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Name: Mago Grill & Cantina
Address: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Building,115 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005
Telephone: (847) 253-2222
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.93

Mago Grill & Cantina

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Building,115 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005

(847) 253-2222
Store is closed

Mago Grill & Cantina Menu

Appetizers

Guacamole

Queso Al Horno

Quesadilla

Calamares Ala Parrilla
Salads

Mago Ensalada

Ensalada De Peras

Taco Salad

Ensalada De Palmitos
Tacos

Camaron

Mojarra

Huachinango

Pastor

Chorizo
Sides

Sour Cream

Chihuahua Cheese

Black Beans

Guacamole

Mexican Rice

Caramelized Plantains
Dessert

Nevado De Toluca

Tres Leches

Flan De La Semana

Pay De Queso Y Mango

Capirotada

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mago Grill & Cantina

Appetizers

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Al Horno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamares Ala Parrilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Mago Ensalada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Peras [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taco Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Palmitos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tacos

Camaron [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mojarra [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huachinango [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pastor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chorizo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Sour Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chihuahua Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramelized Plantains [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Nevado De Toluca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tres Leches [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flan De La Semana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pay De Queso Y Mango [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Capirotada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Arlington Heights for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s ( 640 E Rand Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Arlington Heights for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s ( 640 E Rand Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Shreya P.

It is the BEST! ! Free 4 hours parking, great neighborhood, awesome ambience. Great with Family or even for couple. It was my date night, I'm vegetarian and they had tons of options with decent quantity. It is my best mexican cusine restaurant in suburbs. Give it a shot.
(5)
Jacqueline B.

I had the pleasure of lunching here with fellow Yelp co-workers before heading to Arlington Racetrack to place some bets! In a nutshell, I left full and happy. Here's why... We started with a trio of salsas that I couldn't quite identify, but they were each a different color with three distinct tastes. I believe one was supposed to be on the spicier side, but my taste buds didn't think it was that spicy. The chips were warm and delicious. Next up we placed an order of guacamole. Because well, that's just a must when at a Mexican restaurant. The menu said it was to be prepared table side, but either I was too busy chatting and missed that, or they whipped it up in the kitchen and brought it out. Regardless, it was muy delicioso! To wash everything down I indulged in a glass of peach sangria which was a refreshing blend of chilled wine, fresh fruit and a spash of fruit juice. I highly suggest it! I had a tough time deciding what to order to eat. Everything sounded really good. Our server was really informative and helped me make a decision. The Las Recetas de Dona Paula (grandma Paula's recipes) section of the menu has a lot of amazing options. I choose the Ropa Vieja and it was phenomenal. Shredded melt in your mouth beef brisket, sweet plantains, cilantro white rice and plantain chips. A sweet and savory combo which is my fave. Needless to say, I left pretty full. Mago is conveniently located downtown Arlington Heights with it's restaurant entrance inside the Metropolis Theater lobby. I'll definitely come back next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Maxine W.

I'll probably come back but I won't come running, if that makes any sense. We came here on Labor Day to celebrate my dad's birthday, not because he wanted Mexican food, but because this was literally the only place he could find that was open for dinner on Labor Day. Service was okay, nothing to remark about. The consumable items are what we should be concentrating on here. To drink, I had "La IlusiÃ³n," which is a guava juice based tequila cocktail. Or as I called it, juice. It was delicious! I totally could have had another but forced myself not to because I had a job interview in the morning. We had tableside guacamole, another thumbs up. The chips were fresh tasting and refilled without question. The salsas on the table didn't really do much for me. I am a Mole fan, but the menu didn't really give me enough information to choose which mole I wanted to have. There were 5 moles featured on the menu, but none of them jumped out at me as being "the one." It seems like this may happen a lot because the waitress offered to bring out samples before I could even ask. The one I was looking for was the "Xico." This is the traditional deep brown delicious nutty wonderful mole that a basic white girl like me thinks of when she sees the word mole. The others were green moles- much too cilantro and pepper based for my taste, as well as a red mole which was pretty much salsa. I ordered the strip steak with Xico mole, black beans, and plantains. The strip was beautifully cooked. Bravo, kitchen!! Unfortunately, my sides fell short. The black beans were too spicy for me to enjoy. I am not afraid of a little spice, but this went too far. And the plantains, while flavorful, were cold. Like I'm talking barely room temperature, first thing on the plate and then waited for all the other food to get cooked, cold. They felt stale, if that is even possible. I am so sad about these side dishes because I was totally looking forward to them!! My dad also ordered plantains and corn to share as a table. The table plantains were better, if a little undercooked. The corn was another disappointment for me. The flavor was okay but the texture was sticky like microwaved green giant from the can. I also tried a few bites of a chicken tamale, which was really good. So I guess on my next trip to Mago, I'll just skip the sides and be a happy girl.
(3)
Ryan E.

Quality Mexican for gringos like myself. I've been there several times and will continue to go back. Be sure to make reservations, especially on the weekend, far in advance! I would give this place 5/5 but last time I came I had to wait an additional 30 minutes after my reservation before getting seated.
(4)
Phyllis D.

We went tonight on a Groupon and were pleasantly surprised first, the area in downtown Arlington Heights is beautiful. The host was very friendly and we were seated promptly terrific tortilla chips and three kinds off salsa. We had the guacamole at table side excellent. My husband had an enormous burrito and I had the chicken breast with mole. I have a sensitive palate and the waiter brought out a sample of the mildest mole. Best mole I have ever had. Lots of families, patio seating. What more could I ask for. We Will be back with our children and grandchilren
(5)
Christina G.

Yum! This place was great! I came here with a friend after work for dinner (and to catch up). We were seated right away, and had our choice of indoor seating or the patio. It was a little sticky outside, so we chose to stay in. As we were being seated, the hostess asked if either of us had a peanut allergy. We didn't, but I didn't understand why she asked. We were immediately brought three kinds of salsa - one containing peanuts (that was why), which was really hot. All three salsas were tasty and a great start to the meal. My friend had looked at the website before we arrived, and she told me that sangria was on special that night (Thursday) for $6. We had to try them! We ordered them and they came out quickly. We toyed with ordering an appetizer, but both of us had eaten larger lunches and thought we wouldn't be able to eat our meals if we did. I do wish we would have tried the guacamole. I've heard good things about it and we saw it being made for a table nearby. Next time. I ordered the taco salad with chicken. The portion was huge and I loved that it came in a big taco shell. The chicken was incredible - it had great flavor and a kick! My friend ordered some mushroom enchiladas and let me try a bite. The sauce was great! We didn't have any room for dessert, unfortunately. I'm sure it would have been delicious. We'll be back for sure.
(4)
Andrea R.

Another rainy Friday, but this time my colleagues and I were headed to the race tracks... But first...lunch! My favorite part of any Mexican restaurant is the chips, salad and (of course) guac. And Mago didn't disappoint. The chips were warm and crispy....and as usual I ate way too many. There were 3 different salsas to choose from and I found one to be much better than the rest. Although my colleagues seemed to prefer a different one so there's a salsa for everyone! As for my entree I went w/ the shrimp fajitas. I probably should have split them w/ one of my colleagues since it was quite a large portion, but it was really good. I live far from here so probably wouldn't be worth the long drive, but I"d go back again if I was in the area.
(4)
Rajeev C.

The food was really good. The chips and the three types of salsa were good. Of the three, we really liked the medium spicy one (green in color). For the main course, we asked for recommendations from our server - Martin. Based on our requirements he suggested entrees. We ended up getting veggie and chicken fajitas. They were really good and the portions were big. Special shout out to Martin. He was very good!
(5)
Marq C.

2 stars goes to their tortilla soup and chips and salsa and location, . Thank you Groupon but no thanks. This is totally overpriced and over sauced. Again, I'm an authentic Mexican food girl so I give very hard reviews to Mexican restaurants who just can't get it right... to me. I'm sure this place is great to some but just not what I'm looking for. Negative: the pastor (which is my favorite) is chunks of meat in their pastor sauce. Their quesadilla has beans in it. Empanada was too bready. Tacos were over sauced. I will not be back. Although I'm glad I tried it =)
(2)
Valerie W.

I will not be returning to Mago. You couldn't pay me. I came in a few weeks ago with a group of 6 girlfriends for dinner. The salsa trio was tasty. I ordered a steak dish and the portion was disappointing for the $22 price tag. Service was still slow, and just flat out bad. Rude. Here's the rest of the story. When the bill came, we asked the server if she could split it. She told us she could, but that we would have to break everything down for her (apparently, she didn't use the seat system, so didn't know what we each ordered.) So, we did. We wrote down on the back of the receipt the first name of each person, and how much to charge on their card. We were having trouble getting an exact total, so I made mine for over the amount I owed ($100 even), just to get it done, figuring that amount would count toward tip. She took all of the cards and came back a few minutes later, saying she couldn't run the card for over, it wouldn't let her. So, I told her to run the other 5 cards first, then run the difference on my card. Not hard, right? She leaves again, and comes back, hands everyone their receipts, charged me the full $100, and gave one of my girlfriends back her card and said "you didn't owe anything." Um.... that's not how it works. She didn't seem to understand at all what or how she had made a mistake. We told her to cancel out the charge on my card, and run her card for the amount she owed and my card for the difference. At this point, we waited about 20 minutes while she was gone again. She never came back to the table, but the manager did, stating that they had refunded the $100 onto my card, but the subsequent charge of $80 something dollars would not go through and was being declined. There was never once an apology for the error, in fact, he was quite huffy with us. I explained that they needed to figure it out because it was their error, but he refused, saying there was nothing more he could do. The best he said to me was "people make mistakes." That is NOT how a manager in the food service industry should be handling a server error. I ended up giving them another card, and asked for the receipt showing the $100 had been refunded to me. He came back about another 10 minutes later with a receipt showing that the $80 something charge had been declined. I explained that this isn't what I asked for, I needed proof that the $100 had been refunded or voided. He told me he had no way of getting me that. I call BS on that. When you go to Target and make a return, you get a receipt. When you go to the grocery store and make a return, you get a receipt. The computer prints a receipt every time you do a transaction. He would not give me his name, I had to get it from the hostess, so I could call the next day to ensure that the refund went through. Wouldn't you know it, the next day, instead of no charge on my card, I had TWO $100 charges! No wonder the card kept getting declined. This isn't a card I use all the time and transferred money onto it for dinner that night. I had to call, this time I was REALLY fuming. It took over a week for both $100 charges to be reversed. The wait staff and management need an overhaul here. I will not be back, nor can I recommend with confidence that any one else come here.
(1)
Sara B.

Came here with friends for a quick bite before some fun. The server wasn't amazingly friendly and seemed more annoyed that there were 2 kids at the table. The food was tasty but OVERLY rich. Was a strange mix. The salsa was really bland but the entree was on fire. Maybe this is not a kid place,but it is loud, lots of music and has plenty of kid friendly options...
(3)
Hera J.

Our waitress Wendy was amazing. When it comes to customer service they win. I ordered the Mole de coco with mahi mahi which also comes with Mexican rice and sweet plantains, my bf ordered the pork burrito with a side of guac. The secondary waiter took our order and completely messed it up. I ended up getting the peanut mole with mahi mahi with mashed potatoes. I didn't make a big deal about it because it was still good and I like mashed potatoes. My bf's order was right but the guac never showed. The secondary waiter came back with the guac saying "I know it's late but do you still want it?" And we just said no. Our main waitress came by to see how we were doing and told her what had happened. She felt terrible and went back to talk to the manager. They offered to make me what I had ordered originally and pack it to go for me and took off the entree out of our bill. Even the manager came out to apologize. This is customer service. I was impressed. The food is really good here and they said Mondays and Tuesdays are $5 margaritas!!!! Will def be going back!
(4)
Angela S.

Came in today with a group of colleagues for lunch. Two of us arrived early and were seated right away and offered menus and drinks while we waited. As I browsed the menu, I honestly had no idea what I wanted to order because it's pretty large - for a person like me that left too many options. If you're someone who has a hard time making a decision, you might want to pull it up online first. When I go to a Mexican restaurant, the first thing I take note of are the chips and salsa. Having lived in Chicago for years, and in a community where there is some pretty decent Mexican fair, the chips weren't very memorable. I did enjoy trying the three different salsas that came to the table though. We also ordered a table side of mild guacamole for $10. That seemed kind of pricey, but it was chunky good. Did I notice a bit of green pepper in there? I'm not sure, but it was a nice addition whatever it was. On to the food. I was torn between some unfamiliar atypical specialties, a great variety of tacos (3 for $10), and enchiladas. I opted for the enchiladas and was pleasantly surprised. It's funny, but I haven't had an enchilada in a million years, not since my mom made them. Not that this is anything against my mom, but I'm glad they were different than what I anticipated. I ordered a chicken, chorizo, and cheese variety. The verde sauce was just right for my mild taste buds, and I was hungry, so the meal filled me up for lunch AND dinner. It was a little on the cool side when it came out, and I may have even enjoyed it even more if it was warmer. But, nonetheless, I'm 100% satisfied with my decision. The pricing is a bit upscale for lunch. It ranges from $10-$22+ for the specialty dishes. Certainly a nice place to take colleagues or for a special date. Not a place I'd frequent on a daily basis if I worked in the area because of the price...maybe if it was in Chicago I could justify it a bit more. Bonus for the restaurant being in the performing arts center downtown. Since the bathrooms are down the hall and off the ticket lobby, I saw signs for some of the shows. What a nice addition to the community. BTW, speaking of bathrooms, they were super clean. I mean so clean that the floor tiles were shiny like they were wet! Overall the experience was A-OK in my book. Oh, and I'm still full several hours later ;-)
(3)
Jacob J.

Decided on this spot for a Father's day brunch / lunch since reservations were a cinch and reviews vs food photos looked and sounded decent. I love mole's and molcajete offerings, so having both of them were pluses for me. Since we had a large group, we placed orders for many shared appetizers and sides. (Checking out reviews and photos ahead of time are of the most importance. The typical is not awesome, i.e tacos or the sizzling plate of fajitas. Go beyond that. The brisket was OK but the mole was WHOA!) I got the sauteed chicken breast in a Mole Xico (chile ancho, chile pasilla, chile mulato, toasted seeds, dried cherries) sauce which was excellente to me! I cleaned the plate and with seeing this my niece was too curious and asked if she could stick her fingers in the remaining sauce. (She liked it also.) Those that got tacos were okay about it. (Note, they are soft corn or you can opt for soft flour) Another with the brisket adobo was less than impressed. Part of that lessening in impressing, could be due to the lengthy amount of time needed to get dinner plates out. There was an exuberance of time between the appetizers and the dinner. It must be said that we placed the dinner order some ten minutes after receiving the appetizers. Those that got plates with sauces and or melted cheeses were thrilled. Those that didn't and stuck with staples were not. Appetizers were decent, many of which came topped in sauces. The risotto although tasty had the most overdone pieces of baby octopus I've ever tried. It was so over-grilled it was hard like jerky. It had to be returned. (I can't stress enough, the importance of grilling seafood correctly. Also, the octopus is fired at a time different than the risotto and is placed atop when it is served. I think our waiter said, it was cooked in advance.) Since we're all South Indians and love plantains, I ordered a couple plates of that. They served it on a long plate, fired and topped with chihuahua cheese. Kind of an odd topping if you asked us. The plantain was not sweet, so it didn't get finished. Drinks. The kids thought the lemonade was "way too sour" and that was with adding extra water and sugar to change it. I thought my Jeffe margarita was grossly sweet. Like pre-made sweet with a minor pour of booze. And a cousin ordered the El noble marg, and that too was overly sweet. We stuck with the one drink and then moved to a ton of water. For me, food was pretty good and I would give them a 3.5 in stars. Many of the others thought the experience was a solid three. We all left with terribly full bellies. Service could have been a lot better, speedier with stopping by, asking about water refills or servicing the table. Empty plates sat a long while before they were taken away. At one point we bused our table because we wanted the empties gone! Which is odd since they had bus boys and those guys did a pretty good job of cleaning off tables that had since been vacated. Our waiter at one point became the bartender, so at different times he would take off (although within view) and wouldn't return for a great amount of time. Like when I returned the bill with CC's for a split check. He instead served a couple drinks to other patrons and then took his time returning with the credit cards and check balances. If service got a kick in the culo, and the bartender poured those drinky drinks with a steady hand but light in the sweet department, they might have themselves a suburban winner.
(3)
Megan Z.

Having just moved into Arlington Heights, we had to stop in for some mexican food at Mago. Now, this is not my first fiesta with Mago. I regularly enjoyed dining at their South Barrington location. The food is always, hot and fresh. The service always welcoming and warm. My father and I had a craving for some carne asada, and Mago is the place to go. This "Mago" location is located inside the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. This location is cozy, warm, and welcoming. However, it is much smaller than their South Barrington location. They do offer a nice little patio if you are interested in eating outdoors. Our server Wendy welcomed us with open arms. She's truly an asset to this cantina! They start you off with warm, crisp tortilla chips and three (yes, three!) delicious salsas! The nice part, nobody feels left out when it comes to the salsa. The salsas offer a taste for everyone. +The brown colored salsa offers a traditional, flavorful, and smoky presence with no heat. +The green salsa is your middle of the line, mild salsa. It closely resembles a green verde type salsa. +The orange salsa definitely packs a punch! Very flavorful with plenty of residual heat! (my fave!) I loved the brown + orange salsa so much, Wendy packed me some to go! You have to be careful or you'll fill up on chips & salsa before your meal comes! Also, be sure to wash down the chips with a incredible El Noble margarita. (Don't question it, do it!) For the main course, we had to get the Carne Chihuahua! The steak or "carne" was perfectly seasoned and cooked PERFECTLY medium rare. The carne is served with fresh bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and topped with melty chihuahua cheese. The carne is accented with poblano mash potatoes, fresh guacamole, and pico de gallo. The carne is seasoned impeccably and extra juicy! In past visits, we've enjoyed their tacos, table-side guacamole (made exactly how you like it), and their burritos are HUGE! If you're looking for outstanding margaritas, tacos, burritos, guacamole, or the best carne asada in town..give Mago a try!
(5)
Molly L.

I've been to mago a few times before, but hadn't been in a few years. I went with a girlfriend for dinner on a Saturday night... It wasn't too crowded but we made a reservation. Service wise, it was only mediocre. Our server wasn't overly friendly and kind of difficult to track down! However, the food here makes up for the less than perfect service. We got guac to start which was delicious. Between the two of us, we had a few different types of tacos... All great! I'd recommend the shrimp and both pork options. We also split a side of the risotto, which was surprisingly the highlight of the meal. We had the classic margaritas on the rocks and those were very tasty as well. I'll definitely be going back to mago very soon!
(4)
Laura B.

I've been to Mago twice now during my work travels and both the food and drinks are very good, however, I find it a little over priced for what it is. The best deal on the menu is the 3 tacos, which you have many varieties to choose from and I highly recommend trying the Rajas! From the side dishes, the corn had WAY too much butter but the guacamole was tasty!
(4)
Mark S.

Nice little place in downtown Arlington Heights. Food was very good. Didnt have the guacamole made fresh at the table but it looked fantastic. I knocked off one star because the staff seemed just a tiny bit snooty.
(4)
Dan M.

You will love the food reasonable price! Service is great very friendly. Love their Shrimp Taco dinner...
(5)
Bridget H.

This place is great , I have never had a bad meal here. Good empanadas and margaritas. Great chips and salsa service and I love their quesadillas.
(4)
Ritu R.

Salad w pears, blue cheese, candied walnuts, oranges & jasmine flowers was incredible! Tacos were amazing. The faves were the rajas, shrimp & portobello were the highlights! There were 5 of us for lunch. All its came with a delish soup. We can't wait to return!
(5)
Melissa H.

It seems like I was one of many Yelpers and Groupon users to go to Mago's last night for dinner. The Groupon expires on April 2nd so I knew we had to use it. The sauces with the chips were amazing as per usual. Tortilla Chips came out warm! The husband I are frequent diners here. The tortilla soup tasted awesome. What would have been a five star review is down to a three star review. I ordered my usual entree that I get here the Ropa Vieja. They have made a SERIOUS cut back on the brisket. It was mainly all rice. I was so disappointed. The husband ordered a chicken mole dish (not sure what it's called). He was very satisfied with his entree. For dessert we ordered the deep Fried ice cream with a scoop each of vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. Each scoop has a cinnamon sugar tortilla chip on top. Dessert was delicious! My husband ordered coffee with dessert and tasted a hint of cinnamon in it. He thought it tasted great with that flavor in it. When the husband and I venture out to downtown Arlington Heights we always go to Mago's, but based on my disappointing entree I think we'll check out other Mexican restaurants nearby. This makes me sad :(
(3)
Jessica D.

Their salsa trio is amazing, and we enjoyed sitting outside on a breezy but very nice evening. I had the tamales, and they were a little dry but delish. Will definitely come back again.
(4)
Brian R.

Great food and service. The chicken burrito is awesome and very filling. They have a kids menu too which is key for us.
(4)
Steve H.

We went here this past Mother's Day. It's a nice little spot with a great location in downtown Arlington Heights. They have outdoor seating, though it was too cold on this particular day. The atmosphere is lively and the music they play makes you feel like you are on vacation. The food was very good, everything from the complimentary chips and salsas (yes, salsas plural) to the main course. My only complaint is that the steak we ordered was a little overdone. All of the other flavors go together and create a great dish, either way. Prices are pretty reasonable for what it is. You definitely get a lot of food and you won't leave hungry. Drink menu was decent and fairly priced. Our service was OK. The hostess was very nice and our server was fine, but he wasn't the friendliest guy. Just sort of took our orders and walked away. It didn't really take anything away from the experience, fortunately. I would definitely go back and/or recommend this place to others.
(4)
Megan M.

A stones throw from Salsa 17, (where you could expect a wait of 30 minutes or more, on a Friday night, for a party of two) is the brightly lit, Mago. We were immediately greeted by the manager, seated by the hostess, and assisted with our drink order by a tentative and sweet server. One frozen mango margarita, one El Hefe, on the rocks. Two very happy, and soon, very giggly girls. As predicated by my tip, there was a mild let down, in the form of nachos. Specifically, their lack of existence on the menu. It's not that nachos are the end all, be all. But after the giant guac (made fresh, and incredibly delectable) coupled with the trio of colorful, flavorful salsa experiences, neither of us were sure we could house entrees. With the help of our waiter, we landed on the shrimp special, which had a savory sauce and a mound of spiced potatoes plus an order of steak quesadillas, which were cheesy, loaded with meat and beans. It was just the right amount of food to stuff us, but still allowing a comfortable walk back to the car. Come on in, do the margaritas, the guac is a must, but don't dream in nachos, or you'll end up heart broken. (Just order another margarita- it makes everything ok) Great night, great service, delish food and no wait. Recommended.
(4)
Omar O.

I was going to give 3 stars but the 4th star is for the customer service. When my wife and I first got there we got sat in a small table in between a larger group and a family. Then the server never came. So I called the manager over to tell him and not only did he quickly grab a server but he also moved us to a bigger table as a courtesy. Guacamole at the table was pretty good. I ordered a capiriÃ±a (it was eh and came in a martini glass) and my wife got a Jefe margarita (good). For dinner I order the pescado tacos (good and filling) and a chicken Tamale (very good). My wife ordered the chicken enchiladas and liked it. Since it was her birthday, we ordered a shot of Tequila and to our surprise, our server said it was on the house because of the inconvenience earlier. Great service! So food for most part was good, not great, but because of the service I'd be willing to go back and try something else.
(4)
Bumble B.

Still my absolute favorite restaurant! They spoil me on my days off and I could not be more grateful! Great food, great service, and beautiful presentation! The edible orchid on my mojito was so cute and I was very impressed!
(5)
Lorenzo D.

Standard Mex/TexMex Pretty good. Being from Texas, this place would be considered a decent chain type of Mexican, and I wouldn't normally go to a place like this, simply because of many other options. But.... given geography, this place is a pretty good choice. Plenty of standard TexMex and Mexican choices, decent mojito. They offer lots of flavored versions of classic "Mexican" drinks, a la big box TexMex joints. This place is clean, friendly service, comfortable atmosphere that has more of a feel of a restaurant that might be located in a good Marriott or Westin, and not so much like a Mexican restaurant. But the food isn't over done, fresh, well presented, large portions for big eaters, and worth it if you're in the area. Cheers!
(4)
Mark D.

Came here for my daughters 25th birthday. First time here. I was very impressed with the fresh made quacamole prepared table side. There were 8 of us so we decided to do one of their family style dinners. I highly recommend this for large groups as everyone gets to try numerous items. Everything was delicious! The staff was courteous and attentive. Will come back again to try more of the items on their menu. If I could give them more stars I would.
(5)
Jackie H.

I've been dining here regularly for two years now and would like to say that the service has really been going down hill. I don't know if it is under new management or the management is slacking but I'm officially done with this place. The food here was great but now they are forgetting order, the quality of the meat is poor and sometimes when it does come out they forget to put all the ingredients in. (smh) I have given up on them and don't think I will go back. Sorry mago, please retrain your staff.
(2)
Abi A.

