Dined here tonight with a group of 7. This place is perfect for groups. We were seated at a round table that enabled conversation amongst all of us. It is a large and very beautiful space. Our service was great. Our waitress, Chelsea, was spot on with drink refills and boxes for those that needed them. The guac was good as were my tacos fajitas. Overall this place was well worth the walk, our time, and money. Happy travelers all around!!
(4)
Arine A.
Always a safe bet. Good atmosphere. Great service. Good food and drinks
(5)
Chris M.
As a Latino, I have high expectations for Mexican restaurants. I made reservations earlier in the week and the hostess was nothing but nice to me. My girlfriend and I agreed that 7:45 would work out perfectly. Well, we both run on "Mexican Time". So I made sure to call ahead and to sure it was okay to push back our reservations. The hostess, yet again, was very helpful and happy to accommodate our request. We arrived fairly early, usually we would have to wait anywhere else. But they sat us down asap. A plus. We sat a table but my girlfriend and I agreed we would enjoy a both. Again, the hostess went out of her way to suit are needs. Besides the wonderful service, the food was amazing!! My girlfriend ordered the chicken fajitas. They came with three tortillas, we thought that they were "shorting" us. We were wrong. I ordered the "CAMARONES ESCONDIDOS". Reminded me of my grandmothers cooking! If you're looking for a night out & want authentic Mexican food. With a hint of class. This is place is it! Without a doubt will be coming back.
(5)
Gharsia A.
Came here for a friends birthday and everything was good until the guacamole, I could do better at home and there was a hair in my bowl I told out waiter and he brushed it off and took my plate without apologizing. Then I ordered the enchiladas de barbacoa and in the middle of eating I found another hair! I completely lost my appetite and brought it to the waiters attention yet again and he did absolutely NOTHING! I didn't get an apology or refund or anything. This is the last time I go. Who ever goes here please take a DEEP look into your meal and make sure there isn't anything there that shouldn't be there! After eating my meal I had a very bad tummy ache. Very very unprofessional.
(1)
Kendrick W.
This review is pretty much based on two things: 1) Margarita's and 2) guacamole. So the drinks are definitely on the pricier side, but having said that, the Margarita's are fabulous. I had the Cinco Rita and I highly recommend it. The guacamole was also pretty first rate. Even at the bar they wheel over the cart, ask you how spicy you want it and prepare it for you on the spot. Good stuff. I would certainly go back and next time intend to try the food as well.
(4)
Arianna G.
My friend and I went here on Friday, to celebrate her Birthday, We had been here before and had great food and a wonderful time!. Wow what a huge dissapointment this time! The Barbacoa pork tacos were terrible, they came to the table cold, and the tortillas smelled rancid! The rice they served us tasted like it was a week old! it was shriveled up and dry, I cannot believe I even dared taste it! Now how hard is rice? Is'nt that Culinary 101? The waiter served our food and then disappeared, It took forever to get any of the waiters attention and the restaurant was not really that busy. The waiter did take the tacos off the bill but we are in no hurry to ever go back.
(1)
Ryan B.
I LOVE coming here for happy hour. Their lounge has a half priced menu until 7 on weekdays. The ceviche and tacos are great! You can't go wrong with queso fundido either. The margaritas are also good. You can't go wrong with a margarita and they have a nice variety of different flavors and styles. Sometimes there service gets slow, though (especially when the restaurant is slow). Last time I was there, I had to flag down our server to get our check. Our water glasses had been empty for a while and she hadn't offered to get us more drinks either.
(5)
Norman A.
The good: guacamole was excellent. The nachos were some of the best I had seen, essentially slider nacho pizzas. I thought the atmosphere was nice. Decent margaritas, although had heard they were strong and mine were disappointingly weak :/ The bad: the service! Inattentive waiter, when he did manage to find the time to talk to us he made my girlfriend and I feel poor, just awful. I also got the enchiladas and was super disappointed, very bland. I don't think I would go here for dinner again...
(3)
Jeff S.
I have been here a few times and always am happy with everything. The salsa and chips are great and table side guacamole is fantastic. The salsa tastes very fresh and is hard not to fill up on before your meal comes out. My go to are the enchiladas barbacoa and have never been disappointed. Was just here this past weekend and my wife had steak tacos and they were really good as well. She also had a couple strawberry mohitos that she really liked. We're a little strong for me, but I am usually not into those drinks anyway. The place is clean and nice and just has an overall good atmosphere. Will definitely be going back again when we are in town.
(4)
Blake B.
As a visitor from California... This was some great Mexican food. Was a great experience and will for sure be going back the next time I'm in Chi-town
(5)
Sarah G.
This place has a fun and modern twist to spanish cuisine. The decor is fabulous and you get your money's worth when it comes to the drinks. The staff was very pleasant and my friends and I even got a chance to meet the chef and true authentic chef with culinary background so rich in culture. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Thijs V.
Really delicious food. Probably best Mexican food I've ever had.
(5)
Basil D.
PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE!!! Please watch the Jim Gaffigan routine on Mexican food. I'll get to that later, but first my more serious ranting... IF this place didn't have real estate and ambience, it would have closed, of this I am absolutely certain. I go to this place often, but only for cocktails. Don't eat the food! I should begin by saying they have remarkable guacamole. It's made fresh table side at your direction for seasonings, whether you want some heat or not, onions or not. It ends there. I always order a mango mojito when I go there. NOT ONCE have I EVER had it made the same, NOT ONCE!! Some days it's strong, some days not, some days there's more "fizzy" soda, some days not. The mixologists need to get their act together. Their margaritas are simply the WORST I've ever EVER had anywhere. They also use these weird non-stemmed margarita glasses which are off-putting. It's a cold drink, which means you need a stem so the heat from your hands don't warm up the cocktail. Now, is Cantina Laredo OUT OF THEIR BLOODY MINDS? The prices they charge for the exact same ingredients in every other Mexican dish served at every Mexican dive-restaurant (all of which are better than what you get at Cantina Laredo) are insanely high...I mean absurd. They charge an extraordinary price, and I mean HUGE for cheese, tortilla, refried beans, chicken/beef/pork. Jim Gaffigan is right, there's no difference between any of the dishes, whether it's a burrito, chimichanga, quesadilla, or whatever... Oh sure there are some variations, but for F-sake, this place is insanely priced. Ok, I'll pony up $10 for the guacamole, it's worth it. The chips are amazingly perfect. But geez, what gives? I've had the tacos, the guacamole, the quesadilla, and one or two other things I can't recall. This place is a hopeless study in mediocrity at best. Go elsewhere. The whole, "Mexican chic" ambience is a bit comical. It's a fun place to go, but it's because in part, I can walk across the street from my building. I would never drive here. I go only for ambience, and only for a crap drink inconsistently made, and the guacamole. That's it. And I occasionally feel bad for even going for that!
(2)
Jack F.
Had the Grouper special. The interior of this place is the best thing about it. Food was pretty good, but not the best I've ever had. I came away from it expecting more. The dessert (brownie) was fantastic, though.
(3)
Teresa S.
I've never had hot salsa meaning temperature combined with heat! It was fantastic I'm completely hooked! Shrimp tacos with cilantro green rice mucho bueno! Steak fajitas were soooooo flavorful! Wishing Cantina Laredo comes to Las Vegas, nv!
The venue is great, really nice decor however it is pretty loud no matter how crowded it is. Great place for large groups. Parking around here is easy, and they do have valet if you need it. They can make most things on the menu vegetarian friendly which is always a plus, i had the shrimp enchiladas without the shrimp, they were actually really good, the poblano sauce was excellent. The guac is pretty great as well. The apple pie ala mode dessert was also really really good! prices are average. However thats pretty much all the positives i can say the service..SUCKED. Our server was just arrogant and rude. Not sure if he was just crabby that he was missing the heat-spurs game, or if he was just an arrogant person in general. He gave no recommendations even though we asked. And the drinks, they weren't that great. Probably the worst margarita I've had (I asked for a classic margarita) it was horrible. My father got served the wrong meal, he was confident that his dish had salsa verde on it and when it came out with something else he knew it was not what he ordered, the waiter seemed to think it was our fault; didn't even apologize. most of my table thought the food was just ok. nothing special; cheese heavy (though they did love the dessert).Their menu isn't that extensive either, not a lot to choose from food wise. I can't say that I'd recommend this place other than maybe coming here because you have a large group and want to go somewhere you can be accomdated and get relatively 'ok' food.
(3)
Randy R.
Carne asada!!!! Very good, tasty margaritas, the homemade avocado excellent!!! Overall a nice Mexican place in Chicago. Nice ambient, and trendy decoration, will return next time I'll visit Chicago.
(4)
N R.
If you would like some food and drink with your SALT, try this place.
(1)
Melissa F.
In an area filled with inventive, delicious places to eat, Cantina Laredo does not really stand out. Their drinks are perhaps the only saving grace - same with the well-lit, open, inviting atmosphere. The "bandera" drink is supposed to look like the Mexican flag and pulls it off due to some legit layering. It's an intense drink, though you might not realize it at first. I got chicken enchiladas with spinach. They were pretty gross. I wanted some flavor, but all I got was poached chicken and spinach under tasteless tortillas. The chicken was so bland...I could make better chicken at home. No spice rub or anything, just poach it in a pot of water and overcharge for it. Okay. The flavors just didn't work together at all. They didn't blend. It was like I took a bite of tasteless chicken and almost watery spinach. Ewwwwww. I don't think Cantina Laredo is worth your time, although if you want to grab an interesting drink here, you could certainly do so and be very happy.
(2)
Ji Yeon K.
Cost is reasonable. Guacamole is made fresh by the table, which is amazing. The drinks were great, especially the margaritas. The service though, was not that great, they had a hard time noticing us, when we needed them. Also the decor is great, but the accoustics are not.... the noise echos everywhere.
(4)
Haley J.
Excellent food! So fresh and good quality ingredients. The inside is beautiful, so fresh and open. Not your typical looking Mexican restaurant. The complimentary chips and salsa they bring you are excellent! I ordered the chicken tacos and they were delicious. The chicken is excellent and the ingredients are fresh. It comes with rice and beans which were also good. It was a lot of food! My boyfriend ordered the ahi tuna tacos and absolutely loved them. He ordered a mojito that was very yummy. The flan for dessert was great, so creamy and perfect. I left very full and satisified. Definitely going back!
(5)
Sarah B.
I loved their pork-- in tacos and in the torta. My husband and I were staying near here and kept passing it so we finally came for lunch. He is not fond of Mexican food and I love it, so he was being nice to me coming here. The place is beautiful, our service was fast, polite, and the food was excellent. My hubbie took one bite of his pork sandwich and stopped to say "Oh my God, this is amazing" and take a picture. It was a crazy idea: pulled pork with a fried egg and apricot spread; he said it tasted like French toast. I had the tacos carnitas and they were soooo good. The woman who brought our food said they were her two favorite things on the menu, so there ya go!
(5)
Racquel D.
My sister and I came here two weeks ago for my birthday and were just not that impressed. It was recommended to me in my search for good Mexican food in Chicago. I came here with pretty high expectations and was disappointed. I just expected more. The food was decent, not really the best I've had. On a scale from 1 - 10, I would give it a 7.5. The prices are a little ridiculous for a place that does not have much selection. We shared fajitas, and the portions were really small. I do like that they make fresh guacamole for you. Also, service was good. This seems like a place to get drinks rather than food. Sorry, I won't be back. To sum it up.. Pros: Good location Good chips and salsa Fresh guacamole Cons: Expensive Quality of food.. eh
(2)
Jeannine K.
Menu marks what can be made gluten free. Chips are fried separately and safe to eat. Delicious!
(4)
Akvamarinko P.
Love love love mexican food this place is always the right move fresh ingredients good drinks pleasant atmosphere perfect for date night or solo I never had a band experience here. I love the fusion of Mexican food with a twist of American cousine. will be back for sure soon...
(4)
Lola K P.
This place has gone one step above Mercadito in creating an even more sophisticated, sleek and modern space to enjoy updated Mexican food. We sat at the bar area several times, where the floor to ceiling doors are open, creating such a nice area for an afternoon stop. The updated versions of the usual Mexican fare is very good - guac cart wheeled out and made fresh at your table, tacos, enchiladas. The service is not the greatest - you end up waiting to order or trying to find the waitress for a while. This chain doesn't feel like a chain at all. Will continue to return. Will visit the one in London too and report back.
(4)
Julia J.
We went here to celebrate a friend's Anniversary. We heard good things and wanted to see if the Cantina Laredo lived up to the hype. It was such a beautiful restaurant. What a splendid statement right when you walk through the door. It is clean and spacious. And, how could you not love the indoor fireplaces and the fact they have floor to ceiling windows with an outside patio? It's simply perfect for either a cozy winter or a breezy Chicago summer night. Kudos to whomever decorated the space! I'm so sad to say that the service we experienced was bad from the very beginning. Our waiter tried to rush our dinner selections as he was writing our appetizer order down. He seemed annoyed we weren't going at his pace to turn the table quickly... The dirty plates from our chips and salsa weren't cleared at all. In fact, we tried to wave our server down several times to clear them. But, to no avail. Those dirty dishes stayed there even though it was obvious that our table was finished with them. (i.e. The chips and salsa were so good the bowls were empty!) The unsightly dishes remained in our view until our meal arrived. Just lovely. I ordered the Chicken salad and made a few alterations. The waiter got my order wrong and so of course, like the annoying dieter I don't actually enjoy being, I had to send it back. Although he fixed his mistake, the waiter did his job but grudgingly. I didn't like that. (It wasn't like I was being rude. But, now I not only had to deal with feeling bad for upsetting my server, but I also had to watch my friends eat up while I waited...way to go to make my experience better, dude...) On the upside--at least I didn't have to stare at those dirty plates anymore! Yippie! I'm not sure if our table lacked standard service because we were tucked away in a far corner, but the waiter could have easily made up for his numerous snafus. In all honestly, If he bothered to don a friendly smile or give a kind apology, all would have been forgotten and forgiven. The very least he could have bothered to do was look as if he actually wanted to be there. But, he chose to ignore the fact he was slacking on the job. (Perhaps he was thinking that we wouldn't notice?) Note to self: When booking a reservation, be sure to do it around this waiter's mood. Back to the food...The salsa was AMAZING. Of course the guacamole show was refreshing and entertaining! It was great that you could customize just how spicy or chunky you wanted it. I'll have to admit that the cuisine was so good that it was worth going back for. And since Cantina Laredo is a new restaurant, I will return to see if they fix their staff's attitude issues. A NOTE TO THE MANAGERS: Please remind your staff that the guests shouldn't feel like a ticket number at a grocery deli. A dining experience isn't simply just taking your order and then filling it. Guests at the Cantina should feel taken care of, not like annoying step children being pawned off to you on a busy weekend. To be fair, In a few months I will update this review. I'm really not a mean person, but I am a YELPER, you know... IMPORTANT NOTE: This place is in a great location. But, it SUPER sucks if you have to park a car. If you live in the area, just walk or cab it there. Your pay parking could end up costing you more than the meal itself!
(3)
Morgane T.
The interior design is beautiful. Best strawberry mojito ever and very good casa rita margarita. The enchiladas Veracruz was Excellent. Awesome place
(5)
Kimmy S.
The guacamole is made right in front of u, huge portion and very very good. I think I had a food orgasm. Lol!! I got the crab enchilada and it was scrumptious. It was a small portion than I wanted but still good.
(4)
Tiffane M.
The table side Guacamole was so yummy . I also had the pork tacos and the tuna tacos both amazing. The pork tacos was super moist and very filling. The Tuna tacos was tossed in a delicious glaze. The drinks were yummy and had a nice strong kick to it. Our waiter was Tony, he was super nice and very attentive never had to ask for anything because it was like he already knew what we needed. The only thing I did not like was the rice and the chips tasted a little stale but outside of that all of the food there Taste so fresh. I WILL BE BACK AGAIN!!
(4)
Kimberly S.
I have only been here for happy hour and that is what my review is based on. The happy hour here is a GREAT deal. The location is great and the food is yummy. Avoid the queso and go for the guacamole and tacos. I have tried most of the tacos and the mahi-mahi are my favorite. For the happy hour price you really can't beat it!
(4)
Amanda C.
Just went to have a drink. The house margarita was ok. Poor service at the bar. Seemed the bartender preferred to socialize over providing service.
(3)
Rachel T.
Ah, Cantina Laredo. Where modern Mexico meets the heart of many Chicagoans--It's gotten my attention at least (times 3). Hola Margaritas! I'd recommend trying either the Mango Mint Gingerita or the Mango Pepper Rita (fiery and different). As for the main entree, the Enchiladas Veracruz is remarkably good (but could be a little more spicier). For desserts, the mexican brownie is to die for! Chips, dip and a Mexico trip. Discover it for yourself!
(4)
Shambavi K.
- Drinks were good. - Food portions are small - table side guacamole was good. I may return here only if other people want to go or for happy hour specials...but I won't recommend it to anyone. Its just a bit pricy for mexican-american food.
(2)
Stephen D.
Great service. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly and seemed genuinely concerned about whether we were happy with our meals. The food was pretty good. Not inexpensive, though...
(4)
Mike M.
Outstanding food and service! Nice atmosphere. Food and drinks were wonderful. Will definitely be back next time I am in Chicago!
(5)
Hemanth G.
Food was simply amazing. The ambience was very chic very modern for a Mexcian restaurant and lives up to its modern mexican caption. Service is exemplary. I wanted my entree spicy and the waitress got me a couple of different sauces on the side so I could chose from. The cilantro rice that comes with some of their dishes is amazing. And the best part was the desert. We had flan and the mango tres leches. Both incredibly delicious. I would go back just to have to desert if not for lunch or dinner again. I am very pleased with my experience. I found out they have a location in my hometown - Austin, TX as well. I am definitely going there soon! Hope this review is helpful. Take care.
(5)
Lucas W.
The highlight of the restaurant - is the guacamole. Yes, they make it right at your table which is just rather showy to me and in fact I didn't even watch it get made. But it tasted phenomenal. We had one spicy guac and one medium guac. The spicy guac was gone very quickly; the flavor was great, ingredients very fresh, and a good spiciness to it. There was a good amount of guac as well and 2 dishes of guac was the perfect amount for 6 people. Honestly, had the night just been drinks and chips and guac/salsa, the rating would be a full star higher. But as is, it's barely a 3 star because of the price of the drinks, price of the entree, and quality of the entree. The margaritas are a bit on the pricey side. They're fine flavor-wise and pretty good strength but paying almost $15 for a small margarita is pretty damn hefty even for that location. For my entree I had fish tacos. I've never had tacos so utterly devoid of flavor. Tasteless is putting it nicely. The tacos were smaller than expected and with far less fish than expected and so they threw on a larger amount of cabbage and marinated vegetables. I would've expected some peppers at least but no, they were like water chestnuts or something crunchy and bland. This is a mexican restaurant, how can you make tacos so bland and flavorless! Nor was there any salsa or chili sauce on; I was excited for the chipotle aioli but man, the whole plate just tasted like plain tortilla. You'd get better flavors from Chipotle or even Qdoba. Certianly save a bunch of money.
(3)
Brian B.
Ribeye was exceptional --cooked to perfect med rare, and well priced. The cascabel marinade was flavorful and complemented the meat without overpowering. Great with the always delicious kenwood Yulupa cab. Sides were lacking - asparagus was thin, bitter, woody, under cooked. Rice was not good - I've had better from a box. They said that these were not their typical sides- something went wrong in the kitchen. But all of this was eclipsed by the beef and the wine. Salsas were good too. I'll be back.
(4)
Erik O.
Bar service was great, food was fast and really good.
(5)
Jessica A.
Full disclosure: I came here after a few drinks at another bar--I kept it together but I think they deserve a second try before I give final judgment. Due to it being Valentine's day weekend, there was a special prix fixe menu ($35 for 3 courses, $15 additional for cocktail pairings, which we decided to order). Overall, the food (I had the mango salad, a filet with roasted potatoes and green beans, and some kind of dessert nachos with strawberries and whipped cream) was quite good--not authentic in the least, but good. We also ordered the tableside guac, which was easily the highlight for me. Cocktails were okay but not great--the margarita was very good, but the first course drink was a little overly sweet--ditto for the coffee-flavored one that came last. If I was to come back, I would stick to the obvious choices (tableside guac and margaritas). Service was fine, but there were a few mix-ups (cocktails were served in the wrong order, meaning I got to have a very sweet, fruity drink with my steak....gross). I'd be curious how it differs at a less busy time.
(3)
Theresa F.
Been here three times and this place never disappoints. Everything we've ordered from the guacamole, margaritas, to the fish tacos have been excellent. You really can't beat their happy hour either. Always great service with a slightly trendy, but laid back atmosphere
(5)
Sara L.
I gotta admit I was very skeptical about coming here with my friend for happy hour. If you seen the other locations of this chain its a little like On the Border too much. I am not a big fan of chain restaurants, but who knew this place was pretty good. The location in River North is beautiful inside. I like that they ditched the whole Tex-Mex look and instead its more sleek and modern. We came for happy hour yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised. The lounge upstairs has half off appetizers M-F from 4-7p. We ended up getting the guac, which comes a lady with a cart who makes it to your taste in front of you. I like this touch since you can add or remove ingredients. The ceviche was wonderful! The drinks here pack a punch. I do recommend the blood orange sangria. I typically don't like sangria, but man oh man this was tasty. The waitress we had was wonderful and made sure we happy with our food and kept up the refills. This is definitely one place I am coming back to!
(4)
Conrad M.
The chicken part of the mole chicken dish was dry and the mole sauce was limited. Guacamole was great! Drinks were weak. Might be better to have a shot of tequila separate of the drink and add tableside so you know what you're getting. Great venue!!
(3)
Stefanie A.
Below is my old review....my new review has now changed to 3 stars. Why is that you ask? I'll try to make it quick...Well my husband and I were there again a month ago with his friend and his wife in town from Florida. We were all craving Mexican so we took them there. Our friends (wife is pregnant) had a pretty bad experience, and we felt bad as a result. First off, she ordered a virgin drink...and the server handed her my husbands alcoholic drink. Her and my husband realized that after a few sips, and it was brought to the servers attention. Next, she ordered a very simple bean and rice burrito (was having some food aversions due to her pregnancy, and specifically said no onions). Guess what came in her burrito....onions. We told the server about this one, so he had them bring out a new, onion less one for her in about 10 mins. Poor thing had to watch us eat as she waited. Although it wasn't a HUGE deal, it's still pretty bad to serve alcohol to a pregnant woman, and what is they accidentally served alcohol to a child who ordered a virgin drink? Or what if they served the onion burrito to someone who was allergic to onions? Hmmmm, get your act together Cantina Laredo. Old review: Great atmosphere and amazing mexican food. Must get the table-side prepared guacamole and their margaritas!
(3)
Brittany B.
If you are 21+, go upstairs to the lounge! There is no wait and there are nice chairs and tables to sit at. It's very spacious too. (Downstairs looked a little crammed.) The margaritas are amazing. I drank the Casa Rita with strawberry. My friend ordered the Flatbread de Bistek y Cherry Salsa and I wish I would have ordered it too. The service was less than decent. If I'm in Chicago again, I probably won't go back here.
(3)
Ashley C.
The atmosphere is great. It has a very modern vibe and the fireplaces are nice in the winter. I came here with a larger group who picked the place for its location and ability to accommodate a larger group. I wasn't all that impressed. The service was slow and just okay when he was at our table. He was definitely up-selling which I hate. He kept trying to get all of us to add stuff after we said no and then would push the more expensive entrees. Now I think most things are reasonably priced but it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I docked a whole star for the service. We started out with salsa and guacamole. The guacamole was made to order table side which was great. They nailed the guacamole spot on and it was probably the best food of the night. The other salsas were good to, but I thought one was a little too smoky. I ordered a mojito for my drink- it was well balanced, strong but without being a kick in the face. For the entree, I had the fish tacos. They were kind of bland and weren't seasoned enough. My dining companions seemed to enjoy their meals, but one noted that hers was only lukewarm. The enchiladas seemed to be the biggest hit. While I would pick a different Mexican spot especially for the fish tacos, i would go back if my group suggested it but would probably get the enchiladas instead.
(2)
Nishita V.
Absolutely no complaints! We ate here recently on a trip to the Windy City. Service was excellent. Atmosphere is nice. I imagine it would be beautiful at night (we went for lunch). We ordered the table side guacamole which was a lot for 2 people. But delicious nonetheless. I highly recommend the spinach enchilladas :) The patio area was really nice. I just wish it were warm enough to sit outside!
(5)
Anuj S.
is a great location and they've done a great job with the place. I'm surprised that I've never been here in the year and half or so that this place has been around. Unfortunately though, CL didn't deliver on the service and the food was hit or miss. Our server was a bit snooty. I mean, he would do what we'd ask, but I felt like there was a bit of unnecessary attitude. Also, there were long gaps between stops to our table. Like between the time we finished eating to when he checked in with us next. Then he didn't ask about dessert - I brought it up myself. Admittedly, some of these are nits... Now for the food. The chips and salsa were fine. The cheese enchiladas were really good. The avocado ones on the other hand were kind of meh... We also asked if they could do some veggie tacos and they sort of put veggies on there which I didn't want. I would've rather had beans, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, etc. Like a regular taco, but just with beans instead of meat. I'd say overall the beans and rice were rather flavorless. Lastly, the mango tres leches was awesome. Really fresh tasting mango bits and a super-moist cake with this delicious mango sauce on top of the whole thing. If it weren't for the cheese enchilada and this cake, this place would definitely have been a 1 or 2 star place. Even with those two food items, I don't think it a place going back for lunch or dinner. There are just so many better food options around. On the other hand, I do think I'd come back here to hang for some drinks or what not.
(3)
Caitlin B.
Went here for dinner on Friday evening with my boyfriend and his mother. Although the restaurant is casual, most patrons were pretty dressed up. We arrived first and ordered a couple of margaritas, which were the highlight of the night. The food was okay: nothing was bad, but nothing stood out as a highlight. The service was pretty hands-off. As soon as we declined the 'tableside guacamole', which consisted of one avocado, half a lime, a tablespoon of onions, and some cilantro, for the bargain price of $10, she ignored us. She never offered to refill our water glasses during the meal, nor did any of the busboys who came to the table to clear our plates. Eventually, I asked her for a refill, and she complied. She brought our check rather abruptly, and we lingered for about 20 minutes to chat (the restaurant wasn't crowded). After she picked up the check, she never returned to the table. I'd return for drinks, but I'd rather eat at one of the many other restaurants in the area.
(3)
Mushira A.
Food was pretty good. The fresh made guac was the best. The place is huge and very chic. We went in the daytime but it would be a great place for dinner with friends or just drinks. Service could've been better but it was okay overall.
(4)
Carla H.
Love this place. Great atmosphere drinks and food. I've been here with groups as well and had wonderful service. Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Anna B.
A bountiful feast of barbacoa tacos & surprisingly strong mango margs. Huge restaurant, boisterous ambiance, great location for bar hopping after.
(4)
Kristin L.
From the reviews on yelp and other foodie review websites I decided I would never eat here. It was compared to chili's and with the prices on that menu I was NOT about to pay for that. HOWEVER, I was pleasantly surprised!!!!!! I really enjoyed my meal (tacos) and the table-side guacamole was fabulous. Not only was the food wonderful but the ambiance is wonderful. Its eclectic/contemporary with floor to ceiling windows. There are two floors, a bar and seating on each. The tables are huge with comfy chic chairs. This was great to meet friends for dinner but an even better spot for happy hour or a quick drink with a friend!
(4)
Whitney W.
I took my boyfriend here last week and we sat upstairs to have the smaller plates so we could share food. EVERYTHING was delicious. I got a margarita and it was very tasty, and strong. The guacamole was made to perfection. I think the service could have been a little better, but all in all this is still my favorite place to eat. the ambiance upstairs and downstairs are super nice. You can go with friends, a date, or co-workers. and they have 1/2 off small plates from 3-7PM i believe.
(4)
Jaime G.
Cool Mexican spot with great drinks and apps. Ideal for happy hour. Try a michelada with Tecate and the queso with guacamole. Yum. Decor is very open and sleek and makes you want to hang out for a while. The bar upstairs is esp comfortable and fun. I did some chicken tacos but nothing special. I would stick to the apps and drinks. Drinks also include inventive cocktails with high end tequila. Can't wait to go back. Perfect for a happy hour.
(4)
Barbara B.
This is a fun Mexican restaurant in River North. Be prepared to spend a little more than at other Mexican establishments but whatever you get will be delicious. The tacos are especially tasty. Not so much a family restaurant, particularly in the evening as it is a hot spot for people preparing to go out.
(4)
Katie L.
I've been curious about Cantina Laredo ever since I started working in River North. The ambiance looked nice, but I kept getting mixed reviews about the food. The service staff here proved to be friendly and helpful, but terribly slow. I received some recommendations as to what to order here and enjoyed my experience, although nothing blew me away. We started with the handmade guacamole. I would highly recommend getting this as an appetizer. You watch as they make it on a cart next to your table, choose your ingredients and how spicy you would like it. I would definitely recommend the mix-and-match taco selection (a total of three tacos). The carnitas tacos are the best, the meat is quite tender and the sauce is perfectly tangy. I didn't drink during our dinner, but my friends reported that they were pleased they served Dos Equis amber and have delicious mixed drinks. The mango tres leches cake was quite tasty, although it was too rich for me to finish, even with the help of my friends.
(3)
Leo C.
best guacamole in chicago! i found the tacos to be a bit dry though my husband loves the enchiladas de cangrejo and says its his favorite dish in town ... still as i said the guacamole is soo good that I have even ordered 2 servings as a delivery to our house when we are lazy to go out ... for this alone it is worth the good rating.
(4)
Lauren M.
I usually go to the location in Palm Beach Gardens with my family so I knew my favorites to order. My party sat at a high table at the bar and we enjoyed mojitos and their signature margaritas. Just delicious. Of course we ordered side table guacamole and it and everything else we ordered arrived in minutes. Fast service and very friendly. We tried the ribs, ahi tuna tacos, quesadillas with brisket and ceviche. We loved it all! Only two complaints. Maybe no olives in the ceviche and the mojitos were super super sweet. The restrooms we not the cleanest they could have been but still tidy. Great news with the quesadillas.. They will add any meat/ fish you want just ask. In fact, they will make anything you want. Overall a great night and yummy food. We will definitely be back!! Oh, did I mention the tequila flight!! That was a total plus :)
(5)
Dawn D.
Great atmosphere. I Love the fireplaces! The food was good. Table side Guacamole. Very good drinks! I had a Mojito. Yum! Service was good. Lively place!
(3)
Alex J.
The decor inside is wonderful - I adore the glass staircase and fireplace kind of thing. Further, the staff are all really great and helpful. That being said, atmosphere is not everything. The food? It's nothing special. I not only can't remember what it tasted like, I only remember how much I paid for an unmemorable meal. Luckily, it wasn't memorably terrible, and you get all of the free tortilla chips and somewhat bland salsa you could ever want. If you do come around Cantina Laredo, grab tacos. You could hardly go wrong with Tacos, I think. And water to put out the fanning boredom.
(3)
Melody P.
I usually only do good reviews, but I had to make an exception. Went to this restaurant for a girl day out for lunch. We ordered two margaritas which were not good, I've never seen a clear margarita. We then ordered guacamole spicey made at the table. We had to put the salsa on it to make it good. The tacos were just so so . The meal was expensive and not worth the price, not worth trying again.
(1)
Desiree B.
Was here a while back! This place is great!!! Food is authentic and the drinks are incredible. Server was helpful and patient with my friend and I who were catching up. It was pretty crowded on a normal weekday night. So I would recommend reservations. You will want to come back to this place again and again!
(5)
Rebecca R.
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Very cool spot in the area for a date night, place to hang with the girls, or in this case, a large gathering of friends. They accommodated us well and had two servers helping with drinks and food orders. The company and service was good, but the food was just okay.
(3)
Amoli P.
I've been to Cantina Laredo a few times now, and the experience is always consistently good. Cantina Laredo is one of the few restaurants in the River North area that can accommodate large groups of people (the place is huge!) so we tend to end up there for girls nights, bachelorette parties, group birthday dinners, and other events that require a large group of people eating before going out in River North. They have little private rooms that can seat a variety of sizes and it's pretty easy to get large group reservations there, even last minute. So in that regard, Cantina Laredo is a very handy restaurant to have around in its specific location. The cocktails are pretty dependable. The mojitos are quite good as are their margaritas. I wouldn't say the best mojito or margarita in the city, but they're good. The food is consistent, which is nice. But the menu also never changes, the tastes are always the same, and the variety is always at the same amount of variables. The tacos de camerones are mediocre at best. The salsas are uninteresting, the shrimp is standard. However the shrimp enchiladas were a pleasant surprise on my most recent visit and I will say they seem to do enchiladas much better than they do tacos. They use a bolder flavor in their sauce (I'm sure dousing it with cheese helps add to the taste as well), the seasonings are more noticeable and it was a more enjoyable meal. As a vegequarian there are limited options but some of them are quite good. The carne asada seems to be a big hit and many of my friends go for that whenever we're there. All in all, you won't have bad experience at Cantina Laredo. Service is always great, the atmosphere is always open and modern, and the food is always the same. Is it a place to go for mind-blowing food? No. It's more a means to getting a solid meal and some cocktails in the River North area, that doesn't require reservations 2 weeks in advance. I'll go back again...probably for the next group birthday, not for the food specifically, but for the convenience that the location offers.
(3)
Jalmeen K.
I love the flan here ..... I have been to many Mexican restaurants but Flan here is the best :) Fresh Guacamole is made at the table ... Love this place
(5)
Nicole U.
I like the the interior of this restaurant. It looks really nice. Maneuvering around can be awkward depending on where your sitting if you need to use the restrooms. Food was good. They actually had this cool lunch/brunch deal and I got eggs benedict with a mimosa. I think total it was $11. Good portion of food too.
(4)
John W.
Our first visit to Cantina Laredo. The restaurant is very attractive and was very crowded on a Saturday night. The service was friendly and efficient. The food was good though we had a couple of food issues that were quickly corrected. We'll be back.
(4)
Ian H.
Wow such a great Mexican. Great food and the guacamole, made fresh at the table, is a must whilst drinking the great range of Mojito's and tequila cocktails. A great atmosphere and central location I was hardly able to pass this place without heading in.
(5)
Vispy M.
Incredible food. I've been here a few times and love the service, ambiance and the food. The guacamole is made table side and is not to be missed, it is some of the best I have eaten. Some of my other favorites here are the steak quesadillas, the Carnitas (braised pork shanks topped with chipotle-wine sauce) and also the bone in Rib Eye (it has spicy rub on it that sets it apart) ..... The only thing to keep in mind is that this place gets really crowded in the evenings so a reservation is a must.
(4)
C A.
Great menu, food and drinks. They serve complimentary salsas (2) with chips. Service was so so.
(5)
Amanda L.
First of all we were almost 30 minutes late for our reservation and we got sat right away at an excellent table. Our food was perfect to the last bite. We had fabulous margaritas and tequila shots. Our server (CLAUDIA) was so much fun and spot on. We were also brought a cake with a sparkler for no reason... This place was great. Make reservations for your next night out!!
(5)
Alexandra C.
Went here for a friends birthday. Very nice hostess and wait staff. Didn't think the guacamole was all that good since I've read the it was amazing. The endless salsa and chips was nice before we ordered. The portions were a good size to be full. I got the shrimp fajitas and they were good :) I like Mexican food but I'm never sure what to get so I just guessed but I do like fajitas. We also got drinks which were strong. They were really nice to keep the birthday cake in their fridge and when they brought it out for us they put a sparking candle on top. We had a great time! Would definitely go back . For 4 drinks and 4 meals, we paid just under $100. Thanks for a great Friday night! Con: the one bad thing was that our table was not well lite while the table next to us was under a light, so maybe have a light or a candle on the table so we can see each other better.
(3)
Christina C.
Building blends into the surroundings and doesn't look like a typical Mexican restaurant. Open and clean atmosphere for dining with friends or for a party. Kendra was the best waitress hands down. She gave great menu suggestions, was very friendly, and very prompt. Great experience. Also the guacamole was very tasty and fresh
(4)
Chris F.
Outside of the place looking snazzy and eyeing up all the 'bros' that River North can produce, the place was 'meh'. Tacos and guacamole (made at your table - heyyyyyy) were really good, but for the price I wouldn't be back. Seems like the place takes advantage of the tourists who are looking for a 'fancy' night out. So props to them, I guess.
(2)
Molly D.
Kendra! Best server we have had in Chicago in several days! Between her recommendations, her great customer service and her professionalism, you'll be stoked you asked for her section! Follow her tips! Got the app she recommended (guacamole) drink she recommended (margarita at bottom left of margarita section) and the dinner (Vera Cruz enchiladas) and all was amazing! Yay Kendra! Yay this place!
(4)
Joey F.
Been to a lot of mexican restaurants in Chicago and this place is one of my favorites. The food is great and is a nice restaurant altogether. They have very good tacos and good drinks. Great chips, guacamole and salsa as well. Can get pretty busy on the weekends so probably best to make a reservation.
(5)
Mike C.
Fish tacos.....is pretty much the only thing I've ever eaten here, at the bar, for lunch or dinner. PRobably would have them for breakfast, given the option. It's not that they're all that great though. They just come out really fast, taste ok, and along with the chips/salsa, and a salted margarita on the rocks...I'm very happy. Great decor, lively crowd, huge bar area, good people watching, all in a fancy Mexican joint. On any visit to Chicago I find myself here. Especially as a single traveler and a very attentive bar staff.
(4)
Naja H.
Went here with the BF and honestly everything we had was subpar. He ordered enchiladas which not only looked inedible, but they were and I had tacos which were okay. For appetizers we had the tableside guac which was delish, and the best part of the meal (thanks Yelpers!), but I could hardly eat it because I had recently had my wisdom teeth removed and getting corn chips stuck in them would have been a bish. Overall, a mediocre experience. Ambiance was nice, but I would not go back for that alone. TBH, We considered going across the street to Chili's a few times for our meal.
(3)
Vishal P.
Nice place, good decor, nice amount of space, valet parking, friendly service. They have good margaritas and mojitos. They make GUACAMOLE FRESH at the table for you and make it however you like it, spicy, mild etc. Something unique to this place. I had the Fajitas Tres. A nice choice if you want a little bit of everything. The beef was nicely cooked. The chicken was nicely seasoned. And who doesn't love shrimp wrapped in bacon?! Great place. Definitely worth checking out
(4)
Lauren R.
They have queso. Need I say more? Their guac is great- made right in front of you. Their tacos al carbon, quesadillas, enchiladas, tortilla soup... you can't go wrong at Cantina Laredo. Oh, and their margs are stout, in a good way. It's a nice atmosphere, good location, & the staff has always been really nice. Since they're in River North, they don't have drinks happy hour, but they have FOOD happy hour- all apps are half off & it's a great deal so you should probably go then.
(5)
Candace M.
I love this place! Real simple --- the food, the margaritas, the service and the ambiance are all great.
(4)
James H.
salty, nice margaritas, semi-pricy
(3)
Jenni H.
Food - I'd give this 4/5 stars. I had the Restaurant week menu of salad, fish, and dessert. The fish was so good. I also really liked my White Honey Sangria. Service - this part sucked. I couldn't understand half of what the server said, he trilled his Rs so much he sounded like a moron, and he kept apologizing awkwardly because of how slow the food came out. Like, the most awkward thing ever. Our table felt like we had to make him feel better about being such a crap waiter. I might be back for a cocktail and sit at the bar, but probably won't sit down for a meal again.
(3)
Chris C.
You have to order the table side guacamole appetizer. They will ask you if you want it mild or hot, I always order it hot the peppers make it fantastic. For my entree I had the mahi-mahi tacos. You get three of them and it comes with rice and beans, these tacos are extremely filling. But they tasted kinda bland. I never had a problem with the service here always attentive and friendly. Nice ambiance with fireplace on the patio and lawn chairs. Happy hour upstairs only. I will definitely be back soon mostly for the guac.
(4)
Jordan P.
I was incredibly underwhelmed by Cantina Laredo. This place is all flash, no substance. The food was so, so. I had the tamales, which were bland. Also, the service was terrible. We tried to go to happy hour, but the bar upstairs was completely full and the staff made no effort whatsoever to find us any place to sit. When we asked if we could take advantage of the happy hour specials in another area of the restaurant because the upstairs bar was full we were told no and that we should have showed up earlier. The only good things about this place were the space and the blackberry margarita. The building is really pretty. Large windows, open design. The margarita was amazing!!! Just the right amount of sweetness. I'd go back just for the margaritas!
(2)
Emily J.
I felt terrible going here and ordering right before closing time. Having worked in many restaurants, I hated being the people that servers everywhere despise. However, our server was so very nice. She really took great care of us and hustled to get our order in and get the food out in a hurry, but didn't rush us with our meal. The food itself wasn't great, and I can understand if the kitchen was irked about such a last minute order! I did love the guacamole that was prepared table side. I could have eaten a entire vat of that stuff! I wasn't over the moon about the margaritas either, but coming from Colorado I am really spoiled with both Mexican food and margs. I would come back to Cantina Laredo at a more reasonable time for dinner to see if my experience earned them more stars. I am more of a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place kind of girl than a trendy modern Mexican cantina so perhaps this just wasn't my cup of tea (or tequila). Loved the atmosphere though and again, I can't say enough great things about the service, especially considering our situation.
(3)
Regina A.
Went with a bunch of co-workers for lunch. We work within walking distance, so it's not like we're lacking for Mexican food options in the neighborhood--in fact, I've been to El Jefe, Mercadito, and Cantina Laredo in just the brief time I've been working here. First of all, the service....oh, man. When I walk into a restaurant with a group of nine people at lunchtime, I expect a wait. What I do NOT expect, though, is to walk into a largely EMPTY restaurant, in which multiple seating areas are vacant and clearly available, and have to wait fifteen minutes for the staff to push three tables together. I am not exaggerating here; the restaurant was not busy in the least, we waited a quarter of an hour and we were led to three tables pushed together. NOT an auspicious beginning. We ordered the tableside guac. I'm in agreement with the reviewer who said guacamole needs time to meld and develop its flavors, but in this case, I'm glad it didn't have more time to develop--that might have given the chance for even MORE overpowering cilantro to take over the entire bowl. I am not one of the cilantro-abominating masses, but the server piled that stuff in with a SHOVEL. It completely overwhelmed any and all other flavors. Chips and salsa were bottomless; I loved the fact that the salsa was warmed. And then...I had the enchiladas de barbacoa--oh, wait: _enchilada_ de barbacoa; please note the singular. Now, I realize it's lunchtime, and I'm the first to say I've got portion-control issues, but seriously: ONE enchilada?? ONE? Disappointing... ...especially because it was so. freakin. delicious. Seriously the best Mexican entree I've had in a long, long time. It made the weak service and not-so-good guac disappear into the fog of my memory, and allowed me to give Cantina Laredo four stars. So: my takeaways here: 1. Make reservations, even for lunch. 2. Skip the guac, or at least ask them to go light on the cilantro (and maybe a bit heavier on the salt, too.) 3. Enchilada de barbacoa. 4. Be prepared to leave wanting more.
(4)
Melissah L.
Came here with two friends for NYE dinner. We made a reservation ahead of time and were told that 5:30 was the only time available. When we got there, the restaurant was mysteriously empty... huh? Pros: - the atmosphere! The lighting is low, the decor is modern and sleek and the high bar table made me feel like I was on Sex and the City, at dinner with Carrie and Miranda. - food. Everything was good. Not great, but I do think I would eat here again. I had the enchiladas veracruz, and my friends tried the fajitas de camerones and the camaron pablano asada. I liked everything. Decent flavor, and big portions! We also tried the $10 guacamole that Cantina Laredo boasts about-- it's good, but not really worth money in my opinion. -drinks. Margaritas are good, so are the mojitos. My friend tried the mango mojito, which lacks a little in the alcohol department, but is perfect for the girly-drink lover that I am. Cons: - I found a fly in my margarita. The waiter replaced it immediately but I'm pretty sure I saw them ladle my second glass from a huge, uncovered bucket of pre-made margaritas behind the bar... I am suspicious that there may have been worse things than flies in there! -service. Perhaps our waiter was having a bad night. He was pretty surly and barely spoke at all. He never smiled and came by to check on us rarely. Ya win some, you lose some, right? Overall, go! A great place for drinks with the girls!
(3)
Stephanie R.
Went to this place after standing in line for an hour waiting to get in to an Irish pub on St. Paddy's weekend. After about 30 minutes in the packed pub with no food in site off we went in search of food. My daughter found this place and it was delicious! Simply cannot beat the value of the brunch menu which includes a mimosa or bloody maria. We also ordered a pitcher of mojitos. The entire bill for 5 people with 4 alcoholic drinks and the pitcher was $124. Everyone loved their meal. Will definitely go here again!!
(5)
Taeler H.
This place get 3 stars for interior/ exterior appearance, ambiance, and food taste, but -2 stars for customer service. One of my good friends recommended this place because I was in need of a really nice, but not too pricey place for my graduation dinner. I went through hell and high water trying to find someone at the restaurant to help me. Finally I was given the phone number for Rhonda, the event coordinator, from a hostess at the restaurant. It took her a few days to call me back, I assumed she may've been busy or that I had the wrong number, but when she called me back I was happy to hear from her and quickly made an appointment. The day of my appointment came and I arrived on time to the meeting, but she was not. The hostess told me that she ran out to Jewel (which is down the street), but my question is, if you know you have an appointment, shouldn't you've done that earlier, or later?? Anyway, I told her that I wanted to see the party rooms they had available and taste the food. She told me to go ahead order my lunch and she'd show me the rooms. The first room was very nice but kind of small. It had a sky light, a flat screen tv, and sliding glass doors to keep the hustle and bustle of the restaurant out. After deciding that the room may be too small, we walked upstairs to the lounge area which was beautiful. I was sold! And it went downhill from there. A day or two later, I emailed Rhonda saying I'd like the upstairs space, and I did not hear from her for a while. So I continued to look at other restaurants. A few days later, I hear back from her and she tells me another party has booked the downstairs room, which is no problem, so I ask about the upstairs lounge room. Then she tells me there's a contract pending on the lounge room. I tried to say from the beginning, when it was supposedly open, that I wanted the room. Either way, when I visited a couple other places, they were much more helpful than here. They allowed me to taste things on the menu, they sat down with me to make sure I was going to get what I wanted out of my party, NONE of that happened here. The lunch I ordered was good but when I sat down to eat, their event coordinator disappeared. I guess she had better things to do than bring in more parties.... Will I be back to eat? Probably. Do I have time to wait around to plan my party? NO Would I recommend this place to others or attempt to bring another group in? Not a chance. It isn't worth the stress.
(3)
Sam H.
We were there on a relatively slow Sunday evening, and immediately upon entry I was impressed with the layout and the decor. I'm a fan of subdued lighting, and the wide-open spacing works for this place. The service was prompt and attentive, the food above average. The guacamole preparation at table-side seemed a bit excessive, but it was not intrusive and the chef was quietly charming. Overall, it was a good experience, and I'd consider revisiting.
(4)
Paula H.
Went here for lunch and would not go back. The portions were tiny. I ordered the enchilada's and got one enchilada. ONE. The atmosphere is cool but not a traditional mexican restaurant. i wouldn't even call this mexican at all. The drinks were good.
(2)
Vanessa D.
I had an absolutely wonderful meal here. From the mojito cocktail, the freshly-prepared guacamole, to the camarones escondidos and the DECADENT Mexican brownie for dessert, it was 100% delicious. The service was a bit slow, but in this case I did not mind because I was catching up with friends who I only see once a year. Highly recommended! You MUST try the Camarones Escondidos.
(5)
Rhonda G.
Great place for an after work happy hour/dinner. I was amazed at how large this place is and they have a second floor which offers a tapas menu (so I was told). My friends and I dined near the fireplace which was great because it was slightly breezy and they had the windows open. The Pomegranate margarita went down a bit too smoothly so I helped myself to a house margarita as well, good, but a bit strong for an "I still have to work tomorrow" drink. The table side guacamole was good and I appreciate being able to see exactly what's being put in and not only hoping that it's not being pulled from a huge tub in the back. For my meal, I had the tacos de pescado made with mahi mahi, messy but really good with nice flavor. The sides were forgetful, however. I also want to mention the service, our server was the nicest guy ever, even though he was busy he was attentive, helpful with suggestions and just kind overall. I plan to make a return trip and try the tapas!
(4)
Emma K.
Highlight of the Meal: The Casa Rita. A yummy strong Margarita that was just right. Pros: - The atmosphere / decor is very nice and inviting. It is clean and modern while still being comfortable. My group of 6 sat at a round table that made it easy to see and converse with each other. - The food was delish. The fresh made guacamole and chips were a good way to start the meal. I had a really hard time deciding what to get and was debating between the Enchiladas Veracruz and the Tacos de Camarones .... then when the waitress was taking our order I had a sudden change of heart and got the Enchiladas de Avocado. I wasn't disappointed - the portion was large and it came with a great mango and jicama salad. - We were able to split the check fairly easily for our group which always seems to be a big hassle when we have girls dinner. Cons: - The waitress was around our table frequently at first as we were ordering drinks and taking a long time to decide what to order, but once our food came (really quickly btw!) she disappeared. I was definitely ready to order another Casa Rita, but never got the chance to do so since the next time I saw her was when she was boxing our food and giving us our bill. - I really enjoyed the guacamole, but did bit into one huge HOT chunk of jalapeno. I'm the biggest hot spicy wimp in the world, so this did not go over well. I definitely look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu. Maybe I'll come with the BF next time though so he can pay for the $9 ritas :)
(4)
Dennis L.
I visited Cantina Laredo with my co-workers for a late afternoon team outing. First off, the atmosphere is great. I really loved the modern, yet comfortable decor. As for the food...very good. The table side guacamole was delicious, and the complimentary chips and sales were wonderful. For my meal, I went with the Mahi Mahi tacos. The flavors were spot on! Overall, a great experience!
(4)
Lynn B.
Hands down the best MARGARITAS!!!! The food is good too and the service is always excellent.
(5)
Julie S.
Great table side made guacamole. Crab enchiladas were good, a bit spicy. Hubs had some green pepper stuffed with shrimp and cheese and wrapped in beef. He is not a foodie and he kept going on and on about how awesome it was. Definitely coming back next time we're in town. Only con, kinda loud. Make a reservation, gets busy.
(5)
Katrina R.
I like Cantina Laredo, but four stars is a stretch. On their good nights, they are good. They have the best flan in the United States. No joke. Try that stuff. It's incredible. And they have a really delicious salad that I like (the one with the shrimp) as well as really creative and strong margaritas. The food is definitely above average, and honestly this place would be a solid four stars BUT Management totally sucks. I was going to say service sucks but that isn't quite the issue; often it's quite apparent that the servers are trying their darnedest, but often still the service is flat to nonexistent. I've had issues with missing hostesses, rude hostesses, slow service, forgotten orders, and just a general vibe that Cantina Laredo does not like you as much as you want to like them. So sure, the place has a nice ambiance and pretty good food and very decent drinks and strong dessert offerings-- but it just barely squeezed by my threshold for four stars. Barely. I'll give it a few more tries before a downgrade.
(4)
Joe S.
Eh. This place is ok, I guess. The drinks were pricey, and not very good. I consider myself a margarita snob, and theirs was terrible. The bartender suggested the cocktail with red peppers in it, and that was much better. The table-side guac was decent, but overall, I expected much more from Cantina Laredo. I enjoyed the modern decor, and the fact that it's on Open Table is nice as well.
(2)
Jason T.
This place is fabulous! The decor is way cool, and the food was perfectly set up, played and tasted great. It's got a cool Mexico City vibe and not too expensive for the downtown/River North area. Plus the tequila selection is pretty stellar. Handles large groups well (we came for my bachelor party) and the scenery and people are always a treat. Highly recommend for a date night or friends night out!
(5)
Saba A.
Friday Night- No Reservation-8 PMish- First week of opening. Got a booth right away. Gorgeous restaurant and seating, great service. Bar area looked pretty. Guacamole tease, avocado's are placed right on your table. We didn't order them, but our neighbors did and the service was more than great. The lady creating the guacamole had at least 7 different types of ingredients and was communicating with the folks on how they wanted theirs personally made. Loved that kindness. Ordered: Beef Enchiladas to share. Small size, yet delicious. Overall, small menu, makes it easy. Try CHURROS for dessert. They are in the Chicago menu. Delicate, simple and come with the most amazing caramel Mexican style sauce. Take the stairs up to the lounge to take a look at an easy smaller menu while hanging out with your friends or that special someone. They have waiters/waitresses walking around ready to give you a smaller menu with delicious items. Little pricey, but a perfect way to start a girl's night or date before going out on Hubbard and State! May come out to try their Brunch on Sunday sometime!
(5)
Adoley J.
This place caught my eye a while ago and I finally got to try it last night. I love Mexican and I think this city does it very well. There are really cheap places that are delicious and expensive places that are well worth the price tag. So while I was a bit nervous about Cantina because it is a chain the food was good. First of all they try to shove the guacamole down your throat, not literally but they talk so much about how awesome it is and how you should try it so we did. First of all it was made at the table which is great but I am pretty sure they use a packaged guacamole seasoning mix which is very funny and unnecessary. Look if you are going to make it table side go for the gold and make it all from scratch. On top of all that the guacamole was ok. There were certain bites that had tons of flavor and others that were just bland. Next we go the shrimp tacos and the enchiladas de mole. The shrimp tacos were good but the enchiladas de mole were much better. Overall the enchiladas were flavorful and the chicken was tender and well seasoned. The mole sauce had the right kick as well. If I am to go back I would definitely get the enchiladas again but maybe try different tacos. Overall this place is good. Is it a game-changer? No probably not but its good and worth a try.
(3)
Alan K.
This place is great for a date. I love the sophiscated ambiance. The margaritas were pretty good although they are pretty pricey. I ordered the Tacos de Fajitas. It contains beef. These tacos were pretty good. I love that they give you fresh chips and salsa. I think I got full just off of the chips and salsa alone. I would love to come here next time, except with a hot date!
(5)
L G.
Delicious!! Obsessed! Want to revisit immediately! Beautiful ambiance, attentive waitstaff - a fantastic place for after work dinner with friends :)
(5)
Gino W.
Airy, but not like a biscuit. Miami lounge feel. After-5 eye candy. Good food. Better drinks. Had this flatbread that had goat cheese and what tasted like aoli oil on it. Because I went with a friend who is a strict vegetarian, we had the flatbread without shrimp on it. As a pescatarian, I was okay foregoing the shrimp. The complementary chips and salsa were enough to make me smack the table. The chips were warm, which is an indication that they were not poured into a bowl from a bag or poured from a bag, heated, and then into the bowl before being brought to the table. And don't get me started with the homemade guacamole that is prepared tableside. If you want good guacamole prepared to order, getting it tableside is the absolute best. I have had mojitos the two times that I went to the restaurant and the bartender has never failed. They're not light to the point where your complementary glasses of water are more satisfying. And they're not loaded to the point where you're gliding across the floor when you stand to leave. Much like many of the restaurants in the River North area, Cantina Laredo quickly becomes a loud bar scene for the after-5 crowd. That's not a bad thing, but when the noise level goes up to the point where you have to shout to talk to your dining partner(s), the [sports] bar scene can make your dining experience start to have a short shelf life for the evening. Aside from that, the two times I went were worthy.
(4)
Eileen S.
I can start off saying the food was very good. As everyone seems to have stated here, the guacamole, made to order at your table, was very good, lots of flavor. The Chicken fajitas were very good as well, with lots of flavor and sizzling hot. The reason I gave the A-OK rating is because although the food was good, the staff and conditions of the women's restroom, would be a one star rating only. Upon arriving and approaching the hostess stand, two women were there carrying on a conversation and completely ignored us. We were not even acknowledged that we were standing there until they finished what was being discussed. We were seconds from leaving as clearly, it was not important to greet us. Our waitress was pleasant enough, but was a long time in coming back to check on us, bring more water, etc. The service, in general, was very slow. Then a trip to the restrooms made me feel like I had walked into one at a gas station. Paper towels on floor, in the sink, stalls were wet with scraps of toilet paper on the floor and in one, there was a 'bundle' of toilet paper lying on the floor that I could only imagine what was wrapped up in it. The overall look in the dining area is high class but that changes when visiting the restaurant and being ignored by the hostesses. I was there on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 8:33 p.m. This restaurant will not be on my list for my next visit to Chicago.
(3)
A L.
Food alway good ! I have been here many of times. Service can be hit or miss and so can the bar drinks. But still great food and ambience.
(4)
Rob D.
I liked the atmosphere. Food was pretty good - small portions - you decide if that's good or bad. Service felt like Olive Garden where they keep trying to upsell you during the meal - odd. Margaritas were different - not a fan. Guac was pretty good and I liked how they make it from scratch to order right there. I've had better but it was better than most.
(3)
Michael P.
Food and drinks were what I was looking for so naturally I took a seat at the bar where the energy was highest. The look of the place is more modern and Scandanavian looking but it suits the place well. The bar is nicely arrannged and makes for a fun experience. I ordered the house margarita which was pretty good as were the beers I swtched to afterwards. The chips and two different types of salsa were so good I just let them keep on coming. I had the enchiladas de barbacoa and they were delicious! They didn't veer too far from you're run-of-the-mill enchiladas by making them too odd and fancied up but that's why they were good and whatever they did do was great. They were tender and flavorful. I stayed long after I cleaned my plate just enjoying the crowd, my friends, and my drinks. Glad I finally made it in.
(5)
Chirag P.
I guess it's good, i'm just used to stopping at the Cantina Laredo inside of the airports, so i don't think of it as this "special" dining place. Good margaritas though and the food is not bad, I only had a couple of appetizers, and mainly drank. For a Cantina Laredo it is quite "classy" looking inside.
(4)
Kari S.
Limited menu; low ceilings without any sound absorption so not a place to carry on a conversation; service was deplorable. We had to flag down a server several times during the meal and no one ever asked if our meal was satisfactory. Prices are reasonable and food was so-so ... wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Very disappointed.
(3)
Victoria G.
They have an amazing bar! Love their mojitos! Nice atmosphere to spend an evening with your friends.
(5)
Fareeha H.
Like - decor, ambiance, fresh guac Wasn't a fan of the small portions
(3)
Bryce G.
Hello Yelpers. If you are in the Windy City and crave authentic Mexican food look no futher then Cantina Laredo on State Street! While in the loop I was looking for some authentic Mexican food, but the number of resturants matching my request were pretty slim. Thankfully Cantina Laredo showed up! This is not your typical Mexican resturant. The atmosphere is extremly clean, very modern and quite trendy. The stone walls, large fireplace, open stairs and open concept was very pleasing to the eye. It was a fun place. No doubt about it, the food was the main highlight. A Mexican Cantina with an atmosphere like this you would probably think medeocer food. But that was not the case! We had ordered the Beff Quesadillas for and app. It was absolutely amazing. Everything had such great flavour and the complimentary tortilla chips and inhouse salsa ( terrific by the way) also improved the apps. For the main course I chose the pulled pork tacos with redwine sauce. What a suculent dish. This is not Taco Bell! The shell was very soft and had nice cheese and grilled peppers. Black beans complimented the tacos nicely. To end the meal the apple pie was dellicious. Cantina Laredo has great service and friendly staff. Fresh guacamole is made right in front of you by one of the servers! For all you Mexican enthuisiates Cantina Laredo on State is one place you have to check out!
(5)
Anne T.
Went with large group of people last night because most of the group had dined here before. The service was good, guac was made at table-however for a group our size we shouls of been offered more. Sharing two for 13 people was difficult. Spicy guac was dreamy. Food was great. I will be back for sure and would like to experience it on a more intimate level.
(4)
Andrea B.
My girlfriends and I absolutely love Cantina! The service, ambiance, and food is by far the best in River North. Not to mention the skinny Margaritas and table side guacamole! Not only do I enjoy Friday nights with the ladies but I have also found it to be ideal for client lunches. If you want to impress a client, I highly recommend grabbing a table by the fireplace and enjoying a riveting conversation over some of the best modern Mexican in Chicago!
(5)
Vivian H.
It's a pretty chic place, with huge windows, great for a mango margarita and snacking on fancied up Mexican eats. Happy hour is I think half off food on the 2nd floor. My friend enjoyed his tuna tacos.
(3)
Matthew S.
Food was good, service was just OK. Mercadito has better tacos, but this place has some really nice entrees. Only negative experience was that the guacamole gets prepared table-side. A lot of people order it and it took the gal a while to make it to our table. Also noticed a tip jar on the cart, which I thought was in poor form. You shouldn't feel an obligation during your meal to reach for your wallet and tip someone. People don't go back and tip the kitchen staff. You don't send tips to the bartender for drinks ordered at the table, and you don't tip food runners when they bring your food, so I didn't feel this was appropriate. If you want to make sure that person is rewarded for being part of the dining & serving experience, then implement a shared tip pool program. That may not be popular with the servers (and perhaps people need to tip a larger %), but I do think everyone in the restaurant plays a part in the overall experience and thus should share in the tips. Just my opinion.
(4)
J L.
I really likes it here! Me & my friend sat next to the open doors and it was a great experience. The ambience and the food was really good too. Had the guacamole made table side which was so good and then had the artichoke & avocado enchiladas...omg so gooood. I will definitely be back there:) & friendly staff too!
(5)
angie h.
Everything I was hoping for for a Mexican (tex-mex) meal. Tasty drinks, queso, guacamole. Dinner was fantastic. Got the quesadillas and I was so happy with that choice. Churros were also very good, but I think they put goats milk in the chocolate dipping sauce which I am not vibing. Thankfully churros are awesome on their own.
(4)
Jason H.
I was very excited to eat here. My first experience was so-so. A friend of mine who works in the hospitality industry asked me to rate the following and I did so right off the top of my head: Ambiance: 5 stars - gorgeous decor and the Escher-like stars are A MA ZING... Service: 3.5 stars Apps and Dinner: 3 stars Desert: 5 stars So, it was so-so. I'd probably only go back, if it was for another special occasion like last night.
(3)
Tina O.
Stopped here for a quick dinner with some friends before seeing a play a few months ago and everyone truly enjoyed the experience. The ambiance was great and EVERYONE enjoyed their meal. We also really enjoyed our server, he was fun and made great recommendations about the dinner options. I had the enchiladas which were AMAZING. Would love to head back here to try out their bar!
(4)
Opal K.
It's not the place you go for "authentic" mexican but it's very tasty. I've come here a few times and would've given it 4 stars if it had been more consistent. Sometimes the food is incredible, other times it's subpar. The margs are good. I've tried a couple types and still think the classic is the way to go. I'd definitely come back for dinner because it's a fun atmosphere with good drinks. Hit or miss food but overall not a bad experience at all.
(3)
Elibe E.
A-OK. The guacamole served tableside here was very fresh, but lacked any flavor whatsoever. Not worth the $10.
(2)
Jack M.
This place is terrible. We have been there four times and the best thing is the Negro Modelo, which they can't screw up. The price per dish is unreasonable for the quality of the food. I had the Tacos Barbacoa with rice and beans for $14.95. Three street tacos with tough meat and no flavor. Beans were dry and bland and the rice was so-so. Almost no body in the place at noon on a weekday - which is typical, they may not last in this area with so many better places to eat. Has been poor every time we have given it another shot - never again. Stay away!
I had the good fortune to be a-wandrin' around this part of town looking for something to do the night CL opened. A cute and friendly hostess accosted me on the sidewalk with a copy of CL's foodwise offerings. My curiosity and appetite sufficiently piqued, I poked my head inside. Alas, the place was packed! I couldn't even get a spot at the bar. On my way out, I moaned to the hostess about the fullness of the tables and the emptiness of my stomach. She politely asked me to look "up." A second floor! Bar space, lounge space, table space, fireplace...space! I ordered myself more than one adult beverage and the best quesadillas this side of the West Side. If you have a little cash to spend, and/or you want to impress someone with your impeccable taste in Mexican restaurants, Cantina Laredo is definitely the way to go.
(3)
Mad I.
Beautiful space, go here at least once just for the ambiance! I dont think you should go twice.... Food...eh...brisket enchiladas were not very enchilada-like...there was no cheese :( Tasty BBQ meat though. The b/f had pork tacos, flavorful. Skip the Blackberry muddled drink, sounds delish, not so much. Grab the mango frozen marg, mmmm! Dessert, coming from a non dessert girl~ tres leche Mango cake, YES!
(4)
El W.
Great atmosphere. 5* Great bar (I had a whiskey on the rock. So, the drink will not be part of my review). Greatest fresh guacamole I have ever had. 5*. I tried the Chile Relleno and it was good but there is no wow factor. 4* Given the location, this place is surprisingly cheap. In my head, it's definitely on a better half of the price-quality-quantity chart. 4* Service is terribly slow. We sat on the second floor and it's not even crowded. But, I have to repeatedly ask for water and salsa. Yes, I asked more than once. Futhermore, the time gap between our starters and entrees are more than 20 minutes. 2* Improve your service and I'll upgrade my rating. "Till next time!
(4)
Kelli W.
I loved the lighting and spacious tables at cantina Laredo. The service was incredibly fast! The guacamole was amazing which is made fresh table side! We split the combo fajitas which were perfect for two to share! We also had the Mexican brownie for dessert which was to die for. Will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Diana M.
After reading some bad reviews, I was hesitant to make reservations here but every time I drive past it, it calls my name. The restaurant is beyond gorgeous inside and out. I decided to give it a try based on that. The decor is very airy modern and contemporary with traditional elements. Love the fire places and the lighting! We sat inside although I did see there was limited outdoor seating (for next time!) Our waiter was kind and prompt. The 2 salsas they provide with chips as a courtesy are simply amazing. We also had tableside guac. That was perfection. I had the shrimp tacos and was able to also try a mahi taco because you can mix and match. My husband had a skirt steak special with shrimp. Very tasty and flavorful food with beautiful presentation. Good cocktail menu. My husband had the house margarita with Don and it was very good. I had their mango margarita (on the rocks and less sweet). It was perfect although it does usually come blended which I didn't like. For dessert we had the churros and mango cake. The mango cake I'd pass on but the cinnamon churros were AMAZING!!! Must try! We had a scoop of vanilla added on the side which just added to the awesomeness. Overall I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised with my experience with this restaurant! The prices for food are not as high as one might expect dining downtown although the drinks are pretty pricey. I would definitely recommend for a date, special occasion or to impress out of town guests.
(4)
Zack P.
It's nice to eat at a restaurant that actually trains their employees. Yes many of the servers' approach to the table is a bit clinical and the up-selling is a little aggressive, but I would rather have over eager service than under. For a chain restaurant it actually has a great atmosphere. Obviously the margaritas are the way to go here, I tend to stay away from the fruity ones and just go for the top shelf. I will say all of the drinks run a bit on the sweet side, which would be a plus for some but I actually like the flavor of tequila. I always get the guacamole table side, and 9/10 times is phenomenal but once in a while it just lacks flavor. I don't know if it's a produce problem or different employees just have different techniques but for the price it should be a little more consistent. The two salsas served are great too and the staff is usually very quick about refilling both the chips and the salsa without being asked to. The food is solid, it lacks the little bit extra that makes for a truly memorable meal. I wasn't the least bit disappointed with anything but I wasn't wowed either. This is the perfect place for catching up with friends or taking a first date. I hear the lounge upstairs is great too but I can never seem to get up there because I feel like the brightly lit stairway is going to give me a seizure.
(4)
Amanda M.
While the atmosphere was spectacular an the service nice.... The food was just not good :( which was sad bc the style of the spot made me feel hopeful but unfortunately the decor far outshines the flavor of the food. Overall overpriced... and for some reason the dishes we ordered all somehow tasted like soap ? Sounds strange I know.... Not sure how this place survives in the heart of DT with so much empty square footage .... Perhaps they can work on the food side of things ... and Make a come Back?
(2)
Tim L.
Meh. The food is good and I liked the wide-open layout, but it just feels like the chain-location that it is. Also, our waitress was bad on several levels.
(3)
Lauren B.
This place is just not that good. I've eaten here a few times and was disappointed consistently as was everyone else in my party. The guacamole is okay..but how hard is it to make guacamole? Drinks are good, but there are a lot of places to get good cocktails in this city. Guy who appeared to be a manager looked like a douche (lots of hair gel and a bad suit) and from what I gathered, doesn't treat his employees very well. (I overheard a conversation and was not impressed with the way the guy was talking to his waitstaff.) It's another overpriced sexy space downtown that will be gone in a year.
(2)
Catherine N.
It's expensive, but I think you're paying for the atmosphere & food. It's swanky and delicious. I came here with a large group on a Friday night, we were sat at a booth and although I couldn't hear the conversation at the other end of the table, I did not mind focusing my attention instead on their flavorful Ensalada de Camaron Con Miel. Waiter was helpful, efficient. Irrelevant: Did not hate choices made by their interior designer.
(4)
Anne F.
I went here a few weeks ago on a date and can't get the food out of my mind. Hoping to return soon. We started out with the guacamole - had them mix the mild and medium peppers. Despite the other reviews, I didn't notice too much salt. We scraped the bowl until it was all gone. I had the beef tamale - the beef is super tender, moist, and DELICIOUS!!! Try the beef tamale! We also had all four types of mojitos - I loved the strawberry mojito. Yum. Our waiter was really attentive.
(5)
Raktim M.
Love the Carnitas! Good Ambiance and nice margaritas
(4)
Paul V.
Great atmosphere and food. Exactly what I was hoping for going to a "modern Mexican" restaurant. Food was very fresh and good, and the drinks were just barely outside the realm of standard - enough to be interesting and still delicious. Service was quick, food came out very fast. I'll be going back.
(4)
Lee K.
Excellent food!! Be sure to make reservations!!! We did and were lucky to walk passed all the wait, which was long!! Drinks are so awesome!!!
(5)
Paola C.
I love Cantina! Skinny Margarita is my fav drink. Guacamole is made right in front of you, which is lovely! They serve tortilla chips for free and keep refilling your cup while you have your drink, great! Food is not always fulfilling tho, but def recommended for aperitivo! Plus, the place itself is simply amazing.
(4)
Alex D.
I've had better service at Burger King. Food was decent. Service and management is laughable. We spent our evening waiting 15-20 minutes for drinks while watching the silver fox manager flirt with the table next to us. We had to constantly remind our sever of our drinks (which celina) continually forgot. 3 of the 6 of us received the wrong entrees. Sadly enough, I'd say chili's food and service is better. Take away the decor and this place would operate on the south side on a corner. I'd complain but management is preoccupied buying deserts for other women and neglecting his job as a manager. Our tabs were mixed up and closed to the wrong card too.
(1)
Sarah J.
Pros: Waiters were amazing, good place for a special event/groups, guacamole made to your specifications at the table. Cons: It's good but it is still chain, Americanized, Mexican food, not like you'd get at a more authentic place. Oh, and the night I was there with 5 other people for my birthday and spent a lot of money, there was an electrical fire in the kitchen, the restaurant filled with gross electrical smoke and fire alarm noise, and we weren't offered any sort of discount or apology from managers.
(3)
Justin S.
The service here was great! The waiter & guac-maker were plenty talkative and friendly. The waiter was always around as well to make sure we had anything we needed. The atmosphere of the place was nice & chill, low-lit yet classy. The guac was good and they make it fresh right in front of you. I had the Tacos de Barbacoa and they were so good! Strongly recommend those if you're a carnivore! And you can walk just a few blocks north to grab some froyo at Pinkberry after!
(4)
Dana A.
I was excited to eat here because it looked nice. I went on a Wednesday night and it was packed. The ambience is decent, trendy. The tables are too large to intimately talk. The chairs are low and metal with a thin leather cushion (not really what I expected but not entirely uncomfortable). I ordered the Camaron Poblano Asada, which was delicious. I definitely recommend it. I also ordered the mango mint margarhita, it was tasty but had no alcohol, which was disappointing. None of the deserts looked appetizing, so I didn't order one.
(3)
Conrad H.
Love this place the upstairs is great fire places are fantastic atmosphere, appetizers are delicious and half price from 4 to 7 upstairs only and the margaritas are the best of all, a pitcher is a great choice and the margs taste delicious
(5)
Jacqueline L.
The dessert display as the dessert menu is a very creative touch! We also had fresh made guacamole prepared in front of us which was amazing! I found it was easy to eat healthy here while enjoying a good variety. I ordered a Mango Chicken salad, which was well prepared. The ambiance was terrific - perfect for eating in the Loop. We stumbled on this place as we were hideously deterred by the condescending style of the bar across the street. That other place left a bad tasted in my mouth, which Cantina Laredo resolved quite nicely. Well played on our part!
(5)
Ben S.
We went with a large group for a birthday on a Saturday night, and the place is beautiful. Drinks were also good, and all had a good time. Service was prompt, and efficient, but one of the orders at our table was forgotten, and then had to be re-done after it was brought out wrong. Not a major ding, but not great , either. It's mainly because of the food that they get two stars. I got the carne asada tacos, and for $18, they were just OK. Meat was properly cooked, but there was no sear, the tomatoes were average (tasteless, dry, white, Chicago-winter variety), the slices of avocado were good, and three warm tortillas were fine. $18 for 'just fine' is too much. If you're just looking for drinks after work in a nice setting, this place will be fine. If you're looking for good Mexican food, go someplace else.
Went wife my wife for lunch. Get the guacamole a starter. The chips and salsa also great. We shared enchilada camarones (dinner size) for lunch which was great. This is not your normal Mexican place, it's high end, but worth the price.
(5)
Neål A.
My favorite place in the city. I have actually copied some of their unique dishes at home and had guests rave over them. I'm not a sauce person - I don't like hardly any, but I love their sauces. I consider myself a "guacamole connoisseur" and consider theirs average, but I can at least customize it to make it how I like it! Their salsa it top notch, giving you a hotter choice and a smokey choice. Someone compared this to a worthless Rick Bayless restaurant? Really I think reviewers who don't love this place and think another Mexican place in the city that's better must not have taste buds or they are the type of people who it's ketchup on everything.
(5)
Viviana K.
We are at Laredo visiting from Portland, Oregon. We have been to many areas of Mexico, and all over big US cities, we are very discriminating/picky foodies. We have had incredible service tonight, but most memorable are the unbelievable thin, non-greasy, crisp homemade tortilla chips they serve with 2 different unique, homemade salsas that are pretty damn good!! Their basic house margarita is good, tiny bit on sweet side but still pretty authentic to a scratch! Also their Veracruzano ceviche was very good & pretty close to authentic as well! This was a huge find for us!!
Cantina Laredo had everything that my wife and I were looking for. All we wanted was a nice peaceful early dinner since this was one of the rare times when she was downtown to meet me after work. The building is very nice and the open air seating is a definite plus, especially when combined with the fresh food and drinks. I give the place high marks as a really nice place to relax and share a meal after a long day at work.
(4)
Chad M.
More Mediocre South of the border food in River North! Whew Hew!! Yeah!! Great safe place to take clients from and out-of-towners. How hard is it to get a decent Mexican meal in this neighborhood (Dos Diablos also mediocre). I have to go a mile north, west, or south if I want anything even remotely authentic.
(2)
Sarah W.
The food was delicious! Homemade guacamole to order! I had the passion fruit margarita and it was tasty! The waiter was great and very helpful. Many of their dishes are gluten free (they are indicated with a tiny triangle) which is a major plus! I ate the chicken tacos without cheese. Excellent! The restaurant reminded me of a combo of Dos Caminos Mid-Town NYC and Rosa Mexicano NYC. It is definitely worth eating here!
(4)
Alden V.
Happy hour power! Stopped in for half price appetizers 4-7p. The house margarita was watery. They make it in batches, and this batch was deficient. Waitress was great about it and gave me another choice, no extra charge. My replacement, a Hurredura margarita, was quality! Guac was pretty good, prepped table side which was kind of cool, and their chips are great. Two salsas, both delicious. Queso fundido was hot, like literally, be careful! Good but, pretty standard fare, a little extra chorizo wouldn't hurt. Shrimp ceviche, it was delicious... for a while. Great flavors and I was really enjoying it, until I found a looong black hair in it. That kind of wrecked the rest of it for me. Look, it's life, big kitchens, lots of people, shit happens once in a while. So I didn't freak out, but I had to mention it. I'd go back here for sure. The band was playing some good tunes, it's a fun environment, and the food is a real deal at half price.
(4)
Erin J.
Awesome kick-butt margarita's! They were a bit salty though. We had a pitcher of the pomegranate margarita's split between 3 of us and did a little bit of stumbling on the way out. Guacamole is fresh made at table side, and their salsas are served warm. Both were fantastic. I had the tamales, and they were a bit dry as if they had been sitting over the heat too long, but were still tasty. Overall the experience was good, and I might go here again. But Chicago is SO big and there are so many great restaurants to go to! I would definitely go here for another pitcher of drinks!
(4)
Peggy F.
Had yummy appetizers here last night. The dinner section was packed and noisy so my sister and I were happy to discover the 2nd floor was a bar with a bar menu and lots of great seating groups, the ambiance was fabulous. We orders tacos, empanadas, and a melted cheese dish and all of it was delicious. My only complaint is that my pricey patron margarita arrived lukewarm with very little ice in it. That was weird, so was it premade? Definitely wasn't made in a shaker. I can't wait to return. Next time I'll plan ahead and make reservations so I can eat off the full menu. And the service was excellent!
(4)
Autumn H.
I came here again and ordered an the chile relleno stuffed with beef and spices. It might of been the best relleno I ever had. I also had the mango cake desert and that was to die for. Creamy, rich and tropical. This might be the kind of place where you have to order the right food. Also had a coffee and liked it (I am so picky about coffee and hate what most restaurants have). It had a fun and energetic vibe today as it was very busy. It has atmosphere and some of the dishes are amazing.
(3)
Lady L.
If Chicago were, say, Akron, OH then Cantina Larado would be my favorite restaurant in the city. But guess, what... we're not in the suburbs, and we're not in a medium sized city in Ohio. We are in a culinary capital of the world. Cantina Laredo is like the Weber Grill of Mexican Restaurants. "OMG! They make Guac table side!" -Leila eating at Adobo grill circa 2004 Table side guac is cool, but don't brag about it Cantina Laredo. You didn't invent this concept. I promise. Everything I have tried here is fine, perfectly edible and good. But it's just nothing special. Mercadito does this trendy Mexican concept so much better.
(2)
Malaika J.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Great Margaritas ( good thing it's off the redline)! Must try the the Barbacoa Tamales YUMMMMMY!
(4)
Ronald P.
Had lunch here today. As always, the top shelf guacamole and chips are the best thing on State St. I could eat that fresh, made at your table guac everyday. My lunch entree was a trio of tacos. Pretty solid but not as good as Zocalos. Nevertheless, I'm a fan!
(4)
Astral R.
I love this place! The freshly made guacamole is excellent. Another great menu item is the Chimichanga.
(4)
Amanda F.
I don't know exactly what "Top Shelf Guacamole" is as per my receipt but yes, Cantina Laredo has it. Loved the table side guacamole made to order. The drinks aren't bad either! I came to Cantina Laredo with a last minute reservation and some mixed reviews. I was expecting something more similar to Mercadito, but the only similarities were the word Taco on the menu and the River North Zip code. Laredo's interior is spacious and contemporary with a second floor, and they don't cram tables in there. The outdoor patio is a nice touch. The Margs and Mojitos are yummy, but a little on the pricey side. Our service, including the Restaurant Manager who came to check in on us, was impeccable. I'm still thinking about the Ceviche, a fresh, limey, olive-filled seafood wonder to trump all others. I've ordered Ceviche from menus across the world, and this is the best I've ever had, and it was only $9. The olive and caper flavor was a new twist that makes this Ceviche unique. The complimentary bottomless chips and spicy and medium salsas pair well with every dish. We all had a lot of trouble ordering because we wanted to try everything. My friends ordered the Tacos de Carnitas and Tacos de Pescado. Both were fantastic and ~$13!!! I would the preferred that the Carnitas be less sweet and more smoky, but they were still tasty. The fish was very flavorful and fresh. Can't wait to return for the Ceviche, the half price happy hour, and that patio. !Ay !Ay Tex Mex!!
(5)
Marie J.
This restaurant was in easy walking distance from the hotel. The chic exterior of the building, plus the warm atmosphere of the interior drew us in. It is a chain restaurant (not in Georgia, though) touted at authentic, upscale Mexican and that it is. We just had the nachos and salsa as starters. Entrees were CAMARON POBLANO ASADA- a little spicy; TAMPICO and I had the CAMARONES ESCONDIDOS. Everything was really well prepared. The chicken was juicy and seasoned so well, it could stand on its own. I usually don't like saucy food, but the sauce was excellent. The portions were a good size as well. The cocktails were delicious. I had the pomegranate margarita (delicious and good size and we ordered a bottle of red wine for the table. The wines are limited, but reasonable price (for restaurant wines). The one drawback was the room was extremely noisy. We could not talk in a normal tone and we crammed into a semi-circle booth. It might have been better on the second level. I would eat here again.
(4)
Amy O.
Loved the ambiance of this place! Perfect place for a first date or for a seasoned couple to have dinner in a nice setting without being super outrageous. I had the steak tacos cabon. They are good, not great, but the guacomole (made by the server in front of you--so cool!) was fantastic. You even get to pick what goes in it. Good wine as well. :) I'd definitely come back for cocktails at the bar since it's near my work or for a date with my boyfriend because who doesn't love an upscale mexican place in Chicago? They are so hard to find!
(4)
G M.
Good food and margaritas. Having been raised in the Southwest, I was skeptical. It would seem that skepticism was misplaced. If you like mole, their mole enchilada is very good. The spicy salsa is served warm and has great flavor. No cuervo here, the house margarita is served with Sauza. Good choice in River North!
(4)
Changman X.
The most delicious Mexican food I ever have!
(4)
John K.
I happened to be lucky enough to drop by Cantina Loredo for the first time last Friday when I went to see the Sauza Rescue Tour (There was a firetruck decorated with the Sauza logos, remember the Fireman & Kitten Tequila Ad? :) ). The place is an interior beauty for sure...modern, just the kind of clean, sleek, lounge that I would love to drop by if I ever got tired of the O'callaghan's, Public House, or the House of Blues (all in the same neighborhood but with different flare). They had free food for the Sauza party and I took a taste of the Quesadillas that were floating around...delicious! The only reason why I am not giving another star is because I actually want to go back and order food/drinks..figure out what the pricing looks like a bit more since most of the yelpers have been saying that it could be a little pricey.
(4)
Jennifer H.
My hubby and I stopped here for appetizers and drinks on a beautiful summer evening. Their upstairs lounge/patio is really lovely and comfortable with great breezes and a little respite away from the street hustle and bustle. Our drinks were strong and delicious- traditional margaritas. I also tried a tamarind lemonade and if you like sour drinks ( and don't mind the pond water look) it tastes great. Table-side guacamole was fresh if a little sweet but bountiful. Avocado tostadas were similar but the only other veggie option on the bar menu. No matter, salsa and chips are filling and delicious. Service was great as well and we enjoyed our stop here. We would stop by again for a casual meal and drinks, sit upstairs for best time.
(4)
Stu G.
Good! Delicious, clean mexican cuisine. Enjoyed the drinks and the food. A little on the expensive side considering what it is.
(3)
Michael G.
With a reservation, my date and I were seated promptly and eating delicious handmade guacamole within minutes. The Mojitos are fantastic and the food was great. She had the ceviche and I had a chicken fajita. The atmosphere was great, low light, not too loud and a feeling of elegance.
(4)
Jennifer B.
I sat upsairs at the bar open seating. the menu was good. I had the tacos the carnitas taco was the best. the guac is made right in front of you and thats great! and the margaritas were pretty tasty as well. service was right on!
(5)
Divar A.
Food was great, had the oaxaca chicken enchilada, and the drinks were good too, had the mango mojito.
(5)
Emann B.
Had lunch with a friend. The margaritas were OK as well as the table-side guac and quesadillas. The salmon with chimchurri sauce was rich, tangy, and delicious and perfectly cooked, nice and rare on the inside. The mojitos were great and the brownie dessert was an ooey gooey rich and sticky mess. Scrumptious! Service was very very good. Attentive and fun. Dishes came out at a nice clip, and no problem when when we requested to take some time before bringing out the dessert.
(4)
Jinx T.
Not bad - just okay - sooped-up mexican food that tastes okay - nothing special here. BUT The room is great design, the vibe is lively, and the service is excellent. That said, it is dependable, and easy, and if you're hungry, and/or have guests in-town and want some mexican with modern downtown flair, Cantina Laredo is worth a visit. Just don't expect to be wowed!
(3)
M O.
I really wanted to like this place! When I was leaving, I had to use the restroom only to find there wasn't any toilet paper. None of the stalls in the ladies room had toilet paper! Why wouldn't they keep it well stocked??? When I arrived the hostess looked like she had just woken up and was completely uninterested in doing anything. So we were seated and we ordered our food and drinks. We got the wrong drinks. The waitress didn't get our complete order. I don't think she was very attentive. The food was okay. Nothing amazing.
(2)
Kelly C.
Review is for drinks (and guacamole) only. I really like the ambiance of the location - very open with fantastic large windows that make it have a nice indoor/outdoor vibe. Perfect for the upcoming summer. A nice selection of margaritas and mojitos to keep you cool, while the made-tableside-guacamole will put a bit of heat in your mouth should you so choose. Service was a bit slow, but it was good for a relaxing post-work drink on a nice day.
(4)
Lindsay S.
Solid food here! Tasty margaritas. Table side guac. Enchiladas that were so tasty I wish I could have them every day. I have the Enchilada De Avocad. Enchiladas with avocado and artichoke, which a topping of tomatillo salsa served on a bed of spinach. It's all my favorite things rolled up into tortillas! My pomegranate margarita was perfect. Not to sweet and syrupy - just a hint of pom flavor. The service was a bit slow and my water got neglected but besides that it was a fine meal and I can't wait to go back and trying some more of their menu.
(4)
Catherine W.
Pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. Went there for dinner as it was near my hotel. It has a great modern decor with light-colored wood panelling throughout the restaurant. There were some enclosed private areas (with clear glass doors) that looked like it would be fun for larger groups. Had sea bass special (excellent), and camarone poblano asada. Our server misheard my order, so my food came out later than everyone else, but he was extremely apologetic, checked on my needs multiple times as I was waiting for the delayed plate, and also promptly gave us a complimentary dessert to share. It was one of the best ways I've seen handle a restaurant gaffe. Other than a slightly pushy pitch to get the guacamole appetizer at tje start of the meal (though it was good), we found it a nice casual dinner experience that was reasonably priced.
(4)
Gina F.
We ended up here at the last minute after walking out of Rick Bayless's stupid Frontera Grill because they had a rotten, rude and condescending attitude. I'm so glad we did because Cantina Laredo was a fun, friendly place with delicious food, a lovely atmosphere and great service. Do yourself a favor on your next visit to Chicago and bypass Frontera for this wonderful spot!
(5)
Ryan T.
My boyfriend described this place really well - it's the PF Changs of Mexican food. It definitely gets the job done, but you're not going to go raving about it later. I came here for the first time last night before going out to a show. The food came out very quickly and was all pretty good. I had the shrimp enchiladas, which I'd definitely recommend. The guacamole was also good. The only problem I had was the portions. I thought they were a tad small, at least my dish was. I was done pretty quickly and still hungry. With that said, it was an enjoyable time. Don't leave without trying the apple pie!
(4)
Olaf K.
Very sharp, clean design - a pleasant departure from the standard Mexican restaurant. Food was good but not spectacular. After being "wow'd" by the atmosphere I expected much more interesting & unusual flavors. Service was average at best.
(3)
Kristen H.
I really wanted to give Cantina Laredo more stars because the food was absolutely delicious and the ambiance was really nice! Such a huge open space with two floors with a bar on each floor. But unfortunately, the staff was less than desirable. From the moment we arrived (a little early for our Saturday 7:00 reservations) the hostess staff was not very helpful. We opted to walk upstairs for a cocktail to wait. The bartender was decent and more attentive than anyone else we encountered. We had a 3 amigos margarita (delicious) and a blood orange sangria (not really that good). At 7:00 we walked back downstairs and checked back in with the hostesses. The place had become more packed so she handed us a table buzzer (would have been nice to have been given that when we first arrived). We waited about 5 more minutes for our table. We were greeted shortly after by our server. We placed a drink order and maybe 20 minutes later our drinks finally arrived. We also had to wait a while for the table side guacamole. The woman who prepared it was basically whispering asking us what we wanted in it...the restaurant was so loud I could barely hear her, but the guacamole was fantastic! My husband had another 3 amigos margarita and I had the signature casa rita (nothing special and not that good). We then placed our dinner order and the food came out in about 7 minutes...super fast. It was delicious, but we hardly ever saw our waiter and he was barely friendly. He asked if we wanted dessert and we told him we would take a look but we decided we were too stuffed to indulge in any more food. He then brought us our check without asking if we wanted anything else. We would have stayed for another round of drinks but he didn't ask. I would definitely recommend based on the food alone.
(3)
J M.
I was impressed by the actual space this place occupies not to mention how chic it is compared to the old building that was here. We ordered the guacamole to start, margaritas, and the tamales for me (can't remember what everyone else had). My entree was very good, filled me up and was nicely presented, so I can't complain there. However, the guac never came and we had to tell the waitress to take it of our bill. * from my visit on 3/28/12
(3)
memo p.
Its ok, only ok nothing more.
(3)
Ryan E.
The food was fantastic! I like to eat each part one by one then combine them, and ultimately eat all at once and they flavor mixed very well. The place was really nice and i enjoyed the decor. Food had great presentation and the made to order guacamole right at your table was delicious. It could be portioned a little bigger especially since I was in a party of four and we were debating wether or not we should get more. Theres the hesitation of whether or not ordering will make us too full to enjoy our meal or if it is even worth the ten dollars.
(4)
Antoinette S.
Beautiful restaurant and bar. Food was good and the menu varied. Not too expensive. Great service too.
(4)
Sheila F.
Typical meeting place for us Chicago Theatre-goers for pre-show drinks and nibbles at the bar. On October 19th, while at Cantina for our pre-Margaret Cho show, I noticed that I failed to bring the tickets (all four). The General Manager, Rithea Som, gracefully offered to print the tickets for me. He provided me an email address and had them in my hand in minutes. Not only are the margaritas and nibbles mind blowing, but the service that was up and beyond, truly appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Som!!!
(5)
Sherry S.
Went here a few months back while on vacation in Chicago. We went for happy hour drinks and 1/2 off appetizers. A group of six of us shared several small plates. The black berry margarita was good too !!! We will hopefully go back on our next Chicago vacation.
(5)
Mona A.
I love this place! I'm a Texas girl at heart which is why I can't get past my love for Tex-Mex, but this place won me over. Cantina Laredo offers authentic Mexican food without the use of too many sauces. I've been here twice and I've ordered tacos both times. I prefer the chicken over the beef which is rare, but the chicken is more flavored than the beef. I loved the freshness of the ingredients without the use of so many artificial ingredients and sauces. The one drawback for me was the corn tortillas. I typically prefer flour tortillas, but with Cantina's tacos, it works! Their queso is also amazing so be sure to try that. One of the top reasons I love this restaurant is the ambiance. In the summertime, the glass doors all open up to give you the feel of sitting outdoors. I've come here for a group dinner before and the service was on point every time. As opposed to many other restaurants especially in the city, they will be happy to seat you at the table before your entire party is present which makes it the perfect place for big groups.
(4)
Jeffrey P.
Great drinks, get the table guacamole
(5)
shoaib a.
I personally think that the dining in the Streeterville neighborhood are really touristy and mostly chain restaurants. Cantina Laredo certainly fits that bill but I think as a national chain, it does Tex Mex well. - The decor and ambiance is very trendy and eye catching - what you would expect if you were eating in the area. - What really gets you going is the top shelf guacamole that they make at your table. A lot of places do this but it still makes me happy getting it and so the excitement hasn't diminished. - The tacos de barbacoa were awesome. Very well seasoned and the presentation was on point. Overall, a solid experience but as a rule, I will not give 5 stars to a chain restaurant.
(4)
Anando S.
Both food and ambience are very good. Its a bit different from typical mexican food you expect. Try their shrimp enchiladas. For such a nice place in downtown Chicago its very reasonably priced.
(4)
N.A. S.
Nice setting, very good food! The top-shelf guacamole prepared under your eyes will make it hard for you to stil call guacamole that green blob they take from th ridge elswhere! It is seasonned to your taste by servers who know their stuff! Actually, you need to go at least once for two reasons: -The aforementioned Guacamole that is to die for. -The half-price menu items from 4PM to 7PM (Mon to Fri) I will definitely go back....
(4)
Christine W.
I normally love Cantina Laredo. The food is always good and the drinks are even better. It is one of my favorite restaurants in the city which is why I was excited to take family from out of town there over Easter weekend. I called the Sunday before and tried to make a reservation for 16. They said they couldn't do a group that big but could do two groups of 8. Done! We showed up the following Saturday night for a 6:30 reservation. They had no record of it in the system! My mother was standing next to me when I made the phone call for the reservation so I had someone to back me up. I also checked my call log to confirm that I did indeed call the Chicago location. They continued to deny that I had ever made my reservation and the manager could not have been more rude. If I've learned anything in customer service, it's that the customer is always right. Not only did the manager never apologize, but he accused us of lying about our reservation when speaking to his staff at the reservation desk. Bottom line, the manager working on Saturday nights is less than pleasant. We did finally end up getting a table after another party did not show up but not once did the manager check in on us or apologize. Sadly, we will no longer be dining at Cantina Laredo after such rude service.
(1)
Davida J.
Best Mexican I've had near the loop!!!
(5)
Blythe Z.
It's a little bit pricey, but the food is delicious. I always get the shrimp tacos, and they are amazing. I am also a fan of the Mango Marg - which I think really hits the spot. I know this is a chain - it makes me think of Grand Lux a little bit. Huge space, lots of managers... very attentive to their guests. I noticed that last time we were there - about a month ago, it was really hard to talk very very noisy. I think it's just where we sat. I'll be back!
(4)
Kristyn S.
Awesome restaurant! Went back last week for the second time. Just as good this time. Low key, high class restaurant. Food is great! Table side home made guac is awesome! We have Ricardo for our server, he was wonderful and very attentive.
(4)
Mariam K.
One of the best mexican restaurants in Chicago (upscale). I've been here several times and never seem to be disappointed! Amazing guac and the different salsas, really good nachos and tacos, and AMAZING mango tres leches! It's a good place to go to if you want to eat dinner and hang out after wards with a couple of friends, because they have a nice seating/lounge type area upstairs. I will definitely continue to go here for my mexican cravings!
(5)
Carmen B.
I went for lunch yesterday, and immediately loved the environment and decor. The design of the room is very airy and welcomes sunlight - perfect for lunch and early evening. We had the guacamole, the pork torta and shrimp enchiladas. The guacamole was good, but I've had better (reminisce about Adobo), the salsa options were flavorful. The entrees met expectations, but were not the best ever. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The prices were very reasonable! The shining star goes to the drinks. I will definitely return to sit at the bar - or wherever, because it's such a lovely open design -for drinks and apps. Perfect for summer.
(3)
Shelby B.
Good food, good margaritas. If you're in the SLoop and looking for something to quench your mexican tooth, skip Zapatista's and go to Cantina Laredo instead. In the Winter, they have a fire place roaring, and occasionally have some decent live music. If you want legit Mexi-, go to pilsen or something. If you want convenient, good mexi-food in SLoop then hit this spot.
(3)
Angela T.
We ended up here on the afternoon of St Paddy's Day after we left the river, we expected the area to be packed with people and all I wanted was to sit outside (it was 80 degrees in the middle of March in Chicago) and drink a cocktail. This place looked perfect, it is designed to where the glass slides open so even if you're sitting inside it feels like you are sitting outside. There weren't too many people in here at first so we thought we found the pot of gold! I ordered their house margarita which was festively colored with a hint of green, this drink was delicious! It was a true margarita, no nasty taste of fake sweet and sour or grand marnier, just tequila and fresh made margarita mix. Chips and salsa were a perfect combo. Well then the crowds came in, our poor server was not only one of two bartenders, but she was also serving (or at last trying to) all the table in the bar area. I placed order and an hour went by and I never received it. We never saw her again. You would think management would have prepared and staffed the place for a busy day like St. Paddy's, I could have sat there all day, but with no service, we all decided to leave, it took abother 30 minutes to get our checks.
(3)
Vanna T.
Been here a couple times now, and each time I had a great time, great ambience, and great food! Love the feel of this modern, hip large restaurant and the enchiladas are absolutely the entree to order! All the drinks I've tasted are delish as well. Great spot for birthday gatherings.
(4)
Benjamin L.
Their half off bar menu on weekdays 4-7 is worth it. We had good drinks (not discounted) and a couple apps. The guac was made fresh at the table to order, which was a nice touch. Our favorite part was the open air setting on the second floor. Nice place, will return.
(4)
Sunni M.
Love this place! It has a great atmosphere. It's large and bar service is great. I love that they give you complimentary chips and salsa even when you sit at the bar. I have not tried any food there besides the guac but it is fantastic and drinks are made very well.
(4)
Pamela C.
Just what downtown Chicago was missing! I love him to death but, Mr. Bayless needed a little competition. While I have yet to be wowed by the entrees at Cantina (the tacos are a little bland for my taste) I have to give an extra star for the top notch cocktails (some of the best mojitos in town), appetizers, service, and ambiance. Beautiful and spacious venue, perfect for groups. I can't wait to check out the lounge upstairs. Appetizers: I recommend the chili con queso and top shelf guacamole, prepared at your table. Skip the tortilla soup....something's off with the flavor. A friend ordered churros for dessert. I usually refuse any dessert that's not chocolate but wow....I might return just for a cup of coffee & churros.
(4)
Lewis C.
FOr the most part, a 5 star visit. So why only 4, too loud! Get some sound absorbing matieal in that place. Ears are till ringing. Food fantastic, skinny margarita equally fantastic. GIve it a try, definitely enjoyed.
(4)
Jennie C.
Cool space, but very very noisy. Definitely not conversation-friendly. The tableside fresh guacamole was yummy. Friend had the seabass special, which was excellent, fish was perfectly flaky, but portion was a bit small. I had the pork, which was just ok. I actually prefer Chipotle's version, but that's just my personal opinion. More of a see-and-be-seen place than food destination in my book.
(3)
George A.
I was really looking forward to coming here with my family for dinner - I left unimpressed. The food was good and definitely filling. I had the Camarones Escondidos (chicken breast stuffed with shrimp) and was satisfied with it. I definitely recommend getting the table side guacamole. The woman prepping it was very friendly and made it quite tasty. Our server on the other hand was pretty bad. We had never been there before so it would've nice for him to tell us about the menu and restaurant. The food came out fairly quickly but he never came to check on us. Our waters were filled but that's about it. The desserts do not have a separate menu but he didn't even ask if we wanted anything else at the end. The thing that ticked me off the most was that we walked by our server who was standing by the service station near our table and he didn't even thank us for coming in or even wished us a good night. There is no way he deserved the gratuity that was automatically added. Would I go back? Based on the service alone...probably not. There was no experience given.
(2)
Tracey A.
All around good revaluation. Stepped in on a cold night for a drink to get us along the way and ended up staying for the night. Dinner (fish tacos and chicken) was outstanding, service left nothing to be desired. Drink menu examples many personalized options. I left the place conjuring an idea if how to get back to Chicago to eat there. And who knew there would be one in the airport in Dallas! Got to eat there again the following week on a lay over. It was equally as good.
(5)
Paula H.
Found this restaurant by accident on the way somewhere else. It looked really cool inside so we popped in and were able to be seated immediately. Our waiter Mario was a sweetheart, rolling his r's to the extreme to amuse us. The table side guacamole was yummy. Margaritas were great; they seemed stronger on the second round. My friend's brisket tamales were so-so but my Enchiladas Veracruz were awesome. I was sorry I agreed to share. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Siobhan M. M.
So pleasantly surprised! We stopped in because we were staying at the hotel across the street and liked the look of the interior. It was great! Cozy, trendy interior. Server was friendly and attentive and food was great! I had the ceviche and it was very inventive - red onion, capers - delicious if a bit salty. We'd definitely like to return!
(4)
Kandi G.
Beware of the ignorant hostess Jacqueline - I won't be back.
(1)
M M.
I loved this upscale Mexican contemporary restaurant. The enchiladas were delicious and served with a nice, crunchy salad. I also highly recommend the vegetarian fajitas! The mojito was delicious. This place is not your typical traditional Mexican restaurant, but if you're looking for a modern Mexican experience, I would definetely recommend trying this place!
(5)
Terese S.
The interior decor and ambiance along with the Margaritas make this new place a stand out! Excited to go back in the summer to sit rooftop. Yes, this place is a "chain", but give it a chance. I've been for lunch and now dinner. Table-side guac was great. You really need to tell them what you want in it to spice it up - so don't be afraid to dictate what goes in the mix. I could eat their chips and guac as a meal. Entrees are better than average. Enchiladas were pretty good, but the PORK TAMALES were the best we've ever had. Don't be intimidated by how to eat these, order them!! Drinks were awesome both times. Order a second, they get stronger! The Patron Margarita was excellent - again the fresh lime juice makes it. I've also had the pome margarita and that was just as amazing. Bottom-line- give it a try. It's not touristy, it is a little loud, but it has a great feel any other average Mexican restaurant with the amazing drinks, fireplaces and wood decor.
(4)
Jefree T.
Nice design. Top Shelf Guac - ours was below average. They offered to have it remade, but if it gets made by the same person, not sure how much it would actually change. I suppose it could have been a bad avocado, but the mixing of the ingredients was off...I have a feeling this is a hit or miss item depending on who makes it. It's nice they give you the option to pick what goes in, but for consistency they may want to have a norm, allow exclusions, but if people want extra of an ingredient to leave it on the table. Our order was pretty standard, excluded cilantro and asked for medium spicy. There was no spice and some mixture of the ingredients was just off, we were unable to pinpoint it but seemed like too much lime, not enough salt, and just some odd taste to it not really resembling guac. Our local food market makes a better fresh guac. Main courses were good, worthy of 4 stars. We had the Tampico, which was the favorite among the table, Camaron Poblano Asada, and the tacos de carnitas. Signature margarita was just average. Based on the entrees, worthy of a second chance, but skip the "signature" app and drink.
(3)
Robyn T.
Is this the best Mexican food ever? No. Authentic Cantina Laredo is not, but it's tasty and will probably keep me coming back for it's Americanized style of Mexican comfort food. The restaurant itself is tremendous and by the looks of it could keep Carnivale in competition for the most covers served a night. The staff is friendly enough, and there are enough dining options at the restaurant in various spaces upstairs, downstairs and outside to keep things interesting. I love that the guacamole is made table side (like many places in the city) and the queso fundido is worth the calorie splurge for cheese goodness. I order the fish tacos which were decent and washed it all down with a margarita. This is the place for groups of tourists and friends to meet up for a fun evening out. The location is ideal for shoppers looking to take a break too.
(3)
Michael C.
The first thing I noticed about this place is how huge it is compared to other Mexican Restaurants. They have a full bar with a good beer selection and their drinks are well made. The food is awesome, especially the guacamole that they prepare in front of you. The second floor is great for groups and office parties. I will be coming back.
(4)
Stefanie K.
One of my favorite downtown spots. Been there several times since they came to my neighborhood and I plan on returning soon! Haven't had many of their drinks but the mango margarita was awesome the last time I went. Tableside guacamole is a MUST. My favorite entre is the chicken cilantro salad - so good it doesn't need salad dressing! Staff is SUPER good about checking up on us whenever we go. Fresh chips and salsa always arrive when the chip bowl is still half-full! The place is mostly booths from what I can tell and they dont pack you in really tight even when it's crowded. Only downside is sometimes the music's too loud and I find myself shouting at my boyfriend from across the table.
