We visited Costera Cocina Tulum while celebrating my niece's birthday during our Chicago trip and honestly had a really good time. The atmosphere alone makes you want to stay awhile. The dim lighting and decor give the place a very upscale but fun vibe, and there are so many nice areas for photos throughout the restaurant. Food and drinks were excellent. The Brisket Tostada Tower appetizer was so good and easily one of our favorites. We also ordered the fish carnitas tacos, pollo tacos, and asada tacos, and everything came out fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The restaurant was lively, the service was great, and the whole experience felt special. Definitely one of our favorite spots from the trip. read more

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For starters a beautiful environment inside. The patio was also cute. They need more umbrellas when the sun is bright. Love the choice of decor meant natural plants and oasis feel. The waiter Gerardo was kind but didn't ensure that we understood the menu or recognize that it was our first time. He was Attentive otherwise. The individual who sat us (greeter) didn't give us the happy hour menu therefore when we started ordering we had some things that were standard prices. No big deal but if you are there for happy hour be sure to get the right menu. I got oysters for starters. Fresh, clean, and absolutely delicious. The tajin on the rim of the oyster gave the taste an exceptional balance. Mahi summer ceviche... Also very very good. The fried homemade tortillas were amazing. The homemade corn tortillas, chorizo, and salsa (medium heat) were also delicious that are given with queso fresco. We ordered chicken nachos they were decent the filled chicken lacked a little flavor but wasn't bad. Steak tacos were good with enough meat. I also ordered seafood (lobster, scallop, shrimp, corn, and mushroom) spaghetti... It was really good but the sauce was a little over salted for me.. Keep in mind they don't have a standard hot sauce/salsa without an upcharge but it is nice and hot and homemade. Drinks: the watermelon margarita delicious and 18.00 not on the happy hour but I didn't know untili was on my second one. Lol. Their standard margarita (happy hour drink)was also delicious. Palmona margarita (happy hour drink) was okay too much squirt or something for me. The guava margarita (happy hour drink) was also tasty but a little on the sour side. They all come with lots of ice. The beer (happy hour special) was very crisp, cold, and light. I don't know the name of it as it's not on the menu but definitely worth trying. Bathrooms clean... We had a funny saying at the table to follow the yellow brick road to get to the bathroom. Lol. I would return to try more food options. My friend stated that they can do better balancing in areas that they aren't paying attention in versus those that they are. They have plenty of seating inside and a bar seating area. read more

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Beware the hidden fees. They did make us aware ahead of time there was an automatic 20% gratuity added to checks. They didn't tell us our margaritas would have a $4 (each) service fee tacked on. We had 12 $4 charges, then a $25 service fee as well. That's an additional $73. And THEN they also factor these fees into the automatic 20% gratuity. That basically amounted to $87.60 extra on our bill. It's shady as hell. Seriously, just put it on the menu prices so people know. The service was good and the food was decent. But I can't see myself going back to a place that nickels and dimes you like this. I wish I had gone with my first thought: Bocaditos. That place is excellent. read more

This place is very vibey and had great ambiance. Gluten free friendly. I had the Caesar salad without croutons which was a whole wedge and perfectly crisp, the brisket enchiladas (3) which were super filling and tasty, and the coconut flan that was just okay. I also had a zero proof cocktail that was supposed to be guava and lemon but looked and tasted like Minute Maid pink lemonade so you're better off just ordering something else. Overall the food was good but too pricey for what it was so would recommend going if you're into ambiance and a solid meal for a weekend night out. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - CT Brisket Enchiladas Puerto Vallarta zero-proof cocktail - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went for light bites to celebrate with a friend! I had the Queso, guacamole and a few drinks. I enjoyed what I ate and my friends enjoyed their food as well. I will say, it is a good time. I enjoyed the lively atmosphere and the service was great for our group of 8. It really did feel like we were in tulum! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Loved the vibes and indoor decor! I did think the prices for their seafood tacos were a bit steep considering they didn't come with a side and didn't overflow with seafood. Service was great, very attentive and super friendly. Highly recommend the mango passionfruit cheesecake for dessert! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Mahi Mahi Ceviche - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had such an amazing experience at Costera Cocina Tulum--everything we ordered was phenomenal. Honestly, I can't even fully describe how good it was... it was that good. We're already planning our next visit! Pro tip: the paella takes a bit longer to cook, so definitely order that first--it's worth the wait. If you're going with a group, I highly recommend doing the prix fixe menu. It makes everything super easy and lets you try a little bit of everything without overthinking it. The vibe is also a whole moment--located right in Fulton Market, it feels trendy, lively, and just the perfect spot for a fun night out. Great food, great energy, and such a memorable experience. Can't wait to go back! read more

