El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant - Helotes

Beautiful, beautiful restaurant! We came in from FL to San Antonio for the eclipse and celebrate 3 birthdays. I chose this restaurant for the path of totality, the reviews, and the fact they had an outdoor playground on site as we were traveling with kids. We sat outside, and even though the online system would only reserve 6, they were able to accommodate our party of 12 with zero issue. (I also called after booking to inform the restaurant that it was 12 not 6 showing up and put in rsvp comments) The decor inside and out was breathtaking and truly enjoyable to look at. The chips and salsa to hold us over were fresh and delicious, we had to make sure we didn't eat them all and fill up! The margaritas were fantastic! I tried chamoy and tamarindo, a 1st for both and equally enjoyable. Based on all the reviews, I went with the Carlos special and zero complaints! In fact, it was hands down one of the best tamales I've ever had. I am typically a pastele girl, but this tamale was even better than them! The corn mash was flavorful, not just mush. My husband had the Helotes delight and enjoyed it as well. He asked for spicier salsa, and they brought him Verde. He truly loved it, perfect balance of heat and flavor. Pablo, our server was very attentive and professional. It was the most beautiful and perfect place for a large party to eat, kids play, and the restaurant to view the eclipse. Although I wish it wasn't as overcast, we still loved every moment. The playground is really great! Slides, swings, monkey bars, and rope climbs. The only complaint is that I mentioned the 3 birthdays on the reservation, as well as to the server, and I wish there was more initiative on our server or restaurant part to have done something for the celebration. Besides that, I highly recommend El Chaparral, Helotes location.

El Chaparral is simply one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever eaten at anywhere. The salsa is amazing. The chips are unique. Plus you also get a bowl of bean soup to start the meal. I'm a fan of Valerie's Special which includes a cheese enchilada, beef fajitas, rice, beans, pico, & guacamole with a basket of fresh flour tortillas. I'm a big fan of cheese enchiladas and theirs are phenomenal. It's like they created the perfect combo for my tastes.

On a recent trip to the Hill Country, I ate at El Chaparral 2 Sundays in a row even though I was staying 80 miles away. It's that good! I will continue to visit this place for some of the most amazing Mexican food I've ever found.

This is a great place to eat and have a good time with friends and family. The server was nice and our food was great. The chips and salsa and drinks were a great combination. Will come back again.

We had out of town guests visiting relatives nearby, and we decided to eat at a place in the middle of both homes. This restaurant is locally owned and has been around for many years (40+).

Our server was very attentive, courteous, and professional. She made sure we had full glasses of beverages, requests were handled, and all was well.

I had the enchiladas Garcia. It was tasty and filling. Others had the Carne Guisada, etc.

All 5 of us had a good time. I hope your experience is as good as ours.

I love this place! Friendly staff, very humble and friendly owner, Mr. Charlie always helps his staff and is very involved with his customers ensuring one is comfortable and getting excellent service, everything is always hot and well cooked!

It was mother's day and it was packed yet we still had excellent service and food. We were a party of 10. I had the two step dish. Eating healthy with a spinach enchilada and a beef soft taco.

The food was amazing and our server was very friendly. Good queso, chips, salsa, and sangria swirl. This place is huge and very busy but we had no wait for a party of 4.

Ashley (Bartender) was amazing! I was at a booth and she was attentive, offered suggestions freely... and could tell she loved her job. Thank you El Chaparral 🙌 for delivering good food, ambiance, and service.

Took my mother for mother's day and she enjoyed it. Despite being packed with customers we only had to wait less than 10 minutes before being seated. Food came quickly and was delicious.

We have been coming here for over 20 years and it always hits the spot. The food is always amazing and the atmosphere is great. The fajitas and enchiladas are great. The beans and rice have the same flavors today as they do years ago. Great chips and salsa with soup beans hit the spot. Friendly professional staff and a clean restaurant. Thank you everyone and we’ll see you guys soon.

