I don't know what the fuss is about. If I rated this place based solely on their salsas, I'd give it one star. Like the quality of the bread in Italian restaurants, I think that a Mexican restaurant's salsa reflects the soul of the place. Theirs are watery and, besides some mild heat, flavorless. I didn't enjoy the place at all. Very loud and uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
(2)
Kim B.
I really wanted to try Los Mogotes because the Yelp photos of their tacos look delicious -- see for yourself. I finally tried an assortment of tacos for lunch on Saturday: 1 pork skin, 1 steak, 1 marinated spicy pork. The verdict? Not good but I've had worse, so not bad either. I thought the pork skin taco would be crispy (like chicharones) but the texture was more soggy. I felt like I was eating fat. The steak was decent but I've definitely had better. The pork (al pastor) was more sweet than spicy. Apart from the food, there were other aspects of my dining experience that I have to mention. I didn't like how "Americaned" the menu was. When looking at the different taco meat options, "al pastor" was listed as "marinated spicy pork" and "chorizo" was referred to as "Mexican sausage." If this is an authentic Mexican restaurant, the menu should reflect that. Also, the wait times for food are pretty ridiculous. I waited at least 20 minutes for my 3 tacos. This is way too long to have to wait, especially when you're hungry. Nice try, Los Mogotes, but I'll stick with my go-to taco shop from now on.
(3)
Alyssa L.
Enjoyable, fast, and reasonably priced! I really enjoy this little Mexican joint! They're Tacoes are pretty good,(I recommend the spicy pork) and unlike its neighbor...they are not so overpriced you feel sick after looking at your check. Great place for take out! The horchata and tres leches cakes is also pretty good!
(3)
Dhruv M.
Coming from California it was great being able to enjoy some authentic Mexican food! The wait staff there was really nice and helpful. I ordered a chicken breast dish covered with cheese and sauce. I asked if they could make it spicy so they subbed the sauce out for an adobo sauce which was awesome! In general the menu is pretty cheap, but I ordered an entree and that put my bill at 15. That amount for me is pretty high, but the dish lasted me two meals. Next time I'll probably go with something cheaper.
(5)
Sarah Beth B.
The more often I eat here, the more I love it. It is definitely our go-to mexican food, and probably my favorite mexican food option IN ALL OF CHICAGO LAND. We continue to get the shrimp fajitas a LOT, but have added this fancy burrito into the mix. I don't know what it's called, but it has pork, beans, POTATOES, is covered in a green sauce, and it is delicious.
(4)
Angela S.
My picky eater kids just started getting into burritos at Chipotle, so I figured I'd give them something super authentic and gear up for a stop that is guaranteed to make anyone want to come back. First of all, everything about this place screams lovely and cute! It's super duper clean, and it was nice to walk into a Mexican restaurant to leave without that greasy residue smell on my clothes. No evidence at all. The people who run this place are beyond sweet. It was our first time in tonight, and we placed our order to go. The menu is big, so it took us awhile to figure out what we wanted, but eventually we made our decision. They were really patient and helped us navigate through the taco madness. I ordered small sausage burrito for under $6. Okay, why anyone would need to order a large is beyond me. I still have half of it leftover for tomorrow! Not too greasy and fresh tasting. I loved the addition of chopped tomatoes mixed in with the meat and beans. I didn't order any extras like avocado, and I wish I had. This burrito was packed with meat and goodies, and the avocado would have made for a nice balance. For the boys I ordered chicken quesadillas and chicken tacos. They ate everything! By far my favorite were the cheesy gooey quesadillas loaded with shredded chicken. The tacos were simple and ample in portion size. Wow! I was afraid we didn't order enough, but we came out of there with a huge pile of food for under $16! It's more than reasonably priced here, and I have to say next time I'd love to dine in and order up a margarita from their bar. Come hungry and come back soon, because they are having a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live music.
(4)
Joel M.
We've been to Los Mogotes a number of times and it has become our go-to for really good Mexican in the Highland Park area. We love the flavorful burritos, which are huge, and their sauce. The staff is always very friendly and they do have great live music on Cinco De Mayo (and it's busy but rarely as crowded as some "mainline" Mexican places).
(4)
Michael P.
I ordered some tacos and I asked for no onions on them and the waitress said ok(my tacos came out with a whole lot of onions lol) I also had the handmade steak quesadillas and those were pretty good!!! The service was good, the meat needed a little more seasoning, the refried beans looked like they came straight out of a can but than again who actually makes their own refried beans at a fast food joint... I guess I will go back again just for the handmade steak quesadillas
(3)
Stephen M.
A quick check-in for a quick Saturday lunch. Everything I wanted was there: good chips with good salsa; a tasty burrito; a quiet television with a game on; quick efficient server. A quick checkout and it passes--four stars subject to further meals.
(4)
Matt G.
Much better than a higher priced Mexican restaurant in HP. The food here has flavor, and the price is right. The food here tastes more like the Mexican food I grew up with, will definitely be back.
(4)
Dave V.
Very disappointed. The tostada was probably the best thing but everything else was really just mediocre. I was able to try a taco, enchilada, torta, tostada, gordita, and chiles rellenos. The rellenos was the most disappointing as it was like drinking oil with every bite. Everything else was edible and even ok but really wasn't special and i probably wont be back. The set up inside was pretty nice and looks like it'd be good for families. The prices were fair. For the lot of food, it was only about $25
(2)
William H.
I'm guessing that in the past 90 days something major happened in the kitchen of this establishment. Lost the chef or decided to cut back on the quality (freshness ) of the ingredients or Something. Today was my first visit and the salsa gave me high hopes. Tasted great, wonderful spices. Chips were meh but salsa was great. Ordered guacamole - major disappointment. No flavor, it came right from the fridge - where it had stayed uncovered in its serving dish - to the table. Big hard chunks of un-ripe tomato and No Flavor. What can you add as "filler" to guacamole?? Ground beef tacos were a 5 out of 10. No pizazzzz. I'm going to go back in a couple weeks. They will either have fixed the problem or my review will be the least of their concerns.
(2)
Ami K.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurant. The place is clean and the staff is efficient and friendly. The soups are what we come here for. They are big portion, flavorful and delicious. I feel like I went to my Mexican grandmas house when I have a cold and she serves me this to help me recover. I've had the shrimp soup and Pozole soup. Both are delicious! Reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that their steak taco is good but not great. I recommend the pork taco.
(4)
Kam D.
One of the best, authentic and reasonably priced Mexican joints in the area. Normally, I prefer my Mexican food somewhere off Ashland Ave but if you're in the Highland Park/Deerfield area this is the first place you should check out. Everything I've tried here is delicious so don't be afraid to order something unfamiliar.
(4)
Taylor M.
Awesome authentic Mexican food! I went here for a quick bite to eat on my lunch break and it was just that. Fast service and quality food. I had the junior burrito with al pastor. The meat was fantastic and flavorful. The junior size burrito was plenty filling and only $5. Next time I want to try the Mexican Coke the other reviews mentioned... and I definitely will be going back!
(5)
Elyse P.
I really like this place. The food is alway fresh and consistent and tasty. I have pretty much stayed with their "combinations" on the menu and have yet to order a bad thing. The only con is that service is usually slow so it makes a trip during lunch difficult.
(4)
Sara P.
Delish. When am I going back?? Was here on Saturday for lunch...boy was I not disappointed. Expect that this is a no-thrills place. But super authentic and SO reasonable. We ordered a chicken taco each, as well as beef fajitas to split. I have no idea what was in the red and green bottles of sauce they brought to the table, but I might have bathed in it. The chicken tacos were so freakin good, and the beef fajitas had amazing flavors. Service is a tad lackluster, but I think that's just the nature of the restaurant. May want to order water upfront when they take your order, because it could be a while before someone shows up again. Like I said, though, so inexpensive for such good food. All that food and two sodas for a total of about $20.
(4)
Faye G.
Place is as genuine as it gets. However, no one speaks English so it was very hard to communicate. I ordered red sauce for my enchiladas and the waiters brought a mole sauce. One is red and one is made of chocolate and kept insisting they were the same thing. I wouldn't go back because of how exhausting it was or should work on my Spanish more...
(1)
Ariella G.
Meh....the fact that this places rates 4 or 5 stars with other reviewers attests to the fact that there are a limited number of solid Mexican food joints around this area. We are adventurous eaters and tried the tongue burrito, which was chewy (not a good sign for tongue which is normally tender beyond compare) and tasted nasty. The carne asada tacos were decent but not delectable and the aguas frescas were not fresca at all. So, if you are desperate for some Meci food, you'll find it here but if you have the time or inclination to drive up to Waukegan, try REALLY good Mexican fast food at Toluca on Washington.
(3)
S T.
This place is over rated. I like my Mexican but when the lunch run is here i keep off the list. This is a very average steak burrito and I thing the ground beef burrito has better flavor. The beans are soupy. The menu is huge and I have eaten here about 15 times way back when this place was tiny and it's never wow or tasty. I would rather take my lunch dollar some where else in the area.
(2)
Heather R.
Really authentic and tasty. Very reasonable for the quality and area. Staff is friendly for dine, though we take out a lot. They have music on certain weekend days, which of course the kids love even if the menu isn't their favorite.
(5)
C S.
This place is great -- low-key atmosphere and very good food. On weekends, they have the usual soups (the pozole is excellent) and tamales. They've added a juice bar in the last year or so. The mole sauce is wonderful, the spiced pork tacos are heavenly, and there is an appetizer called a picadita (which I was not familiar with before) that is not to be missed. Cash only. The sign from the street reads TAQUERIA, so look for that. The desserts are just so-so, but everything else is swell.
(5)
Ed K.
yummy authentic tacqueria; clean, friendly service, friendly prices; you know it's good 'cause the local mexican population eats here. recently expanded so they're doing well -- that's a good sign.
(5)
Michael H.
This is my go to place for good Mexican food in the northern suburbs. Some of the best tacos I've ever had, they taste like they just made the corn tortillas. I've tried pretty much every variety of meat and they are all excellent. However I have to rave about their version of al pastor, they make it with pineapple which makes the pork very tender. The three taco dinner is $5.99 and it comes with beans and rice. The refried beans taste typical and are fine. They make the rice perfect, flavorful with bits of veggies included. If you are not a fan of beans, go ahead and get two orders of rice instead with a meal. (no extra charge) I've also tried their skirt steak and have really enjoyed it, but I keep coming back for the cheap and awesome tacos. They can be a little slow sometimes when you dine in, especially since a lot of nights they will close off most of the seating and try to just have two servers that do everything including phones and the cash register. You get free chips and fresh salsa when you dine in. I love the salsa, but the chips are little too hard for my tastes. Please keep in mind that you can only pay by cash, they do not accept credit cards. There is a Citibank nearby, if you have to grab cash beforehand.
(5)
Jeff W.
Quality is consistent and always delicious. No better value for a steak taco within a twenty minute drive (much better than El Norte.) You may be able to find a taco as good but you'll pay twice as much. It's about the flavor of the steak. Mexican Coke and Pepsi in BOTTLES also nine kinds of fruit flavored soda. Eat in or take away but if you eat there be prepared for the bright fluorescent lights, the TV and the free chips and salsa. Last time we ate there some wag had put a drinking-straw wrapper in the mouth of one of the Aztec masks. Ho - ho, it made him look very continental. Try the quesadilla with the hand-made tortilla. One of the best food values on the North Shore.
(5)
Miguel g.
Good value. Pleases the less-adventurous as well as those seeking authentic dishes. Try the hand-made quesadillas with huitlacoche (corn fungus) with jamaica juice.
(4)
Paul H.
This is a great little authentic Mexican restaurant, Something you would expect to find in Highwood, just a little further south. Perfect family restaurant, low key, nothing fancy, good food, great price. Four of us, plus drinks, for $100.
(4)
sue g.
This is the best place I have found for tacos athenticos. They have a delicious handle on taco preparation--I highly recommend the steak tacos with cilantro and onion! Tastes very much like the street food I enjoy when in Mexico. Small selection of sodas, including Sidral, which is apple soda and better than it sounds. Carry out from this place, as it is a little bit genereic to eat there, but you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Michael G.
Cheap Mexican food, pretty average and all their food items are identical to Tacos el Norte just up the street.
(2)
Bill M.
This is an authentic, unpretentious Mexican family-style restaurant, and offers a great value for the food. I've gone several times, both alone and with friends and family, and have never been disappointed in the food. It's nice to be in a Mexican restaurant where there are more Mexican patrons than servers. Yes, the margaritas are so-so, so I usually order a Mexican beer, but the food is simple, ample, and tasty. Service is unhurried, like it often in Mexico, but the servers will always respond to a wave and are always pleasant and cheerful. Usually, the TVs are tuned to Spanish-language programming, so you are likely to get your choice of facing the Mexican soap operas or the (soccer) football. This isn't a place to take a date, but it's a fine place to get a solid meal after a long day working. As I wrote, authentic and unpretentious, but a great value.
(4)
Patricia P.
Maybe I am not as familiar with the traditional way to serve fajitas but mine were only ok and didn't come with any cheese or sour cream. The pitcher of margaritas we bought for $26 with Patron barely had any alcohol in it. My friends enjoyed their steak taco platters. Although I am from Baltimore where things aren't exactly cheap, my friends thought the prices were very reasonable, cheap even, so that was a saving grace.
(3)
Megan M.
To be fair, the food was pretty good here. And service was good, too. But we made the mistake of going on a Friday night and there was a mariachi duo. They were fabulous, great singing, lovely guitar playing, but for such a small place, it was way too loud. And the lighting in the restaurant was bright and obnoxious -- especially considering the serenading. The whole experience just seemed off. I'll go back -- but probably for take out.
(3)
Mr H.
Pico de gallo with avocado. 5 Stars. If this restaurant was 5 blocks south, they could and would double their prices. The food quality is excellent. Besides the "mid-scale" ambiance, the food is great. The pico de gallo with avocado for $6 comes in a massive bowl. Not some skimpy little portion, and FRESH, EXCELLENT QUALITY. Tacos, Margaritas, Burritos, Typical Mexican fare. Give Los Mogotes a chance, The food is great, just don't expect a highline atmosphere.
(4)
Mike G.
The best home made salsa, plus phenominal tacos al pastor. Gotta have it twice a week!
(4)
Judy F.
I felt discriminated against because we are not Hispanic. This has happened to us a few times, and we are not going back. It's awful to sit in a dining room and watch the wait staff serve people their full meals, refill their drinks, and you are still waiting for them to take your order. I literally watched the waitress walk to every one of her tables but ours. We live in a very diverse community on the North Shore, and that is one of the things we love about our community. I would not expect a local business owner to make their customers feel as unwelcome as we are made to feel here. How very disappointing.
(1)
Nick J.
Really loved this place. It feels very authentic and prices are reasonable as well. Had a Huerche for 4.99 and it was a big plate of food. I'd say service and food quality are a toss up between here and Taco El Norte in Highwood, but would go here for the atmosphere. Lunch was quite busy!
(5)
Jo D.
I've been going here for years because it's cheap and near-by but unfortunately the quality of the meat has become about as cheap as the prices, so for the past year or so I've limited my consumption to nothing but vegetarian tacos because I and my family have found that we end up with upset stomachs otherwise. Another irk is that they never give me more than a few ice cubes to go with my water - that is, if it comes with any ice at all. Also, it doesn't matte how many guests are sitting at the table, they'll present you with only one complimentary small bowl of salsa that's only half full. Aside from all of that, it's a great place to go if you enjoy reverse racism from the older waitresses. Never again; I've had my "fill." ...literally and figuratively speaking.
(1)
Carlo S.
What Judy said I felt discriminated against, but I felt that way because I was not white. My girlfriend and I were the only customers in the restaurant, we were served chips right of way and got our orders taken, about 5 minutes later two different Caucasian families walk in and we were totally forgotten, then about 3 more Caucasian families walk in, and we had to get our check from the bus boy. The waitress came only twice, once to take our order and second to deliver our food. She was so busy catering to the white folk, it ruined the delicious dinner we had. Just be prepared to be forgotten if white folks walk in.
(1)
Joe M.
Good food and service. I've sampled most of their menu and have zero complaints. Nothing spectacular but if you're looking for authentic, flavorful Mexican fare, put Mogotes on your list. And the wait staff is always very attentive and pleasant Expect to wait if you come for lunch during the week ... typical for most HP/Highwood eateries.
(4)
Paul K.
I come here all the time. Very good food for very little money. I order either a torta al pastor or a huarache al pastor.
(5)
Elaine M.
If you want the the classic taco, burrito joint in Highland Park, this is the place for you. Not one of our upscale places but really great tacos, burritos and guacamole! I always go for the skirt steak tacos and an order of guac! I really like that they bring two sauces, one red and one green for the tacos. My friend really likes the spicy pork ones. Prices here can't be beat and the food is less greasy than some other local Mexican dives.
(4)
Jessica S.
Delicious authentic cuisine. Menudo, huaraches, quesadillas made by hand stuffed with squash flowers, and other delicious stuffings. The steak tacos are made with actual steak that is cut up, not the usual "taco meat" mixture. It's very casual. Normally patrons sit themselves. The place also has z bar that serves drinks that are associate with Mexican Cuisine; Margaritas, Mexican beer, etc.
(4)
Chrissy L.
I love this place! I have family in highland park, so I always stop here to pick up some food before I pop up for a visit. Love the pastor!!!
(5)
Jessica Y.
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed with my meal. I got a combination of 1 taco (al pastor - spicy pork), 1 tostada (steak), and 1 quesadilla (cheese). It came with rice and beans. The rice and beans were fine, nothing spectacular. One pro was that I got a TON of meat. But overall, I felt that the meat was lacking real flavor. Maybe it's the marinade or seasoning? And the cheese quesadilla was super bland. My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and barely touched the chicken (there was a ton of meat!), and it just looked so plain... maybe a burrito is the way to go?
(3)
William C.
Great specialty burritos and reasonable prices I had the speciality borrito that started with a M and it was very good. Portions are big and low key place. I will be back.
(4)
Jan H.
Terrible food: tough carne asada; canned chile relleno; sauces tasteless; tough chips; bland guacamole; old tomato & lettuce! Do not waste your time!
(1)
Jessica Y.
Tuesday night dinner with a girlfriend @ 6pm I ordered a carne asada burrito $5.69 and my friend had #4. 1 Chile Relleno, 1 Enchilada, 1 Taco $9.59. Her plate came with a side of corn tacos. My burrito was delicious. It was the right amount of meat to vegetables and was easy to eat. I enjoy burritos but hesitate to order them because sometimes restaurants over sauce and it gets extremely messy. I ate half of it and am having the other half for lunch today - bonus! They take credit card for orders over $10. This is a solid family run taqueria.
(4)
Jose M.
I enjoy coming here every other week. Their green enchiladas with chicken are 10/10,highly recommend for anybody to order. The horchata water is must have as well. Good service as well.
(5)
Allison M.
I'm torn here. If I'm writing this review as my past self, a proud carnivore, I'd say that this is the best Mexican food around, super authentic, lots of choices. Great burritos and tacos. But if I'm writing this review as myself now, essentially a vegetarian, I have to say this place leaves something to be desired. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch and both ordered the vegetarian burrito-- he got the regular, I got the junior. They came out, appearing to be the exact same size. We found out later that the difference was that mine only contained cheese, rice, sour cream, and refried beans... His had avocado, lettuce, and tomato. Mine tasted fine... but what was I paying for, in terms of veggie options? No avocado, no peppers, no onions. Plus, I have to doubt that the refried beans were actually legitimately vegetarian. Which also brings me to my complaint about this place across my dietary changes: the fact that they don't have any whole black or pinto beans, only the refried variety. Not a lot of opportunity for healthy eating here. We also got an order of the guacamole, which was all right (when is mushed-up avocado bad?), but which-- like the other things we ordered-- benefited a great deal by the addition of the three salsas provided as condiments when you dine in.
(3)
Cindy F.
We love this place. We found a new menu Saturday night and I tried the "handmade" quesadillas, one each in huitlacoche (black corn smut) and in what they called "pumpkin flour" - we figured out was pumpkin blossoms. Both delicious. The huitlacoche had been sauteed with onions and fresh corn so I couldn't distinguish its own flavor, but hey, it was my first time trying it. Live music Friday nights - the last time we went two guitarists serenaded our table with gorgeous traditional songs.
(4)
Carlos G.
came here after a cycling even so we were all starving. Food was very good and the portions were decent. I had a huarache with peppers and onions, very tasty. The Al Pastor taco has pineapple, this is a nice touch since this is the real way to serve these type of tacos. What I didnt like $1 for a spoonful of sour cream 15% tip for a 6 person table even if 2 people didnt eat. pros: they split the check so +1
(4)
Jean P.
It was so much fun with the Mariachi Band. The guacamole was so good and fresh . My husband really likes their salsa. My garlic camarones was a little dry but still tasty
(3)
Michele B.
Driving to an appointment and starved!! Found this place totally by accident and I am so glad I did. Not much to look at on the outside but one step inside and the aroma of mole and cheese and slasa can take your breath away. The minute I walked in I was greeted and seated and presented with chips and salsa. Lot's of locals so you know it is good!! The menu is prety extensive for such a small place. The burrito is always my first try--safe but somehow always telling and what a story it told. Fresh, fast and HUGE not to mention wonderful. Couldn't finish it , had the rest for a snack on the way home from my appointment (OK so maybe a little fell in the car) but it smelled so good). Im' thinking of making lots of appointments in Highland Park just to go back!!!
(5)
Richard B.
It's been about a year since our previous visit. Removed a star. Service has slipped a bit. Kitchen was slow while moderately crowded and wait staff is more hurried and not smiling as they once did. This place is still clean as a whistle. The food has changed a little. Subtle ways that actually make a difference- negatively. They used to have fresh made tortilla's, then they switched to commercial white corn ones that were pretty good. Now, they have a rather dry and smaller yellow corn tortilla that just doesn't hold up. The Pork Pastor is still really good. I'd say their chicken meat has gotten less flavorful. Tamales were once pretty good- this trip they seemed dry. Portions seem a little smaller. Prices were not noticeably higher. So, bottom line is this restaurant now falls in line with some of the other area taqueria's- not above. A taqueria is not going to be the Ritz, and I don't expect it to be, but some subtle changes back in the right positive direction could return this place to a higher rating.
(4)
Robin C.
What Mexican restaurant runs out of AL pastor (spicey pork) at twenty minutes to three on a Saturday afternoon!? I ended up ordering a chicken burrito with avocado and it was pretty good. I also had an asada (steak) burrito. That was much better but a little chewy. They do have an awesome hot sauce. I will try the tacos next time and hopefully, they will have the AL pastor!
(3)
Adam B.