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I've never heard of this place before but I came here for a friend's birthday celebration. As soon as I stepped in, I was wowed by the interior of the place. It's super nice and has a wonderful ambiance. We were seated, and we initially ordered two guacs for the table. We then individually ordered our food items. I ordered carne asada tacos. The server came over with two dishes of salsa with two tiny servings of chips. The chips were deliciously salted and the salsa was quite yummy! We were then served with our ... meal? We were so confused because we assumed that you probably would receive your appetizer prior to your meal. We asked the server politely if our guac was on its way; however, she adamantly stated that we did not order guac and instead ordered two salsas... We told her that we had ordered guac and she brushed her mistake aside and just asked if we wanted to still order guac. We decided to order one guac app since we had already received our meals. My carne asada tacos were delicious! The meat was grilled well, and the tacos just came together so well. The taco interestingly had huge chunks of potatoes inside, which actually worked and paired well with the taco. Eventually, a tiny dish of guac came out, which was very difficult to share amongst a larger party (because it was sooooo small). Nonetheless, the guac was good. Now comes the problem... the server came over with the check and had the two salsas and the guac on our bill. We had mentioned that we did not order the salsa and thought that it was complimentary (as every single Mexican restaurant I've been to often provides). Therefore, we did not think that we should have been charged for the salsas. She just took the bill and said that she had to speak with her manager. We saw them in the corner of the restaurant bickering, which was extremely uncomfortable. She then walked over, dropped a bill on our table (without explaining anything or apologizing), then stormed away. The food was delicious but the service just was not what I would expect for an "upscale" Mexican restaurant that runs on the pricey side.... My carne asada tacos were $28... and they charge auto gratuity for larger parties. Our table in total dropped over $500-600. With that in mind, I would expect better quality service. read more

Very lively restaurant setting. We came in an early Friday evening. Parking was bonkers due to No Kings protest that took place earlier in the day. We sat in the bar area. We ordered a few drinks and tried the very delicious guacamole. For dinner my husband got the Fish Tacos. They were so good and full of flavor. I ordered the short rib enchiladas and passed my expectations. I would definitely order those again. All in all it was a nice evening. We even finished off our meal with a house made sorbet. Very cute restaurant, they really hype the crowd for special events. My understanding that turns more into a club/bar scene after 9pm on the weekends. read more

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I will start with the good stuff. The cocktails and the food was actually excellent. Along with the music as well as the decor/atmosphere all five stars which is the only reason this review has more than one star Our server was decent in the beginning, warned us that there is a 90 minute limit on the table and after he took our order, he only seldomly checked in to see if we needed anything else and was consistently rushing us to clear our plates. He tried to take my plate which still had half of my $35 short rib ribs left on it..... no I'm still working on it. So to be honest, I probably would've left a four star review at this point but then when we paid, it's an automatic 20% gratuity, which then made sense why service was subpar. And you have no opportunity to change it. And then on top of it it charges you a fee just to pay on the QR code which is on the table because our server couldn't be found?!?! I would return here for drinks only. It was unfortunately, a poor experience that left a disrespectful taste, do not recommend. read more

