Nuevo Leon Restaurant

(312) 421-1517

1515 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608 41.8577 -87.6642

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Neighborhoods: Pilsen (Lower West Side), West Side, Pilsen

NUEVOLEONRESTAURANT.COM

Years in business

Established in 1962

Hours:

Call for hours

Price:

$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants, Catering

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Breakfast, Family-Friendly Dining, Late Night Dining, B.Y.O.B., Group Dining, Cheap Eats, Dine At The Bar

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Mexican

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Nuevo Leon Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Colorful and festive with orange walls and big tables, the main dining room fills with lively groups celebrating birthdays and other family occasions. In the less embellished, wood-paneled front room, a jukebox full of Mexican pop sometimes inspires impromptu dancing between tables. – – The Food – At the heart of Pilsen's Mexican-American scene, this neighborhood classic serves good, cheap Mexican fare. Waitresses in traditional blue and white dresses are quick, laying out steaming, crisp tortilla chips, two bowls of salsa (spicy-sweet and just plain hot),…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Bring cash--Nuevo Leon doesn't take credit cards.
What to Drink:
The restaurant doesn't have a liquor license, but you may bring beer or wine. There's no corkage fee, and your server will provide lime wedges and a bucket of ice.
Where to Sit:
Ask for a table in the back, which is brighter, more festive and smoke-free.
Parking:
Can't find street parking? Don't sweat it. There's a free lot at the corner of Laflin and 18th Street.
ambiance
93.75% positive
  1. “Another big plus going for Nuevo Leon, is the free and convenient parking which would otherwise be difficult to find in such a congested area.”
  2. “The atmosphere is fun and friendly and if you are a regular customer you really do feel like family.”
  3. “Overall, great atmosphere, friendly staff (except the owner) and great food!”
  4. “The decor is what you would expect, Everthing was very clean and inviting.”
  5. “Excellent food, family atmosphere, open almost all the time, kids are always welcome.”
  6. “really authentic and, more importantly, delicious Mexican place: unbelievable food, great value, excellent service, friendly atmosphere.”
  7. “nice decor, fast service.”
  8. “Didn't eat in to get the full picture of how the service is but the ambience is very cozy and welcoming.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The coffee isn't the best, but everything else is flat-out great.”
food quality
94.02999877929688% positive
  1. “Good Mexican food”
  2. “grew up in Southern California, where there are plenty of traditional, authentic mexican restaurants that are family run.”
  3. “Great mexican food!”
  4. “As for the food NOT GREAT but GOOD.”
  5. “really authentic and, more importantly, delicious Mexican place: unbelievable food, great value, excellent service, friendly atmosphere.”
  6. “Best fajitas anywhere and fresh homeade tortillas.”
  7. “Nuevo Leon is a great affordable authentic dining experience.”
  8. “If you want the best food in Chicago, look no further.”
  9. “As soon as I stepped into Nuevo Leon for the first time, I knew it was going to be an authentic experience.”
  10. “The food is great at all locales, but I would recommend the one on 18th St. Don't be shocked by the lines, seats become available quickly.”
  11. “An authentic ethnic”
  12. “By far the best mexican food.”
  13. “never any samples taken or any reports from doctors or hospitals of anyone being admitted for bad food from such event.”
  14. “The food came very fast.”
  15. “Overall, great atmosphere, friendly staff (except the owner) and great food!”
  16. “This is a great BYOB place (no liquor license), but it's about the food.”
  17. “The tortillas are made fresh and, though I usually love corn tortillas more, you must try the fresh flour tortillas.”
  18. “For the person that said "BETTER OFF AT TACO BELL" says how much you know about good mexican food.”
  19. “Yes, it's crowded, but that's only because everyone craves their great tasting dishes.”
  20. “Excellent food, family atmosphere, open almost all the time, kids are always welcome.”
  21. “Danny G's recipes are authentic and good!”
  22. “BYOB, but you won't need it to enjoy the food!”
  23. “Nuevo Leon is an authentic Mexican restaurant that offers the best Mexican food in the city.”
  24. “The enchilada in mole sauce was the best enchilada I have ever eaten.”
  25. “Not only are they free, they are authentic mexican appetizers!”
  26. “You can get a huge plate of food here for $5, although the carne asada is worth the few extra dollars.”
  27. “Family run and located in the heart of Pilsen, you can't get much more authentic Mexican than this!”
  28. “My husband loves the homemade flour tortillas with tacos, so I decided to phone an order in and pick it up.”
  29. “Their food is fresh and served promptly.”
  30. “As a Southern California native, I have eaten plenty of great Mexican food in my life, but nothing tops Nuevo Leon.”
  31. “Good place, good food,”
  32. “This by far is the best authentic mexican restaurant in Chicago.”
  33. “Highly recommended for those who want to experience the taste of real mexican food at can't beat prices.”
  34. “The food is the best there is the carna sada makes you laugh at the taco bell ad's.”
  35. “practically every dish is authentic and delicious-moles are really good.”
  36. “Bring your own Beer and they'll put in a bucket of ice as you enjoy the best Mexican food in the Midwest.”
  37. “So in short I waited 55 minutes for overpriced steak tacos that should have been ready in 10.”
  38. “Authentic Mexican food, the best in Chi town”
  39. “Best Mexican food I've ever eaten”
