What a great place. Had a couple of tacos and a tamale a la carte with drinks at the bar. Chef Tony Jr. brought out our food and had a conversation with us, then gave us some house made hot sauce...great guy! Support this family owned business. read more

Pretty decent Mexican food - we went on a Tuesday night and it wasn't packed but service was a little slow (but very nice waitress - she just had many tables). Chips & salsa were meh but the entire I got was actually pretty decent. I was worried after seeing a ~3 star avg, but it was pretty standard ok Mexican food. We missed the special that runs on weekdays (until 6pm apparently), but were still happily full when we left. read more

El Meson Restaurante - El meson (arroz con pollo basically) - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

We've always received good food and great service here. It's a very relaxed atmosphere. The margaritas are exceptional! Prices are quite reasonable. read more

We stopped for a quick bite and we're delighted. I ordered the chicken fajitas and my partner had the chimichanga. They both were good....mine was the best!! The meat and veggies were charred just right! The service was good. Fast and friendly. And the interior was cute. All in all it was good. read more

See all

Decided to grab some lunch on the go, so I picked some El Meson for my son and I. My son had the fajitas and thought it tasted authentic and the chicken was tender. I tried both the street tacos and the Americanized version. They were ok. I will say the beans and rice were tasty, probably my favorite among the chain restaurants. The cheese dip was just the right thickness and had a lot of flavor. Satisfying lunch. read more

See all

Loved the waiter! He was very friendly and personable with all his customers. The tables and chairs were fun to look at. The portions of food were a good size for the price. I forgot to take pictures of my food which I was very happy about. I also got the margarita sampler and a beer. read more

El Meson Restaurante - Margarita sampler and a beer - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Food was AMAZING! Customer service was wonderful as well! Would definitely eat here again!

My husband and I met here mid-week for an event dinner. There was only one other table and a couple guys at the bar. That was fine with me because we ordered and had our drinks fairly quickly after we arrived. Our sever was kind and helpful when we asked about certain dishes on the menu. The chips and salsa were free and delicious. Our meals arrived quickly and we were both pleased with our choices. I got a veggie burrito (it came with two) and it was good! I got the cheese on the side and my dish came just as I ordered it. I think the quality of food is good for the price. I wouldn't say it's my absolute favorite but it ranks top ten. I'd definitely go back! read more

El Meson Restaurante - Slow time. Good time to come! - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

I should have known better than to try Mexican food outside of Texas. This food had Mexican flavor but not well done. My fajitas were all vegetables. The guacamole was slimy looking and had too much pico in it. My daughters cheese enchiladas had hard unmelted cheese throughout and the machaca meat that was supposed to be on it was not available. Instead of telling us they had no meat when we ordered they brought it out and said sorry we are out of meat. "You want taco meat instead?" Not even the chips and dips were good. Not going back.oh and service was bad. Slow and had to ask for everything and got it piece by piece. read more

El Meson Restaurante - Solid brick cheese - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

We have done catering with this restaurant twice, and both times we have been impressed. We ordered a taco bar for a Christmas gathering of 11 and added an extra setting just in case... however, we had so much food left over that we are still eating it. The manager was polite and friendly and gave us clear prices for everything, and no other restaurant in town could compare with the price or the amount of food we got. I would highly recommend them for catering for sure! read more

Food was okay tbh. Service was terrible and the bar was dirty where I sat down. I actually had to find the bartender to ask for my check who was eating at a booth with a manager. Place was pretty dirty and didn't look like it's been dusted since Covid. Prices were reasonable but I still don't know what costed so much. $70 after tip for just me. Worst tamales I've ever had. Nothing had seasoning. I should've just had Rodezios for that price. read more

Fajitas could be spicier as could the salsa. Margaritas were yummy! The place was vibrant on our visit. Lots of happy people enjoying the night. read more

Decided to come here for a nice afternoon lunch. It was the most disappointing restaurant I have been to in awhile. I love Mexican food and I have been many places. I have never had food as bland in my life. I paid $10 for a half cup of chunky guacamole that ended up having more tomato's and onions then actually avocados. Needless to say after the tomato paste salsa and the disappointing guacamole I was not looking forward to the main dish. Somehow when we get the check the total came to 54.23 after the fact that our waiter gave us 50% off because it took incredibly long. Do NOT waste your time here. read more

