Mexican Choice Ping

Friend in from LA for a very short time. Oak Park area. Late late dinner - 9pm ish tonight. Mexican is first choice.
Would you:
New Rebozo
Maya del sol
Xni-pec
Audible if we can meet up just a tiny bit earlier - Mundial Cocina Mestiza.

Any others? Not really looking for Sombrero Mexican at all.
Reason I ask is I haven't been to New Rebozo in AGES. Only other I've been to is Xni-Pec. I'd LOVE to try Mundial. Though late, and somewhat impromptu, it will be a celebration dinner of sorts. We both had recent birthdays. Looking for some pretty good food, but circumstances have dictated that it has to be later than we'd care for, and today is the only day.

I wouldn't recommend New Rebozo, but many enjoy it, so if the place has emotional resonance, go for it. Bruce Kraig, who wrote a book with the former chef there, rolled his eyes when I mentioned the place last year -- it's gone down hill.

Of those you mentioned, Xni-Pec is probably my fav, but I walk by Maya del Sol a few nights a week, and it looks full of life, and I’ve had good food there, and it’s (like you) in Oak Park; it's worth your attention. The chef, Ruben Beltran, is a graduate of the School of Rick, and it shows.

Thank you, Mr Hammond -

Rebozo is now last on the list. I'm really trying to decide between Maya and Mundial, but if it's late - Maya wins, if it's early, Mundial wins. Xni-Pec if either starts to seem expensive if any others join us. (I think I said that I'd treat )

seebee wrote:Thank you, Mr Hammond -

Rebozo is now last on the list. I'm really trying to decide between Maya and Mundial, but if it's late - Maya wins, if it's early, Mundial wins. Xni-Pec if either starts to seem expensive if any others join us. (I think I said that I'd treat )

Maya would be the most expensive of these places to eat. I liked Mundial and it was BYOB the last time I was there, though that may have changed.

David Hammond wrote:

seebee wrote:Thank you, Mr Hammond -

Rebozo is now last on the list. I'm really trying to decide between Maya and Mundial, but if it's late - Maya wins, if it's early, Mundial wins. Xni-Pec if either starts to seem expensive if any others join us. (I think I said that I'd treat )

Maya would be the most expensive of these places to eat. I liked Mundial and it was BYOB the last time I was there, though that may have changed.

Maya might even have the patio open tonight. Like the ambiance, have found most of the food pretty bland except for brunch. I was at New Rebozo last year and it was fine, still quite friendly, far too expensive for the modest fare (only the fiesta de moles is really exceptional, and that's about $20 for a few enchiladas in different sauces).

Hmmm.
I have a few friends who scream about how good Maya is, but I definitely remember Santander's postings about "brunch only." I do tend to scoff very overtly at overpriced fake ethnic foods. Hate to be on the other end of an "I told you so."
Maybe a return to Xni-pec would suit the evening better, tho I'm still rooting for Mundial if the timing works out.

seebee wrote:Hmmm.
I have a few friends who scream about how good Maya is, but I definitely remember Santander's postings about "brunch only." I do tend to scoff very overtly at overpriced fake ethnic foods. Hate to be on the other end of an "I told you so."
Maybe a return to Xni-pec would suit the evening better, tho I'm still rooting for Mundial if the timing works out.

I would not say "fake ethnic" describes Maya del Sol.

Remember Xni Pec is no longer in Cicero.

Xni-Pec de Yucatán
3755 Grand Blvd and Prairie
Brookfield IL, 60513
Phone: 708.290.0082

Just as 1 bottle of pinot noir turned into 4 at Marion Street Grill, 9pm turned into 11, which in turn made a 9:30 trip to Xni-Pec an 11:30 stop at Zacatacos on Cermak for 3 tacos each, a split order of enchiladas en mole, and a large guac washed down by a few Nergo Modelos. A fancy b-day dinner will be deferred until July, but still, for what it was, it was a great meal.