Salpicon
Upscale and intimate, this colorful Mexican restaurant draws Old Town regulars with its authentic fare and wine/tequila list.
(312) 988-7811
1252 N Wells St
(at Scott Street)
Chicago,
IL
60610
41.9051
-87.6346
Neighborhoods: Central, Near North Side
Reviews & Ratings for Salpicon
63 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 63 reviews
Terrible experience
by aloha68
August 21, 2007
My first visit turned out to be terrible. Ordered three appetizers and received the first one quickly. After some time passed we received grilled shrimp and a special appetizer but they were both room temperature. The waitress came to our table and said they were supposed to be served that way. Then the manager arrived quite upset and asked us to pay our bill (for the food we ate) and leave the restaurant immediately.
Uninteresting mex food and big- time ripoff
by hfruehauf
January 25, 2009
My wife and I had lunch there during the Old Town art fair simply because we were there and not because we had sought it out. $60 later, it became plain that we didn't need this place and that they were just soaking us for poor food. Since any local taco stand can do better, you shouldn't waste your money in going there, either.
Overpriced
by LorasFinanceGrad
September 13, 2008
When we got there the place was empty and stark besides the cheesy retro decor. We wanted a glass of wine but glasses averaged $15+ and the wine list read like a encyclopedia: overpriced and no where to start. We ordered Margaritas at $10 dollars a piece that came in boring 6 oz un-stemmed glasses watered down with ice and most likely tap water as well. My girlfriend ordered a margarita with premium tequila at $12, the waitres recommened it for women, and I ordered a regular margarita for $10.00 with tequila no better than Jose Cuervo. The $7.00 dollar tomale plate was resonable and had a variety of taste of mole chicken Alskan Halibut and pork tomales on banana and corn leaves; I should of ordered it as my main course. A rude Maitre D' interupted us if we have any questions about the wine list and we said "No" . Then he rudely just walked away with no comment to his podium. He was awkward and un-personable older man with a bow-tie. I have received much better personalities at Chili's. The place was empty and all the hosts and attendants stood at the bar just kinda looking at our table. For our entrees, nothing was cheaper than $20.00 a plate. I ordered the Chicken mole and it was good but all it was is rice, two boneless chicken breasts and mole sauce. The cuisine was good and left us satisfied but highly remourceful when I spent $80.00 (tip included) for average Mexican cuisine and two watered down Margaritas and an appetizer. Drinks were terrible and anything on the wine list you need to take on a second Mortgage. I would never go to this place again. In fact I wish I never made dinner reservations for Second City because as I walked around the area my girlfriend and we noticed several other restaurants probably with better food at much better prices we could've gone to instead. We will never go to Salpicon again.
- Pros: Authentic Mexican Cuisine
- Cons: Cold Serivce and overpriced
Synonyms for HORRIBLE
by Restarantour
May 02, 2008
Quite possibly the most A to Z horrible dinning experience. RUDE owner and staff, from the reservations, through the entire dinner. Food was brought out cold, order was screwed up, service was terrible, margaritas were watered down - over priced lemonade. They litteraly DO NOT deserve your business for their over priced, nonsensical, wannabe version of an actual Fine Dining establishment. If you just happen to be the luckiest person on earth and get decent food and service, this place is no bigger than a closet! You are on top of the table next to you, forget privacy or comfort, I mean romance is taking your date to a conference with the table on the right and left isn't it?
- Pros: They have a door to walk out of
- Cons: They have a door to walk into
awful customer service, definitely not worth their price
by Jreyes3
April 19, 2008
Me and my friends went to cerebrate my birthday, and UNFORTUNATELY I choose to go to Salpicon, as I always like to try new places. Starting with making the reservation; they take your credit card information when reserving a table, as there is a $75.00 cancellation fee per person? As soon as we arrived, we had to wait 20 min. for valet parking and 30 min. to be seated even though we had a reservation. Let's move forward with awful customer service? the owner instead of greeting was very rude; the servers, would not take an appetizer order unless the full order was placed at once. The prices are outrageous and the food portions are very small, the food is not as tasty, the restaurant is very simple, definitely not worth their price? Unfortunately, they ruin my appetite; I hope this review reaches other people before their appetite gets ruined. If you are willing to have a great experience, try Adobo grill (much less expensive, much better food, great ambiance), Carnival (expensive but worth their price, great customer service, really fancy, excellent chef selection?) and I can go on, but definitely any other place will make you feel welcome. DO NOT GO TO SALPICON!
- Pros: NONE
- Cons: Ambiance, parking service, prices, customer service
Not the greatest! by Julie W. at InsiderPages
Contributor
March 27, 2008
I was very excited to try out this mexican restaurant and when I got there I was quite disappointed. Everything on the menu was overpriced and the food was too gourmet for a mexican place. Everyone I went with disliked their meals and the bill was pretty hefty in the end. Definitely not my favorite mexican restaurant in the city.