At first glance of the menu it looks pretty boring and basic... but the food was anything but that. Everything on our table tasted AMAZING. Our table ordered asada tacos, Al pastor tacos & the ceasar salad. And it was all so good. Al pastor tacos are great shareable as two people were able to eat 7-8 tacos each. The staff was friendly and accommodating to our table as we were late to our reservation. The only downside id say is the hidden fees. We asked for hot sauce and it was $5 lol. But overall good experience read more

Worst service with 20% added on and was told that was mandatory. The bar guy was nowhere to be found to question the 20% surcharge! They are a huge ripoff ! Do not go there read more

Beware the hidden fees. They did make us aware ahead of time there was an automatic 20% gratuity added to checks. They even have the gall to put an area on the receipt for an additional tip starting at 7%. Food was good however given the manner in which they wish to handle hidden fees my friends and I will not going back to this restaurant. Read more read more

We decided to visit Costera Cocina Tulum to celebrate our anniversary. We arrived at our reservation time and were seated right away. The restaurant itself wasn't too full and the service started off a little choppy. Our server said she'd be right back to take our order but disappeared for a good 15 minutes. Luckily for us the rest of our night went pretty smoothly. We started off with a couple of margaritas. My wife ordered their Mayan Mirage and I ordered their Playa de Piña. Both were similar in appearance but still delicious. We also ordered their Fresh Masa Empanadas. These were stuffed with Mahi Mahi, tomato, onion and topped off with crema, lettuce and salsa verde. These were really tasty and filling. A perfect way to get the night going. My wife ordered their Pork Shank Pibil and I ordered their Salmon A La Veracruzana. Which is a rare occurrence for me personally. I usually never order fish. I decided to check out their version of "a la Veracruzana" and I was quite surprised on how exceptional this dish was executed. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the all the vegetables were delcious. It was also served on top of rice which I was not expecting. My wife's pork shank Pibil was served with black beans, xnipe a Yucatán sauce, salsa verde and tortillas. Overall a delicious dish as well. We both enjoyed our meal and I was honestly very surprised on how all the dishes tasted. I can definitely see myself returning. read more

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This review is for Kaitlyn T with Parker Hospitality. I was very excited to plan a dinner for 12 at Costera Cocina. The restaurant gave me Kaitlyn's name, phone #, and email address. Over the past 2 months I have reached out repeatedly through phone, email and the website's online inquiry page to arrange a reservation. We got zero response over several weeks. Very bummed about not being able to have the dinner here. read more

Spicy margarita Just enough spice without being too much. Flavor of rim is very good Vegan Chorizo Great flavor - chipolte salsa adds just enough heat. My favorite Asada Taco Not a big meat person but this is very good. Avocado salsa adds great flavor Taco of the week Cauliflower tacos - delicious! Highly recommended. Super friendly and helpful stall to accommodate gluten sensitivity. They do add an automatic 20% service charge - no problem with this just an FYI. read more

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1. What a cute spot. From the patio, to the bar, to the indoor dining area. 2. Our waiter was very good, attentive, and cool. 3. Listen, the asada tacos (without the avocado salsa) is amazing. I will be back for those. Everyone loved their food. We also had the queso chorizo, short ribs, beans and rice, and my friend had the lobster roll. The jungle glow is awesome, a friend had the French 75 with vodka and loved it. Definitely visit this place. read more

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Great vibrant environment. Drinks were amazing but I wouldn't say the food was all that great. Wonderful for a girls night out!