Service was amazing. The waiter gave us a compliment chicken soup. And his interactions and engagement was the right amount. Not too chatty and not gloomy. We went on Monday night, the restaurant had some good amount of customers. The welcome item is the chips and dips those were unique, and too good. We ordered an Calamari as appetizer. The fried lemon pieces in it were something peculiar. I felt the calamari fry had drank a lot of oil. And it sort of killed our dinner. I ordered - Mole de Cacahuate with Medio Pollo and my wife ordered Ropa Vieja for the entree. We hardly ate a quarter of either, may be having the chips and salsa had set some high expectation or it was the oil from the calamari. We were not a fan of either entree. The waiter managed the situation by stating the food is so much quantity. Anyway we packed both the dishes home, and had it for lunch next day and surprisingly they were not bad. So I feel it is Calamari that was the bad part of the dinner. If at all we had skipped it :( I had a groupon and went with it. So I have paid a little less and rating is based on that for the price part. Else would drop to a three just because of the price of the dishes compared to the abundance of mexican choice in the near by area. Over all I was happy. Thanks groupon and big thanks to the waiter for his care and service.
(4)
Mack P.

We thought the mole dish I ordered was really good ( half oven roasted chicken w traditional mole xito) The mahi tacos were just ok... Plantains not the best. Atmosphere and staff were excellent Def coming back for round two!!
(3)
Kostadina G.

I purchased a Groupon a while back for this location and decided to use it today. When my mom and I entered we were promptly greeted by our waiter who goes by Henry/Jesus. He was magnificent!!! Because my mom likes to read menus for an hour or so before deciding he refilled our chips and salsa twice before we actually ordered. My mom had the "clasico" style steak & chicken fajitas and I had the Carne Chihahua which is a skirt steak covered in Chihahua cheese, mushrooms and peppers. It was delicious!!! We were very pleased with the attentive service and the way Henry and the rest of the staff catered to our needs. We also spoke with Crystal, the manager, who stopped by our table to make sure our meal had been satisfactory, which was really nice of her. Overall, a very positive experience and we will certainly be back!
(5)
Jorge M.

A friend of my invited over to this mexican rest that was a bit far of my house but by them It was totally worth it the drive. First the gave us chips and 3 kinds of hot sauce which I found it nice of them cause was homemade and chips were fresh. We ordered steak burrito, chicken enchiladas and steak with mashed potato. The 3 plates were delicious so much flavor, good portion and nice presentation. But what it killed me the must here was the passion fruit sangria. I have never had this kind of sangria but by far best in all of the places I have been in the world was just AMAZING. This place is not by my area but if I drive by def will stop here again totally worth it.
(4)
Julie T.

Great location with patio seating! Really unique drinks! Our meal came with chips and three kinda one salsa- delicious. My steak tacos were very tasty as well. Why the 4 stars??? Mago's version of Elote is disgusting. I even looked at the waiter and said "You and I both know this isn't Elote...." Its such an easy side to make that I'm not sure how they managed to screw it up.
(4)
Pete C.

Stopped here on my way to the track, never been to Downtown Arlington Heights and wanted to check it out. It was lunch time so I decided to just have the Conchinita Pibil Torta and the sweet potato fries. My server Lupe was was very helpful and personable, good service always ranks high on my list. The three salsas were very tasty and flavorful. The Torta was well made and the pork was very juicy and well prepared. Really need to return here for dinner and try the rest of the menu!
(5)
Rick G.

Fantastic Mexican food and fast, friendly service!
(5)
Rajie M.

Nicely decorated, friendly staff, clean place, good food and good service! Love the table side guacamole and chips and salsa. The vegetarian choices are good too. Sangria and mojito were worth trying.
(4)
Kavin S.

I'm giving this a 4 for now, but I hindered my own experience because of the fact that I was foolish and filled up on the chips and salsa right when I sat down. But they were too hard to resist - the 3 dip/salsa options were so good! And then on top of that, based on the recommendation of a friend, we ordered the Queso al Horno as an appetizer - wow. For a plate of melted cheese, it was damn good! But also very filling. By the time our burrito and enchiladas arrived (which by the way were HUGE), we barely had any room left. I think we ended up leaving the restaurant taking away more of the entrees than we actually consumed. But no problem, it just gives me something to look forward to for lunch tomorrow! The burrito was really good - especially the potatoes that they used in them. The one thing I'd change on this is the salsa that was used. This came with a salsa verde sauce, which I'm typically not a huge fan on, so next time I'll get it with the peanut chile de Ã¡rbol salsa. I can't really say much about the enchiladas just because I had just one bite of them before I had to stop eating. But I definitely need to go back here and try some of the other options! I'm also curious to try some of their drinks, because I saw a few people sitting at the bar sipping on some very cool-looking cocktails!
(4)
Brandon W.

Seriously good eats. The tacos are so good that i actually haven't ordered anything else all the times I've been there . Nice atmosphere, but very crowded since it's so tiny. Its better to come here when the patio is available. Recommended.
(4)
Brian M.

The appetizers, desserts, smoothies, and service are consistently very strong. Unfortunately, the entrees are not incredibly good and are fairly expensive for the portion size. In my most recent visit, it was ~$20 (before tax/tip) for a shrimp mole with 6 shrimp, walking a fine line between overpriced and ludicrous. If you're willing to drive 30+ minutes, I'd recommend checking out Libertad in Skokie, maybe Rios in Addison, or Xoco in Chicago instead. They are worth the drive.
(3)
Charlie V.

Great service and great food. We go there a lot. Once, they got our order wrong and when we called back (it was carry out and it turns out we were wrong), they insisted we come back in for a free meal. Awesome.
(4)
Victoria G.

This post is very important to read for those who have food allergies and go to eat at this restaurant. I requested vegan meal and the food arrived with cheese and sour cream on the side. Honest mistake! Things happen I understand, but when the food arrived back I found bits of cheese in it. Apparently the cooks just took off the cheese topping and returned the same plate to me! I don't have a deathly allergy but if someone who does is treated the same? Scary. And it's not the first time something like that happened at this restaurant. Last time I was here I requested a drink with no sugar in it just to find sugar on the bottom of the glass when I finished. Needless to say I am not coming back and making sure none of my friends do.
(1)
Tanja Z.

Went there today for my sons graduation dinner. The complimentary salsas and guac were amazing along with the steak. The staff was very attentive and friendly. Would definitely go back!
(5)
Alexandra D.

Had a wonderful experience! Fernando was so helpful! Tried the Guayaba Margarita hated it but Fernando wanted my business and swapped my margarita to mango! I love to be pampered! Will be back for sure the food was great ! I had the shrimp ceviche ! It was to die for!
(5)
John S.

We finally found an upscale Mexican/Latin restaurant after moving here 10 months ago. Starting with the impressive unique margarita options, to the excellent chips and 3 salsas and finishing with fantastic tacos (choice of 3 for $10) we were thoroughly impressed. Each taco has individualized toppings with varied flavors rather than the usual toppings. This is not your typical ground beef and refried beans place. Perfect!!! We will definitely be back on a regular basis!!! Delicious!
(5)
Andy H.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Mago Grill. They had a diverse selection of mole and the menu was descriptive and really more detailed than what you could expect. I'm not an expert in the field, but this place sure seemed authentic. The menu was more than just taco, burrito, fajita. AH has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Mexican food for being a suburb, and this is the king of the hill.
(5)
Alli W.

Ahhh the best salsa trio I have EVER had! I came in here not knowing what to expect and I left so full and happy with our experience. The margaritas were excellent, guacamole was excellent, tacos were excellent, everything was EXCELLENT! The staff was very attentive and friendly. We will come back here any chance that we get.
(5)
Monica H.

We love Mago. Just have to be careful as they are small and can get crowded fast. Food is always good, staff is attentive and very friendly.
(4)
Laura F.

The food and drinks were really good, but the service was pretty terrible. It took about 20-30 min between each time that our waitress came to our table, and the restaurant was only about half full all night. As our entrees were being cleared, we asked for a dessert menu, and about 20 min later the waitress came by with our check instead, so we decided it wasn't worth it to stick around to try for dessert again.
(3)
Wendy G.

Had a great lunch at Mago! Maleficios made by Marisol were amazing! Service provided by Sophia was great! So attentive! Thank you Sophia for an awesome experience! Will totally come back!
(5)
Tamim J.

This place brings together a wonderful balance of good service, great food, and an excellent atmosphere! It is a wonderful place for families and large gatherings. The owner is wonderful, and the staff is more than accommodating. The different dishes allow for a little bit of customization, but they are moles (different sauces) are wonderful. Definitely a good place to try good Mexican food, combined with great service!
(4)
Joan M.

Me and fiancÃ© both love this place we go at least twice a month for late lunch and drinks. Must try the Mango Passion Sangria is amazing.
(5)
Brad And Andrea M.

This place not only serves fantastic food, but has an astounding staff and atmosphere. I had the most insane brisket and suggested they turn them into tacos, my server actually offered to bring me tortillas so I could turn them into tacos myself! They start you off with free chips, 3 awesome salsas and tortilla soup. We had such a wonderful first experience and can't recommend this place enough.
(5)
Kim A.

It's just crazy LOUD in this place! The food is good, good not amazing, but jeepers, the folks who work here must suffer from hearing loss! I would try come here again only if we could eat outside.
(3)
Rinkoo P.

The food was okay! We had to wait for the table for half hour even if was reservation for surprise birthday party! Otherwise drinks are good and worth to go for once.
(2)
Gerry T.

This place exceeded my Arlington Heights expectations. This is a little out of the way for us but we decided to make the trip from Skokie because of all the great reviews. The restaurant is lively with great murals of Mexican culture, music and dance. You'll receive a big serving of complimentary chips, along with two salsas (roasted peppers salsa and limey/lemony green salsa) and a third cheesey/peanutty sauce. All three were unique and distinct and we asked for more of the roasted pepper salsa and our server provided a small bowl - how generous can one be? We tried the empanadas flight - wow, I was thinking Filipino empanadas when we ordered and I was spot one with this selection, we tried the shrimp, pork, beef and chicken and between the four, the seafood and beef easily rose to the top. The sauces were quite new to me as well, one was firey, ghost pepper hot and the other was olive oiley, like something you would have at an Italian restaurant. We loved both! The complimentary chicken tortilla soup was a generous unexpected item and it was ok. We tried the carne asada dinner and carne asada tacos and the meat quality was very high, no chewy, fatty parts to speak of. They also make fresh guacamole, table side and I've never, ever seen this done in all my years of Mexican dining. Nice touches throughout our dining experience and our server was very friendly and kind to us, like as if we had done something kind to her in a previous lifetime.
(4)
Cristina P.

Cute, bright, and tasty. I ordered the fajitas steak and chicken as well as ceviche. I preferred the steak it had very good flavor. The prices were decent for the quality. The staff was very friendly. For late night eaters, the kitchen open almost til closing.
(4)
Kevin K.

We were sat down, chips and salsa were jmmediately beought followed by a bottle of water. The salsa variety was excellent and the chips were crunchy. El jefe margerita hit the spot and the mole de coco with chicken was phenomenal, tender, succulent delicious. For dessert pumpkin flan. Hands down best flan i have ever had.
(5)
Daniel H.

Went last night for my wife's birthday and, as usual, they did not disappoint. The service was excellent. Our waiter, Christian, was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Definitely one of the best waiters we've had here. Looking forward to the next time we go.
(5)
Bina P.

Located in downtown Arlington Heights, Mago is where it's at. Zumba energy music would make anyone happy to be there! We got started off with tortilla chips and a trio of salsas ad queso. There was a section just for vegetarians. I had veggie tamales with butternut squash coated in mole sauce. My friend had veggie enchiladas. We had bread pudding. Our meal was alright and the ambiance was amazing!
(4)
Nicole W.

If you would have asked me 3-4 weeks ago about Mago I would have given it an enthusiastic thumbs up. I was actually quite ready to update my review to a 4-star rating as I often craved their carne asada...in a really aggressive way. However, over the past few weeks, my weekly craving has subsided. The reason behind the drop off? The carne asada beef. I have beef with the beef. The carne asada meal is $19. That's not a cheap take out for just one person. However, said meal comes with a nice portion of mashed potatoes, delicious mole tamale, black beans and free chips and salsa. And then there's the previously succulent carne asada, which used to melt in my mouth. However, as mentioned, the prior three times I've ordered it the meat is much thicker and tougher than usual. That carne asada I used to salivate over is a distant memory. Perhaps they changed supplies? Perhaps they changed their beef? Either way, I'm saddened. And while Mago has a deep menu with plenty of tasty items, I'm mourning the loss of a carne asada of the past.
(3)
Tina M.

Walked in after a show and the host stand was empty. We were told by the bartender to wait to be seated, but it was delivered rudely and without any helpful information, so we just stood in the middle of the restaurant (surrounded by empty tables) waiting. The manager and two waiters walked by us. We eventually gave up. When we left, the bartender said nothing and the manager said thanks for coming. Terrible customer service.
(1)
Steve A.

Mago Grill offers a nice mix of authentic Mexican items plus Tex Mex standards. The highlight is their various Mole sauces. Most of the food here tends to be spicy, so if you're sensitive, be sure to ask about heat levels. The ceviche sample is a nice way to start. It offers shrimp, tilapia and bay scallops. All appeared to be cooked. The marinade were different for each, and all three were fairly spicy. The tamales are also a good appetizer. The come with brown and green moles, both of which are tasty. Of the tacos, our favorites were the shrimp and the pastor, although the snapper and pibil were also good. Although an order is two tacos at lunch and three at dinner, it's quite a lot of food, because each comes with two corn tortillas, so you can divide them up to make them more manageable and end up with twice as many. Margaritas are good, but if you don't like spicy beware of the salted rim, which contains peppers! The only item we were disappointed in was the veggie fajitas, which were a rather sodden lump. I'd avoid that, as it's not authentic anyway. Note that Mago is a great place to eat outside on a nice day.
(4)
Lisa M.

Table side guacamole is excellent. They have Groupons frequently which is cost effective and convenient. Margaritas do not disappoint and numerous options. I am not a fan of their Mole or Mole in general (I am not sure which applies). Their salsa trio is unique and tasty.
(4)
April G.

Love mago! They have a nice little patio to sit outside. Everything I've ever had is delicious! A little pricy..
(5)
Glenn C.

My daughter took me here for dinner. The tacos were really good. Interesting varieties -- not the usual Mexican fare. Nice atmosphere. Recommended.
(4)
Alex G.

This is ok Mexican place, went there for lunch. There is serious competition in downtown Arl Hts, and this restaurant is unremarkable. Recommend Salsa 17 for Mexican, within a block. Service was friendly, decor is a bit corny. Had special: tilapia with mashed potatoes, too heavy for my taste, not really bad, but lacked flavor, and too much sause.
(3)
Kaki N.

Terrific food, great knowledgeable waiter, and unique offerings. Will definitely return.
(4)
Cassie F.

Alright I gave Mago a bad review a few months back but decided to give it another go this week and they TOTALLY redeemed themselves! Service was great and the carne asada tacos were to die for!
(5)
Kim S.

Had my brother & sister in laws baby shower here. Food was amazing & service spectacular.
(5)
Sarah E.

I absolutely LOVE this restaurant. Its probably my all time favorite. I have a gluten intolerance and this place is absolutely spot on for all your gluten sensitivity needs. Almost everything on the menu is gluten free or can be made gluten free. The chips are DELICIOUS. The service has always been great. The food is amazing. Just about as good as it gets if you ask me. The only complaint I have is that its always pretty busy (hard to get a reservation ahead of time during "peak dining hours") but that just shows how popular/good the food is! Big thumbs up from me!
(5)
Jordan R.

This was the best Mexican food I've ever had. The guacamole is amazing! I had the hangar steak with goat cheese and it was so fantastic. The bartender and manager were very friendly and helpful with the menu. Would definitely visit again.
(5)
Represent the P.

This is the best Mexican place I have every been too.They took a very well executed gourmet spin on the cuisine and I have never been disappointed with the food. The service on the other hand could use a little work. More often than not I haven't been pleased with that side of things but since the food is so good I try to overlook it. A bit crowded, minimal seating outside so definitely plan ahead if you are going to come her. Bathrooms are also weirdly located. Aside from that, their butternut squash empanadas are awesome and their burritos are ENOURMOUS.
(5)
Michelle F.

My friends and I met here on a Wednesday night, and I am glad we made reservations! They were very busy--every table was taken and it was loud in there. Ummmm....maybe a little too loud. Our group of four drank 2 drinks each, two appetizers and a meal each, and it came to $125. Not too bad for good food and good drinks. The taco salad I ordered was really good, as was the steak burrito my husband had. The appetizer nachos were AMAZING, but DO NOT order the calamari. It's really strange, I never actually tasted calamari, and it came on a bed of lettuce (a whole salad, really) that had nothing to do with the calamari and overtook the appetizer. I don't know what all of that was about. Other than the calamari, my one complaint would be about how LOUD it is in there. Mariachi bands are nice. Hearing my friends is even better. I.Could.Not.Hear.The.Perâ€¦ . Didn't make for a very fun experience when we were there to catch up with friends! It was so loud that the waiter was standing next to us and asked if we were ready for dessert. We thought he was asking if we were ready for the check. So when he came by with the dessert menu, all of us were really confused. I think we will be back, but it's not a "must-do". There are way better places to try. Oh and a side note, they have a sign on the door that says they no longer accept restaurant.com certificates due to a dispute with the company, so keep that in mind if you have one! But get the nachos--YUM :)
(3)
Sharlene M.

The food was amazing. The service was just as good. Our server did everything right. He suggested food and drinks that were very good. Our server Christian C was one of the best I have had at any restaurant. Well worth every penny. Looking foward to going back. The mango sangria, the guacamole, the Carne Asada, and the mole enchalada was amazing. (I normally do not like mole) Also you have try all three salsa's they have. Prompt service, good atmosphere, great food.
(5)
Jessica W.

OK, so I didn't have the mole, which is basically the cornerstone of their menu. I ordered the blackened red snapper tacos. They were only OK because they tasted rather fishy. The shredded cabbage and lime aioli on top of the tacos were fantastic as was the guacamole and table salsas. I highly recommend their house soup; it's chock-full of celery, salt, and spice. Delicious! If I go back again (unlikely since it's quite far), I would try a dish with their housemade moles.
(3)
Lana W.

Great atmosphere! The service was wonderful, they would constantly come by and refill the chips and the water. The margaritas are incredible! I had the cucumber and cilantro one and I loved it. We ordered the fajitas which were great, the tacos were a bit bland especially the fish ones.
(4)
Najaf A.

Terrific Mexican cuisine! We go there fairly often because of the quality and taste. Every dish I've tried has been spectacular. The tortilla soup is out of this world.
(5)
P.Love D.

Pretty busy place, especially for a Sunday night. The food was ok...it probably could have been better but it was WAY OVER salted! I mean everything! I had to send the beans back and I also had to send my rice back too. The reason this place got a third star is because the drinks were awesome! I'm going to chalk this up as an off night for the restaurant as I have had friends that have been here numerous times and sing its praises. I think that I would return and give them a 2nd chance. When I do I will definitely update my review.
(3)
Donna B.

Service was excellent but the food could have been better. The place was dead for a Friday!
(3)
MQ Q.

Food was good, BUT service was so darn slow. Our kids finished their food and dessert and we still didn't have our entrees after an hour and a half. When my food arrived, it was lukewarm. We went from talking about this place being our go-to Mexican restaurant to talking about trying out Salsa 17 next time.
(2)
Mark M.

Very good margaritas and great food. Finding good Mexican outside of the city is very rare. Well done!
(4)
Evan B.

I grew up in California and I know good Mexican food, his place is better than anything I've had in LA. Everything is fresh, you can tell they care about quality. Everything is reasonably priced and your portion size is generious. The burritos are big enough for two meals. Also great chips cause icknow some people judge Mexican places on that. Go to any of the locations, you won't regret it. They are amazing.
(5)
Ashley P.

Triple taco meal for ~$10?! Freshly prepared Guacamole tableside?! Yes! Been here twice, and had great experiences both times! There is a little outdoor seating area as well as festively decorated interior seating. I don't often like Mexican food, but this place makes me happy, yum!
(4)
L S.

Yum! Make a Reservation and go. We like Mexican restaurants and this one is becoming a favorite. Unique cocktails. Delicious salsa and some great entrees. The food and service has been consistently strong and the staff is incredibly knowledgable and makes great recommendations.\ Plenty of vegetarian options for those who don't eat meat. The fresh guacamole, prepared at your table was delicious. We have been to Mago Grill & Cantina several times and have had a positive experience each and every time.
(4)
Alex R.

Just fair Mexican food. I had the steak and ordered it medium rare...big mistake. I now know never to do that except at a steakhouse. The steak was bleeding and was tough and impossible to cut even with a steak knife (which took them 15min to bring me). Chips and salsa were awesome though and my girlfriend's enchiladas were also tasty. Margaritas were meh as well. Probably won't return.
(2)
Liz P.

Overall the restaurant is good. It's got a really cute atmosphere in the tiny place it is. The guacamole is a must - it's to die for. I got the chihauha steak as my entree.. For 20$, I expected a lot better. Also our waiter was kind of off the rocker. I asked her for rice instead of beans and mashed potatoes and she said that was completely fine. Then at the end of the meal, she saw my plate which had a pile of beans and potatoes on it and said.."oh.. The kitchen didn't put rice on there? I told them to.." And all she said was sorry. I expected a compensation of some sort whether it be 5$ off or my little 8$ glass of sangria. For three people it was 90$. I think they're overpriced for moderate food. Go elsewhere
(3)
Matt R.

What a pleasant surprise! Was brought chips and three different unique tasting salsas within 30 seconds of sitting down. Server was a few seconds behind the chip guy with water and to take our drink order. Drinks served within 5 minutes. Ordered the guacamole, turns out they make it from scratch right in front of you! Wow it was good. Ordered three tacos...the steak, chorizo, and plantain. All three were very good! I would recommend this for anyone who loves Mexican. I will definitely come back here next time I am in Chicago.
(5)
Kavitha D.

I really liked this place a lot. I got my food for take-out so I can't comment on the dining in experience although the place looks nice. I'm a big fan of tacos, and I loved that they had so many different combinations. I thought the food was great! They also have a tres leches cake which I thought was super delicious! I'd totally come back here if I actually lived in Arlington Heights. The rest of their menu options sounded really good as well. Would definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Lauren K.

I LOVE this restaurant. It reminds me of Adobo Grill, which I also love. Great salsas, good margaritas (no pre-mix stuff), and the tacos are outstanding (my favorites are the steak and shrimp). Very friendly, prompt service. Clean, cute restaurant.
(5)
Carol L.

Excellent food, their tableside guacamole is excellent. Their margaritas are very top quality and are made to order. I had the enchiladas and the other people in my party had different kinds of fajitas. All food was very good and their chips are homemade and served with three different delicious salsas. Reservations are a good idea on the weekends.
(5)
Steve G.

I'm docking them one star for delivering my Arrachurra steak almost rare when I ordered it medium. I like a rare steak, but flank and hanger steak served rare is just too chewy for me. End whining. Begin glowing review. I live 3 miles from Bien Trucha, but I'd come back here in a heartbeat if I was looking for GREAT Mexican/Latin food, as well as a selection of outstanding cocktails. The mole was great, but as usual, I regretted burying the meat under a layer of mole. Next time, I'm going naked -- i mean I'm ordering something that's not buried in sauce. Like the ceviche, or some of the pollo. Everyone else liked their food, too. Although one person mentioned that it could have been spicier -- and she normally doesn't like it really spicy. The El Malficio Mezcal and cucumber puree margarita was incredible, and if didn't have to drive 35 miles to get home, I would have had another. All in all, great service, very good food, nice atmosphere. Definitely check this place out!
(4)
Kelli S.

This place was so yummy and has amazing guacamole! The service was great too!
(5)
Megan N.

I love this place. They are always courteous, friendly and on top of things. They have a nice mix of authentic and classic Mexican dishes. My son has celiac disease and we've always eaten safely here. The staff gives great suggestions. The food service is prompt and equally delicious each time. Aesthetically pleasing too!
(4)
Jim T.

This place is a great pre-theater or lunchtime eatery. The cuisine is prepared to perfection and the margarita menu will knock off your undies. We had taqueria tacos and the mariscos burrito ....try to finish that, with the huge baskets of chips and salsa trio!!! Will definitely return!! Ole!!
(5)
Tom M.

Yesterday my wife and I ate dinner (not our first time here) at Mago's Grill in downtown Arlington Heights. And again, we were extremely pleased with the menu selections and the rich flavors tendered by this exquisite, upscale, Mexican cuisine. The potpourri of courses began with bottomless baskets of warm, delicate chips accompanied by a tray of three different salsas, each with its unique flavor and varying degree of "burn". It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Yum! MAGO is the Spanish word for magician. The owner/chef creates the illusion of magic in every dish he and his specially trained team of chefs prepare. This is not your local TaquerÃa. Speaking of magical, the Guac is not only about the unique aromatic spices, but also about the entertainment as you watch it being prepared tableside in its own molcajete and tejolote. There is nothing ordinary about this flavorful Aztec dish. It could be a featured meal itself. Don't miss this one. The surprise feature given at every meal is the very specially prepared soup of the day; always different and incredibly delicious. My wife ordered two unique tacos on flour tortillas and I ordered the Carne Asada a la Tampiquena for my meal. Both meals definitely merited the "scrumptious" award. Absolutely no room for dessert after loosening my belt at the very least, two notches. Although we enjoy dining at the flagship restaurant in Arlington Heights, our favorite Mago's Grill is in South Barrington at the Arboretum. Dining at MAGO GRILL is a memorable event each time we go.
(4)
Joe P.

This was my first time here and I am impressed! We went here on a Monday night and it was pretty quiet. We started off with the hand smashed guacamole. They make it right at the table! This was pretty neat in my book. The guac was awesome! I ordered the tacos and you get to choose 3 from quiet a few options of tacos. I got the rice and black beans as well. The tacos were very tasty. I ordered three different ones but I forgot the names of the specific tacos I got. The server was excellent. He had the perfect blend of attentive and giving us space. I wouldn't have changed anything about our visit.
(5)
Scott H.

