4. Restaurants

That Little Mexican Cafe

1010 Church St, Evanston, IL, 60201
  • (847) 905-1550
  • Store is closed

That Little Mexican Cafe Menu

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  • Sandra J.

    I love to eat Mexican food. This place is a great place to have dinner. Also, Their margaritas are amazing. The waitress was so nice and helpful. I want to thank them for making their costumers happy.

    (5)

  • Angela C.

    Meh. I got the guac because everyone on here said to, but I think we were stuck with a lazy waitress. They supposedly make the guac in front of you; ours didn't. We asked for super spicy; it wasn't. It was a waste of $8. We split some fajitas and they were pretty good, but all in all, not impressed. I'd take a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place in Cicero or Berwyn over this place any day.

    (3)

  • Joe G.

    Poor service. Came here on a Sunday afternoon. They were not terribly busy. I ordered an iced tea which came within a few minutes. After that we waited for more than twenty minutes while servers checked in with the tables around us multiple times. Needless to say we couldn't get anyone's attention and decided to leave. Upon exiting I asked a server at the front if I could at least pay for my tea and she said there wouldn't be a charge. Nothing else.

    (1)

  • Patty T.

    Yummy guac. If you are into food so spicy you can lit fire in your mouth, ask your server for extra spicy. My date had fajita (extra spicy) and that stuff is probably one of the spiciest food we have ever had, in a good way.

    (3)

  • Sally W.

    So, so gross. Cold, nasty Mexican that looks like reheated frozen dinner. I love Mexican, and you can get the same thing warm and better at about a tenth of the price three miles south anywhere on Clark Street. Like a Bennigan's on the inside.

    (1)

  • Kei A.

    Ordered out while at work, and the tacos were phenomenal! The delivery was quick and the man delivering our food was kind and courteous. Next step is to visit he actual place to dine in!

    (5)

  • Dana Z.

    My favorite mexican spot in Evanston! Delicious food and margaritas - they recently redid their menu... much smaller and more concise! The wait staff is really on top of it ... our meals came quick even on Cinco de Mayo! I love the salmon yucateco... so yummy. They don't take reservations... but if you're willing to wait at the bar for a drink, you can get seated relatively quickly!

    (4)

  • Kevin R.

    Best Mexican restaurant around. Clean food made to order.

    (5)

  • Jackie O.

    I work very close-by to this location and love their lunch buffet! From what I hear - this is also the after work spot for a few too many margaritas. The staff is friendly and if they see you in there more than a few times (ok, a LOT more than a few times) - the will always wave or say hello when you walk through the door. The lunch buffet ($12) is very reasonable for the price. Usually the buffet has salad, fruit, chips & guac, steak fajitas, tamales, and a few options for tacos/burritos. I love when I find mole or flan on the buffet. Delicious! I have never been here for dinner, but again, the margaritas are where it's at!

    (4)

  • doug g.

    We've come here for years because of the excellent margaritas and incredible guacamole (and wonderful folks who work there). However, the rest of the menu never seemed match the level of the margaritas and guacamole - we kept trying things on the menu until finally we stumbled across the delicious pork tenderloin and chorizo! Now margaritas (in the blue glasses), guac and tenderloin is our go-to meal at that little mexican cafe! If you're looking for a great appetizer, give the chipotle shrimp a try!

    (4)

  • Horace L.

    I tried the tamales, which were fine. The staff was helpful and kind, and the place seemed clean enough.

    (3)

  • Liz A.

    The food here is exceptional. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Evanston, but unfortunately, because it's not in some of the prime foodie locations right off Sherman, it gets forgotten about easily. I'm definitely partial to their tamales, but the steak fajitas are amazing-- I don't normally trust the steak quality at smaller scale places, but this is surprisingly good--definitely a must-try. Also, the Sunday brunch is a great price for all the food; that is probably one of my favorite times to go to TLMC.

    (5)

  • Sarah Beth B.

    Pretty good! I ate here as an NU undergrad a couple of times (in pre-yelp dinosaur days), and just came back for the first time last week to meet a few friends. The slightly nicer-than-standard-mexican matches the slightly-higher-than-standard-mexican prices, but also slightly-higher-than-standard food. We got the freshly made guacamole, which they prepare right there at your table! limey and chunky and full of tomatoes, it's a GREAT guac (and this coming from someone who doesn't really like avocados, for what it's worth). The food was also pretty good! BF and I broke our usual rule of getting two things and splitting bc the chilaquiles sounded so good. They were pretty good, but not great. I think it would have been better if we'd also had a burrito or fajitas or something to take away from the mushy chip-ness. I'd definitely come back and recommend to friends looking for Mexican food in the etown area, but it's not the best food in Evanston. Just pretty good.

    (3)

  • Joan A.

    This place is good for lunch and dinner, but few people know about their Sunday brunch, which I think is the star of the show. On Sundays from 11-3 they do a buffet, which always includes yummy tamales, jicama salad, their famous fresh guac, and desserts like tres leches cake. For ~$12 you can definitely get your fill, and there's a lot of choices, so everyone's happy.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    We always liked this place for good margaritas, table side guacamole, and tasty entrees. Had not been there in a couple of years and sadly, we won't be back. We got there around 7 on a Saturday night and expected a wait. We put our name in and were told a 30-35 minute wait which was perfectly fine for a Sat night. Went into the bar and ordered a couple of margaritas which were just ok even though we ordered them with one of our favorite tequilas. Not sure if they've changed their recipe or our taste buds have changed but they were lacking the nice flavor that we remembered. Checked in our table about 25 minutes later and were told another 10-15 minutes. We let 15 minutes pass and checked again and we were told they had no idea when we would be seated. Okay, skip that and we will find a table in the bar but no luck there so we just ate at the bar. Obviously no table side guacamole. I ordered the portabella mushroom fajitas and they were good. My partner ordered the Baja fish tacos and what a disappointment. She knew the fish was fried so not ideal but they arrived in hard taco shells with some cabbage. Not much flavor at all. For anyone who decides to try this place - if it is a weekend night with a wait and there is a bar table available, grab it.

    (2)

  • Kyle H.

    3.5 Stars, A-okay plus! A nice Sunday brunch visit, sad that the buffet was closing just as we got there, but honestly, the selection didn't look all that anyway. Appetizers of guacamole (excellent) and black bean and goat cheese empanadas (tasty) were good starters. My dining partners raved about their margaritas and I hope to try them someday! My chicken mole was chocolaty and nutty, as it should be. Good, but not the greatest mole ever. This place has a fun atmosphere and would be a good place to bring a date or for a small celebration of friends. Service is not the greatest, sometimes seems confused, but it's a solid choice for pretty good Mexican food in Evanston.

    (3)

  • Nancy L.

    Okay Mexican place. Typical menu for a tex mex place with a full bar including blended Margaritas in a number of flavors like Mango.. They make the guacamole table side on a little wheeled cart. Love that it's customized to your taste and created in front of you fresh. Had to smile a bit about the cart that looked like someone made it and painted it in their garage. While it seemed a bit rickety that only added to the feeling of being a local non-chain place. Some tables felt a bit crowded together. Overall its okay and little pricey for what you get- not a big wow if you are looking for authentic Mexican food.

    (3)

  • Vanessa R.

    We recently stopped here for dinner before an NU basketball game. We figured this this was a great opportunity to use one of our mounting Groupons & who can turn down Mexican food? Atmosphere: We were greeted by a friendly hostess who seated us in a comfortable booth. The space is very big and open here and would be great for groups of all sizes - from small tables, long group tables and booths. Bright colors, neat artwork (complete with artist information if you would like to purchase!), and a nice bar off to the side. Service: While the restaurant was pretty empty, it took a while for our waitress to come by. Luckily for us, we were in no rush. The waitress was very friendly as was the woman with the guacamole cart. However, there were pretty big lapses between taking our orders, getting our bill, etc. Food: Complimentary chips & salsa - good, smoky/spicy salsa and warm, crispy tortilla chips! The guacamole appetizer is awesome; this is a must-try if you visit. They have a mobile guacamole cart and it is made at your table with your choice of toppings. We opted for the 'spicy' with jalapeno peppers, onion, cilantro, tomato and lime - so fresh & tasty! Best part: it was made in a molcajete and was a large serving. The chicken enchiladas in salsa verde were just OK. Chicken was tasty, but the sauce was a bit salty and tasted like they just poured some store-bought green salsa over the enchiladas. The rice was also mediocre - and was served in a tiny portion - about 3 fork-fulls! I figured since I did not get the beans that came with the dish they'd be a little more generous with the rice. Oh well, probably for the best. Another bummer - no horchata! Again, probably for the best as I just stuck with water. Price: A bit pricey for the quality of food; each entrée was $15 and up. Also - they charge you for things you come to expect for free at a Mexican restaurant. Want 2 tortillas with your meal? You'll have to fork over 75 cents. While this may not seem like a lot, it is when you can buy a pack of 12 corn tortillas for 30 cents. Sour cream? $1.00. And the list went on with "extra" costs. Even a $3.75 charge for a refill on your chips and salsa! (However, our waitress did not charge us for our extra basket :)). All in all, a nice place to eat if in the area & craving Mexican, but with a plethora of Mexican choices around the city, odds are we won't be going back soon. Food was pretty bland (with the exception of the guacamole & salsa) and pretty pricey for the portion/quality. Service was also on the slow side.

    (3)

  • Ehow C.

    Huh, I managed to find a buffet that wasn't terrible, imagine that. The variety of dishes was okay, considering you can just make a taco. The guacomole was pretty fantastic, as well as the chicken and salsas. My friend and I were pretty full after one plate, which was peculiar, since our appetites are rather enormous. I think most of the selections were pretty heavy, thus we filled up very fast. For the cost, I'd say it's a decent lunch buffet. Save this place for a special lunch occasion. I've been here for dinner and have not been impressed, so I wouldn't recommend that.

    (3)

  • Patricia B.

    TLMC provided dinner for our group of 30 who were attending a weekend conference. The owner and his team worked with me, as the food coordinator, on the menu choices, accommodating the special dietary needs, while also offering a wide variety of choices --in addition to staying within our budget. What they delivered was truly delicious, abundant, fresh, colorful and so much more! Thank you for a job well done.

    (5)

  • Jen P.

    One of my regular lunch places. The lunch time buffet is FANTASTIC--plenty of items to choose from and they keep it full and fresh. It's a great deal when you have the appetite. Their guacamole and salsa are very, very good. The staff is very friendly, always keeping us in chips, salsa and drink refills, and they always accommodate how we want to pay our bill, whether it's separate checks, or multiple credit cards on one check. A great place for a group lunch.

    (4)

  • Kelly C.

    The food is quite good, not too bland, everything a little spicy, and the portions are good with sides included, but the prices... man, it's just steep. The restaurant is huge and pretty nice-looking at least from the outside, but it's always mostly empty. I recently ordered 3 entrees and a tortilla soup to go for my family, and it was every bit of $60. Everything was good but the tortilla soup, but I reserve my higher-end takeout dollars for sushi and in general am pretty annoyed when any non-sushi meal that I eat at my dining room table costs more than $30.

    (3)

  • Scott S.

    A must for lunch. They have a great lunch buffet and if you don't want to go that route, great specialties on the menu. The staff is great and the restaurant and kitchen are spotless.

    (4)

  • Melanie B.

    The food wasn't bad... I really liked the salsa, and the steak had good flavor but was chewy. However, they have some of the worst margaritas I've ever had. Bland and really watered down. Disappointing since I wanted a good margarita tonight.

    (2)

  • Audrey S.

    It's our go-to restaurant for pre- or post-movie dining in Evanston. We get a pitcher of margaritas, an order of guacamole and the salsa flight. They don't promote the salsa flight too much, but it is EXCELLENT!

    (4)

  • Bruce S.

    Walked in and no hostess. Waited for some time, people lined up behind us. Waited. Staff walked by and ignored us, avoided eye contact. Finally just left. Will never return.

    (1)

  • Vance S.

    The first time we went was better then the last time but overall very pleased with it. Great burritos and the guac was great along with the margaritas! I would tell others to go for sure.

    (4)

  • Yanyao N.

    Somehow, after having lived in Evanston since 2002 and in the building RIGHT ABOVE this place for almost 2 years, only last month did I find out about the lunch buffet. Words cannot describe how disappointed I am with myself. Luckily, I was not disappointed with the buffet. It costs around $10 a person but the spread they put out in an absolute delight. There were tamales (one with a green sauce, the other with a mole), quesadillas, spicy shredded chicken, all the fixings to make tacos, enchiladas, chips, salsa, a really impressive "salad" bar featuring papaya/mango salad (!!!) and jicama, chocolate flan and fried tortilla strips dusted with powdered sugar and honey. YUM! This is all I can remember. I'm sure there was more. I only tried about half the items. SO MUCH FOOD! I also really appreciated that when I tried to order guacamole (mmm, avocado fats are the best), our server told us that they had it on the buffet line. I like when people help me save money. Hooray for you! To be honest, I didn't really like this place before. When we first moved into the building, we went in and I found a few bones in my duck taquitos. Now, having given them another chance, I will come back regularly for that buffet. I need my omega-3s after all. Helloooooo guacamole!

    (4)

  • Scott W.

    Somewhere closer to Frontera Grill than Arturo's Taqueria, That Little Mexican Cafe is a great spot for dress-casual Mexican dining. Their made-to-order guac is yummy. Their moles are complex and rich. And the fish dishes are always solid. The weekend brunch buffet at $12 per adult is a tremendous value and gives a good sampling of their menu. With delicious food, a full bar and a very friendly staff, you can't go wrong.

    (4)

  • Neha N.

    Horrifically overpriced. Now this may just be because I moved from Georgia and the prices of Mexican food is pretty cheap because there are so many restaurants, but this isn't even that good.... I got a vegetarian enchilada and they put every vegetable imaginable in there (including carrots), gross. I think they use the fact that there aren't many options in the area for Mexican food to their advantage to overcharge people. The queso is good though and so is the guacomole. Come here if you really can't go into the city. There are dozens of GOOD Mexican food at reasonable prices near Lincoln Park.

    (2)

  • Kristen S.

    This is a cute little restaurant. Reasonable prices, delicious food, good service. They have a buffet at lunch time but I have not eaten it. It seems nice enough. Typically, we get the guacamole and chips and salsa - then some steak tacos. Everything is very yummy. Sometimes we have leftovers to take home - such big portions! It's not like Chili's. It's more like a nicer version of Taco Burrito Palace. A good place to eat.

    (4)

  • Ambrish K.

    My wife and I had walked by this place innumerable times and finally decided to give it a try, as she really wanted to eat Mexican food that night. Now, I for one, can't have enough of Mexican food and was delighted to go along. There was a 15 minute wait, which gave us enough time to sip on drinks by the bar. The mojito the bar tender was serving up looked very promising, so I ordered one for me. I believe sugar is an essential ingredient here, but I could have done with maybe half or less the amount that I found in my Mojito. It almost tasted as sweet as a soda.Thinking back, I should have ordered a fix right away. Strike 1. We were seated and looked at the menu and then at each other, facing the usual dilemma of what combination of rice, beans, tortillas and meat to order. We finally ordered the Chicken Enchiladas (mole) and the Tostadas (chicken) with much anticipation of chowing down. We also gave in to hunger and asked for an appetizer of their fresh fixed-at-your table-side Guacamole. They ask you how you like it..mild, medium or spicy. We went with medium. It was delicious!! A little too salty for our taste, given that their chips were salted too, but really good. The dinner arrived and we went to work. The enchiladas were seasoned well. The mole sauce, I decided, was not going to be my choice if I ate there again. The beans were served up not refried, but almost in a baked beans style, which I was ok with. The rice and the salsa were tiny portions compared to what I have been used to at other restaurants, but it's no big deal. Not being an aficionado of the sauces, I thought the mole was over the top rich and concentrated in its spiciness and sweetness combined. Strike 2. The tostadas did not disappoint. Served up in deep fried pockets of corn, the meat and toppings together were quite nicely spiced and balanced each other well. Good call on that one (compared to the other choices we made). All in all, it may have been an off night for the kitchen or for our tastebuds, but we agreed we would be looking forward to seeking out the next best Mexican restaurant within walking distance of our home the next time we agreed on the cuisine. Some tasks are mightier than others.

    (2)

  • Natasha C.

    If you go, you must get the gauc! YOU MUST GET THE GAUC! I suggest getting 2. One spicy, one med. I had the chicken enchiladas with mole. Definitely real Mexican food. Good prices. Had the mango ' Rita and thought it was too much purée and not enough alcohol, I'm not a heavy drinker so I don't mind. Get vegetarian choices. I'll definitely go back to this location. Very chill and very good.

    (3)

  • Dan C.

    Awesome mexican food. You know the food is pretty good when they actually make the guac at the table in front of you. I had the steak fajitas and they were amazing. A bit spicy but thats how i like them. They also have amazing mojitos for those that are fans of it. The price is decent, and well worth it for the amount of food that they give you. I usually have no problems cleaning a plate, but I had to take some of the food to go. If you are in the Evanston area, it is well worth a stop.

    (4)

  • Jay K.

    So we put our name in and we were told it would be a half hour wait. The place was super crowded and the vultures were surrounding the "hostess" stand boarding on harassment for a table instead of waiting like everyone else. Guess they felt special and entitled. I felt sorry for the very young woman working there because of that. New customers walking in couldn't get to the stand to put their name in. Long story short the vultures harassed the poor girl into giving tables out of order. Our party of four clearly took a back seat to the vultures because we noticed two parties that were seated before us. We were not alone in our observation as another party of four noticed the same thing. When I approached the stand to ask why we were clearly bypassed I got the deer in the headlights look. I didn't let this ruin my night however and continued to wait out for a table since it was getting to late to go anywhere else. The half hour turned out to be an hour and fifteen minutes! So on to the food. The table side prepared to your liking (spicy, mild, more onions etc.) guacamole was excellent! $7. The salsa was below average and the chips were kinda stale. I had the pork tenderloin with chorizo. The pork was sliced and the sausage was crumbled and grilled together making it nice and crunchy. The beans and rice were below average. The portion was very small and not anywhere worth the $16 but it really tasted great, but after the long wait I would have eaten it raw...like a vulture! The other dinners we okay, not worth the $$ for sure. The ice cold Corona and Sol beers were reasonably priced at $4.50. The service was good once we finally sat down. I would go back for the guacamole and cold beer but that's it. Poor value. IMO you could get better Mexican food at El Famous Burrito. When is Evanston going to make snow removal in the downtown area a priority? It's awful that they encourage people come for shopping and dining but can't clear out the street parking!

    (2)

  • Katie P.

    So far this is the best mexican I've found in the area. Having just moved from Los Angeles (Little Mexico) I really miss the food. I love their cheese enchilada. I'm not a fan of their tacos. Good fajitas, too. But I prefer my homemade fajitas to restaurant ones anyway. Their blended strawberry margarita is a delight. OH! And they deliver. That always gets you an extra star. (I'm lazy.)

    (4)

  • Kate M.

    My favorite place in Evanston for the year I lived there. The food is always reliable and so yummy -- our go-to's were the pork and chorizo (my husband's favorite) and the chipotle shrimp (appetizer or entree, both are delicious). The guacamole is a must and my friends who had their quesadillas said they were excellent as well. The food is wonderful but the atmosphere makes this place -- small enough to feel like a neighborhood spot but big enough to accommodate you whenever you're in the mood for a margarita. Annie the bartender knew us by name and not only makes fantastic margaritas, she is lovely and was always interested in chatting with us about whatever was going on in our lives. We loved going in just to see her and liked to think we were her favorite customers. ;) Definitely worth a trip to Evanston and if you already live there and haven't tried this place, head over as soon as possible!

    (5)

  • David Z.

    Went to this place over lunch with some co-workers. We all had the lunch buffet, which was $10.95. I have to say, I was impressed with the variety that was offered at the buffet. There was mango, watermelon, and pineapple for fruit, along with 2 salad choices. They had both corn (the hard version) and flour (soft) tortillas. There was also chorizo, potatoes, beans, rice, pork, steak, empanadas, 2 soups, taquitos, tamales, and a few other things I'm forgetting. All in all, I thought the food was of above average quality. It may have helped that we were there early (11:30), so everything was fresh. The real problem we had was the service. Come on guy, how hard is it to serve a table when they're having the buffet? We only got our initial drinks, and then he didn't come by again and ask if we wanted refills until AFTER the meal was over (we all had finished 2 full plates of food by then). And then the waiter disappeared, because we waited an additional 20 minutes before he brought the check over for us to pay. I guess I shouldn't complain since our boss was there, which made a long lunch acceptable, but still, it was pretty annoying. I really wanted to give this place 4 stars. The ambiance was fine, the bathroom was clean, and the food was pretty good. But I just can't shake the fact that the server didn't come by a single time during our actual meal, and then made us wait another 20 minutes for the check. Left a sour taste in my mouth!

    (3)

  • Gordon J.

    Without a doubt, the worst Mexican food I have ever had. Just bad. Arrived for lunch at 11:45am and couldn't get the check until after 1PM. It was like they were doing me a big favor letting me eat there. Check was over $40 for two lunch buffets and two drinks. Mancow nailed it on the bathrooms (see below). Horrible choice... I'm angry I went there.

    (1)

  • Fawn J.

    Been here a couple times now and love the food. But I have to say, they won me over with the authentic guacamole cart they bring to your table and the margaritas. yum yum yum! I will definitely return here when I want great mexican food - for a price. That's my only negative. But, you get what you pay for, right?!

    (4)

  • Janel J.

    I came here for lunch with a friend, and we used a Groupon to get the lunch deal and a flan dessert. The lunch buffet deal is $10.95 for salad, fruit, a lot of different entree options, and a drink. It's truly an excellent cost (especially with a Groupon, hehe) for the variety of the food, as well as quality! The guacamole and the flan were particularly good - some of the best I've had in Chicago, I daresay - and the buffet intrigued me to some of their menu items. I would definitely return if I am in the area. The service was also really great! Our waiter was really helpful and personable, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is festive but relaxing.

    (4)

  • Tom H.

    Pleasant, large high-ceilinged airy room, nicely lit, with comfy booths and a number of small tables with chairs. Interesting decorations all around--right now, they seem to be enjoying setting up for Halloween. Most of the space is taken up by the restaurant section, with an open kitchen at the back, and a full bar area at the eastern end. I think they're trying for fine dining Mexican, rather than being a taqueria, and the prices seem skewed upward. Two tacos plus some beans and rice are $12, when they'd be half that price in Pilsen or Clark Street in Rogers Park. On the other hand, the more interesting dishes, like salmon baked in a banana leaf or the wood grilled duck breast seem priced more reasonably for that type of dish. There are many nice small theatrical touches throughout the meal: a professional guacamole chef may stop by your table with a cart and make up an order as you watch and direct the action; coffee arrives in a french press, ready to extract at the table, rather than premade in a cup. I started with a cup of tortilla soup, a creamy smooth orange-tan soup with strips of tortilla mixed in. Not sure if the color came from squash or pumpkin. For my entree, I opted for the charcoal grilled pork tenderloin, small tasty medallions of pork arrayed over a layer of sharply flavored chorizo sausage, with refrito beans (a little soupy in texture, but perhaps not as lardy, thus healthier?). The tiny mound of white rice mixed with vegetables seemed like an afterthought or a garnish, rather than being an integral starch to the meal. A nice container of warm tortillas accompanied. The tequila list is huge and daunting, but not really my thing. There are several pages of wines to choose from. Oddly, beer is no longer listed in either the menu or drinks list; you need to have the waitstaff recite the list for you. I ordered a Negra Modelo cerveza; it arrived in bottle with a lime wedge for a stopper, sans glass, low-down cantina style. Not sure if not providing a glass was a style choice or oversight. For dessert, I had one of the best flans of my life, beautiful firm non-soupy texture, sauced with a delicate (maple?) sauce with a bit of bitter chocolate/cinnamon sauce and small dollop of whipped cream to one side. Coffee, as mentioned above, was a good french press style with several cups in the press. Service was friendly and attentive throughout my meal, from Carmen M. The bus staff was equally attentive to clearing used dishes periodically. White tablecloth, linen napkins, proper silverware and china plates. This place is not a taqueria. Total for the dinner, before tip, was $39.09, priced more Frontera Grill than Nuevo Leon (my Pilsen staple). Beer was $4.50, cup of soup 2.75 (reasonable!), pork tenderloin 18.95 (ok for a complex dish, but I would have felt cheated if I'd ordered 2 tacos or a burrito for nearly the same price), coffee 2.75 (again reasonable) and the flan at 7.00 (a bit high). A basket of good greaseless tortilla chips with a nice bright-flavored salsa came gratis. TLMC is a short walk from my apartment, so I'll continue coming here, even though I know I can get a huge platter of good food much cheaper if I travel south out of Evanston.

    (4)

  • Holly R.

    A margarita is served in a container that is as big as your head and the guacamole is made from scratch - table side. By far, the best in the area.

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    This is a OK place for folks who would like decent Mexican foods. The portion is big for most of the dishes. So prepare coming here with a big stomach.

    (3)

  • Daphne L.

    Outside of Mexico, this place has the best margaritas I've had. They're fresh and not overly sweet, and mixed to perfection. The bar is in my opinion a better seating choice than the main dining room, which, for reasons I can't pinpoint doesn't appeal to me. The guacamole is stuff of dreams, man. Creamy, spicy, cool, delicious. I love that it comes in a bowl big enough for two people to share. I've had only a few entrees, but my favorite has been the skirt steak and tropical grill (?); grilled seafood with a light salad and fresh papaya and mango. My only complaint is that the prices are a bit steep for good, albeit average Mexican food. I'll still go back for the margaritas, though.

    (4)

  • Matthew S.

    On a Saturday night in Evanston a person such as myself has a lot of options. Even at 9:30 at night someone can find a nice place to eat. I don't like showing up at places when they are about to close so I called them before I arrived and asked them what time are you open? The women on the phone said 11. I later found out when I got there that they are actually open till 11:30. Which made me feel like she lied so I didn't come in. Once I got there I felt like my girlfriend and I were inconveniencing them. They were not welcoming or friendly. We started with the guacamole which was the highlight of our dinner. Except I thought the waiter was supposed to make it at our table. I ordered for my entree the chicken fajitas and they came to the table cold and not sizzling. I figure that someone sent my meal back and they put it in the microwave and served it to me. Why should a veggie gordita cost $14? My girlfriend said she liked it but I think she was just being nice. La Pita is a much better option for Mexican food in Evanston. Heck taco bell might be also. I can get great guacamole at a lot of places so there really is no reason for me to come back.

    (2)

  • Bridget C.

    We love this place! The mango margaritas are so tasty! They taste fresh and remind me of summer! I order something different everytime but so far the fajitas are my favorite! The space is clean and easy to find! We always find parking and bring visitors here each time they come to Evanston.

    (4)

  • Jessica V.

    I loved the guac which does come in a mortar looking bowl! I got it a little spicy , which was perrrfect! I also got empanadas as an app which was also a-mazing! These two items I enjoyed the Most and definately reccomend. I heard they have a Sunday buffet in the early afternoon I could be back again one day for this delish deal!

    (4)

  • Day C.

    The food is great and tasty for sure, but I just think they could have done a little better with the prices. You could go many other places for equally outstanding Mexican food for a price that blows this out of the water. That said if I paid for anything, I hope I paid for the atsmosphere. The price for the tacos is a little rediculous, so I opted for the burrito to get as much bang for my buck.

    (4)

  • Sammy S.

    I came here for a dinner meeting. There was probably about 14 of us eating that evening. We all had the chips and salsa and Guac, which was all good and fresh with the table side show they do. I had a steak burrito - not the best I had but ok. some people had the tamales, which looked really dry and not too much taste. I didn't taste them but those who were eating had similar things to say. Others had the steak fajitas which looked kinda burnt.. I know there going for that smokiness look and taste but theres a limit. I had water since they didn't have Orchata nor Cidral 2 of my favs to drink while eating Mexican food. We were there for about 3 or 4 hrs since we were kinda doing business and the only thing I hated was I had to keep going out and feeding the meter. They have no parking lot available and you can only use meter parking if you want to dine in, That is if you drove in of course.

    (2)

  • Linda SingaSong S.

    My third visit to Mexican Cafe and it was def not my first choice. Tapas Barcelona wasn't open yet so my gf's & I opted for a nearby mexican restaurant to celebrate my bday dinner. I vividly remember from my previous visits that this restaurant lacks good service, food & liquor. I don't like their margaritas and their sangrias are not their finest. No pitchers so I had about 3 today & I didn't taste an ounce of alcohol in 'em. So much for getting my buzz on. Servers... oi. Where do I begin? They are not very attentive when drinks or food are running low & half the time, I'm trying to get their attention & flag 'em down. I'm sorry...but I've worked at a hospitality industry for years and that's a big NO-No. Food is a bit bland and not very authentic. I ordered the chicken tacos today. The meat was overly grilled, and there was not much flavor. I found myself dumping leftover salsa on top of 'em. Let's just put it this way...this is my final visit to this restaurant. I'll take the extra 20-30 mins & drive to the city for better mexican fare.

    (2)

  • Sasha R.

    I think it's kind of funny that their slogan is "Where you peso little, but you get so much," considering almost everything on the menu is extremely overpriced. The food is pretty good and decent in terms of size, but I'm just going to put it out there that Chipotle is right down the street, almost half the price, and they serve beer/margaritas. I mean, if you're going for not-exactly-authentic Mexican cuisine.. I guess you just pay for atmosphere. Also, the margarita I ordered was stingy and in a martini glass. The mojitos, on the other hand, come in a pint glass and are worth it.

    (3)

  • Jeremy W.

    Man oh man. When that lady rolls her cart over to my table and begins assembling the freshest Guacamole around, I'm in heaven. Forget everything else, keep that Guacamole coming! This place has good food. My favorite entree are the Enchiladas. No ground beef in their Enchiladas, more like real beef. The ambiance in this place is also nice. Give this place a try, we did and now it's a regular for me and my family. I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    As far as Americanized-Mexican food goes, this place is delicious in my book... tasty chips & salsa, excellent guacamole, and I've always enjoyed the dishes I've ordered. The margaritas are quality, too... and will give you a quality buzz for a decent price (Not that I ever drink on my lunch break. No, never.). The guacamole is so freaking creamy and fresh, I could eat that for a meal by itself. The reason I've knocked off 1 star is because the service is realllllly slow. The servers have always been very nice, so I hate to complain, but when I have to get up and ask for the check every time I eat here, there's a problem. There are definitely other Mexican places I prefer in Chicago, but when in Evanston, this is a good stop.

