Casa Chapala's Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Crystal Lake

Ordered seamlessly through Uber Eats for pickup on Cinco de Mayo. My only complaint is with Uber Eats regarding estimated pickup time (as they are never correct for pickup or delivery). The restaurant had a steady flow of orders when I arrived, mostly for pick ups. I waited about 10 minutes beyond what Uber Eats estimated. I talked to the gentleman who was handling orders, and he said they have only been open about a month after taking ownership from the prior tenant (Andy's Burrito Express). I mentioned that I tried Andy's once and wasn't impressed (limited menu, food just ok). However, Casa Chapala's Mexican Grill is FAR superior! More extensive menu, and the food was fantastic. Make sure to get the Pazole, as it was richly flavored with big chunks of pork shoulder (boneless). It was served in the traditional style with shredded cabbage, sliced radish, onions, cilantro, and lime wedges, along with tostada shells. Not many places serve Pazole with the full traditional garnishes. The taco selection is extensive, and they are stuffed with meat, double wrapped in corn tortillas. I noticed El Milagro packages through the kitchen which is the ONLY way to go. The cabeza (meat from the head of the steer) was fantastic and worth trying...don't be scared! The other tacos we tried (cecina, lengua, al pastor) we also incredible...Great flavors! Tried the sopes [one chicharron (fried pork skin) and one rajas con queso (poblano strips and cheese)]. The sopes shells were slightly crisp on the bottom but quite tender, filled completely and great flavors. Also got the Lomo en Arbol (ribeye straps in chile de arbol sauce) for tonight's dinner, so I have not yet tried it. I'm sure it will be fantastic. This place is definitely worth the visit. Great food, very fair pricing. I am definitely looking forward to trying other dinner entree items here, as well as the Chilaquiles (my favorite Mexican breakfast). The ONLY ding I'll give is the salsa roja that they packed for the tacos...I found it a bit bland in flavor, so I hope they can take a look at that. But the salsa verde was fantastic. I...

I know this place is new but the food we received looked nothing like the pictures here. The birria tacos were smashed together and soggy. The broth was far too thick and gravy like in consistency, and the taco combination boxes were all incorrect. The best thing we got was the Cremosa salsa. The Red salsa was almost completely tasteless but the table salsa was fresh and homemade and pretty good. We ordered via DoorDash, so I will not blame the restaurant for the fact that the food had clearly been dropped since the rice and beans were flipped on top of tacos and dissembled. But the inaccuracy of the tacos, completely missing the $9 guacamole, and soggy birria tacos that were packaged with the sauce contain inside the box to smash it all together made the entire experience extremely disappointing. The flavors weren’t terrible, and there were even some delicious parts, but another review that mentioned a lack of consistency was clearly spot on. Perhaps we’ll try this place another time if they can get their act together, but be aware that most of the Google reviews here are either friends and family of the restaurant or people who caught them...

Placed a Togo order for 9 steak tacos, 2 steak burritos and 3 ground beef tacos. Total 63 dollars. No sides. They forgot the 3 ground beef tacos and gave a tostada . The way the pack the food in Styrofoam contains doesn't work. You will have to reassemble your food when you get home. Went back and they took care of it. Food was ok. Not the best I ever had . I have had better for less right down the street. Lots of competition out there so they will need to step up there flavor profiles. 3.50 for a street taco is kinda steep especially if there isn't much flavor. The inside was warm . Not a place where i want to dine in. I wish this place lots of luck but I won't be returning there are too many other places out there that are...