Restaurantji's Island Lake picks for the finest Mexican cuisine.
“The food is excellent here. I ordered the 3 soft taco plate and the b/f had the Chile rellenos and the Barbacoa chimichunga. You get fresh made chips with homemade salsas. Sooo good. We also ordered the guacamole and more chips. Everything is homemade and very good. Highly recommend!“
“Food is consistent with Mexican cuisine the service is above average they could definitely bring the lighting down and warm it up. Maybe fix the booths. They serve a great Margarita all in all we enjoy going thereVegetarian options: We just say no meat lots of veggies to choose from“
“Authentic Tex-Mex food including most favorites, such as tacos, burritos, gorditas, and tomolles. I especially appreciate the well cooked and spiced home-style take of their gorditas.While their portions are not as large as their competitor close by. I believe their dishes more then make up for that with flavor and an authenticity. The homestyle taste rather than the usual standard expected of this type of Mexican restaurant makes them stand out.“
“I really like my burrito. I typically do not have a burrito with the rice and beans inside of it but it was really good. The fries..... I mean it doesn't really go with it but who doesn't like fries?? I want to try the taco special next. I will be back.“
“EXCELLENT FOOD, EXCELLENT & FAST SERVICE! The food is SO FLAVORFUL! You will NOT regret your choice in coming here!Parking: Sometimes a little hard to find parking close to front door but ONLY because they are usually packed cuz they are SO GOOD... BUT there is plenty of other parking.“
“Great value! My taste buds love their food and their sauces! Take note, each location is different in taste/quality... this is a great one IMO. I can say I have found a better version of a few dishes else where. You can't go wrong with most everything on the menu regardless, even if not the best of the best.“
“Due to the superb quality of the food and the outstanding service this has quickly become my wife and I's favorite spot to eat. We will probably be returning weekly and will be regular customers. The young man who does the serving is very attentive and more polite than anyone else I've ever seen in a restaurant. They always greet you when you walk in and say goodbye when you leave. All around excellent.“
“Ordered for my daughters end of year softball party. Everyone absolutely loved all of it!! We ordered chicken, barbacoa, and steak tacos with tamales. My husband, who LOVES tamales, asked why we didn't order more for just us and the girls and their siblings gobbled all of the tacos up. Every parent asked for contact information. Highly recommend. Hoping to order more in December!!“
“4.5 stars on food.Doordashed today a delicious barbacoa burrito packed with juicy, tender meat, beans ( no pork in these beans - yaay! ), and rice that was so tasty;chicken flautas were crunchy and the chicken well seasoned and moist;steak tacos were flavorful and juicy;the large guacamole was seasoned just right and generously packed;the horchata was very good and not to sweet.This is mexican food how it should be done - like homemade!Thank you for making great food!2/15/24Vegetarian options: No lard or pork in the beans“
“We had the birria tacos here with consommé and it was sooo good! Everything was hot and fresh even the chips. The owner and our server were very kind and attentive. It was our first time here, but we’ll be back for sure!! It was such a gem of a restaurant. Not to mention the churros are to die for!!“
“Tucked away in the charming town of Fox River Grove, El Sombrero stands as a beacon of authentic Mexican cuisine. It's not just a restaurant; it's a culinary journey to the heart of Mexico. The menu is a delightful showcase of Mexican flavors. Each dish, from the tangy and tantalizing Alambre to the heartwarming Siete Mares, bursts with authenticity. The Fajitas De Cameron are a must-try - perfectly seasoned, with a balance of sweet and spicy that dances on the palate. And let's not forget the fresh made guacamole, adding a light touch to your meal. The service deserves its own accolades. The staff at El Sombrero are not just servers; they're ambassadors of Mexican hospitality. Their recommendations are spot on, and their attention to detail is impeccable. You're never left wanting for anything, yet the service is never intrusive. For those in Fox River Grove and the surrounding areas, El Sombrero is more than a dining spot. It's a local gem where the flavors of Mexico are served with love and pride. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, you'll leave with a satisfied belly and a longing to return. In short, El Sombrero is a testament to the richness of Mexican cuisine and the warmth of its people. It's a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic, flavorful, and joyous dining experience.“
“: “The restaurant offers an incredible experience, with delicious food and a very clean place. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the tacos have an authentic Mexican flavor that you can't miss. “The quality-price ratio is excellent.”And in English: “The restaurant provides an amazing experience with delicious food and a very clean environment. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the tacos have an authentic Mexican flavor you shouldn't miss. “It offers great quality for the price.”Kid-friendliness: high chair“
