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    Chala's Wood Fire Grill

    4.3 (412 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Chala's Wood Fire Grill Photos

    CHALA'S WOOD FIRE GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Chala's Wood Fire Grill

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    Ground beef tacos
    Rose C.

    Once we sat down, we were given a bowl of chips and salsa. While enjoying those, we ordered our tacos and burritos. We liked that everything was not oversalted so that we could actually taste the food itself. I appreciate the portions for the price as well and felt we got a good value. The service was pleasant. The only thing I didn't like was that after we ordered, we noticed that other people had other foods on their tables... and it occurred to us that there was another menu, maybe a bar menu that we were never offered. Not purposely, but I really wasn't interested in tacos and burritos but would have really liked the nachos or other items on there, so it was a missed opportunity to get something I really wanted and had a more enjoyable experience.

    Tanisha H.

    I forgot to take a picture of my steak and my brunch mates food. I wish I had because the food looked just as delicious as it tasted! I ordered just the steak without any rub. Not only was it cooked perfectly but it was thick, juicy, and utterly delicious. Service was amazing. Family run business and you can tell staff really cares about the customers. I also really appreciate that everything is made fresh that day. No freezers so they do not have any flash frozen foods that they throw in a microwave and call their own. Nope! Not here. Every single thing is made fresh and they donate anything left to those in need. The prices were reasonable too. There is outdoor seating which is great and inside is a little bigger than the outside would lead you to believe. There is also parking across the street if the parking lot is full. I definitely plan to return.

    Shelbie P.

    My friend recommended this restaurant when we stayed in Las Cruces, and we are so glad we listened to his recommendation. The place was packed on a Friday night, so you know it was going to be good. The food was delicious, and came out quickly. If it was warmer, I would have loved to sit outside on their patio.

    I'm sitting with all of my friends on the patio!
    Jessica P.

    Pretty sure the foodgasm made people feel uncomfortable! The sausage sandwich is, by far, the best thing I've put in my mouth, in a very long time! The fries are crispy and damn near perfect!!! Service is freaking ON POINT! I'm so happy my fellow Yelp peeps pointed me in this direction! Everyone has been so kind and amazing. I swear every single person here has stopped to chat and just been so freaking nice! I love when flying solo, people make time to chat! This is a must !

    Ricardo M.

    On Sunday, my wife and I were going to an indie movie at the historic Fountain Theater in Mesilla invited by a friend of ours. We decided to meet our friend for lunch before the movie. My wife chose Chala's where she had been to with some friends. Mesilla is a beautiful NM historic village located next to Las Cruces with several restaurants that cater to visitors. Chala's is a hidden gem where locals go. The place is small and on a Sunday for brunch, we had to wait 30 minutes to be seated which we understood. As we sat we told the server that we were in a hurry because we were going to a movie at 2. Her name was Lorena who quickly took our order and she mentioned that she was going to make sure that it came fast. The place is simple with a small well stocked bar with a dining patio up front but we chose inside due to the hot weather. The prices are reasonable. No loud music so it was a perfect spot to enjoy a conversation with our friend. Our friend ordered the enchiladas and my wife the same topped with an egg as the menu stated. I ordered the Blueberry Crème Pancakes that were epic! When we have friends from out of town we usually take them to Mesilla, so now for me we have local restaurant to take them.

    Tres leches cake
    Cindy C.

    Chala's was recommended by our hotel staff so we decided to try it. We ordered their pork chop special. It was very thick-cut bone in pork chop, very juicy and delicious. It came with potatoes and vegetables. Their steak fajita was really tasty too. Very juicy cut of steak with all the fixings; perfect with flour tortilla. Save room for dessert because their tres leches cake was really tasty and it was big enough to share between the two of us and then have leftover. Enjoy! Highly highly recommend!! We will be back when we're back in town.

    Found this inside my burrito!!  Not food. Halloween was yesterday...is it a melted Halloween thing?!!
    Kelly K.

    Hard to rate when you find something in your food that shouldn't be there! Stepping inside I was put off by the strong smell of cleaner like Lysol. Place was clean but I'd rather not smell such a strong chemical smell in a restaurant. I stayed because the reviews are high. I got a burrito with chorizo, chile and potato and it was very tasty. I was planning to come again but then found something inside my burrito that isn't food! See photo. Yesterday was Halloween and it looks like something from Halloween that melted. Ugh! Coffee was not good. Service was good.

