El Nopal Mexican Restaurant & Bar

I love this restaurant. The service is always great. My favorite dish is the chile relleno. It always comes out piping hot and full of tasty cheese. The margaritas are always a real treat too. We live in Chattanooga, TN. Every time we go to Atlanta, I make my husband stop in for the relleno and a margarita. If the Atlanta trip was an over night trip, we stop on the way back home too. So there are times when I have the same exact meal 2 days in a row. On my last visit I ordered 2 rellenos to go. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant right now.

We really liked this restaurant! When we looked up reviews of this place and the others that were near by, we were a bit concerned because this place wasn’t #1 in reviews or ratings, but every time we drove by the place was packed out. In fact it was 3^rd from the top and a local hole in the wall was #1. Anyhow, we decided to try it out and boy were we please we did. The salsa was great right off the bat, and the atmosphere was perfect. We didn’t have to wait at all to sit down even though the restaurant looked packed out. The service was great, and the prices were not over done either. Last but certainly not least, the food was just awesome! We will definitely be back!

Decent food and fair prices. The service is swift, but don’t come for the margaritas, for they are pitiful.

Atmosphere and service is alright. Margaritas are syrupy and watered down. Food is typical of Americanized Mexican restaurants. Standard bland stuff. It’s OK if you want a cheap lunch with a better sit down atmosphere than taco bell, but I wouldn’t blow the cash for date night.

First time here and probably will not return. My husband and I visited on Saturday night, looking for a local restaurant that wasn’t a chain. We thought, based on the exterior, that this restaurant might fit our need to find something with a little atmosphere.
As we are walking up to the restaurant, two employees walk in the door at the same time as us They didn’t speak or look at us, much less hold the door open for us. (And no, we weren’t at the car or in the lot… we were immediately behind them.)
The hostess greeted us immediately but was less than happy to see us arrive. After waiting for a bit for our waiter to appear, we were pleased that he was nice and seemed like he wanted to be there.
The food was ok. Nothing horrible but I wouldn’t eat it again either.
My biggest complaint is the staff. They ALL had earpieces in like they were on their cell phones. There were a ton of employees there doing absolutely nothing but talking to each other and carrying on while hanging out at the cash register. Even the manager decided to make a big scene of joking around with some of the employees.
Needless to say, we were less than excited about our experience and will probably not visit again.

Love this place! This is usually where the co-​workers meet up at for dinner and drinks. I always order the Texas Fajita Nachos! YUM! I could live off that dish! lol

Not from Calhoun, but was in the area for lunch. Unilocal reviewers recommended it so I gave it a shot. Overall, the experience was good and the restaurant was well maintained. Food came fairly quickly and was good. The parking lot was packed but it didn’t slow down the service. I would return if I was in the area.

They seem to have gotten their act together. The food is consistently good and the staff pleasant. Prices are reasonable and portions are filling.

I am not to go out to Mexican restaurants, but I really enjoy this place. I always order the Chicken Taco Salad and it never ceases to amaze me the amount of food I get for less than $ 7. This is probably the best place to dine at in Calhoun if you are looking for Mexican food. I have eaten here at different times during the day and it never seemed crowded. Even during the lunch hour crowd. Don’t take that as in their slow, they are busy, the building is just big enough to accommodate everyone. There is plenty of staff members and the service is very speedy.

Nice restaurant but subpar food.

Margarita & pollo loco was great. Waitress was clueless about the menu. I think she was new.

After moving to San Francisco and being spoiled with authentic Mexican food I am always amazed when I go home and eat out Mexican. El Nopal is such a refreshing twist on American Mexican food! Everything is so cheesy, and who doesn’t love some cheese? Last time I went in, they did not serve Cerveza, which would have been so perfect to offset the spicy of their delicious pickled jalapeños! Oh well, I am sure they will hop on the booze bandwagon soon enough… otherwise a great place to go!!!

Even though I live in Calhoun, I’ve always gone to the El Nopal in Adairsville. My favorite dish is the quesadilla rellena. I NEVER deviate from this entrée, which can be stuffed with either beef or chicken. I get the chicken, which is shredded and tender. Refried beans, cheese, and a few scattered peppers are also in the quesadilla. Lettuce, tomato, guacamole, and sour cream come on the side.
For some inexplicable reason, I still prefer the Adairsville location. The most remarkable thing for me about the restaurant in Calhoun: I was sitting there having lunch with my father when I heard someone on the TV announce that Michael Jackson was dead.

I am so glad El Nopal opened a restaurant in Calhoun. We used to frequent the one in Adairsville on Thursday nights for the Mariachi band. Calhoun now has Mariachi night on Wednesdays. The band members seem to vary from week to week but they are always ready to take requests. (I request no more Rocky Top requests– come on, people, be creative.)
The food is good, especially when you order it with the white melted cheese poured over the top. My favorite is Chicken Quesadillas. Of course the regular beef tacos out-​do fast food ones anytime. Just the chips & salsa with that white cheese dip can be a meal.
The service is fast & friendly. The atmosphere is casual & great for groups.