Absolutely delicious foodie experience here!! I can see why the Michelin accolades are well-deserved for this place! Greeted with colorful decorations, we went inside with empty tummies and excited, bright eyes in anticipation for this foodie experience that we've heard about. Fighting the unpredictable delays of the bus route here, we were already frustrated, but the food here lightened up our moods for sure. Service was quick and attentive. While food took a bit longer because it was busy, it was worth it. Now, for the part we are all waiting for (myself included), the fooood!! The server came with chips and a tasty bean salsa with a light mild kick at the end. For drinks, we ordered the nonalcoholic mocktail with fruity flavors and tamarindo juice. For food, we ordered the cornbread mole dish, green chile pork tamale, and the tlayuda Oaxacan dish with chorizo. The cornbread dish was flavorful with a mole that is hard to forget in depth and attention, like one's first love. absolutely recommend the perfectly cooked cornbread with mole on top. Now, my favorite is actually the pork green chile tamale wrapped in banana leaves that added flavors to a tamale kept moist. The tlayuda Oaxacan chorizo dish is basically open faced flat tacos with cheese, tomato, avocado, and chorizo, with a side of red and green salsa for it. Chorizo is flavorful as well! Absolutely recommend trying this place, and make your reservation in advance. Also keep in mind that they have two locations! read more

We came here around 5pm on a Saturday and were seated immediately on the patio. They had no tables available inside because I think they leave it for reservations, unless you are okay waiting a long time. I was fine sitting outside, except the tables were very close together because it is a small area on the sidewalk. Service was a little slow but they were definitely busy. To drink, I ordered a cocktail off their specials menu and it was delicious!! It had mezcal, honey infused with chile, lime, and rosemary. I also tried the tejate, which is a 3,500 year old drink and it was just a bit too strong/bitter for me but my bf really liked it. They brought out chips and black bean dip after we ordered. To start, we got the tamales flight, which comes with mushroom, pork, and chicken tamales. I loved the chicken and pork tamales the most--they were sooo good. I'd probably just get the tamales next time for myself so I don't have to share lol. Warning: they come out super hot and I burnt my tongue. I also got the chicken tostadas and three was a bit too much for me to eat alone, so I'd recommend those to share. For dessert we got the tres leches cake which was really tiny but good. Overall everything was really delicious! read more

Walked in during the tail end of happy hour and was seated immediately. Service was quick, everyone is super friendly and attentive. Food was next level. The flavor profiles seem so "regular" but that was no ordinary Mole sauce. Omg. And the drinks weren't bad either! Music playing and everyone talking, and it's still not "loud", which I appreciate. And not to mention the family next to me was raving about the enchiladas which come in a cast iron skillet btw. I was jealous. Will definitely be back! read more

Kie Gol Lanee - (Veggie) Tostadas and the mole nachos with asada. Mezcal tamarind margarita - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My Husband and I had dinner here for the first time last night. We were not disappointed. The staff is very friendly and even though they were busy they accommodated everyone. Our server made numerous suggestions for drinks and appetizers. My Husband had the lamb shank which he said was excellent and I had the Cameron's à la Diablo. The dish had a number of large shrimp and was serve served with avocado and rice. My only complaint was I found it a bit salty. They're Uptown location is not far from where we live so I'm sure we will be back. My suggestion is make reservations as they seem to get very busy. read more

Have heard great things about Kie Gol Lanee and was excited to stop by for their brunch restaurant week menu. The champurrado was spot on and traditional. I had the chorizo tlayuda which I haven't tried anywhere and appreciated the freshness complimenting the dish. I finished off with the Tres Leches French toast that was soft, custard like sweetness. Everyone was welcoming and ensured your experience was as comfortable as possible. Will definitely be back for dinner! read more

