La Chaca Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Midvale

I don't know why anyone is rating this place as anything better than 2 stars. First the positive aspects: Feels authentic, was generally clean and my server was very nice and friendly...if stretched a little thin by a group of 12 who must have arrived just before I did. I liked the table beans that they serve with the salsa and chips. A nice touch. Nothing to get super excited about, but good. The salsa with the chips is fine, again not noteworthy in the least. I decided to try a combo platter so that I could get a feel for a couple of menu items. I ordered the smothered burrito and a beef taco. After waiting for about 15 minutes (which I am chalking up to the large group) my server told me they were out of beef and asked if they could replace it with chicken. Which I said was fine.

The bad: The taco shell seemed like one you'd get our of a package of Ortega store bought shell. I don't like that when I come to this type of place. The chicken filling was fine, if a little bland. I did like that they use thigh meat, so at least it wasn't dry. Shredded lettuce tomato and crappy bagged processed cheddar cheese. (That was one of my biggest problems with this place..very cheap processed cheddar shreds.)

The chili verde sauce struck me as something I'd get out of a can. It really didn't feel authenic in the least. The pork was okay, but a little tough. The tortilla felt/tasted like a cheap store bought tortilla. Rice and beans were pretty standard, a little more bland than most I've tried.

So...overall...I'd never go back. There are way to many better options in Salt Lake City...and I'm sure there are better options in Midvale. Service was great, and I liked the decor. But with so many better options I don't know why I'd settle for this...

Definitely a no-frills, hole in the wall neighborhood restaurant. Do not expect that the owners are restaurateurs and have a trained staff. Nobody is going to check on you or ask you if you need anything, or another drink or another beer.

With that being said, it was a cozy pretty darn authentic Mexican restaurant. The food was tasty and I heard the shrimp fajitas are awesome. I had chicken enchiladas and they were good.

It appears that they have Mexican karaoke there for some odd reason. But the music they were playing in the background made you feel like you were on vacation somewhere.

So, grab a bucket of beers (because nobody is going to offer you another one), wait for your food (because the cook is also the order taker), and...

One of the most satisfying things is to find a restaurant, not well known, and to find out it is delicious. It's like finding a little oasis in the middle of a desert. What's great about the food is that it's fresh. One of my favorite staple foods are the corn tortillas. They are authentic and a perfect compliment to any dish served. My first dish was the milanesa, which I highly recommend. I hope this restaurant continues to be successful and take great care in...