Even though the restaurant was nowhere near full, we were seated near the kitchen and restrooms. A pet peeve of mine. Our waitress seemed annoyed. Chips were cold, salsa was actually partially frozen. My cheese enchilada was microwaved, rice was cold. Will not go back read more

I was out thrifting when I stumbled upon this place. I'm so glad I did! Sat at the bar and Received excellent, accurate and friendly service by Alex! He was a great bartender and walked me through the menu! First class service. I had a delicious Modelo with the signature El Meson Fajitas! A must! Don't forget the flan! read more

If I had to rate all the local Mexican restaurants in the area, this one would be towards the end of the list. Depending on when you dictates your service. We've gone twice in the last two months and both times are completely different. The first was fine (hence the return visit), our food was served hot and the chips and salsa were refilled as needed without asking. The second time however is a completely different story. The a/c apparently wasn't working because it was cooler outside in July than it was inside. The restaurant was dirty. Numerous tables were left uncleaned and the restaurant had an overall 'old' smell to it. Service was incredibly slow and the food was below standards. No manager to be seen to let them know. read more

The best mexican food in town. Staff is great. Raul treats you like family. Miguel is our favorite waiter.

One of the best lunch deals! The taco salad is amazing! I always get it with shredded chicken and I usually take half of it home. The beer is cold and the margaritas are flowing. Love this place. read more

I will enjoy very large lunch portions of chicken fajitas food was hot and great although our waitress was a little insufficient in meeting our requests (i.e. straws, refills, napkin) otherwise I would probably be more towards a five star review considering the value and taste. read more

I enjoyed lunch at this place. My daughter and I invited friends from my daughters school , and it was so good place to meet. We did not know but on Sunday they serve buffet. I have never been at Mexican food buffet , and it was cute looking, and had many dishes, including fruit and dessert. It seams like many of the dishes were spicy, and I can not eat spicy foods. But I found a couple kinds of meets I can eat. Dessert-they had cherry pie and brownies. Not sure if they serve cherry pie in Mexico ? But I liked pastry with fruit filling and cinnamon, and fried dough. The food was a little cold but we were there late afternoon, and buffet was ready to be closed but they were nice and kept for us. I will visit this place again. And it is next to the thrift store, and I love to go there. read more

See all

I had never been there before but attended a retirement reception in the back room of the restaurant so as for cost or service, can't really comment on. I can comment on the servers and food though. It is in a mall area so parking is easy and the décor is a typical for a Mexican restaurant. The reception had great food and the servers were excellent. Even with all the 30+ people milling around and sitting at tables, we never had to wait for a drink or food. The drinks were prompt and they had draught beer (get a +1) as well as a full bar. I remember now though, don't mix beer and mixed drinks; I forgot and had beer and Gin and Tonic--- don't do it!! LOL I suggest you avoid that combination. However, the food was buffet style and the bins always kept full, selection great, and it was hot and delicious. I have to give it an overall 4 for the reception and if you have a group gathering, not a bad choice. I bet if I had a come for just a dinner with family or friends, it would get a 5 for a Mexican meal. Great job with the reception!. read more

Super yummy!!! Love their salsa and fajitas! Never disappoints. You won't regret trying them out!

They were great with our offices large order. They are following Hamilton County COVID guidelines. Their staff is friendly and the food was awesome! read more

Was not impressed with my experience at El Meson. The floors were so gross and dirty that every time you walk, your shoes stick. The restrooms were DISGUSTING. I ordered a taco salad and a frozen margarita. The drink tasted like straight syrup, it was an odd taste and I wouldn't say Im particularly picky when it comes to a margarita! The taco salad was OK at best. I brought my family visiting from out of state as it was a convenient location to where we were shopping and I was truly embarrassed that I brought them here. Would not recommend. read more

My wife and I tried it. It was worse than average. It wasn't very expensive so that was a plus.

