Just wanted to share my experience with my recent takeout order! I wish I could've eaten in, but the restaurant's pretty cozy - only bolted tables with four seats inside. No biggie though! I went all out and ordered a feast: seven taco dinners (asada and carne al carbon - the al carbon had a nice extra zing of lime and seasoning!), four tortas (two pata and two cubanas). The pata tortas were good, but nothing to write home about. The cubanas had all the right ingredients, but I felt they could use a little more oomph in the flavor department. I also grabbed a classic asada burrito. The older lady who helped me was very nice! She made sure I had plenty of limes and salsas - top-notch service! read more

D+ grade. Chicken was severely overcooked and very dry. Chips were a bag of tostidos. Guac had no flavor. Just mashed up avocados and maybe some cilantro?... no onions, tomatoes, or limes, or garlic.. It just was not good.. Hurt my insides afterwards too = express visit.. if you know what I mean. A definite, "no go". read more

A one-of-a-kind Pastor Burrito. Been here before... Stop in and watch these guys sling the greasiest tacos around and pack a 'Grease Bomb' Burrito like no other! It takes a lot of practice to pull this shit off day after day... read more

El Paraiso - 'Grease Bomb' Pastor - Mexican Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

I had heard raving reviews from some of my coworkers about this place so I finally went out and tried it. I was very disappointed with my experience. Service was lackluster, my Al pastor burrito was the worst I have had at any of the many places I have ordered it. The flavor profile was tomato forward and lacking any other spice or pizazz. I could see this place being good in a pinch since they are open till quite late and have a drive through. But I wouldn't recommend if you're looking for Al pastor. read more

Tried this place for the first time after some family said it was amazing. Went through the drive thru. Ordered a taco dinner with 1 chicken, 2 steak. Avocado only please. Mind you, it's extra for avocado. Waited for about 15 min. Got our order, opened the tray, it LOADED with cilantro and onion no avocado. My friend is allergic to cilantro. So, I waited til the guy came back to the window and told him the mixup. He said ok if I can pull around the front. Waited another 10-14 min, maybe. Said thank you and left. I should've checked the food more thoroughly. Got home, and all they had done was scrape off what they could from the top of the taco, and hide it under avocado.. So there was still a noticeable amount of cilantro. Some onions. So my friend couldn't even try the food. Never again. They have no consideration, or concern for food allergies. And the guy taking orders kept giggling. This wasn't funny. I wouldn't recommend or try this again. read more

El Paraiso - Chicken and steak tacos with what the cook wasn't able to scrape off of the taco when he made them wrong. - Mexican Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Went here after work one night about 10:30 at night and it was packed with cars through the drive-thru. The prices are very cheap so I am figuring that has a lot to-do with the big line. The burritos and tacos I have tried here and would recommend. It is a big portion of food for the price and I never leave feeling hungry. The customer service is absolutely terrible like the other reviews stated, it was frustrating because I had to ask for napkins and one more sauce for my burrito and the man made it seem like I was asking him to do some big favor. I think the price point for the food and quality is great but the customer service kind of makes it hard for me to want to go here since I know its a negative experience in itself just that aspect of it. read more

Food was very delicious, would definitely come back. Prices were also very reasonable and good environment.

Ehhhhh had kind of a blah experience here tonight. Decided to go back for the second time to try a chimichanga (my go-to thing at Mexican places). I ordered it to go and asked if I could get it suizo style and the lady just flat out said no. At first I thought she didn't understand me so I repeated myself. Suizo. Changed it to suiza. Cheese on top? She still said no, "that's only for burritos." Okaayyyyy... Anyway, the chimi was OK. HUGE, so a great deal for $6.25 and I ate about 1/3 of it and if left me feeling kind of icky. And I'm not someone who is put off by greasy food and I don't have a sensitive stomach for fried foods. Also, there was a little black curly hair (def not mine) in my food. Now I'm also the kind of gal to just pick out a hair and keep eating so it didn't ruin my meal, but it's the principle of the matter. I really don't think I'll be back. read more

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My husband took us here because he said he has gotten great food from them in the past. Maybe they were having an off day yesterday, but it doesn't look like it from recent reviews. I got a steak burrito and it was honestly one of the worst I've ever had. The meat was bland and dry, and the burrito only had cheese and tomato when the menu says burritos include lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and cheese. The cheese wasn't melted and was all gathered in the bottom of the burrito. I'm not a picky eater at all and this was still so unappetizing. I also somehow ended up with an extra burrito with a different kind of meat. I tried that one as well and it was no better, bland and missing ingredients. It really seemed like there was no pride or care taken whatsoever in the food we paid good money for. I will not be giving them my business again. read more

Tacos. OMG the best tacos I give them a 9.7 yes they are in the ranks of the best tacos in the Chicagoland area I think they have other locations but this review is only for this location. Give them a try. read more

El Paraiso - Tacos. OMG - Mexican Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

I like that this place opens late but I don't like the crowd that hangs in the parking lot. It's like I have to bring a "self defense" thing, if you know what I mean, to get something to eat here late at night. read more

Lady refused to take my order because of language barrier. 4th July . Wanted a burrito . I have to find food somewhere else .

