El Jardin

610

1683

2396

10 years ago

We came to this Mexican gem after hearing of the super strong margaritas. It actually has a nice back patio area that really makes the restaurant feel authentic. Naturally, we ordered the famous margarita, and my friends were right. Or maybe it's because I had two.. The salsa is pretty spicy here and the guac is per usual- delicious. I ordered the pollo dish, which is basically grilled chicken with some sort of Mexican sauce. It was a huge portion so very filling. Nothing amazing about this dish, but not bad chicken either. Insider tip: pay cash and you'll get free tequila shots! Also don't order the black margaritas (an off menu mystery drink)...the normal famous one is enough. read more

El Jardin - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El Jardin - Chicken - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Emme D.

2 years ago

Slowest service ever it's actually unbelievable. Waiter constantly passing us by and have been here for over three hours while he looks at our table and doesn't help. read more

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Dear Emme, sorry for the slow Service yesterday. We were short…

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Slater F.

4 years ago

Good service but the food is way overpriced for what you get. It's probably a 30% markup on a typical Mexican restaurant. Food is ok but $19 for a mediocre burrito is just too much. read more

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Sophia G.

3 years ago

I love every single person who works here. Best margarita you will EVER have. Friendliest staff you will EVER meet. I love Russ!! Please ask for him if you ever visit. El jardin forever read more

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Thank you so happy you had an enjoyable time! Gloria O.

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Hailey B.

365

171

5 years ago

One of my favorite Mexican spots in Chicago. It's very authentic, from the food to the atmosphere. This is a great place during the week for a quick bite or a whole Saturday of drinking in Wrigley. The carne asada, chips and guacamole, and salsa are all a hit!!! read more

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Kayla G.

230

6 years ago

Such a great dinner!!!! We came here for margaritas and dinner last weekend and i will be returning often! Drinks were giant and delicious, service was quick and the food was amazing!!!! read more

El Jardin - Carne Asada, Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Dan P.

106

420

4923

11 years ago

Went here with some friends before a show at MCL. The margaritas are perfect. By this I mean not too sugary and sufficiently strong. The food was not as good. It lacked flavor and, unusually for a Mexican restaurant, was insufficiently filling. Fortunately, the salsa is good/spicy and a sufficient amount is available to season the food. We ordered the special combination and the cheese enchiladas. Except as noted, they were good. The service here is good and the primary reason to go here is to drink. That reason is good enough and I will be back. read more

El Jardin - Special Combo. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Chet M.

4 years ago

El Jardin was a nice restaurant with a good amount of enticing offerings. Unfortunately, I recently went on an all fermented dairy diet. So I just got an a la carte bowl of sour cream. It was scrumptious! Highly recommend this place and they were friendly about my unconventional order :-) read more

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Thank you, very much. Glad you liked our restaurant.

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Rachel G.

4 years ago

Great service, great food, and great vibes! Couldn't recommend this place more! The enchiladas are fabulous.

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Thank you, hope to see again soon.

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Suzanne E.

Elite 22

121

415

5 years ago

I'm so happy (and astonished) to find this still here, after so many years and after such a bizarre transformation of the stretch of Clark Street around the ball park. After all the ugly glitz across from Wrigley Field and then the strange blocks of Christmas decorations on steroids just south of it, it is a huge relief to step into this old standard and order a margarita or two. The staff are polite and don't pressure you into ordering food before you're ready, which in my case was a couple of hours. (Queso fundido.) read more

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John J.

3 years ago

Went for dinner with another couple. Started off with margaritas which were just ok which was disappointing based on the storied history of this place. Split the three taco entree which was full of flavor all around. The other couple ordered the Carne Asada which they could not express enough positive comments for. Wait staff was very responsive and professional. Restrooms can use some attention. read more

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roberta k.

4 years ago

Happened again for the second time. I ordered two enchilada dinners: one in tomato sauce and one in mole sauce. Got two identical dinners in tomato sauce. So I will have no dinner tonight. My husband's the tomato guy. They refunded for the missed mole dinner, but now I have a full dinner of tomato enchiladas I will not eat. This is so wasteful. I will give them one more try and if they screw up again, I'll be done with them. read more

El Jardin - 2 tomato enchilada dinners - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El Jardin - Two tomato enchilada dinners. No mole to be found. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Greg M.