I gotta say I was not impressed. The brunch buffet did come with 3 mimosas and was a decent price, but the quality of the food was not great. A few things were ok, but most were not. The kid manning the buffet wasn't sure what half the things were. The tamales were cold, like they just took them out of the fridge and stuck them in the buffet tray and tried to heat them up with the sterno. In fact, several of the items were not up to temp. The beans were runny and all the chicken dishes looked dried out and overly greasy, go figure. The desserts and fresh fruit were nice and I did appreciate that they did have real Mexican style corn tortillas for tacos. The part that I just can't forgive is the condition of the restaurant. I mean, total lack of care for the furniture and booths. We sat at a corner table/booth and the seats were tore up. Like huge holes in the seat covers. When we were seated at our table, there were dirty silverware and napkins and the place had just opened. We were the second group of people to be seated in the restaurant. Obviously the place hadn't been cleaned the night before. Then I went to the restroom, again, still just after the place had opened for the day and the trash can was full of paper towels, the soap dispenser and one of the paper towel dispensers are broken. The bathroom was dirty. I judge a restaurant on the cleanliness of not only the eating area but the bathroom. I was disappointed. The only reason for the 2 stars and not one is our server. She was super sweet and helpful and she was great with our brunch crew. read more

Went to El Meson with a friend at her suggestion, I was kind of iffy about her choice but agreed to go. Our server was Isabelle and she was very attentive and accommodating. The food came out hot and fast and everything tasted great. We were at the Hixson location. read more

Food was ok. Placed order and food came out incorrect (chicken vs beef). Ran out of salsa never refilled. Silverware dirty asked to be replaced. read more

What can I say it's sad when family lets you down. That's how it felt when I was celebrating a new job I called and ordered lunch for my family it was about $60.00 I told the manager it was for a celebration and would he please check all the plates to make sure everything is right I said and I quote," I don't want to have to call and complain about my food in the middle of a party so please check everything. He assured me he already had and everything was correct. All I can say is he must have checked someone else's order because they got everything wrong. I was so upset I called he apologized which means absolutely nothing and then did what everyone does he offered to replace it. I said is that the best you can do he said yes, after thinking about it for about an hour I decided I didn't want my food replaced my meal was ruined the celebration was ruined and I wanted a refund. I still had the food no one ate it. I called back the manager who said he WASN'T ALLOWED TO DO REFUNDS!!, had the owner call me, it took three days. I threw away the now stinking food and shock of all shocks he refuses to refund my money. Even though the manager lied, the meal was a disaster, and my celebration marred and also over. Not like I can have a do over. He still refused a refund I told him we threw away the food he wouldn't be moved. I had my brothers memorial dinner in your restaurant I was there the first weekend you opened at Hamilton Place you ruined my party and you won't refund $60.00. Nope. So after, wow, almost 30 years going to his restaurants I had to find a new spot and baby did I! fiesta Mexicana on Hixson Pk is my new jam, butter, and roll honey let me tell you ....... I guess you'll have to look them up to find out more. read more

Came for a brunch buffet which includes three mimosas. The mimosas were mostly orange juice which was ok with me, but some people prefer a different ratio. The buffet had good and questionable things. The omelet station was great - give the order and sit down, they will deliver to your table. As i walked the buffet and asked the young man what items were, he shrugged and said chicken - to almost everything. He seemed clueless. Perhaps the staff should be better prepared to describe what food is in the buffet. The dessert table was very nice. All in all I thought the prices and the food were a fair match. I can't say anything was stellar, but it wasn't bad either. read more

This place use to be great , but has quickly gone down hill . The food is subpar at best , lacks flavor and usually taste like it's been sitting out for a long time . I have ordered steak there before and couldn't chew it due to it being extremely dry and tough . Service is slow and usually things are forgot like waiting 15 minutes for a drink refill . Orders have been made wrong multiple times and it just isn't worth the hassle . They are always out of either lemon , cilantro or corn . Idk If management has changed and things just aren't being taken care of , or if they have new cooks who don't know what they are doing . Just disappointed all around . read more

