Oh-kay, here I go again. You may think I'm umm Picky.. well, I am! So today we decided to get some good Mexican food to celebrate my partner's return (escape) from the hospital and of course I looked here. [sidebar: you think GRO might have once been 'grocery'??] First thing I noticed.. a not-pleasing smell pervaded the entire restaurant. I'm very familiar with cooking, grease and other smells (Mom was a waitress..) and this was very off-putting; haven't figured out if it's mothballs or something else you shouldn't smell in any restaurant. It looks cozy, about ten fair-sized tables, salsa (a bit too loud). Had ordered thru GrubHub (wonder if they ever read Yelp reviews..), traffic was not toooo bad; Peter K's 'free parking' must be in the rear, somewhere. No hanging sign, if you blink you'll miss it. Here's the blow-by-blow: Nachos. Or I should properly say "nachos". $7!!! for six or seven tiny pieces of whatever kind of bread base they use, a teensy bit of melted cheese... OK, so, like WHERE'S THE BEEF? And everything else that I've grown to know and love about nachos? These are a must-miss. Enchilada dinner (carne asada, mole sauce). Urp. Corn tortillas: tough. Carne: beefsteak of some kind, non-marinated. Chewy, tough, couple inedible pieces. Mole: now.. I was raised on the South East Side, a melting-pot of cultures. Matter of fact, all my best grammar & highschool buds weren't wedos (white people), their moms could COOK. Cuetzala's mole was.. well, it tasted burnt, tangy, spicy. That's not what Rosendo's mom's mole was like at all, that was sweet and little tangy, just. Great arroz con pollo y mole. Man. Quite anemic looking 'spanish? rice' and frijoles; not much of a taste treat there. Some kind of attempt at a salad or veggie toppings and a chunk of aguacate (avocado). That was the best part... (Chicken) Taco Dinner.. Fair tacos but they put sauce on that I dint ask for. The rest was a carbon-copy of the enchilada dinner. One carne asada (steak) taco on the side. Same quality as the enchilada. Guacamole: not bad, but too spicy for my partner. Chips? Thin, light, crunchy. Flan (doubt if it's homemade): dint get to try it, my partner Really likes Flan... All this.. for ONLY $37. Wow. Hmm. Revising my rating to One star only, down from two. Go with the guac, but be aware that Jewel has a decent guac as well. Net: -way- overpriced, so-so Mexican food. There's another place further up Clark I've been to, hope they're still they're. THEY were fantastic, I just can't remember the name... I think there's a clear divide between those of us familiar with real Mexican food and (pardon me) young urban professionals who ain't. I think their palates need a considerable amount of further training... But don't take my word for it. Go. Order. Eat. And post, please. Bon appetito.
(1)
Persio N.
I have walked past this place many times on my way to other Mexican restaurants and once I finally stopped in I regretted going past it. The decor is very nice and has a home feeling to it. The food was great. My family and I had tacos and gorditas. They have a great kids meal that is actually big enough for an adult. The food is very fresh and the staff is super personable. We definitely will not skip this place ever again!
(5)
Andrew H.
Went tonight with the folks, brother niece and her boyfriend. Still the best. Great food, great wait staff. They now have a sign on the back door so you can park in the lot for free and walk in.
(5)
Angelo L.
The carne asada and the horchata were amazing. The tamales nejo tasted like rice cakes and had a strange spicy sauce. I didn't enjoy it much. The guacamole was fresh. Chile relleno was quite good as well. Overall, the carne asada makes this a must try. The enchilada was not great, but the lengua was phenomenal.
(5)
Philip R.
Better than I expected! This place is definitely a notch out 2 above other Mexican Restaurants in the area (and they are many!). I am convinced there is no microwave oven in their kitchen, as my enchilada entree took about 20 minutes to get to my table and it was worth the wait. Also worth mentioning, is the laid back atmosphere and pleasant, low volume music in the background. The price was slightly higher than others in the area, dinner for 2 was just under $30, but I believe it was worth it.
(5)
Billy C.
The food was good. Customer service was good as well. Price may be slightly higher than your typical mexican joint, but quality was worth it. The only thing I did not like was a bit of sales pressure to buy a drink from the waitress. She was very nice about it but that was the feeling I got. Not sure if I misread but nonetheless, will return.
(4)
Joe R.
This is the best Mexican restaurant in Rogers Park. Its a bit pricy, but people will pay more for food that is better than most. if a restaurant puts in the effort, ill reward it buy paying more. the people are nice, but the delivery driver is a bit unfriendly and kinda weird.
(5)
Morris L.
I like their food and have been pleased with their delivery service -- until today. I called the restaurant one half hour after the estimated delivery time and was told the driver got lost -- even though their drivers had found my home four times before. I was not offered a discount for the late delivery, which finally showed up 45 minutes after the promised time. I won't order from them again.
(2)
Jordan B.
Love this place. My wife & I go here once a week for our Mexican fix. Best Mexican food without going to Pilsen. Food quality is fantastic & it's very modestly priced. I always get chicken enchiladas in green salsa but everything is really great. The wait staff is friendly & service is fast
(5)
Daisy M.
I will be a returning customer...... The food was amazing! !
(5)
Letty S.
Ordered delivery twice , food is okay , ordered some nachos last time and I was disappointed, box came with 6 nachos with melted cheese on top with some meat and was on bed of lettuce with side of guac, not mexican nachos in my book... I dont think I will order again , better choices elsewhere
(3)
Nick D.
Always friendly and delicious. Burritos are huge!! Tacos are good. The pastor was seasoned well, the chicken was rather bland.
(4)
Jennie T.
The caldo de siete mares is delicious! The boyfriend and I also ordered the al pastor burrito and the milanesa torta. Both were okay. I liked the soup more. Disclaimer: I always prefer soupy things... and I love, love, love almost every seafood dish. The burrito was good. I thought the torta was too dry, but that's been my experience with almost everything with the milanesa... I may just not be that fond of it. Go get the seafood soup.
(4)
Eli C.
Best damm Mexican joint around. For example, if you order steak tacos, you actually get slices of skirt steak, not hamburger!!! The most friendly waitress they have is Denisa! She does a great job. Saul and Maria the owners have a real gem!!! Go and try it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Kendall L.
I finally forced myself to sign up for Yelp to review Cuetzala. We frequent this place for breakfast on Saturdays, and it's usually pleasantly empty. I haven't had a less-than-delicious dish yet. Their pico de gallo is the best I've ever had. Staff are lovely and bring us the occasional complimentary avocado and extra limes, and their cinnamon coffee is outstandingly delicious. One added delight: women's restroom (which is spotless, by the bye) looks like an eight-year-old girl's dreamscape exploded gloriously all over the walls. Hot pink paint with sponged-on stars and a framed Pegasus in the corner? I am sold.
(5)
Dave H.
Salsa - amazing. Carne asada burrito - great. Guacamole - meh. Carne asada enchiladas - avoid like the plague. The enchiladas taste like burnt nasty. The sauce they use is easily the worst I've ever tasted. I lived in San Diego for 5 1/2 years, I know good Mexican food. You're better off buying Mission tortillas and a can of enchilada sauce at Jewel. Thank God I ordered the burrito too, planning on leftovers. The enchiladas went straight in the trash.
(2)
Siobhan M. M.
This is one of our favorite neighborhood go-to's! Super kid-friendly, free parking in back. The things I most highly recommend are: 1)TACOS VEGETARIANOS - they're like none I've found anywhere -poblano and yellow peppers, onion and mushroom, all *roasted* (!) and topped with a giant slice of avocado - no skimping here! 2)tacos de asada - juicy, delicious strips of steak. I recommend topping with cilantro and onion and the salsa verde 3)caldo de pollo - although I find it inconvenient that it is served (traditionally) with big hunks of vegetables and a full piece of chicken, once all cut up, it is *delicious*! 4)mini-taquitos de pollo for our kids - comes with two fried chicken and cheese taquitos and french fries (which we always replace with rice and beans because our kids gobble them up!) A lovely RP family runs this establishment and we feel good supporting their business!
(5)
Katharine T.
Lets update this review shall we? This taqueria remains THE BEST on Clark. The Best. A new favorite dish is the Lengua in Salsa Verde or Roja. I prefer the roja though. Served with plenty of tortillas, lime and avocado on the side. Best plate of food ever - you can eat yourself sick and silly and it's totally fantastic. Their salsa is always, always good, especially the verde. They also give you tons of extra lime and avocado with your meal (at least they do for the boyfriend and I, if they don't bring it to you, just ask, they will gladly fill your table with whatever you like and probably wont even charge you extra). I've never had anything bad here. Perfect tacos, sopes, nachos, enchiladas, mole, mouth-watering-life-changing skirt steak, chilaquiles to cure any ailment, their flautas are always a safe and delicious choice. The real problem is deciding WHAT to get. I highly recommend getting lengua or cabasa as your meat, especially the lengua, it is too good for words. The staff is also crazy nice, sweet, adorable, perfect. I love them. I tip big and eat well at Cuetzala.
(5)
Katrina R.
3.5 stars, really. I really wanted to love this place. But, everything just seemed good. I was hungry, this place had free delivery via Grubhub and decent enough reviews on Yelp. I pulled the trigger and ordered their Steak Torta, some guac, and a Horchata. Delivery was fast, but the guy who delivered pretended like he didn't know how to work the buzzer so he wouldn't have to figure out how to get to my apartment. It was rainy. I was sitting around in pajamas. I ordered in so I wouldn't have to brave the cold. I pre-tipped 20%. But, the guy refused to work the buzzer (which EVERY OTHER delivery guy has managed to make work), so I had to come outside, hair-a-greasy, PJs a flowing, into the rain to grab my food. Then I attempted to demonstrate how the buzzer worked. I think it was pretty clear that he understood how the buzzer work but just didn't feel like using it. Whatever. Next time they can work the buzzer or refund me my food. Speaking of food, it was pretty good. The guac was fresh and good but not amazing (I would have liked a little more kick). The torta was good and the steak was tasty but, again, not amazing. And the horchata was sweet and cinnamon-y, but again, not amazing. Do you see a theme? So it would be 4 stars for the food, since it was pretty good and the service was fast-- but I docked a star because I have the easiest buzzer system ever and JB Albertos is always willing to bring my food to my door for me.
(3)
Erini S.
My el pastor taco was ok, not phenomenal... but I wonder if because I asked for no cilantro that there was something missing. It was just pork and red onions. A bit dry. The enchiladas were great! Completely forgot about the taco because of this! It was all amazing, until I found what I think was a piece of bone. It was grey and almost looked like a dog's toenail--but given that I'm not familiar with chicken bones, it could have been a part of the chicken. But it turned me off so badly that I couldn't finish the meal. The beans were runny and seemed more like white beans than traditional pinto--maybe they were pink pinto? They were ok. Same with the rice. It was good. Nothing to write home about, but still good. My favorite: the Horchata. Absolutely amazing. Really hitting the spot today. Cup leaked a little--I think just because they got jostled during transport. But easily remedied by putting into another glass. I'm not a horchata expert, but this was exactly what I was wanting and hoping for. I'd totally walk a half hour just fo
(3)
George E.
This the best little Mexican joint on North Clark. Small, simple, & homespun. Try the Lengua Platillo or awesome skirt steak. For CHEAP you can have a traditional tamal made from an ancient recipe of masa & ash wrapped in banana leaf & steamed. Get the dark mole to go with it. Enjoy with soccer in Spanish. Great evening!
(5)
Magen M.
