The food was outrageously delicious, the server was really friendly and helpful, and the casual atmosphere was just what we needed for a great late lunch. I will be back! read more

Alberto was our waiter and did a great job. The FOOD here!! Oh my gosh! It's soooo good. The walls are decorated with old movie posters featuring actress Maria Felix. The bathroom also has posters and it is super cute. The only issue with this place is it appeared that the air conditioning was not working very well. It was a very hot day and it was not much cooler inside. Almost muggy inside. BUT the FOOD is awesome so we were very forgiving over the heat. We place our drinks and food orders at the same time. It seemed to take a very long time to get our drinks. Our guacamole came out first and still no drinks. We had to remind a server we hadn't gotten them yet. We finally got the drinks and our food showed up not long after. Despite the delay... the FOOD!!! Did I mention the food? Haha. The guacamole was amazing and fresh. Really good. I had the shrimp tostadas dinner and mmm mmm huge pieces of shrimp, pico de gallo and fresh avocado. My friend had the burrito dinner and other friend had the taco dinner. Everyone was very pleased with their meals and not one bite wasted. We noted there was nice outdoor seating but because it was so hot when we arrived and full sun, we chose to sit inside. It is a great menu and very nice atmosphere. read more

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Worst service. Waited 30 minutes to even get a drink. Never got it and got up and left when I saw that the people next to us had already gotten a 2nd round. Salsa and chips tasted like something you buy from Costco in bulk. read more

The service was terrible. We were there on Friday night at 6:45pm and were made to feel like we were inconveniencing the staff. The restaurant wasn't busy but we had a a table of 5 and ordered appetizers, drinks, and dinner and were made to feel like we were preventing them from closing even thought the hours were posted that they were open until 8;30pm. By 730pm, they began to turn off the lights and close the curtains. They then proceeded to stand behind the counter and stare at our table like we were inconveniencing them. It was very uncomfortable We won't return. read more

The service was incredibly amazing but the food...omg I'm in heaven. The decor is beautiful the outdoor seating is lovely the drinks are amazing and I will be back to try everything else. We had the queso birria and I had a tamarind margarita and the hubs had the regular margarita. Both amazing and definitely coming back but this time we're going to have to bring the kiddos. Everything here is amazing. Must try!!!! read more

La Estancia - Tamarind margarita and a regular margarita - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

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If you like good margaritas, terrible service and average food this is the place for you. It took FOREVER to get someone to take our order. I won't be back. read more

Excellent service, excellent margaritas! The food was really good and the place is super cute.

I freaking love this place. Everything from the food, drinks, and service is always top notch. Support neighborhood and independently owned restaurants! Come grab a crazy marg and steak tacos. Always friendly and the outdoor seating in summer is a great experience. read more

I know of a hidden gem that's located in Riverside, Illinois. La Esancia is a truly magnificent Mexican restaurant. It's an experience! First, the food is so tasty, well-prepared, and fresh! Authenticity is truly their forte. Portion sizes are great and prices are reasonable. Second, they have a vast array of great drinks that compliment their menu. You won't be disappointed! Third, the decor is so impressive and artsy. Their tribute to the golden cinema era is vibrant and nostalgic. You might want to take pictures. Lastly, the service is warm, efficient and noticeable. This is not just a restaurant, it's an experience!! read more

Just no. Where do I start.. though the wait staff was friendly and attentive, which I believe is a requirement for any server, the food was below average. Authentic is an overstatement. Though Mexican can food can typically vary in ingredients and taste from place to place, the dishes here missed the mark. I always say anybody can make a taco anybody can roll a tortilla, but sometimes you just need to taste the rice and the beans to really get an essence of what's going on in the kitchen. Both lacked flavor and creativity, as did the dishes. The drinks were very good I'll give them that, but paying $25 for a lackluster cheese enchilada dinner is not on my radar. Will not be back and would not recommend. read more

