This is not your average Colorado Mexican restaurant so be prepared for flavor to hit you in the mouth. I've been here now 4 times in the last month and each time it just gets better and better. Their salsas have the right amount of kick, their food portions are huge. But the real reason I am writing this review is because they have REAL Barbacoa and not shredded beef trying to be barbacoa. This barbacoa is so soft, I can only compare it to what people look for in brisket, juicy, flavorful and melts in your mouth. Fair warning, this place will be packed as more people find out about it. read more

TLDR; Food was yummy, service was horrible. Were in colorado visiting! We saw this place was recommended on yelp & tik tok, so we decided to try out. Line was out the door so our hopes were high. We waited to get on the waitlist & our wait time was 30 minutes for 4 people. In our group of 4, me and my boyfriend decided to wait inside. I do hope their organization gets better because...yikes. They had no way of telling people who was next, they called a name and if you weren't inside/you didn't hear, they skipped over you. There was a party of 3, a party of 6 (which I understand having to skip & come back to this one), and another party. They called the party of 3, whom were waiting outside (I believe), they didn't come, so they called us. We got sat at around 6:30 p.m. They brought us our chips and salsa and we ordered drinks. And that's about where our happy vibes ended. We ordered food at 6:40. Our food came out at 7:20. We all ordered quesabirrias, wait was not horrible for food as they were busy busy. After we got our food, our server came over to ask if everything was okay, we said yes, and asked if we could get some spicy salsa, he said yes, and we went back to eating. 5ish minutes passed, he walked by serval times, didn't bring the salsa, we started using the salsa from our chips and salsa, until I asked the sweetest lady for some (she was shorter, helping seat people) and she brought us 2 options! We are from Iowa (not sure if that makes a difference) but usually when people see we're about done, they come check in again, ask if we need anything else, etc. and then bring the bill shortly after...well apparently not the case here? We had to stop him 30 minutes later after all of our plates were cleared by the busboy, to ask for the check. You could see we were visibly annoyed and frustrated. He said he would grabbed it, never asked if we wanted to split the check or anything, again, maybe we should've said something. He came back 10 minutes later with the check, and we had to tell him that unfortunately we wanted it split. He took another 5 minutes to bring the split checks. Honestly at this point I was annoyed, I don't think I've ever had a service this bad. I also ordered barbacoa to go, now maybe I should've specified that I wanted it out along with my food, because I didn't really care if it was warm or not I was going to take it home and eat it the following day. We finished eating a little before 7:40. and they hadn't even started the food. I didn't get it until about 5-10 after I paid. I was so annoyed I thought about leaving my paid for food. I don't see us coming back and I would not suggest. read more

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I would have never stopped in to Chapala had it not been for a post from "Denver Foodie". This is a hole in the wall spot in a strip mall next to a gym. It is unsuspecting - but walking in the first impression is way different. Inside we were welcomed by several employees. The interior shows that they care about the ambiance. It's nice without being fancy if that makes sense. Also super clean. They checked on us probably 3 times, early after being seated. We just weren't ready to order + the menu is massive. Then they didn't come by again for awhile to actually take the order. The free (yes free) chips and salsa were a hit! You can tell it's all freshly made in house. We didn't imbibe in margaritas but the prices were excellent. Typically about $16 for a small and $19 for a large. Our food was good. Neither my wife or I were huge fans of the Baja Fish Tacos. They were more batter than fish, and were overly oily. However... The Birria Burrito was AWESOME! Beans and rice were as the kids say, "Mid". They weren't great. Just overly boring. I would definitely stop in at Chapala again when we're passing though. read more

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Castle Rock - Birria burrito. It would present much better without the foil. - Mexican Near Me - Castle Rock, Colorado

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Went for Cinco de Mayo, it was busy and there was a wait, which was totally understandable. But after being sat we waited 25 minutes before our drink orders were taken and our server wasn't even apologetic or friendly. The food however was good, the street tacos were heavenly! I'm hoping the poor service was just because Cinco de Mayo is a busy holiday. The ambiance however is terrible the overhead lighting is like you are in a pet store it is so bright and odd. The food is really good but the ambiance and service left a bad taste. Maybe a better place to order out. read more

Decided to come in for breakfast. Was fresh and delicious. Service was attentive and friendly. The decor of the restaurant is vibrant and fun. Yum! read more

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Server was friendly and upbeat. But she was busy so wasn't around as much. No worries. I decided to have the ceviche tonight with shrimp. And he had the burrito supreme with beef. The ceviche came with tostadas and crackers. The avocados were fresh and added depth to the dish. It was good. The tartness of the lime added to the dish and the saltiness of the crackers balanced each other out. The tostadas were good with the ceviche as well. Used up the chips for the dish too. He said his burrito had more beans than beef. That was a negative in his book. The restaurant is clean. Because of the lack of beef in his meal he doesn't want to come back. read more

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Baja fish tacos were disappointing! No fish!!! Fried greasy bits of breading! So gross!

