Excellent Table side Guac!! Fresh Ingredients! The drinks will get you wasted!
(4)
Josh O.
Went here before Second City. It wasn't bad per se, but it just wasn't very great. Tableside guac was good, but not exceptional in my mind. How could it be bad, it's tableside guac! We tried a bunch of smaller dishes, and everything just seemed... bland. Not a lot of spice, not a lot of flavor. Lots of corn/grain flavors. Just not really impressed. Service was good and they are aware people need to get up and go in time for the show, which is nice.
(2)
Pamela T.
Adobo Grill is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. There is no place on the planet with a margarita like theirs. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, the food is excellent and the service is superb. This is my happy place to go!
(5)
Heather B.
Ate here last night for the first time. Overall, not a bad experience. I ordered the veggie enchiladas, which I thought we delicious- usually they can be kind of questionable depending what kind of vegetables they are made of. These were butternut squash with a great mole sauce and black beans on the side. My date ordered chicken enchiladas, and seemed to rather enjoy them as well. Tableside guac was prepared freshly, though as much as I enjoy chunky style, we had a few extra large pieces of avocado that required more mashing after we got it. A bit pricey (our bill was $50 for guacamole, 2 entrees and 2 iced teas) for my liking, but I'd probably go back.
(3)
M S.
I recently went to Adobo to celebrate my birthday and immediately went into panic attack mode when I saw that they had taken my favorite dish off the menu. I asked the waiter about it and he confirmed the bad news, the dish was removed from the menu. When he saw how let down I was he said the dish could still be made since they had all the ingredients. Normally I try not to be a diva in a restaurant but I had been looking forward to that meal for days. Adobo came through for me. I recommend saving room for desert, the tres leches cake is unbelievable!
(4)
Maureen R.
I love Adobo! We frequent this place often (...like, once a week!) and always start off with the table-side guacamole, which is really absolutely fabulous! It is some of the best guacamole I've ever tasted. I have tried many items on the menu, most of them are great, though there have been a few misses. Some of my favorite dishes would be the Gorditas and the Sabultes de Pollo, which are both appetizers, and the Chicken Cazuelas. If you're going on a weekend, be sure to make a reservation or be prepared to wait. It can get pretty busy at times, especially before and after shows at Second City. Service can sometimes be spotty when the place is busy, but the waitstaff is generally great. There is outdoor seating in the warmer months, which is fun! The area is really nice, and Wells is nice to walk around on a bit after your delicious meal!
(4)
Eldiva S.
This place is ok... but do not come here for "authentic" Mexican food... Overall - the food is just ok ... not bad, not good-not memorable. GOOD- This is a good place for groups b/c the place is 2 stories and huge and the drinks are pretty good! I only go back when we can't think of anywhere else to eat at the last minute with a big group. Best thing they serve is the mole pork tenderloin. Guacamole is worth getting and so is the trio of salsas. BAD- Masa boats- tasteless base and the toppings are also flavorless... how can you mess up fried food?! Salmon ceviche- ok - nothing special FINAL WORD- Go if you have a big group that you need to accomadate... BUT if you are a group of 4 or smaller- you can so do better than this place!! Good luck.
(3)
Jaime S.
A friend and I recently set up a 4 course meal for 10 people to celebrate our bff's upcoming wedding. George (who I am assuming is the general manager) helped us to create a partially vegan menu and we had everything in place 2 weeks before the event. We were put in a private "nook" where we obviously got a little bit rowdy, particularly after we were given complementary lemon drop shots. Kyle our server was quick with bringing food and drinks and was such a good sport when we asked him to take our picture...with 7 different cameras. Great place for groups, not a break the bank place and the leftovers were devoured in the AM by most of the bachelorette party.
(5)
Lisa Z.
This review speaks to the margaritas. Hands down the best margs I have ever had. I'm a lightweight and can unfortunately consume only 3 in one sitting. A travesty, for certain. The food is fine, probably overpriced. The guac is great, but the margs . . . oh, the margs!
(5)
Stephanie L.
I really was looking forward to trying this place out. I was a little disappointed that they only have one kind of margarita that is served in a martini glass....does that seem weird to anyone else...??? Guacamole was amazing and they make it at the table. I also was really disappointed in the salsa selection...NONE of them were hot. There was like a smokey one, normal, green and some red...I wanted more spice for sure. I got the ceviche assortment which was pretty good, not amazing but not bad. Overall, it was just A-OK, perfect description.
(3)
Ed N.
Sat at the bar...ordered a couple of drinks and some apps. The guacamole is a must, very tasty. The drinks were good, ordered a sangria and a watermelon/tequila drink. Very much hoping the poor reviewers will not be back so we can enjoy this nice restaurant.
(5)
Carol K.
Can a girl live by margaritas and guacamole alone? I say, yes, if they are from Adobo Grill. I mean, let's face it. The main food groups are there-Alcohol, vegetables and chips- all served up with a smile. I happen to like the table side show of making the guacamole table side. While not new anymore- I remember the first time I went to this place it was a novelty. I also like that they ask if you want it mild, medium or spicy. If I were you- go for the medium as I love spicy but the last time I had it hot, my eyes watered through the entire dinner! (Maybe the guac maker had it in for us!) The entrees are good too. My favorite are the chicken enchiladas basted with mole rojo and topped with sour cream, onions and beans. Delicious! As for those margaritas- I've decided they have some kind of "truth serum" in them as every time I am there- my mouth seems to have a mind of it's own and I say things that I would never say otherwise. What's up with that? Want to know what I really think? Take me to Adobo Grill . . . .one margarita into the night and you will have your answer! I like the layout of this place with the booths tucked in along the side. The service is usually quite good (even when people from Second City stop in and try to push their way through). Parking is easy as there is a pay garage right around the corner on North. Sure- it's a chain. But it's one that I can count on for consistent food, great guacamole and margaritas that make me "spill my guts". Go and get you basic "food groups" taken care of- cuz this is one food pyramid that is easy to eat.
(4)
Alex M.
So yeah, this place is awesome. I have been coming here almost every trip I have done to Chicago. Best are the tequila shots with the cucumber chaser. The food was good, wish it was a bit more though. I guess quality and quantity doesn't go hand in hand here. I could have eaten another place of food. But dropping $400 on dinner with half of it on tequila, at least they were nice enough to give us a round of shot on the house. Will be back.
(4)
Sheila D.
The best guacamole and margaritas around! Been there several times and all of the dishes I've tried have been very tasty but honestly we keep going back for the guacamole and margaritas!
(4)
Meghan T.
Checked out their menu this past Tuesday night during restaurant week, it was nothing to write home about, so our entire party ordered from the regular menu. As other yelpers have attested too, their table-side guacamole may be the best item on the menu. However, they don't compliment it with a great salsa, so you're left wanting more if you're a salsa fan like myself. I ordered the enchiladas (boring, I know) but there are some great steak and chicken dinners listed on the menu. My poor mother wanted fajitas which they don't even have a similar version of, so she resorted to ordering so-so chicken tacos. So, I was bummed that the waiter couldn't make a compromise or confidently offer any other recommendations she may enjoy just as well. I won't go out of my way to make a reservation again, but this would be a great spot to grab some appetizers and margaritas.
(3)
Pierre H.
I guess for me being from Texas, this place really was fighting an up hill battle. The margaritas were so so and the salsas and sauces were very bland. I ordered the shredded pork that was roasted in a banana leaf. It was good. Everything that was part of my entree was good expect the corn tortillas. I felt the meal was better without it. But the restaurant was in a very nice part of Chicago, I think it was Old Town. I would definitely want to go party in that area again. Just probably wouldn't go to Adobo again. I think they were trying to hard to be something their not. Mexican food shouldn't cost that much...and if it does, you should for sure get it right.
(3)
Michael F.
Good atmosphere. Food is mediocre at best. Guac is good as everyone mentioned but the main courses are undifferentiated and boring. Tastes like chain restaurant food.
(3)
David G.
Come to Adobo when you want to splurge on some well made drinks. The Margaritas are good, but not strong. The Sangria is what knocks you on your butt. Both are going to put you down about $8. The guacamole is probably some of the best I've had. They make it right in front of you to your specifications. The food is mediocre and expensive. You're probably going to get better food down the street and for better value. I had the chicken enchiladas, and the sauce seemed to destroy any flavor the enchiladas may have had. My friend described it as a little too "Chef Boyardee", which is an exaggeration, but I could see where he was coming from. The portions are tiny. I think I ended up paying more than $30 individually, and that was for a couple of margaritas, guac and chips and the tiny enchiladas. Not too bad, but at any other Mexican dive, the same thing would cost me little more than $20. In conclusion, it's worth it just for drinks and appetizers, but if you want to have a full meal, be prepared to pay for it.
(3)
Christy Q.
I was just here for a friend's birthday- and this place continues to impress. I've been here maybe twice before- long ago. And I never once had a bad experience. Of course, the standout of the night at Adobo is ALWAYS the guac! I love the lady that walks table to table mixing up delish guac right in front of your eyes. It's such a great touch! I don't know how she does it. When I try to replicate it at home, it's just not the same. Now the birthday girl eats gluten free and guess what? They have an extensive gluten free menu for just such an occasion. I myself ordered the chicken enchiladas which were the PERFECT size... especially after devouring 2 orders of guac! And don't forget the SANGRIA! OH, sangria... a few pitchers later the night took a dangerously fun turn ;) Our waiter was great- he even brought the birthday girl a complimentary dessert and made a fuss over her! The hilight of the trip, however, was (a few pitchers of sangira into my evening) during a trip to the ladies room. I managed to lead the entire bathroom in singing the entire Golden Girls theme song. People helping people- it's a beautiful thing. I guess our table wasn't the only one downing sangria by the pitcher.
(4)
Tony W.
Service and drinks are good. Food looks and tastes like it was put together hours before and reheated in the microwave.
(2)
Jill D.
Ok. Guacamole was really good but food just alright. Service wasnt bad.
(3)
Isla E.
It's dependable, fast, and there is something for everyone. It doesn't make much sense to eat here when there are so many non-chain options for Latin American food in the city, but if you happen to find yourself here, you may be pleasantly surprized. The service was excellent. Never in my life, at a restaurant of this price range, has the waiter offered to bring me a taste of a dish I was uncertain about ordering. So that was cool; and as so many people have mentioned, they customize your guacamole tableside. Great for picky eaters. I went because we were going to Second City and it was convenient. It's an obvious choice, but a wise one.
(4)
Kelly K.
I've been here a number of times for dinner, but never for brunch. The brunch menu is much more reasonably priced than the dinner menu, but they still serve their awesome guacamole! I had the pozole, which was good, especially for $10. My boyfriend had the chilaquiles, which were some of the best we've ever tried. To round it out, the churros were AMAZING, but the flan was pretty flavorless and too much on the gelatin textured side.
(4)
Darrell Z.
The food was authentic, tasty and served hot but I would really focus my positive feedback on the staff. Very very friendly, and well aware of their customers. Many restaurants rush a meal, and many times in our hectic lives, we appreciate that - but in that rare occasion when you want to relax and take some time, many restaurants miss that cue - but not this time. The Adobo staff was wonderful and it was a great meal!
(4)
Pamela C.
Adobo Grill is my new go-to Mexican restaurant. Fresh guacamole (made in front of you), the best margaritas outside of Mexico, a fun atmosphere, and excellent service. Adobo Grill rivals Topolobampo, with less pretensioness and more affordability.
(4)
AJ L.
My friend dragged me in here while ranting and raving about the best guacamole ever. My expectations were exceedingly high after listening to this for several minutes. As soon as we sat down, the waiter asked us if we planned on doing the guac as if he was reading our minds! Then we had to choose how spicy we wanted it and so we chose spicy! I'll have to admit, she was right. It was thee best freshest guac I've ever had. Chunky, perfect acidity, perfect seasonings, and sooo much flavor. We slathered it on everything we ordered. The entrees were okay...but I felt it was too overpriced. Majority of their entrees were $16.00-$21.00...If ordering an appetizer, margaritas, guacamole, entrees, and then tip can get quite hefty on the wallet! The guac is the star here. Pretty restaurant interior and outdoor seating, great staff, excellent location, and nice spot for a date. I would go back.
(4)
Mikee R.
Great staff. They were very tolerant when the group I was with had a few too many. Food was good.
Excellent guacamole!!! The best I have ever had. They come over and make it in front of you which I don't really find that impressive but whatever, I guess some do. There are huge pieces of avocado in their guac...so freaking good! After that, there's not much else to rave about. I had a margarita which I requested on the rocks with salt. The server suggested I try their shaken margarita which they are known for. I succumbed to the pressure and was annoyed I did. I don't want to drink a margarita/martini. So I got my second margarita how I prefer and it still wasn't that great. It was very strong but the flavors needed to be blended better. I was so thoroughly unimpressed with the food. I ordered the veggie enchiladas and they were terrible. I basically ate the corn tortillas they were wrapped in and black beans. booo! It was actually pretty funny b/c as the night progressed and we were at a another establishment, my fellow diner also expressed how bad the food was. It's never comfortable to tell someone their selection of a restaurant blew but it's always funny when the truth comes out and you can banter back and forth about it. So, we decided the following: Go here to drink and sit outside and eat chips and guacamole. That's about it!
(3)
Cecilie D.
I Have been to this place many times before as a newcomer to Chicago. Food and drinks have always been delicious, so when I saw an ad for their Easter Brunch, I knew it would be a hit! I gathered 8 of my friends, got dressed up, and headed over. Great price for all you can eat appetizers, desserts, and a choice of one entree. WELL, we all ordered the steak, which apparently is their best item on the menu..4 hours later, all 9 of us are puking our guts out. Why? FOOD POISONING from this place. We have been sick for 4 days now from this food and it has been absolutely dreadful...just like when I called the manager to let him know what happened, he still wouldn't refund our party because he had no proof of us being sick. Well, he just lost 9 valuable customers. So if your in the mood to puke and poop your life out, don't go to this restaurant.
(1)
Holly W.
First of all I found this place about 7-8 years ago and fell in love with it because of their awesome margaritas!! I never really like the plain margaritas, I always ordered strawberry but I will not order a different drink from this place besides the adobo margarita! I met my boyfriend at adobo a year ago nov 3, we celebrated our 1 year anniversary last night at adobo. The menu was slightly different, we really enjoyed the sopes last time but we of course had to have their guacamole which is out of this world!! They make it to your liking right in front of you! We also had gorditas and flautas, so yummy!! The service was impeccable like always! Our waiter found out it was our anniversary and he gave us a another round of margaritas, dessert shot & dessert on the house!! We can't wait to go back! Never had bad service or food here!!! Oh btw the upstairs atmosphere is so cozy we choose to sit there!!
(5)
Khadijah L.
Good solid mexican restaurant but I don't find it extraordinary. I live right down the street so I guess this is the closest place to get decent guac and margaritas!
(3)
Claire S.
My boyfriend and I went to Adobo the first time last night and had a great experience. The food was excellent. I had the guacamole and chips and the lamb soup special to go along with a couple of Margaritas. The soup was absolutely delicious - I thought on par with anything Frontera or some of the more popular downtown Mexican places had to offer. The Margaritas and guacamole were very good as well. Our server was very attentive. To top off the night, we had a minor snafu with our groupon and the manager and server were both very gracious and helped us resolve the problem.
(5)
Meredith B.
Went here last summer - one of the first restaurants I went to after I moved to Chicago. My boyfriend and I had a great table outside. My margarita was shaken tableside and was basically perfect - it was sweet and not too strong, so it had a great flavor. The guacamole didn't get prepared tableside (because we were outdoors) but it was absolutely delicious, and we had a huge portion! It wasn't too spicy or lime-y, just very creamy and great with the crispy chips. My entree (arrachera adobada) was flank steak in a mole sauce, with some beans and grilled tomatoes/onions on the side. I first tried to put the food in a tortilla, but was unimpressed by the results. The steak was MUCH better on its own, without being masked by the tortilla. The steak was very flavorful and juicy, and was paired wonderfully with the just-spicy-enough mole sauce. None of the side items were memorable, though they were a decent accompaniment to the entree. The churros we had for dessert were excellent - they were hot and just covered in cinnamon and sugar. I didn't care for the rich chocolate sauce (with cayenne pepper in it!) but the churros didn't need it. The service was outstanding. Our waiter was knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. He made recommendations and suggestions and always lead us toward something that we ended up enjoying. He made it a really enjoyable experience.
(4)
KM Y.
Decent Mexican food, but not great. The table-side preparation of the guacamole was a nice touch and it was quite delicious. The ceviche also was good. The main courses were OK, but not all that authentic. The margaritas are really sweet (too sweet, in my opinion) and not all that strong. The plus side of Adobo is its location next to Second City (we were catching a show later).
(3)
Princess D.
If you're looking for the typical Americanized Mexican restaurant, this place is not for you. This restaurant has an array of items on their menu. Their guacamole is outstanding made with all fresh ingredients. They make it in front of you and to your preference. The margaritas are okay. I have yet to try an authentic and delicious margarita here in Chicago. I had the pechuga entree which was very good. Service was good as well.
(4)
James H.
Not bad, not wonderful... it was 'good'. Guacamole was very good, but kind of over-priced. Maybe it was just what I ate, but everything was sweet.
(3)
Coll P.
A-OK is right. As everyone else has noted, guac is tasty...but the ceviche had hardly any fish in it and I simply wasn't impressed with the $$$ prices for average food.
(3)
Connie T.
I've only been here twice, but I am a huge fan of this place! Both times have been excellent!! Let me break down the why's. Food: AMAZING MEXICAN FOOD!! I cam here with my boyfriend who is Mexican so he can vouch for the quality and authenticity of it... but even so. I've had my fair share of Mexican food (living in Pomona, California and the random cruise trips to Mexico) and I was having a blast. The guacamole is very very good... (my bf still makes it better) but I would definitely come here for my fix :) Also, they have this awesome margarita that is shaken into a martini glass with a easy brim of salt and a small chunk of floating lime. It's not overwhelming, the alcohol taste doesn't make you wanna pass out, and the balance is a perfect blend between sweet and salty. I love this drink and I don't even like margaritas. Must have!! Btw... they don't have the typical Mexican food like burritos... it's more upscale gourmet Mexican food so if you're looking for something basic, you'd best go to Taco bell or Chipotle. Service: Very friendly, and helpful. Ask them anything, they'll give you their honest opinion on what you should order. Also, they are funny guys! That's a plus. Ambience: Cool, cultural, earthy, slightly dark, and bustling. At least it was when I was there... and it was a random weekday night. Price: Honestly, more than I want to pay. Appetizers are like $8-$12, and dishes can range from $13-$20. But it's okay. Quality is important to me :) Other notes: - The second time I came here was because I found a groupon $40 for $20, and I was ecstatic because I already love this place. Look for deals if you want to try this place! - They also have a LONNNNNNG list of different types of tequilas so I imagine the bar scene can be pretty busy if you want to try them all... but yeah I've never done this so just FYI for you drunkards. - They also have certain nights where you can get a prix fixe menu and try their different tequila drinks (I think it's like $30 or $40 per person? Not too sure don't quote me) but I would've wanted to try this if I wasn't moving in 3 weeks.
(5)
Kimberly R.
I went with the family for my birthday. I love their (table side made) guacamole!!! The food is very tasty and fresh. Our waiter Miguel was very attentive and showed great knowledge about the restaurant and food selections. He made my 6 year old son feel special by bringing him a virgin smoothie and speaking directly to him. Since it was my birthday I asked him to surprise me with my dinner and drink selection. He brought me a fabulous vegetarian meal, and I am not a vegetarian. I must admit it was great to taste all the robust flavors of the veggies and knowing I was eating healthy was a plus. Afterwards, they brought out a yummy dessert and offered my husband and me a birthday shots. I was surprise to find out that they have a private party room upstairs that they rent out for no additional room charge when you cater your party. Overall it was a great fun evening!
(4)
Roben R.
Table side guacamole was the only thing I'd go back for. We had to ask for everything we needed twice. The rest of the meal was bland and the margarita's were just okay. Service was obviously lacking, since we had to ask for everything twice, i.e. hotter salsa, more sour cream, more margaritas. They were a friendly bunch, but it wasn't busy enough to explain our lack of requests being honored on initial request. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the location is fantastic, if you're going to Second City. There are too many choices in the area to be middle of the road.
(2)
Debbie P.
My hubby arranged for our 11-person crew to go here for my birthday last night, and I had never been. This was unexpectedly gourmet Mexican food and it was delicious. For complete disclosure, I gluttonously sampled each of the following (I'm a total bite-snatcher): Guacamole - It's an on-the-fly station they bring right to the table, so you can tweak the ingredients to your desire. The portions are generous; we got two for our table of 11 and it was perfect. Lomito en Mole Negro (pork loin): The mole was perfection. So rich, so dark, so handsome ... Arrachera Adobada (grilled flank steak): tender and amazing Cochinita Bibil (pulled pork): also tender and delicious Pastel de Pina (dessert): Holy fluffy amazingness. So many flavors going on here, all of them delicate and so, so tasty. Flan del Abuelo Artemio (dessert): Great flan, not-so-great strawberries (rubbery) Churros with Ancho Chocolate sauce: AWESOME. The ancho choc. sauce is fantastic. Sangria: Pretty standard, but didn't leave me wanting at all. Margarita: Excellent, truly. And I'm not a margarita person. This thing was dangerously tasty. Service was excellent, very helpful and also clever; We ordered way more than we planned. But hey, it's my birthday. I do what I want. :)
(5)
Chay K.
I came here with a Groupon, which we had no issues using. Their guacamole was amazing. One of the best I have had. My entree was very appetizing, as well. The staff was friendly and helpful. I particularly liked the decor of the place.
(4)
Jessie S.
I've been to Adobo countless times, both in Lombard and Chicago.. And to be honest, the entrees aren't my style. They can be a little dry in general. BUT, the guacamole is so fantastic, i almost feel rude tattling about the other options. Furthermore, the house margaritas quickly remedy anything you aren't crazy about. I also would reccommend any of the ceviches. They really are delicious. I've had the chicken enchiladas, the masa cups, the chopped salad (which comes with pickled onions and that isn't on the menu! yuck!), and a few other random things.. none of them really worth mentioning But, sitting outside in the summer in old town, eating amazing guac and sipping a marg.. why would you even bother with the rest of the menu?
(3)
Melissa B.
One of my favorites! If you love guacamole you have to have theirs! It's the best. I also love the margarita. I've never been disappointed in anything I've eaten. Oddly enough I lean towards vegetarian dishes here. I just have a hard time coming here often because it's a bit pricey for Mexican food IMO.
(4)
Emann B.
Lovely service and fresh, delicious Mexican fare...perfect. Dropped in for margaritas and sangria outside and ordered medium guacamole, queso fundido, and the mushroom quesadillas. Rich, savory, cheesy goodness. The guacamole was fresh, rich, and creamy. My favorite tortilla chips go great with everything.
(4)
B L.
I wasn't too impressed with this place. The prices are pretty steep and don't reflect a great quality in food. Sure, the guacamole is prepared fresh which is nice but that is seriously the only reason why I am giving this place 2 stars instead of 1. Everything else is just meh. Especially the drinks! I won't be back.
(2)
Shelbi H.
I am a huge fan of Adobo grill. I took my family there last night and we had a good experience. The service was great, until it came to getting our check, but it was still fast. The food was also really great. The guacamole was delicious and made fresh right before your eyes. Overall, I'd say the food is a bit overpriced, but I was satisfied with it anyways. This is a great place to go. We were in and out in about an hour on a Saturday night.
(4)
Enrique E.
I've been here a number of times with friends and the food is always great; compliments to the Chef!!!!!!!. The guacamole and the gorditas are amazing.However, I am a margaritas person and I have to say that the first time I visited I was very impressed by what I was drinking. But the consistency of the drinks is not always the same. By drinks I mean their Margarita mix.Somedays are better than others. Service is genarally great. It'll be nice if the staff smiled a little more :) Will be back soon.
(4)
Renee D.
Visited recently to celebrate a friend's birthday. There were 12 of us and our server was great. She offered to help with a cake I retreived from my car, taking it to the back until the table was a little more clear. She was really nice the entire evening. I had eaten a snack prior to dinner, so I could not finish my meal....chicken tacos. I was disappointed, as they were very good. The margarita's were good, but nothing more special than anywhere else that makes their own. People rave about the guacamole...they must be right because I don't really ever seek it out, but I tried it and ended up getting thirds...it had flavor, unlike others I've had. I loved the atmosphere...you don't get it that good at suburban restaurants.
(4)
Michelle T.
Thanks to a $25 gift certificate from Restaurant.com , Nick and I decided on Adobo Grill for dinner. The biggest draw of this restaurant is probably that they make the guacamole FRESH right at your table! The so-so food at Adobo Grill didn't wow either of us. Between the two of us, we shared 3 appetizers and 1 main dish. We were full, but without the gift certificate, dinner would have been $60. NOT worth it, according to our standards. RATING (out of 5): Taste: 3.5 (Above average) Originality: 3.75 (close to 4, but not quite there yet. Dishes on the menu were what you'd expect at a Mexican joint) Plating: 3 (not blown away whatsoever) Value: 4 (but only because we had a coupon for $25 off) Service/Atmosphere: 4 (Romantic and hip atmosphere with great service)
(3)
M P.
I have been to this place a total of 4 times. Each and every time I have been satisfied! This place has great service, always so nice and warm. The guacomole here is by far the best I have had anywhere, the margaritas even better. The chopped salad amazing. Everything is just great. Whenever my boyfriend and I crave mexican this is the place to go. It's a great spend and always an awesome time. I have nothing bad to say about this place at all!! Overall amazing! Other than the place being rather narrow, but that is only an issue if I wanna get very specific and detailed. There is really nothing to complain about!
(5)
Seema A.
Went here with some friends about a month ago. Good Margaritas. Decent Guac and decent Mexican. I like it because its in walking distance to other places in Old Town & its a cute fun atmosphere for groups.
(4)
Ericka A.
Although the price was a little high and the service was a bit slow, my roommate and I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Their guacamole is delicious. The medium was perfect for my sensitive Minnesotan taste buds. They offer fresh squeezed orange juice, but I could have passed on it. Their enchilades de pollo were much better than the ones I had at another restaurant the night before. The red sauce perfectly complimented the shredded chicken and they didn't skimp on it. We would have tried the dessert pastel de tres leches, but our service was so slow that we had to decline and try not to get a parking ticket at our meter. My roommate didn't get his Pepsi until the third ask. Those are the only real complaints.
(4)
Carolynne M.
I admit, I initially feared for Adobo. The neighborhood is just too chi-chi, the interior too big and too corporately "done". But I have to say, even though they could stand to make the gap between the price of the entree and the size of the entree smaller (right now things just seem pretty pricey for what you end up getting), the end result of the food is quite good. We started off with chips and salsa appetizer. This came with 4 different types of salsa - Pico de gallo; chipotle salsa; tres chiles salsa; and a Chef's special - which in our case was a pureed avocado with peppers that packed a little bit of a punch! (The spice level on this might be too heavy for some, but for me it was heavenly.) Then I ordered the fish tacos, which while good, were really small and almost appetizer size. I was glad to have gotten the chips at that point! Also, the service here was impeccable. From the attention at the bar (BTW, their version of a cosmo: good, but their Mojito: friggin amazing! you must try this!), to the host station, to our waitress, everyone was really cool, friendly and eager to please. Which was nice to see! Even the valet guys were great! This is a tough area for me to get to, but I would definitely come back if I had the chance.
(4)
David R.
I almost never hedge with the star rating, but this is really a 3.5 to me. I came here once years ago with a large group and liked it, and have been meaning to return ever since. I tried to bring my parents here last year but we were aiming for late lunch/early dinner and they don't open until 5 pm. A friend visiting from out of town this week provided a good reason for four of us to meet here. The house margaritas were excellent. The table-side guacamole was all right, maybe a B-. I liked the table-side presentation, but there was too much lime and not enough other goodies in there. Throw me some more cilantro and onion in there. Also, we asked for medium-spicy and I tasted no kick whatsoever. My entree was decent--B. I had one of the specials: a chicken breast stuffed with spinach, chihuahua cheese, and tomatoes, served with a pyramid of poblano rice and a creamy corn salsa. Well-made and enjoyable but not extraordinary. I was the only who went for dessert (screw you for judging me), and I chose the Crepas con Cajeta. Apparently, cajeta is goats-milk caramel. This crepe was also stuffed with plantains, sprinkled with some sort of nut or seed which seemed like a pumpkin seed, and served with vanilla ice cream. Pretty good--another B. Service was adequate but uninspired. We didn't sit down until 9 pm (on a Thursday), so we had a nice quiet atmosphere in which to catch up and reminisce. In fact, we were the last ones in the place, but thankfully they did not shoo us out.
(3)
Andy M.
I just can't get my head around the concept of high priced Mexican food. Those who know me realize how seriously I take my Mexican food. It borders on obsession. My love for Mexican food started in college when I was introduced to the splendor that is late night Burrito's filled with Steak, Chorizo and covered with Mole Sauce. Like every other Red blooded, American college boy, I would spend my weekend hours at the bar, hoping beyond hope that I would get laid, only to be left with the comforting thought that a Steak Burrito the size of a "74, Ford LTD would be in my future. Mexican food is about marinated meats, sauces and textures. It's about the ability to feast yourself into a coma for under $10.00. It's about area's like Pilsen, Humboldt Park and Uptown. It's about fun, delicious food that is totally unpretentious. What it's not about is a upscale, Boutique of a restaurant in Old town. The decor at Adobo is strange. It's Vegas version of a Pepe's Taco's. I have no idea what they were trying to get at with the Decor but to me, it was kind of odd. On a positive note, our server was wonderful. She was quite attentive to our drink needs and explained all the specials to us. For my entree, I ordered the skirt steak. It came with Rice, beans and tortillas. The steak was pretty tasty, but the portions were Billy Barty sized. I was actually thinking about stopping at the Burrito House on the way home. The highlight of the meal was the Chips and Salsa sampler that we ordered as a appetizer. It came with four different types of Salsas ranging from Wimpy, to Burn your Lips off hot. All four were quite tasty. I'm glad that I tried Adobo Grill. Although it was overpriced, it was a decent experience, but the next time I have a craving for Mexican food (which is daily) I will go elsewhere. There are many different dives, hole in the walls and street vendors that will fill my belly with better food without putting such a large dent in my wallet.
(3)
Lauren M.
One of my very favorite restaurants in Chicago. The table-side guacamole and fresh made margaritas are as good as it gets.
(5)
Stephanie W.
Meh. Good margaritas, mediocre service, thoroughly confusing restaurant layout when you're drunk and in heels. I've been here a few times, and simply can't bring myself to love the food. "Upscale Mexican" is just such a hard sweet spot to hit. Everything we've ordered has been just okay, even with tasting my friends dishes, so I'll probably stick to Cantina Laredo next time.
(3)
Jessica D.
Adobo Grill was a great choice considering a had to pick out a restaurant last minute. I am not a fan of guacamole, but this was the BEST I had ever tasted. It is cool to see them prepare it in front of you too! The quesadillas were GREAT, trust me I am the quesadilla connoisseur. I was reluctant to order the margaritas since I prefer flavored and frozen, but this standard margarita on the rocks was top notch and very potent! I will definitely visit Adobo Grill again when I am not under pressure!
(4)
Brett F.
It's true, the guacamole here is choice. Served fresh table-side with lots of lime juice and a nice spicy kick (unless you request it mild) it's some of the best guac you can get in Chicago and for the highest price... at $8.00 a pop it's not necessarily the best deal on the menu but it is impossible to pass up. The rest of the menu does follow suit with slightly higher prices than what you've come to expect for Mexican fare, but the quality of the amazing dishes more than makes up for it... the empanadas and sopes surtidos ("little masa cups") are yummy starters that are not only beautifully presented but positively delicious. The Arrachera Adobada Plate with grilled flank steak and veggies was juicy and perfectly cooked, but when ordered with the intention of sharing, it fell a bit short with portioning... kinda skimpy. On a side note, I also once hosted an event here upstairs in one of their party rooms for 45 people. The room was lovely and appointed like the rest of the space... lots of gorgeous Mexican tiling and artwork, tons of candlelight and our private bar was on point. Add in their attentive service, it was very impressive to my clientele!! We did tons of passed hors d' oeuvres, their signature fresh guacamole, hand shaken margaritas and premium liquor for all under $35 p/head. Viva Adobo Grill!! The party was such a fantastic deal while just a dinner or lunch here often seem overly-expensive. Hmmm.... Either way I often find myself dreaming about that guacamole so I know I'll be back. As a matter I fact, I think I hear that Adobo Margarita served martini style calling my name as I type. Gotta jet..... ........I'm coming Tequila!!!!!!!
(4)
Andrew K.
This place has been around for awhile and their claim to fame is their guacamole made table-side. It is amazing, but that should be the only reason to go there. The rest of the food and drinks including the Carne Asada are not good and way overpriced. In for the guac then time to move on.
(2)
Clif P.
Fantastic Mexican food! Tons of options, including vegetarian, fish, and meat! Great Margaritas! Great atmosphere! Great Service! Next to Second City! I strongly recommend this restaurant. (The only drawback is their outdoor seating. I've witnessed homeless people try to ask for change in that area. Also, the intersection has quite a bit of noise from traffic congestion).
(5)
Jacquelyn G.
Scored an outside table for happy hour on Friday night. Beautiful weather, good drinks, good guac. We made the mistake of ordering entrees, though, and I could've done without. I had a hard time deciding because quite frankly, nothing was really appealing to me. So many things have mole sauce which I'm not a fan of. So I opted for the chile relleno. It was like none I've had before. And not in a good way. First of all, it was this huge rectangle in a pile of liquid on the plate. How is a pepper rectangular in shape? And why the pool of liquid? Yuck. It wasn't remotely crispy, and it was just totally unappetizing. I dug out some of the cheese and called it a day. My husband's pork tacos didn't look much better. Just mediocre food, at best. I'd go back for drinks and chips + guac, though. Good people-watching on the patio.
(2)
Abhay S.
Came out to Adobo Grill with some friends last night with some friends from out of town. We made reservations for 6:45 and the restaurant was able to quickly seat us when we showed up. Our service staff was awesome. The staff made sure our water glasses were always full. When it came to ordering, our waiter answered all of our questions appropriately. We ordered some gauc and salsa as our appetizers. The gauc, as many have mentioned, is excellent. It's made right at table side and the staff will ask you how spicy you want it (we went with medium this time, I would normally get spicy). The salsa was pretty good as well, but I'm not sure I'd order it next time. My friend and I both ordered a flank steak dinner and the waiter told us that the steaks are cooked "medium rare". We both asked for the steaks to be done "medium" and they actually came out a little more pink than I would have liked. (Now I wonder what medium rare looks like...) Overall though, our food was excellent and service staff was very prompt. One thing though, we did kind of notice that once we indicated that we won't be ordering any desserts, our waiter kind of "disappeared". Not sure if the restaurant got a little more busy or what, but he was really prompt up to that point and then we got stuck waiting around for him to process our credit cards for payment. I think the damage was about $130 + gratuity. That's a little more than what we normally spend, but not bad for an excellent meal.
(5)
Jenny T.
Came here over the weekend & it was packed. I had been before, but didn't really remember anything besides it being pricey. Got seated within twenty minutes & had chips & table side guac within minutes. Delish! We then ordered & devoured the delicious guac. Our entrees arrived - 1 veggie combo platter, 1 tilapia dish, 1 carne asada, and 1 shrimp with rice. All received thumbs up. I had the shrimp dish & while it was tasty, I wished there was a bit more variety. The shrimp were good, but after eating 4 I was bored. The rice was good & the random zucchini in it made it even more delicious. I'd like more please! I also tried the carne asada dish - pretty yummy, but pretty standard. The potatoes that came with it, however, were completely addicting. Still hungry? Why not orderetwo desserts?! The churros with the chocolate dipping sauce was outstanding. So fresh, so warm, so velvety. Lucky us! The tres leche cake was not what I have had before & was more of a pecan cake drenched with a simple sugar syrup. Eeehhh, could have done without. Do I think I'll come here again? Not sure. Do I think if I'm craving Mexican in my neighborhood I'd end up here?...depends if Las Pinatas has a wait or not.
(3)
Kira M.
(2.5 stars) On our very first night in Chicago, my father and I trekked from The Loop to Lincoln Park to join one of my college friends for dinner at Adobo Grill. We walked in well before our reservation time (Having only been in the city for a day, I was still shaky on estimating the time it would take to get around. Sue me.), so we settled in at the bar until she arrived. I decided to kill time with an Adobo Margarita. Oh. Wow. Phenomenal. Best margarita I had ever tried. Perfect blend of acidity, tartness and sweetness. Save for the fact that its alcohol content was 0%. All the calories without the buzz. Le sigh. When we were seated in the fun, tri-level, salmon-colored space, I followed my friend's advice and ordered the Enchiladas de Pollo. Too bad I forgot that I don't like chicken. Especially flavorless, mealy chicken.
(3)
Amanda Z.
Margarita and girl talk, commence at Adobo. We were almost able to forget that Chicago was under yet another snow storm warning in our sunny little area with its warm yellow walls and ceramic touches. Our objective? Have a few margs, a few appetizers and go home happy. Guacamole was prepared tableside and almost as good as mine. (Take THAT with a grain of salt, as I am Irish-German...but in my opinion, I do make some good guac...) I enjoy the fact that they prepare it to your liking, whether you're a no cilantro, no onions, mild kinda girl, or a full throttle "mortar and pestle the crap out of all those ingredients" kinda girl (yeah, that's me). Yep, it's a little pricey, but as one very astute coworker noted, "The margaritas are served up here, which is better because there is nothing in the way between you and the liquor. No stupid ice to dilute it." Well said, my friend. Come here for the margaritas and guacamole. Leave happy. We did. Salud!
(4)
Stephenie R.
We held our rehearsal dinner here on Friday 9/20/13 and were so happy with everything!! The service was awesome, the food is obviously great, and Lucy was amazing to work with!! We highly recommend it as a cozy space to host a fun event. The pricing was very reasonable and the thole evening was perfection.
(5)
Fahim F.
Delivers a truly authentic experience with spanish music, paintings and friendly staff.
(3)
Tim A.
had the poc chuc, it was excellent. Would be 5 stars if their margaritas weren't so small.
(4)
Stacey L.
Popped in here for a quick bite before heading to Second City. BEST chips and guac in Chicago!!!! Place packs them in so, if you are rushed, try the back bar upstairs. Super cool room, quick service and tasty drinks. Plan to head back for dinner soon.
(4)
Jeri J.
Ever since I moved to Old Town I have been excited to try Adobo Grill. I had heard about the table side guacamole and had to step foot into that place! My boyfriend and I finally went there on a Friday night and we were surprised at how small the place was. We were taken to a corner table for two, but literally had a group of four next to us that I could hit with my elbow. They were having a very heated political discussion and we couldn't help but listen because we couldn't hear each other over them! As for the food, my entree was pretty good. However, I was not impressed by the guacamole. It was just okay...not worth going in for.
(3)
Callan C.
I really like Adobo. Yes, I agree it isn't affordable, the menu is small and it is fancy Mexican. What's great about though is the salsa, guacamole, and location. Great place to grab a margarita and some guacamole and while away an hour or two. Other than that stuff the menu has some good items. Lots of fish, vegetarian, and fine meat dishes. Most of it is high quality and tastes great. The service has always been attentive. Nice spot.
(4)
Amelia S.
Meh... it wasn't my favorite place in the world, but I was craving something besides breakfast food at 11 am on a Sunday. The host was really nice. My sister and I strolled in hungover (morning after St. Patties) in our sweats (you don't need to dress up to eat here... but we definitely felt out of place) and my sister apologized for our appearances and the host said "what are you talking about? You look beautiful!" It was a lie... but he earned some brownie points. We started out with table side guacamole. It was pretty good. I'm one of those people who doesn't like a lot in their guac though. I usually just like garlic, salt, onion, and chunky avocado. My sister loved it though and said it was on the top 5 best she's ever had. Then we ordered the "Las Cazuelas" which were okay. The chorizo one was bomb... but I have a huge fucking crush on chorizo. The plantain was was decent... better at first and then just became dull, and then the mushroom one was good. Last, we split the corn- plantain pancakes. That was pretty good... different. I immediately placed one of the eggs over the top of the pancake and used the yolk as syrup and then sprinkled the chorizo and the agave syrup over it. I like to make a "sandwich" out of any meal. Next time I came here it would probably be for drinks and chips w/ gauc. Service was really good and so was atmosphere.
(3)
Viral P.
The best GUACAMOLE in town!! I luv this place and I'd recommend it anytime if you like mexican food. I never used to like guac so much, but this place has completely changed my paradigm. I crave for guac nowadays!! They have a few vegetarian plates and they are amazing....i'd recommend the quesdillas, veg enchiladas, sopes (somedays they say they can make it vegetarian and somedays they say they cannot...haha), isnt that funny!! Oh and yes they have good margharitas...check it out!! All in all, i dont mind going to this place again n again....luv it :-)
(5)
Chi G.
Adobo catered a private party at my house on 9/22. The food was amazing and plentiful. They sent several people over to setup before the party and pickup at the end of the party. Hemma served as our bartender for the evening and did an awesome job on the cocktails, and thankfully cleaned as she went and made my job of cleaning up the next day much easier. We had the guac, tuna seviche, several entree's, desert, margs and mojito's and all was excellent. Thank you Adobo for making my birthday a special one!!
(5)
sandra h.
Besides great guacamole this place has some very tasty entrees. I had the grilled tamarind chicken and it was very good. There are a few interesting options for vegetarians such as butternut enchiladas. We went here before going to second city - which is right next door. Be sure to make a reservation because this place is packed.
(4)
William L.
I had dinner at Adobo Grill with a group of friends while on vacation, and everybody had a good time. The drinks were terrific, the food was excellent, the service was fine and the decor was pleasing too. This is as good of a Mexican restaurant as I have ever been to; however, this is excluding Tex-Mex restaurants. Now that I think about it, I have not been to that many true Mexican restaurants. Nonetheless, this place is great, and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Kate W.
I'll keep this simple. They have the greatest mojito ever assembled. That's right, ever. In the history of mojitos, there is none better. This is not your typical mojito. There is no rum. Instead, it's tequila. Yep, tequila. Now that's MY kind of mojito! They also mix the crushed mint leaves with crushed basil leaves too. I'm obsessed with basil, it's my favorite spice. And it's unbelievably good mixed with mint, tequila, and whatever soda they use. Lastly, they give you a quarter of a sugar cane stick to stir the drink. Yeah, I ended up chewing the stick... it's tasty. Don't judge me! I will also mention the good margarita that I had, but nothing can sway me from the deliciousness that was their mojito. I had a quesadilla and a bunch of us shared chips and salsa. All the food was good. I am also now in love with their salsa that tasted like it had some liquid smoke in it. Smokey salsa is very tasty, and I don't really even like tomatoes. It's a shame they don't sell it in stores. Lastly, the service was great. We had a large table upstairs and the service was amazing. They did a fantastic job with our large party that had people coming and going.
(5)
Jackie C.
Overall a good place but not my first pick for Mexican. The highlight, as other reviewers have pointed out, is the tableside guacamole. The entrees were good but nothing special, especially considering the price. We were with a good-sized group and it would have been nice to have a pitchers option for sangria or margaritas. The service was polite but I felt we had to ask the waitress for a lot of things she should have handled immediately (extra roll ups, extra napkins, etc). Try it if you must but our favorite Mexican in this style would be New Rebozo (Oak Park) or Frontera/Topolobampo.
(3)
Molly G.
I came here last night with friends and the food and service were excellent! We were seated right away (Fri night with no reservation) and I liked their complimentary coat check. I think the waiter was slightly annoyed that we only ordered appetizers but after we pounded a few drinks, I think he felt better. I had the tilapia ceviche, which was outstanding. I can't wait to come back and try their tableside-made guac.
(4)
Andrea R.
I'm a big fan of the guacamole they make right at your table and their margaritas are pretty good, but as far as the entrees I think there are much better Mexican restaurants in Chicago.
(3)
Mopsie B.
I went to the opening several years ago but was only back yesterday, as I was in the neighborhood for a concert. The food was good but I have to agree that the menu is somewhat limited and the prices are a tad high for what they are offering. Also, why are there only one type of tacos and why are they fried? I guess having lived in Denver and having easy access to New Mexico, I have been really spoiled by the abundant, fresh and affordable Mexican/Southwesten cuisine in that region. Anyway, they also didn't seem to have Patron Silver on their extensive tequilla list, which I found odd. But the guac is terrific and I have no complaints about any of the food we ordered. The mojito was very tasty but did not pack much of a kick, honestly. I would go back if I was in the neighborhood again. One tiny little annoyance: the bus boys were WAY too insistent and continuously interrupted our conversation and were hawking the table at all times. It was very intrusive and uncomfortable. They need to be trained better.
(3)
Alyssa F.
Bleh. I want to give a worse review than this place really deserves, because of my (MUCH better) experience at their other location in Indy. My boyfriend and I were there a month or two ago and stumbled across the Adobo there (which we at first thought was a chain, actually). The food was SO GOOD, it wasn't terribly expensive, and I really liked the decor/setup, not that he particularly cared about any of that. After we were finished eating, I looked it up on my phone, and we were excited to notice that, while not a chain, there was a location back in Chicago, so we made a note to go there sometime soon. Well, sometime soon was yesterday afternoon, and it definitely didn't stand up to our previous experience. We walk in, and I notice that the theme and decorations are all the same - cool. But when we sit down and pick up our menus - our tiny, tiny menus - we were confused. We seriously asked the waiter if we had the brunch menus. It was like they sliced 60-70% of the menu off of what we had in Indy, including the delicious chicken enchiladas I had gotten and been craving ever since. We considered leaving, but we were already there and sitting down, so we just decided to stay and order, which ended up being a decision we probably could have done without. The food was nothing special. It wasn't BAD, it just ... was nowhere near as good as it had been at the other location. (They were also far less attentive with refilling our chips and salsa, for those of you, like us, who look forward to that aspect of Mexican restaurants.) Oh, and apparently they charged us $3.50 for a Sprite. So I'm torn. I know we definitely won't be going back to this location, because the quality of the food doesn't justify the price, at least for us compared to our first experience. But it's really not an objectively bad restaurant, and it is better than some other cheaper/comparable places. I'm going to have to go with three stars, since it wasn't really terrible, but I'll leave you with this - while I wouldn't tell you to NOT go there (unless you've been to the one in Indy, and then I will, because you'll just be disappointed) I would definitely not recommend it over other places you could go.
(3)
Lauren S.
Good food, decent service, and nice atmosphere - a solid Mexican restaurant overall. I wish we weren't stuck in a corner in the back, but oh well. In terms of food, I ate the Shrimp dish under "Platillos Adobados" based on my waitress's rec, and it was really tasty and well-presented, too. The shrimp was in a sweet brown sesame seed sauce, which was great, and had some plantain rice and zucchini alongside. Yum.... and paid $20. There was also a really cute side area for a group of maybe 12-ish to sit at!
(3)
Scott R.
Love the margaritas....!!! Oh yea and the food is great
(4)
Nathan K.
A few of us stopped here before a show at Second City. As everyone has probably noted, the guac is prepared tableside and is absolutely amazing. It alone almost warrants the four stars. The entrees weren't too shabby either. I ended up getting the carne asada, which was solid and the enchiladas were good as well. Also our service was great especially considering we were in a hurry to get to the show. Overall I've had better Mexican but it was still delicious and I would still recommend it to those looking for some food near Second City.
(4)
Sandra M.
I met a friend at Adobo Grill as she suggested it. I was very impressed with the place. We started out at the bar and ordered margaritas. Probably one of the best margaritas I've had in a long time. When our table was ready, we were seated upstairs. It was very cute and cozy up there. We were happy they also had a tv up there playing some Big Ten football. We ordered the guacamole which they make right in front of you. The guacamole was amazing! For dinner I ordered both the empanadas and mushroom quesadillas since they were smaller plates. Both were excellent. The sauce on the empanadas was so good. I left there there feeling very full and satisfied. I would definitely suggest this restaurant.
(4)
P H.
This place used to be great, but it's gone downhill the past couple of years. Their guacamole is still phenomenal and their margaritas aren't bad either, but, besides that, their food is not very good and the service is so-so. I miss the Adobo from 3-4 years ago when it used to be awesome.
(2)
Brad F.
This place was great i got the arrechetas, i think. I was absolutely hammered when i came for dinner here during the art fair, and it was really good. I dont like guacamole, but they handmake it in front of you. My friends say it was good and it looked good. Definitely coming back here
(4)
Colleen B.
I typically only eat mexican food at places that have the biggest margarita glasses. What a mistake! Adobo serves great food. And the guacamole that they prepare tableside is wonderful. Yes, I promise. You wont forget to order it, because they ask you as soon as you sit down. The margaritas, while not enormous, are delicious and pack a punch, so don't worry that they aren't bigger than your face.
(4)
Christy J.
Yum! I love Adobo! If you want the best guacamole you've ever tasted... look no further. The guac is made right in the middle of the restaurant and comes to your table in the huge bowl they mixed it in. The entree's are just as good and the margaritas are delicious and unique. Don't go to old town without trying Adobo.
(4)
Ina J.
The food left a lot to be desired, for the price...I expected better.
(2)
Sophie E.
I've eaten here a number of times, and recommend it. I really love how innovative the menu is. Not your cliche' tex-mex enchilladas!! Rather, they offer creative, fresh, and tasty fare!! Here's an example: I ordered an appetizer, consisting of four sweet masa cups each filled with a different mexican filling: shimp and tomatoes, plantain, sausage, and mushroom/veggie. Outstanding!! Other dishes I've had were equally innovative and tasty. The tableside guacamole was a bit too salty for my taste, but I trust other yelpers' opinions that it's good.
(4)
Kristi D.
We had a large group here and we got a private room for our function. The price was a little high ($39 per person with tax and gratuity added in) but we all left stuffed. We got several appetizers, the guacamole rocks, the jimaca mango salad was delish, the chicken appetizer was good. The flank steak is what I usually order, the portion is a little small for the price but it comes out beautifully prepared, tender and juicy. The dessert was great too, even if I only had a bite because I was ready to burst!
(4)
Tom C.
This is definitely your high end Mexican place. The food here was really good especially the guacamole. We had the skirt steak and some appetizers and the steak was done perfectly. The atmosphere of this place is really nice and the margaritas are strong and good. I recommend this place but I don't plan on making it a regular dining spot.
(4)
Eric M.
I will admit that the guacamole made tableside is very impressive and fun, sadly there's only enough for maybe two people. The margaritas are strong, which is good, but unfortunately the food is only ok. Nothing had me hoping to come back for a second visit.
(3)
Ali D.
Four stars because I LOVE their margaritas. They are totally my favorite. I would not go for the food as often if I didn't enjoy the margaritas so much. The star of the meal. We always get the guacamole. Yes it is very fresh and tasty, but I still think it is funny that people always comment that it is made table-side... not really unique. Anyway, still recommended. I do think its a little annoying that they charge for salsa.... again, I overlook that small fact for my margarita love. Our meals are always better than your generic plate of tacos and refried beans, there is some creativity in all the entrees and appetizers - yet something to still please a picky eater with some staples on there. However, this is middle of the road and while the meals are tasty, they aren't awesome enough to rave over individual dishes.... but the margaritas I loooovvveeeee!
(4)
Flip N.
Great Guacamole, as everyone has mentioned! For entree, our waiter recommended the Pollo al Tamarindo and it didn't disappoint. Looking forward to coming back again
(4)
Jessica S.
WA WA WEE WA. So delicious, so fresh, so amazing. Mama dragged me out of bed on a Sunday morning to come here and thank God she did. Started out with FRESH FRESH FRESH guacamole. They roll out the cart with all of the ingredients, ask you how you want it prepared (mom requested it mild to medium) and then make it there right in front of you with a fresh avocado and all the fixins. Served with warm chips. Mom indulged in the Tamirand Chicken dish - served with what she described as "an amazing Mexican BBQ" sauce. Looked delicious, and the chicken was huge. She took home half of it after leaving stuffed! I wasn't super hungry so I was completely satiated (and then some) with my gordita appetizer. I'm not a fan of corn tortillas, but my gorditas were delicious nonetheless thanks to the meaty braised pork and savory sauce. Will absolutely be back, and will absolutely order a larger meal. However, I will be sure to request my mojito with rum because apparently, as my mom (surprisingly) discovered, they make theirs with tequila! Woops!
(4)
Carrie B.
I went to Adobo Grill on Wells this past weekend. Excellent drinks! I had the pineapple tequila and rum cocktail, which was yummy. I always order chicken fajitas, which they don't technically have on the menu, but the closest thing was the platos adobados, which was basically the same thing in corn tortillas. My boyfriend ordered the tamales, which he loved. The thing to order is definitely the table side guac made fresh. I also enjoyed the trio of salsas that were served with the chips - not many places give you any variety, it's usually just one salsa, and it always seems to be too spicy and hot for me! The food is average - not the best mexcian, but pretty good. I like the ambiance - lively on a saturday night, pretty spacious and spread out, not too loud, young crowd. I would probably go back again, although I prefer a place with fajitas.
(3)
Chris K.
This was the perfect meal for a pre-Second City dinner. We had the table-side made, guacamole, margaritas and two terrific meals (one of us is vegetarian). We will be back, with great enthusiasm!
(5)
Danielle B.
We only came for drinks but I have to say these guys make one great margarita and their chips and salsa are great too! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)
Tony G.
Amazing fresh guacamole made at table side to your specified level of heat!
(3)
Rob L.
For years I have driven by, heard, read, talked about this place. I was interested. Seeing that I had a outing to Second City that night, a friend and I came here for dinner. We sat in the bar area, the place wasn't too busy, the hostess was nice and I got a table off to the side. I looked at the menu, tasty sounding food, fresh guacamole, margaritas... Oh My! How can I go wrong? The guacamole is pretty darn good and trust me, I oh so appreciate having someone ask me if I would like it spicy. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to a place and wished for a little kick in the pants spice. I am not talking "I need a new shirt because I sweated through this one already" hot, just a little touch, a taste of heat. This really made me happy, the fact that they make it right by you and you know its fresh puts it over the top. Aaaaaaand that is all I really was impressed by. The margaritas, although tasty, really didn't wow me that much. I am also a self confessed light weight, (seriously I can feel a slight buzz after one glass of wine many times), not that I am looking to get tanked, but I do like to feel a little something. The ceviche was good, but not that great. I felt like it was lacking some punch, perhaps even a little more, (dare I say? Dare! Dare!), a tad bit more citrus? My chicken enchiladas were good, the masa was fresher than some places, but honestly I felt like there was some depth missing from the food. I always love Mexican for its great character of flavor, the smokiness, the 5,000 ingredients in a mole... to me, this was a slightly watery tomato sauce and was all right dinner. We were on a time restraint so no dessert, but really, I don't know if I would be going for some, (yes, I don't do dessert every time so pick your jaw up from the floor please.... thank you), and off we went. I will say the prices are a little up there, and most of my friends know, I don't mind plunking down for a good meal, but this was okay. The service was good, but for the food and everything, I came away not excited to tell people about it. I'd come back if I didn't have a choice, but would I run back? Meh... probably not.
(3)
Raana A.
Between my last two visits, we ordered margaritas, salsa (yeah, btw, it doesn't come with chips at this Mexican joint) chicken enchiladas and the vegetarian sampler. For $15 per entree, I have to say the portions are small and the chicken didn't taste very fresh. Here is my breakdown: Pros: - Margaritas - Guacamole - Salsa - Wells St. patio Cons: - Overpriced - Food isn't really authentic or very good - Service is a bit spotty, probably because they were pretty busy on my two recent visits. Adobo gets a solid 3 starts in my book. Great for margarita's and chips with guacamole and salsa, but I wouldn't bother coming back for dinner.
(3)
Tiff W.
Yes, the guacamole is as good as everyone has been saying. It reminds me of the Little Mexican Cafe in Evanston, where they roll a cart to your table and make the guac right in front of you. Do they have secret ingredients or something? Or maybe they've perfected the guac due to almost every table ordering it...because the stuff I make at home sure doesn't taste as good as this. The sauce on the chicken enchiladas was pretty amazing. And unlike some places that bake them for so long that the ends of the enchiladas get too crusty and dry, the corn tortillas on my enchiladas were perfect. The chorizo vazuelas were also really good, but they were too cheesey (AM I REALLY SAYING THAT?!). They were also a little too salty for my liking. Overall a satisfying meal that fixed my Mexican craving.
(4)
Mini M.
This place has absolutely the best sangria that I have ever had!!! I loved the appetizer! They make the guacamole right in front of you and it is awesome. The food was very good and the atmosphere was great. I went there on Thursday and Friday, and both days it was lively and fun atmosphere. I will definitely go again!
(5)
Antoine B.
Simply the best steak ever: Marinated in tequila! After their homemade guac', I now have another reason to go back there again and again!
(5)
Marie B.
Update 9/19/2007 Although my experience was a nasty one, I must give the manager at Adobo credit. He called me over the weekend to see how I felt. In addition, he offered to give me credit for my entire $80 check?! Certainly, not something I would have expected!! Wow!! That's customer service!! Is it possible to remove stars from an establishment?! Like - 5?! After having a marvelous daiquiri and testing their to-die-for guacamole here, I decided to return for a meal. MAJOR mistake! The dishes I had/tasted were way off base! The crab empanada was awful. The worse combination of flavors imaginable. The duck tamale was little better...as a matter of fact, it was merely a huge hunk of cornmeal...there was so little cheese, duck meat and mole that I thought I was eating spoon bread! All these things I could forgive. Except, after eating these less than palatable dishes, I got sick, sick, sick. Sicker than I have ever been in my life! Major GI distress (if you know what I mean)! 48 hours later and I still feel as if an army is at war in my tummy....polite words cannot describe. To compound the issue, when I called the restaurant (at my doc's nurse's suggestion) to see if anyone else had reported food poisoning, the manager was downright condescending. He vehemently denied receiving any complaints and kept telling me that my symptoms were not food poisoning -- contrary to the doctor's diagnosis?! I never want to see another Adobo again!!
(1)
Sarah P.
The guacamole made right at your table is by far the highlight of Adobo Grill. It is rolled out on a cart and the server makes it mild, medium or hot, per your request. The guac is served with warm chips. Yum. I enjoyed a glass of sangria and my friend had a margarita. Both were delicious. My entree was marginal. It was partly my fault, as I ordered a chopped salad. I mean, how exciting can that really be?! Well, it wasn't exciting at all and the flavors seemed to compete. Should have gone for a more authentic dish. Next time.
(4)
Amanda B.
One of my favorite neighborhood spots- Great table-side guacamole, even better margaritas, and a different type of mexican menu. My roomate and I go here regularly and almost always split the tamales and a combination of cazuelas aong with guacamole of course. Highly recommend!
(4)
Nicholas T.
The guacamole is the best part of this place. Every Mexican place does table side guac prep now, but they do it really well here. I wish I could say the same for the entrees and service. We were there on a Saturday night, and sat outside. It was great to be out on the street in Old Town with the beautiful weather, but slooow service and mediocre food dampened the experience. I was excited to see mole on the menu, but it was bland. The chicken the mole topped must have been put in a pan with a bit of olive oil, and nothing else, there wasn't a spice to be tasted. Continuing the search for good Mexican in Chicago....
(3)
Kate W.
One of my best girls wanted to meet here after work during the week. Okay, fine, I had no reason to disagree. Adobo was fine. Exactly that. Nothing extraordinary, nothing disappointing. It's simple Mexican and I suppose disappointing if you're used to traditional dishes. We shared guac, veggie enchiladas and special cerveche. Each dish was just fine. Again, nothing extraordinary and no reason to go out of my way to return. If I lived in Old Town, then maybe, but Lakeview and the surrounding areas have more to offer and I'll stick closer to home rather than picking Adobo.
(3)
Ali V.
This is very convenient for a show at Second City, but if you're paying for dinner yourself, there are probably other places you could go for a better value. The vegetarian platter was somewhat bland.
(2)
Brenda M.
I went to Adobo Grill this past weekend on a date because a friend told me about the awesome, made-at-your-table guacamole. We showed up really hungry and without a reservation and the host told us there was a wait or we could sit in the bar area where they served the full menu, so we sat there. We ordered cocktails, which were delicious, and guacamole right away. Two seconds later out comes our guac...already made?!?!? Apparently in the bar seating, they don't make it at your table and charge the same price?? Boo, hiss! My enchiladas were decent and my date said his chicken dish, I can't remember which one, lacked flavor. The service was very fast, even to the point of being rushed. I know it was a Saturday night but when you shell out $70 including tip, you shouldn't be shooed out of your table after 45min.
(2)
Rachel M.
I can't really think of any negatives about this place, except for the prices. Service was excellent and accommodating for our large group, and food was great (although portions were small-ish if you're expecting typical Mexican food). I just can't get over the prices. We left paying $78, and I had a bowl of tortilla soup and my husband had the tamales appetizer. We each had a margarita, 2 Corona's, and shared a tequila flight (which was $10, not too bad). Now granted, that was a bit to drink, but not crazy for a happy hour. I was shocked that we spent that much, when we only had appetizers to eat. Friends came late, shared some tiny quesadilllas and a few drinks and owed $40. It's just waaaaaay too much money, more than I ever want to pay for Mexican food. I've been spoiled by other cheap, good mexican places.
(3)
Alex S.
The guacamole was fantastic, but our entrees left something to be desired.
(2)
Melissa M.
Adobo Grill has some fantastic food. I highly recommend the guacamole. They make it right at your table and it's so ridiculously good you'll want to lick the bowl -- seriously. I had already has some apps at Quartino so I didn't get an actual entree during my past visit -- but I have had entrees there before and they were fantastic. Last night I had the shrimp ceviche ... SO GOOD ... and very light. Three shots of tequila and 2 coronas later I found myself at Burton place trying to build up the courage to karoke. Luckily a colleague took the heat off me and sang "Bye, Bye, Bye" solo ... phew. Thanks Brian. I will never forget your incredible performance.
(4)
Jill S.
Love Mexican food, Love Adobo. It's best to go here if you want to try some actual entrees/dishes, because you cannot get a la carte items such as one taco, or one tamale... I went on a beautiful day to sit outside and clearly enjoyed the guac and chips. For my meal I went a little on the lighter side and ordered the Chicken and Portabello Cazuela.. which is a sort of casserole that comes with melted cheese on top and is served with warm corn tortillas to make your own tacos. It was absolutely wonderful. My date ordered the Chorizo and green pepper Cazuela, which I tried, and it was delicious chorizo! So all in all, wonderful for a more upscale sort of Mexican joint, and in a neat little area. Enjoy!
(5)
Leilo P.
I went to Adobo Grill before I went to Second City, which I'm sure is how they get a lot of their customers. I had a great time. Our waiter was the nicest, most comical character. He danced a little for us while he made the fresh guacamole. I had the stuffed pepper with cheese and rice. I also had Sangria and a Margarita. This was definitely not the best Mexican food I've ever had, but it was good. I agree with the consensus however that the prices are steep for Mexican. I went with my California-raised Mexican roommate who said she liked the food, not the prices.
(3)
Eliza B.
We went to Adobo last night and weren't very impressed. The place was packed, granted it was a Saturday night and this is restaurant week and they are participating in it. It just seemed very unorganized. We had a reservation for 7:30. By 7:45 we still weren't seated and they began seating people who came in after us. My husband went up to the hostess stand to check the status of our seating and it was pretty much "oops we forgot". The service was slow., until it came time for the check Our server was pretty much non existent most of the time. The Sangria was nothing special and pretty sweet. I've certainly had much better. I had the empanadas and my husband had the tamales. The sauces on each were good, but the actual dishes themselves were again just fair. For an entree, I had the pork tenderloin in mole negro and my husband had the salmon. Again, the sauces were good but everything else was just "meh", The pork was medium rare on the verge of rare. Unfortunately there wasn't really anyone to address this with. My dessert was really odd. It was a gooey crumbled raw cake in hot fudge sauce. Bottom line, if you're going to Second City and really want Mexican that's close to the theater, this is the place. The food is ok, it won't kill you. I don't think. But it's nothing special.
(2)
Petras D.
This is the only restaurant that makes guacamole which I think stands up to the stuff I make at home, very flavourful. Great tequila flights and margarita's and the food is delicious.
(5)
Philip P.
Lucked out with a front parking spot - woohoo! I had the Pollo al Tamarindo (Grilled half chicken in tamarind-chipotle glaze with molcajete salsa, guacamole, charro beans). I usually stick with beef in latin food but the chicken met my expectations. Guacamole (made tableside) was A-OK. Still, I felt something was missing but couldn't put my finger on it.
(3)
Haley S.
Usually restaurants aren't good places to just grab a drink, but my friend and I did on Friday and they were super nice. Yummy free bar snacks, good tempranillo....all is good!
(4)
Betsy N.
I love this place. They have the best tuna ceviche and guacamole (made tableside) I have ever had! It is pretty busy most of the time unless you go during off-peak hours, but I have had pretty good luck finding a spot at the bar. I'll also throw in that their house margaritas are TO DIE FOR.
(4)
Phil F.
After reading the most current reviews on Yelp, I definitely walked into Adobo Grill with preconceived notions. Actually, I figured that I could write my review before even tasting the food -- "Guac and margaritas were great. Food was so-so." That seems to be Adobo's undeserving reputation. Fortunately, Adobo far exceeded my expectations. Sure, the guacamole was as good as advertised. Not only are the ingredients themselves fresh, but the tortilla chips are apparently prepared fresh every morning and are served warm at the table. Probably worth the trip alone. But our entrees were equally tasty. We ordered the Enchiladas de Vegetal (and I'm not a vegetarian) and they were AWESOME! For butternut squash fans, this is the ultimate enchilada. We also tried the Adobo Chopped Salad -- pretty solid. It's no Wildfire Chopped Salad (what really is?), but it was a nice lighter option to balance out the the enchiladas. Beyond the food, our server Alfonso was amazing, and the atmosphere was fun and lively. I'll definitely be returning to Adobo...and without the preconceived notion that I'm only in for a night of guac and margaritas.
(4)
Anne W.
I really just wasn't too impressed. It was a little more pricey for the type of food they serve. The service was excellent. It is a trendy place though. So they are known for their guacamole.. which I thought was just okay.. I think I can make better myself. The entrees were okay but not big portioned. I also got really sick from eating here so that's probably why I am not impressed.
(2)
Jen N.
Every time I come here the food is great! Even on a Saturday night, with the place PACKED, the service and the food was consistently good for our whole table. Adobo is not like all other Mexican restaurants; you won't find tacos or burritos, what you will find is interesting dishes with different twists and a lot of flavor. And of course, fantastic, fresh tasting margaritas. The chili rellenos is a Mexican classic, however, and it is great at Adobo. It is a tender green pepper, not tough or chewy, with really good cheese. I had it at Lalos and it was nowhere near as good as here. The vegetarian platter is also highly recommended.
(5)
Lucy L.
Friend recommended this place for brunch. like the outside seatings... Mexican decor.. friendly bartender.. friendly service Food was good or it could just be i was hungry.. but it was great.. something you don't mind to eat when u r hungry but if you really have time to think.. there are probably better places Overall it's just A-OK
(3)
Min Min T.
It seems to be difficult to diverge from what other Yelpers have repeated endlessly: 1. Outstanding guacumole made fresh 2. So-so food 3. Great atmosphere For the herbivore, there are only two or three choices here and even then, they're not so impressive.
(3)
Jenny C.
The short and sweet of it - this place is great! Really fun atmosphere and good food. Tableside quac is fine..good..whatevs. Margaritas - my family agreed THE BEST we have ever had. Fresh lime juice, perfect amount of tequilla. Entrees - grilled shrimp: you get a lot of shrimp, flavorful, yum. Salmon: not out-of-this-world but definitely tasty and satisfying. Hidden gem: chorizo, zucchini, salsa appetizer (can't remember the exact name it comes in the "earthenware casserole"). SOOO GOOD. Would come back for it! Great place to go in Old Town, was fun to bring my parents to :)
(5)
Nada R.
Delicious, extremely expensive mezcals. Haven't tasted anything besides chips & guacamole yet, but I'm hoping there's a plate of mushroom & squash enchiladas en mole with my name on it... brb. ... Ok, sorry, but I ain't gonna lie- it's an enormous rip off up in this mother.
(2)
T J.
One of those average meals with average service. Nothing stuck out as amazing. Highlights were the chips and salsa and the churros with chocolate sauce. I had the pollo enchilada, bf had the pollo tacos, mine was a bit tastier than his, but still just average, nothing you couldn't get from a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant in a different part of town. We also thought the menu was a little confusing, does small plate mean tapas? And what do you mean these dishes are "medium sized?" huh? The guacomole seemed popular but since I can't eat avocado and tequila is my "no-no" liquor, I might have missed out on the best things they had to offer. Drinks seemed a bit overpriced, so we passed, but $3.50 for a fountain Coke?! Seriously, that's ridiculous. After 1 app, 2 dishes, dessert, and a Coke that must have been spiked with gold flakes, we spent a $50 gift card which was what we intended. Also, check your glasses, had to ask for clean glasses twice, bad dishwasher.
(2)
Laura M.
I love the food here. Its super fresh and really tasty. The guacamole and margaritas are definitely menu highlights. I really like to order a few appetizers instead of an entree and I always leave feeling like I have had a really good array of flavors. The service is also pretty good. My only complaint is that the tab can get high really quickly, especially if you have a few drinks. I know that this restaurant has some mixed reviews but I have been here several times and never had a complaint about what I've ordered.
(5)
Lindsay S.
When my cousin comes into town he likes to go here... so... the time before last I had an amazing pork dish, the margaritas were tasty and I had a great time! The last time the menu was different and I was having the hardest time finding something that I wanted to eat. There was nothing that i wanted .. I ended up ordering the ceviche and it was a little disappointing, Its not like there was anything really wrong with it, it may have just been that I didn't really want it, but I will go back here one day but I will wait for my cousin.
(3)
Greg N.
...loving all things Mexican, I having been dying to drop by some Chicago's veteran locales for upscale mex that I havent had the chance to sample. Adobo is right on our bike path to the lakefront...so my girlfriend and I enjoyed a nice late afternoon lunch outside. First, for being on such a busy street...it was surprisingly intimate for a Sat afternoon. The outdoor cafe seating is a great place to people watch with a Garita and Guac...and Adobo didnt disappoint....well, almost. Our guac was not made tableside (I thought this was something they were famous for) and it was woefully short on salt. In addition, we asked for spicy...and it did not appear to have much, if any, kick to it. I ordered the classic Adobo Garita...straight up with salt...and it was good...but a bit too tart for my tastes. I prefer Zocalo, Mercadito, or Decero (Frontera goes without saying). They did not have fish tacos on the menu...but they were happy to prepare them for me. My girlfriend ordered a farmers beet salad with fresh cheese and apples. They were both good but lacked something that would make them stand out from the crowd. We both agreed that perhaps Adobo was getting a bit too comfortable and resting on it's laurels. The waiter made sure he told me how great his Margarita was...and how different they were (making them appear a bit aloof). Last time I checked...it is much better to have OTHERS telling you how great you are.... ...and after our maiden voyage, I am considering NOT asking Adobo Grill out for a second date. She's just not that hot...and shes pretty full of herself.
(3)
Audrey S.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday. From the fun and loud atmosphere to the cute metal people wall art pieces, the experience was great. The chicken quesadillas are so scrumptious I could eat them every day. For starters, they brought a tray of four salsas - pico de gallo, mild, medium, and hot with tortilla chips. I had their signature margarita which was fantastic, if just a teeny bit limey. Then for dessert, I was served a delectable phyllo cup filled with three pieces of cake, strawberries, and mousse, topped with a candle. Mmmm mmmm mmmm.
(5)
Alan W.
Great food at reasonable prices!
(4)
Scott S.
Nicely done traditional Mexican fare. It's no Bayless, but it's a decent find. I hear their margaritas are really good. For me, the win here is the tableside guacamole service. Ultra-fresh guac made in a real mocajete to your precise specifications. The only made-to-order guac I've found better is from a place called Ãcenar in Austin, TX. So I really love this place for stopping in while you're in the neighborhood and having a guacamole. That alone justifies Adobo Grill's apparent success, and that alone is what gets it 4 stars from me.
