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Name: Garcia’s Restaurant
Address: 4760 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625
Telephone: (773) 769-5600
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.49

Garcia’s Restaurant

4760 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625

(773) 769-5600
Store is closed

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Garcia’s Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Guacamole

Queso Fundido

Queso Con Chorizo

Queso A La Mexicana

Coctel De Camarones
Ensaladas - Salads

House Salad

Avocado Salad

Ensalada De Nopalitos

Ensalada De Pollo
Dinners

Tampiquena

Carne Asada

Carne Asada Con Nopalitos Y Frijoles De La Olla

Milanesa

Bistec A La Mexicana

Bistec Ranchero
Side Orders

Arroz

Frijoles

Frijoles De La Olia

Arroz Y Frijoles

Una Quesadilla
Posters - Desserts

Pastel De Tres Leches

Gourmet Flan

Plain Cheesecake

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Chocolate Cake

Healthy Meal suggestions for Garcia’s Restaurant

Appetizers

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Fundido [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Con Chorizo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso A La Mexicana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coctel De Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ensaladas - Salads

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Nopalitos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dinners

Tampiquena [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Asada Con Nopalitos Y Frijoles De La Olla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec A La Mexicana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec Ranchero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Orders

Arroz [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frijoles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frijoles De La Olia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Y Frijoles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Una Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Posters - Desserts

Pastel De Tres Leches [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gourmet Flan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plain Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Bernard L.

The heart of Lincoln Square has a lot of great places and one of them is Garcia's. This place is pretty spacious where it almost looks like a suburban restaurant. Their margaritas HUGE and have a lot of different flavors (EL Presndente is my favorite). As for the food, it is pretty standard, but good. The beans and rice, chips and guacamole, and tacos are flavorful and do not disappoint. There are a lot of places like Garcia's out there, but if you're around Lincoln Square you should check it out.
(3)
Lois B.

Okay, I've only been there once and we went early enough to get the last outside table on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, but the salsa and chips are great. You think salsa is always good? Almost, that's true, but the salsa at Garcia's is fresh, balanced with tomato and other onion, and cilantro, and you get little slices of jalapeno that give each bite a bit of zing! Chicken mole? You won't finish it, but the chicken is flavorful and NOT dry. The mole? What mole should be, piquant, spicy, and hard to decipher. The beans and rice--I didn't leave them on the plate. My husband ordered the skirt steak--tender, grilled to his "rare" specification, and wonderfully tasty the next day when we had it thinly sliced on the left over tortillas. So let's get to the least memorable part of most Mexican restaurants: the tortillas. The corn and the flour tortillas were both worth fighting for. Regarding the huge margaritas. Delicious but huge. Next time, I'll ask for a kiddie glass. So why didn't I give Garcia's 5 stars? I've only been there one time, but if we're in the neighborhood again, I'll stop in for the ceviche--I didn't mention that did I? Try it yourself.
(4)
Kerry S.

LOVE Garcia's! Quality is always outstanding, service is always fantastic, drinks are always delicious. Have visited MANY times and will continue to bring friends and family for delicious Mexican food.
(5)
Joseph S.

DON'T TOUCH THE MARGARITAS!!!!! Shared pitchers of margaritas with people here. Had a very modest number of drinks ... but oh my, I've never been so hungover in my life. They obviously use total swill liquor. Food was so-so. Stay away.
(2)
Jason G.

Okay, let me preface I used to go here since I was a kid playing baseball at Welles Park. BEFORE the great fire of 1997 (or somewhere around there), this place was unreal. I craved these as a tubby little kid. I since have gone back several times, and they just are always short of the mark. I actually am doing them a favor and giving them the benefit of the doubt for the 3 stars based on my childhood. I work in the service industry and I tip very well even just for normal service. I came in here with a friend after one of my softball games, to a 20% full restaurant. I'm not sure if it was because I was wearing flip flips and shorts and a jersey, but I had the worse service I've ever had. Slow to take the order, slow to come back with drinks, slow for food, the waiter treated my friend and I like I was the scummiest person that has walked the earth. It's overpriced, reheated food. You go goto taco burrito king and pay less for the same quality food. I won't be back, and I make sure to tell my friends, not to go either. Do yourself a favor a research a wee bit more when looking for a great place to get mexican.
(3)
Pauly D.

Ordered the steak chimichanga and the meat was dry. Overcooked, perhaps? All it had inside was steak and beans. I had to add salsa on top to add some flavor. No cheese inside or on top of the burrito. There was however a good amount of sour cream and guacamole on the side.....was that supposed to make up for it? The service was standard. The decor inside was nice and the bathrooms were clean. Overall however I wouldn't come back here, there are far better places.
(2)
Dan D.

I've been to Garcia's several times and never had a complaint. The food is great and its reasonably priced. Sometimes they're packed so plan to wait if you go on a busy night. Most of the time I've been seated right away, though. I highly recommend the Chicago's favorite burrito, ceviche, and guacamole.
(4)
Gene H.

I have lived in Lincoln Square for over 15years and have been frequenting this restaurant for years before they remodeled several years ago. They have some of the best Mexican food in the area! Also in a great location in the heart of the Square! The food is consistent and wait staff is nice and friendly. My go to is their Cheese Enchiladas in red sauce, or steak tacos. I love their rice and beans! Chicken tortas never fail. Their Tortilla Soup is simple, but amazingly tasty, even without the chicken.
(4)
Jasmine L.

Absolutely AMAZING food. Strong drinks. Fabulous service. Very reasonably priced. Suitable for kids. It's a winner!!!
(5)
Laura N.

Food- nothing special. Your typical Mexican fare. Ridiculously large portions and pretty greasy. However the bartender and the good drinks (kinda) made up for it. Love all the different kinds of margaritas!
(3)
Latonya D.