Dropped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised all around. The large, open seating area with proper tables and chairs, to start, signal that this is a real restaurant, not just a quick burrito joint. I was quickly asked what I wanted to drink, handed a large menu, and presented with a nice basket of fresh chips and salsa. So far so good. The menu has loads of choices; I selected three a la carte soft tacos - total price $6. And I didn't need to buy a whole combination meal with rice and beans, which would have been too much for lunch (especially considering I ate two baskets of complimentary chips). The tacos were excellent! On doubled corn tortillas, they were nicely overstuffed with fresh and flavorful meat, cilantro, and a bit of onion. I will definitely be back to try more from the menu.
(5)
Kevin D.
Food was EXCELLENT. I just didn't like that you would have to buy cans of pop instead of fountain drinks. I had the spicey pork burrito.
(4)
Kristen D.
Seemingly very authentic, but not being Mexican myself, it's hard for me to make that judgement. The burrito I ordered was outstandingly fresh, albeit a little bland. I ordered avocado on the side for $0.50 extra, thinking I was going to receive guac. NOT guac...this is literally fresh sliced avocado. Probably won't make the trip out to this place again, but if you're looking for very fresh food, go here.
(3)
Michael C.
If I could give no stars based on their service, I would. Food takes forever to cook even when restaurant is mostly empty. That aside, the wait staff is just plain rude. I would definitely recommend some of the other, finer places in the area (and there are many of them) as opposed to going here and getting treated like they are doing us a favor by letting us spend our money their. GO ELSEWHERE!!!
(1)
Brad S.
I eat Mexican 4-5 times as I work in a predominantly Hispanic area so I know good Mexican. This place is fast friendly and good. I love the food and the staff is always great. This is very good food and I have never been disappointed in tons of visits. The tacos are killer and the rest of the food just shames some of the more popular eateries in the area. I hope that this place stays good and cheep. But please give them a try and don't judge the book by the cover.
(5)
Romeo Q.
Inexpensive, tasty Mexican food. For party of four, we got three carne asada tostadas, one chorizo tostada (bit too salty), one beef taco with rice and beans, and one shredded chicken taco with rice and beans, all for $23.87.
(4)
Terence V.
Way too much steak in my burrito. Wait a minute, that makes no sense! If there was such a thing this place came close. Meat was tender and tasty! Service was excellent and quick. Wish I lived closer.
(5)
Frank N.
I had a quick bite for dinner here tonight as I haven't been here in quite some time. I think it was called Horaldo's before it's current name... I vividly remember the burritos and quesadillas as being outstanding and things have NOT changed. The place is much bigger than I when I was there last and it's decor is authentic Mexican. The friendly staff is in no shortage either. Tonight I had the Chicken Burrito and a regular Coke (I, too meant to get the Mexican Coke but forgot). The food was awesome. The waitress brought over both red and green salsas and both hit the spot. There was so much on the menu that I'll have to come back and hit it hard!
(4)
Yanyao N.
Super legit Mexican food in Highland Park. Yes, you read that correctly. No, my brain hasn't melted (all the way) from the heat. We came here tonight because: A) I was hungry, thirsty, and starting to get cranky from a weekend of looking at furniture and home decor. B) The line that stretched outside (!!!) Real Urban BBQ was pretty insane, and I encountered a very rude old man by the stairs. We needed to go elsewhere ASAP. Sprinkle in a little Yelp app magic, and off we went to de-grumpify me with tacos! It worked. Upon entering, I saw a mix of diners - for me, it is always a good sign to see Mexican people dining in a taqueria. We flipped through the menu and I'm sure there were probably enchiladas, chimichangas, and ground beef tacos on the menu, but for me, the real deal was my dinner. 1 al pastor (spicy pork) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 lengua (tongue) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 pork skin with green sauce taco with onion, cilantro, lettuce, and tomato. All on double corn tortillas. Served with 2 squeeze bottles of salsa - one red, one green. So classic. SO delicious. The same quality and flavor as the tacos I eat in the city, but served in Highland Park! Nibble on some chips and spicy salsa while you're waiting, and wash it all down with some horchata. My Mexican taco meal heaven. If you don't want to go the taco route, one of their specialty burritos is a MUST - the name begins with a M, and it is filled with al pastor, beans, rice, potatoes, guacamole, and covered in green sauce and cheese. A beastly and delicious burrito. A meal for 2 with a beer and 2 gordita appetizers only set us back $30. Again, in Highland Park. I have a feeling I'll be coming face to face with that beastly green sauce slathered pork burrito again very soon.
(4)
Tim M.
After giving this restaurant five stars we have been back several times (including bringing a large group) and the food is always good but the service has gotten worse and worse. It feels to me that either the owner is not around and is letting the inmates run the asylum or the owner is around and has so much business that he or she doesn't care about how patrons are treated. On our last visit the dinner rush was clearing out and a large pile of food and garbage was swept into a pile pretty much in the middle of the floor and left there during our visit. One man that came in to eat had to step over it to get to a table. Yuck! The restaurant wasn't crowded but our food took forever. My wife kept trying to signal our waitress who seemed to make a point of ignoring us. We finally got the other waitress to get our order once we saw that it had come up. We were pretty much ignored the rest of the meal. We asked for a box to take leftovers and after waiting and waiting for it I got up and walked over to where she was on the phone and got it myself. Ditto for paying the check. After waiting interminably I just got up to pay it at the counter. I really want to like this place. The food is great, the location perfect but if businesses don't respect me and my family as a customer I'll go elsewhere. I guess this gives us a reason to keep looking for a New Mexican favorite. If anyone has a better experience after us please review them so we can go back.
(1)
Geoff J.
This is my go to lunch spot when I work out of my Deerfield corporate office. It is never too crowded at lunch and the servers are very friendly. Very reasonably priced lunch options. I usually get a chicken burrito or some tacos. I've never been dissappointed and always leave full! Love the free chips and salsa as well! Wish they would open another location in Evanston or Rogers Park so I could visit more often!
(4)
Mike P.
Love this place. Great mexican food. A little on the pricey side but you know what they say,(you get what you pay for.)
(5)
Ralph E.
3.5 stars. Clean place with nice wait people. The burritos and tostadas we very godd and fresh. The chips were ok. The downfall was the salsa. Very average at best
(3)
John C.
So you want real Mexican food? If you are this far north, you've found the place. So what's the deal, you ask. Was in here yesterday for a quick lunch. Walking in, one feels like you've been transported to a small town in Mexico. I counted the people (not including staff) and of the thirty-one people here twenty-seven were of Hispanic descent...87%. Always follow people who grew up eating mom's ethnic cooking and most of the time, you cannot go wrong. LMDM follows that formula and the chef's moms would be proud. I had a very hearty meal which I cannot begin to describe accurately, so I won't even try, and it was delicious. Enormous sandwich with two sodas? = $7.09 Two important notes: CASH ONLY. Secondly, the restaurant is in a tiny strip mall set back from the street...it's very easy to miss it and one can drive right by it in the blink of an eye..
(5)
J K.
This is my favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is nothing exceptional for a Mexican food joint, but the food is great--especially given that you can spend very little to get a perfect meal. For the past 4 years the favorite dish of my daughter (14) and I is Cecina Dinner Platillos: It has a thin grilled steak, grilled green onions and jalepeno (love these), and then sides of lettuce/tomato, rice and beans, served with warm corn tortillas. We make little sandwiches (you have to cut the meat crosswise to make it eatable in a tortilla). I also like the steak tacos in particular, although for me there is too much steak, so I split it amongst several tacos that I make with the doubled corn tortilla. Everything we've tried there is good, so I would guess that if you order your favorite Mexican entree you would probably be happy.
(5)
Steve K.
I eat at every taquira i get a chance to...the more authentic the better. this place is awesome. I always order the same thing, 2 Tacos, Carne Asada at every place. Theirs is hands down the best, not just ion the northshore, but even when compared to Logan Square & 26th street, THIS PLACE ROCKS!
(5)
Stephen M.
A quick check-in for a quick Saturday lunch. Everything I wanted was there: good chips with good salsa; a tasty burrito; a quiet television with a game on; quick efficient server. A quick checkout and it passes--four stars subject to further meals.
(4)
Dave V.
Very disappointed. The tostada was probably the best thing but everything else was really just mediocre. I was able to try a taco, enchilada, torta, tostada, gordita, and chiles rellenos. The rellenos was the most disappointing as it was like drinking oil with every bite. Everything else was edible and even ok but really wasn't special and i probably wont be back. The set up inside was pretty nice and looks like it'd be good for families. The prices were fair. For the lot of food, it was only about $25
(2)
Matt G.
Much better than a higher priced Mexican restaurant in HP. The food here has flavor, and the price is right. The food here tastes more like the Mexican food I grew up with, will definitely be back.
(4)
William H.
I'm guessing that in the past 90 days something major happened in the kitchen of this establishment. Lost the chef or decided to cut back on the quality (freshness ) of the ingredients or Something. Today was my first visit and the salsa gave me high hopes. Tasted great, wonderful spices. Chips were meh but salsa was great. Ordered guacamole - major disappointment. No flavor, it came right from the fridge - where it had stayed uncovered in its serving dish - to the table. Big hard chunks of un-ripe tomato and No Flavor. What can you add as "filler" to guacamole?? Ground beef tacos were a 5 out of 10. No pizazzzz. I'm going to go back in a couple weeks. They will either have fixed the problem or my review will be the least of their concerns.
(2)
Ami K.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurant. The place is clean and the staff is efficient and friendly. The soups are what we come here for. They are big portion, flavorful and delicious. I feel like I went to my Mexican grandmas house when I have a cold and she serves me this to help me recover. I've had the shrimp soup and Pozole soup. Both are delicious! Reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that their steak taco is good but not great. I recommend the pork taco.
(4)
Angela S.
My picky eater kids just started getting into burritos at Chipotle, so I figured I'd give them something super authentic and gear up for a stop that is guaranteed to make anyone want to come back. First of all, everything about this place screams lovely and cute! It's super duper clean, and it was nice to walk into a Mexican restaurant to leave without that greasy residue smell on my clothes. No evidence at all. The people who run this place are beyond sweet. It was our first time in tonight, and we placed our order to go. The menu is big, so it took us awhile to figure out what we wanted, but eventually we made our decision. They were really patient and helped us navigate through the taco madness. I ordered small sausage burrito for under $6. Okay, why anyone would need to order a large is beyond me. I still have half of it leftover for tomorrow! Not too greasy and fresh tasting. I loved the addition of chopped tomatoes mixed in with the meat and beans. I didn't order any extras like avocado, and I wish I had. This burrito was packed with meat and goodies, and the avocado would have made for a nice balance. For the boys I ordered chicken quesadillas and chicken tacos. They ate everything! By far my favorite were the cheesy gooey quesadillas loaded with shredded chicken. The tacos were simple and ample in portion size. Wow! I was afraid we didn't order enough, but we came out of there with a huge pile of food for under $16! It's more than reasonably priced here, and I have to say next time I'd love to dine in and order up a margarita from their bar. Come hungry and come back soon, because they are having a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live music.
(4)
Joel M.
We've been to Los Mogotes a number of times and it has become our go-to for really good Mexican in the Highland Park area. We love the flavorful burritos, which are huge, and their sauce. The staff is always very friendly and they do have great live music on Cinco De Mayo (and it's busy but rarely as crowded as some "mainline" Mexican places).
(4)
Michael P.
I ordered some tacos and I asked for no onions on them and the waitress said ok(my tacos came out with a whole lot of onions lol) I also had the handmade steak quesadillas and those were pretty good!!! The service was good, the meat needed a little more seasoning, the refried beans looked like they came straight out of a can but than again who actually makes their own refried beans at a fast food joint... I guess I will go back again just for the handmade steak quesadillas
(3)
Judy F.
I felt discriminated against because we are not Hispanic. This has happened to us a few times, and we are not going back. It's awful to sit in a dining room and watch the wait staff serve people their full meals, refill their drinks, and you are still waiting for them to take your order. I literally watched the waitress walk to every one of her tables but ours. We live in a very diverse community on the North Shore, and that is one of the things we love about our community. I would not expect a local business owner to make their customers feel as unwelcome as we are made to feel here. How very disappointing.
(1)
Nick J.
Really loved this place. It feels very authentic and prices are reasonable as well. Had a Huerche for 4.99 and it was a big plate of food. I'd say service and food quality are a toss up between here and Taco El Norte in Highwood, but would go here for the atmosphere. Lunch was quite busy!
(5)
Jo D.
I've been going here for years because it's cheap and near-by but unfortunately the quality of the meat has become about as cheap as the prices, so for the past year or so I've limited my consumption to nothing but vegetarian tacos because I and my family have found that we end up with upset stomachs otherwise. Another irk is that they never give me more than a few ice cubes to go with my water - that is, if it comes with any ice at all. Also, it doesn't matte how many guests are sitting at the table, they'll present you with only one complimentary small bowl of salsa that's only half full. Aside from all of that, it's a great place to go if you enjoy reverse racism from the older waitresses. Never again; I've had my "fill." ...literally and figuratively speaking.
(1)
Carlo S.
What Judy said I felt discriminated against, but I felt that way because I was not white. My girlfriend and I were the only customers in the restaurant, we were served chips right of way and got our orders taken, about 5 minutes later two different Caucasian families walk in and we were totally forgotten, then about 3 more Caucasian families walk in, and we had to get our check from the bus boy. The waitress came only twice, once to take our order and second to deliver our food. She was so busy catering to the white folk, it ruined the delicious dinner we had. Just be prepared to be forgotten if white folks walk in.
(1)
Joe M.
Good food and service. I've sampled most of their menu and have zero complaints. Nothing spectacular but if you're looking for authentic, flavorful Mexican fare, put Mogotes on your list. And the wait staff is always very attentive and pleasant Expect to wait if you come for lunch during the week ... typical for most HP/Highwood eateries.
(4)
Paul K.
I come here all the time. Very good food for very little money. I order either a torta al pastor or a huarache al pastor.
(5)
Elaine M.
If you want the the classic taco, burrito joint in Highland Park, this is the place for you. Not one of our upscale places but really great tacos, burritos and guacamole! I always go for the skirt steak tacos and an order of guac! I really like that they bring two sauces, one red and one green for the tacos. My friend really likes the spicy pork ones. Prices here can't be beat and the food is less greasy than some other local Mexican dives.
(4)
Kim B.
I really wanted to try Los Mogotes because the Yelp photos of their tacos look delicious -- see for yourself. I finally tried an assortment of tacos for lunch on Saturday: 1 pork skin, 1 steak, 1 marinated spicy pork. The verdict? Not good but I've had worse, so not bad either. I thought the pork skin taco would be crispy (like chicharones) but the texture was more soggy. I felt like I was eating fat. The steak was decent but I've definitely had better. The pork (al pastor) was more sweet than spicy. Apart from the food, there were other aspects of my dining experience that I have to mention. I didn't like how "Americaned" the menu was. When looking at the different taco meat options, "al pastor" was listed as "marinated spicy pork" and "chorizo" was referred to as "Mexican sausage." If this is an authentic Mexican restaurant, the menu should reflect that. Also, the wait times for food are pretty ridiculous. I waited at least 20 minutes for my 3 tacos. This is way too long to have to wait, especially when you're hungry. Nice try, Los Mogotes, but I'll stick with my go-to taco shop from now on.
(3)
Alyssa L.
Enjoyable, fast, and reasonably priced! I really enjoy this little Mexican joint! They're Tacoes are pretty good,(I recommend the spicy pork) and unlike its neighbor...they are not so overpriced you feel sick after looking at your check. Great place for take out! The horchata and tres leches cakes is also pretty good!
(3)
Dhruv M.
Coming from California it was great being able to enjoy some authentic Mexican food! The wait staff there was really nice and helpful. I ordered a chicken breast dish covered with cheese and sauce. I asked if they could make it spicy so they subbed the sauce out for an adobo sauce which was awesome! In general the menu is pretty cheap, but I ordered an entree and that put my bill at 15. That amount for me is pretty high, but the dish lasted me two meals. Next time I'll probably go with something cheaper.
(5)
Sarah Beth B.
The more often I eat here, the more I love it. It is definitely our go-to mexican food, and probably my favorite mexican food option IN ALL OF CHICAGO LAND. We continue to get the shrimp fajitas a LOT, but have added this fancy burrito into the mix. I don't know what it's called, but it has pork, beans, POTATOES, is covered in a green sauce, and it is delicious.
(4)
Chrissy L.
I love this place! I have family in highland park, so I always stop here to pick up some food before I pop up for a visit. Love the pastor!!!
(5)
William C.
Great specialty burritos and reasonable prices I had the speciality borrito that started with a M and it was very good. Portions are big and low key place. I will be back.
(4)
Jessica Y.
Tuesday night dinner with a girlfriend @ 6pm I ordered a carne asada burrito $5.69 and my friend had #4. 1 Chile Relleno, 1 Enchilada, 1 Taco $9.59. Her plate came with a side of corn tacos. My burrito was delicious. It was the right amount of meat to vegetables and was easy to eat. I enjoy burritos but hesitate to order them because sometimes restaurants over sauce and it gets extremely messy. I ate half of it and am having the other half for lunch today - bonus! They take credit card for orders over $10. This is a solid family run taqueria.
(4)
Jose M.
I enjoy coming here every other week. Their green enchiladas with chicken are 10/10,highly recommend for anybody to order. The horchata water is must have as well. Good service as well.
(5)
Carlos G.
came here after a cycling even so we were all starving. Food was very good and the portions were decent. I had a huarache with peppers and onions, very tasty. The Al Pastor taco has pineapple, this is a nice touch since this is the real way to serve these type of tacos. What I didnt like $1 for a spoonful of sour cream 15% tip for a 6 person table even if 2 people didnt eat. pros: they split the check so +1
(4)
Jean P.
It was so much fun with the Mariachi Band. The guacamole was so good and fresh . My husband really likes their salsa. My garlic camarones was a little dry but still tasty
(3)
Richard B.
It's been about a year since our previous visit. Removed a star. Service has slipped a bit. Kitchen was slow while moderately crowded and wait staff is more hurried and not smiling as they once did. This place is still clean as a whistle. The food has changed a little. Subtle ways that actually make a difference- negatively. They used to have fresh made tortilla's, then they switched to commercial white corn ones that were pretty good. Now, they have a rather dry and smaller yellow corn tortilla that just doesn't hold up. The Pork Pastor is still really good. I'd say their chicken meat has gotten less flavorful. Tamales were once pretty good- this trip they seemed dry. Portions seem a little smaller. Prices were not noticeably higher. So, bottom line is this restaurant now falls in line with some of the other area taqueria's- not above. A taqueria is not going to be the Ritz, and I don't expect it to be, but some subtle changes back in the right positive direction could return this place to a higher rating.
(4)
Yanyao N.
Super legit Mexican food in Highland Park. Yes, you read that correctly. No, my brain hasn't melted (all the way) from the heat. We came here tonight because: A) I was hungry, thirsty, and starting to get cranky from a weekend of looking at furniture and home decor. B) The line that stretched outside (!!!) Real Urban BBQ was pretty insane, and I encountered a very rude old man by the stairs. We needed to go elsewhere ASAP. Sprinkle in a little Yelp app magic, and off we went to de-grumpify me with tacos! It worked. Upon entering, I saw a mix of diners - for me, it is always a good sign to see Mexican people dining in a taqueria. We flipped through the menu and I'm sure there were probably enchiladas, chimichangas, and ground beef tacos on the menu, but for me, the real deal was my dinner. 1 al pastor (spicy pork) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 lengua (tongue) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 pork skin with green sauce taco with onion, cilantro, lettuce, and tomato. All on double corn tortillas. Served with 2 squeeze bottles of salsa - one red, one green. So classic. SO delicious. The same quality and flavor as the tacos I eat in the city, but served in Highland Park! Nibble on some chips and spicy salsa while you're waiting, and wash it all down with some horchata. My Mexican taco meal heaven. If you don't want to go the taco route, one of their specialty burritos is a MUST - the name begins with a M, and it is filled with al pastor, beans, rice, potatoes, guacamole, and covered in green sauce and cheese. A beastly and delicious burrito. A meal for 2 with a beer and 2 gordita appetizers only set us back $30. Again, in Highland Park. I have a feeling I'll be coming face to face with that beastly green sauce slathered pork burrito again very soon.
(4)
Robin C.
What Mexican restaurant runs out of AL pastor (spicey pork) at twenty minutes to three on a Saturday afternoon!? I ended up ordering a chicken burrito with avocado and it was pretty good. I also had an asada (steak) burrito. That was much better but a little chewy. They do have an awesome hot sauce. I will try the tacos next time and hopefully, they will have the AL pastor!
(3)
Adam B.
Dropped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised all around. The large, open seating area with proper tables and chairs, to start, signal that this is a real restaurant, not just a quick burrito joint. I was quickly asked what I wanted to drink, handed a large menu, and presented with a nice basket of fresh chips and salsa. So far so good. The menu has loads of choices; I selected three a la carte soft tacos - total price $6. And I didn't need to buy a whole combination meal with rice and beans, which would have been too much for lunch (especially considering I ate two baskets of complimentary chips). The tacos were excellent! On doubled corn tortillas, they were nicely overstuffed with fresh and flavorful meat, cilantro, and a bit of onion. I will definitely be back to try more from the menu.
(5)
Kevin D.
Food was EXCELLENT. I just didn't like that you would have to buy cans of pop instead of fountain drinks. I had the spicey pork burrito.
(4)
Kristen D.
Seemingly very authentic, but not being Mexican myself, it's hard for me to make that judgement. The burrito I ordered was outstandingly fresh, albeit a little bland. I ordered avocado on the side for $0.50 extra, thinking I was going to receive guac. NOT guac...this is literally fresh sliced avocado. Probably won't make the trip out to this place again, but if you're looking for very fresh food, go here.
(3)
Michael C.
If I could give no stars based on their service, I would. Food takes forever to cook even when restaurant is mostly empty. That aside, the wait staff is just plain rude. I would definitely recommend some of the other, finer places in the area (and there are many of them) as opposed to going here and getting treated like they are doing us a favor by letting us spend our money their. GO ELSEWHERE!!!
(1)
Brad S.
I eat Mexican 4-5 times as I work in a predominantly Hispanic area so I know good Mexican. This place is fast friendly and good. I love the food and the staff is always great. This is very good food and I have never been disappointed in tons of visits. The tacos are killer and the rest of the food just shames some of the more popular eateries in the area. I hope that this place stays good and cheep. But please give them a try and don't judge the book by the cover.
(5)
Romeo Q.
Inexpensive, tasty Mexican food. For party of four, we got three carne asada tostadas, one chorizo tostada (bit too salty), one beef taco with rice and beans, and one shredded chicken taco with rice and beans, all for $23.87.
(4)
Terence V.
Way too much steak in my burrito. Wait a minute, that makes no sense! If there was such a thing this place came close. Meat was tender and tasty! Service was excellent and quick. Wish I lived closer.
(5)
Frank N.