(4)
Jeannine K.
I went there with a group last night. Mexican is always a fun choice - good mojitos, sangria, and margaritas here. Everyone was happy with their drinks. We picked the place because it had a good gluten-free menu. We all shared guacamole and cheese fundido. Yum! The gluten-free tamale and veggie enchiladas were good. It was easy to dine gluten-free here and not feel like you had to give up anything delicious. It was a fun place with a cute atmosphere, I would definitely go back again.
(4)
Andrea C.
adobo grill is a pretty solid choice if youre in old town and looking for a place to dine. i went here w/a group of 6 for my birthday this past weekend, but did call ahead for a reservation. i would definitely recommend calling ahead, as the place was hopping at 8:30. we got the guac...which was REALLY really good. it was gone in about 5 minutes flat in our little group. we also got the chips and salsa sampler, which was also quite tasty. for entrees we tried a few things...i had the ceviche sampler, which was good...definitely different. it was a pretty experimental menu...but also pretty small, which is the only reason it loses a star. i had a hardcore craving for fajitas (not exactly traditional mexican, i know, but hey, dont judge!), so it would be nice if they had some more americanized mexican food on the menu. we also sampled the margaritas, which, as many have described, were delicious. i usually like mine frozen- but these were actually a pretty darn good formula. only gripe is, they dont come by the pitcher, so they really get a chance to price gouge you there. all that said, i would definitely go back here if i were looking for an option before 2nd city! yum!
(4)
Jenny B.
I am in loveeeeeee with their margaritas and guacamole....I even took the recipe to make the guacamole so now everybody thinks i make the best guacamole..I have also tried other things on their menu but im not a huge fan of their food. Their drinks on the other hand are excellent... I really recommend for everyone to try their margaritas. you'll be going 3 times a week back then like myself
(4)
Janet E.
The guacamole here is delicious!!! The food is a bit pricey but delicious tasting. Its a plus that it is located right next to the movie theater so that you dont need to rush your meal. We had an unfortunate experience sitting by the window breathing in second hand smoke. However, we complained to the manager who accomodated us by closing the window.
(4)
Brian W.
I kept thinking this place is Mexican tapas the whole time I was here. The whole menu was full of diminutive, but lower priced dishes. I kept hunting for the regular entrees but they were nowhere to be found. Great if you're looking for a light meal, or two share several with a friend. I enjoyed the food. Everything was well spiced, with just a hint of kick to it. Meats were tender, crusts crispy. The only sad thing, like all tapas type meals is that you end up spending more than if you ordered a regular entree.
(3)
James W.
Came here with a large group of friends and we got our own little section which was nice. I got the Arrachera (similar to fajitas) which was excellent, the meat was cooked perfectly medium rare. Solid margaritas and guac. We also got a flight of 10 tequila shots which came on a long board which was a cool presentation.
(4)
Tati A.
Wow! Went in there for a drink. Had an Organic Margarita (after searching for a place to get one for a while) it was delicious, and the bartender kept filling it up with what he had made instead of charging us for each time he topped it off. Had guac (made in the dining area so you can see!) and chips, some apps, it was delicious and not too pricey, around $50 for two. Already planning to go back..the best drink I've ever had. Food was authentic tasting and excellent.
(5)
William T.
This was my second foray to Adobo (the first was at the Division location), and enjoyed myself both times. The guacamole lives up to what everyone says about it, it is quite good. This most recent time was for more of a drinks/snack type of outing. I had their margarita and the empanada appetizer, along with some shared cerviche. Everything tasted quite good, but was on the pricey side.
(3)
Paul C.
Truthfully I'm not a big fan of Mexican food, despite the fact that I grew up eating 3 or 4 times a week. When I go to a Mexican resteraunt that specialiazing in charging $10 for a taco, I expect it to be inauthentic, and underseasoned. So my expectations for Adobo were very low. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The guacamole here is by far the best I've ever had. The margaritas were also tasty. The entrees were nothing special. I would go back here because I liked the ambiance and the guacamole. The main courses leave a bit to be desired.
(3)
Melissa C.
A energized, bustling environment great for friends, drinks, and wonderfully authentic Mexican cuisine. Guacamole and house margarita are some must-haves. As for the main courses, allow a server to assist. They are well trained and knowledgable about the food and culture of Mexico. Don't settle for the enchiladas- try something new that you can't have anywhere else!
(4)
graham r.
We lived just down the street from Adobo for several years and have eaten there many times. We now live in New York but here there is nothing to match the guacamole, the salsa combo or the warm chips you get in Adobo. There are many good dishes. I went thru a vegetarian phase and they varied the contents just enough times to keep me coming back for more. At the other end of the scale the hanger steak is also good for the meat eaters as is pretty much everything in between. I also highly recommend the Sunday brunch. We were back in Chicago at Christmas and a group of ten of us met for brunch. Drinks at the bar, lots of guacamole and variations on mexican eggs Benedict kept everyone happy. Just a few other things. The service is excellent, the place is spotless, the decor is interesting, the layout good for groups,and the desserts are very good.
(5)
Amy M.
If you're craving upscale Mexican then Adobo Grill is the perfect place to go! As everyone else says the guacamole alone is an experience because they actually make it at your table- it's really good! Their ceviche and quesidilla appetizers are also really good! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(4)
Robin W.
Food is really good, though I wish they had more selection on the menu. I don't eat red meat or pork so my options were limited. The guac is excellent. They also have a good brunch if you want some spicy tex mex on a Sunday morning. The margaritas are little, but strong. It's a little expensive to frequent regularly though. Overall I really like this place; especially on a date when a guy is paying!
(4)
Jason P.
The guac was pretty damn good, and the Adobo margarita was also on par with my expecations, but nothing really jumped out at me. The salsa sampler was pretty neat, good homemade chips. My fiancee had the pork tacos and she didn't really care for them as the tortilla shells were undercooked and they were overstuffed. I had the flank steak, and enjoyed that a lot, but overall...3 star is on par.
(3)
Jen S.
I was pleasantly surprised by the great mexican food at this restaurant. I went with about 30 coworkers, we were in town for a business trip so we were in one of the private rooms. The restaurant was packed and to get to the room we had to squeeze through a crowd but made it back to the room where they had several round tables for us in a cute and intimate space. The margaritas were good and strong and yes the guacamole was amazing and I am not a fan of avocados either. They served our food family style and the service was great.This was a great start to our evening as we were treated to a great mexican meal and Second City right after. Too fun!
(4)
Judi M.
Adobo Grill was the site of a recent Chicago AMA marketing mixer and it was my first time at the restaurant and bar in Old Town. It offered a vibrant atmosphere, great lounge seataing, bar seating and mingling space on the second floor. Bartenders were exceptionally attentive and courteous. Wine selection was awesome. I enjoyed the Anakena Sauv Blanc and Pinot Noir, served perfectly chilled.
(4)
Caroline C.
The margaritas are extremely good. And the guacamole isn't too shabby either...though I think that somehow one's tastebuds are influenced by seeing the guac made right in front of their, erm, buds? I had one of their house special meals (soft shell crabs) and they weren't bad, perhaps a little too heavily fried. I was more concerned about the lack of flavor or real pizazz in the presentation/side garnishes of the dish. My friend had the vegetarian enchiladas with added cheese. She said the cheese to veggie ratio was excellent but also complained about a lack of tongue wagging flavor.
(3)
Jeremy Z.
Tried this place with one of those restaurant.com gift certificates and definitely was not disappointed. The pork tenderloin with mole sauce was perfect, and the side dishes added a lot of nice, fresh flavor. The food was definitely more "upscale" than traditional Mexican, so don't come here if you are looking for Qdoba style burritos and quesadillas. Another small bonus was the hard-to-find Sol beer, which was great with a lime. Very refreshing. Speaking of lime, the guacamole starter was as fresh as it gets (made tableside) and had a nice kick to it!
(5)
Christmas D.
I'm giving it 3 stars 'cause the food is really good. It pretty much stops there for me: the service is slow, it's REALLY crowded, the mojitos are too sweet but not very flavorful, the ceviche was flavorful but a bit too soupy...and then there's the Guac. I LOOOOVE Guacamole. I've been accused of making a mean Guac. for decades. Their Guac. tastes OK. But my problem is this: they make it, table side, in these volcanic-rock vessels. They look cool, but as you watch them GRIND the ingredients together it's really hard to imagine that some of that rock isn't getting into your Guac! And, in fact, it is. There's a texture there that really oughtn't be. Plus, is it even possible for them to get those things clean? Eeeew.
(3)
E J.
the only thing i had here and keep going back for is their guacamole. it is quite delicious! love mexican food =)
(4)
Atwo p.
Really enjoyed the guacamole and the Cazuelas. The latter was one of the better dishes I have had in a while
(5)
Diana S.
Go here for margaritas and guacamole. The food is decent but it's expensive.
(3)
Mindy S.
I think I'm going to have to give Adobo a second chance, because I really have heard great things about it, but was disappointed after my trip there the other night. My friend and I went for some apps and margaritas. Warning: do NOT get the pomegranite margarita. It was very strong and not good at all. For a mexican place, I expect good margs, so was definitely disappointed when I could barely even take a sip. The few apps we got were good. I do recommend the empanadas. I need to go back and try the guac that got great reviews, but my friend I was with isn't a guac fan. hopefully next time adobo will live up to the good reviews. I may have to stay away from the drinks though.
(3)
Emily M.
so-so spot. honestly, i might've liked it more if i were a guac-girl. unfortunately, i'm not really into avocadoes, and, therefore, didn't experience one of the things adobo's known-for. we had some drinks, which were pretty good, as well as the assorted salsa appetizer, which was decent. it was fun to try out the different salsa flavors and see who could hang with the hottest, but the cuisine wasn't exactly spectacular. honestly, this place is better for those seeking a cool atmosphere and casual drinks, rather than those looking for a good meal. if you're on your way to second city and need a place to kill some time, it works.
(2)
Doug R.
Pretty much the same experience as others that like this place. Margs and quac are great. Food is very tasty. Good atmosphere. I may just start stopping in for the margs.
(4)
T T.
This place is so acomadating food is always excellent and know matter how late we stay they never say a word highly recommend
(5)
Angie C.
Had a great time here last night with a group of friends after a visit to Zanie's. Needless to say, after Zanie's two drink minimum we were looking to continue the night at Adobo's with some yummy margaritas. They did not disappoint! Not too sweet...but by the 3rd one it was a bit strong. No complaints. The food was OK...the grilled skirt steak was fabulous, especially rolled up in their fresh corn tortillas. The guac made fresh table side was amazing! We got it spicy, and it was perfect! Service was great too...the drinks made the bill a bit steep but it was worth it. Would definitely go back when I'm craving Mexican! Minus one star for the grease filled empanada...not my favorite.
(4)
keleigh l.
who would have known that chicago has amazing mexican food, honestly better than the mexican food here!!! no joke. the guacamole is to die for....seriously i died..then came back to life when my dinner came out. i had some sort of garden veggie enchiladas....i dont know...heaven on a plate more like it. and get a margarita...DO IT....so good. its the best part of Old Town.
(4)
David T.
The first place I had dinner in Chicago. I found it by accident and it was a great experience. The guacamole is the best I have ever had! I suggest the tamales entree and one of their tasty Margaritas. The service does need some improvement especially during busy hours.
(4)
Jess S.
This place is good. I was feeling mexican the other week so a few friends and I went up here for dinner. The atmosphere is relaxed and noisy, and also a bit cramped, but we were seated almost immediately (it was a Friday). We started off with the guacamole, which was awesome (actually my first guacamole experience so I guess now I'll be spoiled--but all my friends raved about it too), and margaritas, which were DELICIOUS. Yum! I think 3 out of the 4 of us ended up getting enchiladas (I got chicken) and they were great. Really a lot of food, actually. And the other in our group got some sort of veggie dish, which she enjoyed. A bit pricey, but it's that kind of place. Still really delicious food and would definitely go again.
(3)
T. T.
Decent but over-priced food. Depending on the night that you're there, the services can definitely make you NOT want to come back.
(3)
Matt G.
This place was a nice choice for Mexican food on a night when you are attending Second City. The prices are a little high for the food. Margaritas were outstanding, as was the guacamole. I had a half roasted chicken which was very tasty. I would say my 3 stars review is for the over-priced food and the fact that is was simply average at best. There is nothing outstanding, but it will not disappoint...just average
(3)
Jason S.
Get a Mohito or three! Get Guacamole. They try too hard on thier entrees and they make you pay for it. This is an appetizers only joint for me. Too many other great places in the city for a lot less.
(3)
Margaret B.
I am still dreaming of the chile rellenos I had here. The tableside guac was also everything it was hyped up to be. Service was friendly, competent and knowledgable about tequilla. Margaritas were perfect: not too strong, not too sweet, just right.
(4)
John P.
Stopped in here while on a geocache outing to take a load off. After a flight of tequila (incredible!) we were ready to take on the world again...or perhaps just care a bit less if we couldn't find our treasures. The bartender was great, the guac looked awesome and the plates of foods passing by smelled good enough to try and grab a taste. Looked like a good place for further exploration.
(4)
Sam S.
It's okay, but it gets a lot of hype because there aren't many upscale Mexican restaurants in Chicago. The guacamole is the best thing, but I feel like the menu is very lackluster and way too expensive for what you get. It's always hard to get a table and when you do, you're most likely sitting uncomfortably close to the people next to you. The staff is nice enough, but they have this air of superiority because this is 'the' restaurant in town. Whatever.
(3)
sara p.
Service was so so. The guacamole was good, but probably just b/c i was hungover and starving. (and definitely wasn't worth $8.00) The bloodymary's were gross, no flava or spice. And the food we ordered, was just plain boring. Definitely over priced, you are better off going to a taco/burrito house.
(1)
Rachelle T.
I went to Adobo Grill for a work holiday event and was pleasantly surprised. I'm typically not a huge fan of Mexican food but this place is great! It's really more like gourmet Mexican and everything we had was fabulous. I highly recommend the Tilapia entree and of course their guacamole completely lived up to it's reputation (although beware, the bowls they serve it in are deceptively small). I'm not a tequila drinker so I didn't try the margaritas but the mojitos are awesome! I'll definitely go back again.
(5)
Lisa K.
This place was perfect for our dinner on Friday night! Great drinks...one of the better Martini's I have had in awhile! Excellent service and I enjoyed the food. It was perfect before we headed to the 8pm show at Second city!
(4)
hey a t.
Great guac, order two. As for the drinks the pomegranate martini is to die for, order 5 of those. Skip the main meal and go for the kill, the chocolate tamale. They should also sell those cute masks that hang of the walls.
(4)
lola d.
This restaurant is worth the visit for a great margarita and some fresh guacamole. The food isn't that great, but then again, I only visit this place for drinks, guacamole and good times with friends.
(3)
lesley s.
Recently had a great meal at Adobo -- food was good, but what stood out for us was the service. Right away we asked our waitress what our healthier options might be, and she was extremely accommodating. She pointed out several different meals on the menu, and how we could easily alter them to make them a little more diet-friendly. We HAD to get the guacamole (I'm addicted), but she brought us jicama chips instead of the tortilla chips, which really surprised us as a great alternative. My friend ordered the Tilapia a la Talla which was delicious, and I had the Pollo al Tamarindo (substituted the black beans for the charro beans, which our waitress said was the healthier option). My chicken wasn't quite as good as the fish, but overall we were both very pleased with our dinners. And again, really appreciated having our waitress take the time on a busy Friday night to make sure we were happy and healthy!!
(4)
Patty V.
The guac is to die for and the margaritas are killer! I want one of those mortar/pestle deals to try to make my own version at home!!
(5)
L P.
I hosted a baby shower at Adobo Grill and I can't say enough about how great the staff was at every step. I worked with George, their event planner, and was able to secure a private room, with my choice of table set up, and a great menu that was lunch oriented instead of brunch. (Though they have a brunch, a dinner, and a cocktail appetizer menu as well.) It was the cheapest prix fixe menu I found, and of course, Adobo's food is delicious. Everyone had a great time. I highly recommend them for a baby shower, a cocktail party, or just a fun birthday party. It was really easy and fun.
(5)
K M.
Love this place - the guacamole is so amazing, as are the margaritas! I could go there just for those two things! I've seen some reviews that say "big deal, so what if they have great guacamole" and that guacamole is not that hard to make. Well then explain to me why its soooo much freaking better here than anywhere else?! I've had some seriously BLAH guacamole in some places! The food is also very good, I've had a few things on the menu and have never been disappointed - the tilapia is particularly good I would actually be tempted skip dinner and head for dessert - their chocolate tamal is so tasty Don't come here if your tastes run toward the taco/burrito dive. Guess what folks- THAT'S NOT ALL THERE IS TO MEXICAN FOOD! :) Wouldn't you be insulted if people around the world thought "Heck, I'd like some American food" and were pissed when the "American" restuarant didn't serve up burgers, fries, and chicken strips? :) Well apply that principal to Mexican food and there you go While there is certainly a time and place for that cheap stuff (yum- for the best see my review of Buenas Nachos in the burbs!), if that's all the Mexican food you like, you will be sorely disappointed here. There is more to Mexican cuisine than what you can find at the taqueria, and this is a great place to try it out!
(5)
R F.
We had a banquet for 20+ people here (and I've been here in smaller groups too). They did a great job! We had lots of different allergies etc that they had to deal with, and the waitstaff was very helpful and patient. The food is amazing every time, we love this place! Great for gluten-free food especially.
(5)
Bridget E.
Yes, the guac is awesome and the margaritas are delicious, but otherwise I've always been really disappointed with my food at Adobo. It's overpriced and I will never go there for dinner again. If I'm looking for a place to get semi-expensive guacamole and margaritas before a Second City show, sure, but otherwise I'd rather go anywhere else in Old Town to eat.
(2)
Becky K.
Stopped by with the intention of eating lunch one sunny afternoon and the staff was extremely rude and non-accomodating to my friend in a wheelchair. I've never eaten here don't plan on starting.
(1)
Lindsay N.
Holy guacamole! Literally! This place is fantastic! The guacamole is fabulous and the main dishes are wonderful as well! I had the tilapia with mexican mashed potatoes. OOhh lala indeed. The veggie plate is great as well. The food has a great kick to it without being freakishly spicy. The prices are fairly high and the portions are actually just the right size. I was full without being overly stuffed after the meal was finished. I REALLY wanted a margarita but didn't want to fork over the extra dough. So I'd say definitely try this place if you are willing to fork a little extra cash for a great meal.
(5)
Jennifer B.
I am a guacamole fiend, and Adobo has some of the best. A little spicy with big big pieces of fresh avocado, served right in its own molcajete- oh yes, please. An American restaurant that also serves Micheladas (beer with lime, salt, and ice)? Double yes! I had a phenomenal meal here recently and already can't wait to go back- thank goodness I just moved to the neighborhood. Besides the guacamole, I also had the tortilla soup (a vegetarian version! thank the heavens!) and the jicama y mango salad. Yum yum yum. Boyfriend had one of the ceviches and the specialty zucchini blossom quesadilla, and we both came home with leftovers. He also had a stellar classic margarita, no salt, with a floater of smoky mezcal. Our service was great and we loved the dog-friendly outdoor patio, although I could have done without the long line of Second City patrons smoking like chimneys a few feet down the sidewalk. If my next experience here is as good as this one was, I might bump this rating up to five stars. Loved it!
(4)
Kate G.
Perfect stop right before Second City! I love guacamole and margaritas and I believe this to be the best of both. We don't bother with the entrees with guacamole this delicious. Had a couple appetizers (none as impressive as the afore mentioned delight) and walked right over to have some laughs.
(4)
N U.
the guacamole is fantastic. i preferred the non-spicy version. the enchiladas were pretty good...not the best i've ever had but better than average. BEST TRES LECHES CAKE i've ever had and i'm from texas (if that means anything). despite some sprinkles of awesomeness, adobo doesn't deserve five stars for a few reasons: 1. no complimentary chips and salsa (is that even allowed in mexican or texmex restaurants) 2. the service was a little on the slow side. granted, there were 12 people seated at our table but even ordering drinks took a while. i think they forgot our table b/c we were tucked in a little alcove. 3. on the pricey side for mexican food especially when the platter doesn't come with the rice and beans (again, shouldn't this be standard fare). 4. a couple of their drinks were really off, i don't know if was the bartender for the night but the drink mix and the alcohol just did not come together well for the the paloma and the Acapulco Apasionado.
(4)
Ishaq L.
Good food, good price. Though I'm not a fan of guacamole, if you are, order the guac.
(4)
Aaron R.
The guacamole is so good that I find myself picking it up for dinner almost once a week. The rest of the menu is good- more authentic than some other Mexican restaurants in Chicago, but nothing compares to their guacamole. Very good margaritas as well.
(4)
Sarah L.
Fun, yum, bad service. Adobo is the perfect place for guacamole, lots of salsa, chips and margarita's. I didn't need to order an entree, as I was full. Did I mention the bad service? Three of my friends and I went to the Wicker Park location and were very disappointed. The server was never at our table, we had to flag him down. While the older couple next to us ordered apps, entrees, drinks, dessert and coffee. Given the chance, we would have too. The bill was $140 between the four of us, but if the waiter was better, it could have been much more.
(2)
Aaron L.
My wife and I decided to try this place because it was so close to Second City. We were promptly seated and waited on. We decided not to get drinks and that was the only negative I had with this place. The server seemed a little upset that we weren't getting drinks. He took my wife's water glass and kinda slammed it on her coaster. We were both surprised and confused because other than that, he was a great waiter. The food was good. I got the Tlyuda. Delicious! It was unexpected in presentation, but very delicious. My wife got the butternut squash enchiladas. They were good, but I wish they would have been in a flour tortilla. I know corn tortillas are more traditional and preferred by some. Not these two gringos though. We prefer flour. The salsa was great and the table side guacamole was equally delicious, and highly recommended. I love guacamole- made-to-order! I'd recommend this place, but I'd try to get at least one drink.
(4)
Alan R.
I haven't been to Frontera yet. Adobo has the best food of the Mexican Restaurants that I have been to in the Chicago area, It's an upscale Mexican Restaurant, so its a bit pricey, but definitely worth it. The masa boat appetizer is phenomenal and I also love their ceviche flights. If you like Guacamole, they make theirs table side. The margaritas and other mixed drinks are also excellent. I have even been here with friends and gone the tapas route just ordering and sharing appetizers.
(5)
Briana J.
I come for the guac! It is made at the table and it is always awesome! I usually eat it all and then I am too full to eat my real food..oh well!
(3)
Natalie B.
EXCELLENT made by your table Guacamole. However I wasn't too impressed with my meal. I had the Enchiladas en Mole Verde, which is roasted butternut squash and wild mushroom enchiladas basted in mole verde, topped with cotija cheese, red onion and black beans. I found the meal to be pretty plain. I left full but not satisfied. However the Guac raised this review up to 3 stars. I would go back for that and I would probably choose something different and hope for the best.
(3)
David T.
So I made my way to Adobo Grill this morning for Brunch, well really at noon, because that is when they open on Sunday for brunch. I don't remember what my meal was called, but it consisted of two eggs benedict over a biscuit shaped corn something and chorizo. It was very delicious and came out quickly. My table decided to try the guacamole because we had heard such great things about it and I wasn't that impressed. I mean it was kind of plain. I've had much better at home and elsewhere. I also ordered a Bloody Mary that was good, but nothing impressive. Overall, I think the food is great.. but maybe too much hype surrounding the guacamole.
(4)
Karen M.
I love this restaurant! The guacamole and margaritas are delicious! We have dined here three times and the food and service was wonderful all three times. Most recently we sat outside which was fun to watch people watch while enjoying their homemade chips and salsa. The guacamole is prepared right at the table if you sit inside~ which is neat to watch. We tried the 3 salsas with chips , fire-roasted chili tilapia, and chipotle glazed chicken ~ very flavorful. I highly recommend ordering the Mexican Chocolate cake as well!
(4)
Jared C.
i look as adobo now as an overly exposed and overrated suburban junkie joint... not that is bad... well, yes it is... adobo is good, but by no means great... for an overall great experience, you need a good balance of food, service, and atmosphere... your meal should end after appetizers and drinks at adobo... ( as if you haven't already heard... ) the guacamole is great and so are the margaritas... everything is a bit overpriced, but location helps to justify... the service is horrible... our waiter could barely speak english and was never at our table... we had to flag down the host whenever something was needed... the whole time the server was behind the bar "playing" with the bartender... decent food, good atmosphere, poor service... 3 stars for you, suckas...
(3)
Tony G.
I really like Adobo for their food quality and service. It is a bit pricey, but it's a really good location and the food is really good. This isn't a 'theme' restaurant, but the atmosphere is such that just going out to dinner is an adventure that you could make an evening out of. They make the quacamole right at your table - I think that most of the other restaurants that do this probably got the idea from Adobo. My only complaint is the long wait on weekends. The wait is likely due to its location, as there is certainly comparable Mexican food in other places around the city.
(4)
Marcel M.
it's a fun joint since it was good-crowded and the service was still attentive. we went here after a show and put our name down before the show. it didn't matter since when we came back there were two empty tables by the window and they served us directly there. my skirt steak was good. my wife's salad was decent. i loved the little fajita chicken on a crunchy chip thing the best. it was an appetizer dish. i won't go again unless a big group insists on it. there's better bang for your buck elsewhere in this hood.
(3)
Alicia F.
Everyone has said it before, but it's so good I need to say it again- get the GUACAMOLE! The only way they could make it better is to offer free refills, but somehow I doubt that is going to happen. I love to grab dinner here before/after a movie at the Esquire because it is so convenient- only one parking lot or cab ride for the night- gotta love that! Last night I had the chicken glazed in a tamarind and chipotle sauce. It was quite tasty. Their deserts are good too- try the pineapple upside down cake.
(4)
Ali A.
I had a great dining experience here - the food was tasty and just the right portion size. We tried several mixed drinks which were amazing. I had a baked chicken dish which came with corn tortillas - I left feeling satisfied. For two entrees, guac, and a total of 4 mixed drinks the bill came out to around $100 - not too bad!
(4)
Abby L.
Excellent margaritas and guacamole! I love that they make the guac tableside so you can watch as they make it. So much fun, and the margaritas are hard to say no to.
(4)
daniel w.
The best thing about Adobo Grill is the guacamole they make at your table. It's not only entertaining to watch, but it tastes so good! My only complaint is that the bowl they put the guacamole in looks a lot deeper than it actually is so they are a bit deceptive in how much they are serving you.
(4)
JD M.
Chicken was undercooked. Guac was tasty, yet tiny. "Horchata-tini" was very watery and had a white chalky substance at the bottom. The chile in the Chile Rellenos was leathery while the deep fried crust was apathetic to say the least. I asked for a glass with my Negra Modelo and the waitress took the extra step of pouring the entire bottle into said glass, not cool lady. I went there once before and the food was pretty good. Not exactly sure why it was a disaster this time.
(1)
a h.
I have dined at this location several times. The last time I went was the best. The margarita (martini-style) is still on my mind....I need another! This restaurant is worth visiting for its margaritas, its guacomole, and its hot sauce trio. Yum! Main dishes are good, but nothing to write home about.
(3)
M M.
I liked! Wasn't the best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to, but it was good enough. We sat downstairs and I thought the fresh guacamole was really cool, the way they made it right in front of your table. I had the fajitas which were awesome. The reason I don't give it more stars is because there was nothing really "stand-out" about the place. It's right across the street from the bar that all the Second City cast members go to- which is an old Irish bar (can't remember the name)- so that is a fun place to go afterwards if you are looking to continue the night.
(3)
Sonja B.
My food was alright, I had the enchiladas..which were not traditional and not exceptional. The menu was so overpriced i wanted to cry. I won't go back.
(1)
denis s.
We love the guac...just like everyone. We also like to eat "tappas" style here, exploring the appetizers. Can't speak to the main courses...I've only ever done it this way.
(4)
D F.
The most "scene-y" place on Wells, the quality of Adobo's food lives up to neither: (1) its description on the menu; (2) the waiters' effusive praise of it; (3) the decor; or (4) the price. My wife and I live right in the neighborhood, but we've only gone here twice. The first time we left feeling that we must have ordered the wrong thing; the second time we left realizing that it's just not very good. The one exception is the guacamole appetizer, which is quite good. If you're in the neighborhood and are looking for quality and/or value, there are better option. If you're looking for a scene, prices and quality be damned, then this may be your place.
(2)
elizabeth n.
When given the choice of where to go in Old Town, I always want to go to Adobo Grill. The guacamole is the best I've ever had and I love watching them make it at the table. The other food is spectacular and I especially love their appetizers. The atmosphere is great for a night out with friends, or to grab a low key margarita. The crowds do flock to this restaurant but if you go early or later you won't need a reservation.
(5)
Madeline L.
The guacamole made at the table is the best part of this dining experience. To be honest- I only go here for the guacamole and drinks because I'm usually too full after stuffing myself with the chips and guac that I can't eat anything else! Great margaritas and the desserts look good- although I've never tried them. Next time for sure.
(4)
Dana P.
I like Adobo, but if I had my choice of Mexican I would head to Las Pinatas down the street. I do like their margaritas and entrees, but it's definitely not as good as some people think it is.
(3)
mary b.
the hosts can be a little inattentive, but the service is great and the guacamole is amazing. get it spicy, add a margarita and you're good to go. this is my go-to spot for getting together with girlfriends. as far as the meals go, i'm not super impressed. they're too big and don't really strike me with any kind of wow-reaction. like aubrey says below, a definite thumbs up on the guac and cocktail, but a so-so on the meals.
(3)
Brittany H.
Adobo Grill offers authentic Mexican food with an American twist. The atmosphere is inviting and cozy. I eat here every time I go see Second City, which is directly next door. The food is exquisite and priced perfectly. I highly recommend the guacamole and the staff was extremely helpful with dinner suggestions. During the summer months seating outside is available for avid people watchers! Oh yeah, do not leave without having a margarita!
(4)
molly c.
the only time that i was here was for a Steppenwolf opening night party (i used to work at Steppenwolf). drinks were great, 'ritas wree strong and the guac was perfection. i don't think i would go to the one on wells, i would go to the one on division
(4)
Aubrey K.
Overall, I am not as impressed with Adobo Grill as the general public. However, if I were to rate it on the guacamole alone with a cocktail, I'd give it a thumbs up. It's a tasty meal, but I do find it overrated a bit. I guess I've gone since it's convenient, but I think there are many better choices for upscale Mexican in Chi-town.
(2)
t n.
Adobo grill offers a gluten free menu and the food is good. The guacamole is probably the best thing on the menu and for a gluten free option they serve it with jicama, which I actually prefer to chips. The reason that I gave them only 2 stars is because the last time I ate there a cockroach landed on my table! Then it fell to the floor and the waiter stepped on it with a loud CRUNCH. rather unappetizing. Also it is too loud in there...hard to have a conversation.
(2)
Alexandra B.
Good guac, great margaritas. Lacking enough vegetarian items for me to actually make a decision though, which is surprising to me. I have the best luck with variety at either Mexican or Asian places. The price is decent though.
(3)
Alissa P.
I had been craving margaritas for a while, so my boyfriend did some research and came up with Adobo. He read that the margaritas were affordable and delicious; the food and guacamole were supposed to be great. What we found was another story altogether. We had made a reservation, and expected to get seated at a good table for a nice date-night out. Instead we got seated on the THIRD floor at the last table in the back (talk about prime seating). Of course I promptly ordered a margarita: it couldn't have been less authentic. Instead of tart, it was sweet like a sugar-y margarita mix you can buy at Dominick's. The drink arrived in a dirty tumbler. The "mezcal" margarita my boyfriend ordered was $2 more than mine, but used the same, low-grade mix. My boyfriend then ordered the table-side guac, since he had read such great things about it. It was mediocre at best, and they give you a very small portion. We had one other appetizer and two drinks each. We decided against ordering entrees since we weren't impressed with the food. The kicker was the bill came to $100!! I definitely don't recommend it. It's a restaurant that gets by on the theatre rush and false hype. Check out Riques (Uptown) or Fonda del Mar for great, authentic Mexican.
(1)
Lee-Han H.
Nice place, very fun environment, bring friends, the food is always good and never overcooked or undercooked, the service was great.
(4)
M S.
Guacamole made at your table, as you order it, makes this place one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. It also serves dishes that are not your generic burrito and taco meals (though they have those, too, if that's what you're craving...just one step up). The tequila flights are great, too, if you are a tequila drinker. Atmosphere is fun and lively. Great for a fun night out.
(5)
Miss O.
this place has great guac. the food was pretty good too - but not in an authentic sort of way. more of a midwestern-mexican twist to it. still very good. i met up with a friend up at the bar and ordered a drink and left as soon as the guy sitting next to me starting smoking... seriously though - i have to wait until july 2008???? beside the point - i will most likely go here again.
(4)
Patrick F.
I go back and forth on Adobo. I have had dishes that are fantastic and dishes that are so-so. There is a fun atmosphere here and it's a good place to take a group. I've been told by people I've eaten with that the Vegetarian platter is the thing to order (though I stubbornly continue to order other items).
(3)
Jenny I.
why does everyone love this joint? it's not that exciting. there is NO vegetarian/vegan on the menu, and the tableside guac is overly salted. the margs are good, but SO expensive. it's like you have to hit yourself in the forehead and exclaim, "why didn't i go to el cid?"
(2)
Arjun C.
This place is very good and actually pretty thoughtful. I like it much better than Frontera Grill and Platiyo, but it gets a bit old after about the third time. Guac was very good, no doubt, but it didn't take me to another dimension of bliss as advertised by some of my other friends.
(4)
Dee W.
Different types of Mexican favorites - try the fresh lime seafood seviche and the beef tenderloin - you can taste a little bit of beer. The tequilla flights here beat out any sugary margaritas.
(3)
Ashley W.
For truly authentic Mexican food try adobo grill. The best thing by far is the guacamole which they actually make at your table. They also have some very good (and strong!) margaritas. I usually get the grilled shrimp or tilapia entrees- both are excellent!
(4)
Oscar the Death Cat B.
Adobo is not bad as mexican cuisine goes, but I think it is very overrated. The main-floor dining space is lively, but last time I visited I was led up to a remote dining room with limited space & no windows - and it was occupied by an large, obnoxious suburban family with unruly kids. I wondered why we were led to this particular space, it felt like we were being punished for something. If you do visit this place, you must try their guacamole, it's made at your table to your specifications, and it is truly worth the money. I've witnessed diners who order only the guacamole & no main course, I think they have the right idea. If you have a taste for truly "upscale" mexican, try Salpicon down the street - if you want cheap mexican, try Las Pinatas. Adobo occupies that mid-range nether-world which doesn't generate much enthusiasm for me (aside from the guacamole).
(3)
Matt N.
The tableside Guacamole is great. This is one of the best spots in Old Town.
(4)
Ren H.
You have to get the guacamole here! They make it right before your eyes with fresh avocados and it is to die for! But make sure you read the menu carefully and ask about the portions so you know exactly what you're getting.. I ordered the wrong thing and was dissapointed.. but my drink came in a real coconut!
(4)
Karen L.
I think this restaurant is a little overrated. It is good food but it is really overpriced. Although, I do have to admit that the guacamole, which it made at your table, is pretty amazing! But the other food that I have tried there has been good, but not great, and pretty expensive for Mexican.
(3)
Carly M.
Great food, and good service. The waiters are always very friendly and the food is delicious. The best part is the guacamole which is made table-side and I don't think anyone will disagree that it's spectacular!
(4)
John S.
Excellent... see my pictures. We got the guacamole and yum. We loved their margaritas. Enchiladas de Pollo and Arrachera Asad (steak) were both really good. Service was great. Bartender was friendly and helped us understand baseball in Chicago.
(5)
Lori A.
Awesome handmade guacamole made by the table! Margarita was amazing! Pork tacos were excellent and the seafood platter with veggies was good. Next to Second City, so we headed there after for a great comedy show! We will definitely go back!
(4)
Emily P.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants I've been to. The guacamole is made fresh right at your table! Love the fish tacos. Excellent service and the interior is nice and colorful with paintings and figurines.
(4)
Patricia B.
I have been here several times in the past but not too recently. So I was interested in trying it again. Well, the prices are up, and once again it is not a particularly good value. First, it used to be that they did prepare the guacomole tableside, and that was nice and it is indeed good. The last two times I have been there, including last Wednesday, it was brought very quickly and definitely not prepared at our table. I also recalled that the servers tend to rush you. Ours did, and he also was annoying in that he kept touching my arm or back when he came to the table. Please!! He literally, as I sitting down, asked what we wanted to drink even though I had no time to peruse the beverages list. He came back twice within a very short period of time - annoying. Then he gave us no time to enjoy an apertif and we told him twice again we needed more time to look at the menu. This in the space of about seven minutes. It was not that crowded so I am clueless about why we were so rushed. I had the carne asada, rather expensive for the dish and good but not great. Just like the guacamole this time. There are so many better Mexican places with great value. Not here - I won't be back anytime soon.
(2)
Becca L.
Best guac ever and their margarits are really good...sometimes they are a little too sweet for me, but adobo makes them perfectly! I had the grilled shrimp dish here last night and my friend at the tilapia. We were very happy with both of our meals! The service was very good as well- we were seated immediately (with a reservation) and our food came out pretty fast as well!
(4)
Ian O.
We've had some great meals at Adobo. Our last meal last night was just meh. The drinks were delicious. The Mexican chocolate ice cream is delicious. Can't say we really enjoyed the rest. They didn't make the Guac at the table- was it too busy? The guac was low on flavor. The food was very meh. The skewers supposedly had 3 sauces- could barely tell the difference between them. The empanada didn't really taste very good. There were a few high points in our ordering (we ordered appetizers only, deciding to try more rather than fill up on an entree), but overall, we're not going back. The service was poor. It took them 40 min to give us chips! When we sent back a salted margarita because it was requested sin sal, we got a dirty look. In any other town (like our native Oak Park), this restaurant would be great. In Chicago, it's just another joint that's losing it's sheen. With competition as stiff as it is in Chi-town, management can't blink without the threat of something better edging them out. Still, the place was busy, I would guess that's momentum rather than consistency.
(2)
Trinidad T.
i can't believe there could be a freaking mexican restaurant that was uppity as this one. we're talking mexican food right? nothing wrong with the cuisine, but i hate paying so much for food that is worse that the authentic mom and pop's place down the street. it's cool that they bring a cart to your table so you can watch them make guac... but then they chareg you like 10 bucks for an order... i think that's insane... oh and this place didn't serve the normal tacos and burritos, it's like steak with the helpings that resemble what you'd fine with tacos/burritos... i'm all about trying something once... and this once is over and done.
(2)
Blah B.
You can not walk by this place in the summer and not feel tempted to walk in and enjoy a yummy dinner. I was running late to a fitting for a fashion show that I'm doing next week and the least thing i had on my mind was food. So as I 'm rushing through the old town neighborhood with my lil men strolling behind me; I automatically stopped and made a mental note to myself (we're coming back and having lunch here). So once I finished with my fitting and walking for an hour through Lincoln park with my son's. We walked back to Adobo and had an Amazing dinner. We ordered the tilapia ceviche and it was superb. I ordered for my boys the gorditas with carnitas and the barbacoa tamales and they loved them! I ordered for myself the chile relleno and it was simply delicious. I also ordered the Jicama salad with fresh cucumbers and mango which is a great selection in the summer and as dessert we had the mango on mango...it was slices of mango with a mango mousse and it was great!! I've said it before and I'll say again I love this place!! I left there with a stuffed tummy and a happy heart!
(5)
Davia L.
We enjoyed our dinner at Adobo. We had a reservation for 8:30, and although there were empty tables, we weren't seated right away (I have a feeling they were holding out for a table for two, but ended up putting us at a 4-top). The rest of the service was outstanding though, including both our waiter, who was attentive but not intrusive, and the busboy who was incredible (who notices these things -- well, he was so good, we noticed). Margaritas were very good (not better than others I've had, but very good). We didn't have the guac because 50% of us don't like guacamole! We shared a couple of tasty appetizers, I forget their names, but one was like little tacos, with different fillings, and the other was soup. Main courses were excellent - camarones for me, pork tenderloin mole for my husband (he raved about how perfectly done and tender the meat was). Dessert was frozen mango mousse with mango slices - nice. We'd jointly give it a 4 for ambiance, 4.5 for service, and 3.5-4 for food.
(4)
Julia B.
Awesome Mexican food! Everything was very tasty. They have great salsa and guacamole.
(3)
Doug p.
the highlight of the place for me was definitely the table side guacamole, so tasty
(3)
cb b.
Yum - this place has the best guamcomole ever. All of the food is authentic and they make great margaritas! You will definitely need a reservation for this place unless you go early.
Adobo Grill offers a Tex-Mex cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as gluten-free options and a wide range of tequila drinks. Some friends and I came to check this place out for a late lunch, as I'd heard about their guacamole that is prepared for you at table-side. Of course, we started off with some guacamole, prepared in a mortar and pestle. The woman asked us which ingredients we wanted in the guacamole, and she made it right then and there - the guacamole is set in the mortar at the table with tortilla chips. I thought it was really delicious, as it was very fresh and creamy, with the fresh onions, the well-ripened avocado, and the bit of salt and lemon/lime juice. The slightly-salted tortilla chips were a great complement. I tried their Chicken Enchiladas for my entree, and these were basted in mole coloradito, topped with sour cream, cheese, onions, and served with a side of refried black beans. This dish was a little underwhelming, as the enchiladas had more of a scrambled eggs-like texture; overall, it was very bland. I did like the refried beans, though! For dessert, we had the crepes, which were stuffed with roasted plantains, cajeta, and vanilla ice cream. It was pretty good, since the caramel was made from goats milk, so it had a nice strong kick to it. Service was pretty friendly and efficient. +table-side fresh gaucamole & chips!
(3)
Guy V.
Overall fun place with good Mexican food, yummy table-side guac, and celebratory vibes! TOURIST TIP: We came here before our show at Second City (it's right next door). It's a cute place with a festive atmosphere and enthusiastic servers. To top it all off, I spotted David Pasquesi getting a drink at the bar!! You can't beat a good celebrity sighting, and I'm sure many comedians gather here before and after shows.
(4)
Carla Z.
Great table side guac but I'd mirror the rest of the so so reviews on here. Though the place is very authentic I think they still cater to American palettes with the spice factor. If you tell me something is spicy I expect a certain amount of heat ! I've also dined a good bit in authentic Mexican spots and I feel as though they could amp up the spices. The meat was cooked great though--I had the lamb shank Barbacoa. I wasn't too crazy about the sides it came with. I think it was nopales (cactus) & they felt slimy. I'd recommend coming here for apps and drinks only. They have an extensive tequila list :)
(3)
Hannah D.
Awesome service and great food! Guacamole is made tableside. Food comes fast as lightening. Drink selection is great! Only suggestion I would have is to have margarita pitchers instead of only sangria pitchers and a few more flavors of margaritas
(4)
Tiffany P.
This place is just meh. I wouldn't go here unless my friends are going. And they only go because it is close to where they live. Everything is overpriced due to the location- people will pay so they charge why they can. While the food is fresh, the flavor is kind of bland. Yes, they spice it up, but there is not a lot of flavor. Wine is a minimum of $8.75, guacamole is $9.00, and a small margarita is $13. I would not recommend Adobo Grill. There are plenty of other Mexican places in the area to choose from.
(2)
Sarah M.
I was fairly satisfied with my meal. I had the gorditas, and I honestly can't comment on their authenticity. I enjoyed the food, but I'm not an experienced Mexican foodie (except with tamales.) The chips and salsa were very delicious and had good flavor. The service was fairly good, my water glass never got past the half-way mark.
(4)
Mike B.
Very underwhelming to say the least. I had a steak dish that was subpar with some guacamole on the side. The guac wasn't bad but the steak was tough and the spinach side was bland and watery. The bar tender was very nice and helpful and that earned them the second star. There are far too many great Mexican restaurants in the area to settle for something this average.
(2)
David S.
This is my wife's favorite Mexican place in Chicago. She tells me that the guacamole is the best that she has ever had and she loves watching them make it at the table. I liked the food, but all appreciated the fine service. Also, to me, this is a very easy place to visit if you are going to Second City Comedy Club, because it is in the same building. For a great dive bar thereafter, walk to The Old Town Ale House.
(4)
Joe A.
The Corazon de Sandia is great, tastes like a watermelon jolly rancher. The enchiladas de pollo were delicious and the sauce was very flavorful. Great and welcoming service.
(5)
Andrew K.
Outside dining during lunch on the first truly warm Saturday in Chicago. Staff was attentive and the food was good. Our puppy enjoyed being allowed to sit under the table. Seemed to me to be pretty authentic.
(5)
TJ B.
I was not impressed. It burned down the next day. I shed no tears.
(2)
Katey A.
We went here before a Second City show because we were told that they make the best guacamole. SO TRUE! The guacamole is made table side with all fresh ingredients to your liking. We couldn't decide what to order on the menu so we asked the waiter to bring out the two best things on the menu. BEST IDEA EVER! He brought out the Lomito en Mole Negro (Pork Tenderloin) and the Carne Asada (Steak). The flavors and textures on both plates created a wonderful dining experience. The pork is served with a squash cake and a mole sauce. The sweet and spicy combination was wonderful! We couldn't get enough of the squash! The carne asada was cooked perfectly with an excellent marinade. Our server was very attentive and personable. Adobo also offers great deals for event dining (NO ROOM RENTAL COST and FREE center pieces!) I will definitely be back here again!
(4)
Iris L.
I came here after a show at Up Comedy. It's a good place because they stayed open pretty late on a Friday evening. The food is pretty spot on, but you can definitely get the same quality food cheaper elsewhere. I had the veggie enchiladas, which were pretty tasty. The service was excellent. Bottom line: good food & service but too expensive.
(3)
Yvonne B.
This was an impromptu Sunday excursion. We were walking by and M was riding a high from buying new running shoes. After standing around Fleet Feet for what felt like FOREVAR M thought I deserved a reward (and I didn't even complain - I swear!). My reward was margaritas and guacamole at Adobo Grill. It was casual and chill. Our guacamole was on point and we couldn't complain about the free chips and salsa. M enjoyed her margarita and I got some sort of mimosa concoction. The space was sunny and clean. Only a couple of tables were occupied and we enjoyed watching the Olympics on the televisions above the bar. Service was good and not distracting. It was perfect for what we wanted in that moment. I don't think that it was compelling enough to hook us into a quick boomerang second visit, but we'll probably consider Adobo Grill if we have a hankering for Mexican food in the future.
(4)
Romayne P.
So it took me a while to write this review because I have kind of an issue with a couple of OLDTOWN restaurants. One of them being this @Adobo restaurant. I went here yesterday because my friend suggested that we go here and I would love it. Well, that couldn't have been more wrong. I'm going to throw it out there, I feel that we discriminated against. We entered the restaurant at like 3:20 pm. We were the only people of color in the restaurant a black and a Mexican and the restaurant was over half empty. Don't get me wrong, we were seated immediately, them proceeded to wait 10 minutes before some even came to pour us water while others who were seated after us were treated to what ever little fancy sauce making show they put on. I'll never know because at that point I walked out. And for you from this restaurant who might be writing this review I was with the Mexican dressed in all black and I had on the all Navy gear with the #RetiredNavy ball cap seen walking out of your establishment. And before you say it thank you for your thanking ME for my service. Thank god I didn't depend on y'all to make sure I was fed!
(1)
Belle L.
Slightly overpriced by $2-5 per dish. Sauce driven. Unbalanced flavor. Filete Oaxaqueno ($25) -- the unworthy most expensive dish on menu. Beef filet was dry that lacks flavor and seasoning. Overpowering chili on sauce. I appreciate the fingerling potatoes and efforts in fine dining -- grilled sliced peppers, mushrooms and a sprinkle of cheese. Homemade Tortillas -- 4 petito comes with entree. Churros ($5.99) -- dark chocolate sauce. Caramel with a goats milk after taste. Churros itself is slightly doughy. Crust is slightly overcooked. Cafe de Olla ($3.75) -- the first I had with sugar already incorporated. Slightly overly sweetened, but somehow the taste is balanced. Pastel de Piña ($7.50) -- Ouch! The mega price is painful.
(2)
David K.
Must have the guac.
(4)
Stephanie H.
I went here last night for dinner for a mid-week girl's night. We all split the guacamole, which was quite tasty and made tableside. For dinner, I ordered the fish tacos. They were good, but the tortillas got a little soggy a few minutes in. I order fish tacos quite often, so I expected a little better. The ambiance and service was great, so I'd be back to try something else off the menu.
(3)
Debra L.
Came here tonight with a party of 13. Even with a big group the margaritas were served up again and again with no wait. One person in the party thought they were a bit sweet, but the general consensus was that they were pretty good, Service in general was excellent. The table-side guacamole was chunky and flavorful. It always makes me happy when a restaurant can accommodate my crazy vegan ways. The vegetable tacos and enchiladas are made to order and can be made without dairy. The enchiladas and black beans were delicious. I see a lot of mixed reviews on this place. My conclusion is they serve tasty food and margaritas, and they serve them efficiently and with a friendly attitude. This is a great place to grab a bite if you're heading to Second City.
(4)
Andrea B.
Ironically enough, Adobo needed way more adobo in their food! Everything was so bland and tasteless. Carne asada literally had no seasoning at all. The meat was laid on a sauce that was also bland. There was also a bed of greasy spinach with a potato/chorizo timbale-didn't add anything to the dish. Not much chorizo, mostly greasy potatoes. We ordered two desserts to share because we had heard that they were very good. We tried the chocolate tamal and the flan. The chocolate tamal was extremely tiny first off for $6 with the smallest scoop of ice cream I've ever seen. It was basically like a gooey uncooked brownie. The flan was very bland, tasted like something out of a box. Overall, this is definitely not authentic Mexican food. Absolutely horrible experience and our check was way too high. Go to Ay Chiwowa instead! Their food is fresh, authentic, flavorful and definitely not greasy. Stay away!!! What a waste of money. I wanted to cry when I saw the check, might as well have eaten dog food.
(1)
Jeff G.
This place is great, you can always get a seat and they have the best margaritas and guacamole north of the border. This place is authentic mexican...there's no burrito on the menu, but don't let that stop you from trying this place. Amazing, been eating here for years.
(5)
Myki R.
So happy my son is taking improve at Second City...so I can wait for him and have the most perfect Mojito, and the Banana Leaf Tamale. YUMO!
(5)
Tenzo D.
What the heck happened here!? This used to be one of the best Mexican places in Chicago. But over the years it has slowly slid lower and lower. Every time I go there it seems to drop a little bit. I'm not sure if the original owners sold it or what. It used to have great creative dishes and great Guac. But now they are heading toward a chi chis. Authentic dishes have been replaced with more bland Americanized version and the Guac is almost $10. Does anyone know what happened here? I'm very sad this has happened. And I can no longer recommend this restaurant.
(2)
Jo S.
First of all, I love Mexican food and have wanted to try Adobo Grill for a long time but I have been here twice and both times I can say that there is nothing special about Adobo Grill. The first time I had the chicken enchiladas and the second time the tamales, do not recommend either. Tableside guac is ok. The only reason I came back here for a second time is because it's connected to Second City so you don't even have to go outside. It was pretty packed both times I was there so I would recommend making reservations just in case.
(2)
Bink P.
I am a Chicago local and I've been to this place at least once a year for the past 8 or so years. Never once have I left disappointed. To the complainers about cost. Let's get a few things straight. How much is guac at whole foods in a cold plastic tub - yeah that's right about $5- easy. They make it table side here with fresh ingredients and it runs a few dollars more. Don't act surprised, when you go out to eat it costs a little bit more! Chips and salsa are free. You just have to ask. Life lessons here peeps. ...Next the appetizers are quite filling - almost a small meal size for lighter eaters! Margaritas do not cost $13 whoever said that. Let's learn how to read a menu? Tequila lovers, there is a huge list of 100% agave tequilas starting from around $7 and you can customize your own drink or take it neat!! Finally on cost, this is downtown Chicago. end of story. To the complainers about service. That's really too bad and I'm sorry to hear about it. The thing is that I just can't relate (I relate to the 4 and 5 star yelpers). My water glass was constantly refilled. Food was timely but not rushed. I got my leftovers wrapped up. no problems. This restaurant was packed - unlike many struggling restaurants. We know quality ingredients and the effort it takes to make a perfectly cooked pork tenderloin (which mine was) and juicy chicken breast (my husband's was). The Mexican food here is authentic and delicious!
(5)
Victor S.
This place is amazing! I felt like I was having brunch in an old Hacienda. The decor is very unique, the bar features delicious seasonal drinks. Sam was our waiter, he's one of the best servers I've had. He's knowledgeable about the menu and didn't hesitate when we asked for recommendations on drinks and food. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food this is the place, everything is fresh, even the guacamole is made table side. I will definitely be back!
(5)
GB M.
I dined at the Adobo Grill with a group prior to seeing a show at The Second City. Service was efficient. Not over the top but certainly took care of us. The guy who filled out water glasses... and kept them filled... definitely gets a gold star for doing his job! The margaritas were well prepared. The prepared-at-your-table guac, one mild and one spicy, were awesome. I want a guac cart for home! Everyone enjoyed their entree. The desserts were really tasty and great to share. The price point was decent.
(4)
J P.
Slow service. Bland, ordinary food & pretty pricey. Probably the only Mexican restaurant to not give you Chips & Salsa while you're waiting on cocktails and food. Avoid the nights when there is a show on at Second City as the service can be inconsistent. I think there are far better places to spend your money within the neighborhood.
(2)
Vonita J.
Stopped in on date night before a show at up comedy club and it was great. Food was good I had the Tilapia tacos and a Mojito (which was awsome). My guy had the Salmon enchiladas and he was not disappointed. It's good food a reasonable price. We came in got seated right away service is fair. Only company really is noise level and lighting is poor. But all in all a good dinner.
(4)
Adrienne T.
I just got back from here and wanted to yelp this place while it was fresh on my mind. Adobo deserves a 3.5. It's a bit better than OK, but I didn't leave here thinking - "Wow! I'm a fan!" We were fortunate enough to dine al fresco, which really made eating here more fun, especially if you are into people watching. The servers were friendly and attentive, which is not something I've been able to boast about in my other reviews lately. They even brought us another bowl of chips without us asking for them. The chips were of course served with salsa, which I thought was quite unique and more flavorful than what is traditionally served at Mexican restaurants. It was a taquiera style salsa made with a pinch of peanuts. I think the peanuts gave it a nice smooth consistency. We also received the guacamole made table side. I highly recommend this item. It had just the right amount of salt and lime. Because I wasn't very hungry I ordered the camarón ceviche and my friend ordered the quesadilla. Although I was served a good amount of ceviche, I felt the citrus-chile de árbol broth was too sweet. I actually thought a fruit juice had been added. I do not recommend this item. As for the quesadilla, it was served differently than what I'm accustomed to. I actually thought my friend ordered three mini tacos, but apparently they were three mini quesadillas without being completely grilled on both sides. It was fairly tasty though. In addition to the food items, we both ordered a few rounds of their margaritas. I thought they were a bit on the sweet side as well. Overall, I was fairly content with my experience. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if I was in the neighborhood I would consider it again. I think Adobo's major downfall is some of the food items are a bit on the pricey side for something I could get elsewhere for less. I think this is to be expected since it's in Old Town. However, this is where I usually take a point off - especially if those items are not worth trying again.
(3)
Jorge P.
Value: 1/5 Very expensive drinks and food for low quality. The only reason this place justifies the prices is due to the location. Location: 4/5 The only positive of this restaurant is the prime location in old town. Close to north ave beach and next to second city. Food and drinks: 2/5 The food here is nothing better than you would get at your average Mexican chain restaurant. The guacamole was ok. My dish came out cold with a side of tortillas. The margaritas are average. Service: 3/5 Overall: 2/5 I would not recommend this restaurant unless you need something in this area and this is your last option available.
People always ask me what my favorite mexican restaurant is in the city. Sadly, I don't have one. You see, I'm mexican, so aside from my mommas home cooking there's nothing that can even come close. I've been coming to this place for years now. Which I guess says a lot in itself. The service is always superb. The manager knows my family and I and always greets us with a smile and a handshake. He always seems to have a table available for us. And a free dessert too. We celebrated my parents 25th anniversary here. We were seated in an upper level room. The food was good and the service was great and the prices reasonable. We were allowed to come in early that day to set up the tables like we wanted them. We bought flowers to decorate the tables with. The whole staff was very helpful. Fast forward to this past Monday. I ordered a drink. A pomegranate martini. The waiter informed me it was a very strong drink. I appreciated his comment but went ahead and ordered it anyway. I took one sip and the drink was simply awful. Strong yes. But that wasn't the problem. It was cough-syrupy. So I decided to switch it for something else. When I informed the waiter I didn't like the drink annoyed he replied "I told you it was strong Wth?! What was the point to that comment? It was unnecessary and rude. As far as the food. It's not consistent. I usually opt for the adobo chicken which was pretty good. Well this last time it wasn't. Their table side guac is always yummy. Desserts are okay. The churros are the best. Overall the place is fun, with mostly friendly staff, and their food is usually good to okay. I wish I could say it was great though.
(3)
Chary H.
This review is only for the chocolate tamale because we came here just for that and only that. It was the most delicious dessert I've ever had. It sounds very rich or indulgent but it is not. It had just the right amount of sweetness and richness and isn't heavy at all. I thought it sounded strange but I am a believer of the chocolate tamale.
(5)
Susan C.
I went here many years ago for lunch. I like the food and especially like the fact they made guacamole fresh for you on a pestle and mortar. I had the taco carne asada and jt was really good. When I went there was a big crowd and the people next to us seem like they are enjoying there food so it's a plus. I would go back to this restaurant when I get a chance.
(4)
Talia G.
If you're looking for a dinner spot before a show at Second City, this is your spot. Or if you're in the area and craving some good guacamole and a margarita, this is your spot. The prices are a little high on the high side, but that's just what you get for a cutesy atmosphere in Old Town. My recommendations: get the guacamole and gorditas. The guacamole is made tableside, which is always a cool experience. It's also quite large and served with a side of chips. The gorditas are delicious fat little tortillas filled with pulled pork and other tasty things. I'm obsessed, they're fantastic. Plus, they're about half the price of the tacos and basically the same amount of food! The margaritas are tasty, but definitely on the weak side. I would have preferred a bit more oomph for the price. I've also had the lomito en ancho, marinated grilled pork tenderloin, but it was unmemorable. Good, but not great by any means. To sum up - The Adobo Grill isn't fine dining by any means, but it is really sold, tasty food with a great atmosphere. I know I'll be back many times.
(4)
Courtney T.
The food was okay (with the exception of the guacamole. . It's great!). The drinks were okay too but the service was really good. The have a very nice and accommodating staff.
(3)
Jeudi J.
Well, the empanadas were delicious, especially the pork. The salsas were good, especially the verde and the chipotle, but you have to pay for them, unlike much less pricey Mexican places. The pepino cocktail was delightful and refreshing. The pork with dark mole was excellent, not over cooked, very tender. However, the rice that came with the pork was tasteless, the garlic spinach wasn't garlicky, and the corn tamal that the excellent server brought when he sensed I wasn't impressed with my sides, was pasty. The entree was definitely not worth $20. My friend's shrimp looked good, but I go to other Mexican restaurants where essentially the same dish is $5 less, comes with chips, salsa and soup, and guacamole isn't $9. The service was outstanding. I'd go back for the empanadas and salas, but probably not for an entree. It's convenient to Second City so it's got that going for it.
(3)
Kari J.
I usually write pretty long reviews, but this one will be pretty short. Fantastic, tasty, interesting food. Beyond abysmal service. Went last night prior to the Doug Benson show at Zanie's. Ordered two appetizers for our "entrees" - neither of us were super hungry and didn't want to spring 15+ bucks each for a full meal. We were seated, and it was at least 10 minutes before we were acknowledged for drinks. When the drink order was taken, we ordered the apps. The quesadillas arrived before my diet coke did - quesadilla service was quick at ~10 minutes. Diet Coke probably came 5 minutes later. Our guac didn't arrive until ... well, 15 or 20 minutes after we had devoured the quesadilla. Impossible to get refills, additional chips, and waited far too long for the check. Could have been so much better if they just had a better serving strategy.
(2)
Shan D.
Another place where the food is awful, and the prices are too steep. The table side guac is probably the best item on the menu. After that, it's all downhill. I've had both the enchiladas and the tacos, and both were seasoned horribly. I didn't even want to stick around for dessert. Went to a nearby Baskin Robbins instead.
(2)
Mike W.
Apparently they think they are too classy to make a frozen margarita. Won't be coming back here again.
(1)
Anne M.
3.5 Adobo was pretty good... I felt things were a tad overpriced; perhaps not that surprising in Old Town, but the tab adds up quick. My group of four started with some table-mixed guacamole and I also had a table-shaken margarita. I enjoyed both of these things happening right in front of me at my table - all the better. Margarita was good, but served in a smallish martini glass; guacamole was great and it was a large amount. I wasn't crazy about the chicken enchiladas I ordered. They were good, but nothing spectacular. The portion was also on the small side. Everything was just so-so... I did think the restaurant was cute though, and I liked sitting upstairs.
(3)
Christine S.
I'm a Dallas resident in Chicago for work. I've visited this establishment twice and both experiences were the same. Fantastic service, flavorful cuisines. I've read a few reviews and maybe it just my Southern roots that allows me to appreciate the services around me. I do however know when food is bad, over priced or there's bad service and this is not one of those. Last night alone was packed. People lined up waiting for a table to have dinner. They must be doing something right to have so much business:) Hats off to the bartenders last night. One in particular who served me my first flight of tequila. Three different brands, he switched out one of the listed brands with his favorite - Casa Noble and I fell in love with it. I'm a scotch girl so tequila is not my area and I really enjoyed the bartenders pick. The food was great. The atmosphere was lively. I even thought I smelled ocean water air and sandy beaches. Being a single female and a patron having dinner alone in a new city, I felt like I was home. Southern hospitality in the north. The bartenders even bought my dessert! Much appreciation for the service industry! So if you decide you want some good tequila visit Adobo grill, especially at the end of the month. They have a set course meal for their tequila of the month night. Last Thursday in Feb. Enjoy!
(5)
Dax R.
This is our neighborhood Mexican restaurant. The guacamole is good. The food is just ok, nothing special. It is a little pricy for what it is. I with the changed up the menu once in awhile.
(3)
Theresa F.
3 stars for the guac, margarita, and the service. We ordered the barbacoa empanadas and the ceviche sampler as well. Both very mediocre items (despite how impressive the picture may look.) With prices steeped higher than for what it's worth, I probably won't be coming back anytime soon.
(3)
Cindy K.
We love Adobo Grill and should frequent it more often. We tend to go when we have tickets to Second City which is upstairs. The food and service is 5-star; the reason for my giving it four is the noise level is crazy high. If you are looking for a party, this is your spot. To be fare, last night was extra crazy as Chicago was celebrating St Patrick's day. We started with guacamole, the best in Chicago, made table-side served with house made corn chips. I had the shrimp dish which was huge in a delicious sauce. The pork tenderloin with mole sauce was a true standout, simply outstanding. Our friends, their first trip, loved the salmon and look forward to returning. Desserts are delicious The pineapple upside down cake was fantastic as was their Tres Leches. Very worth a visit. Always consistent.
(4)
Linn L.
Fun place for delicious margaritas and for sharing some small plates. Friendly, patient staff who kept a great mood despite having to come back to our table three times since we had not made our decisions of what to eat... We had empanadas (yummy), a pork-dish with cheese (so-so) and some sort of Mexican pizza topped with fresh avocado (mmm). The latter got cold since me and my friend were chatting and forgot to eat. Asking if they could heat it up in some way, they hesitantly offered to put it in the microwave for a few seconds... I'll let that sum up the friendly service Don't miss the guacamole! And make sure they make it spicy.
(4)
Julia P.
I came here with a group of 8 for a birthday celebration. Our server was great for entertainment. I think a couple of the women felt like he was a little off with his recommendations for some of the appetizers they wanted to share (as in they didn't need as much as he suggested, and the additional apps weren't as good as he had made them sound). I did enjoy the tacos that I had, and the tres leches cake they gave for the birthday girl that we all shared was actually really good, not as dry as they often are in these types of restaurants. But the real highlight for this place is the guacamole!! It is made table-side, and was really phenomenal! Worth going here just for that!
(4)
Airin B.
This place is fabulous. We were allowed our puppies on the patio. We had for appetizer the chicken flauta, then followed by the carne asada, and then the tres leches cake. I haven't had Mexican food so good in awhile that this was an absolute treat. I recommend this restaurant to anyone in the city. If you want to hang out for the day, then by all means bring your dog and enjoy the patio together.
(5)
Jennifer H.
Came here after a comedy show...came here more for the convenience but were pleasantly surprised. Sat at the bar with Carlos and he was great. Great food, great service, went out of his way for the little things. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Son H.
I really like this place. I go there most times I go to Chicago. They have VERY TASTY margaritas and tons of different tequilas. Their salsa is actually spicy which is nice when you are in the Midwest. The service has always been good and they speak Spanish which is fun to converse in. I recommend this if you want to get dinner before or after Second City.
(4)
Jill L.
Came here for the first time for a small work meeting. We all shared chips, salsa and guac which was fresh and tasty. Bowls of guac were quite large. For about 10 of us, we shared 3 bowls which seemed to be plenty. As our night went on, the servers brought us empanadas with corn and cheese which were perfectly light and crisp! They then brought tostadas topped with chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese... Ugh, yum! That one was my favorite. After that, they brought us veggie enchiladas which I believe had squash in it. I wasn't sure how I felt about that but it was yummy! The timing between each entree was consistent and appropriate. The servers were kind and attentive while not being intrusive to our meeting. It was also nice that they put us upstairs away from any distractions. The layout is beautiful! I will definitely come back to explore more of the menu.
(5)
Suzanne O.
Good food, but high prices. We ordered the guacamole appetizer, carne asada entree and the house margarita ($40 total). The gauc was delicious and you get the choice of mild, medium or hot. We got the hot and it wasn't super spicy by any means, but it was just the right amount of spice for gauc. The steak was very tender and juicy and the sauce on it was great. The margarita was pretty small, especially since it was almost $10, but it was very good. The portions were a decent size and the service was spot on. We went here because we had a groupon, but I don't know if I would normally go due to the high prices.
(4)
Laura G.
Contemporary Mexican in a clean restaurant with excellent service? Yes, please. Several friends recommended we check out Adobo Grill prior to our show at Second City. We enjoyed delicious guacamole made tableside and perfect margaritas. My husband ordered the pork dish which was actually seasoned slices of pork. I had the chicken enchilladas (how gringa). Our servers, Christian and Eduardo, were johnny on the spot with refilling our drinks, answering our entree questions and suggesting tequilas. They even got down on the floor and fixed our wobbly table. Our entrees were above average, good not great, but the margaritas and guacamole are what made our evening. I'd say Adobo is a little bit more expensive for Mexican but given the location/neighborhood our bill was what I was expecting.
(4)
Emily Z.
2 drinks, 3 apps, 2 entrees and 2 desserts /2 = waddling home. We came for restaurant week, only 3/4 full on a Monday night but the waiter said to definitely make reservations on the weekend, noted. Loved the table side margarita, I thought I might be getting jipped since its served in a martini glass, but I definitely felt it, especially cause he told me to take two big sips and then poured in the last of the shaker contents! Table side guacamole for two consisted of an avocado and a half, fresh and delicious. We also tried the Salbutes or "little tostadas" topped with achiote marinated chicken, pickled onions, black beans, sour cream. Mine sadly were luke warm but delicious none the less. Tamal consisted of guajillo marinated chicken tamal steamed in a corn husk with ancho salsa, sour cream, cheese. I am not a tamale person so I thought it was a little dry and could have used more filling. We both thought the Salmon Yucateco sounded good, and we were right! Achiote marinated pan seared salmon, plantain white rice, pickled onions,peanut salsa. The salmon is much thinner than most but still a good sized portion. The peanut sauce was amazing, but when is it not. Though I am now realizing that I thought the plantain white rice was a weird sweet mashed potatoes, oops! We had Churros and the Chocolate Tamale for dinner, both delicious. Over all or server was great, presentation was great and there was nothing we didn't love! I'll be back for sure!
(5)
Andre W.
Guac was awesome Adobo Margaritas were phenomenal and not too big Chicken enchiladas were pretty good. I have always avoided Adobo Grill as it was a small chain and for other stupid unclear reasons. The 3 things I mentioned above makes me feel ashamed as I enjoyed my food as well as my friends I attended the place with. The guac is some of the freshest I've had in awhile and the margarita was one of the best Ive had...I decided to have a 2nd...couldn't help myself. Salsa that came with the chips was definitely good and had a nice spice to it. Service was definitely on point as they entertained us and made sure we had everything we needed. Definitely will come back!
(5)
Will A.
This place is pretty good. First off let me say that the guacamole is completely outstanding and is made table-side it's a must try. zo THE CHIPS ARE OFF THE CHAIN. Another must try is the tlyuda which is amazing and is a bite of crunchy savory goodness. I also recommend the steak. The only downside is that the menu is somewhat limited and the mole that came with my steak was very bitter. But overall this is a good place and a must try if your in the mood for some good Mexican food
(4)
Sam K.
yaaaaassss margaritas!
(5)
Jet L.
I wish this place was better :(. The drinks are small and expensive for what little you get .... Serving a margarita in a small martini glass leaves your customers feeling cheated. The food is just okay. But I have always had nice service and fast here and the gauc is pretty good table side.
(2)
Glenn R.
Excellent service. Prompt, courteous, helpful. Excellent food and margarita. Got vegi enchiladas. A little sweet but still good.
(5)
Lily B.
The service here was incredibly fast! We had a reservation, so we sat down right away and our family of five was finished with a three course meal in forty five minutes--and that was taking our time! It was neat to watch them make the guacamole and margaritas in front of us. And the chicken enchiladas I had were fantastic! Not too much sauce and the chicken was cooked and puled perfectly. I finished my plate even after I was full. Great spot!
(5)
Carlo B.
Went here for dinner with family and friends. The homemade guacamole made table side was creamy and delicious. Definitely something to have. I had the chicken enchiladas and they were just ok. Just note that I am not a big fan of Mexican food but I gave it a try. Ambiance was good, service was excellent and very attentive. I don't recommend for kids who are picky.
(2)
Ryan B.
We went here for dinner and drinks on Cinco de Mayo before a friend's show at Second City. I was not impressed. We had reservations (it was Cinco de Mayo, we aren't idiots). They sat us 15 minutes after our reservation time. We were there 10 minutes before they even offered us drinks. Our food came pretty quickly, it was maybe 10-15 minutes after we ordered. We had to ask about our drinks when our food came, the first round hadn't even showed up. They never even gave us chips and salsa. They refreshed the chips and surrounding tables, but didn't give us ours! (UPDATE: Someone just informed me that they don't serve chips and salsa unless you order them. That's even WORSE, right? Doesn't every other Mexican place ever give complimentary chips and salsa?) I also felt like our food and drinks were a little overpriced for what we got. Whatever.
(2)
Allan S.
The service was good but the food was just not up to par. Chips weren't fresh, guacamole was diluted with something and had no flavor. Carne asada was edible but marginal. The spice used on the tacos left something to be desired.
(2)
Kathleen M.
Worst margarita I've ever had-----ever. Service was wonderful!! But please go somewhere else for drinks, I had to add WATER to my drink over and over again. Terrible.
(2)
Claudia M.