Our first time back in 8 months and it’s still amazing. Thank you and can’t wait to come back to town for some more.

We are staying in Castroville and decided to head out for a day trip to Helotes. This place was on the way on Hwy 16. We had lunch on the outdoor patio out back. Such a beautiful place and the food and service were great! We had house margaritas (excellent) and guacamole with our complimentary chips and salsa. Chunky guacamole, just like I like it. So tasty too.

We each had tacos with ground beef. Awesome! I put some guacamole on mine and I had the Two Step so it came with an enchilada too. Delish!

Highly recommend! Ans I see this family suffered a loss of their daughter and offer a scholarship.

Oh and there is a playground as part of the patio…see pic.

Been coming here since 1976 when I moved from OKC after high-school to Leon Valley. My first taste of real tex-mex after eating at Ponchos up north! Since then I judge all tex-mex restaurants to theirs. The Carne enchilada sauce is incredible! Took my 90 yr old Dad to get his favorite Chalupa Compuesta and I had the Helotes Special! Karen had her fav, puffys with guac no cheese. Seems like I've been trying the Sangria on the rocks with tequila and triple sec blended lately. We tried theirs and weren't dissatisfied! Salude Charlie,🍻 thanks for all the great food and drinks over the decades amigo! Looking forward to coming back to sit outside on the back patio and hang out!
Came back for late lunch and had a great spot on the back porch! Valerie's Special was awesome. Beef Fajitas were nicely cooked. Had the Sangria Margaritas again.
Been back twice for the Texas enchiladas y'all in the past month. Switching to Jessica's top shelf Rita with no salt for my bebidas. Yummy 😋 all good in the hood amigos
Went back and sat outside again but switched up on Rita's and entree for a change. The El Chaperell Rita with pineapple,lime and OJ!! Most excellent! For the entree I had the Carlos Special!! Crispy Beef Taco,2 cheese enchiladas, pork tamale, rice, Helotes Corn salad ( instead of beans)with a quacamole salad! Mercy! Thanks for the great service Victor! See y'all again soon.

The food was great along with the customer service. I'm glad you guys can accommodate big parties with great food!

It's definitely a great restaurant to visit. The atmosphere was great, music players going aro7nd with the ri instruments to play your favorite song, food was good, and dr8nks were great. It has plenty of parking space, and it's big enough to accommodate a lot of people inside. Our server was great and attentive. As soon as we sat down, we had our chips and salsa, and she kept checking on us every once in a while making sure we had what we needed. She did an excellent job.

As a native Texan I can say in all my years this a a classic Tex-Mex place and in my top 10. (Would be higher if I was closer)

Love eating here!!!! Fajitas sizzle dreamingly, Tortillas are fluffed to perfection. Atmosphere is inviting and the art is curated warmly.
Fast, attentive staff & always an inspiring time. Always tasty Mexican meals mmmm
Expect a date for 2 with drinks to be $60 - $90. Wait time has been anywhere from 20 - 60 minutes. Always worth the wait

We got a sampler appetizer platter and the fajitas for 2. All the food was great as was the service. We had to add sour cream and cheese because they don't come standard with the fajitas. Their sweet tea is not very sweet at all. It's just enough so the tea isn't overly bitter but we couldn't actually taste any sweetness in it. They have fantastic military discount. Wait time was accurate (45 minutes). We will be returning for sure.

El Chapparel never disappoints and it was so good again today. I’ve moved to another city and I crave El Chapparel, so always try to get by to get a meal there whenever I’m in town. Great job!

Went on a Saturday night. Probably most busy time of week. The 45 minute wait was actually 30 minutes. Waitress was so nice and gave us great service. They give you a small bowl borracho beans with chips and salsa to start. Our food was great, did not take long to arrive. We got our queso with chorizo in it. Delicious!

If you’re in the mood for some good Mexican food and a great atmosphere, El Chaparral is the place for you. It’s always super busy no matter what time of day, so have one of their margaritas while you wait.