Chapala Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Eugene

Wow. With all the great restaurant choices in Oakway and beyond, Chapala is a major disappointment. The best thing I can say about this place is it has nice outdoor seating, and it appeared clean. The rest is downhill.

Visited on a Monday evening, they were not particularly busy, and we were seated quickly. The waiter (male, heavy set, middle aged) took our drink order. He then asked if we were ready to order the entrees. When we said no, he literally rolled his eyes at us and left. Absolutely serious about this.

We later ordered food, which was delivered quickly. The Tacos al Pastor was literally the worst taco plate I’ve ever been served. The corn tortilla’s were brushed with some form of tomato based sauce, filled with a meat mixture, and set atop a plate of rice and beans. Actually, they were set mostly atop of the soupy beans mixture that was poured onto the plate. Do you have any idea what happens to corn tortillas when they get wet? They disintegrate. There’s no way to pick up the tacos, as 1) they have no structural integrity, and 2) they had effectively been dipped in sauce and beans. What a mess.

So, what I basically have is enchiladas as the tacos, red sauce, and beans are a sloppy mess. If I’d wanted enchiladas, I would have ordered that. The flavor profile was completely mundane, and the only fresh veggies accompanying the taco plate we’re a pinch of iceberg under some highly processed guacamole.

My partner ordered the black bean soup, which was not bad, but also completely forgettable.

The meal completed, and the check delivered by the waiter, we we waited about 15 min to be cashed out. The waiter was in our vicinity no less than three times, never took the check. I ended up going inside and flagging someone else down to be cashed out. Waiter also never stopped back at our table for any reason at all, other than taking our order. No offer for additional chips/salsa. No refilling water. No offer for additional cocktails. No asking about the meal and if we needed anything else. Literally never stopped back for anything aside from dropping off the check, and then he didn’t even come back to cash us out.

It appears this restaurant and the staff we encountered (sans the lady that seated us, and the waitress that cashed me out, both pleasant) simply have no aspiration to present anything other than a bare minimum experience. Our waiter made me wish I didn’t have one at all, and the products out of the kitchen lacked any dimension or authenticity.

I’m being generous giving this place 2 stars. I’ve given 5 stars to taco trucks. This place just doesn’t care, and it shows.

With all the great Latin food around, I’m honestly surprised this place is even open....

Chapala has been a "go to" place for Mexican American style food, for years. I LOVE their Refried Beans here. The quality of each meal I have eaten here, is always superb, food is always fresh, hot & delicious. The staff are all nice, the Owner is constantly there & very customer service oriented. I remember when he hurt his hand. He could/should have stayed home, but nope he was at the Restaurant, making sure his clientele was being well taking care of! The outside is a sweet place to enjoy your food & the inside is warm & inviting. Free warm chips & cool salsa comes with every meal. The meals are large, so be warned, you'll need a to go box when you're done. Today I had a Poquito combination of a Chicken Tamale, Rice & Beans. My dining partner ordered the Shrimp Fajitas, which came on a large sizzling skillet, but also comes with a full plate of rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo veggies & corn or flour Tortillas!! She said it was terrific & so was mine. I have never had a bad meal here. I don't sneeze but, my mouth does get super dried out after eating here, so theres that little bump in my eating road. For those that follow me, y'all know what those indications are showing. Still, I will continue coming here, because...

Our experience at Chapala in regards to the food was a bit disappointing. The food had no flavor!!! Iv grown up eating authentic mexican food and Chapala does not make authentic mexican food. My plate was hot but my food was not, my tacos were cold and were lacking in flavor. The beans have absolutely no flavor, I understand they probably keep them vegetarian which is totally fine, just flavor them with spices and oil please. The tortillas taste store bought not hand made. The pico de gallo was very bland, it needs salt and fresh lime juice also it needs to be prepared that morning not made the day before and stored overnight in a fridge, when you store overnight in the fridge, it picks up the other flavors from the foods in the fridge, it didn’t taste fresh at all! Step it up you guys!!! Make some handmade tortillas, give your frijoles some flavor, make fresh pico de gallo and don’t forget the salt and lime juice!!! The restaurant is beautiful and our waiter was attentive by checking on us but the food quality didn’t match the atmosphere. We will not be going back unless I hear they made some changes. My co worker said the same thing about their food, it’s very bland and...