We celebrated a friend's birthday here at 3:00pm for happy hour, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience from start to finish. One of the best surprises for anyone with a gluten sensitivity is that all of their happy hour drinks are gluten-free, which immediately took the stress out of ordering from the separate menu. While the menu does not explicitly mark items as gluten-free, the staff is extremely knowledgeable, and we discovered that a great variety of happy hour options can easily be made gluten-free. I kicked things off with the Roja sangria before moving on to the frozen trio. Although the Paloma was not freezing properly at the time, the bartender was wonderfully accommodating and expertly crafted a custom margarita using those delicious Paloma flavors instead. My trio featured the coconut agave margarita, a Paloma made with the classic margarita base in guava passionfruit, and a spicy mango margarita. For food, we started by splitting the dip trio, paired with chips that are safely made in a dedicated fryer. We also ordered tacos on corn tortillas, sampling both the chicken pastor and the traditional carnitas, and every single bite of the food was delicious. Although they do not carry any gluten-free desserts, the server offered the birthday girl one of her choosing. Between the accommodating service and the stellar food and drinks, the entire gathering was a huge success. read more

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Love this place! The food is made from scratch in house, even the corn tortillas for the tacos! Our waitress was super sweet and the place was lit just right for a calm and relaxing dinner. We loved the food and everything tasted so good. Will certainly come back. read more

Stopped in for a quick business lunch with a colleague. Turns out they have a daily lunch special that is perfect. Drinks are included for $16. You have a choice of queso or guac as a starter, both are small. Chips and salsa are also gratis. After that you have a choice of two items from a list of about 8 or 9 items. I had the chicken quesadilla and tostada. Upgrade to add bean and rice for a buck. My colleagues fish taco wasn't worth the extra $2 according to her. I thought everything was fresh and delicious. More lunch than both of us needed, I'd pass on the rice/beans in the future. Service was good. Attentive but everything was her favorite on the menu, not very helpful. Seating in indoors or out. They have TVs for the World Cup and a full bar. Highly recommend for lunch and we will be back. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Lunch special - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

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Nice place and good food all around. Only down side is no horchata but the bar menu is huge read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Papa dulce "Papas Dulce" Bowl - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

I wouldn't recommend. The place is loud, food is basic and dry. The drinks could also be better. I had left overs and didn't want to take them home read more

Got seated right away, which was nice. The décor inside is super cute and modern, but the tables are really close together. It definitely feels like they try to squeeze in as many people as possible. We started with the grilled Mexican street corn and honestly it was a 10/10. So good. We used the chips to scoop it up and the chips were also a 10/10--crispy and fresh. The salsa that came with them was solid, maybe an 8/10, with a little kick. For drinks, we ordered two agua frescas (strawberry and blackberry). The strawberry was pretty sour, so just a heads-up. Our server was really sweet and attentive whenever she had the chance. For entrées, we tried the green chile smash burger. It was about a 6/10 for me. Fries were okay, but the seasoning kind of overpowered the flavor. The burger had its moments--some bites were good, others were just salty or kind of plain. The pork chile verde bowl, though, was amazing. Easily a 10/10. Super fresh ingredients and the pork was cooked perfectly. Overall, I'd come back to try other things on the menu, but the prices are definitely on the higher side. read more

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We did go on Cinco de Mayo, so should have expected it, but it was very loud in there even without the mariachi band playing, so it made it hard to have a conversation some times. However the food and drinks were very good! Was a solid after work stop. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

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Ambiance - casual, tall ceilings, open kitchen, great for small and large groups Service - great, our server checked on us often Food - drinks were abs amazing, queso fundido was more on the runnier side than I expected, grilled mahi tacos (mahi was lacking in flavor), corn on the side was excellent read more

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Tried this place out yesterday. The ambience is nice, modern and cozy. Nice lighting, clean, high end looking. The menu was a little disappointing. I didn't think it had enough variety, very much of the same. Chips and salsa were fresh and good. We had made reservations and we were seated pretty promptly. Service was fine. I picked the quesabirria tacos which were a little odd - as picture below. I have never had quesabirrias that look like that. It was overall ok but not great and the meat was a little fatty which for the price was disappointing. The rice was ok, different. Spouse picked something that looked like a burrito but was not - forget the name. Seemed he liked it and seemed fresh. Drinks were kinda pricey we didn't get any. Parking was a challenge - not the restaurant's fault - so we had to park in the mall structure. Overall ok but for the price I can't say I'd be crazy to try it again. They do seem to have a reasonable happy hour menu - that I might try. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