This review is based off the experience I had on today. I work in the area and Garcia's is the place where a lot of my coworkers go for lunch. We've even had department lunches there so I'm very familiar with the service and food. Well today was terrible. We walk in and its about 5 tables that were being occupied. I'm thinking great its not that crowded. Usually when we walk in and get seated we get water and chips and salsa. I'm sitting and no one came by my table. I'm like ok we are on lunch so hopefully someone will come by soon. Well I grabbed one of the waitresses and asked who was our waitress. She immediately got offended and said we are busy (yes that is what she said). You just got here. I'm said oh noooo can I speak to the manager. She said I am the manager and I said you are a terrible manager. Who is the owner? She said I am the owner. What a terrible owner!!! I explained how rude she was and she kept right saying that they are busy etc. She took our order and left. I asked another waiter for chips and salsa. Our food came and I swear they must have given me the burnt meat. At that time I didn't have anymore energy to complain. My friend who was dining with me asked for napkins and she got them 10 minutes later!!! Just so you know I was about 15 minutes late getting back to work. Thank you Garcia's for a terrible lunch. You wont be seeing me for a while. Hopefully by the winter the waitresses/manager/owner know how to talk and treat their customers
(2)
Dan P.

Very accommodating staff and great food.Their salsa is awesome!My wife had the carne asada and I had the tilapia with garlic sauce,both were nicely done and reasonably priced.
(5)
Jithu K.

Great margaritas. I recommend the pineapple house margarita. Food was good. I got the taco plate with pork and beef and it was decent. Only 4 stars due to is due to service not being the best.
(4)
Andrew N.

This is my go to Mexican place. The food is usually great (though I find the steak way too fatty) and reasonably priced. The chips and salsa are an excellent starter because their salsa is delicious. Really it is all about those Margarita's though....sitting on their patio with their fajitas, chips and salsa, and their frozen strawberry margarita on a beautiful day isn't terribly far from what I imagine heaven is like. Service here can be very spotty. This place would be five stars if they could be more consistent in this area. Damn, just writing this review made me crave that frozen Strawberry Margarita....
(4)
Kyle H.

Garcia's in Lincoln Square is good for standard Mexican fare if you're in the neighborhood. It's nice to know you can get Mexican food in the middle of Lincoln Square, and pretty quickly, I might add. The set up is two large open rooms, and menu is pretty standard, with a few specialty items like Mole sauce, Steak Tampiqueno, and the like. I had Enchiladas with Mole sauce and can report that their Mole was sweet, nutty, and legit. Not the best I've ever had, but recommended. We ordered Margaritas and they were HUGE! One Margarita outlasted our meal and was enough to get us tipsy. Service was fine, and I would return again to try more of the menu.
(3)
Jose L.

Working in the service industry I've adopted a higher tolerance than most when going out to eat and developed great patience because as a consumer you never really know what's going on behind the scenes, are they understaffed did they not expect to be this busy? Who knows. However, I've been here a few time since my parents live nearby and I have to say the Shrimp Cocktail and their Tortas are Soooooooooooo good! However I can't say I have been here one time and received semi decent service. Walk through the door and the host doesn't say hi but stares at us blankly until the awkward silence forces us to say we need a table so we can EAT. We sit and wait ... And wait ... And wait some more until finally the "order taker" (not a waitress by my service standards because I'd never hire someone like this at any of my restaurants) comes and asks if we are ready to order. So we order a Don Julio AÃ±ejo and a Cadillac Margarita and of course a shrimp cocktail! Wait some more (10-12 minutes) and finally get the drinks and food. But the Cadillac doesn't have that cognac-y taste the Grand Marnier usually provides so I assume they once again just gave me a regular margarita, so I asked the server what is in my margarita and she is clueless, So I ask for the shot on the side. Another 7 minutes. Long story short ... The service is horrible and I mean bad. Coming from someone who works in the industry and has a high tolerance its saying a lot. FOOD 5 stars easy but SERVICE is HORRIBLE. We all go out to eat for the experience of being catered to. I hope they make staff changes soon. It's all in the training Amigos
(2)
Kyle M.

I don't know much about the Lincoln Square area, but I do know that Garcia's Restaurant will be worth your time and money if you're ever in the premises. I can't remember how to pronounce the dish I had for lunch here the other day, but it was marinated garlic shrimp with fried rice and lettuce with avocado. It was mouth watering just to look at, and it tasted even better! The bloody mary on the side was the perfect touch. If I had to critique I would say the bloody mary was a tad too salty and peppery, and they didn't even offer ANY sides with the drink, not even celery! Ridiculous...how does a restaurant not have celery? Besides that little downside I would come back to this joint in a second.
(4)
Alan Q.

The Salsa and chips were great, and that just about ended the greatness. Seat yourself; never a good start for a nicer place. We ordered some queso fundido that was basically shredded cheese melted in a bowl. You could not dip anything into it, and it belonged on top of cheese nachos maybe. Dripping with grease as well. I finished with the pollo flautas that were over fried and hurt my teeth a bit; super dry too. I would sum up my visit by saying that it wasn't gross, but it also wasn't good. I'd skip this place and go for something more authentic.
(3)
Erica P.

Super delicious Traditional Mexican food. Huge portions for cheap. If you desire a food coma, I dare you to finish one of their burritos. Margaritas are bomb, I had the coconut. Between a party of 2, $50 will go a long way.
(4)
Sean G.

Like a previous reviewer said, this place does the Mexican basics pretty well. I had chicken fajitas and they came with ample tortillas, which is a plus. The chicken wasn't as tender as I'd hoped but everything else (rice, beans, peppers) was sufficient. I give the food a 3/5. The margaritas here are the goods. They're strong but not tequila-yuck-face-strong. I recommend the Cadillac Margarita. I think it's the priciest one but it was worth it - a huge, tasty, strong drink. Definitely a 5/5 on the margarita front. Service was friendly, too.
(4)
All Systems Hvac L.

This place was so good before, I think they have new cook. Food good, service is fast, upgrade the meat like before!
(2)
Norah R.

Burritos, tacos, margitias OH MY! I stopped in.. okay I have been planning on going here for over a year! I saw them on Chicago's Best and thought to my self, I wont be complete until I go! But being the procrastinator that I am.. it took a year to make the 20 minute drive there... So I went with a group of four and two of them ordered the Chicago's Best Burrito which was HUGE and covered in yummy cheese. My self and one other person ordered the Combo with an enchilada, taco, and tostada that came with rice and beans. EVERYONE loved their food! We were stuffed and still trying to cram more into our faces. The steak is perfect and the chicken is flavorful We also ordered a pitcher of coconut margaritas. It was $30 but worth the price because it was a FULL pitcher and it was pretty strong. Please don't be like me and wait a year to go.. Go this weekend, go tomorrow, heck GO NOW! Helpful Tips: -Big place so great for parties. -Go down in that area and spend the evening looking at all the little shops, they have so much going on in that area. -Parking is a pain sometimes, so stay calm and just keep circling, eventually you'll get lucky :)
(5)
Emily B.