The food was great I enjoy a good real authentic Mexican meal. The margaritas were delicious and recommend by our server Juan. He did an outstanding job providing us with a professional and spectacular service! I live in the suburbs but the drive is worth it. We will be back soon. As for the restaurant itself it definitely needs some work. We had a cook walk by us and reeked of marijuana which bothered by husband since we were out with our baby. Despite that we will be back for the burritos, huaraches, the guacamole and their spicy salsas! read more

From the outside, I will admit that this restaurant does not look like much. It's also hidden away in the downtown of Riverside, IL. However it's as good or better that many Mexican restaurants that I've been to in Chicago. First, the decor and ambiance are super unique. The theme of the restaurant is the golden age of Mexican cinema. They have many backlit movie posters. Also, the tabletops are decorated with movie posters. Second, the food is very good. When I went, I ordered the shrimp taco dinner, a sope, the el molcajete and the cafe de olla. The two things that stood out to me was that flavors where bold, and spice level of the food was perfect. You knew the spices was there, but it didn't overpower the good. My favorite of everything that I ordered was the el molcajete. It was a suggestion I f the staff and it was amazing. I had never heard of it, and i was so glad I ordered it. It literally had every meat I could think of. It came with warm tortillas, rice and refried beans. It was super fun scooping out the ingredients and making little street tacos. I also ordered and margarita azul. I was told that everything is made from scratch and to order. Third, the staff was great. They were friendly and I appreciated their suggestions. Fourth, parking was easy. Just outside the restaurant there was plenty of street parking. In sum, this a great Mexican restaurant with some fun decor that's worth the trip from Chicago to Riverside. read more

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The shrimp tacos and fish tacos were delicious! Full of flavor and very fresh. The outdoor seating area is super cute and cozy. Our waitress was friendly and service was speedy. We'll be back! read more

La Estancia - Shrimp Taco Dinner(3) - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

Great service food and outside area nice too! Prices are reasonable and enjoy their salsas and signature beverages!

Pros: The food was delicious and authentic. The server was friendly. Yummy complimentary chips/salsa. Cons: the server recommended the green sauce tamale for my kids, as I asked if they were spicy. He assured me they weren't. I like spicy, and I was dying- needed water. Sadly, my kids didn't get to eat lunch as they all cried from spice, and we had to eat at home. Another con is the screen door is absolutely filthy with bugs. They don't give you water- you must pay for Kirkland (Costco) water bottles. read more

Their outdoor patio seating was a really nice relaxing atmosphere and went well with the tasty food and drinks! Get the margaritas! read more

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Hidden Gem. Good Food, friendly service. There is a nice Happy Hour from 3-5 Daily. Authentic, fresh cooked food. Clean environment. See what you have been missing. They have been in business for Six Years. Who knew. A must try!!!!!! read more

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I wanted to try the food from this restaurant and It was really good. The chef was welcoming and he came to talk with us about the food. I order the pico de gallo as an appetizer and it had mango, love it! And for my place I had three shrimp tacos, they didn't disappoint. The margarita paired well with the shrimp tacos. My friend had the carne asada tacos and she enjoyed them. We had a table outside, it was perfect for the warm weather. We enjoy ourselves and will be coming again. read more

Went here for drinks and appetizers and it was so good! I love the ambiance of the place. Amazing service and really sweet staff. I'm definitely coming back here. read more

La Estancia - Shot Tequila D. Julio\patron - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

The mole sauce is freshly made and is the best I have tasted ; ordered the chicken enchiladas on the several occasions we have gone there. The service is always excellent and the owner checks in with the patrons. Love the cozy, cheerful and shady outdoor patio. Very nice for neighborhood dining. When my family comes to visit, we go there for authentic Mexican lunch and/or dinner. Beats Lalo's hands down! read more

Really disappointing. We wanted to like it and tried twice. I understand how hard the restaurant business can be, but this place just missed the mark. The food was bad, really bad. It tasted like it had been sitting around for a while, and my husband actually felt ill after we arrived home. The service (?) was one guy and we saw no other employees during our whole dinner there, so was he perhaps cooking as well? Or microwaving food prepared earlier? My margarita was fine, and the best part of the experience. I don't give out poor reviews lightly, but this place really needs to make some changes. read more