I had a quick bite for dinner here tonight as I haven't been here in quite some time. I think it was called Horaldo's before it's current name... I vividly remember the burritos and quesadillas as being outstanding and things have NOT changed. The place is much bigger than I when I was there last and it's decor is authentic Mexican. The friendly staff is in no shortage either. Tonight I had the Chicken Burrito and a regular Coke (I, too meant to get the Mexican Coke but forgot). The food was awesome. The waitress brought over both red and green salsas and both hit the spot. There was so much on the menu that I'll have to come back and hit it hard!
(4)
Mr H.
Pico de gallo with avocado. 5 Stars. If this restaurant was 5 blocks south, they could and would double their prices. The food quality is excellent. Besides the "mid-scale" ambiance, the food is great. The pico de gallo with avocado for $6 comes in a massive bowl. Not some skimpy little portion, and FRESH, EXCELLENT QUALITY. Tacos, Margaritas, Burritos, Typical Mexican fare. Give Los Mogotes a chance, The food is great, just don't expect a highline atmosphere.
(4)
John C.
So you want real Mexican food? If you are this far north, you've found the place. So what's the deal, you ask. Was in here yesterday for a quick lunch. Walking in, one feels like you've been transported to a small town in Mexico. I counted the people (not including staff) and of the thirty-one people here twenty-seven were of Hispanic descent...87%. Always follow people who grew up eating mom's ethnic cooking and most of the time, you cannot go wrong. LMDM follows that formula and the chef's moms would be proud. I had a very hearty meal which I cannot begin to describe accurately, so I won't even try, and it was delicious. Enormous sandwich with two sodas? = $7.09 Two important notes: CASH ONLY. Secondly, the restaurant is in a tiny strip mall set back from the street...it's very easy to miss it and one can drive right by it in the blink of an eye..
(5)
Mike G.
The best home made salsa, plus phenominal tacos al pastor. Gotta have it twice a week!
(4)
Ariella G.
Meh....the fact that this places rates 4 or 5 stars with other reviewers attests to the fact that there are a limited number of solid Mexican food joints around this area. We are adventurous eaters and tried the tongue burrito, which was chewy (not a good sign for tongue which is normally tender beyond compare) and tasted nasty. The carne asada tacos were decent but not delectable and the aguas frescas were not fresca at all. So, if you are desperate for some Meci food, you'll find it here but if you have the time or inclination to drive up to Waukegan, try REALLY good Mexican fast food at Toluca on Washington.
(3)
S T.
This place is over rated. I like my Mexican but when the lunch run is here i keep off the list. This is a very average steak burrito and I thing the ground beef burrito has better flavor. The beans are soupy. The menu is huge and I have eaten here about 15 times way back when this place was tiny and it's never wow or tasty. I would rather take my lunch dollar some where else in the area.
(2)
Heather R.
Really authentic and tasty. Very reasonable for the quality and area. Staff is friendly for dine, though we take out a lot. They have music on certain weekend days, which of course the kids love even if the menu isn't their favorite.
(5)
Allison M.
I'm torn here. If I'm writing this review as my past self, a proud carnivore, I'd say that this is the best Mexican food around, super authentic, lots of choices. Great burritos and tacos. But if I'm writing this review as myself now, essentially a vegetarian, I have to say this place leaves something to be desired. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch and both ordered the vegetarian burrito-- he got the regular, I got the junior. They came out, appearing to be the exact same size. We found out later that the difference was that mine only contained cheese, rice, sour cream, and refried beans... His had avocado, lettuce, and tomato. Mine tasted fine... but what was I paying for, in terms of veggie options? No avocado, no peppers, no onions. Plus, I have to doubt that the refried beans were actually legitimately vegetarian. Which also brings me to my complaint about this place across my dietary changes: the fact that they don't have any whole black or pinto beans, only the refried variety. Not a lot of opportunity for healthy eating here. We also got an order of the guacamole, which was all right (when is mushed-up avocado bad?), but which-- like the other things we ordered-- benefited a great deal by the addition of the three salsas provided as condiments when you dine in.
(3)
Cindy F.
We love this place. We found a new menu Saturday night and I tried the "handmade" quesadillas, one each in huitlacoche (black corn smut) and in what they called "pumpkin flour" - we figured out was pumpkin blossoms. Both delicious. The huitlacoche had been sauteed with onions and fresh corn so I couldn't distinguish its own flavor, but hey, it was my first time trying it. Live music Friday nights - the last time we went two guitarists serenaded our table with gorgeous traditional songs.
(4)
David M.
I don't know what the fuss is about. If I rated this place based solely on their salsas, I'd give it one star. Like the quality of the bread in Italian restaurants, I think that a Mexican restaurant's salsa reflects the soul of the place. Theirs are watery and, besides some mild heat, flavorless. I didn't enjoy the place at all. Very loud and uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
(2)
Michele B.
Driving to an appointment and starved!! Found this place totally by accident and I am so glad I did. Not much to look at on the outside but one step inside and the aroma of mole and cheese and slasa can take your breath away. The minute I walked in I was greeted and seated and presented with chips and salsa. Lot's of locals so you know it is good!! The menu is prety extensive for such a small place. The burrito is always my first try--safe but somehow always telling and what a story it told. Fresh, fast and HUGE not to mention wonderful. Couldn't finish it , had the rest for a snack on the way home from my appointment (OK so maybe a little fell in the car) but it smelled so good). Im' thinking of making lots of appointments in Highland Park just to go back!!!
(5)
Geoff J.
This is my go to lunch spot when I work out of my Deerfield corporate office. It is never too crowded at lunch and the servers are very friendly. Very reasonably priced lunch options. I usually get a chicken burrito or some tacos. I've never been dissappointed and always leave full! Love the free chips and salsa as well! Wish they would open another location in Evanston or Rogers Park so I could visit more often!
(4)
Mike P.
Love this place. Great mexican food. A little on the pricey side but you know what they say,(you get what you pay for.)
(5)
Ralph E.
3.5 stars. Clean place with nice wait people. The burritos and tostadas we very godd and fresh. The chips were ok. The downfall was the salsa. Very average at best
(3)
Steve K.
I eat at every taquira i get a chance to...the more authentic the better. this place is awesome. I always order the same thing, 2 Tacos, Carne Asada at every place. Theirs is hands down the best, not just ion the northshore, but even when compared to Logan Square & 26th street, THIS PLACE ROCKS!
(5)
Kam D.
One of the best, authentic and reasonably priced Mexican joints in the area. Normally, I prefer my Mexican food somewhere off Ashland Ave but if you're in the Highland Park/Deerfield area this is the first place you should check out. Everything I've tried here is delicious so don't be afraid to order something unfamiliar.
(4)
Taylor M.
Awesome authentic Mexican food! I went here for a quick bite to eat on my lunch break and it was just that. Fast service and quality food. I had the junior burrito with al pastor. The meat was fantastic and flavorful. The junior size burrito was plenty filling and only $5. Next time I want to try the Mexican Coke the other reviews mentioned... and I definitely will be going back!
(5)
Elyse P.
I really like this place. The food is alway fresh and consistent and tasty. I have pretty much stayed with their "combinations" on the menu and have yet to order a bad thing. The only con is that service is usually slow so it makes a trip during lunch difficult.
(4)
Sara P.
Delish. When am I going back?? Was here on Saturday for lunch...boy was I not disappointed. Expect that this is a no-thrills place. But super authentic and SO reasonable. We ordered a chicken taco each, as well as beef fajitas to split. I have no idea what was in the red and green bottles of sauce they brought to the table, but I might have bathed in it. The chicken tacos were so freakin good, and the beef fajitas had amazing flavors. Service is a tad lackluster, but I think that's just the nature of the restaurant. May want to order water upfront when they take your order, because it could be a while before someone shows up again. Like I said, though, so inexpensive for such good food. All that food and two sodas for a total of about $20.
(4)
Faye G.
Place is as genuine as it gets. However, no one speaks English so it was very hard to communicate. I ordered red sauce for my enchiladas and the waiters brought a mole sauce. One is red and one is made of chocolate and kept insisting they were the same thing. I wouldn't go back because of how exhausting it was or should work on my Spanish more...
(1)
Bill M.
This is an authentic, unpretentious Mexican family-style restaurant, and offers a great value for the food. I've gone several times, both alone and with friends and family, and have never been disappointed in the food. It's nice to be in a Mexican restaurant where there are more Mexican patrons than servers. Yes, the margaritas are so-so, so I usually order a Mexican beer, but the food is simple, ample, and tasty. Service is unhurried, like it often in Mexico, but the servers will always respond to a wave and are always pleasant and cheerful. Usually, the TVs are tuned to Spanish-language programming, so you are likely to get your choice of facing the Mexican soap operas or the (soccer) football. This isn't a place to take a date, but it's a fine place to get a solid meal after a long day working. As I wrote, authentic and unpretentious, but a great value.
(4)
Patricia P.
Maybe I am not as familiar with the traditional way to serve fajitas but mine were only ok and didn't come with any cheese or sour cream. The pitcher of margaritas we bought for $26 with Patron barely had any alcohol in it. My friends enjoyed their steak taco platters. Although I am from Baltimore where things aren't exactly cheap, my friends thought the prices were very reasonable, cheap even, so that was a saving grace.
(3)
Megan M.
To be fair, the food was pretty good here. And service was good, too. But we made the mistake of going on a Friday night and there was a mariachi duo. They were fabulous, great singing, lovely guitar playing, but for such a small place, it was way too loud. And the lighting in the restaurant was bright and obnoxious -- especially considering the serenading. The whole experience just seemed off. I'll go back -- but probably for take out.
(3)
J K.
This is my favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is nothing exceptional for a Mexican food joint, but the food is great--especially given that you can spend very little to get a perfect meal. For the past 4 years the favorite dish of my daughter (14) and I is Cecina Dinner Platillos: It has a thin grilled steak, grilled green onions and jalepeno (love these), and then sides of lettuce/tomato, rice and beans, served with warm corn tortillas. We make little sandwiches (you have to cut the meat crosswise to make it eatable in a tortilla). I also like the steak tacos in particular, although for me there is too much steak, so I split it amongst several tacos that I make with the doubled corn tortilla. Everything we've tried there is good, so I would guess that if you order your favorite Mexican entree you would probably be happy.
(5)
Michael H.
This is my go to place for good Mexican food in the northern suburbs. Some of the best tacos I've ever had, they taste like they just made the corn tortillas. I've tried pretty much every variety of meat and they are all excellent. However I have to rave about their version of al pastor, they make it with pineapple which makes the pork very tender. The three taco dinner is $5.99 and it comes with beans and rice. The refried beans taste typical and are fine. They make the rice perfect, flavorful with bits of veggies included. If you are not a fan of beans, go ahead and get two orders of rice instead with a meal. (no extra charge) I've also tried their skirt steak and have really enjoyed it, but I keep coming back for the cheap and awesome tacos. They can be a little slow sometimes when you dine in, especially since a lot of nights they will close off most of the seating and try to just have two servers that do everything including phones and the cash register. You get free chips and fresh salsa when you dine in. I love the salsa, but the chips are little too hard for my tastes. Please keep in mind that you can only pay by cash, they do not accept credit cards. There is a Citibank nearby, if you have to grab cash beforehand.
(5)
Jeff W.
Quality is consistent and always delicious. No better value for a steak taco within a twenty minute drive (much better than El Norte.) You may be able to find a taco as good but you'll pay twice as much. It's about the flavor of the steak. Mexican Coke and Pepsi in BOTTLES also nine kinds of fruit flavored soda. Eat in or take away but if you eat there be prepared for the bright fluorescent lights, the TV and the free chips and salsa. Last time we ate there some wag had put a drinking-straw wrapper in the mouth of one of the Aztec masks. Ho - ho, it made him look very continental. Try the quesadilla with the hand-made tortilla. One of the best food values on the North Shore.
(5)
Miguel g.
Good value. Pleases the less-adventurous as well as those seeking authentic dishes. Try the hand-made quesadillas with huitlacoche (corn fungus) with jamaica juice.
(4)
Paul H.
This is a great little authentic Mexican restaurant, Something you would expect to find in Highwood, just a little further south. Perfect family restaurant, low key, nothing fancy, good food, great price. Four of us, plus drinks, for $100.
(4)
sue g.
This is the best place I have found for tacos athenticos. They have a delicious handle on taco preparation--I highly recommend the steak tacos with cilantro and onion! Tastes very much like the street food I enjoy when in Mexico. Small selection of sodas, including Sidral, which is apple soda and better than it sounds. Carry out from this place, as it is a little bit genereic to eat there, but you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Michael G.
Cheap Mexican food, pretty average and all their food items are identical to Tacos el Norte just up the street.
(2)
C S.
This place is great -- low-key atmosphere and very good food. On weekends, they have the usual soups (the pozole is excellent) and tamales. They've added a juice bar in the last year or so. The mole sauce is wonderful, the spiced pork tacos are heavenly, and there is an appetizer called a picadita (which I was not familiar with before) that is not to be missed. Cash only. The sign from the street reads TAQUERIA, so look for that. The desserts are just so-so, but everything else is swell.
(5)
Ed K.
yummy authentic tacqueria; clean, friendly service, friendly prices; you know it's good 'cause the local mexican population eats here. recently expanded so they're doing well -- that's a good sign.
(5)
Jessica Y.
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed with my meal. I got a combination of 1 taco (al pastor - spicy pork), 1 tostada (steak), and 1 quesadilla (cheese). It came with rice and beans. The rice and beans were fine, nothing spectacular. One pro was that I got a TON of meat. But overall, I felt that the meat was lacking real flavor. Maybe it's the marinade or seasoning? And the cheese quesadilla was super bland. My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and barely touched the chicken (there was a ton of meat!), and it just looked so plain... maybe a burrito is the way to go?
(3)
Jan H.
Terrible food: tough carne asada; canned chile relleno; sauces tasteless; tough chips; bland guacamole; old tomato & lettuce! Do not waste your time!
(1)
Jessica S.
Delicious authentic cuisine. Menudo, huaraches, quesadillas made by hand stuffed with squash flowers, and other delicious stuffings. The steak tacos are made with actual steak that is cut up, not the usual "taco meat" mixture. It's very casual. Normally patrons sit themselves. The place also has z bar that serves drinks that are associate with Mexican Cuisine; Margaritas, Mexican beer, etc.
(4)
Tim M.
After giving this restaurant five stars we have been back several times (including bringing a large group) and the food is always good but the service has gotten worse and worse. It feels to me that either the owner is not around and is letting the inmates run the asylum or the owner is around and has so much business that he or she doesn't care about how patrons are treated. On our last visit the dinner rush was clearing out and a large pile of food and garbage was swept into a pile pretty much in the middle of the floor and left there during our visit. One man that came in to eat had to step over it to get to a table. Yuck! The restaurant wasn't crowded but our food took forever. My wife kept trying to signal our waitress who seemed to make a point of ignoring us. We finally got the other waitress to get our order once we saw that it had come up. We were pretty much ignored the rest of the meal. We asked for a box to take leftovers and after waiting and waiting for it I got up and walked over to where she was on the phone and got it myself. Ditto for paying the check. After waiting interminably I just got up to pay it at the counter. I really want to like this place. The food is great, the location perfect but if businesses don't respect me and my family as a customer I'll go elsewhere. I guess this gives us a reason to keep looking for a New Mexican favorite. If anyone has a better experience after us please review them so we can go back.
(1)
Judy F.
I felt discriminated against because we are not Hispanic. This has happened to us a few times, and we are not going back. It's awful to sit in a dining room and watch the wait staff serve people their full meals, refill their drinks, and you are still waiting for them to take your order. I literally watched the waitress walk to every one of her tables but ours. We live in a very diverse community on the North Shore, and that is one of the things we love about our community. I would not expect a local business owner to make their customers feel as unwelcome as we are made to feel here. How very disappointing.
(1)
Nick J.
Really loved this place. It feels very authentic and prices are reasonable as well. Had a Huerche for 4.99 and it was a big plate of food. I'd say service and food quality are a toss up between here and Taco El Norte in Highwood, but would go here for the atmosphere. Lunch was quite busy!
(5)
Jo D.
I've been going here for years because it's cheap and near-by but unfortunately the quality of the meat has become about as cheap as the prices, so for the past year or so I've limited my consumption to nothing but vegetarian tacos because I and my family have found that we end up with upset stomachs otherwise. Another irk is that they never give me more than a few ice cubes to go with my water - that is, if it comes with any ice at all. Also, it doesn't matte how many guests are sitting at the table, they'll present you with only one complimentary small bowl of salsa that's only half full. Aside from all of that, it's a great place to go if you enjoy reverse racism from the older waitresses. Never again; I've had my "fill." ...literally and figuratively speaking.
(1)
Carlo S.
What Judy said I felt discriminated against, but I felt that way because I was not white. My girlfriend and I were the only customers in the restaurant, we were served chips right of way and got our orders taken, about 5 minutes later two different Caucasian families walk in and we were totally forgotten, then about 3 more Caucasian families walk in, and we had to get our check from the bus boy. The waitress came only twice, once to take our order and second to deliver our food. She was so busy catering to the white folk, it ruined the delicious dinner we had. Just be prepared to be forgotten if white folks walk in.
(1)
Joe M.
Good food and service. I've sampled most of their menu and have zero complaints. Nothing spectacular but if you're looking for authentic, flavorful Mexican fare, put Mogotes on your list. And the wait staff is always very attentive and pleasant Expect to wait if you come for lunch during the week ... typical for most HP/Highwood eateries.
(4)
Paul K.
I come here all the time. Very good food for very little money. I order either a torta al pastor or a huarache al pastor.
(5)
Stephen M.
A quick check-in for a quick Saturday lunch. Everything I wanted was there: good chips with good salsa; a tasty burrito; a quiet television with a game on; quick efficient server. A quick checkout and it passes--four stars subject to further meals.
(4)
Dave V.
Very disappointed. The tostada was probably the best thing but everything else was really just mediocre. I was able to try a taco, enchilada, torta, tostada, gordita, and chiles rellenos. The rellenos was the most disappointing as it was like drinking oil with every bite. Everything else was edible and even ok but really wasn't special and i probably wont be back. The set up inside was pretty nice and looks like it'd be good for families. The prices were fair. For the lot of food, it was only about $25
(2)
Matt G.
Much better than a higher priced Mexican restaurant in HP. The food here has flavor, and the price is right. The food here tastes more like the Mexican food I grew up with, will definitely be back.
(4)
William H.
I'm guessing that in the past 90 days something major happened in the kitchen of this establishment. Lost the chef or decided to cut back on the quality (freshness ) of the ingredients or Something. Today was my first visit and the salsa gave me high hopes. Tasted great, wonderful spices. Chips were meh but salsa was great. Ordered guacamole - major disappointment. No flavor, it came right from the fridge - where it had stayed uncovered in its serving dish - to the table. Big hard chunks of un-ripe tomato and No Flavor. What can you add as "filler" to guacamole?? Ground beef tacos were a 5 out of 10. No pizazzzz. I'm going to go back in a couple weeks. They will either have fixed the problem or my review will be the least of their concerns.
(2)
Ami K.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurant. The place is clean and the staff is efficient and friendly. The soups are what we come here for. They are big portion, flavorful and delicious. I feel like I went to my Mexican grandmas house when I have a cold and she serves me this to help me recover. I've had the shrimp soup and Pozole soup. Both are delicious! Reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that their steak taco is good but not great. I recommend the pork taco.
(4)
Angela S.
My picky eater kids just started getting into burritos at Chipotle, so I figured I'd give them something super authentic and gear up for a stop that is guaranteed to make anyone want to come back. First of all, everything about this place screams lovely and cute! It's super duper clean, and it was nice to walk into a Mexican restaurant to leave without that greasy residue smell on my clothes. No evidence at all. The people who run this place are beyond sweet. It was our first time in tonight, and we placed our order to go. The menu is big, so it took us awhile to figure out what we wanted, but eventually we made our decision. They were really patient and helped us navigate through the taco madness. I ordered small sausage burrito for under $6. Okay, why anyone would need to order a large is beyond me. I still have half of it leftover for tomorrow! Not too greasy and fresh tasting. I loved the addition of chopped tomatoes mixed in with the meat and beans. I didn't order any extras like avocado, and I wish I had. This burrito was packed with meat and goodies, and the avocado would have made for a nice balance. For the boys I ordered chicken quesadillas and chicken tacos. They ate everything! By far my favorite were the cheesy gooey quesadillas loaded with shredded chicken. The tacos were simple and ample in portion size. Wow! I was afraid we didn't order enough, but we came out of there with a huge pile of food for under $16! It's more than reasonably priced here, and I have to say next time I'd love to dine in and order up a margarita from their bar. Come hungry and come back soon, because they are having a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live music.
(4)
Joel M.
We've been to Los Mogotes a number of times and it has become our go-to for really good Mexican in the Highland Park area. We love the flavorful burritos, which are huge, and their sauce. The staff is always very friendly and they do have great live music on Cinco De Mayo (and it's busy but rarely as crowded as some "mainline" Mexican places).
(4)
Frank N.
I had a quick bite for dinner here tonight as I haven't been here in quite some time. I think it was called Horaldo's before it's current name... I vividly remember the burritos and quesadillas as being outstanding and things have NOT changed. The place is much bigger than I when I was there last and it's decor is authentic Mexican. The friendly staff is in no shortage either. Tonight I had the Chicken Burrito and a regular Coke (I, too meant to get the Mexican Coke but forgot). The food was awesome. The waitress brought over both red and green salsas and both hit the spot. There was so much on the menu that I'll have to come back and hit it hard!
(4)
Tim M.
After giving this restaurant five stars we have been back several times (including bringing a large group) and the food is always good but the service has gotten worse and worse. It feels to me that either the owner is not around and is letting the inmates run the asylum or the owner is around and has so much business that he or she doesn't care about how patrons are treated. On our last visit the dinner rush was clearing out and a large pile of food and garbage was swept into a pile pretty much in the middle of the floor and left there during our visit. One man that came in to eat had to step over it to get to a table. Yuck! The restaurant wasn't crowded but our food took forever. My wife kept trying to signal our waitress who seemed to make a point of ignoring us. We finally got the other waitress to get our order once we saw that it had come up. We were pretty much ignored the rest of the meal. We asked for a box to take leftovers and after waiting and waiting for it I got up and walked over to where she was on the phone and got it myself. Ditto for paying the check. After waiting interminably I just got up to pay it at the counter. I really want to like this place. The food is great, the location perfect but if businesses don't respect me and my family as a customer I'll go elsewhere. I guess this gives us a reason to keep looking for a New Mexican favorite. If anyone has a better experience after us please review them so we can go back.
(1)
Geoff J.
This is my go to lunch spot when I work out of my Deerfield corporate office. It is never too crowded at lunch and the servers are very friendly. Very reasonably priced lunch options. I usually get a chicken burrito or some tacos. I've never been dissappointed and always leave full! Love the free chips and salsa as well! Wish they would open another location in Evanston or Rogers Park so I could visit more often!
