Le Principal is a great local spot for the Evanston community!
The service was absolutely incredible! The staff is personable and trained to handle any situation with grace and humor. Eric Young, the owner, was very present in the restaurant. You can tell a love of food and community was poured into Le Principal.
Also, the churros are a must if you love a sweet treat!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe Stallings
I loved this place from the day it opened.
Churros, drinks and atmosphere are unmatched.
Unfortunately the food is problematic and quality has decreased significantly over time while prices have increased past too far past both the foods value and common since.
We ordered 9 or so tacos across the menu. Unfortunately, all used pasty and indelibly dry tortillas, all had dry and low quality proteins and all seemed to only focus on the protein and were not dressed with any type of vegetables, toppings or salsa. Worse of all, all of the tacos were around 6$ and were a complete waste of money and waste of time.
Its a shame as there are many other taco options in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Carlos Aréchiga
I visited La Principal for late lunch on a Sunday and everything was great, from the drinks to the appetizers to the meal itself. Our server was super friendly and made the visit a very enjoyable one. Will definitely be back. My favorite thing was their queso fundido and steak tacos. Check them out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BIG LEWIS
Sorry but the food was terrible I had a shredded chicken and a Nashville hot chicken taco both lackluster in taste as well as presentation my friend had 3 fish tacos they lacked taste seasonings were very little the fish was not served fresh Eve the Sangria we ordered was lacking flavor I was disappointed because a restaurant of this caliber in downtown Evanston I would think would be giving the people a great experience and this is why there was nobody there this place has potential I think the owners don’t have any taste buds and they walk to to beat of their own drums
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
sheila ahranjani
The staff is awesome here:) Food is good, and atmosphere too. I’ll be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily Brink
Love their Birria beef and their margaritas. It is safe for my gluten intolerant friend to eat here, which is a huge plus! The staff is also friendly and helpful. They have a cool outdoor seating area when the weather is nice. It's also right next to the Metra train stop, which is really convenient but loud if you sit outside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kathy and Kyle Manny
Great food, wonderful service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Financefan
Very tasty, extensive menu. More interesting than typical Mexican restaurant offerings. Service a bit slow. 5 stars for food, less for service. About 10 taco offerings, not the usual suspects.
Jason Hartline
The food is just mediocre. Neither the al pastor tacos nor the al pastor mushroom tacos had pineapple. Moreover, the pork ones were a bad cut of pork and the mushrooms were just one of the worst things I've eaten recently. Hopefully it was just a bad night. Anyway, wanted to like this place, but didn't.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Kyleigh Ardoin
Honestly underrated place. The carne asada is so tender and delicious. The waiters are so bubbly and happy and pleasant. And large portions!
The sweet potatoes were undercooked. The food lacked the authentic spices and flavors of Mexican cuisine, indicating a need for significant improvement. Food is medicine, and the more mindful the cooks are in preparing the dishes, the better the experience will be when tasting truly delicious, authentic Mexican food..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
S. Garcia
I was in the mood for tacos and noticed this place was close to work. I decided to give it a try based on the reviews. The staff were all super friendly and attentive. The place was clean and the ambience was great. There was even a live Three Piece Combo playing lovely Jazz music right outside the entrance to the restaurant. My only issues were that the wait time were a little slow. I waited over 25 minutes for a carry out order. I figured the food would be worth the wait. I finally got my food and was pretty disappointed. The food here is clearly adjusted and acclimated to the taste palette and culture of the primary clientele of the area. I ordered the fish taco, mushroom taco, queso fondido, and kids meal quesadilla (which also came with a churro and dipping chocolate) and extra tortillas for the fondido thinking that would be a safer bet. While the mushroom taco was just ok, the fish taco was a very bland hunk of fish. No flavor, salt or seasoning whatsoever. The queso fondido was made in the consistency of a cream cheese spread as opposed to a true fondue. It wasn't bad but not at all what I was expecting and it defeated the purpose of me swapping the tortilla chips for a side of homemade tortillas. The quesadilla was like something you'd make quick in a microwave... just melted cheese in a slightly hard tortilla. The only redeeming quality about my food was the churro with chocolate. It was very good. I'd probably visit again for the churro only.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Rey Reyes
These people should stop closing the street to serve 2 or 3 tables only, I'm a taxpayer just like everyone else and if I'm not eating at this restaurant why would I have to go all the way around just to get to my house when I pay money to go thru that street, This is ridiculous, I could've understand if it's a Sunday or Saturday or even a holiday but every other day? On a monday? On a Thursday? Literally a waste of space, serve your people inside and let the cars go thru, I don't understand how the city allows this! Not even construction workers do this. Just because it's summertime doesn't give you the right to be closing the street as you pleased, I hope it rains from here til January.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Chris Slomka
Good traditional mexic food with unique twist, cool outside dining on a closed street.
