I first ate at Frontera in 1989 and although not exactly a "regular" I have continued to return again and again, as well as to Topolobompo the sister restaurant next door. The food is always first rate, service good, atmosphere lively and drinks are top notch. It doesn't seem as innovative as it once was, not because the food isn't as good but what was once revolutionary, has since been copied/imitated by restaurants in every city in the country Last night we shared the tasty ceviche trio, the duck carnitas and the wonderful tortilla soup. The mezcal margaritas hit the spot, everything was perfectly prepared. Recommended! read more

We came for lunch and as usual service was exceptional. The restaurant could probably use a design refresh, but it's fine and our group enjoyed our seating. We had the prix fixe menu and it's a great value (plenty of leftovers), but certain dishes were tastier than others. Carnitas tacos, tortilla soup and the flan are standouts. We will be back and look forward to trying more items! read more

Frontera Grill - Coconut tres leches cake - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Overall a great experience. Service was attentive and we showed up a bit early for our reservation and they were able to get us in even though they were pretty busy. I wasn't sure if they would live up to the hype, but we were impressed. The ceviche flight was unique, with three distinct flavors and seafood. The salmon one had a slight asian fusion flavor that reminded me of sushi with a Mexican twist. Known for their Mole, they didn't disappoint. The short rib was tender and went well mashed potatoes. The enchiladas combined some fresh flavors with tender chicken, making them stand out over whats often dry meat requiring extra source. They balanced everything out well. The drinks were fantastic, with some unique twists on the margarita. Chicago has plenty of restaurants to chose from, but Frontera is worth a visit. read more

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Food - pork tacos - excellent execution of tender pork belly. Every piece was so succulent and full of crisy pork goodness. Warm, homemade tortillas added to the perfect bite on top of flavor town green tomatillo salsa. The black beans was a good balance the rich pork flavors. Also, if the standard salsa was room tamed for.your liking; they have a good habanero salsa for the asking. Maybe too much foe most. Dessert- ice cream with fudge.. Great tasting of vanilla and chocolate, but wasnt quite over the top. The ice cream was nice and thick, but was a bit gritty for ice cream at an upscale place. Partly why I couldnt give it a perfect score. Service - attentive and intuitive. The waiter seems to know what we like and need without asking too much. Spicy pineapple Cocktail- good, strong, but not great. Couldn't really taste any pineapple. Cleanliness- clean and organized. Cost - affordable for special occasion. Restroom - fancy and clean. Ambiance - warm and relaxing, but a bit cheap with the vinyl or cheap wood veneer tables. read more

Frontera Grill - Vanilla cream with chocolate fudge. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We'd heard that Frontera's was not to be missed while in Chicago, so we made our way over on one of our evenings there. We didn't have a reservation so it was a no-go, but we managed to reserve a table for the following morning. We showed up and the place was completely empty, but it did fill up by the time we were finished. I figured I'd get a brunch item, but the Enchiladas de Mole ("Handmade corn tortillas, Amish country chicken (caramelized onions), homemade mole poblano (27 ingredients), crunchy garnishes") sounded so impressive I figured I'd better get that instead. And indeed it's a phenomenal dish. The chicken had kind of a reheated, leftover taste, but that mole sauce more than made up for it. It's so rich and flavorful, and it seemed to get more and more tasty the longer I ate. It's incredible. I was super full at that point, but I did try a bite of my dining companions' two desserts: the Coconut Horchata Cuatro Leches Cake and the Frontera's Chocolate Pecan Pie. They were both way, way above average, and I think the pecan pie might've been one of the best I've ever had? I definitely regretted not getting my own slice. Frontera sure seems like a really cool place. Hopefully we'll come back to Chicago some day so I can try more of the dishes. read more