Made a resi and told my friends to dress nice just so we could all take pics of each other. Every thing I put in my mouth was delicious, even the water bro. As a table we had the following: short rib, chicken dish, oysters (fye), lobster spaghetti, empanadas, guacamole (no prawns), carne asada, lobster tacos & ceviche. Literally everything was delicious bro The stars were the oysters, empanadas, guac & lobster spaghetti. The service was excellent, I actually got overwhelmed seeing our server Anthony so often, you could tell I'm not used to nice things. Also the vibe in there is hella cool. Very sexy in there. 10/10 this is not one of those overpriced and overhyped places. It's pricey but worth it. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - SHORT RIB and POLLO AL HORNO - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The restaurant itself is decorated beautifully -- definitely an eye-catching space. Unfortunately, our overall experience didn't quite match the look. We had a reservation but ran behind due to traffic in the city. When we arrived, the host said she'd have to check with a manager to see if we could still be seated, even though we noticed several open tables and the kitchen was open for another hour and a half. We were asked to wait, so we sat in the bar area. After some time passed, my sister went back to the host stand and was told (with an apology) that we had been forgotten. Eventually, we were seated in a very dimly lit area -- so dark that we couldn't see the menus or take photos without using flash. When we used our phone flashlights to view the menu, a man approached our table and scolded us in a very rude tone, saying the "vibe is like Tulum" and lights weren't needed. Instead of enhancing the atmosphere, this interaction really dampened the mood for us. On the positive side, our server was fantastic. I wish I remembered his name because he deserves credit for saving our experience. He was warm, knowledgeable about the menu, and made great recommendations for both drinks and food. Thanks to him, we enjoyed our meals -- I had the pork shank, which was delicious. My sister and friends ordered tacos, fish, and a burger, and everyone was happy with the food. The drinks, however, were just okay. My margarita didn't stand out compared to the food. Overall, the food and our server were wonderful, but the poor handling at the host stand, the extreme lighting, and the rude interaction left a sour impression. I can't say I'd rush back here on my next trip to Chicago. read more

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Ok .... So this place is not bad and I think having a party here can make all the difference between dining in and or having a party. The good: the servers were so quick to clear your plate, the ambiance is really nice, the decor is great and the guac and tacos are fire. The bad: the bartenders a bit off with slow service at the bar, no creativity behind the bar, the biggest let down of the night - Peruvian ceviche. No one really touched it which I was shocked until I had it. Oooooof big miss, bland, creamy and mixed in choclo to the whole thing (There's a reason Peruvian ceviche comes out with the choclo on the side and not mixed in.) I was so excited to try this - it was really the only reason I came and the disappointment was real. You just can't recreate what's already amazing sometimes and I feel this was the idea. Other than the let down of the bar service and food great space to work with and maybe change up the menu a bit to keep the specialty items tasting good! read more

When Tulum jungle vibes meet modern Mexican flair in Chicago's West Loop! Costera Cocina Tulum transports you to a dimly lit indoor jungle, with lush greenery lining the walls and rope-draped ceilings overhead. The plant-filled, intimate dining room feels perfectly suited for small to medium groups--while the menu channels coastal Tulum with vibrant, shareable modern Mexican dishes. Service * Warm welcome and genuine enthusiasm from the host and servers * Server took time to walk us through the menu and craft cocktail options Food * Grilled Octopus - fresh and delicate * Queso Fundido - silky cheese and an underrated dipping sauce * Esquites - off-the-cob corn magic * Taco Flights - langosta, carne asada, barbacoa, fish carnitas--all consistently excellent Verdict A must-visit among the West Loop's newer entrants, Costera Cocina Tulum marries jungle-chic ambiance with modern Mexican eats. While still working out a few service details, it already earns a solid four-plus stars for its atmosphere and flavorful menu. read more

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I've been here for just cocktails and I've stopped in for lunch. Both times it was good experience, I will say the fog machine that they turn on around 4pm is a little off putting however it's adds to the "Tulum" experience I guess. The food is okay, I do think you're paying for the ambiance vs the quality of the food. Great cocktails though, has almost a club feel after about 10pm read more

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Vibes! Vibes!! The drinks are amazing -- I instantly forgot I was still in Chicago and felt like I was on a trip in Tulum. The food is solid, and the Costera twist on the guacamole gets me every time. Adding shrimp was a genius move -- absolute perfection. The surf and turf is a hit in my book: a burger paired with a mini lobster roll? How can you go wrong?! My friend loved the lobster pasta, and the lobster tacos were amazing. The pollo tacos also got a thumbs-up. I didn't care for the enchiladas -- the mole sauce just wasn't it for me. Hated it, honestly. But the steak was flavorful, and the churros hit the spot, though nothing spectacular. Service was pretty thorough and attentive overall. Definitely a place worth checking out for the vibes and creative menu! This is my third time visiting read more

