The food was actually really good, and that's the only reason this isn't about the food. The…read moreservice completely ruined the experience. I asked what was in the espresso martini because I'd already been drinking vodka and didn't want to mix alcohol. The response I got was, "I don't know, it's premixed." Okay... premixed with what? I wasn't asking a complicated question. Then when I changed my order, it honestly felt like he wasn't listening to anything I was saying. The attitude toward me and my friends came across as rude and dismissive from the start, and it made us feel like we were an inconvenience. My friend even told me he's had this same server before and has had similar experiences. It's disappointing because the food and atmosphere were great, but one bad interaction completely changed how I felt about the place.

The bar has a great neighborhood vibe, with seating inside and a few outdoor tables when the…read moreweather is nice. We split the nachos, the portion wasn't very large, but it ended up being just enough since we weren't looking for a big meal. The nachos had a surprising kick to them, though I think most of the heat came from the side cup of salsa that I poured over the top.

A fun spot in Andersonville when you're looking for some great drinks to catch up with friends. It…read moreis a bit tight quarters in there. The food wasn't too bad, I had the Baja Fish bowl and thought it was decent for the flavor experience, but unfortunately there wasn't a lot of the portion to enjoy. It was pretty small. The margaritas were good and well balanced. Other friends had other drinks and they seemed pretty tasty, too. Can't remember what those were at the moment. The star of the experience was the chips and dips, believe it or not. Our server recommended ordering the chips and queso then adding the order of guacamole and street corn. That was the most filling. If I'm coming here again I will definitely keep that in mind and try more of the other appetizers and drinks. Our server was so sweet and kind and they were always offering great suggestions. Their input saved us from going hungry!

This review comes with a major caveat: while not as poor as Sweethearts next door, if it weren't…read morefor a commendable bar experience, the review would be a two. The tacos I tried were mostly better than Taco Bell, but, that is not a very high bar. For drinks, I tried the Last Last Word, and a Call Margarita. The Last Last Word was wonderful. It was well balanced, appropriately boozy, with just a hint of floral notes and smoke. Quality ingredients combined with love and care. The only reason I didn't immediately order another one is a matter of personal taste. The Call Margarita was a similarly great drink - not much commentary beyond the fact that it's a well-executed and balanced margarita. Before getting into the food, let me mention the service. The barstaff was attentive, friendly, and personable, and they are one of the factors that made my experience a positive one. My bartender was especially wonderful in that he helped me with the chips and salsa. I wanted some to munch on, but didn't want to devour a portion designed for a table of four. He was able to call in "Extra chips" which gave me an appropriately small portion (at no cost). The salsa's were $2 a piece, which one could argue is high, but ancillary revenue, and all that good stuff. I want to recognize, though, that these salsas were great! The Tomatillo Crudo was bright and fresh, and the Pineapple Habanero had just enough heat and sweetness to be enjoyable without going overboard. I'd also like to award points for chips that tasted homemade, as opposed to something from a bag. Unfortunately, I cannot be as gracious with the rest of the food. I ordered the Taco de Panza (August Taco of the Month), an Al Pastor Taco, and a El Dorado Supreme Taco. For dessert, I went with the Churro Bites. The Taco de Panza had some good qualities, and was one that I ordered twice. The Mango Pico, and Crema added a little sweetness, tartness, and savoriness, with the cabbage bringing brightness and freshness. The meat, however, as less inspiring. As far as belly goes, it was overdone to the point of being crisp, though to be fair, not tough. Turning a protein that can just about melt in your mouth into this feels like a massive oversight and waste of flavor. I would grade the Al Pastor taco below the Panza, for it felt poorly executed. Rather than roasted pork with small amounts of pineapple, the taco was instead strips of very heavily sauced pork with large chunks of pineapple. The sweet sauce, together with the sweetness of the pineapple, overpowered anything else the taco had going on. It might as well have been pineapple bbq pork, and I'd be none the wiser. The last (and unfortunately the least) taco was the El Dorado Supreme. This felt like you're classic, Taco Bell-esque American Taco. Beef, cheese, some fixings, and a crunchy tortilla. While it wasn't horrible-terrible, it was wrapped in foil, and felt as though it'd been made an hour or more prior. Except for some fast food, when dining out I'd hope food to be made (or at least assembled) fresh. For a proper, sit-down experience, food wrapped in foil as though I went to a picnic is unacceptable. Finally, I didn't skip dessert and ordered the Churro Bites. These were pretty average: while not crisp like mass-produced variants, they lacked that soft, warm slightly gooey consistency a great churro has. Ditto for flavor: not terrible, but a little more cinnamon would have gone a long way. What I did appreciate about these was the three dipping sauces: a berry, a milk-based, and a chocolate - these were unique and interesting, and perhaps better than the churros themselves (which, I feel says more about the churros than the sauces). Finally, there is the vibe: the bar is long and thus perfect for solo diners. The space is bright and inviting with loads of plants and natural light. I also love that it wasn't crowded, and when lively one doesn't feel like they're on an El train. Final verdict: Lonesome Rose's food is forgettable, so much so the sauces are better than the food being dipped into them. The drinks and overall bar experience are much better, and when combined with their excellent service, offers some redemption. Would recommend?: For a solid bar experience, especially for lovers of Mexican-style cocktails, yes. For food - no. Would return?: No. Food is an important part of the experience for me, and what I tried here wasn't agreeable to me. That said, if I was meeting a group for drinks alone, then I wouldn't necessarily be opposed.