I have been here once. The food was good. The place inside could be updated. I did carry out. Would come here again. I had their al pastor and asada tacos. read more

El Paraiso just isn't that good. I don't understand why people keep telling me it is. This is ELGIN. There is great Mexican food here. In fact, I will share with you a secret. On highland avenue on the west side, (where the old Weiner Wagon was) there is a place called the Chorizo Grille. It's awesome...but it's not on Yelp. I must inform them upon my return. Go there before they go out of business. Unless it's very late and you're by El Paraiso with it's overly convenient drive-thru. read more

The food use to be really good and afordable here at this location. Now there isn't really any flavor in the meat and it's over priced we had 7 tacos, 2 drinks and chips and it was 50$.The salsa given to us had gone bad to and you could smell it wasn't right at all. i hope they fix this I use to go there all the time not any more after this. Don't get the red salsa and don't get ripped off save your time and money read more

Elgin literally has a taco joint (taqueria) on every street (ok so that's kind of a stretch). I have never gone wrong by grabbing grub at El Paraiso on Villa Street. I enjoy their chimichangas and tacos. The service is standard for just about any decent taco place, however the food is top notch. Their Jamaica and Horchata are also delicious. Now onto other peoples reviews: -Complimentary chips are just that, complimentary. There are many Mexican restaurants in the area that do not offer them. Do you take away stars from other places that do not give out a complimentary bread basket? -Stolen credit cards are not funny, but how can you fault the restaurant for that? Was the card physically taken or was the number skimmed by a card reader? This is pertinent information that is needed otherwise your review is useless. read more

I'd give this three and a half stars because how many places are open this late with this good of food? I haven't found many... While I'm not usually in the area or out this late, I was impressed with what I ordered & it was huge! (Love the rice!) Even my leftovers warmed up well...I'd be back for another trial if I'm back up that way! read more

Finally a place that adds great flavor to the menu. Been there a few times and great food. 4th time was late at night super busy and there was a translation issue. order was incorrect but everyone loved it! read more

Speaking racist things about me in Spanish. Didn't know I speak it as well. Hasn't been the first time I've heard this happen before to my friend . DONT GO read more

I had been craving Mexican food for the longest time, and this was definitely the fix I needed. The burritos were awesome, and my friends steak tacos had quite the helping of meat! The limes were fresh, and Jamaica was the perfect balance between sweet and tangy, and wasn't watered down with water as a lot of places are. read more

Organic ketchup for our kids fries, that's awesome, thank you. We have ordered for pick up for almost 4 years now and there burritos are consistently amazing never had the slightest problem ( 2 to 3 times a month ) about every couple months we dine in, really nice people work here read more

Great food. Try the steak tacos and guac and chips! The orchata is also amazing.

But I gotta wonder what happened when the credit card receipt came, seems like I was charged for $4.50 for horchata!

I'm not sure I can tell everyone for sure that El Paraiso is good... to be honest every time I've ever eaten it, I've been drunk and hungry. But it serves its purpose for that situation. My boyfriend used to go there all the time for a burrito and fries to go, but had one very nasty upset stomach and he hasn't eaten it since. I've survived. 3 stars for convenience and it has been recently remodeled which is always a nice touch. After reading these reviews though, I can't wait to try Chorizo Grille, I'm a nurse at St. Joe's so Washington St. shouldn't be too far of a drive, right? read more

This is a pretty good place and really good thing is they almost work more than 20 hrs everyday, so even at 1:30 am you can walk inside this place. I had ordered take out on both occasions. I liked the gordita rajas and torta heuvo was pretty good too. Chips and guac were fresh as well. read more

El Paraiso - Open kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

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I love the food they have here and it is truly a good place to eat at as well. I have been coming here for a long time and truly enjoy it. read more

El Paraiso - Great place - Mexican Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Usually they don't get my order wrong but how does someone misunderstand lettuce and rice. I was super excited to eat it until that thanks guys for messing up my order. read more

If you out here.. The one on Villa street Is the best... Love it :) there isn't much too see the five Starts speaks for its self.. Service is fast and food is hot and good. read more

El Paraiso - Mexican Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

My favorite place to go to for tacos in Elgin! Not only is the food great, but the employees are always really nice! The tacos are big and very filling; highly recommended. read more

Food is great, but they have the worst customer service ever. They get your order wrong and they still give you attitude and blame it on you. read more

Excellent, authentic Mexican food! Nothing extravagant in decor, but the food speakers for itself. You can smell the meat grilling before you get there! A hidden gem located in a strip mall. Very reasonably priced...and extremely delicious! My fiancé and I drive from southern Wisconsin when we crave Mexican food. A must try! read more

Very poor customer service if you speak English- they are not very friendly at all and ordering ahead is a huge challenge if not impossible- so you go there and have to wait approximately 20 minutes to get your order. The food is good but there again they can't get the order correctly because of the language barrier- not sure I'd go back! read more

Avoid this place. 20 minutes after i left my credit card was used at a gas station and attempted to be used at Walmart for over $500. Luckily my bank caught the fraud and contacted me. This is not something I post lightly. I did not use this card for weeks before i visited this restaurant and it was the only place i used it that day. read more

I love the food expesibly the burritos there so good .And the tacos they have so much meat not like in another places.

This is a frequent lunch spot. The tacos, tostadas & tamales are excellent. Tortas, Rice & beans are average. Not crazy about their burritos, fajitas or flautas. read more

Updated review: they no longer have the crazy-loud jukebox, and they will take debit/credit cards all the time now! The parking lot is way better than it ever was as well. Long live El Paraiso! read more

I like their food...but either they got expensive overnight or I was overcharged. In any event, I won't be back.

I love their tacos ! I've never had better tacos honestly! The way the meet is cooked fully it's not chewy and it's fresh! Their tortas cubana and tinga are heaven too ! Definitely recommend you try it!!! However, the flavor varies depending on the cook that's working! That's the only thing but other than that, try it!!! Their breakfast is delicious too! Be warned that if you want your bacon well done, you need to specify delicious and great service! I honestly spend way too much money here since I'm there all the time lol read more

Love this place always go here for lunch and a late bite on my way home happy they're open late too! Foods good staff is awesome hands down dope as dope read more

You're still the one! Best GD burritos, hands down. Nice to get here before the drunks and second shifters for a change. Feliz navidad!