7 years ago

What a shame!!! Have lived in this neighborhood for 15+ years. Not a regulator at El Jardin but thought we'd give it a try tonight. Beautiful night outside. The staff of 10+ with less than 3 tables outside (or the whole place) never even greeted us or offered us water and never asked for orders. We will never be back and hope a better establishment will take over this space. If you don't want to work and make our neighborhood amazing, we can do better. Lakeview East deserves better! Bye! read more

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Teddy M.

7 years ago

This place had awesome margaritas! Excited to see what the patio is like in the summer ! read more

El Jardin - Enjoying some leap year margs! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Payton J.

3 years ago

The $17 margarita was awful. I ordered a $19 veggie burrito. It looked like the chef took a microwaveable bag of steamed Carrots, Cauliflower, and Broccoli and put it in the tortilla and top with a deli slice of cheese. The bill was $80 and it ruined our night and made us feel so defeated we just went home. We didn't even go to the cubs game. I'm still so mad. $40 for 2 crappy drinks. I wanted to warn people around me to leave. Worst food I've had in Chicago and I live here. read more

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Dear Sir, so sorry you were not satisfied with your food. If you…

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Carol K.

1476

3172

1475

17 years ago

Hard to believe that some people rave about this place. Were we at the same restaurant? El Jardin is average at best. The margaritas were sickeningly sweet (I couldn't even drink one) and it tasted like sour mix. My friend even ordered an extra shot of tequila to pour into his to try to help but there was no noticeable change in taste. The entrees? Unremarkable. I had the El Jardin combination which was a beef taco, beef tostada and chicken burrito. While the two beef choices were pretty good- that chicken burrito was dry and had nothing in it other than shredded chicken wrapped in a tortilla. And the sour cream that came with them was hard. What the heck? The best part about this place looked to be the patio (thus the el jardin name)- but there was no room for us the night we were there so we sat looking longingly at the people outside. I guess the location will keep this place going. But in my book- there are tons of places that do good Mexican in Chicago. This just isn't one of them. read more

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Jen L.

227

2970

1791

12 years ago

Another Mexican restaurant! This is my Lakeview based friends 2nd favorite spot. They have the advantage of being open for lunch on a Monday which is when I ate there. The space was spacious especially since our early lunch meant that only a couple of other tables were occupied. Since this was really my breakfast, I was happy to see huevos rancheros on the menu. My friends ordered tacos and menudo...but the menudo wasn't ready yet for the day. So the chicken soup had to do. My huevos was delicious... a perfectly poached egg on a tortilla with my choice of red sauce. I liked that it seemed very family run and the price point was excellent. read more

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Ixta G.

5 years ago

If you go there, get a delicious margarita! I usually get the Cadillac and it is so good! The service is great. Every time we go, the waiter always remembers who we are and is always super nice. Great atmosphere, yummy food and friendly service. read more

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Thank you so much , please come again.

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Erika G.

114

2377

447

16 years ago

I used to go here all the time in the late 80's, the first time I lived in Chicago. I don't remember it all that well . . . maybe 'cos of the margaritas? I went here again last week. Took one sip of a margarita, and the flashbacks began. Wowwwwww, yeahhh, I remember this place. The food then, was . . . forgettable. Maybe because of the aforementioned margaritas. The margaritas NOW are . . . forgettable . . . just not that good anymore. Or, maybe they never were and I was just young and impressionable? But the food NOW is Mmmmmmmm. I had steak tacos which were delicious. Really tasty. What really stood out, and what I snuck many bites of was my SevenStar companion's Carne Asada entree. Oh yes, meat lovers unite! This was a giant chunk of well prepared (not well done, my friends, no, let's not murder that meat), well seasoned BEEF. It was perfect. And kudos to 7star for putting up with my "Ohhhh, and I remember something else about a time I came here . . ." And the brain cells are waking up, thank goodness. I've come back here since and stuck to the delicious food and a Corona or two. The outdoor patio is nice, now that it is open. Take the Corona . . . leave the margarita. read more

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Andrew D.