(5)
Luis C.
It was a cool spot. The guacamole done fresh in your face is different. I would go again....
(4)
Amy L.
Before anything else, I must admit that I am no Mexican food connoisseur... so I cannot speak for authenticity. That said, I truly enjoyed Cantina Laredo for a nice relaxing lunch. In good weather, they open up the side walls so we were practically outside. If you are looking for a little sun during a business/casual lunch, this is a good place to go. A few of my favorites: - The Guacamole was absolutely to die for: just the right mix of citrus, spice, and creaminess. We devoured the bowl in minutes. - Grilled Shrimp Salad: it was the definition of refreshing. The dressing was light, with super fresh leaves, mangoes, and a hint of creamy goat cheese. - Apple Pie with Ice Cream: sinful blend of warmth, crispness, and cool creamy goodness. Service was moderate: nothing wonderful or lacking. I did not get any drinks though, and they looked super yummy. Next time, I'll come for happy hour!
(4)
Abby T.
I'm not mexican but I know what good mexican food tastes like! The space is awesome; ample seating in a chic environment. I can't wait to check out their outdoor seating. It really is a great place to convene after work. The food was just EH. Nothing great AT ALL. It's not "gourmet" as their mantra states ("Gourmet Mexican"). Even the rice wasn't very good. My tacos de pollo were not brought out hot. On a high note, the dinner concluded with a 7-layer chocolate cake which was awesome. :-) The service was good...our server was sweet and attentive. I think the pricing is fair. Like I said, I would come back for drinks and maybe appetizers, but that is about it.
(2)
Thomas L.
I like this place, but my conundrum is that I WANTED to love it! For the quick notes: great on drinks, both in execution and ambiance;, mediocre on appetizers; but food in general was way below expectations and not worth the price. I'll disclose a true, real bias: I have a very big problem paying a lot for Mexican food. You can get awesome Mexican food from Mexicans in Mexican neighborhoods for very cheap. You get to bust out some Spanish, have a tequila with the owner, and filly your belly while taking it easy on the wallet. I'm not a cheapskate in general, but at the risk of being redundant, you should not spend a lot of money for Mexican food. The drinks are topnotch, they use good liquor in making them, and they cost a little bit because of the "We're in River North so we Must be Cool" attitude. Grade A tequilas are available, though, which are always nice. Also, they make mean Margaritas if you like a variety of flavor combinations. They're served correctly in terms of glassware and temperature. Service tends to run slowly, but not terribly. The upstairs bar runs slightly faster when more of the tables are seated, so 9:00 P.M. at the earliest for a seating. As to the food, here comes the bad news and the bias. I've eaten there three times because of birthdays following the first time. The food hasn't gotten any better. For control purposes, I always tried the salsa to see if any one meal/night was simply an outlier. Each time, that awful, soapy taste was part of the tortilla soup and the salsa Verde or yellowish salsa, and the red salsa is just pure onions. For entrees, the first time I had a "house specialty" of Carnitas. The meat was dry and flavorless. The second time I tried the Fajitas, thinking they were safe. The chicken had no tasted--not even "chicken taste". The last time I had the carne asada, and I have to say that for nearly $20, I could get 2 full meals of awesome carne asada somewhere on Ashland with fresher ingredients. Lastly, I've made better flan by failing to correctly make flan. To stay honest, at one time they had a nacho-like appetizer which was awesome. If I go back for drinks, then hopefully that will be on the menu again. They tout themselves as "Modern Mexican"; if that's how modern Mexicans eat, then there won't be too many of them left, as people would rather starve than eat this stuff. For me, it's a "Drinks Only" place henceforth.
(3)
Susan W.
Did you ever feel like saying to yourself "It's time to take a ROADTRIP"? Well, we packed up the car last Sunday and headed to Chicago, from Buffalo NY. I spent 25 years in Chicago, North Side, Southside and in between and had NEVER stayed at a hotel. Anyways..this review is about... CANTINA LAREDO.. Stunning eye-candy for the my two teen-aged companions.soothing .lighting, organic design, Phillip Johnson architectural style...clean lines..interesting mix of colors and textures... Our waiter was very dear and helpful...had the Fish Tacos, table-side Guac, Tortilla Soup, Chicken Fajitas, Chips and Salsa...a few Marqueritas..cokes for the kids..dinner for four...$90.00... We had a delightful, memorable experience. Never guessed it is a chain! Cantina Laredo..three words..COME TO BUFFALO!!!!!
(4)
Jessica K.
I will definitely be coming back here, repeatedly. We came here for a business dinner, and I was pretty impressed. The atmosphere is modern and comfortable. The restaurant has two floors, a bunch of fireplaces, nice bars, and a private room for parties/get-togthers/work functions. he wait staff is super attentive, but not in an obtrusive way, and the food is quite good and reasonably priced. Please do yourself a favor and order guacamole. They make it right at your table. It kind of makes me want to work there...just to make people guacamole all night. I was really impressed with how reasonable the prices were. The food was super delicious! But be sure to get a to-go box because you don't want to skip on the dessert. Do share it, because the portion was pretty decent.
(4)
Scott B.
My wife and I dined here over Valentine's Day weekend for dinner. We made reservations through OpenTable and arrived at our 5:30 reservation time on a Saturday evening and were seated promptly. The restaurant has a nice open layout and the decor is very modern...I was expecting a more southwest feel, but the target audience appears to be more upscale. We ordered made to order guacamole as an appetizer, which was made at our table...it was AWESOME! My wife ordered the barbacoa enchiladas and I had the steak fajitas. Everything was tasty, but my fajitas did not come out sizzling like the others I saw coming out...it was ever so slightly on the warm side, not hot like I expected, hence my 4 star rating. Granted business picked up greatly by the time our food came out, but I don't think this should be an excuse. We finished the night with an order of flan, which was great! Overall the food was tasty and fresh, but the service was a little slow. If you are looking for a mexican restaurant, this would be a great location!
(4)
Kelly K.
As far as upscale Mexican food goes, this gives Mercadito and Adobo Grill a run for their money. I came during lunch, when it was fairly quite. We tried the table side guac, and I liked it better than the table side guac at Adobo. For lunch, I had the fish tacos. With the pickled onions and aioli, I'm a fan. The beans and rice were perfectly portioned to compliment the tacos. We shared a mango tres leches cake, which was divine. The cake could have been a little moister (I prefer tres leches cake VERY moist), but no one else complained.
(3)
Omar F.
After walking around downtown with my wife we decided to eat mexican we end up at this place, staff was friendly the service was ok, the fresh guacamole was great, but the drinks and the food were just awful i ordered the steak and it was just flavorless my wife orderded a mango margarita and it was bad as well... Overall its not worth spending your time and money in this overpriced place..im only giving this place 2 stars cause the staff was friendly..
(1)
Oski B.
Cantina Laredo is a mirage. When viewed from a distance it appears to be an impressive restaurant that is well designed and inviting. However, up close, when sampling its fare, it is revealed to be nothing more than one of the most over-hyped over-priced restaurants I've ever been to. The food at Cantina Laredo was inedible. My fiancee's tortilla soup was so salty that all she could stomach was a couple of bites before she pushed it away and didn't give it a second glance. My shrimp tacos were overcooked and resembled something that you would expect from a bad taco truck (one where you worry about its level of sanitation). Needless to say, after my experience, I'll never go back to Cantina Laredo. If you're looking for upscale Mexican fair in Chicago its best to stick with the Rick Bayless family of restaurants.
(1)
Katie L.
I love this place. My boyfriend and I are here almost every other weekend (including for my birthday last weekend). We can't get enough of the margaritas! Most of the times we've come have been for margarita's before going out someplace else, but the second floor patio is amazing. It's exactly how a new building with modern architecture should be in 2013. Dinner is good. Sunday brunch wins though. We've had weekends where we've been there on a Friday night and want to go back on Sunday for brunch. I highly recommend the crab-cakes Benedict with a bloody maria- you just can't go wrong. Put a pair of nice shoes, grab a friend and sit upstairs to drink a margarita on a warm summer night.
(5)
Angela S.
Nothing but average. And my food was practically cold before I took my first bite. The highlight is the guac on the spot.
(3)
Amanda C.
I have been wanting to try this place for quite sometime. Actually had reservations on New Year's Eve and cancelled due to the abundant snowfall we had received. My boyfriend wanted to surprise me and take me for dinner at this restaurant for a nice Friday evening. We made our reservations fairly late. Unfortunately, this place does close pretty earlier for a restaurant in that location. In the beginning, the service was very slow even to receive drinks. The guacamole was not outstanding by any means. I asked the waiter if the short rib tacos were spicy, and he said yes. And pointed out only two things on the menu that were not spicy, thanks for any further help. The tacos and the food was so disappointing. I felt like it was more of a tapas restaurant by the size of the portions. The blood orange sangria consisted of mostly red wine with other limited flavors. I looked t my boyfriend across the table and he could see the disappointment in my face. I told him I was so glad we didn't decide to come here on New Year's Eve through the blizzard because it wouldn't be worth it. The dessert looked the best on the menu, but I didn't want to give this place anymore of our money and be highly disappointed, so PASSED. I have no need to visit this place again.
(2)
Emily B.
There service is pretty atrocious. It's like, the deeper you get into downtown dining, the worse the service is. Came here for dinner with a girlfriend and sat at the bar. Was pretty much neglected by the bartender throughout the meal/night. The highlight for sure was that if my sangria (not on the menu) was gasoline, it would have filled up my tank. I couldn't even finish the thing! We split some apps - the ceviche was fresh and had great flavor. The steak quesadilla was nice, as well. The meat wasn't dry or tough. Besides it being beautiful on the inside, I don't feel compelled to go back here...really wish the service was as good as the place looked.
(3)
Brenda G.
Guac is amazing. They make it right at your table, which is always a plus. Margaritas are great as well. They make a delicious skinny margarita. I got the combo fajitas. They were okay... neither the chicken nor the steak were that flavorful, and they were a bit cold. The tacos are great tho, try the mahi mahi!
(4)
Tony G.
Highly recommend the chili con queso. The cameron poblano asada, which was recommended to me by our waiter, was amazing!!!!
(3)
Justin W.
Service, Service, Service...It's just not up to par. Great spot to get a drink and enjoy the scene, but it would be hard pressed to force me to sit down again in a booth and wait that long for water. Also, how do you mess up table side guacamole?
(2)
Arpana U.
Unfortunately I was lazy and am writing this review a few months later. Overall, I liked the size of this place, it's massive, I can't imagine what their rent cost is. Simplistic decor is fine, but they need noise barriers/absorbers. Some seats look uncomfortable, luckily the ones we got were not. All was decent and good, no complaints. I really liked my Enchiladas De Camarones (shrimp). Large delicious pieces of shrimp and tasty sauce. The vegetarian in our group was a little disappointed as he was used to more veg options from Mexican places and this place had just a few, and you couldn't customize too much. Price-y for Mexican food so wouldn't come back unless it was a special occasion, but good experience overall.
(4)
Catherine D.
Stopped in Cantina Loredo today for some drinks and an app. The restaurant has sliding doors that open up and so it's a great place to go when it's nice out. We had Roberto as our waiter and he was so friendly and accommodating! He was understanding that we just wanted some drinks and recommended a great appetizer. He was very attentive, always making sure that we had chips and water and even let us move outside near the fire pits. We had the chicken nachos and they were delicious!!! I would highly recommend going to this restaurant and more importantly requesting Roberto as your waiter! He truly understands great customer service!
(5)
Kristen S.
I'm a huge fan. Good food, great service, and nice atmosphere! It is awesome that the menu is marked to denote gluten-free and vegetarian dishes! Makes ordering a lot easier and gives me faith that they know how to handle diners with food sensitivities. We had the salsa and chips - preferred the mild to the hot salsa. Ordered the guacamole - which was wonderful, but could use a little more kick. I love how fresh it tastes. You can enjoy all the different ingredients here. For our entrees, I had the fish tacos and my husband had enchiladas barbacoa. Both dishes were excellent. The beans and rice were great, too. For our dessert, we had flan and coffee. Also wonderful. Couldn't have asked for a better meal. The service was attentive - and almost a little *too* quick - but I'd rather be served than ignored! They definitely told us to take our time, and we did!
(4)
Dan F.
Ever wondered how to screw up guacamole? Dine at Cantina Laredo! Seriously, I went the first time and it wasn't great, but I decided to give it a second chance. Both times the guacamole was way over-limed and over-salted. At least the second time the manager came over and took it off the bill. He asked me "Too salty or too much lime?" Apparently it's a common problem. Service is decent, although I abhor them bringing the desert tray over without asking first.
(2)
Gary R.
I went here recently. I thought it was in Laredo, Texas based on its name, but it was in Chicago. That was sort of confusing. Otherwise, the experience was good as hell. I really enjoyed the following things from this place: 1. Waiter's name was "Star." Think he was named after Star Jones, which is kinda sad for him. He was good at his job though. 2. Copious chips (presumably were free). They gave you a few different salza's to try (pronounced "Salza" per Mike Ditka). 3. I had the oxaca enchilada. I assume it was made with bits of real ox. I feel like Paul Bunyan after eating that. (not just from the size of my poop either) It made me feel strong. 4. The napkins were top notch. They cleaned me up, and kept a low profile. They didn't talk back when I schmeared salza on them. 5. There were random fireplaces that didn't have any wood or charcoal in them. It was almost a divine sight of floating fire. 6. The chocolate ice cream brownie was simultaneously delicious and deadly. (may die from cholesterol poisoning) All in all, a very good new place to try downtown. Tell them Gary R. sent you. They'll be like "Who the hell is that?"
(5)
Erkin P.
Food was very good not phenomenal. Service was top notch, "made in front of your eyes" guacamole was a nice touch. One star deducted due to location of our and (5-6 more) tables just to fill space, in the middle of nowhere. Sounds picky but when the "guacamole mobile stations" travel to other tables moving your chair back and forth (happened half a dozen times in a 1.5 hour dinner) to let them pass becomes VERY annoying. Guess to eek out a little bit more revenue, they see no issue in inconveniencing guests.
(4)
Nick A.
Great ambiance, though I can't really comment on how the food is. After trying to go to Frontera, and finding an almost 3 hour wait, we decided to try Cantina Laredo out. Getting there, we were told there was an hour wait (far better than Frontera), but that the upstairs served tapas-style plates, and was first-come first serve. We went upstairs, found a table immediately, and ordered drinks. A few minutes later our drinks arrived, and we ordered two cold appetizers: ceviche and guacamole; the guacamole is made table-side, and we had high hopes for it. Fast forward 30 minutes... We still haven't received the ceviche, and the guacamole cart has now serviced three tables that were seated after us. The waitress apologized profusely, telling us that our table was next on the list for the guacamole, and that the ceviche would be right out. 10 minutes later, the ceviche finally arrived, and was tasty, however the guac cart had gone on to service two more tables (that again, were seated after us). At this point, we decided that we really didn't want to wait for the guac any longer, and if it took 40+ minutes to get a single cold appetizer, we had no intention of waiting 2 hours if we ordered entrees. The waitress again was quite apologetic, though told us that she would remove the guacamole (that we never received) from the bill, making it sound like she was doing us a favor. How long does it really take to put some ceviche in a martini glass, toss it on a plate with some chips, and bring it out to the table? I can understand the guacamole being made table side takes longer as there is only one cart on the second, but serving 5 tables that were seated, and ordered after us? I'm generally fairly understanding when it comes to an overloaded restaurant and slower service, but come on. At least some free chips and salsa came out.
(1)
Niraj G.
This 'Modern Mexican' restaurant was somewhat of a disappointment. The decor definitely highlighted their modern theme and the ambiance was lively, especially for a Wednesday night, but the food wasn't up to par. The guac, which they make at your table, was decent but not as spicy as we had hoped. The enchaladas de avocado were pretty good but could have been better with more of an emphasis on the artichokes, which were dominated by the large chunks of avocado. My fiance got the chicken with mixed vegetables and she mentioned the chicken was extremely salty. As far as drinks go, they had a variety of promising offering but they did not live up to their descriptions. The berry mojito and the skinny margherita were watered down. Overall, this is a trendy place for the time being but the food is somewhat disappointing.
(2)
matthew m.
Really its 3.5 stars but they get the extra for all the money they put into the place. I loved the food, didn't like there was no red sauce but all mole's. I loved the fire pit are in the back but hated the patio like chairs in the front (people viewing from the street may get the wrong idea) I loved the center circle bar but hated the upstairs bar. I also didn't like that they close the downstairs bar when its busy to send everyone upstairs. Loved the Churro dessert!
(4)
Jenn G.
Cantina Laredo is a solid spot for some good "modern Mexican cuisine" (their tagline, not mine). It's not going to knock your socks off, but it's definitely a decent option if you want something better than Chipotle for dinner. I went to Cantina Laredo on it's "soft opening" night, so the menu was 50% off (which naturally just means I ordered double the food). They were clearly still working out some of the kinks with the wait staff and menu, but overall it was a good experience. The restaurant is in a great location and has a really good setup. There's a bar on the first floor in the middle of the restaurant that would be a great happy hour stop, or the is the lounge upstairs, which I'd happily go back to for a margarita (or three) and some apps. Probably the major thing preventing me from giving this a four star review is that I don't think the prices match the quality of food. It's not a super expensive place, but in my opinion, it's too pricey for what you get. I'm definitely glad I went on 50% off night, otherwise don't think I would have gotten my money's worth. The fact that is is located ~0.5 blocks from my apartment, however, is a major bonus. My only food complaint here was the "deluxe" guacamole. They make it fresh by your table side, and the one thing that baffled me (as something of a guacamole connoiseur) was that they didn't put fresh garlic in it. Instead, they put their "secret spices" which I thought tasted like poo powder. Seriously, it actually made the guac really gross, and it's pretty hard to mess up guac. I would recommend avoiding the secret spices if you order the chips and guac as an appetizer. Bottom line: a solid option, but if you want more unique or authentic Mexican food, you're better off elsewhere.
(3)
Jessica N.
So for 2012 we have decided to make it the 52 weeks of 52 eats- aka try a new spot every week. I am a little late on the first review but at least it is still January! The first stop of the new restaurant tour was Cantina Laredo. I had seen it being built and was excited to give it a try. I imagine this will be a sweet spot in the summer with the beautiful outdoor eating area, but it was still a really nice spot in the Winter. We opted to sit at the bar table which was very comfortable, in spite of the odd conversations going on around us. We had an order of guac which was made table side. The guac was the best I have had in a while in Chicago- very zesty and creamy. And it is always fun to watch them make the guac table side. I had the Ensalada De Cilantro y Pollo minus the pollo and the BF had the Tacos de Carnitas. I had a Superfruit Mojito and he had a Casa Rita. All in all the food was very good- well prepared and looked pretty. I would definitely come back for a quick bite at the bar. i didn't get to try the fish tacos which is a shame- since my secondary mission for 2012 is to find the best fish tacos in the city. But I guess that is just another reason to come back! I will certainly check it out in the summer once the upstairs outdoor patio is open.
Love the table side guacamole and skinny margarita's!
(4)
Ali B.
It is hard to find good Mexican food that is not super cheap and not super pricey, Cantina Laredo is just right! Not only is the restaurant a BEAUTIFUL & Trendy, it is only $$ and i very accessible right off the Grand Redline and the 36 Bus. This is a good place take a first date or a long term mate. The ceilings are high, there is exposed stone and your choice of tables or booths (also, a private group room separated from the restaurant by glass doors). The staff was efficient pouring water and clearing the tables. Portions are a good size. I recommend getting: Food: TOP SHELF GUACAMOLE - spicy CHILI CON QUESO New Tacos de Pescado Margarita, was good but not great.. I'll be back, and recommend you check it out.
(4)
Sam G.
Pros: beautiful restaurant, great service, awesome appetizers Cons: food is ok. Definitely not what I expected fo ra River North place. Worth trying it again in near future.
(3)
Lauren S.
I was very excited to go to Catina Laredo because they just opened. I was very impressed with the place, the decor and ambiance were great for a chain restaurant! One appetizer they have is the guacamole which they make in front of you!! They have someone walk around with a mobile cart and you are able to choice what you have in the guacamole (ie. onions, cilantro, etc.) It's done with in minutes right before your eyes!! I had the Chile Relleno peppers stuffed with beef and the churros for dessert. It was ok... nothing to write home about.
(3)
Anne W.
You will be hard-pressed to find better service in the city. The waitstaff was extremely attentive and very friendly. We had five people at our table and wasted no time chowing down the two bowls of chips and salsa they served us upon arrival. Within seconds our waitress was back with fresh refills. Food was delicious for the most part. The carnitas was by far the best and most unique dish we ordered, and it packed a punch! The fajitas and chicken avocado tacos were also great, and the quality of the proteins was excellent. The guacamole, while very fresh, was a little bland-- needed some extra peppers or something to give it an actual taste. Queso was good, but nothing special. The house margarita was also tasty (and reasonably priced), but beware if you order the off-the-menu Jalapeno margarita: while it smells amazingly spicy when it arrives, it does not taste like a pepper and has a very sweet finish. Overall, loved the atmosphere of this place and will definitely be going back again!
(4)
Magnus L.
Very nice Mexican food, good value for money
(4)
Pravin M.
I went here twice, the service is OK. The food is sub par. I will not go back
(2)
Alexis M.
Coming from an avid Mexican food lover I was really looking forward to some good Mexican food in this newer spot. BUT, our order got messed up three times - the waitress brought me a warm margarita with melted ice - I think the glass came out of the dishwasher hot and she never noticed that my drink was warm. Gross! One of us received the wrong order for entrees. Finally, I was brought fish tacos with bones in my fish. I won't go back.
(1)
Mel S.
Went here last night for dinner bc Purple Pig was packed. We started off with the house margarita and the topshelf guacamole. I had the tamales barbacoa. Friends had enchilada barbacoa and something else. The food was okay. Nothing amazing- although you would expect it from the price. I wasn't blown away despite the $70 tab for 2 people. I would skip this place overall- you can get a better dinner for under $20 at any taqueria.
(2)
Emily G.
I have tried, tried again and retried to like this place. I can't. Yes, the space is trendy and the fireplaces are a nice touch, but the food and service has been subpar, my last visit it was just horrible. I was there last Saturday night. We waited for a table at the bar. Three bar tenders chatted with each other for long periods of time while patrons waited for their drinks or water refills. When we were finally seated, my friend's enchilada dish was dry, my burrito was cold and the cheese quesadilla was oily. I won't be trying Cantina Laredo again. I would not recommend it to anyone. Looking for Mexican, walk the extra blocks to Frontera Grill.
(1)
Aline W.
Came here on a Thursday night without a reservation and thought we'd have to wait forever, but we got a table right away! The decor is modern/rustic and the atmosphere is definitely very hip. Great for a date or juts a girls/guys night out. I ordered the Superfruit Mojito and the Camarones Escondidos and my friend ordered the Mango Mojito and the Carne Asada Enchiladas. We really enjoyed our drinks, but they put the mojitos in these freakishly tall glasses. It made it super awkward to drink from, but hey, it's alcohol. Also, our entrees were scrumptious. We literally cleaned off our plates! So the verdict? I'd definitely go back for more, but next time i'm bringing a bendy straw for my drink.
(4)
Nicole F.
We walked by this place twice before we decided this was were we wanted to be. The reason being.....the reviews alot of people were comparing it to traditional mexican and complaining because it was a chain, Im sooo glad we ignored those and stopped here!!! It was a very unique wonderful experience for us. Our server was very attentive and made great suggestions. Yummy margheritas and fresh made table side guac. We shared the Stuffed pablano pepper wrapped in a perfectly cooked skirt steak. Our serve recomended it and he was dead on.. We also had the Shanks sooo good. I liked that it came with green beans and rice. We finished it off with Tres leches cake. Perfect!
(5)
Matt B.
Service was kinda slow. I'm a big fan of the small mom and pop places but the atmosphere was nice. Chips where tasty. DO NOT get the skinny margaritas... First one is good but the second is Sprite and sweet and sour. But make sure you get the Mexican Brownie!!! Is that butter they drizzle on it? Amazing!
(3)
Jeff R.
Went out with a party of 4 for my birthday. Everyone enjoyed their entrees quite a bit and we followed it up with two delicious desserts. Guacamole made fresh and customized at your table is a very nice touch as well. Wait staff was friendly and our food came out very fast indeed after placing our order.
(4)
Mary W.
In short: the food was only okay, and the service was pretty bad. Our waiter had some trouble with a table across from us - their food didn't come out the way they expected so there was some time he spent clearing that up, which accounted for some of the delays. But even when we were nearly the only table left in his section, it still took a long time to get the check, and probably ten minutes for him to come pick it up. I got the enchiladas veracruz. The filling was tasty - chicken, spinach, and Monterey jack cheese. It came with sauteed zucchini and rice. The enchiladas were topped with tomatillo sauce, tortilla strips, and marinated vegetables. The enchiladas were pretty good, but the veggies and tortilla strips made them kind of a pain to eat. The pickled vegetables were a nice counter point to the richness of the filling, but I would have preferred them chopped smaller and served on the side - the tomatillo sauce was already adding an acidic tang and the veggies were a little overkill, I thought. The rice was dry. Everything needed salt. The tableside guacamole was good (but needed salt). The flan I had for dessert was amazing! Perfect texture, with a lovely orange flavor caramel. I would probably try Cantina Laredo again after they've been open a little while to see if they've gotten their feet under them, but other than the flan, there wasn't a lot to recommend them tonight.
(2)
Gautam T.
The ambience is spectacular! There are so many beautiful people that it here it's almost obnoxious. My expectation for the food was sky high but I was disappointed that the food was mediocre at best. I ordered the carnitas (fairly easy dish) and was asking myself if i was at a BBQ getting pulled pork or eating Mexican.. Not authentic so don't go expecting that.. The cocktails are excellent!!
(3)
Natasha C.
I ventured here based on a recommendation from a good friend who loves Latin food almost as much as I do. Everything we had was delicious. It wasn't "this is the best I've ever had" but it was good. The spicy salsa was served warm while the mild salsa was served cold. Why? I couldn't tell you, but I can tell you that the food and drinks were good. I had the chicken enchiladas and it wasn't heavy on my tummy (which I hate). I wish it came with a sour cream sauce but trust me, my rear end wasn't missing the calories. Didn't have dessert, but willl try it on the next round. BTW the mango 'rita was good but then again, I don't need a high alcohol content. For those who like more 'rita than mango, then you may consider passing. The pom mojito was hmmm mmmm good. Nice date spot. If you decide to go on a date, book a table beside the fireplace or by the windown overlooking state street.
(4)
J J.
Food and service = good! $50 ticket after valeting = bad UPDATE - sent me a check for the ticket :)
(3)
Sandra H.
Walked into the restaurant on Saturday afternoon, 8-2-14 around 3:30ish, It was pretty empty, but we asked if we could sit at the bar. We sat at the bar, which had 2 people behind the bar, one was doing something crouched down in front of us, and the other was cutting up fruit for drinks talking to the manager. We sat at the bar for 15 minutes without anyone asking us if we would like a drink, or to tell us someone would be with us shortly. I couldn't believe the one bartender was standing there cutting up fruit talking to the manager, and the manager didn't even tell him to stop and see if we wanted anything. Unbelievable how rude and horrid this service was!!!! I live in Chicago, there are plenty other mexican restaurants to go to with far better food and service! When we got up and left, my fiance looked right at the manager, and he did nothing to stop us from leaving. What a joke of a restaurant, obviously they think they don't need the business. I will never return, unless it closes and becomes a restaurant that knows what service is!!!!
(1)
Melissa K.
I stopped in one night after a long night of holiday shopping and the place was packed! My friend and I managed to snag a seat at the bar with the help of one of the bartenders. Everything on the menu looked AMAZING so we bugged the bartender (Jason) about his recommendations. Though he was busy, he took the time to give us thoughtful suggestions. When the food came out, we were not disappointed. In fact, I was so sad that I was too full to finish off my meal. I contemplated going to the bathroom to throw up, just so my tongue to could enjoy every last bite. Alas, I did not. Also, the strawberry mojitos were absolutely delicious--a delight to my tastebuds. Jason and another bartender (Teena) were super attentive and made our dinner enjoyable with their friendliness. I will certainly be back.
(5)
DB R.
Meh. Chili's with a guacamole cart. I'd suggest authenticity over fusion.
(3)
Heather S.
Wonderful food. Wonderful service. I had the mahi mahi tacos and they were delightful. Hubs had the enchiladas mole and he liked it a lot but it wasn't my cup of tea. The table side guacamole was really tasty but I wish there were different size options (like a two person serving size, four person serving size, etc) because the two of us couldn't finish it and guac just isn't something you take home because it turns brown instantly.
(5)
Michelle M.
I gave Cantina Laredo 5 stars because my friends and I had such wonderful service. Not to mention this place is very spacious and beautiful. I ordered the fajita salad which was a large salad big enough to share with someone. My gals ordered some of the taco dishes which they loved. We ordered drinks and dessert which were good. Mainly, this review is for the service which was great and that made our visit to Cantina even better.
(5)
Fuffie G.
Margarita too sweet-definitely tasted like it was some kind of premade mix, plus it was WARM!! Sent it back for a safe glass of wine Ceviche DRENCHED in lime juice and way too overpowering. Wanted to send that back but the girls I was with said it was fine. Entrees come out WAY TOO FAST. Carne Asada was so salty and barely luke warm. Wanted to send that back too but I didn't want to look like a total pain in the butt. Beautiful restaurant with a lot of pretty people. Very trendy but I will not be retuning. There is way better Mexican out there for a lot less money. Adios.
(1)
K K.
This is a beautiful Mexican restaurant with a good menu that could be so much better than it is. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the lighting is fantastic. The food is good, but it could be great. The service is OK. There is something missing here. It's almost like a chain restaurant. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there are more Cantina Laredo restaurants. I suppose that part of the problem is that the place is so perfect, in an area of Chicago that has so many cool, loft-like restaurants with a ton of character. Whatever it is, there is something missing. I may try it again, but it's not high on my list.
(3)
Nancy L.
Came here for the second time for my best friend's birthday and the service was excellent! There were about fifteen people in our group. The inside is super modern and relaxing. I had their guacamole, their ceviche, their grilled chicken, a mango margarita (strong as hell), and their brownie with rum. I was happy with everything!
(5)
Robert B.
This was my first time going to this restaurant, and I went with a group of people. This was a good experience because we got to try eat others food. The restaurant made our guacamole directly in front of us! I had the enchiladas with avocado and it was amazing! The margaritas were good as well! I would definitely go back.
(5)
Shalin D.
I stumbled into Cantina Laredo after I was basically elbowed out of Sable Kitchen by a throng of tourists. At first, I was impressed. The interior is pretty: horizontal paneled walls, a warm glow from artfully placed halogen lighting, and a cozy but not tight seating plan. But, whatever sophistication the interior design lends is completely negated by the service. Admittedly, I only went there for drinks and interacted exclusively with the bartenders and barmen. But, in a word, they're pretty much d-bags. I don't mind informality. I like it, in fact. But, don't repeatedly call me "dude" or "bro" when I'm tossing out ten bucks for a mojito. This isn't Thirsty Thursday at Phi Delta Kappa. And don't slosh my beer on the counter like I'm at the corner bar. Also, there are only three beers on tap, only one which is Mexican. The wine list is a summary of Two Buck Chuck favorites (Kendall Jackson, etc.) and the mojito I ordered was not only cloying sweet but more so since they muddled in raw sugarcane. Over all, it's a 5 for interior design (and all the feelings that come with it) but a 1 for service and selection. Go there for a drink if Sable's a sh*t show.
(3)
Michael B.
Very cool ambiance...especially when the weather is good. I love the lounge area (bar) and upstairs. The table-made guacamole is a nice touch. Solid food and reasonably priced for the location.
(3)
Parisa S.
Unimpressed. Maybe New York has spoiled me? Wait, Mexican food in New York is nothing to write home about. I digress. The food left me underwhelmed. Truly. I guess the guac was good, but certainly not great. Skip the tortilla soup. I've had better from Qdoba. Also skip the fish tacos. These were the driest tacos I think I have ever had. Zero stars for the food. Also not really understanding the fuss over the atmosphere here. Am I missing something? This place is large, lacking in personality and the night I was there, the bar crowd was awkwardly scrunched in one area, basically standing under a staircase that supposedly leads to a lounge upstairs. The entire set-up seemed very unnatural / poorly planned to me. And I think the lighting here is off too. This place may survive in Chicago, but it would never last in New York. And that's the true test of a good restaurant. In my opinion, a good restaurant this is not.
(2)
Bianca P.
I'm Mexican, and frankly, I get sick of Mexican food. This place, however, has a very fresh take on traditional Mexican fare. I have tried all of their taco options and they were all very fresh and delicious. Their "top shelf" guacamole is definitely worth the extra price, especially if you know how you like your guac.
(5)
Zach M.
Go for the drinks, then go to Mercadito for food. Sorry, but found everything bland and lacking seasoning and spice. Presentation is appealing, but everything just fell sort of flat. Ordered the guacamole, brisket enchiladas, fajita tacos, and the cilantro and chicken salad. The enchiladas were the best, and the tacos came in last place. The quality of the steak reminded me of that pre-cooked grocery store sliced steak; weird texture and chewy. Otherwise, the restaurant looks good, drinks are solid, and service is ok; but they just need to put more emphasis on the food to actually compete in an area not short on choices for awesome food.
(3)
Mikie C.
Great food, great vibe!
(5)
timothy n.
What a great atmosphere. . Really nice for whatever occassion. Unfortunately that's about it. Service is terrible. Came in on a slow day and waited 15 for my drink order and 30 min for my diet coke. The fresh made guacamole was good.. wow .. so a prelude to this is I'm here now writing the review. The waiters changed we just were told and he did apologize for the earlier delays and I gotta say I like the cander! Going from 1 star to 2 just for that. We shall see the rest of the dinner if we can bump that up a notch or two based on the food! Just ate food. . I was impressed.. but not overly. Great Mexican for the Midwest but not even close to SoCal. Based on the new server Jeff.. they now have 4 out of 5..
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Where do I start? My main reason for the bad review is that the bathroom was disgusting. Un-usable. There wasn't toilet paper in the stalls, except for one where everything was overflowed and disgusting. I wanted to wash my hands but there were no fresh paper towels - they were all over the place - wet and in a mess. And when I told the manager he was dismissive. I cannot understand how a restaurant can operate and pay no attention to something like this. It was gross. Also, the waiter was strange, and service was off. But the food was edible even though he got part of our order wrong. I'm never going back.
(1)
Simon P.
The only thing I would give a 4 star to would be the customer service from the hostess and the set up/view. I called ahead and had asked for a table on the second floor next to a window which they easily accomodated upon my arrival. The cons: -our waiter was bland and extremely quiet i had trouble hearing ANYTHING he was saying -Margaritas although delicious, were quite small and mostly full of ice -I ordered the shrimp stuffed chicken breast with a red sauce and mushrooms. The sauce was so salty I could not even get halfway through, leaving hungry still. More Pros: -Bar is very welcoming and ellegant -Chips/salsa/guac are a MUST -great date experience
(2)
Tabitha G.
I want to like this place. I really do. The location is stellar, the ambiance is amazing and who doesn't love a place in the heart of River North that has tons (and tons) of seating? BUT (and this is a big one), the service was not up to par. It's like they hired people who weren't totally qualified. When I say people, I really mean servers. The bus boys were more attentive than the waitress we had. Case and point - if you mess up an order, don't let the customer apologize and say it's ok...insist to re-order the right. If not then at least take it off the bill, offer a discount, heck buy us a tequila shot. It was your fault that the order was wrong, so don't let us apologize for it - figure out a way to make up for the mistake. Also, these days what restaurant doesn't automatically give you water? Two margaritas deep and a basket of chips later, I realized how parched I was with no agua and had to ask for it. In the span of 2 hours guess how many times they filled that glass....yup once and that's AFTER we had already paid the bill. I will say that the guac and chips are a reason to come back, but I'll only be back if they give me a more qualified server.
(2)
Morris D.
Yelp can't keep me down! I'm like Tony in Scarface when he visits his mom and his sister Gina and tells them they can't keep a guy like him down. This place is poppin inside. Lots of peeps to look at. Great place to scope the peeps inside and find out all the wig-wam going on in their life. Started off with the Guac & Chips. I mean it was good folks. It wasn't like impeccable like Michael J Fox's performance in TEEN WOLF, but i did enjoy it. Next was the Carne Asada dish. A lil dish action going that night folks! Carne was tender like a tenderoni, not a pepperonit, but a tenderoni! And whatever green sauce they put it in was VERY Good. It was so good that i felt like shooting myself in the leg then running a mile. That basically means that you could shoot me in the leg as i eat the green sauce and i wouldn't even focus on the pain because the sauce was so good. Don't remember what my partner had that night, but she never said one word to me because her face was always in the dish trying to get every last bite of those nutrients that were on that plate. Oh and get the Mango Mojito. Gives you that nice burst of Mango-ness you need to start your night! I'd love to come here again, get some food, then go across the street to Sable for a little cocktail. Hey, a lil cocktail never hurt anyone did it?
(4)
Melissa S.
Overpriced for what we got. Cocktails are unimaginative.
(2)
Kimberly C.
While I don't think this restaurant offers anything mind-blowing as far as food and drink go, we had a really nice meal and it was convenient to the el and to our friends' hotel. The basic margarita is tasty, the perfect amount of tartness and tequila-goodness and salt. We had the table-prepared guacamole and it was delicious! The chips are really thin & crisp, which makes them especially delicious (to me) because you can really focus on the fresh guac. My husband had the Ensalada de Cameron Con Miel and it was really tasty, though pretty small. I had the Barbacoa tacos and the marinated onions were the taste maker on these--they topped the seasoned beef just perfectly, and paired with the hit of cilantro...I was in taco heaven. The rice & black refried beans were your standard dry fare...nothing special about those. We shared the churro dessert and those were delicious...slightly crisp and also chewy and very cinnamon-ny. Our table was one of those cozy half-circle booths along the wall and we sat six there very comfortably...I know some people mentioned the restaurant was loud, but along the wall, we had no trouble with hearing each other. Our server was attentive and for dinner in the loop, it wasn't a bargain, but I think the prices were fair...again, for dinner in the loop :)
(3)
Anne R.
Cantina Laredo is by far, the most contemporary Mexican restaurant I have ever dined at. There is not one ounce of tradition or Mexican culture in the place. When you arrive, one may not realize guac and taco's are being served; with a wine list of course. Due to the frigid April night we chose to sample the menu, sitting by the fantastic fireplace was a plus! The food is good, the architecture is great, attractive people to watch... what else is there?
(4)
Kent S.
Excellent space. Very cool design and a hip look. Service was excellent and our waiter was exceptional. Margaritas were very good, but if you're a tequila snob, they lack some of the diversity seen at other Mexican places. The warm chips and salsa are very good. Tableside guac is also nice, but they put a lot of ingredients in it which detracts from the taste of the avocado. I've never seen anyone put black beans in guac. The main courses were just ok. Enchiladas de Mole was ok. Mole sauce was excellent but the enchiladas were just-eh. The camarones escondido was also ok. The sauce was excellent, but the chicken, despite being cooked perfectly, was way over-salted. This may be a one-time problem and I may try them again, but this time, it was just ok, given the price
(3)
Elaina L.
Food was good, really fresh guacamole and drinks!
(5)
D. B.
My girlfriend and I went here the other week. Like the majority have already commented, the place is huge and very sharp looking. I live down the block so we were excited to see a new mexican place in the area. We started upstairs in their lounge area. The decor is warm and posh. They have a full drink menu and serve a limited menu (more of a tapas type of thing). After a margarita (which was ok), we went downstairs in order to choose from the resturaunt's full menu. We ordered the guacamole and fajita's to share. It wasn't bad, but nothing to rave about. I would reccomend a happy hour drink upstairs, or an early drink with a date before going somewhere else. However, we didn't think the restuarant downstairs was worth the price. All in all, upstairs is nice for a start off, but don't get excited for something great at the resturaunt.
(3)
Christine D.
Amazing amazing food! I went here with my parents and my room mate for my birthday dinner and it was fantastic. My parents can't wait to come back. For such great food and service, and being in the heart of River North, you will not be disappointed- and the prices are beyond reasonable. The service, food, and atmosphere is great. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Angelina B.
Great guacamole! Cool atmosphere! Ceviche is awesome!
(5)
Rose A.
Was at Cantina Laredo lastnight (Friday) and decided to go here for dinner with a group of friends because we heard many good things about this place. And let me say there are many good things about this place! Our server Ricky recommended for a appetizer the guacamole that is made table side and the chili con queso with chorizo added in there and both were amazing! We also had the Cabo margaritas that he recommended and yet again he did us right. We each had something different off the menu so we could sample everybody and we were impressed with everything that this place has to offer, from how good the food was to how quick it came out and the service. We will be going back again real soon and we will be asking for our funny and great server Ricky!
(5)
Aundrea B.
I went to Cantina on a Saturday night, when service can usually get a little iffy at most places, yet I had amazing service. We got our food about 5 minutes after ordering. That's the fastest I've ever been served at a restaurant. And it was definitely not at the cost of quality. I got the chicken enchiladas and my boyfriend got the fish tacos, both were spicy and amazing. Usually I don't like fish that much, but I really liked the fish tacos. I got a margarita and I must warn you it is strong, but it was also quite delicious. So to recap: great food, great service. :)
(5)
W T.
great environment - love the modern interior design. However, the food is not that great - it's actually really bad. Chipotle is way better. Or any street mexican food stand is better than that.
(2)
lisa d.
Have eaten here many times in the past. Came for dinner with my family of 7. Ordered tacos and 4 of the dishes were COLD. Called the manager over told him about it, he took our dishes and said he would remake.....not 3 minutes later they returned with our barely warmed MICROWAVED food. He insisted it was fresh until we pointed out the hot sauce my son had put on that was still there. He never returned.
(2)
kuku k.
Best Guacamole ever! Good for Vegetarians too!
(4)
Jon C.
atmosphere was very chic surrounded by lots of yuppy, ready to fist-pump type people. however, the food turned out to be pretty good. salsa had a nice kick to it.
(4)
Patty P.
I went there on Sunday evening 6/17/12 I had a house margarita and table made guacamole. The drink was great and the guacamole was fantastic. They also serve you 2 types of salsa and chips.. One was tomato based ( I loved it) and the other was heated and little spicy..We sat upstairs in comfy chairs looking out thru open windows .. I would definitely go back again...
(4)
Mark W.
I just had the most refreshing dining experience at that new mexican spot downtown. Tableside guacamole, I had this bone-in carnita dish with some sort of chipotle sauce over top, and my lady friend had a mint infused mango chicken salad. It was lunch so we didn't go too crazy on the drinks but we had a tequila flight of Tanteo, I'd never heard of it, but it's three different flavors of tequila, one tropical, one jalepeno and one coaco... Lets just say we had something to talk about when we got back to the office.
(5)
James R.
Great food and attentive servers. Nothing to complain about!
(4)
Gary G.
Awesome atmosphere. Awesome food. Awesome service from Jesus. He is a great waiter. I found a new favorite restaurant in Chicago!
(5)
jaime m.
visited this past Saturday & treated my guy to Dinner for his b day. we ordered the table side "top shelf" guacamole & I was veeeeery underwhelmed. I make THEE BOMB ASS guacamole , so @ $10.00 a bowl I was kinda pissed. he ordered a variation of the beef tamales , which he liked, but unfortunately , I wasn't too please with my meal. I ordered the enchiladas Veracruz.. or something like that... the chicken was very tender, Ill give them that, but there were no really good, or distinct flavors popping off.. they really need to re work some of the recipes & add more flavor. I've had better Mexican food at Pepe's & actually, taco bell is more flavorful than the food here. I also agree with the other person who mention the zucchini, which was cooked perfectly, but once again, bland tasting as so was my rice, which seemed as if it came out of a ready made box kit of some sort. since it was his b day, they brought out a brownie w/ sparklers which is always cute. we also ordered the Mexican apple pie which was TASTY AS HELL.. if anything go get yourself some pie W/ Cinnamon ice cream...mmmmmmmm the ambiance and design/layout was reeeeally nice, nice & dim lit with a fire place towards the back.... kinda sexy & would be a nice ENVIRONMENT ( drinks only)for a date. i didn't get a chance to check out the upstairs, but I wont be back to find out. EDIT: THE FACT I FORGOT TO MENTION HOW SERVICE WAS IS SELF EXPLANATORY :/
(2)
Anna N.
I've been to Cantina Laredo twice, and been disappointed...twice. The food is just meh, at best, and for that price, there are better Mexican options out there (Rick Bayless is just down the street). The service is just plain painful. It's not that it's slow, it's that at my second meal, our water wasn't refilled until I got up and asked for it, and by the end of the meal I still had no idea who my waiter was. I spoke to the hostess to find out who our waiter was, and got not even so much as an apology for the poor service. The kicker is, at the second meal, the place wasn't even busy, so they can't use that as an excuse. Whoever thinks this place has good service must be getting paid in free margaritas.
(2)
Steve N.
Very good. Don't miss the Guac.
(4)
Preeti B.
The food is okay, overpriced for what it is. Mercadito & Nacional 27 are much better for the same price.
(2)
Mexican diner C.
They rush you at Cantina Laredo. There's a lot of pressure to turn the table. The check is served with your dessert whether you ask for it or not. Not a good choice for leisurely dining.
(3)
Ck T.
Great modern mexican restaurant !
(5)
Jayne W.
First the good things: 1) The interior decor is lovely tho very caverous.. 2)The chips were fresh and light, 3) The private room is perfect for a larger group. 4) The tableside guacamole is good but not the "top-shelf" that claim. it's just made tableside and for $10 it's aa very small portion. Now the bad: 1) Extremely overpriced for Mexican food that was not that unique. 2) Service was extremely slow. We ordered guac tableside and then had to wait for chips, which we had to ask for 3 times. 3) Drink orders were VERY slow. One friend ordered a flight of tequila at the time we sat down at the table and it didn't come for over an hour. When we talked to the manager later on, he claimed it was because our friend was "intoxicated". Our friend, had 2 drinks before we arrived at the restuarant and was NOT intoxicated. As a result, the other drinks were also slow to come to the table. 4) I had the fish, which they claimed was an 8 oz piece of bass. Not only was it abut 5 oz but it was overcooked. 5) 2 women shared an entree and the waiters didn't even think to bring an extra plate for one of the girls. 6) They removed silverware after the appetizers but then neer replaced them until we requested it once our dinners arrived. This is definitely a chain and they expect to get the high prices becasue they are downtown, but once the newness wears off, I wonder just how successful they will be with the locals They will get the tourist traffic becasue of the recognized name. We will not go back.
(2)
Tiffany G.
the food was obviously reheated, not unique or tasty. pretty gross to be honest.
(1)
Susan S.
Food was great - very fresh. Service was great as well. Different flare from your typical mexican restaurant. Unfortunately, our hefty leftovers for take home got mixed up. My daughter ended up someone else's. I sent a note to the restaurant letting them know - and within 3 minutes they called to credit my account for the two meals that never made it home. Mistakes happen, would not let this bring the rating down - I'll return. Now I call that customer service!
(5)
Jamie J.
There are two things that I expect from a good Mexican restaurant. Good guacamole and good margaritas. I went here for a business lunch, so I can't comment on the margaritas. But the guac? Some of the worst I've had. Over salted with odd flavors I couldn't identify. And $9.99 for a small bowl? The entree was similarly over seasoned and chewy and the service was indifferent. If you think this place might be an acceptable fallback to frontera, think again. There are plenty of other good restaurants in the vicinity. Go there instead.
(2)
Ash K.
Upscale mexican , great decor. busy place but friendly service. you got to try their mojoto's.
(5)
Sunny D.
Beautiful space. Well prepared and tasty food. But, I won't be visiting again. Waaaaaay too expensive for lunch. The lunch enchilada dish is a single enchilada with rice. No beans. For $10. I left hungry. Perhaps I'll come back after I win the lottery and getting value for my money is not a priority.
(2)
Alexia G.
I didn't particularly enjoy my first experience here. The service was not up to par. The waiter wrote down the wrong order, and when the bus boy brought it, I told him that it was was wrong and asked him if I could see the menu. He immediately rolled his eyes and left..... The waiter then came back and apologized is mistake, and I believe that he was truly sincere about the apology, but if I had seen the manager, I would have definitey complained about the bus boy. The food had a nice presentation, but it was nothing spectacular. We ordered tableside guacamole as an appetizer and did not get it until AFTER our food came, even with the meal mistake. And the lady making it was SUPER SWEATY as if she was working too hard. Maybe there shoud be more guacamole people...lol...The ambiance was great and it seems like it would be a great spot to grab a drink.... I MAY give this restaurant a try with hopes of having a better experience second time around.
(3)
Ccc C.
i went there for the first time last Sunday and again this past Saturday. The decor is beautiful and the wait staff is super nice and efficient. The food is fresh and delicious. The chips are amazing and addicting! The margarita was great. No too sweet. And i feel like this place is authentic despite the place being modern. Notice the wait staff is all Hispanics which I love! i love the guacomole cart which they prepare fresh at your table. That reminds me of when I was in Puerta Vallarta.
(5)
Mary S.
Beautiful exterior and interior. But NOISY! The high ceiling contributes to the extreme noise level. The food is very good. I love the mahi mahi fish tacos and the guacamole is very good. Prices are reasonable and portions are good. House margarita is excellent. Staff is helpful and informative. Service is almost too fast early evening as the staff tries to turn tables. Come later but don't expect to be able to carry on a conversation because of the noise. Try to sit upstairs which is much more intimate.
(3)
Genious C.
Cool restaurant. Service and food are average....will not be returning.
(3)
Ke M.
The restaurant itself is gorgeous (great for a date night!). The chips and guacamole were delicious and no complaints on the drinks either. I went with a large group (with a reservation - the place was packed!) but I would generally recommend a small group or date. Our server was great considering how busy it was and the food came out warm and delicious.
(4)
Ken R.
An average place for Mexican in Chicago. Food was just OK (not bad, but nothing special). There were, however, way too many guys wearing backwards baseball caps. Huge space, very contemporary setting.
(1)
Noredia A.
Good food, but somewhat pricey for mexican food.
(4)
John R.
We were a group of four in early (5pm) on Saturday evening. We were seated right away. The hostess was friendly. Our waiter Roberto was over right away. He was phenomenal! Full of recommendations. He knew the menu inside out. We ordered drinks. The mojitos were all good. The chips and fresh made daily salsas were good. You must order the guacamole that is made fresh at your tableside. I ordered the chicken pozole soup. Full of flavor. Our entrees came quickly. My wife tried the quail. I had the barbacoa tacos. Both were good. My in-laws enjoyed their entrees. Roberto was attentive and full of energy. We had to pass on desert. The selection appeared to be good. A minor highlight, but an important one, came as we went to leave. We were sitting towards the front of this very large downtown restaurant. Business had picked up and the place was full. I got up, saw a hostess and asked where the restroom was located. She WALKED us across the large restaurant to the restrooms. Not told us, or pointed us, but WALKED us. In Chicago, most places, the customer service is so so at best. A rare combo of great food and great customer service. At Cantina Laredo, we received some of the best service in our two years as residents and we will be back.
(5)
Rob T.
Service was great, food was good, pomegranate margarita was strong, sizzling chocolate brownie was awesome!
(5)
Chi-foodie A.
lets start from all of the great and best of this establishment, the restaurant itself is located in a very demanding neighborhood of river north Chicago, competition is what flaws in this part of the city.. how ever I like the decor 2 floors fireplaces private rooms look very cozy and welcoming, I walked in, was welcomed by the host, seated promptly and very polite, but seem she did not know where was I supposed to be seated "in a almost empty restaurant" um mm, then I made a request to be seated n by the fireplace! granted loved it. server was outstanding very knowledgeable, like their tomatillo salsa whith the fresh chips slightly crispy , ordered their ceviche for appetizer, was average to much lime, if I am not mistaking they add a bit of vinegar!! over all good. For main course ordered carnitas they were the best I ever try in a Tex-Mex place.They were served with rice, vegetable of the day and side of corn tortillas. The veggies were nice and crisp, the rice was flavorless for my personal taste and hard, the tortillas were cold as well therefore this place for me was more like a 3 start on the food except the outstanding carnitas. + decor +knowledgeable servers +space
(4)
Marcus W.
Ive been here a couple times now and I have become a huge fan! Its a beautiful restaurant, and its right by the red line grand stop, which makes it easy getting home. The margaritas are fantastic and the tableside guac is delicious. The first time I had the Poblano Asada, it was a great combination of flavors, the second time I had the barbacoa enchiladas, outstanding! Ive eaten at other places in River North, and I have to say this place is great to eat and drink without breaking the bank. Will be back again!!
(5)
Phil L.
I am a fan. We had great service ( Corey) and wonderful food. The only Issue I had was that they do not offer combinations of the entrees like many Mexican restaurants and gives the dinner to chance to sample a cross section of dishes.
(4)
Nicholl D.
Went for dinner on a Friday night. We made reservations through Open Table. When we arrived the lobby and bar area were packed but we were seated right away. The place has very nice decor. It's modern, trendy and looks nothing like a Mexican restuarant. The menu is pretty basic. There are a few Mexican specialties or tacos and enchiladas. They make gaucomole fresh at your table. My husband had fajitas and I had chicken enchiladas. The only choice in tortillas for any of the entrees was flour. We both prefer corn. While the food wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. There was nothing about it that stood out. The enchiladas were dry. It's like they put the sauce on after it's been cooked rather than cooking them in the sauce which I believe is the traditional way to make them. If you are looking for good, authentic Mexican food then this is not the place. If you want a trendy date night downtown that won't break your wallet, this will do.
(3)
Bryan W.
Not only do they make custom guacamole right there at your table, but the chili con queso was easily some of the best I've ever had. It's that perfect mix of warm and creamy but just thick enough that the perfect amount sticks on your chip every time. I could have stopped right there (they are very generous with the chips), but the enchiladas were just too tempting. It was love at first bite. Overall I think the place is great. It's clean, decorated w class (lots if wood metal and modern art) and the food was delicious. I'll be back there again.
(4)
Nelly H.
This place is absolutely horrible. Food lacks flavor bland is more like it. Ive never have ever had bland mexican cuisine.To top it off my dessert had a hair in it and all you can muster is a quiet "sorry" and nothing else is unreal to me.
(1)
Paul R.
Love this place, guac is awesome and the tortas are ridiculous. Shrimp tacos are killer as well. Some of the best chips and salsa I have ever had. The atmosphere is nice as well, good to have a Mexican restaraunt that is not your typical hole in the wall.
(4)
Josh V.
I dined here for a preview/soft open/whatever the heck you call it on Sunday. It's across the street from my friend's place and a decent walk from mine, so I was looking forward to checking this place out. Given that it wasn't officially "open" yet I'll forgive most of the service issues. The waiter was nice and apologized for the problems that we did encounter. And the food WAS all 50% off. What did I like? The space. It's very big, lots of windows, classy, modern decor. Several gas-burning fireplaces, cool fixtures. Really quite posh! So, on to the food. They do table-side preparation for the guacamole. We waited probably 20 minutes for that. I hope they plan on adding more guac-carts, because they have to expect it's going to be a popular item. Our guacamole was good, BUT the lady who made it just rolled up, made the stuff and set the bowl on our table. It would have been nice if we had a chance to customize the spiciness of it or something. Otherwise making it table-side is largely a gimmick. OK, well at least we know it's really fresh! It's also $10 for a moderate-sized bowl, which seems a bit steep. The torta I got was adequate at best. The brisket meat was tasty, but there wasn't a whole lot of it, and the bread kind of ruined the whole thing. Rather than a traditional torta bread, they used something more like Italian bread; it was dense, dry and there was too much of it. The sandwich was served cut in half, with each half standing upright in a brown-ish (mole?) sauce. Dipping each bite in the sauce was the only thing that saved this torta from being an overly-bready disaster. And the price tag? Normally $12 or $13 (I forget) for just the sandwich... it doesn't come with a side. That's several dollars more than it's worth for sure. My dining companions seemed to think their food was good or OK. No one was wowed. One of the two salsas they brought with the chips was delicious, the other was just good. At least my margarita was quite tasty. I'll probably give them a month or two to work out their kinks and try them again, but unless they step things up a notch I don't think the food will end up being worth the price they're charging. Right now you're paying for location more than anything else.
(3)
Carol K.
The suburbs have come to River North. Yep- that's what this sprawling, beautiful building reminds me of- a suburban outpost that got dropped into the city amidst other chains like Weber Grill and Rock Bottom. A Dallas chain with about 35 other locations around the country, this is an aggressive venture that this ownership group has taken on. First of all, the space. We're talking HUGE people! Two levels, with the first floor being the more traditional restaurant space with giant leatherette booths, stone walls and fireplaces. I can't imagine getting a table here is ever going to be a problem! Here- the full menu is available and I think they are trying for a "family friendly" vibe by the amount of high chairs that are stacked in the back and the size of the booths (interesting choice for this neck of the woods!). We were a table of two and were seated in a giant booth but after looking around- it appeared that there really were no two tops. The bar on this floor was filled with more of what I thought this place would draw- urban upscale professionals. But the restaurant? Couldn't quite put my finger on who was there. Tourists? Friends of the staff? It was an odd gathering of individuals. Head up the staircase in the front (quite a lovely feature) and you find yourself in a little more trendy space with seating groupings where the food portions are more like "nibbles" or tapas. Up here- the servers seem to be all women . . .I guess they are trying for a lounge vibe? But there didn't appear to be a DJ or anything so I am not really sure what differentiates the two areas. So given it was opening week- there were managers and servers everywhere! Even before you get in the door there were 4 women standing out front showing off their menus and several managers came over to our table during our visit. We started with their tableside guacamole. Good- but isn't the whole point of making it in front of me to "customize" it to my likes? The woman making it never said a word or asked us how hot or not we wanted it. A huge miss! The food was good and came up really fast. I had the shrimp tacos and my friend had the chille rellano. Funny- looking at the outside of this place- I was expecting "upscale" Mexican food. This is sort of in between . . not upscale but certainly not the huge plates of food that you get in a traditional Mexican place. Our server, David, though, is what pushed this to a four star review for me. Personable, friendly, knowledgeable, so much so, by the end of our meal, we felt as if we had made a new friend. He was great and as a seasoned server, took all the new opening "blues" in stride. It was almost comical the amount of times this drink runner kept bringing someone else's drinks to our table but I'm used to that during opening week but David just kept pointing her in the right direction. Desserts smelled better than they were. We ordered the Mexican apple pie which was a cold piece of pie served on a hot skillet topped with ice cream and a butter sauce. Again, like the tableside guac- here it's all about the presentation as the pie is presented tableside so you hear the sizzle as it's put on the skilled and get other "Food cues" as the sauce is poured, but the pie fell flat and tasted store bought rather than made in house. Dinner with drinks for two ran about $90. There is no valet parking right now (not sure if that is permanent or if that is just because State Street is still torn up) but there are two parking garages nearby that will run you about $25 for a couple of hours of parking. So all in all- a huge, beautiful space that serves predictable Mexican food by friendly servers. If it weren't for our server, this would really only be a three star review as it was just A-OK in my book!
(4)
Jaclyn W.
Love the atmosphere of this place, especially the long fireplace they have towards the back of the restaurant. Has a nice upscale/trendy feel for a Mexican restaurant, but was NOT impressed by the service. A friend and I came in here on a Thurs evening and it wasn't super packed so we were able to sit down immediately. After the waiter took our drink orders and served us drinks he didn't come back for like...20 minutes (and we flagged him down). My friend had the house margarita and I had the Pomegrante Mojito and we both thought they were just okay. After our food was served the waiter did NOT come back until we flagged him down the the check... The real surprise here is how DELICIOUS the salads are! DEFINITELY reccomend the ensalada de mango y pollo, and my friend had the shrimp salad. DELISH - was scraping my plate! Guac isn't anything special, but the sauces they serve with the tortilla chips are really good. Overall it was okay - not dying to go back unless I am craving that salad...
(3)
Heidi R.
I came here with HIGH expectations from other reviewers. Wow was I disappointed. The server was obnoxious and trying to up sell us on everything. We got salsa and chips dropped to the table before water - kind of hard to eat spicy salsa without water. We ordered a bottle of wine and queso for an appetizer. The server was rude about the wine we chose and actually had the nerve to bring a different and more expensive bottle to the table. We thought that was very "dirty car salesman" and just plan rude. We still chose to drink the bottle we originally ordered as it was what we wanted. We got our queso and ran out of chips very quickly as there were 4 of us eating. We had more than 1/2 the queso left and by the time we had to ask for more chips the queso was cold. The food was nothing to brag about - we split 3 entrees. Chile rellano, brisket enchiladas and a chicken dish. The brisket was tasty but nothing too special. Everything came with rice and zucchini. Bland. The best part of the night was having the manager come to the table as the food was dropped. I asked her to come back to the table after we ate so we could share our concerns about the rude server... and she never returned. And neither will I.
(1)
Stephanie W.
I've been here for dinner several times and brunch once. I don't think I've ever eaten anything I didn't like. TRY: guac, enchiladas veracruz, tacos de pollo, the chicken fajita omelette.
(4)
Danielle L.
I have been to this restaurant three times and each time the food was amazing. Very flavorful, authentic yet innovative. i highly recommend the dish (can't recall the name) but it is seasoned, grilled steak wrapped around a cheese and shrimp stuffed poblano. The restaurant is beautiful with great ambiance: contemporary but classy. The service was outstanding two out of three of our visits. On the third visit, our server must have been having a bad night. We complained and the follow up by management was appropriate.
(5)
Tawana W.
Tried this place today for lunch. The decor is fabulous, my waiter was a mind reader and my food was quite fresh and tasty. My only wishes were that the chips were a little fresher and saltier and that more guac and salsa been presented. I went with a group of 6 with a reservation and we will be back again. After I meal I tried the brownie, apple pie, churro and mango tres leches cake. I would have the churros and mango tres leches cake any night of the week!
(4)
Jami S.
Decent Mexican food. Not the greatest dinner or margaritas in the city but okay. If you are looking for fantastic margaritas and guac then go to Zocalo, it's def better! The ambience is better then the food. The location is great and the restaurant is very cool inside. Def worth it to check it out. Next time we will just go to the upstairs bar area for drinks and guac. I wouldn't go back for dinner.
(3)
Julie B.
Fabulous margaritas and great food. One of my favorites spots for Mexican!
(4)
Rob B.
A beautiful spot, for sure. Was sorry that Open Table showed no openings and we arrived to a very empty restaurant. Table side guacamole was indeed awesome! We loved the roasted jalapeños but to say this is enough for 2-4 people is disingenuous.. As I was doing slow carb, we asked for some celery sticks in addition to the chips, for the guacamole, and while it caused a pause in service, he brought a big portion. There was mo charge for the celery when the check came. The taco pollo, and carnitas were awesome and generous! The carnitas was what we know in Foodservice as pig wings. But no matter if they buy these pre-cooked in a bag, their finish on them is awesome. Smokey and fall off the bone! We would return and want to try dessert and margaritas when the diet is done.
(4)
K V.
Half off food is a great idea from 4-7. Shrimp tacos are awesome. Good joint for Happy Hour menu. The staff seem a bit preoccupied but the food was decent even with the very thick taco shells. I ended up eating the inside of the tacos but the overall experience was good. Nothing spectacular. The staff also seem to spend a lot of time talking and less time asking if there is anything else you may need.
(3)
Heather R.
Went there for the first time the other day + wasn't particularly blown away. The food was decent but the menu selection isn't very expansive and entrees are overpriced. As a vegetarian, there were 2 things I could eat on the entire menu. Roberto was our server and much like the other reviews stated, he was inattentive and rude. First he forgot about us for 30 minutes without explanation or apology, then forgot to deliver our second order of drinks and when we finally got them, he whisked them away as we finished our food even though our glasses were still half full. I feel that my experience could have been much better if not for Roberto. If you'd still like to try it out for the food, that's fine. Just ask for anyone else to serve you but him. I'd like to offer an alternative if you're up for some tasty southwestern/mexican food: head to Zapatista in South Loop. The food is delicious and the service is even better. You will not be disappointed. zapatistarestaurant.com
(2)
D O.
The Cantina is my go-to place for a nice drink and snack down town. I'm a huge fan of their ceviche and the vegetable entree options. I enjoy their tall ceilings, wooden walls, and fire accents; they make it always feel summery cool.
(4)
Ashley M.
Decor - 5 - Slap a baby rabbit if someone tells you that this place is not one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Chicago. It has such a feel like...yes, I should be here! That kind of feel. Not stuffy or arrogant, more open and inviting. Many areas to cozy up to as well. Beautiful decor, if you're in a group of 4-6, try to get the wine glass room. It is beautiful. Service - 4 - Wonderful service, couldn't find him for a long time at one point and someone else noticed this and took over and talked to us about the restaurant for a little while. Food - 4 - Try the chicken fajita nachos. mmmmmMM!! Drinks - 4.5 - Strong margaritas, delicious!!
(4)
Cherisse G.
Made a reservation for 9 online, only 7 showed up due to last minute cancellations and nobody blew a gasket. We were seated in a semi-private room that faced the main dining area with one wall full of wine yet the doors were open and there was a TV on an adjoining wall. Our little room was lit more brightly and we were greeted within a few minutes. Our server Ricardo was nice, but always seemed to be walking through the room and then he was gone and would reappear. To start the guacamole lady came around and made it fresh by the table. What they don't tell you is that they charge you for each bowl of guac made, because our server asked us if we wanted to try it, and that was that. No big deal because it was really good though. I ordered the mango mojito which was good, but really not strong at all. I ordered the shrimp tacos, SO GOOD. And for dessert we all ordered a few like the mango tres leches cake, churro, and mexican apple pie with cinnamon icecream. You wouldn't think cinnamon ice cream could be so good but I was wrong! I definitely want to come back again. It's a great atmosphere for a group of friends. Definitely want to come when it's warm out to eat on the outside dining.
(4)
Brad P.
The other reviews I read were spot on: great food and atmosphere, slow service. In defense of the service, we were a large group and fortunately not in a big hurry. The chips and salsa were above average, the Casa Rita was top notch, and the carne asada was terrific. I would go back.
(4)
Mike W.
I wouldn't say this is authentic Mexican by any means but that doesn't mean that the food wasn't pretty tasty. we both had enchiladas and liked both of them. The free chips and salsa was also pretty good. It was too busy on a Monday night so that was a plus cuz we got seated right away.
(4)
Shradha A.
10th review for this place that just opened last week opposite Hotel Palomar! What does strike you first is how massive this structure is - two floors and about 8-10,000 sq ft on each floor! You walk in and are greeted by 7-8 cheery hostesses waiting to find you a table.. Pretty packed - the food smells good. We instantly order their table-side guacamole as it's touted to be their best! We are not disappointed, except that the quantity could have been more and the person making it should have had us taste it before dropping it on the table and leaving - isn't that the concept of table-side - that it's made to taste? For entrees, we got the enchilada and were happy with it too. Their desserts looked yum when they brought the tray around, but we were too full to give it a try this time around. Service overall was friendly and the manager even stopped by at the end to ask how everything went. Definitely worth coming back and also want to make note of the large private dining rooms that could fit up to 20 - great venue to host birthday or corporate dinners!
(4)
John K.
Ate here for the first time a couple weeks ago, and i have to say that it is actually really good, especially for a chain. You definitely need to order the fresh guacamole. I got the fajitas combo(steak and chicken) and it was also very good. Will definitely go back, especially since i live in the building next door!
(4)
Joan C.
5 stars for ambiance - 2 stars for food. What you're really paying for is the sites - sleek, modern, clean lines, with southwestern accent pieces to make this place seem mexican. It could also pass for upscale sushi in there too - with the exception of the guacamole cart lady walking around, charging $10 for 'top shelf' guac - meaning 'assemble it in front of you' guac. It was good, but nothing earth-shattering. I ordered the beef enchiladas, which portion-wise, was adequate opposed to the 'gargantuan' portions that i'm used to seeing at dumpier mex restaurants. Service was friendly and prompt. I will definitely return to try some drinks because I took a peek at their upstairs lounge, and it looks inviting... but I'd skip on the mediocre food.
(3)
Faisal S.
Beautiful interior. Good service. Great drinks and bar vibe. The problem is the food. I was expecting more. It's not bad but for the price and the vibe you would expect more. The carne asada was stringy and very chewy. Come on guys, get with the program. I want to like you a lot but can't.
(3)
Steven R.
Mediocre at best. Huge space that will soon be a tourist destination if it survives. Food was fine, service was poor. I'd maybe go back with a group of guys to grab some drinks but that's it.
(2)
H I.
2 stars is charitable.. 1 for the service and 1 for the ambience. We started out with mediocre margaritas. Then came the barbacoa tacos... The meat was so tough and dry that we had to return the item and order the tacos fajitas instead, which was only marginally better. The mole (which they claim is one of their "signature" items) was unimpressive and heavy on the chocolate. They have a lot to learn about mole and mexican food in general!
(2)
Danny Y.
I'm going to start this review by pointing out that ratings seem to be all over the board. That inconsistency should say something to anyone considering eating here. My experience at Cantina Laredo was pathetic, salvaged only by the party I was with, my best friend Jake from out of town, his cousin Amanda and her friend Jackie, and another couple (Gary and Linita) I had only met this evening. Kicking off with the food and drinks. Nobody was particularly impressed with the drinks they got. Mojitos and Margaritas, standard fare, standard taste. The food was, in a word: "uncompelling". It was bland, not particularly warm, and the boring salsa drizzled on top of my 'Enchiladas de Barbecoa' was dried up like it had been sitting for several minutes. Nobody else felt that their orders were particularly great though there weren't any real complaints. It felt like corporate mexican fare for unimaginative palettes. Decor was 'modern' and clean, but to me, that equates to sterile and flat. It was open and spacious and lacked color. Beige walls, beige trim, and beige bricks under beige lighting. To be fair, they were all varying shades of beige. Now the service. I can safely say that I have never, in my life, had worse service than at this particular meal. I'm sorry, 'Richard', I have to call you out on this one. Our waiter was rude, passive aggressive, and not particularly attentive. The restaurant was relatively empty on this Monday night and we were his only table. Our table was a semi-circle booth and I was at one end, my friend Jake at the other. He asked if we had questions and no one else did except for me. After I asked my question, I figured since I was already talking and had his attention, I would go ahead and order. I'm used to a waiter starting at one side of a group and moving in one direction to keep everything straight. However, Richard thought it would be better to let the Ladies order first. Chivalry isn't dead! Except the way he said it was surprisingly rude and abrupt. I felt like he might as well have said, "Hey, you misogynist jerkface (except with stronger language), can't you see there are ladies present?" Stunned into silence, I sat back while he took the orders and then gave him mine when he deemed it suitable for me to do so. Then he walked away. Now, perhaps I was just reading into things. Perhaps, realizing I was indeed being an inconsiderate jerk I was merely feeling defensive and projecting fault onto our waiter. Perhaps I was only imagining the uncomfortable silence at our table. That's when one of the ladies (Linita) broke the ice by commenting: "Wow, that was really rude and messed up!" Everyone at the table agreed that his method was very rude and his tone very insulting. Ladies ordering first, nice idea. Calling one of your customers out as an ass is not. This might have been forgotten if not for the fact that when he brought the food out to the table, he served ALL OF THE GUYS FIRST. Yes, after making a big show of how rude I was to not let the ladies order first, he neglects to serve them until after he has served the men. The irony of it was shocking and dominated our table conversation for half of the meal. Also, while bringing out the food as he was passing a plate to Gary, Gary reached up to take it and set it down and Richard says, "Don't touch it!" his tone was admonishing and very imperative. After he left, Gary tested the plate, which wasn't hot. Of course they don't want you to burn yourself on a hot plate, but in every place I've been, the server offered a warning of a hot plate or 'asked' us to be cautious, etc. Richard's command came off as startlingly rude. Finally, we ate our meal and were ready for the check. Richard did not offer to split the check or ask, simply brought it to us, altogether. I understand, he was very busy with his only table. Of course, now I'm just being petty, surely I don't expect him to just assume we want the check split. It's fine, we split the check ourselves and wrote on the back of the receipt how much each of us were going to pay and give him four cards (I was going to pay cash and Gary and Lina were paying together). He looks at what we've done and says, "Oh, I guess you wanted me to split the check." Very passive-aggressive. "Actually, Richard, you don't need to because we've already done it for you." As he leaves to split the checks, my friend Jake sums it all up into one meaningful sentence: "I feel like we have, in some way, inconvenienced our Waiter by choosing to eat here tonight." As a final insult, my bill was $15.49. I gave him a twenty. He brought me $4 in change. Last time I checked, $20 - $15.49 was $4.51. Just some basic arithmetic. Well, whatever, Richard, keep it, you've earned your tip. I have never in my life tipped less than 15% before and generally tip at 25%... thanks for the new experience!
(1)
Manish P.
stopped by cantina laredo for lunch back in may. i dont remember the food as much but i know it was good. the thing that i wont forget is the table side guac which was sooo good. you can pick what type of peppers you want and etc. the best part of this place were the drinks! nice and strong and tasted delicious. gave me a nice happy hour buzz and i was off to explore the rest of chicago for the day. im sure there are plenty of better mexican places to eat in chicago but this was a good experience. also enjoyed the modern decor of the place. all in all, come for the drinks, and the foods pretty good as well.
(4)
Joni L.
Beautiful, modern, large space with better than average Mexican food. I had the yummy carne asada and a Skinny Berry 'ita. Guacamole didn't have much flavor but service was attentive and friendly. Kudos for the consistent refill on the chips and salsa.
(3)
Mike M.
Been here a couple times already, both at the extremely wallet friendly happy hour appetizers (which can easily be a whole meal). This place has specials going daily, so it's worth checking out on different days. Otherwise, great atmosphere, especially upstairs in the loungey fire place area, good food and good drinks. Definitely worth the price, especially during half price appetizer hour (otherwise, it can get a but pricey for guac and some tacos...)
(4)
Don J.
This is a review for Cantina Laredos brunch which I had on Sunday the 27th. First impressions is that it is a huge classy restaurant, with friendly staff and it was pretty much empty. We were seated near one of their fireplaces which made a nice difference on a cold and wet Chicago afternoon. Our server was Pierre I think and he was great throughout. Yes it was quiet, but he ensured we had everything we needed/wanted straight away. As soon as we were seated we were given fresh chips and two salsas which were great. A nice way to start the brunch. We started with the Chicken fajita which was ok. I prefer Uncle Julios fajitas but thats purely because it comes with a soft wrap as opposed to the heavily toasted at Cantine Laredo. The Mrs had a Mimosa which she said was very good. I had the Torta de Pollo which was the best sandwich I have ever tasted in a Mexican restaurant (much better than XOXO). It was packed which perfectly spiced Chicken and it anything was too big for one person to eat on his own. The Mrs had a Chicken fajita omelet and it was good but similar to anything you could get a Yolk or any other breakfast place. Overall, a very nice restaurant which you should try at least once. Hopefully there business will pick up as the owners have invested heavily in the restaurant.
(3)
Aaron L.
2* Top Shelf Guacamole 3.5* Beef Fajitas 2* Enchiladas De Mole 2.5* Enchiladas De Barbacoa 5* Warm Salsa with Chips (There's a warm and cold)
(2)
Eric W.
Got drinks and dinner here on a beautiful day. Windows were open on the second floor. Lots of space and service was great. Table-side guac was fantastic, and 1/2 off to boot! Margaritas tasted good. I like that they use lemon and lime juice in the margaritas. BF liked the ahi tuna tacos, but I wasn't really a fan of the vegetarian taquitos. They were boring. Guac more than made up for it though.
(5)
Brian C.
I've had Cantina Laredo in several cities. This location must have had a spice addict cooking the night I went. None of us could eat our feed due to massive heat. Beyond that, even the chips were bland. Not a good experience in the CL front in Chicago.
(2)
Martin M.
Zucchini does NOT fire me up. Atmosphere is fine, kind of a fake modern vibe to it but whatever, it was pleasant and clean. Staff was all helpful and friendly, no issues there. The food was really, really disappointing. Got a barbacoa enchilada and it was terrible - an accusation I dont make lightly. The meat was extremely greasy and there was a massive reservoir of grease on the plate to prove it. The "ranchero sauce", which I thought would be something similar to a mole, ended up being nothing more than stewed tomatoes and onions. In what world are unseasoned stewed tomatoes and onions "ranchero sauce"??? Did they serve beans along with the side of rice? Nope, zucchini...friggin zucchini. Zucchini. Awful. As a final insult, it was one single normal-sized enchilada. Not two or three like you get everywhere else, just one (not that I wanted any more of it). The whole dish was about the worst I've had at any Mexican place anywhere and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. The person I was with hated their meal too. The restaurant business is a tough world and if my experience was any indication, these folks better get their acts together if they plan on sticking around.
(2)
Sheryl P D.
Since the day they opened, this place has been my go-to. In fact, I made the mistake of walking in for lunch the day before they opened, mistaking the activity inside as a sign they were open. On that day the manager greeted me, invited me to come back, etc.,, and over time I came to know him and the staff very well -- I worked across the street and used to go frequently for lunches, drinks after work, dinners, etc. I still head there for happy hour wine or margaritas, and never miss a chance to have their quacamole. I lived in NM for many years, so I know my way around an order of qucamole -- Cantina Laredo's is the best I have ever tasted. As for food, whether you get avacado enchiladas (amazing), fish tacos (amazing), chicken quesadillas (amazing), or a mole (equally amazing), you're going to love the food, and be amazed the price is so affordable given the location. This place could easily charge a lot more for entrees. This year I met friends their for my birthday dinner and that same manager I met the very first day, whose been seeing me come in and out for years, stunned me by giving us a bottle of wine on the house as a bday gift and thanking me for always being such a good customer. Amazing. I'll keep going to Cantina as long as I live in Chicago. Amazing food, great service, great location, great atmosphere/vibe.
(5)
Diana K.
Came here for late-night dinner (about 9pm) on a Friday night with a group of 6 because we were craving Latin food and it was close to the Marriott hotel on the next block. Had a 45 minute wait for dinner downstairs so opted to sit upstairs at the bar/lounge area which has a shorter menu and no wait. The atmosphere was great and the food was very good - we sampled most everything on the bar menu including guacamole, shrimp tacos, ceviche, and churros. I would come again.
(4)
Michael F.
No Issues with Cantina Laredo. Went in for drinks and a small meal - thoroughly enjoyed the margaritas and the food was good and somewhat unmemorable. Service throughout the night was so-so, with our waiter being somewhat inattentive. I would go back for drinks and light snacks (think guac and something to share at the table), but probably would not consider it for a full meal.
(3)
Mindy S.
Dined here with a group of 8 on an incredibly busy Friday night. Waitress service was fantastic. Food came out quickly, drinks were never empty. Really a great option for a fun atmosphere. They have some chairs on a small outdoor patio (it is enclosed by a brick wall), and a small fire pit/place - looked like a fun time out there as well. Definitely try the fresh made guac, ceviche, barbacoa tacos.
(4)
George D.
Been to this joint twice...Place looks great.. Food is ok but service could be a lot better.
(3)
Andrea H.
I've never had a bad thing here! Amazing guac :)
(5)
Kedar U.
I recently had dinner at Cantina Laredo on State St. and enjoyed the food and overall experience. I had the enchiladas de oxaca and the house margarita both were great! The restaurant is quite large and the decor contemporary and inviting. I especially liked the large glass door enclosed party table room.
(4)
Shannon W.
Love Cantina Laredo! This is a perfect and very modern spot for authentic Mexican food, especially their guacamole, which is made table-side. I had the chicken tacos, and despite them being extremely spicy (a little too hot, for my taste), they were very fresh and delicious. Definitely a great spot for groups and happy hour.
(4)
Amy L.
Best queso of my life!
(5)
Ben C.
Great atmosphere for a date or a group of friends. Really cool and modern decor. The guacamole is made table-side and is delicious. Margaritas were delicious. The chicken enchiladas I got were either just okay or I was too full from eating too much chips and salsa/guacamole - rookie mistake, I know.
(4)
Andrea G.
The spot is beautiful. The food is decent, although I can think of a lot of better mexican restaurants in the city. The ceviche had a good flavor, but the fish/shrimp was realllly tough. My mojito was practically undrinkable because everytime I took a sip I wound up with a lot of stuff up the straw and in my mouth. I know what is in a mojito, but I don't want to eat it. The steak quesadilla was good - nothing to write home about though. The service was awful. A girlfriend and I sat at the bar, and the bartender didn't smile once. she looked miserable and basically didn't say a single word from the time we got our / food drinks, until she dropped off the check. I don't think you have to be the third part of our table, but look like you give a shit.
(2)
Akta D.
If you're gonna go here get the guac and chips and dessert. The vegetarian dish is good but why waste the calories and vital stomach space when you can have two desserts and chips! Get the apple pie and churros! soo good.
(4)
Caitlin A.
If it is a beautiful summer day and you are in the mood for some fresh guacamole, definately stop by Cantina Laredo. They can open up some of the walls and create an open air dining room which is nice if you like the feeling of being outside without having to sit in the boiling sun. The margaritas were just fine, nothing to rave about but nothing to complain about either. They make the guacamole tableside which is a nice touch but again nothing to rave about. I would go back but it certainly is not on my top ten list.
(4)
Jim T.
Lots of good Mexican and Texmex places throughout the city, this isn't one. Not bad, but nothing memorable. Plus with the Rick Bayless options just down the street why even bother coming here? Maybe for margaritas and lounging but not for food. Think if someone put a ChiChis in a modern Mexican museum.
(3)
Radhika A.
Good for working lunches and after work dinner and drinks with colleagues. Food and drinks are good, not out of this world.
(3)
Willow M.
Great guacamole, love the atmosphere and they half off appetizers upstairs are incredible. I highly recommend the steak pizza with cherries- it was delicious.
(4)
A G.
First, like many other reviewers have said, the service was SLOW. We were seated for over an hour before the waiter took our order. Food was just ok, nothing special and very overpriced. The sangria tasted like a mix and was too sour. Mojitos were good. I was excited to try the freshly made guacamole since so many people were raving about it. It left much to be desired. It had an odd bitter taste to it. The atmosphere was nice but the seating was very uncomfortable. I wouldn't go back.
(2)
Blossom C.
Loved the happy hour! We got 5 different things since everything was half off. The chips and salsa were excellent, the margaritas were superb, and everything tasted fresh and delicious! The ambiance was really cool too, very modern, we enjoyed sitting on the second floor where the windows were all open looking out onto state street. I am looking forward to coming back for another happy hour!
(5)
Claudia R.
Cantina Laredo has excellent Margaritas and is a really open and airy space. At first I didn't even realize it was a chain.
(4)
Andrew H.
Great food, drinks, and atmosphere. The open air section on the second floor is a great place for a cocktail. The service wasn't great, but it could just be a setback of being a new restaurant. The shrimp enchiladas were very good, but the guacamole didn't quite live up to the hype. We had a great time and I would definitely head there again with a large group.
(3)
Kevin H.
We had dinner here on a Thursday night and were appalled at the bad service and mediocre food. For such a fancy-looking / expensive place, we expected so much more. After being seated, we were completely ignored for at least 15 minutes. We almost walked out. Finally we got to order drinks and some food. After a very long time, our food arrived. We had asked for wine with the meal several times and it didn't arrive until we were essentially done eating. ...lots of other little complaints. But the bottom line: I would go to Blue Agave for mexican over this place any day.
(1)
christine d.
I went here last night to celebrate my birthday with my parents and my room mate and like the other times I have been here, it did not disappoint. The ambiance, the service, and the food were amazing. The chips and salsa are fresh (and they have a spicy habanero salsa too!) that are served warm. We had the table side guacamole that is fresh and delicious. I had the veggie enchiladas which were amazing. Being vegetarian I couldnt try the other dishes (barbacoa enchiladas, fish tacos, and shrimp stuffed chicken) though the reviews from my parents and roomie were stellar. For being in River North, you would think this place would be loud, expensive, and over rated, but its not. You can still carry on a conversation, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and the food is out standing. I will definitely be back and recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Jamie A.
First the good news- Cantina Laredo serves the best carnitas that I've ever tasted. It's tender, flavorful and served in large portions. The guacamole, made tableside, is also very good. The drawback here is that service is a bit too quick. I got the feeling that turning the table and getting the next guests seated was more of a priority than making sure that my table was having a memorable and pleasant experience (even after i mentioned that we were celebrating a birthday). Still, I'd eat here again, but next time I'll have the expectation that I'll be in and out in an hour.
(3)
Jessica N.
Came here with my grandparents last night (I have super hip grandparents) and had a great time. They had been before and were excited to show it off to me. It was 7pm on a Tuesday and my grandmother asked to be seated in a "quieter" section. The hostess was very friendly and escorted us to an empty section of the restaurant. The noise was still bustling but none of us minded. The table side guac, as everyone says, is fantastic. If you have been to Adobo, it is similar to that. Fresh, yummy and made just the way you like it. They also had two salsas one hot one mild, both very yummy. My grandmother ordered the reg mojito and it was huge, delicious and beautiful with lots of limes and mint. I had the pomegranate margarita which was STRONG! Like, almost too strong (this was a night with the g'rents after all) The server was very friendly and helpful. We ordered beef fajitas (tender delicious med rare meat) Tamales barbacoa (yummy! Very diff, with artichoke, spinach and mushroom in with the meat) and tacos carinitas (also yummy) and everyone was happy with their dish. Valet was $11.95 but the red line is nearby, if you can swing that instead. And of course, cabs are abundant. Bottom line: there is lots of great authentic mexican in Chicago and if you want that, you should go to Pilsen or to one of the many great places on the Northside. But if you are downtown, and looking for a nice dinner this place has really delicious Mexican fusion (my grandmother was calling it mexish) strong, very well made drinks, delicious guac, a great atmosphere, and friendly service. I am a fan and looking forward to trying more of the menu.
(4)
Lauren S.
Margaritas are simply to die for, and I love that they make the guacamole to taste for you. A little pricey, but well worth it for the drinks and guacamole. The dishes are good but nothing that blew my mind, so I marked it down a star.
(4)
Ronnie P.
If you're searching for unique, unbeatable Mexican fare, skip cantina Laredo. While The food is generally good and the chips are excellent (thin and crispy), the food is just "good" and a little overpriced for the taste value. Perhaps one is paying a bit more due to location and the ambiance. to be fair, this venue is certainly upscale for a mexican venue, with a modern, open feel. Try the mahi-mahi tacos and shrimp enchiladas as well as the mango tres leches cake. The best time to visit: during happy hour! Incredible value upstairs where a dimly lit bar is well staffed with attentive, friendly servers. A perfect place after work or as a shopping reprieve. The floor to ceiling windows allow the city to invade the space where a fireplace keeps guests cozy in the winter. The margaritas are tasty, and on Mondays, they feature a top shelf margarita for just five bucks. Be sure to try the tacos, shrimp flatbread and the queso (the liquid, tex-mex kind!). Skip the guacamole; It doesn't live up to the hype.
(3)
Kelli W.
Had dinner with hubby and our three kids (16, 9, 8). Food was great, especially the salsas. It was a little noisy but that was fine because my kids are always loud anyway. Service was very fast and friendly. There was a mistake made with one of our meals but it was quickly corrected. Margaritas were a bit strong (seems like an odd complaint) but our server was very happy to make it a bit weaker for me and then the second one came out just right! Price was what would be expected in downtown Chicago. Overall a fabulous experience
(5)
Jeff N.
Loved the Enchilada de Barbacoa, filled with brisket and monterrey jack cheese. Chips and salsa fresh and tasty. Service very attentive. Atmosphere (went during lunch) is great. This place is only a couple months old. It should do very well here. Will definitely return.
(5)
Eme L.
The space is beautiful, the concept is interesting (if not particularly original), but their execution made it a pretty ho-hum experience. I'll chalk this up to needing to work out the kinks, but they should also work on giving the food some "umph". It's clear that they work with quality ingredients, but something seemed to be missing from each dish (salt, heat, whatever.) Everything was pretty bland. Even when we asked for the guacamole to have some heat, we couldn't taste any pepper in it. I see this as probably more of a drinks/appetizers/nightlife sort of spot.
(2)
Jim L.
Great mexican resturant near the Mag Mile. We had the combo fajitas and the carnitas were awesome! Excellent Service
(4)
May K.
i expected the food to be better given the nice ambiance and great location of the restaurant. I had their red snapper which was the special of the night, it tasted a little burnt. Didn't have the fresh guac so I won't comment on that. However, their appetizer is pretty refreshing. And dessert is delicious too. We had the Flan, and it's great for a light dessert. In terms of service, like some of other reviews have mentioned, the servers don't seem well-trained. Our server was never really around when we needed service. They are friendly though. I will come back again just for the nice decor in the restaurant and maybe try their magarita next time.
(3)
Stephanie F.
I went here with a group of friends during the week, no wait for a table, cute decor, so far so good! My 3 stars are all for the starters. We got chips and queso and gaucamole, which is made fresh right in front of you. I LOVE guacamole, so that pretty much sold the place for me! For my main course I got some sort of taco dish, I want to say the chicken tacos? Anyways, there wasn't any flavor, at all. It was really disappointing after the awesome guac, but oh well. I'll definitely come back again for the guac and to try something else that will hopefully be a little tastier.
(3)
d b.
This place is a large open beautiful room..the guac and salsas are very good...the drinks,excellent(the caborita)..however,while we sat at the bar we were treated like red headed step children....we were overcharged and upon pointing it out were totally made to feel like we were causing a problem....look out for the JOEY FATONE looking manager/bartender....not a nice guy!!!
(2)
Heather H.
Ok so we usually go to Uncle Julio's and we get the same thing and it's always great fresh hot not overcooked and not dry and homeade tortillas that are hot and not dry!~ So we decieded to try something new! We were disappointed! We started out with tableside gaucamole which was good and then ordered dinner I did the combination fajitas steak & chicken and it came out literally 2 minutes later which seems odd and it was dry and very overcooked so to me that means it's already cooked and just sitting back there so disappointing and the flour tortillas dry and luke warm package style! It's not to hard to mess up fajitas but I guess if it's precooked and overcooked then you can! will never go back! bummer cause it's a beautiful restaurant! Uncle Julio's is the best!!
(1)
Meghan A.
I'm surprised to see so many terrible reviews, because I had lunch here today and enjoyed it. I had the oaxaca cheese enchiladas and they were really good. Love the fresh-made guacamole and their tortilla chips. Our server was attentive. Loved the modern, classy atmosphere. Not the best Mexican food I ever had (and if you like it super authentic, this isn't the place for you) but it was a good lunch and I'd like to come back to try a margarita and maybe one of the desserts, which looked AMAZING.
(3)
Trixy D.
I had passed by this restaurant many times but had never gone in because it looks a lot more swanky than I usually feel. Finally decided on a whim, to go in last week because they had a board outside touting half price appetizers at the upstairs bar, (and I needed to get out of the rain)! Atmosphere was very nice, fairly upscale but I was comfortable in leggings, boots and a sweater, and carrying my groceries in a sack. Great fireplace blazing on the south Wall, lots of cozy looking booths and tables surrounding the bar, but I opted to sit at the bar and enjoy a Margarita and an order of their little crab cake appetizers. The margarita was pricey ($12.95) but DELICIOUS, they offer warm crispy tortilla chips and two varieties of salsa with your order, and the crab cakes, (for a place that does Mexican) were really very good, and looked even better, with a drizzle of something green (it was good!) over them. The bartender Luigi took good care of me since they were not busy yet at 4:30 in the afternoon, and the waitress Hailey was very friendly as well. When your food is half price and you get the free chips and salsa as well, you don't mind shelling out $25 for a couple of really good drinks and good conversation. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Susan C.
I went here last night and when I walked in I was very excited because the decor and ambiance is great. Well that was where the excitement ended...the food is completely underwhelming...very bland and boring and why in the world do they serve green beans with the rice besides making no sense they were horrible..I don't plan on returning.
(2)
josie w.
Stiffest margaritas in town! Carne assada was great! Nice interior! I guess this used to be a fire station? That might explain the "fire wall"...
(5)
Luis B.
Solid Mexican food and definitely worth if it you are in the area. Not place that is worth going out of your way for, but if you are in the area it's good. The place is actually very beautiful and comfortable and the margaritas are top notch. I think one complaint is some of the sides. Some people at my table ordered dishes that came with the Mexican entree, rice and green beans? What the? It's like serving tacos with rice and mashed potatoes. It's just weird. Definitely not a bad place, but not quite a 5 star rating on yelp.
(4)
Jonathan S.
Great food, you must try the guacamole. Good service and great drinks. It was a bit loud, but then again, it was a Friday night so that was to be expected. I will dine here again.
(5)
Parker A.
Sorry, but for the price this place is so not worth it. The guac they make at the table is pretty good, but it should be for what they charge. Maybe it was just what I had, but the food reminds me of Applebee's or Chi-Chi's. The fish was so dry, and the green beans were so salty- I could just imagine them sitting in a prepackaged, pre-seasoned baggie in the kitchen before they were on my plate. They should have put less into the decor and more into the food.
(3)
Nick S.
AVOID. Terrible customer service at best. Not only do they lose the reservation, but make us wait over a half hour to be seated and it made us just leave. Their hostesses are out of a marx brothers film and i've seen the US government accomplish more than them. Asked to speak with a manager and was denied. I gave them 1 star because I cant give negatives or take back my horrendous experience there
(1)
Hugo P.
Loved the table side guacamole ... A staple at most Mexican restaurants. But portion a bit small for size of our group. Lots of flavor. The enchiladas camarones made up for it. Great big chunks of shrimp!! And the deserts,... Wow!! Mango tres leches was divine. But no expresso? That was a bit sad. Overall worth a repeat visit.
(3)
Rebecca S.
Tacos de Barbacoa to die for! Guac tableside is fab. Order a skinny margarita to save calories- pure delight!
(5)
Ashley B.
The decor at Cantina Laredo was awesome. I loved the fireplaces and the upstairs lounge. The guacamole and enchiladas were delicious - not to mention the yummmmmmy margaritas. I would definitely recommend this for date night, dinner with friends, after work drinks or all of the above!
(5)
Gen T.
I had high expectations for this place but after having dinner there on Thursday, expectations were crushed to say the least. For an appetizer we got gaucamole. For almost $10, I expect more than 1.5 avocados. Then I got the fish tacos - what the gauc lacked in avocados, the fish tacos lacked in fish. ... and the flan lacked in sugar. I was highly disappointed.
(2)
Robert N.
We went to Cantina Laredo before seeing "Book of Mormon", The restaurant had very nice decor and the food was good but not great... there wasn't ever that "yum" moment I was hopping for with an upscale Mexican restaurant... Don't get me wrong the food was tasty but with dinner for two coming in at right around $90 I would have wanted a little mor. We enjoyed the table side guacamole, brisket tacos, chilean sea-bass special, and the house margaritas. I think 3.5 stars would be a fair rating.
(3)
Elizabeth L.
With its crisp, clean aesthetics and pseudo modern-Southwestern architecture, Cantina Laredo's appearance screams "Eat here, tourist who wants a 'nice' meal in the big city who is too scared to venture outside your culinary comfort zone!" Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the food lives up to every ounce of that expectation. My fiance and I dined here a couple of weeks ago on a whim, we started with the tableside guacamole, which was decent enough and two house margaritas, which were suitably strong. I ordered the carne asada and he ordered the mole enchiladas, the first sign of the impending disaster was the fact that our entrees came out literally less than five minutes after we had ordered. Our guac barely had a dent in it. Seriously? Who fires entrees when an appetizer has barely been touched? How can an entree be properly assembled/prepared in under five minutes? The answer: microwaves! My carne asada was ok, the steak was properly cooked to the medium rare level I had requested, but the flavor was lacking. The shocker was the mole enchiladas, not only did the mole taste more like fesenjan than a proper mole, the side of "seasonal vegetables" was microwaved zucchini! I can think of at least three things wrong with that, 1. zucchini is NOT seasonal to November, 2. zucchini takes maybe 3-4 minutes to properly saute, and 3. who serves zucchini with an enchilada?! After my fiance ordered a second margarita because "I'll need something to wash this food down" the service manager came over to talk. He was nice enough, but the fact is that despite the gorgeous building and fantastic location, Cantina Laredo will not survive in a city with such a great Mexican scene.
(1)
Barney O.
I have been to CL on several occasions (the last time on 11/17) and found the service has been excellent on each occasion. I typically order the casa ritas, which have been well made (they are excellent) and consistent each visit, the chips and salsa have been equally good. As a non meat eater the fish tacos, enchilada de avocado, daily fish special (this week was swordfish) and the mango tres leches can be recommended. The table side guacamole could be better as it was a little bland even with all the additions but I have never had the problem with over salting/lime that others have encountered. The ceviche was a little heavy on the oregano for my taste but otherwise no complaints Someone said CL should be afraid in Bayless country, having eaten at both establishments CL is the better, less pretentious experience.
(4)
Allison W.
Went to Cantina Laredo with some work folks. We were on our way elsewhere but the outside of this restaurant is so beautiful that we decided to change plans and give it a try. We weren't disappointed! I had the Cinco Rita, which combines 5 different tequilas & liquors. Needless to say, I only needed one of those for the evening. The quac and chips were great and constantly being refilled. Everyone enjoyed their meals, which were very reasonably priced (in relation to the ambiance, not to the fact its mexican food), and the service was superb. I had to leave early, but was told the next day that I made the "biggest mistake of my life" by leaving before dessert. Exaggeration? I'll have to go back to find out!
(4)
Chris H.
No complaints, great time! A little expensive, but given the location this shouldn't be a surprise.
(4)
Nick T.
I came here for my birthday dinner on Saturday and they gave us a VIP room. The service was good. They brought us tons of tequila shots and Magaritas, and the nachos were to die for. The food was great too. And they gave me a brownie cake for my birthday.
(5)
T R.
Go! From the outside, the place is gorgeous and completely stand out amongst everything else there is look at in the area. Absolutely beautiful and intriguing. We went five days after its opening, while the manager called it the slow opening they expected, every seat in the house was taken and a 45 minute wait was established. The up and downstairs have a slightly different feel and two completely different menus! That a lot of options to choose from and so much for the staff to handle. And Laredo offers it with enthusiasm and confidence. The upstairs ambiance is topped off with the option to open all the long windows and is basically open air. The food is fantastic and surprising (and utterly affordable). The place stands out in a city packed with restaurants and places to go. And you need to go! Well done Laredo.
(5)
Gfiddy F.
Totally think this place is great.
(5)
Mark M.
This was my fourth time visiting Cantina Laredo and it was not the best experience. We decided to sit at the bar this time, instead of a table. The service was terrible. Now, had we been women, it probably would have been better. The women around the bar (that weren't with men) got a lot of attention. We, on the other hand, were practically invisible to the bartenders. The women got free drinks and free food while we got ignored. If I go another time I will not sit at the bar.
(2)
Natalie J.
Service was terrible---even after we were done with our meal, we were still unsure who our waiter was. Portion sizes were pathetic- 12.95 for one enchilada, and the ten dollar guacamole serves two people. Also we got chips and salsa plopped down on our table but it took 15 minutes to get waters. (We only finally got waters because I begged a busboy.) Like I said, we never actually saw a waiter. Don't waste your money or your time.
(1)
Lauren K.
So I'm from San Francisco and have lived in California all my life, so have high expectations for Mexican food. This place was just OK. It definitely has beautiful decor and a nice vibe, but really that's the extent of it. First of all, the food comes WAY too fast. When I'm having a meal that is going to cost $100+ for 2, I want to be able to enjoy it, not feel rushed. We placed our orders and our food came out literally 5 minutes later. It felt awkward and my drink hadn't even come yet. Who gets food before their drink?? We got the guacamole (it was just OK) and I had chicken tacos, and my boyfriend had the shrimp fajitas. Both were just OK - I would say not much better then Chevy's, but certainly more expensive. If you want a fun vibe, good for groups, etc, then this place would be good. But if you're going just for the food, go somewhere else!
(3)
Jason S.
Food was enjoyable and service was efficient despite it being recently opened . The guacamole and tamales were well above average. However for the location, size, and press we were not overly impressed and slighly dissapointed especially on price and the fact that they were not giving out reservations and walked right in and found a seat.
(3)
Meela P.
Great date place! Beautiful atmosphere! Uber fancy! Great service, ask for Melissa.
(5)
Lauren M.
My husband and I ate here last night before the Ben Folds Concert at the Chicago Theater. We didn't know anything about this place and just came across of when trying to find parking. The space is very modern and sleek. We sat in one of the booths which was super comfy. We order margaritas to start, which were delicious! They brought out some great salsa to enjoy with chips too. We ordered the slow cooked brisket tacos and the chicken enchiladas to share. Both were delicious! The only complaint was that some of the brisket was slightly dry, but the the favors were so delicious. The food arrived really promptly, which was great as we were on our way to a concert. We shared churros for dessert which came with a chocolate raspberry (liqueur) sauce - yum! Everything was great and the prices reasonable too. With tax and tip we spent approx $70. I'd definitely return here but not for a lengthly evening, as dinner was over quite quickly.
(4)
anthony t.
Beautiful place and great decor. Food was ok but I think Mercadito is better. I do have to say the place is real nice and in the summer it will be nice to have drinks upstairs with all of the windows open.
(3)
Annie C.
Big disappointment. The restaurant makes a terrific first impression, but in the end is incredibly overpriced for the quality and quantity of food delivered. The guacamole is described as serving 2-4. In the end, it was made with one small avocado and the table-side server ignored our request for light cilantro. The portion barely served two and would never have served four people as an appetizer dish. Entrees were average at best. Two of us shared guacamole, each had an entree and two drinks and our bill was over $100 before tip.
(1)
Megan B.
For starters, this place is beautifully decorated! However, I called to make a reservation for a party of 15 at 10pm. Upon arriving a little late for the reservation, we were told that last call for food and liquor was 11pm. Don't you think upon making the reservation I would have been notified? We had to quickly decide upon tapas and drinks and get our orders in before 11pm. What place in downtown Chicago closes at 11 on a Saturday night? The wait staff did not attempt to help us meet the time limit placed on us. Instead, the waitresses flirted with the bartenders while we were waiting to even order drinks. After asking for our neighboring tables waitress, she proceeded to walk up to our friends table with attitude. It's not my fault you had a long shift and you wanted to go home. I'm hungry and want to spend money at this place! Such a nice atmosphere, but our first experience was ruined by a couple mishaps.
(1)
Brent K.
Went there this Saturday night with a group of friends...the food & drinks were excellent. The guac is a must try. Service was good although a bit slow but what do you expect for prime time on a Saturday night. We will definitely be going back here.
(4)
Kevin T.
Have been here twice, once for dinner and another time for drinks with clients. Both times, I have throughly enjoyed my experience. Living downtown, it is refreshing to have a nice atmosphere to have drinks that are nowhere near overpriced. $5 for a draft beer, $6 for a Kettle/ tonic... don't mind if I do. Tara was our waitress and adorable. She picked out what we should eat and were happy to have the Sea Bass and the Enchiladas Veracruz. Very light and well portioned.. (at times, I leave Mexican food places feeling overfed and unhealty.) The bar staff is fun, Teena and Jason were both very attentive and kept us there much longer than we intended. Cabo Margaritas are STRONG... be careful! Cons- there are a TON of staff members floating around and it can seem like you are getting bombed by "Can I get you this or clear that" moments. It gets a bit annoying when you are trying to have a nice dinner. Good spot for happy hour, good bar crowd, fun and new atmosphere.
(5)
Yale S.