I'm updating my review because i did return and the service was better. I didn't have to wait a long time for my food and it was again SO delicious. Great prices, too. I actually havent tried any other mexican food since moving from texas (we have the best mexican food there...) but i'm not sure i'll need to go anywhere else. these food is delicious!
(4)
A G.
This place features really good, authentic Mexican food! The service was friendly, and they start you off with unlimited chips and two types of salsa. Their serving sizes for the entrees were good- I had huevos con chilaquiles while my SO had chile relleno and vegetable tacos. Don't be turned off by the decor (in my experience sometimes the minimal decor indicates authenticity!) Tons of food only came to $20- the reasonable pricing is very hard to beat! I recommend this place for anyone looking for Mexican food in Evanston.
(4)
Stephanie W.
The chef is amazing. Delicious carne asada, and very creative ideas in terms of serving. It costs a bit more than other RP Mexican restaurants, but totally worth it. The food is always fresh and delicious.
(5)
Matt R.
Hipster mexican food. Everyone who ate here when we were there was notably indie. that's what sums this place up. Small, and easily missed, but the food is good. Had some awesome guacamole here, and it's typical mexican food: very basic, very simple, and pretty good.
(4)
Angela C.
I went with a group of 8 people to eat dinner here on a Friday night, and despite making up the majority of customers in this restaurant, service was spotty. One less star for that. Although the staff was friendly, I wish they were more conscientious about refilling our water and taking plates away from people who were done. However, the food was great! We had tacos, chile rellenos, chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, grilled shrimp, and flautas -- all very tasty. The complimentary chips and salsa at the start were also good.
(4)
Angela M.
Out of the dozens of Mexican joints on Clark, this one is by far the best. The food is always fresh, and I have yet to have a bad dish here. The costillas de res en salsa verde is my fave so far.
(5)
Ben S.
Great place! While the decor leaves something to be desired, the place definitely rocks. Unlimited tortilla chips with salsa, good appetizers, and good entrees. They definitely leave you full and satisfied. No alcohol is sold on the premises, but they do have a sign in the window that says "BYOB", so I presume that if you want to have alcoholic beverages, you are welcome to, but you must provide your own. In any case, I highly recommend this place if you're up in Rogers Park.
(4)
Todd A.
The food is fantastic! Nothing fancy but what they do they do it well. When we saw they were homemade tortilla's, that was a great sign it was going to be good. Plus, they were as nice as could be to us. A little hidden but well worth the find...
(5)
Vanessa R.
I love this place. I usually order from Grubhub and they are always fast and friendly. Great Nachos Supreme, great Lengua Chimichanga, excellent guac and Caldo de Siete Mares soup. Oh, and they sprinkle cinnamon on top of their chocolate shakes. Such a great touch!
(5)
Paul R.
So far this is some of the best Mexican food I've had in the city. I live just around the corner and Cuetzala has spoiled us for the many other Mexican restaurants on Clark St. What keeps us coming back is their mole' sauce. We just keep ordering the cheese enchiladas mole' and it never disappoints -- absolutely fantastic. My wife and I are vegetarian so we haven't tried to get around the menu too much because the mole' is so darned great. We've also been in for a tasty breakfast of chilaquiles and been quite satisfied. As other reviewers have noted their salsa and horchata are great as well, and the staff is very friendly. I can't recommend Cuetzala enough.
(4)
Karl M.
This is our first week in this neighborhood, having moved all the way from Devon and Sheridan to Chase and Sheridan. The wife and I decided to make a quick run to the Rogers Park Fruit Market to get Bloody Mary fixings for Sunday brunch and find a local taco joint for a quick bite. Cuetzala Gro was the closest place so we walked in blind (did I mention that we didn't realize that it is Cinco de Mayo?). The first sign that this would be a great meal was the three tables full of CPD. Truck drivers and cops know where to eat. The red salsa is my ideal. Nice flavor and a slow heat that makes your head sweat without punishing your tongue or destroying your palate for the rest of the meal. It was busy, and there was only one waitress, but she was working hard and was so pleasant that it wasn't a problem. I wound up forgoing my taco and thinking I would give this place my ultimate acid test (chile rellenos). However, for some strange reason I departed from my normal routine and went for the Shrimp Diablo. So glad I did. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and very fresh. The rice and the salad were great. I didn't sample the beans but I have heard they are good. The story is the sauce. Oh this glorious sauce. Complex and tasty. Spicy but not punishing. Five minutes into the meal I was sweating and loving it. All I can say is that we will be back. Soon and often. Clark street has the best Mexican food in the city and, based on this limited sample, Cuetzala Gro is among the best of the best.
(5)
Eddie B.
We went in and ate there last week. The waitress brought my girlfriend the wrong thing and the waitress told us we were wrong. Never a sorry of an offer to take it back. The food was great. Tonight we ordered delivery. It took to hours to 2 hours after 3 phone calls to find out where our food was. Once again, no accountability for making us wait that long. We asked for a reduction on the bill and we were offered free Flan. IF THEY MAKE A MISTAKE KNOW THAT IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT.
(1)
Sam L.
The mexican food here is authentic/amazing and priced very inexpensively. One time, we got 5 tacos and total with tip/tax was $12. I have been here numerous times and they have every type of taco filling you would want - normal protein like beef, chicken, carnitas to more specials proteins such as beef tongue/intestines. It's all good here. The chips and salsa are fresh and homemade.
(5)
Emily M.
Absolutely delicious! I haven't had anything less than spectacular from here, so I had to make this my first Yelp review. Everything is very FRESH and flavorful. My favorites: Guacamole, Pico De Gallo, Nachos, Chicken Enchiladas in Mole, Carne Asada, Al Pastor Tacos, Beans The mole sauce is great. It's not too sweet or spicy. The green/red salsas are also good. I'm impressed by the care they put into preparing and presenting the food. Even when I get delivery from Grubhub, everything is carefully packed and presented. You can tell that they take pride in their food. I have tried nearly every Mexican restaurant in a 5 mile radius, and I feel like I've found The One.
(5)
Scott R.
I moved away from Rogers Park but still come back to Cuetzala for the great $2 tacos and BYOB. I love the vegetarian tacos with grilled peppers & mushrooms along with avocado (I got yellow peppers even though the menu says green).
(5)
Ashley S.
I hate to give this place 2 stars but I have to. Let me start by saying that when I finally received my food it was phenomenal. We came in on a Friday night 1-18-13 around 6:30 and the place was nowhere near busy. There was one waitress in the entire place. Chips and salsa were promptly brought to the table and both were delicious. We shared steak and shrimp fajitas, and it was excellent! Now for the bad part. We waited about 30 minutes for the fajitas to arrive. By the time that we finally received the food we weren't hungry anymore. The waitress kept apologizing for the long wait. Honestly, the meal should've been compensated after that ridiculous wait but it wasn't. The food is great here, unfortunately the service sucks.
(2)
Ian M.
In order to fulfill a chilaquiles craving, this place was nearby after finding out that our first choice was closed on Sunday. I ordered chilaquiles con carne asada (with salsa verder) thinking that it would be a great combo. It wasn't too bad and I wish the carne could've been juicier. Apparently the chilaquiles are served "soggy" here which I didn't mind too much, though I much prefer the "lightly soggy" or "crunchy" preparation. I also had a sip of my boyfriend's coffee and I liked the touch of cinnamon added to the drink. Bonus points for that.
(3)
April W.
Of the 500 Mexican places on Clark Street in the R.P. This place is my favorite. It is always fresh, never greasy, always high quality meat and it is great service. I recently discovered you can order for delivery via grub hub. It is our go to friday night place. They have some fairly healthy options if you make some small adjustments. I really love this place. It is worth the dollar extra you pay for the food as compared to El Famous which used to be my favorite. It is a cute place to eat at as well. Very clean
(5)
Chip R.
Complete joke. Ordered through grub hub. 2 hours later no food. Their driver lied and said they came and rang bell and left it with someone else. Problem is we watched the front door and no one ever came to our building of only 4 units. Never pay up front or the lazy driver will simply give it away.
(1)
Elysia L.
Oh noes! It looks like everybody has discovered this place. I remember when I first looked this place up on Yelp there was one review... I've been thinking of writing one but honestly, I didn't want one of my gems to be overrun all of the sudden. Oh well. It used to be that we ordered from this place so much that the woman behind the counter knew me by my voice. I've moved out of the neighborhood and I'm going back for dinner tomorrow because I have yet to find chicken fajitas or a chorizo taco that touches Cuetzala's. Oh yeah, the grilled jalapenos are supremely kick-ass, and the nachos are unlike any I've ever had and incredibly yummy. It is incredibly clean in the restaurant, and the last time I checked it was BYOB. This place is worth the trek to Rogers Park, and while you're at it stop at the Rogers Park Fruit Market across the street for fresh produce & pork.
(5)
Jon T.
I guess this restaurant does not need more reviews, but this is the real deal. Ms T and I have eaten here twice with daughter, KT and her friend Branden, who eat here regularly. The prices are decent, servings are nice. They have a very full menu. If only I could eat here every week to try them all! Ms T had the chiles rellenos and there were two chiles poblanos, served with a good batter, excellent quality cheese stuffing and a very nice homemade garlicky tomato sauce over them. The sauce was subtle, simple and elegant. Since there are two and they are large, I recommend getting them and sharing, along with something else. KT had some very well made flautas de pollo. There were three. They were good sized and topped with sour cream and guacamole. The chicken was nicely seasoned and moist. So many times it is unsalted and dry. This was not the case at Cuetzala. This was plenty of food, and another thing that could be easily shared. Brandon and I ordered tacos. All were very good. They come on doubled, approximately 4 inch diameter tortillas which I like because you can sample and not get stuffed after just two. Brandon had tilapia and lengua. Ms T also had one tilapia to try. I sampled lengua, cabeza de rez and carne asada. They were all very good. Each was flavorful, juicy and topped with cilantro and minced red onion. The frijoles are excellent. They are light colored and possibly are frijoles bayos like I have had in Guanajuato. If they are frijoles pintos, I don't know how they make them so light. They are just creamy and delicious with lard flavor. If not lard, I don't know how they get that flavor.. The salsas, red and green are both very good and nicely spicy. The only issue I had was that I ordered my tacos as usual without onion, but received onion anyway. I was a little confused, when I ordered the waitress said the tacos come with lettuce and cheese. That is not what I would expect at a restaurant this authentic. Perhaps they feel they need to dumb the tacos down for us gringos. So be sure you ask and clarify that you want cilantro (and cebolla), not lettuce and cheese, for the love of God. Great place, worth the six hour drive. I have not found tacos like this yet in St Louis.
(4)
Steve J.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I usually order the chicken fajitas, which are honestly the best fajitas I have had anywhere. I have also ordered the tacos which are also very good. The prices are very reasonable and they offer free delivery in my area. The only thing that could make me love this place more is if they had a liquor license. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)
Danny M.
Muy bueno! Thats the extent of my Spanish, but luckily the only two words I needed to describe this find. Tried this place for a colleagues birthday and boy am I glad I did. We scored the guacamole appetizer which was mildly pushed on to our table by the waitress. After tasting this guacamole, she could have pushed anything on to my table. The guacamole was seasoned well and full of fresh chunks of avocados! I feel like most places I go into now have it pureed like its baby food so this was a refreshing change. I got the steak burrito dinner for lunch. With dinner you get an extra rice and beans, all for $7.50 (beans were liquidy, but tasty). This was potentially one of the larger burritos I have ever eaten. The burrito has lettuce, beans, rice, sour cream and steak. It was great! My friends got the enchiladas verde which looked tasty as well. The only downside of Cuetzala Gro is that you can expect an immediate food coma. Like, as you are walking out of the restaurant. Dont wait. ..head out to Rogers Park for this unassuming great find!
