My favorite Mexican restaurant in Ann Arbor! This location was the best location for students. Will the campus downtown location reopen soon?
Todd McLeod
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor. I no longer have any need to go to any other Mexican restaurant in Ann Arbor. This is the only one that I need. It is great. Highly recommended!
Shelly H.
Great service and amazing food! Been going here since they opened their first restaurant and they NEVER disappoint! I love Chela's!
Kevin Gates
Best tacos in town! New menu with more options like nachos. Also has Mexican Coca-Cola.
alexis ok
The food was dry and cold. The tacos had absolutely no flavor. They also didn’t give me any of the drinks I ordered. Bad experience overall and I will not be going again.
Alex N.
Love the lunch soecial. Can't beat it
Susan M.
My kids wanted the all you can drink horchata here. We ordered the lunch combo, cheese quesadilla and nachos. The nachos were completely loaded with veggie and meat toppings. The fridge next to the cashier has different salsas and sour cream in individual containers. My youngest loved her super cheesey quesadilla. She loves it when the cheese is all stringy. The al pastor tacos in the lunch combo were excellent but we are not big fans of beans so we would skip the combo next time. The horchata was excellent. Both girls refilled their cups before leaving. Service is very fast. The food came out in less than ten minutes and was brought directly to the table.
Tiffany H.
We were craving some good tacos and wanted to try a new place. Chela's made it super easy during shelter at home to order online & pick up! The set up during this time makes me feel pretty safe - with plexiglass and arrows on the floor for one directional flow. We ordered a decent spread: *Tacos OF COURSE: Came topped with cilantro and onions & double tortillas. The barbacoa is where it's at!! Super flavorful and tender. *Chips & Guac - I really like how thin and crispy the chips are. The guac is tasty! It reminds me of Chipotle guac in a good way -- all consistently green with no brown spots and w/ the perfect amount of salt. *Carrots - Pickled carrots! Gotta get that as a side!
Vanessa G.
The ONLY authentic Mexican restaurant in Ann Arbor. While not rigid in its adaptations of traditional foods like beans and rice that are typically served at other Mexican restaurants serving a Mexican community, it is the closest thing you can get in Ann Arbor. The meat is exquisite, their barbacoa tender and flavorful. Al pastor and asada (steak) are equally as good. The best thing to try at their restaurant- the limeade!! Love their restaurant and their authenticity in a town where good Mexican food is hard to find.
Jailah Jones
Hands down thee best authentic Mexican restaurant so far! The food was fresh, it’s a little pricey but worth the money. The man at the register was nice, helpful, very polite, and entertaining. I don’t live in Ann Arbor but the food is worth the drive!!!
The service is always amazing. Guacamole as well as the horchata were are the best in the area !!!! The rice and tacos were good. Fresh ingredients! I especially loved the portion of the nachos and the quality of quesadillas.
Ron C.
A new local yelp King from New York organized a UYE here on a Saturday. In full disclosure I really wasn't knowing what to expect. At first blush I thought all the restaurants in Ann Arbor and we choose this one. But it has three locations and the owner is a local legendary good guy. As I walked in right around 11 you could already smell the grilled Meats and oh my goodness that aromatic sensation that activates your belly was truly amazing. Met King Daniel on the sidewalk walking in, and several yelp regulars in the lobby. I was just going to keep it simple in order and alacarte taco and an alacarte tamale, until the Gal next to me orderd the daily special. Which was 2 of any entree Rice Beans And unlimited Horchatta Or Hibiscus tea $8.50 So you place your order at the counter and go find a seat and when your food is ready they will come find you. 1. Small dining room near the lobby that's seats a dozen 2. Or just three steps up a little bit larger dining rooms at may seat 20 But before you climb up the stairs make sure you hit up the cooler because they have plenty selections of salsa and sour cream in little Remy cups. The food came out before I could sit down and take off my jacket. The taco and the tamale we're simply extraordinary I chose the al pastor taco and it was just a marvelous blend of tasty protein as was the chicken tamale. Be sure to try all of the salsas I fell in love with the green salsa it was just the perfect blend of heat and flavors. And the two people that waited on us and took our orders we're just very kind and wonderful Hispanic ambassadors for their product and business. The food and the service was so good it reminded me of some of the Mexican food that I experienced in LA
Laura Ruddy
Food was awesome, the carne asada tacos were yummy and the hot salsa is actually hot. The guy serving me so nice and offered me to taste an elotes so I would know if I would like it for next time.
