Chelatos Restaurant Bar & Grill

We always shop around for the best margarita in town where ever we go. This place was a disappointment for drinks. The margarita was only available with a house tequila and the had no water, just a bottled water but they would charge for it. We ordered the steak fajita which was good. We wood only order take out if we would ever return.

Fish tacos are fried.
Cash only
Foil is on the wall with a pic of Marilyn, an interesting touch. bathrooms are extremely clean and
if you ask nicely they will give you a shot of cheap tequila but it’s a beer only place.
menus are in Spanish.
the hot sauce home made with habaneros.
And it’s this basic

NO CREDIT CARDS! Probably the only sit down restaurant in town that is cash only.
My son and I were in a exploration mood on a Thursday evening, so we went down El Cajon Blvd. to find a sit down restaurant we had never visited before. Having been in the neighborhood for a long time, this particular location was first a Boll Weevil hamburger joint, then another Mexican restaurant, before becoming Chelato’s a couple years ago. The parking lot is spacious, especially in the evening when the other businesses are closed in the strip mall.
Once inside, we were a little intimidated by the emptiness. Portions of the room were made up for a party later in the evening, a man sat at the bar, and the waitress/​bartender/​hostess was folding silverware in paper napkins. That was it. The floor plan is the same as the old Boll Weevil, and some of the lighting and artwork was probably there back then too. In one word, the room was «worn.»
The menu features a great deal of seafood, with some traditional area Mexican food as well. The bar had a soda fountain, but drinks were served in cold cans with a glass and ice. The back includes a large stage area for live music; which was not present when we were there.
When it comes to Mexican seafood, ceviche de pescado is practically required, so I ordered the appetizer tostada with ceviche. It was excellent; big meaty chunks of firm white meat fish, with small dice cucumbers, red onions, cucumber, etc., with plenty of lime juice. Served very cold and therefore extremely refreshing.
For entrees I had the pescado al mojo de ajo, a large fish filet sizzled with garlic and butter, which came with three small flour tortillas and the ubiquitous rice and beans. The sides were nothing special, but the fish was extremely well done. It had been sizzled on high heat to form almost a crust, and had just the perfect amount of garlic butter drizzled over it. So much better than the «stewed» dish of similar name served at other restaurants where the fish is swimming in butter.
My son had cheese enchiladas, which were clearly made to order, and wolfed them down. When asked, he said they were «ok,» but judging from the speed of his effort on the meal (especially when compared to his usual focused attention on the bean side dish) they were better than that.
There was no sign that the restaurant was cash only, which surprised us, and we had to scramble a bit (always keep a small stash in the car!).
The atmosphere: one star. Honestly, we considered turning around after we saw it. And no credit cards? Definitely a wtf moment.
The service: three stars. The ceviche tostada appetizer actually arrived at the table after the entrees.
The food: FIVE STARS. It was all terrific. We will be back!

This place is new. The place is a Latin club with live bands on Friday evenings. When the bands are not on, they have a live DJ playing popular Latin music. They have VIP rooms for private parties and a Caribbean buffet. The also have Mexican food available a la carte and tapas. If you are into Latin music, food, drinks, and dance, check this place out.
I am dancing a jig, just for you!