    Cha* corn boats

    Service was quick but was allocated to outdoors because I had my dog. Too hot for her in the car, too cold for me in the patio. Salsa was chili hot but carne wasn't. It was too cold to enjoy my meal or people watch. Won't be eating here again

    Kitchen from the entrance
    Melissa C.

    We were in Las Cruces for the night and chose at Chala's for dinner. It took a minute or two to be greeted, but once we sat down, our server was attentive. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, but it was too hot for outdoor this time. The exterior windows all have iron bars across them, and the interior has wood accents throughout. The kitchen is visible through multiple interior windows, which is something I appreciate. Chala's offers a nice serving of chips and salsa while you peruse the menu. The chips were cold, but the salsa had a nice (spice) heat to it. I ordered a bean and cheese burrito with green chile queso, and my partner ordered vegetable tacos. My burrito was amply sized and filled with refried beans and cheese. It would have been bland without the chile queso and salsa. While still warm, it likely stood a few minutes before being delivered to the table. My partner enjoyed his vegetable soft shell tacos, but did not eat his beans (warm, not hot). Overall, our experience was ok. If we try it again when we're next in town, we'll try other menu items.

    Grill
    Sean R.

    Real mid. The food was kinda gross though it was a reasonable price for the plate. Service was fantastic from the waitress, ambience was mid, the woman sitting across from me looked like my mother so I took away a star for that. Got sat next to kids that wouldn't stop screaming. Don't suggest this place I'm not coming back. Taco boys is so much better.

    Their burger, I don't know the name of it on the menu.  It is a monster and amazing good!

    Oh ye gods and little fishes, do I recommend this place! I used to live in Las Cruces, and there were only two or three places we'd go for Mexican food. One closed (turned out it moved, but we haven't been to their new location), dropping our preferred places to two. Then my wife learned of Chala's and we tried it. Proverbial love at first bite. Excellent chips and salsa, then our food arrived. And it just got better from there. The salsa is perhaps a bit on the hot side for some tastes. I'm not going to talk about specific dishes, as everything we've had there was simply excellent. I will mention their burger, photo attached, which was amazing. I did speak with the owner/mother of the chef, we had a great conversation about how the restaurant operates and how everything is made fresh - including baking the burger buns in-house! Great food, we're semi-regulars - only semi as we live 90 minutes away. Do expect your food to take a little bit of time coming out, this is not a fast service restaurant.

    Menu 1
    Jordana G.

    Awesome service, good drinks and tasty (if unspectacular) food. Very clean and well run. Nice spot for a meal.

    Beer Menu
    Brittany C.

    A Mesilla hidden gem, Genuinely top notch spot Class & casual Prices too low to Believe it's true, cocktails for $6, full tap. The food was phenom Came w/ chips & salsa, Choices are A la cart-a Decor was tasteful, Modern & minimalist, Staff was attentive.

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    9 months ago

    Excellent food, & awesome customer service! Pancakes are a must! Sarah is super! Can't wait to go back!

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    2 years ago

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    3 months ago

    Didn't the like flavors or the food. Not our style. Bland. The chips and salsa were good but we personally won't go back.

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Food and service was great, I love the Sunday brunch and they have the best steel cut oatmeal!

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    1 year ago

    Good food excellent service and the ambience is super comfortable, friendly and warm.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Chala's Wood Fire Grill

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    La Posta de Mesilla

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    Party of 4--we stopped in for drinks and dessert and ended up really enjoying it…read more Everyone ordered something different--margarita, wine, beer, and an old fashioned with a smoked twist--and all of them were really good. Prices were about what you'd expect, nothing crazy. The desserts were just as solid--very tasty and a great way to wrap things up. Our waitress was super nice and always nearby if we needed anything, without hovering. Overall, a great spot to swing by even if you're just going for drinks and dessert. Definitely worth it.