So far I have been to these "Tequila monthly Dinners" twice. They are a fun time if you are celebrating a friend's birthday. I had been here before but not for the "Tequila dinner" night. The first time I experienced the Tequila dinner was in February and Adobo Grill was celebrating "Cocina Veracruzana" along with Tequila Gran Centenario. The was dinner was seafood based and so delicious. We started off with Tamal de Calabaza, tasty. Next we had the MOST delicious Ensalada Asada....an arugula salad with Hanger Steak, red peppers and goat cheese. OMG! So good. The main dish was "Camarones al mojo de ajo" Grilled marainated shrimp. Really tasty. The thing about the Tequila dinners is that each course comes out with a new drink that involves a tequila and you have a choice of 3 tequilas to drink from as well. So you get three tequila shots, three mixed drinks 4 courses (including a dessert) for 50$. The food and drinks are so unique. It is a worthwhile experience. The second time we went to "Tequila Dinner Night" was in May. The theme was "La Cocina Poblana". Of course I'm totally psyched because I have been to Veracruz and Puebla and I can't wait to see what goodies they have prepared for us. ----Chalupas con tinga for the appetizer. -----Tacos arabes...very filling -----Main Course...Fillete Poblano ...cilantro marinated grilled flat iron steak and herb roasted potatoes. So good but I was stuffed after the Tacos arabes. ---dessert---pastel de camote... Tequilla Arrete was the tequila distributor that night. The owner of the Tequila Distillery spoke to the crowd about the differences in the tequila and even invited the crowd to visit the distillery in Guadalajara. One of the tequilas that they sell is called Tequila Don Fulano and he said it's sold at Binny's. I've got to find a reason to go back to enjoy another Tequila Dinner Night., soon.
(5)
Brian M.
Definitely a good place for outdoor seating. They have great chips and salsa and good tacos too. Parking is hard so try to take PT or walk there if you can help it.
(4)
Marisa Y.
I'll be upfront: I'm biased about Mexican after living half my life in Texas. That said, Adobo Grill is just meh. The guacamole and margs are fantastic and worth every penny, but everything else on the menu is bland. I'd come here for appetizers and drinks, but eating a substantive meal here is a waste of money, unless you like disappointing bland entrees.
(2)
Shayna Y.
This place is great to go before a show at Second City - the tableside guacamole is delicious. If you are not in the area, don't make this a destination - something about the atmosphere is missing for me.
(3)
Laura H.
Went for restaurant week for the $33 three-course dinner PLUS margarita, which is what makes this a good deal- the place isn't that expensive otherwise. It wasn't croweded on a Thursday night. We had a very attentive service and the server had great recommendations about what he thought were the best options. Lomito en mole negro was the standout. The pork and mole were so good! I got the tamal de chocolate for dessert but wasn't impressed- it was like the lava part of a chocolate lava cake was poured into a corn husk. There wasn't any cake, it was just mush, and mine didn't seem to have any cherries.
(3)
Jeremy C.
I recently made my 2nd trip to Adobo. The first time was a long time ago and I remember enjoying it. This recent trip wasn't so good. I felt like the service was lacking everywhere from the hostess, to the bartenders, to the servers. I'm quick to critique food quality but not often am I let down by the service level. Seemed like they were there for a job and not to take care of their guests. For example, both at the bar and at the table I had to flag down when I needed another beer after it's been sitting empty rather then them checking in. Couldn't seat us by our reservation time, told us it was going to be a wait even though we had a reservation, and time was of the essence since seeing a show at the UP Comedy club next door. Food = ehhh, I really wasn't impressed by the flavor or the quality of the dishes we ordered. Frankly, I thought their price points were very high for the quality. But possibly it's a case of decent food made worse by poor service. Meh... I'll come back if dragged but nothing about my last experience makes me want to come back.
(2)
Justin W.
This place is very very cool. I think they have 5 different levels for eating and dining. They make guac at your table... So fresh! I had the ceviche sampler and so so good. It came with special corn chips and fried plantain chips that were fried perfectly. I could not choose my favorite ceviche because my plate was empty bf I knew it. Must got here.
(5)
Ian L.
Ultimate tourist trap. I was with a party of 8, we wandered here merely because it was close. It does not deserve 3.5 stars. The menu is pricey, appetizers from 8-15 and mains from 16-25. It seemed like a tourist trap, so 4 of us did not order anything. And were glad we didn't. My GF got this Tamal "Guajillo marinated chicken tamal steamed in a cornhusk with ancho salsa, sour cream, cheese". It was the worst piece of Hispanic " food" that we'd tasted in our lives, I tried a few bites and she didn't finish it. Tasted like BBQ sauce drizzled on a miserable piece of cardboard with some tasteless and flaccid corn husks. It was flavorless and absolutely pathetic. You've been warned!
(1)
Jacob G.
I like the food at Adobo Grill. It's a good restaurant to go to for dinner.
(4)
Brenda G.
I've since been back to Adobo Grill and am sad to say it will be my last time. After waiting for too long for a waitress when the restaurant was nearly empty my boyfriend and I ordered, ceviche for him and tacos for me. The ceviche was slimy and had a hair in it (yes a hair) and my tacos were dry and marginal at best.
(1)
India K.
Great neighborhood joint. Fresh ingredients. Margaritas are fresh squeezed and delicious. You'll definitely need reservations on a weekend.
(4)
Carly F.
Guacamole was very good. Service was prompt. That is up until the end. The waitstaff were huddled in the corner trying to strategize how to get us out, which was very uncomfortable. There were still 6 other tables dining so I don't know why they were trying to flip our table. Food was good. Service was good. Being rushed out of a restaurant not good.
(3)
Melinda N.
We really enjoyed this restaurant! As a vegetarian from the East Coast, my options can be somewhat limited when I go to a Mexican restaurant. The vegetable tacos were fabulous (quinoa and goat cheese is always great!); the sangria had a little bit of a tequila aftertaste, but after the second glass, it was just fine. ;) My in-laws were with us, and they were very accommodating for their non-dairy and non-spicy requests. My husband and I found plenty of spicy yumminess for our taste. The guacamole is made to order and great; the quantity was a bit smaller than what I'm used to for tableside guac at a restaurant (esp. split between four people), but there was plenty of other food to stuff in my face. The arugula salad that came with my vegetarian tacos was delicious. Just an FYI for other veggies out there: the refried beans have meat in them.
(4)
Emily J.
I'm writing this review based off the drinks and the bartender. I didn't actually order food other than chips, guac and salsa. The guac and salsa were a bit disappointing. Our server was hilarious and the drinks were very good. The margaritas are definitely a must try.
(4)
Anuj S.
Adobo is a nice option for Mexican food in the area. It's also a chain - I heard they have a location near Yorktown Mall. One thing that was great for us is we had a group of 6 adults and I was able to get a reservation for 7:30 pm when I called at around 6 pm. It might not be a good thing from their perspective, but for us, it was convenient. It's a pretty large restaurant inside. Food-wise... it was mixed. We got a couple of orders for guacamole and that was good. Of course it was freshly made, but it probably could've used more lemon/lime. For entrees, I had the chile relleno, which was excellent. The combination of sauce and beans was excellent. This thing must be like multiple peppers, because there's no way the huge thing was one big pepper. Anyway, I enjoyed it and could only finish half of it. I also tasted the cheese enchiladas, which were kind of... just OK to meh... Not sure why, but maybe the tortillas were dried out or something? Unfortunately, this is like my staple usually at Mexican places, so that's a bit discouraging. Margaritas were excellent, although very small in size. They serve them in these tiny martini glasses, instead of the nice big margarita glasses you'd expect. There's only one margarita, only one size, so the options are limited. I mean, they made it well, but with a large group it would've been great to be able to get a pitcher. This is probably what contributed to our high bill. The service was fine. Definitely came by a few times and asked for more drinks and so forth. Overall, I think the prices were high. Yes, it is in the city and all, but $40 per person seems a bit, though not exorbitant. In the end, I think Adobo is a decent place. I'd think about it, but I may be back again with family. It's worth a second shot to see if they can improve on the enchiladas.
(3)
Chigurll K.
Great food, great service and great location. Try their chocolate tamale and the Tres leches. The martinis are awesome.
(4)
Nikil K.
The Margarita was good! The Guacamole was excellent! Friendly staff too!
(5)
Melissa S.
Quite possibly the best guacamole I've had ever in my life! I wish I had been paying attention to how it was made. We were staying in the neighborhood at the Hotel Lincoln, and needed something substantial to help with our scorching hangovers. We ordered micheladas, chips & guac, fish tacos, and huevos rancheros. I wasn't a huge fan of the huevos rancheros; something about the sauce just tasted a little Chef Boyardee-ish to me, and there wasn't much else happening. It wasn't BAD, but I probably would order something else next time. My boyfriend liked his fish tacos okay, but commented that there was too much slaw on top and not much fish. It was muggy outside so we chose to sit indoors instead of on the patio. The interior is pretty, our service was fast and friendly, and the prices were quite reasonable. I'd go back just for the tableside guac!
(4)
Frido F.
This is a great spot for dinner. The food is quite good. We had guacamole and ceviche, both of which impressed my fiance and I. The server was great, but the food is a little pricy.
(4)
Diana R.
I never like Guacamole until I came here! I've been here 2-3 times and every time I have a good time, enjoy the food + drinks, and of course the amazing guac! Every time I visit Chicago I have to spot by! I'll be back next month to visit one of my favorite restaurants in town with my friends and family!
(5)
Mattie C.
Came here on an extremely HOT day and were really in the mood for margaritas. It felt soooo good sitting on the patio and downing delicious, large, strawberry margaritas, water and then the amazing guac and chips. The guac here is some of the best I have had and doesn't have cilantro in it, which seems to be a new trend at the tex/mex places. Yum it was just so good. We weren't here for an incredibly long time, but if you just want to lounge and have some guac and chips and a cold drink, this is a great place to go.
(4)
Kamilah S.
First This place is located in OLD TOWN not LINCOLN PARK. RESTAURANT WEEK 2014 My girls and I came here for dinner and we had some really excellent food. One of my friends is pregnant so I had to take her complimentary sangria that came with her meal, to help wash down my complimentary margarita. I had the skirt steak that was cooked to perfection and the mini chicken tostadas. The food across the table was delicious and there were no complaints. The churros with the 2 dipping sauces (chocolate and caramel) and the tres leches cake .....YUMMY!!! They also make guacamole table side
(5)
Marcia W.
If you go for the margaritas, you will stay for the guacamole that is prepared at your table. Since you are already there, try everything! You will find a reason to stay for desert.
(5)
Ali S.
I was there for a special event, so I'm not sure how useful this review will be for everyone as there was a set menu. The service was wonderful, and it was really great how they made guac for all of the tables at a special side station in our room. I had a yummy margarita. But I really only care about the food. My roasted butternut squash enchiladas were fine. They missed the rich flavors of Mexican food. The salad with mango and jicama was really bland, and the cheese didn't feel like the best addition. The guac also wasn't anything special. The chocolate cake with peanut butter flavor was kind of dry, and again not that good. Overall, I've had much better Mexican food at many other places (although these places weren't in Chicago).
(2)
Natalia K.
I've been here a couple times, mostly because I'm a huge fan of guacamole and I really like theirs. I always think it could be spicier, but it's fantastic no matter what. And you know it's fresh because they make it right in front of you! I came here recently with a groupon and after the guacamole, I had two of their appetizers: the flautas and the empanadas. I love me some flautas. I always hope a mexican menu has them and get them if they do because they are the perfect bites of crunchy, meaty, cheesy mmmm. These were no exception. The empanadas were just ok, however, kind of bland. I didn't finish them and I was too full from the other two things anyway. Adobo is always a solid place to go for an upgraded Mexican meal.
(4)
David K.
I went there after having read the reviews on their guacamole. It was definitely as good, if not better, than advertised. It's pretty pricey but you have to get it. They make it fresh for you after you order. We were also there during Cinco de Mayo weekend, so they had a special menu. We tried a steak dish that came with tortillas, the steak (medium rare) was cooked to perfection. We were already satisfied and slightly full from having finished the chips and guac, but we just couldn't stop eating the entree and ate all of it. It's also right next to Second City, so go eat a fantastic dinner, then go watch one of their productions.
(5)
Elizabeth F.
I read that Adobo was considered Chicago's best Mexican restaurant ...so we had to try! Their signature margarita was so yummy (we downed two, each) and the table side guacamole was the best guac we've ever had! We went at lunch time, so therefore we had a more limited menu - but I had the Adobo chopped salad and my husband had the Carne Asada tacos. Both, very good! Can't wait to try dinner there, sometime!
(4)
Kelsey B.
The best Mexican food I've ever had. The ambiance was fun yet relaxed and not too loud. The guac is made table side and just incredible... The drinks were unique and delicious. I can't wait to go back!!!!! Their salsa is a little unique though.. lol
(5)
Ann A.
This is one of those places you always hear about where you shouldn't let the hole-in-the-wall appearance deceive you. The place looks superficially cheesy, with worn formica tables and all that. But the food is inventive, interesting, and overall pretty decent. We had the guac made tableside, which was quite good. I ordered the small plate tamales, which are a variety pack with 3 different sauces and fillings. While the mole on one of them wasn't the best I've had, the whole mix was pretty good. The place specializes in tequila and offers a flight, which we didn't do. However, I ordered a margarita that I really liked, and which packed significantly more of a punch than those watered-down concoctions you get at fancier Mexican joints these days.
(4)
Melissa B.
Our first night out without the baby and of course I loved it. The giant margaritas we're flowing, we had guacamole made at our table (twice because it's delicious and goes spectacularly with the above mentioned cocktails) we ate chicken burritos which we're very tasty and took our time with our meal. Efficient service and nice relaxed atmosphere - we weren't hurried off our table which was very refreshing
(4)
Dominica S.
Was here last night with some friends from Second City. The drinks and food were amazing! I had the Tosaditos, I think I spelled that right. And the drink made with pineapple juice, sorry I don't remember the name. As a table we shared the guacamole! Every thing was perfect. At the end of the meal when it was time to pay. They did over charge me by $200+, but I caught it. And my meal was comp'ed & I was refunded the mistake. That did put a damper on my overall perfect night, but the food redeemed them. A mistake is a mistake. So I'll be back! Just probably with cash next time ;)
(4)
Andy S.
Conveniently located right next to The Second City. The food here is pretty good but prices are very high (in my opinion) expect to pay $8.50 for one glass of sangria, $9.50 for a margarita, with most of the other drinks priced at or around $9.50. Food wise the majority of entrees are priced between $15 and $20 though lean towards the higher end. They do have chicken enchiladas for $13.99 which aren't bad and they give you a dollop of guacamole. I will say though that I really like the salsa they give you with chips - the salsa has a nice smoky flavor. I would likely never come to Adobo if it wasn't located right next to Second City but it is just so damn convenient. Service is ok to good.
(3)
Jessica N.
This is a very solid place to go for dinner. My husband and I both got steak (Adobo flank and the Filet) both were cooked perfectly medium rare and received generous portions (plus both priced under $25!). Our server had good recommendations and was friendly. The one down side is that it was really way too crowded. I know busy places are supposed to be crowded, but the good ones don't make you feel overwhelmed while you are eating, and this one definitely did. I will come back but it's not a top pick for a night out. It's more of a festive go out with a big group of people type of place.
(3)
Susan C.
Awesome guacamole made table side..I would come back for that alone but honestly the service was great along with the rest of the food we ordered
(4)
Christina G.
I came back here for brunch over the weekend, and had a completely different experience. Our server was great - checking on us often and making great recommendations. We started off with the guacamole (how would we not?). We said medium-spicy, but unfortunately, it wasn't spicy at all. In fact, I commented that the salsa we were given to eat with our chips had more kick than the guac. The portion size is huge though. Whereas it wasn't enough for our group of 6, it more than stuffed my husband and I. The hubby also ordered a Bloody Maria and holy tequila it was strong. I don't generally like bloody Marys (because I don't like tomato juice), but even I had to admit that it was tasty. I did order the coffee, and it was a bit too strong for my taste. For our main meal, hubby ordered the Eggs Bennedictine. I had a bite, and it was yummy. The green sauce was great, as were the sopas and chorizo. Oh, and those house potatoes rocked too. I ordered the fish tacos. 3 came out, and I could only put down one of them. They are battered, which was a bummer (I preferred grilled), but I was told they couldn't make them grilled as the fish was pre-battered. Those tacos were worth every calorie though! As I only ate one and had the rest boxed up, I thought it was really nice that the waiter came over when he saw a bus boy take my mostly un-eaten plate away to make sure there was nothing wrong with the tacos. Nothing wrong - just too much guacamole! I had wanted to try a churro, but by the time my tacos were boxed, I could barely move. We had a groupon and had no problems using it. Definitely will be back - brunch here rocks!
(4)
Anthony M.
This use to be one of my favorite places because it felt fresh and new. Now I feel like this place is an old dinosaur that just needs to go off in the corner and die. Personally I would love to see this place get some fresh life and maybe reinvent themselves but it is not happening. This just makes me sad. This place use to get me on two things: the Adobo Margarita shaken table side and the table side guacamole. But even those do not excite me anymore. A few things concerned me on our visit the other night. 1) The busboy kept filling up our water like we were going to dehydrate. It was almost annoying but what really bothered me was when he reached across the table to fill my glass, he pressed the bottom of the dirty water pitcher into the top of our Gorditas sitting on the table. As this was happening, I told him to stop but he kept pouring water and pressing that dirty pitcher into our food. And when I showed him what he did he looked at me and just walked away. Honestly I was really grossed out by this. I am sure that worse things go on in the back but to have it happen right at our table was unacceptable. He did not even say sorry. My stomach is just turning, while I relive this moment in print. 2) The table side made guacamole use to be the bomb. I remember 15 years ago I thought that was the coolest thing ever. We told our waiter we wanted the Guacamole to be so spicy that we wanted it us to hurt us...he laughed and said no problem. The Guacamole Girl rolled over the cart and said, "How would you like your Guacamole?" Again I said please make it very very hot. She mixed all of the ingredients and it was completely bland. There was no hotness at all to it. Our waiter walked over and said, "How is it?" We looked at him and he said, "It is not spicy at all!" He then took our bowl away and worked on our Guacamole for 5 minutes in the corner. I could only see his head above the wall...so he could have just been stirring it. He returned it to the table and it was still not spicy. How hard is it to get some spicy Guacamole around here? So this was another letdown. In fact, we make better Guacamole at home and we do not have the fancy cart with all of the ingredients to push around the restaurant. This is suppose to be a Mexican Restaurant please just find something spicy and throw it into my Guacamole. The waiter also brought us out a spicy habanera salsa, after this but honestly it was tame when compared to what Rick Bayless Habanera salsa is like. I want to go cry in the corner after eating that stuff but not here. I could have drank the bowl here at Adobo and asked for another. Again not hot!!! 3) Our waiter started out like one of those used car salesman. You know where all he does is try to up sell everything on the menu. How about an extra floater on your Margarita? Cha-Ching It is very tiring to have to keep saying no to a waiter that keeps trying to sell you things to raise your bill. I also find it kind of disrespectful too because I am not some twenty year old kid having dinner for the first time in Old Town! 4) The Adobo Margarita is not that good anymore. This thing was all lime juice minus the tequila. What a waste of a drink! I can walk away and make a better tasting homemade margarita, then the one that was served to me here. The shaking table side is a cool feature but when you see the waiter walking away with a shaker that still has your drink in it...that is kind of sad. Yes he filled it up but there was still more drink in there to be poured...that is probably where all my tequila was at. 5) Do not order a kids meal here!!! This place is suppose to be a restaurant that makes fresh food. How hard is it to make homemade chicken fingers? These chicken strips were so processed they were terrible. And the frozen french fries had so much salt on them they were inedible. My little one who is 5 said to me in the car after dinner, "Daddy can we never go back there because those fries were so bad. I could not even eat them they had so much salt on them!" When a 5 year old is starting to review a place like Yelp and give it zero stars, then I know it was bad. I did try the fries and they were terrible unless you wanted to add Heart Disease to your resume. Our family voted and we are done with the Adobo Grill. This place was one of our favorites but it is in need of a makeover. I do not think they care because they are in Old Town and next to Second City in a high traffic area. They are kind of like the Cubs at this time...people go here but the product is last place. I hope that they turn this thing around, or they will disappear like there Division location did.
(2)
Emma K.
I have been to Adobo Grill twice now, and have enjoyed the experience both times. The first time I went with a friend who was in town and the family she was staying with. We shared a bunch of small plates and though I cannot pick a single dish from that dinner, I remember enjoying it all - especially the margarita. A year later (last night) my boyfriend had a hankering for Mexican, and we ended up at Adobo Grill. We got a great seat by the window - since I wasn't that hungry, the seat really made my night since I love to people watch. Added bonus - it was St. Pat's day and there is an Irish bar across from Adobo ..... #bestpeoplewatching #winning. We got the guacamole which is absolutely delicious and a huge portion for just two people - we ended up taking some home. I got the salbutes which are basically tortilla chips with yummy shredded chicken piled on top with some sour cream and pickled onions. I got the appetizer thinking it would be small, but it could really be a meal! I managed to eat 4 out of the 5 that came in the portion before surrendering my plate the BF. He got the Arrachera (?) which was basically steak fajitas but with especially yummy steak. Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed my margarita on this trip even though they are a tad expensive. The interior of the restaurant is so cute and cozy ... and now that I realize they have a bar, I just may be back for ritas & guac soon!
(4)
Fei W.
What can I say, tried this place after spending the past month gorging myself at great restaurants and this place felt decidedly average. I tried some of the salmon tacos, which were great, but couldn't compare to the mahi mahi ones at Mercadito. I ordered the Poc Chuc and flavor wise it was okay, but I think it could've benefited from a side of rice. The made to order guac was good, especially since you can specify spice levels. All in all, wouldn't come here again unless someone else really insisted on it.
(3)
Jami S.
Won't be back. Sitting outside on the patio was the highlight. The margaritas were good, not great. It was fun that they put them in martini glasses. But I have had better drinks for sure (Zocalo). They pushed the guac hard and I get why b/c thats supposed to be the highlight. but we weren't feeling it. & by the way guac is like the most easy thing to make, prob why they totally upsell it. Our waiter was okay, seemed a little disappointed that we didn't order a lot and he was VERY slow with everything. But the most disappointing part of the dinner was that the waiter brought the wrong entree to my boyfriend. And he didn't know so he started eating it. And actually really liked it. 5 min later the waiter came back and was like i brought you the wrong meal and took it away, even tho my boyfriend said he liked it and would keep it. He literally took a 1/2 eaten meal away, like why?? i mean you better not be serving that to another customer! Then he didn't even offer a discount or free dessert or anything. it was really bad service-wise and that is why i won't be returning Adobo Grill.
(2)
Sharon M.
We ordered the guacamole and it was awesome! The best guacamole that I have eaten. Our waiter was excellent. We enjoyed our dinner experience at Adobo Grill.
(5)
Warren P.
The unique aspect of this restaurant is that they will prepare fresh guacamole for you table side. I've ordered a number of dishes over several trips.. They are generally prepared well but nothing truly memorable. Lively vibe and attentive service.
(3)
Alex A.
Love coming here for happy hour! Fun atmosphere; amazing table size guacamole; one of the best micheladas in the city; and the staff is extremely upbeat and attentive.
(5)
Dylan C.
My wife and I come here once a month for Tequila night. One of the host gives you a little history of where the Tequila comes from. Every time we go the meal is different and the dessert is phenomenal! You have shot glasses filled with different tequila to taste throughout your visit, Music and staff are awesome!
(5)
LOIS B.
Does this place need another review? Probably not. Will I write one anyway? Absolutely I hadn't been here in many years, so it was nice to sit at the bar, before sitting down to dinner, and take in the sights. The area is very high traffic and has given way from hippies to hipsters. Outdoor seating available, nice bar area with a smallish TV in the corner, NOT front and center and NOT the size of my first apartment, and 3 levels for indoor seating. Decor is bright, cheerful, and conducive to meal enjoyment. As previously stated, the guacamole, prepared table-side, can be made mild or heartburn. It is delicious. But, I did not understand the difficult time to get a reservation at a convenient time for our group. I felt like I was negotiating with some heavy duty, intimidating, world leaders and world peace was the goal. Actually, it seems we could have just walked in and gotten a table because there were a number of tables available when we got there. (And a couple remained available while we were dining.) Does the $40 tequila dinner cover the cab ride home?
(3)
Lisa F.
The food here was very good - freshest, most delicious guacamole and table-side margaritas! The service, on the other hand, was less than to be desired. It was not that crowded, people were not waiting for tables and he pressured us to order even after we told him that we weren't in a hurry and hadn't looked yet (but had ordered drinks and guac). Food came fast once we did order and then he couldn't wait to bring us our check and hounded on multiple occasions, asking if we were set. Back off man! We still had a very time because of the food, but this guy was just not up to par!
(3)
Katie F.
The food was delicious! The prices were higher for the entrees but the appetizers were nicely priced and a good portion. I got the Salmon with chipotle sauce.... sooooo good! My friend got the fluatas de pollo, very yum. We also ordered the guacamole at medium temp and it was tasty, fresh lime, chunky but smooth too. The Mojito and Margarita were fantastic. The Margarita was smooth and you could taste the fresh lime juice. Not made from a mix and you can tell. We got the $10 one, not $55. Good service, gave us space when we were talking and took our orders promptly. Did have to flag him done for a refill on the Mojito though ;) Right next to Second City so it is a good option after a show for a place to eat at.
(5)
Shradha A.
I had not been back in 4 years and was excited for table-side guac. It was good, as was the salsa, but all the other vegetarian food was okay. We tried the vegetarian platter, enchiladas, chile rellenos and none was specially good. This place will take large party table reservation so we were here to celebrate a birthday - company was more important than food I guess!
(3)
A A.
Amazing amazing amazing! The chicken tamales with red anocho sauce amazing!
(5)
Dave D.
First of all, I've lived in quite a few places around the country and one of those places was Texas and Adobo might have the best guacamole i've ever had. This place is fantastic. From the atmosphere, to the drinks, to the food, it's a can't miss. Reservations are highly recommended as it can get packed especially before and after Second City comedy club lets out. Great food, strong margaritas, and a knowledgeable staff. What more could you want?
(4)
Alex K.
Amazing service to go along with amazing food! To reiterate previous reviews; the guac was to die for. Prepared at the table; was fresh and delicious!
(5)
L.C. W.
Just ate here for the first time. Amazing food! Get the guacamole with some Margaritas, you won't regret it!
(5)
Jamie M.
Bar had excellent selection. Atmosphere was nice in scenic downtown Chicago. Close to second city. Real fun place.
(5)
Kelley S.
Friendly staff, plentiful tables. Menu had ample selections. Prices were definitely high. Food was prepared in a timely manner. Stingy with chips and salsa... "stingy" meaning one small bowl for a table of 7. Drinks were pricey and small. Atmosphere was very comfortable although somewhat loud with many people inside. This is a nice place to go if you are with a large group or looking for something close with nice atmosphere. I don't think I would go here specifically for the food, which was presented in an eye-pleasing way, but overall wasn't super tasty.
(3)
Adrienne N.
Good food, slightly overpriced. Normal size portions.
(3)
Beau G.
We had great everything at Adobo tonight. The waiter was very knowledgable on tequila as well as the food. We had the table side guacamole and I would say it is a must.
(5)
Tony B.
The waiter and the margaritas were great. The food....ok. Not a whole lot of flavor. Great atmosphere.Pretty awesome that the birthday girl in our party got a free shot and a free desert :)
(3)
Megan W.
I went here this past Saturday with a friend for dinner. It was interesting to have them make Guacamole table side. Overall dinner was a little pricey but decent. Here's what we had and will recommend. Appetizers - 1) Table side Guacamole 2) Mahi Mahi Ceviche Dinner - 1) Camarones a la Diabla (Garlic Marinated grilled Shrimp 2) Poc Chuc (Marinated Pork Loin) Dessert - 1) Flan 2) Tamal de Chocolate Drinks - 1) Mojito A Mi Manera 2) Adobo Margarita
(3)
Nicol S.
I wish I could give this place 7 stars...it's THAT good! Pros: knowledgeable and friendly servers, strong delicious margaritas, guacamole made fresh tableside, grande entree portions, perfect for dinner and drinks before Second City, the list goes on and on... Cons: NOTHING (besides the valet scraping my front bumper as he pulled my car up to the curb) My boyfriend was so hesitant as he's a meat and potatoes man. He has been begging me to write this review!
(5)
Emily M.
Yum yum yum. My boyfriend and I went here after Rocco Ranalli's made us feel sad and underwhelmed. What a difference! It's so pretty inside, and the servers/bartenders were really nice. I appreciate when the waitstaff has an opinion on the food, and I liked when one guy tried to steer us toward a specific dessert item. I had a very tasty margarita, and we shared some chips and guacamole. The desserts were good, too. Overall, it was a nice atmosphere and everything made us feel happy and sunny, in contrast with the snow was poisoning our should-be spring weather.
(4)
Lupe D.
I don't want to sound like a cheap whiner so I will stick to the positive. If you MUST go to Adobo, stick to the guacamole, it is about the only thing worth the price. It is absolutely delicious. If you are considering trying an entree, try to get some sort of discount certificate. The wait staff is really nice, the place is pretty big and family friendly. Parking sucks, but we got lucky on the night we went - I hope you do too! There, I stuck to the positive. Proud of me?
(3)
Allison S.
Not only is Adobo Grill my favorite fine-dining Mexican restaurant, it is my favorite restaurant HANDS DOWN. I've been coming here since I was about 10 years old (almost 9 years), and celebrate my birthday every year at Adobo (which is on Cinco de Mayo, fittingly). So, not only does this place have SUPERB food, it has an amazing communal feel and is surely a staple of Old Town. The staff is so friendly, the service is great, and the atmosphere feels authentic. Whenever I come home from college, this is the first place I go to grab a bite to eat. (forget Giordano's and Hot Doug's...) First rule at Adobo Grill: ALWAYS ORDER THE GUACAMOLE (only exception is if you're allergic to avocados). Being a connoisseur of Mexican food, I have tried countless samples of guacamole (even in Mexico) and none compare to Adobo's. It is out-of-this-world sublime. The chefs make it table-side, so you know it's fresh, and it's awesome to watch. They mix the perfect amount of ingredients to make a guacamole that will make you want to order seconds (and possibly thirds). Careful, it's addictive. My favorite dish, is definitely the "Sabultes de Pollo" (Little tostadas), they're considered an appetizer, but they're super filling and mouth-watering DELICIOUS. When I go with my mom and brother (both are vegetarians) they usually order the "Plato Vegetariano" which has generous samplings of vegetarian food (i.e. Plantain crusted lentil cake with salsa verde; roasted butternut squash & chipotle salsa; baked potato skin stuffed with veggies; grilled vegetable timbale with creamy spinach) or the Veggie Enchiladas, which are super yummy and flavorful. For the very hungry people, I definitely recommend the "Pollo al Tamarindo". The tamarind-chipotle sauce is literally finger-licking delicious, and the portions are generous. TIP: Save room for dessert! The chocolate tamale will take you chocolate heaven. In conclusion, Adobo Grill is the best restaurant in Chicago.
(5)
Martin L.
Let's start with the Margaritas, they suck! Postively the worst I have ever had, if there is any Tequilla in them I would be surprised. The chips and salsa you have to ask for as they want you to either order their guac and chips or special salsa and chips which they charge for. The guac is only average. The chips are below average and average is at best review dependent upon what you order. Below average is the norm. The place is a ripoff and everytime I go there I swear I'll never come back. My fault, probably need to go to a self help group because first time shame of you second time shame on me. Marty L.
(1)
Julia W.
Been here many times, met the owner which is very down to Earth and friendly. Great food, beautiful decor, always come here whenever friends visit from my hometown. it's like one of the tourist spots to us. came here to for my dating night with hubby.. always enjoy watching them making the Guacamole. And of course.. the best Margarita in town will come along with your tasty Mexican food.
(5)
Jackie C.
Read some of the bad reviews and think we made some great decisions on the menu. We love variety so we order 4 things from the appetizer menu. -Guacamole = this is a must for you to order, they make it at the table and it is delicious -Taquitos dorados= ok -Quesadilla- really good -Cazuelas= we got all 3 and they were very good. Highly recommend the cheese. We will be back.
(4)
Basil D.
For a night out on Wells Avenue, that's Old Town to non Chicagoans, north of the Loop, Adobo Grill is a MUST. Now, I've been there in the summer, and I was just there the other night. It has EVERYTHING going for it. It is in a fun part of town, near Second City TV. When you walk in, it just screams, "fun". It's a happy place. It's a place that you don't notice the noise until you're standing at the urinal preparing for the next round of margaritas. But the noise is a good noise, not annoying at all. I don't know why, but it just IS! Yes, the margaritas are TOPS! They're well made, not rushed. They don't overdue the mix, and there's the right amount of tequila in it! Our waiter shamelessly flirted with my date, shaking the shaker of margaritas and making a dance out of it, and bumping is "dupa" against her...he was playful and friendly. One could tell he loved what he does and I bet he gets at least 3 numbers a night from girls (thankfully not from my date!). The guacamole is the best I've EVER had. I know, I know, how can you screw up guac, right? This was exceptional. It was creamy, the perfectly ripened avocados, there was just the right amount of cilantro and tomatoes etc...in it. Their food is fresh, the meat is seasoned perfectly, and served hot off the grill. Don't forget to ask for a lime if you order tacos. It makes a difference! The Chile Relleno is fantastically unique! SO worth getting! This is just a fun night out. Even if you do nothing else in the evening, go to Adobo Grill and save Second City for another night. You'll want to remember this place. And in the summer, to sit outside on Wells and watch the people go by, well...that's a treat! This place has got everything going for it! Remember, I RARELY give out 5 stars... I don't like to inflate the system, otherwise it's of no use to anyone! SO this is worth it!
(5)
Rita B.
Their guacamole is soooo yum!!! The chocolate tamale you must get!!!! It was a different mexican place than i am used to! I will be back if I am ever in CHicago!
(4)
Will M.
Pretty average mexican joint that operates under the cover of high prices and overused words such as "Authentic." Sometimes a place really nails the three star rating, and Adobo is one such spot. Wait service was neither bad nor particularly attentive. Drinks were fine though small. Food was decent though not terribly memorable. Really the only note-worthy aspect of our dining experience was how fast the bill at an average mexican restaurant could equal that of a nice steak house.
(3)
Rachel K.
I've been here a few times since moving to Old Town and they BY FAR have the best margaritas in town. The dish I usually get is the vegetarian enchiladas and they are incredibly fresh and a great take on the usual dish. The guacamole is made table-side and is out of this world. The service is great and the while we love sitting outside in the summer on their patio, the inside is decorated really neat with lots of different seating options. Love this place!
(4)
Brian F.
This restaurant has made me a life-long fan and customer. I was in the area for other reasons and was forced to park on a side street to the north of Pipers Alley w/o a resident sticker. I asked the manager about my risk of getting ticketed since it was now after 6p. In response, he had his valet go get my car from it's illegal parking spot several blocks away, park it in their valet lot, and didn't charge me for the valet. Simply unbelievable service! The food is very good as well. We really enjoy the made-to-order-at-your-table guacamole. YUM! The tortilla soup is really amazing as well. Top it all off with a couple of their amazing margaritas! I wasn't overly thrilled with their Queso Fundido which was strangely chunky and not as fondue-like as I prefer and their ceviche gave me instant heartburn. Lots of menu items though and I just won't be getting those items again. I will return often.
(4)
Elibe E.
My friend and I met up here for dinner during Chicago's Restaurant Week. I love Mexican food and the menu here was very generous (included a drink for under $40). Our server was very attentive and prompt. For those of you that like margaritas, you should know that the servers shake them tableside - very cool, pretty good too (mad props here as I don't drink but 1-2 of these a year). I'll be back to explore the standard menu.
(3)
Patch L.
Great food & service. We took our aunt here for her birthday with family from out of town. Everyone loved their food from tacos, salmon, carne asada, guacamole, & desserts (flan, tres leche, & churros). The service was attentive & friendly!
(5)
Catherine N.
Dined during restaurant week, dined the week after restaurant week, had equal amounts of fun/gained equal amount of weight. Servers are delightful and knowledgable-food was fantastic. After scanning through the reviews before going the first time, I'm glad I ignored the "too much cheese" and "limited menu" comments. A). I don't believe in "too much cheese" and B). I thought the menu was TOO diverse - and this is coming from a recovering vegetarian! I highly recommend the vegetarian quesadillas - I've never had them on blue corn tortilla before this, but the cheese was melted to perfection and the additional veggies made the whole combination simply delicious! Also, take note that their steak should probably make an appearance throughout the course of your meal so that you don't regret not ordering it later.
(5)
Justin B.
My wife and I used a Groupon here last night, and I have to say it was pretty good. We kept it pretty vanilla, skipping drinks but going for the guacamole and the arrechera. The guacamole was spicy, the chips were hot, and the steak was pretty good. The tortillas served with the steak, beans, guac and onions were good too. The place was relatively empty (it was a Monday) so sliding in with a reservation was pretty vanilla. Didn't love any of it, very strong "like." I probably won't go back unless there's another Groupon, since the prices seemed a tad high, but otherwise a solid experience.
(4)
Elizabeth T.
My husband and I ate here last Sunday and we were so unimpressed. There was no atmosphere and the place felt stingy. The service was Ok and our food was not good at all. We had some mini chicken enchilada app and each had a chopped salad. Yuck! The gauc was not too bad but that's the only reason why I am giving this place 2 stars.
(2)
Carmen M.
I ate dinner at Adobo on July 4th, which also happened to be my four year anniversary. My boyfriend and I are really laid back when it comes to our anniversary dinners (nothing is ever open on July 4th anyway,) and all we wanted to do was find someplace new to eat. We somehow found ourselves in Old Town and this place caught our eye. We decided to give it a shot. Our waiter was very nice... if not absent for most of the experience. We ordered two 10 dollar margaritas and guacamole to start. The margaritas were tiny. They barely filled a martini glass. We were disappointed but they were tasty so it was all right. I was really excited about the guacamole because the menu advertised that it was 'table side' and I saw this woman with a cart going around and making it fresh right in front of you. Someone came by with chips and I started looking around to see where she was. ...... The waiter came by and plopped a bowl of guacamole down in front of us that had already been made without a word of explanation. Okay. Great. It seemed silly to complain and I was really hungry so we decided to just tuck in. the guacamole was good.... really, really fresh. It was a bit bland but we added salt to it and devoured it. Next, we ordered entrees. I ordered the Salmon Glazeado and my boyfriend ordered the Arrachera. They both sounded delicious... Wrong. I will say that both the salmon and the flank steak were cooked very well... but that's about it. We both took a bite of our food and looked at each other in confusion. "I can't taste anything," my boyfriend said. I couldn't help but agree. The glaze on my salmon was this weak, watery, tasteless sort of BBQ stuff. The mash that came with it was gray and lumpy and also tasted like nothing. The steak was just as bland and when we tried to eat it with the onions and peppers that it came with it just made it worse... just different textures of blah-ness. We didn't contemplate sending it back for something else... we just ate what we could, smiled at our waiter and asked for the check. It took a while and by the time it finally got to us we were both shaking with silent laughter about what a terrible choice we made for our anniversary dinner. We gave him our card and started getting ready to leave. To top the evening off, a lady that we had never seen before came over and loudly declared that my boyfriend's credit card was declined. The tables are very close together and the family next to us looked at us pityingly. The (Hostess? Manager? Still don't know who she was...) walked off without another word. My boyfriend, confused, checked his account balance. Plenty of money in his account. Huh. (We later bought both ice cream and many drinks with that same card and had no problems whatsoever.) Instead of trying to find the obviously annoyed woman and ask her to try again we paid with cash and got out of there. All in all, a pretty bad experience. It'll be a bad anniversary story to tell the kiddies someday.
(1)
Alison B.
Excellent table-side guacamole. (I mean EXCELLENT) Superb margartias. (SUPERB!) Brunch menu was smaller than I thought- but the lunch menu was available so we weren't without options. Fun menu-- look it over on their website and see if it's for you. (Although I think their website sucks a bit) Service is good. Decor is nice. Prices are a bit high ($9 for guac, $9 for small margarita), but considering the quality, freshness and location they aren't overpriced.
(5)
Rob W.
Still a solid four stars in my book. Used a Groupon tonight which helped bring down the tab to a reasonable level. The food here is pretty good overall and they still have KILLER Guacamole - Adobo remains the only place that I really enjoy guac. Nice Tequila menu - easy to read and pretty clear cut. Fabulous flan.
(4)
Tricia D.
Try the mojito! It's not your classic mojito, with tequila instead of rum and some basil added in there. Chewing on the sugar cane stick is refreshing. The grilled flank steak was delicious, but I was definitely overpaying for my entree, priced at $19. Adobo really racks in the business from the Second City crowd.
(3)
Adam C.
When you're craving Mexican, first ask yourself "Do I want Americanized Mexican, or do I want Mexican Mexican?" Your answer will greatly determine where you choose to eat. Adobo is in a fantastic location at North/Wells. It's right next to Second City, Zanies, and several fun pubs in this Old Town corridor. However, it's not what you're expecting. For the uninitiated, Adobo is not your typical gringo Tex-Mex joint. There is no Chili con Queso cheese dip on the menu. There aren't 14 flavors of margarita to choose from. There are no chimichangas, taquitos, fajitas or other items you've come to expect from 99 out of 100 Mexican restaurants in which you've ever set foot. Nope. Adobo has margaritas, but only one kind: the real kind. The lime kind. The kind with real agave in them. The kind that taste amazing like a refreshingly tart and sweet drink with a kick. Adobo has a cheese dip, but it's nothing like you've ever had before. It's a melted cheese over salsa verde and chunks of chicken, corn and beans. You have to cut it with a knife and scoop it with a spoon into soft, corn tortillas. I ordered the beef spare ribs that were served on the bone. It was like a pot roast texture where the beef was falling apart with the touch of a fork. My wife had the roasted chicken and it was marinated in a sauce that was so tangy and delicious. We both really enjoyed our dinners and felt like our culinary appreciation of a more authentic Mexican variety had been furthered several miles ahead.
(4)
K C.
Exactly the place to go for a casual date night or with a small group of friends. The guacamole is phenomenal and a great portion size compared to other restaurants. Service is great too. Must call in reservation a day in advance to guarantee seats.
(5)
Tiffany S.
love the table side guac! probably the best thing on the menu. tacos were delish and the service was outstanding! convenient location too!
(5)
Ray D.
Great fish tacos! The carne Asada was a little small portion for the price but the fresh guacamole made up for it. All in all a solid Mexican food establishment. Great ambiance, a little pricey for what you get, but good food.
(4)
Kaitlin M.
I absolutely LOVE this place. First of all this is an authentic Mexican restaurant so don't plan on ordering some fried burrito or any thing Americanized like that. Their menu is unique in that you could come and eat off the tapas style dishes or get full entrees. Its up to you! They have a couple of great authentic Mexican vegetarian/ vegan options too! My favorite is their Veggie Enchiladas! The tamatillo sauce they douse the enchiladas in is perfectly spice for just enough kick and a lot of flavor! The squash seams to be always freshly cooked as opposed to out of a can. I also recommend getting their guacamole as an appetizer because is is freshly made right in front of you to your liking! Lastly, their house margarita is a MUST! They make their own sweet and sour with fresh lime, lemon and agave syrup. Don't drink too quick though, because they do have quite a bit of tequila in them despite what you would think.... I made that mistake the first time! ;) Service is always friendly, attentive, and informative. Go have a great meal! I DARE YOU! ;)
(5)
Heidi R.
Holy table side guacamole!! I have eaten here before and came back recently with my boyfriend to show off the amazing guac here. This place is always crowded and even with a reservation on a Wednesday night we had to wait. The entire menu is over priced and I think the restaurant in general is a tad over rated. But I do think the drinks are tasty - I had the red sangria and the table side guac is fun to watch and even better to eat. My boyfriend had the enchiladas which to him were mediocre and I tried the Cazuelas which are Earthenware casseroles right out of the oven, topped with cheese and tortillas for making tacos. You can get cheese, chicken or chorizo with pork or a combo of all 3 for $15.99. I tried the combo but really the cheese is where its at. For dessert, we shared the Pastel de Tres Leches which is three milk soaked pecan-cake in a phyllo cup; canela strawberries, coconut-caramel mousse. This was VERY tasty! I'd go back to Adobo for drinks and guac but that's probably it.
We had a hankering for margaritas so my girlfriend and I stopped into adobo. Never been so didn't really know what to expect. We sat at the bar ordered a round of margaritas, two tequila flights, an order of empanadas, and guacamole. The margaritas were a house made mix of natural ingredients and were pretty close to the best margaritas I've ever had. While tasting the tequila flights the extremely knowledgable bartender gave us a little lesson on how tequila is made, and how to identify quality tequila. He was outstanding! Not to mention it gave us a unique experience! The guac was good the salsa was fantastic, and the empanadas were delicious! Over all it was a really good night and we will definitely return to adobo!!!
(4)
Troll K.
Go here on New Year's Eve! They have great food, a fun atmosphere, and it is a really great deal!!
Yum! This place is not your average Mexican restaurant. There is a really unique mixture of flavors, such as the pomegranate chicken. The prices are a little steep, but the food is fresh and delicious. Their guacamole is to die for!!
(4)
Geo B.
Was really looking forward to some proper Latin American food but was so disappointed. The food was decent although a bit on the saltier side but didn't even come with rice which is a staple for certain dishes and def not worth the price.
(2)
Anne C.
We went to Adobo Grill for the first time a few years ago and I remember it being a really really good experience. We moved out of the neighborhood and hadn't been back for a couple of years until they recently offered a Groupon deal. We figured it would be a great reason to go back again. I have to say, I was a little disappointed this time around. The menu is limited, the food was decent, and the prices were a bit steep for the quality. I ordered the chile relleno, which was pretty bland and had waaaaaay too much cheese in it. It definitely wasn't the amazing meal that I remembered from my first visit. The restaurant was also a bit empty for a Friday night in Old Town, very unlike our first visit. I wouldn't say that it was a bad meal by any means, but for the quality and price there are so many other great Mexican food options in the city (Zocalo, Big Star, Taco Joint, de cero, even the pricier Mercadito) that the next time we are in the mood for tacos this would not be my first choice.
(3)
Eileen M.
This place has become my new go-to restaurant. I love that it's not another Americanized Mexican place with a million taco combinations on the menu. The menu isn't overwhelming in size, but it was extremely difficult to pick just one item to try. Nothing was overpriced and the food was delicious and authentic. I wouldn't recommend people go here without ordering the guac- it's made fresh in front of your table, and is out of this world!
(5)
Amelia B.
Decent, but not my first choice for Mexican. The big highlight has to be the guacamole & tequila flights, but its all downhill after that. That's not to say that the entrees and other dishes are necessarily bad, per se, but they are just kind of...unremarkable. And for being a bit pricey for Mexican cuisine, I expect more memorable food. And kudos for having a gluten-free menu. Though I'm not gluten-free, the Tamales de Barbacoa are pretty tasty. If you are up for an adventure, I recommend the tequila flights. Servers have always been helpful & knowledgeable in choosing one, which helps a girl who "grew up" drinking tequila from a plastic liter bottle (how did I not go blind from some of that rot-gut?) I hear the margs are also good, but I'm not a margarita person myself. Really, the biggest thing Adobo has going for it is location: if you can sit outside, people-watching along Wells is enjoyable. And it's a great location pre-Second City (though it gets ridiculously crowded on those nights, beware) or before you hit up the Old Town bars.
I'm so glad I didn't plan ahead. Recently, I took my mom to Second City for her birthday. We'd had a late lunch and didn't eat before the show. It was after ten when we left and we were starving. I wasn't sure anywhere else would be open so we went directly to Adobo. What a happy accident. This was some of the best Mexican food I've had in Chicago. We tried the lomito, grilled steak (can't recall the Mexican name), and a few other things. My lomito was my favorite. They serve the pork loin with a black mole. I've never had black mole before and I was pleasantly surprised with the unique flavor. It also came with fresh spinach and warm flour tortillas. The table-side guacamole is wonderful. I love watching people make my food. The guacamole girl is superfast, too. I wish I could pit an avocado at lightning speed. The margaritas were fabulous and plentiful. They gave us free refills and a free dessert because it was my mom's birthday. They really provided an unexpectedly great ending to a birthday celebration. I could not have done better if I'd planned it myself. I can't say enough good things about the waiters and bartenders. Check this place out!
(5)
Rob K.
We've been to both Adobo Grill locations a few times, but it had been quite a long time before today's lunchtime disaster. I will say the guacamole was as good as ever and our service was quite fine, but the thing my wife got on her plate that was supposed to be a Roasted Vegetable Quesadilla was an all-time disaster, so laughable we couldn't really get angry about it. Imagine, if you will, the sight of three tiny tortillas folded over with nothing but melted cheese and several corn kernals inside them. It might feed an emaciated sparrow. We're very sorry we didn't have a camera on us. My Chicken Torta, meanwhile, was served on crusty old bread and wasn't so much a torta as a fried chicken sandwich with old lettuce and tomato that may have been heated up after spending a few years in a freezer. It was food so bad it defied belief. Keep in mind the service was fine and the guacamole was great but it's clear that coming here is a risk.
(1)
Janis W.
I used to like this place, but it's gone downhill. The service was unattentive. We tried to order the table made guacamole, the waiter said oh yes yes, it's on the way. But it never came. He didn't even notice when he stopped by the table to ask how everything tasted. The soup was disappointing and the margarita that he raved about was average.
(2)
Jayme C.
Went to Adobe this past Sat for a birthday dinner, easily 15 of us. The service was GREAT. And with a large group that is hard to do. Guacamole was the best I have had in Chicago. Other dishes were typical Mexican fare but good none the less. I would go back.
(4)
Jay j.
Well, this place has a great patio and the food looks good. However, the food was extremely salty. Furthermore, this restaurant broke one of my cardinal rules. We ordered the Chicken Cazuelas. No where on the menu did it say that this dish included mushrooms? Well it does. I hate mushrooms. Mushrooms are not something that you can just pick out of a dish. Their slimy taste permeates everything. It was all downhill from there. If you are in the city and are looking for a great Mexican restaurant I am certain you can find better.
(1)
Timi C.
The flavors are very authentic - they make the guacamole table side, tortillas taste like masa, and the sauces have bold, chile flavor. Unfortunately, the portions are very small for a very high price! Even after an app and one entree for the two of us, we were still looking for more. Off to Pinkberry around the corner!
(4)
Jet S.
Great guacamole. meh everything else.
(3)
Sarah A.
The manager and the bus boy saved this place. We were on the way to having a really unpleasant experience but they totally redeemed it. Food is ok, had the chile rellenos and it was ok if you like a huge brick of cheese covered by a poblano pepper. But the table side guac is amazing and they have really good chips and salsa. They also have my fav beer, Five Rabbits LizRd (Mexican wheat beer so good). Our waiter was not attentive and couldn't cAre less about us, probably because he was busy but he didn't seem like he was even trying. The bus boy was a rock star. We ate tons of chips and he kept refilling them and our water. The manager packed up my food to go for me and even had the kitchen add more sauce to it so it would be good the next day. So thoughtful!!! I wish I had asked the managers name so I could shout him out. He ended up slipping the bus boy a tip because he was better than our waiter.
(4)
Carola S.
Awesome fresh food, great energy, excellent service! The perfect vibe to get together with your friends and family to eat, drink and be merry. The tequila is off the hook!
(5)
Rebecca R.
Now, if you are looking for a margarita and guacamole, this is your place. If you want some great Mexican food, I would check out one of the hundreds of other places around town. Service was slow, place was overcrowded, and prices were a bit high. It could be fun with the right group and a few pitchers of margaritas, but I know I will be heading somewhere else if that is an option next time.
(3)
Marc C.
Nothing Bad, nothing amazing! This place is A-OK! Go here for a more formal Mexican food experience but skip if Qdoba or Chipotle will satisfy your cravings.
(3)
Wanda M.
We stopped here for dinner before a show at Second City. Nice little patio out front and inside there are so many little pockets for private parties. The margarita was so delish..even non fans of margaritas will like them. Like everyone else, the guac is incredible. We never order guac because typically it is already made and infested with onions (no me gusta). The fist round came with onions; however, upon request it was removed from the table and replaced with onion less guac! Hooray! We are also huge Frida Kahlo fans and it was fun to see a few paintings of her as well as tequila bottles with her face on them.
(4)
Caroline M.
These days my cravings consist of the same few things: cupcakes, champagne, sushi, and all things coffee. When someone suggested Mexican, I was like YESSS! Sometimes you gotta change it up a bit. And there we were, sipping uber fantastic margs on a hot & sticky night last week. Perfection. Service up at the bar was speedy! Bronwen was wonderful and she knew how to shake up a lovely margarita. While studying the menu, we munched on their guacamole. The spiciness level of "medium" was great. I can't handle a lot of spice, but this was very tolerable. And tasty. Oh, and it is a massive portion--don't eat too much otherwise you won't have stomach space for their amazing empanadas! Corn+cheese+poblano = WIN. And the gorditas?! OH MY!! Pork heaven. The taquitos were yummy, too. I don't understand what's up with the bitching about prices. Seriously, $8.50 for a delish margarita (no ice = more booze, people) :) Old Town WIN!
(4)
Ally J.
Great Mexican spot! I went there a little while ago, feeling a little hungry after a long walk. My friend and I took the ceviche, the guacamole, and a few cocktails. Though we were a little disappointment about the ceviche, the guacamole was out-of-this-worldly (they prepare it in front of you after asking you your preferences... yummy!) Now to my favorite part: their cocktails!! First of all, the classic margarita. Classic, but fantastic! My friend had the tropical margarita. I couldn't even choose which one I liked best. After another round of those, we got tempted by a coconut cocktail they actually serve in a real coconut shell. I didn't even know this place could get any better. In the end, we left this place tipsy and happy! We will be back!
(4)
Tony F.
I have been here a couple of times. I tried to convince myself this place is awesome. Really, I did. What I ended up in terms of grading the food is "Meh. I've experience better." The only up to this place is it is cozy and up to date. Other than that, its in Old Town where we live. So not much to say. Also, I think the claim to fame of Guac is over-rated. Good place to meet people. Good for a date. Great spot to be when going to Second City. Cheers! Tony
(2)
Mahsa T.
I have been living in the Chicagoland area for most of my life, and yet for some reason, I had managed to never come here. My friend finally took pity on me and we came here for dinner one night. Margaritas were wonderful and strong as I expected. Guac was equally fantastic. And that's about where the greatness ends. The entrees are good--not great--but totally edible and I would eat it again. I had the chicken enchiladas and they were average, nothing flavorful, kind of on the bland side. Service was fantastic from the whole staff. Our server was attentive and friendly. Great atmosphere here, will definitely be coming back for drinks.
(3)
Oscar S.
Must try their Tres Leches Cake!!! Its the very best Tres Leches Ive ever had in my life.Ive had it a thousand times all over the city and suburbs.When I tell people about it I describe it as ANGEL FOOD FROM HEAVEN!!! My grandmother on her best day could NEVER top it.Im Mexican American so I've had this dessert my whole life.The rest of the food is also very good.But remember what I said......
(5)
Erica Z.
Huge fan of their jalapeno margarita's. Adobo Grill is who got me hooked on them, and now I am spoiled because I cannot find another location who makes them just as wonderful. This could be a good thing, because it keeps me coming back! I would also recommend trying their tortilla soup, wonderful flavor, leaves you wanting more. I'm more of a grazer when I come here, only because they have so many wonderful things. A couple of my favorites are the sopes surtidos, the plantain being my favorite, and I am also a fan of their salbutes, with the black bean being at the top of the list.
(5)
Viviana A.
I bought a coupon from Groupon and I will definitely go back again. I love to try all the Ceviches. I had the Tuna Ceviche, which was delicious and so fresh. In addition, the other must taste items are the Mango and Hicama Salad and the Tamarind Chicken. I have no complaints. Great Service, Good Energy, Fresh and Inventive Mexican Food
(5)
Rachel F.
I live in the area and my roommate frequently raves about this place so I figured I'd go check it out. Oddly it was rather empty on a late Saturday night we ordered guacamole to start, I had grilled octopus ceviche & the sopes appetizer for my meal and Graham D. had pork loin tacos. Everything was flavorful, but just not amazing for that price. I'd go back if we were looking for a nicer mexican dinner, but if you really liked this place I'd try Sol de Mexico, they have some of the best fine mexican food on the north side. Service was pretty good though, really enjoyed our waitress and once a month they offer a great tequila tasting dinner that if I go may bump this place up a star.
(3)
Melanie S.
Adobo Grill isn't a place I go to with any frequency as I don't find myself in Old Town very often and there are several other Mexican places I enjoy more, but I went here for the opening-night after party of the Steppenwolf Theater production of 'Endgame.' I have a hard time not giving Adobo Grill 5 stars just based on the fact that it was here I was able to meet and talk to my celebrity crush, William Petersen. He's as nice as he is talented. But I suppose I should stick to the point of the review, which is Adobo Grill. Most of the downstairs section and part of the upstairs was reserved for the event. Everything was gratis, which made it all the better. First off, we were handed margaritas as soon as we walked in. Excellent and strong, everything you want in a margarita. On each table was chips, guacamole and salsa. The guacamole was good, but it was lacking a little zestiness. The salsa was great - it had a nice smokiness and a little kick to it. We snagged a table pretty close to the kitchen so our group was able to get food almost immediately after it was made. A nice variety of thngs were passed and everything was delicious. Chicken taquitos - somewhat spicy shredded achiote marinated chicken inside a crispy shell, with sour cream drizzled on top. I think I ate like 100 of these. Empanadas - stuffed with corn, cheese and poblanos. Heaven. Tilapia ceviche - fresh, citrusy, and spicy. It also had avocado and its creaminess provided a nice balance. Tamales - stuffed with chicken and cheese and covered in a tomato salsa. Most excellent. Plantains - I love plantains and ate a bunch of these, but I have to confess that I have no idea what was on them, but they were really good. The staff did a great job and kept our margarita glasses full and our tummies happy. I think I have to put Adobo back on my to-visit list, even if it's only to re-live my celebrity encounter.
(4)
Lisa K.
Everything I have tried at Adobo Grill has been delicious, but a little pricey for what you are getting. Their mole chicken enchiladas are incredible, and the margaritas are good, but there isn't really enough bang for your buck. Overall I gave this a high rating because the food WAS delicious, but I have found the same food elsewhere with a "lighter" check. If you are in the area it is worth trying out.
(4)
Scott O.
Adobo Grill has some innovative dishes and is a nice place to drop by. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would be there a lot. The dishes were very creative. I had a small plate of sopes which, unfortunately, only one of the 3 was up to par, that being the pork/veal dish. It was the only one where the sauce was not overpowering. The mole sauce on the plaintain sopes was way too spicy. I only ate the plantains that had no mole on them. I couldn't even taste the shrimp in the shrimp dish. However, for my main dish I had the quesadillas with zucchini blossoms which were superb. My dining companion loved her scallop dish and her quesadillas as well. Also, for what you pay, the margaritas in a rocks glass is fairly stingy.
(3)
Laura S.
I moved from Texas, so I have high hopes for mexican food. This place is fine. I had the ceviche and my date had the pork. They were good. Prices a little high for what you get. Table side guac is good.
(3)
Amy D.
I went here before seeing a show at Second City. It wasn't planned, we just needed to eat and decided to stop here. There was a mariachi band inside, but the weather was so great that we ate outside (it was September). The food was good--expensive but good. I had never been to a "fancy" Mexican restaurant, but I really liked the experience. We didn't get this famous guacamole because we didn't know about it, but we did devour the salsas. Also, not getting the guacamole helped us save room for dessert. I got the churros, which were really good, and a friend got the frozen mango mousse, which was amazing. I was ogling it from across the table, and she let me try a few bites. It was perfect on a warm day. Also, the service was solid. My friend didn't know ceviche was raw fish, and the waiter explained it and wasn't pretentious about it at all. And they kept the chips and drinks coming.
(4)
Alex H.
I moved to Old Town about a year ago and Adobo was my first meal in the neighborhood. I'm not sure if it was the magic of being back in Chicago or perhaps the 3 EXCELLENT margaritas I downed over the course of a couple hours, but I walked away pretty sure that I had found my neighborhood go-to dinner spot. Four trips later (including brunch) and I am sorry to say that Adobo has not once since lived up to that first night. Adobo hasn't done anything terribly wrong but just doesn't live up to the type of restaurant it prices itself as. The service is consistently inconsistent, the food ranges from outstanding (tableside guacamole, enchiladas w/mole) to just so-so (salmon, arrachera, everything at brunch), and some dishes have been knockouts at times and just ok at others (lomito). I do give points for location, a lively atmosphere, and for staying true to Mexican (not Americanized tex-mex) inspired dishes. The margaritas and guacamole truly are oustanding and I'm sure I'll be back for these, but I can't give a ringing endorsement for dinner or brunch. If you want fabulous real Mexican food, try Frontera Grill instead.
(3)
Mo L.
I tried Adobo for the first time last Saturday. I had made reservations for 4 people at 8:30. When I got there at 8:30 the hostess apologized that they didn't have our table yet and asked us to wait. No problem. After about 20 minutes, I was getting antsy, especially since we kept seeing people come in after us being seated. Even large parties. So at 9, after waiting 30 minutes unacknowledged, I went to the hostess and asked if we were close and they said "oh, there is a table right there for 4 (point to a table right in between the bar and hostess stand), you can go sit there." I am not sure if I would have continue to wait whether they would have shown us to that table. At about 9:20, someone finally stopped to take our orders. At any rate, we were very excited to try the tableside guacamole, hearing about how awesome it is. It was good. Definitely the best thing we had. They were out of several items on the prix fixe menu (including the one thing I was really craving - churos.) The rest of the meal was unimpressive. We had a show to catch at Second City so when it was 10:30 and we didn't have our dessert yet and we were getting nervous. Meanwhile, a wet spot at the end of the bar resulted in 2 wait staff (a waiter and the hostess) literally running into one of the people at our table on two separate occasions. After the second person fell, they decided to wipe up the wet spot. At 10:40 when they brought our dessert we had to decline saying we needed to pay the bill and get to our show. They 1) blamed one of the people at our table for being a slow eater (that is absolutely unacceptable, btw, the customer is always right. especially when it was YOUR fault we didn't get seated on time, we didn't get waited on for quite a while and the entrees were slow), 2) they continued to charge us for the dessert we couldn't eat and 3) made no apology for the fact that the slow services was the result of our almost being late to the show. I REALLY want to like Adobo, and I might go back again, but it was disappointing. Having reservations at 8:30 should mean you are in the clear to having a full meal and being out in 2 hours. Also, I wrote to the management letting them know about our experience thinking I'd at least get a reply with maybe an apology. Their customer service at the restaurant is the same as it was at the corporate office - no response at all.
(1)
Julie P.
The food was great and the drinks were delicious. I had the mojito, which was made to perfection. We had the tableside guacamole too...yum! The service was mediocre. The waiter never checked in on us and it took forever to get our drinks, some salsa, chips, etc. I realize it was a busy night but we still found it unacceptable.
(3)
Bill F.
I'm a fan of Adobo and Paul LoDucca. His Italian place, Vinci is also under rated. the food is interesting and well executed And the service is at a higher level than I expect at a moderately priced restaurant. And when everyone talks about the guacamole...they're right.
(4)
Nick H.
Went here for a tequila tasting dinner last night. A breakdown of the good and the bad: Good: Restaurant atmosphere is pretty high-end for a Mexican joint. Also, their patio seemed like a nice place to eat, though we did not sit out there. Food was exceptional. Granted, our food was not on the normal menu so take that with a grain of salt. We had 4 courses, each one was better than the last. Two of our group members ordered from of the menu and seemed to like their food equally as well. Bad: Service. It was abysmal. Since two of our members were not eating the planned meals, they needed separate menus. Not only did this take at least 15 minutes, but they kept screwing it up throughout the night--bringing them food that wasn't theirs. Additionally, I wanted a beer. None of the many waiters asked anyone at our table if there was anything else we needed. Now, the tequila tasting dinner did come with quite a few drinks... but it's still the waiters' jobs to make sure that customers are happy. So, after a few attempts at flagging a waiter down, I got my beer. Finally, to add insult to injury--mandatory 20% gratuity. All in all, I recommend the tequila tasting. It was a cool experience and the food was exceptional. Our tequila was Jose Cuervo, and the ambassador was both interesting and knowledgeable. We were served 3 specialty mixed drinks, and 4 half-shots of different tequilas. Don't expect to leave drunk, but you will learn something about tequila! Adobo Grill: If you're reading this... please improve the service.
(3)
Gladys R.
The service, food, and drinks were awesome. I must say that the salsa was even better than the guacamole. Making reservations for this place was pretty painless.
(5)
Taylor B.
Great guacamole & very personable service. Although, I don't think the food is anything out of this world, the atmosphere makes for a great night if you're looking for good mexican food with a fun vibe and strong margaritas!
(4)
Lynn R.
This review is of only two things there: guac & margaritas. Stopped in with a friend for post-dinner drinks and went with a standard margarita. Typically I'm not a fan of just an original flavored margarita. I usually opt for a mango or raspberry or some other sort of fruity concoction. Not here. Served in a cute little martini glass (I really thought that touch was neat) this margarita went down so smooth. Maybe a little too smooth! Due to our persuasive waiter, we also went with some guacamole. Feeling bold, I ordered it spicy, figuring that most places idea of spicy guac isn't that spicy at all. Wrong-O. Still delicious, but still super spicy. And there goes more of that margarita down into my belly. The chips were also fantastic. I can't vouch and say that they were made fresh - but they were thick and not too salty. 'Ritas & guac - two of my favorite things, and two things done very well by Adobo.
(4)
Raquel D.
The is prob the BEST guacamole...ever. Well, in my book it is...and they make it tableside to your liking (spiciness)....mmmmm. And the margaritas are killer. And I was able to bring my doggy with me once, when dining out on the patio, which is always super cool. But that about it. I'd go for happy hour or drinks and guac, but wouldn't spend on the other stuff. There are better and more affordable options for dinner, but that guac sure brings be bauk. But, I have been able to get my fix at the Old Town and Wicker Park Fests so it's gonna be awhile.
This place, although a little pricey, is well worth it! I love sitting on the patio during the summer with friends, drinking their delicious, fresh margaritas and feasting on their table-made guacamole and chips. YUM. Plus, the service is always top notch.
(4)
Insun M.
Came here with really high expectations...not a smart move. The guacamole that everyone raved about I admit was good. But I feel like most mexican places have good guacamole.... I ordered the tilapia ceviche which I thought really lacked flavor and that feeling of freshness in my mouth. It was begging for more acid. I also got the sopas which were 3 little cups filled with different fillings. They were pretty good but definitely not memorable. Service was good and the vibe of the restaurant was good which helped this yelp score out a lot. $12 valet parking is also a win because lot parking in the area is about $12 an hour.
(3)
Rajiv H.
We went for dessert only. Flourless chocolate cake with dried cherries was excellent. However, the Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream was just plain chocolate ice cream. Service was excellent as they seated my wife and I at a nice private table by the window, and our server was very sweet as well. I'll go back sometime to try their real food out.
(4)
Linnea M.
We went on a Saturday night. There was a long wait because the restaurant was really bustling. When we sat down, we ordered the wonderful guacamole. You can't go there and not get it! Our main courses came quickly, and the service was fast and friendly. The only drawback was the wait, but it was also nice to be in such a trendy place, so it balanced out!
(4)
Helen C.
Rain, rain rain. It's so boring. So boring that we almost went to (shhh) Chipotle rather than venture to Adobo. In the end we were swayed by the 'chicago's best margaitas' tag on their website. Fickle? Yes. Ideal marketing fodder? Yes. I might go and buy some of those incredible slider stations and a snuggie later. Anyway, I'm glad we trekked (ok, we took a cab) here. We took a margarita at the bar before getting to our table. They were delicious - not very strong, but tasty. As well as being fickle and gullible, I am clumsy, and spilt mine 4 times in 2 minutes. The nice barman filled it up again - sweet. We couldn't wean ourselves off the margaritas this time round so I'll have to go back to try some of their other cocktails - I'm a sucker for a daiquiri. Guacamole made at the table - didn't entirely see the point of this being done but it made for a talking point, and I think one of my friends did memorise the ingredients to make it at home. It is very good guacamole. Warm tortilla chips too. Then the food was fantastic. The appetisers are huge - my friend boxed half an appetiser and didn't have an entree. The entrees are the perfect size (i.e. I ate it all) and were really spot on. My lamb shank was perfectly cooked to melty-ness. Maybe it could have had a tiny bit more depth of flavour, but everyone else's were superb, particularly the seafood-stuffed poblano. The menu in itself is a good read too, we had to guess what a lot of things were, which makes for an interesting meal. Our server was great, we stayed a good hour after we'd finished and probably made an awful racket - I hadn't seen my friends for 6 months and had 3 margaritas - but he just left us to it. I'll be back.
(5)
Al C.
Yet another awesome eatery within walking distance from my new place! It seems to always be hoppin', so i had to try it. One annoying thing is that you have to pay for chips and salsa (but the homemade salsas are phenom). The homemade Guac is out of this world. i could eat buckets of that stuff all day, every day. The cadillac margaritas are also pretty freegin' amazing. Yes, it's not cheap, but it's tasty and a fun place to grab some drinks and good grub.
(4)
Ori K.
Two reviews: Without price - Decent Mexican food with great guacamole. With price - Overrated.
(3)
Chelsie H.
Not impressed with the food at all!!
(1)
Happiness L.
Consistently wonderful. One of my neighborhood favorites. Please add carne asada to the menu every night. So yummy...the best I ever had. The Adobo margarita with mescal is sensational. Excellent service staff.
(5)
Arnaud S.
Guac is excellent and margarita is to die (rocks no salt). Great place to have few munchies before to enjoy Old town.
(4)
Moon D.
Outstanding Food and Service! Like everyone else says, start with the table side guacamole. Really good, chunky, creamy, delicious. We both had 1/2 chicken in some amazing BBQ, Mexican sauce. Next door to Second City. Go!!!
(4)
Julie B.
Love their table side guacamole. I appreciate any place that offers a vegetarian plate when the cuisine isn't typically vegetarian. Adobo has the "plato vegetariano" which has a wide variety of delicious and filling veggies. Aside from random dinners, I've been here for a birthday party where we had an entire room to ourselves. They printed out birthday menus, and it was very well organized. I would come here again.
(4)
M O.
My mom and sister were visiting Chicago from Indiana for our annual girls weekend, and I decided we should try Adobo because there is one in Indianapolis and if they liked the one here, they could go to the one in Indy sometime. The reason we went was because I'd heard the guacamole was great -which it was. The margaritas were great too. Our waiter was excellent. Very friendly and professional. Unfortunately, this is where the positives end. The food was really bad. Really, really bad. I ordered the smoked trout tacquitos-it was on the specials menu. I shared it with the rest of the table to make sure I wasn't crazy, and consensus was that it was like eating cold canned cat food on a tortilla chip. I don't know how they can serve that dish and think it's acceptable. It was seriously gross. My mom ordered the pollo tamarindo. It was very bland and tasteless. My sister ordered the chicken tacos, and again, very bland. Also, they came out SCORCHING HOT and she had to wait nearly 10 minutes before taking a bite with out getting blistering burns in her mouth. Unfortunately, not even the great service, margaritas, and guacamole could redeem the food at this restaurant. I would not go back again, not even for drinks and guacamole. This was a huge disappointment, especially when I'm treating out of town guests on a special weekend!
(1)
Sara J.
This is the place to go if you like tequila and traditional, fresh Mexican food. My husband and I have been here with family and friends on multiple occasions. We love this place. The tequila tasting dinners are the best way to try things and meet people. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The wait staff are fabulous, bartenders are not stingy, and clientele are out for a quality meal and a quality drink.
(5)
Perry A.
I think this restaurant was just ok. The waiter was not bad, he could have done a lot better introducing us to the menu since this was my first time at this place. The Churros were excellent. Overall I have had better mexican food at other places around chicago. Not a horrible experience but not a great memorable experience.
(2)
Carri A.
I ate here last night and have judged the margaritas to be very good but small and expensive and the plato vegetariano to be barely satisfying and butt-ass expensive for the portions. I missed out on the guacamole, which apparently is tremendous. But I'm not going to make another trip here just for it. I found the menu to be limited and it was not easy for me to find a vegetarian dish that I couldnt wait to dig into. I might come back in the spring or summer to see if their menu improves with the season. And I just realized that there was no chips & salsa before the meal?? Major blow.