What!!!! Best Mexican restaurant I've ever ate at. The Pork Green Chili was so good I made myself sick. Don't let the outside fool you. Super clean and everyone was very friendly read more

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Castle Rock - Outside - Mexican Near Me - Castle Rock, Colorado

For just $33, you get what? No tortillas! This is supposed to be fajitas for two, with chicken and beef. But it's like fajitas for one. This is a complete rip-off. I'm not sure how dining in compares, but takeout is absolutely awful. read more

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Castle Rock - For just $33, you get what? No tortillas! This is supposed to be fajitas for two, with chicken and beef. But it's like fajitas for one. - Mexican Near Me - Castle Rock, Colorado

My son and I had lunch here today. I ordered a chicken chimichanga plate and my son had the Chapala burrito. I have eaten a lot of chimichangas in my life, and they're always puffy and crispy because they're deep fried. This one was suspiciously flat when it came out. Cutting into it I realized it was a soggy mess filled with beans and a little chicken. I would say it was more than half beans. There was no "crispy" at all. The green chili that covered it was not very flavorful. The rice was really tasteless (no seasoning) and the refried beans average. My son liked his burrito but also thought the rice was incredibly bland. The service was good however. Very nice waiter. Overall I would not recommend this place. That was one disappointing chimi!! read more

Hubby and I went here for lunch earlier this week and I always like to give it a few days before writing a review so I can give it some thought. First, we loved Blanca, our server. She was attentive, knowledgeable, friendly and kind. There was a young petite woman who bussed tables and was constantly cleaning the entire time I was there. The whole place runs like a well oiled machine. I loved to see the Hispanic guys coming in for lunch and that made me so happy. My grandparents are from Chihuahua Mexico and we cook a little differently and not so Tex-Mex so it wasn't exactly what we're used to but the salsa was great and the green chili was AWESOME! We ordered the taquitos for an appetizer and asked if it was white meat chicken when ordering which we were told it was, and they came out clearly made with dark meat. They were still delicious but I would have preferred white meat chicken. Their guacamole was delightful and not packed with raw onion so that was totally up my alley. The taquitos are simply flautas cut in half and that's probably my favorite thing I grew up eating. We ordered the Molcajete to share and it had a lovely presentation but the cheese kinda coagulated on top and the onions and peppers with salsa on the bottom were quite greasy. Most notable was the steak and that ended up overcooked and too difficult to eat so I skipped it after a few bites. The pestle it was served it continues to cook the meat as it rests on the sides so when it was clearly cooked in the kitchen and then brought out to eat, the meat ended up overcooking quicky and probably before it came to our table. I still am giving them 4 stars because I want to go back and try it again. I think there is a chance we just ordered an item that was not up to par on Monday. We ordered a meal to bring home for my mother and her food was awesome. The tacos were good and the tostada was perfect. The cheese enchilada was pretty greasy as well but she was overall content with her meal and was happy that everything was clearly made fresh. We'll be back and try again to see if we can get that amazing service again and try some different items on the menu next time. Definitely worth a try for everyone. They are so clean and the service is excellent. The salsa and guac alone are worth a visit. read more

We've been to Chapala before under the previous ownership, and this visit felt noticeably different in the best way. The servers truly work as a team, which made everything run smoothly and feel welcoming. The environment was clean and comfortable without feeling forced or overdone. The food was fantastic, and we came during happy hour which had some really great deals. Overall, a great experience and we'll definitely be back. read more

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1st time visit. Warm chips and salsa were very good. Had the chicken burritos. They were very tasty. Service was excellent. The place is spotless. We will start including this in our Mexican restaurant rotation. read more

New favorite Mexican spot. A hidden gem in castle rock. The Cali burrito is so good!! Very reasonably priced. Took our family of 5 here for under $50. Chips and salsa are great. Large kids menu and breakfast all day, so fun! read more

No need to drive to Denver for authentic Mexican food anymore. The food is truly authentic and delicious, The prices and service are great too ! A must try read more

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Amazing food! Quesadilla birria tacos were super yummy. Alberto was our server and handed everything like a boss! Best Mexican food in castle rock. Eat here before it goes viral! read more

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Castle Rock - Sopapilla! - Mexican Near Me - Castle Rock, Colorado

I can't give a full-on review because we were never waited on to take our order. The menu looked quite delicious, and we were looking forward to trying Castle Rock's newest Mexican restaurant, however, it just didn't happen as the server walked past us 9 different times without acknowledging us. We sat at our table for 14 minutes before we decided to get up and go somewhere else. It's not a great feeling to be made felt invisible! read more

Hands down our favorite Mexican food in town! Always excellent service, and great food. We love stopping in regularly for queso and happy hour margaritas!! A great addition to town! read more

The food is great with full flavor and the cheese is melted like it should be. The service was friendly without being overbearing. Hector has a nice smile. You can hear your friends over the music. The price is right. Highly recommend. read more

What the Flan...... Amazing Birria, not just some spices thrown in a taco but made with care over time. You can taste this wasn't just thrown together making the dipping even better. Im already making plans to go back. Crispy tacos? How perfect and simple of an addition to the menu. Rellenos were great, Burritos were huge. Price was stellar, so much so that I don't think they will keep it this cheap near term, maybe because they were still working on their liquor license, but this provides an alternative to the crazy expensive Mexican-ish places popping up in Castlerock. read more

Soooo good. Amazing rellenos and the Sopaipilla bites are addictive. Best Mexican in CR! Excellent value, too!

