Montecasino Cafe Grill
401 N Ardmore Ave, Villa Park, IL, 60181
Montecasino Cafe Grill Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Villa Park for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
401 N Ardmore Ave
Villa Park, IL, 60181 - Phone (630) 359-3525
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : 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
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Margaret C.
Great fajitas. Both chicken and steak carrots. Zucchini , onions , and peppers. Beautiful presentation. Loved the guacamole
(5)Annie V.
I love the food. It is seriously SOOO delicious- The staff are SO nice! I couldn't believe how good the food is. It is clean, fresh, and they have the best tasting black beans EVER! Did I mention BYOB!
(5)James S.
Good food. And owner is a hard worker that really wants to know how his customers feel about their dishes. Genuine people!!
(5)Paula C.
Love love LOVE the food. Very authentic, friendly owner and the generous people at the next table shared a corona with me!!!!
(5)Robin A.
Cool place, with a sophisticated menu that goes beyond the standard choices. We tried the green mole chicken and a large order of guacamole; both fresh and wonderful. One of the owners, Maria, was helpful and sweet, making us feel like guests at her table. Tip: Definitely try the flan.
(5)Daniel V.
My wife and I were dropping off our daughter at a friends house in villa park and decided to go for Mexican. I thought I'd check yelp for guidance and saw this restaurant with great reviews literally right around the corner. We had steak tacos guacamole and flan, all our choices were excellent! This place truly is a hidden gem, I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Zac M.
Me and the wife stopped in here after visiting Lunar Brewery on a Saturday afternoon based off of the three reviews on Yelp. We're glad we did. It doesn't look like much on the outside but once we were in the dining room, we found it clean and comfortable. We didn't know what to make of the decor as some of it said Mexican, some said European as there were pictures of Big Ben and a French Style clock on the wall. Kind of odd, but ok. Anyway, really friendly people. We could tell right away that this must be a little family run business, as who we believed to be the owners daughter drew pictures on a nearby table as her father took our order. We later found out that it was his daughter as he, his wife and his brother had recently opened the business. As for the food. The complimentary first basket of chips and salsa were good but the salsa was a little too hot for us and we weren't able to eat most of it. Aside from that, we ordered the guacamole, I had the enchilada roja dinner and my wife order the poblano pepper rajas tacos. The guacamole was outstanding. Extremely fresh and flavorful with chunks of tomatoes, cilantro loosely cut up and big flavors of lime. We really enjoyed it. My enchiladas were also very good. A lot of cheese, but also extremely flavorful. Whatever red sauce was used was really, really good and the rice and especially the beans we found to be excellent and fresh. I liked my meal. My wife loved her poblano tacos. Again, the two things she pointed out most were how fresh and flavorful her meal tasted. After we finished our meal the owner, Mark came over and chatted for a minute. He did say that they pride themselves on making fresh food. For instance, the guacamole is produced on demand and one big batch isn't made at the beginning of the day. You can really tell the difference. So, definitely a place worth checking out, especially if you live in or near Villa Park. Unfortunately, the neighborhood seemed a little sketchy even though it is right next the Villa Park Metra stop. But I wouldn't let that deter us from returning.
(4)N H.
Took my family for dinner and they loved it. I have an 8 year old (she ordered a taco salad) and my 4 year old and 2 year old ordered a tostada. They all enjoyed their meals. I had the carne asada tacos with cilantro and onions and they were delicious. The atmosphere is pretty simple but the restaurant is clean and the owner is so nice. Definitely nice to support a small business in town.
(4)Kate D.
I heard great things about this restaurant and wanted to check it out. Like another yelper, we pulled up and weren't even going to go in because it looked sketchy. They had so many great reviews I figured we'd just try it. I am so glad we did. We go there regularly now and I LOVE it. The family is so nice and I didn't know that food could taste this good. We get a large guacamole and pork enchiladas with green salsa covered in cheese every time we go. Yummy!! One thing that really speaks to their character: last time we went in I left my wallet in the booth. I didn't figure it out until I got home and didn't really feel like going back. I felt pretty confident in their morals and left my wallet there overnight. It was packed with my credit cards, my monthly train pass and some cash. When I picked it up the next day I was scared to look (because I love their food and wanted to keep going there!). When I opened my wallet, everything was totally untouched. They didn't move anything, rummage through it, etc. Fantastic, honest family & fantastic food. You can't ask for more!
(5)Jonathan R.
we left the food on our plates, paid the bill and went elsewhere for lunch. I suspect the chicken was boiled out from making soup and colored red to make it look roasted. the texture was like canned tuna. so disappointed.
(1)Vee S.
I'm giving it 4 stars; 3 for the food and the service bumped it up to 4. It's a brand new restaurant, recently opened in the small neighborhood of Villa Park. I really liked the cleanliness of the restaurant. The decorations seem like they wanted to embrace both Mexican and American cultures which is nice. Complimentary chips and salsa were very good. I ordered a steak burrito with everything. I must say the steak had a very distinct taste, very different and strong spices used. I actually had to return it because the taste was so strong. Usually, other Mexican restaurants don't season the steak. They made a new one which was a bit better. Tostada de Tinga was also really good. They have a small menu and there is no alcohol served. I will be back to try some other things on the menu.
(4)Brian J.
The guacamole is fantastic! Salsa has some good kick. The chicken fajitas were excellent! Our friends had veggie tacos and the veggie tostado which they loved. Mario is the nicest owner on the planet. BTW you can BYOB!
(5)Mike K.
Love this little out-of-the-way find in Villa Park. The owners are at the grill and very friendly. The salsa they give you, traditional rojo & verde, are wonderful. The dishes are plated nicely and the portions are a good size. The enchiladas verdes were great! Prices are very reasonable. Please go to this gem in the west burbs. Say yes to good food with no frills.