(4)
Mike P.
Love this place. Great mexican food. A little on the pricey side but you know what they say,(you get what you pay for.)
(5)
Ralph E.
3.5 stars. Clean place with nice wait people. The burritos and tostadas we very godd and fresh. The chips were ok. The downfall was the salsa. Very average at best
(3)
Allison M.
I'm torn here. If I'm writing this review as my past self, a proud carnivore, I'd say that this is the best Mexican food around, super authentic, lots of choices. Great burritos and tacos. But if I'm writing this review as myself now, essentially a vegetarian, I have to say this place leaves something to be desired. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch and both ordered the vegetarian burrito-- he got the regular, I got the junior. They came out, appearing to be the exact same size. We found out later that the difference was that mine only contained cheese, rice, sour cream, and refried beans... His had avocado, lettuce, and tomato. Mine tasted fine... but what was I paying for, in terms of veggie options? No avocado, no peppers, no onions. Plus, I have to doubt that the refried beans were actually legitimately vegetarian. Which also brings me to my complaint about this place across my dietary changes: the fact that they don't have any whole black or pinto beans, only the refried variety. Not a lot of opportunity for healthy eating here. We also got an order of the guacamole, which was all right (when is mushed-up avocado bad?), but which-- like the other things we ordered-- benefited a great deal by the addition of the three salsas provided as condiments when you dine in.
(3)
Cindy F.
We love this place. We found a new menu Saturday night and I tried the "handmade" quesadillas, one each in huitlacoche (black corn smut) and in what they called "pumpkin flour" - we figured out was pumpkin blossoms. Both delicious. The huitlacoche had been sauteed with onions and fresh corn so I couldn't distinguish its own flavor, but hey, it was my first time trying it. Live music Friday nights - the last time we went two guitarists serenaded our table with gorgeous traditional songs.
(4)
David M.
I don't know what the fuss is about. If I rated this place based solely on their salsas, I'd give it one star. Like the quality of the bread in Italian restaurants, I think that a Mexican restaurant's salsa reflects the soul of the place. Theirs are watery and, besides some mild heat, flavorless. I didn't enjoy the place at all. Very loud and uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
(2)
Michele B.
Driving to an appointment and starved!! Found this place totally by accident and I am so glad I did. Not much to look at on the outside but one step inside and the aroma of mole and cheese and slasa can take your breath away. The minute I walked in I was greeted and seated and presented with chips and salsa. Lot's of locals so you know it is good!! The menu is prety extensive for such a small place. The burrito is always my first try--safe but somehow always telling and what a story it told. Fresh, fast and HUGE not to mention wonderful. Couldn't finish it , had the rest for a snack on the way home from my appointment (OK so maybe a little fell in the car) but it smelled so good). Im' thinking of making lots of appointments in Highland Park just to go back!!!
(5)
Steve K.
I eat at every taquira i get a chance to...the more authentic the better. this place is awesome. I always order the same thing, 2 Tacos, Carne Asada at every place. Theirs is hands down the best, not just ion the northshore, but even when compared to Logan Square & 26th street, THIS PLACE ROCKS!
(5)
Kam D.
One of the best, authentic and reasonably priced Mexican joints in the area. Normally, I prefer my Mexican food somewhere off Ashland Ave but if you're in the Highland Park/Deerfield area this is the first place you should check out. Everything I've tried here is delicious so don't be afraid to order something unfamiliar.
(4)
Taylor M.
Awesome authentic Mexican food! I went here for a quick bite to eat on my lunch break and it was just that. Fast service and quality food. I had the junior burrito with al pastor. The meat was fantastic and flavorful. The junior size burrito was plenty filling and only $5. Next time I want to try the Mexican Coke the other reviews mentioned... and I definitely will be going back!
(5)
Elyse P.
I really like this place. The food is alway fresh and consistent and tasty. I have pretty much stayed with their "combinations" on the menu and have yet to order a bad thing. The only con is that service is usually slow so it makes a trip during lunch difficult.
(4)
Sara P.
Delish. When am I going back?? Was here on Saturday for lunch...boy was I not disappointed. Expect that this is a no-thrills place. But super authentic and SO reasonable. We ordered a chicken taco each, as well as beef fajitas to split. I have no idea what was in the red and green bottles of sauce they brought to the table, but I might have bathed in it. The chicken tacos were so freakin good, and the beef fajitas had amazing flavors. Service is a tad lackluster, but I think that's just the nature of the restaurant. May want to order water upfront when they take your order, because it could be a while before someone shows up again. Like I said, though, so inexpensive for such good food. All that food and two sodas for a total of about $20.
(4)
Faye G.
Place is as genuine as it gets. However, no one speaks English so it was very hard to communicate. I ordered red sauce for my enchiladas and the waiters brought a mole sauce. One is red and one is made of chocolate and kept insisting they were the same thing. I wouldn't go back because of how exhausting it was or should work on my Spanish more...
(1)
Ariella G.
Meh....the fact that this places rates 4 or 5 stars with other reviewers attests to the fact that there are a limited number of solid Mexican food joints around this area. We are adventurous eaters and tried the tongue burrito, which was chewy (not a good sign for tongue which is normally tender beyond compare) and tasted nasty. The carne asada tacos were decent but not delectable and the aguas frescas were not fresca at all. So, if you are desperate for some Meci food, you'll find it here but if you have the time or inclination to drive up to Waukegan, try REALLY good Mexican fast food at Toluca on Washington.
(3)
Bill M.
This is an authentic, unpretentious Mexican family-style restaurant, and offers a great value for the food. I've gone several times, both alone and with friends and family, and have never been disappointed in the food. It's nice to be in a Mexican restaurant where there are more Mexican patrons than servers. Yes, the margaritas are so-so, so I usually order a Mexican beer, but the food is simple, ample, and tasty. Service is unhurried, like it often in Mexico, but the servers will always respond to a wave and are always pleasant and cheerful. Usually, the TVs are tuned to Spanish-language programming, so you are likely to get your choice of facing the Mexican soap operas or the (soccer) football. This isn't a place to take a date, but it's a fine place to get a solid meal after a long day working. As I wrote, authentic and unpretentious, but a great value.
(4)
Patricia P.
Maybe I am not as familiar with the traditional way to serve fajitas but mine were only ok and didn't come with any cheese or sour cream. The pitcher of margaritas we bought for $26 with Patron barely had any alcohol in it. My friends enjoyed their steak taco platters. Although I am from Baltimore where things aren't exactly cheap, my friends thought the prices were very reasonable, cheap even, so that was a saving grace.
(3)
Megan M.
To be fair, the food was pretty good here. And service was good, too. But we made the mistake of going on a Friday night and there was a mariachi duo. They were fabulous, great singing, lovely guitar playing, but for such a small place, it was way too loud. And the lighting in the restaurant was bright and obnoxious -- especially considering the serenading. The whole experience just seemed off. I'll go back -- but probably for take out.
(3)
Mr H.
Pico de gallo with avocado. 5 Stars. If this restaurant was 5 blocks south, they could and would double their prices. The food quality is excellent. Besides the "mid-scale" ambiance, the food is great. The pico de gallo with avocado for $6 comes in a massive bowl. Not some skimpy little portion, and FRESH, EXCELLENT QUALITY. Tacos, Margaritas, Burritos, Typical Mexican fare. Give Los Mogotes a chance, The food is great, just don't expect a highline atmosphere.
(4)
John C.
So you want real Mexican food? If you are this far north, you've found the place. So what's the deal, you ask. Was in here yesterday for a quick lunch. Walking in, one feels like you've been transported to a small town in Mexico. I counted the people (not including staff) and of the thirty-one people here twenty-seven were of Hispanic descent...87%. Always follow people who grew up eating mom's ethnic cooking and most of the time, you cannot go wrong. LMDM follows that formula and the chef's moms would be proud. I had a very hearty meal which I cannot begin to describe accurately, so I won't even try, and it was delicious. Enormous sandwich with two sodas? = $7.09 Two important notes: CASH ONLY. Secondly, the restaurant is in a tiny strip mall set back from the street...it's very easy to miss it and one can drive right by it in the blink of an eye..
(5)
Mike G.
The best home made salsa, plus phenominal tacos al pastor. Gotta have it twice a week!
(4)
Michael P.
I ordered some tacos and I asked for no onions on them and the waitress said ok(my tacos came out with a whole lot of onions lol) I also had the handmade steak quesadillas and those were pretty good!!! The service was good, the meat needed a little more seasoning, the refried beans looked like they came straight out of a can but than again who actually makes their own refried beans at a fast food joint... I guess I will go back again just for the handmade steak quesadillas
(3)
Elaine M.
If you want the the classic taco, burrito joint in Highland Park, this is the place for you. Not one of our upscale places but really great tacos, burritos and guacamole! I always go for the skirt steak tacos and an order of guac! I really like that they bring two sauces, one red and one green for the tacos. My friend really likes the spicy pork ones. Prices here can't be beat and the food is less greasy than some other local Mexican dives.
(4)
Jessica S.
Delicious authentic cuisine. Menudo, huaraches, quesadillas made by hand stuffed with squash flowers, and other delicious stuffings. The steak tacos are made with actual steak that is cut up, not the usual "taco meat" mixture. It's very casual. Normally patrons sit themselves. The place also has z bar that serves drinks that are associate with Mexican Cuisine; Margaritas, Mexican beer, etc.
(4)
Kim B.
I really wanted to try Los Mogotes because the Yelp photos of their tacos look delicious -- see for yourself. I finally tried an assortment of tacos for lunch on Saturday: 1 pork skin, 1 steak, 1 marinated spicy pork. The verdict? Not good but I've had worse, so not bad either. I thought the pork skin taco would be crispy (like chicharones) but the texture was more soggy. I felt like I was eating fat. The steak was decent but I've definitely had better. The pork (al pastor) was more sweet than spicy. Apart from the food, there were other aspects of my dining experience that I have to mention. I didn't like how "Americaned" the menu was. When looking at the different taco meat options, "al pastor" was listed as "marinated spicy pork" and "chorizo" was referred to as "Mexican sausage." If this is an authentic Mexican restaurant, the menu should reflect that. Also, the wait times for food are pretty ridiculous. I waited at least 20 minutes for my 3 tacos. This is way too long to have to wait, especially when you're hungry. Nice try, Los Mogotes, but I'll stick with my go-to taco shop from now on.
(3)
Alyssa L.
Enjoyable, fast, and reasonably priced! I really enjoy this little Mexican joint! They're Tacoes are pretty good,(I recommend the spicy pork) and unlike its neighbor...they are not so overpriced you feel sick after looking at your check. Great place for take out! The horchata and tres leches cakes is also pretty good!
(3)
Dhruv M.
Coming from California it was great being able to enjoy some authentic Mexican food! The wait staff there was really nice and helpful. I ordered a chicken breast dish covered with cheese and sauce. I asked if they could make it spicy so they subbed the sauce out for an adobo sauce which was awesome! In general the menu is pretty cheap, but I ordered an entree and that put my bill at 15. That amount for me is pretty high, but the dish lasted me two meals. Next time I'll probably go with something cheaper.
(5)
Sarah Beth B.
The more often I eat here, the more I love it. It is definitely our go-to mexican food, and probably my favorite mexican food option IN ALL OF CHICAGO LAND. We continue to get the shrimp fajitas a LOT, but have added this fancy burrito into the mix. I don't know what it's called, but it has pork, beans, POTATOES, is covered in a green sauce, and it is delicious.
(4)
Chrissy L.
I love this place! I have family in highland park, so I always stop here to pick up some food before I pop up for a visit. Love the pastor!!!
(5)
William C.
Great specialty burritos and reasonable prices I had the speciality borrito that started with a M and it was very good. Portions are big and low key place. I will be back.
(4)
Jessica Y.
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed with my meal. I got a combination of 1 taco (al pastor - spicy pork), 1 tostada (steak), and 1 quesadilla (cheese). It came with rice and beans. The rice and beans were fine, nothing spectacular. One pro was that I got a TON of meat. But overall, I felt that the meat was lacking real flavor. Maybe it's the marinade or seasoning? And the cheese quesadilla was super bland. My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and barely touched the chicken (there was a ton of meat!), and it just looked so plain... maybe a burrito is the way to go?
(3)
Jan H.
Terrible food: tough carne asada; canned chile relleno; sauces tasteless; tough chips; bland guacamole; old tomato & lettuce! Do not waste your time!
(1)
Jessica Y.
Tuesday night dinner with a girlfriend @ 6pm I ordered a carne asada burrito $5.69 and my friend had #4. 1 Chile Relleno, 1 Enchilada, 1 Taco $9.59. Her plate came with a side of corn tacos. My burrito was delicious. It was the right amount of meat to vegetables and was easy to eat. I enjoy burritos but hesitate to order them because sometimes restaurants over sauce and it gets extremely messy. I ate half of it and am having the other half for lunch today - bonus! They take credit card for orders over $10. This is a solid family run taqueria.
(4)
Jose M.
I enjoy coming here every other week. Their green enchiladas with chicken are 10/10,highly recommend for anybody to order. The horchata water is must have as well. Good service as well.
(5)
Carlos G.
came here after a cycling even so we were all starving. Food was very good and the portions were decent. I had a huarache with peppers and onions, very tasty. The Al Pastor taco has pineapple, this is a nice touch since this is the real way to serve these type of tacos. What I didnt like $1 for a spoonful of sour cream 15% tip for a 6 person table even if 2 people didnt eat. pros: they split the check so +1
(4)
Jean P.
It was so much fun with the Mariachi Band. The guacamole was so good and fresh . My husband really likes their salsa. My garlic camarones was a little dry but still tasty
(3)
Richard B.
It's been about a year since our previous visit. Removed a star. Service has slipped a bit. Kitchen was slow while moderately crowded and wait staff is more hurried and not smiling as they once did. This place is still clean as a whistle. The food has changed a little. Subtle ways that actually make a difference- negatively. They used to have fresh made tortilla's, then they switched to commercial white corn ones that were pretty good. Now, they have a rather dry and smaller yellow corn tortilla that just doesn't hold up. The Pork Pastor is still really good. I'd say their chicken meat has gotten less flavorful. Tamales were once pretty good- this trip they seemed dry. Portions seem a little smaller. Prices were not noticeably higher. So, bottom line is this restaurant now falls in line with some of the other area taqueria's- not above. A taqueria is not going to be the Ritz, and I don't expect it to be, but some subtle changes back in the right positive direction could return this place to a higher rating.
(4)
Yanyao N.
Super legit Mexican food in Highland Park. Yes, you read that correctly. No, my brain hasn't melted (all the way) from the heat. We came here tonight because: A) I was hungry, thirsty, and starting to get cranky from a weekend of looking at furniture and home decor. B) The line that stretched outside (!!!) Real Urban BBQ was pretty insane, and I encountered a very rude old man by the stairs. We needed to go elsewhere ASAP. Sprinkle in a little Yelp app magic, and off we went to de-grumpify me with tacos! It worked. Upon entering, I saw a mix of diners - for me, it is always a good sign to see Mexican people dining in a taqueria. We flipped through the menu and I'm sure there were probably enchiladas, chimichangas, and ground beef tacos on the menu, but for me, the real deal was my dinner. 1 al pastor (spicy pork) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 lengua (tongue) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 pork skin with green sauce taco with onion, cilantro, lettuce, and tomato. All on double corn tortillas. Served with 2 squeeze bottles of salsa - one red, one green. So classic. SO delicious. The same quality and flavor as the tacos I eat in the city, but served in Highland Park! Nibble on some chips and spicy salsa while you're waiting, and wash it all down with some horchata. My Mexican taco meal heaven. If you don't want to go the taco route, one of their specialty burritos is a MUST - the name begins with a M, and it is filled with al pastor, beans, rice, potatoes, guacamole, and covered in green sauce and cheese. A beastly and delicious burrito. A meal for 2 with a beer and 2 gordita appetizers only set us back $30. Again, in Highland Park. I have a feeling I'll be coming face to face with that beastly green sauce slathered pork burrito again very soon.
(4)
Robin C.
What Mexican restaurant runs out of AL pastor (spicey pork) at twenty minutes to three on a Saturday afternoon!? I ended up ordering a chicken burrito with avocado and it was pretty good. I also had an asada (steak) burrito. That was much better but a little chewy. They do have an awesome hot sauce. I will try the tacos next time and hopefully, they will have the AL pastor!
(3)
Adam B.
Dropped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised all around. The large, open seating area with proper tables and chairs, to start, signal that this is a real restaurant, not just a quick burrito joint. I was quickly asked what I wanted to drink, handed a large menu, and presented with a nice basket of fresh chips and salsa. So far so good. The menu has loads of choices; I selected three a la carte soft tacos - total price $6. And I didn't need to buy a whole combination meal with rice and beans, which would have been too much for lunch (especially considering I ate two baskets of complimentary chips). The tacos were excellent! On doubled corn tortillas, they were nicely overstuffed with fresh and flavorful meat, cilantro, and a bit of onion. I will definitely be back to try more from the menu.
(5)
Kevin D.
Food was EXCELLENT. I just didn't like that you would have to buy cans of pop instead of fountain drinks. I had the spicey pork burrito.
(4)
Kristen D.
Seemingly very authentic, but not being Mexican myself, it's hard for me to make that judgement. The burrito I ordered was outstandingly fresh, albeit a little bland. I ordered avocado on the side for $0.50 extra, thinking I was going to receive guac. NOT guac...this is literally fresh sliced avocado. Probably won't make the trip out to this place again, but if you're looking for very fresh food, go here.
(3)
Michael C.
If I could give no stars based on their service, I would. Food takes forever to cook even when restaurant is mostly empty. That aside, the wait staff is just plain rude. I would definitely recommend some of the other, finer places in the area (and there are many of them) as opposed to going here and getting treated like they are doing us a favor by letting us spend our money their. GO ELSEWHERE!!!
(1)
Brad S.
I eat Mexican 4-5 times as I work in a predominantly Hispanic area so I know good Mexican. This place is fast friendly and good. I love the food and the staff is always great. This is very good food and I have never been disappointed in tons of visits. The tacos are killer and the rest of the food just shames some of the more popular eateries in the area. I hope that this place stays good and cheep. But please give them a try and don't judge the book by the cover.
(5)
Romeo Q.
Inexpensive, tasty Mexican food. For party of four, we got three carne asada tostadas, one chorizo tostada (bit too salty), one beef taco with rice and beans, and one shredded chicken taco with rice and beans, all for $23.87.
(4)
Terence V.
Way too much steak in my burrito. Wait a minute, that makes no sense! If there was such a thing this place came close. Meat was tender and tasty! Service was excellent and quick. Wish I lived closer.
(5)
J K.
This is my favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is nothing exceptional for a Mexican food joint, but the food is great--especially given that you can spend very little to get a perfect meal. For the past 4 years the favorite dish of my daughter (14) and I is Cecina Dinner Platillos: It has a thin grilled steak, grilled green onions and jalepeno (love these), and then sides of lettuce/tomato, rice and beans, served with warm corn tortillas. We make little sandwiches (you have to cut the meat crosswise to make it eatable in a tortilla). I also like the steak tacos in particular, although for me there is too much steak, so I split it amongst several tacos that I make with the doubled corn tortilla. Everything we've tried there is good, so I would guess that if you order your favorite Mexican entree you would probably be happy.
(5)
Michael H.
This is my go to place for good Mexican food in the northern suburbs. Some of the best tacos I've ever had, they taste like they just made the corn tortillas. I've tried pretty much every variety of meat and they are all excellent. However I have to rave about their version of al pastor, they make it with pineapple which makes the pork very tender. The three taco dinner is $5.99 and it comes with beans and rice. The refried beans taste typical and are fine. They make the rice perfect, flavorful with bits of veggies included. If you are not a fan of beans, go ahead and get two orders of rice instead with a meal. (no extra charge) I've also tried their skirt steak and have really enjoyed it, but I keep coming back for the cheap and awesome tacos. They can be a little slow sometimes when you dine in, especially since a lot of nights they will close off most of the seating and try to just have two servers that do everything including phones and the cash register. You get free chips and fresh salsa when you dine in. I love the salsa, but the chips are little too hard for my tastes. Please keep in mind that you can only pay by cash, they do not accept credit cards. There is a Citibank nearby, if you have to grab cash beforehand.
(5)
Jeff W.
Quality is consistent and always delicious. No better value for a steak taco within a twenty minute drive (much better than El Norte.) You may be able to find a taco as good but you'll pay twice as much. It's about the flavor of the steak. Mexican Coke and Pepsi in BOTTLES also nine kinds of fruit flavored soda. Eat in or take away but if you eat there be prepared for the bright fluorescent lights, the TV and the free chips and salsa. Last time we ate there some wag had put a drinking-straw wrapper in the mouth of one of the Aztec masks. Ho - ho, it made him look very continental. Try the quesadilla with the hand-made tortilla. One of the best food values on the North Shore.
(5)
Miguel g.
Good value. Pleases the less-adventurous as well as those seeking authentic dishes. Try the hand-made quesadillas with huitlacoche (corn fungus) with jamaica juice.
(4)
Paul H.
This is a great little authentic Mexican restaurant, Something you would expect to find in Highwood, just a little further south. Perfect family restaurant, low key, nothing fancy, good food, great price. Four of us, plus drinks, for $100.
(4)
C S.
This place is great -- low-key atmosphere and very good food. On weekends, they have the usual soups (the pozole is excellent) and tamales. They've added a juice bar in the last year or so. The mole sauce is wonderful, the spiced pork tacos are heavenly, and there is an appetizer called a picadita (which I was not familiar with before) that is not to be missed. Cash only. The sign from the street reads TAQUERIA, so look for that. The desserts are just so-so, but everything else is swell.
(5)
Ed K.
yummy authentic tacqueria; clean, friendly service, friendly prices; you know it's good 'cause the local mexican population eats here. recently expanded so they're doing well -- that's a good sign.
(5)
S T.
This place is over rated. I like my Mexican but when the lunch run is here i keep off the list. This is a very average steak burrito and I thing the ground beef burrito has better flavor. The beans are soupy. The menu is huge and I have eaten here about 15 times way back when this place was tiny and it's never wow or tasty. I would rather take my lunch dollar some where else in the area.
(2)
Heather R.
Really authentic and tasty. Very reasonable for the quality and area. Staff is friendly for dine, though we take out a lot. They have music on certain weekend days, which of course the kids love even if the menu isn't their favorite.
(5)
sue g.
This is the best place I have found for tacos athenticos. They have a delicious handle on taco preparation--I highly recommend the steak tacos with cilantro and onion! Tastes very much like the street food I enjoy when in Mexico. Small selection of sodas, including Sidral, which is apple soda and better than it sounds. Carry out from this place, as it is a little bit genereic to eat there, but you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Michael G.
