Back in Chicagoland for the last time this year, had a craving for Mexican food since Mrs. Burgerdogboy has been on a cooking strike lately and she makes some fine Mexican platos.
I was out in the NW burbs, some areas of which are increasingly populated with people of various Latin heritages, and mercados and taquerias are popping up like pop-ups.
Not wanting to cause confusion among any potential customers, one entrepreneur labeled his restaurant as plain as plain could be: “Algonquin Mexican Restaurant.” (AMR)
With tables that will accommodate thirty and a counter with room for eight more, the AMR serves breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday with hours from 10A – 8 PM. They were doing a brisk take-out business, but I was in the mood to be waited on, so I took a seat a booth looking out at the Algonquin intersection at the corners of “Road Construction” and “Needs Road Construction.” The gajillion dollar downtown bypass appears that it will take another generation of work before it is actually finished, and from where I sit, will do little do alleviate the REAL area traffic problems, which are East – West, while the bypass is north-south. DOH!
The menu is straight forward and straight Mexican. Order ala carte or a plate which includes beans and rice. (Me and the Mrs were forever spoiled by the refried beans in Aberdeen, WA one day). Turns out tho that these were pretty tasty. I wish I had ordered an additional side of them. (The ones in Aberdeen were so tasty we ate two orders at the table and got an order to go).
Polished off the complimentary chips and pico, and then I ordered three tacos, chorizo, shredded beef, and ground beef. Chicken, steak, pork, and pork skin were other options. No tongue here. I thoroughly enjoyed the tacos, even tho I had them with the gringo flour tortilla. They come loaded with lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. A second “filling” option is straight chopped onion and cilantro. Should have tried that.
In order of favorites – chorizo one, then shredded beef, and lastly ground beef. The accompanying rice was nothing to write home (or here about) so i won’t. I rarely eat rice as a side anymore. Can’t say why and sure you don’t care.
Circumstances were such that I spent a fair amount of time in Mexico this year, and of course few places North of the border can match local street food in Juarez or TJ, just like after living in China I was spoiled to consuming that type of food in the US.
But in any case, if you happen to be driving around the NW burbs, or live in Algonquin, Dundee, Lake in the Hills or Crystal Lake, the Algonquin Mexican Restaurant is worth a stop with freshly prepared food at great prices. I’ve posted there menu over in our menu section, check it out.
Pico
3 Taco Plate
Storefront
Algonquin Mexican Restaurant Review