Mago is gourmet Mexican Food! They bring out three different salsas, the margaritas are awesome and the food has a modern twist to all your Mexican favorites. One of the things that makes this place stand out are the moles that they create that can be paired with different meats. The flavors and all the work that goes into these moles is remarkable. I highly recommend this place!!
(5)
Chuck S.

Went on a Saturday night. crowded so we sat at the bar. I had the salmon with mole, to die for. Wife had the ceviche flight, their three ceviches for her dinner. We loved the service and the atmosphere. Margaritas were very good. Sunday wife was sick, vomiting ceviches all day long. She'll never eat ceviches again. Called the mgr, he said he was sorry and asked if wife was allergic and would check on their prep process and call us back. Haven't heard from him yet. Don't know if we'll go back. It's a shame.
(1)
Brian B.

I always say the chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant can tell u a lot about the food. With that said Their red, green and orange salsas they serve with the chips were very disappointing.so much so I didn't even need a refill on my chips and salsa. So now for the food. I do like the fact that the beans come in a "chip bowl" it helps separate the food until I'm ready. The rice was OK, it's your run of the mill rice with corn, green beans and carrots Enchiladas suizas were just OK at best. I was very disappointed from the reviews on this restaurant. Again the salsa on the enchiladas was mediocre. I was hoping for a "wow" factor, so I could say yes I would come back if coworkers wanted to give then a try. Now the reason for 3 stars instead of two. The wait staff was always looking around to refill water, chips, take plays aways and my server did a great job asking how everything was going. Sorry to day but this is my first and last time here.
(3)
Borislav B.

I wanted to go to that place from while ,finally. 5 of us wanted to go there for few drinks,it was 10.15 pm when we got there and 1 guy was already cleaning ,the doors were locked ! They set the kitchen is closed ,I told him that we just want to have a few beers ,then another lady come and set to us that the bar is already closed too!
(1)
Amy W.

Just dined here for the first time today. I have to say that I'm impressed and plan on returning. As any gluten free diner knows, Mexican is a solid choice. But this place has taken the trouble to label their GF dishes on their menu. Yea! Our meal began with hot fresh chips served with a trio of salsas: Fire roasted tomato, green tomatillo and an interesting tomato with peanut paste third. My companion had the tilapia with mole--mild with a warm heat, moist and well-cooked fish. I had the marinated pulled brisket served with two kinds of plantain, soft and chip (ropa vieja). The portion sizes were ample, the food tasty. They have a typical drink menu, and offer several interesting hot options (coffee with Mexican chocolate). Our attentive and friendly server wore a shiny satin shirt, very classy! The restrooms are a considerable walk from the dining area, something to think of if you are with the less mobile. There is outdoor seating available.
(4)
Ryan H.

This restaurant has an extensive menu that never disappoints. Although the space may be a bit small, they make up for it with their delicious cuisine. The drink list is also wonderful.
(4)
Kay H.

Food was delicious, but we had a 5:30 reservation and weren't seated until 6:15...it was another 25 minutes to get a margarita. We were promised a free appetizer by hostess, but we were charged for it. Don't think we'll be back.
(2)
Alyssa K.

The food here is a little bit different than the food I've typically had at Mexican restaurants. Another reviewer called it "trendy" and I think I would agree with that. The free chips and salsa when you sit down are always a bonus. They have a peanut salsa which is just weird for me but I like the salsa verde (or the green one as I usually refer to it). Every time I've been there the server tries to sell us the table side guacamole. It's probably really delicious but I really don't think 2 people need a huge pile of guacamole. The drinks are delicious and I haven't found one I haven't liked yet. The food is good, nothing spectacular in my opinion but you get a lot of it. I really like that they have black beans instead of refried beans.
(4)
Michelle M.

Great food, drinks and service! Went for a date night with my fiancÃ© and really enjoyed the atmosphere!
(5)
Theresa F.

Love, love, love this place. I'm from Chicago but I still find the 45-50 min drive worth it. The prices are unbeatable for such great quality food. I love the service and the drinks are ALWAYS well made. They really care about the ingredients they use here and it shows. The atmosphere has always been bustling every time I've visited, so be prepared if you're trying to have a quiet dinner out. I personally like the energy here!
(5)
Jinah Y.

Had a 7:30pm Friday night reservation & seated at 7:45--not bad. Our server was great and had some solid suggestions on both food & drinks. We opted for the shrimp ceviche instead of guac but after reading some reviews will try it next time. The drinks were pretty tasty (pocion was my favorite) and I opted for 3 tacos (2 pork & 1 fish) w/rice & beans. The only one I did not care for was the fried & battered fish--it was pretty tasteless. My husband's Arrachera was amazing and had a nice kick to it. Overall, it was a fun experience and ran us about $35 a person for shared app, entree & 2-3 drinks PP. Will be going back!
(4)
Dawna F.

I kinda dig this place. Location: perfect for families, girls night out, date night, business meetings - easy parking in the adjacent garage Servers/ host: pretty good; friendly; professional - they could go the extra mile by suggesting items but it's fairly newish and they may not have that coaching or familiarity with the menu Food: I've been so happy with the taco combos that I haven't explored further and friends I have talked to say the same. The salsa seems homemade which is a bonus and there are options which makes that bonus and yippee! Bottom line: it's a great find in the middle of downtown arlington heights - perfect lunch or dinner joint and beats all other food in that flavor category hands down
(4)
Michael A.

Truly excellent steak! My wife had the tilapia, and even I enjoyed a bite (and I have never met a fish I liked!) a little pricey, but for good reason. Excellent service and beautiful presentation. Will definitely go back on special occasions.
(5)
Jessica C.

After dining at Mago regularly for years, we had an especially negative experience recently that causes us to seriously reconsider giving Mago our future business. We were trying to use a groupon before it expired, so we ordered carryout. My husband went to pick up the carryout and was told the groupon could not be used and the hostess offered to get the manager. The manager gruffly told my husband that they would not consider accepting the groupon and that they would rather throw away the food that had already been packaged for our pickup than let us use the groupon. The manager then walked off. We understand the groupon policies, but the overall rude attitude of the manager is a very serious turn off for us.
(1)
Nathan M.

5 stars for this place. Had a taco bonanza. Snapper taco had no flavor but the other 5 made up for that one bad one. Had the chance of being good but lacked spice and overall flavor. Our server Adam let us sample all 5 moles. Really liked the coconut one. If u go there make sure to ask for him. He was very knowledgable and friendly. We told him about the snapper taco and the manager came over to offer us something else. We told him that we were good and didn't need anything. To top things off Adan brought out a tres leches dessert. Very good overall in quality.
(5)
Eric E.

Visited with friends to share a meal and some conversation. We came in fairly early, at 4:30 on a Saturday. A lot of good tables were available, and were seated right away. The chips and salsas brought before our dinner were excellent! The three salsas, verde, queso and a third, smoked salsa were nicely flavored without too much heat for those in our party liking mild / medium. Some of our meals came with a soup. It was a tortilla soup, and nothing to write home about. Decent, but not exciting. Soup was taken before I was done, and without asking - which was fine, but a bit rushed. I ordered a burrito with Carne Asada. it was huge! Nice, but nothing special. My wife ordered three tacos, and they were much more fun. Friends ordered dishes which were much more creative and fancy, though I couldn't tell you what they were. As our meal went on, more people came into the restaurant, and the noise level went up considerably. It was hard to hear across the table by the time we left around 6:15, or so. We did feel a little rushed, with people coming to take plates away even though we were just done with eating. We could tell they wanted to turn the tables. Rest rooms are out in the Metropolis Theater, which isn't too bad, but needed some serious attention! Not sure how much control they have over this. Overall, a little pricey, but looks like some of the fancier dishes are worth it. Burrito was big, but not something to come here for. Tacos were a good cross over. The drinks seemed very good. I was coming down with a cold so stuck with iced tea, but the Mojito and other drinks seemed to be a hit. I'll definitely come back to try again, and recommend coming early before the rush. I'll also invest in one of the more expensive and fancier dishes, possibly one of their Mole's, which seem their strong suit.
(3)
Kattia J.

I was unsure about going because it was mothers day, it turned out that it was great.! I ate the traditional Fajitas and my son ordered Mago's Fajitas. We really enjoyed the food and the service. The free soup was just amazing! Service was excellente Hot sauce and chips was delish...specially the one with peanut (yellow sauce). The Mango sangria was just great! parking is easy.
(5)
Nikita S.

Maybe I ordered the wrong thing... Noble Margarita - amazing! Guacamole - unsalted, no lime Tortilla soup - watery, aggressively seasoned to hide lack of richness California Burrito (pastor) - huge portion size, very (very) bland Service was great and food arrived promptly. I may go back for drinks, after stopping elsewhere to eat.
(3)
Rachel B.

Delicious food, great lively atmosphere, beautiful menu. The chef is able to accommodate a wide variety of dietary restrictions. I'm pleased every time :-)
(5)
Susan B.

Had another groupon to use, this time it was a set $ amount and we could order whatever we wanted. We also had a reservation and we were seated right away (we were even a few minutes late). Again, we munched on the provided chips and salsa, ordered the guacamole and had some margaritas (I think my bf got the Jefe (?) which was really good. I got the one that has pineapple infused tequila....mine was good but I liked the Jefe better). The guacamole here is so good and you would be missing out if you didn't get it. I ordered 3 tacos and was able to mix and match the flavors. I got 2 chicken tinga and the other Cochinita Pibil (pulled pork). My bf got a steak burrito. Everything was super flavorful and tasty. I really liked the grilled/smokey taste of the steak in the burrito. My tacos were really good but a tad drippy. Every time I took a bite, juices dripped out both ends. The plate that the three tacos were on was one of the skinny long plates that are sitting on the tables when you are seated. There wasn't any extra room at all on the plate so it was a bit difficult to eat without making a mess. I definitely was getting food all over the table including my rice which was served in a small cup. Oh, and our entrees came with a cup of the chicken tortilla soup which was good, wish it had more chicken though (my cup only had 2 pieces). Other than the tiny plate, everything was great. Service again was wonderful! I am curious to try the location in Bolingbrook and excited to see there will be one in So. Barrington.
(5)
Beth P.

My husband and I have always loved Mago, and were looking forward to a date-lunch today. What a disappointment! First, the menu has changed. Seasoned rice and beans are no longer part of a regular plate, which is a shame as they were stellar. Then, there was a hair in the soup. next, the plantains, which we'd asked for with the meal, came much earlier. After a very long wait, my enchiladas and my husband's tacos arrived. I knew from the menu that mine wold be served over rice, but did it have to be boring, mushy white rice? Worse, my husband had ordered completely different tacos than he was brought. He didn't want to wait any longer, so we pointed out the error but he kept them...comping a dessert or the plantains would have been appropriate. Final thought...not on our faves list any more, and I can no longer recommend the place.
(1)
Andrew W.

I'll start with the good. The guacamole was tasty, and they make it in front of you. The chips and three salsas were alright, too. The mojito wasn't bad. Now the not-so-good. I've gone here twice. The first time I thought the food was colorful and pretty, but bland. I got a selection of soft "street" tacos, and, though the presentation was great, the flavor just wasn't very distinctive. There just wasn't much spice used. The second time was a comedy of errors. The payment computers weren't working, so we had to pay cash. Ok, stuff happens, and they did tell us before we sat down. But service was excruciatingly slow: It took them a half hour to get our bar drinks and over an hour to get our food. I understand kitchens sometimes get bogged down - and I suspect they were having technical problems - but during this time no one told us anything. We had young (and thankfully reasonably patient) children with us, so some heads-up that we were looking at a 1.5hr meal (on top of a half-hour wait) would've been great. On top of that, the food this time was again not so good. My wife got the pear salad: the pears were dyed blood red and looked like squirrel organs on her plate. The salad also included little flowers that she found tasted horrible alone, but tasted alright when mixed with the sweetness of the pears. I had the mole enchiladas and found them to be bland. My 10yo eats-like-a-runway-model daughter picked at her tacos -- she "ate earlier", so maybe it wasn't a problem with her food. My 7yo son ate his plain burger, after asking me to add ketchup, and marveled at the grilled bun. He'd give it four stars if it weren't for the wait.
(2)
John C.

For a date or visiting guests, Mago is a great suburban choice! Cocktails and guacamole that are outstanding complement some of the most creative and tasty Mexican I have found in the suburbs. Service matches the same high quality as the food. For Arlington Heights and surrounding area this rates as our favorite.
(5)
Erica G.

So, I want to love Mago, but my universal love of this restaurant seems completely dependent on what I order and who serves us. We made reservations this time and were pleased by how quickly we were able to be seated. Being a Friday night, everything took longer. Everything. Getting menus and drinks took almost 25 minutes. We ordered guacamole immediately and it came after another 15 minutes. Our server was slow and inattentive, but our server from the previous night (Miguel) was the saving grace of the night. He came by our table several times to get us additional drinks and some warmth that was missing from our server. I ordered tacos (two tilapia and one shrimp), which were shockingly flavorless. My fiancÃ© ordered another mole, which he loved... again. Their mole seems to be their strength, along with other excessively sauced slabs of meat. What needs work are their traditional Mexican dishes. We are going to keep coming back to Mago because of Miguel and the intermittently well-chosen dishes. Not for the scowling head chef, the lackadaisical non-Miguel service or the tacos, but for the potential this place has.
(3)
Kirsten A.

The drinks at the bar were great. But when I went back for dinner I left a little disappointed. When I asked for a drink recommendation the waiter suggested an off the menu "skinny" margarita (excuse me? Do you think I'm fat?) which started my evening off on a weird note. Then his recommendation on a mole not being spicy ended up being way too spicy for me. I left 75% of it uneaten and wasn't even asked how the food was. We had to ask for more drink refills, to see a dessert menu (DON'T get dessert! The fried ice cream tasted like it had been fried the night before and put in the fridge - slightly soggy and lacking an edge), and finally flag him down to get the check. The prices were what you would expect at a Mexican place in the city, so I was really disappointed when the food and service didn't meet those expectations. Skip Mago and go down the street to Salsa 17.
(2)
Fred F.

Good food but over priced. Walk down the block for the same food and lower prices at Salsa 17. If you have to go here wait for a Groupon.
(2)
Danielle M.

My husband and I have been to Mago twice now, the first visit was with his parents, and the second was a date night. I couldn't have been happier with the food and service. The food is wonderful, perfectly prepared, and fresh. My first entree was the taco combination (you pick 3). I had the red snapper, pork and carne asada as recommended by our server. They were all outstanding with a perfect blend of flavor and texture. My mother-in-law had shrimp tacos. The shrimp was the most tender I have ever had in a restaurant. That influenced my second visit meal choice and I chose the shrimp enchiladas with a green sauce. It was savory, nutty and did not overpower the shrimp at all. We also had some ceviche for an appetizer, and it was flavorful and bright. It did not have the same succulent texture of the cooked shrimp, but it was still very tasty. The margaritas were also delicious and fresh tasting (they could have maybe been more generous with the tequila). I will definitely keep coming back to Mago for delicious Mexican food.
(5)
Elizabeth R.

This place was great! We had just moved to Arlington Heights and wanted to try what the town had to offer. One of the places on our list was Mago Grill. I had the sangria and my husband a variety of margaritas. All very good! We had the made to order guac along with the shrimp ceviche. It was very fresh and delicious. The chips were fresh and warm! The complimentary tortilla soup was a nice touch. We had a variety of tacos; the red snapper and carne asada among the favorites. The mole was good too. Service was great as well. Overall, we were very pleased and cannot wait to return.
(5)
Jordan J.

If u want great mexican food that isnt that cheap go to this place. Great atmosphere, nice decor, and delicious food. One of my favorite places.
(5)
Peter B.

Last month I went there 2 monday's one after the other. Both times food was good. Tortilla soup there is the best. Also you can not beat the three tacos plate for $10. tasty and very good value for your money.
(4)
Toni B.

The hubby and I were a bit disappointed in Mago to be honest, and Ive heard awesome things about this place! All I wanted was a HUGE and DELICIOUS margarita and some cheese enchiladas. The hubby and I had visited the South Barrington location for a wine/beer tasting event and loved their ceviche and their margaritas they had to sample! The location is in a great spot and they have a cute little patio area, but quite small (im assuring due to town regulations, it can only be so far out). We arrived to our table with a basket of chips and three different salsas! The middle one was the yummiest!!! I went out of my cheese enchilada comfort zone and tried the spinach, onion and mushroom enchilada. It was pretty tasty. My husband ordered the chicken tinga tacos...pretty good as well. Everything had a nice kick to it, but not very much flavoring. The service was good, we actually saw our waitress at the event we went to in South Barrington! The margaritas were weak and so was the jack on the rocks my hubby had...too much ice and a shot of jack daniels for $9. They are a bit pricey. I really wanted to love this place...
(3)
Raebeth Y.

the best shrimp taco I ever had! the staffs was so nice and very helpful with a undecided customer like me. I love the atmosphere here very welcoming and yet private. Not too loud like a typical Mexican restaurant. I had the mango margaritas and I was so good I had to order another one. My friend and I had a pleasant time and will try to meet up for lunch again...
(5)
chavon m.

The food was O.K. I was not blown away by anything. What disappointed me was when I asked for my food to go, the server put my trio of ceviches in the same box. They were all mixed together. When you pay that much for an appetizer you don't want it ruined before you can even bring it home. We have never returned and it is down the street from our home.
(2)
Lisa W.

Great food. Adequate ambience for a family. It's not fancy, but the focus is the food and it's definitely a fun time. The staff is nice. I love their guacamole and salsas. I could eat my weight in chips and salsa here, and rarely get to finish all of my meal. Some day I'll try for the dessert. :)
(4)
Jimmy S.

Loved the different dips for the chips. Hated my taco salad the meat was super greasly. My husbands steak fajita was very rubbery.
(3)
Katherine K.

Amazing! Lunch special with chips and salsa, chicken tortilla soup, and huge burrito is only 12$! And the servers are SO friendly! Great atmosphere and great food! First time here but I will definitely come back.
(5)
Alex R.

Great food. Especially lunch. Even better service. Ask for Lupe, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Lefai K.

This place is in the same building as the Metropolis Theatre located in downtown Arlington Heights. Relatively, the place is not that big... perhaps seats under 100 people, so a nice cozy intimate place. The place does have a tiny bar and two small TVs. The wait staff and servers were nice. Upon sitting down, we were quickly presented with warm chips and three different kinds of salsas to go with it. I don't remember the names, but one looked like the typical tomato-based mild salsa, one was a thicker green that was spicier, and the last one looked like some sort of cheese. This place offers making guacamole at your table, which I thought was cool. They call it "smashed to order". A lady comes by with a rollable table with ingredients. When we were there, it didn't seem the lady knew much English, as there were several ingredients available for the guac, we wanted to know what some of the ingredients were, but she didn't really respond much and nodded her head. There was one of those giant bowl with a masher, white onions, cilantro, tomatoes, some peppers (maybe hot? This was what we wanted to ask the women, but she didn't respond), lime.The guac was absolutely delicious and plentiful. Contrary to the guac smashing lady, our server was EXTREMELY knowledgeable of the dishes. She explained the salsa mentioned above, but I am a bad student, so I don't remember what they were called. She explained everything to us, and was extremely attentive when we needed water or anything else. Awesome server... I have to say one of the best I've had in awhile. We ordered the Carne Chihuahua cooked medium. The dish is a charbroiled marinated skirt steak with bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, chihuahua cheese, poblano mashed potatoes, black beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo (ref: website menu) . It was absolutely delicious, cooked perfectly. We also ordered the Camarones en Mole Ranchero which mole ranchero basted jumbo shrimp, pinto bean enchilada, roasted sweet corn, green cabbage (ref: website menu). Tip for healthfreaks like me: there is a LOT of sauce. The entire plate was almost drenched with mole sauce. I usually order something known and healthy when I go to Mexican restaurants like the shrimp fajitas, but finally decided to deviate. Maybe for those of you who order mole dishes often, this is not a surprise, but for nerds and mole virgins like me, this was surprising. Next time, I will request the sauce on the side. It came with a pair of tortillas with refried beans inside of them. Usually, this is a big healthfreak no-no for me, but since the whole plate was drenched in sauce, I didn't even know thats what it was until I almost finished the first tortilla. Oh well. The dish was good, but like I said, I wish I was smart and ordered either less sauce, or sauce on the side. Both of our dinner entrees came with chicken tortilla soup, which was very tasty. Overall, terrific service and experience, and I would definitely check this place out again. BATHROOM REVIEW: the bathroom situation is different; since it shares the building with the Metropolis Theatre, there was no exclusive restaurant bathroom, but it shares the communal bathroom to the theatre. So you have to walk out of the restaurant, turn right, and then a left to the bathrooms. The bathroom were decent. It had a glossy tiles on the floor, which at first you would think it was super slippery, but it wasn't at all. It had lots of urinals and stalls, to accomodate theatre patrons during an intermission, I suppose. Sit or squat? I'd sit.
(4)
anna p.

Mago has great food and delicious drinks. This is our go to place during the summer due to their outdoor seating. I recommend trying their calamari salad, tacos and mojitos.
(5)
Amy P.

We are so disappointed that Manager Eddie was moved to another location. We go every week to enjoy the delicious food, but also to see Eddie. We talk biz, food and drinks. There is a change in mood----the bounce is missing and energy is down. Bring him back to us! The staff there is wonderful and we will always go, as we love Rick and the team! We miss Eddie!
(5)
Margie R.

My husband and I took our daughter and her boyfriend to Mago in Arlington Heights last Saturday evening to celebrate her birthday. My husband and I have dined there several times and have enjoyed the food and service so thought on such a special occasion that it would be a treat for my daughter and her friend. Our experience on Saturday was far from what we have ever experienced before. Our server, Eduardo C, seemed distracted and definitely did not have the customer friendly attitude we have been used to at this restaurant. While we were not in any particular hurry, it did take a seemingly long time for our meals to be served (while others were getting their meals and being attended to) and when our dinners did arrive 3 of the 4 were delivered. We were told a couple of times the 4th would be out shortly but our definition of shortly apparently is different than Mago's. We did not feel it appropriate to start eating until all had been served and when the 4th dinner did arrive the other meals were warm, not hot. Also, at the time of making the reservation I had asked it be noted that we were celebrating a birthday. We also advised Eduardo several times of this occasion..both in English and Spanish At the end of dinner he brought the dessert menu for us to look at but no acknowledgment of our daughter's special day. We knew their policy of acknowleding special occasions had not changed as there were others getting recognition of their special occasions elsewhere in the restaurant. Since it was approaching 9:30 (we arrived at 7) and our daughter and boyfriend had another commitment at 10:00, we just decided to pay the check and leave....without any celebratory pictures! My husband and I will consider returning again and hope that if and when we do our future experience will mirror what we have experienced in the past and not what we experienced on Saturday. As for my daugher and boyfriend, their impression was more negative than positive and it is likely that they may not consider a repeat visit. She always gets excited about celebrating her birthday and this experience definitely left her disappointed.
(3)
Alex s.

The food was pretty decent. Our waitress was really slow. I don't know if it was her first week or if it was a weekday night.....anyway the rice is ok and the guacamole is pretty good. The fajitas were good. It's a toss up about going again.
(4)
Ravi D.

Food quality is not great..They use too much salt . I had bad experience last night
(2)
Sonia G.

Ouch! Really wanted to like this place but despite trying, it's a no go. The margaritas were good & potent but that's about it. The complementary "tortilla" soup was just beef broth with a few vegetables & stale tortilla strips. The guacamole didn't have any salt in it. The Carne asada California burrito I had I couldn't even eat a few bites of because it was so dry and flavorless. HOWEVER- the service was great & the management didn't make me pay for my burrito. So 1 star for the margaritas & 1 star for the great service.
(2)
Faye B.

Came here for my sister's birthday get together with friends. There were some highs and lows to this place. My sister made a reservation for a large party and we called ahead to say we were running a few minutes behind. They said they could hold it for a little bit longer. When we got there they would not seat us until the whole party was there. We had about 2/3rds of the group there and we still had to wait another half hour until our stragglers came. Then on top of that when we were all there we had to wait another 10 minutes to get seated. It's all about the entrees here. The food is really good. The guacamole though they tout the freshness since it's made to table order was really kind of bland. Their tomatillo sauce for their chips is the best, but fear not they come with 2 other sauce options which was fun. They also have various types of moles which was pretty neat. I decided to go for a coconut type of mole with my salmon and it was delicious. Of course a lot of filled up on the chips so it was hard to finish the massive sized entrees. Our waiter was really nice so despite some of the other misses we came away quite stuffed.
(3)
Sherry K.

Very good will return again. Delicious empanadas. Skirt steaks very good. Shrimp mole very good. Three salsas with chips all were good. Very good margaritas
(4)
Poonam M.

One of the best places to have Mexican food in the suburbs. Love the guacamole served in granite mortar bowl. Great food and ambiance. We went to this place to celebrate a friend's birthday. We had a reservation for a group of 12 people, but still had to wait for almost 30-45 mins. Would have given 5 stars for the food but giving 3 stars because of the wait time.
(3)
Josh S.

