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Great Mexican food! I had the Steak Tampiqueña, and it was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The guacamole was fresh and delicious, the chips were served warm, and the salsa had just the right amount of heat. They also have a wide variety of mojito flavors to choose from. I tried the passion fruit. Everything excellent. Felt like I was in Mexico - but you know safer for Americans
La Catina Grill holds a special place for me. I've been coming here on and off for about 15 years, and it's honestly comforting to see that they're still around. It's one of those places that brings back a lot of good memories. The margaritas have always been a favorite, and the food has consistently been solid over the years. Prices have definitely increased, but that's everywhere these days, and knowing how tough it is for restaurants right now just makes me appreciate this place even more. On my most recent visit, I had a great taco salad and a sparkling passion fruit punch with a split of prosecco. It was delicious and felt like a little throwback treat. La Catina Grill still delivers, and I'll happily keep coming back.
I stopped in here on a busy Saturday night and was happy that some seats opened up at the bar as we were deciding whether to get takeout or wait for a table (an hour wait since we did not have reservations). The service was decent given how packed it was. I had the chips and guacamole (excellent) and the vegan chorizo burrito (banger!!). They also brought us complementary chips and salsa. I don't know if they do that for everyone or just those seated at the bar. Regardless, we had a great time and left stuffed. The crowd that night was borderline unruly and rude, perhaps as a byproduct of the huge margaritas and Saturday night fever? I'd like to go back sometime when it's not quite as busy. Their vegan offerings are extensive, so there are many more treats to try next time.
I really hesitate to call La Cantina a "hole in the wall." It was nicer than that, service was better, etc. But it has the feel and the really excellent, authentic-tasting food that you often expect from a hole in the wall joint. I was really impressed with the freshness of the food! We ended up getting a couple of appetizers including the guacamole and a fried cheese, but the chips and salsa alone were superb! The salsa was delicious with just enough heat. Then came the tacos. So many tacos! And all with their own ingredients, flavors, and personality. Finally, the desserts; we ended up getting sopailla and churros. Both came with ice cream and chocolate and you can't go wrong there. So good! La Cantina also makes a great margarita! Service was prompt and helpful. Décor was colorful, broken in, and comfortable. I'm nothing but happy to have ended up here for dinner during my stay.
This place was PACKED on a random Thursday night at 6pm... I was shocked! A bustling restaurant with a bar area! They get you started with complimentary chips and salsa. Salsa had a nice kick to it, and chips were nicely salted and crispy!! The mini chimichangas were half filled with al pastor and half with steak. They did put pineapples in the filling, so if you're a fan of salty and sweet, you would enjoy this. The cilantro lime guac topping was delicious! The steak and shrimp fajitas were huge! The steak was slightly overcooked, and there were only a few shrimp pieces. Veggies were good, but so much compared to protein. The guac was addicting, and pico de gallo was fresh! The chicken tacos came with rice and beans on the side, and I loved that they came with shredded cabbage and a hearty serving of 3 tacos. I definitely want to come again to try their cheese appetizer that was lit on fire!
This place is excellent! From the moment we stepped in, we felt welcomed--Denver was our server, and he was absolutely fantastic. He walked us through the menu, shared some great recommendations, and really made the experience memorable. The entire staff was super friendly and attentive. The cocktails were a standout. They offer a daily cocktail special, which is such a fun touch. That night's drink was the Grapefruit Margarita--yum! It was refreshing and perfectly balanced, not too sweet. The Malibu Mango Martini was another hit--delicious and a little on the sweeter side. For appetizers, we tried the Mexican Ceviche and the Coctel De Camarones. The portions were huge, and both dishes were so fresh and flavorful--you could easily make a meal out of either. The highlight of the night was the Zamora. The steak was cooked to perfection (medium) and was so tender and flavorful--it's a must-try. The Pollo En Salsa Verde was also excellent, with moist chicken and a nice kick of spice. To top it all off, we ended the evening with Sopapillas and Flan. Holy smokes--those desserts! You simply cannot leave without trying them.
