My friends and I visited here for a part of my birthday celebration as we have talked about this place before so I wanted to at least give it a shot. Overall the food was okay, and I intentionally avoided most dishes under the fuertes section not only because they were pricey but also because I wanted to see how much care they put into dishes that customers probably relatively order less, so I ordered quite a few dishes under the para la mesa section. In terms of highlight, the best dish in my opinion was actually the pistachio tres leches. The milk was definitely there, and there was a good amount of pistachio flavor immersed into the cake. I thought that texturally it worked very well, too, because the softness of the cake provided a good contrast with the pistachio bits on the top. The esquites were great as well, with the tajin crema providing both a sense of creaminess and just a tiny bit of spice, and the manchego cheese giving flavor. The baja fish tacos contained a good amount of white fish and the chipotle crema added flavor. Personally I liked the fact that the brisket tacos had a good amount of smoked brisket meat, but my friend who ordered the dish didn't enjoy it because she didn't think the salsa was flavorful enough, which I could understand but disagreed with. Other dishes were leaning towards okay to meh, such as the papas machas, which had fried yukon potatoes containing very good crispy texture but way too salty flavor, especially if the potatoes were tiny and had a lot of oil at the bottom. The brussel sprouts did not have enough lime vinaigrette so it was practically flavorless, especially since it was probably deep fried without additional seasoning, which also caused some pieces to be hard to chew. The grilled snapper itself was almost flavorless, and relied on the salsa for flavor completely. I didn't understand it because it looked like it was grilled in achiote, so I assumed it followed the tikin xic dish in Yucatán Mexico, with pickled red onions and all. Maybe the achiote paste didn't have enough spices in it for marinading, or maybe the time wasn't enough. Even though as of now I wouldn't actively recommend this establishment to others yet, I would still like to visit myself to try some dishes that my other friends have hyped up, namely the enchiladas de camote and verdes. read more

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I came with a friend to check out the "cantina hour" at Chilango. The traffic is awful, so be mindful of that if you are coming for the cantina hour which runs 4-6. Luckily we got there in time and I got a Chilango margarita and some nachos. The margarita was DELICIOUS, not too sour but flavorful. The nachos were pretty good: the toppings were well distributed and lots of flavor but I didn't love the combo of beans and sour cream, but I guess both are authentic to Mexico. We sat in the patio and enjoyed the beautiful lake view as we caught up, which was great, and I plan to come back! Pro tip: they validate parking! Turn on Thomas and pull into the beach club underground parking and bring your parking ticket to the restaurant for validation. read more

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Our first time visiting James Beard Finalist, Jorge Guzman's restaurant. Before I get to the food review, what I appreciated about the restaurant itself: located in the Calhoun Beach Club, overlooking the lake; patio seating for the great view; validated 2 hour parking in the ramp; a great bar; and reservations. Now for the food. We went as a party of 4 and did family style since we wanted to sample so many of the menu items. Portion sizes were decent. Here's what we ordered: Sikil P'ak ( great appetizer dip with lots of veggies), roasted Brussels sprouts (just an umami bomb) the mushroom taco (blue corn tortillas with cheesy goodness), enchiladas verde (wonderfully smoked chicken in creamy sauce), camarones diabo (spicy sauce either 6 large pieces of shrimp, recommend to get a side of rice to sop up the yummy sauce), pistachio tres leches cake (so good) and the cheesecake (not too heavy, and gluten free). Service was attentive and friendly. No cocktails were ordered but had some cold beer with the food. read more

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The wings were fresh and tasty. There is ample outdoor and indoor seating. Margaritas and an old fashion is what I ordered. The bathrooms are very clean. If you park in the ramp they will validate up to two hours. read more

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Heard about this spot when it was kind of new. Took a friend on her birthday. I'd suggest making reservations as I did. Great location for views of the lake from the patio. Beautiful restaurant on the inside, perfect for date night. Staff was friendly and helpful as it was both of our first time there. Had a few different dishes and some drinks. Drinks were strong and delicious. Food was decent, nothing special and was kind of spendy. Overall good experience, just might need to try some other items on the menu, or might try their happy hour. read more

