Had lunch yesterday and my torta was fantastic. Great spot to eat in downtown Kankakee.

Muy Delicioso! I ordered the carne asada. It was great. I asked for extra lime and that took it over the top! She gave us the standard chips and salsa to start and then brought salsa verde with the meal. I would definitely eat there again, but we were just passing through on vacation. The town is a bit sketchy, but I don't think it was just limited to this section. Hard to know that from just looking on a map, but wanted to throw that out there in case it helps someone else. read more

Came here on weekday around 1pm. No one would come outbof the kitchen to wait on us, so we left. We waited maybe 20 minute.

We just moved to Kankakee and this is our first time trying a new restaurant in the local area. We were very impressed with the quality of the recipes used, the freshness of the ingredients, and even the presentation of our meals in their to-go containers. We'll definitely be ordering again from this restaurant and I suggest that if you're looking for top notch Mexican cuisine in the Kankakee area this is the place to go. Genuinely some of the best Mexican food I've ever had and easily in the top 10 of best food I've ever had. read more

I'm not sure how this restaurant has such high ratings. Possibly eating at the restaurant you get better food. I ordered 12 tacos carry out 6 steak 6 chicken. I have never had tacos with less flavor than these. Food was cold and flavor less save your money and go to one of the many other Mexican restaurants in the area. Steak tacos meat couldn't even be chewed. Tomatoes no good. read more

Martinez Tacos Restaurant is a hole-in-the-wall type Mexican place that a client insisted that I had to try. This client knows of my love of Mexican food, as well as my belief that the best Mexican food comes from these humble hole-in-the-wall type Mexican joints. This restaurant offers solid Mexican food. My client said it has been there for years and after having some of the food, I can see why the place has been around for quite some time. All in all, Martinez Tacos Restaurant is a great place to head if you are in the area and are craving Mexican food. Don't be put off by the humble exterior, what awaits inside is a great experience centered around the culinary wonder that the world knows as Mexican food. read more

Chicken taco dinner was bad, chicken smelled bad and taste nasty, had neighbor come over and see if it was me, they spit it out.

My partner brought me here and we have been coming pretty much any chance we get when in Kankakee! We do not eat meat and there are some fantastic non-meat options! We get the same thing so often that when we come in and sit in our spot, they remember our entire order! Even the fact that one order has sour cream and one order does not! It may not look like much on the outside but it delivers on flavor! Always hot fresh out-the kitchen, quick service, and lot the hot sauces! She always brings me out a little dish of their super hot one. We usually get the deep fried mini bean burritos, 2 orders of quesadillas de maiz, elote, and a side of rice. Never once were we disappointed! And from what we've observed from those who ordered meat dishes... they looked very satisfied. 100% recommend! read more

This area has a lot of Mexican places, this one is by far my least favourite.The margaritas they serve here are trash

Really good food, I got the chicken Milanesa and I really enjoyed it. My friend got the taco dinner and she also enjoyed it. We also had the bunuelos, with condensed milk and caramel. It was tasty, a bit devastating calorie wise though! read more

Martinez Tacos Restaurant - Milanesa - Mexican Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

Very good food;everything is seasoned to perfection! We'll be definitely coming back here again.

Exllent food friendly people take care of you. Go there and enjoy yourself and you will thank yourself

Please take note that the three star rating is no reflection of the flavor of the food or the cleanliness of the restaurant. "A-OK" means that we enjoyed our meal. We came in at about 11:30 am with the thought of getting a couple of tamales and something to drink and going about our business. Upon looking at the menu my wife suggested getting the fairly priced lunch buffet and I agreed. With the variety offered we were able to put together a reasonable sampling over the course of two trips to the food bar, walking away filled but not stuffed. The restaurant appears small from the outside but has a decent amount of seating, though I would try to get there before the lunch crowd comes in. The tables and chairs are comfortable, substantial and clean, as are the fans hanging above your heads, meaning there is no hairy dust build up waiting to drop down on your plates. Back to my rating. Like the majority of buffets, the food just wasn't hot, or as warm as it should be, even when items were restocked. I have a feeling that items ordered off of the menu would be served as they should be, though. And I never did get my tamales...they weren't offered in the buffet. When we get back to Kankakee we'll come back Martinez Tacos. read more

I am always looking for a great enchilada, and would consider myself a "connoisseur of enchiladas." Well in my opinion Martinez Tacos enchilada's tops them all! I have tried several menu items and all of them are exceptional! read more

Family owned and operated, this place has very authentic Mexican food prepared fresh. Homemade tamales are as good if not better than found in Chicago read more

I'm never been a Mexican food lover and generally get vegetarian or shrimp fajitas but this restaurant has made me fall in love for Mexican food! I'm visiting the area on business and decided to check the local restaurants and read reviews. Martinez came up with great reviews and I decided to try it. I'll get my usual shrimp fajitas. I was pleasantly surprised with everything... The store front is meh but you walk in and it's clean, cozy atmosphere and comfortable seating. The service is friendly and has a feel as if you're invited to a friends home for a meal. I was there for lunch and there's a buffet every week, 5 days/wk!!! Beautiful display of variety of authentic Mexican food; 10 different varieties of dishes and each dish is a family recipe. My beverage was daily home brew hibiscus ice tea. (No shrimp fajitas ) Now I can say I love Mexican food from Martinez Tacos Restaurant! Thank you for the best Mexican experience!!! read more