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When a mall-adjacent spot surprises with standout service, airy vibes, and craveable Mexican staples! Blanco Cocina + Cantina at Oakbrook Center (Oak Brook) feels open, bright, and modern--Latin-inspired. It's a large, airy space on the outer edge of the mall, easy for a relaxed sit-down before or after shopping. Service * Exceptionally friendly from host to server to runner--above-and-beyond hospitality * Proactive touches (they even brought a kid-size rice & beans plate for our one-year-old) * Attentive, upbeat, and consistent throughout Food * Chips & Salsa - fresh and snappy welcome * Papi's Piña Colada - spot-on tropical classic that sets the vacation mood * Sauvignon Blanc - clean, easy pairing for a lighter lunch * Chicken Cheese Crisp - pizza-like tortilla + melty cheese + toppings; if you love quesadillas, this hits the spot * Carne Asada Burrito (enchilada-style) - cheesy, saucy, knife-and-fork goodness; I swapped in fries and added beans on the side Verdict Don't let the 3.8 fool you--our mid-Friday visit was a win across the board. Friendly, polished service; approachable, tasty plates; and breezy vibes make Blanco an easy recommend when you want a straightforward, sit-down Mexican meal at the mall. I'd rate it higher than its current average--glad we tried it, and we'd happily return. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Carne Asada Burrito w/ fries - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

It was a lovely restaurant -we really enjoyed the ambiance, decor, and lighting. We were seated immediately, which was a great start. We ordered queso, a breakfast burrito with potatoes, and a salad --everything was delicious! The wait staff were friendly and attentive, and I especially loved that the queso was Tex-Mex style. The free chips were a nice bonus as well. Overall, a really enjoyable dining experience! read more

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Came here with the family for a quick lunch. It was pretty busy being that it's not many choices of restaurants in that area. The spot was fine! Not a place I'd have to return to but wouldn't complain if I did. The food was good but I wish the rice wasn't white. I will say it's VERY pricey. Their sangria was pretty tasty as well. I loved the outdoor decor! read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

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Terrible. And it's sad because this place used to be really great. It is currently 430 pm on a Tuesday. I got here at around 4pm. There are six people in this restaurant. SIX. I ordered a taco salad and a Paloma. Still no Paloma. It's a drink. There is one person seated at the bar. I ordered it and then after not receiving it before my food came, I asked about it 5-7 minutes AFTER my food came. No Paloma. I tell them, forget the drink bring me my check and a box. Check has a Paloma on it. Server notices and goes to take it off. Skip Blanco. Go anywhere else. If they can't even bring a DRINK? Like come on. About out to the hostess for offering me a bag for my salad. Still, do better guys. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina has appeared in my Instagram feed several times. We happened to be in Oakbrook Center picking to get new eyeglasses and decided to give it a try. The Mexican dining market is flooded with options, so you really must stand out. The restaurant has a strong industrial feel to it, in the rafters are several fake plants. There is a glass wall separating the kitchen from the dining area, maybe to prevent the noise of the kitchen from entering the dining area. None of us are drinkers and cannot comment on the cocktails which where a big part of their business judging by what was on trays passing us by (it is over half of the menu). My stomach does not tolerate spicy food, and this is where people who eat spicy food think something is not spicy but is spicy to someone who avoids it. I told our server I cannot have spicy food and asked if the salsa was spicy and she said it was not. Well, it is... but good information as I got the rest of my sauces on the side. I got the enchilada,  my favorite Mexican dish, with fajita veggies instead of the refried bean. The enchiladas were excellent and I am glad I got the sauce on the side as a little went a long way. My husband got the Chopped Chicken Salad, and he said it was excellent, I had a bite and the Kale was tender and the salad dressing, a fresh nutty vinaigrette, paired nicely. My other dining partner had the Pork Verde Burrito (but with all the sauce) also good but too spicy for me. Overall, a nice experience and if I was in the area I would try it again if I was looking for a $30 meal.  A majority of the menu is cocktails; it is a large 18x22 menu, one entire side is cocktails. The back side has a small section of margaritas and the rest is food. No kid-size portions. There is an à la carte section were you can order an individual Taco or quesadilla but at $9.00 - $11.00 per item two tacos can run you $22 for a kids meal! read more

