50 Best Mexican Restaurants near Island Lake

“My favorite place to get tacos! Love the salsa 😋“

“Best Mexican food you’ll love this place great service and super clean environment“

“Ani was an amazing server. She made probably the best guacamole I’ve ever had! Her personality lit up the room and genuinely made my experience at whiskey Diablo that much better. Loved the margaritas! Give this place a shot and make sure to ask for Ani!“

“Definitely worth the few extra minutes driving up here from Round Lake. I showed up on Thursday to find out they’ve got an all you can eat taco special 👀 I gotta roll myself out to my car after this. Don’t let the previous rough construction out front fool you, this place is gold. I had the steak and chorizo tacos that were superb. Mango margarita slapped 👏🏻“

“Where do I begin? Welcoming atmosphere, clean restaurant, and attentive service. I'm not a margarita fan, but I thoroughly enjoy my strawberry margarita and would enjoy again! My fiancé ordered salsa and chips for an appetizer and we were both happily surprised with the fresh chips and tasty green salsa! After enjoying our appetizer we both ordered their three taco dinner special for taco Tuesday. My fiancé order steak tacos and I ordered a combination of chicken tinga, chorizo, and their house special campechano. Everything was amazing!!! My fiancé enjoys the spicier salsas and was offered a habenero red salsa. We sampled all three that was received and have nothing but good things to say about them all. Thank you for an amazing dinning experience tonight, can't wait to come back and enjoy a new dish in the near future! ☺️🌮🌯“

“Had an exceptional experience using Bella Vista for catering a recent bridal shower. Fantastic food and service. Highly recommend!“

“If you’re searching for a taco spot that genuinely lives up to the hype, this is it. From the very first bite, you can tell they’ve mastered their craft—every taco is packed with juicy, perfectly seasoned meat and layered with bold, vibrant flavors that hit all the right notes. Nothing feels rushed or generic; everything tastes intentional and seriously satisfying. And then there are the gorditas—easily the standout. Rich, and stuffed to perfection, they’re the kind of dish you keep thinking about long after you’ve left. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong here. Every item on the menu delivers the same level of quality and flavor, making it one of those rare places where you want to try everything. Bottom line: this spot isn’t just good—it’s a must. Whether you’re a taco lover or just someone who appreciates incredible Mexican food, you’ll leave already planning your next visit.“

“Amazing food and even better service ❤️ Raul’s really makes the best tacos I’ve ever had and I could eat them everyday. But they are always suggesting new things for me to try and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Whether it’s a first time guest or a regular customer they greet everyone like family dropping by for dinner. The food is so good my friends from out of state talk about it long after they go back home. All I can say is If you haven’t had Raul’s you are missing out!“

“Highly recommend Mari's restaurant. The food and service at Mari's restaurant was excellent. Such an extensive menu! My family all ordered different things (zopes, flautas, a beef stew, pupusas and more). And we even had some delicious desserts including fried ice cream. The portions were very generous and the prices were amazing. The owner's whole family works there and you can tell that they put their heart into the business. I would highly recommend giving them a try.“

“By far the best guacamole I’ve ever had! Love the burritos as well. However, I tried something new fish fries. Absolutely amazing! I’ve tried three different Mexican restaurants in town and this is the only one I eat at.“

“wonderful selections, great service and value meals“

“A hidden Gem in lake in the hills!!!! I’m lucky enough to live a few blocks away! Me and my family are here for dine in or carry out at least once or twice a week! This is a family owned business that I support 100% and they treat me like family! My personal favorites are the chicken enchiladas and steak burritos! They also make amazing tamales when it’s that time of year! I usually buy a couple dozen around Christmas. I highly suggest giving them a try, if you haven’t already!“

“Friendly and amazing food!!!“

“The lengua tacos were delicious and the tamales were loaded with shredded pork. I’ll be back again soon.“