(3)
Carol J.
Alex makes magical margaritas. They disappear in seconds flat. The Guac girl makes moi bueno guacamole. It levitates. Then it disappears. Nothing else matters.
(5)
Diane S.
Oh, Adobo. I'm so sad that I had to drop you a star. I went to Adobo for my birthday with a group of about 12 people. I planned ahead and made a reservation 2 weeks in advance. My target was a 7pm reservation, but they only had a 6:30. No problem! Except...I arrive at 6:25 and my table is not ready. By 6:40, my table is not ready. By 6:50, my table is not ready and my party of 12 is taking up space in the waiting area by the host, getting increasingly hungry and frustrated. What made NO SENSE to me was how there was a table ready at 6:30 but not 7, and yet here we were pushing 7pm!? The host was incredibly rude and told me the more I bothered him the longer I'd have to wait. Oh, that's customer service for you! Thankfully the day was saved by I think one of the managers? I think his name was Miguel. He very politely shuffled us all to the table, and in the end took my meal off the check and provided me a free dessert. That's the main reason I didn't drop Adobo down to two stars--that and the fact the food is still fantastic, and they were very accomodating to my friend who wanted gucamole custom made without the cilantro. I will go back, but felt I needed to share my horrible bad cop/good cop experience from my birthday. If you're planning a reservation with a large group, proceed with caution!
(3)
Chris W.
The staff is as friendly as it gets and the Margaritas were great. We didn't have a meal but I hope to return for one!
(5)
Kathryn P.
One of my favorite places in Chicago. Guac is amazing. The food is similar to Frontera but slightly more approachable. Only complaint is the place is loud. The acoustics must be terrible or the people are all enjoying themselves because the combined table conversation is LOUD.
(5)
Bridget L.
I LOVE adobo grill. I think their margaritas are excellent and I love the fresh made guacamole. I also am a fan of their chicken enchiladas, which is pretty much what I get every time I come here. And if you go early, it's pretty decent for kids too.
(4)
Jim W.
Outside of the freshly made guacamole, and decent margaritas, this place isn't too great. We had a late reservation at 9 after going to MCA First Fridays, and although they agreed to seat us early without our entire party, the feeling I got was that the wait felt LONGER than we actually waited. Don't ever order a cerviche at a Mexican restaurant - save that for South American restaurants. The Oaxacan sauce on my pork was pretty gross. Real buzz kill. Mediocre food + not very cheap = poor formula. Sorry, old town.
(2)
S. M.
I had dinner at Adobo Grill twice during the summer of 2008. The food, service, and atmosphere were great. 4 stars. I recently returned with three friends for dinner and, unfortunately, this place has gone downhill. Everyone's food was cold, under-seasoned, greasy, and overpriced. The food's appearance was similar to that you'd see at a $7/meal Mexican place in Pilsen, but the flavor wasn't as good. To top that off, the service was terrible. We had a 6:30 reservation on a Sunday night. When we arrived, the hostess rather rudely told us we would have to leave the restaurant by 7:30 because a group had booked an upstairs room at that time. Despite being nearly the only people in the restaurant, it took a waiter 20 minutes to greet us. We then waited another 15 minutes for drinks. The meal was a waste of time and money. I once was a cheerleader for this place, but now will not return.
(1)
Michael L.
I had some excellent tacos here and good drinks. The atmosphere is great, we sat upstairs and they had some really cool Mexican artwork on the walls. Its located right by the Second City.
(4)
caroline k.
Get the guacamole! Simple ingredients and more importantly seasoned well and not the still fresh but bland stuff served elsewhere. Had the enchiladas mariscos for appetizers which were good but heavy on the sauce, and the pulled pork special, at our waiter's suggestion. The first was ok, the second much better.
(3)
Kristi F.
Boris does it again! Great staff at this restaurant (and lets be honest, amazing margaritas) have us returning annually - do yourself a favor and order some guac, a margarita and enjoy the company!
(5)
Norbert W.
let's all chant together: OV-ER RA-TED! OV-ER RA-TED! the guacamole is so full of schtick, you forget that it's supposed to be good. Instead you're eating performance art at some sort of New Wave/Avant theater. Not what you want in a cracker spread. Again - high end Mexican food is amazing. Adobo doesn't deliver. Others recommend it for appetizers and drinks. That I hope is better than the dinners. The rich array of flavors is lacking when compared with high end Mexican. None of those fresh, clean colors are there. There is a lot of stuff drowning in a greasy sauce that one suspects might not be home-made. (and if they're going that route, at least give some flavor - don't be afraid to throw in some spice. The trixies will learn to adjust) This is a place that has coasted on its (made up?) image for so long, I doubt it's salvageable. It might still be good for tourists who can't get anything like this in Dublin, Ohio, but for Chicago, it doesn't pass muster. Save up and hit the awesome liquor store south of North and on the east side - across from the chicken place and the comedy place.
(2)
Julia R.
Clearly you must order their wonderful guacamole. I had the La Pina cocktail which was sweet and fruity (pretty girly, obviously). For my entree I had the vegetable enchiladas. I thought they were really good and had an interesting flavor.
(4)
Samantha K.
I had the gluten free - vegan friendly enchiladas, super filling but I was wowed by the guacamole and martinis :}
(3)
Lee M.
came here a couple of nights ago with a good friend of mine and it was our first time here. didn't know what to expect so we came in open-minded to everything. We came in with an hour left before they close and we were seated immediately. We ordered the guac' and chips much like everyone else recommends and it was great. You can choose to have it either mild, medium, or spicy. The dinner went well and our waiter was nice and attentive. We had a couple of drinks, the sangrias which i've had before from there burgerfest booth and a couple of margaritas and a spiced rum daquiri which was super strong for me and definitely did some work. We were one of the last people out and they did not once tell us to hurry and leave. It was a good time but the check was a little on the hefty side. we'll be coming back for sure but we'll keep an eye on our tab so we wont leave too broke.
(4)
Melissa M.
I loved this place! The guacamole was amazing, so yummy. The margaritas were great, shaken at the tables. And for a vegetarian who wasn't in the mood for the typical cheesy bean enchilada or veggie fajitas, I thought their plato vegetariano was really tasty and different. The best part was the zucchini stuffed with goat cheese. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive, and I have to admit, I loved the Cancun-esque music - made me want to dance!
(4)
Halah X.
Fresh lime margaritas and guacamole made tableside = YES Everything else on menu = MEH
(2)
Erin S.
Went here during the summer - sat outside on the patio. Enjoyed the salsa and the shaken margaritas (which are done tableside! - COOL) However, food, not that memorable - have had better mexican other places. Has a nice atmosphere, good tequila list - but not unbelievable for the price.
(3)
Sonal M.
Coming from Texas, I expect a lot out of Mexican restaurants. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their guacamole. It's made fresh and served according to your preference of spiciness. They also had a huge variety of tequila, in case trying different types is your thing. Their margarita was pretty good compared to any place on the East Coast. The main dishes, however were mehhh. Nothing way too exciting. I would suggest going here if you're in need for some GOOD guac. For the rest, look elsewhere.
(3)
Katherine R.
My parents and I ate here in Old Towne. The chips and salsa and the entrees are filled with fresh tastes zesty, spicy, or mild. My pina colada was served in a coconut and that was way cool and sweet in taste. The other time I went with just my mother and I we really enjoyed our experience eating there. The atmosphere is keen and fresh as well as the service. I just felt very welcomed here. The plate decor is neat, the guacamole is served pretty good too.
(4)
R M.
Adobo Grill showed real class. Our food was good, guacamole was outstanding, and our server as kind and knowledgeable. What impressed me most was the service. They truly took care of us and wanted us to enjoy everything. I cannot thank our server enough for going out of his way to make sure we were happy with our food.
(4)
Maressa S.
The guacamole was good, but other than that, I was underwhelmed. The menu was rather limited, and the quality of the ingredients seemed poor. I won't be making a return visit here.
(2)
Bonnie L.
Adobo is amazing from the food to the people. Have been there four times and every time it is great. Ask what they recommend from the menu- they have never steered me wrong. One waiter even remembered my husband and I when we came back after a month. Talk about customer service.
(5)
Ken J.
went on Cinco De Mayo and it was packed. table side guacamole is heavenly. For those who like kick they add fresh jalapenos to kick it up a notch. tried taquitos and empanadas which were great. Empanadas had a rich sauce served with it and highly recommend. I had the fish Veracruz style. The fish had much flavor and moist. Recommend it. others in my party had margaritas which they enjoyed. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
H H.
Food is alright. Guacamole is the big claim to fame at Adobo. I kinda just liked the environment more than the food. Must say the coconut drink is fun and tasty. It is served in an actual coconut shell.
(3)
Grant M.
Average at best. Portions are small, food was not very flavorful, and service was just ok.
(2)
Mel L.
Went here on a Thursday night with some friends. We made a reservation the day before, but when we arrived, they did not have it in their computer. Ok, no biggie. Once we were seated we started with some delicous guacomole - and yes it is delicious like everyone says! Next we all ordered the chicken enchiladas which were tasty, but nothing to rush back for. The service was not so great, as they tried to clear our plates 3 times before we were actually done. Sorry we don't shovel the food in our mouths without stopping for a break to chat! Yowza, give us time and don't take our food away just because our fork isn't moving. I've had better. It's not terrible, but with all the options in the city...you can certainly find better too!
(2)
Flo J.
Good guac and that's about it for me!!
(3)
Bryan G.
First time here and I will definitely be back! The service was outstanding!! The gf and I got out of the comedy theater and adobo was right there so why not. The guacamole was addicting! I had the steak dinner that was great and the gf had the enchiladas which she enjoyed as well. Prices weren't bad either. The waiter brought out the b-day cheesecake that was complimentary and even sang a little bit. The bartenders were very helpful when trying to get the cake up stairs without the gf knowing what was goin on. He even came out from behind the bar and upstairs to make sure everything was good! The service alone will lead me back to adobos! Over all it was great!
(4)
Brenda H.
Margaritas and service was excellent... Guacamole and chile rellenos rocked!
(4)
Mark P.
This review is more towards a 5 star than a 4 star, which actually surprises even me! First off, as mentioned 100 times already, the tableside guacamole is darn fine. Now, it is not the best I have ever had, but did like the ability to custom order it the way we wanted it. This made it a requirement for the quac lady to make a second trip to our table. It is important to mention the chips were hot and very good as well. We ordered the calamari (I know, we at a Mexican joint, why the hell order that) as an app, and it was decent. For sure not the best ever but the plate was cleaned. For the entree, I could comment on the Lomito en Mole Negro which was spectacular. The pork was uber tender, and the mole sauce was perfect with it. The garlic spinach and the corn tamal was actually maybe even my favorite part. Overall, GREAT stuff here folks! Now to the best part, the dessert. My friend ordered the Tamal de Chocolate which was spectacular. Semi sweet chocolate tamal in the corn husk. No idea what was in it really, but it was killer. As a side note, he changed from the vanilla ice cream to the coconut and that might have just made it even more over the top. For me, I rocked the churro... cause how can you go wrong with a churro?! How to go right with it... serve it with a semi sweet chocolate dipping sauce. *Burp* Well done Adobo!
(4)
Jason P.
Any place that has people walk around and make you fresh guac in front of your eyes is fine by me. I had some pretty good enchiladas that reminded me of Wholly Frijoles. Maybe it was the lingering excitement from the guac, but even though the enchiladas were identical to the ones from WF, they seemed to taste better. We also had a bunch of their empanadas which even though they look very much alike, taste quite different. Goat cheese was the filling in one and the other had a sweeter taste to it. It is generally pretty crowded, but they do take reservations, which is always a plus!
(4)
Paul C.
Food was great! I wish I'd ordered some Guacamole, because it's made fresh at table-side, and looked delicious! Having said that, there's NO WAY that I'll ever go back! Even though there were only ten other tables with diners, it took in excess of forty minutes for our food to be served. I don't know exactly how long, because it was a considerable amount of time after placing our order before I looked at my watch, wondering about the wait. It was forty minutes after that when our food came. The table next to us (with three diners) placed their food orders after we placed ours, but they had eaten and were gone before our order (for two people) was served. I complained to the manager about this, and he looked into it. He said that our order wasn't given to the cook until fifteen minutes *after* I checked my watch (Why?!?!), which means that it took twenty-five minutes for a Chile Relleno and some Gorditos to be prepared and served. Very sad!
(1)
Kyung P.
We went as a group of 10 for a friend's birthday. We sat in one of those private rooms, so it was nice, but we didn't really get to experience the atmosphere of the restaurant. The service was good, and their margarita martinis were also very good. I absolutely loved the table-side guacamole - I like how you can control the amount of spiciness as they're making it! it was my favorite thing that night - even though I like Chipotle's guac just as much... The food was different, and I'm more into traditional, cheap Mexican food (i.e. Nuevo Leon), so I wasn't too impressed. The entrees were expensive. Thai food is the same way for me - thai food and mexican food should be cheap!!! I've had brunch at the Division Street Adobo and that was friendly on the wallet, but I'll probably never be back for dinner. (They make guac for you during brunch too!)
(3)
Brett G.
The food was not-memorable, although the restaurant itself was a nice space. The downsides: the prices are way too high and the service left much to be desired. Evidently the valets are not paid well, as they stole about $75 from my car and about $300 in change from another person in my group's car. Went back in and reported the incidents and was informed there was nothing anyone could do. Based on this negative experience, and less than stellar restaurant itself, I will not be returning nor recommending it to any other friends or family.
(1)
Nikki M.
I ate at Adobo Grill last night with a bunch of girlfriends and really enjoyed it. Pros: We had the chips and guac. They also brought out an assortment of salsas ranging from mild to hot. Everything was very good. We had 6 people and got two bowls of guac...it was the perfect amount. The margaritas were very good. Strong but still very tasty. Everyone enjoyed their food. I had the Chile Relleno and it was seriously sooo good! The waiter made the recommendation and he did a good job. (Said it is the item they run out of the quickest) I am a vegetarian and had at least three solid choices to pick from. I don't find that very often! Ambiance was nice and the wait staff was friendly and attentive. I don't think my water glass ever got below half empty. Cons: The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is that I wish it was a little cheaper. It isn't super expensive, but for a casual night out with the girls, it ended up being pretty pricey.
(4)
Uyen D.
I was looking for a good Mexican restaurant and a friend who used to live in San Diego (who better to suggest Mexican? :)) suggested Adobo as the best you can get. Nothing compares to California Mexican, but I decided to check it out. I thought the service was fantastic. Our server was friendly and his recommendations were awesome. I highly recommend the Adobo Margarita that is hand shaken at your tableside. Very yummy! The guacamole was also delicious. We had trouble deciding between the empanadas and the taquitos and the server steered us toward the empanadas. We were not disappointed ONE BIT. They were delectable!! I dont really remember what we had for our entrees... all I can remember is that I really really enjoyed the appetizers and dessert. The chocolate tamal was unique and yummy yummy! Still looking for good Mexican. If you know of any other good places, please message me!
(4)
phillip D.
Great sangria and really good guacamole. Dinner nothing out if the ordinary
(2)
Sheena H.
First: I usually HATE. guacamole. I know many people love it and it is all the rave when you go to a place that serves Mexican food. Maybe I just never had any--even the glorified Chipotle guacamole--that made my liver quiver. That's fine. I came here on on a Saturday night with my friend and she insisted that we order the guacamole. I said fine although I knew I wouldn't want to try it. Someone comes out and starts mixing it all up right in front of us! My interest has been piqued a little by now. Friend takes some. She looks like she is about to be a happy lady before she expires. So I spread some guac on a chip and I instantly know how she feels. The bowl is gone within 5 minutes. There was no need for my chicken enchiladas. Really, there wasn't. The excellent margarita? Yes, there WAS a need for that.
(4)
Lauren P.
Ok- anywhere there is a tequila bar, I am happy. Beyond our tasty cocktails (which were, by the way, delicious) the menu was unusual enough to pique interest and familiar enough to satisfy cravings. Bonus points for carrying a dedicated gluten-free menu. Our waitress was so nice and willing to accommodate. I really wanted to try a soup, mostly because of the tempting goat cheese empanadas it came with, but they were out. The kitchen was happy to whip me up a few anyway and add them to the top of my jicama salad. It was excellent! We will definitely visit Adobo or one of its sister restaurants next time we're in town!
(4)
Elena K.
Great Guac, OK food. This place is very commercial. I've probably been to about a dozen of these kind of restaurants in my life, the food is all pretty much the same. OK Mexican food, but definitely not great quality or too authentic. I think the only reason I would go back is to have some drinks and gorge on the guacamole.
(3)
Rob D.
Average Mexican food with a fun atmosphere, solid guacamole, and attentive service. If I could, I would give Adobo Grill 2.5 stars due to price/value ratio. Friendly and attentive waitstaff puts it over into the three category. For what the food is, however, it is overpriced. The food is not bad by any stretch but simply average Mexican. This place certainly benefits from being next door to the Second City. Yes, the Guacamole was solid. But this tableside dog-and-pony-show preparation is not a new trick - you don't have to go far to find other restaurants that do it. And don't believe the hype on the 'ritas. They're good, don't get me wrong, but they're not at the pleasure-inducing levels as some other reviewers seem to think.. I did like that the chips came out hot. Good work amigos. If you're coming in from the Northern suburbs for Mexican, they are better places to go without getting that far South in the city. Try Wholly Frijoles in Lincolnwood. A great little BYOB Mexican place.
(3)
Zac B.
Adobo was probably one of the first Mexican restaurants I tried when I moved to Chicago. I was actually surprised how well the food stood up to my Texas roots. Pretty soon I'd come to realize Adobo was also intended for more of a yuppie, Old Town crowd, and that all over this city there were, contrary to popular belief, plenty of amazing Mexican eateries, and a majority of them were ethnic, cheap, and startlingly similar to places I'd experienced in Dallas and Austin. Chicago has some excellent Mexican food available, and this restaurant happens to be a great option for a casual upscale clientele, featuring mainly cuisine from the southernmost regions of Mexico. No Tex-Mex here, except perhaps the micheladas (essentially beer, bloody mary juice, and lime juice) on the drink menu (but I don't know really where that originated anyway). Their guacamole is pretty good, but I agree that it's overpriced. And also, I too make better guacamole (see profile pictures for documented evidence). That said, sometimes quality trumps quantity, and I do like how they make it the old fashioned way, fresh right in front of your table. I also feel like the food quality at Adobo is always consistently above-average. I've tried almost all the menu at this point and while the tacos might be more tasty and trendy at De Cero, and the torta may just be a dressed up sandwich you could buy at a regular Mexican dive for half the price, I can't argue that everything always seems to taste good. If you want to go light, try to get the Adobo Salad or a ceviche sampler. Also, the fries that come with tortas are just as good as the guacamole, but I didn't see them on a "sides" menu. I'm sure they'd be happy to whip you up a batch upon special request. Lastly, how could I forget to mention the tequila selection? I know there are other tequila bars in the city, and I've heard Zocalo is pretty awe-inspiring. All the same, any tequila-lover is going to have plenty of room to navigate with their extensive tequila list. There's also a special on three premium tequilas where you can buy a rack of 10 shots for reasonable prices. The lowest tier was in the $30 range and the highest was $54 I think. That's $5.40 a shot, which is still high, but when you're talking about a premium tequila that would be $8-10 a shot alone, you're getting a hell of a deal, and making nine easy friends all at once.
(4)
Corinne M.
The margaritas at Adobo are my favorite in the city I think. They only come in lime flavor. The waiter suggested that this was b/c the recipe for margaritas there was pure and wasn't to be diluted with Mango or Strawberry. Anyway, I love lime. It was love at first sip. The guacamole was pretty stellar too as it had strong lime leanings. The food there is pretty good as well, though after I had the Guac and chips, I really wasn't that hungry. The wait staff is really friendly and the ambiance is fun in general.
(4)
Sarah F.
Super margaritas, wonderfully spicy guac (prepared tableside) and inventive, but authentic Mexican entrees. Consistently great, Fresh Mexican food. A great option for Second City-goers too! Some faves - Tamales, butternut squash enchiladas, and the bean/mushroom quesadillas!
(4)
Patti B.
This place definitely has a nice atmosphere and is much larger than it looks - our table for 12 was in some backroom somewhere upstairs. Service was also great and our waiter was very kind, even running after us with a camera that one of us had left behind just after we exited the restaurant. However, based on the food, it's not somewhere I'll be going back to anytime soon. For starters, I was truly expecting some stellar guacamole - and it was not. I will say that it was cool watching them make it right in front of us, but our bowl was bland and did not have that bite of lime everyone was raving about (although there were limes in it). I've definitely had better. The margaritas made it better, though, and I definitely recommend those! Our table shared some empanadas to start with, which were quite tasty and crunchy on the outside. We thought the entrees would be big so I split one with my boyfriend, and it turned out to be not enough. We picked the filete al pasilla (steak) based on the waiter's recommendation - it was good, but not amazing, and a bit pricey for the size of the portion. Presentation-wise, it was pretty much just a slab of meat and a few mushrooms smothered in sauce, but it was nice that they split it onto separate plates for us to share. Personally, I don't really eat Mexican food all that often, so I can't say much about how the food measures up to other places. It's worth a visit but don't expect too much from the guac!
(3)
Judy M.
Not impressed. Drinks were expensive and miniscule. Food was nano size and just OK. The guac was very good, and but where was the salsa? The tab for 3 drinks and two entrees and guac....$ 80.00 ...yikes!
(2)
Jennifer K.
My friend treated me out to dinner for the new year and I was glad she chose this spot. We started out with the guacamole; and I had myself a mojito. It was really, really good (but I can make better!~ ;-) ) I was happy to see it made in front of us. Our server was also really, really friendly and great with the suggestions. I had chicken tamales and shrimp ceviche. The ceviche was perfectly balanced with the guacamole. And the tamales were awesome. My friend enjoyed her dish (I forgot what she ordered because I was too busy with my own). But the real highlight was the dessert. We split the churros and chocolate. My goodness...I forgot how good churros could be dipped in melted chocolate! Our bill came up to $75 for two.
(3)
Jennifer R.
This place was the best! Perfect for a night out at the Second City (it's right next door), it was absolutely delish. My mom, sister and I were looking for a quieter spot than the bar, so we were led down a flight of stairs to a more intimate spot that was made even more enjoyable by our lovely waiter and his wife, who made our yummy tableside guac. And, yes, to agree with all the other comments, the margaritas were divine. Highly recommend!
(5)
Tom G.
Holy Guacamole! (sorry I had to do it) If you come here you NEED to get the guacamole... they make it right in front of you and it tastes great. And they shake the margaritas table side... and they are really, really good. Adobo Grill is good any time, but especially before you go to a Second City show. It is right next door and you can have a few good drinks and some guacamole to get you ready to go
(5)
Whitaker J.
As a guacamole connoisseur, I enjoy watching them make it: right next to your table specified to your spice preference. It is fantastic guac, I must admit. I have never been fully impressed with the rest of the food here. With the prices they charge, I feel it lends itself to a higher level of criticism. It has a very nice ambiance, the staff has always been above average, and the tequila list is long.. Overall, I can't say that I've ever been wowed by Adobo. I do like it and am never disappointed, but every time I walk out I'm wondering to myself how much I actually enjoyed it, eventually settling on the fact that I did.
(3)
Art S.
I know some people have complained about poor service and food, but I have been here four or five times, and I have never had anything to complain about. Besides, they make awesome guacamole, which has been mentioned about a hundred times on here, but that's because it's true. Also true: they have the world's best margarita mix. Why is that? Because it's freshly squeezed lime juice with sugar in it. That's it. Another drink I love there is this beer drink called, I believe, a Michelada. I can't remember if that's the right name for it or not, but it's basically mexican beer mixed with something that sort of resembles bloody mary mix without the tomato juice. Then they rim the glass 1/2 with salt and 1/2 with chili powder. It's really good, especially with the guacamole. I also think their coffee is really good. Which sounds weird, I guess, but whatever, it's awesome. Plus tequila flights, chocolate tamales, ceviche... what is there to complain about?
(5)
Nicole M.
My friend and I had tickets for Second City and walked in (no reservations) to get a quick bite before the show. They took wonderful care of us - we told the hostess we were a bit rushed and she made sure to pass this onto our server, who was extremely nice and very helpful with recommendations. We loved the tableside guacamole and enjoyed our drinks and appetizers as well (although I should note that most of my recent Mexican food experiences are in Hawaii, and Hawaii is not known for amazing Mexican food). That's where it ends, since (see above) we were in a rush. We were out in about 40 minutes and all was well, hence this review.
(4)
Sara P.
I went to Adobo on Sunday for a friend's belated birthday brunch. I've heard good things about Adobo- especially for brunch, so we decided to check it out. I debated back and forth on giving 3 or 4 stars...I opted for 3 because I felt the food was a bit overpriced. I will say, though, that I just about ate my heart out..like that sick feeling of over-eating. We started with the guacamole. It was good, if not a tad too citrusy for my taste. My friend Zac makes a much better guac. Don't be fooled, though- I still definitely ate my share. I followed up the mass of chips with a cup of their tortilla soup. This was honestly a great cup of soup. For my entree I got the fish tacos. I'm biased- I prefer flour of corn when it comes to my tortillas...but they were good. To top the million calorie meal, the waiter was nice enough to bring a dessert for Zac's bday...the tres leches cake. It was really good...I was just so full it was hard to eat. Bottom line...this is not typical "Tex Mex" Mexican, so don't go here if that's what you're looking for.
(3)
Molly L.
I'd been to the Indianapolis location once when I lived down there, but only for happy hour, so this was my first experience eating at Adobo and I was a bit let down. The margaritas will not disappoint. 5 stars for the margs. The guacamole was good, but not great. I had the chile relleno, which was also good, but not great. The service, on the upside, was really good. I might return if I'm in the area, but there are so many other delicious Mexican places in the city that I wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)
Kristen D.
Margaritas were too sweet, food was over priced, guacamole was good. I'd go here again, but only with coupon.
(3)
Cheryl B.
Screw the Margaritas. 1) Margaritas should not taste like a glass of lime juice. Margaritas should be a subtle synergy resulting in euphoria 2) Margaritas should not be served in a martini glass. Margaritas should be hyper potent and on ice, forcing you to chug them before the ice melts 3) Margaritas should get me drunk. Really, that was my biggest problem. I will totally admit I am a pretentious ass when it comes to mexican food; I grew up in southern california, and girl, you know I got this chub from taco stands and pitchers of margaritas. Anyways, I thought Adobo was great, minus their drinks, which were overpriced and not delicious (The three of us had a total of 10? drinks, and none of us were drunk). Their take on mexican food was interesting, they had a great set of salsas with the chips, and it wasn't that sit-in-your-stomach-for-four-days-mush mexican food. The flavors were subtle, there were lots of vegetables (my chayote squash was better than my mom's), but most importantly, THE CHOCOLATE TAMALES. All of these reviews should be updated as follows: "the guacamole was good, the margaritas mediocre at best, and I want to make sweet, passionate love to the CHOCOLATE TAMALES." Take the best volcano cake you've ever had, make it better, wrap it in a corn husk and serve with ice cream. Add dried cherries for ultimate fulfillment. totally bitchin. Personally, I love this place for their gluten free menu, AND the aforementioned chocolate tamale was gluten free. SERIOUSLY. GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE STUFF. it was definitely a notch above sex. They were very sensitive to my allergy and I had a lovely range of choices, all of which avoided an unwanted battle with the white powder from death. chocolate tamales...
(4)
Bob D.
I must say I'm a fan. The food was great, especially the tableside guacamole. The small plates are the best way to get a good feel for all of the various flavors they offer. The chicken and pork may have been slightly overcooked, but still tasted great. The best part of the meal was the service - they were attentive, polite, funny, and clean. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Noah L.
Tasty guacamole. Service needs work. Nice tequila selection
(3)
Christina M.
I hosted a dinner party for my sister upstairs. It's so beautiful perfect for a bridal party or dinner with friends! we were even upgraded when they realized we had quite more people then expected. Very polite and the food was delicious!!!
(4)
Zach R.
Good stuff. I have been twice and just ordered appetizers to pass around both times. Lots of great flavors in unusual combinations. Tableside guac is great. Known for their tequila flights, as well. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Kathy S.
3.5 stars. I came here with a couple coworkers and one of our clients as she was in the mood for some margaritas. I really enjoyed it, even with me not being a big drinker. I thought the look of the place was okay, nothing too special and it was a little too cold for my liking. We started off with the guacamole and it was delicious but I couldn't differentiate that between other good guacs that I've had. I had the skirt steak which was really great! However, I do wish the portion was bigger and that it had a little bit more of a kick to it. My other coworkers and client seemed to be enjoying their dishes as well. I would say the food is a solid 4 but it's hard to justify the prices.
(3)
Al L.
Friendly service, truly gluten free, nice atmosphere. Fulfilling and cozy. Expensive, but substantial drinks
(4)
Steve L.
Ok, so I've been back to Adobo a few times since I wrote my original review and to be perfectly honest I truly thought I updated since my first, AWFUL, experience. I believe management has changed (so I've heard through the grapevine), though I don't know for sure, however my recent experiences there have been pleasant. The service has been much better and way more attentive. The table side guac is great and the margaritas pleasantly will floor you. Minus 2 stars for pricing though. I'm not trying to come across as cheap, but everything needs to be somewhere between $3 and $5 cheaper considering the amount of food you get and the quality of what you get. Again, it's not bad by any means, but entrees that sell for $15 or $16 would be no more than $10 if you ordered them at a joint that didn't share a lobby with The Second City. Go if you don't mind spending some money for slightly above average Mexican food and great margaritas. Otherwise, Chipotle's just down the hall (and has marg's for less than $5).
(3)
Maria C.
Despite the fact that we got a ticket as we were eating because our car had no front license plate, the food was good. I just thought that the lunch menu on Saturday was a little light on choices. But overall it was a good experience. We usually go back to Adobo every once in a while but it's not our favorite Mexican place.
(3)
Pontip M.
Ok, so I"ll jump on the bandwagon...Awesome margaritas! Clinky! and the spicy guacamole was the best! My friend and I also shared the chicken tamale which was great! There wasnt time for a full dinner but next time I'm in the area I hope I can sit a spell and really enjoy their full menu!
(4)
Jinx T.
Come for drinks and guacamole, then leave. The freshness one finds in the cocktails and the freshly-made-tableside guacamole is not found in the entrees. The entrees? Flavorless blobs swimming in nondescript sauces. We enjoyed the ambiance, the vibe of the clientele, and the friendly staff ... but wished we had left after finishing the drinks and guacamole.
(2)
Monica M.
Definitly go for the drinks n guac. SO good. Guac was not made table side but was made toward the middle of the seating area. Waiter was very nice. Ordered chicken enchilladas which were yummy as well. if you like mole but id still say my adobo margarita and guacamole were the most thrilling.
(4)
Terris A.
Holy Guac! This one of the best guac I have ever had! We also had the cheese and quesadillas and the shrimp ceviche- all really good. Only small complaint is that the quality of their chips did not match the amazing guac. We also experienced some of their margaritas and each one was really good.
(5)
Gwendolyn H.
This is definintely a neighborhood favorite, but I think it's become a little overrated. I went to this restaurant last night for guac and margs... We ended up also splitting the tamales and a grilled veggie salad. It was way too much food for two people. That said, it also wasn't too great either. I love the guacamole (which they ended up NOT making tableside), but the tamales were dry and the corn outside was way too thick. We totally appreciated them spliting the plates for us, but the salad was pretty boring and the flavors didn't pair well. Overall, I would have given it 5 stars just for the margaritas and guac... but the appetizers brought them way down.
(3)
Colin W.
Great place to have a Saturday afternoon drink and snack. Also a good place for dinner. They seem to have more seating available than other comparable places on Wells.
(4)
Fred S.
If Adobo were the sort of neighborhood spot that you could drop into and have a good meal with a minimum of hassle, then I would probably have rated it four stars. However, that's not Adobo. Adobo, for reasons that I don't fully understand, is a restaurant that is constantly busy and difficult to get into. We live four blocks from the Adobo on Wells, and it took us eight months to get to Adobo for the first time. I can't count the times that we tried to get a reservation (admittedly, late in the week) for a Friday or Saturday only to find that they were completely booked. All of that being said, our experience at Adobo was a good one. We had the freshly prepared guacamole, and it really is very good. Our entrees were very tasty as well. The entrees aren't "cheap", but they struck me as being a good value for the quality and the portion sizes. The margaritas are quite good, but they are a bit pricey. The one drawback to Adobo is the atmosphere. While the space has nice lighting and decor, a table on one of O'Hare's runways would probably have been less noisy. By the middle of the meal I resigned myself to simply staring at my wife - this was yet another time when I felt lucky that she is so beautiful - because carrying on a conversation was simply impossible. I really have no idea how people manage to have meaningful conversations in this restaurant. I would recommend Adobo, but be ready for a very loud evening. If you are looking for upscale Mexican, then you owe it to yourself to try Frontera Grill before you even consider Adobo.
(3)
Rose O.
went with a friend, food and service were excellent, the food and margaritas are very fresh, chef Gaby came to our table asking us how everything was which I thought that was very nice of him. I would highly recommend this restaurant and in the summer time they have outside sitting area.
(5)
Kate J.
I will spend an entire day looking forward to the Adobo Margaritas when I know I'm eating here... they're to die for! And, the guacamole made tableside is so tasty, you could just eat guac and drink margartitas and have a fabulous evening! Also, the Adobo Chopped Salad is great -- huge, but so delicious I always clean my plate! The food isn't traditional Mexican which makes it so much more unique than your average Mexican restaurant!
(4)
Jessica D.
My partner and I went to Adobo Grill the evening after our arrival in Chicago. We were in the mood for something cheap and tasty, and we kind-of-sort-of got both. We ordered the guacamole, huitlacoche quesadilla, a cazuela ( the cheese one, but I can't remember the name), and the mexican banana split. We both had the limeade to drink. Adobo Grill's food is passable. It certainly isn't bad, but it isn't really impressive, either. The tortilla chips were greasier than at most places and the texture was a little off as well. The guacamole was very good, though at around $8 for a single avocado and spices, it was definitely way over priced. In California that price got you twice as much tableside guac. The cazuela and quesadilla were both tasty, but not memorable. I know that the cazuela, a dish with melted cheese and pepper with fresh tortillas was definitely on the salty side. The mexican banana split was probably the best item of the evening. It included roasted plantains with scoops of coconut, strawberry, and abuelita mexican chocolate ice cream. The plantains were overcooked and disappointed, but the ice creams were amazing and just different enough to make a lasting impression. Since my partner hates coconut and I love it, I took that scoop and small tastes of each of the other two flavors. The chocolate and coconut were both phenomenal and the strawberry was on par with or above average. Honestly, the food was okay, but it wasn't $50 of okay. I could just as easily have gotten better, more authentic food from any place in the area - afterall, it's on the edge of Wicker and Humboldt Parks.
(3)
K J.
My rating is actually closer to 4 1/2 stars--we had our rehearsal dinner at Adobo and had a wonderful experience. The space was perfect for our size group (they have two different room sizes) and the menu options were fun and interesting. Everyone loved the food (and the margaritas!) and the colorful decor tied the room together. Highly recommend for an event!
(4)
Ben J.
Great guacamole, fantastic fish tacos, enchanting enchiladas, and mind numbing margaritas. Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and our informative waiter was very well received.
(4)
Chris H.
This is a pretty good place. Like pretty much everyone else has mentioned, the guac is phenomenal. In my humble opinion the menu was quite small for a place like this. I wish there would have been a few more entrees to choose from.
(4)
V R.
A nice find in Old Town Chicago. A good soup to try on a cold blustery day is the spicy tortilla soup. The guac is hand made table side accompanied with very good home made chips. Lastly if not driving, the bar has a tempting variety of high end tequilas. A gem!
(4)
Silky O.
This place made my taste buds scream "Ay ayayay aya ya!!!" Im not sure what that means, but in my book, its good. I sank my white pearlys deep into the food at Adobo and threw up my hands in major acceptance. Order the Chips w/ Guacamole and you basically hire your own personal human to crush and mix up the perfect dip. If you're willing to go on a date with me, I will order several margaritas, as they are top notch. This place is a little pricey, but well worth it. If I had to describe this place in 18 words it would be, "A Romantic, intimate, well serviced restaraunt with authentic and sexy dishes that you will almost get arroused from" Love always, Silky
(4)
D J.
This is definitely one of the better Mexican restaurants I've been to in a while. The menu has some interesting spins on standard offerings, for eg my vegetarian platter in addition to a terrific tamale and empanada consisted of a corn flan and spaghetti sofrito, which I believe lends a Latin twist to the cuisine(I'd recommend staying away from both as they were rather bland). I loved the fresh Salsas, although I must admit I sought refuge in the pico de gallo since the green chile one was way to hot to handle! The ambiance is pleasant, distinctively "adobe" though the prices are steeper than at a typical casual Mexican diner. The location has to be a clincher - situated in Piper's Alley in one of the nicest rows in Old Town, right next to Second city, Adobo is perfect for a pre-show dinner stop.
(3)
Erin R.
I think I have been eating out a little too much lately. Anyways...I had a work function here last week. I think they put a little too much food on our prix fix work menu or I just forgot how filling Mexican food can be. The margaritas were a little too sour for me so had to switch to beer after one drink. Guac was great though. Jicima salad, was the best, but I love jicima. I had chicken enchiladas and could only eat half of one because at this point I was so stuffed I couldn't bear to eat anymore. It was good, but I will remember to pace myself more when I go out for mexican.
(3)
Abby T.
so frickin' good!!! you MUST start your Adobo Grill experience w/ the guacamole, made tableside. They ask whether you want it medium or spicy and make it accordingly. SOOO TASTY!!! My girfriend got a margarita, which she loved. And I ordered a mojito. mmmm.... so far, an amazing start. Little did we know, it would only get better. My friend and I both ordered the Arrachera Adobada, which was grilled flank steak. OMG, I still daydream about it. This steak tops Carnivale's steak entrees in a HEARTBEAT. soooooooooooo good!! Good sized portions too. We finished off w/ the Tamal de Chocolate. WOW. The Mexican version of a chocolate lava cake. moist and gooey chocolate on the inside, perfectly complimented by ice cream. CANNOT wait to go back. =)
(5)
Christina S.
Beware: Once you've eaten a huge crater full of guacamole and downed a couple of those oh-so-strong daiquiris, it'll be tough to make it down that waxed-to-a-shine staircase without taking a spill. It's best to take your time . . . try the vegetable enchiladas . . . throw back some churros. Wait until you're up to it.
(4)
Alan P.
Guac was great. Salmon entree was terrible and overpriced.
(2)
Dallas F.
All my life I have avoided guacamole because for some reason I was under the impression I did not like it. Its green and lumpy...and well yea, its green and lumpy. I tend to stay away from stuff like that. Thanks to Adobo Grill I'm now a Guacamole fiend. I tasted theirs and am now I compare every where elses to this standard. And the margaritas- do yourself a favor and get one or four.
(4)
Isabella W.
3.5 Stars. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the food here. The one big disappointment of the night was the guac - not only did we NOT get table-side service, but the guac had NO flavor. After telling the server that I needed more jalapenos, cilantro, salt, ANYTHING, it was finally edible. Luckily, everything else turned out excellent.. - margaritas were yummy - mojitos came with sugar cane! - entrees were a tiny bit overpriced, but delicious. I had the short ribs, and it was amazyingly tender ! Others ordered the flank steak, and it looked amazing as well. - Dessert-wise, we had a mango dessert and flan - both yummy Overall, a good experience. I'd come back for the margaritas and the short ribs.
(3)
Gabe F.
Definitely a different take on Mexican food. From the looks of the menu, you wouldn't think it was your typical selection and you'd be right! This place did not disappoint even though I was skeptical at first. The tableside guacamole was definitely a good choice and the margarita's are good as well. I've had my share of Mexican food after living in San Diego, Austin and New York but everyone has their personal preference.
(4)
jackie a.
I have been here 3 times and decided to give it another chance. Well, I should have known better, first of all, my fiance and I enjoy sitting at the bar, we sat at the bar and the service was very poor. Ordered a guacamole (server is supposed to ask if we want it spicy or mild) when the guacamole arrived it was spicy, I asked the bartender if he had ordered it spicy he says yes, I stated that we did not want it spicy, he then said "well, you didn't tell me" I said "well, you never asked us" he said that since we spoke spanish he assumed we wanted it spicy, really? Well, not everyone who speaks spanish likes spicy food!! The food was very poor actually it is a shame this place considers themselves mexican..even the margaritas were not tasty!
(2)
Tim S.
Love Love Adobo ! One word - Guacamole prepared tableside, Mexican Martini's, Ceviche, etc etc. Okay, that's more than one word but seriously - amazing food. I'm not expert, but I would consider this authentic mexican cuisine. I live around the corner and you never have to twist my arm to go to Adobo Grill
(5)
Michelle H.
Although chic latin inspired food usually isn't my thing, this place is pretty good. The guacamole is a must! If you don't get anything else you have to get the tableside guacamole, really, this is no joke. The mole sauces are also pretty amazing, and so are the margaritas. If you're looking to fulfill a latin meal need and have a few extra bucks this place is worth the visit, but only on weekdays. Weekends get way too loud and crazy for me.
(4)
Aileen O.
Very recently I've turned into a big fan of Old Town. I love the variety of shops and restaurants that are neatly crammed into just a few streets. Parking can be notoriously difficult to find, but lately I've had the parking angel riding shotgun with me in the Mini Cooper, directing me to the rare open spots on Wells. Adobo Grill was always at the top of my list of restaurants to try, but timing was never right. I'd usually head out on Saturday evenings when waits would be way too long. However, yesterday I lucked out and came by on a not so busy Thursday! Parking angel had directed me to a prime parking spot so I was even more stoked when I didn't have to wait at Adobo Grill. I had a long day at work and decided I wanted to drink away the day's stress. I'm not normally a fan of the liquid dinner, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I saddled up to the bar with the BF and we ordered the two most popular cocktails - the Adobo Margarita and Mojito. I'm not usually a fan of margaritas over ice, but this place has turned me into a convert! I probably offended the guy by asking for a frozen margarita first and he probably spit in my drink, but I digress. The margarita had just the right amount of my on-again/off-again buddy Jose Cuervo. I had a buzz, but it was one of the good kinds - complete with non-stop giggling and 100 mph chatter. I'm sure the BF loved it. We also ordered some chips and four salsas, which were very good. People rave so much about the guacamole here, but given the allergy, I wasn't able to try it. I am glad, though, that the salsas didn't disappoint! I'll go back to Adobo Grill to have a full meal one of these days. But in the meantime, I'm sitting happy thinking about that great liquid dinner I just had at Adobo Grill.
(4)
Andrew M.
Adobe Grill is a fun place to go out with some friends on a Friday or Saturday Night. They make fresh guacamole right before your eyes, serve quality Mexican food and offer a tequila bar that is certain to help jumpstart your night. However, Adobo Grill is overpriced. Be prepared to pay a little bit extra for the location, the hype and the chic decor if you want to come here. If you're short on money and just looking for a good burrito, go to Taco and Burrito Palace (see review/rave) instead .
(3)
Jason C.
Tableside Guac - what can I say? It does not get any better. Also enjoyed the Flank Steak entree and Victoria beer.
(5)
Jullian S.
good food, great gauc
(4)
Tom L.
Hot dinner on a hot afternoon. Tortilla soup that was excellent and roast pork . How I didn't try this before stumps me. Great spot for people watching and the food was very good.
(4)
Michael M.
As others have mentioned, you go to Adobo Grill for the guacamole. You haven't had guacamole until you have had it there, and watching it being made table side is a real treat. The food is very good as well, and the portion size is just right. There are two reasons that I can't give Adobo five stars, though. The first is that the waitstaff is not the most attentive, especially during dinner hours. Second, the bar is really dedicated to margaritas, so if you don't like tequila like my girlfriend, you are kinda out of luck. Oh and definitely make reservations on the weekend. You'll need them.
(4)
Kate I.
Adobo Grill has made significant changes since the last time I was there, perhaps a year ago, and they have all been for the worse. It's quite sad, as this used to be one of our favorite dinner joints in Old Town. Here's what's gone wrong: 1) The menu has been completely overhauled and is focused on overpriced 'small plates.' These small plates are great portion-wise, but they are overpriced and they're lacking the interesting flavors of the past. I have ordered cochinita pibil at Adobo countless times the past seven years or so. Cochinita Pibil is a Yucatecan dish centered on marinated pork. The pork I was served last night was not marinated. It was covered in a rather bland sauce instead. 2) To make matters worse, the menu has also veered far, far away from authentic Mexican food. No, it was never completely authentic, but it was closer than not. Not anymore, unfortunately. Case in point: they are offering a tlayuda, a traditional dish served in Oaxaca. My husband works in Oaxaca, so I've lived there off and on for the past several years. I have eaten many, many real tlayudas. The tlayuda itself is actually just a large corn tortilla, cooked on the clay comal (as they always are in Oaxaca) and is a bit tougher than regular corn tortillas. They are used to scoop up beans and other soupy dishes. They are also served with toppings by street vendors, particularly late at night. (If you're in Oaxaca City, head over to Tlayudas Libres after 9 p.m. for the meal of your life!). On top of the oversized CORN tortilla, the vendor will put aciento (rendered pork fat), black bean paste, Oaxacan string cheese, and 'verduras,' salsa, and include a piece of grilled beef or sausage (the beef is cooked directly on the mesquite coals -- incredible!). Rather than this amazing dish, Adobo is serving a pizza and calling it a 'tlayuda.' There is no tlayuda at all! Rather, there is a wheat crust with a bunch of toppings on top, including a flood of sour cream, something you'd never, ever find in Oaxaca, period, let alone on a Tlayuda (which are always corn!). In Oaxaca, food is taken very seriously, and serving a wheat crust pizza and calling it a 'tlayuda' would be considered blasphemous. Unbelievable. 3) The drinks have gone WAY up in price. Want to try a mezcal? That will cost you $14.50. For what, a couple of ounces of mezcal? When the most expensive mezcals cost about $25 for a bottle? That's just wrong. So I've given the restaurant 2 stars rather than 1 because I have had good meals here in the past. But clearly those days are gone. With wheat pizza being sold as 'tlayudas' and 'small plates' being sold at regular entree prices, Adobo Grill has been taken off of our list. So sad.
(2)
Rebecca L.
Food was a 3, but the margarita and guacamole rocked my world!
(4)
Mark M.
Horrible service. The food was cold and felt like it came from the Taco Bell down the street. There were several little kids running around. The porch was nice, but didn't offset the rampant fail that occurred. They wanted $13.50 for a single shot of well tequila, I can buy a whole bottle for that!
(1)
Anupama A.
Some of the best Margaritas and Guac I have ever had. If you eat in the resto they mix the guac right in front of you at your table and you can say how spicy you want it!! If outside, they don't :( But overall, food better than most mexican restos I have tried in Chicago. I could go just for their ritas if need be!!!
(4)
Doug S.
Yes the guac was outstanding and the different salsas and chips were as well. I tried the flank steak and it was pretty tough. It was grilled exactly as ordered but it was just a tough piece of meat. I didn't care for the refried beans which tasted like it was out of the can. Overall average food at high prices. Will not go back. Too many other authentic Mexican/Latin restaurants in city.
(2)
Lisa O.
We had a reservation and only had to wait 5 minutes for a table---very acceptable for a Saturday night. The guacamole was very good. I don't usually like guacamole, but my husband loves it so we order it. I really liked this one, with medium spice. Our entrees were wonderful and just the right portion. I had the Lomito (pork tenderloin with mole), delicious and not too spicy. I also tried my husband's Arrechero (marinated steak), which was also wonderful. A little pricey for a Mexican restaurant, but it is in the heart of the city and a very nice energy and vibe to the place. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Nicole B.
Went here for lunch and thought it was great. Sat outside in a beautiful April day, had good service, and delicious food. The guac is to die for. Bonus that you can get both chips and veggie slices if you are looking to cut some calories. The pork tacos were great, perfect mix of salty and sweet with pineapple salsa.
(4)
Cate R.
I love this place, but I must say I think it is for one reason - the guacamole! Honest to God, I didn't even eat guac until a friend made me try this stuff, and it really is that good. The margaritas are also excellent, but so far, my review is not very original. At least we have a consenus - top notch guac, great margaritas, average everything else. Still, can't be beat before Second City and I will be back!
(4)
Katie W.
Went to Adobo last night after our free movie preview was sold out. Made a mad dash for Adobo before everyone else did the same! Guac made tableside was a treat. Loved the fresh chunks of tomato and avacados. My sister and I ordered the quesadillas and taquitos to share. The quesadillas come made with a particular kind of mushroom - we tried it and ate it but didn't love it. The taquitos were crunchy with shreds of lettuce and tomato chunks laying in some tangy/spicy sauce. Our server said they didn't have blended drinks of any kind. The dessert was the best part! Fresh from the oven churros and a warm chocolate dipping sauce. I was in heaven. Overall, the place was busy but not too bad. We didn't wait for a table at 7:30pm on a Thursday night but then again it was pouring rain outside. I'll definitely head back to try other things on the menu.
(4)
alex D.
I made reservation on the 31st of December, to spend New Years here. Best choice I could have made, they had a prix fixe menu. I could understand why they were packed they had a Mariachi band signing the whole night. Food was great, but they were out of ceviche. It still was a very memorable way to start 2011
(5)
Ro A.
We went here for the NYE special with was $75 a person. The appetizers were good. The entree was mediocre at best. Not very flavorful and just sort of lacking. The desserts were awful. Mine looked like coffee grounds. The rest of the table got an apple dessert which nobody finished. I would never go back here or recommend this restaurant to anybody. You can get much better mid priced Latino food in Chicago, so don't waste your money here!
(1)
Colleen J.
Strong margaritas, tasty mojitos, GREAT guacamole. I had the vegetarian plate, which was pretty good. I tasted my friends red snapper, and it was quite good. The service was good, the bathrooms were clean and unique, with spotlights shining down on you in each stall, and cute faucet handles. We had the mango dessert; I'm not a huge mango fan, and I must admit, I really liked it. The only downside is the parking and the pricy meals.
(4)
Rebecca T.
This place essentially sucks. The ONLY reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is because the margaritas are yummy... and potent. ;) Service = bad. Food = unimaginative and below average. High traffic tourist location next to Second City = need I say more?
(2)
Emily K.
yum! the atmosphere, the food, the drinks, the service. it was a wonderful event. The margaritas should NOT be missed. they were fabulous, i recommend sugar around the rim. The tableside guacemole is fun and very tasty. we were all very happy with our meals, the menu is on the small side and very authentic, but very very good. we were too full for dessert but there were some tasty choices on the menu :) this was my second time at Adobo and definitely not my last!
(5)
Haley L.
Went there with a party of seven when my boyfriend's dad and business partner were in town and it was so wonderful! I wish I would have gotten his name, but our server was one of the best I have ever had! And we kept him busy, not only with a lot of food but tons of drinks and lots of tequila flights that we needed his input on which one to choose each time. I wasn't that hungry so filled up in the most wonderful and fresh guacamole made to your liking table side and a salad with mango, jicama and a pumpkin seed dressing that was delicious. Not sure what everyone else ordered - but almost everyone cleaned their plates. The desserts looked spectacular and definitely was to try them next time. do i recommend? 100% great food, great atmosphere, great service. nice job adobo!
(4)
PJ T.
Well, this is my fave gauc place in the entire country. (personal choice!) I love that they make it custom, we always ask for extra spicy with extra lime....yum !! And absolutely love the margaritas with the smokey topping. We also enjoy their ceviches. But out of the 5 times we've been, we haven't gotten past the appetizers. :) Still gets a 5 star - gauc and margaritas just do it for me !!
(4)
Michelle Z.
TGIFridays meets Taco Bell. Mediocre "mexican" food. When they start forming rice into geometrical shapes, I begin to wonder...kinda reminds me of grade school when the mashed poatoes just kept the shape of the ice cream scoop they were served from. Service was friendly but annoying. They were slow which apparently is the reason why EVERY busboy stopped at our table EVERY three minutes to ask how everything was. Mole sauce tasted canned. Rice had no flavor. Ordered patron, got bar brand tequila. Yes people can tell the difference, especially when you oder it straight!This place sucks. There is no reason for a restaurant like this to still be in business in the city of chicago. How do people eat this crap?! Top to bottom, this place was awful. I would rather order taco bell than eat this again.
(1)
Jilliann S.
Sit at the bar, get the Adobo margarita (or two or three) and table-side guacamole and, then, stop. The rest of the food on the menu is just okay.
(3)
Jamie O.
For the prices, the guacamole and vegetarian platter weren't good enough.
(2)
Leon D.
If you and your friends are looking to jam up a busy city intersection on a weekend night by having your taxi stop in the middle of a street, and then dig out some crumpled $1 bills out of your jeans to pay the cabbie, only to laugh carefree as you dodge pissed off drivers honking at you, then The Adobo Grill in Old Town is for you! Best guacamole in the city, as far as I'm concerned, assuming that you get at least medium, preferably hot. The bar is more reliable than the kitchen (but I mean, really, where isn't the bar more reliable?). Me gusta margaritas!
(3)
Bess R.
Guacamole and drinks are delicious, but not as good as Las Palmas. Unimpressed by the entrees, nice ambiance though. Apparently they have gluten-free menu choices, so I'll have to check back and give them a shot. Maybe their wheatless goodness will impress my palate:)
(3)
Jamie M.
This is definitely one of my favorite upscale-Mexican places to dine. The guacamole is a must! While there are always too many great menu choices to order just one, I typically order the Pollo al Tamarindo. HOLY CATS do I love that dish...and I do not love chicken in general, let me tell you. The service has always been on the average side and sometimes the seating arrangements can be a little "cozy" with neighboring diners, but Adobo Grill has never failed me. We use this as a night-out restaurant to get things going--the margaritas are definitely on-point!
(4)
tessa c.
my dearest adobo grill, stop trying too hard! you flatter me with your hot and courteous server..your amazing guacamole! but what's with your unacceptable seasonal chicken mole? i can't say much for the tequila you advertise about because i was on benadryl. maybe next time.
(3)
Kendall C.
Great atmosphere. I loved the table-side guacamole although it was a bit pricy. Service was good although not exceptional. As others have mentioned the salsa was a disappointment. I recommend focusing on the appetizers.
(3)
Adam S.
With dozens of other reviewers, I'm not sure I can say much more than what has been said - the food is indeed quite good - I had the vegetarian plate which was a nice variety of stuff and more than enough to fill me up. It's a bit pricey, but only $3-$4 more per dish, and it's definitely a cut above typical tex-mex. If you just want some cheese laden enchiladas or a burrito, go someplace else. People are ravers over the guac - I actually thought it was just ok. The best guac I've had sits for a few hours "marinating" so the cilantro, lime, etc. can have its full effect. This just tasted like the singular ingredients depending on where you were dipping your chip in the bowl. Adobo Grill is also quite loud so romantic evening for two this is not. Fun environment otherwise though, filled with the usual Old Townies. You know the type. :)
(3)
Dave Z.
To say that Adobo Grill is a Mexican Restuarant is underselling the experience. It has been said time and time again on this site - Get the Guacamole!!! When you go to Adobo be prepared to redefine your expectation of Mexican food. The origin of this food is more from Central Mexico and is much more refined than the traditional Mexican Restuartant. I have taken family to this restaurant, used them for an in restaurant party of 100 and have used them to cater events and every time the food and service has been excellent.
(5)
George H.
Went for lunch the other day, had the casuelas combo, good stuff. Nice, simple food prepared well with good service. Guacamole was legit as well. Vegetable enchilada was OK, nothing special.
(4)
Corby G.
The food was actually pretty good here. Not the greatest ever, but good food presented in an original way. The problem for me is the service. On one hand, there were several bussers all over the restaurant, and as soon as they saw an emply glass or plate, they were all over it. We must have had our water refilled 10 times in about 30 minutes. Our waitress was a different story. We were there for a drink and appetizer before a show at second city. When we told her we were only ordering an appetizer, her face dropped and tone completely changed- she said, "oh, that's it, huh?" Almost condescending. The whole rest of our meal, every interaction we had, she was trying to upsell us on something, when we refused, she either glared at us and walked away or sighed. Even if the good was great, it woudln't really make up for nasty wait staff. Two appetizers, one drink and a meager tip- $35.
(2)
Julie G.
I actually really like this place. The margaritas really are as tasty as everyone says, and the guacamole lives up to its reputation as well. Their regular menu is a little on the boring side, but their specials are usually very good, and their mole sauce is especially delicious with a nice chocolaty flavor that is very complimentary to the items with which it is served. Ironically, their tequila selection is only so-so, but their chocolate tamale and churros with chocolate dipping sauce are a delight. (Wow, I mentioned chocolate a lot in this review.)
(4)
Kristin C.
The only time I rock on over to Adobo is pre-Second City - it's just so dang convenient. As others have noted, the guacamole is amazing and obviously fresh as they whip it up table-side. Another huge draw for me is the Adobo Margarita (served martini-style). Truth be told, it is my FAVORITE margarita in the city. It is made with fresh limes - not some bottled up, sickly-sweet, store- bought shizz. The entrees here never really twiddle my fiddle. I am much more of a tex-mex chic so some of their authentic fare throws me off a little. I always order the quesadillas and am greeted with wrapped up cheese nuggets. I forget! Last time I was here, I got the tortilla soup and it was not very good at all. I think one is better off going for the poblano pepper or the enchiladas. Come here for the Margaritas. Stay for the gauc. And if you are still sober and/or hungry, opt for the poblano chile pepper dish - Areeba!
(4)
Justin S.
This place's reputation has spoken for itself. It's gone from a little known place that's supposed to have killer guacamole to a premier authentic Mexican place in Chicago, with a booth at the Taste. The guacamole is the best in Chicago, and prepared tableside. The entrees are great, from carne asada to the pechuga. Highly recommended on all accounts. Grab an Adobo Margarita, or add another $1 for premium tequila - of which there are tons there.
(4)
Stephen P.
There are two core requirements for a superior Mexican restaurant, the margaritas and the guacamole. OK, there are 3, the chips being the third, but the Adobo exceeds the first two of with some of the best margaritas and guac in town! We live nearby so we come here often because the atmosphere is lively and the food is great. The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is that it is a little overpriced and the host staff are terrible. The wait staff is fine but the host staff never seem to know what they are doing.
(4)
blake d.
Adobo Grill gets lots of business because of it's great location(s) and bomb margaritas. The problems with Adobo outweigh the positives. The food is sub-par for the price range. Order a $15 pork chop and it's dry just like mom used to make. How about the tilapia- it sure sounds great on the menu, but it's bland and boring. The soups are decent, and the guac is cool to see made table side- but good guac depends on good avocados, not a chef's skill. The margaritas are nice, but they come at a cost- $10 for the house margarita with the extra half shot on top in a small martini glass. If you wanna drop some dough on tequila drinks and an appetizer or two, then Adobo is nice, but for a meal there are better options (mayan palace)
(2)
Susan L.
I second/third/fourth/nth the opinions about the guac and the margaritas--to die for! I always get the mole chicken, and I love it. Go there now, but make a reservation first so you don't wait 9 years to be seated.
(5)
Monica B.
The guacamole is AMAZING!! They like to make it hot though so do not order it above medium unless you want it to taste like you are chasing it with a side of burning flames. I give it 4 stars because you have to pay for chips and salsa, and let's face it...that kind of sucks. The food is awesome though. Last time I had the tilapia ceviche and it was so fresh!! Ask for Victor. He gave us 2 big ole' shots of premium tequila for free :)
(4)
Jenny T.
As the 2 star rating puts it, "Meh. I've experienced better." To me, a great restaurant isn't always about the food. Sure, it's ultimately a priority, but if I'm spending some dough on food, the service & ambiance better be good. I got o-k service the two times I've been here. This place is really convenient if you have a Second City show to go to, or if you're just hanging out in Old Town. Frankly, for the food/service, this place is waay too over priced. I'd rather support the smaller hidden gems in the city than this chain.
(2)
Marc L.
Great place with great food. The waiter we had was superb. As many have mentioned the guacamole and margaritas were outstanding. Would definitely go again.
(4)
Ericka M.
To be fair, I should preface this review by saying that I'm a little biased. This place is right in my neighborhood, so the location is super convenient. Plus, I LOVE LOVE LOVE good guacamole. Yes, I did say love three times - in all caps, no less. Anyway, the main reason I usually come here is for the guacamole. But I have also really liked the other dishes I have ordered here, too. The service is *usually* quite friendly but not always the quickest. True, the place is often packed to the gills on any given night. But it's also not good business to make patrons wait, especially when they make it pretty clear they are in a hurry to leave and need the bill before...next year. The decor and ambience is pretty decent as well. All in all, I'd say Adobo is a great place - if for nothing else, go for the guac! They make it to order right by your table and it has to be one of the best - if not the best - I've ever had so far.
(4)
Elizabeth T.
I loved everything about Adobo Grill. Fabulous drinks, the food was perfection (mmmmm, empanadas. . .), and the guacamole worth a trip all by itself. The tequila flights are beautifully presented--who knew there were so many varieties? The atmosphere here is fun and festive and the service attentive. I had a guest in from out of town for the visit and he's still raving about it. Great experience--I can't wait to come back.
(5)
Risey H.
Food is pretty delicious. Service was pretty good. Location is right next to second city comedy club which is a plus. They also velidate parking next door. However the menu was confusing and most everything is small plate so potion is small. The guacamole was made fresh but my veggie enchilada was too much cheese and too little veggie filling for my liking. I think only few items are entree size.
(3)
Tom T.
I've eaten Mexican food all my life and this is as good as any I've ever tasted. This is authentic Mexican food though so don't expect Tex-Mex. I'm not a fan of compulsory gratuity though and this is 18% for groups of six or more. I've found that if tips are guaranteed service usually is not.
(4)
Liz T.
I'm never disappointed at Adobo Grill. It isn't an inexpensive meal, but I don't have to worry about the quality of the food or whether or not I'm going to be disappointed. I can just sit back, relax, and enjoy my meal. Warning for Mexican food fans: This isn't cheap, hole-in-the-wall Mexican food. This is gourmet Mexican food. The margaritas are fantastic...they shake them at your table. The guacamole, made at your table, is delicious. Last time I was there, I had the ensalada de cosecha. The salad was very good...crisp and refreshing with lots of vegetables: zucchini, asparagus, chayote, and fresh goat cheese. So good! Every entree I've had has been very fine, but it's the dish my boyfriend orders that really amazes me. Each time we go he orders the filete charro--it's marinated beef tenderloin with a chile habanero-tomato salsa, and roasted potatoes...it's incredible. Worth every penny.
(4)
a d.
Adobos customer service and management is A++! Miguel (waiter and manager) were top notch professionals and extremely attentive! I hosted my birthday party at Adobo. The evening before was the traditional Mexican holiday called "the day of the dead". Adobo featured sugar carvings. The Adobo team created and saved a carving for me and presented it during my bday dinner, even though I did not attend the "day of the dead" event! Furthermore, my dinner party grew from 10 to 18. The management staff (Miguel, hostess, and team) rearranged the restaurant just for my party! The food, drinks, service, and level of attention to detail was spot on! I would highly recommend that you visit Adobo! A great time was had by ALL!
(5)
michele l.
In addition to the dinner menu, this is a good brunch spot. Note that most of the brunch menu consists of spicy Mexican selections. For something on the sweeter side, try the plantain stuffed French Toast. The Mexican "cafe de olla" coffee is really rich and tasty. Adobo is usually empty for brunch and there's never a wait for a table. The restaurant tends to get loud and noisy when full - making it not the ideal date spot if you are into engaging dinner conversation. The best part of the guacamole is watching it being prepared fresh table-side. It tastes like standard guacamole found in most Mexican restaurants - nothing extraordinary.
(4)
Bernie D.
Amazing tequila selection, very knowledgable staff. We got these tequila flights that were outstanding, they were served with this spicy tomato juice. All execellent. Would love to go back for dinner.
(3)
faline m.
guacamole is delicious everything else is awful. avoid this place at all cost.
(1)
Benji B.
OK food. Nice atmosphere. The margaritas aren't nearly as good as everyone claims they are. One cocktail plus though was the Captain & Colas being very strong. Overpriced for what it is, and I'm sure there are much better Mexican places to go in Chicago.
(3)
Kelli B.
GUAC! GUAC! GUAC! The best guac in the city! MMMM MMMM MMMM! Great decor, really good service, delicious food. I've been there at least four times and each time the server was very knowledgeable when explaining items on the menu. It's always busy but I don't believe we've ever waited for a table....maybe only a few minutes if that. Service is always excellent as is the food and wine. Nice outdoor seating for Wells street alfresco dining, and did I mention the Guac?
(4)
Erin V.
The only real reason you need to come here is for the guacamole. Entrees are a bit overpriced and nothing to rave about. As many of the other reviewers have said, come for the guacamole and stay for a margarita.
(4)
Bianca S.
My boyfriend and I were going to a show at Zanie's down the street. We stopped into Adobo before for a quick dinner. I was able to call an hour before and get a reservation for 2 without issue. On a Thursday night this place was hopping with business people in suits, women having a girls night, couples for a date night and families. There is something here for everyone. We ordered the table made guacamole which was amazing. I did notice every table around us also had the guacomole all of those people can be wrong can they? We have a couple of mango magaritas. They were ok. They were really just mango juice & tequilla mixed together on ice. I had the salmon tacos, although they were a little salty I did think they were well prepared and presented. My boyfriend got the enchiladas, the red mole sauce was ok but nothing to right home about. Overall the dining experience was good. Although when the check came and one of the margaritas was $18 since it had a double shot of tequilla, my return on investment of the meal was severely diminished.
(3)
Jace C.
Service here sucks... we set at the bar and waited 20 minutes for a drink and ordered margarita and guac, then another 5 minutes for the drink, and 10 minutes later the bar staff told us they were out of guac ... we got sat in about 45 minutes, as we waited another 10 or so for the server to come to take our order 3 tables around us got served the guac that they were "out" of ... walked out of the place, never will return. overall horrible service experience, the margaritas are good, but over priced @ ~$9
(1)
liz d.
The guacamole was excellent, and they make it right at your table. The food, however, left much to be desired. I may go back for drinks and guac, but that's it.
(3)
Karen Y.
I went to Adobo Grill this Saturday night (July 4) and was somewhat disappointed. The margaritas and guacamole (made to order) were excellent, but my grouper (served in a tomato sofrito and salsa toreada with rice and snap beans) was tasteless, dry, chewy, just overcooked. Even the beans, which should have been "snappy" were overcooked and bland. I tasted my friend's chicken enchilada, which was fine. I was in the mood for spicy flavorful food in the neighborhood, and this did not live up to the bill, unfortunately.
(2)
Doris D.
I liked this place! The drinks were awesome, the guac pretty damn good. Service could have been a little better. We were really confused when the waiter asked if we wanted guacamole with our drinks?
(4)
Niki C.
I'm trying not to judge the restaurant based on the fact that it was home to my worst date ever ... but that's a whole 'nother story. The entrees I have eaten here have been average for a Mexican place, nothing really stood out as being phenomenol, so I gotta cut it down a few stars for being overpriced for average food. However ... I don't like avocados. Hate 'em. Guacamole? Hate it. It's too mushy of texture, I always get a horrible aftertaste, & I know it's weird, but I hate that color of green. That being said, I freaking LOVE the guacamole at Adobo Grill. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT COULD EAT IT ALL NIGHT INTO THE NEXT DAY. I think it's laced with crack. No I don't, but it's that good. ::not that i know what crack is like ... i don't::
(3)
Sylvia I.
Great place for margaritas and homemade guacamole that they make at the table. But that's it. Wouldn't come here for the food -- way too expensive and not the best quality. If you insist on coming though, get the red snapper fish, enough for 2.
(3)
shaina v.
Despite the annoying old town after work crowd, the spicy guacamole and mojitos compensated.
(3)
Sylvia T.
I purposely avoid chains. Well, I guess there is only 1 other Adobo Grill in Wicker Park, but it had a "chain-y" vibe. To my surprise, I had an awesome time and the food was very good and authetic. They had a guacamole cart and two women prepared the guac in front of us. Very fresh and very tasty, served with house fried tortilla chips. Their margaritas were also very refreshing and generous in size, always a plus! I had the beef enchiladas, which came with beans and rice. At first glance, I thought, there is no way I'm going to finish these 4 huge yummy goodness - but I did. I'm a fatty mc fatty!!!
(4)
Shakura H.
The margarita's are well made, the guacamole is some of the best in the city. As far as the rest of the menu is concerned it is very hit or miss, I have often been disappointed in many of their menu items.
(1)
Javier B.
I have been to Adobo many, many times. I live in the neighborhood and I also go to Second City a lot and this always seems to be the best spot to stop by before or after the show. I used to love their margaritas and would still recommend them though I personally find them a little too sweet for my taste. The guacamole is great and fresh. The appetizers are really good. I would recommend the flight of ceviches and the flight of cazuelas. Both are very well prepared and although Adobo is by no means cheap, these two appetizers are pretty big and reasonably priced. Not a big fan of their entrees. I think that they are over priced and not always well prepared. This place is always very busy, so getting a table during dinner time on the weekends is next to impossible. In summary, Adobo is a great place to go for a drink or two, get fresh guacamole and enjoy a few of their appetizers. I almost treat this place like a tapas restaurant and just sample a few of the appetizers. As far as the entrees go, try them at your own risk. They are very hit and miss.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Janeen W.
Excellent Table side Guac!! Fresh Ingredients! The drinks will get you wasted!
(4)Josh O.
Went here before Second City. It wasn't bad per se, but it just wasn't very great. Tableside guac was good, but not exceptional in my mind. How could it be bad, it's tableside guac! We tried a bunch of smaller dishes, and everything just seemed... bland. Not a lot of spice, not a lot of flavor. Lots of corn/grain flavors. Just not really impressed. Service was good and they are aware people need to get up and go in time for the show, which is nice.
(2)Pamela T.
Adobo Grill is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. There is no place on the planet with a margarita like theirs. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, the food is excellent and the service is superb. This is my happy place to go!
(5)Heather B.
Ate here last night for the first time. Overall, not a bad experience. I ordered the veggie enchiladas, which I thought we delicious- usually they can be kind of questionable depending what kind of vegetables they are made of. These were butternut squash with a great mole sauce and black beans on the side. My date ordered chicken enchiladas, and seemed to rather enjoy them as well. Tableside guac was prepared freshly, though as much as I enjoy chunky style, we had a few extra large pieces of avocado that required more mashing after we got it. A bit pricey (our bill was $50 for guacamole, 2 entrees and 2 iced teas) for my liking, but I'd probably go back.
(3)M S.
I recently went to Adobo to celebrate my birthday and immediately went into panic attack mode when I saw that they had taken my favorite dish off the menu. I asked the waiter about it and he confirmed the bad news, the dish was removed from the menu. When he saw how let down I was he said the dish could still be made since they had all the ingredients. Normally I try not to be a diva in a restaurant but I had been looking forward to that meal for days. Adobo came through for me. I recommend saving room for desert, the tres leches cake is unbelievable!
(4)Maureen R.
I love Adobo! We frequent this place often (...like, once a week!) and always start off with the table-side guacamole, which is really absolutely fabulous! It is some of the best guacamole I've ever tasted. I have tried many items on the menu, most of them are great, though there have been a few misses. Some of my favorite dishes would be the Gorditas and the Sabultes de Pollo, which are both appetizers, and the Chicken Cazuelas. If you're going on a weekend, be sure to make a reservation or be prepared to wait. It can get pretty busy at times, especially before and after shows at Second City. Service can sometimes be spotty when the place is busy, but the waitstaff is generally great. There is outdoor seating in the warmer months, which is fun! The area is really nice, and Wells is nice to walk around on a bit after your delicious meal!
(4)Eldiva S.
This place is ok... but do not come here for "authentic" Mexican food... Overall - the food is just ok ... not bad, not good-not memorable. GOOD- This is a good place for groups b/c the place is 2 stories and huge and the drinks are pretty good! I only go back when we can't think of anywhere else to eat at the last minute with a big group. Best thing they serve is the mole pork tenderloin. Guacamole is worth getting and so is the trio of salsas. BAD- Masa boats- tasteless base and the toppings are also flavorless... how can you mess up fried food?! Salmon ceviche- ok - nothing special FINAL WORD- Go if you have a big group that you need to accomadate... BUT if you are a group of 4 or smaller- you can so do better than this place!! Good luck.