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Came here for a girls dinner on a Wednesday night and it wasn't packed. We made reservation in case but you don't need to. They gave out complementary chips and salsa. The interior design is beautiful and modern, the vibe is chill and the food was pretty good. We ordered the carne asada bowl, braised ribs bowl, and 2 tacos. Everything came out quickly which was great. The bowl is basically like a chipotle bowl but less food. Worth checking this spot out. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Carne asada bowl - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

I always love stopping in at Blanco! My go to order is the steak nachos and a pitcher of either the house margarita or the rosa bonita. This is often a good meal for two people and delicious. I have tried the quesadillas, the cheese enchiladas, and the caesar salad. My recs to make sure your orders are delicious - ask for the green salsa on the enchiladas, stick with the steak or pastor meats, and sit at the bar! The bartenders move quickly and are really personable. This is my favorite place to stop in at Oakbrook when i am nearby. read more

Okay, for the lay of the land, hostess desk is right when you walk in. We were welcomed quickly. There is a small room to the left and the bar is to the right with additional seating. There is outdoor seating, weather permitting, but it would be directly in the parking lot. Keep that in mind. Dining area open to the kitchen. The floor is concrete and there is no surface to absorb any sound resulting in a very loud dining area. The entrees are served with rice and your choice of beans. I was surprised that the rice was white and buttered ~ not the usual Spanish rice, but it was very tasty. Chips arrive at the table still warm/ Just a warning, I do not like spicy so I was very limited to what I could eat. The manager saw there was an issue and immediately went to the kitchen and had them prepare some chicken without all the spices. That was unexpected as I had told him it was not necessary. The situation was handled expertly. That chicken was delicious. We went on a Saturday and I recommend reservations. Also, the parking lot was a total nightmare which is not caused in any way by the restaurant. No valet here. read more

Came here on new years for a reservation for 10. Food was pretty good and affordable. Service was a bit slow but that may have been due to the holiday. Shrimp ceviche - pretty fresh, kind of floral? Nachos with Tinga - queso was yummy and paired well with the chicken Chicken tortilla soup - surprisingly good and flavorful Shrimp fajitas - spicy and filled with toppings. Shrimp was cooked perfectly Carne asada - pretty standard but nothing like street tacos Short rib - crispy base and nice stew meat Poblano pepper - also crispy but I would get the meat over this one Tres leches - not a strong dairy flavor or chocolate flavor. Mostly spiced. I liked the toffee pieces though read more

I was very disappointed to eat and wait for my happy hour menu food for a long time I've had. The food was not that great. I wasn't expecting a deep fried taco for my chicken pastor. The sweet potato taco was sweeter than I imagined. Their happy hour is very expensive. People should rather order from regular menu. A single small taco is $7 from happy hour menu. Apart from the price, we had to wait about 45 minutes to get our simple happy hour menu items. The waiter was so busy that she didn't have any time to provide good service. The ambience looked good inside but during our long wait time, we felt the place was super crowded and didn't have any personal space for ourselves. This is a place I want to avoid going in future unless I have two hours of time to spend at a restaurant waiting for my food and good service. read more

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The food was good, I ordered the fajitas and so did my partner. However, the service could use more work. A table that got seated after us was being attended for a while before we were finally noticed. I also felt that our server kept disappearing for a long amount of time and other servers were picking up her duties. Overall, the meal was good but the service seems like it could use better communication. I'd try it again read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Combo Fajitas - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

Blanco is solid for being a chain. Decent fare and consistent service are hallmarks of the former Fox Concept Restaurant (now a Cheesecake Brand). I had to put something green in my body for a change, so a Caesar salad it was! The salad was a simple Caesar w avo, and I added the grilled chicken. A small ding for the grilled chicken cubes that one would pre-prep or buy in a food service bag. It was a good Caesar that could have been elevated to "great" w a freshly grilled, sliced breast. Heck, even my fav dive bars do a fresh grilled breast. I expect more from Blanco. The Warm Queso was worthy, although a habanero salsa would be a welcome option (upon request). A deduct for a visually bubbly beer glass (dish machine not fully rinsing perhaps?). I pray that the bubbles adhering to the glass, don't cause bubbles in my gut. Service most always shines five-stars at this chain. Maria was super attentive, friendly and professional. I appreciated the bar team quickly wiping down the bar top upon seat turnover. The floor could've used a sweep of chip fragments under the stools. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Warm Queso. Another level of salsa (perhaps habanero) to jazz up the heat would've been welcome. - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