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I recently visited Chilango in Minneapolis for a friend's birthday and had high hopes going in because I have such fond memories of Urban Eatery which was in that same location. I was really rooting for Chilango to carry on that good energy. We shared the Papas Machas to start, and damn they were absolutely delicious. As much as I love my friends, I would've been perfectly happy devouring that whole plate on my own. That dish was definitely the highlight of the night. For my main, I ordered the fish tacos, and... they were fine. Not bad, just kind of underwhelming. I wouldn't order them again. I also ordered a side of the praised pinto beans, and while the portion was generous, the flavor didn't really land for me. That said, I took them home, added a little salt the next day, and they weren't bad. One of my friends got the tuna tostada and let me try a bite and it was excellent. Super fresh with a lime-forward flavor that really popped. We shared the tres leche and that was also really good! All in all, I'm glad I tried it, but I'm not in a rush to return. If I had to choose between coming back, going to a favorite spot, or trying something new, I'd probably lean toward the latter two. read more

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Stopped in last night for a friends birthday! Ambiance great decor and muscular. They were already seated when I came In, but server was prompt the minute i sat down asked if I wanted a drink and throughly went through the menu. We started with the papas machas that have a great kick- perfect app to share with three people. 5/5. Tuna had to much guac that took over the tuna flavor 3/5z My drink of the day was a strawberry daiquiri usually frozen cocktails are light with alcohol but this had a nice booze kick after each sip. My friend had fish tacos she said she would not order again nothing special or unique 2/5. I had fajitas steak cooked well but didn't have a ton of flavor and the onions were chewy 3/5. The star was the camarones had generous amount of shrimp and cooked perfectly. Overall would rate 3.5/5! read more

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My husband & I have eaten at Chilango twice now with groups of friends and had great experiences both times. The chef, Jorge Guzman, has a number of JBFA nominations and previously lead the kitchens at Surly's Brewer's Table and Petite Leon. Food highlights - our absolute favorites from the menu are the sikil pak and camarones al diablo. Ordered both dishes both times we've been there and they have been consistent preparations across visits, plus tons of flavor. Ordered a burger to split 4 ways with our friends last visit and loved it so much we ordered a second one to take home for a late night snack. Didn't think the wings or fajitas were anything to write home about. We've gotten the queso twice, once with the brisket and once without. I actually preferred the queso on its own without the brisket, thought the brisket added a greasy element that I didn't care for, plus it could've benefited from a strong pinch of salt. In terms of starters, I love the sikil pak, a smoky, well spiced dip made from pepitas. Highly recommend starting your meal with this! The piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese are a strong second pick, they were delicious. I was craving something sweet at the end of our last meal, so we ordered a slice of the basque cheesecake to share. It was decadent in the best way possible, rich but not too sweet, with a vanilla poppyseed crumble on top that added a delightful texture to each bite. They also have an excellent lineup of cocktails and mocktails - don't miss out on their strawberry lemonade, it was one of the best iterations of that drink that I've tried. Friendly, efficient service and a beautiful space filled with plants and murals. It's a good spot to celebrate special occasions. They will validate your parking if you park inside the Calhoun Beach Club ramp, but we've always easily found a spot to park on the metered street parking around the restaurant. read more

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Our second visit, mostly new menu and even better than our first visit. The Tuna Tostada was a revelation - a beautiful melding of spice and lime with the satisfying chew of the tin on a fantastic tostada. My Camarones al Diablo had an excellent heat that built nicely as I worked through the dish and the shrimp with the masa panisse in that smoky sauce was stellar. The Pollo Pollo was a delicious dish as well. The biggest surprise was the Frijoles Charros - so, so tasty. Ask your server for some chips to dip in them! As always, the service was excellent and don't forget to have them validate your parking ticket for the attached parking garages read more

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Happy hour is where it's at. Great deals on good drinks and food. Great for an after work bite and cocktail. The service is wonderful and the menu is fantastic. I had fajitas and they were very good. read more