Doug R.
Kind of a weird setup. Order at the register just inside the entry way, then find a table and wait for the food to be delivered. Before proceeding to a table; grab your mild-sauce, sour cream and beverage from the refrigerator case and proceed to a table. Note: none of the available sauces are particularly spicy. Hot was almost mild. The plastic cutlery is available in two locations, but only one location has napkins. I ordered a breakfast burrito and two tacos (al pastor and chorizo). The breakfast burrito was huge and stuffed with properly cooked eggs and spicy rice and melted cheese. The tortilla was nicely toasted. No meat. The menu mentioned "no meat" so I knew what I was getting. I would've preferred a bit of chorizo in the burrito, but did not ask. Will I order it again? Maybe. I really want meat protein with the burrito. Both tacos were wonderful. I will order the tacos again. Plenty of (paid) parking very nearby! Why did a small group of Detroit Yelp'ers venture to a small Mexican restaurant in AA for a UYE? It was a show of support for the owner. Adrian is Mexican and did not deserve the public insults of Tom Burtell. Frankly; Adrian should honor Tom with a torta named for him: stale white bread, white American cheese and generous amount of cheap baloney, served with a small dill pickle and a glass of warm, white milk.
Lucian Ramnarase
Chela's food actually has flavor. If you want spice, the sauce that they have in the store is a perfect addition to the tacos and the burritos. I prefer the burritos because they can be stuffed with several ingredients making it a filling meal. Dine-in or take out, it is one of the best quick meals in AA.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Ann Arbor! This location was the best location for students. Will the campus downtown location reopen soon?
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor. I no longer have any need to go to any other Mexican restaurant in Ann Arbor. This is the only one that I need. It is great. Highly recommended!
Great service and amazing food! Been going here since they opened their first restaurant and they NEVER disappoint! I love Chela's!
Best tacos in town! New menu with more options like nachos. Also has Mexican Coca-Cola.
The food was dry and cold. The tacos had absolutely no flavor. They also didn’t give me any of the drinks I ordered. Bad experience overall and I will not be going again.
Love the lunch soecial. Can't beat it
My kids wanted the all you can drink horchata here. We ordered the lunch combo, cheese quesadilla and nachos. The nachos were completely loaded with veggie and meat toppings. The fridge next to the cashier has different salsas and sour cream in individual containers. My youngest loved her super cheesey quesadilla. She loves it when the cheese is all stringy. The al pastor tacos in the lunch combo were excellent but we are not big fans of beans so we would skip the combo next time. The horchata was excellent. Both girls refilled their cups before leaving. Service is very fast. The food came out in less than ten minutes and was brought directly to the table.
We were craving some good tacos and wanted to try a new place. Chela's made it super easy during shelter at home to order online & pick up! The set up during this time makes me feel pretty safe - with plexiglass and arrows on the floor for one directional flow. We ordered a decent spread: *Tacos OF COURSE: Came topped with cilantro and onions & double tortillas. The barbacoa is where it's at!! Super flavorful and tender. *Chips & Guac - I really like how thin and crispy the chips are. The guac is tasty! It reminds me of Chipotle guac in a good way -- all consistently green with no brown spots and w/ the perfect amount of salt. *Carrots - Pickled carrots! Gotta get that as a side!
