Amanecer Tapatio: Joliet

Okay, after asking for suggestions in the Homer Glen area, I have a few questions about the above:

Checked Chowhound for hours and address, but was unsuccessful. Also, am I to understand that ONLY the specials are available, not a regular or full menu of the standbys?

Give me an idea of beverage choices and overall atmosphere as well(I don't care what it is, really, just curious).

We'll be there by week's end.

Amanecer Tapatio
573-575 Collins (at Liberty)
727-4001
Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun 10-9
Closed Tues
Fri, Sat 10-11

As for the questions about decor, menu, etc, I haven't a clue.

Amanecer Tapatio is a small brightly lit place, the end tenant in a small shopping center with parking out front. When we went there for lunch Antonius had a Mexican coke and I had agua de jamaica. There's a printed menu with standard antojitos (tacos, tortas, gorditas, etc) but it's the daily specials which are really amazing and worth a special trip. (Also the handmade tortillas!) It sounds like you've searched Chicago Chowhound so you've probably read the many posts by Mugs about some of their specials. You could also post a query on Chowhound if you want more input from Mugs.

Let us know what you have there!

The place has no charm, though I strongly suggest you pick one of the two tables closest to the corner where you can look directly into the kitchen and see them making your tortillas before your eyes, as well as watch them work.

Monica (who runs the front with her sisters) and her family are from the DF, and they prepare "cosmopolitan" Mexican - which means you get dishes representing any and every part of Mexico. Her Mom goes to the market in the morning and picks what looks good, and then they cook it up for dinner. This means that for the most part you do not know what they will have until you arrive, but that should not be too big a problem.

They can be pretty quiet on weeknights, and get a little busy Friday and Saturday. If you go too late on a weekend you run a big risk of missing the specials altogether. Of the specials I have had, only the chile rellenos fell flat for me, and some dishes were truly exquisite. In recent visits, we have taken to bringing wine along, which Monica indulges.

And I like their Gorditas pretty well. The only problem is deciding if I want to waste the calories on them.

Please go, enjoy and report. And say hi to Monica. This place should be on the Essentials list.

We are also working on a Joliet outing that will include an Amanacer dinner, in September.

dicksond wrote: This place should be on the Essentials list.

And now it is, since you used the magic word "essentials." I don't know if anyone is reading my much-too-long FAQ on how to use the search list--let alone using it-- but in it I encourage people to search that term specifically if they're new to the board and anxious to unearth some particular favorites.

Antonius and I had the pleasure of being part of a small dinner at Amanecer Tapatio on the evening of August 11. It was just us, our son, RST, and Mugs. Mugs, a regular on Chicago Chowhound, has given us permission to include a report on the dinner which he sent to dicksond. The Monica referred to is Monica Aleman, daughter of the owner, who is in charge of the restaurant in the evenings.

I began to think the night would be extra special when Monica began it by bringing forth a bottle of rompope, alcoholic Mexican eggnog, which we drank on the rocks out of coffee cups. Then a salad laden with avocado slices. Then a bowl of guacamole. I had not requested either of these dishes when I arranged the meal with Ms. M.

Then what we had agreed on, sort of: mole cosechero, a pork-in-broth dish from Monica

thanks for both reports. sounded very special.

It sounds as if we had similar dishes. I was happy to see two moles on the specials menu and we did try both. The meat, one chicken and one pork, fell off the bones into the sauce. The salsas that come with the free chips are mucho caliente! Also loved the orchata. See pics below.





YUM! (Chicken)



DOUBLE YUM!!! (Pork)(Note the much discussed delicious homemade tortillas on the right).

We also chomped on two carne asada sopes. The masa cakes were perfection! Crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. Highly recommended!

Food Nut,

Gorgeous pix (though I would have preferred a bit more foregrounding of the homemade tortillas).

I love that all dishes are aswim in delicious-looking gravy; most delectable.

Hammond

As it turns out, Amanacer, and its GNR award, were the subject of a longer article in the August 7 Herald News (Joliet Paper). Half a column long, and then a picture that was also 1/2 column long, but 3 columns wide!!! The writer got the important things right, though she did get a bit confused about some of the less important details - like LTHforum being my Board (let me say again, I resign, let GWiv have all the fun), and VI being from Naperville, but I digress.

A wonderful article, truly, but I cannot find it on line. Perhaps I will transcribe it at some point.

The wheels of change appear to be in motion, and I am thrilled as it is so well deserved.

I managed to get to Amanecer Tapatio for a late lunch yesterday. My boyfriend and I both had the special, which was chicken in a sour cream sauce spiced with mild chili and some mushrooms. I thought it was extremely well prepared and would get it again although I don't care for canned mushrooms in a sauce. That did not stop us from mopping up the sauce with tortillas. The chicken was cooked to a perfect texture and the sauce was tasty and plentiful.

