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    Pixca

    4.4 (164 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Pixca Photos

    PIXCA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Pixca

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    Reviews With Photos

    Alexis C.

    Went to try the new menu! Loved the hummus! And corn bread! Fun to hang around at the bar. The restaurant was busy as always such a town gem. Love how the ingredients are freshly sourced.

    Tres Leches French Toast

    Just had amazing brunch at Pixca. The ambience and service was superb, but the food was beyond amazing for a neighborhood restaurant. The Tres Leches French Toast was a gourmet delight, having the custard type texture that is unique amongst restaurant French toast. Other special things on the menu include banana oatmeal pancakes, uniquely served avocado toast, huevos rancheros and any of the entrees served with crispy, sharply seasoned roasted potatoes. Brunch here is a gourmet, fairly priced experience in a lovely setting with friendly and very attentive wait staff. Treat yourself!

    Duroc Pork Schnitzel
    Amy A.

    My husband and I recently went to dinner here on a Friday night. We have been wanting to try Pixca for a while, and we are SO glad we did! You walk in and the restaurant is quaint and decorated so bright and lively! I love the cookbooks on the shelf above the kitchen. The service was awesome! Everyone was so friendly and they were so good at checking in on us, filling up our water, and even changing out our silverware and plates between courses. My husband and I started with the burrata appetizer which was delicious! Then we split the pork schnitzel for our entree and the crispy brussel sprouts and popcorn cauliflower for our sides. The schnitzel was perfectly crispy and the sauce delicious! It was decadent, but perfect for us to split! We both liked the brussel sprouts, but some were a bit charred and a bit bitter. The popcorn cauliflower had awesome flavor! We 100% plan on going back to Pixca to try more off the menu!

    Thanh T.

    Came here for drinks -- it's always hit-or-miss and Sunday night was a miss. Service was polite and prompt. TAMARIND MEZCAL-RITA and OAXACAN OLD FASHIONED - nothing to write home about. did they salt the rim like yesterday? nothing was removing that CRISPY BRUSSEL SPROUTS - tangy POPCORN CAULIFLOWER - fine SALT ROASTED HEIRLOOM BEET, Belgian Endive, Pickled Onion, Gorgonzola, Walnut, Walnut Vinaigrette -- tangy. it was fine. 2/5 - VERONICA'S BROWNIE, Vanilla Ice Cream, Salted Caramel, Powdered Sugar -- they always put cold ice cream onto a warm dessert which becomes a mid goop. Brownie was old and dry.

    Karyn M.

    This is a seasonal, farm-to-table restaurant in Highland Park. "Pixca" means harvest in the Maya language and they work with local farmers to bring fresh foods to the plate. We stopped in, day after Xmas, the small, cozy restaurant was fairly empty. We made a reservation but it turns out we did not need one. The ambience was warm and festive with candles in the table and lights above the bar/kitchen area. Disclaimer: we had drinks and snacks at a friend's house prior to this. We started with cornbread and butter, which came in a skillet and was warm, toasty golden. I ordered the vegetarian cassoulet which was a very flavorful and savory rich stew with roasted seasonal vegetables and halloumi. The broth was very rich and well seasoned and reminded me of the scene from the animated little chef movie when the exacting French food critic tastes the simple rustic dish and is transported to memories of his childhood. Now I'm not French and I didn't grow up eating this dish but the very name Pixca means harvest and that's exactly what this dish was. A bounty of the best harvest at its peak. My companion enjoyed their salad as well. Several dishes caught my eye for a return visit. Hope to come back to enjoy the best of the harvest soon.

    Mussels with fries and aioli
    Jeff L.

    Our favorite restaurant on the North Shore. Menu changes based on what's in season keeping things interesting. Cocktails are creative and delicious with generous pours. Try the Mezcal Old Fashioned. Can't say enough about the food. We love the calamari and mussels. You can't go wrong with any of the entrees but standouts are the whitefish, prime burger and duck. They also have some nice vegetarian options like the popcorn cauliflower. Definitely recommend making a reservation as the place fills up fast on certain days. Ambiance is like a typical bistro; tables are close together but very cozy. All the staff treat you like family once you walk in. There is an open kitchen concept which makes it fun to sit at the bar to see the action. The restaurant is close to Ravinia Festival and Chicago Botanic Gardens.

