Taqueria El Zarape is a fantastic place for tacos and other Mexican favorites I'm the Joliet, Illinois area. This is a no-frills, mom-and-pop type taco place that is pretty humble and possesses little to no ambiance, but I have always maintained that the best Mexican food does not come from a high end type restaurants with incredible ambiance, but rather the best Mexican food comes from these little hole-in-the-wall type joints. Taqueria El Zarape just reinforces this long-standing theory of mine. Taqueria El Zarape offers a great menu, but I went with the tacos and the tacos were definitely a great choice here at Taqueria El Zarape. The tacos are definitely stellar and something that I would definitely recommend. All in all, Taqueria El Zarape is a great choice if you are in Joliet, Illinois and are in the mood for Mexican food. If you do go and are a fan of tacos, you cannot go wrong with the tacos here. read more

The food and service is absolutely amazing! My family and I will only be eating tacos from here on now once you have their food no other Mexican restaurant compares in the area!!! Brother David, and his family (the owner) are amazing people! read more

Torta, rice beans and a can of coke $17.50 Ouch!!! Won't be back food average c rating read more

Taqueria El Zarape - Torta, rice and beans with a can of coke $17.50 ouch!! The torta was average c+ - Mexican Near Me - Joliet, Illinois

Prices are not the same as their menu, they need to update their things! 6 dollars for a taco?

Came here for lunch with my mom bc we were in the area. My mom had a meatless burrito, which she liked. I had a chicken sope with rice and beans. The food tasted ok, but there was so little of it. My sope was like 2in across, and there was like a tbsp of rice and a tbsp of beans on my plate. I did get a small Jamaica as well. Our bill was $30, which was a bit of a surprise. Turns out they charged us $2 per water bottle. We didn't ask for bottled water, it was just given to us instead of a cup of water. The "god loves us" blaring music also didn't help. This place is a rip off and def not worth the price. Don't recommend. read more

So a few things, first of all, they charge me twice for a cup of coffee when they were offering everybody else in the restaurant

This is my local. Best al pastor in town. (period). A 3 taco dinner does me well. Tacos are generous. Pineapple please. Tortas and cimetas are spot on. I have been liking the bean and cheese gorditas lately and I love the huaraches! I need to come for breakfast some day. The red salsa is Abol chiles I believe. Hot, smoky, rich. The green is milder, not Serrano hot, hot and no avocado, just Chile and tomatillo and love. This is a great family owned restaurant. Wonderful children, respectful friendly family. They are also very Christian in values if this matters to you. ***Sunshine 2- You are totally off. Not the same staff, interior or exterior of the Joliet establishment. You need to update that post! *** ******^^^^^^********^^^^^******^^^^^^**** Also, check out Valles Produce just behind. Great tamales and pork stew. Also, get a micro or domestic at Stang Kellys! read more

Taqueria El Zarape - Taco Dinner --Al Pastor w/cilantro, onion, pineapple Sope--regular - Mexican Near Me - Joliet, Illinois

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They seem to be trying. Cold chips. Godita was just cheese and meat. Potato in my taco. Not impressed

The food is super good, especially the tacos and fresh water!!! Muy rica comida y aquas frescas!!! Lo recommendo mucho!

OMG!!!! The chips and salsa is mind blowing. They fry the chips when you order them. They come out all hot and smell so good. There are two salsa's, a green one that is hot, and a red one that is hotter. The young lady's that are the two servers are great. I have had nothing bad from here. I recommend you to eat everything. Only cans of soda. If they had a fountain dispenser I would give them 5 stars. read more

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New restaurant where Cheli's Chili used to occupy. Got a Cubana Torta and a steak burrito dinner to go. Regretted not getting al pastor in something when I saw the rotating spit where they trim their pork from. Still, the steak burrito was very good, cooked just right. Rice and beans weren't anything to write about. Most have their own take on the Cubana torta as there's had eggs, chorizo, ham, lettuce, tomato, hot dogs, onions, and chipotle peppers. Wasn't bad but I've had better, wished they would had a least added milanesa (breaded steak) in the mix as everybody does. Would like to go back as they were like 4-5 additional items I wanted to try. Cash Only read more