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I don't think I've ever been to Chicago without eating here and since it's my birthday week I didn't want to start now. So even though we couldn't get a reservation we decided to see how long a wait would be. We talked to the welcoming host and she said the bar and tables we're all was full but to hang out by the bar (of course we e would order the most amazing margaritas) and hopefully it wouldn't be longer than 35 minutes. I had no problem with that! We got our margaritas after about 10 minutes and then before we even had time to drink much, she came back to tell us she had moved some things around to get us a table in the dining room! Yes! We started with the queso fundido and I know that sounds so typical but with the peppers and onions on top, it's just so well balanced and stringy good! They serve it with warm blue corn tortillas. Next came the coliflor dish which was perfectly cooked cauliflower with poblano sauce and cheese. It was a taste celebration in my mouth! Yum! Finally, we ended with a glass of wine and lamb. So savory and rich without being heavy! The service is always stellar at Frontera and I love the lively atmosphere and beautiful art that is the everywhere! Thanks for a wonderful birthday dinner! read more

Frontera Grill - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious food, friendly waiter, militant hostess. We came to dinner before a standup performance downtown (Mateo Lane was hilarious, by the way). I arrived at the restaurant on time (4:30) and checked in with the hostess, who said I could only be seated when the entire group of three arrived. This seemed weird given the restaurant was pretty empty at this time, and ordinarily I'd order a drink while waiting at the table. Regardless, I went to Starbucks instead because I knew the other two were a few minutes behind. When I got back to the restaurant, my friend said the hostess told him we absolutely had to leave within 1.5 hours because we were late... which seemed odd because he may have checked in 15 minutes after our reservation, to an empty restaurant, that already refused to seat me on time. Regardless, the food was delicious. I had the Pollo in ChiChilo-- the mole was delicious, and I loved the chicken and sweet potato. I ordered the mole on the side, which seemed like a nice balance. Since the hostess wouldn't previously seat me, I had a lovely iced matcha latte with oat milk and half a pump of vanilla from Starbucks, which was a nice pairing. The waiter did ask if I wanted a shot of something with it, which seemed odd. Ambiance was cute, probably due for a renovation but seemed appropriate for most dining out occasions- dates, families, a day out in town. Note: the restaurant charges an automatic 20% gratuity which may explain the service. Keep this in mind to avoid tipping more than you intend. Overall, I would definitely come back, and the food and wait staff made up for the abrasive welcome. read more

We went to Frontera for the first time mostly because of the Rick Bayless hype. I was curious. It's an upscale place but still feels family friendly, with Dim lights and a chill energy. You can see into the kitchen, which I always like. Staff was Super friendly, always refilling drinks, clearing plates right away. No awkward waiting around. I started with the ceviche and honestly... that set the tone. Fresh, bright, really clean flavors. The citrus hit just right, not overpowering. Fish was tender, not mushy. Good balance of acidity and salt. Every bite tasted incredible, I could've stopped there but no, I kept going back for "one more bite" and suddenly it was gone. Then the cochinita pibil arrived. Texture-wise, really good. Juicy, tender, nice portion. But flavor-wise, it felt like it was missing that deep smoky note I expect from cochinita. Still good, just didn't hit as hard as the ceviche did. I really enjoyed this place. Specifically the ceviche, that still lives in my head. read more

Frontera Grill - Ceviche - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place does everything right- freshly made tortilla chips and guacamole. The fish tacos and margaritas were fabulous as well. Great experience! read more

Frontera grill was hands down AMAZING. We were surprised by how good the service was too when we went. You MUST get "The Classic Frontera Experience". It is so worth it. Food is authentic, delicious, and you definitely get your moneys worth. At first we thought we had to pick one of the appetizers on the menu, but you actually get all 4!! Like a lil tasting menu but portions are good. I was stuffed to the brim by the end, and I'm a huge eater (can eat over a whole dominoes pizza). For appetizers, we had guac and chips, ceviche, sopecitos, quesadillas (not the kind you're thinking of). My favorite was the ceviche (they really do it well) and guac. I also loved the mini mole course served (enchilada de mole). This was my first time trying mole, and man, I'm definitely a mole lover already. I also really love how the onions complement the rich savory flavor of the mole. For entrees I had chamorro al albañil and my gf had carne asada brava. We shared though, ofc. The salsa the carne asada is served with is smoky and fragrant, so delicious. The portion of the chamorro al albañil was huge. I definitely should've taken some to-go since I was overly full after dessert. Everything comes with tortillas. For dessert we got flan and the ice cream, with cajeta (goat milk caramel). Both were superb. I really like the cajeta on the ice cream, really is special. Way better than hot fudge. Our servers were really nice and attentive. They also cleaned up our utensils and table after each dish, which I didn't expect since we weren't at fine dining. The service really surprised me. I really like the ambiance and the latin music playing. Honestly I'd definitely come back next time I return to Chicago. Next time though, I'd probably visit Rick's Topolobompo, since I've never been and it's on my bucket list. read more