(5)Mary D.
We went here based on all the good reviews. We ordered the 3 taco plate. 1 steak, chicken and pork. And guacamole. All to go. We were told that they had no pork. So we added another steak. And they had no avacados. We get home and all we have are 3 steak tacos. No chicken. The meat was ok. Nothing great. Hoping it was a off day, may give them another try.
(3)Brook S.
This is such a great restaurant! Though it looks a little rough from the outside, the staff was very welcoming! The guacamole was absolutely delicious, as was the flan (and I don't normally like flan!).
(4)Vijay B.
Simply outstanding. Montecasino was recommended to us by a neighbor...so thankful we found this hidden gem. There isn't much around this restaurant, plus the exterior isn't super inviting in a strip mall next to a liquor store. But don't judge a book by its cover or else you will miss some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. Living in Bucktown for 11 years, we were spoiled by the restaurant options at our disposal. We moved to Elmhurst last year and have been really disappointed by the food in and around town. We just came home from Montecasino and were blown away. Like many of the other reviews have mentioned, the complimentary salsa was awesome (definitely spicy!!). We ordered the chicken tinga tostada, the green salsa pork enchiladas, and the tortilla soup. My daughter had the cheese quesadilla and fries which were pretty standard (perfect for my 3 year old!). The food tasted so fresh and homemade. The enchiladas and the tortilla soup were the best I've ever tasted. They have a good mix of standard Mexican fare plus other items that are more Rick Bayless-like. The owner apologized that the food comes out slower because they make it from scratch after the order is made. Ummm, definitely fine with that!! The owners were so nice and friendly. And the food was cheap...37 dollars before tip. Really hope they will survive, but we need more western suburbanites to give this place a shot. We will be going back regularly.
(5)Andrew S.
After a few 4 star reviews and a love for trying new Mexican restaurants I wanted to give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised at this little place next to the Villa Park train station. As of today's review it had been open for 27 days. So it still has the new smell and it is very clean. The service was EXCELLENT!!!! Granted again it was not overly busy for a friday evening but the service felt very family. I believe the server was also the owner?? Very enthusiastic. Overall as with the other reviews, the food was above average but not out of this world. What we did learn that makes it top notch , however, is that everything they make is home made from scratch and extremely FRESH! Oh by the way, ask for the Green Salsa when the chips come out... it is 5 star quality! They have one dessert on the menu and actually now that I say that, I'm not even sure it's on the menu. Flan. ...with a twist. Cream Cheese. Oh my goodness... that was out of this world worth 20 stars in my book. Overall, a great little place... I will definitely be back again to try more of their menu!
(4)Linda G.
Went to Montecasino's recommend by a friend. I was far from disappointed. The service was great, the food was wonderful. Mario, the owner, was so friendly, made me feel appreciated as a customer. Let me get back to the food-- fresh ingredients, and good sized portions.Definitely will return. If you're looking for a Taco Bell keep on driving, this is the real thing!
(5)Julie J.
My new fav, a great little place. I love mexican food and this is great food and reasonably priced. Not a great loc which is why they are hurting for biz. But the food was really good and the owners super nice. I had the chicken tacos and vegetable tacos. Small tortillas but heaped with stuff. Quality chicken and the vegs were squash, peppers, mushrooms & zuc. It was really good. Go try it today and tell your friends!
(5)Bill M.
I was unsure after pulling into the lot that this was what I was looking for, expected a mexican looking type establishment but as its name states it looks like a small cafe. Service was slow to start but after I saw how hard they were working to get to customers it did not bother me, it was busy that evening, in fact my wife heard the owner say to the waitress he wished they could always be this busy so he could hire more help. The food was very good and the place was clean.The steak fajitas were a little different with zucchini and lots of vegetables but they were good, the meat was lean. They are serious when they ask if there is anything else they can get you, really nice folks who I can tell are trying very hard to make a sucess of this place and I hope they do. I will go back for sure.
(4)Ajooni S.
I love this place so much. Everything I've ordered here has fed my stomach and soul as have the wonderful couple that own and run the restaurant. Their chile rellenos are the best I've ever had and I love their moles, steak burrito, and tortilla soup as well. They put delicious complimentary salsa with chips on the table. They're active on Facebook if you want updates of daily specials and ridiculously good looking food in your news feed.
(5)Valerie D.
What can I say about this little hidden gem? We were told about this restaurant from a friend and lived in the area for 30yrs and never knew it existed. All I can say is the food is outstanding. I have had the tacos, enchiladas , rice, black beans and the guacamole is made to order, yum! So glad we tried it and anyone that wants authentic Mexican food made with love, this is the place to go. It's small and has about seating 12 tables? It's also BYOB , service is a little slow but well worth the wait as the husband is the only person waiting tables and running the register. The owners are very nice and want to make sure you are pleased.
(5)Sara T.
I ordered the beef tacos plate and my boyfriend ordered the chicken tacos with verde mole plate -- both were excellent. As to those saying there's a long wait, thanks for the heads up! While ordering, I told the owner/waiter that we were on lunch break and in kind of a rush so he was able to get our order in and out to us in a reasonably timely manner.
(4)Don R.
Came here a few days ago for a quick dinner. I was a little disappointed to have a much less than a 4-5 star experience based on other yelp reviews. I ordered the big steak quesadilla & my wife had enchiladas. It's terribly cramped on the inside. True, I believe this is just a small space but I believe the way they had the scheme setup made it even smaller so while we waited FOREVER for our meal, we had to sit in a corner. So on to the food. The "big" quesadilla was pretty normal sized to me. Additionally, I didn't have any sour creme or anything on the side which is pretty standard for most authentic Mexican restaurants. I could've went to Taco Bell for the same thing for $5. My wife was also missing an Enchilada. She was supposed to have 3 but had 2. I only gave 2 stars because my food was thoroughly cooked. However, I'm not really a fan of this place.
