Amazing food! Everything was so tasty and fresh. Great vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The owners are lovely and very kind. We were so hungry so we forgot to take some pictures, but we had the chicken asada torta, vegetarian torta, vegetarian quesadilla, and chicken taco with a side of rice for our kiddo. The tortas are huge and probably the best torta I've ever had. So good! Highly recommend!!!!! Support local and go to this gem!!! read more

Went for cinco de mayo and the place was empty. They have a few tables inside and a bigger patio area in the back. We opted to sit on the patio since the weather was nice. They brought a small bowl of chips and had three different types of salsa in plastic bottles (like the old style ketchup and mustard ones at diners) with three small dishes to put them in. Chips were thick, crispy, and salty. Not sure if they have free refills, as we finished our chips rather fast and they took the bowl away afterwards. I ordered the 22 oz strawberry margarita and it was probably one of the best margs I've had. Came with strawberry slices in the drink and a tajin rim. Great deal for $10. I ended up getting three tacos traditional style: Birria, steak, and chorizo. The birria one was really good, just wish the tortilla was dipped in juice like some of the other birria tacos I've had. It was my first time having chorizo, and I would order it again. The steak taco was good, but nothing special. Service was a little slow despite there only being one other table, but our table was talking anyway so it wasn't too much of an issue. Overall, would go back if I was in the area, but wouldn't go out of my way to go there. read more

La Cocina de Maria - Strawberry margarita (22oz) - Mexican Near Me - West Chicago, Illinois

Authentic Mexican food is in West Chicago. It seriously seems like a place you could find in the actual country, all cramped and with the TV on a Mexican station. La Cocina De Maria is a place with only a few tables. Good beverages. The food is cheap but it's actually good. Has a pretty big menu for a small cantina. It of course has all kinds of drinks. They of course have margaritas. It's pretty expensive for these, but they have good prices on other liquor. They have cheaper options in tequila. It's about $9 for a shot and a mixer. The food is much cheaper though. Seriously cheap. The best are the tacos. It has quite a few. We got the Vegetariano Tacos. It's only $2.50 each. These have lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. Small but a lot of flavor. The only thing is you need to order a few to not be hungry. Good place with a limited amount of seating indoors but don't let that stop you from coming in to eat. It's best to eat the food here because it's better fresh and hot. The tacos are pretty small so you have to get several of these. read more

La Cocina de Maria - Tequila And The Vegetariano Tacos - Mexican Near Me - West Chicago, Illinois

Had their incredible steak tacos and pastor tacos a while back and have been still thinking of this place. The service and environment inside are cozy and friendly. Top tier quality and reasonable prices. If I'm ever in the area it's a place I would say is definitely worth the detour. Couldn't ask for more for an authentic Mexican restaurant! read more

Nice small restaurant. Burritos were good but the tacos with the special pork was excellent. Would definitely try it in the burrito next time! read more

We found La Cocina de Maria when we were exhausted and starving on the way from Midway airport to our hotel in West Chicago. The restaurant was very clean and the woman who waited on us was kind and very helpful as we tried to figure out what to order. The appetizers and main dishes she brought to the table were absolutely excellent, beautifully presented, generously sized, and very reasonably priced. We were all sooo happy! We wished we could fly again from Arizona to West Chicago just to eat their food. read more

Delightful dining. Yucatán pork burrito excellent flavor. Will definitely come back. Sangria was delicious. Flan was rich in flavor read more

Really wanted to support this family run spot- but ultimately felt extremely ripped off. Got the steak nachos- were the quality of awful movie tacos. Round generic Tostito type bagged chips - with plastic tasting yellow unidentifiable cheese Not anything we ever had in Mexico, an authentic Mexican restaurant or our own home -where we fry up tortillas for nachos. Went straight into the trash can-it was that bad Tried various tacos- all extremely disappointing. Bill was over $60 for inedible food. We moved here from Aurora- where fantastic, authentic Mexican food was in abundance in small family run restaurants- hoping to find something here in West Chicago but will not be back here read more