I came here with my husband and 1 year old. A great restaurant for some great Mexican food and even better margaritas. I had the mango margarita and let's just say I left here a little tipsy :) This is a great place for lunch or dinner, but also a late night snack or cocktail. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Aaron Jae M.

This is the spot for margaritas. I have not tried much of their food but I have had MANY of their free chips and salsa and they are both delicious. The salsa has just the right amount of heat and the chips are fresh and delicious. They have a big margarita list for you to choose from and they are all quite good. Perfect for a late night margarita to end the night with some chips and salsa to curb your drunk late night eating urges.
(4)
Mi S.

Worst experience ever at Garcia's tonight. I have been going to this restaurant monthly for 7 years and had never had to speak to the manager. Too bad that changed tonight the Manager insisted I never got anything off the menu when in fact I have multiple times. She also said she was very familiar with the "regulars" and did not recognize us. It was just not a good experience and that is too bad because it had been our favorite Mexican restaurant in our area.. Oh well I am sure we can find a new one.
(2)
Mary K W.

Their margaritas are outstanding! Their food is decent, and we go here more often because as our kids have aged, so have their palates, lol. Only drawback is that no matter how much or little I eat here, I always feel totally stuffed for at least the next 5-6 hours! Seriously, I don't know if they put some sort of funky fillers in their food, but it's always the same result. Maybe it's the margarita....
(3)
Khris L.

My buddy and I drove out to this place to meet up with our party of around 20. Driving north on Lincoln Ave., my GPS said the location was on the right, but I wasn't able to spot it. We decided to just find parking and walk down the street to see if we had missed it. Let me warn you, parking was a pain in the bunghole. We parked about 3-4 blocks away in the residential area and walked towards the area where the GPS said the restaurant was located. Lo and behold, as we got closer, we saw a sign showing "Garcia's", placed way higher than the surrounding signage. From the outside, the restaurant looked dimly lit, but I realized there was a little bit of tinting on the windows. Inside, the place was bigger than I thought it would be. There were lots of people in there, but because of the size and layout, it never felt claustrophobic. The walls were decorated with artwork, the tables and chairs looked of high quality, there were TV's in the bar area, and the people dining in seemed to be really enjoying themselves in the great ambiance. After locating the party and sitting down(we were late because of parking and because we're Asian), my friends urged me to try the chips and green chili sauce. Wow! That was some spicy stuff! And I loved it! As I continued munching on some chips, I looked through the menus to figure out what I wanted to try. I decided on the three taco combination, with pork as the meat choice. I also chose to try the ginger margarita. The server lady came by and took our orders and off she went. About 5 minutes later, she brought me the ginger margarita. It was waaaay bigger than I expected it to be, but at $11, I guess it was a perfect size to keep me satisfied throughout the dinner. The first sip I took will be a moment I will never forget. The sweet liquid glided over my tongue and set the stage for the subtle tartness to wake up my tastebuds. As the sweet and tart flavors slowly faded away, the flavor of ginger showed itself in its mighty glory. Everything was perfectly balanced and it put me in a blissful state of mind. During this whole dreamlike trance, I didn't realize that there was a whole bunch of servers and food runners crowding around me serving us our entrees. They placed my three pork tacos in front of me, and I went at it. The tacos looked small, but once I tried to pick them up, I realized that there was more meat and toppings piled on than I thought. I added some salsa and the green chili sauce and took a bite. It was so tasty! The fresh tortillas looked like they were made in house, the pork was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and the toppings were fresh and perfectly portioned. The rice and beans that come with the combo were also very good. Definitely good food! Throughout our dinner, the servers checked up on us and brought us anything and everything we asked for. The service team was on top of everything and on point. I would consider it top notch service! All in all, I have no complaints at all about this place. The ambiance is great, the food is great, and the service is great. My experience here was well worth the parking headaches and the long walk in the cold. I'm going to bring my girl here one day so I can share this great experience with her. Try this place out if you haven't already!
(5)
Paul N.

So good! I have been coming to Garcia's since it was just a small storefront selling late night tacos. This place is great. The 3 taco platter ($9) is perfect with the Sol beer. Mmmmm-mmmm-mmm.
(4)
Genevieve L.

Hands down this is the best place for burritos! I've been going here for about 20 years. We started when it was a small little place and they've grown so much the seating area is huge! The only problem is that it starts getting full at about 5pm on the weekends. I usually order a steak burrito. The meat is tender and they give a very generous servings of all the stuffings. Their green salsa is also a perfect blend of spice (hotness) and flavor so you can still taste the cilantro and onions without burning your throat. The horchata is also delicious! It's smoother than others I've tried that can leave you with a gritty residue on your teeth.
(5)
Douglas B.

I can't really say anything bad about Garcia's other than it's always packed on the weekends. But during the week you almost always get a seat. One thing I will say, if you're looking to have a nice quiet dinner on Fri. or Sat. night here... look elsewhere... you will see some drunken characters for sure! I must say that I do enjoy coming here regularly. I get the same thing here every time and it never disappoints. A large order of guacamole and some chips, Michelada with sol or pacifico beer, (3) Tacos de carne asada with cilantro, tomatoes and crema. Wifey always gets the tortilla soup with chicken (hold the cream). The chips here are delicious and almost always tear through two baskets, yup. Honestly don't go for the gimicky burritos, margaritas and big scoops of runny beans. Just get some good tacos. Oh and if you're up for it and feeling gully, ask for the green habanero salsa, don't go crazy with it though, you've been warned! Parking can be a little bit of a pain, it is in the heart of Lincoln square, so yeah. Its to the point nothing crazy. Tacos and a beer, enjoy! Do it!!
(5)
Jose V.

So I gave this place another chance and yet again the food was great. The one and only problem they will never get right is that table service is very slow. Prepare to wait about10 minutes for the them to check with you. Your water will always be empty.
(2)
Jon H.

Ordered some late night carryout, chose the 3 taco dinner plate. It was enough for two meals, and came with lots of delicious green salsa. Good quality, but not gourmet...can't beat the prices and hours. The staff at the carryout desk are very nice. I'm keeping a menu in my bag so I can call from the train on my way home from work.
(4)
Leigh Ann T.

This is my favorite Mexican place around Lincoln Square. Their fajitas are really good. Also love their salsa.
(5)
Elaine M.