I was in the area and needed some food (had missed breakfast and it was 1 pm). I was immediately…read moregreeted, with a large choice of table and bar seating - it's more spacious than it looks from the outside. Turns out a lot of their breakfast items are considered brunch! Perfect. I got the vegetarian breakfast burrito -- perfect if you want that Mexican touch without the spice (which was my mood at the time). Huge and incredibly delicious. Eggs, avocado, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes... all the good stuff. The cup of coffee was massive with just a perfect hint of cinnamon. Now, of course, they have chorizo breakfast burritos and other spicy options, and a nice lunch special menu (which included fish tacos, and chicken tinga burritos, and more), plus their full regular menu. And, of course, they have Taco Tuesday.

Service is aweful. Took forever to get silverware and napkins. Food is good but mostly cold. One…read moreand done!

Had a great meal here last night. I had the Chilis Relanos Burrito, my bride had the veggie…read moreEnchiladas. And a Modelo. Always enjoy as meal here. But for the first time we had it on back patio which was very nice!! Try the patio it's chill.

Let's start with pricing. We went here because the Brazilian fast casual restaurant was pricey. The…read moreprice here is the same as that place except here it's full service, and the food is better. I've eaten at both places several times I can unequivocally say the food at El mariachi is better We had the taco chicken salad ($15) that alone can feed 2. We also had the El Mariachi's combo($24) of steak, Chile relano and fluatas - quality on all three plus rice and beans. Complimentary chips and salsa and water - all missing from the Brazilian fast casual.

glad to have this spot in the neighborhood! the ivy feels like a classic wrigleyville vibe, and the…read moremenu has a solid variety without doing too much. the burger was great, but i would ask for extra "special sauce" next time as it came out a little light. i'd also opt for dressing on the side of the salad next time, as this one was a little heavy handed for me. the white out pizza was perfect and i wouldn't change a thing -- and it's a solid takeout option for a night in, too. i also opted for the bloody mary which was really well seasoned, and the rest of the cocktail menu looked great too. will definitely be back to try more soon!

Glad to have Ivy Bar and Kitchen in the neighborhood. It takes what used to be The Piggery and…read moreelevates it, from the updated decor to the craft beer and impressive bourbon and cocktail menus, to the elevated bar food. The food reminds me of the short-lived Sojourn restaurant on Lincoln, something for anyone and everyone, everything done well. One of the best bar hummus platters around, a nicely made grilled chicken sandwich (harder to find than it should be), and quite tasty mac and cheese. The owners used to run Consume out in Lake Zurich, so it seems like there's always going to be some good craft beer on draft (and, obviously Phase Three). The rooftop remains lovely, and our bartender was friendly, honest, and helpful. I will echo what some folks have said that the prices can be quite high for certain menu items, and when we went there were quite a few staff members just literally hanging out at the bar. We're rooting for them - this is a great alternative in the area for something a little higher quality and more adult than, say, Butcher's Tap (which I like), which is much needed and welcome.

Great Food & Even Better Service!…read more I drove an hour at the recommendation of a close friend. I had a great experience at El Marachi! Huge kudos to Roberto, the manager, for making us feel welcome, and to Aurora, our server, for providing such wonderful service. The birria grilled cheese and empanadas were absolutely amazing! The margaritas were also delicious--definitely worth ordering. The sopes was a little sweeter than I prefer, so it wasn't my favorite, but everything else more than made up for it. Overall, I definitely recommend El Marachi and will be returning! Great food, great drinks, and great hospitality.

Came here last night for dinner & wow! we really enjoyed it. we got the enchilada & a crispy taco…read morethat you dip, i can't remember what its called but it was delish !! we live in the area & have always driven by & love the ambiance from the window so this was a place we have been excited to try & it did not disappoint. it has a cute little water fountain to make it feel like you're on a porch. its really so cute in here! only reason i'm giving 3 stars is that it's a little pricy, but the food is good. they offer chips & salsa when you sit down but don't tell you it's a up-charge. only $3 but still would like a heads up.

This restaurant was absolutely amazing. I had the mango enchiladas, which came with rojo pozole…read more Everything is freshly made to order, and you can definitely taste the difference. The mango salsa was complemented perfectly by the goat cheese placed on top. The combination of flavors worked extremely well together. The rojo pozole isn't pictured, but it was just as good. The spices were perfectly balanced, there was a great amount of chicken, and it came out at the perfect temperature--hot enough to enjoy, but not so hot that you have to blow on it before every bite. Make sure you make a reservation because the restaurant is small and fills up quickly. Overall, this is a great spot, and I'd definitely come back.

I wanted to reach out and share what an incredible experience we had at Estrella Negra for the…read moreWorld Cup viewing. The food specials were amazing, the owner was incredibly generous with special shots for the house, and the staff went above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome. In a city full of exceptional restaurants, Estrella Negra truly stands out as an adorable neighborhood gem. The vegetarian pozole was unforgettable, and the fish tacos--especially with the signature sauce--were fantastic. Beyond the great food, drinks, and service, it is the exceptional hospitality and warm "family vibe" that make it a special home away from home. We cannot wait to return.

Honestly the food surprised me. It was all very very good. The staff was super friendly as well. We…read moretried: - Nachos (half) - Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap - Italian Beef We came for the wrap, but I think the nachos stole the show. For two people, I think three is almost too much. Very filling and generous portions. Also it was fun watching all the local dogs know there is a treat jar inside and trying to convince their owners to get them one.

Love coming here!!! The food is great for what it is, and there are definitely a few standout hits…read more As social media will tell you, the chicken Caesar wrap is 10/10, with a bit of a mustard-ey undertone. The service has always been consistent and the staff are kind. The vibes are a hit or miss depending on the day...but you can't go wrong with a back patio!