(4)
Malinda J.
We just moved from McKinley Park and I must say, we sooo took our authentic Mexican food options for granted! We were sitting here, seriously craving it and said to ourselves, "we're seriously f'd!" I spent over an hour that night looking for a decent Mexican restaurant, with good reviews that delivered in Skokie. Yelp and Google only listed places that didn't deliver or were ridiculously high! So I turned to Grub Hub and this place was listed first, had pretty good reviews, and the best part, they delivered! I had to call to confirm that they delivered because they are some 2+ miles away, pretty unusual but they did! I had the enchiladas w/ red sauce and my fiance had the steak burrito. The beans, while they look gross are actually really good. The rice is pretty good too. I also ordered a couple of chicken tacos for my daughter and she liked them alot. Their salsa was very good, both red and green and their tortilla chips are thick and fresh. We will order from here more, not that we have many more options where we live, but so far so good! Delivery was pretty fast and on Grub Gub it said that it was free. However, we didn't get a receipt. I should have called about that so I can't confirm...
(4)
Colleen F.
Steak taco was very good. I was do looking forward to the nachos as the looked so good until I saw the hairs in the nachos. Had to toss them as I know it wasn't my hair.
(1)
Carolyn G.
We've been back to Cuetzala several times since our first trip, and have enjoyed it every time. I've ordered the Taco Dinner with chorizo tacos and chili rellenos. The chorizo is very flavorful, but a little greasy. The chili rellenos were really good, too. This place is definitely worth a stop on the Tour de Taqueria along Clark.
(4)
Chris K.
This was one fine meal and a great place to eat. It is usually very quiet here and though there is nothing special about the atmosphere, the staff are friendly and the service is great. The sauces and salsa are wonderful. I highly recommend the fresh Guacamole and you can order some authentic dishes as well. Sope is available and they have great standard fair too (tacos, burritos, etc.). There has been nothing here I have tried that I have not liked and the value is great. I especially love their burritos - a unique style. If your in Roger's Park and haven't tried this hideaway yet, give it a try.
(5)
Amy J.
Camarones El Diablo!! Done. They will burn your motherf*ckin mouth out, but in the best way possible. The pain is so good here!
(5)
L F.
I hate to even give up the secret, but this is the best Mexican food in Rogers Park. Fresh, flavorful, home cooked. Don't tell anyone!
(5)
Stephenie S.
This place is great. They are a BYOB so bring some cerveza and sample their tacos. They are mucho deliciosa. I didn't much care for their beans, (the rice is great) but I would recommend just ordering your tacos al a carte, instead of dinner style. They close at 9pm on the dot, so get there early.
(4)
Rene S.
I tried this place today for lunch (take-out). I had read (elsewhere) someone's review that raved about how good the carnitas are. Since I LOVE carnitas and they tend to be hard to find, I decided to try the place. Only problem was they did NOT have carnitas. Boo. But I tried my second favorite, Chiles Rellenos. It was absolutely out of this world! SO good! The rice and beans that came with it were really light in color, so not your typical rice and beans, but they were delicious. I also got a small order of guac and chips, and for $3.95 it was a great deal. It was really good, the chunks of veggies were large enough to enjoy but not overwhelming in size. So my review is really 4 and a half stars. I just wish they had carnitas. Oh well. I'm definitely going back (and if anyone who reads this wants to share where their favorite carnitas can be found PLEASE leave a comment). Thanks!
(4)
Jennifer B.
After first being told the delivery driver was out for the next two hours, i was going to give up, but after an hour and half of calling places who either didnt deliver...or didnt deliver to ME, i called them back w/ success. i got the steak taco dinner, which is two tacos, rice,beans and i got a bag of chips total was about $10 not sure if there is a delivery charge, but still not TOO bad. It even came w/ lettuce, tomato, lime, and avocado on the side...no charge! the steak was pretty good, no fatty nasty-ness. Unlike some ive had at places who CALL what ever they serve you "steak" the Rice was awesome! im a big fan of rice. And the chips were light and tasty! I will def. be ordering from here again.
(4)
Christina K.
So, the adopted brother of a friend who lives in the neighborhood was consulted by the Rogers Park newbie who, hoping to sort out the bevy of Clark Street Mexi-yummy options, sought guidance. And guide he did, stating in no uncertain terms that his favorite was Cuetzala. Who was I to argue with such decisiveness? It's BYOB, but also within walking distance, so, accompanied by my partner in crime, our ingenious plan was take out, repair to the lair, consume mass quantities, and sit in judgment. Mission accomplished? Yes, although Cuetzala's rough-edged in a way that lets you know they're making a no-frills go of it. No printed takeout menu, bilingual overhead listing of what they've got, and solidly good grub. Generally speaking, I prefer to cook my own Mexi-dishes, particularly with an eye towards keeping the meat moist where too many spots like Cuetzala might deliver something a bit more dried up, but I was pleased by what we got. For takeout on this end of town, I think I've found a keeper.
(3)
Kate B.
I called to make a reservation, as I'd never been before and I wanted to make sure there'd be room enough for my group. Reservation not needed. The wait staff was extremely friendly. We actually received a complimentary appetizer--I'm assuming for being the biggest group they'd seen in a while (there were 6 of us). The food was so delicious! It was plated for a more upscale place with extremely reasonable prices. We all got different things and there wasn't one complaint. Not enough good things to say. It was casual environment (think diner) and would be perfect for groups, kids, date night, etc. I love it!
(5)
Elvin C.
We had been to Cuetzala a while back given it is one of the closest sit down Mexican restaurants to us. That experience didn't stand out. After seeing the reviews on Yelp, we figured to and test it again. We went with the flautas - something I've avoided ordering before at other restaurants, thinking (mistakenly?) that they were some Americanized creation. In the end, I thought, we enjoy gorditas - why not this other fried masa item? The flautas were great with guacamole, queso fresco, and sour cream on top - they were placed with mixed greens, to give you something healthy to eat with. Otherwise, there's a tasty scoop of rice and mild (runny, but not greasy) beans. Also did order the sope (it came out narrow and ovalized) not round like other establishments. We had ordered it, wanting to sample, and not order a whole huarache. It still was on the big side. We got it with carne asada and the steak was tender and so was the masa. I got the cabeza taco since it was something not at our other taquerias. Tortillas are factory made, so ok, but the meat was tender and just a little fat for taste. A rich taste without going to far with gristle. The big surprise was off their specials board up front. I got the seafood omelette without much details (and I didn't ask). Sure thoughts of Korean pancakes might have been on the mind...but the waitress smiled at my choice and I thought it might be a good sign. It came a generous fluffy omelette with large shrimp, melting cheese, and actual crab! We took half the omelette home, so I'll dissect the rest for breakfast and see what else was in there...the piece of crab we had was fresh, moist, and was a leg piece about an inch long. A taste of a bit of shell (harmless) only reminded me that my meal was plucked from crab by hand and not canned in a remote factory. on the side was a bit of salad (mixed greens), avocado, and partially quartered cherry tomato. The customers? Most of the sit downs were non-Mexicans (us included), but there were quite a number of Latino/Mexican orders heading out to go. Considering the location as the furthest north of the RP taquerias on Clark...that could be a reason, and that it is that far separated from those you can browse by walking south of Touhy might be another. Oh - the horchata? a healthy dose of cinnamon in there. So - it is a little pricier than other places. Some dishes you might not find at others. Tortillas - wish they were handmade..but that gives us reason to keep other taquerias in rotation.
(4)
Cecilia M.
I am Mexican and I can be a bit pickier on certain things. I haven't tried anything with beef yet which may change my review. I have had their chicken soup which is truly prepared old-school Mexican style with the big pieces of chicken and huge pieces of veggies so you have to be prepared to take it apart yourself. Their chicken tacos were great although I am not a fan of the double tortilla (in Mexico its used when serving very small tortillas not regular sized ones). i actually like their rice which inmost laces I ignore and their drawback so far is that they are super skimpy on the beans and their 'order' of tacos for almost 8 bucks had only two tacos... that seemed sad to me. No Mexican can call that an 'order' but I guess I will call it a "sad order". Basically they are a bit overpriced for a Mexican joint but the food was tasty and well seasoned and I LOVE that they give you the lime/cilantro/onion mix for the tacos and I like that the lady answers the phone in Spanish :)
(4)
Carmen R.
I just recently started going here and yet to be dissapointed, The flautas are great.
(4)
Marc L.
After my roommate and I moved all of our stuff out of our apartment, I came back to clean it up. Since cleaning is exhausting work, I got a chicken burrito to go from Cuetzala (I ate in once and wasn't too impressed with the service. No chips and salsa) and sat huddled against a wall chowing down on this glorious burrito as my apartment was being shown, but I was like a dog gnawing on a bone. The burrito is one of the best to be found in Rogers Park. The chicken was moist and I liked that they grilled the tortilla a bit to give it a little crispness without making it hard and crumbly. The salsa verde was pretty tasty too.
(4)
Chris M.
This place is delicious. I've been eating here pretty regularly for months, and there is exactly one thing I've eaten there that I haven't enjoyed thoroughly (the fish taco). Oh, it still wasn't bad, just a little weak; I'm used to Baja-style. Everything else? Wonderful! They have probably the best burrito with pork al pastor that I've had. I'll occasionally skip salsa, just to focus on that remarkable pork. The horchata is really delicious, and the large is about the size of your head. I've never needed a refill. The flautas were really remarkable, perfectly cooked and covered with just the right amount of guacamole, cheese, and probably a couple things I'm forgetting, but they were fried to perfect crisp, and made me wonder whether I'd been missing something elsewhere by rarely ordering them. Just tasting them, though, I have a feeling I haven't. They're ridiculous. The tacos (besides the fish) are simple quality, as they should be. The salsa: They have excellent salsa, both tomato (chipotle-style) and tomatilla, just the right spice to allow you to vary it easily with the quantity. It doesn't look like most of the good salsas I've had before, but it is. Just a dab still gets a good bit of flavor without too much kick, but pouring it on will burn your mouth like it's supposed to. I had a chicken mole here once, and it was very unusual, sweeter than I've had mole before, but still quite tasty. Anyway! The girlfriend and I still haven't done the meal for two, but at ~$20, and with the quality of the rest of the food, I've been meaning to for months, if I can drag myself away from everything else!
(5)
Christian R.
Four stars for the incredible burrito al pastor...haven't tried anything else yet but can't wait to go back and try everything else!
(4)
Jenna M.
Best chicken burrito we've ever had. Get it with avocado. Perfect. The owner here is, I believe, the brother of Adan, who owns and is chef at Los Nopales in Lincoln Square which we dearly miss having moved to Rogers Park. Cuetzala makes missing Nopales not so bad. It is definitely more of your "hole in the wall" taqueria than the "restaurant" I consider Nopales to be. Chicken burritos and the rajas con queso sope were delicious. I believe we also tried three different tacos all of which were good with the pork being particularly so. Not a fancy spot but much better than your average taqueria!
(4)
Shelley P.
Yummmmm....I just moved a few blocks from here and have eaten their tacos several times already. I have lived in Texas and San Diego, both places with great Mexican food, and I have to say that this place is comparably delicious. So far, I have had the fish tacos and a burrito. When I get tired of those (maybe never) I'll try out some other things on their extensive menu. Cheap prices, fresh, flavorful food with great portions and great service.
(5)
Steve K.