My girlfriend and I are frequent customers of Magos. The atmosphere is amazing and the 3 salsa's they give you upon arrival are AMAZING. The server there Rafael is by far the most friendliest person we have ever met. Now everytime we go there, we always ask for him! He knows the menu like the back of the hand and even call you what is in every single mole' without hesitance. Rafael is the best server we have ever had even compared to top notch steak house's in the city! If you go here, the tacos are phenominal, the guac is excellent and made at your table and the MOLE' IS MOUTH WATERING GOOD!!!
(5)
Christina L.

From the second we walked in this experience was poor. We made 7 o'clock reservations and arrived at about 6:55, when we told the host she said it would be a wait still. Alright thats fine... but when I'm waiting 25 minutes to get in while i made reservations? Somethings wrong. But whatever, we got in and they had some nice decor and chips with some pretty decent salsas. My boyfriend got coffee to drink, which he said was the highlight of his meal. As far as water goes you have to ask for it or they will never deliver it. To start we got guacamole which was pretty bland alone but I found after dipping the tortilla chips into the salsa verde and then the guac, it was very good. The salsa provided the missing components that the guac didn't have. Me and my boyfriend decided to try the tacos so we got six tacos, all different.. And this is were it got bad. We waited and waited and after an hour for the tacos the waiter finally came up and apologized saying the kitchen is having a problem, so we said it was okay. My boyfriend, who is a waiter himself, turned to me and said he forgot to put the order in, and i asked how he knew, and he said thats exactly what he would say if he was in that situation. About 10 minutes after the waiter apologized for the "kitchens confusion" the tacos were delivered, all being mediocre. Nothing incredible although my favorite was the model beer battered fish tacos. Besides that and the coffee the experience was poor. We waited over an hour and half from arriving to get just alright guac and only six repetitively flavored tacos. When the check came there were no comps for the "confusion" or even a sincere apology. Most likely will not be returning.
(2)
Tom P.

Best Mexican food in Arlington Heights. Be aware it's not your traditional Mexican flavor (go to Javier's if you want that), but is a more modern and interesting take on the food. Gets crowded often so arrive early or make a reservation. The tacos are awesome, but their stuff is legitimately spicy.
(5)
Eric S.

Javier's and Mago are by far my favorite restaurants in Arlington. They are both Mexican food; however, they are so different. I would say Mago is closer to fresh-mex while Javier's is a more traditional meal. Magos tacos are unbelievable, and their mole and guacamole are bot bar none. Can't go wrong!
(4)
Rolando N.

I was walking around Arlington heights downtown last night. My wife and I felt like dibber and a drink. Mago was open. We ordered the ceviche trio and the chicken rolls ( like a giant flauta). My wife ordered a michelada (tomato juice, some sort of seasoning and lime juice with beer) and she lived it. I had a te are amber. It was all great. The ceviche trio.... So good...almost to perfection. The shrimp ceviche was the best in my opinion. The tres leches was not that great at the end. But our server and the people there were so great that we are going back.
(4)
Karl M.

Over-priced and underserved. I set aside a bunch of green-backs to try this overly-starred local joint. My kid had been bugging me for Mexican (Taco Bell) and I won't go there... so I looked for a local Taco Hell substitute... with that said, I've been to fine Mexican restaurants... this one leaves mucho to be desired. On a weekday lunch with my niÃ±os we chose dees place. We heard they made the guacamole at your table... not so... we heard the service was outstanding... meh The guac was delish... my kids scarfed it and the chips down. The rest of the food was "ok" When I ordered some tacos for my boy, they didn't have tacos... Ok... this is a "FANCY" mexican joint. We made it work... Then the waiter, after I ordered, came back and asked me if I'd like to try the soup as he lays it in front of me- tortillia soup- I said, sure! Thinking it was complementary... it was ok... it wasn't free... ffff... they charged me for it... The waiter then just sat by the kitchen and talked to his buddy never checking on us or refiling our water... until a group of regular ladies came in and he swooned them.
(2)
R W.

I live in a.h. And this place is our go to for Mexican food. I will start with the salsa they bring out a green salsa a red salsa and a orange salsa (orange one has peanuts) my favorite salsa is the green one. Then they ask you I you want table side guacamole and we get it every time me and my family like spicy so we get it with out tomatoes and with habenero and jalapeÃ±o and every time and it is excellent. What I get for my main course is the deal they have it is 3 tacos for 10$ and I get 2 mojarra tacos witch is fried fish with spicy slaw on it and then I get 1 chorizo taco and it comes with cheese and little potato crisps. It is excellent food. After dinner we sometimes get the churros and those are good not great but everything else is amazing and I LOVE THIS JOINT
(5)
Julia A.

I went with my husband and kids on Saturday 2/7 for the first time for his birthday. I am 100% Mexican and we were all very impressed with everything! Everything was delicious! Awesome service too. I can't remember the young man's name, I believe Jeff he's been there for a couple of months, great service! Authentic Mexican food with a wonderful twist! (South Barrington location). I highly recommend this place. Loved the calaveras! My family just absolutely loved this place!
(5)
Jane S.

As someone with celiac disease, I was really excited to see all of the gluten-free options here. HOWEVER, I do NOT recommend Mago to anyone with celiac. I made it known mulitple times to my server that I have celiac and she assured me it would be no problem. Before I even left the restaurant, I could tell that there was gluten in my food. Now days later, I am still feeling the effects of it. If you do not have celiac disease: I highly recommend this restaurant. The food is absolutely amazing. I'm pretty upset that there was cross-contamination as the tacos were delicious and I would absolutely go back if it weren't for the celiac.
(3)
Donna R.

Excellent guacamole, my all time favorite! Right amount of spicy & garlic (I believe). Love this place; margaritas = delicious.
(5)
Mark B.

The food was good. Guacamole, great. The only reason im giving it a 3 is because our food took forever. It took at least 25 min to get our order when the table next to us (who have more people in their table) got their food in less than 10 min. We did see some employees just standing by the tv watching the world cup...
(3)
Terri J.

I came here for lunch last spring. I liked it, so we tried to make reservations for the night before I was leaving town and they couldn't accommodate us...truly disappointing, but oh well I did get to eat here once. The salsas were amazing. I especially liked the peanut salsa - so unique. My enchiladas were perfect and the sauce was exquisite. I really wish I could have come here for my farewell dinner...so make reservations in advance or you will be disappointed.
(4)
Taylor W.

My favorite Mexican food in the suburbs! Love all their burritos & guacamole made table-side. Margaritas are terrific! Staff very attentive. Bar is small, but seem to always find a seat quickly.
(4)
Karen P.

Just dined there tonight. Absolutely wonderful! I had the El Hefe margarita and my husband had the pineapple martini. Best margarita I've had! Great tasting! Guacamole is to die for! I had the bacon manchego wrapped shrimp. OMG! Then the churro's for dessert. Wait staff were so nice and the food and drink fantastic! We'll be back asap!
(5)
Luke S.

I went here for a networking group that I belong to and I was really impressed with the food and the service. Our waitress was really friendly and made sure we were happy. We were given chips with three different types of salsa. All three had unique flavors and were delicious. I ordered three types of tacos for my main course. I think my favorite was the shrimp, but the pork was a close second. I will give the steak a whirl next time, because it looked phenomenal. I don't make it to Arlington Heights much, but I would definitely be back if I was in the area.
(4)
Sherwin C.

Excellent food with great presentation and a wide variety of flavors. A bit pricey but the strong and unique flavors are worth the price. The tacos are a great way to sample their cooking technique.
(5)
Megan S.

Mago's have a great Gluten Free menu. I loved the chicken verde enchiladas and their drinks. The salsa is ehhhh. I lived in Austin, TX for 2 years so I know good Mexican when I have it.
(4)
Kathy P.

Once Mago obtained their liquor license, I bought a Groupon for the restaurant and my husband and I tried it again. We were pleasantly surprised. The food was great our first time returning (August 2011). We have been in to dine at least once a month since that 2nd visit. The 5 star rating reflects the fact that it is in the suburbs. I might not rate it quite as high in the city, but I would give it at least a 4 if it were in Chicago. Most everything we have ordered has been delicious. The fresh corn tortillas for the tacos are wonderful. The salsas and moles are incredible. The complimentary tortilla soup is delicious. The tasty margaritas actually have alcohol and are not simply watery sweet and sour. Love the chocolate bread pudding. I think the thing we can say we are not terribly fond of is the chicken flautas appetizer. Unfortunately my husband has never received the jalapenos he requests to go with his fajitas despite ordering them. The hosts are friendly and the waitstaff are great (especially Miguel)! Our daughters are 12 and 9. They love Mago for the steak tacos.
(5)
Sofiya C.

My friend and I came here for an early dinner on a Sunday it was AMAZING! First of all, they let you try 3 different salsas that were all sooo amazing and unique. They make guacamole made to order at your table... and the TACOS are FAB! So unique and different, it's almost like mexican tapas. SOOOOO YUMMY!!! The atmosphere is trendy. The drinks are delicious we had some great passion fruit sangria! WILL COME BACK for some yumm yumm in my tumm tumm!!!
(5)
Brit N.

The band was way to loud and stood right at the door blocking the entrance. It was a mariachi band- and was super annoying. I went with my aunt for my birthday and we couldn't hear ourselves think! I've been to many Mexican restaurants and usually enjoy the mariachi band as background music but this was annoying. Waiter was ok- but was MIA the second half of our meal. Food was sub-par. I ordered a mojito and it wasn't mixed well...overall the experience was nothing special. Probably wouldn't go back.
(2)
Paul K.

Very good place that can be compared to Fat Rosies and Bien Trucha. The fresh guacamole made at the table was a nice feature. The salsas were unique. They had a verde which was very mild, a peanut based salsa which was different, and a chipotle based salsa which I found to be out of this world. A great selection of tequilas were featured at the bar. The main courses were given coudos all the way around as we had eight people in our party. The burritos looked incredible. I had a taco trio which included a chili rillenos taco that was very good. The real suprise believe it or not was the coffee. Authentic mexican coffee with hints of cinnamon. Delicious! I highly recommend this place. A nice place to stop by after losing your butt at the track all day.
(4)
Angelica S.

SUPER BUSY! Make sure to call for a reservation. Because it's a busy place it can be a bit loud. I went here thanks to a Groupon. Never knew such a delicious place existed so near! The Groupon gave me a good chance to try some things. Like their homemade Guacamole! To die for. You can make it as spicy as you want. You need to get this! You also get some chips and 3 different salsas, it's really tasty too. The margarita was amazing too. I love those things. There is a good selection of food to try. It was difficult to pick. I went with a Snapper dish. So yummy. It's not all your typical Mexican dishes (they do have some standards) which was nice. I loved this place. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Michelle K.

Let's cut to the chase. The chips with three different salsa / dips are a fabulous way to start out the meal. The peanut sauce might be my favorite, but each has its charm. On my first visit, I had the Mojarra en Mole de Cacahuate - tilapia in a zesty peanut mole, served with poblano mashed potatoes. This was really, really delicious (and spicy)! My fiance had a steak dish (can't remember which one), which had wonderful flavor. On my second visit, I ordered the Pechuga Azteca. AMAZING CHOICE. Prosciutto-stuffed chicken breast covered in cheese and a rich poblano cream sauce, served with cilantro rice. QUÃ‰ RIDÃCULO. As in, this was ridiculously good. Order it now. I'm probably going to get it the next time I go there, even though I've been wanting to try the rest of the menu. There are like three other Mexican restaurants within a ten-minute walking distance in downtown Arlington Heights, but when I'm craving fancy Mexican food, Mago somehow makes them all disappear. Mago = Magic!
(5)
Lucia R.

Went here for the first time today and was quite dissatisfied with the wait staff. They seemed confused about the menu and waited for our bar drinks for a while. Food was okay. I got the skirt steak with chihuahua cheese however steak was rubbery and not tender enough for my taste. As for the mango mojito - I didn't taste the mango or liquor for that matter. I might give it another try but for now not thrilled.
(2)
Lori W.

Everything is great. Very fresh ingredients. Love the fish tacos!
(5)
Andrea K.

This is the best mexican restaurant in Arlington Heights. The food is fantastic with excellent flavors. Great margaritas. I highly recommend the queso de habra with chorizo (gotta love fried cheese), enchiladas, burritos & tacos. The tacos offer a variety of options and you can mix and match 3 of them. If you have any room after eating I recommend the Nevado de Toluca (chocolate molten cake with chipotle ice cream) - it is defintely worth the 20 minute wait! I would give it 5 stars except the service is not up to a 5 star level. It is good service, just not great. They also have a very small outside dining area when the weather gets nice.
(4)
Stacey F.

the mole was really good
(3)
Ramon O.

I'll start off by saying this place would've easily received 5 stars if it wasn't for one major issue which I will address at the end. I made reservations for my GF and myself. We arrived in front of Mago right on time but it took 15 minutes to find parking. I called to tell them this and they told me they would do their best to hold my reservations. Ok? We get there, waited a few minutes, not bad at all. Friendly hostess. We sit down, we get our water, chips, and salsa right away. Loved the green, verde salsa and the chips were hot and great. Our waiter, Miguel, very friendly and informative - very good waiter. Here is where the problem starts: I had a Groupon for this place and you have to tell your waiter about this right away. The Groupon entitled us to a guacamole, 2 margaritas, and 2 entrees - a great value! Before going to this restaurant, I read some reviews and one of them claimed that the guacamole is made table-side... except for Groupon guests. I didn't believe it, but guess what? It happened to us too. We received our guacamole from the kitchen while other tables had a woman going around and making theirs table-side. Really? Way to make us feel like a second-class guests. Furthermore, the margaritas were watered down. Don't get me wrong, they tasted good, but I didn't taste a hint of alcohol and if you hadn't told me it was a margarita, I would've guessed it was lemonade. The food was very good. My GF had the carne asada and I had the filete churrasco - both were very good. Finally, the bill came and another issue arose: 18% gratuity was already included. Is that normal? I know that is common when you have 8+ guests, but when you only have 2? I get it, some Groupon/daily deal customers might be "cheap" and not leave much of a tip if they leave one at all, but I was planning on leaving our waiter at least 20% off of the real amount (and still did) but it somewhat felt odd. Like I said from the beginning, I would've given this place 5 stars if they didn't make us feel like we were being looked down on. And again, the staff we encountered was very friendly and helpful - the issues seem to be fundamental and instilled by management. Unfortunate.
(3)
Jackie G.

I have been here before for dinner and have enjoyed this restaurant but I came here for lunch recently and was disappointed. I ordered the "table side" guac and was very disappointed that it wasn't made right there at the table. Also, service was very slow even though it wasn't busy. I had to ask twice for everything. The food was still very good but the waiting for water and chips was disappointing.
(3)
Adrienne S.

Mago's has the BEST fajitas (fajitas estilo mago) I have ever had at a restaurant. Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in the Chicagoland area and the best Mexican place around.
(5)
Danielle S.

I have to agree with what a couple of other people have said on here as well - I think your experience at this place depends on what you order and who serves you. We walked in on Friday for dinner. There wasn't a wait outside at all, but when we got to the hostess stand we were told it would be a half an hour wait (I saw open tables.... ?) or we could sit at the bar. I'm impatient, so we sat at the bar. The bartender did a great job of keep up with the bar orders and our food as well. Their menu has a lot of vegetarian and gluten free items, which I've never really seen before at a Mexican restaurant. I ordered the mushroom enchiladas. I wasn't that impressed....it wasn't bad but it lacked flavor and it was a little too spicy for me. They also had chicken soup and chips/salsa with the meal as well. I found the soup to be a little spicy, but the 3 different salsas was pretty cool. My friend ordered the spinach quesadillas and thought they were really good. I don't know, maybe it was what I ordered, but I wasn't horribly impressed with the food. Everything is relatively cheap, so you won't spend a lot of money here, especially if you don't drink. I think we may come back and give it another try, but so far it's not my favorite Mexican spot.
(3)
Bijal C.

We have been there a few times. I keep sticking to their mago style veggie fajitas...Nothing beats that. Me and my wife are both vegetarians. But, the number of choices for us are great. Their enchiladas and burritos are also as good. Definitely recommend. The only additional suggestion I have is to account for the extra wait if you plan on going there over the weekend (which is pretty much everywhere else). Thank you Mago for the delicious food
(5)
Sophie A.

One of my favorite restaurants! The staff is so friendly and treat us like family. We come in about once a month and they always give us a taste of something new to try. A great rum is the Zaya -- try it in a drink you won't be disappointed. There are many veggie friendly options on the menu, but they also are accomodating to me making my own creations. Table-side guacamole...well-mixed drinks...and a neighborhood spot in downtown Arlington Heights add something special to Mago. They also have Salsa dancing on Thursdays, which is a nice treat for suburbanites. Love, love, love. :-)
(5)
Art M.

I went here for Valentine's Day. The food was great - it was like dining in a great Chicago restaurant without the commute! Don't forget to BYOB. Details below... We had called ahead for guacamole & ceviche sampler to be ready at the table when we arrived and it was. The guacamole was tasty, the ceviche was flavorful and the accompanying salsa had a great smoky flavor. We had the tenderloin special (beef tenderloin, an earthy mole and a goat cheese-stuffed banana pepper). The flavors were intense but balanced and mixed well with the last bits of guacamole. For dessert, we had the bread pudding. It had a nice chocolate flavor that wasn't overpowering. My favorite part was the caramelized bananas on top with burnt sugar (like creme brulee).
(4)
Janna J.

I was excited to try out Mago, it's nestled inside the performing arts building in downtown Arlington Heights. Very cute area, but I imagine it would be troublesome to find parking around the dinner time rush. Luckily I went during lunch so I didn't have as many issues. I honestly had no expectations at this place, it's a latin restaurant so I will admit i'm not very versed in this cuisine. But do I love trying new stuff! Well we went around 12pm on Saturday and they weren't very busy. The waiter was extremely helpful, patient and friendly. He gets 5 stars for sure! There is a lot of good sounding stuff on the menu but I settled on something more standard to get a feel for the place. I got some taco trio in which you could mix any type of tacos to total up 3 (very nice!) this was a great way to try out a few different flavors. I will say though that the prices at this place were a little high for my tastes. The tacos were around 12ish dollars and any sides were extra. I thought that would be ok but the serving sizes are actually a little small, like palm sized. Ok so that may be the correct serving size but it would have been nice to see a picture for reference. Besides I like leftovers! Also chips and 3 dipping salsa's are at each table, very good! I like the green one. The actual meal in my opinion was just ok. I don't think I would order it again. I might try something else on the menu but it's not high on my to do list. I did however like the tortilla soup we got before the meal, that was better than anything else! But for lunch and my small tacos and throw in an iced tea it was about $20 and just ok food. Dinner is even higher so I don't think i'll be returning for that. I gotta say I was a tad bit disappointed. I really wanted to like this place but there was nothing magical about it. So all in all I would try it out if you're curious but don't go in thinking it's life changing. And if you're like me and really enjoy some good cheap greasy eats then this place is probably not for you.
(2)
Linda S.

The salsas are good. It has a gluten free menu so that's a plus. Food was just fine. Nothing spectacular.
(3)
Roshni P.

I don't understand the high ratings for this restaurant. Maybe I came in on a bad night. I walked in on a Saturday night with the bf around 6 pm. We were seated immediately and the place was half full. One thing that bugs me is when seating is very close to other diners. I understand that the restaurant wants to seat as many people as possible, which I appreciate when I'm starving, but if the waiters can't maneuver around without bumping into diners, the tables are too close. The waiter we had really irked me. He wasn't rude at all, just took forever. It took him about 15-20 minutes for him to actually take our order. The reason for that was he was waiting on other tables, people that were seated after us before he came to our table. The food itself wasn't that great. The three salsas they served were pretty good, but that's pretty much the highlight of the night here. I had the veggie quesadillas while the bf had the veggie burrito. My food wad way overpriced, $10 for 4 small pieces. Good thing I loaded up on the chips and salsa. The bf said he enjoyed his burrito, that was huge and worth the $10. Will probably never come back, not worth the drive at all.
(2)
Christina A.

YUM YUM YUM! This place isn't your typical Mexican joint, it's a high class restaurant mixed with your typical mexican joint. I for one am big on food presentation and Mago gets an A+! You start off with their 3 salsa's mmm every one of them is delicious, however I think the green may be my favorite. Tableside guac= yum! and their fajitas, nicely seasoned. For once, I prefer the steak fajitas over the chicken! Their carne asada, delish! Basically one big steak fajita with poblano mashed potatoes mm. No more BYOB at this place (I never was here when it was BYOB thank goodness!), their margaritas holy cow! All fresh squeezed fruit juice, no marg mix here! Dessert = Capirotada, chocolate bread pudding with bananas. Basically, I haven't had ANYTHING here that didn't taste like a party in my mouth. ALSO, for all you deal seeking money savers out there, they're part of Gdine.com , you reserve and pay online a set price for each person. It automatically adds the tax and gratuity so you know what your bill is and it's paid before you even arrive at the restaurant. (If you're going with a group you can all pay on separate cards) You have a limited menu, but each person is allowed to choose either an appetizer and entree or an entree and dessert. Also, Gdine allows you to see the limited menu before you book so you can make sure there's something on there you like. Visit here, you'll be glad you did. There's also a location in Bolingbrook!
(5)
Sharon P.

Mago Grill is by far my favorite Mexican Restaurant! I was saddened when Fuego closed, and honestly just not thrilled with Salsa 17, but when this little gem opened up last year, I was estatic!!!! The trio of salsa's is wonderful, never sure which one is exactly my favorite, the smokey one, the salsa verde, or the orange one, that I am not sure how exactly to describe, except for very good! The table side guac is a must, and my ultimate fave....the steak burrito. As a creature of habit, I can't get myself to order something new on the menu, for fear of not liking it as much and being disappointed! The steak is tender and flavorful by itself, and then with the beans, rice, and everything else inside, plus the salsa verde on top, it's the whole nine yards! All in one! Hands down, this is the best Mexican Restaurant in the NW suburbs.
(5)
Katelyn C.

Love the owners, love the location, love the decore. BUT, the big but, is that I have yet to have a GREAT server, the staff is not happy, they mess up orders, and the food comes out cold. Maybe they need more food runners, or busboys, better training, I have no clue, but opening next to Salsa 21 was not a very cleaver idea. I strongly dislike Javiers across the tracks, but at least the service is somewhat better. I am just giving the honest truth. I want this place to make it, I really do, but I feel like the management needs to step up their game and be more proactive. I know a lot of people who have the same complaints. Plus, my mother snagged a groupon (we had already been here a bunch of times beforehand) and the look on the servers face was disgust. So unprofessional and he played the blame game the whole night for every one of his mistakes.
(2)
Jodie P.

I love Mago. The downtown Arlington Heights area is hopping and the atmosphere is fun. The food is great! As of recently, I have to eat gluten free and there are so many options. There are gluten free options noted on the menu and they are very considerate of my food allergies when I ask questions. Before I was gluten free, I had the enchiladas mole- which were AMAZING. I miss them so much! Now I eat tacos and they are just as impressive. The tinga, shrimp and pork tacos are delish! Love the shrimp ceviche and salsas as well. My husband has also always loved his meals- with only one disappointing dish- the beef empanadas. Will be returning time and time again.
(5)
Aletta J.

We had a great meal at Mago. Helped to have a coupon as we're on a budget, but the overall feeling was a positive experience. We started out w/ table-side prepared guac, which was yummy. You could add extra cilantro or whatever... (we didn't tip now that I think about it). Pomegranate margaritas and traditional margaritas were both consumed. Not very heavy on the liquor at all. Service was great and helpful explaining as their menu has a few words out of my Mexican/Spanish vocab. It was us 5 and two other couples (it was only 5pm) but the servers were attentive, but not TOO attentive. The convenience to the train is perfect for those traveling. If I lived in AH and took the train, it would be difficult to pass up takeout... We will be back and knowing that the real estate has churned many a restaurant, we hope MAGO is there for quite a long time!
(4)
Julia J.

We had a good experience at Mago. Pros: -Great salsa and warm chips -Great made-to-order guacamole -as a city dweller, I appreciated the fact that it's BYO. We brought wine but another table just brought a bottle of tequila and the staff brought out the margarita sans alcohol. -Great specials- our table ordered a few from the specials list and they were far superior to other dishes. In fact, I would probably only ever order off the specials list on future visits. -friendly staff -chocolate bread pudding with bananas was delicious Middle: Other than the specials, the food was ok, but just ok. The ingredients were fresh and the quantity was fine-the dishes were, well, ok. The carne asada was cooked well though a little bland. The Chiles Rellenos had a bit of spice to it, and the flavor was fine, but it wasn't fantastic. I wouldn't order it again. Cons: -Service was ok, but not great. We were there early, so the restaurant was pretty empty, so I expected better service. -The music was so loud that we had to ask them to turn it down a little bit. I think the loud music would have helped with atmosphere if the restaurant were packed, but it seemed a little unnecessary when it was so empty. -The coffee was pretty bad. Overall, it was a-ok. It hit some high notes with the specials and staples like the salsa trio and guacamole, but it needed some work in other areas and wouldn't be worth the trip from the city unless other reasons bring you out there as well.
(3)
Shelami C.

My sister's and my Mexican spot in the west suburban area. Look forward to their generous chips, awesome guacamole and entree! WARNING: tons of food! I recommend you try them out.
(4)
J V.

