He and I ate here last night. I am only giving 4 stars because of the lack of soft corn tortillas for tacos and the lack of "Mexican" style tacos (cilantro and onion). Which might not be fair to them, it's not like they claim to be authentic. He had 2 steak tacos in flour tortillas and 1 steak taco in a crunchy corn shell and said they were ok. I had chicken tacos in flour tortillas and they were good, but skimpy on the chicken. The beans were delicious and the Spanish rice was awesome - might be the best we've ever had! Our server was fantastic, super attentive, and very friendly. The chips and salsa were good, and the house sauce was tasty. If we were to go back we both think we would order something else, the skillets looked amazing and another table ordered the fajita nachos and those looked to die for! read more

My family of three ate there for lunch on 6/25/26. The place had nice atmosphere. The wait staff was pleasant. My wife had a quesadilla and my son had shredded chicken tacos. Both said their lunches were "okay". I had the tamale plate and thought it was terrible, nearly inedible. I've had tamales in several other restaurants in Mattoon, Mt. Zion, and Decatur. They vary in taste and presentation place to place, but I've never been dissatisfied until today. Additionally, Little Mexico was the most expensive of any of the places I've visited! read more

My chess dip tastes like Alfredo sauce, service is amazing though. I think if they actually had good chess dip it would have been a little better and if you like your chicken dry. read more

The place was beautiful!! We went to the back and there was some toilets with pipes but the bathroom was actually in the front. We got salsa in a jar which was a bit questionable but the salsa had I think 200 onions. I ordered a kids meal with a quesadilla and beans and rice. My first thoughts were it was great but then after I ate it I almost puked. Also I ordered a root beer and I'm not sure what I feel about root beer anymore because it tasted like pure dirt. The waiter was very nice and the place was cool but the food was not. read more

This was horrible! The food was not good! The only thing good was the decorations, I mean I guess the service was good, the server was pretty quick, food came out faster than I could write this review, do not eat here if you have an option. Don't even get me started on the bathroom, I had to go so bad and the bathrooms smelled like poop and all that was in the bathroom was pipes but turns out it was im the front I order the kids meal which was the quesadilla with rice and beans my first thoughts were the beans look like absolute Doodoo and I thought at first that it wasn't that bad but I was about to puke, I still haven't puked but I don't know if it's coming up or down either way. It's gonna be really bad. And the place was pretty cool, but I would not eat here in my drink that I got. It. Did not taste like a root beer. It's like a different version of Taco Bell I'm scared for how it is gonna turn out. read more

Little Mexico - Chips and drink - Mexican Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

This is a beautiful place to eat!! The setting inside makes you feel like your setting in mexico!! A city street setting! I always get their house sauce for my chips, it's so delicious!! I would definitely read more

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The last two times we've gone my food has been COLD. This time I specifically asked the waitress (very nicely) to make sure my meat was hot. I got my salad and the meat wasn't even remotely warm. Unfortunately all of our friends like it so I will probably go back. read more

Always the best and most unique Mexican. Mrs Mexican rocks! Cheese enchiladas like no other!

Fun place! Enjoyed good atmosphere. Green chilly was very tasty. Also enjoyed salad. Salsa had nice flavor and fresh. read more

Crap. Absolutely the worst "Mexican" restaurant I've been to--and I cover a 3-state area for work. As soon as I walked in I noticed that both bathrooms had Out of Order signs. Second thing I noticed, was that there were no Mexicans working there. (Not that that should matter, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt). The kid brought me 3 salsas--mild, "hot," and some kind of whitish sauce in a squirt-bottle, that I think was supposed to be chipotle. Both mild and hot sauces tasted the same--like sweet & sour marinara with too much onion. The "chipotle" tasted like sweet Miracle Whip. When my chicken and rice dish arrived, the beans tasted like store-bought Old El Paso (or a generic version) and the "queso dip" that covered my chicken & rice was congealed, and tasted like it came from a glass jar (also like grocery). To add insult to injury, the portions were skimpy--probably about 2 oz. of chicken at most. After 1 (small) bite each, I decided to cut my losses. I paid and walked out. Horrible. read more

Our waitress was personable and very attentive. The food was tasty and came out so fast. We loved the salsas and the special extra white sauce that came with them. Free white cheese for the chips was a true bonus and nothing we've ever had for free anywhere else. The atmosphere in the restaurant was just fun and a pleasant place to eat. We were from out of town but will definitely be back if we are that way again. read more

This place has gone to shit! Don't waste your time or money! Both times we have been here we've pulled hair out of either the cheese or food!! Totally not worth it! read more

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. That's how I try to live by. Maybe instead of branding themselves as a Mexican restaurant, perhaps an American spin on Mexican food. Growing up on El Milagro tacos and homemade flour tortillas, it wouldn't be fair to compare them with home cooking but I can't help but wonder if they'd get better reviews if they didn't pitch themselves as Mexican restaurant. I felt bad because as soon as I bite into the enchilada, I almost threw up. Maybe I'm not used to Central IL Mexican food although this would be my first mex place to try here. I hope not because it's what I think most people long for when they hear Mexican. read more

