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Next Mex

3.6 (134 reviews)

Next Mex Photos

NEXT MEX ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Teremana Margarita And The Salsa Trio
Steve A.

Another one of these hipster Mexican cantinas that are everywhere. I'm not complaining about it. Next Mex is the go to place for Mexican American in Lemont. Has new takes on old favorites. The prices on a few things are high but there's happy hour and specials too. Came in with the crew to watch a game. It had a drink special going on. They had a margarita made with The Rock's tequila, Teremana. It was $9 for a pretty good pour. This was so good I hit the Rock Bottom of the glass quick. It's made by putting The People's Tequila into a mixer. Then take a lime, get yourself a big one. Shine it up real good. Turn that son of a bitch sideways. Stick it up your candy ass. Then squeeze some juice into the tequila and shake. Food was pretty good but there weren't many vegetarian choices. The best of these is the Salsa Trio. It's $4 for a nice sampler of a few. The salsas are avocado-tomatillo, chile de arbol, and one of the chef's selection. All of these had mild spice and weren't too hot. The chips were crispy and tasty on their own but these of course are even better with these house made salsas. Has lots of good drinks and good Mexican American food. It has mostly good prices. There's often specials as well so look out for those.

Silverware!
Julie O.

Next Mex is modern Mexican. Very cool. Nice patio. Street parking. We arrived and while there were table available, we waited for quite a while to be seated because they ran out of silverware. Staffing issues are all over but this was a new one. No worries though, it was a nice night out and time went quickly. The bartenders were great. Drink recommendations were spot on! They knew the menu and were fun to interact with. The hostess ended up being our server. She was a Jack of all trades and worked hard to make sure things got done. Queso appetizer with brisket was great. Tacos were super good too. We look forward to trying Next Mex again in the future, hopefully when staffing is better.

President margarita
Mark K.

We arrived early (6:20) for date night. The service (Nick) was very nice and accommodating. Started with a couple of house margaritas (a little limey) very nice flavor and very potent. Get an Uber if your having more than 2! Chips and salsa brought to the table upon meeting our server. Very fresh chips, not oily. Salsa was flavorful and not too spicy. Absolutely love the fact that you can order individual tacos so you can mix and match. I'm a beef guy. Wife likes the pork. (Didn't try the fish) All of the tacos were delicious. I was a little disappointed that my side (beans and rice) wasn't hot. (That cost them the 5th star). Nick was attentive- not obtrusive. . Had 2 more drinks (that's the limit- deal with the big guy) Wife had a skinny margarita- EXTREMELY LIME FORWARD!!! She wasn't a fan they took it back - did ask why (not accusatory) and replaced it with another delicious house margarita (light ice and salt) I had a presidential- wasn't sure of the grapefruit vibe. But loved it!! Should have taken an Uber!!! We left after about an hour. The place had a cool vibe and low hum of ambiance. Casual atmosphere very good food (work on the sides!) Delicious drinks. We'll be back and hoping for a 5!! Parking- the street is a VEERY NARROW 2 way!! Be careful. I came at it from the east which made parking a breeze. Also a garage on the street to the N. This place is off the beaten path of Lemont's Main Street. Worth the stop

Steak chimichanga
Samantha S.

First time here. Right away parking was right in front and super easy. They have a very nice patio with a lot of space. Their wifi was down so there was no music, but it was still a nice ambiance, everyone was nicely spread out. Our server Julian was very informative and funny, made our experience there that much better. I was happy to see a frozen prickly pear margarita because you don't find that flavor in the Midwest that often. It's my favorite flavor to get in Arizona! For appetizers Julian recommended the chicken rollitos, filled with chicken, black beans, corn, etc I would compare them to egg rolls. These rollitos are a must try ...boy are they good. A good portion as well, you get 4 but they are big and filling. We also tried out the bacon wrapped shrimp, comes in an order of 5. They were the perfect size and the bacon was cooked nice and crispy. Moving to entrees, my boyfriend and I split the steak chimichanga with melted cheese on top. Julian was able to give us both a verde sauce as well as a spiced red. I skipped an entree for myself to save room for the fruity pebble fried ice cream... and wow worth it. Flavor, texture and portion size was awesome .. I would say the size of a softball. I will def be back and if you are in the area check it out; you won't be disappointed. If Julian is there, ask for him, he will make sure to give you the best experience!

Birria special and fries
Elisa E.

First- timers and surprisingly impressed! We came here because they have outdoor seating. We had to wait for a table but we were fine with walking around downtown. We got a call when our table was ready! I was excited to try a specialty margarita. I was disappointed with the drink. However, the night continued and we were highly impressed with the food! I loved the fish tacos! We wish the birria special was served with more birria sauce because it is delicious! Definitely looking forward to visiting again!

Patty M.

Quick lunch on Saturday with family. It's nice and close to our house. We had some steak tacos, tacos salad and margaritas. Everything is great. We will go back!

Brisket burrito

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2 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you so much!

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

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5 years ago

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Jess C.

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3 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you!

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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Jess C.

Hi, thank you so much for your kind words. We really appreciate it!