5 years ago

Ordered a quesadilla and it was awful. Watered down drinks. Overpriced for the terrible quality

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K D.

3 years ago

Love this place! The food is great. Love their mole. Will be visiting again soon.

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Thank you so happy that you enjoyed our food! Please come again soon.…

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Rocky B.

Elite 26 All-Star

248

852

1148

19 years ago

El Jardin's...I guess I kind of forgot about this place but they do carry some tasty mexican food. Service is friendly and the atmosphere is festive. Love the outdoor patio. During slower times they'll even pass out complimentary tequila shots...can't beat that! Haven't been to El Jardin in awhile but I will definitely have to make an effort to go back...soon! read more

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Roger P.

5 years ago

I've been coming here since I was 2 years old (so a few decades), and maybe it's part nostalgia yet this place holds a special place in my heart. The food is good old fashioned Mexican comfort food. And the drinks are well worth the price. The best part is the family ownership and management. Gloria is amazing and her family and employees are the best. They've treated us like family over the years and now all our friends enjoy EJ as well. It's a special meet up spot for us and now our kids. Of course we'll be back soon. And on the patio for the summer! read more

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Heather P.

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

401

534

322

15 years ago

Giving it two stars only because I feel bad. The service was good. The atmosphere was so-so. Don't know about the drinks as I was not partaking this particular evening. Here's what I do know...not a fan of salsa from a container that resembles IHOP syrup containers. Also not a fan of the food. I was here with a group of six. Not one single person had anything on their plate that I thought, wow that looks good. Seeing as I how I live for food - that basically NEVER happens. I always want what others are having. This time, I wanted what someone at a different restaurant all together was having. I had the steak fajitas. I would hardly call whatever meat this was steak. It was rubbery, chewy, fatty, lacked all flavor. The presentation wasn't at all appetizing. It came on a plate so it wasn't even sizzling. There was absolutely nothing that made this dish flavorful so I had to resort to dousing it with the syrup salsa. My boyfriend had the $14 steak burrito. Goo! $14 for this?! If I want a massive burrito I could just as well get one as big as my head from La Bamba and be just as satisfied for a half of the cost. With that said, I hope you are getting the picture. This would work more for drunken Mexican food. Lesson learned. Maybe the margaritas are worth the trip, but the food definitely wasn't. read more

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Kate R.

5 years ago

Service is great, food is alright, good place for a marg tho. They have a nice large patio.

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Thank you for your support, hope you come again soon. Gloria (…

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Martha Grace H.

295

3 years ago

Absolutely amazing !!!! The customer service could not have been better. I've truly never had better service. The owners are the most gracious people will be coming back all the time. read more

Business owner information

Gloria O.

Thank you , it’s our pleasure. Marvin is so cute.

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Back

Page 2 of 10

3335 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
Lakeview
Directions
(773) 528-6775
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://eljardinwrigleyville.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does El Jardin open?

El Jardin opens at 2:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.El Jardin opens at 11:00 AM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does El Jardin close?

El Jardin closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.El Jardin closes at 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu 2:00 PM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 11:00 AM - 10:30 PMSun 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does El Jardin take Bitcoin?

No, El Jardin does not take Bitcoin.

Does El Jardin take credit cards?

Yes, El Jardin takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does El Jardin have catering options?

No, El Jardin does not have catering options.

Does El Jardin have a drive thru?

No, El Jardin does not have a drive thru.

Does El Jardin have a happy hour?

No, El Jardin does not have a happy hour.

Does El Jardin serve alcohol?

Yes, El Jardin serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does El Jardin allow dogs?

Yes, El Jardin allows dogs.

Does El Jardin have TVs?

Yes, El Jardin has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does El Jardin have bike parking?

Yes, El Jardin has bike parking.

Does El Jardin have outdoor seating?

Yes, El Jardin has outdoor seating options.

Does El Jardin have parking?

Yes, El Jardin has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is El Jardin wheelchair accessible?

Yes, El Jardin is wheelchair accessible.

Does El Jardin have free WiFi?

Yes, El Jardin has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Authentic Mexican Food. Full service Bar. Summer time two large outside patio's. In business since 1967. Family owned.