    Rafi A.

    Everything we've tried here has been delicious. The service is responsive, the prices reasonable given the location and quality. We've been twice and will return.

    Menu

    I'm honestly still not sure what kind of restaurant this is trying to be. It calls itself an "American cuisine" restaurant, but the menu leans heavily Mexican -- plus, the quality of the dishes seem to be like all dishes you'd expect from a solid taquería or food truck. The problem? They don't even come close. The food has minimal flavor, like it's mimicking something authentic without understanding what makes it great. It tastes like a watered-down version of meals you could get for half the price from a quality food truck, made with more care and soul. And yet, the prices are sky-high, almost laughably so considering the plating looks rushed, unbalanced, and straight off someone's amateur food blog. There's zero finesse -- just an attempt to look elevated without actually being elevated. The atmosphere adds to the confusion. Music jumps between country, moody indie, and random Top 40 hits, making it impossible to know whether you're supposed to relax, party, or dine quietly. The seating only adds to the identity crisis -- tiki stools next to white-linen tables, booths next to lounge chairs. It's like they threw a Pinterest board into the room and hoped it would work. Is this a casual drinks spot? A fine dining experience? A brunch café? Not even the staff seem sure -- and that uncertainty bleeds into every part of the experience. The staff are part of the positive yet still struggle to make it a quality place to eat as they rush but still seem to forget you're at a table waiting to order. Additionally cover your little one's ears if they speak Spanish as they consistently argue with each other and not in a joking way but more so very awkward. In short: confusing concept, bland execution, and overpriced food that pretends to be something it's not. You're better off grabbing a bite at a real food truck -- at least there, you'll get flavor and authenticity. $15 for a good cocktail but $30+ for a small and tasteless dish makes it so difficult to feel like this isn't your nieces pretend kitchen.

    Fermented pineapple martini
    Anna G.

    Great spot with delicious food! Every single thing we ordered was delicious. Can't go wrong with steak frites, the lamb was tasty as was the pasta dish we chose. And don't skip the cauliflower side dish either. My fermented pineapple martini was interesting and the service was very attentive, almost too attentive

    Menu
    Eric Y.

    Pre-meal: Reservations needed for prime time. Street parking and public lots nearby. Room: Inside is nice - bar, banquettes and tables. Outdoor sidewalk seating. Picture-taking: Ok. Beverages: Small cocktail and WBTG list. Manhattan made with amaretto was too sweet for my taste. Menu: This place says it's a "Seasonal American Bistro" but the menu isn't very "American." And we were told that this the "summer" menu - not sure what is so summery about it. "Vegetarian cassoulet" - what's the point of that? Cassoulet is essentially a rustic French bean casserole with meat and this vegetarian one doesn't even say there's beans. Food: Just ok. Calamari was freshly fried and crispy but there was too much other stuff - zucchini, squash, lemons - not enough squid. My burger was ok but was a real mess - all the toppings came gushing out like ... sorry can't be too descriptive, after all this is a family friendly review! The pork chop and whitefish entrees were reportedly good. The Mexican street corn was not good - the corn was sweet but the Mexico was missing. The desserts did not sound exciting so we didn't order any. Service: Great. Attentive and friendly. Price: Moderate Value: Average Summary: Friendly place with uneven food in search of an identity.

    risotto di mare
    Marc G.

    I am not an H.P. local - but I stopped in mid July, 2024 for a pre Ravinia concert bite. Really wanted to love this place, but sorry guys, it just didn't work out that way. Asked for a dirty Gin martini - oops! No Gin! And no, I do not drink mezcal, tequilla, etc. Have to deduct points for that. Ordered a beer instead - my drink of last resort. Tried the Risotto di Mare, - ok, never had this, so let's check it out, especially since I know what a pain it is to do risotto just right. Sorry, but I fail to see how a riffed Italian dish, could wind up in a seasonal Mexican-Mayan inspired cafe (?) The lemon gelato-sorbet was spot on, but the espresso was spot off - no crema ,over extracted., got a lemon slice instead of a lemon rind peel 'ya, I know, picky, picky' Good points - As organic and fresh with locally sourced ingredients, as you can get. Attentive wait staff The locals seem to love this place, and are greeted by name upon arrival. But...I do believe there are better places in downtown H.P. i.e. Norton's, Bella Via, et al

    White fish

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    4 months ago

    Such a great local spot! Food was delish and service was excellent. Outdoor seating will be setup in a week or so. A new go to spot for us!

