Front Street Cocina
112 N Hale St, Wheaton, IL, 60187
Front Street Cocina Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Wheaton for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
112 N Hale St
Wheaton, IL, 60187 - Phone (630) 668-2837
- Website https://frontstreetcantina.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Anna H.
If you are looking for a FAST dinner on a Saturday, this is the place to try... Front Street wasn't crowded when we walked in and we were seated right away. The second we sat down we were approached by our waitress to order drinks...ummm...Water, please? 2 min later...Are you ready to order? Good thing we had looked at the menu before hand. We ordered the Chili Con Queso as an app...Melted Cheddar Cheese...gross... 2 min after the app came out, our entrées came out as well. Our server then walked away and then came right back "How is everything?" as I am putting the first bite up to my mouth. I got the combo platter with a Chicken Tamale, Pork Taco and Chile Relleno. Cheddar cheese on everything...except in the Chile Relleno? Crappy service...crappy non-authentic Mexican food. Los Tapitos Burritos is waaaayyy better.
(1)George R.
For a restaurant in downtown Wheaton, the Front Street Cocina has a remarkably large space for their restaurant. Most other restaurants in the area are smaller and tight. This one had plenty of space. I chose this restaurant for dinner on a Sunday evening since they were one of the few Mexican restaurants in the area that is open on Sundays. Since this was my first visit, I ordered enchilada dinner. (I judge most Mexican restaurants based on their enchiladas). The food came quickly and looked pretty good. The two enchiladas had red sauce and ground beef. They were fine, though not stove hot. They came with black beans, which had a slight smoky flavor, and Spanish rice, which was a little dry but okay. The complimentary salsa and chips were good, and the side of guacamole that I ordered was okay. Overall spiciness of the food was on the mild side. Overall not a bad place for fairly quick, sit-down, casual, Mexican food. No show stoppers, but the convenience of being open on a Sunday is a good selling point. The men's bathroom looked clean but didn't smell clean (needs a little help there). Otherwise, it's right in downtown Wheaton a few blocks east and north of the Metra station. There's also a (free) parking structure behind the building (to the west) with a back door into the restaurant for easy access.
(3)Bethany C.
I live in Chicago, but any time I'm in Wheaton I like to stop in to Front Street for lunch or a date with my husband. We love everything on the menu...though their chips have changed since our last visit. They used to seem like they were fresh out of the kitchen fryer; now they seem fresh out of a bag. Sad. I wouldn't say the food is authentic Mexicano, but I would say it's DUHLISHIOUS. Also, the wait staff is really friendly and accommodating, and the atmosphere and layout is great for families as well as for watching games at the bar. I'm surprised at the number of negative reviews. I've been a loyal Front Street customer for over 12 years and have never been disappointed in my food order or overall experience. Bring back the homemade chips!!!
(4)Katie W.
Front Street Cocina is consistently good. The salsa and chips are fresh and the guacamole is even fresher and one of the best in suburbs. The margaritas are tasty and they have a good selection of flavors and tequilas. This place is huge, so I've never been here when it is busy or there has been a wait. The service is quick and friendly. I've had there tacos, large salads, fajitas, and quesidillas and all have been tasty. Good Mexican food that is more Mexican than Tex Mex My one complaint is that the decor could be more festive, and the high warehousing ceilings make people's voices carry and it can get very noisy when it's not even that busy.
(3)Jello M.
I wake up in the night craving taco salad. Both nights after eating here I've not been able to fall asleep because of these cravings. I swear I'm not pregnant. Do taco shells have MSG in them? But I don't have a headache. I'm out of leftovers now. I still want more. Is this type of addiction even legal? I'm hungry. I'll have to settle for peach yogurt and review writing. It won't cure the obsession. Nothing will. How can something so addictive get only 3 stars? The yelp world is a cruel, cruel place. Or maybe I'm responsible for that cruelty. Its too dark in there. Dark is fine, but I like to see the food I'm obsessing over. Of course, I had left overs and they were pretty. The food was memorable last time, but not the times before. I think this taco salad might have drugs in it. I can't get it out of my mind. I don't even know if it was amazing. I know it was good. I don't know if you should rush over to get some. I feel so clueless. Is this what drugs feel like? I didn't even drink that night. But the salad won't leave my mind... I love this quote "do tacos, not drugs." but now I'm starting to wonder...Whats the difference? I'm hungry. I need to go to taco rehab. I need to sleep.
(3)Jesselyn E.
I have been going here since I was a child and have always loved it. The food isn't super 100% authentic, but it's not that far off base! I'm pretty sure my last meal would be their chicken enchiladas with salsa verde.
(5)M B.