“Every order i have place here has been delicious. This is hands down the most consistent taco in crystal lake. Flavorful, Great portions, quick and friendly service. This has become my go-to place for tacos. They also offer a taco Tuesday deal, where it's a low price for slightly smaller tacos. I have always found the taco Tuesday portions to be filling and satisfying and their regular size tacos are the most generous in portion in the area. If you haven't tried them yet, absolutely do!“
“Very very nice manager and really liked the customer service, I don't know if they changed management/ owner since I was last there over 10 years ago but definitely a lot nicer staff and very friendly nice people. Willing to really go out of their way to help you and I am very glad I went in. Now I just need to get the ingredients for my Mom's marzipan so I can purchase it from there and make it...thank you very much for taking the time to help me.“
“We went to El Molino last night and the food was delicious. My husband ordered the combination fajitas, steak and shrimp. I ordered the chile relleno with shredded chicken. It's one of the only places I've been to that you can choose your filling in the pepper and not just cheese. You can choose shredded beef, chicken, cheese or ground beef. Highly recommend it, so good! We also got a half pitcher of margaritas which had about 4-5 drinks in it. Perfect for two people. On top of that we ordered some food to go for my parents. Stephen our server was so accommodating and on top of everything. He timed our take out perfectly so it was finished when we were paying the bill. My parents ordered a taco salad with Shrimp and the amount of shrimp was very generous. Dimly lit, fun Mexican flare to the decor. Once again Stephen was a wonderful server, thank you for a great date night!“
“I've driven past this place for years until my son and I got dinner there on a whim. Wow, we were missing out! It's cozy inside and the staff is always super-friendly. The burritos, Taco salad, and chimichangas are amazing. You definitely won't leave hungry!“
“I've been coming here for the last few years and let me tell you I've had yet to find a place that makes a better burrito. Best burrito place I've been too, it's well balanced and lots of food for the money. It's all fresh ingredients, everything is made there. I always get the El Pastor and the marinate they use is perfect for burritos since it's not sauce heavy. Not the greatest place to sit down and eat but takeout 100%.“
“Love the food here, great quality at reasonable prices. The owners are very polite and work hard to get every order done properly. We never have had a problem with their service. I highly recommend the fish tacos and the Tortas.Dietary restrictions: My son has a gluten allergy and this is one of the rare places where he doesn't get sick due to cross contamination. Big reason why we still go here.“
“Best place in McHenry to purchase Tacos with a large Menu. Prices are not outrageous and has fast friendly service on my takeout order. I've tried others in and around McHenry and this one ranked #1Wheelchair accessibility: Easy in and out“
“Usually order for delivery. Food is fantastic. For delivery, the orders are packed really well by wrapping the containers in plastic wrap to avoid spills. Never had a disappointing experience over the last year or so of ordering from The Patroons.“
“The size of the tacos alone here compared to everyone else is a huge difference, and I feel like people don't take that into account when saying it's "pricey".The birria tacos are complete ???The meat is sooo tender, and that consumme, cheese & slight crunch to shell all combine to perfection!*Wednesdays you get (4) vs (3) birria in your order ?Todo está delicioso!“
“Went in on Sunday, location was cleaned inside and outside the restaurant. There was enough parking behind the restaurant. Food was amazing, had menudo de res which was great, hot and they also gave me chile de arbol to add spiciness to the menudo. Also ordered a molcajete fajita meal for 2, my daughter and I could hardly finish it. It has so much meat with rice and beans on the side. I really got my money worth. Staff was extremely nice and friendly, they attended to us in a timely manner, for a family of 6.“
“Food was a 7/10. The prices were downtown Chicago prices. $15 for a burrito bowl that was about half the size of Chipotle. And $5 for a standard size taco is absurd. Loses a star for price alone. The food was good but again for the price you start to compare it to other places that are cheaper and equal in quality or better.“
“We love this place. Never dined in, it's a small and very generic dining area at the front of the restaurant. It's always been a takeout place for us; and they seem to always have people sitting in there after placing an order to take out, so they seem to do good business. Generally we get enchiladas and burritos, and they have always been top notch. Their hot salsa is terrific. Service has always been polite and prompt. We often make a point of stopping in when we're driving by it. Yum.“
“Not even 120 seconds before food was on my plate. Portions to cost are tremendously more significant than your typical chain. I am not Spanish fluent but the young man at the register was more than happy to make sure I got what I wanted. Out everywhere I stop on the road this place will forever be saved in my phone.“