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    1 year ago

    The staff was cheerful and pleasant. The food was well prepared, presented, and tasty. The ambience was a bit on the noisy side, but lively

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    1 year ago

    Great atmosphere and good food! Service was a tad slow but that could be due to a variety of variables

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

    This is my favorite restaurant in Highland Park! We've had pretty much everything on the menu and it's all consistently excellent!!

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    8 months ago

    Great food. Very special New years Eve! Delicious whitefish and vegetables. Not too crowded

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    2 years ago

    Meh, the food was simply mid :( sadly, we didn't really enjoy it very much, and the street corn was the worst

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    Backyard Grill - Gyros Sandwich

    Backyard Grill

    4.0(231 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This was my second time ordering from Backyard Grill, and I'm honestly even more impressed than the…read morefirst time. The first visit, the service was phenomenal and the food was absolutely amazing--everything was fresh, flavorful, and done right. The second time really sealed it for me. I called in my order, and they already knew my name and exactly what I wanted. That level of attention and customer care is rare. They had everything ready to go, smooth and hassle-free. Between the incredible food and the top-tier service, this place easily earns 5 stars from me. I'm very pleased and will definitely keep coming back.

    RECOMMENDED Backyard Grill in Highland Park is a bright,…read moreclean café serving great food. They feature many different American-style sandwiches, many different Greek & Italian dishes, and a variety of salads, wraps, and so on. There is street parking in front, and a municipal lot just a few steps to the north; on weekends it can be a little crowded. Inside, the décor is very industrial-grade chic, with blonde wood tables and black metal chairs; it is nice and clean. When you order, you are given a little buzzer which lights up when your order is ready; you can then go to the counter to pick up your tray. You are also given a cup for drinks, which are self-dispensed from a machine and there is a self-serve counter for cutlery, napkins, and so on. The food is plentiful and hot; I ordered a smashburger (?) and it was very good. There were some fries with it (actually, a lot of fries) and there are condiments for your use on the table (ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper). . NB I'm not overly familiar with smashburgers but it was very good. . A small comment on the burger: It would have been nice to have the hamburger bun a little toasted. It was not soggy, but it was soft. But again, everything was very good. I very much enjoyed my visit to Backyard Grill and would definitely recommend! RECOMMENDED

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    Backyard Grill - Dining room seating area

    Dining room seating area

    Backyard Grill
    Backyard Grill - Building

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    Building

    Charlie Beinlich's Food & Tap - Shrimp Cocktail

    Charlie Beinlich's Food & Tap

    3.9(386 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    This is an old school pizza shop tavern with a great burger and shrimp cocktail. Good beers and…read moreamazing burgers. Not too many seats so there could be a wait during busy days but for a burger this good I'd say it's worth the wait. Good service and great ambience. I've been going there for years and it's always great. There's all sorts of burgers in the area but this is the best one. Stop in and your stomach will be happy and so will you. I promise you will love the food and the place. Great food and great service. Is what you're in for

    I certainly wanted to love this place - the ambiance reminds me of the numerous bars scattered…read morethroughout northern Wisconsin lake country. Knotty pine on the walls and fish mounts every direction that you look. I started with an Old Fashion that checked the box, and the famed Shrimp Cocktail. The shrimp cocktail was five large shrimp that were firm in texture and clearly fresh. The cocktail sauce tasted like it was from a bottle, it wasn't terrible, but certainly not made in house. The burger was straightforward and the beef was high quality but it desperately needs seasoning (salt and pepper for goodness sake). I ordered my burger with Swiss cheese, that probably wasn't the right choice, American would've been better. The grilled onions were cooked well, but again just a sprinkle of salt would elevate the burger. The bacon was crispy, which was welcomed because the rest of the burger experience was just - meh. My tab was $48 and some change, which isn't terrible in today's economy, however, I've had $48 meals elsewhere that were head and shoulders above. It was clear that this is a long standing tradition in the area, but the food taste is stuck in the past.