Don't bother if you're just stopping in for a drink or not a regular at the bar. This was my first time @ the Cocina. The first bartender approached me before I even had a chance to unzip my coat. I wasn't sure about their drink menu and needed a minute to read. After I had read, I had some questions but the bartenders were much too busy chatting it up with their "regulars" at the bar. Finally, I was able to get an interpretation of their drink menu and ordered. The drink was pretty good, thus my rating. Apparently, they have complimentary chips and salsa but you have to request. I was never told/offered. I watched the couple next to me wolf down 2 baskets (yes the "regulars"). Even after I received my drink, neither one of the bartenders stopped by to check in. Takes all of 10 seconds, right? This was both my first and my last visit to Front Street. I have heard complaints from other businesses in the area that "foot traffic in the area sucks".....well, this is a good reason why. There is no reason to go. Please, do yourself a favor and get some personable bartenders that will be attentive to others other than the regulars. If you don't believe me, get yourself a secret shopper.
(2)Mary J.
The black beans are great here! This restaurant has great Mexican food and beers (not easy to find in Wheaton). Their margaritas are also very yummy, so have one of those jumbo ones with some of their chips and salsa and you are set. Don't try to drink outside, because Wheaton won't let you do that. Sigh. The only thing I don't like about this place is that it closes so early during the week! They officially close at 9, but might let you stay until 10 if you tip the bartender well. If you want to stay out late in downtown Wheaton, Muldoons is the only place open.
(5)Mon R.
Too many Mexican spots in the area to bother coming here. Cold chips, mediocre salsa. Orange queso (queso should be white), mediocre rice. Not worth the cost.
(2)Mike L.
This is a great place for Americanized Mexican food, not authentic in my opinion by any means. A great place to eat after work and a nice location next to the train station in downtown Wheaton.
(4)Kevin G.
Good food, service is ok. They need more wait staff. Our waitress was not informed we were outside so it took awhile. The food was delicious. Overall, a good experience.
(4)Brittany S.
Front Street Cocina was wonderful! We came here for dinner and both agreed that it was some of the best Mexican food we had. Great spices and seasonings with the sides of beans & rice and the burrito I got was great. Prices are not bad, staff was very courteous. We had to wait a little bit when it seemed kind of empty, but that was the only downside.
(4)Jennifer B.
Better than Santa Fe in Glen Ellyn, but still not great. The food wasn't terrible, but the service kind of was. I had ask several times for more water and the waitress was clearly annoyed that we weren't having anything stronger. The place was pretty much empty and we were still largely ignored.
(2)Michelle A.
Standard americanized Mexican food. Pretty good.
(4)Tracey M.
I can't think of anything bad to say about Front Street Grill. Every time I go there to eat the food, service and atmosphere are all good. I will admit I haven't ventured outside of having fajitas, but when you find something you like is prepared well is there truly a need too!? I say not! All in all, I look forward to going to Front Street Cocina in again and think others should try it as well.
(5)Adam K.
We had dinner here last night with a couple of friends. On a Tuesday night the crowd was sparse which was nice because it didn't get too loud. The food was ok, the chips and salsa were plentiful and we had a good time. It's not a very upscale place, nice for a mid-week meal out. I had the shrimp tacos which had good flavor. Overall we had a good time and the service was fantastic.
(3)Jason R.
WTF? The Front Street Cocina is now on Hale St.? I guess that happened long ago, but after being away from the area for 15 years, it was one more thing that had changed. A Wine shop in downtown Wheaton? I thought I was on acid. The food still stands up and is probably the closest thing to real Mexican food in the Western suburbs.
(4)John P.
Good steak burritos
(3)Jamie H.
I have been to Front Street in a long time (being that I don't live in IL anymore) but I remember going almost every weekend. I usually ordered the fajitas and after stuffing myself, a nice walk in downtown wheaton usually worked.
(4)Becky M.
Ohhhhhh Front Street, how I enjoy you. I know there are a lot of Mexican restaurants all over the place, but if you're like me I'm sure you've found that place that is your STAPLE Mexican restaurant. That's how Front Street is. They have the typical menu ranging from tacos, burritos, etc., but for some reason it's just better then most places I've been. They have really great fresh salsa that you get when you sit down. There guacamole is delicious and fresh, with a little spicy kick. They also have some of the best flautas I've ever had. Everything on the menu is prepared fresh and served fast. They also have great margaritas. A great place to check out if you're in the Wheaton area.
(5)Jane K.
I've been going here for years, literally, good food and atmostphere, service is substantial
(4)Elizabeth T.
This was such a mixed bag experience but, when everything was considered, we had a nice meal. Good: Beans and rice - actually have flavor and are distinctive from most other Mexican restaurants. Pork tamales - really good flavor Service - superfast chips and salsa (both good), friendly and accommodating wait staff (she had one of those everybody wants a separate check tables but squeezed us in so we didn't have to wait), drinks refilled promptly. Not so good: Noise level - would have been impossible to chat if we'd taken friends with us. Corn tortillas - microwaved so much that they literally fell apart. You'd think a place that specializes in Mexican food would have tortillas so fresh they wouldn't need to be nuked. Fish tacos - can't say any more. They just weren't good.
(4)Dan M.
I've given FSC two chances to enter my restaurant rotation and I'm not about to give it another. They're now serving a horrid black bean dip with their free chips appetizer as the price of tomatoes apparently made it too costly to make a decent salsa and the chile con queso we chose as an alternative (not free) is meatless. The tacos were just as dry the second time around as the first and the rice that accompanied it tastes exactly like rice-a-roni instant. Coincidence? Doubtful. The one pro is that it had plenty of choices for the kids. I'd pick Taco Bell over this joint for my Mexican needs.