    (4)

  • Joe W.

    Steak fajitas, on a good night, some of the best I've ever had. I say on a good night because there have been a few times where they lacked the great flavor that keeps me coming back. My wife is addicted to the chicken tinga. We also think they have the best tasting margarita's around. They only get 4 stars because all those things I mentioned are a little on the pricey side, especially the tiny margaritas. Living within walking distance, we've been here at least 15 times, and all but two have been great meals.

    (4)

  • Abby D.

    We were driving home from Minnesota & had stopped in Milwaukee looking for a decent Mexican place. After 3 tries, we struck out & got back on the road, crabby & hungry. Our rental car had one of those GPS systems and as we neared the city, I scrolled through the mexican restaurants & the name caught my eye - 'mexican' + 'cafe' sounded promising. And it was exactly what I had been craving all day. Fresh mexican food without grease, a perfect amount of spiciness, accommodating wait staff (allowed me to sub guacamole for chicken), outdoor seating where we could tie up our dog on the perimeter. Nice neighborhood for outdoor eating too. The chips were thick & not at all greasy, the salsa was fresh. This place is quite a train ride from our home in South Loop, but I guarantee we'll be going there again soon.

    (4)

  • Tiffany D.

    I really enjoyed this place, by keeping in mind that this was an Americanized, chain-restaurant version of Mexican food. Having lived in Mexico and having an adopted Mexican family here in the states, I don't have any expectations of these types of restaurants, which is probably why I wasn't disappointed. I had the chicken tinga burrito, which (keeping it in context) was awesome. The tinga was very flavorful and the heaping sour cream and cheese made it even better. The service was kind of slow and it felt a little crowded, but it was a Saturday and what I expected. I would go back.

    (3)

  • Timothy K.

    I really enjoy going to this restaurant and have been coming here for years, in fact, since it was an even littler mexican cafe near Davis St. I love their tamales, some of the best I've ever had, and I especially enjoy the lunch buffet. I can't think of another Mexican Restaurant that has a lunch buffet. Also, they make excellent guacamole, tableside All in all, the staff are always friendly and recognize us whenever we go there, and I'd have to say that this is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicagoland. Keep up the good work!!!

    (5)

  • hani b.

    Protip: Get guacamole. For your main, get 1 or two tacos a la carte (per person). They are ~$3 a piece, and 2 are enough to feed a grown man. That's $15 for food for two people. Leaves you $85 for margaritas!

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    The experience of eating here reminded me of the apocalpyse I never experienced. Seriously, what a catastrophe of a restaurant. Zero stars for this place. Here is the deal: I ate here on Labor Day 2008. The first abyss I looked into, which subsequently looked into me, was the service - admittedly, it was Labor day, and it may have been understaffed - but I factored that in and I still say the service here vaguely resembles one of those secret Eastern European rendition prisons where the CIA tortures innocent cab drivers. The service was incredibly slow, but also nonchalant in its lack of concern - long waits, we were brought the wrong dish (after a half hour, and the waiter asked us twice what we wanted), the waiter did not apologize (he just brought the correct dish later, without asking, which is not good, although at least they acknowledged the mistake in that respect), Anyway, the service was atrocious, but the food was worse. I had fish tacos - they were so bad, so unseasoned, so bland, so boring, they may have turned me off fish tacos entirely. It was like eating the dusty shoe box filled with my grandmother's used hankies. My friend had pork tamales, which were supposed to be chicken, and those were reportedly awful. Nothing good here. I literally do not have one good thing to say about this place. Drinks - not awful, had a margarita, nothing to write home about at all, and a bit short - served in a martini glass. I would rather eat at Taco Bell. Seriously. I beg you, I implore thee, beware this poor excuse for a restaurant. The experience will shatter your hope in humankind. The audacity of hope? The audacity of hopeless Mexican food.

    (1)

  • Joshua N.

    This place didn't do much for me. It is a nice looking restaurant and the staff was friendly, but the food was pretty mediocre and at times bad. I'm kind of amazed at how busy this place gets at night. My table ordered the duck taquitos, pork tamales, and steak fajitas and shared everything. There were tiny bones scattered throughout the duck taquitos, which otherwise tasted alright. The fajita steak was under seasoned and over cooked. The rice side was truly awful, but the beans weren't bad. The tamale needed to be a bit more moist and flavorful. They use a mole sauce on the tamale which is too bitter and sends the flavor off balance. Honestly the high point of the meal was the guacamole that came on the side of the fajitas. Great guac. We skipped dessert, citing reservations about what the $7 flan was was going to look like. Probably won't be back, which stinks because it is obscenely close to home. I wonder if they would be willing to trade locations with Lupitas.

    (2)

  • Jesster A.

    Try as I might, I'm not always capable of complete objectivity - so the 4th star may have been influenced by our low expectations - which our meal greatly exceeded - in a good way... We loved this place when it first opened on Sherman/Orrington - but since then it has been on a downhill slide and gotten a tad expensive... We only went there (well it's a long story) but because it was Monday and Lupita's (not my first choice either) was closed and our visiting friends from Holland wanted Mexican within walking or biking distance. This left us with few choices... BUT I am happy to say that I'm glad we went there - we had a fine time and the food was better than expected. The Guacamole was not only good but fun - as they make it fresh at your table - on the other hand it costs a sweet $7,95...which was adequate for the four of us and the chips were pretty OK. I went for my old favorite - the scallops - which are utterly delicious - and you can get them in either appetizer or entree size (for me the appetizer portion along with the Guac is more than enough.) Everyone seemed pleased with their food and the overall atmosphere and ambiance were very pleasant. The "Bananas Foster" type dessert was also very good (if rather easy to make at home....) and hefty enough for all four of us to have a couple of bites - which was fine - since we were all quite full. All I can say is that those of you who have written this place off - (as we had) might want to give it another chance. So thank you Lupita's - for being closed on Monday's - And - Don Juans and Wholly Frijoles for being too far away to bike to....! I think I'd now like to try their lunch buffet (Dee W,, Ellen - what do you think?!)

    (4)

  • Elizabeth G.

    Great Mexican restaurant. It was my second time going and I will be going back. It is perfect if you want to go to a local place with homeade chips and guacomole, great margaritas, and good food. I had the pork tacos with pineapple which were delicious. I would also highly recommend getting the guac, it is the best I have had and it is made right in front of you.

    (4)

  • Dee L.

    Great margaritas, although I wish the pitcher was a better deal ($35? It's cheaper just to order 4 house margaritas). I always get great food when I'm here. And they have some interesting dishes as well. Among my favorites are the Salmon Quesadillas, Duck Fajitas, and Mahi Mahi tacos. Ah-mazing! Wait staff is great, bartenders (especially Maria) are awesome, and I always know I'm going to have a good time when I come here. Big plus for the outdoor seating!

    (4)

  • Anh Thu V.

    Still the best pork tamales I have ever had, given that I have eaten pork tamales in Houston, La Jolla, San Diego, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, and a few other places. The tamales were made with fresh masa, bits of pork and pork fat - the secret to keep it moist and yummy. They were served with tomatillo salsa. Nothing beat them on a cold Evanston winter night. I am still wondering, how the heck did one of the best tamale chefs ended up in Evanston? Too bad I moved away in 1999 and can only now dream about this place and their pork tamales.

    (5)

  • Kristine S.

    I'm perplexed by the bad reviews. Eating at this restaurant isn't going to change anyone's life, but it's pretty damn good food in a pleasant, relaxing environment. If the service has been less than perfect during any of my visits, it's because they were clearly overrun with customers. Quite obviously, the place is popular -- I've never seen the place not full. These one- and two-star reviews? I don't get it. I myself am giving That Little Mexican Cafe five stars specifically for the duck enchiladas with mole sauce. People, I dream about these enchiladas, and about the day when I return to Evanston to indulge once again. They are just about the most delicious thing I've ever eaten in Evanston. Five stars for the duck enchiladas!

    (5)

  • George D.

    Great food & service. Too bad we live so far away or we would be regulars

    (4)

  • Julie R.

    A charming Mexican restaurant. The guacamole is both delicious and fresh. A tad pricey, but worth it.

    (4)

  • M R.

    The food was greasy, and not in overall standards of greasiness, but even for Mexican food standards. Also, the menu is awfully overpriced. Unfortunate that the only Mexican place in downtown Evanston [Chipotle does not count] is so overpriced.

    (2)

  • Jason P.

    Absolute garbage. The food is bland and not good at all. If you want decent mexican food, go down the street to Las Palmas. They must have strong drinks to make people forget that their food does not taste like anything. I actually yelled at my sister when she told me she was going here and actually liked the place. Afterwards, she called to say it was bad and my mom actually took only one bite of her food and commented that she now knew why I was not a fan of this place.

    (1)

  • Lindsey B.

    Went here for a business lunch, and although there weren't many other people there, the lunch lasted over an hour. Luckily we weren't in a rush, and we didn't get the buffet to be fair, but I've had much speedier business lunches in other Evanston restaurants. The guacamole was EXCELLENT - super fresh and there was a ton of it. Easily enough for 5 people, I'd say. Got the chicken burrito, which was completely standard in terms of mediocre Mexican place burritos with super mediocre rice and beans on the side.

    (3)

  • Mark S.

    Bland food, totally Americanized, pricey, and served in an upscale style atmosphere. If you want to play it safe, this place is a good choice for some guacamole, chips, and margaritas- you won't be disappointed. I'm not totally against Americanized Mexican- places like this, when done right, totally satiate my underfed suburbanite roots. But really, everything here is just so... meh. I found myself scanning the place for a bottle of cholula or tapatio or something to put some flavor in my food- not surprisingly, none could be found. What flavor their food does have, is reminiscent of a Lawry's chili packet.

    (2)

  • Amy R.

    I love the margaritas here. Fresh and not too sweet, with plenty of tequila. And the guacamole was amazing! I did their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet which had a good selection of Mexican favorites plus more upscale Mexican fare, but nothing that would blow your mind. It's a good atmosphere to meet a bunch of friends--not too quiet but not too loud, either. Its downfall: It's pricey, and the food isn't good enough to make it worth the money. A great place to try, but I probably won't be a regular here.

    (3)

  • Amy W.

    Best margaritas, best steak fajitas, chicken tinga to die for! I love this place! The waits can be a little long at peak times but it's worth it. This is not a cheap burrito joint, you will pay a little more than some mex places but it's worth every penny. The food is delicious and you can tell a lot of thought was put into it. The fajitas and tinga tostadas are my favorite but I haven't been disappointed by anything I've ordered. They have a great lunch time buffett that is fantastic. A great way to try a lot of different dishes.

    (4)

  • Jen B.

    Came for lunch and to use our Groupon. Husband had the lunch buffet and loved the chicken tacos and steak fajitas. I went with enchiladas verdes and was very pleased! We are both from Texas and are picky about Mexican food, but we would go back again. We had guacamole as an app and it was awesome. It wasn't made at the table but it was made for us, with no onions! The prices were also lower than the menu online but I'm not sure if it was because of lunch.

    (4)

  • Alex G.

    I love this place! Weird location on Church St in Evanston, but the restaurant is fantastic in service, ambiance, and cuisine. YOU MUST GET the guacamole - they make it right in front of you and it is the bit guac I have ever had in my life. The entrees are great but I only order one of a few. A great choice for date night!

    (4)

  • Andrew K.

    This restaurant has the nicest staff I have ever encountered. Always willing to help and recommend dishes. As for the food you have to get the guacamole, a woman comes to your table and makes it right in front of you ensuring that it is not only fresh but exactly how you want it. Definitely recommended if you are ever in the Evanston area

    (4)

  • Sam L.

    This place has overpriced, Americanized Mexican food. The guacamole is great; they do it in front of you. On the weekends, there can be a wait and there is no garage parking or parking lot on a business intersection. There are better options out there.

    (3)

  • Marci G.

    THANK YOU YELP REVIEWS!!!!!!! We went here because of the reviews and it was REALLY DELICIOUS!!!!!! Chips n salsa to start. Delicious guac made to order at your table.....YUM!!!! Tamales were HUGE and perfectly deicious! Too full for dessert. Thanks again Yelpers!

    (4)

  • Cassie M.

    The service was wonderful but... The drinks were weak, despite spending a bit too much for better tequila. The food was borderline awful. I always get either tacos or nachos the first time I try a new Mexican place... I went for the tacos at this joint. Honestly, the worst tacos I've ever had. Over-priced, slightly unpleasant tasting, and the portion was ridiculously small for the price. My girlfriend DID have a better dish, but when she offers to go again, I always pick something different instead.

    (2)

  • Natalie B.

    Great Mexican food--and I grew up in AZ so i should know! We went there for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and it was dead inside which made me a little nervous. But I was happily surprised by the food. The homemade salsa and guacamole were both excellent and thought the enchiladas were great too. Can't wait to go back and try more dishes to review

    (4)

  • Mollie R.

    Excellent guacamole, mild & hot salsa & fresh chips start anything off right especially a Mexican feast. I am pregnant so they made me a virgin margarita and the rest of the crew had margaritas. They actually catered a party a co-workers house & did a fabulous job! Things that I liked: -Fresh food -Quality meats -Portions a great size

    (4)

  • Steve J.

    I stopped by the Little Mexican Cafe while shopping in the neighborhood. I read the reviews on Yelp and decided to try it out despite the mixed reviews. I wish I could come up with more positive things to say, but I was really disappointed with my experience. Pros: nice decor, decent service, and an overall pleasant atmosphere. Cons: overpriced menu, TERRIBLE margaritas, and overly salted food I ordered pork tacos which were nearly $11 bucks. Other local Mexican places have a similar entree which is priced less and that include 3 tacos vs. the 2 at this place. The tortillas were soggy and falling apart by the time they arrived. The margaritas were just terrible.... made from a mix and tequila clumsily poured on top. The salsa was way too salty and had a stale taste. The only thing I would give a marginal passing grade was the rice...which isn't saying much. When the bill arrived I totally felt overcharged for such a lackluster dining experience. I would avoid going back to this place and would suggest that you explore other local options in Evanston.

    (2)

  • Kristin W.

    That Little Mexican Cafe is one of the finest Mexican restaurants on the North Shore. They're a step up from your standard Mexican restaurant with such amenities as fresh table-side made guacamole, higher end ingredients like duck, and an extensive tequila list. The wait staff is very attentive and helpful when you need to make a decision. The food is very fresh and the quality is very high. The main course dishes, especially the duck fajitas, are exactly what I'm looking for when I go to a nicer Mexican restaurant. The restaurant has ample seating between the main dining room and bar area. Overall, That Little Mexican Cafe is the go-to place in Evanston for an upscale Mexican dinner.

    (4)

  • Kristen F.

    I was a little surprised to find such low quality reviews on this place quite frankly. Although I should preface my review by saying the we only came here for drinks and guacomole. I had a mojito which was quite strong and I'm no lightweight, I've put away at least half a bottle of vodka before while getting only mildly - moderately drunk. We both had the guacomole which was made fresh tableside. I've gone to other places that made the guac tableside and have never been impressed, they all had this werid "woody" quality that have left me hesitant to even finish the rest. However, this guac was very flavorful with none of that werid taste I've encountered at other places, exactly what I would expect good guac to taste like and indeed on the level, if not better than what I make at home. I would definetly come back here to relax outdoors with a drink and some guac again.

    (4)

  • Marina K.

    I hate having to give a three-star review when there are some many good things about this place, but at the same time too many negatives to overlook. I keep going back for the mole sauce. It is my favorite mole, even compared to more authentic or even upscale Mexican restaurants. When you order the "steak" enchiladas, they are actually filled with a delicious spiced and slow-cooked beef. YUM. They make fresh guacamole for you in a lava rock mortar and pestle, which is really good. They always give you a different salsa with chips. One of the last times I went, they served a roasted red pepper salsa. But, here's where they lose stars: Tiny overpriced margaritas, $9 if you order a better tequila, served in a short glass. Some dishes seriously lack flavor especially the beans. I've had both refried and black beans and they've always been so bland. They don't know how to cook steak, so don't even try it if you see it on the specials menu. It came out all charred and smoky on the outside, overdone on one half, and undercooked, almost raw, on the other side. Another time, they ran out of the dish I ordered and decided to substitute for something else without even checking with me first. You never bring the customer something they didn't order. But, I'm sure I'll be back for the enchiladas in mole again; I'm just going to have to resist the over-priced margaritas.

    (3)

  • J R.

    Excellent food and delicious Cabo Wabo Margaritas!

    (5)

  • Mande S.

    The margaritas were good. That is it. Our server was attentive for the first ten minutes but disappeared after she brought our food. Every single dish lacked salt. My chipotle shrimp was gritty and sandy and the shrimp had its icky vein thing still in then. There were 4 of us, and 3 of us had different "specials of the day" menus. Not very professional. For that experience, our dinner was sadly, woefully, garishly over-priced. Sigh. At least we had entertainment in the form of an uppity snobbish nearby diner who had 4 margaritas and berated her husband and kids.

    (2)

  • Crystal L.

    The margarita menu is epic. Rather than order by flavor, you order by the tequila brand. Ask your server what their favorite is and trust their instinct, so you don't end up with the most expensive or the cheapest tequila. And for the love of God, have some huevos and order it on the rocks. They make the gauc right in front of you and give you a rather large portion of it - yes, it's more than $8 for it, but it's worth every penny! I had the duck wrapped in sweet potato tortillas and my boyfriend had a dish with caramelized shrimp (both were incredible). Our bill with one appetizer, two drinks, and two entrees ended up being over $60, so this place definitely isn't a cheap eat, but it's really great for a nice date in downtown Evanston.

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    This place has standard mexican fare that is a step better than Chili's, which fresh made guacamole and decent frozen margharitas. Recently went here with a group of friends on a Friday night with a 7:45 pm reservation however we were not seated until nearly 8:30 pm and then continued to have slow service throughout the meal for drinks and taking entree orders.

    (2)

  • Drew S.

    I could have easily just sat outside and had margaritas and eaten the guac which indeed was fantastic. My wife also had the chicken tamales which she said were very good. I've just been spoiled by really really good homemade chips, the light and crispy kind, and these are not those. But good for scooping I suppose. I also had their special crap cakes, which were very average. Don't like it when they serve up little puck-like cakes, they just seem dry. But it's great for sitting outside at the end of the day and snacking.

    (3)

  • Catherine W.

    I second the endorsement for the buffet. Came here for Sunday brunch - place was not busy at all, but the brunch was delicious and a good deal for $11.95. A great selection of huevos con chorizo, tamales, fresh guacamole, chicken/beef tacos, fresh fruit, horchata, and juices. I will come here again! Very roomy atmosphere that is good for kids. Not crowded at 11:30am when brunch started.

    (4)

  • Shradha A.

    Update 02/2008: Continues to be a good reliable place to take guests and does not disappont. At the same time, I never expect anying special or great here. --------------------------------------------------­- I like their fresh guacamole! I like them better than Las Palmas in Evanston. I don't like that they lost my credit card in the kitchen, told me I had it when I knew I didn't, until some washer-person came out of the kitchen and reported the lost card! I don't like the service. They can be slow. Vegetarian friendly? Yes, very!

    (3)

  • J M.

    It's always busy and fun to eat there. The entrees are good (not great, but good enough), and we enjoy having our margaritas poured and guac made table-side. I'm marking this place down for its catering. We tried to have an event catered by TLMC. . . . since they supposedly offer catering. First the manager and then the owners gave us a terrible runaround. If you don't want to cater, fine, just say so. Don't keep saying yes we'll do it, and then bail. They put us in a real jam for our party.

    (1)

  • Rick H.

    This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. The Staff all takes pride in their work. They do get crowded at times, and do as good as possible in these circumstances. There "rush hour" is Friday night at 7pm. The Guacomole is made at your table, to your preference. Excellent! The mole is a specialty. The quality of food is fresh and as good as it gets. There is a large selection of Tequilas, and the bartenders all have opinions on which is best. We have frequented this restaurant on a regular basis for years and recommend to everyone. If you go on a Friday or Saturday, or on a weekend of Northwestern football, go early or late to miss the crowds.

    (5)

  • Patricia K.

    Any place that can tolerate my indecisiveness when I'm distracted deserves a few bonus points. From the moment I sat down, my focus was elsewhere and I had the hardest time deciding what to order. I finally settled on chicken tacos, a water to quench my dehydrated body, and a couple handfuls of chips&salsa. I'm going to lay it out on the line -- I'm not a big guacamole fan. In an attempt to sway me to the dark side, he ordered the guac. I tasted it and while I am still not a fan, it was probably one of the best I have had. I can appreciate quality, even if it is not my particular taste. The chicken tacos were really good. Unfortunately, I was not very hungry at the time and I only managed to stuff down one of the two but yummm, it was good. It was loaded with really fresh ingredients that really held their own flavors. One of my biggest complaints in Mexican restaurants is how too many ingredients melt together and you lose some of the texture and flavor. I found that my taco defied all that and I will certainly be back to try more. I was a bit dehydrated that day so I stuck mostly to my water. I did, however, steal a sip of my date's sangria. It was really good and had I not committed to water for the evening, I would have ordered several.

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Consistently good food. The carne asada and pork are my favorites. The pork tacos are delicious. Do not miss out on the guacamole. They make it to order right at your table. The margaritas are also good. It's a little on the pricey side but it's a nice dining experience and I feel like I get what I paid for when I dine there.

    (5)

  • Melissa G.

    Hands down the best guac and margaritas around!!! The guac is made table side with fresh ingredients. If you guac with a kick just ask and the guac-a-rista will give you more jalapeños. Prefer a more mild and layed back guac? Ask and you shall receive. I am fussy about my margaritas in that I like to taste the tequilla. After all, what is a margarita without tequilla! I told the bartender my preferences and she mixed and matched a few different margaritas to create the perfect margarita on the rocks. I was in heaven!!!! The perfect margarita coupled with the ultimate guac and chips!! I would give this place 5 stars but the other menu items were average. Typical Mexican restaurant food. Regardless go for the guac and Rita's. Fill up and enjoy . Trust me you will be happy!!

    (4)

  • Magen L.

    Perhaps if I had consumed a few of their lauded margaritas I would have been a bit more impressed with their food. However, my entire party found our meal to be extremely lacking. Everyone's entrees were bland on bland accompanied by overly salty rice. I ordered the veggie and cheese tamales covered in mole and it was nearly inedible. There was very little filling and I'm not exactly a mole expert, but the sauce was the worst I've ever had. The tableside guacamole was a presentation I've seen done much better with infinitely tastier results. The staff was friendly, but not particularly attentive and service was relatively slow considering the fact that they weren't anywhere near capacity. The menu isn't particularly different from any other Mexican place and the food definitely wasn't anything special.

    (2)

  • Marie D.

    I first started going to TLMC when it was a tiny storefront on Sherman. I preferred it then - I think the food was better, the service was better, and it was more intimate. However, I still really enjoy this restaurant and the food. I love tamales, so that's usually my Mexican food barometer, and TLMC has great tamales. I also love their gorditas and enchilada verdes, and the guacamole they make at your table is excellent. Good with kids, too.

    (4)

  • Don H.

    Just went there tonight with a couple friends we haven't seen in a while. The atmosphere is great -- not too loud and a perfect way to reconnect with folks. We ordered drinks which came quickly. The fresh, made-at-the-table guac is incredible! The chips are fried there I am sure. But that's about the peak of the dining experience. The food itself is very good, though its nothing amazing. I had the pulled pork dish (whose name escapes me right now) and it was very delicious, but my tablemates said their food was decently average. For dessert we split the flan, which came on a huge plate. It's perfect for two people though on the smaller side of what I am used to in terms of proportions. For us, it was just right. In terms of value, the four of us with one drink each and two desserts between the four of us came to $100, which is a bit steep to call a value. But the company more than made up for what the food itself lacked.

    (3)

  • Richard C.

    Me and my wife love this place. We've been here many times as a couple and with group of friends

    (4)

  • evie s.

    Great place. The margaritas are terrific, the guac is great and the fajitas are excellent. I also like the enchilladas with tomatillo sauce. I've never tried the buffet, but I don't usually like buffets anyway. The atmosphere is also really nice and the service good. It's hard to find decent Mexican food in the area, and this is a solid place. In the summer, they also have some outdoor seating, which is cool.

    (4)

  • Shaun S.

    Went for dinner here last night with Tracy after shooting our engagement photos. Cute decor, friendly staff and the food was out so quick I couldn't believe it. I should have tried her enchiladas so I could write more. I had the Chili Rellenos with Chorizo. I must say, mine are a bit better, but the menu had some nice choices, I'm guessing we'll go back, the service was very good. There was even a guy going around making balloon animals for the kids at the restaurant, which I'll be able to appreciate more in years to come! I'd classify it as a nice neighborhood establishment.

    (4)

  • Julia D.

    This is one of our go-to places for a "comfort Friday" since has a great bar and is filled with fun Evanston people. The margaritas are one of best around, and the guacamole is to die for. They have a grilled shrimp entree that we also love. I highly recommend this restaurant!!

    (4)

  • Laila C.

    I went a few years ago with my mom when she came to visit. I LOVE mexican food and I eat a LOT of it. This place was Mexican food at its blandest. Maybe I ordered the wrong things, but my enchilada had no heat and no taste. I also think it's overpriced. But on the plus side, the decor's kind of cute.

    (2)

  • Kathleen F.

    I have to preface this by saying that I love food. I will eat pretty much any food. I love Mexican food. I'm not a picky eater or diner, and most of my reviews are 4 or 5 stars. So when it's 3 or less, thats a. big. deal. The fun and laughs that my girlfriends and I shared overshadowed the mediocrity of the food, but I am telling you that if you are looking for Mexican food, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. I ordered a bean burrito. Maybe I should have ordered something that didn't taste straight out of Chipotle because I could have gotten it there for less than half the price, and probably tastier too. The rice was not fluffy Mexican rice but VERY orange kind of shrively little grains, peas and carrots that tasted not delicious. I am a bean lover-- I love them all-- no complaints on the beans. Service? This place brings new meaning to the term slooooowdining. I'm not sure if they thought we needed more time since our last person arrived later or if they had forgotten about us, but they waited too long before taking our order and for pretty much everything else. I do not agree with asking how the food is tasting every 5 seconds or bringing the check before we ask for it. Trust me, this was SLOW. The food came out in a timely fashion, but they were generally slow about everything else. They definitely forgot to bring our chips, and we spent a good 10 minutes staring down the guac before we could finally dig in. So... Little Mexican Cafe: no star for you for no horchata, no star for slow service, no star for mediocre food. One star for speaking to me in Spanish (olé!) and one star for the beans rocking my world.

    (2)

  • Katelynn K.

    Steak fajitas gets me every time! So good. Large enough to share with a friend, without question. Ask for a house margarita.. You cannot go wrong! The ONLY reason I'm giving 4 stars (after 4 times of dining here) due to the less than attentive wait staff. Other than that, I'm hooked!

    (4)

  • Esther K.

    Probably the worst Mexican food I've ever had. The fish taco plate came with black beans and rice, which had been cooked with frozen mixed vegetables, wtf? The portions were large but everything tasted bland and had zero flavor- which is hard to accomplish with Mexican food. I would never return.

    (1)

  • K B.

    The steak fajitas were delicious! The steak was super tender and flavorful. I also ordered a mojito and it was probably one of the best mojitos I've had! A girlfriend had the steak burrito and said it was great as well! I will be back!

    (4)

  • Gillian C.

    As a die-hard margarita fan, I had such high hopes for this restaurant. Here's a pro/con: PRO: Food was good. Not amazing, but good. My boyfriend really liked his meal a lot, while my salad was pleasant but not something I'd order again. PRO: Ambiance is pretty nice. We sat in the bar area at a high-top. CON: How do they justify these prices? In my mind, a place like this (based on decor, menu, ambiance, quality of margarita) should be priced at $6-7 per margarita with a good pitcher deal and entrees around $12. Instead, margs were way overpriced (and good but not excellent) and the food prices were just way too high (we're talking $16 for a salad, $1 for a fajita). We probably won't be back - there are much cheaper gems all over Evanston. Save your money and order a margarita from Rick at the Cellar.

    (3)

  • Jessica C.

    It's fine, it's just fine. The service is lackluster at best, and the vast majority of items such as the salsa, chips, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, fried ice cream, flan are just ok. They're edible and not bad, but I can do better at home. There are, to be fair, a few things I think are great - their skirt steak is perfectly done, the salmon in a banana leaf is quite tasty, and I've had two of their salads (one a seasonal special with chimichurri) that were excellent. None of these items are particularly different from what you might expect, they are all just well seasoned and done the way they should be. The fundito is also great, but really, it's hard to go wrong with fundito. Oh, and I do like their margaritas. I find them much less sweet than others. I also enjoy the festive ambiance/colors and it's a good choice for a Friday with friends (who like it better than I do) when no one wants to cook or leave the Evanston/Skokie area.

    (3)

  • Mark C.

    Well theres not much to say i just love their food, the food is awesome, but our server from this past saturday SUCKS i believe her name is Eloiza, you need more experience as server and u shouldnt be there. You should be working like in Mcdonalds or something but please do yourself a favor and apply somewhere else. You Suck as a SERVER

    (1)

  • Dan P.

    Service okay. The food requires a ton of salt to give it some taste. Had the tacos de barbacoa. Tasted like a dry pile of beef. Salt required. The wife had cheese enchiladas that also tasted like nothing. They required salsa to make them have taste. The beans and rice sides also managed to be tasteless. the tasteless Mexican seems to be a Chicago/midwest problem. I haven't seen that elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Pam D.

    I had to drop a star after the lunch we had the other day. I had the enchiladas and Christopher had the taco dinner. I ordered mine with mole sauce and was very disappointed. The seasoning was very bland. There was heat to it, but it isn't all about being hot. Christopher also felt his tacos were very bland. I ate one of the three enchiladas and took the rest home. To be honest, I ended up tossing it out because it just turned me off. We will return, but not for a while because our enthusiasm has ebbed a bit.

    (3)

  • Emon D.

