Hard to know the hours to this place in Harvard since it can be unexpectedly closed. It took a few tries to get in. La Cocina De Emma is one of the authentic Mexican restaurants in town. Barely looks big enough to be a restaurant to be honest. The place has more of a homeliness to it, which can be charming if wanting to focus on the good meal. Any decent Mexican restaurant should have margaritas as well as free chips. It's about $9 for the cheapest margaritas. These have several flavors including classic lime, as well as mango and strawberry. Maybe these aren't too strong, but there's enough to get a buzz. The food has typical favorites like tacos, and because it's authentic there's also tortas. It's about $12 for a burrito. These are pretty big and packed full of stuff. Lots of fajita vegetables and especially great with jalapeños. These can be made vegetarian by not getting meat. If wanting meat though, you have choices. There's beef, chicken, chorizo, pork, steak, and tongue. Check the hours before going. It often closes for private parties. These often happen on weekends. read more

La Cocina de Emma - Lime Margarita And Vegetarian Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Harvard, Illinois

This was our first time there and found it to be a fun little place to go. The food was wonderful, the service was friendly and attentive. Give this place a try, either eating in or take out. It's a very authentic place to go to. read more

Came to Harvard for a wedding, craving some tacos. I ordered the Queso Birria special, and husband ordered the steak taco dinner on Corn tortillas. Everything was amazing! We talked to the owner and found out they relocated from Belmon Cragin neighborhood in Chicago. Cannot go wrong with the food here. The Margaritas are humongous. Chips and salsa immediately dispensed at the table. Food was so good, I want to drive the 1 1/2 hours from chicago just to go back. Small and cozy, probably only 10 tabletops, but don't let that fool you. If you stop in Harvard for any reason, stop here for the food. You won't be disappointed. read more

I had a burrito de carne Asada and it was solid, though the red and green salsa both didn't pack a whole lot of flavor. The rice was meh, the beans were good. The horchata was sweet and pretty good. The taco de lengua was decent, could've gone better with a better tasting salsa. The price was average, paid about $25 after tax for the burrito, taco, rice and beans along with a big horchata read more

I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant. It might be small, but if you are going there for a great authentic meal, this is the place. Yes, you have several choices of restaurants in the area, but if you are wondering which one to choose, La Cocina de Emma will not disappoint. The service was excellent, by Christina, the Margarita's were awesome and the food was delicious. Thank you La Cocina de Emma for a great dining experience. We will definitely be back soon. read more

Muy delicioso y fresco. The salsa, the food: tacos, chilequilles, and quesadillas were amazing. Service was perfect.

The food is delicious, and the service is friendly. The shrimp tacos and the guacamole are my favorites. My husband likes the Fajitas.

Love eating here!! Outstanding food at reasonable prices and the nicest people working here. They even gave me margaritas to go!! My wife loves her burrito with beans, cheese, sour cream and rice. I love their chicken burrito- it's big and so delicious. I'm not a fan of their el pastor however; it was more like barbecue pulled pork ? Chicken tacos and chorizo tacos are amazing. Use the red salsa - just the right spice for gringos like me. Excellent horchata- not watered down. Definitely try this place!! read more

Un lugar completamente autentico de comida mexicana, todo sabia a que fue hecho el mismo día, fresco y delicioso. Me encanto el agua de horchata, aquí la hacen desde cero, la recomiendo bastante. Fuimos atendidos pronto y los empleados son muy amigables. No recuerdo la ultima vez que tuve tan buena comida mexicana. read more

They have really stepped up their game! Great customer service, wonderful rice.. I can't get enough of this restaurant! They also have amazing salsa-and their own take on mild sauce! lOVE this gem! Will be back again. read more

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I have been a customer since they opened, even getting their catering for parties, and the last two times I ordered from them they got the order wrong, overcharged, didn't want to make it right and hung up on us when we called them to talk about it. I am unfortunately done with them. read more

Me an my family come here at least once every couple of weeks for some authentic Mexican food. It is probably my favorite Mexican restaurant. My mother always gets mole enchiladas (chicken) which sometimes can be a bit dry, but they are very flavorful. Their fajitas, to do die for. Their Guacamole is also very balanced in flavors and it is made fresh, as is everything else. The service is excellent and the owners and workers are so kind and attentive, but no overbearing. Also the prices are very affordable for the food you get. They price their food the way food should be priced. Say you pay $10 for a burrito, you get a $10 burrito. I guarantee if you eat here you will not be disappointed. read more

Very nice atmosphere, not over done. Staff was very friendly, and very helpful in describing their unique menu items. Meats served were well trimmed and well prepared. Our group of three shared two menu items and we still left with a take away box. The horchata itself is worth the stop. The best we have ever tasted. This restaurant is a gem and worth going out of your way to find and dine-in. This will be a new regular place for us. Excellent spot! read more

Out visiting family from Chicago. This place is a gem. Good quality meat n great flavor. Cocktails and beer. Can't beat it!

Acceptable Mexican. Good rice and beans, chips and pico for the table. Cheese enchilada was cold/unmelted cheese inside. Red sauce was tasty. Big chicken burrito was tasty but needed a sauce to make it less dry. read more

La Cocina de Emma - Inside looking at the front door. - Mexican Near Me - Harvard, Illinois

this place is amazing! we came in to get tortas but the waitress recommended the birria. it's not on their normal menu but on a specials menu on the wall. the birria was so amazing and so was the consume. it had amazing flavor and the meat was juicy and soft. so good. i highly recommend read more

Food was okay. Nothing special, I ordered guacamole and it came pretty much after we finished eating. The service was beyond slow. We asked for refills in our drinks. They never came I had to go to the counter and get them ourselves. I'll never go back again. read more

Best place to eat at in Harvard, IL. Very fast and the food was just really good! The rice is soft and the beans with cheese sprinkled on top is just a plus. I had the Camarones a la Plancha and they even added cheese on those for me! read more

The food is always good and very authentic! This family owned and run restaurant provides exceptional food service that keeps us coming back! The seating is comfy and clean and very welcoming. Harvard is very lucky to have La Cocina Emma as a wonderful addition! read more

Awesome food homemade and fresh, my quest for the best pezoli soup brought me in today as I have never had it here, but it was very good was not a green one or red more of a broth with tons of flavor, I will definitely come back for pezoli again, everything I have had here is fresh, good and reasonably priced. read more

La Cocina de Emma - a bowl of soup with meat and vegetables - Mexican Near Me - Harvard, Illinois

By far the best steak tacos and guacamole I've had in a very long time! I've been here a few times now, steak torta is also amazing. Definitely worth trying if you're in the area! read more

Such a homey feel, with amazing quality food for a good price! The horchata is to die for, and their burritos are so filling and tasty.

Some of the best Mexican food I have had, very friendly atmosphere and very clean!! Would recommend to any one in the Harvard area to stop in and try you will not be disappointed. read more

This is the best place for tacos, fresh guacamole, and any Mexican dish in the Fox! Will always come back here:-)