Food was fine by Megan H. at InsiderPages
Contributor
March 27, 2008
An attempt at fine dining mexican. The food was just OK, I think i would prefer to stick with traditional mexican food instead of spending the extra money. Everyone I was with had a decent meal but we were unimpressed with the prices.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago!
by eventsplanner
March 24, 2008
Salpicon has to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city of Chicago- and believe me when I say, I go to A LOT of great restaurants. Let me first say, this is no taco bell. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but this is true authentic Mexican Food......not a Tex Mex shack you stop into before a night of drinking. The food is EXCELLENT, the staff are friendly, quick, helpful- I am always greeted with a smile when I walk in the door and always seated very quickly. The restaurant is cozy- make sure to make reservations. It is always a pretty full house, which speaks to its popularity among foodies. For an upscale restaurant, I think the price is right- REMEMBER, this is not a taco and burrito joint, but a restaurant for "in the know" diners. Try any of the fabulous weekly specials- there is always something for everyone to enjoy. I love their Margaritas too- I recommend the Margarita made with the Herradura Reposado- if you want some tequila that leaves you with a headache from hell, wondering how you got home....this is not the place for you. If you are a wine person- they have one of the best lists in town. Ask recommendations from the very friendly sommelier. Top picks for me are the ceviche, the crab cakes, the camarones al mojo de ajo, and the excellent pork chop!!! Get ready for an excellent dining experience!!! Believe me, you won't be disappointed!!
- Pros: Great food, friendly staff.
- Cons: Go early and make reservations
Excellent, authentic, modern Mexican fare!!!!
by bcaburnay
March 24, 2008
This fabulous Old Town restaurant is one of my favorites in the city. Warm, cozy, with fantastic and friendly staff, Salpicon's menu has something for everyone. I come back to the restaurant at least once a week!! Check out all the wonderful awards the restaurant has won- appropriately on display by the host desk. The wine and tequila list is tremendous- not to mention the staff are extremely knowledgeable about food and wine pairings. Try any of the wonderful weekly specials (particularly the duck when it is on the menu). The ceviche as a starter is wonderful! The tenderloin filet and camarones al mojo de ajo are amazing. If you want excellent, authentic, modern Mexican fare, Salpicon is an absolute must visit!!!!
- Pros: Fabulous menu, something for everyone!
- Cons: NONE
Horrendous, Awful, Terrible, etc.
by DiningAddict
February 24, 2008
Ever seen the 'Soup N*zi' episode of Seinfeld?! Just like that, but MUCH worse:
Very rude manager and owner, not accomodating to any request.
Very small and cramped restaurant. People always bumping into you or your table.
$25 per head if you cancel a reservation.
Very overpriced food that is mediocre and in very small quantity.
Screwed up a vegetarian order entirely, wouldnt even comp the dish.
Salpicrap...... in sooo many ways.
- Pros: None
- Cons: Too many for this small line
BAD!
by tomdan
February 15, 2008
THIS PLACE IS TERRIBLE. WE STARTED OUR NIGHT AT OUR FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT UNCLE JULIO'S HACIENDA, AND THE WAIT WAS TOO LONG THAT WE DECIDED TO GO ELSEWHERE. I WALK PAST SALPICON ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND WE THOUGHT WE'D TRY IT. FROM THE MOMENT WE STEPPED IN THE DOOR, OUR MOODS CHANGED. THE ARROGANT, UNGRACIOUS HOST COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE DISRESPECTFUL. SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE A RESERVATION, HE LOOKED AT US LIKE WE DIDN'T BELONG THERE. EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN TABLES, HE "DID US A FAVOR" AND SAT US. WE WERE HESITANT TO EVEN GO ANY FURTHER, BUT YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER, HOWEVER IN THIS CASE THE COVER TELLS YOU EVERYTHING. WHEN WE DIDN'T WANT TO CHECK OUR COATS, WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD INTENTIONALLY ADD A LITTLE "FLAVOR" TO OUR FOOD. WE FELT LIKE WE WERE BACK IN JUNIOR HIGH AND THE WAIT STAFF WAS GOSSIPING ABOUT US IN THE CORNER. WHEN I PAY $7 FOR CHIPS AND SALSA, I EXPECT A LITTLE MORE THAN 6 CHIPS AND HALF A SPOONFUL OF SALSA. THIS IS A HORRIBLE DATE PLACE, BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE YOU SITTING RIGHT ON TOP OF THE COUPLE NEXT TO YOU, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO PAY A FORTUNE TO FEEL CLOSE TO SATISFIED. I HAVE A GOOD JUDGEMENT OF GREAT FOOD, AND THIS JUST WASN'T IT. IF YOU CAN'T TELL BY NOW, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT TO EVEN MY WORST ENEMY.
- Pros: THE WATER WAS COLD.....
- Cons: EVERYTHING ELSE