The owner and his daughter blew me away. im not from Mattoon. i came here to grab a drink and some food. im vegetarian and mexican places almost always have bean burritos or mushroom quesadillas . they had a normal mexican menu at that time, in fact they were in the process of changing it. heres where they blew me away: i overheard the owner talking to a regular who was fond of him (regular was a gay 50 year old cheerleader man, and the owner loved him all the same) but the man mentioned a new restaurant ran by the highschool up the street. instead of getting upset about more competition he offered to support them! amazing! then the best part, he found out i was vegetarian and added 2 dishes to the new menu for people like me. i came back weeks later to try the new menu and the black bean skillet was AMAZING. BEST I EVER HAD. THANK YOU SAL - boy scouts guy read more

Awesome building, terrible food! It's like a mini Casa Bonita (of Denver) inside! Enchanting architecture crafted to look like a Mexican village... but the experience ends there. Casa Bonita actually has better food (and Casa Bonita has terrible food). I had terrible Chimichangas. The ground beef had some strange seasonings that I tasted the rest of the day. My husband had tamales that had wet Maza and were swimming in chili. read more

This is one of our favorite places to go on this Friday night. Food is good. The service is good.

Nothing good to say about this place except the interior decorating. Salsa was way to oniony, chips were ok, quesadilla my friend and I both had was bad. Service is good, but food lacks that quality. To top it all off, one of the guys who ate with me got food poisoning. Do not eat here if u want Mexican food or food that is good!! read more

Been a long time fan: Just came through town to order takeout and ordered a mister and ms and got crap . Take out plus a 10$ tip for 2 meals and complete crap 50$ crap. Last time ever! read more

Great atmosphere and service!! A unique local Mexican Restaurant. It has been in business for years. Not your typical #15 type Mexican food. Their unique creamy clear sauce on their beef enchilada is delicious. I always get the Mr. Mexican. read more

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4 times called for take out and 3 of those times my order was shorted. When I mentioned this to the owner, she said yes, it happens a lot. I also mentioned the 2 inch tamales for $3.25 each and she commented that they are supposed to be 2 inches. I could go on but won't waste any more of my time or my money at this place. read more

We haven't ate here for many many years, honestly we just never think of it, or hear others talking about it. We went in on a Saturday evening for dinner. Building is beautiful, seemed well kept up and clean. Waitress was very attentive and polite. Our food was very good, loved the hot salsa, I will say the mild salsa had a odd taste after a little bit. House dressing was incredible! I think they do need to look into getting some new menus, ours were very hard to read in areas due to the words being rubbed off. Overall our party of 5 enjoyed it & will return!! read more

Ate here on a Saturday afternoon. Been to many Mexican restaurants. My family likes Mexican because of the chips/salsa at the beginning of the meal. This place has the worst salsa we have ever tasted. When they brought it to us in glass containers it would not come out when tipped over. We had to shake vigorously. My one daughter described the taste of the salsa as "vomit." In another review somebody used the phrase rancid. I concur. I got the Mr. Mexican. Forgot part of my order. Food was ok. My wife was the only one that really liked her meal. Service was good. read more

Little Mexico - Mexican Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

Ive been here couple of times. A friendly, cozy environment and verity of drinks (alcoholic/none alcoholics) doesn't let you down, and then food,its just delicious comfy food with good portions. They have added new items to their menu, Street tacos: Barbacoas, Carnitas and Fish tacos. They are awesome Thank you Little Mexico Cantina and Grill. read more

Little Mexico - nachos, tortillas, and guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

Salsa had an odd bitterness, but no big deal. However, all of our meals were too salty. Hostess: how was everything? Me: fine. Well, a bit salty. Hostess: what did you get? Me: veggie quesadilla. Hostess: I like the chimichanga. But it's salty, too. Tldr: if you like salt, you'll like here. read more

The last time I dined here it was not very good. Ordered fajitas and nachos. Long after the nachos were ate, we were still waiting for our food and drink refills as well. Normally when a Mexican restaurant serves fajitas they come out sizzling hot, the skillet ours was served in was barely warm. read more

If the option was no stars I would have picked none. Ok first sign should have been 4 tables during lunch. My wife and I both ordered Lunch "Specials" turns out those aren't on the ready to roll list mine came with fries and the wife had side rice. Got in door at 12:10 ish. Sat down took a while for service at 12:45 food hadn't hit the table still so asked for a to go box by 12:55 here it came we rushed to the counter as a server tried to run off as we went to pay. I had to insist he stop so I could pay otherwise food was staying on that counter and we were leaving anyways. Definitely not a if you're in a hurry lunch spot. I concur with some other posts on here not quality by no means an is bottom of the barrel food from my experiences in the state and no where close to touching Authentic Mexican food like I've had in El Paso tx before. First time customer to last time customer in 50 minutes. read more

Used to be THE Mexican place in Mattoon for decades. Then Boss Hogg gobbled it up, after they moved on up to a much larger (and very nice BTW) building . Apparently, the costs increased too much going big and the food and portions began to suffer. Their salsa, best I've had east of the Mississippi, was skimped on and finally changed completly, that was it for me. So sad a great Mattoon institution that had been around for decades, "just had to grow bigger", so that it could move to too large of location, have inconsistent food quality and as far as the salsa goes, ruin a great thing. Sad. read more

