Chula Vista offers poor atmosphere, worse food

By Becky Newby
Arts and Entertainment Editor

When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing like a spicy Mexican entrée to warm you up. For tasty options, the cheap prices at Taco Bell come to mind for most; however, Winona does offer an alternative to the fast food option – Chula Vista.
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Chula Vista is located on 1415 Service Drive near Wellington’s Pub and Grill. The restaurant’s candy-colored exterior can be seen from the highway – even inside, the obvious Mexican theme is overdone. Hardwood floors and distant music give the restaurant an empty feeling.

The young hostess led my date and I to our booth. Moments later, our server arrived with tortilla chips and salsa. The tortilla chips were presented in a basket with an empty salsa dish resting on top. The server poured her jar of salsa into the dish. Immediately after, the tomatoes began floating to the top and the few springs of cilantro started to miraculously disappear. Even the store-bought tortilla chips were stale and bland.

Although the menu is filled with traditional dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos, there are few vegetarian options. After scanning the menu numerous times, my date and I decided on the chicken enchilada and the cheese quesadilla.

The chicken enchilada is a corn tortilla filled with chicken, cheese and vegetables, all covered in sauce. Unlike most Mexican restaurants, Chula Vista does not serve beans or rice with most entrées; four small enchiladas were presented to my date on a large white plate. Not only did the plate look empty, the enchiladas looked unappetizing.

The cheese quesadilla was presented with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole. The quesadilla tasted as though it was shoved in the microwave for 45 seconds – the tortilla shell was dried-out and the cheese wasn’t even melted completely. The lettuce had a brown tint, and the guacamole was tasteless.

At the end of dinner, neither my date or I had any left-overs and we still felt hungry. Together we spent approximately $25, not including drinks. Immediately after dinner, we jumped in the car and drove across the street to Taco Bell. By spending only five dollars, my date and I felt satisfied and full.

If you’re looking for Mexican food in Winona, I suggest dining at Tequila’s instead.

Chula Vista Mexican Restaurant
1415 Service Drive, Winona
507-452-8202