(2)Jessica H.
This place is so tiny but it is SO GOOD. We live close by so we order take out. Every seat in the place is always taken & for good reason. Their enchiladas suizas are FIRE! Along with their chips and salsa, it's spicy but awesome. Definitely a must-try.
(5)Ben B.
Fact: The more run-down a Mexican restaurant appears from the outside, the better the food on the inside. Montecasino proves the rule. From the outside, it looks terrible. Even the font on the sign doesn't make sense. It seems to be a Mediterranean place. Inside, it's not much to look at. A few booths, a few tables, standard industrial seating. Pretty cramped. But the food is awesome. Let's start with the chips and salsa. The green salsa has a nice kick, but the red is super crazy spicy. I loved it. My group also ordered the queso, which was nice and creamy (and was enhanced by a splash of that salsa, too). For dinner, I went with the chicken enchiladas. Tasty and cheap. Service wasn't great. Could be that we were the last table of the night. At one point, the staff sat down to eat while we were still in the restaurant. Things got a little awkward when we had to interrupt their dinner to ask for our check. It is BYOB and there's a well-stocked (and friendly) liquor store next door. That helps keep the cost down. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and enjoy some quality Mexican grub on the cheap.
(4)Og B.
wow! byob in the burbs! mole selection! beans and rice NOT from a can?! really good. we will be back.
(5)Annie M.
We love this place! My husband and I moved to the neighborhood this past winter and after multiple recommendations from others we wandered in. The food is SO delicious, the staff is always pleasant and we've only had to wait to be seated once (for a short time). The pork tacos are our main staple, but the guac is also awesome and their table salsa is hot! ( it hurts so good)!!! Everything we've tried has been tasty and oh BYOB!!!!!! We take everyone who comes to see our new house to Montecasino, and they all walk away happy and ready to come visit again! They also have carry out but we haven't tried that yet. Every time we plan to go out to eat we consider our favorite taco place and I'd 9 X out of 10 we are heading to Montecasino grill. We promise you will not be disappointed!!
(5)Angus W.
Did somebody say Mole'? So, like... this place was kind of awesome. And we never would have found it, if it weren't for Yelp. We've been on a taco binge.. eating taco's of all types all over the western suburbs.. even some with small amounts of mole sauce. But we haven't been able to find a great dark red/brown mole sauce as a featured item anywhere. We took our 1 year old grandson here (very accommodating) who was in a mood and made a mess all over the place. We got there at 5:00 on a Saturday and they weren't busy yet... but that changed as we ate. It's BYOB and there is a fairly decent liquor establishment next door. I picked up a bottle of Menage a Trois merlot, which seemed just about right for the meal except that I was drinking Diet Coke.. so maybe I should have looked for a Menage a Un? I don't think they charged us a corkage fee.. if they did, it was cheap. Because our total bill was under $32.00 Chips served with a delicious green salsa to start out. I was really occupied with the whole mole idea and never explored whether there are other salsa/ hot sauce options. Shame on me, that's a "hot" button for me.. so to speak... Lisa ordered the Chicken Enchiladas with the dark Mole (they call it red, but it's pretty brown) and the presentation in toto was excellent. As was the mole.. Lisa loves mole sauce and we have been on the prowl for a good one, this is it. I ordered the Carnitas Enchiladas which amazingly, looked exactly like Lisa's! (see pictures) The mole sauce was almost perfect. A true mole (like this) is almost too thick to be considered a sauce and this was rich and thick, really, really delicious. I say almost perfect, because I like when there is a trace of bitterness in the sauce. The dinners came with rice and refried black beans..and they did both of them right.... yum. I also ordered a Carne Asada (Steak) taco, mexican style (to keep with my current fixation) and it was excellent at $1.99.. although, it was kind of a smaller tortilla.. not full size. At the owners suggestion, I also ordered a chicken taco with green mole (I've never tried green mole before) The mole was also delicious but was so thick that it kind of overwhelmed the chicken... I would try this again on a larger portion meal.. like enchiladas. The taco was very good, it just wasn't the ideal application for my introduction to the sauce. Montecasino is a terrific find, worthy of five stars for service, quality, originality and value. We'll be back. A lot.
(5)Ann B.
Hidden gem is right. I was told by my brother in law about this place; now he loves to try it all so I knew he wouldn't steer me wrong. This restaurant is down right delicious. I basically eat two ways. Im mangin' out with meat sweats or I'm making smart healthy balenced choices with vegetables or fish, no cheese, dairy or carbs. No happy meduim with me. This restaurant modifies and caters to both my alter egos with ease and no judgement. Montecasino has a phenomenal vegatarian burrito and tacos options, fantastic hamburgers, and amazing breakfast choice, the delightful Monte Rancheros. Their fajitas are so good, the guacamole is always fresh, the salsa is perfect ...I can't rave enough. I'm very picky and I order weird, Montecasino gets my weird.
(5)Josh B.
Excellent food and very good hearted employees! Was also here when the restaurant was on Chicago's Best. Was lucky enough to take a picture with Britney Payton too!
(5)Rebecca M.
This is my favorite Mexican place! They have a dining room as well as take out orders. You can't go back to the standard runny refried beans of other places after you have theirs. They make them with black beans and they are chunky. My favorite are the tacos but their enchiladas are amazing. They have the best tasting salsa! You can only order their guacamole as a large and small(not on your food) because they make each serving right there. Which is a little inconvenient but it goes to speak for the quality of food.
(5)Al S.
Have been there several times. Always had a great meal. Highly recommended. Every meal is served with style. The food is made with fresh ingredients and the the service is great. They have a large menu with every imaginable Mexican dish plus burgers also. They do take out also.
