Tom and I recently went to Chapala Mexican Grill in Powell, Ohio, with John and Jackie.  In the last year we have found several Mexican restaurants that we really like.  My favorite thing to order is always the sizzling fajitas, because who doesn’t love sizzling.  But I often try something different when we eat at a new restaurant.

Chapala Mexican Grill is located in a strip mall in Powell.  Most of the other shops in the strip mall are restaurants:  Lin’s Wok, Brooklyn Pizza, and Anne’s Kitchen.  There is also a donut shop called Glazed Over that I am going to have to try sometime.

Chapala Mexican Grill opened in Powell in February.  There is another Chapala Mexican Grill in Worthington which opened in 2022.  The name is taken from Lake Chapala, the largest freshwater lake in Mexico.  Both restaurants are owned and operated by the Martinez Acevedo family.  The restaurants are committed to serving fresh, authentic Mexican food.

I really liked the atmosphere and decor as soon as we stepped into the restaurant.  It was classier than most strip mall restaurants.  There were a lot of choices on the menu and I asked John and Jackie lots of questions about what things were.  I didn’t want something too spicy, but I am trying to be more adventurous in my eating.  Jackie started with ordering a fajita.  She said that when we ordered one, she always was a little jealous of the way it sizzled.  This time, she was the one getting something sizzling.

John ordered next and got the Chapala Especial with shrimp and a steak.  After a lot of back and forth – so many things sounded delicious – I ordered the pollo a la parrilla.  It was a chicken breast with grilled mushrooms and onions smothered with cheese.  When the waitress turned to Tom, he ordered the same thing I had.

 

We ate the fresh tortilla chips with salsa and cheese dip while we waited for our food and enjoyed catching up with each other.  When our food came, it was hot, fresh, and delicious.  Jackie’s fajita was sizzling – and enormous.  She ended up taking half of it home.  My chicken was very good and was right-sized for eating at the table.  I also enjoyed the tortillas that were served with it.

We enjoyed our meal at Chapala Mexican Grill very much.  The food was really good and the atmosphere was nice and not too noisy, although most of the tables were filled.  Definitely a place to eat again if we want delicious Mexican.  I might have to try their sizzling fajita the next time I go.  It looked (and sounded) even better than my chicken.