    Such HUGE portions! For those who know me, know that I take pride in finishing everything on my plate, and so far both time I've been here, I was unable to finish my burrito. But before I go into the food, location-wise- This place is location just west of the Davis station. I don't think this place has its own parking, so if you're thinking about driving, prepare to park in parking structures or street parking. Once you enter, there is always someone to greet you with a smile. The place is pretty big with the entrance dividing the place into a bar on the left and the dining area on the right of the entrance. I was there on a Saturday night, and the place was pretty busy. It always helps to have a smaller group because we got seated right away without any reservation. On that note- I'm not sure if they do reservations. The server was pretty quick to attend to us and drop of the chips and salsa. Both weren't that great and honestly, I stopped eating them after few tries. I've had their burrito before, and so I went ahead and ordered their skirt steak burrito. The burrito came with refried beans and rice. Just a side note- the refried bean is vegetarian! I had to ask for sour cream as it doesn't come with the order of burrito. I am definitely sold on the burritos from here. The taste and the side, along with the cost, all won me over. The table next to mine ordered the guacamole which they role a cart to the table and make fresh guacamole for the table. Trust me- my next visit, I'm ordering guacamole for sure! I do agree with the other review regarding this place not really being a romantic place. Unless you want to cozy up at the bar, this place is often busy with a lot of foot traffic around the dining area. They have a lot of family-size tables which makes it a perfect place for a big group or families.

    (4)

  • Angela C.

    In short: mediocre food and so-so service with a high price tag. Until the return of Taco Diablo and Aguas Tortas, I'd recommend heading to Rogers Park for Mexican food.

    (2)

  • Elaine M.

    Located very near the Davis El stop, we had some time to kill while we waiting to pick people up so we stopped in for some drinks. It was after 10 on Saturday night but the place was quite slow. We do appreciate that they were open and let us order not only drinks but some thing from the kitchen. They ended up locking the doors before we even left just about 10:30 or so. We sat at the bar and ordered two margaritas, some chips and salsa and the husband ordered two tacos. The bartender was not overly friendly but neither was she rude. The drinks were fine but nothing to rave about. We did appreciate that she poured what was left in the shaker into our glasses when they were empty and not just throw it out. The chips and salsa were not good. I didn't care for either the chip or the salsa. And they were super expensive to boot. Husband said the tacos were dry.

    (3)

  • Wesley R.

    Not the best food ever but it's pretty good and consistent and easy to get to. I have never had a bad meal. Haven't been blown away either. Not that authentic but good clean Mexican place for People who don't want authentic authentic but good quality

    (4)

  • Kelli S.

    My husband and I ate there last weekend... The food was okay a little bland but satisfying. The salsa was super good!! The service.... Oh my god!! Absolutely horrible, our server was Alex. You Alex, need to find another job... Terrible, no water or drink refills, we had to chase down another employee for them. Our food wasn't served with utensils, we had to chase down those as well. Never asked if we were okay or needed anything. The only thing Alex was fast on was getting our credit card charged! Our meal wasn't cheap either!! With $15- $20 a plate I EXPECT good service. You suck my friend, which in return makes our experience suck. Will not be returning!!!

    (2)

  • Beth W.

    Love it, and now live walking distance. Great bar to sit at.

    (5)

  • Shannon-Leslie P.

    I went in today for a friend's birthday celebration. Drinks were weak and the food was very bland. Very pricey for the small portions you get but their presentation is pretty good. Our waitress wasn't friendly and gave us a hard time when we asked for separate checks. Also we had to keep asking for more chips and salsa every time. I wouldn't return. I rather go to Las Palmas, Chilis or Tomate fresh kitchen.

    (2)

  • Jahara M.

    Lunch was decent; decent price, but I agree that service is iffy as our server seemed brand new to the whole serving concept.

    (3)

  • Caitlin B.

    I come here really frequently for after work drinks with frolleagues (friend-colleagues). There's not a huge number of places that start serving alcohol at 4:00 PM (well...maybe I come here a bit earlier than after work!), and TLMC is always a crowd-pleaser. The drinks are well-priced, and service in the bar is good, especially in the afternoon when it is not very busy. If you come here at 4:00, there's a good chance you'll be the only table in the restaurant. Appetizers are not too expensive and we frequently get guac to nibble on while we chat. We always sit in the bar area, which I prefer for a couple of reasons- better service and more light from the windows. I've been here for dinner on multiple occasions over the past few years, but find it to be crowded and pretty overpriced. Some of their fajitas are over $20! I don't mind spending money to get really good food, but I've had better Mexican food at other places for less money, and with better service. Once this place fills up, there are not enough servers for all the tables. Also- the dining room is also pretty dark, and I'm not sure why, since there is not a particularly romantic vibe. I recommend this restaurant for drinks/appetizers, but would suggest other places for dinner.

    (4)

  • Devon T.

    Decent food, service a little slow. I needed a replacement for a place I used to go (before we moved) and I think I found it. A little pricier than I was expecting. I had pork tacos, Husband had skirt steak and black beans (which he said were both perfect). Table side gauc very tasty. Red sangria was yummy. The salsa had a smoky flavor, which was a nice change of pace. Kids enjoyed the cheese quesedillas. Will be back to try some if the starters.

    (4)

  • Bill M.

    Our group of three was heading to an Evanston street fair, but a relentless downpour sort of knocked that idea over. We wound up having a very pleasant dinner at the quirkily-named That Little Mexican Cafe. The restaurant is actually sizeable, so even on this early Saturday evening with the presence of numerous groups celebrating birthdays, graduations and family get-togethers, we were seated at a table right away. The interior is colorfully decorated, as you would expect from a Mexican restaurant. The star element of TLMC seems to be a mobile cart from which a staff member makes guacamole right in front of your eyes, though we did not order any. We did get complimentary chips and chunky salsa with a medium-level of spiciness that was fine. We started with an order of three black bean and goat cheese empanadas topped with chimichurri sauce and with a side of mango and papaya. Interestingly, the fruit salad was far more flavorful than the rather bland empanadas. Much better was the tasty cochinita pibil platter featuring roasted shredded pork marinated in achiote, accompanied with black beans, rice, pickled onions, and corn tortillas. I did not leave a shred of evidence from my meal, so no room for dessert on this evening. Our less adventurous dinner mate enjoyed her sizeable steak burrito. The staff was cordial and efficient, and the men's room seemed clean enough. All in all, we enjoyed our dinner at That Little Mexican Cafe and that took the edge off of the lousy downpour preceding our time there.

    (4)

  • Molly M.

    Really can't complain about the food. I'm super into the guacamole procedure they have going! It's fun to tell the guac lady what exactly you like right at your table!

    (4)

  • Tiger C.

    My wife and I tried this restaurant last night. We had the steak fajita and jalapeno poppers. The food was bland. Place looks very popular. This is not Cal-Mex or Tex-Mex - this is Mexican. No black beans. This is the re-fried beans, mexican rice, loads of cheese and sour cream... not Cal-Mex style. They had a duck fajita special. They served my margarita in a martini glass! Not sure what this place is really wanting to be - slightly above hole-in-the-wall, lacks charm, duck and martinis might work when they figure out the kitchen.

    (3)

  • Brett M.

    Decent yet authentic tasting food at fair prices. I would recommend splitting the grilled calamari salad with someone as it's enough for two and full of flavor. Also try the black bean or Tortilla soups. The drinks here are on the weaker side though and fairly expensive for mostly sugar. Decent but not great service.

    (3)

  • Mark S.

    We live a block from the Evanston location and have eaten there several times. The menu is fairly traditional Mexican, but everything is prepared fresh, and is delicious. They make guac right at your table which is really nice, You can't beat fresh guac. We recently had a large party and decided to have it catered. Since we had kids coming we thought a taco bar would be perfect. TLMC did a great job. The food was fantastic and the staff doubly so. They were nice to our guests, helpful with food and drink brought by our guests, and did a fantastic clean up after. We would definitely use them again!

    (4)

  • Carlos L.

    The only reason why I did not give 5 stars to this place was the service. The food was good, really nice place, really good drinks, but I got mistreated here, true I am Latino, but it does not mean that I don't tip. I always tip 20 percent of my total bill. Since I am Latino my server assumed that I was no gonna tip well, and she gave me a poor service ( I wonder if she ever smile ) what it got to my nerves was the fact that by the end when she went to pick up the check to process the payment, she only said "ready" and walk away, ass she is walking a way I tried to tell her that the payment was in cash and that I did not wanted any change. Carmen (the name of the server) did not stop to listen to me, nor to say thank you . She never came back to my table to say tank you. Just a little advice for Carmen Carmen, do not stereotype your customers

    (4)

  • Yousuf K.

    Solid Lunch buffet. Very good quality and quantity of options. Look forward to trying this place again.

    (4)

  • Aditi R.

    Went here on a date for Valentine's Day and it was fantastic!!!! I love love loved the guacamole so much that we ended up getting another round. Usually guac is pretty decent everywhere I go but for some reason this place it was sooo tasty and extra fresh. We ordered it spicy! We got a pitcher of margarita which was pretty decent. I was craving shrimp so got the shrimp chipotle dish and my date got the shrimp fajitas, both were very good. Staff was super super super friendly, loved them. We even told the server to take his time because we wanted to just sit and chat and drink for a while before ordering dinner and he was very respectful of that. I wish this place was open later would be a fun late night margarita place! If the prices were lower I would prob eat here more often but will def be coming back ( esp for the guac).

    (5)

  • Dana J.

    I've only been here a few times, but I love it! I usually get the steak fajitas. Free chips and salsa is always a plus :) If you're going here make sure you come early or don't come with a big group. I went one time and they told me the wait was 40 minutes. They definitely need a bigger restaurant! Guacamole is good, I think it creates an entertaining environment to have someone come out and make it right before my eyes haha. Overall, it's definitely a great restaurant.

    (4)

  • David M.

    I've been here several times. It's an attractive space in a great location - especially if you're going to Century 12. I want to love this place but, for the price, the food and drinks are just ok. Service has usually been good but I just can't get over how "meh" the dishes are.

    (3)

  • Lynn C.

    Wonderful place. Our server was great, the margaritas were delicious. Our guacamole was made fresh at our table and was full of flavor. I had the skirt steak with chimichurri, it was cooked perfectly, tender and juicy , served with black beans and a plantain empanada, very delicious. One of my companions had the fish tacos the plate was very well presented and he was equally happy with his dish as I was mine. Our other companion had the empanadas with a mole a sauce, all of the dishes were well presented and everything was very tasty with very reasonable pricing. excellent Mexican food, some of the best I've had

    (5)

  • Randall K.

    Date night! No kids. Movie tickets in hand. No reservations. Downtown Evanston. So many great choices. We ended up here. I was families with the food because... These guys are FIVE STAR caterers. Seriously they slam dunk a party. But this review is for the restaurant. The appitizers were nachos and guacamole. Both were fantastic. Love the fresh guacamole. Made right by the table. Mild, regular, or spicy. Absolutely the best!! The main courses were: Tamales. My wife said they were the best she has had in a loooong time. That is some serious compliment on the Tamales. I had a steak burrito. It was really good. Perfect amount of meat and fixin's. We passed on the desert, but here is the scoop on the service. Not bad, but not great. I had to flag down someone for drinks and water. The plates were left on the table for about 5 min when we were done. I would go back, but the fifth star would be for a more attentive bus staff. Really great restaurant. A must go to place for date night.

    (4)

  • Jenny I.

    Amazing chips and salsa, the best steak tacos/burritos, oh and their tamales and enchiladas are FABULOUS! The staff is always so friendly. You feel really welcomed here. I love all the lights around Christmas time. It is just the perfect Mexican ambiance restaurant. Love it! Love it! Give it a try, you will love it too! :)

    (4)

  • Megan J.

    Great location - but overall such a disappointment. The food was just so mediocre- Started off w a special appetizer - black bean empanadas w goat cheese. Three very small pieces - with no real flavor at all. no sauce at all. Completely lacklister and it felt like a waste of calories. I had tostadas - one bean and one tinga chicken. The crispy tortillas ware totally soggy and again just nothing special - a real lack of spice and flavor. The server was pleasant and efficient but there are so many great places - Will not be back.

    (1)

  • Mancow M.

    Remember the toilet scene in "Trainspotting"? Thats the bathrooms here. Dear God what filth! Unflushed and ... I just puked a bit. I've heard it said that you can judge a Resturant by their bathroom.. Well then: FAIL!!! Think children's petting zoo but all the animals have diarrhea. That's the foul odor of this restroom of horrors. Can you imagine their FILTHY kitchen? The "help" ? They were miserable. The guacamole lady never once looked our way. This Latina Walter Mitty must've been daydreaming as she served us what tasted like lemonade. Our server was out-to-lunch (even though it was dinner time) too. "Can we get some hot sauce?" "Sure", he replied never to return. Hate NOT to tip. I DID tip but it hurt. Hate is a strong word. The burrito was grilled but then set on a wet plate and was an impossible mess. If somebody did decent Mexican on the north shore they'd get rich quick.

    (1)

  • Rick R.

    This place is way underrated. They have great margaritas! Try Profirios Margaritas only $7.25 and they pack a nice punch plus have flavor. The guacamole is made to order and are so good. Maria our waitress makes them do well they're the bomb! Also ordered tamales and chicken and shrimp fajitas which were also delicious. Too bad this place lost their outdoor seating area. It does however needs a bit of an update inside as its a bit dark. I'd still return however.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth F.

    Pretty frustrated with this restaurant. I have been here twice - the first time was a decent experience, save for the fact the food is overpriced and not as good as it should be for what you pay. However, I decided to give it a second try. I went back this week with a giftcard. It was for $50 and next to the dollar amount, read: "Includes 1 alcoholic beverage per adult." The waiter informed us that one drink per adult was included on top of the $50, so we all ordered $7-9 beverages. However, the check came and the manager informed us that they would not, in fact, be covering the drinks. Plus, the manager was extremely rude and seemed to not care whatsoever about hearing out her paying customers. I left feeling cheated, paying for someone else's mess up, and definitely will not be returning. The meals are overpriced and our server came to our table a total of 3 times.

    (1)

  • Cherie W.

    I've been going here for years and each time it reminds me of being in Cozumel. Consistently good food no matter what I order on the menu. At lunch they have an excellent buffet with a nice range of dishes, both cold and hot, and the trays are kept full of food. Where I think they could improve is their service. It can be challenging to get a pop or drink at lunch hour because the staff is busy with multiple roles and that has been frustrating at times. I like the decor, true Mexican, and it's colorful. There's a bar that seats around 10 or so and a handful of high top tables. We really like it and have regularly eaten there for years. Good stuff!

    (4)

  • Heather R.

    The chipotle shrimp is kind of amazing. Love the organic margarita. Lime juice and agave straight up in a martini glass. Straight up delicious.

    (5)

  • Kristen H.

    Valentine's Day lunch date with my daughter and husband. It was our first time and we loved it!! Table side guac to start, house margaritas lime not syrupy, I had tinga chicken gordita and my husband had the pork pineapple tacos which he loved. Ready to go back!

    (5)

  • Chicago K.

    Very disappointed, this place has gone downhill. No one was friendly, food wasn't as fresh as it was and we were sick beginning an hour after eating dinner to 3 am.

    (2)

  • Michael B.

    We came to That Little Mexican Cafe hoping for some yummy Mexican food from a local restaurant. While the food was not bad, overall, we found it to be bland and overpriced. The best part of our meal was the guacamole, which a waitress made right before our eyes. Talk about fresh! However, with so many other great restaurant options, I don't think we will be returning.

    (3)

  • Mike R.

    Very fresh ingredients.. Had the chicken tacos.. Service was fast.. But it wasn't as good as I expected.. Of you're into home cooked style Mexican food this is the place for you..

    (3)

  • Matt R.

    Who doesn't love TLMC? This place is delish. First things first, the guac. They do not mess around when it comes to making awesome fresh guac. I can't emphasize that enough. Add that to the infinite mountain of tortilla chips and you do end up with a meal all by itself in terms of volume. Then we get to the tequila. I would say for anyone who isn't that familiar with tequila TLMC can be a great place to wet the noodle and/or explore some tequila varieties. Lastly, flautas here are awesome (made from sweet potato), and gorditas here are a little bit oily and/or everything else included in them is mostly better than the gordita shell. Also, service is good, and all food choices here are similar to their other location. I'd suggest this place to anyone with a hankering for good mexican food, just keep in mind that it is pricey.

    (5)

  • Sean K.

    Guacamole and salsa were really good. They make it fresh at your table. Giving this place 2 stars because my steak was very undercooked.

    (2)

  • Edward H.

    Honestly I have no idea why this place doesn't have 4-5 stars. I come here pretty frequently (maybe 15 times in my two years at Northwestern) and am always impressed with every dish and every server. Great for dates, guy's nights, celebrations with lots of people, you name it. Steak fajitas, tableside guac, and chicken enchiladas are my go-to items. Fun atmosphere and great food at good value. Can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • Sir Gull R.

    Edit just lost a star. Star lost due to the fact that they use styrofoam and order food from Sysco. The same Sysco that feeds slop to public schools. The same Sysco that supplies penitentiaries with low quality and cheap food products. This explains the blandness and the lack of freshness in all of their entrees. Two stars only. One for the guac and the other for the booze.

    (2)

  • Jasmine L.

    I was super hyped up to eat here because of the recomendation of friends and the good reviews on Yelp...so I think it is to everyone's benefit that I write a review on my experience. My husband and I dined in tonight (Friday night) for our anniversary for a 7pm reservation for 6 adults, 4 toddlers and 1 baby total. The table they aay us at was a great location, however it took over 15 minutes for us to be greeted at all and get any water. When the waitress arrived she only took an appetizer order(we ordered the table-side guacamole) and then disappeared for another 15 minutes. I was very disappointed that she didn't take notice that we were dining with 4 toddlers and take the dinner order for the kids. I had to hunt her down to her her to take the kids dinner order. Not a great anniversary. It's a miss. ATMOSPHERE-good for groups(although they weren't overly accomodating) but NOT good for kids as Yelp states! SERVICE-SUPER slow and mediocre at best. FOOD-EXCELLENT! Great value for dollar and taste was excellent! Probably some of the best rice&beans I have ever had. Table-side guac-not as good as Adobo Grill's table-side guac and not aa good as my mother's. WAY too many onions and not entirely flavorful. KIDS FOOD MENU-NO ground beef tacos(big minus) and drink options SUCK for kids(only OJ and Cranberry juices and milk....what the heck) PARKING-Street only and hard to find a spot on a Friday night.

    (1)

  • Simone T.

    I admit that I come here mainly for the margaritas, chips w/salsa & guacamole, and the scallop appetizer, but some of the negative reviews surprised me a bit. I've met friends here for drinks and appetizers for years, and love it. The grilled scallop appetizer w/freshly chopped mango & mixed greens salad is always great, every time. I really like their salsa; a bit darker & richer than at other places, but delicious. I appreciate that the guacamole is made to order for each table in terms of spice/heat, and it is consistently yummy. My friend doesn't eat wheat & can't eat the chips (more for me lol) so our server brought her fresh & warm tortillas - she said they were great. A few margaritas, 3 in our party went on to order entrees and raved about them (vegetarian burrito, beef burrito & skirt steak). They were pleasantly full & also took home leftovers.

    (4)

  • Chika S.

    Gave it another shot and liked it better. My husband loves the lunch buffet during the week: great value and really fresh. I'm not sure how they mix the margaritas ... Potent.

    (4)

  • Steve A.

    The first time I went here I had pretty conventional Tex Mex fare, and it was fine. But on my return visit I decided to see if they could do authentic Mexican food, and I left quite impressed. I had the Pibil, a slow roasted marinated pork, somewhat like pastor. It was brimming with interesting spices and had a piquant tang to the barbecue-like sauce. Served with corn tortillas, it was delicious and authentic. The salsa here is quite good, a homemade version more about the herbs and spices than tomato sauce. Chips are fairly sturdy, and also seem homemade. The margaritas are excellent. They're hand shaken and poured over the rocks, and have just the right level of tartness, and a good balance of tequila to juice. Service is friendly and attentive. Brunch is available on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Josh S.

    I am absolutely shocked this place gets so many good reviews. I went there last night for my second and final time. I had been previously and remembered thinking it wasn't very good. My experience this time was very similar. At TLMC, the food is as greasy as it is tasteless. I ordered the gorditas and they tasted like cardboard. The food had very little flavor. Incredibly disappointing. My margarita was extremely watered down as well. My advice: if you want tacos, go to Taco Diablo a block away. If you really want Mexican, go somewhere else. One redeeming factor worth mentioning: my waitress was very friendly and attentive.

    (1)

  • Chad H.

    Loved it! Great food! Good enough service! Skirt Steak with chimichurri sauce was delicious! Guacamole was prepared table side and the pitcher of margarita hit the spot! Thanks guys!

    (5)

  • Grace A.

    I had to write about my experience here because I am in disbelief that they would treat their guests/customers like this. We had lunch around 1:00pm. The restaurant had only four patrons but it's because it was after lunch - maybe?? The chips were decent, actually better than others I've had. They had lunch buffet for $10.95 and my 14-yr. old son took that but I knew I would not get my money's worth so I just ordered two fish tacos: The grilled tilapia tacos were okay, tasted bland so I had to load it with salt. If they had "seasoned" it before cooking it really would have made a big difference; The buffet was almost empty(probably from the lunch crowd). My son ended up with only one full plate because there wasn't much left. It seemed like we were getting the lunch left-overs:-( He did not finish the remaining food on his plate so I asked for a container to go( I also did not finish my fish tacos). The waiter approached me and told me I cannot take the food to go even though it was leftover. He also commented on the extra helping of fried plantain bananas that my son liked but couldn't finish. I did not want to waste it so I put it in my to-go container. Since he wouldn't allow me to take it to go I offered to pay for it. He said, "No, you cannot pay for it." After arguing with me he had another waiter or "manager" tell me that I cannot take the food. He said " Even if you give me $100 you cannot take that because it's wrong." Sadly, they do not know what it means to make the customer happy. I was willing to pay for the food to go but they kept arguing with me. I was planning on returning with my husband for dinner one day but after this experience obviously I was turned off. As a new customer, these gentlemen should have done anything they can to make sure I was a return customer, instead they were more worried about a half-cup of rice and bananas in a to go container. Oh well.

    (2)

  • Alison Y.

    Came here on Cinco de Mayo craving some good mexican food and found that they had a buffet for $12!!! The buffet bar had a good mix of a lot of their menu items - guacamole, tinga, chorizo and potatoes, steak fajita, Mexican rice, chicken salad, salsas...everything! All of the food had good flavor and were tasty! A surprising favorite was a seafood soup that had salmon with different squashes and carrots in a spicy broth! The guacamole was fresh and delicious like all the reviews say! I had a blended strawberry margarita which was not very strong so if you're looking for a kick, ask the bartender for suggestions. Overall had a great first experience that would bring me back for seconds!

    (5)

  • Dawn B.

    $40.00 for a pitcher of margaritas, and we're not taking anywhere NEAR top shelf. Why are there no prices anywhere for alcohol other than beer??! Good table side guacamole, the rest of the food-mah. We were there on a busy Friday night, had a reservation and waited a while regardless. Had to almost tackle the waitress to take our order :( First bowl of salsa was good. Second bowl had obviously been 'cut' with canned tomato sauce-eeeeewwww

    (2)

  • Tracy W.

    We were told about this place so thought we would give it a try. We went on a Thursday for lunch. We had no problems being seated (it was summer). The service was OK. My wife had the buffet, which had a ton of choices. I had a burrito, which was very tasty and I took half home. This place is not special, but it is good Mexican food. I would go back.

    (3)

  • Lee B.

    Terrible service, very mediocre food, and definitely NOT for groups! I had a group dinner here a few days ago for about 15 people. When I called about a week in advance to make reservations, they told me there would be two tables next to each other (they specified they'd be right next to each other). When we arrived, not only were our tables not ready for another 20 minutes, but by the time we did finally sit down our tables were separated by two smaller parties between us! I asked the hostess if we could do anything to fix it (given that the others had just sat down) and she said not until they leave. When they finally did get up to go, I asked the hostess if we could finally push the tables near each other, and just as I was saying that she brought in another party to be seated, claiming "the table had been reserved" (which is absolutely ridiculous, nobody reserves a specific table there). The food was incredibly mediocre. I had an enchilada that was drenched in fatty sauce, and some of the people I was with who had quesadillas said there was basically nothing inside the tortilla besides a few pieces of meat. The only things that aren't terrible on the menu are the guacamole and salsa--but that's really it. On top of that, when the bill came, instead of giving us a single bill (this was a birthday dinner, so naturally the host would pay)--like any good restaurant would--they gave separate bills without tip already factored into it. This caused even more confusion. All in all, very, very terrible service. This restaurant is not nearly as good as it used to be. There are plenty of great Mexican restaurants in Evanston, and this is DEFINITELY not one of them.

    (1)

  • Brandi E.

    Great drinks and great food just a little on the pricey side (for what they're serving) but I am sure it is because of location.

    (4)

  • Kate S.

    My roommate and I came here back in mid-Novemeber. I wasn't feeling all that well so I just ordered a mini-mojito in the mason jar. It was a tad overpriced ($6) and wasn't all that good, mainly because it was extremely strong and there was a massively large mint leaf that kept getting in the way. She got the better deal by ordering a full-sized drink for a few bucks more. Her chicken tacos smelled and looked amazing, and she said she loved them (she offered me some, but I'm a vegetarian, which she didn't know yet because we had only lived together for like a week). Anyway, she enjoyed them, and this is one of her favorite Mexican places in the area. One of the employees came over to the table next to us to make the guacamole they ordered tableside - it was really interesting to watch, and the woman was really helpful as my roommate tried to inconspicuously write down the directions/ingredients. The woman was willing to answer my roommate's questions and fill her in on the steps she missed while trying to copy the recipe. I think it's really cool that they send her to make guacamole fresh for you at the table - it's a nice touch. Weird point: the bathrooms are pretty much in the kitchen. They're in the back corner of the restaurant, but when you walk out of the bathroom, you're a few feet into the kitchen area. At least the bathrooms were super clean! I would definitely be willing to try this place again, perhaps when I'm feeling better and without ordering the mojito. It just wasn't my thing.

    (3)

  • Cami R.

    Went with a large group of friends. Great cochinita pibil and chicken fajitas!! It was fast and the staff very nice!

    (4)

  • Jon S.

    Guacomole to die for!!!! Sangria that made my wife's clothes come off (jk) and our fresh food came out in minutes!!!! OMG!!! This place has the freshest Mexican food on the planet......!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Sofia C.

    Holy guacamole! Our friend took us out and we were not disappointed. We all got Azteca salads with grilled chicken. Delicious!

    (4)

  • Sydney V.

    Meh says it all. It's ok but expensive for what you get. Portions are big but the food is comparable to Chi Chi's. The only menu item that's good and worth the $$ is the guacamole. So drop in for an appetizer of guacamole and drinks and then head elsewhere for dinner.

    (2)

  • Reid B.

    You have to order the fresh guac! It's made right at your table and is unbelievably delicious. The portions are slightly on the large side, but the food was all so good I can't complain. You can't go wrong with their freshly made margaritas either. Overall I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely return on my future trips through Chicago.

    (4)

  • Mike H.

    Best steak burrito you'll ever have is at That Little Mexican Cafe! Also, if you have kids, go on a Sunday when they have a balloon artist walking around entertaining from table to table. The chips are fresh, salsa is outstanding, guacamole is fantastic, and if you're able to stop in for lunch during the week, the buffet cannot be beat. Friendly atmosphere, decent pricing, outstanding food. Well worth the visit!

    (5)

  • Lawrence H.

    I'd read many reviews of TLMC here on Yelp, and since we'd been in the mood for Mexican fare of late, we decided to roll on over and give it a try. We were there fairly early in the lunch hour, so even though the buffet offerings were fresh, we opted to order off the menu and be served (many reviews mentioned sub-par service, so we had to see for ourselves.) We had chips, salsa and water right away; so far, so good. We had a waiter at our table within 2 minutes of my companion's arrival, and we ordered as soon as our iced tea arrived. She had the azteca salad (nicely sized and tasty, she said), while I had the chorizo burrito (which I had mostly as an alternative to chicken or beef), spicy and savory, though I would've preferred the sour cream on the side, though that's not a complaint. We had the guacamole appetizer (every review raved about it), and it was as good as advertised, though they didn't make it at our table (perhaps only at dinner?) One day I'll have to stop back by there (riding by El) and try the margarita, which also get raves on Yelp. The decor was southwest theme-appropriate, subdued and relaxing. all in all, excellent fare, affordable pricing, and the wait staff was attentive enough without being intrusive. I find That Little Mexican Cafe a fine place to eat and while away a comfortable lunch hour (or more!)

    (4)

  • YerMah L.

    Super fast service. But my girlfriends and I ate dinner around 4:30 that day...so I think we beat out even the early bird specials. Food was decent. Jicama in my salad was fresh. French press coffee + baileys was delish as well. Nothing too special.

    (3)

  • Marion P.

    The longer I live in this city, the more I come to think that maybe Taco Bell isn't that bad. I don't know, the food was badly burned, the tacos were horrible, the beans tasted like absolutely nothing, the rice was mixed up with veggies from the can.. The best part was before we actually got our food. The guacamole was great and well worth its money. The ambience is really good. Maybe for drinks and chips with dip this would be a nice place.

    (3)

  • andrew z.

    We just went here for lunch. I wasn't expecting much, since our mexican food experiences haven't been that great, but I was pleasantly surprised. The menu selection is pretty good. We had some yummy guacamole with our chips that the beginning of the meal. My partner didn't like her meal all that much, but I thought mine was pretty good for the price and a light year ahead of what we had found previously. i'd go back, maybe in the evening and try some of their margaritas.

    (4)

  • Michael G.

    Kind of not understanding some of the negative reviews here. It's a little more expensive than some Mexican restaurants but their menu is also a little more interesting. Great guacamole, nice margaritas, and I usually get the enchiladas, which are great. Sometimes I"ll get a fish or shrimp dish that also usually turns out nice. Plus, you can go there on a busy Saturday night and even if they tell you there's a long wait, it will generally open up, since people have lots of choices to turn to in Evanston. If not, you can typically eat at the bar. Service tends to be excellent too.