Pescado burrito is HUGE! Stuffed with seasoned tilapia fillets, rice, lettuce, tomato, and avocado. Split it with a friend so you have room for chips and salsa. Delicioso!
(5)
Nana B.

The interior and atmosphere mean too much to me. When you go somewhere after the hard or usual day you need something pleasant but I was like disappointed yesterday. I didn't like the colors and looked like a cheesy one. The chair had some shabby surface with holes... Meal and drink were ok. To be honest I wouldn't go there again. Me and my friend even couldn't hear each other. Noisy people around. I just give one star to the waitress, who had good working manners. I `m sorry for this negative review but if you are like me and have the same valuations, don't waste your time. I want to be honest because I always read reviews before I go somewhere new places.
(1)
Andy W.

Great food, great margaritas, decent service. My favorite is the Chicago's Best burrito. Its huge and dont expect any rice or beans... You get what you order - burrito on a plate. The fajitas are delicious as well. Fantastic seasoning and juicy meat. A great spot in Lincoln Square for dinner with friends and they are open late too!
(4)
Raul I.

1. Tasty good food 2. Great margaritas 3. Nice ambiance 4. Excellent service I visited for the first time with a friend. I had the flautas dinner plate (rolled crispy tacos for the non-fluent) and he had burritos. Both excellently prepared, very delicious, and perfect portion. Not too big or small. To accompany our meal we enjoyed several margaritas, the Presidente Margaritas. Not too strong or sweet which is usually the case at most places. Perfect balance between both. Parking may be tricky depending on when you visit, since it is in the busy Lincoln Square area, so plan accordingly.
(4)
Sarah S.

Food is a solid great drinks are a solid awesome service is average live music most nights so try to take advantage lots of people watching if you like that sort of thing soup, tacos, guac, its ALL good
(4)
Amy H.

Good Mexican food for the price. Huge portions too. The place is always busy so be prepared to wait around 30 mins for a table, at least on a Friday or Saturday night. Sometimes they're a little heavy-handed with the cheese. I know most don't go to Mexican restaurants to eat healthy, but I'm talking A LOT of cheese. Margaritas are tasty and affordable-buy them by the pitcher!
(4)
Jason R.

I thought I'd have better luck finding an unmetered parking spot than good Mexican food in Chicago. I have had too many bad Mexican meals in the Midwest to count, but was ultimately inveigled to go by a co-worker. What I got was more unbelievable than a political campaign promise. I ordered the carne asada burrito (wet). The carne asada was exceptional. No fat and tons of flavor. The burrito was loaded with excellent guacomole, cheese, and love. I wasn't intending on eating the whole thing, but it was so good, I couldn't help myself. I ate this meal at lunch and did not need to eat the remainder of the day. This is a burrito capable of ending Chicago's gun violence. Service was good -- we ate outside on the sidewalk and enjoyed a perfect sunny day, which undoubtedly impacted the overall experience. Lastly, an added note was that we did eat at 1:30P on a weekday. It was not crowded, which also may have positively affected the quality.
(5)
Maria R.

All you need to know is that they serve HUGE, strong and delicious margaritas!! LUV the tamarind margarita! Haven't had anything like it anywhere else.
(5)
Ellen B.

We ended up @ Garcia's after trying to get into the Hofbrau on N. Lincoln; 1.5 hr. wait...Not! We were seated in the bar area immediately and our drink order was taken. My margarita was sublime...I ordered the gold version. It was huge and went down real easy. I ordered chicken in mole sauce , which was served with shredded lettuce, salsa fresca, refried beans and sour cream. It was delicious! The chips were fresh and hot, and the salsa was just the right blend of heat. The guacamole was tasty, although not the best I've ever had (that was in a dive in Barstow). The only negative was that it was crazy noisy, and hard to hear conversation.
(4)
Frank B.

It was on a Saturday night after the Chicago Rib Fest on Lincoln Avenue when my beautiful lady friend and myself came in for a drink. We walked straight to the bar area where we found a tall two top. The menus arrived along with thin and crispy nachos with salsa and we began to explore the drink menu. We had both decided to just have a glass of wine that night. White wine was ordered for the lady and a glass of red for myself. There were around six of each wine to choose from. There were a few Malbecs, a Tempranillo, and a Syrah for red wines and the usual Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling to choose from in the white wines category. We ordered the Argentinian Syrah along with a Riesling also that were around $8 per glass. It was very warm and stuffy inside the bar area which made me impatient and uncomfortable after a few minutes of waiting for our glasses of wine. I had turned my attention to the bar tender, who seemed to be in the weeds, when I watched him open the cabinet where their wine seemed to be stored. I had quickly noticed that there was only two bottles in that cabinet, one red, one white, and both were Barefoot wines! Now by this time, the white was already poured and I saw that he was now reaching for a red wine. I thought to myself "Please do not try to serve me Barefoot Shiraz in lieu of the Syrah from Argentina that I had ordered ". And wouldn't you know it, Barefoot was poured and the glasses were brought over to us. The waitress became flummoxed when I asked her about why I was being served the wrong wine. She walked back to the bar and talked to the bartender and she came back to the table saying, "He ran out of the other wine, so he was serving the Barefoot wine instead". The waitress claimed to have had no idea that the bartender was deceiving people with $4 a bottle wine. The waitress offered to give us the wine at a discount but we had seen enough. We got up and walked out and never to return. Basically, they will pour you a Barefoot wine instead of the actual wine that you ordered from off the menu that seemingly isn't even in stock at the bar. It is not ethical or even legal to try and dupe a customer for any reason. I RECOMMEND EVERYONE STEER CLEAR AND TO AVOID THIS RESTAURANT!!!!!
(1)
Bill M.

This review is for a fairly recent visit to the Garcia's location in Lincoln Square that spans between Western and Lincoln. While the atmosphere was fairly loud and lively, I was just sort of digging into my so-so order of chicken enchiladas. I ordered a Mexican beer and they gave me a different Mexican beer, which was fine. My friend enjoyed her margarita so maybe that was the best thing going that evening.
(3)
Rebecca O.