(3)Jaime S.
A friend and I recently set up a 4 course meal for 10 people to celebrate our bff's upcoming wedding. George (who I am assuming is the general manager) helped us to create a partially vegan menu and we had everything in place 2 weeks before the event. We were put in a private "nook" where we obviously got a little bit rowdy, particularly after we were given complementary lemon drop shots. Kyle our server was quick with bringing food and drinks and was such a good sport when we asked him to take our picture...with 7 different cameras. Great place for groups, not a break the bank place and the leftovers were devoured in the AM by most of the bachelorette party.
(5)Lisa Z.
This review speaks to the margaritas. Hands down the best margs I have ever had. I'm a lightweight and can unfortunately consume only 3 in one sitting. A travesty, for certain. The food is fine, probably overpriced. The guac is great, but the margs . . . oh, the margs!
(5)Stephanie L.
I really was looking forward to trying this place out. I was a little disappointed that they only have one kind of margarita that is served in a martini glass....does that seem weird to anyone else...??? Guacamole was amazing and they make it at the table. I also was really disappointed in the salsa selection...NONE of them were hot. There was like a smokey one, normal, green and some red...I wanted more spice for sure. I got the ceviche assortment which was pretty good, not amazing but not bad. Overall, it was just A-OK, perfect description.
(3)Ed N.
Sat at the bar...ordered a couple of drinks and some apps. The guacamole is a must, very tasty. The drinks were good, ordered a sangria and a watermelon/tequila drink. Very much hoping the poor reviewers will not be back so we can enjoy this nice restaurant.
(5)Carol K.
Can a girl live by margaritas and guacamole alone? I say, yes, if they are from Adobo Grill. I mean, let's face it. The main food groups are there-Alcohol, vegetables and chips- all served up with a smile. I happen to like the table side show of making the guacamole table side. While not new anymore- I remember the first time I went to this place it was a novelty. I also like that they ask if you want it mild, medium or spicy. If I were you- go for the medium as I love spicy but the last time I had it hot, my eyes watered through the entire dinner! (Maybe the guac maker had it in for us!) The entrees are good too. My favorite are the chicken enchiladas basted with mole rojo and topped with sour cream, onions and beans. Delicious! As for those margaritas- I've decided they have some kind of "truth serum" in them as every time I am there- my mouth seems to have a mind of it's own and I say things that I would never say otherwise. What's up with that? Want to know what I really think? Take me to Adobo Grill . . . .one margarita into the night and you will have your answer! I like the layout of this place with the booths tucked in along the side. The service is usually quite good (even when people from Second City stop in and try to push their way through). Parking is easy as there is a pay garage right around the corner on North. Sure- it's a chain. But it's one that I can count on for consistent food, great guacamole and margaritas that make me "spill my guts". Go and get you basic "food groups" taken care of- cuz this is one food pyramid that is easy to eat.
(4)Alex M.
So yeah, this place is awesome. I have been coming here almost every trip I have done to Chicago. Best are the tequila shots with the cucumber chaser. The food was good, wish it was a bit more though. I guess quality and quantity doesn't go hand in hand here. I could have eaten another place of food. But dropping $400 on dinner with half of it on tequila, at least they were nice enough to give us a round of shot on the house. Will be back.
(4)Sheila D.
The best guacamole and margaritas around! Been there several times and all of the dishes I've tried have been very tasty but honestly we keep going back for the guacamole and margaritas!
(4)Meghan T.
Checked out their menu this past Tuesday night during restaurant week, it was nothing to write home about, so our entire party ordered from the regular menu. As other yelpers have attested too, their table-side guacamole may be the best item on the menu. However, they don't compliment it with a great salsa, so you're left wanting more if you're a salsa fan like myself. I ordered the enchiladas (boring, I know) but there are some great steak and chicken dinners listed on the menu. My poor mother wanted fajitas which they don't even have a similar version of, so she resorted to ordering so-so chicken tacos. So, I was bummed that the waiter couldn't make a compromise or confidently offer any other recommendations she may enjoy just as well. I won't go out of my way to make a reservation again, but this would be a great spot to grab some appetizers and margaritas.
(3)Pierre H.
I guess for me being from Texas, this place really was fighting an up hill battle. The margaritas were so so and the salsas and sauces were very bland. I ordered the shredded pork that was roasted in a banana leaf. It was good. Everything that was part of my entree was good expect the corn tortillas. I felt the meal was better without it. But the restaurant was in a very nice part of Chicago, I think it was Old Town. I would definitely want to go party in that area again. Just probably wouldn't go to Adobo again. I think they were trying to hard to be something their not. Mexican food shouldn't cost that much...and if it does, you should for sure get it right.
(3)Michael F.
Good atmosphere. Food is mediocre at best. Guac is good as everyone mentioned but the main courses are undifferentiated and boring. Tastes like chain restaurant food.
(3)David G.
Come to Adobo when you want to splurge on some well made drinks. The Margaritas are good, but not strong. The Sangria is what knocks you on your butt. Both are going to put you down about $8. The guacamole is probably some of the best I've had. They make it right in front of you to your specifications. The food is mediocre and expensive. You're probably going to get better food down the street and for better value. I had the chicken enchiladas, and the sauce seemed to destroy any flavor the enchiladas may have had. My friend described it as a little too "Chef Boyardee", which is an exaggeration, but I could see where he was coming from. The portions are tiny. I think I ended up paying more than $30 individually, and that was for a couple of margaritas, guac and chips and the tiny enchiladas. Not too bad, but at any other Mexican dive, the same thing would cost me little more than $20. In conclusion, it's worth it just for drinks and appetizers, but if you want to have a full meal, be prepared to pay for it.
(3)Christy Q.
I was just here for a friend's birthday- and this place continues to impress. I've been here maybe twice before- long ago. And I never once had a bad experience. Of course, the standout of the night at Adobo is ALWAYS the guac! I love the lady that walks table to table mixing up delish guac right in front of your eyes. It's such a great touch! I don't know how she does it. When I try to replicate it at home, it's just not the same. Now the birthday girl eats gluten free and guess what? They have an extensive gluten free menu for just such an occasion. I myself ordered the chicken enchiladas which were the PERFECT size... especially after devouring 2 orders of guac! And don't forget the SANGRIA! OH, sangria... a few pitchers later the night took a dangerously fun turn ;) Our waiter was great- he even brought the birthday girl a complimentary dessert and made a fuss over her! The hilight of the trip, however, was (a few pitchers of sangira into my evening) during a trip to the ladies room. I managed to lead the entire bathroom in singing the entire Golden Girls theme song. People helping people- it's a beautiful thing. I guess our table wasn't the only one downing sangria by the pitcher.
(4)Tony W.
Service and drinks are good. Food looks and tastes like it was put together hours before and reheated in the microwave.
(2)Jill D.
Ok. Guacamole was really good but food just alright. Service wasnt bad.
(3)Isla E.
It's dependable, fast, and there is something for everyone. It doesn't make much sense to eat here when there are so many non-chain options for Latin American food in the city, but if you happen to find yourself here, you may be pleasantly surprized. The service was excellent. Never in my life, at a restaurant of this price range, has the waiter offered to bring me a taste of a dish I was uncertain about ordering. So that was cool; and as so many people have mentioned, they customize your guacamole tableside. Great for picky eaters. I went because we were going to Second City and it was convenient. It's an obvious choice, but a wise one.
(4)Kelly K.
I've been here a number of times for dinner, but never for brunch. The brunch menu is much more reasonably priced than the dinner menu, but they still serve their awesome guacamole! I had the pozole, which was good, especially for $10. My boyfriend had the chilaquiles, which were some of the best we've ever tried. To round it out, the churros were AMAZING, but the flan was pretty flavorless and too much on the gelatin textured side.
(4)Darrell Z.
The food was authentic, tasty and served hot but I would really focus my positive feedback on the staff. Very very friendly, and well aware of their customers. Many restaurants rush a meal, and many times in our hectic lives, we appreciate that - but in that rare occasion when you want to relax and take some time, many restaurants miss that cue - but not this time. The Adobo staff was wonderful and it was a great meal!
(4)Pamela C.
Adobo Grill is my new go-to Mexican restaurant. Fresh guacamole (made in front of you), the best margaritas outside of Mexico, a fun atmosphere, and excellent service. Adobo Grill rivals Topolobampo, with less pretensioness and more affordability.
(4)AJ L.
My friend dragged me in here while ranting and raving about the best guacamole ever. My expectations were exceedingly high after listening to this for several minutes. As soon as we sat down, the waiter asked us if we planned on doing the guac as if he was reading our minds! Then we had to choose how spicy we wanted it and so we chose spicy! I'll have to admit, she was right. It was thee best freshest guac I've ever had. Chunky, perfect acidity, perfect seasonings, and sooo much flavor. We slathered it on everything we ordered. The entrees were okay...but I felt it was too overpriced. Majority of their entrees were $16.00-$21.00...If ordering an appetizer, margaritas, guacamole, entrees, and then tip can get quite hefty on the wallet! The guac is the star here. Pretty restaurant interior and outdoor seating, great staff, excellent location, and nice spot for a date. I would go back.
(4)Mikee R.
Great staff. They were very tolerant when the group I was with had a few too many. Food was good.
(4)xenia b.
I had the Pechuga: marinated roast chicken breast with sautéed chayote, mushrooms, corn, rajas and ancho salsa, & it was delicious...mmm. The chicken was juicy and tender. Then they freshly prepared the guacamole right at the table and that was good as well. Great place so far to go out for dinner and drinks.
(4)Angela S.
The best 'ritas in town.
(3)Julie Z.
Excellent guacamole!!! The best I have ever had. They come over and make it in front of you which I don't really find that impressive but whatever, I guess some do. There are huge pieces of avocado in their guac...so freaking good! After that, there's not much else to rave about. I had a margarita which I requested on the rocks with salt. The server suggested I try their shaken margarita which they are known for. I succumbed to the pressure and was annoyed I did. I don't want to drink a margarita/martini. So I got my second margarita how I prefer and it still wasn't that great. It was very strong but the flavors needed to be blended better. I was so thoroughly unimpressed with the food. I ordered the veggie enchiladas and they were terrible. I basically ate the corn tortillas they were wrapped in and black beans. booo! It was actually pretty funny b/c as the night progressed and we were at a another establishment, my fellow diner also expressed how bad the food was. It's never comfortable to tell someone their selection of a restaurant blew but it's always funny when the truth comes out and you can banter back and forth about it. So, we decided the following: Go here to drink and sit outside and eat chips and guacamole. That's about it!
(3)Cecilie D.
I Have been to this place many times before as a newcomer to Chicago. Food and drinks have always been delicious, so when I saw an ad for their Easter Brunch, I knew it would be a hit! I gathered 8 of my friends, got dressed up, and headed over. Great price for all you can eat appetizers, desserts, and a choice of one entree. WELL, we all ordered the steak, which apparently is their best item on the menu..4 hours later, all 9 of us are puking our guts out. Why? FOOD POISONING from this place. We have been sick for 4 days now from this food and it has been absolutely dreadful...just like when I called the manager to let him know what happened, he still wouldn't refund our party because he had no proof of us being sick. Well, he just lost 9 valuable customers. So if your in the mood to puke and poop your life out, don't go to this restaurant.
(1)Holly W.
First of all I found this place about 7-8 years ago and fell in love with it because of their awesome margaritas!! I never really like the plain margaritas, I always ordered strawberry but I will not order a different drink from this place besides the adobo margarita! I met my boyfriend at adobo a year ago nov 3, we celebrated our 1 year anniversary last night at adobo. The menu was slightly different, we really enjoyed the sopes last time but we of course had to have their guacamole which is out of this world!! They make it to your liking right in front of you! We also had gorditas and flautas, so yummy!! The service was impeccable like always! Our waiter found out it was our anniversary and he gave us a another round of margaritas, dessert shot & dessert on the house!! We can't wait to go back! Never had bad service or food here!!! Oh btw the upstairs atmosphere is so cozy we choose to sit there!!
(5)Khadijah L.
Good solid mexican restaurant but I don't find it extraordinary. I live right down the street so I guess this is the closest place to get decent guac and margaritas!
(3)Claire S.
My boyfriend and I went to Adobo the first time last night and had a great experience. The food was excellent. I had the guacamole and chips and the lamb soup special to go along with a couple of Margaritas. The soup was absolutely delicious - I thought on par with anything Frontera or some of the more popular downtown Mexican places had to offer. The Margaritas and guacamole were very good as well. Our server was very attentive. To top off the night, we had a minor snafu with our groupon and the manager and server were both very gracious and helped us resolve the problem.
(5)Meredith B.
Went here last summer - one of the first restaurants I went to after I moved to Chicago. My boyfriend and I had a great table outside. My margarita was shaken tableside and was basically perfect - it was sweet and not too strong, so it had a great flavor. The guacamole didn't get prepared tableside (because we were outdoors) but it was absolutely delicious, and we had a huge portion! It wasn't too spicy or lime-y, just very creamy and great with the crispy chips. My entree (arrachera adobada) was flank steak in a mole sauce, with some beans and grilled tomatoes/onions on the side. I first tried to put the food in a tortilla, but was unimpressed by the results. The steak was MUCH better on its own, without being masked by the tortilla. The steak was very flavorful and juicy, and was paired wonderfully with the just-spicy-enough mole sauce. None of the side items were memorable, though they were a decent accompaniment to the entree. The churros we had for dessert were excellent - they were hot and just covered in cinnamon and sugar. I didn't care for the rich chocolate sauce (with cayenne pepper in it!) but the churros didn't need it. The service was outstanding. Our waiter was knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. He made recommendations and suggestions and always lead us toward something that we ended up enjoying. He made it a really enjoyable experience.
(4)KM Y.
Decent Mexican food, but not great. The table-side preparation of the guacamole was a nice touch and it was quite delicious. The ceviche also was good. The main courses were OK, but not all that authentic. The margaritas are really sweet (too sweet, in my opinion) and not all that strong. The plus side of Adobo is its location next to Second City (we were catching a show later).
(3)Princess D.
If you're looking for the typical Americanized Mexican restaurant, this place is not for you. This restaurant has an array of items on their menu. Their guacamole is outstanding made with all fresh ingredients. They make it in front of you and to your preference. The margaritas are okay. I have yet to try an authentic and delicious margarita here in Chicago. I had the pechuga entree which was very good. Service was good as well.
(4)James H.
Not bad, not wonderful... it was 'good'. Guacamole was very good, but kind of over-priced. Maybe it was just what I ate, but everything was sweet.
(3)Coll P.
A-OK is right. As everyone else has noted, guac is tasty...but the ceviche had hardly any fish in it and I simply wasn't impressed with the $$$ prices for average food.
(3)Connie T.
I've only been here twice, but I am a huge fan of this place! Both times have been excellent!! Let me break down the why's. Food: AMAZING MEXICAN FOOD!! I cam here with my boyfriend who is Mexican so he can vouch for the quality and authenticity of it... but even so. I've had my fair share of Mexican food (living in Pomona, California and the random cruise trips to Mexico) and I was having a blast. The guacamole is very very good... (my bf still makes it better) but I would definitely come here for my fix :) Also, they have this awesome margarita that is shaken into a martini glass with a easy brim of salt and a small chunk of floating lime. It's not overwhelming, the alcohol taste doesn't make you wanna pass out, and the balance is a perfect blend between sweet and salty. I love this drink and I don't even like margaritas. Must have!! Btw... they don't have the typical Mexican food like burritos... it's more upscale gourmet Mexican food so if you're looking for something basic, you'd best go to Taco bell or Chipotle. Service: Very friendly, and helpful. Ask them anything, they'll give you their honest opinion on what you should order. Also, they are funny guys! That's a plus. Ambience: Cool, cultural, earthy, slightly dark, and bustling. At least it was when I was there... and it was a random weekday night. Price: Honestly, more than I want to pay. Appetizers are like $8-$12, and dishes can range from $13-$20. But it's okay. Quality is important to me :) Other notes: - The second time I came here was because I found a groupon $40 for $20, and I was ecstatic because I already love this place. Look for deals if you want to try this place! - They also have a LONNNNNNG list of different types of tequilas so I imagine the bar scene can be pretty busy if you want to try them all... but yeah I've never done this so just FYI for you drunkards. - They also have certain nights where you can get a prix fixe menu and try their different tequila drinks (I think it's like $30 or $40 per person? Not too sure don't quote me) but I would've wanted to try this if I wasn't moving in 3 weeks.
(5)Kimberly R.
I went with the family for my birthday. I love their (table side made) guacamole!!! The food is very tasty and fresh. Our waiter Miguel was very attentive and showed great knowledge about the restaurant and food selections. He made my 6 year old son feel special by bringing him a virgin smoothie and speaking directly to him. Since it was my birthday I asked him to surprise me with my dinner and drink selection. He brought me a fabulous vegetarian meal, and I am not a vegetarian. I must admit it was great to taste all the robust flavors of the veggies and knowing I was eating healthy was a plus. Afterwards, they brought out a yummy dessert and offered my husband and me a birthday shots. I was surprise to find out that they have a private party room upstairs that they rent out for no additional room charge when you cater your party. Overall it was a great fun evening!
(4)Roben R.
Table side guacamole was the only thing I'd go back for. We had to ask for everything we needed twice. The rest of the meal was bland and the margarita's were just okay. Service was obviously lacking, since we had to ask for everything twice, i.e. hotter salsa, more sour cream, more margaritas. They were a friendly bunch, but it wasn't busy enough to explain our lack of requests being honored on initial request. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the location is fantastic, if you're going to Second City. There are too many choices in the area to be middle of the road.
(2)Debbie P.
My hubby arranged for our 11-person crew to go here for my birthday last night, and I had never been. This was unexpectedly gourmet Mexican food and it was delicious. For complete disclosure, I gluttonously sampled each of the following (I'm a total bite-snatcher): Guacamole - It's an on-the-fly station they bring right to the table, so you can tweak the ingredients to your desire. The portions are generous; we got two for our table of 11 and it was perfect. Lomito en Mole Negro (pork loin): The mole was perfection. So rich, so dark, so handsome ... Arrachera Adobada (grilled flank steak): tender and amazing Cochinita Bibil (pulled pork): also tender and delicious Pastel de Pina (dessert): Holy fluffy amazingness. So many flavors going on here, all of them delicate and so, so tasty. Flan del Abuelo Artemio (dessert): Great flan, not-so-great strawberries (rubbery) Churros with Ancho Chocolate sauce: AWESOME. The ancho choc. sauce is fantastic. Sangria: Pretty standard, but didn't leave me wanting at all. Margarita: Excellent, truly. And I'm not a margarita person. This thing was dangerously tasty. Service was excellent, very helpful and also clever; We ordered way more than we planned. But hey, it's my birthday. I do what I want. :)
(5)Chay K.
I came here with a Groupon, which we had no issues using. Their guacamole was amazing. One of the best I have had. My entree was very appetizing, as well. The staff was friendly and helpful. I particularly liked the decor of the place.
(4)Jessie S.
I've been to Adobo countless times, both in Lombard and Chicago.. And to be honest, the entrees aren't my style. They can be a little dry in general. BUT, the guacamole is so fantastic, i almost feel rude tattling about the other options. Furthermore, the house margaritas quickly remedy anything you aren't crazy about. I also would reccommend any of the ceviches. They really are delicious. I've had the chicken enchiladas, the masa cups, the chopped salad (which comes with pickled onions and that isn't on the menu! yuck!), and a few other random things.. none of them really worth mentioning But, sitting outside in the summer in old town, eating amazing guac and sipping a marg.. why would you even bother with the rest of the menu?
(3)Melissa B.
One of my favorites! If you love guacamole you have to have theirs! It's the best. I also love the margarita. I've never been disappointed in anything I've eaten. Oddly enough I lean towards vegetarian dishes here. I just have a hard time coming here often because it's a bit pricey for Mexican food IMO.
(4)Emann B.
Lovely service and fresh, delicious Mexican fare...perfect. Dropped in for margaritas and sangria outside and ordered medium guacamole, queso fundido, and the mushroom quesadillas. Rich, savory, cheesy goodness. The guacamole was fresh, rich, and creamy. My favorite tortilla chips go great with everything.
(4)B L.
I wasn't too impressed with this place. The prices are pretty steep and don't reflect a great quality in food. Sure, the guacamole is prepared fresh which is nice but that is seriously the only reason why I am giving this place 2 stars instead of 1. Everything else is just meh. Especially the drinks! I won't be back.
(2)Shelbi H.
I am a huge fan of Adobo grill. I took my family there last night and we had a good experience. The service was great, until it came to getting our check, but it was still fast. The food was also really great. The guacamole was delicious and made fresh right before your eyes. Overall, I'd say the food is a bit overpriced, but I was satisfied with it anyways. This is a great place to go. We were in and out in about an hour on a Saturday night.
(4)Enrique E.
I've been here a number of times with friends and the food is always great; compliments to the Chef!!!!!!!. The guacamole and the gorditas are amazing.However, I am a margaritas person and I have to say that the first time I visited I was very impressed by what I was drinking. But the consistency of the drinks is not always the same. By drinks I mean their Margarita mix.Somedays are better than others. Service is genarally great. It'll be nice if the staff smiled a little more :) Will be back soon.
(4)Renee D.
Visited recently to celebrate a friend's birthday. There were 12 of us and our server was great. She offered to help with a cake I retreived from my car, taking it to the back until the table was a little more clear. She was really nice the entire evening. I had eaten a snack prior to dinner, so I could not finish my meal....chicken tacos. I was disappointed, as they were very good. The margarita's were good, but nothing more special than anywhere else that makes their own. People rave about the guacamole...they must be right because I don't really ever seek it out, but I tried it and ended up getting thirds...it had flavor, unlike others I've had. I loved the atmosphere...you don't get it that good at suburban restaurants.
(4)Michelle T.
Thanks to a $25 gift certificate from Restaurant.com , Nick and I decided on Adobo Grill for dinner. The biggest draw of this restaurant is probably that they make the guacamole FRESH right at your table! The so-so food at Adobo Grill didn't wow either of us. Between the two of us, we shared 3 appetizers and 1 main dish. We were full, but without the gift certificate, dinner would have been $60. NOT worth it, according to our standards. RATING (out of 5): Taste: 3.5 (Above average) Originality: 3.75 (close to 4, but not quite there yet. Dishes on the menu were what you'd expect at a Mexican joint) Plating: 3 (not blown away whatsoever) Value: 4 (but only because we had a coupon for $25 off) Service/Atmosphere: 4 (Romantic and hip atmosphere with great service)
(3)M P.
I have been to this place a total of 4 times. Each and every time I have been satisfied! This place has great service, always so nice and warm. The guacomole here is by far the best I have had anywhere, the margaritas even better. The chopped salad amazing. Everything is just great. Whenever my boyfriend and I crave mexican this is the place to go. It's a great spend and always an awesome time. I have nothing bad to say about this place at all!! Overall amazing! Other than the place being rather narrow, but that is only an issue if I wanna get very specific and detailed. There is really nothing to complain about!
(5)Seema A.
Went here with some friends about a month ago. Good Margaritas. Decent Guac and decent Mexican. I like it because its in walking distance to other places in Old Town & its a cute fun atmosphere for groups.
(4)Ericka A.
Although the price was a little high and the service was a bit slow, my roommate and I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Their guacamole is delicious. The medium was perfect for my sensitive Minnesotan taste buds. They offer fresh squeezed orange juice, but I could have passed on it. Their enchilades de pollo were much better than the ones I had at another restaurant the night before. The red sauce perfectly complimented the shredded chicken and they didn't skimp on it. We would have tried the dessert pastel de tres leches, but our service was so slow that we had to decline and try not to get a parking ticket at our meter. My roommate didn't get his Pepsi until the third ask. Those are the only real complaints.
(4)Carolynne M.
I admit, I initially feared for Adobo. The neighborhood is just too chi-chi, the interior too big and too corporately "done". But I have to say, even though they could stand to make the gap between the price of the entree and the size of the entree smaller (right now things just seem pretty pricey for what you end up getting), the end result of the food is quite good. We started off with chips and salsa appetizer. This came with 4 different types of salsa - Pico de gallo; chipotle salsa; tres chiles salsa; and a Chef's special - which in our case was a pureed avocado with peppers that packed a little bit of a punch! (The spice level on this might be too heavy for some, but for me it was heavenly.) Then I ordered the fish tacos, which while good, were really small and almost appetizer size. I was glad to have gotten the chips at that point! Also, the service here was impeccable. From the attention at the bar (BTW, their version of a cosmo: good, but their Mojito: friggin amazing! you must try this!), to the host station, to our waitress, everyone was really cool, friendly and eager to please. Which was nice to see! Even the valet guys were great! This is a tough area for me to get to, but I would definitely come back if I had the chance.
(4)David R.
I almost never hedge with the star rating, but this is really a 3.5 to me. I came here once years ago with a large group and liked it, and have been meaning to return ever since. I tried to bring my parents here last year but we were aiming for late lunch/early dinner and they don't open until 5 pm. A friend visiting from out of town this week provided a good reason for four of us to meet here. The house margaritas were excellent. The table-side guacamole was all right, maybe a B-. I liked the table-side presentation, but there was too much lime and not enough other goodies in there. Throw me some more cilantro and onion in there. Also, we asked for medium-spicy and I tasted no kick whatsoever. My entree was decent--B. I had one of the specials: a chicken breast stuffed with spinach, chihuahua cheese, and tomatoes, served with a pyramid of poblano rice and a creamy corn salsa. Well-made and enjoyable but not extraordinary. I was the only who went for dessert (screw you for judging me), and I chose the Crepas con Cajeta. Apparently, cajeta is goats-milk caramel. This crepe was also stuffed with plantains, sprinkled with some sort of nut or seed which seemed like a pumpkin seed, and served with vanilla ice cream. Pretty good--another B. Service was adequate but uninspired. We didn't sit down until 9 pm (on a Thursday), so we had a nice quiet atmosphere in which to catch up and reminisce. In fact, we were the last ones in the place, but thankfully they did not shoo us out.
(3)Andy M.
I just can't get my head around the concept of high priced Mexican food. Those who know me realize how seriously I take my Mexican food. It borders on obsession. My love for Mexican food started in college when I was introduced to the splendor that is late night Burrito's filled with Steak, Chorizo and covered with Mole Sauce. Like every other Red blooded, American college boy, I would spend my weekend hours at the bar, hoping beyond hope that I would get laid, only to be left with the comforting thought that a Steak Burrito the size of a "74, Ford LTD would be in my future. Mexican food is about marinated meats, sauces and textures. It's about the ability to feast yourself into a coma for under $10.00. It's about area's like Pilsen, Humboldt Park and Uptown. It's about fun, delicious food that is totally unpretentious. What it's not about is a upscale, Boutique of a restaurant in Old town. The decor at Adobo is strange. It's Vegas version of a Pepe's Taco's. I have no idea what they were trying to get at with the Decor but to me, it was kind of odd. On a positive note, our server was wonderful. She was quite attentive to our drink needs and explained all the specials to us. For my entree, I ordered the skirt steak. It came with Rice, beans and tortillas. The steak was pretty tasty, but the portions were Billy Barty sized. I was actually thinking about stopping at the Burrito House on the way home. The highlight of the meal was the Chips and Salsa sampler that we ordered as a appetizer. It came with four different types of Salsas ranging from Wimpy, to Burn your Lips off hot. All four were quite tasty. I'm glad that I tried Adobo Grill. Although it was overpriced, it was a decent experience, but the next time I have a craving for Mexican food (which is daily) I will go elsewhere. There are many different dives, hole in the walls and street vendors that will fill my belly with better food without putting such a large dent in my wallet.
(3)Lauren M.
One of my very favorite restaurants in Chicago. The table-side guacamole and fresh made margaritas are as good as it gets.
(5)Stephanie W.
Meh. Good margaritas, mediocre service, thoroughly confusing restaurant layout when you're drunk and in heels. I've been here a few times, and simply can't bring myself to love the food. "Upscale Mexican" is just such a hard sweet spot to hit. Everything we've ordered has been just okay, even with tasting my friends dishes, so I'll probably stick to Cantina Laredo next time.
(3)Jessica D.
Adobo Grill was a great choice considering a had to pick out a restaurant last minute. I am not a fan of guacamole, but this was the BEST I had ever tasted. It is cool to see them prepare it in front of you too! The quesadillas were GREAT, trust me I am the quesadilla connoisseur. I was reluctant to order the margaritas since I prefer flavored and frozen, but this standard margarita on the rocks was top notch and very potent! I will definitely visit Adobo Grill again when I am not under pressure!
(4)Brett F.
It's true, the guacamole here is choice. Served fresh table-side with lots of lime juice and a nice spicy kick (unless you request it mild) it's some of the best guac you can get in Chicago and for the highest price... at $8.00 a pop it's not necessarily the best deal on the menu but it is impossible to pass up. The rest of the menu does follow suit with slightly higher prices than what you've come to expect for Mexican fare, but the quality of the amazing dishes more than makes up for it... the empanadas and sopes surtidos ("little masa cups") are yummy starters that are not only beautifully presented but positively delicious. The Arrachera Adobada Plate with grilled flank steak and veggies was juicy and perfectly cooked, but when ordered with the intention of sharing, it fell a bit short with portioning... kinda skimpy. On a side note, I also once hosted an event here upstairs in one of their party rooms for 45 people. The room was lovely and appointed like the rest of the space... lots of gorgeous Mexican tiling and artwork, tons of candlelight and our private bar was on point. Add in their attentive service, it was very impressive to my clientele!! We did tons of passed hors d' oeuvres, their signature fresh guacamole, hand shaken margaritas and premium liquor for all under $35 p/head. Viva Adobo Grill!! The party was such a fantastic deal while just a dinner or lunch here often seem overly-expensive. Hmmm.... Either way I often find myself dreaming about that guacamole so I know I'll be back. As a matter I fact, I think I hear that Adobo Margarita served martini style calling my name as I type. Gotta jet..... ........I'm coming Tequila!!!!!!!
(4)Andrew K.
This place has been around for awhile and their claim to fame is their guacamole made table-side. It is amazing, but that should be the only reason to go there. The rest of the food and drinks including the Carne Asada are not good and way overpriced. In for the guac then time to move on.
(2)Clif P.
Fantastic Mexican food! Tons of options, including vegetarian, fish, and meat! Great Margaritas! Great atmosphere! Great Service! Next to Second City! I strongly recommend this restaurant. (The only drawback is their outdoor seating. I've witnessed homeless people try to ask for change in that area. Also, the intersection has quite a bit of noise from traffic congestion).
(5)Jacquelyn G.
Scored an outside table for happy hour on Friday night. Beautiful weather, good drinks, good guac. We made the mistake of ordering entrees, though, and I could've done without. I had a hard time deciding because quite frankly, nothing was really appealing to me. So many things have mole sauce which I'm not a fan of. So I opted for the chile relleno. It was like none I've had before. And not in a good way. First of all, it was this huge rectangle in a pile of liquid on the plate. How is a pepper rectangular in shape? And why the pool of liquid? Yuck. It wasn't remotely crispy, and it was just totally unappetizing. I dug out some of the cheese and called it a day. My husband's pork tacos didn't look much better. Just mediocre food, at best. I'd go back for drinks and chips + guac, though. Good people-watching on the patio.
(2)Abhay S.
Came out to Adobo Grill with some friends last night with some friends from out of town. We made reservations for 6:45 and the restaurant was able to quickly seat us when we showed up. Our service staff was awesome. The staff made sure our water glasses were always full. When it came to ordering, our waiter answered all of our questions appropriately. We ordered some gauc and salsa as our appetizers. The gauc, as many have mentioned, is excellent. It's made right at table side and the staff will ask you how spicy you want it (we went with medium this time, I would normally get spicy). The salsa was pretty good as well, but I'm not sure I'd order it next time. My friend and I both ordered a flank steak dinner and the waiter told us that the steaks are cooked "medium rare". We both asked for the steaks to be done "medium" and they actually came out a little more pink than I would have liked. (Now I wonder what medium rare looks like...) Overall though, our food was excellent and service staff was very prompt. One thing though, we did kind of notice that once we indicated that we won't be ordering any desserts, our waiter kind of "disappeared". Not sure if the restaurant got a little more busy or what, but he was really prompt up to that point and then we got stuck waiting around for him to process our credit cards for payment. I think the damage was about $130 + gratuity. That's a little more than what we normally spend, but not bad for an excellent meal.
(5)Jenny T.
Came here over the weekend & it was packed. I had been before, but didn't really remember anything besides it being pricey. Got seated within twenty minutes & had chips & table side guac within minutes. Delish! We then ordered & devoured the delicious guac. Our entrees arrived - 1 veggie combo platter, 1 tilapia dish, 1 carne asada, and 1 shrimp with rice. All received thumbs up. I had the shrimp dish & while it was tasty, I wished there was a bit more variety. The shrimp were good, but after eating 4 I was bored. The rice was good & the random zucchini in it made it even more delicious. I'd like more please! I also tried the carne asada dish - pretty yummy, but pretty standard. The potatoes that came with it, however, were completely addicting. Still hungry? Why not orderetwo desserts?! The churros with the chocolate dipping sauce was outstanding. So fresh, so warm, so velvety. Lucky us! The tres leche cake was not what I have had before & was more of a pecan cake drenched with a simple sugar syrup. Eeehhh, could have done without. Do I think I'll come here again? Not sure. Do I think if I'm craving Mexican in my neighborhood I'd end up here?...depends if Las Pinatas has a wait or not.
(3)Kira M.
(2.5 stars) On our very first night in Chicago, my father and I trekked from The Loop to Lincoln Park to join one of my college friends for dinner at Adobo Grill. We walked in well before our reservation time (Having only been in the city for a day, I was still shaky on estimating the time it would take to get around. Sue me.), so we settled in at the bar until she arrived. I decided to kill time with an Adobo Margarita. Oh. Wow. Phenomenal. Best margarita I had ever tried. Perfect blend of acidity, tartness and sweetness. Save for the fact that its alcohol content was 0%. All the calories without the buzz. Le sigh. When we were seated in the fun, tri-level, salmon-colored space, I followed my friend's advice and ordered the Enchiladas de Pollo. Too bad I forgot that I don't like chicken. Especially flavorless, mealy chicken.
(3)Amanda Z.
Margarita and girl talk, commence at Adobo. We were almost able to forget that Chicago was under yet another snow storm warning in our sunny little area with its warm yellow walls and ceramic touches. Our objective? Have a few margs, a few appetizers and go home happy. Guacamole was prepared tableside and almost as good as mine. (Take THAT with a grain of salt, as I am Irish-German...but in my opinion, I do make some good guac...) I enjoy the fact that they prepare it to your liking, whether you're a no cilantro, no onions, mild kinda girl, or a full throttle "mortar and pestle the crap out of all those ingredients" kinda girl (yeah, that's me). Yep, it's a little pricey, but as one very astute coworker noted, "The margaritas are served up here, which is better because there is nothing in the way between you and the liquor. No stupid ice to dilute it." Well said, my friend. Come here for the margaritas and guacamole. Leave happy. We did. Salud!
(4)Stephenie R.
We held our rehearsal dinner here on Friday 9/20/13 and were so happy with everything!! The service was awesome, the food is obviously great, and Lucy was amazing to work with!! We highly recommend it as a cozy space to host a fun event. The pricing was very reasonable and the thole evening was perfection.
(5)Fahim F.
Delivers a truly authentic experience with spanish music, paintings and friendly staff.
(3)Tim A.
had the poc chuc, it was excellent. Would be 5 stars if their margaritas weren't so small.
(4)Stacey L.
Popped in here for a quick bite before heading to Second City. BEST chips and guac in Chicago!!!! Place packs them in so, if you are rushed, try the back bar upstairs. Super cool room, quick service and tasty drinks. Plan to head back for dinner soon.
(4)Jeri J.
Ever since I moved to Old Town I have been excited to try Adobo Grill. I had heard about the table side guacamole and had to step foot into that place! My boyfriend and I finally went there on a Friday night and we were surprised at how small the place was. We were taken to a corner table for two, but literally had a group of four next to us that I could hit with my elbow. They were having a very heated political discussion and we couldn't help but listen because we couldn't hear each other over them! As for the food, my entree was pretty good. However, I was not impressed by the guacamole. It was just okay...not worth going in for.
(3)Callan C.
I really like Adobo. Yes, I agree it isn't affordable, the menu is small and it is fancy Mexican. What's great about though is the salsa, guacamole, and location. Great place to grab a margarita and some guacamole and while away an hour or two. Other than that stuff the menu has some good items. Lots of fish, vegetarian, and fine meat dishes. Most of it is high quality and tastes great. The service has always been attentive. Nice spot.
(4)Amelia S.
Meh... it wasn't my favorite place in the world, but I was craving something besides breakfast food at 11 am on a Sunday. The host was really nice. My sister and I strolled in hungover (morning after St. Patties) in our sweats (you don't need to dress up to eat here... but we definitely felt out of place) and my sister apologized for our appearances and the host said "what are you talking about? You look beautiful!" It was a lie... but he earned some brownie points. We started out with table side guacamole. It was pretty good. I'm one of those people who doesn't like a lot in their guac though. I usually just like garlic, salt, onion, and chunky avocado. My sister loved it though and said it was on the top 5 best she's ever had. Then we ordered the "Las Cazuelas" which were okay. The chorizo one was bomb... but I have a huge fucking crush on chorizo. The plantain was was decent... better at first and then just became dull, and then the mushroom one was good. Last, we split the corn- plantain pancakes. That was pretty good... different. I immediately placed one of the eggs over the top of the pancake and used the yolk as syrup and then sprinkled the chorizo and the agave syrup over it. I like to make a "sandwich" out of any meal. Next time I came here it would probably be for drinks and chips w/ gauc. Service was really good and so was atmosphere.
(3)Viral P.
The best GUACAMOLE in town!! I luv this place and I'd recommend it anytime if you like mexican food. I never used to like guac so much, but this place has completely changed my paradigm. I crave for guac nowadays!! They have a few vegetarian plates and they are amazing....i'd recommend the quesdillas, veg enchiladas, sopes (somedays they say they can make it vegetarian and somedays they say they cannot...haha), isnt that funny!! Oh and yes they have good margharitas...check it out!! All in all, i dont mind going to this place again n again....luv it :-)
(5)Chi G.
Adobo catered a private party at my house on 9/22. The food was amazing and plentiful. They sent several people over to setup before the party and pickup at the end of the party. Hemma served as our bartender for the evening and did an awesome job on the cocktails, and thankfully cleaned as she went and made my job of cleaning up the next day much easier. We had the guac, tuna seviche, several entree's, desert, margs and mojito's and all was excellent. Thank you Adobo for making my birthday a special one!!
(5)sandra h.
Besides great guacamole this place has some very tasty entrees. I had the grilled tamarind chicken and it was very good. There are a few interesting options for vegetarians such as butternut enchiladas. We went here before going to second city - which is right next door. Be sure to make a reservation because this place is packed.
(4)William L.
I had dinner at Adobo Grill with a group of friends while on vacation, and everybody had a good time. The drinks were terrific, the food was excellent, the service was fine and the decor was pleasing too. This is as good of a Mexican restaurant as I have ever been to; however, this is excluding Tex-Mex restaurants. Now that I think about it, I have not been to that many true Mexican restaurants. Nonetheless, this place is great, and I highly recommend it!
(5)Kate W.
I'll keep this simple. They have the greatest mojito ever assembled. That's right, ever. In the history of mojitos, there is none better. This is not your typical mojito. There is no rum. Instead, it's tequila. Yep, tequila. Now that's MY kind of mojito! They also mix the crushed mint leaves with crushed basil leaves too. I'm obsessed with basil, it's my favorite spice. And it's unbelievably good mixed with mint, tequila, and whatever soda they use. Lastly, they give you a quarter of a sugar cane stick to stir the drink. Yeah, I ended up chewing the stick... it's tasty. Don't judge me! I will also mention the good margarita that I had, but nothing can sway me from the deliciousness that was their mojito. I had a quesadilla and a bunch of us shared chips and salsa. All the food was good. I am also now in love with their salsa that tasted like it had some liquid smoke in it. Smokey salsa is very tasty, and I don't really even like tomatoes. It's a shame they don't sell it in stores. Lastly, the service was great. We had a large table upstairs and the service was amazing. They did a fantastic job with our large party that had people coming and going.
(5)Jackie C.
Overall a good place but not my first pick for Mexican. The highlight, as other reviewers have pointed out, is the tableside guacamole. The entrees were good but nothing special, especially considering the price. We were with a good-sized group and it would have been nice to have a pitchers option for sangria or margaritas. The service was polite but I felt we had to ask the waitress for a lot of things she should have handled immediately (extra roll ups, extra napkins, etc). Try it if you must but our favorite Mexican in this style would be New Rebozo (Oak Park) or Frontera/Topolobampo.
(3)Molly G.
I came here last night with friends and the food and service were excellent! We were seated right away (Fri night with no reservation) and I liked their complimentary coat check. I think the waiter was slightly annoyed that we only ordered appetizers but after we pounded a few drinks, I think he felt better. I had the tilapia ceviche, which was outstanding. I can't wait to come back and try their tableside-made guac.
(4)Andrea R.
I'm a big fan of the guacamole they make right at your table and their margaritas are pretty good, but as far as the entrees I think there are much better Mexican restaurants in Chicago.
(3)Mopsie B.
I went to the opening several years ago but was only back yesterday, as I was in the neighborhood for a concert. The food was good but I have to agree that the menu is somewhat limited and the prices are a tad high for what they are offering. Also, why are there only one type of tacos and why are they fried? I guess having lived in Denver and having easy access to New Mexico, I have been really spoiled by the abundant, fresh and affordable Mexican/Southwesten cuisine in that region. Anyway, they also didn't seem to have Patron Silver on their extensive tequilla list, which I found odd. But the guac is terrific and I have no complaints about any of the food we ordered. The mojito was very tasty but did not pack much of a kick, honestly. I would go back if I was in the neighborhood again. One tiny little annoyance: the bus boys were WAY too insistent and continuously interrupted our conversation and were hawking the table at all times. It was very intrusive and uncomfortable. They need to be trained better.
(3)Alyssa F.
Bleh. I want to give a worse review than this place really deserves, because of my (MUCH better) experience at their other location in Indy. My boyfriend and I were there a month or two ago and stumbled across the Adobo there (which we at first thought was a chain, actually). The food was SO GOOD, it wasn't terribly expensive, and I really liked the decor/setup, not that he particularly cared about any of that. After we were finished eating, I looked it up on my phone, and we were excited to notice that, while not a chain, there was a location back in Chicago, so we made a note to go there sometime soon. Well, sometime soon was yesterday afternoon, and it definitely didn't stand up to our previous experience. We walk in, and I notice that the theme and decorations are all the same - cool. But when we sit down and pick up our menus - our tiny, tiny menus - we were confused. We seriously asked the waiter if we had the brunch menus. It was like they sliced 60-70% of the menu off of what we had in Indy, including the delicious chicken enchiladas I had gotten and been craving ever since. We considered leaving, but we were already there and sitting down, so we just decided to stay and order, which ended up being a decision we probably could have done without. The food was nothing special. It wasn't BAD, it just ... was nowhere near as good as it had been at the other location. (They were also far less attentive with refilling our chips and salsa, for those of you, like us, who look forward to that aspect of Mexican restaurants.) Oh, and apparently they charged us $3.50 for a Sprite. So I'm torn. I know we definitely won't be going back to this location, because the quality of the food doesn't justify the price, at least for us compared to our first experience. But it's really not an objectively bad restaurant, and it is better than some other cheaper/comparable places. I'm going to have to go with three stars, since it wasn't really terrible, but I'll leave you with this - while I wouldn't tell you to NOT go there (unless you've been to the one in Indy, and then I will, because you'll just be disappointed) I would definitely not recommend it over other places you could go.
(3)Lauren S.
Good food, decent service, and nice atmosphere - a solid Mexican restaurant overall. I wish we weren't stuck in a corner in the back, but oh well. In terms of food, I ate the Shrimp dish under "Platillos Adobados" based on my waitress's rec, and it was really tasty and well-presented, too. The shrimp was in a sweet brown sesame seed sauce, which was great, and had some plantain rice and zucchini alongside. Yum.... and paid $20. There was also a really cute side area for a group of maybe 12-ish to sit at!
(3)Scott R.
Love the margaritas....!!! Oh yea and the food is great
(4)Nathan K.
A few of us stopped here before a show at Second City. As everyone has probably noted, the guac is prepared tableside and is absolutely amazing. It alone almost warrants the four stars. The entrees weren't too shabby either. I ended up getting the carne asada, which was solid and the enchiladas were good as well. Also our service was great especially considering we were in a hurry to get to the show. Overall I've had better Mexican but it was still delicious and I would still recommend it to those looking for some food near Second City.
(4)Sandra M.
I met a friend at Adobo Grill as she suggested it. I was very impressed with the place. We started out at the bar and ordered margaritas. Probably one of the best margaritas I've had in a long time. When our table was ready, we were seated upstairs. It was very cute and cozy up there. We were happy they also had a tv up there playing some Big Ten football. We ordered the guacamole which they make right in front of you. The guacamole was amazing! For dinner I ordered both the empanadas and mushroom quesadillas since they were smaller plates. Both were excellent. The sauce on the empanadas was so good. I left there there feeling very full and satisfied. I would definitely suggest this restaurant.
(4)P H.
This place used to be great, but it's gone downhill the past couple of years. Their guacamole is still phenomenal and their margaritas aren't bad either, but, besides that, their food is not very good and the service is so-so. I miss the Adobo from 3-4 years ago when it used to be awesome.
(2)Brad F.
This place was great i got the arrechetas, i think. I was absolutely hammered when i came for dinner here during the art fair, and it was really good. I dont like guacamole, but they handmake it in front of you. My friends say it was good and it looked good. Definitely coming back here
(4)Colleen B.
I typically only eat mexican food at places that have the biggest margarita glasses. What a mistake! Adobo serves great food. And the guacamole that they prepare tableside is wonderful. Yes, I promise. You wont forget to order it, because they ask you as soon as you sit down. The margaritas, while not enormous, are delicious and pack a punch, so don't worry that they aren't bigger than your face.
(4)Christy J.
Yum! I love Adobo! If you want the best guacamole you've ever tasted... look no further. The guac is made right in the middle of the restaurant and comes to your table in the huge bowl they mixed it in. The entree's are just as good and the margaritas are delicious and unique. Don't go to old town without trying Adobo.
(4)Ina J.
The food left a lot to be desired, for the price...I expected better.
(2)Sophie E.
I've eaten here a number of times, and recommend it. I really love how innovative the menu is. Not your cliche' tex-mex enchilladas!! Rather, they offer creative, fresh, and tasty fare!! Here's an example: I ordered an appetizer, consisting of four sweet masa cups each filled with a different mexican filling: shimp and tomatoes, plantain, sausage, and mushroom/veggie. Outstanding!! Other dishes I've had were equally innovative and tasty. The tableside guacamole was a bit too salty for my taste, but I trust other yelpers' opinions that it's good.
(4)Kristi D.
We had a large group here and we got a private room for our function. The price was a little high ($39 per person with tax and gratuity added in) but we all left stuffed. We got several appetizers, the guacamole rocks, the jimaca mango salad was delish, the chicken appetizer was good. The flank steak is what I usually order, the portion is a little small for the price but it comes out beautifully prepared, tender and juicy. The dessert was great too, even if I only had a bite because I was ready to burst!
(4)Tom C.
This is definitely your high end Mexican place. The food here was really good especially the guacamole. We had the skirt steak and some appetizers and the steak was done perfectly. The atmosphere of this place is really nice and the margaritas are strong and good. I recommend this place but I don't plan on making it a regular dining spot.
(4)Eric M.
I will admit that the guacamole made tableside is very impressive and fun, sadly there's only enough for maybe two people. The margaritas are strong, which is good, but unfortunately the food is only ok. Nothing had me hoping to come back for a second visit.
(3)Ali D.
Four stars because I LOVE their margaritas. They are totally my favorite. I would not go for the food as often if I didn't enjoy the margaritas so much. The star of the meal. We always get the guacamole. Yes it is very fresh and tasty, but I still think it is funny that people always comment that it is made table-side... not really unique. Anyway, still recommended. I do think its a little annoying that they charge for salsa.... again, I overlook that small fact for my margarita love. Our meals are always better than your generic plate of tacos and refried beans, there is some creativity in all the entrees and appetizers - yet something to still please a picky eater with some staples on there. However, this is middle of the road and while the meals are tasty, they aren't awesome enough to rave over individual dishes.... but the margaritas I loooovvveeeee!
(4)Flip N.
Great Guacamole, as everyone has mentioned! For entree, our waiter recommended the Pollo al Tamarindo and it didn't disappoint. Looking forward to coming back again
(4)Jessica S.
WA WA WEE WA. So delicious, so fresh, so amazing. Mama dragged me out of bed on a Sunday morning to come here and thank God she did. Started out with FRESH FRESH FRESH guacamole. They roll out the cart with all of the ingredients, ask you how you want it prepared (mom requested it mild to medium) and then make it there right in front of you with a fresh avocado and all the fixins. Served with warm chips. Mom indulged in the Tamirand Chicken dish - served with what she described as "an amazing Mexican BBQ" sauce. Looked delicious, and the chicken was huge. She took home half of it after leaving stuffed! I wasn't super hungry so I was completely satiated (and then some) with my gordita appetizer. I'm not a fan of corn tortillas, but my gorditas were delicious nonetheless thanks to the meaty braised pork and savory sauce. Will absolutely be back, and will absolutely order a larger meal. However, I will be sure to request my mojito with rum because apparently, as my mom (surprisingly) discovered, they make theirs with tequila! Woops!
(4)Carrie B.
I went to Adobo Grill on Wells this past weekend. Excellent drinks! I had the pineapple tequila and rum cocktail, which was yummy. I always order chicken fajitas, which they don't technically have on the menu, but the closest thing was the platos adobados, which was basically the same thing in corn tortillas. My boyfriend ordered the tamales, which he loved. The thing to order is definitely the table side guac made fresh. I also enjoyed the trio of salsas that were served with the chips - not many places give you any variety, it's usually just one salsa, and it always seems to be too spicy and hot for me! The food is average - not the best mexcian, but pretty good. I like the ambiance - lively on a saturday night, pretty spacious and spread out, not too loud, young crowd. I would probably go back again, although I prefer a place with fajitas.
(3)Chris K.
This was the perfect meal for a pre-Second City dinner. We had the table-side made, guacamole, margaritas and two terrific meals (one of us is vegetarian). We will be back, with great enthusiasm!
(5)Danielle B.
We only came for drinks but I have to say these guys make one great margarita and their chips and salsa are great too! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)Tony G.
Amazing fresh guacamole made at table side to your specified level of heat!
(3)Rob L.
For years I have driven by, heard, read, talked about this place. I was interested. Seeing that I had a outing to Second City that night, a friend and I came here for dinner. We sat in the bar area, the place wasn't too busy, the hostess was nice and I got a table off to the side. I looked at the menu, tasty sounding food, fresh guacamole, margaritas... Oh My! How can I go wrong? The guacamole is pretty darn good and trust me, I oh so appreciate having someone ask me if I would like it spicy. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to a place and wished for a little kick in the pants spice. I am not talking "I need a new shirt because I sweated through this one already" hot, just a little touch, a taste of heat. This really made me happy, the fact that they make it right by you and you know its fresh puts it over the top. Aaaaaaand that is all I really was impressed by. The margaritas, although tasty, really didn't wow me that much. I am also a self confessed light weight, (seriously I can feel a slight buzz after one glass of wine many times), not that I am looking to get tanked, but I do like to feel a little something. The ceviche was good, but not that great. I felt like it was lacking some punch, perhaps even a little more, (dare I say? Dare! Dare!), a tad bit more citrus? My chicken enchiladas were good, the masa was fresher than some places, but honestly I felt like there was some depth missing from the food. I always love Mexican for its great character of flavor, the smokiness, the 5,000 ingredients in a mole... to me, this was a slightly watery tomato sauce and was all right dinner. We were on a time restraint so no dessert, but really, I don't know if I would be going for some, (yes, I don't do dessert every time so pick your jaw up from the floor please.... thank you), and off we went. I will say the prices are a little up there, and most of my friends know, I don't mind plunking down for a good meal, but this was okay. The service was good, but for the food and everything, I came away not excited to tell people about it. I'd come back if I didn't have a choice, but would I run back? Meh... probably not.
(3)Raana A.
Between my last two visits, we ordered margaritas, salsa (yeah, btw, it doesn't come with chips at this Mexican joint) chicken enchiladas and the vegetarian sampler. For $15 per entree, I have to say the portions are small and the chicken didn't taste very fresh. Here is my breakdown: Pros: - Margaritas - Guacamole - Salsa - Wells St. patio Cons: - Overpriced - Food isn't really authentic or very good - Service is a bit spotty, probably because they were pretty busy on my two recent visits. Adobo gets a solid 3 starts in my book. Great for margarita's and chips with guacamole and salsa, but I wouldn't bother coming back for dinner.
(3)Tiff W.
Yes, the guacamole is as good as everyone has been saying. It reminds me of the Little Mexican Cafe in Evanston, where they roll a cart to your table and make the guac right in front of you. Do they have secret ingredients or something? Or maybe they've perfected the guac due to almost every table ordering it...because the stuff I make at home sure doesn't taste as good as this. The sauce on the chicken enchiladas was pretty amazing. And unlike some places that bake them for so long that the ends of the enchiladas get too crusty and dry, the corn tortillas on my enchiladas were perfect. The chorizo vazuelas were also really good, but they were too cheesey (AM I REALLY SAYING THAT?!). They were also a little too salty for my liking. Overall a satisfying meal that fixed my Mexican craving.
(4)Mini M.
This place has absolutely the best sangria that I have ever had!!! I loved the appetizer! They make the guacamole right in front of you and it is awesome. The food was very good and the atmosphere was great. I went there on Thursday and Friday, and both days it was lively and fun atmosphere. I will definitely go again!
(5)Antoine B.
Simply the best steak ever: Marinated in tequila! After their homemade guac', I now have another reason to go back there again and again!
(5)Marie B.
Update 9/19/2007 Although my experience was a nasty one, I must give the manager at Adobo credit. He called me over the weekend to see how I felt. In addition, he offered to give me credit for my entire $80 check?! Certainly, not something I would have expected!! Wow!! That's customer service!! Is it possible to remove stars from an establishment?! Like - 5?! After having a marvelous daiquiri and testing their to-die-for guacamole here, I decided to return for a meal. MAJOR mistake! The dishes I had/tasted were way off base! The crab empanada was awful. The worse combination of flavors imaginable. The duck tamale was little better...as a matter of fact, it was merely a huge hunk of cornmeal...there was so little cheese, duck meat and mole that I thought I was eating spoon bread! All these things I could forgive. Except, after eating these less than palatable dishes, I got sick, sick, sick. Sicker than I have ever been in my life! Major GI distress (if you know what I mean)! 48 hours later and I still feel as if an army is at war in my tummy....polite words cannot describe. To compound the issue, when I called the restaurant (at my doc's nurse's suggestion) to see if anyone else had reported food poisoning, the manager was downright condescending. He vehemently denied receiving any complaints and kept telling me that my symptoms were not food poisoning -- contrary to the doctor's diagnosis?! I never want to see another Adobo again!!
(1)Sarah P.
The guacamole made right at your table is by far the highlight of Adobo Grill. It is rolled out on a cart and the server makes it mild, medium or hot, per your request. The guac is served with warm chips. Yum. I enjoyed a glass of sangria and my friend had a margarita. Both were delicious. My entree was marginal. It was partly my fault, as I ordered a chopped salad. I mean, how exciting can that really be?! Well, it wasn't exciting at all and the flavors seemed to compete. Should have gone for a more authentic dish. Next time.
(4)Amanda B.
One of my favorite neighborhood spots- Great table-side guacamole, even better margaritas, and a different type of mexican menu. My roomate and I go here regularly and almost always split the tamales and a combination of cazuelas aong with guacamole of course. Highly recommend!
(4)Nicholas T.
The guacamole is the best part of this place. Every Mexican place does table side guac prep now, but they do it really well here. I wish I could say the same for the entrees and service. We were there on a Saturday night, and sat outside. It was great to be out on the street in Old Town with the beautiful weather, but slooow service and mediocre food dampened the experience. I was excited to see mole on the menu, but it was bland. The chicken the mole topped must have been put in a pan with a bit of olive oil, and nothing else, there wasn't a spice to be tasted. Continuing the search for good Mexican in Chicago....
(3)Kate W.
One of my best girls wanted to meet here after work during the week. Okay, fine, I had no reason to disagree. Adobo was fine. Exactly that. Nothing extraordinary, nothing disappointing. It's simple Mexican and I suppose disappointing if you're used to traditional dishes. We shared guac, veggie enchiladas and special cerveche. Each dish was just fine. Again, nothing extraordinary and no reason to go out of my way to return. If I lived in Old Town, then maybe, but Lakeview and the surrounding areas have more to offer and I'll stick closer to home rather than picking Adobo.
(3)Ali V.
This is very convenient for a show at Second City, but if you're paying for dinner yourself, there are probably other places you could go for a better value. The vegetarian platter was somewhat bland.
(2)Brenda M.
I went to Adobo Grill this past weekend on a date because a friend told me about the awesome, made-at-your-table guacamole. We showed up really hungry and without a reservation and the host told us there was a wait or we could sit in the bar area where they served the full menu, so we sat there. We ordered cocktails, which were delicious, and guacamole right away. Two seconds later out comes our guac...already made?!?!? Apparently in the bar seating, they don't make it at your table and charge the same price?? Boo, hiss! My enchiladas were decent and my date said his chicken dish, I can't remember which one, lacked flavor. The service was very fast, even to the point of being rushed. I know it was a Saturday night but when you shell out $70 including tip, you shouldn't be shooed out of your table after 45min.
(2)Rachel M.
I can't really think of any negatives about this place, except for the prices. Service was excellent and accommodating for our large group, and food was great (although portions were small-ish if you're expecting typical Mexican food). I just can't get over the prices. We left paying $78, and I had a bowl of tortilla soup and my husband had the tamales appetizer. We each had a margarita, 2 Corona's, and shared a tequila flight (which was $10, not too bad). Now granted, that was a bit to drink, but not crazy for a happy hour. I was shocked that we spent that much, when we only had appetizers to eat. Friends came late, shared some tiny quesadilllas and a few drinks and owed $40. It's just waaaaaay too much money, more than I ever want to pay for Mexican food. I've been spoiled by other cheap, good mexican places.
(3)Alex S.
The guacamole was fantastic, but our entrees left something to be desired.
(2)Melissa M.
Adobo Grill has some fantastic food. I highly recommend the guacamole. They make it right at your table and it's so ridiculously good you'll want to lick the bowl -- seriously. I had already has some apps at Quartino so I didn't get an actual entree during my past visit -- but I have had entrees there before and they were fantastic. Last night I had the shrimp ceviche ... SO GOOD ... and very light. Three shots of tequila and 2 coronas later I found myself at Burton place trying to build up the courage to karoke. Luckily a colleague took the heat off me and sang "Bye, Bye, Bye" solo ... phew. Thanks Brian. I will never forget your incredible performance.
(4)Jill S.
Love Mexican food, Love Adobo. It's best to go here if you want to try some actual entrees/dishes, because you cannot get a la carte items such as one taco, or one tamale... I went on a beautiful day to sit outside and clearly enjoyed the guac and chips. For my meal I went a little on the lighter side and ordered the Chicken and Portabello Cazuela.. which is a sort of casserole that comes with melted cheese on top and is served with warm corn tortillas to make your own tacos. It was absolutely wonderful. My date ordered the Chorizo and green pepper Cazuela, which I tried, and it was delicious chorizo! So all in all, wonderful for a more upscale sort of Mexican joint, and in a neat little area. Enjoy!
(5)Leilo P.
I went to Adobo Grill before I went to Second City, which I'm sure is how they get a lot of their customers. I had a great time. Our waiter was the nicest, most comical character. He danced a little for us while he made the fresh guacamole. I had the stuffed pepper with cheese and rice. I also had Sangria and a Margarita. This was definitely not the best Mexican food I've ever had, but it was good. I agree with the consensus however that the prices are steep for Mexican. I went with my California-raised Mexican roommate who said she liked the food, not the prices.
(3)Eliza B.
We went to Adobo last night and weren't very impressed. The place was packed, granted it was a Saturday night and this is restaurant week and they are participating in it. It just seemed very unorganized. We had a reservation for 7:30. By 7:45 we still weren't seated and they began seating people who came in after us. My husband went up to the hostess stand to check the status of our seating and it was pretty much "oops we forgot". The service was slow., until it came time for the check Our server was pretty much non existent most of the time. The Sangria was nothing special and pretty sweet. I've certainly had much better. I had the empanadas and my husband had the tamales. The sauces on each were good, but the actual dishes themselves were again just fair. For an entree, I had the pork tenderloin in mole negro and my husband had the salmon. Again, the sauces were good but everything else was just "meh", The pork was medium rare on the verge of rare. Unfortunately there wasn't really anyone to address this with. My dessert was really odd. It was a gooey crumbled raw cake in hot fudge sauce. Bottom line, if you're going to Second City and really want Mexican that's close to the theater, this is the place. The food is ok, it won't kill you. I don't think. But it's nothing special.
(2)Petras D.
This is the only restaurant that makes guacamole which I think stands up to the stuff I make at home, very flavourful. Great tequila flights and margarita's and the food is delicious.
(5)Philip P.
Lucked out with a front parking spot - woohoo! I had the Pollo al Tamarindo (Grilled half chicken in tamarind-chipotle glaze with molcajete salsa, guacamole, charro beans). I usually stick with beef in latin food but the chicken met my expectations. Guacamole (made tableside) was A-OK. Still, I felt something was missing but couldn't put my finger on it.
(3)Haley S.
Usually restaurants aren't good places to just grab a drink, but my friend and I did on Friday and they were super nice. Yummy free bar snacks, good tempranillo....all is good!
(4)Betsy N.
I love this place. They have the best tuna ceviche and guacamole (made tableside) I have ever had! It is pretty busy most of the time unless you go during off-peak hours, but I have had pretty good luck finding a spot at the bar. I'll also throw in that their house margaritas are TO DIE FOR.
(4)Phil F.
After reading the most current reviews on Yelp, I definitely walked into Adobo Grill with preconceived notions. Actually, I figured that I could write my review before even tasting the food -- "Guac and margaritas were great. Food was so-so." That seems to be Adobo's undeserving reputation. Fortunately, Adobo far exceeded my expectations. Sure, the guacamole was as good as advertised. Not only are the ingredients themselves fresh, but the tortilla chips are apparently prepared fresh every morning and are served warm at the table. Probably worth the trip alone. But our entrees were equally tasty. We ordered the Enchiladas de Vegetal (and I'm not a vegetarian) and they were AWESOME! For butternut squash fans, this is the ultimate enchilada. We also tried the Adobo Chopped Salad -- pretty solid. It's no Wildfire Chopped Salad (what really is?), but it was a nice lighter option to balance out the the enchiladas. Beyond the food, our server Alfonso was amazing, and the atmosphere was fun and lively. I'll definitely be returning to Adobo...and without the preconceived notion that I'm only in for a night of guac and margaritas.
(4)Anne W.
I really just wasn't too impressed. It was a little more pricey for the type of food they serve. The service was excellent. It is a trendy place though. So they are known for their guacamole.. which I thought was just okay.. I think I can make better myself. The entrees were okay but not big portioned. I also got really sick from eating here so that's probably why I am not impressed.
(2)Jen N.
Every time I come here the food is great! Even on a Saturday night, with the place PACKED, the service and the food was consistently good for our whole table. Adobo is not like all other Mexican restaurants; you won't find tacos or burritos, what you will find is interesting dishes with different twists and a lot of flavor. And of course, fantastic, fresh tasting margaritas. The chili rellenos is a Mexican classic, however, and it is great at Adobo. It is a tender green pepper, not tough or chewy, with really good cheese. I had it at Lalos and it was nowhere near as good as here. The vegetarian platter is also highly recommended.
(5)Lucy L.
Friend recommended this place for brunch. like the outside seatings... Mexican decor.. friendly bartender.. friendly service Food was good or it could just be i was hungry.. but it was great.. something you don't mind to eat when u r hungry but if you really have time to think.. there are probably better places Overall it's just A-OK
(3)Min Min T.
It seems to be difficult to diverge from what other Yelpers have repeated endlessly: 1. Outstanding guacumole made fresh 2. So-so food 3. Great atmosphere For the herbivore, there are only two or three choices here and even then, they're not so impressive.
(3)Jenny C.
The short and sweet of it - this place is great! Really fun atmosphere and good food. Tableside quac is fine..good..whatevs. Margaritas - my family agreed THE BEST we have ever had. Fresh lime juice, perfect amount of tequilla. Entrees - grilled shrimp: you get a lot of shrimp, flavorful, yum. Salmon: not out-of-this-world but definitely tasty and satisfying. Hidden gem: chorizo, zucchini, salsa appetizer (can't remember the exact name it comes in the "earthenware casserole"). SOOO GOOD. Would come back for it! Great place to go in Old Town, was fun to bring my parents to :)
(5)Nada R.
Delicious, extremely expensive mezcals. Haven't tasted anything besides chips & guacamole yet, but I'm hoping there's a plate of mushroom & squash enchiladas en mole with my name on it... brb. ... Ok, sorry, but I ain't gonna lie- it's an enormous rip off up in this mother.
(2)T J.
One of those average meals with average service. Nothing stuck out as amazing. Highlights were the chips and salsa and the churros with chocolate sauce. I had the pollo enchilada, bf had the pollo tacos, mine was a bit tastier than his, but still just average, nothing you couldn't get from a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant in a different part of town. We also thought the menu was a little confusing, does small plate mean tapas? And what do you mean these dishes are "medium sized?" huh? The guacomole seemed popular but since I can't eat avocado and tequila is my "no-no" liquor, I might have missed out on the best things they had to offer. Drinks seemed a bit overpriced, so we passed, but $3.50 for a fountain Coke?! Seriously, that's ridiculous. After 1 app, 2 dishes, dessert, and a Coke that must have been spiked with gold flakes, we spent a $50 gift card which was what we intended. Also, check your glasses, had to ask for clean glasses twice, bad dishwasher.
(2)Laura M.
I love the food here. Its super fresh and really tasty. The guacamole and margaritas are definitely menu highlights. I really like to order a few appetizers instead of an entree and I always leave feeling like I have had a really good array of flavors. The service is also pretty good. My only complaint is that the tab can get high really quickly, especially if you have a few drinks. I know that this restaurant has some mixed reviews but I have been here several times and never had a complaint about what I've ordered.
(5)Lindsay S.
When my cousin comes into town he likes to go here... so... the time before last I had an amazing pork dish, the margaritas were tasty and I had a great time! The last time the menu was different and I was having the hardest time finding something that I wanted to eat. There was nothing that i wanted .. I ended up ordering the ceviche and it was a little disappointing, Its not like there was anything really wrong with it, it may have just been that I didn't really want it, but I will go back here one day but I will wait for my cousin.
(3)Greg N.
...loving all things Mexican, I having been dying to drop by some Chicago's veteran locales for upscale mex that I havent had the chance to sample. Adobo is right on our bike path to the lakefront...so my girlfriend and I enjoyed a nice late afternoon lunch outside. First, for being on such a busy street...it was surprisingly intimate for a Sat afternoon. The outdoor cafe seating is a great place to people watch with a Garita and Guac...and Adobo didnt disappoint....well, almost. Our guac was not made tableside (I thought this was something they were famous for) and it was woefully short on salt. In addition, we asked for spicy...and it did not appear to have much, if any, kick to it. I ordered the classic Adobo Garita...straight up with salt...and it was good...but a bit too tart for my tastes. I prefer Zocalo, Mercadito, or Decero (Frontera goes without saying). They did not have fish tacos on the menu...but they were happy to prepare them for me. My girlfriend ordered a farmers beet salad with fresh cheese and apples. They were both good but lacked something that would make them stand out from the crowd. We both agreed that perhaps Adobo was getting a bit too comfortable and resting on it's laurels. The waiter made sure he told me how great his Margarita was...and how different they were (making them appear a bit aloof). Last time I checked...it is much better to have OTHERS telling you how great you are.... ...and after our maiden voyage, I am considering NOT asking Adobo Grill out for a second date. She's just not that hot...and shes pretty full of herself.
(3)Audrey S.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday. From the fun and loud atmosphere to the cute metal people wall art pieces, the experience was great. The chicken quesadillas are so scrumptious I could eat them every day. For starters, they brought a tray of four salsas - pico de gallo, mild, medium, and hot with tortilla chips. I had their signature margarita which was fantastic, if just a teeny bit limey. Then for dessert, I was served a delectable phyllo cup filled with three pieces of cake, strawberries, and mousse, topped with a candle. Mmmm mmmm mmmm.
(5)Alan W.
Great food at reasonable prices!
(4)Scott S.
Nicely done traditional Mexican fare. It's no Bayless, but it's a decent find. I hear their margaritas are really good. For me, the win here is the tableside guacamole service. Ultra-fresh guac made in a real mocajete to your precise specifications. The only made-to-order guac I've found better is from a place called Ãcenar in Austin, TX. So I really love this place for stopping in while you're in the neighborhood and having a guacamole. That alone justifies Adobo Grill's apparent success, and that alone is what gets it 4 stars from me.
(4)Jeannine K.
I went there with a group last night. Mexican is always a fun choice - good mojitos, sangria, and margaritas here. Everyone was happy with their drinks. We picked the place because it had a good gluten-free menu. We all shared guacamole and cheese fundido. Yum! The gluten-free tamale and veggie enchiladas were good. It was easy to dine gluten-free here and not feel like you had to give up anything delicious. It was a fun place with a cute atmosphere, I would definitely go back again.
(4)Andrea C.
adobo grill is a pretty solid choice if youre in old town and looking for a place to dine. i went here w/a group of 6 for my birthday this past weekend, but did call ahead for a reservation. i would definitely recommend calling ahead, as the place was hopping at 8:30. we got the guac...which was REALLY really good. it was gone in about 5 minutes flat in our little group. we also got the chips and salsa sampler, which was also quite tasty. for entrees we tried a few things...i had the ceviche sampler, which was good...definitely different. it was a pretty experimental menu...but also pretty small, which is the only reason it loses a star. i had a hardcore craving for fajitas (not exactly traditional mexican, i know, but hey, dont judge!), so it would be nice if they had some more americanized mexican food on the menu. we also sampled the margaritas, which, as many have described, were delicious. i usually like mine frozen- but these were actually a pretty darn good formula. only gripe is, they dont come by the pitcher, so they really get a chance to price gouge you there. all that said, i would definitely go back here if i were looking for an option before 2nd city! yum!
(4)Jenny B.
I am in loveeeeeee with their margaritas and guacamole....I even took the recipe to make the guacamole so now everybody thinks i make the best guacamole..I have also tried other things on their menu but im not a huge fan of their food. Their drinks on the other hand are excellent... I really recommend for everyone to try their margaritas. you'll be going 3 times a week back then like myself
(4)Janet E.
The guacamole here is delicious!!! The food is a bit pricey but delicious tasting. Its a plus that it is located right next to the movie theater so that you dont need to rush your meal. We had an unfortunate experience sitting by the window breathing in second hand smoke. However, we complained to the manager who accomodated us by closing the window.
(4)Brian W.
I kept thinking this place is Mexican tapas the whole time I was here. The whole menu was full of diminutive, but lower priced dishes. I kept hunting for the regular entrees but they were nowhere to be found. Great if you're looking for a light meal, or two share several with a friend. I enjoyed the food. Everything was well spiced, with just a hint of kick to it. Meats were tender, crusts crispy. The only sad thing, like all tapas type meals is that you end up spending more than if you ordered a regular entree.
(3)James W.