“Love going to this place! The Gentleman that handles the lobby is always very polite and one of the reasons I will continue to go here. It gives off such a family vibe and i honestly wish there were more places like that. All in all a must eat in Algonquin!“
“5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stopped inCarlos Mexican Grill in fox lake today to grab a late lunch on my way back home. Fox Lake across from Thortons in the strip mall.Service was outstanding! I’ve heard complaints at other locations, not Fox Lake. Very helpful and patient.Restaurant was very clean. The empty tables were all ready for customers to come in to eat.Decent amount of parking for the strip mall.Menu is laid out nicely. Good variety. Prices are competitive depending on what you get. I didn’t notice anything extremely expensive or inexpensive. I think maybe their fajitas are priced lower than other restaurants in the area. I usually prefer to stay to eat fajitas so maybe next time.Food was not only delicious BUT FILLING! Omgshhhh… I ate half and had to take a nap to sleep ? off my full tummy! Not complaining because the other half was dinner. — eating lunch at Carlos Mexican Grill in fox lake.“
“Yum! I love the salsas. Guacamole and chips fresh and delicious. I had an el pastor burrito with everything. It was tasty and hit the spot. Meat was a little fatty, good flavor and not overcooked. I'll be back to try other menu items. Edit-return visit I had mole chicken. Tasty flavors and large portion to enjoy leftovers.“
“Came here one day for a quick eat and ended up ordering a second round of food because I was so surprised by the flavors I was served. The cook made me the best cheese quesadilla I have ever eaten (I had 2). My boyfriend ordered the carne asada tacos and he too was shocked by the delicious flavors. We walked in tired and after working out and we left with big smiles on our faces and probably 5 pounds heavier. This place is now my go to for real Mexican food“
“I randomly stopped at this restaurant, because it was near a store in the area. They make some of the best tacos I have ever eaten! Outstanding tacos at an excellent price. We had ordered pastor (pork), pescado (fish), and barbacoa (beef) tacos with everything on it. All of them were excellent, and the barbacoa were my favorite. The restaurant is hidden gem in a little hole in the wall place. I definitely plan to go back, but wish it weren't so far from where I live. I highly recommend La Mesa. I only write reviews if a restaurant is outstanding, and La Mesa is.“
“I have passed this place for years while living in the area and it wasn't until I was searching for pupusas recently that it came up for me to try. This is your typical small Mexican taqueria that can fit maybe ~30 people comfortably in there at their tables. A small family owned business where you see the whole family working in back and front. We stopped in randomly because I really wanted pupusas for dinner (you pick your own seat) and were greeted right away by our server. He took our drink orders - horchata was yummy! - and then came back for our dinner selections. I got 1 pupusa of: cheese, beans and cheese, chicharron (pork rind) and cheese. The chicharron and cheese was my favorite. It was flavorful and the slaw accompaniment that is standard with pupusas had a good vinegar amount. My only wish is that there was more cheese in the pupusas overall. They were good but just lacking in the cheese amount, in my opinion. My husband got the carne asada dinner which wow- look at that full plate! While the carne asada was more of a thin sliced bistec instead of thicker asada, it was still flavorful. Most carne asadas come with just grilled onions but they provide an onion and jalapeño grilled mixture. Rice and beans were freshly made. Overall, we'd try this place again! I'd want to try their huaraches the next time.“
“Good food; good people and great service. What’s not to like? They give you a delicious soup as an appetizer- don’t skip it.Parking: Parking is right off the street; depending on day of the week or time of the day, it might be difficult to find a good spot but there is a parking lot in the back“
“If I could give a 10 outta 10 I would. The food is that good!! Moved here from California and this is as close as it gets to real Mexican food!! Is the place a Hole-in-the-wall?...yes, yes it is, and that makes it even more awesome!! They focus on their food and rightfully so, they are proud of it, as well they should be... if your looking for something similar to Taco Bell, this place isn't for you... this is a legit Mexican fast-food restaurant that has the best tacos, burritos, and tortas around!! The staff is polite and helpful, the salsa is tasty and spicy... you want legit. Come here and try their food. You won't be disappointed!! My favorite new spot!“
“Fabulous dinner tonight at Mario's on Hwy 31 in Crystal Lake. Amazing Margarita flight for my sweetie, and Shrimp Diablo. I had the steak fajita, which was awesome. We will be back. H/T and thanks to Lauren for great service, Kelly for the amazing Margaritas and the line for the fantastic food!“
“After reading reviews and talking to a friend who ate here, we thought we would give it a try. It seems that they addressed the waiting at the door when you walk in. They have installed a door bell that they hear in the back. Prompt service started when we walked in. Waiter was very responsive. Food was real good. I love homemade tamales and they did not disappoint. Red sauce was real tasty. Omelet was also very good. Country potatoes very good. They have put the old bad reviews to rest. Enjoy.“