Two words: Avocado. Burrito. SO many restaurants say things have avocado in them and totally skimp... not Garcia's. Pretty sure there is an entire avocado in that thing. Plus it's so affordable!! The problem with this place is the atmosphere. It is so LOUD due to the high ceilings and the fact that it's always busy. Which brings me to my second problem... it's always packed with people. If you don't make a reservation, be prepared to wait 30 to 90 minutes... especially if it's a Friday or Saturday. I know that's par for the course in Chicago, but the place is so big that I would expect them to turn tables more quickly. Last thing. This has been bothering me. Whenever we come in the back door (like where people order out), are we supposed to walk across the restaurant to the little desk to put our name in? Much of the time there's no one AT the little desk so I don't know if we are supposed to go up there and wait or just ask one of the staff members standing around by the back door... it is very confusing and there doesn't seem to be a particular system. Or if there is one it is very unclear.
(3)
Ned B.

We come here frequently as we are Lincoln Square regulars. The food is good and the portions are big! While I have definitely had better, Garcias is very satisfying!
(4)
Martin L.

The Chicago's Best Burrito is THE best burrito I have ever had. The salsa with the complimentary chips is absolutely phenomenal. I highly recommend this Mexican restaurant. Oh, did I mention how tasty the house margarita was? That is also recommended with very high marks.
(5)
Dan H.

This is our go-to for Mexican food. We've been coming here for years. The burrito is awesome, I actually wish it wasn't so big though. It's so good that I usually end up eating the entire thing and I'm so stuffed I can barely get up from the table. Steak Fajitas are great, lots of meat and good flavor with the various peppers and onions all cooked together. Honestly, I've had a lot of different things on the menu and can't think of anything I didn't enjoy. These guys make a lot of margaritas and it shows. They really know what they're doing when it comes to mixing drinks. They are pretty strong without being over-powering. The chips and salsa are also great, although sometimes the salsa is a little hotter than I would care for...doesn't stop me from devouring the whole thing!
(4)
Carlos V.

Very poor service. I went in and told the order taker I wanted a taco salad without the shell and she looked at me as I was from another planet. She said they can not serve it that way. Whattt? Needless to say I was already pissed. I much prefer the other Garcia's at Lawrence & Ravenswood. Much cozier and they don't charge the 75 cents extra for the sauces for the tacos I opted for instead. Extra charge for salsa? Without disclosing before charging? And top all off, they could have not put more than 1-1/2 ounces of meat in each one of them. Sorry, completely unsatisfied. Not planning to go to that location EVER again.
(2)
Stephanie C.

I am a fan of Garcia's Restaurant. Reading other peoples reviews, I guess this place can get pretty crowded. Maybe I just scare people off, because every time I'm here the place is empty. Normally, this would be a good thing; the waitress should have a lot of free time to pay attention to my every need and desire, right? Not so. The service is spotty most of the times I've been here, which is why I've taken away a star. Last time I was here, I saw my waitress only three times; to get my drink order, to take my food order and to give me my check. I felt pretty abandoned. What's worse is I ran out of water; you should never have to ask for more water. Another time, I got water and it was warm. I don't know why this grossed me out, but it did. If I wanted to drink warm water, I'd run into the bathroom and stick my head in the sink. It would seem like Garcia's is not off to a very good start, but what they lack in service, they make up for in food. The guacamole is always very fresh in my experiences. Kind of skimpy on the portions if you order it as an appetizer, but delicious nonetheless. My favorite thing to order food-wise is the tortilla soup with chicken. The chicken is extra, but it's worth shelling out for. The best part about the soup, besides the fact that it's delicious, is that the portion is so large, it's good for a whole meal. Plus, it's one of the cheaper things on the menu. Winner winner chicken dinner. As far as drinks from the bar go, the bloody Mary's are delicious; they also have bloody Maria's, which is the same as a bloody Mary, but with tequila substituted for vodka. However, my favorite is their blueberry margarita; all of their margaritas have been good, but the blueberry one is my favorite. I do wish the service was better, but I am forgiving since the food is delicious.
(4)
Kat C.

I was with my sister and she had a few drinks and didn't realize that they completely over charged her but I did. Over charged her 20 bucks. So fair warning to everyone that yes, good food, great drinks, but watch out for those thieving jerks that run the place. I was completely disgusted in the service that they would take advantage of someone like that. So fair warning to everyone, do your own math and be cautious.
(1)
Michael A.

Horrible experience here, ordered drinks and they never came. I saw them sitting at the bar just watering down so I told the waitress that I wasn't going to pay for watered down drinks especially since my food had already came so I told her to cancel them. The beans were extremely dry and the rice tasteless. The steak I can tell was defrosted not fresh and even tho I asked for it to be cooked medium it came it a bit over medium well, not to mention it was over seasoned way too much salt. Honestly I can find way better Mexican food in within a 2 mile radius of this place.
(1)
Tyler M.

Place is great authentic Mexican food. Very affordable and fun atmosphere. The service is terrible!!! I couldn't believe my server. She didn't smile. She didn't ask how our food was or check on us the entire time. Had to wave down a bus boy to tell him we needed our server. She was very unpleasant and rude. I probably never go back because such poor service.
(2)
Pete V.

Pretty good burrito and tacos, but little on the pricey side. The tortilla soup was good, but not spectacular. Great ambience and ok service. A good place to go to when you're in Lincoln Square.
(3)
Evan M.

Since returning a few times to Garcia's, I would like to give them back a star. I've enjoyed my food the past several times I've eaten there and the margaritas are tasty, too. Check out Garcia's if you're in the hood - it will definitely satisfy your need for some good Mexican food.
(3)
Jun F.

Staff- very friendly and professional Service- fast and well executed. Always have bus boys check to clear plates. Atmosphere- Good. High ceiling gives the place kind of emptiness but it seems like the bar really looks decorated like a local Mexican bar. Food- I had the basic skirt steak, rice, bean platter, but others had Chimichangas, etc. All generic menu but flavor is executed perfectly. I mean even rice, which can get old and hard, was fresh and flavorful. Drinks- comes in a margarita glass and very yummy. They have Horchata with various flavour for the sweet tooth. I would definitely come back again to try other things.
(4)
Angela R.

Very disappointed with their service and food..My plate took over 45min to arrive to the table and had to remind the waitress and bus person twice everyone else at the table was about finished when my food arrive. Waitress never returned to fill water ask if we needed more soda or cocktails. My daughters shirmps were warm on the outside and cold on the inner portion. The tortiallas arrived when everyone was mid way through their meal. When mentioned to Hostess you could tell he did not care such poor customer service. The group at the table accross from us had a very similar experience padded bill poor quality of food. The best out come was the bus person who did his best to accommated where the waitress failed. We would never go back they need to work on customer service and maybe hire enough staff. :(
(1)
Don W.