My guest spilled her drink and the waiter gave her a new glass without any additional charge. That kind of automatically makes this place a 4 star in my book even though the food was not so omg-awesome-great. My Barbacoa tamale was a bit dry but the guacamole was pretty delicious.
(4)
neal s.
We have been watching the construction of this new restaurant for what seems like an eternity. It has been well worth waiting for Three of us ate here Saturday night at their "soft opening". This week they are offering a limited menu at 1/2 price as they work out the kinks before there official opening this week. We didn't see any kinks in the service and the food was very good. We had an excellent guacamole that was prepared table side. The carnitas, brisket tamale and seafood enchiladas were all very good. I am updating this review because in the last two times I have been here (total of 3) I left thinking that things are still pretty disorganized and that the food has slipped a notch. The food is still good, don't get me wrong. I think they brought in the "A" team initially for the launch (this is a chain, but a nice one), but since that time they have not been able to sustain what was so great initially.
(3)
K. A.
Very good authentic Mexican food. The made-to-order guacamole is AMAZING! I went there for lunch and was not disappointed, although I had so much chips, salsa and guacamole I couldn't finish my meal when it came but I also had the quesadillas and everything was really good. Staff was accommodating and friendly and I overall had a very pleasant experience there. I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Jill S.
This place is outstanding! We actually ate upstairs in the "lounge". The upstairs actually has a completely different menu from the downstairs, and it is amazing. With an amazing view of the city, it is quite swanky and the servers are beautiful, extremely nice, and very competent. Our margaritas were phenominal and the food...O.M.G. If you go, you have to try either of the flatbreads. Be careful with the chips, however. They are very addicting and might make you spoil your appetite. That's probably the only negative thing I can think of. You've got to try this place.
(5)
Deez N.
i go here for the mon-fri happy hour special. half off those flatbreads is such a great deal. i find the tequila flight to be a great deal too. really enjoyed the corzon anejo tequila. the decor is so clean and nice inside. love what they did to the place. now, i have yet to eat a meal or go for dinner here because im afraid its goin to be one of those loud packed places thats over priced. so im just reviewing it for its happy hour, which i will summarize by saying, one of the best deals in the city. those flatbreads are great.
(4)
kelly c.
My husband and I have come here before on the weekends with our friends and had great service and food. So.... we decided that when they advertised having half off food in their upstairs area for national taco day (October 4th) we were excited to go there for dinner. Since my husband and I both work in the loop and our son goes to daycare downtown we picked him up and headed over for dinner. We figured that since they have a kids menu and on yelp it says they are kid friendly we would try it out. We couldn't have been more wrong. We went upstairs (because the specials are only available upstairs) and sat down on some chairs that were available. There weren't any actual tables available and the high chair they brought over didn't have any sort of table. We asked if it was possible to sit downstairs and still order off the specials menu given that we had a child and we needed a table for his food. I should also note that not a single table was taken downstairs and the place was empty. We were told that wasn't possible and that we weren't allowed to order from the specials menu downstairs. They were very unfriendly toward us and I felt that they were upset that we had brought a child to the restaurant. We ended up leaving and going to Hub51. Hub51 was much more accommodating for our child. In fact they were so amazing that we plan on making it our weekly friday night spot to get dinner. It's too bad because I really liked the food at Cantina Laredo when I ate there in the past. But given the way we were treated tonight we won't be going back.
(1)
M S.
Cool location and look. Went on Friday so there were business people, tourists and small groups seeming all happy to be there. Many kinds of seating/eating choices from booths, tables, at bar (upstairs or downstairs), in club chairs near fire, etc. Attire ran the gammit but mostly businessy as it was earlyish. A very happy vibe by guests which is rare. Hostess stand is too dark and we just walked right by as they were seemingly too busy. Went to main bar first, but opted to move upstairs. Ordered mojito (regular) and it was too sweet for me. Might wanna tweak it (I had to ask for soda water to tolerate second half). Their house margarita is not good as voted by all three of our group! In fact we all slowly and I mean slowly finished them. They are too sweet for a reg margarita (but we couldn't determine why it was a bit sweet), not tangy enough, and only taste tequilla. Now the food-yum yum yum. Chips and salsa are amazing just to start, tableside made guacamole (we got it spicy) was the best I've had in city and a large portion as well. Also ordered flatbread with fajita steak (it was awesome-note the salsa on bread had cherries which we mostly picked off). These two apps were plenty for three ladies with cocktails. We would also recommend you ask for larger plates than the too small ones they give you at start or your food will be all over table. Rooms are not loud, in fact I don't recall any music. Upstairs bathroom weirdly dark in stalls. Server was nice and attentive... For sure going back!
(4)
Julie L.
Came here over the summer after a kayaking trip. They had an awesome happy hour special upstairs and guacamole made right at our table. We had our table in front of the floor to ceiling window area which was fun to just watch the busy street. My tacos were pretty wonderful and so was my margarita! The happy hour special made it worth it I remember our bill was pretty much half of what it would have been. I would definitley recommend this to everyone
(4)
James E.
The food was great and served quickly. The Bar tender, drinks and atmosphere were top notch. I would definitely come back in spite of the impersonal wait staff and rushed meal.
(4)
Gabriela A.
Don't go here. Bad service, average food. (They took our chips away when the basket was half full-we weren't done -how rude!) Our waiter wasn't very good, and wasn't pleasant until he brought over the bill. If that wasn't bad enough, they took my friends drink before she was done. Waiters, please ask before you take plates, drinks away. It was a Thursday night, so not that busy. Won't be going back. Ever.
(2)
Aakash P.
My family dropped by the place on our first night in the city. I've walked by this restaurant on prior occasions in the past, but had never visited. Also, this place had been recommended by a few friends. The dining experience started bad with a very bland guacamole (which was made at the table) and chips which weren't even close to being cooked. Also, the food took forever to come out. The atosphere was great, but the food was mediocre at best. We got the chicken fajitas, veg enchiladas, chicken enchiladas and tacos de hongos. If I come back, it will be for drink is the evening.
(2)
Lim K.
While looking for a different place to eat downtown, we decided to try Cantina Laredo. As we walked in we saw the happy hour sign and headed upstairs. We seated ourselves by the window. Great view. The lounge chairs were very comfortable but they were a little short for the table. During happy hour the food was 1/2 price but not the drinks. A basket of warm chips and two kinds of salsas were served. For drinks, my daughter had a beer and I had a blood orange sangria. We ordered tuna taco, ceviche veracruzano, and flatbread with shrimp, goat cheese, pineapple and chipotle sauce. The tuna tacos were fresh and tasty. We did not care for the ceviche as the seafood was over cooked and it lacked seasoning. The flatbread was good. The salsas for the chips were bland; both of the sauces tasted about the same. Good service.
(3)
M A.
We needed Mexican food yesterday. All that we needed was somewhere we could sit down, eat, and go. Better than expected, for sure. We were sat immediately. We had the brunch entrees, and they come with a comped drink (mimosa, bloody maria, etc) which was great. The fajitas were really great. I had the fish of the day, which was wonderful. There is something to be said about appropriately sized food portions. In Chicago, food portions are either massive or microscopic. Everything was what we wanted - my only "complaint" was that the server didn't introduce himself to us by name. I don't know why, but that drives me nuts. Otherwise, great location, food is good, and service was good. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Christine R.
This is a great place for lunch and they also have an excellent happy hour (5pm-7pm) in their lounge upstairs. During the happy hour all food on the menu is half price and the portions are great sizes! We got the skirt steak tacos, stuffed jalapenos, and carnitas tacos in addition to several types of margaritas- it was all fabulous. The staff is friendly and accommodating. One piece of advice is to get their between 5-5:20pm if you are going for happy hour, it gets busy and everyone wants a table.
(4)
Jamie M.
The wife and I popped in on a Thursday night around 6:15pm and were immediately seated in an empty dining room - within 30 minutes, the place was packed, with folks queuing up at the door and swarming the beautiful bar. The restaurant is drop-dead gorgeous, with deep tones and very, very minimal lighting (hint: if you want to be able to actually read the menu, you might consider a small flashlight - even our waiter complained about the "mood lighting" set in the front of the house around 7:00pm.) We ordered a couple of the drink specials, including a Ginger'tini and duo pomegranate and lime martini, both $11.00. The tableside "Topshelf Guacamole", $9.95, was a hit and gracious plenty for our two top - the portion, customized to our spice preferences by the "Guac Girl" using jalapenos, onions and dry spices - would have easily served four people. Add to that a generous basket of chips and two types on salsa - an ice-cold green tomatillo, the second a warm, salsa + enchilada sauce dip. The shrimp, scallop and fish ceviche app was the homerun of the evening, and at $8.99, the massive portion featured some pickled veggies and long, tostado chips as well. Fresh, tasty and, again, enough for four. Timing for the meal was spot-on, and the entrees popped out hot and fresh with our second round of drinks that included a $8.00 amber Mexican beer and a mojito ($12.00) with more foliage floating in the tall glass than most salads. The wife's Enchilada De Mole ($10.99) featured two tightly wrapped tortillas of chicken, about quarter-sized, in an overly-sweet, dark mole sauce sprinkled with raw sesame seeds - honestly, it tasted like the kitchen had run out of the classic, bitter sweet Mexican chocolate and simply substituted Hershey's syrup for the sauce. Very, very disappointing, and our server noted only a smattering of the portion had been eaten. Sadly my beef brisket tamales ($18.99) weren't much better - the two rather puny, three-inch corn tamales were horribly over-steamed, then appeared to have been snipped open, hollowed out and stuffed with a mere fork-full of brisket just before service. The masa was absolutely tasteless, with greasy brisket just sitting on top - which is why tamales are, historically, cooked with the protein inside the corn husk wrapper. Add to that a small portion of tasteless Mexican rice, and their "special" was a Tamales 101 failure. Our attentive, tuned-in server, noting we had left most of our meals on our plates, was very gracious, and offered us a lovely Mexican flan dessert as a comp for the mediocre meal. As new Streeterville locals, we'll certainly give the Cantina Laredo another try - especially to check out the awesome bar scene - but at $100+ for a "date night" two-top meal, we'll need our next round of entrees to be better than the local Chi Chi's restaurant
Just came here for margaritas. Food is pretty decent considering its Chicago; can find way better mexican food in Texas or California. Margaritas are the best I ever had. Interior is awesome and beautiful. They handmake the guac in front of you which is pretty cool. I'm drunk as I type this and I definitely suggest their frozen margaritas.
(5)
Marcie M.
I loooooooooove fun, fancy Mexican restaurants with over-zealous menu options and I love when the food is good. It was GOOD here but not GREAT -- which is OK. I truly enjoyed my mid-day margarita (house) and the table side guac was addictive. I definitely recommend those! I loved the seating and bar set up. Everything about the interior is very appealing, modern and fun. I had three different tacos and my favorite was the pork. The fish was alright and the steak was just "meh". SERVICE WAS HORRENDOUS. Roberto was slow, didn't check on us very often, avoided us when it came time for check out (even when my friend stood up and packed up her things) and never gave us our bill. We had to track down another waiter to request the check and then wait a very long time to pay. I hate to decrease a tip on something like that, but I did. It was a late lunch, with few customers and I have served tables enough to know when it's appropriate to get annoyed. This was one of those times. They lost 2 stars for it.
(3)
Kyle D.
The good: Hand-made guacamole, good chips and salsa. Fantastic drink options. Good service. Great menu that had fantastic food. Everything tasted great. The bad: Noisy, very "fancy" vibe with tons of prissy people. The wait took forever to get a seat, and apparently they don't take reservations but we saw people going in like crazy and getting seated before us. Prices for apps seem high... Overall: A great Mexican restaurant with a great menu and vibe. Just expect it to be loud and expensive. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 9/10
(4)
Karen D.
Quick to be seated on a Sunday evening for a group of 6. The guacamole was made right there in front of us and was absolutely fresh (but overpriced)! The table ordered fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos to share- it was like any ordinary mexican restaurant meal. The margaritas tasted like water.... Not worth ordering! I recommend ordering the mole enchiladas!
(3)
Kathy T.
I had my birthday here, the service was very slow. It took an hour to get our drinks. The food took a long time to come out. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Food is terrible, service is awful. Stay away!
(1)
G L.
Great place great food awesome margaritas; gluten free service and knowledge was a bit lacking but I'd still go back!
(4)
Theresa V.
Awesome interpretation of modern day Mexican food! Fantastic atmosphere. Super clean inside. Love the fireplaces, gives it a romantic feeling. Great service. Great drink menu. Great place to start the night out!
(5)
Amy R.
Would be 3 stars because the service kind of blows. We sat at the bar per hostesses instructions and it took FOREVER for us to order some food, and when we asked if we could order, the bartender seemed annoyed. Anyway! 4 stars because of the food and drink. The drinks are strong! And who can say no to table-side guacamole? We went for happy hour, where the menu is half off, so it's a great deal! We tried maybe 8 different dishes and they were all pretty tasty. I'd come here again for happy hour.
(4)
Lefai K.
Pretty nice place. Kind of easy to miss as we walked by the restaurant easily as the sign of this place is not too noticeable, at least not to our group of friends. There was eight of us and all of us really enjoyed our food. The servers quickly gave us warm complementary chips and salsa -- the green salsa was pretty hot, but it hit the spot on the cold winter day. This place also makes your guacamole in front of you, which is pretty cool. The guacamole wasn't the best I've ever had, and it didn't really stand out. But it was delicious nonetheless. I ordered the chicken fajitas (my Mexican healthy choice go-to) and it was cooked terrifically. It had a choice of corn or flour tortillas and the usual sides of beans and rice. BATHROOM REVIEW: Honestly, I don't remember much detail to it... but I remember that it was very clean and well kept. Sit or squat? Sit!
(4)
Yann P.
On a sunday night, just in the middle of town, we wanted to eat some simple mexican food, avoiding the typical heavy dishes you sometimes have. This place is a so-called modern mexican restaurant. I have to agree with this. The dishes are tasty as they should be, but instead of having one huge taco, you get three smaller ones, allowing you to exchange the different flavors with your neighbors at your tables :-) So that's perfect. A fun thing is that they have a table on wheels that they bring to you to prepare the guacamole in front of you and this allows you to choose the way you want to have it done. For the cocktails, thumbs up :-) Not to sweet for one, just the way i like it. For desserts, a brownie. Delicious. The weird thing though is that they bring it on a skillet and pour butter around it. I'm less of a fan of that, but I guess other people love it ;-) As for service, nice and friendly waiter. For the location: perfect location near the magnificent mile. The place is decorated in a modern and clean way, with plenty of space between tables.
(4)
Alex R.
Accidentally made a wrong review here. Nice decorative place
(5)
Christie M.
I love Cantina Laredo! I have a friend who works in the area and we recently came for drinks and dinner. I was taking the train downtown, and I was happy with it's proximity to the Red Line (Grand). First off, I have to say how gorgeous this place is. It was so classy and trendy and just beautiful from top to bottom. We were seated in a huge booth that was super cozy. In terms of food, absolutely get the table-side guacamole! They make you a huuuuge portion of guac in front of you, and you can specify ingredients and spice level for the guacamole. We also split an order of the fish tacos which were also great. I was craving fish tacos for a week after I had dinner here! Margaritas were good, the house marg is nothing special. Maybe next time I will try a different one. I will definitely be back for more guacamole and fish tacos!
(5)
Taryn W.
I had some fairly high hopes for this place since it seemed to be a good match in price and ambiance to my favorite Mexican restaurant in Toronto, unfortunately, there were several weak points that I feel overall contributed to an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. Firstly, there were a couple small items that had they been fresh, could have been much better. For a restaurant which advertises an exceptional level of freshness, and does indeed make fresh guacamole right at your table, I was disappointed to note that the tortilla chips were cut from prepackaged tortillas rather than made fresh on site, yes this does make a difference, and was horrified at the taste of what was obviously canned beans in their refritos. Refried beans can be truly the most delicious thing ever, this was miserable. I may have overlooked these and given a higher rating had the entrees been good. My boyfriend enjoyed his fajitas tres, which was really just grilled meat, it was ok but was accompanied by those horrible beans and nothing to add balance to the salt. I ordered the enchiladas barbacoa and the meat was way over seasoned. I had ordered it with the ranchera sauce on the side and an extra side of mole sauce in order to try their mole, the ranchera was ok but not adequate to balance the salt of the meat. Let me point out here that I'm well known in my family as a salt fiend, so you get an idea of just how over seasoned this stuff was... The mole sauce was overly sweet, so I actually used a touch of it to balance the salt. For dessert I ordered the churros, they were a little on the tough side but I was more disappointed in the caramel. I'm not sure precisely what was off about it, perhaps it just needed a touch of butter, but it lacked richness. All in all I found the balance of flavors in these dishes to be woefully lacking in elegance, there was nothing refined about this food, and for the prices they charge, this is unforgivable. I guarantee you can find more elegant mexican food for dirt floor prices at your local mom and pop joint. I wish I'd done that in stead. If you're ever in Toronto, dine at Milagro Cantinas and you might understand where I'm coming from.
(2)
Patience H.
I ordered a seafood rellano, which was flavorful and had plenty of shrimp. Our server, Mario, was attentive and helpful. We were a group of thirty, but we were all served quickly and efficiently. Later had the tres leches! Was light and flavorful!
(5)
Brandon S.
The environment is cool. The crowd is OK. It was mostly the business crowd. The service is mixed. One bartender was very good, and the other was just OK. My only issue is that the menus upstairs and downstairs are different. I can live with that, but because each has its own kitchen you can only order from the menu assigned to your floor. It seems petty, but it annoys me. The food is solid. The queso fundido is OK. The barbacoa tacos were tasty. The chips were good. The salsa was OK. I would have preferred more flavor and a thicker mix.
(3)
KtMila F.
Food is good, happy hour is awesome. The servers could use some help, the wait staff has been poor 2/3 times iv dined here.
(3)
Martin C.
Came to restaurant on a slow Sunday and waited 30 min before I was waited on at my table... I asked for the manager and he simply said "oh I can take your order"! I love the food, but the service is getting terrible.... This was my favorite spot..:-(
(1)
Julianne Z.
I am so glad I came here with my friends for Happy Hour, because the food was delicious and well prices with the HH specials! The entire restaurant is in a great location downtown and it works for watching games, dates, happy hours and anything. If you want HH specials though, you have to be upstairs! I had some great dishes and it cost very little! They also have great margaritas! Top Shelf Guacamole: It was freshly made at the table, aka this really cute lady came by and freshly cut the avocados and everything for us. It was super good and had a strong taste of spices in it. Tacos de Ahi Tuna: These were mini crispy tacos with huge chunks of ahi tuna, jicama slaw, chipotle aioli and more guacamole. The guacamole they put on the tacos was not that great, especially in comparison to the freshly made guacamole we already had. But I was shocked by how much ahi tuna there was in each bite and it was a very refreshing combination. Empanadas de Pollo: These empanadas were filled with chicken, poblano peppers and Oaxaca cheese and were also served with two kinds of salsa. I thought they were super delicious because they weren't fried to be crispy, but were nice and soft. The cheese flavor was a bit overwhelming, but the roasted poblano peppers added a really nice touch. I probably liked this better than the ahi tuna tacos.
(4)
Jocelyne G.
Great food! Great atmosphere , friendly staff and bartender! Had the carnitas, food was great but limited tortillas to make a meal. Overall great for a small get together with excellent service
(4)
Mike G.
great guacamole and margaritas. we stopped in early on a Friday. we chose the upstairs lounge for half price apps. the jalapeñoes stuffed with shrimp and jack were spicy and delicious. fresh made guac was spot on and the chicken empanadas were good too. it was a tapas style menu is great for couple or group sharing
(4)
Kirsten H.
This review is mostly for the upstairs happy hour--half price small plates, yes please! I really enjoyed the little tuna tacos and the guac (and all those chips that just keep getting refilled on the table!) For drinks, I loved the ginger mint mango rita but once when I was trying to be good, I tried the skinny rita and regretted my choice (serves me right!) I've eaten in the main dining room once and it was also very good but it's always hard for me to justify full price when I can walk up a couple of steps and get similar items for half off...
(5)
Mimi N.
I've eaten here enough times to officially say their "signature top shelf guac" is BASIC. I honestly think Chipotle's guacamole tastes a whole lot better. Other than that, happy hour upstairs is great M-F after 4pm. Half off food. Tacos are pretty decent. Chips and salsa are good too. Nice ambiance. Very modern. That guac just makes me sad! It should taste a lot better.
(4)
Shana R.
This place was awesome! 7ish on a Friday and just the right amount of crowded without a wait for a party of 4. Started with the guacamole made table side and margaritas, the guacamole was awesome! There was a spicy option we didn't try but the medium still had a little kick. Chicken Tacos for my entree Were tasty. All around I went for standard Mexican staples and was happy with keeping it simple but well executed. Also, the server was amazing, though I'm sad to say I don't remember his name.
(5)
Chris V.
When I walked up to the building I could not believe a building like this was in downtown Chicago on State Street. It looks like it should be in a beautiful dessert landscape where the windows and doors could be kept open all day long. I had a great vibe from this place from the moment I walked in. We were quickly seated and a waitress was quick to come over and take our order. I went with her drink recommendation of the Cinco Rita, which is there signature margarita with fresh squeezed lime juice and sweetened with agave nectar. Another plus is that the drink comes with an additional shot of tequila on the side to either take as a shot or to mix in with the margarita. Honestly one of the best margaritas I have ever had. We had the guacamole which is made table side and loaded with chunks on onion, tomato and jalapeño. They bring you chips and two kinds of salsa but if you ask for it they will bring a habanero salsa as well which was by far my favorite of the trio. We also ordered the Ahi Tuna Tacos, which are by far the best appetizer I have had in a really long time. i could have made a meal out of just the tacos!! The one complaint I have about the place is the slower than usual service, which wash;t awful but just slower than I expected. This is my first time at the restaurant and wasn't sure if it was just the waitress or if she was extra busy or what, but she was extremely nice, friendly and attentive. Finally the main course came and I tried one of their Signature dishes the Carnitas, which were fantastic!! I would recommend these to anyone. They were actually made with pork shanks which I had never seen before so it was a pleasant surprise and they literally fell off the bone not leaving an ounce of meat on the bone. I would have a hard time choosing something else if I went back. The other people at my table had the Camaron Poblano Asada, which was a poblano pepper stuffed with shrimp and cheese wrapped in carne asada and the Rellanos Camarones, which was a poblano stuffed with shrimp, corn, cheese, zucchini, mushrooms and spinach. I tried both of these and they were fantastic. I would not only go back to this restaurant but I would recommend it to anyone looking to eat in the area.
(5)
Dan H.
The food is savory, the atmosphere is lively, service is sufficiently adequate (whatever that means). I was teetering on 3 stars, but I really have no complaints about the place,the tacos are delicious and well made, so I am giving it a 4-star reach. My opinion of Cantina is skewed mainly because I truly do prefer the hole-in-the-wall places, but if I am absolutely forced to eat Mexican in a civilized manner, this is the place I want to go. Biggest difference between Cantina and Mercadito is the level of swank and the type of food. This is more of a traditional, rice & beans type of meal that will fill you up, whereas Merc is tapas style.
(4)
Nimisha T.
Very trendy! I've taken friends that were in town here twice and so glad I went back. The menu changed and I thought it was for the better. As a vegetarian, my options were limited the previous time but now there are a lot more things to choose from. This is a great place to go in River North that is trendy and nice to dress up for. It's in a really nice location as well if you want to go out afterwards.
(4)
Leila T.
We had a couple drinks and they were decent. My margarita tasted like there was not much tequila in it at all, and I didn't really see the bartender pour anything other than a mix drink in a mixer bottle so I wonder if it even has any tequila.
(2)
Mayra A.
We stopped by on a Saturday night around 10pm and this place was PACKED. We didn't even ask about the wait, we went ahead and grabbed the first seats that opened up at the bar. It's a nice atmosphere. Great decor! I got a Peach Skinny Margarita (could've been a little stronger on the peach) and my friend stuck to beer. We did have a problem with my food order: after 45 minutes I still hadn't received my appetizer so we asked and the bartender had forgotten to order it! I was a little annoyed, but another bartender fixed the problem. I was very impressed by the way he handled the situation. I wish I remembered his name! He got my food out to me within minutes and offered to buy us shots. We each had a shooter AND a shot, and they didn't charge me for my food or margarita! Walked out of there with a $12 tab after food, a margarita, 2 beers, 2 shooters, and 2 shots. THANK YOU!
(5)
Magen R.
Had a nice dinner at Cantina Laredo last night. I met a good friend there to catch up over cocktails and dinner. We started with margaritas, she had the cranberry-ginger seasonal special and I had the pomegranate. I really loved mine and she was not as much of a fan of hers. We both went with the skinny lime margarita for our second margarita and loved them. They were light and refreshing, definitely worth trying! For our meal we started with the table side guacamole as well as their house chips and salsa. It was good but not very impressive. They did not have a lot of toppings to choose from. I really like a little citrus juice and corn in my guacamole and they did not have either of those things as a choice. It also could've been a little bit saltier. The chips that came with the dips were really tasty but were not hearty enough for dipping, lots of broken chips on our table! The salsas; however, were a huge hit as far as I was concerned. They were really flavorful and I appreciated how they brought two. For our meal we decided to split the queso with meat and the shrimp relleno. The queso was delicious but again the chips were not as hearty as they could've been for dipping. I loved the shrimp relleno. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and were very flavorful, I also loved the sauce that it was served with. The service at Cantina Laredo was some of the better service I've had lately. Our waitress was always around our table and attended to our every need. The ambiance at this river north spot was also great. The place is enormous so the tables are not too cramped together and it is a really relaxing spot to sit and enjoy margaritas and dinner. All in all I enjoyed Cantina Laredo but there are a few little things that kept it from being a four star go to spot.
(3)
Steven M.
I'm sorry, Cantina Laredo, your entrees suck. Before I say anything else, the fresh guacamole was amazing (saving grace of the meal) and the ambiance is nice (typical for River North). The food and drinks though...oh my god. 30 bucks for a crummy "mojito" and a boring enchilada. Won't be back. The Enchiladas Veracruz sounds so awesome by the description! It is not. Terribly bland and I could taste the ingredients I was so looking forward to, but it was a mish mash of proportions that don't taste like much in the end. This wouldn't beat a very average $4 enchilada in a blind taste test. My two friends who got different enchiladas seemed similarly unimpressed. The Ginger Paloma mojito tasted like an undersweetened lemonade. Enough said about that. Service was ok.
(2)
Ben B.
This place is great. It's really upscale Mexican fare. The interior is awesome. Much larger than you normally see in Chicago restaurants. And it's designed in a way that each table has some nice privacy to it. It really felt like we were the only ones there, even though the place was packed. I ordered the 3 Amigos margarita, and didn't care for it. It was one of these deals where you get half a frozen margarita and a Corona and tequila shot you're supposed to throw in there. Mixing alcohol = bad. Later, I ordered the casa rita (house margarita) and preferred that. For dinner, I went with the enchiladas de barbacoa. (Brisket and monterey jack cheese enchiladas topped with ranchera sauce.) These were AMAZING. Unfortunately, you only get two very small enchiladas. I could have torn through ten. I would happily return to Cantina Laredo. It only loses a star because the prices are a bit out of whack. The enchiladas were $14... but it's not much food. For two entrees, four (smallish) margaritas and two tequila shots, the total was over $100. You'd be better off grabbing a few drinks at a nearby bar, then coming here for dinner. But the food and decor are outstanding, so Cantina Laredo is well worth a visit.
(4)
Anthony C.
As most people say, the table side guacamole is really good. My girlfriend and I went on a Saturday night. The interior of the restaurant is awesome. My advise would be to call in early and request a table by a window. Based on the reviews from Yelp, we called in 5-6 hours early to request such a table, but unfortunately, we got stuck in the middle of the building. The menu was pretty robust and had a lot of options. I stuck with the classic fajitas and wasn't disappointed. Was it the best Mexican I've ever had? Absolutely not. However, based on the ambiance, as well as the location, I'd most definitely go back.
(4)
Nesreen B.
This place is awesome! I went there with a few of my friends and the ambiance is great for a night out with the girls. Or even with your loved one. Nice fire places. If you just want appetizers go to the second floor. They have windows surrounding the entire lounge. I definitely will go again!!!
(5)
Alan L.
5 stars because we came in soaked to the skin and they still served us like normal people and a chef from the kitchen brought me a towel to dry myself with in the bathroom. Needless to say, service was excellent. Cantina Laredo actually wasn't our first choice for the night. But by that time, we had been caught in a torrential downpour and would have chosen anything if it got us out of the rain. We're lucky we ended up here. The restaurant has wide open spaces, stone paneling, and a super trendy bar. I could eat their salsa with every meal, especially the warm salsa.
(5)
Vanessa C.
Overrated, overpriced...viva la River North! The chips and guacamole are delicious, the space is beautiful, and the brisket tacos are divine. The star off is due to: sub-par chicken dishes and they had no al pastor on my 5 visits - my litmus test for good Mexican food. I can't speak for the drinks, but they looked quite pretty.
(4)
Aaron L.
Love this place! You definitely need to head upstairs between 5:00 - 7:00pm weekdays and take advantage of the half-price food! The chicken quesadillas are the best I've ever had and the jalapeno bacon wrap dates were also amazing!
(4)
Tiffany O.
Stayed at the hotel across the street and ever time I walked by I couldn't believe how beautiful this restaurant was. I know the menu sounds simple but with prices equivalent to Chevy's (Tex-Mex chain restaurant), it is a great place to bring a date or even a big group of friends. The ambiance and restaurant is beautiful with simple Mexican food and with a full bar, you can't go wrong. There are a lot of delicious places to eat in Chicago, especially downtown, but I would definitely come here again. I would have to say that the ambiance trumps the food, but I had an enjoyable, lovely experience. I say come if you want simple food and a nice atmosphere. If you want to be adventurous and looking for foodie cuisine, I would check out another spot.
(4)
Anna M.
Awesome ambience, Great prices for the area, and delicious Margaritas. PLUS bartenders with man buns. Not really sure what else you need for a late night fiesta.
(5)
Meredith B.
The first time I came here, I was a total drunky McGee. I'd been at a barcrawl all day and though my friends and I had dinner here, I could barely remember any details of it. Fast forward to this last weekend, and I got the chance to return when I helped organize my friend's bachelorette party. She loves Mexican food so we came here to get her favorite type of food in a more classy environment than your average Mexican joint. It is a really pretty restaurant, dimly lit and trendy and sleek. Chips and salsa came right away, and we ordered three tableside guacamoles (one spicy and two medium) immediately. One guac is good for about 4 people. I had the spicy one, and it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy but you could definitely taste the heat from the peppers. The avocados were fresh and creamy. My drink was the La Bandera ("the flag"), a beautiful frozen drink with silver tequila, cointreau, lemon and lime juice, midori, and pomegranate liqueur. Delicious! I remember it being red and green, but must've been white too to match the colors of the Mexican flag. In any case, the red (pomegranate) sinks toward the bottom with the midori at the top and it's a very pretty, yummy effect! A great, sweet, refreshing drink for $9.25. All the drinks looked super delicious, and I know the bachelorette was very happy with her Casa Ritas on the rocks! I got the Tacos de Pescado (mahi mahi tacos), and they were really yummy. I ate all three. Tender fish, flavorful veggie slaw, and the chipotle aioli really made it special with a smoky taste. They aren't too filling, and you can easily finish the rice and black beans (yay, not refried beans!) alongside. This dish is $14 and I thought it was a pretty good deal for high quality food that wont' make you feel stuffed. It's fresh and not greasy. This is a really affordable place to get better than average Mexican (obviously crap Mexican is a lot cheaper) but I'm not a big fan of heavy food. This has all the flavors that are great about Mexican food but much fresher and tastier preparations. Service was friendly and attentive, especially given that we were a party of 12! I would be happy to come back and have more drinks and more yummy food.
(4)
Billy W.
This place was pretty good. Their fish tacos were very good. The staff was friendly and they had space for our large party. Drinks were pricey but they were mixed properly.
(3)
Lauren K.
One star because the food was decent although far far overpriced. The real reason I am writing this review is because the staff and management are completely distasteful. I left a sweater at the restaurant and realized the next morning - I called that afternoon once they were open and spoke with a very polite lady who confirmed that she had immediately located the item I had left behind and took my name to ensure that only I could retrieve it later that night when I told her I would come to get it. Once I got there, the staff was rude, unhelpful, and inconsiderate - they "looked" all over and could not find the item that had been put in a safe place just a few hours prior. When I told them the name of the lady I spoke with earlier, they told me they didn't even know someone by that name... Then suddenly they did and they "called her" after I became frustrated. The whole situation was very sketchy and I have no doubt that something mischievous went on to ensure that I would be unable to retrieve my item. Completely disrespectful and unethical.
(1)
Kelsey C.
I had the seasoned ground beef tacos, and they were delicious, but server forgot to have my onions and peppers taken off. My mom got some other tacos and they didn't bring the queso that came with it. Otherwise, food was very good, especially the salsas. I wish they had fried ice cream on the menu, but as a whole, I would go back again.
(4)
Perla C.
Food is good, great shrimp tacos, ahi tuna crispy taco and mojitos ... Skip the chicharrones salad, really not worth the price nor the calories. Service, ambience and location is great, tortillas could be fresher and warmer :/ guacamole could be with good hass avocados. Salud with a very good mojito!
(3)
Carl D.
I ordered the Ahà tacos, I was not very impressed. The chili queso was basically nachos with cheese. Mole enchiladas not that great either. The chicken shrimp Escondido was actually good, but the green beans were hard. The mojito and Margarito were good. Overall the location, ambiance were good. But the food lacked any real flavor. I would NOT return
(1)
Padma A.
It was packed and fortunately, we had a reservation.The tableside Guacamole was a good start to our Friday dinner but the chips left much to be desired. We were recommended the mango pepper margarita which was real red bell pepper in the drink and we were expecting something else, it was okay. The main course was really good we ordered Veggie Enchiladas and Veggie Fajitas. Our server Alejandro was very courteous and paid attention to our requests. Would like to go back and try the meat entrees.
(4)
T B.
Great place, fantastic service, really good margaritas and great food. Nice large scale modern atmosphere. Hard to go wrong here if looking for good Mexican.
(4)
Liz K.
In one word, swanky. The most upscale Mexican restaurant I've been to. Nothing wrong with that, just not quite my cup of tea (or shot of tequila in this case, perhaps?). We came on a dead Thursday night, so there was room at the bar before we were seated for dinner. I arrived later than my friends and so stood behind two of them to talk - wasn't even acknowledged by the bartender for at least 10 minutes. We didn't stay at the bar for a long time though, and ended up at a nice round table for 6 people (those are my favorites!). Once we were seated, Casa Rita margaritas in hand, we ordered guacamole and the lady with the supposedly magical cart rolled on over to us. We asked for it to be medium. I didn't get any spice at all in any of my bites, but poor Emma K had a bite that was too hot to handle when she accidentally scooped up a whole chunk of jalapeno. Overall it wasn't my favorite guacamole because it was heavy on the cilantro, light on the lemon and avocado itself, and light on the spice (for the rest of the dish). But of course I ate it, it's guacamole! I ordered the Enchiladas Veracruz, which I thought were an inventive spin on enchiladas (chicken plus spinach - so simple, yet so foreign for me in a Mexican dish). I wasn't a huge fan of the zucchini that came on the side because they tasted buttery and did not mix well with the rice or my enchilada itself. I would have preferred a stronger flavor with a little more kick, or maybe just plain with salt - not buttered. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals and I did see more enchilada-type dishes that looked appetizing on the menu. Otherwise, I think I'd steer clear of the middle section of the menu - looks way too pricey for my cheapo expectations of Mexican food. If you'd prefer the down-home, authentic style of the hole-in-the-wall Mexican place, I'd skip this one for now. But, for the Mexican-food lover looking for an upscale atmosphere and presentation of your favorite foods, try Cantina Laredo.
(3)
Mark L.
If you want decent food with the worst service ever, then this is the place for you. We went after seeing some decent reviews, but we sat at the bar on the first level at 1030pm and we couldn't have been treated worse. Last call for food and drink is 11, the bartenders ignored us, there were dirty dishes, glasses all over the sticky uncleaned bar. By the time someone acknowledged us, it was like we were being a pain for ordering a drink. The margaritas were just ok, but the service was rude and whoever is managing this place should hire some people who care, because even for a beautiful restaurant like this one (and the restaurant is gorgeous) terrible customer service will not get customers come back. Not a fan and will not be back.
(1)
Hasti K.
The decor and atmosphere=4 The design was modern, spacious and beautiful with little indoor fire pits near the corner walls. There were doors that folded open to give a sense of outdoor seating, which is great for summer evenings. Food=3 The shrimp fajitas were flavorful. My boyfriend had the mole enchiladas; he thought the chicken was a bit dry and the mole sauce was minimal. In conclusion, the food was average-especially for such an ideal location with competition. Drinks=1 This was ultimately my main disappointment. The margaritas they are known for were watered down and too sweet. I tried another type of margarita and couldn't take more than one sip. If they had more sophisticated and elaborate drinks, I would have honestly given 4 stars.
(3)
Lu N.
In the mood for good quality and fast delivery of Mexican food...Then cantina Laredo is the way to go! Husband had steak taco meal he loved it. I had the Camaron Poblano Asada and it was fantastic! It came with free chips and two kinds of salsa! Food came fast and hot! We decided to eat in the restaurant one day and I ordered tacos and for some odd reason it was inedible. Most likely won't be eating there again. :(
(3)
Greg O.
Knew this place was here before we arrived and told the people I was with that this place is a must. Everyone loved it and we tried several dishes. You can't go wrong here, and their tableside guacamole is the best I've had. The one in Dallas is just as good.
(5)
rashidah s.
I dined here during my visit to Chicago. It was a brisk, windy day (surprise,surprise) so we were happy to sit by the fireplace. We ordered the sangria (red) which was delicious. The server arrived at the table with fresh (made in-house, of course) chips and hand mixed the guacamole to our preference of caliente. Delicious! I ordered the chicken and veggie enchilada. Perfect again. The dessert (an apple something with cinnamon ice cream) was tasty but not served hot or flaming as the menu suggested. Dinged a star for that, but maybe the waitress was new!
(4)
Zach J.
Great guac, enchiladas, and atmosphere! One of my fav Mexican restaurants in the city.
(5)
Annie D.
Delicious. Healthy. Fresh. Authentic. Classy. Friendly. I was just walking by in my way to a conference looking for something healthy and vegetarian to eat... And what a wonderful surprise. This place has it all.
(5)
Jennifer C.
I like this place a lot! My hubby and I went in for lunch and really enjoyed everything. The chips and salsa were great, the diet coke was flowing freely, and the food was very good. To eat we had the brisket enchilada, carne asada and cheese enchilada, and mango tres leches. The brisket and cheese enchiladas were delicioso as well as the mango tres leches. The only thing that I wouldn't get again is the carne asada. For us it was just ok. I will definitively get the cheese enchilada and tres leches again. I know my hubby is going to order the brisket enchilada when we come back too.
(4)
Mike S.
Pricey but very tasty. Beautifully laid out restaurant which is great for both dining out with the family or a night out with friends. Definitely order the tableside guacamole!
(4)
Travis M.
Love the atmosphere very hip place . Delicious. The drinks are amazing. The kid that was our server referred to me as boss. Kinda ghetto. But even that couldn't ruin the great place.
(5)
Curtis O.
I had some great short rib tacos! Perfect size portions for lunch. I'll bring some clients on a future visit. Bartender Rachael was spot on with her service. I heard her call several customers by name, so I guess they're all regulars. The manager stopped by and checked on me. I told him everything was perfect. I'm looking forward to margaritas next time!
(5)
Randi M.
Uh, where do I start. Was strolling along State street around 6pm, shopping and making our way back to our hotel when I saw the half price food sign out front. I guess there is a sucker born every minute. Let's see, we don't drink booze so we just ordered soda. Don't think the server was too happy with us. We ordered the quac which I HATED. It had the strangest taste. I don't know what type of "spice" blend the lady used, but the guac tasted stale. I really couldn't stand it. Ordered the crab cakes and there was NO way in hell that was Jumbo lump crab as the menu stated. They were fin and back meat, probably pasturized canned crab. Tasty, but not lump. The shrimp tacos were terrible,. The corn tortillas were hard, the shrimp were overcooked. Just not good at all. I should have went back to Xoco or tried another Bayless restaurant. The service was terrible. We were basically ignored the entire time we were there. I had to get up and go get my own drink refill. Terrible service, woulnt go back even if it was free.
(2)
MmeMorticia D.
Met a friend in the area and decided to give it another shot. We sat at the bar and this time I safely stuck with the tableside Guac and mojitos, the only stand-outs from my previous visit. Decor is still amazing but the service, when we would get it, was very dry, monotone and mechanical. After a few martinis, my friend decided he wanted to add fish tacos to the mix and like clockwork, was soon disappointed with the blandness of the first bite. His night never improved, most especially when he got the bill and it was slightly shy of $100.
(2)
Maddie L.
It's yummy modern Mexican with an upscale, spacious layout...but they still have bottomless chips and salsa. The chicken nachos are meticulously prepared ensuring that each chip has it's fair portion of each ingredient on it. Basically art. The skinny margs were great too. They have lime, peach, and raspberry and you can't taste the "skinny" in them. The table-side guac is to die for of course...so fresh. Our service was perfect...but we did dine on a Monday at 6pm so take that with a grain of salt. I also noticed a great room for a big group with a long table that could seat about 20-25. The room was enclosed in glass doors which seemed trendy and made it look like it would feel more spacious. Good idea for a birthday/bachelorette party!
(5)
Jigna S.
3.5 stars. Food was good, not the best Mexican in chicago, or even in the streeterville/north side area. We had the carnitas tacos, shrimp taco, and shrimp relleno. Shrimp was juicy and well cooked. The table side guacamole, fresh to order, also good but not great. Didn't try the drinks or check out the rooftop area on the second floor so will definitely be coming back!
(3)
Denise V.
As a party of 13 with lunch reservations, we were EXTREMELY disappointed in the service. 1/2 hour to wait for a cocktail... 40 minutes for food. Our server was friendly, but needed to be asked a minimum of (3) times for a refill. We finally gave up and (2) people in our party bellies up to the bar to place our cocktail order (took only 7 minutes). Apparently, they are understaffed at the bar. NO, not for this shift, but on a regular basis (as quietly divulged to us by several people). The food and atmosphere is AMAZING (would have been a 5 star review), but if you want cocktails and QUICK service, this is NOT the place for you.
(2)
Jennifer G.
Craving Mexican food, we have gone back twice since I wrote the last post. The first time, I stuck with a chicken and mango salad - figured it was better to get a dish that was supposed to be cold. It was good. But again - my margarita wasn't that great. Then we went for New Year's Eve and their special menu. We ordered their special champagne and margarita. Now - those drinks were delicious and you definitely felt it after two of them. The entrees for both my husband and myself were lukewarm - almost on the cool side. We sent them back and would you believe that the rice was still not hot when it came back? I know - you're probably wondering why we keep going back? The restaurant itself is really beautiful and I think the wait staff is really good, too. Next time (I can't help myself), I will ask beforehand to make sure my food is hot.
(3)
Susan B.
Cantina Laredo is large but instead of the contemporary vibe that they were trying to go for, ends up feeling too big, cold and sterile. The menu seems just skimpy with a "wanna be upscale" selection. After being seated and watered, was sold the table preparation guacamole (and I mean sold! The bowls of avacado and limes are displayed on every table). Guacamole and chips were okay (nothing special but fresh), definitely enough for two or more. Lime juice used in the standard margarita was not fresh and tasted like a refrigerator. But the real problem was both the wimpy menu (without description or side choices) and the meal itself. I ordered the Carne Asada and was shocked when my plate came out. Without exageration, it had a 4" x 2", 2oz piece of meat (which was tasty enough) sitting on the saltiest salsa verde (chimichurri) ever, a a tiny enchilada and a little finger size strip of rice. One half (and I am not kidding) of the plate was dedicated to lettuce leaves, two tomato wedges and two strips of guacamole. C'mon! you just sold me a tub of guacamole and now half of my plate is made up of the same ingredients? Not impressed. The place is obviously trying so hard to be "cool" but with so many really great restaurants in Chicago who don't have to try so hard, cannot see this working out for them.
(1)
Frido F.
What a great place to get some tasty Mexican food. Great vibe and nice wait staff. I had the fish tacos and was blown away. Try the guacamole too!
(5)
deborah b.
I don't think that I have ever had a worse meal; the guacamole was watery, the chips and salsa tasteless; and I asked for tuna tacos with the tuna cooked well and it was brought out RAW. Everything was smothered in bitter onions. $40 dollars and the worst taste in my mouth.
(1)
Rox C.
The upstairs lounge is a great place to have a drink! Friendly staff with free chips and salsa. Nice ambiance: fireplace in the winter and open windows in the summer! The table side, freshly made and personalized guacamole is also fun and delicious!
(4)
Anna C.
Easily one of my favorite spots in Chicago. Both the drinks and the food are fantastic here; no matter how adventurous or how picky my friends are, I know that they will find drinks and food to enjoy here. The margaritas are to die for; ask anyone in Chicago! But what definitely keeps me coming back is the fantastic service. The entire staff is so knowledgeable and friendly; they are never too busy to pay attention to you. Tonight, M.J., a bartender, was so friendly and helpful in helping my friends and I decide what to get and to make sure we got our drinks quickly. Overall, a great restaurant.
(5)
Kimmie R.
The food is good. The atmosphere is romantic and somewhat upscale. It's a busy place for a good reason! The decor is excellent! Roaring fireplaces, contemporary clean lines for furniture and clean upgraded bathrooms. ------ This is NOT... A place to mingle! Everyone has a date. A great place for a quick bite. It takes a while to get your food. A casual setting on a weekend. People are dressed up. You will feel ridiculous in a hoodie or Yoga pants. A good place to drive to! There's no parking close by and on a weekend the streets are flooded with people.
(4)
Sarah R.
I came here for a quick drink before going to dinner with a friend at another restaurant. I ordered the Skinny Hornitos Peach Rita, which I loved. Hornitos with anything makes me happy. I work at a bar, so I've become a bit of a booze snob. I know what I like, and I won't drink just any brand/booze. This one was delicious! It wasn't too sweet, and I'm glad I got the skinny one for that reason! My friend got a drink the Cabo Flip. He liked it a lot, so that's good. I didn't try it. On the table when you walk in is a bowl with an avocado and a lime in it. So we HAD to get table side guac- I love when you can watch them make the guac in front of you. You can choose the spicy-ness and additives. It was tasty! A bit too salty, but usually guac is undersalted - so it's ok. There's also two types of salsa and chips on the table when you are seated. A mild and a spicier - the spicy is warm. Warm salsa, yummmm. The chips are thin, so they break easily. But I love thin chips! My friend got three tacos - ahi tuna. He said they were delicious. Although they were about $10... Our waiter hardly came by and wasn't too busy. That was disappointing. Overpriced drinks and food. Spotty service. But I would go back. I'm a total foodie, and the food looked divine.
(4)
Dusty S.
Had a great post-business dinner alone at the bar at Cantina Laredo. Friendly staff, great food (Mexican with a modern twist) and reasonable prices. I'll be shaking off this stiff drink for a while, but it was much needed. ;-) Next time I'm in town I'll be back.
(4)
Wendy L.
This place shines for its ambiance and decor, but food not so much. It's a reasonable choice for date night, especially if your date likes Mexican. The music is lively and the service is reasonable, not super quick but if you're having a great conversation, then it's perfect. It's loud, but not too loud where you have to shout to hear the person opposite you. They give you complementary chips and salsa; our chips were warm and fresh and I enjoyed the salsa. There's an extensive drink menu and their dinner menu also covers all the bases. We got barbacoa enchilada and carnitas tacos. I preferred the carnitas; the barbacoa erred on the salty side. The green beans that came with the enchilada tasted like cafeteria food and the rice was also sub-par. Overall, I was not impressed with either dish. I've had way better Mexican food at a cheaper price point. But I still had a great time :)
(3)
Rob L.
So, I just heard they opened one up in Town Square in Vegas, HELL YEAH! My only request, if you're going to make the guacamole spicy per our request, make it spicy! The salsas were AWESOME! The menu was extensive and the stuff we ordered was ALL super YUMS! The Tamarind Margarita went down like water, trust, I had 4 without realizing it! They went down TOO easy! The chile relleno was AWESOME! Stuffed with SO much yumminess! I'm happy there's one here in Vegas! THANKS CHEEZUS!
(4)
Andrew C.
Its a Solid 3 Star Spot. wondering why? I will tell you! The Decor is nice but its a little dark in the evenings for me. it doesn't exactly feel like a date spot but the mood lighting definitely will make you sleepy :) The staff is super friendly (WAY TO GO MIKE!) but on the back side the "bag check" they offer you at the front door is just putting your bag in the unlocked closet in the front...and in our case the waitress got off work when we went to pick up the bag and the guy that helped us had NO IDEA IF THE BAG WAS ACTUALLY OURS. So just say you should keep your bag with you or take the risk of some random person taking your dope Gucci :) The food was a mix of MEH and MORE! The Fresh-made-at-the-table-Guac was incredibly flavorful and exactly what I needed to start the meal. I mean the tacos were tasty but by the time I got them it was obvious that they had been sitting under a heat lamp for quite some time. the beans also had become hardened and dry from the constant heat and the rice didn't fare much better either. I'm sure if it wasn't under the heat lamp the food would have been GOOD but it wasn't so MEH! I will come back and try them again, because the staff was on their stuff (aside from the fiasco with the bag) so maybe it was just a crazy night in the kitchen.
(3)
David S.
A solid three star joint. The house Margs were decent albeit they were relatively small to what I was expecting. The tuna taco app was pretty good. I had the Barbacoa enchiladas which delivered pretty good on the over taste scale. I'm not sure why other reviews complain about menu selection. I actually thought the menu was rather consice instead of including every combo of every typical Mexican ingredient.
(3)
David B.
I am always wary of chains, but I've never been disappointed by Cantina Laredo. This was my 2nd or 3rd time there, and the food has always been top-notch. The table side guacamole is fun to watch being prepared and even more fun to eat. My entree of the stuffed green peppers (with shrimp and cheese) was delicious and makes my mouth water just uploading the photo.
(4)
Joanna T.
Just another place where ambience and drink menu rule. So I would recommend you come for that. Mojitos are adventurous and good, margaritas as well. Did I mention the decor? Fabulous! Open, airy, sleek and modern. And lively, so come for that, too, if the mood strikes. So, not a home run. I planned to have dinner, but after the fish taco app which was not very appetizing, at all, the drinks, can you please give me a decent chip to scoop guacamole with? The guac was good, by the way. I finished my drinks and called it a night. The flavor is just not there when it came to food. Didn't stick around to find out if dinner would be better. Also, no shrimp or steak tacos on the menu. Is this an oversight? I should have checked the menu instead of assuming, so my fault. A skip. Except for drinks, and guac, byo chips.
(2)
Christy L.
In my previous review, I commented on how the food was surprisingly good for Cantina Laredo being a chain restaurant. Remembering that, my fiance and I recently went there when all the other restaurants in the area had huge waits on a Saturday evening. While Cantina had a wait as well, the upstairs bar had openings and we were able to order from a (very limited) menu. We were both disappointed in the limited selections. For example there were a variety of tacos to choose from, but no steak tacos - isn't steak a stable? I had the fish tacos, and they were fishy to the point that I couldn't stomach them. He had Barbacoa tacos, and the meat was incredibly tough with an odd aftertaste. Neither of us ate much of our meal. Don't think I'd be back which is disappointing since we now live in the area.
(2)
Lydia R.
i love Mexican food and I love a good deal. This place offers both. My friend and I went here after work one time during happy hour. They have this really cute upstairs lounge that they were serving everything on the menu at half price up there. Everything on the menu! Also the feel of the lounge was pretty great! They had oversize seats and it almost had the "coffeeshop" feel to it. It was someplace where you were encouraged to sit and hang out for a while, rather than eating and leaving. My favorite thing might have been the guacamole that we ordered. They made it right in front of us at the table and it was so fresh! Also as far as their drinks go they were a little on the stronger side. They still tasted great, but it was a drink that you could definitely taste the alcohol in.
(5)
Anna T.
This place blows my mind away EVERY TIME! I HIGHLY recommend: - Steak nachos (~10)- literally strips of steak on each nacho with refried beans, cheese, tomatoes, guac and sour cream. This app has around 8-10 nachos and is MORE than enough for 2-4 people. It can easily be served as an entree. - Carnita taco entree (~$12)- Cantina Laredo overnight cooks the carnitas so they are so flavorful, juicy and to die for. Comes with three tacos, rice and beans. DO NOT order the fish tacos. They are dry and flavorless. Such a waste!!! Other notes: - Trendy, upscale, date-like atmosphere - There are private rooms that have big flat screen TVs for your use - Nice outdoor seating (with firepit) - If you order the guacamole, they will create it in front of you all fancy and such. Bit pricy for what it is, but it certainly adds something extra to the dining experience.
(5)
Julie Z.
First visit at Catina Laredo, and it was amazing! As a vegetarian, I usually have minimal choices, this menu had three options for enchiladas, I chose the spinach, amazing! My carnivore boyfriend loved the barbacoa enchiladas! Margaritas were great, chips and salsa great, and homemade guacamole great! We had a great server Emma, and fantastic manager Mino! We will definitely be back for dinner and drinks!
(5)
Martha M.
This place was a little overpriced I ordered the carne asada and was surprised to see that it was a small portion however the service is great drinks are good the ambience is very nice. Although I probably wouldn't come back here I would recommend you try it at least once.
(3)
Jacqueline B.
The ambiance and drinks alone will have me coming back to Cantina Loredo! I came here for dinner on a Friday night with a group of 11 girls. The company was fab so we were bound to have a great time regardless, but the fancy drinks and delicious food helped :) We had a reservation and were sat upstairs at a big table near the bar. It seemed pretty busy so I'd assume a rezzy is the way to go for dinner! We started with a couple orders of their top shelf guacamole made table side. One was made mild and one spicy. The guacamole was definitely fresh and tasty, but for someone who likes spicy food I didn't think the one batch had enough kick. Speaking of kicks, I've been on a minty drink kick lately, so I ordered their Ginger Mint Mango Rita (Milagro Silver Tequila, fresh lime juice, mint leaves and mango puree topped with ginger beer). I thought this was a refreshing and fun take on your classic margarita! It was really good. For my second cocktail (of course there are seconds on ladies night), I went with the Cabo Flip which was a suggestion from our server. He said it was the smoothest marg he's ever had. Sounded good to me so I got it. This lovely beverage is a fresh lime margarita made with Cabo Wabo Reposado and Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur with a lime boat full of tequila. You read correctly. A lime boat. Full. Of. Tequila. It was so yummy! Again, super refreshing and even fun to flip that little tequila lime shot over in your cocktail. With all this boozin we of course needed dinner. I haven't had barbakoa for quite some time, so the Enchiladas De Barbacoa caught my eye. These slow-roasted brisket and monterey jack cheese enchiladas topped with ranchera sauce made me not regret my decision that's for sure. I was pretty full from all the chips and guacamole I had prior to our meal, but of course I powered thru. Now for someone who's tasted a lot of really authentic Mexican food I have to say, this wasn't a five star food experience for me. Don't get me wrong it was good and I'll most likely be back to explore the rest of the menu, just not the best Mexican I've ever had. 4 stars though. All in all this was an awesome place to come with a group. Our server was attentive and hilarious which made everything that much more fun. If you haven't been yet, definitely check out Cantina Loredo!
(4)
Ritu R.
Horrible experience. Came with a large group of family from out of the country. The items being ordered were incredibly simple but took 2 hrs to get 8 cheese quesadillas?! how does that even make sense! The server was switched once we saw down and the original server realized we had special needs...one of which is a servier that we can communicate with. The next server kept responding to every request with "that's not hard" and then was missing for long streches of time. The forgot items and were late. I am not a fan of this place and would NOT suggest anyone go here...especially if you have an dietary restrictions!
(1)
Priscila L.
Table side guacamole... delicious. Mango margarita... wow! Carne asada... exquisite. Mango tres leches cake... amazing! I don't know what anyone that gave this place under 5 stars was talking about. I'm Hispanic, I know Mexican food... it's not traditional, but it's definitely delicious. Best part... cost effective for a downtown restaurant. Oh, and great service. I'm definitely coming back here!
Love this place. The space is beautiful and the food is wonderful. I am vegetarian and I love getting the spinach enchiladas (I switch out the sauce for the Chile de arbol cream sauce) ...just amazing. I can drink that sauce straight up. Service has always been been courteous and respectable. Overall, a solid Mexican restaurant with relaxing and fun vibe.
(4)
Karen R.
Excellent service. Patron margarita and the beef brisket enchiladas will have you coming back for more.
(5)
Zac W.
A solid four stars easy. Food was good - Guac was exceptional and well worth $10 (mountain size) - reasonably priced, nice decor.
(4)
Tim M.
I won't waste much time with this review. The ambience and decor is what gives the place a foothold with the downtown restaurant goers. The portions are small for the price and quality. The flavor is mediocre at best. The look and design is all there is.
(3)
Elizabeth K.
Cantina Laredo is one of my favorite bars in the city! I come to Cantina for the amazing Chipotle Pollo Fajitas and Jalapeño Margaritas made specially by Mary Jones (MJ). Love the service at the bar and admire the genuine interactions and conversations with the staff. Cantina has become one of my favorite after work restaurants in Chicago's River North. The bar very large which allows any happy hour goer a spot at the bar. Definitely return soon!
(5)
Amelia Z.
This is purely for their happy hours. I have always overlooked this place thinking it was just a chain (which I am pretty sure it is). However, I went with some co workers for a happy hour and it was almost too good to be true. Half off everything at the bar until 6:30. Let's just say that can go along way with Mexican food and margaritas. You can be pretty buzzed and VERY full for less than $30.
(4)
Noel S.
We're in the Midwest...what are you going to do? The Mexican food here is bound to disappoint. Keeping that in mind...the food here is decent. I havent been here in about a year, I was hopeful. I had a chicken mango salad, which was suprisingly really fresh and I would come back just for that. The enchilada and fajitas. We're ok. Small portions. The tortillas are ok. kinda boring. I think uncle julios is much better if youre looking for fajitas and if youre looking for flavor, I'll stick with my mercadito. Good place to grab a drink, esp if you are with a large group. I'll come here to get food while watching a bears game. They have a happy hour on weekdays and brunch on weekends. Service is slow and not the best.
(3)
Sunny K.
I walk by this restaurant every day and am always impressed by how BIG the structure is. How come they secured such a prime spot in the middle of downtown Chicago? It's large, two full stories, it's got fireplaces and large-scale wall sculptures and a humongous bar in the middle of the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows all around, so you can stare at pedestrians if you wanted. How?! Anyway, two friends and I stopped at Cantina Laredo for Monday lunch. Our server, Bobby, was kind. I ordered a blood orange sangria, mild guacamole, and ceviche. The sangria was not the strongest sangria in the world, which was exactly what I asked for. The guacamole was made at our table and served with salsa and fresh chips. The ceviche was so-so. It really was so-so, and having had my last ceviche fix in Lima I realize my expectations may have been way too high -- but still, it was just so-so. Pieces of fish and shrimp tossed in a little bit of lime sauce; that was it. WHAT DID END UP FLIPPING THE BOARD was the 3-tier mango cake we had for dessert. Oh wow, oh interesting, that was the best cake I've ever had, and I hate mangoes.
(4)
Dos B.
Convenient, fast/efficient service. Fresh guacamole is outstanding, made at your table. Love the thin tortilla chips. The hot red sauce is mediocre at best, almost like a warm pasta sauce. The fire roasted salsa pretty good. Enchiladas decent. Very loud at 9pm at night. Overall, great place to take teenage kids as they will think it is some hip Mexican restaurant in the city.
(3)
Yanja B.
Came here with the office after work on Monday, got to sit in the special lit blue painting room. We felt pretty special. Service was amazing, they did such a great job accommodating a large party and getting all our food and drink orders. Drinks are amazing, the mojito comes with a real sugar cane- pretty cool. The only drink I did not like was the Skinny-ritas; gross full of splenda. Food was great too, everyone enjoyed their meals. I ordered the Tampico- very good. Another table favorite was the Fajitias Tres! Only thing I was let down by was the gauc, all the reviews made such a big deal out of it. I will not blown away- in fact it was kinda bland.
(4)
Ashley R.
First off, the aesthetics of this restaurant are amazing - airy and spacious, offering plenty of seating without feeling crowded. Then there is the guacamole cart - a server comes by and makes fresh guacamole to your liking (mild, medium, spicy, etc). I had the mild guacamole, and it was heavenly! The service was prompt and friendly, which was another plus. I forgot the exact name of the sandwich I ordered, but it was amazing, with roasted pork, fried eggs, apricot spread and goat cheese pressed between toasted bread. The fries were also perfection - not too thick, not too thin, and just the right amount of crispness. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you are in the area!!!!!
(4)
Isabel C.
Came here last night with friends and it was pretty phenomenal. The chips and salsa were never ending and the table side guac was fresh (obviously) and delicious. I had the Barbacoa enchiladas. The tortillas were great, not soggy, and stuffed with meat. It came with green beans which was different but very good and a small portion of rice. I wish it had more sauce on it though like traditional enchiladas but it was good none the less. All of my friends enjoyed their meals and drinks as well! Service was okay- our waiter forgot to put in my boyfriends order of tortilla soup as a starter so that was disappointing for him since it was too late to have it as an appetizer. He ended up canceling it. The waiter also was not very attentive and did not ask us how we were doing. Other than that I will absolutely be back to try some other things on the menu!
(4)
Morganne B.
Crazy this place isn't more popular than it is. I had a friend visiting this weekend and after walking down Michigan, seeing the bean, and divvy biking around all morning, we were ready for some munching. Purple Pig quoted an hour wait and we were too hungry so we just walked around until we saw this place. We sat down immediately and started stuffing ourselves with chips. Said no thanks to the table-side prepped guac but now I wish we hadn't because it looked tasty. We ordered two brunch entrees, the chicken fajitas and the spinach and artichoke omelet, which both came with a Bloody Mary or a mimosa. The bloody was definitely from a store bought bottle but at that point in the day a Bloody Mary is a Bloody Mary is a Bloody Mary and sometimes you don't really care about the mix. The fajitas came out sizzling and the omelet was tasty--served with potatoes (which I doused in hot sauce) and a little fruit cup made of a fried crispy cinnamon sugar tortilla... The perfect dessert. Our waitress was super nice and did a great job. The inside of this place is gorgeous too! More people should check this place out!
(4)
Amanda M.
Came here for a friend's birthday. We were a little late and part of the party came slightly later and our whole party was less people than what was reserved for, but they didn't have a problem with this and seated us promptly anyway. The space is very nice. Very big, open, and modern. We ordered drinks first. Everyone seemed to enjoy their drinks, including myself, as they were good sized and actually quite strong. I had the la bandera, and it was very refreshing, as it was somewhat like a slushie. It took a long time for our waitress to come back to take our food order and now that I think of it, she only ever came by to deliver an order, and never to see how we were doing. Good thing, our chips and salsa were brought to us in the beginning and even moreso when more of our party showed up. My tamales de barbacoa finally came. There were only 2 tamales, but it did come with rice, so I was filled. However, nearly $20 for the meal wasn't worth it, especially as the food itself wasn't all that memorable. It was fine and not bad, but certainly not mind-blowing. Our waitress was able to surprise a complimentary chocolate cake for my friend's birthday which was nice. My water was also constantly refilled. Wouldn't come back, at least not for the food. Another excessively over-priced river north restaurant succumbed to NOT amazing food, but mediocrity.
(2)
Chris T.
Chain or local, the standard tortilla chips & salsa have always set the tone for each & every one of my Mexican restaurant experiences and Cantina Laredo did not disappoint. Outstanding River North atmosphere with modern take on numerous traditional Mexican dishes. The tall glass of white honey sangria and frozen pina coladas were absolutely delicious as were the pollo enchiladas and sizzling tres fajitas. Very cool ambiance as well - indoor gas flame fireplace by our table added bonus points. The service was equally above par. The only down side of my visit was self-inflicted...I put myself in a food coma before the entres arrived. I simply could not get enough of the highly addictive chips & mixed salsa. Simply delicious!
(3)
Lisa E.
While visiting Chicago for a work trip, we ate here as a large group. The restaurant had a nice ambiance to it and we were given tables in a separate room that opens up to the rest of the restaurant. Our waiters and waitresses were attentive throughout the night. We started with fresh guacamole made at our table. We requested it to be spicy and it was delicious. I ordered tamales for my meal and was pleasantly surprised at how authentic they were. We finished off with a dessert for the table. It was a great experience!
Happy hour was decent. But our food got sent to the downstairs kitchen, instead of the upstairs one by mistake. No one told us this and when I asked to cancel our order and get the bill after waiting an hour, they decided to tell us. The tacos were okay, as were the mango crab tostadas. The staff weren't very friendly or helpful.
(1)
Sally A.
My overall feeling for the restaurant is neutral. If I want a lively atmosphere for a quick drink this is a good place to go. What we liked: It was across the way from our hotel, the decor was modern and has the potential to be a sexy place, food presentation was decent, churros were aaahmazing.. What could've been better: ambiance, it was LOUD.. I don't mind lively but I was a little under the weather and would have preferred a more intimate setting, the modern decor threw me off, margaritas were a bit in the sweet side, food overall was ok. If you keep it simple and want some chips, guac and lively convo ck it out
(3)
Kent T.
We were invited to meet friends here while visiting Chicago. He said they had the BEST margarita's in the area! I don't drink, but I guess they were right because everyone else had a few and raved about how delicious they were! We ordered "table side" guac. Can't get fresher than that! I wish it had been a bit spicier, we ordered spicy but alas it was not really. And it needed a bit of salt. That is to my taste. Still good guac by anyones standards. For my dinner, I had the Mole Enchiladas. The sauce was great, the chicken stand alone did not have a ton of flavor. That is one of my tests for a fancy Mexican, taste the meat with out the sauce. It will tell you a lot about the place! It should have flavor, not taste plain. But over all the dish was pretty good. For desert, we ordered churros for the table. YES!! SAVE ROOM FOR THIS! They were AWESOME! Since returning home, I have discovered that we have a Cantina Laredo near us in Las Vegas....I will have to give it a try. If the food is as good, and the service as amazing we may have a new local place for "Modern Mexican" dinner!
(3)
Lauren C.
I brought a bachelorette party here this past Saturday night and had the most disappointing experience. To begin, we showed up for our reservation and had to wait 10 minutes for our table. After they sat us, the hostess came over to let us know she had sat us at the wrong table. When we arrived at the right table, it wasn't cleaned or set up from the party before us and we had to wait an additional 5 minutes. I was prepared to let this slide as the place seemed chic and professional. After ordering drinks from our waiter, he said he would bring us water. We waited 20 minutes for water. We then placed our food order and I asked where our drinks were, "Oh, I think they're coming soon." We waited an additional 10 minutes for our drinks to come... 30 minutes after www had ordered them. 45 minutes later... we had all finished our drinks and still had not received our meals. We also had not seen our waiter since he brought the drinks. I went to speak to a manager who simply looked at me and said, "I will go check in back". Our food came out almost immediately and was cold. Not to mention, despite all of this the manager never came back over to apologize or check up on us. Overall, terrible experience. I would never recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
Andrew P.
I've dined here a handful of times now. The food is consistently good for upscale(ish) Mexican cuisine and the margaritas pass my test. This place COULD be 4-stars, but service is really hit or miss. I tend to find that if you sit in the dining room, service is typically better, but if you sit in the bar, it can be friendly or terrible. Recently, a friend and I grabbed a table in the bar for a quick bite and drink. We waited 10 minutes for someone to come clean the table before my friend got up and told someone we needed service. Then, the waiter who came said "Hi" without making eye contact, put waters on the table, threw the menus on the table and walked away! Not even asking if we wanted to start with anything. Then, it took 30 minutes for our appetizers to come out. That's the worst experience I've had here. Either way, I'll be back.
(3)
Cara T.
The ambience and location are great, as are the margaritas! They also serve an excellent guac. I would recommend popping in for drinks and apps, but with so many amazing restaurants in the area- I would pick a different place to eat dinner nearby!
(3)
Ziyan C.
My review's from last summer (July 2014), when I organized a student networking event on behalf of my nonprofit. I had contacted several restaurants that had space for such an event, but most places had a minimum spending that was way beyond our nonprofit's budget. Cantina was ok with us spending a minimum of $400 on appetizers for a group of 40. I worked with Rhonda over email, and she was very accommodating, responsive, and flexible. We were able to have the Northeast Lounge reserved for us. The space had low tables with seats, as well as a longer table with tall bar chairs that ended up being a better area for networking and moving around. It was plenty of space for the 50+ people who showed up, and it was really nice with huge windows, lots of natural light, and a good view from the 2nd floor at downtown Chicago. I was able to set up a little before our students started showing up. There was a main server who checked with me throughout the night on how we were doing food-wise, and I was very happy with the service as they made good suggestions and were attentive. We got a lot of appetizers, from guacamole to salsa to flatbreads, and all were good. Thank you for helping us host a great event; I highly recommend Cantina Laredo for this!
(4)
Kesha S.
We had margaritas and quesadilla and the service was great we will be back for dinner we love Mexican food
(5)
Mel C.
Not my favorite Mexican, but a must try. Decent food , prices are mid range, drinks are good, and the food is okay. It's noisy in this establishment. The chips and salsa are excellent.
(3)
Christopher B.
This place definitely looks cool and it comes with a rather noisy but energetic vibe. However the food came up a bit short. The guacamole was okay but if you're specializing in the table service it should be lights out. The carnitas just wasn't my style. Not a huge fan of theirs. The ceviche was okay but nothing special. Overall, it was fine but nothing really memorable or to write home about.
(3)
Faith D.
Lunch / small plates on a VERY quiet afternoon. Christmas Eve Day. Just a very few people in the restaurant. I had a "blood orange" sangria and enchilada mole. Hubby had chicken enchiladas. Everything was delicious. Beautiful presentation, hot and a generous portion but not overwhelming. Very pretty restaurant. Guessing that it is VERY noisy when busy but super cute, modern, nice fireplaces and separate private event rooms. I'd love to try it again.
(3)
Kevin M.
The Margaritas are good and the food is fine. Ambience/decor is fine. Not amazing, not bad. I've had very solid lunches and had a pretty good dinner on 4/18/15 with friends. The service isn't rude, but it's amateur. You can get better service at a Red Lobster.
(2)
Lillian C.
For a Mexican restaurant, this place is okay. For a Mexican restaurant in Chicago, this place is pretty good, however, the food is mediocre compared to Mexican food in other cities, especially for the price you pay. Overall, great if you are here with a big group and choose ambiance and service over the food's taste.
(3)
Andre W.
So I happen to hear that there was a nice Happy Hour joint not too far from the gig in River North. I have often walked by and seen this place but never thought about trying as i figured River North could not have a decent taco joint. I came over one day around 5PM to take advantage off their half off food menu. I guess the deal is only valid in the upstairs lounge which looks really nice with bar, hi-tops, and couches/love seats around near a fireplace equipped with intimate lighting. I was excited to try the food here. Sad to say I was correct about a joint in River North not having good tacos as I am used to having tacos with flavor. I got the barbacoa, fish and short rib tacos. All were very bland as I found myself stuffing almost a whole taco in my mouth to get the experience over with. The chips and warm salsa which is free proved to be a better meal. Service was pretty good as the bartender was able to whip up those margaritas in a quick like manner. The saving grace for this place other than the ambience was the margaritas. Their signature margarita (Casa Rita) was pretty good as well as the Pineapple infused Rita and Cinco Margarita. I would try the place again but would not have high expectations for the food at all.
(3)
Jacob C.
Great carne asada plate at a reasonable price. Guacamole is made fresh right in front of you!!
(5)
Jane W.
The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. Very modern and the architecture/design is really wonderful. Unfortunately, that was probably the best part of my experience here. I came here for a birthday brunch on Sunday, and we were seated in one of the enclosed areas. I enjoyed the complimentary chips and salsa. The chips were mediocre - not enough salt and a bit too oily, but the salsa was fantastic. One was warm and the other was served cold, and both were flavorful. I ordered the spinach and artichoke omelette, which comes with a side of cheesy potatoes and fruit in a little bowl made with cinnamon-dusted pastry. I asked them to leave out the cheese and mushrooms from my omelette. When my plate came out, they told me they didn't serve me any potatoes because those came with cheese too. What? I'm not allergic to cheese, I just prefer to not have cheese with my eggs. That doesn't mean you leave out an entire portion of my meal... especially if you didn't even ask me beforehand. Baffling. The actual omelette was okay. I've had better elsewhere and flavors were uninspired. The entree came with a free mimosa, bloody mary, or non-alcoholic drink, and I opted for the mimosa. Good, but nothing special. (The best I've had was definitely at Sunda). Service was okay. Satisfactory but not great. I did REALLY appreciate the fact that they were willing to give everyone separate checks - saved us from the pain of trying to split the bill among almost 20 people.
(3)
Sophie S.
Go for the drinks! The food here is mediocre. The guacamole is made table sids and is very good but the chips are horrible. It's makes it very difficult to eat because they break so easily. The food comes out quickly but it looked so unappealing because the beans were so dried out as if they had been sitting under a warming lamp for a long time. Strictly a drink and appetizers place at best.
(2)
Toni J.
Meh... Pretty much sums up my experience at Cantina Laredo. This is a large location in downtown Chicago, so it's great for groups or after work drinks. Other than that it's really not much of a destination dining establishment. Growing up in Arizona, I've exposed to some of the best Mexican food in the country, so it's really hard for me to go to a commercialized mexican restaurant and enjoy it. If you're not used to home cooked authentic style Mexican food, you'll probably like Cantina Laredo. I started with a white sangria, which was way too sweet and some table side guacamole. The Guacamole was pretty tasty, but lacked salt and spice (despite asking for it be made spicy). As a vegetarian, my options were pretty limited, so I ordered cheese enchiladas. They were just okay. They hardly had any sauce so the tortilla was pretty dry. I wouldn't order it again. I'd say the best part of our meal was the service. Our server was very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.
(3)
Vineet S.
One thing one will notice about this place is it's sheer size. It is beautiful and very well laid out. It is spread across two floors with the upper floor mostly for corporate events. The main floor has dining space on both sides with the bar area in the middle. I came here couple of times , sat on the bar and in the dinner area. Food here was decent , I really liked the ahi ahi tacos. The main course with shrimp on the pepper was average. Their week special fish flounder was really good. They have a cool thing where guacomole is made at your dinner table, the server comes makes the guac as per the specific needs. The reason for giving 3 stars is the lackluster service at the bar. I think few of the bartenders have some kind of attitude which led to service not upto mark.
(3)
Lisa P.
Best chips and guacamole in the area! Love the high top bar tables/ambiance in the bar. Great place to watch games. I feel as though the menu can be a bit overpriced however the food is consistent and flavorful.
(4)
Robert A.
I have been here several times and the food is always great. I am a huge fan of the guacamole. They have great service and the valet guys are always nice. I am in love with the happy hour on the 2nd floor!
(4)
Carm P.
Tableside guacamole made fresh to order. .ok, count me in. Food comes out super quick for a high volume restaurant. Very nice portion sizes, with good flavors. OMG, save room for dessert. Mango Tres leches topped with a mango puree... (smiley face). A great experience, will surely be back. No complaints. .
(5)
SoSunnychicago S.
Our group of 11 was seated early, and drinks were flowing as we all arrived. The pineapple-infused margaritas were a big hit, along with the delicious Cinco Tequila margs. For a big group, we were happily surprised at all of the speed and attention to our meal. Thanks Mike! Table-side guacamole is always a nice touch. The fresh tortilla chips were hot and plentiful. Favorite entrees were the shrimp-stuffed chicken with spinach and a smokey chipotle sauce. Also the shrimp-stuffed chile relleno with veggies & cheese. Each dish was a perfect mix of the right ingredients. Entrees range in price from about $13 for tacos to $30 for a ribeye. Margaritas about $12. We agreed that the lime rice is better than the spicy rice, so make that switch if you can. Service was impeccable. Food was incredible.
(5)
Kelli M.
Reservations are a must! There is outside seating with fire pits but it's limited and can't guarantee reservations for it. Title explains it all- modern Mexican! Very nice, dressy place with delicious Mexican food. You must order guacamole- they make it table side for you fresh. You can get mild, medium, or hot. Chips are good but too flimsy, each time I scooped sauce- it would break. We ordered tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas. All good but chicken wasn't that flavorful. Sauce on mole enchiladas was not that great. Drinks were strong and delicious- margarita is obviously a must.
(4)
Asenath N.
Came here with some friends on St.Patties day. They place is really big and never felt crowded even with the amount of people inside. They have two floors. The place looks really nice and have fire places for outdoor sittings. The bartenders were nice and helpful. The drinks were reasonable prices. I plan to go back and try the food also.
(4)
Vikki Y.
Sister recommended this place because she had frequented this place with her boyfriend before. Here's what I loved about it: 1) nice atmosphere: loved the outdoor fireplace, the tables, and the wonderful upscale yet casual feel of the place. (perfect for after-work) 2) we sat outside right by the fire place and I loved how warm it was (against the chilly evening air) yet it was also cozy. 3) the food was tasty and hearty! I ordered the ahi tuna tacos- and it was the perfect evening snack- hit the spot- but not too filling. 4) my drink was amazing- and it didn't have alcohol! I asked for a virgin frozen pina colada and it was perfection! Just the right amount of sweetness and frozen- all blended together. It was tasty even without the alcohol! 5) prices were very reasonable! Will def come back :)
(5)
Hannah L.
Delicious food! Wish there was one in Atlanta!
(4)
Ashley E.
I just had my 30th bday dinner here tonight and I have to tell you, these folks made it perfect. I had a party of almost 20 people and Mario our server did an excellent job serving us. Every single order came out correctly, they made zero fuss splitting the bill 20 ways and we're always super accommodating to every need me and my guests had. On top of that the food was delicious, the drinks were strong, and the ambiance was perfect. Thanks for a great night!
(5)
A K.
I took a group here for a business meeting and the service and food was great. Chips were very good on the salty side but still tasty especially with the salsa. Guac was awesome Pricey but worth it. Had the fish tacos which were very tasty. Also had the crab enchilada which was very good too. The service was perfect. Very attentive and the price was very reasonable. Coming back for sure.
I guess I should start by saying that this place was completely packed after 10 pm on a Friday night. It is so huge though that they were able to seat our party of four right away. We started with table side guac and asked for it hot and we got what we asked for. It was so spicy but delicious! Our waiter was really knowledgable about the menu and when we asked what he recommended he actually gave us a few pointers instead of just saying, "everything is good". I had the seafood ceviche which was so so so good. It was also pretty spicy but had big chunks of all sorts of shrimp, scallops and fish. I had a taste of my friends carnitas and they were also fantastic. They were more smoky then I have had carnitas in the past but definitely good.
(4)
Mahsa T.
This review is for drinks/happy hour only, I will update once I have tried the food. I arranged a happy hour for our networking group here on a Thursday night and the upstairs lounge/bar area was packed! Good house margaritas and mojitos. Good vibe and awesome to have the indoor/outdoor feel as all the windows upstairs were open, it felt like you were having drinks outside. My only complaint is wish they would take reservations upstairs, it would've been great to have had a couch or corner table reserved for our group so that we wouldn't have to crowd around the bar, we felt like we were totally packed in like sardines and constantly in the way of the servers coming and going from the bar. Minus one star for service when we finally were seated at one of the tables near the bar, no waiter approached us to take our drink order or to see if we wanted anything. And minus for service at the bar because the bartender kept insisting that one of us leave a card to keep a tab open, we kept explaining to her that we didn't know each other and no one person wanted to be responsible for leaving a tab open and that everyone would pay separately for their own drinks. She just didn't want to have to do the work of separate bills, but how is that different from everyone else standing at the bar?
(4)
Victor R.
I have been coming in here since I moved to Chicago a little over three years ago. I am from Mexico, so living in downtown Chicago was the closest scape for me to get some good Mexican food. Carnitas and Barbacoa are my favorite for dinner. Tacos al carbon are good, too. Cantina Laredo has amazing salsas, and the guacamole is just perfect! Love the fact that they make it in front of you. There is a girl that makes the guacamole that is super friendly and nice, but I don't remember her name at the moment. I usually come here for drinks, and I would totally recommend doing that. The bartenders are the best in downtown. You can have dinner in the bar area, too. Quesadillas al carbon is a good appetizer to share if you are not that hungry,
(4)
Nitin G.
I keep coming back here for their top shelf guacamole. It's fresh (duh) flavorful and delicious!!
(4)
Halisa V.
Interior was trendy and upscale. The thing I liked the most was the tableside Guacamole! I plan to come back for that.
(5)
Brittney R.
Went here for happy hour last week with my mom and friend and I loved the ambiance they had good choices for happy hour. The prices were even better. My suggestion is that the servers are educated more on the options for happy hour and be more attentive. At times it seemed as though they were overwhelmed. Other than that the food was great! The drinks were awesome. I will be coming back. I plan on going for dinner now when I get a chance.
(4)
Laura M.
This is one of my go to places in River North. This place has a great atmosphere, and also has a couple of really nice private party rooms that a great for larger groups. Most importantly, the food is always pretty spot on, the margs are great, and you cannot beat the table side guac. On my most recent visit we started with the queso and guac, and as usual both items were delicious. The guac is made to order table side, and you can customize your guac by requesting spice level (mild, medium or spicy), or asking for no onions, etc. For my entree I got the Enchilada De Cangrejo, two lump crab enchiladas with spicy chili de arbol cream sauce served with rice and green beans. My boyfriend got the Camaron Poblano Asada - grilled steak around poblano pepper with shrimp, mushrooms, onions and monterey jack cheese, on chimichurri sauce. Both items were fantastic. The enchiladas were cream and spicy. The steak was really well cooked and went perfectly with the flavorful poblano pepper. Cantina only loses one star because on occasion the service can be kind of spotty. On our most recent visit I think our waiter forgot about us for about a half hour after we ordered our drinks, and it took a while for subsequently ordered drinks to make it to the table. It's often pretty busy here though, and this obviously hasn't stopped me from coming back!
(4)
Lise S.
Great list of margaritas!! That means we must come back to try more :-). Great location and large space inside for big groups or just having a great time with new friends you happen to meet there! We loved all our dishes and the service was great once we got a table. I'll be going back several times.
(4)
Kyle M.
Loud and fun atmosphere. I thought that the flavors lacked spice but could have just been the tacos. Expect a crowd that you would typically get at a chain restaurant on State Street.
(3)
Timothy M.
Cantina Laredo is great. Brunch was fantastic. A choice of a mimosa or a bloody comes with the brunch entrees. Definitely a must for any brunch menu. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the lack of a utensil to stir my coffee with when it was brought. Albeit I am fucking picky about my coffee. Also some non alcoholic drink choices for the complimentary brunch drinks would be nice. My mother doesn't drink much, and was somewhat disappointed. Although she loved the fish tacos, and she is usually picky about those.
(4)
Carolynn M.
Fresh Guac. Great Food. Strong Margaritas. Beautiful Atmosphere. My only complaint I was there about 9:30 on a Friday night at the high top tables and even after someone dropped off our waters and chips & salsa we had to walk 4 steps over to the bar to ask if we were going to see a server...mind you we waited about 10 mins and took our time reviewing the menu. The place was busy but the bartenders clearly seen us sitting there without any help. Overall after we asked for a server everything was great.
(4)
M H.
Been going here for quite awhile so it was surprising to be treated by the "new" host with such passive aggressive weirdness. (I'm assuming he was new because I've never seen him before.) It felt like I should have been on Rodeo Drive dressed as a pauper arriving at Cartier. I've never encountered such weird snobbery, nonchalance attitude anywhere. (shortened conversation) Hi we have a reservation." Dude mumbles and looks at computer and then mumbles and then looks up irritated. "Do you have a table outside available?" "Sure" and then proceeds to walk to a table near the bar very much inside. "Um, how about that table near the open door to the outside." "Whatever." There were two tables outside, empty. Since this table was next to the open door to the outside, we continued on through it cause the place also happened to smell like barf the minute we sat down. Hey host if you hate life that much that seating two people at a Mexican restaurant brings about some kind of existential angst I suggest working at an art gallery or seating people at Orchestra Hall. But, the world is changing and snobbery is not as acceptable as it used to be. Guacamole is usually good if they cut up the cilantro otherwise look out for stems. Mojitos are good.
(2)
C G.
I love their happy hour specials in the upstairs lounge! Great service and from Monday - Friday, between 4-7 pm, their food menu upstairs is 1/2 off. I recommend the carnitas tacos, shrimp tacos and quesadillas. And their mango mojito is delicious!
(4)
Caroline A.
Cantina Laredo is huge and went on for miles. I imagine it to be good for a work event or celebrations of sorts. The place as very tidy and efficient. The waiter seemed very knowledgeable on everything on the menu. However, I just can't justify paying $10+ for a just a few small tacos. It all just seemed way to over priced for me!
(3)
Rick F.
Celebrating a friends birthday! Friday night, 8:30pm. The design of this place was off the chain. Amazing, comfortable, cool, hip vibe. Jammed packed, everyone seemed to be having a great time. We had a blast, the drinks were excellent, the Tequila sampler was my favorite part of the evening, we ordered two. Best tequila I've ever had, presentation was cool. The tableside guacamole was excellent, the person that made it did not want to be working, had a frown on her face the entire time and did not enjoy the process at all, sort of put a damper on things a bit. The chips did not have enough salt and were way too thin and kept breaking, couldn't get one dredged through the guacamole. Service was spotty at best. The main courses is where this place really went downhill. Terrible all the way around. Carna Asada was awful, rice and beans dry, flavorless, shrimp fajita was so spicy you could not eat it, so disappointing. The investment put into everything else must have been in the millions, why would you lose it all with mediocre to terrible food.
(2)
Arthur M.
My first time here. The food was off the wall! My drink was well. The atmosphere and decor was very nice. Waiter was on spot with everything. A must if your in Chicago.
(4)
Mary S.
This stuff is pretty authentic. It's definitely an upscale Mexican restaurant, being in the heart of River North, so right off the bat you're not going to be getting any type of "deals." Get over it, the food it great! They make table-side guacamole so you can have a variety of self-determined toppings and to whatever level of spice you like. One serving easily provides a good amount as an appetizer for four people. Visiting for lunch with coworkers I ordered their ahi-tuna tacos. They're called "mini" and that they sure are! Three of them though, with the guacamole as an appetizer with chips, was enough for lunch. For dinner I would suggest you ordering from their tacos menu, of which some of my co-workers did and got much more food than my appetizers allotted. The service is right on with the waiters coming only when they should, and the atmosphere is very chic. I would recommend this place for an after work drink spot with a side of guac, or a nice dinner with a group of friends.
(4)
Caress T.
I visited Cantina Laredo because I never did and I walk by it everyday on my way to work -_____- Anyway, I had the Tacos De Pescado (fish tacos) and they were delicious! The server/bartender Charlie was genuinely friendly and awesome; always on top of everything no matter how busy the place got. The free chips were tasty and a nice compliment to my lunch. Also, I read that there's a happy hour with 1/2 priced food specials between 4 and 7 Monday through Friday... I think I will check that out soon! I will definitely be back.
(4)
R J.
Decor is modern and very Los Angeles. Service was absolutely abysmal. We sat for 15 minutes after our actual server came by to tell us another server existed, but that he was our actual server. (Why?) When he finally came back around; he asked if we wanted to place any orders.... I told him, "we're ready to order our entire meal" Ordered the table-side guac, against my better judgement... It was predictably bland. And overpriced, like everything else in this restaurant. Guacamole needs some time to meld and develop flavors after it's made. Table side doesn't offer that. It lacked much of anything except underripe lime flavor. Chipotle chicken fajitas were tasty. Only 3 small tortillas included. Fellow diner ordered tamales and they were bland and cold. And expensive. Server was absent most the meal. Then proceeded to smash a plate next to our table sending pieces flying everywhere, including on us. He was unapologetic. Low value and mediocre food. Poor service. Including the host- who made us wait 15 minutes for a table, even though 1/4 of the restaurant was empty. And NO- I won't give you my phone number to "text me when a table is available." For the price- Frontera is a far better option. Where food, service and everything else are perfection, at similar prices. (Also best guac I've ever tasted)
(2)
Kenneth T.
Great atmosphere and very friendly staff I love the upstairs and the crab cakes and their drinks are so good. I had went with a friend and she order somethign she thought was a taco and wasnt. We asked if they could make the plate into tacos and they did it with no complanit and it came back and looks wonderful the way theyy plated it. Will keep gong here for a long time.
I was wandering around Chicago looking for a place for dinner when Cantina Laredo caught my eye. I was entranced by the warm and cozy atmosphere so we decided to stop here to refuel. Unfortunately, the food was not as appealing as the restaurant's ambiance.The tacos were really small and not filling. The food was pretty standard and overpriced in my opinion.
(3)
M K.
This review is for Sunday Brunch. Possibly the best deal in downtown Chicago. Firstly, they take Sunday morning reservations; that in and of itself deserves credit. We had a group of 7-8 people and they sat us in a little private area with a stacked wine backdrop and glass walls-- beautiful!! Our server was amazing and very attentive. All the menu items are from $9-14, which included a free alcoholic beverage?! Everyone thought our bill was wrong because it was such an amazing deal. Despite the amazing price, food was completely bomb. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Shirley W.
I just went there the first time today and I LOVED it! I've been walking by this place since it's opened, but never had the desire to go in because it seems very expensive and I thought to myself it's probably an over priced Mexican place, I don't want to go if I can get Mexican food near my house for cheaper. But today my friend introduced me to their happy hour. Half off appetizers and more! And it was so good!! The portions were fine (I thought it was going to be tiny and I probably won't get full), but I am stuffed! Each dish came out to be about $4.50 or $7 each depends on what you order since it's half off. The guacamole is so fresh! They make it in front of you, with bottomless chips of course YUM! I got spicy chicken taco and crunchy tuna taco, each order came with 3, they were both very good and definitely worth the try! The place is clean, classy, a lot of people do go. And I would totally go back! I want to go back tomorrow already!
(5)
Rachel V.
If you're looking for Mexican that's classic but of a bit higher quality than the sloppy sauce enchiladas you might get at a chain, this is the place for you! The table side guacamole is outstanding. They have unique tacos on the menu that are very tasty. In particular, I like the Tacos De Carnitas! We had great service up until the end when we ordered an after dinner drink that never arrived; instead, we got our check!
(4)
Meda T.
We went last week for my birthday. Bobby was our server. He was amazing! He definitely added to the experience. We ate upstairs and got to enjoy the half price apps. Margaritas were excellent!!!! That guacamole was to die for. Only thing that I didn't love was the chips. They didn't hold up to the guac or salsa. Spoke to the manager about my amazing service and he was super cool too. We'll be back.
(5)
Alli W.
I did not enjoy the food here and I wanted to SO bad. First off, we had five different people come to welcome us to the restaurant and take our drink order. I will take that any day over no one coming by the table, but it was seriously getting weird. Finally once we had settled on a server, we got our chips, salsa and guacamole. I seriously didn't even enjoy the salsa or guac - I don't think I've ever not LIKED a guacamole before. Our food came later and it was just average. I just wanted to like this place so bad and I was totally let down. It's a piece of prime real estate and the whole place was empty. I wonder how long this place will be open?
(2)
Kate W.
Meh. Cantina Laredo is fine. I wouldn't go back for the price. I had some fish tacos that were dry and underwhelming. The guacamole was good (but when is guacamole ever bad?) I didn't try the churros or the brownie (which comes out in a pan of splattering butter--watch out!), but they looked good. For a less intense lunch, though. . . meh. Also worth noting: lunch meetings in their prive room can be challenging due to a large sunny glare in the middle of the table. I think a few of my lunch-mates left with solar headaches and sunburns. Beware!
(3)
Bill T.
Guac? Check Chips and salsa? Check Strong margaritas? Check One you have three checks, you know you're golden. Regrettably, you need four Slovaks to reach the same conclusion. (cue rim shot) My bffc* and I came here during our "Chicago 2013" tour. Started with fresh made guac. Full of spice and very nice. Then we had chicken tacos (very good) and carne asada (also great). Service was friendly and the food was pretty gorgeous, it deserved to be admired rather than eaten ...I almost felt guilty masticating! But then again, I was raised Catholic. The design of the place is gorgeous, very open and rustic. If you sit outside, they have fire pits which are super cool. A bit pricey, but you're in the heart of Chicago, right near the Miracle Mile....if you want the dollar menu, go to Gary, Indiana. ____________________ * best friend from college
(4)
Gregg F.
Great place to take out of town guests. The Poblano stuffed pepper with cheese is off the charts. And the guacamole was made to perfection at your table. Mike the waiter was very attentive and had a personality which some waiters don't seem to have until it's time to give you the check..
(4)
Valerie W.
Cantina Laredo is tres chic! What a fun atmosphere! We came in for a bachelorette party dinner a few Saturday's ago and were seated in a semi-private room, which also had a TV, which was perfect for the girls who also wanted to watch the Hawks game. Cantina Laredo's menu absolutely has something for everyone. I enjoyed a mojito and the carne asada, after looking through the vast menu and deciding I had NO idea what I wanted. I was really happy with my choice, and to be honest, everything on the table looked delicious. Service was prompt and attentive, I honestly cannot say enough good things about the staff, food, and ambiance of Cantina Laredo. Kudos - keep up the good work!
(5)
Kallie H.
We had their brunch yesterday and the food was alright, but the sangria was excellent! It was a bit strong (good thing I took the train), but was great tasting. Their guac, which is made right there at the table, was fresh tasting. I ordered an omelette and it wasn't that great but I can imagine that their more authentic food would taste better.
(3)
Mindy M.
Great ambience. A little indifferent about the service...or maybe they are indifferent about service. Ordered the guacamole. It was AWFUL. They took it off our bill. I'm sure that was a fluke. Drinks were meh. Skinny margarita deserves a nickname like El Gross. Wine selection is good. Skirt steak was delicious. Mixed on this place but would probably go back.
(3)
Erin M.
The food was very good, however the drinks were misleading. My drink came frozen, which was not noted on the menu and I do not like frozen drinks so I was quite disappointed. The drinks were also quite weak and pricy. We went on a Wednesday night after work, it was not crowded yet it took over 20 min for anyone to bring us water or even acknowledge our presence. There are definitely better Mexican restaurants in the area with better drinks and better staff.
(2)
Shan D.
This place is HORRIBLE. I've been here for both dinner and brunch. The dinner items are over seasoned and too salty. The guac is really bland. It's nothing like big star's or Rick Bayless' restaurants. When I came back for brunch and based on my previous experience, I asked if the chef could make my entree less salty, and they said it was too late because everything was already marinated. My friend got eggs, which were heavily buttered. She had to send them back. You're better off going to Chili's, which is nearby. Yes, that's a chain, but guess what, so is Cantina.
(1)
Jaime L.
This place was really good!!! The flan and enchiladas were really good! And the mango margaritas too, little expensive but you won't regret going there.
(4)
K C.
Service was meh. Food was great & they deliver too?! Yes! Well, I hope the delivery service is better.
(4)
Kenneth F.
My issue with Cantina Laredo is the lack of service. My husband and myself enjoy the food and drink but service is terrible. We last visited on 3/13/15 at 5pm, went upstairs, found a table and the wait began. First time we waited for the server to acknowledge us over 10 minutes. We placed our order then waited another 10 minutes for our drinks. This went on all evening, actually our first round came quicker than any other rounds! What was so frustrating is a manager came upstairs and stood by the stair case for over 20 minutes watching the servers, bus people and bartenders go up in flames. A Friday night you need more than two servers in your upstairs bar!. I feel bad for the staff as management does not care. Hopefully management will add more staff immediately!
(2)
Sofia C.
The margaritas are a must. The house margarita, "casa rita," is a winner every time. The bartender, waiters and hosts are very nice. The food was amazing! The carnitas are to die for! Well organized space, and well run restaurant. Even with the place filled to capacity, there is plenty of breathing room.
(5)
Jason D.
I'm sitting at the table. It's been about 45 minutes. My water is out. No chips, no salsa, but I do have guacamole and a fork. I'm sure my fajitas will be out before I die of hunger, but if I do in fact die here, tell my parents I loved them very much.
(1)
Phil B.
Great lunch! Great space! Great service! Great Food! My family really enjoyed this place. The nachos are fantastic! The lunch entrees are portioned just right. This isn't a Mexican "joint". This is quality Mexican food! Not much else to say. 4 different entrees and two desserts. No complaints. Eat here!
(5)
Matthew F.
Service has gotten steadily worse. You may wait 15 minutes to be acknowledged by your server; you may have to ask for silverware after your food arrives; the refill of chips and salsa you requested may never appear. The half-off bar food happy hour special is a good draw, and it's a solid deal for the tacos. (Note that there's no happy hour drink special.) The queso fundido I had on my last visit, however, was a thin, greasy, burnt slab of cheese, with no chorizo at all. Neither scoopable nor dippable, it's the only time in my life I've needed to use a knife on queso. With so many options in River North, Cantina Laredo should be near the bottom of your list.
(1)
LaToya A.
I recently went to Cantina Laredo for Happy Hour with some friends. The drinks were delicious, but I was disappointed that they were not included on the happy hour menu. (only on Mondays, according to the bartender and waiter). I saw the reviews on the food, but still like to try things for myself as we all have different taste buds. Well, I must say that they were right. I ordered the short rib tacos and my friend ordered the barbacao tacos, When the food came out, both looked the same and were bland. There were three of them, but I could only eat one. The meat was tender, but it wasn't seasoned how you would expect at a Mexican restaurant. The steak quesadillas on the other hand, were too salty and didn't have much steak in them. If I wanted a cheese quesadilla, I would have ordered one. The guac was good and I liked that they made it at the table. I'd definitely go back for the ambiance, drinks, chips and guac. I just don't think I'll eat dinner there unless they season it better.
(3)
Dennis B.
Steps above a typical mexi joint..creative menu, good selection of tequilas, and a great atmosphere. Salsas are great. Ceviche was slightly too acidic, but very good.
(4)
Di A.
Excellent drinks with lot to choose from Guacamole and chips average... Food excellent ....we had the chicken fajitas, brisket enchiladas and vegetable enchiladas Overall great space to meet up with girlfriends
(4)
Stephanie H.
After my last review, the GM reached out to me to give Cantina Laredo another test run. The same friend and I went back to try out some new dishes, both of which were super tasty! I highly recommend the crab cake pretzel bun sliders and the bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed jalapeños.
(4)
Kate M.
My friend and I stopped by there for a desert and the selection of them were just amazing. There were not any desert that I would not wanted to try. I order this mango pie and it was pure deliciousness. I have not tried the rest of the menu, but I would absolutely be back to check it out! Side note: the restaurant decor seems to mismatch with the restaurant's cuisine. I would add more Mexican spirit in it!
(5)
Ronda N.
Great place large groups! The restaurant is beautifully decorated with tall wrap around windows. I dined here recently with some colleagues. We enjoyed guacamole made tableside to order. The tortilla chips and salsa were homemade. The food and service was very good. With so many tasty options for Mexican cuisine, Cantina Laredo should differentiate itself with some signature entrees and drinks.
(3)
Stephanie A.
Food is DELICIOUS! I am originally from Texas and have my fair share of great mexican food. I would say that their food is almost as good as Uncle Julios. Almost. Their drinks are great. It is a little pricey, but for good mexican food in the midwest, I will pay it. I look forward to going back!
(4)
Pamela H.
Yummy! I had the Camarones Escondidos and it was fantastic, so delicious. My Husband had the Tacos De Fajita, which was also muy delicioso Their Bloody Mary's were delicious as well and I believe that I could be a Bloody Mary Connoisseur. We had the table side Guacamole and that is the only reason for the 4 stars, the Salsa's were awesome but I found myself combining the Guacamole and Warm Salsa together for more flavor, which btw ended up to be pretty good. Waitress was super friendly, nice ambience. I'd go back for sure.
(4)
Delightful D.
Loved my visit here on a tuesday, no wait at 4pm for the lounge area for happy hr. What a great deal half off food in the lounge starting at 4pm. Tried tacos and chicken quesadillas all were pretty solid. I think the best was the free chips and salsa and the chicken quesadillas and of course the drinks. I tried the three amigos and another one with a tequila shot in it. Both were good and strong. The ambiance is just beautiful, would love to revisit at night. I would def return.
(4)
Maria L.
My enchiladas were good, but the green beans were hard and not tasty and the rice was ok. Everyone else with me had all different tacos that all tasted bland. Even the black beans were not tasty! Waiter was very inattentive. Would not recommend.
(2)
Eve P.
Good customer service. Nice ambiance. I would visit again. Made a reservation on open table about 15 min. prior to getting there. The place was packed but we did get seated right away. I ended up ordering the enchiladas de mole. I really love mole sauce but I wasn't really a fan of it at this place, but I did eat all of it, so it wasn't bad (I might be a harsh judge when it comes to mole so try it yourself). The pico de gallo was sooooo delicious and so were the drinks. I ordered a ginger mango margarita (not sure what the exact name of the drink was but it was tasty). Received great customer service from Ricky!! A great place to go to with a group or on a date.
(4)
Jo L.
We visited on a Sunday mid-day. They offer a brunch menu, that includes your choice of mimosa, Bloody Maria, or soft drink - so why not? I tried the spinach omelet and it was perfectly made, and served with roasted red potatoes and a fruit cup (including mango - yum!) served in a cinnamon-sugar coated tortilla bowl. The mimosa just added to the fun. We started, though, with the table-made guacamole. How fun! The cook who made it seemed less than excited with her job, but she did a great job...I was wolfing it down until I hit a chunk of jalapeno that numbed half my tongue for a few minutes. That's the risk you take when you order your guacamole "medium". The service was very good throughout our experience. The dining room is bright and open and quite large. The sign out front is nondescript so we actually walked by several times during our visit to Chicago and didn't even know it - so keep your eyes peeled.
(4)
Lena P.
Go here for brunch they have complimentary mimosas and bloody marys they also make tableside guac that's delicious
(4)
Hardeek P.
I wish I could give out 1/2 stars - I'd give it 3.5. Nice place, quite dark but thats the ambiance of it. The fresh table made guacamole was ok, as an amateur I think I can make it better. There are many spots in the city that know how to make a mean guac, and this is not one of those places. Entrees were good - they were accommodating when I wanted to change up the vegetarian enchiladas I ordered. Definitely an interesting take on the enchilada, didn't seem to be as heavy and as cheesy as you'd get at a typical Mexican spot. I don't even they used cheese which was interesting but really didn't need it. The drinks were a bit stiff, in both the taste and the price. I ordered some "special" margaritas and you can definitely taste the tequila, but it was smooth. I think it's a nice place to take someone but it is a bit pricey for Mexican food. Service was solid. Waiter was available and like I said accommodating when I wanted to swap out some of the enchiladas with others. Would I go back... I would, but probably not by choice. If a friend was celebrating something, I wouldn't say no.
(3)
Meredith K.
I wasn't sure what to expect based on the cover. We always thought the outside looks like a library in the suburbs and not something you'd see in the city. Its beautiful inside but you'd never know it was a Mexican place (in a good way) if this place fails the next restaurant can just move in w/o redecorating. We were seated near the fire place with a good view of the bar. Its nice and cozy! Our waiter was good about making drink recommendations. I had one of the regular margaritas but not the house one. He said it was less sweet. My boyfriend had the one with mint in it and it was great! Just maybe too sweet for a full glass of it for me. Since they make the guacamole table side we went for it. The 2 salsas before the guac were interesting. I wish they would have explained what they were. One seemed to be roasted and maybe made w/ tomatillos? The guac was great. Perfect amount of spice. For dinner my boyfriend got the fish tacos and they were fantastic. And I don't like mahi mahi but I'd get these. I had the chicken enchiladas with spinach (there's another one on the menu with mole sauce) It was so good! Not crazy cheesy. Like a fancy adult enchilada where I left not feeling gross. Although we were too full for dessert. I'm sure we'll be back!
