Look, I've been patronizing Mexican joints in Bloomington-Normal since antes de que fuera cool, and…read moreI need to talk about what's happening at Herradura. THE GOOD: The service here operates at quantum speeds. I'm talking food-to-table in approximately 5 minutes. Did they have a DeLorean in the kitchen? Did they start cooking when I pulled into the parking lot? I don't know, but physics was definitely involved. The presentation looked solid--everything arrived hot and reasonably photogenic. THE "WAIT, WHAT?": Friends, we need to discuss the Great Portion Shrinkage of 2026. Herradura has apparently discovered the restaurant industry's worst-kept secret: instead of raising prices a reasonable amount, just slash 10% off the menu and reduce portions by 35%. It's like getting a "discount" on a car, but they removed the back seats and the radio. The chimichangas arrived looking like they'd been on a strict juice cleanse--smaller than expected and committing the cardinal sin of sogginess. These weren't the crispy flavor bombs I remember. They were more like... flavor water balloons? Still edible, but not exactly chimichanga hall-of-fame material. THE CHEESE TAX: Here's where things got personal. I've been a loyal "little extra cheese on the rice" guy for years. Today? Nearly FIVE DOLLARS for what amounts to 4 tablespoons of queso. That's approximately $127 per pound if my mental math is correct (it's not, but you get the point). I've seen cheaper cheese at artisanal farmer's markets run by bearded hipsters in suspenders. The beef tacos were... fine. That's the review. Fine. They existed. They were tacos. Moving on. THE VERDICT: On the Bloomington-Normal Nickel-and-Dime Scale™, Herradura ranks on the lower end, which is actually saying something in this town where inflation is hitting Mexican restaurants like they personally offended the economy. Will I be back? Yes. Will it be soon? No. Next time I'm trying the cheesesteak because apparently I'm a glutton for punishment and also curious if it comes in "fun size" now too. Pro tip: Bring your own cheese. Save $5. Live your best life. Also i turned macro mode on for my camera. Objects look bigger than they appear in person. Atmosphere: 4/5 | Service: 5/5 | Food Quality: 3/5 | Value: 2/5 | Portion Size: 1.5/5

Choritacos (chorizo + another protein) and Dos Equis Amber are principally what I need every once…read morein a while and the lady really is a fan of good steak tacos, beans and rice. We like this place just as much as the more upscale East side joints...and ya know what...it's a bit cheaper and seems to stay pretty busy despite its 'back of the strip mall/behind a tire shop' location. Pretty fast efficient service too all things considered.

Everything was wonderful very good food I recommended very authentic sauce were the best meat cook…read moreto perfection on point

The restaurant is really quaint. The staff are attentive. The food has generous portions and is…read moredelicious. There's plenty of parking.

Absolutely the worst service I've experienced in a very long time. Not overly busy. Several workers…read morewalking around. We sat for over 20 minutes before we asked someone for drinks- then another ten minutes until we asked someone to take our order. A couple behind us didn't wait as long and got up and walked out. Not going back until I hear it's improved. Also, I'm sure they over charged us at the checkout stand - since the guy who did take our order had it on his handheld device and there wasn't a printed check to review. I'm kinda done with this place.

The new building is gorgeous! Parking is a little tight…read more As big Fiesta fans, we were excited to try the new location since they moved across the shopping center. There was not enough staff to assist the busy the dining room on a Saturday night. Our cheese dip sat on the bar for 15 mins and was ice cold. We watched the waiter jam glass margarita glasses into the ice chest - major code violation. 2 of our 3 orders were severely messed up. The waiter took the wrong food from our table and gave it to another table. The waiter tried to correct our food but got it wrong 3 times in a row leading to us just wanting to leave. Hopefully they can work out the kinks but we will prefer to frequent the other locations.

Came all the way from Peoria for take out. Got here with 15 minutes and they tell me they close the…read morekitchen before they close. Not one word about that anywhere in description. So disappointed. At least make that clear and I would have phoned my order ahead!!! Really sucks!!!

First time in Bloomington and needed some tacos for Taco Tuesday. This spot was perfect. The tacos…read morewere flavorful and hit the spot, and the staff couldn't have been friendlier. You can tell it's more than just a restaurant -- it feels like a community space where people are genuinely welcomed. Definitely glad I stopped in, and I'd come back again next time I'm in town.

Ordered from here via Door Dash for the first time. So satisfied with this delicious food!! My new…read morefavorite for delivery for sure!! Prices are average. I'm very pleased they followed my request for no cilantro and no onions. Definitely ordering here again!!

I ordered a chicken torta and was not disappointed. Just be aware that when you order it with…read moreeverything, it gets a bit "juicy" in the center, so make sure you're holding it with both hands

