El Original Chavas Tacos - Wanatah, Indiana

Regina

Had the steak taco dinner and my mom had the chicken fajita dinner. Both were good but I really liked my mom’s chicken fajitas. They were very tasty 🤤. The only thing I didn’t care for were the beans , they just tasted off for some reason I couldn’t really figure it out what it was… We will definitely be back !! Everything was fresh and tasty. The salsa for the chips was a little too spicy but it was good just a little too hot. They gave a lot of meat for the chicken fajitas

W T.

Best Mexican in the porter county area! It’s not cheap but neither is anywhere else and you actually get big portion sizes here unlike everywhere else. Everything tastes extremely fresh and authentic. I’m pretty sure they made my guacamole to order too! 10/10 recommend!!! I can’t believe I didn’t know this place existed until today!

Marcin

Pretty clean place for roadside food. A lot of take outs while we set by the window enjoying 4 different plates. Service was exceptionally nice. Good enough that I would recommend and stop by again.

Aaron B.

This small town east of Valparaiso, Indiana, known as Wanatah after early settlers misunderstood the natives' mimicked repetition of their question "Wanna talk?", was already on my radar for the half dozen or so trips I take each year between Fort Wayne and Chicago. Just down the road from the tsundoku goldmine that is The Bookworm, El Original stands out in this tiny town with its vibrant signage and waving cactus as a Mexican eatery. Although technically not "The Original", that ultimately works to its favor since this location is able to bring to Northwest Indiana the flavorful dishes that have helped make the Chicago location famous.

Being on my own for this trip, and hungry as all get out after a day of driving, riding a train, walking, sitting in court, walking, riding a train, and now driving again, I couldn't wait to stop in for dinner on my long commute back to F-Dub. Alas, they close at 6! Was I too late? Huzzah! upon pulling into the cozy parking lot I see lights on and a small sign saying new hours extend until 7:00.

The place was even smaller than I imagined, but one would not get that impression from the menu. Spoiled for choice, I finally settled on two beef tongue tacos--it's not truly a Mexican restaurant if it doesn't serve lengua--a chicken torta, chips and a small guacamole, and a homemade lemonade. Holy guacamole, Batman! The pictures on the menu did not prepare me for how much food I'd be getting! I specifically ordered from the a la carte menu to try a couple different items, but this was enough to feed three people.

The bread of the torta was soft and warm. The chicken was shredded and tender. I drizzled some of the provided red sauce on the sandwich and it carried the flavors to greater heights than Charlie and Willy Wonka fly in that magic elevator at the end of the movie (whoops! SPOILER ALERT).

The chips and guacamole were both exceedingly fresh. The warm chips gave the impression of a sit down cantina even though the restaurant is a small road-side carry-out with a few hightop chairs inside and some tables outside. The guacamole did not overpower with any one ingredient; rather, the avocado, cilantro, onion, tomato and spices all danced together like a conga line, one right on the heels of another.

The lengua tacos I kept simple: corn tortilla (which they doubled up muy authentico), onion and cilantro. I used a bit of the verde sauce but I wasn't necessary. The meat was perfectly cooked. And my wife would have been hard pressed to even tell it was cow's tongue because it was cooked and chopped so perfectly. (The origin of the cut of meat is always her reason for not trying it when I want to make it at home.)

So now, after this incredible meal, where do I go from here? I mean, does life even get any better? But seriously, I have a two hour drive home on an incredibly full stomach after a very long day, so if God calls me away to glory I think I could be quite pleased that this was my last meal. Thank you, El Original (Dos).

(Narrator: He did, in fact, make it home safely that night.)

Anonymous

Everyone should give this place a try. The food was amazing and the portion sizes were good compared to many other places in the area. There are some counter tops if you want to eat in instead of taking it to go.

Sam K.

I have driven by this place 4 or 5 times and thought, "I should stop there sometime" Well, I finally did, and it was amazing! First, the place is easy to find right next to US30. The building inside and out is very clean, and it had a great atmosphere. The staff was over the top friendly and the food was excellent! We ate outside since the weather was nice and it couldn't have been better.

I had the special of the day, chicken fajitas! The plate was big, and the serving size was plentiful. My friend had a taco plate with 3 different tacos. He said they were all great, but his favorite was the chorizo. We also got the queso and chips, and it totally hit the spot!

Like The Terminator said "I'll be back!"

Cindy D.

This was a pleasant surprise! I got the chili relleno taco, my vegan husband got a soy steak burrito, and they also have soy chicken and soy chorizo! It’s so rare to find so many vegan options!! The rice and black beans (request no cheese) are vegan, the refried beans are not, they contain lard. We also got vegetarian fajitas to try and they were also very good. Only about five minutes away for me so I’ll definitely be going back. We’ll get carry out next time, there is only a countertop for dining in so very limited seating. It was also very clean so extra points for that! 😊

William F.

Staff was amazing, so friendly and helpful. Best Mexican food we've had for a long time. Had shrimp and steak fajitas, enchiladas and taco, etc. Very clean and tastefully decorated.
Make a point of visiting this great restaurant.