(4)
Tosha J.
I have been here several times because I enjoy the ambiance, fantastic food and service. My favorite is the Enchillada Veracruz and Mango Tres Leche cake. There have been times where I go to the restaurant just for the Mango Tres Leche cake. Definitely check them out!
(5)
David M.
A good staple place for Mexican. Good table side freshly made guacamole, I get the same dish every time (Enchiladas Oaxaca) - some dishes I tried were not great but if you are in the mood for Mexican, you can get a table (it's huge) easily with last minute reservations and the food is certainly decent enough.
(3)
Andrea R.
I'm guessing they are quite busy for dinner, but it was easy peasy to get a reservation for 5 during lunch. A few of my dining companions were running late due to Friday traffic, but I filled up on about 5 bowls of chips while waiting. The baby was hungry! Once the others arrived we ordered the "spicy" table-side guac with more chips (of course). You'd think I'd have had my fill of chips by then, but always room for more chips....especially when served with guac this delicious. To make for all the chips I went the healthy route for my entree and got the ensalada de cilantro y pollo. Basically chicken fajitas in the form of a salad. It was quite large (enough for myself, my fetus and another grown person). It was also quite yummy. I'd be game for trying dinner at Cantina Laredo and look forward ot trying their margaritas once I'm able to indulge in alcoholic beverages again.
(4)
Jeff C.
Loved this place. A beautiful corner building with full wall retractable glass doors. On a great day with the doors pulled back this place just oozes city life. The food was wonderful. Very flavorful salsa that was warm when served. Good variety of menu items. The food was well presented, tasted very fresh and was a just-right portion. Good value and service.
(5)
Sandy K.
This place is amazing. Dined here last night. Good service. Amazing food. Best guacamole of my life prepared table side and I've had it all over the world.. So fresh! The Margaritas with the Tequila filled lime boat were awesome.
(5)
Brittni R.
I've been wanting to come here for years and finally got around to it tonight. I left VERY underwhelmed and probably won't ever go back. My favorite part, however was the ambience and the fact that they have a lady walking around with a cart to make you fresh guacamole right in front of you. The guacamole was really fresh, but I really like I could make it way better in my kitchen. Mexican places like this are a dime a dozen in Chicago. It's first of all, pretty pricy for what it is. The food is plentiful and filling. I got the Tacos de Fajita, which were decent, but I have had way better even at a simple place like Big Star. Next, the service was atrocious. Our server practically forgot about us and we were waiting a good 15 minutes before he came around to take our order after we got our drinks. It was a bit much seeing as the restaurant was busy, but not packed. Overall, it is good, and fancy. A nice place for a date night, but I'd rather pay a little less at Uncle Julio's in Lincoln Park and get way better Mexican food.
(3)
Isabel S.
I went to Cantina Loredo a few weeks ago, and can't say that I was disappointed. Food was overall very tasty. I agree with a lot of the other reviews as well by stating that the table side guacamole was good, but could have been WOW-factor. Service was great and the wines were described well to me. Dessert was on another level. I would say the ambiance in this restaurant cannot be duplicated!
(4)
Lamia B.
I came here yesterday with my friend and we had such a good time.Very classy with the fireplace and interior designs. We had reservations so we sat down in 5 minutes. Not bad considering we were a few minutes late lol. I requested a window seat and the host set that up with no hassle. Our drinks were good but If you not trying to get buzzed get 1 lol. Food was even better! Our waiter was nice and gave nice suggestions. However we found ourselves checking for him too long at times. I didn't get upset but I know my angry yelpers would have a fit lol. Overall good. I'm definitely going back when it gets warmer!
(5)
Marlene D.
Good food and the prices are reasonable
(4)
steve s.
Very good. It's was our last meal in Chicago before going home. It made my trip. A must eat while in downtown Chicago
Lunch is way to slow, there is absolutely so waiter series u. Bad bad bad. Food is just okay
(2)
Jana C.
I love love love this place. The food is awesome, great ambiance and spectacular service. The have an open air area, bar area and dining room. The table side quac was excellent and the shrimp fajitas were delicious. Husband had a pork chop with chimichurri and he loved it!
(5)
Abishek M.
I hadn't heard about this restaurant before so I had no real expectations to start with. That said, this place took me by surprise! Went on a Friday night around 8pm. The restaurant downstairs had a 20 minute wait but the "restaurant-lounge" upstairs had no wait and we got a table immediately. I was impressed by the decor. It was classy with lots of leather and wood. They had a couple of fireplaces too, which added to the ambiance. We ordered a couple of the margaritas (I had the blackberry smash) which were delicious and really strong! The food menu upstairs is tapas style. We ordered the table-side guacamole, chicken empanadas and spicy chicken tacos. They were absolutely delectable! I loved that the spice levels were lively but not overpowering. Just enough to leave that faint tingle after you're done relishing the food. For dessert we got the churros (with a dulce de leche dip) and the flan. They were HUGE! I was expecting tapas sized desserts but was pleasantly surprised. Overall, This was one of the best mexican-tapas style restaurants i have been to in a long time. I am definitely going back soon! UPDATE: Went back here a few weeks later and dined at the proper restaurant. The food was just above average. I'm bumping the stars down to 4. So much for consistency.
(4)
Jennifer Q.
My husband and I took my teenage daughter downtown to see the sites. We took her to Cantina Laredo hoping we would be able to get a table on a busy Saturday night and they were able to get us and I am extremely happy they did. The atmosphere was brilliant. The ambiance was warm and cozy on a cold winter day. We sat down and were immediately greeted by a great waitress. We got an amazing batch of "walkamole" made the way we want it at our table. AMAZING!! the chips and two salsa that were given to us for the table. AMAZiNG!! My husband and I both ordered the fish tacos and I ordered one shrimp taco (per the suggestion of our waitress) it was AMAZING! If you are looking for a great date night or a place to take a potential client, this is the place!!
(4)
Carl G.
Overall summary: service was good, but the food was not. Very trendy place, and not worth the price. Came here with a decent sized group, which they accommodated well. A little slow on the drinks sometimes, but that can be expected with a larger group; the food came out quite quickly. In general the service was polite and attentive. Had the house margarita, and was not impressed; it seemed watered down, and didn't have a ton of flavor - especially for the price. Switched to beer after that. The food was pretty much all a miss. We got the guacamole as appetizers, and while the tableside creation was pretty cool, it just didn't hit as being good. It was over-garlic/onioned, and just didn't have a good consistency. Ordered the fajitas and was also able to try the enchiladas. Neither had a lot of flavor, and both seemed over-salted. The combination fajitas had over-cooked chicken and very rare beef. The tortillas included seemed to be the exact same ones that I could pick up at the corner Jewel. The refried beans seemed burnt, and the rice was dry and just not that good. The fajita veggies were over-cooked and pretty wilted, again essentially no flavor other than salt. Enchiladas were plain, but that seemed to work ok in general. In terms of price, nothing individually seemed egregious, though everything was on the high end, especially considering that it just wasn't that good. The atmosphere is very trendy, and actually seems to be set up pretty well - private but in a crowd. I don't think I'll be back, as nice as the server seemed, nor as trendy as the place was.
(2)
Christina M.
Great ambiance and drinks, odd flavoring choice for the guacamole. Not sure what they put in the guacamole, but my bf and I took one bite and decided it was awful. The servers graciously made us a new batch of guac without the offending flavoring, which was much better. The two salsas they bring to the table (for free) were good. We'd likely go back for the drinks.
(3)
Rebeka M.
We came here for lunch on a Sunday. It wasn't busy, but the service was slow. We were seated, given menus, then waited for about 15 minutes before our orders were taken. The avocado enchiladas were really good. The food made up for the slow service. They looked like they were understaffed. I would come here again.
(4)
Erica D.
Cantina Laredo Two of my dear friends from the burbs chose to make a rare appearance in Chicago in order to celebrate the life of well, me! I couldn't of been more excited to see my old roommate and her boyfriend for the evening. Reservations were set for an 8pm. Arriving at 750 two female hostesses informed us of a 10 min delay in reso times; having worked in the restaurants for almost 10 years I understood. This joint is located on the route to my grocery store. Each time I've passed it's been loaded with guests mingling while indulging in 'Modern Mexican' cuisine as Laredo puts it. I've been intrigued with this spot since it opened but quite frankly, I would've rather kept it a mystery. The dining room was bumping, consumed in a lively crowd filled with enthusiastic employees. Decor is simple and elegant. Music was quite obscure for the atmosphere. Starved like the rest of my crew, we were ready to gratify our palates with the tastings of Laredo. Our server greeted us in a jumpy manor, 'disheveled' is the word that comes to mind. Margaritas were tasty but nothing special to drop $12. We chose table side guacamole to start, presentation was unique and fit well with the up-scale concept. Problem was, it was a bit difficult to delve in without chips..5 min later a small bowl of chips was dropped off. Perfectly riped avocados and fresh ingredients obliterated the bowl. Our glasses were continuously empty, making it difficult to enjoy the dinner. As my boyfriend put it very well, if we're spending $12-15 on cocktails, least you can do is keep them full. Touche. Touche. Our table ordered an array of entrees to 'family style' it up. The tacos were bland and steak was over cooked. I personally ordered the enchiladas, decent flavors but line cook OD'd on the enchilada toppings, Too much! The sandwich with a fried egg on top satisfied my roommate. The server overheard that it was my birthday so he sent over a brownie dessert with a sparkler =) Cant complain about a free dessert but i'd never order that for dessert, go for the Mango Tres Leches.. OMG was that amazing, props to the pastry chef! The tab rounded out at about $275, expected prices but Not for the quality of the food. Sorry to say the hype and reputation doesn't hold up to reality. Probably a good idea to dine during their 3-7pm Happy Hour where everything is $5 or dine at Mercadito, best Modern Mexican joint around the area.
Love this place! Its in a great area, and decently priced delicious food and drinks! The guacamole and margaritas are SO GOOD! A go to place when looking for a place to take friends who are visiting, or just a night out. Definitely recommend!!
(4)
Pinak B.
Website: cantinalaredo.com Cantina Laredo is a chain of restaurants that is in the business of serving their version of 'gourmet' mexican food. The Chicago location is a great space with a unique 'out door / indoor' seating area. The patio is open during the summer months which makes the space appear large and very open. The restaurant features table side guacamole which was decent. I ordered the cheese enchiladas with mole sauce which were excellent. Their mole is comparable to some of the best I have ever had (the king of all moles' in my opinion is still at Red Iguana in Salt Lake City, Utah). Overall, this restaurant is worth checking out if you are in the mood for some quality Mexican food and great outdoor seating. pbarot.blogspot.com
(4)
Halyna S.
The place looks trendy and inviting but it's definitely not for those looking for great food. Despite the trendy vibe, the food was very mediocre. Our overpriced dishes were definitely lacking in flavor. Cantina Laredo is striving for an upscale Mexican experience and while it delivers on the atmosphere, it misses the mark on what matters the most -- the food. With so many great authentic Mexican restaurants in Chicago, I will pass on having dinner here again.
(2)
Jeff S.
I think you come to this place for the ambiance rather than the food. Architecture and design is nice, the food not so much. You could easily get a tastier Mexican meal all over the city.
(3)
D A.
I would agree on stretching it to a four star like in the review from Katrina. I went during the week after work. Just myself since I'm traveling for work. Atmosphere: Not your typical Mexican restaurant. It very much an upscale atmosphere with great lighting and an outdoor seating area. No 'in your face' colors. Service: Down right awesome. My service was one of the best that I have had in Chicago. Engaged, well taken care of, and attentive. Much appreciated when traveling. Food: This is where they slip a little. Salsa was so-so. I don't like hot (temp wise) salsa. The other option was not that good. I didn't get the tableside guac, but it looked good. I did get the chicken tortilla soup and it was okay ... nothing special. I then had chicken enchilada's Veracruz ... at first bite, I wasn't impressed. I had a different expectation based on the description in the menu, but in the end, it was actually pretty good. I expected a cheese based sauce, but it was a tomato base. Overall, it's worthy of trying ... defiinitely not your typical Mexican restaruants ... fresh Mex is more like it ...
(4)
Blaine T.
I had high expectations because the restaurant looks so cool, but my boyfriend and I were soooo disappointed. The guac tastes awful. The salsas are nothing special. The nachos had steak that was too chewy to successfully eat. At least the margarita was great, but the food was pretty bad....
(1)
Eric M.
I have only had drinks here. Best Mojitos in the city. Excellent bar staff. Someone here understands the importance of costumer service and it shows. Great place to grab an after work drink.
(4)
Christine S.
Cantina Laredo is huge! Like as in massive. However, it might just be their very open and clean space. I love it! For starters, I had a pomegranate margarita on the rocks. It was really good and had the right mix of everything. Nothing was too over powering. The chips and salsa that they bring to you when you arrive...yeah, that's my Kryptonite. The Top Shelf Guacamole is very good. We got it extra spicy...which honestly wasn't spicy enough for either of us. We like heat! For my main course, I got Enchiladas De Mole. Wow! These Enchiladas are amazing. I picked them because they are a house specialty and I was very satisfied with my choice. The Mole sauce is smokey, yet sweet. It really was delicious. The food was delicious. The service was spot on. . I'd come back here again in a heartbeat.
(4)
Christian R.
Loved this place. I kind of stumbled upon this place by mistake. It looked very inviting, so I went in for drinks and a bite to eat. Great location in north Chicago. Very sleek and modern feel with open air dinning room and outdoor seating. Very good drink menu. I had the avocado and artichoke enchiladas which were unique and incredible. Beautiful and very large rectangular bar in the middle of this place. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Amy H.
The service here was so bad. I placed my order at the exact same time as the rest of my family, but my food didn't arrive when everyone else's did. The waiter was scarce and never even noticed I didn't have any food. The manager finally came over and asked me if I ordered anything. It was crazy!!! By the time my food arrived, every one else was finished eating. We won't be going back.
(2)
Marc S.
I'm pretty impressed by this place. Wonderful atmosphere. Great drinks. Great chips and guac. The salads are awesome - especially the chicken avocado. My brisket tacos were good, though I wish had been hotter, plate bigger and brisket pieces smaller so I didn't look like a savage eating them. That being said, so delicious. The enchiladas and other dishes looked so good as well. Waited for about 1 minute to be seated and not a problem making our reservation of 5 a 7. Amazing. Keep up the great work!
(4)
Evan M.
So close to being amazing. Just need to work on a few things. I live nearby and finally decided to drop in on a beautiful sunny day. Walked in and were seated promptly. I did notice there were tons of macho chip fragments on the floor. The staff sort of swept them up but seemed unconcerned with really cleaning the floor. So we were sitting over nacho shrapnel for our entire meal. Kind of unusual in an establishment with such a nice, trendy ambience. Menu prices looked reasonable, especially for River North. Margarita prices were also quite reasonable--most ranging from $9-12. The salsas--both mild and spicy--were delicious, and when we finished our chips, our waiter Jose was more than happy to bring out more in a larger bowl. We also got the tableside fresh-made guacamole. Very good. Speaking of our waiter, he was very attentive and personable. I ordered the mole enchiladas--very delicious. A curious side that came with two of our dishes was sauteed zucchini--OK? My friends liked but didn't love their entrees. One had the tacos de barbacoa and the other had the enchiladas de barbacoa. One said her meat was too greasy, and the other said hers was too dry. Overall, good meal (for me!) but some things could be improved. We'll go back for brunch next time.
(4)
Isheeta B.
The place was great. Very contemporary and modern. Good service. But the food was alright. My group ordered two of the vegetarian enchiladas and the dishes came out aesthetically pleasing but lacked in flavor. The enchilada de avocado was the better one out of the two. On the other hand, the salsas were really good!
(3)
Mumtaz H.
Loved it. Very cool place. Great ambience, excellent food, scrumptious desserts. Must order the guacamole which is made fresh at table side for you. Make sure you leave room for the dessert (esp mango tres leche and brownie a la mode). Our server Jesus was very courteous and accommodating. Will definitely go again.
(5)
Valerie M.
I really liked this restaurant. The decor is really similar to Zed45. Love all of the fireplaces. The table-side guacamole is a must have. We asked for mild by one of the waitress had the server add extra peppers. So it was a bit spicy for me but really good. Drinks- Frozen mango margarita and frozen strawberry margarita. Entree- Chicken Enchiladas, nice flavor next time I will ask for no peppers too spicy for me. Boyfriend had the combo steak and chicken fajitas that sizzled upon it's arrived and smelled absolutely divine. The meat was very tender. Service- Very prompt and attentive.
(5)
Gina V.
LOVED IT!!!! We went here for my sister's birthday and we sat in a private room and it was sooo nice! The drinks were delicious! The guacamole was amazing! It was made to order right in front of us and just so delicious! We ordered ceviche, tamales, beef taco, steak, and chicken tacos! Everything was amazing! I can't say enough things about how delicious the food was! The price was also not too bad for the amount of food we had and the alcohol. I would definitely come back here!
(5)
Henrik C.
Great modern ambiance that is very decorative. However the noise level is very significant. They have not done the basic of organizing reasonable acoustics. We had a mixture of chicken and steak. Overall very good food that was tasty, well prepared and had great presentation. We had a Kenwood cabernet sauvignon 2009 for the food. Great fine. They also have a great selection of tequila fresh on the rocks. Great modern mexican food. They would get 5 stars if they acoustics was better.
(4)
Kristen W.
Walk into this gorgeous restaurant head to the bar or take a left and head up stairs for one of the best happy hours in town. Half off bar menu from 4-7 Monday-Friday. The drinks are strong, you gotta go with a margarita. Everything we have tried has been great! The table side guacamole is so fresh! The flat bread pizza with goat cheese and shrimp I could eat daily. Don't overlook the ceviche, empanadas, and the chicken nachos.
(4)
Sam N.
If you are not from the tex-mex afficianado people ( yes I am sure there is a better way to phrase that) this is still an awesome place to go with friends, without friends, to go meet new friends of the opposite sex or whatever you have in mind. The guac is awesome...it wont leave you gasping for air like in other tex mex places. The drinks are carefully made. A good time to go...The best time to go is anytime you want to go have a drink after 6pm during the week. Also dont wear shorts and torn jeans if you are a guy...Hint: if the women are dressed up ( which they are ) they you should probably wear something nice too :)
(5)
Daniel Z.
A great place for lunch, dinner or a drink. This was the third time I have been to Cantina Laredo and I am always pleased with the food and the service. I usually make this my meet up place for lunch or dinner with co-workers. I have never been here on a weekend, but I will give it a try soon!
(4)
Lauren S.
This restaurant had been on my list for awhile, since I always pass it on my trips downtown. I made an early (and same-day, might I add) dinner reservation (6 p.m.) for 3 with no problem, and wasn't disappointed. Good service, really good salsa (one's warm and spicy, the other a bit milder), good skinny margarita, and my friend loved her blood orange sangria, and good, quality food. I had the tacos de pescado--I always have to try them when I visit a Mexican restaurant for the first time--and really enjoyed them. I wanted to try the guacamole (made table-side), but will save that for next time. This place has a great atmosphere and would be a good place to have a small dinner party for a birthday/celebration, as they have a wine room with seating for six on the first floor. I will definitely be going back!
(4)
Katie D.
If you are looking for authentic mexican this is not the place to go. It's a trendy place with some modern flavors of mexican. Not a big fan of their enchiladas but their tacos are delicious. Wasn't too impressed with their service.
(3)
Lola V.
Very good!! I had the chicken fajitas and we also had he beef tacos. They were both superb! The fresh made guacamole is delicious!
(4)
Angela N.
Went here last night with two friends and I have to say service was really poor. Our server whose name was Roberto forgot about us for 20 minutes. When he decided to come back to take our orders he made an excuse that our other guest wasn't here (when we had told him that our guest wasn't coming in the beginning). Also, people that work in food should look a little happier and look like they enjoy working there. Smiling is good for you! I still really like this place for its ambiance but will most likely pass on having dinner here again.
(2)
Chloe R.
I love the ambience of this restaurant. The decor is beautiful and so modern. The food is okay. Nothing really stood out except for the prices. They make fresh guacamole in front of you, but I feel like I could make better guacamole at home. The salsa was roasted, and I'm not a fan of that. My husband and I shared chicken tacos. I only had one, but as soon as I was done with it, I immediately felt like throwing it up. Weird! I would only go back for drinks, but not to enjoy the food.
(3)
N C.
Guacamole is amazing, they make it in front of you and customize it to your taste. Food is good as well. Margarita is a must get.
(3)
Nancy H.
Drinks, appetizers, and desserts are better than the entrees. I'd say this is more of a 3.5 star review because the beautiful interior definitely deserves an extra 0.5 star. I had the table side guacamole (very good - you can customize the ingredients), chicken quesadillas (very cheesy, and the quesadillas were tasty), steak nachos (also very cheesy, but I'm not a fan of the individual chips), the enchilada Veracruz (which was literally 1 chicken/spinach/cheese enchilada with veggies and rice - just ok), mango tres leches (not bad), hot apple pie with cinnamon ice cream a la mode (yum!), and a mango mojito (delicious but not strong). It's definitely "gourmet" Mexican food, aka Americanized. But the ambiance is nice - perfect for a work outing, and the service was fine. However, our waiter was barely audible. What?!
Oh how much I wanted this place to be good!!! But, I was extremely disappointed. My husband and I went here because we really wanted guacamole, margaritas and an outside patio to enjoy the amazing weather. I called, and was told that they didn't have porch seating, but they had an indoor patio that had the windows open. Ok, not exactly what I wanted, but I was willing to sacrifice for some amazing guacamole. When we got to the restaurant, I asked to be seated in the patio, but was told it wasn't open, but we could sit in the main dining area where all the windows were open. We were seated and no windows were open, in fact the fire place was blazing!!! It was 70 degrees outside! Ok, so on to the good stuff- the food and service. First I asked the server how the skinny margarita was. His response, he wasn't sure never had it. No smile included. So, I went with the passion fruit margarita. I was asked if I wanted salt or sugar. Again, I seeked the professional opinion of my server, but he didn't have one. In the end, the drink was ok, but not worth the 11.50. Of course, we ordered the guacamole that is made at the table. A server came over, made the guac and then set it on the table. I said, "thank you", but didn't even get a smile in return. Guac was good, but I have had better. For my meal, I ordered the fish tacos. The menu said that they came with a chipotle cream sauce. Only one of my tacos had the sauce, which was disappointing because it was really good. Other than that, the tacos were very bland. During the entire meal, my husband and were discussing our experience. My husband noted that the service was horrible and all of the staff members looked miserable. I did a quick look around and not one server was smiling as they interacted with their table. All in all, for the money spent on our meal, I would much rather walk the extra couple blocks and wait for a table at Frontera Grill. I highly recommend that the manger at Cantina Laredo hires some staff members with a little bit of personality to make the dining experience somewhat pleasant.
(1)
Rebecca C.
I did not like this place. The place was trendy and a great atmosphere, but the food was horrible. The only good part was the salsa. The presentation of the food is nice, but I took two bites and could not eat anymore. I think I might try it again. Hopefully my mind will change.
(2)
NAmrata K.
Been here for lunch a few times. Love their decor, they also have seating next to their almost street side indoors with a nice fireplace et all.. Lunch is great, vegeterain fare is pretty good and affordable!
(4)
Janice K.
We were seated right away on a Memorial Day evening without reservations. We started with the guacamole made to order at the table. It was a generous amount. We asked for medium spice but it was mild. Next time I would say spicy. The tortas were awesome. We had both chicken and pork. The fries were yummy. The dessert was unique and delicious. The brownie and the apple pie came in a hot skillet with a scoop of brandy butter added at the table to sizzle and melt in front of you. The cinnamon ice cream on the apple pie was very good. The waiter was nice.
(4)
Charlotte W.
For Sunday brunch, my bf and I really wanted something spicy and filling and Mexican (or Latin American!) I was doing my research in the morning from all those 'Where' magazines in the hotel room on best Mexican places that was open for brunch. I eventually gave up and asked the concierge who HIGHLY recommended Cantina Laredo. Because it was so close to our hotel (same street), it couldn't be beat. The interior is HUGE with high ceilings. There were some people at the bar already and we were seated in a booth (yeah!) Our waitress immediately sold up the Guacamole, prepared by the table side, and since that was what my bf and I wanted, we ordered it. You get to choose which peppers you want to put in, and I chose the spicy Serrano. It was okay, but I have actually had better. Kind of iffy on the value of it being $9.99. I instantly gravitated towards the Chile Relleno which was very filling. I didn't need to eat for the rest of the day. My bf had a chicken dish (name eludes me) which was ordinary. We both ordered Bloody Maria's (our waitress didn't know what a Caesar was) and I could barely drink it. In fact, I didn't even finish it. Loving my booze, I actually couldn't stomach drinking whatever alcohol was in. FYI - This restaurant has brunch options that include either a Mimosa, Bloody Maria or a non-alcoholic drink. Then for dessert, we had the Flan which was very big. Meh. All in all, this would be a great place to have a sit at the bar and drink and nibble on Guacamole. However, my quest for that homey, Mexican cantina continues.
(3)
Shilpa K.
I didn't actually get any food here but I came in to get a drink with some friends prior to a late dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant. First of all, you get chips and salsa even if you aren't getting a meal. And not just some cheap, out of the bag, tortilla chips. But legit, homemade, thin, warm, authentic tortilla chips. Yeah, I was starving at the time, but they were amazing. Also, the salsa - omgah. SO good. And one was really spicy which wins extra points from me. I got the pomegranate margarita on the rocks. It was a great choice. Sweet, but not too sweet, and you could definitely feel the alcohol kick. Definitely a must try... at least for the margs and chips.
(4)
Keyona D.
Great food, fresh guacamole made right at your table, and good view from our upstairs table. Perfect spot for date night.
(5)
Elizabeth A.
Cute place. They make guacamole at the table, which is cool if you remember to watch. I didn't eat much here but from the little I did try, I can say that the fish tacos are good while the Long Island Iced Teas are not so good and strangely made with far too much Tequila...(tequila? :-/) They do have a white wine called Cupcake something or other that was very yummy (this is coming from someone who is normally not very fond of white wine).
(3)
Rustygirl M.
Great ambiance. Had the brisket tacos. I didn't like the soft shells so I just ate the meat w/ the rice and black beans. Food and drinks were reasonably priced, which wasn't expected based on the location and upscale look of the restaurant. Blood orange sangria, 7.50$ Brisket tacos, 13.99$ Chips and salsa were great. 2 kinds of salsa. We had guoc too that was good. I'd return for sure!
(5)
Stephanie L.
OMG...AVOID this disaster place..... So went here on a Sunday at about noon. There was about four other tables in the place when we sat down.... The actual restaurant is beautiful...I really like the way it looks and that is about where it ends Roberto was our server...he brought us waters and we ordered the guacamole...ok, I really am over the table side making of the guac...like really?!?! Does this give you the right to charge a ridiculous amount for ok guac. It really needed a little salt too. It was just ok at priced at $9.95, it was ridiculous for the small amount of guac that we got. Then we waited and waited and waited for Roberto to come back to take our order. Some people had gotten the mimosas...still waiting on those too. There was only about 12 workers walking around for 4-5 tables...no joke. Oh by this time, we were out of water and out of chips for the guacamole that we had ordered. It was the most ridiculous service that I have seen in awhile. We saw what looked like the manager (I really wished I would have gotten his name, but he was short and asian...) and asked him if we could please get a server so we could order. He sent over Jose...who was now going to be our server. We placed our order and finally got the mimosas. We flagged down another server to bring us more chips and more water....annoying. Our food came and Jose couldnt remember who got what...again, pretty annoying. I got the chicken torta. It was burnt and the bread was hard. Jose wouldnt have known this because he never came and checked on us after he dropped off the food. The carne torta was much better than mine. Also, the fajitas were just ok. Nothing to special there. Again, we waited and waited for the bill. Also, none of the plates have been cleared...not even our guacamole plates that we piled up in the middle of the table to get some more room. We got up and got Jose's attention again to get our bill and some boxes. After 10 more mins, he finally brought the check. Another girl brought out the boxes. We sat for 10 more mins waiting for him to close us out. I actually got up and went to the bar to see if they could please run our card since we have been waiting for 15 mins to get out of here. Again, at this point, there are probably about 12-15 tables total. And still about 12 workers waiting on these tables...I really couldnt understand what was going on. The manager ran our card and we high tailed it out of there. This place has SERIOUS service issues. No one seemed to know what the heck was going on....really?!?!?!?!!? HORRIBLE. I will not go back to Cantina. It was ABSURD. AVOID THIS PLACE. The food was ok at best and the service was probably the worst I have had in a month or so...with so many options in the city...dont waste your time here.
(1)
Veda P.
I would have loved to give this place a 5 star rating however, because of our server, I'm only giving it 4 stars. The ambiance was fantastic, the food pretty good. Our server--surly. Why wait tables if you hate your job? So sorry to inconvenience you! Also, they say they are kid friendly--not so much. It's a little fast paced in there, not very relaxing. They all need to calm down! Would I go back--not sure.
(4)
Renee R.
My boyfriend and I love it here. if you're looking for traditional Mexican cuisine, this isn't really the place considering it's more modern plates and drinks, but regardless it's fantastic and the atmosphere is very fun. Great place for a big group of people.
(5)
Arash R.
Great ambience and drinks , must try three amigos
(5)
Phillip T.
Just got back from there so it's fresh in my head. Stumbled upon this when Bub City BBQ was packed. Got seated, took 10 minutes to get anybody to acknowledge my existence in a relatively empty place but afterwards, the service was attentive. Ordered enchiladas de mole and it came out almost instantly. Sauce was pretty good as were the tortillas. Chicken could have used a little more seasoning but otherwise not bad. Beans and rice, you ask? Oh no no no... not here. More like the yellow rice you'd find in a Portuguese restaurant and zucchini... really?! Zucchini?! Tried it, left it on the plate. The shining moment was the flan, though... omg. I'm a flan snob and this thing was on point. Absolutely delicious. Table service includes chips and salsa... chips remind me of Chili's, salsa was ok. Decor is beautiful but I'd rather eat in a broom closet with exceptional food than some fancy place if the food is only mediocre... but omg... dat flan...
(3)
M G.
Not sure if I can consider this place to serve modern mexican food. They serve American-mexican food. Will not go again, it was over priced and way less than what I expected. The waitress did not ask how we wanted our plates either (meats, fries or rice and beans) instead she just chose for us. The food was cold and with little to no taste at all. I gave it one star for the Spanish music that's all that was good there. I also ordered at tamarindo lemonade martini and was the worst drink I've ever had.
(1)
Katelyn W.
My favorite Mexican hands down! Loooove the fresh table side guacamole. The skinny margaritas are good! The ambiance and service is always good so time of day and day of the week shouldn't matter!
(4)
Donna L.
The place looks sooooo beautiful! Modern and contemporary feel... High ceilings, large windows... The aura is great. The drinks are pretty good.. Mango Mojitos are awesome and the blackberry smash was also tested delicious. Personally my dish was the stuffed chicken and it was super super salty. So I wouldn't get that again, but my 'date' got the sea bass which was literally amazing. Seriously melt in your mouth deliciousness and perfectly seasoned. Because my dish was not edible, they did compensate with THREE?! Desserts! And they were all amazing!! Not just because they were free, haha. But seriously, the mango cake was impressive, as was the brownie doused in butterscotch. The flan was also smooth and creamy. We shall be back!
(4)
Meredith G.
In my 5 days in the city I wound up here 2 times. It was also right across from our hotel. Really nice and open interiors. They have good happy hour food specials in the upstairs bar area every evening. Upstairs also has a cool fire place and glass walls that fully open up. Cocktails run $9-12, but they are well made and strong. I enjoyed their house margs & another one that had blackberry in it. The chips & salsa we got were so good. The 2 types of salsa are served warm. If this was in Denver I would be a regular.
(4)
Katie R.
I went here with a big group for a birthday celebration, and it was a lot of fun. They accommodated our group of 14 on a Friday night with absolutely no issues, and the service was still great even though there were several other large groups there. They had a lot of great margarita choices - I had the peach-flavored Skinny Rita, and it was really good. They make their guacamole right next to your table, and they make it as spicy or mild as you request, which is great. I had the Enchiladas Veracruz, and they were absolutely delicious. And at the end of the night when the bill came, it was not nearly as expensive as I would have expected for the quality of the food and the experience overall. I will definitely be coming back here!
(4)
Hannah C.
This place is very fun and modern, great to stop by after work. We went on a weeknight and didn't have to wait for a table upstairs. Drinks were very good and they have a pretty impressive tequila list. Food portions are somewhat small and our appetizers cooled off quickly as we talked, but they were still tasty!
(4)
William V.
This is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. The location and atmosphere are great. I prefer the more open patio section with high ceilings and ample outdoor lighting, and try to avoid the darker, more formal section. The guacamole is delicious and prepared to order table side. The menu is vast and has a range of traditional items, plus seafoods, etc. Get there early and enjoy a drink at the large, u-shaped bar!
(4)
Niti B.
Mojitos mojitos mojitos!!! All I have to say is the drinks are amazing and definitely do the trick to start happy hour on a friday night! I was here for a second round after checking out the place for lunch I wanted to try a evening experience. I had the guacomole table side which was delicious. Made with the right amount of spice and tang. And I shared the mahi mahi tacos with my friend. The fish was cooked perfectly and the cabbage coleslaw was delightfully crispy. Definitely super crowded due to it's prime location and a place to be seen. The staff does a great job of trying to move things along swiftly and very polite. Prices are moderate but definitely hiked due to the touristy crowd...will definitly keep coming back!
(5)
Kemi A.
This was my 1st food stop in Chicago. We didn't have reservations but luckily other friends were also dining there and we were able to sit with them. The place was very spacious. We had a few drinks. They make fresh guacamole by the table side. Only thing is that we asked for moderate heat intensity and it was literally ZERO intensity. Disappointing. I had the shrimp enchiladas. It came with two. I think everyone enjoyed their meal. Drinks were good too. Overall, I would recommend this place to others.
(4)
Arthur H.
Average food but good service. Guacamole is made to order at your table. Large place. Can get noisy.
(3)
Monica H.
Great atmosphere, nice staff, good food. Get the guacamole and a skinny margarita, and feel the worries of your day melt away. I had the pork tacos, which weren't anything special. Next time I'd probably try something else. Good salsa. Large enough space to accommodate bigger parties. More like Rosa Mexicano than your neighborhood cantina, but sometimes that's what you want.
(4)
Nicole W.
This place is just OK Highlights: -2 out of 4 margaritas were good -Made a reservation 30 minutes ahead of time so sat immediately -OK service, slow -Guac is good Luckily I made a reservation about 30 minutes ahead of time and was seated immediately. Watched a girl come in, swear she made a reservation, then told it'll be a 1.5 hour wait. I for one, would not have waited that long. Sat down, ordered our drinks. The floater margarita with a coronita was gross but the margarita I had was made with agave and very good. Ordered guacamole as well. The guac girl circled her cart around the aisle a couple times and was quite humorous she had no idea where she was going. Then she clunked her little stand to our table and asked us if we ordered guac. Yep. The guac was delicious. It took awhile for the server to come take our dinner order that by then, we had filled up on margaritas and guacamole. He eventually came and we put in another drink order. I ordered the skirt steak medium rare and my boyfriend ordered the mahi tacos. Drinks too forever to come out again. The mint margarita was delicious and the pepper margarita was rather gross. 2/4 margaritas were good. My skirt steak came out very well done so after our waiter oogled at the table of 8 cougars, I was able to get him over to request a medium rare skirt steak. Finally he brought it over and said to me... I kid you not... "I looked at the last skirt steak and it looked medium rare to me. I did not see anything wrong with it." I ignored him then cut into my true medium rare skirt steak which actually had some pink in it and was way more delicious. The audacity to try to call me out. Medium rare is not hard as a rock and cooked all the way through. The fish tacos were delicious. The flan was also delicious. This place is OK, don't think I would go back in a hurry though.
(3)
Alex A.
Great food and atmosphere. The service was excellent as always! Guacomole made at the table side is phenominal and so is the tres leches dessert.
(5)
Vincent Y.
Honestly the enchiladas de mole were good. The meat was flaky, the sauce was sweet but tangy enough to not overpower, etc. It's a toss-up though because although I would just go to Pilsen or Humboldt Park to recommend restaurants like Nuevo Leon, you are paying the extra 5-6$ (I had a 14$ meal for the enchiladas) for the downtown atmosphere.
(3)
susie s.
Love this warm modern space-a little noisy but very festive and LA-ish. The drinks were outstanding-no crappy triple sec here. The food was perfect-O jad tender carne asada, split some fresh ceviche that was to die for, I sampled my friends pork shank which was also amazing. The chips are light and crispy and they don't charge for each fresh bowl. We had the mango tres leches cake and the flan for desert-both were absolutely divine. The service was perfect-the whole experience was absolutely wonderful.
(5)
Elaine G.
I've been here a couple of times, during their 5-7pm happy hour and for dinner. I'm only giving it 4 stars because of the happy hour/bar menu. Otherwise it deserves 2.5. Ask to be seated where the happy hour menu is served because I think it only applies for upstairs. Regular Menu Top Shelf Guacamole ($9) - every table at the restaurant seems to get this. They make it tableside and it looks pretty cool. I'm not much of a guac fan, but it's definitely worth getting if you've never tried it before. Ceviche ($9) - shrimp, scallops, fish in lime juice. It's pretty fresh but I thought the lime taste was too strong. Ensalade de Mango Y Pollo ($12) - chicken and mango salad with jicama, grapes, pumpkin seeds, mind, and honey vinaigrette. Very large portions and one of my favorite things from the menu. Quesadillas al Carbon ($13) - chicken quesadillas, totally average. Mexican Brownie ($7) - by far the most amazing thing I've tried from their menu, and quite possibly the best brownie I've ever had in my life. It's this super rich pecan and walnut brownie that's served on a hot skillet and the server pours cinnamon ice cream and brandy butter over it at the table. IT IS AMAZING! Must get item. Margaritas - the frozen margaritas are AWESOME and super strong - I can definitely feel it after one drink and I'm a champ when it comes to alcohol. They do give me a headache though...but I think that's just what happens when I drink tequila. Mojitos - they all taste really good, but you can barely taste the alcohol. If you're looking to get tipsy, definitely opt for the margaritas. All in all, I would go for drinks and the brownie. There's much better and cheaper Mexican food elsewhere. But the dining environment and atmosphere beats any Mexican restaurant I've been to.
(4)
Kim D.
We ate here recently.....ordered the fish tacos based on the fact that they get their fish fresh everyday, never frozen. The fish was very over cooked, but still okay. The guacamole was great, chips and salsa were awesome. Service was very slow. Overall it was good and I would probably try them again. The atmosphere was awesome.
(3)
Sherri K.
Want bland, tasteless food, and poor service? Then this is the place for you ... All others avoid!
(1)
Carol H.
there was a problem with our reservation (came through open table), and not only would they not honor it, they were very rude about it.
(1)
Melissa T.
Although this place was perfectly fine, I've had better for less money. The drinks were weak for their cost. The guacamole was good, and I really liked the different salsas. I've made better mahi mahi tacos at home, although these were still good. Overall, it was fine evening; I just won't be dying to go back anytime soon.
(3)
Tricia F.
Mainly points for ambiance and ease of experience. Came on a busy weekend night without a reservation and got a hightop table at the upstairs area. Great ambiance, service and drinks!
(4)
Richard M.
This place is shady! I had brunch there and accidentally left my cell phone on the table and then walked directly to where I live. When I arrived home, 25 minutes later, I realized my mistake and immediately called the restaurant. I know exactly where the phone was when I left Cantina Laredo (sitting out on the table). Nevertheless, the restaurant claimed no one had seen it. I kept asking to speak to a manager but the hostess had a hard time finding one -- referring to Mark, Tina and then Paul. I spoke to Tina at the restaurant, who simply took down my name and number. Upon leaving the restaurant for the second time, I called my own cell number again only to discover that someone had turned my cell phone off, causing calls to go "direct to voicemail." When I got home for the second time, I called Cantina Laredo again and was connected to another manager, Paul. Paul was cordial on the phone, even promising to frisk his bus boys if necessary to find my phone. Still, my phone was never found. I will NEVER go back to this place.
(1)
betsy b.
I should really stick with what I know....the JULIO! This place is overpriced oversalted mexican food. Sure the table side quac was good but that was about the only thing....the skinny marg was possibly the worst marg I've ever had. The fajitas were bland and my shrimp stuffed chicken had about 4 mini shrimps in it. Sorry Cantina Laredo but Uncle Julio's has you beat by a long shot.
(2)
Terrel K.
Was crowded as it was a friday night, they have a nice seating area upstairs with a fireplace with nice comfy seats and a smaller table where you can order drinks and your meal, this is what we did as it was nice and comfortable for two.nice prices on meals and well made drinks.will return.
(4)
V G.
This place is a treat for your eyes and your taste buds. Classy yet modern interior, comfy private rooms for parties downstairs or more loungy second floor. Drinks are always fresh-made and delicious, food is good. Hard to find parking on a weekend night, of course, but what can I say... welcome to Chicago.
(5)
Mike V.
This place is absolutely amazing!!! If you want a restaurant with fantastic ambiance, wonderful people and great food this is a sure bet in Downtown Chicago. Mario was our server and he was/is the best!! Mario was a great server, was fast and considerate and even made my little 4-year old boy feel great. Mario thanks so much!! A first-class experience in Chicago we HIGHLY recommend Cantina Laredo!!!
(5)
Sarah S.
Probably the most disgusting dining experience I have had in Chicago. I could not even finish my food. I ordered fajitas- how much safer can you get?? Well sure enough they mucked it up royally. The tortillas tasted as though they had been handled by someone who had been playing with rotting fish. So nasty. And the rest of my party's food was just as bad. Fake fancy industrial food- not my cup of tea.
(1)
Christian A.
One of the best tortas i've ever had! Good service and atmosphere. Just wish they had horchata!
(4)
Jamie B.
I am sick as a dog from my dinner here. One star from me as I lay here in bed writing this review. I came here for dinner with my sister last night and now have food poisoning. We ate upstairs which had a listed bar only type menu...we had the ceviche Veracruz to start (shrimp, scallops, fish) which the fish tasted a little fishy, but must not have been that dish since Sis is ok today and we shared. For dinner, she had one barbacoa taco and two fish tacos. I had one fish taco and two shrimp tacos. For drinks we had one sangria each, a white and a red. Between these items I find myself today in misery and will likely not go back. I probably should have trusted my gut and ordered the chicken tacos.
(1)
Sho D.
You'd never know this place is a chain because the food and drinks are so amazing. But most importantly, it is a TEXAS chain, and as a Texas transplant, I give it two thumbs up. The margaritas are pricey (it's River North, so go figure), but they are well worth their cost. They do not skimp on the liquor, and yet they are so well-mixed you'd never know it's there. The food is also great. I've tried the tacos, enchiladas, and some of the specialty items. Also - get the mexican apple pie! Cinnamon ice cream over warm apple pie in a skillet and a butter caramel sauce on top? It's heaven. Sometimes my boyfriend and I just go for drinks and dessert after catching a movie at the nearby AMC. One of our favorite places for a night out, for sure.
(5)
Steve S.
Decided to pick Cantina literally 2 blocks away from it, made a reservation online and got a table right when we arrived! The food/drinks/dessert were all decent but I wouldn't specifically come back for the food. The restaurant was extremely loud and since they had their terrace doors open, all the street noise also could be heard inside. Overall, if someone asked me if I wanted to go to Cantina, I would probably recommend going elsewhere not because the place was bad but because it was nothing special.
(3)
Vanessa P.
The food is great, but need to improve service.
(4)
Reda K.
This is the second time my husband and here eaten here. The first time was for lunch ,this time it was for dinner.We both received an email about fish Friday so we decided to go. Go down there and the sign said half price upstairs between 4-7pm which wasn't mention in the email. So when we get there it's packed but we decide to go up stairs which is really nice we sat by close to the fire place and had drinks which are good but had to drink fast because if not the ice would have melted. So I went to the ladies room and this is why I only had four stars it was three stalls so as I go into the stall it was dark no lights in the stall. And over by the sink one light was out as you enter into the bathroom so in the whole bathroom it was only two lights. But our waitress was nice and fast nice food is good .
(4)
Derek M.
We couldn't get home fast enough to write the amazing Alejandro another stellar review. Alejandro and the staff at this restaurant truly helped to make my girlfriend's birthday perfect. Not only is the restaurant visually stunning, but also the staff is both professional and personable. Over the past year, Alejandro has encouraged me to try something new with each visit, and today he recommended the bacon-wrapped shrimp that completely blew our minds. Absolutely scrumptious! We also had shrimp fajitas, camarones escondidos, and cabo margaritas - all delicious. Tonight's experience once again solidified my love for this restaurant in addition to scoring brownie points with my girlfriend (although she did say she wanted to put Alejandro in her pocket and take him home). Thanks again, Cantina Laredo, and my coworkers and I will see you soon!
(5)
Margaret G.
Mojitos and guac- bueno Beef tacos- no bueno That about sums up my fiesta at Cantina last weekend along with the extent of my spanish speaking. My sisters and I were met with complete 'tude by the hostesses, way to make it super awkward chicks by ignoring me for a good minute or so.... anyway.. The restaurant is big and open inside, where the 20-30 somethings come to see and be seen. Being my sisters and I fit in this age group, we gussied up and tip toed over in our high heels for a fun night out. I started with a mojito and boy was it saweet and soo yummy. Although I can't say I tasted any alcohol in it so it must have been the tequila shots that gave me my buzz.. teehee.. Order for minty freshness! The guac lady made a stop at our table and was so glad she did. The guac was FANTASTICO. Plus, unlimited chips... As for the tacos, big nononono. Nothing special. Vamonos for the drinks and guac, pass on the food (at least the beef tacos).
(3)
Nikki H.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago! I've visited this restaurant with several different groups and no one has ever left disappointed. The ambiance borders on modern chic/warm and cozy. Don't forget--they have a fantastic brunch menu which includes a tasty Bloody Mary or mimosa!
(5)
Airin B.
Make sure you have the guacamole. Fresh and we just wanted to take the server home. We loved the food and the atmosphere. We are definitely going back!
(4)
Mark K.
The entrees (fajitas and a chicken dish) were tasty and enjoyable. The service was excellent. The disappointment was in the made-at-your-table guacamole. My date and I asked for spicy, and maybe the guacamolist thought we looked too tame, but the final product tasted a little bland and a hint of sweetness. I added salt and some hot salsa at the table to give it a bit more taste. Overall, very good dinner, but I might try the nachos next time.
(3)
L. S.
Went there for a friend's birthday and we had a party of 6. (It was supposed to be a surprise dinner for her, but when he checked in, the hostess said, Oh ___ party of 6 right?? Blew the surprise for her... oh well!! ) The drinks are expensive and not enough alcohol. Our server wasn't that attentive considering it wasn't that busy. I understand (being a server) that most places put an automatic tip on a large party. Considering our party was 6 people and we are an easy group to serve, the server was rarely seen. We had the server assistant bringing us new chips, salsa, and refilling our waters more than the server. I don't think he deserved the 20% tip. I think that some servers use that automatic tip to slack off a bit on the big party and focus their attention to other tables to get a larger tip. (Trust me, servers I work with do the same thing). He did that with us. The food was pretty good and had big portion sizes. The shrimp fajitas were amazing. However the beef tacos left something to be desired. The main reason for a low review was the guacamole lady. We ordered one order of freshly made guacamole which was made fresh at our table. She has a cart of ingredients whole avocados, fresh lime, and chopped up ingredients in bowls in front of her. She asked how we liked our guacamole- we all decided on spicy. She put the avocado in and smashed it a bit and then added the ingredients- lime, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, etc... however each time that she added a scoop of whatever ingredient into the avocado mixture she used her fingers!!! FINGERS- not just one, but her thumb and her first two fingers on the rounded lump of ingredient on the spoon to make sure it would not fall off the spoon! I don't know where her fingers have been! She has been pushing around the cart all night. I could see her touching her face and hair when she didn't have any tables to make guacamole for. I think she should have not been lazy and used two scoops of the ingredients instead of trying to put it all on to one huge rounded scoop full with her fingers holding in ingredients in place! She never really made conversation or eye contact- this should have been a time for her to shine, letting us know what she is putting into the guacamole and telling us how she is making it. But she just used her fingers to violate the guacamole and just put down the bowl on our table. Plus with an appetizer like that, a spoon to scoop onto our plates would have been nice as well!
(2)
Alyssa T.
We walked in after work on a Friday looking for yummy cocktails and apps. WE FOUND THEM. Their Casa Rita margarita (with a Pom shot) was delicious! Their table side guac was fresh, creamy and perfectly spiced (to our specification). We also got their Ceviche, SUPER fresh, not a hint of fishy-ness and mouthwatering. The STAR however were the ahi tuna tacos. I would be underselling it if I didn't admit that my boyfriend and my jaws DROPPED the second we tasted them. Raw, tender, marinated cubes of the best tuna I have ever had. There was this delicate sauce and crispy corn tortilla that finished that flavor. I only gave 4 stars because we didn't have a full meal yet, but we will be going back!
(4)
Bri A.
Meh. That's how I describe this place. It was okay for a chain but I've had better Mexican food elsewhere. We started out with herradura margaritas and ceviche. Our drinks were too sweet for our liking but maybe that is just how that type of margarita is supposed to taste. Hey, it sounded interesting! We then ordered the pomegranate margarita and the Milagro blackberry smash. The pom one was tasty but the blackberry one was a little too sour for my liking. The ceviche came out fast and was delicious. Five minutes later, our meals came out. We had barely touched our appetizers! Now I see where these comments about food being microwaved are coming from. I had the tamales de barbacoa and my boyfriend had the carne asada. Both were good and we liked our meals, but they did not blow us away. We had the mango tres leche cake for dessert which was the best part of our meal, along with our friendly server. This place is okay if you are a tourist or like bland, non tradtional Mexican food but I would not bother if you are a foodie.
(3)
Dave G.
Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ishea B.
A group of about six of us dined here on a Friday night for a birthday dinner. I thought the interior design was absolutely gorgeous. So gorgeous in fact that I forgot I was eating at a chain restaurant. The service was attentive and on par for what is to be expected at a restaurant in this price range. I thought it was on the higher side for what I'd like to pay for Mexican cuisine, and in all honesty, the food and drinks were rather disappointing. I have had much better Mexican food at placed like Habanero Grill and for a fraction of the price. I ordered the fish tacos and felt they were forgettable. In addition to that, I had the "perfect patron margarita" which although smooth, didn't pack enough punch for me. On the flip side, the "cinco rit" proved to be WAY too strong and taste pretty awful. I will say that the server did urge me to go with the perfect patron margarita (which I did), but my curiosity got the best of me, so I ordered the cinco rita as well - - big mistake! I felt like that drink would put hair on my chest. Very rough... Some of my friends had previously dined upstairs and it should be noted that they have more of a tapas style menu on that level so not the same things are offered. I would definitely come back, but sit upstairs. Maybe try my luck at another drink and a few more things on the tapas menu, but if that wasn't tasty, I'd probably pass on this place altogether. ** Note that your entire party must be present before you're seated. This is helpful to know for large groups **
(3)
Chris J.
Fresh, you gotta get the table side guacomole. Pretty good sized portions for the price. Thumbs up.
(4)
Laura A.
Great place for a Happy Hour-style group gathering. My co-workers seemed to enjoy their margaritas and we ordered a bunch of good, but not remarkable appetizers for the table. The real bummer was the so-called "Top Shelf Guacamole," made fresh at our table - it tasted like soap! I love guacamole, in fact, I have even been an apologist for bad guacamole, but this was the worst quacamole I've ever tasted. Bland and just kind of bad. The bizarre part is that the guacamole served as a side with our apps was absolutely delicious.
(3)
Melanie S.
It takes some serious cojones to open a Mexican restaurant in the heart of the Rick Bayless mexicomplex. That said, it's not really fair to compare Cantina Laredo to any of the Rick Bayless spots; apples and oranges really. For what it is and/or what it's trying to be, CL is okay. I'm not sure where this chain originated, but if I had to guess, it would be Scottsdale, AZ. Everything about the building's exterior to the decor, looks like the style that is so prevalent in that town. Which is to say, not really my cup of tea. The menu is upscale, and caters to an Anglo (read: gringo) palate, with things like chicken and mango salad, fajitas and chimichangas. I dare you to find a chimichanga at a Rick Bayless restaurant. I met a friend here for an after-work cocktail and light snack so I didn't experience the full menu, so I'll just touch on what I had. We started with Patron margaritas and our server offered to have them made "skinny." This makes me laugh because, again, it means their clientele is a very specific demographic. I actually don't know if our margaritas ended up being made "skinny" or "regular," but they were pretty good. We were also brought out fresh chips and two kinds of salsa. We weren't told the difference, but one was much better than the other, as it was smokier and spicier. The chips were thin, crispy and salty--just the way I like 'em. They also offer the ubiquitous tableside-made guacamole, which we decided to share. At $9.99, it's not cheap and it's not a huge portion. It's supposed to serve 2-4 people, and I can't really see it stretching that far, unless other appetizers were ordered. They wheel the cart to you and ask if you want "everything" added to your guac and how spicy you'd like it. We asked for everything and also to be made very spicy. I'm not sure what they consider spicy, but this was anything but. There was also some weird black things in it (maybe a pepper of some kind?) but it made it look less than appealing. Although the ingredients were nice and fresh, there just wasn't a lot of flavor in the guacamole. Some lime juice would have really helped perk it up. I was still a little hungry so I also ordered the sopa de tortilla. Since it was a cold, rainy night, soup seemed like the perfect thing. I was worried it would be too big a serving given the price (over $9), but it was just a regular-sized bowl. Given its size, it was really overpriced. I did like it; it had some depth to it, lots of shredded chicken, crispy tortilla strips and a slice of avocado. It warmed me up and was satisfying. Still, I can't help but think that paying $9 for a bowl of soup borders on highway robbery. Our server was very sweet. A pink-cheeked, cherubic-looking fellow named Justin, who took good care of us. In general, it seems like the kind of place that hires staff for their looks rather than their ability. It's all beautiful people working here. Chicago is full of great, authentic (or at least more authentic than this) Mexican eateries. Cantina Laredo is basically a prettied-up Chi Chi's, but at least they don't have the atrocity that is fried ice cream on the menu. I read a review of Cantina Laredo that said "Cantina Laredo is to Mexican what P.F. Chang's is to Chinese." I'm pretty sure it wasn't meant to be a compliment, but it's an accurate description.
(2)
Kat T.
It's like they say in those commercials "Really?!!" I've been mulling over this review for a bit. I visited this place, alone, on September 16th. Yeah, that long ago, and it still feels like it was yesterday. It has more to do with the trauma of flavors in my mouth that I just can't get over or forget. So, as disturbed as I am about this particular experience, I'm going to bring the pain with this review. The outer appearance of this place is fabulous. They went all out and put some thought in the esthetic design of each distinct dining space- bar stool seating, romantic seating, family seating, booth seating, lounge seating. It's a big space! And though it was not packed, they wanted to seat me on a bar stool. When I put the brakes on that, I had to wait a bit for them to decide where to put me. Queau the commercial "Really?!!" For inconveniencing their seating plans of the day, they put me right in front of the kitchen entrance/exit. I had to wonder if I was being racially profiled or something. But I took it in stride. Hey, I was just a few feet away from the fire place. That counts for something, right? Server comes over in a heartbeat and is eager to please. I'm told everything is great on the menu and you can't go wrong. Really? Servers are so eager that they tend to hover and stalk. Even the suits- managers walking around talking about numbers and other quotas they are trying to meet for the day. There was a moment that I wasn't sure if I was a guest or guinea pig. Please back up, act like your busy, and don't stand around watching my every move. Talk about un-com-fort-able. Back to the food review- I ordered the fresh made-to-order-right-where-you-sit guacamole. I make it better and so does Chipotle. Accompanied by two salsas, not too different from each other, but I have two to choose from. Since the menu is not extensive, I decide to go with my favorite type of Mexican fare- enchildadas. Can't go wrong. (Really?) I went with the mole enchilada dish that comes with rice and side of vegetables. When my plate arrived, I literally squeeked. I had one skinny role of something covered in a thin slather of mole topped with sesame seeds. That's right folks. SESAME SEEDS ON MY ENCHILADA. A side of rice and marinated sugar snap peas. Yesiree. SUGAR SNAP PEAS. The mole had a hint of cinnamon, and the entire combination was just foolish. What fool came up with this pairing? Marinated sesame snap peas and one role of mole cinnamon enchilada? Really?!! I'm traumatized! Of course, I must be a masochist for bad food, so I decide to end my experience by trying their churro with a side of melted raspberry chocolate sauce. Please don't order this if you know what an authentic churro tastes like. Save yourself the disappointment. Save your money and splurge at Bayless's restaurant. If you need to check out this place, stand outside, look inside through the floor to ceiling windows, and uh and ah all you want without it costing you anything- like sanity or a respect for high class Meximerican food. I feel better now.
(1)
Douglas C.
I love this place great food all super delicious Great deals at happy hour But GREAT food all the time out door dinning is a nice feature as well I try to make it here when I am in Chicago
(4)
Ryan M.
Been here many times...I don't think you can get a nicer decorated restaurant in river north for the price. Me and my girlfriend love to grab a table upstairs by the fire place and have a drink and munch on their chips and artesian salsa. Entrees are reasonable..the fajitas are large and can be shared.
(5)
Debbie S.
Went to a holiday lunch at Catina Laredo and I was not disappointed. I'm normally not a chain restaurant fan, but the food and drinks at Cantina Laredo made me re-think my opposition to chains..... I had a mango mojito that was delicious and the milagro blackberry smash that was also good. Loads of chips and guacamole to start....a few rounds of guacamole were prefect but then I had one bite that was so spicy I started violently coughing at the table. Now I'm a person who likes to sweat while she eats so I don't typically have that kind of a reaction to spicy food...needless to say, I stopped gorging on the guacamole after that happened. For lunch I had the fish tacos. Mahi Mahi with marinated veggies, queso fresco and chipotle aioli. They were very good. Flavorful without being greasy -- I could have had another plate. For dessert we ordered one of everything for the table. The churros with the chocolate and Grand Marnier dipping sauce were delicious, as was the Mexican brownie. Others at the table liked the tres leches cake quite a bit, but I didn't have any. We sat in a glassed in private room which was nice, but felt a bit like a fishbowl. Decor is spare and modern -- very zen spa-like, which was a bonus. Service was excellent. I agree with previous reviewers though -- there are lots of options in Chicago for Mexican and if you have a Cantina Laredo in your backyard, better to check out one of our local spots. All in all though, this was a nice place for lunch.
(4)
Rose A.
Where do I even start with this place. Atmosphere was equivalent to a high school cafeteria. The plates are overpriced and the food is under portioned. It was inauthentic and horrible. A local neighborhood taqueria would have surpassed this place with flying colors. Our server, Ricardo, was the most unenthusiastic, miserable person I've ever encountered. The white wine wasn't chilled. The most exciting part was when we got to leave the place.
(1)
Isabella L.
I love, love, love Cantina Laredo! It's my favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicago.. The fresh guacamole made at your table, and the enchiladas are delicious. The Cinco-Rita margarita is the BEST I ever tried! Excellent food, ambiance, and service! Love it!
(5)
Miss S.
Ambiance is cool, tequilla drinks are tasty, food was good and portion sizes were too, service was great and this location is super convenient. I am definitely going back! Went for a girls night out... YUM & FUN!
(5)
John B.
We walked by the night before and decided to give it a try. Awesome atmosphere and food. Kudos to the architect for the atmosphere, understated and clean appearance, very well done. The food topped the architecture of the space. I had the Pepper Relleno, awesome and my wife the chicken breast stuffed with shrimp and topped with spinach. Both very, very good. The made at the table guacamole was also amazing, not too oily and made with the extras you want in it.
(5)
Jenn O.
There is nothing about this new restaurant that is stellar, in any way. I love Mexican food so this seemed like the perfect place to try. While the restaurant is new and beautiful, it seems rather cold and sterile to me. Nothing to set it apart and nothing to reel in guests to the dining experience. They market themselves as high end fare. But that is not what you receive other than when you pay the bill. I've had better, more authentic Mexican food at many other far less pretentious restaurants in the city. My margarita was good, not great. Salsa, eeeh. Good but pretty standard. Guacamole was made fresh which is great but I've had better. The fish tacos were so-so. Mahi-mahi is a good choice for the dish but there was nothing about the main course I would crave or just HAVE to go back for. I was hoping for a high end fish taco and I ended up with a fish taco...nothing high end about it. Oh, and the black beans that were served as the side? They were hard and cold; totally unappetizing. The wait staff was helpful but not overly wonderful. The female greeting the guests at the door was welcoming. Nothing super friendly about most other people working there. The food runner was actually rather rude. In the end, this is one of those restaurants you might try to like. My suggestion is not to go in with high hopes for some amazing food experience. If you're hoping for very American-Mexican food, average service and a simple atmosphere, you will find it here. Oh, and what they don't want you to know? The restaurant is part of a chain. Don't let the "exclusivity" of the restaurant fool you. Sorry Chicago!
(2)
D P.
Casual but classy. Great drinks and service. Shrimp tacos and guacamole were superb. I have been there twice this summer and hope to return again soon.
(5)
amanda c.
The food was great! Very fresh and tasty!!! There was enough traditional Mexican food mixed with a bit of a more modern feel to keep my boyfriend and I very happy. However, the noise level was high (which made date night conversation difficult) and the service was AWFUL. I am not exaggerating that it was a solid 15 minutes before we got our drinks. The staff was also slow to stop by and check in on progress. It appears that they all "pitch in" as evidenced by the multitude of servers who stopped by our table to bring us drinks, chips, etc. While I typically love this 360 approach, more often than not we sat and waited as we observed servers standing in the service station talking and goofing around. In their defense, it was late on a Saturday but still, I expected a bit more given the atmosphere and location.
(3)
Roberto M.
Unlike the commercials, when family from Italy visits, you do not take them to the Olive Garden. Similarly, when family from Mexico (or Latino America) is hungry, you do not take them to Cantina Laredo.
(1)
Marisol D.
So maybe its because I'm an LA native, but I not impressed by CL, although their drinks were great and the homemade guacamole was very fresh. However, the plates lacked spice and seasoning - very bland. Most traditional mexican items like the Tortilla Soup and Quesadilla were clearly pre-packaged. A bit disappointed :(
(2)
Michelle L.
Blah. Nothing was special about this place. The food was bland - I don't even remember what I had. The drinks were okay. I waited forever for the server to come around and I typically don't complain (since I served for 7 years I know how demanding the job can get). I won't go back there for the food but maybe for a drink. It's overpriced and I don't see it lasting too long in River North with all the other restaurants in the area being better.
(2)
Gabriela R.
Try the pork and avocado sandwich ! Yumm
(4)
Arnab D.
The food was fresh and healthy. Everything we ordered was high quality. The prices were very reasonable, especially for a trendy place in downtown Chicago. It was highly packed, so reservations are strongly suggested, but it didn't feel loud at all. There is no valet parking, but that was not good enough to remove a 5 star rating from me. Definitely will go back again. Great place for date night. I dropped $200 for four people to include appetizers and about 6 drinks or so and dessert, so definitely a good value too.
(5)
Theodore D.
I thought the place was really great. Great layout and really nice location on State. The Jalapeno Sea Bass was FANTASTIC!
(4)
Tony S.
Wow, great margaritas, using fresh lime juice makes a big difference for me in a good margarita. Great staff and service! Very accommodating. Good Guacamole prepared table side , the tamales were amazing (a must try) and loved the ceviche, tons of fresh seafood! The coolest looking restaurant, will definitely be back and sit upstairs in the lounge and try the tapas menu.
(4)
Sarah L.
Great ambiance, beautiful decor, yummy margaritas, and impressive food. I balked at the prices for tacos and the like when I first looked this place up, but my meal really delivered. I got one of the specials, the crab & cheese enchiladas with chile de arbol cream sauce and fire roasted corn... simply divine! Honestly I thought the guac was very good but a little overrated for all of the attention that reviewers are giving it. Guys and girls -- you can make this stuff yourself on your kitchen counter top in like 10 minutes! In any event... I will definitely be back.
(5)
Paul C.
Stopped here for a 1pm workday lunch and I have to say I was quite impressed. The restaurant is spacious with a modern look and a large bar that looks perfect for happy hours. Fresh, homemade chips and salsa, great guacamole--made at the table while you watch, and a pretty decent selection of tacos and enchiladas are available for lunch. Service was fast and friendly and we were in and out in less than an hour which is perfect for those of us stuck going back to work after lunch. I was definitely impressed with the freshness of the food. I don't know that this is destination dining in the style of the nearby Bayless joints, but Cantina Laredo delivers good food without pretension, and definitely works as a downtown lunch spot.
(4)
Sonny P.
Went there Friday night with a couple friends. First impression: nice setup, open setup and has a nice private room in the back to host a party. Seemed more like a family and slightly older age environment. Food was okay and drinks were okay. If you are looking for a more fun and vibrant atmosphere, i would suggest somewhere else. But, overall, it was okay and would maybe come back again with a big group if I had to.
(3)
Jenny H.
I work in the area so I was super excited when Cantina Laredo was finally ready to open. The outside and inside design of the restaurant is spectacular. A two level stone, modern construct, with lots of windows peering in on a dimly lit, elegant interior - it looks amazing! I also love the long elongated fireplace, and the "Apple Store-esque" staircase upon entry. Love! When you enter the restaurant, you'll find that it has a huge capacity. Lots of tables with plenty of different areas. The ceilings on the main floor are actually quite low, so the spacious look and feel you assume you're going to get from the outside, doesn't really deliver once you're inside. Because of this, the noise is awful! They have speakers for the sound system heavily sprinkled throughout the entire restaurant fashioned on the ceiling - so with the huge capacity and the overzealous sound system, it makes it extremely difficult to converse with your dinner mates. My husband couldn't hear our friend siting right across from him at a small table! The food was okay. The guacamole was excellent and made right in front of you, so that's a definite winner. Apparently the queso was delicious too. Otherwise, everyone thought the food was okay and expressed that they'd had better. Two of our meals were room temperature when they arrived at our table. Our server was quick to fix the mistake and didn't charge us for that meal, which was extremely nice. Will I go back? Probably not. In a city like Chicago, there are PLENTY of way better Mexican restaurants.
(3)
Nicole K.
Have been there twice and both were awesome. Had shrimp tacos and shrimp enchiladas and both were the best I have ever had. The table side guac is a must and the Casa Rita was also great! Very cool, modern vibe.
(5)
Jacob S.
Look, if you have a group, and you want Ixtapa-style boat drinks, and darn good fish tacos...you can't go wrong here. And the space is amazing. But 4 stars is reserved for spectacular and I'm not quit there on this spo
(3)
Jacob S.
We had a pretty lousy experience here. Inattentive staff that spent more time complaining audibly about other guests than taking care of the ones sitting at the bar, and food that was at most just okay did not make us feel like we'd want to visit again. The decor is amazing, but the food was much too salty and just nothing special at all. So-so mole, decent carne asada, and greasy chile relleno. As a previous reviewer stated, Mercadito wins at this concept where Cantina Laredo fails.
(2)
Shea J.
Great atmosphere and the table side made guac is a MUST!!!!!
(5)
Sweet D C.
Worst experience ever. I really love Mexican food and I wanted to love this place because it's close to where I work. There needs to be a 0 star option. I was excited to try this place out and I will never go back. I went with my family and boyfriend for my birthday dinner. We were seated in the very back, right near the server station. The server took a really long to come to the table and other employees seemed to awkwardly wander around the restaurant, trying desperately not to make eye contact. When she finally came to the table, she took a few drink orders (cokes, easy enough) then walked away without even looking at my mom and dad to see if they wanted a drink. After waiting patiently and asking the manager for our drinks and adding a margarita, we received our cokes about 30 minutes later. Yeah. And My mom got her margarita before we got our cokes. We had also ordered guac which took forever for a different employee to come to the table and make it. It's bland. I'd rather spend money for whole foods guac. Over an hour later our food came. Mind you, we went on a Sunday and it wasn't busy. My boyfriend got the wrong enchilada, so he had to wait even longer. My brother had chicken tacos and was happy with his choice, he was the only one. Enchiladas de barbacoa are dry and bland and tamales have a grainy sandy texture. Overall- not good food. I was actually kinda mortified by this experience. The server was extremely awkward, and it made for a really uncomfortable dinner. Happy Birthday to me! At one point she came over and said in a low monotone voice, "Sorry for the service" and then backed away slowly. I've never seen anything like it. A busser carrying a bin of dishes, dropped silverware and instead of picking it up or even coming back for it bc his hands were full, just kicked it through the restaurant and down the hall to the kitchen. We all broke out laughing! Did that really happen!?? When we finally got the check, the wrong enchilada my bf sent back was still on the check as well as 2 margaritas my mom did not have. This is because after initially ordering and not getting the drinks for a long time we asked another server to bring one, obviously she just added it to the bill even though it was never brought to the table. The second margarita my mom ordered she returned immediately because it tasted like it was 90% salt. Yet we were charged for everything. We spoke to the manager again who adjusted the bill for us. It seems like no one there has any experience in the service industry. None. If you want to be successful in river north you might want to avoid hiring incompetent people who couldn't care less.
(1)
Steve E.
Hmmmm..... nice atmosphere. Great margaritas, Good service. Yummy chips/salsa. And then.... the entrees - buzz kill. No spark. No flavor. Chipotle does it better... I had the Barbacoa Enchilada. Wow - amazingly bland. Mass produced TV dinner flavor.
(3)
Deeds P.
Because of the amazing location, I had very low hopes for this place. Seems like River North has an abundance of snazzy looking restaurants w/ overpriced subpar food. But the food at Cantina was amazing -- well spiced and incredibly flavorful. In addition, the mojitos were great and those at the table who got margaritas were also huge fans. I had some friends visiting from our of state, and this is great dinner/drinks spot in a great location. Will def go again
(5)
David G.
In order to get 5 stars from me a place has to just blow me away. Cantina Laredo did just that. The chips were so fresh and tasty. They were served hot with a couple of unique salsas including a spicy and tart salsa verde. We went for brunch, I had an omelet my wife had enchiladas. Both dishes were great. The flavors were unique and delicious. The portions, though towards the small size, were more than adequate for the price. The bonus Mimosa and fruit that came with the entre was a total plus. I will definitely go back
(5)
Anne P.
The appetizers were the best part of the meal. Skip the overpriced mediocre entrees and just go for the apps and drinks.
(2)
Michele M.
Second time there, live down the street...will be my new favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Beautiful decor inside with open air windows when the weather is nice. Food was delicious, esp their guac, cheesy appetizer (can't remember name but similar to chili con queso) and carne asada with green sauce is my new favorite. Only issue is that drink service was very slow, likely b/c of all the speciality drinks they serve that take a while to make. When you are halfway down with your drink, order another!
(4)
Christy T.
well, i should deduct 1 star since we had to carry our own lounge food downstairs to our dinner table once our pager went off, but overall, we felt like we were on vacation and very comfortable within our beautiful surroundings and kind servers./hostesses - this place is humongous!!!!! our booth was fit for a king - the chile relleno was really good. also, the fish tacos were quite tasty!
(5)
Michael M.
We took our mother here for Mother's Day and had some mixed feelings. The wait staff were great and our food came out very quickly. I had the Barbacoa Enchilada. It came with a side of rice and some veggies. The quality of the food is very high and dining room is great. The chips taste like they are freshly made on site and the salsas taste excellent. However, the portion sizes feel pretty small for the price you pay. ($12 for a single small enchilada seems a bit steep.) My mother enjoyed her tacos and my sister her salad, but we were all hungry after we finished. We are also not big eaters, so if you do have a bit appetite, prepare to spend a lot of money or maybe just take a pass altogether. At this price point, you can easily find a restaurant that you will walk away from full.
(3)
S. S.
The ahi taco were some of my favorite things I ate in all of Chicago. The lounge upstairs was nice for a small bite with our children. While I don't think it's intentionally a kid friendly dining destination, it worked for us.
(4)
Mike D.
We enjoyed our dining experience. My water glass was never empty. The drinks were good and so was the food. It is Mexican food, but definitely better quality than you would find at a less expensive place. Try the spicier guacamole made at your table. It was very tasty. The atmosphere was nice. If you call ahead, ask for seating along the windows or outside if you wish. They also have a private meeting room for what it is worth.
(4)
Joseph S.
I pass by Cantina Laredo on my way to work everyday. From the outside it looks like a nice downtown bi-level restaurant, chic modern construction. Trendy, but upscale for the intersection. I figured I would take my girlfriend out to the Cantina Laredo for drinks and dinner to give it a shot. I made Reservations on-line for a party of 2 @ 9:15p on Saturday night. When we arrived, the restaurant was seemingly busy and there were patrons waiting to be seated. I gave the hostess my name for the reservation and they were able to seat us immediately. We then start to follow the hostess as she brings us to our table.. We halt no less than 5 feet from the reservation booth to take our seats right next to the entry way. The booth was right next to the busiest area of the restaurant and every time a customer came in or out of the revolving door, a very unpleasant draft came gusting directly at our table. there is a stone wall directly behind the booth that separates the booth and hostess desk area but the wall is not completely filled in, for design and aesthetic purposes non the less, it really lets the draft flow straight to the table from the entry doors. This was almost enough to make the whole experience unpleasant. ( if it was any colder outside, colder than 50 degrees F, it most definitely would have made it enough to ask to change tables or even leave the restaurant completely. ) On top of the draft coming in at our table i was displeased that i made a reservation and was seated at such a bad table not to mention it was my first time at the restaurant which had been noted in the reservation also. The service was great in most aspects till desert, The waitress was nice and prompt. We always had drinks. Even when the waitress did not bring a refill or mixed drink to the table, there was a runner who would. For dinner we had the tamales de barbacoa and the chicken enchiladas mole, The food was very good. The Table side guacamole was very good. My patron margarita was average, nothing special. After dinner, our waitress brought out a tray of deserts which also appeared to be more on the average side.. especially for a restaurant of this type. We picked the Flan from the 6 choices or so.. After about 20 minuets of waiting for the flan.. our waitress came back to the table and asked us " how did we enjoy our desert? ".. We never got the flan, so we wouldn't know.. I replied. The waitress was apologetic and asked if we wanted to take it to go?.. I thought to myself, After sitting in the breezeway of the restaurant for about an hour, this was just a bad way to impress me for the first time coming to the Cantina Laredo. I would come back to the restaurant for the food, I would just request not to be seated by the entry, Although there are better places to get gourmet Mexican cuisine such as Las Palmas in wicker park.. But i really wanted to check this place out because i work at a downtown hotel & i will recommend the 2nd floor tapas lounge/bar for guest staying with us. I do recommend the restaurant, I do believe i could have a good experience here. Just don't be seated next to the door. :) Cheers! -Joseph
(2)
Nisey M.
Decided to walk in Wednesday evening around 6 and we were seated without waiting...within an hour most of the tables were filled. Let me start by saying the space is just beautiful and laid out perfectly, tables are not on top of one another and the decor is minimal yet effective. It reminded me of a restaurant I would see in L.A., plenty of windows and open space. We started with table side prepared guacamole that was fresh and flavorful. The server gave us several different ingredients to add such as jalapeno, red onion, garlic and a few others. We had Edward as our server and he was professional, attentive and had very good suggestions when it came to the menu. He suggested the Superfruit mojito and it was perfect. The margaritas are made with fresh ingredients...no nasty pre made sour mix! We shared the fajitas that had shrimp(only two so don't expect more) quail,carnitas,steak and chicken. More than enough food for two...the black beans and spanish rice it came with were perfect for the side. I will be going back to try the tapas bar upstairs!
(4)
C B.
Great Happy Hour! Will definitely be back here. Upstairs they have 1/2 price apps from 4-7 on weeknights with delicious options. We ordered the guacamole and they made it fresh at our table. The quesadilla and carnitas tacos were also tasty. Unique drink blends and cool atmosphere make this place the perfect after work hangout.
(4)
F J.
FYI, You guys need to check with the hotels around you as I was in Chicago for few days and Cantina was steps from the door and each time I asked about your restaurant the hotel folks said they would not recommend your spot. As a business owner, you need to be aware of this.
(1)
Jamie G.
Beautiful restaurant, the tableside guacamole was to die for and the mojito was the best I've ever had. Will definitely be back!
(5)
MaryAnne M.
Attended the soft opening. Outstanding ceviche. Avocado & artichoke tamales had this amazing jicama & mago salad. Table side guacamole. Loads of potential here.
(4)
Marc M.
Came here for brunch. Had the asada huevos and it was very good. It is definitely a repeater.
(5)
Valentina V.
Meh, nothing to write home about. Pretty standard food, there are other places around the area that are much better (Cantina 46 for example). It has a cool vibe, it's really big and open and they had a fun drink menu. Might be a better place for some drinks and apps before a night out in River North, not worth the $$ for dinner.
(2)
Antonio R.
Have visited other Cantina's thru my travels and now I live and Chicago. I am thrilled to have found Cantina here in Chicago. My visit was nothing short of exceptional. Beside the design and the atmosphere, this is the best Cantina that I have dined at. My server Mary Carmen was delightful as well as he rest of the staff. I will definitely recommend Cantina to coworkers and friends.
(5)
Holly D.
My husband and I noticed this new restaurant a few weeks ago as we walked downtown Chicago. The architecture is unique as it's not part of a high-rise, but a new stand-alone building with praire style ambiance (which happens to be a favorite of mine). For a lite meal or appetizer, try the Ahi Tuna Taco's . . .the best. Nice to have Skinny Margaritas as an option.
(4)
Jessica L.
This place earned a SOLID three stars. It is not authentic by any means, but the atmosphere is pleasant, the service attentive and friendly and the food is alright. I found most items to be on the slightly bland side but given the neighborhood, I am sure they are trying to appeal to the many tourists. I would go back, but would pick other new places to try first.
(3)
Miguel g.
Good, but now wow... at this price point, I expected a little more... A safe choice for Mexican food. Ceviche was tasty and well-presented. Steak special was good. Dessert options were predictable (tres leches, flan, chocolate overload). Server was a bit rude when we got there, and improved as we ordered more food/drinks.
(3)
Sasha K.
I have been to Cantinas before but this is a bird of a different breed. The decor is absolutely stunning. Fireplaces add a cozy comfortable feel. I came with a coulple of my friends and we were instantly greeted by a flock of hosts who guided us to our table. I have ordered the guac before back at the Texas store so we decided to go with queso.. Our waiter did not stop filling our chips! Too much chips! He even brought us tortillas with our queso I was so full before my meal came. I ordered the steak wrapped around a pepper with shrimp. It was exceptional. I would definitely recommend that. The drinks took a little long to get out but did the trick. This is my new favorite spot for a girls night out... or even a date! My only complaint is that I was too full for dessert! Oh an an added bonus.. They even split the check for all of us! Which is super nice
(5)
Stephanie M.
I went here last night with some girl friends - the waiter was extremely pushy and won't just let us sit and enjoy our guac and drinks - he came by every 3 minutes to ask if we were ready to order dinner, when it was clear that we haven't even looked at the menu yet. The food was just OK - I agree with the previously review about the guac - 4 people - seriously?? Come on!! The stuffed chicken breast entree sounded great on the menu, but it wasn't good at all...two chicken breast with 3 shrimp placed in-between - that's NOT stuffed and it was very salty and I LOVE salt!! We order 2 desserts, which were OK and a big size - definitely enough to share. I didn't appreciate the whole being rushed thing and don't think I will be back - way too many GOOD Mexican places, with GOOD service, in the city to enjoy!!
(1)
Michael M.
We really enjoyed the atmosphere here, and the upstairs menu was excellent for the price. Our service was good, though I did register some disappointment when we didn't order alcohol. However, food was prompt and very good. I think we'll be back for sure.
(4)
Tim N.
Amazing food, drinks and service!! Best Mexican in Chicago by far I've tried adobo grill and dos diablos this blows both doors off
(5)
Ryan W.
My girlfriend had been here and was saying we needed to go because I love mexican food. It was absolutely incredible. The decor was really cool and I told her we have to come back at least once a month. We got the guacamole which is made right infront of you and is to die for. She got the chicken quesadillas which were some of the best i've ever had and I had the combination chicken and beef fajitas which were great as well. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves mexican food as much as I do. Also the patron margaritas were great and there's actually booze in them!
(5)
Megan O.
Please, please, please come here for their guacamole. It is made table side and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Borat S.
Gots a craving for actually Mex-American food (not Taco Bell)? Hits it upppp.
(4)
Mel L.
Yum, yum, and yum. I went here on a Monday night with 2 friends, and was pleased to see it was bustling with people without being packed. We got the tableside guac made to order, mmm nothing like fresh guac! We also ordered the chili con queso dip - also delicious. Since we seemed to be having a chip feast with the dips, I was pleased at how warm and fresh the chips tasted. Also, servers kept refilling our chips before we even made to the last one. Great service!! We then split the enchiladas vera cruz. It was delicious - finally an enchilada that is not drowning in sauce. It tasted so fresh and came with rice & buttery zucchini. Our waitress was very nice considering we were just sharing dishes. The atmosphere is fun and the food is delicious. Two thumbs up! I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Erin C.
Absolutely loved this place! 6 of us were in our group - we each had drinks - guacamole which was soo good! and all ordered something different on the menu. Everyone loved everything! The drinks were pretty strong but delicous. I had the carne asada with no onions. The sauce and avocado with it were perfect. We had the apple pie and churros for dessert again so good. The decor of the restaurant is gorgeous - the fire places make it cozy despite the ultra modern atmosphere. The valet parking - for $12 - totally worth it - the public lot across the street is $13 - good luck finding street parking! We will definetly be back.
(5)
Elizabeth W.
CL was just okay. The table side guacamole was probably the best party of the meal and I enjoyed their salsa and chips but the mean itself was just average. The waiter was more attentive at first but service slacked off through the meal.
(3)
Nat M.
great ambience. lively crowd but not too noisy. excellent service. bad margaritas/mojito - i suggest you skip and get the expensive tequila (which is excellent). average food, they seem to cook the meat/shrimp in a hurry. price was a bit much for the quality of the food. i would go back, but mostly for the scene and not the food
(3)
Simir S.
This place is great it has a great atmosphere and excellent food. It is also stroller friendly, service was great and not to expensive.
(4)
Einstein A.
Although overpriced, I liked the taste of the French restaurant sized portions and atmosphere at Cantina Laredo. The service was inexcusably bad. My water glass always seemed to be empty and the waitress was unfriendly.
(2)
Jelena B.
This place wasn't anything special. The food was ok, but the drinks were great!
(3)
kat c.
Not only was the atmosphere wonderful, the food was amazing at an decent price. In addition, the guacamole, if you are avid fan, is made fresh in front of you. I had the pomegranate margarita which was very good. Just caveat: Since the guacamole is so fresh, you will constantly keep dipping for more and might not be able to finish your entree. Suggestion: Enjoy the guacamole and order small entree. They also went above and beyond the call or preparing a newly ordered meal as they accidentally tossed my friend's leftover. Talk about great service! The manager personally apologized for it. It doesn't get better than this.
We had a very pleasant first time experience at Cantina Laredo. It's is a very open, modern looking restaurant...not your typical Mexican restaurant. It has a great drink menu and you can either just order a few appetizers or go full bore. The fish tacos were excellent! We will be back.
(4)
Audre L.
Fish tacos are decent. But there were two little gnats flying around in our private dining room, hence the two stars. The building/architecture is cool. Big space good for parties but on the whole it's another commercial chain in Chicago. Feels like Scottsdale, AZ when you're in there.
(2)
Meeta S.
This place is brand new and the ambiance is super modern. The food here is good...we ordered guacamole and I ordered the barbacoa enchiladas along with a margarita...the guac was good, and I love when they make it right in front of you! My enchiladas were good, nothing out of this world but they satisfied my taste buds and I would order them again. My margarita was super good, it had 5 diff tequilas in it and def left me with a good buzz! great place to go with friends or even for a date!
(4)
Pritam K.
I haven been here several times and I love the table side guacomole, the chicken enchiladas and the mango margarita... The ambiance is amazing and the best part is it's just a block away from my place.
(5)
Maxine C.
I had birthday dinner here. It was an overall GREAT experience. I had a party of over 20 people, and the serving staff was able to accommodate accordingly. The ambiance, decor, layout, and size of the place was perfect. The food was spot on, nothing to complain about. Also, at the end the server split up the bills for us without even asking. I would definitely go back and recommend it to friends/acquaintances.
(5)
C W.
This was just, no. Just so full of no. First off, the space is beautiful for a summer night. Reminiscent of Mexico, big windows, just gorgeous. - We arrived with a reservation, which they did not have. Ok! No Problem, its a Tuesday night, so - not that crowded. Can we sit outside? Sure! We are led to a table near the fireplace where flames leap at us on a gorgeous 80 degree Chicago evening, although every table on the street was empty. The windows were open so I'll give them that. A friend had mentioned to me they had a "Good Happy Hour" so I asked the waiter about the happy hour specials, and was greeted with a thinly veiled, hostile blank stare for a full 5 seconds before he replied "What, like 1/2 price drinks or something?" Me: "um? I don't know, just heard a rumor about a great happy hour?" He then disappears to check. He comes back and tells us we need to head upstairs for the happy hour. Up we go......to a second floor closed for a private event. Okkkk. We then get ANOTHER waiter who tells us we need to sit at the bar for the happy hour. We then proceed to seats at the bar where three (3, that's right 3 TRES.) different waiters all come by to tell us that they are vaguely offering a happy hour, but they need to check what it is ($5 margaritas are suggested, 1/2 priced appetizers are suggested) No one knows! This is fun, like GAMBLING! Which Waiter will we get next? WHAT WILL HE TELL US? WHEN WILL I GET MY WINE? I didn't even NEED a happy hour, I was just curious, but now I sort of want to see how this all plays out, and I've probably had about 4 different people ask a manager at this point, so we're going with it. At some point, probably an hour after we arrived on a dead Tuesday night, I finally receive my glass of wine and look over to see the ceiling LEAKING onto people eating dinner and the manager rubbing what looked to be the AC output with a rag on a stick, about 2 inches from this poor dude eating his taco. We then get ANOTHER waiter who tells us that the previous waiter has left us to help with "that large party over there" the large party was a table of 5. The kicker: Friend left a wallet on the table, realized it pretty quickly after leaving, called the restaurant to find out they didn't have it, and $400 had already been charged up on their credit card. Nice! Overall: the space is beautiful, but they have been in this prime location with that prime space for too long to be this headless chicken about serving FOOD on a TUESDAY NIGHT to not that many people. Lesson to chicago restaurants: make sure you can staff and serve your massive space. I shudder to think what a rockin' Friday night looks like in this joint. No go.
(1)
Lena D.
Went last night for margaritas only...potent! Really yummy and good tequila used in them, too. Guacamole was marginal but fresh so that was good. Go for the margaritas...
(3)
Nicki M.
"Modern Mexican" has never tasted worse. I am sad to say I have nothing good to report except that my margarita was just, 'ok.' We didn't have any service troubles the way some have mentioned but the food was awful and overpriced. My husband got a $15 enchilada dinner that came with ONE enchilada which he indicated was "blegh." My rice was undercooked and bland. The black beans were more like soup, and did they really have to top my tacos with the entire cilantro plant? It was overkill. Maybe it's too trendy for me, maybe it's that I'm Mexican American, maybe it's because we live in Pilsen----Mecca for authentic Mexican food. Either way I've had more "modernized" Mexican at better places. All in all the place is just pretty with ok margaritas. I think I'll stick to my old faithfuls here in the barrio.
(1)
Max C.
We sat in the lounge area when went here. The margaritas were delicious and we enjoyed the guacamole. However, for the price, I didn't feel as if it was worth it.
(3)
Matt M.
Great Guac!! we were there for lunch. the lunch menu was not extensive but it was adequate. the food was very high quality and the service was great.
(4)
Jahanzeb H.
Went her with some friends on a Wednesday. They have half of before 7 on weekdays of all the food. I ordered the shrimp tacos which were great, my friends ordered the shrimp with pineapple app which was really good as well. guacamole was fresh and gets full marks. Will def like to come back to this place.
(5)
Candace A.
I heard rants and raves about this place from my family for so long, so when we finally decided to go here for Father's Day I couldn't understand the hype. The food was tasty, but it wasn't out-of-this world delicious... Maybe it was what I ordered. It didn't feel like Mexican food since it was a roasted chicken and spinach dish. It was good, just not what I expected. However, the pitcher of sangria (or maybe it was margaritas) was amazing! It has earned my 4th star just off of the amazing drinks. I really enjoyed the friendly staff and the spaciousness of the tables. Our family of 6 could enjoy dinner comfortably and we had a great time laughing and chatting away!
(4)
Brian M.
Came here for their happy hour to meet up with my gf's friend. All in all the place was really nice and the decor was pretty cool with plenty of tv's to keep you occupied if you're bored. We didn't order any drinks but we did get the guac and a bunch of tacos. The grilled fish tacos were decent and the barbacoa tacos were pretty good. Everything was solid but nothing too special that blew my mind. I wouldn't mind coming back here especially during happy hour because the tacos are pretty cheap and there's unlimited chips and salsa.
(3)
C R.
Juicy, fresh food. Fresh made gauc, "how you like it" style. Very strong (but still tasty) margaritas! Very nice staff. Most recently I had their Barbacoa Enchilladas which were VERY rich in flavor and came with steamed veggies and rice. I was more than pleased. Great happy hour specials on weekdays!
(4)
Kyle W.
I really love the space. It's super modern but still very comfortable. Go during happy hour (4p-7p?) and a large portion of the menu is half off. It's fancier than your standard mexican fare but the prices are reasonable for a nice, downtown restaurant, and the food is quality. I went with my parents when they were in town about a year ago and they wanted to go back when they were here this weekend! Our service wasn't fantastic and I know it can get crazy at peak times, but that's pretty much par for the course downtown in this area. Definitely worth the visit.
(4)
Bobby N.
I stumbled upon this place one cold evening in Chicago and took a seat at the bar which is my usual preference when on my jack jones. There was one male bar tender who kept the Jamesons coming and was also balanced with the level of conversation he made. The waitress was kind enough to point out that I can mix and match my choices on the menu so to try a select choice of Enchiladas. So rather than ordering four of the one I was able to order four different ones. So the food was great, the side portion of nachos was also delish, the sauce they gave was the best!
(5)
Gaurav S.
Great brunch place with excellent drinks. The food is fresh but the portion sizes are small. The tres loches with mango is an excellent desert. The ambience is great but it does not fill you.
(3)
Michael C.
We went with a group of 7 to Cantina Laredo. This was the second time I was there and I came back for the beautiful modern interior and the large dining space, which is great for accommodating bigger groups. It is also quiet enough to comfortably carry on a conversation and catch up with friends. The prices are very reasonable for food and drinks are on par for the area. Our table shared two orders of guacamole (one order can serve 2 or 3) made at the table, but we asked for "hot" and the guacamole had no spice to it. I had the Cinco Rita drink with dinner, which was a good choice. Next time I will order without the salt, but that is personal preference. For dinner I had Tacos de Pollo. The tacos were prepared well and as expected the presentation was perfect. The tacos were good, but nothing exceptional. Overall, the dining experience is quality, but it is nothing out of the ordinary. I would recommend Cantina Laredo to larger groups or those who want to find a place where they can comfortably carry on a conversation in a beautiful atmosphere. If you only concerned about finding food that will be out of this world, I would head elsewhere.
(3)
Pha L.
Like 5th grade math class, I feel obliged to show my work, so here goes.... + 3 stars for food: Is it the most wonderful Mexican food I've ever had? Probably not, but there are some unique offerings including the crab meat enchilada, which came with a really tasty sauce and a generous serving of crab. The sides were a nice touch and added a bit of beauty to each plate. + 1 for ambiance: It's really pretty inside and sitting by a fire after getting in from the cold is just heaven. +1 for service: Our server was really awesome. Upbeat, positive, and attentive. I'll stick to my regular neighborhood joints for good Mexican food, but for a once-in-a-while treat.yo.self meal, I'd go back to Cantina Laredo.
(5)
Natalie W.
Modern and stunning. Food was absolutely delicious. Brunch was so good!
(5)
Scarlett R.
I am not sure how much money you have to make to dine here but it is delicious! The reason I put only 2 stars is because of the waitress. This place really isn't professional. But then I feel bad because this place is really good.
(2)
Kay K.
Absolutely wonderful!!! The food and drinks are fabulous, especially the made to order guacamole!!! The atmosphere is gorgeous and the service is great! A little pricey, but definitely worth it! Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Jackie C.
This place is really good but their service needs a serious upgrade. Our server, who was very sweet left us for extended periods of time. The food is fantastic but the service is slow. The queso was amazing but it was huge! So be sure you know you are hungry before you order it. The fish tacos were delicious and my husband loved the enchiladas. However, if you are in a hurry do not eat here.
(3)
Tamara C.
I didn't realize that this was a chain. In fact I didn't know until I tried to link the menu to someone I was chatting with. Regardless, Tableside Guacamole, the way YOU like it. It does serve 2-4 people but I didn't care that I was alone. I got to eat what I wanted. I had a great server, he always checked on me and ensured I was happy. He even recommended drinks and desserts. My drink of choice was the Mango Casa Rita. That was quite a tasty drink and it wasn't overbearing taste. Very refreshing. I had the Enchiladas De Congrejo. I don't recommend it. The taste was ok, but it was all very mushy things together, reminiscent of baby food. It was rich though. I finished off with a Mango Tres Leches. It was very tasty...creamy and Mango was definitely prevalent in the taste. I'd go back, just for the making of the Top Shelf Guacamole!
(4)
K K.
How can a place be kid-friendly, good for groups AND romantic? Well, I took my toddler on a Sunday afternoon and it was fine. There were other kids there, enjoying the kid's menu. But, there are beautiful fireplaces, sleek woodgrain walls and a private dining area which means groups can enjoy it and I'll bet couples would love it, too! The mole enchiladas were some of the best I've had in Chicago. They have a really nice drink menu but our margaritas were bitter for some reason. Street parking is not bad on a Sunday afternoon. Definitely will be back. This is a beautiful place that isn't just aesthetically pleasing. The food is delicious!
(4)
Monica J.
Came here for Happy Hour with a friend. There are yummy and cheap appetizers. We ordered the chips and guac and the tostaditos. Both were super yummy. Food as tasty but I wish I didn;t eat so many chios by the end of the night! Drinks are good. I ordered the Casa Rita and thought it was good but seemed a little less strong/ flavorful as it usually is...maybe the drinks are differetn for happy hour? In addition, it started to get busy, so it was difficult to speak with our waitress to get water and silverware, when we needed them. I hear it is crazier during the summer! Overall, nice place to go to. Very good prices during Happy Hour (half-priced appetizers till 7!) :)
(4)
Darcy W.
I really like Cantina Laredo! It's a really fun, lively, upbeat atmosphere. The bartenders are fantastic! Great service and recommendations. I love the drink menu, the appetizers are huge and really yummy, and I like the variety of tacos. Thumbs up on CL's unique Mexican flare!
(4)
Jimmy C.
This is like an upscale Chipotle. The room is gorgeous. Everything is modern; lots of use great fireplace, large windows and pretty chill. We went with a large group, our waiter was very accommodating and the busboys were quick w/ the water and cleanup. The food was OK and overpriced, the drinks they have it down. I can't remember the price on them but i would probably pay a lot for those mojitos. The tacos i had were Tacos al Carbon for almost 15 bucks (i would of paid maybe 6 bucks for it). I recommend getting something more adventurous than damn tacos. This place is good for drinks and dates (get a table by the fireplace)
(3)
Jessica S.
Received horrid service here by a male server. My co-workers and I came in for dinner last night after a work outing so we were a bit tipsy but in no way, shape, or form were we hammered and obnoxious. He was incredibly snotty, rude, and slow. I'm allergic to corn so I asked if it was possible to receive some jicama sticks/celery for the guac and salsa. It wasn't brought out to me for 15-20 minutes and he said "I won't charge you because it took so long". YOU WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR SOME LOUSY JICAMA STICKS AND CELERY?! I'm paying up the ass for my cocktails and guac and you were going to charge me for some lousy veggie sticks?! That was really just one part of his terrible demeanor. I was reminded of why I rarely come to River North anymore. After 10 years in the service industry, I just can't tolerate rude servers when we were pleasent and nice and tried to be friendly and joke with him. I didn't eat, as I had to leave for an appointment but my co-workers ordered food and I had a few bites and it was good, but not so good that I would come back for the shitty service. I will say that it's a beautiful space and I enjoyed the aesthetics of it all.
(2)
Kevin C.
I didn't know this place was a chain. If I wasn't informed I would have had no idea. Everything from taking our number for the wait, the service, to the food and drinks makes me want to come back. There are a ton of Mexican restaurants in the city, of which are likely more authentic, but this River North location was just a good experience. Table side guacamole, warm chips, and that salsa they bring out was legit. House margarita had a nice bite and the tequila came through when needed. Our server guided use through the menu and we all made good choices. The mahi mahi and pork tacos hit the spot. I was tempted to order a full entree but we were looking to go out afterwards. This leaves options open for a second visit. The inside is massive. I now understand how this a chain. I was impressed with the decor but the chairs look awfully uncomfortable. Once I parked it I was proved wrong. We showed up around 8 pm and there was an hour wait. The hostess took our number and we headed across the street to Snicker's for a few beers. They were accurate on the wait time and once we received the text we cruised over and were seated promptly. They had things in order on a busy night. Everything we ordered came out with little delay. At the end of the night it was roughly $50 a person for dinner, guac, and two margaritas. I won't be running back tomorrow but definitely a solid options to go with a group of friends. I don't always frequent River North but this would be a good place start out an evening.
(4)
Manny T.
The food is good. The service is bad. Tough one. You decide.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy 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.
Shannon R.
Dined here tonight with a group of 7. This place is perfect for groups. We were seated at a round table that enabled conversation amongst all of us. It is a large and very beautiful space. Our service was great. Our waitress, Chelsea, was spot on with drink refills and boxes for those that needed them. The guac was good as were my tacos fajitas. Overall this place was well worth the walk, our time, and money. Happy travelers all around!!
(4)Arine A.
Always a safe bet. Good atmosphere. Great service. Good food and drinks
(5)Chris M.
As a Latino, I have high expectations for Mexican restaurants. I made reservations earlier in the week and the hostess was nothing but nice to me. My girlfriend and I agreed that 7:45 would work out perfectly. Well, we both run on "Mexican Time". So I made sure to call ahead and to sure it was okay to push back our reservations. The hostess, yet again, was very helpful and happy to accommodate our request. We arrived fairly early, usually we would have to wait anywhere else. But they sat us down asap. A plus. We sat a table but my girlfriend and I agreed we would enjoy a both. Again, the hostess went out of her way to suit are needs. Besides the wonderful service, the food was amazing!! My girlfriend ordered the chicken fajitas. They came with three tortillas, we thought that they were "shorting" us. We were wrong. I ordered the "CAMARONES ESCONDIDOS". Reminded me of my grandmothers cooking! If you're looking for a night out & want authentic Mexican food. With a hint of class. This is place is it! Without a doubt will be coming back.
(5)Gharsia A.
Came here for a friends birthday and everything was good until the guacamole, I could do better at home and there was a hair in my bowl I told out waiter and he brushed it off and took my plate without apologizing. Then I ordered the enchiladas de barbacoa and in the middle of eating I found another hair! I completely lost my appetite and brought it to the waiters attention yet again and he did absolutely NOTHING! I didn't get an apology or refund or anything. This is the last time I go. Who ever goes here please take a DEEP look into your meal and make sure there isn't anything there that shouldn't be there! After eating my meal I had a very bad tummy ache. Very very unprofessional.
(1)Kendrick W.
This review is pretty much based on two things: 1) Margarita's and 2) guacamole. So the drinks are definitely on the pricier side, but having said that, the Margarita's are fabulous. I had the Cinco Rita and I highly recommend it. The guacamole was also pretty first rate. Even at the bar they wheel over the cart, ask you how spicy you want it and prepare it for you on the spot. Good stuff. I would certainly go back and next time intend to try the food as well.
(4)Arianna G.
My friend and I went here on Friday, to celebrate her Birthday, We had been here before and had great food and a wonderful time!. Wow what a huge dissapointment this time! The Barbacoa pork tacos were terrible, they came to the table cold, and the tortillas smelled rancid! The rice they served us tasted like it was a week old! it was shriveled up and dry, I cannot believe I even dared taste it! Now how hard is rice? Is'nt that Culinary 101? The waiter served our food and then disappeared, It took forever to get any of the waiters attention and the restaurant was not really that busy. The waiter did take the tacos off the bill but we are in no hurry to ever go back.
(1)Ryan B.
I LOVE coming here for happy hour. Their lounge has a half priced menu until 7 on weekdays. The ceviche and tacos are great! You can't go wrong with queso fundido either. The margaritas are also good. You can't go wrong with a margarita and they have a nice variety of different flavors and styles. Sometimes there service gets slow, though (especially when the restaurant is slow). Last time I was there, I had to flag down our server to get our check. Our water glasses had been empty for a while and she hadn't offered to get us more drinks either.
(5)Norman A.
The good: guacamole was excellent. The nachos were some of the best I had seen, essentially slider nacho pizzas. I thought the atmosphere was nice. Decent margaritas, although had heard they were strong and mine were disappointingly weak :/ The bad: the service! Inattentive waiter, when he did manage to find the time to talk to us he made my girlfriend and I feel poor, just awful. I also got the enchiladas and was super disappointed, very bland. I don't think I would go here for dinner again...
(3)Jeff S.
I have been here a few times and always am happy with everything. The salsa and chips are great and table side guacamole is fantastic. The salsa tastes very fresh and is hard not to fill up on before your meal comes out. My go to are the enchiladas barbacoa and have never been disappointed. Was just here this past weekend and my wife had steak tacos and they were really good as well. She also had a couple strawberry mohitos that she really liked. We're a little strong for me, but I am usually not into those drinks anyway. The place is clean and nice and just has an overall good atmosphere. Will definitely be going back again when we are in town.
(4)Blake B.
As a visitor from California... This was some great Mexican food. Was a great experience and will for sure be going back the next time I'm in Chi-town
(5)Sarah G.
This place has a fun and modern twist to spanish cuisine. The decor is fabulous and you get your money's worth when it comes to the drinks. The staff was very pleasant and my friends and I even got a chance to meet the chef and true authentic chef with culinary background so rich in culture. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Thijs V.
Really delicious food. Probably best Mexican food I've ever had.
(5)Basil D.
PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE!!! Please watch the Jim Gaffigan routine on Mexican food. I'll get to that later, but first my more serious ranting... IF this place didn't have real estate and ambience, it would have closed, of this I am absolutely certain. I go to this place often, but only for cocktails. Don't eat the food! I should begin by saying they have remarkable guacamole. It's made fresh table side at your direction for seasonings, whether you want some heat or not, onions or not. It ends there. I always order a mango mojito when I go there. NOT ONCE have I EVER had it made the same, NOT ONCE!! Some days it's strong, some days not, some days there's more "fizzy" soda, some days not. The mixologists need to get their act together. Their margaritas are simply the WORST I've ever EVER had anywhere. They also use these weird non-stemmed margarita glasses which are off-putting. It's a cold drink, which means you need a stem so the heat from your hands don't warm up the cocktail. Now, is Cantina Laredo OUT OF THEIR BLOODY MINDS? The prices they charge for the exact same ingredients in every other Mexican dish served at every Mexican dive-restaurant (all of which are better than what you get at Cantina Laredo) are insanely high...I mean absurd. They charge an extraordinary price, and I mean HUGE for cheese, tortilla, refried beans, chicken/beef/pork. Jim Gaffigan is right, there's no difference between any of the dishes, whether it's a burrito, chimichanga, quesadilla, or whatever... Oh sure there are some variations, but for F-sake, this place is insanely priced. Ok, I'll pony up $10 for the guacamole, it's worth it. The chips are amazingly perfect. But geez, what gives? I've had the tacos, the guacamole, the quesadilla, and one or two other things I can't recall. This place is a hopeless study in mediocrity at best. Go elsewhere. The whole, "Mexican chic" ambience is a bit comical. It's a fun place to go, but it's because in part, I can walk across the street from my building. I would never drive here. I go only for ambience, and only for a crap drink inconsistently made, and the guacamole. That's it. And I occasionally feel bad for even going for that!
(2)Jack F.
Had the Grouper special. The interior of this place is the best thing about it. Food was pretty good, but not the best I've ever had. I came away from it expecting more. The dessert (brownie) was fantastic, though.
(3)Teresa S.
I've never had hot salsa meaning temperature combined with heat! It was fantastic I'm completely hooked! Shrimp tacos with cilantro green rice mucho bueno! Steak fajitas were soooooo flavorful! Wishing Cantina Laredo comes to Las Vegas, nv!
(4)Casey C.
We had dinner before catching a Christmas Carole at the Goodman Theater and it was a great place to catch a quick bite beforehand. We went a little early but service was fast, drinks were tasty and food was delicious. Nice ambiance with the fireplace and décor was tasteful.
(4)Swati B.
The venue is great, really nice decor however it is pretty loud no matter how crowded it is. Great place for large groups. Parking around here is easy, and they do have valet if you need it. They can make most things on the menu vegetarian friendly which is always a plus, i had the shrimp enchiladas without the shrimp, they were actually really good, the poblano sauce was excellent. The guac is pretty great as well. The apple pie ala mode dessert was also really really good! prices are average. However thats pretty much all the positives i can say the service..SUCKED. Our server was just arrogant and rude. Not sure if he was just crabby that he was missing the heat-spurs game, or if he was just an arrogant person in general. He gave no recommendations even though we asked. And the drinks, they weren't that great. Probably the worst margarita I've had (I asked for a classic margarita) it was horrible. My father got served the wrong meal, he was confident that his dish had salsa verde on it and when it came out with something else he knew it was not what he ordered, the waiter seemed to think it was our fault; didn't even apologize. most of my table thought the food was just ok. nothing special; cheese heavy (though they did love the dessert).Their menu isn't that extensive either, not a lot to choose from food wise. I can't say that I'd recommend this place other than maybe coming here because you have a large group and want to go somewhere you can be accomdated and get relatively 'ok' food.
(3)Randy R.
Carne asada!!!! Very good, tasty margaritas, the homemade avocado excellent!!! Overall a nice Mexican place in Chicago. Nice ambient, and trendy decoration, will return next time I'll visit Chicago.
(4)N R.
If you would like some food and drink with your SALT, try this place.
(1)Melissa F.
In an area filled with inventive, delicious places to eat, Cantina Laredo does not really stand out. Their drinks are perhaps the only saving grace - same with the well-lit, open, inviting atmosphere. The "bandera" drink is supposed to look like the Mexican flag and pulls it off due to some legit layering. It's an intense drink, though you might not realize it at first. I got chicken enchiladas with spinach. They were pretty gross. I wanted some flavor, but all I got was poached chicken and spinach under tasteless tortillas. The chicken was so bland...I could make better chicken at home. No spice rub or anything, just poach it in a pot of water and overcharge for it. Okay. The flavors just didn't work together at all. They didn't blend. It was like I took a bite of tasteless chicken and almost watery spinach. Ewwwwww. I don't think Cantina Laredo is worth your time, although if you want to grab an interesting drink here, you could certainly do so and be very happy.
(2)Ji Yeon K.
Cost is reasonable. Guacamole is made fresh by the table, which is amazing. The drinks were great, especially the margaritas. The service though, was not that great, they had a hard time noticing us, when we needed them. Also the decor is great, but the accoustics are not.... the noise echos everywhere.
(4)Haley J.
Excellent food! So fresh and good quality ingredients. The inside is beautiful, so fresh and open. Not your typical looking Mexican restaurant. The complimentary chips and salsa they bring you are excellent! I ordered the chicken tacos and they were delicious. The chicken is excellent and the ingredients are fresh. It comes with rice and beans which were also good. It was a lot of food! My boyfriend ordered the ahi tuna tacos and absolutely loved them. He ordered a mojito that was very yummy. The flan for dessert was great, so creamy and perfect. I left very full and satisified. Definitely going back!
(5)Sarah B.
I loved their pork-- in tacos and in the torta. My husband and I were staying near here and kept passing it so we finally came for lunch. He is not fond of Mexican food and I love it, so he was being nice to me coming here. The place is beautiful, our service was fast, polite, and the food was excellent. My hubbie took one bite of his pork sandwich and stopped to say "Oh my God, this is amazing" and take a picture. It was a crazy idea: pulled pork with a fried egg and apricot spread; he said it tasted like French toast. I had the tacos carnitas and they were soooo good. The woman who brought our food said they were her two favorite things on the menu, so there ya go!
(5)Racquel D.
My sister and I came here two weeks ago for my birthday and were just not that impressed. It was recommended to me in my search for good Mexican food in Chicago. I came here with pretty high expectations and was disappointed. I just expected more. The food was decent, not really the best I've had. On a scale from 1 - 10, I would give it a 7.5. The prices are a little ridiculous for a place that does not have much selection. We shared fajitas, and the portions were really small. I do like that they make fresh guacamole for you. Also, service was good. This seems like a place to get drinks rather than food. Sorry, I won't be back. To sum it up.. Pros: Good location Good chips and salsa Fresh guacamole Cons: Expensive Quality of food.. eh
(2)Jeannine K.
Menu marks what can be made gluten free. Chips are fried separately and safe to eat. Delicious!
(4)Akvamarinko P.
Love love love mexican food this place is always the right move fresh ingredients good drinks pleasant atmosphere perfect for date night or solo I never had a band experience here. I love the fusion of Mexican food with a twist of American cousine. will be back for sure soon...
(4)Lola K P.
This place has gone one step above Mercadito in creating an even more sophisticated, sleek and modern space to enjoy updated Mexican food. We sat at the bar area several times, where the floor to ceiling doors are open, creating such a nice area for an afternoon stop. The updated versions of the usual Mexican fare is very good - guac cart wheeled out and made fresh at your table, tacos, enchiladas. The service is not the greatest - you end up waiting to order or trying to find the waitress for a while. This chain doesn't feel like a chain at all. Will continue to return. Will visit the one in London too and report back.
(4)Julia J.
We went here to celebrate a friend's Anniversary. We heard good things and wanted to see if the Cantina Laredo lived up to the hype. It was such a beautiful restaurant. What a splendid statement right when you walk through the door. It is clean and spacious. And, how could you not love the indoor fireplaces and the fact they have floor to ceiling windows with an outside patio? It's simply perfect for either a cozy winter or a breezy Chicago summer night. Kudos to whomever decorated the space! I'm so sad to say that the service we experienced was bad from the very beginning. Our waiter tried to rush our dinner selections as he was writing our appetizer order down. He seemed annoyed we weren't going at his pace to turn the table quickly... The dirty plates from our chips and salsa weren't cleared at all. In fact, we tried to wave our server down several times to clear them. But, to no avail. Those dirty dishes stayed there even though it was obvious that our table was finished with them. (i.e. The chips and salsa were so good the bowls were empty!) The unsightly dishes remained in our view until our meal arrived. Just lovely. I ordered the Chicken salad and made a few alterations. The waiter got my order wrong and so of course, like the annoying dieter I don't actually enjoy being, I had to send it back. Although he fixed his mistake, the waiter did his job but grudgingly. I didn't like that. (It wasn't like I was being rude. But, now I not only had to deal with feeling bad for upsetting my server, but I also had to watch my friends eat up while I waited...way to go to make my experience better, dude...) On the upside--at least I didn't have to stare at those dirty plates anymore! Yippie! I'm not sure if our table lacked standard service because we were tucked away in a far corner, but the waiter could have easily made up for his numerous snafus. In all honestly, If he bothered to don a friendly smile or give a kind apology, all would have been forgotten and forgiven. The very least he could have bothered to do was look as if he actually wanted to be there. But, he chose to ignore the fact he was slacking on the job. (Perhaps he was thinking that we wouldn't notice?) Note to self: When booking a reservation, be sure to do it around this waiter's mood. Back to the food...The salsa was AMAZING. Of course the guacamole show was refreshing and entertaining! It was great that you could customize just how spicy or chunky you wanted it. I'll have to admit that the cuisine was so good that it was worth going back for. And since Cantina Laredo is a new restaurant, I will return to see if they fix their staff's attitude issues. A NOTE TO THE MANAGERS: Please remind your staff that the guests shouldn't feel like a ticket number at a grocery deli. A dining experience isn't simply just taking your order and then filling it. Guests at the Cantina should feel taken care of, not like annoying step children being pawned off to you on a busy weekend. To be fair, In a few months I will update this review. I'm really not a mean person, but I am a YELPER, you know... IMPORTANT NOTE: This place is in a great location. But, it SUPER sucks if you have to park a car. If you live in the area, just walk or cab it there. Your pay parking could end up costing you more than the meal itself!
(3)Morgane T.
The interior design is beautiful. Best strawberry mojito ever and very good casa rita margarita. The enchiladas Veracruz was Excellent. Awesome place
(5)Kimmy S.
The guacamole is made right in front of u, huge portion and very very good. I think I had a food orgasm. Lol!! I got the crab enchilada and it was scrumptious. It was a small portion than I wanted but still good.
(4)Tiffane M.
The table side Guacamole was so yummy . I also had the pork tacos and the tuna tacos both amazing. The pork tacos was super moist and very filling. The Tuna tacos was tossed in a delicious glaze. The drinks were yummy and had a nice strong kick to it. Our waiter was Tony, he was super nice and very attentive never had to ask for anything because it was like he already knew what we needed. The only thing I did not like was the rice and the chips tasted a little stale but outside of that all of the food there Taste so fresh. I WILL BE BACK AGAIN!!
(4)Kimberly S.
I have only been here for happy hour and that is what my review is based on. The happy hour here is a GREAT deal. The location is great and the food is yummy. Avoid the queso and go for the guacamole and tacos. I have tried most of the tacos and the mahi-mahi are my favorite. For the happy hour price you really can't beat it!
(4)Amanda C.
Just went to have a drink. The house margarita was ok. Poor service at the bar. Seemed the bartender preferred to socialize over providing service.
(3)Rachel T.
Ah, Cantina Laredo. Where modern Mexico meets the heart of many Chicagoans--It's gotten my attention at least (times 3). Hola Margaritas! I'd recommend trying either the Mango Mint Gingerita or the Mango Pepper Rita (fiery and different). As for the main entree, the Enchiladas Veracruz is remarkably good (but could be a little more spicier). For desserts, the mexican brownie is to die for! Chips, dip and a Mexico trip. Discover it for yourself!
(4)Shambavi K.
- Drinks were good. - Food portions are small - table side guacamole was good. I may return here only if other people want to go or for happy hour specials...but I won't recommend it to anyone. Its just a bit pricy for mexican-american food.
(2)Stephen D.
Great service. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly and seemed genuinely concerned about whether we were happy with our meals. The food was pretty good. Not inexpensive, though...
(4)Mike M.
Outstanding food and service! Nice atmosphere. Food and drinks were wonderful. Will definitely be back next time I am in Chicago!
(5)Hemanth G.
Food was simply amazing. The ambience was very chic very modern for a Mexcian restaurant and lives up to its modern mexican caption. Service is exemplary. I wanted my entree spicy and the waitress got me a couple of different sauces on the side so I could chose from. The cilantro rice that comes with some of their dishes is amazing. And the best part was the desert. We had flan and the mango tres leches. Both incredibly delicious. I would go back just to have to desert if not for lunch or dinner again. I am very pleased with my experience. I found out they have a location in my hometown - Austin, TX as well. I am definitely going there soon! Hope this review is helpful. Take care.
(5)Lucas W.
The highlight of the restaurant - is the guacamole. Yes, they make it right at your table which is just rather showy to me and in fact I didn't even watch it get made. But it tasted phenomenal. We had one spicy guac and one medium guac. The spicy guac was gone very quickly; the flavor was great, ingredients very fresh, and a good spiciness to it. There was a good amount of guac as well and 2 dishes of guac was the perfect amount for 6 people. Honestly, had the night just been drinks and chips and guac/salsa, the rating would be a full star higher. But as is, it's barely a 3 star because of the price of the drinks, price of the entree, and quality of the entree. The margaritas are a bit on the pricey side. They're fine flavor-wise and pretty good strength but paying almost $15 for a small margarita is pretty damn hefty even for that location. For my entree I had fish tacos. I've never had tacos so utterly devoid of flavor. Tasteless is putting it nicely. The tacos were smaller than expected and with far less fish than expected and so they threw on a larger amount of cabbage and marinated vegetables. I would've expected some peppers at least but no, they were like water chestnuts or something crunchy and bland. This is a mexican restaurant, how can you make tacos so bland and flavorless! Nor was there any salsa or chili sauce on; I was excited for the chipotle aioli but man, the whole plate just tasted like plain tortilla. You'd get better flavors from Chipotle or even Qdoba. Certianly save a bunch of money.
(3)Brian B.
Ribeye was exceptional --cooked to perfect med rare, and well priced. The cascabel marinade was flavorful and complemented the meat without overpowering. Great with the always delicious kenwood Yulupa cab. Sides were lacking - asparagus was thin, bitter, woody, under cooked. Rice was not good - I've had better from a box. They said that these were not their typical sides- something went wrong in the kitchen. But all of this was eclipsed by the beef and the wine. Salsas were good too. I'll be back.
(4)Erik O.
Bar service was great, food was fast and really good.
(5)Jessica A.
Full disclosure: I came here after a few drinks at another bar--I kept it together but I think they deserve a second try before I give final judgment. Due to it being Valentine's day weekend, there was a special prix fixe menu ($35 for 3 courses, $15 additional for cocktail pairings, which we decided to order). Overall, the food (I had the mango salad, a filet with roasted potatoes and green beans, and some kind of dessert nachos with strawberries and whipped cream) was quite good--not authentic in the least, but good. We also ordered the tableside guac, which was easily the highlight for me. Cocktails were okay but not great--the margarita was very good, but the first course drink was a little overly sweet--ditto for the coffee-flavored one that came last. If I was to come back, I would stick to the obvious choices (tableside guac and margaritas). Service was fine, but there were a few mix-ups (cocktails were served in the wrong order, meaning I got to have a very sweet, fruity drink with my steak....gross). I'd be curious how it differs at a less busy time.
(3)Theresa F.
Been here three times and this place never disappoints. Everything we've ordered from the guacamole, margaritas, to the fish tacos have been excellent. You really can't beat their happy hour either. Always great service with a slightly trendy, but laid back atmosphere
(5)Sara L.
I gotta admit I was very skeptical about coming here with my friend for happy hour. If you seen the other locations of this chain its a little like On the Border too much. I am not a big fan of chain restaurants, but who knew this place was pretty good. The location in River North is beautiful inside. I like that they ditched the whole Tex-Mex look and instead its more sleek and modern. We came for happy hour yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised. The lounge upstairs has half off appetizers M-F from 4-7p. We ended up getting the guac, which comes a lady with a cart who makes it to your taste in front of you. I like this touch since you can add or remove ingredients. The ceviche was wonderful! The drinks here pack a punch. I do recommend the blood orange sangria. I typically don't like sangria, but man oh man this was tasty. The waitress we had was wonderful and made sure we happy with our food and kept up the refills. This is definitely one place I am coming back to!
(4)Conrad M.
The chicken part of the mole chicken dish was dry and the mole sauce was limited. Guacamole was great! Drinks were weak. Might be better to have a shot of tequila separate of the drink and add tableside so you know what you're getting. Great venue!!
(3)Stefanie A.
Below is my old review....my new review has now changed to 3 stars. Why is that you ask? I'll try to make it quick...Well my husband and I were there again a month ago with his friend and his wife in town from Florida. We were all craving Mexican so we took them there. Our friends (wife is pregnant) had a pretty bad experience, and we felt bad as a result. First off, she ordered a virgin drink...and the server handed her my husbands alcoholic drink. Her and my husband realized that after a few sips, and it was brought to the servers attention. Next, she ordered a very simple bean and rice burrito (was having some food aversions due to her pregnancy, and specifically said no onions). Guess what came in her burrito....onions. We told the server about this one, so he had them bring out a new, onion less one for her in about 10 mins. Poor thing had to watch us eat as she waited. Although it wasn't a HUGE deal, it's still pretty bad to serve alcohol to a pregnant woman, and what is they accidentally served alcohol to a child who ordered a virgin drink? Or what if they served the onion burrito to someone who was allergic to onions? Hmmmm, get your act together Cantina Laredo. Old review: Great atmosphere and amazing mexican food. Must get the table-side prepared guacamole and their margaritas!
(3)Brittany B.
If you are 21+, go upstairs to the lounge! There is no wait and there are nice chairs and tables to sit at. It's very spacious too. (Downstairs looked a little crammed.) The margaritas are amazing. I drank the Casa Rita with strawberry. My friend ordered the Flatbread de Bistek y Cherry Salsa and I wish I would have ordered it too. The service was less than decent. If I'm in Chicago again, I probably won't go back here.
(3)Ashley C.
The atmosphere is great. It has a very modern vibe and the fireplaces are nice in the winter. I came here with a larger group who picked the place for its location and ability to accommodate a larger group. I wasn't all that impressed. The service was slow and just okay when he was at our table. He was definitely up-selling which I hate. He kept trying to get all of us to add stuff after we said no and then would push the more expensive entrees. Now I think most things are reasonably priced but it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I docked a whole star for the service. We started out with salsa and guacamole. The guacamole was made to order table side which was great. They nailed the guacamole spot on and it was probably the best food of the night. The other salsas were good to, but I thought one was a little too smoky. I ordered a mojito for my drink- it was well balanced, strong but without being a kick in the face. For the entree, I had the fish tacos. They were kind of bland and weren't seasoned enough. My dining companions seemed to enjoy their meals, but one noted that hers was only lukewarm. The enchiladas seemed to be the biggest hit. While I would pick a different Mexican spot especially for the fish tacos, i would go back if my group suggested it but would probably get the enchiladas instead.
(2)Nishita V.
Absolutely no complaints! We ate here recently on a trip to the Windy City. Service was excellent. Atmosphere is nice. I imagine it would be beautiful at night (we went for lunch). We ordered the table side guacamole which was a lot for 2 people. But delicious nonetheless. I highly recommend the spinach enchilladas :) The patio area was really nice. I just wish it were warm enough to sit outside!
(5)Anuj S.
is a great location and they've done a great job with the place. I'm surprised that I've never been here in the year and half or so that this place has been around. Unfortunately though, CL didn't deliver on the service and the food was hit or miss. Our server was a bit snooty. I mean, he would do what we'd ask, but I felt like there was a bit of unnecessary attitude. Also, there were long gaps between stops to our table. Like between the time we finished eating to when he checked in with us next. Then he didn't ask about dessert - I brought it up myself. Admittedly, some of these are nits... Now for the food. The chips and salsa were fine. The cheese enchiladas were really good. The avocado ones on the other hand were kind of meh... We also asked if they could do some veggie tacos and they sort of put veggies on there which I didn't want. I would've rather had beans, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, etc. Like a regular taco, but just with beans instead of meat. I'd say overall the beans and rice were rather flavorless. Lastly, the mango tres leches was awesome. Really fresh tasting mango bits and a super-moist cake with this delicious mango sauce on top of the whole thing. If it weren't for the cheese enchilada and this cake, this place would definitely have been a 1 or 2 star place. Even with those two food items, I don't think it a place going back for lunch or dinner. There are just so many better food options around. On the other hand, I do think I'd come back here to hang for some drinks or what not.
(3)Caitlin B.
Went here for dinner on Friday evening with my boyfriend and his mother. Although the restaurant is casual, most patrons were pretty dressed up. We arrived first and ordered a couple of margaritas, which were the highlight of the night. The food was okay: nothing was bad, but nothing stood out as a highlight. The service was pretty hands-off. As soon as we declined the 'tableside guacamole', which consisted of one avocado, half a lime, a tablespoon of onions, and some cilantro, for the bargain price of $10, she ignored us. She never offered to refill our water glasses during the meal, nor did any of the busboys who came to the table to clear our plates. Eventually, I asked her for a refill, and she complied. She brought our check rather abruptly, and we lingered for about 20 minutes to chat (the restaurant wasn't crowded). After she picked up the check, she never returned to the table. I'd return for drinks, but I'd rather eat at one of the many other restaurants in the area.
(3)Mushira A.
Food was pretty good. The fresh made guac was the best. The place is huge and very chic. We went in the daytime but it would be a great place for dinner with friends or just drinks. Service could've been better but it was okay overall.
(4)Carla H.
Love this place. Great atmosphere drinks and food. I've been here with groups as well and had wonderful service. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Anna B.
A bountiful feast of barbacoa tacos & surprisingly strong mango margs. Huge restaurant, boisterous ambiance, great location for bar hopping after.
(4)Kristin L.
From the reviews on yelp and other foodie review websites I decided I would never eat here. It was compared to chili's and with the prices on that menu I was NOT about to pay for that. HOWEVER, I was pleasantly surprised!!!!!! I really enjoyed my meal (tacos) and the table-side guacamole was fabulous. Not only was the food wonderful but the ambiance is wonderful. Its eclectic/contemporary with floor to ceiling windows. There are two floors, a bar and seating on each. The tables are huge with comfy chic chairs. This was great to meet friends for dinner but an even better spot for happy hour or a quick drink with a friend!
(4)Whitney W.
I took my boyfriend here last week and we sat upstairs to have the smaller plates so we could share food. EVERYTHING was delicious. I got a margarita and it was very tasty, and strong. The guacamole was made to perfection. I think the service could have been a little better, but all in all this is still my favorite place to eat. the ambiance upstairs and downstairs are super nice. You can go with friends, a date, or co-workers. and they have 1/2 off small plates from 3-7PM i believe.
(4)Jaime G.
Cool Mexican spot with great drinks and apps. Ideal for happy hour. Try a michelada with Tecate and the queso with guacamole. Yum. Decor is very open and sleek and makes you want to hang out for a while. The bar upstairs is esp comfortable and fun. I did some chicken tacos but nothing special. I would stick to the apps and drinks. Drinks also include inventive cocktails with high end tequila. Can't wait to go back. Perfect for a happy hour.
(4)Barbara B.
This is a fun Mexican restaurant in River North. Be prepared to spend a little more than at other Mexican establishments but whatever you get will be delicious. The tacos are especially tasty. Not so much a family restaurant, particularly in the evening as it is a hot spot for people preparing to go out.
(4)Katie L.
I've been curious about Cantina Laredo ever since I started working in River North. The ambiance looked nice, but I kept getting mixed reviews about the food. The service staff here proved to be friendly and helpful, but terribly slow. I received some recommendations as to what to order here and enjoyed my experience, although nothing blew me away. We started with the handmade guacamole. I would highly recommend getting this as an appetizer. You watch as they make it on a cart next to your table, choose your ingredients and how spicy you would like it. I would definitely recommend the mix-and-match taco selection (a total of three tacos). The carnitas tacos are the best, the meat is quite tender and the sauce is perfectly tangy. I didn't drink during our dinner, but my friends reported that they were pleased they served Dos Equis amber and have delicious mixed drinks. The mango tres leches cake was quite tasty, although it was too rich for me to finish, even with the help of my friends.
(3)Leo C.
best guacamole in chicago! i found the tacos to be a bit dry though my husband loves the enchiladas de cangrejo and says its his favorite dish in town ... still as i said the guacamole is soo good that I have even ordered 2 servings as a delivery to our house when we are lazy to go out ... for this alone it is worth the good rating.
(4)Lauren M.
I usually go to the location in Palm Beach Gardens with my family so I knew my favorites to order. My party sat at a high table at the bar and we enjoyed mojitos and their signature margaritas. Just delicious. Of course we ordered side table guacamole and it and everything else we ordered arrived in minutes. Fast service and very friendly. We tried the ribs, ahi tuna tacos, quesadillas with brisket and ceviche. We loved it all! Only two complaints. Maybe no olives in the ceviche and the mojitos were super super sweet. The restrooms we not the cleanest they could have been but still tidy. Great news with the quesadillas.. They will add any meat/ fish you want just ask. In fact, they will make anything you want. Overall a great night and yummy food. We will definitely be back!! Oh, did I mention the tequila flight!! That was a total plus :)
(5)Dawn D.
Great atmosphere. I Love the fireplaces! The food was good. Table side Guacamole. Very good drinks! I had a Mojito. Yum! Service was good. Lively place!
(3)Alex J.
The decor inside is wonderful - I adore the glass staircase and fireplace kind of thing. Further, the staff are all really great and helpful. That being said, atmosphere is not everything. The food? It's nothing special. I not only can't remember what it tasted like, I only remember how much I paid for an unmemorable meal. Luckily, it wasn't memorably terrible, and you get all of the free tortilla chips and somewhat bland salsa you could ever want. If you do come around Cantina Laredo, grab tacos. You could hardly go wrong with Tacos, I think. And water to put out the fanning boredom.
(3)Melody P.
I usually only do good reviews, but I had to make an exception. Went to this restaurant for a girl day out for lunch. We ordered two margaritas which were not good, I've never seen a clear margarita. We then ordered guacamole spicey made at the table. We had to put the salsa on it to make it good. The tacos were just so so . The meal was expensive and not worth the price, not worth trying again.
(1)Desiree B.
Was here a while back! This place is great!!! Food is authentic and the drinks are incredible. Server was helpful and patient with my friend and I who were catching up. It was pretty crowded on a normal weekday night. So I would recommend reservations. You will want to come back to this place again and again!
(5)Rebecca R.
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Very cool spot in the area for a date night, place to hang with the girls, or in this case, a large gathering of friends. They accommodated us well and had two servers helping with drinks and food orders. The company and service was good, but the food was just okay.
(3)Amoli P.
I've been to Cantina Laredo a few times now, and the experience is always consistently good. Cantina Laredo is one of the few restaurants in the River North area that can accommodate large groups of people (the place is huge!) so we tend to end up there for girls nights, bachelorette parties, group birthday dinners, and other events that require a large group of people eating before going out in River North. They have little private rooms that can seat a variety of sizes and it's pretty easy to get large group reservations there, even last minute. So in that regard, Cantina Laredo is a very handy restaurant to have around in its specific location. The cocktails are pretty dependable. The mojitos are quite good as are their margaritas. I wouldn't say the best mojito or margarita in the city, but they're good. The food is consistent, which is nice. But the menu also never changes, the tastes are always the same, and the variety is always at the same amount of variables. The tacos de camerones are mediocre at best. The salsas are uninteresting, the shrimp is standard. However the shrimp enchiladas were a pleasant surprise on my most recent visit and I will say they seem to do enchiladas much better than they do tacos. They use a bolder flavor in their sauce (I'm sure dousing it with cheese helps add to the taste as well), the seasonings are more noticeable and it was a more enjoyable meal. As a vegequarian there are limited options but some of them are quite good. The carne asada seems to be a big hit and many of my friends go for that whenever we're there. All in all, you won't have bad experience at Cantina Laredo. Service is always great, the atmosphere is always open and modern, and the food is always the same. Is it a place to go for mind-blowing food? No. It's more a means to getting a solid meal and some cocktails in the River North area, that doesn't require reservations 2 weeks in advance. I'll go back again...probably for the next group birthday, not for the food specifically, but for the convenience that the location offers.
(3)Jalmeen K.
I love the flan here ..... I have been to many Mexican restaurants but Flan here is the best :) Fresh Guacamole is made at the table ... Love this place
(5)Nicole U.
I like the the interior of this restaurant. It looks really nice. Maneuvering around can be awkward depending on where your sitting if you need to use the restrooms. Food was good. They actually had this cool lunch/brunch deal and I got eggs benedict with a mimosa. I think total it was $11. Good portion of food too.
(4)John W.
Our first visit to Cantina Laredo. The restaurant is very attractive and was very crowded on a Saturday night. The service was friendly and efficient. The food was good though we had a couple of food issues that were quickly corrected. We'll be back.
(4)Ian H.
Wow such a great Mexican. Great food and the guacamole, made fresh at the table, is a must whilst drinking the great range of Mojito's and tequila cocktails. A great atmosphere and central location I was hardly able to pass this place without heading in.
(5)Vispy M.
Incredible food. I've been here a few times and love the service, ambiance and the food. The guacamole is made table side and is not to be missed, it is some of the best I have eaten. Some of my other favorites here are the steak quesadillas, the Carnitas (braised pork shanks topped with chipotle-wine sauce) and also the bone in Rib Eye (it has spicy rub on it that sets it apart) ..... The only thing to keep in mind is that this place gets really crowded in the evenings so a reservation is a must.
(4)C A.
Great menu, food and drinks. They serve complimentary salsas (2) with chips. Service was so so.
(5)Amanda L.
First of all we were almost 30 minutes late for our reservation and we got sat right away at an excellent table. Our food was perfect to the last bite. We had fabulous margaritas and tequila shots. Our server (CLAUDIA) was so much fun and spot on. We were also brought a cake with a sparkler for no reason... This place was great. Make reservations for your next night out!!
(5)Alexandra C.
Went here for a friends birthday. Very nice hostess and wait staff. Didn't think the guacamole was all that good since I've read the it was amazing. The endless salsa and chips was nice before we ordered. The portions were a good size to be full. I got the shrimp fajitas and they were good :) I like Mexican food but I'm never sure what to get so I just guessed but I do like fajitas. We also got drinks which were strong. They were really nice to keep the birthday cake in their fridge and when they brought it out for us they put a sparking candle on top. We had a great time! Would definitely go back . For 4 drinks and 4 meals, we paid just under $100. Thanks for a great Friday night! Con: the one bad thing was that our table was not well lite while the table next to us was under a light, so maybe have a light or a candle on the table so we can see each other better.
(3)Christina C.
Building blends into the surroundings and doesn't look like a typical Mexican restaurant. Open and clean atmosphere for dining with friends or for a party. Kendra was the best waitress hands down. She gave great menu suggestions, was very friendly, and very prompt. Great experience. Also the guacamole was very tasty and fresh
(4)Chris F.
Outside of the place looking snazzy and eyeing up all the 'bros' that River North can produce, the place was 'meh'. Tacos and guacamole (made at your table - heyyyyyy) were really good, but for the price I wouldn't be back. Seems like the place takes advantage of the tourists who are looking for a 'fancy' night out. So props to them, I guess.
(2)Molly D.
Kendra! Best server we have had in Chicago in several days! Between her recommendations, her great customer service and her professionalism, you'll be stoked you asked for her section! Follow her tips! Got the app she recommended (guacamole) drink she recommended (margarita at bottom left of margarita section) and the dinner (Vera Cruz enchiladas) and all was amazing! Yay Kendra! Yay this place!
(4)Joey F.
Been to a lot of mexican restaurants in Chicago and this place is one of my favorites. The food is great and is a nice restaurant altogether. They have very good tacos and good drinks. Great chips, guacamole and salsa as well. Can get pretty busy on the weekends so probably best to make a reservation.
(5)Mike C.
Fish tacos.....is pretty much the only thing I've ever eaten here, at the bar, for lunch or dinner. PRobably would have them for breakfast, given the option. It's not that they're all that great though. They just come out really fast, taste ok, and along with the chips/salsa, and a salted margarita on the rocks...I'm very happy. Great decor, lively crowd, huge bar area, good people watching, all in a fancy Mexican joint. On any visit to Chicago I find myself here. Especially as a single traveler and a very attentive bar staff.
(4)Naja H.
Went here with the BF and honestly everything we had was subpar. He ordered enchiladas which not only looked inedible, but they were and I had tacos which were okay. For appetizers we had the tableside guac which was delish, and the best part of the meal (thanks Yelpers!), but I could hardly eat it because I had recently had my wisdom teeth removed and getting corn chips stuck in them would have been a bish. Overall, a mediocre experience. Ambiance was nice, but I would not go back for that alone. TBH, We considered going across the street to Chili's a few times for our meal.
(3)Vishal P.
Nice place, good decor, nice amount of space, valet parking, friendly service. They have good margaritas and mojitos. They make GUACAMOLE FRESH at the table for you and make it however you like it, spicy, mild etc. Something unique to this place. I had the Fajitas Tres. A nice choice if you want a little bit of everything. The beef was nicely cooked. The chicken was nicely seasoned. And who doesn't love shrimp wrapped in bacon?! Great place. Definitely worth checking out
(4)Lauren R.
They have queso. Need I say more? Their guac is great- made right in front of you. Their tacos al carbon, quesadillas, enchiladas, tortilla soup... you can't go wrong at Cantina Laredo. Oh, and their margs are stout, in a good way. It's a nice atmosphere, good location, & the staff has always been really nice. Since they're in River North, they don't have drinks happy hour, but they have FOOD happy hour- all apps are half off & it's a great deal so you should probably go then.
(5)Candace M.
I love this place! Real simple --- the food, the margaritas, the service and the ambiance are all great.
(4)James H.
salty, nice margaritas, semi-pricy
(3)Jenni H.
Food - I'd give this 4/5 stars. I had the Restaurant week menu of salad, fish, and dessert. The fish was so good. I also really liked my White Honey Sangria. Service - this part sucked. I couldn't understand half of what the server said, he trilled his Rs so much he sounded like a moron, and he kept apologizing awkwardly because of how slow the food came out. Like, the most awkward thing ever. Our table felt like we had to make him feel better about being such a crap waiter. I might be back for a cocktail and sit at the bar, but probably won't sit down for a meal again.
(3)Chris C.
You have to order the table side guacamole appetizer. They will ask you if you want it mild or hot, I always order it hot the peppers make it fantastic. For my entree I had the mahi-mahi tacos. You get three of them and it comes with rice and beans, these tacos are extremely filling. But they tasted kinda bland. I never had a problem with the service here always attentive and friendly. Nice ambiance with fireplace on the patio and lawn chairs. Happy hour upstairs only. I will definitely be back soon mostly for the guac.
(4)Jordan P.
I was incredibly underwhelmed by Cantina Laredo. This place is all flash, no substance. The food was so, so. I had the tamales, which were bland. Also, the service was terrible. We tried to go to happy hour, but the bar upstairs was completely full and the staff made no effort whatsoever to find us any place to sit. When we asked if we could take advantage of the happy hour specials in another area of the restaurant because the upstairs bar was full we were told no and that we should have showed up earlier. The only good things about this place were the space and the blackberry margarita. The building is really pretty. Large windows, open design. The margarita was amazing!!! Just the right amount of sweetness. I'd go back just for the margaritas!
(2)Emily J.
I felt terrible going here and ordering right before closing time. Having worked in many restaurants, I hated being the people that servers everywhere despise. However, our server was so very nice. She really took great care of us and hustled to get our order in and get the food out in a hurry, but didn't rush us with our meal. The food itself wasn't great, and I can understand if the kitchen was irked about such a last minute order! I did love the guacamole that was prepared table side. I could have eaten a entire vat of that stuff! I wasn't over the moon about the margaritas either, but coming from Colorado I am really spoiled with both Mexican food and margs. I would come back to Cantina Laredo at a more reasonable time for dinner to see if my experience earned them more stars. I am more of a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place kind of girl than a trendy modern Mexican cantina so perhaps this just wasn't my cup of tea (or tequila). Loved the atmosphere though and again, I can't say enough great things about the service, especially considering our situation.
(3)Regina A.
Went with a bunch of co-workers for lunch. We work within walking distance, so it's not like we're lacking for Mexican food options in the neighborhood--in fact, I've been to El Jefe, Mercadito, and Cantina Laredo in just the brief time I've been working here. First of all, the service....oh, man. When I walk into a restaurant with a group of nine people at lunchtime, I expect a wait. What I do NOT expect, though, is to walk into a largely EMPTY restaurant, in which multiple seating areas are vacant and clearly available, and have to wait fifteen minutes for the staff to push three tables together. I am not exaggerating here; the restaurant was not busy in the least, we waited a quarter of an hour and we were led to three tables pushed together. NOT an auspicious beginning. We ordered the tableside guac. I'm in agreement with the reviewer who said guacamole needs time to meld and develop its flavors, but in this case, I'm glad it didn't have more time to develop--that might have given the chance for even MORE overpowering cilantro to take over the entire bowl. I am not one of the cilantro-abominating masses, but the server piled that stuff in with a SHOVEL. It completely overwhelmed any and all other flavors. Chips and salsa were bottomless; I loved the fact that the salsa was warmed. And then...I had the enchiladas de barbacoa--oh, wait: _enchilada_ de barbacoa; please note the singular. Now, I realize it's lunchtime, and I'm the first to say I've got portion-control issues, but seriously: ONE enchilada?? ONE? Disappointing... ...especially because it was so. freakin. delicious. Seriously the best Mexican entree I've had in a long, long time. It made the weak service and not-so-good guac disappear into the fog of my memory, and allowed me to give Cantina Laredo four stars. So: my takeaways here: 1. Make reservations, even for lunch. 2. Skip the guac, or at least ask them to go light on the cilantro (and maybe a bit heavier on the salt, too.) 3. Enchilada de barbacoa. 4. Be prepared to leave wanting more.
(4)Melissah L.
Came here with two friends for NYE dinner. We made a reservation ahead of time and were told that 5:30 was the only time available. When we got there, the restaurant was mysteriously empty... huh? Pros: - the atmosphere! The lighting is low, the decor is modern and sleek and the high bar table made me feel like I was on Sex and the City, at dinner with Carrie and Miranda. - food. Everything was good. Not great, but I do think I would eat here again. I had the enchiladas veracruz, and my friends tried the fajitas de camerones and the camaron pablano asada. I liked everything. Decent flavor, and big portions! We also tried the $10 guacamole that Cantina Laredo boasts about-- it's good, but not really worth money in my opinion. -drinks. Margaritas are good, so are the mojitos. My friend tried the mango mojito, which lacks a little in the alcohol department, but is perfect for the girly-drink lover that I am. Cons: - I found a fly in my margarita. The waiter replaced it immediately but I'm pretty sure I saw them ladle my second glass from a huge, uncovered bucket of pre-made margaritas behind the bar... I am suspicious that there may have been worse things than flies in there! -service. Perhaps our waiter was having a bad night. He was pretty surly and barely spoke at all. He never smiled and came by to check on us rarely. Ya win some, you lose some, right? Overall, go! A great place for drinks with the girls!
(3)Stephanie R.
Went to this place after standing in line for an hour waiting to get in to an Irish pub on St. Paddy's weekend. After about 30 minutes in the packed pub with no food in site off we went in search of food. My daughter found this place and it was delicious! Simply cannot beat the value of the brunch menu which includes a mimosa or bloody maria. We also ordered a pitcher of mojitos. The entire bill for 5 people with 4 alcoholic drinks and the pitcher was $124. Everyone loved their meal. Will definitely go here again!!
(5)Taeler H.
This place get 3 stars for interior/ exterior appearance, ambiance, and food taste, but -2 stars for customer service. One of my good friends recommended this place because I was in need of a really nice, but not too pricey place for my graduation dinner. I went through hell and high water trying to find someone at the restaurant to help me. Finally I was given the phone number for Rhonda, the event coordinator, from a hostess at the restaurant. It took her a few days to call me back, I assumed she may've been busy or that I had the wrong number, but when she called me back I was happy to hear from her and quickly made an appointment. The day of my appointment came and I arrived on time to the meeting, but she was not. The hostess told me that she ran out to Jewel (which is down the street), but my question is, if you know you have an appointment, shouldn't you've done that earlier, or later?? Anyway, I told her that I wanted to see the party rooms they had available and taste the food. She told me to go ahead order my lunch and she'd show me the rooms. The first room was very nice but kind of small. It had a sky light, a flat screen tv, and sliding glass doors to keep the hustle and bustle of the restaurant out. After deciding that the room may be too small, we walked upstairs to the lounge area which was beautiful. I was sold! And it went downhill from there. A day or two later, I emailed Rhonda saying I'd like the upstairs space, and I did not hear from her for a while. So I continued to look at other restaurants. A few days later, I hear back from her and she tells me another party has booked the downstairs room, which is no problem, so I ask about the upstairs lounge room. Then she tells me there's a contract pending on the lounge room. I tried to say from the beginning, when it was supposedly open, that I wanted the room. Either way, when I visited a couple other places, they were much more helpful than here. They allowed me to taste things on the menu, they sat down with me to make sure I was going to get what I wanted out of my party, NONE of that happened here. The lunch I ordered was good but when I sat down to eat, their event coordinator disappeared. I guess she had better things to do than bring in more parties.... Will I be back to eat? Probably. Do I have time to wait around to plan my party? NO Would I recommend this place to others or attempt to bring another group in? Not a chance. It isn't worth the stress.
(3)Sam H.
We were there on a relatively slow Sunday evening, and immediately upon entry I was impressed with the layout and the decor. I'm a fan of subdued lighting, and the wide-open spacing works for this place. The service was prompt and attentive, the food above average. The guacamole preparation at table-side seemed a bit excessive, but it was not intrusive and the chef was quietly charming. Overall, it was a good experience, and I'd consider revisiting.
(4)Paula H.
Went here for lunch and would not go back. The portions were tiny. I ordered the enchilada's and got one enchilada. ONE. The atmosphere is cool but not a traditional mexican restaurant. i wouldn't even call this mexican at all. The drinks were good.
(2)Vanessa D.
I had an absolutely wonderful meal here. From the mojito cocktail, the freshly-prepared guacamole, to the camarones escondidos and the DECADENT Mexican brownie for dessert, it was 100% delicious. The service was a bit slow, but in this case I did not mind because I was catching up with friends who I only see once a year. Highly recommended! You MUST try the Camarones Escondidos.
(5)Rhonda G.
Great place for an after work happy hour/dinner. I was amazed at how large this place is and they have a second floor which offers a tapas menu (so I was told). My friends and I dined near the fireplace which was great because it was slightly breezy and they had the windows open. The Pomegranate margarita went down a bit too smoothly so I helped myself to a house margarita as well, good, but a bit strong for an "I still have to work tomorrow" drink. The table side guacamole was good and I appreciate being able to see exactly what's being put in and not only hoping that it's not being pulled from a huge tub in the back. For my meal, I had the tacos de pescado made with mahi mahi, messy but really good with nice flavor. The sides were forgetful, however. I also want to mention the service, our server was the nicest guy ever, even though he was busy he was attentive, helpful with suggestions and just kind overall. I plan to make a return trip and try the tapas!
(4)Emma K.
Highlight of the Meal: The Casa Rita. A yummy strong Margarita that was just right. Pros: - The atmosphere / decor is very nice and inviting. It is clean and modern while still being comfortable. My group of 6 sat at a round table that made it easy to see and converse with each other. - The food was delish. The fresh made guacamole and chips were a good way to start the meal. I had a really hard time deciding what to get and was debating between the Enchiladas Veracruz and the Tacos de Camarones .... then when the waitress was taking our order I had a sudden change of heart and got the Enchiladas de Avocado. I wasn't disappointed - the portion was large and it came with a great mango and jicama salad. - We were able to split the check fairly easily for our group which always seems to be a big hassle when we have girls dinner. Cons: - The waitress was around our table frequently at first as we were ordering drinks and taking a long time to decide what to order, but once our food came (really quickly btw!) she disappeared. I was definitely ready to order another Casa Rita, but never got the chance to do so since the next time I saw her was when she was boxing our food and giving us our bill. - I really enjoyed the guacamole, but did bit into one huge HOT chunk of jalapeno. I'm the biggest hot spicy wimp in the world, so this did not go over well. I definitely look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu. Maybe I'll come with the BF next time though so he can pay for the $9 ritas :)
(4)Dennis L.
I visited Cantina Laredo with my co-workers for a late afternoon team outing. First off, the atmosphere is great. I really loved the modern, yet comfortable decor. As for the food...very good. The table side guacamole was delicious, and the complimentary chips and sales were wonderful. For my meal, I went with the Mahi Mahi tacos. The flavors were spot on! Overall, a great experience!
(4)Lynn B.
Hands down the best MARGARITAS!!!! The food is good too and the service is always excellent.
(5)Julie S.
Great table side made guacamole. Crab enchiladas were good, a bit spicy. Hubs had some green pepper stuffed with shrimp and cheese and wrapped in beef. He is not a foodie and he kept going on and on about how awesome it was. Definitely coming back next time we're in town. Only con, kinda loud. Make a reservation, gets busy.
(5)Katrina R.
I like Cantina Laredo, but four stars is a stretch. On their good nights, they are good. They have the best flan in the United States. No joke. Try that stuff. It's incredible. And they have a really delicious salad that I like (the one with the shrimp) as well as really creative and strong margaritas. The food is definitely above average, and honestly this place would be a solid four stars BUT Management totally sucks. I was going to say service sucks but that isn't quite the issue; often it's quite apparent that the servers are trying their darnedest, but often still the service is flat to nonexistent. I've had issues with missing hostesses, rude hostesses, slow service, forgotten orders, and just a general vibe that Cantina Laredo does not like you as much as you want to like them. So sure, the place has a nice ambiance and pretty good food and very decent drinks and strong dessert offerings-- but it just barely squeezed by my threshold for four stars. Barely. I'll give it a few more tries before a downgrade.
(4)Joe S.
Eh. This place is ok, I guess. The drinks were pricey, and not very good. I consider myself a margarita snob, and theirs was terrible. The bartender suggested the cocktail with red peppers in it, and that was much better. The table-side guac was decent, but overall, I expected much more from Cantina Laredo. I enjoyed the modern decor, and the fact that it's on Open Table is nice as well.
(2)Jason T.
This place is fabulous! The decor is way cool, and the food was perfectly set up, played and tasted great. It's got a cool Mexico City vibe and not too expensive for the downtown/River North area. Plus the tequila selection is pretty stellar. Handles large groups well (we came for my bachelor party) and the scenery and people are always a treat. Highly recommend for a date night or friends night out!
(5)Saba A.
Friday Night- No Reservation-8 PMish- First week of opening. Got a booth right away. Gorgeous restaurant and seating, great service. Bar area looked pretty. Guacamole tease, avocado's are placed right on your table. We didn't order them, but our neighbors did and the service was more than great. The lady creating the guacamole had at least 7 different types of ingredients and was communicating with the folks on how they wanted theirs personally made. Loved that kindness. Ordered: Beef Enchiladas to share. Small size, yet delicious. Overall, small menu, makes it easy. Try CHURROS for dessert. They are in the Chicago menu. Delicate, simple and come with the most amazing caramel Mexican style sauce. Take the stairs up to the lounge to take a look at an easy smaller menu while hanging out with your friends or that special someone. They have waiters/waitresses walking around ready to give you a smaller menu with delicious items. Little pricey, but a perfect way to start a girl's night or date before going out on Hubbard and State! May come out to try their Brunch on Sunday sometime!
(5)Adoley J.
This place caught my eye a while ago and I finally got to try it last night. I love Mexican and I think this city does it very well. There are really cheap places that are delicious and expensive places that are well worth the price tag. So while I was a bit nervous about Cantina because it is a chain the food was good. First of all they try to shove the guacamole down your throat, not literally but they talk so much about how awesome it is and how you should try it so we did. First of all it was made at the table which is great but I am pretty sure they use a packaged guacamole seasoning mix which is very funny and unnecessary. Look if you are going to make it table side go for the gold and make it all from scratch. On top of all that the guacamole was ok. There were certain bites that had tons of flavor and others that were just bland. Next we go the shrimp tacos and the enchiladas de mole. The shrimp tacos were good but the enchiladas de mole were much better. Overall the enchiladas were flavorful and the chicken was tender and well seasoned. The mole sauce had the right kick as well. If I am to go back I would definitely get the enchiladas again but maybe try different tacos. Overall this place is good. Is it a game-changer? No probably not but its good and worth a try.
(3)Alan K.
This place is great for a date. I love the sophiscated ambiance. The margaritas were pretty good although they are pretty pricey. I ordered the Tacos de Fajitas. It contains beef. These tacos were pretty good. I love that they give you fresh chips and salsa. I think I got full just off of the chips and salsa alone. I would love to come here next time, except with a hot date!
(5)L G.
Delicious!! Obsessed! Want to revisit immediately! Beautiful ambiance, attentive waitstaff - a fantastic place for after work dinner with friends :)
(5)Gino W.
Airy, but not like a biscuit. Miami lounge feel. After-5 eye candy. Good food. Better drinks. Had this flatbread that had goat cheese and what tasted like aoli oil on it. Because I went with a friend who is a strict vegetarian, we had the flatbread without shrimp on it. As a pescatarian, I was okay foregoing the shrimp. The complementary chips and salsa were enough to make me smack the table. The chips were warm, which is an indication that they were not poured into a bowl from a bag or poured from a bag, heated, and then into the bowl before being brought to the table. And don't get me started with the homemade guacamole that is prepared tableside. If you want good guacamole prepared to order, getting it tableside is the absolute best. I have had mojitos the two times that I went to the restaurant and the bartender has never failed. They're not light to the point where your complementary glasses of water are more satisfying. And they're not loaded to the point where you're gliding across the floor when you stand to leave. Much like many of the restaurants in the River North area, Cantina Laredo quickly becomes a loud bar scene for the after-5 crowd. That's not a bad thing, but when the noise level goes up to the point where you have to shout to talk to your dining partner(s), the [sports] bar scene can make your dining experience start to have a short shelf life for the evening. Aside from that, the two times I went were worthy.
(4)Eileen S.
I can start off saying the food was very good. As everyone seems to have stated here, the guacamole, made to order at your table, was very good, lots of flavor. The Chicken fajitas were very good as well, with lots of flavor and sizzling hot. The reason I gave the A-OK rating is because although the food was good, the staff and conditions of the women's restroom, would be a one star rating only. Upon arriving and approaching the hostess stand, two women were there carrying on a conversation and completely ignored us. We were not even acknowledged that we were standing there until they finished what was being discussed. We were seconds from leaving as clearly, it was not important to greet us. Our waitress was pleasant enough, but was a long time in coming back to check on us, bring more water, etc. The service, in general, was very slow. Then a trip to the restrooms made me feel like I had walked into one at a gas station. Paper towels on floor, in the sink, stalls were wet with scraps of toilet paper on the floor and in one, there was a 'bundle' of toilet paper lying on the floor that I could only imagine what was wrapped up in it. The overall look in the dining area is high class but that changes when visiting the restaurant and being ignored by the hostesses. I was there on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 8:33 p.m. This restaurant will not be on my list for my next visit to Chicago.
(3)A L.
Food alway good ! I have been here many of times. Service can be hit or miss and so can the bar drinks. But still great food and ambience.
(4)Rob D.
I liked the atmosphere. Food was pretty good - small portions - you decide if that's good or bad. Service felt like Olive Garden where they keep trying to upsell you during the meal - odd. Margaritas were different - not a fan. Guac was pretty good and I liked how they make it from scratch to order right there. I've had better but it was better than most.
(3)Michael P.
Food and drinks were what I was looking for so naturally I took a seat at the bar where the energy was highest. The look of the place is more modern and Scandanavian looking but it suits the place well. The bar is nicely arrannged and makes for a fun experience. I ordered the house margarita which was pretty good as were the beers I swtched to afterwards. The chips and two different types of salsa were so good I just let them keep on coming. I had the enchiladas de barbacoa and they were delicious! They didn't veer too far from you're run-of-the-mill enchiladas by making them too odd and fancied up but that's why they were good and whatever they did do was great. They were tender and flavorful. I stayed long after I cleaned my plate just enjoying the crowd, my friends, and my drinks. Glad I finally made it in.
(5)Chirag P.
I guess it's good, i'm just used to stopping at the Cantina Laredo inside of the airports, so i don't think of it as this "special" dining place. Good margaritas though and the food is not bad, I only had a couple of appetizers, and mainly drank. For a Cantina Laredo it is quite "classy" looking inside.
(4)Kari S.
Limited menu; low ceilings without any sound absorption so not a place to carry on a conversation; service was deplorable. We had to flag down a server several times during the meal and no one ever asked if our meal was satisfactory. Prices are reasonable and food was so-so ... wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. Very disappointed.
(3)Victoria G.
They have an amazing bar! Love their mojitos! Nice atmosphere to spend an evening with your friends.
(5)Fareeha H.
Like - decor, ambiance, fresh guac Wasn't a fan of the small portions
(3)Bryce G.
Hello Yelpers. If you are in the Windy City and crave authentic Mexican food look no futher then Cantina Laredo on State Street! While in the loop I was looking for some authentic Mexican food, but the number of resturants matching my request were pretty slim. Thankfully Cantina Laredo showed up! This is not your typical Mexican resturant. The atmosphere is extremly clean, very modern and quite trendy. The stone walls, large fireplace, open stairs and open concept was very pleasing to the eye. It was a fun place. No doubt about it, the food was the main highlight. A Mexican Cantina with an atmosphere like this you would probably think medeocer food. But that was not the case! We had ordered the Beff Quesadillas for and app. It was absolutely amazing. Everything had such great flavour and the complimentary tortilla chips and inhouse salsa ( terrific by the way) also improved the apps. For the main course I chose the pulled pork tacos with redwine sauce. What a suculent dish. This is not Taco Bell! The shell was very soft and had nice cheese and grilled peppers. Black beans complimented the tacos nicely. To end the meal the apple pie was dellicious. Cantina Laredo has great service and friendly staff. Fresh guacamole is made right in front of you by one of the servers! For all you Mexican enthuisiates Cantina Laredo on State is one place you have to check out!
(5)Anne T.
Went with large group of people last night because most of the group had dined here before. The service was good, guac was made at table-however for a group our size we shouls of been offered more. Sharing two for 13 people was difficult. Spicy guac was dreamy. Food was great. I will be back for sure and would like to experience it on a more intimate level.
(4)Andrea B.
My girlfriends and I absolutely love Cantina! The service, ambiance, and food is by far the best in River North. Not to mention the skinny Margaritas and table side guacamole! Not only do I enjoy Friday nights with the ladies but I have also found it to be ideal for client lunches. If you want to impress a client, I highly recommend grabbing a table by the fireplace and enjoying a riveting conversation over some of the best modern Mexican in Chicago!
(5)Vivian H.
It's a pretty chic place, with huge windows, great for a mango margarita and snacking on fancied up Mexican eats. Happy hour is I think half off food on the 2nd floor. My friend enjoyed his tuna tacos.
(3)Matthew S.
Food was good, service was just OK. Mercadito has better tacos, but this place has some really nice entrees. Only negative experience was that the guacamole gets prepared table-side. A lot of people order it and it took the gal a while to make it to our table. Also noticed a tip jar on the cart, which I thought was in poor form. You shouldn't feel an obligation during your meal to reach for your wallet and tip someone. People don't go back and tip the kitchen staff. You don't send tips to the bartender for drinks ordered at the table, and you don't tip food runners when they bring your food, so I didn't feel this was appropriate. If you want to make sure that person is rewarded for being part of the dining & serving experience, then implement a shared tip pool program. That may not be popular with the servers (and perhaps people need to tip a larger %), but I do think everyone in the restaurant plays a part in the overall experience and thus should share in the tips. Just my opinion.
(4)J L.
I really likes it here! Me & my friend sat next to the open doors and it was a great experience. The ambience and the food was really good too. Had the guacamole made table side which was so good and then had the artichoke & avocado enchiladas...omg so gooood. I will definitely be back there:) & friendly staff too!
(5)angie h.
Everything I was hoping for for a Mexican (tex-mex) meal. Tasty drinks, queso, guacamole. Dinner was fantastic. Got the quesadillas and I was so happy with that choice. Churros were also very good, but I think they put goats milk in the chocolate dipping sauce which I am not vibing. Thankfully churros are awesome on their own.
(4)Jason H.
I was very excited to eat here. My first experience was so-so. A friend of mine who works in the hospitality industry asked me to rate the following and I did so right off the top of my head: Ambiance: 5 stars - gorgeous decor and the Escher-like stars are A MA ZING... Service: 3.5 stars Apps and Dinner: 3 stars Desert: 5 stars So, it was so-so. I'd probably only go back, if it was for another special occasion like last night.
(3)Tina O.
Stopped here for a quick dinner with some friends before seeing a play a few months ago and everyone truly enjoyed the experience. The ambiance was great and EVERYONE enjoyed their meal. We also really enjoyed our server, he was fun and made great recommendations about the dinner options. I had the enchiladas which were AMAZING. Would love to head back here to try out their bar!
(4)Opal K.
It's not the place you go for "authentic" mexican but it's very tasty. I've come here a few times and would've given it 4 stars if it had been more consistent. Sometimes the food is incredible, other times it's subpar. The margs are good. I've tried a couple types and still think the classic is the way to go. I'd definitely come back for dinner because it's a fun atmosphere with good drinks. Hit or miss food but overall not a bad experience at all.
(3)Elibe E.
A-OK. The guacamole served tableside here was very fresh, but lacked any flavor whatsoever. Not worth the $10.
(2)Jack M.
This place is terrible. We have been there four times and the best thing is the Negro Modelo, which they can't screw up. The price per dish is unreasonable for the quality of the food. I had the Tacos Barbacoa with rice and beans for $14.95. Three street tacos with tough meat and no flavor. Beans were dry and bland and the rice was so-so. Almost no body in the place at noon on a weekday - which is typical, they may not last in this area with so many better places to eat. Has been poor every time we have given it another shot - never again. Stay away!
(1)Kathryn B.
The Good Ok so I will start with the good. Margs were pretty good. Needed a bit more ice because they got warm quickly on the patio. We enjoyed the guacamole. My fiancé got enchiladas- one mole and one avocados. He especially liked the mole. I had three different tacos- pork chicken and beef. The pork was by far the best. The beef was good but the chicken was just average. We got to try a bit of everything because we couldn't decide so our server suggested we get a little of each option. The Bad The bad- I found a somewhat large piece of plastic in my beef taco. I told my server and he did apologize but I expected a bit more. It definitely turned me off. Even though the food was very good and the server was nice, I am not sure I wold go back based on that.
(3)Joe B.
I had the good fortune to be a-wandrin' around this part of town looking for something to do the night CL opened. A cute and friendly hostess accosted me on the sidewalk with a copy of CL's foodwise offerings. My curiosity and appetite sufficiently piqued, I poked my head inside. Alas, the place was packed! I couldn't even get a spot at the bar. On my way out, I moaned to the hostess about the fullness of the tables and the emptiness of my stomach. She politely asked me to look "up." A second floor! Bar space, lounge space, table space, fireplace...space! I ordered myself more than one adult beverage and the best quesadillas this side of the West Side. If you have a little cash to spend, and/or you want to impress someone with your impeccable taste in Mexican restaurants, Cantina Laredo is definitely the way to go.
(3)Mad I.
Beautiful space, go here at least once just for the ambiance! I dont think you should go twice.... Food...eh...brisket enchiladas were not very enchilada-like...there was no cheese :( Tasty BBQ meat though. The b/f had pork tacos, flavorful. Skip the Blackberry muddled drink, sounds delish, not so much. Grab the mango frozen marg, mmmm! Dessert, coming from a non dessert girl~ tres leche Mango cake, YES!
(4)El W.
Great atmosphere. 5* Great bar (I had a whiskey on the rock. So, the drink will not be part of my review). Greatest fresh guacamole I have ever had. 5*. I tried the Chile Relleno and it was good but there is no wow factor. 4* Given the location, this place is surprisingly cheap. In my head, it's definitely on a better half of the price-quality-quantity chart. 4* Service is terribly slow. We sat on the second floor and it's not even crowded. But, I have to repeatedly ask for water and salsa. Yes, I asked more than once. Futhermore, the time gap between our starters and entrees are more than 20 minutes. 2* Improve your service and I'll upgrade my rating. "Till next time!
(4)Kelli W.
I loved the lighting and spacious tables at cantina Laredo. The service was incredibly fast! The guacamole was amazing which is made fresh table side! We split the combo fajitas which were perfect for two to share! We also had the Mexican brownie for dessert which was to die for. Will definitely be coming back!
(4)Diana M.
After reading some bad reviews, I was hesitant to make reservations here but every time I drive past it, it calls my name. The restaurant is beyond gorgeous inside and out. I decided to give it a try based on that. The decor is very airy modern and contemporary with traditional elements. Love the fire places and the lighting! We sat inside although I did see there was limited outdoor seating (for next time!) Our waiter was kind and prompt. The 2 salsas they provide with chips as a courtesy are simply amazing. We also had tableside guac. That was perfection. I had the shrimp tacos and was able to also try a mahi taco because you can mix and match. My husband had a skirt steak special with shrimp. Very tasty and flavorful food with beautiful presentation. Good cocktail menu. My husband had the house margarita with Don and it was very good. I had their mango margarita (on the rocks and less sweet). It was perfect although it does usually come blended which I didn't like. For dessert we had the churros and mango cake. The mango cake I'd pass on but the cinnamon churros were AMAZING!!! Must try! We had a scoop of vanilla added on the side which just added to the awesomeness. Overall I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised with my experience with this restaurant! The prices for food are not as high as one might expect dining downtown although the drinks are pretty pricey. I would definitely recommend for a date, special occasion or to impress out of town guests.
(4)Zack P.
It's nice to eat at a restaurant that actually trains their employees. Yes many of the servers' approach to the table is a bit clinical and the up-selling is a little aggressive, but I would rather have over eager service than under. For a chain restaurant it actually has a great atmosphere. Obviously the margaritas are the way to go here, I tend to stay away from the fruity ones and just go for the top shelf. I will say all of the drinks run a bit on the sweet side, which would be a plus for some but I actually like the flavor of tequila. I always get the guacamole table side, and 9/10 times is phenomenal but once in a while it just lacks flavor. I don't know if it's a produce problem or different employees just have different techniques but for the price it should be a little more consistent. The two salsas served are great too and the staff is usually very quick about refilling both the chips and the salsa without being asked to. The food is solid, it lacks the little bit extra that makes for a truly memorable meal. I wasn't the least bit disappointed with anything but I wasn't wowed either. This is the perfect place for catching up with friends or taking a first date. I hear the lounge upstairs is great too but I can never seem to get up there because I feel like the brightly lit stairway is going to give me a seizure.
(4)Amanda M.
While the atmosphere was spectacular an the service nice.... The food was just not good :( which was sad bc the style of the spot made me feel hopeful but unfortunately the decor far outshines the flavor of the food. Overall overpriced... and for some reason the dishes we ordered all somehow tasted like soap ? Sounds strange I know.... Not sure how this place survives in the heart of DT with so much empty square footage .... Perhaps they can work on the food side of things ... and Make a come Back?
(2)Tim L.
Meh. The food is good and I liked the wide-open layout, but it just feels like the chain-location that it is. Also, our waitress was bad on several levels.
(3)Lauren B.
This place is just not that good. I've eaten here a few times and was disappointed consistently as was everyone else in my party. The guacamole is okay..but how hard is it to make guacamole? Drinks are good, but there are a lot of places to get good cocktails in this city. Guy who appeared to be a manager looked like a douche (lots of hair gel and a bad suit) and from what I gathered, doesn't treat his employees very well. (I overheard a conversation and was not impressed with the way the guy was talking to his waitstaff.) It's another overpriced sexy space downtown that will be gone in a year.
(2)Catherine N.
It's expensive, but I think you're paying for the atmosphere & food. It's swanky and delicious. I came here with a large group on a Friday night, we were sat at a booth and although I couldn't hear the conversation at the other end of the table, I did not mind focusing my attention instead on their flavorful Ensalada de Camaron Con Miel. Waiter was helpful, efficient. Irrelevant: Did not hate choices made by their interior designer.
(4)Anne F.
I went here a few weeks ago on a date and can't get the food out of my mind. Hoping to return soon. We started out with the guacamole - had them mix the mild and medium peppers. Despite the other reviews, I didn't notice too much salt. We scraped the bowl until it was all gone. I had the beef tamale - the beef is super tender, moist, and DELICIOUS!!! Try the beef tamale! We also had all four types of mojitos - I loved the strawberry mojito. Yum. Our waiter was really attentive.
(5)Raktim M.
Love the Carnitas! Good Ambiance and nice margaritas
(4)Paul V.
Great atmosphere and food. Exactly what I was hoping for going to a "modern Mexican" restaurant. Food was very fresh and good, and the drinks were just barely outside the realm of standard - enough to be interesting and still delicious. Service was quick, food came out very fast. I'll be going back.
(4)Lee K.
Excellent food!! Be sure to make reservations!!! We did and were lucky to walk passed all the wait, which was long!! Drinks are so awesome!!!
(5)Paola C.
I love Cantina! Skinny Margarita is my fav drink. Guacamole is made right in front of you, which is lovely! They serve tortilla chips for free and keep refilling your cup while you have your drink, great! Food is not always fulfilling tho, but def recommended for aperitivo! Plus, the place itself is simply amazing.
(4)Alex D.
I've had better service at Burger King. Food was decent. Service and management is laughable. We spent our evening waiting 15-20 minutes for drinks while watching the silver fox manager flirt with the table next to us. We had to constantly remind our sever of our drinks (which celina) continually forgot. 3 of the 6 of us received the wrong entrees. Sadly enough, I'd say chili's food and service is better. Take away the decor and this place would operate on the south side on a corner. I'd complain but management is preoccupied buying deserts for other women and neglecting his job as a manager. Our tabs were mixed up and closed to the wrong card too.
(1)Sarah J.
Pros: Waiters were amazing, good place for a special event/groups, guacamole made to your specifications at the table. Cons: It's good but it is still chain, Americanized, Mexican food, not like you'd get at a more authentic place. Oh, and the night I was there with 5 other people for my birthday and spent a lot of money, there was an electrical fire in the kitchen, the restaurant filled with gross electrical smoke and fire alarm noise, and we weren't offered any sort of discount or apology from managers.
(3)Justin S.
The service here was great! The waiter & guac-maker were plenty talkative and friendly. The waiter was always around as well to make sure we had anything we needed. The atmosphere of the place was nice & chill, low-lit yet classy. The guac was good and they make it fresh right in front of you. I had the Tacos de Barbacoa and they were so good! Strongly recommend those if you're a carnivore! And you can walk just a few blocks north to grab some froyo at Pinkberry after!
(4)Dana A.
I was excited to eat here because it looked nice. I went on a Wednesday night and it was packed. The ambience is decent, trendy. The tables are too large to intimately talk. The chairs are low and metal with a thin leather cushion (not really what I expected but not entirely uncomfortable). I ordered the Camaron Poblano Asada, which was delicious. I definitely recommend it. I also ordered the mango mint margarhita, it was tasty but had no alcohol, which was disappointing. None of the deserts looked appetizing, so I didn't order one.
(3)Conrad H.
Love this place the upstairs is great fire places are fantastic atmosphere, appetizers are delicious and half price from 4 to 7 upstairs only and the margaritas are the best of all, a pitcher is a great choice and the margs taste delicious
(5)Jacqueline L.
The dessert display as the dessert menu is a very creative touch! We also had fresh made guacamole prepared in front of us which was amazing! I found it was easy to eat healthy here while enjoying a good variety. I ordered a Mango Chicken salad, which was well prepared. The ambiance was terrific - perfect for eating in the Loop. We stumbled on this place as we were hideously deterred by the condescending style of the bar across the street. That other place left a bad tasted in my mouth, which Cantina Laredo resolved quite nicely. Well played on our part!
(5)Ben S.
We went with a large group for a birthday on a Saturday night, and the place is beautiful. Drinks were also good, and all had a good time. Service was prompt, and efficient, but one of the orders at our table was forgotten, and then had to be re-done after it was brought out wrong. Not a major ding, but not great , either. It's mainly because of the food that they get two stars. I got the carne asada tacos, and for $18, they were just OK. Meat was properly cooked, but there was no sear, the tomatoes were average (tasteless, dry, white, Chicago-winter variety), the slices of avocado were good, and three warm tortillas were fine. $18 for 'just fine' is too much. If you're just looking for drinks after work in a nice setting, this place will be fine. If you're looking for good Mexican food, go someplace else.
(2)Ryan M.
Great food. The mango tres leches was okay. It's not that sweet and instead of sitting in condensed milk it's sitting in thick mango purée, which doesn't really soak into the cake well. It's pretty good though.
(5)Gideon B.
Went wife my wife for lunch. Get the guacamole a starter. The chips and salsa also great. We shared enchilada camarones (dinner size) for lunch which was great. This is not your normal Mexican place, it's high end, but worth the price.
(5)Neål A.
My favorite place in the city. I have actually copied some of their unique dishes at home and had guests rave over them. I'm not a sauce person - I don't like hardly any, but I love their sauces. I consider myself a "guacamole connoisseur" and consider theirs average, but I can at least customize it to make it how I like it! Their salsa it top notch, giving you a hotter choice and a smokey choice. Someone compared this to a worthless Rick Bayless restaurant? Really I think reviewers who don't love this place and think another Mexican place in the city that's better must not have taste buds or they are the type of people who it's ketchup on everything.
(5)Viviana K.
We are at Laredo visiting from Portland, Oregon. We have been to many areas of Mexico, and all over big US cities, we are very discriminating/picky foodies. We have had incredible service tonight, but most memorable are the unbelievable thin, non-greasy, crisp homemade tortilla chips they serve with 2 different unique, homemade salsas that are pretty damn good!! Their basic house margarita is good, tiny bit on sweet side but still pretty authentic to a scratch! Also their Veracruzano ceviche was very good & pretty close to authentic as well! This was a huge find for us!!
(5)Alan F.
This newish River North place describes itself as "modern Mexican." That certainly describes the atmosphere: An airy, uncluttered light-wood two-story space, the very antithesis of traditional Mexican restaurant décor. Best food bargain is undoubtedly the half-price small plates on the second floor, weekdays from 4:00 to 7:00. We arrived right at 4:00, and were seated immediately. My table tried: Casa Rita, the house margarita, rather foamy in blended form. Top-shelf guacamole, made to order at the table. Crab Cakes y Poblano. Not exactly a traditional Mexican item, of course, but some of the best crab cakes I've encountered anywhere west of the Baltimore Beltway. Empanadas de Pollo Flatbread de Camarones Chipotle. (Odd that they felt it necessary to borrow the English word "flatbread." These were grilled on what appeared to be flour tortilla chips; I'd have described the dish as a sort of tostada.) We're staying just up the street, and will certainly be back.
(4)Michael M.
Cantina Laredo had everything that my wife and I were looking for. All we wanted was a nice peaceful early dinner since this was one of the rare times when she was downtown to meet me after work. The building is very nice and the open air seating is a definite plus, especially when combined with the fresh food and drinks. I give the place high marks as a really nice place to relax and share a meal after a long day at work.
(4)Chad M.
More Mediocre South of the border food in River North! Whew Hew!! Yeah!! Great safe place to take clients from and out-of-towners. How hard is it to get a decent Mexican meal in this neighborhood (Dos Diablos also mediocre). I have to go a mile north, west, or south if I want anything even remotely authentic.
(2)Sarah W.
The food was delicious! Homemade guacamole to order! I had the passion fruit margarita and it was tasty! The waiter was great and very helpful. Many of their dishes are gluten free (they are indicated with a tiny triangle) which is a major plus! I ate the chicken tacos without cheese. Excellent! The restaurant reminded me of a combo of Dos Caminos Mid-Town NYC and Rosa Mexicano NYC. It is definitely worth eating here!
(4)Alden V.
Happy hour power! Stopped in for half price appetizers 4-7p. The house margarita was watery. They make it in batches, and this batch was deficient. Waitress was great about it and gave me another choice, no extra charge. My replacement, a Hurredura margarita, was quality! Guac was pretty good, prepped table side which was kind of cool, and their chips are great. Two salsas, both delicious. Queso fundido was hot, like literally, be careful! Good but, pretty standard fare, a little extra chorizo wouldn't hurt. Shrimp ceviche, it was delicious... for a while. Great flavors and I was really enjoying it, until I found a looong black hair in it. That kind of wrecked the rest of it for me. Look, it's life, big kitchens, lots of people, shit happens once in a while. So I didn't freak out, but I had to mention it. I'd go back here for sure. The band was playing some good tunes, it's a fun environment, and the food is a real deal at half price.
(4)Erin J.
Awesome kick-butt margarita's! They were a bit salty though. We had a pitcher of the pomegranate margarita's split between 3 of us and did a little bit of stumbling on the way out. Guacamole is fresh made at table side, and their salsas are served warm. Both were fantastic. I had the tamales, and they were a bit dry as if they had been sitting over the heat too long, but were still tasty. Overall the experience was good, and I might go here again. But Chicago is SO big and there are so many great restaurants to go to! I would definitely go here for another pitcher of drinks!
(4)Peggy F.
Had yummy appetizers here last night. The dinner section was packed and noisy so my sister and I were happy to discover the 2nd floor was a bar with a bar menu and lots of great seating groups, the ambiance was fabulous. We orders tacos, empanadas, and a melted cheese dish and all of it was delicious. My only complaint is that my pricey patron margarita arrived lukewarm with very little ice in it. That was weird, so was it premade? Definitely wasn't made in a shaker. I can't wait to return. Next time I'll plan ahead and make reservations so I can eat off the full menu. And the service was excellent!
(4)Autumn H.
I came here again and ordered an the chile relleno stuffed with beef and spices. It might of been the best relleno I ever had. I also had the mango cake desert and that was to die for. Creamy, rich and tropical. This might be the kind of place where you have to order the right food. Also had a coffee and liked it (I am so picky about coffee and hate what most restaurants have). It had a fun and energetic vibe today as it was very busy. It has atmosphere and some of the dishes are amazing.
(3)Lady L.
If Chicago were, say, Akron, OH then Cantina Larado would be my favorite restaurant in the city. But guess, what... we're not in the suburbs, and we're not in a medium sized city in Ohio. We are in a culinary capital of the world. Cantina Laredo is like the Weber Grill of Mexican Restaurants. "OMG! They make Guac table side!" -Leila eating at Adobo grill circa 2004 Table side guac is cool, but don't brag about it Cantina Laredo. You didn't invent this concept. I promise. Everything I have tried here is fine, perfectly edible and good. But it's just nothing special. Mercadito does this trendy Mexican concept so much better.
(2)Malaika J.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Great Margaritas ( good thing it's off the redline)! Must try the the Barbacoa Tamales YUMMMMMY!
(4)Ronald P.
Had lunch here today. As always, the top shelf guacamole and chips are the best thing on State St. I could eat that fresh, made at your table guac everyday. My lunch entree was a trio of tacos. Pretty solid but not as good as Zocalos. Nevertheless, I'm a fan!
(4)Astral R.
I love this place! The freshly made guacamole is excellent. Another great menu item is the Chimichanga.
(4)Amanda F.
I don't know exactly what "Top Shelf Guacamole" is as per my receipt but yes, Cantina Laredo has it. Loved the table side guacamole made to order. The drinks aren't bad either! I came to Cantina Laredo with a last minute reservation and some mixed reviews. I was expecting something more similar to Mercadito, but the only similarities were the word Taco on the menu and the River North Zip code. Laredo's interior is spacious and contemporary with a second floor, and they don't cram tables in there. The outdoor patio is a nice touch. The Margs and Mojitos are yummy, but a little on the pricey side. Our service, including the Restaurant Manager who came to check in on us, was impeccable. I'm still thinking about the Ceviche, a fresh, limey, olive-filled seafood wonder to trump all others. I've ordered Ceviche from menus across the world, and this is the best I've ever had, and it was only $9. The olive and caper flavor was a new twist that makes this Ceviche unique. The complimentary bottomless chips and spicy and medium salsas pair well with every dish. We all had a lot of trouble ordering because we wanted to try everything. My friends ordered the Tacos de Carnitas and Tacos de Pescado. Both were fantastic and ~$13!!! I would the preferred that the Carnitas be less sweet and more smoky, but they were still tasty. The fish was very flavorful and fresh. Can't wait to return for the Ceviche, the half price happy hour, and that patio. !Ay !Ay Tex Mex!!
(5)Marie J.
This restaurant was in easy walking distance from the hotel. The chic exterior of the building, plus the warm atmosphere of the interior drew us in. It is a chain restaurant (not in Georgia, though) touted at authentic, upscale Mexican and that it is. We just had the nachos and salsa as starters. Entrees were CAMARON POBLANO ASADA- a little spicy; TAMPICO and I had the CAMARONES ESCONDIDOS. Everything was really well prepared. The chicken was juicy and seasoned so well, it could stand on its own. I usually don't like saucy food, but the sauce was excellent. The portions were a good size as well. The cocktails were delicious. I had the pomegranate margarita (delicious and good size and we ordered a bottle of red wine for the table. The wines are limited, but reasonable price (for restaurant wines). The one drawback was the room was extremely noisy. We could not talk in a normal tone and we crammed into a semi-circle booth. It might have been better on the second level. I would eat here again.
(4)Amy O.
Loved the ambiance of this place! Perfect place for a first date or for a seasoned couple to have dinner in a nice setting without being super outrageous. I had the steak tacos cabon. They are good, not great, but the guacomole (made by the server in front of you--so cool!) was fantastic. You even get to pick what goes in it. Good wine as well. :) I'd definitely come back for cocktails at the bar since it's near my work or for a date with my boyfriend because who doesn't love an upscale mexican place in Chicago? They are so hard to find!
(4)G M.
Good food and margaritas. Having been raised in the Southwest, I was skeptical. It would seem that skepticism was misplaced. If you like mole, their mole enchilada is very good. The spicy salsa is served warm and has great flavor. No cuervo here, the house margarita is served with Sauza. Good choice in River North!
(4)Changman X.
The most delicious Mexican food I ever have!
(4)John K.
I happened to be lucky enough to drop by Cantina Loredo for the first time last Friday when I went to see the Sauza Rescue Tour (There was a firetruck decorated with the Sauza logos, remember the Fireman & Kitten Tequila Ad? :) ). The place is an interior beauty for sure...modern, just the kind of clean, sleek, lounge that I would love to drop by if I ever got tired of the O'callaghan's, Public House, or the House of Blues (all in the same neighborhood but with different flare). They had free food for the Sauza party and I took a taste of the Quesadillas that were floating around...delicious! The only reason why I am not giving another star is because I actually want to go back and order food/drinks..figure out what the pricing looks like a bit more since most of the yelpers have been saying that it could be a little pricey.
(4)Jennifer H.
My hubby and I stopped here for appetizers and drinks on a beautiful summer evening. Their upstairs lounge/patio is really lovely and comfortable with great breezes and a little respite away from the street hustle and bustle. Our drinks were strong and delicious- traditional margaritas. I also tried a tamarind lemonade and if you like sour drinks ( and don't mind the pond water look) it tastes great. Table-side guacamole was fresh if a little sweet but bountiful. Avocado tostadas were similar but the only other veggie option on the bar menu. No matter, salsa and chips are filling and delicious. Service was great as well and we enjoyed our stop here. We would stop by again for a casual meal and drinks, sit upstairs for best time.
(4)Stu G.
Good! Delicious, clean mexican cuisine. Enjoyed the drinks and the food. A little on the expensive side considering what it is.
(3)Michael G.
With a reservation, my date and I were seated promptly and eating delicious handmade guacamole within minutes. The Mojitos are fantastic and the food was great. She had the ceviche and I had a chicken fajita. The atmosphere was great, low light, not too loud and a feeling of elegance.
(4)Jennifer B.
I sat upsairs at the bar open seating. the menu was good. I had the tacos the carnitas taco was the best. the guac is made right in front of you and thats great! and the margaritas were pretty tasty as well. service was right on!
(5)Divar A.
Food was great, had the oaxaca chicken enchilada, and the drinks were good too, had the mango mojito.
(5)Emann B.
Had lunch with a friend. The margaritas were OK as well as the table-side guac and quesadillas. The salmon with chimchurri sauce was rich, tangy, and delicious and perfectly cooked, nice and rare on the inside. The mojitos were great and the brownie dessert was an ooey gooey rich and sticky mess. Scrumptious! Service was very very good. Attentive and fun. Dishes came out at a nice clip, and no problem when when we requested to take some time before bringing out the dessert.
(4)Jinx T.
Not bad - just okay - sooped-up mexican food that tastes okay - nothing special here. BUT The room is great design, the vibe is lively, and the service is excellent. That said, it is dependable, and easy, and if you're hungry, and/or have guests in-town and want some mexican with modern downtown flair, Cantina Laredo is worth a visit. Just don't expect to be wowed!
(3)M O.
I really wanted to like this place! When I was leaving, I had to use the restroom only to find there wasn't any toilet paper. None of the stalls in the ladies room had toilet paper! Why wouldn't they keep it well stocked??? When I arrived the hostess looked like she had just woken up and was completely uninterested in doing anything. So we were seated and we ordered our food and drinks. We got the wrong drinks. The waitress didn't get our complete order. I don't think she was very attentive. The food was okay. Nothing amazing.
(2)Kelly C.
Review is for drinks (and guacamole) only. I really like the ambiance of the location - very open with fantastic large windows that make it have a nice indoor/outdoor vibe. Perfect for the upcoming summer. A nice selection of margaritas and mojitos to keep you cool, while the made-tableside-guacamole will put a bit of heat in your mouth should you so choose. Service was a bit slow, but it was good for a relaxing post-work drink on a nice day.
(4)Lindsay S.
Solid food here! Tasty margaritas. Table side guac. Enchiladas that were so tasty I wish I could have them every day. I have the Enchilada De Avocad. Enchiladas with avocado and artichoke, which a topping of tomatillo salsa served on a bed of spinach. It's all my favorite things rolled up into tortillas! My pomegranate margarita was perfect. Not to sweet and syrupy - just a hint of pom flavor. The service was a bit slow and my water got neglected but besides that it was a fine meal and I can't wait to go back and trying some more of their menu.
(4)Catherine W.
Pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. Went there for dinner as it was near my hotel. It has a great modern decor with light-colored wood panelling throughout the restaurant. There were some enclosed private areas (with clear glass doors) that looked like it would be fun for larger groups. Had sea bass special (excellent), and camarone poblano asada. Our server misheard my order, so my food came out later than everyone else, but he was extremely apologetic, checked on my needs multiple times as I was waiting for the delayed plate, and also promptly gave us a complimentary dessert to share. It was one of the best ways I've seen handle a restaurant gaffe. Other than a slightly pushy pitch to get the guacamole appetizer at tje start of the meal (though it was good), we found it a nice casual dinner experience that was reasonably priced.
(4)Gina F.
We ended up here at the last minute after walking out of Rick Bayless's stupid Frontera Grill because they had a rotten, rude and condescending attitude. I'm so glad we did because Cantina Laredo was a fun, friendly place with delicious food, a lovely atmosphere and great service. Do yourself a favor on your next visit to Chicago and bypass Frontera for this wonderful spot!
(5)Ryan T.
My boyfriend described this place really well - it's the PF Changs of Mexican food. It definitely gets the job done, but you're not going to go raving about it later. I came here for the first time last night before going out to a show. The food came out very quickly and was all pretty good. I had the shrimp enchiladas, which I'd definitely recommend. The guacamole was also good. The only problem I had was the portions. I thought they were a tad small, at least my dish was. I was done pretty quickly and still hungry. With that said, it was an enjoyable time. Don't leave without trying the apple pie!
(4)Olaf K.
Very sharp, clean design - a pleasant departure from the standard Mexican restaurant. Food was good but not spectacular. After being "wow'd" by the atmosphere I expected much more interesting & unusual flavors. Service was average at best.
(3)Kristen H.
I really wanted to give Cantina Laredo more stars because the food was absolutely delicious and the ambiance was really nice! Such a huge open space with two floors with a bar on each floor. But unfortunately, the staff was less than desirable. From the moment we arrived (a little early for our Saturday 7:00 reservations) the hostess staff was not very helpful. We opted to walk upstairs for a cocktail to wait. The bartender was decent and more attentive than anyone else we encountered. We had a 3 amigos margarita (delicious) and a blood orange sangria (not really that good). At 7:00 we walked back downstairs and checked back in with the hostesses. The place had become more packed so she handed us a table buzzer (would have been nice to have been given that when we first arrived). We waited about 5 more minutes for our table. We were greeted shortly after by our server. We placed a drink order and maybe 20 minutes later our drinks finally arrived. We also had to wait a while for the table side guacamole. The woman who prepared it was basically whispering asking us what we wanted in it...the restaurant was so loud I could barely hear her, but the guacamole was fantastic! My husband had another 3 amigos margarita and I had the signature casa rita (nothing special and not that good). We then placed our dinner order and the food came out in about 7 minutes...super fast. It was delicious, but we hardly ever saw our waiter and he was barely friendly. He asked if we wanted dessert and we told him we would take a look but we decided we were too stuffed to indulge in any more food. He then brought us our check without asking if we wanted anything else. We would have stayed for another round of drinks but he didn't ask. I would definitely recommend based on the food alone.
(3)J M.
I was impressed by the actual space this place occupies not to mention how chic it is compared to the old building that was here. We ordered the guacamole to start, margaritas, and the tamales for me (can't remember what everyone else had). My entree was very good, filled me up and was nicely presented, so I can't complain there. However, the guac never came and we had to tell the waitress to take it of our bill. * from my visit on 3/28/12
(3)memo p.
Its ok, only ok nothing more.
(3)Ryan E.
The food was fantastic! I like to eat each part one by one then combine them, and ultimately eat all at once and they flavor mixed very well. The place was really nice and i enjoyed the decor. Food had great presentation and the made to order guacamole right at your table was delicious. It could be portioned a little bigger especially since I was in a party of four and we were debating wether or not we should get more. Theres the hesitation of whether or not ordering will make us too full to enjoy our meal or if it is even worth the ten dollars.
(4)Antoinette S.
Beautiful restaurant and bar. Food was good and the menu varied. Not too expensive. Great service too.
(4)Sheila F.
Typical meeting place for us Chicago Theatre-goers for pre-show drinks and nibbles at the bar. On October 19th, while at Cantina for our pre-Margaret Cho show, I noticed that I failed to bring the tickets (all four). The General Manager, Rithea Som, gracefully offered to print the tickets for me. He provided me an email address and had them in my hand in minutes. Not only are the margaritas and nibbles mind blowing, but the service that was up and beyond, truly appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Som!!!
(5)Sherry S.
Went here a few months back while on vacation in Chicago. We went for happy hour drinks and 1/2 off appetizers. A group of six of us shared several small plates. The black berry margarita was good too !!! We will hopefully go back on our next Chicago vacation.
(5)Mona A.
I love this place! I'm a Texas girl at heart which is why I can't get past my love for Tex-Mex, but this place won me over. Cantina Laredo offers authentic Mexican food without the use of too many sauces. I've been here twice and I've ordered tacos both times. I prefer the chicken over the beef which is rare, but the chicken is more flavored than the beef. I loved the freshness of the ingredients without the use of so many artificial ingredients and sauces. The one drawback for me was the corn tortillas. I typically prefer flour tortillas, but with Cantina's tacos, it works! Their queso is also amazing so be sure to try that. One of the top reasons I love this restaurant is the ambiance. In the summertime, the glass doors all open up to give you the feel of sitting outdoors. I've come here for a group dinner before and the service was on point every time. As opposed to many other restaurants especially in the city, they will be happy to seat you at the table before your entire party is present which makes it the perfect place for big groups.
(4)Jeffrey P.
Great drinks, get the table guacamole
(5)shoaib a.
I personally think that the dining in the Streeterville neighborhood are really touristy and mostly chain restaurants. Cantina Laredo certainly fits that bill but I think as a national chain, it does Tex Mex well. - The decor and ambiance is very trendy and eye catching - what you would expect if you were eating in the area. - What really gets you going is the top shelf guacamole that they make at your table. A lot of places do this but it still makes me happy getting it and so the excitement hasn't diminished. - The tacos de barbacoa were awesome. Very well seasoned and the presentation was on point. Overall, a solid experience but as a rule, I will not give 5 stars to a chain restaurant.
(4)Anando S.
Both food and ambience are very good. Its a bit different from typical mexican food you expect. Try their shrimp enchiladas. For such a nice place in downtown Chicago its very reasonably priced.
(4)N.A. S.
Nice setting, very good food! The top-shelf guacamole prepared under your eyes will make it hard for you to stil call guacamole that green blob they take from th ridge elswhere! It is seasonned to your taste by servers who know their stuff! Actually, you need to go at least once for two reasons: -The aforementioned Guacamole that is to die for. -The half-price menu items from 4PM to 7PM (Mon to Fri) I will definitely go back....
(4)Christine W.
I normally love Cantina Laredo. The food is always good and the drinks are even better. It is one of my favorite restaurants in the city which is why I was excited to take family from out of town there over Easter weekend. I called the Sunday before and tried to make a reservation for 16. They said they couldn't do a group that big but could do two groups of 8. Done! We showed up the following Saturday night for a 6:30 reservation. They had no record of it in the system! My mother was standing next to me when I made the phone call for the reservation so I had someone to back me up. I also checked my call log to confirm that I did indeed call the Chicago location. They continued to deny that I had ever made my reservation and the manager could not have been more rude. If I've learned anything in customer service, it's that the customer is always right. Not only did the manager never apologize, but he accused us of lying about our reservation when speaking to his staff at the reservation desk. Bottom line, the manager working on Saturday nights is less than pleasant. We did finally end up getting a table after another party did not show up but not once did the manager check in on us or apologize. Sadly, we will no longer be dining at Cantina Laredo after such rude service.
(1)Davida J.
Best Mexican I've had near the loop!!!
(5)Blythe Z.
It's a little bit pricey, but the food is delicious. I always get the shrimp tacos, and they are amazing. I am also a fan of the Mango Marg - which I think really hits the spot. I know this is a chain - it makes me think of Grand Lux a little bit. Huge space, lots of managers... very attentive to their guests. I noticed that last time we were there - about a month ago, it was really hard to talk very very noisy. I think it's just where we sat. I'll be back!
(4)Kristyn S.
Awesome restaurant! Went back last week for the second time. Just as good this time. Low key, high class restaurant. Food is great! Table side home made guac is awesome! We have Ricardo for our server, he was wonderful and very attentive.
(4)Mariam K.
One of the best mexican restaurants in Chicago (upscale). I've been here several times and never seem to be disappointed! Amazing guac and the different salsas, really good nachos and tacos, and AMAZING mango tres leches! It's a good place to go to if you want to eat dinner and hang out after wards with a couple of friends, because they have a nice seating/lounge type area upstairs. I will definitely continue to go here for my mexican cravings!
(5)Carmen B.
I went for lunch yesterday, and immediately loved the environment and decor. The design of the room is very airy and welcomes sunlight - perfect for lunch and early evening. We had the guacamole, the pork torta and shrimp enchiladas. The guacamole was good, but I've had better (reminisce about Adobo), the salsa options were flavorful. The entrees met expectations, but were not the best ever. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The prices were very reasonable! The shining star goes to the drinks. I will definitely return to sit at the bar - or wherever, because it's such a lovely open design -for drinks and apps. Perfect for summer.
(3)Shelby B.
Good food, good margaritas. If you're in the SLoop and looking for something to quench your mexican tooth, skip Zapatista's and go to Cantina Laredo instead. In the Winter, they have a fire place roaring, and occasionally have some decent live music. If you want legit Mexi-, go to pilsen or something. If you want convenient, good mexi-food in SLoop then hit this spot.
(3)Angela T.
We ended up here on the afternoon of St Paddy's Day after we left the river, we expected the area to be packed with people and all I wanted was to sit outside (it was 80 degrees in the middle of March in Chicago) and drink a cocktail. This place looked perfect, it is designed to where the glass slides open so even if you're sitting inside it feels like you are sitting outside. There weren't too many people in here at first so we thought we found the pot of gold! I ordered their house margarita which was festively colored with a hint of green, this drink was delicious! It was a true margarita, no nasty taste of fake sweet and sour or grand marnier, just tequila and fresh made margarita mix. Chips and salsa were a perfect combo. Well then the crowds came in, our poor server was not only one of two bartenders, but she was also serving (or at last trying to) all the table in the bar area. I placed order and an hour went by and I never received it. We never saw her again. You would think management would have prepared and staffed the place for a busy day like St. Paddy's, I could have sat there all day, but with no service, we all decided to leave, it took abother 30 minutes to get our checks.
(3)Vanna T.
Been here a couple times now, and each time I had a great time, great ambience, and great food! Love the feel of this modern, hip large restaurant and the enchiladas are absolutely the entree to order! All the drinks I've tasted are delish as well. Great spot for birthday gatherings.
(4)Benjamin L.
Their half off bar menu on weekdays 4-7 is worth it. We had good drinks (not discounted) and a couple apps. The guac was made fresh at the table to order, which was a nice touch. Our favorite part was the open air setting on the second floor. Nice place, will return.
(4)Sunni M.
Love this place! It has a great atmosphere. It's large and bar service is great. I love that they give you complimentary chips and salsa even when you sit at the bar. I have not tried any food there besides the guac but it is fantastic and drinks are made very well.
(4)Pamela C.
Just what downtown Chicago was missing! I love him to death but, Mr. Bayless needed a little competition. While I have yet to be wowed by the entrees at Cantina (the tacos are a little bland for my taste) I have to give an extra star for the top notch cocktails (some of the best mojitos in town), appetizers, service, and ambiance. Beautiful and spacious venue, perfect for groups. I can't wait to check out the lounge upstairs. Appetizers: I recommend the chili con queso and top shelf guacamole, prepared at your table. Skip the tortilla soup....something's off with the flavor. A friend ordered churros for dessert. I usually refuse any dessert that's not chocolate but wow....I might return just for a cup of coffee & churros.
(4)Lewis C.
FOr the most part, a 5 star visit. So why only 4, too loud! Get some sound absorbing matieal in that place. Ears are till ringing. Food fantastic, skinny margarita equally fantastic. GIve it a try, definitely enjoyed.
(4)Jennie C.
Cool space, but very very noisy. Definitely not conversation-friendly. The tableside fresh guacamole was yummy. Friend had the seabass special, which was excellent, fish was perfectly flaky, but portion was a bit small. I had the pork, which was just ok. I actually prefer Chipotle's version, but that's just my personal opinion. More of a see-and-be-seen place than food destination in my book.
(3)George A.
I was really looking forward to coming here with my family for dinner - I left unimpressed. The food was good and definitely filling. I had the Camarones Escondidos (chicken breast stuffed with shrimp) and was satisfied with it. I definitely recommend getting the table side guacamole. The woman prepping it was very friendly and made it quite tasty. Our server on the other hand was pretty bad. We had never been there before so it would've nice for him to tell us about the menu and restaurant. The food came out fairly quickly but he never came to check on us. Our waters were filled but that's about it. The desserts do not have a separate menu but he didn't even ask if we wanted anything else at the end. The thing that ticked me off the most was that we walked by our server who was standing by the service station near our table and he didn't even thank us for coming in or even wished us a good night. There is no way he deserved the gratuity that was automatically added. Would I go back? Based on the service alone...probably not. There was no experience given.
(2)Tracey A.
All around good revaluation. Stepped in on a cold night for a drink to get us along the way and ended up staying for the night. Dinner (fish tacos and chicken) was outstanding, service left nothing to be desired. Drink menu examples many personalized options. I left the place conjuring an idea if how to get back to Chicago to eat there. And who knew there would be one in the airport in Dallas! Got to eat there again the following week on a lay over. It was equally as good.
(5)Paula H.
Found this restaurant by accident on the way somewhere else. It looked really cool inside so we popped in and were able to be seated immediately. Our waiter Mario was a sweetheart, rolling his r's to the extreme to amuse us. The table side guacamole was yummy. Margaritas were great; they seemed stronger on the second round. My friend's brisket tamales were so-so but my Enchiladas Veracruz were awesome. I was sorry I agreed to share. Will definitely go back.
(4)Siobhan M. M.
So pleasantly surprised! We stopped in because we were staying at the hotel across the street and liked the look of the interior. It was great! Cozy, trendy interior. Server was friendly and attentive and food was great! I had the ceviche and it was very inventive - red onion, capers - delicious if a bit salty. We'd definitely like to return!
(4)Kandi G.
Beware of the ignorant hostess Jacqueline - I won't be back.
(1)M M.
I loved this upscale Mexican contemporary restaurant. The enchiladas were delicious and served with a nice, crunchy salad. I also highly recommend the vegetarian fajitas! The mojito was delicious. This place is not your typical traditional Mexican restaurant, but if you're looking for a modern Mexican experience, I would definetely recommend trying this place!
(5)Terese S.
The interior decor and ambiance along with the Margaritas make this new place a stand out! Excited to go back in the summer to sit rooftop. Yes, this place is a "chain", but give it a chance. I've been for lunch and now dinner. Table-side guac was great. You really need to tell them what you want in it to spice it up - so don't be afraid to dictate what goes in the mix. I could eat their chips and guac as a meal. Entrees are better than average. Enchiladas were pretty good, but the PORK TAMALES were the best we've ever had. Don't be intimidated by how to eat these, order them!! Drinks were awesome both times. Order a second, they get stronger! The Patron Margarita was excellent - again the fresh lime juice makes it. I've also had the pome margarita and that was just as amazing. Bottom-line- give it a try. It's not touristy, it is a little loud, but it has a great feel any other average Mexican restaurant with the amazing drinks, fireplaces and wood decor.
(4)Jefree T.
Nice design. Top Shelf Guac - ours was below average. They offered to have it remade, but if it gets made by the same person, not sure how much it would actually change. I suppose it could have been a bad avocado, but the mixing of the ingredients was off...I have a feeling this is a hit or miss item depending on who makes it. It's nice they give you the option to pick what goes in, but for consistency they may want to have a norm, allow exclusions, but if people want extra of an ingredient to leave it on the table. Our order was pretty standard, excluded cilantro and asked for medium spicy. There was no spice and some mixture of the ingredients was just off, we were unable to pinpoint it but seemed like too much lime, not enough salt, and just some odd taste to it not really resembling guac. Our local food market makes a better fresh guac. Main courses were good, worthy of 4 stars. We had the Tampico, which was the favorite among the table, Camaron Poblano Asada, and the tacos de carnitas. Signature margarita was just average. Based on the entrees, worthy of a second chance, but skip the "signature" app and drink.
(3)Robyn T.
Is this the best Mexican food ever? No. Authentic Cantina Laredo is not, but it's tasty and will probably keep me coming back for it's Americanized style of Mexican comfort food. The restaurant itself is tremendous and by the looks of it could keep Carnivale in competition for the most covers served a night. The staff is friendly enough, and there are enough dining options at the restaurant in various spaces upstairs, downstairs and outside to keep things interesting. I love that the guacamole is made table side (like many places in the city) and the queso fundido is worth the calorie splurge for cheese goodness. I order the fish tacos which were decent and washed it all down with a margarita. This is the place for groups of tourists and friends to meet up for a fun evening out. The location is ideal for shoppers looking to take a break too.
(3)Michael C.
The first thing I noticed about this place is how huge it is compared to other Mexican Restaurants. They have a full bar with a good beer selection and their drinks are well made. The food is awesome, especially the guacamole that they prepare in front of you. The second floor is great for groups and office parties. I will be coming back.
(4)Stefanie K.
One of my favorite downtown spots. Been there several times since they came to my neighborhood and I plan on returning soon! Haven't had many of their drinks but the mango margarita was awesome the last time I went. Tableside guacamole is a MUST. My favorite entre is the chicken cilantro salad - so good it doesn't need salad dressing! Staff is SUPER good about checking up on us whenever we go. Fresh chips and salsa always arrive when the chip bowl is still half-full! The place is mostly booths from what I can tell and they dont pack you in really tight even when it's crowded. Only downside is sometimes the music's too loud and I find myself shouting at my boyfriend from across the table.
(5)Luis C.
It was a cool spot. The guacamole done fresh in your face is different. I would go again....
(4)Amy L.
Before anything else, I must admit that I am no Mexican food connoisseur... so I cannot speak for authenticity. That said, I truly enjoyed Cantina Laredo for a nice relaxing lunch. In good weather, they open up the side walls so we were practically outside. If you are looking for a little sun during a business/casual lunch, this is a good place to go. A few of my favorites: - The Guacamole was absolutely to die for: just the right mix of citrus, spice, and creaminess. We devoured the bowl in minutes. - Grilled Shrimp Salad: it was the definition of refreshing. The dressing was light, with super fresh leaves, mangoes, and a hint of creamy goat cheese. - Apple Pie with Ice Cream: sinful blend of warmth, crispness, and cool creamy goodness. Service was moderate: nothing wonderful or lacking. I did not get any drinks though, and they looked super yummy. Next time, I'll come for happy hour!
(4)Abby T.
I'm not mexican but I know what good mexican food tastes like! The space is awesome; ample seating in a chic environment. I can't wait to check out their outdoor seating. It really is a great place to convene after work. The food was just EH. Nothing great AT ALL. It's not "gourmet" as their mantra states ("Gourmet Mexican"). Even the rice wasn't very good. My tacos de pollo were not brought out hot. On a high note, the dinner concluded with a 7-layer chocolate cake which was awesome. :-) The service was good...our server was sweet and attentive. I think the pricing is fair. Like I said, I would come back for drinks and maybe appetizers, but that is about it.
(2)Thomas L.
I like this place, but my conundrum is that I WANTED to love it! For the quick notes: great on drinks, both in execution and ambiance;, mediocre on appetizers; but food in general was way below expectations and not worth the price. I'll disclose a true, real bias: I have a very big problem paying a lot for Mexican food. You can get awesome Mexican food from Mexicans in Mexican neighborhoods for very cheap. You get to bust out some Spanish, have a tequila with the owner, and filly your belly while taking it easy on the wallet. I'm not a cheapskate in general, but at the risk of being redundant, you should not spend a lot of money for Mexican food. The drinks are topnotch, they use good liquor in making them, and they cost a little bit because of the "We're in River North so we Must be Cool" attitude. Grade A tequilas are available, though, which are always nice. Also, they make mean Margaritas if you like a variety of flavor combinations. They're served correctly in terms of glassware and temperature. Service tends to run slowly, but not terribly. The upstairs bar runs slightly faster when more of the tables are seated, so 9:00 P.M. at the earliest for a seating. As to the food, here comes the bad news and the bias. I've eaten there three times because of birthdays following the first time. The food hasn't gotten any better. For control purposes, I always tried the salsa to see if any one meal/night was simply an outlier. Each time, that awful, soapy taste was part of the tortilla soup and the salsa Verde or yellowish salsa, and the red salsa is just pure onions. For entrees, the first time I had a "house specialty" of Carnitas. The meat was dry and flavorless. The second time I tried the Fajitas, thinking they were safe. The chicken had no tasted--not even "chicken taste". The last time I had the carne asada, and I have to say that for nearly $20, I could get 2 full meals of awesome carne asada somewhere on Ashland with fresher ingredients. Lastly, I've made better flan by failing to correctly make flan. To stay honest, at one time they had a nacho-like appetizer which was awesome. If I go back for drinks, then hopefully that will be on the menu again. They tout themselves as "Modern Mexican"; if that's how modern Mexicans eat, then there won't be too many of them left, as people would rather starve than eat this stuff. For me, it's a "Drinks Only" place henceforth.
(3)Susan W.