I've been coming to Garcia's for close to 25 years. I don't live in Chicago anymore, but I grew up in the neighborhood. And while the decor and size of the restaurant have changed over time, the food has retained its character and quality. You can't go wrong with their carne asada burritos, and the bottomless complimentary chips and salsa are outstanding. Bring your appetite, though, because you are going to stuff your face at this place. The quality is more than on par with the price. You're definitely getting a great value for your money. Sure, the servers can be painfully slow sometimes, and maybe I overlook that because of my long time patronage, but I don't think many, if any, mexican restaurants are known for their outstanding service. Just enjoy it for what it is. I hope Garcia's survives the changes that the gentrification of the neighborhood is bringing, because it's very much a Lincoln Square institution.
(4)
James M.

This place is huge! Yessir! And the authentic tacos are freaking amazeballs. And by that I mean good. Tasty margaritas too. Breakfast burrito was great on another occasion. I liked it. My go to for Mexican in the square.
(5)
Melissa A.

So this place was good enough to get me to come back twice in one week, but this time I sat inside instead of the patio. It's quite loud inside, and also there are no beers on tap, just in the bottle. That said, my meal was still great!
(3)
Kosta B.

Growing up south side I got spoiled with el Gallo and el famous (just to name a few) burrito. But moving north side I found this place and boy was I happy. Good size portions and amazing taste. Very hard to find a better steak burrito...and they have a bar!!!
(5)
Brian P.

Great food, fun atmosphere, and strong drinks...What more can a person ask for!
(5)
Hoang L.

Ordered 3 tacos meal and some ceviche to start. Highly recommend. They are not stingy with their guacamole. The beef and pork tacos were pretty good; packed with meat. But I thought the chorizo was a bit too salty for my taste. The service was great. We had a long day outside and drank about 5 pitchers of water. Our waiter kept the salsa and chips coming too. I'd definitely come here again.
(4)
Scott O.

Well, judging by all the 5-star reviews of this place, I can only surmise that there are a lot of people on here who have never eaten at a quality Mexican restaurant because this place has to be, not only the worst Mexican restaurant I've eaten in in Chicago, but one of the worst I've ever eaten in anywhere! Remember the old chain restaurant Chi-Chi's?? That was better than this place. There were some good moments. Unlike most people on here who didn't like it, our service was great. The margarita was good but really, really strong. Even my companion (who can really hold his alcohol) said it was extremely strong. I think they do that so you are too tipsy and/or drunk to notice how horrible the food here actually is. The salsa that came with the chips was pretty good, not overly spicy, but nice and chunky. However, I'm used to "home-made" tortilla chips that come out hot (or even warm), that are salty, and that taste fresh. These must have been sitting in an opened bag for weeks. Blah!! I ordered the quesadilla dinner entree and saw that I could add mushrooms so I requested those. First off, the tortillas were hard because they were stale. Now, remember the jar of sliced Green Giant mushrooms that they sell in the stores. How bland and awful those mushrooms are. Well, that's what they put in their quesadillas. And not mixed in with the cheese and/or cooked. Nope, these must have been poured directly from the jar on top of the cheese right before they folded the tortilla. They were cold and awful tasting. The rice was bland (I did like the refried beans). My companion had the carne asada, said it was okay but he's had better. There are so many better options in Chicago for good Mexican cooking I can't understand why anyone would come here. To steal from Roger Ebert, I HATED, HATED, HATED, HATED this restaurant.
(1)
Damaris C.

We have been coming here for over 20 years. The food and service continue to be excellent. We've ordered pretty much everything on the menu and rarely been disappointed.
(5)
Melissa S.

Awful, awful, awful service! I was here recently with a friend. We sat down and waited ages to even see our server. We were two minutes away from walking out when she finally showed up to take our order. This conversation took place: Me: what comes on the veggie taco? Server: uhhhhh (shrugs), rice and beans. Me: JUST rice and beans? Server: yes, ONLY rice and beans. Me: nothing else? Server: no, JUST rice and beans. ..... Oh, and lettuce, tomato and onions. Me: Ok, that's fine, I just don't want any cheese or sour cream on anything. I'm sure you can see where this is going: taco arrived covered in cheese. Since our server was nowhere to be found (someone else delivered our plates), I had to wait even longer to flag her down and send back the food. We also spent most of the meal with empty water glasses and had to ask for a refill multiple times. People next to us (with a different server) arrived after us and got their drinks and food well before us. We had to ask other servers to bring us things when our server was missing. While we were slowly dying of boredom, we could often see our waitress chatting with other customers or standing at the cash register punching buttons veerrrrrrry slooooooowly. The food, drinks at atmosphere were OK. Standard non-taqueria tacos (as in, not that awesome). My al pastor taco didn't have much flavor. The salsa they serve with the chips is not good. My friend said she usually has a better experience. Personally, the bad service totally ruined my meal and I'll do my best to avoid Garcia's from now on.
(1)
Steve R.

I gave it another chance and I'm happy with my last experience. It was pretty busy but our host and waitress were attentive and once again my steak burrito was real good.
(4)
Jose V.

Went there Sunday afternoon with a party of six, had to get up and search for a waitress in order to get service, wasn't that busy, when we finally placed our orders the food came cold we had to send it back and god forbid we needed more drinks, had to waive our hands up in order to get the attention of anybody, sometimes our waitress sometimes the busgirl, food is ok but the service is terrible, never going back again.
(1)
E K.

I love Garcia's! The location is fantastic, l really enjoy Lincoln Square. Vincente is the best bartender ever and provides outstanding service- EVERYTIME. The maragritas on the weekend are to die for! Just delicious. I agree with someone else's review about the lack of personality in the service...but I think they experienced the only bad waitress there who really does lack in all aspects. Just ask for another server when you walk in- most are great! I love the tacos and the spinach quesdillas! I love love love Garcias!
(4)
Mark P.

We had to wait over one hour for our food once the order had been placed. This was brought to the attention of the manager on duty, she did nothing. Save yourself the time and headache. There are much better Mexican restaurants in our great city to enjoy.
(2)
Neal S.

First Timers: Get Chicken or Cheese Enchiladas with Green or Red Sauce (Its thier best dish)
(5)
Ter T.