    (4)

  • Rachel R.

    I will be going back for the guacamole. I could eats buckets of that, then happily collapse of avocado overload. It really and truly is amazing. Went here for a birthday dinner with my boyfriend and his parents. His mom (like many people) doesn't like cilantro (I love it), so it was great to have the guac made at the table with very little of it, which she appreciated. She and I had the pork and pineapple tacos, which were awesome. A great and tasty twist. My boyfriend had a marinated pork and pickled onion dish that he absolutely loved. His dad had the skirt steak which he was very pleased with. While those two enjoyed their black beans, mom and I had refried beans with our tacos, and we both agreed they weren't very good. The service was pretty meh. Flagging down our waitress to get our glasses of water refilled was more work than it should have been. But when we asked for something it was brought to our table quickly. I'll be going back to get some more of that AWESOME GUACAMOLE. I also would like to try their margaritas and those duck flautas with sweet potato tortillas. I'm very intrigued.

    (4)

  • Brandy M.

    Love the margaritas, but not so much the food.

    (3)

  • Allie Z.

    That Little Mexican Cafe has it's ups - the guacamole made table side is the main one. Also, their fresh salsa is definitely one of the better salsa's around. but the down's -- the $7 margarita is tiny and not strong. --the menu is on the pricey side without having giant portions. -- for some reason, they love blended soups... so if you're looking for something hearty, don't get the soup. there are better mexican restaurants out there, but if you've never been here, you should definitely check it out.

    (3)

  • Jolie R.

    Love, love LOVE that guacamole!!!!! I could make a meal out of it. Everytime I get a taste for it, we run over and chow. It's so tasty - and I can tell the guacamole queen just what to put into it to suit my rather picky taste buds.....YUM! We've been there several times and tried out different dishes but haven't found one yet that makes it worth a dinner - the dinners have all been pretty tasteless. Although, the hubby took to the tinga tosatada the other night and said (as the tears were running down his cheeks), "this is really good!" The staff is very friendly and service is quick. Drinks have always been good and the prices are ok.

    (3)

  • Allison S.

    We go to That Little Mexican Cafe quite a bit, despite it being pretty expensive. We love the salsa sampler and I always get the veggie, sweet potato flautas (amazing). My husband likes the burrito. Their specials are good as well. Portions are ok. The margaritas are super strong and not for someone who likes a more watered down kind you find in less expensive joints. This one is like a margarita martini! Finally, the lunch buffet is really good if you can get there during the week.

    (4)

  • Jims L.

    The only dish I've tried here are the fish tacos and they were really pretty good. Also a plus because there are hardly any nearby places that sell fish tacos altogether. I admit that the place is a bit pricey.

    (3)

  • Alison W.

    I went on a Tuesday pretty early, around 5:30. The atmosphere was great, very classy. We ordered margaritas, which were very well made and shaken and poured at the table. The service was excellent. We ordered a chorizo appetizer baked with homemade tortillas, it was amazingly delicious! I had the tacos, and my boyfriend had the enchiladas. The meat was freshly grilled, and the veggies were crisp and fresh. The rice here is delicious, it is not overly seasoned and had vegetables mixed in. The portions were so generous, we had lunch for the next two days! I'll be back soon!

    (5)

  • Ash B.

    Don't waste your time on this one. Guacamole wasn't that fresh (the menu said it was supposed to be made at my table but it wasn't), enchiladas lack luster-- Lettuce made with the cheap iceberg, and the black bean soup is just black beans ground up with salt and water. more water than black beans. And it's $ for what you get. Stick to Chipotle, and you'll get better food and it won't be as expensive.

    (1)

  • Karen S.

    This may be my new favorite Mexican restaurant based on the margaritas and guacamole alone. I believe the margarita that I had (well, I ended up drinking a few, actually) was called the Porfirio. They were pretty strong, and after a couple, I didn't order it by name. "Uno mas!" seemed to do the trick! The key to these wonderful concoctions was that they contained ZERO sugary mix/syrup. The lime flavor was fresh-squeezed lime juice. I really loathe sweet drinks, and these were perfect; better, actually, than the margaritas I had in Cancun in December! The table-side prepared guacamole was good, too. The next time we go here, I'll ask for a bit less salt mixed into the guac, as the lady who prepared it was a bit heavy-handed with the salt. I really liked my enchiladas verdes, and the boy loved his steak burrito. The menu had a mix of authentic Mexican food (grilled seafood, mole, etc.) and the usual Tex-Mex dishes. I ate an entire portion of lava cake for dessert. This was good, as well. I can't believe I at the whole thing, but I stuck to my general rule which is that I DON'T share dessert. TLMC gets 4 stars because the service wasn't super-great, but we'll definitely be returning to this spot in our new neighborhood!

    (4)

  • Colleen J.

    I went in here last night with no expectations. After looking over the menu, we decided to give it a try; most items looked pretty good and I was excited that they had some vegetarian selections. The chips were good, the salsa was decent. I ordered the veggie tamales and the BF ordered the lobster tacos. My tamales were decent, but bland. I found mixing the beans, rice and tamales together helped the flavor issue a bit. The lobster tacos didn't impress us; we weren't even sure it was lobster--it looked more like shrimp. Again, no flavor to the dish. The server was nice; he gave us drinks promptly, but never once asked about how the food was and was slow about coming over with the bill. I DO recommend the margaritas, mine was quite good, especially with the salt.

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    Really, if I wanted bad Americanized Mexican food, I would have gone somewhere cheaper...and maybe it would have been better. I suppose that if you want the good stuff, you either have to go upscale like Frontera or downscale at a roadside taco stand that has perfectly tender carne asada. But no, I don't really want to pay $11 for tamales without tenderness, some flavorless Spanish rice, and some canned beans. Also, if I pay that much for tacos, they better have some top-quality meat and not be buried in 1950s-style iceberg lettuce confetti. The restaurant itself is nice, which is why I was tempted to go. The chips were good and some of the sauces weren't bad, but it was way overpriced for the overall quality.

    (2)

  • Emily W.

    I love this place! Like someone else said, it won't change your life. But, you know what you are getting every time. The servers know their menu and they are pleasant and helpful. I love their Tamales. Seriously awesome and at a great place. I crave their food quite often. It is also a nice place to sit at the bar and enjoy a margarita and football game.

    (4)

  • Maya P.

    This restaraunt is excellent. They make the guacamole right in front of you. There margaritas are also good. The chips is good also. There tacos are yummy. This is a really good place.

    (5)

  • LATIKA P.

    Me and my husband went there for a Friday night dinner. The place is really cute but the food is very disappointing and extremely overpriced. The guacamole is not very exciting and the worst thing is that they charge you for it whereas there are other mexican restaurants I have been to where they make fresh guacamole in front of you and it's tastier and free of cost ! We ordered the fish tacos and they were very bland and flavorless and tortillas were cold. I don't see myself going back there again

    (2)

  • Jose Luis M.

    this place sucks ass, period!!!!

    (1)

  • Lois A.

    I could eat the tamales and guacamole all day long. I couldn't believe it when I saw the lunch buffet set up the other day. Dangerous!! I will be back very soon!

    (4)

  • Natasha M.

    This is a fun place to go especially during it's Buffet lunch hours. The buffet was solid and had a great selections from beef dishes, tacos, fish to Guacamole, Quesadillas and other famous Mexican dishes. The service was thoughtful and friendly. The unlimited refill drinks are included in the buffet price which is about $9.99. To be honest, the food isn't too memorable, but the overall dining experience is a plus and will recommend friends. I also went there when it's was not the buffet hours. The price are not bad. I ordered a Gaucamole. It was HUGE in a volcano mud bowl. HUGE! Just for that appetizer you will get full. I would go back just for the Guacamole.

    (3)

  • Adelita H.

    DISGUSTING excuse for mexican food. I can't attest to the drinks but trust me if you want real mexican food this is not it. I hate this place and the buffet sucks. It's nicely decorated but I would NEVER eat here again. yuck.

    (1)

  • ALEXANDRA L.

    This place has GREAT margaritas (large selection of tequila, fresh lime juice, on the rocks w/ or w/o salt). The table-side made guacamole is tasty and the chimichurri strip steak is soooo good. So-so are the chipotle shrimp & weekend brunch buffet. Outdoor seating in good weather, sports TVs at the bar.

    (3)

  • Andrew B.

    Last night I had their seared tuna fajita special. Getting tuna at a Mexican restaurant is asking for trouble, despite their assurances that it was sushi grade. In short, the tuna was delicious. Cooked medium rare just like I asked and not even the tiniest hint of fishy taste. My friend who got the steak fajitas was also pleasantly surprised with her meal. Service could have been a bit better but overall we were quite happy.

    (4)

  • Chrissy F.

    I came here with two teachers and a fellow classmate after we had finally put the cap on a documentary we'd been working on. (None of which is pertinent to the review, I might add). It's a nice restaurant that I had trouble finding --- because I'm blind as a bat and walked by it a few times. It's off the Davis stop -- walk AWAY from the movie theater. AWAY! (It's on the other side of the Metra tracks). The food was good, the margarita was good and they make the guacamole right in front of you (what more can you ask for than over-seeing your food being prepared?!) Side note -- the name of the restaurant amuses me. When we were trying to decide where to go, one of my professors suggested this place, but I thought she couldn't remember the name of it (thus calling "that little mexican cafe"). It was only until I got to the restaurant when I found out that it was in fact its name...awesome.

    (3)

  • Kelli J.

    I wish I could add a half star onto the three, b/c it's a bit better than a three, but I cannot commit to a four. Went there for dinner last night. I had heard good things and we were in the area, so why not. Upon sitting down and opening the menu, we went through a bit of sticker shock - um, a bit pricey. Fine, whatev, we're committed at this point. Starters, we had the house margaritas - they are average, I would have been very disappointed, but it was happy hour, so can't complain about $4 drinks. Now if we paid full price, that would have been a different story. Chips were not good. They give you a very small "cup" of salsa, again, not good. It had to have come from a can or jar, didn't taste fresh at all. Price for entress, holy smokes - $15 for enchiladas? $12 for a burrito? There are no entrees that you can get out of there for the cheap. I got the pork dish, holy smokes it was delicious! Very much worth the money. My hubby got the scallops, again pretty darn good (not as good as my pork though - heehee). We also got a side order of guacamole for our son, very healthy portion. So....I'll give it 3.5 -- great entrees, but know going in that you're paying for them.

    (3)

  • Anna G.

    I have been to That Little Mexican Cafe a few times. I've never really enjoyed it. I went back to give it another chance, hoping that I would enjoy it more the next time, to no avail. The only cool thing about it is the guacamole that they make in front of you. The food is flavorless. I won't be going back ever.

    (2)

  • Stacey P.

    4 Stars for the LUNCH BUFFET, because that's all I ever have here. Seriously, a mexican lunch buffet, what a GREAT idea. They have enchiladas, quesadillas, things to make tacos, taquitos, tamales, fresh salsas including PAPAYA MANGO salsa (FRESH FRUIT), guacamole (ok, how much is a guac appetizer usually? this is included in the buffet), soups, and sometimes FLAN...delicious. The staff is super nice, OH, and a drink is included in the buffet. That is completely ridiculuous, for like, 10 dollars or something (i forgot the exact price but I think it's 9 or 10). They were super smart to do this. If I had to rate the food based on how good it is, I'd give it 3 to 4 stars, but the buffet makes this place freaking awesome.

    (4)

  • Isabel Y.

    I LOVE this place. They have the best guac I have EVER had, and amazing margaritas. We used to come sit at the bar here before going to the movies to just have some drinks and chips. You have to FIGHT for a table at the bar area though, and usually the wait's too long to sit down in the regular area. But if you get a table or a couple seats at the bar, you are totally set. We loved it so much that we would make sure to come BACK after the movies, to have one last round of drinks with the bartender. Senior year of college, it was lodged perfectly in between home and work, and I would often come and get a bag of chips and some freshly made guac to go. I miss this place so much. I love Chipotle but they've got nothing on this guac.

    (5)

  • Jay D.

    Dear Little Mexican Cafe, Why are you popular? Is it because your owners bothered to put some thought into your decor? Because your dark wood interior creates a swanky atmosphere? Is it the guacamole? I honestly don't get it. You are pricey and your soup tastes weird, though people seem to like your margaritas. For some reason, though, people seem to want to go to you because you're the cool place to spend a decent amount of money. Kudos. -Perplexed

    (2)

  • ann s.

    I hadn't been to TLMC since it moved to its present location. I had always rather liked their food, but I thought they were a little expensive. But a friend had a Groupon, it was lunchtime, we went. We were surprised to find they had a lunch buffet. Not only was the food good, but they actually replenished things as they ran low, which is more than I can say for the last couple of lunch buffets I've tried. Ample selection, and for me the highlights were a squid-studded green salad (with lots of peppers), some very plump and flavorful tamales, fish soup, jicama salad and another fish thing. There were also enchiladas, beans, rice, huevos rancheros, fajita fixings, etc., plus a little fruit and fried sugar-and-cinnamon tortillas for dessert. Everything tasted pretty fresh. The room is comfortable, our server was attentive (not that buffets require much attention) and friendly. We didn't have any liquor, but if the margaritas are like they were years ago, they were made with fresh lime juice, not some horrible mix. Hope that hasn't changed, because I'll likely be back.

    (4)

  • Mandy C.

    This place was tasty, but I've had better. Unfortunately, it's horribly overpriced. The great thing about Mexican food is that it's so easy to find great food for cheap. Not here, though. $20 for Fajitas!? I'm guessing the owners figure that most of their business is coming from Northwestern students and Mom and Dad paying for dinner anyway. They do get props for making the guac right at the table, and the margaritas were nice and strong.

    (3)

  • Erin M.

    This place just isn't worth going too. Being from San Diego, I've had my share of good Mexican food, so it's tough to put up with stuff this boring. It's expensive for what you get and the food is incredibly mediocre. I've tried really hard to like it, since the mexican options in Evanston are limited, but I think the price-value equation is better at Chipotle (which is pretty pathetic).

    (2)

  • Larz F.

    Loved this place when it was a hole in the wall on Sherman, since the relocation the food is still pretty good - very fresh, great margarita's - but the prices have almost doubled. The grilled scallops are one of the best things I ever ate.

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    i have given this place three chances and it's been three strikes. the food is either bland (i have tried the sopes, the chicken tacos, and the steak fajitas) or way too spicy. the tortilla soup was palatable and the guacamole that they make tableside won't make you sick. i had to drink several margaritas just to make the experience bearable. the two stars is for the fact that i did not get food poisoning. if you want good mexican food, go to el cid in logan square!!!

    (2)

  • Elana H.

    Great food, baaaaaad management, in particular Rafael. I and a friend had a great experience until the end when we received the bill. There was a miscommunication issue and the server did not let my friend know that she would be charged for rice and beans when my friend reduced the size of her meal. My friend refused to pay so the server said she would take the items off. Then Rafael came up to us with both bills, the one with the charged items and the one without them. He said that the server would pay for the items. My friend asked him why he would come up to us to let us know that and that this was not fair for the server. He then repeated that the server would pay for the items but then asked my friend which bill she would like to pay since she felt guilty about making the server pay. My friend asked him if he was really going to make the server pay and he replied that he was not. Essentially he gave my friend a guilt trip to try to make her pay for the extra items. Not cool Rafael. You lost a brand new customer tonight.

    (1)

  • Marcos L.

    The food is attractive, yet strangely devoid of flavor. I wonder how they do that. Even the drinks seemed bland. But if the salsa doesn't get you heated up, wait till you see the check. That should do it.

    (1)

  • John Victor A.

    great margaritas. tasteless food. maybe they were too busy for 5 May. I dunno. the service was great and very friendly. hats off to the service and kitchen staff on a really busy nite. but the food was really overpriced. not sure what the fuss is about. but the service was good. no knocking the servers!

    (2)

  • Becky S.

    Im not sure why haters are hatin' but I am a connoisseur of mexican cuisine and I think this place is pretty good. I've been twice and enjoyed my meal both times. The pork tacos with pineapple are really good. The margaritas are excellent and potent. I haven't had the guac yet but it looks amazing!

    (4)

  • Andrew T.

    BEST DISH was the duck!! Really succulent and good. It was 19.99 however for the Duck Fajitas. They asked if we wanted extra tortillas, then they never came. Same with the chips, the first time we asked. The beans and rice are tasteless. The pork dish I had was nothing special. There are two types of guac - the side order for 4 bucks, or the freshly made table side for about 7. The tableside guac was quite good and big enough to last about a basket of chips (which were good too). All in all, I'd say get any duck dish and be prepared to spend a bit.

    (3)

  • Laura L.

    We celebrated my daughter's 4th birthday here. It was a Monday at 5pm, so perhaps that explains the slow service and poor food but in my opinion a restaurant should really be consistent at all times. The service was VERY slow and the server forgot several small items we had requested (sides of sour cream, guac, etc). The busboy knocked over my dad's frozen drink all over him, I later saw it all down his leg, foot and shoe. He apologized but it took about 20-25 minutes for them to bring him another drink which was a tiny one in a smaller glass even though my dad had not drunk much of the original one that was in a huge martini glass. Cheapskates! The food took over an hour for our party of four adults and three children. The app did not come with what it had read in the description on the specials menu. When we asked the server about it, he said it shouldn't have said that on the menu and grumblingly brought us the sides it supposedly came with. When we asked for a Mexican hot chocolate for our kids for dessert, he told us it would take a really long time, trying to discourage us from ordering it. WHAT??? By then it was close to 7:30 and the restaurant was still not even half full. Why things were taking so long, I don't understand. We had also mentioned to the server at the beginning of the meal that it was a birthday celebration. He did not congratulate here, bring her anything special, or even make mention of it being a birthday. I understand many restaurants are doing away with birthday freebies--that's fine. But having worked as a server myself, I understand the importance of making a big deal out of someone's celebration dinner. Come on! If nothing else, it's a way to earn a few extra bucks in tip!! We gave him the perfect "in" to do so. The food was mediocre. Table was poorly lit and not inviting. A/C was way too high. Disappointing to say the least. I grew up in Evanston and this used to be a great place to eat. I will not return there again, though.

    (2)

  • Ryan M.

    I have to say I really like this place. The food was great, the service was great and everything was cheap. I am not sure why so many people found fault with the place. It is exactly what should be expected from a middle of the road Mexican place in Evanston, IL. For what you pay, it is a great place to go for a quick meal with some delicious margaritas and great guacamole.

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    This is a great place to come before catching a movie in Evanston. Right off the Davis street Metra stop. The waitstaff is super friendly and always bends over backwards to please. I prefer to sit at the bar to have a margarita and appetizers to share with friends over sitting at a table. The bartender offered 7 different tequilas to me before deciding on the one that was right for me. He was also very helpful in suggesting the best appetizers to share for a group. We decided on the Ahi Tuna tacos, Assorted Sopes and the tableside guacamole. The tuna was rare and sushi grade, coming with fresh toppings of a small salad, cheese, mole, grilled onions and tortillas FABULOUS. I ate mine without the tortillas. The sopes were very good also, since we got the variety, each person got a different one. I got the pork, very tasty and light. The margaritas have an endless choice of tequila options to suite any palate and are not overly sweet and artificial like some places. I am guessing they aren' heavy handed with the sweet/sour mix to water them down as in many restaurants. The service is what will keep you coming back. It is very personalized and the waitstaff wants to make it a memorable experience for you.

    (4)

  • Shelly D.

    I am so disappointed with all positive reviews of this place. I have to wonder if any of you have ventured over to North Ave or Archer Ave. for real authentic Mexican food. I do understand why this place is always packed. The location is great; downtown Evanston and not much competition in Evanston. I also agree with everyone on the guacamole being good. A woman makes your guacamole right there on the spot in mortar and pestle. I also must say that the margaritas are decent, they used to be better but in my opinion have way less flavor then when they first opened. This place could be so much more. The food is very bland! I would be embarassed to bring any of my Mexican friends here for dinner. Salsa is watered down, drinks are little watered down, mole watered down, verde watered down. Then to top it all off you have some pushy waiter/waitress hurrying you through your meal or forgetting about your table. Our waitress was extremely pushy was trying to sell us as many items as possible. I know many Northwestern students eat here but I beg you to venture out of Evanston and experience the amazing Mexican cuisine Chicago has to offer.

    (2)

  • Erika G.

    Great margaritas, excellent guacamole. This place used to be in a different location in Evanston, and the food is about 150% better at this new location - yum!

    (4)

  • Doris D.

    Ok so I'm a huge fan of Mexican food but this place did not meet expectations. Taco Bell is better than this. The margaritas were weak, the food bland. The salsa seemed watered down with strange pieces of something weird...and how hard is it to prepare rice? Sad to say, but Chili's is 10 times better than this place. Totally not cool...I was so looking forward to a really good steak fajita :(

    (3)

  • Jonathan K.

    great outdoor seating cus its on the corner, right by the el, right by downtown evanston so u'll have peeps walking by. the food was forgettable however. mainly due to the salsa...my grilled fish tacos had great flavor, and the carne asada was good too, but if ur salsa's weak, don't know if i can vouch for u. o yea, but reeallly good mojitos, something i'd definitely come back for.

    (3)

  • Ramon R.

    This is much more than a Chipotle alternative. It's a place that gives you an idea of what "Mexican food" is beyond buritos and tacos. You won't get this at most chain stores. Give it a try. Avoid the marinara sauce; too thick.

    (5)

  • Audrey T.

    Fantastic and FRESH margaritas, and a good outdoor patio area. It's best in here in the summer, where you can make use of the both of the best aspects of this place.

    (4)

  • Vanessa H.

    Not always the best but the buffet is always interesting and there is plenty of meat. The guac is great and service is fine but you have to flag down the staff to pay - unless it's free and I've been a sucker all along . . . . Never that busy during the day so I can work and eat in my own little corner.

    (3)

  • Saralyn M.

    I had the vegetarian tamales here. The sauces were incredible, especially the mole. The service was excellent, both polite and speedy. The salsa, both the regular and the diablo, are very good. The chips when I went were a little too hard, but perhaps that's because it was late in the evening.

    (4)

  • Mina Y.

    I visited the Little Mexican Cafe with two of my friends and all 3 of us hated everything we ordered. For starters, we order guac and it tasted like lime with a hint of avacado (for $5.95)! Then all 3 of us ordered different meals. The rice was burnt and cold, the tortillas were old and burnt, and nothing tasted right. Yuck! This pricey mexican resturant doesn't even compare to taco bell. Never again.

    (1)

  • Gil N.

    Probably the best place for Mexican in Evanston, otherwise there was nothing too extraoridinary about TLMC. Average service, good food, nice location. Prices were about average.

    (3)

  • Dee W.

    Came here for lunch and we both enjoyed the lunch buffet - got to try out some new things. Atmosphere was definately cozy and very warm. The dessert wasn't too appetizing and the fruit platter could have been refilled more quickly.

    (3)

  • Alan R.

    Their Salsa is excellent. I also love their drinks. Great Margaritas. The service is average. Our waiter wasn't quick to respond to any special requests. I ordered a salad with mango that seemed not yet ripe as it was hard. The menu is innovative, but there are better places for authentic Mexican in Chicago.

    (3)

  • Ross W.

    Been here twice and I love it. The guac is amazing and the margaritas flow...by the glass...

    (5)

  • Bess G.

    My husband and I can be found at TLMC almost every Friday night. We're either at the bar or at a table in the bar, sipping Margaritas, munching on warm, freshly made chips, spicy salsa and amazing guacamole, handmade by Lupita. Where to start? With the drinks. First and foremost, you will be hard pressed to find a Mexican joint that stocks the variety and quality of tequila as TLMC. For my husband, it is a Margarita made with Three Generations Anejo (aged), on the rocks with salt. For me, it's a porfirio -- a handmade Margarita, straight up like a Mexican Martini, no salt. Made to order -- spicy or mediano? -- tableside quacamole service courtesy of Lupita. We are creatures of habit, and tend to order the shrimp chipotle, steak tacos and cochinta pibil, an oven roasted shredded portk that is to die for. TLMC uses high quality, and often organic, ingredients. It is a charming, family owned and operated restaurant. The food is excellent. Period. The end.

    (5)

  • Cat B.

    Went here Saturday night for dinner...first thing: Make a reservation. We did and were seated in a reasonable time, but friends of the people I was meeting were there and had been waiting 45 minutes already for a table. Let's start with what I started with...the wine. Great generous pours on the wine from this place!! Good selection of whites and reds. The guacamole was really good as well...they make it at the table for you. Delicious! The service was good throughout the meal as well, but the waitress did encourage my boyfriend to order three tacos when he really only needed two. And when asked which tacos she would recommend she said: I like the steak, chicken, and fish tacos. Thanks...that doesn't narrow it down. I had the ahi tuna fajitas, which were cooked to my requested pinkness and seasoned very nicely. My friend Laura had the tacos, which she liked very much. Although she is not a fan of cooked carrots and they were incorporated into the rice that came on the side. Her husband, Mark, had the steak fajitas, which he enjoyed as well. The tacos my boyfriend had were on the dry side. And he had three different types (fish, steak, and chicken), all were not impressive. The margaritas were delicious too...not skimpy on the tequila. No tres leches for dessert, though. My boyfriend was disappointed, but I was so full I could not have eaten it anyway. The prices were very reasonable...my ahi tuna fajitas ( a generous portion) were only $15. I would recommend this place, but I don't think I would recommend the tacos. And I would definitely recommend that you make a reservation if you are planning on dining on a weekend evening. The atmosphere was fun.. We had a great time and ate a lot of good food.

    (4)

  • meredith t.

    Pretty good Mexican food. You pay extra for ambience and a full bar.

    (3)

  • Amanda A.

    Good food - AMAZING fresh margaritas and homemade guacamole.

    (4)

  • Yvette F.

    Good food, bad service. They have a great lunch buffet but if you want something other than that plan on a wait while your table mates chow down. The wait staff is not very attentive to drink refills and etc. but there is usually only two guys for the whole place at lunch.

    (4)

  • David M.

    My wife and I just moved here from California, and were looking for a decent place to eat. We chose poorly. The service was terrible, it took us almost 15 minutes to order drinks (on a Weds, so no excuses). When we received our food it was cold, and the kitchen wasn't that busy. Commenting on the food, she had the fajitas, and apparently the only spice they have here is pepper, they were overcooked and had zero flavor beyond pepper. I got the pork, which was oily, and way overseasoned. DO NOT EAT HERE, this is definitely not Mexican food, and barely qualifed as edible food in my opinion. If I could give it a zero I would.

    (1)

  • foodie c.

    good place awesome guac great margaritas. fabulous!

    (4)

  • Elvira V.

    I've been here many times when they were at their old location and now at their newer spot. Pros: Gorgeous, tasty margaritas, huge selection of tequilas, outstanding steak fajitas, non-greasy chips and fresh tableside guacamole. Cons: A little pricey considering its Mexican food, shrimp ceviche was boring, my beloved tortilla soup now has no flavor (which is a major bummer), and the black bean soup is bland too. On the fence: The tropical bites appetizer (seafood medley; shrimp, scallops & squid) used to be my fave but once you have squid that's "off" --- you never look back. Will go back for drinks, guacamole & steak. FYI: I was there on a Sun. and they had a modern clown (not creepy) making balloon animals for kids.

    (4)

  • Dave H.

    Meh. It's convenient to downtown Evanston, that's about it.. Nothing exciting or unexpected on the menu. Service tends to be slow. Margaritas are okay, and the black bean empanadas are decent. Tamales are too firm and the pork was stringy. The crowd (it seems to me) tends to run older. Then again, i I'd suggest Las Palmas a few blocks away for a better experience.

    (2)

  • Jennifer H.

    Overpriced and overcrowded. The only reason to go here is to watch them make your guacamole tableside. So enjoy the chips, the guac, a margarita and get out before it gets zoo-like.

    (2)

  • Michelle M.

    I don't know why so many people don't like this place. The margaritas are fabulous and so is the guacamole. I've had the tacos, which I think are pretty good. I've also had the duck fajitas, which were to die for! They are not on the menu-they have it on special sometimes. I've also had the scallops, which were very tender, not fishy, and well cooked. Overall, I think the food here is fresh and delicious.

    (4)

  • Theresa K.

    I stopped in for some appetizers and drinks before heading over to the Cine Arts Theather only to be frustrated that I was sitting at a table and ignored for the whole 5-10 minutes while waiting. I decided to sit at the bar and was served by a very friendly and lovely bartender. I ordered a the "TLMC" House Margarita and thought it was truly excellent - not the best, but damn good. I ordered the Stuffed Jalapenos and Cheese Quesadillas. We were pretty disappointed in the portion size and topping for the price. Prices were around $7-$10 per appetizer and there was no salsa or guacamole just quesadillas and a few tablespoons of corn as a topper. There was only 6-8 tiny (the size of my thumb) stuffed jalapenos with just a drop of ranch dressing. Not impressed and really pricey for no obvious reason. The appetizers were good but I really wished they offered more taste and flavors for the price you are paying. Maybe the entrees are an entirely different story. Eh.

    (3)

  • Dee L.

    Food is pretty good, fairly healthy and interesting for Mexican food and great margaritas. However, service is awful... prepare to wait for everything. If they say the wait for a table is 20mins, try 60mins (true story) and the food takes for ever of course. But if you have the patience and time to kill its worth it, sort of..

    (3)

  • christine k.

    i always love trying mexican restaurants, and im glad i tried this one. their shrimp chipotle is amazing! without fail i get it every time! =) its a definite must try!!

    (5)

  • Brian H.

    great lunch buffet with all your favorites, all for under $10,

    (3)

  • Tim M.

    The Porfirio margaritas on their own deserve the 5 star rating. Best margaritas I have ever had. If you want something sweeter or more traditional the regular margaritas are good too. Food is always good and very reliable. My mother in law even likes it and she's as picky as they get!

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    I think this place was just average for a mexican restaurant. It was cute inside and the margaritas were pretty good. But I thought some of the staple mexican items like the rice and the chips were not that great. The portions are fairly large and the prices are comparable to other Mexican sit-down places.

    (3)

  • cb b.

    I love this little place with two pages of tequila choices and guacomole made table side. this has a lot of selection for everyone in a fun atmosphere with great service to boot! An fun place to hang out.

    (3)

  • Cassidy P.