I loved the vibe here -- warm lighting, clean space, and overall a really nice atmosphere. The service was friendly and attentive from the moment I walked in, and the appetizer actually gave me high hopes. But the main dishes didn't meet the same standard. The flavors were on the salty side, and the textures weren't soft or chewy the way good Mexican food should be. It wasn't bad, just not memorable compared to the great ambiance. Still worth visiting for the vibes and good service, but I wish the mains matched the quality of everything else. read more

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Such a gorgeous restaurant! It's nicer, somewhat of a dress code. Can't wear hats or anything. Their lobster tacos are amazing and drinks are great. Moody vibes. Sitting at the bar or standard seating works well. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Watermelon margarita - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came here for a high school graduation dinner for my Godson. Our party of 12 had an 8:45 PM reservation. Upon arrival, we were told he couldn't bring his balloons to the table because they didn't match the decor, which I found funny. Lol! Not in a negative way. It was just something I'd never heard before. The staff kindly held the balloons at the front. The ambiance was very cutesy, with a Tulum-inspired vibe. Earthy tan tones, lush greenery, and a dark, seductive atmosphere. We were seated quickly, and the staff was friendly. Around 9:00 PM, our server took our drink orders, mentioning she'd return shortly to take our food orders after submitting the drinks. However, she didn't come back until 9:25 PM. While she did bring our drinks, the wait felt unnecessarily long, especially since we hadn't even ordered food yet. I ordered the Beaches in Tulum, a strawberry mojito-style cocktail, but unfortunately, it was underwhelming. I chose not to return it since someone in our group had already sent theirs back. It was supposed to be a vodka and ginger ale, but arrived completely clear, like water. The replacement drink was the proper color, so clearly something had gone wrong with the first. Dinner arrived around 9:55 PM. I had the half chicken with a side of fries, which again, was disappointing in terms of flavor and value for the price. That said, the server did get all 12 orders correct, which I appreciated. However, once the meals were served, she never returned to check on us. We waited about 30-35 minutes before someone from our group had to go find her so we could pay. I paid my bill at exactly 10:34 PM, which gave me a good sense of how long the entire experience dragged on. One good thing was that their payment system was excellent. We scanned a QR code, and each person could view and pay for their own items, with tax and gratuity automatically included. Very. convenient. Overall, while the decor and payment process were great, the food and drinks were not the greatest, and the service lacked attentiveness. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be interested in returning. read more

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If you want to be transported to Tulum then this is the place to go to. I enjoyed the restaurant week with a friend of mine. Ambience was out of the world with the fog machines and lights. Super helpful staff walked us through the choices and I tried the best mole enchiladas and coconut flan! If you get a chance then you must go for restaurant week. read more

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I came here for drinks before and it was a total vibe. Wanted to come back to try the food and I was able to go the other day with my friend because we missed our late brunch reservations. I was able to make a reservation and we were greeted and didn't take long for us to get seated. The server was really nice and asked multiple times about food allergy to make sure that she got it right, which was appreciated. We started off with guacamole and a cocktail from their small bites menu. It was perfect because we were really hungry. One we got to order off the dinner menu, we got the steak & lobster tacos to share. Everything was delicious and flavorful. We want to come back again. It was a fun time & great ambience. read more

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I went here to celebrate someone birthday. I ordered the lobster tacos. I was surprised rhe lobster wasn't chewy. It was very flavorful. We had the seafood guacamole and steak tacos. All was food and the vibe was even better. My server Ashley was attentive and helpful with the menu selections. I plan to visit again. read more