“Love the food here! But, not great customer Service. The service was pretty fast… But they did not have any cheeseburgers as it said on their menu for the kids meal. I also did not have any chicken nuggets from the kids meal, They also had no Lengua tacos and only enough steak to make three tacos. And I would also recommend updating your website to include that you no longer serve alcohol“
“I threw a surprise party for my mom here and omg it couldn’t have gone better! the owner(?) was amazing and super helpful with everything we needed. it was a perfect space to have the party. i would strongly recommend this place for your next party!“
“I have been going to this place for years.... it's family-owned and the food is fantastic!Definitely my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area.It's not fancy inside but it's cozy and you can dine in or take out. Fast and friendly service.Plenty of parking!!!“
“Lived in Crystal Lake for 8 years... Just walked outta this place getting some after school ice cream with my daughter.Yeah, this place is MEGA. So many ice pops! The ice cream is incredible! And whoa... the food?! I need to keep coming back to try everything on the menu!“
“Fantastic taco! Tongue was tender and the perfect amount. Ingredients in the burrito was nicely distributed.Rice and beans were average, could do without.Minus one star for the tamale. SO SO DRY. Literally the worst tamale I had in my life. Pork is tasteless, if any. My guess is that the tamale was made way in advance, and so now that it’s old and dry, reheating it made it even drier.“
“Really enjoyed our food from here. Very authentic dishes. Pozole both red and green available..even saw Blanco as an open! Staff was attentive and hard working. My strawberry margarita was delicious (and eye pleasing!). We order often from door dash as well. We most recently stopped here on Christmas Day..was shocked and appreciative they were open.“
“The food was AMAZING from the fresh pasole to the warm queso and chips as starters. Our entrees were hot and great portions. We got margaritas and they were so good not too strong or weak. The environment is super beautiful and good vibes. Our service was good but not over the top but I think that's due to us only speaking English. I would come here as often as I can!“
“First time there & our server recommended all of the goodies, she was amazing! Agua de Jamaica was DELICIOUS & our food of course was amazing. Such great quesabirria tacos. Cute place inside & amazing ambience in general. Will be coming back soon“
“Good customer service Tasty food , tamales 2.5 dollars were good The only reason that I don't give 5 stars is because the portions are a little bit smaller than the others Mexican restaurants Rice and beans are cheap , I don't know why they serve small amounts“
“Great "hole in the wall" joint that you're always looking for, but can never quite find. We had recently moved to the area and were very impressed with the quality and overall flavor of our meals and their salsas. It's can be quiet and somewhat desolate at times, but don't let that steer you away! We thought our alcoholic beverages were a little underwhelming, but we could just have high standards for margaritas. Overall, solid spot to hit if you want some tasty Mexican cuisine!“
“Personally, I have been a taco lover all my life!! These are maybe some of the best tacos I've have ever had especially the creativity of the ingredients. Anyone can make a standard taco, and then there is this place. The 3 tacos I ordered were the Thai Pulled Pork, Maine Lobster and The Texan. Phenomenal!!There is a very extended drink menu, something for everyone. The atmosphere is unique and creative. If you are an optimistic person and have a craving for awesome tasting food, this spot is a must try!!!“
“Delicious quesabirria tacos, fresh frijoles (!), All of the salsas/sauces were so yummy ?! Highly recommended Mexican food. Excellent, welcoming, friendly service.Parking: A couple street spots in front of the building but more in the back with an entrance to the restaurant from the back as well.“
“Every time I come here, I'm always surprised by how incredible the food is, especially for the reasonable price. My go to is the chicken enchiladas, served with rice and beans. I'm not a fan of refried beans, but this place is the one exception. The beans are creamy, flavorful, and the perfect glue to pick up the rice for a perfect bite.“
“I was in the neighborhood and decided to try this place which looks kind of bad outside. I am glad I tried it and this review is only my "to-go" experience. Food and service were both top-notch.I ordered 3 tacos just to try: Carnitas, Steak and Chorizo. The carnitas were juicy and well seasoned, The chorizo taco was pretty big and the tasted really good. The steak taco was just average and the meat was a bit dry for my taste.I was pleasantly surprised in general with the taste and how fresh and authentic the salsa was.I will need to stop by again to try a full dish and the quality of the guacamole which looked pretty good when I saw it served at one of the tables. The place is very small (about 10 tables max) and I am wondering if they actually can keep up with the service if they are at full capacity.“