Great looking restaurant but that's it, the food looked bad and tasted bad. Wait staff was very polite but no smiles and politeness can overcome bad food it will only make people feel bad giving honest reviews. Maybe minimize food options and be really good at chips and salsa and a few meals. read more

I've ate at a lot of Mexican restaurants, and by far, this was the worst. The salsa was rancid and had a indescribable taste. I ordered the chicken fajitas thinking they couldn't screw those up any worse than the salsa. Wrong! The chicken and peppers were soaking in oil and lukewarm at best. No sizzling skillet here. The "Spanish" rice was straight out of the bag from your local grocery store. Hard to give it 1 star. read more

I love Little Mexico in Mattoon, Il., we always got Mr. Or Mrs. MEXICO...SO GOOD AND A LOT!!!!Of course, I really like their Cheese and Onion Burritos and their white cheese sauce..We are now in Florida and I really miss going there!!!! read more

They have great tacos. The chips and salsa are one of a kind. Cheese dip is great. The inside of restuarant is beautiful

We will never return to this establishment. We walked in approximately 8:10-8:15pm as they didn't close until 9. Generally, we spend 25-30 minutes here (we've been loyal patrons), so we knew we were giving them enough time to close up shop. Well, after the hostess came out, she went on to tell us how we're the last customers & that she was getting ready to lock the doors. Ok, so obviously uncomfortable already at this point. Then she brings Alexis over & introduces her as the waitress & goes on again about how she was getting ready to lock up. I proceed to ask why since it's not 9 & she claimed they'd been slow & payroll problems. Nonetheless, they give us menus and we're annoyed, but we decide we'll just suck it up and order. We knew what we wanted going in, so it was easy. 8:37 comes along & my last few bites are being interrupted by asking us to pay already so one girl can go home. They were both very rude, and we will not be coming back. We listened to them talk about us in the kitchen for 2 minutes before bringing out the waitress. We could understand it if it we were walking in at closing time, but there was plenty of time remaining. Unacceptable & rude service. While the two servers that have been there since the restaurant was on Rudy are fantastic, these two were absolutely frustrating and rude. We will not be back. Judging from the lack of business the restaurant does, they'll certainly miss our business. read more

So, it's been a while since I've been to this place because the past few times have been sooo bad. Not any better. Food portions half of what they used to be, prices are high, service is subpar. The only thing still good about the place is the salsa. I have earned the right to criticize this place as I do because I used to work at the Rudy location when Sal ws just the manager and actually gave a damn. Seems Little Mexico has fallen to the typical coles county dark side of being complacent and really not giving a damn about the quality, value and service they used to provide. read more

The food was yummy. I remember coming here when I was growing up. I hadn't been back in a couple of decades and the food is exactly how I remember. Keep it up! read more

Little Mexico is a good name for this place, being you will only find a "little" bit Mexican style food. I ordered grilled chicken with cheese on top and the cheese tasted like it was canned Alfredo sauce with maybe some jalapeño added? The rice was dry and bland and the refried beans I suspect came from a can. I also ordered Mac n cheese for my child and it was clearly box Mac n cheese, and the entree cost more than a box of Mac n cheese at the grocery would have. Also, I know some people love their salsa and claim it is their favorite, however I have to say the opposite. It is very sweet for my taste and has to be one of my least favorites I've tried. The service was good and the atmosphere was great. I might give it another try and order something completely different, but I would still hesitate to return. read more

No flavor to be found anywhere in this place, save the decorations. The food is honestly tasteless. Even the salsa had no flavor, just "heat". The help is cheerful, helpful, and the kids liked their Mac & cheese, but it's definitely a place to avoid. read more

Went here on Friday night with a party of 8. Service was very slow and unorganized. Half the drinks came out, the rest of our party waited another 10 minutes. The Frozen Margarita pitcher was just ok,nothing special for $22. Took forever to pay the check as well since you have to go to the front and pay at a register not with your waitress. I won't be back. Check out EL VAQUERO right down the street,much better food drinks and service. read more

The food has went downhill and has gotten to be almost inedible. I can't see myself ever eating there again.

This a beautiful restaurant. The decor makes it appear to be a courtyard surrounded by business fronts with balconies above them with flowers in window boxes. The service was great, however, the food was not. My husbands taco salad had a burnt shell, & hamburger in it was not seasoned. Chips were cold and their flavor was not good. My rice & white cheese dip were were good & my chicken was tender. My red potatoes were not cooked well and unseasoned. My vegetables had a flavor that I didn't like. With such a beautiful restaurant, I wish they would pay more attention to flavor. read more

My family of 4 ate here on a Friday night and the food was wonderful and the atmosphere was excellent. The kids ate Mac-n-cheese and grilled cheese and the adults ate off their new Mediterranean menu. The ingredients were fresh and the flavor was great. We also got to taste the new BBQ from the new chef, and it has me wanting to go back. read more