Yummmm! Based on the laudatory reviews, I decided to check out Cuetzela Gro and I'm glad I did. The guac was delicious. My mole was superb. A friend had flautas which looked very appetizing. The beans were too watery, so I would avoid things like burritos, which are made with them. The prices were a little steeper than its competition, but it was worth it. Will be going back soon.
(4)
Ellyn R.
We absolutely love this place! My husband and I grew up in New Mexico and since moving to Chicago about 5 years ago, we have been searching and searching for a good Mexican place. Finally we found it! Not the same as New Mexican food, however, this was the first Mexican place we tried that actually cared to put some flavor in their food. The first time we tried it, I had the chile rellenos and my husband had the chicken tostadas, both excellent. Now we mostly do take-out from there and are absolutely in LOVE with their steak burritos and steak nachos supreme. The meat is nice quality and seasoned well for both dishes. The nachos are a bit on the expensive side, but worth it in my opinion. Each chip is individually put together with beans, cheese, and steak and the pico de gallo and guacamole on the side are great. We highly recommend this place and order from here about once a week. Yum!
(4)
Zulfiqar K.
Just got carne asada tacos... pretty flavorless and bland. Asadero and Pasadita are definitely better. This really was one of the worst steak tacos I've had. On the plus side, I really like the horchata.
(2)
Marcos L.
Any place that makes chiles rellenos to order from scratch gets 5 stars. This is a wonderful little gem. Big flavors, small prices.
(5)
Younga C.
Got the al-pastor, tilapia and steak tacos. The al-pastor was sooooo tasty! The fish tacos were super bland! Luckily I ordered pico de gallo so I masked the blandess with that. The pico was very good, got it extra spicy and it was awesome! I also got the cebollitas and they were terrible!! I had to re-grill them myself when I got them, they were soggy and bland! Although I liked the food here and want to order again, the delivery was AWFUL!!!!!!! I placed my order at 7:30pm and was told it would be an hour for delivery. At 9pm I had to call 3 times to see where my order was. And when I finally got my food at 9:10, they FORGOT 3 things!!!! So when they finally came back to drop off the rest of my delivery, it was 9:45. I spent $45 at this place, yet I didnt get anything for my frustration and wait. I'm not looking for a free meal, but I would like a credit for free delivery or a free $2 taco or something!! Like I said, the food was pretty good, but I'm scared to ever get delivery from here again unless I order at 5 and want to eat at 8!
(3)
Leah P.
YUM YUM YUM! This place is a hidden gem. I love authentic Mexican food, and this place provides delicious fresh products. I loved the cheesy quesadilla for an appetizer topped with their homemade salsa. For an entree I ordered tacos (I know I'm boring) but they were fantastic! Next time I am there I am going try this delicious looking shrimp dish the table next to us had. With this restaurant being BYOB this makes for a very inexpensive and satisfying meal.
(5)
Michelle A.
Mexican food worth traveling for. You would almost miss it if you didn't know what you were looking for. The food is always delicious, presented well, and served fast. The waitstaff is very friendly, and the food is very reasonably priced. I sometimes bring my daughter here for dinner on Friday nights. I recommend this restaurant to anyone in Rogers Park, or anywhere else, who wants good Mexican food.
(5)
Colleen N.
I stopped in here today for the first time. My tacos were very yummy, especially the vegetarian taco. Solid chips and salsa too. The restaurant was packed with people, but the servers were cool with me occupying a table on my own. I'll definitely be back-- I can't wait to try the rest of their menu.
(4)
Larisa O.
I love this place!!! The food is always beatifully presented and the portions are generous and inexpensive. They are generous also with guacamole and avocado slices, which is such a treat. The waitresses are all pleasant, attentive, and sunshiney, which makes eating there so nice. The carne al pastor tacos are divine -- some of the best I have had. This is very authentic food and you will find unusual items on the menu. There is always parking nearby.
(5)
kelly l.
Cuetzala 7360 n clark Cuetzala is the 18th taqueria we've visited on Clark, between Devon and Howard. And it was well worth the wait. The first time we ate at Cuetzala it was a week night, and was kind-of dead. The interior is typical, small, unremarkable. Except that the music they were pumping that night was pretty awesome. It was some sort of Spanish pop that sounded, at the same time, like 80s movie music (I'm thinking karate kid and Rocky), karaoke, and a mentos commercial. Excellent. As was, I gotta tell you, the food. We started with complimentary chips and salsa (always). The green was really limey and flavorful. Not too spicy for me. The horchada was awesome, sweet and ricey, cinnamony. I really like that on their menu their 'meals' were called 'exquisite dishes.' They had some lovely specials. I thought about the tamal nejo, but didn't go there. Husband did try the special soup that night, a tortilla soup served with sour cream and avocado. That soup was sexy. Creamy. Hot. Spicy. Thick. Gorgeous. Husband, for his main course, got the tampiqeno (a dish that includes a skirt steak and a cheese enchilada). Husband has ordered tampiqeno at least 4-5 times on our discovery of Clark and this is the first time he was asked for a temperature on the steak. Nice. Ultimately he thought it solid, not exceptional. Served with some grilled onions and a grilled jalapeno. Julie got enchiladas with verde sauce. She got one chicken, one cheese, and one picadillo enchilada. The verde was pretty spicy. The meats were good, but she felt the verde went best with the chicken. She wasn't impressed with the verde/picadillo combo. I also got enchiladas, but I got them with mole. YUMMY. Spicy, but not too spicy. Not burnt tasting or grainy. Just dark with chocolate and coffee flavors. I was mopping the mole up at the end. I, too, tried one each, chicken, cheese and picadillo. The chicken was really good. Pulled, no gristle. The picadillo was my least favorite, with chunks of carrots and potato. Kind-of like a mole burger. But the cheese was right on. For dessert they had a choice of orange or coffee flan. We shared a coffee. Not bad. A little overcooked on the bottom (top) but it was tasty. Cuetzala's not the cheapest taqueria on the block. For three of us, with big horchadas, a soup starter, and a dessert, the bill came out to about $50. Not awful. Not dirt cheap. Just saying. But the food was good enough to try again. So today we stopped in for Saturday brunch. The restaurant was kicking. We had to wait for a table to be cleared. Note: the clientel was pretty mixed, ethnically. And there was only one waitress. The poor thing was running. So, it took a bit to order and get our drinks/chips and salsa. But the waitress was sweet and kept apologizing. She was trying. Not her fault. Again, the food was great. The chips were warm and well salted. This time we got the regular (excellent) verde salsa, and in addition a salsa mixed with avocado. Green and creamy and hot like fire. Husband dubbed this a 'little bit of heaven.' Husband got the chilaquiles with verde sauce and scrambled eggs. (you had a choice of salsa, egg or steak, and choice of egg prep.) The came out beautifully. Lots of food. Creamy and spicy and just really tasty. Husband decided it was worth the wait. I couldn't help myself. I wanted that mole again. And it was just as good as I remembered it. Another note: there were a lot of posoles coming out of that kitchen. They only serve posole on the weekend. I wonder if it's super awesome? Lots of folks eating it. Maybe I should try it next time? In conclusion, a great place across the board. Nice service (if a bit slow at times). Great food. Varied menu. Reasonable prices. We will visit here again. Cuetzala, along with Dona Lolis, Rocky's Tacos and El pueblito have proved to be our faves.
(4)
Nick A.
Excellent in every regard. Every plate I have had was awesome. Throw a dart at the menu if you don't know what to get. The camarones diablos and costilla de res are especially great..great to eat in especially with byob..true prize in the neighborhood..
(5)
Peter P.
This place really is a diamond in the rough. From the outside it looks like a typical run-of-the-mill cheap Mexican restaurant (i.e. one of those "El", "La," "Los", or "Las" places). Actually, from the inside it looks that way as well. However, the food is a step or two above your usual burrito/taco joint. The fresh chips/salsa they bring to your table is definitely not the jarred nonsense you typically find. They also make tamales nejoes (pre-hispanic tamales made with ashes and wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks) traditionally served with mole verde which are almost impossible to find.
(4)
Daniel A.
This place has pretty fucking great food. There are 3 steps to follow when you go here: 1. Order your food. 2. Eat your food. 3. Go be happy.
(5)
Kirill M.
Nice place to stop for a lunch and eat a real soup:). 5 stars because it was exactly as expected: friendly and quick service, clean and bright place, good quality simple Mexican cuisine.
(5)
Franklin F.
My favorite Mexican restaurant. Ingredients are always fresh and cooked very well. The food is almost always very tasty. Staff are very nice. There are a lot of Mexican places in Rogers Park, but of the ones I've tried, this is definitely the best. Try the vegetarian burrito, although you won't find it on the menu anymore. It's just stuffed with properly cooked fresh vegetables, red and yellow bell peppers, onions, avocados, mushrooms. The green salsa that comes with the chips is very tasty.
(5)
Peter K.
What a great place! Free parking; you don't find that at too many places in Chicago. Amazing murals, good lighting, clean bathrooms, clean tablecloths. Chips were crispy, not salty, greasy, or oily at all. Full flavored salsa, both red and green. They even brought out a second basket of chips after we finished the first one. The guacamole was smooth and flavorful. We had: (1) two chicken tacos that were tasty, full of flavor and not too salty (2) tortas milaneza (one chicken and one beef) were fantastic, good crisp to the crust too. the bread was soft, not dry or too much. Rice was really well done, good taste, not dry or wet, nicely steamed? Beans tasted good, but was a little runny for my liking. Horchata was good, not too sweet, not too much cinnamon. They brought out little bowls of fruit, which was a nice surprise. Service was quick and attentive throughout dinner. I plan to go back to try the enchiladas and tamales with black mole sauce. I'm going to have trouble deciding what to get if I keep going back!
(5)
Buddha B.
These restaurateurs are a step above your average taco/burrito place. Make that TWO steps. Cuetzala Gro seems a bit different each time we visit, yet consistently pleasing. Cuetzala Gro should mot be missed!
(5)
Samantha J.
Good daily specials and BYOB
(3)
Mark M.
My favorite Chicago Mexican restaurant. My partner & I eat here often. A bit pricier than the surrounding neighborhood taquerias but the quality of the food is excellent. I have never had a bad meal here. A few of my favorites are the fish (tilapia) tacos, the chili relleno tacos and the pollo milanesa dinner. My partner is addicted to the steak tacos. Also, the complimentary chips & salsas (both verde & roja) are delicious...and unlike most places these days, they aren't stingy with them. I LOVE chips & salsa and they keep bringing them. In addition to the food, the restaurant itself is immaculate. The place is CLEAN and you can tell that the owner & staff take great pride in the place. I think the bathroom is one of the cleanest I have ever seen in a restaurant. Finally, I have to give a shout out to Denise, our favorite server. She is extremely attentive & always has a smile on her face. She made us feel welcome from the moment we first walked in the place. If you are looking for a Mexican spot that outshines all the others in the hood yet won't break the bank, give this place a try. You won't regret it!
(5)
Ally H.
Guacamole was creamy with an extra kick of lime. Portion of Enchiladas with Carne Asadas was a little small, but perfect for me. We also had quesadillas and tacos. Meat was not tough and had good flavor for the pork and steak.
(4)
Earthsgreatest A.
The salsa was amazing, but that was about it. The place smelled like Lysol upon entry, and that is always off-putting. That said, nothing was overtly offensive.
(3)
Katie K.
Best and most authentic mexican food around. Try their chorizo--absolutely amazing. The horchata is great too. I've both dined in and ordered delivery on multiple ocassions and I've always had a positive experience. The food was delivered quickly and still hot. And when I ate in the restaurant the service was prompt and the chips and salsa fresh.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Terry B.