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Has dinner here the either day and it was good. My main issue is that as a Mexican place, they could have been much more vegetarian friendly,as many other Mexican joints are, but they were a bit rigid on their menu. Behind the appetizers and sides, this place has two vegan mains. One is tacos and the other is a chile relleno. But I'm not vegan, so we asked if they could add cheese or whatever to make the dish better, but apparently the kitchen refused. So.. meh. The tacos were good, but Chile relleno without cheese wasn't great. Still not bad for 2 cheeseless items. Forcing you to eat healthier, I guess. Other than that, the service was good and overall experience was fine. I think I'd be happier next time I go knowing what to do and what to get. Actually, one more thing, the queso comes with tortillas instead of chips, it she accommodated and got us chips. But we used the queso form that appetizer as like a cheese fill in for the other items. Has to hack it. Chimichuuri potato's side was ok. read more

We've been here a few times our favorite dishes by far the enchiladas. For everything and the atmosphere is free lively. Our waiter, Angel had a bit nicer and helpful. We will be back. read more

Vibrant dinner restaurant, great for celebrations. The interior is delightful with the cutest monkey light fixtures and boho vibes. Margaritas are well made and worth it! If you love wine, you may be disappointed in the wine selection and prices. We had a pineapple dish that had a lovely presentation with fire. They did the presentation and then took the plate back to the kitchen and brought out the chopped results. Tortillas we're fresh and everything we had was delicious and perfectly cooked! Around 9:30/10pm they dinner the lights and it started to feel more club-like. We were celebrating a birthday and the shots presentation was really fun, they can't flying in on a plane with strobe lights. Overall, great food and fun experience! I knocked off a star because we waited over a half hour to be seated and had a reservation. Dishes also piled up on the table and service was no in line with the price point. All in all would recommend for the experience. Make sure to plan for extra time as you may not be seated immediately and service is slow. read more

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Ambiance was very open and inviting. Service was wonderful - loved my server although I don't remember his name. The ceviche wasn't what I was expecting, didn't care for it much BUT that lobster spaghetti was everything! I would go back just for that and the pina alcoholic drink read more

I liked this place! I got the beef tacos which were good, and my husband got a chicken dish. We also split the guacamole which was lovely! The place itself was such a unique ambiance, I felt like we had just stepped into a resort. Really intersting feel on a chilly Chicago day but it was fun! read more

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The staff are so accommodating and have excellent customer service.... We were a party of 8 adults and 2 kids with lots of last minute add ons and cancellations. They were patient and kind to keep all of us happy. We got a big round table in the back for the adults and the kids got their own 2seater. The drinks were spot on the food was delicious... especially the lobster rolls were excellent. Our server was patient and through the second half suddenly got all moody and ansy with us . We didn't let that bother us while celebrating 3 bdays in our party. Most certainly shall be back! read more

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The food here was incredible and the ambience was dreamy and service was 10/10. We tried several different dishes and we were happy with everything read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Interior decor - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We went to Costera Tulum in Fulton Market to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and had a great experience overall. The asada tacos were really good--definitely a highlight. The drinks were solid too; I had an Old Fashioned and really enjoyed it. The lighting was dim, and the overall vibe felt like a fun place to grab drinks and dinner, especially for a night out or celebration. They surprised us with a birthday dessert, which was a really nice touch and tasted great. The guacamole was okay--not spicy at all--but the chips were really good. Our server was great and checked in on us often; I don't remember his name, but the service was excellent. Overall, great atmosphere, good food and drinks, and solid service. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The ambiance and service are great! Dimly lit, very picturesque. The food was ok. We ordered the queso fundido, cavatelli with street corn, fish carnitas and mini trompo al pastor. My favorite was the pasta, the other dishes weren't anything special and the mini trompo al pastor was sooo salty we couldn't eat it. It's such a disappointment because the display is beautiful! Got the pastor on a pineapple with the flames and everything but it really disappointed in terms of taste. I LOVE salty food but boy this was just inedible.. I'd recommend coming for drinks during happy hour or something just because the ambiance and vibes are fun, but probably pass on food. read more

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The food was great. Service not as much. Server only came around once to take our order and then once afterwards. Closer to when we were done eating no one acknowledged that the special occasion was for a bday. Other tables surrounding us got their special treat. Totally disappointed with the service. read more