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Chapala Authentic Mexican Restaurant & Grill
Back in 2014 Chapala Authentic Restaurant and Grill opened its doors with the vision of bringing authentic Mexican cuisine to the people of Fort Walton Beach and surrounding areas with traditional flavors from Chapala, Mexico. In a world where promises are often made but seldom delivered, Chapala wants to be the exception!

The food and service are equally as important to achieve this dining experience that is why they offer over 76 entre choices and 11 specialty margaritas'. Along with daily lunch specials and 2 for 1 small draft beers and small margarita's every day! Every one of the Chapala staff is committed to our shared vision.
Reviews (28)
Shelley Almquist
Shelley Almquist
Dec 29, 2021
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Every time I try to call in an order to the Fort Walton location they often just don’t answer the phone so you have to go there, place the order, and then sit outside for 20 minutes until it’s ready. It’s not because they’re busy because when you actually drive there to place your order there’s two people inside. This is an every other week thing when I want to go there. I tried yesterday to send an email asking for a better contact number and the email came back undeliverable that’s listed on the website. Today I tried to order again and after a few attempts they took the phone off
John A.
John A.
Dec 28, 2021
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Best damn Mexican food I've had in a long time! We had table-side guacamole, Margaritas, steak quesadillas, chapalas Chile poblano, quesa burria tacos.

All was expertly prepared and really tasty! Wish they had a location in Connecticut!

Glimarrie was our server and was very attentive and fantastic
LittleKittyAnge
LittleKittyAnge
Dec 16, 2021
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It's always a great time when we go! We absolutely love there food! The wait staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable if you have any questions about what is in each dish. There are so many wonderful options, I have such a hard time making a decision lol
Grace Phelps
Grace Phelps
Dec 12, 2021
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Great food, really was great food. But we got charged more than we were supposed to. I tipped to make it a flat 90$ and got charged 100 even. I understand it’s just 10$ more. But that’s ridiculous. My tip was taken.
Robin Barron
Robin Barron
Nov 01, 2021
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We are from Dallas, TX and it's always hard to find a good Mexican restaurant in Florida. We have visited Ft. Walton for years and finally found good Mexican food. They let us sit where we wanted and made it an enjoyable dinner. Ask for Erica she took good care of us. Thank you!
Holly Cain
Holly Cain
Oct 17, 2021
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Great place! They have a huge menu.
Both my husband and I had the tacos, they were amazing. Super sweet staff, it’s a home like environment
Nurima P.
Nurima P.
Sep 27, 2021
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Stopped by for lunch before dropping off our son at his local base and glad I did. Food was amazing and the Chapala Nachos were the best. Nice atmosphere as well and server was great.
Ma T.
Ma T.
Sep 19, 2021
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Queso Birria tacos from here are so good. Its my go-to now. You get 3 tacos but I almost forgot to snap a pic before eating them.
William Mcbride
William Mcbride
Sep 10, 2021
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I've been coming here for years but this year Chapula's has hit a all time low whenever it comes to food quality and chips with the chips and salsa were stale and my entire meal was undercooked. The entire kitchen staff sucks. The Taco bell next door to Chapala is a better option.
Brandon G.
Brandon G.
Jul 03, 2021
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Excellent local Mexican restaurant, my favorite in Niceville. Their Molcajete is the best I've ever had. And they make authentic Horchata on site. Entire staff is very friendly and very helpful. Always popular but never crowded. We love this place.
Lost Motion
Lost Motion
Jun 26, 2021
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Great carnitas. Seems popular but very sizable seating area. Friendly staff. Considering how many customers were dining at the time the wait was not unreasonable.
Vicki M.
Vicki M.
Nov 21, 2020
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Just left the restaurant and did not have a good experience. Food was not good. We had a coupon which the restaurant did not want to accept. Manager came to our table and was not nice. Menus were dirty. Every page had food droppings on them. No one was wearing masks. Took over 20 minutes to get our checks.
Steve V.
Steve V.
Nov 13, 2020
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As we have been coming here for years we reluctantly, after the past couple of visits have to admit that service seems to have fallen off. But today's visit has probably ended our likelihood of returning. Our lunch items were soggy and seemed visibly and tasted watered down. When we brought this to the attention of the waiter, after he finally returned he seemed argumentative and flatly stated that is the way it is. We left after paying for the lunch which was more the 3/4 left on the plate. No offer of having the manager come visit was made. Will not be back.
Sean L.
Sean L.
Oct 28, 2020
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You are better off eating the leaves and mulch/dirt outside the restaurant, rice and boiled chicken tasted like chlorine, would rather go next door and eat a pair of new balances
Leischen C.
Leischen C.
Sep 21, 2020
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Great food, great service, great atmosphere... my first visit and I loved it so much!!! They were good about masks and socially distanced tables. I will be back the next time I come visit our kids and grands. Two thumbs up!
Meryl M.
Meryl M.
Aug 26, 2020
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Came in during Covid-19 , the staff was in gloves and masks which was honestly a surprise... I was seated at a table with a bunch of change in the seat, normally I would be stoked but during covid ... gross. First off the menus were so dirty I could barely read it from all the stains and it was so sticky I asked the server to flip through it to the page I couldn't get open so I could order. Food was decent ... kinda cold
Glitter Cupcake
Glitter Cupcake
Jul 29, 2020
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First time here, food was better than expected. We tried a molcajete and tacos de birria the first time, both we’re good the only thing that was missing was fresh tortillas. Our friends had chilaquiles they were so good we went back next day just to eat that. They’re micheladas and carne asada fried were also very good.
Adelita S.
Adelita S.
Jun 22, 2020
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Loved the food and the music. The staff is super friendly and fast! Great menu choices! I love the salsa, cheese dip, and beef fajitas. I love the art on the chairs. Very clean bathrooms
Robert G.
Robert G.
Apr 02, 2020
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I don't understand the negative reviews. This is great food. I've eaten in Juarez, Nogales, Las Vegas, and Fallon. This is really good, authentic food. The place is very clean, the service always great, and the food always very tasty and nicely spiced. I've been a patron for many years and don't know what else you could ask for. Four stars plus (close to 5) from me.
Mauricio F.
Mauricio F.
Feb 14, 2020
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Food isn't that great service was terrible. They forgot about my friend and I. They also just seem like they have no idea what they are doing sometimes and I felt really bad for our server as they were just throwing people into her section. I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
Aiko H.
Aiko H.
Dec 14, 2019
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Unnecessarily long wait time even when not that busy. Food wasn't the best. If you want good Mexican food, just go to Pepitos.
Jenna O.
Jenna O.
Dec 04, 2019
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Cutely decorated Mexican restaurant with great queso and salsa. I've now been here a handful of times and have enjoyed it each time. The food tastes great, the service is great, the drinks are tasty and the prices aren't bad.
Kevin M.
Kevin M.
Nov 16, 2019
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It's a solid average. I thought the food was good, service was lacking. My wife thought the exact opposite (shocking, I know).