Oh-kay, here I go again. You may think I'm umm Picky.. well, I am! So today we decided to get some good Mexican food to celebrate my partner's return (escape) from the hospital and of course I looked here. [sidebar: you think GRO might have once been 'grocery'??] First thing I noticed.. a not-pleasing smell pervaded the entire restaurant. I'm very familiar with cooking, grease and other smells (Mom was a waitress..) and this was very off-putting; haven't figured out if it's mothballs or something else you shouldn't smell in any restaurant. It looks cozy, about ten fair-sized tables, salsa (a bit too loud). Had ordered thru GrubHub (wonder if they ever read Yelp reviews..), traffic was not toooo bad; Peter K's 'free parking' must be in the rear, somewhere. No hanging sign, if you blink you'll miss it. Here's the blow-by-blow: Nachos. Or I should properly say "nachos". $7!!! for six or seven tiny pieces of whatever kind of bread base they use, a teensy bit of melted cheese... OK, so, like WHERE'S THE BEEF? And everything else that I've grown to know and love about nachos? These are a must-miss. Enchilada dinner (carne asada, mole sauce). Urp. Corn tortillas: tough. Carne: beefsteak of some kind, non-marinated. Chewy, tough, couple inedible pieces. Mole: now.. I was raised on the South East Side, a melting-pot of cultures. Matter of fact, all my best grammar & highschool buds weren't wedos (white people), their moms could COOK. Cuetzala's mole was.. well, it tasted burnt, tangy, spicy. That's not what Rosendo's mom's mole was like at all, that was sweet and little tangy, just. Great arroz con pollo y mole. Man. Quite anemic looking 'spanish? rice' and frijoles; not much of a taste treat there. Some kind of attempt at a salad or veggie toppings and a chunk of aguacate (avocado). That was the best part... (Chicken) Taco Dinner.. Fair tacos but they put sauce on that I dint ask for. The rest was a carbon-copy of the enchilada dinner. One carne asada (steak) taco on the side. Same quality as the enchilada. Guacamole: not bad, but too spicy for my partner. Chips? Thin, light, crunchy. Flan (doubt if it's homemade): dint get to try it, my partner Really likes Flan... All this.. for ONLY $37. Wow. Hmm. Revising my rating to One star only, down from two. Go with the guac, but be aware that Jewel has a decent guac as well. Net: -way- overpriced, so-so Mexican food. There's another place further up Clark I've been to, hope they're still they're. THEY were fantastic, I just can't remember the name... I think there's a clear divide between those of us familiar with real Mexican food and (pardon me) young urban professionals who ain't. I think their palates need a considerable amount of further training... But don't take my word for it. Go. Order. Eat. And post, please. Bon appetito.
(1)Persio N.
I have walked past this place many times on my way to other Mexican restaurants and once I finally stopped in I regretted going past it. The decor is very nice and has a home feeling to it. The food was great. My family and I had tacos and gorditas. They have a great kids meal that is actually big enough for an adult. The food is very fresh and the staff is super personable. We definitely will not skip this place ever again!
(5)Andrew H.
Went tonight with the folks, brother niece and her boyfriend. Still the best. Great food, great wait staff. They now have a sign on the back door so you can park in the lot for free and walk in.
(5)Angelo L.
The carne asada and the horchata were amazing. The tamales nejo tasted like rice cakes and had a strange spicy sauce. I didn't enjoy it much. The guacamole was fresh. Chile relleno was quite good as well. Overall, the carne asada makes this a must try. The enchilada was not great, but the lengua was phenomenal.
(5)Philip R.
Better than I expected! This place is definitely a notch out 2 above other Mexican Restaurants in the area (and they are many!). I am convinced there is no microwave oven in their kitchen, as my enchilada entree took about 20 minutes to get to my table and it was worth the wait. Also worth mentioning, is the laid back atmosphere and pleasant, low volume music in the background. The price was slightly higher than others in the area, dinner for 2 was just under $30, but I believe it was worth it.
(5)Billy C.
The food was good. Customer service was good as well. Price may be slightly higher than your typical mexican joint, but quality was worth it. The only thing I did not like was a bit of sales pressure to buy a drink from the waitress. She was very nice about it but that was the feeling I got. Not sure if I misread but nonetheless, will return.
(4)Joe R.
This is the best Mexican restaurant in Rogers Park. Its a bit pricy, but people will pay more for food that is better than most. if a restaurant puts in the effort, ill reward it buy paying more. the people are nice, but the delivery driver is a bit unfriendly and kinda weird.
(5)Morris L.
I like their food and have been pleased with their delivery service -- until today. I called the restaurant one half hour after the estimated delivery time and was told the driver got lost -- even though their drivers had found my home four times before. I was not offered a discount for the late delivery, which finally showed up 45 minutes after the promised time. I won't order from them again.
(2)Jordan B.
Love this place. My wife & I go here once a week for our Mexican fix. Best Mexican food without going to Pilsen. Food quality is fantastic & it's very modestly priced. I always get chicken enchiladas in green salsa but everything is really great. The wait staff is friendly & service is fast
(5)Daisy M.
I will be a returning customer...... The food was amazing! !
(5)Letty S.
Ordered delivery twice , food is okay , ordered some nachos last time and I was disappointed, box came with 6 nachos with melted cheese on top with some meat and was on bed of lettuce with side of guac, not mexican nachos in my book... I dont think I will order again , better choices elsewhere
(3)Nick D.
Always friendly and delicious. Burritos are huge!! Tacos are good. The pastor was seasoned well, the chicken was rather bland.
(4)Jennie T.
The caldo de siete mares is delicious! The boyfriend and I also ordered the al pastor burrito and the milanesa torta. Both were okay. I liked the soup more. Disclaimer: I always prefer soupy things... and I love, love, love almost every seafood dish. The burrito was good. I thought the torta was too dry, but that's been my experience with almost everything with the milanesa... I may just not be that fond of it. Go get the seafood soup.
(4)Eli C.
Best damm Mexican joint around. For example, if you order steak tacos, you actually get slices of skirt steak, not hamburger!!! The most friendly waitress they have is Denisa! She does a great job. Saul and Maria the owners have a real gem!!! Go and try it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Kendall L.
I finally forced myself to sign up for Yelp to review Cuetzala. We frequent this place for breakfast on Saturdays, and it's usually pleasantly empty. I haven't had a less-than-delicious dish yet. Their pico de gallo is the best I've ever had. Staff are lovely and bring us the occasional complimentary avocado and extra limes, and their cinnamon coffee is outstandingly delicious. One added delight: women's restroom (which is spotless, by the bye) looks like an eight-year-old girl's dreamscape exploded gloriously all over the walls. Hot pink paint with sponged-on stars and a framed Pegasus in the corner? I am sold.
(5)Dave H.
Salsa - amazing. Carne asada burrito - great. Guacamole - meh. Carne asada enchiladas - avoid like the plague. The enchiladas taste like burnt nasty. The sauce they use is easily the worst I've ever tasted. I lived in San Diego for 5 1/2 years, I know good Mexican food. You're better off buying Mission tortillas and a can of enchilada sauce at Jewel. Thank God I ordered the burrito too, planning on leftovers. The enchiladas went straight in the trash.
(2)Siobhan M. M.
This is one of our favorite neighborhood go-to's! Super kid-friendly, free parking in back. The things I most highly recommend are: 1)TACOS VEGETARIANOS - they're like none I've found anywhere -poblano and yellow peppers, onion and mushroom, all *roasted* (!) and topped with a giant slice of avocado - no skimping here! 2)tacos de asada - juicy, delicious strips of steak. I recommend topping with cilantro and onion and the salsa verde 3)caldo de pollo - although I find it inconvenient that it is served (traditionally) with big hunks of vegetables and a full piece of chicken, once all cut up, it is *delicious*! 4)mini-taquitos de pollo for our kids - comes with two fried chicken and cheese taquitos and french fries (which we always replace with rice and beans because our kids gobble them up!) A lovely RP family runs this establishment and we feel good supporting their business!
(5)Katharine T.
Lets update this review shall we? This taqueria remains THE BEST on Clark. The Best. A new favorite dish is the Lengua in Salsa Verde or Roja. I prefer the roja though. Served with plenty of tortillas, lime and avocado on the side. Best plate of food ever - you can eat yourself sick and silly and it's totally fantastic. Their salsa is always, always good, especially the verde. They also give you tons of extra lime and avocado with your meal (at least they do for the boyfriend and I, if they don't bring it to you, just ask, they will gladly fill your table with whatever you like and probably wont even charge you extra). I've never had anything bad here. Perfect tacos, sopes, nachos, enchiladas, mole, mouth-watering-life-changing skirt steak, chilaquiles to cure any ailment, their flautas are always a safe and delicious choice. The real problem is deciding WHAT to get. I highly recommend getting lengua or cabasa as your meat, especially the lengua, it is too good for words. The staff is also crazy nice, sweet, adorable, perfect. I love them. I tip big and eat well at Cuetzala.
(5)Katrina R.
3.5 stars, really. I really wanted to love this place. But, everything just seemed good. I was hungry, this place had free delivery via Grubhub and decent enough reviews on Yelp. I pulled the trigger and ordered their Steak Torta, some guac, and a Horchata. Delivery was fast, but the guy who delivered pretended like he didn't know how to work the buzzer so he wouldn't have to figure out how to get to my apartment. It was rainy. I was sitting around in pajamas. I ordered in so I wouldn't have to brave the cold. I pre-tipped 20%. But, the guy refused to work the buzzer (which EVERY OTHER delivery guy has managed to make work), so I had to come outside, hair-a-greasy, PJs a flowing, into the rain to grab my food. Then I attempted to demonstrate how the buzzer worked. I think it was pretty clear that he understood how the buzzer work but just didn't feel like using it. Whatever. Next time they can work the buzzer or refund me my food. Speaking of food, it was pretty good. The guac was fresh and good but not amazing (I would have liked a little more kick). The torta was good and the steak was tasty but, again, not amazing. And the horchata was sweet and cinnamon-y, but again, not amazing. Do you see a theme? So it would be 4 stars for the food, since it was pretty good and the service was fast-- but I docked a star because I have the easiest buzzer system ever and JB Albertos is always willing to bring my food to my door for me.
(3)Erini S.
My el pastor taco was ok, not phenomenal... but I wonder if because I asked for no cilantro that there was something missing. It was just pork and red onions. A bit dry. The enchiladas were great! Completely forgot about the taco because of this! It was all amazing, until I found what I think was a piece of bone. It was grey and almost looked like a dog's toenail--but given that I'm not familiar with chicken bones, it could have been a part of the chicken. But it turned me off so badly that I couldn't finish the meal. The beans were runny and seemed more like white beans than traditional pinto--maybe they were pink pinto? They were ok. Same with the rice. It was good. Nothing to write home about, but still good. My favorite: the Horchata. Absolutely amazing. Really hitting the spot today. Cup leaked a little--I think just because they got jostled during transport. But easily remedied by putting into another glass. I'm not a horchata expert, but this was exactly what I was wanting and hoping for. I'd totally walk a half hour just fo
(3)George E.
This the best little Mexican joint on North Clark. Small, simple, & homespun. Try the Lengua Platillo or awesome skirt steak. For CHEAP you can have a traditional tamal made from an ancient recipe of masa & ash wrapped in banana leaf & steamed. Get the dark mole to go with it. Enjoy with soccer in Spanish. Great evening!
(5)Magen M.
