50 Best Mexican Restaurants near Lake Forest

“Very good fresh Mexican food. The usual menu choices were offered along with a few specials. My drink was strong, friends margaritas were pricey for the size but ok. Their chips and salsa were nothing special. We enjoyed the fried calamari but the sauce was a bit odd and we would’ve enjoyed a cocktail sauce more. The empanadas were tasty but I wasn’t sure there was actually any beef inside. \n\nMy chicken fajitas were very good but could’ve used a bit more flavor. The chicken, peppers and onions were grilled just right. The beef tacos were a hit as well as the taco special. Beef fajitas were so so. \n\nService was excellent but the room was very loud and made it hard to converse. Eating outside might be nicer! I’d return.“

“The girl at the register was really nice and she helped me out with figuring out what i want. Speaking of what i want, my foods was absolutely packed full, I've never been to a taco bell with such full tacos, and it was still really good 100/10 amazing experience“

“We had an awesome girls afternoon out with some great drinks and an awesome server than was full of suggestions and fun entertainment. Jorge G did a great job!“

“Awesome environment and favorite place to get tacos!!!“

“Delicious house-made salsas - some with a great kick if you’re up for it. Lovely people.“

“On top of the food being more then exceptional, the staff, (especially the lady that helps at the register are amazing.“

“Simply AMAZING! Ochoa’s is easily one of the best Mexican restaurants in the area. We recently used them for catering (25 people), and everything exceeded our expectations. Communication was top-notch, portions were huge, and the food was incredible. Guests couldn’t stop talking about the juicy chicken and steak, the homemade chips and salsas, and guacamole that could honestly be eaten by the spoonful. Mr. Ochoa truly takes pride in his food — you can taste the love in every bite. Highly recommend for both dining in and catering!“

“Wow amazing food. I was around town and decided to go to a random restaurant but definitely coming back. The steak and burria tacos were amazing. I have not had this good of tacos for a long time. This place is about 40min drive from my house bit definitely will be coming back many times.“

“Delicious Mexican food and creative cuisine.“

“Guacamole was good The shrimp tamale was good The service was good The churo could have been softer and fresher…… I will be back when in the area.“

“Recomendado 100% Todo muy delicioso!“

“Awesome environment and favorite place to get tacos!!!“

“Yo recomiendo este lugar por muy buen servicio y deliciosa comida.“

“Quickly becoming my favorite place to get Mexican food in the Northwest suburbs. I’ve ordered out 4 times so far, and the food has been consistently excellent. Would highly recommend the pastor and asada tacos on the homemade corn tortillas, the burritos and tortas are also excellent.“

“Súper recomendado 😋 Toda la comida está deliciosa Y sus aguas frescas excelente sabor sin tanto dulce y un sabor único y especial ♥️el mejor restaurante mexicano en estos alrededores 🤗“

“Went with my son, he had the steak tacos, I had a steak torta. Food was really good and fresh! Staff is friendly & courteous! Place is very clean! Highly recommend! We will be going again!“

“Delicious food and exceptionally friendly service. A charming addition to Winnetka’s local, family dining scene.“

“They’re amazing! Great food, strong drinks, reasonably priced & fabulous staff.“

“Tacos de carne asada are the best around! And their walking taco is a fave too. Staff is always friendly, highly recommend this family-owned restaurant.“

“I haven't gone to eat in the restaurant yet but we have ordered several times and the food is so good. Definitely would recommend!“

“Super friendly staff, especially Jenna, the lady that helped me--I forgot her name and also Jennifer! The guy behind the counter and whoever was working the kitchen were smiling and kind as well. Food was fresh and delicious. I highly recommend the shrimp bowl. The citrus lime sauce is amazing. The guac is super delicious. I will be coming here often.“

“This place is great!! I've only been here a handful of times and the staff is just great. Always a cheerful attitude and happy to serve. The food is amazing and the price is so cost effective. 10/10 recommend to everyone whether it's something new or something old; it's gonna be the best!! If you need a bartender when you don't know what you want? Pablo will set you right with recommendations and be a okay if you don't happen to like it🤙🏻💯“

“The owners are so nice and they treat you with respect. A very good place with very, very good food. My family and I love this place.“

“The food is always fresh and well prepared with great portions. The restaurant is always super clean and well maintained. The customer service is great as well. There is a reason El Famous has been around forever. They are consistently excellent.“

“Great authentic food, nice service, and a hidden gem in Waukegan. Best consome I’ve had in a long time“

