Co-si-na [Cosina Grill - Mexican]

Co-si-na just opened this past Wednesday I believe. Popped in to check out their menu, and saw mole dishes, some enchilada options- 15-25 dollar entree range. Couldn't linger long and really take much in, but thought I'd mention it since a search didn't turn anything up. Hoping to go for lunch in the near future to try it out. BYOB

Co-si-na

1706 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 271-7103

Had dinner at Co-Si-Na tonight, and now I must conclude: There is no God.

That's somewhat enigmatic. Can you elucidate?

trpt2345 wrote:That's somewhat enigmatic. Can you elucidate?

Yes, I can, but I just don't want to talk about it right now. Let's put it this way: dinner was over 2.5 hours ago, and I'm still in a bad mood.

David Hammond wrote:

trpt2345 wrote:That's somewhat enigmatic. Can you elucidate?

Yes, I can, but I just don't want to talk about it right now. Let's put it this way: dinner was over 2.5 hours ago, and I'm still in a bad mood.

Is that because you can't get this guy out of your mind, pronouncing the name of the restaurant with his head tilted 87 degrees to the side every time you read or think of it?

Yelpers love it so far, what's wrong with you David?

Santander wrote:

David Hammond wrote:

trpt2345 wrote:That's somewhat enigmatic. Can you elucidate?

Yes, I can, but I just don't want to talk about it right now. Let's put it this way: dinner was over 2.5 hours ago, and I'm still in a bad mood.

Is that because you can't get this guy out of your mind, pronouncing the name of the restaurant with his head tilted 87 degrees to the side every time you read or think of it?

And then trying to figure out what you hate more, the head tilt, or the way he's about to force that word into his next 4 sentences using the same hammy pronounciation and head tilt each time.

"Now, in a Mexican 'coe SEE nuuuh,' there is usually a little 'ah bway LEE tah.' She RULES the Mexican 'coe SEE nuuh' with an iron fist. You can learn many things by watching a Mexican 'coe SEE nuuuh'..."

(And then end scene with Flamenco guitar riff.)



I still think he is awesome.

I'm finally able to come to terms with my Co-Si-Na experience, but only in small fragments, as I'm still having trouble dealing with the totality of the experience, which actually kept me up the night after, feeling miserable (not from stomach pain but just the memory of how lousy it was).

To focus on one small but critical aspect: the tortillas. Now, maybe both flour and corn tortillas are actually made in house (as advertised on the menu and asserted by both hostess and server) but their texture was unbelievably tough and dry for fresh tortillas, and it's a very rare place that makes both corn and flour versions of the Mexican staff of life. I did ask to peek in the kitchen, which the Hostess reluctantly allowed me to do, but I saw no evidence of a tortilla-making operation -- though I'd be very interested to know if anyone could confirm that these tortillas are, as claimed, made (and not just heated up) on premises.

While I'm sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience at Cosina, I'm thankful that your post conjured a most pleasant recent memory of the tortillas at La Casa de Samuel. In the past few weeks, I've eaten the house made tortillas from Frontera, Maiz, Mixteco, and La Casa de Samuel. As good as all of these tortillas were, the ones at LCdS's blew everyone else's away. They have a more pronounced corn flavor, and are pleasantly rich from what I'm pretty sure is a healthy, loving brush with lard. Plus, they're not just made in house - they're made to order, so you get 'em hot, right off the press, fresh as could be. Simply fantastic, and I did gather proof that they're made in house

Tortillas at La Casa de Samuel


Tortillera at La Casa de Samuel:


Pics above are from:
La Casa de Samuel
2834 West Cermak
Chicago, IL 60623
773-376-7474

Other locations I can't vouch for:
2047 North Milwaukee, Chicago
2753 West 55th Street, Chicago
120 North Genesee, Waukegan

If anyone has been to the Milwaukee Ave location, I'd love to hear about it since it would usually be much more convenient for me. Though I'd rather go out of my way if Cermak is the only location with such fantastic tortillas. It's worth it.

Kennyz wrote:Other locations I can't vouch for:
2047 North Milwaukee, Chicago
2753 West 55th Street, Chicago
120 North Genesee, Waukegan

If anyone has been to the Milwaukee Ave location, I'd love to hear about it since it would usually be much more convenient for me. Though I'd rather go out of my way if Cermak is the only location with such fantastic tortillas. It's worth it.

Cermak is your only option; these other locations have closed. Fuego Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar is at 2047 N Milwaukee. The always-deserted 55th Street restaurant is now Alicia's Tamales. The Waukegan location has been gone a couple years.

Kenny,
From the photos, that must be a pleasant memory indeed. The tortillas look great too.