Love the decor here that's fun & lively for all to see. I wasn't exactly sure what type of business this was from the outside. We were driving around town looking for sit down Mexican food that was a hard find! Here we were totally satisfied with lots of drink & food options!! We ate some of the best Barbacoa; slow braised, shredded beef-Delicious!! Sides are good & Margaritas are tasty!!! Service is friendly and food comes out quickly. I would definitely recommend eating here! read more

See all

Amazing amazing amazing! We drove for an hour around Naval Station Great Lakes for Mexican and this place delivered for authentic sit down dine in Mexican! Ordered margaritas where you can add your favorite tequila and was so good. Plates of food were huge and very flavorful. Huge menu with Mexican and fish theme...Server was great...friendly with a smile. Try this place....wish this was in Omaha, NE!! Congrats! read more

See all

Been craving seafood and I've always pass by this place so decided to try. We order 2 seafood dishes which I really like. Everything was so delicious. Service was a little slow especially since there was only 3 tables occupied. Will be coming back for sure to try other dishes. read more

La Canoa - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

I wish I would have gotten pictures of the food but the torta were so good. We got two asada tortas and Jamaica waters! The best. Definitely good for the price as well. Service was good. I got the order to go but walked in and the restaurant is big. Lots of space and bar. Not sure how it's like to dine here but I'd definitely go back if in the area read more

I love this place so much, I proposed to my future wife here. The staff were amazing in accommodating us (as I spoke to their management Gamaliel and security in preparations ). After a staged kidnapping, our friends met us in the parking lot (HUGE), I popped the question, and we followed with a water balloon fight :D Memories we will continue to share with generations to come. The food is amazing. Living off Lake Michigan, La Canoa does right on its seafood. The drinks are a bit pricey (but what isn't these days), but damn they're strong and delicious. Each drink feels like a meal in itself; whether poured in a pineapple, or has been flagged with a buffet of shrimp. All the staff are latino af. Solo habla espanol, ellos te tiene. You need to practice you language skills (like me), they're staff are muy amble ('very friendly'). And if you like to party, f*** you're in the right place. Live music, huge dance floor, some nights you might even catch transformer Bumblebee pouring shots. The best part of the facility is the size. The back area is a large dance club. The front to the left more restaurant style, with additional seating. The front to the right 2 bars, one island style, the other traditional (I like the island myself). They have a patio with a beautiful fountain in the front. On a Friday salsa night, it's easy to moving room to room to finding yourself in a new world to reset and vibe on. All the walls are painted with different characters, scenes, animals that are fun to take plenty of photos with. In short, come, drink, eat, dance, make memories. There's not many places like this; and I am proud to say Waukegan has La Canoa. Para Siempre! read more

See all

Came here after work with a few coworkers. Started off with a Michelada with modelo it was really good mix they have. They give you chips, salsa , and fish ceviche when you first sit down. Then we ordered raw oyster it was pretty good but they were kinda small. The salsa that comes with it is very spicy. Then I ordered shrimp ceviche. It was a big plate. It could probably feed 3 people. It had cucumber, onions , and avocado. It was good. I also tried some fried fish my coworker order very taste good crunch. They have a lot of seating inside, big bar area. They always have music playing . The service was good they were always on top of things. They have a big parking lot. read more

La Canoa - a plate of food on a table - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

See all

I have tried 20+ things on the menu and I have never been dissatisfied. The service is always friendly and quick. A good place to go get a bite with one of the most diverse menus I have ever seen. You could eat here 50 times and still not have tried everything. 120/100 read more

La Canoa - 12 tacos. - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

Service varies, but the food and vibes are on point. The photos speak for themselves. read more

La Canoa - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

We ordered 3 taco dinners. It took over 45 minutes. The food was good, just very slow. read more

La Canoa - Taco dinner - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

HORRIBLE. First off our server Andrea A. as shown on the receipt has the worst customer service got our order all wrong as at we let her know she has a bad response. Food was cold and garlic bread was frozen on the inside. Will share this with family and friends. Please don't waste your money here. read more

Carne asada platillo was amazing. Meat was flavorful with just onions and cilantro. Was well worth the money. Chips with fresh ceviche and salsa. Chips could have been more fresh. Service was attentive. Place was clean and well organized. Will be back. read more

Got to check out La Canoa out with my coworker. Have to say the food quality was great. I really like it's and everything seemed very fresh! The ambiance was great I like how everything looked. The service wasn't that great. I would say anyone that wants great food should give La Canoa a try! read more

La Canoa - a salad with avocado and feta cheese - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

My husband got the 7 mares caldo which was delicious! I got carne asada and my steak was tender and cooked perfectly the way I asked for it, tasted amazing! Cool place with cheerful vibes! The beans were meh, guacamole and the rice was great! 8/10 read more