I'm updating my review because i did return and the service was better. I didn't have to wait a long time for my food and it was again SO delicious. Great prices, too. I actually havent tried any other mexican food since moving from texas (we have the best mexican food there...) but i'm not sure i'll need to go anywhere else. these food is delicious!
(4)A G.
This place features really good, authentic Mexican food! The service was friendly, and they start you off with unlimited chips and two types of salsa. Their serving sizes for the entrees were good- I had huevos con chilaquiles while my SO had chile relleno and vegetable tacos. Don't be turned off by the decor (in my experience sometimes the minimal decor indicates authenticity!) Tons of food only came to $20- the reasonable pricing is very hard to beat! I recommend this place for anyone looking for Mexican food in Evanston.
(4)Stephanie W.
The chef is amazing. Delicious carne asada, and very creative ideas in terms of serving. It costs a bit more than other RP Mexican restaurants, but totally worth it. The food is always fresh and delicious.
(5)Matt R.
Hipster mexican food. Everyone who ate here when we were there was notably indie. that's what sums this place up. Small, and easily missed, but the food is good. Had some awesome guacamole here, and it's typical mexican food: very basic, very simple, and pretty good.
(4)Angela C.
I went with a group of 8 people to eat dinner here on a Friday night, and despite making up the majority of customers in this restaurant, service was spotty. One less star for that. Although the staff was friendly, I wish they were more conscientious about refilling our water and taking plates away from people who were done. However, the food was great! We had tacos, chile rellenos, chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, grilled shrimp, and flautas -- all very tasty. The complimentary chips and salsa at the start were also good.
(4)Angela M.
Out of the dozens of Mexican joints on Clark, this one is by far the best. The food is always fresh, and I have yet to have a bad dish here. The costillas de res en salsa verde is my fave so far.
(5)Ben S.
Great place! While the decor leaves something to be desired, the place definitely rocks. Unlimited tortilla chips with salsa, good appetizers, and good entrees. They definitely leave you full and satisfied. No alcohol is sold on the premises, but they do have a sign in the window that says "BYOB", so I presume that if you want to have alcoholic beverages, you are welcome to, but you must provide your own. In any case, I highly recommend this place if you're up in Rogers Park.
(4)Todd A.
The food is fantastic! Nothing fancy but what they do they do it well. When we saw they were homemade tortilla's, that was a great sign it was going to be good. Plus, they were as nice as could be to us. A little hidden but well worth the find...
(5)Vanessa R.
I love this place. I usually order from Grubhub and they are always fast and friendly. Great Nachos Supreme, great Lengua Chimichanga, excellent guac and Caldo de Siete Mares soup. Oh, and they sprinkle cinnamon on top of their chocolate shakes. Such a great touch!
(5)Paul R.
So far this is some of the best Mexican food I've had in the city. I live just around the corner and Cuetzala has spoiled us for the many other Mexican restaurants on Clark St. What keeps us coming back is their mole' sauce. We just keep ordering the cheese enchiladas mole' and it never disappoints -- absolutely fantastic. My wife and I are vegetarian so we haven't tried to get around the menu too much because the mole' is so darned great. We've also been in for a tasty breakfast of chilaquiles and been quite satisfied. As other reviewers have noted their salsa and horchata are great as well, and the staff is very friendly. I can't recommend Cuetzala enough.
(4)Karl M.
This is our first week in this neighborhood, having moved all the way from Devon and Sheridan to Chase and Sheridan. The wife and I decided to make a quick run to the Rogers Park Fruit Market to get Bloody Mary fixings for Sunday brunch and find a local taco joint for a quick bite. Cuetzala Gro was the closest place so we walked in blind (did I mention that we didn't realize that it is Cinco de Mayo?). The first sign that this would be a great meal was the three tables full of CPD. Truck drivers and cops know where to eat. The red salsa is my ideal. Nice flavor and a slow heat that makes your head sweat without punishing your tongue or destroying your palate for the rest of the meal. It was busy, and there was only one waitress, but she was working hard and was so pleasant that it wasn't a problem. I wound up forgoing my taco and thinking I would give this place my ultimate acid test (chile rellenos). However, for some strange reason I departed from my normal routine and went for the Shrimp Diablo. So glad I did. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and very fresh. The rice and the salad were great. I didn't sample the beans but I have heard they are good. The story is the sauce. Oh this glorious sauce. Complex and tasty. Spicy but not punishing. Five minutes into the meal I was sweating and loving it. All I can say is that we will be back. Soon and often. Clark street has the best Mexican food in the city and, based on this limited sample, Cuetzala Gro is among the best of the best.
(5)Eddie B.
We went in and ate there last week. The waitress brought my girlfriend the wrong thing and the waitress told us we were wrong. Never a sorry of an offer to take it back. The food was great. Tonight we ordered delivery. It took to hours to 2 hours after 3 phone calls to find out where our food was. Once again, no accountability for making us wait that long. We asked for a reduction on the bill and we were offered free Flan. IF THEY MAKE A MISTAKE KNOW THAT IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT.
(1)Sam L.
The mexican food here is authentic/amazing and priced very inexpensively. One time, we got 5 tacos and total with tip/tax was $12. I have been here numerous times and they have every type of taco filling you would want - normal protein like beef, chicken, carnitas to more specials proteins such as beef tongue/intestines. It's all good here. The chips and salsa are fresh and homemade.
(5)Emily M.
Absolutely delicious! I haven't had anything less than spectacular from here, so I had to make this my first Yelp review. Everything is very FRESH and flavorful. My favorites: Guacamole, Pico De Gallo, Nachos, Chicken Enchiladas in Mole, Carne Asada, Al Pastor Tacos, Beans The mole sauce is great. It's not too sweet or spicy. The green/red salsas are also good. I'm impressed by the care they put into preparing and presenting the food. Even when I get delivery from Grubhub, everything is carefully packed and presented. You can tell that they take pride in their food. I have tried nearly every Mexican restaurant in a 5 mile radius, and I feel like I've found The One.
(5)Scott R.
I moved away from Rogers Park but still come back to Cuetzala for the great $2 tacos and BYOB. I love the vegetarian tacos with grilled peppers & mushrooms along with avocado (I got yellow peppers even though the menu says green).
(5)Ashley S.
I hate to give this place 2 stars but I have to. Let me start by saying that when I finally received my food it was phenomenal. We came in on a Friday night 1-18-13 around 6:30 and the place was nowhere near busy. There was one waitress in the entire place. Chips and salsa were promptly brought to the table and both were delicious. We shared steak and shrimp fajitas, and it was excellent! Now for the bad part. We waited about 30 minutes for the fajitas to arrive. By the time that we finally received the food we weren't hungry anymore. The waitress kept apologizing for the long wait. Honestly, the meal should've been compensated after that ridiculous wait but it wasn't. The food is great here, unfortunately the service sucks.
(2)Ian M.
In order to fulfill a chilaquiles craving, this place was nearby after finding out that our first choice was closed on Sunday. I ordered chilaquiles con carne asada (with salsa verder) thinking that it would be a great combo. It wasn't too bad and I wish the carne could've been juicier. Apparently the chilaquiles are served "soggy" here which I didn't mind too much, though I much prefer the "lightly soggy" or "crunchy" preparation. I also had a sip of my boyfriend's coffee and I liked the touch of cinnamon added to the drink. Bonus points for that.
(3)April W.
Of the 500 Mexican places on Clark Street in the R.P. This place is my favorite. It is always fresh, never greasy, always high quality meat and it is great service. I recently discovered you can order for delivery via grub hub. It is our go to friday night place. They have some fairly healthy options if you make some small adjustments. I really love this place. It is worth the dollar extra you pay for the food as compared to El Famous which used to be my favorite. It is a cute place to eat at as well. Very clean
(5)Chip R.
Complete joke. Ordered through grub hub. 2 hours later no food. Their driver lied and said they came and rang bell and left it with someone else. Problem is we watched the front door and no one ever came to our building of only 4 units. Never pay up front or the lazy driver will simply give it away.
(1)Elysia L.
Oh noes! It looks like everybody has discovered this place. I remember when I first looked this place up on Yelp there was one review... I've been thinking of writing one but honestly, I didn't want one of my gems to be overrun all of the sudden. Oh well. It used to be that we ordered from this place so much that the woman behind the counter knew me by my voice. I've moved out of the neighborhood and I'm going back for dinner tomorrow because I have yet to find chicken fajitas or a chorizo taco that touches Cuetzala's. Oh yeah, the grilled jalapenos are supremely kick-ass, and the nachos are unlike any I've ever had and incredibly yummy. It is incredibly clean in the restaurant, and the last time I checked it was BYOB. This place is worth the trek to Rogers Park, and while you're at it stop at the Rogers Park Fruit Market across the street for fresh produce & pork.
(5)Jon T.
I guess this restaurant does not need more reviews, but this is the real deal. Ms T and I have eaten here twice with daughter, KT and her friend Branden, who eat here regularly. The prices are decent, servings are nice. They have a very full menu. If only I could eat here every week to try them all! Ms T had the chiles rellenos and there were two chiles poblanos, served with a good batter, excellent quality cheese stuffing and a very nice homemade garlicky tomato sauce over them. The sauce was subtle, simple and elegant. Since there are two and they are large, I recommend getting them and sharing, along with something else. KT had some very well made flautas de pollo. There were three. They were good sized and topped with sour cream and guacamole. The chicken was nicely seasoned and moist. So many times it is unsalted and dry. This was not the case at Cuetzala. This was plenty of food, and another thing that could be easily shared. Brandon and I ordered tacos. All were very good. They come on doubled, approximately 4 inch diameter tortillas which I like because you can sample and not get stuffed after just two. Brandon had tilapia and lengua. Ms T also had one tilapia to try. I sampled lengua, cabeza de rez and carne asada. They were all very good. Each was flavorful, juicy and topped with cilantro and minced red onion. The frijoles are excellent. They are light colored and possibly are frijoles bayos like I have had in Guanajuato. If they are frijoles pintos, I don't know how they make them so light. They are just creamy and delicious with lard flavor. If not lard, I don't know how they get that flavor.. The salsas, red and green are both very good and nicely spicy. The only issue I had was that I ordered my tacos as usual without onion, but received onion anyway. I was a little confused, when I ordered the waitress said the tacos come with lettuce and cheese. That is not what I would expect at a restaurant this authentic. Perhaps they feel they need to dumb the tacos down for us gringos. So be sure you ask and clarify that you want cilantro (and cebolla), not lettuce and cheese, for the love of God. Great place, worth the six hour drive. I have not found tacos like this yet in St Louis.
(4)Steve J.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I usually order the chicken fajitas, which are honestly the best fajitas I have had anywhere. I have also ordered the tacos which are also very good. The prices are very reasonable and they offer free delivery in my area. The only thing that could make me love this place more is if they had a liquor license. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)Danny M.
Muy bueno! Thats the extent of my Spanish, but luckily the only two words I needed to describe this find. Tried this place for a colleagues birthday and boy am I glad I did. We scored the guacamole appetizer which was mildly pushed on to our table by the waitress. After tasting this guacamole, she could have pushed anything on to my table. The guacamole was seasoned well and full of fresh chunks of avocados! I feel like most places I go into now have it pureed like its baby food so this was a refreshing change. I got the steak burrito dinner for lunch. With dinner you get an extra rice and beans, all for $7.50 (beans were liquidy, but tasty). This was potentially one of the larger burritos I have ever eaten. The burrito has lettuce, beans, rice, sour cream and steak. It was great! My friends got the enchiladas verde which looked tasty as well. The only downside of Cuetzala Gro is that you can expect an immediate food coma. Like, as you are walking out of the restaurant. Dont wait. ..head out to Rogers Park for this unassuming great find!