Till this day, I am dreaming about the fish taco here. Food is simple yet delicious. Interesting menus, would go back definitely! Service is questionable. But the fish tacos were absolutely outstanding!
Monday evening @ 6 pm. Seated promptly. Chips and yummy salsa brought immediately. Service was amazing! Waiter was very friendly and attentive. We were celebrating a birthday, and he brought out a beautiful order of sopapillas for dessert. Food was delicious. I had a chicken burrito suiza. It was huge! Served with beans, rice, and a small green salad with pico. Hubby had steak tacos on flour tortillas (hard shell corn also available). Huge portion --tons of tender perfectly cooked steak. Also served with rice and beans. Daughter had vegan chimichanga with chorizo. FYI--there is a full vegan menu. Cute place. Phenomenal service. Delicious food. Reasonably priced. ($70 for 3 people) Highly recommend!
They say 3rd times a charm. Ordered this Mexican grill restaurant today since it's so close to where I stay. This location is not a top choice for my family. I try to order more than once to give a balanced review. Here it goes! The food appears fresh when we order carrot and/or delivery. 1st experience: I ordered delivery for lunch which was chicken chimichangas and fries. I was not a fan of the chicken - it was dry and bland but I was thankful to have condiments to add to it such as sour cream, guacamole, etc. 2nd experience: my family and I ordered chicken fajitas for dinner. Chicken was much better. Vegetables were plentiful and slightly undercooked. The crunch to the veggies were fine but too hard for a fajita. But it was more than enough to fulfill. 3rd experience: I ordered Quesabirrias which sounded like a good option. The portion seemed more like an appetizer for $19.00. The tacos were small in size for that price. It's advertised online like it comes with sides. My husband insisted on ordering at the restaurant and the order was rang up to sub for fries instead of rice and beans. Once we got the order, we were then informed - this item was new and no side is included in the price. To provide enough food for the night - we ordered a Steak Quesadilla with beans and rice. The price for the (2) orders of quesabirria were $38. Never again especially since this isn't a high class restaurant. The service here has always been amazing. If that's what you are into then this is your spot. Staff is very kind and welcoming. The environment is very comfortable, I wish the food was better to host group meetups. I would recommend this restaurant as a plan B for food. I haven't had the drinks yet.
For a small, off-the-beaten-path little establishment, they serve up a good meal in a lively atmosphere. I got a steak quesadilla which was well-filled with the steak. It was also really well seasoned and didn't even really need the sour cream or guacamole on the side (which each costs $1.95 for a small dipping cup - ouch). For the price of the quesadilla itself, it was very well worth the value on its own. My service up to getting my food was super fast, and then it took quite a while to get the bill. I appreciate not feeling rushed, but I had been done eating for like 20 minutes before I was even able to flag down my server for the check. This was also a Friday night so I can see the staff being busy, but I can also see how they might want to rotate through getting more people served over the course of the night.
Came in here as a party of 4 on a Thursday night. Luckily we only waited about 10 minutes, but the place was packed. It is about a 8-minute walk from Wintrust arena where we were coming from. Service was amazing. Danny was our server and he was the coolest. He took time to explain everything, and didnt miss a beat. Very friendly and personable, even though it was super busy. Food was great!! I got 3 tacos (2 steak tinga and a shrimp). Delicious! My friends got vegan nachos and a veggie quesadilla. Nobody had food left. Vegans!!! There is a whole section just for you. And my friends said it was good!! Stop by after a game, or if you're in the area. Ask for Danny!