Cheap Mexican food, pretty average and all their food items are identical to Tacos el Norte just up the street.
(2)
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Address :2069 Green Bay Rd
Highland Park, IL, 60035
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
David M.
I don't know what the fuss is about. If I rated this place based solely on their salsas, I'd give it one star. Like the quality of the bread in Italian restaurants, I think that a Mexican restaurant's salsa reflects the soul of the place. Theirs are watery and, besides some mild heat, flavorless. I didn't enjoy the place at all. Very loud and uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
(2)Kim B.
I really wanted to try Los Mogotes because the Yelp photos of their tacos look delicious -- see for yourself. I finally tried an assortment of tacos for lunch on Saturday: 1 pork skin, 1 steak, 1 marinated spicy pork. The verdict? Not good but I've had worse, so not bad either. I thought the pork skin taco would be crispy (like chicharones) but the texture was more soggy. I felt like I was eating fat. The steak was decent but I've definitely had better. The pork (al pastor) was more sweet than spicy. Apart from the food, there were other aspects of my dining experience that I have to mention. I didn't like how "Americaned" the menu was. When looking at the different taco meat options, "al pastor" was listed as "marinated spicy pork" and "chorizo" was referred to as "Mexican sausage." If this is an authentic Mexican restaurant, the menu should reflect that. Also, the wait times for food are pretty ridiculous. I waited at least 20 minutes for my 3 tacos. This is way too long to have to wait, especially when you're hungry. Nice try, Los Mogotes, but I'll stick with my go-to taco shop from now on.
(3)Alyssa L.
Enjoyable, fast, and reasonably priced! I really enjoy this little Mexican joint! They're Tacoes are pretty good,(I recommend the spicy pork) and unlike its neighbor...they are not so overpriced you feel sick after looking at your check. Great place for take out! The horchata and tres leches cakes is also pretty good!
(3)Dhruv M.
Coming from California it was great being able to enjoy some authentic Mexican food! The wait staff there was really nice and helpful. I ordered a chicken breast dish covered with cheese and sauce. I asked if they could make it spicy so they subbed the sauce out for an adobo sauce which was awesome! In general the menu is pretty cheap, but I ordered an entree and that put my bill at 15. That amount for me is pretty high, but the dish lasted me two meals. Next time I'll probably go with something cheaper.
(5)Sarah Beth B.
The more often I eat here, the more I love it. It is definitely our go-to mexican food, and probably my favorite mexican food option IN ALL OF CHICAGO LAND. We continue to get the shrimp fajitas a LOT, but have added this fancy burrito into the mix. I don't know what it's called, but it has pork, beans, POTATOES, is covered in a green sauce, and it is delicious.
(4)Angela S.
My picky eater kids just started getting into burritos at Chipotle, so I figured I'd give them something super authentic and gear up for a stop that is guaranteed to make anyone want to come back. First of all, everything about this place screams lovely and cute! It's super duper clean, and it was nice to walk into a Mexican restaurant to leave without that greasy residue smell on my clothes. No evidence at all. The people who run this place are beyond sweet. It was our first time in tonight, and we placed our order to go. The menu is big, so it took us awhile to figure out what we wanted, but eventually we made our decision. They were really patient and helped us navigate through the taco madness. I ordered small sausage burrito for under $6. Okay, why anyone would need to order a large is beyond me. I still have half of it leftover for tomorrow! Not too greasy and fresh tasting. I loved the addition of chopped tomatoes mixed in with the meat and beans. I didn't order any extras like avocado, and I wish I had. This burrito was packed with meat and goodies, and the avocado would have made for a nice balance. For the boys I ordered chicken quesadillas and chicken tacos. They ate everything! By far my favorite were the cheesy gooey quesadillas loaded with shredded chicken. The tacos were simple and ample in portion size. Wow! I was afraid we didn't order enough, but we came out of there with a huge pile of food for under $16! It's more than reasonably priced here, and I have to say next time I'd love to dine in and order up a margarita from their bar. Come hungry and come back soon, because they are having a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live music.
(4)Joel M.
We've been to Los Mogotes a number of times and it has become our go-to for really good Mexican in the Highland Park area. We love the flavorful burritos, which are huge, and their sauce. The staff is always very friendly and they do have great live music on Cinco De Mayo (and it's busy but rarely as crowded as some "mainline" Mexican places).
(4)Michael P.
I ordered some tacos and I asked for no onions on them and the waitress said ok(my tacos came out with a whole lot of onions lol) I also had the handmade steak quesadillas and those were pretty good!!! The service was good, the meat needed a little more seasoning, the refried beans looked like they came straight out of a can but than again who actually makes their own refried beans at a fast food joint... I guess I will go back again just for the handmade steak quesadillas
(3)Stephen M.
A quick check-in for a quick Saturday lunch. Everything I wanted was there: good chips with good salsa; a tasty burrito; a quiet television with a game on; quick efficient server. A quick checkout and it passes--four stars subject to further meals.
(4)Matt G.
Much better than a higher priced Mexican restaurant in HP. The food here has flavor, and the price is right. The food here tastes more like the Mexican food I grew up with, will definitely be back.
(4)Dave V.
Very disappointed. The tostada was probably the best thing but everything else was really just mediocre. I was able to try a taco, enchilada, torta, tostada, gordita, and chiles rellenos. The rellenos was the most disappointing as it was like drinking oil with every bite. Everything else was edible and even ok but really wasn't special and i probably wont be back. The set up inside was pretty nice and looks like it'd be good for families. The prices were fair. For the lot of food, it was only about $25
(2)William H.
I'm guessing that in the past 90 days something major happened in the kitchen of this establishment. Lost the chef or decided to cut back on the quality (freshness ) of the ingredients or Something. Today was my first visit and the salsa gave me high hopes. Tasted great, wonderful spices. Chips were meh but salsa was great. Ordered guacamole - major disappointment. No flavor, it came right from the fridge - where it had stayed uncovered in its serving dish - to the table. Big hard chunks of un-ripe tomato and No Flavor. What can you add as "filler" to guacamole?? Ground beef tacos were a 5 out of 10. No pizazzzz. I'm going to go back in a couple weeks. They will either have fixed the problem or my review will be the least of their concerns.
(2)Ami K.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurant. The place is clean and the staff is efficient and friendly. The soups are what we come here for. They are big portion, flavorful and delicious. I feel like I went to my Mexican grandmas house when I have a cold and she serves me this to help me recover. I've had the shrimp soup and Pozole soup. Both are delicious! Reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that their steak taco is good but not great. I recommend the pork taco.
(4)Kam D.
One of the best, authentic and reasonably priced Mexican joints in the area. Normally, I prefer my Mexican food somewhere off Ashland Ave but if you're in the Highland Park/Deerfield area this is the first place you should check out. Everything I've tried here is delicious so don't be afraid to order something unfamiliar.
(4)Taylor M.
Awesome authentic Mexican food! I went here for a quick bite to eat on my lunch break and it was just that. Fast service and quality food. I had the junior burrito with al pastor. The meat was fantastic and flavorful. The junior size burrito was plenty filling and only $5. Next time I want to try the Mexican Coke the other reviews mentioned... and I definitely will be going back!
(5)Elyse P.
I really like this place. The food is alway fresh and consistent and tasty. I have pretty much stayed with their "combinations" on the menu and have yet to order a bad thing. The only con is that service is usually slow so it makes a trip during lunch difficult.
(4)Sara P.
Delish. When am I going back?? Was here on Saturday for lunch...boy was I not disappointed. Expect that this is a no-thrills place. But super authentic and SO reasonable. We ordered a chicken taco each, as well as beef fajitas to split. I have no idea what was in the red and green bottles of sauce they brought to the table, but I might have bathed in it. The chicken tacos were so freakin good, and the beef fajitas had amazing flavors. Service is a tad lackluster, but I think that's just the nature of the restaurant. May want to order water upfront when they take your order, because it could be a while before someone shows up again. Like I said, though, so inexpensive for such good food. All that food and two sodas for a total of about $20.
(4)Faye G.
Place is as genuine as it gets. However, no one speaks English so it was very hard to communicate. I ordered red sauce for my enchiladas and the waiters brought a mole sauce. One is red and one is made of chocolate and kept insisting they were the same thing. I wouldn't go back because of how exhausting it was or should work on my Spanish more...
(1)Ariella G.
Meh....the fact that this places rates 4 or 5 stars with other reviewers attests to the fact that there are a limited number of solid Mexican food joints around this area. We are adventurous eaters and tried the tongue burrito, which was chewy (not a good sign for tongue which is normally tender beyond compare) and tasted nasty. The carne asada tacos were decent but not delectable and the aguas frescas were not fresca at all. So, if you are desperate for some Meci food, you'll find it here but if you have the time or inclination to drive up to Waukegan, try REALLY good Mexican fast food at Toluca on Washington.
(3)S T.
This place is over rated. I like my Mexican but when the lunch run is here i keep off the list. This is a very average steak burrito and I thing the ground beef burrito has better flavor. The beans are soupy. The menu is huge and I have eaten here about 15 times way back when this place was tiny and it's never wow or tasty. I would rather take my lunch dollar some where else in the area.
(2)Heather R.
Really authentic and tasty. Very reasonable for the quality and area. Staff is friendly for dine, though we take out a lot. They have music on certain weekend days, which of course the kids love even if the menu isn't their favorite.
(5)C S.
This place is great -- low-key atmosphere and very good food. On weekends, they have the usual soups (the pozole is excellent) and tamales. They've added a juice bar in the last year or so. The mole sauce is wonderful, the spiced pork tacos are heavenly, and there is an appetizer called a picadita (which I was not familiar with before) that is not to be missed. Cash only. The sign from the street reads TAQUERIA, so look for that. The desserts are just so-so, but everything else is swell.
(5)Ed K.
yummy authentic tacqueria; clean, friendly service, friendly prices; you know it's good 'cause the local mexican population eats here. recently expanded so they're doing well -- that's a good sign.
(5)Michael H.
This is my go to place for good Mexican food in the northern suburbs. Some of the best tacos I've ever had, they taste like they just made the corn tortillas. I've tried pretty much every variety of meat and they are all excellent. However I have to rave about their version of al pastor, they make it with pineapple which makes the pork very tender. The three taco dinner is $5.99 and it comes with beans and rice. The refried beans taste typical and are fine. They make the rice perfect, flavorful with bits of veggies included. If you are not a fan of beans, go ahead and get two orders of rice instead with a meal. (no extra charge) I've also tried their skirt steak and have really enjoyed it, but I keep coming back for the cheap and awesome tacos. They can be a little slow sometimes when you dine in, especially since a lot of nights they will close off most of the seating and try to just have two servers that do everything including phones and the cash register. You get free chips and fresh salsa when you dine in. I love the salsa, but the chips are little too hard for my tastes. Please keep in mind that you can only pay by cash, they do not accept credit cards. There is a Citibank nearby, if you have to grab cash beforehand.
(5)Jeff W.
Quality is consistent and always delicious. No better value for a steak taco within a twenty minute drive (much better than El Norte.) You may be able to find a taco as good but you'll pay twice as much. It's about the flavor of the steak. Mexican Coke and Pepsi in BOTTLES also nine kinds of fruit flavored soda. Eat in or take away but if you eat there be prepared for the bright fluorescent lights, the TV and the free chips and salsa. Last time we ate there some wag had put a drinking-straw wrapper in the mouth of one of the Aztec masks. Ho - ho, it made him look very continental. Try the quesadilla with the hand-made tortilla. One of the best food values on the North Shore.
(5)Miguel g.
Good value. Pleases the less-adventurous as well as those seeking authentic dishes. Try the hand-made quesadillas with huitlacoche (corn fungus) with jamaica juice.
(4)Paul H.
This is a great little authentic Mexican restaurant, Something you would expect to find in Highwood, just a little further south. Perfect family restaurant, low key, nothing fancy, good food, great price. Four of us, plus drinks, for $100.
(4)sue g.
This is the best place I have found for tacos athenticos. They have a delicious handle on taco preparation--I highly recommend the steak tacos with cilantro and onion! Tastes very much like the street food I enjoy when in Mexico. Small selection of sodas, including Sidral, which is apple soda and better than it sounds. Carry out from this place, as it is a little bit genereic to eat there, but you will not be disappointed.
(5)Michael G.
Cheap Mexican food, pretty average and all their food items are identical to Tacos el Norte just up the street.
(2)Bill M.
This is an authentic, unpretentious Mexican family-style restaurant, and offers a great value for the food. I've gone several times, both alone and with friends and family, and have never been disappointed in the food. It's nice to be in a Mexican restaurant where there are more Mexican patrons than servers. Yes, the margaritas are so-so, so I usually order a Mexican beer, but the food is simple, ample, and tasty. Service is unhurried, like it often in Mexico, but the servers will always respond to a wave and are always pleasant and cheerful. Usually, the TVs are tuned to Spanish-language programming, so you are likely to get your choice of facing the Mexican soap operas or the (soccer) football. This isn't a place to take a date, but it's a fine place to get a solid meal after a long day working. As I wrote, authentic and unpretentious, but a great value.
(4)Patricia P.
Maybe I am not as familiar with the traditional way to serve fajitas but mine were only ok and didn't come with any cheese or sour cream. The pitcher of margaritas we bought for $26 with Patron barely had any alcohol in it. My friends enjoyed their steak taco platters. Although I am from Baltimore where things aren't exactly cheap, my friends thought the prices were very reasonable, cheap even, so that was a saving grace.
(3)Megan M.
To be fair, the food was pretty good here. And service was good, too. But we made the mistake of going on a Friday night and there was a mariachi duo. They were fabulous, great singing, lovely guitar playing, but for such a small place, it was way too loud. And the lighting in the restaurant was bright and obnoxious -- especially considering the serenading. The whole experience just seemed off. I'll go back -- but probably for take out.
(3)Mr H.
Pico de gallo with avocado. 5 Stars. If this restaurant was 5 blocks south, they could and would double their prices. The food quality is excellent. Besides the "mid-scale" ambiance, the food is great. The pico de gallo with avocado for $6 comes in a massive bowl. Not some skimpy little portion, and FRESH, EXCELLENT QUALITY. Tacos, Margaritas, Burritos, Typical Mexican fare. Give Los Mogotes a chance, The food is great, just don't expect a highline atmosphere.
(4)Mike G.
The best home made salsa, plus phenominal tacos al pastor. Gotta have it twice a week!
(4)Judy F.
I felt discriminated against because we are not Hispanic. This has happened to us a few times, and we are not going back. It's awful to sit in a dining room and watch the wait staff serve people their full meals, refill their drinks, and you are still waiting for them to take your order. I literally watched the waitress walk to every one of her tables but ours. We live in a very diverse community on the North Shore, and that is one of the things we love about our community. I would not expect a local business owner to make their customers feel as unwelcome as we are made to feel here. How very disappointing.
(1)Nick J.
Really loved this place. It feels very authentic and prices are reasonable as well. Had a Huerche for 4.99 and it was a big plate of food. I'd say service and food quality are a toss up between here and Taco El Norte in Highwood, but would go here for the atmosphere. Lunch was quite busy!
(5)Jo D.
I've been going here for years because it's cheap and near-by but unfortunately the quality of the meat has become about as cheap as the prices, so for the past year or so I've limited my consumption to nothing but vegetarian tacos because I and my family have found that we end up with upset stomachs otherwise. Another irk is that they never give me more than a few ice cubes to go with my water - that is, if it comes with any ice at all. Also, it doesn't matte how many guests are sitting at the table, they'll present you with only one complimentary small bowl of salsa that's only half full. Aside from all of that, it's a great place to go if you enjoy reverse racism from the older waitresses. Never again; I've had my "fill." ...literally and figuratively speaking.
(1)Carlo S.
What Judy said I felt discriminated against, but I felt that way because I was not white. My girlfriend and I were the only customers in the restaurant, we were served chips right of way and got our orders taken, about 5 minutes later two different Caucasian families walk in and we were totally forgotten, then about 3 more Caucasian families walk in, and we had to get our check from the bus boy. The waitress came only twice, once to take our order and second to deliver our food. She was so busy catering to the white folk, it ruined the delicious dinner we had. Just be prepared to be forgotten if white folks walk in.
(1)Joe M.
Good food and service. I've sampled most of their menu and have zero complaints. Nothing spectacular but if you're looking for authentic, flavorful Mexican fare, put Mogotes on your list. And the wait staff is always very attentive and pleasant Expect to wait if you come for lunch during the week ... typical for most HP/Highwood eateries.
(4)Paul K.
I come here all the time. Very good food for very little money. I order either a torta al pastor or a huarache al pastor.
(5)Elaine M.
If you want the the classic taco, burrito joint in Highland Park, this is the place for you. Not one of our upscale places but really great tacos, burritos and guacamole! I always go for the skirt steak tacos and an order of guac! I really like that they bring two sauces, one red and one green for the tacos. My friend really likes the spicy pork ones. Prices here can't be beat and the food is less greasy than some other local Mexican dives.
(4)Jessica S.
Delicious authentic cuisine. Menudo, huaraches, quesadillas made by hand stuffed with squash flowers, and other delicious stuffings. The steak tacos are made with actual steak that is cut up, not the usual "taco meat" mixture. It's very casual. Normally patrons sit themselves. The place also has z bar that serves drinks that are associate with Mexican Cuisine; Margaritas, Mexican beer, etc.
(4)Chrissy L.
I love this place! I have family in highland park, so I always stop here to pick up some food before I pop up for a visit. Love the pastor!!!
(5)Jessica Y.
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed with my meal. I got a combination of 1 taco (al pastor - spicy pork), 1 tostada (steak), and 1 quesadilla (cheese). It came with rice and beans. The rice and beans were fine, nothing spectacular. One pro was that I got a TON of meat. But overall, I felt that the meat was lacking real flavor. Maybe it's the marinade or seasoning? And the cheese quesadilla was super bland. My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and barely touched the chicken (there was a ton of meat!), and it just looked so plain... maybe a burrito is the way to go?
(3)William C.
Great specialty burritos and reasonable prices I had the speciality borrito that started with a M and it was very good. Portions are big and low key place. I will be back.
(4)Jan H.
Terrible food: tough carne asada; canned chile relleno; sauces tasteless; tough chips; bland guacamole; old tomato & lettuce! Do not waste your time!
(1)Jessica Y.
Tuesday night dinner with a girlfriend @ 6pm I ordered a carne asada burrito $5.69 and my friend had #4. 1 Chile Relleno, 1 Enchilada, 1 Taco $9.59. Her plate came with a side of corn tacos. My burrito was delicious. It was the right amount of meat to vegetables and was easy to eat. I enjoy burritos but hesitate to order them because sometimes restaurants over sauce and it gets extremely messy. I ate half of it and am having the other half for lunch today - bonus! They take credit card for orders over $10. This is a solid family run taqueria.
(4)Jose M.
I enjoy coming here every other week. Their green enchiladas with chicken are 10/10,highly recommend for anybody to order. The horchata water is must have as well. Good service as well.
(5)Allison M.
I'm torn here. If I'm writing this review as my past self, a proud carnivore, I'd say that this is the best Mexican food around, super authentic, lots of choices. Great burritos and tacos. But if I'm writing this review as myself now, essentially a vegetarian, I have to say this place leaves something to be desired. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch and both ordered the vegetarian burrito-- he got the regular, I got the junior. They came out, appearing to be the exact same size. We found out later that the difference was that mine only contained cheese, rice, sour cream, and refried beans... His had avocado, lettuce, and tomato. Mine tasted fine... but what was I paying for, in terms of veggie options? No avocado, no peppers, no onions. Plus, I have to doubt that the refried beans were actually legitimately vegetarian. Which also brings me to my complaint about this place across my dietary changes: the fact that they don't have any whole black or pinto beans, only the refried variety. Not a lot of opportunity for healthy eating here. We also got an order of the guacamole, which was all right (when is mushed-up avocado bad?), but which-- like the other things we ordered-- benefited a great deal by the addition of the three salsas provided as condiments when you dine in.
(3)Cindy F.
We love this place. We found a new menu Saturday night and I tried the "handmade" quesadillas, one each in huitlacoche (black corn smut) and in what they called "pumpkin flour" - we figured out was pumpkin blossoms. Both delicious. The huitlacoche had been sauteed with onions and fresh corn so I couldn't distinguish its own flavor, but hey, it was my first time trying it. Live music Friday nights - the last time we went two guitarists serenaded our table with gorgeous traditional songs.
(4)Carlos G.
came here after a cycling even so we were all starving. Food was very good and the portions were decent. I had a huarache with peppers and onions, very tasty. The Al Pastor taco has pineapple, this is a nice touch since this is the real way to serve these type of tacos. What I didnt like $1 for a spoonful of sour cream 15% tip for a 6 person table even if 2 people didnt eat. pros: they split the check so +1
(4)Jean P.
It was so much fun with the Mariachi Band. The guacamole was so good and fresh . My husband really likes their salsa. My garlic camarones was a little dry but still tasty
(3)Michele B.
Driving to an appointment and starved!! Found this place totally by accident and I am so glad I did. Not much to look at on the outside but one step inside and the aroma of mole and cheese and slasa can take your breath away. The minute I walked in I was greeted and seated and presented with chips and salsa. Lot's of locals so you know it is good!! The menu is prety extensive for such a small place. The burrito is always my first try--safe but somehow always telling and what a story it told. Fresh, fast and HUGE not to mention wonderful. Couldn't finish it , had the rest for a snack on the way home from my appointment (OK so maybe a little fell in the car) but it smelled so good). Im' thinking of making lots of appointments in Highland Park just to go back!!!
(5)Richard B.
It's been about a year since our previous visit. Removed a star. Service has slipped a bit. Kitchen was slow while moderately crowded and wait staff is more hurried and not smiling as they once did. This place is still clean as a whistle. The food has changed a little. Subtle ways that actually make a difference- negatively. They used to have fresh made tortilla's, then they switched to commercial white corn ones that were pretty good. Now, they have a rather dry and smaller yellow corn tortilla that just doesn't hold up. The Pork Pastor is still really good. I'd say their chicken meat has gotten less flavorful. Tamales were once pretty good- this trip they seemed dry. Portions seem a little smaller. Prices were not noticeably higher. So, bottom line is this restaurant now falls in line with some of the other area taqueria's- not above. A taqueria is not going to be the Ritz, and I don't expect it to be, but some subtle changes back in the right positive direction could return this place to a higher rating.
(4)Robin C.
What Mexican restaurant runs out of AL pastor (spicey pork) at twenty minutes to three on a Saturday afternoon!? I ended up ordering a chicken burrito with avocado and it was pretty good. I also had an asada (steak) burrito. That was much better but a little chewy. They do have an awesome hot sauce. I will try the tacos next time and hopefully, they will have the AL pastor!
(3)Adam B.
