This restaurant is incredible out of All the Mexican restaurants I've been to in the area this is always going to be my go-to, it is a bit pricey but the portion sizes are worth the price, the restaurant is always clean and I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes for my food. I often call in my order ahead of time and then pay when I get there, incredible service every single time I've been. read more

I havent been here in a long time but I was quite pleased with the shrimp street tacos. They were really flavorful and good! The baja sauce on them is a non spicy avocado sauce. I do wished there was more tacos as I was still hungry after. The lime magarita I had was really weak and not as strong as I would have liked which was disappointing. The food and chips and salsa were tasty! read more

Jalapenos - Street tacos shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

A I always go here for my fajitas. I've loved to jalapeños for over 20 years and will continue ordering from them.

Review Visit: September 21st, 2013 Time to get jalapeno this blog post. On a quest to seemingly try every restaurant in the Peoria area, it was only a matter of time before I stopped in at Jalapenos. Now, I've heard about this place many times from many different people. Everyone raved about how good it was and how it quenched your hunger for Mexican food. My friend Matt and I were just about to find out if it lived up to the hype or not. But first, I needed to drive us there. Or at least attempt to drive us there. My mental map on where this was located ended up getting crossed with another place in another shopping center in Peoria. What happened is I ended up driving us to the wrong place. Seeing as I was fairly hungry, this made me rather annoyed at myself. Once I punched in the address and arrived at the proper spot, I was in a better mood. The inside of Jalapenos is your standard Mexican restaurant. If you don't know what that is, let me tell ya. Think of your typical restaurant, but with Mexican music playing... things on the menu that you will horribly butcher the name of... heavy use of green, white, and red after their national flag... cultural paintings and decor spread throughout. That's pretty typical of the Mexican places I've been to and Jalapenos was no different. Some lean a bit heavier in to the cultural side of things, most places will make you feel like you stepped in to a restaurante in an actual city in Mexico. The lunch rush must've just passed as it wasn't terribly too crowded but also not empty. Matt and I quickly grabbed the menus from in front of us and started checking out what the options were. I knew I wanted a big burrito. Maybe even one smothered in queso. My eyes were drawn to the Steak and Cheese burrito, if my memory serves me right. Everything about it sounded great, so that is what I ordered. Matt and I munched on some chips and salsa while we waited for our food to come out. As I've grown to learn about these Mexican restaurants, the food takes no time at all to cook and reach our table. Our waiter carried the food out with some mittens on due to how hot the plates were from the food. He slid my burrito in front of me and I was slightly repulsed at the sight of it. It looked like a burrito covered in brown juice and topped with shredded cheese. But, I don't let looks deceive me. There is just no way anyone can pick one of these burritos up and eat it with their hands. You are pretty much required to use a fork and knife to eat it. I actually prefer it that way because I would make a terrible mess and drop the contents of said burrito all over my plate. Digging in, I knew that the looks were deceiving. This was just what a hangry me needed. Each bite was full of flavor without one ingredient overpowering the others. While the cheese topping was shredded and not the poured over that I prefer (that may have just been my fault for not reading the menu in my hungry haste), it was still delectable. Jalapenos definitely did it's part to not only fill me up but live up to the hype that so many people raved on about. It was really good and while not something I would go out of my way to get, I would gladly come here with friends/family for lunch or dinner. read more

Jalapenos - Mexican Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

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Jalapeños hits the spot EVERY TIME. Been coming for years and cannot seem to get enough. Their queso and guac are absolute non negotiable to order for the table. The mini chimis are another favorite of mine. Can't go wrong with fajitas, salads, tacos - you name it, I've had it and it was delicious every time. Service is quick and food is always hot and fresh! Jalapeños is the perfect spot for a casual dinner, meeting up with friends for a drink, and leaving feeling happy and full! read more

Food and service were absolutely amazing. The price was a bit much, 60 dollars for 2 ranchero, 2 drinks and a bowl of queso, but it was worth it. read more

Jalapenos - Chicken Ranchero and a large bowl of queso - Mexican Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

My favorite Mexican Restaurant.. good food and service are great!! Food tastes freshly made. The service is excellent servers are quick and attentive. My choice always.. read more

Very good customer service, nice workers, chips are warm and the Guacamole is definitely world famous and hand made, $10-$20 good music and nice feel that made me feel at home! read more

The food was very good, and the service was fast, polite, and accurate. I highly recommend giving this place a try next time you're in the mood for Mexican! read more

Family friendly , good price, good quality. Excellent service. Good atmosphere. Quick service.