Did you ever feel like saying to yourself "It's time to take a ROADTRIP"? Well, we packed up the car last Sunday and headed to Chicago, from Buffalo NY. I spent 25 years in Chicago, North Side, Southside and in between and had NEVER stayed at a hotel. Anyways..this review is about... CANTINA LAREDO.. Stunning eye-candy for the my two teen-aged companions.soothing .lighting, organic design, Phillip Johnson architectural style...clean lines..interesting mix of colors and textures... Our waiter was very dear and helpful...had the Fish Tacos, table-side Guac, Tortilla Soup, Chicken Fajitas, Chips and Salsa...a few Marqueritas..cokes for the kids..dinner for four...$90.00... We had a delightful, memorable experience. Never guessed it is a chain! Cantina Laredo..three words..COME TO BUFFALO!!!!!
(4)Jessica K.
I will definitely be coming back here, repeatedly. We came here for a business dinner, and I was pretty impressed. The atmosphere is modern and comfortable. The restaurant has two floors, a bunch of fireplaces, nice bars, and a private room for parties/get-togthers/work functions. he wait staff is super attentive, but not in an obtrusive way, and the food is quite good and reasonably priced. Please do yourself a favor and order guacamole. They make it right at your table. It kind of makes me want to work there...just to make people guacamole all night. I was really impressed with how reasonable the prices were. The food was super delicious! But be sure to get a to-go box because you don't want to skip on the dessert. Do share it, because the portion was pretty decent.
(4)Scott B.
My wife and I dined here over Valentine's Day weekend for dinner. We made reservations through OpenTable and arrived at our 5:30 reservation time on a Saturday evening and were seated promptly. The restaurant has a nice open layout and the decor is very modern...I was expecting a more southwest feel, but the target audience appears to be more upscale. We ordered made to order guacamole as an appetizer, which was made at our table...it was AWESOME! My wife ordered the barbacoa enchiladas and I had the steak fajitas. Everything was tasty, but my fajitas did not come out sizzling like the others I saw coming out...it was ever so slightly on the warm side, not hot like I expected, hence my 4 star rating. Granted business picked up greatly by the time our food came out, but I don't think this should be an excuse. We finished the night with an order of flan, which was great! Overall the food was tasty and fresh, but the service was a little slow. If you are looking for a mexican restaurant, this would be a great location!
(4)Kelly K.
As far as upscale Mexican food goes, this gives Mercadito and Adobo Grill a run for their money. I came during lunch, when it was fairly quite. We tried the table side guac, and I liked it better than the table side guac at Adobo. For lunch, I had the fish tacos. With the pickled onions and aioli, I'm a fan. The beans and rice were perfectly portioned to compliment the tacos. We shared a mango tres leches cake, which was divine. The cake could have been a little moister (I prefer tres leches cake VERY moist), but no one else complained.
(3)Omar F.
After walking around downtown with my wife we decided to eat mexican we end up at this place, staff was friendly the service was ok, the fresh guacamole was great, but the drinks and the food were just awful i ordered the steak and it was just flavorless my wife orderded a mango margarita and it was bad as well... Overall its not worth spending your time and money in this overpriced place..im only giving this place 2 stars cause the staff was friendly..
(1)Oski B.
Cantina Laredo is a mirage. When viewed from a distance it appears to be an impressive restaurant that is well designed and inviting. However, up close, when sampling its fare, it is revealed to be nothing more than one of the most over-hyped over-priced restaurants I've ever been to. The food at Cantina Laredo was inedible. My fiancee's tortilla soup was so salty that all she could stomach was a couple of bites before she pushed it away and didn't give it a second glance. My shrimp tacos were overcooked and resembled something that you would expect from a bad taco truck (one where you worry about its level of sanitation). Needless to say, after my experience, I'll never go back to Cantina Laredo. If you're looking for upscale Mexican fair in Chicago its best to stick with the Rick Bayless family of restaurants.
(1)Katie L.
I love this place. My boyfriend and I are here almost every other weekend (including for my birthday last weekend). We can't get enough of the margaritas! Most of the times we've come have been for margarita's before going out someplace else, but the second floor patio is amazing. It's exactly how a new building with modern architecture should be in 2013. Dinner is good. Sunday brunch wins though. We've had weekends where we've been there on a Friday night and want to go back on Sunday for brunch. I highly recommend the crab-cakes Benedict with a bloody maria- you just can't go wrong. Put a pair of nice shoes, grab a friend and sit upstairs to drink a margarita on a warm summer night.
(5)Angela S.
Nothing but average. And my food was practically cold before I took my first bite. The highlight is the guac on the spot.
(3)Amanda C.
I have been wanting to try this place for quite sometime. Actually had reservations on New Year's Eve and cancelled due to the abundant snowfall we had received. My boyfriend wanted to surprise me and take me for dinner at this restaurant for a nice Friday evening. We made our reservations fairly late. Unfortunately, this place does close pretty earlier for a restaurant in that location. In the beginning, the service was very slow even to receive drinks. The guacamole was not outstanding by any means. I asked the waiter if the short rib tacos were spicy, and he said yes. And pointed out only two things on the menu that were not spicy, thanks for any further help. The tacos and the food was so disappointing. I felt like it was more of a tapas restaurant by the size of the portions. The blood orange sangria consisted of mostly red wine with other limited flavors. I looked t my boyfriend across the table and he could see the disappointment in my face. I told him I was so glad we didn't decide to come here on New Year's Eve through the blizzard because it wouldn't be worth it. The dessert looked the best on the menu, but I didn't want to give this place anymore of our money and be highly disappointed, so PASSED. I have no need to visit this place again.
(2)Emily B.
There service is pretty atrocious. It's like, the deeper you get into downtown dining, the worse the service is. Came here for dinner with a girlfriend and sat at the bar. Was pretty much neglected by the bartender throughout the meal/night. The highlight for sure was that if my sangria (not on the menu) was gasoline, it would have filled up my tank. I couldn't even finish the thing! We split some apps - the ceviche was fresh and had great flavor. The steak quesadilla was nice, as well. The meat wasn't dry or tough. Besides it being beautiful on the inside, I don't feel compelled to go back here...really wish the service was as good as the place looked.
(3)Brenda G.
Guac is amazing. They make it right at your table, which is always a plus. Margaritas are great as well. They make a delicious skinny margarita. I got the combo fajitas. They were okay... neither the chicken nor the steak were that flavorful, and they were a bit cold. The tacos are great tho, try the mahi mahi!
(4)Tony G.
Highly recommend the chili con queso. The cameron poblano asada, which was recommended to me by our waiter, was amazing!!!!
(3)Justin W.
Service, Service, Service...It's just not up to par. Great spot to get a drink and enjoy the scene, but it would be hard pressed to force me to sit down again in a booth and wait that long for water. Also, how do you mess up table side guacamole?
(2)Arpana U.
Unfortunately I was lazy and am writing this review a few months later. Overall, I liked the size of this place, it's massive, I can't imagine what their rent cost is. Simplistic decor is fine, but they need noise barriers/absorbers. Some seats look uncomfortable, luckily the ones we got were not. All was decent and good, no complaints. I really liked my Enchiladas De Camarones (shrimp). Large delicious pieces of shrimp and tasty sauce. The vegetarian in our group was a little disappointed as he was used to more veg options from Mexican places and this place had just a few, and you couldn't customize too much. Price-y for Mexican food so wouldn't come back unless it was a special occasion, but good experience overall.
(4)Catherine D.
Stopped in Cantina Loredo today for some drinks and an app. The restaurant has sliding doors that open up and so it's a great place to go when it's nice out. We had Roberto as our waiter and he was so friendly and accommodating! He was understanding that we just wanted some drinks and recommended a great appetizer. He was very attentive, always making sure that we had chips and water and even let us move outside near the fire pits. We had the chicken nachos and they were delicious!!! I would highly recommend going to this restaurant and more importantly requesting Roberto as your waiter! He truly understands great customer service!
(5)Kristen S.
I'm a huge fan. Good food, great service, and nice atmosphere! It is awesome that the menu is marked to denote gluten-free and vegetarian dishes! Makes ordering a lot easier and gives me faith that they know how to handle diners with food sensitivities. We had the salsa and chips - preferred the mild to the hot salsa. Ordered the guacamole - which was wonderful, but could use a little more kick. I love how fresh it tastes. You can enjoy all the different ingredients here. For our entrees, I had the fish tacos and my husband had enchiladas barbacoa. Both dishes were excellent. The beans and rice were great, too. For our dessert, we had flan and coffee. Also wonderful. Couldn't have asked for a better meal. The service was attentive - and almost a little *too* quick - but I'd rather be served than ignored! They definitely told us to take our time, and we did!
(4)Dan F.
Ever wondered how to screw up guacamole? Dine at Cantina Laredo! Seriously, I went the first time and it wasn't great, but I decided to give it a second chance. Both times the guacamole was way over-limed and over-salted. At least the second time the manager came over and took it off the bill. He asked me "Too salty or too much lime?" Apparently it's a common problem. Service is decent, although I abhor them bringing the desert tray over without asking first.
(2)Gary R.
I went here recently. I thought it was in Laredo, Texas based on its name, but it was in Chicago. That was sort of confusing. Otherwise, the experience was good as hell. I really enjoyed the following things from this place: 1. Waiter's name was "Star." Think he was named after Star Jones, which is kinda sad for him. He was good at his job though. 2. Copious chips (presumably were free). They gave you a few different salza's to try (pronounced "Salza" per Mike Ditka). 3. I had the oxaca enchilada. I assume it was made with bits of real ox. I feel like Paul Bunyan after eating that. (not just from the size of my poop either) It made me feel strong. 4. The napkins were top notch. They cleaned me up, and kept a low profile. They didn't talk back when I schmeared salza on them. 5. There were random fireplaces that didn't have any wood or charcoal in them. It was almost a divine sight of floating fire. 6. The chocolate ice cream brownie was simultaneously delicious and deadly. (may die from cholesterol poisoning) All in all, a very good new place to try downtown. Tell them Gary R. sent you. They'll be like "Who the hell is that?"
(5)Erkin P.
Food was very good not phenomenal. Service was top notch, "made in front of your eyes" guacamole was a nice touch. One star deducted due to location of our and (5-6 more) tables just to fill space, in the middle of nowhere. Sounds picky but when the "guacamole mobile stations" travel to other tables moving your chair back and forth (happened half a dozen times in a 1.5 hour dinner) to let them pass becomes VERY annoying. Guess to eek out a little bit more revenue, they see no issue in inconveniencing guests.
(4)Nick A.
Great ambiance, though I can't really comment on how the food is. After trying to go to Frontera, and finding an almost 3 hour wait, we decided to try Cantina Laredo out. Getting there, we were told there was an hour wait (far better than Frontera), but that the upstairs served tapas-style plates, and was first-come first serve. We went upstairs, found a table immediately, and ordered drinks. A few minutes later our drinks arrived, and we ordered two cold appetizers: ceviche and guacamole; the guacamole is made table-side, and we had high hopes for it. Fast forward 30 minutes... We still haven't received the ceviche, and the guacamole cart has now serviced three tables that were seated after us. The waitress apologized profusely, telling us that our table was next on the list for the guacamole, and that the ceviche would be right out. 10 minutes later, the ceviche finally arrived, and was tasty, however the guac cart had gone on to service two more tables (that again, were seated after us). At this point, we decided that we really didn't want to wait for the guac any longer, and if it took 40+ minutes to get a single cold appetizer, we had no intention of waiting 2 hours if we ordered entrees. The waitress again was quite apologetic, though told us that she would remove the guacamole (that we never received) from the bill, making it sound like she was doing us a favor. How long does it really take to put some ceviche in a martini glass, toss it on a plate with some chips, and bring it out to the table? I can understand the guacamole being made table side takes longer as there is only one cart on the second, but serving 5 tables that were seated, and ordered after us? I'm generally fairly understanding when it comes to an overloaded restaurant and slower service, but come on. At least some free chips and salsa came out.
(1)Niraj G.
This 'Modern Mexican' restaurant was somewhat of a disappointment. The decor definitely highlighted their modern theme and the ambiance was lively, especially for a Wednesday night, but the food wasn't up to par. The guac, which they make at your table, was decent but not as spicy as we had hoped. The enchaladas de avocado were pretty good but could have been better with more of an emphasis on the artichokes, which were dominated by the large chunks of avocado. My fiance got the chicken with mixed vegetables and she mentioned the chicken was extremely salty. As far as drinks go, they had a variety of promising offering but they did not live up to their descriptions. The berry mojito and the skinny margherita were watered down. Overall, this is a trendy place for the time being but the food is somewhat disappointing.
(2)matthew m.
Really its 3.5 stars but they get the extra for all the money they put into the place. I loved the food, didn't like there was no red sauce but all mole's. I loved the fire pit are in the back but hated the patio like chairs in the front (people viewing from the street may get the wrong idea) I loved the center circle bar but hated the upstairs bar. I also didn't like that they close the downstairs bar when its busy to send everyone upstairs. Loved the Churro dessert!
(4)Jenn G.
Cantina Laredo is a solid spot for some good "modern Mexican cuisine" (their tagline, not mine). It's not going to knock your socks off, but it's definitely a decent option if you want something better than Chipotle for dinner. I went to Cantina Laredo on it's "soft opening" night, so the menu was 50% off (which naturally just means I ordered double the food). They were clearly still working out some of the kinks with the wait staff and menu, but overall it was a good experience. The restaurant is in a great location and has a really good setup. There's a bar on the first floor in the middle of the restaurant that would be a great happy hour stop, or the is the lounge upstairs, which I'd happily go back to for a margarita (or three) and some apps. Probably the major thing preventing me from giving this a four star review is that I don't think the prices match the quality of food. It's not a super expensive place, but in my opinion, it's too pricey for what you get. I'm definitely glad I went on 50% off night, otherwise don't think I would have gotten my money's worth. The fact that is is located ~0.5 blocks from my apartment, however, is a major bonus. My only food complaint here was the "deluxe" guacamole. They make it fresh by your table side, and the one thing that baffled me (as something of a guacamole connoiseur) was that they didn't put fresh garlic in it. Instead, they put their "secret spices" which I thought tasted like poo powder. Seriously, it actually made the guac really gross, and it's pretty hard to mess up guac. I would recommend avoiding the secret spices if you order the chips and guac as an appetizer. Bottom line: a solid option, but if you want more unique or authentic Mexican food, you're better off elsewhere.
(3)Jessica N.
So for 2012 we have decided to make it the 52 weeks of 52 eats- aka try a new spot every week. I am a little late on the first review but at least it is still January! The first stop of the new restaurant tour was Cantina Laredo. I had seen it being built and was excited to give it a try. I imagine this will be a sweet spot in the summer with the beautiful outdoor eating area, but it was still a really nice spot in the Winter. We opted to sit at the bar table which was very comfortable, in spite of the odd conversations going on around us. We had an order of guac which was made table side. The guac was the best I have had in a while in Chicago- very zesty and creamy. And it is always fun to watch them make the guac table side. I had the Ensalada De Cilantro y Pollo minus the pollo and the BF had the Tacos de Carnitas. I had a Superfruit Mojito and he had a Casa Rita. All in all the food was very good- well prepared and looked pretty. I would definitely come back for a quick bite at the bar. i didn't get to try the fish tacos which is a shame- since my secondary mission for 2012 is to find the best fish tacos in the city. But I guess that is just another reason to come back! I will certainly check it out in the summer once the upstairs outdoor patio is open.
(4)Kristin M.
Great mexican food! Made guacamole at our table...you can adjust the spicy ness to your liking. Great chips and salsa. Ordered their margarita...they do not skimp on the liquor :) I ordered the beef nachos...very yummy, just way too much for me though. My fiancé ordered tacos de pollo...and he finished his plate! The service was great and we will definitely return. We dined on a Friday around 6 with no reservations and we did not have to wait.
(5)Amelie G.
So I went to the new Cantina Laredo for lunch today and I swear to GOD, if I had in front of me one plate of my mom's chicken enchiladas with mole and another with Cantina Laredo's chicken enchilada with mole...I would have to pick Cantina Laredo's. The mole was amazing/wonderful/chocolately/smooth/rich/not enough!! I was not embarrassed to scrape the plate with chips. I left only a sliver of tomato on it ( probably because I don't like tomatoes) but I devoured that whole thing. I had the chicken/cheese enchilada with mole (which was like, WTF? ONE enchilada??) but it was soo nicely done. When I was cutting into the chicken, I could see how juicy the meat was. The yellow rice was okay - good but nothing special. I mixed it in with the mole sauce. (Did I mention how amazing the mole is? Next time, I'll see if I can order a bowl of that seperately.) And it also came with some green chickpeas on the side, which was a nice surprise. I was looking for beans since it is a Mexican restaurant, but the chickpeas were delish. We didn't get the guacamole that's made at your table but we saw the table next to ours get it. For ten bucks, it looked a little small but I'm thinking I'll order it next time. Before I forget, we started with warm chips and two different salsas. One a tomato based one and the other a tomatillo based one. I really liked both. The tomato one was nice and refreshing. The tomatillo one was spicy and smokey. The service was super fast. Everyone was really friendly. The décor didn't strike me as "Mexican" really but it was nice, clean, modern-ish. There was latin music playing softly in the background and not so loud I couldn't hear my table's conversation. I brought back my dessert; I'm savouring a mango tres leches cake. Seriously...I want this fluffy goodness to last FOREVER. I think I'll become a regular here.
(5)Rebecca S.
Love the table side guacamole and skinny margarita's!
(4)Ali B.
It is hard to find good Mexican food that is not super cheap and not super pricey, Cantina Laredo is just right! Not only is the restaurant a BEAUTIFUL & Trendy, it is only $$ and i very accessible right off the Grand Redline and the 36 Bus. This is a good place take a first date or a long term mate. The ceilings are high, there is exposed stone and your choice of tables or booths (also, a private group room separated from the restaurant by glass doors). The staff was efficient pouring water and clearing the tables. Portions are a good size. I recommend getting: Food: TOP SHELF GUACAMOLE - spicy CHILI CON QUESO New Tacos de Pescado Margarita, was good but not great.. I'll be back, and recommend you check it out.
(4)Sam G.
Pros: beautiful restaurant, great service, awesome appetizers Cons: food is ok. Definitely not what I expected fo ra River North place. Worth trying it again in near future.
(3)Lauren S.
I was very excited to go to Catina Laredo because they just opened. I was very impressed with the place, the decor and ambiance were great for a chain restaurant! One appetizer they have is the guacamole which they make in front of you!! They have someone walk around with a mobile cart and you are able to choice what you have in the guacamole (ie. onions, cilantro, etc.) It's done with in minutes right before your eyes!! I had the Chile Relleno peppers stuffed with beef and the churros for dessert. It was ok... nothing to write home about.
(3)Anne W.
You will be hard-pressed to find better service in the city. The waitstaff was extremely attentive and very friendly. We had five people at our table and wasted no time chowing down the two bowls of chips and salsa they served us upon arrival. Within seconds our waitress was back with fresh refills. Food was delicious for the most part. The carnitas was by far the best and most unique dish we ordered, and it packed a punch! The fajitas and chicken avocado tacos were also great, and the quality of the proteins was excellent. The guacamole, while very fresh, was a little bland-- needed some extra peppers or something to give it an actual taste. Queso was good, but nothing special. The house margarita was also tasty (and reasonably priced), but beware if you order the off-the-menu Jalapeno margarita: while it smells amazingly spicy when it arrives, it does not taste like a pepper and has a very sweet finish. Overall, loved the atmosphere of this place and will definitely be going back again!
(4)Magnus L.
Very nice Mexican food, good value for money
(4)Pravin M.
I went here twice, the service is OK. The food is sub par. I will not go back
(2)Alexis M.
Coming from an avid Mexican food lover I was really looking forward to some good Mexican food in this newer spot. BUT, our order got messed up three times - the waitress brought me a warm margarita with melted ice - I think the glass came out of the dishwasher hot and she never noticed that my drink was warm. Gross! One of us received the wrong order for entrees. Finally, I was brought fish tacos with bones in my fish. I won't go back.
(1)Mel S.
Went here last night for dinner bc Purple Pig was packed. We started off with the house margarita and the topshelf guacamole. I had the tamales barbacoa. Friends had enchilada barbacoa and something else. The food was okay. Nothing amazing- although you would expect it from the price. I wasn't blown away despite the $70 tab for 2 people. I would skip this place overall- you can get a better dinner for under $20 at any taqueria.
(2)Emily G.
I have tried, tried again and retried to like this place. I can't. Yes, the space is trendy and the fireplaces are a nice touch, but the food and service has been subpar, my last visit it was just horrible. I was there last Saturday night. We waited for a table at the bar. Three bar tenders chatted with each other for long periods of time while patrons waited for their drinks or water refills. When we were finally seated, my friend's enchilada dish was dry, my burrito was cold and the cheese quesadilla was oily. I won't be trying Cantina Laredo again. I would not recommend it to anyone. Looking for Mexican, walk the extra blocks to Frontera Grill.
(1)Aline W.
Came here on a Thursday night without a reservation and thought we'd have to wait forever, but we got a table right away! The decor is modern/rustic and the atmosphere is definitely very hip. Great for a date or juts a girls/guys night out. I ordered the Superfruit Mojito and the Camarones Escondidos and my friend ordered the Mango Mojito and the Carne Asada Enchiladas. We really enjoyed our drinks, but they put the mojitos in these freakishly tall glasses. It made it super awkward to drink from, but hey, it's alcohol. Also, our entrees were scrumptious. We literally cleaned off our plates! So the verdict? I'd definitely go back for more, but next time i'm bringing a bendy straw for my drink.
(4)Nicole F.
We walked by this place twice before we decided this was were we wanted to be. The reason being.....the reviews alot of people were comparing it to traditional mexican and complaining because it was a chain, Im sooo glad we ignored those and stopped here!!! It was a very unique wonderful experience for us. Our server was very attentive and made great suggestions. Yummy margheritas and fresh made table side guac. We shared the Stuffed pablano pepper wrapped in a perfectly cooked skirt steak. Our serve recomended it and he was dead on.. We also had the Shanks sooo good. I liked that it came with green beans and rice. We finished it off with Tres leches cake. Perfect!
(5)Matt B.
Service was kinda slow. I'm a big fan of the small mom and pop places but the atmosphere was nice. Chips where tasty. DO NOT get the skinny margaritas... First one is good but the second is Sprite and sweet and sour. But make sure you get the Mexican Brownie!!! Is that butter they drizzle on it? Amazing!
(3)Jeff R.
Went out with a party of 4 for my birthday. Everyone enjoyed their entrees quite a bit and we followed it up with two delicious desserts. Guacamole made fresh and customized at your table is a very nice touch as well. Wait staff was friendly and our food came out very fast indeed after placing our order.
(4)Mary W.
In short: the food was only okay, and the service was pretty bad. Our waiter had some trouble with a table across from us - their food didn't come out the way they expected so there was some time he spent clearing that up, which accounted for some of the delays. But even when we were nearly the only table left in his section, it still took a long time to get the check, and probably ten minutes for him to come pick it up. I got the enchiladas veracruz. The filling was tasty - chicken, spinach, and Monterey jack cheese. It came with sauteed zucchini and rice. The enchiladas were topped with tomatillo sauce, tortilla strips, and marinated vegetables. The enchiladas were pretty good, but the veggies and tortilla strips made them kind of a pain to eat. The pickled vegetables were a nice counter point to the richness of the filling, but I would have preferred them chopped smaller and served on the side - the tomatillo sauce was already adding an acidic tang and the veggies were a little overkill, I thought. The rice was dry. Everything needed salt. The tableside guacamole was good (but needed salt). The flan I had for dessert was amazing! Perfect texture, with a lovely orange flavor caramel. I would probably try Cantina Laredo again after they've been open a little while to see if they've gotten their feet under them, but other than the flan, there wasn't a lot to recommend them tonight.
(2)Gautam T.
The ambience is spectacular! There are so many beautiful people that it here it's almost obnoxious. My expectation for the food was sky high but I was disappointed that the food was mediocre at best. I ordered the carnitas (fairly easy dish) and was asking myself if i was at a BBQ getting pulled pork or eating Mexican.. Not authentic so don't go expecting that.. The cocktails are excellent!!
(3)Natasha C.
I ventured here based on a recommendation from a good friend who loves Latin food almost as much as I do. Everything we had was delicious. It wasn't "this is the best I've ever had" but it was good. The spicy salsa was served warm while the mild salsa was served cold. Why? I couldn't tell you, but I can tell you that the food and drinks were good. I had the chicken enchiladas and it wasn't heavy on my tummy (which I hate). I wish it came with a sour cream sauce but trust me, my rear end wasn't missing the calories. Didn't have dessert, but willl try it on the next round. BTW the mango 'rita was good but then again, I don't need a high alcohol content. For those who like more 'rita than mango, then you may consider passing. The pom mojito was hmmm mmmm good. Nice date spot. If you decide to go on a date, book a table beside the fireplace or by the windown overlooking state street.
(4)J J.
Food and service = good! $50 ticket after valeting = bad UPDATE - sent me a check for the ticket :)
(3)Sandra H.
Walked into the restaurant on Saturday afternoon, 8-2-14 around 3:30ish, It was pretty empty, but we asked if we could sit at the bar. We sat at the bar, which had 2 people behind the bar, one was doing something crouched down in front of us, and the other was cutting up fruit for drinks talking to the manager. We sat at the bar for 15 minutes without anyone asking us if we would like a drink, or to tell us someone would be with us shortly. I couldn't believe the one bartender was standing there cutting up fruit talking to the manager, and the manager didn't even tell him to stop and see if we wanted anything. Unbelievable how rude and horrid this service was!!!! I live in Chicago, there are plenty other mexican restaurants to go to with far better food and service! When we got up and left, my fiance looked right at the manager, and he did nothing to stop us from leaving. What a joke of a restaurant, obviously they think they don't need the business. I will never return, unless it closes and becomes a restaurant that knows what service is!!!!
(1)Melissa K.
I stopped in one night after a long night of holiday shopping and the place was packed! My friend and I managed to snag a seat at the bar with the help of one of the bartenders. Everything on the menu looked AMAZING so we bugged the bartender (Jason) about his recommendations. Though he was busy, he took the time to give us thoughtful suggestions. When the food came out, we were not disappointed. In fact, I was so sad that I was too full to finish off my meal. I contemplated going to the bathroom to throw up, just so my tongue to could enjoy every last bite. Alas, I did not. Also, the strawberry mojitos were absolutely delicious--a delight to my tastebuds. Jason and another bartender (Teena) were super attentive and made our dinner enjoyable with their friendliness. I will certainly be back.
(5)DB R.
Meh. Chili's with a guacamole cart. I'd suggest authenticity over fusion.
(3)Heather S.
Wonderful food. Wonderful service. I had the mahi mahi tacos and they were delightful. Hubs had the enchiladas mole and he liked it a lot but it wasn't my cup of tea. The table side guacamole was really tasty but I wish there were different size options (like a two person serving size, four person serving size, etc) because the two of us couldn't finish it and guac just isn't something you take home because it turns brown instantly.
(5)Michelle M.
I gave Cantina Laredo 5 stars because my friends and I had such wonderful service. Not to mention this place is very spacious and beautiful. I ordered the fajita salad which was a large salad big enough to share with someone. My gals ordered some of the taco dishes which they loved. We ordered drinks and dessert which were good. Mainly, this review is for the service which was great and that made our visit to Cantina even better.
(5)Fuffie G.
Margarita too sweet-definitely tasted like it was some kind of premade mix, plus it was WARM!! Sent it back for a safe glass of wine Ceviche DRENCHED in lime juice and way too overpowering. Wanted to send that back but the girls I was with said it was fine. Entrees come out WAY TOO FAST. Carne Asada was so salty and barely luke warm. Wanted to send that back too but I didn't want to look like a total pain in the butt. Beautiful restaurant with a lot of pretty people. Very trendy but I will not be retuning. There is way better Mexican out there for a lot less money. Adios.
(1)K K.
This is a beautiful Mexican restaurant with a good menu that could be so much better than it is. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the lighting is fantastic. The food is good, but it could be great. The service is OK. There is something missing here. It's almost like a chain restaurant. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there are more Cantina Laredo restaurants. I suppose that part of the problem is that the place is so perfect, in an area of Chicago that has so many cool, loft-like restaurants with a ton of character. Whatever it is, there is something missing. I may try it again, but it's not high on my list.
(3)Nancy L.
Came here for the second time for my best friend's birthday and the service was excellent! There were about fifteen people in our group. The inside is super modern and relaxing. I had their guacamole, their ceviche, their grilled chicken, a mango margarita (strong as hell), and their brownie with rum. I was happy with everything!
(5)Robert B.
This was my first time going to this restaurant, and I went with a group of people. This was a good experience because we got to try eat others food. The restaurant made our guacamole directly in front of us! I had the enchiladas with avocado and it was amazing! The margaritas were good as well! I would definitely go back.
(5)Shalin D.
I stumbled into Cantina Laredo after I was basically elbowed out of Sable Kitchen by a throng of tourists. At first, I was impressed. The interior is pretty: horizontal paneled walls, a warm glow from artfully placed halogen lighting, and a cozy but not tight seating plan. But, whatever sophistication the interior design lends is completely negated by the service. Admittedly, I only went there for drinks and interacted exclusively with the bartenders and barmen. But, in a word, they're pretty much d-bags. I don't mind informality. I like it, in fact. But, don't repeatedly call me "dude" or "bro" when I'm tossing out ten bucks for a mojito. This isn't Thirsty Thursday at Phi Delta Kappa. And don't slosh my beer on the counter like I'm at the corner bar. Also, there are only three beers on tap, only one which is Mexican. The wine list is a summary of Two Buck Chuck favorites (Kendall Jackson, etc.) and the mojito I ordered was not only cloying sweet but more so since they muddled in raw sugarcane. Over all, it's a 5 for interior design (and all the feelings that come with it) but a 1 for service and selection. Go there for a drink if Sable's a sh*t show.
(3)Michael B.
Very cool ambiance...especially when the weather is good. I love the lounge area (bar) and upstairs. The table-made guacamole is a nice touch. Solid food and reasonably priced for the location.
(3)Parisa S.
Unimpressed. Maybe New York has spoiled me? Wait, Mexican food in New York is nothing to write home about. I digress. The food left me underwhelmed. Truly. I guess the guac was good, but certainly not great. Skip the tortilla soup. I've had better from Qdoba. Also skip the fish tacos. These were the driest tacos I think I have ever had. Zero stars for the food. Also not really understanding the fuss over the atmosphere here. Am I missing something? This place is large, lacking in personality and the night I was there, the bar crowd was awkwardly scrunched in one area, basically standing under a staircase that supposedly leads to a lounge upstairs. The entire set-up seemed very unnatural / poorly planned to me. And I think the lighting here is off too. This place may survive in Chicago, but it would never last in New York. And that's the true test of a good restaurant. In my opinion, a good restaurant this is not.
(2)Bianca P.
I'm Mexican, and frankly, I get sick of Mexican food. This place, however, has a very fresh take on traditional Mexican fare. I have tried all of their taco options and they were all very fresh and delicious. Their "top shelf" guacamole is definitely worth the extra price, especially if you know how you like your guac.
(5)Zach M.
Go for the drinks, then go to Mercadito for food. Sorry, but found everything bland and lacking seasoning and spice. Presentation is appealing, but everything just fell sort of flat. Ordered the guacamole, brisket enchiladas, fajita tacos, and the cilantro and chicken salad. The enchiladas were the best, and the tacos came in last place. The quality of the steak reminded me of that pre-cooked grocery store sliced steak; weird texture and chewy. Otherwise, the restaurant looks good, drinks are solid, and service is ok; but they just need to put more emphasis on the food to actually compete in an area not short on choices for awesome food.
(3)Mikie C.
Great food, great vibe!
(5)timothy n.
What a great atmosphere. . Really nice for whatever occassion. Unfortunately that's about it. Service is terrible. Came in on a slow day and waited 15 for my drink order and 30 min for my diet coke. The fresh made guacamole was good.. wow .. so a prelude to this is I'm here now writing the review. The waiters changed we just were told and he did apologize for the earlier delays and I gotta say I like the cander! Going from 1 star to 2 just for that. We shall see the rest of the dinner if we can bump that up a notch or two based on the food! Just ate food. . I was impressed.. but not overly. Great Mexican for the Midwest but not even close to SoCal. Based on the new server Jeff.. they now have 4 out of 5..
(4)Elizabeth S.
Where do I start? My main reason for the bad review is that the bathroom was disgusting. Un-usable. There wasn't toilet paper in the stalls, except for one where everything was overflowed and disgusting. I wanted to wash my hands but there were no fresh paper towels - they were all over the place - wet and in a mess. And when I told the manager he was dismissive. I cannot understand how a restaurant can operate and pay no attention to something like this. It was gross. Also, the waiter was strange, and service was off. But the food was edible even though he got part of our order wrong. I'm never going back.
(1)Simon P.
The only thing I would give a 4 star to would be the customer service from the hostess and the set up/view. I called ahead and had asked for a table on the second floor next to a window which they easily accomodated upon my arrival. The cons: -our waiter was bland and extremely quiet i had trouble hearing ANYTHING he was saying -Margaritas although delicious, were quite small and mostly full of ice -I ordered the shrimp stuffed chicken breast with a red sauce and mushrooms. The sauce was so salty I could not even get halfway through, leaving hungry still. More Pros: -Bar is very welcoming and ellegant -Chips/salsa/guac are a MUST -great date experience
(2)Tabitha G.
I want to like this place. I really do. The location is stellar, the ambiance is amazing and who doesn't love a place in the heart of River North that has tons (and tons) of seating? BUT (and this is a big one), the service was not up to par. It's like they hired people who weren't totally qualified. When I say people, I really mean servers. The bus boys were more attentive than the waitress we had. Case and point - if you mess up an order, don't let the customer apologize and say it's ok...insist to re-order the right. If not then at least take it off the bill, offer a discount, heck buy us a tequila shot. It was your fault that the order was wrong, so don't let us apologize for it - figure out a way to make up for the mistake. Also, these days what restaurant doesn't automatically give you water? Two margaritas deep and a basket of chips later, I realized how parched I was with no agua and had to ask for it. In the span of 2 hours guess how many times they filled that glass....yup once and that's AFTER we had already paid the bill. I will say that the guac and chips are a reason to come back, but I'll only be back if they give me a more qualified server.
(2)Morris D.
Yelp can't keep me down! I'm like Tony in Scarface when he visits his mom and his sister Gina and tells them they can't keep a guy like him down. This place is poppin inside. Lots of peeps to look at. Great place to scope the peeps inside and find out all the wig-wam going on in their life. Started off with the Guac & Chips. I mean it was good folks. It wasn't like impeccable like Michael J Fox's performance in TEEN WOLF, but i did enjoy it. Next was the Carne Asada dish. A lil dish action going that night folks! Carne was tender like a tenderoni, not a pepperonit, but a tenderoni! And whatever green sauce they put it in was VERY Good. It was so good that i felt like shooting myself in the leg then running a mile. That basically means that you could shoot me in the leg as i eat the green sauce and i wouldn't even focus on the pain because the sauce was so good. Don't remember what my partner had that night, but she never said one word to me because her face was always in the dish trying to get every last bite of those nutrients that were on that plate. Oh and get the Mango Mojito. Gives you that nice burst of Mango-ness you need to start your night! I'd love to come here again, get some food, then go across the street to Sable for a little cocktail. Hey, a lil cocktail never hurt anyone did it?
(4)Melissa S.
Overpriced for what we got. Cocktails are unimaginative.
(2)Kimberly C.
While I don't think this restaurant offers anything mind-blowing as far as food and drink go, we had a really nice meal and it was convenient to the el and to our friends' hotel. The basic margarita is tasty, the perfect amount of tartness and tequila-goodness and salt. We had the table-prepared guacamole and it was delicious! The chips are really thin & crisp, which makes them especially delicious (to me) because you can really focus on the fresh guac. My husband had the Ensalada de Cameron Con Miel and it was really tasty, though pretty small. I had the Barbacoa tacos and the marinated onions were the taste maker on these--they topped the seasoned beef just perfectly, and paired with the hit of cilantro...I was in taco heaven. The rice & black refried beans were your standard dry fare...nothing special about those. We shared the churro dessert and those were delicious...slightly crisp and also chewy and very cinnamon-ny. Our table was one of those cozy half-circle booths along the wall and we sat six there very comfortably...I know some people mentioned the restaurant was loud, but along the wall, we had no trouble with hearing each other. Our server was attentive and for dinner in the loop, it wasn't a bargain, but I think the prices were fair...again, for dinner in the loop :)
(3)Anne R.
Cantina Laredo is by far, the most contemporary Mexican restaurant I have ever dined at. There is not one ounce of tradition or Mexican culture in the place. When you arrive, one may not realize guac and taco's are being served; with a wine list of course. Due to the frigid April night we chose to sample the menu, sitting by the fantastic fireplace was a plus! The food is good, the architecture is great, attractive people to watch... what else is there?
(4)Kent S.
Excellent space. Very cool design and a hip look. Service was excellent and our waiter was exceptional. Margaritas were very good, but if you're a tequila snob, they lack some of the diversity seen at other Mexican places. The warm chips and salsa are very good. Tableside guac is also nice, but they put a lot of ingredients in it which detracts from the taste of the avocado. I've never seen anyone put black beans in guac. The main courses were just ok. Enchiladas de Mole was ok. Mole sauce was excellent but the enchiladas were just-eh. The camarones escondido was also ok. The sauce was excellent, but the chicken, despite being cooked perfectly, was way over-salted. This may be a one-time problem and I may try them again, but this time, it was just ok, given the price
(3)Elaina L.
Food was good, really fresh guacamole and drinks!
(5)D. B.
My girlfriend and I went here the other week. Like the majority have already commented, the place is huge and very sharp looking. I live down the block so we were excited to see a new mexican place in the area. We started upstairs in their lounge area. The decor is warm and posh. They have a full drink menu and serve a limited menu (more of a tapas type of thing). After a margarita (which was ok), we went downstairs in order to choose from the resturaunt's full menu. We ordered the guacamole and fajita's to share. It wasn't bad, but nothing to rave about. I would reccomend a happy hour drink upstairs, or an early drink with a date before going somewhere else. However, we didn't think the restuarant downstairs was worth the price. All in all, upstairs is nice for a start off, but don't get excited for something great at the resturaunt.
(3)Christine D.
Amazing amazing food! I went here with my parents and my room mate for my birthday dinner and it was fantastic. My parents can't wait to come back. For such great food and service, and being in the heart of River North, you will not be disappointed- and the prices are beyond reasonable. The service, food, and atmosphere is great. I highly recommend it!
(5)Angelina B.
Great guacamole! Cool atmosphere! Ceviche is awesome!
(5)Rose A.
Was at Cantina Laredo lastnight (Friday) and decided to go here for dinner with a group of friends because we heard many good things about this place. And let me say there are many good things about this place! Our server Ricky recommended for a appetizer the guacamole that is made table side and the chili con queso with chorizo added in there and both were amazing! We also had the Cabo margaritas that he recommended and yet again he did us right. We each had something different off the menu so we could sample everybody and we were impressed with everything that this place has to offer, from how good the food was to how quick it came out and the service. We will be going back again real soon and we will be asking for our funny and great server Ricky!
(5)Aundrea B.
I went to Cantina on a Saturday night, when service can usually get a little iffy at most places, yet I had amazing service. We got our food about 5 minutes after ordering. That's the fastest I've ever been served at a restaurant. And it was definitely not at the cost of quality. I got the chicken enchiladas and my boyfriend got the fish tacos, both were spicy and amazing. Usually I don't like fish that much, but I really liked the fish tacos. I got a margarita and I must warn you it is strong, but it was also quite delicious. So to recap: great food, great service. :)
(5)W T.
great environment - love the modern interior design. However, the food is not that great - it's actually really bad. Chipotle is way better. Or any street mexican food stand is better than that.
(2)lisa d.
Have eaten here many times in the past. Came for dinner with my family of 7. Ordered tacos and 4 of the dishes were COLD. Called the manager over told him about it, he took our dishes and said he would remake.....not 3 minutes later they returned with our barely warmed MICROWAVED food. He insisted it was fresh until we pointed out the hot sauce my son had put on that was still there. He never returned.
(2)kuku k.
Best Guacamole ever! Good for Vegetarians too!
(4)Jon C.
atmosphere was very chic surrounded by lots of yuppy, ready to fist-pump type people. however, the food turned out to be pretty good. salsa had a nice kick to it.
(4)Patty P.
I went there on Sunday evening 6/17/12 I had a house margarita and table made guacamole. The drink was great and the guacamole was fantastic. They also serve you 2 types of salsa and chips.. One was tomato based ( I loved it) and the other was heated and little spicy..We sat upstairs in comfy chairs looking out thru open windows .. I would definitely go back again...
(4)Mark W.
I just had the most refreshing dining experience at that new mexican spot downtown. Tableside guacamole, I had this bone-in carnita dish with some sort of chipotle sauce over top, and my lady friend had a mint infused mango chicken salad. It was lunch so we didn't go too crazy on the drinks but we had a tequila flight of Tanteo, I'd never heard of it, but it's three different flavors of tequila, one tropical, one jalepeno and one coaco... Lets just say we had something to talk about when we got back to the office.
(5)James R.
Great food and attentive servers. Nothing to complain about!
(4)Gary G.
Awesome atmosphere. Awesome food. Awesome service from Jesus. He is a great waiter. I found a new favorite restaurant in Chicago!
(5)jaime m.
visited this past Saturday & treated my guy to Dinner for his b day. we ordered the table side "top shelf" guacamole & I was veeeeery underwhelmed. I make THEE BOMB ASS guacamole , so @ $10.00 a bowl I was kinda pissed. he ordered a variation of the beef tamales , which he liked, but unfortunately , I wasn't too please with my meal. I ordered the enchiladas Veracruz.. or something like that... the chicken was very tender, Ill give them that, but there were no really good, or distinct flavors popping off.. they really need to re work some of the recipes & add more flavor. I've had better Mexican food at Pepe's & actually, taco bell is more flavorful than the food here. I also agree with the other person who mention the zucchini, which was cooked perfectly, but once again, bland tasting as so was my rice, which seemed as if it came out of a ready made box kit of some sort. since it was his b day, they brought out a brownie w/ sparklers which is always cute. we also ordered the Mexican apple pie which was TASTY AS HELL.. if anything go get yourself some pie W/ Cinnamon ice cream...mmmmmmmm the ambiance and design/layout was reeeeally nice, nice & dim lit with a fire place towards the back.... kinda sexy & would be a nice ENVIRONMENT ( drinks only)for a date. i didn't get a chance to check out the upstairs, but I wont be back to find out. EDIT: THE FACT I FORGOT TO MENTION HOW SERVICE WAS IS SELF EXPLANATORY :/
(2)Anna N.
I've been to Cantina Laredo twice, and been disappointed...twice. The food is just meh, at best, and for that price, there are better Mexican options out there (Rick Bayless is just down the street). The service is just plain painful. It's not that it's slow, it's that at my second meal, our water wasn't refilled until I got up and asked for it, and by the end of the meal I still had no idea who my waiter was. I spoke to the hostess to find out who our waiter was, and got not even so much as an apology for the poor service. The kicker is, at the second meal, the place wasn't even busy, so they can't use that as an excuse. Whoever thinks this place has good service must be getting paid in free margaritas.
(2)Steve N.
Very good. Don't miss the Guac.
(4)Preeti B.
The food is okay, overpriced for what it is. Mercadito & Nacional 27 are much better for the same price.
(2)Mexican diner C.
They rush you at Cantina Laredo. There's a lot of pressure to turn the table. The check is served with your dessert whether you ask for it or not. Not a good choice for leisurely dining.
(3)Ck T.
Great modern mexican restaurant !
(5)Jayne W.
First the good things: 1) The interior decor is lovely tho very caverous.. 2)The chips were fresh and light, 3) The private room is perfect for a larger group. 4) The tableside guacamole is good but not the "top-shelf" that claim. it's just made tableside and for $10 it's aa very small portion. Now the bad: 1) Extremely overpriced for Mexican food that was not that unique. 2) Service was extremely slow. We ordered guac tableside and then had to wait for chips, which we had to ask for 3 times. 3) Drink orders were VERY slow. One friend ordered a flight of tequila at the time we sat down at the table and it didn't come for over an hour. When we talked to the manager later on, he claimed it was because our friend was "intoxicated". Our friend, had 2 drinks before we arrived at the restuarant and was NOT intoxicated. As a result, the other drinks were also slow to come to the table. 4) I had the fish, which they claimed was an 8 oz piece of bass. Not only was it abut 5 oz but it was overcooked. 5) 2 women shared an entree and the waiters didn't even think to bring an extra plate for one of the girls. 6) They removed silverware after the appetizers but then neer replaced them until we requested it once our dinners arrived. This is definitely a chain and they expect to get the high prices becasue they are downtown, but once the newness wears off, I wonder just how successful they will be with the locals They will get the tourist traffic becasue of the recognized name. We will not go back.
(2)Tiffany G.
the food was obviously reheated, not unique or tasty. pretty gross to be honest.
(1)Susan S.
Food was great - very fresh. Service was great as well. Different flare from your typical mexican restaurant. Unfortunately, our hefty leftovers for take home got mixed up. My daughter ended up someone else's. I sent a note to the restaurant letting them know - and within 3 minutes they called to credit my account for the two meals that never made it home. Mistakes happen, would not let this bring the rating down - I'll return. Now I call that customer service!
(5)Jamie J.
There are two things that I expect from a good Mexican restaurant. Good guacamole and good margaritas. I went here for a business lunch, so I can't comment on the margaritas. But the guac? Some of the worst I've had. Over salted with odd flavors I couldn't identify. And $9.99 for a small bowl? The entree was similarly over seasoned and chewy and the service was indifferent. If you think this place might be an acceptable fallback to frontera, think again. There are plenty of other good restaurants in the vicinity. Go there instead.
(2)Ash K.
Upscale mexican , great decor. busy place but friendly service. you got to try their mojoto's.
(5)Sunny D.
Beautiful space. Well prepared and tasty food. But, I won't be visiting again. Waaaaaay too expensive for lunch. The lunch enchilada dish is a single enchilada with rice. No beans. For $10. I left hungry. Perhaps I'll come back after I win the lottery and getting value for my money is not a priority.
(2)Alexia G.
I didn't particularly enjoy my first experience here. The service was not up to par. The waiter wrote down the wrong order, and when the bus boy brought it, I told him that it was was wrong and asked him if I could see the menu. He immediately rolled his eyes and left..... The waiter then came back and apologized is mistake, and I believe that he was truly sincere about the apology, but if I had seen the manager, I would have definitey complained about the bus boy. The food had a nice presentation, but it was nothing spectacular. We ordered tableside guacamole as an appetizer and did not get it until AFTER our food came, even with the meal mistake. And the lady making it was SUPER SWEATY as if she was working too hard. Maybe there shoud be more guacamole people...lol...The ambiance was great and it seems like it would be a great spot to grab a drink.... I MAY give this restaurant a try with hopes of having a better experience second time around.
(3)Ccc C.
i went there for the first time last Sunday and again this past Saturday. The decor is beautiful and the wait staff is super nice and efficient. The food is fresh and delicious. The chips are amazing and addicting! The margarita was great. No too sweet. And i feel like this place is authentic despite the place being modern. Notice the wait staff is all Hispanics which I love! i love the guacomole cart which they prepare fresh at your table. That reminds me of when I was in Puerta Vallarta.
(5)Mary S.
Beautiful exterior and interior. But NOISY! The high ceiling contributes to the extreme noise level. The food is very good. I love the mahi mahi fish tacos and the guacamole is very good. Prices are reasonable and portions are good. House margarita is excellent. Staff is helpful and informative. Service is almost too fast early evening as the staff tries to turn tables. Come later but don't expect to be able to carry on a conversation because of the noise. Try to sit upstairs which is much more intimate.
(3)Genious C.
Cool restaurant. Service and food are average....will not be returning.
(3)Ke M.
The restaurant itself is gorgeous (great for a date night!). The chips and guacamole were delicious and no complaints on the drinks either. I went with a large group (with a reservation - the place was packed!) but I would generally recommend a small group or date. Our server was great considering how busy it was and the food came out warm and delicious.
(4)Ken R.
An average place for Mexican in Chicago. Food was just OK (not bad, but nothing special). There were, however, way too many guys wearing backwards baseball caps. Huge space, very contemporary setting.
(1)Noredia A.
Good food, but somewhat pricey for mexican food.
(4)John R.
We were a group of four in early (5pm) on Saturday evening. We were seated right away. The hostess was friendly. Our waiter Roberto was over right away. He was phenomenal! Full of recommendations. He knew the menu inside out. We ordered drinks. The mojitos were all good. The chips and fresh made daily salsas were good. You must order the guacamole that is made fresh at your tableside. I ordered the chicken pozole soup. Full of flavor. Our entrees came quickly. My wife tried the quail. I had the barbacoa tacos. Both were good. My in-laws enjoyed their entrees. Roberto was attentive and full of energy. We had to pass on desert. The selection appeared to be good. A minor highlight, but an important one, came as we went to leave. We were sitting towards the front of this very large downtown restaurant. Business had picked up and the place was full. I got up, saw a hostess and asked where the restroom was located. She WALKED us across the large restaurant to the restrooms. Not told us, or pointed us, but WALKED us. In Chicago, most places, the customer service is so so at best. A rare combo of great food and great customer service. At Cantina Laredo, we received some of the best service in our two years as residents and we will be back.
(5)Rob T.
Service was great, food was good, pomegranate margarita was strong, sizzling chocolate brownie was awesome!
(5)Chi-foodie A.
lets start from all of the great and best of this establishment, the restaurant itself is located in a very demanding neighborhood of river north Chicago, competition is what flaws in this part of the city.. how ever I like the decor 2 floors fireplaces private rooms look very cozy and welcoming, I walked in, was welcomed by the host, seated promptly and very polite, but seem she did not know where was I supposed to be seated "in a almost empty restaurant" um mm, then I made a request to be seated n by the fireplace! granted loved it. server was outstanding very knowledgeable, like their tomatillo salsa whith the fresh chips slightly crispy , ordered their ceviche for appetizer, was average to much lime, if I am not mistaking they add a bit of vinegar!! over all good. For main course ordered carnitas they were the best I ever try in a Tex-Mex place.They were served with rice, vegetable of the day and side of corn tortillas. The veggies were nice and crisp, the rice was flavorless for my personal taste and hard, the tortillas were cold as well therefore this place for me was more like a 3 start on the food except the outstanding carnitas. + decor +knowledgeable servers +space
(4)Marcus W.
Ive been here a couple times now and I have become a huge fan! Its a beautiful restaurant, and its right by the red line grand stop, which makes it easy getting home. The margaritas are fantastic and the tableside guac is delicious. The first time I had the Poblano Asada, it was a great combination of flavors, the second time I had the barbacoa enchiladas, outstanding! Ive eaten at other places in River North, and I have to say this place is great to eat and drink without breaking the bank. Will be back again!!
(5)Phil L.
I am a fan. We had great service ( Corey) and wonderful food. The only Issue I had was that they do not offer combinations of the entrees like many Mexican restaurants and gives the dinner to chance to sample a cross section of dishes.
(4)Nicholl D.
Went for dinner on a Friday night. We made reservations through Open Table. When we arrived the lobby and bar area were packed but we were seated right away. The place has very nice decor. It's modern, trendy and looks nothing like a Mexican restuarant. The menu is pretty basic. There are a few Mexican specialties or tacos and enchiladas. They make gaucomole fresh at your table. My husband had fajitas and I had chicken enchiladas. The only choice in tortillas for any of the entrees was flour. We both prefer corn. While the food wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. There was nothing about it that stood out. The enchiladas were dry. It's like they put the sauce on after it's been cooked rather than cooking them in the sauce which I believe is the traditional way to make them. If you are looking for good, authentic Mexican food then this is not the place. If you want a trendy date night downtown that won't break your wallet, this will do.
(3)Bryan W.
Not only do they make custom guacamole right there at your table, but the chili con queso was easily some of the best I've ever had. It's that perfect mix of warm and creamy but just thick enough that the perfect amount sticks on your chip every time. I could have stopped right there (they are very generous with the chips), but the enchiladas were just too tempting. It was love at first bite. Overall I think the place is great. It's clean, decorated w class (lots if wood metal and modern art) and the food was delicious. I'll be back there again.
(4)Nelly H.
This place is absolutely horrible. Food lacks flavor bland is more like it. Ive never have ever had bland mexican cuisine.To top it off my dessert had a hair in it and all you can muster is a quiet "sorry" and nothing else is unreal to me.
(1)Paul R.
Love this place, guac is awesome and the tortas are ridiculous. Shrimp tacos are killer as well. Some of the best chips and salsa I have ever had. The atmosphere is nice as well, good to have a Mexican restaraunt that is not your typical hole in the wall.
(4)Josh V.
I dined here for a preview/soft open/whatever the heck you call it on Sunday. It's across the street from my friend's place and a decent walk from mine, so I was looking forward to checking this place out. Given that it wasn't officially "open" yet I'll forgive most of the service issues. The waiter was nice and apologized for the problems that we did encounter. And the food WAS all 50% off. What did I like? The space. It's very big, lots of windows, classy, modern decor. Several gas-burning fireplaces, cool fixtures. Really quite posh! So, on to the food. They do table-side preparation for the guacamole. We waited probably 20 minutes for that. I hope they plan on adding more guac-carts, because they have to expect it's going to be a popular item. Our guacamole was good, BUT the lady who made it just rolled up, made the stuff and set the bowl on our table. It would have been nice if we had a chance to customize the spiciness of it or something. Otherwise making it table-side is largely a gimmick. OK, well at least we know it's really fresh! It's also $10 for a moderate-sized bowl, which seems a bit steep. The torta I got was adequate at best. The brisket meat was tasty, but there wasn't a whole lot of it, and the bread kind of ruined the whole thing. Rather than a traditional torta bread, they used something more like Italian bread; it was dense, dry and there was too much of it. The sandwich was served cut in half, with each half standing upright in a brown-ish (mole?) sauce. Dipping each bite in the sauce was the only thing that saved this torta from being an overly-bready disaster. And the price tag? Normally $12 or $13 (I forget) for just the sandwich... it doesn't come with a side. That's several dollars more than it's worth for sure. My dining companions seemed to think their food was good or OK. No one was wowed. One of the two salsas they brought with the chips was delicious, the other was just good. At least my margarita was quite tasty. I'll probably give them a month or two to work out their kinks and try them again, but unless they step things up a notch I don't think the food will end up being worth the price they're charging. Right now you're paying for location more than anything else.
(3)Carol K.
The suburbs have come to River North. Yep- that's what this sprawling, beautiful building reminds me of- a suburban outpost that got dropped into the city amidst other chains like Weber Grill and Rock Bottom. A Dallas chain with about 35 other locations around the country, this is an aggressive venture that this ownership group has taken on. First of all, the space. We're talking HUGE people! Two levels, with the first floor being the more traditional restaurant space with giant leatherette booths, stone walls and fireplaces. I can't imagine getting a table here is ever going to be a problem! Here- the full menu is available and I think they are trying for a "family friendly" vibe by the amount of high chairs that are stacked in the back and the size of the booths (interesting choice for this neck of the woods!). We were a table of two and were seated in a giant booth but after looking around- it appeared that there really were no two tops. The bar on this floor was filled with more of what I thought this place would draw- urban upscale professionals. But the restaurant? Couldn't quite put my finger on who was there. Tourists? Friends of the staff? It was an odd gathering of individuals. Head up the staircase in the front (quite a lovely feature) and you find yourself in a little more trendy space with seating groupings where the food portions are more like "nibbles" or tapas. Up here- the servers seem to be all women . . .I guess they are trying for a lounge vibe? But there didn't appear to be a DJ or anything so I am not really sure what differentiates the two areas. So given it was opening week- there were managers and servers everywhere! Even before you get in the door there were 4 women standing out front showing off their menus and several managers came over to our table during our visit. We started with their tableside guacamole. Good- but isn't the whole point of making it in front of me to "customize" it to my likes? The woman making it never said a word or asked us how hot or not we wanted it. A huge miss! The food was good and came up really fast. I had the shrimp tacos and my friend had the chille rellano. Funny- looking at the outside of this place- I was expecting "upscale" Mexican food. This is sort of in between . . not upscale but certainly not the huge plates of food that you get in a traditional Mexican place. Our server, David, though, is what pushed this to a four star review for me. Personable, friendly, knowledgeable, so much so, by the end of our meal, we felt as if we had made a new friend. He was great and as a seasoned server, took all the new opening "blues" in stride. It was almost comical the amount of times this drink runner kept bringing someone else's drinks to our table but I'm used to that during opening week but David just kept pointing her in the right direction. Desserts smelled better than they were. We ordered the Mexican apple pie which was a cold piece of pie served on a hot skillet topped with ice cream and a butter sauce. Again, like the tableside guac- here it's all about the presentation as the pie is presented tableside so you hear the sizzle as it's put on the skilled and get other "Food cues" as the sauce is poured, but the pie fell flat and tasted store bought rather than made in house. Dinner with drinks for two ran about $90. There is no valet parking right now (not sure if that is permanent or if that is just because State Street is still torn up) but there are two parking garages nearby that will run you about $25 for a couple of hours of parking. So all in all- a huge, beautiful space that serves predictable Mexican food by friendly servers. If it weren't for our server, this would really only be a three star review as it was just A-OK in my book!
(4)Jaclyn W.
Love the atmosphere of this place, especially the long fireplace they have towards the back of the restaurant. Has a nice upscale/trendy feel for a Mexican restaurant, but was NOT impressed by the service. A friend and I came in here on a Thurs evening and it wasn't super packed so we were able to sit down immediately. After the waiter took our drink orders and served us drinks he didn't come back for like...20 minutes (and we flagged him down). My friend had the house margarita and I had the Pomegrante Mojito and we both thought they were just okay. After our food was served the waiter did NOT come back until we flagged him down the the check... The real surprise here is how DELICIOUS the salads are! DEFINITELY reccomend the ensalada de mango y pollo, and my friend had the shrimp salad. DELISH - was scraping my plate! Guac isn't anything special, but the sauces they serve with the tortilla chips are really good. Overall it was okay - not dying to go back unless I am craving that salad...
(3)Heidi R.
I came here with HIGH expectations from other reviewers. Wow was I disappointed. The server was obnoxious and trying to up sell us on everything. We got salsa and chips dropped to the table before water - kind of hard to eat spicy salsa without water. We ordered a bottle of wine and queso for an appetizer. The server was rude about the wine we chose and actually had the nerve to bring a different and more expensive bottle to the table. We thought that was very "dirty car salesman" and just plan rude. We still chose to drink the bottle we originally ordered as it was what we wanted. We got our queso and ran out of chips very quickly as there were 4 of us eating. We had more than 1/2 the queso left and by the time we had to ask for more chips the queso was cold. The food was nothing to brag about - we split 3 entrees. Chile rellano, brisket enchiladas and a chicken dish. The brisket was tasty but nothing too special. Everything came with rice and zucchini. Bland. The best part of the night was having the manager come to the table as the food was dropped. I asked her to come back to the table after we ate so we could share our concerns about the rude server... and she never returned. And neither will I.
(1)Stephanie W.
I've been here for dinner several times and brunch once. I don't think I've ever eaten anything I didn't like. TRY: guac, enchiladas veracruz, tacos de pollo, the chicken fajita omelette.
(4)Danielle L.
I have been to this restaurant three times and each time the food was amazing. Very flavorful, authentic yet innovative. i highly recommend the dish (can't recall the name) but it is seasoned, grilled steak wrapped around a cheese and shrimp stuffed poblano. The restaurant is beautiful with great ambiance: contemporary but classy. The service was outstanding two out of three of our visits. On the third visit, our server must have been having a bad night. We complained and the follow up by management was appropriate.
(5)Tawana W.
Tried this place today for lunch. The decor is fabulous, my waiter was a mind reader and my food was quite fresh and tasty. My only wishes were that the chips were a little fresher and saltier and that more guac and salsa been presented. I went with a group of 6 with a reservation and we will be back again. After I meal I tried the brownie, apple pie, churro and mango tres leches cake. I would have the churros and mango tres leches cake any night of the week!
(4)Jami S.
Decent Mexican food. Not the greatest dinner or margaritas in the city but okay. If you are looking for fantastic margaritas and guac then go to Zocalo, it's def better! The ambience is better then the food. The location is great and the restaurant is very cool inside. Def worth it to check it out. Next time we will just go to the upstairs bar area for drinks and guac. I wouldn't go back for dinner.
(3)Julie B.
Fabulous margaritas and great food. One of my favorites spots for Mexican!
(4)Rob B.
A beautiful spot, for sure. Was sorry that Open Table showed no openings and we arrived to a very empty restaurant. Table side guacamole was indeed awesome! We loved the roasted jalapeños but to say this is enough for 2-4 people is disingenuous.. As I was doing slow carb, we asked for some celery sticks in addition to the chips, for the guacamole, and while it caused a pause in service, he brought a big portion. There was mo charge for the celery when the check came. The taco pollo, and carnitas were awesome and generous! The carnitas was what we know in Foodservice as pig wings. But no matter if they buy these pre-cooked in a bag, their finish on them is awesome. Smokey and fall off the bone! We would return and want to try dessert and margaritas when the diet is done.
(4)K V.
Half off food is a great idea from 4-7. Shrimp tacos are awesome. Good joint for Happy Hour menu. The staff seem a bit preoccupied but the food was decent even with the very thick taco shells. I ended up eating the inside of the tacos but the overall experience was good. Nothing spectacular. The staff also seem to spend a lot of time talking and less time asking if there is anything else you may need.
(3)Heather R.
Went there for the first time the other day + wasn't particularly blown away. The food was decent but the menu selection isn't very expansive and entrees are overpriced. As a vegetarian, there were 2 things I could eat on the entire menu. Roberto was our server and much like the other reviews stated, he was inattentive and rude. First he forgot about us for 30 minutes without explanation or apology, then forgot to deliver our second order of drinks and when we finally got them, he whisked them away as we finished our food even though our glasses were still half full. I feel that my experience could have been much better if not for Roberto. If you'd still like to try it out for the food, that's fine. Just ask for anyone else to serve you but him. I'd like to offer an alternative if you're up for some tasty southwestern/mexican food: head to Zapatista in South Loop. The food is delicious and the service is even better. You will not be disappointed. zapatistarestaurant.com
(2)D O.
The Cantina is my go-to place for a nice drink and snack down town. I'm a huge fan of their ceviche and the vegetable entree options. I enjoy their tall ceilings, wooden walls, and fire accents; they make it always feel summery cool.
(4)Ashley M.
Decor - 5 - Slap a baby rabbit if someone tells you that this place is not one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Chicago. It has such a feel like...yes, I should be here! That kind of feel. Not stuffy or arrogant, more open and inviting. Many areas to cozy up to as well. Beautiful decor, if you're in a group of 4-6, try to get the wine glass room. It is beautiful. Service - 4 - Wonderful service, couldn't find him for a long time at one point and someone else noticed this and took over and talked to us about the restaurant for a little while. Food - 4 - Try the chicken fajita nachos. mmmmmMM!! Drinks - 4.5 - Strong margaritas, delicious!!
(4)Cherisse G.
Made a reservation for 9 online, only 7 showed up due to last minute cancellations and nobody blew a gasket. We were seated in a semi-private room that faced the main dining area with one wall full of wine yet the doors were open and there was a TV on an adjoining wall. Our little room was lit more brightly and we were greeted within a few minutes. Our server Ricardo was nice, but always seemed to be walking through the room and then he was gone and would reappear. To start the guacamole lady came around and made it fresh by the table. What they don't tell you is that they charge you for each bowl of guac made, because our server asked us if we wanted to try it, and that was that. No big deal because it was really good though. I ordered the mango mojito which was good, but really not strong at all. I ordered the shrimp tacos, SO GOOD. And for dessert we all ordered a few like the mango tres leches cake, churro, and mexican apple pie with cinnamon icecream. You wouldn't think cinnamon ice cream could be so good but I was wrong! I definitely want to come back again. It's a great atmosphere for a group of friends. Definitely want to come when it's warm out to eat on the outside dining.
(4)Brad P.
The other reviews I read were spot on: great food and atmosphere, slow service. In defense of the service, we were a large group and fortunately not in a big hurry. The chips and salsa were above average, the Casa Rita was top notch, and the carne asada was terrific. I would go back.
(4)Mike W.
I wouldn't say this is authentic Mexican by any means but that doesn't mean that the food wasn't pretty tasty. we both had enchiladas and liked both of them. The free chips and salsa was also pretty good. It was too busy on a Monday night so that was a plus cuz we got seated right away.
(4)Shradha A.
10th review for this place that just opened last week opposite Hotel Palomar! What does strike you first is how massive this structure is - two floors and about 8-10,000 sq ft on each floor! You walk in and are greeted by 7-8 cheery hostesses waiting to find you a table.. Pretty packed - the food smells good. We instantly order their table-side guacamole as it's touted to be their best! We are not disappointed, except that the quantity could have been more and the person making it should have had us taste it before dropping it on the table and leaving - isn't that the concept of table-side - that it's made to taste? For entrees, we got the enchilada and were happy with it too. Their desserts looked yum when they brought the tray around, but we were too full to give it a try this time around. Service overall was friendly and the manager even stopped by at the end to ask how everything went. Definitely worth coming back and also want to make note of the large private dining rooms that could fit up to 20 - great venue to host birthday or corporate dinners!
(4)John K.
Ate here for the first time a couple weeks ago, and i have to say that it is actually really good, especially for a chain. You definitely need to order the fresh guacamole. I got the fajitas combo(steak and chicken) and it was also very good. Will definitely go back, especially since i live in the building next door!
(4)Joan C.
5 stars for ambiance - 2 stars for food. What you're really paying for is the sites - sleek, modern, clean lines, with southwestern accent pieces to make this place seem mexican. It could also pass for upscale sushi in there too - with the exception of the guacamole cart lady walking around, charging $10 for 'top shelf' guac - meaning 'assemble it in front of you' guac. It was good, but nothing earth-shattering. I ordered the beef enchiladas, which portion-wise, was adequate opposed to the 'gargantuan' portions that i'm used to seeing at dumpier mex restaurants. Service was friendly and prompt. I will definitely return to try some drinks because I took a peek at their upstairs lounge, and it looks inviting... but I'd skip on the mediocre food.
(3)Faisal S.
Beautiful interior. Good service. Great drinks and bar vibe. The problem is the food. I was expecting more. It's not bad but for the price and the vibe you would expect more. The carne asada was stringy and very chewy. Come on guys, get with the program. I want to like you a lot but can't.
(3)Steven R.
Mediocre at best. Huge space that will soon be a tourist destination if it survives. Food was fine, service was poor. I'd maybe go back with a group of guys to grab some drinks but that's it.
(2)H I.
2 stars is charitable.. 1 for the service and 1 for the ambience. We started out with mediocre margaritas. Then came the barbacoa tacos... The meat was so tough and dry that we had to return the item and order the tacos fajitas instead, which was only marginally better. The mole (which they claim is one of their "signature" items) was unimpressive and heavy on the chocolate. They have a lot to learn about mole and mexican food in general!
(2)Danny Y.
I'm going to start this review by pointing out that ratings seem to be all over the board. That inconsistency should say something to anyone considering eating here. My experience at Cantina Laredo was pathetic, salvaged only by the party I was with, my best friend Jake from out of town, his cousin Amanda and her friend Jackie, and another couple (Gary and Linita) I had only met this evening. Kicking off with the food and drinks. Nobody was particularly impressed with the drinks they got. Mojitos and Margaritas, standard fare, standard taste. The food was, in a word: "uncompelling". It was bland, not particularly warm, and the boring salsa drizzled on top of my 'Enchiladas de Barbecoa' was dried up like it had been sitting for several minutes. Nobody else felt that their orders were particularly great though there weren't any real complaints. It felt like corporate mexican fare for unimaginative palettes. Decor was 'modern' and clean, but to me, that equates to sterile and flat. It was open and spacious and lacked color. Beige walls, beige trim, and beige bricks under beige lighting. To be fair, they were all varying shades of beige. Now the service. I can safely say that I have never, in my life, had worse service than at this particular meal. I'm sorry, 'Richard', I have to call you out on this one. Our waiter was rude, passive aggressive, and not particularly attentive. The restaurant was relatively empty on this Monday night and we were his only table. Our table was a semi-circle booth and I was at one end, my friend Jake at the other. He asked if we had questions and no one else did except for me. After I asked my question, I figured since I was already talking and had his attention, I would go ahead and order. I'm used to a waiter starting at one side of a group and moving in one direction to keep everything straight. However, Richard thought it would be better to let the Ladies order first. Chivalry isn't dead! Except the way he said it was surprisingly rude and abrupt. I felt like he might as well have said, "Hey, you misogynist jerkface (except with stronger language), can't you see there are ladies present?" Stunned into silence, I sat back while he took the orders and then gave him mine when he deemed it suitable for me to do so. Then he walked away. Now, perhaps I was just reading into things. Perhaps, realizing I was indeed being an inconsiderate jerk I was merely feeling defensive and projecting fault onto our waiter. Perhaps I was only imagining the uncomfortable silence at our table. That's when one of the ladies (Linita) broke the ice by commenting: "Wow, that was really rude and messed up!" Everyone at the table agreed that his method was very rude and his tone very insulting. Ladies ordering first, nice idea. Calling one of your customers out as an ass is not. This might have been forgotten if not for the fact that when he brought the food out to the table, he served ALL OF THE GUYS FIRST. Yes, after making a big show of how rude I was to not let the ladies order first, he neglects to serve them until after he has served the men. The irony of it was shocking and dominated our table conversation for half of the meal. Also, while bringing out the food as he was passing a plate to Gary, Gary reached up to take it and set it down and Richard says, "Don't touch it!" his tone was admonishing and very imperative. After he left, Gary tested the plate, which wasn't hot. Of course they don't want you to burn yourself on a hot plate, but in every place I've been, the server offered a warning of a hot plate or 'asked' us to be cautious, etc. Richard's command came off as startlingly rude. Finally, we ate our meal and were ready for the check. Richard did not offer to split the check or ask, simply brought it to us, altogether. I understand, he was very busy with his only table. Of course, now I'm just being petty, surely I don't expect him to just assume we want the check split. It's fine, we split the check ourselves and wrote on the back of the receipt how much each of us were going to pay and give him four cards (I was going to pay cash and Gary and Lina were paying together). He looks at what we've done and says, "Oh, I guess you wanted me to split the check." Very passive-aggressive. "Actually, Richard, you don't need to because we've already done it for you." As he leaves to split the checks, my friend Jake sums it all up into one meaningful sentence: "I feel like we have, in some way, inconvenienced our Waiter by choosing to eat here tonight." As a final insult, my bill was $15.49. I gave him a twenty. He brought me $4 in change. Last time I checked, $20 - $15.49 was $4.51. Just some basic arithmetic. Well, whatever, Richard, keep it, you've earned your tip. I have never in my life tipped less than 15% before and generally tip at 25%... thanks for the new experience!
(1)Manish P.
stopped by cantina laredo for lunch back in may. i dont remember the food as much but i know it was good. the thing that i wont forget is the table side guac which was sooo good. you can pick what type of peppers you want and etc. the best part of this place were the drinks! nice and strong and tasted delicious. gave me a nice happy hour buzz and i was off to explore the rest of chicago for the day. im sure there are plenty of better mexican places to eat in chicago but this was a good experience. also enjoyed the modern decor of the place. all in all, come for the drinks, and the foods pretty good as well.
(4)Joni L.
Beautiful, modern, large space with better than average Mexican food. I had the yummy carne asada and a Skinny Berry 'ita. Guacamole didn't have much flavor but service was attentive and friendly. Kudos for the consistent refill on the chips and salsa.
(3)Mike M.
Been here a couple times already, both at the extremely wallet friendly happy hour appetizers (which can easily be a whole meal). This place has specials going daily, so it's worth checking out on different days. Otherwise, great atmosphere, especially upstairs in the loungey fire place area, good food and good drinks. Definitely worth the price, especially during half price appetizer hour (otherwise, it can get a but pricey for guac and some tacos...)
(4)Don J.
This is a review for Cantina Laredos brunch which I had on Sunday the 27th. First impressions is that it is a huge classy restaurant, with friendly staff and it was pretty much empty. We were seated near one of their fireplaces which made a nice difference on a cold and wet Chicago afternoon. Our server was Pierre I think and he was great throughout. Yes it was quiet, but he ensured we had everything we needed/wanted straight away. As soon as we were seated we were given fresh chips and two salsas which were great. A nice way to start the brunch. We started with the Chicken fajita which was ok. I prefer Uncle Julios fajitas but thats purely because it comes with a soft wrap as opposed to the heavily toasted at Cantine Laredo. The Mrs had a Mimosa which she said was very good. I had the Torta de Pollo which was the best sandwich I have ever tasted in a Mexican restaurant (much better than XOXO). It was packed which perfectly spiced Chicken and it anything was too big for one person to eat on his own. The Mrs had a Chicken fajita omelet and it was good but similar to anything you could get a Yolk or any other breakfast place. Overall, a very nice restaurant which you should try at least once. Hopefully there business will pick up as the owners have invested heavily in the restaurant.
(3)Aaron L.
2* Top Shelf Guacamole 3.5* Beef Fajitas 2* Enchiladas De Mole 2.5* Enchiladas De Barbacoa 5* Warm Salsa with Chips (There's a warm and cold)
(2)Eric W.
Got drinks and dinner here on a beautiful day. Windows were open on the second floor. Lots of space and service was great. Table-side guac was fantastic, and 1/2 off to boot! Margaritas tasted good. I like that they use lemon and lime juice in the margaritas. BF liked the ahi tuna tacos, but I wasn't really a fan of the vegetarian taquitos. They were boring. Guac more than made up for it though.
(5)Brian C.
I've had Cantina Laredo in several cities. This location must have had a spice addict cooking the night I went. None of us could eat our feed due to massive heat. Beyond that, even the chips were bland. Not a good experience in the CL front in Chicago.
(2)Martin M.
Zucchini does NOT fire me up. Atmosphere is fine, kind of a fake modern vibe to it but whatever, it was pleasant and clean. Staff was all helpful and friendly, no issues there. The food was really, really disappointing. Got a barbacoa enchilada and it was terrible - an accusation I dont make lightly. The meat was extremely greasy and there was a massive reservoir of grease on the plate to prove it. The "ranchero sauce", which I thought would be something similar to a mole, ended up being nothing more than stewed tomatoes and onions. In what world are unseasoned stewed tomatoes and onions "ranchero sauce"??? Did they serve beans along with the side of rice? Nope, zucchini...friggin zucchini. Zucchini. Awful. As a final insult, it was one single normal-sized enchilada. Not two or three like you get everywhere else, just one (not that I wanted any more of it). The whole dish was about the worst I've had at any Mexican place anywhere and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. The person I was with hated their meal too. The restaurant business is a tough world and if my experience was any indication, these folks better get their acts together if they plan on sticking around.
(2)Sheryl P D.
Since the day they opened, this place has been my go-to. In fact, I made the mistake of walking in for lunch the day before they opened, mistaking the activity inside as a sign they were open. On that day the manager greeted me, invited me to come back, etc.,, and over time I came to know him and the staff very well -- I worked across the street and used to go frequently for lunches, drinks after work, dinners, etc. I still head there for happy hour wine or margaritas, and never miss a chance to have their quacamole. I lived in NM for many years, so I know my way around an order of qucamole -- Cantina Laredo's is the best I have ever tasted. As for food, whether you get avacado enchiladas (amazing), fish tacos (amazing), chicken quesadillas (amazing), or a mole (equally amazing), you're going to love the food, and be amazed the price is so affordable given the location. This place could easily charge a lot more for entrees. This year I met friends their for my birthday dinner and that same manager I met the very first day, whose been seeing me come in and out for years, stunned me by giving us a bottle of wine on the house as a bday gift and thanking me for always being such a good customer. Amazing. I'll keep going to Cantina as long as I live in Chicago. Amazing food, great service, great location, great atmosphere/vibe.
(5)Diana K.
Came here for late-night dinner (about 9pm) on a Friday night with a group of 6 because we were craving Latin food and it was close to the Marriott hotel on the next block. Had a 45 minute wait for dinner downstairs so opted to sit upstairs at the bar/lounge area which has a shorter menu and no wait. The atmosphere was great and the food was very good - we sampled most everything on the bar menu including guacamole, shrimp tacos, ceviche, and churros. I would come again.
(4)Michael F.
No Issues with Cantina Laredo. Went in for drinks and a small meal - thoroughly enjoyed the margaritas and the food was good and somewhat unmemorable. Service throughout the night was so-so, with our waiter being somewhat inattentive. I would go back for drinks and light snacks (think guac and something to share at the table), but probably would not consider it for a full meal.
(3)Mindy S.
Dined here with a group of 8 on an incredibly busy Friday night. Waitress service was fantastic. Food came out quickly, drinks were never empty. Really a great option for a fun atmosphere. They have some chairs on a small outdoor patio (it is enclosed by a brick wall), and a small fire pit/place - looked like a fun time out there as well. Definitely try the fresh made guac, ceviche, barbacoa tacos.
(4)George D.
Been to this joint twice...Place looks great.. Food is ok but service could be a lot better.
(3)Andrea H.
I've never had a bad thing here! Amazing guac :)
(5)Kedar U.
I recently had dinner at Cantina Laredo on State St. and enjoyed the food and overall experience. I had the enchiladas de oxaca and the house margarita both were great! The restaurant is quite large and the decor contemporary and inviting. I especially liked the large glass door enclosed party table room.
(4)Shannon W.
Love Cantina Laredo! This is a perfect and very modern spot for authentic Mexican food, especially their guacamole, which is made table-side. I had the chicken tacos, and despite them being extremely spicy (a little too hot, for my taste), they were very fresh and delicious. Definitely a great spot for groups and happy hour.
(4)Amy L.
Best queso of my life!
(5)Ben C.
Great atmosphere for a date or a group of friends. Really cool and modern decor. The guacamole is made table-side and is delicious. Margaritas were delicious. The chicken enchiladas I got were either just okay or I was too full from eating too much chips and salsa/guacamole - rookie mistake, I know.
(4)Andrea G.
The spot is beautiful. The food is decent, although I can think of a lot of better mexican restaurants in the city. The ceviche had a good flavor, but the fish/shrimp was realllly tough. My mojito was practically undrinkable because everytime I took a sip I wound up with a lot of stuff up the straw and in my mouth. I know what is in a mojito, but I don't want to eat it. The steak quesadilla was good - nothing to write home about though. The service was awful. A girlfriend and I sat at the bar, and the bartender didn't smile once. she looked miserable and basically didn't say a single word from the time we got our / food drinks, until she dropped off the check. I don't think you have to be the third part of our table, but look like you give a shit.
(2)Akta D.
If you're gonna go here get the guac and chips and dessert. The vegetarian dish is good but why waste the calories and vital stomach space when you can have two desserts and chips! Get the apple pie and churros! soo good.
(4)Caitlin A.
If it is a beautiful summer day and you are in the mood for some fresh guacamole, definately stop by Cantina Laredo. They can open up some of the walls and create an open air dining room which is nice if you like the feeling of being outside without having to sit in the boiling sun. The margaritas were just fine, nothing to rave about but nothing to complain about either. They make the guacamole tableside which is a nice touch but again nothing to rave about. I would go back but it certainly is not on my top ten list.
(4)Jim T.
Lots of good Mexican and Texmex places throughout the city, this isn't one. Not bad, but nothing memorable. Plus with the Rick Bayless options just down the street why even bother coming here? Maybe for margaritas and lounging but not for food. Think if someone put a ChiChis in a modern Mexican museum.
(3)Radhika A.
Good for working lunches and after work dinner and drinks with colleagues. Food and drinks are good, not out of this world.
(3)Willow M.
Great guacamole, love the atmosphere and they half off appetizers upstairs are incredible. I highly recommend the steak pizza with cherries- it was delicious.
(4)A G.
First, like many other reviewers have said, the service was SLOW. We were seated for over an hour before the waiter took our order. Food was just ok, nothing special and very overpriced. The sangria tasted like a mix and was too sour. Mojitos were good. I was excited to try the freshly made guacamole since so many people were raving about it. It left much to be desired. It had an odd bitter taste to it. The atmosphere was nice but the seating was very uncomfortable. I wouldn't go back.
(2)Blossom C.
Loved the happy hour! We got 5 different things since everything was half off. The chips and salsa were excellent, the margaritas were superb, and everything tasted fresh and delicious! The ambiance was really cool too, very modern, we enjoyed sitting on the second floor where the windows were all open looking out onto state street. I am looking forward to coming back for another happy hour!
(5)Claudia R.
Cantina Laredo has excellent Margaritas and is a really open and airy space. At first I didn't even realize it was a chain.
(4)Andrew H.
Great food, drinks, and atmosphere. The open air section on the second floor is a great place for a cocktail. The service wasn't great, but it could just be a setback of being a new restaurant. The shrimp enchiladas were very good, but the guacamole didn't quite live up to the hype. We had a great time and I would definitely head there again with a large group.
(3)Kevin H.
We had dinner here on a Thursday night and were appalled at the bad service and mediocre food. For such a fancy-looking / expensive place, we expected so much more. After being seated, we were completely ignored for at least 15 minutes. We almost walked out. Finally we got to order drinks and some food. After a very long time, our food arrived. We had asked for wine with the meal several times and it didn't arrive until we were essentially done eating. ...lots of other little complaints. But the bottom line: I would go to Blue Agave for mexican over this place any day.
(1)christine d.
I went here last night to celebrate my birthday with my parents and my room mate and like the other times I have been here, it did not disappoint. The ambiance, the service, and the food were amazing. The chips and salsa are fresh (and they have a spicy habanero salsa too!) that are served warm. We had the table side guacamole that is fresh and delicious. I had the veggie enchiladas which were amazing. Being vegetarian I couldnt try the other dishes (barbacoa enchiladas, fish tacos, and shrimp stuffed chicken) though the reviews from my parents and roomie were stellar. For being in River North, you would think this place would be loud, expensive, and over rated, but its not. You can still carry on a conversation, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and the food is out standing. I will definitely be back and recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Jamie A.
First the good news- Cantina Laredo serves the best carnitas that I've ever tasted. It's tender, flavorful and served in large portions. The guacamole, made tableside, is also very good. The drawback here is that service is a bit too quick. I got the feeling that turning the table and getting the next guests seated was more of a priority than making sure that my table was having a memorable and pleasant experience (even after i mentioned that we were celebrating a birthday). Still, I'd eat here again, but next time I'll have the expectation that I'll be in and out in an hour.
(3)Jessica N.
Came here with my grandparents last night (I have super hip grandparents) and had a great time. They had been before and were excited to show it off to me. It was 7pm on a Tuesday and my grandmother asked to be seated in a "quieter" section. The hostess was very friendly and escorted us to an empty section of the restaurant. The noise was still bustling but none of us minded. The table side guac, as everyone says, is fantastic. If you have been to Adobo, it is similar to that. Fresh, yummy and made just the way you like it. They also had two salsas one hot one mild, both very yummy. My grandmother ordered the reg mojito and it was huge, delicious and beautiful with lots of limes and mint. I had the pomegranate margarita which was STRONG! Like, almost too strong (this was a night with the g'rents after all) The server was very friendly and helpful. We ordered beef fajitas (tender delicious med rare meat) Tamales barbacoa (yummy! Very diff, with artichoke, spinach and mushroom in with the meat) and tacos carinitas (also yummy) and everyone was happy with their dish. Valet was $11.95 but the red line is nearby, if you can swing that instead. And of course, cabs are abundant. Bottom line: there is lots of great authentic mexican in Chicago and if you want that, you should go to Pilsen or to one of the many great places on the Northside. But if you are downtown, and looking for a nice dinner this place has really delicious Mexican fusion (my grandmother was calling it mexish) strong, very well made drinks, delicious guac, a great atmosphere, and friendly service. I am a fan and looking forward to trying more of the menu.
(4)Lauren S.
Margaritas are simply to die for, and I love that they make the guacamole to taste for you. A little pricey, but well worth it for the drinks and guacamole. The dishes are good but nothing that blew my mind, so I marked it down a star.
(4)Ronnie P.
If you're searching for unique, unbeatable Mexican fare, skip cantina Laredo. While The food is generally good and the chips are excellent (thin and crispy), the food is just "good" and a little overpriced for the taste value. Perhaps one is paying a bit more due to location and the ambiance. to be fair, this venue is certainly upscale for a mexican venue, with a modern, open feel. Try the mahi-mahi tacos and shrimp enchiladas as well as the mango tres leches cake. The best time to visit: during happy hour! Incredible value upstairs where a dimly lit bar is well staffed with attentive, friendly servers. A perfect place after work or as a shopping reprieve. The floor to ceiling windows allow the city to invade the space where a fireplace keeps guests cozy in the winter. The margaritas are tasty, and on Mondays, they feature a top shelf margarita for just five bucks. Be sure to try the tacos, shrimp flatbread and the queso (the liquid, tex-mex kind!). Skip the guacamole; It doesn't live up to the hype.
(3)Kelli W.
Had dinner with hubby and our three kids (16, 9, 8). Food was great, especially the salsas. It was a little noisy but that was fine because my kids are always loud anyway. Service was very fast and friendly. There was a mistake made with one of our meals but it was quickly corrected. Margaritas were a bit strong (seems like an odd complaint) but our server was very happy to make it a bit weaker for me and then the second one came out just right! Price was what would be expected in downtown Chicago. Overall a fabulous experience
(5)Jeff N.
Loved the Enchilada de Barbacoa, filled with brisket and monterrey jack cheese. Chips and salsa fresh and tasty. Service very attentive. Atmosphere (went during lunch) is great. This place is only a couple months old. It should do very well here. Will definitely return.
(5)Eme L.
The space is beautiful, the concept is interesting (if not particularly original), but their execution made it a pretty ho-hum experience. I'll chalk this up to needing to work out the kinks, but they should also work on giving the food some "umph". It's clear that they work with quality ingredients, but something seemed to be missing from each dish (salt, heat, whatever.) Everything was pretty bland. Even when we asked for the guacamole to have some heat, we couldn't taste any pepper in it. I see this as probably more of a drinks/appetizers/nightlife sort of spot.
(2)Jim L.
Great mexican resturant near the Mag Mile. We had the combo fajitas and the carnitas were awesome! Excellent Service
(4)May K.
i expected the food to be better given the nice ambiance and great location of the restaurant. I had their red snapper which was the special of the night, it tasted a little burnt. Didn't have the fresh guac so I won't comment on that. However, their appetizer is pretty refreshing. And dessert is delicious too. We had the Flan, and it's great for a light dessert. In terms of service, like some of other reviews have mentioned, the servers don't seem well-trained. Our server was never really around when we needed service. They are friendly though. I will come back again just for the nice decor in the restaurant and maybe try their magarita next time.
(3)Stephanie F.
I went here with a group of friends during the week, no wait for a table, cute decor, so far so good! My 3 stars are all for the starters. We got chips and queso and gaucamole, which is made fresh right in front of you. I LOVE guacamole, so that pretty much sold the place for me! For my main course I got some sort of taco dish, I want to say the chicken tacos? Anyways, there wasn't any flavor, at all. It was really disappointing after the awesome guac, but oh well. I'll definitely come back again for the guac and to try something else that will hopefully be a little tastier.
(3)d b.
This place is a large open beautiful room..the guac and salsas are very good...the drinks,excellent(the caborita)..however,while we sat at the bar we were treated like red headed step children....we were overcharged and upon pointing it out were totally made to feel like we were causing a problem....look out for the JOEY FATONE looking manager/bartender....not a nice guy!!!
(2)Heather H.
Ok so we usually go to Uncle Julio's and we get the same thing and it's always great fresh hot not overcooked and not dry and homeade tortillas that are hot and not dry!~ So we decieded to try something new! We were disappointed! We started out with tableside gaucamole which was good and then ordered dinner I did the combination fajitas steak & chicken and it came out literally 2 minutes later which seems odd and it was dry and very overcooked so to me that means it's already cooked and just sitting back there so disappointing and the flour tortillas dry and luke warm package style! It's not to hard to mess up fajitas but I guess if it's precooked and overcooked then you can! will never go back! bummer cause it's a beautiful restaurant! Uncle Julio's is the best!!
(1)Meghan A.
I'm surprised to see so many terrible reviews, because I had lunch here today and enjoyed it. I had the oaxaca cheese enchiladas and they were really good. Love the fresh-made guacamole and their tortilla chips. Our server was attentive. Loved the modern, classy atmosphere. Not the best Mexican food I ever had (and if you like it super authentic, this isn't the place for you) but it was a good lunch and I'd like to come back to try a margarita and maybe one of the desserts, which looked AMAZING.
(3)Trixy D.
I had passed by this restaurant many times but had never gone in because it looks a lot more swanky than I usually feel. Finally decided on a whim, to go in last week because they had a board outside touting half price appetizers at the upstairs bar, (and I needed to get out of the rain)! Atmosphere was very nice, fairly upscale but I was comfortable in leggings, boots and a sweater, and carrying my groceries in a sack. Great fireplace blazing on the south Wall, lots of cozy looking booths and tables surrounding the bar, but I opted to sit at the bar and enjoy a Margarita and an order of their little crab cake appetizers. The margarita was pricey ($12.95) but DELICIOUS, they offer warm crispy tortilla chips and two varieties of salsa with your order, and the crab cakes, (for a place that does Mexican) were really very good, and looked even better, with a drizzle of something green (it was good!) over them. The bartender Luigi took good care of me since they were not busy yet at 4:30 in the afternoon, and the waitress Hailey was very friendly as well. When your food is half price and you get the free chips and salsa as well, you don't mind shelling out $25 for a couple of really good drinks and good conversation. Will definitely be back.
(4)Susan C.
I went here last night and when I walked in I was very excited because the decor and ambiance is great. Well that was where the excitement ended...the food is completely underwhelming...very bland and boring and why in the world do they serve green beans with the rice besides making no sense they were horrible..I don't plan on returning.
(2)josie w.
Stiffest margaritas in town! Carne assada was great! Nice interior! I guess this used to be a fire station? That might explain the "fire wall"...
(5)Luis B.
Solid Mexican food and definitely worth if it you are in the area. Not place that is worth going out of your way for, but if you are in the area it's good. The place is actually very beautiful and comfortable and the margaritas are top notch. I think one complaint is some of the sides. Some people at my table ordered dishes that came with the Mexican entree, rice and green beans? What the? It's like serving tacos with rice and mashed potatoes. It's just weird. Definitely not a bad place, but not quite a 5 star rating on yelp.
(4)Jonathan S.
Great food, you must try the guacamole. Good service and great drinks. It was a bit loud, but then again, it was a Friday night so that was to be expected. I will dine here again.
(5)Parker A.
Sorry, but for the price this place is so not worth it. The guac they make at the table is pretty good, but it should be for what they charge. Maybe it was just what I had, but the food reminds me of Applebee's or Chi-Chi's. The fish was so dry, and the green beans were so salty- I could just imagine them sitting in a prepackaged, pre-seasoned baggie in the kitchen before they were on my plate. They should have put less into the decor and more into the food.
(3)Nick S.
AVOID. Terrible customer service at best. Not only do they lose the reservation, but make us wait over a half hour to be seated and it made us just leave. Their hostesses are out of a marx brothers film and i've seen the US government accomplish more than them. Asked to speak with a manager and was denied. I gave them 1 star because I cant give negatives or take back my horrendous experience there
(1)Hugo P.
Loved the table side guacamole ... A staple at most Mexican restaurants. But portion a bit small for size of our group. Lots of flavor. The enchiladas camarones made up for it. Great big chunks of shrimp!! And the deserts,... Wow!! Mango tres leches was divine. But no expresso? That was a bit sad. Overall worth a repeat visit.
(3)Rebecca S.
Tacos de Barbacoa to die for! Guac tableside is fab. Order a skinny margarita to save calories- pure delight!
(5)Ashley B.
The decor at Cantina Laredo was awesome. I loved the fireplaces and the upstairs lounge. The guacamole and enchiladas were delicious - not to mention the yummmmmmy margaritas. I would definitely recommend this for date night, dinner with friends, after work drinks or all of the above!
(5)Gen T.
I had high expectations for this place but after having dinner there on Thursday, expectations were crushed to say the least. For an appetizer we got gaucamole. For almost $10, I expect more than 1.5 avocados. Then I got the fish tacos - what the gauc lacked in avocados, the fish tacos lacked in fish. ... and the flan lacked in sugar. I was highly disappointed.
(2)Robert N.
We went to Cantina Laredo before seeing "Book of Mormon", The restaurant had very nice decor and the food was good but not great... there wasn't ever that "yum" moment I was hopping for with an upscale Mexican restaurant... Don't get me wrong the food was tasty but with dinner for two coming in at right around $90 I would have wanted a little mor. We enjoyed the table side guacamole, brisket tacos, chilean sea-bass special, and the house margaritas. I think 3.5 stars would be a fair rating.
(3)Elizabeth L.
With its crisp, clean aesthetics and pseudo modern-Southwestern architecture, Cantina Laredo's appearance screams "Eat here, tourist who wants a 'nice' meal in the big city who is too scared to venture outside your culinary comfort zone!" Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the food lives up to every ounce of that expectation. My fiance and I dined here a couple of weeks ago on a whim, we started with the tableside guacamole, which was decent enough and two house margaritas, which were suitably strong. I ordered the carne asada and he ordered the mole enchiladas, the first sign of the impending disaster was the fact that our entrees came out literally less than five minutes after we had ordered. Our guac barely had a dent in it. Seriously? Who fires entrees when an appetizer has barely been touched? How can an entree be properly assembled/prepared in under five minutes? The answer: microwaves! My carne asada was ok, the steak was properly cooked to the medium rare level I had requested, but the flavor was lacking. The shocker was the mole enchiladas, not only did the mole taste more like fesenjan than a proper mole, the side of "seasonal vegetables" was microwaved zucchini! I can think of at least three things wrong with that, 1. zucchini is NOT seasonal to November, 2. zucchini takes maybe 3-4 minutes to properly saute, and 3. who serves zucchini with an enchilada?! After my fiance ordered a second margarita because "I'll need something to wash this food down" the service manager came over to talk. He was nice enough, but the fact is that despite the gorgeous building and fantastic location, Cantina Laredo will not survive in a city with such a great Mexican scene.
(1)Barney O.
I have been to CL on several occasions (the last time on 11/17) and found the service has been excellent on each occasion. I typically order the casa ritas, which have been well made (they are excellent) and consistent each visit, the chips and salsa have been equally good. As a non meat eater the fish tacos, enchilada de avocado, daily fish special (this week was swordfish) and the mango tres leches can be recommended. The table side guacamole could be better as it was a little bland even with all the additions but I have never had the problem with over salting/lime that others have encountered. The ceviche was a little heavy on the oregano for my taste but otherwise no complaints Someone said CL should be afraid in Bayless country, having eaten at both establishments CL is the better, less pretentious experience.
(4)Allison W.
Went to Cantina Laredo with some work folks. We were on our way elsewhere but the outside of this restaurant is so beautiful that we decided to change plans and give it a try. We weren't disappointed! I had the Cinco Rita, which combines 5 different tequilas & liquors. Needless to say, I only needed one of those for the evening. The quac and chips were great and constantly being refilled. Everyone enjoyed their meals, which were very reasonably priced (in relation to the ambiance, not to the fact its mexican food), and the service was superb. I had to leave early, but was told the next day that I made the "biggest mistake of my life" by leaving before dessert. Exaggeration? I'll have to go back to find out!
(4)Chris H.
No complaints, great time! A little expensive, but given the location this shouldn't be a surprise.
(4)Nick T.
I came here for my birthday dinner on Saturday and they gave us a VIP room. The service was good. They brought us tons of tequila shots and Magaritas, and the nachos were to die for. The food was great too. And they gave me a brownie cake for my birthday.
(5)T R.
Go! From the outside, the place is gorgeous and completely stand out amongst everything else there is look at in the area. Absolutely beautiful and intriguing. We went five days after its opening, while the manager called it the slow opening they expected, every seat in the house was taken and a 45 minute wait was established. The up and downstairs have a slightly different feel and two completely different menus! That a lot of options to choose from and so much for the staff to handle. And Laredo offers it with enthusiasm and confidence. The upstairs ambiance is topped off with the option to open all the long windows and is basically open air. The food is fantastic and surprising (and utterly affordable). The place stands out in a city packed with restaurants and places to go. And you need to go! Well done Laredo.
(5)Gfiddy F.
Totally think this place is great.
(5)Mark M.
This was my fourth time visiting Cantina Laredo and it was not the best experience. We decided to sit at the bar this time, instead of a table. The service was terrible. Now, had we been women, it probably would have been better. The women around the bar (that weren't with men) got a lot of attention. We, on the other hand, were practically invisible to the bartenders. The women got free drinks and free food while we got ignored. If I go another time I will not sit at the bar.
(2)Natalie J.
Service was terrible---even after we were done with our meal, we were still unsure who our waiter was. Portion sizes were pathetic- 12.95 for one enchilada, and the ten dollar guacamole serves two people. Also we got chips and salsa plopped down on our table but it took 15 minutes to get waters. (We only finally got waters because I begged a busboy.) Like I said, we never actually saw a waiter. Don't waste your money or your time.
(1)Lauren K.
So I'm from San Francisco and have lived in California all my life, so have high expectations for Mexican food. This place was just OK. It definitely has beautiful decor and a nice vibe, but really that's the extent of it. First of all, the food comes WAY too fast. When I'm having a meal that is going to cost $100+ for 2, I want to be able to enjoy it, not feel rushed. We placed our orders and our food came out literally 5 minutes later. It felt awkward and my drink hadn't even come yet. Who gets food before their drink?? We got the guacamole (it was just OK) and I had chicken tacos, and my boyfriend had the shrimp fajitas. Both were just OK - I would say not much better then Chevy's, but certainly more expensive. If you want a fun vibe, good for groups, etc, then this place would be good. But if you're going just for the food, go somewhere else!
(3)Jason S.
Food was enjoyable and service was efficient despite it being recently opened . The guacamole and tamales were well above average. However for the location, size, and press we were not overly impressed and slighly dissapointed especially on price and the fact that they were not giving out reservations and walked right in and found a seat.
(3)Meela P.
Great date place! Beautiful atmosphere! Uber fancy! Great service, ask for Melissa.
(5)Lauren M.
My husband and I ate here last night before the Ben Folds Concert at the Chicago Theater. We didn't know anything about this place and just came across of when trying to find parking. The space is very modern and sleek. We sat in one of the booths which was super comfy. We order margaritas to start, which were delicious! They brought out some great salsa to enjoy with chips too. We ordered the slow cooked brisket tacos and the chicken enchiladas to share. Both were delicious! The only complaint was that some of the brisket was slightly dry, but the the favors were so delicious. The food arrived really promptly, which was great as we were on our way to a concert. We shared churros for dessert which came with a chocolate raspberry (liqueur) sauce - yum! Everything was great and the prices reasonable too. With tax and tip we spent approx $70. I'd definitely return here but not for a lengthly evening, as dinner was over quite quickly.
(4)anthony t.
Beautiful place and great decor. Food was ok but I think Mercadito is better. I do have to say the place is real nice and in the summer it will be nice to have drinks upstairs with all of the windows open.
(3)Annie C.
Big disappointment. The restaurant makes a terrific first impression, but in the end is incredibly overpriced for the quality and quantity of food delivered. The guacamole is described as serving 2-4. In the end, it was made with one small avocado and the table-side server ignored our request for light cilantro. The portion barely served two and would never have served four people as an appetizer dish. Entrees were average at best. Two of us shared guacamole, each had an entree and two drinks and our bill was over $100 before tip.
(1)Megan B.
For starters, this place is beautifully decorated! However, I called to make a reservation for a party of 15 at 10pm. Upon arriving a little late for the reservation, we were told that last call for food and liquor was 11pm. Don't you think upon making the reservation I would have been notified? We had to quickly decide upon tapas and drinks and get our orders in before 11pm. What place in downtown Chicago closes at 11 on a Saturday night? The wait staff did not attempt to help us meet the time limit placed on us. Instead, the waitresses flirted with the bartenders while we were waiting to even order drinks. After asking for our neighboring tables waitress, she proceeded to walk up to our friends table with attitude. It's not my fault you had a long shift and you wanted to go home. I'm hungry and want to spend money at this place! Such a nice atmosphere, but our first experience was ruined by a couple mishaps.
(1)Brent K.
Went there this Saturday night with a group of friends...the food & drinks were excellent. The guac is a must try. Service was good although a bit slow but what do you expect for prime time on a Saturday night. We will definitely be going back here.
(4)Kevin T.
Have been here twice, once for dinner and another time for drinks with clients. Both times, I have throughly enjoyed my experience. Living downtown, it is refreshing to have a nice atmosphere to have drinks that are nowhere near overpriced. $5 for a draft beer, $6 for a Kettle/ tonic... don't mind if I do. Tara was our waitress and adorable. She picked out what we should eat and were happy to have the Sea Bass and the Enchiladas Veracruz. Very light and well portioned.. (at times, I leave Mexican food places feeling overfed and unhealty.) The bar staff is fun, Teena and Jason were both very attentive and kept us there much longer than we intended. Cabo Margaritas are STRONG... be careful! Cons- there are a TON of staff members floating around and it can seem like you are getting bombed by "Can I get you this or clear that" moments. It gets a bit annoying when you are trying to have a nice dinner. Good spot for happy hour, good bar crowd, fun and new atmosphere.
(5)Yale S.
My guest spilled her drink and the waiter gave her a new glass without any additional charge. That kind of automatically makes this place a 4 star in my book even though the food was not so omg-awesome-great. My Barbacoa tamale was a bit dry but the guacamole was pretty delicious.
(4)neal s.
We have been watching the construction of this new restaurant for what seems like an eternity. It has been well worth waiting for Three of us ate here Saturday night at their "soft opening". This week they are offering a limited menu at 1/2 price as they work out the kinks before there official opening this week. We didn't see any kinks in the service and the food was very good. We had an excellent guacamole that was prepared table side. The carnitas, brisket tamale and seafood enchiladas were all very good. I am updating this review because in the last two times I have been here (total of 3) I left thinking that things are still pretty disorganized and that the food has slipped a notch. The food is still good, don't get me wrong. I think they brought in the "A" team initially for the launch (this is a chain, but a nice one), but since that time they have not been able to sustain what was so great initially.
(3)K. A.
Very good authentic Mexican food. The made-to-order guacamole is AMAZING! I went there for lunch and was not disappointed, although I had so much chips, salsa and guacamole I couldn't finish my meal when it came but I also had the quesadillas and everything was really good. Staff was accommodating and friendly and I overall had a very pleasant experience there. I'd definitely go back!
(4)Jill S.
This place is outstanding! We actually ate upstairs in the "lounge". The upstairs actually has a completely different menu from the downstairs, and it is amazing. With an amazing view of the city, it is quite swanky and the servers are beautiful, extremely nice, and very competent. Our margaritas were phenominal and the food...O.M.G. If you go, you have to try either of the flatbreads. Be careful with the chips, however. They are very addicting and might make you spoil your appetite. That's probably the only negative thing I can think of. You've got to try this place.
(5)Deez N.
i go here for the mon-fri happy hour special. half off those flatbreads is such a great deal. i find the tequila flight to be a great deal too. really enjoyed the corzon anejo tequila. the decor is so clean and nice inside. love what they did to the place. now, i have yet to eat a meal or go for dinner here because im afraid its goin to be one of those loud packed places thats over priced. so im just reviewing it for its happy hour, which i will summarize by saying, one of the best deals in the city. those flatbreads are great.
(4)kelly c.