This place has been my go to Mexican since college. But the service I'd experience today with my sister and daughter will not make me return to this place ever again. Apparently, my daughter dropped a fork that comes with the napkin roll while I went to wash my hand in the bathroom. When I came back to the table, I took another napkin rolled from a table next to mine. BIG MISTAKE!!! My waitress ( not sure what her name is cause they don't wear name tag) got soo upset and came to the table and took all the napkin rolls away from our table. She said " we are not ALLOW to take any extra napkin roll because there is only 2 of us dining" . I was trying to explain ....but doesn't seem like she want to listen. I never been to any place where a napkin roll can make a waitress go psycho. How much does a paper napkin roll cost these days anyway?? I am sorry to say that they have lost a loyal customer that have been going there for many years!!! Btw...the waitress description for future customers *BEWARE*: A Hispanic lady in here late 40s ...have dark pale skin with wavy short hair with bangs that tie in a ponytails and average height.
(1)
Jaime G.

For a different spin on the typical restaurants in lincoln square, try Garcia's. I liked this place for drinks and apps. Really big clean place with a large selection of food and drink. My wife had the margarita and I had a michelada w/Tecate (loved it). Both so good. We also shared the ceviche with mixed fish. A must try.
(4)
Alice R.

I have been coming here for years! I usually place carry-out orders. Favorites are the tortilla soup, al pastor torta, flan, horchata, lengua en salsa ranchera, and some of the combo dishes. The rice and beans are the best too! Staff is friendly and the restaurant is busy during the evening hours and weekends.
(4)
Honesty K.

Americanized Mexican food. If you know real Mexican food, do not get an authentic dish here. Stick with tacos and burritos.
(2)
LB D.

For someone who LOVES Mexican food and lives in the neighborhood...I was a prime candidate for this place. Sadly though, after multiple attempts to enjoy the churn-and-burn restaurant (which at least makes for a quick meal), we've now decided to stop wasting our money and not go back. From the hostesses to the bartenders, we've been disappointed in the staff in one way or another on every single trip. I will say, the prices are reasonable for the food you get - unfortunately, if Chicago had more decent Mexican food I think a lot of people would realize this really isn't all it's cracked up to be.
(2)
Jim W.

I like coming here after work. I work second and they are still open when I get off. This doesn't mean I am just settling this food is delicious. Great service. Great food. Great prices. Don't miss Garcias!
(4)
Lauren U.

It takes more than one bad experience to make me give a place a bad review. Anyone can have an off day. My first experience - super slow service, inattentive waitstaff and mediocre food. Not great, but not that big of a deal. This time, our outrageously slow service (over an hour to get 4 taco salads?) was apparently do to a broken piece of kitchen equipment. That would have been fine, if someone came over and said, hey, X equipment is broken, so you're food might take a bit longer, or perhaps you'd like a X instead. Nope, after asking twice (after 40 min, you gotta ask, after 55, it's a bit ridiculous), no explanation, no apology. Just a "yeah, it's coming". With all the amazing Mexican restaurants in Chicago, avoid this one.
(1)
Audrey H.

This place is really impressive on the inside, and was not expected when entering on the western side. The food was mediocre. We ordered a salad with avocado, which was served with the cheap and unnutritious light green lettuce and was not restaurant quality. The veggie option i got was a bit bland, but certainly filled me up. Although I may not return for a meal, I would definitely come back with some friends for some margaritas to begin the night. It is in the heart of Lincoln Square and steps away from the brown line. Perfect place to begin a Saturday night and continue downtown!
(3)
Tracy B.

I will not be going to Garcia's again. We waited 30 minutes for a table. We were seated and it took about 5 minutes for our server to arrive. We ordered 2 margaritas, appetizer and dinner immediately. After about a 10 minute wait our appetizer arrived. Before I had my second bite of the appetizer our dinner arrived. We still had not received our drinks. I began eating my enchiladas which were just ok for Americanized Mexican food. My biggest problem was that they were not very warm. The red sauce was pretty bland, as was the chicken. Our margaritas finally arrived when I was well into my first enchilada. I moved on to the quesadilla and discovered they were seriously soggy. The tortilla was barely fried and the side touching the plate was stuck to the plate and not just soggy, but wet and disgusting. They were also cold with unmelted cheese. Our server was inattentive and disconnected from what she was doing. My food was cold, bland and kind of nasty. The space is cold feeling and loud, with really high ceilings that echo. Our table was sticky and my partner had to brush food off her chair before sitting down. The best part of the meal was the margarita which was strong and yummy. Stop in the bar for a drink after shopping Lincoln Square, but pass on dinner here.
(1)
Ashley T.

The boyfriend and I decided to stop here on a whim. It was about 5pm on a weekday, the place looked pretty packed inside, but we were seated quickly without having to wait at all \. We scored a spot at the outside patio (great for people watching while eating). I ordered two tacos: the rice and beans, and the spinach and broccoli. Rice and beans taco was just average. Refried beans, rice, lettuce, chopped tomatoes. I was surprised with how much spinach they managed to fit in the other taco, though. So that's a plus. Ordered a side of avocado, which was perfect without any black/brown spots. Perfectly ripe. Boyfriend ordered a pork burrito, which was HUGE! He seemed to enjoy it. Another great thing about Garcia's is that the price is sooo right! For both our meals it ran us about twelve bucks! Would probably eat here again.
(4)
Steve N.

Loud and crowded, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. Food portions are huge and pretty good. Not the best Mexican you will ever eat but if you're looking for a high energy sit-down place, this will satisfy you.
(4)
J. Terrell A.

Great service and amibiance. Love the pitcher margrietas. Not authentic at the same time the marinated pork burrito was huge and satisfying.
(3)
Erin L.

I always enjoy food here... both sober and drunk. haha jk.... not really. but seriously, it's delicious. I crave Mexican all the time. Good portions, ambiance, drink menu, and reasonable price. I took a star off for the wait time on my most recent visit. It wasn't even busy that day and it took the waitress 30 minutes for 3 meals my friends and I ordered. The last time I came there on a Saturday, packed night, it only took them 10 minutes. Not sure if it was my patience thinning, but that irked me a little. Other than that, still a fan. I can smell the tacos, salsa, and rumchata right now :)
(4)
Eleanor K.

this is a half star kind of restaurant. I give props to their margaritas and if you're in the mood for mexican, you will be happy. It's also not too greasy/slimy. but this is not a four star restaurant. their service is middling, their salads are bizarre. the whole feel of the restaurant isn't terribly comfortable -- weird tall uncomfortable chairs etc... I always get chicken enchiladas and maragaritas. they have a habit of pouring your margaritas before giving you a full pitcher, which redeems them in all other aspects. We go to the one on Lawrence, not Western. also it is ass cheap.
(3)
Mariana H.