Chilango - Camarones al Diablo - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I was really excited to try this place, but found it to be really underwhelming in a lot of ways. we went on a Saturday at 6:15 with a reservation at this time. despite this, we did not get seated until 6:40. I don't think I have ever had to wait that long for a table while having a reservation. there isn't really a designated waiting area, so there was just a crowd of people gathered at the entrance, which I'm sure got in the way for servers and staff. The food was also pretty underwhelming. We tried both the fish and brisket tacos, and both were relatively small portions with very basic flavors for the price. we also tried the shrimp entrée, which was $34 and was not very filling or extremely flavorful. Honestly, I would probably not return to this place. The thing I enjoyed the most was the mystery drink, which for $10 was a great deal and very tasty. our server was also very friendly. read more

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The ambiance was clean with nice art. Services was nice, nothing of a stand out. The food was flavorful and fresh. However, the brisket tacos are dry and definitely benefit from a salsa. We did have to request this as a side and were charged extra. I definitely feel that this should be included with your tacos. The drinks were clean not overly sweet. Overall, would try again. read more

Chilango - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I was bummed to miss the elite event but their happy hour was great. The patio seating was nice and service was great. The wings were well seasoned and the fish tacos had a kick to them. The Brussels sprouts were delicious. The oysters were briney and full of flavor. They will validate parking up to 2 hrs at Beach Club Residence garage. read more

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Came here for a Saturday night dinner. Reservations were easy to make on Open Table. Food was good, a little on the spicy side. I needed sour cream to cut the spice a bit. Ordered chips and guac as an app, portion was on the smaller size for a shared app. Entrees are a la carte. Make sure to order sides. Sweetpotato empandas were more like quesadillas drowned in sauce, and fried on the bottom so they were tough to cut. Overall, I'd come back to try more food because it was tasty and good ambiance. read more

We had another great meal at Chilango. The staff is fantastic. This time, we were taken care of by Zach and Ben. Drinks are potent at Chilango, and they use top-shelf liquor. Mexican food in this part of the country can often taste bland, homogenous, and not much better than fast food. Chilango pushes the envelope, creating unique dishes rivaling what we tasted in CDMX. Sadly, Chilango is changing its format and morphing into an American kitchen that sounds familiar and unadventurous. I hope their accountants are correct, and this new format brings in profit. The staff is staying, so that's cool. One warning: I left a $25.00 tip in cash on the bar, and it disappeared when I strolled away for a moment. Be careful with cash left on bars after a couple of Mezcal shots. read more

Service was good. Food was cool. Nothing I need to run back for. We also found it overpriced for the quantity/quality. read more

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We lucked out and got parking on the street by the restaurant. It was going to be a four star experience but the manager definitely made it a five star night. We had reservations and when we got there (on time), we still had to wait about 20 minutes before being seated. The place was packed, we were hungry, and I was starting to get frustrated. I do have to say though, that the interior was beautiful. Once we were seated, my husband eagerly ordered his food, fish tacos, while I was still looking at the menu. I felt pressured to pick something so I ordered the papas machas and nachos. I really wanted the enchiladas verdes but I didn't get a chance to read the ingredients. The papas machas were SPICY but we love spicy foods. Honestly, I could have ordered two of these and called it a day, it was so good. I didn't try his fish tacos but he said they were fantastic! The nachos were pretty standard but I was still thinking about those enchiladas. As we were talking to one of the managers, we realized how special this restaurant was and their customer service in the back was nothing short of amazing. I was able to try the enchiladas verdes and it was everything I hoped it would be. Wow. It was a Disneyland of flavors. The choco taco just hit right. It reminded me so much of the ones I used to get at the gas station when I was a kid. I would fly back to Minnesota in a heartbeat to eat this all over again. read more

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Chilango has been on my radar for a while and I finally found some time to go! I'm absolutely glad I did! Only issue I had was that there was a large event taking place during our dinner, so it was loud and there were a lot of people coming and going, and crowding around our bar (we were in a booth near the bar). It would've been nice to know ahead of time so we could have come earlier or later. Overall, the service was friendly and attentive. Let's talk about the food: Chile Con Queso: 5/5. Simple and delicious. Guacamole: 5/5. Fresh and delicious. Our table devoured this. Brussel Sprouts: 5/5. The perfect side dish, but can also be eaten as an appetizer. YUM. NY Strip: 5/5. This is a big dish, so my husband and I split it. The steak was cooked to perfection and was incredibly delicious. The flavors were explosive. Probably the best thing on the menu, but I still have a handful of things left to try! read more