    While on a Southwest road trip, we found ourselves spending the night in Las Cruces, New Mexico…read more When we asked the staff at our hotel for a local dining recommendation, they pointed us toward the historic village of Mesilla, just south of Las Cruces. It turned out to be excellent advice. Mesilla is a charming, historic community with an unmistakable Old World feel. Founded in 1848, it once served as the Confederate capital of the Arizona Territory and is perhaps best known as the site where the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid was tried and convicted of murder in 1881. Today, the village centers around a picturesque plaza surrounded by beautifully preserved adobe buildings, shops, and restaurants that make it well worth a visit. One of Mesilla's most famous restaurants is La Posta de Mesilla, which has been serving traditional New Mexican cuisine since 1939. Over the decades, it has expanded into a sprawling 17,000-square-foot complex made up of a maze of interconnected dining rooms. Its menu is built around century-old family recipes featuring the renowned red and green chiles grown nearby in the Hatch and Mesilla valleys. After what felt like a two- or three-minute walk through the restaurant to reach our table, we ordered margaritas and waited for the customary basket of chips. I added an order of chile con queso along with both the red and green salsas. Our drinks, chips, and salsas arrived promptly. The salsas were pleasantly spicy and packed more heat than the average restaurant version, something I appreciated. Unfortunately, the chile con queso never arrived. After unsuccessfully trying to catch the attention of one of the busy servers, we finally flagged someone down to remind them. By the time it reached our table, our entrées were only moments away, leaving little opportunity to enjoy it with the chips. My wife ordered two tacos with rice and beans. I chose the Folded Tacos--three deep-fried folded corn tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef and chicken, then topped with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese, served alongside refried beans and rice. So, how was the food? It was simply okay. Nothing on either plate stood out. The dishes lacked the bold flavors, vibrant presentation, and satisfying textures that make New Mexican cuisine so memorable. That said, my sampling of their food only included two plates. Perhaps another entree would have delivered a more authentic taste. Service added to the disappointment. It was slow, disjointed, and often difficult to find a server when we needed one. Since we visited on a Sunday evening, it's possible the restaurant was short-staffed, but regardless of the reason, the overall dining experience suffered. If you're visiting the Las Cruces area, don't miss Mesilla. It's one of southern New Mexico's true gems and absolutely deserves a stop. As for La Posta de Mesilla, It's an experience and could be worth a visit.

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    Andele Restaurant - Combination Number 1: Verde

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    4.2(687 reviews)
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    Holy smokes!!! I'm so glad we stopped here! I'd seen the…read morefamous Christmas enchiladas featured on TV, and while we were on our road trip, my husband searched for a great place to eat. We are so happy he found this gem! I ordered the cheese Christmas enchiladas plate, my husband ordered the build-your-own taco plate, and the kids ordered burritos. Everything was absolutely delicious! The green enchiladas were my favorite--the sauce was creamy, rich, and incredibly flavorful. I can definitely see why these enchiladas have earned such a great reputation. The tacos were completely decimated in our family...not a single bite was left! From the delicious food to the friendly service and welcoming atmosphere, this was one of our favorite meals of the trip. We'll absolutely be back the next time our road trips bring us to Texas. HIGHLY recommend!

    This was our first time dining at Andele's following from many recommendations from friends…read more Upon walking in the door, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who sat us promptly. Our waiter, Chase, quickly came to our table to offer us drinks. Chase was very attentive throughout the entire meal. He brought our food out quickly and checked on us as we ate to ensure we were not lacking anything. Excellent service!! Now for the food... The small bowl of chips didn't have a chance to empty before Chase brought another bowl (without us having to ask). We loved the salsa bar where we were able to select the salsas that we wanted to try. We chose the traditional, jalapeño and tomatillo, pico de galio, and chipotle. We agreed that all of them were delicious. My husband had the fish tacos. The serving size was great!! He would have preferred grilled fish rather than the breaded and fried fish; but all-in-all he said it was good. (For non-fish eaters like myself, the fish smell was quite strong and overpowered the smells of the rest of our meals). My daughter got the Monster build your own burrito with chicken. She loved it and said the grilled chicken was delicious!!! My daughter's boyfriend had the chicken enchiladas Christmas (green and red sauces for those who may not be familiar). He loved it! Like my daughter, he too enjoyed the grilled chicken that came in his enchiladas. I had the cheese enchiladas Christmas with 2 fried eggs and sauce on the side. The sauces were both delicious!!!! Everyone at the table enjoyed tasting the green sauce which had a creamy and cheesy consistency with the perfect amount of green chilies and heat. The red sauce was a traditional New Mexico red enchilada sauce with exactly the right amount of heat. My single complaint about my meal is that I could have counted the number of cheese shred pieces between each tortilla of the enchiladas. All of us liked the refried beans and Spanish rice that came with our meals.

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    Andele Restaurant - Indoors

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    Andele Restaurant - Pork Tacos al Carbon Plate - pork

    Pork Tacos al Carbon Plate - pork

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    Sí Senor - Nachos

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    Wow. My husband and I were visiting the area and ended up eating at Si Señor 3 days in a row. The…read morefood was excellent-so tasty. The staff we're attentive and friendly. We loved the ambiance of the restaurant, with it's beautiful fountain and pretty walls. A must for everyone, especially those who want some tasty green chile.