Pros: - food presentation - salsa - name of the restaurant is creative - interesting looking menu (too bad the food doesn't taste very good) Cons: - food is mediocre at best - no longer BYOB (much more fun that way) - drinks are mediocre at best - overpriced The only shining point of this trip was the salsas. Very good and unique. Otherwise, I won't be back. I ordered tacos al pastor. Dry, and lacking flavor. They sound really good on the menu. I have had better tacos from divey taquerias and for half the price. I almost fell asleep in my margarita. It didn't taste bad, but it was not memorable. I don't remember what flavor I had. It has been a while since I have been there, but I had whatever their flan of the week was. I am a flan fanatic. I have made flan myself and I know it isn't the easiest process to have the texture be firm, smooth, and just the right amount of creaminess. The flan I had was loose and semi-chunky. I don't know if it was old or prepared in a hurry, but whoa. When I want real Mexican food, I go to Chicago. I haven't found a good, consistent, solid Mexican place in the suburbs. When I want a good margarita, I go to Salsa 17. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect flan.
(2)
Hector N.

Very good but our dishes were a little too spicy.
(4)
Meghan T.

Mago is my new favorite Mexican restaurant. I will admit that a few items on their menu are hit or miss and the service can be mediocre at times but Chef Juan Luis Gonzalez's staple items more than make up for it. The trio of salsa are delicious, each one having its distinct, fresh flavor. Table side made to order guacamole is a must. And the Margaritas (I always get El noble) are just the right mix of sweet and smooth. I usually order the 3 tacos as my entree but have tried a steak dish and the fajitas. All are always cooked properly and with a unique take on what is thought to be traditional Mexican dining. Definitely the best Mexican restaurant in Arlington Heights and my preferred dining choice for a date night out. Will continue to go back, again and again. And I always recommend, while acknowledging that if busy, the service may be lacking.
(4)
Todd S.

Came in on busy Saturday with no reservation but were able to get seated at bar in about 15 minutes. Excellent food and service, would definitely go back.
(5)
Theresa D.

Mago is now my favorite restaurant in Arlington Heights! My best thing is the guacamole made to order table side! Yum.
(5)
Mohammed H.

Great food. Great service. It's an all-around win for those who want a great meal and a relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Zinal P.

I've been to the Mago in Bolingbrook couple types and decided to try this location because we had family living close to Arlington heights. As always the food was excellent. Love how they have the table side Guacomole. Everything on the menu is excellent. We usually order margaritas, guacomole, and few different dinner plates and just share as a group. This time I tried the Mago style Fajitas. Very tasty, the quantity was huge. The only thing that disappoints me is that even if we make reservations we always have to wait. Once we waited for an hour and when I went there yesterday we waited half and hour even though we were there ontime. Not sure if its our luck everytime. The food and the service definitley makes up for it!
(4)
marsha e.

Very good food but very poor service. We wanted to order another round of drinks, but our waiter never returned to our table after delivering our lukewarm entrees. We saw him later standing by the bar talking and laughing with other waitstaff. We will probably not return.
(3)
Nadeem P.

We made the trek up to this place from the city to meet some friends who live in Crystal Lake. Although far, I must say the drive was completely worth it and then some. To start off, the service was awesome, everyone including the executive chef were very friendly and attentive to every detail. Second, the different drinks they had were unique and delicious. I had a tamarind and mezcal drink that was awesome. Next, the chips and 3 salsas they provide you with are tasty, and when you pair it with their tableside guacamole you definately have a winner. Finally, their food is delicious. After having lived in Texas for 26 years, I know the difference between good and bad mexican food. This place rivaled some of the better places I've been to down south. To top it all off, it was my birthday so they brought me cake and a sombrero, and the best part was I got to keep the sombrero! This place is a gem, and I will definately be back despite the 45 minute drive....
(5)
Jenny C.

Tried out this place and it was nothing special. I thought it was overpriced and the margaritas really had no kick. I ordered two and still nothing. They give a tray of three salsas with the chips complimentary which was probably the highlight of the entire meal. I ordered the tacos, one which was red snapper and all I tasted was the cabbage. The chorizo was dripping with grease. Overall I won't be returning.
(2)
Tony P.

This past week was my second time at Mago's and it just keeps better and better! The specials and featured mole are always worth checking out! This last time my date recommended the Fillet Churrasco. Which was pretty phenomenal! I also recommend getting friendly with the "Guac" girl. You will be wanting more!! Last week when we went they were serving coffee-chocolate mole which was perfect as it was just what I was craving. It was served with the lamb which my date was nice enough to share with me as it was really good.
(5)
Faith E.

Good but not worth the price. Too many other good, less inexpensive Mexican places around. Went here due to a Groupon special- 2 meals/2 margaritas/guac appetizer. Our server seemed disinterested somewhat once we mentioned the Groupon but was friendly enough. As another reviewer said, the guac was not made tableside like the other full paying patrons. We got only one choice for margaritas and they were pretty good. No one explained what the different salsas were even though I overhead other waitstaff telling other patrons. I wanted to know what they were but couldn't hear well enough. The were all really good. Entrees were good/fair. My steak in chile de arbol sauce was ok but the sauce was super bland with no spice! Not good for a sauce meant to be very hot. My husband got the taco dinner the tacos were good but didn't like the chicken as much. Our table was way too small and all our food would barely fit on the table (2 meals, chips/salsa and guac). It made the experience somewhat uncomfortable. Overall, pretty solid food but I can get food just as good if not better for half the price or less at many other Mexican restaurants. Also, we thought they were trying too hard to have their food be upscale or contemporary. Sorry, but I don't need ginormous onion rings with my steak or weird food presentations. I just want good, authentic, reasonably priced Mexican food. I would not go back unless I got another coupon/Groupon. Before I forget, I thought it was really lame that they automatically added a gratuity to the bill for only 2 people! I guess they've had problems with people not tipping on the regular bill or something but I thought it was really tacky!
(3)
Pat S.

A+ Great Place We were Greeted Very Warmly as we walked in around 3pm Sunday Afternoon. There were about 15 people already sitting and eating. We were seated and watered along with Complementary chips & salsa, The three salsa's they give you are all great.. Drink orders were taken and we settled in to have Fun. while we were looking at the Menu's and specials for the day, a lovely server showed up and asked if we wanted their table side made Guacamole, we did and were nicely presented a great guacamole that was made to our tastes, Awesome!!! We Ordered Filete Churrasco A+ Chuleta De Cerdo A+ Enchiladas En Salsa Verde A+ and Pescado Veracruzana A+ Along with several Margarita's and several Beers Dinner was GREAT! The only downside that we had was the Desert; we ordered the Flan' and it was not as good as it should have been, grainy,thick and not the coffee flavor we we looking for and were told to expect. Overall Dinner was great the Atmosphere was wonderful and the staff were Great. We will be back. Ps; we glad it was not a BYOB
(5)
Giordanna W.

Service was terrible. Restaurant was only about 20% filled. It took over 25 minutes for our round of drinks to come (by round I mean 3). Multiple times we tried to get our server's attention as he walked by, and he blatantly ignored us. All of the employees were just standing around chit chatting. Clearly appearance isn't important, the hostess was wearing a see through white tank top with a black bra hanging out... on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of winter. We had to ask 3 different times for our check. I live in the area, so I'm sure I will give it another shot, hopefully I will get a much better impression.
(3)
Beth F.

Mago has an inventive twist and unique approach to the traditional Mexican dishes! It's a great addition to downtown Arlington Heights! Great energy, fun atmosphere. This is a small restaruant, but has a lot of seating without feeling overly crowded. It was a Friday night when we went, and I didn't see a lot of families... mostly couples and groups of friends. Delicious! The tortilla chips were even unique, offering 3 salsas that were more of a sauce consistency, but wonderful flavor. I ordered the tilapia with the peanut mole sauce. MMM... the presentation was very distinct and appetizing. The margaritas were awesome. I had two. :) I only wish they were served in a margarita glass. Got a delightful deal on gdine.com . I had to reschedule my reservation and the owner took my information. At dinner he stopped by our table and mentioned the conversation we had a week earlier! I thought that was very personable. The service was excellent. Our server was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I am now no longer upset that Fuego closed since I can come to Mago! I like Salsa 17, but don't like the 2 hour waits on the weekends. Mago stands out to me :)
(5)
J J.

would probably give this place 3.5 stars, if I could. food was good, chips were good, service was great. my only gripe is that, they charge you separately for rice and beans ($2.50 to be exact). I did not like that at all, because they make it seem like it comes with your entree, as the vast majority of Mexican places do. so, we were quite surprised when the bill came. I don't think that's good customer service, to nickel and dime people, particularly when you don't make that clear right away. I might give this place another try, if my friends want to go, but I would not seek it out.
(3)
Elaine I.

This is a really good Mexican joint. They have this fajita dish that comes in a bowl and is covered in sauce, and it's really good, their chicken tinga tacos are amazing and their guacamole is great too. I started coming here when they first opened and I was always in and out pretty quickly, but since then, they've gotten really crowded, but it is definitely worth the wait. Side note, this location is better than the South Barrington one.
(4)
Jenny V.

yay for 3 different salsas and addicting chips when you sit down yay for melted cheese! yay for table side guac made just for your table (i didnt try it) i got 3 tacos, shrimp,shredded chicken, carne asada small and tasty ryan got ropa vieja shredded beef brisket and plantains (YUM) and refried black beans. for all the filipinos out there, the brisket is cooked with tomato so it tastes JUST LIKE MECHADO. haha its tasty though. fyi, come with a super empty stomach or with more than two people if you plan on eating the salsa, appetizers and your entree. Ryan and i were almost full and we didnt even get our entree! I guess you also get a cup of yummy soup, it has veggies chicken and some pieces of steak. try it try it try it!
(3)
Ed L.

Good food, great service. Recommend guac, mole, and tamales. Very kid friendly
(4)
Solitaire L.

5 for food, 3 for service We walked in and it's a very nice atmosphere and friendly service, until we said the dreaded word "Groupon." Once they heard that, the service suddenly wasn't as friendly or warm. This is unfortunate because the food was great and this could be a 5 star rating if we hadn't been treated like the red-headed step children because we chose to use a Groupon. Isn't that the point of Groupon? Get someone to come in for a great deal then get "hooked" because the food and service are so great? Mago needs to learn from this! The food was actually VERY good/excellent. I loved the presentation, clean, fresh, colorful. They give you some delicious and different salsa choices with a better-than-average bowl of chips. The guacamole was not "smashed to order" as the menu states, but was pre-made (perhaps because it was part of the Groupon deal and we were not worthy of smash-to-order guac?), but still very delicious. We tried several different dishes at our table, all of which were very good. I had a skirt steak which was perfectly prepared with a side of poblano mashed potatoes (highly recommend-muy delicioso!). My daughter had a red snapper dish that she though was very good, others had the trio of tacos. For dessert we had the Tres Leches, a sponge cake with a creamy milky syrup--VERY yummy. We would like to have tried the chocolate molten cake but it takes extra time and it would have been nice to know about it ahead of time so that we could consider it--maybe another casualty of being Groupon users? I'm a little miffed by the treatment we got there and would be curious about how you get treated when you don't use a Groupon, and because I liked the food so much, I would probably go again. I just think it's unfortunate that I am now slightly jaded because of the service issue. Mago--you don't want Groupon users to NOT come back, do you? Do something!
(3)
Holly F.

What happened here?!?! I was really looking forward to dinner here, but it disappointed. First, the hostess couldn't find my open table res and just seated us. After we ordered drinks and were looking at the menu... the restaurant calls me asking if I'm still coming to dine there. I let her know I am actually seated and her hostess couldn't find my res. She then said she would make sure I was marked that I was there so I would get my dining points. Anywho... we started off with the fresh Guac made at your table... which was delicious! I waned to try something new, so I went for the Lamb - of course they were out of it. So, I ordered the steak that was supposed to have chimichuri butter on top with a shiraz reduction - rare to medium rare. I got a steak that was no only cooked medium well... but was completley unseasoned, not tendereized, not marinated in anything, was on top mole and had no chimichuri butter. WHAT! The poblano mashed potatoes were the only good thing. My mom's dish was also bla. Her chicken was dry and rubbery. She mentioned something to our server and he apologized and offered a new dish for her. Obviously this would take a while, so she declined and I chose to eat my mole covered hockey puck. I really wish I would have just ordered the three tacos for $10 like I did last time. Note to self: Next time order tacos, guac, and alcohol here!
(3)
N. R. Y.

Been here twice with my girlfriends for dinner and drinks and the food is yummy and the drinks are yummier! I LOVE that they prepare the guacamole table-side!! my one complaint... I'm not a big fan of spicy foods and although I ordered my entrees mild, they were still pretty spicy for me.
(4)
Eric C.

Average, but not great food. Over priced. We were rushed out. We had a 4 meal groupon deal and met friends for dinner. The deal was good, otherwise this place would be way overpriced. The waiter did a good job even after we told him about our groupon. He took interest and was attentive. We were, however, rushed to order, eat, and they were very eager to clear our plates before we were even finished. The guac and salsas were very good. The margaritas were average to below average and seemed to be weak. Brisket was ok, would not recommend it. The Fajitas Estilo Mago were good and could recommend ordering them. I can't imagine going back here without another groupon deal.
(2)
Robyn C.

HOLY GUACAMOLE!! WOW I can actually say that and mean it!! :P The food here was fantastic!! The table side guacamole in itself can be the only reason to come to this restaurant. It is the best guac that I have ever had. I ordered the Fajitas in their "Mago" bowl. Kind of wish I had it the original way and I know better now. It was just too saucy for me, it was good, but just different from what I wanted. Everyone else in my party had the thee tacos. The pork ones were definitely raved about by my hubby and bro. The chips were fresh and fantastic, not too salty. It's only three stars because the waitress messed up two orders, my dad and my moms. For some reason she didn't understand "carne" for my mom in her fajita bowl, she got chicken instead not sure how you mess that up in a Mexican restaurant and she also messed up my dad's order for "chorizo" she came back with something else as well. Will definitely update if I come back here and our orders aren't messed up. I would definitely recommend this place though if not solely for the guac.
(3)
Brian W.

My first visit to Mago was only a few weeks after it opened. I visited again tonight, months after opening. I'm pleased to say Chef Juan Luis Gonzalez has polished off any remaining rough edges from Mago. Our first visit was pretty quiet, but the place is pretty hopping now, and I'm happy with their success. Mago is still a BYOB alcohol place to my surprise. Tonight the salsa was fantastic. All three types were flavorful and spicy. I think I ended up eating too many chips while enjoying their flavors. I ordered fajitas carnes, and they were delicious. The meat seems to be the same type used for their regular steaks, but cut into bite size strips. The sauce is nice and flavorful. The whole thing is served in a huge stone bowl. Chef Gonzalez is still at the top of his game on presentation. After dinner we were served a bread pudding which I really enjoyed. It comes covered in bananas, and with whip cream and ice cream on the side. I recommend you give it a try. Chef Gonzalez even came out to talk to us personally. I'm really glad to see Mago living up to its potential. It carries over almost all the things I really loved about Fuego in its heyday. The only thing left preventing a 5 star rating is the comparatively small menu. Mago does what it does well, but I'd love to see them attempt even more.
(4)
Steve R.

We recently went to Mago Grill for dinner with some friends and really enjoyed it. Service was great--even the chef came out to welcome us. Bring wine, since it's BYOB with no corkage fee. We ordered the guacamole prepared at our table, which was delicious. I had the Mojarra (Brazilian tilapia) and it was excellent. My wife had the fajitas and was very satisfied. We'll be back there soon!
(4)
Amber n.

Lived across the street for a couple of years and ate here ALL THE TIME. A bit pricey if you are looking for somewhere to just get drinks with co-workers but drinks and food are worth the price and we never had any issues with the staff.
(5)
Pam K.

My husband and I decided to try Mago for Date Night and we were impressed! The waitstaff was really attentive and the food was delicious! We thought the ingredients were very fresh and the drinks were awesome! We will definitely be back!
(4)
Christina B.

I went for the first time after purchasing a groupon, and I will for sure be going back! The food was delicious, and the service was great. Very reasonably priced as well.
(4)
Joe O.

Great food in good portions, but watch out for the drink prices, $4 Miller Lite and $10.50 kettle one on the rocks
(4)
Ercan Ã‡.

Been to this place during a trip to Chicago. Really authentic atmosphere and not your typical mexican restaurant. The food quality was good but could have been better and thus 4 stars instead of 5. The salsa they serve with the chips tasted fresh and flavorful. The staff is friendly and the place offers plenty of seating and parking space.
(4)
Bryan C.

We don't often find ourselves in the area, so we decided to stop just because it was pretty busy for a Tuesday night. We were seated promptly after a warm greeting, overall service was very good. The excellent guacamole was made table side, tacos were top notch and the Mole is very good.
(4)
Maria B.

Went there for lunch...Kinda pricey but it made for a nice afternoon out :) not authentic but modern twist was good. My main complaint is the price. I'm willing to pay the price for a superb meal but this was just good.
(4)
Mark B.

We enjoyed our first visit to Mago last night. We've always been torn about going to Fuego. The dishes were always clever and well prepared, but the place was always hard to get into and once there, it was always too loud to enjoy a conversation during dinner. We stopped going because it became a chore to eat there. Since the owners broke up, we haven't been back to the renamed restaurant in the same location. However, on the advice of friends, I looked into Mago and booked a reservation when I found Chef Juan Luis Gonzalez was in the kitchen. From other reviews on Yelp we were prepared for the fact that Mago does not yet have its liquor license. This now makes 2 of our favorite Arlington Heights restaurants enjoying a BYOB policy. I'm not sure what is going on with A.H. these days, but I like BYOB. Mago is a casual contemporary Mexican and Latin American fare and ambiance. We enjoyed the "made at your table" guacamole as an appetizer along with the 3 salsa tray and blue corn tortilla chips. I really enjoyed the 3 salsa sampler. There was the standard roasted version, a tomatillo verde and then something made with peanuts (which we were warned about by the waiter, just in case of allergies). All were spicy without being over the top, blow out your tastebuds, hot. On the recommendation of our waiter, a holdover from Fuego, we followed that up with a selection off the standard dinner menu and one of their weekly specials. The special was 5 large shrimp stuffed with gouda and wrapped with bacon, cumin seasoned rice. The shrimp were huge, closer to prawn size, and the bacon was thick cut and of high quality and flavor. It all melded nicely with the gouda and the seasoned rice. The selection of the main menu was the Filete Churrasco - grilled flat iron steak, roasted chile de arbol chimichurri butter, poblano mashed potatoes, malbec reduction. Be warned, the flat iron steak is a tougher cut of meat, but it is very flavorful. This is not a tenderloin filet. The steak was done perfectly as I had requested and the chimichurri butter added a nice balance to the malbec reduction. The poblano mashed potatoes were creamy and slightly smokey and spicey all in the same mouthful. I did read some of the reviews on Yelp before making the reservation and was a little surprised after our visit. To address some of the commentary. While the dishes were spicey, they were not crazy spicey. I like spicey, but as an accent to the taste of the food, not in place of it. In my opinion, the spiciness of the dishes we had was right on point for upscale cuisine. If I was looking for the hottest sauces, I'd got to Buffalo Wild Wings. Others complained about the atmosphere. To be sure, it is spartan compared to Fuego. I prefer this dÃ©cor. As mentioned earlier in this review, I classify the whole restaurant as contemporary Mexican/Latin American. Big sombreros on the wall don't make the food any better, and it harkens back to a very out of date "Chi Chi's" stereotype. This is not Chi Chi's. There was a reference to a French bistro look. I didn't see that at all. Lastly, there were complaints about the BYOB policy. As mentioned earlier, two of our favorites in A.H., Mario Trattoria and now Mago, both seem to have trouble with the village on this point. With no corkage charge we saw several tables with their own wine and beer. I can see this being a disappointment on the first visit, but a little planning for subsequent visits allows patrons to pick up their favorites to go with their meal. This was not a big deal for me.. Bottom line, we thoroughly enjoyed our first excursion to Mago and we will be going back. They have a variety of tacos that we would like to sample, including several fish tacos and a chile poblano taco.
(4)
Andrew K.

Just went into Mago for the first time yesterday, and I was blown away. From the food to the service, it was a great experience, and I will tell everybody I know to go there more than once (and abandon all hope that Salsa 17 will ever be as good). First, allow me to comment on the BYOB policies. It seems that some people in these reviews are hating on the restaurant because of its lack of a liquor license. This is hardly a reason to remove stars from a review; after plenty of conversation with Jesus (our server, a wonderful guy), we learned that Mago has everything ready to transfer over to selling alcohol, they're just stuck behind a bureaucratic wall of stamps and paperwork on the village's end. The molasses-like pace of Arlington Heights' village hall is hardly a reason to remove stars. Besides, alcohol at retail price + no corkage fee = cheaper overall dinner tab. Why are people complaining? There are a great number of BYOB places in the city, but I guess that the denziens of the northwest suburbs are too cool to add an extra step to their dining experience. Life must be tough. That being said, my partner for the evening (let's call him Pops, 'cause that's what he is) and I went down the road to Tuscan Market on Wing Street to grab a bottle of wine. The owner had been to Mago the previous night and suggested a great bottle of Zinfandel to counteract the spiciness of the food. The wine turned out to be a great pairing. Keep this in mind the next time you visit Mago; Tuscan Market makes a great accompaniment. Onto the nuts and bolts of the review - the service and the food. The service (and atmosphere) were both great. They totally changed the location from when Carlos Y Carlos was there, and it is the perfect balance between contemporary open-space design and Latin American flair. Salsa 17 has become far too kitschy to be taken seriously, in my opinion. The servers are Mago have been with Chef Juan Luis for some time (at least Jesus has, I remember him from Fuego), so he was incredibly knowledgeable about everything on the menu. I went with his suggestions and was not let down. Speaking of the food, it was fantastic. The corn chips + 3 kinds of salsa were a great beginning to the meal. Each carried its own flavor and spiciness. but none of them let the heat overpower the flavor (something that spicy food tends to do). We ordered the "variety pack" of ceviche, and once again, each was brimming with a completely unique flavor. Having never tried a tuna-or-tilapia-based ceviche before, I was a little apprehensive at first, but the pairings of fruit and other ingredients made for a well-balanced, delicious appetizer. I ended up ordering the Carne Asada TampiqueÃ±a, which was ancho chile-marinated skirt steak with a cheese enchilada, homemade mole, and poblano-infused mashed potatoes. Cooking skirt steak to medium rare is no easy feat, given the surface area and overall flatness of the skirt steak tends to rob the final product of moisture. This steak, however, came out perfect, with just enough squishiness to indulge my inner caveman. The mole was great, as well; enough darkness and sweetness without becoming bitter. Mashed potatoes were a dream, as well. Overall, my meal couldn't have been better. The only issue I had with Mago is that of sweetener choice for coffee. Sugar, Equal and Stevia. As a big Sweet-N-Low fan, I was saddened, but since I am not a giant stick in the mud like some of these reviewers, it had no bearing on an otherwise perfect meal. It boils down to this: If you're looking for a less kitsch-y (but still very affordable) alternative to Salsa 17 with more inspiration and flavor on the menu, then look no further than Mago.
(5)
Gregory B.

It's what passes for dining in downtown Arlington Heights: pricey, seen-and-be-scene, suburbanized bland food and, lordy, oodles of "autentico" atmosphere. First off, the Xico mole: it's my favorite, and it isn't easy to do well. They don't. Give me the mole at the little strip mall Las Palmas on Dundee in Buffalo Grove, which is fantastic. How could it have so little flavor here? Maybe they keep their spices too long? And the green (de Cacahuate?) tasted like the dullest, most bland split pea soup I've ever had . My wife said "it needs some ham." The empanadas were cold inside--they appeared pre-cooked, frozen, and then dipped in the fryer just long enough to brown the crust. Boring spanish rice with frozen veggies staring back up at us from no-flavor. Nothing black beans--where were the spices? All three salsas were dull to the palate. And the drinks, while perfect (first good Pisco Sour since Lima), came about thirty minutes after we ordered them. The server was nice. Give me a good strip mall dive any day.
(2)
Erin S.

Mago was a huge disappointment. I was excited to see a groupon offered since I live in downtown Arlington Heights and hadn't tried the restaurant yet. Pros: The server assistant was really attentive and did a nice job at keeping our table clean. The woman who made the guacamole was friendly and the guacamole tasted decent. Cons: Our server was clearly disappointed with the fact we had a groupon. He was dismissive and he seemed bored to be serving us. The only items he mentioned on the menu were steaks - not exactly skilled selling. Once our order was served, he disappeared, not to be seen again until the table was cleared - AWFUL. My mom and brother both had fajitas and they were nothing special by any means. I have never prepared Mexican food, but I feel confident that I could have recreated that dish. My brother had to wait nearly 10 minutes for a glass of milk - likely because my server seemingly disappeared (we ordered from a server we flagged down) My tamales were the oddest tamales I ever had . . . and they had minimum flavor beyond the massive amounts of sauce on them. And, the two worst elements: I was sick all night and the following day. I know food poisoning is no joke, but I can't seem to figure out another reason for my illness. Also, I was really offended that gratuity was added already. There were three of us only. However, upon seeing that, I understood completely why our server was so absent - he was going to get the 18% regardless. Too bad I tip a minimum of 20% for good service. I won't go back, obviously.
(1)
Rick C.

I was a regular at Fuego in Arlington Heights and tonight was my first time at Mago Grill. But it won't be my last! The service was great, very friendly, very helpful explaining everything, my daughter is a very picky eater, and I've never seen her enjoy dining out like she did tonight. The waiter was very patient and enjoyed explaining everything to her. I've never seen her eat so much! I had the tenderloin medallions with a mole sauce that was unbelievable! Lisa had a trout smothered in shrimp, delicious! I can't wait to go back and try something else! BYOB!
(5)
Rodolfo M.

