or state that he would even address it, offer an apology, or anything else. He finally takes my payment and says he will talk to someone about the...

My finance took me this Valentine's Day for dinner. We had to wait for someone to seat us and then it was sit us down and then nothing. They were not that busy, and the servers and staff just kept walking by. Then none of the staff members came and brought us chips and dip, then left. Well so far no menus no servers, nothing. Finally we were given menus, no sorry you had to wait, nothing. Then finally a server came to our table his name on the receipt was Pruebas #9 he just asked " Something to drink?" We did order our drinks, and it took forever just to get them. Then he took our order and we waited about 20 minutes for it. Then we saw him no more for the rest of our visit. we had to get someone else to get our bill for us to pay. We had to go to the cashier to pay for it, not at the table as usual. At the register the cashier asked how everything was, I explained in short terms that the food was excellent , but our server was poor and we felt like it could have been better. there was not reaction from the cashier, just how much our bill was and no thank you, come again, nothing. I will say the cooks made the food excellent, no complains from that, but if the service is going to continue like this, I will go to...