Been going there for 15 years or since they moved into the Metro Center. Has always been the best Mexican food in central Illinois. Last couple of years declining. Ordered carry out tonight. 2 # 14, chimichanga, tamale appetizer and chicken tacos. Chicken tacos were good but everything else was so salty it was hard to eat. Very disappointed. I will miss going there. Looks like the owners have let the employees take over with no interest in their future. Someone (an owner) needs to get in the kitchen and straighten things out before it's too late. read more

What a difference 4 years can make. I gave this place a 3 star rating based on their food. After a recent visit, I had to up my rating to 5 stars. This place has some of the best salsa you're going to find a Mexican restaurant. My cousins and I went through 2 bowls of salsa. The server brought out 2 more bowls. That was very generous. Although we took the rest home with us to eat later. I want to make it clear that my next statement is an exaggeration. Jalapenos has the best rice that I have ever had at a restaurant. Most of the time I do not finish my rice because it's mediocre. I was quite impressed. My cousins and I always order Enchilada Suizas when we dine at a Mexican restaurant. This is now our go-to place to get our fix. Bravo to Jalapenos for skyrocketing to the top of my Mexican dining experiences. read more

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This used to be a great Mexican Restaurant for Peoria but this trip was a dismal failure. Ordered a large margarita on the rocks. It was a cheap, watered down mess. Ordered off the sides part of the menu, boot a chile rilleno, a tamale, a beans. If you're a fan of a chile rilleno, you know it's a big chile stuffed with cheese or cheese and beef, egg washed and deep fried. I goat a two inch x one inch "slice" of chile with some cheese and beef hiding that tiny sliver of chile. NOT COOL! The server said "That's how we do them now." It was one bite for $3.50! They drowned the poor tamale in verde sauce which is sour and changed the taste as well. It was noisy in there with a lot of kids for a Thursday night. For the time being, I am going to one of the many other Mexican Restaurants for my fix. "Cheap, Chinsey Jalapeño's is off the list in my book! read more

I haven't been to Jalapeños in the Metro Center for a while. We went on a Tuesday night. We were seated immediately, and salsa and chips were on the table very quickly. In just a few minutes our server took our drink orders, beers and a small margarita on the rocks. Though we also ordered water, we had to ask for it a second time. Chips and salsa were good, salsa was mild but flavorful, chips were salty and crunchy. It took a while for our server to take our order. The chips were gone by the time she arrived. My friend ordered queso and guacamole and more chips. The special was a simple corn tortilla with beef, cheese, and cilantro which both my friends ordered for their dinner. I ordered a shrimp quesadilla. The food was really quickly delivered! The queso and guacamole were there almost immediately. Both were very flavorful and delicious. The food came soon after. The tacos were declared delicious by my friends. My quesadilla was hot and delicious. The shrimp was perfect. Though our waitress checked back once with us, our food, beverages, and chips were finished 10 minutes before we saw her again. We flagged another waitress to ask for the check which took another five to finally get there. My friends with the specials bills were around $15 and mine was $25, for two beers and quesadilla. Other than the wait for the bill, this was a very pleasant dinner! read more

Overly priced food with sub par service. Watched our server walk around mostly. No condiments on the table. Chips and salsa weren't even good. Not somewhere we will go back to. read more

My first experience here wasn't pleasant. I had their Nachos, but instead of chips I asked them to use fries. My dish came back looking like soup. The taste was bland and I thought I wouldn't dine here again. Well, fast forward to almost a month later and my bro and sis-in-law (who loves their food) suggested that I give them another shot. I was hesitant but tried anyway. I ordered their steak fajitas and bacon wrapped jalapeños. Both items were tasty and flavorful. I suppose it's a hit or miss when dining here, but I'm glad they had something that I would enjoy. My suggestion to the establishment is to work on their presentation and to ensure that their dishes aren't hit or miss. read more

I spied this on yelp and my friend highly recommended this place. I adore Mexican food. This place did not disappoint. Excellent service, food and margaritas! Dine in is available!! We had #4 combination, tamale & enchiladas suiza... asked for caliente sauce... wow not just hot but excellent flavor!!! Highly recommended!!! Kudos to Ernesto our server!! read more

Jalapenos - Dining room - Mexican Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