Came here on a Wednesday night and it was empty. It was a family owned businesses and you can take it in the food because it tasted authentic rather than processed. The service was exceptional and we had one of the daughters wait out table and she was really sweet. I got a pambosa and we got guacamole and chips for the table. The food was so good that all three of us still kept eating though we were full. I would recommend their food anyday read more

Taqueria El Zarape - Guac and chips - Mexican Near Me - Joliet, Illinois

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Delicious cemitas like Puebla, Mexico... My favorite: cemita de milaneza de res. I Dont like the Cemita de milaneza de pollo not really good. Very thin milaneza. read more

Seemed very authentic! Very nice family working. Close to home so will probably stop by again

Taqueria El Zarape was so good! Loved the steak tacos. We hope to see them compete for title of Best Taco in Chicago and a $25,000 Grand Prize Taco Fanomicon Sept. 02 & 03, 2017 @ The Arena Live Chicago #tacofanomicon read more

Food was very good they could work on the service. It seemed like we waited forever for a few tacos. I gave them two stars because of the restrooms OMG did anyone hear of soap and a mop? I honestly don't think they've ever cleaned them...makes me wonder about the kitchen??? read more

This is a great restaurant with excellent food. Everything I've had is delicious! My husband and I love the chips they give, they're refreshingly different than most places. The service is great as well. Totally recommend it. read more

During my first encounter at Taqueria el Zarape, I was greeted by smiling staff and quick service. I ordered a steak burrito with specifications, as well as a quesadilla. The quesadilla was good, but was on a corn tortilla which was somewhat weird for me. The burrito was made to order and correct. It was on the smaller side in appearance, but packed to the brim. I couldn't even finish it. The steak was flavorful and a good cut; I didn't have any chewy pieces. In regards to their sauces, both were delicious and spicy, although I personally preferred the green. I definitely plan to go back in the future for another burrito and to try other meals! read more

Got the pambazo it was ehhh was expecting it to be spicy without the salsa, tacos of carne asada were bland and the burrito is the only reason I will give 3 stars. read more

Food was pretty good they load everything up on the tacos and Hurraches; def not what I'm used to but it was still good none the less!!! I'm just really spoiled when it comes to Mexican food so that's why I didn't give it a higher rating! read more

Best tacos al pastor you can get in Joliet!! also the size of them are about 1.5x larger than most places.

This place tasted good and had plenty of room filled with mostly locals from Joliet's Hispanic population. the place had good Tortas and burritos and was pretty impressed with the place as the outside didn't look like it might be really this good. a nice family runned restaurant. I just wished more of these places offered soda fountains instead of the usual can in a pop in a freezer. read more

This new restaurant to the St Pats Area has good food. They prepare their own dishes from scratch including the chips and hot sauces. They are a nice family that plays Christian music to their patrons. It's a unique refreshing change. read more

This place is great. You might have to wait a little longer than you would expect but it is Well worth the wait. The tamales are excellent and I'm not a big tamale fan. Tacos are top notch especially the pork and steak. The chips are fresh fried when you say you want chips and salsa. Definitely a place I will visit several time a month. read more

This is a great place to grab menudo on the weekends only. They have great tortas too, and basically anything normally found at any other Mexican cuisine. Highly recommend it! read more

Tried their rajas sopes and some tacos. I had canned pop as well. Prices are very high and food is bland. I wasn't very impressed with the service or food. Too bad because I live right near it. I went as soon as it was opened and it was pretty empty and cold. They need to brighten up the place and play music. read more

They take way too long to make the food and bring it to you. I've even had friends leave because they were tired of waiting!

Really good food no doubt about it but the wait has been not so pleasant. Whether you eat there or call in for carry out expect to wait an additional 40 minutes from the 20 minute wait time you're given over the phone. Dined in on a Tuesday night being the only ones there and still waited about 45 minutes to get our food. read more