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My go to place when I'm in Chicago. On a business trip alone, so I sat at the grill counter in the back. It provided a nice view of everyone working in the back. The restaurant decor provides a sense of being in Mexico. The service was adequate, but not quite exceptional. The food was exceptional. The steak was perfectly prepared medium rare. The salsa provided just the right spicy kick. Delicate blue corn tortillas for cradling the steak. The tamale provided a nice sweet contrast to the spice of the salsa. Can't rave enough about the food. Just be warned that they add a 20% service fee on your bill to make sure the employees are well compensated. read more

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Rick Bayless still owns of Frontera Grill, a Chicago-based Mexican restaurant he opened in 1987 with his wife Deann, inspired by their travels in Mexico. He is the Michelin star chef and owner, his restaurant is known for contemporary Mexican cuisine. His daughter, Lanie is the cocktail impresario focusing on Mezcal. We made our dinner reservations before getting to Chicago. We were here 15 years ago, stopped at his fast food Mexican in O'hare. I have all of Frontera's cookbooks at home & use Rick Bayless' recipes! What I love about Frontera is they provide a list of the farms where their food comes from, it's truly farm to table. A 20% gratuity is added to every bill. The tables were very close together, when the wait staff came over, they either banged our table or hit the man with his back to us. We came early, hoping to get a seat at the bar and a drink first, but we were told that the bar was full and we were brought to our table. We were dressed for a special Friday night dinner but most were in shorts and sneakers. We finished our 3 course meal in less than an hour. Tonight we started with margaritas I had a mezcal margarita with Grand Marnie, limes & Peychaud while my husband had the Tupelo margarita with reposado tequila, and Torres, orange liquor. Our drinks were shaken, tableside and we shared guacamole, salsas and cold chips. Our main course was the cochinita pibil which was a slow cooked Gunthorpe Farm pork in banana leaves with beans, pickled onions and habanero salsa. We ended our meal with Frontera's chocolate pecan pie topped raspberry sorbet with Kahlúa whipped cream. Portion were small, tables were less than a foot apart and service was efficient. Happily the music was loud so we couldn't hear the conversation all around us. Dinner was good, but I remember being wowed years ago. read more

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One of the best Mexican food we have had in Chicago. Rick Bayless is truly a Top Chef. First time visiting and we were blown away by the complex flavors and the attention to details in the dishes. We had the queso fundido with their house made tortilla. It was melt in your mouth good. The 2 salsas were on point, not too spicy. For our main we had the pollo en salsa de guajillo y arandanos. Grilled half chicken with honeynut squash mash. The sweetness of the squash was a nice contrast to the slight bitterness of the guajillo-cranberry sauce. We also had the corn masa quesadillas. When paired together with the black bean and their avocado-tomatillo salsa, it was the perfect bite. For desert we had their pastel de tres leche, sponge cake with coffee infused tres leche. It came with creamsicle ice cream and coffee flavored jelly pieces. It was a perfect balance of creaminess with some texture from the crumbles and coffee jelly. Service was good with very attentive servers coming by often for water refills and cleaning up of the tables. The restaurant is not that big so it does get crowded and a little loud. I would recommend making reservations especially on Friday and Saturday. Dress code is casual. Will be returning again on our next visit to Chicago. read more

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I'm a huge Rick Bayless fan and even had the chance to meet him once at a cookbook signing -- he's just as chill and genuine in person as he seems! Not only is he incredibly down-to-earth, but the man knows his way around a kitchen. Rick has an amazing talent for blending authentic Mexican flavors in a way that's both traditional and elevated. Every dish he creates bursts with flavor and balance -- he never misses. If you ever get the chance to eat at one of his restaurants, do it! You won't be disappointed. read more