Came to la canoa for my nephews graduation from the navy. T he waitresses are a little rude. They seemed flustered bc it was really busy. They had attitudes. We're very dismissive , the waitress asked our waiter to take back a beer from our table. Instead of explaining to the customer that she was taking the beer back because the person receiving it wasn't carded. She disregards the table and speaks directly to the waiter telling him take it back. Take it now. He literally grabbed it from the persons hand. Started talking about the customer behind the employees only kitchen door. While we heard everything. Extremely unprofessional. read more

Recently went on Saturday. The carne asada was really good and quite a big portion. So well worth the $20. For drinks I got "La toxica" and a tequila sunrise. They were yummy but I do wish they wouldn't forget the garnish. We went on Saturday because a band was supposed to be coming. We were told they would be there at 9 we stayed until 10:30 and they still hadn't arrived so that was a bummer. Their bathroom was quite nice and clean and they had this cute mirror wall that I took a few pictures in. You do have to be patient with service if you go on a weekend because they do tend to get pretty busy so sometimes they might forget one or two things just kindly remind them (hence the plate with a cut orange. since they forgot my garnish) Overall my food and drinks were good. Would definitely go again. read more

See all

We went here for lunch on Friday around 1:00 pm. The food is bland and the meat was not done as requested. Nothing seemed fresh and the waitress was rude. We will not return nor recommend this place. The only thing worth drinking was the sangria. Not a good restaurant. We payed $89.00 for 2 people tip included. Yuk. read more

La Canoa - I asked for a medium steak. This was way overcooked. I didn't eat this. - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

See all

The food is ok, but pricey. The place is nice and decorated very lively. I would go back only for the entertainment and live music.

Food taste like moose ass margaritas were water downed and the service was absolutely awful

They have no chocolate milk. Disgusting I hate this place I was having a bad day and they couldn't give me a glass of chocolate milk. Don't go here. read more

Food that was given to us was old. The drink were good. If this is what Chicago mariscos is about. Than don't come here. It's ass, Valen verga la neta. read more

100 Place is over priced, service is horrible, customer service is horrible & I almost Choked on the bone below in my menudo and staff wouldn't even take it off the bill. Definitely would not recommend this place at all!!!! Took 15-20 mins just to get a drink and wasn't busy at all and the soda itself was disgusting, like the lines we not clean. My grandson who is 5 wouldn't even eat his food because a fly kept flying in his food. DONT EAT HERE! read more

La Canoa - In my menudo - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

Oysters a La Viagra Veracruzano Tilapia Ceviche Tiburon Fillet Shrimp Fajitas Red Snapper Parrillada Grilled Octopus this place The best in town great ambience good service phenomenal food read more

Showed up at 6 Pm .worst service EVER food was worm at best took 40 min to get bill apps Showed up at end of our dinner read more

After a recommendation of the food here, I ordered ceviche for everyone. A large bag arrived with a very strong onion (only) smell that filled the room. The ceviches arrived in large styrofoam containers, with the lime juice spilling everywhere. The food itself was not bad but it does not wow. There are huge chunks and leaves of cilantro and onion which overpowers the rest of the food. It is more an appetizer because it's not filling at all. They also did not include everything you get on the side when you eat in but oh well. I will update it if I ever get to eat in. read more

unforgettable, wonderful experience. Acceptable price, fresh and delicious food, beautiful decoration. Seafood platter for 2 persons is only 40$. Pics attached, shrimps , squids, fish , octopus are all fresh and delicious. Especially, they offer the best seafood fried rice (comparing with key west or Miami seafood fried rice) . read more

La Canoa - Seafood platter for 2 persons $40 - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

See all

Oyster is fresh and well made. Fried red snapper is fresh and well cooked. Hope I have a chance to explore more dishes. Server is friendly and good recommendations. read more

La Canoa - Ostiones al charro negro 6 pieces Oyster with cooked shrimp, tomato, cilantro and avocado - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

See all

Worst experience. Food is just blah (nasty/bland) I would never recommend to someone. I m still trying to understand how do someone make bland Taco with no flavor. Don't want to talk about seafood - negative stars read more

What a cute little find! Needed a place to eat after visiting Six Flags. Interior is super cute, with sea murals all over the walls. Even the chairs and tables have the "under the sea" theme. The only bummer was that there was no air conditioning. Not horrible -it wasn't too bad. They did a pretty good job with temperature control but just a note to those who are heat sensitive. We ordered ceviche (cold) and this cool pineapple stuffed with shrimp (hot). We enjoyed our food very much. They have a huge variety of all sorts of Mexican staples besides seafood (tacos, burritos, tortas, enchiladas etc.) I found the menu selection very impressive. A great find. Excited to bring friends here on our next Six Flags visit! read more