(5)Sharon S.
I had a ground beef burrito and it was delicious. Service was great, fast and friendly. Will definitely be back for more. Great food.
(5)Delvia M.
Food is GREAT. BYOB, prices are moderate. Place is small so be prepared to wait. Service, well that's where they lose in the rating scale. They are nice, smiles and all but they need more wait staff!
(3)gladys r.
Hidden gem. Thanks to serendipity, we found this place. I can't say enough about their chips, guacamole, tacos, enchiladas, and mole sauce. The food is fresh and crisp and tasty. I couldn't believe how delicious everyone's dish tasted (party of 6). And BYOB. I gave it 5 stars, all around. Delicious, authentic food, good service, great parking, and friendly staff. Maybe some local folk musician can plug in an amp, and this would just become the hot spot in VP. For those who complain about slow service, well this isn't a fast food Tex-Mex restaurant. Don't be confused by its location in a strip mall with a small neon sign, this is fine dining quality to me. And I'll consider it as one of the best in this area.
(5)Elizabeth R.
I am in love!! We came here for dinner with some friends on a Saturday night and had a fantastic time! We loved that the restaurant is BYOB and took full advantage, our server even lent us a corkscrew for our beer we bought from next door (which is craft beer Heaven btw). The food was delicious, the service was great and that atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. We will definitely, definitely be back...this is a do not miss!
(5)Chris E.
A surprisingly terrific experience. The space is dark and dated but the staff are friendly, happy to see you, and service is prompt. Food is tasty, hot, and inexpensive. The owners are very involved - right down to having their little girl doing her homework at a spare table near the cash register. Delightful experience & very good food. Highly recommended.
(4)nick p.
Extremely service oriented owners who take a lot of pride in preparing each meal. I like their steak tacos and the salsa hits the spot. My wife and I typically bring the kids and pack a cooler with our alcoholic beverages of choice. The kids enjoy the Jarritos sodas from their refrigerator. Always an enjoyable dinner out with the family at Montecasino!
(5)Jake S.
It's unforgivable that I have not written a review for this place before. I have tried half of their menu and I am absolutely in love with almost everything I've had. The red mole sauce on chicken was phenomenal, and I cannot keep myself from inhaling their guacamole. Hell, their beans and rice on the side is fantastic. No really, if you want Mexican in the western burbs, and you haven't been here, you're doing yourself a disservice.
(5)Charlotte F.
Delicious food! The green salsa was delicious. Also love all of the vegetarian options. Friendly fast service! Our new favorite Mexican restaurant.
(5)Claudia C.
I agree with the others, a hidden gem! Admittedly, the neighborhood is a bit seedy, and they could use a decorating job - no ambience. But the food is excellent and pretty sure the guy is a real chef. I had the shredded chicken tostada that was dressed in a light chipotle sauce. And the salsa they bring when you arrive is the best green I've ever had, hands-down. You know it's a step up from your typical when they are playing Gypsy Kings in the background. The kids and I came for lunch, but we will be back for dinner with Hubby and take advantage of the BYOB.
(4)Tim H.
After seeing them on Chicago's Best TV #BestBYOB recently, I just had to schedule a visit. Their Chicken Enchiladas are as delicious as they look. Certainly worth the half hour journey. Mario is an awesome host/waiter. Looking forward to exploring his menu. Check out these Chicken Enchiladas... youtu.be/1ZRcUZTDwzI
(5)Maggie M.
Delicious food and great service. I love the BYOB concept. Everything is freshly made and tastes great. Try this place you will love it.
(5)Joan L.
After reading the reviews, I decided to give this "hidden gem" a visit. They were out of the red mole sauce, which was disappointing, so I went with the green mole for the chicken enchiladas. The mole was a bit thick and overwhelmed the taste of the chicken, which was cooked in a red sauce. The dish was pretty good, but not spectacular. The spicy red salsa and chips were great. The beans were perfectly cooked and ver flavorful. The owner explained that they were out of red mole because of the preparation time and they would rather say they were out of something than serve sub-par food that isn't prepared properly. I'll give them another try and hopefully they'll have the red mole sauce next time.
(4)Meaghan M.
Phenomenal food & service! Pork tacos with onion/cilantro = amazing! Their enchiladas...out of this world. Definitely will be back!
(5)Scott T.
This is one of those reviews you hate to write. I'd love to keep this place a secret but I have to share. This is one of the better Mexican restaurants I have been too. It's BYOB, but there's a huge liquor store right next to it. You can buy your own booze, have two entrees and an appetizer for less than $50. The enchiladas were outstanding. It's right next to the Villa Park train station so you can even jump on the UP West from another town.
(4)Catherine N.
Everything here is delicious and for a great price! The chef really takes pride in his food and cares about his customers. I grew up in VP and this restaurant is a gem! It's right near the Ardmore Metra station and could be a great stop after work or after an afternoon in Chicago. So far I've had the Nachos with chicken and steak (amazing), Chori Queso which is piping hot, smooth and salty, all Tacos (ground beef and chicken are my favorite), and the Tortilla Soup (packed up to go and had it for 2 weekday lunches). One note, it is BYOB. There are 2 places nearby to buy alcohol, in case your forget or didn't see this note before you arrived. For those who are gluten-free, everything I have asked about and eaten is GF. I have never had an issue and will append this review if I ever do.
(5)Michael W.
Driving by this place, I probably would never have stopped in. But after reading the reviews here, we took a chance. All I can say is, believe the good reviews. The atmosphere is completely unremarkable, but they do play nice, low key music. The service is a tad slow, as they have one guy running around like a maniac. But, WOW, is the food amazing. We'll be back once a month, I'm certain.
(5)paul c.
Great food, friendly staff a must try if ur in the area. Amazing beans. I was trying to find a new taco spot so i was searching threw yelp and found this place and figured id give it a shot im glad i did
(5)Mike M.