(2)Dave P.
I've been to this place a longggg time ago. From what I remember the food was pretty good. It really depends on if you like real mexican food. If you're craving taco bell it's really not the place to go. The servers here are friendly and knowledgeable. The prices are not too bad either. I'd say give it a try if you're in the neighborhood!
(4)Katie T.
Me gusta comer comida mexicana. I always get the chimichanga. I introduced my brother to the chimi and he was addicted instantly. I have also been to Front Street Cantina in Naperville. Its the same restaurant and oh so good.
(5)Bonnie B.
The food here was really tasty. I had the tacos al pastor and my coworker had the pedro pollo. Great, fresh flavors. It could have been a bit spicier, but overall I was very pleased.
(4)Jesse K.
The service was good, and the free chips and salsa are delicious. Unfortunately, they seem to cook without salt or spices. My burrito was VERY bland. The prices were excellent.
(2)Roland W.
I can't really agree with everyone else. Front St. is okay if you don't have anywhere else to go. Living in Phoenix now I've tasted much better Mexican fare. When our waiter couldn't recommend anything on the menu because he didn't like Mexican food I was surprised. Who doesn't like Mexican food?
(2)Jen F.
The room atmosphere is fun and festive, which I love. When we went, the waitress was fantastic, brought us extra chips, made menu and drink recommendations and was overall a great server. The food is pretty average but not bad by any means just not special, and you really get large portions. It took a little while to come out though which I couldn't understand. We were one of 3 tables in the room for an early dinner, so we didn't know what was taking so long (thus the need for extra chips). Both my hubby and I got different combo platters, nothing too intricate. Luckily, we were in the mood to sit and drink and chat so it wasn't a big deal, but I can see how it could get to me if I was in a hurry or a different mindset. I think price-wise it might have been slightly more expensive than other Mexican food for what you get quality-wise, but it's still reasonable. We'll probably try here again.
(3)Jeni F.
The food was really fresh here. The salsa was just the right level of spicy. I ordered the chicken enchiladas and the chicken was really tender and delicious. The blacks beans were great too. My husband ordered the pork tacos and, while he initially thought the portion was too small, he was full by the time he finished his meal. As newly transplanted Wheaton-ites and margarita fans, I'm sure we'll spend plenty of time at Front Street.
(4)Katrina B.
Front street is my favorite non-authentic Mexican restaurant. Their food is totally consistent and will not fale you once you find your favorite. Their tomato salsa is amazing and always fresh. I'm not a fan of their bean salsa (which they have recently been featuring). Due to the fact that they are nestled in between the steeples of down town Wheaton I think a lot of people pass this place up. It is a cute place with a full bar. Their margaritas only get a 2 star from me, I normally stick with the beer here. They are a little sour every time I try them, and trust me I love margaritas. I almost always order the shredded beef, and from what my friends/family say it's the best meat on the menu. Their rice is excellent, and I normally go for the tacos with a double order of rice. The restaurant is always clean and the service is always decent. Sometimes they get too busy for the # of servers they have but you can still tell their staff is all trying to be attentive. Front Street is always clean, and their bathrooms are normally as well. They have outdoor seating on the sidewalk that is cute but limited. I think this is a necessary restaurant to try if you live around Wheaton and are looking for Mexican that is better than Chipotle or Taco bell. It also does not have the grime of the other authentic Mexican restaurants in the area.
(4)Sam D.
Phenomenal authentic food with a great atmosphere. Highly recommended!!!
(5)ArTal K.
Five stars for living up to expectations. Front Street Cantina was recommended by some friends, we just moved to Wheaton and decided to try it out. This place isn't fancy or pretentious, just good mexican food at a moderate price. I was especially impressed with how fresh our food was, and that it wasn't at all greasy. Fulfilled my craving for mexican food without the stomach ache!!
(5)S B.
Very dissapointing. Atmosphere is non-existent, Taco Bell has more authenticity. When I walked in, a Patty Smith tune was being pipe in throughout the restaraunt. I thought this was a Mexican restaurant? The steak in my burrito was tough as nails, my father's Carne Asada was medium-rare, as ordered, however a two-thirds of it was almost raw and the other part medium. Margarita's, though tasty, did not appear to have any alcohol in them. The only good thing about it was the service.
(2)Kerri L.
Service was great, but the food and margaritas are just ok. If you're in the area and craving for some Mexican food it's a good place to stop at, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. The people working there were really friendly, so this is definitely not a reflection on them - just the food and drinks.
(3)K T.
This used to be a family favorite. We stopped for dinner tonight and was extremely disappointed. Food was mediocre at best and service was horrible. The restaurant was 1/2 empty so service should not have been a problem but waiter forgot to bring our drinks even after we reminded him twice. I was about to get my own glass of water from the bar when he finally showed up with our drinks. Many other problems then after he brought the check he rang my credit card on the ticket for another table. He said he voided it, but I am pretty sure I will be double charged. This was a waste of time and money.