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I love Rick Bayless' regional Mexican food, no doubt, and a recent lunch visit to Frontera Grill really hit the spot. I was tempted by the 3 course pre-fixe lunch menu ($32 pp over 60 minutes) but wasn't feeling that hungry. It's a good deal for the price, though! Outside was a 30 minute wait on a gorgeous Chicago afternoon, so we opted to eat inside. The staff was super friendly and took out orders swiftly and made sure to answer questions and proactively set expectations. I ordered the poc chuc (a rare pork dish to find outside of the Yucatan and was warned it would be room temp) and grilled corn. Both were fabulous. My partner got the fried fish tacos made with walleye. We also shared Chips/Salsa. The black beans on the Fish Taco dish were outstanding. All the salsas were fabulous. Flavors were poppin' all around. Attention to details were very much present. Would go back in a heartbeat. read more

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One of the great classic iconic restaurants in Chicago, I have been wanting to dine here since they opened. Don't know why it's taken so long, I guess good things come to those who wait! Service was excellent and very engaging and helpful. Food lived up to all the hype and awards, and then add the cool authentic decor and welcoming vibe. Two of the three of us are vegetarians, so we were pleasantly surprised there's an entire separate menu with a wide selection. Salsa's I've made many times from Rick Bayliss cookbook are benchmark. Moles were great, both chicken and portobello, which I really appreciated a veggie version. Eggplant was light, delicate and crunchy. Our fantastic server Beto recommended many of our dishes and he was on the mark! Including the wine pairing with the mole and the dessert. Margarita they shake at the table was delicious. The daughter's blackberry limeade drink made in-house, was refreshing and at a reasonable price. The restaurant adds 20% gratuity to each check, which is fine to my eyes, no math necessary These days, it seems easy to get reservations here, so we will be returning!! read more

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I decided to make a reservation for lunch at Frontera and I'm glad I did because it was busier than I expected! I waited for a bit before the waitress took my order but she was very nice about it so no harm, no foul! The restaurant was lively for 12pm! I decided to order off the pre fixe lunch menu and got the garden salad, carnitas tacos and the pastel de cuatro leches, maracuyá y mango. The salad was pretty standard, but solid. The tacos were very tasty with crispy, yet tender carnitas and lots of great toppings. But the star of the show was that cake. It was so moist and the combination of the raspberry compote, the coconut and the mango sorbet took it to a new level. And it wasn't heavy! It was so light and refreshing. I had a solid meal and will probably come back during my lunch hour! read more

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Since 1987, the year Frontera Grill was opened by Rick and Deann Bayless, it's been my favorite restaurant, Chicago or anywhere. Tuesday night, another classic dinner. Check out happy hour menu for small bites and drinks. There is also separate entree and cocktails menus. All with same cover so start with Happy Hour. Check website as the times and days vary. I sampled ceviche and chicken taqueritas then a white sweet potatoe in a mole, and carnitas. All this and more. Ask server for suggestions. I preferred the margarita in the rocks. See pics. Reservations accepted. read more

Frontera Grill - Blue corn tortillas, fresh! Warm! Plentiful! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Always, always, an incredible meal, service, and atmosphere. I love dining here because of the colorful atmosphere and the colorful food and the presentation of the food. The menu has amazing options for someone like me who is plant based. I cannot say enough about this restaurant.!! we decided to eat at the bar and had an amazing bartender great service. read more

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Frontera was so good! I had lunch here and ordered off the Lunch in 60 min Menu! This is a 3 course meal menu, rarely seen for lunch time, offering an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $32. I had the comforting and absolutely spectacular tortilla soup, delicious carne asada brava flank steak (additional $6 up charge but the meat was incredible), and the scrumptious, rich, and decadent chocolate pecan pie bar! Absolutely recommend all! Really filling and great value with this deal! Great service- busy but relatively timely. Side note- 20% gratuity automatically added to each check. Atmosphere was authentically themed and scaled up for more classy and trendy environment. read more

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Frontera Grill offers flavorful, slightly more elevated Mexican dishes with creative vegetarian options. During a lunchtime visit, we tried the Empanadas de la Milpa ($15), Enchiladas Verdes Arca ($23), and we also couldn't resist getting the S'mores Tres Leches ($15) for dessert. They do tack on a default 20% service charge as well. read more

