Don Juan

We had a quick trip to Chicago last week and ate at one my old favorites, Don Juan in Edison Park for Mexican food. It was every bit as wonderful as I remember. The salsa they present with the chips is the best I've ever had. Jalapeno rellenos are stuffed with shrimp and cheese and are delightful. Duck taquitos were a special and very good. Entrees were Pork with pasilla chili sauce and Venison fajitas. The meats were cooked perfectly and the sauces sublime. Good margaritas also. I miss Don Juan!

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

Thanks for the reminder of this old favorite. I love their 'middle menu', especially appetizers, soups and salads, as well as the fabulous shrimp and bacon tacos and fish tacos (fried, I have no clue as to their 'authenticity' nor do I care).
I think a trip to DJ's is in order again, soon - its been too long!

RevrendAndy wrote:We had a quick trip to Chicago last week and ate at one my old favorites, Don Juan in Edison Park for Mexican food.

I'm sure it was the company that really made this a memorable meal!

Schatz MacArthur wrote:I think a trip to DJ's is in order again, soon - its been too long!

Schatz,

After The Rev's and your post I'm realizing it's been way too long since I've been to Don Juan. Love the lightly smoky 7-pepper table salsa w/chips, always enjoy the daily specials, which tend to be quite innovative, and they make a mean margarita.

Thanks for the reminder Rev.

Enjoy,
Gary

I had not heard of this place, but I'm intrigued now. Here's info for others who don't know it:

Don Juan's
6730 N Northwest Hwy
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 775-6438
donjuanschicago.com

germuska wrote:I had not heard of this place, but I'm intrigued now. Here's info for others who don't know it:

Joe,

Thanks for putting up the address and link. I wasn't aware Don Juan had an online menu.

I think you would quite like Don Juan, think Frontera(ish) menu items as daily specials at Edison Park pricing.

There is also a full menu of nicely done standards to appeal to the neighborhood crowd as well as the more culinary adventurous.

Enjoy,
Gary

I have been a big fan of Don Juan for years, ever since Patrick [Concannon?] started cooking in the family's restaurant.

My opinion, though, is that the restaurant's rendition of antijitos is sorta mediocre. I avoided the place for years until I heard that they had added new items to the menu. I thnk that the newer items [what Schatz referred to as the 'middle menu'] can be outstanding. [Rock shrimp tacos, duck taquitos, lamb al pastor tacos... venison fajitas... yummy things just coming to mind off the top of my head.]

And my thumbs up for the 'ritas. They'll even sell you a half pitcher; you basically get 3 'ritas for the price of 2. Gotta love that.

Giovanna

Don Juan offers a lot of original Mexican dishes and has generally been excellent IMHO. Definitely worth =a try.

What is the average price for entrees?

JeanneBean wrote:What is the average price for entrees?

Entrees are $5-15.

Without beverages, you can get out of there for $15-20 pretty easily.

Personally, I like the duck and the lamb tacos.

I must chime in here, since my GF's mother, Maria, is the owner, and Patrick is her brother...now the corporate chef for Mia Francesca group. I have been there for dinner and it was quite delicious, and the 'ritas are pretty tasty as well. I highly recommend the Puntas de Filete en Chipotle!

She tells me that it's been an EP mainstay for 22 years, if memory serves. Maria's doing something right, that's fo' sho'!

I thought Patrick Concannon was Maria's son. Could be wrong. Anyone know for sure?

Buddy

Maria is Patrick's mother:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... i_71326527

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:I thought Patrick Concannon was Maria's son.

Buddy,

I believe that's what Wino meant. Anyway, Maria is Patrick's mother.

Count me amongst the I like Don Juan contingent, been going there on and off for 15-years and have had some memorable meals.

Enjoy,
Gary

Maybe I need to draw a family tree here?

Maria is the mother of Patrick, and my GF, Josefa, as well as their other brother Jake. There...that should clarify things, no?

Sorry, misinterpreted the syntax. Got it right now.

Buddy

Don Juan's tacos are a bit expensive at 2.50 a pop. But, they're awfully good, too. I'm a fan of the spicy braised beef and the delicious rock shrimp and bacon tacos.

I heard through a kind of family/personal grapevine that Don Juan's in Edison Park is currently struggling, and is considering re-concepting or even shutting down.

So I'm posting to encourage everyone who's enjoyed this place over the years to go out and support them. For selfish reasons, mainly. DJ's is one of my family's go-to spots, and I'd like to see it stick around. We don't "go-to" it as much as we used to, what with the infant and the toddler making going out for meals a bit more of a challenge, but we still make it there once every couple months and would be very sad to see it disappear or morph into yet another EP Italian eatery.