(2)Amy R.
Holy rude, batman. Came here for drinks and food with friends on a Tuesday night. We got here at about 8:20, which is apparently approximately midnight in Wheaton time. I'm not giving them a harsh review for having certain business hours - I get it, everything in the burbs closes early - but do they have to be so abrasive about it? We sat down outside and were greeted with "hi, you'll need to order your drinks right now because the bar is gonna close soon." WHOA. We all quickly chose a drink and our waitress ran off. When she came back, she asked if we were ready to place our order, and when one of us said "almost!" She demanded we order right now because the kitchen was closing. We asked if the bar was closing as well, and she said "no of course not," like we were some sort of idiots for not realizing this. We ordered our food and another round of drinks, and she stormed off. I got the chicken taco salad, which was okay-ish. Vegetables not the freshest I've ever tasted, but again, we came late, so what can you do. Husband got tacos that he said were "Taco Bell esque," eek. The rest of our table got appetizers. While we were enjoying our dinner, our waitress came back - not to ask how the food was or see if we needed anything, but instead to drop off the check. One of our group asked if we could get one more round as she had just told us the bar was OF COURSE NOT closing, but now it suddenly was, and she heaved an ENORMOUS sigh and said she could try to rush one more order of drinks to the bartender, she guessed. People around us were still eating and drinking... Very weird. She got us one more round, slammed the check down, and never came back. Now listen, I hate people who arrive somewhere 10 mins before closing and demand the same level of service one would receive if they came during prime dining hours, but to be scathingly rude 40 mins before closing about EVERY part of our meal was a bit much. With that kind of service and so/so food, we will not be returning.
(2)Jennifer S.
Consistency is key. And they could use some work in that area. I'm starting to think that we should just come here for the drinks. I don't love the chunky salsa. The menu is vague when it comes to combo plates which has led to sending food back or being left with things I didn't intend on ordering. The fish taco arrived watery. That was no bueno. But most recently, the service was better (even though we had some miscommunication). The chicken and mole was still very good. The tamale was decent even though it was hidden under a lot of sauce. The rice was okay too. There is a front and a back entrance, so if you park in the parking garage it is a quick walk right into the back door that is available for patrons. There are plenty of tables and I don't feel crowded inside. And during the summer, you can dine on the patio and bring your dog. Hear the dog-mamas of the Wheaton area rejoicing? :-)
(3)Gary D.
Had a very good dining experience here on a Friday night. Got a table outside on a beautiful evening. We had a GREAT waitress, wish I could remember her name. Very attentive, smiled a lot and everything came on time. We started with guacamole which was very good and split an order of chicken fajitas which were good, not great. The portion was generous however the chicken didn't have a lot of flavor. We had eaten here once before and I woiuld've given that experience a 3, but something changed here for the better. Try it if you haven't been in awhile.
(4)Sergey S.
Very slow, ordered a salad and groups came in 10 min after us got served first. Every time we eat here it gets worse and worse. Plenty of really good places to eat nearby. Never again
(1)Chris M.
Came here for Saturday 5pm dinner with my wife. Very friendly staff. Our waitress brought out a sample of their house made beer...very good. Kind of like Blue Moon. For dinner I had the Tacos Campos....the best original flavor and my wife had the Tacos on the beach with chicken...also really good. No complaints...we just found another great local Mexican sit down restaurant.
(5)Tricia M.
We love Front Street! The chips & salsa are delicious, the margaritas are worth the money, and they have a large variety of food to choose from. Great for family dinners or date nights!
(5)Michael Z.
Is there a zero star option? We walked out after getting served the guacamole appetizer that was at least two days old. The service was at best unorganized, chaotic. A sad excuse for Mexican food. Go to Chipotle and buy a six pack then go home, save yourself some time and money.
(1)Sam P.
I thought I had reviewed this place already. Well, first of all, it has changed to Front Street Cantina (when it was bought by the chain of that name, I've learned from other Yelpers who've been around Wheaton longer than I). My family and I have found this restaurant...inconsistent. First experience: 2 stars Second: 4 stars Third (this weekend): 3 stars So, we'll settle on the average and say it's "a-okay" The staff is not particularly friendly, with the exception of the server we had on our second visit (wish I could remember his name, but I only remember it began with S) Other than him, I get the feeling they'd prefer the place were empty so they could just sit at the bar and not be bothered. They do keep our waters and salsa filled though, so I guess they'll do. I do love the chips and hot salsa here. We always go through two baskets, and I like that they don't charge. Otherwise, the food is mostly unremarkable. Hubby always gets tacos of some sort and says something like "eh they're okay". I've had the beer battered cod tacos twice now, and they were better the first time than the second, so either a different cook or just that memory is fonder than real life. My 3 year old called his chicken burrito "sweaty" on this weekend's visit, and it was indeed on the soggy side. The chicken is flavored like chicken noodle soup. As I might have mentioned before, I do kind of love everything on Hale St just for the excellent location. I'm sure we'll keep eating here and saying "it's okay."
