La Cantina Grill
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 842-1911
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- 18th Street
- Directions:
- Bus: 24 Wentworth to Clark/Archer, 21 Cermak to Michigan, 4 Cottage Grove to Cullerton
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-1am, Sat 4pm-1am, Sun 4pm-10am
Editorial Review for La Cantina Grill – by Allison Knab
The Scene:
A sleek bar dominates the restaurant's entrance, where diners catch the latest sporting events on a few TVs. Simple brown tables and chairs toward the rear comprise the dining area, which features a centrally located fireplace and a glimpse of the chicken rotisserie in action. Yellow and terra cotta painted walls are dotted with black and white photographs of Mexico.
The Food:
Peruvian touches add novelty to a mostly Mexican menu. Inventive apps range from a flavorful tilapia seviche to papas a la huancaina, a filling potato dish topped with a tangy yellow chili sauce. The rotisserie chicken--which hides juicy meat under perfectly seasoned skin--delivers on its billing as a house specialty. A fresh salsa of onions, peppers and tomatoes bring a light zest to a sauteed tiliapia filet, while traditional burritos, chimichangas, tostadas and enchiladas are amply portioned. Rotating desserts include flan and pastel de tres leches.
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Insider Tips
Save MoneyLunchtime specials range from only $5.95 to $7.95.
The ExtrasA kids menu includes tacos, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and chicken strips.
What to DrinkTry nonalcoholic Mexican beverages such as rice water or tamarindo water.
User Reviews for La Cantina Grill
05/13/2008 Posted by perron1
I have been going to this place for about 2 years. The food was good in the beginning, but it got better about a year ago. The margaritas are really good. Their food is really authentic. I know b/c my parents are from Mexico City and I lived there for 3 years. Almost everything that I have tried here is very authentic. I am a tequila lover, and they have a great tequila list. They servers and bartenders are great. If you ever need anything, one of the owners is usually there to accomodate. Very friendly, great service, great drinks, great atmosphere, and great food.
Pros: Food, service, drinks, ambience
Cons: Parking
03/13/2008 Posted by Willnotgoback
The chips were burned, cold, and not crispy and the salsa was green and tasteless. The chimichanga was also very very dark, you couldn't cut the fried tortilla shell with a fork, and the meat inside was dry and tasted like cardboard. It ws terrible. Literally the worst chimi I have ever had and I have eaten hundreds of chicken chimichangas. The beans looked like they were out of can and the spanish rice out of an envelope. The only saving grace was that my $6.95 margarita was decent but a little pricey for a small. My favorite mexican restaurant in my home town charges $.99 for a small or $6.00 for a whole pitcher on Thursday nights and they are potent. $24.00 including tip for one entree and a small margarita plus $10 for a cab was a little much for such a bad experience. Judging by the number of customers in there tonight this place won't be around long although it did look like they were doing some delivery business. However, bad mexican food is bad mexican food whether its delivered or eaten inside the restaurant. This place would be perfect for Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.
Pros: It's hard to screw up a margarita
Cons: burned hard chips, dry dry meat, bland taste, bad beans, testeless rice, overpriced
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