We decided we wanted to try a local Mexican restaurant in our new town of Villa Park. After reading several overwhelmingly positive reviews, we found ourselves at Montecasino. Now, we find ourselves agreeing with all of the great reviews that led us there to begin with. 1. LOTS of flavor in every bite of every dish: from the chips and salsa to the rice and black beans, not to mention the great flavor in the steak fajitas and chicken enchiladas. 2. Good pricing and portion sizes: we left feeling full and satisfied and wanting to go back for more another time. 3. Quaint atmosphere and excellent service: we loved the feeling of being in someone's kitchen while they cooked for us and served each dish with a smile and friendly comment. The restaurant is BYOB, which we did, but there is a wonderful liquor store next door (Ardmore Station Liquors) with amazing service, excellent choices of beer, and knowledgable and friendly owners.
(4)Shawn L.
Love small family restaurants and this one was great. The service was very welcoming and quick. For food I started with chips and a mix of green salsa, green mole, mole and guacamole. All were awesome, fresh, and great flavors and spice. For my main I had chicken enchiladas in a red salsa. Again very good but a little too heavy on the salt in the black beans.
(4)Igor L.
After reading all the high reviews I decided to give this place a try but one mistake I think I made was to order take out. I phoned in my order and got the three taco dinner with steak chicken and beef tacos. The owner greater my when I walked in and had a quick convo while I waited for the food. I'm a huge fan of tacos and long story short I was not thrilled about this place. The quality of the meat was great but the mistake they make us using one tortilla, all three tacos fell apart as I grabbed them and in top of that they messed up my order and gave me all chicken tacos
(3)Chloe H.
Amazing food. Best pork tacos I've ever had. I've brought everyone I know here and they have all loved it. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who likes Mexican food, you can't go wrong. Very friendly service, slightly slow, but totally worth it. It's BYOB and located next to the best liquor store. Basically if you haven't been yet, you must go!
(5)S B.
This place is a hidden gem in the 'slums' of villa park. Outside it looks like nothing to write home about but the inside ambiance is terrific. With low lighting and eclectic European music this is a great place to relax and enjoy some really great Mexican food. First off the green salsa that comes with their tortilla chips is one of the best we have ever had. We even bought some to take home!! The horchata tastes great and freshly made as well. My vegetarian taco plate was delicious, with everything perfectly seasoned. My partner's steak fajita plate was equally delicious, though the steak was scarcely there. The only other minor mishap keeping this place from getting a perfect score is we never seem to get or have enough napkins. But this is some of the best Mexican food around, no doubt about it!
(4)Danny V.
I spent 20 years in L.A, and yet this Chicago hole in the wall made the best mole I've ever had. If savory chocolate sauce on meat isn't your thing, you still need to swing by for the sopes; they have incredible texture and taste amazing. The staff is sweet and friendly, the parking is free, and the prices are too low for food this good. The reviews weren't exaggerating... this place is a spectacular surprise.
(5)Peter Z.
I finally ate here after reading and hearing a lot of rave reviews. I got chicken tacos with rice and beans. I ate it all up. It was all very satisfying but I wouldn't say the tacos were decidedly better than tacos at comparable restaurants. Perhaps my expectations were unfairly raised by all the glowing reviews I heard before going in. I will return and try and order something that is more of a signature dish.
(3)Candy A.
Sat 6 of us in a booth for 4. We were told we'd get 2 tables. After asking 4x we were ignored. Ordered our drinks no less than 3x, they never arrived. Watched a kitchen staff member run in with 4 Jewel bags full of food. One hour later, we were still waiting here for our food. Once we got it, it was cold and greasy. No thanks - there are far too many Mexican restaurants with better service and food.
(1)katy h.
I LOVE this place! My family and friends and I have been here on several occasions. My favorites are the homemade guacamole...the large is big, it could be an entree, and the tacos, smaller than traditional tacos, but very flavorful. The owner is usually our sever, and is polite, unassuming, and friendly without being overbearing. This is not a fancy restaurant, so if you can overlook the location and inside decor, this is a five star establishment. The food is fresh, service is strong, taste is delicious, and prices are low for what you get...and the kickers are that it is BYOB and adjacent to another family-owned business, where the employees are beyond friendly and the variety of beers and ciders are amazing...even by Chicago standards. Dinner for four costs on average about $45-50. Just one last note, an excellent example of superb service, seeing that I would need a bottle opener for my beer, without asking, the owner swiftly moved to the counter, got one, and opened it for me. Then he left it on the table for me to use. Wow.
(5)Alma M.
The food is delicious. The ingredients used taste extremely fresh. My one complaint is the rice tastes a little like boxed instant rice. I will keep coming back as this is my new go to on Friday. Located right by a great liquor store so you can BYOB some good craft beer to go with your meals.
(4)Donna H.
This place is a hidden gem. From the salsa to the entrees. It's great. The tacos are crave worthy. The only reason I did not give it five stArs is that the service is so slow. The owner, Mario takes every order which is frustrating. It's worth it but give yourself an extra 30 minutes.
(4)Cristina H.
This place is the bomb.com best Mexican food hands down. Although the service was not that good the owner Mario goes to your table and asks how everything is, if you go eat here be aware that the weekends are packed and you might have to wait a while to get seated and served since there is no host but other than that go and try their food it's amazing. Their guac is so fresh and enchiladas are top notch. definitely going back.
(4)Gary O.
Great Mexican food! I've been to Montecasino several times. The quality of the food is always exceptional. Everything is freshly made and is very flavorful. We especially love their guacamole and the steak tacos. Another great choice is the grilled veggie burrito. The owner is always present is takes a genuine concern with your satisfaction. Highly recommended.
(5)Monika S.