Love that they have a student menu! Definitely recommend checking that out if you're a student. You get a great amount of food for around $11. Service was good, only time it was slow was after the gave us the check - I think it was because there was an influx of people coming in for dinner right as we had finished our meal and were given the check. As for ambiance, the inside is dimly lit in a cozy, intimate way. The tables have white tablecloths on them and an additional disposable cloth on top for easy cleanup. A electric candle is placed on each table. There was a healthy amount of people inside when we came in, and even more when we left. The food itself was pretty good. My friend got the shrimp tacos, I got the enchiladas, and my brother got the chicken in mole. My brother's chicken mole dish was the best - it had the most flavor/spice. My enchiladas were alright but I definitely wish it had more spice/a more punchy flavor but I understand not everyone wants that. The complimentary chips and salsa were delicious and the salsa had the slightest kick that added a lot to it.
28 days ago
Was walking on South Michigan avenue after watching a concert at South Asian Institute on Saturday evening. Spotted La Cantina Grill and sat on their side walk extension. The slight breeze of September evening on Michigan was an experience. The ambiance was truly Mexican. Ordered Guacamole for starters with their fresh hot corn chips - amazing guacamole, one of the finest, fresh with Jalepeneo sprinkled on top. This was a meal itself. Ordered their shrimp & veggi soup. Wow, this was amazing, see the picture. No words can do justice to the flavor, the aroma - this was a full meal itself. Service was OK, since this was a slow paced evening joint. Had ordered empanadas as the main dish - but did not have any space left to eat - so had it boxed as takeaway, but it did not taste anything at home. However, the shrimp soup was out of this world, will go there anytime again. read more
2 months ago
We dipped into this place for a quick lunch. It's a nice place, full bar. The servers were very nice and pleasant. They weren't busy, just 2 other tables. The food came out very quick. I ordered the ground beef burrito, which came with rice, beans and like a guac and tomato mix. The burrito was huge, it could have been shared between two people. But it was very, very good. read more
3 months ago
Great Mexican food! I had the Steak Tampiqueña, and it was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The guacamole was fresh and delicious, the chips were served warm, and the salsa had just the right amount of heat. They also have a wide variety of mojito flavors to choose from. I tried the passion fruit. Everything excellent. Felt like I was in Mexico - but you know safer for Americans read more
La Catina Grill holds a special place for me. I've been coming here on and off for about 15 years, and it's honestly comforting to see that they're still around. It's one of those places that brings back a lot of good memories. The margaritas have always been a favorite, and the food has consistently been solid over the years. Prices have definitely increased, but that's everywhere these days, and knowing how tough it is for restaurants right now just makes me appreciate this place even more. On my most recent visit, I had a great taco salad and a sparkling passion fruit punch with a split of prosecco. It was delicious and felt like a little throwback treat. La Catina Grill still delivers, and I'll happily keep coming back. read more
I stopped in here on a busy Saturday night and was happy that some seats opened up at the bar as we were deciding whether to get takeout or wait for a table (an hour wait since we did not have reservations). The service was decent given how packed it was. I had the chips and guacamole (excellent) and the vegan chorizo burrito (banger!!). They also brought us complementary chips and salsa. I don't know if they do that for everyone or just those seated at the bar. Regardless, we had a great time and left stuffed. The crowd that night was borderline unruly and rude, perhaps as a byproduct of the huge margaritas and Saturday night fever? I'd like to go back sometime when it's not quite as busy. Their vegan offerings are extensive, so there are many more treats to try next time. read more
I really hesitate to call La Cantina a "hole in the wall." It was nicer than that, service was better, etc. But it has the feel and the really excellent, authentic-tasting food that you often expect from a hole in the wall joint. I was really impressed with the freshness of the food! We ended up getting a couple of appetizers including the guacamole and a fried cheese, but the chips and salsa alone were superb! The salsa was delicious with just enough heat. Then came the tacos. So many tacos! And all with their own ingredients, flavors, and personality. Finally, the desserts; we ended up getting sopailla and churros. Both came with ice cream and chocolate and you can't go wrong there. So good! La Cantina also makes a great margarita! Service was prompt and helpful. Décor was colorful, broken in, and comfortable. I'm nothing but happy to have ended up here for dinner during my stay. read more
