My wife and I dined at Hoja Santa on a recent weeknight. Friends and neighbors had spoken highly of it, so our hopes were high. We were generally pleased and had a good time. VIBE: The dining room was large and rather dim, with dark wood tones. We were glad to have a window table for more light. I cannot recall if there was music playing, so that says something. It was not busy, so noise from other tables was minimal. SERVICE: our server, David, was cordial and attentive. Food was comfortably coursed and arrived at a timely pace. FOOD: We enjoyed everything. The Hoja Santa salad was fresh and delicious, with an interesting mix of ingredients. Ditto the Bruselas, highlighted by a tangy tamarind-anise glaze. The Pescado big plate was highlighted by perfectly-cooked shrimp and a tasty sauce; accompanying sea bass was OK. Wine-wise, the Incognito red blend and the Santo Tomas were inoffensive but dull (and overpriced). We enjoyed our visit, and are looking forward to returning (and hopefully enjoying better wine). @ read more

We went back to Hoya Santa last Friday night. I'd say it's an upscale Latin restaurant serving flavorful food and well-crafted cocktails. I've been here a few times and have always enjoyed the experience. We started with cocktails, old-fashioneds for the guys and a mojito mocktail for me. The three of us shared everything we ordered. We started with an item called the Volcan, which was crispy mini quesadillas stuffed with mashed potatoes and cheese then topped with shrimp al pastor. I loved the crunch of the quesadillas against the creamy filling. Next we shared a carne asada pizza. This pizza had a perfectly thin and crispy crust topped with grilled skirt steak with a cilantro pesto sauce. So flavorful! For the main event we shared a 22oz bone-in ribeye with truffle fries. A medium rare tender and juicy steak and truffle - c'mon, need I say more? Oak Park has some of my favorite restaurants, and Hoja Santa is one. read more

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Hoja Santa, features flavorful authentic Mexican food dishes with a little flair. Located on lively Lake street in Oak Park, (perfect for people watching) street parking can be difficult; however, there is a budget-friendly parking garage within a block of the restaurant. The vibe inside is perfect for an intimate evening or afternoon lunch. Dark wood seating, an ample sized bar with dim lighting makes this a comfortable, chic spot. There is street side outdoor seating; however, there were no table umbrellas during our visit. The staff greeted us immediately and was happy to review the menu with us. We had the mole with roasted broccoli and cauliflower, unicorn pescado tacos and a Plato Fuerte with shrimp, lobster and chicken in a tasty creamy sauce. We loved all of the entrées; however, thought the mole was a lacking the traditional mole flavors we've tried before. The unicorn fish tacos were the standout and were crispy and delicious! We also appreciated the 4 taco serving, which was perfect for two. Prices were on point with other similar style restaurants in Oak Park, slightly elevated but fair for the quality of ingredients. Let's not forget the cocktails...outstanding! read more

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Server made me cry! I didn't like my drink and asked to switch it and my server immediately said no and him and the manager were rude to me. I ordered a spritz but it was really syrupy and didn't taste like a typical spritz. I was really upset and started tearing up and the server still just rolled his eyes and was rude to me causing me to cry. Despite being upset by this, he would not talk to me at all about the drink or help me find something better. Left the restaurant in tears. Many other places in oak park have better service and care about their customers and don't have servers that make customers cry! Go to New Rebozo for good Mexican! read more

I came here for dinner with one of my best friends since we wanted to explore the Oak Park neighborhood more. The interior was very nice, it was rainy so we couldn't sit out. Our waitress was very polite and consistently checked in on us throughout the meal. The food was not bad, but it didn't stand out to me. The chipotle fettuccine did not taste like it had chipotle in it, and the flan was too stiff for my liking. It wasn't bad food, it just wasn't what I was expecting when I ordered. I would still come back and try their steaks, they look delicious! read more

Hoja Santa - Flan - Bars Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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We had a bit of a mixed experience at Hoja Santa. The cocktail was really good and well-balanced. Guac was solid, the meat was cooked perfectly, and the yuca fries were great. On the downside, the bone marrow was undercooked, and we actually found a piece of aluminum foil in the mac and cheese that was prepared without truffle (menu states truffle). They remade it but it was a miss for us. The tres leches was underwhelming and a bit dry. Service was good--our waitress was attentive--but she didn't seem to know the menu very well. For example, we were told the street corn wouldn't be on the cob, but it was. Overall, some hits and some misses. Ambiance is ok - there's nothing that stands out. Drinks and mains were good, but a few things really missed the mark. For the price I don't think I would return. read more

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The Katrina cocktail with ghost pepper was delicious, the ghost pepper was inside a skull iced cube. All of the food was delicious and flavorful. However, my whole table said we were feeling stomach aches the next day and living on the toilet. I think it was due to the grease and beans. Also, there was definitely MSG used in the food because I always get a headache and extra dehydrated and thirsty. The fried ice cream was good. Basically, the food is delicious, but it comes with a price! The service was nice. It was slightly chilly inside. read more