As promised, the tortillas and salsas were excellent. If I lived nearby, I would be in there all the time. It's a very good value too-- the special is $8.50 or something for a dinner-sized portion. Next time I want to try the tacos, tortas etc. Thanks, LTHers-- I wouldn't have noticed this place without you!

bibi rose wrote:I managed to get to Amanecer Tapatio for a late lunch yesterday. My boyfriend and I both had the special, which was chicken in a sour cream sauce spiced with mild chili and some mushrooms. I thought it was extremely well prepared and would get it again although I don't care for canned mushrooms in a sauce. That did not stop us from mopping up the sauce with tortillas. The chicken was cooked to a perfect texture and the sauce was tasty and plentiful.

As promised, the tortillas and salsas were excellent. If I lived nearby, I would be in there all the time. It's a very good value too-- the special is $8.50 or something for a dinner-sized portion. Next time I want to try the tacos, tortas etc. Thanks, LTHers-- I wouldn't have noticed this place without you!

It sounds like the dish you had was featured in the first Jolietathon in the spring of 2004. It was truly a highlight.

Flip

I think it is something like Pollo con crema de champinones, and it is most likely one of the dishes created during the rule of Carlota & Maximillian in the mid-19th century as Central European, French and Mexican cuisine all met and created many interesting combinations. In this instance, the dish in question could almost be served as easily in a Mexican or Hungarian restaurant (almost, but not quite, since the Hungarian palate of chile peppers is pretty monochromatic in comparison to the Mexican rainbow: the peppers being used could not be found in anything Hungarian, even if the result is similar).

Happens to be the Bride's fave at Amanacer.

Thanks for filling in the picture! Now you mention it, the dish does have an Eastern European quality, which might explain why my Polish boyfriend liked it so much.

I really like that place and hope it continues to do very well.

Soccer season gets me down south, so afterwards I headed over to Joliet for a Saturday lunch. Things were hopping at Amanacer - all the tables in front were full, and turned once while I was dining (Saturday around noon), and the side tables filled. Monica has recently had a daughter and is out, so sister Rocio was manning the register and keeping things moving.

Dining by myself I was a bit challenged by the specials list - too many great options. Birria, pork in pasilla sauce, tortas de camarones, and chilaquiles verdes. Which would you choose? It was hard, and I was sad I could not order a few to go, but I settled on the Chilaquiles, since I had skipped breakfast.

A mound of nicely sauteed tortilla bits, soft but with texture and form, onions, green chiles/salsa, and a sprinkling of dry cheese (I skip the sour cream), matched with a pefectly charred slab of cesina, scrambled eggs, and nice tastings of their beans and rice - close to a perfect breakfast matched with a large Horchata. I was in the neighborhood again today, and was sorely tempted to go back.

Amanacer is going through changes, and I have heard whispers of inconsistency and disappointment of late, but on this day they did very well.

Mugs shared with me that tomorrow, April 3, probably is the third anniversary for Amanacer. No recognition is planned as far as he knows.

I have noticed some inconsistincies at Amanacer Tapatio since I started going there in the fall. It's still good, really good, but not as great as it was 6 months ago.

It seems to me, though I could be wrong, they use a different type of masa for the tortillas on the weekends vs. weekdays. The weekend tortillas just aren't as delicate as those served on the weekdays. It might also be that they form them ahead of time for weekend service. I much prefer the weekday tortillas to weekend tortillas.

I've also noticed the meat used in the braised type chile dishes hasn't been as tender recently. I was told by Monica that they are getting some food delivered by a food service provider so I was wondering if the mother is starting her day a bit later thus the braising time might be reduced.

I took a friend down there a couple of weeks ago for a Sunday lunch and she thought it was exceptional---the best Mexican she's ever had. I unfortunately was left a bit disappointed, but I will continue to go dine there in hopes this is just a phase.

The last time I saw Monica she looked like she was ready to have that baby. Glad to hear that she had a healthy girl!
Veloute

I can't vouch for the past b/c I've only been here once about a week ago. I had the birria de res, and the meat was slightly on the tough side. I happily ate every bit and sopped the dregs up with those killer warm tortillas, but if I had one off comment, it would be about the tenderness of the meat.

Went to AT yesterday for a late lunch/early dinner and arrived to find an empty parking lot and a cleaned out building. Shocked, I walked into the furniture store to find out what happened or if they moved. That was unsuccessful as I speak limited Spanish and she spoke limited English. Looking into the former restaurant space I saw a rather large sign with a new address, phone number and an opening date. Unfortunately the sign faces inward and not outward and it can't be read driving by.

