El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant

7849 W Taft St, Merrillville - 46410
230 reviews
Mexican Music Venues
(219) 472-0328

My wife and I chose to go to this restaurant based on Tripadvisor reviews. The restaurant is located in a small strip mall off the beaten path. The interior of the restaurant is very cutely decorated with murals on the walls. We were greeted by a friendly staff and seated immediately. We both had a taco sampler. The sampler was fantastic! Both of us were VERY pleased with our meal and would have to say that this is one of the best Mexican restaurants that we have dined at! It is definitely a hidden gem.

Been coming here for a while and food was great. Recently it’s still been pretty good but every time I call to place a to go order they put me on hold and never answer the phone again. I thought maybe I wasn’t waiting long enough so one time I sat on the phone for 15 minutes waiting and still nothing. This has happened the last 5 times I called so now I just won’t even attempt to order takeout anymore.

So disappointed. Been before and it was great. Now the margarita was just average, chips and taco salad bowl very greasy, refried beans were like soup from so much lard, and we kept having to literally get up to find our waiter. Skip this place.

Food was very good & tasty.Very Authentic Mexican Restaurant.

Horrible horrible horrible ‼️ I am an easy custom to please. Therefore, this place was NASTY. We ordered $70 dollars worth of food and only enjoyed the coke with lite ice and my son enjoyed the fries.We first ordered two drinks and the margaritas was horrible. Turns out … they are made with wine and NOT liquor. We apologized and sent the drinks back.The food comes out!!! Let’s rewind, it was 3pm midday on Friday and there were no customers but my family of 5. That should say a lot! My 1 year old are her rice and my sister ate two enchiladas. The rest of the meals sat on the table! WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEND THE FOOD BACK BECAUSE OF THEOR POLICY…Due to reoccurring issues with orders we are not taking refunds or returning food. This says a lot!!!Please save your money‼️‼️‼️ Additionally, after two bites of a burrito I feel sick.

Excellent service! Very rare to have such attentive servers these days! The food was good too. Loved their fries! Yummmm

When we first started ordering from here, the food was great but in the last few times we’ve ordered here, it has gotten progressively worse each time. I wouldn’t mind spending $45 for 3 dinners if the quality of food was actually good.

When we sat down the waiter came to take our drink order and they did not have a big selection of anything. My dad wanted wine and the waiter didn't even know what they had on stock. We asked for a easy beer and they did not have it either. My mom got a pina colada that was weak and look like ice cream and had no liquor in it. We asked for chips and the waiter said they do not bring chips until we place our food order. He took forever to take our order and even check on us. Wanted to walk out as soon as we tasted the drinks but decided to give it a chance. Now we regret it. Plus, lots of gnats. Food was ok, service was not. And it wasn't even busy.

My good friend & I have January birthdays 10 days apart & every year we go to dinner to celebrate. The place was very nice, the service was awesome and the food was delicious.

The young man was quick to approach out table and wait on us. He was quick to provide us with answers to our questions. Then came the meal!!! I've never not been greatly satisfied with food here and today was no exception.Love this place...bravo