Came here with a large group of friends and we got our own little section which was nice. I got the Arrachera (similar to fajitas) which was excellent, the meat was cooked perfectly medium rare. Solid margaritas and guac. We also got a flight of 10 tequila shots which came on a long board which was a cool presentation.
(4)Tati A.
Wow! Went in there for a drink. Had an Organic Margarita (after searching for a place to get one for a while) it was delicious, and the bartender kept filling it up with what he had made instead of charging us for each time he topped it off. Had guac (made in the dining area so you can see!) and chips, some apps, it was delicious and not too pricey, around $50 for two. Already planning to go back..the best drink I've ever had. Food was authentic tasting and excellent.
(5)William T.
This was my second foray to Adobo (the first was at the Division location), and enjoyed myself both times. The guacamole lives up to what everyone says about it, it is quite good. This most recent time was for more of a drinks/snack type of outing. I had their margarita and the empanada appetizer, along with some shared cerviche. Everything tasted quite good, but was on the pricey side.
(3)Paul C.
Truthfully I'm not a big fan of Mexican food, despite the fact that I grew up eating 3 or 4 times a week. When I go to a Mexican resteraunt that specialiazing in charging $10 for a taco, I expect it to be inauthentic, and underseasoned. So my expectations for Adobo were very low. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The guacamole here is by far the best I've ever had. The margaritas were also tasty. The entrees were nothing special. I would go back here because I liked the ambiance and the guacamole. The main courses leave a bit to be desired.
(3)Melissa C.
A energized, bustling environment great for friends, drinks, and wonderfully authentic Mexican cuisine. Guacamole and house margarita are some must-haves. As for the main courses, allow a server to assist. They are well trained and knowledgable about the food and culture of Mexico. Don't settle for the enchiladas- try something new that you can't have anywhere else!
(4)graham r.
We lived just down the street from Adobo for several years and have eaten there many times. We now live in New York but here there is nothing to match the guacamole, the salsa combo or the warm chips you get in Adobo. There are many good dishes. I went thru a vegetarian phase and they varied the contents just enough times to keep me coming back for more. At the other end of the scale the hanger steak is also good for the meat eaters as is pretty much everything in between. I also highly recommend the Sunday brunch. We were back in Chicago at Christmas and a group of ten of us met for brunch. Drinks at the bar, lots of guacamole and variations on mexican eggs Benedict kept everyone happy. Just a few other things. The service is excellent, the place is spotless, the decor is interesting, the layout good for groups,and the desserts are very good.
(5)Amy M.
If you're craving upscale Mexican then Adobo Grill is the perfect place to go! As everyone else says the guacamole alone is an experience because they actually make it at your table- it's really good! Their ceviche and quesidilla appetizers are also really good! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(4)Robin W.
Food is really good, though I wish they had more selection on the menu. I don't eat red meat or pork so my options were limited. The guac is excellent. They also have a good brunch if you want some spicy tex mex on a Sunday morning. The margaritas are little, but strong. It's a little expensive to frequent regularly though. Overall I really like this place; especially on a date when a guy is paying!
(4)Jason P.
The guac was pretty damn good, and the Adobo margarita was also on par with my expecations, but nothing really jumped out at me. The salsa sampler was pretty neat, good homemade chips. My fiancee had the pork tacos and she didn't really care for them as the tortilla shells were undercooked and they were overstuffed. I had the flank steak, and enjoyed that a lot, but overall...3 star is on par.
(3)Jen S.
I was pleasantly surprised by the great mexican food at this restaurant. I went with about 30 coworkers, we were in town for a business trip so we were in one of the private rooms. The restaurant was packed and to get to the room we had to squeeze through a crowd but made it back to the room where they had several round tables for us in a cute and intimate space. The margaritas were good and strong and yes the guacamole was amazing and I am not a fan of avocados either. They served our food family style and the service was great.This was a great start to our evening as we were treated to a great mexican meal and Second City right after. Too fun!
(4)Judi M.
Adobo Grill was the site of a recent Chicago AMA marketing mixer and it was my first time at the restaurant and bar in Old Town. It offered a vibrant atmosphere, great lounge seataing, bar seating and mingling space on the second floor. Bartenders were exceptionally attentive and courteous. Wine selection was awesome. I enjoyed the Anakena Sauv Blanc and Pinot Noir, served perfectly chilled.
(4)Caroline C.
The margaritas are extremely good. And the guacamole isn't too shabby either...though I think that somehow one's tastebuds are influenced by seeing the guac made right in front of their, erm, buds? I had one of their house special meals (soft shell crabs) and they weren't bad, perhaps a little too heavily fried. I was more concerned about the lack of flavor or real pizazz in the presentation/side garnishes of the dish. My friend had the vegetarian enchiladas with added cheese. She said the cheese to veggie ratio was excellent but also complained about a lack of tongue wagging flavor.
(3)Jeremy Z.
Tried this place with one of those restaurant.com gift certificates and definitely was not disappointed. The pork tenderloin with mole sauce was perfect, and the side dishes added a lot of nice, fresh flavor. The food was definitely more "upscale" than traditional Mexican, so don't come here if you are looking for Qdoba style burritos and quesadillas. Another small bonus was the hard-to-find Sol beer, which was great with a lime. Very refreshing. Speaking of lime, the guacamole starter was as fresh as it gets (made tableside) and had a nice kick to it!
(5)Christmas D.
I'm giving it 3 stars 'cause the food is really good. It pretty much stops there for me: the service is slow, it's REALLY crowded, the mojitos are too sweet but not very flavorful, the ceviche was flavorful but a bit too soupy...and then there's the Guac. I LOOOOVE Guacamole. I've been accused of making a mean Guac. for decades. Their Guac. tastes OK. But my problem is this: they make it, table side, in these volcanic-rock vessels. They look cool, but as you watch them GRIND the ingredients together it's really hard to imagine that some of that rock isn't getting into your Guac! And, in fact, it is. There's a texture there that really oughtn't be. Plus, is it even possible for them to get those things clean? Eeeew.
(3)E J.
the only thing i had here and keep going back for is their guacamole. it is quite delicious! love mexican food =)
(4)Atwo p.
Really enjoyed the guacamole and the Cazuelas. The latter was one of the better dishes I have had in a while
(5)Diana S.
Go here for margaritas and guacamole. The food is decent but it's expensive.
(3)Mindy S.
I think I'm going to have to give Adobo a second chance, because I really have heard great things about it, but was disappointed after my trip there the other night. My friend and I went for some apps and margaritas. Warning: do NOT get the pomegranite margarita. It was very strong and not good at all. For a mexican place, I expect good margs, so was definitely disappointed when I could barely even take a sip. The few apps we got were good. I do recommend the empanadas. I need to go back and try the guac that got great reviews, but my friend I was with isn't a guac fan. hopefully next time adobo will live up to the good reviews. I may have to stay away from the drinks though.
(3)Emily M.
so-so spot. honestly, i might've liked it more if i were a guac-girl. unfortunately, i'm not really into avocadoes, and, therefore, didn't experience one of the things adobo's known-for. we had some drinks, which were pretty good, as well as the assorted salsa appetizer, which was decent. it was fun to try out the different salsa flavors and see who could hang with the hottest, but the cuisine wasn't exactly spectacular. honestly, this place is better for those seeking a cool atmosphere and casual drinks, rather than those looking for a good meal. if you're on your way to second city and need a place to kill some time, it works.
(2)Doug R.
Pretty much the same experience as others that like this place. Margs and quac are great. Food is very tasty. Good atmosphere. I may just start stopping in for the margs.
(4)T T.
This place is so acomadating food is always excellent and know matter how late we stay they never say a word highly recommend
(5)Angie C.
Had a great time here last night with a group of friends after a visit to Zanie's. Needless to say, after Zanie's two drink minimum we were looking to continue the night at Adobo's with some yummy margaritas. They did not disappoint! Not too sweet...but by the 3rd one it was a bit strong. No complaints. The food was OK...the grilled skirt steak was fabulous, especially rolled up in their fresh corn tortillas. The guac made fresh table side was amazing! We got it spicy, and it was perfect! Service was great too...the drinks made the bill a bit steep but it was worth it. Would definitely go back when I'm craving Mexican! Minus one star for the grease filled empanada...not my favorite.
(4)keleigh l.
who would have known that chicago has amazing mexican food, honestly better than the mexican food here!!! no joke. the guacamole is to die for....seriously i died..then came back to life when my dinner came out. i had some sort of garden veggie enchiladas....i dont know...heaven on a plate more like it. and get a margarita...DO IT....so good. its the best part of Old Town.
(4)David T.
The first place I had dinner in Chicago. I found it by accident and it was a great experience. The guacamole is the best I have ever had! I suggest the tamales entree and one of their tasty Margaritas. The service does need some improvement especially during busy hours.
(4)Jess S.
This place is good. I was feeling mexican the other week so a few friends and I went up here for dinner. The atmosphere is relaxed and noisy, and also a bit cramped, but we were seated almost immediately (it was a Friday). We started off with the guacamole, which was awesome (actually my first guacamole experience so I guess now I'll be spoiled--but all my friends raved about it too), and margaritas, which were DELICIOUS. Yum! I think 3 out of the 4 of us ended up getting enchiladas (I got chicken) and they were great. Really a lot of food, actually. And the other in our group got some sort of veggie dish, which she enjoyed. A bit pricey, but it's that kind of place. Still really delicious food and would definitely go again.
(3)T. T.
Decent but over-priced food. Depending on the night that you're there, the services can definitely make you NOT want to come back.
(3)Matt G.
This place was a nice choice for Mexican food on a night when you are attending Second City. The prices are a little high for the food. Margaritas were outstanding, as was the guacamole. I had a half roasted chicken which was very tasty. I would say my 3 stars review is for the over-priced food and the fact that is was simply average at best. There is nothing outstanding, but it will not disappoint...just average
(3)Jason S.
Get a Mohito or three! Get Guacamole. They try too hard on thier entrees and they make you pay for it. This is an appetizers only joint for me. Too many other great places in the city for a lot less.
(3)Margaret B.
I am still dreaming of the chile rellenos I had here. The tableside guac was also everything it was hyped up to be. Service was friendly, competent and knowledgable about tequilla. Margaritas were perfect: not too strong, not too sweet, just right.
(4)John P.
Stopped in here while on a geocache outing to take a load off. After a flight of tequila (incredible!) we were ready to take on the world again...or perhaps just care a bit less if we couldn't find our treasures. The bartender was great, the guac looked awesome and the plates of foods passing by smelled good enough to try and grab a taste. Looked like a good place for further exploration.
(4)Sam S.
It's okay, but it gets a lot of hype because there aren't many upscale Mexican restaurants in Chicago. The guacamole is the best thing, but I feel like the menu is very lackluster and way too expensive for what you get. It's always hard to get a table and when you do, you're most likely sitting uncomfortably close to the people next to you. The staff is nice enough, but they have this air of superiority because this is 'the' restaurant in town. Whatever.
(3)sara p.
Service was so so. The guacamole was good, but probably just b/c i was hungover and starving. (and definitely wasn't worth $8.00) The bloodymary's were gross, no flava or spice. And the food we ordered, was just plain boring. Definitely over priced, you are better off going to a taco/burrito house.
(1)Rachelle T.
I went to Adobo Grill for a work holiday event and was pleasantly surprised. I'm typically not a huge fan of Mexican food but this place is great! It's really more like gourmet Mexican and everything we had was fabulous. I highly recommend the Tilapia entree and of course their guacamole completely lived up to it's reputation (although beware, the bowls they serve it in are deceptively small). I'm not a tequila drinker so I didn't try the margaritas but the mojitos are awesome! I'll definitely go back again.
(5)Lisa K.
This place was perfect for our dinner on Friday night! Great drinks...one of the better Martini's I have had in awhile! Excellent service and I enjoyed the food. It was perfect before we headed to the 8pm show at Second city!
(4)hey a t.
Great guac, order two. As for the drinks the pomegranate martini is to die for, order 5 of those. Skip the main meal and go for the kill, the chocolate tamale. They should also sell those cute masks that hang of the walls.
(4)lola d.
This restaurant is worth the visit for a great margarita and some fresh guacamole. The food isn't that great, but then again, I only visit this place for drinks, guacamole and good times with friends.
(3)lesley s.
Recently had a great meal at Adobo -- food was good, but what stood out for us was the service. Right away we asked our waitress what our healthier options might be, and she was extremely accommodating. She pointed out several different meals on the menu, and how we could easily alter them to make them a little more diet-friendly. We HAD to get the guacamole (I'm addicted), but she brought us jicama chips instead of the tortilla chips, which really surprised us as a great alternative. My friend ordered the Tilapia a la Talla which was delicious, and I had the Pollo al Tamarindo (substituted the black beans for the charro beans, which our waitress said was the healthier option). My chicken wasn't quite as good as the fish, but overall we were both very pleased with our dinners. And again, really appreciated having our waitress take the time on a busy Friday night to make sure we were happy and healthy!!
(4)Patty V.
The guac is to die for and the margaritas are killer! I want one of those mortar/pestle deals to try to make my own version at home!!
(5)L P.
I hosted a baby shower at Adobo Grill and I can't say enough about how great the staff was at every step. I worked with George, their event planner, and was able to secure a private room, with my choice of table set up, and a great menu that was lunch oriented instead of brunch. (Though they have a brunch, a dinner, and a cocktail appetizer menu as well.) It was the cheapest prix fixe menu I found, and of course, Adobo's food is delicious. Everyone had a great time. I highly recommend them for a baby shower, a cocktail party, or just a fun birthday party. It was really easy and fun.
(5)K M.
Love this place - the guacamole is so amazing, as are the margaritas! I could go there just for those two things! I've seen some reviews that say "big deal, so what if they have great guacamole" and that guacamole is not that hard to make. Well then explain to me why its soooo much freaking better here than anywhere else?! I've had some seriously BLAH guacamole in some places! The food is also very good, I've had a few things on the menu and have never been disappointed - the tilapia is particularly good I would actually be tempted skip dinner and head for dessert - their chocolate tamal is so tasty Don't come here if your tastes run toward the taco/burrito dive. Guess what folks- THAT'S NOT ALL THERE IS TO MEXICAN FOOD! :) Wouldn't you be insulted if people around the world thought "Heck, I'd like some American food" and were pissed when the "American" restuarant didn't serve up burgers, fries, and chicken strips? :) Well apply that principal to Mexican food and there you go While there is certainly a time and place for that cheap stuff (yum- for the best see my review of Buenas Nachos in the burbs!), if that's all the Mexican food you like, you will be sorely disappointed here. There is more to Mexican cuisine than what you can find at the taqueria, and this is a great place to try it out!
(5)R F.
We had a banquet for 20+ people here (and I've been here in smaller groups too). They did a great job! We had lots of different allergies etc that they had to deal with, and the waitstaff was very helpful and patient. The food is amazing every time, we love this place! Great for gluten-free food especially.
(5)Bridget E.
Yes, the guac is awesome and the margaritas are delicious, but otherwise I've always been really disappointed with my food at Adobo. It's overpriced and I will never go there for dinner again. If I'm looking for a place to get semi-expensive guacamole and margaritas before a Second City show, sure, but otherwise I'd rather go anywhere else in Old Town to eat.
(2)Becky K.
Stopped by with the intention of eating lunch one sunny afternoon and the staff was extremely rude and non-accomodating to my friend in a wheelchair. I've never eaten here don't plan on starting.
(1)Lindsay N.
Holy guacamole! Literally! This place is fantastic! The guacamole is fabulous and the main dishes are wonderful as well! I had the tilapia with mexican mashed potatoes. OOhh lala indeed. The veggie plate is great as well. The food has a great kick to it without being freakishly spicy. The prices are fairly high and the portions are actually just the right size. I was full without being overly stuffed after the meal was finished. I REALLY wanted a margarita but didn't want to fork over the extra dough. So I'd say definitely try this place if you are willing to fork a little extra cash for a great meal.
(5)Jennifer B.
I am a guacamole fiend, and Adobo has some of the best. A little spicy with big big pieces of fresh avocado, served right in its own molcajete- oh yes, please. An American restaurant that also serves Micheladas (beer with lime, salt, and ice)? Double yes! I had a phenomenal meal here recently and already can't wait to go back- thank goodness I just moved to the neighborhood. Besides the guacamole, I also had the tortilla soup (a vegetarian version! thank the heavens!) and the jicama y mango salad. Yum yum yum. Boyfriend had one of the ceviches and the specialty zucchini blossom quesadilla, and we both came home with leftovers. He also had a stellar classic margarita, no salt, with a floater of smoky mezcal. Our service was great and we loved the dog-friendly outdoor patio, although I could have done without the long line of Second City patrons smoking like chimneys a few feet down the sidewalk. If my next experience here is as good as this one was, I might bump this rating up to five stars. Loved it!
(4)Kate G.
Perfect stop right before Second City! I love guacamole and margaritas and I believe this to be the best of both. We don't bother with the entrees with guacamole this delicious. Had a couple appetizers (none as impressive as the afore mentioned delight) and walked right over to have some laughs.
(4)N U.
the guacamole is fantastic. i preferred the non-spicy version. the enchiladas were pretty good...not the best i've ever had but better than average. BEST TRES LECHES CAKE i've ever had and i'm from texas (if that means anything). despite some sprinkles of awesomeness, adobo doesn't deserve five stars for a few reasons: 1. no complimentary chips and salsa (is that even allowed in mexican or texmex restaurants) 2. the service was a little on the slow side. granted, there were 12 people seated at our table but even ordering drinks took a while. i think they forgot our table b/c we were tucked in a little alcove. 3. on the pricey side for mexican food especially when the platter doesn't come with the rice and beans (again, shouldn't this be standard fare). 4. a couple of their drinks were really off, i don't know if was the bartender for the night but the drink mix and the alcohol just did not come together well for the the paloma and the Acapulco Apasionado.
(4)Ishaq L.
Good food, good price. Though I'm not a fan of guacamole, if you are, order the guac.
(4)Aaron R.
The guacamole is so good that I find myself picking it up for dinner almost once a week. The rest of the menu is good- more authentic than some other Mexican restaurants in Chicago, but nothing compares to their guacamole. Very good margaritas as well.
(4)Sarah L.
Fun, yum, bad service. Adobo is the perfect place for guacamole, lots of salsa, chips and margarita's. I didn't need to order an entree, as I was full. Did I mention the bad service? Three of my friends and I went to the Wicker Park location and were very disappointed. The server was never at our table, we had to flag him down. While the older couple next to us ordered apps, entrees, drinks, dessert and coffee. Given the chance, we would have too. The bill was $140 between the four of us, but if the waiter was better, it could have been much more.
(2)Aaron L.
My wife and I decided to try this place because it was so close to Second City. We were promptly seated and waited on. We decided not to get drinks and that was the only negative I had with this place. The server seemed a little upset that we weren't getting drinks. He took my wife's water glass and kinda slammed it on her coaster. We were both surprised and confused because other than that, he was a great waiter. The food was good. I got the Tlyuda. Delicious! It was unexpected in presentation, but very delicious. My wife got the butternut squash enchiladas. They were good, but I wish they would have been in a flour tortilla. I know corn tortillas are more traditional and preferred by some. Not these two gringos though. We prefer flour. The salsa was great and the table side guacamole was equally delicious, and highly recommended. I love guacamole- made-to-order! I'd recommend this place, but I'd try to get at least one drink.
(4)Alan R.
I haven't been to Frontera yet. Adobo has the best food of the Mexican Restaurants that I have been to in the Chicago area, It's an upscale Mexican Restaurant, so its a bit pricey, but definitely worth it. The masa boat appetizer is phenomenal and I also love their ceviche flights. If you like Guacamole, they make theirs table side. The margaritas and other mixed drinks are also excellent. I have even been here with friends and gone the tapas route just ordering and sharing appetizers.
(5)Briana J.
I come for the guac! It is made at the table and it is always awesome! I usually eat it all and then I am too full to eat my real food..oh well!
(3)Natalie B.
EXCELLENT made by your table Guacamole. However I wasn't too impressed with my meal. I had the Enchiladas en Mole Verde, which is roasted butternut squash and wild mushroom enchiladas basted in mole verde, topped with cotija cheese, red onion and black beans. I found the meal to be pretty plain. I left full but not satisfied. However the Guac raised this review up to 3 stars. I would go back for that and I would probably choose something different and hope for the best.
(3)David T.
So I made my way to Adobo Grill this morning for Brunch, well really at noon, because that is when they open on Sunday for brunch. I don't remember what my meal was called, but it consisted of two eggs benedict over a biscuit shaped corn something and chorizo. It was very delicious and came out quickly. My table decided to try the guacamole because we had heard such great things about it and I wasn't that impressed. I mean it was kind of plain. I've had much better at home and elsewhere. I also ordered a Bloody Mary that was good, but nothing impressive. Overall, I think the food is great.. but maybe too much hype surrounding the guacamole.
(4)Karen M.
I love this restaurant! The guacamole and margaritas are delicious! We have dined here three times and the food and service was wonderful all three times. Most recently we sat outside which was fun to watch people watch while enjoying their homemade chips and salsa. The guacamole is prepared right at the table if you sit inside~ which is neat to watch. We tried the 3 salsas with chips , fire-roasted chili tilapia, and chipotle glazed chicken ~ very flavorful. I highly recommend ordering the Mexican Chocolate cake as well!
(4)Jared C.
i look as adobo now as an overly exposed and overrated suburban junkie joint... not that is bad... well, yes it is... adobo is good, but by no means great... for an overall great experience, you need a good balance of food, service, and atmosphere... your meal should end after appetizers and drinks at adobo... ( as if you haven't already heard... ) the guacamole is great and so are the margaritas... everything is a bit overpriced, but location helps to justify... the service is horrible... our waiter could barely speak english and was never at our table... we had to flag down the host whenever something was needed... the whole time the server was behind the bar "playing" with the bartender... decent food, good atmosphere, poor service... 3 stars for you, suckas...
(3)Tony G.
I really like Adobo for their food quality and service. It is a bit pricey, but it's a really good location and the food is really good. This isn't a 'theme' restaurant, but the atmosphere is such that just going out to dinner is an adventure that you could make an evening out of. They make the quacamole right at your table - I think that most of the other restaurants that do this probably got the idea from Adobo. My only complaint is the long wait on weekends. The wait is likely due to its location, as there is certainly comparable Mexican food in other places around the city.
(4)Marcel M.
it's a fun joint since it was good-crowded and the service was still attentive. we went here after a show and put our name down before the show. it didn't matter since when we came back there were two empty tables by the window and they served us directly there. my skirt steak was good. my wife's salad was decent. i loved the little fajita chicken on a crunchy chip thing the best. it was an appetizer dish. i won't go again unless a big group insists on it. there's better bang for your buck elsewhere in this hood.
(3)Alicia F.
Everyone has said it before, but it's so good I need to say it again- get the GUACAMOLE! The only way they could make it better is to offer free refills, but somehow I doubt that is going to happen. I love to grab dinner here before/after a movie at the Esquire because it is so convenient- only one parking lot or cab ride for the night- gotta love that! Last night I had the chicken glazed in a tamarind and chipotle sauce. It was quite tasty. Their deserts are good too- try the pineapple upside down cake.
(4)Ali A.
I had a great dining experience here - the food was tasty and just the right portion size. We tried several mixed drinks which were amazing. I had a baked chicken dish which came with corn tortillas - I left feeling satisfied. For two entrees, guac, and a total of 4 mixed drinks the bill came out to around $100 - not too bad!
(4)Abby L.
Excellent margaritas and guacamole! I love that they make the guac tableside so you can watch as they make it. So much fun, and the margaritas are hard to say no to.
(4)daniel w.
The best thing about Adobo Grill is the guacamole they make at your table. It's not only entertaining to watch, but it tastes so good! My only complaint is that the bowl they put the guacamole in looks a lot deeper than it actually is so they are a bit deceptive in how much they are serving you.
(4)JD M.
Chicken was undercooked. Guac was tasty, yet tiny. "Horchata-tini" was very watery and had a white chalky substance at the bottom. The chile in the Chile Rellenos was leathery while the deep fried crust was apathetic to say the least. I asked for a glass with my Negra Modelo and the waitress took the extra step of pouring the entire bottle into said glass, not cool lady. I went there once before and the food was pretty good. Not exactly sure why it was a disaster this time.
(1)a h.
I have dined at this location several times. The last time I went was the best. The margarita (martini-style) is still on my mind....I need another! This restaurant is worth visiting for its margaritas, its guacomole, and its hot sauce trio. Yum! Main dishes are good, but nothing to write home about.
(3)M M.
I liked! Wasn't the best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to, but it was good enough. We sat downstairs and I thought the fresh guacamole was really cool, the way they made it right in front of your table. I had the fajitas which were awesome. The reason I don't give it more stars is because there was nothing really "stand-out" about the place. It's right across the street from the bar that all the Second City cast members go to- which is an old Irish bar (can't remember the name)- so that is a fun place to go afterwards if you are looking to continue the night.
(3)Sonja B.
My food was alright, I had the enchiladas..which were not traditional and not exceptional. The menu was so overpriced i wanted to cry. I won't go back.
(1)denis s.
We love the guac...just like everyone. We also like to eat "tappas" style here, exploring the appetizers. Can't speak to the main courses...I've only ever done it this way.
(4)D F.
The most "scene-y" place on Wells, the quality of Adobo's food lives up to neither: (1) its description on the menu; (2) the waiters' effusive praise of it; (3) the decor; or (4) the price. My wife and I live right in the neighborhood, but we've only gone here twice. The first time we left feeling that we must have ordered the wrong thing; the second time we left realizing that it's just not very good. The one exception is the guacamole appetizer, which is quite good. If you're in the neighborhood and are looking for quality and/or value, there are better option. If you're looking for a scene, prices and quality be damned, then this may be your place.
(2)elizabeth n.
When given the choice of where to go in Old Town, I always want to go to Adobo Grill. The guacamole is the best I've ever had and I love watching them make it at the table. The other food is spectacular and I especially love their appetizers. The atmosphere is great for a night out with friends, or to grab a low key margarita. The crowds do flock to this restaurant but if you go early or later you won't need a reservation.
(5)Madeline L.
The guacamole made at the table is the best part of this dining experience. To be honest- I only go here for the guacamole and drinks because I'm usually too full after stuffing myself with the chips and guac that I can't eat anything else! Great margaritas and the desserts look good- although I've never tried them. Next time for sure.
(4)Dana P.
I like Adobo, but if I had my choice of Mexican I would head to Las Pinatas down the street. I do like their margaritas and entrees, but it's definitely not as good as some people think it is.
(3)mary b.
the hosts can be a little inattentive, but the service is great and the guacamole is amazing. get it spicy, add a margarita and you're good to go. this is my go-to spot for getting together with girlfriends. as far as the meals go, i'm not super impressed. they're too big and don't really strike me with any kind of wow-reaction. like aubrey says below, a definite thumbs up on the guac and cocktail, but a so-so on the meals.
(3)Brittany H.
Adobo Grill offers authentic Mexican food with an American twist. The atmosphere is inviting and cozy. I eat here every time I go see Second City, which is directly next door. The food is exquisite and priced perfectly. I highly recommend the guacamole and the staff was extremely helpful with dinner suggestions. During the summer months seating outside is available for avid people watchers! Oh yeah, do not leave without having a margarita!
(4)molly c.
the only time that i was here was for a Steppenwolf opening night party (i used to work at Steppenwolf). drinks were great, 'ritas wree strong and the guac was perfection. i don't think i would go to the one on wells, i would go to the one on division
(4)Aubrey K.
Overall, I am not as impressed with Adobo Grill as the general public. However, if I were to rate it on the guacamole alone with a cocktail, I'd give it a thumbs up. It's a tasty meal, but I do find it overrated a bit. I guess I've gone since it's convenient, but I think there are many better choices for upscale Mexican in Chi-town.
(2)t n.
Adobo grill offers a gluten free menu and the food is good. The guacamole is probably the best thing on the menu and for a gluten free option they serve it with jicama, which I actually prefer to chips. The reason that I gave them only 2 stars is because the last time I ate there a cockroach landed on my table! Then it fell to the floor and the waiter stepped on it with a loud CRUNCH. rather unappetizing. Also it is too loud in there...hard to have a conversation.
(2)Alexandra B.
Good guac, great margaritas. Lacking enough vegetarian items for me to actually make a decision though, which is surprising to me. I have the best luck with variety at either Mexican or Asian places. The price is decent though.
(3)Alissa P.
I had been craving margaritas for a while, so my boyfriend did some research and came up with Adobo. He read that the margaritas were affordable and delicious; the food and guacamole were supposed to be great. What we found was another story altogether. We had made a reservation, and expected to get seated at a good table for a nice date-night out. Instead we got seated on the THIRD floor at the last table in the back (talk about prime seating). Of course I promptly ordered a margarita: it couldn't have been less authentic. Instead of tart, it was sweet like a sugar-y margarita mix you can buy at Dominick's. The drink arrived in a dirty tumbler. The "mezcal" margarita my boyfriend ordered was $2 more than mine, but used the same, low-grade mix. My boyfriend then ordered the table-side guac, since he had read such great things about it. It was mediocre at best, and they give you a very small portion. We had one other appetizer and two drinks each. We decided against ordering entrees since we weren't impressed with the food. The kicker was the bill came to $100!! I definitely don't recommend it. It's a restaurant that gets by on the theatre rush and false hype. Check out Riques (Uptown) or Fonda del Mar for great, authentic Mexican.
(1)Lee-Han H.
Nice place, very fun environment, bring friends, the food is always good and never overcooked or undercooked, the service was great.
(4)M S.
Guacamole made at your table, as you order it, makes this place one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. It also serves dishes that are not your generic burrito and taco meals (though they have those, too, if that's what you're craving...just one step up). The tequila flights are great, too, if you are a tequila drinker. Atmosphere is fun and lively. Great for a fun night out.
(5)Miss O.
this place has great guac. the food was pretty good too - but not in an authentic sort of way. more of a midwestern-mexican twist to it. still very good. i met up with a friend up at the bar and ordered a drink and left as soon as the guy sitting next to me starting smoking... seriously though - i have to wait until july 2008???? beside the point - i will most likely go here again.
(4)Patrick F.
I go back and forth on Adobo. I have had dishes that are fantastic and dishes that are so-so. There is a fun atmosphere here and it's a good place to take a group. I've been told by people I've eaten with that the Vegetarian platter is the thing to order (though I stubbornly continue to order other items).
(3)Jenny I.
why does everyone love this joint? it's not that exciting. there is NO vegetarian/vegan on the menu, and the tableside guac is overly salted. the margs are good, but SO expensive. it's like you have to hit yourself in the forehead and exclaim, "why didn't i go to el cid?"
(2)Arjun C.
This place is very good and actually pretty thoughtful. I like it much better than Frontera Grill and Platiyo, but it gets a bit old after about the third time. Guac was very good, no doubt, but it didn't take me to another dimension of bliss as advertised by some of my other friends.
(4)Dee W.
Different types of Mexican favorites - try the fresh lime seafood seviche and the beef tenderloin - you can taste a little bit of beer. The tequilla flights here beat out any sugary margaritas.
(3)Ashley W.
For truly authentic Mexican food try adobo grill. The best thing by far is the guacamole which they actually make at your table. They also have some very good (and strong!) margaritas. I usually get the grilled shrimp or tilapia entrees- both are excellent!
(4)Oscar the Death Cat B.
Adobo is not bad as mexican cuisine goes, but I think it is very overrated. The main-floor dining space is lively, but last time I visited I was led up to a remote dining room with limited space & no windows - and it was occupied by an large, obnoxious suburban family with unruly kids. I wondered why we were led to this particular space, it felt like we were being punished for something. If you do visit this place, you must try their guacamole, it's made at your table to your specifications, and it is truly worth the money. I've witnessed diners who order only the guacamole & no main course, I think they have the right idea. If you have a taste for truly "upscale" mexican, try Salpicon down the street - if you want cheap mexican, try Las Pinatas. Adobo occupies that mid-range nether-world which doesn't generate much enthusiasm for me (aside from the guacamole).
(3)Matt N.
The tableside Guacamole is great. This is one of the best spots in Old Town.
(4)Ren H.
You have to get the guacamole here! They make it right before your eyes with fresh avocados and it is to die for! But make sure you read the menu carefully and ask about the portions so you know exactly what you're getting.. I ordered the wrong thing and was dissapointed.. but my drink came in a real coconut!
(4)Karen L.
I think this restaurant is a little overrated. It is good food but it is really overpriced. Although, I do have to admit that the guacamole, which it made at your table, is pretty amazing! But the other food that I have tried there has been good, but not great, and pretty expensive for Mexican.
(3)Carly M.
Great food, and good service. The waiters are always very friendly and the food is delicious. The best part is the guacamole which is made table-side and I don't think anyone will disagree that it's spectacular!
(4)John S.
Excellent... see my pictures. We got the guacamole and yum. We loved their margaritas. Enchiladas de Pollo and Arrachera Asad (steak) were both really good. Service was great. Bartender was friendly and helped us understand baseball in Chicago.
(5)Lori A.
Awesome handmade guacamole made by the table! Margarita was amazing! Pork tacos were excellent and the seafood platter with veggies was good. Next to Second City, so we headed there after for a great comedy show! We will definitely go back!
(4)Emily P.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants I've been to. The guacamole is made fresh right at your table! Love the fish tacos. Excellent service and the interior is nice and colorful with paintings and figurines.
(4)Patricia B.
I have been here several times in the past but not too recently. So I was interested in trying it again. Well, the prices are up, and once again it is not a particularly good value. First, it used to be that they did prepare the guacomole tableside, and that was nice and it is indeed good. The last two times I have been there, including last Wednesday, it was brought very quickly and definitely not prepared at our table. I also recalled that the servers tend to rush you. Ours did, and he also was annoying in that he kept touching my arm or back when he came to the table. Please!! He literally, as I sitting down, asked what we wanted to drink even though I had no time to peruse the beverages list. He came back twice within a very short period of time - annoying. Then he gave us no time to enjoy an apertif and we told him twice again we needed more time to look at the menu. This in the space of about seven minutes. It was not that crowded so I am clueless about why we were so rushed. I had the carne asada, rather expensive for the dish and good but not great. Just like the guacamole this time. There are so many better Mexican places with great value. Not here - I won't be back anytime soon.
(2)Becca L.
Best guac ever and their margarits are really good...sometimes they are a little too sweet for me, but adobo makes them perfectly! I had the grilled shrimp dish here last night and my friend at the tilapia. We were very happy with both of our meals! The service was very good as well- we were seated immediately (with a reservation) and our food came out pretty fast as well!
(4)Ian O.
We've had some great meals at Adobo. Our last meal last night was just meh. The drinks were delicious. The Mexican chocolate ice cream is delicious. Can't say we really enjoyed the rest. They didn't make the Guac at the table- was it too busy? The guac was low on flavor. The food was very meh. The skewers supposedly had 3 sauces- could barely tell the difference between them. The empanada didn't really taste very good. There were a few high points in our ordering (we ordered appetizers only, deciding to try more rather than fill up on an entree), but overall, we're not going back. The service was poor. It took them 40 min to give us chips! When we sent back a salted margarita because it was requested sin sal, we got a dirty look. In any other town (like our native Oak Park), this restaurant would be great. In Chicago, it's just another joint that's losing it's sheen. With competition as stiff as it is in Chi-town, management can't blink without the threat of something better edging them out. Still, the place was busy, I would guess that's momentum rather than consistency.
(2)Trinidad T.
i can't believe there could be a freaking mexican restaurant that was uppity as this one. we're talking mexican food right? nothing wrong with the cuisine, but i hate paying so much for food that is worse that the authentic mom and pop's place down the street. it's cool that they bring a cart to your table so you can watch them make guac... but then they chareg you like 10 bucks for an order... i think that's insane... oh and this place didn't serve the normal tacos and burritos, it's like steak with the helpings that resemble what you'd fine with tacos/burritos... i'm all about trying something once... and this once is over and done.
(2)Blah B.
You can not walk by this place in the summer and not feel tempted to walk in and enjoy a yummy dinner. I was running late to a fitting for a fashion show that I'm doing next week and the least thing i had on my mind was food. So as I 'm rushing through the old town neighborhood with my lil men strolling behind me; I automatically stopped and made a mental note to myself (we're coming back and having lunch here). So once I finished with my fitting and walking for an hour through Lincoln park with my son's. We walked back to Adobo and had an Amazing dinner. We ordered the tilapia ceviche and it was superb. I ordered for my boys the gorditas with carnitas and the barbacoa tamales and they loved them! I ordered for myself the chile relleno and it was simply delicious. I also ordered the Jicama salad with fresh cucumbers and mango which is a great selection in the summer and as dessert we had the mango on mango...it was slices of mango with a mango mousse and it was great!! I've said it before and I'll say again I love this place!! I left there with a stuffed tummy and a happy heart!
(5)Davia L.
We enjoyed our dinner at Adobo. We had a reservation for 8:30, and although there were empty tables, we weren't seated right away (I have a feeling they were holding out for a table for two, but ended up putting us at a 4-top). The rest of the service was outstanding though, including both our waiter, who was attentive but not intrusive, and the busboy who was incredible (who notices these things -- well, he was so good, we noticed). Margaritas were very good (not better than others I've had, but very good). We didn't have the guac because 50% of us don't like guacamole! We shared a couple of tasty appetizers, I forget their names, but one was like little tacos, with different fillings, and the other was soup. Main courses were excellent - camarones for me, pork tenderloin mole for my husband (he raved about how perfectly done and tender the meat was). Dessert was frozen mango mousse with mango slices - nice. We'd jointly give it a 4 for ambiance, 4.5 for service, and 3.5-4 for food.
(4)Julia B.
Awesome Mexican food! Everything was very tasty. They have great salsa and guacamole.
(3)Doug p.
the highlight of the place for me was definitely the table side guacamole, so tasty
(3)cb b.
Yum - this place has the best guamcomole ever. All of the food is authentic and they make great margaritas! You will definitely need a reservation for this place unless you go early.
(4)Jon L.
Was here for a company dinner and had their three course menu before catching a show at Second City. As for the food itself, they started us off with chips with sides of salsa and guacamole. The salsa was only okay but the guac was very good; it definitely kept me happy until the entrée arrived. For the entrée I had the Carne Asada (marinated steak) which was pretty good. For dessert I had the Pastel de Tres Leches and the Tamal de Chocolat. As far as desserts go, both were on the sweeter side, but I personally preferred the Tres Leches. I liked the place and it's worth a visit if you're catching a show at Second City (which is conveniently located right next door).
(4)Hannah H.
Adobo Grill offers a Tex-Mex cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as gluten-free options and a wide range of tequila drinks. Some friends and I came to check this place out for a late lunch, as I'd heard about their guacamole that is prepared for you at table-side. Of course, we started off with some guacamole, prepared in a mortar and pestle. The woman asked us which ingredients we wanted in the guacamole, and she made it right then and there - the guacamole is set in the mortar at the table with tortilla chips. I thought it was really delicious, as it was very fresh and creamy, with the fresh onions, the well-ripened avocado, and the bit of salt and lemon/lime juice. The slightly-salted tortilla chips were a great complement. I tried their Chicken Enchiladas for my entree, and these were basted in mole coloradito, topped with sour cream, cheese, onions, and served with a side of refried black beans. This dish was a little underwhelming, as the enchiladas had more of a scrambled eggs-like texture; overall, it was very bland. I did like the refried beans, though! For dessert, we had the crepes, which were stuffed with roasted plantains, cajeta, and vanilla ice cream. It was pretty good, since the caramel was made from goats milk, so it had a nice strong kick to it. Service was pretty friendly and efficient. +table-side fresh gaucamole & chips!
(3)Guy V.
Overall fun place with good Mexican food, yummy table-side guac, and celebratory vibes! TOURIST TIP: We came here before our show at Second City (it's right next door). It's a cute place with a festive atmosphere and enthusiastic servers. To top it all off, I spotted David Pasquesi getting a drink at the bar!! You can't beat a good celebrity sighting, and I'm sure many comedians gather here before and after shows.
(4)Carla Z.
Great table side guac but I'd mirror the rest of the so so reviews on here. Though the place is very authentic I think they still cater to American palettes with the spice factor. If you tell me something is spicy I expect a certain amount of heat ! I've also dined a good bit in authentic Mexican spots and I feel as though they could amp up the spices. The meat was cooked great though--I had the lamb shank Barbacoa. I wasn't too crazy about the sides it came with. I think it was nopales (cactus) & they felt slimy. I'd recommend coming here for apps and drinks only. They have an extensive tequila list :)
(3)Hannah D.
Awesome service and great food! Guacamole is made tableside. Food comes fast as lightening. Drink selection is great! Only suggestion I would have is to have margarita pitchers instead of only sangria pitchers and a few more flavors of margaritas
(4)Tiffany P.
This place is just meh. I wouldn't go here unless my friends are going. And they only go because it is close to where they live. Everything is overpriced due to the location- people will pay so they charge why they can. While the food is fresh, the flavor is kind of bland. Yes, they spice it up, but there is not a lot of flavor. Wine is a minimum of $8.75, guacamole is $9.00, and a small margarita is $13. I would not recommend Adobo Grill. There are plenty of other Mexican places in the area to choose from.
(2)Sarah M.
I was fairly satisfied with my meal. I had the gorditas, and I honestly can't comment on their authenticity. I enjoyed the food, but I'm not an experienced Mexican foodie (except with tamales.) The chips and salsa were very delicious and had good flavor. The service was fairly good, my water glass never got past the half-way mark.
(4)Mike B.
Very underwhelming to say the least. I had a steak dish that was subpar with some guacamole on the side. The guac wasn't bad but the steak was tough and the spinach side was bland and watery. The bar tender was very nice and helpful and that earned them the second star. There are far too many great Mexican restaurants in the area to settle for something this average.
(2)David S.
This is my wife's favorite Mexican place in Chicago. She tells me that the guacamole is the best that she has ever had and she loves watching them make it at the table. I liked the food, but all appreciated the fine service. Also, to me, this is a very easy place to visit if you are going to Second City Comedy Club, because it is in the same building. For a great dive bar thereafter, walk to The Old Town Ale House.
(4)Joe A.
The Corazon de Sandia is great, tastes like a watermelon jolly rancher. The enchiladas de pollo were delicious and the sauce was very flavorful. Great and welcoming service.
(5)Andrew K.
Outside dining during lunch on the first truly warm Saturday in Chicago. Staff was attentive and the food was good. Our puppy enjoyed being allowed to sit under the table. Seemed to me to be pretty authentic.
(5)TJ B.
I was not impressed. It burned down the next day. I shed no tears.
(2)Katey A.
We went here before a Second City show because we were told that they make the best guacamole. SO TRUE! The guacamole is made table side with all fresh ingredients to your liking. We couldn't decide what to order on the menu so we asked the waiter to bring out the two best things on the menu. BEST IDEA EVER! He brought out the Lomito en Mole Negro (Pork Tenderloin) and the Carne Asada (Steak). The flavors and textures on both plates created a wonderful dining experience. The pork is served with a squash cake and a mole sauce. The sweet and spicy combination was wonderful! We couldn't get enough of the squash! The carne asada was cooked perfectly with an excellent marinade. Our server was very attentive and personable. Adobo also offers great deals for event dining (NO ROOM RENTAL COST and FREE center pieces!) I will definitely be back here again!
(4)Iris L.
I came here after a show at Up Comedy. It's a good place because they stayed open pretty late on a Friday evening. The food is pretty spot on, but you can definitely get the same quality food cheaper elsewhere. I had the veggie enchiladas, which were pretty tasty. The service was excellent. Bottom line: good food & service but too expensive.
(3)Yvonne B.
This was an impromptu Sunday excursion. We were walking by and M was riding a high from buying new running shoes. After standing around Fleet Feet for what felt like FOREVAR M thought I deserved a reward (and I didn't even complain - I swear!). My reward was margaritas and guacamole at Adobo Grill. It was casual and chill. Our guacamole was on point and we couldn't complain about the free chips and salsa. M enjoyed her margarita and I got some sort of mimosa concoction. The space was sunny and clean. Only a couple of tables were occupied and we enjoyed watching the Olympics on the televisions above the bar. Service was good and not distracting. It was perfect for what we wanted in that moment. I don't think that it was compelling enough to hook us into a quick boomerang second visit, but we'll probably consider Adobo Grill if we have a hankering for Mexican food in the future.
(4)Romayne P.
So it took me a while to write this review because I have kind of an issue with a couple of OLDTOWN restaurants. One of them being this @Adobo restaurant. I went here yesterday because my friend suggested that we go here and I would love it. Well, that couldn't have been more wrong. I'm going to throw it out there, I feel that we discriminated against. We entered the restaurant at like 3:20 pm. We were the only people of color in the restaurant a black and a Mexican and the restaurant was over half empty. Don't get me wrong, we were seated immediately, them proceeded to wait 10 minutes before some even came to pour us water while others who were seated after us were treated to what ever little fancy sauce making show they put on. I'll never know because at that point I walked out. And for you from this restaurant who might be writing this review I was with the Mexican dressed in all black and I had on the all Navy gear with the #RetiredNavy ball cap seen walking out of your establishment. And before you say it thank you for your thanking ME for my service. Thank god I didn't depend on y'all to make sure I was fed!
(1)Belle L.
Slightly overpriced by $2-5 per dish. Sauce driven. Unbalanced flavor. Filete Oaxaqueno ($25) -- the unworthy most expensive dish on menu. Beef filet was dry that lacks flavor and seasoning. Overpowering chili on sauce. I appreciate the fingerling potatoes and efforts in fine dining -- grilled sliced peppers, mushrooms and a sprinkle of cheese. Homemade Tortillas -- 4 petito comes with entree. Churros ($5.99) -- dark chocolate sauce. Caramel with a goats milk after taste. Churros itself is slightly doughy. Crust is slightly overcooked. Cafe de Olla ($3.75) -- the first I had with sugar already incorporated. Slightly overly sweetened, but somehow the taste is balanced. Pastel de Piña ($7.50) -- Ouch! The mega price is painful.
(2)David K.
Must have the guac.
(4)Stephanie H.
I went here last night for dinner for a mid-week girl's night. We all split the guacamole, which was quite tasty and made tableside. For dinner, I ordered the fish tacos. They were good, but the tortillas got a little soggy a few minutes in. I order fish tacos quite often, so I expected a little better. The ambiance and service was great, so I'd be back to try something else off the menu.
(3)Debra L.
Came here tonight with a party of 13. Even with a big group the margaritas were served up again and again with no wait. One person in the party thought they were a bit sweet, but the general consensus was that they were pretty good, Service in general was excellent. The table-side guacamole was chunky and flavorful. It always makes me happy when a restaurant can accommodate my crazy vegan ways. The vegetable tacos and enchiladas are made to order and can be made without dairy. The enchiladas and black beans were delicious. I see a lot of mixed reviews on this place. My conclusion is they serve tasty food and margaritas, and they serve them efficiently and with a friendly attitude. This is a great place to grab a bite if you're heading to Second City.
(4)Andrea B.
Ironically enough, Adobo needed way more adobo in their food! Everything was so bland and tasteless. Carne asada literally had no seasoning at all. The meat was laid on a sauce that was also bland. There was also a bed of greasy spinach with a potato/chorizo timbale-didn't add anything to the dish. Not much chorizo, mostly greasy potatoes. We ordered two desserts to share because we had heard that they were very good. We tried the chocolate tamal and the flan. The chocolate tamal was extremely tiny first off for $6 with the smallest scoop of ice cream I've ever seen. It was basically like a gooey uncooked brownie. The flan was very bland, tasted like something out of a box. Overall, this is definitely not authentic Mexican food. Absolutely horrible experience and our check was way too high. Go to Ay Chiwowa instead! Their food is fresh, authentic, flavorful and definitely not greasy. Stay away!!! What a waste of money. I wanted to cry when I saw the check, might as well have eaten dog food.
(1)Jeff G.
This place is great, you can always get a seat and they have the best margaritas and guacamole north of the border. This place is authentic mexican...there's no burrito on the menu, but don't let that stop you from trying this place. Amazing, been eating here for years.
(5)Myki R.
So happy my son is taking improve at Second City...so I can wait for him and have the most perfect Mojito, and the Banana Leaf Tamale. YUMO!
(5)Tenzo D.
What the heck happened here!? This used to be one of the best Mexican places in Chicago. But over the years it has slowly slid lower and lower. Every time I go there it seems to drop a little bit. I'm not sure if the original owners sold it or what. It used to have great creative dishes and great Guac. But now they are heading toward a chi chis. Authentic dishes have been replaced with more bland Americanized version and the Guac is almost $10. Does anyone know what happened here? I'm very sad this has happened. And I can no longer recommend this restaurant.
(2)Jo S.
First of all, I love Mexican food and have wanted to try Adobo Grill for a long time but I have been here twice and both times I can say that there is nothing special about Adobo Grill. The first time I had the chicken enchiladas and the second time the tamales, do not recommend either. Tableside guac is ok. The only reason I came back here for a second time is because it's connected to Second City so you don't even have to go outside. It was pretty packed both times I was there so I would recommend making reservations just in case.
(2)Bink P.
I am a Chicago local and I've been to this place at least once a year for the past 8 or so years. Never once have I left disappointed. To the complainers about cost. Let's get a few things straight. How much is guac at whole foods in a cold plastic tub - yeah that's right about $5- easy. They make it table side here with fresh ingredients and it runs a few dollars more. Don't act surprised, when you go out to eat it costs a little bit more! Chips and salsa are free. You just have to ask. Life lessons here peeps. ...Next the appetizers are quite filling - almost a small meal size for lighter eaters! Margaritas do not cost $13 whoever said that. Let's learn how to read a menu? Tequila lovers, there is a huge list of 100% agave tequilas starting from around $7 and you can customize your own drink or take it neat!! Finally on cost, this is downtown Chicago. end of story. To the complainers about service. That's really too bad and I'm sorry to hear about it. The thing is that I just can't relate (I relate to the 4 and 5 star yelpers). My water glass was constantly refilled. Food was timely but not rushed. I got my leftovers wrapped up. no problems. This restaurant was packed - unlike many struggling restaurants. We know quality ingredients and the effort it takes to make a perfectly cooked pork tenderloin (which mine was) and juicy chicken breast (my husband's was). The Mexican food here is authentic and delicious!
(5)Victor S.
This place is amazing! I felt like I was having brunch in an old Hacienda. The decor is very unique, the bar features delicious seasonal drinks. Sam was our waiter, he's one of the best servers I've had. He's knowledgeable about the menu and didn't hesitate when we asked for recommendations on drinks and food. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food this is the place, everything is fresh, even the guacamole is made table side. I will definitely be back!
(5)GB M.
I dined at the Adobo Grill with a group prior to seeing a show at The Second City. Service was efficient. Not over the top but certainly took care of us. The guy who filled out water glasses... and kept them filled... definitely gets a gold star for doing his job! The margaritas were well prepared. The prepared-at-your-table guac, one mild and one spicy, were awesome. I want a guac cart for home! Everyone enjoyed their entree. The desserts were really tasty and great to share. The price point was decent.
(4)J P.
Slow service. Bland, ordinary food & pretty pricey. Probably the only Mexican restaurant to not give you Chips & Salsa while you're waiting on cocktails and food. Avoid the nights when there is a show on at Second City as the service can be inconsistent. I think there are far better places to spend your money within the neighborhood.
(2)Vonita J.
Stopped in on date night before a show at up comedy club and it was great. Food was good I had the Tilapia tacos and a Mojito (which was awsome). My guy had the Salmon enchiladas and he was not disappointed. It's good food a reasonable price. We came in got seated right away service is fair. Only company really is noise level and lighting is poor. But all in all a good dinner.
(4)Adrienne T.
I just got back from here and wanted to yelp this place while it was fresh on my mind. Adobo deserves a 3.5. It's a bit better than OK, but I didn't leave here thinking - "Wow! I'm a fan!" We were fortunate enough to dine al fresco, which really made eating here more fun, especially if you are into people watching. The servers were friendly and attentive, which is not something I've been able to boast about in my other reviews lately. They even brought us another bowl of chips without us asking for them. The chips were of course served with salsa, which I thought was quite unique and more flavorful than what is traditionally served at Mexican restaurants. It was a taquiera style salsa made with a pinch of peanuts. I think the peanuts gave it a nice smooth consistency. We also received the guacamole made table side. I highly recommend this item. It had just the right amount of salt and lime. Because I wasn't very hungry I ordered the camarón ceviche and my friend ordered the quesadilla. Although I was served a good amount of ceviche, I felt the citrus-chile de árbol broth was too sweet. I actually thought a fruit juice had been added. I do not recommend this item. As for the quesadilla, it was served differently than what I'm accustomed to. I actually thought my friend ordered three mini tacos, but apparently they were three mini quesadillas without being completely grilled on both sides. It was fairly tasty though. In addition to the food items, we both ordered a few rounds of their margaritas. I thought they were a bit on the sweet side as well. Overall, I was fairly content with my experience. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if I was in the neighborhood I would consider it again. I think Adobo's major downfall is some of the food items are a bit on the pricey side for something I could get elsewhere for less. I think this is to be expected since it's in Old Town. However, this is where I usually take a point off - especially if those items are not worth trying again.
(3)Jorge P.
Value: 1/5 Very expensive drinks and food for low quality. The only reason this place justifies the prices is due to the location. Location: 4/5 The only positive of this restaurant is the prime location in old town. Close to north ave beach and next to second city. Food and drinks: 2/5 The food here is nothing better than you would get at your average Mexican chain restaurant. The guacamole was ok. My dish came out cold with a side of tortillas. The margaritas are average. Service: 3/5 Overall: 2/5 I would not recommend this restaurant unless you need something in this area and this is your last option available.
(2)Jordan P.
Pretty bummed they were out of the Sopa de Tortilla Verde on the day we dined but gave me the chance to fill up on guac and my lunch tacos without feeling guilty. Tableside guacamole is delicious and the chips had the perfect salty crunch. We split the fish taco entrée and both commented the fish was perfect and the cabbage slaw/chipotle mayo mix fantastic. But helpful tip, the middle taco had way too much of the slaw mix, the outer two not enough. Make sure you spread the wealth before dividing or sharing.
(4)Gaby T.
People always ask me what my favorite mexican restaurant is in the city. Sadly, I don't have one. You see, I'm mexican, so aside from my mommas home cooking there's nothing that can even come close. I've been coming to this place for years now. Which I guess says a lot in itself. The service is always superb. The manager knows my family and I and always greets us with a smile and a handshake. He always seems to have a table available for us. And a free dessert too. We celebrated my parents 25th anniversary here. We were seated in an upper level room. The food was good and the service was great and the prices reasonable. We were allowed to come in early that day to set up the tables like we wanted them. We bought flowers to decorate the tables with. The whole staff was very helpful. Fast forward to this past Monday. I ordered a drink. A pomegranate martini. The waiter informed me it was a very strong drink. I appreciated his comment but went ahead and ordered it anyway. I took one sip and the drink was simply awful. Strong yes. But that wasn't the problem. It was cough-syrupy. So I decided to switch it for something else. When I informed the waiter I didn't like the drink annoyed he replied "I told you it was strong Wth?! What was the point to that comment? It was unnecessary and rude. As far as the food. It's not consistent. I usually opt for the adobo chicken which was pretty good. Well this last time it wasn't. Their table side guac is always yummy. Desserts are okay. The churros are the best. Overall the place is fun, with mostly friendly staff, and their food is usually good to okay. I wish I could say it was great though.
(3)Chary H.
This review is only for the chocolate tamale because we came here just for that and only that. It was the most delicious dessert I've ever had. It sounds very rich or indulgent but it is not. It had just the right amount of sweetness and richness and isn't heavy at all. I thought it sounded strange but I am a believer of the chocolate tamale.
(5)Susan C.
I went here many years ago for lunch. I like the food and especially like the fact they made guacamole fresh for you on a pestle and mortar. I had the taco carne asada and jt was really good. When I went there was a big crowd and the people next to us seem like they are enjoying there food so it's a plus. I would go back to this restaurant when I get a chance.
(4)Talia G.
If you're looking for a dinner spot before a show at Second City, this is your spot. Or if you're in the area and craving some good guacamole and a margarita, this is your spot. The prices are a little high on the high side, but that's just what you get for a cutesy atmosphere in Old Town. My recommendations: get the guacamole and gorditas. The guacamole is made tableside, which is always a cool experience. It's also quite large and served with a side of chips. The gorditas are delicious fat little tortillas filled with pulled pork and other tasty things. I'm obsessed, they're fantastic. Plus, they're about half the price of the tacos and basically the same amount of food! The margaritas are tasty, but definitely on the weak side. I would have preferred a bit more oomph for the price. I've also had the lomito en ancho, marinated grilled pork tenderloin, but it was unmemorable. Good, but not great by any means. To sum up - The Adobo Grill isn't fine dining by any means, but it is really sold, tasty food with a great atmosphere. I know I'll be back many times.
(4)Courtney T.
The food was okay (with the exception of the guacamole. . It's great!). The drinks were okay too but the service was really good. The have a very nice and accommodating staff.
(3)Jeudi J.
Well, the empanadas were delicious, especially the pork. The salsas were good, especially the verde and the chipotle, but you have to pay for them, unlike much less pricey Mexican places. The pepino cocktail was delightful and refreshing. The pork with dark mole was excellent, not over cooked, very tender. However, the rice that came with the pork was tasteless, the garlic spinach wasn't garlicky, and the corn tamal that the excellent server brought when he sensed I wasn't impressed with my sides, was pasty. The entree was definitely not worth $20. My friend's shrimp looked good, but I go to other Mexican restaurants where essentially the same dish is $5 less, comes with chips, salsa and soup, and guacamole isn't $9. The service was outstanding. I'd go back for the empanadas and salas, but probably not for an entree. It's convenient to Second City so it's got that going for it.
(3)Kari J.
I usually write pretty long reviews, but this one will be pretty short. Fantastic, tasty, interesting food. Beyond abysmal service. Went last night prior to the Doug Benson show at Zanie's. Ordered two appetizers for our "entrees" - neither of us were super hungry and didn't want to spring 15+ bucks each for a full meal. We were seated, and it was at least 10 minutes before we were acknowledged for drinks. When the drink order was taken, we ordered the apps. The quesadillas arrived before my diet coke did - quesadilla service was quick at ~10 minutes. Diet Coke probably came 5 minutes later. Our guac didn't arrive until ... well, 15 or 20 minutes after we had devoured the quesadilla. Impossible to get refills, additional chips, and waited far too long for the check. Could have been so much better if they just had a better serving strategy.
(2)Shan D.
Another place where the food is awful, and the prices are too steep. The table side guac is probably the best item on the menu. After that, it's all downhill. I've had both the enchiladas and the tacos, and both were seasoned horribly. I didn't even want to stick around for dessert. Went to a nearby Baskin Robbins instead.
(2)Mike W.
Apparently they think they are too classy to make a frozen margarita. Won't be coming back here again.
(1)Anne M.
3.5 Adobo was pretty good... I felt things were a tad overpriced; perhaps not that surprising in Old Town, but the tab adds up quick. My group of four started with some table-mixed guacamole and I also had a table-shaken margarita. I enjoyed both of these things happening right in front of me at my table - all the better. Margarita was good, but served in a smallish martini glass; guacamole was great and it was a large amount. I wasn't crazy about the chicken enchiladas I ordered. They were good, but nothing spectacular. The portion was also on the small side. Everything was just so-so... I did think the restaurant was cute though, and I liked sitting upstairs.
(3)Christine S.
I'm a Dallas resident in Chicago for work. I've visited this establishment twice and both experiences were the same. Fantastic service, flavorful cuisines. I've read a few reviews and maybe it just my Southern roots that allows me to appreciate the services around me. I do however know when food is bad, over priced or there's bad service and this is not one of those. Last night alone was packed. People lined up waiting for a table to have dinner. They must be doing something right to have so much business:) Hats off to the bartenders last night. One in particular who served me my first flight of tequila. Three different brands, he switched out one of the listed brands with his favorite - Casa Noble and I fell in love with it. I'm a scotch girl so tequila is not my area and I really enjoyed the bartenders pick. The food was great. The atmosphere was lively. I even thought I smelled ocean water air and sandy beaches. Being a single female and a patron having dinner alone in a new city, I felt like I was home. Southern hospitality in the north. The bartenders even bought my dessert! Much appreciation for the service industry! So if you decide you want some good tequila visit Adobo grill, especially at the end of the month. They have a set course meal for their tequila of the month night. Last Thursday in Feb. Enjoy!
(5)Dax R.
This is our neighborhood Mexican restaurant. The guacamole is good. The food is just ok, nothing special. It is a little pricy for what it is. I with the changed up the menu once in awhile.
(3)Theresa F.
3 stars for the guac, margarita, and the service. We ordered the barbacoa empanadas and the ceviche sampler as well. Both very mediocre items (despite how impressive the picture may look.) With prices steeped higher than for what it's worth, I probably won't be coming back anytime soon.
(3)Cindy K.
We love Adobo Grill and should frequent it more often. We tend to go when we have tickets to Second City which is upstairs. The food and service is 5-star; the reason for my giving it four is the noise level is crazy high. If you are looking for a party, this is your spot. To be fare, last night was extra crazy as Chicago was celebrating St Patrick's day. We started with guacamole, the best in Chicago, made table-side served with house made corn chips. I had the shrimp dish which was huge in a delicious sauce. The pork tenderloin with mole sauce was a true standout, simply outstanding. Our friends, their first trip, loved the salmon and look forward to returning. Desserts are delicious The pineapple upside down cake was fantastic as was their Tres Leches. Very worth a visit. Always consistent.
(4)Linn L.
Fun place for delicious margaritas and for sharing some small plates. Friendly, patient staff who kept a great mood despite having to come back to our table three times since we had not made our decisions of what to eat... We had empanadas (yummy), a pork-dish with cheese (so-so) and some sort of Mexican pizza topped with fresh avocado (mmm). The latter got cold since me and my friend were chatting and forgot to eat. Asking if they could heat it up in some way, they hesitantly offered to put it in the microwave for a few seconds... I'll let that sum up the friendly service Don't miss the guacamole! And make sure they make it spicy.
(4)Julia P.
I came here with a group of 8 for a birthday celebration. Our server was great for entertainment. I think a couple of the women felt like he was a little off with his recommendations for some of the appetizers they wanted to share (as in they didn't need as much as he suggested, and the additional apps weren't as good as he had made them sound). I did enjoy the tacos that I had, and the tres leches cake they gave for the birthday girl that we all shared was actually really good, not as dry as they often are in these types of restaurants. But the real highlight for this place is the guacamole!! It is made table-side, and was really phenomenal! Worth going here just for that!
(4)Airin B.
This place is fabulous. We were allowed our puppies on the patio. We had for appetizer the chicken flauta, then followed by the carne asada, and then the tres leches cake. I haven't had Mexican food so good in awhile that this was an absolute treat. I recommend this restaurant to anyone in the city. If you want to hang out for the day, then by all means bring your dog and enjoy the patio together.
(5)Jennifer H.
Came here after a comedy show...came here more for the convenience but were pleasantly surprised. Sat at the bar with Carlos and he was great. Great food, great service, went out of his way for the little things. Will definitely be back!
(5)Son H.
I really like this place. I go there most times I go to Chicago. They have VERY TASTY margaritas and tons of different tequilas. Their salsa is actually spicy which is nice when you are in the Midwest. The service has always been good and they speak Spanish which is fun to converse in. I recommend this if you want to get dinner before or after Second City.
(4)Jill L.
Came here for the first time for a small work meeting. We all shared chips, salsa and guac which was fresh and tasty. Bowls of guac were quite large. For about 10 of us, we shared 3 bowls which seemed to be plenty. As our night went on, the servers brought us empanadas with corn and cheese which were perfectly light and crisp! They then brought tostadas topped with chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese... Ugh, yum! That one was my favorite. After that, they brought us veggie enchiladas which I believe had squash in it. I wasn't sure how I felt about that but it was yummy! The timing between each entree was consistent and appropriate. The servers were kind and attentive while not being intrusive to our meeting. It was also nice that they put us upstairs away from any distractions. The layout is beautiful! I will definitely come back to explore more of the menu.
(5)Suzanne O.
Good food, but high prices. We ordered the guacamole appetizer, carne asada entree and the house margarita ($40 total). The gauc was delicious and you get the choice of mild, medium or hot. We got the hot and it wasn't super spicy by any means, but it was just the right amount of spice for gauc. The steak was very tender and juicy and the sauce on it was great. The margarita was pretty small, especially since it was almost $10, but it was very good. The portions were a decent size and the service was spot on. We went here because we had a groupon, but I don't know if I would normally go due to the high prices.
(4)Laura G.
Contemporary Mexican in a clean restaurant with excellent service? Yes, please. Several friends recommended we check out Adobo Grill prior to our show at Second City. We enjoyed delicious guacamole made tableside and perfect margaritas. My husband ordered the pork dish which was actually seasoned slices of pork. I had the chicken enchilladas (how gringa). Our servers, Christian and Eduardo, were johnny on the spot with refilling our drinks, answering our entree questions and suggesting tequilas. They even got down on the floor and fixed our wobbly table. Our entrees were above average, good not great, but the margaritas and guacamole are what made our evening. I'd say Adobo is a little bit more expensive for Mexican but given the location/neighborhood our bill was what I was expecting.
(4)Emily Z.
2 drinks, 3 apps, 2 entrees and 2 desserts /2 = waddling home. We came for restaurant week, only 3/4 full on a Monday night but the waiter said to definitely make reservations on the weekend, noted. Loved the table side margarita, I thought I might be getting jipped since its served in a martini glass, but I definitely felt it, especially cause he told me to take two big sips and then poured in the last of the shaker contents! Table side guacamole for two consisted of an avocado and a half, fresh and delicious. We also tried the Salbutes or "little tostadas" topped with achiote marinated chicken, pickled onions, black beans, sour cream. Mine sadly were luke warm but delicious none the less. Tamal consisted of guajillo marinated chicken tamal steamed in a corn husk with ancho salsa, sour cream, cheese. I am not a tamale person so I thought it was a little dry and could have used more filling. We both thought the Salmon Yucateco sounded good, and we were right! Achiote marinated pan seared salmon, plantain white rice, pickled onions,peanut salsa. The salmon is much thinner than most but still a good sized portion. The peanut sauce was amazing, but when is it not. Though I am now realizing that I thought the plantain white rice was a weird sweet mashed potatoes, oops! We had Churros and the Chocolate Tamale for dinner, both delicious. Over all or server was great, presentation was great and there was nothing we didn't love! I'll be back for sure!
(5)Andre W.
Guac was awesome Adobo Margaritas were phenomenal and not too big Chicken enchiladas were pretty good. I have always avoided Adobo Grill as it was a small chain and for other stupid unclear reasons. The 3 things I mentioned above makes me feel ashamed as I enjoyed my food as well as my friends I attended the place with. The guac is some of the freshest I've had in awhile and the margarita was one of the best Ive had...I decided to have a 2nd...couldn't help myself. Salsa that came with the chips was definitely good and had a nice spice to it. Service was definitely on point as they entertained us and made sure we had everything we needed. Definitely will come back!
(5)Will A.
This place is pretty good. First off let me say that the guacamole is completely outstanding and is made table-side it's a must try. zo THE CHIPS ARE OFF THE CHAIN. Another must try is the tlyuda which is amazing and is a bite of crunchy savory goodness. I also recommend the steak. The only downside is that the menu is somewhat limited and the mole that came with my steak was very bitter. But overall this is a good place and a must try if your in the mood for some good Mexican food
(4)Sam K.
yaaaaassss margaritas!
(5)Jet L.
I wish this place was better :(. The drinks are small and expensive for what little you get .... Serving a margarita in a small martini glass leaves your customers feeling cheated. The food is just okay. But I have always had nice service and fast here and the gauc is pretty good table side.
(2)Glenn R.
Excellent service. Prompt, courteous, helpful. Excellent food and margarita. Got vegi enchiladas. A little sweet but still good.
(5)Lily B.
The service here was incredibly fast! We had a reservation, so we sat down right away and our family of five was finished with a three course meal in forty five minutes--and that was taking our time! It was neat to watch them make the guacamole and margaritas in front of us. And the chicken enchiladas I had were fantastic! Not too much sauce and the chicken was cooked and puled perfectly. I finished my plate even after I was full. Great spot!
(5)Carlo B.
Went here for dinner with family and friends. The homemade guacamole made table side was creamy and delicious. Definitely something to have. I had the chicken enchiladas and they were just ok. Just note that I am not a big fan of Mexican food but I gave it a try. Ambiance was good, service was excellent and very attentive. I don't recommend for kids who are picky.
(2)Ryan B.
We went here for dinner and drinks on Cinco de Mayo before a friend's show at Second City. I was not impressed. We had reservations (it was Cinco de Mayo, we aren't idiots). They sat us 15 minutes after our reservation time. We were there 10 minutes before they even offered us drinks. Our food came pretty quickly, it was maybe 10-15 minutes after we ordered. We had to ask about our drinks when our food came, the first round hadn't even showed up. They never even gave us chips and salsa. They refreshed the chips and surrounding tables, but didn't give us ours! (UPDATE: Someone just informed me that they don't serve chips and salsa unless you order them. That's even WORSE, right? Doesn't every other Mexican place ever give complimentary chips and salsa?) I also felt like our food and drinks were a little overpriced for what we got. Whatever.
(2)Allan S.
The service was good but the food was just not up to par. Chips weren't fresh, guacamole was diluted with something and had no flavor. Carne asada was edible but marginal. The spice used on the tacos left something to be desired.
(2)Kathleen M.
Worst margarita I've ever had-----ever. Service was wonderful!! But please go somewhere else for drinks, I had to add WATER to my drink over and over again. Terrible.
(2)Claudia M.
So far I have been to these "Tequila monthly Dinners" twice. They are a fun time if you are celebrating a friend's birthday. I had been here before but not for the "Tequila dinner" night. The first time I experienced the Tequila dinner was in February and Adobo Grill was celebrating "Cocina Veracruzana" along with Tequila Gran Centenario. The was dinner was seafood based and so delicious. We started off with Tamal de Calabaza, tasty. Next we had the MOST delicious Ensalada Asada....an arugula salad with Hanger Steak, red peppers and goat cheese. OMG! So good. The main dish was "Camarones al mojo de ajo" Grilled marainated shrimp. Really tasty. The thing about the Tequila dinners is that each course comes out with a new drink that involves a tequila and you have a choice of 3 tequilas to drink from as well. So you get three tequila shots, three mixed drinks 4 courses (including a dessert) for 50$. The food and drinks are so unique. It is a worthwhile experience. The second time we went to "Tequila Dinner Night" was in May. The theme was "La Cocina Poblana". Of course I'm totally psyched because I have been to Veracruz and Puebla and I can't wait to see what goodies they have prepared for us. ----Chalupas con tinga for the appetizer. -----Tacos arabes...very filling -----Main Course...Fillete Poblano ...cilantro marinated grilled flat iron steak and herb roasted potatoes. So good but I was stuffed after the Tacos arabes. ---dessert---pastel de camote... Tequilla Arrete was the tequila distributor that night. The owner of the Tequila Distillery spoke to the crowd about the differences in the tequila and even invited the crowd to visit the distillery in Guadalajara. One of the tequilas that they sell is called Tequila Don Fulano and he said it's sold at Binny's. I've got to find a reason to go back to enjoy another Tequila Dinner Night., soon.
(5)Brian M.
Definitely a good place for outdoor seating. They have great chips and salsa and good tacos too. Parking is hard so try to take PT or walk there if you can help it.
(4)Marisa Y.
I'll be upfront: I'm biased about Mexican after living half my life in Texas. That said, Adobo Grill is just meh. The guacamole and margs are fantastic and worth every penny, but everything else on the menu is bland. I'd come here for appetizers and drinks, but eating a substantive meal here is a waste of money, unless you like disappointing bland entrees.
(2)Shayna Y.
This place is great to go before a show at Second City - the tableside guacamole is delicious. If you are not in the area, don't make this a destination - something about the atmosphere is missing for me.
(3)Laura H.