    Overpriced, crowded. But great guacamole. They make it fresh in front of you. Yuuuum!

    (3)

  • Erin M.

    This place just isn't worth going too. Being from San Diego, I've had my share of good Mexican food, so it's tough to put up with stuff this boring. It's expensive for what you get and the food is incredibly mediocre. I've tried really hard to like it, since the mexican options in Evanston are limited, but I think the price-value equation is better at Chipotle (which is pretty pathetic).

    (2)

  • Larz F.

    Loved this place when it was a hole in the wall on Sherman, since the relocation the food is still pretty good - very fresh, great margarita's - but the prices have almost doubled. The grilled scallops are one of the best things I ever ate.

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    i have given this place three chances and it's been three strikes. the food is either bland (i have tried the sopes, the chicken tacos, and the steak fajitas) or way too spicy. the tortilla soup was palatable and the guacamole that they make tableside won't make you sick. i had to drink several margaritas just to make the experience bearable. the two stars is for the fact that i did not get food poisoning. if you want good mexican food, go to el cid in logan square!!!

    (2)

  • Elana H.

    Great food, baaaaaad management, in particular Rafael. I and a friend had a great experience until the end when we received the bill. There was a miscommunication issue and the server did not let my friend know that she would be charged for rice and beans when my friend reduced the size of her meal. My friend refused to pay so the server said she would take the items off. Then Rafael came up to us with both bills, the one with the charged items and the one without them. He said that the server would pay for the items. My friend asked him why he would come up to us to let us know that and that this was not fair for the server. He then repeated that the server would pay for the items but then asked my friend which bill she would like to pay since she felt guilty about making the server pay. My friend asked him if he was really going to make the server pay and he replied that he was not. Essentially he gave my friend a guilt trip to try to make her pay for the extra items. Not cool Rafael. You lost a brand new customer tonight.

    (1)

  • Marcos L.

    The food is attractive, yet strangely devoid of flavor. I wonder how they do that. Even the drinks seemed bland. But if the salsa doesn't get you heated up, wait till you see the check. That should do it.

    (1)

  • John Victor A.

    great margaritas. tasteless food. maybe they were too busy for 5 May. I dunno. the service was great and very friendly. hats off to the service and kitchen staff on a really busy nite. but the food was really overpriced. not sure what the fuss is about. but the service was good. no knocking the servers!

    (2)

  • Becky S.

    Im not sure why haters are hatin' but I am a connoisseur of mexican cuisine and I think this place is pretty good. I've been twice and enjoyed my meal both times. The pork tacos with pineapple are really good. The margaritas are excellent and potent. I haven't had the guac yet but it looks amazing!

    (4)

  • Andrew T.

    BEST DISH was the duck!! Really succulent and good. It was 19.99 however for the Duck Fajitas. They asked if we wanted extra tortillas, then they never came. Same with the chips, the first time we asked. The beans and rice are tasteless. The pork dish I had was nothing special. There are two types of guac - the side order for 4 bucks, or the freshly made table side for about 7. The tableside guac was quite good and big enough to last about a basket of chips (which were good too). All in all, I'd say get any duck dish and be prepared to spend a bit.

    (3)

  • Laura L.

    We celebrated my daughter's 4th birthday here. It was a Monday at 5pm, so perhaps that explains the slow service and poor food but in my opinion a restaurant should really be consistent at all times. The service was VERY slow and the server forgot several small items we had requested (sides of sour cream, guac, etc). The busboy knocked over my dad's frozen drink all over him, I later saw it all down his leg, foot and shoe. He apologized but it took about 20-25 minutes for them to bring him another drink which was a tiny one in a smaller glass even though my dad had not drunk much of the original one that was in a huge martini glass. Cheapskates! The food took over an hour for our party of four adults and three children. The app did not come with what it had read in the description on the specials menu. When we asked the server about it, he said it shouldn't have said that on the menu and grumblingly brought us the sides it supposedly came with. When we asked for a Mexican hot chocolate for our kids for dessert, he told us it would take a really long time, trying to discourage us from ordering it. WHAT??? By then it was close to 7:30 and the restaurant was still not even half full. Why things were taking so long, I don't understand. We had also mentioned to the server at the beginning of the meal that it was a birthday celebration. He did not congratulate here, bring her anything special, or even make mention of it being a birthday. I understand many restaurants are doing away with birthday freebies--that's fine. But having worked as a server myself, I understand the importance of making a big deal out of someone's celebration dinner. Come on! If nothing else, it's a way to earn a few extra bucks in tip!! We gave him the perfect "in" to do so. The food was mediocre. Table was poorly lit and not inviting. A/C was way too high. Disappointing to say the least. I grew up in Evanston and this used to be a great place to eat. I will not return there again, though.

    (2)

  • Ryan M.

    I have to say I really like this place. The food was great, the service was great and everything was cheap. I am not sure why so many people found fault with the place. It is exactly what should be expected from a middle of the road Mexican place in Evanston, IL. For what you pay, it is a great place to go for a quick meal with some delicious margaritas and great guacamole.

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    This is a great place to come before catching a movie in Evanston. Right off the Davis street Metra stop. The waitstaff is super friendly and always bends over backwards to please. I prefer to sit at the bar to have a margarita and appetizers to share with friends over sitting at a table. The bartender offered 7 different tequilas to me before deciding on the one that was right for me. He was also very helpful in suggesting the best appetizers to share for a group. We decided on the Ahi Tuna tacos, Assorted Sopes and the tableside guacamole. The tuna was rare and sushi grade, coming with fresh toppings of a small salad, cheese, mole, grilled onions and tortillas FABULOUS. I ate mine without the tortillas. The sopes were very good also, since we got the variety, each person got a different one. I got the pork, very tasty and light. The margaritas have an endless choice of tequila options to suite any palate and are not overly sweet and artificial like some places. I am guessing they aren' heavy handed with the sweet/sour mix to water them down as in many restaurants. The service is what will keep you coming back. It is very personalized and the waitstaff wants to make it a memorable experience for you.

    (4)

  • Shelly D.

    I am so disappointed with all positive reviews of this place. I have to wonder if any of you have ventured over to North Ave or Archer Ave. for real authentic Mexican food. I do understand why this place is always packed. The location is great; downtown Evanston and not much competition in Evanston. I also agree with everyone on the guacamole being good. A woman makes your guacamole right there on the spot in mortar and pestle. I also must say that the margaritas are decent, they used to be better but in my opinion have way less flavor then when they first opened. This place could be so much more. The food is very bland! I would be embarassed to bring any of my Mexican friends here for dinner. Salsa is watered down, drinks are little watered down, mole watered down, verde watered down. Then to top it all off you have some pushy waiter/waitress hurrying you through your meal or forgetting about your table. Our waitress was extremely pushy was trying to sell us as many items as possible. I know many Northwestern students eat here but I beg you to venture out of Evanston and experience the amazing Mexican cuisine Chicago has to offer.

    (2)

  • Erika G.

    Great margaritas, excellent guacamole. This place used to be in a different location in Evanston, and the food is about 150% better at this new location - yum!

    (4)

  • Doris D.

    Ok so I'm a huge fan of Mexican food but this place did not meet expectations. Taco Bell is better than this. The margaritas were weak, the food bland. The salsa seemed watered down with strange pieces of something weird...and how hard is it to prepare rice? Sad to say, but Chili's is 10 times better than this place. Totally not cool...I was so looking forward to a really good steak fajita :(

    (3)

  • Jonathan K.

    great outdoor seating cus its on the corner, right by the el, right by downtown evanston so u'll have peeps walking by. the food was forgettable however. mainly due to the salsa...my grilled fish tacos had great flavor, and the carne asada was good too, but if ur salsa's weak, don't know if i can vouch for u. o yea, but reeallly good mojitos, something i'd definitely come back for.

    (3)

  • Ramon R.

    This is much more than a Chipotle alternative. It's a place that gives you an idea of what "Mexican food" is beyond buritos and tacos. You won't get this at most chain stores. Give it a try. Avoid the marinara sauce; too thick.

    (5)

  • Audrey T.

    Fantastic and FRESH margaritas, and a good outdoor patio area. It's best in here in the summer, where you can make use of the both of the best aspects of this place.

    (4)

  • Vanessa H.

    Not always the best but the buffet is always interesting and there is plenty of meat. The guac is great and service is fine but you have to flag down the staff to pay - unless it's free and I've been a sucker all along . . . . Never that busy during the day so I can work and eat in my own little corner.

    (3)

  • Saralyn M.

    I had the vegetarian tamales here. The sauces were incredible, especially the mole. The service was excellent, both polite and speedy. The salsa, both the regular and the diablo, are very good. The chips when I went were a little too hard, but perhaps that's because it was late in the evening.

    (4)

  • Mina Y.

    I visited the Little Mexican Cafe with two of my friends and all 3 of us hated everything we ordered. For starters, we order guac and it tasted like lime with a hint of avacado (for $5.95)! Then all 3 of us ordered different meals. The rice was burnt and cold, the tortillas were old and burnt, and nothing tasted right. Yuck! This pricey mexican resturant doesn't even compare to taco bell. Never again.

    (1)

  • Gil N.

    Probably the best place for Mexican in Evanston, otherwise there was nothing too extraoridinary about TLMC. Average service, good food, nice location. Prices were about average.

    (3)

  • Dee W.

    Came here for lunch and we both enjoyed the lunch buffet - got to try out some new things. Atmosphere was definately cozy and very warm. The dessert wasn't too appetizing and the fruit platter could have been refilled more quickly.

    (3)

  • Alan R.

    Their Salsa is excellent. I also love their drinks. Great Margaritas. The service is average. Our waiter wasn't quick to respond to any special requests. I ordered a salad with mango that seemed not yet ripe as it was hard. The menu is innovative, but there are better places for authentic Mexican in Chicago.

    (3)

  • Ross W.

    Been here twice and I love it. The guac is amazing and the margaritas flow...by the glass...

    (5)

  • Bess G.

    My husband and I can be found at TLMC almost every Friday night. We're either at the bar or at a table in the bar, sipping Margaritas, munching on warm, freshly made chips, spicy salsa and amazing guacamole, handmade by Lupita. Where to start? With the drinks. First and foremost, you will be hard pressed to find a Mexican joint that stocks the variety and quality of tequila as TLMC. For my husband, it is a Margarita made with Three Generations Anejo (aged), on the rocks with salt. For me, it's a porfirio -- a handmade Margarita, straight up like a Mexican Martini, no salt. Made to order -- spicy or mediano? -- tableside quacamole service courtesy of Lupita. We are creatures of habit, and tend to order the shrimp chipotle, steak tacos and cochinta pibil, an oven roasted shredded portk that is to die for. TLMC uses high quality, and often organic, ingredients. It is a charming, family owned and operated restaurant. The food is excellent. Period. The end.

    (5)

  • Cat B.

    Went here Saturday night for dinner...first thing: Make a reservation. We did and were seated in a reasonable time, but friends of the people I was meeting were there and had been waiting 45 minutes already for a table. Let's start with what I started with...the wine. Great generous pours on the wine from this place!! Good selection of whites and reds. The guacamole was really good as well...they make it at the table for you. Delicious! The service was good throughout the meal as well, but the waitress did encourage my boyfriend to order three tacos when he really only needed two. And when asked which tacos she would recommend she said: I like the steak, chicken, and fish tacos. Thanks...that doesn't narrow it down. I had the ahi tuna fajitas, which were cooked to my requested pinkness and seasoned very nicely. My friend Laura had the tacos, which she liked very much. Although she is not a fan of cooked carrots and they were incorporated into the rice that came on the side. Her husband, Mark, had the steak fajitas, which he enjoyed as well. The tacos my boyfriend had were on the dry side. And he had three different types (fish, steak, and chicken), all were not impressive. The margaritas were delicious too...not skimpy on the tequila. No tres leches for dessert, though. My boyfriend was disappointed, but I was so full I could not have eaten it anyway. The prices were very reasonable...my ahi tuna fajitas ( a generous portion) were only $15. I would recommend this place, but I don't think I would recommend the tacos. And I would definitely recommend that you make a reservation if you are planning on dining on a weekend evening. The atmosphere was fun.. We had a great time and ate a lot of good food.

    (4)

  • meredith t.

    Pretty good Mexican food. You pay extra for ambience and a full bar.

    (3)

  • Amanda A.

    Good food - AMAZING fresh margaritas and homemade guacamole.

    (4)

  • Yvette F.

    Good food, bad service. They have a great lunch buffet but if you want something other than that plan on a wait while your table mates chow down. The wait staff is not very attentive to drink refills and etc. but there is usually only two guys for the whole place at lunch.

    (4)

  • David M.

    My wife and I just moved here from California, and were looking for a decent place to eat. We chose poorly. The service was terrible, it took us almost 15 minutes to order drinks (on a Weds, so no excuses). When we received our food it was cold, and the kitchen wasn't that busy. Commenting on the food, she had the fajitas, and apparently the only spice they have here is pepper, they were overcooked and had zero flavor beyond pepper. I got the pork, which was oily, and way overseasoned. DO NOT EAT HERE, this is definitely not Mexican food, and barely qualifed as edible food in my opinion. If I could give it a zero I would.

    (1)

  • foodie c.

    good place awesome guac great margaritas. fabulous!

    (4)

  • Elvira V.

    I've been here many times when they were at their old location and now at their newer spot. Pros: Gorgeous, tasty margaritas, huge selection of tequilas, outstanding steak fajitas, non-greasy chips and fresh tableside guacamole. Cons: A little pricey considering its Mexican food, shrimp ceviche was boring, my beloved tortilla soup now has no flavor (which is a major bummer), and the black bean soup is bland too. On the fence: The tropical bites appetizer (seafood medley; shrimp, scallops & squid) used to be my fave but once you have squid that's "off" --- you never look back. Will go back for drinks, guacamole & steak. FYI: I was there on a Sun. and they had a modern clown (not creepy) making balloon animals for kids.

    (4)

  • Dave H.

    Meh. It's convenient to downtown Evanston, that's about it.. Nothing exciting or unexpected on the menu. Service tends to be slow. Margaritas are okay, and the black bean empanadas are decent. Tamales are too firm and the pork was stringy. The crowd (it seems to me) tends to run older. Then again, i I'd suggest Las Palmas a few blocks away for a better experience.

    (2)

  • Jennifer H.

    Overpriced and overcrowded. The only reason to go here is to watch them make your guacamole tableside. So enjoy the chips, the guac, a margarita and get out before it gets zoo-like.

    (2)

  • Michelle M.

    I don't know why so many people don't like this place. The margaritas are fabulous and so is the guacamole. I've had the tacos, which I think are pretty good. I've also had the duck fajitas, which were to die for! They are not on the menu-they have it on special sometimes. I've also had the scallops, which were very tender, not fishy, and well cooked. Overall, I think the food here is fresh and delicious.

    (4)

  • Theresa K.

    I stopped in for some appetizers and drinks before heading over to the Cine Arts Theather only to be frustrated that I was sitting at a table and ignored for the whole 5-10 minutes while waiting. I decided to sit at the bar and was served by a very friendly and lovely bartender. I ordered a the "TLMC" House Margarita and thought it was truly excellent - not the best, but damn good. I ordered the Stuffed Jalapenos and Cheese Quesadillas. We were pretty disappointed in the portion size and topping for the price. Prices were around $7-$10 per appetizer and there was no salsa or guacamole just quesadillas and a few tablespoons of corn as a topper. There was only 6-8 tiny (the size of my thumb) stuffed jalapenos with just a drop of ranch dressing. Not impressed and really pricey for no obvious reason. The appetizers were good but I really wished they offered more taste and flavors for the price you are paying. Maybe the entrees are an entirely different story. Eh.

    (3)

  • Dee L.

    Food is pretty good, fairly healthy and interesting for Mexican food and great margaritas. However, service is awful... prepare to wait for everything. If they say the wait for a table is 20mins, try 60mins (true story) and the food takes for ever of course. But if you have the patience and time to kill its worth it, sort of..

    (3)

  • christine k.

    i always love trying mexican restaurants, and im glad i tried this one. their shrimp chipotle is amazing! without fail i get it every time! =) its a definite must try!!

    (5)

  • Brian H.

    great lunch buffet with all your favorites, all for under $10,

    (3)

  • Tim M.

    The Porfirio margaritas on their own deserve the 5 star rating. Best margaritas I have ever had. If you want something sweeter or more traditional the regular margaritas are good too. Food is always good and very reliable. My mother in law even likes it and she's as picky as they get!

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    I think this place was just average for a mexican restaurant. It was cute inside and the margaritas were pretty good. But I thought some of the staple mexican items like the rice and the chips were not that great. The portions are fairly large and the prices are comparable to other Mexican sit-down places.

    (3)

  • cb b.

    I love this little place with two pages of tequila choices and guacomole made table side. this has a lot of selection for everyone in a fun atmosphere with great service to boot! An fun place to hang out.

    (3)

  • Katelynn K.

    Steak fajitas gets me every time! So good. Large enough to share with a friend, without question. Ask for a house margarita.. You cannot go wrong! The ONLY reason I'm giving 4 stars (after 4 times of dining here) due to the less than attentive wait staff. Other than that, I'm hooked!

    (4)

  • Esther K.

    Probably the worst Mexican food I've ever had. The fish taco plate came with black beans and rice, which had been cooked with frozen mixed vegetables, wtf? The portions were large but everything tasted bland and had zero flavor- which is hard to accomplish with Mexican food. I would never return.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth F.

    Pretty frustrated with this restaurant. I have been here twice - the first time was a decent experience, save for the fact the food is overpriced and not as good as it should be for what you pay. However, I decided to give it a second try. I went back this week with a giftcard. It was for $50 and next to the dollar amount, read: "Includes 1 alcoholic beverage per adult." The waiter informed us that one drink per adult was included on top of the $50, so we all ordered $7-9 beverages. However, the check came and the manager informed us that they would not, in fact, be covering the drinks. Plus, the manager was extremely rude and seemed to not care whatsoever about hearing out her paying customers. I left feeling cheated, paying for someone else's mess up, and definitely will not be returning. The meals are overpriced and our server came to our table a total of 3 times.

    (1)

  • Bill M.

    Our group of three was heading to an Evanston street fair, but a relentless downpour sort of knocked that idea over. We wound up having a very pleasant dinner at the quirkily-named That Little Mexican Cafe. The restaurant is actually sizeable, so even on this early Saturday evening with the presence of numerous groups celebrating birthdays, graduations and family get-togethers, we were seated at a table right away. The interior is colorfully decorated, as you would expect from a Mexican restaurant. The star element of TLMC seems to be a mobile cart from which a staff member makes guacamole right in front of your eyes, though we did not order any. We did get complimentary chips and chunky salsa with a medium-level of spiciness that was fine. We started with an order of three black bean and goat cheese empanadas topped with chimichurri sauce and with a side of mango and papaya. Interestingly, the fruit salad was far more flavorful than the rather bland empanadas. Much better was the tasty cochinita pibil platter featuring roasted shredded pork marinated in achiote, accompanied with black beans, rice, pickled onions, and corn tortillas. I did not leave a shred of evidence from my meal, so no room for dessert on this evening. Our less adventurous dinner mate enjoyed her sizeable steak burrito. The staff was cordial and efficient, and the men's room seemed clean enough. All in all, we enjoyed our dinner at That Little Mexican Cafe and that took the edge off of the lousy downpour preceding our time there.

    (4)

  • Molly M.

    Really can't complain about the food. I'm super into the guacamole procedure they have going! It's fun to tell the guac lady what exactly you like right at your table!

    (4)

  • Tiger C.

    My wife and I tried this restaurant last night. We had the steak fajita and jalapeno poppers. The food was bland. Place looks very popular. This is not Cal-Mex or Tex-Mex - this is Mexican. No black beans. This is the re-fried beans, mexican rice, loads of cheese and sour cream... not Cal-Mex style. They had a duck fajita special. They served my margarita in a martini glass! Not sure what this place is really wanting to be - slightly above hole-in-the-wall, lacks charm, duck and martinis might work when they figure out the kitchen.

    (3)

  • Brett M.

    Decent yet authentic tasting food at fair prices. I would recommend splitting the grilled calamari salad with someone as it's enough for two and full of flavor. Also try the black bean or Tortilla soups. The drinks here are on the weaker side though and fairly expensive for mostly sugar. Decent but not great service.

    (3)

  • Mark S.

    We live a block from the Evanston location and have eaten there several times. The menu is fairly traditional Mexican, but everything is prepared fresh, and is delicious. They make guac right at your table which is really nice, You can't beat fresh guac. We recently had a large party and decided to have it catered. Since we had kids coming we thought a taco bar would be perfect. TLMC did a great job. The food was fantastic and the staff doubly so. They were nice to our guests, helpful with food and drink brought by our guests, and did a fantastic clean up after. We would definitely use them again!

    (4)

  • Carlos L.

    The only reason why I did not give 5 stars to this place was the service. The food was good, really nice place, really good drinks, but I got mistreated here, true I am Latino, but it does not mean that I don't tip. I always tip 20 percent of my total bill. Since I am Latino my server assumed that I was no gonna tip well, and she gave me a poor service ( I wonder if she ever smile ) what it got to my nerves was the fact that by the end when she went to pick up the check to process the payment, she only said "ready" and walk away, ass she is walking a way I tried to tell her that the payment was in cash and that I did not wanted any change. Carmen (the name of the server) did not stop to listen to me, nor to say thank you . She never came back to my table to say tank you. Just a little advice for Carmen Carmen, do not stereotype your customers

    (4)

  • Yousuf K.

    Solid Lunch buffet. Very good quality and quantity of options. Look forward to trying this place again.

    (4)

  • Aditi R.

    Went here on a date for Valentine's Day and it was fantastic!!!! I love love loved the guacamole so much that we ended up getting another round. Usually guac is pretty decent everywhere I go but for some reason this place it was sooo tasty and extra fresh. We ordered it spicy! We got a pitcher of margarita which was pretty decent. I was craving shrimp so got the shrimp chipotle dish and my date got the shrimp fajitas, both were very good. Staff was super super super friendly, loved them. We even told the server to take his time because we wanted to just sit and chat and drink for a while before ordering dinner and he was very respectful of that. I wish this place was open later would be a fun late night margarita place! If the prices were lower I would prob eat here more often but will def be coming back ( esp for the guac).

    (5)

  • Dana J.

    I've only been here a few times, but I love it! I usually get the steak fajitas. Free chips and salsa is always a plus :) If you're going here make sure you come early or don't come with a big group. I went one time and they told me the wait was 40 minutes. They definitely need a bigger restaurant! Guacamole is good, I think it creates an entertaining environment to have someone come out and make it right before my eyes haha. Overall, it's definitely a great restaurant.

    (4)

  • David M.

    I've been here several times. It's an attractive space in a great location - especially if you're going to Century 12. I want to love this place but, for the price, the food and drinks are just ok. Service has usually been good but I just can't get over how "meh" the dishes are.

    (3)

  • Lynn C.

    Wonderful place. Our server was great, the margaritas were delicious. Our guacamole was made fresh at our table and was full of flavor. I had the skirt steak with chimichurri, it was cooked perfectly, tender and juicy , served with black beans and a plantain empanada, very delicious. One of my companions had the fish tacos the plate was very well presented and he was equally happy with his dish as I was mine. Our other companion had the empanadas with a mole a sauce, all of the dishes were well presented and everything was very tasty with very reasonable pricing. excellent Mexican food, some of the best I've had

    (5)

  • Randall K.

    Date night! No kids. Movie tickets in hand. No reservations. Downtown Evanston. So many great choices. We ended up here. I was families with the food because... These guys are FIVE STAR caterers. Seriously they slam dunk a party. But this review is for the restaurant. The appitizers were nachos and guacamole. Both were fantastic. Love the fresh guacamole. Made right by the table. Mild, regular, or spicy. Absolutely the best!! The main courses were: Tamales. My wife said they were the best she has had in a loooong time. That is some serious compliment on the Tamales. I had a steak burrito. It was really good. Perfect amount of meat and fixin's. We passed on the desert, but here is the scoop on the service. Not bad, but not great. I had to flag down someone for drinks and water. The plates were left on the table for about 5 min when we were done. I would go back, but the fifth star would be for a more attentive bus staff. Really great restaurant. A must go to place for date night.

    (4)

  • Jenny I.

    Amazing chips and salsa, the best steak tacos/burritos, oh and their tamales and enchiladas are FABULOUS! The staff is always so friendly. You feel really welcomed here. I love all the lights around Christmas time. It is just the perfect Mexican ambiance restaurant. Love it! Love it! Give it a try, you will love it too! :)

    (4)

  • Megan J.

    Great location - but overall such a disappointment. The food was just so mediocre- Started off w a special appetizer - black bean empanadas w goat cheese. Three very small pieces - with no real flavor at all. no sauce at all. Completely lacklister and it felt like a waste of calories. I had tostadas - one bean and one tinga chicken. The crispy tortillas ware totally soggy and again just nothing special - a real lack of spice and flavor. The server was pleasant and efficient but there are so many great places - Will not be back.

    (1)

  • Mancow M.

    Remember the toilet scene in "Trainspotting"? Thats the bathrooms here. Dear God what filth! Unflushed and ... I just puked a bit. I've heard it said that you can judge a Resturant by their bathroom.. Well then: FAIL!!! Think children's petting zoo but all the animals have diarrhea. That's the foul odor of this restroom of horrors. Can you imagine their FILTHY kitchen? The "help" ? They were miserable. The guacamole lady never once looked our way. This Latina Walter Mitty must've been daydreaming as she served us what tasted like lemonade. Our server was out-to-lunch (even though it was dinner time) too. "Can we get some hot sauce?" "Sure", he replied never to return. Hate NOT to tip. I DID tip but it hurt. Hate is a strong word. The burrito was grilled but then set on a wet plate and was an impossible mess. If somebody did decent Mexican on the north shore they'd get rich quick.

    (1)

  • Rick R.

    This place is way underrated. They have great margaritas! Try Profirios Margaritas only $7.25 and they pack a nice punch plus have flavor. The guacamole is made to order and are so good. Maria our waitress makes them do well they're the bomb! Also ordered tamales and chicken and shrimp fajitas which were also delicious. Too bad this place lost their outdoor seating area. It does however needs a bit of an update inside as its a bit dark. I'd still return however.

    (4)

  • Cherie W.

    I've been going here for years and each time it reminds me of being in Cozumel. Consistently good food no matter what I order on the menu. At lunch they have an excellent buffet with a nice range of dishes, both cold and hot, and the trays are kept full of food. Where I think they could improve is their service. It can be challenging to get a pop or drink at lunch hour because the staff is busy with multiple roles and that has been frustrating at times. I like the decor, true Mexican, and it's colorful. There's a bar that seats around 10 or so and a handful of high top tables. We really like it and have regularly eaten there for years. Good stuff!

    (4)

  • Heather R.

    The chipotle shrimp is kind of amazing. Love the organic margarita. Lime juice and agave straight up in a martini glass. Straight up delicious.

    (5)

  • Kristen H.

    Valentine's Day lunch date with my daughter and husband. It was our first time and we loved it!! Table side guac to start, house margaritas lime not syrupy, I had tinga chicken gordita and my husband had the pork pineapple tacos which he loved. Ready to go back!

    (5)

  • Chicago K.

    Very disappointed, this place has gone downhill. No one was friendly, food wasn't as fresh as it was and we were sick beginning an hour after eating dinner to 3 am.

    (2)

  • Michael B.

    We came to That Little Mexican Cafe hoping for some yummy Mexican food from a local restaurant. While the food was not bad, overall, we found it to be bland and overpriced. The best part of our meal was the guacamole, which a waitress made right before our eyes. Talk about fresh! However, with so many other great restaurant options, I don't think we will be returning.

    (3)

  • Mike R.

    Very fresh ingredients.. Had the chicken tacos.. Service was fast.. But it wasn't as good as I expected.. Of you're into home cooked style Mexican food this is the place for you..

    (3)

  • Matt R.

    Who doesn't love TLMC? This place is delish. First things first, the guac. They do not mess around when it comes to making awesome fresh guac. I can't emphasize that enough. Add that to the infinite mountain of tortilla chips and you do end up with a meal all by itself in terms of volume. Then we get to the tequila. I would say for anyone who isn't that familiar with tequila TLMC can be a great place to wet the noodle and/or explore some tequila varieties. Lastly, flautas here are awesome (made from sweet potato), and gorditas here are a little bit oily and/or everything else included in them is mostly better than the gordita shell. Also, service is good, and all food choices here are similar to their other location. I'd suggest this place to anyone with a hankering for good mexican food, just keep in mind that it is pricey.

    (5)

  • Sean K.

    Guacamole and salsa were really good. They make it fresh at your table. Giving this place 2 stars because my steak was very undercooked.

    (2)

  • Edward H.

    Honestly I have no idea why this place doesn't have 4-5 stars. I come here pretty frequently (maybe 15 times in my two years at Northwestern) and am always impressed with every dish and every server. Great for dates, guy's nights, celebrations with lots of people, you name it. Steak fajitas, tableside guac, and chicken enchiladas are my go-to items. Fun atmosphere and great food at good value. Can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • Sir Gull R.

    Edit just lost a star. Star lost due to the fact that they use styrofoam and order food from Sysco. The same Sysco that feeds slop to public schools. The same Sysco that supplies penitentiaries with low quality and cheap food products. This explains the blandness and the lack of freshness in all of their entrees. Two stars only. One for the guac and the other for the booze.

    (2)

  • Jasmine L.

    I was super hyped up to eat here because of the recomendation of friends and the good reviews on Yelp...so I think it is to everyone's benefit that I write a review on my experience. My husband and I dined in tonight (Friday night) for our anniversary for a 7pm reservation for 6 adults, 4 toddlers and 1 baby total. The table they aay us at was a great location, however it took over 15 minutes for us to be greeted at all and get any water. When the waitress arrived she only took an appetizer order(we ordered the table-side guacamole) and then disappeared for another 15 minutes. I was very disappointed that she didn't take notice that we were dining with 4 toddlers and take the dinner order for the kids. I had to hunt her down to her her to take the kids dinner order. Not a great anniversary. It's a miss. ATMOSPHERE-good for groups(although they weren't overly accomodating) but NOT good for kids as Yelp states! SERVICE-SUPER slow and mediocre at best. FOOD-EXCELLENT! Great value for dollar and taste was excellent! Probably some of the best rice&beans I have ever had. Table-side guac-not as good as Adobo Grill's table-side guac and not aa good as my mother's. WAY too many onions and not entirely flavorful. KIDS FOOD MENU-NO ground beef tacos(big minus) and drink options SUCK for kids(only OJ and Cranberry juices and milk....what the heck) PARKING-Street only and hard to find a spot on a Friday night.