History

Established in 1967.

Small bar when opened in 1967. Started selling tacos. First Mexican restaurant on north side.

Meet the Manager: Gloria O.

Worked for 42 years at El Jardin love to see how much the Neigborhood has changed, hope everyone likes the changes at restaurant.

More Info

Health Score

El Jardin Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
1 Review

Ask the Community - El Jardin

Do you take reservations when there is a concert at wrigley?

So sorry but we don’t take reservations during special events like Concerts . Thank you.

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Hello, Will you show the Fury-Wilder III boxing match on Saturday?…

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Went here for my birthday dinner on a Saturday night. Nice atmosphere and music but not too loud…read morefor conversation. I loved the decorations. I ordered the steak and shrimp fajitas they were expensive but excellent! Came out on a sizzling plate. I tried the Habernita drink and sangria. The habernita drink had mezcal, orange, pineapple, and habanero so had a nice kick to it. My friend told server it was my birthday secretly and they came out with a sparkler had birthday music playing and shots of tequila for my table! We had a great time and I will definitely be back! I recommend coming here to celebrate your birthday or just to have a delicious meal

I'm not one to knock out places that I haven't been for the first time but this one won't be seeing…read moreme ,any time soon. The food was bland and lacked flavor, the enchiladas didn't have the texture and quality you'd expect for a place that's close enough to down town to make its presence known. The service wasn't bad just lacked effort. The server upsold side dishes , but never brought them out. Had them removed from the check. The ambiance is great , nice decor , great music and spacious. The chicken was diced and dry from being reheated so it had those crunchy edges, which don't belong in an enchilada lol. The drinks were sweet and tasty. Overall try if you're gonna be drinking rather than looking forward to the meal.

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Naomi L.

Elite 23

261

332

365

3 years ago

El Jardin, oh how you've managed to keep me hooked for all these years! This place is like the reliable friend who always has your back - they've never disappointed me, not even once. The menu here is like a treasure trove of deliciousness, and the service is so impeccable it's almost suspicious. The managers at El Jardin must be working undercover as culinary superheroes because they're always there, ensuring that your dining experience is smoother than a guacamole dip on a summer day. The vibe? As chill as a cucumber at a spa. Now, let's talk about the Taco Dinner - three Carne tacos with just cilantro and onions. Any other way of preparing steak tacos should be labeled a food crime. But here's the plot twist - I'm not usually a burrito fan. However, I bravely followed the server's recommendation and ordered the Pork Burrito Dinner. The marinade on that pork should probably be classified as a controlled substance because it's addictively good! Even someone like me, who normally avoids burritos, couldn't resist. El Jardin has single-handedly converted me into a burrito enthusiast. Just a quick heads-up: the burritos come in sets of three, but they're on the smaller side. But don't fret; it just means you get to try even more of their mouthwatering dishes. And now, let's talk margaritas - El Jardin's secret weapon. These margaritas should come with a "Designated Driver Required" warning. They're like a flavor explosion in your mouth, with a sneaky little kick that'll keep you on your toes. Sip them slowly, my friends, because these margaritas are not for the faint of heart. In conclusion, El Jardin is a dining destination that never fails to deliver fantastic experiences. Whether you're a taco aficionado or a burrito skeptic, El Jardin's exceptional dishes and warm hospitality will win you over. I strongly recommend trying the Pork Burrito Dinner; it's a game-changer even for non-burrito enthusiasts like me. El Jardin continues to set the bar high for Mexican cuisine in town, and I can't wait for my next adventure in flavor at this wonderful place. read more

A A.