To argue my side, it took waayyyy longer than normal to get our food after ordering. We asked for some extra salsa and we were half way done by the time it arrived. The food arrived lukewarm and my wife's fajitas didn't come out sizzling like I've seen in every other Mexican restaurant. Despite all that, I thought the food was tasty.

From my wife's perspective, the service was awesome! She loves the waiter. The food, though, was a little bland
Jessie F.
Jessie F.
Nov 11, 2019
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Ordered take out at 5:19 said it would be 15-20 minutes, ended up leaving there with my food at 6:02. Watched a table eat there entire meal and pay the bill. Got home food was cold and soggy. Hate leaving bad reviews but this one I couldn't ignore.
Stacey C.
Stacey C.
Oct 26, 2019
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Long wait
Ignored
No personality as though we were even there
Food was lukewarm
Server never came back to our table and the place was empty! Cheese sauce order with chips
That took four minutes to get! Unacceptable!
Robert M.
Robert M.
Oct 18, 2019
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We're we're here the other night. The service was A1. The food was great. The margaritas were great also. I would definitely recommend Chapala.
Miguel Villanueva
Miguel Villanueva
Sep 26, 2019
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Excellent restaurant, food and service. The moment we sat we were served chips and salsa and our drink order was taken. Our food was superb. Best rice and chicken I have had at a Mexican restaurant. My wife liked her gorditas although she did say she has had them better. The flan was good as well. I was very impressed with the speed of service. They do not charge for refills as I read in a prior review. The price of the meals was low. A must visit restaurant.
Elena R.
Elena R.
Sep 01, 2019
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Always fresh & tasty. Best chips & salsa around. Tonight I tried the ceviche. It was delicious!