    Yes Sir! Si Senor (sorry, I don't know how to put the squiggly thing above the "n" in Senor) is…read moreperfectly perfect. I mean, the food is wonderfully delicious! I ordered a couple of Chili Rellenos with rice and beans. These are Hatch chilies my good readers. They were unbelievably good. You can't match the Hatch when it comes to chilies. There has to be something in the dirt that makes them superior to any other. I should pick some of that up and sprinkle it on my lawn where the gardener killed the grass. Nope, bad idea. The fricken gophers would be in heaven. The chips and salsa are no slouch either. You get plenty of chips and four different salsas to tempt you. Careful though, the green one has a kick. When asked what kind of sauce I'd like on the rellenos, I told the server, NOT THE GREEN ONE! She laughed and said that they have a mild version. I opted for that. It was perfect for blanketing the entree. I didn't get dessert, cause the hotel where I was staying had a sign by the front desk stating that fresh baked cookies will be served. Well, that was a bust. The cookie lady said that the power where she bakes was out. So no cookies. I guess the old saying is true. It's better to have Flan in the hand than cookies on a sign. Quick Tip: Try to get seated by the indoor fountain. The pleasant sound of the trickling water will compliment your experience. That is unless you've been drinking a few beers. Then it may not be the trickling sound from the fountain that you're hearing.

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    Sí Senor - We are visiting from LA! Services was fast, food came out fast and Alexis S. was so sweet and nice! Definitely we will be back!

    We are visiting from LA! Services was fast, food came out fast and Alexis S. was so sweet and nice! Definitely we will be back!

    Sí Senor - Fajitas

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    Paisano Cafe - 3 cheese chicken with fries and wine of course

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    4.0(211 reviews)
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    Updating my review of this amazing spot for moles just to add some more photos and details. Many…read moremoles later, this place is still my very favorite place for moles. They are simply magic here both in terms of flavor complexity and texture. Their texture here is truly the best. I literally was licking the plate at the end of each of these. I tried all four of their moles as plates and also as a sampler on four different occasions and all are very complex, rich, creamy and satisfying. -Mole Poblano. "A not so sweet ajillo pepper mole sauce with traditional ingredients and a touch of Oaxaca chocolate." This was the first we tried here and what brought us back for more. -Mancha Manteles mole: This mole is described on their menu as: "Sweet pineapple, red apples, fried plantain and a wonderful choice of spices make this mole a great and unique experience". This mole like their other ones came out piping hot, creamy, thick, complex and delicious. -Mole Negro: Chichilo pepper and tomatillo mole sauce with a smoky taste and a hint of ash. -Mole Verde o Pipian. Toasted pumpkin seeds and tomatillo mole sauce with a hint of hoja santa (root beer plant) My husband and I get their enmoladas stuffed with vegetables and get double serving of the black beans (rice has chicken stock so we avoid it to keep the meal vegan/ vegetarian). The plates are always piping hot and soooo yummy. When they have all four moles available they offer a sampler as well. We did this on our last visit and it was fun to revisit the 4 moles we had their side by side and compare them. I really love the ambiance out on the peaceful patio and there's cover form the sun. My general rating system: 1 star: I would stay away 2 stars: Has some good things about it but I generally don't recommend. 3 stars: Pretty good. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back but a decent place 4 stars: Great place. I would go back. 5 stars: I highly recommend stopping whatever you are doing and making plans to try it out! An Evie favorite! My general rating system: 1 star: I would stay away 2 stars: Has some good things about it but I generally don't recommend. 3 stars: Pretty good. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back but a decent place 4 stars: Great place. I would go back. 5 stars: I highly recommend stopping whatever you are doing and making plans to try it out! An Evie favorite!

    Welcomed by Óscar the owner with a handshake and greeted by Server Raúl with chips and a delightful…read more salsa. Paisano Cafe will require multiple visits to experience all of the variety they offer. I startedQueso Fundido w/ Chorizo and the Enmoladas stuffed with queso & Pollo served with choice of 4 different Mole sauces: Poblano, Negro, Verde, or Mancha Manteles. Being my first time I went with traditional Negro for comparison purposes. Everything was fantastic and I look forward to being back to Paisano Cafe in Las Cruces.

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    Paisano Cafe - Inside

    Inside

    Paisano Cafe - Cobb salad

    Cobb salad

    Paisano Cafe - Outside was comfortable

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    Outside was comfortable

    Chala's Wood Fire Grill - mexican - Updated August 2026

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