Mexican Restaurants Near Elmhurst

Hi all,

Before anyone rips me for not searching...I did. I read throught the Mexican food thread, which focused mainly on the City. I also read the Western Suburban thread, which mentioned a couple of places on Roosevelt (Taco Express and Taco Grill maybe) but they sounded more like lunch places.

I was wondering if there are any other recommended Mexican restaurants in the Elmhurst/Oak Brook area. We're going out to celebrate my wife's birthday this evening, so I'm trying to get some good ideas.

She loves guacamole, salsa, and especially margaritas. If those are going right, the rest of the meal can just be average or above.

I apologize for the lateness of the post but, we were actually supposed to go next weekend. Unfortunately, something came up. So here I am, stuck trying to find a place last minute.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and have a great (and safe) holiday weekend!!

John

There is Cinco De Mayo on Roosevelt in Villa Park for Mexican. I have mixed feelings about this place, but others have enjoyed it. Otherwise, for Tex-Mex there is the Uncle Julio's on 22nd st between Oak Brook and Yorktown malls. Factory chain food, but decent margaritas. Those are the only two options I can think of for a sit-down experience.

Flip

Your choices are these okay chain locations:

Fuego Loco
116 N. York Rd.• Elmhurst, IL
phone 630 • 530 • 7777

Uncle Julio's
2360 Foutain Squre Drive
Lombard, IL
(located by Dick's Sporting Goods on Butterfield Road)

My choice would be Tierra Grill in Villa Park at 525 E. St. Charles. It had a four forks rating in the Chicago Tribune a few years ago.

I love Tierra Grill but it is an "order at the counter" place. I know they serve beer but don't think it's a margarita place.

Isn't there another Mexicanoid place further north of Fuego Loco? Maybe on Schiller or where Palmer arcs into York Ave? I was there once years ago, and it seemed like a good place for Margaritas and guac.

Thanks for you responses everyone.

If it helps to expand the zone a bit, we can do that. For instance, we have eaten at the Las Palmas on Ogden due to the familiarity we had with the Buffalo Grove location. However, we'd prefer not go too far from the Butterfield/York intersection.

Thanks again,

John

Isn't there an El Famous Burrito out there a bit to the south of Elmhurst? IIRC, we ate there and the food was OK, at least closer to Mexican than mexicanoid if you don't count the burritos.

A bit of googling turned up their website (not usually a good sign for authentic Mexican, but whatever) and the location in Elmhurst:
Elmhurst El Famous
904 York Rd
(630) 516-0905

Has anyone been to Rosita's on Roosevelt in Westchester? The few reviews I have seen seem to be favorable. I guess the place has been there forever but was taken over by new owners a few years ago.

Just wondering?

Thanks,

John

On Grand Ave just west of York Rd. there's a great casual mexican restaurant called De Campana tucked back in to the corner of a strip mall. They have live mariachi, good margaritas, and decent food. I like their enchiladas the best.

De Campana

229 W. Grand Ave, Elmhurst

That's right behind the Dairy Queen, correct?

I second De Campana. It's good, but not great and yes it is behind Dairy Queen.

There's another place I like in Addison. It's called La Hacienda De Los Fernandez. It's on Lake just east of 53. It's owned by the same people that own the La Magdalena and Besa Mi Taco restaurants. It's also pretty good. A little more upscale looking than La Magdalena. (which is also pretty decent IMO)

And I'm sure the LTH faithful will not be crazy about this, but there is a Lalo's on Roselle Road in Schaumburg which is not that long of a drive from Elmhurst. I happen to like that one the best out in the western burbs, but to each his own.

David,

The restaurant ou are thinking of is closed if you and I are on the same page. It is where Kalamata is now located. The name escapes me, but they did have good fare and a nice drink selection.


If you are willing to drive just a bit east, Maria's in Rosemont and Elmwood Park is good.

I also had a good experience once at Coyote's Mexican Grill for Tex-Mex and Mexican food in Villa Park right next to the Outback (Roosevelt and Ardmore). They have a nice outdoor seating area in a garden type setting.

For the record, it was called Tortilla Flats.

Kalamata closed a year or so ago. Something new is there now but I haven't eaten there yet.

Diannie,

Thank you for letting me know the name of the restaurant. It was driving my wife and I crazy trying to remember.