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The tortilla soup was the starter, which was poured as soon as it came to the table and was very tasty. For the entree I got the crispy fish tacos. Fish was light battered and very flaky. They came deconstructed and with black beans , a slaw, crema and a flavorful sauce. It was a generous helping. Last but not least was the Chocolate Pecan Pie, which I really enjoyed! I don't always like pecan pie, because it may be too sweet for me, but adding the dark chocolate just made it a little bit better for me. read more

Demands a premium price for mediocre food. High expectations but would have preferred to have eaten at a nearby taco truck. Guac was good though. read more

This was a great dining experience with some standout food. The mezcal margarita and the blue agave margarita were both delicious! They are shaken table-side- which is fun and festive. The Classic Frontera Ceviche was amazing! The tuna, the chile, and the herbs combined in the most satisfying way. This was a favorite dish for us. Our entrees included the Camarones En Escaneche which features shrimp, carrots, and potatoes. The Enchiladas de Mole was chicken with a rich mole sauce. We enjoyed a couple glass of Incognito red blend wine with our meal. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, but also not intrusive. We had the flan for dessert- and I realize now I don't really like flan, but it had some crunchy toasted cookies on it that I did like. read more

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I've been a long time fan of Bayless. It's been awhile since I've been here but all I can say is that it's now just another needless Mexican restaurant. Chili rellenos, flor de calabaza capeada, and pescado de día are a thing of the past. No specials or extra items today, only the old fashion foods. There are some exceptional and some run of the mill. read more

Left saying we were okay not to eat there again. The food was mediocre. Although it was useful to learn there is a vegetarian menu. The flavors did not seem balanced, the mole had a heavy chocolate flavor and was so thick it seemed like it needs to be chewed. The Brazo de Reina seemed like it was plopped in the middle of the dis with some elote piled on top, it was a mess. The paint is chipped on the walls, the floors looked unclean and we were there at 11am, so early. The men's restroom looked grimy, the restroom stall door was missing pieces and seems like a door in a dive. It was like that once before and assumed it had just happened. The service was wonderful, we felt well attended to and was grateful to be seated quickly without a reservation. read more

Frontera Grill - Like a dive bar - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Have to admit I was on there fence about whether to give a 4 or a 5. The food and drinks were good but the quantity was small and the cost was above the quantity I expected. Alejandro our waiter was attentive and on point. The decor is lovely with their paintings. This is a Chicago institution but their prices and quantity could be more appropriate. Also the tables were close together. With these in mind, I'm giving them a 4. As an aside, Rick Bayless the owner is the younger brother of Skip Bayless read more

Frontera Grill is a Mexican Restaurant in Chicago by Rick Bayless, celebrity chef and former contestant on Top Chef Masters. Frontera Grill is in the Michelin Guide and Topalobampo (located in the same building) had a Michelin star between 2016 and 2018. I'm from Los Angeles and we have his restaurant "Red O" locally for upscale Mexican. Had a reservation for one and had table seating near the bar. Had the following dishes: Topala Margarita Empanadas de Puerco Enchiladas Campechanas Pastel de Tres Leches Cacahuates y Platano I feel that all of the dishes that I had were flavor bombs and they were well balanced with textures and flavor. Food was not cheap and appetizers are quite modestly sized, but I felt that it was worth it. What I'd recommend for you to do are to go for the items highlighted in red in the menu as they're featured items. If you go with tacos and carne asada and chips with guac, I know it will be great, but I'd encourage you to take a risk and try some of the regional Mexican dishes that Chef Bayless is known for. On my way out, I saw Bayless' XOCO next door as they were serving hot churros and hot chocolate, which would have been perfect on this windy and snowy night. Because I was full, I passed up the churros, but I might check it out later this week! read more

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I came here with my parents when we were visiting Chicago. We came during lunch and they had a special that I took advantage of. The ceviche was awesome and my parents both really loved their entrees. I had the fish tacos and the fish felt kind of heavy and lacked flavor. The dessert was good! Our service was great and the inside was cute and matched the vibe. Overall I'd probably come back but make a different entree choice! read more