Really enjoyed the food. My fiance had the carne asada and al pastor tacos and she was happy with her choice. I had the Churrasco filet. It came out perfect. Juicy and exactly at the temperature I asked for. I absolutely loved the chipotle mashed potatoes! The ambiance was lively, as one would expect at a new trendy, byob eatery. The service was pretty good too, minus waiting for silverware and getting some limes that were dryer than the desert. Our server redeemed himself by finding us the juiciest lime in the place and bringing it to us in all its juicy glory. So, in the end, we'll DEFINITELY be back. Left a much better impression on me than Fuego or Salsa 17 ever did.
(4)
Dawn M.

This place is just ok. First, the pros: -Food is good. Big portions. Very fresh. Contemporary and innovative mexican fare. Good, friendly service. Cons: VERY, VERY loud!! Not only is it small, so you hear everything, but they had music playing so loud that you have to talk even louder to hear each other and it was so loud that we could not even hear each other, sitting a few inches away!! Very small place with small tables. There is one area that has seating all along the wall with tables right next to each other. I despise this type of seating. It is so uncomfortable sitting so close to people. The prices are pretty high. Average cost of meal is approximately $17-18. A bit too high for mexican food as far as I'm concerned and not really good enough for me to go back.
(3)
Monica K.

Maybe this place is good for the suburbs, but you can get much better in the city (check out Los Nopales in Lincoln Square). Best part of this meal was the three salsas they give you for free. The orange one is sweeter with a good kick of spicy at the end (my favorite). The green is your typical tomatillo salsa. The darkest one is a smokier, chipotle type of salsa. One of the people in my party of 6 ordered the mojarra ceviche which was probably one of the better dishes of the night. She also happened to order the filete churrasco which was definitely the best dish there. Other than that, everything was salty! My ropa vieja was pretty tough for beef brisket and definitely salty. The plaintains were leathery, and the black beans are ... different ... I think I have to say that I prefer the regular refried beans you find at a taqueria. The tacos were pretty standard - it's awesome that they offer cochinita pibil (pulled pork) which is harder to find. It was salty too though :) The service was ok, I think there was only 1 waiter for the 7 or 8 tables that were being used Sunday night. There must have been something wrong in the kitchen because our food took awhile to come out. They offered us some chili while we were waiting - i think the black beans went into this too, it was different from what I would consider chili...
(3)
Kim F.

A nice alternative to the other Mexican restaurants in the downtown Arlington Heights area. The chicken fajitas and chicken enchiladas are quite tasty. The guacamole is made table side and has good flavor. The patio area is a little small, but it's nice nonetheless. Service is excellent.
(4)
Ana E.

So this are my honest opinions:: The decor is nice, the service is nice and helpful, the food is NO BUENO. I've honestly had better food and cheaper prices. The tampiquena was wayyyyy to dry and unseasoned. The margaritas tasted like cheap margarita mix and the funny thing is that there are no salt and pepper shakers on the tables. I guess the chef overestimates himself LOL! We ended up using some salt from the margarita cup LOL! The one thing I did like were the chips and one of the salsas(the one with cilantro) those were good. I expected better because of all the good reviews but maybe my expectations were to high.
(2)
Kim G.

Love this place. Been there twice now and have been very pleased with the food and service. The margaritas are reasonably priced and strong! The three salsas they give with the chips are also very good. We have had great service both times. We will definitely be regulars.
(5)
Scott V.

I went to Mago Grill for the first time on Sunday evening. The place was packed (it was Mother's Day) and the atmosphere was lively. But, maybe a little too lively, because it was hard to hear anything in this noisy room. Our waitress came right away with a tasty basket of fresh chips and three different salsas (yum). Mago's menu has the usual Mexican fare and some upscale entrees that were tempting. We placed an immediate order for the guacamole to be prepared table side. Based on the glowing Yelp reviews, it seemed to be the way to go. It was fun to see it prepared table side, but that is not an unusual experience at better Chicago Mexican restaurants. The guacamole was good, but not super flavorful (a little salt would have added immensely to the flavor). At $8, it seemed slightly overpriced for what amounted to two avocados and a small scoop of onions and tomatoes. My immediate impression was that my own homemade guacamole beat it by a mile. After the guacamole we waited and waited and waited for our waitress to come and take our order. It was busy, but not that busy for the staff to be so overwhelmed. Anyway, we finally were able to place our order and the food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. I ordered three fish tacos with a side of beans and rice. The shrimp taco was simply amazing--moist and flavorful. The battered tilapia taco was okay, but slightly flavorless. The blackened red snapper taco had fish that was way overcooked. Its crisp green cabbage topping was refreshing, but it could not save what amounted to a piece of leathery jerky-like fish. The refried beans were silky, flavorful and delicious (with rice for $2.50 extra). Arlington Heights now has three big Mexican restaurants in the downtown area, so there are lots of choices if you are in the mood for Mexican food. Overall, my experience at Mago Grill was very mixed, but if I am in AH again, I would probably try it again.
(3)
Jeannine K.

Cute place! Crowded on Friday night - about 1 1/2 hour wait. Drinks and guacamole at the bar were good while we waited. The menu has all gluten-free items labeled, which is so nice! Lots of gluten free choices, all pretty good.
(3)
Candyce P.

Excellent food and atmosphere! The hubby and I went for dinner, got a reservation earlier in the day through gdine.com and were seated within 15mins. The gdine reservation was $17pp for a 2 course meal, choosing between appetizers, entrees and dessert. We started off with margaritas - hubby got the "El Jefe" and I got a Guayaba. Both really delicious, and quite potent! To begin the meal, after eating way too many chips and delicious salsas (they serve 3), we chose to share Calamari as an appetizer. The calamari was fresh, perfectly seasoned and coated, and came with pickled veggies which were a nice offset to the rich calamari. Then they brought out two bowls of Chicken Tortilla soup (which is served with every entree). The soup had a peppery, roasted broth, with just the right amount of veggies and tortilla strips on top. Quite good and comforting. For entrees I chose the Carne Asada TampiqueÃ±a - a good-sized portion of Carna Asada (Skirt Steak), served with a cheese enchilada, black beans and poblano mashed potatoes. Excellent. Steak cooked perfectly. The hubby got the Camarones en Mole - about 6 shrimp in a delicious red mole sauce, served with pinto beans, and tortillas. The mole was SO good! For dessert, we shared the Tres Leches... I'm picky with Tres Leches and Mago's didn't disappoint. It was moist, sweet and delicious. Overall, our service was friendly, helpful and didn't rush us at all even though the restaurant was full the entire time we were there. The atmosphere is lively, and the food is just delicious. We will definitely go back!
(4)
Lauren G.

We consistently have a positive experience here! Friendly staff and excellent food! The margaritas are great, and we love the salsas and guacamole made table side. My favorite entree are the 3 tacos- the shrimp, carne asada, and chicken are my personal favorites. My husband always switches it up and tries something new, and he hasn't been disappointed yet! They also offer Groupons from time to time which is an added bonus.
(5)
Kimberly N.

Not a lover of the salsa, But the chile relleno's are yummy.
(4)
Sheeka J.

Never again would I ever order 2 shots of patron n cranberry 3 of those things were 72 bucks it's not like I'm downtown Chicago this was crazy anyways this place was crowded on the V day but the food was good so I didn't care bf is tall so he was a little uncomfortable sitting in narrow place
(1)
Melissa H.

Great food with healthy and gluten-free options. Been there twice and both times our server was very personable and gave those little extras which make a great experience. Will come back!
(4)
Shannon C.

We have eaten at Mago in Arlington Heights and Bolingbrook and every time, delicious. The carne asada is perfection every time. Table side guacamole is a must. Margaritas are good but pricey for size (short glass, lots of ice). Burritos are huge and the tortilla soup is very flavorful.
(4)
Renee D.

Had a great time!! The atmosphere is fantastic, the food is very tasty and the service was stellar!!! A group of us went here to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and we were not disappointed. They make fresh guacamole table side and we ended up ordering 2 orders - it was delicious. I ordered the combo fajitas (shrimp & chicken) and they were so good. There are 2 ways to order fajitas - the normal classic way with onions a peppers and the second option is with poblano peppers which was so good- I recommend this!!! We sampled a few desserts, flan, chocolate cake, and fried ice cream...all very good! Our waiter was knowledgable, attentive and just a fun person. He took great care of us!!! I will definitely be back!!!!
(4)
Lesley H.

Mago has definitely matured for the better since it's first opening. At my first visit it had a smaller menu and at the time was BYOB. Now there's so many things I'd like to try on the menu I cannot wait to go back. My dish was so creative, it was like a mexican chicken pot pie, with the perfect little kick. I thoroughly enjoyed it for lunch the next day. It tasted just as good if not better. I ordered a fruity margarita with fresh mint and I could taste every ingredient. The service here is just as good as the food. They're very knowledgeable and make you feel important. If I had to give a critique it would be to add a little more to the decor/ambiance of the place. But because the food is so good, I didn't have too much time to focus on the decorations. Glad to have this spot so close to home!
(4)
Chris D.

This restaurant has a great vegetarian selection. The guacamole was excellent. The hongos tacos were a little too heavy on the refried black beans, but the mushrooms and cheese were excellent. Wish more plaintains were on them, too. The medianoche sandwich was original and wonderful, and the accompanying homemade chips were out of this world.
(4)
Jeremy P.

I've been here twice so far and both times I've left very full and very happy. I need to remember to not eat so much of the chips and salsa in the beginning because I've been so stuffed it was hard to finish my meal when it came. The salsa verde (green) very very good. The first time I ordered the steak fajitas and they were excellent. My wife had the mole sauce and said it was great . They have so many options on the mole sauce, I can not remember which one she tried. The second time back, we both ordered tacos. My wife had the chicken tinga and pork. The tinga's were really good. I had 2 of the steak tacos and 1 chorizo. Next time I will go running in the morning and get the chorizo tacos. They were out of this world. They came with a spicy red sauce and fried potato strings, sounds weird, but it really works. I did try the beef empanada and they weren't anything to write home about. That was the only downfall of the meal. Everything else was delicious and the wait staff was very nice and fast. We will definitely be back, and hopefully I can save room for desert but I doubt it.
(4)
Wayne P.

Great food and highly recommend the quesadillas appetizer
(4)
Erin L.

Upscale Mexican - We went on a Groupon and I was VERY glad to have made a reservation. I had a steak and my husband enjoyed his red snappper dish. The frozen margaritas were also very good. I would go again, I enjoyed the salsa trio at the beginning of the meal, nice treat!
(4)
Kate W.

This place has really good food! I've been here twice now and you have to get the guacamole that they prepare at your table. The Margs are good and made fresh. I've had the Hongos vegetarian tacos both times and they were great. The prices are a little high for the food and portions though. A lunch can cost you $20 for your meal alone.
(4)
Colleen W.

This is my favorite restaurant in downtown AH. Staff is polite. Chips and sauces/dips are very good. Never had a bad meal yet. Love taking family and friends who have never eaten there. The 3 taco deal is great to chose which 3 you would like. Good sangria and amazing chips!!! We are frequent diners. Make a reservation for dinner on the weekends always packed!
(5)
Edward S.

Deserves a second visit! When I found that the Cheff of MAGO is a former Co-Owner of FUEGO down the street I was both, exited about the food but skeptical and resentful for the MEMORABLE TERRIBLE experience I had at Fuego (see my review of Salsa 17 / Fuego) We decided to give it a tried and we are GLAD we did. For about 6 months after Fuego opened, I visited that restaurant once a week average, so it wasn't hard for me to recognized some of the people that now work at MAGO, including Cheff Juan Gonzalez. Here's my review... Fine, Nice and Clean atmosphere, NO PINIATAS HERE! Looks more like Bagette / Bistro place. Chain kind. Friendly Service. Chips, Salsa and Guacamole were great. Asada Burrito was Fantastic. Arrachera was very tasty too. Ceviche was just ok. BYOB!!! NICE! Prices are Fair for Entrees but WAY HIGH for tacos $4 each!? + $2.50 for each side?! NO NO. Stick to entrees! RECOMMENDED!
(4)
Patty R.

Excellent service and food. They bring you 3 different salsas and tortilla chips as an appetizer- and they are awesome! The waiter even warned me that there were peanuts in one of the salsas and brought it out in a separate dish- which is good as I am allergic to peanuts and never would have thought to ask if there could be peanuts in salsa. Guacamole appetizer is awesome. Chile relleno and fajitas are wonderful as well. Over all a good experience.
(5)
guillermo z.

Beautifully prepared and presented entrees and appetizers. If you are looking for searing heat this is probably not your place. The flavors of the food can be discerned. Tacos are great, yucatecan pork, fish, shrimp yum. Chic atmosphere. Currently BYOB. A new favorite.
(5)
Mike J.

Great seafood tacos. They have a fun approach to taco plates where you can select from a list of 8 or 10. Down side, hard for a non-picky eater to choose. Guacamole tableside is fun and my wife and kids enjoyed their meals. I doubt you'd be disappointed if you give this place a try!
(5)
Kelli Ann L.

the first time we went here it was BYOB - they have since gotten a liquor license. We have also played a wedding here....so after eating here three times - I am going to say we are still going to go back! :0) The last time, the fish tacos were a little TOO hot for my hubby....he was literally sweating....but the flavor, he said, was good...I was not going to try it after he was sweating so much - lol. I had the stuffed chicken - and I never order chicken..it was wonderful! We also had the ceviche trio last time - fantastic - and the guac is great every time! I think it would be helpful to ask the consumer about their "spice" requirements before the meal....just thinking about how to make it an even better experience. AND - a fun thing for me - every time we are here, we see some great breeds of dogs going for walks - like a Leonberger and an Akita last time.....fun!
(4)
AJ H.

My husband used a Groupon here and found the service to be excellent and the food very good. The chips and salsa trio were very nice, although they kept refilling our chips but never brought us more salsa when we ran out. The guacamole was flavorful and had just the right amount of salt and spice. The margaritas were a little light on the tequila, but were still good. Entrees (veggie fajitas and beef enchiladas) were very large servings and came with great tasting black beans and rice. We had enough leftovers for another meal. In all, it was a good dining experience, but I just don't think it can match the atmosphere and phenomenal Mexican cuisine at Salsa 17 just down the road. Mago is kind of small inside and doesn't have a lot of character, and the dishes (other than the unique salsas) were pretty standard at what we've had at other Mexican restaurants.
(4)
Sarah H.

We have had several great experiences, each time we go there, great service, great food. The wait staff is always attentive, the table-side guacamole is AMAZING. The atmosphere is relaxed, small but you don't feel crowded. You can talk to your table and hear each other. One our favorite restaurants!
(5)
Paola G.

It was great for the price you pay, will come back, just do not order he pastor or carne asada tacos!
(4)
Susan S.

Great Mexican food. Definitely better than Salsa 17. Very personable and helpful staff. The menu is great and every combination the chef has created sounds excellent I cant wait to try them all. The different Mole offered were great they let us sample a bit of each one and offered to substitute what ever mole we like on any of the dishes offered. I had the Tilapia and it was fantastic! You can't ask for a better Mexican restaurant. Was a little hesitant on they BYOB what is Mexican without Margaritas, but once there they offered an ice bucket for our they were very accommodating and said we could even bring our own home made Margaritas next time. They have the glasses and the salt. We will definitely keep coming back.
(5)
Ruma R.

This review is about the vegetarian food at Mago's. We've gone there twice--once on a weekend and once on a weekday. The difference was barely noticeable--they were mostly full. We went on a Monday to celebrate an occasion. Just fyi, I didn't see any kids here--I assume that's not the norm for them. The owners were in, and they greeted us as we walked in as well as waved us goodbye when we left. The first time (during the weekend visit), our server was very courteous, offered us the drink of the day and told us about the fresh guacamole cart (where you can order your own custom-made guacamole) and left us alone, which I actually appreciate a lot. On the weekday visit, our server was a bit more hands-on, came to our table more often, had a tougher time communicating with us, primarily because (I assume) we have an accent too, and so did he, which required more effort on both our parts. We tried several dishes since we had a restaurant dot com coupon that required us to order for a certain amount. The server was a bit pushy and tried to sell the guac to us, but we held off for a bit because a) we'd tried it before and b) we wanted to be sure that was our decision, not his. The "cheese melt" (queso al horno) was hot from the oven, and we ordered it with veggies, which was a total letdown. We found a few slivers of mushroom and peppers and that was it. First, I didn't think the dish was worth $8 and I certainly was unhappier that the extra $3 worth of veggies were not worth their value either. (Btw, the restaurant IS pricey, which I concede I knew right before we stepped in, but this is a bit too much. The guac, although great, is not worth $8.50 even if they are using organic avocados, which, of course, I failed to inquire about. But we gave in to our guac cravings in the end). My companion had a mojito of some kind--lemon or lime? It was good--even a tad strong. For the main course, we had the tamales de frijoles and WOW was that amazing. I usually like spicy, but their mole sauce was subtle, with very little heat and a balanced amount of spice. The tamales themselves were soft and not lumpy (tough to achieve with plantains!) We ordered the veggie "clasica" fajitas, and even though the server insisted that we try the "vegetales" which had poblano peppers in it, I declined. He was a bit too persistent with that suggestion, and I later realized he could have given us half-orders of each (which was mentioned on the menu). However, he offered us a mix of tortillas and even re-warmed my tortillas (that came with the queso al horno) when I told him I didn't want them thrown away. The fajitas are just finger-licking good! The veggies are browned nicely, have a faint garlicy aroma and are crisp (thanks to all that oil, of course). I believe I tried the enchilladas the first time and they were pretty decent too. The measly amount of guac that comes on the side with fajitas could be way more flavorful and less bland. They give you a lot of chips and salsa in the beginning and it's easy to gorge on those since the salsas are very flavorful too. Overall, a great vegetarian option if you work or live somewhere close to downtown A.Heights.
(4)
Kathleen C.

My all time favorite mexican restaurant! I always get the Salsa Verde Enchiladas. They are amazing!! And the portions are so generous, I always have leftovers for lunch the next day! Also, I love the guacamole! It's fresh and very tasty! Definitely order it spicy! If you are in the area, go to Mago to get some mexican food. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Celina M.

This review is for my second visit. First time was with my husband and we used a groupon. I think because of the groupon we had poor service. Our waiter seemed too busy for us and didn't check back to see how the food tasted. My second visit was with my girlfriends because they have never been there and wanted to try it. Service was much better but it was a Saturday and it was very busy. We made a reservation but still had to wait over 30 minutes before we were seated. The restaurant and bar area is very small so waiting for a table, people were spilling out into the lobby area of the Metropolis, which was full of people waiting for a concert to start. My 2 complaints were unfortunately with the food and drink. We ordered 2 pitchers of margaritas ($30 each) and they were so WEAK! I really don't think they put any tequila in them! My friends thought the same. Order beers instead if you want your money's worth. I ordered the chicken fajitias. The chicken was a bit dry and my vegetables were overcooked and soggy. The one plus was the guacamole is made fresh at your table. It was delicious and you get a large portion.
(3)
Vic N.

Quite simply the best Mexican food I have ever had, and that includes the over-hyped Frontera Grill. Everything from the chips and salsa to the made at your table guacamole and their entrees is all top notch.
(5)
Laurence K.

pretty decent tacos and mescal margaritas
(3)
Crys I.

FYI.........not BYOB anymore. We walked in with a bottle of wine and some guy, we think was the owner or manager said we are not BYOB anymore, but we'll let you drink it tonight. He was not very friendly. Food was great! Drinks are pricey so not sure if we'll be going back soon.
(4)
Isabelle L.

I really enjoyed my meal at Mago. The place has minimal clean lines decoration which I like: makes it warm and welcoming without being overwhelming. The menu is simple so again easy to choose from and not overwhelming and the food was simply delicious with great flavors. The 3 salsa and tortillas that are offered when you first get seated are really awesome: the tortilla chips are not oily or stale, the salsas have gentle balanced flavors which I loved. For entrees you can expect to pay $10 for tacos or about $20 to $24 for a main dish. I had the fish of the day for $20 and I admit I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and the taste. I'll certainly be back. Service was perfect as well.
(4)
Julie R.

Loved this new gem in downtown AH. The flavors were amazing, our service was top-notch, it's still BYOB and we found a discounted gift certificate on Restaurant.com (Sun-Thursday only). We went after an event at Arlington Park around 4pm on a Sunday. The salsa trio was wonderful and our waiter, Eddie, made sure we had a chance to try all the mole sauces in a sample before we made a selection. Awesome! Great "made at your table" guacamole. We will be back and we're bringing friends!
(5)
Carrie C.

I went here with a couple of girlfriends before a show at the Metropolis, in the same building. We were amazed that this was a BYOB, since so many restaurants in Arlington Heights had no problem getting a liquor license. None the less, we enjoyed our bottle of wine sans corking fee. The table side guacamole service was good, although I thought the Chipotle peppers in it would make it slightly spicier. Our server was all over the dining room and never where we needed him. I know they don't serve liquor, but there is no rule to this that says that they can't pour the second glass for us. (I used to manage a restaurant) The food was great! I had the Chicken enchiladas in the Mole Xico. My friend had the trio of Ceviches and a salad with tequila poached pears, and the other had the plate of three tacos. Although, on the menu it said beans and rice are an optional upcharge, they didn't give her the option and charged her for them with out asking her if she wanted them. She didn't even eat any of it, only the tacos. I am surprised that they didn't have enough servers for a full dining room at peak time. Due to this happening, our server was preoccupied with his 6 top, and his other tables that got there before us. Too bad for him he only got a 10% tip, because we normally tip 20%. The only reason he got anything is because we knew he would have to tip out the busboy and the guacamole server.
(2)
Paul J.

Just had the mole-style fajitas last week and they were out of control good. We get carryout from here once in a while and it's the best Mexican in AH and the best Mexican food I've had in a while. If you live around here and like a nice dinner once in a while, try this.
(5)
Laine K.

BYOB with no corkage fee = Fantastic Table-side guacamole = Awesome Service = Great combination of attentive and leaving me and my date alone to get to know each other. Food = Oh I love me some mole! And they make a special mole each WEEK!! This week's was a guava/fruit-based mole. YUM! YUM! YUM! We split the mahi-mahi special that was a top this wonderful mole with some mashed sweet potatoes. The fish was cook beautifully, the mole was fragrant with a slight spice, the potatoes were sweet and savory but not so sugary that they were disgusting. We also tried a trio of tacos: shrimp, veggie, and tilapia. I liked the sweet corn and crispy potato taco the best but the shrimp and tilapia tacos were delicious too. I was practically in a food coma at this point but the wonderful man that was my date insisted we need to complete the meal and our calorie intake for the next week with a chocolate bread pudding. Sheer chocolate and caramelized banana joy! I also like the fact that they seated us next to each other on the same corner of the table. The place is small and there's a good-sized bar. Great place and I can't wait to go back for next week's new mole creation!
(5)
Pat F.

I ate here for the first time and their food was Great!!! The staff was so friendly! Cant wait to go back
(5)
Dean H.

Sat outside, extraordinary service, the best margaritas we've ever had and the food was incredible. Highly recommended.
(5)
Leah B.

I too was not a big fan of Fuego. The food was great but it was always too crowded which made the service so-so. Since I loved the chefs creations, I thought Id give Mago a try. I'm very happy I did. Not only is the food better, the service was impeccable. They give you 3 different types of salsa to start and they were all very tasty, medium spicy. Our waiter Jesus was very helpful and accommodating to me and my husband. My husband had a skirt steak that the waiter suggested and I had steak and shrimp fajitas. The portions were large and the they used quality ingredients. Its a BYO with no corkage fee plus if you bring tequila, they sell the margarita mix by the glass and you can add your own tequila. I cant wait to go back again.
(5)
Nora R.

My husband and I went here on a Saturday night around 6:00 pm. We were able to get a table without a reservation or wait. The chips and salsa that everyone is raving about were just ok. All three salsas were a little bland for us and could have used some spicem, and the chips weren't made in house. I got three tacos (shrimp, chile peppers, and fish) with rice and beans. The shrimp taco was good but again--needs some flavor!! Rice and beans were also lacking. Husband got a chicken burrito that he said was pretty good. We noticed that NONE of the patrons here were Mexican which speaks volumes. The atmosphere was really nice and the food wasn't BAD, but I think we're used to authentic Mexican food and this place didn't do it for us. All in all, I wouldn't go again.
(3)
keith r.

My wife and I had reservations for 8pm on 12/3 and arrived 10 minutes early. We were greeted by the hostess and told it would be a short wait. The short wait turned out to be a 30 minute wait. The restaurant was VERY busy and it seems as though reservation times are relative. We were seated and immediately presented with a fresh bowl of guacamole as an apology for the wait time. That being said, I am not a fan of guacamole but I decided to try it. I was amazed at how good it was! We were both very impressed with our waiter and the attentiveness we were given. Our food, Camaron, shrimp, tacos for me and steak/chicken fajitas for my wife were delicious! The food arrived at our table within 15 minutes of ordering and was nicely presented. Almost forgot, the salsa... Three different salsas were on our table when we were seated. I know one of them was some type of a smoke chipotle but the other two were a mystery. My wife and I both believe the orange colored salsa had a carrot base and was incredible! The only downside to our dining experience was the time spent waiting to be seated. Otherwise, a very nice dinner and an excellent waiter, Miguel. We will definitely return but perhaps not during the rush on a Saturday evening.
(4)
Maria O.

Great food and atmosphere. I love their salsa trio. The made-to-order gauacamole is exceptional as well. The cocktails are yummie and they have great sangria selection.
(5)
Alisa S.