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Had some closer to authentic Mexican food. It has a pretty ironic location. Kie Gol Lanee is found among the many Asian restaurants in Uptown. At least it adds some variety to the area. The portions are kind of small for the big prices. Coming here the first time it was crazy. It's not a big place so it's always packed. There were a few tables outside thankfully. Has a few things not commonly seen on a lot of menus. There's much beyond just the burritos and tacos. It's about $13 for a margarita. That's pretty common prices around it seems. Of course you can't go to a Mexican restaurant and not order any. We got a couple including the Skinny Watermelon Margarita. As for the food it's kind of authentic. It's about $9 for the Hongos Oaxacan Tamales. Actually wrapped in a corn husk. The rest of the menu has meaty items like steak. Great place for experiencing other cultures. It's located close to the Argyle CTA station. They're closed Tuesdays. read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Skinny Watermelon Margarita And Hongos Oaxacan Tamales - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is amazing!! Quaint and authentic. Incredible food with the sweetest staff. A true gem read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Brunch!! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow! What great food. The service was outstanding too. We ate inside but the street side patio looked really nice too. We had always heard the food from Oaxaca was some of the best in all of Mexico. If this is an example, I would agree. We started with a flight of tamales. The first bite was amazing. Each tamale with its own filling and mole, red, yellow, and green. The chicken tamale was my first bite and it was stunningly good. My wife loved the vegetarian one, and my son liked the pork best. We followed that with the stuffed deep-fried squash blossoms. And again everyone loved these we ordered two of them for three of us, which turned out to be just the right amount. We also had the vegetarian Tlayudas (a sort of quesadilla like dish), then came the Barbacoa Barrergo (lamb shank). This was another OMG moment, super tender, delicious mole, simply wonderful! Our main dishes wrapped up with the Pescato en Hoja Santa, a delicious Barrera fillet wrapped in sacred leaf. Mixed in, we had various beverages that included Mezcal and all of them were wonderful too. The Brunn, with prickly pear was my favorite. We ended with a slice of Tres leches and some flan. A sweet finish to a wonderful meal. We will definitely be back again. read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Our order/bill - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I cannot rave enough about Kie Gol Lanee! It was my first time trying Oaxacan food and it won't be my last, as I'll definitely be back. I had the Cecina Tlayuda, and I've never had beef that was so perfectly seasoned, spiced and tender. The service made the experience all the more special, as Maria was so kind and helpful during our entire meal. I cannot wait to try their brunch and outdoor seating, it looked very cute. read more

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Always a good experience and we make sure to go every time we are in town! Service is always warm and attentive and the decor makes you feel like you are part of a family dinner. We always get the pork chop and the Chapulines because they are delicious and fun! This time we tried the tamales which were some of the best we've had. Also ordered some specials including the pork ribs in a Pinot sauce and the fish tacos. Highly recommend both! Drinks and dessert were also great, loved the touch of mint with the mango nicuatole de temporada. Can't wait until the next time we are visiting Chicago! read more

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Brunch at Kie Gol Lanee is out of this world! Their menu consists of a perfect blend of sweet dishes and savory. Our group split an order of the tres leches French toast to start. I would return just for that! The dish is topped with fresh berries and kiwis. The juices are also fresh squeezed. Both the orange and strawberry guava are great. They offer mimosas (and bottomless mimosas) made with either. The space itself is a bit small, so I'd recommend making a reservation to ensure you get in. read more

We came for brunch and it was alright. Horchata- was really good and flavorful Refried beans with chips- also very delicious Chicken tamale- was just okay, very one dimensional and soggy; not my favorite way to eat tamale Plantains- so disappointing. Such an easy thing to get right but it didn't taste great to me but my partner liked it. My dining partners enjoyed their meals. We've also been here for dinner and it was good but this brunch was disappointing for me. The service was slow, long waiting to see our server for most of the service however our server was pleasant when he was around. read more

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Make a reservation! This place has some of the best food I've eaten in the city in a while. Worth its price. A little long of a wait on the service but nothing deal breaking. Plan to chat between courses! Super cute vibe! Great cocktails and desserts as well! read more

