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    Chelly's Cafe

    4.2 (228 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Chelly's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    CHELLY'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Chelly's Cafe

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    Pitcher of Margs
    Dana H.

    First, our waitress Brenda was fantastic!! She brought us hot sauces and suggested ways to mix them and was the perfect amount of attentive. The margaritas are yummy and the food is great! I do wish I would have asked for queso on my enchiladas rather than the red sauce but that's a personal preference. My only complaint would be the very loud and pretty obnoxious tables beside us but that's not Chellys' fault, they handled it well and cleaned up their huge mess quickly. But probably not the place for a quiet dinner on a busy Friday night.

    Carnitas enchilada special
    Ali P.

    Best Mexican food I've had in Missouri so far. As someone who lived in San Diego & has the privilege of enjoying homemade Mexican food I was pleasantly surprised to find such good Mexican food in Missouri and think about my meal often. We came for an early dinner before an event. The restaurant is an L shape and has seating directly to the front of the door and off to the right. We had the shrimp fajitas, a carne sope, and a special of carnitas enchiladas. Our waitress was quick and efficient with getting the items we needed. The food was good portion sized and the flavors were AMAZING! Whatever the sauce is they put on their fajitas sets them apart from regular fajitas. The special of the day with the carnitas was absolutely a 10/10, I would eat it once a week if I could. Everything was fresh & flavorful, well seasoned, and the salsa had a good kick. Will absolutely be back

    Birria torta
    Sebastian P.

    This place is absolutely delicious. That birria torta. With the dip is so so good!! The service is phenomenal. very cozy. Family vibes.

    Steak quesadilla
    Carson B.

    Quick, easy, and delicious Tex Mex in Waldo. Loved this spot and the fact that it's so close by to us, went here the other day for the first time. Service is quick and efficient. It's lovely inside with a lot of tables, tv's with soccer on, and a good hustle and bustle. Got the steak quesadilla and loved it. I'm a simple guy and it was calling to me. Generous portion of meat, good amount of cheese. Great crisp to the tortilla on the outside and a generous portion. My wife got a chicken fajita burrito and she loved it. We got the spinach dip and I thought it was better than the espinanca you'd get at Jose Peppers. I'm sure this isn't authentic Mexican, if you're looking for damn good Jose peppers then look no further than Chelly's.

    Santa Fe Burrito
    David L.

    We had a group of 6 and we were seated right away. Chips were light and crispy. We got there in time for the brunch menu which was a nice option to have. I got the Santa Fe Burrito which was a good size with plenty of filling. Flavors were good. Staff were friendly and helpful with descriptions of the dishes.

    Chicken and steak fajitas with added mushroom
    Chalanna B.

    Chelly's is our go to spot for quick, delicious food. Prices are good, service is consistently good, and food is served hot and fresh. We always get guacamole and cheese dip to share and the fajitas, YUM. My only complaint is the very derelict (clean but scary to look at) bathroom which has a giant hole in the handicap stall with exposed pipes and draft of wind coming through.

    Chile verde
    Molly M.

    This was the first time I went to Chelly's, it isn't super big but feels like the perfect size for a local crowd on a weekday evening. The menu has a ton of options, from more traditional Mexican dishes to Tex Mex favorites. I went for the chile verde, and what came out shocked me a bit. The plate was a massive portion of the chile verde especially! I believe it was only $13, and I had tons of delicious leftovers afterwards. The meat was perfectly tender with a quality classic verde sauce, decent rice and beans as well, with piping hot fresh grilled tortillas. My friends enjoyed their food and their large margaritas especially. This is the perfect place for some comforting Mexican food. We really enjoyed our post work happy hour and dinner overall, and I must go back to explore more of this menu.

    Foods great. The service is awesome. They're friendly and quick with things. Been here a few times and it's a favorite for us

    Jordan K.

