"Meson" is the term for the traditional rest stop of the middle ages in Spain and later in the New World which provided a place to stop and eat and sleep. Although there is no place for sleeping at this El Meson, it is a restaurant that combines the best attributes of Mexican food and a relaxing atmosphere.
My favorite restaurants are those that serve authentic Mexican food, so I am extremely selective when choosing from those claiming to be Mexican. I dined at El Meson for an evening meal on two previous occasions and was not entirely pleased with the overall food and atmosphere. However, when I was invited by a friend for the Champagne Brunch (which is served on Sundays from 11am - 4pm), I changed my mind. The variety of dishes that were prepared and the quality of the food were much better than the fare I had previously sampled. And the open bottle of champagne didn’t harm my impression of the meal. The differences between the food served on a weeknight and that served at the brunch was such a contrast that I wonder why the restaurant does not put the same effort into their daily menu.
When you go to El Meson on Sundays you will have choices of three traditional soups, seven types of salads, at least 20 different meat dishes, vegetarian entrees, and plenty of Mexican side dishes (such as Spanish rice, refried beans, Mexican corn, and hominy), plus a cooked-to-order omelet bar. A large selection of desserts is available also. The waiters that I have met are very attentive to your needs. My champagne glass was always full and I didn’t need to ask for anything. The waiter seemed to read my mind about what I might need or want. For those that are seated in the bar area there is a soccer game playing on the television.
Certainly, I have changed my opinion about El Meson. In fact, I now believe that this may be the best deal that can be found on Sundays in the Chattanooga area.