the Mexican place in Mundelein

[This was part of my post in the "Gale Street Inn" thread, but I decided to create a new thread with it.]

There's a Mexican place in Mundelein, on Diamond Lake Road, that some in my fambly have recently discovered. That Mundelein's population is increasingly Mexican, and that this place is steadily busy, seems a good sign. But there's still an evident element of a family business to it. My sister's been there enough times that as soon as she walks through the door, before she and her husband are seated, the head waitress asks her, "You'll want your usual margarita?" Apparently it's been around for years, but what can I say? We're slow on the uptake. As soon as I remember or ask someone the name of the place, I'll start a new thread on it. For right now all's I'll say is, I keep going back, and keep ordering the tacos al pastor.

Katie---

That would be El Barrio, which has been run by the Acevedo family for at least one generation. I would call it pretty authentic, and fairly consistent. Tacos al pastor, like you say, are solid, and enchiladas are the real deal. My favorite dish would be the Carne Asada a la Tampiquena, which consists of a generously-sized skirt steak, one cheese enchilada, rice, beans (soupy or refried), pico de gallo, guacamole, and homemade chips & salsa. BTW, no charge on the chips refills. I think tortillas are made on site as well.

The little bar is extra-friendly, a zillion kinds of tequila are available, and the place in general has all the charm that poseurs like Las Palmas (built down the street on Rte. 83 about 5 years ago) can't begin to manufacture.


El Barrio
1122 Diamond Lake Road
Mundelein, IL

(847) 566-0475

"That Mundelein's population is increasingly Mexican"

Funny, as Mundelein has always had a large Mexican population. If anything, the population has decreased or at the very least been watered down with all of the new high priced subdivisions that have been built in the area over the past couple of decades.

Interestingly enough when I think of Mundelein cusine a few places come to mind; Bill's Pub & The Rainbow Restaruant. As kids we would go to Bill's pub for double decker pizza, peanuts and video games. I stopped by for a takeout a pizza a few months ago and I really don't know why I found their pizza so special as a kid, it was probably the sum of all the parts (friends, video games, etc) that made the pizza seem bettee then it really was.

I am not certain if the Rainbow is still open but this was the place the opened by eyes (and palate) to the apple pancake. It was out go to place on Saturday and Sundays when we were in the area doing errands. They always had good and cheap breakfasts and lunch.

As long as we are on topic of Mundelein you may want to take a short trip over to the Diamond Lake area and get yourself a pint at the Irish Mill. I beleive that they may have a small menu of sandwhiches and fish and chips but we used to stop in for a couple of pints and darts. The crowd is always friendly and they have the occasional Irish croner performing on nights and weekends.

Katie wrote:There's a Mexican place in Mundelein, on Diamond Lake Road, that some in my fambly have recently discovered and introduced Sweet Baboo and me to. (Notice I did not say "me and Sweet Baboo.") (Notice I did not say "Sweet Baboo and I.")

That should be "to which some in my fambly have recently introduced Sweet Baboo and me."

(sorry, couldn't resist)

stevez wrote:That should be "to which some in my fambly have recently introduced Sweet Baboo and me."
(sorry, couldn't resist)

Ha ha! You got me, stevez. Reminds me of a favorite cartoon (New Yorker, or Far Side?)

"So, Mr. Christian, do you mean to unceremoniously cast me adrift?"

The officers and crew of the Bounty could no longer stand Captain Bligh's
ruthless splitting of infinitives.

Katie
Bad grammar is something up with which I will not put!

jnm123 wrote:That would be El Barrio

YES!!! Thank you! And I'm glad to learn I'm not entirely taste-bud-tone-deaf about the quality of the food.

mousec1 wrote:Funny, as Mundelein has always had a large Mexican population.

You've got me there too, mousec1, as clearly you've lived around here much longer than I have. My childhood visits to Mundelein were mostly limited to my mom dragging me along with her to Marytown.

El Barrio. Timid and lazybutt as I am about such things, I might need to try to organize an LTH get-together there for my fellow northburbanites.