If you think malls are only for memories, you clearly haven't tasted what's sizzling at La Patrona…read moreAuthentic Mexican in Bloomington! From humble food truck roots to the very heart of Eastland Mall, Ruby, Raymundo, and Gloria Flores have cooked up a story--and a menu--that you just can't quit. Atmosphere Walking into Eastland Mall, it's easy to spot La Patrona: the oasis of flavor in a food court that's seen busier days. In an era when storefronts blink out and even COVID tried to close the kitchen, La Patrona dug in its heels--and thank goodness for everyone craving real Mexican food! Drinks Begin with the Pineapple Aghast Frescas. Bright, tropical, and impossibly refreshing, it's the perfect partner for what's to come. Appetizer Don't miss the Nachos with Chorizo! Scoop after scoop, the thick homemade chips never buckle under fresh, melty cheese and spicy sausage. Every bite is a reminder: this is how nachos were meant to be! Main Dishes * Birria Taco: The MVP of the menu, these savory, juicy tacos could draw a crowd in any city--lucky for you, they're right here. * Steak Gordita: Stuffed with tender steak, this gem balances texture and taste, making each bite an event. * Chicken Enchiladas: Rolled to perfection, topped in a signature sauce, with black beans, fluffy Mexican rice, and a bonus side of diced potatoes that warm the heart. The Heartbeat of the Community La Patrona stands tall as the last restaurant in the Eastland Mall food court--a beacon of flavor and resilience. It's not just about surviving but thriving, serving community with every plate. If you love them, let them know: like, comment, share, and review for a chance to win a gift card! It's just another way to support this local hero. Drawing ends 10-3-1025 Keep showing La Patrona the love they've shown you--because every visit is a taste of true hometown spirit!

So I guess this place started as a food truck, and now has sorta graduated, to the food court…read more Neither incarnation was one I ever really sought out. I'm sure I've come across the truck a time or three but don't recall having ever ordered anything. With a taste for birria tacos and an IG reminder that they now have a food stall in Eastland mall, i zipped over at the tail end of lunch hour. Found a great parking spot quickly, had no wait to place the order...and then noticed the menu said birria was only offered on the weekends. D'OH! In all fairness, this was referenced in a previous IG post as well if I bothered to look. As a quick fallback plan I asked if the could make combination tacos with both steak and chorizo on each taco...they said 'Sure'. And even though I wasn't terribly impressed by the seasoning in the steak itself, when combined with the chorizo (and a good smattering of green sauce and a squeeze of lime) it was tasty as hell! A tad pricey ($9) for 2 tacos - which I assume prices for both meats - but they were healthy and it certainly filled me up. I'd also point out that the food court, along with the mall in general, is a predictably depressing and mostly bare bones place these days, with only a Kobe Express stir-fry food stall also still there. It's also apparently a frequent target for vandals, which is even sadder. Perhaps these negatives explain why the business has all but stopped with the social media posts. If you scroll through that history you'll note that they used to try new items (churros/churro bites, elotes, flan), something I thought I might find here around Xmas week, but alas I am thankful that they still offer birria Friday thru Sunday as I should be able to talk the better half into a weekend visit. We'll see if the review needs an update thereafter!

Review Visit: February 23rd, 2016…read more A strange mix of Taco Bell and your traditional Mexican restaurant. When it came to write this post for La Bamba, I had no idea how to tackle it. But, here we go! La Bamba was recommended by my friend Chad. He said he would go out of the way to stop there for some food while out doing family stuff. He said he had a lot of nostalgia for the place from his college days. With his recommendation and his hype, I decided to check it out while exploring Bloomington/Normal. It wasn't too hard to find due to the giant sign on the side of the building. My girlfriend wasn't hyped like I was because I always get excited to try a place that was recommended to me from a close friend. We headed in and were shocked at what La Bamba had inside. First off, the artwork on the walls was hilarious. I hope that was their intent because I couldn't help but chuckle at them as I stood awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant. You can see what I mean below. If they had some cultural or heritage meaning to them and they aren't mean to be funny, I do apologize for my laughing. After I got over that, I noticed there was a sushi bar. Now, of all the things I have been surprised by, this is up there. I'm not a fan of seafood so I was in no way tempted to even try the sushi bar. I am sure the food is good, but just not for me. I was here for some Mexican food. We both ended up ordering one of the combo meals. My choice was the mini burrito with rice, beans and a soda. My girlfriend ordered the cheese quesadilla that came with the same sides. My experience has taught me that a mini portion from a Mexican restaurant is still a massive amount of food and I hoped that La Bamba followed my previous experiences. We snagged a table and waited for our food to come out. So, did La Bamba live up to the hype? No, not in my opinion. The meal ran about $11 after tax and like I expected, the mini burrito was still more than enough to fill me up with the help of the heaping pile of sides. So, for your money, the amount of food is ridiculous. But why didn't it live up to the hype? Everything was dry or tasted like it sat in the warmer for a bit too long. From my experience when that happens, food tends to dry out and lose some of it's flourish, one could say. While it wasn't a struggle to choke down the mediocre food, it wasn't as pleasant as I was hoping. I do acknowledge that maybe we just got some old food as my girlfriend had the same issue with her sides that I had with my entire meal. Perhaps a future visit would yield different results, hopefully tastier than this visit. I could see how some drunk college kids would love this place. It's got some appeal to it that fills that void that being drunk brings with it. From the goofy art on the walls, the random sushi bar, the ability to customize Mexican food in a million combinations, there is some charm to the place. I just think I need to try it again during a busy time so the food is freshly prepared instead of sitting in a warmer all afternoon.

Purchased a 50$ E-Gift card and when I tried to use it in person I was told I cannot, and they…read morecouldn't help me.

Everything was solid to really good. The fajitas for 2 came with a variety of meats, steak,…read morechicken, pork, and shrimp. All were good, but the pork stood out as moist and very tasty. Enjoyed the Guac as well as the complimentary Chips. The guac was creamy and very tasty to me. My wife said it was just ok. The beans and rice were standard, but that's ok. The sever handled the party of 14 with with 5 different checks excellently. Would definitely recommend.

Wife and I always have a good experience here - Great food, good service, very fast and efficient!…read moreHaven't found anything on the menu i didn't like. My wife also has celiac and she hasn't been sick from eating here. 10/10!