Guanajuato in Glencoe

I did a search but didn't see anything for Guanajuato yet. I believe they opened in July, and I think it's the same owner/chef who had Wholey Guacamole a few storefronts down, but which is now closed. Has anyone else tried it?

Guanajuato
73 Green Bay Road
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 242-0501

My family of four went to Guanajuato for the first time on Friday night. The restaurant was busy but we were seated right away. Our waiter was friendly but rushed.

We ordered the fresh guacamole to start; it was very fresh, but on the mild/bland side. We mixed in some of the salsa to spice it up a bit.

I ordered tilapia tacos; they were good, but not great - again, a bit bland. The rice was a bit dried out and the beans were OK, not great. The menu lists recommended wine for each meal, so I ordered the wine recommended for my dish. I didn't look closely enough, so I was surprised when my tilapia tacos were served with a Pinot Noir - I was expecting a white wine. The wine was good, but we were stunned when we got the bill, as it was $13/glass (the price was not listed on the menu).

My husband ordered beef tacos and said they were very good.

Our children each ordered the children's steak tacos (great kids' menu) and really enjoyed them.

All in all we thought the food was average, the prices too high (close to $80 for a casual Mexican meal for two adults and two kids), and the service was well-intended but a bit harried. I will probably not go back - I much prefer That Little Mexican Cafe and La Casa De Isaac.

Guanajuata also had two mariachis strolling from table to table, but it seemed that one of these men couldn't sing to save his life. They were nice, though, and gave us their card: Gorgeous George and Ferdinand Fantastico!

Thanks for the report, WinnetkaFoodie. I haven't been but here's what my brother had to say about it . . .

"It's a one and done for me. I live within walking distance, the place has a bar and still, I'll never return."

These comments are from a person for whom a bar, any bar, is usually more than enough of a draw.

He thought it was bland, overpriced and pretentious. He was also infuriated by the mariachis, who "assaulted" his table at the exact same moment his food arrived. As far as he's concerned, morphing Wholey Guacamole into this (in the new, former Boston Blackies location) was little more than an ill-conceived and poorly executed cash grab.

=R=

I'm also within walking distance, so it earns some points for that, but I'd review it as satisfactory. The prices weren't unreasonable and everything we had was tasty, but not memorable. Menu is available here: http://www.myguanajuato.com/. We've been able to get in and out pretty cheap and found the staff very friendly, so a good neighborhood place.