1 year ago

This is, unfortunately, my first time leaving a restaurant upset--and my first time ever feeling compelled to speak up about my food. We visited hoping for affordable, authentic Mexican cuisine but left disappointed by the overpriced and underwhelming experience. Pricing: The menu was shockingly expensive for what was offered. Also for how empty it is. We were the only people inside. For example, the small guacamole, which was barely the size of my palm, cost $14. To make matters worse, it was bland and lacked the flavor we've come to expect from guacamole. We didn't even finish it, which speaks volumes. Food Quality: Hoping to keep costs manageable, we decided to split an order of fajitas. They arrived looking unappetizing--a first for us when it comes to fajitas. The dish came with a small container of sour cream, which, to my dismay, smelled and tasted like spoiled milk. It completely ruined the meal. Service: I reluctantly voiced my concern about the sour cream, and while they sent over a manager, their response was dismissive. I was told the sour cream was "new," but its sour, off-putting smell was undeniable. The way the situation was handled felt unprofessional and dismissive, leaving a bad taste in our mouths--literally and figuratively. Overall: We paid $50 for mediocre fajitas, questionable sour cream, and disappointing guacamole. This experience was not only overpriced but also deeply unsatisfactory. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone and will certainly not be returning. read more

Camilo B.

10 years ago

Management doesn't have any idea of how to run a restaurant. I meant if you own a restaurant and you're also the manager PLEASE learn how to treat a customer because "manners matter" GURL this is Lakeview not a Mexican Hacienda where you're la Patrona and you feel the right to be Rude with everybody. Lemme tell ya something your business is sinking like the Titanic because is listed like a 4 stars and seems like a an Amish Butcher shop. Yesterday was my birthday and I was looking forward to have a good time with my family instead we got there and they have a couple of chiks promoting Jack Daniels and I was wondering from which corner of Clark st they hired them lol c'mon it's a family restaurant or that what I thought... Thanks once again for the kind service and for the owners guys go back to college for business management. The food "meh" almost taste like Chipotle at least they serve fast but like I said it taste like frozen meal. Thanks for nothing! PS. You guys seems like an Apple Store many waitress for 3 customers I guess you guys pay them for see each other's faces, my waitress was really lazy. read more

Anthony R.

1 year ago

I had an incredible experience at El Jardin, a family-owned Mexican restaurant located at 3335 N Clark St, Chicago. From the moment we walked in, you can tell this is a place run with love and passion for authentic Mexican cuisine. I ordered the Carne Asada plate, and it was absolutely delicious perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. My son enjoyed his mole plate, which he said was so flavorful, and his shrimp plate was just right not too spicy, just the right amount of heat. We also shared two plates of nachos, which were cheesy, crispy, and packed with flavor. Everything was fresh and incredibly tasty. The service was good friendly and welcoming, making us feel right at home. Plus, there's plenty of parking available, which made our visit even more convenient. It's clear that this restaurant is a labor of love from a family I'm related to, and it truly shows in the quality of the food. If you're in Chicago and craving authentic Mexican food, I highly recommend stopping by El Jardin. You won't regret it I'll definitely be returning soon! read more

Matt D.

10 years ago

I have been coming to El Jardin for years. Within the past year the prices have gone up and the quality has gone down, I will never be coming back. First of all, $12 for the margaritas?? That is crazy. Second of all $8.50 for a SMALL guacamole, also crazy. So when our bill for 3 margaritas, one small guac and one cheese quesadilla was $60 I finally said I am never coming back. You lost a good customer. Change your menu back to when it was not so limited (Need the milanesa, ropa vieja, etc.) and make your prices reasonable again for the mediocre mexican food and I will think of coming back, otherwise, avoid this place and go elsewhere. Not worth the $$. read more

Rob A.

10 years ago

Horrible experience! Went with friends and we all ordered the Mexican steak. One of the people in our party highly recommended it so, we decided to try it. It tasted alright and I ate the whole thing. After dinner, within an hour I started feeling violently ill and began throwing up on the side of the road. This continue for about 3 hours. I have never had food poisoning in my life but, this sure felt like it. read more

Jen S.

16 years ago

Love this place!! The margaritas are amazing, although you only need one, if you have 2 youll probably be blacked out. Its amazing. Food good, they have the el jardin combo plate, favorite of mine, Its delicious. Great salsa! I love salsa and they give you a whole container of it so you can smother all your food in it. Atmosphere is good. Its a pretty big place. Summer is the best when you can sit outside. read more

Justin M.

6 years ago

I've been here countless times after Cubs' games or drunken Wrigley escapades, which is a different environment, but I finally went here sober, and it was amazing. We ordered the Guacamole and Fish Tacos....both were incredible. Honestly the best fish tacos i've ever had. I am writing this entire review solely because of the fish tacos, so...get them and cherish them. read more

Daniel E.