Chilango - Brussel Sprouts, NY Strip, Arroz Rojo - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

There were already a few eager guests waiting outside the locked doors of Chilango just before 5PM on a Saturday, and with good reason. Within 10 minutes of us cozying up to the expansive bar, each bar seat was filled with an enthusiastic diner. The atmosphere was bubbly and loud; the art, plants, and lighting were simultaneously stimulating and relaxing, and the service was excellent. It's easy for me to get behind a restaurant that makes room for bar seating, allowing for walk-ins while also dedicating beautiful space for those who want to make formal reservations. Situated right within the chain of lakes, I couldn't imagine a better location. Get a little glam and visit Chilango for a special occasion, or pop in after a walk around Isles in something more casual. You wouldn't feel out of place in either scenario! Chilango Margarita: for only $15, this Patron marg does the trick. Not too sweet with plenty of good tequila and a hint of salt, would certainly order again. Sparkling Toxic Mezcalinity: did not try, but was apparently delightful -smokey and bubbly at the same time! Beets: appreciated the spice to this dish, a creamy yogurt base helped cut the kick from fresh jalapeños, while the cold beets play well with cojita cheese crumbles, pepitas, and quinoa. I didn't taste the honey-vinegrette, but nonetheless, a solid start to the meal. Flautas: a bit underwhelming. What was described as "cheesy-potato stuffed fried tortillas" was more like a scant potato filling without cheese? I enjoyed the toppings of crema, salsa, and queso fresco, but overall the dish was plain. Although the fried tortillas themselves were delicious. Baja Fish Taco: the smokey chipotle crema and house made tortillas were just lovely. Unfortunately, was a little disappointed with the fish itself. I am sure it wasn't, but it tasted frozen and didn't have that nice golden brown crust but instead a heavy breading without much fish within. Really wanted to love these, but I've had much better fish tacos even just in Minneapolis. Suadero Taco: if you like heat, this trio is for you - so simple yet so so good. The effort that was put into the smoked brisket is evident. Packing flavor with little crispy burnt edges, I could have consumed a bowl of brisket alone. Each taco was topped with tiny but flavorful diced onions and a hint spicy salsa (Chile de Arbol) that leaves your mouth searing after the last bite is devoured. Definitely go for the drinks and vibes, but maybe try the enchiladas instead of the fish tacos and the wings instead of the flautas? I also heard the chips and variety of dips are excellent. With opening night just a few weeks ago, it is already clear Chilango will have a powerful effect on what is considered Mex-Tex food in the Twin Cities. For sure a top notch addition to the ever-growing Summer 2024 restaurant list. read more

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Went to Chilango on the second official day open. It's really good and was busy. Saw Chef Guzman taking food to tables and running around the restaurant. Service was really good and our server, Andrew, did a fantastic job. As for the food, tacos were good, brisket had a very nice smoky flavor and was spicy but a little too fatty for my liking. The chips and salsa were good, think more smoky flavored salsa than chunky or spicy. The chicken enchiladas were really good and I'd order them again. Also got a side of rice which had a very unique flavor I still can't figure out - maybe cumin or cinnamon. Drinks were really good. Definitely will be a popular place during the summer time as everyone wants to be by the lakes. Parking is a little tight but they offer valet for $9. Overall a very good new spot by Bde Maka Ska in the Calhoun Beach Club. Definitely want to go back to try out everything on the menu! read more

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Incredible food and fabulous drinks in a beautiful setting! Our group made a reservation for dinner on a Monday for my brother's birthday. We had to wait a bit for a table because it wasn't ready, but not a huge deal because our whole party hadn't arrived. We were given the option to be sat in the bar or the dining room. We sat the dining room as the bar area was a little noisy. We ordered as a group and split everything. Each dish was phenomenal! The Enchiladas Suizas and Suadero Taco were my favorites. The brisket on the tacos was fantastic - I would come back for it in a heartbeat. We also ordered La Parrillada - I was worried it wasn't going to be enough when it came out, but it was plenty, especially with other items! There is nothing like a perfectly cooked steak, and this was no exception. The drinks were also so tasty! The Sparkling Toxic Mezcalinity was the crowd favorite - for both the name and the perfectly balanced flavors. Service was overall good! Our server was so sweet and pretty attentive. Food came out as it was ready, which was nice to help pace things. Drinks were a little slow, but the bar was understaffed, so very understandable. Parking was awful. The website said there was a complimentary ramp, but we ended up paying $20 to leave since the ticket machine didn't work. Not the restaurant's fault, but a consideration moving forward. I would recommend to just valet. read more