Frontera Grill - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have always had it on my list to go eat here. And so some reason every time I was in the neighborhood I just never got to go but finally we booked a reservation for lunch and I am so glad. We got there early and as they were getting ready to open they were still friendly and inviting we had a few moments so went around the corner and XOCO was a interesting restaurant so looking closer saw they had some dessert who doesn't like dessert so we popped in and my wife got some churros they were the best that she has had. So back to the real review we ended up get the 60 minute so went around could try as much as we could and I am glad that we did the starters were fabulous the tortilla soup was filled with chicken and avocado and cheese the broth was robust but not to much. I had the ceviche and it wash so fresh tasting with the lime it all came together. My wife had the fish tacos and for dessert she had the coconut tres leches she normally does not eat vegetables or any fruit but scarfed down every thing. I had the carne Asda brava and it was fantastic I ended with the chocolate pecan and I would come back just for that. I kick myself for not coming sooner I would say a must eat . I will say our server and all the wait staff were very gracious along with the pastry chef who found a way to make banana leaf ice cream. WOW read more

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First night in Chicago and we want Mexican food near the hotel. Latin music, festive atmosphere. Servers were pleasant. Food was great. You absolutely should try the tortilla soup!! read more

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Finally got to try one of Rick Bayless' spots this week while my family was in town, and Frontera did not disappoint! From the moment we walked in, the staff was welcoming, making us feel right at home. The atmosphere is fantastic and it feels like an authentic Mexican restaurant rather than just an upscale spot, with beautiful artwork and décor that add to the experience. We kicked things off with margaritas, and I went for the champagne margarita, which caught my eye. It was amazing, literally a mix of champagne and a margarita, and it worked so well. For appetizers, we shared chips and guac, two kinds of ceviche (shrimp/avocado and classic), and chicken taquitos. Every app was a hit, but the chips and ceviche stood out the most for me. For my main, I got the shrimp and rice, which came with fresh tortillas to make my own tacos. The tortillas were incredible, and the shrimp was perfectly cooked--just throwing everything together with the rice made for an awesome meal. To wrap things up, I tried their take on an espresso martini, which was whiskey-based--a different twist but a great way to end the night. Overall, I had a great experience at Frontera and our server definitely made it even better, he was awesome! The food, drinks, and atmosphere were all on point, and for a meal that won't break the bank, I'd highly recommend it. Already looking forward to trying Xoco next! read more

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Ambiance is nice and the atmosphere is really alive. Our server was really kind. Our order was taken around 5 minutes after arriving. They accidentally forgot one of our orders but they forgot to even charge for it. The food was AMAZING and was really filling. We ordered four dishes that tasted amazing and helped us grasp the feeling of Mexican food. The restraint over all was amazing and we will go back in the future. read more

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My daughter and I visited the restaurant last night. The service was amazing. We have several food allergies and they did their absolute best to accommodate and work with us. They were all so patient and understanding. The food was delicious. Can't wait to go back. read more

Frontera Grill - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not all famous chef restaurants are good as many survive off past game putting out just above average food. This was exception as both food and service were good. Was not a fan of my cocktail but that is more personal Preference as do not like Singapore slings which the tropical highball reminded me off. Ate at bar and his service was as good as his mustache. Only recommendation I would have is to do app duo of guac and ceviche for solo or couple dinners so they can share without doing tasting menu. read more

