El Meson Restaurante Mexicano

Food was fine, service was abysmal on tonight’s visit. Like «Be sure to ask for everything you want while the server is here ’cause we might never see him again» bad.
It was a mere 71 degrees at the end on December, so we decided to sit on the patio. I’m usually not a fan of eating on the patio unless I have all day to lounge as the service there is inevitably slower than sitting in the restaurant itself, but the inside was as cold as a meat locker so… outside, it was.
Chips and salsa were brought to our table as soon as we sat down, but no silverware, napkins or plates. Salsa was running down my chin when the server came to take our drink order and he somehow still didn’t realize that we needed any of the aforementioned items. Wow. I won’t bore you with the all details, but the whole experience was filled with phrase like «oh yeah, I’ve got your order in for more salsa» or «they’re still working on your to go box.» Really, dude? I’ve worked in many a restaurant and I’m pretty sure no one has to «work on» a to go box. And I can only assume they just scoop the salsa into a bowl, right? He was nice enough, though had to be asked to bring EVERYTHING.
Of course, their salsas are delicious (as always) and our fajitas were tasty. The service was just so disappointing, it put a damper on the rest of the evening.

This is a stand alone restaurant in the Hamilton place mall area and has off street parking. It is a typical Mexican restaurant with the same décor as you normally see. There is a bar area with lots of seating and the bar area has booths. The main restaurant area I am not sure because always sit in the bar area.
I have made many trips to this restaurant and most of the time the service is wonderful. This time it was OK but the waitress seemed irritated with us at the beginning but it got better later. She came over and asked if what we wanted to drink and asked to see the menu. She dropped it off and left when I said I know what I want; she said I will come back… oh well…
I had the chicken Nachos which I get all the time and love them and they were as good as it gets with Cheese, nachos and chicken. You can get the vegetable one also and it is good too. I had the Dark Mexican draft beer (32oz so 1++). My guest had the margarita and loved it.
I recommend this to anyone as a place to get lots of good food and drink at reasonable price.

Very good tortilla soup, but the tortilla strips were overly greasy. I would have preferred they skip them and call it something else
Salsa was bland, chips were nice and fresh, but not nice enough to overcome the salsa
Ordered the el Jefe seafood plate, which was tilapia covered in shrimp with what turned out to be a cheese rice (it was advertised as white rice) and a small salad. Salad had brownish avocado on it and the same greasy tortilla strips. Removed all that and the tablespoon or more of raw onion, added salsa (no dressing, lemon, nothing). The seafood was cooked well, but inedibly over salted. Bad, bad, bad
Went to the restrooms and they were filthy. Light outside the stall (it was actually pretty dark in there) was broken out of the ceiling tile and held in place with either clear packing tape or a lot of scotch tape.
Inattention to detail is written all over this place. Ducked in quickly because I didn’t know where my first choice was located. I won’t make that mistake again.
Mexican food is hard to do this wrong.

Excellent. Traveling from Houston and needed a Mexican food fix. We are very picky. Food was very fresh, not microwaved or greasy. Tortillas are made while you watch. Highly recommended.

I’ve been visiting El Meson 4 – 5 times a year since 2003 and have never been disappointed. I brought along three colleagues from work today after a morning conference in Chattanooga and from all the compliments from them I’d say they were all converts.
Having lived throughout the west before coming to Tennessee I know the normal Mexican fare is very dumbed down. With that in mind though El Meson is the best Mexican food in East Tennessee and though not strictly authentic it is the closest you can find.
The service today, as always, was also excellent. This is just a great place to enjoy a meal.

I’ve never been a big fan of El Meson. Had only been once or twice in the 4 years I’ve lived here. Typical non-​authentic Mexican food. Met a friend here for drinks though. The bar was pretty full and the tables in the bar, most were empty but not bussed.
My friend and I found an empty table and it took awhile to get service. The bartender was alone with a pretty full bar. Not good planning on management. Support your staff.
I ordered the Fresca, which was tequila with grapefruit, lime juice, etc. It was very good and refreshing. I enjoyed it. We decided to order some tacos and I was pleasantly surprised how good they were. The machaca (or shredded beef) was very tasty and tender. They even had a Korean BBQ taco that was pretty good, though it needed more of the cabbage garnish.
Even though the bar area was a bit untidy, the goodness of the tacos in real corn tortillas, not those pre-​made shells, gave me a happy feeling and I’ll be back to try some more.

Great food and even better service!!! Had Donkey Tacos which is buffalo chicken tacos!!! Good laugh over that one!!!