Again, Yelp needs to give us a half star that we can click on. My most recent visit was still good, but not as good as previous ones. I'll start out with the positives. As always, the service was friendly and attentive. My server had a larger group of 10 at another table, but he still was able to give me a single diner attentive service as well. Also, my Chava's Quesadilla with shrimp was top notch. I recently have become obsessed with having shrimp in my Mexican food and their version of a quesadilla with shrimp, satisfied my craving. I also appreciated their presentation on the plate and how they sliced it up into manageable pieces. My disappointment came from my Margarita and the Chili Con Queso. I always get the Top Shelf Margarita and today's, seemed very weak and the mix was also flavorless. The Chili Con Queso was the true disappointment. The menu described it as Spicy Mexican Cheese Fondue, "blended with" jalapeños, onion and tomatoes. When it was served, there was no blending. It simply was the cheese fondue with a scoop of Pico De Gallo in the middle. The complementary chips were warm and crisp. The salsa was chunky, but needed a little more spices in it give some pizzazz. I haven't given up on Chava's, I'll be back. I enjoy their main dishes too much, to mark them off my Mexican list. read more

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It was a little off our route but so worth it! We had the flash fried chicken tacos, guacamole and salsa and scarfed it! Service was great! Friendly people read more

Rude staff and awful customer service. I would not go again. Food was not good and staff was very aggressive.

Quick lunch on the way to rehearsal. We were seated quickly and menu questions were answered promptly. Once we ordered our plates arrived quickly and accurately. Everyone enjoyed their meals which were hot and fresh and very flavorful. The staff was helpful and efficient. Our table and the dining room were very clean and comfortable. read more

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This is our go to place for favorite Mexican meal! So good! Their chips are thin and crispy and they have the best salsa around. Food is fast and delicious. Enchiladas, tamales, chimichangas.-- it's all good! Service is always friendly and fast. It's family run so they take a lot of care in the restaurant and it's always a draw for local people who know how good it is! Probably one of the healthier Mexican restaurants in our whole area and we just love it! read more

The service is good, ambiance is on point, but the food steals the show. Everything is made in-house, the menu is smaller but phenomenal from top to bottom. Margaritas are excellent, and they have Pacifico on tap! While everything is delicious, the tamales are 2nd to none. read more

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Good margaritas. The food quality/amount is avg. for a mex. place in Edwardsville. The service is usually good.

Best free (chunky) salsa and thinnest chip in the area! Fish tacos are a hit, but I love the $2 Taco Tuesday special - usually with a $5 pineapple margarita. I splurge and get my favorite (mango) sometimes, it's worth the regular price. All flavors are great as they are made with real fruit, trust me, I've done research! It's a busy place after work, have some patience as you can see all the workers are hustling! Don't shy from stopping if you can't find parking in front, just go around to the side/back. They have a patio to sit outside, but I love to sit at the bar too! The owner is top notch and cares about her business, employees and costumers. read more

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This was our first time eating here and everything was great! We recommend eating here. Everyone there was very friendly. We had the beef Chimichanga and fish tacos. They were fantstic! We will be back read more

To tortilla soup has tender steak and the ingredients make a taste that brings this to top of my meal it was very enjoyable to eat. The fried tacos were okay but needed something else to taste more Mexican I guess am trying to say. Guacamole was very good and salsa was chunky and had a good tang taste. Margarita were okay preference would be another lime mix. Wife's birthday was treated with a fried cheesecake it was a treat very good. Service was meet with expectation and was okay. Table could be little larger but made the order with a little rearranging otherwise I do recommend this establishment, ambiance is not over the top but lighted well. read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican tortilla soup, fried beef taco, pork enchilada, salsa, hile con queso, guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

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My wife, daughter, and I went in for lunch on a beautiful Saturday for lunch. This was my first trip, but my wife had been here once before. The restaurant was small but very nicely decorated. Our server was great and attentive. the chips and salsa were both fresh and tasted great. I ordered the Chimichanga with beef. our food arrived and very short time and looked perfect. The Chimi was cooked perfectly. The tortilla was crispy and hot and the beef inside was seasoned well. The rice and beans were quite good, too. My wife and daughter both enjoyed their meals. Based on everything I just reported, I was shocked we were literally the only people in restaurant. I sure hope they have better crowds and maybe we just caught them on an odd day where people had other things going on because I will definitely go back and enjoy another great meal. read more

We are new to coming to Chava's but this is by far one of our favorite. Read an article from the local paper and gave it a try. Their salsa is great! Very fresh. Servings are plentiful (see picture). The Chava's steak soft tacos are delicious! Steak is tender and has great flavor. The tacos are large enough to be split with my husband. Anxious to try other menu items. Wish they had carnitas. read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - Chava's Steak Soft Taco - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

This is usually a go to place in Edwardsville but tonight it was a little underwhelming. Something was just..."off"...on the beef in the nachos. Service was a little slower then what we've been use to in the past. But...the fried cheesecake was on lint and redeemed the night! We will be back...eventually. read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