(4)Malinda J.
We just moved from McKinley Park and I must say, we sooo took our authentic Mexican food options for granted! We were sitting here, seriously craving it and said to ourselves, "we're seriously f'd!" I spent over an hour that night looking for a decent Mexican restaurant, with good reviews that delivered in Skokie. Yelp and Google only listed places that didn't deliver or were ridiculously high! So I turned to Grub Hub and this place was listed first, had pretty good reviews, and the best part, they delivered! I had to call to confirm that they delivered because they are some 2+ miles away, pretty unusual but they did! I had the enchiladas w/ red sauce and my fiance had the steak burrito. The beans, while they look gross are actually really good. The rice is pretty good too. I also ordered a couple of chicken tacos for my daughter and she liked them alot. Their salsa was very good, both red and green and their tortilla chips are thick and fresh. We will order from here more, not that we have many more options where we live, but so far so good! Delivery was pretty fast and on Grub Gub it said that it was free. However, we didn't get a receipt. I should have called about that so I can't confirm...
(4)Colleen F.
Steak taco was very good. I was do looking forward to the nachos as the looked so good until I saw the hairs in the nachos. Had to toss them as I know it wasn't my hair.
(1)Carolyn G.
We've been back to Cuetzala several times since our first trip, and have enjoyed it every time. I've ordered the Taco Dinner with chorizo tacos and chili rellenos. The chorizo is very flavorful, but a little greasy. The chili rellenos were really good, too. This place is definitely worth a stop on the Tour de Taqueria along Clark.
(4)Chris K.
This was one fine meal and a great place to eat. It is usually very quiet here and though there is nothing special about the atmosphere, the staff are friendly and the service is great. The sauces and salsa are wonderful. I highly recommend the fresh Guacamole and you can order some authentic dishes as well. Sope is available and they have great standard fair too (tacos, burritos, etc.). There has been nothing here I have tried that I have not liked and the value is great. I especially love their burritos - a unique style. If your in Roger's Park and haven't tried this hideaway yet, give it a try.
(5)Amy J.
Camarones El Diablo!! Done. They will burn your motherf*ckin mouth out, but in the best way possible. The pain is so good here!
(5)L F.
I hate to even give up the secret, but this is the best Mexican food in Rogers Park. Fresh, flavorful, home cooked. Don't tell anyone!
(5)Stephenie S.
This place is great. They are a BYOB so bring some cerveza and sample their tacos. They are mucho deliciosa. I didn't much care for their beans, (the rice is great) but I would recommend just ordering your tacos al a carte, instead of dinner style. They close at 9pm on the dot, so get there early.
(4)Rene S.
I tried this place today for lunch (take-out). I had read (elsewhere) someone's review that raved about how good the carnitas are. Since I LOVE carnitas and they tend to be hard to find, I decided to try the place. Only problem was they did NOT have carnitas. Boo. But I tried my second favorite, Chiles Rellenos. It was absolutely out of this world! SO good! The rice and beans that came with it were really light in color, so not your typical rice and beans, but they were delicious. I also got a small order of guac and chips, and for $3.95 it was a great deal. It was really good, the chunks of veggies were large enough to enjoy but not overwhelming in size. So my review is really 4 and a half stars. I just wish they had carnitas. Oh well. I'm definitely going back (and if anyone who reads this wants to share where their favorite carnitas can be found PLEASE leave a comment). Thanks!
(4)Jennifer B.
After first being told the delivery driver was out for the next two hours, i was going to give up, but after an hour and half of calling places who either didnt deliver...or didnt deliver to ME, i called them back w/ success. i got the steak taco dinner, which is two tacos, rice,beans and i got a bag of chips total was about $10 not sure if there is a delivery charge, but still not TOO bad. It even came w/ lettuce, tomato, lime, and avocado on the side...no charge! the steak was pretty good, no fatty nasty-ness. Unlike some ive had at places who CALL what ever they serve you "steak" the Rice was awesome! im a big fan of rice. And the chips were light and tasty! I will def. be ordering from here again.
(4)Christina K.
So, the adopted brother of a friend who lives in the neighborhood was consulted by the Rogers Park newbie who, hoping to sort out the bevy of Clark Street Mexi-yummy options, sought guidance. And guide he did, stating in no uncertain terms that his favorite was Cuetzala. Who was I to argue with such decisiveness? It's BYOB, but also within walking distance, so, accompanied by my partner in crime, our ingenious plan was take out, repair to the lair, consume mass quantities, and sit in judgment. Mission accomplished? Yes, although Cuetzala's rough-edged in a way that lets you know they're making a no-frills go of it. No printed takeout menu, bilingual overhead listing of what they've got, and solidly good grub. Generally speaking, I prefer to cook my own Mexi-dishes, particularly with an eye towards keeping the meat moist where too many spots like Cuetzala might deliver something a bit more dried up, but I was pleased by what we got. For takeout on this end of town, I think I've found a keeper.
(3)Kate B.
I called to make a reservation, as I'd never been before and I wanted to make sure there'd be room enough for my group. Reservation not needed. The wait staff was extremely friendly. We actually received a complimentary appetizer--I'm assuming for being the biggest group they'd seen in a while (there were 6 of us). The food was so delicious! It was plated for a more upscale place with extremely reasonable prices. We all got different things and there wasn't one complaint. Not enough good things to say. It was casual environment (think diner) and would be perfect for groups, kids, date night, etc. I love it!
(5)Elvin C.
We had been to Cuetzala a while back given it is one of the closest sit down Mexican restaurants to us. That experience didn't stand out. After seeing the reviews on Yelp, we figured to and test it again. We went with the flautas - something I've avoided ordering before at other restaurants, thinking (mistakenly?) that they were some Americanized creation. In the end, I thought, we enjoy gorditas - why not this other fried masa item? The flautas were great with guacamole, queso fresco, and sour cream on top - they were placed with mixed greens, to give you something healthy to eat with. Otherwise, there's a tasty scoop of rice and mild (runny, but not greasy) beans. Also did order the sope (it came out narrow and ovalized) not round like other establishments. We had ordered it, wanting to sample, and not order a whole huarache. It still was on the big side. We got it with carne asada and the steak was tender and so was the masa. I got the cabeza taco since it was something not at our other taquerias. Tortillas are factory made, so ok, but the meat was tender and just a little fat for taste. A rich taste without going to far with gristle. The big surprise was off their specials board up front. I got the seafood omelette without much details (and I didn't ask). Sure thoughts of Korean pancakes might have been on the mind...but the waitress smiled at my choice and I thought it might be a good sign. It came a generous fluffy omelette with large shrimp, melting cheese, and actual crab! We took half the omelette home, so I'll dissect the rest for breakfast and see what else was in there...the piece of crab we had was fresh, moist, and was a leg piece about an inch long. A taste of a bit of shell (harmless) only reminded me that my meal was plucked from crab by hand and not canned in a remote factory. on the side was a bit of salad (mixed greens), avocado, and partially quartered cherry tomato. The customers? Most of the sit downs were non-Mexicans (us included), but there were quite a number of Latino/Mexican orders heading out to go. Considering the location as the furthest north of the RP taquerias on Clark...that could be a reason, and that it is that far separated from those you can browse by walking south of Touhy might be another. Oh - the horchata? a healthy dose of cinnamon in there. So - it is a little pricier than other places. Some dishes you might not find at others. Tortillas - wish they were handmade..but that gives us reason to keep other taquerias in rotation.
(4)Cecilia M.
I am Mexican and I can be a bit pickier on certain things. I haven't tried anything with beef yet which may change my review. I have had their chicken soup which is truly prepared old-school Mexican style with the big pieces of chicken and huge pieces of veggies so you have to be prepared to take it apart yourself. Their chicken tacos were great although I am not a fan of the double tortilla (in Mexico its used when serving very small tortillas not regular sized ones). i actually like their rice which inmost laces I ignore and their drawback so far is that they are super skimpy on the beans and their 'order' of tacos for almost 8 bucks had only two tacos... that seemed sad to me. No Mexican can call that an 'order' but I guess I will call it a "sad order". Basically they are a bit overpriced for a Mexican joint but the food was tasty and well seasoned and I LOVE that they give you the lime/cilantro/onion mix for the tacos and I like that the lady answers the phone in Spanish :)
(4)Carmen R.
I just recently started going here and yet to be dissapointed, The flautas are great.
(4)Marc L.
After my roommate and I moved all of our stuff out of our apartment, I came back to clean it up. Since cleaning is exhausting work, I got a chicken burrito to go from Cuetzala (I ate in once and wasn't too impressed with the service. No chips and salsa) and sat huddled against a wall chowing down on this glorious burrito as my apartment was being shown, but I was like a dog gnawing on a bone. The burrito is one of the best to be found in Rogers Park. The chicken was moist and I liked that they grilled the tortilla a bit to give it a little crispness without making it hard and crumbly. The salsa verde was pretty tasty too.
(4)Chris M.
This place is delicious. I've been eating here pretty regularly for months, and there is exactly one thing I've eaten there that I haven't enjoyed thoroughly (the fish taco). Oh, it still wasn't bad, just a little weak; I'm used to Baja-style. Everything else? Wonderful! They have probably the best burrito with pork al pastor that I've had. I'll occasionally skip salsa, just to focus on that remarkable pork. The horchata is really delicious, and the large is about the size of your head. I've never needed a refill. The flautas were really remarkable, perfectly cooked and covered with just the right amount of guacamole, cheese, and probably a couple things I'm forgetting, but they were fried to perfect crisp, and made me wonder whether I'd been missing something elsewhere by rarely ordering them. Just tasting them, though, I have a feeling I haven't. They're ridiculous. The tacos (besides the fish) are simple quality, as they should be. The salsa: They have excellent salsa, both tomato (chipotle-style) and tomatilla, just the right spice to allow you to vary it easily with the quantity. It doesn't look like most of the good salsas I've had before, but it is. Just a dab still gets a good bit of flavor without too much kick, but pouring it on will burn your mouth like it's supposed to. I had a chicken mole here once, and it was very unusual, sweeter than I've had mole before, but still quite tasty. Anyway! The girlfriend and I still haven't done the meal for two, but at ~$20, and with the quality of the rest of the food, I've been meaning to for months, if I can drag myself away from everything else!
(5)Christian R.
Four stars for the incredible burrito al pastor...haven't tried anything else yet but can't wait to go back and try everything else!
(4)Jenna M.
Best chicken burrito we've ever had. Get it with avocado. Perfect. The owner here is, I believe, the brother of Adan, who owns and is chef at Los Nopales in Lincoln Square which we dearly miss having moved to Rogers Park. Cuetzala makes missing Nopales not so bad. It is definitely more of your "hole in the wall" taqueria than the "restaurant" I consider Nopales to be. Chicken burritos and the rajas con queso sope were delicious. I believe we also tried three different tacos all of which were good with the pork being particularly so. Not a fancy spot but much better than your average taqueria!
(4)Shelley P.
Yummmmm....I just moved a few blocks from here and have eaten their tacos several times already. I have lived in Texas and San Diego, both places with great Mexican food, and I have to say that this place is comparably delicious. So far, I have had the fish tacos and a burrito. When I get tired of those (maybe never) I'll try out some other things on their extensive menu. Cheap prices, fresh, flavorful food with great portions and great service.
(5)Steve K.