This definitely was a quaint little place to get some Mex. I didn't realize it was a BYOB. Just so happens that there is a liquor store right next door. When I say small it has a few booths and regular tables in the middle but the place has a lot of people coming and going including families with little kids. The staff is very friendly. I had the chicken flautas and my husband had the burrito, good quality products, fulfilling but it missed the flavor punch. The complimentary chips and salsa on the other hand was full of spice and kick.
(3)Stephanie P.
Best green mole I have ever had!!!! Guacamole is wonderful. My son had chicken enchiladas and loved them
(5)Bruce C.
I have been back 3 time each time with different friend and the food and service has meet our expectations for a great meal at a good price. I will keep recommending this as I try everything in the menu.
(5)Diane M.
My new favorite Mexican restaurant.So glad I finally, found a good one that doesn't cost a fortune. Their food is fresh, filling and quite wonderful. This is an independent family owned restaurant. Give them your business people. Some of the reviews commented that the service is slow. home cooked food takes time. This is not mass produced, poured out of a can or bag. It's fresh made to order. That does require time. Relax, enjoy your drinks (byob), talk to the people you came with. Sometimes waiting is a good thing.
(5)Carrie L.
LOVE Monte Casino. The food is always fresh and delish! Mario knows what he's doing over there! BEST BYOB in the suburbs!
(5)Carlos R.
Great food and atmosphere I recommend to anyone that appreciate good food and ambience
(5)Craig L.
I've been here twice more since my first review and love it just as much. The food is delicious, it's very clean, and the service, though at times slow, is just as friendly as can be. To be fair, some of this slowness is what I love about this restaurant. It's a family business and each meal is cooked to order. If we ever needed anything, once we caught the attention of the server it was taken care of so well. Case in point, my wife ordered a bottle of water and we were told the tap water had a filter. What a genuine touch that saved us a couple of bucks that they could have pocketed. Love their tacos, salsa, and flan. Can't wait to keep expanding my choices on such a great authentic restaurant.
(5)Chris H.
Our family has looked for 20+ years for a restaurant like this in the Elmhurst &Villa Park area. The food is authentic and homemade. It is BYOB, but a liquor store is right next door. You cannot beat their guac, mole and salsas. For first-timers, please be patient as the family owner/operators take their time to serve and cook. This is not a fast-casual place, but a destination to visit to savor food and friendship.
(5)Kathy B.
Love love the veggie tacos!!! Never had anything bad there. The guacamole and chips and salsa also a must! Very friendly and helpful staff
(5)Sandy T.
My boyfriend and I stopped in here and so glad we did. This is a hidden gem. The best refried beans I've ever had. I had steak tacos which were also delish. My boyfriend had the chicken burrito, which I tried a bite and immediately wished I ordered that. Free chips and salsa while your waiting is great. The flavor was awesome but too hot for me to handle. Definitely wish this place was closer to where I live!!! Seriously, the food will not disappoint here.
(4)Sara W.
Best veggie barrito I've had! The food was good, service was good. Location was easy to find. All in all my mom & I were happy.
(5)Jessica G.
BYOB!! Need I say more? The people are very nice and personable that own it/work there. Food is yummy! Again, BYOB. There's not a whole lot of this in the 'burbs. Get over there! :-D
(5)Kristin S.
Heard about this one a while back and finally got the chance to drop in. Pleasantly surprised. EVERYTHING we had was excellent. Red mole=OMG! The chicken just fell off the bone. My husband's carne asada was seasoned just right and the guac was fresh and fabulous without annoying table side presentation. The salsa that comes with the chips at the beginning of the meal was perfection and the ambiance was pleasant. Great music and relaxing atmosphere. Damn these guys can cook. Will be back for sure! My ONLY critique is if they had homemade deep fried chips with that sexy green salsa it would be perfection. But I will give five stars anyway. :) Definitely a hidden gem!
(5)Steve F.
Not going to repeat what everyone else already said, just agree with them... Great food, very friendly (albeit a bit slow) service and BYOB with a good liquor store next door. This place is a winner, best Mexican in the area by far.
(5)Thomas S.
My wife and I were looking for somewhere different for a Friday night dinner and found this hidden gem less than 2 miles from our house. Everything we ordered was great. We started with home made guacamole and chicken tinga. Both were freshly made and excellent quality. Then for our dinners we had chicken tacos and fajitas. Again, the quality was outstanding! The owners were very attentive without being too overbearing. Like other reviewers have said, you can BYOB! We brought a bottle of wine and the owner not only provided us with a cork screw, he opened the bottle for us! Great service, great food...we will be back.
(5)Jim S.
The best Mexican food you'll ever eat. I have not found one thing on the menu that is not better than any place else. Their green salsa is amazing. Their steak with the green sauce on it is to die for. Even their desserts are incredible . We had our Christmas party there and rented out the whole place and it was wonderful Mario and his wife are amazing very gracious you really going to be glad you went here.
(5)Tom B.
So where do I begin... How about with the guacamole. Super bright flavors all working together, but balanced so that they all showed through. Tasted freshly made, but no show at table side like a pretentious or kitschy place. We read that the mole was not to be missed, and the reviewers were right. Green mole sauce was spicy and rich with a nice nutty flavor (pumpkin seeds maybe?), it complimented the chicken braised in red sauce perfectly. Same chicken with the red mole which was rich slightly bitter perfection. So yes if you love mole, get the mole. The stars of the meal though, were the tinga tostada and the pork tacos. OMG delicious!!!!! The tinga tostada is huge heaped with fabulous black beans and a solid handful of the best shredded chicken you have ever tasted. Rich red sauce that was thick but not greasy or floury. Tinged with many spices but diffIcult to decipher which ones. Nice bit of cheese and crunchy lettuce on top. Spectacular! Lastly, I looooove roasted pork shoulder. These tacos were heaped with tender crispy pork. Seems like there is some bacon on top of the pork while it was slow roasting, because there was some smoke, maybe the chipotle sauce. In any case, it all worked beautifully. Get them Mexican street style with cilantro and onion. Very fresh flavored that way. All in all, this restaurant is about 95% as good as Maya Del Sol in Oak park, for1/4 the price. Go here, but go early because it fills up. P. S. BYOB!
