Review: El Chaparrito has great food

Four and a Half out of Five Stars

By Abby Cowels
Staff Writer

If you are craving birria tacos, burritos, seafood or delicious specialty cocktails, visit Lansing El Chaparrito, located at 4832 W. Saginaw Hwy. on Lansing’s west side.

The restaurant itself is a large area, but not empty. There is plenty of seating, a full bar and a private event room. The staff is welcoming and energetic. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves every time I stop in.

Walking in, there is always a strong aroma of chilies, cumin and hot corn tortillas. The menu has a variety of options: hot seafood soup Cazuela de Mariscos, Molcajetes de Aguachilies or seafood salad served in a mortar. The menu includes all of your favorite classic a la carte items as well.

I ordered the Birria Tacos and a Chile Relleno. The consomé broth for the tacos were a little cumin heavy, but still the Birria was so well seasoned, I did not notice after the first bite. I added the spicy green hot salsa and it was a perfect match, but I needed to try the chile relleno.

At every new Mexican food restaurant, I always order chile relleno: a cheese stuffed poblano pepper, breaded and deep fried. This one was amazing. The last time I ordered from another place I was deeply disappointed.

So, now if someone asks where they should go for great seafood, wet burrito, taco, tamale or flan, my very first suggestion would be El Chaparrito.