The Sidedoor in Lake Bluff

My wife brought back take out from John des Rosiers’ new Mexican place, The Sidedoor. I believe John used a private dining room to house The Sidedoor.

She got a couple of bowls, hers chicken and mine was braised pork, with great tasting rice, Sonoma beans, cilantro, onions, pico de gallo, tomatoes, shaved cabbage, sour cream, queso fresco, chihuahua cheese, guacamole and the wink of la dona salsa (olives, capers, oregano, jalapeno, and sunflower seeds). An excellent and inexpensive meal, with high quality ingredients, that we didn’t have to cook.

Looking forward to trying more of the menu, a great take out addition for Lake Forest/Lake Bluff.

The Sidedoor
28 E Center Avenue
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
(The address above is for Inovasi, and it is actually a side door to Inovasi)
847.295.1020
http://www.thesidedoor.us

m-f 10:30-9
sat 11-9
sun closed

Been very happy with first two visits. The chicken is surprisingly moist and flavorful for a taqueria, and I like the endless combination aspect of the build-your-own here. Ten different salsas, some of which are more for flavor than heat (e.g. #2, tomatillo based, which adds a nice acidic taste). The chips and guac are very good, my 4-year-old was a fan...

Friends with the chef, here are a few things he has told me about the "bad-ass taqueria":
Big lunch crowd from the nearby high school, also not much takeout in the area so picking up more by word of mouth each day.
Breakfast tacos off-menu when they first open (haven't tried myself yet but it was his plan).
Some specials in the after-school hours too.
Salsas are all bottled and available for separate purchase.
You can sample a salsa or two if you are undecided (as I have been both times).

There's no seating, just a few standup counters from reclaimed wood. Yet I like the vibe of hanging out there, vinyl records spinning and a steady stream of people. I personally wish John would deviate from his "no Sundays" rule and have this place open. Probably not enough business to support it though.

How well does the takeout travel? It's an approx. 20 minute drive back home to Highland Park.

So far I've only taken out once, but it was for later reheating. Note to self - do not order something with lettuce if you want to reheat it later.

Another very good meal from the Sidedoor. I had a bowl (excellent basmati rice) with ‘the potato forgot to duck’ (braised potatoes, slow cooked duck leg, rosemary, hominy, onion). When I asked for a recommended salsa for the duck the counterman gave three suggestions and I selected the la pamplonada salsa (smoked chile, chocolate, hazelnuts).

My youngest daughter was happy with her tree hugger (moro beans, rice, avocado, lettuce, pico de gallo) and the spring breaker salsa (roasted peanuts, charred tomatoes, smokey chilies).

Agree with Ed, I also like the vibe and atmosphere of the intimate space. John now has some Tolix stools at the long high tables.

John des Rosiers just announced the Sidedoor is now open on Sundays 11:30 AM to 7 PM. Happy news!

I have been many times, and always very happy.

Been through all of the meats and most of the salsas. My favorite meat is the ‘the potato forgot to duck’ (braised potatoes, slow cooked duck leg, rosemary, hominy, onion), which I have been having a hard time varying from. Second favorite meat is the 'belly of the beast' (slow roasted pork belly, chard onions, orange skins, and epazote).

Since we always take it to go, I have avoided tacos and we get either burritos or bowls.

A fantastic addition to very limited local take out options.

Forgot to post about this, but John expanded into the next storefront to add much needed seating. He took half of the watch repair/clockshop space to the south. Prior to this we rarely ate in, usually take out or on the side walk tables when the weather is nice.