    (1)

  • Simone T.

    I admit that I come here mainly for the margaritas, chips w/salsa & guacamole, and the scallop appetizer, but some of the negative reviews surprised me a bit. I've met friends here for drinks and appetizers for years, and love it. The grilled scallop appetizer w/freshly chopped mango & mixed greens salad is always great, every time. I really like their salsa; a bit darker & richer than at other places, but delicious. I appreciate that the guacamole is made to order for each table in terms of spice/heat, and it is consistently yummy. My friend doesn't eat wheat & can't eat the chips (more for me lol) so our server brought her fresh & warm tortillas - she said they were great. A few margaritas, 3 in our party went on to order entrees and raved about them (vegetarian burrito, beef burrito & skirt steak). They were pleasantly full & also took home leftovers.

    (4)

  • Chika S.

    Gave it another shot and liked it better. My husband loves the lunch buffet during the week: great value and really fresh. I'm not sure how they mix the margaritas ... Potent.

    (4)

  • Steve A.

    The first time I went here I had pretty conventional Tex Mex fare, and it was fine. But on my return visit I decided to see if they could do authentic Mexican food, and I left quite impressed. I had the Pibil, a slow roasted marinated pork, somewhat like pastor. It was brimming with interesting spices and had a piquant tang to the barbecue-like sauce. Served with corn tortillas, it was delicious and authentic. The salsa here is quite good, a homemade version more about the herbs and spices than tomato sauce. Chips are fairly sturdy, and also seem homemade. The margaritas are excellent. They're hand shaken and poured over the rocks, and have just the right level of tartness, and a good balance of tequila to juice. Service is friendly and attentive. Brunch is available on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Josh S.

    I am absolutely shocked this place gets so many good reviews. I went there last night for my second and final time. I had been previously and remembered thinking it wasn't very good. My experience this time was very similar. At TLMC, the food is as greasy as it is tasteless. I ordered the gorditas and they tasted like cardboard. The food had very little flavor. Incredibly disappointing. My margarita was extremely watered down as well. My advice: if you want tacos, go to Taco Diablo a block away. If you really want Mexican, go somewhere else. One redeeming factor worth mentioning: my waitress was very friendly and attentive.

    (1)

  • Chad H.

    Loved it! Great food! Good enough service! Skirt Steak with chimichurri sauce was delicious! Guacamole was prepared table side and the pitcher of margarita hit the spot! Thanks guys!

    (5)

  • Dawn B.

    $40.00 for a pitcher of margaritas, and we're not taking anywhere NEAR top shelf. Why are there no prices anywhere for alcohol other than beer??! Good table side guacamole, the rest of the food-mah. We were there on a busy Friday night, had a reservation and waited a while regardless. Had to almost tackle the waitress to take our order :( First bowl of salsa was good. Second bowl had obviously been 'cut' with canned tomato sauce-eeeeewwww

    (2)

  • Tracy W.

    We were told about this place so thought we would give it a try. We went on a Thursday for lunch. We had no problems being seated (it was summer). The service was OK. My wife had the buffet, which had a ton of choices. I had a burrito, which was very tasty and I took half home. This place is not special, but it is good Mexican food. I would go back.

    (3)

  • Jon S.

    Guacomole to die for!!!! Sangria that made my wife's clothes come off (jk) and our fresh food came out in minutes!!!! OMG!!! This place has the freshest Mexican food on the planet......!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Sofia C.

    Holy guacamole! Our friend took us out and we were not disappointed. We all got Azteca salads with grilled chicken. Delicious!

    (4)

  • Grace A.

    I had to write about my experience here because I am in disbelief that they would treat their guests/customers like this. We had lunch around 1:00pm. The restaurant had only four patrons but it's because it was after lunch - maybe?? The chips were decent, actually better than others I've had. They had lunch buffet for $10.95 and my 14-yr. old son took that but I knew I would not get my money's worth so I just ordered two fish tacos: The grilled tilapia tacos were okay, tasted bland so I had to load it with salt. If they had "seasoned" it before cooking it really would have made a big difference; The buffet was almost empty(probably from the lunch crowd). My son ended up with only one full plate because there wasn't much left. It seemed like we were getting the lunch left-overs:-( He did not finish the remaining food on his plate so I asked for a container to go( I also did not finish my fish tacos). The waiter approached me and told me I cannot take the food to go even though it was leftover. He also commented on the extra helping of fried plantain bananas that my son liked but couldn't finish. I did not want to waste it so I put it in my to-go container. Since he wouldn't allow me to take it to go I offered to pay for it. He said, "No, you cannot pay for it." After arguing with me he had another waiter or "manager" tell me that I cannot take the food. He said " Even if you give me $100 you cannot take that because it's wrong." Sadly, they do not know what it means to make the customer happy. I was willing to pay for the food to go but they kept arguing with me. I was planning on returning with my husband for dinner one day but after this experience obviously I was turned off. As a new customer, these gentlemen should have done anything they can to make sure I was a return customer, instead they were more worried about a half-cup of rice and bananas in a to go container. Oh well.

    (2)

  • Alison Y.

    Came here on Cinco de Mayo craving some good mexican food and found that they had a buffet for $12!!! The buffet bar had a good mix of a lot of their menu items - guacamole, tinga, chorizo and potatoes, steak fajita, Mexican rice, chicken salad, salsas...everything! All of the food had good flavor and were tasty! A surprising favorite was a seafood soup that had salmon with different squashes and carrots in a spicy broth! The guacamole was fresh and delicious like all the reviews say! I had a blended strawberry margarita which was not very strong so if you're looking for a kick, ask the bartender for suggestions. Overall had a great first experience that would bring me back for seconds!

    (5)

  • Sydney V.

    Meh says it all. It's ok but expensive for what you get. Portions are big but the food is comparable to Chi Chi's. The only menu item that's good and worth the $$ is the guacamole. So drop in for an appetizer of guacamole and drinks and then head elsewhere for dinner.

    (2)

  • Reid B.

    You have to order the fresh guac! It's made right at your table and is unbelievably delicious. The portions are slightly on the large side, but the food was all so good I can't complain. You can't go wrong with their freshly made margaritas either. Overall I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely return on my future trips through Chicago.

    (4)

  • Lee B.

    Terrible service, very mediocre food, and definitely NOT for groups! I had a group dinner here a few days ago for about 15 people. When I called about a week in advance to make reservations, they told me there would be two tables next to each other (they specified they'd be right next to each other). When we arrived, not only were our tables not ready for another 20 minutes, but by the time we did finally sit down our tables were separated by two smaller parties between us! I asked the hostess if we could do anything to fix it (given that the others had just sat down) and she said not until they leave. When they finally did get up to go, I asked the hostess if we could finally push the tables near each other, and just as I was saying that she brought in another party to be seated, claiming "the table had been reserved" (which is absolutely ridiculous, nobody reserves a specific table there). The food was incredibly mediocre. I had an enchilada that was drenched in fatty sauce, and some of the people I was with who had quesadillas said there was basically nothing inside the tortilla besides a few pieces of meat. The only things that aren't terrible on the menu are the guacamole and salsa--but that's really it. On top of that, when the bill came, instead of giving us a single bill (this was a birthday dinner, so naturally the host would pay)--like any good restaurant would--they gave separate bills without tip already factored into it. This caused even more confusion. All in all, very, very terrible service. This restaurant is not nearly as good as it used to be. There are plenty of great Mexican restaurants in Evanston, and this is DEFINITELY not one of them.

    (1)

  • Brandi E.

    Great drinks and great food just a little on the pricey side (for what they're serving) but I am sure it is because of location.

    (4)

  • Kate S.

    My roommate and I came here back in mid-Novemeber. I wasn't feeling all that well so I just ordered a mini-mojito in the mason jar. It was a tad overpriced ($6) and wasn't all that good, mainly because it was extremely strong and there was a massively large mint leaf that kept getting in the way. She got the better deal by ordering a full-sized drink for a few bucks more. Her chicken tacos smelled and looked amazing, and she said she loved them (she offered me some, but I'm a vegetarian, which she didn't know yet because we had only lived together for like a week). Anyway, she enjoyed them, and this is one of her favorite Mexican places in the area. One of the employees came over to the table next to us to make the guacamole they ordered tableside - it was really interesting to watch, and the woman was really helpful as my roommate tried to inconspicuously write down the directions/ingredients. The woman was willing to answer my roommate's questions and fill her in on the steps she missed while trying to copy the recipe. I think it's really cool that they send her to make guacamole fresh for you at the table - it's a nice touch. Weird point: the bathrooms are pretty much in the kitchen. They're in the back corner of the restaurant, but when you walk out of the bathroom, you're a few feet into the kitchen area. At least the bathrooms were super clean! I would definitely be willing to try this place again, perhaps when I'm feeling better and without ordering the mojito. It just wasn't my thing.

    (3)

  • Cami R.

    Went with a large group of friends. Great cochinita pibil and chicken fajitas!! It was fast and the staff very nice!

    (4)

  • Mike H.

    Best steak burrito you'll ever have is at That Little Mexican Cafe! Also, if you have kids, go on a Sunday when they have a balloon artist walking around entertaining from table to table. The chips are fresh, salsa is outstanding, guacamole is fantastic, and if you're able to stop in for lunch during the week, the buffet cannot be beat. Friendly atmosphere, decent pricing, outstanding food. Well worth the visit!

    (5)

  • Sandra J.

    I love to eat Mexican food. This place is a great place to have dinner. Also, Their margaritas are amazing. The waitress was so nice and helpful. I want to thank them for making their costumers happy.

    (5)

  • Angela C.

    Meh. I got the guac because everyone on here said to, but I think we were stuck with a lazy waitress. They supposedly make the guac in front of you; ours didn't. We asked for super spicy; it wasn't. It was a waste of $8. We split some fajitas and they were pretty good, but all in all, not impressed. I'd take a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place in Cicero or Berwyn over this place any day.

    (3)

  • Joe G.

    Poor service. Came here on a Sunday afternoon. They were not terribly busy. I ordered an iced tea which came within a few minutes. After that we waited for more than twenty minutes while servers checked in with the tables around us multiple times. Needless to say we couldn't get anyone's attention and decided to leave. Upon exiting I asked a server at the front if I could at least pay for my tea and she said there wouldn't be a charge. Nothing else.

    (1)

  • Patty T.

    Yummy guac. If you are into food so spicy you can lit fire in your mouth, ask your server for extra spicy. My date had fajita (extra spicy) and that stuff is probably one of the spiciest food we have ever had, in a good way.

    (3)

  • Sally W.

    So, so gross. Cold, nasty Mexican that looks like reheated frozen dinner. I love Mexican, and you can get the same thing warm and better at about a tenth of the price three miles south anywhere on Clark Street. Like a Bennigan's on the inside.

    (1)

  • Kei A.

    Ordered out while at work, and the tacos were phenomenal! The delivery was quick and the man delivering our food was kind and courteous. Next step is to visit he actual place to dine in!

    (5)

  • Dana Z.

    My favorite mexican spot in Evanston! Delicious food and margaritas - they recently redid their menu... much smaller and more concise! The wait staff is really on top of it ... our meals came quick even on Cinco de Mayo! I love the salmon yucateco... so yummy. They don't take reservations... but if you're willing to wait at the bar for a drink, you can get seated relatively quickly!

    (4)

  • Kevin R.

    Best Mexican restaurant around. Clean food made to order.

    (5)

  • Jackie O.

    I work very close-by to this location and love their lunch buffet! From what I hear - this is also the after work spot for a few too many margaritas. The staff is friendly and if they see you in there more than a few times (ok, a LOT more than a few times) - the will always wave or say hello when you walk through the door. The lunch buffet ($12) is very reasonable for the price. Usually the buffet has salad, fruit, chips & guac, steak fajitas, tamales, and a few options for tacos/burritos. I love when I find mole or flan on the buffet. Delicious! I have never been here for dinner, but again, the margaritas are where it's at!

    (4)

  • doug g.

    We've come here for years because of the excellent margaritas and incredible guacamole (and wonderful folks who work there). However, the rest of the menu never seemed match the level of the margaritas and guacamole - we kept trying things on the menu until finally we stumbled across the delicious pork tenderloin and chorizo! Now margaritas (in the blue glasses), guac and tenderloin is our go-to meal at that little mexican cafe! If you're looking for a great appetizer, give the chipotle shrimp a try!

    (4)

  • Horace L.

    I tried the tamales, which were fine. The staff was helpful and kind, and the place seemed clean enough.

    (3)

  • Liz A.

    The food here is exceptional. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Evanston, but unfortunately, because it's not in some of the prime foodie locations right off Sherman, it gets forgotten about easily. I'm definitely partial to their tamales, but the steak fajitas are amazing-- I don't normally trust the steak quality at smaller scale places, but this is surprisingly good--definitely a must-try. Also, the Sunday brunch is a great price for all the food; that is probably one of my favorite times to go to TLMC.

    (5)

  • Sarah Beth B.

    Pretty good! I ate here as an NU undergrad a couple of times (in pre-yelp dinosaur days), and just came back for the first time last week to meet a few friends. The slightly nicer-than-standard-mexican matches the slightly-higher-than-standard-mexican prices, but also slightly-higher-than-standard food. We got the freshly made guacamole, which they prepare right there at your table! limey and chunky and full of tomatoes, it's a GREAT guac (and this coming from someone who doesn't really like avocados, for what it's worth). The food was also pretty good! BF and I broke our usual rule of getting two things and splitting bc the chilaquiles sounded so good. They were pretty good, but not great. I think it would have been better if we'd also had a burrito or fajitas or something to take away from the mushy chip-ness. I'd definitely come back and recommend to friends looking for Mexican food in the etown area, but it's not the best food in Evanston. Just pretty good.

    (3)

  • Joan A.

    This place is good for lunch and dinner, but few people know about their Sunday brunch, which I think is the star of the show. On Sundays from 11-3 they do a buffet, which always includes yummy tamales, jicama salad, their famous fresh guac, and desserts like tres leches cake. For ~$12 you can definitely get your fill, and there's a lot of choices, so everyone's happy.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    We always liked this place for good margaritas, table side guacamole, and tasty entrees. Had not been there in a couple of years and sadly, we won't be back. We got there around 7 on a Saturday night and expected a wait. We put our name in and were told a 30-35 minute wait which was perfectly fine for a Sat night. Went into the bar and ordered a couple of margaritas which were just ok even though we ordered them with one of our favorite tequilas. Not sure if they've changed their recipe or our taste buds have changed but they were lacking the nice flavor that we remembered. Checked in our table about 25 minutes later and were told another 10-15 minutes. We let 15 minutes pass and checked again and we were told they had no idea when we would be seated. Okay, skip that and we will find a table in the bar but no luck there so we just ate at the bar. Obviously no table side guacamole. I ordered the portabella mushroom fajitas and they were good. My partner ordered the Baja fish tacos and what a disappointment. She knew the fish was fried so not ideal but they arrived in hard taco shells with some cabbage. Not much flavor at all. For anyone who decides to try this place - if it is a weekend night with a wait and there is a bar table available, grab it.

    (2)

  • Kyle H.

    3.5 Stars, A-okay plus! A nice Sunday brunch visit, sad that the buffet was closing just as we got there, but honestly, the selection didn't look all that anyway. Appetizers of guacamole (excellent) and black bean and goat cheese empanadas (tasty) were good starters. My dining partners raved about their margaritas and I hope to try them someday! My chicken mole was chocolaty and nutty, as it should be. Good, but not the greatest mole ever. This place has a fun atmosphere and would be a good place to bring a date or for a small celebration of friends. Service is not the greatest, sometimes seems confused, but it's a solid choice for pretty good Mexican food in Evanston.

    (3)

  • Nancy L.

    Okay Mexican place. Typical menu for a tex mex place with a full bar including blended Margaritas in a number of flavors like Mango.. They make the guacamole table side on a little wheeled cart. Love that it's customized to your taste and created in front of you fresh. Had to smile a bit about the cart that looked like someone made it and painted it in their garage. While it seemed a bit rickety that only added to the feeling of being a local non-chain place. Some tables felt a bit crowded together. Overall its okay and little pricey for what you get- not a big wow if you are looking for authentic Mexican food.

    (3)

  • Jen P.

    One of my regular lunch places. The lunch time buffet is FANTASTIC--plenty of items to choose from and they keep it full and fresh. It's a great deal when you have the appetite. Their guacamole and salsa are very, very good. The staff is very friendly, always keeping us in chips, salsa and drink refills, and they always accommodate how we want to pay our bill, whether it's separate checks, or multiple credit cards on one check. A great place for a group lunch.

    (4)

  • Vanessa R.

    We recently stopped here for dinner before an NU basketball game. We figured this this was a great opportunity to use one of our mounting Groupons & who can turn down Mexican food? Atmosphere: We were greeted by a friendly hostess who seated us in a comfortable booth. The space is very big and open here and would be great for groups of all sizes - from small tables, long group tables and booths. Bright colors, neat artwork (complete with artist information if you would like to purchase!), and a nice bar off to the side. Service: While the restaurant was pretty empty, it took a while for our waitress to come by. Luckily for us, we were in no rush. The waitress was very friendly as was the woman with the guacamole cart. However, there were pretty big lapses between taking our orders, getting our bill, etc. Food: Complimentary chips & salsa - good, smoky/spicy salsa and warm, crispy tortilla chips! The guacamole appetizer is awesome; this is a must-try if you visit. They have a mobile guacamole cart and it is made at your table with your choice of toppings. We opted for the 'spicy' with jalapeno peppers, onion, cilantro, tomato and lime - so fresh & tasty! Best part: it was made in a molcajete and was a large serving. The chicken enchiladas in salsa verde were just OK. Chicken was tasty, but the sauce was a bit salty and tasted like they just poured some store-bought green salsa over the enchiladas. The rice was also mediocre - and was served in a tiny portion - about 3 fork-fulls! I figured since I did not get the beans that came with the dish they'd be a little more generous with the rice. Oh well, probably for the best. Another bummer - no horchata! Again, probably for the best as I just stuck with water. Price: A bit pricey for the quality of food; each entrée was $15 and up. Also - they charge you for things you come to expect for free at a Mexican restaurant. Want 2 tortillas with your meal? You'll have to fork over 75 cents. While this may not seem like a lot, it is when you can buy a pack of 12 corn tortillas for 30 cents. Sour cream? $1.00. And the list went on with "extra" costs. Even a $3.75 charge for a refill on your chips and salsa! (However, our waitress did not charge us for our extra basket :)). All in all, a nice place to eat if in the area & craving Mexican, but with a plethora of Mexican choices around the city, odds are we won't be going back soon. Food was pretty bland (with the exception of the guacamole & salsa) and pretty pricey for the portion/quality. Service was also on the slow side.

    (3)

  • Ehow C.

    Huh, I managed to find a buffet that wasn't terrible, imagine that. The variety of dishes was okay, considering you can just make a taco. The guacomole was pretty fantastic, as well as the chicken and salsas. My friend and I were pretty full after one plate, which was peculiar, since our appetites are rather enormous. I think most of the selections were pretty heavy, thus we filled up very fast. For the cost, I'd say it's a decent lunch buffet. Save this place for a special lunch occasion. I've been here for dinner and have not been impressed, so I wouldn't recommend that.

    (3)

  • Patricia B.

    TLMC provided dinner for our group of 30 who were attending a weekend conference. The owner and his team worked with me, as the food coordinator, on the menu choices, accommodating the special dietary needs, while also offering a wide variety of choices --in addition to staying within our budget. What they delivered was truly delicious, abundant, fresh, colorful and so much more! Thank you for a job well done.

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    The food is quite good, not too bland, everything a little spicy, and the portions are good with sides included, but the prices... man, it's just steep. The restaurant is huge and pretty nice-looking at least from the outside, but it's always mostly empty. I recently ordered 3 entrees and a tortilla soup to go for my family, and it was every bit of $60. Everything was good but the tortilla soup, but I reserve my higher-end takeout dollars for sushi and in general am pretty annoyed when any non-sushi meal that I eat at my dining room table costs more than $30.

    (3)

  • Scott S.

    A must for lunch. They have a great lunch buffet and if you don't want to go that route, great specialties on the menu. The staff is great and the restaurant and kitchen are spotless.

    (4)

  • Melanie B.

    The food wasn't bad... I really liked the salsa, and the steak had good flavor but was chewy. However, they have some of the worst margaritas I've ever had. Bland and really watered down. Disappointing since I wanted a good margarita tonight.

    (2)

  • Audrey S.

    It's our go-to restaurant for pre- or post-movie dining in Evanston. We get a pitcher of margaritas, an order of guacamole and the salsa flight. They don't promote the salsa flight too much, but it is EXCELLENT!

    (4)

  • Bruce S.

    Walked in and no hostess. Waited for some time, people lined up behind us. Waited. Staff walked by and ignored us, avoided eye contact. Finally just left. Will never return.

    (1)

  • Vance S.

    The first time we went was better then the last time but overall very pleased with it. Great burritos and the guac was great along with the margaritas! I would tell others to go for sure.

    (4)

  • Yanyao N.

    Somehow, after having lived in Evanston since 2002 and in the building RIGHT ABOVE this place for almost 2 years, only last month did I find out about the lunch buffet. Words cannot describe how disappointed I am with myself. Luckily, I was not disappointed with the buffet. It costs around $10 a person but the spread they put out in an absolute delight. There were tamales (one with a green sauce, the other with a mole), quesadillas, spicy shredded chicken, all the fixings to make tacos, enchiladas, chips, salsa, a really impressive "salad" bar featuring papaya/mango salad (!!!) and jicama, chocolate flan and fried tortilla strips dusted with powdered sugar and honey. YUM! This is all I can remember. I'm sure there was more. I only tried about half the items. SO MUCH FOOD! I also really appreciated that when I tried to order guacamole (mmm, avocado fats are the best), our server told us that they had it on the buffet line. I like when people help me save money. Hooray for you! To be honest, I didn't really like this place before. When we first moved into the building, we went in and I found a few bones in my duck taquitos. Now, having given them another chance, I will come back regularly for that buffet. I need my omega-3s after all. Helloooooo guacamole!

    (4)

  • Scott W.

    Somewhere closer to Frontera Grill than Arturo's Taqueria, That Little Mexican Cafe is a great spot for dress-casual Mexican dining. Their made-to-order guac is yummy. Their moles are complex and rich. And the fish dishes are always solid. The weekend brunch buffet at $12 per adult is a tremendous value and gives a good sampling of their menu. With delicious food, a full bar and a very friendly staff, you can't go wrong.

    (4)

  • Ambrish K.

    My wife and I had walked by this place innumerable times and finally decided to give it a try, as she really wanted to eat Mexican food that night. Now, I for one, can't have enough of Mexican food and was delighted to go along. There was a 15 minute wait, which gave us enough time to sip on drinks by the bar. The mojito the bar tender was serving up looked very promising, so I ordered one for me. I believe sugar is an essential ingredient here, but I could have done with maybe half or less the amount that I found in my Mojito. It almost tasted as sweet as a soda.Thinking back, I should have ordered a fix right away. Strike 1. We were seated and looked at the menu and then at each other, facing the usual dilemma of what combination of rice, beans, tortillas and meat to order. We finally ordered the Chicken Enchiladas (mole) and the Tostadas (chicken) with much anticipation of chowing down. We also gave in to hunger and asked for an appetizer of their fresh fixed-at-your table-side Guacamole. They ask you how you like it..mild, medium or spicy. We went with medium. It was delicious!! A little too salty for our taste, given that their chips were salted too, but really good. The dinner arrived and we went to work. The enchiladas were seasoned well. The mole sauce, I decided, was not going to be my choice if I ate there again. The beans were served up not refried, but almost in a baked beans style, which I was ok with. The rice and the salsa were tiny portions compared to what I have been used to at other restaurants, but it's no big deal. Not being an aficionado of the sauces, I thought the mole was over the top rich and concentrated in its spiciness and sweetness combined. Strike 2. The tostadas did not disappoint. Served up in deep fried pockets of corn, the meat and toppings together were quite nicely spiced and balanced each other well. Good call on that one (compared to the other choices we made). All in all, it may have been an off night for the kitchen or for our tastebuds, but we agreed we would be looking forward to seeking out the next best Mexican restaurant within walking distance of our home the next time we agreed on the cuisine. Some tasks are mightier than others.

    (2)

  • Natasha C.

    If you go, you must get the gauc! YOU MUST GET THE GAUC! I suggest getting 2. One spicy, one med. I had the chicken enchiladas with mole. Definitely real Mexican food. Good prices. Had the mango ' Rita and thought it was too much purée and not enough alcohol, I'm not a heavy drinker so I don't mind. Get vegetarian choices. I'll definitely go back to this location. Very chill and very good.

    (3)

  • Jay K.

    So we put our name in and we were told it would be a half hour wait. The place was super crowded and the vultures were surrounding the "hostess" stand boarding on harassment for a table instead of waiting like everyone else. Guess they felt special and entitled. I felt sorry for the very young woman working there because of that. New customers walking in couldn't get to the stand to put their name in. Long story short the vultures harassed the poor girl into giving tables out of order. Our party of four clearly took a back seat to the vultures because we noticed two parties that were seated before us. We were not alone in our observation as another party of four noticed the same thing. When I approached the stand to ask why we were clearly bypassed I got the deer in the headlights look. I didn't let this ruin my night however and continued to wait out for a table since it was getting to late to go anywhere else. The half hour turned out to be an hour and fifteen minutes! So on to the food. The table side prepared to your liking (spicy, mild, more onions etc.) guacamole was excellent! $7. The salsa was below average and the chips were kinda stale. I had the pork tenderloin with chorizo. The pork was sliced and the sausage was crumbled and grilled together making it nice and crunchy. The beans and rice were below average. The portion was very small and not anywhere worth the $16 but it really tasted great, but after the long wait I would have eaten it raw...like a vulture! The other dinners we okay, not worth the $$ for sure. The ice cold Corona and Sol beers were reasonably priced at $4.50. The service was good once we finally sat down. I would go back for the guacamole and cold beer but that's it. Poor value. IMO you could get better Mexican food at El Famous Burrito. When is Evanston going to make snow removal in the downtown area a priority? It's awful that they encourage people come for shopping and dining but can't clear out the street parking!

    (2)

  • Katie P.

    So far this is the best mexican I've found in the area. Having just moved from Los Angeles (Little Mexico) I really miss the food. I love their cheese enchilada. I'm not a fan of their tacos. Good fajitas, too. But I prefer my homemade fajitas to restaurant ones anyway. Their blended strawberry margarita is a delight. OH! And they deliver. That always gets you an extra star. (I'm lazy.)

    (4)

  • Kate M.

    My favorite place in Evanston for the year I lived there. The food is always reliable and so yummy -- our go-to's were the pork and chorizo (my husband's favorite) and the chipotle shrimp (appetizer or entree, both are delicious). The guacamole is a must and my friends who had their quesadillas said they were excellent as well. The food is wonderful but the atmosphere makes this place -- small enough to feel like a neighborhood spot but big enough to accommodate you whenever you're in the mood for a margarita. Annie the bartender knew us by name and not only makes fantastic margaritas, she is lovely and was always interested in chatting with us about whatever was going on in our lives. We loved going in just to see her and liked to think we were her favorite customers. ;) Definitely worth a trip to Evanston and if you already live there and haven't tried this place, head over as soon as possible!

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    Awesome mexican food. You know the food is pretty good when they actually make the guac at the table in front of you. I had the steak fajitas and they were amazing. A bit spicy but thats how i like them. They also have amazing mojitos for those that are fans of it. The price is decent, and well worth it for the amount of food that they give you. I usually have no problems cleaning a plate, but I had to take some of the food to go. If you are in the Evanston area, it is well worth a stop.

    (4)

  • David Z.

    Went to this place over lunch with some co-workers. We all had the lunch buffet, which was $10.95. I have to say, I was impressed with the variety that was offered at the buffet. There was mango, watermelon, and pineapple for fruit, along with 2 salad choices. They had both corn (the hard version) and flour (soft) tortillas. There was also chorizo, potatoes, beans, rice, pork, steak, empanadas, 2 soups, taquitos, tamales, and a few other things I'm forgetting. All in all, I thought the food was of above average quality. It may have helped that we were there early (11:30), so everything was fresh. The real problem we had was the service. Come on guy, how hard is it to serve a table when they're having the buffet? We only got our initial drinks, and then he didn't come by again and ask if we wanted refills until AFTER the meal was over (we all had finished 2 full plates of food by then). And then the waiter disappeared, because we waited an additional 20 minutes before he brought the check over for us to pay. I guess I shouldn't complain since our boss was there, which made a long lunch acceptable, but still, it was pretty annoying. I really wanted to give this place 4 stars. The ambiance was fine, the bathroom was clean, and the food was pretty good. But I just can't shake the fact that the server didn't come by a single time during our actual meal, and then made us wait another 20 minutes for the check. Left a sour taste in my mouth!

    (3)

  • Gordon J.

    Without a doubt, the worst Mexican food I have ever had. Just bad. Arrived for lunch at 11:45am and couldn't get the check until after 1PM. It was like they were doing me a big favor letting me eat there. Check was over $40 for two lunch buffets and two drinks. Mancow nailed it on the bathrooms (see below). Horrible choice... I'm angry I went there.

    (1)

  • Fawn J.

    Been here a couple times now and love the food. But I have to say, they won me over with the authentic guacamole cart they bring to your table and the margaritas. yum yum yum! I will definitely return here when I want great mexican food - for a price. That's my only negative. But, you get what you pay for, right?!

    (4)

  • Day C.

    The food is great and tasty for sure, but I just think they could have done a little better with the prices. You could go many other places for equally outstanding Mexican food for a price that blows this out of the water. That said if I paid for anything, I hope I paid for the atsmosphere. The price for the tacos is a little rediculous, so I opted for the burrito to get as much bang for my buck.

    (4)

  • Tom H.

