Chavela's — Restaurant in Elgin

BEWAREEEEEED DONT COME HERE

One of thee worst experiences I’ve ever experienced at a restaurant. The lack of customer service, respect and professionalism is low.

Arrived to restaurant “if that’s what you want to call it” seem more like a hang out with the bar tender “ supposedly the manger” loudly cussing and carrying on with people In the booth next to the bar, which is super unprofessional especially with me having my kids there. I asked to place my child’s food first so when can look over the menu, we waited 35 minutes for a chicken quesadilla. We ordered our food maybe 15 minutes after we placed the kids food. About 45 minutes gone by and I asked the server for a ETA on the food seeing how now it’s been and 1 1/2 hours in the restaurant. The server then comes back and says after the table in front of us food is done then they will start ours. I’m shocked so I asked it’s not even cooking yet after waiting this long? She replied no we have a lot of Togo orders that we were doing first. So you mean to tell me a customer that’s dinning in have to wait until all the Togo orders are done? I canceled all my food since it wasn’t started. Mind you there were multiple people that came in after me that sat at the bar order and ate as I still waited.

I asked to speak to the manger “which was the rude bartender” I’m trying to explain the situation which he clearly doesn’t care. Tells me that’s the way the restaurant is ran, he’s heard people complaining before but he doesn’t care because they’ve been open for ten years and that he doesn’t care if I come back or not. I’m still in shock I’m trying to explain that this shouldn’t had happen and that the way he is talking to me is rude. At this point I’m turn around to leave mentioning this was my first and last time coming and that this is completely out of order. He then goes to say well we got your money today anyway so who cares and begins to laugh with bar guest. This establishment is very unprofessional and I will be finding other means to have this addressed through...

In a very slow paced and small resturant our Waitress was very lazy and inattentive. Had to ask for drink refills,never offered any more chips, also being my 3rd or 4th time there the food was bland as usual and just smothered with melted cheese. I ordered a beef chimichanga and all i got was a burrito with ground beef with cheese poured over it. My 80+ year old grandmother had to go looking for the waitress to pay our bill. I only ate there because my grandma wanted to treat me for lunch and she picked Chavelas but I much rather prefer San Joses. Only 3 reasons I've been there 3-4 times is #1 when they first opened and replaced a MUCH better restaurant which was La Costenas that either moved or went out of business. #2 reason is if my son or other person prefers to eat there then I'll go eat at Chavelas and #3 if San Joses is slammed packed and I have a huge urge for Mexican food. San Joses is better all around food and service. If your drink is half way empty they are there to refill. If your chips are low they bring a fresh basket. San joses menu is much bigger variety and better quality food all around. I know Chavelas is a smaller scale probably family run place but if you want returning customers put some effort into your food prep and table service. Hope this helps someone...

First time here with my wife, son and his fiance and two others who has been here before. The food was great and the service was okay until the two waitresses keep hovering around waiting on us to get up after we were done eating. We were just talking and I ordered another beer and waitress said they are waiting on this table. Sorda rude. Also, The receipt we received had all these random amounts printed it looked like an adding machine so not sure what each amount was because nothing was listed beside it. Never seen a restaurant not listing what the amount was for individually. We will never be back as well as the other two who was there who invited us because we felt we were being run off. Sticking with San Jose. At least the bill has what the charges...