Chapala Mexican Restaurant

Evidently this local chain has found the lock on very enthusiastic and peppy hosts and waiters. It’s almost breathtaking how exuberant they are, though it’s so much one begins to wonder how much of that is genuine. No matter, the visit is for food. Inside, though the parking lot is very funky, is pretty comfortable and has all the usual trappings you would normally expect for this kind of place.
The food, however… this is the second location I’ve eaten at and I feel pretty confident in saying that I won’t be returning to another by choice. It’s not that there’s anything wrong, per se, just that one can definitely do a lot better on the Mexican side of things around town. It’s not low grade or low rent or anything, but doesn’t seem to be reaching for the stars to any great extent, either. It’s AN option, somewhere you could hit if you were around, say.
I played it safe and went with nachos this time and this was not one of the better versions I’ve had of this or the chorizo that was on it. I have, however, also definitely had lesser versions of both, so I guess this falls in the gap. All in all, everything I’ve had at both locations has just been kind of «there» more than anything else. It is almost worth going just to see the incredibly upbeat staff, though… not so much for the food, though.

We have been to a number of Mexican restaurants in Boise and Chapala wins! We like this place so much they catered a birthday party. The service is on par with what I expect and the food is good. I am a fan of the chili relleno’s and the enchilatas a good as well.
Definitely worth a try.

Pretty good. Not the best. It’s idaho. I’ve been around the states and Mexican food is one of my favorites. It’s a run of the mill mexican food joint. It’s hard to screw up mexican food.

We went in for dinner tonight. This was our third time to this restaurant. We have come here for the last three years when we come for vacation. Crab stuffed enchiladas, beef enchiladas, carne asada. ALL plates were wonderful. The atmosphere was quiet, restrooms were clean and staff was friendly. See you next time we visit Boise.

Pleasant surrounding with amicable mexican muzak… Cervesa served with chilled glass and and garnish… my meal was savory and the shrimp (Camorones al Mojo) were plentiful and not over cooked… walking distance from The Riverside Hotel

When we lived in Boise this was the place we went for Mexican. Visiting town we stopped in today for a nostalgia lunch and were rewarded with great food, good service and a wonderful journey down memory lane.
I’m no expert and will make no debate as to authenticity, but we enjoyed our lunch; Carne Asada and Arroz con Pollo, and had plenty to eat at a good price.

Been going to Chapala for years and years, like back when it was the only a hole-​in-​the-​wall tucked next to the Starliner Motel. Love the salsa which is key for any good Mexican restaurant. Huge menu and pretty much everything I’ve had is tasty. Favorites include the carne asada, pollo asado and carnitas de res. Enchiladas are excellent, always saucy and cheesy. The service is fast and friendly. Location is eh, but hey you have to out of your way for good food sometimes!

We generally go to the Chinden and Vista locations. Their Burrito Verde is probably the most orgasmic bite I’ve ever tasted, and yes, their salsa is to die for.
Last Saturday evening, we discovered that Chapala on Vista has an off-​the-​menu item called the «Fiesta» platter, much like the one at Café Olé, only way better, and an obscene amount of food for only $ 40. We got a stack of quesadillas, chicken chimis, beef taquitos, chicken burritos, a half pan of chicken nachos, a box of fixings (sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato), a 20 oz cup full of salsa, and a big bag of chips. It fed 5 grown people, and we had epic leftovers.
Made the BSU victory that much better!
Love you Chapala!

I wasn’t impressed. It was average food, and slightly higher than average prices for the area. The drinks were weak (margaritas), and they have odd happy hour times that seem to change by the day. Will I go back and give them another shot? Absolutely. The locals in Boise all say great things about them, so I think I may have just had a one-​off bad experience.

May not look like much from the building but the food is real good, service staff is personable, and you won’t go away hungry. Kind of has that family run atmosphere. Parking is kind of limited to a few spots in the lot and the street.

Ended up here after staggering out of the Ranch Club, with an hour to spare before curtain call at the VAC. I used to eat here all the time 15 years ago, in a past life. This was the Boise Mexican standby. Back then they had fluorescent lights and were not as gringofied.
It’s a whole new enchilada, now. Really nice atmosphere especially when you are trudging through the snow to find something warm and satiating. The decorations definitely take the edge off our harsh tundra weather.
I needed to raise my core temp fast so I opted for the soup of the seven seas, rather than say, the chicken taco salad. Los Siete Mariscos son muy bueno! Tomatoey, with a squirt of lime, and a net full of ocean bounty. The little octopods were actually tender and not rubbery. Shrimp, several species of bivalves, etc. make this a soup to remember.
Thank-​you Chapala for thawing out my ass when I really needed you.

Here from DC, Very good service, and great food, wish it had more spices.

When we drove into the parking lot, we thought, hmm, this place could be really great or really crappy. So we thought we’d give it a chance. It was the best decision we made!!! The nachos and salsa here are outstanding! The service was very friendly and the prices were really affordable. The entrée size is big and the food was really good. There were three of us and they were able to accomodate us by giving us each checks. A really great place!

Chapalas is the best Mexican restaurant in the Boise area– if you get out towards Caldwell I think there are some better ones. Too bad they closed the one downtown.