Chava's is a delicious and different choice for Mexican food! The service is quick and friendly and the setting is pleasant and clean! They have a unique selection of delicious foods, but I'm here to praise the Tortilla Soup! I haven't had a soup I craved for the next few days after eating it in a long time and this one was that! It was even delicious reheated the next day! Their fried tacos were pretty amazing too. Give this place a try and get that soup! read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

The food was amazing! I had the steak tortilla soup with tacos and the tacos Served with refried beans and rice. pretty much amazing! Service was incredible quick efficient and very friendly. The ambience is authentic and friendly and very very clean! I'd recommend this place to everybody who appreciates superior food quality service, hospitality, value and atmosphere! read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - Two tacos with refried beans and rice. The crispiness of the fried flour, tortilla shell, Parm cheese really complement the flavor! - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

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Chava's is locally owned and that's originally why I went there, but I go back because I love the food and they have excellent service. I'm addicted to their chips and salsa! read more

While driving through this small town we decided to stop at a local restaurant. We stopped in and to much of our surprise this small Midwest town has a great Mexican restaurant. Started off with a pitcher of the house margaritas and found that they make it correctly and don't cheap out and I just use a mix and tequila. Would definitely come back here for the house margaritas. The food was also quite good and the portions are fair. Had to take the enchiladas home be a surprise our eyes are bigger than our stomachs but was honestly quite good. read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - White queso, chips, salsa, pitcher of house margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

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Every time I chance an order at Chava's it is disappointing. I've dined there for the last time. After working in restaurants, I can say with honesty... the folks managing Chava's should be working as Walmart Greeters. Tortilla chips are always stale, margs are too darn sweet, and they don't know their tequila. I hope they close soon, so something better can occupy their location! My grandma makes better Mexican food! read more

The food is ok, a little bland in my opinion. I love their chips and salsa! Thin chips and chunky fresh salsa. Their menu is limited, only having two pages to choose from. No kids menu or kids portions. It's weird because I like the Chavas in Soulard so I'm not sure if they're owned by different people or what but I'd rather go there. The service in Edwardsville is fine...nothing special, but not bad either. The place itself is small but intimate. The margaritas....the margaritas have good flavor but, in my opinion, hardly any tequila. I've had a couple of margaritas and not felt a thing. This last time, my husband and I shared 2 (lime on the rocks) pitchers and left feeling no effects from the margaritas what so ever. Their prices are a bit on the high side compared to the other Mexican restaurants around which is fine, but I didn't feel like it was worth it. read more

Chava's is THE BEST! Pork Chimichangas are life changing! All the food is fantastic! Wait staff is great & owner is always warm & friendly! Chava's is a gem! read more

Love the food and libations the service the atmosphere and the location!!! We've tasted almost everything on the menu and all are delicious and great quality!! read more

Location isn't very big. Food is always good. I prefer the Soulard location better- More menu options.

We enjoyed going to Chavas in Soulard. Even happier having this new closer facilty. Best Mexican food I have ever had. Great service. Nice staff. read more

Food was delicious, bbq chicken quesodilla, tamales, and stuffed pablano peppers were delicious. Guacamole was delicious, mango margaritas was also on point. I feel like they had the best salsa also and that saying something. Service was outstanding. Very cute place done with care. We will be coming back! read more

I don't know if I've changed or Chavas, but the location in Soulard used to be my spot! I came to Edwardsville last week with my wife and a buddy and dined here. Obviously we started the meal off right with their chips and salsa. I love the chips here and that night they were warm and fresh. The salsa, I wish it could decide. Do you want to be thin pasty salsa or chunky? It's alright, but I wish it was chunkier and fresher tasting. For my main, I went with the Chicken Enchiladas. The first thing you need to know: it's plenty of food. Especially if you load up on chips and salsa before chowing down. The dish comes with your classic side of rice and beans, as well as some lettuce and pico de gallo. My meal was hot, yummy, and filling. While I recommend their blended fruit based margaritas, I got the house marg when I can last week and kind of regretted it. Overly sweet with an unoriginal taste. They are boozy tho, so I'll give them that. The staff is welcoming and our service that evening was pretty good. I'd only come back if I'm in the area and really hungry for Mexican food. read more

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Still the best! We eat a lot of takeout from here during the Covid hoax, we wanted to make sure it would be there when people wised up about how they've been lied to by the government. Mercifully they survived and are now having indoor dining once again. read more

Food was ok once we got it. Nothing special. Looked like they made a patio out of a drive thru. Cheap tables and chairs. Not the best experience. read more

We ate dinner here last night because we wanted to try a new place. The food was great and so was the service. The only thing I missed was they didn't have a taco salad with the big crispy tortilla bowl. So I got the steak fajita and it was excellent. It was supposed to be for one, but I still brought half of it home. The portions are huge! Hubby had the crispy tacos and they looked awesome! The chips came out warm and the salsa was delicious. It's a chunky style which I love. Prices were good too. This is a wonderful little Mexican restaurant. I'm sure we will be going back! read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - Steak fajita for one! More like 3! it was delicious! - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

Met some friends here for lunch recently, patio dining. Server hit us up straight away, we ordered, I had 2 fried beef Tacos, they came with refried beans and rice on the side. Plenty of meat, lettuce and toppings on the tacos. They were normal, can't say they were great or anything. Overall, food was good, although I will say we were disappointed at having plastic utensils considering 2 in our group had chimichangas and found it difficult to cut them using plastic. Would recommend for anyone looking for Mexican food. read more

The house special Mareki is one of our favorites. I like. Them to a pair of small chimichangas in great sauces. The other favorite are the fish tacos served w fried catfish fillet in soft shell with great sauces and piping hot. Love lost of the other dishes also. read more

The food here is pretty good. Not the best Mexican restaurant I've been to, but it's worth revisiting.

