Best Mexican restaurants in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland: rental, area, dining)

[tcres]

Originally Posted by leachz

I personally don't think any of the "chain" restaurants are anything special, to be honest. Coming from a city that has some really good authentic Mexican food, I found that I just couldn't find anything that compares since I've been in the NW. My mom and I are actually on a mission to find the best Mexican restaurant in the Tri-Cities, lol.

You should keep busy! We have hundreds of Mexican restaurants in the Tri-Cities...

[wannabe1]

Casa Chapala ... if it's still open?? YUM.

[leachz]

Originally Posted by tcres

You should keep busy! We have hundreds of Mexican restaurants in the Tri-Cities...

Yes! This will definitely keep us busy. We love Mexican food so much, and its always fun to try new places. We haven't been out in a while, though.

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by wannabe1

Casa Chapala ... if it's still open?? YUM.

Are you talking about the one on Columbia Drive just east of Washington Street? I was when I went there last July, I liked their food and their service.

[M3 Mitch]

Casa Chapala actually went out of business a couple of years ago. Cinco De Mayo bought their location on Columbia Center Blvd. Chapala Express was a separate business at that time and stayed open.

I'm not certain how this was accomplished, but, one of the original owners of Casa Chapala regained ownership of the location in Kennewick on Canal Drive - it's now called El Chapala. Pretty much the same as it was before if you ask me. They also own Kiko's Tacos over in S.E. Kennewick, and I think Chapala Express is now part of this same business.

I like them, good food and service at a good price. I like the food at Inca just a little better but do go to Chapala Express for lunch pretty often.

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Casa Chapala actually went out of business a couple of years ago. Cinco De Mayo bought their location on Columbia Center Blvd. Chapala Express was a separate business at that time and stayed open.

I'm not certain how this was accomplished, but, one of the original owners of Casa Chapala regained ownership of the location in Kennewick on Canal Drive - it's now called El Chapala. Pretty much the same as it was before if you ask me. They also own Kiko's Tacos over in S.E. Kennewick, and I think Chapala Express is now part of this same business.

I like them, good food and service at a good price. I like the food at Inca just a little better but do go to Chapala Express for lunch pretty often.

I was at the Chapala Express just two days ago and their food was really good along with great service, I also like the food at Inca better myself, one thing what surprised me about the Chapala Express is that you have to pay first to get your food as opposed to paying your food after you're done eating, how good is Kiko's Tacos? Is that the taco place on S. Washington Street near the hospital?

[M3 Mitch]

Yes, that's them, it's all the same outfit so very similar. At least I thought so. The menu is maybe a little different at Kiko's, don't remember off the top of my head.

[MovinOutWest]

We've tried probably 10 different Mexican places so far in the 6 months we've been out here.

The best:
By far our favorite is Garibaldi's in Pasco, great authentic mexican seafood dishes and the best restaurant guacamole I've ever had.

Avacado Grill in West Richland is good for a mexican counter service place, nothing fancy but the food was really good.

The not as good:
3 Margarita's in Richland, boring food and not so good service. Others love it though so maybe I just had a bad experience.

The one over by the new Target and Walmart in West Richland, I don't remember the name.

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Casa Chapala actually went out of business a couple of years ago. Cinco De Mayo bought their location on Columbia Center Blvd. Chapala Express was a separate business at that time and stayed open.

I'm not certain how this was accomplished, but, one of the original owners of Casa Chapala regained ownership of the location in Kennewick on Canal Drive - it's now called El Chapala. Pretty much the same as it was before if you ask me. They also own Kiko's Tacos over in S.E. Kennewick, and I think Chapala Express is now part of this same business.

I like them, good food and service at a good price. I like the food at Inca just a little better but do go to Chapala Express for lunch pretty often.

I thought El Chapala was located on Columbia Drive just east of Washington Street.

[M3 Mitch]

You are right, El Chapala is on *Columbia* not *Canal*.

A big tip of my hat to the "too clever by half" guy who decided all the main East-West streets in Kennewick should have names starting with a "C"...

I think the rest of my thumbnail history of the business is accurate, though..