I'm very disappointed with the management at Jalapenos! I called in reservations on Dec 10th for a Birthday Party on Dec 17th. The person that answered the phone checked to make sure they had room and told me they did, she took my phone number and accepted my reservation. We arrived on Dec 17th with party decorations in hand and were told that we were not on the reservation list. A young lady told me that their was nothing she can do. I asked to speak to the manager and she said she was the manager, so I then asked to speak to her boss and she told me they are in Mexico. I did not believe her, her tone suggested it was a rehearsed line like the management didn't want to deal with the public. So we left and had to move a party of 16 to a family members home! I have been very patient with restaurants during the pandemic and even been tipping well above 20% when my servers try hard. My family has been coming to Jalapenos for many years and now we will not. So if you know of another Mexican restaurant that is good in Peoria please let me know! read more

Pretty okay. I come from texas so I'm a bit harder on Mexican and tex-mex, but overall is good for someone who doesn't eat Mexican food all the time/has no easy access to it here. Guacamole was okay, needed more salt and wasn't "authentic." Ordered a Chile Relleno that I never got lol, but the margarita was great and the beers are huge. Pollo Loco was very yummy. Will probably come here again at some point, but will definitely have to try out the other Mexican places around. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ read more

Great food, great service, never had a bad experience. Priced fairly! delicious food every time! Cooks never get order mixed up! Wonderful place read more

Been to this restaurant before and didn't have a problem but this time I was not happy. I went with a friend. We did not have a wait time and all the waiters and waitresses were wearing masks. We ordered our drinks which did not take long but our food took one hour and 7 mins to get to our table. All we ordered were Shrimp Fajitas and Steak Enchiladas with Fries. We were not pleased with our meal at all. The taste was bland the presentation was terrible. Our waitress was nice and helpful. I would not recommend this place and wish I didn't waste my evening here. read more

Jalapenos - Shrimp Fajita Dinner - Mexican Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

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We came for the first time after over 10 years and we were really hoping to have a good Mexican dinner while helping with our school fundraiser. We arrived at 6pm, they sat us right away but the food only arrived at 7:10pm! We understand they were having a very busy night with all those families and were probably overwhelmed by all the carry outs, but the problem is tables that arrived after us kept getting their food while we kept on waiting forever. We never waited so long for Mexican food before or for any food for the matter in this town. After 50 min waiting and a very hungry child complaining, we talked to the waiter who said those tables received their food first because their dishes were easier than ours to make which sounded like a terrible excuse given we ordered enchiladas and tacos (simple dishes). We would have appreciated if he just said he forgot to put our order in which is what we think it happened to be honest. Then for our desmay, when food finally came 1h and 10 min later, it was very salty and had very little meat and rice. The food was not good! Waiting all that time to not even have a good meal and getting home late for bed time was very disappointing. I give the 2 stars for their willingness to help our local school which was the reason we went. We wouldn't recommend it. read more

We walked in with 2 grandsons. Got seated right away...next to the kitchen in a booth. We had to wait for the hostess to wipe off the table first. We received the chips & salsa right away (on the wet table). Our waitress took our drink order 10 minutes later returned with them. Ordered our food. Waited awhile for our food mine wasnt hot at all. Asked for ketchup for grandsons ff. I had to ask for my tortillas. Never saw our waitress again. The place has gone downhill. All the dividers between booths were filthy, floor was yucky. The pest control guy came out of the kitchen talking to an employee. Gross!!! wont be going back. read more

We just moved to the area from Chicago and have been on the hunt for a good authentic Mexican restaurant. We've been here twice and the first time we had their quesabirria tacos which were decent. This time that we visited we ordered the queso fundido which should be melted chihuahua cheese with chorizo and served with tortillas, we got watered down white queso with chorizo...ummmm no, just no. I figured since they managed to screw up something so basic, I'd order something traditional and basic. I ordered the 3 steak taco dinner and when my order came out I wasn't sure if it was mine or a 5 year olds who orders their tacos "plain." It was 3 tortillas with the meat on top. I was expecting something better for what the price. Definitely will NOT be going back. The search continues... read more

Jalapenos - Mexican Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

This was alright, its not the best taco's ive ever had, i did enjoy the chips and dip however on the house. The servers were very attentive and friendly. I have been here twice and i dont urges to come here often at all unless im craving for margaritas. It's alright, not the best. read more

Service was fine. Margarita was decent. Food sucked. Salsa was pace. My sister, husband, daughter, and I didn't care for our dishes.