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5 years ago

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Jess C.

Hi Katie, thank you for your feedback!

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2 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you Lynn!

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2 years ago

Handled table of 9 very well, very yummy food. Decor inside was very welcoming and incredibly spacious.

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Jess C.

Thank you so much!

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5 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you for your feedback Bailey! We appreciate your kind words!

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4 years ago

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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Jess C.

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4 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you Patty!

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you so much Rich!

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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Jess C.

Awesome to hear! We're so happy you enjoyed everything!

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4 years ago

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6 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you Robert! We appreciate your feedback!

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6 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you so much Glenn! We hope to see you soon!

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8 years ago

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Jess C.

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8 years ago

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4 years ago

I've given this place many chances but everything I have tried is terrible. Great outdoor patio area though.

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8 years ago

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3 years ago

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6 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you so much for the review! We hope to see you soon!

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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Jess C.

Thank you for the great review! It was a pleasure meeting you guys!

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5 years ago

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Jess C.

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5 years ago

Bland. No flavor. Not authentic. Carne asada entree is a small piece of steak and rice. No lettuce, pico, guac, nothing. Waste of money

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

We love this place so much. The Best food and best bartenders! We love Lauren. Try the naked margarita!

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Jess C.

Thank you Diana!

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Ask the Community - Next Mex

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4.4(522 reviews)
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My family and I were in the mood for some good pizza, and Wooden Paddle definitely delivered! The…read morepepperonly and Grandma's Pie were absolutely fantastic! The atmosphere, both inside and outside, was electric! Great vibes, everyone having a good time, and just an awesome place to hang out. We had a 6:30 reservation, were seated promptly, and the service was on point from start to finish. We kicked things off with the Brussels sprouts, the delicious bread and butter, and Haute wings. All three were outstanding, but those hot wings are an absolute must-try! Between the amazing food, great service, and lively atmosphere, Wooden Paddle checks all the boxes. Definitely a gem in Lemont! We'll absolutely be back! Nice work WP!!

First, we should note that this restaurant in 2024 felt nearly opposite to its current state in…read more2026. We enjoyed it so much in 2024 that we chose it to cater our wedding in 2025. As a treat, we traveled from Evanston to mark our anniversary by returning to the site that served our special day. We are unsure what shifted here. Service fell short of the 2024 standard, and we sat in a nearly empty room. After ordering drinks and appetizers, we waited a long time; the appetizers arrived first. The server returned for entrees, which we ordered, though only one of us had a drink by then. Our second drink appeared nearly 15-20 minutes after we arrived. Our entrée had already reached the table by this time. Regarding food, the pizza remained excellent. The new polenta pops were impressive. We had the pork belly in 2024, so sampling the updated version was pleasant. Meanwhile, the balsamic skirt steak declined. We recall adding it last minute for our wedding in 2024 because we loved it during the tasting; that was not true this time--it felt lacking, and I am unsure what changed. Overall, while we love this place, it will be a long time before we travel here again. Something changed over those two years, and it is not the same restaurant that catered our wedding. We hope things change for the better, since it holds such a special place in our life.

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The Phoenix Kitchen - The Salmon

The Phoenix Kitchen

4.3(119 reviews)
6.6 mi

I love their weekly menu but they also add new items to regular menu!!! I had 2 new items this time…read moreand both were delish. The crepe on weekly special was perfect size for me to enjoy another dish, their new smoked carrots... wooooow!!! I usually sit at the bar... Roo, Lynda, Jilian, everyone is wonderful... like eating at your BFFs house so can't say better than that for service. You can come in with your company group, family, or by yourself and you'll be sure to enjoy a friendly smile giggle or chat with someone. Check out their daily specials, they're not happy hour... it's the whole evening! Delish ingredients, unique combinations to your palette, amazing crafted drinks, a nice wine menu. Fun dinner, working and eating dinner, or romantic... come visit!