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This review is long overdue, but I couldn't end the year without giving it its much-deserved credit. After a lifetime spent watching Rick Bayless growing up, I was excited to finally try his restaurant. I dropped by on a very warm, muggy Sunday afternoon in June and was seated outside. That famous Chicago wind started to kick up towards the middle of the meal, but being tucked against the building under the awnings kept me sheltered from it. There were a lot of things I wanted to try on this menu, but I decided to start with the tortilla soup ($13), got the crispy carnitas ($21) for my entree with a side of gulf-style white rice ($6), and the tres leches de hierba buena ($14) for dessert with a Mexican hot chocolate ($5). My server was a super nice guy and suggested a couple of things I tried. They were great suggestions, because I loved everything I ordered. The carnitas were crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Not dry at all. The handmade corn tortillas (one of my weaknesses) were fantastic and perfect for making some tacos with the avocado and black beans. The tortilla soup was rich, warm, and had plenty of melted cheese and crunchy tortilla strips, and the avocado helped bring everything together. Dessert was outstanding. Tres leches is my favorite cake, but I've never seen anyone do a mint version of it. I absolutely loved it, and the scoop of homemade mint-chocolate chip ice cream it came with was a great side. Creamy and smooth. The Mexican hot chocolate was a very nice drink to have with this. There was so much food that I had to take most of the carnitas and beans back to my hotel. The afternoon that I was visiting, Rick Bayless was actually hosting a private event behind the restaurant. My waiter told me I could go back there to meet him, but when I saw the staff at the entrance to the back area checking people in, I didn't want to look like a creepy weirdo hanging around waiting for him to show up. It *was* a private event and I wasn't on the guest list, so I didn't want to be a rude party crasher. I did, however, see his wife sitting at the entrance to the area. So I had an almost-Rick-Bayless sighting. 10/10 meal, would absolutely come back. Brought my husband home a signed copy of one of Bayless's cookbooks, which they sell at the entrance. That was a cool way to remember my visit here. read more

Frontera Grill - Tortilla soup, carnitas, gulf-style white rice, Mexican hot chocolate - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'm a stan of Frontera's airport eats (Tortas Frontera) and their smaller restaurant Xoco, so I was excited to try the OG spot... but was quite underwhelmed by the meal I had here for restaurant week. The 3 course $45 meal started with pretty good apps. My friends' ceviche was fresh and flavorful, and I liked the Sopecitos Racheros- the sauce was spicy n decadent! The main dish was a bummer- my Chicken Mole Poblano was basic (it felt like something I'd meal prep at home). The chicken, rice and broccoli were basically unseasoned. The mole sauce was good, but the whole dish would have been way better as enchiladas (like on their regular menu). They did bring us some pretty yummy tortillas to share for the table, which was a saving grace. The desserts - Cuatro Leches Cake and Chocolate Pecan Pie Bar - were soooo rich, they hardly made sense with the other heavy dishes we were served. I also just didn't understand some of their menu choices for a Mexican restaurant- like broccoli not matching with my main dish, and a chocolate pecan bar for dessert?! The environment and service were just okay- I wouldn't say there was a very cozy or welcoming vibe in there. I'll stick to the smaller Frontera restaurants for now! read more

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I'd always wanted to visit Frontera, as I'm a huge Rick Bayless fan. I really enjoyed my experience and I'd rank it higher, but my meal was missing items, which was sad. I went for Saturday brunch, and they serve their regular menu as well, which I appreciate. Frontera has a fun, casual vibe. Reservations are key. My server was really friendly, though I'm not sure they provided the right information about a dish I was considering. My mezcal margarita was delicious. I ordered chips and salsa to start, but didn't care for the chips (too salty), so would not order again. The pork tacos were absolutely delicious, though I was disappointed that the caramelized pineapple was not present, as promised on the menu. No grilled shishitos either, also as promised. What really stood out out to me were the beans. I'm obsessed with beans and usually find that beans are not all that flavorful at most restaurants. I could not stop eating these, as they were incredibly delicious. I should have asked for a side order. I'd return, but hope for the meal to be as described on the menu. read more

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When visiting Chicago, we always try to dine at one of Rick Bayless's restaurant. Frontera Grill was great. We shared a Taco Trio platter: three kinds of meat fillings (chicken, pork, and beef), veggies, and lots of housemade tortillas. Delicious. I ordered a side of plantains, and they were the best I've ever tasted. For dessert, my wife ordered the pecan pie. Everything was perfectly prepared. The staff was friendly and helpful, providing valuable recommendations. We look forward to our next trip to Chicago, and wish that Rick's Red O restaurant was still open in Los Angeles. read more

September time to celebrate mexican independence day so i stop in frontera grill for it i order matgarita happy hour and chile en nogada And for dessert homemade ice cream and cajeta yummy The margarita really good the chile en nogada disapoint the filling was chicken wth , the nogada ewww not my taste the ice cream soo good the beast part of my meal read more

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