Chapala Restaurante Mexicano, Kansas City, Missouri, Mexican Restaurant Details

Food:

Just like home

Food:

I've been here about half a dozen times in the past four months. I read a small write up about it in the local weekly, the Pitch (Chapala is east of downtown, south of expensive and north of delicious). They stated that it was affordable and authentic, my too favorite words when it comes to Mexican food.

The restaurant is in a bright orange building next to a small food store and across from the School of Theology. Inside it is quite spacious, maybe because there is rarely many customers when I go, I really don't understand why though.

So far, my wife and I have tried several things on the menu, from pork and steak tacos which are a little greasy (as they should be) and delicious. I've had the Chicken Mole and it is also very good, the Chilaquiles are probably some of the best I've ever had, the sauce is spicy and tangy and the tortillas are still crisp on top, covered with crumbled cheese, these are fantastic. Enchiladas are also quite good, they are filled with your choice of protein, a good helping too, and topped with either a rich rojo sauce or a spicy and tangy green tomatillo sauce.

The chips and salsa are decent, the salsa is more of a straight of chili sauce made from re-hydrated chiles and blended as opposed to the more common chunky style salsa or just plain tomato sauce that some places put out.

The service is usually pretty good, there is always just one server when I'm there but they always give enough attentive service without being overbearing.

They do not serve alcohol here but they do have horchata (horchata, is a traditional beverage, made of ground almonds, rice, sometimes with vanilla and always with cinnamon), which is a big plus and usually a rotating agua fresca, usually a melon variety.

If you happen to be the kinda person that usually shy's away from the older, more character filled parts of town you should do yourself a favor and come visit a place where nice, real hardworking people, who make really great, honest food can be found.