My husband and I have come here before on the weekends with our friends and had great service and food. So.... we decided that when they advertised having half off food in their upstairs area for national taco day (October 4th) we were excited to go there for dinner. Since my husband and I both work in the loop and our son goes to daycare downtown we picked him up and headed over for dinner. We figured that since they have a kids menu and on yelp it says they are kid friendly we would try it out. We couldn't have been more wrong. We went upstairs (because the specials are only available upstairs) and sat down on some chairs that were available. There weren't any actual tables available and the high chair they brought over didn't have any sort of table. We asked if it was possible to sit downstairs and still order off the specials menu given that we had a child and we needed a table for his food. I should also note that not a single table was taken downstairs and the place was empty. We were told that wasn't possible and that we weren't allowed to order from the specials menu downstairs. They were very unfriendly toward us and I felt that they were upset that we had brought a child to the restaurant. We ended up leaving and going to Hub51. Hub51 was much more accommodating for our child. In fact they were so amazing that we plan on making it our weekly friday night spot to get dinner. It's too bad because I really liked the food at Cantina Laredo when I ate there in the past. But given the way we were treated tonight we won't be going back.
(1)M S.
Cool location and look. Went on Friday so there were business people, tourists and small groups seeming all happy to be there. Many kinds of seating/eating choices from booths, tables, at bar (upstairs or downstairs), in club chairs near fire, etc. Attire ran the gammit but mostly businessy as it was earlyish. A very happy vibe by guests which is rare. Hostess stand is too dark and we just walked right by as they were seemingly too busy. Went to main bar first, but opted to move upstairs. Ordered mojito (regular) and it was too sweet for me. Might wanna tweak it (I had to ask for soda water to tolerate second half). Their house margarita is not good as voted by all three of our group! In fact we all slowly and I mean slowly finished them. They are too sweet for a reg margarita (but we couldn't determine why it was a bit sweet), not tangy enough, and only taste tequilla. Now the food-yum yum yum. Chips and salsa are amazing just to start, tableside made guacamole (we got it spicy) was the best I've had in city and a large portion as well. Also ordered flatbread with fajita steak (it was awesome-note the salsa on bread had cherries which we mostly picked off). These two apps were plenty for three ladies with cocktails. We would also recommend you ask for larger plates than the too small ones they give you at start or your food will be all over table. Rooms are not loud, in fact I don't recall any music. Upstairs bathroom weirdly dark in stalls. Server was nice and attentive... For sure going back!
(4)Julie L.
Came here over the summer after a kayaking trip. They had an awesome happy hour special upstairs and guacamole made right at our table. We had our table in front of the floor to ceiling window area which was fun to just watch the busy street. My tacos were pretty wonderful and so was my margarita! The happy hour special made it worth it I remember our bill was pretty much half of what it would have been. I would definitley recommend this to everyone
(4)James E.
The food was great and served quickly. The Bar tender, drinks and atmosphere were top notch. I would definitely come back in spite of the impersonal wait staff and rushed meal.
(4)Gabriela A.
Don't go here. Bad service, average food. (They took our chips away when the basket was half full-we weren't done -how rude!) Our waiter wasn't very good, and wasn't pleasant until he brought over the bill. If that wasn't bad enough, they took my friends drink before she was done. Waiters, please ask before you take plates, drinks away. It was a Thursday night, so not that busy. Won't be going back. Ever.
(2)Aakash P.
My family dropped by the place on our first night in the city. I've walked by this restaurant on prior occasions in the past, but had never visited. Also, this place had been recommended by a few friends. The dining experience started bad with a very bland guacamole (which was made at the table) and chips which weren't even close to being cooked. Also, the food took forever to come out. The atosphere was great, but the food was mediocre at best. We got the chicken fajitas, veg enchiladas, chicken enchiladas and tacos de hongos. If I come back, it will be for drink is the evening.
(2)Lim K.
While looking for a different place to eat downtown, we decided to try Cantina Laredo. As we walked in we saw the happy hour sign and headed upstairs. We seated ourselves by the window. Great view. The lounge chairs were very comfortable but they were a little short for the table. During happy hour the food was 1/2 price but not the drinks. A basket of warm chips and two kinds of salsas were served. For drinks, my daughter had a beer and I had a blood orange sangria. We ordered tuna taco, ceviche veracruzano, and flatbread with shrimp, goat cheese, pineapple and chipotle sauce. The tuna tacos were fresh and tasty. We did not care for the ceviche as the seafood was over cooked and it lacked seasoning. The flatbread was good. The salsas for the chips were bland; both of the sauces tasted about the same. Good service.
(3)M A.
We needed Mexican food yesterday. All that we needed was somewhere we could sit down, eat, and go. Better than expected, for sure. We were sat immediately. We had the brunch entrees, and they come with a comped drink (mimosa, bloody maria, etc) which was great. The fajitas were really great. I had the fish of the day, which was wonderful. There is something to be said about appropriately sized food portions. In Chicago, food portions are either massive or microscopic. Everything was what we wanted - my only "complaint" was that the server didn't introduce himself to us by name. I don't know why, but that drives me nuts. Otherwise, great location, food is good, and service was good. Will definitely go back.
(4)Christine R.
This is a great place for lunch and they also have an excellent happy hour (5pm-7pm) in their lounge upstairs. During the happy hour all food on the menu is half price and the portions are great sizes! We got the skirt steak tacos, stuffed jalapenos, and carnitas tacos in addition to several types of margaritas- it was all fabulous. The staff is friendly and accommodating. One piece of advice is to get their between 5-5:20pm if you are going for happy hour, it gets busy and everyone wants a table.
(4)Jamie M.
The wife and I popped in on a Thursday night around 6:15pm and were immediately seated in an empty dining room - within 30 minutes, the place was packed, with folks queuing up at the door and swarming the beautiful bar. The restaurant is drop-dead gorgeous, with deep tones and very, very minimal lighting (hint: if you want to be able to actually read the menu, you might consider a small flashlight - even our waiter complained about the "mood lighting" set in the front of the house around 7:00pm.) We ordered a couple of the drink specials, including a Ginger'tini and duo pomegranate and lime martini, both $11.00. The tableside "Topshelf Guacamole", $9.95, was a hit and gracious plenty for our two top - the portion, customized to our spice preferences by the "Guac Girl" using jalapenos, onions and dry spices - would have easily served four people. Add to that a generous basket of chips and two types on salsa - an ice-cold green tomatillo, the second a warm, salsa + enchilada sauce dip. The shrimp, scallop and fish ceviche app was the homerun of the evening, and at $8.99, the massive portion featured some pickled veggies and long, tostado chips as well. Fresh, tasty and, again, enough for four. Timing for the meal was spot-on, and the entrees popped out hot and fresh with our second round of drinks that included a $8.00 amber Mexican beer and a mojito ($12.00) with more foliage floating in the tall glass than most salads. The wife's Enchilada De Mole ($10.99) featured two tightly wrapped tortillas of chicken, about quarter-sized, in an overly-sweet, dark mole sauce sprinkled with raw sesame seeds - honestly, it tasted like the kitchen had run out of the classic, bitter sweet Mexican chocolate and simply substituted Hershey's syrup for the sauce. Very, very disappointing, and our server noted only a smattering of the portion had been eaten. Sadly my beef brisket tamales ($18.99) weren't much better - the two rather puny, three-inch corn tamales were horribly over-steamed, then appeared to have been snipped open, hollowed out and stuffed with a mere fork-full of brisket just before service. The masa was absolutely tasteless, with greasy brisket just sitting on top - which is why tamales are, historically, cooked with the protein inside the corn husk wrapper. Add to that a small portion of tasteless Mexican rice, and their "special" was a Tamales 101 failure. Our attentive, tuned-in server, noting we had left most of our meals on our plates, was very gracious, and offered us a lovely Mexican flan dessert as a comp for the mediocre meal. As new Streeterville locals, we'll certainly give the Cantina Laredo another try - especially to check out the awesome bar scene - but at $100+ for a "date night" two-top meal, we'll need our next round of entrees to be better than the local Chi Chi's restaurant
(3)Yvonne H.
Lackluster at best. I had the stuffed poblano pepper with a strip of steak wrapped (the official name escapes me). I received it at a lukewarm temperature, not acceptable. The drinks, ambiance, and guacamole were excellent along with service provided by Jesus. The steak wrapped entrée lacked flavor and tenderness and my husband's tortillas seemed boiled? Not what was expected for a birthday dinner.
(2)Nathan L.
Just came here for margaritas. Food is pretty decent considering its Chicago; can find way better mexican food in Texas or California. Margaritas are the best I ever had. Interior is awesome and beautiful. They handmake the guac in front of you which is pretty cool. I'm drunk as I type this and I definitely suggest their frozen margaritas.
(5)Marcie M.
I loooooooooove fun, fancy Mexican restaurants with over-zealous menu options and I love when the food is good. It was GOOD here but not GREAT -- which is OK. I truly enjoyed my mid-day margarita (house) and the table side guac was addictive. I definitely recommend those! I loved the seating and bar set up. Everything about the interior is very appealing, modern and fun. I had three different tacos and my favorite was the pork. The fish was alright and the steak was just "meh". SERVICE WAS HORRENDOUS. Roberto was slow, didn't check on us very often, avoided us when it came time for check out (even when my friend stood up and packed up her things) and never gave us our bill. We had to track down another waiter to request the check and then wait a very long time to pay. I hate to decrease a tip on something like that, but I did. It was a late lunch, with few customers and I have served tables enough to know when it's appropriate to get annoyed. This was one of those times. They lost 2 stars for it.
(3)Kyle D.
The good: Hand-made guacamole, good chips and salsa. Fantastic drink options. Good service. Great menu that had fantastic food. Everything tasted great. The bad: Noisy, very "fancy" vibe with tons of prissy people. The wait took forever to get a seat, and apparently they don't take reservations but we saw people going in like crazy and getting seated before us. Prices for apps seem high... Overall: A great Mexican restaurant with a great menu and vibe. Just expect it to be loud and expensive. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 9/10
(4)Karen D.
Quick to be seated on a Sunday evening for a group of 6. The guacamole was made right there in front of us and was absolutely fresh (but overpriced)! The table ordered fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos to share- it was like any ordinary mexican restaurant meal. The margaritas tasted like water.... Not worth ordering! I recommend ordering the mole enchiladas!
(3)Kathy T.
I had my birthday here, the service was very slow. It took an hour to get our drinks. The food took a long time to come out. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Food is terrible, service is awful. Stay away!
(1)G L.
Great place great food awesome margaritas; gluten free service and knowledge was a bit lacking but I'd still go back!
(4)Theresa V.
Awesome interpretation of modern day Mexican food! Fantastic atmosphere. Super clean inside. Love the fireplaces, gives it a romantic feeling. Great service. Great drink menu. Great place to start the night out!
(5)Amy R.
Would be 3 stars because the service kind of blows. We sat at the bar per hostesses instructions and it took FOREVER for us to order some food, and when we asked if we could order, the bartender seemed annoyed. Anyway! 4 stars because of the food and drink. The drinks are strong! And who can say no to table-side guacamole? We went for happy hour, where the menu is half off, so it's a great deal! We tried maybe 8 different dishes and they were all pretty tasty. I'd come here again for happy hour.
(4)Lefai K.
Pretty nice place. Kind of easy to miss as we walked by the restaurant easily as the sign of this place is not too noticeable, at least not to our group of friends. There was eight of us and all of us really enjoyed our food. The servers quickly gave us warm complementary chips and salsa -- the green salsa was pretty hot, but it hit the spot on the cold winter day. This place also makes your guacamole in front of you, which is pretty cool. The guacamole wasn't the best I've ever had, and it didn't really stand out. But it was delicious nonetheless. I ordered the chicken fajitas (my Mexican healthy choice go-to) and it was cooked terrifically. It had a choice of corn or flour tortillas and the usual sides of beans and rice. BATHROOM REVIEW: Honestly, I don't remember much detail to it... but I remember that it was very clean and well kept. Sit or squat? Sit!
(4)Yann P.
On a sunday night, just in the middle of town, we wanted to eat some simple mexican food, avoiding the typical heavy dishes you sometimes have. This place is a so-called modern mexican restaurant. I have to agree with this. The dishes are tasty as they should be, but instead of having one huge taco, you get three smaller ones, allowing you to exchange the different flavors with your neighbors at your tables :-) So that's perfect. A fun thing is that they have a table on wheels that they bring to you to prepare the guacamole in front of you and this allows you to choose the way you want to have it done. For the cocktails, thumbs up :-) Not to sweet for one, just the way i like it. For desserts, a brownie. Delicious. The weird thing though is that they bring it on a skillet and pour butter around it. I'm less of a fan of that, but I guess other people love it ;-) As for service, nice and friendly waiter. For the location: perfect location near the magnificent mile. The place is decorated in a modern and clean way, with plenty of space between tables.
(4)Alex R.
Accidentally made a wrong review here. Nice decorative place
(5)Christie M.
I love Cantina Laredo! I have a friend who works in the area and we recently came for drinks and dinner. I was taking the train downtown, and I was happy with it's proximity to the Red Line (Grand). First off, I have to say how gorgeous this place is. It was so classy and trendy and just beautiful from top to bottom. We were seated in a huge booth that was super cozy. In terms of food, absolutely get the table-side guacamole! They make you a huuuuge portion of guac in front of you, and you can specify ingredients and spice level for the guacamole. We also split an order of the fish tacos which were also great. I was craving fish tacos for a week after I had dinner here! Margaritas were good, the house marg is nothing special. Maybe next time I will try a different one. I will definitely be back for more guacamole and fish tacos!
(5)Taryn W.
I had some fairly high hopes for this place since it seemed to be a good match in price and ambiance to my favorite Mexican restaurant in Toronto, unfortunately, there were several weak points that I feel overall contributed to an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. Firstly, there were a couple small items that had they been fresh, could have been much better. For a restaurant which advertises an exceptional level of freshness, and does indeed make fresh guacamole right at your table, I was disappointed to note that the tortilla chips were cut from prepackaged tortillas rather than made fresh on site, yes this does make a difference, and was horrified at the taste of what was obviously canned beans in their refritos. Refried beans can be truly the most delicious thing ever, this was miserable. I may have overlooked these and given a higher rating had the entrees been good. My boyfriend enjoyed his fajitas tres, which was really just grilled meat, it was ok but was accompanied by those horrible beans and nothing to add balance to the salt. I ordered the enchiladas barbacoa and the meat was way over seasoned. I had ordered it with the ranchera sauce on the side and an extra side of mole sauce in order to try their mole, the ranchera was ok but not adequate to balance the salt of the meat. Let me point out here that I'm well known in my family as a salt fiend, so you get an idea of just how over seasoned this stuff was... The mole sauce was overly sweet, so I actually used a touch of it to balance the salt. For dessert I ordered the churros, they were a little on the tough side but I was more disappointed in the caramel. I'm not sure precisely what was off about it, perhaps it just needed a touch of butter, but it lacked richness. All in all I found the balance of flavors in these dishes to be woefully lacking in elegance, there was nothing refined about this food, and for the prices they charge, this is unforgivable. I guarantee you can find more elegant mexican food for dirt floor prices at your local mom and pop joint. I wish I'd done that in stead. If you're ever in Toronto, dine at Milagro Cantinas and you might understand where I'm coming from.
(2)Patience H.
I ordered a seafood rellano, which was flavorful and had plenty of shrimp. Our server, Mario, was attentive and helpful. We were a group of thirty, but we were all served quickly and efficiently. Later had the tres leches! Was light and flavorful!
(5)Brandon S.
The environment is cool. The crowd is OK. It was mostly the business crowd. The service is mixed. One bartender was very good, and the other was just OK. My only issue is that the menus upstairs and downstairs are different. I can live with that, but because each has its own kitchen you can only order from the menu assigned to your floor. It seems petty, but it annoys me. The food is solid. The queso fundido is OK. The barbacoa tacos were tasty. The chips were good. The salsa was OK. I would have preferred more flavor and a thicker mix.
(3)KtMila F.
Food is good, happy hour is awesome. The servers could use some help, the wait staff has been poor 2/3 times iv dined here.
(3)Martin C.
Came to restaurant on a slow Sunday and waited 30 min before I was waited on at my table... I asked for the manager and he simply said "oh I can take your order"! I love the food, but the service is getting terrible.... This was my favorite spot..:-(
(1)Julianne Z.
I am so glad I came here with my friends for Happy Hour, because the food was delicious and well prices with the HH specials! The entire restaurant is in a great location downtown and it works for watching games, dates, happy hours and anything. If you want HH specials though, you have to be upstairs! I had some great dishes and it cost very little! They also have great margaritas! Top Shelf Guacamole: It was freshly made at the table, aka this really cute lady came by and freshly cut the avocados and everything for us. It was super good and had a strong taste of spices in it. Tacos de Ahi Tuna: These were mini crispy tacos with huge chunks of ahi tuna, jicama slaw, chipotle aioli and more guacamole. The guacamole they put on the tacos was not that great, especially in comparison to the freshly made guacamole we already had. But I was shocked by how much ahi tuna there was in each bite and it was a very refreshing combination. Empanadas de Pollo: These empanadas were filled with chicken, poblano peppers and Oaxaca cheese and were also served with two kinds of salsa. I thought they were super delicious because they weren't fried to be crispy, but were nice and soft. The cheese flavor was a bit overwhelming, but the roasted poblano peppers added a really nice touch. I probably liked this better than the ahi tuna tacos.
(4)Jocelyne G.
Great food! Great atmosphere , friendly staff and bartender! Had the carnitas, food was great but limited tortillas to make a meal. Overall great for a small get together with excellent service
(4)Mike G.
great guacamole and margaritas. we stopped in early on a Friday. we chose the upstairs lounge for half price apps. the jalapeñoes stuffed with shrimp and jack were spicy and delicious. fresh made guac was spot on and the chicken empanadas were good too. it was a tapas style menu is great for couple or group sharing
(4)Kirsten H.
This review is mostly for the upstairs happy hour--half price small plates, yes please! I really enjoyed the little tuna tacos and the guac (and all those chips that just keep getting refilled on the table!) For drinks, I loved the ginger mint mango rita but once when I was trying to be good, I tried the skinny rita and regretted my choice (serves me right!) I've eaten in the main dining room once and it was also very good but it's always hard for me to justify full price when I can walk up a couple of steps and get similar items for half off...
(5)Mimi N.
I've eaten here enough times to officially say their "signature top shelf guac" is BASIC. I honestly think Chipotle's guacamole tastes a whole lot better. Other than that, happy hour upstairs is great M-F after 4pm. Half off food. Tacos are pretty decent. Chips and salsa are good too. Nice ambiance. Very modern. That guac just makes me sad! It should taste a lot better.
(4)Shana R.
This place was awesome! 7ish on a Friday and just the right amount of crowded without a wait for a party of 4. Started with the guacamole made table side and margaritas, the guacamole was awesome! There was a spicy option we didn't try but the medium still had a little kick. Chicken Tacos for my entree Were tasty. All around I went for standard Mexican staples and was happy with keeping it simple but well executed. Also, the server was amazing, though I'm sad to say I don't remember his name.
(5)Chris V.
When I walked up to the building I could not believe a building like this was in downtown Chicago on State Street. It looks like it should be in a beautiful dessert landscape where the windows and doors could be kept open all day long. I had a great vibe from this place from the moment I walked in. We were quickly seated and a waitress was quick to come over and take our order. I went with her drink recommendation of the Cinco Rita, which is there signature margarita with fresh squeezed lime juice and sweetened with agave nectar. Another plus is that the drink comes with an additional shot of tequila on the side to either take as a shot or to mix in with the margarita. Honestly one of the best margaritas I have ever had. We had the guacamole which is made table side and loaded with chunks on onion, tomato and jalapeño. They bring you chips and two kinds of salsa but if you ask for it they will bring a habanero salsa as well which was by far my favorite of the trio. We also ordered the Ahi Tuna Tacos, which are by far the best appetizer I have had in a really long time. i could have made a meal out of just the tacos!! The one complaint I have about the place is the slower than usual service, which wash;t awful but just slower than I expected. This is my first time at the restaurant and wasn't sure if it was just the waitress or if she was extra busy or what, but she was extremely nice, friendly and attentive. Finally the main course came and I tried one of their Signature dishes the Carnitas, which were fantastic!! I would recommend these to anyone. They were actually made with pork shanks which I had never seen before so it was a pleasant surprise and they literally fell off the bone not leaving an ounce of meat on the bone. I would have a hard time choosing something else if I went back. The other people at my table had the Camaron Poblano Asada, which was a poblano pepper stuffed with shrimp and cheese wrapped in carne asada and the Rellanos Camarones, which was a poblano stuffed with shrimp, corn, cheese, zucchini, mushrooms and spinach. I tried both of these and they were fantastic. I would not only go back to this restaurant but I would recommend it to anyone looking to eat in the area.
(5)Dan H.
The food is savory, the atmosphere is lively, service is sufficiently adequate (whatever that means). I was teetering on 3 stars, but I really have no complaints about the place,the tacos are delicious and well made, so I am giving it a 4-star reach. My opinion of Cantina is skewed mainly because I truly do prefer the hole-in-the-wall places, but if I am absolutely forced to eat Mexican in a civilized manner, this is the place I want to go. Biggest difference between Cantina and Mercadito is the level of swank and the type of food. This is more of a traditional, rice & beans type of meal that will fill you up, whereas Merc is tapas style.
(4)Nimisha T.
Very trendy! I've taken friends that were in town here twice and so glad I went back. The menu changed and I thought it was for the better. As a vegetarian, my options were limited the previous time but now there are a lot more things to choose from. This is a great place to go in River North that is trendy and nice to dress up for. It's in a really nice location as well if you want to go out afterwards.
(4)Leila T.
We had a couple drinks and they were decent. My margarita tasted like there was not much tequila in it at all, and I didn't really see the bartender pour anything other than a mix drink in a mixer bottle so I wonder if it even has any tequila.
(2)Mayra A.
We stopped by on a Saturday night around 10pm and this place was PACKED. We didn't even ask about the wait, we went ahead and grabbed the first seats that opened up at the bar. It's a nice atmosphere. Great decor! I got a Peach Skinny Margarita (could've been a little stronger on the peach) and my friend stuck to beer. We did have a problem with my food order: after 45 minutes I still hadn't received my appetizer so we asked and the bartender had forgotten to order it! I was a little annoyed, but another bartender fixed the problem. I was very impressed by the way he handled the situation. I wish I remembered his name! He got my food out to me within minutes and offered to buy us shots. We each had a shooter AND a shot, and they didn't charge me for my food or margarita! Walked out of there with a $12 tab after food, a margarita, 2 beers, 2 shooters, and 2 shots. THANK YOU!
(5)Magen R.
Had a nice dinner at Cantina Laredo last night. I met a good friend there to catch up over cocktails and dinner. We started with margaritas, she had the cranberry-ginger seasonal special and I had the pomegranate. I really loved mine and she was not as much of a fan of hers. We both went with the skinny lime margarita for our second margarita and loved them. They were light and refreshing, definitely worth trying! For our meal we started with the table side guacamole as well as their house chips and salsa. It was good but not very impressive. They did not have a lot of toppings to choose from. I really like a little citrus juice and corn in my guacamole and they did not have either of those things as a choice. It also could've been a little bit saltier. The chips that came with the dips were really tasty but were not hearty enough for dipping, lots of broken chips on our table! The salsas; however, were a huge hit as far as I was concerned. They were really flavorful and I appreciated how they brought two. For our meal we decided to split the queso with meat and the shrimp relleno. The queso was delicious but again the chips were not as hearty as they could've been for dipping. I loved the shrimp relleno. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and were very flavorful, I also loved the sauce that it was served with. The service at Cantina Laredo was some of the better service I've had lately. Our waitress was always around our table and attended to our every need. The ambiance at this river north spot was also great. The place is enormous so the tables are not too cramped together and it is a really relaxing spot to sit and enjoy margaritas and dinner. All in all I enjoyed Cantina Laredo but there are a few little things that kept it from being a four star go to spot.
(3)Steven M.
I'm sorry, Cantina Laredo, your entrees suck. Before I say anything else, the fresh guacamole was amazing (saving grace of the meal) and the ambiance is nice (typical for River North). The food and drinks though...oh my god. 30 bucks for a crummy "mojito" and a boring enchilada. Won't be back. The Enchiladas Veracruz sounds so awesome by the description! It is not. Terribly bland and I could taste the ingredients I was so looking forward to, but it was a mish mash of proportions that don't taste like much in the end. This wouldn't beat a very average $4 enchilada in a blind taste test. My two friends who got different enchiladas seemed similarly unimpressed. The Ginger Paloma mojito tasted like an undersweetened lemonade. Enough said about that. Service was ok.
(2)Ben B.
This place is great. It's really upscale Mexican fare. The interior is awesome. Much larger than you normally see in Chicago restaurants. And it's designed in a way that each table has some nice privacy to it. It really felt like we were the only ones there, even though the place was packed. I ordered the 3 Amigos margarita, and didn't care for it. It was one of these deals where you get half a frozen margarita and a Corona and tequila shot you're supposed to throw in there. Mixing alcohol = bad. Later, I ordered the casa rita (house margarita) and preferred that. For dinner, I went with the enchiladas de barbacoa. (Brisket and monterey jack cheese enchiladas topped with ranchera sauce.) These were AMAZING. Unfortunately, you only get two very small enchiladas. I could have torn through ten. I would happily return to Cantina Laredo. It only loses a star because the prices are a bit out of whack. The enchiladas were $14... but it's not much food. For two entrees, four (smallish) margaritas and two tequila shots, the total was over $100. You'd be better off grabbing a few drinks at a nearby bar, then coming here for dinner. But the food and decor are outstanding, so Cantina Laredo is well worth a visit.
(4)Anthony C.
As most people say, the table side guacamole is really good. My girlfriend and I went on a Saturday night. The interior of the restaurant is awesome. My advise would be to call in early and request a table by a window. Based on the reviews from Yelp, we called in 5-6 hours early to request such a table, but unfortunately, we got stuck in the middle of the building. The menu was pretty robust and had a lot of options. I stuck with the classic fajitas and wasn't disappointed. Was it the best Mexican I've ever had? Absolutely not. However, based on the ambiance, as well as the location, I'd most definitely go back.
(4)Nesreen B.
This place is awesome! I went there with a few of my friends and the ambiance is great for a night out with the girls. Or even with your loved one. Nice fire places. If you just want appetizers go to the second floor. They have windows surrounding the entire lounge. I definitely will go again!!!
(5)Alan L.
5 stars because we came in soaked to the skin and they still served us like normal people and a chef from the kitchen brought me a towel to dry myself with in the bathroom. Needless to say, service was excellent. Cantina Laredo actually wasn't our first choice for the night. But by that time, we had been caught in a torrential downpour and would have chosen anything if it got us out of the rain. We're lucky we ended up here. The restaurant has wide open spaces, stone paneling, and a super trendy bar. I could eat their salsa with every meal, especially the warm salsa.
(5)Vanessa C.
Overrated, overpriced...viva la River North! The chips and guacamole are delicious, the space is beautiful, and the brisket tacos are divine. The star off is due to: sub-par chicken dishes and they had no al pastor on my 5 visits - my litmus test for good Mexican food. I can't speak for the drinks, but they looked quite pretty.
(4)Aaron L.
Love this place! You definitely need to head upstairs between 5:00 - 7:00pm weekdays and take advantage of the half-price food! The chicken quesadillas are the best I've ever had and the jalapeno bacon wrap dates were also amazing!
(4)Tiffany O.
Stayed at the hotel across the street and ever time I walked by I couldn't believe how beautiful this restaurant was. I know the menu sounds simple but with prices equivalent to Chevy's (Tex-Mex chain restaurant), it is a great place to bring a date or even a big group of friends. The ambiance and restaurant is beautiful with simple Mexican food and with a full bar, you can't go wrong. There are a lot of delicious places to eat in Chicago, especially downtown, but I would definitely come here again. I would have to say that the ambiance trumps the food, but I had an enjoyable, lovely experience. I say come if you want simple food and a nice atmosphere. If you want to be adventurous and looking for foodie cuisine, I would check out another spot.
(4)Anna M.
Awesome ambience, Great prices for the area, and delicious Margaritas. PLUS bartenders with man buns. Not really sure what else you need for a late night fiesta.
(5)Meredith B.
The first time I came here, I was a total drunky McGee. I'd been at a barcrawl all day and though my friends and I had dinner here, I could barely remember any details of it. Fast forward to this last weekend, and I got the chance to return when I helped organize my friend's bachelorette party. She loves Mexican food so we came here to get her favorite type of food in a more classy environment than your average Mexican joint. It is a really pretty restaurant, dimly lit and trendy and sleek. Chips and salsa came right away, and we ordered three tableside guacamoles (one spicy and two medium) immediately. One guac is good for about 4 people. I had the spicy one, and it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy but you could definitely taste the heat from the peppers. The avocados were fresh and creamy. My drink was the La Bandera ("the flag"), a beautiful frozen drink with silver tequila, cointreau, lemon and lime juice, midori, and pomegranate liqueur. Delicious! I remember it being red and green, but must've been white too to match the colors of the Mexican flag. In any case, the red (pomegranate) sinks toward the bottom with the midori at the top and it's a very pretty, yummy effect! A great, sweet, refreshing drink for $9.25. All the drinks looked super delicious, and I know the bachelorette was very happy with her Casa Ritas on the rocks! I got the Tacos de Pescado (mahi mahi tacos), and they were really yummy. I ate all three. Tender fish, flavorful veggie slaw, and the chipotle aioli really made it special with a smoky taste. They aren't too filling, and you can easily finish the rice and black beans (yay, not refried beans!) alongside. This dish is $14 and I thought it was a pretty good deal for high quality food that wont' make you feel stuffed. It's fresh and not greasy. This is a really affordable place to get better than average Mexican (obviously crap Mexican is a lot cheaper) but I'm not a big fan of heavy food. This has all the flavors that are great about Mexican food but much fresher and tastier preparations. Service was friendly and attentive, especially given that we were a party of 12! I would be happy to come back and have more drinks and more yummy food.
(4)Billy W.
This place was pretty good. Their fish tacos were very good. The staff was friendly and they had space for our large party. Drinks were pricey but they were mixed properly.
(3)Lauren K.
One star because the food was decent although far far overpriced. The real reason I am writing this review is because the staff and management are completely distasteful. I left a sweater at the restaurant and realized the next morning - I called that afternoon once they were open and spoke with a very polite lady who confirmed that she had immediately located the item I had left behind and took my name to ensure that only I could retrieve it later that night when I told her I would come to get it. Once I got there, the staff was rude, unhelpful, and inconsiderate - they "looked" all over and could not find the item that had been put in a safe place just a few hours prior. When I told them the name of the lady I spoke with earlier, they told me they didn't even know someone by that name... Then suddenly they did and they "called her" after I became frustrated. The whole situation was very sketchy and I have no doubt that something mischievous went on to ensure that I would be unable to retrieve my item. Completely disrespectful and unethical.
(1)Kelsey C.
I had the seasoned ground beef tacos, and they were delicious, but server forgot to have my onions and peppers taken off. My mom got some other tacos and they didn't bring the queso that came with it. Otherwise, food was very good, especially the salsas. I wish they had fried ice cream on the menu, but as a whole, I would go back again.
(4)Perla C.
Food is good, great shrimp tacos, ahi tuna crispy taco and mojitos ... Skip the chicharrones salad, really not worth the price nor the calories. Service, ambience and location is great, tortillas could be fresher and warmer :/ guacamole could be with good hass avocados. Salud with a very good mojito!
(3)Carl D.
I ordered the Ahà tacos, I was not very impressed. The chili queso was basically nachos with cheese. Mole enchiladas not that great either. The chicken shrimp Escondido was actually good, but the green beans were hard. The mojito and Margarito were good. Overall the location, ambiance were good. But the food lacked any real flavor. I would NOT return
(1)Padma A.
It was packed and fortunately, we had a reservation.The tableside Guacamole was a good start to our Friday dinner but the chips left much to be desired. We were recommended the mango pepper margarita which was real red bell pepper in the drink and we were expecting something else, it was okay. The main course was really good we ordered Veggie Enchiladas and Veggie Fajitas. Our server Alejandro was very courteous and paid attention to our requests. Would like to go back and try the meat entrees.
(4)T B.
Great place, fantastic service, really good margaritas and great food. Nice large scale modern atmosphere. Hard to go wrong here if looking for good Mexican.
(4)Liz K.
In one word, swanky. The most upscale Mexican restaurant I've been to. Nothing wrong with that, just not quite my cup of tea (or shot of tequila in this case, perhaps?). We came on a dead Thursday night, so there was room at the bar before we were seated for dinner. I arrived later than my friends and so stood behind two of them to talk - wasn't even acknowledged by the bartender for at least 10 minutes. We didn't stay at the bar for a long time though, and ended up at a nice round table for 6 people (those are my favorites!). Once we were seated, Casa Rita margaritas in hand, we ordered guacamole and the lady with the supposedly magical cart rolled on over to us. We asked for it to be medium. I didn't get any spice at all in any of my bites, but poor Emma K had a bite that was too hot to handle when she accidentally scooped up a whole chunk of jalapeno. Overall it wasn't my favorite guacamole because it was heavy on the cilantro, light on the lemon and avocado itself, and light on the spice (for the rest of the dish). But of course I ate it, it's guacamole! I ordered the Enchiladas Veracruz, which I thought were an inventive spin on enchiladas (chicken plus spinach - so simple, yet so foreign for me in a Mexican dish). I wasn't a huge fan of the zucchini that came on the side because they tasted buttery and did not mix well with the rice or my enchilada itself. I would have preferred a stronger flavor with a little more kick, or maybe just plain with salt - not buttered. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals and I did see more enchilada-type dishes that looked appetizing on the menu. Otherwise, I think I'd steer clear of the middle section of the menu - looks way too pricey for my cheapo expectations of Mexican food. If you'd prefer the down-home, authentic style of the hole-in-the-wall Mexican place, I'd skip this one for now. But, for the Mexican-food lover looking for an upscale atmosphere and presentation of your favorite foods, try Cantina Laredo.
(3)Mark L.
If you want decent food with the worst service ever, then this is the place for you. We went after seeing some decent reviews, but we sat at the bar on the first level at 1030pm and we couldn't have been treated worse. Last call for food and drink is 11, the bartenders ignored us, there were dirty dishes, glasses all over the sticky uncleaned bar. By the time someone acknowledged us, it was like we were being a pain for ordering a drink. The margaritas were just ok, but the service was rude and whoever is managing this place should hire some people who care, because even for a beautiful restaurant like this one (and the restaurant is gorgeous) terrible customer service will not get customers come back. Not a fan and will not be back.
(1)Hasti K.
The decor and atmosphere=4 The design was modern, spacious and beautiful with little indoor fire pits near the corner walls. There were doors that folded open to give a sense of outdoor seating, which is great for summer evenings. Food=3 The shrimp fajitas were flavorful. My boyfriend had the mole enchiladas; he thought the chicken was a bit dry and the mole sauce was minimal. In conclusion, the food was average-especially for such an ideal location with competition. Drinks=1 This was ultimately my main disappointment. The margaritas they are known for were watered down and too sweet. I tried another type of margarita and couldn't take more than one sip. If they had more sophisticated and elaborate drinks, I would have honestly given 4 stars.
(3)Lu N.
In the mood for good quality and fast delivery of Mexican food...Then cantina Laredo is the way to go! Husband had steak taco meal he loved it. I had the Camaron Poblano Asada and it was fantastic! It came with free chips and two kinds of salsa! Food came fast and hot! We decided to eat in the restaurant one day and I ordered tacos and for some odd reason it was inedible. Most likely won't be eating there again. :(
(3)Greg O.
Knew this place was here before we arrived and told the people I was with that this place is a must. Everyone loved it and we tried several dishes. You can't go wrong here, and their tableside guacamole is the best I've had. The one in Dallas is just as good.
(5)rashidah s.
I dined here during my visit to Chicago. It was a brisk, windy day (surprise,surprise) so we were happy to sit by the fireplace. We ordered the sangria (red) which was delicious. The server arrived at the table with fresh (made in-house, of course) chips and hand mixed the guacamole to our preference of caliente. Delicious! I ordered the chicken and veggie enchilada. Perfect again. The dessert (an apple something with cinnamon ice cream) was tasty but not served hot or flaming as the menu suggested. Dinged a star for that, but maybe the waitress was new!
(4)Zach J.
Great guac, enchiladas, and atmosphere! One of my fav Mexican restaurants in the city.
(5)Annie D.
Delicious. Healthy. Fresh. Authentic. Classy. Friendly. I was just walking by in my way to a conference looking for something healthy and vegetarian to eat... And what a wonderful surprise. This place has it all.
(5)Jennifer C.
I like this place a lot! My hubby and I went in for lunch and really enjoyed everything. The chips and salsa were great, the diet coke was flowing freely, and the food was very good. To eat we had the brisket enchilada, carne asada and cheese enchilada, and mango tres leches. The brisket and cheese enchiladas were delicioso as well as the mango tres leches. The only thing that I wouldn't get again is the carne asada. For us it was just ok. I will definitively get the cheese enchilada and tres leches again. I know my hubby is going to order the brisket enchilada when we come back too.
(4)Mike S.
Pricey but very tasty. Beautifully laid out restaurant which is great for both dining out with the family or a night out with friends. Definitely order the tableside guacamole!
(4)Travis M.
Love the atmosphere very hip place . Delicious. The drinks are amazing. The kid that was our server referred to me as boss. Kinda ghetto. But even that couldn't ruin the great place.
(5)Curtis O.
I had some great short rib tacos! Perfect size portions for lunch. I'll bring some clients on a future visit. Bartender Rachael was spot on with her service. I heard her call several customers by name, so I guess they're all regulars. The manager stopped by and checked on me. I told him everything was perfect. I'm looking forward to margaritas next time!
(5)Randi M.
Uh, where do I start. Was strolling along State street around 6pm, shopping and making our way back to our hotel when I saw the half price food sign out front. I guess there is a sucker born every minute. Let's see, we don't drink booze so we just ordered soda. Don't think the server was too happy with us. We ordered the quac which I HATED. It had the strangest taste. I don't know what type of "spice" blend the lady used, but the guac tasted stale. I really couldn't stand it. Ordered the crab cakes and there was NO way in hell that was Jumbo lump crab as the menu stated. They were fin and back meat, probably pasturized canned crab. Tasty, but not lump. The shrimp tacos were terrible,. The corn tortillas were hard, the shrimp were overcooked. Just not good at all. I should have went back to Xoco or tried another Bayless restaurant. The service was terrible. We were basically ignored the entire time we were there. I had to get up and go get my own drink refill. Terrible service, woulnt go back even if it was free.
(2)MmeMorticia D.
Met a friend in the area and decided to give it another shot. We sat at the bar and this time I safely stuck with the tableside Guac and mojitos, the only stand-outs from my previous visit. Decor is still amazing but the service, when we would get it, was very dry, monotone and mechanical. After a few martinis, my friend decided he wanted to add fish tacos to the mix and like clockwork, was soon disappointed with the blandness of the first bite. His night never improved, most especially when he got the bill and it was slightly shy of $100.
(2)Maddie L.
It's yummy modern Mexican with an upscale, spacious layout...but they still have bottomless chips and salsa. The chicken nachos are meticulously prepared ensuring that each chip has it's fair portion of each ingredient on it. Basically art. The skinny margs were great too. They have lime, peach, and raspberry and you can't taste the "skinny" in them. The table-side guac is to die for of course...so fresh. Our service was perfect...but we did dine on a Monday at 6pm so take that with a grain of salt. I also noticed a great room for a big group with a long table that could seat about 20-25. The room was enclosed in glass doors which seemed trendy and made it look like it would feel more spacious. Good idea for a birthday/bachelorette party!
(5)Jigna S.
3.5 stars. Food was good, not the best Mexican in chicago, or even in the streeterville/north side area. We had the carnitas tacos, shrimp taco, and shrimp relleno. Shrimp was juicy and well cooked. The table side guacamole, fresh to order, also good but not great. Didn't try the drinks or check out the rooftop area on the second floor so will definitely be coming back!
(3)Denise V.
As a party of 13 with lunch reservations, we were EXTREMELY disappointed in the service. 1/2 hour to wait for a cocktail... 40 minutes for food. Our server was friendly, but needed to be asked a minimum of (3) times for a refill. We finally gave up and (2) people in our party bellies up to the bar to place our cocktail order (took only 7 minutes). Apparently, they are understaffed at the bar. NO, not for this shift, but on a regular basis (as quietly divulged to us by several people). The food and atmosphere is AMAZING (would have been a 5 star review), but if you want cocktails and QUICK service, this is NOT the place for you.
(2)Jennifer G.
Craving Mexican food, we have gone back twice since I wrote the last post. The first time, I stuck with a chicken and mango salad - figured it was better to get a dish that was supposed to be cold. It was good. But again - my margarita wasn't that great. Then we went for New Year's Eve and their special menu. We ordered their special champagne and margarita. Now - those drinks were delicious and you definitely felt it after two of them. The entrees for both my husband and myself were lukewarm - almost on the cool side. We sent them back and would you believe that the rice was still not hot when it came back? I know - you're probably wondering why we keep going back? The restaurant itself is really beautiful and I think the wait staff is really good, too. Next time (I can't help myself), I will ask beforehand to make sure my food is hot.
(3)Susan B.
Cantina Laredo is large but instead of the contemporary vibe that they were trying to go for, ends up feeling too big, cold and sterile. The menu seems just skimpy with a "wanna be upscale" selection. After being seated and watered, was sold the table preparation guacamole (and I mean sold! The bowls of avacado and limes are displayed on every table). Guacamole and chips were okay (nothing special but fresh), definitely enough for two or more. Lime juice used in the standard margarita was not fresh and tasted like a refrigerator. But the real problem was both the wimpy menu (without description or side choices) and the meal itself. I ordered the Carne Asada and was shocked when my plate came out. Without exageration, it had a 4" x 2", 2oz piece of meat (which was tasty enough) sitting on the saltiest salsa verde (chimichurri) ever, a a tiny enchilada and a little finger size strip of rice. One half (and I am not kidding) of the plate was dedicated to lettuce leaves, two tomato wedges and two strips of guacamole. C'mon! you just sold me a tub of guacamole and now half of my plate is made up of the same ingredients? Not impressed. The place is obviously trying so hard to be "cool" but with so many really great restaurants in Chicago who don't have to try so hard, cannot see this working out for them.
(1)Frido F.
What a great place to get some tasty Mexican food. Great vibe and nice wait staff. I had the fish tacos and was blown away. Try the guacamole too!
(5)deborah b.
I don't think that I have ever had a worse meal; the guacamole was watery, the chips and salsa tasteless; and I asked for tuna tacos with the tuna cooked well and it was brought out RAW. Everything was smothered in bitter onions. $40 dollars and the worst taste in my mouth.
(1)Rox C.
The upstairs lounge is a great place to have a drink! Friendly staff with free chips and salsa. Nice ambiance: fireplace in the winter and open windows in the summer! The table side, freshly made and personalized guacamole is also fun and delicious!
(4)Anna C.
Easily one of my favorite spots in Chicago. Both the drinks and the food are fantastic here; no matter how adventurous or how picky my friends are, I know that they will find drinks and food to enjoy here. The margaritas are to die for; ask anyone in Chicago! But what definitely keeps me coming back is the fantastic service. The entire staff is so knowledgeable and friendly; they are never too busy to pay attention to you. Tonight, M.J., a bartender, was so friendly and helpful in helping my friends and I decide what to get and to make sure we got our drinks quickly. Overall, a great restaurant.
(5)Kimmie R.
The food is good. The atmosphere is romantic and somewhat upscale. It's a busy place for a good reason! The decor is excellent! Roaring fireplaces, contemporary clean lines for furniture and clean upgraded bathrooms. ------ This is NOT... A place to mingle! Everyone has a date. A great place for a quick bite. It takes a while to get your food. A casual setting on a weekend. People are dressed up. You will feel ridiculous in a hoodie or Yoga pants. A good place to drive to! There's no parking close by and on a weekend the streets are flooded with people.
(4)Sarah R.
I came here for a quick drink before going to dinner with a friend at another restaurant. I ordered the Skinny Hornitos Peach Rita, which I loved. Hornitos with anything makes me happy. I work at a bar, so I've become a bit of a booze snob. I know what I like, and I won't drink just any brand/booze. This one was delicious! It wasn't too sweet, and I'm glad I got the skinny one for that reason! My friend got a drink the Cabo Flip. He liked it a lot, so that's good. I didn't try it. On the table when you walk in is a bowl with an avocado and a lime in it. So we HAD to get table side guac- I love when you can watch them make the guac in front of you. You can choose the spicy-ness and additives. It was tasty! A bit too salty, but usually guac is undersalted - so it's ok. There's also two types of salsa and chips on the table when you are seated. A mild and a spicier - the spicy is warm. Warm salsa, yummmm. The chips are thin, so they break easily. But I love thin chips! My friend got three tacos - ahi tuna. He said they were delicious. Although they were about $10... Our waiter hardly came by and wasn't too busy. That was disappointing. Overpriced drinks and food. Spotty service. But I would go back. I'm a total foodie, and the food looked divine.
(4)Dusty S.
Had a great post-business dinner alone at the bar at Cantina Laredo. Friendly staff, great food (Mexican with a modern twist) and reasonable prices. I'll be shaking off this stiff drink for a while, but it was much needed. ;-) Next time I'm in town I'll be back.
(4)Wendy L.
This place shines for its ambiance and decor, but food not so much. It's a reasonable choice for date night, especially if your date likes Mexican. The music is lively and the service is reasonable, not super quick but if you're having a great conversation, then it's perfect. It's loud, but not too loud where you have to shout to hear the person opposite you. They give you complementary chips and salsa; our chips were warm and fresh and I enjoyed the salsa. There's an extensive drink menu and their dinner menu also covers all the bases. We got barbacoa enchilada and carnitas tacos. I preferred the carnitas; the barbacoa erred on the salty side. The green beans that came with the enchilada tasted like cafeteria food and the rice was also sub-par. Overall, I was not impressed with either dish. I've had way better Mexican food at a cheaper price point. But I still had a great time :)
(3)Rob L.
So, I just heard they opened one up in Town Square in Vegas, HELL YEAH! My only request, if you're going to make the guacamole spicy per our request, make it spicy! The salsas were AWESOME! The menu was extensive and the stuff we ordered was ALL super YUMS! The Tamarind Margarita went down like water, trust, I had 4 without realizing it! They went down TOO easy! The chile relleno was AWESOME! Stuffed with SO much yumminess! I'm happy there's one here in Vegas! THANKS CHEEZUS!
(4)Andrew C.
Its a Solid 3 Star Spot. wondering why? I will tell you! The Decor is nice but its a little dark in the evenings for me. it doesn't exactly feel like a date spot but the mood lighting definitely will make you sleepy :) The staff is super friendly (WAY TO GO MIKE!) but on the back side the "bag check" they offer you at the front door is just putting your bag in the unlocked closet in the front...and in our case the waitress got off work when we went to pick up the bag and the guy that helped us had NO IDEA IF THE BAG WAS ACTUALLY OURS. So just say you should keep your bag with you or take the risk of some random person taking your dope Gucci :) The food was a mix of MEH and MORE! The Fresh-made-at-the-table-Guac was incredibly flavorful and exactly what I needed to start the meal. I mean the tacos were tasty but by the time I got them it was obvious that they had been sitting under a heat lamp for quite some time. the beans also had become hardened and dry from the constant heat and the rice didn't fare much better either. I'm sure if it wasn't under the heat lamp the food would have been GOOD but it wasn't so MEH! I will come back and try them again, because the staff was on their stuff (aside from the fiasco with the bag) so maybe it was just a crazy night in the kitchen.
(3)David S.
A solid three star joint. The house Margs were decent albeit they were relatively small to what I was expecting. The tuna taco app was pretty good. I had the Barbacoa enchiladas which delivered pretty good on the over taste scale. I'm not sure why other reviews complain about menu selection. I actually thought the menu was rather consice instead of including every combo of every typical Mexican ingredient.
(3)David B.
I am always wary of chains, but I've never been disappointed by Cantina Laredo. This was my 2nd or 3rd time there, and the food has always been top-notch. The table side guacamole is fun to watch being prepared and even more fun to eat. My entree of the stuffed green peppers (with shrimp and cheese) was delicious and makes my mouth water just uploading the photo.
(4)Joanna T.
Just another place where ambience and drink menu rule. So I would recommend you come for that. Mojitos are adventurous and good, margaritas as well. Did I mention the decor? Fabulous! Open, airy, sleek and modern. And lively, so come for that, too, if the mood strikes. So, not a home run. I planned to have dinner, but after the fish taco app which was not very appetizing, at all, the drinks, can you please give me a decent chip to scoop guacamole with? The guac was good, by the way. I finished my drinks and called it a night. The flavor is just not there when it came to food. Didn't stick around to find out if dinner would be better. Also, no shrimp or steak tacos on the menu. Is this an oversight? I should have checked the menu instead of assuming, so my fault. A skip. Except for drinks, and guac, byo chips.
(2)Christy L.
In my previous review, I commented on how the food was surprisingly good for Cantina Laredo being a chain restaurant. Remembering that, my fiance and I recently went there when all the other restaurants in the area had huge waits on a Saturday evening. While Cantina had a wait as well, the upstairs bar had openings and we were able to order from a (very limited) menu. We were both disappointed in the limited selections. For example there were a variety of tacos to choose from, but no steak tacos - isn't steak a stable? I had the fish tacos, and they were fishy to the point that I couldn't stomach them. He had Barbacoa tacos, and the meat was incredibly tough with an odd aftertaste. Neither of us ate much of our meal. Don't think I'd be back which is disappointing since we now live in the area.
(2)Lydia R.
i love Mexican food and I love a good deal. This place offers both. My friend and I went here after work one time during happy hour. They have this really cute upstairs lounge that they were serving everything on the menu at half price up there. Everything on the menu! Also the feel of the lounge was pretty great! They had oversize seats and it almost had the "coffeeshop" feel to it. It was someplace where you were encouraged to sit and hang out for a while, rather than eating and leaving. My favorite thing might have been the guacamole that we ordered. They made it right in front of us at the table and it was so fresh! Also as far as their drinks go they were a little on the stronger side. They still tasted great, but it was a drink that you could definitely taste the alcohol in.
(5)Anna T.
This place blows my mind away EVERY TIME! I HIGHLY recommend: - Steak nachos (~10)- literally strips of steak on each nacho with refried beans, cheese, tomatoes, guac and sour cream. This app has around 8-10 nachos and is MORE than enough for 2-4 people. It can easily be served as an entree. - Carnita taco entree (~$12)- Cantina Laredo overnight cooks the carnitas so they are so flavorful, juicy and to die for. Comes with three tacos, rice and beans. DO NOT order the fish tacos. They are dry and flavorless. Such a waste!!! Other notes: - Trendy, upscale, date-like atmosphere - There are private rooms that have big flat screen TVs for your use - Nice outdoor seating (with firepit) - If you order the guacamole, they will create it in front of you all fancy and such. Bit pricy for what it is, but it certainly adds something extra to the dining experience.
(5)Julie Z.
First visit at Catina Laredo, and it was amazing! As a vegetarian, I usually have minimal choices, this menu had three options for enchiladas, I chose the spinach, amazing! My carnivore boyfriend loved the barbacoa enchiladas! Margaritas were great, chips and salsa great, and homemade guacamole great! We had a great server Emma, and fantastic manager Mino! We will definitely be back for dinner and drinks!
(5)Martha M.
This place was a little overpriced I ordered the carne asada and was surprised to see that it was a small portion however the service is great drinks are good the ambience is very nice. Although I probably wouldn't come back here I would recommend you try it at least once.
(3)Jacqueline B.
The ambiance and drinks alone will have me coming back to Cantina Loredo! I came here for dinner on a Friday night with a group of 11 girls. The company was fab so we were bound to have a great time regardless, but the fancy drinks and delicious food helped :) We had a reservation and were sat upstairs at a big table near the bar. It seemed pretty busy so I'd assume a rezzy is the way to go for dinner! We started with a couple orders of their top shelf guacamole made table side. One was made mild and one spicy. The guacamole was definitely fresh and tasty, but for someone who likes spicy food I didn't think the one batch had enough kick. Speaking of kicks, I've been on a minty drink kick lately, so I ordered their Ginger Mint Mango Rita (Milagro Silver Tequila, fresh lime juice, mint leaves and mango puree topped with ginger beer). I thought this was a refreshing and fun take on your classic margarita! It was really good. For my second cocktail (of course there are seconds on ladies night), I went with the Cabo Flip which was a suggestion from our server. He said it was the smoothest marg he's ever had. Sounded good to me so I got it. This lovely beverage is a fresh lime margarita made with Cabo Wabo Reposado and Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur with a lime boat full of tequila. You read correctly. A lime boat. Full. Of. Tequila. It was so yummy! Again, super refreshing and even fun to flip that little tequila lime shot over in your cocktail. With all this boozin we of course needed dinner. I haven't had barbakoa for quite some time, so the Enchiladas De Barbacoa caught my eye. These slow-roasted brisket and monterey jack cheese enchiladas topped with ranchera sauce made me not regret my decision that's for sure. I was pretty full from all the chips and guacamole I had prior to our meal, but of course I powered thru. Now for someone who's tasted a lot of really authentic Mexican food I have to say, this wasn't a five star food experience for me. Don't get me wrong it was good and I'll most likely be back to explore the rest of the menu, just not the best Mexican I've ever had. 4 stars though. All in all this was an awesome place to come with a group. Our server was attentive and hilarious which made everything that much more fun. If you haven't been yet, definitely check out Cantina Loredo!
(4)Ritu R.
Horrible experience. Came with a large group of family from out of the country. The items being ordered were incredibly simple but took 2 hrs to get 8 cheese quesadillas?! how does that even make sense! The server was switched once we saw down and the original server realized we had special needs...one of which is a servier that we can communicate with. The next server kept responding to every request with "that's not hard" and then was missing for long streches of time. The forgot items and were late. I am not a fan of this place and would NOT suggest anyone go here...especially if you have an dietary restrictions!
(1)Priscila L.
Table side guacamole... delicious. Mango margarita... wow! Carne asada... exquisite. Mango tres leches cake... amazing! I don't know what anyone that gave this place under 5 stars was talking about. I'm Hispanic, I know Mexican food... it's not traditional, but it's definitely delicious. Best part... cost effective for a downtown restaurant. Oh, and great service. I'm definitely coming back here!
(5)Jon L.
Was here for a company dinner about a week ago. We had the sky room booked, which was a nice-looking, private room. The meal started off with the standard chips and dips. The guac was good, but the nacho dip was the star; it stood out as savory but not overpowering. For my entrée I had grilled ribeye steak, which was huge. Most people at my table ordered it but few finished. For the dessert, I had the mango tres leches which I really enjoyed because of the creamy mango sauce.
(4)Ann P.
Love this place. The space is beautiful and the food is wonderful. I am vegetarian and I love getting the spinach enchiladas (I switch out the sauce for the Chile de arbol cream sauce) ...just amazing. I can drink that sauce straight up. Service has always been been courteous and respectable. Overall, a solid Mexican restaurant with relaxing and fun vibe.
(4)Karen R.
Excellent service. Patron margarita and the beef brisket enchiladas will have you coming back for more.
(5)Zac W.
A solid four stars easy. Food was good - Guac was exceptional and well worth $10 (mountain size) - reasonably priced, nice decor.
(4)Tim M.
I won't waste much time with this review. The ambience and decor is what gives the place a foothold with the downtown restaurant goers. The portions are small for the price and quality. The flavor is mediocre at best. The look and design is all there is.
(3)Elizabeth K.
Cantina Laredo is one of my favorite bars in the city! I come to Cantina for the amazing Chipotle Pollo Fajitas and Jalapeño Margaritas made specially by Mary Jones (MJ). Love the service at the bar and admire the genuine interactions and conversations with the staff. Cantina has become one of my favorite after work restaurants in Chicago's River North. The bar very large which allows any happy hour goer a spot at the bar. Definitely return soon!
(5)Amelia Z.
This is purely for their happy hours. I have always overlooked this place thinking it was just a chain (which I am pretty sure it is). However, I went with some co workers for a happy hour and it was almost too good to be true. Half off everything at the bar until 6:30. Let's just say that can go along way with Mexican food and margaritas. You can be pretty buzzed and VERY full for less than $30.
(4)Noel S.
We're in the Midwest...what are you going to do? The Mexican food here is bound to disappoint. Keeping that in mind...the food here is decent. I havent been here in about a year, I was hopeful. I had a chicken mango salad, which was suprisingly really fresh and I would come back just for that. The enchilada and fajitas. We're ok. Small portions. The tortillas are ok. kinda boring. I think uncle julios is much better if youre looking for fajitas and if youre looking for flavor, I'll stick with my mercadito. Good place to grab a drink, esp if you are with a large group. I'll come here to get food while watching a bears game. They have a happy hour on weekdays and brunch on weekends. Service is slow and not the best.
(3)Sunny K.
I walk by this restaurant every day and am always impressed by how BIG the structure is. How come they secured such a prime spot in the middle of downtown Chicago? It's large, two full stories, it's got fireplaces and large-scale wall sculptures and a humongous bar in the middle of the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows all around, so you can stare at pedestrians if you wanted. How?! Anyway, two friends and I stopped at Cantina Laredo for Monday lunch. Our server, Bobby, was kind. I ordered a blood orange sangria, mild guacamole, and ceviche. The sangria was not the strongest sangria in the world, which was exactly what I asked for. The guacamole was made at our table and served with salsa and fresh chips. The ceviche was so-so. It really was so-so, and having had my last ceviche fix in Lima I realize my expectations may have been way too high -- but still, it was just so-so. Pieces of fish and shrimp tossed in a little bit of lime sauce; that was it. WHAT DID END UP FLIPPING THE BOARD was the 3-tier mango cake we had for dessert. Oh wow, oh interesting, that was the best cake I've ever had, and I hate mangoes.
(4)Dos B.
Convenient, fast/efficient service. Fresh guacamole is outstanding, made at your table. Love the thin tortilla chips. The hot red sauce is mediocre at best, almost like a warm pasta sauce. The fire roasted salsa pretty good. Enchiladas decent. Very loud at 9pm at night. Overall, great place to take teenage kids as they will think it is some hip Mexican restaurant in the city.
(3)Yanja B.
Came here with the office after work on Monday, got to sit in the special lit blue painting room. We felt pretty special. Service was amazing, they did such a great job accommodating a large party and getting all our food and drink orders. Drinks are amazing, the mojito comes with a real sugar cane- pretty cool. The only drink I did not like was the Skinny-ritas; gross full of splenda. Food was great too, everyone enjoyed their meals. I ordered the Tampico- very good. Another table favorite was the Fajitias Tres! Only thing I was let down by was the gauc, all the reviews made such a big deal out of it. I will not blown away- in fact it was kinda bland.
(4)Ashley R.
First off, the aesthetics of this restaurant are amazing - airy and spacious, offering plenty of seating without feeling crowded. Then there is the guacamole cart - a server comes by and makes fresh guacamole to your liking (mild, medium, spicy, etc). I had the mild guacamole, and it was heavenly! The service was prompt and friendly, which was another plus. I forgot the exact name of the sandwich I ordered, but it was amazing, with roasted pork, fried eggs, apricot spread and goat cheese pressed between toasted bread. The fries were also perfection - not too thick, not too thin, and just the right amount of crispness. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you are in the area!!!!!
(4)Isabel C.
Came here last night with friends and it was pretty phenomenal. The chips and salsa were never ending and the table side guac was fresh (obviously) and delicious. I had the Barbacoa enchiladas. The tortillas were great, not soggy, and stuffed with meat. It came with green beans which was different but very good and a small portion of rice. I wish it had more sauce on it though like traditional enchiladas but it was good none the less. All of my friends enjoyed their meals and drinks as well! Service was okay- our waiter forgot to put in my boyfriends order of tortilla soup as a starter so that was disappointing for him since it was too late to have it as an appetizer. He ended up canceling it. The waiter also was not very attentive and did not ask us how we were doing. Other than that I will absolutely be back to try some other things on the menu!
(4)Morganne B.
Crazy this place isn't more popular than it is. I had a friend visiting this weekend and after walking down Michigan, seeing the bean, and divvy biking around all morning, we were ready for some munching. Purple Pig quoted an hour wait and we were too hungry so we just walked around until we saw this place. We sat down immediately and started stuffing ourselves with chips. Said no thanks to the table-side prepped guac but now I wish we hadn't because it looked tasty. We ordered two brunch entrees, the chicken fajitas and the spinach and artichoke omelet, which both came with a Bloody Mary or a mimosa. The bloody was definitely from a store bought bottle but at that point in the day a Bloody Mary is a Bloody Mary is a Bloody Mary and sometimes you don't really care about the mix. The fajitas came out sizzling and the omelet was tasty--served with potatoes (which I doused in hot sauce) and a little fruit cup made of a fried crispy cinnamon sugar tortilla... The perfect dessert. Our waitress was super nice and did a great job. The inside of this place is gorgeous too! More people should check this place out!
(4)Amanda M.
Came here for a friend's birthday. We were a little late and part of the party came slightly later and our whole party was less people than what was reserved for, but they didn't have a problem with this and seated us promptly anyway. The space is very nice. Very big, open, and modern. We ordered drinks first. Everyone seemed to enjoy their drinks, including myself, as they were good sized and actually quite strong. I had the la bandera, and it was very refreshing, as it was somewhat like a slushie. It took a long time for our waitress to come back to take our food order and now that I think of it, she only ever came by to deliver an order, and never to see how we were doing. Good thing, our chips and salsa were brought to us in the beginning and even moreso when more of our party showed up. My tamales de barbacoa finally came. There were only 2 tamales, but it did come with rice, so I was filled. However, nearly $20 for the meal wasn't worth it, especially as the food itself wasn't all that memorable. It was fine and not bad, but certainly not mind-blowing. Our waitress was able to surprise a complimentary chocolate cake for my friend's birthday which was nice. My water was also constantly refilled. Wouldn't come back, at least not for the food. Another excessively over-priced river north restaurant succumbed to NOT amazing food, but mediocrity.
(2)Chris T.
Chain or local, the standard tortilla chips & salsa have always set the tone for each & every one of my Mexican restaurant experiences and Cantina Laredo did not disappoint. Outstanding River North atmosphere with modern take on numerous traditional Mexican dishes. The tall glass of white honey sangria and frozen pina coladas were absolutely delicious as were the pollo enchiladas and sizzling tres fajitas. Very cool ambiance as well - indoor gas flame fireplace by our table added bonus points. The service was equally above par. The only down side of my visit was self-inflicted...I put myself in a food coma before the entres arrived. I simply could not get enough of the highly addictive chips & mixed salsa. Simply delicious!
(3)Lisa E.
While visiting Chicago for a work trip, we ate here as a large group. The restaurant had a nice ambiance to it and we were given tables in a separate room that opens up to the rest of the restaurant. Our waiters and waitresses were attentive throughout the night. We started with fresh guacamole made at our table. We requested it to be spicy and it was delicious. I ordered tamales for my meal and was pleasantly surprised at how authentic they were. We finished off with a dessert for the table. It was a great experience!
(5)Tavi J.
I'm such a snob when it comes to not wanting to go to chains, but I like this place a lot. I've been on several occasions for happy hour, dinner, and events. This place is huge and is two levels. I love in the summer time when the windows are open and sitting in the patio area by the street. I love the guacomole they make for you at your table. Fresh ingredients and the chips and salsa are also good. An entrée that I always order are the shrimp taco's. These probably have to be one of my favorite items on the menu. Yesterday though I decided to mix it up and come here for dessert. We started with the Mexican Apple Pie. It was pretty good and comes out piping hot with Cinnomon Ice Cream. I guess I should metion to it is sizzling...in Mexican Brandy Butter. Yum!! We still had a sweet tooth, so we asked our friendly waiter Carlos what he recommended and he said either the flan or the churros. We went with the churros and glad we did! The churros is top with chocolate and the caramel dipping sauce is soooo good. I believe it had rum in it. Mentioning rum....you gotta try their drinks as well. Just as sweet as the dessert and just the way I like it.
(4)Nicole L.
Happy hour was decent. But our food got sent to the downstairs kitchen, instead of the upstairs one by mistake. No one told us this and when I asked to cancel our order and get the bill after waiting an hour, they decided to tell us. The tacos were okay, as were the mango crab tostadas. The staff weren't very friendly or helpful.
(1)Sally A.
My overall feeling for the restaurant is neutral. If I want a lively atmosphere for a quick drink this is a good place to go. What we liked: It was across the way from our hotel, the decor was modern and has the potential to be a sexy place, food presentation was decent, churros were aaahmazing.. What could've been better: ambiance, it was LOUD.. I don't mind lively but I was a little under the weather and would have preferred a more intimate setting, the modern decor threw me off, margaritas were a bit in the sweet side, food overall was ok. If you keep it simple and want some chips, guac and lively convo ck it out
(3)Kent T.
We were invited to meet friends here while visiting Chicago. He said they had the BEST margarita's in the area! I don't drink, but I guess they were right because everyone else had a few and raved about how delicious they were! We ordered "table side" guac. Can't get fresher than that! I wish it had been a bit spicier, we ordered spicy but alas it was not really. And it needed a bit of salt. That is to my taste. Still good guac by anyones standards. For my dinner, I had the Mole Enchiladas. The sauce was great, the chicken stand alone did not have a ton of flavor. That is one of my tests for a fancy Mexican, taste the meat with out the sauce. It will tell you a lot about the place! It should have flavor, not taste plain. But over all the dish was pretty good. For desert, we ordered churros for the table. YES!! SAVE ROOM FOR THIS! They were AWESOME! Since returning home, I have discovered that we have a Cantina Laredo near us in Las Vegas....I will have to give it a try. If the food is as good, and the service as amazing we may have a new local place for "Modern Mexican" dinner!
(3)Lauren C.
I brought a bachelorette party here this past Saturday night and had the most disappointing experience. To begin, we showed up for our reservation and had to wait 10 minutes for our table. After they sat us, the hostess came over to let us know she had sat us at the wrong table. When we arrived at the right table, it wasn't cleaned or set up from the party before us and we had to wait an additional 5 minutes. I was prepared to let this slide as the place seemed chic and professional. After ordering drinks from our waiter, he said he would bring us water. We waited 20 minutes for water. We then placed our food order and I asked where our drinks were, "Oh, I think they're coming soon." We waited an additional 10 minutes for our drinks to come... 30 minutes after www had ordered them. 45 minutes later... we had all finished our drinks and still had not received our meals. We also had not seen our waiter since he brought the drinks. I went to speak to a manager who simply looked at me and said, "I will go check in back". Our food came out almost immediately and was cold. Not to mention, despite all of this the manager never came back over to apologize or check up on us. Overall, terrible experience. I would never recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Andrew P.
I've dined here a handful of times now. The food is consistently good for upscale(ish) Mexican cuisine and the margaritas pass my test. This place COULD be 4-stars, but service is really hit or miss. I tend to find that if you sit in the dining room, service is typically better, but if you sit in the bar, it can be friendly or terrible. Recently, a friend and I grabbed a table in the bar for a quick bite and drink. We waited 10 minutes for someone to come clean the table before my friend got up and told someone we needed service. Then, the waiter who came said "Hi" without making eye contact, put waters on the table, threw the menus on the table and walked away! Not even asking if we wanted to start with anything. Then, it took 30 minutes for our appetizers to come out. That's the worst experience I've had here. Either way, I'll be back.
(3)Cara T.
The ambience and location are great, as are the margaritas! They also serve an excellent guac. I would recommend popping in for drinks and apps, but with so many amazing restaurants in the area- I would pick a different place to eat dinner nearby!
(3)Ziyan C.
My review's from last summer (July 2014), when I organized a student networking event on behalf of my nonprofit. I had contacted several restaurants that had space for such an event, but most places had a minimum spending that was way beyond our nonprofit's budget. Cantina was ok with us spending a minimum of $400 on appetizers for a group of 40. I worked with Rhonda over email, and she was very accommodating, responsive, and flexible. We were able to have the Northeast Lounge reserved for us. The space had low tables with seats, as well as a longer table with tall bar chairs that ended up being a better area for networking and moving around. It was plenty of space for the 50+ people who showed up, and it was really nice with huge windows, lots of natural light, and a good view from the 2nd floor at downtown Chicago. I was able to set up a little before our students started showing up. There was a main server who checked with me throughout the night on how we were doing food-wise, and I was very happy with the service as they made good suggestions and were attentive. We got a lot of appetizers, from guacamole to salsa to flatbreads, and all were good. Thank you for helping us host a great event; I highly recommend Cantina Laredo for this!
(4)Kesha S.
We had margaritas and quesadilla and the service was great we will be back for dinner we love Mexican food
(5)Mel C.
Not my favorite Mexican, but a must try. Decent food , prices are mid range, drinks are good, and the food is okay. It's noisy in this establishment. The chips and salsa are excellent.
(3)Christopher B.
This place definitely looks cool and it comes with a rather noisy but energetic vibe. However the food came up a bit short. The guacamole was okay but if you're specializing in the table service it should be lights out. The carnitas just wasn't my style. Not a huge fan of theirs. The ceviche was okay but nothing special. Overall, it was fine but nothing really memorable or to write home about.
(3)Faith D.
Lunch / small plates on a VERY quiet afternoon. Christmas Eve Day. Just a very few people in the restaurant. I had a "blood orange" sangria and enchilada mole. Hubby had chicken enchiladas. Everything was delicious. Beautiful presentation, hot and a generous portion but not overwhelming. Very pretty restaurant. Guessing that it is VERY noisy when busy but super cute, modern, nice fireplaces and separate private event rooms. I'd love to try it again.
(3)Kevin M.
The Margaritas are good and the food is fine. Ambience/decor is fine. Not amazing, not bad. I've had very solid lunches and had a pretty good dinner on 4/18/15 with friends. The service isn't rude, but it's amateur. You can get better service at a Red Lobster.
(2)Lillian C.
For a Mexican restaurant, this place is okay. For a Mexican restaurant in Chicago, this place is pretty good, however, the food is mediocre compared to Mexican food in other cities, especially for the price you pay. Overall, great if you are here with a big group and choose ambiance and service over the food's taste.
(3)Andre W.
So I happen to hear that there was a nice Happy Hour joint not too far from the gig in River North. I have often walked by and seen this place but never thought about trying as i figured River North could not have a decent taco joint. I came over one day around 5PM to take advantage off their half off food menu. I guess the deal is only valid in the upstairs lounge which looks really nice with bar, hi-tops, and couches/love seats around near a fireplace equipped with intimate lighting. I was excited to try the food here. Sad to say I was correct about a joint in River North not having good tacos as I am used to having tacos with flavor. I got the barbacoa, fish and short rib tacos. All were very bland as I found myself stuffing almost a whole taco in my mouth to get the experience over with. The chips and warm salsa which is free proved to be a better meal. Service was pretty good as the bartender was able to whip up those margaritas in a quick like manner. The saving grace for this place other than the ambience was the margaritas. Their signature margarita (Casa Rita) was pretty good as well as the Pineapple infused Rita and Cinco Margarita. I would try the place again but would not have high expectations for the food at all.
(3)Jacob C.
Great carne asada plate at a reasonable price. Guacamole is made fresh right in front of you!!
(5)Jane W.
The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. Very modern and the architecture/design is really wonderful. Unfortunately, that was probably the best part of my experience here. I came here for a birthday brunch on Sunday, and we were seated in one of the enclosed areas. I enjoyed the complimentary chips and salsa. The chips were mediocre - not enough salt and a bit too oily, but the salsa was fantastic. One was warm and the other was served cold, and both were flavorful. I ordered the spinach and artichoke omelette, which comes with a side of cheesy potatoes and fruit in a little bowl made with cinnamon-dusted pastry. I asked them to leave out the cheese and mushrooms from my omelette. When my plate came out, they told me they didn't serve me any potatoes because those came with cheese too. What? I'm not allergic to cheese, I just prefer to not have cheese with my eggs. That doesn't mean you leave out an entire portion of my meal... especially if you didn't even ask me beforehand. Baffling. The actual omelette was okay. I've had better elsewhere and flavors were uninspired. The entree came with a free mimosa, bloody mary, or non-alcoholic drink, and I opted for the mimosa. Good, but nothing special. (The best I've had was definitely at Sunda). Service was okay. Satisfactory but not great. I did REALLY appreciate the fact that they were willing to give everyone separate checks - saved us from the pain of trying to split the bill among almost 20 people.
(3)Sophie S.
Go for the drinks! The food here is mediocre. The guacamole is made table sids and is very good but the chips are horrible. It's makes it very difficult to eat because they break so easily. The food comes out quickly but it looked so unappealing because the beans were so dried out as if they had been sitting under a warming lamp for a long time. Strictly a drink and appetizers place at best.
(2)Toni J.
Meh... Pretty much sums up my experience at Cantina Laredo. This is a large location in downtown Chicago, so it's great for groups or after work drinks. Other than that it's really not much of a destination dining establishment. Growing up in Arizona, I've exposed to some of the best Mexican food in the country, so it's really hard for me to go to a commercialized mexican restaurant and enjoy it. If you're not used to home cooked authentic style Mexican food, you'll probably like Cantina Laredo. I started with a white sangria, which was way too sweet and some table side guacamole. The Guacamole was pretty tasty, but lacked salt and spice (despite asking for it be made spicy). As a vegetarian, my options were pretty limited, so I ordered cheese enchiladas. They were just okay. They hardly had any sauce so the tortilla was pretty dry. I wouldn't order it again. I'd say the best part of our meal was the service. Our server was very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.
(3)Vineet S.
One thing one will notice about this place is it's sheer size. It is beautiful and very well laid out. It is spread across two floors with the upper floor mostly for corporate events. The main floor has dining space on both sides with the bar area in the middle. I came here couple of times , sat on the bar and in the dinner area. Food here was decent , I really liked the ahi ahi tacos. The main course with shrimp on the pepper was average. Their week special fish flounder was really good. They have a cool thing where guacomole is made at your dinner table, the server comes makes the guac as per the specific needs. The reason for giving 3 stars is the lackluster service at the bar. I think few of the bartenders have some kind of attitude which led to service not upto mark.
(3)Lisa P.
Best chips and guacamole in the area! Love the high top bar tables/ambiance in the bar. Great place to watch games. I feel as though the menu can be a bit overpriced however the food is consistent and flavorful.
(4)Robert A.
I have been here several times and the food is always great. I am a huge fan of the guacamole. They have great service and the valet guys are always nice. I am in love with the happy hour on the 2nd floor!
(4)Carm P.
Tableside guacamole made fresh to order. .ok, count me in. Food comes out super quick for a high volume restaurant. Very nice portion sizes, with good flavors. OMG, save room for dessert. Mango Tres leches topped with a mango puree... (smiley face). A great experience, will surely be back. No complaints. .
(5)SoSunnychicago S.
Our group of 11 was seated early, and drinks were flowing as we all arrived. The pineapple-infused margaritas were a big hit, along with the delicious Cinco Tequila margs. For a big group, we were happily surprised at all of the speed and attention to our meal. Thanks Mike! Table-side guacamole is always a nice touch. The fresh tortilla chips were hot and plentiful. Favorite entrees were the shrimp-stuffed chicken with spinach and a smokey chipotle sauce. Also the shrimp-stuffed chile relleno with veggies & cheese. Each dish was a perfect mix of the right ingredients. Entrees range in price from about $13 for tacos to $30 for a ribeye. Margaritas about $12. We agreed that the lime rice is better than the spicy rice, so make that switch if you can. Service was impeccable. Food was incredible.
(5)Kelli M.
Reservations are a must! There is outside seating with fire pits but it's limited and can't guarantee reservations for it. Title explains it all- modern Mexican! Very nice, dressy place with delicious Mexican food. You must order guacamole- they make it table side for you fresh. You can get mild, medium, or hot. Chips are good but too flimsy, each time I scooped sauce- it would break. We ordered tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas. All good but chicken wasn't that flavorful. Sauce on mole enchiladas was not that great. Drinks were strong and delicious- margarita is obviously a must.
(4)Asenath N.
Came here with some friends on St.Patties day. They place is really big and never felt crowded even with the amount of people inside. They have two floors. The place looks really nice and have fire places for outdoor sittings. The bartenders were nice and helpful. The drinks were reasonable prices. I plan to go back and try the food also.
(4)Vikki Y.
Sister recommended this place because she had frequented this place with her boyfriend before. Here's what I loved about it: 1) nice atmosphere: loved the outdoor fireplace, the tables, and the wonderful upscale yet casual feel of the place. (perfect for after-work) 2) we sat outside right by the fire place and I loved how warm it was (against the chilly evening air) yet it was also cozy. 3) the food was tasty and hearty! I ordered the ahi tuna tacos- and it was the perfect evening snack- hit the spot- but not too filling. 4) my drink was amazing- and it didn't have alcohol! I asked for a virgin frozen pina colada and it was perfection! Just the right amount of sweetness and frozen- all blended together. It was tasty even without the alcohol! 5) prices were very reasonable! Will def come back :)
(5)Hannah L.
Delicious food! Wish there was one in Atlanta!
(4)Ashley E.
I just had my 30th bday dinner here tonight and I have to tell you, these folks made it perfect. I had a party of almost 20 people and Mario our server did an excellent job serving us. Every single order came out correctly, they made zero fuss splitting the bill 20 ways and we're always super accommodating to every need me and my guests had. On top of that the food was delicious, the drinks were strong, and the ambiance was perfect. Thanks for a great night!
(5)A K.
I took a group here for a business meeting and the service and food was great. Chips were very good on the salty side but still tasty especially with the salsa. Guac was awesome Pricey but worth it. Had the fish tacos which were very tasty. Also had the crab enchilada which was very good too. The service was perfect. Very attentive and the price was very reasonable. Coming back for sure.
(5)Alex C.
I saw this place one night downtown and immediately was drawn in by the cool outside and later inside décor. After bothering the crew to come out on a Friday, we scored some 6:15 reservations to try Cantina Laredo. We were seated in a booth on the north wall, which was illuminated by natural light coming from the ceiling, this was unusually cool and made the whole atmosphere a bit brighter, literally and figuratively. We started with a couple Casa Ritas, which were just OK, but not exactly $9.25 OK, but in my experience all cocktails in the city are around $10, so whatever I guess. Read the reviews of the tableside guacamole and had to try it. Very interesting procedure, I just wish the person making it was a bit more sociable. It kind of reminded me of how Coldstone Creamery forms your ice cream when you order a bunch of stuff mixed in. Anyway, we ordered it "medium" and were very impressed by this guac. I wouldn't consider myself a guac expert, but this was definitely better than most places, I do recommend it. The traditional chips and salsa were good as well, we voted the hotter of the two was better. Entrees included 2 tamales, enchiladas Veracruz and pollo chipotle fajitas (maybe enchiladas, can't remember). The tamales were very interestingly wrapped in a corn husk. My dish was the pollo chipotle enchiladas, which were super awesome. They came with tortilla shells and it was kind of like "create your own" with all the toppings provided. The little amount of bacon that came on them was fantastic, and made for an interesting flavor combination. The traditional rice and black beans (great) were included as well, making this dish actually pretty large for being around $17. My only gripe about this dish would have to be how messy it was. Granted I was being a child and using my hands, but still felt the interaction with the food was a necessary mess. We did order desert, almost one of everything. I had the churros which were yummy, especially with the sauce, which wasn't quite chocolate, but my memory escapes me what the correct terminology for it would be. Overall, the food was fantastic, not too expensive and definitely different in a good way. My reason for subtracting a star is definitely because of the service. Our waiter did not make any conversation aside from taking our order, removing plates, replenishing our chips and showing us the desert selections. He didn't do anything wrong, he just didn't make the experience a 5-star one, which kind of sucks for him because we usually tip a quality server quite well! Regardless, the demeanor of our server didn't change the fact that our food was awesome, we had a good time, and didn't spend too much $. I would definitely recommend Cantina Laredo for anyone into Mexican food.
(4)Jen B.
I guess I should start by saying that this place was completely packed after 10 pm on a Friday night. It is so huge though that they were able to seat our party of four right away. We started with table side guac and asked for it hot and we got what we asked for. It was so spicy but delicious! Our waiter was really knowledgable about the menu and when we asked what he recommended he actually gave us a few pointers instead of just saying, "everything is good". I had the seafood ceviche which was so so so good. It was also pretty spicy but had big chunks of all sorts of shrimp, scallops and fish. I had a taste of my friends carnitas and they were also fantastic. They were more smoky then I have had carnitas in the past but definitely good.
(4)Mahsa T.
This review is for drinks/happy hour only, I will update once I have tried the food. I arranged a happy hour for our networking group here on a Thursday night and the upstairs lounge/bar area was packed! Good house margaritas and mojitos. Good vibe and awesome to have the indoor/outdoor feel as all the windows upstairs were open, it felt like you were having drinks outside. My only complaint is wish they would take reservations upstairs, it would've been great to have had a couch or corner table reserved for our group so that we wouldn't have to crowd around the bar, we felt like we were totally packed in like sardines and constantly in the way of the servers coming and going from the bar. Minus one star for service when we finally were seated at one of the tables near the bar, no waiter approached us to take our drink order or to see if we wanted anything. And minus for service at the bar because the bartender kept insisting that one of us leave a card to keep a tab open, we kept explaining to her that we didn't know each other and no one person wanted to be responsible for leaving a tab open and that everyone would pay separately for their own drinks. She just didn't want to have to do the work of separate bills, but how is that different from everyone else standing at the bar?
(4)Victor R.
I have been coming in here since I moved to Chicago a little over three years ago. I am from Mexico, so living in downtown Chicago was the closest scape for me to get some good Mexican food. Carnitas and Barbacoa are my favorite for dinner. Tacos al carbon are good, too. Cantina Laredo has amazing salsas, and the guacamole is just perfect! Love the fact that they make it in front of you. There is a girl that makes the guacamole that is super friendly and nice, but I don't remember her name at the moment. I usually come here for drinks, and I would totally recommend doing that. The bartenders are the best in downtown. You can have dinner in the bar area, too. Quesadillas al carbon is a good appetizer to share if you are not that hungry,
(4)Nitin G.
I keep coming back here for their top shelf guacamole. It's fresh (duh) flavorful and delicious!!
(4)Halisa V.
Interior was trendy and upscale. The thing I liked the most was the tableside Guacamole! I plan to come back for that.
(5)Brittney R.
Went here for happy hour last week with my mom and friend and I loved the ambiance they had good choices for happy hour. The prices were even better. My suggestion is that the servers are educated more on the options for happy hour and be more attentive. At times it seemed as though they were overwhelmed. Other than that the food was great! The drinks were awesome. I will be coming back. I plan on going for dinner now when I get a chance.
(4)Laura M.
This is one of my go to places in River North. This place has a great atmosphere, and also has a couple of really nice private party rooms that a great for larger groups. Most importantly, the food is always pretty spot on, the margs are great, and you cannot beat the table side guac. On my most recent visit we started with the queso and guac, and as usual both items were delicious. The guac is made to order table side, and you can customize your guac by requesting spice level (mild, medium or spicy), or asking for no onions, etc. For my entree I got the Enchilada De Cangrejo, two lump crab enchiladas with spicy chili de arbol cream sauce served with rice and green beans. My boyfriend got the Camaron Poblano Asada - grilled steak around poblano pepper with shrimp, mushrooms, onions and monterey jack cheese, on chimichurri sauce. Both items were fantastic. The enchiladas were cream and spicy. The steak was really well cooked and went perfectly with the flavorful poblano pepper. Cantina only loses one star because on occasion the service can be kind of spotty. On our most recent visit I think our waiter forgot about us for about a half hour after we ordered our drinks, and it took a while for subsequently ordered drinks to make it to the table. It's often pretty busy here though, and this obviously hasn't stopped me from coming back!
(4)Lise S.
Great list of margaritas!! That means we must come back to try more :-). Great location and large space inside for big groups or just having a great time with new friends you happen to meet there! We loved all our dishes and the service was great once we got a table. I'll be going back several times.
(4)Kyle M.
Loud and fun atmosphere. I thought that the flavors lacked spice but could have just been the tacos. Expect a crowd that you would typically get at a chain restaurant on State Street.
(3)Timothy M.
Cantina Laredo is great. Brunch was fantastic. A choice of a mimosa or a bloody comes with the brunch entrees. Definitely a must for any brunch menu. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the lack of a utensil to stir my coffee with when it was brought. Albeit I am fucking picky about my coffee. Also some non alcoholic drink choices for the complimentary brunch drinks would be nice. My mother doesn't drink much, and was somewhat disappointed. Although she loved the fish tacos, and she is usually picky about those.
(4)Carolynn M.
Fresh Guac. Great Food. Strong Margaritas. Beautiful Atmosphere. My only complaint I was there about 9:30 on a Friday night at the high top tables and even after someone dropped off our waters and chips & salsa we had to walk 4 steps over to the bar to ask if we were going to see a server...mind you we waited about 10 mins and took our time reviewing the menu. The place was busy but the bartenders clearly seen us sitting there without any help. Overall after we asked for a server everything was great.
(4)M H.
Been going here for quite awhile so it was surprising to be treated by the "new" host with such passive aggressive weirdness. (I'm assuming he was new because I've never seen him before.) It felt like I should have been on Rodeo Drive dressed as a pauper arriving at Cartier. I've never encountered such weird snobbery, nonchalance attitude anywhere. (shortened conversation) Hi we have a reservation." Dude mumbles and looks at computer and then mumbles and then looks up irritated. "Do you have a table outside available?" "Sure" and then proceeds to walk to a table near the bar very much inside. "Um, how about that table near the open door to the outside." "Whatever." There were two tables outside, empty. Since this table was next to the open door to the outside, we continued on through it cause the place also happened to smell like barf the minute we sat down. Hey host if you hate life that much that seating two people at a Mexican restaurant brings about some kind of existential angst I suggest working at an art gallery or seating people at Orchestra Hall. But, the world is changing and snobbery is not as acceptable as it used to be. Guacamole is usually good if they cut up the cilantro otherwise look out for stems. Mojitos are good.
(2)C G.
I love their happy hour specials in the upstairs lounge! Great service and from Monday - Friday, between 4-7 pm, their food menu upstairs is 1/2 off. I recommend the carnitas tacos, shrimp tacos and quesadillas. And their mango mojito is delicious!
(4)Caroline A.
Cantina Laredo is huge and went on for miles. I imagine it to be good for a work event or celebrations of sorts. The place as very tidy and efficient. The waiter seemed very knowledgeable on everything on the menu. However, I just can't justify paying $10+ for a just a few small tacos. It all just seemed way to over priced for me!
(3)Rick F.
Celebrating a friends birthday! Friday night, 8:30pm. The design of this place was off the chain. Amazing, comfortable, cool, hip vibe. Jammed packed, everyone seemed to be having a great time. We had a blast, the drinks were excellent, the Tequila sampler was my favorite part of the evening, we ordered two. Best tequila I've ever had, presentation was cool. The tableside guacamole was excellent, the person that made it did not want to be working, had a frown on her face the entire time and did not enjoy the process at all, sort of put a damper on things a bit. The chips did not have enough salt and were way too thin and kept breaking, couldn't get one dredged through the guacamole. Service was spotty at best. The main courses is where this place really went downhill. Terrible all the way around. Carna Asada was awful, rice and beans dry, flavorless, shrimp fajita was so spicy you could not eat it, so disappointing. The investment put into everything else must have been in the millions, why would you lose it all with mediocre to terrible food.
(2)Arthur M.
My first time here. The food was off the wall! My drink was well. The atmosphere and decor was very nice. Waiter was on spot with everything. A must if your in Chicago.
(4)Mary S.
This stuff is pretty authentic. It's definitely an upscale Mexican restaurant, being in the heart of River North, so right off the bat you're not going to be getting any type of "deals." Get over it, the food it great! They make table-side guacamole so you can have a variety of self-determined toppings and to whatever level of spice you like. One serving easily provides a good amount as an appetizer for four people. Visiting for lunch with coworkers I ordered their ahi-tuna tacos. They're called "mini" and that they sure are! Three of them though, with the guacamole as an appetizer with chips, was enough for lunch. For dinner I would suggest you ordering from their tacos menu, of which some of my co-workers did and got much more food than my appetizers allotted. The service is right on with the waiters coming only when they should, and the atmosphere is very chic. I would recommend this place for an after work drink spot with a side of guac, or a nice dinner with a group of friends.
(4)Caress T.
I visited Cantina Laredo because I never did and I walk by it everyday on my way to work -_____- Anyway, I had the Tacos De Pescado (fish tacos) and they were delicious! The server/bartender Charlie was genuinely friendly and awesome; always on top of everything no matter how busy the place got. The free chips were tasty and a nice compliment to my lunch. Also, I read that there's a happy hour with 1/2 priced food specials between 4 and 7 Monday through Friday... I think I will check that out soon! I will definitely be back.
(4)R J.
Decor is modern and very Los Angeles. Service was absolutely abysmal. We sat for 15 minutes after our actual server came by to tell us another server existed, but that he was our actual server. (Why?) When he finally came back around; he asked if we wanted to place any orders.... I told him, "we're ready to order our entire meal" Ordered the table-side guac, against my better judgement... It was predictably bland. And overpriced, like everything else in this restaurant. Guacamole needs some time to meld and develop flavors after it's made. Table side doesn't offer that. It lacked much of anything except underripe lime flavor. Chipotle chicken fajitas were tasty. Only 3 small tortillas included. Fellow diner ordered tamales and they were bland and cold. And expensive. Server was absent most the meal. Then proceeded to smash a plate next to our table sending pieces flying everywhere, including on us. He was unapologetic. Low value and mediocre food. Poor service. Including the host- who made us wait 15 minutes for a table, even though 1/4 of the restaurant was empty. And NO- I won't give you my phone number to "text me when a table is available." For the price- Frontera is a far better option. Where food, service and everything else are perfection, at similar prices. (Also best guac I've ever tasted)
(2)Kenneth T.
Great atmosphere and very friendly staff I love the upstairs and the crab cakes and their drinks are so good. I had went with a friend and she order somethign she thought was a taco and wasnt. We asked if they could make the plate into tacos and they did it with no complanit and it came back and looks wonderful the way theyy plated it. Will keep gong here for a long time.
(5)Rebecca C.
The only reason I'm leaving off a star for perfection has to do with the acoustics and the noise. Cantina Laredo is THE loudest restaurant I've dined at in a long time. Had this been a bar, I might understand. However, it's a restaurant where it seems a lot of diners are on a date or enjoy the company of their dining companion(s)! I could not hear myself think and had to spend a good portion of 3 hours, shouting at the top of my lungs to be heard. Between the music, traffic on State & Illinois and noise from a restaurant gut loaded with diners, Cantina Laredo is LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't say enough good of the wait staff. Glasses were constantly refilled and our waiter kept close watch on our table to be at our service from the moment we sat down until the moment we left. We started with the ensalada with shrimp, jicama and mango and were curious if ginger was in the dressing. Our waiter didn't know, so he went to find out and returned to the table almost immediately. (Yep, ginger, although not on the menu, is in the dressing). We ordered the carnitas entrée and the stuffed chicken breast with shrimp to share. Both were exceptionally good and not your typical "rice & beans" type Mexican dishes that a lot of Yelpers allege. Our dishes didn't have beans, and the side vege's were surprisingly not typical Mexican. While I think we would have been perfectly satisfied without the splattering butter fireworks at the bottom of our brownie pan and apple pie pan, both desserts were worth every single stinkin' calorie and then some. We asked our waiter if he could leave out the Mexican brandy butterscotch for both desserts, but he apologized and said that was part of the desserts presentation. I'm curious if the lack of the hot buttered bottom of the dessert would change it's taste and look, but we basically ignored it. Both desserts were seriously fantastic. We really enjoyed our meal and the friendly, helpful service. We were so well taken care of and It felt like the restaurant was quite happy to have us. In River North, that's sometimes not the case. There was a huge group in an alcove near us with 3 babies and 2 small children that were actually much quieter than many of the adult diners. It was nice that our waiter didn't spend less time waiting on us to take care of this large group. While taco and enchilada prices seemed a little high, the entrée specials are priced similar to the area competition, plus portions are hearty. We will definitely be back!
(4)Connie L.
I was wandering around Chicago looking for a place for dinner when Cantina Laredo caught my eye. I was entranced by the warm and cozy atmosphere so we decided to stop here to refuel. Unfortunately, the food was not as appealing as the restaurant's ambiance.The tacos were really small and not filling. The food was pretty standard and overpriced in my opinion.
(3)M K.
This review is for Sunday Brunch. Possibly the best deal in downtown Chicago. Firstly, they take Sunday morning reservations; that in and of itself deserves credit. We had a group of 7-8 people and they sat us in a little private area with a stacked wine backdrop and glass walls-- beautiful!! Our server was amazing and very attentive. All the menu items are from $9-14, which included a free alcoholic beverage?! Everyone thought our bill was wrong because it was such an amazing deal. Despite the amazing price, food was completely bomb. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Shirley W.
I just went there the first time today and I LOVED it! I've been walking by this place since it's opened, but never had the desire to go in because it seems very expensive and I thought to myself it's probably an over priced Mexican place, I don't want to go if I can get Mexican food near my house for cheaper. But today my friend introduced me to their happy hour. Half off appetizers and more! And it was so good!! The portions were fine (I thought it was going to be tiny and I probably won't get full), but I am stuffed! Each dish came out to be about $4.50 or $7 each depends on what you order since it's half off. The guacamole is so fresh! They make it in front of you, with bottomless chips of course YUM! I got spicy chicken taco and crunchy tuna taco, each order came with 3, they were both very good and definitely worth the try! The place is clean, classy, a lot of people do go. And I would totally go back! I want to go back tomorrow already!
(5)Rachel V.
If you're looking for Mexican that's classic but of a bit higher quality than the sloppy sauce enchiladas you might get at a chain, this is the place for you! The table side guacamole is outstanding. They have unique tacos on the menu that are very tasty. In particular, I like the Tacos De Carnitas! We had great service up until the end when we ordered an after dinner drink that never arrived; instead, we got our check!
(4)Meda T.
We went last week for my birthday. Bobby was our server. He was amazing! He definitely added to the experience. We ate upstairs and got to enjoy the half price apps. Margaritas were excellent!!!! That guacamole was to die for. Only thing that I didn't love was the chips. They didn't hold up to the guac or salsa. Spoke to the manager about my amazing service and he was super cool too. We'll be back.
(5)Alli W.
I did not enjoy the food here and I wanted to SO bad. First off, we had five different people come to welcome us to the restaurant and take our drink order. I will take that any day over no one coming by the table, but it was seriously getting weird. Finally once we had settled on a server, we got our chips, salsa and guacamole. I seriously didn't even enjoy the salsa or guac - I don't think I've ever not LIKED a guacamole before. Our food came later and it was just average. I just wanted to like this place so bad and I was totally let down. It's a piece of prime real estate and the whole place was empty. I wonder how long this place will be open?
(2)Kate W.
Meh. Cantina Laredo is fine. I wouldn't go back for the price. I had some fish tacos that were dry and underwhelming. The guacamole was good (but when is guacamole ever bad?) I didn't try the churros or the brownie (which comes out in a pan of splattering butter--watch out!), but they looked good. For a less intense lunch, though. . . meh. Also worth noting: lunch meetings in their prive room can be challenging due to a large sunny glare in the middle of the table. I think a few of my lunch-mates left with solar headaches and sunburns. Beware!
(3)Bill T.
Guac? Check Chips and salsa? Check Strong margaritas? Check One you have three checks, you know you're golden. Regrettably, you need four Slovaks to reach the same conclusion. (cue rim shot) My bffc* and I came here during our "Chicago 2013" tour. Started with fresh made guac. Full of spice and very nice. Then we had chicken tacos (very good) and carne asada (also great). Service was friendly and the food was pretty gorgeous, it deserved to be admired rather than eaten ...I almost felt guilty masticating! But then again, I was raised Catholic. The design of the place is gorgeous, very open and rustic. If you sit outside, they have fire pits which are super cool. A bit pricey, but you're in the heart of Chicago, right near the Miracle Mile....if you want the dollar menu, go to Gary, Indiana. ____________________ * best friend from college
(4)Gregg F.
Great place to take out of town guests. The Poblano stuffed pepper with cheese is off the charts. And the guacamole was made to perfection at your table. Mike the waiter was very attentive and had a personality which some waiters don't seem to have until it's time to give you the check..
(4)Valerie W.
Cantina Laredo is tres chic! What a fun atmosphere! We came in for a bachelorette party dinner a few Saturday's ago and were seated in a semi-private room, which also had a TV, which was perfect for the girls who also wanted to watch the Hawks game. Cantina Laredo's menu absolutely has something for everyone. I enjoyed a mojito and the carne asada, after looking through the vast menu and deciding I had NO idea what I wanted. I was really happy with my choice, and to be honest, everything on the table looked delicious. Service was prompt and attentive, I honestly cannot say enough good things about the staff, food, and ambiance of Cantina Laredo. Kudos - keep up the good work!
(5)Kallie H.
We had their brunch yesterday and the food was alright, but the sangria was excellent! It was a bit strong (good thing I took the train), but was great tasting. Their guac, which is made right there at the table, was fresh tasting. I ordered an omelette and it wasn't that great but I can imagine that their more authentic food would taste better.
(3)Mindy M.
Great ambience. A little indifferent about the service...or maybe they are indifferent about service. Ordered the guacamole. It was AWFUL. They took it off our bill. I'm sure that was a fluke. Drinks were meh. Skinny margarita deserves a nickname like El Gross. Wine selection is good. Skirt steak was delicious. Mixed on this place but would probably go back.
(3)Erin M.
The food was very good, however the drinks were misleading. My drink came frozen, which was not noted on the menu and I do not like frozen drinks so I was quite disappointed. The drinks were also quite weak and pricy. We went on a Wednesday night after work, it was not crowded yet it took over 20 min for anyone to bring us water or even acknowledge our presence. There are definitely better Mexican restaurants in the area with better drinks and better staff.
(2)Shan D.
This place is HORRIBLE. I've been here for both dinner and brunch. The dinner items are over seasoned and too salty. The guac is really bland. It's nothing like big star's or Rick Bayless' restaurants. When I came back for brunch and based on my previous experience, I asked if the chef could make my entree less salty, and they said it was too late because everything was already marinated. My friend got eggs, which were heavily buttered. She had to send them back. You're better off going to Chili's, which is nearby. Yes, that's a chain, but guess what, so is Cantina.
(1)Jaime L.
This place was really good!!! The flan and enchiladas were really good! And the mango margaritas too, little expensive but you won't regret going there.
(4)K C.
Service was meh. Food was great & they deliver too?! Yes! Well, I hope the delivery service is better.
(4)Kenneth F.
My issue with Cantina Laredo is the lack of service. My husband and myself enjoy the food and drink but service is terrible. We last visited on 3/13/15 at 5pm, went upstairs, found a table and the wait began. First time we waited for the server to acknowledge us over 10 minutes. We placed our order then waited another 10 minutes for our drinks. This went on all evening, actually our first round came quicker than any other rounds! What was so frustrating is a manager came upstairs and stood by the stair case for over 20 minutes watching the servers, bus people and bartenders go up in flames. A Friday night you need more than two servers in your upstairs bar!. I feel bad for the staff as management does not care. Hopefully management will add more staff immediately!
(2)Sofia C.
The margaritas are a must. The house margarita, "casa rita," is a winner every time. The bartender, waiters and hosts are very nice. The food was amazing! The carnitas are to die for! Well organized space, and well run restaurant. Even with the place filled to capacity, there is plenty of breathing room.
(5)Jason D.
I'm sitting at the table. It's been about 45 minutes. My water is out. No chips, no salsa, but I do have guacamole and a fork. I'm sure my fajitas will be out before I die of hunger, but if I do in fact die here, tell my parents I loved them very much.
(1)Phil B.
Great lunch! Great space! Great service! Great Food! My family really enjoyed this place. The nachos are fantastic! The lunch entrees are portioned just right. This isn't a Mexican "joint". This is quality Mexican food! Not much else to say. 4 different entrees and two desserts. No complaints. Eat here!
(5)Matthew F.
Service has gotten steadily worse. You may wait 15 minutes to be acknowledged by your server; you may have to ask for silverware after your food arrives; the refill of chips and salsa you requested may never appear. The half-off bar food happy hour special is a good draw, and it's a solid deal for the tacos. (Note that there's no happy hour drink special.) The queso fundido I had on my last visit, however, was a thin, greasy, burnt slab of cheese, with no chorizo at all. Neither scoopable nor dippable, it's the only time in my life I've needed to use a knife on queso. With so many options in River North, Cantina Laredo should be near the bottom of your list.
(1)LaToya A.
I recently went to Cantina Laredo for Happy Hour with some friends. The drinks were delicious, but I was disappointed that they were not included on the happy hour menu. (only on Mondays, according to the bartender and waiter). I saw the reviews on the food, but still like to try things for myself as we all have different taste buds. Well, I must say that they were right. I ordered the short rib tacos and my friend ordered the barbacao tacos, When the food came out, both looked the same and were bland. There were three of them, but I could only eat one. The meat was tender, but it wasn't seasoned how you would expect at a Mexican restaurant. The steak quesadillas on the other hand, were too salty and didn't have much steak in them. If I wanted a cheese quesadilla, I would have ordered one. The guac was good and I liked that they made it at the table. I'd definitely go back for the ambiance, drinks, chips and guac. I just don't think I'll eat dinner there unless they season it better.
(3)Dennis B.
Steps above a typical mexi joint..creative menu, good selection of tequilas, and a great atmosphere. Salsas are great. Ceviche was slightly too acidic, but very good.
(4)Di A.
Excellent drinks with lot to choose from Guacamole and chips average... Food excellent ....we had the chicken fajitas, brisket enchiladas and vegetable enchiladas Overall great space to meet up with girlfriends
(4)Stephanie H.
After my last review, the GM reached out to me to give Cantina Laredo another test run. The same friend and I went back to try out some new dishes, both of which were super tasty! I highly recommend the crab cake pretzel bun sliders and the bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed jalapeños.
(4)Kate M.
My friend and I stopped by there for a desert and the selection of them were just amazing. There were not any desert that I would not wanted to try. I order this mango pie and it was pure deliciousness. I have not tried the rest of the menu, but I would absolutely be back to check it out! Side note: the restaurant decor seems to mismatch with the restaurant's cuisine. I would add more Mexican spirit in it!
(5)Ronda N.
Great place large groups! The restaurant is beautifully decorated with tall wrap around windows. I dined here recently with some colleagues. We enjoyed guacamole made tableside to order. The tortilla chips and salsa were homemade. The food and service was very good. With so many tasty options for Mexican cuisine, Cantina Laredo should differentiate itself with some signature entrees and drinks.
(3)Stephanie A.
Food is DELICIOUS! I am originally from Texas and have my fair share of great mexican food. I would say that their food is almost as good as Uncle Julios. Almost. Their drinks are great. It is a little pricey, but for good mexican food in the midwest, I will pay it. I look forward to going back!
(4)Pamela H.
Yummy! I had the Camarones Escondidos and it was fantastic, so delicious. My Husband had the Tacos De Fajita, which was also muy delicioso Their Bloody Mary's were delicious as well and I believe that I could be a Bloody Mary Connoisseur. We had the table side Guacamole and that is the only reason for the 4 stars, the Salsa's were awesome but I found myself combining the Guacamole and Warm Salsa together for more flavor, which btw ended up to be pretty good. Waitress was super friendly, nice ambience. I'd go back for sure.
(4)Delightful D.
Loved my visit here on a tuesday, no wait at 4pm for the lounge area for happy hr. What a great deal half off food in the lounge starting at 4pm. Tried tacos and chicken quesadillas all were pretty solid. I think the best was the free chips and salsa and the chicken quesadillas and of course the drinks. I tried the three amigos and another one with a tequila shot in it. Both were good and strong. The ambiance is just beautiful, would love to revisit at night. I would def return.