(5)Rubrya G.
This place is a MUST go!!!!! The restaurant is very quaint, the ambiance is perfect for a get together with friends good music mot to loud enough to hear everyone talk!! Amazing food the salsas are to die for everything we tried was great !!! There's a byob no cork fee the owner is so nice !!!!!! We loved it and can't wait to go back!!!! Excellent experience !!!!!
(5)Rachel M.
We came about this place, some what by luck. We had taken our kids to the Safari Land for the first time ( that is a whole other review lol ) and we were looking for nearby food. My husband found this place here on Yelp and it had great ratings. We were also craving some good mexican food so bonus! Anyways, we used to live in Los Angeles for many years. LA does Mexican food right! We have had our fair share of good Mexican cuisine from the strip mall places to the upscale. This place is hardly noticeable from the street. I would say, it's almost in a less attractive area then a strip mall. From the outside, you could be swayed easily. The inside is nothing special. Simple decor but clean...always a plus when you are at a small place like this. The service was not only welcoming but good. On to the food! The salsa they have that comes out with the chips is A-MAZ-ING! It clearly has lots of garlic, cilantro, lime and jalapeno peppers in it. It isn't tame and not kid friendly so my kids didn't eat it...HOWEVER......that meant more for my husband and I! The salsa was so good that when we reached the bottom of the bowl I said to my husband, "That is so good I swear I would lick the bowl." My husbands response," Oh yeah, I dare you." Now, I would like to say I have some pretty good manners and would usually laugh at the dare and continue on with my meal. But I looked around, looked at the bowl, picked up the bowl and licked all around the bowl until I couldn't reach in anymore. It is that good! Now, on to the burritos we ordered! I got the steak burrito and it is stuffed with tender steak, cheese, lettuce and sour cream. The tortilla is cooked to perfection with parts on the edges nice and crispy and the middle being the soft it should be. We ate every single bite of that thing. This place is not close to our home but I can guarantee we will be back. It's right off the metra station at Villa Park, I would actually take the train just to stop here and hop back on the train to go home. It would warrant it's own trip. I can't wait to head back there again soon and try more of their dishes. Big fan!
(5)Susan B.
Wow! I'm not a fan of most Mexican restaurants. This being said, I ate here with my fiancé because he likes Mexican food. THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD EVER! Salsa was just hot enough. Guacamole is superb...all fresh and made the day u eat there. I had two steak tacos with cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and avocado on the side...YUMMMM. SOOO GOOD!! Looking at the restaurant from the outside, I really thought, oh god, its a dive...but go in, sit down, great service, and u will know you have found your Mexican restaurant for sure!
(5)Lisa G.
The owners here are very friendly. They always come to our table and talk to my mom and I. The food is amazing! I always get the steak enchiladas with red sauce, it is a ton of food...three enchiladas, rice and beans for ten bucks. Plus, the soda glasses are huge, I never need a refill. And it is three blocks away from me! The décor is simple, not fancy but not shabby. That's ok, let them spend the money to keep the quality of the food high. if I want bells and whistles I'll go to a place in Oakbrook.
(5)Shawn O.
I have browsed and used Yelp for years but have not taken the time to sign up until now. I signed up because I think I just ate the tastiest meal in my life. I am no food expert and certainly not a Mexican food expert as we have very few quality Mexican restaurants in the Cleveland area. I used Yelp to locate a Mexican restaurant while staying in the Chicago suburbs and picked this one. To get to the point, I had the Mole Verde chicken and it was unbelievably good. Perfectly cooked fall off the bone chicken in a creamy spicy verde sause. Paired with homemade tortillas, rice and black beans, it was simply perfect. The guacamole we had to start and the salsa were also perfect, with just the right level of heat. As I said I am no expert but I may just drive 6 hours from Cleveland sometime to taste this dish again.
(5)Gatsby J.
My beautiful girlfriend just bought a house in Villa Park, and we were looking for restaurants in the area. We love to go on our date nights, and found this Restaurant had great reviews. The place is small, but has character. I had the steak plate, and she had the enchiladas. She's a huge enchilada fan, so I was anxiously awaiting her take on these. We were the only 2 in the restaurant at the time, so we could hear our food literally being made fresh to order! As we held hands waiting, the owner brings out this huge bowl of fresh made guacamole. It was delicious! Then the main dishes arrived, and there was an abundance of steak on my plate, well seasoned and very tasty! We typically feed each other to taste sample one another's others dish, however my girlfriend didn't do it this time, but her enchiladas were still delicious! I highly recommend this place, and plan to visit again soon!
(5)Karla Z.
Moved to Villa Park about a year ago and decided to try this place out. Nothing really stood out. Decided to try it again last week and I'm glad I did! I had the Green Mole. It was to die for! It even made for great leftovers. The owner even took time to talk to me for a few minutes. It was a very good lunch experience.
(5)Ross K.
Incredible family owned restaurant tucked into a strip mall right off of Ardmore Ave in Villa Park. All the food is freshly home made to order. My wife and I had the guacamole which was incredible, steak taco dinner w/ rice and beans, cheese enchiladas, and a tostada. Also, this place is located next to a liquor store (Ardmore Station Liquors) and it's BYOB!!! How can you beat that?! Literally the only place in the burbs I know of that's BYOB. Needless to say, we'll frequenting this hidden gem regularly. ¡Salúd!