This place is hands down the best authentic restaurant in West Chicago. The food is amazing and you can tell prepared with care. The owners are charming,welcoming and very efficient. Can't wait to go and eat on the lovely patio when the weather changes. read more

Small Mexican restaurant walked in and took a seat very cramped up inside since it a small place. There was a smell that wasn't to pleasant. There was a family that was done eating and he complained that there hibiscus water wasn't good. The owner was super nice and she like apologizing and didn't charge him for a meal or drink. The server brought chips to the table and they seem homemade but they where too think. The salsas normally are in a bottle you can squeeze but here they in little containers and you have to be careful because it a big opening. I wasn't too big on the taste of there salsas. The green salsa was lacking flavor and to watery. The red tasted a lot like chipotle and the orange one is made with peanuts and not a fan. I ordered a torta cubana i didn't have to much time to glance at the menu since they came up two times to see if I was ready to order but it was my first time so since they kind of rushing I asked the owner what is the popular item and she said torta cubana so I ordered it. The food came out quick and it was big. To start of the bread is to thick it's more like a bolillo than a tellera. So it has a lot of dough which I like on a sandwich but not on a torta. Then the red onion over powered the flavor and way to much lettuce leaf's. the hot dog they use are cheap dogs that have a nasty taste so I removed them. The breaded steak in it was very tasteful and delicious. It has a over hard egg and it good with the torta. Then it came with a jalapeño I was like awesome a grilled jalapeño for a bit of spice since I didn't like the salsa but it wasn't a grilled jalapeño it was a homemade jalapeño in vinegar and I wasn't to into it but I needed the spice since the torta was lacking something. At the moment I wasn't to happy but I'm going to return and try something different because the owner was super nice and it seemed like it was a family owned restaurant. read more

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I really wanted to like this place. It has character and seemed like a family business. Ordered a steak burrito. Price was $13.99. The burrito was a nice size, but disappointed in the meat. It was not steak in my opinion. I believe it was chuck. Meat had very little flavor, was soft and filled with gristle. read more

Authentic and delicious Mexican food. My husband never hesitates to get the pork burrito which is huge, filling and delicious. I had the chicken quesadillas w/ avocado and salsa- very tasty indeed. The margaritas were so good but too big for me to finish. We will return! read more

La Cocina de Maria - Margaritas - Mexican Near Me - West Chicago, Illinois

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Authentic Mexican food! We really loved the ambiance of the place. It made you feel like you were part of the family dining on the backyard patio. We ordered the mango margarita, steak quesadilla, and cheese enchilada sauce. All were delicious and service was friendly :) Glad we found this hidden gem in West Chicago! read more

Such a nice family run prehispanic joint. They do have a liquor license and a great back covered patio. Give them a try, they could use your business during this difficult time. read more

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Authentic Mexican food and family owned! The picaditas are a thinner version of sopes but much more delicious. My family enjoyed the cochinita pibil, al pastor tacos and a steak burrito. The aguas frescas (limon w/chia, horchata and Jamaica) were refreshing and hit the spot on hot a afternoon. Not only was the food excellent, the service was too. We were asked if we rather listen to music or the tv. They were patient explaining menu items and didn't feel pressured. The outdoor patio is very comfortable for dining and there's even a sink outdoors to wash your hands. COVID-19 safe!!! read more

A great place for very good food. This is a small place, maybe 6 tables. The food is some of the best Mexican/Yucatán food I've ever had the pleasure to eat! She had cheese enchiladas with rice and the red sauce. The red sauce has a little bite to it, but very good. I had the alambre with cochinita pibil and barbacoa. Both dishes were delicious. The cochinita is fabulous. The horchata was light and refreshing, as it should be. I can't recommend this place highly enough. read more

This is a tiny restaurant that has huge flavors! The portions are generous. We love the tostadas and burritos, along with the huge mugs of horchata! The service is good; definitely worth a visit! read more