Was taken to lunch here today for my birthday. Everyone loved it! We started with the freshly made quacamole which was fantastic. Most of us had the tacos for lunch, and could choose between a variety of fillings, including shrimp, steak, pork, and some more exotic offerings. Another friend had the shrimp enchiladas in a peanut mole, which were delicious. Portions were on the smaller side, but perfect for lunch. All of the food was beautifully presented and tasted super fresh. A hefty slice of banana bread pudding in a rum sauce was sent out for the birthday dessert. It was soooooooo good. Can't wait to come back here again. We all agreed that it was great. FYI...as of now, they are still awaiting a liquor license.
(4)
Nicole C.

I went here because we had a groupon deal that included guac, two entrees and two ritas. The guac was good but it wasn't made tableside like all the other tables. I guess with the promo you don't get that service?? Kind of disappointing. We both ordered fajitas. I got shrimp and my husband got steak and shrimp. Going back, its worth the extra dollar for the combo...I only got one more shrimp than him and he got a six oz steak with his. Ritas were too sweet, but tolerable. Overall, it was a nice experience. Not sure I would pay the prices without the groupon. There's just too much competition out there...
(3)
Max S.

The food was fantastic. Drinks were suburb! Definitely go with the guac. My big problem was the lack of wait staff. It took us forever to get out bill. Kind of noisy, but it's good to see small restaurants so packed. I'd definitely go back if I wasn't in any rush.
(3)
Ben C.

A group of five, we decided to try the newest Mexican restaurant in town. The menu is "upscale", meaning pricy Mexican food. We ordered different items(burritos, fajitas, pulled pork, and enchiladas). Overall, the food was good and the service satisfactory. Portions were generous and a couple of us took home our leftovers. The place has zero atmosphere unless you count the loud Latin music. The margaritas were tasty and we had quite a few, although none of us felt any alcohol effects. I would return, (although in no hurry) and bring my own tequila.
(3)
Steve P.

This is the kind of good restaurant you might find in Mexico City. It is a combination of upscale Mexican cuisine using high quality, unusual ingredients in traditional dishes, but with a modern flair. Where else in the Chicago area can you find a classy place serving veal stuffed peppers with pomegranate seeds and a homemade sauce? Really tasty ingredients. A prior review noted it to be noisy. Maybe the restaurant saw that review and turned down the music, or maybe I was just there on a quiet night, but I did not have the same experience. This is definitely worth a try. I'll be back.
(5)
R R.

I probably would have been able to give this a higher rating if we would have had not been given the "honor" of sitting at the "chef's table". It was a busy Friday night and the "chef's table" is not in the kitchen just in the back away from the ambiance of the restaurant. There was no music just clanking of spatulas and servers ladling soup. There was no nice decor, just Heinz bottles and other bulk food items. There was no interaction with the chef. We never even saw him back there. But it was hot, extremely hot. So much so, that we all felt tired and the Margarita mix tasted sickeningly sweet. To top it off, the service was extremely slow. So, we had to bake in this atmosphere much longer than necessary. We eventually went to the bar for a few minutes afterward and that was much nicer. What ever you do, do not let them sit you in the "chef's table" section! Now to the food. The chips and salsa are wonderful! We also ordered the guac. It was what you'd expect. I ordered the three tacos. The carne asada was great. However, the blackened snapper was bland which was surprising and the shredded chicken was too sweet. This might have been related to the heat again. I actually already have a lunch scheduled there for next week. So, I will go back and give it another try in a better atmosphere. I did give it another try and the service was much better and it was a much more pleasant experience sitting in the front! Because of this, I adjusted the rating from a 2 to a 3.
(3)
Todd W.

Upscale Latin American with some great flavors and nice atmosphere. You start off with some warm just fresh made tortilla chips and a dish with three distinctly different salsas. One salsa (green one) was a fresh citrus salsa that we really liked the most, all salsas were medium spicy. We were not expecting it, but were served a very flavorful complimentary bowl of something that I would describe as Mexican beef-tortilla soup with a flavorful and medium spicy sauce. We ordered the Arrachera (grilled marinated skirt steak) with the Cacahuate mole sauce. The sauce had an almost medium/mild-Thai peanut-cilantro flavor (very fresh and delicious) and the steak had a very nice marinaded flavor that would have also been very tasty without the mole sauce. My wife ordered the three tacos (substituting flour tortillas): Mojarra (tilapia), Pastor (marinated pork), and Chicken Tinga. Each had its own unique and interesting flavor, with the use of some spices or spice combinations that I have never had before. Most items were very flavorful, but were on the borderline between great flavor with a kick and a little too spicy for my wife. The atmosphere was nice but it was still OK for me to bring my 1 yr old son. The prices were slightly high, so it is not a value dinning place, but the quality, flavors, and freshness were maybe deserving of the price. The service was excellent, refilling water and not even quite empty complimentary chips very often without a request. If you want some very flavorful and interesting upscale Mexican food, then this is great choice. If you just want your basic tacos or do not like interesting spices (probably slightly unusual flavors for many Americans) with medium heat on many items, then you might want to stick with Taco Bell. I have never had anything quite like these flavors before and was quite impressed and say anyone who enjoys good Mexican food needs to go give this a try.
(4)
Cheryl N.

This place was great! We had reservations for Sunday at noon and the place only had a few people, so it wasn't crowded or loud. I grew up in Texas and miss Tex-Mex cuisine so I've been trying to find something to fulfill the craving by trying several Mexican places in and around the city of Chicago. The problem that I have discovered is that you will find one place that has great food, but the ambiance is lacking or vice versa. This one however IS a gem, it marries both ambiance along with traditional and new spins on flavors that I have grown to love. I enjoyed having the trio of salsas with homemade crispy lightly salted chips, guacamole, and Carne Asada Tampiquena. My family enjoyed the experience so much that we will be back again very soon!
(5)
Rachelle M.

My husband and I used our groupon for Mago. For $25, we got 2 margaritas, an an order of guacamole, and 2 entrees. The margaritas were really good. They tasted like they were made fresh as opposed to have being made with a mixer. The complementary chips and salsa were impressive. They bring out three different kinds of salsas which you do not see too often. The guac was prepared table side and was delicious. My husband had the chile rellenos and I had the carne asada tampiquena. Both dishes were awesome. We went on a Monday evening and the place was packed. The service was outstanding from start to finish. The entire experience was great. The decor is really contemporary and the restaurant is very clean. This might just be my new favorite Mexican restaurant! Highly recommended.
(5)
Ryan G.

I Live in Arlington Heights. In the past I was a bartender at a place with the head chef and Rick at another restaurant and had seen that they opened up their own place while walking through the streets of AH. I knew I had to stop in to experience their spin on dining. Let me tell you, you will not be disappointed. Every bite was a new flavor that was fresh and an experience! Rick and the rest of his crew are absolute geniuses when it comes to food. This is by far the best dinner experience I've had in the last 365 days. We will certainly be regulars and have found a new favorite! MAGO is the premier dining experience with every dish salsa and ingredient having the utmost detail and preparation.
(5)
Sharon B.

went here tonight for my boyfriends birthday-was very good! i had the stuffed chicken breast special (I usually do not get anything but fajitas when I go to a new mexican place) but, I thought, hey! sounded good! and it was! my boyfriend had 3 tacos-he liked all of them-the tilapia fish taco he thought was the best thing ever. drinks were good, 3 different salsas and chips great, table side quac great! would definitely go back! Patrice our server was really nice and helpful
(5)
Alia K.

I went in expecting somewhat greasy Mexican food and found fresh food that a chef actually took the time to fancy up. Great flavors!
(4)
N. I.

It was good, but pricey. $8.50 for guac seemed high. We had a margarita and a sangria and both were $8.00 or $8.50 and were pretty small. The food was a little too trendy for my tastes and although they said my dish would not be spicy, it was too spicy for me, but I'm a wimp. I ordered the Amish chicken airport??? something and it was very weird. The skin was on the chicken and not crisp, and covered with mole so the first bite I got a big bite of fat which was not appetizing, After peeling off the skin and figuring out the bone there was about 6 bites of chicken. :(
(3)
Gina D.

Mago is a unique Mexican restaurant with flavorful dishes. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star is personally, I enjoy the traditional salsa and they don't have that. They serve three saucey type salsas that are good. I love that they custom make the guacamole fresh to order! When I ask for spicy, I get SPICY as it should be :) Their food is very fresh and tasty making me go back for more even though I know I can't enjoy the salsa! Love the steak tacos; they have a crispy piece of cheese on top vs shredded, but it gives it a fun twist!
(4)
Jessica H.

We tried Mago after we purchased a groupon. The groupon brought us in, but we will definitely be returning again. The groupon offered a flat rate for tableside guacamole, 2 margaritas and 2 full size entrees. The guac was very good, and the service even included chips and 3 different house made salsas. We tried the enchiladas w/ mole sauce (very tasty, with rich sauce) and fajitas (also good). The margaritas were very good, made with fresh juice and did not taste like they came from a mix like many places. they claim to be "chef based" in their cuisine, and I would agree, presentation was nice and the flavors were all well balanced. Everything was very good and the service was friendly and helpful. The only downfall is that it was kind of pricy, many of the entrees were above $15.00 a person, if you add onto that a few margaritas, it would be very easy to spend over $60 for a dinner for 2.
(4)
Patrick J.

yummy freshly-made guac!
(3)
Jim P.

Our favorite surburban Mexican restaurant. Creative dishes, excellent sauces. Love the 3 different salsas they bring out. I like the tacos. You choose 3 from a wide variety: fish, shrimp, vegetarian, and the regular pork and chicken. Fresh made guacamole very good also.
(4)
Tracy F.

Have been there a handful of times already. Three delicious tacos for $10?! I think that's a great deal. Also love the made to order guacamole. BYOB has actually kept the bill down overall. The meals have been great and at a reasonable price for the nice atmosphere. What a relief to find someplace that is decent in the suburbs.
(5)
WIndow S.

We were recently in Mexico, and when we finally found a really nice dinner, we commented that it was sort of like Mago. Great food. Only drawback is that the Margaritas are not as good as when they were in the old Fuego location - too generic and ordinary.
(4)
olivia r.

This place is fantastic, especially now that they have a liquor license! The guava margarita is my favorite drink! The trio of salsas is awesome, as well as the tableside guac. Love the tuna ceviche and the red snapper entree is just delicious. All the bar n waitstaff are friendly and helpful!
(5)
Beth S.

Lackluster and overpriced
(2)
Michelle G.

My fiance and I have been to Mago three times now, and have thoroughly enjoyed each visit. Our waitress was excellent, and didn't seem to mind any of my special requests regarding my food preparation, and my fiance has loved every meal he's tried. The ceviche and guacamole was outstanding, and I couldn't get enough of the salsas they brought out as an appetizer. Personally, we like the idea of BYOB--and took advantage of bringing our own bottle of wine. In addition, I felt that the ambiance and decor was great! Classy and fun at the same time. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Teresa B.

Gourmet Mexican! Magnificent. The waitstaff will answer ANY questions you have about the exotic menu. Bright, welcoming atmosphere. Lovely experience.
(5)
Somer A.

My Father in law (who is from Mexico) read an article in the paper about this new, authentic Mexican food restaurant that had opened in Arlington, so we decided to take a trip down there, last Sunday. The place was cute and easy enough to find. We were suprised to see not very many diners and the owner/head chef seating tables!! As it turns out - the lack of guests could have been due to the sub-par food, at best. While I agree the guacamole was tasty, it wasn't anything we can't make at home. We tried the ceveche trio and weren't really impressed (my mother-in-law says hers is much better.) LOVED the salsa trio and the chips. The BYOB feature was certainly nice as we each had 2 margaritas at $1.50 a pop! Between the 4 of us - we tried every one of their tacos and were sadly disappointed by all. =( Perhaps there is something else this place excels at? I wouldn't know - as all we ordered was tacos - but I can say without a doubt we won't be returning. Nice try - but there has to be better Mexican food in the suburbs!
(2)
L O.

Wonderful food. Three salsas and table side guacamole were the standouts. Decor is nice and modern. Would have given it 5 stars if we had a better waiter. We had an older Spanish gentleman that didn't crack a smile the entire time. No thank you or how are you when we were greeted. Even our busboy seemed to look at us in disdain. Maybe I understand if we were being difficult to receive some attitude, but we had a Groupon, your meal is pretty much planned out. In closing, would we go again? Maybe. The food is delicious. We would just have to pray we get different staff the second time around.
(4)
Melissa S.

food was great, service was slow. drinks were ok too
(4)
Kara F.

Fabulous food! We cannont wait to go back. Mago could easily seat our party of 12. We are so glad to finally find an upscale Mexican restauraunt that is amazing. Love the fact that it is BYOB!!!
(5)
James M.

We were on our way to Peggy's for lunch and saw this place across the street. We had never been there but friends said it was good so we went and had lunch. I love mole and they have a great selection. The meal we had was great and the service was spot on. I can't wait to work my way around all the mole sauces. I would have prefer a little hotter dipping sauces but I know that most people don't like it as hot as I do. This is now our second most favorite Mexican restaurant in the area. I would like to see them add goat to the menu then it might move up to #1.
(4)
Randy H.

Today, my wife & I dined @ Mago's for lunch... The 3 salsa's that arrived with the chips were excellent, with not much spice & their own distinct flavor. We also decided to order the (mild) guacamole to go with the chips. For lunch, my wife had the Ropa Vieja, which featured shredded beef brisket, plantains & she subbed rice for the black beans. The brisket had an excellent flavor & was very moist (from the bite she shared with me). After some suggestions on what to order for lunch from our server, Guadalupe, I ordered the Carne Asada Tampiquena. It featured a marinated skirt steak w/ refried beans & poblano mashed potatoes. The potatoes rocked! Best I've had in a while... My steak however was on the WELLDONE side when I had ordered it Med Rare, but the flavor on my steak was perfect & even though it was over cooked, the steak was still tender. For dessert, fried ice cream of coarse!! *The main reason writing this review is because of how my server (Guadalupe G)responded to me notifying him that my steak was over cooked... I mostly drew his attention to this because, in the restaurant industry, you should want to know when something isn't prepared properly. I let him know my steak was over cooked as a "heads up", not to complain or be an ass looking for a freebie. Working in this industry, I'd wanna know if something came out incorrectly. Well, our server was kind enough to go the extra mile (when he didn't have to) & sent me home with a brand new MED RARE steak to enjoy w/ rice & beans! Surprised by this, I thoroughly thanked him & made sure I brought his "good deed" to the manager's attention! Great customer service from a server who cares! If you're reading my review before dining @ Mago's be sure to ask for Guadalupe G as he knows what it takes to deliver excellent service!
(5)
Kimi G.

A different kind of Mexican food! It was nice to see a great variety on the menu. I got 3 different kinds of tacos and they were really yummy! The pork taco was my favorite followed closely by the shrimp taco. The chicken taco was a little spicy for me but still very good. Also really enjoyed the variety of salsa and atmosphere. A little long of a wait but we enjoyed our experience.
(4)
Kamil G.

Came here expecting regular mexican food. Was blown away not only with the food but the service and management. Great experience, enjoyed every moment there as well as my beautiful girlfriend . I gotta say there guacamole is on point! No scratch that it was outstanding!!! The presentation on the food was amazingly well done & a fusion of great flavor !! You won't be disappointed on anything from the menu! I'd like to say Thank you to the manager Kristale for helping us out today :) we will be back soon !
(5)
Todd H.

I went here for a first date on a Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect, and I picked this place primarily because it had outdoor seating. We were the only coupe on the patio for quite some time, and it was really nice. The chips were fresh and crisp, and the fresh crushed guacamole was very tasty. We asked for the 'medium', but it was not spicy at all. The other salsas were delicious as well. My date had the beef enchiladas with the Mole of the Week. I forget what it was called, but it was terrific (and I am generally not a mole guy). I got the steak tacos, which were tender and deliciously seasoned. The drinks came in generous glasses, and out server came around just often enough to make sure we had everything we needed. When our chip basket ran empty, another magically appeared. We were there, sitting on the patio, for FOUR hours and never once felt like we were being rushed to clear out the table for someone else. The dining room was nicely appointed, and quite busy when we were finished with the meal. Coffee and Cappuccino service rounded out the visit. It was a little pricey, but the quality was definitely there, and not feeling rushed while on a date was a huge, huge plus. This place is definitely worth coming back to !
(4)
Rebecca S.

The food was pretty good but there wasn't anything special about this place. We didn't have great service either, had to wait a lot.
(3)
Juli A.

The staff was really nice and they were attentive, despite the fact that the place was crowded. I found the tortilla soup and the guacamole to be a bit on the salty side. I had the spinach and mushroom enchiladas - salsa verde again was a little salty, but was overall the predominant flavor of the dish. Loved the black beans. Didn't really get the whole salsa trio thing. The chips were great, but the salsas were unremarkable. Another dish at my table was the tilapia dish with poblano mashed potato that was well received. I'd had pretty high hopes for the place but it was just average.
(2)
Theresa J.

Excellent food. Pretty good service but they can get distracted when it's really busy and we have had the wrong food brought out once or twice. Definitely make a reservation to avoid long wait times!
(4)
Rosa D.

The best Mexican restaurant ever!!! Food was awesome. We had the trio ceviche, the fajitas alla Mago. Let me just say u will never ever taste fajitas that wonderful!! Usually I always need to load up my Mexican food with salsa, hot sauce abd tons of sour cream and guacamole just to give it flavor and sometimes that doesn't help. At Mago, I just used the fajita ingredients and a tortilla!! Yummmmmm. Even the free soup u usually get at Mexican restaurants was awesome. So much flavor. Also the margaritas are fantastic. We had the La reina it was so good I had two. The service is also exceptional, very attentive without being annoying. Can't wait to go back there soon!!! Again, the best food!!!!!
(5)
Russel E.

Traveled from the city on a cold rainy night just to eat here. Loved the old restaurant the chef worked at in Logan square, Fuego, before it closed. Found out he opened his own place and couldn't b happier. Before I get into the food, I just want to say why I gave it 4 stars...just the decor. Fuego had some very authentic Mexican art work on walls, and the tables and bar and chairs weren't so modern and posh. The waitress was nice but never felt she was outgoing or wanted to work a lil extra for her tip. She wasn't bad but wasn't the type of server that makes you feel at home. Now to the food..we started with 2 appetizers, shrimp ceveche and these flaky crust roll filled with chicken and corn and beans. The ceveche was on point and was great to the last bite. None of the flavors overpowered the others. The lime and cilantro and tomatoes complimented each other to perfection. The chicken rolls were very good. Crust was so flaky and was just right thickness to hold the food inside without falling apart and without feeling like a slice of bread. Had a taste that wasn't too spicy and not too blah and the portion was pretty big. My wife had salmon with their mole of coconut. She was left nearly speechless. I tried it and it had a great sweet taste to eat and again didn't overpower the actual salmon. My buddy and I had the tampiqueÃ±a. It was a B-, wish it had a lil seasoning on it or marinated...not sure in what but it needed something...anyways it was still a pretty nice size of meat and definitely filling. The poblano mash potatoes had a green sauce(maybe a mole of some sort) on them and that was terrific. My 4 yr ordered of kids menu and the size of his steak was huge so thats a plus. He has lunch for next day with his broccoli. Smoothies were a solid 'A'. I had peach strawberry mixed. Have deep fried neapolitan ice cream for dessert, AMAZING. The vanilla was a French vanilla which stood out to me. Great touch to an excellent dessert that most probably overlook while eating it. P.s. wish he also had those little cubed potatoes he had on menu at Fuego and I believe he had chipotle mash potatoes there as well. Also I wish I knew when the chef is going to have my greatest meal ever as a special again, he had tiger shrimp stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon topped with a creamy white tequila sauce. It's been maybe 3 or 4 yrs but I still rave about to this day to people and their mouths all water when I tell them about it. So if anyone from Magos reads this and can find out n tell me, it would be awesome.
(4)
Boones K.

Really enjoyed the food. I can understand what some of the reviews were saying about the service, but I don't know if that is completely on the waiters or being a little understaffed. Either way, the food was good enough to make me want to come back. We started with the guacamole and empanadas, and both were good. I had the pork shank special and it was incredible. The pork was so tender and the mole sauce was great. My boyfriend had the carne asada and it was very tender. Definitely worth a second visit.
(4)
Brooke A.

After having gone to Mago three times now, I will keep this short. It's worth going to at least once. It's worth going to twice if you like guacamole. And if you like a certain type of Mexican food, you probably would want to go back. Me, I'm not a big fan. The food is good enough, but its just not my style of Mexican joint. I prefer the one off family run places in a run down strip mall. Mago is aiming to be a little higher class with a little fancier accouterments.
(3)
Alexis O.

This place definitely has the potential of becoming a 4 or even 5 star restaurant if they iron out a few kinks. I hope someone from management reads some of the suggestions in others' posts, as well as mine. Let me begin: AMBIANCE The restaurant is on the smaller side, but I loved the atmosphere, especially the warm color scheme. We had to wait a bit, but were fortunate enough to snag two seats by the bar while we waited around 45 minutes on a Friday night. DRINKS I enjoyed the El Diablo Margarita, which was tangy, sweet and had a nice essence of orange. My husband tried both the Victoria and Negro Modelo beer on tap. He liked both, but preferred the former, as the amber colored beer was lighter and refreshing. FOOD We enjoyed the complimentary salsas - a very mild green salsa, a peanut infused one and a roasted tomato one. The complimentary cup of soup was also enjoyed and appreciated. I found it extremely helpful and I appreciated being able to taste samples of the different moles, because I was having a hard time choosing one. It takes the fear out of ordering something you may not like. If you like mole, you must try them here - they are delicious! The moles all have several ingredients, but can be distinguished by one ingredient that really creates the flavor: peanut, chocolate, coconut, etc. The Xico and Ranchero were the standard tasting ones, but the Cacahuate (peanut), Pistacio (Chef's special) and Coco (coconut) were really different and great! We absolutely both loved the Coco one the best. Now...everything so far was shaping up to be a great dinner experience until we received our entrees. Since we loved the coco mole the best, I ordered the Mojarra (tilapia) with it and my husband ordered the Puntas de Cerdo (pork). Now, this coco mole is so good, it could cover up almost anything, but my fish still tasted fishy - as in not fresh. This is not okay. My husband's pork was dry - way too dry for a $20 pork dish. Again, the mole made it edible, but we were both disappointed. It was busy tonight, so we didn't want to send it back. Management, if you are reading this, please know that you absolutely have to get the main dish right. Fresh fish and tender, juicy pork would have made this reviewer extremely happy. SERVICE We had a nice server - thank you Adan for your service, especially with the mole samples. OVERALL I liked this place, but I'm hoping they will see the helpful suggestions and work on the flaws. If they were addressed, we would happily return frequently.
(3)
Sandra G.

Nice Atmosphere, delicious drinks- I recommend La Pocion and La Reina (if you are in the mood for something fruity/tropical). I had shrimp enchiladas with green mole sauce, they were yummy. I like the large selection, I will comeback to try something else. Service was good, overall a pleasant experience .
(4)
Robert S.

Love the tacos and the fresh guacamole. Very unique Mexican food. Will definitely revisit.
(5)
Cindy E.

I went to MAGO for the first time last week with my boyfriend and cousin for dinner. I had been wanting to visit for a long time and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. They have a great menu complete with all the specialties you'd expected at a cantina style restaurant, and they offer a few unexpected ways to spice up your meal. They will cater to gluten friendly folks, by offering corn tortillas and the vegitarians in your life have a lot of options available to them as well. We all stuck with non alcoholic drinks for the evening, but I'll be sure to update about the cocktail situation with my next review! We had guacamole as an appetizer and it was great! It's made table side by a lovely woman and you can add about 8 or 10 different things into it. But remember the little orange peppers are habaneros! Muy Caliente! We skipped those though! It was wonderful with lime and cilantro garlic and jalapenos, but have someone with muscles lift the dish! My cousin and I both got tacos, we tried the shrimp and the poblano, they were excellent! My boyfriend got chicken enchiladas, that were also amazing! I loved that when you decide to get tacos (3 for 10) you can mix and match which ones you want from a list of about 8 options. Portions are good, but know that rice and beans are extra. We didn't try desserts, but I'll see about giving those a whirl during my next visit also. One disclaimer, everything we tried has a good amount of spice, so keep that in mind. I am a big fan of spice, so that was fine with me. Overall the food, service and decor were all factors that would make me want to come back. It's a great place for date night, a night out with the girls, or even a business dinner. Definitely try MAGO if you're looking for an original cantina style restaurant!
(4)
Swati B.

um. YUM. Never have I been a fan of mole sauce...until I came here. Such a variety of Mole...and they will actually let you sample them. Ranchero was my favorite but that coconut Mole was pretty damn outstanding. Great list of cocktails..margarita was pretty great.. I decided to have the burrito bowl to be healthy and asked to add the mole sauce to it. holy crap not what i was expecting..it was 10x better...ok prob not the healthiest but my goodness the flavor was amazing everyone at my table truly enjoyed their meals as well big fan of this place...
(5)
Kathleen K.

The table made guacamole was average but they have a lot of ingredients you can add. My husband is a picky eater so I won't hold that against them. It would have been better spicier. I had one of the specials, Camarones Manchamanteles, which was shrimp in the special mole sauce of the day. It was served with coconut rice. A few plantains on the side would have been a nice touch. It was good and the medley of flavors in the mole were a compliment to the sweet rice. The enchiladas were good too and they did accomodate my brother's special request. This is not a restaurant for a quick meal. Pacing is slower but all of the food arrived very hot. When I made the reservation on Open Table, it took a while to confirm. By that time we were already on our way to the restaurant. There was no indication that the meal didn't qualify for points until after I returned home and saw their late e-mail. They should specify up front what days / hours do not qualify. We visited on a Sunday evening at 6pm.
(3)
Russ D.

