Finally I can get a cocktail out west. Got into Tin Roof in Joliet on Friday night - they opened back in August. Cool urban type spot in an old brick building on the same street as the theatre in downtown Joliet. Craft cocktails for $8. I went off menu for a Sazerac which was perfectly made & knocked me on my ass(this was our 2nd stop), a taste of the rum old fashioned my buddy had was alright. Real bartenders here, know their liquor and have all the eye droppers of flavors to concoct a fine drink. Another bonus $1 PBR tallboys all day - every day... Full food menu as well. Gonna be a regular.

Tin Roof
158 N. Chicago
Joliet, IL.

http://www.tinroofjoliet.com/

A couple doors down a new taco spot opened earlier this year as well - These two spots kind of popped up on me - we dont usually hang downtown Joliet - more in the neighborhoods. So Blue Taco - a modern taco spot ll call it. Jerk tacos, pork belly tacos, asian steak, etc. tasty proteins, alot of toppings. Not bad - I did like that they served beer.

Blue Taco
108 N. Chicago
Joliet, IL.

Almost forgot - before we went to drinks at Tin Roof we passed by Home Cut donuts and I pulled in - been craving an apple fritter and some jelly filled donuts for a bit. Got my fix. Fritters were nice - lots of deep fried nooks and crannies. Jellies - are they ever bad? - Nice that they are open 24 hours -

Home Cut Donuts
815 W. Jefferson
Joliet, IL.

http://www.homecutdonuts.com/

An update re: a spots upthread - Stefanich has new owners - havent tried its since the change.

WTF - no Joliets posts by me in over a year - I must be slipping - I still get into Joliet maybe once a month - not as often as back in the day.

Tin Roof for cocktails is still a must - might be the best place for a craft cocktail that I have found in the burbs west of Chicago.

Croatian Club is also a must for cheap, cold drafts and some great people watching -

Ended up back at Taqueria El Zarape this past friday night - big fan of any cutlet of meat - went with chicken and it was fire. -





Trompo wasnt fired up on this visit, so the sandwich was it -

I havent been to Cemita's Puebla in years - gave up on keeping up with where they are moving next - but the Cemita at El Zarape is on the level with what I remember CP to have offered.

YMMV

jimswside wrote:Saw the sign for this spot a few weeks ago, put it on the short list. Hole in the wall spot in a tiny strip mall.
Laid back cats running the place.

First visit & first stop so I went light, (1) asada(steak), (1) abodaba(pork), (1) birria. Also a sliced avocado. Chips and squirt bottle sauces at the table were good, green great. Tacos were really good, hard to choose which was best(abodaba). Steak & pork were packed with flavor, birria was tender and good as well.

Thinking the birria platter will be ordered on my next visit.

Birrieria Y Taqueria Ochoa
2210 W. Jefferson (Route 52) Unit B
Joliet, IL.

FYI, this place has been torn down, the strip mall is no longer

jimswside wrote:
Ended up back at Taqueria El Zarape this past friday night - big fan of any cutlet of meat - went with chicken and it was fire. -





Trompo wasnt fired up on this visit, so the sandwich was it -

I havent been to Cemita's Puebla in years - gave up on keeping up with where they are moving next - but the Cemita at El Zarape is on the level with what I remember CP to have offered.

YMMV

seeing as the previous place I tried was closed, I headed to El Zarape. Spit was loaded with al pastor, so I had one taco and a cemita al pastor. While I haven't been to Cemitas Puebla in quite awhile, I'd say your comment above is spot on, both the taco & cemita were terrific.

REALLY enjoyed the homemade chips & salsa which was very bright in flavor with just a nice kick.

Thanks for the suggestion.

For those considering a trip, realize that El Zarape is east of I55 about 4 miles. (Shorewood RT 52 exit)

Edited to add: El Zarape serves pambazos. Also, didn't find a website but found a FB listing: https://www.facebook.com/search/2304945 ... cal_search

Tacqueria El Zarape
700 W Jefferson St
Joliet, IL 60435
(opens at 7am)

I have been spending quite a bit of time in Joliet lately, not a huge surprise since it is only about 20 minutes from Frankfort. When the weather warms up a bit, I would love to get JimSWside, and conduct a taco crawl similar to what has been done in Aurora.

Today, I tried Taqueria Atotonilco. Per the server's recommendation, I only tried two tacos. I am used to taqueria tacos being on the small side, and these were definitely much larger than the norm. I tried the birria, and the al pastor. The birria had that nice blend of crispy and fatty bits along with the very tender meat. It doesn't compare to the near perfection of Zaragoza (what does?), but it was very good. The Al Pastor is the specialty of the house, and the trompo was ready for action. They serve it with a fairly spicy red salsa, and plenty of cilantro and onion. Definitely among the best Al Pastor I have had. I will be back to try the other offerings. They seem to be open until 3 am on the weekends too!

Taqueria Atotolnilco
500 E. Cass St
Joliet IL
815.714.2390

Don't miss Marichkas at the 400 block of Theodore .Great garlic butterine sandwich and fried chicken. Reminds me of Wisconsin supper clubs.
Good for cold weather homemade soups.