“El mejor lugar para tacos al pastor,además muy exquisita toda la comida.“

“Great spot for lunch! I came in around 2:30 - the service was attentive and hands on, and food came out extremely quick. I love that they serve fresh juice (the Verde Vida was amazing) and have a large tequila selection. The Blackberry margarita also did not disappoint, and the food is authentic and delicious. Will have to come back for dinner!“

“About the same price as Chipotle, but the food quality is way better and the menu has more variety. Seating is a bit limited, but it's a small-ish space so that's understandable. That's also not really an issue right now because I've rarely seen it very crowded, but I do also wish it would be a bit more crowded because I want the place to stick around.“

“We went to their location in Libertyville all the time. Heartbroken when it closed. So glad they have this location. Best chimichanga ever. No on come close.“

“Best tacos ever!! The taco selection is authentic and a great price! Only place to him for tacos in my mind!“

“A real authentic Mexican restaurant in Highland Park or in a lot of the North Shore is hard to find so I’m glad I found this one! Food is great, Service has been really friendly and attentive. These last few times I’ve gone. Enjoy sitting on the outdoor patio. Definitely coming back!!“

“Fue mi primera ves en este lugar y la verdad pedí unas costillas de res y la verdad estaban súper deliciosas“

“Tolucos is easy to find and has plenty of parking, which is always a plus. The space inside is a bit on the smaller side, but they are expanding, so that says a lot about how well they are doing. Now let’s talk about the food. Flavor. Real flavor. Everything tasted authentic and thoughtfully made. I had the pozole flight, and it was honestly a treat. Every single bite delivered. You can tell this is comfort food done right. The tacos dorados were hands down the best I’ve ever had. I went with the papa ones, and they were perfectly crispy, flavorful, and not greasy at all. I also tried a birria taco, which was amazing and packed with rich flavor. Their salsas and chiles deserve a shoutout too. Bold, fresh, and on point. Nothing watered down. Prices are very reasonable for the quality you get, and I would absolutely come back without hesitation. Highly recommend if you’re looking for authentic Mexican food done right.“

“This restaurant will be a new fresh Mexican cuisine favorite for us! From the outside you wouldn't know the clean, open, friendly atmosphere inside. Everything ordered at our table was delicious. Our waitress, Carmen, was fantastic - so attentive, friendly, thorough and helpful. Food came out quickly and perfectly. Compliments to all!“

“Great food. Love their steak tostadas.“

“This is a hidden gem. I wasn't aware of this restaurant until recently. I like the many options available for meats, salsa, toppings, corn or flour tortillas, etc. I've had the burrito bowl most recently. The chicken is moist and not overcooked and dry, the Pico is fresh, a wide variety of salsa choices from mild to hot. It's so nice to have a great go-to restaurant that's not the usual fast food fare and a really good Mexican restaurant nearby.“

“Our meals were very flavorful - not sure why other reviews reported as bland. We've found bland elsewhere. Friendly service, fresh food, not greasy. Nice variety of dishes. Chicken, steak, shrimp - all very delicious! Kiosk ordering quick and accurate.“

“Karla at Cilantros is truly a gem! She’s always so sweet, welcoming, and incredibly hardworking. No matter how busy it gets, she handles everything with a smile and makes every customer feel appreciated. Her positive energy and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed. Cilantros is lucky to have her!“

“Had a fantastic night at a painting event they had. The staff was super friendly and very attentive. The food was delicious and so were the drinks. It's a very fun and welcoming environment.“

“Muy amables y las gorditas están riquísimas. También tienen opciones vegetarianas. ¡Vamos a regresar pronto!“

“The best margs and Palomas around. The homemade tortillas are killer. I haven't had anything here I didn't like“

“Very, very good lunch menu! Family owned, I will definitely be back!!!“

“Best seafood in town“

“I just noticed that there are new owners really good food“

“The food here is flavorful and freshly made, with generous portions that make it worth the price. The tacos are packed with taste, and the pizza has a nice crisp crust with plenty of toppings. Service is quick, and the staff are welcoming, making the dining experience even better. The place is clean and has a comfortable, casual vibe. It’s a great spot for grabbing a quick meal or enjoying dinner with friends“

“great customer service and food is really good“

“great restaurant very good food and service“

“After returning from our trip late at night, we found ourselves quite hungry and eager to avoid fast food. A quick search led us to a fantastic 24-hour restaurant that exceeded our expectations. The food was not only delicious but also offered a satisfying alternative to the usual fast-food options. We were thrilled to discover such a gem, making our late-night dining experience truly enjoyable.“

“Absolutely loved visiting Mis 3 Tesoros for the first time! 1000 recommend! Food was delicious 🤤 large portions!! Mint mojitos are AMAZING! Ask for en extra kick🫶🏻“