Chapala Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Garden City

My high school classmates wanted to get together for lunch. We are all over the valley so we decided on Chapala. It's close to the freeway and easy to get to. It sounded like a great central spot for all of us.

I showed up first. I was greeted by a couple servers. It was rather early still so they got a table for the 6 of us ready. While they were getting the table put togther, I got to enjoy all the colorful fun decor everywhere. Every corner of this joint has something fun to look at! Whoever decorated this place did a great job!

Chips, bean dip, salsa and water was dropped off while I was waiting at the table for the others to show up. I got myself a virgin mango margarita to start. I worked on the dips and chips for a bit. Mannnn that bean dip is so good! The salsa was fresh and hot! The chips were the perfect vessel for both dips. I really had to refrain from eating too much of the chips, it was hard. I wanted to save a little room for lunch.

After everyone finally showed up, drinks were brought out and some chips and dip was worked on, we finally got some lunch ordered. These folks have such a big menu! It's almost overwhelming how many options they have. I did creep on their menu the night before. I knew I wanted an enchilada. They have so many combo options with an enchilada as an option so I got the shredded beef enchilada and the tamale. I haven't had a tamale before so I thought it was a good day to try one!

Can I tell you now fast all of our food came out? And everyone's plates looked fantastic! From the tacos to the chimis, it all looked tasty. Everything was hot! The cheese on my enchilada was nicely melted. The rice and beans looked so good! I knew I ordered the right combo plate.

The shredded beef in my enchilada was so tender. The sauce was savory and rich. The rice wa fluffy. The beans were savory and hearty. The tamale was good. It was my first time having it so I didn't know what to quite expect. There was sauce and cheese on it as well. The tamale seemed a little dry but the sauce did help. For my first experience with the tamale, it was good. They give you so much food! I was only able to eat half of my plate. Not mad about having the other half for dinner tonight.

I had such a good time here today! Service was great and fast! My mango margarita was legit good! My food was fantastic. And the venue is so bright, colorful and uniquely decorated. I can't believe I have lived in the valley this long and have never been here before. It does suck that we live on the other end of town but if I'm ever in these neck of the woods, I'm definitely...

To Margarito Marin (who to this date doesn't currently reside in the USA & is probably living a wealthier life than anyone in the USA thanks to the 20 pesos per 1 US $) & the owner of these chains of "Mexican" restaurants; 1st impression of this restaurant:

Chapala is not there to feed you, they're there to take your money. Sadly. Do not recommend to anyone who's culinarily educated & cultured. You will be severely let down. The owner & cook(s) should be ashamed to put out the food they put out. Then to have the audacity to charge the prices they charge.

"Chicken Mole" plate @20.99+tax is not worth the price, is NOT what it is advertised to be, & is made with premade store-bought Doña Maria Mole Sauce. It's A LOT of Onion in Mole w/Chicken. About 3/4 of it is sliced onions & the rest is chicken bits & pieces. Was very disappointed to see that plate come out. Very disappointed. When I asked how much for a side of chicken breast cut into strips it was $9.99! Unbelievable 🤣. Almost makes you feel like they add all them onions so you can pay extra for the chicken.

Alejandro Marin, who was phenomenal & who made it worth the visit, thank-you for your patience & superb customer service. You deserve a higher pay for dealing with, & im sure, with upset customers here & there. I will be back with some generosity/tip for you. Thank-You. May you, your family, & any descendants you may have be blessed with everything you need so you may never want.

1lb of Rice, 1lb of Beans, & a jar of Doña Maria Mole Sauce are inexpensive items. Take it from a chef, you can feed an entire family for less than $10, for at least 2 days if you stick to serving suggestions. Throw in a pack of tortillas & you'll definitely be feeding a family 1 meal a day for 2 days or 2 meals per day & at about a cost of $9.28....

We've been customers of the Nampa/Caldwell location for a number of years and been very happy. We've moved into Boise- had a group of friends, family who wanted to get together. An in law called ahead to let staff know that our group of 12 would be arriving at approximately 2:30pm on Saturday, 12/09. We seemed to have a newer employee, which was fine. Things got a bit confusing I think and it all worked out. An older family member requested separate checks/tickets and was told it was fine. After all of us were finished eating, we sat for quite awhile with out anyone checking how we were doing. My husband had to ask two people where his food was after awhile-all others had gotten theirs and were eating. When a woman who looked like she was experienced was asked for the checks for us, she said ok but it might take a bit. When she brought us each the meal checks, they were not correct, food wasn't what was ordered, or with the correct people. After awhile, when we were done paying, a man at the counter, who seemed to be a supervisor? Was very rude,telling me,my husband and another that with groups our size- they don't do separate checks. No one had mentioned this, which if we had known would have been OK. But, after the fact? And to be angry at us,when no one had told us,or anything? It left a very uncomfortable feeling, ruined our meal with family. We aren't going to go to this...