  40. “If you like overly friendly service that will interfere with your meal, this is not the place for you.”
  41. “For the best authentic Mexican food, Nuevo Leon is number one.”
  42. “the best mexican food around”
  43. “The food is always fresh hot and consistent.”
  44. “This place makes you feel at home, the food is outstanding, and I have finally found my staple mexican restaurant in Chicago.”
  45. “Our food is cooked daily from fresh products and ingredients.”
  46. “The food is great and you can't beat the prices!”
  47. “The food is very good, but the service you get cannot even be called service (more like disservice).”
  48. “They give you marinated pork with fresh tortillas, chips and spicy salsa as soon as you sit down.”
  49. “The Chile Rellenos are excellent, and my girlfriend had the Enchiladas Suiza with Mole sauce and it was outstanding.”
  50. “love their enchiladas and the rice.”
  51. “The chips and salsa were great.”
  52. “Their carne asada is delicious, served the with their homemade flour tortillas that no other mexican restaurant in the city top!”
  53. “The food was outstanding and the service was quick and friendly.”
  54. “The place was filled with families have a great Sunday afternoon meal.”
  55. “Great food in the heart of pilson”
  56. “Great food, great service, great prices.”
  57. “amazing and authentic food at low prices!”
  58. “good gage of the quality of Mexican food is their rice and beans.”
  59. “My son is a great fan of Mexican food and had no problem giving them a thumbs up.”
  60. “Great food, great staff, what else can anybody ask for?”
  61. “I'm not saying Taco Bell is good Mexican food, but at least they understand simple things like 'no tomatoes' and you get your order promptly.”
  62. “Also, the food is a great value.”
  63. “service is a bit laid back if you're in a hurry, but the food is great -- and super cheap!”
  64. “There are plenty of other great authentic Mexican restaurants that know how to treat their customers and clean their bathrooms.”
  65. “Located just two blocks east of the 18th street blue line stop, this is simply the best mexican food my wife and I have ever eaten.”
  66. “Lazy rude service, we had it catered twice and both times the staff and person at the register were rude, food was not ready as promise had to wait 40 min from the time we arrived to pick it up.”
  67. “burrito is only $5 and the salsa and guacamole are great!”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Everything I have tried on the menu has been great.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This by far is the best authentic mexican restaurant in Chicago.”
  2. “This is a great BYOB place (no liquor license), but it's about the food.”
  3. “Sunday mornings after Mass are crowded - also a great place to stop in after watching the Chicago Marathon run by on 18th St!”
  4. “This place have what the best flour tortillas in town (hand made) the carne asada is awsome and there is no place in chicago that serves better menudo.”
service
72.5% positive
  1. “great customer service”
  2. “on November 17,2007 from which fourteen people supposedly got sick”
  3. “The food is very good, but the service you get cannot even be called service (more like disservice).”
  4. “But if you love real old-fashioned, efficient and freindly service, this is the place!”
  5. “Great food, great staff, what else can anybody ask for?”
  6. “nice decor, fast service.”
  7. “service is a bit laid back if you're in a hurry, but the food is great -- and super cheap!”
  8. “Great food, great service, great prices.”
  9. “The service is the worst of all Mexican restaurants.”
  10. “Owner and son are not too friendly and if busy there is no place to sit while waiting for table.”
  11. “The atmosphere is fun and friendly and if you are a regular customer you really do feel like family.”
  12. “The food was outstanding and the service was quick and friendly.”
  13. “Lazy rude service, we had it catered twice and both times the staff and person at the register were rude, food was not ready as promise had to wait 40 min from the time we arrived to pick it up.”
  14. “Each time I have dined here, the service has been truly outstanding.”
  15. “don't see why people love this place so much.”
  16. “bad service”
  17. “If you like overly friendly service that will interfere with your meal, this is not the place for you.”
  18. “really authentic and, more importantly, delicious Mexican place: unbelievable food, great value, excellent service, friendly atmosphere.”
  19. “Overall, great atmosphere, friendly staff (except the owner) and great food!”
  20. “Didn't eat in to get the full picture of how the service is but the ambience is very cozy and welcoming.”
value
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “service is a bit laid back if you're in a hurry, but the food is great -- and super cheap!”
  2. “love dropping in here for a terrific (and cheap) breakfast, especially on the way to a Sox game.”
  3. “amazing and authentic food at low prices!”
  4. “Great food, great service, great prices.”
  5. “Nuevo Leon is a great affordable authentic dining experience.”
  6. “You can get a huge plate of food here for $5, although the carne asada is worth the few extra dollars.”
  7. “Also, the food is a great value.”
  8. “really authentic and, more importantly, delicious Mexican place: unbelievable food, great value, excellent service, friendly atmosphere.”
  9. “Highly recommended for those who want to experience the taste of real mexican food at can't beat prices.”
  10. “The food is great and you can't beat the prices!”
  11. “So in short I waited 55 minutes for overpriced steak tacos that should have been ready in 10.”
  12. “The prices are very reasonable.”
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. “So in short I waited 55 minutes for overpriced steak tacos that should have been ready in 10.”
  2. “The food was outstanding and the service was quick and friendly.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/23/09

