Alcatraz - Mexican NW Chicago [Pictures]

Open since July Alcatraz Authentic Mexican Cuisine is a nicely appointed double store front on North Lincoln Ave just inside the Chicago border. Standard, if slightly expanded menu, breakfast including chilaquiles, lunch specials, multiple combo plates, grilled meat, seafood and soup with no specific region indicated.

Three salsas with fresh tasting chips served to start, chile de arbol packed multi-layered punch.



We passed on lunch specials, chilaquiles w/chorizo for me, enchiladas for my lunch mate. Alcatraz's chilaquiles were of the dry style I prefer and runner up to Nuevo Leon, my far and away Chicagoland favorite.

Chilaquiles w/chorizo



Enchiladas were ~fine~ standard rendition without much sparkle.

Enchiladas



We shared spicy chicken wings to start, crisp, meaty, tasty, but flavor more suited to a sports bar, right down to ranch dressing and celery/carrot, than Mexican restaurant. Wings bring me to my single biggest schism with Alcatraz, price point. The wings were $12.95, a fact neither of us noticed until the check came, and Alcatraz's prices seem about 20% higher across the board than similar establishments.

Service friendly, efficient, though business is slow due to construction along that stretch of Lincoln Ave. I see Alcatraz as a solid Northwest side/Lincolnwood/Skokie alternative to ambiance sensitive non LTHers who may be off-put by the modest surroundings of Lawrence/Montrose or Clark street taquerias.

Alcatraz is not far from my house, and I enjoyed chilaquiles, so a return visit in the offing. I'll try a few other menu items and report back.

Enjoy,
Gary

Alcatraz
6320 N. Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60659
773-866-1404

Although it's almost in my backyard I haven't yet been. Our standard spots are Wholly Frijoles and Yolo. This looks like it's competing with Campeche a couple of blocks down (MOR Mexican) but I'll give it a shot.

spinynorman99 wrote:Although it's almost in my backyard I haven't yet been. Our standard spots are Wholly Frijoles and Yolo. This looks like it's competing with Campeche a couple of blocks down (MOR Mexican) but I'll give it a shot.

I'd say it's trying to compete more with the Wholly Frijoles type places than more "traditional" Mexican places, though I didn't think it competes all that well. I think Gary is being a bit too kind to this place in his post. As he said, the prices are all at least 20% too high and the quality (except for the chiliquiles, which were very good) left a bit to be desired. Both the wings and the enchaladas weren't very good at all. When I'm looking for slightly upscale MOR Mexican on the NW side, I'll go to C. Manny's every time.

C. Manny's
3641 West Irving Park
Chicago, IL 60618
773-583-1590

stevez wrote:I think Gary is being a bit too kind to this place in his post. As he said, the prices are all at least 20% too high and the quality (except for the chiliquiles, which were very good) left a bit to be desired.

Not all that kind, just diplomatic. I said the enchiladas did not have sparkle and the prices were on the high side. I thought about comparing Alcatraz to Wholly Frijoles, but they put a suburban toned down spin on Mexican, albeit with quality ingredients, while Alcatraz seems a bit more authentic.

If I'm looking for Mexican in a slightly upscale atmosphere in the NW part of Chicago I go to Don Juan, of which I am a long time fan.

Don Juan
6730 N Northwest Hwy
Chicago, IL 60631
773-775-6438

G Wiv wrote:

stevez wrote:If I'm looking for Mexican in a slightly upscale atmosphere in the NW part of Chicago I go to Don Juan, of which I am a long time fan.

Don Juan
6730 N Northwest Hwy
Chicago, IL 60631
773-775-6438

Second that. Don Juan (Juan's?) has been a staple for twenty years. The Concannon family does a great job.