“We just celebrated my wife's surprise 65th birthday Sunday with 14 family members. We chose El vado #2 Mexican Restaurant and couldn't be any happier. From them going out of their way purchasing ballons and banners to her complimentary frozen ice cream the service, food and drinks were phenomenal. Very warm and welcoming staff. Very appreciative of your business and fantastic atmosphere. Thank you for this memory. Never felt rushed. Everyone in our family raved on how great it was and was one of our best parties ever. Familiar with their other restaurant in McHenry which is also excellent and reasonably priced. You have to try this place if you like mexican food. A+++“

“great food, service and some of the best margaritas“

“Su comida es muy rica y ek lugar es muy limpio y muy atentos con sus clientes!!“

“fast friendly service outstanding food highly recommend everyone come here.“

“my favorite local spot:) every dish is reliable and good every time , and the best thing truly is the prices , you can’t go anywhere else around here and get the same atmosphere or quality for the price of a good meal here . the cashier juan is always so kind and positive , i look forward to stopping by here :) horchata is delicious btw“

“los mejores prados market“

“I call ahead and pick up a bag of tacos omw home for easy dinner on tuesdays. Always so good!“

“Good the best“

“I was looking for an authentic restaurant and so glad that I tried this place out. The ambience in there is very relaxing with traditional decor. The food was exceptional. We had the steak tacos and the steak was mouthwatering. The service was very friendly and on top of it. We will return!“

“I don’t usually ever leave reviews but this is the BEST taco spot in fox lake hands down I love this place everything about it reminded me of a spot I used to go to in the city called victor bueno iykyk GOOD EVERYTHING TAKE MY WORD OR LEAVE IT… idc lol have a good one ✌🏽👋🏽“

“We catered a party with Tacos El Norte tonight. I couldn’t be more pleased with the food, service, or price. They were helpful, responsive, generous, and easy to work with. Couldn’t be happier.“

“super rico y muy buena atencion recomendable“

“Stopped by on a whim and was very, very surprised. The outside is quite attractive with an outside eating area. The inside is nice and clean with plenty of seating. We ordered chips and salsa, Pollo with Mole, and the Steak Burrito Fajita. The chips are homemade (as expected) and very good. The chicken in the Pollo with Mole was super tender. The mole was rich. It came with homemade corn tortillas. The Steak Burrito is filled with fajita fillings, so steak, green and red peppers, and onions. The flour tortilla was filled and grilled giving the whole a nice smokey flavor. It was one of the very best burritos I have ever had. Look over my reviews. I have eaten a lot of burritos. They have a creamy salsa verde that is great, a very nice Roja sauce, and a hot sauce that is no joke hot. Our server was great and the whole experience was a great one. Will be back soon.“

“The customer service is always on point. I never had a bad experience I've been coming here for years a little pricey but worth it. The horchata could be better it's always watered down not a fan of their rice either. The meat is always fresh and trimmed I never get pieces of fat. The taco salad is phenomenal.“

“The best Food and atmosphere. Great friendly service.“

“I really do have a high standard when it comes to Mexican food because of the amazing area I live in. This place is without a doubt the best burrito I've had! The beans blend the whole thing together, the steak is rarely tough and the lettuce is in perfect proportion. The tortilla was approaching crunchy in a way that was perfect. The chicharron tacos were unbelievable and the cilantro and onions were of high quality. My only complaint? The salsas were mediocre! Pretty watery. But with food this great... it didn't even need it.“

“Delicious food & drinks. Authentic atmosphere.“

“Taco Tuesday has been the best!! $1.00 and they are so amazing. Will definitely be going to them as my main for Mexican food around McHenry county!! Check them out!“

“Great lunch menu, delicious. Great service.“

“Some of the best made-from-scratch Mexican food in the area! Highly recommended.“

“Cute small restaurant off Rt 134 in Round Lake with excellent margaritas and delicious food. Got the Mexican Eggs breakfast and it was perfect! Eggs not runny or over cooked, more than enough for the 4 tortillas provided. Generous portion so I am bringing some home! Yummy on the rocks strawberry margarita with plenty of strawberries 🍓 floating in it. Several lime slices and an orange in the traditional margarita. Would recommend and we will definitely be back to try the $1.99 tacos on Tuesdays. 😁👍“

