Adobo Grill
Location – 1610 N. Wells (North and Wells) or 2005 W. Division (Division and Damen)
www.adobogrill.com
In one word – Guacamole
Food – When you get here, order the guacamole before even looking at the menu. It’s their claim to fame. They’ll have someone come to your table to make the guac to your specifications. My friends and I then shared four appetizers: quesadillas (which have huitlacoche, my favorite!), empanadas potosinas (this was the best), salbutes de pollo (marinated chicken on tostadas) and taquitos dorados (filled with mushrooms and potatoes). For the four of us, this was a perfectly portioned meal.
Drink – The server told us that they have the best margarita in the city, so we tried it. Best? I don’t know, but it was good and worth ordering.
Service – While a little bit nerdy, our server was attentive. No complaints from me.
Occasion – This place is great when a friend from out of town visits. It’s loud and has a party feel to it. A lot of people come here before seeing Second City (which is next door to the North/Wells location). If you want less of a scene, go to the one in Wicker Park. It’s big and isn’t as cramped as the Old Town sibling.
Cost – For a margarita and my share of the guacamole and the four other appetizers, I paid $22. I thought that this was reasonable.
If you like, try…de cero, Uncle Julio’s Hacienda, Carnivale
Xel-Ha
Location – 710 N. Wells
In one word – Guacamole
Food – This new spot in River North is all about the cuisine of the Yucatan Peninsula (that’s in Mexico, idiot). I went as a party of 6 and no one was disappointed. I have an unhealthy love for huitlacoche (it’s a corn fungus that’s considered a delicacy), so I ordered the quesadillas filled with fungus. It was excellent, fresh ingredients, interesting salsas. I had a bite of a venison taco and realized I should have ordered that as well. The chopped venison is served cold with fresh tortillas. We also indulged in guacamole and I think it’s one of the better versions in Chicago.
Drinks – The variety of cocktails at Xel-Ha is vast. They specialize in wine and tequila. But, I decided to try the mojito de milagro since the bartender recommended it. It was great, not too sweet and went down easy (too easy, watch yourself). I also sampled the Xel -Ha margarita. It comes in one of those giant goblets, which immediately indicates that it ought to be a group effort. The rest of my party tried the mojito boz, which is a blackberry mojito. Not sure if it was the best pick, but they enjoyed it.
Service – So as a large party, I believe they stuck us in the ‘party room,’ i.e. a closet on the side of the restaurant away from the rest of the patrons. I was offended at first, but after a while, we grew into the space. Thankfully, despite being removed from the rest of the restaurant, they did not forget us. The service here was eager. They’re still in that period where they need to develop a customer base, so we got great recommendations and the food came in a timely fashion.
Occasion – It’s actually pretty nice here. You could come for work or with sophisticated friends and not be disappointed. I saw a couple date scenarios (albeit they were all very awkward dates). It’s another time where you might have to put away the fleece, but you can still wear your jeans.
Cost – It’s not cheap. For my meal and two drinks I spent $40. So it’ll be some modest meals for me till the next payday.
If you like…, try – Zocalo
Caliente
Location – 3910 N. Sheridan
In one word – Unfulfilling
Food – Okay, I am usually easily sold on Mexican food, but Caliente just didn’t do it for me. I found the food to be far too standard. There was nothing special about it, they gave me no reason to trek all the way to Uptown. I started with the ensalada fresca which sounded promising: spinach, mango, jimaca, cucumber and an orange vinegrette. Only I never found the vinegrette. Call me picky, but I don’t go for the dressing-less salad. I had the tamales as well…nothing exciting to report. My table shared the empanadas, there were supposed to be three types. Only two varieties ended up at our table…Entree portions are large here, but I’m a fan of quality over quantity.
Drink – It’s BYOB, which I appreciate given that I’m still struggling with my New Year’s resolution to stay within my budget.
Service – Pretty standard. Our waiter knew about the dishes and went to ask the chef for any of our left field questions. There’s a relaxed feel about this place, so the service is not too formal.
Occasion – I came to catch up with friends, that seemed to be the general trend amongst the other patrons. You could probably come here if you were in a very stable relationship and wanted to go some place low key (and not impressive).
Dress – Jeans are totally appropriate. Anything more would be overdressed.
Cost – You’d probably spend $20 – 30 a person here. The portions are huge, so I’m pretty sure you’ll go home with a doggie bag, but I still don’t know if this place is worth the price.
If you like…, try – Uncle Julio’s Hacienda (but keep in mind that Caliente is much much much more low key than UJH)
de cero
Location – 814 W Randolph
www.decerotaqueria.com
In one word – Margarita
Food – They have dubbed this place a “modern day taqueria.” I don’t know if that claim is truly on par, but I do still like it here. What’s good about it is that the food is simple and clean (“de cero” = “from scratch”). It’s Mexican food without the usual side effects. I love their taco sampler. It’s sort of the “greatest hits” of the restaurant.
Drink – Guava margarita and hibiscus margarita are my recos.
Service – Not the best part of the place, but no reason to keep you away.
Occasion – You can go to DC for really any occasion, though it does seem as if the place is mostly full of couples (not necessarily romantic couples, just pairs of people eating together).
Scene – Like the food, the look of this place is really clean. All the aesthetics really come from the patrons.
Dress - Trendy works here, but you can stay casual.
Cost – $30 will get you a drink, an appetizer and an entrée (and possibly dessert).
If you like…, try – avec
Uncle Julio’s Hacienda
Location - 855 W North Ave
http://www.unclejulios.com/
In one word – Chips
Food- Come to UJH for some pretty standard Mexican food. Standard in my opinion is a good thing in this case – tamales, tacitos, enchiladas, etc. And if you dine at UJH, beware that you will leave needing to undo the top button in your Seven jeans.
Drink- Margaritas and cerveza are the ole standbys at UJH. You will sip on a tasty beverage (or four) while waiting indefinitely for your table in the large bar area (they don’t accept reservations).
Service- Nothing too memorable
Scene – The décor is supposed to have that authentic Mejicano feel to it. Folk art, wood tables, etc. At the end of the day it’s a Mexican restaurant at North and Clyborn, so authenticity isn’t the patron’s first priority. How about another Corona?
Occasion-This place is full of Lincoln Park trixie double dates and some young families. Despite this, it is a good time. It’d be fun for a birthday dinner.
Dress – No need to get dressed up for UJH, although some of the LP trixies do like to sport their club wear during dinner.
Cost – Entrees will run you $10-15 (ish). Your thirst could take you to $30 per head.
If you like…, try – Lalo’s, Zapatista’s, The Blue Agave
The Blue Agave
Location – 1 W Maple St
In one word - Churros
Food – In comparison to the other Mexican restaurants (outside of the Pilsen neighborhood–those places are in a league of their own), BA really doesn’t hold up. Yet, I continue to frequent the place. It’s really because of those churros.
Drink – They have a house margarita, which is decent, in addition to fruit flavored margaritas. They also have a decent list of Mexican beers.
Service – The staff is friendly here, another reason why I keep coming back.
Scene – Because the restaurant is off of the Rush/Division strip, it is usually pretty packed with groups of friends.
Occasion – This place is a refuge from the bar scene on Division Street. It’s still lively, but the crowd isn’t as obnoxious as the bars two blocks north.
Cost – I usually spend about $20 at BA.
If you like…, try – Uncle Julio’s Hacienda, Zapatista’s, Lalo’s