Dropped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised all around. The large, open seating area with proper tables and chairs, to start, signal that this is a real restaurant, not just a quick burrito joint. I was quickly asked what I wanted to drink, handed a large menu, and presented with a nice basket of fresh chips and salsa. So far so good. The menu has loads of choices; I selected three a la carte soft tacos - total price $6. And I didn't need to buy a whole combination meal with rice and beans, which would have been too much for lunch (especially considering I ate two baskets of complimentary chips). The tacos were excellent! On doubled corn tortillas, they were nicely overstuffed with fresh and flavorful meat, cilantro, and a bit of onion. I will definitely be back to try more from the menu.
(5)Kevin D.
Food was EXCELLENT. I just didn't like that you would have to buy cans of pop instead of fountain drinks. I had the spicey pork burrito.
(4)Kristen D.
Seemingly very authentic, but not being Mexican myself, it's hard for me to make that judgement. The burrito I ordered was outstandingly fresh, albeit a little bland. I ordered avocado on the side for $0.50 extra, thinking I was going to receive guac. NOT guac...this is literally fresh sliced avocado. Probably won't make the trip out to this place again, but if you're looking for very fresh food, go here.
(3)Michael C.
If I could give no stars based on their service, I would. Food takes forever to cook even when restaurant is mostly empty. That aside, the wait staff is just plain rude. I would definitely recommend some of the other, finer places in the area (and there are many of them) as opposed to going here and getting treated like they are doing us a favor by letting us spend our money their. GO ELSEWHERE!!!
(1)Brad S.
I eat Mexican 4-5 times as I work in a predominantly Hispanic area so I know good Mexican. This place is fast friendly and good. I love the food and the staff is always great. This is very good food and I have never been disappointed in tons of visits. The tacos are killer and the rest of the food just shames some of the more popular eateries in the area. I hope that this place stays good and cheep. But please give them a try and don't judge the book by the cover.
(5)Romeo Q.
Inexpensive, tasty Mexican food. For party of four, we got three carne asada tostadas, one chorizo tostada (bit too salty), one beef taco with rice and beans, and one shredded chicken taco with rice and beans, all for $23.87.
(4)Terence V.
Way too much steak in my burrito. Wait a minute, that makes no sense! If there was such a thing this place came close. Meat was tender and tasty! Service was excellent and quick. Wish I lived closer.
(5)Frank N.
I had a quick bite for dinner here tonight as I haven't been here in quite some time. I think it was called Horaldo's before it's current name... I vividly remember the burritos and quesadillas as being outstanding and things have NOT changed. The place is much bigger than I when I was there last and it's decor is authentic Mexican. The friendly staff is in no shortage either. Tonight I had the Chicken Burrito and a regular Coke (I, too meant to get the Mexican Coke but forgot). The food was awesome. The waitress brought over both red and green salsas and both hit the spot. There was so much on the menu that I'll have to come back and hit it hard!
(4)Yanyao N.
Super legit Mexican food in Highland Park. Yes, you read that correctly. No, my brain hasn't melted (all the way) from the heat. We came here tonight because: A) I was hungry, thirsty, and starting to get cranky from a weekend of looking at furniture and home decor. B) The line that stretched outside (!!!) Real Urban BBQ was pretty insane, and I encountered a very rude old man by the stairs. We needed to go elsewhere ASAP. Sprinkle in a little Yelp app magic, and off we went to de-grumpify me with tacos! It worked. Upon entering, I saw a mix of diners - for me, it is always a good sign to see Mexican people dining in a taqueria. We flipped through the menu and I'm sure there were probably enchiladas, chimichangas, and ground beef tacos on the menu, but for me, the real deal was my dinner. 1 al pastor (spicy pork) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 lengua (tongue) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 pork skin with green sauce taco with onion, cilantro, lettuce, and tomato. All on double corn tortillas. Served with 2 squeeze bottles of salsa - one red, one green. So classic. SO delicious. The same quality and flavor as the tacos I eat in the city, but served in Highland Park! Nibble on some chips and spicy salsa while you're waiting, and wash it all down with some horchata. My Mexican taco meal heaven. If you don't want to go the taco route, one of their specialty burritos is a MUST - the name begins with a M, and it is filled with al pastor, beans, rice, potatoes, guacamole, and covered in green sauce and cheese. A beastly and delicious burrito. A meal for 2 with a beer and 2 gordita appetizers only set us back $30. Again, in Highland Park. I have a feeling I'll be coming face to face with that beastly green sauce slathered pork burrito again very soon.
(4)Tim M.
After giving this restaurant five stars we have been back several times (including bringing a large group) and the food is always good but the service has gotten worse and worse. It feels to me that either the owner is not around and is letting the inmates run the asylum or the owner is around and has so much business that he or she doesn't care about how patrons are treated. On our last visit the dinner rush was clearing out and a large pile of food and garbage was swept into a pile pretty much in the middle of the floor and left there during our visit. One man that came in to eat had to step over it to get to a table. Yuck! The restaurant wasn't crowded but our food took forever. My wife kept trying to signal our waitress who seemed to make a point of ignoring us. We finally got the other waitress to get our order once we saw that it had come up. We were pretty much ignored the rest of the meal. We asked for a box to take leftovers and after waiting and waiting for it I got up and walked over to where she was on the phone and got it myself. Ditto for paying the check. After waiting interminably I just got up to pay it at the counter. I really want to like this place. The food is great, the location perfect but if businesses don't respect me and my family as a customer I'll go elsewhere. I guess this gives us a reason to keep looking for a New Mexican favorite. If anyone has a better experience after us please review them so we can go back.
(1)Geoff J.
This is my go to lunch spot when I work out of my Deerfield corporate office. It is never too crowded at lunch and the servers are very friendly. Very reasonably priced lunch options. I usually get a chicken burrito or some tacos. I've never been dissappointed and always leave full! Love the free chips and salsa as well! Wish they would open another location in Evanston or Rogers Park so I could visit more often!
(4)Mike P.
Love this place. Great mexican food. A little on the pricey side but you know what they say,(you get what you pay for.)
(5)Ralph E.
3.5 stars. Clean place with nice wait people. The burritos and tostadas we very godd and fresh. The chips were ok. The downfall was the salsa. Very average at best
(3)John C.
So you want real Mexican food? If you are this far north, you've found the place. So what's the deal, you ask. Was in here yesterday for a quick lunch. Walking in, one feels like you've been transported to a small town in Mexico. I counted the people (not including staff) and of the thirty-one people here twenty-seven were of Hispanic descent...87%. Always follow people who grew up eating mom's ethnic cooking and most of the time, you cannot go wrong. LMDM follows that formula and the chef's moms would be proud. I had a very hearty meal which I cannot begin to describe accurately, so I won't even try, and it was delicious. Enormous sandwich with two sodas? = $7.09 Two important notes: CASH ONLY. Secondly, the restaurant is in a tiny strip mall set back from the street...it's very easy to miss it and one can drive right by it in the blink of an eye..
(5)J K.
This is my favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is nothing exceptional for a Mexican food joint, but the food is great--especially given that you can spend very little to get a perfect meal. For the past 4 years the favorite dish of my daughter (14) and I is Cecina Dinner Platillos: It has a thin grilled steak, grilled green onions and jalepeno (love these), and then sides of lettuce/tomato, rice and beans, served with warm corn tortillas. We make little sandwiches (you have to cut the meat crosswise to make it eatable in a tortilla). I also like the steak tacos in particular, although for me there is too much steak, so I split it amongst several tacos that I make with the doubled corn tortilla. Everything we've tried there is good, so I would guess that if you order your favorite Mexican entree you would probably be happy.
(5)Steve K.
I eat at every taquira i get a chance to...the more authentic the better. this place is awesome. I always order the same thing, 2 Tacos, Carne Asada at every place. Theirs is hands down the best, not just ion the northshore, but even when compared to Logan Square & 26th street, THIS PLACE ROCKS!
(5)Stephen M.
A quick check-in for a quick Saturday lunch. Everything I wanted was there: good chips with good salsa; a tasty burrito; a quiet television with a game on; quick efficient server. A quick checkout and it passes--four stars subject to further meals.
(4)Dave V.
Very disappointed. The tostada was probably the best thing but everything else was really just mediocre. I was able to try a taco, enchilada, torta, tostada, gordita, and chiles rellenos. The rellenos was the most disappointing as it was like drinking oil with every bite. Everything else was edible and even ok but really wasn't special and i probably wont be back. The set up inside was pretty nice and looks like it'd be good for families. The prices were fair. For the lot of food, it was only about $25
(2)Matt G.
Much better than a higher priced Mexican restaurant in HP. The food here has flavor, and the price is right. The food here tastes more like the Mexican food I grew up with, will definitely be back.
(4)William H.
I'm guessing that in the past 90 days something major happened in the kitchen of this establishment. Lost the chef or decided to cut back on the quality (freshness ) of the ingredients or Something. Today was my first visit and the salsa gave me high hopes. Tasted great, wonderful spices. Chips were meh but salsa was great. Ordered guacamole - major disappointment. No flavor, it came right from the fridge - where it had stayed uncovered in its serving dish - to the table. Big hard chunks of un-ripe tomato and No Flavor. What can you add as "filler" to guacamole?? Ground beef tacos were a 5 out of 10. No pizazzzz. I'm going to go back in a couple weeks. They will either have fixed the problem or my review will be the least of their concerns.
(2)Ami K.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurant. The place is clean and the staff is efficient and friendly. The soups are what we come here for. They are big portion, flavorful and delicious. I feel like I went to my Mexican grandmas house when I have a cold and she serves me this to help me recover. I've had the shrimp soup and Pozole soup. Both are delicious! Reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that their steak taco is good but not great. I recommend the pork taco.
(4)Angela S.
My picky eater kids just started getting into burritos at Chipotle, so I figured I'd give them something super authentic and gear up for a stop that is guaranteed to make anyone want to come back. First of all, everything about this place screams lovely and cute! It's super duper clean, and it was nice to walk into a Mexican restaurant to leave without that greasy residue smell on my clothes. No evidence at all. The people who run this place are beyond sweet. It was our first time in tonight, and we placed our order to go. The menu is big, so it took us awhile to figure out what we wanted, but eventually we made our decision. They were really patient and helped us navigate through the taco madness. I ordered small sausage burrito for under $6. Okay, why anyone would need to order a large is beyond me. I still have half of it leftover for tomorrow! Not too greasy and fresh tasting. I loved the addition of chopped tomatoes mixed in with the meat and beans. I didn't order any extras like avocado, and I wish I had. This burrito was packed with meat and goodies, and the avocado would have made for a nice balance. For the boys I ordered chicken quesadillas and chicken tacos. They ate everything! By far my favorite were the cheesy gooey quesadillas loaded with shredded chicken. The tacos were simple and ample in portion size. Wow! I was afraid we didn't order enough, but we came out of there with a huge pile of food for under $16! It's more than reasonably priced here, and I have to say next time I'd love to dine in and order up a margarita from their bar. Come hungry and come back soon, because they are having a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live music.
(4)Joel M.
We've been to Los Mogotes a number of times and it has become our go-to for really good Mexican in the Highland Park area. We love the flavorful burritos, which are huge, and their sauce. The staff is always very friendly and they do have great live music on Cinco De Mayo (and it's busy but rarely as crowded as some "mainline" Mexican places).
(4)Michael P.
I ordered some tacos and I asked for no onions on them and the waitress said ok(my tacos came out with a whole lot of onions lol) I also had the handmade steak quesadillas and those were pretty good!!! The service was good, the meat needed a little more seasoning, the refried beans looked like they came straight out of a can but than again who actually makes their own refried beans at a fast food joint... I guess I will go back again just for the handmade steak quesadillas
(3)Judy F.
I felt discriminated against because we are not Hispanic. This has happened to us a few times, and we are not going back. It's awful to sit in a dining room and watch the wait staff serve people their full meals, refill their drinks, and you are still waiting for them to take your order. I literally watched the waitress walk to every one of her tables but ours. We live in a very diverse community on the North Shore, and that is one of the things we love about our community. I would not expect a local business owner to make their customers feel as unwelcome as we are made to feel here. How very disappointing.
(1)Nick J.
Really loved this place. It feels very authentic and prices are reasonable as well. Had a Huerche for 4.99 and it was a big plate of food. I'd say service and food quality are a toss up between here and Taco El Norte in Highwood, but would go here for the atmosphere. Lunch was quite busy!
(5)Jo D.
I've been going here for years because it's cheap and near-by but unfortunately the quality of the meat has become about as cheap as the prices, so for the past year or so I've limited my consumption to nothing but vegetarian tacos because I and my family have found that we end up with upset stomachs otherwise. Another irk is that they never give me more than a few ice cubes to go with my water - that is, if it comes with any ice at all. Also, it doesn't matte how many guests are sitting at the table, they'll present you with only one complimentary small bowl of salsa that's only half full. Aside from all of that, it's a great place to go if you enjoy reverse racism from the older waitresses. Never again; I've had my "fill." ...literally and figuratively speaking.
(1)Carlo S.
What Judy said I felt discriminated against, but I felt that way because I was not white. My girlfriend and I were the only customers in the restaurant, we were served chips right of way and got our orders taken, about 5 minutes later two different Caucasian families walk in and we were totally forgotten, then about 3 more Caucasian families walk in, and we had to get our check from the bus boy. The waitress came only twice, once to take our order and second to deliver our food. She was so busy catering to the white folk, it ruined the delicious dinner we had. Just be prepared to be forgotten if white folks walk in.
(1)Joe M.
Good food and service. I've sampled most of their menu and have zero complaints. Nothing spectacular but if you're looking for authentic, flavorful Mexican fare, put Mogotes on your list. And the wait staff is always very attentive and pleasant Expect to wait if you come for lunch during the week ... typical for most HP/Highwood eateries.
(4)Paul K.
I come here all the time. Very good food for very little money. I order either a torta al pastor or a huarache al pastor.
(5)Elaine M.
If you want the the classic taco, burrito joint in Highland Park, this is the place for you. Not one of our upscale places but really great tacos, burritos and guacamole! I always go for the skirt steak tacos and an order of guac! I really like that they bring two sauces, one red and one green for the tacos. My friend really likes the spicy pork ones. Prices here can't be beat and the food is less greasy than some other local Mexican dives.
(4)Kim B.
I really wanted to try Los Mogotes because the Yelp photos of their tacos look delicious -- see for yourself. I finally tried an assortment of tacos for lunch on Saturday: 1 pork skin, 1 steak, 1 marinated spicy pork. The verdict? Not good but I've had worse, so not bad either. I thought the pork skin taco would be crispy (like chicharones) but the texture was more soggy. I felt like I was eating fat. The steak was decent but I've definitely had better. The pork (al pastor) was more sweet than spicy. Apart from the food, there were other aspects of my dining experience that I have to mention. I didn't like how "Americaned" the menu was. When looking at the different taco meat options, "al pastor" was listed as "marinated spicy pork" and "chorizo" was referred to as "Mexican sausage." If this is an authentic Mexican restaurant, the menu should reflect that. Also, the wait times for food are pretty ridiculous. I waited at least 20 minutes for my 3 tacos. This is way too long to have to wait, especially when you're hungry. Nice try, Los Mogotes, but I'll stick with my go-to taco shop from now on.
(3)Alyssa L.
Enjoyable, fast, and reasonably priced! I really enjoy this little Mexican joint! They're Tacoes are pretty good,(I recommend the spicy pork) and unlike its neighbor...they are not so overpriced you feel sick after looking at your check. Great place for take out! The horchata and tres leches cakes is also pretty good!
(3)Dhruv M.
Coming from California it was great being able to enjoy some authentic Mexican food! The wait staff there was really nice and helpful. I ordered a chicken breast dish covered with cheese and sauce. I asked if they could make it spicy so they subbed the sauce out for an adobo sauce which was awesome! In general the menu is pretty cheap, but I ordered an entree and that put my bill at 15. That amount for me is pretty high, but the dish lasted me two meals. Next time I'll probably go with something cheaper.
(5)Sarah Beth B.
The more often I eat here, the more I love it. It is definitely our go-to mexican food, and probably my favorite mexican food option IN ALL OF CHICAGO LAND. We continue to get the shrimp fajitas a LOT, but have added this fancy burrito into the mix. I don't know what it's called, but it has pork, beans, POTATOES, is covered in a green sauce, and it is delicious.
(4)Chrissy L.
I love this place! I have family in highland park, so I always stop here to pick up some food before I pop up for a visit. Love the pastor!!!
(5)William C.
Great specialty burritos and reasonable prices I had the speciality borrito that started with a M and it was very good. Portions are big and low key place. I will be back.
(4)Jessica Y.
Tuesday night dinner with a girlfriend @ 6pm I ordered a carne asada burrito $5.69 and my friend had #4. 1 Chile Relleno, 1 Enchilada, 1 Taco $9.59. Her plate came with a side of corn tacos. My burrito was delicious. It was the right amount of meat to vegetables and was easy to eat. I enjoy burritos but hesitate to order them because sometimes restaurants over sauce and it gets extremely messy. I ate half of it and am having the other half for lunch today - bonus! They take credit card for orders over $10. This is a solid family run taqueria.
(4)Jose M.
I enjoy coming here every other week. Their green enchiladas with chicken are 10/10,highly recommend for anybody to order. The horchata water is must have as well. Good service as well.
(5)Carlos G.
came here after a cycling even so we were all starving. Food was very good and the portions were decent. I had a huarache with peppers and onions, very tasty. The Al Pastor taco has pineapple, this is a nice touch since this is the real way to serve these type of tacos. What I didnt like $1 for a spoonful of sour cream 15% tip for a 6 person table even if 2 people didnt eat. pros: they split the check so +1
(4)Jean P.
It was so much fun with the Mariachi Band. The guacamole was so good and fresh . My husband really likes their salsa. My garlic camarones was a little dry but still tasty
(3)Richard B.
It's been about a year since our previous visit. Removed a star. Service has slipped a bit. Kitchen was slow while moderately crowded and wait staff is more hurried and not smiling as they once did. This place is still clean as a whistle. The food has changed a little. Subtle ways that actually make a difference- negatively. They used to have fresh made tortilla's, then they switched to commercial white corn ones that were pretty good. Now, they have a rather dry and smaller yellow corn tortilla that just doesn't hold up. The Pork Pastor is still really good. I'd say their chicken meat has gotten less flavorful. Tamales were once pretty good- this trip they seemed dry. Portions seem a little smaller. Prices were not noticeably higher. So, bottom line is this restaurant now falls in line with some of the other area taqueria's- not above. A taqueria is not going to be the Ritz, and I don't expect it to be, but some subtle changes back in the right positive direction could return this place to a higher rating.
(4)Yanyao N.
Super legit Mexican food in Highland Park. Yes, you read that correctly. No, my brain hasn't melted (all the way) from the heat. We came here tonight because: A) I was hungry, thirsty, and starting to get cranky from a weekend of looking at furniture and home decor. B) The line that stretched outside (!!!) Real Urban BBQ was pretty insane, and I encountered a very rude old man by the stairs. We needed to go elsewhere ASAP. Sprinkle in a little Yelp app magic, and off we went to de-grumpify me with tacos! It worked. Upon entering, I saw a mix of diners - for me, it is always a good sign to see Mexican people dining in a taqueria. We flipped through the menu and I'm sure there were probably enchiladas, chimichangas, and ground beef tacos on the menu, but for me, the real deal was my dinner. 1 al pastor (spicy pork) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 lengua (tongue) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 pork skin with green sauce taco with onion, cilantro, lettuce, and tomato. All on double corn tortillas. Served with 2 squeeze bottles of salsa - one red, one green. So classic. SO delicious. The same quality and flavor as the tacos I eat in the city, but served in Highland Park! Nibble on some chips and spicy salsa while you're waiting, and wash it all down with some horchata. My Mexican taco meal heaven. If you don't want to go the taco route, one of their specialty burritos is a MUST - the name begins with a M, and it is filled with al pastor, beans, rice, potatoes, guacamole, and covered in green sauce and cheese. A beastly and delicious burrito. A meal for 2 with a beer and 2 gordita appetizers only set us back $30. Again, in Highland Park. I have a feeling I'll be coming face to face with that beastly green sauce slathered pork burrito again very soon.
(4)Robin C.
What Mexican restaurant runs out of AL pastor (spicey pork) at twenty minutes to three on a Saturday afternoon!? I ended up ordering a chicken burrito with avocado and it was pretty good. I also had an asada (steak) burrito. That was much better but a little chewy. They do have an awesome hot sauce. I will try the tacos next time and hopefully, they will have the AL pastor!
(3)Adam B.
Dropped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised all around. The large, open seating area with proper tables and chairs, to start, signal that this is a real restaurant, not just a quick burrito joint. I was quickly asked what I wanted to drink, handed a large menu, and presented with a nice basket of fresh chips and salsa. So far so good. The menu has loads of choices; I selected three a la carte soft tacos - total price $6. And I didn't need to buy a whole combination meal with rice and beans, which would have been too much for lunch (especially considering I ate two baskets of complimentary chips). The tacos were excellent! On doubled corn tortillas, they were nicely overstuffed with fresh and flavorful meat, cilantro, and a bit of onion. I will definitely be back to try more from the menu.
(5)Kevin D.
Food was EXCELLENT. I just didn't like that you would have to buy cans of pop instead of fountain drinks. I had the spicey pork burrito.
(4)Kristen D.
Seemingly very authentic, but not being Mexican myself, it's hard for me to make that judgement. The burrito I ordered was outstandingly fresh, albeit a little bland. I ordered avocado on the side for $0.50 extra, thinking I was going to receive guac. NOT guac...this is literally fresh sliced avocado. Probably won't make the trip out to this place again, but if you're looking for very fresh food, go here.
(3)Michael C.
If I could give no stars based on their service, I would. Food takes forever to cook even when restaurant is mostly empty. That aside, the wait staff is just plain rude. I would definitely recommend some of the other, finer places in the area (and there are many of them) as opposed to going here and getting treated like they are doing us a favor by letting us spend our money their. GO ELSEWHERE!!!
(1)Brad S.
I eat Mexican 4-5 times as I work in a predominantly Hispanic area so I know good Mexican. This place is fast friendly and good. I love the food and the staff is always great. This is very good food and I have never been disappointed in tons of visits. The tacos are killer and the rest of the food just shames some of the more popular eateries in the area. I hope that this place stays good and cheep. But please give them a try and don't judge the book by the cover.
(5)Romeo Q.
Inexpensive, tasty Mexican food. For party of four, we got three carne asada tostadas, one chorizo tostada (bit too salty), one beef taco with rice and beans, and one shredded chicken taco with rice and beans, all for $23.87.
(4)Terence V.
Way too much steak in my burrito. Wait a minute, that makes no sense! If there was such a thing this place came close. Meat was tender and tasty! Service was excellent and quick. Wish I lived closer.
(5)Frank N.