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Every time I come, I enjoy my experience. Have been here multiple times and its a delicious meal, good service, and an enjoyable environment. I recommend the house made margaritas, although you cant go wrong with any of the drinks they have. Last time I was in, I ordered Molcajete Hoja Santa, Birria Pizza (staple when I go to this restaurant), Pulpo, Bruselas. Most of the time I am there, I just order appetizers. The portions are large, delicious and lots of flavor in everything you get. The service can at times be slow, especially on busy nights. So something to think about if you are expecting quick service. The servers themselves are all kind, answer questions and make sure to keep the drinks flowing! This is an environment that is a little loud! read more

Came here on a Friday around 5pm and it was not crowded so I was seated immediately. This is the old Rustico so the space is nice and still has that rustic look and feel. Ordered the Katrina and it was really good and crafted well. It came with a skull ice cube, which I thought was cool. I also ordered the Pescado, the pan seared sea bass. The kale was too salty. The cook needs to cut back on the salt because it really takes away from the dish. There is a 1.5 time limit on weekends. Overall it was a good experience but next time I would not order the sea bass but would for sure try the same drink because it was the star of the show. read more

Hoja Santa - Pervade Pescado - Bars Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Great vibes! Great staff! Great food! David attended to us at the bar; excellent service! I had the "Pescado"; Pan- seared black sea bass, sauteed shrimp, roasted red potato, kale, chili chilaca sauce. I also had a side of Chimichurri sauce; I love Chimichurri! I cleared the plate; every bit of it was delicious. My cousins enjoyed their pizzas and Molcajete Hoja Santa; Frijoles(beans) charros, sliced ribeye, shrimp, cheese, corn, tomato jalapeño relish. Their house made tortillas are perfect! I tried one of my cousin's; I'd like to come back and try their tacos! read more

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The ambience is inviting. It's casual yet elegant. The service is impeccable from the time you step into the door. The food is wonderful. So delicious and so fresh. read more

Hoja Santa - Pulpo and tostada delicious - Bars Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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I went to this restaurant last night and unfortunately left feeling very disappointed with the service. We were seated around 8:17 PM. There were only about three tables occupied, all sitting right next to each other, even though the restaurant is fairly large and had plenty of open tables. I politely asked the host if we could move to a larger table, simply because I preferred not to sit directly next to the other guests. The restaurant's last call was at 8:30 PM, so I made the request around 8:17 PM. The host went to ask a couple of the waitresses and came back saying they couldn't move us because they needed to keep the table available in case more people came in. I understood the reasoning, but considering it was only 13 minutes before last call and the restaurant was mostly empty, I found it frustrating. Sure enough, no one else came in before they closed. What bothered me even more was how rushed we felt throughout the rest of the meal. We were still eating when our plates were being picked up, to the point where it felt like they were taking the food right out of our mouths. Then the check was brought to us without even asking if we were ready for it. There were still people sitting at the bar, so it didn't feel like the entire restaurant was being closed down. I completely understand that staff wants to finish their shift and clean up, especially near closing time, but there is a difference between being efficient and making your customers feel like they need to hurry up and leave. We never felt welcomed or relaxed. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has a nice atmosphere, but unfortunately the service and the way we were treated really took away from the experience. I hope management takes this feedback seriously because a little more hospitality and consideration would have made a big difference read more

So she this IG story that really made me want to go here. Well I was mostly disappointed. The chicken although heart shaped was sour like vinegar. The steak was meh and for 60 dollars definitely not worth it. The kids hated the birria pizza so yep not returning. The place was nice and the staff was nice as well. read more

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Delicious drinks and bites at Hoja Santa! We got the Calabaza, fajita pizza and queso for dessert and all were delicious. The queso was a unique flavor of burrata and ice cream. We sat at the bar and the bartender was quick, helpful and attentive. Their outdoor seating is closed for season but the inside is cozy too! read more

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Celebrated my Birthday with cousins. Everything was so fresh and good. We started off with appetizers. Calamari, guacamole, Brussel sprouts yummy, salmon bowl and another appetizer. All were so good. Our dinner was also good but we took most of it home since the appetizers filled us up read more

My husband and I went there for a date night. The food was amazing! Love the ambiance and the service was top notch!!