Yummmm! Based on the laudatory reviews, I decided to check out Cuetzela Gro and I'm glad I did. The guac was delicious. My mole was superb. A friend had flautas which looked very appetizing. The beans were too watery, so I would avoid things like burritos, which are made with them. The prices were a little steeper than its competition, but it was worth it. Will be going back soon.
(4)Ellyn R.
We absolutely love this place! My husband and I grew up in New Mexico and since moving to Chicago about 5 years ago, we have been searching and searching for a good Mexican place. Finally we found it! Not the same as New Mexican food, however, this was the first Mexican place we tried that actually cared to put some flavor in their food. The first time we tried it, I had the chile rellenos and my husband had the chicken tostadas, both excellent. Now we mostly do take-out from there and are absolutely in LOVE with their steak burritos and steak nachos supreme. The meat is nice quality and seasoned well for both dishes. The nachos are a bit on the expensive side, but worth it in my opinion. Each chip is individually put together with beans, cheese, and steak and the pico de gallo and guacamole on the side are great. We highly recommend this place and order from here about once a week. Yum!
(4)Zulfiqar K.
Just got carne asada tacos... pretty flavorless and bland. Asadero and Pasadita are definitely better. This really was one of the worst steak tacos I've had. On the plus side, I really like the horchata.
(2)Marcos L.
Any place that makes chiles rellenos to order from scratch gets 5 stars. This is a wonderful little gem. Big flavors, small prices.
(5)Younga C.
Got the al-pastor, tilapia and steak tacos. The al-pastor was sooooo tasty! The fish tacos were super bland! Luckily I ordered pico de gallo so I masked the blandess with that. The pico was very good, got it extra spicy and it was awesome! I also got the cebollitas and they were terrible!! I had to re-grill them myself when I got them, they were soggy and bland! Although I liked the food here and want to order again, the delivery was AWFUL!!!!!!! I placed my order at 7:30pm and was told it would be an hour for delivery. At 9pm I had to call 3 times to see where my order was. And when I finally got my food at 9:10, they FORGOT 3 things!!!! So when they finally came back to drop off the rest of my delivery, it was 9:45. I spent $45 at this place, yet I didnt get anything for my frustration and wait. I'm not looking for a free meal, but I would like a credit for free delivery or a free $2 taco or something!! Like I said, the food was pretty good, but I'm scared to ever get delivery from here again unless I order at 5 and want to eat at 8!
(3)Leah P.
YUM YUM YUM! This place is a hidden gem. I love authentic Mexican food, and this place provides delicious fresh products. I loved the cheesy quesadilla for an appetizer topped with their homemade salsa. For an entree I ordered tacos (I know I'm boring) but they were fantastic! Next time I am there I am going try this delicious looking shrimp dish the table next to us had. With this restaurant being BYOB this makes for a very inexpensive and satisfying meal.
(5)Michelle A.
Mexican food worth traveling for. You would almost miss it if you didn't know what you were looking for. The food is always delicious, presented well, and served fast. The waitstaff is very friendly, and the food is very reasonably priced. I sometimes bring my daughter here for dinner on Friday nights. I recommend this restaurant to anyone in Rogers Park, or anywhere else, who wants good Mexican food.
(5)Colleen N.
I stopped in here today for the first time. My tacos were very yummy, especially the vegetarian taco. Solid chips and salsa too. The restaurant was packed with people, but the servers were cool with me occupying a table on my own. I'll definitely be back-- I can't wait to try the rest of their menu.
(4)Larisa O.
I love this place!!! The food is always beatifully presented and the portions are generous and inexpensive. They are generous also with guacamole and avocado slices, which is such a treat. The waitresses are all pleasant, attentive, and sunshiney, which makes eating there so nice. The carne al pastor tacos are divine -- some of the best I have had. This is very authentic food and you will find unusual items on the menu. There is always parking nearby.
(5)kelly l.
Cuetzala 7360 n clark Cuetzala is the 18th taqueria we've visited on Clark, between Devon and Howard. And it was well worth the wait. The first time we ate at Cuetzala it was a week night, and was kind-of dead. The interior is typical, small, unremarkable. Except that the music they were pumping that night was pretty awesome. It was some sort of Spanish pop that sounded, at the same time, like 80s movie music (I'm thinking karate kid and Rocky), karaoke, and a mentos commercial. Excellent. As was, I gotta tell you, the food. We started with complimentary chips and salsa (always). The green was really limey and flavorful. Not too spicy for me. The horchada was awesome, sweet and ricey, cinnamony. I really like that on their menu their 'meals' were called 'exquisite dishes.' They had some lovely specials. I thought about the tamal nejo, but didn't go there. Husband did try the special soup that night, a tortilla soup served with sour cream and avocado. That soup was sexy. Creamy. Hot. Spicy. Thick. Gorgeous. Husband, for his main course, got the tampiqeno (a dish that includes a skirt steak and a cheese enchilada). Husband has ordered tampiqeno at least 4-5 times on our discovery of Clark and this is the first time he was asked for a temperature on the steak. Nice. Ultimately he thought it solid, not exceptional. Served with some grilled onions and a grilled jalapeno. Julie got enchiladas with verde sauce. She got one chicken, one cheese, and one picadillo enchilada. The verde was pretty spicy. The meats were good, but she felt the verde went best with the chicken. She wasn't impressed with the verde/picadillo combo. I also got enchiladas, but I got them with mole. YUMMY. Spicy, but not too spicy. Not burnt tasting or grainy. Just dark with chocolate and coffee flavors. I was mopping the mole up at the end. I, too, tried one each, chicken, cheese and picadillo. The chicken was really good. Pulled, no gristle. The picadillo was my least favorite, with chunks of carrots and potato. Kind-of like a mole burger. But the cheese was right on. For dessert they had a choice of orange or coffee flan. We shared a coffee. Not bad. A little overcooked on the bottom (top) but it was tasty. Cuetzala's not the cheapest taqueria on the block. For three of us, with big horchadas, a soup starter, and a dessert, the bill came out to about $50. Not awful. Not dirt cheap. Just saying. But the food was good enough to try again. So today we stopped in for Saturday brunch. The restaurant was kicking. We had to wait for a table to be cleared. Note: the clientel was pretty mixed, ethnically. And there was only one waitress. The poor thing was running. So, it took a bit to order and get our drinks/chips and salsa. But the waitress was sweet and kept apologizing. She was trying. Not her fault. Again, the food was great. The chips were warm and well salted. This time we got the regular (excellent) verde salsa, and in addition a salsa mixed with avocado. Green and creamy and hot like fire. Husband dubbed this a 'little bit of heaven.' Husband got the chilaquiles with verde sauce and scrambled eggs. (you had a choice of salsa, egg or steak, and choice of egg prep.) The came out beautifully. Lots of food. Creamy and spicy and just really tasty. Husband decided it was worth the wait. I couldn't help myself. I wanted that mole again. And it was just as good as I remembered it. Another note: there were a lot of posoles coming out of that kitchen. They only serve posole on the weekend. I wonder if it's super awesome? Lots of folks eating it. Maybe I should try it next time? In conclusion, a great place across the board. Nice service (if a bit slow at times). Great food. Varied menu. Reasonable prices. We will visit here again. Cuetzala, along with Dona Lolis, Rocky's Tacos and El pueblito have proved to be our faves.
(4)Nick A.
Excellent in every regard. Every plate I have had was awesome. Throw a dart at the menu if you don't know what to get. The camarones diablos and costilla de res are especially great..great to eat in especially with byob..true prize in the neighborhood..
(5)Peter P.
This place really is a diamond in the rough. From the outside it looks like a typical run-of-the-mill cheap Mexican restaurant (i.e. one of those "El", "La," "Los", or "Las" places). Actually, from the inside it looks that way as well. However, the food is a step or two above your usual burrito/taco joint. The fresh chips/salsa they bring to your table is definitely not the jarred nonsense you typically find. They also make tamales nejoes (pre-hispanic tamales made with ashes and wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks) traditionally served with mole verde which are almost impossible to find.
(4)Daniel A.
This place has pretty fucking great food. There are 3 steps to follow when you go here: 1. Order your food. 2. Eat your food. 3. Go be happy.
(5)Kirill M.
Nice place to stop for a lunch and eat a real soup:). 5 stars because it was exactly as expected: friendly and quick service, clean and bright place, good quality simple Mexican cuisine.
(5)Franklin F.
My favorite Mexican restaurant. Ingredients are always fresh and cooked very well. The food is almost always very tasty. Staff are very nice. There are a lot of Mexican places in Rogers Park, but of the ones I've tried, this is definitely the best. Try the vegetarian burrito, although you won't find it on the menu anymore. It's just stuffed with properly cooked fresh vegetables, red and yellow bell peppers, onions, avocados, mushrooms. The green salsa that comes with the chips is very tasty.
(5)Peter K.
What a great place! Free parking; you don't find that at too many places in Chicago. Amazing murals, good lighting, clean bathrooms, clean tablecloths. Chips were crispy, not salty, greasy, or oily at all. Full flavored salsa, both red and green. They even brought out a second basket of chips after we finished the first one. The guacamole was smooth and flavorful. We had: (1) two chicken tacos that were tasty, full of flavor and not too salty (2) tortas milaneza (one chicken and one beef) were fantastic, good crisp to the crust too. the bread was soft, not dry or too much. Rice was really well done, good taste, not dry or wet, nicely steamed? Beans tasted good, but was a little runny for my liking. Horchata was good, not too sweet, not too much cinnamon. They brought out little bowls of fruit, which was a nice surprise. Service was quick and attentive throughout dinner. I plan to go back to try the enchiladas and tamales with black mole sauce. I'm going to have trouble deciding what to get if I keep going back!
(5)Buddha B.
These restaurateurs are a step above your average taco/burrito place. Make that TWO steps. Cuetzala Gro seems a bit different each time we visit, yet consistently pleasing. Cuetzala Gro should mot be missed!
(5)Samantha J.
Good daily specials and BYOB
(3)Mark M.
My favorite Chicago Mexican restaurant. My partner & I eat here often. A bit pricier than the surrounding neighborhood taquerias but the quality of the food is excellent. I have never had a bad meal here. A few of my favorites are the fish (tilapia) tacos, the chili relleno tacos and the pollo milanesa dinner. My partner is addicted to the steak tacos. Also, the complimentary chips & salsas (both verde & roja) are delicious...and unlike most places these days, they aren't stingy with them. I LOVE chips & salsa and they keep bringing them. In addition to the food, the restaurant itself is immaculate. The place is CLEAN and you can tell that the owner & staff take great pride in the place. I think the bathroom is one of the cleanest I have ever seen in a restaurant. Finally, I have to give a shout out to Denise, our favorite server. She is extremely attentive & always has a smile on her face. She made us feel welcome from the moment we first walked in the place. If you are looking for a Mexican spot that outshines all the others in the hood yet won't break the bank, give this place a try. You won't regret it!
(5)Ally H.
Guacamole was creamy with an extra kick of lime. Portion of Enchiladas with Carne Asadas was a little small, but perfect for me. We also had quesadillas and tacos. Meat was not tough and had good flavor for the pork and steak.
(4)Earthsgreatest A.
The salsa was amazing, but that was about it. The place smelled like Lysol upon entry, and that is always off-putting. That said, nothing was overtly offensive.
(3)Katie K.
Best and most authentic mexican food around. Try their chorizo--absolutely amazing. The horchata is great too. I've both dined in and ordered delivery on multiple ocassions and I've always had a positive experience. The food was delivered quickly and still hot. And when I ate in the restaurant the service was prompt and the chips and salsa fresh.
(5)