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I am a relocated Texan and always on the hunt to find a good Tex-Mex spot up here. Which the term they used was "Mex-Tex" - I was intrigued but also a bit skeptical. I read the backstory on the restaurant and my husband and I (he's also Texan born) decided to give it a go. Yikes.. it was just bad. I truly hope that this isn't what Minnesotans think is good. Firstly, it was so bland. No salt on anything. The queso was a joke - pretty sure Velveeta is better - it coagulated in like 2 min from hitting the table. The service was okay but honestly - it's quite absurd to charge the prices they do for the food they provide. TL;DR - food is bad. Service is meh. Will not be returning and would not recommend. read more

Nice atmosphere and Great Wall Paintings. Service was also very good and friendly. Food was excellent as well. Overall worthwhile going. read more

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C H I L A N G O if this was helpful, please click to react, and Follow me for more reviews Check out my IG for more news, insight, pairings and other fun related content. -------------------------------------------- First time checking out this James Beard Finalist Restaurant led by Chef Jorge Guzman (same chef and owner behind Petite León) Definitely some customer service opportunities for a new local spot. There were some longer wait times for food and to order our next round of drinks. Most disappointing was someone else besides our server brought out our second round of drinks, with one that we were waiting for. We asked our server to check on the beverage, and instead of checking on it, she questioned us and smelled our glasses to make sure we didn't pound it already. Pretty rude, and uncalled for. This is something you check with bar staff on not smell my glass and treat me like I'm trying to get free drinks, while questioning my integrity. overall I enjoyed the food, but our friends who really know authentic Mexican were as impressed. We ordered so much, and for me I enjoyed the burger, and really enjoyed the queso. The brisket tacos weren't my favorite and the other items seemed to be met with mixed reviews. Two rounds of cocktails and I was happy with them. First I ordered the mezcal variation of the classic old fashioned. The Oaxacan Old Fashioned. I'm not one for smokey cocktail, but the cocktail worked well and I would order it again. The Chilango Margarita was also very good. We ordered the Un Poquito Mas and it was pretty good, sweet but good. Food Allergies gluten free options available! Specifically we ordered flour and corn tortillas, but they messed up in the back of house putting them in the right area so we had to ask 3 times for the corn tortillas. So be aware read more

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I've always drove past this restaurant whenever I'm near the lake. Finally made it! Parking is available in the lake parking lot across from the restaurant, otherwise the neighborhood behind. This restaurant is nice, big and has 2 different dining rooms. Our server was nice and knowledgeable about the menu. The wings came out with a dry rub and green sauce, the server warned us about the spiciness. Which was perfect because I had used that for the fajitas we ordered. read more

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Food was great and good portion size for sharing only downfall is parking. But great service and beautiful ambiance read more

Chilango - Steak fajitas, cucumber Agua Fresca and Hibiscus Agua Fresca - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

One of the best burgers in the city! We went to Chilango for a Sunday happy hour and we're not disappointed! The burger was just as good as everyone said it would be, cooked to perfection with the "la salsa chingon" (awesome sauce) adding so much flavor! The happy hour nachos were wonderful as well! We went without meat and didn't feel like we missed anything, they were well dressed with sour cream, queso, pico and black beans! Everything tasted amazing. The bartender was attentive without being overbearing and helped us to decide on what to order, the place wasn't too busy so we were able to interact with a number of the staff members, all in great spirits happy to be there! I'm excited to go back and bring a few friends next time read more

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two stars to be nice sorry! underground parking lot is HORRIBLE, there is nothing Mexican about this place but the name, food was just ok, very small amount and for the price....no good, service was NOT GOOD AT ALL will not come back and this place wont last long in business neither.. read more

We came for the jingle bar and the manager was so rude. We were past our reservation time one minute and he was so incredibly rude I will never go again. He pushed me and my friends physically. Other than that the staff was amazing. But def beware if the owners is there. Have never had this type of vibe. read more