The food was ehh. The rice and beans lacked flavor. The shrimp empanadas were actually pretty good. The steak was made well just not enough of a portion for my likings. I asked for eggs over ez and I received sunny up. Not a huge deal. This chilaquiles we're salty. The waitress was very pretty. Cute smile. The ambiance was wack as fuck! No better way to say it. Nasty flies where all over. I had to move my table cuz they were horrible. If those nasty ass flies would have landed in my food I would have walked out . The cute ass server will be the only reason I would go back. read more

Muy Deliciosa la comida en La Canoa. Food was very delicious at La Canoa aka (Canoe translated). The seafood is very good! We get chips and various salsas + a little bit of ceviche! My favorite! I am a HUGE seafood kind of gal. We had 2 big platters with a bunch of different types of meats. 1 was seafood 1 was steak, chicken and shrimp. The drinks are delicious as well. The decor is very colorful and cute! Gives you that Mexico tropical feel. They have small huts outside with lights. Very nice setting. I also was told they have karaoke at their little bar area on some days. I will definitely be back! read more

We've driven by this cute spot a million times and finally stopped by. It is sooooo cute and colorful! When we arrived at the door we were caught off guard by the dress code because we weren't expecting one. It's only for the bar though; no gym wear type of set up. The menu is extensive, colorful, and has photos of everything. It took us about 15-20 minutes to decide what to drink lol and an additional 15 for our meal. The drink was huge the plates were even bigger. Between our 2 plates we had enough left over for the next day's lunch. Oh I forgot to mention the chips and salsa it's not your ordinary dish. Your given 4 choices of salsa. The ceviche is ooh so good. We have every intention on coming back. Great service, awesome food, and great ambiance read more

See all

I enjoy the atmosphere of this restaurant. This is my sixth time going to this restaurant and the food is really good. The waiter I had was really nice. Always sit down fairly fast and the food don't take long to come out. read more

See all

Clean and family friendly environment! I've been here a few times and the servers are always attentive and courteous. The menu is big...as is normal with Mexican restaurants. However everything we've had has always been plentiful and delicious. It's the first place I've ever encountered a 'rainbow margarita' Check this place out sometime!! read more

La Canoa - Rainbow margarita - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

Decided to try this restaurant because I was in the mood for some ceviche de camarón. They did not disappoint. When I walked in I did not expect the place to be so big on the inside. I also ended up getting a burrito de camarón, but was underwhelmed by the fact that it was soggy due to the tomatoes inside. Other than that, it had decent flavor. My husband had the grilled octopus and it was pretty good. I will be coming back to try some more dishes. read more

Worst experience ever service was horrible food was worse. I don't even know how that place still up and with that kind of service and food. la comida estaba asquerosa el servicio horrible la comida no tiene sabor y muy frito todo . Y tiene tantas meseras y todas no sirve ni una . El único que nos atendió bien fue uno de los meseros pero la verdad no recomiendo el lugar . read more

I loved this place! People can complain about the music being too loud but this is expected of a Mexican restaurant of this style. It was wonderful being here with my family and the waitresses were so nice. We got la perillada mixo (for two) and we were a family of three. We couldn't even finish it! The alcoholic drinks are so worth the price too. Definitely coming back for a girl's night :) read more

La Canoa - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

See all

This place is disgusting. Ants were crawling all over our table and on the wall. The barbacoa taco I had tasted like rotten milk. I hope I don't get sick... I'm so disgusted and pissed off. read more

La Canoa - Seafood Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

Service was very slow not to mention cold air blowing on us the entire meal. Asked waitress to move us and she said she couldn't and that we weren't the only ones that had complained. read more

When I lived in Chicago, my favorite Mexican restaurant was Playa Azul #2 in Uptown. When it closed, I was very sad. Mexican seafood restaurants are not so coomon. The mix of fish and shellfish with the Latin spices and ingredients is a big draw for me. Here's to another local place with a great Mexican seafood selection in my part of the woods! The clientele is about 99% Hispanic, so this is a decent indicator that I've found a gem. I tend to like shellfish like oysters and shrimp. They have dozens of entrees with these items. I was feeling a little randy so I ordered a dozen Oysters a la Viagra which were elaborately dressed raw shellfish with great flavor! I got no tent in my pants from these, but my chest puffed up and I left with a big smile! The Christmas colored chips with a tray of three delicious salsas and a homemade fish ceviche come free while you wait. Please note this. There's a free ceviche appetizer while you wait. That's unprecedented. I love their shrimp, oyster, and octopus cocktails which come in two sizes: plenty and "I dare you." They're happy to let you take the leftovers home. They also feature this giant canoe of fish, "La Canoa" which feeds 4 at least and costs $96. It's crazy. What else is crazy here is the decor. It's like Finding Nemo on acid. The cartoonish walls and bright primary colors on the furniture is wack. Really wack, but fun. I've been back multiple times. It's buzzing on Sunday for brunch. read more

See all

I have been coming up to Waukegan for last 3 years and didn't know about this great mexican restaurant. Seafood selections are awesome and taco is great too. read more