I wanted to love this place. Really. The vibes? Great. The outdoor patio? Lovely. Service? Super friendly, shoutout to our waitress for her thoughtful recs. But the food? Sadly... it didn't land. Now, to be fair, we are still debating a second visit. Maybe we just ordered wrong, the tlayuda could've been a fluke. Here's what we tried: Ceviche de Camarón - 8.5/10 Fresh, balanced, and solid overall. No complaints here. But also? Not something I'd daydream about or have a full-blown craving meltdown over. Just a good, well-executed ceviche. Arrachera Tlayuda - 2/10 Didn't get a pic, but imagine a big tostada topped with a pretty bland salad, a sprinkle of cheese, and maybe two slivers of steak. The steak was chewy... like, really chewy... and for $28? Sorry, but even my cat would still be hungry. This one stung extra hard because it was so hyped up. Desserts: Tres Leches - 7.5/10 A solid version, and positively less sweet compared to others I've had in the city. Moist, light, perhaps 3rd best I've had in Chicago but doesn't compare at all to others I have had in my lifetime. Nicuatole - 6/10 To preface I love flan. This was cool. Kind of like flan's earthier, spiced cousin. Custard texture with some unexpected depth. Worth trying if you're curious, but not a must-have. Final Thoughts: Loved the space, loved the service, but the food didn't quite back it up. We might return to give the rest of the menu a fair shot, but as of now? It's giving more style than substance. read more

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Came for dinner on Mother's Day. The front room on the main level was bright and cherry, but we were sat upstairs in the back room where it is much more dimly lit. The dining chairs were oddly high for the standard height tables but we were able to fit. The drink list was long with good variety. I really enjoyed my Brunn margarita. The tamarind margarita and strawberry guava margarita were also good. The same strawberry guava base forms the NA juice we got the kids - it had a thicker smoothie texture and was delicious. The drinks were probably my favorite part of the meal. Tostadas were solid though not mind-blowing. The oaxacan pizza we interesting - I hadn't tried something like this before so it's a cool cross between a tostada and an open-faced burrito. There were many unique dishes on the menu - things you don't normally see at Mexican restaurants - like quail and rabbit. I opted for the snapper wrapped in plantain leaf. It was ok - I would have preferred there to be no skin on the fish. The bell peppers and oyster mushrooms made for a weird combo, and I felt the flavor of the peppers got lost when steamed so long with the fish. One thing that stood out in a bad way was the incredibly slow service. Our server seemed attentive to all the other tables around us, but we waited forever for our food to come, and we had to ask 5 times for our chips to be refilled before she finally remembered. This ended up being a 2.5 hour meal!! I'd probably give them another try if I'm in the area but I'm not sure this place is worth traveling for. read more

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We loved the easy access and street parking, a great start to a delicious meal at Kie Gol Lanee! This was our first time eating Oaxacan food and we enjoyed the different flavors and appreciated all of the house made ingredients. The restaurant feels intimate; however, offers additional seating in the rear for larger parties. Arrive early for tasty happy hour bites and great deals on cocktails and beer. Standouts were the quesadillas with grilled zucchini on their house made tortillas, the black beans and guacamole. Everything was delicious and we will definitely go back and try the tamales and Mezcal varieties! read more

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Food: very rich and spiced, portions are super big. Can be spicy if you want it. The horchata is one of the best I have tasted in Chi Service: very friendly, all spoke Spanish Ambience: family, date, friends and solo friendly. It feels like a mom and pop shop but nicely decorated and very clean. read more

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Walking into Kie‑Gol‑Lanee feels like stepping into a warm corner of Oaxaca in the heart of Chicago's Uptown. It's a restaurant with heart: rooted in family, tradition, and regional specificity, yet open and welcoming to a broader audience. If you enter with an open palate and a curiosity for Oaxaca, you're likely to leave impressed, sated, and already planning your next visit. read more

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I was wondering how do you serve a fancier version of a cuisine known best for its street food delicacies. I'm happy to share that Kie Gol Lanee delivered! Brought my in-laws here for brunch on a Saturday and we had a wonderful server, several vegetarian (with eggs) options to choose from, and enjoyed all the dishes we ordered. In fact, we even had leftovers though we ordered 2 dishes per 3 people (party of 6). The ambiance is cute and festive too. The drinks were their own weak point - kind of missing in strength of flavors as described. My rose flavor drink really didn't taste much of rose. The hot chocolate was too rich and thick to "drink". Plenty of street parking in the area. read more