My friend and I went to Chilango for dinner on a weeknight and it was pretty busy! The restaurant has a really cool ambiance that makes it feel like you're on vacation somewhere tropical. I got the fish tacos and my friend got the nachos. Our food came out super quickly! The fish tacos were really great and spicier than expected. I would certainly recommend! My friend really liked her nachos as well, but they weren't anything special. Our server was really attentive and we had a great time. Other staff were eager to clear plates and other dishes, which got in the way of our conversation and can be awkward if you eat are varying paces, but I could see where some people would like that. I also got the choco taco for dessert-- it was much more flavorful, salty and sweet, than I anticipated. The parking in the underground ramp was convenient, just remember to ask for a voucher! read more

Chilango - Fish tacos, a side of rice and a margarita - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

First time here tonight. I was attending a networking event and the entire evening was fantastic. The space, the service, the drinks and the food-all awesome. I will for sure be going back! read more

Yikes, I would go to Colita. The food was below par, the price was high, and the service was average. We ate on plastic plates, but spent $35 per entree. read more

Beautiful interior and good service, but every dish felt like it was missing something. All too one-note.

A summer night here with a drink and good food, and conversation is what you need to experience. The staff were so friendly and helpful! They allowed me to look around the space before being seated. The establishment doesn't look as big as it is but it offers a cozy family members house. Intimate but the opportunity to make new friends always lingers. The food was outstanding! I had to request for shells for my food the initial shells weren't enough. I'm a picky eater but not on this visit, everything looked, smelled, and tasted amazing. Bring your family. Bring your best friend. Come by yourself, you won't feel alone. I'm coming back to see if their drinks are as good as the food. I had a coke this time around. read more

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Amazing! Best Mexican food around! We drove over an hour and this place did not disappoint. Drinks - food - dessert - all amazing. Planning our next trip back! read more

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There is a lot of hype about this restaurant opening. I didn't feel like the food lived up to the hype. Great location, service was great really beautiful interior and large patio. The food was just meh. We tried several things including the giant fried fish and nothing really jumped out and grabbed me. Other than the location being great for happy hour and some snacks, I didn't feel it was a place I'd return to for dinner. read more

We were a group of two couples dining on a Thursday night. We live very close and used to go to Urban Eatery all the time. We walked there- so no parking hassles. It was fun to see how they opened up the bar there- it makes the whole place seemingly brighter and airier. We had a table by the window overlooking West Lake Street and the lake. The tables have plenty of room between them and there are lots of seats at the bar. They have a seating area in the back which looked a little dark. They have turned the back wall into a brightly colored Mexican themed mural- a nice improvement. Ceilings are high and it's a bit hard to hear- probably more my issue. One of the things I noticed was how many servers they had-plenty of staff. The tables were close to full - although there was plenty of room at the bar for walk ins. Our server was very attentive. They have a lot of specialty drinks which were described to us in detail, an excellent draft beer selection and a limited mid to high priced wine list. Two specialty margaritas were very tasty. We had the guacamole (freshly made chips) and the beets to start- reasonable portions and both excellent. We shared the Thursday special chimichangas and had the market fish- Red Snapper from Mexico. The food came quickly and brought out as soon as it's ready. All very good, the mole sauce was pleasantly spicy. We finished off with the choco taco - filled with Sebastian Joes ice cream. The four of us shared these dishes and had 4 drinks- all for $210. They have a 4.5% staff benefits surcharge. So a bit pricey but not outrageous. The service could not have been better, atmosphere was casual. If I could criticize anything it would be the music- very indistinguishable with a lot of bass. read more

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Wow! The food, ambiance, service was amazing!!! Best chicken fajitas I have ever had. Veggies cooked to perfection, and the chicken cooked to perfection. Portion size was just right.!!! The cheesecake is really, really good. 10/10 for the experience!! read more

Jorge does it again! Exceptional chicken enchiladas and margs. The space is open and warmed with wood tables , bar and Mexican glass lighting Next time I'll try flank steak and assorted items read more

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Update! My previous review stands. However, they have possibly the best cheeseburger in Minneapolis. I think about it all the time and have to try to limit myself to once a month because i love so close. read more