Excellent Food!!! From the fresh made guacamole to the Ceviches to their "Magical Moles"... Very well done!!
(4)
Davey D.

Great food, mole is one of my favorite foods on this earth (they have a variety). Their burritos are massive and delicious. Great service, nice and intimate atmosphere right in the heart of downtown arlington heights. Granite mortar bowl in the middle of the table is a nice touch, especially since they have a dedicated guacamole person rolling around serving people. I had the peanuty mole with mahi mahi most recently, was excellent. Very impressed overall!
(4)
Lola K P.

Cheerfully painted, updated standard Mexican restaurant with an updated menu. Picked it because it had vegetarian options. We came on a weeknight, and it was 2/3rds full with low noise level. The tortilla chips come with three salsas, which is cool. I got the arrachera with mole coco. I was surprised to see it completely drowned in sauce. Seriously. Look at the picture. Didn't matter, it was delicious, if a tad too sweet for my taste, plus the steak was very good, cooked just right. Liz really enjoyed her 3 taco vegetarian selection. Service was friendly and prompt.
(4)
Jim O.

Ok, I live in Arlington Heights and have been here 3 times now, with similar results every time. I love mexican food and always go here hoping it will be great, since it's such a hotspot in the area. If i rated Mago on just the food, I would give it 4 stars. The empanadas and guacamole are exceptional. But here are the problems i've had with the place: 1. The waitstaff. Every time i've been there my waiter or waitress has been less than great. They are either socially awkward, not very informative, or like last time just disappear for 15 minutes at a time. 2. Bartender. On busy nights they should probably have 2. Since they make you tab out before sitting at you table, I spent 15 minutes just trying to pay my tab. 3. Pricey drinks. I'm a bartender, so when i watched the guy make my 8 dollar, small margarita, he poured 95% full of a mix, then poured I would guess was a half ounce to an ounce on top, i was less than impressed. 4. The Hostess. The second time I was here, I came with a group of 4 and they said there was a 45 minute wait. After an hour, I went up to check on the time and they said "soon". after an hour and a half I went up there they said they skipped me by accident, and said it would still be "soon". I then received a dirty look for saying it was a little ridiculous. So, maybe it's just my experience, I WANT to like this place, but constantly I am disappointed.
(2)
shi d.

Hmmmm surprised this place got 4 stars. It's not bad, but it's definitely not great. We arrived a few minutes early and were greeted by a very friendly staff. We waited in the bar area and were immediately served 3salsas and chips. The salsas were mediocre at best. Nothing exciting. The chips were meh. We ordered the shrimp fajitas, which were very good. The rice and black beans were pretty good. The fish tacos were BAD. VERY BAD! The not fresh fish was covered in a super mayo, soggy slaw. YUCK! The waiter did not write down our order and our plantains never came. Would I go again? Probably not.
(2)
Candice G.

After hearing nothing but rave reviews for both Mago's Arlington Heights and Bolingbrook locations I decided it was time to do my best Speedy Gonzales and head over to MG&C stat! Our evening started off well enough with the friendly and very pleasant host seating us at a table and giving us Mago virgins a little instruction on some of the specials they had for the evening (Monday is $5 plain margarita night) and giving us the complimentary chips and salsa trio that every table receives and we tacked on an app order of the guacamole made table side. Up until that point, everything had been delicious... but things slowly went downhill. There were 4 other tables in the restaurant on the Monday we dined and our food (consisting of 3 vegetarian tacos with beans and rice on the side and 2 vegetarian tamales) took over an hour and a half. I decided to order the Mezcal drink with cilantro, cucumber, and lime... and LOTS of liquid smoke, apparently. Personally, I would have rather been able to taste the ingredients... especially for an $8 mostly ice and lime chunk cocktail. During our nearly 2 hour Monday evening dining experience our tortilla chip basket was refilled many a time by the uber attentive tortilla chip delivery man. Our server, on the other hand, was not so attentive. I think he took our order and brought our bill, but beyond that, it was all on the chip man. When our food did arrive it certainly could have been warmer and though the mushroom and poblano tacos (poblano tacos were better) were very good, the rice and beans were pretty terrible. Cold. Flavorless. And the rice was dry to the point of tasting gritty. I should also mention that the 3 tacos alone are $10 and it's an extra $2.50 to add the terrible and not very generous portion of rice and beans (that we ended up each splitting a single bite of and leaving). Our other dish was an order of the vegetarian butternut squash and plantain stuffed black bean tamales with mole xico. The mole was excellent but the tamales, again, were neither warm nor tasty and also incredibly dry and gritty. Luckily, they do give a very generous pouring of mole to help moisten things up a bit. Of the 2 tamales on the plate, my date and I only partially ate one. I had exactly 2 bites and that was more than enough. I was hoping for a veritable symphony of flavors but what I got was one indistinguishable and disagreeable taste in my mouth. I'm going with a 3 star rating on this one because I'll assume that even though they have several vegetarian options on the menu, that going veg is not their specialty since it appears that all the other more meaty reviews appear to have had a much different experience. I would maybe go back for the salsa and guac if I were early to a show at Metropolis, but that's probably it. One failed foodie date night is plenty for this lady.
(3)
Karen T.

Mago was awesome. We had the guacamole made table side delicious, my peach sangria was refreshing. We each had fajitas shrimp and steak both were very good. We had a reservation and were seated at that time. Service was "ok" I did have to keep asking for another beverage. The only negative is that it was very loud in the restaurant. I would definitely go back there, food was awesome.
(4)
Hanna W.

The food was great, but I will not be returning due to the slothlike service. We ordered drinks and food right away. After about 15 minutes (pretty patient if you ask me) we asked if our drinks were on the way and the server said just a couple minutes because he had to make it. The drinks ended up coming two minutes before the food which is about 20 minutes into our visit. I had ordered sides with my tacos and the server didnt bring any of them until I reasked. The above are only a couple examples of the service. We had initally thought he was the only server on shift so we gave him slack,but when it became apparent there were two others all sympayhy went out the door.
(2)
John G.

This is quite possibly the best all - around dining experiences out there. The wait staff are courteous and have an excellent knowledge of the menu. The manager is outgoing and friendly. He seemed to have a genuine concern for the individual dining experience. The food is on level all by itself. It is by far the best Mexican/South American in the suburbs. It's quite possibly the best in the whole Chicago land area. From their amazing guacamole appetizer, to their tres leches dessert, you will not find it done better than at Mago.
(5)
David K.

Best gluten free restaurant hands down in the suburbs. The gf menu is extensive and easy to read, staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Food is tasty, flavorful and well cooked. The drink menu offers very unique options and extremely consistent. The peanut salsa is one of my favorites. This restaurant prepares grilled red snapper so well, that you apparently don't need to even like snapper in the first place.
(5)
Christina S.

Weeeell, color me surprised that our 11:30 Saturday lunch reservation was totally unnecessary because we arrived to an empty dining room. And upon check-in, I overheard that night's dinner was fully booked, so I'd highly recommend reservations, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays. It should also be noted that Mago is inside the Metropolis Performing Arts Center, so I'll bet it gets pretty crazy on show nights. Needless to say, we were seated in this cute and colorful dining room right away, and our drink orders taken promptly, and specials described shortly after that. The pomegranate sangria was perfection! Highly recommend. And Jenna C. seemed to dig her hibiscus tea (or was it water). I remember thinking the prices in the menu were more expensive than I remember when perusing the online menu. I chose lunch because it was a little less expensive. We opted to forego any appetizers (and also received complimentary tortilla soup), and went straight for the entrees which were delicious by all accounts. While we all agreed it was a little pricey for lunch (my Brazilian skirt steak- which was sooo good- with 3 large onion rings and tortilla "cup" of refried black beans was $18), we also agreed that the quality, technique and taste of entrees made it worth it. It would have been nice if the taco trio my friend ordered for $12 came with beans and/or rice to validate the cost. That was a little disappointing. I'd like to see more bang for the bucks we were spending but that is my only complaint as it was a delicious meal. We would definitely go again! However, this time I would make sure we were being charged appropriately. Turns out my instincts were right- they had (mistakenly, I assume) showed and charged us using the dinner menu. ;)
(4)
Tamaron C.

Went to Mago for our anniversary and I made it extremely clear, I even had them repeat it back when I called and made the reservation, that it was our anniversary. So when we arrived I expected to feel special but, no dice... They either totally forgot or they just don't do anything special for anniversaries. So that was a bit of a bummer. But the food and margaritas made up for the let down of the forgotten anniversary! The table side Guacamole was awesome and the chile Relleno I ordered was fantastic! The margaritas we got were really quite tasty. Better come hungry, because the portion size is huge. I couldn't finish it all, a rarity for me... It was a great meal in spite of the anniversary Gaffe. I would happily go back to Mago and would highly recommend it.
(4)
Dawn W.

What a meal! We each ordered something different and we each were trying to convince the other that ours was the best. We also did the guacamole which was fabulous. Dine outdoors if you can snag a table. Great service, well staffed we never waited or wanted for something more than a few seconds.
(5)
Dana F.

I was born and raised in California so I am accustomed to great Mexican food. Since moving here 15 years ago, I had yet to find an amazing authentic Mexican restaurant...Until now! Mago Grill is FANTASTIC!! I have been to the Arlington Heights and South Barrington locations many times and have never been disappointed! The 3 salsas they give you complimentary are all wonderful. There is a spicy peanut salsa, a green tomatillo salsa and a roasted red salsa. Believe me when I say you can share a meal with someone because the chips and salsa definitely fill you up! The guacamole they make table side is SO fresh and delicious...Some of the best I've ever had! And the drinks...Wow the drinks are really good and there are many different margaritas to chose from. I always get the "La Reina" which is Pineapple infused tequila and rum...I get it every time! Mago doesn't disappoint and we go once every month or so...We have yet to be disappointed!
(5)
Maggie M.

Went here with my brother, and we both ate well. It was lunchtime, on a weekday. When we arrived there wasn't anyone at the front to seat us, it took a few minutes for someone to notice us and bring us to a table. I think they were a bit understaffed, the servers were all busy. However, they were all friendly and prompt despite the extra workload. I don't eat pork, beef or chicken and the menu was very accommodating with many options that were seafood only or vegetarian. The appetizer we ordered, the shrimp ceviche trio, was delicious. They had some fantastic salsas that they served our food with. I didn't realize the soup that came with my meal had chicken in it, it's name didn't indicate (I think they just said it was tortilla soup) but really it was more a broth with big chunks of chicken. I don't eat chicken so my brother had both our soups, he said they were delicious. The meal was fantastic. I had some special requests about my meal and they accommodated me nicely. The seafood I ordered was very fresh and tasty. I would like to see low calorie/ healthy options appear on the menu sometime, everything seemed to come covered in cheese, or wrapped in something carb heavy. We sat outside on the patio, it was a gorgeous June day and it was a great dining experience overall.
(4)
Sanya H.

Best place dt arlington heights! Prices are reasonable and food is excellent. Great friendly atmosphere! Everything on the menu is delicious!
(5)
Scott B.

If you are going to Mago, be prepared to possibly wait past your reservation time. If your are one of those with no patience, this place is NOT for you. But, for those that can chill with a drink a some socialization with your party and/or other patrons waiting, this place IS worth the wait. The drinks were very good, the Chips and 3 different Salsa's they bring to the table were excellent. The Guacamole made to order by or near your table, depending how busy it is, was the BEST we have had out of many places that make it fresh. The Red Snapper Tacos (Huachinango) were incredible, though next time I would skip the sour cream that comes on it, as it masks the awesome flavor of the Lime Aioli. My date had the Steak Tacos and they were tender and delicious. Had we had room for dessert, we would have gone with the Mango Cheesecake. The Bartender's and Staff were extremely awesome, friendly and patient considering how busy the place was. One word of note, MAKE A RESERVATION. Doing so ensures that you will be seated before any walk-in's, even if you have to wait a few minutes past your reservation time. Walk-in's unfortunately MUST wait for reservations to clear before they are seated, so if you walk in be prepared to wait from 1 to 3 hours depending on how busy it is.
(5)
Kristen F.

Definetly a place I will go back to. I don't hand out 5 stars lightly but our dinner here hit all the notes and I can't think of anything I didn't like or wasn't impressed with to some extent. My friend and I came here on Wednesday when we were just cruising around trying to figure out what we wanted and this place caught our attention so we decided why not, afterall we both enjoy Mexican/Latin food. It is a little on the pricier end but if your in the mood for a step up from the typical fast food Mexican and would like something a little different that you wouldn't normally expect, this should serve that purpose. I really enjoyed the tableside guac, a definet improvement from the guac we got at Adobe Gilas in Rosemont. the salsa trio was unique and pleasing as well. The soup was the only thing that was kind of average for me but thats not to say it was bad, just kind of meh after everything else I've eaten. I got the Carne Asada and my friend had the fajitas. My carne was perfectly cooked, super tasty, and in my belly faster than you can say, "Get in......." It also came with a side of mashed potatoes that was topped with a super flavorful sauce that I whole heartily loved and I'm one of "those people" who says they dont' like mashed potatoes. Now I just got to get the bf here.
(5)
michael r.

Not a lot of good mexican food in the suburbs in my opinion. Mago Grill stands out for us. I had a trio of tacos...steak, chicken, pastor...all were excellent. The tableside guacamole while pretty standard these days is always nice since you can have it the way you like it. I had a great Pisco Sour and the Margaritas were not overly sweet like many places. the Salsa was great too. my only dislike was the chips. It may be a personal preference but I enjoy the thin, freshly fried restaurant-style chips to these that seemed to be like something you would find in the chip aisle at the grocery store. Our new go-to mexican in the suburbs for sure though.
(4)
Chris J.

This is my favorite place for Mexican food, by far. The food is very high end, and I have never been disappointed with my meal. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Paula D.

This place.... I don't even know where to start. First of all, this review is over a year delayed. But it's okay because my boyfriend and I have been coming here at least once a week since we started. Mago's is hands down the best restaurant in all of Arlington Heights. It is a little hidden when it comes to the location, but once you're sat at your table, served the not one.. but THREE different salsa and guac you forget where you are. Did I mention they're unlimited?! Yeah, other places will charge you after your first bowl : ( Every time we go, whether it's a large party or just two people, everyone is always nice. Besides the atmosphere the food is to die for!!! AMAZE-BALLS! haha If you don't eat meat, definitely try their grilled salmon with the coconut mole! My personal favorite dish on the menu is their Chicken & Steak Mixed Fajitas, but you HAVE to get them Mago style. It gives it a little twist on the traditional (boring haha) fajitas like other places... They may not have a traditional happy hour but they do have $5 house margaritas on Mondays & Tuesdays. Best reason to look forward to a Monday, let me tell ya!
(5)
Meghan C.

I loved everything about my experience here! My friend and I came here on a whim. We were in the mood to find something we both had never tried before and found it on Yelp - and now here I am yelping about it. We came here on a Thursday night, so it wasn't too busy and we were seated right away. We were immediately greeted with a bowl of chips upon sitting down. These chips were accompanied by three different kinds of salsa. The Green One is my favorite! Lime and Cilantro with a kick! The Red One is a bit spicier, but smokey and also really good. My friend and I shared a Raspberry frozen margarita, which was delightfully scrumptious. I ordered Beef Fajitas, "Mago Style." Which came with black beans, rice, sour cream & Guac. The fajitas came out in this really cool volcanic rock textured bowl that sizzled and popped and had all of the fixins laying over the edge. The meat, green peppers, onions and cheese were all amazing! These were the best fajitas I have ever had! My friend ordered a giant burrito that he said was pretty darn good. I was surprised he was able to finish the whole thing! We shared a chocolate Flan for dessert that was on their specialty menu. IT WAS DELICIOUS! I will be back for some custom made-at-the-table guacamole next time!
(5)
Kelly B.

Good food and service. Creative tacos.
(4)
Donna R.

Probably one of the most expensive Mexican restaurants I have been to, but it was completely worth it. Free chips and three kinds of delicious salsa are given to you right away. You also get a free bowl of soup before your meal as well. So, although it is expensive, you already have two free items per person, can't beat that. I ordered the Pork Tacos and omg they were fantastic! Lots of flavor and lots of meat!! My fiance got a burrito and it was huge and fresh--nothing overly greasy or too heavy. You could literally taste each ingredient and nothing was muddled like most burritos I have had. We both ordered drinks, he got a margarita and I had Sangria--both had plenty of alcohol and it was made fresh, nothing coming out of a machine! I really look forward to coming here again for a fun night out!
(4)
Cristina W.

Living in downtown Arlington Heights, you have a lot of options for food. That being said, MAGO was by far my favorite venue to go to in the area. This place is a true GEM in the middle of the suburbs! The food is simply outstanding. The dishes are full of flavor and spices. If you go for lunch, try their Jibarito torta - such a treat and not offered at dinner! Their tacos are amazing - my fave trio was Carne Asada (for steak lovers, complete with chihuahua cheese), Hongos (for veggie lovers), and my fave Cochinita Pibil (serious flavor overload!!). Cannot go wrong with the chicken tamales either. Dining here is an experience- you start off the meal with chips and a trio of salsas (the middle one has peanuts!) and a complimentary bowl of delicious chicken tortilla soup. Please do not disregard the drink menu either! Though all the featured drinks (margaritas and sangrias) are delicious, make sure to inquire about "Eddie's special". Each week, this mixologist creates some special concoction for all you drink explorers out there. Final note on the drinks- this is one of the few restaurants that I knew of that had good cachaca - perfect for caipirinhas! The service at MAGO is fabulous- the wait staff is attentive and knowledgeable, not to mention friendly! They hardly ever forget a face and treat you like family. Last but not least, be sure to stop by Thursday night because they host a SALSA dancing night with Dora Baroti and Studio ViVa! The kitchen is open till late and soulful music fills the restaurant. Class starts at 8:30pm and open social dancing afterwards! This was my favorite venue (in case you can't tell) and having recently moved out of state, it's a place I miss dearly! GO CHECK IT OUT- you won't regret it!!!
(5)
Jeka M.

Ditto as before-- range of flavor and service were both impressive! Still a bit pricey, and the flavors (while various) could pop more. :) Def recommend for a fun night out with friends or a fun date night! Great atmosphere, very happy and warm.
(4)
Celia S.

Saturday, 4pm, we beat the crowd. The chips and 3 different salsas were delicious. We also had the shrimp empanadas, also tasty. I ordered the steak fajitas and my husband ordered the Carne Asada Tampiquena. Our main entrÃ©es took awhile but we did get some chicken tortilla soup with our entrÃ©es, so no big deal. I have to say the entrÃ©es were okay. Edible. I've had better. The steak was chewy, the fajitas had no flavor. The beans were really good but the rice was typical mexican rice. I think I'll stick to the fajitas at Javier's (the other Mexican restaurant in Arlington Heights on the other side of the tracks) they use a great marinade for their steak fajitas. My husband didn't really like his entrÃ©e either. We passed on the dessert and asked for the check. Forty five minutes later we finally got the check. We sat there waiting with nothing to drink for 45 minutes! The waiter said they were having a problem with the computer system and they were trying to get the check to print. That's fine, BUT you don't let your customers sit there for 45 minutes with nothing! You offer them a free cocktail or a free dessert or more water at the very least! The manager passed our table probably half a dozen times and never bothered to stop. I was sitting there for 45 minutes with my coat on, my purse on the table and my leftovers in a bag. Good Lord, get a clue! Yes we could have asked for more water and complained to the manager but being in the restaurant business ourselves, we wanted to see how they took care of the situation. This was bad service, not coming back! At least we did get a text book "sorry for the inconvenience" from our waiter.
(1)
Stephanie R.

The food is always good here. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I think it's a bit pricey. I reccomend going at lunch and using a groupon. Same great food at half the price.
(4)
D S.

Love taking the 5 of us here for dinner....good guacamole..awesome food...great service...a delightful pleasure to have in town! Keep up the good consistent work!
(4)
Sarah M.

Went here for the first time last weekend after looking at all the great reviews and wondering why I hadn't been here sooner. I made a reservation and got there a bit early and we were seated right away. I will say it is nice to have a mix of salsas to try rather than the regular old stuff. I got a side order of the guac and it was delicious. I also ordered the taco trio - I had shrimp, chorizo and steak - the tacos were okay - I mean they were good, but maybe not as good as I expected. The service was fine - not really memorable in any way, but overall this is a good spot with good service and I would return to try something else.
(3)
Ted P.

Mago has consistently been a real stand-out in Arlington Heights. Their house-made salsas start things really well. Seriously - I've never gone out of my way to note a place's salsa before; Mago is special. Moving on, their moles are really good (try them all) - some of the best I've had in Illinois (short of some of Rick Bayless' and a handful of random Mexican joints in the city). Beyond all that, service has been consistently nice and timely, so there's a lot to like.
(5)
Elle M.

The man and I came here mainly because we had a groupon, but as usual, we added on more than the groupon was even worth. First off, I must compliment Mago on their margaritas. Seriously delicious margaritas, my friends. There's something about a margarita that makes me want... another margarita. Yeah. Anyway, have one. The chips come with a trio of salsas. I could've done with just the verde. This is going to sound cliche, but it transported me to Mexico (I've been there, so I can say that). The freshness of the salsa and the brightness of the cilantro are absolutely gorgeous. And it goes really well with a margarita. Guacamole: fine. Nothing super awesome outstanding, but tasty. We did the ceviche tasting, which was also good. The shrimp was nice and spicy (and I ate it, despite the presence of green olives rubbing up against the adorable little shrimps) and the tuna was really fresh and went well with the mango or whatever they had there. We also did the queso with chorizo. I particularly like that it comes with warm little tortillas for you to wrap that stringy, delicious mess in. For my entree I had the brisket with plantains and black beans. Awe-some. The sauce is so nice. And the plantains are these perfect sweet little bites to offset the spice of the sauce. So good. The man had the skirt steak, which was seriously fantastic. And the poblano mashed potatoes that come with it are absolutely sinful. I'm pretty sure the first two ingredients are poblano and butter and THEN potatoes. Not a bad thing. We had a lot of food (I took home a doggy bag. A DOGGY BAG!!) so we didn't have dessert. I lovingly donated my leftover food to my father the next day and he liked my meal as much as I did. You should probably go here. If nothing else for a margarita. Did I mention the margaritas?
(4)
Aesha W.

I thought this place was really good. It's a bit higher priced, certainly, but I also think I brought half my fajitas home and I was full when I left. The salsas brought out were really interesting. I'm not a fan of the thai-inspired one, but the green salsa and smoky one were delicious. I thought the margaritas were excellent, too. I ordered chicken fajitas, and they were really, really good. I didn't used to think I liked guacamole, and theirs was really good. The portion, as I mentioned before, was HUGE; as I was packing it up to go I couldn't believe how much I had left. So while it was higher priced than some place like On The Border, I have two dinners and all of it was fresh and delicious. Oh - they also brought out tortilla soup, which I guess must come with everything, and it was so incredibly good. Nice and chunky with lots of vegetables.... mmm. The dessert we had was fantastic. Chocolate bread pudding with caramelized bananas. I think it was a good thing you have to wait 20 minutes for the chocolate molten cake because otherwise we would not have tasted this. It came out nice and warm, and just the right consistency. I don't often find myself as far north as Arlington Heights, but now I'm kinda hoping I do more often.
(5)
Erica P.

My favorite mexican restaurant in the area! Best margs, best salsa, best tacos! Very cute place and the service is always great. I'm a regular here!
(5)
Taylor M.

I don't understand what all the hype about this place is. I think people like it simply because it is BYOB. However, this aspect results in diners lingering long after they have paid their bills. The food was sub par and overpriced and the service was disappointing. The restaurant was extremely loud, I could not hear what the people sitting next to me where saying. Also, the restaurant does not have its own bathroom, you have to use the Metropolis' bathroom which is a bit inconvenient. I went here with a large group of 11 people. Our reservation was at 8 o'clock and we arrive a couple minutes early. We were told our table was going to be ready in 15 minutes... no big deal. The 15 minutes turned into almost an hour. We were seated a little after 8:45pm I understand that people loiter because it is BYOB, but being almost an hour late with a reservation is not how you run a business. Especially when there is no bar to hang out. The chef told us he would give us complimentary appetizers for the wait which was nice. Our appetizers was a small portion of somewhat tasteless guacamole and soup. Apparently they always serve soup with the meal, so I don't know why they said it was for the wait.... The soup and salsa was pretty good, but they did not give us very much salsa considering the size of our party and never brought a refill. The people sitting around me expressed disappointment in their food frustration with the service. Once we ordered it took almost another hour to get the food. My $16 chicken was overcooked and dry and came with some bland rice. I didn't finish it and did not want to bring home leftovers... I actually decided to eat something when I got home. The $12 burritos come with no sides--- neither rice nor beans even. Overall, I wouldn't waste my time and money at Mago Grill in the future.
(2)

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Address : Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Building,115 W Campbell St
Arlington Heights, IL, 60005
Phone (847) 253-2222
Website https://www.magogrill.com/arlingtonheights/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

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Mago Grill & Cantina

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Building,115 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005

Mago Grill & Cantina Menu

Appetizers

Salads

Tacos

Sides

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mago Grill & Cantina

Appetizers

Salads

Tacos

Sides

Dessert

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