So go! Try (or revisit) the rock shrimp/bacon tacos, the duck taquitos, the enchiladas, or their very good and affordable skirt steak entree. Have a margarita (or three) and take advantage of this very good, family-owned local institution.

elakin wrote:I heard through a kind of family/personal grapevine that Don Juan's in Edison Park is currently struggling, and is considering re-concepting or even shutting down.

So I'm posting to encourage everyone who's enjoyed this place over the years to go out and support them.

I was thnking this weekend that I've drifted away from Don Juan's just from not eating out as much, and thinking that I missed it. It would be a shame to see this go after they recovered from the fire. I've taken guests and friends there and everyone has always loved it. I like the atmosphere, neighborhood location, the two menus, and the food--time to go back.

we took the kids to DJ last night and were pleased to see them pretty busy at about 6-6:30, but no problem getting a table.

we ordered margaritas (love their hand shaken version), food for the kids, and apps first--guacamole, which is very good, but the portion is a bit small for the price, and we had a bacon-wrapped shrimp dish from the center menu (fancier stuff) that was excellent.

they've redone their "patricio's" menu so there are some new options to check out.

for entrees, my wife and I shared an order of their excellent carne asada/enchilada combo and three fish tacos. the steak is always very high quality, big, and cooked how I request it (medium), and the refried beans that come with the entrees are among the best I've had.

fish tacos aren't usually something I go for unless the place specializes in them, but DJ's are really quite good. very fresh-tasting fish, lightly breaded and fried, wrapped up in flour tortillas with a nice fresh-tasting slaw. could've used a bit more heat.

that's my one complaint, i think. the heat level on this stuff is so low and even the 'hot' salsa on the table (a smooth, dark, red/black puree) doesn't really bring much spice. maybe something hotter is available upon request, but i didn't request.

overall, though, very high quality, well executed mexican food. we'll be back soon.

(oh, and they bring free ice cream cones for the kids at the end, which is a very nice touch, i think.)

elakin wrote:that's my one complaint, i think. the heat level on this stuff is so low and even the 'hot' salsa on the table (a smooth, dark, red/black puree) doesn't really bring much spice. maybe something hotter is available upon request, but i didn't request.

Don Juan's table salsa is a blend of peppers, don't remember in particular which, but they are going for a mellow smokey not heat. I like the table salsa with chips, but often ask for salsa fresca, which they typically have on hand or make up fresh, with my meal.

It's been a while, Don Juan is a long time favorites, we will have to go in the next week and say hello to Pepa.

Enjoy,
Gary

elakin wrote:we ordered margaritas (love their hand shaken version), food for the kids, and apps first--guacamole, which is very good, but the portion is a bit small for the price, and we had a bacon-wrapped shrimp dish from the center menu (fancier stuff) that was excellent.

fish tacos aren't usually something I go for unless the place specializes in them, but DJ's are really quite good. very fresh-tasting fish, lightly breaded and fried, wrapped up in flour tortillas with a nice fresh-tasting slaw. could've used a bit more heat.

that's my one complaint, i think. the heat level on this stuff is so low and even the 'hot' salsa on the table (a smooth, dark, red/black puree) doesn't really bring much spice. maybe something hotter is available upon request, but i didn't request.

I also love the hand-shaken margaritas, but can never have more than 2 since they pack a kick. I also had the bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizer last time there (about a month ago, it was Maria's (Pepa) birthday), and they are indeed delicious. I love the fish tacos too, when I don't want something heavy. I love that mayo sauce!

elakin, ask Maria or your server for some of the cook's salsa. they usually have something made up for the staff that is more spicy than the table salsa. I love the heat, and on the many occasions I've dined there have had various incarnations of mid-spicy to fiery sauces brought out.

I grew up eating at Don Juan's, so I have a soft spot for this place. I just moved back to the NW side a few years ago, and I have three tiny kids so I don't go out to dinner that often. I had a milestone birthday this past weekend and the thought of going downtown on a friday night made me tired and cranky (see again: three tiny kids, milestone birthday). I decided it's been too long since I went to Don Juan's, so that is where we went.

The food was great- we started with guacamole, which was very good. I had pumpkin enchiladas in mole sauce that were really delicious, and finished with flan, which was also very good. The margaritas were very good, and their coffee has the same hint of cinnamon it's always had.

The service was very good- faster than I remember, but no pressure.

The only bummer of the evening- the restaurant was really empty for a friday night:( I remember this place was always jammed when I was younger, often with a wait on a friday night. We arrived around 7:15-7:30 and there were probably six other tables? And only about three people in the bar, which also used to be packed on a friday night. I'm not sure if this is an anomaly- this is always a busy time of year for people with holiday parties- or if business is on a downswing for them. I hope it's not, because I have really great memories of the place, and the experience I had on friday was really good.