Food was very Oaxacan (have been there), drinks were excellent, especially the selection of mezcals, and service was outstanding. Nice fairly quiet patio off Diversey. read more

They have this fish special in banana leaves that is just awesome. It's usually cod, and was better when it was snapper, but is still darn good. And lamb shanks. And...and...still haven't tried the tlayudas. I really like the women who run the place, too. It's a small immigrant run family business that deserves the success it has had. read more

I forgot what was going on that day but I was in the mood to take myself out for a lil meal and I am very happy that I chose Kie Gol Lanee, this Oaxacan place that has been in Uptown for a bit now. The vibes inside are really cozy, so it's a lovely place for a nice meal, date, treat, etc. The service was also really nice and it was just a nourishing meal. I ordered the huitlacoche quesadilla and Mexican champurrado, both which were good especially on a colder day. I didn't plan to get dessert but they have nicuatole, which I personally have not seen on a menu before so I looked it up and decided I really wanted to try it. Plus the flavors change seasonally, which I love. The one I got was soooo delicious and my favorite / star of the meal. Definitely recommend coming here just to try it. I also enjoyed the complimentary chips and cozy dip they bring you to start your meal. Lovely neighborhood place. read more

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This place is so cute and the food is so good! I went there for dinner once and came back for restaurant week brunch! Service is really good! Highly recommend! Their mole is 10/10 read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Tamales divorciados 10000/10 - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My husband and I treated ourselves to the $60 Restaurant Week menu. It was such a great way to try a lot of the menu. We are both vegetarians and felt there were more than enough options to suit our tastes. We started with the house margaritas in tamarind and strawberry/guava. Both came with a partial chamoy rim (delicious). The tamarind is less sweet in case you happen to have a preference. We liked both equally. Our drinks also came with complimentary chips and beans. For the appetizer course, we got the Ensalada De Nopales and a Tamal (hongos). The salad was fresh and zippy while the tamal was rich. It was nice to have them together. For our mains, we has the Enchiladas De Mole Rojo. Our waitress let us know it could be made vegetarian if you go the veggies only route. So. Good. The mole was just perfect and flavorful. Lastly, for dessert, we got the Flan and the Nicuatole. They were fairly similar but both were really good. I slightly preferred the flan but I'd always choose flan. And, of course, the atmosphere is so nice. Even with a full dining area, it never got loud or felt overcrowded in the upper area towards the back. On top of that, our waitress was really attentive the whole meal. 10/10 read more

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Went here in a Saturday around lunch in a cold Chicago weekend so it was empty for the most part. Arrived at 1200. Had the Chips for free and food in the pic. The cod was great. Need was better. Flan was so so to me (but I'm not a fan). It was tasty and not too sweet. Return ? YES ! Bill without drinks ? 100 ish. read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Flan - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you're looking for a more unique Mexican spot this is a good option! This was my first time having oaxacan food. We've been for both brunch and dinner and have enjoyed it both times. A really good spot for my husband (gluten free) since there are a lot of corn options. We went with our 2 yo daughter for brunch and it was good for kids too! Love the tamales. read more

Had a bloody mary and breakfast plate of Huaraches Oaxaquerenos. Excellent choice, but more food than I was prepared for. read more