Le Principal is a great local spot for the Evanston community!
The service was absolutely incredible! The staff is personable and trained to handle any situation with grace and humor. Eric Young, the owner, was very present in the restaurant. You can tell a love of food and community was poured into Le Principal.
Also, the churros are a must if you love a sweet treat!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I loved this place from the day it opened.
Churros, drinks and atmosphere are unmatched.
Unfortunately the food is problematic and quality has decreased significantly over time while prices have increased past too far past both the foods value and common since.
We ordered 9 or so tacos across the menu. Unfortunately, all used pasty and indelibly dry tortillas, all had dry and low quality proteins and all seemed to only focus on the protein and were not dressed with any type of vegetables, toppings or salsa. Worse of all, all of the tacos were around 6$ and were a complete waste of money and waste of time.
Its a shame as there are many other taco options in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
I visited La Principal for late lunch on a Sunday and everything was great, from the drinks to the appetizers to the meal itself. Our server was super friendly and made the visit a very enjoyable one. Will definitely be back. My favorite thing was their queso fundido and steak tacos. Check them out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sorry but the food was terrible I had a shredded chicken and a Nashville hot chicken taco both lackluster in taste as well as presentation my friend had 3 fish tacos they lacked taste seasonings were very little the fish was not served fresh Eve the Sangria we ordered was lacking flavor I was disappointed because a restaurant of this caliber in downtown Evanston I would think would be giving the people a great experience and this is why there was nobody there this place has potential I think the owners don’t have any taste buds and they walk to to beat of their own drums
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
The staff is awesome here:) Food is good, and atmosphere too. I’ll be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love their Birria beef and their margaritas. It is safe for my gluten intolerant friend to eat here, which is a huge plus! The staff is also friendly and helpful. They have a cool outdoor seating area when the weather is nice. It's also right next to the Metra train stop, which is really convenient but loud if you sit outside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, wonderful service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very tasty, extensive menu. More interesting than typical Mexican restaurant offerings. Service a bit slow. 5 stars for food, less for service. About 10 taco offerings, not the usual suspects.
The food is just mediocre. Neither the al pastor tacos nor the al pastor mushroom tacos had pineapple. Moreover, the pork ones were a bad cut of pork and the mushrooms were just one of the worst things I've eaten recently. Hopefully it was just a bad night. Anyway, wanted to like this place, but didn't.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Honestly underrated place. The carne asada is so tender and delicious. The waiters are so bubbly and happy and pleasant. And large portions!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The sweet potatoes were undercooked. The food lacked the authentic spices and flavors of Mexican cuisine, indicating a need for significant improvement. Food is medicine, and the more mindful the cooks are in preparing the dishes, the better the experience will be when tasting truly delicious, authentic Mexican food..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I was in the mood for tacos and noticed this place was close to work. I decided to give it a try based on the reviews. The staff were all super friendly and attentive. The place was clean and the ambience was great. There was even a live Three Piece Combo playing lovely Jazz music right outside the entrance to the restaurant. My only issues were that the wait time were a little slow. I waited over 25 minutes for a carry out order. I figured the food would be worth the wait. I finally got my food and was pretty disappointed. The food here is clearly adjusted and acclimated to the taste palette and culture of the primary clientele of the area. I ordered the fish taco, mushroom taco, queso fondido, and kids meal quesadilla (which also came with a churro and dipping chocolate) and extra tortillas for the fondido thinking that would be a safer bet. While the mushroom taco was just ok, the fish taco was a very bland hunk of fish. No flavor, salt or seasoning whatsoever. The queso fondido was made in the consistency of a cream cheese spread as opposed to a true fondue. It wasn't bad but not at all what I was expecting and it defeated the purpose of me swapping the tortilla chips for a side of homemade tortillas. The quesadilla was like something you'd make quick in a microwave... just melted cheese in a slightly hard tortilla. The only redeeming quality about my food was the churro with chocolate. It was very good. I'd probably visit again for the churro only.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
These people should stop closing the street to serve 2 or 3 tables only, I'm a taxpayer just like everyone else and if I'm not eating at this restaurant why would I have to go all the way around just to get to my house when I pay money to go thru that street, This is ridiculous, I could've understand if it's a Sunday or Saturday or even a holiday but every other day? On a monday? On a Thursday? Literally a waste of space, serve your people inside and let the cars go thru, I don't understand how the city allows this! Not even construction workers do this. Just because it's summertime doesn't give you the right to be closing the street as you pleased, I hope it rains from here til January.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Good traditional mexic food with unique twist, cool outside dining on a closed street.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
High end Mexican, very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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