(3)Marj O.
This place used to be so good. Over the years the service and the food have gone downhill. Lunch today was very bad. My chicken mole had little mole sauce and what was there tasted like it was from a can. My husband's chimichanga was halfway deep-fried and small. Rice was dry. Tortilla soup mediocre at best. Sadly, last visit for us.
(1)Ada R.
Front Street Cocina has great food and great service! The thing that keeps me coming back and introducing more people to this wonderful little find are the ultimate margaritas!! They are simply the best margaritas around! If you like Fireball whiskey, ask for a hot tamale! I have been coming here for years and have slowly introduced my friends to the margaritas! Kevin and Steve are awesome and the service and food are wonderful. Some of our favorites are the steak nachos and the skirt steak!
(5)AJ B.
My wife loves Mexican food so we decided to try this out last weekend. Pretty good food no complaints there. She had fajitas and I had a spicy chicken dish. Really enjoyed mine - but there is really not much to set this place apart from anywhere else we have tried. For the price we will put this into our rotation and come again at some point.
(3)Andrew W.
Standard americanized mexican food. Unattentive wait staff, errors from the kitchen are common, no one is courteous. We won't go again unless a friend requests it.
(2)Sara B.
Went here for a quick bite and was sorely disapointed. The staff were all more concerned about drinking their redbulls and making plans for when they got off work. Not again.
(2)Jim S.
Good food friendly waiters. The real treat here is the fried ice cream. Make sure you save room because it's amazing and nobody around serves it like they do .
(3)Michele S.
To sum up my experience in 1 word: BLAH. FSC is a lovely location with outdoor seating, and I love Mexican, so I had high hopes. Overall, I was disappointed. Chips and salsa: The chips were fresh and lightly salted (very good), but the salsa was so bland! I don't even think they salted the crap. Horrible. We didn't even eat half the cup of salsa and resorted to eating the chips plain. Entree: Front street tacos with shredded beef. The beef had no seasoning AT ALL. Bland as all hell. I had to drown my tacos in hot sauce to get any flavor. I did enjoy the black beans that were served with my entree, and the waiter was very pleasant and prompt. This food is made for gringos with extremely sensitive tongues. Pass if you like flavor.
(2)Kristopher Y.
We only give 3 stars, but we will continue to eat here. We like the chimichanga and sometimes split some combination plate. Service can be hit or miss - we were there the other night (empty, weeknight) and spent just as long waiting to pay our bill as we did ordering, waiting, and eating our food. Servers are not great about carding you when you order a drink, which is a negative for the establishment overall. Queso is overpriced. Love the chips and salsa.
(3)Joe E.
Americanized Tex-Mex, if that makes sense. I would rather go to Qdoda or El Famous Burrito, so take that for what it's worth. It's in a good location, and they have outdoor tables in the summer, which is cool. Two letters describes this place for me: Eh
(3)Mike G.
Have stopped in here a few times. Usually I am a little on the run during my work day and want to actually sit down for a meal, but I don't have much time to actually sit :) I like coming here because the food is pretty good and comes out quick, so I can sit and eat, and then get back to work. Not sure if they have wi-fi or not but when I was there nothing was available, which would have helped me get a few work things done as I had my tablet with me. Parking out front is a bit limited especially at peak times. Service was good, Food was good - Not my favorite Mexican Restaurant but still a good option.
(3)Ashley J.
Went back to Front Street tonight after the Wheaton Car Show- experienced quite a disappointing dinner. Our server had no personality and was very very rushy. After we placed our order, our server had to come back and ask us again because she forgot what we had just ordered. Our appetizer arrived without any plates to eat off of. Our server claimed all the appetizer plates were still being cleaned? Personally, I would prefer waiting longer for our appetizer than sitting there with it on the table getting cold while we wait for clean plates. THEN, our meals came before we were nearly 1/2 way through our appetizer. I understand this could have been avoided had we been able to begin eating upon receiving our appetizer... My meal (chicken enchiladas) was ok. My boyfriend's meal was incorrect. He had gotten two hard steak tacos when he had actually ordered one soft one hard- chicken and steak. He kindly told our server- she quickly brought out a new plate - and it was WRONG again. Maybe instead of trying to memorize orders, she would have been better off writing things down. Perhaps this would have avoided the numerous mix-ups we experienced. All in all, won't be back any time soon.
(1)Amy S.