(4)Matt S.
I have a new favorite Mexican restaurant, love at first bite! AMAZING, flavorful freshly cooked food, everything from scratch, so be prepared to wait. Poor location (side street by Villa Park train station). Presentation was like something you'd expect at a downtown restaurant - i.e. rice pyramid, etc. BYOB! Don't live nearby but will gladly make the trip.
(5)Joseph D.
The food is good but there is never enough meat in the burritos, otherwise I'd give it a 4/5. A regular steak burrito is more like a bean burritos with small pieces of steak.
(3)Kent T.
Good friends from Elmhurst took us and it is the very best Mexican food I have ever had. The staff is exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The food is fresh and homemade so it does take a little longer to prepare but is sure worth it. Plus the restaurant is BYOB so our bill for 4 people was VERY reasonable. You have to try it! One of the best.
(5)John M.
I've been searching for a good Mexican joint in the western burbs since returning from the west coast and this is it. The outside is a tad sketchy but nice and clean inside. Friendly service. The salsa is wonderful and actually hot. Guacamole was very tasty. I got the steak burrito which was among the best I've had. Way better than El Famous etc. It is a crispy shell which some don't like. Highly recommend and will be back.
(5)Stacy D.
LOVE this little restaurant! I am so happy to support such a friendly family restaurant. Tasty fresh food (the homemade FLAN!!...it was fantastic!). Lots of bright windows, and reasonable prices. I will definitely be back. And, I just have to say... to the people who eat here, and don't like the food...why don't you simply talk to the owners about the food, and give them a chance to fix it before you air your snarky review on Yelp?!! I totally don't get it. I know at this place, they would happily remedy the situation.
(5)Justine Y.
Great experience!! Really good food and great service. Byob. We will definitely be returning soon. I recommend this place to everyone.
(5)Jerry N.
This place rocks! It is BYOB with a liquor store next door. It looks extremely sketchy when you pull up....but get over that part and you will have a great meal on the other side of the door. It is small so you may have to wait for a table depending on when you go. All fresh food and you can tell they pride themselves on delivering the quality. They will allow for take out as well. Do yourself a favor and check this out. Two tips: Salsa is hot Tacos are small but good.
(5)Poch M.
If you ever happen to be near or around the Villa Park train station, and are hungry, well then you're in luck. This unassuming little place on the corner of a strip mall like building adjacent to an ugly looking liquor store is a hidden gem. It doesn't look like much from the outside, and the owners have recently put up some window treatments that make it look even more uninviting, but don't judge a book by its cover. The reason I gave it a shot in the first place, was due in large part to the great reviews. I've had three experiences here in the last few months. The first was dine in. The place is very clean and the ownership couldn't be more inviting. Overall service was great, but the real rockstar of this place is in the kitchen. This little place churns out some of the most authentic, flavorful Mexican dishes you'll ever try. My last two experiences have been carry out, and the quality and consistency has not wavered. I really hope this place succeeds and stays around for many years to come. If you're in the area, be sure to stop in or call ahead for pick up. You'll be glad you did. Pros Fantastic Food Good Prices Friendly and Family Owned Clean Cons Uninviting Exterior
(5)Jay C.
As has been mentioned before, the food was really good. I had the enchiladas with red mole (ordered steak, received chicken) and they were excellent. The depth of flavor of the mole was surprising. My wife had the veggie tacos and loved them. Nice having the liquor store next door, picked up a bottle of pre-made margarita and turned out to be a nice cheap meal. Service was a little slow but looks to be an entire family run joint, husband cooks, wife waits tables, kids bus, I applaud the effort. They were busy and apologetic for the wait times, wasn't the biggest deal. We will gladly go back again and encourage others to try it as well.
(5)Jessica G.
So this is a new place that opened up on the north side of the tracks at the Villa Park train station. My husband came home a few weeks ago and said that he had tried a new place and since I don't always trust his food opinions after one pretty big disaster, I wasn't sure what to expect when we came here with some friends for dinner. There were not many people in the place when we arrived so not sure if it made a difference in the level of service but we did get quick, friendly, attentive service all the way through the meal. The interior is a lot nicer than I expected - lots of brick and warm colors and rather comfy seats in the booths. Since there weren't many other people in there, I can't say what the normal noise level might be. There is complimentary chips and salsa and the red stuff was quite spicy but also quite good. I tried the veggie burrito, which was kind of ginormous, and stuffed with squash, zucchini, onion and bell pepper and probably lots of butter. Rather tasty. The other folks that had not been before had steak burritos and they seemed to like them all right. They are rather large but the tortilla does account for a lot of it. The husband had some sort of steak platter that came with rice and beans. He made very fast work of it so I am assuming he liked it. My other particular favorite item was the guacamole. I normally only like guacamole that I make myself and I like it to be very chunky. The guacamole here is pretty fantastic because it's exactly how I like it so definite points for that. You do have to go to the register to pay so keep that in mind. Hopefully this place makes it since so many new places struggle. It's better than some of the other Mexican restaurants in the area so it is worth a visit!
(4)Andy M.
They rebuilt a nice little Mexican eatery in a depressed area that could use the sprucing up. The food is really good and the owner pretty cool. hopefully they can last and get some attention from the bust commuters in Villa Park
(4)Peter F.
A wonderful change of pace for Mexican food. All the food we had was just a pinch different then standard Mexican food. It was all outstanding. I ordered steak enchilada with green sauce, rice and black beans. The enchiladas were spectacular. Steak that was tasty and tender. Love the Mexican black beans. The Spanish rice, which I normally take one taste and push it aside. Not here. Ate it all. What a great taste! The guacamole was the best I have had. My wife had the same only chicken enchiladas. She concluded that it was the best she has had. Its small but purposeful. Cant wait to go back.
(5)