I had a quick bite for dinner here tonight as I haven't been here in quite some time. I think it was called Horaldo's before it's current name... I vividly remember the burritos and quesadillas as being outstanding and things have NOT changed. The place is much bigger than I when I was there last and it's decor is authentic Mexican. The friendly staff is in no shortage either. Tonight I had the Chicken Burrito and a regular Coke (I, too meant to get the Mexican Coke but forgot). The food was awesome. The waitress brought over both red and green salsas and both hit the spot. There was so much on the menu that I'll have to come back and hit it hard!
(4)Mr H.
Pico de gallo with avocado. 5 Stars. If this restaurant was 5 blocks south, they could and would double their prices. The food quality is excellent. Besides the "mid-scale" ambiance, the food is great. The pico de gallo with avocado for $6 comes in a massive bowl. Not some skimpy little portion, and FRESH, EXCELLENT QUALITY. Tacos, Margaritas, Burritos, Typical Mexican fare. Give Los Mogotes a chance, The food is great, just don't expect a highline atmosphere.
(4)John C.
So you want real Mexican food? If you are this far north, you've found the place. So what's the deal, you ask. Was in here yesterday for a quick lunch. Walking in, one feels like you've been transported to a small town in Mexico. I counted the people (not including staff) and of the thirty-one people here twenty-seven were of Hispanic descent...87%. Always follow people who grew up eating mom's ethnic cooking and most of the time, you cannot go wrong. LMDM follows that formula and the chef's moms would be proud. I had a very hearty meal which I cannot begin to describe accurately, so I won't even try, and it was delicious. Enormous sandwich with two sodas? = $7.09 Two important notes: CASH ONLY. Secondly, the restaurant is in a tiny strip mall set back from the street...it's very easy to miss it and one can drive right by it in the blink of an eye..
(5)Mike G.
The best home made salsa, plus phenominal tacos al pastor. Gotta have it twice a week!
(4)Ariella G.
Meh....the fact that this places rates 4 or 5 stars with other reviewers attests to the fact that there are a limited number of solid Mexican food joints around this area. We are adventurous eaters and tried the tongue burrito, which was chewy (not a good sign for tongue which is normally tender beyond compare) and tasted nasty. The carne asada tacos were decent but not delectable and the aguas frescas were not fresca at all. So, if you are desperate for some Meci food, you'll find it here but if you have the time or inclination to drive up to Waukegan, try REALLY good Mexican fast food at Toluca on Washington.
(3)S T.
This place is over rated. I like my Mexican but when the lunch run is here i keep off the list. This is a very average steak burrito and I thing the ground beef burrito has better flavor. The beans are soupy. The menu is huge and I have eaten here about 15 times way back when this place was tiny and it's never wow or tasty. I would rather take my lunch dollar some where else in the area.
(2)Heather R.
Really authentic and tasty. Very reasonable for the quality and area. Staff is friendly for dine, though we take out a lot. They have music on certain weekend days, which of course the kids love even if the menu isn't their favorite.
(5)Allison M.
I'm torn here. If I'm writing this review as my past self, a proud carnivore, I'd say that this is the best Mexican food around, super authentic, lots of choices. Great burritos and tacos. But if I'm writing this review as myself now, essentially a vegetarian, I have to say this place leaves something to be desired. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch and both ordered the vegetarian burrito-- he got the regular, I got the junior. They came out, appearing to be the exact same size. We found out later that the difference was that mine only contained cheese, rice, sour cream, and refried beans... His had avocado, lettuce, and tomato. Mine tasted fine... but what was I paying for, in terms of veggie options? No avocado, no peppers, no onions. Plus, I have to doubt that the refried beans were actually legitimately vegetarian. Which also brings me to my complaint about this place across my dietary changes: the fact that they don't have any whole black or pinto beans, only the refried variety. Not a lot of opportunity for healthy eating here. We also got an order of the guacamole, which was all right (when is mushed-up avocado bad?), but which-- like the other things we ordered-- benefited a great deal by the addition of the three salsas provided as condiments when you dine in.
(3)Cindy F.
We love this place. We found a new menu Saturday night and I tried the "handmade" quesadillas, one each in huitlacoche (black corn smut) and in what they called "pumpkin flour" - we figured out was pumpkin blossoms. Both delicious. The huitlacoche had been sauteed with onions and fresh corn so I couldn't distinguish its own flavor, but hey, it was my first time trying it. Live music Friday nights - the last time we went two guitarists serenaded our table with gorgeous traditional songs.
(4)David M.
I don't know what the fuss is about. If I rated this place based solely on their salsas, I'd give it one star. Like the quality of the bread in Italian restaurants, I think that a Mexican restaurant's salsa reflects the soul of the place. Theirs are watery and, besides some mild heat, flavorless. I didn't enjoy the place at all. Very loud and uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
(2)Michele B.
Driving to an appointment and starved!! Found this place totally by accident and I am so glad I did. Not much to look at on the outside but one step inside and the aroma of mole and cheese and slasa can take your breath away. The minute I walked in I was greeted and seated and presented with chips and salsa. Lot's of locals so you know it is good!! The menu is prety extensive for such a small place. The burrito is always my first try--safe but somehow always telling and what a story it told. Fresh, fast and HUGE not to mention wonderful. Couldn't finish it , had the rest for a snack on the way home from my appointment (OK so maybe a little fell in the car) but it smelled so good). Im' thinking of making lots of appointments in Highland Park just to go back!!!
(5)Geoff J.
This is my go to lunch spot when I work out of my Deerfield corporate office. It is never too crowded at lunch and the servers are very friendly. Very reasonably priced lunch options. I usually get a chicken burrito or some tacos. I've never been dissappointed and always leave full! Love the free chips and salsa as well! Wish they would open another location in Evanston or Rogers Park so I could visit more often!
(4)Mike P.
Love this place. Great mexican food. A little on the pricey side but you know what they say,(you get what you pay for.)
(5)Ralph E.
3.5 stars. Clean place with nice wait people. The burritos and tostadas we very godd and fresh. The chips were ok. The downfall was the salsa. Very average at best
(3)Steve K.
I eat at every taquira i get a chance to...the more authentic the better. this place is awesome. I always order the same thing, 2 Tacos, Carne Asada at every place. Theirs is hands down the best, not just ion the northshore, but even when compared to Logan Square & 26th street, THIS PLACE ROCKS!
(5)Kam D.
One of the best, authentic and reasonably priced Mexican joints in the area. Normally, I prefer my Mexican food somewhere off Ashland Ave but if you're in the Highland Park/Deerfield area this is the first place you should check out. Everything I've tried here is delicious so don't be afraid to order something unfamiliar.
(4)Taylor M.
Awesome authentic Mexican food! I went here for a quick bite to eat on my lunch break and it was just that. Fast service and quality food. I had the junior burrito with al pastor. The meat was fantastic and flavorful. The junior size burrito was plenty filling and only $5. Next time I want to try the Mexican Coke the other reviews mentioned... and I definitely will be going back!
(5)Elyse P.
I really like this place. The food is alway fresh and consistent and tasty. I have pretty much stayed with their "combinations" on the menu and have yet to order a bad thing. The only con is that service is usually slow so it makes a trip during lunch difficult.
(4)Sara P.
Delish. When am I going back?? Was here on Saturday for lunch...boy was I not disappointed. Expect that this is a no-thrills place. But super authentic and SO reasonable. We ordered a chicken taco each, as well as beef fajitas to split. I have no idea what was in the red and green bottles of sauce they brought to the table, but I might have bathed in it. The chicken tacos were so freakin good, and the beef fajitas had amazing flavors. Service is a tad lackluster, but I think that's just the nature of the restaurant. May want to order water upfront when they take your order, because it could be a while before someone shows up again. Like I said, though, so inexpensive for such good food. All that food and two sodas for a total of about $20.
(4)Faye G.
Place is as genuine as it gets. However, no one speaks English so it was very hard to communicate. I ordered red sauce for my enchiladas and the waiters brought a mole sauce. One is red and one is made of chocolate and kept insisting they were the same thing. I wouldn't go back because of how exhausting it was or should work on my Spanish more...
(1)Bill M.
This is an authentic, unpretentious Mexican family-style restaurant, and offers a great value for the food. I've gone several times, both alone and with friends and family, and have never been disappointed in the food. It's nice to be in a Mexican restaurant where there are more Mexican patrons than servers. Yes, the margaritas are so-so, so I usually order a Mexican beer, but the food is simple, ample, and tasty. Service is unhurried, like it often in Mexico, but the servers will always respond to a wave and are always pleasant and cheerful. Usually, the TVs are tuned to Spanish-language programming, so you are likely to get your choice of facing the Mexican soap operas or the (soccer) football. This isn't a place to take a date, but it's a fine place to get a solid meal after a long day working. As I wrote, authentic and unpretentious, but a great value.
(4)Patricia P.
Maybe I am not as familiar with the traditional way to serve fajitas but mine were only ok and didn't come with any cheese or sour cream. The pitcher of margaritas we bought for $26 with Patron barely had any alcohol in it. My friends enjoyed their steak taco platters. Although I am from Baltimore where things aren't exactly cheap, my friends thought the prices were very reasonable, cheap even, so that was a saving grace.
(3)Megan M.
To be fair, the food was pretty good here. And service was good, too. But we made the mistake of going on a Friday night and there was a mariachi duo. They were fabulous, great singing, lovely guitar playing, but for such a small place, it was way too loud. And the lighting in the restaurant was bright and obnoxious -- especially considering the serenading. The whole experience just seemed off. I'll go back -- but probably for take out.
(3)J K.
This is my favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is nothing exceptional for a Mexican food joint, but the food is great--especially given that you can spend very little to get a perfect meal. For the past 4 years the favorite dish of my daughter (14) and I is Cecina Dinner Platillos: It has a thin grilled steak, grilled green onions and jalepeno (love these), and then sides of lettuce/tomato, rice and beans, served with warm corn tortillas. We make little sandwiches (you have to cut the meat crosswise to make it eatable in a tortilla). I also like the steak tacos in particular, although for me there is too much steak, so I split it amongst several tacos that I make with the doubled corn tortilla. Everything we've tried there is good, so I would guess that if you order your favorite Mexican entree you would probably be happy.
(5)Michael H.
This is my go to place for good Mexican food in the northern suburbs. Some of the best tacos I've ever had, they taste like they just made the corn tortillas. I've tried pretty much every variety of meat and they are all excellent. However I have to rave about their version of al pastor, they make it with pineapple which makes the pork very tender. The three taco dinner is $5.99 and it comes with beans and rice. The refried beans taste typical and are fine. They make the rice perfect, flavorful with bits of veggies included. If you are not a fan of beans, go ahead and get two orders of rice instead with a meal. (no extra charge) I've also tried their skirt steak and have really enjoyed it, but I keep coming back for the cheap and awesome tacos. They can be a little slow sometimes when you dine in, especially since a lot of nights they will close off most of the seating and try to just have two servers that do everything including phones and the cash register. You get free chips and fresh salsa when you dine in. I love the salsa, but the chips are little too hard for my tastes. Please keep in mind that you can only pay by cash, they do not accept credit cards. There is a Citibank nearby, if you have to grab cash beforehand.
(5)Jeff W.
Quality is consistent and always delicious. No better value for a steak taco within a twenty minute drive (much better than El Norte.) You may be able to find a taco as good but you'll pay twice as much. It's about the flavor of the steak. Mexican Coke and Pepsi in BOTTLES also nine kinds of fruit flavored soda. Eat in or take away but if you eat there be prepared for the bright fluorescent lights, the TV and the free chips and salsa. Last time we ate there some wag had put a drinking-straw wrapper in the mouth of one of the Aztec masks. Ho - ho, it made him look very continental. Try the quesadilla with the hand-made tortilla. One of the best food values on the North Shore.
(5)Miguel g.
Good value. Pleases the less-adventurous as well as those seeking authentic dishes. Try the hand-made quesadillas with huitlacoche (corn fungus) with jamaica juice.
(4)Paul H.
This is a great little authentic Mexican restaurant, Something you would expect to find in Highwood, just a little further south. Perfect family restaurant, low key, nothing fancy, good food, great price. Four of us, plus drinks, for $100.
(4)sue g.
This is the best place I have found for tacos athenticos. They have a delicious handle on taco preparation--I highly recommend the steak tacos with cilantro and onion! Tastes very much like the street food I enjoy when in Mexico. Small selection of sodas, including Sidral, which is apple soda and better than it sounds. Carry out from this place, as it is a little bit genereic to eat there, but you will not be disappointed.
(5)Michael G.
Cheap Mexican food, pretty average and all their food items are identical to Tacos el Norte just up the street.
(2)C S.
This place is great -- low-key atmosphere and very good food. On weekends, they have the usual soups (the pozole is excellent) and tamales. They've added a juice bar in the last year or so. The mole sauce is wonderful, the spiced pork tacos are heavenly, and there is an appetizer called a picadita (which I was not familiar with before) that is not to be missed. Cash only. The sign from the street reads TAQUERIA, so look for that. The desserts are just so-so, but everything else is swell.
(5)Ed K.
yummy authentic tacqueria; clean, friendly service, friendly prices; you know it's good 'cause the local mexican population eats here. recently expanded so they're doing well -- that's a good sign.
(5)Jessica Y.
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed with my meal. I got a combination of 1 taco (al pastor - spicy pork), 1 tostada (steak), and 1 quesadilla (cheese). It came with rice and beans. The rice and beans were fine, nothing spectacular. One pro was that I got a TON of meat. But overall, I felt that the meat was lacking real flavor. Maybe it's the marinade or seasoning? And the cheese quesadilla was super bland. My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and barely touched the chicken (there was a ton of meat!), and it just looked so plain... maybe a burrito is the way to go?
(3)Jan H.
Terrible food: tough carne asada; canned chile relleno; sauces tasteless; tough chips; bland guacamole; old tomato & lettuce! Do not waste your time!
(1)Jessica S.
Delicious authentic cuisine. Menudo, huaraches, quesadillas made by hand stuffed with squash flowers, and other delicious stuffings. The steak tacos are made with actual steak that is cut up, not the usual "taco meat" mixture. It's very casual. Normally patrons sit themselves. The place also has z bar that serves drinks that are associate with Mexican Cuisine; Margaritas, Mexican beer, etc.
(4)Tim M.
After giving this restaurant five stars we have been back several times (including bringing a large group) and the food is always good but the service has gotten worse and worse. It feels to me that either the owner is not around and is letting the inmates run the asylum or the owner is around and has so much business that he or she doesn't care about how patrons are treated. On our last visit the dinner rush was clearing out and a large pile of food and garbage was swept into a pile pretty much in the middle of the floor and left there during our visit. One man that came in to eat had to step over it to get to a table. Yuck! The restaurant wasn't crowded but our food took forever. My wife kept trying to signal our waitress who seemed to make a point of ignoring us. We finally got the other waitress to get our order once we saw that it had come up. We were pretty much ignored the rest of the meal. We asked for a box to take leftovers and after waiting and waiting for it I got up and walked over to where she was on the phone and got it myself. Ditto for paying the check. After waiting interminably I just got up to pay it at the counter. I really want to like this place. The food is great, the location perfect but if businesses don't respect me and my family as a customer I'll go elsewhere. I guess this gives us a reason to keep looking for a New Mexican favorite. If anyone has a better experience after us please review them so we can go back.
(1)Judy F.
I felt discriminated against because we are not Hispanic. This has happened to us a few times, and we are not going back. It's awful to sit in a dining room and watch the wait staff serve people their full meals, refill their drinks, and you are still waiting for them to take your order. I literally watched the waitress walk to every one of her tables but ours. We live in a very diverse community on the North Shore, and that is one of the things we love about our community. I would not expect a local business owner to make their customers feel as unwelcome as we are made to feel here. How very disappointing.
(1)Nick J.
Really loved this place. It feels very authentic and prices are reasonable as well. Had a Huerche for 4.99 and it was a big plate of food. I'd say service and food quality are a toss up between here and Taco El Norte in Highwood, but would go here for the atmosphere. Lunch was quite busy!
(5)Jo D.
I've been going here for years because it's cheap and near-by but unfortunately the quality of the meat has become about as cheap as the prices, so for the past year or so I've limited my consumption to nothing but vegetarian tacos because I and my family have found that we end up with upset stomachs otherwise. Another irk is that they never give me more than a few ice cubes to go with my water - that is, if it comes with any ice at all. Also, it doesn't matte how many guests are sitting at the table, they'll present you with only one complimentary small bowl of salsa that's only half full. Aside from all of that, it's a great place to go if you enjoy reverse racism from the older waitresses. Never again; I've had my "fill." ...literally and figuratively speaking.
(1)Carlo S.
What Judy said I felt discriminated against, but I felt that way because I was not white. My girlfriend and I were the only customers in the restaurant, we were served chips right of way and got our orders taken, about 5 minutes later two different Caucasian families walk in and we were totally forgotten, then about 3 more Caucasian families walk in, and we had to get our check from the bus boy. The waitress came only twice, once to take our order and second to deliver our food. She was so busy catering to the white folk, it ruined the delicious dinner we had. Just be prepared to be forgotten if white folks walk in.
(1)Joe M.
Good food and service. I've sampled most of their menu and have zero complaints. Nothing spectacular but if you're looking for authentic, flavorful Mexican fare, put Mogotes on your list. And the wait staff is always very attentive and pleasant Expect to wait if you come for lunch during the week ... typical for most HP/Highwood eateries.
(4)Paul K.
I come here all the time. Very good food for very little money. I order either a torta al pastor or a huarache al pastor.
(5)Stephen M.
A quick check-in for a quick Saturday lunch. Everything I wanted was there: good chips with good salsa; a tasty burrito; a quiet television with a game on; quick efficient server. A quick checkout and it passes--four stars subject to further meals.
(4)Dave V.
Very disappointed. The tostada was probably the best thing but everything else was really just mediocre. I was able to try a taco, enchilada, torta, tostada, gordita, and chiles rellenos. The rellenos was the most disappointing as it was like drinking oil with every bite. Everything else was edible and even ok but really wasn't special and i probably wont be back. The set up inside was pretty nice and looks like it'd be good for families. The prices were fair. For the lot of food, it was only about $25
(2)Matt G.
Much better than a higher priced Mexican restaurant in HP. The food here has flavor, and the price is right. The food here tastes more like the Mexican food I grew up with, will definitely be back.
(4)William H.
I'm guessing that in the past 90 days something major happened in the kitchen of this establishment. Lost the chef or decided to cut back on the quality (freshness ) of the ingredients or Something. Today was my first visit and the salsa gave me high hopes. Tasted great, wonderful spices. Chips were meh but salsa was great. Ordered guacamole - major disappointment. No flavor, it came right from the fridge - where it had stayed uncovered in its serving dish - to the table. Big hard chunks of un-ripe tomato and No Flavor. What can you add as "filler" to guacamole?? Ground beef tacos were a 5 out of 10. No pizazzzz. I'm going to go back in a couple weeks. They will either have fixed the problem or my review will be the least of their concerns.
(2)Ami K.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurant. The place is clean and the staff is efficient and friendly. The soups are what we come here for. They are big portion, flavorful and delicious. I feel like I went to my Mexican grandmas house when I have a cold and she serves me this to help me recover. I've had the shrimp soup and Pozole soup. Both are delicious! Reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that their steak taco is good but not great. I recommend the pork taco.
(4)Angela S.
My picky eater kids just started getting into burritos at Chipotle, so I figured I'd give them something super authentic and gear up for a stop that is guaranteed to make anyone want to come back. First of all, everything about this place screams lovely and cute! It's super duper clean, and it was nice to walk into a Mexican restaurant to leave without that greasy residue smell on my clothes. No evidence at all. The people who run this place are beyond sweet. It was our first time in tonight, and we placed our order to go. The menu is big, so it took us awhile to figure out what we wanted, but eventually we made our decision. They were really patient and helped us navigate through the taco madness. I ordered small sausage burrito for under $6. Okay, why anyone would need to order a large is beyond me. I still have half of it leftover for tomorrow! Not too greasy and fresh tasting. I loved the addition of chopped tomatoes mixed in with the meat and beans. I didn't order any extras like avocado, and I wish I had. This burrito was packed with meat and goodies, and the avocado would have made for a nice balance. For the boys I ordered chicken quesadillas and chicken tacos. They ate everything! By far my favorite were the cheesy gooey quesadillas loaded with shredded chicken. The tacos were simple and ample in portion size. Wow! I was afraid we didn't order enough, but we came out of there with a huge pile of food for under $16! It's more than reasonably priced here, and I have to say next time I'd love to dine in and order up a margarita from their bar. Come hungry and come back soon, because they are having a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live music.
(4)Joel M.
We've been to Los Mogotes a number of times and it has become our go-to for really good Mexican in the Highland Park area. We love the flavorful burritos, which are huge, and their sauce. The staff is always very friendly and they do have great live music on Cinco De Mayo (and it's busy but rarely as crowded as some "mainline" Mexican places).
(4)Frank N.
I had a quick bite for dinner here tonight as I haven't been here in quite some time. I think it was called Horaldo's before it's current name... I vividly remember the burritos and quesadillas as being outstanding and things have NOT changed. The place is much bigger than I when I was there last and it's decor is authentic Mexican. The friendly staff is in no shortage either. Tonight I had the Chicken Burrito and a regular Coke (I, too meant to get the Mexican Coke but forgot). The food was awesome. The waitress brought over both red and green salsas and both hit the spot. There was so much on the menu that I'll have to come back and hit it hard!
(4)Tim M.
After giving this restaurant five stars we have been back several times (including bringing a large group) and the food is always good but the service has gotten worse and worse. It feels to me that either the owner is not around and is letting the inmates run the asylum or the owner is around and has so much business that he or she doesn't care about how patrons are treated. On our last visit the dinner rush was clearing out and a large pile of food and garbage was swept into a pile pretty much in the middle of the floor and left there during our visit. One man that came in to eat had to step over it to get to a table. Yuck! The restaurant wasn't crowded but our food took forever. My wife kept trying to signal our waitress who seemed to make a point of ignoring us. We finally got the other waitress to get our order once we saw that it had come up. We were pretty much ignored the rest of the meal. We asked for a box to take leftovers and after waiting and waiting for it I got up and walked over to where she was on the phone and got it myself. Ditto for paying the check. After waiting interminably I just got up to pay it at the counter. I really want to like this place. The food is great, the location perfect but if businesses don't respect me and my family as a customer I'll go elsewhere. I guess this gives us a reason to keep looking for a New Mexican favorite. If anyone has a better experience after us please review them so we can go back.
(1)Geoff J.
This is my go to lunch spot when I work out of my Deerfield corporate office. It is never too crowded at lunch and the servers are very friendly. Very reasonably priced lunch options. I usually get a chicken burrito or some tacos. I've never been dissappointed and always leave full! Love the free chips and salsa as well! Wish they would open another location in Evanston or Rogers Park so I could visit more often!