Excellent cocktails & food. Casually met a group at the bar before a wedding. We all enjoyed our cocktails & shared some small plates. Service was friendly & accommodated staggered arrivals & milling around the bar area. Would most definitely return for the fresh food! I would say the food had fresh, light, flavorful California vibes. Had a hard time deciding what to order, as every dish coming out of the kitchen looked delectable. Tortilla chips were SO great, along with every dish we tried. read more

Came here with my partner and ordered the Mojarra and the Mariscada as our main and the brussel sprouts as our appetizer. The appetizer was pretty good and so we had high expectations for the main course. Unfortunately the Mariscada was way too salty for my partner to even finish. We let one of the staff know our complaint, who then told our server. We asked if this item can be taken off of our bill, but when we received our check no adjustments were made. So I bring this up to our server who proceeded to make no effort in resolving our complaint. He tells us "if it comes out the way it's supposed to, then nothing can be done.". He did not bring this up to his manager, or even attempt to work with us. Just "Well sorry you didn't like your dish, tough". Completely ridiculous! Our last time at that establishment. read more

Our monthly brunch selection. 6 friends we have know each for 30 years! Amazing, attentive service! Love the music and relaxing vibe! Not to mention how the delicious, savory the food is! Our monthly brunch selection! read more

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Not bad but no value for what it was. Limited vegan options and i selected this place based off of a gluten free and vegan need of someone in my party. They were able to get something but it was one of the lets make x off the menu. Their ability to do that did make the dining experince better. Also did not have a good setup for larger than groups of 4. It was busy, and they seemed under staffed. The people that were there were all working hard to make the best dining experience you could have. Tables were crowded and too close together. The food was all good but not much better than many mexican take out places and it was all 3 time the price of that. So charging for an elevated experince but failed to deliver on it. Don't see myself comming back. read more

Definitely recommend! Food and drinks were amazing! Service was great! Quick & efficient. The place was asthetically pleasing. read more

Hoja Santa - Molcajete Hoja Santa - Bars Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

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Great Food and service , the steak from here is comparable to some of these steakhouses downtown definitely recommend. If the esthetic matched how good the food this would definitely be amongst the most hyped spots in Chicago . Tried a lot of sides like the Mexican corn , mash potatoes , Mac and cheese they were all great and full of flavor . read more

This is one of experiences in the neighborhood where after seeing the extraordinary presentation and following that up with taste that fits the visual, you immediately realize you must keep this treasure thriving! There are bites that are memorable for being in Oak Park, and then there are those rare bites that would be memorable anywhere. Oak park is blessed to have this spot but I worry that there are too any empty tables to keep it. I had the skirt steak with bone marrow on my first trip and it was superb. But after seeing a post asking about best steak places in Oak Park and trying to vouch for Hoja Santa, I knew that I had to try the ribeye to prove it was a steak destination. I'll say presentation was 3.5 stars but the taste was an easy 5 stars. I shouldn't have eaten the whole thing but I passed that mythical point of leftover and just kept going. This place is on another plane from other options in Oak Park, let's support them! read more

Hoja Santa - Wood fired ribeye! - Bars Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Tried this Rustico sibling this weekend to mixed reviews. The menu is fairly varied, but not too large so that it gets overwhelming. Portions are really large, so keep that in mind when ordering that if you get an app or two, you will likely not be able to finish an entree. The fish tacos are huge. As an app it's too much unless you split the portions and make six tacos instead of the giant 3. The guacamole is also like 2 cups! And oddly, it comes with so few chips to eat it! The yuca fries with chimichurri were the stars of the meal. The chicken Milanese was okay and the seafood entree with shrimp and black bass was a miss (overcooked and dry). Service was good - it was odd that when we first got to the table there was a dead fly on it and we weren't moved (kid pointed it out, so they knew) even though the place only had maybe three other tables filled. read more

Fun evening with friends. Hoja Santa is part of the Rustico family and is even located in the original Rustico space on Lake St. Our server Cesar was awesome. We all started with fun adult cocktails which were made to perfection. The guacamole appetizer is not to miss. I enjoyed the chicken special entree. My good friend had the brisket which he said was spot on. The ladies split a gluten free pizza which they loved. Expresso martinis were the dessert selections. Great local restaurant with a wonderful Mexican flavor. We'll be back. read more

The drinks are amazing! I'm am always looking for a nice ambiance and chill experience. The guacamole was delicious. The margaritas, Old Fashion, and Manhattan were on point. I didn't have all those in one visit lol. read more

The service was good, however I ordered the Mole dish, but unfortunately it was such a disappointment. It had no meat like your traditional Mole. It came with with 2 pieces of Broccoli & 2 pieces of Cauliflower broken in small pieces. I finished it 4 bites definitely not worth 25 dollars. The Mole dish is absolutely a rip off, slacking that's for sure. An experience I wouldn't want anyone to go through. read more

came here with family for a birthday meal! these pictures were just what we got, others got the ribeye and bone marrow, ceviche, and pasta. we shared guac, the molcajete, calabazas, and birria pizza for the table. I thought the food was good, but nothing that blew me away except for the calabazas which had an interesting nutty sauce and the molcajete. the pork dish I had was a bit dry, and the amount of pork you got felt small. the puree was a nice touch. for the cost, I think I'd try somewhere else next time. but it was an interesting place to go once. service was good and the servers were attentive (waters were filled!), and the restaurant itself was nicely decorated if not a bit loud to have conversations over. read more