Last Friday I was there with a friend and we talked to Rosia(sp?) and Rosa who sent each of us a declicious veggie/fruit drink. Neither of them mentioned a move nor did I notice the sign at that time. I had time to drive up to the new address and low and behold they have moved to a much larger restaurant and will reopen on July 1st. I'm very surprised that they didn't advertise their move. I hope it doesn't hurt their business.

Amanecer Tapatio
700 Ruby Street
Joliet
815-727-4001

Veloute

I wish I had some happy feedback to share with all about Amanecer Tapatio.

First let me make it clear I did not dine, but my parents who were both raised in very traditional mexican households and have eaten many more tortillas than I, dined there last Friday. They dined at the new location on Ruby St. I don't even remember what they ordered but the following is a review of their experience.

My father must have forgotten that the concept of AT is to feature a small menu but change it daily. I think he's gotten spoiled by all the stops at Nuevo Leon on 18th on the way home from NMH. He said out of the 1 of the 3 entrees offered was sold out, so the limited selection did not please him.

Mom and Dad both said the food overall lacked flavor and portions were too small.

Now if you grew up as I did, we mexicanos (and most latins for that matter) love our food. We believe in big food. I always had an abuelita sticking a fork in my head. Bottom line, who's advice will I take regarding AT? Mom and Dad or LTHforum? I think you can answer that one.

Many of you may disagree about AT and that's fine. That's what makes this forum fun. I felt the need to post about the experience of a couple that grew up eating this food.

Have a great weekend.



700 Ruby, south side of street, one block east of Six Corners (intersection of Plainfield Rd/. Rt/ 30, Raynor Ave., and Ruby St/Black Rd.)

Same hours, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., closed Tuesday.

OdM,

Interesting... This is the first report about the restaurant since their move, so perhaps there has been more change than just location and/or they aren't back in the swing of things. On the other hand, it sounds like some of the problems from your folks' standpoint have to do with aspects of their usual way of doing things.

I'd be happy to stop in again if I find myself out that way but it is a long way to go just for the meal. My experiences there were quite positive but the most recent one is quite some time ago.

It would be interesting, though, to know what exactly your folks ate. If you get a chance to add that info, please do.

Antonius

orgullodemexico wrote: Bottom line, who's advice will I take regarding AT? Mom and Dad or LTHforum? I think you can answer that one.

Speaking for myself, as well as what I would guess to be a relatively large number of LTH posters, the obvious answer is that I would value an opinion about food much more from LTH Forum than I would one from my parents who, although I love them dearly, have nowhere near the appreciation for food as most of the posters here. I take it from the tone of your post that you are among the (assumed) minority that does not share this view.

I've only been to AT once, but I enjoyed my meal very much. Of course, the recent move might have had an impact on the food as they get used to their new digs.

Last Friday, a group of about 15 LTH'ers gathered at Amanacer for a special dinner. We had requested certain dishes, and for others we just went with what they offered.

Amanacer moved a few months back to larger and more lovely digs, now at
700 Ruby, Joliet, IL
(815) 727-4001.

There have also been some other changes, too, so I was more than a little curious about how the dinner would go.

The whole operation is bigger and more professional, and that is what one sees first. You can no longer watch all the food being prepared and your tortillas being made, which I miss. But the seating is better, the room more comfortable and friendly, the menu expanded. Still, you want to ignore that new menu for the most part and order the specials off the white board.

The Bride always insists on Guacamole, so we started with that. It was, in her opinion, not as good as in the past. They seem to have acquired more kitchen equipment and a bigger staff, so what we recieved was pureed, rather than chunky. We like chunky better.

The green and red salsas are now served in plastic squeeze bottles rather than the ersatz stone bowls of the past, though I think they are the same house-made salsas. And the chips are certainly the same. Does salsa taste better from a bowl? I was fighting a head cold, so my sense of smell was definitely reduced and I cannot comment on the taste. It seemed good, but I prefer to dip rather than drip my salsa. Just a quibble really.

Next came some rich Carne en su Jugo. Deep rich broth, chockful of beef and bacon, beans added to your taste with most of the normal condiments on the side. It was a respectable version, very tasty.

I believe the next dish was the Pollo con Mole Verde - a rich (that word keeps coming back here) lettucy mole with many layers of flavor. Well done.

Then we had Pollo con crema de Champinones - a remnant of Maximillian's time in Mexico, it combines cream, mushrooms and chipotles to deliver a goulash-y effect. Probably the best dish of the night for me, though the chipotles were hotter that day and so the dish was spicier and not as subtle and balanced as in the past.

Next we shared some Costillas en Chile Morita - braised ribs in a savory and spicy red chile sauce with moderate heat. This was also very good, even though I was stuffed by now.

I think VI sampled some picadillo after that, but I was too stuffed to even take a bit.