    Pleasant, large high-ceilinged airy room, nicely lit, with comfy booths and a number of small tables with chairs. Interesting decorations all around--right now, they seem to be enjoying setting up for Halloween. Most of the space is taken up by the restaurant section, with an open kitchen at the back, and a full bar area at the eastern end. I think they're trying for fine dining Mexican, rather than being a taqueria, and the prices seem skewed upward. Two tacos plus some beans and rice are $12, when they'd be half that price in Pilsen or Clark Street in Rogers Park. On the other hand, the more interesting dishes, like salmon baked in a banana leaf or the wood grilled duck breast seem priced more reasonably for that type of dish. There are many nice small theatrical touches throughout the meal: a professional guacamole chef may stop by your table with a cart and make up an order as you watch and direct the action; coffee arrives in a french press, ready to extract at the table, rather than premade in a cup. I started with a cup of tortilla soup, a creamy smooth orange-tan soup with strips of tortilla mixed in. Not sure if the color came from squash or pumpkin. For my entree, I opted for the charcoal grilled pork tenderloin, small tasty medallions of pork arrayed over a layer of sharply flavored chorizo sausage, with refrito beans (a little soupy in texture, but perhaps not as lardy, thus healthier?). The tiny mound of white rice mixed with vegetables seemed like an afterthought or a garnish, rather than being an integral starch to the meal. A nice container of warm tortillas accompanied. The tequila list is huge and daunting, but not really my thing. There are several pages of wines to choose from. Oddly, beer is no longer listed in either the menu or drinks list; you need to have the waitstaff recite the list for you. I ordered a Negra Modelo cerveza; it arrived in bottle with a lime wedge for a stopper, sans glass, low-down cantina style. Not sure if not providing a glass was a style choice or oversight. For dessert, I had one of the best flans of my life, beautiful firm non-soupy texture, sauced with a delicate (maple?) sauce with a bit of bitter chocolate/cinnamon sauce and small dollop of whipped cream to one side. Coffee, as mentioned above, was a good french press style with several cups in the press. Service was friendly and attentive throughout my meal, from Carmen M. The bus staff was equally attentive to clearing used dishes periodically. White tablecloth, linen napkins, proper silverware and china plates. This place is not a taqueria. Total for the dinner, before tip, was $39.09, priced more Frontera Grill than Nuevo Leon (my Pilsen staple). Beer was $4.50, cup of soup 2.75 (reasonable!), pork tenderloin 18.95 (ok for a complex dish, but I would have felt cheated if I'd ordered 2 tacos or a burrito for nearly the same price), coffee 2.75 (again reasonable) and the flan at 7.00 (a bit high). A basket of good greaseless tortilla chips with a nice bright-flavored salsa came gratis. TLMC is a short walk from my apartment, so I'll continue coming here, even though I know I can get a huge platter of good food much cheaper if I travel south out of Evanston.

    (4)

  • Holly R.

    A margarita is served in a container that is as big as your head and the guacamole is made from scratch - table side. By far, the best in the area.

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    This is a OK place for folks who would like decent Mexican foods. The portion is big for most of the dishes. So prepare coming here with a big stomach.

    (3)

  • Daphne L.

    Outside of Mexico, this place has the best margaritas I've had. They're fresh and not overly sweet, and mixed to perfection. The bar is in my opinion a better seating choice than the main dining room, which, for reasons I can't pinpoint doesn't appeal to me. The guacamole is stuff of dreams, man. Creamy, spicy, cool, delicious. I love that it comes in a bowl big enough for two people to share. I've had only a few entrees, but my favorite has been the skirt steak and tropical grill (?); grilled seafood with a light salad and fresh papaya and mango. My only complaint is that the prices are a bit steep for good, albeit average Mexican food. I'll still go back for the margaritas, though.

    (4)

  • Matthew S.

    On a Saturday night in Evanston a person such as myself has a lot of options. Even at 9:30 at night someone can find a nice place to eat. I don't like showing up at places when they are about to close so I called them before I arrived and asked them what time are you open? The women on the phone said 11. I later found out when I got there that they are actually open till 11:30. Which made me feel like she lied so I didn't come in. Once I got there I felt like my girlfriend and I were inconveniencing them. They were not welcoming or friendly. We started with the guacamole which was the highlight of our dinner. Except I thought the waiter was supposed to make it at our table. I ordered for my entree the chicken fajitas and they came to the table cold and not sizzling. I figure that someone sent my meal back and they put it in the microwave and served it to me. Why should a veggie gordita cost $14? My girlfriend said she liked it but I think she was just being nice. La Pita is a much better option for Mexican food in Evanston. Heck taco bell might be also. I can get great guacamole at a lot of places so there really is no reason for me to come back.

    (2)

  • Bridget C.

    We love this place! The mango margaritas are so tasty! They taste fresh and remind me of summer! I order something different everytime but so far the fajitas are my favorite! The space is clean and easy to find! We always find parking and bring visitors here each time they come to Evanston.

    (4)

  • Jessica V.

    I loved the guac which does come in a mortar looking bowl! I got it a little spicy , which was perrrfect! I also got empanadas as an app which was also a-mazing! These two items I enjoyed the Most and definately reccomend. I heard they have a Sunday buffet in the early afternoon I could be back again one day for this delish deal!

    (4)

  • Neha N.

    Horrifically overpriced. Now this may just be because I moved from Georgia and the prices of Mexican food is pretty cheap because there are so many restaurants, but this isn't even that good.... I got a vegetarian enchilada and they put every vegetable imaginable in there (including carrots), gross. I think they use the fact that there aren't many options in the area for Mexican food to their advantage to overcharge people. The queso is good though and so is the guacomole. Come here if you really can't go into the city. There are dozens of GOOD Mexican food at reasonable prices near Lincoln Park.

    (2)

  • Sammy S.

    I came here for a dinner meeting. There was probably about 14 of us eating that evening. We all had the chips and salsa and Guac, which was all good and fresh with the table side show they do. I had a steak burrito - not the best I had but ok. some people had the tamales, which looked really dry and not too much taste. I didn't taste them but those who were eating had similar things to say. Others had the steak fajitas which looked kinda burnt.. I know there going for that smokiness look and taste but theres a limit. I had water since they didn't have Orchata nor Cidral 2 of my favs to drink while eating Mexican food. We were there for about 3 or 4 hrs since we were kinda doing business and the only thing I hated was I had to keep going out and feeding the meter. They have no parking lot available and you can only use meter parking if you want to dine in, That is if you drove in of course.

    (2)

  • Linda SingaSong S.

    My third visit to Mexican Cafe and it was def not my first choice. Tapas Barcelona wasn't open yet so my gf's & I opted for a nearby mexican restaurant to celebrate my bday dinner. I vividly remember from my previous visits that this restaurant lacks good service, food & liquor. I don't like their margaritas and their sangrias are not their finest. No pitchers so I had about 3 today & I didn't taste an ounce of alcohol in 'em. So much for getting my buzz on. Servers... oi. Where do I begin? They are not very attentive when drinks or food are running low & half the time, I'm trying to get their attention & flag 'em down. I'm sorry...but I've worked at a hospitality industry for years and that's a big NO-No. Food is a bit bland and not very authentic. I ordered the chicken tacos today. The meat was overly grilled, and there was not much flavor. I found myself dumping leftover salsa on top of 'em. Let's just put it this way...this is my final visit to this restaurant. I'll take the extra 20-30 mins & drive to the city for better mexican fare.

    (2)

  • Sasha R.

    I think it's kind of funny that their slogan is "Where you peso little, but you get so much," considering almost everything on the menu is extremely overpriced. The food is pretty good and decent in terms of size, but I'm just going to put it out there that Chipotle is right down the street, almost half the price, and they serve beer/margaritas. I mean, if you're going for not-exactly-authentic Mexican cuisine.. I guess you just pay for atmosphere. Also, the margarita I ordered was stingy and in a martini glass. The mojitos, on the other hand, come in a pint glass and are worth it.

    (3)

  • Jeremy W.

    Man oh man. When that lady rolls her cart over to my table and begins assembling the freshest Guacamole around, I'm in heaven. Forget everything else, keep that Guacamole coming! This place has good food. My favorite entree are the Enchiladas. No ground beef in their Enchiladas, more like real beef. The ambiance in this place is also nice. Give this place a try, we did and now it's a regular for me and my family. I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Kristen S.

    This is a cute little restaurant. Reasonable prices, delicious food, good service. They have a buffet at lunch time but I have not eaten it. It seems nice enough. Typically, we get the guacamole and chips and salsa - then some steak tacos. Everything is very yummy. Sometimes we have leftovers to take home - such big portions! It's not like Chili's. It's more like a nicer version of Taco Burrito Palace. A good place to eat.

    (4)

  • Janel J.

    I came here for lunch with a friend, and we used a Groupon to get the lunch deal and a flan dessert. The lunch buffet deal is $10.95 for salad, fruit, a lot of different entree options, and a drink. It's truly an excellent cost (especially with a Groupon, hehe) for the variety of the food, as well as quality! The guacamole and the flan were particularly good - some of the best I've had in Chicago, I daresay - and the buffet intrigued me to some of their menu items. I would definitely return if I am in the area. The service was also really great! Our waiter was really helpful and personable, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is festive but relaxing.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    As far as Americanized-Mexican food goes, this place is delicious in my book... tasty chips & salsa, excellent guacamole, and I've always enjoyed the dishes I've ordered. The margaritas are quality, too... and will give you a quality buzz for a decent price (Not that I ever drink on my lunch break. No, never.). The guacamole is so freaking creamy and fresh, I could eat that for a meal by itself. The reason I've knocked off 1 star is because the service is realllllly slow. The servers have always been very nice, so I hate to complain, but when I have to get up and ask for the check every time I eat here, there's a problem. There are definitely other Mexican places I prefer in Chicago, but when in Evanston, this is a good stop.

    (4)

  • Joe W.

    Steak fajitas, on a good night, some of the best I've ever had. I say on a good night because there have been a few times where they lacked the great flavor that keeps me coming back. My wife is addicted to the chicken tinga. We also think they have the best tasting margarita's around. They only get 4 stars because all those things I mentioned are a little on the pricey side, especially the tiny margaritas. Living within walking distance, we've been here at least 15 times, and all but two have been great meals.

    (4)

  • Cassidy P.

    Overpriced, crowded. But great guacamole. They make it fresh in front of you. Yuuuum!

    (3)

  • Andrew K.

    This restaurant has the nicest staff I have ever encountered. Always willing to help and recommend dishes. As for the food you have to get the guacamole, a woman comes to your table and makes it right in front of you ensuring that it is not only fresh but exactly how you want it. Definitely recommended if you are ever in the Evanston area

    (4)

  • Sam L.

    This place has overpriced, Americanized Mexican food. The guacamole is great; they do it in front of you. On the weekends, there can be a wait and there is no garage parking or parking lot on a business intersection. There are better options out there.

    (3)

  • Tiffany D.

    I really enjoyed this place, by keeping in mind that this was an Americanized, chain-restaurant version of Mexican food. Having lived in Mexico and having an adopted Mexican family here in the states, I don't have any expectations of these types of restaurants, which is probably why I wasn't disappointed. I had the chicken tinga burrito, which (keeping it in context) was awesome. The tinga was very flavorful and the heaping sour cream and cheese made it even better. The service was kind of slow and it felt a little crowded, but it was a Saturday and what I expected. I would go back.

    (3)

  • Marci G.

    THANK YOU YELP REVIEWS!!!!!!! We went here because of the reviews and it was REALLY DELICIOUS!!!!!! Chips n salsa to start. Delicious guac made to order at your table.....YUM!!!! Tamales were HUGE and perfectly deicious! Too full for dessert. Thanks again Yelpers!

    (4)

  • Cassie M.

    The service was wonderful but... The drinks were weak, despite spending a bit too much for better tequila. The food was borderline awful. I always get either tacos or nachos the first time I try a new Mexican place... I went for the tacos at this joint. Honestly, the worst tacos I've ever had. Over-priced, slightly unpleasant tasting, and the portion was ridiculously small for the price. My girlfriend DID have a better dish, but when she offers to go again, I always pick something different instead.

    (2)

  • Natalie B.

    Great Mexican food--and I grew up in AZ so i should know! We went there for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and it was dead inside which made me a little nervous. But I was happily surprised by the food. The homemade salsa and guacamole were both excellent and thought the enchiladas were great too. Can't wait to go back and try more dishes to review

    (4)

  • Mollie R.

    Excellent guacamole, mild & hot salsa & fresh chips start anything off right especially a Mexican feast. I am pregnant so they made me a virgin margarita and the rest of the crew had margaritas. They actually catered a party a co-workers house & did a fabulous job! Things that I liked: -Fresh food -Quality meats -Portions a great size

    (4)

  • Steve J.

    I stopped by the Little Mexican Cafe while shopping in the neighborhood. I read the reviews on Yelp and decided to try it out despite the mixed reviews. I wish I could come up with more positive things to say, but I was really disappointed with my experience. Pros: nice decor, decent service, and an overall pleasant atmosphere. Cons: overpriced menu, TERRIBLE margaritas, and overly salted food I ordered pork tacos which were nearly $11 bucks. Other local Mexican places have a similar entree which is priced less and that include 3 tacos vs. the 2 at this place. The tortillas were soggy and falling apart by the time they arrived. The margaritas were just terrible.... made from a mix and tequila clumsily poured on top. The salsa was way too salty and had a stale taste. The only thing I would give a marginal passing grade was the rice...which isn't saying much. When the bill arrived I totally felt overcharged for such a lackluster dining experience. I would avoid going back to this place and would suggest that you explore other local options in Evanston.

    (2)

  • Kristin W.

    That Little Mexican Cafe is one of the finest Mexican restaurants on the North Shore. They're a step up from your standard Mexican restaurant with such amenities as fresh table-side made guacamole, higher end ingredients like duck, and an extensive tequila list. The wait staff is very attentive and helpful when you need to make a decision. The food is very fresh and the quality is very high. The main course dishes, especially the duck fajitas, are exactly what I'm looking for when I go to a nicer Mexican restaurant. The restaurant has ample seating between the main dining room and bar area. Overall, That Little Mexican Cafe is the go-to place in Evanston for an upscale Mexican dinner.

    (4)

  • Kristen F.

    I was a little surprised to find such low quality reviews on this place quite frankly. Although I should preface my review by saying the we only came here for drinks and guacomole. I had a mojito which was quite strong and I'm no lightweight, I've put away at least half a bottle of vodka before while getting only mildly - moderately drunk. We both had the guacomole which was made fresh tableside. I've gone to other places that made the guac tableside and have never been impressed, they all had this werid "woody" quality that have left me hesitant to even finish the rest. However, this guac was very flavorful with none of that werid taste I've encountered at other places, exactly what I would expect good guac to taste like and indeed on the level, if not better than what I make at home. I would definetly come back here to relax outdoors with a drink and some guac again.

    (4)

  • Marina K.

    I hate having to give a three-star review when there are some many good things about this place, but at the same time too many negatives to overlook. I keep going back for the mole sauce. It is my favorite mole, even compared to more authentic or even upscale Mexican restaurants. When you order the "steak" enchiladas, they are actually filled with a delicious spiced and slow-cooked beef. YUM. They make fresh guacamole for you in a lava rock mortar and pestle, which is really good. They always give you a different salsa with chips. One of the last times I went, they served a roasted red pepper salsa. But, here's where they lose stars: Tiny overpriced margaritas, $9 if you order a better tequila, served in a short glass. Some dishes seriously lack flavor especially the beans. I've had both refried and black beans and they've always been so bland. They don't know how to cook steak, so don't even try it if you see it on the specials menu. It came out all charred and smoky on the outside, overdone on one half, and undercooked, almost raw, on the other side. Another time, they ran out of the dish I ordered and decided to substitute for something else without even checking with me first. You never bring the customer something they didn't order. But, I'm sure I'll be back for the enchiladas in mole again; I'm just going to have to resist the over-priced margaritas.

    (3)

  • J R.

    Excellent food and delicious Cabo Wabo Margaritas!

    (5)

  • Mande S.

    The margaritas were good. That is it. Our server was attentive for the first ten minutes but disappeared after she brought our food. Every single dish lacked salt. My chipotle shrimp was gritty and sandy and the shrimp had its icky vein thing still in then. There were 4 of us, and 3 of us had different "specials of the day" menus. Not very professional. For that experience, our dinner was sadly, woefully, garishly over-priced. Sigh. At least we had entertainment in the form of an uppity snobbish nearby diner who had 4 margaritas and berated her husband and kids.

    (2)

  • Crystal L.

    The margarita menu is epic. Rather than order by flavor, you order by the tequila brand. Ask your server what their favorite is and trust their instinct, so you don't end up with the most expensive or the cheapest tequila. And for the love of God, have some huevos and order it on the rocks. They make the gauc right in front of you and give you a rather large portion of it - yes, it's more than $8 for it, but it's worth every penny! I had the duck wrapped in sweet potato tortillas and my boyfriend had a dish with caramelized shrimp (both were incredible). Our bill with one appetizer, two drinks, and two entrees ended up being over $60, so this place definitely isn't a cheap eat, but it's really great for a nice date in downtown Evanston.

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    This place has standard mexican fare that is a step better than Chili's, which fresh made guacamole and decent frozen margharitas. Recently went here with a group of friends on a Friday night with a 7:45 pm reservation however we were not seated until nearly 8:30 pm and then continued to have slow service throughout the meal for drinks and taking entree orders.

    (2)

  • Drew S.

    I could have easily just sat outside and had margaritas and eaten the guac which indeed was fantastic. My wife also had the chicken tamales which she said were very good. I've just been spoiled by really really good homemade chips, the light and crispy kind, and these are not those. But good for scooping I suppose. I also had their special crap cakes, which were very average. Don't like it when they serve up little puck-like cakes, they just seem dry. But it's great for sitting outside at the end of the day and snacking.

    (3)

  • Catherine W.

    I second the endorsement for the buffet. Came here for Sunday brunch - place was not busy at all, but the brunch was delicious and a good deal for $11.95. A great selection of huevos con chorizo, tamales, fresh guacamole, chicken/beef tacos, fresh fruit, horchata, and juices. I will come here again! Very roomy atmosphere that is good for kids. Not crowded at 11:30am when brunch started.

    (4)

  • Shradha A.

    Update 02/2008: Continues to be a good reliable place to take guests and does not disappont. At the same time, I never expect anying special or great here. --------------------------------------------------­- I like their fresh guacamole! I like them better than Las Palmas in Evanston. I don't like that they lost my credit card in the kitchen, told me I had it when I knew I didn't, until some washer-person came out of the kitchen and reported the lost card! I don't like the service. They can be slow. Vegetarian friendly? Yes, very!

    (3)

  • J M.

    It's always busy and fun to eat there. The entrees are good (not great, but good enough), and we enjoy having our margaritas poured and guac made table-side. I'm marking this place down for its catering. We tried to have an event catered by TLMC. . . . since they supposedly offer catering. First the manager and then the owners gave us a terrible runaround. If you don't want to cater, fine, just say so. Don't keep saying yes we'll do it, and then bail. They put us in a real jam for our party.

    (1)

  • Rick H.

    This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. The Staff all takes pride in their work. They do get crowded at times, and do as good as possible in these circumstances. There "rush hour" is Friday night at 7pm. The Guacomole is made at your table, to your preference. Excellent! The mole is a specialty. The quality of food is fresh and as good as it gets. There is a large selection of Tequilas, and the bartenders all have opinions on which is best. We have frequented this restaurant on a regular basis for years and recommend to everyone. If you go on a Friday or Saturday, or on a weekend of Northwestern football, go early or late to miss the crowds.

    (5)

  • Patricia K.

    Any place that can tolerate my indecisiveness when I'm distracted deserves a few bonus points. From the moment I sat down, my focus was elsewhere and I had the hardest time deciding what to order. I finally settled on chicken tacos, a water to quench my dehydrated body, and a couple handfuls of chips&salsa. I'm going to lay it out on the line -- I'm not a big guacamole fan. In an attempt to sway me to the dark side, he ordered the guac. I tasted it and while I am still not a fan, it was probably one of the best I have had. I can appreciate quality, even if it is not my particular taste. The chicken tacos were really good. Unfortunately, I was not very hungry at the time and I only managed to stuff down one of the two but yummm, it was good. It was loaded with really fresh ingredients that really held their own flavors. One of my biggest complaints in Mexican restaurants is how too many ingredients melt together and you lose some of the texture and flavor. I found that my taco defied all that and I will certainly be back to try more. I was a bit dehydrated that day so I stuck mostly to my water. I did, however, steal a sip of my date's sangria. It was really good and had I not committed to water for the evening, I would have ordered several.

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Consistently good food. The carne asada and pork are my favorites. The pork tacos are delicious. Do not miss out on the guacamole. They make it to order right at your table. The margaritas are also good. It's a little on the pricey side but it's a nice dining experience and I feel like I get what I paid for when I dine there.

    (5)

  • Melissa G.

    Hands down the best guac and margaritas around!!! The guac is made table side with fresh ingredients. If you guac with a kick just ask and the guac-a-rista will give you more jalapeños. Prefer a more mild and layed back guac? Ask and you shall receive. I am fussy about my margaritas in that I like to taste the tequilla. After all, what is a margarita without tequilla! I told the bartender my preferences and she mixed and matched a few different margaritas to create the perfect margarita on the rocks. I was in heaven!!!! The perfect margarita coupled with the ultimate guac and chips!! I would give this place 5 stars but the other menu items were average. Typical Mexican restaurant food. Regardless go for the guac and Rita's. Fill up and enjoy . Trust me you will be happy!!

    (4)

  • Magen L.

    Perhaps if I had consumed a few of their lauded margaritas I would have been a bit more impressed with their food. However, my entire party found our meal to be extremely lacking. Everyone's entrees were bland on bland accompanied by overly salty rice. I ordered the veggie and cheese tamales covered in mole and it was nearly inedible. There was very little filling and I'm not exactly a mole expert, but the sauce was the worst I've ever had. The tableside guacamole was a presentation I've seen done much better with infinitely tastier results. The staff was friendly, but not particularly attentive and service was relatively slow considering the fact that they weren't anywhere near capacity. The menu isn't particularly different from any other Mexican place and the food definitely wasn't anything special.

    (2)

  • Marie D.

    I first started going to TLMC when it was a tiny storefront on Sherman. I preferred it then - I think the food was better, the service was better, and it was more intimate. However, I still really enjoy this restaurant and the food. I love tamales, so that's usually my Mexican food barometer, and TLMC has great tamales. I also love their gorditas and enchilada verdes, and the guacamole they make at your table is excellent. Good with kids, too.

    (4)

  • Don H.

    Just went there tonight with a couple friends we haven't seen in a while. The atmosphere is great -- not too loud and a perfect way to reconnect with folks. We ordered drinks which came quickly. The fresh, made-at-the-table guac is incredible! The chips are fried there I am sure. But that's about the peak of the dining experience. The food itself is very good, though its nothing amazing. I had the pulled pork dish (whose name escapes me right now) and it was very delicious, but my tablemates said their food was decently average. For dessert we split the flan, which came on a huge plate. It's perfect for two people though on the smaller side of what I am used to in terms of proportions. For us, it was just right. In terms of value, the four of us with one drink each and two desserts between the four of us came to $100, which is a bit steep to call a value. But the company more than made up for what the food itself lacked.

    (3)

  • Richard C.

    Me and my wife love this place. We've been here many times as a couple and with group of friends

    (4)

  • evie s.

    Great place. The margaritas are terrific, the guac is great and the fajitas are excellent. I also like the enchilladas with tomatillo sauce. I've never tried the buffet, but I don't usually like buffets anyway. The atmosphere is also really nice and the service good. It's hard to find decent Mexican food in the area, and this is a solid place. In the summer, they also have some outdoor seating, which is cool.

    (4)

  • Shaun S.

    Went for dinner here last night with Tracy after shooting our engagement photos. Cute decor, friendly staff and the food was out so quick I couldn't believe it. I should have tried her enchiladas so I could write more. I had the Chili Rellenos with Chorizo. I must say, mine are a bit better, but the menu had some nice choices, I'm guessing we'll go back, the service was very good. There was even a guy going around making balloon animals for the kids at the restaurant, which I'll be able to appreciate more in years to come! I'd classify it as a nice neighborhood establishment.

    (4)

  • Julia D.

    This is one of our go-to places for a "comfort Friday" since has a great bar and is filled with fun Evanston people. The margaritas are one of best around, and the guacamole is to die for. They have a grilled shrimp entree that we also love. I highly recommend this restaurant!!

    (4)

  • Laila C.

    I went a few years ago with my mom when she came to visit. I LOVE mexican food and I eat a LOT of it. This place was Mexican food at its blandest. Maybe I ordered the wrong things, but my enchilada had no heat and no taste. I also think it's overpriced. But on the plus side, the decor's kind of cute.

    (2)

  • Kathleen F.

    I have to preface this by saying that I love food. I will eat pretty much any food. I love Mexican food. I'm not a picky eater or diner, and most of my reviews are 4 or 5 stars. So when it's 3 or less, thats a. big. deal. The fun and laughs that my girlfriends and I shared overshadowed the mediocrity of the food, but I am telling you that if you are looking for Mexican food, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. I ordered a bean burrito. Maybe I should have ordered something that didn't taste straight out of Chipotle because I could have gotten it there for less than half the price, and probably tastier too. The rice was not fluffy Mexican rice but VERY orange kind of shrively little grains, peas and carrots that tasted not delicious. I am a bean lover-- I love them all-- no complaints on the beans. Service? This place brings new meaning to the term slooooowdining. I'm not sure if they thought we needed more time since our last person arrived later or if they had forgotten about us, but they waited too long before taking our order and for pretty much everything else. I do not agree with asking how the food is tasting every 5 seconds or bringing the check before we ask for it. Trust me, this was SLOW. The food came out in a timely fashion, but they were generally slow about everything else. They definitely forgot to bring our chips, and we spent a good 10 minutes staring down the guac before we could finally dig in. So... Little Mexican Cafe: no star for you for no horchata, no star for slow service, no star for mediocre food. One star for speaking to me in Spanish (olé!) and one star for the beans rocking my world.

    (2)

  • Abby D.

    We were driving home from Minnesota & had stopped in Milwaukee looking for a decent Mexican place. After 3 tries, we struck out & got back on the road, crabby & hungry. Our rental car had one of those GPS systems and as we neared the city, I scrolled through the mexican restaurants & the name caught my eye - 'mexican' + 'cafe' sounded promising. And it was exactly what I had been craving all day. Fresh mexican food without grease, a perfect amount of spiciness, accommodating wait staff (allowed me to sub guacamole for chicken), outdoor seating where we could tie up our dog on the perimeter. Nice neighborhood for outdoor eating too. The chips were thick & not at all greasy, the salsa was fresh. This place is quite a train ride from our home in South Loop, but I guarantee we'll be going there again soon.

    (4)

  • Timothy K.

    I really enjoy going to this restaurant and have been coming here for years, in fact, since it was an even littler mexican cafe near Davis St. I love their tamales, some of the best I've ever had, and I especially enjoy the lunch buffet. I can't think of another Mexican Restaurant that has a lunch buffet. Also, they make excellent guacamole, tableside All in all, the staff are always friendly and recognize us whenever we go there, and I'd have to say that this is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicagoland. Keep up the good work!!!

    (5)

  • hani b.

    Protip: Get guacamole. For your main, get 1 or two tacos a la carte (per person). They are ~$3 a piece, and 2 are enough to feed a grown man. That's $15 for food for two people. Leaves you $85 for margaritas!

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    The experience of eating here reminded me of the apocalpyse I never experienced. Seriously, what a catastrophe of a restaurant. Zero stars for this place. Here is the deal: I ate here on Labor Day 2008. The first abyss I looked into, which subsequently looked into me, was the service - admittedly, it was Labor day, and it may have been understaffed - but I factored that in and I still say the service here vaguely resembles one of those secret Eastern European rendition prisons where the CIA tortures innocent cab drivers. The service was incredibly slow, but also nonchalant in its lack of concern - long waits, we were brought the wrong dish (after a half hour, and the waiter asked us twice what we wanted), the waiter did not apologize (he just brought the correct dish later, without asking, which is not good, although at least they acknowledged the mistake in that respect), Anyway, the service was atrocious, but the food was worse. I had fish tacos - they were so bad, so unseasoned, so bland, so boring, they may have turned me off fish tacos entirely. It was like eating the dusty shoe box filled with my grandmother's used hankies. My friend had pork tamales, which were supposed to be chicken, and those were reportedly awful. Nothing good here. I literally do not have one good thing to say about this place. Drinks - not awful, had a margarita, nothing to write home about at all, and a bit short - served in a martini glass. I would rather eat at Taco Bell. Seriously. I beg you, I implore thee, beware this poor excuse for a restaurant. The experience will shatter your hope in humankind. The audacity of hope? The audacity of hopeless Mexican food.

    (1)

  • Joshua N.

    This place didn't do much for me. It is a nice looking restaurant and the staff was friendly, but the food was pretty mediocre and at times bad. I'm kind of amazed at how busy this place gets at night. My table ordered the duck taquitos, pork tamales, and steak fajitas and shared everything. There were tiny bones scattered throughout the duck taquitos, which otherwise tasted alright. The fajita steak was under seasoned and over cooked. The rice side was truly awful, but the beans weren't bad. The tamale needed to be a bit more moist and flavorful. They use a mole sauce on the tamale which is too bitter and sends the flavor off balance. Honestly the high point of the meal was the guacamole that came on the side of the fajitas. Great guac. We skipped dessert, citing reservations about what the $7 flan was was going to look like. Probably won't be back, which stinks because it is obscenely close to home. I wonder if they would be willing to trade locations with Lupitas.

    (2)

  • Jesster A.