I'd recommend Front Street for drinks but for dinner, not so much. We were immediately greeted with chips and salsa, which is always a great start to any Mexican dinner. We then ordered drinks and guacamole. After our drinks arrived (and no guacamole), we were asked every 2 minutes if we were ready to order dinner. After about 15 minutes, we finally agreed to order reminding our waitress we needed our guacamole. Minutes later our guacamole arrived. We had about 8 chips left in our basket, the waitress noticed and asked if we needed more chips which we said we did. After 10 minutes had passed, we had to flag our waitress down and remind her we needed more chips. The guacamole had a strong flavor that I quickly realized was green pepper. I am not a fan of green peppers so the guacamole we ordered was wasted on me. The green pepper overpowered the flavors of the rest of the ingredients. The meal arrived shortly after. The tacos campos lived up to it's *hot* notation. Perhaps it was a bit too hot because again, the flavor overpowered all else in the dish. We also ordered a combination platter with a taco, enchiladas and a tamale. Where the one plate was spicy, this plate was definitely more American Mexican with little flavor. The taco could have been a taco ordered from Taco Bell. Overall, the food is lacking, the guacamole was disappointing, the service from our waitress was inconsistent BUT if you just want to meet for drinks in the bar or sit outside, give it a try, just don't order the guac.
(2)Nikole H.
This place is about as Mexican as I am. I'm not Mexican.
(1)Pat E.
Overpriced Tex-Mex. Now different owners, but still below average. I'll take El Zarape or El Puente!
(2)Jeff G.
I had hopes for a good lunch meal when the fresh salsa was put on the table. But after being seated we waited.... and waited.... There were 5 tables outside and one server, who only came out once every ten minutes to wait on one or two tables. After 15 minutes I went inside to find my server. The place was empty and he (Frick) and his able companion (Frack) were out back goofing off. The entire front of the house was completely empty, not a single table seated inside. Eventually we were served our meal which was adequate, nothing special.
(2)Kara Z.
We had really great service today- attentive- perfect timing with refilling our water and patient with our requests. I am a fan of their taco salad with chicken- delicious! I love how they are generous with the black olives- yum. I'm not a huge fan of their chips and salsa for some reason but almost everyone I know loves them. I also appreciated that our server asked if we wanted one check or separate checks instead of assuming; that was helpful too. I like the wood booths and like the decor- it has a lot of personality. Good place!
(4)Erin O.
Slowest service ever and the margaritas seemed to be without alcohol. The free chips and salsa were appreciated...but bland as all hell. I have very sensitive taste buds and typically mild salsa is too spicy for me, however this salsa I could have eaten it by the spoonful and never tasted any spice.
(1)chanla c.
Went here for date night on Thursday evening and were seated immediately which was nice, until we sat there for a very long time before our sever greeted us. By that point we had already browsed the menu and figured out our dining choices. Which always takes a long time because I take forever to decide and I am constantly changing my mind, even at the last second. Food was okay. Pretty bland. Not much flavor. Service was also okay. Slow and did not check on us much. We won't be returning here for our next date night.
(2)Derek P.
Went here for lunch a while ago - was not disappointed. For starters, the tortilla chip and salsa they bring out before the order is so good. The salsa has very thick chopped tomatoes which is a good mix with the refreshing salsa. The tortilla chips are thin and tasty. For the entree, I got a chorizo chimichanga. It was excellent and has good helping of chorizio. It also came with black beans and rice, which i dipped the tortilla chips into. The service was good and the waiter wasn't the friendliest, but got the job done.The prices are quite reasonable as well.
(4)Andy H.
Went in here for lunch today. As expected, chips and salsa to start the meal. Nicely spicy and oniony, just the way I like my PdG. Got the "Macho Burrito" which, despite being embarrassing to order, was really good. Filled with shredded beef, tomatoes, beans, avocado, lettuce, and sour cream, it was near impossible to pick up, and even though I look down on eating a burrito with knife and fork, I was forced to. Was not disappointed, and barely finished the damn thing. There were a good number of people there today, and the servers were spot on; I never once had to ask for a refill on my drink, and she took care of things for us. We weren't drinking, but the drink specials are to be expected for a place like this. Would definitely return.
(4)Joe Z.
Used to think this place was maybe 3 or 4 stars a few years ago, but service and food quality have gone seriously downhill. Not sure if it's the constant turnover of staff or the fact that they can still fill the room on Sunday nights with post-church Wheaton College kids who don't know any better. Oh and speaking of that...don't go on Sunday nights. If you think service is bad there, it's REALLY bad when the house is full.
(1)JazmÃn G.
My boyfriend and I got sick. Probably was the chimichangas. The salsa had to be the worst salsa ever made. We love to eat Mexican food all the time and this was just a step up from Taco Bell
(1)Arlene G.
great service from our waitress who was nice & kept checkin in on us cuz we were the only people eating outside. i had a steak taco, chicken flauta and ground beef something else that i didnt care for I think it was the ground beef that i didnt like but everythin else was great! actually my homegirl and i kept eatin the chips & salsa like it was our meal! the salsa was a bit too watery & the chips needed salt on them but i guess we were hungry huh? anyway, never been been here before and i doubt i'll be back. it wasnt that great 4 me 2 try it again.
(3)John M.
Very American Tex Mex. The service was ok. Atmosphere was good. The food was average.
(2)Bart S.