La Estancia - Because I need a margarita right now! - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

Excellent !!!! Wonderfull Home Made Food !!! When in the neighborhood again Definitely will Stop Here. Great service and all the food was delicious Definitely Recommend if you are in the area!! read more

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Any time I come back to visit family in Riverside, I make it a point to go to La Estancia at least once, but normally twice! Authentic and made with love - everything we've ever eaten there was delicious. The tacos, the tamales - all of them are excellent. I'm not even a fan of rice and beans, but I could their's for days! If you want a drink, get the sangria with vodka - you won't regret it! The sangria isn't too sweet, but it packs a punch! Even the chicken tacos, which I feel a lot of places fail, are so good, and for the price they can't be beat! They alsp put pickled jalapenos in the guacamole. Listen. Do not knock it until you try it. I could not stop eating it! You cannot go wrong here. Stop by and enjoy! read more

Food is really amazing! Hidden gem and must try hotspot. Everything tasted freshly made I ordered a specialty burrito plate. read more

La Estancia - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

I had their tamal and tostada. My niece had chicken tacos and my son had quesadillas. Everyone loved their food. The kids slurped down horchata in seconds flat. Lovely outdoor patio with a view of the water tower. Highly recommend! read more

Delicious. Try the margs.. and the enchiladas with mole rojo. Tacos are good too. Owners are local peeps so I recco

Unique and authentic flavors are the makings for delicious food! This was our first time ordering from here because we wanted something different. We were happily surprised!! We ordered the large guacamole which was unbelievably delicious and fresh tasting! (please send more chips) It was a chunky style, yet all of the ingredients were very well blended! We could not stop eating it!! We also ordered mushroom quesadillas and some chorizo gorditas to sample, and everything was really good! Some of the flavors were unexpected (like the chorizo seemed extra rich) but they must have a very creative chef because you can tell this food was made with certain expertise! They have a large menu, so I will be back to try more dishes soon! La Estancia- you have a new fan! read more

While reading reviews of this place and actually coming in here, the food was horrible. Pico de gallo has a weird taste, molcajete with all the meats was salty, they use Minute Maid rice. They try to mend flavors and are not very successful in doing it. I'm sorry but very unhappy. read more

Wife and I have ventured to several mexican places in the area and this is the best we've had! - Place was so good we ate here 2 nights in a row. First off, free chips and salsa at the table is a plus. Salsa had a kick to it but was very good, not too spicy. For food, we tried a couple different gringas, a variety of tacos, and the guacamole. Everything was delicious and prices were very fair! Most of the dinner combos ranged in price from $7.50 - $10. Great value, especially considering how good the good was. For drinks, we had margaritas and the sangria. Both were great. In addition, the staff is very friendly and they have a nice outdoor patio. Already looking forward to coming back! read more

La Estancia - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

They gave us really syrup-y margaritas which didn't taste very good. So they took them back and gave us regular lime margaritas which were better. When then bill came we were charged for margaritas we didn't drink, when we asked about it the women pretended like she didn't know English well enough to explain that "since we ordered it we're still getting charged" so she brought another man out who said that. BS. I understand the pandemic has businesses in a crunch, but an extra $30, come on. read more

Just ate lunch here. They make a very good steak burrito and have a very nice outdoor seating area. The food came quickly and the service was friendly. Ask for the red hot sauce and enjoy it smoky deliciousness. read more

We had lunch at La Estancia! Food is delicious and super fresh! Margarita's are also delicious! Ambiance and service. Exceptional! Must try! You won't be disappointed! read more