5 months ago
1 month ago
1 year ago
This place was PACKED on a random Thursday night at 6pm... I was shocked! A bustling restaurant with a bar area! They get you started with complimentary chips and salsa. Salsa had a nice kick to it, and chips were nicely salted and crispy!! The mini chimichangas were half filled with al pastor and half with steak. They did put pineapples in the filling, so if you're a fan of salty and sweet, you would enjoy this. The cilantro lime guac topping was delicious! The steak and shrimp fajitas were huge! The steak was slightly overcooked, and there were only a few shrimp pieces. Veggies were good, but so much compared to protein. The guac was addicting, and pico de gallo was fresh! The chicken tacos came with rice and beans on the side, and I loved that they came with shredded cabbage and a hearty serving of 3 tacos. I definitely want to come again to try their cheese appetizer that was lit on fire! read more
This place is excellent! From the moment we stepped in, we felt welcomed--Denver was our server, and he was absolutely fantastic. He walked us through the menu, shared some great recommendations, and really made the experience memorable. The entire staff was super friendly and attentive. The cocktails were a standout. They offer a daily cocktail special, which is such a fun touch. That night's drink was the Grapefruit Margarita--yum! It was refreshing and perfectly balanced, not too sweet. The Malibu Mango Martini was another hit--delicious and a little on the sweeter side. For appetizers, we tried the Mexican Ceviche and the Coctel De Camarones. The portions were huge, and both dishes were so fresh and flavorful--you could easily make a meal out of either. The highlight of the night was the Zamora. The steak was cooked to perfection (medium) and was so tender and flavorful--it's a must-try. The Pollo En Salsa Verde was also excellent, with moist chicken and a nice kick of spice. To top it all off, we ended the evening with Sopapillas and Flan. Holy smokes--those desserts! You simply cannot leave without trying them. read more
Monday evening @ 6 pm. Seated promptly. Chips and yummy salsa brought immediately. Service was amazing! Waiter was very friendly and attentive. We were celebrating a birthday, and he brought out a beautiful order of sopapillas for dessert. Food was delicious. I had a chicken burrito suiza. It was huge! Served with beans, rice, and a small green salad with pico. Hubby had steak tacos on flour tortillas (hard shell corn also available). Huge portion --tons of tender perfectly cooked steak. Also served with rice and beans. Daughter had vegan chimichanga with chorizo. FYI--there is a full vegan menu. Cute place. Phenomenal service. Delicious food. Reasonably priced. ($70 for 3 people) Highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
They say 3rd times a charm. Ordered this Mexican grill restaurant today since it's so close to where I stay. This location is not a top choice for my family. I try to order more than once to give a balanced review. Here it goes! The food appears fresh when we order carrot and/or delivery. 1st experience: I ordered delivery for lunch which was chicken chimichangas and fries. I was not a fan of the chicken - it was dry and bland but I was thankful to have condiments to add to it such as sour cream, guacamole, etc. 2nd experience: my family and I ordered chicken fajitas for dinner. Chicken was much better. Vegetables were plentiful and slightly undercooked. The crunch to the veggies were fine but too hard for a fajita. But it was more than enough to fulfill. 3rd experience: I ordered Quesabirrias which sounded like a good option. The portion seemed more like an appetizer for $19.00. The tacos were small in size for that price. It's advertised online like it comes with sides. My husband insisted on ordering at the restaurant and the order was rang up to sub for fries instead of rice and beans. Once we got the order, we were then informed - this item was new and no side is included in the price. To provide enough food for the night - we ordered a Steak Quesadilla with beans and rice. The price for the (2) orders of quesabirria were $38. Never again especially since this isn't a high class restaurant. The service here has always been amazing. If that's what you are into then this is your spot. Staff is very kind and welcoming. The environment is very comfortable, I wish the food was better to host group meetups. I would recommend this restaurant as a plan B for food. I haven't had the drinks yet. read more