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Amazing dinner. We started our dinner with sangria and a trio of ceviche. All of them were unique and equally delicious. We ordered the pork with mole the chicken and octopus. Every bite was a delight. The servers were very attentive, the location comfortable, and inviting I was visiting Chicago and wished there was another Hoja Santa near me. read more

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I had steak and mac & cheese oh my God it was so good. The steak was cooked so juicy. The mac & cheese was so cheesy. I love it all. Definitely will come back to 10 out of 10. read more

Food is really good - love the menu and need to go back to try again. Our kids weren't big fans but the adults like it. Service was decent. Has a rustic look inside. read more

First time here....The food is sooo flavorful! Culturally different people agreed on the good flavor. They have tuétano which you really don't find anywhere. Looking forward to trying something else in the menu. We had a hard time choosing what to try. read more

Oak Park has long lacked a high-end Mexican restaurant. That wait is over. Hoja Santa clicks all the boxes. I have been there twice so far and expect to go back as often as possible. From the first part of the menu, smaller plates (labeled "Bocadillos Y Ensalatas") include the usual guacamole but consider stepping out of your comfort zone for their Calabaza (roasted butternut squash, salsa macha, skinny fries and roasted cashews) or Brusellas (crispy Brussel sprouts with tamarind star anise reduction, almonds, serrano pepper, cilantro, mint and roasted cashews.) Also there is usually a special soup of the day which on my two visits was very good. For main course: I've so far sampled, and enjoyed, the grilled pork tenderloin with mole rojo, butternut squash puree, sauteed arugula, saffron pickled onions, and also the fried chicken breast, black bean, corn and avocado medley, cucumber relish, chilaca pepper aioli, frijoles charros. But the real revelation for me was the Mexican wines they serve. I'm too old a dog to be learning new tricks but I had long ago consigned our south-of-the border neighbor country to the ranks of beer-and-tequila land. No more. A number of whites, roses, and reds from producers in Baja California, Mexico, will please any lover of good wine. I have not yet sampled any of the restaurant's pizzas or desserts. Service is good, and as a bonus certain servers can also be very informative about aspects of Mexican cuisine and viniculture. The ambience is fine. (You don't have to worry about roving mariachi trios playing for tips.) While obviously priced higher than a taco joint, it is no more expensive than any other high-end Oak Park restaurant. Highly recommend. read more

This is a very inviting spot. Had the yuca fries that comes with a garlicky chimichurri sauce. It was outstanding and I will be heading back for this. My entree was the steak with roasted (or grilled?) sweet potatoes, which was also good. Definitely returning to explore more of the menu and drinks. read more

We used to love this place but yesterdays visit was a huge disappointment. The food was mediocre at best (pulpo appetizer you had to search for the pulpo) and the lackluster service was off putting. After ordering appetizers (table of 4) the server never came back and we went somewhere else for our mains. Guy at the bar was constantly yawning, front of the house and servers busy chatting w each other, from 5 white wines on the menu 3 were not available. amazing how you can ruin a restaurant read more

Incredible food! Everything was flavorful and super pretty to look at. We'll be back for more read more

Hoja Santa - Ceviche - Bars Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

The worst birthday dinner ever the customer service was very horrible the (manager or general manager whatever he calls himself ) didn't want to give his name and when I ask the waitress she gives one name and then he gives me another I ordered a pasta and didn't like it so I sent it back but the manager said that I have to still pay for it regardless even if I didn't eat it he didn't try to accommodate me with something else or take it off my bill I will never come to this establishment again !!! read more

Meat was decent. Cold tortillas, stay away from the tik toks. Not all that glitters is gold. 50% of our taco orders were wrong.

Apps I would highly recommend are molcajete Hoja Santa and yuca fries. Incredibly delicious!!

Fantastic experience! Our son ran in the Chicago Triathlon and we wanted to get brunch.....finding one restaurant crowded and over 30 minute wait we moved down the street. We sat outside since we had our 2 toddler grandchildren with us. David our waiter was very pleasant, helpful, congenial and fulfilled all our wishes quickly. We had guacamole and chips for an appetizer and it was excellent; we each had a mixed drink. My coconut mojito was delicious-the right amount of sweetness, and refreshing. My son enjoyed both his mezcal drinks. I had the pescado (fish) tacos and they were delicious and were enough to share with another person. All the food was delicious with left overs for taking home! David, our server was really exceptional in his service and also being kind to the toddlers and us. He was very sweet and brought us Mimosas on the house to celebrate my son finishing his race. Definitely will return to Hoja Santa when we're in Oak Park again! read more