Disclaimer: I won't even pretend I know what I am talking about. Take this review with two grains…read moreof salt, and add one of them to the food. I had the opportunity to try the Pork Belly 'little snacks', Oysters Rockefeller, Smoked Prime Rib (Fri/Sat Special), as well as the Raspberry No-hito (non-alc) and the Smoked Old Fashioned. The Oysters Rockefeller were phenomenal. While I typically take my oysters raw, I am glad I ventured out of my comfort zone on this one. While the oysters themselves were a little on the smaller side, the sauce was savory, creamy, and all around excellent. I also love how they were baked in their wood-fired over, bestowing not only delectable browning, but also a little bit of smoke (this will be a common theme, just you wait!). One word of caution: the bed of salt makes it easy for a few extra sprinkles to make it into the oyster, making it considerably salty. Next come the Pork Belly snacks. These were cooked perfectly, with the meat tender and the fat rendered ideally. They weren't completely melt-in-your-mouth, but this isn't a complaint. I believe these too were cooked in the over or over the fire, as opposed to whatever preparation makes pork belly so soft it might as well melt in a pan. Also enjoyable was the Red Pepper Jelly. I was expecting something similar to the jarred stuff I have in the fridge, but was instead pleasantly surprised with a lightly sweet and hot, seemingly house-made pepper jelly. Before continuing, I have to once again admit that I can't speak authoritatively, and make no claim that my thoughts originate in the mind of greatness. The Smoked Prime Rib is where I must be less of a raving fan. I want to give credit where credit is due: this is a big, honking piece of meat! I also want to recognize that it is just about the smokiest steak I've ever had, similar to a top-notch BBQ joint. With the help of the smoke, I cannot deny it was a tasty piece of meat! However, I have three complaints. First, I requested it medium-rare; this felt like something between a medium-rare and a medium. Second, the jury is still out on the fat content. The marbling did not feel incredible, and the very large bits of untrimmed fat felt unnecessary in my opinion. Finally, there is the matter of seasoning, as the steak felt under-salted. Given that the horseradish sauce gave the opportunity to add a new dimension of flavor, but salt is the magic that helps elevate everything. This dish also came with Brussels sprouts and smashed potatoes. The potatoes were cooked and seasoned well. The sprouts, however, fell short of the mark for me. For them to go from good to great would need a little more fat and salt. Good news is that there is plenty more food to go around! The drinks, the service, and the vibe. For beverages, I ordered a Raspberry No-jito (non-alcoholic) and a Smoked Old Fashioned. The No-jito was done very well; it was minty, refreshing, a little tart, and not overpoweringly sweet. The Old Fashioned was hands-down phenomenal. Not only was the use of smoke great to add smoothness, but the quality of ingredients and their balance were all top-notch. The kind of drink that takes me back to the decade ago when I reached drinking age and fell in love with Old Fashioneds. Next, we have the service. The bar-servers were all extremely welcoming, attentive, professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. Points also for the manager/owner checking in to see how I was going and if I was happy with everything. Mega points for all the food coming out quickly and with appropriate timing. Real talk: having eaten at Smyth, while their team is great, they could learn a thing or two from the service team here. Regarding the vibe, which is modern and upscale without being stuffy. The kind of spot where I'd love to spend a few hours with friends, a date, or alone. While the prices are a little on the high side, given the price of everything, and especially beef, I think the value is on the high side of fair. Final verdict: The Phoenix Kitchen delivers excellence with their staff, vibe, drinks, and most of their food. While the steak fell a little short for me, this could be a one-time fluke, or a matter of preference and/or ignorance. While Homer Glen is a bit out of the way, and this isn't *quite* a destination, I'd happily return, and give it my recommendation.

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Tallgrass Restaurant - French Toast

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4.1(124 reviews)
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ultimate date night hidden gem in Illinois? Welcome to Tallgrass in Lockport, where we started the…read morenight by clinking these insanely rich espresso martinis next to a platter of warm, fluffy, sea-salted focaccia bread. Next, we dove into a velvety, deeply savory tomato soup topped with a perfect crunch, immediately followed by the most creative amuse-bouche I've ever seen--savory mousse inside miniature waffle cones! For the entrees, the pan-seared scallops over a creamy sweet corn purée completely melted in our mouth, while the flaky Mediterranean white fish with capers and olives delivered a massive burst of fresh flavor. We paired it all with a side of crispy, pillow-soft gnocchi tossed in fresh pesto and blistered tomatoes. Finally, we wrapped up with a second round of craft cocktails and dove straight into dessert heaven: a perfectly cracked sweet corn crème brûlée topped with popcorn and fresh blueberries, alongside a stunning, layered raspberry and cream mille-feuille.

What a beautiful, upscale dining option in the south suburbs! Tallgrass's restaurant mixes the…read morehistoric charm of downtown lockport with an elegant interior. The restaurant itself feels very intimate and exclusive because of its size. The drinks menu has something for everyone where the food menu focuses on specialty items you can't find at most other restaurants in the area. For cocktails, I highly recommend their martini service. I got both the French Martini and Espresso Martini and thoroughly enjoyed them both! My SIL also got the Vesper Martini which was surprisingly amazing. All had a unique flavor profile, spirit forward, but also balanced well. My husband also got the TG Bees Knees which was delicious. For food, we started with the Baked Feta. This came with four warm pieces of bread to pair with the warm feta and sauce. For entrees, our waitress said the most popular dishes were the Duck and Seasonal Catch. My husband ordered the Pan Roasted Duck and enjoyed the tenderness and flavor. I ordered the Ravioli Au Dauphine which was served as a sheet. I enjoyed the filling flavor mixed with the sauce and cheese topping. It was the perfect winter pasta. My brother and SIL shared the Pork Belly Confit and Pan Seared Scallops. All dishes came out with a beautiful presentation. Across the board the portions seemed a bit small but you could taste the freshness and quality of the ingredients they used. Gabby waited on our table and was such a joy. She was smiling always, made some great recommendations, gave us a good laugh at times, and was kind to take our photo to savor the night. I definitely enjoyed my experience at Tallgrass and it truly was the perfect dinner spot to splurge with.

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Next Mex - tex-mex - Updated November 2026

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