1 year ago

El Jardin is my go to for Mexican food in Chicago. I highly recommend the steak quesadillas with a margarita perfect for a Saturday afternoon after a game at Wrigle. the staff is attentive, kind and efficient and the atmosphere is wonderful. would highly recommend checking this spot out if you haven't alread. read more

Stephanie M.

13 years ago

Mexican food is Mexican food... it is all the same to me! It is the quality of the margarita that makes this place special. One is more than enough for the casual drinker. The atmosphere is simple... the service average.... but that is okay because the margarita will blow you away! read more

Patrick M.

10 years ago

Ordered for delivery through grub hub as a featured restaurant. Never again! Order a small guacamole for 8.25. The container contained about half an avocado. There are plenty of other nice Mexican restaurants around to waste your time or money on here read more

Sacha K.

17 years ago

How can a place not be good when 1 margarita is equal to 4 beers?? This place is a great spot to go to with a group of people when you are up for a night on the town. The food is decent, not my favorite mexican- but the Margarita's are awesome. read more

Kitty V.

11 years ago

Great place. Tasty food. I only been here a few times but I will recommend to people. The margaritas are awesome! Reasonable price just kinda far because I live in the Northwest suburbs but worth traveling sometimes. read more

David H.

12 years ago

Absolutely love this place. They serve delicious Mexican food and their wait staff is extremely personable and caring. Get the Margarita's El Jardin's gives out hefty portions and you won't be sorry! read more

Jessica A.

17 years ago

Great Mexican restaurant, Homemade salsa, Guacamole, and great margaritas. Staff was nice and the manager( I guess) kept on coming around making sure everything was fine. Very inexpensive too!! read more

vanessa l.

1 year ago

went out for dinner had their house specialty carne asada and queso fundido which is the best also their margaritas are always on point love the staff service is the best . read more

Alicia B.

17 years ago

Good place to go for drinks after work but the food is better at other Mexican restaurants in the neighborhood. Always a lively crowd and tasty margaritas to boot. read more

Donna A.

7 years ago

I am only going to say one thing WOW their Margaritas had me out after only one!!! Perfectly balanced and OMG just go and see for yourself!

Mary M.

13 years ago

Best Margarita in Chicago. Just make sure you aren't driving-they are not shy with the alcohol. Great night with my friends! FUN PLACE!!!!

Javier H.

1 year ago

$60 to get in? Not even in river north that's crazy they think this is tao or electric hotel? Lmaooo

El Jardin - mexican - Updated September 2026

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Dona Tola

4.4

(78 reviews)