The ONLY authentic Mexican restaurant in Ann Arbor. While not rigid in its adaptations of traditional foods like beans and rice that are typically served at other Mexican restaurants serving a Mexican community, it is the closest thing you can get in Ann Arbor. The meat is exquisite, their barbacoa tender and flavorful. Al pastor and asada (steak) are equally as good. The best thing to try at their restaurant- the limeade!! Love their restaurant and their authenticity in a town where good Mexican food is hard to find.
Hands down thee best authentic Mexican restaurant so far! The food was fresh, it’s a little pricey but worth the money. The man at the register was nice, helpful, very polite, and entertaining. I don’t live in Ann Arbor but the food is worth the drive!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
The service is always amazing. Guacamole as well as the horchata were are the best in the area !!!! The rice and tacos were good. Fresh ingredients! I especially loved the portion of the nachos and the quality of quesadillas.
A new local yelp King from New York organized a UYE here on a Saturday. In full disclosure I really wasn't knowing what to expect. At first blush I thought all the restaurants in Ann Arbor and we choose this one. But it has three locations and the owner is a local legendary good guy. As I walked in right around 11 you could already smell the grilled Meats and oh my goodness that aromatic sensation that activates your belly was truly amazing. Met King Daniel on the sidewalk walking in, and several yelp regulars in the lobby. I was just going to keep it simple in order and alacarte taco and an alacarte tamale, until the Gal next to me orderd the daily special. Which was 2 of any entree Rice Beans And unlimited Horchatta Or Hibiscus tea $8.50 So you place your order at the counter and go find a seat and when your food is ready they will come find you. 1. Small dining room near the lobby that's seats a dozen 2. Or just three steps up a little bit larger dining rooms at may seat 20 But before you climb up the stairs make sure you hit up the cooler because they have plenty selections of salsa and sour cream in little Remy cups. The food came out before I could sit down and take off my jacket. The taco and the tamale we're simply extraordinary I chose the al pastor taco and it was just a marvelous blend of tasty protein as was the chicken tamale. Be sure to try all of the salsas I fell in love with the green salsa it was just the perfect blend of heat and flavors. And the two people that waited on us and took our orders we're just very kind and wonderful Hispanic ambassadors for their product and business. The food and the service was so good it reminded me of some of the Mexican food that I experienced in LA
Food was awesome, the carne asada tacos were yummy and the hot salsa is actually hot. The guy serving me so nice and offered me to taste an elotes so I would know if I would like it for next time.
Kind of a weird setup. Order at the register just inside the entry way, then find a table and wait for the food to be delivered. Before proceeding to a table; grab your mild-sauce, sour cream and beverage from the refrigerator case and proceed to a table. Note: none of the available sauces are particularly spicy. Hot was almost mild. The plastic cutlery is available in two locations, but only one location has napkins. I ordered a breakfast burrito and two tacos (al pastor and chorizo). The breakfast burrito was huge and stuffed with properly cooked eggs and spicy rice and melted cheese. The tortilla was nicely toasted. No meat. The menu mentioned "no meat" so I knew what I was getting. I would've preferred a bit of chorizo in the burrito, but did not ask. Will I order it again? Maybe. I really want meat protein with the burrito. Both tacos were wonderful. I will order the tacos again. Plenty of (paid) parking very nearby! Why did a small group of Detroit Yelp'ers venture to a small Mexican restaurant in AA for a UYE? It was a show of support for the owner. Adrian is Mexican and did not deserve the public insults of Tom Burtell. Frankly; Adrian should honor Tom with a torta named for him: stale white bread, white American cheese and generous amount of cheap baloney, served with a small dill pickle and a glass of warm, white milk.
Chela's food actually has flavor. If you want spice, the sauce that they have in the store is a perfect addition to the tacos and the burritos. I prefer the burritos because they can be stuffed with several ingredients making it a filling meal. Dine-in or take out, it is one of the best quick meals in AA.