If you have been to Chevys, any one, you do not need this review, and otherwise it is hard to describe well. Chevys has a cantina style, meaning bare wood, divides made of Corona boxes, wall ornaments and neon cactus signs. It is Mexican food, made with the best fresh ingredients. The main eating area is dominated by a great machine that creates fresh tortillas, in 53 seconds, including baking on both sides.
Chevys is a chain, so thay are all very alike: Do not come to Santa Rosa to eat at Chevys if you have eaten in one before. That is not a criticism, for it is a very well-run, clean, reliable, place. It is just not at all unique.
The food really is good. I fancy it is what Mexicans wish their cuisine could be, but which it isn't because the raw materials tend not to be so fine. It is "Cal-Mex", Mexican with Californian style and delivery. What it also is is GENEROUS. Kay and Tony and I ate to being stuffed on what was intended to feed two people only, and there was food left over. Normal mortals cannot expect to make appetisers as well as an entree. I have never been able to sample their deserts, and I have been eating in Chevys all over CA for some years.
We had a mixed plate, this time, called a "Plato Gordo". Great ribs, salad with guacamole, two type of beans, shrimp, chicken, beef, fried vegetables, fresh tortillas (as many as you want, served in brown paper bags to keep them moist and warm), plus rice. I never get to the rice, I merely sample the beans. ALl the usual Mexixan alternatives are there.
As chains go, this is the best, the reliability of MacDonalds, the quality of George's, the style of Mexico. It rates a 7/10, perhaps the best I can imagine any mass-appeal chain attaining.