I order a taco dinner and wish to have had one taco de Asada and one de Al Pastor.... but, they didn't and don't allow it. So I had to order an additional one since they only allow to choice one meat which doesn't make sense forcing you to order another but if you order separately with side of rice and beans you pay more. As it being our first time that was a big factor for me not being able to pick one of each. Then to come and find out the al pastor was a-okay. It wasn't as crunchy as you imagine or know that it must be "dorado" was way to tender for that type of meat. The asada I have to say pretty good. I loved it - 8 outta 10. The presentation looks awesome of my dish was awesome! The amount of meat is right dead on! They need better salsa to complement their food and or at least a spicy one for those that love spice (picante). Way to mild for me! The rice that comes with it wasn't what I expect it did taste good but maybe for a fish but not a taco. Beans, I give it a 3 outta 10. The atmosphere is great a place to feel at home or at least feeling welcoming. The waitress was nice! The place is great for those from other regions I'm sure... but, if you are a Latino/Hispanic who is looking for a great place I'm sure you can spend your money elsewhere to satisfy your craving. read more

La Estancia - Taco Dinner Asada - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

Great veggie burritos not just pepper and onions and orchata is good drink. Can't wait to try other meals

This is the fourth time I have been to la estancia. And the fourth time I have been disappointed. The customer service at this establishment is awful. I was here over a year or two and I was kick out, because they they said they need space for greater turn over. It was raining and I was waiting for a ride. The time after that I passed the back of the restaurant and the guy taking out trash yelled at me. Most recently I came in and it took ten minutes to order a hot chocolate, because the person at the counter did not understand english. He was a nice guy, but simply did not understand me. This ironically was my best Best experience. read more

I am currently eating the best quesadilla I have ever had. I am also having a margarita and enjoying the beautiful weather outside, the space is charming and the food is exceptional. read more

La Estancia - Outside seating - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

It's not the showiest, but this gem in beautiful downtown Riverside has a charming, tidy interior and hella great food! If you're staying, you get big chips & a fantastic salsa that's not too hot but spicy enough to keep your interest. Food is made to order and there's not a big sense of hurrying, but I promise it's well worth it! The al pastor tacos are absolutely wonderful--shown in pic. My vegetarian pal loved her tacos, too! When I was there, a trio of grade-school aged girls were at the counter & loved their tortas. Stay for the MexiCoke, too, and know I'll be trying a lot more, soon. read more

La Estancia - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois

We had lunch today after working in yard on a hot day. Requested tap water with our meal, the wait staff said they dont have tap water. What? She said only bottled water because of Covid. Strange and abrupt. I stay away from plastic bottles for many reasons but here in Riverside the water is fine. She was pretty rude about it too. She said a bottle is only a dollar. That is not the point at all. Our guest got something hot stuck in throat, had to buy a second coke to help him. Food ok, patio needs to be cleaned up, manager needs improvement. What do the wash their hands in? Weird place. Never again! read more

My experience here was horrendous. First bad sign was that my table was dirty ... smears of what appeared to be a half-baked effort to wipe off guacamole. My coke was delivered in a can. No glass was provided. I had to use a miniscule water glass to avoid drinking it directly out of the can. My meal was delivered with a spoon. No fork was provided. Also, no napkin. I had to retrieve a napkin from another table. The quality of the food suffered tremendously. While the rice and beans were okay, the asada steak in my tacos seemed like rubber and was barely edible. I ate as much as I could because I was hungry. The entire experience left me sick to my stomach. Needless to say, my visit was a bust and I will not be going back. read more

The service was bad, and so was the little food I had. I asked for a pitcher of water, but the waitress said she could only bring a pitcher of horchata due to COVID everything must be bottled. When she brang the rest of our drinks they were all in ceramic cups. I asked if we could have different tortilla chips. She asked what was wrong with the chips we had. I said they were burnt.. She said that's how they were. I ordered a small guacamole to go foe my son. It should have been near $6 in price, due to being a seasonal item, and avocados are in season. When she brought the check she has charged me for a large. I asked if she had charged me for a large, and the response was "that's the price". I shoild have walked out the minute I saw the burnt chips. I didn't want to wait to see the burnt food if thats the way they are. The bill was $25.72 for three drinks and a small guacamole. read more

La Estancia - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, Illinois