(4)Maria L.
My enchiladas were good, but the green beans were hard and not tasty and the rice was ok. Everyone else with me had all different tacos that all tasted bland. Even the black beans were not tasty! Waiter was very inattentive. Would not recommend.
(2)Eve P.
Good customer service. Nice ambiance. I would visit again. Made a reservation on open table about 15 min. prior to getting there. The place was packed but we did get seated right away. I ended up ordering the enchiladas de mole. I really love mole sauce but I wasn't really a fan of it at this place, but I did eat all of it, so it wasn't bad (I might be a harsh judge when it comes to mole so try it yourself). The pico de gallo was sooooo delicious and so were the drinks. I ordered a ginger mango margarita (not sure what the exact name of the drink was but it was tasty). Received great customer service from Ricky!! A great place to go to with a group or on a date.
(4)Jo L.
We visited on a Sunday mid-day. They offer a brunch menu, that includes your choice of mimosa, Bloody Maria, or soft drink - so why not? I tried the spinach omelet and it was perfectly made, and served with roasted red potatoes and a fruit cup (including mango - yum!) served in a cinnamon-sugar coated tortilla bowl. The mimosa just added to the fun. We started, though, with the table-made guacamole. How fun! The cook who made it seemed less than excited with her job, but she did a great job...I was wolfing it down until I hit a chunk of jalapeno that numbed half my tongue for a few minutes. That's the risk you take when you order your guacamole "medium". The service was very good throughout our experience. The dining room is bright and open and quite large. The sign out front is nondescript so we actually walked by several times during our visit to Chicago and didn't even know it - so keep your eyes peeled.
(4)Lena P.
Go here for brunch they have complimentary mimosas and bloody marys they also make tableside guac that's delicious
(4)Hardeek P.
I wish I could give out 1/2 stars - I'd give it 3.5. Nice place, quite dark but thats the ambiance of it. The fresh table made guacamole was ok, as an amateur I think I can make it better. There are many spots in the city that know how to make a mean guac, and this is not one of those places. Entrees were good - they were accommodating when I wanted to change up the vegetarian enchiladas I ordered. Definitely an interesting take on the enchilada, didn't seem to be as heavy and as cheesy as you'd get at a typical Mexican spot. I don't even they used cheese which was interesting but really didn't need it. The drinks were a bit stiff, in both the taste and the price. I ordered some "special" margaritas and you can definitely taste the tequila, but it was smooth. I think it's a nice place to take someone but it is a bit pricey for Mexican food. Service was solid. Waiter was available and like I said accommodating when I wanted to swap out some of the enchiladas with others. Would I go back... I would, but probably not by choice. If a friend was celebrating something, I wouldn't say no.
(3)Meredith K.
I wasn't sure what to expect based on the cover. We always thought the outside looks like a library in the suburbs and not something you'd see in the city. Its beautiful inside but you'd never know it was a Mexican place (in a good way) if this place fails the next restaurant can just move in w/o redecorating. We were seated near the fire place with a good view of the bar. Its nice and cozy! Our waiter was good about making drink recommendations. I had one of the regular margaritas but not the house one. He said it was less sweet. My boyfriend had the one with mint in it and it was great! Just maybe too sweet for a full glass of it for me. Since they make the guacamole table side we went for it. The 2 salsas before the guac were interesting. I wish they would have explained what they were. One seemed to be roasted and maybe made w/ tomatillos? The guac was great. Perfect amount of spice. For dinner my boyfriend got the fish tacos and they were fantastic. And I don't like mahi mahi but I'd get these. I had the chicken enchiladas with spinach (there's another one on the menu with mole sauce) It was so good! Not crazy cheesy. Like a fancy adult enchilada where I left not feeling gross. Although we were too full for dessert. I'm sure we'll be back!
(4)Tosha J.
I have been here several times because I enjoy the ambiance, fantastic food and service. My favorite is the Enchillada Veracruz and Mango Tres Leche cake. There have been times where I go to the restaurant just for the Mango Tres Leche cake. Definitely check them out!
(5)David M.
A good staple place for Mexican. Good table side freshly made guacamole, I get the same dish every time (Enchiladas Oaxaca) - some dishes I tried were not great but if you are in the mood for Mexican, you can get a table (it's huge) easily with last minute reservations and the food is certainly decent enough.
(3)Andrea R.
I'm guessing they are quite busy for dinner, but it was easy peasy to get a reservation for 5 during lunch. A few of my dining companions were running late due to Friday traffic, but I filled up on about 5 bowls of chips while waiting. The baby was hungry! Once the others arrived we ordered the "spicy" table-side guac with more chips (of course). You'd think I'd have had my fill of chips by then, but always room for more chips....especially when served with guac this delicious. To make for all the chips I went the healthy route for my entree and got the ensalada de cilantro y pollo. Basically chicken fajitas in the form of a salad. It was quite large (enough for myself, my fetus and another grown person). It was also quite yummy. I'd be game for trying dinner at Cantina Laredo and look forward ot trying their margaritas once I'm able to indulge in alcoholic beverages again.
(4)Jeff C.
Loved this place. A beautiful corner building with full wall retractable glass doors. On a great day with the doors pulled back this place just oozes city life. The food was wonderful. Very flavorful salsa that was warm when served. Good variety of menu items. The food was well presented, tasted very fresh and was a just-right portion. Good value and service.
(5)Sandy K.
This place is amazing. Dined here last night. Good service. Amazing food. Best guacamole of my life prepared table side and I've had it all over the world.. So fresh! The Margaritas with the Tequila filled lime boat were awesome.
(5)Brittni R.
I've been wanting to come here for years and finally got around to it tonight. I left VERY underwhelmed and probably won't ever go back. My favorite part, however was the ambience and the fact that they have a lady walking around with a cart to make you fresh guacamole right in front of you. The guacamole was really fresh, but I really like I could make it way better in my kitchen. Mexican places like this are a dime a dozen in Chicago. It's first of all, pretty pricy for what it is. The food is plentiful and filling. I got the Tacos de Fajita, which were decent, but I have had way better even at a simple place like Big Star. Next, the service was atrocious. Our server practically forgot about us and we were waiting a good 15 minutes before he came around to take our order after we got our drinks. It was a bit much seeing as the restaurant was busy, but not packed. Overall, it is good, and fancy. A nice place for a date night, but I'd rather pay a little less at Uncle Julio's in Lincoln Park and get way better Mexican food.
(3)Isabel S.
I went to Cantina Loredo a few weeks ago, and can't say that I was disappointed. Food was overall very tasty. I agree with a lot of the other reviews as well by stating that the table side guacamole was good, but could have been WOW-factor. Service was great and the wines were described well to me. Dessert was on another level. I would say the ambiance in this restaurant cannot be duplicated!
(4)Lamia B.
I came here yesterday with my friend and we had such a good time.Very classy with the fireplace and interior designs. We had reservations so we sat down in 5 minutes. Not bad considering we were a few minutes late lol. I requested a window seat and the host set that up with no hassle. Our drinks were good but If you not trying to get buzzed get 1 lol. Food was even better! Our waiter was nice and gave nice suggestions. However we found ourselves checking for him too long at times. I didn't get upset but I know my angry yelpers would have a fit lol. Overall good. I'm definitely going back when it gets warmer!
(5)Marlene D.
Good food and the prices are reasonable
(4)steve s.
Very good. It's was our last meal in Chicago before going home. It made my trip. A must eat while in downtown Chicago
(4)Bryan L.
We came in for lunch on the recommendation of a local and we could not have gotten better advise. What a terrific meal. The meal started with chips and salsa which is a standard but they also brought out a warm tomatillo sauce that was out of this world. The guacamole that was made at the table was also outstanding Next,the tortilla soup was large and hot and fantastic. The broth was a light purée with tons of shredded chicken. The fish tacos were "so friggin' good" according to Vicki and my smoked, pulled pork sandwich on a Cuban roll in a Poblano pepper sauce was simply stated the best sandwich I have ever had. You must come here.
(5)Kalvin Y.
Lunch is way to slow, there is absolutely so waiter series u. Bad bad bad. Food is just okay
(2)Jana C.
I love love love this place. The food is awesome, great ambiance and spectacular service. The have an open air area, bar area and dining room. The table side quac was excellent and the shrimp fajitas were delicious. Husband had a pork chop with chimichurri and he loved it!
(5)Abishek M.
I hadn't heard about this restaurant before so I had no real expectations to start with. That said, this place took me by surprise! Went on a Friday night around 8pm. The restaurant downstairs had a 20 minute wait but the "restaurant-lounge" upstairs had no wait and we got a table immediately. I was impressed by the decor. It was classy with lots of leather and wood. They had a couple of fireplaces too, which added to the ambiance. We ordered a couple of the margaritas (I had the blackberry smash) which were delicious and really strong! The food menu upstairs is tapas style. We ordered the table-side guacamole, chicken empanadas and spicy chicken tacos. They were absolutely delectable! I loved that the spice levels were lively but not overpowering. Just enough to leave that faint tingle after you're done relishing the food. For dessert we got the churros (with a dulce de leche dip) and the flan. They were HUGE! I was expecting tapas sized desserts but was pleasantly surprised. Overall, This was one of the best mexican-tapas style restaurants i have been to in a long time. I am definitely going back soon! UPDATE: Went back here a few weeks later and dined at the proper restaurant. The food was just above average. I'm bumping the stars down to 4. So much for consistency.
(4)Jennifer Q.
My husband and I took my teenage daughter downtown to see the sites. We took her to Cantina Laredo hoping we would be able to get a table on a busy Saturday night and they were able to get us and I am extremely happy they did. The atmosphere was brilliant. The ambiance was warm and cozy on a cold winter day. We sat down and were immediately greeted by a great waitress. We got an amazing batch of "walkamole" made the way we want it at our table. AMAZING!! the chips and two salsa that were given to us for the table. AMAZiNG!! My husband and I both ordered the fish tacos and I ordered one shrimp taco (per the suggestion of our waitress) it was AMAZING! If you are looking for a great date night or a place to take a potential client, this is the place!!
(4)Carl G.
Overall summary: service was good, but the food was not. Very trendy place, and not worth the price. Came here with a decent sized group, which they accommodated well. A little slow on the drinks sometimes, but that can be expected with a larger group; the food came out quite quickly. In general the service was polite and attentive. Had the house margarita, and was not impressed; it seemed watered down, and didn't have a ton of flavor - especially for the price. Switched to beer after that. The food was pretty much all a miss. We got the guacamole as appetizers, and while the tableside creation was pretty cool, it just didn't hit as being good. It was over-garlic/onioned, and just didn't have a good consistency. Ordered the fajitas and was also able to try the enchiladas. Neither had a lot of flavor, and both seemed over-salted. The combination fajitas had over-cooked chicken and very rare beef. The tortillas included seemed to be the exact same ones that I could pick up at the corner Jewel. The refried beans seemed burnt, and the rice was dry and just not that good. The fajita veggies were over-cooked and pretty wilted, again essentially no flavor other than salt. Enchiladas were plain, but that seemed to work ok in general. In terms of price, nothing individually seemed egregious, though everything was on the high end, especially considering that it just wasn't that good. The atmosphere is very trendy, and actually seems to be set up pretty well - private but in a crowd. I don't think I'll be back, as nice as the server seemed, nor as trendy as the place was.
(2)Christina M.
Great ambiance and drinks, odd flavoring choice for the guacamole. Not sure what they put in the guacamole, but my bf and I took one bite and decided it was awful. The servers graciously made us a new batch of guac without the offending flavoring, which was much better. The two salsas they bring to the table (for free) were good. We'd likely go back for the drinks.
(3)Rebeka M.
We came here for lunch on a Sunday. It wasn't busy, but the service was slow. We were seated, given menus, then waited for about 15 minutes before our orders were taken. The avocado enchiladas were really good. The food made up for the slow service. They looked like they were understaffed. I would come here again.
(4)Erica D.
Cantina Laredo Two of my dear friends from the burbs chose to make a rare appearance in Chicago in order to celebrate the life of well, me! I couldn't of been more excited to see my old roommate and her boyfriend for the evening. Reservations were set for an 8pm. Arriving at 750 two female hostesses informed us of a 10 min delay in reso times; having worked in the restaurants for almost 10 years I understood. This joint is located on the route to my grocery store. Each time I've passed it's been loaded with guests mingling while indulging in 'Modern Mexican' cuisine as Laredo puts it. I've been intrigued with this spot since it opened but quite frankly, I would've rather kept it a mystery. The dining room was bumping, consumed in a lively crowd filled with enthusiastic employees. Decor is simple and elegant. Music was quite obscure for the atmosphere. Starved like the rest of my crew, we were ready to gratify our palates with the tastings of Laredo. Our server greeted us in a jumpy manor, 'disheveled' is the word that comes to mind. Margaritas were tasty but nothing special to drop $12. We chose table side guacamole to start, presentation was unique and fit well with the up-scale concept. Problem was, it was a bit difficult to delve in without chips..5 min later a small bowl of chips was dropped off. Perfectly riped avocados and fresh ingredients obliterated the bowl. Our glasses were continuously empty, making it difficult to enjoy the dinner. As my boyfriend put it very well, if we're spending $12-15 on cocktails, least you can do is keep them full. Touche. Touche. Our table ordered an array of entrees to 'family style' it up. The tacos were bland and steak was over cooked. I personally ordered the enchiladas, decent flavors but line cook OD'd on the enchilada toppings, Too much! The sandwich with a fried egg on top satisfied my roommate. The server overheard that it was my birthday so he sent over a brownie dessert with a sparkler =) Cant complain about a free dessert but i'd never order that for dessert, go for the Mango Tres Leches.. OMG was that amazing, props to the pastry chef! The tab rounded out at about $275, expected prices but Not for the quality of the food. Sorry to say the hype and reputation doesn't hold up to reality. Probably a good idea to dine during their 3-7pm Happy Hour where everything is $5 or dine at Mercadito, best Modern Mexican joint around the area.
(2)Danny W.
If the W Hotel had an affair with a taqueria Cantina Loredo would be their love child. It's sexy Mex with chic décor, trendy service staff, and margaritas priced several dollars more than you'd get at a hole in the wall. Normally I'd roll my eyes at making Mexican super cool and twice as expensive, but the food here really was freaking awesome. Get the ceviche!! It's got shrimp, scallops, and fish marinated in limes and topped with avocado and other tasty flavor additions. Shrimp tacos were a solid choice for a main course and even though they were about $16 I'd say almost even worth the price tag. Mexican food is sacred in the sense that it's the one type of cuisine that you can find absolutely amazing spots for next to nothing so when a place like this comes along I'm rarely impressed. I wouldn't eat here all the time, but I'd definitely say it's worth spending a little bit more for Mexican.
(4)Lisa M.
Love this place! Its in a great area, and decently priced delicious food and drinks! The guacamole and margaritas are SO GOOD! A go to place when looking for a place to take friends who are visiting, or just a night out. Definitely recommend!!
(4)Pinak B.
Website: cantinalaredo.com Cantina Laredo is a chain of restaurants that is in the business of serving their version of 'gourmet' mexican food. The Chicago location is a great space with a unique 'out door / indoor' seating area. The patio is open during the summer months which makes the space appear large and very open. The restaurant features table side guacamole which was decent. I ordered the cheese enchiladas with mole sauce which were excellent. Their mole is comparable to some of the best I have ever had (the king of all moles' in my opinion is still at Red Iguana in Salt Lake City, Utah). Overall, this restaurant is worth checking out if you are in the mood for some quality Mexican food and great outdoor seating. pbarot.blogspot.com
(4)Halyna S.
The place looks trendy and inviting but it's definitely not for those looking for great food. Despite the trendy vibe, the food was very mediocre. Our overpriced dishes were definitely lacking in flavor. Cantina Laredo is striving for an upscale Mexican experience and while it delivers on the atmosphere, it misses the mark on what matters the most -- the food. With so many great authentic Mexican restaurants in Chicago, I will pass on having dinner here again.
(2)Jeff S.
I think you come to this place for the ambiance rather than the food. Architecture and design is nice, the food not so much. You could easily get a tastier Mexican meal all over the city.
(3)D A.
I would agree on stretching it to a four star like in the review from Katrina. I went during the week after work. Just myself since I'm traveling for work. Atmosphere: Not your typical Mexican restaurant. It very much an upscale atmosphere with great lighting and an outdoor seating area. No 'in your face' colors. Service: Down right awesome. My service was one of the best that I have had in Chicago. Engaged, well taken care of, and attentive. Much appreciated when traveling. Food: This is where they slip a little. Salsa was so-so. I don't like hot (temp wise) salsa. The other option was not that good. I didn't get the tableside guac, but it looked good. I did get the chicken tortilla soup and it was okay ... nothing special. I then had chicken enchilada's Veracruz ... at first bite, I wasn't impressed. I had a different expectation based on the description in the menu, but in the end, it was actually pretty good. I expected a cheese based sauce, but it was a tomato base. Overall, it's worthy of trying ... defiinitely not your typical Mexican restaruants ... fresh Mex is more like it ...
(4)Blaine T.
I had high expectations because the restaurant looks so cool, but my boyfriend and I were soooo disappointed. The guac tastes awful. The salsas are nothing special. The nachos had steak that was too chewy to successfully eat. At least the margarita was great, but the food was pretty bad....
(1)Eric M.
I have only had drinks here. Best Mojitos in the city. Excellent bar staff. Someone here understands the importance of costumer service and it shows. Great place to grab an after work drink.
(4)Christine S.
Cantina Laredo is huge! Like as in massive. However, it might just be their very open and clean space. I love it! For starters, I had a pomegranate margarita on the rocks. It was really good and had the right mix of everything. Nothing was too over powering. The chips and salsa that they bring to you when you arrive...yeah, that's my Kryptonite. The Top Shelf Guacamole is very good. We got it extra spicy...which honestly wasn't spicy enough for either of us. We like heat! For my main course, I got Enchiladas De Mole. Wow! These Enchiladas are amazing. I picked them because they are a house specialty and I was very satisfied with my choice. The Mole sauce is smokey, yet sweet. It really was delicious. The food was delicious. The service was spot on. . I'd come back here again in a heartbeat.
(4)Christian R.
Loved this place. I kind of stumbled upon this place by mistake. It looked very inviting, so I went in for drinks and a bite to eat. Great location in north Chicago. Very sleek and modern feel with open air dinning room and outdoor seating. Very good drink menu. I had the avocado and artichoke enchiladas which were unique and incredible. Beautiful and very large rectangular bar in the middle of this place. I will definitely go back.
(4)Amy H.
The service here was so bad. I placed my order at the exact same time as the rest of my family, but my food didn't arrive when everyone else's did. The waiter was scarce and never even noticed I didn't have any food. The manager finally came over and asked me if I ordered anything. It was crazy!!! By the time my food arrived, every one else was finished eating. We won't be going back.
(2)Marc S.
I'm pretty impressed by this place. Wonderful atmosphere. Great drinks. Great chips and guac. The salads are awesome - especially the chicken avocado. My brisket tacos were good, though I wish had been hotter, plate bigger and brisket pieces smaller so I didn't look like a savage eating them. That being said, so delicious. The enchiladas and other dishes looked so good as well. Waited for about 1 minute to be seated and not a problem making our reservation of 5 a 7. Amazing. Keep up the great work!
(4)Evan M.
So close to being amazing. Just need to work on a few things. I live nearby and finally decided to drop in on a beautiful sunny day. Walked in and were seated promptly. I did notice there were tons of macho chip fragments on the floor. The staff sort of swept them up but seemed unconcerned with really cleaning the floor. So we were sitting over nacho shrapnel for our entire meal. Kind of unusual in an establishment with such a nice, trendy ambience. Menu prices looked reasonable, especially for River North. Margarita prices were also quite reasonable--most ranging from $9-12. The salsas--both mild and spicy--were delicious, and when we finished our chips, our waiter Jose was more than happy to bring out more in a larger bowl. We also got the tableside fresh-made guacamole. Very good. Speaking of our waiter, he was very attentive and personable. I ordered the mole enchiladas--very delicious. A curious side that came with two of our dishes was sauteed zucchini--OK? My friends liked but didn't love their entrees. One had the tacos de barbacoa and the other had the enchiladas de barbacoa. One said her meat was too greasy, and the other said hers was too dry. Overall, good meal (for me!) but some things could be improved. We'll go back for brunch next time.
(4)Isheeta B.
The place was great. Very contemporary and modern. Good service. But the food was alright. My group ordered two of the vegetarian enchiladas and the dishes came out aesthetically pleasing but lacked in flavor. The enchilada de avocado was the better one out of the two. On the other hand, the salsas were really good!
(3)Mumtaz H.
Loved it. Very cool place. Great ambience, excellent food, scrumptious desserts. Must order the guacamole which is made fresh at table side for you. Make sure you leave room for the dessert (esp mango tres leche and brownie a la mode). Our server Jesus was very courteous and accommodating. Will definitely go again.
(5)Valerie M.
I really liked this restaurant. The decor is really similar to Zed45. Love all of the fireplaces. The table-side guacamole is a must have. We asked for mild by one of the waitress had the server add extra peppers. So it was a bit spicy for me but really good. Drinks- Frozen mango margarita and frozen strawberry margarita. Entree- Chicken Enchiladas, nice flavor next time I will ask for no peppers too spicy for me. Boyfriend had the combo steak and chicken fajitas that sizzled upon it's arrived and smelled absolutely divine. The meat was very tender. Service- Very prompt and attentive.
(5)Gina V.
LOVED IT!!!! We went here for my sister's birthday and we sat in a private room and it was sooo nice! The drinks were delicious! The guacamole was amazing! It was made to order right in front of us and just so delicious! We ordered ceviche, tamales, beef taco, steak, and chicken tacos! Everything was amazing! I can't say enough things about how delicious the food was! The price was also not too bad for the amount of food we had and the alcohol. I would definitely come back here!
(5)Henrik C.
Great modern ambiance that is very decorative. However the noise level is very significant. They have not done the basic of organizing reasonable acoustics. We had a mixture of chicken and steak. Overall very good food that was tasty, well prepared and had great presentation. We had a Kenwood cabernet sauvignon 2009 for the food. Great fine. They also have a great selection of tequila fresh on the rocks. Great modern mexican food. They would get 5 stars if they acoustics was better.
(4)Kristen W.
Walk into this gorgeous restaurant head to the bar or take a left and head up stairs for one of the best happy hours in town. Half off bar menu from 4-7 Monday-Friday. The drinks are strong, you gotta go with a margarita. Everything we have tried has been great! The table side guacamole is so fresh! The flat bread pizza with goat cheese and shrimp I could eat daily. Don't overlook the ceviche, empanadas, and the chicken nachos.
(4)Sam N.
If you are not from the tex-mex afficianado people ( yes I am sure there is a better way to phrase that) this is still an awesome place to go with friends, without friends, to go meet new friends of the opposite sex or whatever you have in mind. The guac is awesome...it wont leave you gasping for air like in other tex mex places. The drinks are carefully made. A good time to go...The best time to go is anytime you want to go have a drink after 6pm during the week. Also dont wear shorts and torn jeans if you are a guy...Hint: if the women are dressed up ( which they are ) they you should probably wear something nice too :)
(5)Daniel Z.
A great place for lunch, dinner or a drink. This was the third time I have been to Cantina Laredo and I am always pleased with the food and the service. I usually make this my meet up place for lunch or dinner with co-workers. I have never been here on a weekend, but I will give it a try soon!
(4)Lauren S.
This restaurant had been on my list for awhile, since I always pass it on my trips downtown. I made an early (and same-day, might I add) dinner reservation (6 p.m.) for 3 with no problem, and wasn't disappointed. Good service, really good salsa (one's warm and spicy, the other a bit milder), good skinny margarita, and my friend loved her blood orange sangria, and good, quality food. I had the tacos de pescado--I always have to try them when I visit a Mexican restaurant for the first time--and really enjoyed them. I wanted to try the guacamole (made table-side), but will save that for next time. This place has a great atmosphere and would be a good place to have a small dinner party for a birthday/celebration, as they have a wine room with seating for six on the first floor. I will definitely be going back!
(4)Katie D.
If you are looking for authentic mexican this is not the place to go. It's a trendy place with some modern flavors of mexican. Not a big fan of their enchiladas but their tacos are delicious. Wasn't too impressed with their service.
(3)Lola V.
Very good!! I had the chicken fajitas and we also had he beef tacos. They were both superb! The fresh made guacamole is delicious!
(4)Angela N.
Went here last night with two friends and I have to say service was really poor. Our server whose name was Roberto forgot about us for 20 minutes. When he decided to come back to take our orders he made an excuse that our other guest wasn't here (when we had told him that our guest wasn't coming in the beginning). Also, people that work in food should look a little happier and look like they enjoy working there. Smiling is good for you! I still really like this place for its ambiance but will most likely pass on having dinner here again.
(2)Chloe R.
I love the ambience of this restaurant. The decor is beautiful and so modern. The food is okay. Nothing really stood out except for the prices. They make fresh guacamole in front of you, but I feel like I could make better guacamole at home. The salsa was roasted, and I'm not a fan of that. My husband and I shared chicken tacos. I only had one, but as soon as I was done with it, I immediately felt like throwing it up. Weird! I would only go back for drinks, but not to enjoy the food.
(3)N C.
Guacamole is amazing, they make it in front of you and customize it to your taste. Food is good as well. Margarita is a must get.
(3)Nancy H.
Drinks, appetizers, and desserts are better than the entrees. I'd say this is more of a 3.5 star review because the beautiful interior definitely deserves an extra 0.5 star. I had the table side guacamole (very good - you can customize the ingredients), chicken quesadillas (very cheesy, and the quesadillas were tasty), steak nachos (also very cheesy, but I'm not a fan of the individual chips), the enchilada Veracruz (which was literally 1 chicken/spinach/cheese enchilada with veggies and rice - just ok), mango tres leches (not bad), hot apple pie with cinnamon ice cream a la mode (yum!), and a mango mojito (delicious but not strong). It's definitely "gourmet" Mexican food, aka Americanized. But the ambiance is nice - perfect for a work outing, and the service was fine. However, our waiter was barely audible. What?!
(3)Beto D.
So good....I went two days in a row. The service was good, the food was great, and the prices were very fair. I love that they make the guacamole fresh for you right at your table...If you don't want the guacamole that's fine because they will bring out a couple of salsa's for you to eat with your chips. The restaurant itself is very will done...more chic and modern with it's design and décor - caught a glimpse of the bar area and it looked very bright and open - the big size windows really light up the place - very clean and that went for the restroom as well... The first day, I had the rib-eye with potatoes it was one of the specials for the day and it was awesome. The second day, I had the carne asada with rice and that was awesome as well. I also requested a couple of their carnitas tacos on the side and those were so good...so good. If it's a five star that would mean that I would go back, oh wait...I did go back two days in a row man...it must have been really good...yes, it was.
(5)Ashley S.
Oh how much I wanted this place to be good!!! But, I was extremely disappointed. My husband and I went here because we really wanted guacamole, margaritas and an outside patio to enjoy the amazing weather. I called, and was told that they didn't have porch seating, but they had an indoor patio that had the windows open. Ok, not exactly what I wanted, but I was willing to sacrifice for some amazing guacamole. When we got to the restaurant, I asked to be seated in the patio, but was told it wasn't open, but we could sit in the main dining area where all the windows were open. We were seated and no windows were open, in fact the fire place was blazing!!! It was 70 degrees outside! Ok, so on to the good stuff- the food and service. First I asked the server how the skinny margarita was. His response, he wasn't sure never had it. No smile included. So, I went with the passion fruit margarita. I was asked if I wanted salt or sugar. Again, I seeked the professional opinion of my server, but he didn't have one. In the end, the drink was ok, but not worth the 11.50. Of course, we ordered the guacamole that is made at the table. A server came over, made the guac and then set it on the table. I said, "thank you", but didn't even get a smile in return. Guac was good, but I have had better. For my meal, I ordered the fish tacos. The menu said that they came with a chipotle cream sauce. Only one of my tacos had the sauce, which was disappointing because it was really good. Other than that, the tacos were very bland. During the entire meal, my husband and were discussing our experience. My husband noted that the service was horrible and all of the staff members looked miserable. I did a quick look around and not one server was smiling as they interacted with their table. All in all, for the money spent on our meal, I would much rather walk the extra couple blocks and wait for a table at Frontera Grill. I highly recommend that the manger at Cantina Laredo hires some staff members with a little bit of personality to make the dining experience somewhat pleasant.
(1)Rebecca C.
I did not like this place. The place was trendy and a great atmosphere, but the food was horrible. The only good part was the salsa. The presentation of the food is nice, but I took two bites and could not eat anymore. I think I might try it again. Hopefully my mind will change.
(2)NAmrata K.
Been here for lunch a few times. Love their decor, they also have seating next to their almost street side indoors with a nice fireplace et all.. Lunch is great, vegeterain fare is pretty good and affordable!
(4)Janice K.
We were seated right away on a Memorial Day evening without reservations. We started with the guacamole made to order at the table. It was a generous amount. We asked for medium spice but it was mild. Next time I would say spicy. The tortas were awesome. We had both chicken and pork. The fries were yummy. The dessert was unique and delicious. The brownie and the apple pie came in a hot skillet with a scoop of brandy butter added at the table to sizzle and melt in front of you. The cinnamon ice cream on the apple pie was very good. The waiter was nice.
(4)Charlotte W.
For Sunday brunch, my bf and I really wanted something spicy and filling and Mexican (or Latin American!) I was doing my research in the morning from all those 'Where' magazines in the hotel room on best Mexican places that was open for brunch. I eventually gave up and asked the concierge who HIGHLY recommended Cantina Laredo. Because it was so close to our hotel (same street), it couldn't be beat. The interior is HUGE with high ceilings. There were some people at the bar already and we were seated in a booth (yeah!) Our waitress immediately sold up the Guacamole, prepared by the table side, and since that was what my bf and I wanted, we ordered it. You get to choose which peppers you want to put in, and I chose the spicy Serrano. It was okay, but I have actually had better. Kind of iffy on the value of it being $9.99. I instantly gravitated towards the Chile Relleno which was very filling. I didn't need to eat for the rest of the day. My bf had a chicken dish (name eludes me) which was ordinary. We both ordered Bloody Maria's (our waitress didn't know what a Caesar was) and I could barely drink it. In fact, I didn't even finish it. Loving my booze, I actually couldn't stomach drinking whatever alcohol was in. FYI - This restaurant has brunch options that include either a Mimosa, Bloody Maria or a non-alcoholic drink. Then for dessert, we had the Flan which was very big. Meh. All in all, this would be a great place to have a sit at the bar and drink and nibble on Guacamole. However, my quest for that homey, Mexican cantina continues.
(3)Shilpa K.
I didn't actually get any food here but I came in to get a drink with some friends prior to a late dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant. First of all, you get chips and salsa even if you aren't getting a meal. And not just some cheap, out of the bag, tortilla chips. But legit, homemade, thin, warm, authentic tortilla chips. Yeah, I was starving at the time, but they were amazing. Also, the salsa - omgah. SO good. And one was really spicy which wins extra points from me. I got the pomegranate margarita on the rocks. It was a great choice. Sweet, but not too sweet, and you could definitely feel the alcohol kick. Definitely a must try... at least for the margs and chips.
(4)Keyona D.
Great food, fresh guacamole made right at your table, and good view from our upstairs table. Perfect spot for date night.
(5)Elizabeth A.
Cute place. They make guacamole at the table, which is cool if you remember to watch. I didn't eat much here but from the little I did try, I can say that the fish tacos are good while the Long Island Iced Teas are not so good and strangely made with far too much Tequila...(tequila? :-/) They do have a white wine called Cupcake something or other that was very yummy (this is coming from someone who is normally not very fond of white wine).
(3)Rustygirl M.
Great ambiance. Had the brisket tacos. I didn't like the soft shells so I just ate the meat w/ the rice and black beans. Food and drinks were reasonably priced, which wasn't expected based on the location and upscale look of the restaurant. Blood orange sangria, 7.50$ Brisket tacos, 13.99$ Chips and salsa were great. 2 kinds of salsa. We had guoc too that was good. I'd return for sure!
(5)Stephanie L.
OMG...AVOID this disaster place..... So went here on a Sunday at about noon. There was about four other tables in the place when we sat down.... The actual restaurant is beautiful...I really like the way it looks and that is about where it ends Roberto was our server...he brought us waters and we ordered the guacamole...ok, I really am over the table side making of the guac...like really?!?! Does this give you the right to charge a ridiculous amount for ok guac. It really needed a little salt too. It was just ok at priced at $9.95, it was ridiculous for the small amount of guac that we got. Then we waited and waited and waited for Roberto to come back to take our order. Some people had gotten the mimosas...still waiting on those too. There was only about 12 workers walking around for 4-5 tables...no joke. Oh by this time, we were out of water and out of chips for the guacamole that we had ordered. It was the most ridiculous service that I have seen in awhile. We saw what looked like the manager (I really wished I would have gotten his name, but he was short and asian...) and asked him if we could please get a server so we could order. He sent over Jose...who was now going to be our server. We placed our order and finally got the mimosas. We flagged down another server to bring us more chips and more water....annoying. Our food came and Jose couldnt remember who got what...again, pretty annoying. I got the chicken torta. It was burnt and the bread was hard. Jose wouldnt have known this because he never came and checked on us after he dropped off the food. The carne torta was much better than mine. Also, the fajitas were just ok. Nothing to special there. Again, we waited and waited for the bill. Also, none of the plates have been cleared...not even our guacamole plates that we piled up in the middle of the table to get some more room. We got up and got Jose's attention again to get our bill and some boxes. After 10 more mins, he finally brought the check. Another girl brought out the boxes. We sat for 10 more mins waiting for him to close us out. I actually got up and went to the bar to see if they could please run our card since we have been waiting for 15 mins to get out of here. Again, at this point, there are probably about 12-15 tables total. And still about 12 workers waiting on these tables...I really couldnt understand what was going on. The manager ran our card and we high tailed it out of there. This place has SERIOUS service issues. No one seemed to know what the heck was going on....really?!?!?!?!!? HORRIBLE. I will not go back to Cantina. It was ABSURD. AVOID THIS PLACE. The food was ok at best and the service was probably the worst I have had in a month or so...with so many options in the city...dont waste your time here.
(1)Veda P.
I would have loved to give this place a 5 star rating however, because of our server, I'm only giving it 4 stars. The ambiance was fantastic, the food pretty good. Our server--surly. Why wait tables if you hate your job? So sorry to inconvenience you! Also, they say they are kid friendly--not so much. It's a little fast paced in there, not very relaxing. They all need to calm down! Would I go back--not sure.
(4)Renee R.
My boyfriend and I love it here. if you're looking for traditional Mexican cuisine, this isn't really the place considering it's more modern plates and drinks, but regardless it's fantastic and the atmosphere is very fun. Great place for a big group of people.
(5)Arash R.
Great ambience and drinks , must try three amigos
(5)Phillip T.
Just got back from there so it's fresh in my head. Stumbled upon this when Bub City BBQ was packed. Got seated, took 10 minutes to get anybody to acknowledge my existence in a relatively empty place but afterwards, the service was attentive. Ordered enchiladas de mole and it came out almost instantly. Sauce was pretty good as were the tortillas. Chicken could have used a little more seasoning but otherwise not bad. Beans and rice, you ask? Oh no no no... not here. More like the yellow rice you'd find in a Portuguese restaurant and zucchini... really?! Zucchini?! Tried it, left it on the plate. The shining moment was the flan, though... omg. I'm a flan snob and this thing was on point. Absolutely delicious. Table service includes chips and salsa... chips remind me of Chili's, salsa was ok. Decor is beautiful but I'd rather eat in a broom closet with exceptional food than some fancy place if the food is only mediocre... but omg... dat flan...
(3)M G.
Not sure if I can consider this place to serve modern mexican food. They serve American-mexican food. Will not go again, it was over priced and way less than what I expected. The waitress did not ask how we wanted our plates either (meats, fries or rice and beans) instead she just chose for us. The food was cold and with little to no taste at all. I gave it one star for the Spanish music that's all that was good there. I also ordered at tamarindo lemonade martini and was the worst drink I've ever had.
(1)Katelyn W.
My favorite Mexican hands down! Loooove the fresh table side guacamole. The skinny margaritas are good! The ambiance and service is always good so time of day and day of the week shouldn't matter!
(4)Donna L.
The place looks sooooo beautiful! Modern and contemporary feel... High ceilings, large windows... The aura is great. The drinks are pretty good.. Mango Mojitos are awesome and the blackberry smash was also tested delicious. Personally my dish was the stuffed chicken and it was super super salty. So I wouldn't get that again, but my 'date' got the sea bass which was literally amazing. Seriously melt in your mouth deliciousness and perfectly seasoned. Because my dish was not edible, they did compensate with THREE?! Desserts! And they were all amazing!! Not just because they were free, haha. But seriously, the mango cake was impressive, as was the brownie doused in butterscotch. The flan was also smooth and creamy. We shall be back!
(4)Meredith G.
In my 5 days in the city I wound up here 2 times. It was also right across from our hotel. Really nice and open interiors. They have good happy hour food specials in the upstairs bar area every evening. Upstairs also has a cool fire place and glass walls that fully open up. Cocktails run $9-12, but they are well made and strong. I enjoyed their house margs & another one that had blackberry in it. The chips & salsa we got were so good. The 2 types of salsa are served warm. If this was in Denver I would be a regular.
(4)Katie R.
I went here with a big group for a birthday celebration, and it was a lot of fun. They accommodated our group of 14 on a Friday night with absolutely no issues, and the service was still great even though there were several other large groups there. They had a lot of great margarita choices - I had the peach-flavored Skinny Rita, and it was really good. They make their guacamole right next to your table, and they make it as spicy or mild as you request, which is great. I had the Enchiladas Veracruz, and they were absolutely delicious. And at the end of the night when the bill came, it was not nearly as expensive as I would have expected for the quality of the food and the experience overall. I will definitely be coming back here!
(4)Hannah C.
This place is very fun and modern, great to stop by after work. We went on a weeknight and didn't have to wait for a table upstairs. Drinks were very good and they have a pretty impressive tequila list. Food portions are somewhat small and our appetizers cooled off quickly as we talked, but they were still tasty!
(4)William V.
This is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. The location and atmosphere are great. I prefer the more open patio section with high ceilings and ample outdoor lighting, and try to avoid the darker, more formal section. The guacamole is delicious and prepared to order table side. The menu is vast and has a range of traditional items, plus seafoods, etc. Get there early and enjoy a drink at the large, u-shaped bar!
(4)Niti B.
Mojitos mojitos mojitos!!! All I have to say is the drinks are amazing and definitely do the trick to start happy hour on a friday night! I was here for a second round after checking out the place for lunch I wanted to try a evening experience. I had the guacomole table side which was delicious. Made with the right amount of spice and tang. And I shared the mahi mahi tacos with my friend. The fish was cooked perfectly and the cabbage coleslaw was delightfully crispy. Definitely super crowded due to it's prime location and a place to be seen. The staff does a great job of trying to move things along swiftly and very polite. Prices are moderate but definitely hiked due to the touristy crowd...will definitly keep coming back!
(5)Kemi A.
This was my 1st food stop in Chicago. We didn't have reservations but luckily other friends were also dining there and we were able to sit with them. The place was very spacious. We had a few drinks. They make fresh guacamole by the table side. Only thing is that we asked for moderate heat intensity and it was literally ZERO intensity. Disappointing. I had the shrimp enchiladas. It came with two. I think everyone enjoyed their meal. Drinks were good too. Overall, I would recommend this place to others.
(4)Arthur H.
Average food but good service. Guacamole is made to order at your table. Large place. Can get noisy.
(3)Monica H.
Great atmosphere, nice staff, good food. Get the guacamole and a skinny margarita, and feel the worries of your day melt away. I had the pork tacos, which weren't anything special. Next time I'd probably try something else. Good salsa. Large enough space to accommodate bigger parties. More like Rosa Mexicano than your neighborhood cantina, but sometimes that's what you want.
(4)Nicole W.
This place is just OK Highlights: -2 out of 4 margaritas were good -Made a reservation 30 minutes ahead of time so sat immediately -OK service, slow -Guac is good Luckily I made a reservation about 30 minutes ahead of time and was seated immediately. Watched a girl come in, swear she made a reservation, then told it'll be a 1.5 hour wait. I for one, would not have waited that long. Sat down, ordered our drinks. The floater margarita with a coronita was gross but the margarita I had was made with agave and very good. Ordered guacamole as well. The guac girl circled her cart around the aisle a couple times and was quite humorous she had no idea where she was going. Then she clunked her little stand to our table and asked us if we ordered guac. Yep. The guac was delicious. It took awhile for the server to come take our dinner order that by then, we had filled up on margaritas and guacamole. He eventually came and we put in another drink order. I ordered the skirt steak medium rare and my boyfriend ordered the mahi tacos. Drinks too forever to come out again. The mint margarita was delicious and the pepper margarita was rather gross. 2/4 margaritas were good. My skirt steak came out very well done so after our waiter oogled at the table of 8 cougars, I was able to get him over to request a medium rare skirt steak. Finally he brought it over and said to me... I kid you not... "I looked at the last skirt steak and it looked medium rare to me. I did not see anything wrong with it." I ignored him then cut into my true medium rare skirt steak which actually had some pink in it and was way more delicious. The audacity to try to call me out. Medium rare is not hard as a rock and cooked all the way through. The fish tacos were delicious. The flan was also delicious. This place is OK, don't think I would go back in a hurry though.
(3)Alex A.
Great food and atmosphere. The service was excellent as always! Guacomole made at the table side is phenominal and so is the tres leches dessert.
(5)Vincent Y.
Honestly the enchiladas de mole were good. The meat was flaky, the sauce was sweet but tangy enough to not overpower, etc. It's a toss-up though because although I would just go to Pilsen or Humboldt Park to recommend restaurants like Nuevo Leon, you are paying the extra 5-6$ (I had a 14$ meal for the enchiladas) for the downtown atmosphere.
(3)susie s.
Love this warm modern space-a little noisy but very festive and LA-ish. The drinks were outstanding-no crappy triple sec here. The food was perfect-O jad tender carne asada, split some fresh ceviche that was to die for, I sampled my friends pork shank which was also amazing. The chips are light and crispy and they don't charge for each fresh bowl. We had the mango tres leches cake and the flan for desert-both were absolutely divine. The service was perfect-the whole experience was absolutely wonderful.
(5)Elaine G.
I've been here a couple of times, during their 5-7pm happy hour and for dinner. I'm only giving it 4 stars because of the happy hour/bar menu. Otherwise it deserves 2.5. Ask to be seated where the happy hour menu is served because I think it only applies for upstairs. Regular Menu Top Shelf Guacamole ($9) - every table at the restaurant seems to get this. They make it tableside and it looks pretty cool. I'm not much of a guac fan, but it's definitely worth getting if you've never tried it before. Ceviche ($9) - shrimp, scallops, fish in lime juice. It's pretty fresh but I thought the lime taste was too strong. Ensalade de Mango Y Pollo ($12) - chicken and mango salad with jicama, grapes, pumpkin seeds, mind, and honey vinaigrette. Very large portions and one of my favorite things from the menu. Quesadillas al Carbon ($13) - chicken quesadillas, totally average. Mexican Brownie ($7) - by far the most amazing thing I've tried from their menu, and quite possibly the best brownie I've ever had in my life. It's this super rich pecan and walnut brownie that's served on a hot skillet and the server pours cinnamon ice cream and brandy butter over it at the table. IT IS AMAZING! Must get item. Margaritas - the frozen margaritas are AWESOME and super strong - I can definitely feel it after one drink and I'm a champ when it comes to alcohol. They do give me a headache though...but I think that's just what happens when I drink tequila. Mojitos - they all taste really good, but you can barely taste the alcohol. If you're looking to get tipsy, definitely opt for the margaritas. All in all, I would go for drinks and the brownie. There's much better and cheaper Mexican food elsewhere. But the dining environment and atmosphere beats any Mexican restaurant I've been to.
(4)Kim D.
We ate here recently.....ordered the fish tacos based on the fact that they get their fish fresh everyday, never frozen. The fish was very over cooked, but still okay. The guacamole was great, chips and salsa were awesome. Service was very slow. Overall it was good and I would probably try them again. The atmosphere was awesome.
(3)Sherri K.
Want bland, tasteless food, and poor service? Then this is the place for you ... All others avoid!
(1)Carol H.
there was a problem with our reservation (came through open table), and not only would they not honor it, they were very rude about it.
(1)Melissa T.
Although this place was perfectly fine, I've had better for less money. The drinks were weak for their cost. The guacamole was good, and I really liked the different salsas. I've made better mahi mahi tacos at home, although these were still good. Overall, it was fine evening; I just won't be dying to go back anytime soon.
(3)Tricia F.
Mainly points for ambiance and ease of experience. Came on a busy weekend night without a reservation and got a hightop table at the upstairs area. Great ambiance, service and drinks!
(4)Richard M.
This place is shady! I had brunch there and accidentally left my cell phone on the table and then walked directly to where I live. When I arrived home, 25 minutes later, I realized my mistake and immediately called the restaurant. I know exactly where the phone was when I left Cantina Laredo (sitting out on the table). Nevertheless, the restaurant claimed no one had seen it. I kept asking to speak to a manager but the hostess had a hard time finding one -- referring to Mark, Tina and then Paul. I spoke to Tina at the restaurant, who simply took down my name and number. Upon leaving the restaurant for the second time, I called my own cell number again only to discover that someone had turned my cell phone off, causing calls to go "direct to voicemail." When I got home for the second time, I called Cantina Laredo again and was connected to another manager, Paul. Paul was cordial on the phone, even promising to frisk his bus boys if necessary to find my phone. Still, my phone was never found. I will NEVER go back to this place.
(1)betsy b.
I should really stick with what I know....the JULIO! This place is overpriced oversalted mexican food. Sure the table side quac was good but that was about the only thing....the skinny marg was possibly the worst marg I've ever had. The fajitas were bland and my shrimp stuffed chicken had about 4 mini shrimps in it. Sorry Cantina Laredo but Uncle Julio's has you beat by a long shot.
(2)Terrel K.
Was crowded as it was a friday night, they have a nice seating area upstairs with a fireplace with nice comfy seats and a smaller table where you can order drinks and your meal, this is what we did as it was nice and comfortable for two.nice prices on meals and well made drinks.will return.
(4)V G.
This place is a treat for your eyes and your taste buds. Classy yet modern interior, comfy private rooms for parties downstairs or more loungy second floor. Drinks are always fresh-made and delicious, food is good. Hard to find parking on a weekend night, of course, but what can I say... welcome to Chicago.
(5)Mike V.
This place is absolutely amazing!!! If you want a restaurant with fantastic ambiance, wonderful people and great food this is a sure bet in Downtown Chicago. Mario was our server and he was/is the best!! Mario was a great server, was fast and considerate and even made my little 4-year old boy feel great. Mario thanks so much!! A first-class experience in Chicago we HIGHLY recommend Cantina Laredo!!!
(5)Sarah S.
Probably the most disgusting dining experience I have had in Chicago. I could not even finish my food. I ordered fajitas- how much safer can you get?? Well sure enough they mucked it up royally. The tortillas tasted as though they had been handled by someone who had been playing with rotting fish. So nasty. And the rest of my party's food was just as bad. Fake fancy industrial food- not my cup of tea.
(1)Christian A.
One of the best tortas i've ever had! Good service and atmosphere. Just wish they had horchata!
(4)Jamie B.
I am sick as a dog from my dinner here. One star from me as I lay here in bed writing this review. I came here for dinner with my sister last night and now have food poisoning. We ate upstairs which had a listed bar only type menu...we had the ceviche Veracruz to start (shrimp, scallops, fish) which the fish tasted a little fishy, but must not have been that dish since Sis is ok today and we shared. For dinner, she had one barbacoa taco and two fish tacos. I had one fish taco and two shrimp tacos. For drinks we had one sangria each, a white and a red. Between these items I find myself today in misery and will likely not go back. I probably should have trusted my gut and ordered the chicken tacos.
(1)Sho D.
You'd never know this place is a chain because the food and drinks are so amazing. But most importantly, it is a TEXAS chain, and as a Texas transplant, I give it two thumbs up. The margaritas are pricey (it's River North, so go figure), but they are well worth their cost. They do not skimp on the liquor, and yet they are so well-mixed you'd never know it's there. The food is also great. I've tried the tacos, enchiladas, and some of the specialty items. Also - get the mexican apple pie! Cinnamon ice cream over warm apple pie in a skillet and a butter caramel sauce on top? It's heaven. Sometimes my boyfriend and I just go for drinks and dessert after catching a movie at the nearby AMC. One of our favorite places for a night out, for sure.
(5)Steve S.
Decided to pick Cantina literally 2 blocks away from it, made a reservation online and got a table right when we arrived! The food/drinks/dessert were all decent but I wouldn't specifically come back for the food. The restaurant was extremely loud and since they had their terrace doors open, all the street noise also could be heard inside. Overall, if someone asked me if I wanted to go to Cantina, I would probably recommend going elsewhere not because the place was bad but because it was nothing special.
(3)Vanessa P.
The food is great, but need to improve service.
(4)Reda K.
This is the second time my husband and here eaten here. The first time was for lunch ,this time it was for dinner.We both received an email about fish Friday so we decided to go. Go down there and the sign said half price upstairs between 4-7pm which wasn't mention in the email. So when we get there it's packed but we decide to go up stairs which is really nice we sat by close to the fire place and had drinks which are good but had to drink fast because if not the ice would have melted. So I went to the ladies room and this is why I only had four stars it was three stalls so as I go into the stall it was dark no lights in the stall. And over by the sink one light was out as you enter into the bathroom so in the whole bathroom it was only two lights. But our waitress was nice and fast nice food is good .
(4)Derek M.
We couldn't get home fast enough to write the amazing Alejandro another stellar review. Alejandro and the staff at this restaurant truly helped to make my girlfriend's birthday perfect. Not only is the restaurant visually stunning, but also the staff is both professional and personable. Over the past year, Alejandro has encouraged me to try something new with each visit, and today he recommended the bacon-wrapped shrimp that completely blew our minds. Absolutely scrumptious! We also had shrimp fajitas, camarones escondidos, and cabo margaritas - all delicious. Tonight's experience once again solidified my love for this restaurant in addition to scoring brownie points with my girlfriend (although she did say she wanted to put Alejandro in her pocket and take him home). Thanks again, Cantina Laredo, and my coworkers and I will see you soon!
(5)Margaret G.
Mojitos and guac- bueno Beef tacos- no bueno That about sums up my fiesta at Cantina last weekend along with the extent of my spanish speaking. My sisters and I were met with complete 'tude by the hostesses, way to make it super awkward chicks by ignoring me for a good minute or so.... anyway.. The restaurant is big and open inside, where the 20-30 somethings come to see and be seen. Being my sisters and I fit in this age group, we gussied up and tip toed over in our high heels for a fun night out. I started with a mojito and boy was it saweet and soo yummy. Although I can't say I tasted any alcohol in it so it must have been the tequila shots that gave me my buzz.. teehee.. Order for minty freshness! The guac lady made a stop at our table and was so glad she did. The guac was FANTASTICO. Plus, unlimited chips... As for the tacos, big nononono. Nothing special. Vamonos for the drinks and guac, pass on the food (at least the beef tacos).
(3)Nikki H.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago! I've visited this restaurant with several different groups and no one has ever left disappointed. The ambiance borders on modern chic/warm and cozy. Don't forget--they have a fantastic brunch menu which includes a tasty Bloody Mary or mimosa!
(5)Airin B.
Make sure you have the guacamole. Fresh and we just wanted to take the server home. We loved the food and the atmosphere. We are definitely going back!
(4)Mark K.
The entrees (fajitas and a chicken dish) were tasty and enjoyable. The service was excellent. The disappointment was in the made-at-your-table guacamole. My date and I asked for spicy, and maybe the guacamolist thought we looked too tame, but the final product tasted a little bland and a hint of sweetness. I added salt and some hot salsa at the table to give it a bit more taste. Overall, very good dinner, but I might try the nachos next time.
(3)L. S.
Went there for a friend's birthday and we had a party of 6. (It was supposed to be a surprise dinner for her, but when he checked in, the hostess said, Oh ___ party of 6 right?? Blew the surprise for her... oh well!! ) The drinks are expensive and not enough alcohol. Our server wasn't that attentive considering it wasn't that busy. I understand (being a server) that most places put an automatic tip on a large party. Considering our party was 6 people and we are an easy group to serve, the server was rarely seen. We had the server assistant bringing us new chips, salsa, and refilling our waters more than the server. I don't think he deserved the 20% tip. I think that some servers use that automatic tip to slack off a bit on the big party and focus their attention to other tables to get a larger tip. (Trust me, servers I work with do the same thing). He did that with us. The food was pretty good and had big portion sizes. The shrimp fajitas were amazing. However the beef tacos left something to be desired. The main reason for a low review was the guacamole lady. We ordered one order of freshly made guacamole which was made fresh at our table. She has a cart of ingredients whole avocados, fresh lime, and chopped up ingredients in bowls in front of her. She asked how we liked our guacamole- we all decided on spicy. She put the avocado in and smashed it a bit and then added the ingredients- lime, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, etc... however each time that she added a scoop of whatever ingredient into the avocado mixture she used her fingers!!! FINGERS- not just one, but her thumb and her first two fingers on the rounded lump of ingredient on the spoon to make sure it would not fall off the spoon! I don't know where her fingers have been! She has been pushing around the cart all night. I could see her touching her face and hair when she didn't have any tables to make guacamole for. I think she should have not been lazy and used two scoops of the ingredients instead of trying to put it all on to one huge rounded scoop full with her fingers holding in ingredients in place! She never really made conversation or eye contact- this should have been a time for her to shine, letting us know what she is putting into the guacamole and telling us how she is making it. But she just used her fingers to violate the guacamole and just put down the bowl on our table. Plus with an appetizer like that, a spoon to scoop onto our plates would have been nice as well!
(2)Alyssa T.
We walked in after work on a Friday looking for yummy cocktails and apps. WE FOUND THEM. Their Casa Rita margarita (with a Pom shot) was delicious! Their table side guac was fresh, creamy and perfectly spiced (to our specification). We also got their Ceviche, SUPER fresh, not a hint of fishy-ness and mouthwatering. The STAR however were the ahi tuna tacos. I would be underselling it if I didn't admit that my boyfriend and my jaws DROPPED the second we tasted them. Raw, tender, marinated cubes of the best tuna I have ever had. There was this delicate sauce and crispy corn tortilla that finished that flavor. I only gave 4 stars because we didn't have a full meal yet, but we will be going back!
(4)Bri A.
Meh. That's how I describe this place. It was okay for a chain but I've had better Mexican food elsewhere. We started out with herradura margaritas and ceviche. Our drinks were too sweet for our liking but maybe that is just how that type of margarita is supposed to taste. Hey, it sounded interesting! We then ordered the pomegranate margarita and the Milagro blackberry smash. The pom one was tasty but the blackberry one was a little too sour for my liking. The ceviche came out fast and was delicious. Five minutes later, our meals came out. We had barely touched our appetizers! Now I see where these comments about food being microwaved are coming from. I had the tamales de barbacoa and my boyfriend had the carne asada. Both were good and we liked our meals, but they did not blow us away. We had the mango tres leche cake for dessert which was the best part of our meal, along with our friendly server. This place is okay if you are a tourist or like bland, non tradtional Mexican food but I would not bother if you are a foodie.
(3)Dave G.
Can't wait to go back!
(5)Ishea B.
A group of about six of us dined here on a Friday night for a birthday dinner. I thought the interior design was absolutely gorgeous. So gorgeous in fact that I forgot I was eating at a chain restaurant. The service was attentive and on par for what is to be expected at a restaurant in this price range. I thought it was on the higher side for what I'd like to pay for Mexican cuisine, and in all honesty, the food and drinks were rather disappointing. I have had much better Mexican food at placed like Habanero Grill and for a fraction of the price. I ordered the fish tacos and felt they were forgettable. In addition to that, I had the "perfect patron margarita" which although smooth, didn't pack enough punch for me. On the flip side, the "cinco rit" proved to be WAY too strong and taste pretty awful. I will say that the server did urge me to go with the perfect patron margarita (which I did), but my curiosity got the best of me, so I ordered the cinco rita as well - - big mistake! I felt like that drink would put hair on my chest. Very rough... Some of my friends had previously dined upstairs and it should be noted that they have more of a tapas style menu on that level so not the same things are offered. I would definitely come back, but sit upstairs. Maybe try my luck at another drink and a few more things on the tapas menu, but if that wasn't tasty, I'd probably pass on this place altogether. ** Note that your entire party must be present before you're seated. This is helpful to know for large groups **
(3)Chris J.
Fresh, you gotta get the table side guacomole. Pretty good sized portions for the price. Thumbs up.
(4)Laura A.
Great place for a Happy Hour-style group gathering. My co-workers seemed to enjoy their margaritas and we ordered a bunch of good, but not remarkable appetizers for the table. The real bummer was the so-called "Top Shelf Guacamole," made fresh at our table - it tasted like soap! I love guacamole, in fact, I have even been an apologist for bad guacamole, but this was the worst quacamole I've ever tasted. Bland and just kind of bad. The bizarre part is that the guacamole served as a side with our apps was absolutely delicious.
(3)Melanie S.
It takes some serious cojones to open a Mexican restaurant in the heart of the Rick Bayless mexicomplex. That said, it's not really fair to compare Cantina Laredo to any of the Rick Bayless spots; apples and oranges really. For what it is and/or what it's trying to be, CL is okay. I'm not sure where this chain originated, but if I had to guess, it would be Scottsdale, AZ. Everything about the building's exterior to the decor, looks like the style that is so prevalent in that town. Which is to say, not really my cup of tea. The menu is upscale, and caters to an Anglo (read: gringo) palate, with things like chicken and mango salad, fajitas and chimichangas. I dare you to find a chimichanga at a Rick Bayless restaurant. I met a friend here for an after-work cocktail and light snack so I didn't experience the full menu, so I'll just touch on what I had. We started with Patron margaritas and our server offered to have them made "skinny." This makes me laugh because, again, it means their clientele is a very specific demographic. I actually don't know if our margaritas ended up being made "skinny" or "regular," but they were pretty good. We were also brought out fresh chips and two kinds of salsa. We weren't told the difference, but one was much better than the other, as it was smokier and spicier. The chips were thin, crispy and salty--just the way I like 'em. They also offer the ubiquitous tableside-made guacamole, which we decided to share. At $9.99, it's not cheap and it's not a huge portion. It's supposed to serve 2-4 people, and I can't really see it stretching that far, unless other appetizers were ordered. They wheel the cart to you and ask if you want "everything" added to your guac and how spicy you'd like it. We asked for everything and also to be made very spicy. I'm not sure what they consider spicy, but this was anything but. There was also some weird black things in it (maybe a pepper of some kind?) but it made it look less than appealing. Although the ingredients were nice and fresh, there just wasn't a lot of flavor in the guacamole. Some lime juice would have really helped perk it up. I was still a little hungry so I also ordered the sopa de tortilla. Since it was a cold, rainy night, soup seemed like the perfect thing. I was worried it would be too big a serving given the price (over $9), but it was just a regular-sized bowl. Given its size, it was really overpriced. I did like it; it had some depth to it, lots of shredded chicken, crispy tortilla strips and a slice of avocado. It warmed me up and was satisfying. Still, I can't help but think that paying $9 for a bowl of soup borders on highway robbery. Our server was very sweet. A pink-cheeked, cherubic-looking fellow named Justin, who took good care of us. In general, it seems like the kind of place that hires staff for their looks rather than their ability. It's all beautiful people working here. Chicago is full of great, authentic (or at least more authentic than this) Mexican eateries. Cantina Laredo is basically a prettied-up Chi Chi's, but at least they don't have the atrocity that is fried ice cream on the menu. I read a review of Cantina Laredo that said "Cantina Laredo is to Mexican what P.F. Chang's is to Chinese." I'm pretty sure it wasn't meant to be a compliment, but it's an accurate description.
(2)Kat T.
It's like they say in those commercials "Really?!!" I've been mulling over this review for a bit. I visited this place, alone, on September 16th. Yeah, that long ago, and it still feels like it was yesterday. It has more to do with the trauma of flavors in my mouth that I just can't get over or forget. So, as disturbed as I am about this particular experience, I'm going to bring the pain with this review. The outer appearance of this place is fabulous. They went all out and put some thought in the esthetic design of each distinct dining space- bar stool seating, romantic seating, family seating, booth seating, lounge seating. It's a big space! And though it was not packed, they wanted to seat me on a bar stool. When I put the brakes on that, I had to wait a bit for them to decide where to put me. Queau the commercial "Really?!!" For inconveniencing their seating plans of the day, they put me right in front of the kitchen entrance/exit. I had to wonder if I was being racially profiled or something. But I took it in stride. Hey, I was just a few feet away from the fire place. That counts for something, right? Server comes over in a heartbeat and is eager to please. I'm told everything is great on the menu and you can't go wrong. Really? Servers are so eager that they tend to hover and stalk. Even the suits- managers walking around talking about numbers and other quotas they are trying to meet for the day. There was a moment that I wasn't sure if I was a guest or guinea pig. Please back up, act like your busy, and don't stand around watching my every move. Talk about un-com-fort-able. Back to the food review- I ordered the fresh made-to-order-right-where-you-sit guacamole. I make it better and so does Chipotle. Accompanied by two salsas, not too different from each other, but I have two to choose from. Since the menu is not extensive, I decide to go with my favorite type of Mexican fare- enchildadas. Can't go wrong. (Really?) I went with the mole enchilada dish that comes with rice and side of vegetables. When my plate arrived, I literally squeeked. I had one skinny role of something covered in a thin slather of mole topped with sesame seeds. That's right folks. SESAME SEEDS ON MY ENCHILADA. A side of rice and marinated sugar snap peas. Yesiree. SUGAR SNAP PEAS. The mole had a hint of cinnamon, and the entire combination was just foolish. What fool came up with this pairing? Marinated sesame snap peas and one role of mole cinnamon enchilada? Really?!! I'm traumatized! Of course, I must be a masochist for bad food, so I decide to end my experience by trying their churro with a side of melted raspberry chocolate sauce. Please don't order this if you know what an authentic churro tastes like. Save yourself the disappointment. Save your money and splurge at Bayless's restaurant. If you need to check out this place, stand outside, look inside through the floor to ceiling windows, and uh and ah all you want without it costing you anything- like sanity or a respect for high class Meximerican food. I feel better now.
(1)Douglas C.
I love this place great food all super delicious Great deals at happy hour But GREAT food all the time out door dinning is a nice feature as well I try to make it here when I am in Chicago
(4)Ryan M.
Been here many times...I don't think you can get a nicer decorated restaurant in river north for the price. Me and my girlfriend love to grab a table upstairs by the fire place and have a drink and munch on their chips and artesian salsa. Entrees are reasonable..the fajitas are large and can be shared.
(5)Debbie S.
Went to a holiday lunch at Catina Laredo and I was not disappointed. I'm normally not a chain restaurant fan, but the food and drinks at Cantina Laredo made me re-think my opposition to chains..... I had a mango mojito that was delicious and the milagro blackberry smash that was also good. Loads of chips and guacamole to start....a few rounds of guacamole were prefect but then I had one bite that was so spicy I started violently coughing at the table. Now I'm a person who likes to sweat while she eats so I don't typically have that kind of a reaction to spicy food...needless to say, I stopped gorging on the guacamole after that happened. For lunch I had the fish tacos. Mahi Mahi with marinated veggies, queso fresco and chipotle aioli. They were very good. Flavorful without being greasy -- I could have had another plate. For dessert we ordered one of everything for the table. The churros with the chocolate and Grand Marnier dipping sauce were delicious, as was the Mexican brownie. Others at the table liked the tres leches cake quite a bit, but I didn't have any. We sat in a glassed in private room which was nice, but felt a bit like a fishbowl. Decor is spare and modern -- very zen spa-like, which was a bonus. Service was excellent. I agree with previous reviewers though -- there are lots of options in Chicago for Mexican and if you have a Cantina Laredo in your backyard, better to check out one of our local spots. All in all though, this was a nice place for lunch.
(4)Rose A.
Where do I even start with this place. Atmosphere was equivalent to a high school cafeteria. The plates are overpriced and the food is under portioned. It was inauthentic and horrible. A local neighborhood taqueria would have surpassed this place with flying colors. Our server, Ricardo, was the most unenthusiastic, miserable person I've ever encountered. The white wine wasn't chilled. The most exciting part was when we got to leave the place.
(1)Isabella L.
I love, love, love Cantina Laredo! It's my favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicago.. The fresh guacamole made at your table, and the enchiladas are delicious. The Cinco-Rita margarita is the BEST I ever tried! Excellent food, ambiance, and service! Love it!
(5)Miss S.
Ambiance is cool, tequilla drinks are tasty, food was good and portion sizes were too, service was great and this location is super convenient. I am definitely going back! Went for a girls night out... YUM & FUN!
(5)John B.
We walked by the night before and decided to give it a try. Awesome atmosphere and food. Kudos to the architect for the atmosphere, understated and clean appearance, very well done. The food topped the architecture of the space. I had the Pepper Relleno, awesome and my wife the chicken breast stuffed with shrimp and topped with spinach. Both very, very good. The made at the table guacamole was also amazing, not too oily and made with the extras you want in it.
(5)Jenn O.
There is nothing about this new restaurant that is stellar, in any way. I love Mexican food so this seemed like the perfect place to try. While the restaurant is new and beautiful, it seems rather cold and sterile to me. Nothing to set it apart and nothing to reel in guests to the dining experience. They market themselves as high end fare. But that is not what you receive other than when you pay the bill. I've had better, more authentic Mexican food at many other far less pretentious restaurants in the city. My margarita was good, not great. Salsa, eeeh. Good but pretty standard. Guacamole was made fresh which is great but I've had better. The fish tacos were so-so. Mahi-mahi is a good choice for the dish but there was nothing about the main course I would crave or just HAVE to go back for. I was hoping for a high end fish taco and I ended up with a fish taco...nothing high end about it. Oh, and the black beans that were served as the side? They were hard and cold; totally unappetizing. The wait staff was helpful but not overly wonderful. The female greeting the guests at the door was welcoming. Nothing super friendly about most other people working there. The food runner was actually rather rude. In the end, this is one of those restaurants you might try to like. My suggestion is not to go in with high hopes for some amazing food experience. If you're hoping for very American-Mexican food, average service and a simple atmosphere, you will find it here. Oh, and what they don't want you to know? The restaurant is part of a chain. Don't let the "exclusivity" of the restaurant fool you. Sorry Chicago!
(2)D P.
Casual but classy. Great drinks and service. Shrimp tacos and guacamole were superb. I have been there twice this summer and hope to return again soon.
(5)amanda c.
The food was great! Very fresh and tasty!!! There was enough traditional Mexican food mixed with a bit of a more modern feel to keep my boyfriend and I very happy. However, the noise level was high (which made date night conversation difficult) and the service was AWFUL. I am not exaggerating that it was a solid 15 minutes before we got our drinks. The staff was also slow to stop by and check in on progress. It appears that they all "pitch in" as evidenced by the multitude of servers who stopped by our table to bring us drinks, chips, etc. While I typically love this 360 approach, more often than not we sat and waited as we observed servers standing in the service station talking and goofing around. In their defense, it was late on a Saturday but still, I expected a bit more given the atmosphere and location.
(3)Roberto M.
Unlike the commercials, when family from Italy visits, you do not take them to the Olive Garden. Similarly, when family from Mexico (or Latino America) is hungry, you do not take them to Cantina Laredo.
(1)Marisol D.
So maybe its because I'm an LA native, but I not impressed by CL, although their drinks were great and the homemade guacamole was very fresh. However, the plates lacked spice and seasoning - very bland. Most traditional mexican items like the Tortilla Soup and Quesadilla were clearly pre-packaged. A bit disappointed :(
(2)Michelle L.
Blah. Nothing was special about this place. The food was bland - I don't even remember what I had. The drinks were okay. I waited forever for the server to come around and I typically don't complain (since I served for 7 years I know how demanding the job can get). I won't go back there for the food but maybe for a drink. It's overpriced and I don't see it lasting too long in River North with all the other restaurants in the area being better.
(2)Gabriela R.
Try the pork and avocado sandwich ! Yumm
(4)Arnab D.
The food was fresh and healthy. Everything we ordered was high quality. The prices were very reasonable, especially for a trendy place in downtown Chicago. It was highly packed, so reservations are strongly suggested, but it didn't feel loud at all. There is no valet parking, but that was not good enough to remove a 5 star rating from me. Definitely will go back again. Great place for date night. I dropped $200 for four people to include appetizers and about 6 drinks or so and dessert, so definitely a good value too.
(5)Theodore D.
I thought the place was really great. Great layout and really nice location on State. The Jalapeno Sea Bass was FANTASTIC!
(4)Tony S.
Wow, great margaritas, using fresh lime juice makes a big difference for me in a good margarita. Great staff and service! Very accommodating. Good Guacamole prepared table side , the tamales were amazing (a must try) and loved the ceviche, tons of fresh seafood! The coolest looking restaurant, will definitely be back and sit upstairs in the lounge and try the tapas menu.
(4)Sarah L.
Great ambiance, beautiful decor, yummy margaritas, and impressive food. I balked at the prices for tacos and the like when I first looked this place up, but my meal really delivered. I got one of the specials, the crab & cheese enchiladas with chile de arbol cream sauce and fire roasted corn... simply divine! Honestly I thought the guac was very good but a little overrated for all of the attention that reviewers are giving it. Guys and girls -- you can make this stuff yourself on your kitchen counter top in like 10 minutes! In any event... I will definitely be back.
(5)Paul C.
Stopped here for a 1pm workday lunch and I have to say I was quite impressed. The restaurant is spacious with a modern look and a large bar that looks perfect for happy hours. Fresh, homemade chips and salsa, great guacamole--made at the table while you watch, and a pretty decent selection of tacos and enchiladas are available for lunch. Service was fast and friendly and we were in and out in less than an hour which is perfect for those of us stuck going back to work after lunch. I was definitely impressed with the freshness of the food. I don't know that this is destination dining in the style of the nearby Bayless joints, but Cantina Laredo delivers good food without pretension, and definitely works as a downtown lunch spot.
(4)Sonny P.
Went there Friday night with a couple friends. First impression: nice setup, open setup and has a nice private room in the back to host a party. Seemed more like a family and slightly older age environment. Food was okay and drinks were okay. If you are looking for a more fun and vibrant atmosphere, i would suggest somewhere else. But, overall, it was okay and would maybe come back again with a big group if I had to.
(3)Jenny H.
I work in the area so I was super excited when Cantina Laredo was finally ready to open. The outside and inside design of the restaurant is spectacular. A two level stone, modern construct, with lots of windows peering in on a dimly lit, elegant interior - it looks amazing! I also love the long elongated fireplace, and the "Apple Store-esque" staircase upon entry. Love! When you enter the restaurant, you'll find that it has a huge capacity. Lots of tables with plenty of different areas. The ceilings on the main floor are actually quite low, so the spacious look and feel you assume you're going to get from the outside, doesn't really deliver once you're inside. Because of this, the noise is awful! They have speakers for the sound system heavily sprinkled throughout the entire restaurant fashioned on the ceiling - so with the huge capacity and the overzealous sound system, it makes it extremely difficult to converse with your dinner mates. My husband couldn't hear our friend siting right across from him at a small table! The food was okay. The guacamole was excellent and made right in front of you, so that's a definite winner. Apparently the queso was delicious too. Otherwise, everyone thought the food was okay and expressed that they'd had better. Two of our meals were room temperature when they arrived at our table. Our server was quick to fix the mistake and didn't charge us for that meal, which was extremely nice. Will I go back? Probably not. In a city like Chicago, there are PLENTY of way better Mexican restaurants.
(3)Nicole K.
Have been there twice and both were awesome. Had shrimp tacos and shrimp enchiladas and both were the best I have ever had. The table side guac is a must and the Casa Rita was also great! Very cool, modern vibe.
(5)Jacob S.
Look, if you have a group, and you want Ixtapa-style boat drinks, and darn good fish tacos...you can't go wrong here. And the space is amazing. But 4 stars is reserved for spectacular and I'm not quit there on this spo
(3)Jacob S.
We had a pretty lousy experience here. Inattentive staff that spent more time complaining audibly about other guests than taking care of the ones sitting at the bar, and food that was at most just okay did not make us feel like we'd want to visit again. The decor is amazing, but the food was much too salty and just nothing special at all. So-so mole, decent carne asada, and greasy chile relleno. As a previous reviewer stated, Mercadito wins at this concept where Cantina Laredo fails.
(2)Shea J.
Great atmosphere and the table side made guac is a MUST!!!!!
(5)Sweet D C.
Worst experience ever. I really love Mexican food and I wanted to love this place because it's close to where I work. There needs to be a 0 star option. I was excited to try this place out and I will never go back. I went with my family and boyfriend for my birthday dinner. We were seated in the very back, right near the server station. The server took a really long to come to the table and other employees seemed to awkwardly wander around the restaurant, trying desperately not to make eye contact. When she finally came to the table, she took a few drink orders (cokes, easy enough) then walked away without even looking at my mom and dad to see if they wanted a drink. After waiting patiently and asking the manager for our drinks and adding a margarita, we received our cokes about 30 minutes later. Yeah. And My mom got her margarita before we got our cokes. We had also ordered guac which took forever for a different employee to come to the table and make it. It's bland. I'd rather spend money for whole foods guac. Over an hour later our food came. Mind you, we went on a Sunday and it wasn't busy. My boyfriend got the wrong enchilada, so he had to wait even longer. My brother had chicken tacos and was happy with his choice, he was the only one. Enchiladas de barbacoa are dry and bland and tamales have a grainy sandy texture. Overall- not good food. I was actually kinda mortified by this experience. The server was extremely awkward, and it made for a really uncomfortable dinner. Happy Birthday to me! At one point she came over and said in a low monotone voice, "Sorry for the service" and then backed away slowly. I've never seen anything like it. A busser carrying a bin of dishes, dropped silverware and instead of picking it up or even coming back for it bc his hands were full, just kicked it through the restaurant and down the hall to the kitchen. We all broke out laughing! Did that really happen!?? When we finally got the check, the wrong enchilada my bf sent back was still on the check as well as 2 margaritas my mom did not have. This is because after initially ordering and not getting the drinks for a long time we asked another server to bring one, obviously she just added it to the bill even though it was never brought to the table. The second margarita my mom ordered she returned immediately because it tasted like it was 90% salt. Yet we were charged for everything. We spoke to the manager again who adjusted the bill for us. It seems like no one there has any experience in the service industry. None. If you want to be successful in river north you might want to avoid hiring incompetent people who couldn't care less.
(1)Steve E.
Hmmmm..... nice atmosphere. Great margaritas, Good service. Yummy chips/salsa. And then.... the entrees - buzz kill. No spark. No flavor. Chipotle does it better... I had the Barbacoa Enchilada. Wow - amazingly bland. Mass produced TV dinner flavor.
(3)Deeds P.
Because of the amazing location, I had very low hopes for this place. Seems like River North has an abundance of snazzy looking restaurants w/ overpriced subpar food. But the food at Cantina was amazing -- well spiced and incredibly flavorful. In addition, the mojitos were great and those at the table who got margaritas were also huge fans. I had some friends visiting from our of state, and this is great dinner/drinks spot in a great location. Will def go again
(5)David G.
In order to get 5 stars from me a place has to just blow me away. Cantina Laredo did just that. The chips were so fresh and tasty. They were served hot with a couple of unique salsas including a spicy and tart salsa verde. We went for brunch, I had an omelet my wife had enchiladas. Both dishes were great. The flavors were unique and delicious. The portions, though towards the small size, were more than adequate for the price. The bonus Mimosa and fruit that came with the entre was a total plus. I will definitely go back
(5)Anne P.
The appetizers were the best part of the meal. Skip the overpriced mediocre entrees and just go for the apps and drinks.
(2)Michele M.
Second time there, live down the street...will be my new favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Beautiful decor inside with open air windows when the weather is nice. Food was delicious, esp their guac, cheesy appetizer (can't remember name but similar to chili con queso) and carne asada with green sauce is my new favorite. Only issue is that drink service was very slow, likely b/c of all the speciality drinks they serve that take a while to make. When you are halfway down with your drink, order another!
(4)Christy T.
well, i should deduct 1 star since we had to carry our own lounge food downstairs to our dinner table once our pager went off, but overall, we felt like we were on vacation and very comfortable within our beautiful surroundings and kind servers./hostesses - this place is humongous!!!!! our booth was fit for a king - the chile relleno was really good. also, the fish tacos were quite tasty!
(5)Michael M.
We took our mother here for Mother's Day and had some mixed feelings. The wait staff were great and our food came out very quickly. I had the Barbacoa Enchilada. It came with a side of rice and some veggies. The quality of the food is very high and dining room is great. The chips taste like they are freshly made on site and the salsas taste excellent. However, the portion sizes feel pretty small for the price you pay. ($12 for a single small enchilada seems a bit steep.) My mother enjoyed her tacos and my sister her salad, but we were all hungry after we finished. We are also not big eaters, so if you do have a bit appetite, prepare to spend a lot of money or maybe just take a pass altogether. At this price point, you can easily find a restaurant that you will walk away from full.
(3)S. S.
The ahi taco were some of my favorite things I ate in all of Chicago. The lounge upstairs was nice for a small bite with our children. While I don't think it's intentionally a kid friendly dining destination, it worked for us.
(4)Mike D.
We enjoyed our dining experience. My water glass was never empty. The drinks were good and so was the food. It is Mexican food, but definitely better quality than you would find at a less expensive place. Try the spicier guacamole made at your table. It was very tasty. The atmosphere was nice. If you call ahead, ask for seating along the windows or outside if you wish. They also have a private meeting room for what it is worth.
(4)Joseph S.
I pass by Cantina Laredo on my way to work everyday. From the outside it looks like a nice downtown bi-level restaurant, chic modern construction. Trendy, but upscale for the intersection. I figured I would take my girlfriend out to the Cantina Laredo for drinks and dinner to give it a shot. I made Reservations on-line for a party of 2 @ 9:15p on Saturday night. When we arrived, the restaurant was seemingly busy and there were patrons waiting to be seated. I gave the hostess my name for the reservation and they were able to seat us immediately. We then start to follow the hostess as she brings us to our table.. We halt no less than 5 feet from the reservation booth to take our seats right next to the entry way. The booth was right next to the busiest area of the restaurant and every time a customer came in or out of the revolving door, a very unpleasant draft came gusting directly at our table. there is a stone wall directly behind the booth that separates the booth and hostess desk area but the wall is not completely filled in, for design and aesthetic purposes non the less, it really lets the draft flow straight to the table from the entry doors. This was almost enough to make the whole experience unpleasant. ( if it was any colder outside, colder than 50 degrees F, it most definitely would have made it enough to ask to change tables or even leave the restaurant completely. ) On top of the draft coming in at our table i was displeased that i made a reservation and was seated at such a bad table not to mention it was my first time at the restaurant which had been noted in the reservation also. The service was great in most aspects till desert, The waitress was nice and prompt. We always had drinks. Even when the waitress did not bring a refill or mixed drink to the table, there was a runner who would. For dinner we had the tamales de barbacoa and the chicken enchiladas mole, The food was very good. The Table side guacamole was very good. My patron margarita was average, nothing special. After dinner, our waitress brought out a tray of deserts which also appeared to be more on the average side.. especially for a restaurant of this type. We picked the Flan from the 6 choices or so.. After about 20 minuets of waiting for the flan.. our waitress came back to the table and asked us " how did we enjoy our desert? ".. We never got the flan, so we wouldn't know.. I replied. The waitress was apologetic and asked if we wanted to take it to go?.. I thought to myself, After sitting in the breezeway of the restaurant for about an hour, this was just a bad way to impress me for the first time coming to the Cantina Laredo. I would come back to the restaurant for the food, I would just request not to be seated by the entry, Although there are better places to get gourmet Mexican cuisine such as Las Palmas in wicker park.. But i really wanted to check this place out because i work at a downtown hotel & i will recommend the 2nd floor tapas lounge/bar for guest staying with us. I do recommend the restaurant, I do believe i could have a good experience here. Just don't be seated next to the door. :) Cheers! -Joseph
(2)Nisey M.
Decided to walk in Wednesday evening around 6 and we were seated without waiting...within an hour most of the tables were filled. Let me start by saying the space is just beautiful and laid out perfectly, tables are not on top of one another and the decor is minimal yet effective. It reminded me of a restaurant I would see in L.A., plenty of windows and open space. We started with table side prepared guacamole that was fresh and flavorful. The server gave us several different ingredients to add such as jalapeno, red onion, garlic and a few others. We had Edward as our server and he was professional, attentive and had very good suggestions when it came to the menu. He suggested the Superfruit mojito and it was perfect. The margaritas are made with fresh ingredients...no nasty pre made sour mix! We shared the fajitas that had shrimp(only two so don't expect more) quail,carnitas,steak and chicken. More than enough food for two...the black beans and spanish rice it came with were perfect for the side. I will be going back to try the tapas bar upstairs!
(4)C B.
Great Happy Hour! Will definitely be back here. Upstairs they have 1/2 price apps from 4-7 on weeknights with delicious options. We ordered the guacamole and they made it fresh at our table. The quesadilla and carnitas tacos were also tasty. Unique drink blends and cool atmosphere make this place the perfect after work hangout.
(4)F J.
FYI, You guys need to check with the hotels around you as I was in Chicago for few days and Cantina was steps from the door and each time I asked about your restaurant the hotel folks said they would not recommend your spot. As a business owner, you need to be aware of this.
(1)Jamie G.
Beautiful restaurant, the tableside guacamole was to die for and the mojito was the best I've ever had. Will definitely be back!
(5)MaryAnne M.
Attended the soft opening. Outstanding ceviche. Avocado & artichoke tamales had this amazing jicama & mago salad. Table side guacamole. Loads of potential here.
(4)Marc M.
Came here for brunch. Had the asada huevos and it was very good. It is definitely a repeater.
(5)Valentina V.
Meh, nothing to write home about. Pretty standard food, there are other places around the area that are much better (Cantina 46 for example). It has a cool vibe, it's really big and open and they had a fun drink menu. Might be a better place for some drinks and apps before a night out in River North, not worth the $$ for dinner.
(2)Antonio R.
Have visited other Cantina's thru my travels and now I live and Chicago. I am thrilled to have found Cantina here in Chicago. My visit was nothing short of exceptional. Beside the design and the atmosphere, this is the best Cantina that I have dined at. My server Mary Carmen was delightful as well as he rest of the staff. I will definitely recommend Cantina to coworkers and friends.
(5)Holly D.
My husband and I noticed this new restaurant a few weeks ago as we walked downtown Chicago. The architecture is unique as it's not part of a high-rise, but a new stand-alone building with praire style ambiance (which happens to be a favorite of mine). For a lite meal or appetizer, try the Ahi Tuna Taco's . . .the best. Nice to have Skinny Margaritas as an option.
(4)Jessica L.
This place earned a SOLID three stars. It is not authentic by any means, but the atmosphere is pleasant, the service attentive and friendly and the food is alright. I found most items to be on the slightly bland side but given the neighborhood, I am sure they are trying to appeal to the many tourists. I would go back, but would pick other new places to try first.
(3)Miguel g.
Good, but now wow... at this price point, I expected a little more... A safe choice for Mexican food. Ceviche was tasty and well-presented. Steak special was good. Dessert options were predictable (tres leches, flan, chocolate overload). Server was a bit rude when we got there, and improved as we ordered more food/drinks.
(3)Sasha K.
I have been to Cantinas before but this is a bird of a different breed. The decor is absolutely stunning. Fireplaces add a cozy comfortable feel. I came with a coulple of my friends and we were instantly greeted by a flock of hosts who guided us to our table. I have ordered the guac before back at the Texas store so we decided to go with queso.. Our waiter did not stop filling our chips! Too much chips! He even brought us tortillas with our queso I was so full before my meal came. I ordered the steak wrapped around a pepper with shrimp. It was exceptional. I would definitely recommend that. The drinks took a little long to get out but did the trick. This is my new favorite spot for a girls night out... or even a date! My only complaint is that I was too full for dessert! Oh an an added bonus.. They even split the check for all of us! Which is super nice
(5)Stephanie M.
I went here last night with some girl friends - the waiter was extremely pushy and won't just let us sit and enjoy our guac and drinks - he came by every 3 minutes to ask if we were ready to order dinner, when it was clear that we haven't even looked at the menu yet. The food was just OK - I agree with the previously review about the guac - 4 people - seriously?? Come on!! The stuffed chicken breast entree sounded great on the menu, but it wasn't good at all...two chicken breast with 3 shrimp placed in-between - that's NOT stuffed and it was very salty and I LOVE salt!! We order 2 desserts, which were OK and a big size - definitely enough to share. I didn't appreciate the whole being rushed thing and don't think I will be back - way too many GOOD Mexican places, with GOOD service, in the city to enjoy!!
(1)Michael M.
We really enjoyed the atmosphere here, and the upstairs menu was excellent for the price. Our service was good, though I did register some disappointment when we didn't order alcohol. However, food was prompt and very good. I think we'll be back for sure.
(4)Tim N.
Amazing food, drinks and service!! Best Mexican in Chicago by far I've tried adobo grill and dos diablos this blows both doors off
(5)Ryan W.
My girlfriend had been here and was saying we needed to go because I love mexican food. It was absolutely incredible. The decor was really cool and I told her we have to come back at least once a month. We got the guacamole which is made right infront of you and is to die for. She got the chicken quesadillas which were some of the best i've ever had and I had the combination chicken and beef fajitas which were great as well. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves mexican food as much as I do. Also the patron margaritas were great and there's actually booze in them!
(5)Megan O.
Please, please, please come here for their guacamole. It is made table side and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
(5)Borat S.
Gots a craving for actually Mex-American food (not Taco Bell)? Hits it upppp.
(4)Mel L.
Yum, yum, and yum. I went here on a Monday night with 2 friends, and was pleased to see it was bustling with people without being packed. We got the tableside guac made to order, mmm nothing like fresh guac! We also ordered the chili con queso dip - also delicious. Since we seemed to be having a chip feast with the dips, I was pleased at how warm and fresh the chips tasted. Also, servers kept refilling our chips before we even made to the last one. Great service!! We then split the enchiladas vera cruz. It was delicious - finally an enchilada that is not drowning in sauce. It tasted so fresh and came with rice & buttery zucchini. Our waitress was very nice considering we were just sharing dishes. The atmosphere is fun and the food is delicious. Two thumbs up! I'd definitely go back!
(4)Erin C.
Absolutely loved this place! 6 of us were in our group - we each had drinks - guacamole which was soo good! and all ordered something different on the menu. Everyone loved everything! The drinks were pretty strong but delicous. I had the carne asada with no onions. The sauce and avocado with it were perfect. We had the apple pie and churros for dessert again so good. The decor of the restaurant is gorgeous - the fire places make it cozy despite the ultra modern atmosphere. The valet parking - for $12 - totally worth it - the public lot across the street is $13 - good luck finding street parking! We will definetly be back.
(5)Elizabeth W.
CL was just okay. The table side guacamole was probably the best party of the meal and I enjoyed their salsa and chips but the mean itself was just average. The waiter was more attentive at first but service slacked off through the meal.
(3)Nat M.
great ambience. lively crowd but not too noisy. excellent service. bad margaritas/mojito - i suggest you skip and get the expensive tequila (which is excellent). average food, they seem to cook the meat/shrimp in a hurry. price was a bit much for the quality of the food. i would go back, but mostly for the scene and not the food
(3)Simir S.
This place is great it has a great atmosphere and excellent food. It is also stroller friendly, service was great and not to expensive.
(4)Einstein A.
Although overpriced, I liked the taste of the French restaurant sized portions and atmosphere at Cantina Laredo. The service was inexcusably bad. My water glass always seemed to be empty and the waitress was unfriendly.
(2)Jelena B.
This place wasn't anything special. The food was ok, but the drinks were great!
(3)kat c.
Not only was the atmosphere wonderful, the food was amazing at an decent price. In addition, the guacamole, if you are avid fan, is made fresh in front of you. I had the pomegranate margarita which was very good. Just caveat: Since the guacamole is so fresh, you will constantly keep dipping for more and might not be able to finish your entree. Suggestion: Enjoy the guacamole and order small entree. They also went above and beyond the call or preparing a newly ordered meal as they accidentally tossed my friend's leftover. Talk about great service! The manager personally apologized for it. It doesn't get better than this.
(5)Thomas G.
The dishes are nicely presented. Table side guacamole and tasty salsas. Plenty of seating with no wait (we ate dinner on a Sunday night). Nice selection of entrées with vegetarian options. We had the enchiladas filled with avocado and artichoke hearts and topped with a salsa verde. A highly recommended place to eat in downtown Chicago. And the prices are reasonable!
(5)David B.
We had a very pleasant first time experience at Cantina Laredo. It's is a very open, modern looking restaurant...not your typical Mexican restaurant. It has a great drink menu and you can either just order a few appetizers or go full bore. The fish tacos were excellent! We will be back.
(4)Audre L.
Fish tacos are decent. But there were two little gnats flying around in our private dining room, hence the two stars. The building/architecture is cool. Big space good for parties but on the whole it's another commercial chain in Chicago. Feels like Scottsdale, AZ when you're in there.
(2)Meeta S.
This place is brand new and the ambiance is super modern. The food here is good...we ordered guacamole and I ordered the barbacoa enchiladas along with a margarita...the guac was good, and I love when they make it right in front of you! My enchiladas were good, nothing out of this world but they satisfied my taste buds and I would order them again. My margarita was super good, it had 5 diff tequilas in it and def left me with a good buzz! great place to go with friends or even for a date!
(4)Pritam K.
I haven been here several times and I love the table side guacomole, the chicken enchiladas and the mango margarita... The ambiance is amazing and the best part is it's just a block away from my place.
(5)Maxine C.
I had birthday dinner here. It was an overall GREAT experience. I had a party of over 20 people, and the serving staff was able to accommodate accordingly. The ambiance, decor, layout, and size of the place was perfect. The food was spot on, nothing to complain about. Also, at the end the server split up the bills for us without even asking. I would definitely go back and recommend it to friends/acquaintances.
(5)C W.
This was just, no. Just so full of no. First off, the space is beautiful for a summer night. Reminiscent of Mexico, big windows, just gorgeous. - We arrived with a reservation, which they did not have. Ok! No Problem, its a Tuesday night, so - not that crowded. Can we sit outside? Sure! We are led to a table near the fireplace where flames leap at us on a gorgeous 80 degree Chicago evening, although every table on the street was empty. The windows were open so I'll give them that. A friend had mentioned to me they had a "Good Happy Hour" so I asked the waiter about the happy hour specials, and was greeted with a thinly veiled, hostile blank stare for a full 5 seconds before he replied "What, like 1/2 price drinks or something?" Me: "um? I don't know, just heard a rumor about a great happy hour?" He then disappears to check. He comes back and tells us we need to head upstairs for the happy hour. Up we go......to a second floor closed for a private event. Okkkk. We then get ANOTHER waiter who tells us we need to sit at the bar for the happy hour. We then proceed to seats at the bar where three (3, that's right 3 TRES.) different waiters all come by to tell us that they are vaguely offering a happy hour, but they need to check what it is ($5 margaritas are suggested, 1/2 priced appetizers are suggested) No one knows! This is fun, like GAMBLING! Which Waiter will we get next? WHAT WILL HE TELL US? WHEN WILL I GET MY WINE? I didn't even NEED a happy hour, I was just curious, but now I sort of want to see how this all plays out, and I've probably had about 4 different people ask a manager at this point, so we're going with it. At some point, probably an hour after we arrived on a dead Tuesday night, I finally receive my glass of wine and look over to see the ceiling LEAKING onto people eating dinner and the manager rubbing what looked to be the AC output with a rag on a stick, about 2 inches from this poor dude eating his taco. We then get ANOTHER waiter who tells us that the previous waiter has left us to help with "that large party over there" the large party was a table of 5. The kicker: Friend left a wallet on the table, realized it pretty quickly after leaving, called the restaurant to find out they didn't have it, and $400 had already been charged up on their credit card. Nice! Overall: the space is beautiful, but they have been in this prime location with that prime space for too long to be this headless chicken about serving FOOD on a TUESDAY NIGHT to not that many people. Lesson to chicago restaurants: make sure you can staff and serve your massive space. I shudder to think what a rockin' Friday night looks like in this joint. No go.
(1)Lena D.
Went last night for margaritas only...potent! Really yummy and good tequila used in them, too. Guacamole was marginal but fresh so that was good. Go for the margaritas...
(3)Nicki M.
"Modern Mexican" has never tasted worse. I am sad to say I have nothing good to report except that my margarita was just, 'ok.' We didn't have any service troubles the way some have mentioned but the food was awful and overpriced. My husband got a $15 enchilada dinner that came with ONE enchilada which he indicated was "blegh." My rice was undercooked and bland. The black beans were more like soup, and did they really have to top my tacos with the entire cilantro plant? It was overkill. Maybe it's too trendy for me, maybe it's that I'm Mexican American, maybe it's because we live in Pilsen----Mecca for authentic Mexican food. Either way I've had more "modernized" Mexican at better places. All in all the place is just pretty with ok margaritas. I think I'll stick to my old faithfuls here in the barrio.
(1)Max C.
We sat in the lounge area when went here. The margaritas were delicious and we enjoyed the guacamole. However, for the price, I didn't feel as if it was worth it.
(3)Matt M.
Great Guac!! we were there for lunch. the lunch menu was not extensive but it was adequate. the food was very high quality and the service was great.
(4)Jahanzeb H.
Went her with some friends on a Wednesday. They have half of before 7 on weekdays of all the food. I ordered the shrimp tacos which were great, my friends ordered the shrimp with pineapple app which was really good as well. guacamole was fresh and gets full marks. Will def like to come back to this place.
(5)Candace A.
I heard rants and raves about this place from my family for so long, so when we finally decided to go here for Father's Day I couldn't understand the hype. The food was tasty, but it wasn't out-of-this world delicious... Maybe it was what I ordered. It didn't feel like Mexican food since it was a roasted chicken and spinach dish. It was good, just not what I expected. However, the pitcher of sangria (or maybe it was margaritas) was amazing! It has earned my 4th star just off of the amazing drinks. I really enjoyed the friendly staff and the spaciousness of the tables. Our family of 6 could enjoy dinner comfortably and we had a great time laughing and chatting away!
(4)Brian M.
Came here for their happy hour to meet up with my gf's friend. All in all the place was really nice and the decor was pretty cool with plenty of tv's to keep you occupied if you're bored. We didn't order any drinks but we did get the guac and a bunch of tacos. The grilled fish tacos were decent and the barbacoa tacos were pretty good. Everything was solid but nothing too special that blew my mind. I wouldn't mind coming back here especially during happy hour because the tacos are pretty cheap and there's unlimited chips and salsa.
(3)C R.
Juicy, fresh food. Fresh made gauc, "how you like it" style. Very strong (but still tasty) margaritas! Very nice staff. Most recently I had their Barbacoa Enchilladas which were VERY rich in flavor and came with steamed veggies and rice. I was more than pleased. Great happy hour specials on weekdays!
(4)Kyle W.
I really love the space. It's super modern but still very comfortable. Go during happy hour (4p-7p?) and a large portion of the menu is half off. It's fancier than your standard mexican fare but the prices are reasonable for a nice, downtown restaurant, and the food is quality. I went with my parents when they were in town about a year ago and they wanted to go back when they were here this weekend! Our service wasn't fantastic and I know it can get crazy at peak times, but that's pretty much par for the course downtown in this area. Definitely worth the visit.
(4)Bobby N.
I stumbled upon this place one cold evening in Chicago and took a seat at the bar which is my usual preference when on my jack jones. There was one male bar tender who kept the Jamesons coming and was also balanced with the level of conversation he made. The waitress was kind enough to point out that I can mix and match my choices on the menu so to try a select choice of Enchiladas. So rather than ordering four of the one I was able to order four different ones. So the food was great, the side portion of nachos was also delish, the sauce they gave was the best!
(5)Gaurav S.
Great brunch place with excellent drinks. The food is fresh but the portion sizes are small. The tres loches with mango is an excellent desert. The ambience is great but it does not fill you.
(3)Michael C.
We went with a group of 7 to Cantina Laredo. This was the second time I was there and I came back for the beautiful modern interior and the large dining space, which is great for accommodating bigger groups. It is also quiet enough to comfortably carry on a conversation and catch up with friends. The prices are very reasonable for food and drinks are on par for the area. Our table shared two orders of guacamole (one order can serve 2 or 3) made at the table, but we asked for "hot" and the guacamole had no spice to it. I had the Cinco Rita drink with dinner, which was a good choice. Next time I will order without the salt, but that is personal preference. For dinner I had Tacos de Pollo. The tacos were prepared well and as expected the presentation was perfect. The tacos were good, but nothing exceptional. Overall, the dining experience is quality, but it is nothing out of the ordinary. I would recommend Cantina Laredo to larger groups or those who want to find a place where they can comfortably carry on a conversation in a beautiful atmosphere. If you only concerned about finding food that will be out of this world, I would head elsewhere.
(3)Pha L.
Like 5th grade math class, I feel obliged to show my work, so here goes.... + 3 stars for food: Is it the most wonderful Mexican food I've ever had? Probably not, but there are some unique offerings including the crab meat enchilada, which came with a really tasty sauce and a generous serving of crab. The sides were a nice touch and added a bit of beauty to each plate. + 1 for ambiance: It's really pretty inside and sitting by a fire after getting in from the cold is just heaven. +1 for service: Our server was really awesome. Upbeat, positive, and attentive. I'll stick to my regular neighborhood joints for good Mexican food, but for a once-in-a-while treat.yo.self meal, I'd go back to Cantina Laredo.
(5)Natalie W.
Modern and stunning. Food was absolutely delicious. Brunch was so good!
(5)Scarlett R.
I am not sure how much money you have to make to dine here but it is delicious! The reason I put only 2 stars is because of the waitress. This place really isn't professional. But then I feel bad because this place is really good.
(2)Kay K.
Absolutely wonderful!!! The food and drinks are fabulous, especially the made to order guacamole!!! The atmosphere is gorgeous and the service is great! A little pricey, but definitely worth it! Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Jackie C.
This place is really good but their service needs a serious upgrade. Our server, who was very sweet left us for extended periods of time. The food is fantastic but the service is slow. The queso was amazing but it was huge! So be sure you know you are hungry before you order it. The fish tacos were delicious and my husband loved the enchiladas. However, if you are in a hurry do not eat here.
(3)Tamara C.
I didn't realize that this was a chain. In fact I didn't know until I tried to link the menu to someone I was chatting with. Regardless, Tableside Guacamole, the way YOU like it. It does serve 2-4 people but I didn't care that I was alone. I got to eat what I wanted. I had a great server, he always checked on me and ensured I was happy. He even recommended drinks and desserts. My drink of choice was the Mango Casa Rita. That was quite a tasty drink and it wasn't overbearing taste. Very refreshing. I had the Enchiladas De Congrejo. I don't recommend it. The taste was ok, but it was all very mushy things together, reminiscent of baby food. It was rich though. I finished off with a Mango Tres Leches. It was very tasty...creamy and Mango was definitely prevalent in the taste. I'd go back, just for the making of the Top Shelf Guacamole!
(4)K K.
How can a place be kid-friendly, good for groups AND romantic? Well, I took my toddler on a Sunday afternoon and it was fine. There were other kids there, enjoying the kid's menu. But, there are beautiful fireplaces, sleek woodgrain walls and a private dining area which means groups can enjoy it and I'll bet couples would love it, too! The mole enchiladas were some of the best I've had in Chicago. They have a really nice drink menu but our margaritas were bitter for some reason. Street parking is not bad on a Sunday afternoon. Definitely will be back. This is a beautiful place that isn't just aesthetically pleasing. The food is delicious!
(4)Monica J.
Came here for Happy Hour with a friend. There are yummy and cheap appetizers. We ordered the chips and guac and the tostaditos. Both were super yummy. Food as tasty but I wish I didn;t eat so many chios by the end of the night! Drinks are good. I ordered the Casa Rita and thought it was good but seemed a little less strong/ flavorful as it usually is...maybe the drinks are differetn for happy hour? In addition, it started to get busy, so it was difficult to speak with our waitress to get water and silverware, when we needed them. I hear it is crazier during the summer! Overall, nice place to go to. Very good prices during Happy Hour (half-priced appetizers till 7!) :)
(4)Darcy W.
I really like Cantina Laredo! It's a really fun, lively, upbeat atmosphere. The bartenders are fantastic! Great service and recommendations. I love the drink menu, the appetizers are huge and really yummy, and I like the variety of tacos. Thumbs up on CL's unique Mexican flare!
(4)Jimmy C.
This is like an upscale Chipotle. The room is gorgeous. Everything is modern; lots of use great fireplace, large windows and pretty chill. We went with a large group, our waiter was very accommodating and the busboys were quick w/ the water and cleanup. The food was OK and overpriced, the drinks they have it down. I can't remember the price on them but i would probably pay a lot for those mojitos. The tacos i had were Tacos al Carbon for almost 15 bucks (i would of paid maybe 6 bucks for it). I recommend getting something more adventurous than damn tacos. This place is good for drinks and dates (get a table by the fireplace)
(3)Jessica S.
Received horrid service here by a male server. My co-workers and I came in for dinner last night after a work outing so we were a bit tipsy but in no way, shape, or form were we hammered and obnoxious. He was incredibly snotty, rude, and slow. I'm allergic to corn so I asked if it was possible to receive some jicama sticks/celery for the guac and salsa. It wasn't brought out to me for 15-20 minutes and he said "I won't charge you because it took so long". YOU WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR SOME LOUSY JICAMA STICKS AND CELERY?! I'm paying up the ass for my cocktails and guac and you were going to charge me for some lousy veggie sticks?! That was really just one part of his terrible demeanor. I was reminded of why I rarely come to River North anymore. After 10 years in the service industry, I just can't tolerate rude servers when we were pleasent and nice and tried to be friendly and joke with him. I didn't eat, as I had to leave for an appointment but my co-workers ordered food and I had a few bites and it was good, but not so good that I would come back for the shitty service. I will say that it's a beautiful space and I enjoyed the aesthetics of it all.
(2)Kevin C.
I didn't know this place was a chain. If I wasn't informed I would have had no idea. Everything from taking our number for the wait, the service, to the food and drinks makes me want to come back. There are a ton of Mexican restaurants in the city, of which are likely more authentic, but this River North location was just a good experience. Table side guacamole, warm chips, and that salsa they bring out was legit. House margarita had a nice bite and the tequila came through when needed. Our server guided use through the menu and we all made good choices. The mahi mahi and pork tacos hit the spot. I was tempted to order a full entree but we were looking to go out afterwards. This leaves options open for a second visit. The inside is massive. I now understand how this a chain. I was impressed with the decor but the chairs look awfully uncomfortable. Once I parked it I was proved wrong. We showed up around 8 pm and there was an hour wait. The hostess took our number and we headed across the street to Snicker's for a few beers. They were accurate on the wait time and once we received the text we cruised over and were seated promptly. They had things in order on a busy night. Everything we ordered came out with little delay. At the end of the night it was roughly $50 a person for dinner, guac, and two margaritas. I won't be running back tomorrow but definitely a solid options to go with a group of friends. I don't always frequent River North but this would be a good place start out an evening.
(4)Manny T.
The food is good. The service is bad. Tough one. You decide.
(3)