I made a reservation to come here for dinner in between back to back movies during the Music Box's…read more70 mm Film Festival. I wanted to do some place that was nearby that did not require use move the car. I have been on this block a lot as I frequent Unique Threading to get my eyebrows done as well as going to the Music Box for movies. How I have never had this joint on my radar is beyond me as it is bright pink on the facade, but now that it is on my radar, I will definitely be back for dinner. The restaurant itself is on the small side, so I would strongly recommend a reservation. We were seated at two round tables for our party of four. About 10 minutes later, a party of six came in, followed by back to back parties of two, so place was filling up quick. On the plus side, if you are one of those folks who like to eat outside, they do have ample seating in their patio area. The decor feels homey, reminding me of some of the places I have visited in Mexico on various trips. I was particularly excited when we walked in and I saw three different bottles of sparkling wines on the the bar as they were not listed on the menu. Before I hit the food, I want to say that the servers were lovely. We had a 5:30 pm reservation but our movie got out earlier than expected. Me and The Queen thought we could wait in the bar area at the Music Box and have a quick drink, but they were not open. We took a chance and went to the restaurant to see if they would allow us to be seated early and they did. I explained that we were early but were expecting two more folks for dinner and it was no problem. The Queen got Sleeping Beauty (Lavender, gin, chamomile tea and lemon) and I got this very lovely sparkling rose from Mexico. The Queen really enjoyed her cocktail. I had a sip and have to say it was refreshing and definitely a different way to look at having chamomile tea. Once The Doctor and my BFF #2 arrived, we got down to business and ordered food. We started out with the Chile Relleno (Crab Stuffed Poblano pepper, Cheese, Cream, & Queso Fresco), Guacamole, Pico de Gallo Y Salsa Buena, and Shishito Con Tajin. I love Shishito peppers in general, but never had them with Tajin, so now I am in love. First of all, Tajin is my comfort seasoning for Mexican food, so adding it to most foods is all right with me. Chile Relleno is not an appetizer I normally order, but seeing that this was stuffed with crab drew me in. Welp, Dona Tola has spoiled me for Chile Relleno...if y'all ain't prepping them the way Dona Tola is, I am not ordering them. The idea of crab meat in that dish was so good! For dinner me and my BFF #2 got the steak fajitas and I have to say that were done really well. They were not presented in the usually way on a hot small skillet, but were plated with the rice and beans. I have to say that I much prefer this way to eat them as I didn't have to deal with the extra large platter. Also there is something nice having everything on one plate as those flavors blend together to create a lovely flavor profile. I didn't finish this dish, but the leftovers were just as nice the next day. The Queen got the Enchiladas Del Mar (Crab & Cheese Stuffed Tortillas, finished with Spicy Shrimp & Bay Scallops). She thought this dish was lovely, but it lived up to its description of spicy, at least for me when I tried a bit of it. I would love to get this dish, but don't know if they would prepare it without the extra heat. There was a generous amount of seafood in the dish and it not been so spicy (again for me), I would love this. The Doctor got chicken tacos, which is his go to and he said the chicken was nicely seasoned and tender. As a side dish, me and The Queen split the Elotes. I love Elotes but prefer it off the cobb, again a personal preference. That said, it did not stop me from eating it the next day. I had a bite or two off of my cobb and took the rest home, where I cut it off the cobb to add to the steak fajitas. The Elotes was nicely prepared and had the right amount of seasoning and not too much of the mayo, which I appreciated. We did not do dessert as there was no time and we were on the full side...maybe next time. But I can say I will be eating here again, in person or delivery. This may become my new take out place, it was that good.

Dona Tola is a family owned restaurant with great food! We've been multiple times and it's a nice…read moreoption close to home. From a drinks perspective, get the cadillac margarita if you're trying to have a wild night. It is very alcoholic and a good value for the price. My personal favorite is the bourbon and horchata, but they often run out. Food wise I like their tacos, but you can't go wrong. We've brunched and had their dinner and everything is awesome + reasonably priced. The ambiance is cute, especially in the summer when you can sit out on the patio. It's nice and cozy in the winter and isn't too loud. Make a reservation if you have a larger party during peak meal times just to be safe. Come here for a good time! You'll probably see us there.

Southport Taqueria

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Taqueria Traspasada

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(93 reviews)

Wow! This place really hit it out the park! The food was amazing and the service was phenomenal!…read moreIsrael was an amazing host to us and made sure we had everything! The place itself is quiet and cozy, felt like I was back at home to my roots! I will most definitely be back for more food! The portions are great and their chips and salsa were impeccable, thank you Taqueria Traspasada!

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Taco & Burrito House

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•$

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Cafe El Tapatio

3.8

(1k reviews)

excellent food, ambiance and service. Good variety on menu. Great outdoor patio. Been going here…read morefor 34 years and it is still fantastic. One of our favorite places to go In the neighborhood

Our first visit to Cafe El Tapatio, and what an amazing experience…read more First, it's impressive to think this restaurant has been around for more than 50 years. The founders came from Guadalajara, Jalisco, and despite having no restaurant experience, opened what became one of Chicago's early spots for authentic Mexican cuisine. You can learn a lot about a Mexican restaurant from the chips and salsa. Are they unique and memorable, or just the same thing you've had a hundred times? Both were super tasty here, and the salsa packed some heat. We started with the Queso Fundido. You can never go wrong dipping chips into a skillet of bubbling hot cheese, except when you fail to let it cool and burn the roof of your mouth! I ordered the Arrachera XX, while my guests went with the Enchiladas Verdes and Taco Carta. My charbroiled skirt steak, marinated with XX Lager, was flavorful, tender and tasted incredibly authentic. I loved my Piña Poblano cocktail so much that I had to order a second and almost went for a third. The combination with pineapple-infused Pueblo Viejo Blanco was delicious, and the presentation looked as good as the drink tasted. The atmosphere adds to the experience. Between the colorful walls and tile floors, it feels a little like you've done some time travel to Guadalajara. Since Cafe El Tapatio is only three blocks from where we were visiting, I'm certain we'll be back to explore more of the menu.

