You helped me find the best cheap eat in Columbus. Here’s my review
Walking into Snacks Chabelita off Warm Springs Road, pops of color and smiling stuffed animals greeted me on my first visit to the Mexican snack bar.
Last month, I asked readers for cheap eats recommendations in the Chattahoochee Valley. As the news intern at the Ledger-Enquirer this summer, I was in desperate need of some lunch variety and meals that didn’t break the bank. L-E readers came to the rescue, suggesting sixteen places via email, Google Form and social media.
In a poll released July 1, 23 respondents voted on all the recommendations to help me determine which cheap eat I should review for the L-E. Snacks Chabelita claimed top spot, capturing 22% of the vote.
Wednesday, I stopped by Snacks Chabelita for lunch. In the spirit of finding the best deal, I ordered the three taco combo and an agua fresca for $9.99. Hoping to sample some Mexican street corn as well, I ordered esquites, corn topped with creamy mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime juice and chili powder served in a cup for $4.99. The meal cost $16.98 in total with tax.
The watermelon agua fresca was my standout of the meal. The cold, pink drink was refreshing enough to counteract the heat as I sat outside to eat. But in addition to being a personal coolant, the drink’s watermelon flavor was rich and perfectly sweet, impressive considering the fruit itself is over 90% water.
For the taco combo, I tried one of each type offered: chicken, steak and al pastor all topped with diced cilantro and onion. My favorite was the chicken taco, tender and flavorful when doused in lime juice and various sauces. All three tacos had a soft tortilla shell that was light and enjoyable to eat.
The esquites were also a treat. Each bite of corn, covered in the cheesy mayonnaise sauce, was sweet and savory. The dish was a bit watery for my liking, though, with pools of water in the cup making the corn more soggy at times than crisp.
For $9.99, the three taco combo left me wanting more for my meal, so ordering a side or dessert is a must. But based on overall quality, Snacks Chabelita is a great deal, and I can see why the authentic Mexican snack offerings topped our cheap eats list.
Like the decoration of the quaint snack bar, Snacks Chabelita’s food bursts with flavor and color. I will definitely be back before my time in Columbus is up.
Snacks Chabelita at 4475 Warm Springs Road is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Tuesday. For more information, see Snacks Chabelita’s Instagram account, @snackschabelita.