Kie Gol Lanee has to be one of the best restaurants in Uptown! I absolutely loved their day of the dead decor - the restaurant is just so cozy and colorful. Tried some drinks this time and thought the tamarind margarita with mezcal was the best. Wasn't overly sweet and had a perfect amount of smokiness. I ordered the Cornish hen with mole and appreciated that they were willing to substitute the rice for veggies. The mole was delicious and the hen was incredibly tender. 10/10! read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Blessed to have Kie-Gol-Lanee (Quiegolani) as my first Oaxacan food experience. I tried their tacos at the Argyle night fair like 6 years ago and have been drooling since. This summer I went to the restaurant twice and.... WOW it's SO SO good! They offer a variety of delicious tlayudas, tamales and tostadas. Their Puerco En Mole Verde (green mole pork) Tamal Oaxaqueño was to dieee for, as was the Barbacoa De Borrego (lamb shank). Super fresh & tender meats! Recent standouts were off the specials menu- the Watermelon Margarita was a super light, refreshing start to the meal. I also tried the Gazpacho: veggie-rich and perfectly savory!!! And then the star of the show (which I ordered at both my recent visits) was the Quesadilla de Huitlacoche, made w corn truffle (aka corn smut aka corn fungus, a delicacy truly) and homemade blue corn tortillas. Total game-changing dish- she's creamy, she's umami, the tortilla texture is thick and perfect.... Obsessed. The staff is smiley and accommodating. And the food is 10/10. No wonder they're Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Winners ;) Wishing them the best with their recent Logan Square location opening! read more

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Terrible quality/management. Avoid. Came here for a second time after being very underwhelmed on my first visit. (Cornish hen). The prices didn't match the quality/ingredients of the food. This time around filled me with regret. Ihad the barbacoa de borrego at the suggestion of the server. Mashed potatoes had to be from a box, they were so watery and had that wet Pringles texture. The "salad" was a handful of the worst part of a bag of mixed greens ran under some water. Lamb itself tasted fine, but hunger is the best spice, and I only had a few bites as I lost all trust after seeing the shortcuts they're taking with everything else. I couldn't believe their website credited them with 5 bib gourmand awards. The food was asstastic, but the service was good, and the ambiance was nice. Please improve. read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Barbacoa de borrego - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow, what an exceptional place their mole sauce enchiladas are fantastic and the service was outstanding. This is a must go type of place

We've been going to Kie-Gol-Lanee since the week they opened about 8 years ago. From the beginning, we knew it was something special and wavered between wanting to tell everyone about it and keeping it secret as long as possible. The secret is definitely out now. I have never had anything that was not completely amazing here. And I've had a lot of stuff. Every single time, we're sure to order the ceviche tostadas. Even when they were take-out only in 2020, we'd regularly go pick up little buckets of their ceviche. None better anywhere. The chuletas de puerco is also a favorite. It's a hefty pork chop stuffed with Oaxacan cheese and chorizo. Yes. Pork stuffed with more pork. It's big enough to share or take home half for an insane lunch the next day. All the tlayudas are delicious. I recommend the cecina for a particularly Oaxacan flavor profile. Know that the cracker-like corn tortilla is a unique texture. It will not be like tortillas you get at most Mexican restaurants. Quail: rich and tender. Sopa del mar: Utterly decadent. This place knows everything worth knowing about seafood. Garnacha: Full of flavor and satisfying. Tamales: Oh my God! So good! Lovely servers, every single time. If you've only been here for brunch, you really need to get there for dinner to see it shine. It's a good idea to go relatively early for dinner. You'll want to take your time with all this amazing food, and this place gets busy. I'm so happy for their success and just about as happy for my dinner options. read more

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Excellent Oaxaca Mexican food. Appetizers were all fantastic, but especially the garnacha and corn. I hadn't had garnacha before but it was my favorite item we ordered. Though the cecina tlayuda is a close second, the beef's flavor was incredible. Coffee at the end had some kind of cinnamon/spice to it, which was an unexpected nice touch. Excited to come back here sooner than later. read more

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I LOVE THIS PLACE!! The food is all fresh and every item we had was great. The service is special as well. Ate at the Uptown location.