Food is amazing Felt like I was home The best burritos we ever had and the home made salsa delicious Great out door seating feels like your with family read more

Fantastic authentic Mexican food. We were part of a group of people and everyone got something different. Everyone in the group was delighted with the presentation and taste of our dishes. We sat in the back patio area which was perfect as it is covered and it was raining that day. Service was great. We will be back. read more

Their food is absolutely outstanding! Traditional Mexican food that's fast and very flavorful, I'm already getting hungry for another visit. So worth the trip! read more

Was looking for a place to grab a quick bite while waiting to get my nails done. Saw Jaqueline B.'s review of this place down the street and decided to check it out. Definately the right choice. I was greeted the moment I walked in, & even though I was ordering to go, I was offered a glass of their homemade chia water. It was sooo delicious that I added it to my togo order. I ordered the Picaditas, which were super yummy!! They had a great flavor & the homemade tortilla like things was wonderful. Everything tasted fresh. Next time I will eat in on their patio! I cant wait to bring my husband here sometime on the weekend to try one of their pozole de Guerrero. read more

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Authentic and very very good. Great menu. Tortas are a feast for 2. The torta chilaquiles was excellent. And Spicy. I had 3 tacos. Great selection. Dining room was spic and span Super clean. Very Friendly staff. Fun and funky decor. Great value $. read more

Great business. I especially recommend their Al pastor tacos, it's very traditional and tasty.

Authentic Mexican home cooking. Tiny place that is family owned. Burritos are huge and amazing. Highly recommend!

Chips and guacamole are awesome - my flautas (steak) were crispy and flavorful. Although we did take out, the restaurant is so clean and inviting. Wish they did Chile rellenos! Great homemade food. read more

So glad we checked this gem out! It was a phenomenal experience all around. The food is delish, truly homemade authentic Mexican food. The owner was beyond sweet and provided great service and takes pride in his food. They have a heated patio that is too cute and great given the COVID guidelines. And also noteworthy is A+ for cleanliness. We got their Picaditas and their Pambazo, both were so tasty. Oh and they give you free chips and three kinds of salsa, win! Visit them! read more

Just moved to the area and decided to try this place. Prices online are incorrect. Ordered 1 torta and they charged me $6 more than the online price. The man I dealt with was super rude. Not sure if I will ever go back. read more

SO amazing! The tacos were absolutely to die for! I highly recommend cochinita pibil taco! Hands down the best tacos I've ever had. And the hibiscus water... oh man I downed a large in half a heartbeat. Love this place! Can't wait to come back! read more

Wow! This little family owned restaurant in downtown West Chicago is the real deal. The husband and wife chefs are the nicest, most down to earth people. They are so passionate about their heritage and food. I don't think you will find a single can in their kitchen. Everything is so fresh. My husband had a pambazo with chorizo and potatoes. It was massive and delish. They make their own bread and is is light but dense. I had a haurache (sp?) with steak, mushrooms and cactus. Prices are incredibly reasonable The inside dining room is quite small but they do have table service. Out back is an adorable dining area. Take advantage of that option when you can! Please support this delicious gem of an independent restaurant serving up fresh and authentic food from the owner's home. I really wish I could give this place 10 stars. Seriously, it is THAT good. read more

Food is always top tier! If i could eat here everyday i would hehe! Keep up the great work you guys! Food is amazing!

This is hands down the best authentic Mexican restaurant in West Chicago. Service is friendly, fast, and the food we've tried so far is great! Very tasty! We absolutely love the green salsa they serve. Our favorite :) We will definitely continue to visit for dine in and carry out. Highly recommend trying it! read more

Authentic, fresh and exceptional food! The tostadas, sangria and chocolate covered strawberries were fabulous!! Will definitely be coming back! read more