For a small, off-the-beaten-path little establishment, they serve up a good meal in a lively atmosphere. I got a steak quesadilla which was well-filled with the steak. It was also really well seasoned and didn't even really need the sour cream or guacamole on the side (which each costs $1.95 for a small dipping cup - ouch). For the price of the quesadilla itself, it was very well worth the value on its own. My service up to getting my food was super fast, and then it took quite a while to get the bill. I appreciate not feeling rushed, but I had been done eating for like 20 minutes before I was even able to flag down my server for the check. This was also a Friday night so I can see the staff being busy, but I can also see how they might want to rotate through getting more people served over the course of the night. read more
2 months ago
11 months ago
2 months ago
Came in here as a party of 4 on a Thursday night. Luckily we only waited about 10 minutes, but the place was packed. It is about a 8-minute walk from Wintrust arena where we were coming from. Service was amazing. Danny was our server and he was the coolest. He took time to explain everything, and didnt miss a beat. Very friendly and personable, even though it was super busy. Food was great!! I got 3 tacos (2 steak tinga and a shrimp). Delicious! My friends got vegan nachos and a veggie quesadilla. Nobody had food left. Vegans!!! There is a whole section just for you. And my friends said it was good!! Stop by after a game, or if you're in the area. Ask for Danny! read more
4 months ago
3 years ago
Love that they have a student menu! Definitely recommend checking that out if you're a student. You get a great amount of food for around $11. Service was good, only time it was slow was after the gave us the check - I think it was because there was an influx of people coming in for dinner right as we had finished our meal and were given the check. As for ambiance, the inside is dimly lit in a cozy, intimate way. The tables have white tablecloths on them and an additional disposable cloth on top for easy cleanup. A electric candle is placed on each table. There was a healthy amount of people inside when we came in, and even more when we left. The food itself was pretty good. My friend got the shrimp tacos, I got the enchiladas, and my brother got the chicken in mole. My brother's chicken mole dish was the best - it had the most flavor/spice. My enchiladas were alright but I definitely wish it had more spice/a more punchy flavor but I understand not everyone wants that. The complimentary chips and salsa were delicious and the salsa had the slightest kick that added a lot to it. read more
3 years ago
Stopped by La Cantina Grill with my bestie for an impromptu lunch. This was her recommendation after eating here once before. It was a great choice for food. Everything was fresh, seasoned and very tasty. The shrimp were large and my friend thought the guacamole was amazing. I definitely thought it was tasty but missing red onions. Chipotle forever steals my heart with the Guac lol It looked like another popular dish was the quesadillas. I don't eat dairy but I saw at least one of these platters on everyone's table. The drinks also tasted delicious but they weren't strong at all. I asked for an extra shot and I still barely tasted the liquor. Service was nice. She checked in often and made sure we were satisfied and had everything we needed. The decor was cool. This is a quaint colorful space decorated with traditional Mexican art. There is a bar up front as soon as you walk in and a small seating area outside. read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
The Best Mexican restaurant in Chicago!! I love how they have an extensive vegan menu and they list what products they use! The chips were fresh and hot when we got them. I got the frozen passion fruit margarita and shrimp chimichanga. Came here on a Sunday and got a chance to sit at the bar and catch the bears game too. read more
1 year ago
My family took me here for my birthday and needless to say it was the first time I had authentic Mexican food since leaving Cali. Danny our server was amazing, we ordered a decent amount of food, and everything was served correctly. I will definitely be back. read more
La Cantina Grill had pretty bomb drinks for great prices. We ordered the frozen margaritas mango and strawberry drinks. Spanish restaurants always seemed to have the BEST margaritas. This place is Near China Town. The vibe was crazy! Packed out with no seating inside and was seated outside. Which was fine less crowded and more intimate just a bit, lol. Server named was Danny was pretty cool. Definitely a hot spot for the locals. Check em out! read more