(4)Mike P.
Love this place. Great mexican food. A little on the pricey side but you know what they say,(you get what you pay for.)
(5)Ralph E.
3.5 stars. Clean place with nice wait people. The burritos and tostadas we very godd and fresh. The chips were ok. The downfall was the salsa. Very average at best
(3)Allison M.
I'm torn here. If I'm writing this review as my past self, a proud carnivore, I'd say that this is the best Mexican food around, super authentic, lots of choices. Great burritos and tacos. But if I'm writing this review as myself now, essentially a vegetarian, I have to say this place leaves something to be desired. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch and both ordered the vegetarian burrito-- he got the regular, I got the junior. They came out, appearing to be the exact same size. We found out later that the difference was that mine only contained cheese, rice, sour cream, and refried beans... His had avocado, lettuce, and tomato. Mine tasted fine... but what was I paying for, in terms of veggie options? No avocado, no peppers, no onions. Plus, I have to doubt that the refried beans were actually legitimately vegetarian. Which also brings me to my complaint about this place across my dietary changes: the fact that they don't have any whole black or pinto beans, only the refried variety. Not a lot of opportunity for healthy eating here. We also got an order of the guacamole, which was all right (when is mushed-up avocado bad?), but which-- like the other things we ordered-- benefited a great deal by the addition of the three salsas provided as condiments when you dine in.
(3)Cindy F.
We love this place. We found a new menu Saturday night and I tried the "handmade" quesadillas, one each in huitlacoche (black corn smut) and in what they called "pumpkin flour" - we figured out was pumpkin blossoms. Both delicious. The huitlacoche had been sauteed with onions and fresh corn so I couldn't distinguish its own flavor, but hey, it was my first time trying it. Live music Friday nights - the last time we went two guitarists serenaded our table with gorgeous traditional songs.
(4)David M.
I don't know what the fuss is about. If I rated this place based solely on their salsas, I'd give it one star. Like the quality of the bread in Italian restaurants, I think that a Mexican restaurant's salsa reflects the soul of the place. Theirs are watery and, besides some mild heat, flavorless. I didn't enjoy the place at all. Very loud and uncomfortable. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
(2)Michele B.
Driving to an appointment and starved!! Found this place totally by accident and I am so glad I did. Not much to look at on the outside but one step inside and the aroma of mole and cheese and slasa can take your breath away. The minute I walked in I was greeted and seated and presented with chips and salsa. Lot's of locals so you know it is good!! The menu is prety extensive for such a small place. The burrito is always my first try--safe but somehow always telling and what a story it told. Fresh, fast and HUGE not to mention wonderful. Couldn't finish it , had the rest for a snack on the way home from my appointment (OK so maybe a little fell in the car) but it smelled so good). Im' thinking of making lots of appointments in Highland Park just to go back!!!
(5)Steve K.
I eat at every taquira i get a chance to...the more authentic the better. this place is awesome. I always order the same thing, 2 Tacos, Carne Asada at every place. Theirs is hands down the best, not just ion the northshore, but even when compared to Logan Square & 26th street, THIS PLACE ROCKS!
(5)Kam D.
One of the best, authentic and reasonably priced Mexican joints in the area. Normally, I prefer my Mexican food somewhere off Ashland Ave but if you're in the Highland Park/Deerfield area this is the first place you should check out. Everything I've tried here is delicious so don't be afraid to order something unfamiliar.
(4)Taylor M.
Awesome authentic Mexican food! I went here for a quick bite to eat on my lunch break and it was just that. Fast service and quality food. I had the junior burrito with al pastor. The meat was fantastic and flavorful. The junior size burrito was plenty filling and only $5. Next time I want to try the Mexican Coke the other reviews mentioned... and I definitely will be going back!
(5)Elyse P.
I really like this place. The food is alway fresh and consistent and tasty. I have pretty much stayed with their "combinations" on the menu and have yet to order a bad thing. The only con is that service is usually slow so it makes a trip during lunch difficult.
(4)Sara P.
Delish. When am I going back?? Was here on Saturday for lunch...boy was I not disappointed. Expect that this is a no-thrills place. But super authentic and SO reasonable. We ordered a chicken taco each, as well as beef fajitas to split. I have no idea what was in the red and green bottles of sauce they brought to the table, but I might have bathed in it. The chicken tacos were so freakin good, and the beef fajitas had amazing flavors. Service is a tad lackluster, but I think that's just the nature of the restaurant. May want to order water upfront when they take your order, because it could be a while before someone shows up again. Like I said, though, so inexpensive for such good food. All that food and two sodas for a total of about $20.
(4)Faye G.
Place is as genuine as it gets. However, no one speaks English so it was very hard to communicate. I ordered red sauce for my enchiladas and the waiters brought a mole sauce. One is red and one is made of chocolate and kept insisting they were the same thing. I wouldn't go back because of how exhausting it was or should work on my Spanish more...
(1)Ariella G.
Meh....the fact that this places rates 4 or 5 stars with other reviewers attests to the fact that there are a limited number of solid Mexican food joints around this area. We are adventurous eaters and tried the tongue burrito, which was chewy (not a good sign for tongue which is normally tender beyond compare) and tasted nasty. The carne asada tacos were decent but not delectable and the aguas frescas were not fresca at all. So, if you are desperate for some Meci food, you'll find it here but if you have the time or inclination to drive up to Waukegan, try REALLY good Mexican fast food at Toluca on Washington.
(3)Bill M.
This is an authentic, unpretentious Mexican family-style restaurant, and offers a great value for the food. I've gone several times, both alone and with friends and family, and have never been disappointed in the food. It's nice to be in a Mexican restaurant where there are more Mexican patrons than servers. Yes, the margaritas are so-so, so I usually order a Mexican beer, but the food is simple, ample, and tasty. Service is unhurried, like it often in Mexico, but the servers will always respond to a wave and are always pleasant and cheerful. Usually, the TVs are tuned to Spanish-language programming, so you are likely to get your choice of facing the Mexican soap operas or the (soccer) football. This isn't a place to take a date, but it's a fine place to get a solid meal after a long day working. As I wrote, authentic and unpretentious, but a great value.
(4)Patricia P.
Maybe I am not as familiar with the traditional way to serve fajitas but mine were only ok and didn't come with any cheese or sour cream. The pitcher of margaritas we bought for $26 with Patron barely had any alcohol in it. My friends enjoyed their steak taco platters. Although I am from Baltimore where things aren't exactly cheap, my friends thought the prices were very reasonable, cheap even, so that was a saving grace.
(3)Megan M.
To be fair, the food was pretty good here. And service was good, too. But we made the mistake of going on a Friday night and there was a mariachi duo. They were fabulous, great singing, lovely guitar playing, but for such a small place, it was way too loud. And the lighting in the restaurant was bright and obnoxious -- especially considering the serenading. The whole experience just seemed off. I'll go back -- but probably for take out.
(3)Mr H.
Pico de gallo with avocado. 5 Stars. If this restaurant was 5 blocks south, they could and would double their prices. The food quality is excellent. Besides the "mid-scale" ambiance, the food is great. The pico de gallo with avocado for $6 comes in a massive bowl. Not some skimpy little portion, and FRESH, EXCELLENT QUALITY. Tacos, Margaritas, Burritos, Typical Mexican fare. Give Los Mogotes a chance, The food is great, just don't expect a highline atmosphere.
(4)John C.
So you want real Mexican food? If you are this far north, you've found the place. So what's the deal, you ask. Was in here yesterday for a quick lunch. Walking in, one feels like you've been transported to a small town in Mexico. I counted the people (not including staff) and of the thirty-one people here twenty-seven were of Hispanic descent...87%. Always follow people who grew up eating mom's ethnic cooking and most of the time, you cannot go wrong. LMDM follows that formula and the chef's moms would be proud. I had a very hearty meal which I cannot begin to describe accurately, so I won't even try, and it was delicious. Enormous sandwich with two sodas? = $7.09 Two important notes: CASH ONLY. Secondly, the restaurant is in a tiny strip mall set back from the street...it's very easy to miss it and one can drive right by it in the blink of an eye..
(5)Mike G.
The best home made salsa, plus phenominal tacos al pastor. Gotta have it twice a week!
(4)Michael P.
I ordered some tacos and I asked for no onions on them and the waitress said ok(my tacos came out with a whole lot of onions lol) I also had the handmade steak quesadillas and those were pretty good!!! The service was good, the meat needed a little more seasoning, the refried beans looked like they came straight out of a can but than again who actually makes their own refried beans at a fast food joint... I guess I will go back again just for the handmade steak quesadillas
(3)Elaine M.
If you want the the classic taco, burrito joint in Highland Park, this is the place for you. Not one of our upscale places but really great tacos, burritos and guacamole! I always go for the skirt steak tacos and an order of guac! I really like that they bring two sauces, one red and one green for the tacos. My friend really likes the spicy pork ones. Prices here can't be beat and the food is less greasy than some other local Mexican dives.
(4)Jessica S.
Delicious authentic cuisine. Menudo, huaraches, quesadillas made by hand stuffed with squash flowers, and other delicious stuffings. The steak tacos are made with actual steak that is cut up, not the usual "taco meat" mixture. It's very casual. Normally patrons sit themselves. The place also has z bar that serves drinks that are associate with Mexican Cuisine; Margaritas, Mexican beer, etc.
(4)Kim B.
I really wanted to try Los Mogotes because the Yelp photos of their tacos look delicious -- see for yourself. I finally tried an assortment of tacos for lunch on Saturday: 1 pork skin, 1 steak, 1 marinated spicy pork. The verdict? Not good but I've had worse, so not bad either. I thought the pork skin taco would be crispy (like chicharones) but the texture was more soggy. I felt like I was eating fat. The steak was decent but I've definitely had better. The pork (al pastor) was more sweet than spicy. Apart from the food, there were other aspects of my dining experience that I have to mention. I didn't like how "Americaned" the menu was. When looking at the different taco meat options, "al pastor" was listed as "marinated spicy pork" and "chorizo" was referred to as "Mexican sausage." If this is an authentic Mexican restaurant, the menu should reflect that. Also, the wait times for food are pretty ridiculous. I waited at least 20 minutes for my 3 tacos. This is way too long to have to wait, especially when you're hungry. Nice try, Los Mogotes, but I'll stick with my go-to taco shop from now on.
(3)Alyssa L.
Enjoyable, fast, and reasonably priced! I really enjoy this little Mexican joint! They're Tacoes are pretty good,(I recommend the spicy pork) and unlike its neighbor...they are not so overpriced you feel sick after looking at your check. Great place for take out! The horchata and tres leches cakes is also pretty good!
(3)Dhruv M.
Coming from California it was great being able to enjoy some authentic Mexican food! The wait staff there was really nice and helpful. I ordered a chicken breast dish covered with cheese and sauce. I asked if they could make it spicy so they subbed the sauce out for an adobo sauce which was awesome! In general the menu is pretty cheap, but I ordered an entree and that put my bill at 15. That amount for me is pretty high, but the dish lasted me two meals. Next time I'll probably go with something cheaper.
(5)Sarah Beth B.
The more often I eat here, the more I love it. It is definitely our go-to mexican food, and probably my favorite mexican food option IN ALL OF CHICAGO LAND. We continue to get the shrimp fajitas a LOT, but have added this fancy burrito into the mix. I don't know what it's called, but it has pork, beans, POTATOES, is covered in a green sauce, and it is delicious.
(4)Chrissy L.
I love this place! I have family in highland park, so I always stop here to pick up some food before I pop up for a visit. Love the pastor!!!
(5)William C.
Great specialty burritos and reasonable prices I had the speciality borrito that started with a M and it was very good. Portions are big and low key place. I will be back.
(4)Jessica Y.
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed with my meal. I got a combination of 1 taco (al pastor - spicy pork), 1 tostada (steak), and 1 quesadilla (cheese). It came with rice and beans. The rice and beans were fine, nothing spectacular. One pro was that I got a TON of meat. But overall, I felt that the meat was lacking real flavor. Maybe it's the marinade or seasoning? And the cheese quesadilla was super bland. My friend ordered the chicken fajitas and barely touched the chicken (there was a ton of meat!), and it just looked so plain... maybe a burrito is the way to go?
(3)Jan H.
Terrible food: tough carne asada; canned chile relleno; sauces tasteless; tough chips; bland guacamole; old tomato & lettuce! Do not waste your time!
(1)Jessica Y.
Tuesday night dinner with a girlfriend @ 6pm I ordered a carne asada burrito $5.69 and my friend had #4. 1 Chile Relleno, 1 Enchilada, 1 Taco $9.59. Her plate came with a side of corn tacos. My burrito was delicious. It was the right amount of meat to vegetables and was easy to eat. I enjoy burritos but hesitate to order them because sometimes restaurants over sauce and it gets extremely messy. I ate half of it and am having the other half for lunch today - bonus! They take credit card for orders over $10. This is a solid family run taqueria.
(4)Jose M.
I enjoy coming here every other week. Their green enchiladas with chicken are 10/10,highly recommend for anybody to order. The horchata water is must have as well. Good service as well.
(5)Carlos G.
came here after a cycling even so we were all starving. Food was very good and the portions were decent. I had a huarache with peppers and onions, very tasty. The Al Pastor taco has pineapple, this is a nice touch since this is the real way to serve these type of tacos. What I didnt like $1 for a spoonful of sour cream 15% tip for a 6 person table even if 2 people didnt eat. pros: they split the check so +1
(4)Jean P.
It was so much fun with the Mariachi Band. The guacamole was so good and fresh . My husband really likes their salsa. My garlic camarones was a little dry but still tasty
(3)Richard B.
It's been about a year since our previous visit. Removed a star. Service has slipped a bit. Kitchen was slow while moderately crowded and wait staff is more hurried and not smiling as they once did. This place is still clean as a whistle. The food has changed a little. Subtle ways that actually make a difference- negatively. They used to have fresh made tortilla's, then they switched to commercial white corn ones that were pretty good. Now, they have a rather dry and smaller yellow corn tortilla that just doesn't hold up. The Pork Pastor is still really good. I'd say their chicken meat has gotten less flavorful. Tamales were once pretty good- this trip they seemed dry. Portions seem a little smaller. Prices were not noticeably higher. So, bottom line is this restaurant now falls in line with some of the other area taqueria's- not above. A taqueria is not going to be the Ritz, and I don't expect it to be, but some subtle changes back in the right positive direction could return this place to a higher rating.
(4)Yanyao N.
Super legit Mexican food in Highland Park. Yes, you read that correctly. No, my brain hasn't melted (all the way) from the heat. We came here tonight because: A) I was hungry, thirsty, and starting to get cranky from a weekend of looking at furniture and home decor. B) The line that stretched outside (!!!) Real Urban BBQ was pretty insane, and I encountered a very rude old man by the stairs. We needed to go elsewhere ASAP. Sprinkle in a little Yelp app magic, and off we went to de-grumpify me with tacos! It worked. Upon entering, I saw a mix of diners - for me, it is always a good sign to see Mexican people dining in a taqueria. We flipped through the menu and I'm sure there were probably enchiladas, chimichangas, and ground beef tacos on the menu, but for me, the real deal was my dinner. 1 al pastor (spicy pork) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 lengua (tongue) taco, onions and cilantro only. 1 pork skin with green sauce taco with onion, cilantro, lettuce, and tomato. All on double corn tortillas. Served with 2 squeeze bottles of salsa - one red, one green. So classic. SO delicious. The same quality and flavor as the tacos I eat in the city, but served in Highland Park! Nibble on some chips and spicy salsa while you're waiting, and wash it all down with some horchata. My Mexican taco meal heaven. If you don't want to go the taco route, one of their specialty burritos is a MUST - the name begins with a M, and it is filled with al pastor, beans, rice, potatoes, guacamole, and covered in green sauce and cheese. A beastly and delicious burrito. A meal for 2 with a beer and 2 gordita appetizers only set us back $30. Again, in Highland Park. I have a feeling I'll be coming face to face with that beastly green sauce slathered pork burrito again very soon.
(4)Robin C.
What Mexican restaurant runs out of AL pastor (spicey pork) at twenty minutes to three on a Saturday afternoon!? I ended up ordering a chicken burrito with avocado and it was pretty good. I also had an asada (steak) burrito. That was much better but a little chewy. They do have an awesome hot sauce. I will try the tacos next time and hopefully, they will have the AL pastor!
(3)Adam B.
Dropped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised all around. The large, open seating area with proper tables and chairs, to start, signal that this is a real restaurant, not just a quick burrito joint. I was quickly asked what I wanted to drink, handed a large menu, and presented with a nice basket of fresh chips and salsa. So far so good. The menu has loads of choices; I selected three a la carte soft tacos - total price $6. And I didn't need to buy a whole combination meal with rice and beans, which would have been too much for lunch (especially considering I ate two baskets of complimentary chips). The tacos were excellent! On doubled corn tortillas, they were nicely overstuffed with fresh and flavorful meat, cilantro, and a bit of onion. I will definitely be back to try more from the menu.
(5)Kevin D.
Food was EXCELLENT. I just didn't like that you would have to buy cans of pop instead of fountain drinks. I had the spicey pork burrito.
(4)Kristen D.
Seemingly very authentic, but not being Mexican myself, it's hard for me to make that judgement. The burrito I ordered was outstandingly fresh, albeit a little bland. I ordered avocado on the side for $0.50 extra, thinking I was going to receive guac. NOT guac...this is literally fresh sliced avocado. Probably won't make the trip out to this place again, but if you're looking for very fresh food, go here.
(3)Michael C.
If I could give no stars based on their service, I would. Food takes forever to cook even when restaurant is mostly empty. That aside, the wait staff is just plain rude. I would definitely recommend some of the other, finer places in the area (and there are many of them) as opposed to going here and getting treated like they are doing us a favor by letting us spend our money their. GO ELSEWHERE!!!
(1)Brad S.
I eat Mexican 4-5 times as I work in a predominantly Hispanic area so I know good Mexican. This place is fast friendly and good. I love the food and the staff is always great. This is very good food and I have never been disappointed in tons of visits. The tacos are killer and the rest of the food just shames some of the more popular eateries in the area. I hope that this place stays good and cheep. But please give them a try and don't judge the book by the cover.
(5)Romeo Q.
Inexpensive, tasty Mexican food. For party of four, we got three carne asada tostadas, one chorizo tostada (bit too salty), one beef taco with rice and beans, and one shredded chicken taco with rice and beans, all for $23.87.
(4)Terence V.
Way too much steak in my burrito. Wait a minute, that makes no sense! If there was such a thing this place came close. Meat was tender and tasty! Service was excellent and quick. Wish I lived closer.
(5)J K.
This is my favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is nothing exceptional for a Mexican food joint, but the food is great--especially given that you can spend very little to get a perfect meal. For the past 4 years the favorite dish of my daughter (14) and I is Cecina Dinner Platillos: It has a thin grilled steak, grilled green onions and jalepeno (love these), and then sides of lettuce/tomato, rice and beans, served with warm corn tortillas. We make little sandwiches (you have to cut the meat crosswise to make it eatable in a tortilla). I also like the steak tacos in particular, although for me there is too much steak, so I split it amongst several tacos that I make with the doubled corn tortilla. Everything we've tried there is good, so I would guess that if you order your favorite Mexican entree you would probably be happy.
(5)Michael H.
This is my go to place for good Mexican food in the northern suburbs. Some of the best tacos I've ever had, they taste like they just made the corn tortillas. I've tried pretty much every variety of meat and they are all excellent. However I have to rave about their version of al pastor, they make it with pineapple which makes the pork very tender. The three taco dinner is $5.99 and it comes with beans and rice. The refried beans taste typical and are fine. They make the rice perfect, flavorful with bits of veggies included. If you are not a fan of beans, go ahead and get two orders of rice instead with a meal. (no extra charge) I've also tried their skirt steak and have really enjoyed it, but I keep coming back for the cheap and awesome tacos. They can be a little slow sometimes when you dine in, especially since a lot of nights they will close off most of the seating and try to just have two servers that do everything including phones and the cash register. You get free chips and fresh salsa when you dine in. I love the salsa, but the chips are little too hard for my tastes. Please keep in mind that you can only pay by cash, they do not accept credit cards. There is a Citibank nearby, if you have to grab cash beforehand.
(5)Jeff W.
Quality is consistent and always delicious. No better value for a steak taco within a twenty minute drive (much better than El Norte.) You may be able to find a taco as good but you'll pay twice as much. It's about the flavor of the steak. Mexican Coke and Pepsi in BOTTLES also nine kinds of fruit flavored soda. Eat in or take away but if you eat there be prepared for the bright fluorescent lights, the TV and the free chips and salsa. Last time we ate there some wag had put a drinking-straw wrapper in the mouth of one of the Aztec masks. Ho - ho, it made him look very continental. Try the quesadilla with the hand-made tortilla. One of the best food values on the North Shore.
(5)Miguel g.
Good value. Pleases the less-adventurous as well as those seeking authentic dishes. Try the hand-made quesadillas with huitlacoche (corn fungus) with jamaica juice.
(4)Paul H.
This is a great little authentic Mexican restaurant, Something you would expect to find in Highwood, just a little further south. Perfect family restaurant, low key, nothing fancy, good food, great price. Four of us, plus drinks, for $100.
(4)C S.
This place is great -- low-key atmosphere and very good food. On weekends, they have the usual soups (the pozole is excellent) and tamales. They've added a juice bar in the last year or so. The mole sauce is wonderful, the spiced pork tacos are heavenly, and there is an appetizer called a picadita (which I was not familiar with before) that is not to be missed. Cash only. The sign from the street reads TAQUERIA, so look for that. The desserts are just so-so, but everything else is swell.
(5)Ed K.
yummy authentic tacqueria; clean, friendly service, friendly prices; you know it's good 'cause the local mexican population eats here. recently expanded so they're doing well -- that's a good sign.
(5)S T.
This place is over rated. I like my Mexican but when the lunch run is here i keep off the list. This is a very average steak burrito and I thing the ground beef burrito has better flavor. The beans are soupy. The menu is huge and I have eaten here about 15 times way back when this place was tiny and it's never wow or tasty. I would rather take my lunch dollar some where else in the area.
(2)Heather R.
Really authentic and tasty. Very reasonable for the quality and area. Staff is friendly for dine, though we take out a lot. They have music on certain weekend days, which of course the kids love even if the menu isn't their favorite.
(5)sue g.
This is the best place I have found for tacos athenticos. They have a delicious handle on taco preparation--I highly recommend the steak tacos with cilantro and onion! Tastes very much like the street food I enjoy when in Mexico. Small selection of sodas, including Sidral, which is apple soda and better than it sounds. Carry out from this place, as it is a little bit genereic to eat there, but you will not be disappointed.
(5)Michael G.
Cheap Mexican food, pretty average and all their food items are identical to Tacos el Norte just up the street.
(2)