Taco Fresco, Woodfield

So, too much shopping, late for eating lunch, impaired judgement (I'm in a mall on a Sunday after all), I pop up the stairs looking for the fast-food Japanese place in Woodfield to find Taco Fresco

http://www.tacofresco.com/locations/suburbs.htm

Surprisingly good for mall Mexican. A far cry from taquiera fare, but probably the best burrito I've had in a mall. About on a par with, say El Famous Burrito in flavor, although about 2/3 the fillings of El Famous' "Burritos as big as your head". $4.75 (more with shrimp or fish). They have about 7 salsas to choose from, plus numerous bottles of hot sauce distributed around the small store.

They have several flavors of Jarritos in glass bottles, fish tacos (of a couple types including one labeled "Little Village Style"), quesadillas, and various platters such as steak or chicken.

Definitely enjoyable, I'll go back again if I'm stuck in a mall.

We have a Taco Fresco in Geneva Commons and I agree that they are pretty good. I like the al pastor tacos and last trip had a pretty good sized amount of meat that included charred ends. For an area that has a fairly large hispanic population, there is very little decent Mexican food. Mike & Miguel's on Anderson Blvd. in Geneva is OK but only if when you order you say you want something "Mexican style", otherwise you get something drowned in yellow cheese and lettuce.

There is a Taco Fresco by my office in the Loop. I haven't been yet b/c I just thought it was another "tex-mex" chain. I was really surprised to see that their menu online has a crab quesadilla. Has anyone tried it before? How is it?

For an area that has a fairly large hispanic population, there is very little decent Mexican food.

Not trying to be a smart aleck but West Chicago has Byby's, El Tesoro, La Mexico Chiquita, La Villita Taqueria and several others.

St Charles has Jalpeno Grill and the taqueria inside La Huerta grocery store on Randall.

There are a few in West Chicago I've not tried and several I've tried but were mediocre. With that said, I guess I never feel for a lack of choices of Mexican food in the general far west suburbs. Not to say I don't have a craving for a La Pasadita taco every now and again. Byby's especially has some excellent regional specialties and throws down a mean bowl of consomme with lamb along with having a deft hand with fresh masa. Their tlacoyos are also a standout in texture and flavor.

While Aurora has a massive base of Mexican restaurants, our little search and discovery mission over the summer only turned up a few unrecognized gems and produced a few sad clunkers. Check out Taqueria de los Cabritos if you have a hankering for goat. They also make an excellent al pastor taco and if memory servers me a surprising pepper and egg taco as well. http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... ght=aurora

I've been to a fair number of Mexican places in the Fox Valley and most are pretty blah. We recently tried Jalapeno Grille in St. Charles and I had al pastor taco and my partner a veggie burrito, both were very bland and mine quite lacking in meat. To get back on thread, my comment was to the OP that I argreed that Taco Fresco is pretty good for what it is and I like the salsa options too.

Aurora and Elgin both have a substantial number of places, at least to judge by having driven around. I've never found a fantastic one but it's not like I'm in that area that often. A lot of them are related to city places (like Comales). Anyway, I don't have a firm recommendation but I encourage all of you out there to keep up the quest, and Electric Mullet, if you've tried a number of them, please post away, we can always use more suburban coverage.

i always go to taco fresco leaving very disappointed.... it's one of the few places for fast food mexican in the loops so occasionally it struck me to go there...

it always tastes... bland? i don't know... just not my fav