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    Charlie Beinlich's Food & Tap - View of seating area

    View of seating area

    Charlie Beinlich's Food & Tap - Cheeseburger

    Cheeseburger

    Charlie Beinlich's Food & Tap - Charming outdoor dinning  space

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    Charming outdoor dinning space

    Denuccis - * Cacio e Pepe Arancini

    Denuccis

    3.7(68 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    From the moment we arrived for our 5:45 PM reservation, we felt so welcomed. Our table was…read morebeautifully decorated with a personalized menu that said "Happy Anniversary" with our names on it, along with flowers and a balloon. It was such a thoughtful touch that made our celebration feel extra special. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful with such a romantic atmosphere. It was the perfect place to celebrate our anniversary. Our server, Nathan, was exceptional. He was attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. The manager also stopped by to check on us, which really showed how much they care about their guests. I've dined at much more expensive restaurants before, and I've honestly never experienced this level of hospitality. The food was incredible 10/10! Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The portions were generous, and I couldn't even finish my meal because there was so much delicious food. Overall, this was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. From the outstanding service to the beautiful ambiance and amazing food, everything exceeded our expectations. Thank you to Nathan and the entire team for making our anniversary so memorable. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience!

    We came for an evening with friends and decided to take advantage of the Sunday "per la famiglia…read more(serves four)" special when we saw the menu. What looked like a generous offer of comfort food at a reasonable price, at a lovely Italian restaurant, was actually a gimmick worthy of Ebenezer Scrooge. Dinner started with a tasty chopped salad that would have been a reasonable entree for one or enough to share as an appetizer for two. It was a large spoonful each for four. The four garlic knots that accompanied the salad were each about 2x2x2 inches, and when we asked for a refill of both the salad and bread we were told "that's all you get." The spaghetti came with 2 meatballs in a portion size that looked like it was enough for an entree for only 1 person. We waited a moment and when no more came realized we were screwed. Later, seeing our disappointment, the waiter was kind enough to secretly get 2 more meatballs out of the kitchen for us to pretend there were portions for each person at the table. Had they been serving Italian tapas, maybe we could have pretended it was a fair approach. The 16 inch cheese pizza was good but nothing special and the tiramisu provided 4 small pieces a little larger than the garlic knots mentioned earlier when cut into squares. I don't know what kind of "famiglia" Salvatore "Sal" Lo Cascio, the culinary director at Ballyhoo Hospitality, or Ryan O'Donnell, the CEO, have; but they probably don't eat very much. Perhaps they expect the famiglia of their guests to be a single parent with young children or a group of little persons. In short, the food tasted good, the dining room was lovely, the service was outstanding, and the portions and prices were a complete rip-off to the point that the place should be put out of business. With two iced teas, a glass of house wine, tax and a generous tip the bill came to well over $100 and this morning when checking the receipt for this review I found out that they charged us $8.00 for the extra meatballs which the waiter pretended were a secret, complimentary addition. Not very nice!

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    Denuccis
    Denuccis - Truffle arancini

    Truffle arancini

    Denuccis - Pistachio sundae

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    Pistachio sundae

    That Little French Guy - Turkey Croque Monsieur

    That Little French Guy

    4.4(328 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Stopped by for a late lunch with my wife yesterday and we really enjoyed the place…read more An awesome little cafe for pastries or a light breakfast/lunch in downtown HP. I had a Caesar salad, my wife has the French onion soup and a grilled cheese and all items were solid. Also had the Chocolate chip cookies which were awesome. They have a ton of pastries that I look forward to trying down the line as well. Would definitely recommend.

    I met a girlfriend here for a mid-priced lunch last week, and it is such a cute little French…read morebistro right in Highland Park. I ordered the croque madame with the fried egg on top, and it was delicious. You can absolutely tell they use real butter--the true French way! My waistline might not thank them, but my tastebuds certainly did. I even brought home an almond croissant for the Hubby and snacked on a cheese and chive scone the next day, and everything was just fantastic. The only little hiccup is that the service can get a bit hectic. The staff seemed a little confused trying to match up the order numbers to the tables, and we almost got run over on our way out by a waiter sprinting to the patio! But even with the fast-paced environment, the food is wonderful whether you eat in or grab takeout. Definitely worth a visit! A much better experience here than MY 1st time. I think it's because they enlarged the dining area with more table space. It's still hard to have a conversation due to the high ceilings which echo the sound.

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    That Little French Guy - Entry sign

    Entry sign

    That Little French Guy
    That Little French Guy

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    Pixca - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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