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Came for lunch with the kids before going to mini golf.i got the tacos and my husbands had some tacos and salad. Cute place inside and service was super friendly especially to the kids. It was the weekend but not busy at all. Overall food was good and came out fairly quick. read more

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I found myself at Blanco Cocina + Cantina (Oak Brook location) for a relaxed lunch before my doctor's appointment. The patio alone felt like a little getaway. I started with chips and complimentary salsa--which were immediately addictive. My house margarita hit the spot, though personally I'd have loved a stronger kick. For my entrée, I had the tiger shrimp fajitas. They delivered--big portion of shrimp, sizzling presentation, no skimping.The atmosphere was friendly and fun. It didn't feel forced or overdone--just a perfect way to soak in the sun. Service was attentive and engaged without being pushy. Would I go back? Absolutely. read more

Came here last night to celebrate a birthday. The only thing that I was happy with was the frozen Paloma and the street corn. Food: steak tacos with rice. My rice was WET! Tasted undercooked and more like a bad risotto. Everyone else at the table had the same experience. The tacos were underwhelming. The worst part was the service. At 10:03pm the birthday girl wanted to order a second drink. Waiter said they couldn't because the bar closed at 10. He never informed us of this, not a "hey the bar is closing, do you want another drink?, and no apologies for it. He said that the bartenders had a Halloween party they had to get to so he couldn't get us one. I also made a reservation ahead of time and put on the request it was a birthday celebration. Even mentioned it to the waiter. This restaurant didn't even offer us to LOOK at a dessert menu. I'm not looking for a free birthday treat but a way to acknowledge a birthday. We will never be back. Very disappointed. *Update: They personally reached out to me to apologize. They offered to refund the whole meal but I declined as we did consume some of our food/drink. They ended up refunding me a round of drinks and inviting us back. Not sure we will go back but I did add a star back for them reaching out. I can tell the bar manager, Jorge, was very sincere and upset this happened to us.* read more

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Food and service remain constant - no complaints. Staff is friendly, resturant is clean, food is served hot. read more

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Such a beautiful place ambiance and food delish!! First time and will be back for sure. Thanks Jaz!!

Looking for a place for a large group dinner? Head to Blanco Cocina & Cantina in Oak Brook! A ton of drink & shareable options to kick things off & big portions for reasonable prices. The servers know how to take care of groups! Don't skip out on the: Classic guacamole Warm queso dip Elote Spicy mango shrimp ceviche Strawberry Aqua Fresca was a tasty mocktail option that complimented the food read more

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Back again!!! Third time visiting this establishment and the food was as tasty as ever!! I switched it up this time and tried the Birria tacos - very good! I came on a Saturday night and there was a 45 minute wait for tables despite there being plenty of open and clean tables. Instead of waiting, my guest and I were able to snag two seats at the already crowded bar. I believe the restaurant was short staffed this night as the staff weren't super attentive in refilling water or asking if we needed anything. Despite this, the food was perfect and we enjoyed our night out. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Birria tacos, mexican street corn, & rice - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

Fantastic food! Service was wonderful- had the Mahi tacos - oh Wow homemade taco shells. Rightly priced... read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Tacos and rice wonderful - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

**Vegetarian Friendly** Absolutely stunning aesthetic inside, and great place for large groups! Staff was very friendly, but unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow, that all of the food came out cold. I originally bookmarked this because they had a separate Vegetarian Menu, but they did away with it. The black beans are vegetarian, the charro beans are not. Drinks: (1) Mango Stand - too sweet but good mango margarita if it's up your alley (2) The New Skinny - delicious, wish we had gotten the spicy version because it was on the sweeter side Dinner: (1) Complimentary chips and salsa - the chips were warm, and the salsas were tasty. (2) Nachos con Queso - they made it seem it was an inconvenience to not include meat, otherwise they were okay. (3) Roasted Poblano Chile & Tomato Cheese Crisp - such a let down considering it was one of their top rated items. Essentially this is an open-faced cheese quesadilla with toppings. They skimped on toppings, the cheese was already congealed and wasn't "crisp." (4) Vegetarian Caramelized Sweet Potato Enchiladas - very good enchiladas, enjoyed the sweet and savory combo of the vegetables. Very overpriced for the level of service and food, but overpriced because it's Oak Brook. We wouldn't be back. read more