Onions & Cilantro

4.4

(48 reviews)

The staff is so friendly and welcoming. Kindly offered suggestions when the options all sound…read moreequally as good. Got breakfast items. Chilaquiles and Huevous Chorizo. And went with the suggestion of Passionfruit agua Fresca. The perfect late morning breakfast.

There is nothing wrong with a solid neighborhood taco spot. However, some places are just that,…read morerather than being foodie destinations. Onions and Cilantro is solidly in the former category rather than the latter. I ordered a two-taco dinner, with one Al Pastor and one Steak. Both tacos were simple as can be: protein, onion, cilantro. The veggies were fresh and in good balance. The proteins were in ample and not overloaded amounts, but were unfortunately underwhelming. Other than being well-roasted, the flavor was not prominent. The Al Pastor especially disappointed, since not only was evidence of pineapple missing, so was evidence of marinade. With this, both tacos felt dry; a case of sauce required as opposed to sauce-optional. I've no complaints about the rice, and the beans with bacon were, well, beans with a little bacon. They could have done with a little less water and more bacon, but I'm not too upset about it. For beverages, I was able to try two of their Aqua Frescas - nothing to write home about, but also not overly sweet and with good flavor. My favorite thing of theirs was the Pico de Gallo. Bright, fresh, flavorful, a little herbaceous, just what I look for in Pico. While not very busy at the time, the service was friendly and relatively quick. The prices are more or less in line with the market, so I can't complain too much without being generally up in arms about the market as a whole. Final verdict: Onions & Cilantro failed to impress, but this is partially on my part for expecting mind-bending food. Protein, onion, and cilantro are good and fine, but be prepared to sauce for (rather than 'to') taste. Would recommend?: Ehh... if you're already local, and are craving tacos, it beats Taco Bell. Otherwise, there are better places out there. Would return?: Honestly, no. This is both due to distance and a less than stellar experience.

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4.7

(19 reviews)

El Fogon Tapatio was empty when we walked in. It was a little dark inside, but once we sat down…read moreand ordered, everything changed. You could hear the meat sizzling, and it started smelling really good fast. its like the kitchen came to life. The place has this hacienda look to it, with brick walls, Mexican decor everywhere and even an organ in the room. Felt a little like stepping back in time. Pretty cool honestly. I got two asada and two al pastor tacos. And yeah... these tacos were something else. The asada tacos were good but the al pastor were the clear winner. Super tender, juicy, packed with flavor. A little sweet, a little savory, tiny bit of heat. Once I added salsa and lime, it just leveled up. Messy, a little greasy, but in a good way. They also give you grilled onions and a chile toreado on the side, which made it feel like a full plate, not just tacos. And they don't skimp on the meat either. I'd go back just for those al pastor. Easy.

This place got me screaming from the rooftops. I swear the food here would be TikTok viral worthy…read more(!!!!) and I mean that. I've had El Fogón Tapatio 3x now. All of them have been takeout experiences, I can't even imagine how insane it must taste being served immediately because that's how delicious and fresh their takeout is. Their steak taco dinner is unbeatable. I don't know how they marinade their meat, or how they make their refried beans, or what tortillas they're using but every single ingredient here down to the cilantro & onion is always of highest quality and freshness. Their al pastor is out of this world too, probably the best I've had in years. I am blown away by their tacos and the accompaniments every time. Easily top 3 best Mexican spots in the area in my opinion, with their al pastor being #1. The employees are always so welcoming and kind when I get my order. The hospitality is unmatched. The space inside has plenty of seating and truly feels like you're in the humble abode of a true Mexican restaurant. Reasonably priced too. You already know I will continue going here! I highly recommend this place!!

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