Real Authentic Mexican Food

by Simpleman008 at Citysearch

Great food, great staff, what else can anybody ask for? Their carne asada is delicious, served the with their homemade flour tortillas that no other mexican restaurant in the city top! It's being at home... Yes, it's crowded, but that's only because everyone craves their great tasting dishes. Did I mention their free appetizers? Yes! Free! OMG!! Not only are they free, they are authentic mexican appetizers! Overall, great atmosphere, friendly staff (except the owner) and great food!!! Highly Recommend!

  • Pros: Best homemade flour tortillas!!!
  • Cons: No liquor sales and cash only!
2 Star Rating: Below Average

09/18/09

stressful-not worth the trip

by lucky131 at Citysearch

I'm Mexican, from LA, and from my first visit (I had the Carne Asada plate, 6 nachos, Carne Asada Burrito) I can recommend this place for pick-up only and if you order at least 30 min in advance. The food is comparable to Uncle Julio's (Lincoln Park) and I would rather pay the same price for what I felt what was the same quality of food (both like El Torito in Calif.) and go to Uncle Julio's. Nuevo is way too crowded (like Uncle Julio's) but about 1/4 the size of UJ and Nuevo has no parking besides a little lot around the corner which looked hard to get in and out of, so I opted for take out.

I ordered take out at the counter (which I felt like I was in the way of everyone else eating because there is no waiting/ordering area) and was told it would be ready in 20 min. Well I left and came back in 20, and still had to wait 10 min. Someone came in while I was waiting and said she placed a phone order for pickup and she was still waiting after I got my food. So for take out, order, wait 30-40min then pick up your food and it might be ready.

Also, I wasn't greeted by the Manager who I paid. He didn't smile at all, and say Thank You after I paid- very ungrateful for my business I guess.

The place was crowded so I guess some people know how to park around there or put up with the crowded tiny environment....just not my style.

  • Pros: ok food
  • Cons: crowded, parking, impersonal
4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/02/09

Good place, good food,

by giovanni43 at Citysearch

This place have what the best flour tortillas in town (hand made) the carne asada is awsome and there is no place in chicago that serves better menudo. too bad I can't visit this place on a sunday morning due to parking and place packed on sundays

  • Pros: Quality, Price, Service
  • Cons: Parking
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/22/08

Best AUTHENTIC Mexican food anywhere, Can't beat the price, High quality food!!!!!!

by sangrebuena at Citysearch

If your looking for a place where you know the food is prepared with Love this is it! It's the kind of place that brings you back to the times when Abuela called you in for lunch. There is never a time where the food is not freshly made. The tortillas de harina will keep you coming back for more, definitely homemade!!!mmmmm. Their hot choclate on a cool night will surely bring you warmth and comfort. This is not the place for those who are more impressed by high end decor, or upscaled places. This place is for those who want the REAL DEAL! It is not only a treasure in Pilsen, but our prize here in all of Chicago. You don't know Mexican if you don't know Nuevo Leon... Highly recommended for those who want to experience the taste of real mexican food at can't beat prices.. I personally know the owner and can vouche he puts his heart and soul into this place.

  • Pros: Outstanding Authentic Mexican cuisine, can't beat prices, parking, service
  • Cons: What? I can't believe this is even an option. NONE!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/14/08

Great food in the heart of pilson

by jhart20 at Citysearch

We visited on the day of the Mexican Independance parade. The food was outstanding and the service was quick and friendly. The chips and salsa were great. The food came very fast. The place was filled with families have a great Sunday afternoon meal. The decor is what you would expect, Everthing was very clean and inviting.

  • Pros: quick tasty authentic mexican fare
  • Cons: none

The Details on Nuevo Leon Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • best mexican food
  • great customer service
  • authentic mexican restaurants
  • friendly family atmosphere
  • fresh homemade flour tortillas
  • rude staff
  • authentic dining experience
  • great carne asada
  • worst service
  • great spicy salsa
  • authentic recipes
  • great chips
  • not too friendly owner
  • not authentic mexican
  • great prices
  • not too friendly son
  • flat-out great everything
  • great value
  • great authentic mexican restaurant
  • authentic dish
  • terrific breakfast
  • great not
  • love mexican place
  • sick people
  • love enchilada

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