    What a gem! Chelly's Cafe is a very unassuming little joint in a strip mall off of 85th and Wornall. From the outside, you probably wouldn't even realize it's a Mexican restaurant. The lunch menu is loaded with all kinds of options and combinations for more than reasonable prices. The house marg was about 4x larger than I expected and didn't taste like straight sugar mix. The queso and salsa appetizer was also delicious. My only negative was the chips were nothing special, and the service was a little slow for it not being very busy. For 2 lunch combos, queso, and 2 jumbo margs we paid around $40 including the tip! Price, food, and drinks were on point at Chelly's and I'll certainly be back.

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    10 days ago

    Avoid placing orders here if you're looking for reliability; they're known to cancel at the last minute if a better offer comes along.

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    1 year ago

    One of the best Mexican food in kcmo and my Favorite for the past 18+ years !! Highly recommended !!

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    3 years ago

    Feels like we've been going here for almost a decade now. Service and food are always great and consistent.

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    3 years ago

    Food was really good. Ordered carry out and everything was exactly how we ordered it for our family of 5.

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    Page 1 of 6

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    We visited Taha late afternoon on a holiday weekend. Service was great - immediate seating and our…read moreserver was very attentive. They weren't very busy, but I definitely didn't have any of the issues noted in other reviews. Our table had several different cocktails, including the margarita "mocktail", and all were very good. We had the guacamole appetizer which was good but the portion was far too small to warrant a $14 price tag. Dinner was a variety - bacon-wrapped shrimp, halibut, ribeye tacos and octopus. Flavors were different than we are used to but the food was very good all around and everyone was happy with their choice. Overall, a very pleasant dining experience - we would go back in a heartbeat.

    Pescatarian Verdict: #stlouispescatarianapproved…read more Tex Mex spot loading.... The restaurant describes its food as Central Mexican cuisine interpreted through a Midwestern lens, and its menu goes considerably beyond standard tacos and enchiladas. They make their own blue corn tortillas chips and they use house made salsas and sauces. You know the chips you eat too much of to start your Mexican meal? Well they serve theirs with three different sauces. And this is a particularly good one for a pescatarian because seafood isn't an afterthought. The restaurant has dishes such as branzino, scallops, octopus and other seafood preparations. The atmosphere is stylish enough for a business lunch or date. The napkins were this burlap material that I absolutely loved. A very solid Mexican spot near the plaza.

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    El Camino Real - Menu

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    Picked up a togo burrito lunch special this afternoon! The meat (el pastor) was excellent,…read moreeverything was tasty, and the portions (especially for $10.99) were very generous. Walked in and was immediately greeted by staff (both the waiters and cooks)! I also love that the cooking set-up is open and right as you walk-in!! Definitely will be back soon

    I've been here a few times with my office mates. They are all very into Mexican. Living in South…read moreFlorida influenced me to learn much more about Latin foods which are much more diverse than Mexican. I've had a very hard time finding much Latin diversity here so far but for Mexican this is quite good. I've mostly gotten combo platters because I like the variety. I believe every combo platter should come with rice and beans. I can tell how authentic a place is by the beans and salsa quite often. So far I've liked the combo platters and the taco salad that I tried. Again, if I remember correctly, I had to pay extra to get beans on my taco salad. That would be one complaint I have. Beans should be a staple and come with everything unless the person doesn't want them. The service has been good. No complaints and it's been busy when we've eaten there usually during lunch hours. The decor and ambiance is pretty typical Mexican. Nothing fancy. The one thing I will note is I didn't see any Mexicans working there. Maybe someone in the kitchen I can't see so that's usually not a great sign. I know they've been around a long time. I'd probably go a smidge lower to 3.5 if I could just because I'm rather picky about Mexican and Latin food but I don't think it's fair to go down to 3 so I'm rounding up. The prices seem a bit high but everything is so expensive in 2026! They are probably pretty average for eating out and I'm sure it's costing them more just like all the rest of us have seen food prices sky rocket over the past year. I would certainly recommend them for a lunch bite and a nice Mexican American experience.

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    Pastor tacos with rice and beans

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    Taco Naco Kc - Fish tacos, chicken al pastor, and brisket barbacoa. A plate of dreams!

