The Grasshopper El Chapulin Restaurant Review

One of my favorite places to hang out and eat in Adrian, Michigan is the Grasshopper or El Chapulin. The Grasshopper is sometimes referred to as "the hopper" or "el chaps by the locals. This restaurant is a great place to eat homemade Mexican food. This scrumptious Mexican cantina is a "must stop" on your way through Adrian.

Located in the downtown business district on Main Street, in Adrian, Michigan, the Grasshopper restaurant is tucked away amongst old, tall buildings. The atmosphere is cozy and the Grasshopper is huge on taste and quality. You can enter the building in both the front and rear. Parking is available behind the building as well as on the street out front.

The Grasshopper is set up with two seating areas and includes a full-service bar, (don't forget the Margaritas!) There is a loft seating area that has a few tables overlooking the bar and main level seating area. There are also places to sit around the bar and near the entry way. The loft has somewhat of a child's theme, with Disney characters on the wall, but this is not solely a child's themed restaurant. Although child friendly, the Grasshopper is geared toward family and cozy adult dining. The overall atmosphere is casual and has televisions available in the bar and restaurant area for sports enthusiasts. The background music at El Chaps is typically a blend of 80's and 90's top forty music and easy listening.

Even though the Grasshopper can seat around 100 people, it isn't unheard of to have to wait for a table. Lunch time and any time after 5:00 PM tend to be when the biggest crowd gathers in. Arriving before 11:30 AM, especially during the week, will be the best time to find a good table.

The restaurant offers daily lunch specials as well as drink specials throughout the weekdays. These specials can be found on boards as you enter and also on the tables.

Every table has the Grasshopper's fresh, signature homemade salsa. They offer hot or mild, but the mild is still slightly spicy. There are no tomato chunks in their salsa and cilantro and peppers take center stage on your palate -- offering a smooth and flavorful taste.

In addition to chips and salsa, another signature appetizer is the Grasshopper's chips and cheese. Not on the menu, but a Grasshopper favorite. The waitress will bring you a basket of warm chips and a small bowl of smooth, creamy cheddar cheese dip. Be sure to ask for extra salsa dishes for sharing. The cheese dip has pure cheddar flavor and no overpowering spices. A real treat is to take a salsa dish and fill up half with cheese, add a few tablespoons of salsa -- then dip the chips! A divine and addictive treat!

The Grasshopper serves everything from fajitas to chicken enchiladas as well as American cuisine.
One of the most popular items on the menu is the beef enchiladas with cheese sauce. This dish consists of an enchilada filled with beef , minced sweet onion and then smothered in a light brown enchilada sauce with a zesty cheese topping. Scrumptious!

Be sure to try the hopper's hard and soft shell tacos. Soft shells are lightly fried and turn out firm enough to hold the contents but the shell has a chewy texture.

Other Grasshopper favorites include homemade taco salads, burritos, chalupas, quesadillas and chimichangas.

If you crave authentic Mexican food in a casual atmosphere, you have to try the Grasshopper!