Went for restaurant week for the $33 three-course dinner PLUS margarita, which is what makes this a good deal- the place isn't that expensive otherwise. It wasn't croweded on a Thursday night. We had a very attentive service and the server had great recommendations about what he thought were the best options. Lomito en mole negro was the standout. The pork and mole were so good! I got the tamal de chocolate for dessert but wasn't impressed- it was like the lava part of a chocolate lava cake was poured into a corn husk. There wasn't any cake, it was just mush, and mine didn't seem to have any cherries.
(3)Jeremy C.
I recently made my 2nd trip to Adobo. The first time was a long time ago and I remember enjoying it. This recent trip wasn't so good. I felt like the service was lacking everywhere from the hostess, to the bartenders, to the servers. I'm quick to critique food quality but not often am I let down by the service level. Seemed like they were there for a job and not to take care of their guests. For example, both at the bar and at the table I had to flag down when I needed another beer after it's been sitting empty rather then them checking in. Couldn't seat us by our reservation time, told us it was going to be a wait even though we had a reservation, and time was of the essence since seeing a show at the UP Comedy club next door. Food = ehhh, I really wasn't impressed by the flavor or the quality of the dishes we ordered. Frankly, I thought their price points were very high for the quality. But possibly it's a case of decent food made worse by poor service. Meh... I'll come back if dragged but nothing about my last experience makes me want to come back.
(2)Justin W.
This place is very very cool. I think they have 5 different levels for eating and dining. They make guac at your table... So fresh! I had the ceviche sampler and so so good. It came with special corn chips and fried plantain chips that were fried perfectly. I could not choose my favorite ceviche because my plate was empty bf I knew it. Must got here.
(5)Ian L.
Ultimate tourist trap. I was with a party of 8, we wandered here merely because it was close. It does not deserve 3.5 stars. The menu is pricey, appetizers from 8-15 and mains from 16-25. It seemed like a tourist trap, so 4 of us did not order anything. And were glad we didn't. My GF got this Tamal "Guajillo marinated chicken tamal steamed in a cornhusk with ancho salsa, sour cream, cheese". It was the worst piece of Hispanic " food" that we'd tasted in our lives, I tried a few bites and she didn't finish it. Tasted like BBQ sauce drizzled on a miserable piece of cardboard with some tasteless and flaccid corn husks. It was flavorless and absolutely pathetic. You've been warned!
(1)Jacob G.
I like the food at Adobo Grill. It's a good restaurant to go to for dinner.
(4)Brenda G.
I've since been back to Adobo Grill and am sad to say it will be my last time. After waiting for too long for a waitress when the restaurant was nearly empty my boyfriend and I ordered, ceviche for him and tacos for me. The ceviche was slimy and had a hair in it (yes a hair) and my tacos were dry and marginal at best.
(1)India K.
Great neighborhood joint. Fresh ingredients. Margaritas are fresh squeezed and delicious. You'll definitely need reservations on a weekend.
(4)Carly F.
Guacamole was very good. Service was prompt. That is up until the end. The waitstaff were huddled in the corner trying to strategize how to get us out, which was very uncomfortable. There were still 6 other tables dining so I don't know why they were trying to flip our table. Food was good. Service was good. Being rushed out of a restaurant not good.
(3)Melinda N.
We really enjoyed this restaurant! As a vegetarian from the East Coast, my options can be somewhat limited when I go to a Mexican restaurant. The vegetable tacos were fabulous (quinoa and goat cheese is always great!); the sangria had a little bit of a tequila aftertaste, but after the second glass, it was just fine. ;) My in-laws were with us, and they were very accommodating for their non-dairy and non-spicy requests. My husband and I found plenty of spicy yumminess for our taste. The guacamole is made to order and great; the quantity was a bit smaller than what I'm used to for tableside guac at a restaurant (esp. split between four people), but there was plenty of other food to stuff in my face. The arugula salad that came with my vegetarian tacos was delicious. Just an FYI for other veggies out there: the refried beans have meat in them.
(4)Emily J.
I'm writing this review based off the drinks and the bartender. I didn't actually order food other than chips, guac and salsa. The guac and salsa were a bit disappointing. Our server was hilarious and the drinks were very good. The margaritas are definitely a must try.
(4)Anuj S.
Adobo is a nice option for Mexican food in the area. It's also a chain - I heard they have a location near Yorktown Mall. One thing that was great for us is we had a group of 6 adults and I was able to get a reservation for 7:30 pm when I called at around 6 pm. It might not be a good thing from their perspective, but for us, it was convenient. It's a pretty large restaurant inside. Food-wise... it was mixed. We got a couple of orders for guacamole and that was good. Of course it was freshly made, but it probably could've used more lemon/lime. For entrees, I had the chile relleno, which was excellent. The combination of sauce and beans was excellent. This thing must be like multiple peppers, because there's no way the huge thing was one big pepper. Anyway, I enjoyed it and could only finish half of it. I also tasted the cheese enchiladas, which were kind of... just OK to meh... Not sure why, but maybe the tortillas were dried out or something? Unfortunately, this is like my staple usually at Mexican places, so that's a bit discouraging. Margaritas were excellent, although very small in size. They serve them in these tiny martini glasses, instead of the nice big margarita glasses you'd expect. There's only one margarita, only one size, so the options are limited. I mean, they made it well, but with a large group it would've been great to be able to get a pitcher. This is probably what contributed to our high bill. The service was fine. Definitely came by a few times and asked for more drinks and so forth. Overall, I think the prices were high. Yes, it is in the city and all, but $40 per person seems a bit, though not exorbitant. In the end, I think Adobo is a decent place. I'd think about it, but I may be back again with family. It's worth a second shot to see if they can improve on the enchiladas.
(3)Chigurll K.
Great food, great service and great location. Try their chocolate tamale and the Tres leches. The martinis are awesome.
(4)Nikil K.
The Margarita was good! The Guacamole was excellent! Friendly staff too!
(5)Melissa S.
Quite possibly the best guacamole I've had ever in my life! I wish I had been paying attention to how it was made. We were staying in the neighborhood at the Hotel Lincoln, and needed something substantial to help with our scorching hangovers. We ordered micheladas, chips & guac, fish tacos, and huevos rancheros. I wasn't a huge fan of the huevos rancheros; something about the sauce just tasted a little Chef Boyardee-ish to me, and there wasn't much else happening. It wasn't BAD, but I probably would order something else next time. My boyfriend liked his fish tacos okay, but commented that there was too much slaw on top and not much fish. It was muggy outside so we chose to sit indoors instead of on the patio. The interior is pretty, our service was fast and friendly, and the prices were quite reasonable. I'd go back just for the tableside guac!
(4)Frido F.
This is a great spot for dinner. The food is quite good. We had guacamole and ceviche, both of which impressed my fiance and I. The server was great, but the food is a little pricy.
(4)Diana R.
I never like Guacamole until I came here! I've been here 2-3 times and every time I have a good time, enjoy the food + drinks, and of course the amazing guac! Every time I visit Chicago I have to spot by! I'll be back next month to visit one of my favorite restaurants in town with my friends and family!
(5)Mattie C.
Came here on an extremely HOT day and were really in the mood for margaritas. It felt soooo good sitting on the patio and downing delicious, large, strawberry margaritas, water and then the amazing guac and chips. The guac here is some of the best I have had and doesn't have cilantro in it, which seems to be a new trend at the tex/mex places. Yum it was just so good. We weren't here for an incredibly long time, but if you just want to lounge and have some guac and chips and a cold drink, this is a great place to go.
(4)Kamilah S.
First This place is located in OLD TOWN not LINCOLN PARK. RESTAURANT WEEK 2014 My girls and I came here for dinner and we had some really excellent food. One of my friends is pregnant so I had to take her complimentary sangria that came with her meal, to help wash down my complimentary margarita. I had the skirt steak that was cooked to perfection and the mini chicken tostadas. The food across the table was delicious and there were no complaints. The churros with the 2 dipping sauces (chocolate and caramel) and the tres leches cake .....YUMMY!!! They also make guacamole table side
(5)Marcia W.
If you go for the margaritas, you will stay for the guacamole that is prepared at your table. Since you are already there, try everything! You will find a reason to stay for desert.
(5)Ali S.
I was there for a special event, so I'm not sure how useful this review will be for everyone as there was a set menu. The service was wonderful, and it was really great how they made guac for all of the tables at a special side station in our room. I had a yummy margarita. But I really only care about the food. My roasted butternut squash enchiladas were fine. They missed the rich flavors of Mexican food. The salad with mango and jicama was really bland, and the cheese didn't feel like the best addition. The guac also wasn't anything special. The chocolate cake with peanut butter flavor was kind of dry, and again not that good. Overall, I've had much better Mexican food at many other places (although these places weren't in Chicago).
(2)Natalia K.
I've been here a couple times, mostly because I'm a huge fan of guacamole and I really like theirs. I always think it could be spicier, but it's fantastic no matter what. And you know it's fresh because they make it right in front of you! I came here recently with a groupon and after the guacamole, I had two of their appetizers: the flautas and the empanadas. I love me some flautas. I always hope a mexican menu has them and get them if they do because they are the perfect bites of crunchy, meaty, cheesy mmmm. These were no exception. The empanadas were just ok, however, kind of bland. I didn't finish them and I was too full from the other two things anyway. Adobo is always a solid place to go for an upgraded Mexican meal.
(4)David K.
I went there after having read the reviews on their guacamole. It was definitely as good, if not better, than advertised. It's pretty pricey but you have to get it. They make it fresh for you after you order. We were also there during Cinco de Mayo weekend, so they had a special menu. We tried a steak dish that came with tortillas, the steak (medium rare) was cooked to perfection. We were already satisfied and slightly full from having finished the chips and guac, but we just couldn't stop eating the entree and ate all of it. It's also right next to Second City, so go eat a fantastic dinner, then go watch one of their productions.
(5)Elizabeth F.
I read that Adobo was considered Chicago's best Mexican restaurant ...so we had to try! Their signature margarita was so yummy (we downed two, each) and the table side guacamole was the best guac we've ever had! We went at lunch time, so therefore we had a more limited menu - but I had the Adobo chopped salad and my husband had the Carne Asada tacos. Both, very good! Can't wait to try dinner there, sometime!
(4)Kelsey B.
The best Mexican food I've ever had. The ambiance was fun yet relaxed and not too loud. The guac is made table side and just incredible... The drinks were unique and delicious. I can't wait to go back!!!!! Their salsa is a little unique though.. lol
(5)Ann A.
This is one of those places you always hear about where you shouldn't let the hole-in-the-wall appearance deceive you. The place looks superficially cheesy, with worn formica tables and all that. But the food is inventive, interesting, and overall pretty decent. We had the guac made tableside, which was quite good. I ordered the small plate tamales, which are a variety pack with 3 different sauces and fillings. While the mole on one of them wasn't the best I've had, the whole mix was pretty good. The place specializes in tequila and offers a flight, which we didn't do. However, I ordered a margarita that I really liked, and which packed significantly more of a punch than those watered-down concoctions you get at fancier Mexican joints these days.
(4)Melissa B.
Our first night out without the baby and of course I loved it. The giant margaritas we're flowing, we had guacamole made at our table (twice because it's delicious and goes spectacularly with the above mentioned cocktails) we ate chicken burritos which we're very tasty and took our time with our meal. Efficient service and nice relaxed atmosphere - we weren't hurried off our table which was very refreshing
(4)Dominica S.
Was here last night with some friends from Second City. The drinks and food were amazing! I had the Tosaditos, I think I spelled that right. And the drink made with pineapple juice, sorry I don't remember the name. As a table we shared the guacamole! Every thing was perfect. At the end of the meal when it was time to pay. They did over charge me by $200+, but I caught it. And my meal was comp'ed & I was refunded the mistake. That did put a damper on my overall perfect night, but the food redeemed them. A mistake is a mistake. So I'll be back! Just probably with cash next time ;)
(4)Andy S.
Conveniently located right next to The Second City. The food here is pretty good but prices are very high (in my opinion) expect to pay $8.50 for one glass of sangria, $9.50 for a margarita, with most of the other drinks priced at or around $9.50. Food wise the majority of entrees are priced between $15 and $20 though lean towards the higher end. They do have chicken enchiladas for $13.99 which aren't bad and they give you a dollop of guacamole. I will say though that I really like the salsa they give you with chips - the salsa has a nice smoky flavor. I would likely never come to Adobo if it wasn't located right next to Second City but it is just so damn convenient. Service is ok to good.
(3)Jessica N.
This is a very solid place to go for dinner. My husband and I both got steak (Adobo flank and the Filet) both were cooked perfectly medium rare and received generous portions (plus both priced under $25!). Our server had good recommendations and was friendly. The one down side is that it was really way too crowded. I know busy places are supposed to be crowded, but the good ones don't make you feel overwhelmed while you are eating, and this one definitely did. I will come back but it's not a top pick for a night out. It's more of a festive go out with a big group of people type of place.
(3)Susan C.
Awesome guacamole made table side..I would come back for that alone but honestly the service was great along with the rest of the food we ordered
(4)Christina G.
I came back here for brunch over the weekend, and had a completely different experience. Our server was great - checking on us often and making great recommendations. We started off with the guacamole (how would we not?). We said medium-spicy, but unfortunately, it wasn't spicy at all. In fact, I commented that the salsa we were given to eat with our chips had more kick than the guac. The portion size is huge though. Whereas it wasn't enough for our group of 6, it more than stuffed my husband and I. The hubby also ordered a Bloody Maria and holy tequila it was strong. I don't generally like bloody Marys (because I don't like tomato juice), but even I had to admit that it was tasty. I did order the coffee, and it was a bit too strong for my taste. For our main meal, hubby ordered the Eggs Bennedictine. I had a bite, and it was yummy. The green sauce was great, as were the sopas and chorizo. Oh, and those house potatoes rocked too. I ordered the fish tacos. 3 came out, and I could only put down one of them. They are battered, which was a bummer (I preferred grilled), but I was told they couldn't make them grilled as the fish was pre-battered. Those tacos were worth every calorie though! As I only ate one and had the rest boxed up, I thought it was really nice that the waiter came over when he saw a bus boy take my mostly un-eaten plate away to make sure there was nothing wrong with the tacos. Nothing wrong - just too much guacamole! I had wanted to try a churro, but by the time my tacos were boxed, I could barely move. We had a groupon and had no problems using it. Definitely will be back - brunch here rocks!
(4)Anthony M.
This use to be one of my favorite places because it felt fresh and new. Now I feel like this place is an old dinosaur that just needs to go off in the corner and die. Personally I would love to see this place get some fresh life and maybe reinvent themselves but it is not happening. This just makes me sad. This place use to get me on two things: the Adobo Margarita shaken table side and the table side guacamole. But even those do not excite me anymore. A few things concerned me on our visit the other night. 1) The busboy kept filling up our water like we were going to dehydrate. It was almost annoying but what really bothered me was when he reached across the table to fill my glass, he pressed the bottom of the dirty water pitcher into the top of our Gorditas sitting on the table. As this was happening, I told him to stop but he kept pouring water and pressing that dirty pitcher into our food. And when I showed him what he did he looked at me and just walked away. Honestly I was really grossed out by this. I am sure that worse things go on in the back but to have it happen right at our table was unacceptable. He did not even say sorry. My stomach is just turning, while I relive this moment in print. 2) The table side made guacamole use to be the bomb. I remember 15 years ago I thought that was the coolest thing ever. We told our waiter we wanted the Guacamole to be so spicy that we wanted it us to hurt us...he laughed and said no problem. The Guacamole Girl rolled over the cart and said, "How would you like your Guacamole?" Again I said please make it very very hot. She mixed all of the ingredients and it was completely bland. There was no hotness at all to it. Our waiter walked over and said, "How is it?" We looked at him and he said, "It is not spicy at all!" He then took our bowl away and worked on our Guacamole for 5 minutes in the corner. I could only see his head above the wall...so he could have just been stirring it. He returned it to the table and it was still not spicy. How hard is it to get some spicy Guacamole around here? So this was another letdown. In fact, we make better Guacamole at home and we do not have the fancy cart with all of the ingredients to push around the restaurant. This is suppose to be a Mexican Restaurant please just find something spicy and throw it into my Guacamole. The waiter also brought us out a spicy habanera salsa, after this but honestly it was tame when compared to what Rick Bayless Habanera salsa is like. I want to go cry in the corner after eating that stuff but not here. I could have drank the bowl here at Adobo and asked for another. Again not hot!!! 3) Our waiter started out like one of those used car salesman. You know where all he does is try to up sell everything on the menu. How about an extra floater on your Margarita? Cha-Ching It is very tiring to have to keep saying no to a waiter that keeps trying to sell you things to raise your bill. I also find it kind of disrespectful too because I am not some twenty year old kid having dinner for the first time in Old Town! 4) The Adobo Margarita is not that good anymore. This thing was all lime juice minus the tequila. What a waste of a drink! I can walk away and make a better tasting homemade margarita, then the one that was served to me here. The shaking table side is a cool feature but when you see the waiter walking away with a shaker that still has your drink in it...that is kind of sad. Yes he filled it up but there was still more drink in there to be poured...that is probably where all my tequila was at. 5) Do not order a kids meal here!!! This place is suppose to be a restaurant that makes fresh food. How hard is it to make homemade chicken fingers? These chicken strips were so processed they were terrible. And the frozen french fries had so much salt on them they were inedible. My little one who is 5 said to me in the car after dinner, "Daddy can we never go back there because those fries were so bad. I could not even eat them they had so much salt on them!" When a 5 year old is starting to review a place like Yelp and give it zero stars, then I know it was bad. I did try the fries and they were terrible unless you wanted to add Heart Disease to your resume. Our family voted and we are done with the Adobo Grill. This place was one of our favorites but it is in need of a makeover. I do not think they care because they are in Old Town and next to Second City in a high traffic area. They are kind of like the Cubs at this time...people go here but the product is last place. I hope that they turn this thing around, or they will disappear like there Division location did.
(2)Emma K.
I have been to Adobo Grill twice now, and have enjoyed the experience both times. The first time I went with a friend who was in town and the family she was staying with. We shared a bunch of small plates and though I cannot pick a single dish from that dinner, I remember enjoying it all - especially the margarita. A year later (last night) my boyfriend had a hankering for Mexican, and we ended up at Adobo Grill. We got a great seat by the window - since I wasn't that hungry, the seat really made my night since I love to people watch. Added bonus - it was St. Pat's day and there is an Irish bar across from Adobo ..... #bestpeoplewatching #winning. We got the guacamole which is absolutely delicious and a huge portion for just two people - we ended up taking some home. I got the salbutes which are basically tortilla chips with yummy shredded chicken piled on top with some sour cream and pickled onions. I got the appetizer thinking it would be small, but it could really be a meal! I managed to eat 4 out of the 5 that came in the portion before surrendering my plate the BF. He got the Arrachera (?) which was basically steak fajitas but with especially yummy steak. Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed my margarita on this trip even though they are a tad expensive. The interior of the restaurant is so cute and cozy ... and now that I realize they have a bar, I just may be back for ritas & guac soon!
(4)Fei W.
What can I say, tried this place after spending the past month gorging myself at great restaurants and this place felt decidedly average. I tried some of the salmon tacos, which were great, but couldn't compare to the mahi mahi ones at Mercadito. I ordered the Poc Chuc and flavor wise it was okay, but I think it could've benefited from a side of rice. The made to order guac was good, especially since you can specify spice levels. All in all, wouldn't come here again unless someone else really insisted on it.
(3)Jami S.
Won't be back. Sitting outside on the patio was the highlight. The margaritas were good, not great. It was fun that they put them in martini glasses. But I have had better drinks for sure (Zocalo). They pushed the guac hard and I get why b/c thats supposed to be the highlight. but we weren't feeling it. & by the way guac is like the most easy thing to make, prob why they totally upsell it. Our waiter was okay, seemed a little disappointed that we didn't order a lot and he was VERY slow with everything. But the most disappointing part of the dinner was that the waiter brought the wrong entree to my boyfriend. And he didn't know so he started eating it. And actually really liked it. 5 min later the waiter came back and was like i brought you the wrong meal and took it away, even tho my boyfriend said he liked it and would keep it. He literally took a 1/2 eaten meal away, like why?? i mean you better not be serving that to another customer! Then he didn't even offer a discount or free dessert or anything. it was really bad service-wise and that is why i won't be returning Adobo Grill.
(2)Sharon M.
We ordered the guacamole and it was awesome! The best guacamole that I have eaten. Our waiter was excellent. We enjoyed our dinner experience at Adobo Grill.
(5)Warren P.
The unique aspect of this restaurant is that they will prepare fresh guacamole for you table side. I've ordered a number of dishes over several trips.. They are generally prepared well but nothing truly memorable. Lively vibe and attentive service.
(3)Alex A.
Love coming here for happy hour! Fun atmosphere; amazing table size guacamole; one of the best micheladas in the city; and the staff is extremely upbeat and attentive.
(5)Dylan C.
My wife and I come here once a month for Tequila night. One of the host gives you a little history of where the Tequila comes from. Every time we go the meal is different and the dessert is phenomenal! You have shot glasses filled with different tequila to taste throughout your visit, Music and staff are awesome!
(5)LOIS B.
Does this place need another review? Probably not. Will I write one anyway? Absolutely I hadn't been here in many years, so it was nice to sit at the bar, before sitting down to dinner, and take in the sights. The area is very high traffic and has given way from hippies to hipsters. Outdoor seating available, nice bar area with a smallish TV in the corner, NOT front and center and NOT the size of my first apartment, and 3 levels for indoor seating. Decor is bright, cheerful, and conducive to meal enjoyment. As previously stated, the guacamole, prepared table-side, can be made mild or heartburn. It is delicious. But, I did not understand the difficult time to get a reservation at a convenient time for our group. I felt like I was negotiating with some heavy duty, intimidating, world leaders and world peace was the goal. Actually, it seems we could have just walked in and gotten a table because there were a number of tables available when we got there. (And a couple remained available while we were dining.) Does the $40 tequila dinner cover the cab ride home?
(3)Lisa F.
The food here was very good - freshest, most delicious guacamole and table-side margaritas! The service, on the other hand, was less than to be desired. It was not that crowded, people were not waiting for tables and he pressured us to order even after we told him that we weren't in a hurry and hadn't looked yet (but had ordered drinks and guac). Food came fast once we did order and then he couldn't wait to bring us our check and hounded on multiple occasions, asking if we were set. Back off man! We still had a very time because of the food, but this guy was just not up to par!
(3)Katie F.
The food was delicious! The prices were higher for the entrees but the appetizers were nicely priced and a good portion. I got the Salmon with chipotle sauce.... sooooo good! My friend got the fluatas de pollo, very yum. We also ordered the guacamole at medium temp and it was tasty, fresh lime, chunky but smooth too. The Mojito and Margarita were fantastic. The Margarita was smooth and you could taste the fresh lime juice. Not made from a mix and you can tell. We got the $10 one, not $55. Good service, gave us space when we were talking and took our orders promptly. Did have to flag him done for a refill on the Mojito though ;) Right next to Second City so it is a good option after a show for a place to eat at.
(5)Shradha A.
I had not been back in 4 years and was excited for table-side guac. It was good, as was the salsa, but all the other vegetarian food was okay. We tried the vegetarian platter, enchiladas, chile rellenos and none was specially good. This place will take large party table reservation so we were here to celebrate a birthday - company was more important than food I guess!
(3)A A.
Amazing amazing amazing! The chicken tamales with red anocho sauce amazing!
(5)Dave D.
First of all, I've lived in quite a few places around the country and one of those places was Texas and Adobo might have the best guacamole i've ever had. This place is fantastic. From the atmosphere, to the drinks, to the food, it's a can't miss. Reservations are highly recommended as it can get packed especially before and after Second City comedy club lets out. Great food, strong margaritas, and a knowledgeable staff. What more could you want?
(4)Alex K.
Amazing service to go along with amazing food! To reiterate previous reviews; the guac was to die for. Prepared at the table; was fresh and delicious!
(5)L.C. W.
Just ate here for the first time. Amazing food! Get the guacamole with some Margaritas, you won't regret it!
(5)Jamie M.
Bar had excellent selection. Atmosphere was nice in scenic downtown Chicago. Close to second city. Real fun place.
(5)Kelley S.
Friendly staff, plentiful tables. Menu had ample selections. Prices were definitely high. Food was prepared in a timely manner. Stingy with chips and salsa... "stingy" meaning one small bowl for a table of 7. Drinks were pricey and small. Atmosphere was very comfortable although somewhat loud with many people inside. This is a nice place to go if you are with a large group or looking for something close with nice atmosphere. I don't think I would go here specifically for the food, which was presented in an eye-pleasing way, but overall wasn't super tasty.
(3)Adrienne N.
Good food, slightly overpriced. Normal size portions.
(3)Beau G.
We had great everything at Adobo tonight. The waiter was very knowledgable on tequila as well as the food. We had the table side guacamole and I would say it is a must.
(5)Tony B.
The waiter and the margaritas were great. The food....ok. Not a whole lot of flavor. Great atmosphere.Pretty awesome that the birthday girl in our party got a free shot and a free desert :)
(3)Megan W.
I went here this past Saturday with a friend for dinner. It was interesting to have them make Guacamole table side. Overall dinner was a little pricey but decent. Here's what we had and will recommend. Appetizers - 1) Table side Guacamole 2) Mahi Mahi Ceviche Dinner - 1) Camarones a la Diabla (Garlic Marinated grilled Shrimp 2) Poc Chuc (Marinated Pork Loin) Dessert - 1) Flan 2) Tamal de Chocolate Drinks - 1) Mojito A Mi Manera 2) Adobo Margarita
(3)Nicol S.
I wish I could give this place 7 stars...it's THAT good! Pros: knowledgeable and friendly servers, strong delicious margaritas, guacamole made fresh tableside, grande entree portions, perfect for dinner and drinks before Second City, the list goes on and on... Cons: NOTHING (besides the valet scraping my front bumper as he pulled my car up to the curb) My boyfriend was so hesitant as he's a meat and potatoes man. He has been begging me to write this review!
(5)Emily M.
Yum yum yum. My boyfriend and I went here after Rocco Ranalli's made us feel sad and underwhelmed. What a difference! It's so pretty inside, and the servers/bartenders were really nice. I appreciate when the waitstaff has an opinion on the food, and I liked when one guy tried to steer us toward a specific dessert item. I had a very tasty margarita, and we shared some chips and guacamole. The desserts were good, too. Overall, it was a nice atmosphere and everything made us feel happy and sunny, in contrast with the snow was poisoning our should-be spring weather.
(4)Lupe D.
I don't want to sound like a cheap whiner so I will stick to the positive. If you MUST go to Adobo, stick to the guacamole, it is about the only thing worth the price. It is absolutely delicious. If you are considering trying an entree, try to get some sort of discount certificate. The wait staff is really nice, the place is pretty big and family friendly. Parking sucks, but we got lucky on the night we went - I hope you do too! There, I stuck to the positive. Proud of me?
(3)Allison S.
Not only is Adobo Grill my favorite fine-dining Mexican restaurant, it is my favorite restaurant HANDS DOWN. I've been coming here since I was about 10 years old (almost 9 years), and celebrate my birthday every year at Adobo (which is on Cinco de Mayo, fittingly). So, not only does this place have SUPERB food, it has an amazing communal feel and is surely a staple of Old Town. The staff is so friendly, the service is great, and the atmosphere feels authentic. Whenever I come home from college, this is the first place I go to grab a bite to eat. (forget Giordano's and Hot Doug's...) First rule at Adobo Grill: ALWAYS ORDER THE GUACAMOLE (only exception is if you're allergic to avocados). Being a connoisseur of Mexican food, I have tried countless samples of guacamole (even in Mexico) and none compare to Adobo's. It is out-of-this-world sublime. The chefs make it table-side, so you know it's fresh, and it's awesome to watch. They mix the perfect amount of ingredients to make a guacamole that will make you want to order seconds (and possibly thirds). Careful, it's addictive. My favorite dish, is definitely the "Sabultes de Pollo" (Little tostadas), they're considered an appetizer, but they're super filling and mouth-watering DELICIOUS. When I go with my mom and brother (both are vegetarians) they usually order the "Plato Vegetariano" which has generous samplings of vegetarian food (i.e. Plantain crusted lentil cake with salsa verde; roasted butternut squash & chipotle salsa; baked potato skin stuffed with veggies; grilled vegetable timbale with creamy spinach) or the Veggie Enchiladas, which are super yummy and flavorful. For the very hungry people, I definitely recommend the "Pollo al Tamarindo". The tamarind-chipotle sauce is literally finger-licking delicious, and the portions are generous. TIP: Save room for dessert! The chocolate tamale will take you chocolate heaven. In conclusion, Adobo Grill is the best restaurant in Chicago.
(5)Martin L.
Let's start with the Margaritas, they suck! Postively the worst I have ever had, if there is any Tequilla in them I would be surprised. The chips and salsa you have to ask for as they want you to either order their guac and chips or special salsa and chips which they charge for. The guac is only average. The chips are below average and average is at best review dependent upon what you order. Below average is the norm. The place is a ripoff and everytime I go there I swear I'll never come back. My fault, probably need to go to a self help group because first time shame of you second time shame on me. Marty L.
(1)Julia W.
Been here many times, met the owner which is very down to Earth and friendly. Great food, beautiful decor, always come here whenever friends visit from my hometown. it's like one of the tourist spots to us. came here to for my dating night with hubby.. always enjoy watching them making the Guacamole. And of course.. the best Margarita in town will come along with your tasty Mexican food.
(5)Jackie C.
Read some of the bad reviews and think we made some great decisions on the menu. We love variety so we order 4 things from the appetizer menu. -Guacamole = this is a must for you to order, they make it at the table and it is delicious -Taquitos dorados= ok -Quesadilla- really good -Cazuelas= we got all 3 and they were very good. Highly recommend the cheese. We will be back.
(4)Basil D.
For a night out on Wells Avenue, that's Old Town to non Chicagoans, north of the Loop, Adobo Grill is a MUST. Now, I've been there in the summer, and I was just there the other night. It has EVERYTHING going for it. It is in a fun part of town, near Second City TV. When you walk in, it just screams, "fun". It's a happy place. It's a place that you don't notice the noise until you're standing at the urinal preparing for the next round of margaritas. But the noise is a good noise, not annoying at all. I don't know why, but it just IS! Yes, the margaritas are TOPS! They're well made, not rushed. They don't overdue the mix, and there's the right amount of tequila in it! Our waiter shamelessly flirted with my date, shaking the shaker of margaritas and making a dance out of it, and bumping is "dupa" against her...he was playful and friendly. One could tell he loved what he does and I bet he gets at least 3 numbers a night from girls (thankfully not from my date!). The guacamole is the best I've EVER had. I know, I know, how can you screw up guac, right? This was exceptional. It was creamy, the perfectly ripened avocados, there was just the right amount of cilantro and tomatoes etc...in it. Their food is fresh, the meat is seasoned perfectly, and served hot off the grill. Don't forget to ask for a lime if you order tacos. It makes a difference! The Chile Relleno is fantastically unique! SO worth getting! This is just a fun night out. Even if you do nothing else in the evening, go to Adobo Grill and save Second City for another night. You'll want to remember this place. And in the summer, to sit outside on Wells and watch the people go by, well...that's a treat! This place has got everything going for it! Remember, I RARELY give out 5 stars... I don't like to inflate the system, otherwise it's of no use to anyone! SO this is worth it!
(5)Rita B.
Their guacamole is soooo yum!!! The chocolate tamale you must get!!!! It was a different mexican place than i am used to! I will be back if I am ever in CHicago!
(4)Will M.
Pretty average mexican joint that operates under the cover of high prices and overused words such as "Authentic." Sometimes a place really nails the three star rating, and Adobo is one such spot. Wait service was neither bad nor particularly attentive. Drinks were fine though small. Food was decent though not terribly memorable. Really the only note-worthy aspect of our dining experience was how fast the bill at an average mexican restaurant could equal that of a nice steak house.
(3)Rachel K.
I've been here a few times since moving to Old Town and they BY FAR have the best margaritas in town. The dish I usually get is the vegetarian enchiladas and they are incredibly fresh and a great take on the usual dish. The guacamole is made table-side and is out of this world. The service is great and the while we love sitting outside in the summer on their patio, the inside is decorated really neat with lots of different seating options. Love this place!
(4)Brian F.
This restaurant has made me a life-long fan and customer. I was in the area for other reasons and was forced to park on a side street to the north of Pipers Alley w/o a resident sticker. I asked the manager about my risk of getting ticketed since it was now after 6p. In response, he had his valet go get my car from it's illegal parking spot several blocks away, park it in their valet lot, and didn't charge me for the valet. Simply unbelievable service! The food is very good as well. We really enjoy the made-to-order-at-your-table guacamole. YUM! The tortilla soup is really amazing as well. Top it all off with a couple of their amazing margaritas! I wasn't overly thrilled with their Queso Fundido which was strangely chunky and not as fondue-like as I prefer and their ceviche gave me instant heartburn. Lots of menu items though and I just won't be getting those items again. I will return often.
(4)Elibe E.
My friend and I met up here for dinner during Chicago's Restaurant Week. I love Mexican food and the menu here was very generous (included a drink for under $40). Our server was very attentive and prompt. For those of you that like margaritas, you should know that the servers shake them tableside - very cool, pretty good too (mad props here as I don't drink but 1-2 of these a year). I'll be back to explore the standard menu.
(3)Patch L.
Great food & service. We took our aunt here for her birthday with family from out of town. Everyone loved their food from tacos, salmon, carne asada, guacamole, & desserts (flan, tres leche, & churros). The service was attentive & friendly!
(5)Catherine N.
Dined during restaurant week, dined the week after restaurant week, had equal amounts of fun/gained equal amount of weight. Servers are delightful and knowledgable-food was fantastic. After scanning through the reviews before going the first time, I'm glad I ignored the "too much cheese" and "limited menu" comments. A). I don't believe in "too much cheese" and B). I thought the menu was TOO diverse - and this is coming from a recovering vegetarian! I highly recommend the vegetarian quesadillas - I've never had them on blue corn tortilla before this, but the cheese was melted to perfection and the additional veggies made the whole combination simply delicious! Also, take note that their steak should probably make an appearance throughout the course of your meal so that you don't regret not ordering it later.
(5)Justin B.
My wife and I used a Groupon here last night, and I have to say it was pretty good. We kept it pretty vanilla, skipping drinks but going for the guacamole and the arrechera. The guacamole was spicy, the chips were hot, and the steak was pretty good. The tortillas served with the steak, beans, guac and onions were good too. The place was relatively empty (it was a Monday) so sliding in with a reservation was pretty vanilla. Didn't love any of it, very strong "like." I probably won't go back unless there's another Groupon, since the prices seemed a tad high, but otherwise a solid experience.
(4)Elizabeth T.
My husband and I ate here last Sunday and we were so unimpressed. There was no atmosphere and the place felt stingy. The service was Ok and our food was not good at all. We had some mini chicken enchilada app and each had a chopped salad. Yuck! The gauc was not too bad but that's the only reason why I am giving this place 2 stars.
(2)Carmen M.
I ate dinner at Adobo on July 4th, which also happened to be my four year anniversary. My boyfriend and I are really laid back when it comes to our anniversary dinners (nothing is ever open on July 4th anyway,) and all we wanted to do was find someplace new to eat. We somehow found ourselves in Old Town and this place caught our eye. We decided to give it a shot. Our waiter was very nice... if not absent for most of the experience. We ordered two 10 dollar margaritas and guacamole to start. The margaritas were tiny. They barely filled a martini glass. We were disappointed but they were tasty so it was all right. I was really excited about the guacamole because the menu advertised that it was 'table side' and I saw this woman with a cart going around and making it fresh right in front of you. Someone came by with chips and I started looking around to see where she was. ...... The waiter came by and plopped a bowl of guacamole down in front of us that had already been made without a word of explanation. Okay. Great. It seemed silly to complain and I was really hungry so we decided to just tuck in. the guacamole was good.... really, really fresh. It was a bit bland but we added salt to it and devoured it. Next, we ordered entrees. I ordered the Salmon Glazeado and my boyfriend ordered the Arrachera. They both sounded delicious... Wrong. I will say that both the salmon and the flank steak were cooked very well... but that's about it. We both took a bite of our food and looked at each other in confusion. "I can't taste anything," my boyfriend said. I couldn't help but agree. The glaze on my salmon was this weak, watery, tasteless sort of BBQ stuff. The mash that came with it was gray and lumpy and also tasted like nothing. The steak was just as bland and when we tried to eat it with the onions and peppers that it came with it just made it worse... just different textures of blah-ness. We didn't contemplate sending it back for something else... we just ate what we could, smiled at our waiter and asked for the check. It took a while and by the time it finally got to us we were both shaking with silent laughter about what a terrible choice we made for our anniversary dinner. We gave him our card and started getting ready to leave. To top the evening off, a lady that we had never seen before came over and loudly declared that my boyfriend's credit card was declined. The tables are very close together and the family next to us looked at us pityingly. The (Hostess? Manager? Still don't know who she was...) walked off without another word. My boyfriend, confused, checked his account balance. Plenty of money in his account. Huh. (We later bought both ice cream and many drinks with that same card and had no problems whatsoever.) Instead of trying to find the obviously annoyed woman and ask her to try again we paid with cash and got out of there. All in all, a pretty bad experience. It'll be a bad anniversary story to tell the kiddies someday.
(1)Alison B.
Excellent table-side guacamole. (I mean EXCELLENT) Superb margartias. (SUPERB!) Brunch menu was smaller than I thought- but the lunch menu was available so we weren't without options. Fun menu-- look it over on their website and see if it's for you. (Although I think their website sucks a bit) Service is good. Decor is nice. Prices are a bit high ($9 for guac, $9 for small margarita), but considering the quality, freshness and location they aren't overpriced.
(5)Rob W.
Still a solid four stars in my book. Used a Groupon tonight which helped bring down the tab to a reasonable level. The food here is pretty good overall and they still have KILLER Guacamole - Adobo remains the only place that I really enjoy guac. Nice Tequila menu - easy to read and pretty clear cut. Fabulous flan.
(4)Tricia D.
Try the mojito! It's not your classic mojito, with tequila instead of rum and some basil added in there. Chewing on the sugar cane stick is refreshing. The grilled flank steak was delicious, but I was definitely overpaying for my entree, priced at $19. Adobo really racks in the business from the Second City crowd.
(3)Adam C.
When you're craving Mexican, first ask yourself "Do I want Americanized Mexican, or do I want Mexican Mexican?" Your answer will greatly determine where you choose to eat. Adobo is in a fantastic location at North/Wells. It's right next to Second City, Zanies, and several fun pubs in this Old Town corridor. However, it's not what you're expecting. For the uninitiated, Adobo is not your typical gringo Tex-Mex joint. There is no Chili con Queso cheese dip on the menu. There aren't 14 flavors of margarita to choose from. There are no chimichangas, taquitos, fajitas or other items you've come to expect from 99 out of 100 Mexican restaurants in which you've ever set foot. Nope. Adobo has margaritas, but only one kind: the real kind. The lime kind. The kind with real agave in them. The kind that taste amazing like a refreshingly tart and sweet drink with a kick. Adobo has a cheese dip, but it's nothing like you've ever had before. It's a melted cheese over salsa verde and chunks of chicken, corn and beans. You have to cut it with a knife and scoop it with a spoon into soft, corn tortillas. I ordered the beef spare ribs that were served on the bone. It was like a pot roast texture where the beef was falling apart with the touch of a fork. My wife had the roasted chicken and it was marinated in a sauce that was so tangy and delicious. We both really enjoyed our dinners and felt like our culinary appreciation of a more authentic Mexican variety had been furthered several miles ahead.
(4)K C.
Exactly the place to go for a casual date night or with a small group of friends. The guacamole is phenomenal and a great portion size compared to other restaurants. Service is great too. Must call in reservation a day in advance to guarantee seats.
(5)Tiffany S.
love the table side guac! probably the best thing on the menu. tacos were delish and the service was outstanding! convenient location too!
(5)Ray D.
Great fish tacos! The carne Asada was a little small portion for the price but the fresh guacamole made up for it. All in all a solid Mexican food establishment. Great ambiance, a little pricey for what you get, but good food.
(4)Kaitlin M.
I absolutely LOVE this place. First of all this is an authentic Mexican restaurant so don't plan on ordering some fried burrito or any thing Americanized like that. Their menu is unique in that you could come and eat off the tapas style dishes or get full entrees. Its up to you! They have a couple of great authentic Mexican vegetarian/ vegan options too! My favorite is their Veggie Enchiladas! The tamatillo sauce they douse the enchiladas in is perfectly spice for just enough kick and a lot of flavor! The squash seams to be always freshly cooked as opposed to out of a can. I also recommend getting their guacamole as an appetizer because is is freshly made right in front of you to your liking! Lastly, their house margarita is a MUST! They make their own sweet and sour with fresh lime, lemon and agave syrup. Don't drink too quick though, because they do have quite a bit of tequila in them despite what you would think.... I made that mistake the first time! ;) Service is always friendly, attentive, and informative. Go have a great meal! I DARE YOU! ;)
(5)Heidi R.
Holy table side guacamole!! I have eaten here before and came back recently with my boyfriend to show off the amazing guac here. This place is always crowded and even with a reservation on a Wednesday night we had to wait. The entire menu is over priced and I think the restaurant in general is a tad over rated. But I do think the drinks are tasty - I had the red sangria and the table side guac is fun to watch and even better to eat. My boyfriend had the enchiladas which to him were mediocre and I tried the Cazuelas which are Earthenware casseroles right out of the oven, topped with cheese and tortillas for making tacos. You can get cheese, chicken or chorizo with pork or a combo of all 3 for $15.99. I tried the combo but really the cheese is where its at. For dessert, we shared the Pastel de Tres Leches which is three milk soaked pecan-cake in a phyllo cup; canela strawberries, coconut-caramel mousse. This was VERY tasty! I'd go back to Adobo for drinks and guac but that's probably it.
(3)Meera T.
I came here a few years ago with some friends, and fondly remember their butternut squash enchiladas. Even though they're no longer on the menu, I couldn't pass up a spectacular Groupon for the restaurant. Starters: Tableside guacamole and the empanadas potosinas. The guac was AMAZING. There was a little confusion, as the lady who was supposed to make our guac ended up making it for the table next to us (who hadn't ordered it yet). But, it wasn't a big deal and she promptly made ours when we requested it. The empandas were good. They were sitting in this amazing tomatillo salsa. Perfectly crispy and cheesy. Entrees: I ordered the Platos Vegetarianos because I was tired of the same old enchiladas. For $16, I was expecting a bit more food. There was a small asparagus and tomato salad to the side, a tiny goat cheese filled zucchini, a normal sided tamale, and one empanada. I could have gotten more food at any other Mexican place for half the price. I guess you pay more for quality. It was delicious, but the portions were just really small. The boy got the Pechuga, which was adobo marinated roast chicken breast with sautéed chayote, mushrooms, corn, rajas and ancho salsa. He seemed to like it. Desserts: Man oh man, you can't go wrong with the Tres Leches. Unbelievably moist, in a phyllo shell covered in chocolate, strawberries and caramel. I was a happy camper after this. The ambience is good. The tables are a bit packed together, but it wasn't a problem for us. Our server was nice, but seemed a bit flaky. The only times he ever came to our table were when we signaled for him (even to order).
(4)Boston R.
We had a hankering for margaritas so my girlfriend and I stopped into adobo. Never been so didn't really know what to expect. We sat at the bar ordered a round of margaritas, two tequila flights, an order of empanadas, and guacamole. The margaritas were a house made mix of natural ingredients and were pretty close to the best margaritas I've ever had. While tasting the tequila flights the extremely knowledgable bartender gave us a little lesson on how tequila is made, and how to identify quality tequila. He was outstanding! Not to mention it gave us a unique experience! The guac was good the salsa was fantastic, and the empanadas were delicious! Over all it was a really good night and we will definitely return to adobo!!!
(4)Troll K.
Go here on New Year's Eve! They have great food, a fun atmosphere, and it is a really great deal!!
(4)Olga Q.
Why don't negative stars exists on this thing?!?!..... I simply can not believe that this place has 3 stars in Yelp! I went with my fiancé for dinner based on the pictures of the chocolate tamale. This is what we ordered 1 Modelo Negro (beer) 1 Mango Daiquiri ONE entrée two appetizers and a dessert for $65! The high price would have been acceptable if the food wasn't such poor quality and small portion. Out steak dinner that we shared was $20 and the steak came cut into pieces. I suspect they don't give an entire steak and that's why it's cut. I had one tiny piece of steak and my fiancé ate like three little strips and that's all there was. Serious we left and got sandwiches at Mr Submarine! I'm so upset by my experience I feel robbed. One of the appetizers the chicken Flautas were so gross I took one bite and didn't touch them again. The dessert which is what drew us in was nothing great either. The chocolate tamale was cake in a corn husk that wasn't baked all the way through so it tasted like dark chocolate warm powdery thick pudding GROSS! I'm Cuban and my fiancé is Colombian although our country's cuisine is far different than Mexican we are familiar with what Mexican food should somewhat be like and this was not it. I looked around and found a yuppie-ish crowd and I hate to think this crappy restaurant has remained open by the money people in this community are dishing out for what thy THINK is ethnic food....WAKE UP!!!! YOU GUYS ARE BEING DUPED!!!!! Won't ever ever go back and will definitely not recommend this place!
(1)Amy S.
Yum! This place is not your average Mexican restaurant. There is a really unique mixture of flavors, such as the pomegranate chicken. The prices are a little steep, but the food is fresh and delicious. Their guacamole is to die for!!
(4)Geo B.
Was really looking forward to some proper Latin American food but was so disappointed. The food was decent although a bit on the saltier side but didn't even come with rice which is a staple for certain dishes and def not worth the price.
(2)Anne C.
We went to Adobo Grill for the first time a few years ago and I remember it being a really really good experience. We moved out of the neighborhood and hadn't been back for a couple of years until they recently offered a Groupon deal. We figured it would be a great reason to go back again. I have to say, I was a little disappointed this time around. The menu is limited, the food was decent, and the prices were a bit steep for the quality. I ordered the chile relleno, which was pretty bland and had waaaaaay too much cheese in it. It definitely wasn't the amazing meal that I remembered from my first visit. The restaurant was also a bit empty for a Friday night in Old Town, very unlike our first visit. I wouldn't say that it was a bad meal by any means, but for the quality and price there are so many other great Mexican food options in the city (Zocalo, Big Star, Taco Joint, de cero, even the pricier Mercadito) that the next time we are in the mood for tacos this would not be my first choice.
(3)Eileen M.
This place has become my new go-to restaurant. I love that it's not another Americanized Mexican place with a million taco combinations on the menu. The menu isn't overwhelming in size, but it was extremely difficult to pick just one item to try. Nothing was overpriced and the food was delicious and authentic. I wouldn't recommend people go here without ordering the guac- it's made fresh in front of your table, and is out of this world!
(5)Amelia B.
Decent, but not my first choice for Mexican. The big highlight has to be the guacamole & tequila flights, but its all downhill after that. That's not to say that the entrees and other dishes are necessarily bad, per se, but they are just kind of...unremarkable. And for being a bit pricey for Mexican cuisine, I expect more memorable food. And kudos for having a gluten-free menu. Though I'm not gluten-free, the Tamales de Barbacoa are pretty tasty. If you are up for an adventure, I recommend the tequila flights. Servers have always been helpful & knowledgeable in choosing one, which helps a girl who "grew up" drinking tequila from a plastic liter bottle (how did I not go blind from some of that rot-gut?) I hear the margs are also good, but I'm not a margarita person myself. Really, the biggest thing Adobo has going for it is location: if you can sit outside, people-watching along Wells is enjoyable. And it's a great location pre-Second City (though it gets ridiculously crowded on those nights, beware) or before you hit up the Old Town bars.
(3)Bailey B.
Disclaimer: I'm no culinary expert; I don't even live in the city; I'm not Mexican. But I gotta say: BEST MEXICAN FOOD I'VE EVER HAD WITHOUT A DOUBT. Interestingly enough, I made a reservation for 4 before a Second City show on a Friday night, but I didn't need it. I'm guessing this is a total anomaly, so I'm not recommending walk-ins. Our waiter was really nice and there weren't any problems with the service for us. My food was AMAZING. I got the Gorditas as an entrée and LOVED IT. I don't even like chicken!! I did notice the portions were on the smaller side, but by the time you've eaten your way through a bowl of chips and guac, you're stuffed. My friends really enjoyed their food as well. The wait for food didn't seem long at all, and we had plenty of time to get our seats at SC. I usually never blog or write reviews, but the night was just all in all such a great time, I felt like Adobo deserved 5 stars somewhere. If I liked in Old Town, there's not a doubt in my mind that I would get cravings for those Gorditas.
(5)Dustin G.
I'm so glad I didn't plan ahead. Recently, I took my mom to Second City for her birthday. We'd had a late lunch and didn't eat before the show. It was after ten when we left and we were starving. I wasn't sure anywhere else would be open so we went directly to Adobo. What a happy accident. This was some of the best Mexican food I've had in Chicago. We tried the lomito, grilled steak (can't recall the Mexican name), and a few other things. My lomito was my favorite. They serve the pork loin with a black mole. I've never had black mole before and I was pleasantly surprised with the unique flavor. It also came with fresh spinach and warm flour tortillas. The table-side guacamole is wonderful. I love watching people make my food. The guacamole girl is superfast, too. I wish I could pit an avocado at lightning speed. The margaritas were fabulous and plentiful. They gave us free refills and a free dessert because it was my mom's birthday. They really provided an unexpectedly great ending to a birthday celebration. I could not have done better if I'd planned it myself. I can't say enough good things about the waiters and bartenders. Check this place out!
(5)Rob K.
We've been to both Adobo Grill locations a few times, but it had been quite a long time before today's lunchtime disaster. I will say the guacamole was as good as ever and our service was quite fine, but the thing my wife got on her plate that was supposed to be a Roasted Vegetable Quesadilla was an all-time disaster, so laughable we couldn't really get angry about it. Imagine, if you will, the sight of three tiny tortillas folded over with nothing but melted cheese and several corn kernals inside them. It might feed an emaciated sparrow. We're very sorry we didn't have a camera on us. My Chicken Torta, meanwhile, was served on crusty old bread and wasn't so much a torta as a fried chicken sandwich with old lettuce and tomato that may have been heated up after spending a few years in a freezer. It was food so bad it defied belief. Keep in mind the service was fine and the guacamole was great but it's clear that coming here is a risk.
(1)Janis W.
I used to like this place, but it's gone downhill. The service was unattentive. We tried to order the table made guacamole, the waiter said oh yes yes, it's on the way. But it never came. He didn't even notice when he stopped by the table to ask how everything tasted. The soup was disappointing and the margarita that he raved about was average.
(2)Jayme C.
Went to Adobe this past Sat for a birthday dinner, easily 15 of us. The service was GREAT. And with a large group that is hard to do. Guacamole was the best I have had in Chicago. Other dishes were typical Mexican fare but good none the less. I would go back.
(4)Jay j.
Well, this place has a great patio and the food looks good. However, the food was extremely salty. Furthermore, this restaurant broke one of my cardinal rules. We ordered the Chicken Cazuelas. No where on the menu did it say that this dish included mushrooms? Well it does. I hate mushrooms. Mushrooms are not something that you can just pick out of a dish. Their slimy taste permeates everything. It was all downhill from there. If you are in the city and are looking for a great Mexican restaurant I am certain you can find better.
(1)Timi C.
The flavors are very authentic - they make the guacamole table side, tortillas taste like masa, and the sauces have bold, chile flavor. Unfortunately, the portions are very small for a very high price! Even after an app and one entree for the two of us, we were still looking for more. Off to Pinkberry around the corner!
(4)Jet S.
Great guacamole. meh everything else.
(3)Sarah A.
The manager and the bus boy saved this place. We were on the way to having a really unpleasant experience but they totally redeemed it. Food is ok, had the chile rellenos and it was ok if you like a huge brick of cheese covered by a poblano pepper. But the table side guac is amazing and they have really good chips and salsa. They also have my fav beer, Five Rabbits LizRd (Mexican wheat beer so good). Our waiter was not attentive and couldn't cAre less about us, probably because he was busy but he didn't seem like he was even trying. The bus boy was a rock star. We ate tons of chips and he kept refilling them and our water. The manager packed up my food to go for me and even had the kitchen add more sauce to it so it would be good the next day. So thoughtful!!! I wish I had asked the managers name so I could shout him out. He ended up slipping the bus boy a tip because he was better than our waiter.
(4)Carola S.
Awesome fresh food, great energy, excellent service! The perfect vibe to get together with your friends and family to eat, drink and be merry. The tequila is off the hook!
(5)Rebecca R.
Now, if you are looking for a margarita and guacamole, this is your place. If you want some great Mexican food, I would check out one of the hundreds of other places around town. Service was slow, place was overcrowded, and prices were a bit high. It could be fun with the right group and a few pitchers of margaritas, but I know I will be heading somewhere else if that is an option next time.
(3)Marc C.
Nothing Bad, nothing amazing! This place is A-OK! Go here for a more formal Mexican food experience but skip if Qdoba or Chipotle will satisfy your cravings.
(3)Wanda M.
We stopped here for dinner before a show at Second City. Nice little patio out front and inside there are so many little pockets for private parties. The margarita was so delish..even non fans of margaritas will like them. Like everyone else, the guac is incredible. We never order guac because typically it is already made and infested with onions (no me gusta). The fist round came with onions; however, upon request it was removed from the table and replaced with onion less guac! Hooray! We are also huge Frida Kahlo fans and it was fun to see a few paintings of her as well as tequila bottles with her face on them.
(4)Caroline M.
These days my cravings consist of the same few things: cupcakes, champagne, sushi, and all things coffee. When someone suggested Mexican, I was like YESSS! Sometimes you gotta change it up a bit. And there we were, sipping uber fantastic margs on a hot & sticky night last week. Perfection. Service up at the bar was speedy! Bronwen was wonderful and she knew how to shake up a lovely margarita. While studying the menu, we munched on their guacamole. The spiciness level of "medium" was great. I can't handle a lot of spice, but this was very tolerable. And tasty. Oh, and it is a massive portion--don't eat too much otherwise you won't have stomach space for their amazing empanadas! Corn+cheese+poblano = WIN. And the gorditas?! OH MY!! Pork heaven. The taquitos were yummy, too. I don't understand what's up with the bitching about prices. Seriously, $8.50 for a delish margarita (no ice = more booze, people) :) Old Town WIN!
(4)Ally J.
Great Mexican spot! I went there a little while ago, feeling a little hungry after a long walk. My friend and I took the ceviche, the guacamole, and a few cocktails. Though we were a little disappointment about the ceviche, the guacamole was out-of-this-worldly (they prepare it in front of you after asking you your preferences... yummy!) Now to my favorite part: their cocktails!! First of all, the classic margarita. Classic, but fantastic! My friend had the tropical margarita. I couldn't even choose which one I liked best. After another round of those, we got tempted by a coconut cocktail they actually serve in a real coconut shell. I didn't even know this place could get any better. In the end, we left this place tipsy and happy! We will be back!
(4)Tony F.
I have been here a couple of times. I tried to convince myself this place is awesome. Really, I did. What I ended up in terms of grading the food is "Meh. I've experience better." The only up to this place is it is cozy and up to date. Other than that, its in Old Town where we live. So not much to say. Also, I think the claim to fame of Guac is over-rated. Good place to meet people. Good for a date. Great spot to be when going to Second City. Cheers! Tony
(2)Mahsa T.
I have been living in the Chicagoland area for most of my life, and yet for some reason, I had managed to never come here. My friend finally took pity on me and we came here for dinner one night. Margaritas were wonderful and strong as I expected. Guac was equally fantastic. And that's about where the greatness ends. The entrees are good--not great--but totally edible and I would eat it again. I had the chicken enchiladas and they were average, nothing flavorful, kind of on the bland side. Service was fantastic from the whole staff. Our server was attentive and friendly. Great atmosphere here, will definitely be coming back for drinks.
(3)Oscar S.
Must try their Tres Leches Cake!!! Its the very best Tres Leches Ive ever had in my life.Ive had it a thousand times all over the city and suburbs.When I tell people about it I describe it as ANGEL FOOD FROM HEAVEN!!! My grandmother on her best day could NEVER top it.Im Mexican American so I've had this dessert my whole life.The rest of the food is also very good.But remember what I said......
(5)Erica Z.
Huge fan of their jalapeno margarita's. Adobo Grill is who got me hooked on them, and now I am spoiled because I cannot find another location who makes them just as wonderful. This could be a good thing, because it keeps me coming back! I would also recommend trying their tortilla soup, wonderful flavor, leaves you wanting more. I'm more of a grazer when I come here, only because they have so many wonderful things. A couple of my favorites are the sopes surtidos, the plantain being my favorite, and I am also a fan of their salbutes, with the black bean being at the top of the list.
(5)Viviana A.
I bought a coupon from Groupon and I will definitely go back again. I love to try all the Ceviches. I had the Tuna Ceviche, which was delicious and so fresh. In addition, the other must taste items are the Mango and Hicama Salad and the Tamarind Chicken. I have no complaints. Great Service, Good Energy, Fresh and Inventive Mexican Food
(5)Rachel F.
I live in the area and my roommate frequently raves about this place so I figured I'd go check it out. Oddly it was rather empty on a late Saturday night we ordered guacamole to start, I had grilled octopus ceviche & the sopes appetizer for my meal and Graham D. had pork loin tacos. Everything was flavorful, but just not amazing for that price. I'd go back if we were looking for a nicer mexican dinner, but if you really liked this place I'd try Sol de Mexico, they have some of the best fine mexican food on the north side. Service was pretty good though, really enjoyed our waitress and once a month they offer a great tequila tasting dinner that if I go may bump this place up a star.
(3)Melanie S.
Adobo Grill isn't a place I go to with any frequency as I don't find myself in Old Town very often and there are several other Mexican places I enjoy more, but I went here for the opening-night after party of the Steppenwolf Theater production of 'Endgame.' I have a hard time not giving Adobo Grill 5 stars just based on the fact that it was here I was able to meet and talk to my celebrity crush, William Petersen. He's as nice as he is talented. But I suppose I should stick to the point of the review, which is Adobo Grill. Most of the downstairs section and part of the upstairs was reserved for the event. Everything was gratis, which made it all the better. First off, we were handed margaritas as soon as we walked in. Excellent and strong, everything you want in a margarita. On each table was chips, guacamole and salsa. The guacamole was good, but it was lacking a little zestiness. The salsa was great - it had a nice smokiness and a little kick to it. We snagged a table pretty close to the kitchen so our group was able to get food almost immediately after it was made. A nice variety of thngs were passed and everything was delicious. Chicken taquitos - somewhat spicy shredded achiote marinated chicken inside a crispy shell, with sour cream drizzled on top. I think I ate like 100 of these. Empanadas - stuffed with corn, cheese and poblanos. Heaven. Tilapia ceviche - fresh, citrusy, and spicy. It also had avocado and its creaminess provided a nice balance. Tamales - stuffed with chicken and cheese and covered in a tomato salsa. Most excellent. Plantains - I love plantains and ate a bunch of these, but I have to confess that I have no idea what was on them, but they were really good. The staff did a great job and kept our margarita glasses full and our tummies happy. I think I have to put Adobo back on my to-visit list, even if it's only to re-live my celebrity encounter.
(4)Lisa K.
Everything I have tried at Adobo Grill has been delicious, but a little pricey for what you are getting. Their mole chicken enchiladas are incredible, and the margaritas are good, but there isn't really enough bang for your buck. Overall I gave this a high rating because the food WAS delicious, but I have found the same food elsewhere with a "lighter" check. If you are in the area it is worth trying out.
(4)Scott O.
Adobo Grill has some innovative dishes and is a nice place to drop by. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would be there a lot. The dishes were very creative. I had a small plate of sopes which, unfortunately, only one of the 3 was up to par, that being the pork/veal dish. It was the only one where the sauce was not overpowering. The mole sauce on the plaintain sopes was way too spicy. I only ate the plantains that had no mole on them. I couldn't even taste the shrimp in the shrimp dish. However, for my main dish I had the quesadillas with zucchini blossoms which were superb. My dining companion loved her scallop dish and her quesadillas as well. Also, for what you pay, the margaritas in a rocks glass is fairly stingy.
(3)Laura S.
I moved from Texas, so I have high hopes for mexican food. This place is fine. I had the ceviche and my date had the pork. They were good. Prices a little high for what you get. Table side guac is good.
(3)Amy D.
I went here before seeing a show at Second City. It wasn't planned, we just needed to eat and decided to stop here. There was a mariachi band inside, but the weather was so great that we ate outside (it was September). The food was good--expensive but good. I had never been to a "fancy" Mexican restaurant, but I really liked the experience. We didn't get this famous guacamole because we didn't know about it, but we did devour the salsas. Also, not getting the guacamole helped us save room for dessert. I got the churros, which were really good, and a friend got the frozen mango mousse, which was amazing. I was ogling it from across the table, and she let me try a few bites. It was perfect on a warm day. Also, the service was solid. My friend didn't know ceviche was raw fish, and the waiter explained it and wasn't pretentious about it at all. And they kept the chips and drinks coming.
(4)Alex H.
I moved to Old Town about a year ago and Adobo was my first meal in the neighborhood. I'm not sure if it was the magic of being back in Chicago or perhaps the 3 EXCELLENT margaritas I downed over the course of a couple hours, but I walked away pretty sure that I had found my neighborhood go-to dinner spot. Four trips later (including brunch) and I am sorry to say that Adobo has not once since lived up to that first night. Adobo hasn't done anything terribly wrong but just doesn't live up to the type of restaurant it prices itself as. The service is consistently inconsistent, the food ranges from outstanding (tableside guacamole, enchiladas w/mole) to just so-so (salmon, arrachera, everything at brunch), and some dishes have been knockouts at times and just ok at others (lomito). I do give points for location, a lively atmosphere, and for staying true to Mexican (not Americanized tex-mex) inspired dishes. The margaritas and guacamole truly are oustanding and I'm sure I'll be back for these, but I can't give a ringing endorsement for dinner or brunch. If you want fabulous real Mexican food, try Frontera Grill instead.
(3)Mo L.
I tried Adobo for the first time last Saturday. I had made reservations for 4 people at 8:30. When I got there at 8:30 the hostess apologized that they didn't have our table yet and asked us to wait. No problem. After about 20 minutes, I was getting antsy, especially since we kept seeing people come in after us being seated. Even large parties. So at 9, after waiting 30 minutes unacknowledged, I went to the hostess and asked if we were close and they said "oh, there is a table right there for 4 (point to a table right in between the bar and hostess stand), you can go sit there." I am not sure if I would have continue to wait whether they would have shown us to that table. At about 9:20, someone finally stopped to take our orders. At any rate, we were very excited to try the tableside guacamole, hearing about how awesome it is. It was good. Definitely the best thing we had. They were out of several items on the prix fixe menu (including the one thing I was really craving - churos.) The rest of the meal was unimpressive. We had a show to catch at Second City so when it was 10:30 and we didn't have our dessert yet and we were getting nervous. Meanwhile, a wet spot at the end of the bar resulted in 2 wait staff (a waiter and the hostess) literally running into one of the people at our table on two separate occasions. After the second person fell, they decided to wipe up the wet spot. At 10:40 when they brought our dessert we had to decline saying we needed to pay the bill and get to our show. They 1) blamed one of the people at our table for being a slow eater (that is absolutely unacceptable, btw, the customer is always right. especially when it was YOUR fault we didn't get seated on time, we didn't get waited on for quite a while and the entrees were slow), 2) they continued to charge us for the dessert we couldn't eat and 3) made no apology for the fact that the slow services was the result of our almost being late to the show. I REALLY want to like Adobo, and I might go back again, but it was disappointing. Having reservations at 8:30 should mean you are in the clear to having a full meal and being out in 2 hours. Also, I wrote to the management letting them know about our experience thinking I'd at least get a reply with maybe an apology. Their customer service at the restaurant is the same as it was at the corporate office - no response at all.
(1)Julie P.
The food was great and the drinks were delicious. I had the mojito, which was made to perfection. We had the tableside guacamole too...yum! The service was mediocre. The waiter never checked in on us and it took forever to get our drinks, some salsa, chips, etc. I realize it was a busy night but we still found it unacceptable.
(3)Bill F.
I'm a fan of Adobo and Paul LoDucca. His Italian place, Vinci is also under rated. the food is interesting and well executed And the service is at a higher level than I expect at a moderately priced restaurant. And when everyone talks about the guacamole...they're right.
(4)Nick H.
Went here for a tequila tasting dinner last night. A breakdown of the good and the bad: Good: Restaurant atmosphere is pretty high-end for a Mexican joint. Also, their patio seemed like a nice place to eat, though we did not sit out there. Food was exceptional. Granted, our food was not on the normal menu so take that with a grain of salt. We had 4 courses, each one was better than the last. Two of our group members ordered from of the menu and seemed to like their food equally as well. Bad: Service. It was abysmal. Since two of our members were not eating the planned meals, they needed separate menus. Not only did this take at least 15 minutes, but they kept screwing it up throughout the night--bringing them food that wasn't theirs. Additionally, I wanted a beer. None of the many waiters asked anyone at our table if there was anything else we needed. Now, the tequila tasting dinner did come with quite a few drinks... but it's still the waiters' jobs to make sure that customers are happy. So, after a few attempts at flagging a waiter down, I got my beer. Finally, to add insult to injury--mandatory 20% gratuity. All in all, I recommend the tequila tasting. It was a cool experience and the food was exceptional. Our tequila was Jose Cuervo, and the ambassador was both interesting and knowledgeable. We were served 3 specialty mixed drinks, and 4 half-shots of different tequilas. Don't expect to leave drunk, but you will learn something about tequila! Adobo Grill: If you're reading this... please improve the service.
(3)Gladys R.
The service, food, and drinks were awesome. I must say that the salsa was even better than the guacamole. Making reservations for this place was pretty painless.
(5)Taylor B.
Great guacamole & very personable service. Although, I don't think the food is anything out of this world, the atmosphere makes for a great night if you're looking for good mexican food with a fun vibe and strong margaritas!
(4)Lynn R.
This review is of only two things there: guac & margaritas. Stopped in with a friend for post-dinner drinks and went with a standard margarita. Typically I'm not a fan of just an original flavored margarita. I usually opt for a mango or raspberry or some other sort of fruity concoction. Not here. Served in a cute little martini glass (I really thought that touch was neat) this margarita went down so smooth. Maybe a little too smooth! Due to our persuasive waiter, we also went with some guacamole. Feeling bold, I ordered it spicy, figuring that most places idea of spicy guac isn't that spicy at all. Wrong-O. Still delicious, but still super spicy. And there goes more of that margarita down into my belly. The chips were also fantastic. I can't vouch and say that they were made fresh - but they were thick and not too salty. 'Ritas & guac - two of my favorite things, and two things done very well by Adobo.
(4)Raquel D.
The is prob the BEST guacamole...ever. Well, in my book it is...and they make it tableside to your liking (spiciness)....mmmmm. And the margaritas are killer. And I was able to bring my doggy with me once, when dining out on the patio, which is always super cool. But that about it. I'd go for happy hour or drinks and guac, but wouldn't spend on the other stuff. There are better and more affordable options for dinner, but that guac sure brings be bauk. But, I have been able to get my fix at the Old Town and Wicker Park Fests so it's gonna be awhile.
(3)Aaron T.
1 star to start. Food (1 star): You must try the guacamole when you come here. They roll a cart to your table and make it fresh, right in front of you. It tastes significantly better than other "table-side" guacamoles I've had and the chips were great. In addition to this, I ordered the Pollo al Tamarindo not really knowing what to expect. The chicken had an exceptional glaze and was extremely tender and juicy. My favorite part had to be the sweet glaze and I was craving for more after finishing off my plate. Service (1 star): It was a Friday night so we had to wait 5-10 minutes, but they have a nice waiting area in the middle of the restaurant (as opposed to by the front door at most other restaurants). The waiter was very friendly and constantly checked on us to make sure our waters were filled and that are food and drinks were up to par. It was a pleasant experience and they take care of you here, despite the crowd and hectic atmosphere. Value (0.5 stars): Prices are a bit higher than what I'm used to for similar restaurants, but only by a few dollars. The food quality makes up for that, though I wish the portion sizes were increased (maybe I just eat too much or was craving more Pollo al Tamarindo). The guac is almost as much as an entrée but was definitely worth getting. Experience (0.5 stars): The restaurant was very lively and is deceptively large inside. The previously-mentioned waiting area was nice, but it just felt like there were too many people there. The noise level was way too high as I could barely hear across the table or even the person next to me, and lighting was too dim for this type of restaurant. That being said, the food was on par and I would still recommend checking this spot out. Overall: 1.0 - Baseline 1.0 - Food 1.0 - Service 0.5 - Value 0.5 - Experience ============= 4 stars
(4)Kristen C.
This place, although a little pricey, is well worth it! I love sitting on the patio during the summer with friends, drinking their delicious, fresh margaritas and feasting on their table-made guacamole and chips. YUM. Plus, the service is always top notch.
(4)Insun M.
Came here with really high expectations...not a smart move. The guacamole that everyone raved about I admit was good. But I feel like most mexican places have good guacamole.... I ordered the tilapia ceviche which I thought really lacked flavor and that feeling of freshness in my mouth. It was begging for more acid. I also got the sopas which were 3 little cups filled with different fillings. They were pretty good but definitely not memorable. Service was good and the vibe of the restaurant was good which helped this yelp score out a lot. $12 valet parking is also a win because lot parking in the area is about $12 an hour.
(3)Rajiv H.
We went for dessert only. Flourless chocolate cake with dried cherries was excellent. However, the Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream was just plain chocolate ice cream. Service was excellent as they seated my wife and I at a nice private table by the window, and our server was very sweet as well. I'll go back sometime to try their real food out.
(4)Linnea M.
We went on a Saturday night. There was a long wait because the restaurant was really bustling. When we sat down, we ordered the wonderful guacamole. You can't go there and not get it! Our main courses came quickly, and the service was fast and friendly. The only drawback was the wait, but it was also nice to be in such a trendy place, so it balanced out!
(4)Helen C.
Rain, rain rain. It's so boring. So boring that we almost went to (shhh) Chipotle rather than venture to Adobo. In the end we were swayed by the 'chicago's best margaitas' tag on their website. Fickle? Yes. Ideal marketing fodder? Yes. I might go and buy some of those incredible slider stations and a snuggie later. Anyway, I'm glad we trekked (ok, we took a cab) here. We took a margarita at the bar before getting to our table. They were delicious - not very strong, but tasty. As well as being fickle and gullible, I am clumsy, and spilt mine 4 times in 2 minutes. The nice barman filled it up again - sweet. We couldn't wean ourselves off the margaritas this time round so I'll have to go back to try some of their other cocktails - I'm a sucker for a daiquiri. Guacamole made at the table - didn't entirely see the point of this being done but it made for a talking point, and I think one of my friends did memorise the ingredients to make it at home. It is very good guacamole. Warm tortilla chips too. Then the food was fantastic. The appetisers are huge - my friend boxed half an appetiser and didn't have an entree. The entrees are the perfect size (i.e. I ate it all) and were really spot on. My lamb shank was perfectly cooked to melty-ness. Maybe it could have had a tiny bit more depth of flavour, but everyone else's were superb, particularly the seafood-stuffed poblano. The menu in itself is a good read too, we had to guess what a lot of things were, which makes for an interesting meal. Our server was great, we stayed a good hour after we'd finished and probably made an awful racket - I hadn't seen my friends for 6 months and had 3 margaritas - but he just left us to it. I'll be back.
(5)Al C.
Yet another awesome eatery within walking distance from my new place! It seems to always be hoppin', so i had to try it. One annoying thing is that you have to pay for chips and salsa (but the homemade salsas are phenom). The homemade Guac is out of this world. i could eat buckets of that stuff all day, every day. The cadillac margaritas are also pretty freegin' amazing. Yes, it's not cheap, but it's tasty and a fun place to grab some drinks and good grub.
(4)Ori K.
Two reviews: Without price - Decent Mexican food with great guacamole. With price - Overrated.
(3)Chelsie H.
Not impressed with the food at all!!