As I said above, I was a bit under the weather which affected both my appetite and my senses of smell and taste, which probably colored my assessment. I think Amanacer is very good, with some unique and excellent dishes, and Momma has a great touch with her moles and sauces. But it also is going through a transition from a tiny place where Mom bought and cooked everything to a real business, larger with more staff and more standardized dishes, providers, etc. And Mom has been teaching her staff. I think there was a dip for a while as a result of this transition, but the transition is almost complete and the quality again seems quite high.

Not quite as high as before, but the quaity of the dishes ranged from good (Guacamole) to very good (Carne en su Jugo) to wonderful (Green Mole, Chicken in cream and Ribs in Morita sauce). And I think they will continue to work out the kinks.

And they treat you very well at a great price. What more could I want?

Still a great place, offering dishes I have not seen elsewhere, done very well. Worth a trip.

I had been planning on lunching there after playing golf in Lockport tomorrow, but the weather moved the golf back a week. So, I drove over to Joliet this afternoon for a late lunch/early dinner (we have the word brunch, what is the word for 3pm dining? lunner?)

I had a simple meal. Following Flip's suggestion upthread, I ordered one of the specials: a simple shredded beef dish in a green sauce.

Thoughts:
- Chips: Why are chips at most good neighborhood Mexcian restaurants stale?
- Salsas: The red sauce is smokey goodness, the green sauce is not as smokey, but just as good. And unlike dicksond, I like the squeeze approach better.
- Shredded beef in green sauce: Extremely tasty, spicy but not overly spicy. A good volume of food for $8, maybe 7-8 ounces. The tortillas were hot and fresh, with a nice texture
- Rice and beans: So-so rice, awful bland beans.

With a Diet Pepsi and a tip, it came out to $11.50.

Would I return? I probably won't drive 17 miles from home just to go there again, but since I play frequently in Lockport and points SW, it will be THE post-golf destination.

I am finally going to go to Amanecer Tapatio for lunch tomorrow while I am in Joliet getting the oil changed on my truck @ the Honda dealership down the street.

I have read most of the threads regarding Amanecer Tapatio on this board, and CH, and it seems that the daily specials are the way to go.

I am curious of any of the specials to keep an eye out for, or any other must haves here for lunch.

Thanks in advance for any tips/help.

jimswside wrote:I am finally going to go to Amanecer Tapatio for lunch tomorrow while I am in Joliet getting the oil changed on my truck @ the Honda dealership down the street.

I have read most of the threads regarding Amanecer Tapatio on this board, and CH, and it seems that the daily specials are the way to go.

I am curious of any of the specials to keep an eye out for, or any other must haves here for lunch.

Thanks in advance for any tips/help.

The B2B and I often make the trip south to Joliet for Saturday lunches. A few weeks ago the green mole that has gotten so much praise was available. Almost every Saturday you will find my personal favorite 'Costillos en chile morita' a wonderful plate of pork ribs that have been slowly simmered in a slightly spicy sauce.

Flip

Flip,

thank you,

I will keep my eyes out for the mole, and rib dish you mentioned. Anything spicy, & a pork dish, and I am all ove that.

Jim,

Definitely stick with the specials. The mole is great, anything in their chile sauces is very good. The chicken and mushrooms in a chile cream sauce was good and very unique, and of course the tortillas are the best.

Glenn

Amanacer Tapatio was a most enjoyable stop for lunch on Saturday. I was the only gringo in the restaurant(my wife is from the Phillipines), and I liked that the specials board was written in Spanish. The waitress was helpfull, and we ordered the braised ribs that others recommended, and a chicken dish, mole verde. I also enjoyed a coke in the glass bottle.

The chips, and sauces were very good, the red sauce had a slightly smokey flavor, not very hot, and the green was decent and mild as well. The rib dish..., excellent, the pork was very tender, and flavorfull, and the red sauce it was cooked in was flavorfull, not very spicy. The mole dish was less impressive, the chicken was cooked perfectly and was juicy, but the sauce had a slight bitter aftertaste. The refried beans, and rice that came with each dish were flavorfull, and good.

All in all a very good lunch, and a place we will return. It is only about 40 mins from my house.

edit: I cannot believe I forgot to mentionnthe tortillas... some of the best I have had, steamimg hot, and tasty

Had lunch here the other day and can heap more praise on the pork ribs dish described above. I must say, though, that the highlights of the meal were the tortillas and the green salsa, which I found deliciously tangy.

Two questions linger:

1) Do they eat that orange-tinted "spanish rice" in Mexico? I realized I never paid attention to its presence in my two times in Mexico.
2) What's the word on the regular menu at AT? It looks like a regular ol' tacqueria menu--complete with that cheesy clip art--which I assume explains why there has been little to no commentary on it...right?

I am also curious about the regular menu, when I went I was almost tempted to try a steak taco, but didnt. The daily specials were too tempting, and very filling.