We had our doubts when we walked up to the small space...but trusted reviews we had read. So glad we did. Truly a dining experience we want to do again. Ordered margaritas -- traditional lime and a pineapple one for my husband. Delicious. And sizable. I wasn't a huge fan of the chips..i like mine thin and salty, but the salsa choices were good. I ordered something recommended by Maria herself and love it. alambres (or something like that). tasty. worth a reorder. my teenage daughter loved her order as well..and she's hard to please. the staff was warm, engaging but not intrusive. a full house when we went. definitely go again. read more

This place was certainly worth the wait. We tried to go here before the holidays but it was closed for lunch that day. Came back and wow - Tony the chef greeted us at the door and welcomed us in and his wife came out to help us through the menu. We ordered pambazo and tacos. The pambazo is a creation that is tremendous - I equated it to a torta with an enchilada type sauce on it filled with chorizo and lettuce and sour cream. We had steak tacos as well as cochinita pibil - they were done perfectly. Horchata was good as was the chocolate flan . Tony came out after our lunch and talked to us for a good 15-20 minutes about the menu and some of the things he particularly enjoys. We are going back for mole soon. read more

My friends down the street at Kindred Coffee suggested the tacos over at La Cocina de Maria, so naturally I took them up on this suggestion when I was in the area last Saturday. I was a tad confused when I walked in, because I didn't really see a menu or counter to order at. Once someone saw my confusion I was helped and given a to-go menu to look at. I was lucky enough to see fellow Yelper Osiris V. dining in, so she let me try a bite of her food -- a fried quesadilla (not sure of the real name) and pambazo. Both were really good! The pambazo sandwich was ginormous -- you can definitely split it between 2 (or maybe even 3) people! I had tacos on the brain, so I ended up ordering 2 chicken tacos (classic style, not American), 2 carne tacos, and a chorizo quesadilla to split with the hubbie. I wanted water to go and at first was upset because I didn't see any water bottles in the cooler, but then they offered up some pretty delicious options! They brought out two adorable tea cups for me to try their chia seed water and hibiscus water. Both were delicious and refreshing! I decided to go with the hibiscus water and ordered a large. It's to be noted that a large size drink is a GINORMOUS beverage (think big gulp style) that basically kept me hydrated the whole rest of the day. Of course I'm sure my food would have been even better if I dined in as opposed to bringing it home, but I still really enjoyed the tacos! The steak tacos were my absolute favorite and I thought the chicken tacos were just okay. The chorizo quesadilla was really good too but extremely greasy. I love that they gave me sour cream, limes, and three different kinds of salsa to go with my meal. I thought the red salsa was very good and it had a nice kick to it! For all this food it cost me about $16 which was well worth the authentic Mexican taste! Pro tip: They now have a back patio you can enjoy! read more

This place had fun covered patio seating. Everyone eating with me agreed that their homemade chips and salsa were some of the best we'd ever had. Their super burrito really was super - it was basically the size of two burritos! There were lots of vegetarian offerings. The staff was very kind and took time to explain the menu to us. I'm excited to go back soon! read more

Wonderful food.. Definitely the best tacos I've ever had in my life! And trust me.. I know tacos. Mom and pop feel. The staff is so sweet, they make you feel apart of the family. Support a family owned business! You won't regret trying this place. read more

La Cocina de Maria - Steak tacos - Mexican Near Me - West Chicago, Illinois

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I love when I discover a neighborhood family run restaurant, and this find is a diamond. Hosts and cooks, Tony & Maria, are as delightful as they are authentic. The food is amazing, with traditional dishes as well as some unique selections (pre-Mexican Hispanic) And Tony makes a delicious mango margarita! It's small and cozy, and they make you feel right at home. There is no shortage of Mexican restaurants in West Chicago, but this is my favorite. I hope the rave reviews don't make it so popular we can't get in! read more

La Cocina de Maria - Delicious (I get cravings!) shrimp tostadas. - Mexican Near Me - West Chicago, Illinois

Excellent food, great service! Everything we ordered was delicious and made to order. They have a beautiful outdoor patio for warm days (they have heaters too). We will be coming back for more! read more

Totally given my food never asked if there was anything else only saw them again after I got up and knocked on kitchen I had to ask for check read more