(1)Happiness L.
Consistently wonderful. One of my neighborhood favorites. Please add carne asada to the menu every night. So yummy...the best I ever had. The Adobo margarita with mescal is sensational. Excellent service staff.
(5)Arnaud S.
Guac is excellent and margarita is to die (rocks no salt). Great place to have few munchies before to enjoy Old town.
(4)Moon D.
Outstanding Food and Service! Like everyone else says, start with the table side guacamole. Really good, chunky, creamy, delicious. We both had 1/2 chicken in some amazing BBQ, Mexican sauce. Next door to Second City. Go!!!
(4)Julie B.
Love their table side guacamole. I appreciate any place that offers a vegetarian plate when the cuisine isn't typically vegetarian. Adobo has the "plato vegetariano" which has a wide variety of delicious and filling veggies. Aside from random dinners, I've been here for a birthday party where we had an entire room to ourselves. They printed out birthday menus, and it was very well organized. I would come here again.
(4)M O.
My mom and sister were visiting Chicago from Indiana for our annual girls weekend, and I decided we should try Adobo because there is one in Indianapolis and if they liked the one here, they could go to the one in Indy sometime. The reason we went was because I'd heard the guacamole was great -which it was. The margaritas were great too. Our waiter was excellent. Very friendly and professional. Unfortunately, this is where the positives end. The food was really bad. Really, really bad. I ordered the smoked trout tacquitos-it was on the specials menu. I shared it with the rest of the table to make sure I wasn't crazy, and consensus was that it was like eating cold canned cat food on a tortilla chip. I don't know how they can serve that dish and think it's acceptable. It was seriously gross. My mom ordered the pollo tamarindo. It was very bland and tasteless. My sister ordered the chicken tacos, and again, very bland. Also, they came out SCORCHING HOT and she had to wait nearly 10 minutes before taking a bite with out getting blistering burns in her mouth. Unfortunately, not even the great service, margaritas, and guacamole could redeem the food at this restaurant. I would not go back again, not even for drinks and guacamole. This was a huge disappointment, especially when I'm treating out of town guests on a special weekend!
(1)Sara J.
This is the place to go if you like tequila and traditional, fresh Mexican food. My husband and I have been here with family and friends on multiple occasions. We love this place. The tequila tasting dinners are the best way to try things and meet people. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The wait staff are fabulous, bartenders are not stingy, and clientele are out for a quality meal and a quality drink.
(5)Perry A.
I think this restaurant was just ok. The waiter was not bad, he could have done a lot better introducing us to the menu since this was my first time at this place. The Churros were excellent. Overall I have had better mexican food at other places around chicago. Not a horrible experience but not a great memorable experience.
(2)Carri A.
I ate here last night and have judged the margaritas to be very good but small and expensive and the plato vegetariano to be barely satisfying and butt-ass expensive for the portions. I missed out on the guacamole, which apparently is tremendous. But I'm not going to make another trip here just for it. I found the menu to be limited and it was not easy for me to find a vegetarian dish that I couldnt wait to dig into. I might come back in the spring or summer to see if their menu improves with the season. And I just realized that there was no chips & salsa before the meal?? Major blow.
(3)Carol J.
Alex makes magical margaritas. They disappear in seconds flat. The Guac girl makes moi bueno guacamole. It levitates. Then it disappears. Nothing else matters.
(5)Diane S.
Oh, Adobo. I'm so sad that I had to drop you a star. I went to Adobo for my birthday with a group of about 12 people. I planned ahead and made a reservation 2 weeks in advance. My target was a 7pm reservation, but they only had a 6:30. No problem! Except...I arrive at 6:25 and my table is not ready. By 6:40, my table is not ready. By 6:50, my table is not ready and my party of 12 is taking up space in the waiting area by the host, getting increasingly hungry and frustrated. What made NO SENSE to me was how there was a table ready at 6:30 but not 7, and yet here we were pushing 7pm!? The host was incredibly rude and told me the more I bothered him the longer I'd have to wait. Oh, that's customer service for you! Thankfully the day was saved by I think one of the managers? I think his name was Miguel. He very politely shuffled us all to the table, and in the end took my meal off the check and provided me a free dessert. That's the main reason I didn't drop Adobo down to two stars--that and the fact the food is still fantastic, and they were very accomodating to my friend who wanted gucamole custom made without the cilantro. I will go back, but felt I needed to share my horrible bad cop/good cop experience from my birthday. If you're planning a reservation with a large group, proceed with caution!
(3)Chris W.
The staff is as friendly as it gets and the Margaritas were great. We didn't have a meal but I hope to return for one!
(5)Kathryn P.
One of my favorite places in Chicago. Guac is amazing. The food is similar to Frontera but slightly more approachable. Only complaint is the place is loud. The acoustics must be terrible or the people are all enjoying themselves because the combined table conversation is LOUD.
(5)Bridget L.
I LOVE adobo grill. I think their margaritas are excellent and I love the fresh made guacamole. I also am a fan of their chicken enchiladas, which is pretty much what I get every time I come here. And if you go early, it's pretty decent for kids too.
(4)Jim W.
Outside of the freshly made guacamole, and decent margaritas, this place isn't too great. We had a late reservation at 9 after going to MCA First Fridays, and although they agreed to seat us early without our entire party, the feeling I got was that the wait felt LONGER than we actually waited. Don't ever order a cerviche at a Mexican restaurant - save that for South American restaurants. The Oaxacan sauce on my pork was pretty gross. Real buzz kill. Mediocre food + not very cheap = poor formula. Sorry, old town.
(2)S. M.
I had dinner at Adobo Grill twice during the summer of 2008. The food, service, and atmosphere were great. 4 stars. I recently returned with three friends for dinner and, unfortunately, this place has gone downhill. Everyone's food was cold, under-seasoned, greasy, and overpriced. The food's appearance was similar to that you'd see at a $7/meal Mexican place in Pilsen, but the flavor wasn't as good. To top that off, the service was terrible. We had a 6:30 reservation on a Sunday night. When we arrived, the hostess rather rudely told us we would have to leave the restaurant by 7:30 because a group had booked an upstairs room at that time. Despite being nearly the only people in the restaurant, it took a waiter 20 minutes to greet us. We then waited another 15 minutes for drinks. The meal was a waste of time and money. I once was a cheerleader for this place, but now will not return.
(1)Michael L.
I had some excellent tacos here and good drinks. The atmosphere is great, we sat upstairs and they had some really cool Mexican artwork on the walls. Its located right by the Second City.
(4)caroline k.
Get the guacamole! Simple ingredients and more importantly seasoned well and not the still fresh but bland stuff served elsewhere. Had the enchiladas mariscos for appetizers which were good but heavy on the sauce, and the pulled pork special, at our waiter's suggestion. The first was ok, the second much better.
(3)Kristi F.
Boris does it again! Great staff at this restaurant (and lets be honest, amazing margaritas) have us returning annually - do yourself a favor and order some guac, a margarita and enjoy the company!
(5)Norbert W.
let's all chant together: OV-ER RA-TED! OV-ER RA-TED! the guacamole is so full of schtick, you forget that it's supposed to be good. Instead you're eating performance art at some sort of New Wave/Avant theater. Not what you want in a cracker spread. Again - high end Mexican food is amazing. Adobo doesn't deliver. Others recommend it for appetizers and drinks. That I hope is better than the dinners. The rich array of flavors is lacking when compared with high end Mexican. None of those fresh, clean colors are there. There is a lot of stuff drowning in a greasy sauce that one suspects might not be home-made. (and if they're going that route, at least give some flavor - don't be afraid to throw in some spice. The trixies will learn to adjust) This is a place that has coasted on its (made up?) image for so long, I doubt it's salvageable. It might still be good for tourists who can't get anything like this in Dublin, Ohio, but for Chicago, it doesn't pass muster. Save up and hit the awesome liquor store south of North and on the east side - across from the chicken place and the comedy place.
(2)Julia R.
Clearly you must order their wonderful guacamole. I had the La Pina cocktail which was sweet and fruity (pretty girly, obviously). For my entree I had the vegetable enchiladas. I thought they were really good and had an interesting flavor.
(4)Samantha K.
I had the gluten free - vegan friendly enchiladas, super filling but I was wowed by the guacamole and martinis :}
(3)Lee M.
came here a couple of nights ago with a good friend of mine and it was our first time here. didn't know what to expect so we came in open-minded to everything. We came in with an hour left before they close and we were seated immediately. We ordered the guac' and chips much like everyone else recommends and it was great. You can choose to have it either mild, medium, or spicy. The dinner went well and our waiter was nice and attentive. We had a couple of drinks, the sangrias which i've had before from there burgerfest booth and a couple of margaritas and a spiced rum daquiri which was super strong for me and definitely did some work. We were one of the last people out and they did not once tell us to hurry and leave. It was a good time but the check was a little on the hefty side. we'll be coming back for sure but we'll keep an eye on our tab so we wont leave too broke.
(4)Melissa M.
I loved this place! The guacamole was amazing, so yummy. The margaritas were great, shaken at the tables. And for a vegetarian who wasn't in the mood for the typical cheesy bean enchilada or veggie fajitas, I thought their plato vegetariano was really tasty and different. The best part was the zucchini stuffed with goat cheese. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive, and I have to admit, I loved the Cancun-esque music - made me want to dance!
(4)Halah X.
Fresh lime margaritas and guacamole made tableside = YES Everything else on menu = MEH
(2)Erin S.
Went here during the summer - sat outside on the patio. Enjoyed the salsa and the shaken margaritas (which are done tableside! - COOL) However, food, not that memorable - have had better mexican other places. Has a nice atmosphere, good tequila list - but not unbelievable for the price.
(3)Sonal M.
Coming from Texas, I expect a lot out of Mexican restaurants. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their guacamole. It's made fresh and served according to your preference of spiciness. They also had a huge variety of tequila, in case trying different types is your thing. Their margarita was pretty good compared to any place on the East Coast. The main dishes, however were mehhh. Nothing way too exciting. I would suggest going here if you're in need for some GOOD guac. For the rest, look elsewhere.
(3)Katherine R.
My parents and I ate here in Old Towne. The chips and salsa and the entrees are filled with fresh tastes zesty, spicy, or mild. My pina colada was served in a coconut and that was way cool and sweet in taste. The other time I went with just my mother and I we really enjoyed our experience eating there. The atmosphere is keen and fresh as well as the service. I just felt very welcomed here. The plate decor is neat, the guacamole is served pretty good too.
(4)R M.
Adobo Grill showed real class. Our food was good, guacamole was outstanding, and our server as kind and knowledgeable. What impressed me most was the service. They truly took care of us and wanted us to enjoy everything. I cannot thank our server enough for going out of his way to make sure we were happy with our food.
(4)Maressa S.
The guacamole was good, but other than that, I was underwhelmed. The menu was rather limited, and the quality of the ingredients seemed poor. I won't be making a return visit here.
(2)Bonnie L.
Adobo is amazing from the food to the people. Have been there four times and every time it is great. Ask what they recommend from the menu- they have never steered me wrong. One waiter even remembered my husband and I when we came back after a month. Talk about customer service.
(5)Ken J.
went on Cinco De Mayo and it was packed. table side guacamole is heavenly. For those who like kick they add fresh jalapenos to kick it up a notch. tried taquitos and empanadas which were great. Empanadas had a rich sauce served with it and highly recommend. I had the fish Veracruz style. The fish had much flavor and moist. Recommend it. others in my party had margaritas which they enjoyed. Can't wait to go back.
(4)H H.
Food is alright. Guacamole is the big claim to fame at Adobo. I kinda just liked the environment more than the food. Must say the coconut drink is fun and tasty. It is served in an actual coconut shell.
(3)Grant M.
Average at best. Portions are small, food was not very flavorful, and service was just ok.
(2)Mel L.
Went here on a Thursday night with some friends. We made a reservation the day before, but when we arrived, they did not have it in their computer. Ok, no biggie. Once we were seated we started with some delicous guacomole - and yes it is delicious like everyone says! Next we all ordered the chicken enchiladas which were tasty, but nothing to rush back for. The service was not so great, as they tried to clear our plates 3 times before we were actually done. Sorry we don't shovel the food in our mouths without stopping for a break to chat! Yowza, give us time and don't take our food away just because our fork isn't moving. I've had better. It's not terrible, but with all the options in the city...you can certainly find better too!
(2)Flo J.
Good guac and that's about it for me!!
(3)Bryan G.
First time here and I will definitely be back! The service was outstanding!! The gf and I got out of the comedy theater and adobo was right there so why not. The guacamole was addicting! I had the steak dinner that was great and the gf had the enchiladas which she enjoyed as well. Prices weren't bad either. The waiter brought out the b-day cheesecake that was complimentary and even sang a little bit. The bartenders were very helpful when trying to get the cake up stairs without the gf knowing what was goin on. He even came out from behind the bar and upstairs to make sure everything was good! The service alone will lead me back to adobos! Over all it was great!
(4)Brenda H.
Margaritas and service was excellent... Guacamole and chile rellenos rocked!
(4)Mark P.
This review is more towards a 5 star than a 4 star, which actually surprises even me! First off, as mentioned 100 times already, the tableside guacamole is darn fine. Now, it is not the best I have ever had, but did like the ability to custom order it the way we wanted it. This made it a requirement for the quac lady to make a second trip to our table. It is important to mention the chips were hot and very good as well. We ordered the calamari (I know, we at a Mexican joint, why the hell order that) as an app, and it was decent. For sure not the best ever but the plate was cleaned. For the entree, I could comment on the Lomito en Mole Negro which was spectacular. The pork was uber tender, and the mole sauce was perfect with it. The garlic spinach and the corn tamal was actually maybe even my favorite part. Overall, GREAT stuff here folks! Now to the best part, the dessert. My friend ordered the Tamal de Chocolate which was spectacular. Semi sweet chocolate tamal in the corn husk. No idea what was in it really, but it was killer. As a side note, he changed from the vanilla ice cream to the coconut and that might have just made it even more over the top. For me, I rocked the churro... cause how can you go wrong with a churro?! How to go right with it... serve it with a semi sweet chocolate dipping sauce. *Burp* Well done Adobo!
(4)Jason P.
Any place that has people walk around and make you fresh guac in front of your eyes is fine by me. I had some pretty good enchiladas that reminded me of Wholly Frijoles. Maybe it was the lingering excitement from the guac, but even though the enchiladas were identical to the ones from WF, they seemed to taste better. We also had a bunch of their empanadas which even though they look very much alike, taste quite different. Goat cheese was the filling in one and the other had a sweeter taste to it. It is generally pretty crowded, but they do take reservations, which is always a plus!
(4)Paul C.
Food was great! I wish I'd ordered some Guacamole, because it's made fresh at table-side, and looked delicious! Having said that, there's NO WAY that I'll ever go back! Even though there were only ten other tables with diners, it took in excess of forty minutes for our food to be served. I don't know exactly how long, because it was a considerable amount of time after placing our order before I looked at my watch, wondering about the wait. It was forty minutes after that when our food came. The table next to us (with three diners) placed their food orders after we placed ours, but they had eaten and were gone before our order (for two people) was served. I complained to the manager about this, and he looked into it. He said that our order wasn't given to the cook until fifteen minutes *after* I checked my watch (Why?!?!), which means that it took twenty-five minutes for a Chile Relleno and some Gorditos to be prepared and served. Very sad!
(1)Kyung P.
We went as a group of 10 for a friend's birthday. We sat in one of those private rooms, so it was nice, but we didn't really get to experience the atmosphere of the restaurant. The service was good, and their margarita martinis were also very good. I absolutely loved the table-side guacamole - I like how you can control the amount of spiciness as they're making it! it was my favorite thing that night - even though I like Chipotle's guac just as much... The food was different, and I'm more into traditional, cheap Mexican food (i.e. Nuevo Leon), so I wasn't too impressed. The entrees were expensive. Thai food is the same way for me - thai food and mexican food should be cheap!!! I've had brunch at the Division Street Adobo and that was friendly on the wallet, but I'll probably never be back for dinner. (They make guac for you during brunch too!)
(3)Brett G.
The food was not-memorable, although the restaurant itself was a nice space. The downsides: the prices are way too high and the service left much to be desired. Evidently the valets are not paid well, as they stole about $75 from my car and about $300 in change from another person in my group's car. Went back in and reported the incidents and was informed there was nothing anyone could do. Based on this negative experience, and less than stellar restaurant itself, I will not be returning nor recommending it to any other friends or family.
(1)Nikki M.
I ate at Adobo Grill last night with a bunch of girlfriends and really enjoyed it. Pros: We had the chips and guac. They also brought out an assortment of salsas ranging from mild to hot. Everything was very good. We had 6 people and got two bowls of guac...it was the perfect amount. The margaritas were very good. Strong but still very tasty. Everyone enjoyed their food. I had the Chile Relleno and it was seriously sooo good! The waiter made the recommendation and he did a good job. (Said it is the item they run out of the quickest) I am a vegetarian and had at least three solid choices to pick from. I don't find that very often! Ambiance was nice and the wait staff was friendly and attentive. I don't think my water glass ever got below half empty. Cons: The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is that I wish it was a little cheaper. It isn't super expensive, but for a casual night out with the girls, it ended up being pretty pricey.
(4)Uyen D.
I was looking for a good Mexican restaurant and a friend who used to live in San Diego (who better to suggest Mexican? :)) suggested Adobo as the best you can get. Nothing compares to California Mexican, but I decided to check it out. I thought the service was fantastic. Our server was friendly and his recommendations were awesome. I highly recommend the Adobo Margarita that is hand shaken at your tableside. Very yummy! The guacamole was also delicious. We had trouble deciding between the empanadas and the taquitos and the server steered us toward the empanadas. We were not disappointed ONE BIT. They were delectable!! I dont really remember what we had for our entrees... all I can remember is that I really really enjoyed the appetizers and dessert. The chocolate tamal was unique and yummy yummy! Still looking for good Mexican. If you know of any other good places, please message me!
(4)phillip D.
Great sangria and really good guacamole. Dinner nothing out if the ordinary
(2)Sheena H.
First: I usually HATE. guacamole. I know many people love it and it is all the rave when you go to a place that serves Mexican food. Maybe I just never had any--even the glorified Chipotle guacamole--that made my liver quiver. That's fine. I came here on on a Saturday night with my friend and she insisted that we order the guacamole. I said fine although I knew I wouldn't want to try it. Someone comes out and starts mixing it all up right in front of us! My interest has been piqued a little by now. Friend takes some. She looks like she is about to be a happy lady before she expires. So I spread some guac on a chip and I instantly know how she feels. The bowl is gone within 5 minutes. There was no need for my chicken enchiladas. Really, there wasn't. The excellent margarita? Yes, there WAS a need for that.
(4)Lauren P.
Ok- anywhere there is a tequila bar, I am happy. Beyond our tasty cocktails (which were, by the way, delicious) the menu was unusual enough to pique interest and familiar enough to satisfy cravings. Bonus points for carrying a dedicated gluten-free menu. Our waitress was so nice and willing to accommodate. I really wanted to try a soup, mostly because of the tempting goat cheese empanadas it came with, but they were out. The kitchen was happy to whip me up a few anyway and add them to the top of my jicama salad. It was excellent! We will definitely visit Adobo or one of its sister restaurants next time we're in town!
(4)Elena K.
Great Guac, OK food. This place is very commercial. I've probably been to about a dozen of these kind of restaurants in my life, the food is all pretty much the same. OK Mexican food, but definitely not great quality or too authentic. I think the only reason I would go back is to have some drinks and gorge on the guacamole.
(3)Rob D.
Average Mexican food with a fun atmosphere, solid guacamole, and attentive service. If I could, I would give Adobo Grill 2.5 stars due to price/value ratio. Friendly and attentive waitstaff puts it over into the three category. For what the food is, however, it is overpriced. The food is not bad by any stretch but simply average Mexican. This place certainly benefits from being next door to the Second City. Yes, the Guacamole was solid. But this tableside dog-and-pony-show preparation is not a new trick - you don't have to go far to find other restaurants that do it. And don't believe the hype on the 'ritas. They're good, don't get me wrong, but they're not at the pleasure-inducing levels as some other reviewers seem to think.. I did like that the chips came out hot. Good work amigos. If you're coming in from the Northern suburbs for Mexican, they are better places to go without getting that far South in the city. Try Wholly Frijoles in Lincolnwood. A great little BYOB Mexican place.
(3)Zac B.
Adobo was probably one of the first Mexican restaurants I tried when I moved to Chicago. I was actually surprised how well the food stood up to my Texas roots. Pretty soon I'd come to realize Adobo was also intended for more of a yuppie, Old Town crowd, and that all over this city there were, contrary to popular belief, plenty of amazing Mexican eateries, and a majority of them were ethnic, cheap, and startlingly similar to places I'd experienced in Dallas and Austin. Chicago has some excellent Mexican food available, and this restaurant happens to be a great option for a casual upscale clientele, featuring mainly cuisine from the southernmost regions of Mexico. No Tex-Mex here, except perhaps the micheladas (essentially beer, bloody mary juice, and lime juice) on the drink menu (but I don't know really where that originated anyway). Their guacamole is pretty good, but I agree that it's overpriced. And also, I too make better guacamole (see profile pictures for documented evidence). That said, sometimes quality trumps quantity, and I do like how they make it the old fashioned way, fresh right in front of your table. I also feel like the food quality at Adobo is always consistently above-average. I've tried almost all the menu at this point and while the tacos might be more tasty and trendy at De Cero, and the torta may just be a dressed up sandwich you could buy at a regular Mexican dive for half the price, I can't argue that everything always seems to taste good. If you want to go light, try to get the Adobo Salad or a ceviche sampler. Also, the fries that come with tortas are just as good as the guacamole, but I didn't see them on a "sides" menu. I'm sure they'd be happy to whip you up a batch upon special request. Lastly, how could I forget to mention the tequila selection? I know there are other tequila bars in the city, and I've heard Zocalo is pretty awe-inspiring. All the same, any tequila-lover is going to have plenty of room to navigate with their extensive tequila list. There's also a special on three premium tequilas where you can buy a rack of 10 shots for reasonable prices. The lowest tier was in the $30 range and the highest was $54 I think. That's $5.40 a shot, which is still high, but when you're talking about a premium tequila that would be $8-10 a shot alone, you're getting a hell of a deal, and making nine easy friends all at once.
(4)Corinne M.
The margaritas at Adobo are my favorite in the city I think. They only come in lime flavor. The waiter suggested that this was b/c the recipe for margaritas there was pure and wasn't to be diluted with Mango or Strawberry. Anyway, I love lime. It was love at first sip. The guacamole was pretty stellar too as it had strong lime leanings. The food there is pretty good as well, though after I had the Guac and chips, I really wasn't that hungry. The wait staff is really friendly and the ambiance is fun in general.
(4)Sarah F.
Super margaritas, wonderfully spicy guac (prepared tableside) and inventive, but authentic Mexican entrees. Consistently great, Fresh Mexican food. A great option for Second City-goers too! Some faves - Tamales, butternut squash enchiladas, and the bean/mushroom quesadillas!
(4)Patti B.
This place definitely has a nice atmosphere and is much larger than it looks - our table for 12 was in some backroom somewhere upstairs. Service was also great and our waiter was very kind, even running after us with a camera that one of us had left behind just after we exited the restaurant. However, based on the food, it's not somewhere I'll be going back to anytime soon. For starters, I was truly expecting some stellar guacamole - and it was not. I will say that it was cool watching them make it right in front of us, but our bowl was bland and did not have that bite of lime everyone was raving about (although there were limes in it). I've definitely had better. The margaritas made it better, though, and I definitely recommend those! Our table shared some empanadas to start with, which were quite tasty and crunchy on the outside. We thought the entrees would be big so I split one with my boyfriend, and it turned out to be not enough. We picked the filete al pasilla (steak) based on the waiter's recommendation - it was good, but not amazing, and a bit pricey for the size of the portion. Presentation-wise, it was pretty much just a slab of meat and a few mushrooms smothered in sauce, but it was nice that they split it onto separate plates for us to share. Personally, I don't really eat Mexican food all that often, so I can't say much about how the food measures up to other places. It's worth a visit but don't expect too much from the guac!
(3)Judy M.
Not impressed. Drinks were expensive and miniscule. Food was nano size and just OK. The guac was very good, and but where was the salsa? The tab for 3 drinks and two entrees and guac....$ 80.00 ...yikes!
(2)Jennifer K.
My friend treated me out to dinner for the new year and I was glad she chose this spot. We started out with the guacamole; and I had myself a mojito. It was really, really good (but I can make better!~ ;-) ) I was happy to see it made in front of us. Our server was also really, really friendly and great with the suggestions. I had chicken tamales and shrimp ceviche. The ceviche was perfectly balanced with the guacamole. And the tamales were awesome. My friend enjoyed her dish (I forgot what she ordered because I was too busy with my own). But the real highlight was the dessert. We split the churros and chocolate. My goodness...I forgot how good churros could be dipped in melted chocolate! Our bill came up to $75 for two.
(3)Jennifer R.
This place was the best! Perfect for a night out at the Second City (it's right next door), it was absolutely delish. My mom, sister and I were looking for a quieter spot than the bar, so we were led down a flight of stairs to a more intimate spot that was made even more enjoyable by our lovely waiter and his wife, who made our yummy tableside guac. And, yes, to agree with all the other comments, the margaritas were divine. Highly recommend!
(5)Tom G.
Holy Guacamole! (sorry I had to do it) If you come here you NEED to get the guacamole... they make it right in front of you and it tastes great. And they shake the margaritas table side... and they are really, really good. Adobo Grill is good any time, but especially before you go to a Second City show. It is right next door and you can have a few good drinks and some guacamole to get you ready to go
(5)Whitaker J.
As a guacamole connoisseur, I enjoy watching them make it: right next to your table specified to your spice preference. It is fantastic guac, I must admit. I have never been fully impressed with the rest of the food here. With the prices they charge, I feel it lends itself to a higher level of criticism. It has a very nice ambiance, the staff has always been above average, and the tequila list is long.. Overall, I can't say that I've ever been wowed by Adobo. I do like it and am never disappointed, but every time I walk out I'm wondering to myself how much I actually enjoyed it, eventually settling on the fact that I did.
(3)Art S.
I know some people have complained about poor service and food, but I have been here four or five times, and I have never had anything to complain about. Besides, they make awesome guacamole, which has been mentioned about a hundred times on here, but that's because it's true. Also true: they have the world's best margarita mix. Why is that? Because it's freshly squeezed lime juice with sugar in it. That's it. Another drink I love there is this beer drink called, I believe, a Michelada. I can't remember if that's the right name for it or not, but it's basically mexican beer mixed with something that sort of resembles bloody mary mix without the tomato juice. Then they rim the glass 1/2 with salt and 1/2 with chili powder. It's really good, especially with the guacamole. I also think their coffee is really good. Which sounds weird, I guess, but whatever, it's awesome. Plus tequila flights, chocolate tamales, ceviche... what is there to complain about?
(5)Nicole M.
My friend and I had tickets for Second City and walked in (no reservations) to get a quick bite before the show. They took wonderful care of us - we told the hostess we were a bit rushed and she made sure to pass this onto our server, who was extremely nice and very helpful with recommendations. We loved the tableside guacamole and enjoyed our drinks and appetizers as well (although I should note that most of my recent Mexican food experiences are in Hawaii, and Hawaii is not known for amazing Mexican food). That's where it ends, since (see above) we were in a rush. We were out in about 40 minutes and all was well, hence this review.
(4)Sara P.
I went to Adobo on Sunday for a friend's belated birthday brunch. I've heard good things about Adobo- especially for brunch, so we decided to check it out. I debated back and forth on giving 3 or 4 stars...I opted for 3 because I felt the food was a bit overpriced. I will say, though, that I just about ate my heart out..like that sick feeling of over-eating. We started with the guacamole. It was good, if not a tad too citrusy for my taste. My friend Zac makes a much better guac. Don't be fooled, though- I still definitely ate my share. I followed up the mass of chips with a cup of their tortilla soup. This was honestly a great cup of soup. For my entree I got the fish tacos. I'm biased- I prefer flour of corn when it comes to my tortillas...but they were good. To top the million calorie meal, the waiter was nice enough to bring a dessert for Zac's bday...the tres leches cake. It was really good...I was just so full it was hard to eat. Bottom line...this is not typical "Tex Mex" Mexican, so don't go here if that's what you're looking for.
(3)Molly L.
I'd been to the Indianapolis location once when I lived down there, but only for happy hour, so this was my first experience eating at Adobo and I was a bit let down. The margaritas will not disappoint. 5 stars for the margs. The guacamole was good, but not great. I had the chile relleno, which was also good, but not great. The service, on the upside, was really good. I might return if I'm in the area, but there are so many other delicious Mexican places in the city that I wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)Kristen D.
Margaritas were too sweet, food was over priced, guacamole was good. I'd go here again, but only with coupon.
(3)Cheryl B.
Screw the Margaritas. 1) Margaritas should not taste like a glass of lime juice. Margaritas should be a subtle synergy resulting in euphoria 2) Margaritas should not be served in a martini glass. Margaritas should be hyper potent and on ice, forcing you to chug them before the ice melts 3) Margaritas should get me drunk. Really, that was my biggest problem. I will totally admit I am a pretentious ass when it comes to mexican food; I grew up in southern california, and girl, you know I got this chub from taco stands and pitchers of margaritas. Anyways, I thought Adobo was great, minus their drinks, which were overpriced and not delicious (The three of us had a total of 10? drinks, and none of us were drunk). Their take on mexican food was interesting, they had a great set of salsas with the chips, and it wasn't that sit-in-your-stomach-for-four-days-mush mexican food. The flavors were subtle, there were lots of vegetables (my chayote squash was better than my mom's), but most importantly, THE CHOCOLATE TAMALES. All of these reviews should be updated as follows: "the guacamole was good, the margaritas mediocre at best, and I want to make sweet, passionate love to the CHOCOLATE TAMALES." Take the best volcano cake you've ever had, make it better, wrap it in a corn husk and serve with ice cream. Add dried cherries for ultimate fulfillment. totally bitchin. Personally, I love this place for their gluten free menu, AND the aforementioned chocolate tamale was gluten free. SERIOUSLY. GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE STUFF. it was definitely a notch above sex. They were very sensitive to my allergy and I had a lovely range of choices, all of which avoided an unwanted battle with the white powder from death. chocolate tamales...
(4)Bob D.
I must say I'm a fan. The food was great, especially the tableside guacamole. The small plates are the best way to get a good feel for all of the various flavors they offer. The chicken and pork may have been slightly overcooked, but still tasted great. The best part of the meal was the service - they were attentive, polite, funny, and clean. I will definitely go back.
(4)Noah L.
Tasty guacamole. Service needs work. Nice tequila selection
(3)Christina M.
I hosted a dinner party for my sister upstairs. It's so beautiful perfect for a bridal party or dinner with friends! we were even upgraded when they realized we had quite more people then expected. Very polite and the food was delicious!!!
(4)Zach R.
Good stuff. I have been twice and just ordered appetizers to pass around both times. Lots of great flavors in unusual combinations. Tableside guac is great. Known for their tequila flights, as well. Will definitely go back.
(4)Kathy S.
3.5 stars. I came here with a couple coworkers and one of our clients as she was in the mood for some margaritas. I really enjoyed it, even with me not being a big drinker. I thought the look of the place was okay, nothing too special and it was a little too cold for my liking. We started off with the guacamole and it was delicious but I couldn't differentiate that between other good guacs that I've had. I had the skirt steak which was really great! However, I do wish the portion was bigger and that it had a little bit more of a kick to it. My other coworkers and client seemed to be enjoying their dishes as well. I would say the food is a solid 4 but it's hard to justify the prices.
(3)Al L.
Friendly service, truly gluten free, nice atmosphere. Fulfilling and cozy. Expensive, but substantial drinks
(4)Steve L.
Ok, so I've been back to Adobo a few times since I wrote my original review and to be perfectly honest I truly thought I updated since my first, AWFUL, experience. I believe management has changed (so I've heard through the grapevine), though I don't know for sure, however my recent experiences there have been pleasant. The service has been much better and way more attentive. The table side guac is great and the margaritas pleasantly will floor you. Minus 2 stars for pricing though. I'm not trying to come across as cheap, but everything needs to be somewhere between $3 and $5 cheaper considering the amount of food you get and the quality of what you get. Again, it's not bad by any means, but entrees that sell for $15 or $16 would be no more than $10 if you ordered them at a joint that didn't share a lobby with The Second City. Go if you don't mind spending some money for slightly above average Mexican food and great margaritas. Otherwise, Chipotle's just down the hall (and has marg's for less than $5).
(3)Maria C.
Despite the fact that we got a ticket as we were eating because our car had no front license plate, the food was good. I just thought that the lunch menu on Saturday was a little light on choices. But overall it was a good experience. We usually go back to Adobo every once in a while but it's not our favorite Mexican place.
(3)Pontip M.
Ok, so I"ll jump on the bandwagon...Awesome margaritas! Clinky! and the spicy guacamole was the best! My friend and I also shared the chicken tamale which was great! There wasnt time for a full dinner but next time I'm in the area I hope I can sit a spell and really enjoy their full menu!
(4)Jinx T.
Come for drinks and guacamole, then leave. The freshness one finds in the cocktails and the freshly-made-tableside guacamole is not found in the entrees. The entrees? Flavorless blobs swimming in nondescript sauces. We enjoyed the ambiance, the vibe of the clientele, and the friendly staff ... but wished we had left after finishing the drinks and guacamole.
(2)Monica M.
Definitly go for the drinks n guac. SO good. Guac was not made table side but was made toward the middle of the seating area. Waiter was very nice. Ordered chicken enchilladas which were yummy as well. if you like mole but id still say my adobo margarita and guacamole were the most thrilling.
(4)Terris A.
Holy Guac! This one of the best guac I have ever had! We also had the cheese and quesadillas and the shrimp ceviche- all really good. Only small complaint is that the quality of their chips did not match the amazing guac. We also experienced some of their margaritas and each one was really good.
(5)Gwendolyn H.
This is definintely a neighborhood favorite, but I think it's become a little overrated. I went to this restaurant last night for guac and margs... We ended up also splitting the tamales and a grilled veggie salad. It was way too much food for two people. That said, it also wasn't too great either. I love the guacamole (which they ended up NOT making tableside), but the tamales were dry and the corn outside was way too thick. We totally appreciated them spliting the plates for us, but the salad was pretty boring and the flavors didn't pair well. Overall, I would have given it 5 stars just for the margaritas and guac... but the appetizers brought them way down.
(3)Colin W.
Great place to have a Saturday afternoon drink and snack. Also a good place for dinner. They seem to have more seating available than other comparable places on Wells.
(4)Fred S.
If Adobo were the sort of neighborhood spot that you could drop into and have a good meal with a minimum of hassle, then I would probably have rated it four stars. However, that's not Adobo. Adobo, for reasons that I don't fully understand, is a restaurant that is constantly busy and difficult to get into. We live four blocks from the Adobo on Wells, and it took us eight months to get to Adobo for the first time. I can't count the times that we tried to get a reservation (admittedly, late in the week) for a Friday or Saturday only to find that they were completely booked. All of that being said, our experience at Adobo was a good one. We had the freshly prepared guacamole, and it really is very good. Our entrees were very tasty as well. The entrees aren't "cheap", but they struck me as being a good value for the quality and the portion sizes. The margaritas are quite good, but they are a bit pricey. The one drawback to Adobo is the atmosphere. While the space has nice lighting and decor, a table on one of O'Hare's runways would probably have been less noisy. By the middle of the meal I resigned myself to simply staring at my wife - this was yet another time when I felt lucky that she is so beautiful - because carrying on a conversation was simply impossible. I really have no idea how people manage to have meaningful conversations in this restaurant. I would recommend Adobo, but be ready for a very loud evening. If you are looking for upscale Mexican, then you owe it to yourself to try Frontera Grill before you even consider Adobo.
(3)Rose O.
went with a friend, food and service were excellent, the food and margaritas are very fresh, chef Gaby came to our table asking us how everything was which I thought that was very nice of him. I would highly recommend this restaurant and in the summer time they have outside sitting area.
(5)Kate J.
I will spend an entire day looking forward to the Adobo Margaritas when I know I'm eating here... they're to die for! And, the guacamole made tableside is so tasty, you could just eat guac and drink margartitas and have a fabulous evening! Also, the Adobo Chopped Salad is great -- huge, but so delicious I always clean my plate! The food isn't traditional Mexican which makes it so much more unique than your average Mexican restaurant!
(4)Jessica D.
My partner and I went to Adobo Grill the evening after our arrival in Chicago. We were in the mood for something cheap and tasty, and we kind-of-sort-of got both. We ordered the guacamole, huitlacoche quesadilla, a cazuela ( the cheese one, but I can't remember the name), and the mexican banana split. We both had the limeade to drink. Adobo Grill's food is passable. It certainly isn't bad, but it isn't really impressive, either. The tortilla chips were greasier than at most places and the texture was a little off as well. The guacamole was very good, though at around $8 for a single avocado and spices, it was definitely way over priced. In California that price got you twice as much tableside guac. The cazuela and quesadilla were both tasty, but not memorable. I know that the cazuela, a dish with melted cheese and pepper with fresh tortillas was definitely on the salty side. The mexican banana split was probably the best item of the evening. It included roasted plantains with scoops of coconut, strawberry, and abuelita mexican chocolate ice cream. The plantains were overcooked and disappointed, but the ice creams were amazing and just different enough to make a lasting impression. Since my partner hates coconut and I love it, I took that scoop and small tastes of each of the other two flavors. The chocolate and coconut were both phenomenal and the strawberry was on par with or above average. Honestly, the food was okay, but it wasn't $50 of okay. I could just as easily have gotten better, more authentic food from any place in the area - afterall, it's on the edge of Wicker and Humboldt Parks.
(3)K J.
My rating is actually closer to 4 1/2 stars--we had our rehearsal dinner at Adobo and had a wonderful experience. The space was perfect for our size group (they have two different room sizes) and the menu options were fun and interesting. Everyone loved the food (and the margaritas!) and the colorful decor tied the room together. Highly recommend for an event!
(4)Ben J.
Great guacamole, fantastic fish tacos, enchanting enchiladas, and mind numbing margaritas. Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and our informative waiter was very well received.
(4)Chris H.
This is a pretty good place. Like pretty much everyone else has mentioned, the guac is phenomenal. In my humble opinion the menu was quite small for a place like this. I wish there would have been a few more entrees to choose from.
(4)V R.
A nice find in Old Town Chicago. A good soup to try on a cold blustery day is the spicy tortilla soup. The guac is hand made table side accompanied with very good home made chips. Lastly if not driving, the bar has a tempting variety of high end tequilas. A gem!
(4)Silky O.
This place made my taste buds scream "Ay ayayay aya ya!!!" Im not sure what that means, but in my book, its good. I sank my white pearlys deep into the food at Adobo and threw up my hands in major acceptance. Order the Chips w/ Guacamole and you basically hire your own personal human to crush and mix up the perfect dip. If you're willing to go on a date with me, I will order several margaritas, as they are top notch. This place is a little pricey, but well worth it. If I had to describe this place in 18 words it would be, "A Romantic, intimate, well serviced restaraunt with authentic and sexy dishes that you will almost get arroused from" Love always, Silky
(4)D J.
This is definitely one of the better Mexican restaurants I've been to in a while. The menu has some interesting spins on standard offerings, for eg my vegetarian platter in addition to a terrific tamale and empanada consisted of a corn flan and spaghetti sofrito, which I believe lends a Latin twist to the cuisine(I'd recommend staying away from both as they were rather bland). I loved the fresh Salsas, although I must admit I sought refuge in the pico de gallo since the green chile one was way to hot to handle! The ambiance is pleasant, distinctively "adobe" though the prices are steeper than at a typical casual Mexican diner. The location has to be a clincher - situated in Piper's Alley in one of the nicest rows in Old Town, right next to Second city, Adobo is perfect for a pre-show dinner stop.
(3)Erin R.
I think I have been eating out a little too much lately. Anyways...I had a work function here last week. I think they put a little too much food on our prix fix work menu or I just forgot how filling Mexican food can be. The margaritas were a little too sour for me so had to switch to beer after one drink. Guac was great though. Jicima salad, was the best, but I love jicima. I had chicken enchiladas and could only eat half of one because at this point I was so stuffed I couldn't bear to eat anymore. It was good, but I will remember to pace myself more when I go out for mexican.
(3)Abby T.
so frickin' good!!! you MUST start your Adobo Grill experience w/ the guacamole, made tableside. They ask whether you want it medium or spicy and make it accordingly. SOOO TASTY!!! My girfriend got a margarita, which she loved. And I ordered a mojito. mmmm.... so far, an amazing start. Little did we know, it would only get better. My friend and I both ordered the Arrachera Adobada, which was grilled flank steak. OMG, I still daydream about it. This steak tops Carnivale's steak entrees in a HEARTBEAT. soooooooooooo good!! Good sized portions too. We finished off w/ the Tamal de Chocolate. WOW. The Mexican version of a chocolate lava cake. moist and gooey chocolate on the inside, perfectly complimented by ice cream. CANNOT wait to go back. =)
(5)Christina S.
Beware: Once you've eaten a huge crater full of guacamole and downed a couple of those oh-so-strong daiquiris, it'll be tough to make it down that waxed-to-a-shine staircase without taking a spill. It's best to take your time . . . try the vegetable enchiladas . . . throw back some churros. Wait until you're up to it.
(4)Alan P.
Guac was great. Salmon entree was terrible and overpriced.
(2)Dallas F.
All my life I have avoided guacamole because for some reason I was under the impression I did not like it. Its green and lumpy...and well yea, its green and lumpy. I tend to stay away from stuff like that. Thanks to Adobo Grill I'm now a Guacamole fiend. I tasted theirs and am now I compare every where elses to this standard. And the margaritas- do yourself a favor and get one or four.
(4)Isabella W.
3.5 Stars. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the food here. The one big disappointment of the night was the guac - not only did we NOT get table-side service, but the guac had NO flavor. After telling the server that I needed more jalapenos, cilantro, salt, ANYTHING, it was finally edible. Luckily, everything else turned out excellent.. - margaritas were yummy - mojitos came with sugar cane! - entrees were a tiny bit overpriced, but delicious. I had the short ribs, and it was amazyingly tender ! Others ordered the flank steak, and it looked amazing as well. - Dessert-wise, we had a mango dessert and flan - both yummy Overall, a good experience. I'd come back for the margaritas and the short ribs.
(3)Gabe F.
Definitely a different take on Mexican food. From the looks of the menu, you wouldn't think it was your typical selection and you'd be right! This place did not disappoint even though I was skeptical at first. The tableside guacamole was definitely a good choice and the margarita's are good as well. I've had my share of Mexican food after living in San Diego, Austin and New York but everyone has their personal preference.
(4)jackie a.
I have been here 3 times and decided to give it another chance. Well, I should have known better, first of all, my fiance and I enjoy sitting at the bar, we sat at the bar and the service was very poor. Ordered a guacamole (server is supposed to ask if we want it spicy or mild) when the guacamole arrived it was spicy, I asked the bartender if he had ordered it spicy he says yes, I stated that we did not want it spicy, he then said "well, you didn't tell me" I said "well, you never asked us" he said that since we spoke spanish he assumed we wanted it spicy, really? Well, not everyone who speaks spanish likes spicy food!! The food was very poor actually it is a shame this place considers themselves mexican..even the margaritas were not tasty!
(2)Tim S.
Love Love Adobo ! One word - Guacamole prepared tableside, Mexican Martini's, Ceviche, etc etc. Okay, that's more than one word but seriously - amazing food. I'm not expert, but I would consider this authentic mexican cuisine. I live around the corner and you never have to twist my arm to go to Adobo Grill
(5)Michelle H.
Although chic latin inspired food usually isn't my thing, this place is pretty good. The guacamole is a must! If you don't get anything else you have to get the tableside guacamole, really, this is no joke. The mole sauces are also pretty amazing, and so are the margaritas. If you're looking to fulfill a latin meal need and have a few extra bucks this place is worth the visit, but only on weekdays. Weekends get way too loud and crazy for me.
(4)Aileen O.
Very recently I've turned into a big fan of Old Town. I love the variety of shops and restaurants that are neatly crammed into just a few streets. Parking can be notoriously difficult to find, but lately I've had the parking angel riding shotgun with me in the Mini Cooper, directing me to the rare open spots on Wells. Adobo Grill was always at the top of my list of restaurants to try, but timing was never right. I'd usually head out on Saturday evenings when waits would be way too long. However, yesterday I lucked out and came by on a not so busy Thursday! Parking angel had directed me to a prime parking spot so I was even more stoked when I didn't have to wait at Adobo Grill. I had a long day at work and decided I wanted to drink away the day's stress. I'm not normally a fan of the liquid dinner, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I saddled up to the bar with the BF and we ordered the two most popular cocktails - the Adobo Margarita and Mojito. I'm not usually a fan of margaritas over ice, but this place has turned me into a convert! I probably offended the guy by asking for a frozen margarita first and he probably spit in my drink, but I digress. The margarita had just the right amount of my on-again/off-again buddy Jose Cuervo. I had a buzz, but it was one of the good kinds - complete with non-stop giggling and 100 mph chatter. I'm sure the BF loved it. We also ordered some chips and four salsas, which were very good. People rave so much about the guacamole here, but given the allergy, I wasn't able to try it. I am glad, though, that the salsas didn't disappoint! I'll go back to Adobo Grill to have a full meal one of these days. But in the meantime, I'm sitting happy thinking about that great liquid dinner I just had at Adobo Grill.
(4)Andrew M.
Adobe Grill is a fun place to go out with some friends on a Friday or Saturday Night. They make fresh guacamole right before your eyes, serve quality Mexican food and offer a tequila bar that is certain to help jumpstart your night. However, Adobo Grill is overpriced. Be prepared to pay a little bit extra for the location, the hype and the chic decor if you want to come here. If you're short on money and just looking for a good burrito, go to Taco and Burrito Palace (see review/rave) instead .
(3)Jason C.
Tableside Guac - what can I say? It does not get any better. Also enjoyed the Flank Steak entree and Victoria beer.
(5)Jullian S.
good food, great gauc
(4)Tom L.
Hot dinner on a hot afternoon. Tortilla soup that was excellent and roast pork . How I didn't try this before stumps me. Great spot for people watching and the food was very good.
(4)Michael M.
As others have mentioned, you go to Adobo Grill for the guacamole. You haven't had guacamole until you have had it there, and watching it being made table side is a real treat. The food is very good as well, and the portion size is just right. There are two reasons that I can't give Adobo five stars, though. The first is that the waitstaff is not the most attentive, especially during dinner hours. Second, the bar is really dedicated to margaritas, so if you don't like tequila like my girlfriend, you are kinda out of luck. Oh and definitely make reservations on the weekend. You'll need them.
(4)Kate I.
Adobo Grill has made significant changes since the last time I was there, perhaps a year ago, and they have all been for the worse. It's quite sad, as this used to be one of our favorite dinner joints in Old Town. Here's what's gone wrong: 1) The menu has been completely overhauled and is focused on overpriced 'small plates.' These small plates are great portion-wise, but they are overpriced and they're lacking the interesting flavors of the past. I have ordered cochinita pibil at Adobo countless times the past seven years or so. Cochinita Pibil is a Yucatecan dish centered on marinated pork. The pork I was served last night was not marinated. It was covered in a rather bland sauce instead. 2) To make matters worse, the menu has also veered far, far away from authentic Mexican food. No, it was never completely authentic, but it was closer than not. Not anymore, unfortunately. Case in point: they are offering a tlayuda, a traditional dish served in Oaxaca. My husband works in Oaxaca, so I've lived there off and on for the past several years. I have eaten many, many real tlayudas. The tlayuda itself is actually just a large corn tortilla, cooked on the clay comal (as they always are in Oaxaca) and is a bit tougher than regular corn tortillas. They are used to scoop up beans and other soupy dishes. They are also served with toppings by street vendors, particularly late at night. (If you're in Oaxaca City, head over to Tlayudas Libres after 9 p.m. for the meal of your life!). On top of the oversized CORN tortilla, the vendor will put aciento (rendered pork fat), black bean paste, Oaxacan string cheese, and 'verduras,' salsa, and include a piece of grilled beef or sausage (the beef is cooked directly on the mesquite coals -- incredible!). Rather than this amazing dish, Adobo is serving a pizza and calling it a 'tlayuda.' There is no tlayuda at all! Rather, there is a wheat crust with a bunch of toppings on top, including a flood of sour cream, something you'd never, ever find in Oaxaca, period, let alone on a Tlayuda (which are always corn!). In Oaxaca, food is taken very seriously, and serving a wheat crust pizza and calling it a 'tlayuda' would be considered blasphemous. Unbelievable. 3) The drinks have gone WAY up in price. Want to try a mezcal? That will cost you $14.50. For what, a couple of ounces of mezcal? When the most expensive mezcals cost about $25 for a bottle? That's just wrong. So I've given the restaurant 2 stars rather than 1 because I have had good meals here in the past. But clearly those days are gone. With wheat pizza being sold as 'tlayudas' and 'small plates' being sold at regular entree prices, Adobo Grill has been taken off of our list. So sad.
(2)Rebecca L.
Food was a 3, but the margarita and guacamole rocked my world!
(4)Mark M.
Horrible service. The food was cold and felt like it came from the Taco Bell down the street. There were several little kids running around. The porch was nice, but didn't offset the rampant fail that occurred. They wanted $13.50 for a single shot of well tequila, I can buy a whole bottle for that!
(1)Anupama A.
Some of the best Margaritas and Guac I have ever had. If you eat in the resto they mix the guac right in front of you at your table and you can say how spicy you want it!! If outside, they don't :( But overall, food better than most mexican restos I have tried in Chicago. I could go just for their ritas if need be!!!
(4)Doug S.
Yes the guac was outstanding and the different salsas and chips were as well. I tried the flank steak and it was pretty tough. It was grilled exactly as ordered but it was just a tough piece of meat. I didn't care for the refried beans which tasted like it was out of the can. Overall average food at high prices. Will not go back. Too many other authentic Mexican/Latin restaurants in city.
(2)Lisa O.
We had a reservation and only had to wait 5 minutes for a table---very acceptable for a Saturday night. The guacamole was very good. I don't usually like guacamole, but my husband loves it so we order it. I really liked this one, with medium spice. Our entrees were wonderful and just the right portion. I had the Lomito (pork tenderloin with mole), delicious and not too spicy. I also tried my husband's Arrechero (marinated steak), which was also wonderful. A little pricey for a Mexican restaurant, but it is in the heart of the city and a very nice energy and vibe to the place. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Nicole B.
Went here for lunch and thought it was great. Sat outside in a beautiful April day, had good service, and delicious food. The guac is to die for. Bonus that you can get both chips and veggie slices if you are looking to cut some calories. The pork tacos were great, perfect mix of salty and sweet with pineapple salsa.
(4)Cate R.
I love this place, but I must say I think it is for one reason - the guacamole! Honest to God, I didn't even eat guac until a friend made me try this stuff, and it really is that good. The margaritas are also excellent, but so far, my review is not very original. At least we have a consenus - top notch guac, great margaritas, average everything else. Still, can't be beat before Second City and I will be back!
(4)Katie W.
Went to Adobo last night after our free movie preview was sold out. Made a mad dash for Adobo before everyone else did the same! Guac made tableside was a treat. Loved the fresh chunks of tomato and avacados. My sister and I ordered the quesadillas and taquitos to share. The quesadillas come made with a particular kind of mushroom - we tried it and ate it but didn't love it. The taquitos were crunchy with shreds of lettuce and tomato chunks laying in some tangy/spicy sauce. Our server said they didn't have blended drinks of any kind. The dessert was the best part! Fresh from the oven churros and a warm chocolate dipping sauce. I was in heaven. Overall, the place was busy but not too bad. We didn't wait for a table at 7:30pm on a Thursday night but then again it was pouring rain outside. I'll definitely head back to try other things on the menu.
(4)alex D.
I made reservation on the 31st of December, to spend New Years here. Best choice I could have made, they had a prix fixe menu. I could understand why they were packed they had a Mariachi band signing the whole night. Food was great, but they were out of ceviche. It still was a very memorable way to start 2011
(5)Ro A.
We went here for the NYE special with was $75 a person. The appetizers were good. The entree was mediocre at best. Not very flavorful and just sort of lacking. The desserts were awful. Mine looked like coffee grounds. The rest of the table got an apple dessert which nobody finished. I would never go back here or recommend this restaurant to anybody. You can get much better mid priced Latino food in Chicago, so don't waste your money here!
(1)Colleen J.
Strong margaritas, tasty mojitos, GREAT guacamole. I had the vegetarian plate, which was pretty good. I tasted my friends red snapper, and it was quite good. The service was good, the bathrooms were clean and unique, with spotlights shining down on you in each stall, and cute faucet handles. We had the mango dessert; I'm not a huge mango fan, and I must admit, I really liked it. The only downside is the parking and the pricy meals.
(4)Rebecca T.
This place essentially sucks. The ONLY reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is because the margaritas are yummy... and potent. ;) Service = bad. Food = unimaginative and below average. High traffic tourist location next to Second City = need I say more?
(2)Emily K.
yum! the atmosphere, the food, the drinks, the service. it was a wonderful event. The margaritas should NOT be missed. they were fabulous, i recommend sugar around the rim. The tableside guacemole is fun and very tasty. we were all very happy with our meals, the menu is on the small side and very authentic, but very very good. we were too full for dessert but there were some tasty choices on the menu :) this was my second time at Adobo and definitely not my last!
(5)Haley L.
Went there with a party of seven when my boyfriend's dad and business partner were in town and it was so wonderful! I wish I would have gotten his name, but our server was one of the best I have ever had! And we kept him busy, not only with a lot of food but tons of drinks and lots of tequila flights that we needed his input on which one to choose each time. I wasn't that hungry so filled up in the most wonderful and fresh guacamole made to your liking table side and a salad with mango, jicama and a pumpkin seed dressing that was delicious. Not sure what everyone else ordered - but almost everyone cleaned their plates. The desserts looked spectacular and definitely was to try them next time. do i recommend? 100% great food, great atmosphere, great service. nice job adobo!
(4)PJ T.
Well, this is my fave gauc place in the entire country. (personal choice!) I love that they make it custom, we always ask for extra spicy with extra lime....yum !! And absolutely love the margaritas with the smokey topping. We also enjoy their ceviches. But out of the 5 times we've been, we haven't gotten past the appetizers. :) Still gets a 5 star - gauc and margaritas just do it for me !!
(4)Michelle Z.
TGIFridays meets Taco Bell. Mediocre "mexican" food. When they start forming rice into geometrical shapes, I begin to wonder...kinda reminds me of grade school when the mashed poatoes just kept the shape of the ice cream scoop they were served from. Service was friendly but annoying. They were slow which apparently is the reason why EVERY busboy stopped at our table EVERY three minutes to ask how everything was. Mole sauce tasted canned. Rice had no flavor. Ordered patron, got bar brand tequila. Yes people can tell the difference, especially when you oder it straight!This place sucks. There is no reason for a restaurant like this to still be in business in the city of chicago. How do people eat this crap?! Top to bottom, this place was awful. I would rather order taco bell than eat this again.
(1)Jilliann S.
Sit at the bar, get the Adobo margarita (or two or three) and table-side guacamole and, then, stop. The rest of the food on the menu is just okay.
(3)Jamie O.
For the prices, the guacamole and vegetarian platter weren't good enough.
(2)Leon D.
If you and your friends are looking to jam up a busy city intersection on a weekend night by having your taxi stop in the middle of a street, and then dig out some crumpled $1 bills out of your jeans to pay the cabbie, only to laugh carefree as you dodge pissed off drivers honking at you, then The Adobo Grill in Old Town is for you! Best guacamole in the city, as far as I'm concerned, assuming that you get at least medium, preferably hot. The bar is more reliable than the kitchen (but I mean, really, where isn't the bar more reliable?). Me gusta margaritas!
(3)Bess R.
Guacamole and drinks are delicious, but not as good as Las Palmas. Unimpressed by the entrees, nice ambiance though. Apparently they have gluten-free menu choices, so I'll have to check back and give them a shot. Maybe their wheatless goodness will impress my palate:)
(3)Jamie M.
This is definitely one of my favorite upscale-Mexican places to dine. The guacamole is a must! While there are always too many great menu choices to order just one, I typically order the Pollo al Tamarindo. HOLY CATS do I love that dish...and I do not love chicken in general, let me tell you. The service has always been on the average side and sometimes the seating arrangements can be a little "cozy" with neighboring diners, but Adobo Grill has never failed me. We use this as a night-out restaurant to get things going--the margaritas are definitely on-point!
(4)tessa c.
my dearest adobo grill, stop trying too hard! you flatter me with your hot and courteous server..your amazing guacamole! but what's with your unacceptable seasonal chicken mole? i can't say much for the tequila you advertise about because i was on benadryl. maybe next time.
(3)Kendall C.
Great atmosphere. I loved the table-side guacamole although it was a bit pricy. Service was good although not exceptional. As others have mentioned the salsa was a disappointment. I recommend focusing on the appetizers.
(3)Adam S.
With dozens of other reviewers, I'm not sure I can say much more than what has been said - the food is indeed quite good - I had the vegetarian plate which was a nice variety of stuff and more than enough to fill me up. It's a bit pricey, but only $3-$4 more per dish, and it's definitely a cut above typical tex-mex. If you just want some cheese laden enchiladas or a burrito, go someplace else. People are ravers over the guac - I actually thought it was just ok. The best guac I've had sits for a few hours "marinating" so the cilantro, lime, etc. can have its full effect. This just tasted like the singular ingredients depending on where you were dipping your chip in the bowl. Adobo Grill is also quite loud so romantic evening for two this is not. Fun environment otherwise though, filled with the usual Old Townies. You know the type. :)
(3)Dave Z.
To say that Adobo Grill is a Mexican Restuarant is underselling the experience. It has been said time and time again on this site - Get the Guacamole!!! When you go to Adobo be prepared to redefine your expectation of Mexican food. The origin of this food is more from Central Mexico and is much more refined than the traditional Mexican Restuartant. I have taken family to this restaurant, used them for an in restaurant party of 100 and have used them to cater events and every time the food and service has been excellent.
(5)George H.
Went for lunch the other day, had the casuelas combo, good stuff. Nice, simple food prepared well with good service. Guacamole was legit as well. Vegetable enchilada was OK, nothing special.
(4)Corby G.
The food was actually pretty good here. Not the greatest ever, but good food presented in an original way. The problem for me is the service. On one hand, there were several bussers all over the restaurant, and as soon as they saw an emply glass or plate, they were all over it. We must have had our water refilled 10 times in about 30 minutes. Our waitress was a different story. We were there for a drink and appetizer before a show at second city. When we told her we were only ordering an appetizer, her face dropped and tone completely changed- she said, "oh, that's it, huh?" Almost condescending. The whole rest of our meal, every interaction we had, she was trying to upsell us on something, when we refused, she either glared at us and walked away or sighed. Even if the good was great, it woudln't really make up for nasty wait staff. Two appetizers, one drink and a meager tip- $35.
(2)Julie G.
I actually really like this place. The margaritas really are as tasty as everyone says, and the guacamole lives up to its reputation as well. Their regular menu is a little on the boring side, but their specials are usually very good, and their mole sauce is especially delicious with a nice chocolaty flavor that is very complimentary to the items with which it is served. Ironically, their tequila selection is only so-so, but their chocolate tamale and churros with chocolate dipping sauce are a delight. (Wow, I mentioned chocolate a lot in this review.)
(4)Kristin C.
The only time I rock on over to Adobo is pre-Second City - it's just so dang convenient. As others have noted, the guacamole is amazing and obviously fresh as they whip it up table-side. Another huge draw for me is the Adobo Margarita (served martini-style). Truth be told, it is my FAVORITE margarita in the city. It is made with fresh limes - not some bottled up, sickly-sweet, store- bought shizz. The entrees here never really twiddle my fiddle. I am much more of a tex-mex chic so some of their authentic fare throws me off a little. I always order the quesadillas and am greeted with wrapped up cheese nuggets. I forget! Last time I was here, I got the tortilla soup and it was not very good at all. I think one is better off going for the poblano pepper or the enchiladas. Come here for the Margaritas. Stay for the gauc. And if you are still sober and/or hungry, opt for the poblano chile pepper dish - Areeba!
(4)Justin S.
This place's reputation has spoken for itself. It's gone from a little known place that's supposed to have killer guacamole to a premier authentic Mexican place in Chicago, with a booth at the Taste. The guacamole is the best in Chicago, and prepared tableside. The entrees are great, from carne asada to the pechuga. Highly recommended on all accounts. Grab an Adobo Margarita, or add another $1 for premium tequila - of which there are tons there.
(4)Stephen P.
There are two core requirements for a superior Mexican restaurant, the margaritas and the guacamole. OK, there are 3, the chips being the third, but the Adobo exceeds the first two of with some of the best margaritas and guac in town! We live nearby so we come here often because the atmosphere is lively and the food is great. The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is that it is a little overpriced and the host staff are terrible. The wait staff is fine but the host staff never seem to know what they are doing.
(4)blake d.
Adobo Grill gets lots of business because of it's great location(s) and bomb margaritas. The problems with Adobo outweigh the positives. The food is sub-par for the price range. Order a $15 pork chop and it's dry just like mom used to make. How about the tilapia- it sure sounds great on the menu, but it's bland and boring. The soups are decent, and the guac is cool to see made table side- but good guac depends on good avocados, not a chef's skill. The margaritas are nice, but they come at a cost- $10 for the house margarita with the extra half shot on top in a small martini glass. If you wanna drop some dough on tequila drinks and an appetizer or two, then Adobo is nice, but for a meal there are better options (mayan palace)
(2)Susan L.
I second/third/fourth/nth the opinions about the guac and the margaritas--to die for! I always get the mole chicken, and I love it. Go there now, but make a reservation first so you don't wait 9 years to be seated.
(5)Monica B.
The guacamole is AMAZING!! They like to make it hot though so do not order it above medium unless you want it to taste like you are chasing it with a side of burning flames. I give it 4 stars because you have to pay for chips and salsa, and let's face it...that kind of sucks. The food is awesome though. Last time I had the tilapia ceviche and it was so fresh!! Ask for Victor. He gave us 2 big ole' shots of premium tequila for free :)
(4)Jenny T.
As the 2 star rating puts it, "Meh. I've experienced better." To me, a great restaurant isn't always about the food. Sure, it's ultimately a priority, but if I'm spending some dough on food, the service & ambiance better be good. I got o-k service the two times I've been here. This place is really convenient if you have a Second City show to go to, or if you're just hanging out in Old Town. Frankly, for the food/service, this place is waay too over priced. I'd rather support the smaller hidden gems in the city than this chain.
(2)Marc L.
Great place with great food. The waiter we had was superb. As many have mentioned the guacamole and margaritas were outstanding. Would definitely go again.
(4)Ericka M.
To be fair, I should preface this review by saying that I'm a little biased. This place is right in my neighborhood, so the location is super convenient. Plus, I LOVE LOVE LOVE good guacamole. Yes, I did say love three times - in all caps, no less. Anyway, the main reason I usually come here is for the guacamole. But I have also really liked the other dishes I have ordered here, too. The service is *usually* quite friendly but not always the quickest. True, the place is often packed to the gills on any given night. But it's also not good business to make patrons wait, especially when they make it pretty clear they are in a hurry to leave and need the bill before...next year. The decor and ambience is pretty decent as well. All in all, I'd say Adobo is a great place - if for nothing else, go for the guac! They make it to order right by your table and it has to be one of the best - if not the best - I've ever had so far.
(4)Elizabeth T.
I loved everything about Adobo Grill. Fabulous drinks, the food was perfection (mmmmm, empanadas. . .), and the guacamole worth a trip all by itself. The tequila flights are beautifully presented--who knew there were so many varieties? The atmosphere here is fun and festive and the service attentive. I had a guest in from out of town for the visit and he's still raving about it. Great experience--I can't wait to come back.
(5)Risey H.
Food is pretty delicious. Service was pretty good. Location is right next to second city comedy club which is a plus. They also velidate parking next door. However the menu was confusing and most everything is small plate so potion is small. The guacamole was made fresh but my veggie enchilada was too much cheese and too little veggie filling for my liking. I think only few items are entree size.
(3)Tom T.
I've eaten Mexican food all my life and this is as good as any I've ever tasted. This is authentic Mexican food though so don't expect Tex-Mex. I'm not a fan of compulsory gratuity though and this is 18% for groups of six or more. I've found that if tips are guaranteed service usually is not.
(4)Liz T.
I'm never disappointed at Adobo Grill. It isn't an inexpensive meal, but I don't have to worry about the quality of the food or whether or not I'm going to be disappointed. I can just sit back, relax, and enjoy my meal. Warning for Mexican food fans: This isn't cheap, hole-in-the-wall Mexican food. This is gourmet Mexican food. The margaritas are fantastic...they shake them at your table. The guacamole, made at your table, is delicious. Last time I was there, I had the ensalada de cosecha. The salad was very good...crisp and refreshing with lots of vegetables: zucchini, asparagus, chayote, and fresh goat cheese. So good! Every entree I've had has been very fine, but it's the dish my boyfriend orders that really amazes me. Each time we go he orders the filete charro--it's marinated beef tenderloin with a chile habanero-tomato salsa, and roasted potatoes...it's incredible. Worth every penny.
(4)a d.
Adobos customer service and management is A++! Miguel (waiter and manager) were top notch professionals and extremely attentive! I hosted my birthday party at Adobo. The evening before was the traditional Mexican holiday called "the day of the dead". Adobo featured sugar carvings. The Adobo team created and saved a carving for me and presented it during my bday dinner, even though I did not attend the "day of the dead" event! Furthermore, my dinner party grew from 10 to 18. The management staff (Miguel, hostess, and team) rearranged the restaurant just for my party! The food, drinks, service, and level of attention to detail was spot on! I would highly recommend that you visit Adobo! A great time was had by ALL!
(5)michele l.
In addition to the dinner menu, this is a good brunch spot. Note that most of the brunch menu consists of spicy Mexican selections. For something on the sweeter side, try the plantain stuffed French Toast. The Mexican "cafe de olla" coffee is really rich and tasty. Adobo is usually empty for brunch and there's never a wait for a table. The restaurant tends to get loud and noisy when full - making it not the ideal date spot if you are into engaging dinner conversation. The best part of the guacamole is watching it being prepared fresh table-side. It tastes like standard guacamole found in most Mexican restaurants - nothing extraordinary.
(4)Bernie D.
Amazing tequila selection, very knowledgable staff. We got these tequila flights that were outstanding, they were served with this spicy tomato juice. All execellent. Would love to go back for dinner.
(3)faline m.
guacamole is delicious everything else is awful. avoid this place at all cost.
(1)Benji B.
OK food. Nice atmosphere. The margaritas aren't nearly as good as everyone claims they are. One cocktail plus though was the Captain & Colas being very strong. Overpriced for what it is, and I'm sure there are much better Mexican places to go in Chicago.
(3)Kelli B.
GUAC! GUAC! GUAC! The best guac in the city! MMMM MMMM MMMM! Great decor, really good service, delicious food. I've been there at least four times and each time the server was very knowledgeable when explaining items on the menu. It's always busy but I don't believe we've ever waited for a table....maybe only a few minutes if that. Service is always excellent as is the food and wine. Nice outdoor seating for Wells street alfresco dining, and did I mention the Guac?
(4)Erin V.
The only real reason you need to come here is for the guacamole. Entrees are a bit overpriced and nothing to rave about. As many of the other reviewers have said, come for the guacamole and stay for a margarita.
(4)Bianca S.
My boyfriend and I were going to a show at Zanie's down the street. We stopped into Adobo before for a quick dinner. I was able to call an hour before and get a reservation for 2 without issue. On a Thursday night this place was hopping with business people in suits, women having a girls night, couples for a date night and families. There is something here for everyone. We ordered the table made guacamole which was amazing. I did notice every table around us also had the guacomole all of those people can be wrong can they? We have a couple of mango magaritas. They were ok. They were really just mango juice & tequilla mixed together on ice. I had the salmon tacos, although they were a little salty I did think they were well prepared and presented. My boyfriend got the enchiladas, the red mole sauce was ok but nothing to right home about. Overall the dining experience was good. Although when the check came and one of the margaritas was $18 since it had a double shot of tequilla, my return on investment of the meal was severely diminished.
(3)Jace C.
Service here sucks... we set at the bar and waited 20 minutes for a drink and ordered margarita and guac, then another 5 minutes for the drink, and 10 minutes later the bar staff told us they were out of guac ... we got sat in about 45 minutes, as we waited another 10 or so for the server to come to take our order 3 tables around us got served the guac that they were "out" of ... walked out of the place, never will return. overall horrible service experience, the margaritas are good, but over priced @ ~$9
(1)liz d.
The guacamole was excellent, and they make it right at your table. The food, however, left much to be desired. I may go back for drinks and guac, but that's it.
(3)Karen Y.
I went to Adobo Grill this Saturday night (July 4) and was somewhat disappointed. The margaritas and guacamole (made to order) were excellent, but my grouper (served in a tomato sofrito and salsa toreada with rice and snap beans) was tasteless, dry, chewy, just overcooked. Even the beans, which should have been "snappy" were overcooked and bland. I tasted my friend's chicken enchilada, which was fine. I was in the mood for spicy flavorful food in the neighborhood, and this did not live up to the bill, unfortunately.
(2)Doris D.
I liked this place! The drinks were awesome, the guac pretty damn good. Service could have been a little better. We were really confused when the waiter asked if we wanted guacamole with our drinks?
(4)Niki C.
I'm trying not to judge the restaurant based on the fact that it was home to my worst date ever ... but that's a whole 'nother story. The entrees I have eaten here have been average for a Mexican place, nothing really stood out as being phenomenol, so I gotta cut it down a few stars for being overpriced for average food. However ... I don't like avocados. Hate 'em. Guacamole? Hate it. It's too mushy of texture, I always get a horrible aftertaste, & I know it's weird, but I hate that color of green. That being said, I freaking LOVE the guacamole at Adobo Grill. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT COULD EAT IT ALL NIGHT INTO THE NEXT DAY. I think it's laced with crack. No I don't, but it's that good. ::not that i know what crack is like ... i don't::
(3)Sylvia I.
Great place for margaritas and homemade guacamole that they make at the table. But that's it. Wouldn't come here for the food -- way too expensive and not the best quality. If you insist on coming though, get the red snapper fish, enough for 2.
(3)shaina v.
Despite the annoying old town after work crowd, the spicy guacamole and mojitos compensated.
(3)Sylvia T.
I purposely avoid chains. Well, I guess there is only 1 other Adobo Grill in Wicker Park, but it had a "chain-y" vibe. To my surprise, I had an awesome time and the food was very good and authetic. They had a guacamole cart and two women prepared the guac in front of us. Very fresh and very tasty, served with house fried tortilla chips. Their margaritas were also very refreshing and generous in size, always a plus! I had the beef enchiladas, which came with beans and rice. At first glance, I thought, there is no way I'm going to finish these 4 huge yummy goodness - but I did. I'm a fatty mc fatty!!!
(4)Shakura H.
The margarita's are well made, the guacamole is some of the best in the city. As far as the rest of the menu is concerned it is very hit or miss, I have often been disappointed in many of their menu items.
(1)Javier B.
I have been to Adobo many, many times. I live in the neighborhood and I also go to Second City a lot and this always seems to be the best spot to stop by before or after the show. I used to love their margaritas and would still recommend them though I personally find them a little too sweet for my taste. The guacamole is great and fresh. The appetizers are really good. I would recommend the flight of ceviches and the flight of cazuelas. Both are very well prepared and although Adobo is by no means cheap, these two appetizers are pretty big and reasonably priced. Not a big fan of their entrees. I think that they are over priced and not always well prepared. This place is always very busy, so getting a table during dinner time on the weekends is next to impossible. In summary, Adobo is a great place to go for a drink or two, get fresh guacamole and enjoy a few of their appetizers. I almost treat this place like a tapas restaurant and just sample a few of the appetizers. As far as the entrees go, try them at your own risk. They are very hit and miss.
(3)