Anyone who read my previous reviews of Front Street knows I've been harsh on them. And they've deserved it. So now I feel that I have to let them have what they deserve again. A far better review! We went back to Front Street this past Monday and it was pretty empty. As someone who has worked in restaurants, you often will get worse service on slow nights. We were greeted right away and we entered the back way. The girl who greeted us and seated us also turned out to be our server, Samantha. And she was awesome! She is definitely new since our last visit, and I can say Front Street needs to find a half-dozen more of her! She was great. Our food came out great (though the food has never been an issue.) Even the two other servers Monday night came by, cleared dishes, were super friendly, etc. I hope this change continues and it is a new era for Front Street. Well done!
(3)J M.
Oh my Gosh, where to start..... First off, the staff here you cannot differentiate from a guest. They act like you are "bugging" them. Second, ALL of their food has onion in it? Great for those with food allergies. That should've been my first clue to RUN. Chips and salsa? More like chips and runny tomato juice which is really pico de gallo with no flavor. So, I basically was told to order fajitas, since they "premake" all their food, and that was my only option. They arrive....the chicken is PINK inside. Yes, as in NOT COOKED. SALMONELLA, ANYONE? And the portion for the price....are you frigging kidding me? No cheese, no lettuce or tomato to top the food either.....had to pay extra for that. And instead of strips, it's nasty chicken chunks. Ummmm, I'll stick to Chili's fajitas. My kids said their food tasted like "rotten garbage" (yes, those are the words from their mouths)....and my other friend is now vomiting. All of this for the bargain price of $37.00 for lunch. RIPOFF. I didn't want to complain and embarrass myself, because honestly, I didn't want to pay for the food once I looked at it, it looked that gross. But knowing I'll never return I begrudingly paid and left. Holy hell, even Taco Bell tastes better, and I don't eat there either! Save yourself some money and STAY AWAY. Hopefully, my next review won't be for CDH with food poisoning!
(1)Courtney D.
Great place for drinks, but skip dinner. Our dinner was just OK nothing special, nothing to come back for. I can make better mexican food than this place.
(3)alicia b.
O dear O dear, Not very good at all. I really dont have a whole lot to say about Front street.The food was just plain terrible.All 4 people with me hated their meals too. So it wasnt just me being picky.I like to eat and rarely leave food on my plate especially when I'm real hungry.Front street could be a good a diet plan you wont want to take a second bite. 1 star because I did have a delicious margarita on the rocks 2 star because there wasnt any wait and I got to sit right away. Now #2 could be a good thing sometimes but also could be a hint to the quality of the food. In this case I'm guessing it was the food.
(2)Matthew J.
I wasn't sure how good Mexican food in Chicago would be compared to SoCal. It isn't as good. I had a burrito. It was fine. A little cold in the middle but still edible.
(3)Karl C.
Front Street Cocina can be confusing because when you first walk in, the decor and general ambiance remind you of a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. The confusion comes in when you realize how big the place really is. The service isn't great but it isn't terrible either. The food itself is somewhat bland and a little overpriced. I generally stick with the enchiladas or their specialty tacos. Their chips are pretty good. They are usually fresh, although they have served me stale chips every once in a while. If you like your salsa very mild and on the chunkier side, you're in for a treat. If you like your salsa hotter and more authentic (like me), it will slightly disappoint you. The margaritas are surprisingly good here. Plus, they have a pretty good beer selection for Wheaton. As an alternative to Muldoon's bar across the street, friends have wanted to stop by just for drinks without eating but their bar area is really, really small. It pretty much consists of three cocktail tables and a short bar area with stools. There's no space for a group unless you sit in the dining area. Overall, it's not a bad place to have a casual Mexican food meal with waiter service. Don't expect to get wowed though.
(3)Lisa S.
meh food, slow service. but the killer was the very large herd of flies buzzing around everywhere.
(1)Cathy T.
Oh boy, do I have a story about this place! We stopped here after some downtown Wheaton fair and I ordered the enchiladas, specifically asking for no green onions. I knew from past visits that most dishes are garnished with green onion and that is a flavor that has never been palatable to me. The tray came out covered in green onions, which didn't upset me terribly. After all, we all make mistakes and I am a reasonable person. When I very politely reminded the young college-aged waiter that I asked for no green onions, he not only didn't appologize, but told me that they were really busy and he was very short on time so I'd have to pick them off. I was completely flabbergasted! I told him that wasn't acceptable and that I'd need a new dish. To be honest, I cannot even stand the flavor they leave behind. He disappeared with my dish and returned in about a minute with what was obviously the same dish with the green onions scrapped off. Well, I didn't eat my meal because 1. I don't like green onions! And 2. Who knows what he did to my dish while he was gone. That was the first and only time in my life that I actually did not tip my waiter. In retrospect, I should have asked to speak with the manager, but I really just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible so I could have dinner somewhere else. I have never returned since. Prior to this trip, service from waiters had always been mediocre at best. At times I've felt like I'm being rushed through my meal, and others I wonder if my waiter will ever return. Other than that, I suppose I should mention that on each of the 4 times I have been to Front Street Cocina we have always been greeted and seated quickly, but the chips have been stale, the ladies room is always disgusting and is freezing cold in winter. On the other hand, my husband said the pork chimichangas are good, but apparently not good enough to bother trying to talk me into going back.
(1)Erin K.