I wasn't impressed by the food at all. My chimichanga was soggy on the outside and super dry on the inside and mostly flavorless. I had to drain my drink after each bite, because it was so dry. My husband's carne asada had the texture of microwaved leftovers. Everything was served luke warm. Which was a plus for the kids meal, since they often have to wait for the food to cool before they can eat. (Maybe it was planned that way?) Which they didn't have a kids menu, so we ordered them a cheese quesadilla and the mini burritos. Those were probably the best thing we ordered, but still lacking. I didn't care for the chips and salsa either. The salsa was heavy on the cilantro for my tastes, and the chips tasted like they were fried in old grease. On the plus side, the restaurant was clean, nice simple decor. Bathrooms were clean as well. And the waitress was attentive without being overbearing, and always sweet and smiley. And the prices were dirt cheap, while the portions are massive. I might stop in again for lunch one day. They might have been having an off night. Although it wasn't very busy at all. Only two other tables were occupied the whole time we were there. Oh, They do not serve alcohol, which was fine by me. Hubby wanted a beer w his dinner, so he was a little disappointed. read more

I cannot rave enough about this place! The buffet is outstanding. You cannot beat $9.99 for all you can eat AUTHENTIC Mexican food. Everything is always delicious!! I hear on Sundaya they have a woman making tortillas right there on the spot. I can't wait to try it. read more

Been going to college in the area for four years, can't believe this is the first time I've ever been to this restaurant! We got the lunch buffet and it is well-worth the $10 price. Not a huge spread like a lot of places, but every item is amazing and it's very filling. If you go I highly recommend the carnitas, they're incredible. read more

Martinez Tacos Restaurant - Plate from the lunch buffet - Mexican Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

Two things are a must. The lunch buffet. And the mini burritos when they are set up at the farmers market !! Always loved this place . Buffet is worth it but you have to pay for a drink separate, my recommendation. Get water so you don't get filled up on pop ; eat more food ! read more

Great authentic Mexican food in Kankakee. Found this little gem when I signed up for GrubHub and so glad I did. So far we have ordered from this restaurant three times in the past month. Yummo. The food is as good as the Mexican Restaurants I miss so much in my hometown of Bridgeport Chicago IL. Hard to find authentic food in smaller areas then the city but found it in Martinez. I would highly recommend. So far ordered, Quesadillas, Tacos, Tamales, Rice and Beans and loved all. read more

Family and I went for the lunch Buffet and it was fantastic! The food in the buffet was all very good! The service was great and all the employees where friendly as well! Would recommend going! read more

The dining area is small, which is charming when it's slow. Things get interesting when it's crowded. In the winter, it's chilly every time a customer enters or leaves. The buffet is GREAT! Many authentic dishes I wasn't familiar with; some I like and others not so much, but it was something new and exciting regardless. Not all of the staff speaks English , which can be frustrating, but they're all extra nice and polite. Sometimes they'll have a performer singing. Sometimes they'll offer additional made-on-demand dishes for no additional charge to the buffet (a tip jar exists for this, so be generous.) I've only gone during non-buffet hours once, and it was okay. The buffet keeps us coming back. They're also a tasty street vendor (seasonally) for the Kankakee Farmers Market down the street. If you're looking for something unique in Kankakee, this is it. read more

Their fresh tortillas melt in you mouth! I love their buffet it's big and available throughout the majority of the day.

Just what El Doctor ordered! Good mexican food at a great price. Only four stars because they are just a little less than they were before they closed for a few years and then reopened. But still a worthwhile lunch stop. Hell, the cops eat here so it can't be bad, right? read more

I wish I had two stomach's so good this place should be standing room only best authentic Mexican in Kankakee

The best Mexican restaurant in Kankakee. The barbacoa is delicious. The Sunday buffet with homemade tortillas are amazing.

I wasn't all that excited about Martinez re-opening despite hearing people say how great it used to be (I didn't live here back when it was open). But I have been pleasantly surprised. The staff are very pleasant and always want to make sure you enjoy your food. Veronica, the lady that almost always takes my order AND rings me up is amazing ...the way she keeps things running and still has time for that personal touch. The buffet is a great price at $6.50 and the menu prices are good as well. The menu is not too extensive at this point but perhaps over time it will grow. They seem to be willing to make things that aren't on the menu if you ask when they aren't too busy. They make an avocado salsa that is amazing. read more

Martinez Tacos Restaurant - Delicious Taco Salad - Mexican Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

See all

Not bad for a hole-in-the-wall, ...... My bother-in-law suggested after attending the Chicago Bears training camp for their lunch buffet. Not bad at all, very impress with the flavor and seasoning, that included a great varity to chose from! Never really seen a Mexican buffet unless I was at a resort in Cancun, till now. ..... It's worth it! read more

The Best!!!! I Love The Gorditas Al Pastor!!!!! Everything I have there is wonderful!!! read more

The food had great authentic flavor, the service was amazing. Will definitely be returning for more

The lunch buffet is killer and they can accommodate gluten free. Everything is fresh and tasty. Looking forward to this being a regular spot for lunch or dinner. read more

This place is really fantastic. We just happened to stumble in during the lunch buffet and it was incredible and very authentic. We just moved here from the southwest so finding authentic Mexican food was a must and we found it here at Martinez Taco. Incredible! read more

If you want American style Mexican food, this probably isn't your place. But if you want something more authentic, with reasonable prices and good service, give this place a try. I specially recommend the lunch buffet so you can sample the various dishes. There is an attached grocery as well that has items catering to the target market. read more

the food looked good, but over all was not impressed... the owner/manager tried to convince me that its the best, the mole was over seasoned, you could taste the chilli powder... the menudo was the same and luke warm, i could not come to eat any of it... the tamale was all masa and barely any meat on it...the waitress was really nice and freindly, also, she was always smiling... read more

LOVE this little place. Great service and food. Never disappointed. Have gone there ever since I was a little girl. I have always lived their tostadas! read more