This used to be my favorite Mexican restaurant for there chilie rellenos especially but my last visit there has lost a customer they are in question in being an authentic Mexican restaurant for the simple fact that they can not follow a recipe they completely let me down of business is slow because of there new cooking methods skimping out on ingredients. They gave me a SMALL STRIP of a pepper. And covered it in cheese. I refuse to spend my money to an establishment that thinks its okay to give there customers food like this read more

Jalapenos - That white is a complete Chile relleno they serve - Mexican Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

This is a great place to go to in Peoria for good Mexican food. They have great hot salsa if you ask for it. The pollo yucatan is delicious and there's a skinny version of it as well. I would recommend going on a Sunday because they have free fried ice cream with all meals. read more

Overpriced food and drinks. $4.50 for a miller light bottle, what the heck. Charged us twice for one appetizer. Small portions, so-so food. Not Recommended. read more

My family and I decided to eat here for lunch. We literally ordered our food which was out in less than 5mins and finished in less than 3. The portions were super small. This is the first time EVER I've went to a restaurant and left out still hungry. We wasted $40 this day. I ordered a chimichanga. read more

It was a random lunch out choice yesterday. But very very glad that we went there. They were pretty busy for weekday lunch hour. And that always makes me happy. And most importantly they are very prompt and the food was delicious. Highly recommend this place. read more

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The food is terrific here. Great chips and salsa and the salsa is the best around all the Peoria Mexican restaurants. We love the guacamole which they make table side. The fajita quesadilla with chicken is awesome and so are the tamales and the tacos Al pastor. The service is great and the staff are very friendly and helpful. read more

The best margaritas ever!!! I haven't found a marg yet that is comparable to the ones here.

went out with my family tonight to try this place out. the only reason I am even giving it 1 star is the margaritas were heavy handed. the food was bland and over priced. their white cheese was just that white cheese, no spices whatsoever. I ordered a steak and cheese burrito and basically got a steak fajita with a gross microwaved melted cheese on top. my nephew got a chicken nugget kids meal, I could have gone to Walmart and gotten the same stuff. the nuggets, even tho precooked, they were stuck together and not fried all the way thru. my sister in law basicall paid over 30 dollars for her and one of her kids and me and my girlfriend paid 50 dollars for something I could have gotten at taco bell for less money and more flavor. absolutely never ever going back and unless you like zero flavor in Mexican food, I wouldn't go there. read more

Ordered from Door Dash. Both entrees were incorrect. Called and was hold for 10 minutes. Done.

I visited this place with my Speech and Debate team and they were fantastic. Everybody kept complimenting their food and I have a team of eight Who are all in college. I fed a total of nine people for $120. This place pound for pound could go against anybody in the city of Chicago. I really liked it here if you couldn't tell. LOL read more

I'm in Peoria again for work for next week plus. I ordered from here. Got chicken and beef burritos dinner w rice and beans, cheese. Sour creme. Also appetizer of Mexican chicken egg rolls. The sauce that came with these was excellent as were the egg rolls. Like mini burritos or chimichangas. The burrito dinner was good. Delivery was quick and food was hot and tasty. A very solid meal and reasonably priced. I will go in person in the next week for lunch or dinner to check out the restaurant. read more

I've always been on the fence about this place but this is my first visit since they remodeled so I thought I would review. Met on a Friday (7.50$ 27oz margarita special). Had 3 tacos ($6.50-small and greasy-nothing exceptional) also had the chile relleno at 3.50 and was an ABSOLUTE RIP OFF-was the size of maybe 2 quarters together. Margaritas were nothing special-standard drink. Service was okay although everyone we experienced wasn't the friendliest. Probably wont come back to this location unless someone threatens my life and I am forced to. read more

My wife forced me to come to Jalapenos, I should have listened to the negative reviews. The staff was friendly and fast. The chips and salsa were ok. We both ordered taco's, hers chicken and mine traditional. One bite and I was done, my wife soldiered on and ate hers. Later at home she became sick. I'm not sure how to review this experience we had about a month ago there at Jalapenos except to say. If we could have food stations set up along the Mexican border serving this food we would not need to build a wall. read more

Nicely maintained restaurant. We ate here for lunch one day this week, and the chips were warmed, which some places don't seem to bother with lately. The service and food were good, and the lunch special prices are pretty affordable. read more