On a Friday night, when I didn't want to cook, this was a good dinner option. It was in walking distance of where I wanted to be and I had sweet company. We had a mild wait (about 10 minutes) to be seated. The server was prompt and took our drink orders quickly. (He was amazing at refills, as well...even before we had to ask, which I appreciate and don't always see at restaurants.) The chips didn't seem as fresh and good as they could have been but when you're starving, I still ate my fair share. We both ordered chicken fajitas, which I realize is not the most authentic...but for what they are, I liked them. We had plenty of leftovers that I boxed to take with me. I like the black beans and rice, compared to refried beans but they do carry those if you prefer. It was fairly crowded and we were in the middle of the restaurant but it wasn't too noisy. All in all, there was nothing that set me against going back, although I'd be up for trying something new in the future.
(3)Kellie V.
After our wine tasting (at Tasting deVine) our group decided that Mexican food would be a good way to soak everything up, and Front Street Cocina was pretty perfect. They accommodated the eight of us easily, and our server was very friendly and patient, especially when we asked to split the check between all the couples. He also kept our chip baskets full throughout the meal, which was certainly appreciated. I had the flautas, which came in very generous portions with beans and rice and other toppings. It was delicious and it seemed like everyone else really enjoyed their meals too, including the guys that got the Gringo burgers, a relatively new addition to the menu. Maybe it was because we were tipsy and quite hungry by the time we got there, but I can't understand the terrible reviews from other posters. A great end to the evening, and I would love to go back.
(4)Lauren B.
Food was authentic and fabulous!
(4)Rebecca R.
The food was just ok. My favorite dish used to be the enchilada chicken mole. Well the food just isn't as good anymore. The salsa tasted like tomatoes in tomato juice, no flavor and the mole sauce isn't as good anymore. My hubby felt the same way about his dish (burrito/red sauce enchilada) - that it was just ok. We may give it another shot, but it used to be our favorite Mexican restaurant and right now I can't say that anymore. I have read that there are new owners. They just seem to be missing the mark, unfortunately.
(2)M J.
I love authentic Mexican food. I love fake Mexican food. I hated this food. The Ocean has less salt than my meal here. Our server had slightly less personality than a wet towel. We all had plenty of food left but no one wanted to bring anything home. If you're tempted to go here do your self a favor and go get tacos at Burger KIng. You'll be happy you did.
(1)John S.
Decided to go here with my coworkers for lunch today. Ok so the food here isn't authentic but it is still very tasty and probably the best you are going to get in this puritan concurred land. My one complaint was the chips here were very stale maybe they were blessed by Jesus himself. Oh and the blasphemy they serve alcohol... What are the people of Wheaton to do. All and all though the ameri-mex here is very good and so is the service. I always order my enchiladas with no sauce and beans and they come out perfect here every time.
(4)A J.
Hale Street Cocina? Heh, i kid, but this long time local of downtown wheaton is definitely a crowd pleaser. When i dined on a monday night the restaurant had a decent crowd, not bad. Interior is nice with LOTS of wood: floors, tables, chairs, bar, bar stools, etc. Walls are painted with a South American motif with stone bricks and trees. Lighting is a tad too dim but it's fine. Free chips and salsa were served almost immediately upon seating, which i absolutely love. A great way to snack and pass the time, it takes will power to leave some empty room in your stomach for the main event. As with any new (to me) Mexican restaurant, I always order combo chicken+steak fajitas to see what kind of chops FSC has. I'm glad to say the fajitas were great. I've tasted juicier meat elsewhere but these were nothing to complain about. Plenty of meet, sliced onions and peppers, beans and rice. You can get sour cream and guacamole, but oddly no shredded cheese is supplied. Beans and rice were also tasty, along with the warm flour tortillas. The rest of the menu has the standard assortments of mexican dishes from burritos, tacos to enchiladas and more authentic cuisine. Service was excellent, fast and friendly. If I'm in the area and craving Mexican food, i'll be coming back.
(4)Dale H.
Very consistent, good food, good service, great family place.
(4)Paul P.
Im not a big fan of the food, but the margaritas are awsome and always put me to sleep. The chips and pico are ok and the food is not realy Mexican, but the americanized version that so many people have come to love. Cheese on top of cheese inside of some kind of tortilla. I wonder why there is a weight problem in this country? The service is usualy good, but its best to text your order to the servers because they seem to always be looking at their iphones! This is the most upseting thing about all resturants these days. Try the shrimp tacos, they are awsome, and they also have a kick ass hamburger! Fried ice cream is good too. This place also has some good beers! Two Brothers on tap along side Lagunitas IPA. Good to see these guys getting away form an all lager tap selection. So go to Front Street to drink and have a good time with Johnny M.F. Knox! The managers are also cool and can make ya a good drink!
(4)Michael R.
I've eaten here twice. The first time I ordered the fish tacos and found them to be fairly bland, messy, and unappealing. However I went again today and tried the pork tacos and thought they were terrific. The atmosphere is pleasant and informal. The service is always very friendly and it's a nice place to being a the family.
(3)