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The short rib enchiladas were really good, and the queso was great too. It had almost a fondue-style feel, which I liked. Service could definitely use some work. My server was pretty slow and seemed distracted, sometimes gone for 20 minutes at a time. I basically had to lock eyes with him just to get his attention. He was a younger guy, so hopefully he tightens that up. Also, if someone notes in their reservation that they're bringing a baby and a car seat, it would make more sense to seat them at a booth instead of in the middle of the restaurant, especially when booths are open. Overall, I'd say it was about a 7/10 experience. read more

Blanco Cocina rocks a Tulum vibe in a mall in Oakbrook, Il. The restaurant is beautiful, hanging gardens, great decor. The staff is warm, professional and friendly from front door throughout the meal service. Food and drinks are very good. Wide variety of options. Drinks are unique and tasty. Reservations were not required but were helpful. read more

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The food here has been gradually slipping over the past couple of years. Tacos al pastor had zero flavor. Guacamole was already turning brown. French fries (kids) were undercooked. The rice and black beans were tasty, but difficult to mess those up. This place needs a shake-up or it will be closed in another year. read more

Went here while we were shopping at Oak Brook mall. The food and drinks were very good. They forgot one of our items bought made it right and comp'd it for take-out. Ambiance was great as well. Would recommend for a more upscale Mexican spot. read more

We tried Blanco for the happy hour and really enjoyed ourselves. Service at the bar was excellent, and I had the most amazing frozen coconut margarita ever (not on the happy hour menu). They immediately brought us chips and salsa and we ordered questions dip to gonalong with the chips (yummy). The avocado taco and Poland crisp were delicious and hearty. We were stuffed with just those three dishes from happy hour menu. We will be back! read more

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After a round of mini golf my date and I wanted to grab something to eat. We stopped here and it was very good. I really enjoyed the decor. The food was delicious he had the steak fajitas and I had a chicken tinga bowl. I would definitely come in and have the tinga again. I also ordered a michelada that was forgotten but I asked someone else about and it was promptly made and at no charge. I have been wanting to try this place since it opened and I'm glad I finally did. read more

We chose a brunch for four. The atmosphere was Latin fusion with ornate fixtures, lots of room and comfortable seating. The service was informative and very attentive. Our waiter, Allen was knowledgeable, adding a suggestion for a great short rib machaca crisp appetizer. The drinks were flavorful and reasonably priced as well as our entrees. Our entrees, chicken enchilada verde, birra tacos, Mahi Mahi tacos and a pork chile verde burrito bowl were delicious, filling and served quickly. We tipped graciously, it was well deserved. It was our first visit, but definitely not our last. read more

This place was great. The food was amazing, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was excellent. I would definitely recommend it. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

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We arrived a bit after 1:30 pm on a Monday. At that time we received immediate seating and a visit from the waitress within 5 minutes. They served good chips but a mediocre salsa. We had the pork chile enchiladas with charro beans. We liked the enchiladas flavor. Portion was about perfect. Charro beans seemed too soupy but ok flavor. Disappointed that you order by the plate. Unlike Ancho & Agave, you can't order 1, 2, 3, etc tacos or enchiladas. You order a plate and you get two enchiladas. Seemed a bit pricey compared to A&A too. I would not refuse to eat here again but I also wouldn't go out of my way to dine here, either. read more

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Chips and so-so salsa - Tacos Near Me - Oak Brook, Illinois

I've always passed this restaurant when I'm trying to find parking at oakbrook mall. Was in the mood for Mexican and so glad we stopped by! The first thing I noticed walking through the glass doors is the interior design and the ambiance. This place had a very lively vibe. Something that you would see connected to a tropical destination five-star hotel. Tacos: 5/5 Just loved the tacos ..they load it w marinated shrimp didn't skimp on veggies n sauce. Perfectly balanced every bite . House chips n salsa: 5/5 super thin n crispy chips came out warm and salsa was home made . We went through 2 bowls unbelievable! Taco salad 5/5: Decent size . Classic fresh greens , tortilla strips n savory taco beef. Nothing left over Poblano cheese crisps 5/5: I used to make these at home like mini pizzas on top of tortillas. Who knew it was a thing??! Service 5/5 : Props goes to our waitress Carmen! She knew that we would be sharing some of the foods and she split up salads and tacos into smaller plates. It's service like this that really takes it to the next level. Tip: ask for the hot sauce they will bring you homemade Chili Verde and red sauce in glass bottles. Love the extra mile they go ! read more

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