Most underrated Mexican restaurant in town. I don't understand people who slam the fresh made salsa. Most Mexican places the salsa is like tomato sauce. Chavas is fresh made, chunky goodness. Our favorite is the steak Fajitas, they use actual skirt steak, marinated and char grilled. Not those skinny little strips of tough chewy sirloin that most places use because its cheaper. Want top quality? Go to Chavas read more

This is my favorite mexican restaurant! I love the servers there and the pineapple margarita is the best! I have tried plenty of things at the location. A few that stand out are the tamales, the fajita steak nachos, the steak soft tacos and the guacamole. I had two birthdays here now and I'll keep coming to have those nachos! read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - House made tamales! Get them fast because they only make a certain amount a day! - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

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This is our go to Mexican restaurant. My wife loves their fried tacos, and I usually El Mireko (think chimichanga). Always a good meal.

We've been ordering out from Chavas for nearly 2 years now (Covid) because the quality is always consistent. I must eat gluten free & they have great options including the best stuffed poblano peppers. Just the right amount of heat & a flavorful, generous serving of 2 peppers w rice & beans. The best app they have are the jenas - chorizo stuffed jalapeños are tasty & spicy, our family devours them. The primary reason for ordering is the lovely owner & her terrific staff, always friendly & welcoming. When dining in or on the patio order a pitcher of house margaritas top shelf. They know how to make a delicious margarita! Dine local & show them some love - they've earned it. read more

My husband and I eat here frequently. I love their chips and salsa. I am a fan of a spicier salsa, and Chavas is just right. They have amazing guac too. My husband always gets their stuffed peppers and I always go for the chicken chimichanga. They have the best refried beans and rice. I love their frozen strawberry margarita, my husband always goes for the classic on the rocks. We never have to worry about wait time. We usually go around 5:00-6:00 on week nights and weekends. There isn't a whole lot of seating, so if it does get busy, I imagine there would be quite the wait. They do have outside seating available too. read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - Classic marg on the rocks and a frozen strawberry marg - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

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We have a lot of Mexican restaurants in Edwardsville, but Chava's is one of the only two where I will eat. Their menu is slightly different than the usual run-of-the-mill Americanized Meixcan food, which is likely why I prefer it. My family raves about how much better their salsa is, too. The interior is clean (a big change from the handful of other Mexican restaurants in town that I stay away from), and they have filled out the space nicely after Caffe Avanti's departure. The hostess and servers are nice and appropriately attentive. I wasn't a fan of their soft tacos - they were average at best. The other two dishes that I have tried since, I enjoyed. The "Fajita Nachos" are delicious, but not what you'd expect. Rather than a pile of chips adorned by a pile of toppings, you receive a wreath of boat-shaped tortilla chips filled with beans, cheese, and meat, with extra toppings in the center of said wreath. The "Big Fresh Salad" was also quite good, although surprisingly spicy. They aren't kidding around when they say "big," either! This salad is monstrous, and I always ask for a box for half of it to make it more manageable. read more

Chava's Mexican Restaurant - Chips w salsa and queso w pico de gallo - Mexican Near Me - Edwardsville, Illinois

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We visited on a weekend night, and found the place pleasantly full. A hostess greeted us immediately, and asked us to wait a few minutes as a table was being cleared. We noticed the bar was relatively empty, so we opted to sit there. Drinks: Draft beer was limited to Dos Equis Amber and Blue Moon, I believe the basic Belgian White. I think my Dos Equis 12-oz. draw was $2.50, competitively priced. My lovely companion had a margarita special, whatever it was, and liked it. Food: I ordered a La Torta with fried tilapia filets. The fish was very good, and the portion was large, mainly because of the big bakery bun. She ordered tostadas (I forget exactly which one), which also was enjoyed. Chips and salsa were fine. Space/Parking: Chauvas occupies the space formerly used by Cafe Avanti, and the dining area has not changed much. But the bar is set parallel to the front wall, replacing the bakery counter that used to be to the left as you entered. Parking is tight at this busy northwest corner of Buchanan/Troy and St.Louis/Vandalia, especially on weekends, and there don't seem to be good options for street parking in the immediate vicinity. In anything other than fair weather, it's good to be prepared with the proper clothing, footwear, and/or umbrella for a walk. You might try parking on the street on the west side of the library. read more

This restaurant is trash the food was cold and tasteless. Would find better Food at a gas station

This is my families go to place for Mexican food in Edwardsville. We've gotten to know the owner over time, she has seen our family grow. Food is consistently delicious. read more