“Been going to Sergios since the beginning. The owner, Sergio, is an awesome guy. I moved out of Lake Zurich two years ago but every time I’m in town and am hungry, I usually try to stop by.“

“Owner is super nice, came by and offered me a free taco from his food truck. Went ahead and gave it a try. Show some love if you ever see him around!“

“Every time we go to El Burrito, everything is so good. The staff is always so nice and friendly.“

“This place looks amazing, colorful and beautifully decorated, definitely worth taking pictures. The food was also fantastic, everyone raved about it. Their drinks were beautifully presented, for example, garnished with a flower. There was also a mariachi band playing; they played "Happy Birthday" for me and even dedicated a song I really love to me ❤️“

“Great Mexican Food in Downtown Round Lake with a Mexican Bakery next door“

“Me and my teenager love this place. Tacos are great!“

“Great place! Our party of 5 bellied up to the bar and had a great time. Jim our server and Scott the bartender made some great recommendations on drinks and apps. Watermelon margarita was the best one in the flight we had. The Tequilla Old Fashion was fantastic! Definitely made new friends and will be back often“

“I love this place! Hope yall aren’t closing! Went today and it was closed 😭😭“

“New owner, great service, new menu, ingredients and decor, highly recommend!“

“We had our end of the year work party catered by these guys yesterday. Everything was great. Food was fresh, hot, and delicious. Caroline was easy to work with for planning and prep and the food was delivered on time. Reasonable priced as well. Thanks for helping make a great party.“

“very good quality food and a friendly,Kind and caring staff“

“Friendly staff and some of the yummiest food I’ve had! Come try it and I promise, you’ll want to keep coming back.“

“Hola 🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼
If you're looking for a little slice of Mexico right here, La Mexicana Buena Vista is the place to be! 🌮✨

From the moment you step in, the warm and inviting atmosphere makes you feel like you’re home. We ordered a feast fit for champions: starting with the taco dinner featuring mouthwatering steak cabeza and al pastor that danced in our mouths with every bite—simply divine! Each taco was packed with flavor, and the toppings were fresh, making our taste buds sing! 🎶

Next up was the steak a la mexicana dinner, which came generously served with rice, beans, and a refreshing salad. The steak was cooked to perfection, bursting with flavor and paired perfectly with silky avocado slices. It's like a fiesta on a plate!

Oh, and let’s not forget the steak torta! This beauty was a gooey, delicious masterpiece served with rice and beans that felt like a warm hug on a plate. And the agua fresca? The horchata was a creamy treat that perfectly quenched our thirst alongside the tartness of the Jamaica.

The service here deserves a shoutout as well! The cooks were as polite as they were skilled, and the staff taking our orders were genuinely friendly. It’s clear they love what they do, which indeed adds to the whole experience.

In short, La Mexicana Buena Vista is more than just a restaurant; it's a delightful culinary adventure. Whether you're a taco aficionado or a first-timer, this place will leave you craving more. Highly recommend for anyone looking to satisfy their Mexican food cravings with heartwarming service! 🌮❤️

Can't wait to return and explore more of their delicious menu! You will not regret visiting this gem!“

“Delicious fish tacos and they’ve always gotten every order right! Much more than I can say about other Mexican places I’ve ordered from.“

“Where do I begin? Welcoming atmosphere, clean restaurant, and attentive service. I'm not a margarita fan, but I thoroughly enjoy my strawberry margarita and would enjoy again! My fiancé ordered salsa and chips for an appetizer and we were both happily surprised with the fresh chips and tasty green salsa! After enjoying our appetizer we both ordered their three taco dinner special for taco Tuesday. My fiancé order steak tacos and I ordered a combination of chicken tinga, chorizo, and their house special campechano. Everything was amazing!!! My fiancé enjoys the spicier salsas and was offered a habenero red salsa. We sampled all three that was received and have nothing but good things to say about them all. Thank you for an amazing dinning experience tonight, can't wait to come back and enjoy a new dish in the near future! ☺️🌮🌯“