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Chela - Park Slope
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Chela - Park Slope
8.2
Chela turns weekend mornings into Mexican-inflected brunch, with chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and strong margaritas drawing steady Park Slope crowds. It’s a lively choice when you want something richer and more flavorful than a standard diner breakfast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros, Steak & Eggs
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Mexican brunch plates and cocktails in a busy, modern room.
Who should go: Brunch groups craving bolder flavors and drinks.
When to visit: Weekend late mornings before peak brunch rush.
What to order: Chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros, classic margarita.
Insider tip: Reserve or arrive early; patio and front tables go first.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; expect tight availability on weekend mornings along 5th and 7th Avenues.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans and daytime brunch wear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak brunch; still manageable for conversation at close range.
Weekend wait: N/A for dinner-focused waits; brunch is the peak period with 20–40 minute waits without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; quick seating for early lunch or midday brunch plates.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—chilaquiles, veggie enchiladas, and customizable egg dishes are available.
Vegan options: Limited—some sides and modifications possible, but core brunch items are egg- and dairy-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Partial—many dishes can be made gluten-free with corn tortillas; confirm sauces and chips with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Good for a casual daytime date—colorful plates, upbeat energy, and cocktails help, but the room can feel loud and bustling during prime brunch hours.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes on weekdays; weekends are hit-or-miss. Arrive before 11 a.m. for the best chance of a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes—daytime hours, approachable dishes, and a lively environment suit families, though strollers can be tricky during peak brunch crowds.
Best For
Better for: Mexican-inflected brunch with richer flavors, strong cocktails, and a livelier atmosphere than standard Park Slope breakfast spots.
Skip if: You want a quiet morning, need extensive vegan options, or prefer a classic diner-style breakfast without spice or crowd energy.
Chela - Park Slope
8.6
Chela is a lively Fifth Avenue Mexican spot where shrimp, fish, and birria tacos share space with big platters and strong margaritas. Locals use it as an affordable go-to for sit-down tacos, happy hour, and casual celebrations without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp tacos, Beef birria tacos, Guacamole with chips
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A high-volume neighborhood tequila bar turning out standout tacos and margaritas at approachable prices.
Who should go: Groups and friends wanting festive tacos plus cocktails.
When to visit: Weekday happy hour or early evening before peak crowds.
What to order: Shrimp tacos, birria tacos, guacamole with chips.
Insider tip: Sit on the sidewalk patio in warm weather for the best people-watching.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 5th Avenue and nearby side streets is available but tight after 6pm; no valet or dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and a nice top fit the room’s upbeat, social vibe.
Noise level: Lively, especially during happy hour; conversation is possible at closer tables but expect elevated background noise.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes for small groups; longer for parties of 4+ during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, with quick seating both indoors and outdoors.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection: veggie tacos, quesadillas, and sides that can accommodate plant-forward diners.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few dishes can be modified (e.g., veggie tacos without cheese), though not a dedicated vegan spot.
Gluten-free options: Many tacos can be served on corn tortillas; most mains are GF-friendly, but cross-contact is possible due to shared prep surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a fun, energetic setting with cocktails and tacos; less ideal for intimate, quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes — walk-ins are common, but expect waits during peak weekend dinner hours or sunny patio days.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for early evenings; the menu is approachable, but the vibe becomes louder and more bar-centric later at night.
Best For
Better for: Festive group meetups, strong margaritas, and affordable sit-down tacos served quickly in a social setting.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, extensive vegan options, or chef-driven regional Mexican cuisine — other spots in the neighborhood fit those needs better.
Chela - Park Slope
8.8
Chela is a lively modern Mexican spot on Fifth Avenue where locals come for fish and shrimp tacos, strong margaritas, and a long list of tequila and mezcal. Portions and tortillas are generous, but prices and a cocktail-forward format make it feel more like an affordable night out than a bare-bones taco run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish tacos, Shrimp tacos, Queso fundido
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A cocktail-driven neighborhood hangout where the taco section feels as considered as the bar.
Who should go: Friends craving tacos, margaritas, and a buzzy room
When to visit: Weekday happy hour or early evening before peak waits
What to order: Fish tacos, shrimp tacos, queso fundido
Insider tip: Ask about Taco Tuesday or happy hour taco pricing at the bar.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable before 6:30pm but becomes tight during peak dinner hours on Fifth Avenue.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans and a nice top fit the room’s buzzy, cocktail-forward vibe.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak evenings; conversation is possible but can require raised voices at larger tables.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes for walk-ins between 7–9pm; bar seats turn over faster.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; quieter service with easier table availability.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several vegetarian taco and appetizer options, plus flexible substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited; a couple of items can be made vegan, but not a dedicated section.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, and many tacos can be prepared GF with minor adjustments.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a lively, energetic setting with strong drinks and shareable plates; less ideal if you prefer a quiet, intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes—walk-ins are common. Arrive before 7pm on weekends or during weekday happy hour for the best odds.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat; early evenings work for families, but the room skews adult-oriented after 7:30pm due to the bar-forward crowd.
Best For
Better for: Groups seeking festive cocktails and a reliable lineup of seafood-forward tacos in a modern setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, strictly budget tacos, or a spot with extensive vegan options.
Chela - Park Slope
8.4
Chela is a modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar where people crowd in for fish tacos, queso fundido, and a long list of tequila and mezcal margaritas. Daily happy hour with discounted drinks and snacks makes it one of the busiest after-work and early-evening hangs on Fifth Avenue.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja fish tacos, Queso fundido, Enchiladas suizas
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A tequila-heavy bar program and all-day weekday happy hour built around tacos and margaritas.
Who should go: Friends chasing mezcal margaritas and lively taco energy
When to visit: Weekdays before 7pm for the full happy hour window
What to order: Baja fish tacos, queso fundido, passionfruit margarita
Insider tip: Grab one of the sidewalk or curbside tables during happy hour for people-watching and quicker rounds.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally tight after 6pm along Fifth Avenue and side streets.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; guests often lean slightly dressy for evening margarita outings.
Noise level: Loud during peak happy hour with energetic bar chatter; manageable earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for small groups; longer for 4+ during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; service is quicker and the room is calmer.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several taco fillings, queso fundido, salads, and sides can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many tacos and mains can be prepared on corn tortillas; staff is familiar with GF requests.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, energetic dates — the upbeat bar vibe and shareable plates work well, though it’s not ideal if you want a quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on weekdays before 6:30pm. Arrive early for happy hour or be ready for a short wait during peak dinner windows.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — the space is lively and skews adult due to the bar focus, but early evenings are fine for families with older kids.
Best For
Better for: A livelier bar scene, strong margaritas, and group-friendly happy hour energy compared to quieter neighborhood Mexican spots.
Skip if: You want a calm sit-down dinner, extensive vegan options, or minimal bar noise.