This place is mui bueno ! The Cali burrito is amazing and the taquitos were light and crispy. The salsa was perfectly spicy and flavorful. Staff was friendly and the atmosphere is lovely! read more

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Castle Rock - Taquitos yum!! - Mexican Near Me - Castle Rock, Colorado

Hector was amazing and gave great service!!! Food was good and at a reasonable price for the area. Would definitely recommend to friends and family. read more

Lovely presentation. Traditional enchiladas didn't hit the mark as the sauce was tomato like spaghetti sauce. Also tried enchiladas w tomatillo sauce.... not a fan. Bro ordered chili rellanos. ... missed the mark. read more

Drinks were inconsistent. Our table ordered two skinny margaritas but got regular ones. My margarita tasted like hazelnut and i had to send it back. We Ordered guacamole. It never came. Our waiter was very nice but hostess was not. Food was overall good with large portions, and the place appears authentic (to me.) So if service is not high on your list you should try it. read more

I think this is top two Mexican restaurants in Castle Rock. The pozole was amazing. The roasted chicken was perfect. The chicken mole was very good but could use more chicken and the queso with chorizo was named the best queso my niece who is a queso expert, as the best she has ever had. I would highly recommend this place. read more

Authentic Mexican food done right. Everything tasted fresh and made from scratch--the chicken mole was a standout. Great flavor, generous portions, and warm, welcoming service. Definitely a spot worth coming back to. read more

Very authentic locally owned Mexican restaurant with a huge menu, clean facility and attentive, friendly staff. This is not one of thise SoCal style Mexican restaurants opening up lately that charge 10 bucks fir chips and salsa, this traditional old world Mexican that delivers value and taste. read more

Really don't understand the high reviews for this place. Didn't even taste fully Mexican. I'd say average to below average. Will not return. read more

The whole place and people like the food, AMAZING! 10000/10. Talking about authentic Mexican food! read more

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Castle Rock - This was shrimp tacos, 10/10!! AMAZING! - Mexican Near Me - Castle Rock, Colorado

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Chapala delivers the kind of comfort you hope for from a neighborhood eatery. The portions are generous, the margaritas are confidently poured, and the service moves with an easy, unhurried charm. Their green chile has real character--warm, savory, and just spicy enough to keep you leaning in. While the décor leans traditional, the flavors feel refreshingly authentic. It's the sort of spot where you can settle in, relax, and trust that your cravings are about to be very well handled. read more

The food was absolutely delicious, 10/10. They were quick with service and the atmosphere was nice

Delicious & authentic food! We come from Arizona & so far living in Colorado we've found the Mexican food to be below average. We really enjoyed the food, atmosphere, & staff! We got the Molcajete & ceviche it was amazing! read more

Chapala Mexican Restaurant Castle Rock - Ceviche de Camaron - Mexican Near Me - Castle Rock, Colorado

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Food, drinks and service was exceptional. Very friendly and great Happy Hour specials. Very clean and inviting.

Five stars for the rellenos alone. Great little affordable place. Liquor license pending as of the post. Attentive staff. read more

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FIRE!!!!!!!!!!! Best Mexican food in Castle Rock. By far!! We got a a handful of things. All top notch!

This was a great experience and the food was excellent. Hector our server was phenomenal!! He was the BEST waiter we've ever had. He needs a raise IMO....... read more

First visit due to the hype did lot disappoint! Servers are friendly, efficient, food was great, had the trio fajitas. Margarita was great. Only downfall was the flower tortillas, they were hard, like if they were microwaved. Will definitely go back. read more

Food was amazing, even better was the service. So happy to have this place near plum creek. Highly recommend

The staff is friendly and happy, therefore I'm giving it more stars than I'd want to. We went on a Saturday night at 7 and there was only one other table of 5 in the restaurant. We put our drink order in and I got a house margarita, that tastes just like the pre-made ones you get at a liquor store. The salsa has no spice, we asked for more spicy and they brought something else that also wasn't spicy, so if you do not like hot or spicy, this is the place for you! I ordered green chili and my husband got the carne asada burrito with chicharrones. The food took over 20 minutes to come out not sure why, since no one else was really there. My green chili also had zero spice and was ok, it's thicker than I like. My husband's burrito was actually good and the chicharrones were spot on, but again the green chili sauce needs spice. It has decent flavor, but guess with my husband being Hispanic, he needs it way hotter than most. We both agree if you want the best mom and pop Mexican go to Adriana's in Franktown! Everything is homemade there and delish! read more