    Taco Naco Kc

    4.3(123 reviews)
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    Delicious! We tried the nachos and the tacos (and the…read moremargaritas) The nachos had tons of toppings and my day, even brought part of it home to reheat in the air fryer. It was a good midnight snack. I got the Barbacoa taco and shrimp taco. Both had tons of flavor, and two was plenty for dinner. The margaritas were excellent! Since you order at the counter, we didn't have a ton of experience with the staff, but everyone seemed friendly and the shop is well maintained We did eat inside, and there were definitely people outside, taking advantage of the patio

    If you're wondering why I have it 4 stars, it's because of the Westport parking options. For us…read morethis day wasn't too bad as we were able to grab a spot across the street (which my the eat is for other stores/shops.) Absolutely loved the style of the restsurant and the roominess. It gave an option for dining with a group of people or simply dining alone. We arrived around 1pm on a week day, so just after the lunch rush which was perfect. The food was made fresh, I've always wanted to try the barria taco but no one seems to offer anything but a beef option. And finally, I found a chicken one. It was Delish !! Now I couldn't dip in the au just because it was beef but I appreciate having the option. The Mexican rice was light and flavorful. The queso was good however it stiffened up pretty quickly, just in case you feel the anxiety of choosing between. Your appetizer and the main costs course. Over all, a great experience for a late afternoon lunch. Check out it when your craving tacos, I don't think you'll be disappointment.

    Photos
    Taco Naco Kc - A great place to enjoy with friends and family at all hours of the day and night

    A great place to enjoy with friends and family at all hours of the day and night

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    Brisket quesabirria ramen

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    Esquite street corn with a creamy and savory twist

    Tacos Valentina - Mushroom Tinga Tacos

    Tacos Valentina

    4.5(42 reviews)
    8.2 miGreater Downtown

    This is my new favorite taco place in KC, seriously I have had it 3 times in a week. Two times I…read morehave eaten at the location and once I ordered. So far either me or friends have tried all regular tacos and the burrito. All have been flavorful and delicious. The location is on the outskirts of Crossroads downtown. Since the location is shared with a brewery, it has an industrial feel both outside and inside, but don't let that stop you. You order at the counter, take a number and the food is delivered to your table - you know the drill. They have some games and the atmosphere is pretty chill. The employees are kind and personable and hey beer made on site. What more could you ask for?

    So I stopped by to try this place for the first time. It looks to have some cool vibes. I didn't…read moresee a clear indicator that you're supposed to order at the bar. I just took a swing at it, picked up a menu, and stood there. It took a while for somebody to acknowledge that I was there. The person who took my order was super involved, which is cool, but they needed some help, and the person who came by to help them seemed to be rather impatient, so that was one of the first things I noticed. They do bring your food out in a reasonable amount of time, delivered to your table. You have a number that attaches to a metal wand that they give to you. So the water station is set up in the back, you get your own water, but they were out of cups. They had a really cool aesthetic to it, with like the garage door where you can see all the downtown. The only problem was that the sun went down, and it started to get rather cold. Nobody ever closed the door, but I ordered the Asada fries. 3/5 heavy on the seasoning, but not so much on the flavor, it came across. It's kind of salty. I thought it would be different than what it was. The portion size was fine, and the green sauce that they offer you on the side really makes it better. Also ordered the CHORI queso dip lied on the chorizo for the portion size. The flavor was also a three out of five. The chip that they give you with it has a nice, good texture and reasonable seasoning. My wife had the mushroom Tinga tacos. She gave him four out of five. She really enjoyed them. The atmosphere is cool. The weights staff are really cool. I'd consider coming back on a Thursday. They have this cool thing that you can try new and upcoming dishes, and then they also have brunch, so I'm thinking about giving them a second shot. If you've never been, you should come and see what your opinion is, but really cool aesthetics and great views.

