My girlfriend and I decided to try Tacos Y Tortas Chalio's after she mentioned they had great…read moredrinks at reasonable prices, and overall we had a good experience.
The restaurant offers both dine-in and takeout service. There isn't a host stand, so you simply walk in and let them know whether you're ordering to go or dining in. The dining room was comfortable. It wasn't the coolest restaurant temperature-wise, but it wasn't uncomfortably warm either.
The highlight of the visit was easily the michelada. It came with chamoy and Tajín on the rim, a tamarind straw, shrimp, cucumber, and a lemon wedge, all seasoned with Tajín. The presentation was excellent, and more importantly, it tasted fantastic. It's easily one of the better micheladas I've had in the area.
For food, I ordered a vampiro with asada along with tacos featuring chile verde, carnitas, al pastor, and asada. The vampiro was different from the ones I've had in Mexico, but it was still very flavorful and came loaded with beans, meat, cilantro, and onions, plus grilled onions and a pepper on the side. The tacos were also very good and came with grilled onions, peppers, and lemon wedges.
My girlfriend ordered the mixed molcajete with avocado on the side. The portion was huge, and there was enough left over for another meal the next day. Everything we tried was flavorful and well prepared.
The biggest issue during our visit was service, though I don't think it was the fault of the employee working the floor. It appeared there was only one person handling the front of the house while also making drinks, taking orders, delivering food, and managing takeout customers. Once a few tables filled up, it became obvious she was overwhelmed.
For example, when we ordered our first round of drinks, I also requested waters for the table that never arrived. By the time our food came out, I had finished my michelada and had nothing to drink while eating fairly spicy food. I had to walk up and request another drink and water multiple times before receiving anything. The employee was always polite, but it felt more like a staffing issue than a customer service issue.
Another thing that stood out was the number of flies around the dining area. It wasn't enough to ruin the meal, but it was noticeable enough that better fly control would improve the experience.
Overall, the food and drinks were excellent, and that's what ultimately carries this review. With a little more staffing, better fly control, and slightly cooler indoor temperatures, this place could easily be a five-star experience. As it stands, I would still gladly return and would recommend it to anyone looking for good Mexican food and excellent micheladas in Visalia.