Seated fairly quickly and the waitress was really nice. Food is delicious so no complaints about my service and food. But I didn't fully enjoy it because it was just awfully loud inside the restaurant. I feel like because it's a long narrow and tall room, the noise echos. I could barely hear my friend while they were only 4 ft from me. It was also pretty dim and I'm by no means in the geriatric population but even I had a hard time seeing the menu. Lastly, why is there no horchata or queso? I thought this is a Mexican restaurant? read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Blown away by the vegan selection here! I would say the best vegan Mexican food I have had here in Chicago. We ordered the vegan nachos, the vegan asada burrito, and the vegan enchiladas with mole sauce. All were incredible and are HUGE portions. Delicious flavor on all food. Fast service! Our food came out quickly and our server was kind and efficient. The other diners that joined us enjoyed their non-vegan food as well! We were seated immediately. The restaurant was clean. We came on a Friday night and it was pretty loud inside, but that's okay! We will return. read more
3 years ago
A tint I'm in the mood for Mexican food I slide on over to La Cantina. The vibe is always right. I never have to wait to be seated. Staff are very prompt with acknowledging you and getting you to your table. Everyone I have ever encounter had been very pleasant while serving me. And food comes out rather quickly. I tired something new today and was rather happy with it. I may have found my new favorite entree read more
First time relishing the delicious fresh hot sizzling steak fajitas meal with plentiful sides of guacamole, fried beans, and rice. Kicked off with tasty perfect million dollar margarita & warm crispy chips and salsa. Staff was very friendly professional and efficient. Can we say press repeat?? read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
Lovvvve that it's in the neighborhood; a south loop gem. They never fail to make a solid, fresh and boozy margarita ! Daily drink specials and very casual atmosphere. We tried the brunch on a chill, Sunday morning and enjoyed the experience. Loved the Paloma and fresh strawberry juice for my mimosa! Good for groups, family's and a date! Service is always good! read more
1 year ago
I've come to La Cantina Grill a few times, and usually, the food is spot on. This last time I went, the food just didn't hit the same, but it was still good. We got mini chimichangas, regular chimichanga, mole veggie enchiladas, and veggie fajitas, and all of them were good. I also got the stuffed quesadillas, but they messed up our order twice, which was frustrating. The staff was super apologetic about it and fixed it, but it just took so long for them to get it right. The restaurant is pretty small and gets very loud during prime lunch and dinner times - I'd recommend making a reservation! I'll be back since the food is excellent, but not during prime time! read more
A true gem! The restaurant has soo many green flags that I recommend it to everyone! (currently craving their chimichanga ) 1. Free parking in front of restaurant and neighboring streets 2. Amazing flavorful food- so many options 3. A variety of vegetarian options and a whole VEGAN menu (they have uptons meats, vegan cheese, sour cream, etc) 4. They have a student and senior discount! (A whole meal for $10) 5. Perfect for families or larger parties or date nights! read more
Nice staff, clean restaurant, and ok food, would sum up this place. Now 3/5 seems low, but it's an average rating. The food just lacked that special sauce that leaves you entirely satisfied. Portions were large, which was nice Decor-bright colors and Mexican paintings adorn this place. Lots of tvs to watch sporting events. Service-good, friendly staff. Food-decent food, large portions. Carne asada burrito was big and packed with meat. The meat was too peppery, that is the only seasoning I tasted. read more
Came here on a whim and had a decent experience. The only reason for the low rating was the poor service - we had to ask our waiter multiple times for water and to take our order. However, the food wasn't bad - they have an extensive menu. The Chimichangas were yummy and the chips and salsa given were tasty as well. I think the shining star though was the *strong* Pineapple Margarita - perfect for a hot summer day. If I lived in the area I think I would be a regular but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. read more
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More info about La Cantina Grill
1911 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
Prairie District, Near Southside
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(312) 842-1911
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http://www.lacantinagrill.com
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