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    Enjoying some delicious torn label beer before our food was ready

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    Tacos El Gallo - Birriaqueso Tacos

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    4.4(234 reviews)
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    Finally stopped by Tacos El Gallo and I wasn't disappointed. I ordered online without issue…read more Parking on SW Boulevard is always a nightmare, especially in that little area but I was able to find a spot after a few loops around. I wish I would've had more time to look around the market because it looked like they had a lot of good stuff but I'll have to go back and see. They do have tables inside that you can eat at. The food was done at the quoted time and was accurate. The one individual I encountered was friendly. The menu was very straightforward-tacos, burritos, and a few other items, all can be customized. I had to get an order of chips and queso. I really liked their queso. It had good flavor and wasn't overly spicy. The chips were fresh and held up to the queso nicely. I'm definitely probably alway going to order this when I go. I also tried a taco with carne asada. The tacos are the street variety but they are really good sized. They don't skimp on the meat. And the carne asada was really good. No gristle or gross bits. It was chopped finely and I'd definitely order it again. I also had to try a burrito. I tried the El pastor for that and added on all the toppings-cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, and avocado. I also opted for extra meat because it was super cheap-like $1, so why not? Again, I was not disappointed. I did throw my burrito on the good 'ol George Foreman when I got home because they don't grill it at all and I wanted some grill marks on that tortilla. Otherwise, the el pastor was flavorful and tender and the toppings were all fresh. Per usual, my eyes were bigger than my stomach so I saved half of my burrito, but it was a welcome leftover meal the following day. Definitely check them out if you're on the boulevard and want some tasty, Mexican grub.

    A Hidden Gem in Kansas City!…read more We flew into Kansas City for a quick getaway and, of course, we had to find some good local food! After searching for tacos, we put the car in motion and headed to Tacos El Gallo on Southwest Blvd--and I'm so glad we did! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by two beautiful, spirited Hispanic young ladies who were incredibly welcoming and took the time to explain the menu and help us decide what to try. We went with the chicken, steak, and birria tacos, along with corn elote. We paired everything with mango and hibiscus agua fresca, and let me just say... WHEW! Everything was fresh, but lacked seasoning! The birria tacos were definitely a standout, but honestly, we enjoyed everything we ordered. And the customer service made the experience even better. If you're visiting Kansas City and looking for some authentic, flavorful tacos with great hospitality, put Tacos El Gallo on your list! Tacos El Gallo BOB Southwest Blvd Kansas City, MO 64108 Great food. Great service. Great vibes. #TacosElGallo #KansasCityEats #KansasCityFoodie #KCFoodie #KansasCityMissouri #TacoLovers #BirriaTacos #Elote #AguaFresca #KCGetaway #LocalEats #FoodieAdventures

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    4.2(806 reviews)
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    Had dinner here on a Sunday night. The place wasn't too busy, but the ambiance was great. I started…read morewith the pineapple mezcal drink (La Piña Ahumada) -- not too sweet, with just the right amount of smokiness. It was one of the best mezcal cocktails I've ever had, and I stuck to those for the rest of the night. Drinks came out incredibly fast, and our server was attentive and informative. My favorites were the Higos y Queso de Cabra and the Pintxo de Pollo y Chorizo. We ordered about seven different dishes and enjoyed them all -- the food was filling, fresh, and tasted homemade. One of my new favorites in KC.

    My fiancé and I love this place! Sharing photos from our first visit (date night) and our most…read morerecent one, his birthday brunch! This place is great if you love variety because you can order multiple tapas and share with the table, and/or just enjoy for yourself! I have tried their Paella Mariscos, Breakfast Paella, and one other, all were SO delicious! The shrimp were cooked especially well and the servings are generous enough for multiple helpings. Their sangria rojo is delicious, as are their wine offerings (I love a place that offers flights!) And they have great discounts each day of the week. If you like coffee, their Spanish coffee comes with a fiery performance by the servers - it was beautiful and so delicious! I really want to compliment their hospitality and attentiveness for the birthday brunch. We had a party of 8 and ordered a ton of tapas to share and the staff/kitchen timed their delivery perfectly along with entree delivery and drink refills so our table was pretty busy. Overall two great experiences, super delicious food, and lots of options so you can try something new with every visit! I'm already looking forward to going back

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    Chelly's Cafe - mexican - Updated September 2026

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