Chavella's - the mexican place on classon

Wow, great news. This part of the neighborhood is seeing some changes. First the Caribbean place on Lincoln, then Saje and sushi, and now Mexican. Hopefully, a bar will soon follow.

My roommate and I went to the new Mexican place (Chevalla's--sp.?) on Sunday night for dinner. Contrary to the experience above, I found the owner (at least I think it was the owner) to be very friendly. She lives in the area, and she and I both bemoaned the lack of food options in these parts. Anyway, the place was having a "slow opening" this week with minimal advertisement so the chefs can practice on small crowds. Seems sensible to me.

We had a nice appetizer (I'm not great at describing food, but it was good) and then I had three crispy tacos with rice and beans. While not the best Mexican I've ever had, it was tasty and filling, and it felt like high-quality ingredients were used to make the food. This was a pleasant surprise to me considering I knew nothing about the construction of the restaurant and was expecting something considerably less good. So, in conclusion, I recommend the place and I think it's a very nice addition to the neighborhood. If I weren't moving to Prospect Heights proper in two weeks, I would probably patronize the place fairly frequently. And given the pathetic Mexican food options in Prospect Heights, it's probably worth a trip to the far side of Washington for those already nearby.

nearnostrand wrote: Unfortunately, as much as I would have liked to, I refuse to patronize the new mexican place. During their build out, we walked by and asked the woman who appeared to be the owner what type of restaurant would be coming. My husband and I were very excited about the prospect of a new and "different" restaurant in the area. This woman wasn't nice - at all. She was quite rude. She gave us that "look." That belittling look that some reserve for those who one believes to be beneath them. I don't know what she thought when she looked at us. Some of you know the look that I am talking about.

I know the look you're talking about, but since it's all that you mentioned as evidence of her rudeness, was there anything else she did or said that was rude? Like, for instance, did she refuse to answer your questions or did she answer them curtly? Was the look momentary or sustained? I believe you, but if it was only a look I'm just wondering whether it's possible that it might be a weird, out-of-the-ordinary thing. You might have caught her at a bad moment or something -- maybe she'd just had an argument with a contractor or learned her dog died or something, who knows? -- since others have apparently had perfectly pleasant interactions with her.

I have not been able to spot this place...?
At first when I read it, I thought it strange that I didn't notice a new resturant but admittedly, I usually drive everywhere so if I ever pass by, I'm zooming by. But the other day I slowed down to look for it -- is it on the same block (& same side) as that fancy red barber shop? Maybe I saw it, but I didn't see a name or anything. Anyway, definitely cool to have a Mexican place right there.

i just had lunch there today, and the food was quite yummy. The tortillas for the quesadillas (and tacos,etc) are made fresh right there, and they are superb! I also had a Chavela salad (sort of Cesar salad) it was good, nothing spectacular. The people were extremely friendly and they are from Mexico. The guy told me that they haven't done much advertising yet because they are still getting it together. A few people came while i was eating and order stuff to go (i think that they were people who work nearby). I think that the place is going to be very successful. I for one plan on patronizing them. I am all for small business (if their service is acceptable). The interior is tastefully done for being that kind of a place (albeit with bad accustics).
I ordered a black bean soup to go...i will report back once i have tasted it.

Viva México!

anyone know the hours? The first post said they were only open the weekend, are they on a regular schedule now?

Also, I haven't had much Mexican -- what do people reccomend that's good (at this place & in general? I'm not a fan of spicy, really (that's why I haven't had much!). Thanks! : )

Just wanted to add that I've been to this place twice (for dinner last night and tonight), and it has been really excellent. High quality ingredients, reasonably sized portions, nice atmosphere... just a great addition to Classon Ave. and the general area. I highly recommend the tortilla soup, as well as the chorizo quesadillas. Mexican food enthusiasts should definitely give this place a shot.

breatheeasy wrote: anyone know the hours? The first post said they were only open the weekend, are they on a regular schedule now?

I'm curious about this too...

Thanks, sweet tea! Any idea whether they're open seven days a week?

I have the menu in front of me - I don't have my scanner hooked up, or I'd just link it... anywho -
Tue-Thur == 11am - 10pm
Fri == 11am - 11pm
Sat == 5pm - 11pm
Sun == 5pm - 9pm
Closed Monday.

So Axle then, your second trip picked up my slack! Yes, I can admit that she may have been in a bad way during that one chance encounter. My husband asked her if she were the owner and she said yes with a definate tone of annoyance. But it wasn't what I normally understand to be the "F**k, I'm having a bad, lousy contractors, stinking expensive lawyers, dangblasted hood inspection, not going to pass the dept. of health inspection kind of day, so I'm sorry if you get hit by my emotional debris." It was more of the, "I don't think I like you. Please go the f**k away" kind of thing. My husband, being so much more nice and forgiving than me, simply chalked it up to her probably having been approached in negative ways by other people in the neighborhood (of our complexion and age range) and that he could understand if that was why she was kind of rude. (Please note that I held a grudge against him too, until we got home, for being an apologist.) To be fair, while we were walking away, a couple of guys approached her and asked if she was hiring. She looked like she was annoyed with them too. Unlike our non-eventful departure, one of those guys called her not-so-nice name in a very loud tone. I would have felt aweful for her, except I was already holding my grudge. I am not holding a grudge anymore - it wasn't really much of grudge anyway. As I said previously, I do hope that her place as well as the other new places succeed, as we will all benefit from their success. I will write back if and when I ever get there to let you know how I enjoyed it. / /

Does anyone have their number for takeout? I'm crossing my fingers they'll deliver to me!

Sweet! They're listed in this week's Time Out NY too!

nearnostrand wrote: So Axle then, your second trip picked up my slack! Yes, I can admit that she may have been in a bad way during that one chance encounter. My husband asked her if she were the owner and she said yes with a definate tone of annoyance. But it wasn't what I normally understand to be the "F**k, I'm having a bad, lousy contractors, stinking expensive lawyers, dangblasted hood inspection, not going to pass the dept. of health inspection kind of day, so I'm sorry if you get hit by my emotional debris." It was more of the, "I don't think I like you. Please go the f**k away" kind of thing. My husband, being so much more nice and forgiving than me, simply chalked it up to her probably having been approached in negative ways by other people in the neighborhood (of our complexion and age range) and that he could understand if that was why she was kind of rude. (Please note that I held a grudge against him too, until we got home, for being an apologist.) To be fair, while we were walking away, a couple of guys approached her and asked if she was hiring. She looked like she was annoyed with them too. Unlike our non-eventful departure, one of those guys called her not-so-nice name in a very loud tone. I would have felt aweful for her, except I was already holding my grudge. I am not holding a grudge anymore - it wasn't really much of grudge anyway. As I said previously, I do hope that her place as well as the other new places succeed, as we will all benefit from their success. I will write back if and when I ever get there to let you know how I enjoyed it. / /

thats weird, I have talked to her numerous times and she was very nice to me. i met her the first time i stopped by there and she always says hi to me. give her another chance. she is really a nice woman!

Dragged the fam out to try the place out last night. Everyone agreed that the food was great. Fresh, and tasty. Only complaint was that the place was a tad bit chilly. The waitress (owner?) had on a vest and scarf when we walked in and the tables and chairs were cold to the touch. It never got unbearable but considering the outdoor temps, another 10 degrees would have been great.