    Try as I might, I'm not always capable of complete objectivity - so the 4th star may have been influenced by our low expectations - which our meal greatly exceeded - in a good way... We loved this place when it first opened on Sherman/Orrington - but since then it has been on a downhill slide and gotten a tad expensive... We only went there (well it's a long story) but because it was Monday and Lupita's (not my first choice either) was closed and our visiting friends from Holland wanted Mexican within walking or biking distance. This left us with few choices... BUT I am happy to say that I'm glad we went there - we had a fine time and the food was better than expected. The Guacamole was not only good but fun - as they make it fresh at your table - on the other hand it costs a sweet $7,95...which was adequate for the four of us and the chips were pretty OK. I went for my old favorite - the scallops - which are utterly delicious - and you can get them in either appetizer or entree size (for me the appetizer portion along with the Guac is more than enough.) Everyone seemed pleased with their food and the overall atmosphere and ambiance were very pleasant. The "Bananas Foster" type dessert was also very good (if rather easy to make at home....) and hefty enough for all four of us to have a couple of bites - which was fine - since we were all quite full. All I can say is that those of you who have written this place off - (as we had) might want to give it another chance. So thank you Lupita's - for being closed on Monday's - And - Don Juans and Wholly Frijoles for being too far away to bike to....! I think I'd now like to try their lunch buffet (Dee W,, Ellen - what do you think?!)

    (4)

  • Elizabeth G.

    Great Mexican restaurant. It was my second time going and I will be going back. It is perfect if you want to go to a local place with homeade chips and guacomole, great margaritas, and good food. I had the pork tacos with pineapple which were delicious. I would also highly recommend getting the guac, it is the best I have had and it is made right in front of you.

    (4)

  • Dee L.

    Great margaritas, although I wish the pitcher was a better deal ($35? It's cheaper just to order 4 house margaritas). I always get great food when I'm here. And they have some interesting dishes as well. Among my favorites are the Salmon Quesadillas, Duck Fajitas, and Mahi Mahi tacos. Ah-mazing! Wait staff is great, bartenders (especially Maria) are awesome, and I always know I'm going to have a good time when I come here. Big plus for the outdoor seating!

    (4)

  • Anh Thu V.

    Still the best pork tamales I have ever had, given that I have eaten pork tamales in Houston, La Jolla, San Diego, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, and a few other places. The tamales were made with fresh masa, bits of pork and pork fat - the secret to keep it moist and yummy. They were served with tomatillo salsa. Nothing beat them on a cold Evanston winter night. I am still wondering, how the heck did one of the best tamale chefs ended up in Evanston? Too bad I moved away in 1999 and can only now dream about this place and their pork tamales.

    (5)

  • Kristine S.

    I'm perplexed by the bad reviews. Eating at this restaurant isn't going to change anyone's life, but it's pretty damn good food in a pleasant, relaxing environment. If the service has been less than perfect during any of my visits, it's because they were clearly overrun with customers. Quite obviously, the place is popular -- I've never seen the place not full. These one- and two-star reviews? I don't get it. I myself am giving That Little Mexican Cafe five stars specifically for the duck enchiladas with mole sauce. People, I dream about these enchiladas, and about the day when I return to Evanston to indulge once again. They are just about the most delicious thing I've ever eaten in Evanston. Five stars for the duck enchiladas!

    (5)

  • George D.

    Great food & service. Too bad we live so far away or we would be regulars

    (4)

  • Julie R.

    A charming Mexican restaurant. The guacamole is both delicious and fresh. A tad pricey, but worth it.

    (4)

  • M R.

    The food was greasy, and not in overall standards of greasiness, but even for Mexican food standards. Also, the menu is awfully overpriced. Unfortunate that the only Mexican place in downtown Evanston [Chipotle does not count] is so overpriced.

    (2)

  • Jason P.

    Absolute garbage. The food is bland and not good at all. If you want decent mexican food, go down the street to Las Palmas. They must have strong drinks to make people forget that their food does not taste like anything. I actually yelled at my sister when she told me she was going here and actually liked the place. Afterwards, she called to say it was bad and my mom actually took only one bite of her food and commented that she now knew why I was not a fan of this place.

    (1)

  • Lindsey B.

    Went here for a business lunch, and although there weren't many other people there, the lunch lasted over an hour. Luckily we weren't in a rush, and we didn't get the buffet to be fair, but I've had much speedier business lunches in other Evanston restaurants. The guacamole was EXCELLENT - super fresh and there was a ton of it. Easily enough for 5 people, I'd say. Got the chicken burrito, which was completely standard in terms of mediocre Mexican place burritos with super mediocre rice and beans on the side.

    (3)

  • Mark S.

    Bland food, totally Americanized, pricey, and served in an upscale style atmosphere. If you want to play it safe, this place is a good choice for some guacamole, chips, and margaritas- you won't be disappointed. I'm not totally against Americanized Mexican- places like this, when done right, totally satiate my underfed suburbanite roots. But really, everything here is just so... meh. I found myself scanning the place for a bottle of cholula or tapatio or something to put some flavor in my food- not surprisingly, none could be found. What flavor their food does have, is reminiscent of a Lawry's chili packet.

    (2)

  • Amy R.

    I love the margaritas here. Fresh and not too sweet, with plenty of tequila. And the guacamole was amazing! I did their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet which had a good selection of Mexican favorites plus more upscale Mexican fare, but nothing that would blow your mind. It's a good atmosphere to meet a bunch of friends--not too quiet but not too loud, either. Its downfall: It's pricey, and the food isn't good enough to make it worth the money. A great place to try, but I probably won't be a regular here.

    (3)

  • Amy W.

    Best margaritas, best steak fajitas, chicken tinga to die for! I love this place! The waits can be a little long at peak times but it's worth it. This is not a cheap burrito joint, you will pay a little more than some mex places but it's worth every penny. The food is delicious and you can tell a lot of thought was put into it. The fajitas and tinga tostadas are my favorite but I haven't been disappointed by anything I've ordered. They have a great lunch time buffett that is fantastic. A great way to try a lot of different dishes.

    (4)

  • Jen B.

    Came for lunch and to use our Groupon. Husband had the lunch buffet and loved the chicken tacos and steak fajitas. I went with enchiladas verdes and was very pleased! We are both from Texas and are picky about Mexican food, but we would go back again. We had guacamole as an app and it was awesome. It wasn't made at the table but it was made for us, with no onions! The prices were also lower than the menu online but I'm not sure if it was because of lunch.

    (4)

  • Alex G.

    I love this place! Weird location on Church St in Evanston, but the restaurant is fantastic in service, ambiance, and cuisine. YOU MUST GET the guacamole - they make it right in front of you and it is the bit guac I have ever had in my life. The entrees are great but I only order one of a few. A great choice for date night!

    (4)

  • Lawrence H.

    I'd read many reviews of TLMC here on Yelp, and since we'd been in the mood for Mexican fare of late, we decided to roll on over and give it a try. We were there fairly early in the lunch hour, so even though the buffet offerings were fresh, we opted to order off the menu and be served (many reviews mentioned sub-par service, so we had to see for ourselves.) We had chips, salsa and water right away; so far, so good. We had a waiter at our table within 2 minutes of my companion's arrival, and we ordered as soon as our iced tea arrived. She had the azteca salad (nicely sized and tasty, she said), while I had the chorizo burrito (which I had mostly as an alternative to chicken or beef), spicy and savory, though I would've preferred the sour cream on the side, though that's not a complaint. We had the guacamole appetizer (every review raved about it), and it was as good as advertised, though they didn't make it at our table (perhaps only at dinner?) One day I'll have to stop back by there (riding by El) and try the margarita, which also get raves on Yelp. The decor was southwest theme-appropriate, subdued and relaxing. all in all, excellent fare, affordable pricing, and the wait staff was attentive enough without being intrusive. I find That Little Mexican Cafe a fine place to eat and while away a comfortable lunch hour (or more!)

    (4)

  • YerMah L.

    Super fast service. But my girlfriends and I ate dinner around 4:30 that day...so I think we beat out even the early bird specials. Food was decent. Jicama in my salad was fresh. French press coffee + baileys was delish as well. Nothing too special.

    (3)

  • Marion P.

    The longer I live in this city, the more I come to think that maybe Taco Bell isn't that bad. I don't know, the food was badly burned, the tacos were horrible, the beans tasted like absolutely nothing, the rice was mixed up with veggies from the can.. The best part was before we actually got our food. The guacamole was great and well worth its money. The ambience is really good. Maybe for drinks and chips with dip this would be a nice place.

    (3)

  • andrew z.

    We just went here for lunch. I wasn't expecting much, since our mexican food experiences haven't been that great, but I was pleasantly surprised. The menu selection is pretty good. We had some yummy guacamole with our chips that the beginning of the meal. My partner didn't like her meal all that much, but I thought mine was pretty good for the price and a light year ahead of what we had found previously. i'd go back, maybe in the evening and try some of their margaritas.

    (4)

  • Michael G.

    Kind of not understanding some of the negative reviews here. It's a little more expensive than some Mexican restaurants but their menu is also a little more interesting. Great guacamole, nice margaritas, and I usually get the enchiladas, which are great. Sometimes I"ll get a fish or shrimp dish that also usually turns out nice. Plus, you can go there on a busy Saturday night and even if they tell you there's a long wait, it will generally open up, since people have lots of choices to turn to in Evanston. If not, you can typically eat at the bar. Service tends to be excellent too.

    (4)

  • Rachel R.

    I will be going back for the guacamole. I could eats buckets of that, then happily collapse of avocado overload. It really and truly is amazing. Went here for a birthday dinner with my boyfriend and his parents. His mom (like many people) doesn't like cilantro (I love it), so it was great to have the guac made at the table with very little of it, which she appreciated. She and I had the pork and pineapple tacos, which were awesome. A great and tasty twist. My boyfriend had a marinated pork and pickled onion dish that he absolutely loved. His dad had the skirt steak which he was very pleased with. While those two enjoyed their black beans, mom and I had refried beans with our tacos, and we both agreed they weren't very good. The service was pretty meh. Flagging down our waitress to get our glasses of water refilled was more work than it should have been. But when we asked for something it was brought to our table quickly. I'll be going back to get some more of that AWESOME GUACAMOLE. I also would like to try their margaritas and those duck flautas with sweet potato tortillas. I'm very intrigued.

    (4)

  • Brandy M.

    Love the margaritas, but not so much the food.

    (3)

  • Allie Z.

    That Little Mexican Cafe has it's ups - the guacamole made table side is the main one. Also, their fresh salsa is definitely one of the better salsa's around. but the down's -- the $7 margarita is tiny and not strong. --the menu is on the pricey side without having giant portions. -- for some reason, they love blended soups... so if you're looking for something hearty, don't get the soup. there are better mexican restaurants out there, but if you've never been here, you should definitely check it out.

    (3)

  • Jolie R.

    Love, love LOVE that guacamole!!!!! I could make a meal out of it. Everytime I get a taste for it, we run over and chow. It's so tasty - and I can tell the guacamole queen just what to put into it to suit my rather picky taste buds.....YUM! We've been there several times and tried out different dishes but haven't found one yet that makes it worth a dinner - the dinners have all been pretty tasteless. Although, the hubby took to the tinga tosatada the other night and said (as the tears were running down his cheeks), "this is really good!" The staff is very friendly and service is quick. Drinks have always been good and the prices are ok.

    (3)

  • Allison S.

    We go to That Little Mexican Cafe quite a bit, despite it being pretty expensive. We love the salsa sampler and I always get the veggie, sweet potato flautas (amazing). My husband likes the burrito. Their specials are good as well. Portions are ok. The margaritas are super strong and not for someone who likes a more watered down kind you find in less expensive joints. This one is like a margarita martini! Finally, the lunch buffet is really good if you can get there during the week.

    (4)

  • Jims L.

    The only dish I've tried here are the fish tacos and they were really pretty good. Also a plus because there are hardly any nearby places that sell fish tacos altogether. I admit that the place is a bit pricey.

    (3)

  • Alison W.

    I went on a Tuesday pretty early, around 5:30. The atmosphere was great, very classy. We ordered margaritas, which were very well made and shaken and poured at the table. The service was excellent. We ordered a chorizo appetizer baked with homemade tortillas, it was amazingly delicious! I had the tacos, and my boyfriend had the enchiladas. The meat was freshly grilled, and the veggies were crisp and fresh. The rice here is delicious, it is not overly seasoned and had vegetables mixed in. The portions were so generous, we had lunch for the next two days! I'll be back soon!

    (5)

  • Ash B.

    Don't waste your time on this one. Guacamole wasn't that fresh (the menu said it was supposed to be made at my table but it wasn't), enchiladas lack luster-- Lettuce made with the cheap iceberg, and the black bean soup is just black beans ground up with salt and water. more water than black beans. And it's $ for what you get. Stick to Chipotle, and you'll get better food and it won't be as expensive.

    (1)

  • Karen S.

    This may be my new favorite Mexican restaurant based on the margaritas and guacamole alone. I believe the margarita that I had (well, I ended up drinking a few, actually) was called the Porfirio. They were pretty strong, and after a couple, I didn't order it by name. "Uno mas!" seemed to do the trick! The key to these wonderful concoctions was that they contained ZERO sugary mix/syrup. The lime flavor was fresh-squeezed lime juice. I really loathe sweet drinks, and these were perfect; better, actually, than the margaritas I had in Cancun in December! The table-side prepared guacamole was good, too. The next time we go here, I'll ask for a bit less salt mixed into the guac, as the lady who prepared it was a bit heavy-handed with the salt. I really liked my enchiladas verdes, and the boy loved his steak burrito. The menu had a mix of authentic Mexican food (grilled seafood, mole, etc.) and the usual Tex-Mex dishes. I ate an entire portion of lava cake for dessert. This was good, as well. I can't believe I at the whole thing, but I stuck to my general rule which is that I DON'T share dessert. TLMC gets 4 stars because the service wasn't super-great, but we'll definitely be returning to this spot in our new neighborhood!

    (4)

  • Colleen J.

    I went in here last night with no expectations. After looking over the menu, we decided to give it a try; most items looked pretty good and I was excited that they had some vegetarian selections. The chips were good, the salsa was decent. I ordered the veggie tamales and the BF ordered the lobster tacos. My tamales were decent, but bland. I found mixing the beans, rice and tamales together helped the flavor issue a bit. The lobster tacos didn't impress us; we weren't even sure it was lobster--it looked more like shrimp. Again, no flavor to the dish. The server was nice; he gave us drinks promptly, but never once asked about how the food was and was slow about coming over with the bill. I DO recommend the margaritas, mine was quite good, especially with the salt.

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    Really, if I wanted bad Americanized Mexican food, I would have gone somewhere cheaper...and maybe it would have been better. I suppose that if you want the good stuff, you either have to go upscale like Frontera or downscale at a roadside taco stand that has perfectly tender carne asada. But no, I don't really want to pay $11 for tamales without tenderness, some flavorless Spanish rice, and some canned beans. Also, if I pay that much for tacos, they better have some top-quality meat and not be buried in 1950s-style iceberg lettuce confetti. The restaurant itself is nice, which is why I was tempted to go. The chips were good and some of the sauces weren't bad, but it was way overpriced for the overall quality.

    (2)

  • Emily W.

    I love this place! Like someone else said, it won't change your life. But, you know what you are getting every time. The servers know their menu and they are pleasant and helpful. I love their Tamales. Seriously awesome and at a great place. I crave their food quite often. It is also a nice place to sit at the bar and enjoy a margarita and football game.

    (4)

  • Maya P.

    This restaraunt is excellent. They make the guacamole right in front of you. There margaritas are also good. The chips is good also. There tacos are yummy. This is a really good place.

    (5)

  • LATIKA P.

    Me and my husband went there for a Friday night dinner. The place is really cute but the food is very disappointing and extremely overpriced. The guacamole is not very exciting and the worst thing is that they charge you for it whereas there are other mexican restaurants I have been to where they make fresh guacamole in front of you and it's tastier and free of cost ! We ordered the fish tacos and they were very bland and flavorless and tortillas were cold. I don't see myself going back there again

    (2)

  • Jose Luis M.

    this place sucks ass, period!!!!

    (1)

  • Lois A.

    I could eat the tamales and guacamole all day long. I couldn't believe it when I saw the lunch buffet set up the other day. Dangerous!! I will be back very soon!

    (4)

  • Natasha M.

    This is a fun place to go especially during it's Buffet lunch hours. The buffet was solid and had a great selections from beef dishes, tacos, fish to Guacamole, Quesadillas and other famous Mexican dishes. The service was thoughtful and friendly. The unlimited refill drinks are included in the buffet price which is about $9.99. To be honest, the food isn't too memorable, but the overall dining experience is a plus and will recommend friends. I also went there when it's was not the buffet hours. The price are not bad. I ordered a Gaucamole. It was HUGE in a volcano mud bowl. HUGE! Just for that appetizer you will get full. I would go back just for the Guacamole.

    (3)

  • Adelita H.

    DISGUSTING excuse for mexican food. I can't attest to the drinks but trust me if you want real mexican food this is not it. I hate this place and the buffet sucks. It's nicely decorated but I would NEVER eat here again. yuck.

    (1)

  • ALEXANDRA L.

    This place has GREAT margaritas (large selection of tequila, fresh lime juice, on the rocks w/ or w/o salt). The table-side made guacamole is tasty and the chimichurri strip steak is soooo good. So-so are the chipotle shrimp & weekend brunch buffet. Outdoor seating in good weather, sports TVs at the bar.

    (3)

  • Andrew B.

    Last night I had their seared tuna fajita special. Getting tuna at a Mexican restaurant is asking for trouble, despite their assurances that it was sushi grade. In short, the tuna was delicious. Cooked medium rare just like I asked and not even the tiniest hint of fishy taste. My friend who got the steak fajitas was also pleasantly surprised with her meal. Service could have been a bit better but overall we were quite happy.

    (4)

  • Chrissy F.

    I came here with two teachers and a fellow classmate after we had finally put the cap on a documentary we'd been working on. (None of which is pertinent to the review, I might add). It's a nice restaurant that I had trouble finding --- because I'm blind as a bat and walked by it a few times. It's off the Davis stop -- walk AWAY from the movie theater. AWAY! (It's on the other side of the Metra tracks). The food was good, the margarita was good and they make the guacamole right in front of you (what more can you ask for than over-seeing your food being prepared?!) Side note -- the name of the restaurant amuses me. When we were trying to decide where to go, one of my professors suggested this place, but I thought she couldn't remember the name of it (thus calling "that little mexican cafe"). It was only until I got to the restaurant when I found out that it was in fact its name...awesome.

    (3)

  • Kelli J.

    I wish I could add a half star onto the three, b/c it's a bit better than a three, but I cannot commit to a four. Went there for dinner last night. I had heard good things and we were in the area, so why not. Upon sitting down and opening the menu, we went through a bit of sticker shock - um, a bit pricey. Fine, whatev, we're committed at this point. Starters, we had the house margaritas - they are average, I would have been very disappointed, but it was happy hour, so can't complain about $4 drinks. Now if we paid full price, that would have been a different story. Chips were not good. They give you a very small "cup" of salsa, again, not good. It had to have come from a can or jar, didn't taste fresh at all. Price for entress, holy smokes - $15 for enchiladas? $12 for a burrito? There are no entrees that you can get out of there for the cheap. I got the pork dish, holy smokes it was delicious! Very much worth the money. My hubby got the scallops, again pretty darn good (not as good as my pork though - heehee). We also got a side order of guacamole for our son, very healthy portion. So....I'll give it 3.5 -- great entrees, but know going in that you're paying for them.

    (3)

  • Anna G.

    I have been to That Little Mexican Cafe a few times. I've never really enjoyed it. I went back to give it another chance, hoping that I would enjoy it more the next time, to no avail. The only cool thing about it is the guacamole that they make in front of you. The food is flavorless. I won't be going back ever.

    (2)

  • Stacey P.

    4 Stars for the LUNCH BUFFET, because that's all I ever have here. Seriously, a mexican lunch buffet, what a GREAT idea. They have enchiladas, quesadillas, things to make tacos, taquitos, tamales, fresh salsas including PAPAYA MANGO salsa (FRESH FRUIT), guacamole (ok, how much is a guac appetizer usually? this is included in the buffet), soups, and sometimes FLAN...delicious. The staff is super nice, OH, and a drink is included in the buffet. That is completely ridiculuous, for like, 10 dollars or something (i forgot the exact price but I think it's 9 or 10). They were super smart to do this. If I had to rate the food based on how good it is, I'd give it 3 to 4 stars, but the buffet makes this place freaking awesome.

    (4)

  • Isabel Y.

    I LOVE this place. They have the best guac I have EVER had, and amazing margaritas. We used to come sit at the bar here before going to the movies to just have some drinks and chips. You have to FIGHT for a table at the bar area though, and usually the wait's too long to sit down in the regular area. But if you get a table or a couple seats at the bar, you are totally set. We loved it so much that we would make sure to come BACK after the movies, to have one last round of drinks with the bartender. Senior year of college, it was lodged perfectly in between home and work, and I would often come and get a bag of chips and some freshly made guac to go. I miss this place so much. I love Chipotle but they've got nothing on this guac.

    (5)

  • Jay D.

    Dear Little Mexican Cafe, Why are you popular? Is it because your owners bothered to put some thought into your decor? Because your dark wood interior creates a swanky atmosphere? Is it the guacamole? I honestly don't get it. You are pricey and your soup tastes weird, though people seem to like your margaritas. For some reason, though, people seem to want to go to you because you're the cool place to spend a decent amount of money. Kudos. -Perplexed

    (2)

  • ann s.

    I hadn't been to TLMC since it moved to its present location. I had always rather liked their food, but I thought they were a little expensive. But a friend had a Groupon, it was lunchtime, we went. We were surprised to find they had a lunch buffet. Not only was the food good, but they actually replenished things as they ran low, which is more than I can say for the last couple of lunch buffets I've tried. Ample selection, and for me the highlights were a squid-studded green salad (with lots of peppers), some very plump and flavorful tamales, fish soup, jicama salad and another fish thing. There were also enchiladas, beans, rice, huevos rancheros, fajita fixings, etc., plus a little fruit and fried sugar-and-cinnamon tortillas for dessert. Everything tasted pretty fresh. The room is comfortable, our server was attentive (not that buffets require much attention) and friendly. We didn't have any liquor, but if the margaritas are like they were years ago, they were made with fresh lime juice, not some horrible mix. Hope that hasn't changed, because I'll likely be back.

    (4)

  • Mandy C.

    This place was tasty, but I've had better. Unfortunately, it's horribly overpriced. The great thing about Mexican food is that it's so easy to find great food for cheap. Not here, though. $20 for Fajitas!? I'm guessing the owners figure that most of their business is coming from Northwestern students and Mom and Dad paying for dinner anyway. They do get props for making the guac right at the table, and the margaritas were nice and strong.

    (3)

  • K B.

    The steak fajitas were delicious! The steak was super tender and flavorful. I also ordered a mojito and it was probably one of the best mojitos I've had! A girlfriend had the steak burrito and said it was great as well! I will be back!

    (4)

  • Gillian C.

    As a die-hard margarita fan, I had such high hopes for this restaurant. Here's a pro/con: PRO: Food was good. Not amazing, but good. My boyfriend really liked his meal a lot, while my salad was pleasant but not something I'd order again. PRO: Ambiance is pretty nice. We sat in the bar area at a high-top. CON: How do they justify these prices? In my mind, a place like this (based on decor, menu, ambiance, quality of margarita) should be priced at $6-7 per margarita with a good pitcher deal and entrees around $12. Instead, margs were way overpriced (and good but not excellent) and the food prices were just way too high (we're talking $16 for a salad, $1 for a fajita). We probably won't be back - there are much cheaper gems all over Evanston. Save your money and order a margarita from Rick at the Cellar.

    (3)

  • Shannon-Leslie P.

    I went in today for a friend's birthday celebration. Drinks were weak and the food was very bland. Very pricey for the small portions you get but their presentation is pretty good. Our waitress wasn't friendly and gave us a hard time when we asked for separate checks. Also we had to keep asking for more chips and salsa every time. I wouldn't return. I rather go to Las Palmas, Chilis or Tomate fresh kitchen.

    (2)

  • Jahara M.

    Lunch was decent; decent price, but I agree that service is iffy as our server seemed brand new to the whole serving concept.

    (3)

  • Jessica C.

    It's fine, it's just fine. The service is lackluster at best, and the vast majority of items such as the salsa, chips, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, fried ice cream, flan are just ok. They're edible and not bad, but I can do better at home. There are, to be fair, a few things I think are great - their skirt steak is perfectly done, the salmon in a banana leaf is quite tasty, and I've had two of their salads (one a seasonal special with chimichurri) that were excellent. None of these items are particularly different from what you might expect, they are all just well seasoned and done the way they should be. The fundito is also great, but really, it's hard to go wrong with fundito. Oh, and I do like their margaritas. I find them much less sweet than others. I also enjoy the festive ambiance/colors and it's a good choice for a Friday with friends (who like it better than I do) when no one wants to cook or leave the Evanston/Skokie area.

    (3)

  • Mark C.

    Well theres not much to say i just love their food, the food is awesome, but our server from this past saturday SUCKS i believe her name is Eloiza, you need more experience as server and u shouldnt be there. You should be working like in Mcdonalds or something but please do yourself a favor and apply somewhere else. You Suck as a SERVER

    (1)

  • Dan P.

    Service okay. The food requires a ton of salt to give it some taste. Had the tacos de barbacoa. Tasted like a dry pile of beef. Salt required. The wife had cheese enchiladas that also tasted like nothing. They required salsa to make them have taste. The beans and rice sides also managed to be tasteless. the tasteless Mexican seems to be a Chicago/midwest problem. I haven't seen that elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Pam D.

    I had to drop a star after the lunch we had the other day. I had the enchiladas and Christopher had the taco dinner. I ordered mine with mole sauce and was very disappointed. The seasoning was very bland. There was heat to it, but it isn't all about being hot. Christopher also felt his tacos were very bland. I ate one of the three enchiladas and took the rest home. To be honest, I ended up tossing it out because it just turned me off. We will return, but not for a while because our enthusiasm has ebbed a bit.

    (3)

  • Kelli S.

    My husband and I ate there last weekend... The food was okay a little bland but satisfying. The salsa was super good!! The service.... Oh my god!! Absolutely horrible, our server was Alex. You Alex, need to find another job... Terrible, no water or drink refills, we had to chase down another employee for them. Our food wasn't served with utensils, we had to chase down those as well. Never asked if we were okay or needed anything. The only thing Alex was fast on was getting our credit card charged! Our meal wasn't cheap either!! With $15- $20 a plate I EXPECT good service. You suck my friend, which in return makes our experience suck. Will not be returning!!!

    (2)

  • Beth W.

    Love it, and now live walking distance. Great bar to sit at.

    (5)

  • Emon D.

    Such HUGE portions! For those who know me, know that I take pride in finishing everything on my plate, and so far both time I've been here, I was unable to finish my burrito. But before I go into the food, location-wise- This place is location just west of the Davis station. I don't think this place has its own parking, so if you're thinking about driving, prepare to park in parking structures or street parking. Once you enter, there is always someone to greet you with a smile. The place is pretty big with the entrance dividing the place into a bar on the left and the dining area on the right of the entrance. I was there on a Saturday night, and the place was pretty busy. It always helps to have a smaller group because we got seated right away without any reservation. On that note- I'm not sure if they do reservations. The server was pretty quick to attend to us and drop of the chips and salsa. Both weren't that great and honestly, I stopped eating them after few tries. I've had their burrito before, and so I went ahead and ordered their skirt steak burrito. The burrito came with refried beans and rice. Just a side note- the refried bean is vegetarian! I had to ask for sour cream as it doesn't come with the order of burrito. I am definitely sold on the burritos from here. The taste and the side, along with the cost, all won me over. The table next to mine ordered the guacamole which they role a cart to the table and make fresh guacamole for the table. Trust me- my next visit, I'm ordering guacamole for sure! I do agree with the other review regarding this place not really being a romantic place. Unless you want to cozy up at the bar, this place is often busy with a lot of foot traffic around the dining area. They have a lot of family-size tables which makes it a perfect place for a big group or families.

    (4)

  • Angela C.

    In short: mediocre food and so-so service with a high price tag. Until the return of Taco Diablo and Aguas Tortas, I'd recommend heading to Rogers Park for Mexican food.

    (2)

  • Elaine M.

    Located very near the Davis El stop, we had some time to kill while we waiting to pick people up so we stopped in for some drinks. It was after 10 on Saturday night but the place was quite slow. We do appreciate that they were open and let us order not only drinks but some thing from the kitchen. They ended up locking the doors before we even left just about 10:30 or so. We sat at the bar and ordered two margaritas, some chips and salsa and the husband ordered two tacos. The bartender was not overly friendly but neither was she rude. The drinks were fine but nothing to rave about. We did appreciate that she poured what was left in the shaker into our glasses when they were empty and not just throw it out. The chips and salsa were not good. I didn't care for either the chip or the salsa. And they were super expensive to boot. Husband said the tacos were dry.

    (3)

  • Wesley R.

    Not the best food ever but it's pretty good and consistent and easy to get to. I have never had a bad meal. Haven't been blown away either. Not that authentic but good clean Mexican place for People who don't want authentic authentic but good quality

    (4)

  • Caitlin B.

    I come here really frequently for after work drinks with frolleagues (friend-colleagues). There's not a huge number of places that start serving alcohol at 4:00 PM (well...maybe I come here a bit earlier than after work!), and TLMC is always a crowd-pleaser. The drinks are well-priced, and service in the bar is good, especially in the afternoon when it is not very busy. If you come here at 4:00, there's a good chance you'll be the only table in the restaurant. Appetizers are not too expensive and we frequently get guac to nibble on while we chat. We always sit in the bar area, which I prefer for a couple of reasons- better service and more light from the windows. I've been here for dinner on multiple occasions over the past few years, but find it to be crowded and pretty overpriced. Some of their fajitas are over $20! I don't mind spending money to get really good food, but I've had better Mexican food at other places for less money, and with better service. Once this place fills up, there are not enough servers for all the tables. Also- the dining room is also pretty dark, and I'm not sure why, since there is not a particularly romantic vibe. I recommend this restaurant for drinks/appetizers, but would suggest other places for dinner.

    (4)

  • Devon T.

    Decent food, service a little slow. I needed a replacement for a place I used to go (before we moved) and I think I found it. A little pricier than I was expecting. I had pork tacos, Husband had skirt steak and black beans (which he said were both perfect). Table side gauc very tasty. Red sangria was yummy. The salsa had a smoky flavor, which was a nice change of pace. Kids enjoyed the cheese quesedillas. Will be back to try some if the starters.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    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 : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

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

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

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

That Little Mexican Cafe

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