First time here. The food, service, drinks & ambiance scream of authenticity, warmth and deliciousness. We tried each tamale, the Cornish hen, rabbit and steak entrees. YUM!! Cannot wait to dine here again! read more

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Wish I had gone to this place when it was BYOB cause I would have lit them up! Mike and Louise, owners of The Hopleaf, had mentioned this restaurant over the years as an amazing BYOB place to have a wonderful meal. We always talked about meeting up there, but it never happened until recently when the four of us met up for dinner. The restaurant is located right next to Big Chick's. Honestly I go down this street all the time and I swear I never saw this joint....possibly due to the speeds I travel at and me not looking away from the road. The restaurant itself is cozy and hey do not take reservations, although I guess they use to back in the day. This was my first time having Mexican food from the state of Oaxacan and I must say I loved it. I wasn't sure what to expect but must say I was surprised when I got the menu and saw that there was wild boar as a dish! Can't I have had that before at your standard Mexican restaurants. We started with an order of guacamole, which is required if I am going to eat Mexican food. Have to say the price was right as of late I have paid as much as $15 for guac at half the serving size. Pretty decent flavor, although I know people think you can't mess up guacamole. Trust me, I have had bad guac and this was good. We were also given a black bean dip with dips to nosh on. I myself like to use tortilla chips to dip into my refried bean, so this was perfect for me. My main course was the wild boar. I know his is not a standard meat on most menus at any restaurant, but I love his meat and to have it prepared in a Mexican style was just peachy. The meat was tender and was served with rice and beans. It was more spicy than I am use to, so the guac came in handy to help cool down the heat. Louise got a fish special that was wrapped in plantain leaves. The fish was cooked well, but too spicy for me and did not come with rice and beans. Mike got the BBQ lamb shank....I will be getting that next time I go. The shank was of a nice size and slid off the bone. Again, no rice or beans, which I would need to fully enjoy this. The Doctor is a creature of habit and stuck with the tacos. Gotta say that they looked very good and he confirmed that the steak was cooked nicely and have good flavor. A second visit to this fine establishment saw me chowing down on the stuffed pork chops (oaxacan cheese and chorizo). This did come with rice ad beans and was delish! I totally meant to get the lamb shank the next time I was here but the heart wants what the heart wants....pork! The Queen got the tamales....full disclosure, these are just tamales only, wrapped in leaves with no sides. However they were very good, Again, I need rice and beans and would have to get that as a side if I order these. They have bubbles on the menu, so that is a plus as it helps with cutting down on the heat from the spicy stuff. Margaritas are good and are of a decent size. So many places are serving them in rocks glasses, so it is nice to see someone serving them in real margarita glasses There is also quail and stewed rabbit on the menu as well as brunch, and I must check that out, so I see many visits in my future at this place. read more

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Amazing little Mexican restaurant in Uptown Chicago. We arrived at lunchtime and being greeted and seated immediately. Waiter explained the food on the menu, especially because I void everything spicy, and he suggested the green sauce on the Chicken Enchiladas, and it was delicious and not spicy. So thank you! Margarita was very good! Although, I could have many more, I only had one! My daughter's choice of food was also delicious. Service was excellent! Very friendly and attentive staff. It was a Saturday and we could have had brunch but we were very happy with our individual choices. Next time we'll try something different and make sure we will be back for brunch. The place is very tiny but very comfortable, cozy. read more

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Food was absolutely amazing, I got the enchiladas de mole and having had those in Mexico before, why do I like these more ?!?! I'm also someone who isn't the biggest fan of flan but after having theirs, I'm considering converting. Only downside was the fried cheese idk it didn't come out hot so I'm indifferent to it (I wouldn't get it). Service & ambiance were perfect. Servers were very attendant and friendly. read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A cute Oxacan spot in Uptown. I thoroughly enjoyed my Chicken Mole Tamale. I loved how thin the casing was. It was also filled with tender chicken in some of the most flavorful mole sauce I've had! I also tried their Rabbit dish which was also tender, came with a side of tasty rice and fresh tortillas as well. read more

Kie Gol Lanee - Rabbit - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kie-Gol-Lanee Uptown location Superb Oaxaca cuisine, authentic flavors and traditional dishes prepared from top quality fresh ingredients. The three types of mole are phenomenal; some of the best I've ever tasted. Keeping within the Oaxaca cuisine, they have a wide variety of dishes that will delight everyone. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. The traditional decor is charming and adds to the warmth of the experience. This was our third visit and we will keep coming back! read more