Normally the food and service here are acceptable. Last night, a group of four of us went to their free taco night. Every Monday, if you sit in the bar section and order at least two drinks per person, you can go to the free taco buffet. Last night, we sat at a tall table in the bar section, where we have sat many times for the taco bar. We ordered our drinks, the server brought chips and salsa to table, then brought our drinks. As we were getting up to go to the taco bar, our server came up to us and said the manager said we had to move to a booth or to the bar to get the free taco bar. Remember, I mentioned that we've sat at this exact table before and never had an issue. It was nasty outside because we were getting the tail end of Hurricane Irma, so the place was empty. I nicely explained to the waitress that we've sat at this table before and she said she knew, but that the manager wanted us to move to a booth, which we did. In the meantime, several other tables came in and sat in the tall bar tables and proceeded to get the free taco bar. Evidently, the manager never asked the servers to have those other tables move, so I was mad as Hell at that point. I have no idea why the manager made us move to another table, yet let others enjoy the free taco bar at the same tables we originally sat in. Of course this was not the waitresses fault, so there was no sense getting mad at her, however, if there was a problem, the manager should have came over and talked to us, not sent the server over to ask us to move. As a matter of fact, we never even saw her, In hindsight, I should have asked for the manager to come over and talk to us. Now they have lost a loyal customer over something so ridiculous. read more

Their food is by far the best, but honestly we will be giving it up. Their service is horrible 5th time in a row I've been and waited forever for either a order to be taken, food to come or a ticket to be brought. Service is everything and I can overlook short staff or a issue. We have been understanding in the past, but when there's 4 tables of people and 5 employees all standing at the bar at 5 o'clock and I have to ask someone after waiting 30 minutes if they can take our order. Theres a service issue that needs to be addressed! read more

Tony makes the best salsas in town! Ask for his habanero mango salsa if you like sweet and spicy. The variety of food is great and you can choose from the traditional (American style) beef taco or go all out and get the carne asada tacos with cilantro and lime. The absolute best! The prices are great and the food is always good with atmosphere to match. read more

Having eaten at the Hamilton palace location, I had high expectations for our Father's Day dinner. We were promptly watered and received chips and two salsas. Two of us ordered fajitas. One ordered a shrimp dish. We ordered one child's order of pizza to share between two small children. There was a significant wait for the food. The chips were light and good tasting. However the salsas were both bland and lacked anything "special." When the food arrived, the children's pizza was cold and we were not provided the requested second plate. The fajitas were not sizzling and the meat was also cool. The meat did have a good flavor and was pretty tender. However, the tortillas were missing. It took over 5 minutes to get them and the fajitas were even colder. The shrimp were overcooked, cold and tough. The rice was fluffy but no wow. Beans were ok as well. Both the service and the food were subpar for El Meson. It will be. A very long time before we return. read more

This is a nice Mexican restaurant that isn't exactly like every other Mexican restaurant you've ever been to. It's not 100% authentic but it's close. They have a lot if the same things but they have a page completely reserved for tacos and building your own authentic style Mexican taco. Ask for various salsas and hot sauces, they have a few to choose from and all pretty authentic. Their food is really tasty and the atmosphere is cozy. We went on a Friday night and actually enjoyed the acoustic guitar player in contrast to other harsh comments about him. The place wasn't packed (it was a cold, rainy night) but had a cool group of patrons that made the night fun. Server was okay, got our orders right and kept my drinks filled but didn't see her for 10 minute intervals. All in all it was a positive experience, we will return for dinner for sure and to hear the great tunes sung from an aspiring folk/classic guitarist. A+ business. read more

I totally agree with Kyle B., The one on HIXSON PIKE is terrific and prices are very reasonable. we went during lunch and had the same experience. Loved it. On the other hand, the one over by the WalMart in Soddy does not do as well by any means. They were slow, they weren't attentive, and all three times we had to chase down the waiter for our check. So I give a thumbs down to the one in Soddy. read more

One of my favorite local places.Great service, food, and drinks!

Been here multiple times in the last year. Never really impressed. The menus are needing replacrment, the whole place could use some more dusting around decor pieces, and service is lacking at most visits. The Sunday brunch has loads of variety if you're looking to mix things up. The chips are typically free flowing and the extra options for salsa flavors are a good menu addition. The food always comes out hot but never is very spectacular. read more

Beautiful restaurant by the mall. Sub-par Mexican-American food.