Everyone kept telling me to go here so I finally did last night. The salsa n chips were good, but my burrito was nothing but meat and I usually like it with rice and more veggies. I was really disappointed when I didn't receive bottles of homemade salsa with my burrito, which is standard at the Mexican restaurants I like.
(2)
Elle F.

I'm giving it 4 stars mostly because of the delicious margaritas where the tequila pouring is always generous -- but not so generous that it will make you wince. You also have to respect a restaurant that had the guts to expand and remodel in the middle of an economic recession (a few years ago now, but I remember the old Garcia's, so small and cramped). It's always full of people, so clearly their gumption paid off. Bravo!
(4)
Christopher A.

I tried this place for the first time this past weekend and LOVED IT! The food was absolutely amazing and well worth my trip on the train to eat there. The food is very reasonably priced and tastes great. I don't anyone would go wrong by eating here at Garcia's. It's a little loud but everyone is obviously having a great time. TRY TRY TRY this place... You won't go wrong!
(4)
Gwendolyn M.

It's 2am...I'm starving...I have 10 dollars left. Did I really spend that much money at that last bar?....Oh well at least I have enough for a cab ride home, BUT I'm so hungry ....mmmm Mexican...wait GARCIAS...cab...Garcia's...cab...Garcia's Garcia's will always win! True I give this place bonus points for late night dining but its rare to find a place that I am dying for at 2pm as much as when its 2am. The burritos are seriously huge, I suggest the suizo style where they layer a ton of cheese on it. They are large enough to share even for those who aren't the size 2...oh I just ate a salad and I'm stuffed types (completely unrelated but what's up with those people anyways). The salsa is good the chicken enchiladas are amazing and everything is pretty. On the down side this place is insanely noisy. Even when it's not busy I have trouble carrying on a conversation across the table. Service can be a bit so-so I haven't had any overall bad experiences but I have found myself rationing my beverage intake while waiting for an MIA server.
(4)
John H.

Burrito is big and feeds two. Very open and delightful court yard.
(4)
Malena A.

My husband and I have only had the burritos and tacos and Garcia's and they are okay. I DO NOT recommend the chicken burrito - that might have been the worst burrito I have ever eaten. There is absolutely no spice or flavor to the chicken...it's like they just threw it in the microwave for a few minutes and then put it on the taco. However, the new decor/updated restaurant is nice. And the margaritas are huge, strong, and delicious. The guacamole was fine. It's not the best I've ever had (could use some lime) but it definitely satisfies my cravings. I I would recommend Garcia's if you just want some drinks, hang out at the bar, and much on chips.
(3)
Marc W.

I went today for some tacos to take home. I got carne asada, lengua, al pastor and ground beef. Maybe the rest of their menu is awesome but their tacos are so-so at best. The Asada was ok but I've had much better at other places. The al pastor was less flavorful than others too. The ground beef was down right no good. The lengua was also kind of bland. I'll go again to see if any of their other dishes will get me to give them a higher score.
(2)
Ryan H.

The food is great and reasonably priced and the drinks are too. Service is passable...not amazing. Its all about the food. Some of the best chips and salsa! If you order fajitas you'll get more than enough food for two so I suggest ordering extra round of corn tortillas. My girlfriend and I never get tired of this place. They are open late so when we come home late after some drinks we get fat here.
(5)
Zachary P.

Food and service were good but TOO LOUD - We had to leave because sound levels were way too high to carry on a conversation. The remodel did not include sound dampening and the walls and floor are brick or tile. If there are more than 10 people in the restaurant I recommend ordering takeout and going home.
(2)
Maureen C.

Garcia's used to be pretty decent. What happened? I used to come by w/ friends all the time, back when they were a hole in the wall. Service was alright, food was not the greatest but at least it was decent Mexican food. Came back maybe a couple of months ago - service was just awful. Waited forever and a day for a server to take our order. Also add another forever and a day to get their attention to get the bill, and then to get the bill + credit card. I was pretty incredulous. Food was so-so. I've had better Mexican food in Chicago, i.e. De Pasada by UIC, Las Pinatas at Old Town, etc. Sorry Garcia's. You were great... but I don't think i'll be coming back anytime soon.
(1)
Darren F.

saw this on Chicago's best and it looked pretty good.. the restaurant has a outside patio and the inside of the place was pretty big with a bar also... the place was pretty busy when i went but luckily we got a seat without waiting.. after reading all the reviews, i was waiting for the horrible service.. but instead, we actually got a waitress that was very nice so that's a plus.. i ordered a steak chimichanga which is a fried burrito.. never had it but it sounded interesting and my friend said it is pretty good.. this is the first Mexican restaurant i went to that loads up their chimichanga/burrito with that much meat! usually places has a decent amount of meat in there and TONS of lettuce and beans.. but not here.. the steak quality was good too and wasn't chewy like some places... for the amount of food you get.. it is pretty cheap! their large horchata is like a x-large size too! cant wait to come back and try their other food!
(5)
Julie M.

From the outside, I would not have imagined the view I had as I walked in the door. It is large without being overwhelming, well lit and inviting. The fresh salsa that they bring at the start of the meal is super delicious with a decent amount of heat. For dinner I had the chicken enchiladas with salsa verde. It is definitely worth coming back just for the salsa verde. I am not sure if I could go back to eating the bottled stuff after that. It was a Friday night and although we were seated right away our server seemed a bit busy. In the end, our food came out really fast after we ordered, so that is all that really matters. I will be back for more salsa (both regular and verde).
(4)
Joe C.

This is definitely the place to grab great Mexican food on a late night..Was here just last weekend had a phenomenal Steak Burrito..Talk about cooked to perfection, most places are just your average these guys go out of there way or maybe they just do it better!The best I've ever had in the entire CITY OF CHICAGO!
(5)
Ida P.

Love it. Didn't know before for this place, till a friend of mine and her cousin took me there, awesome.. The service was on place, the food excellent,, this restaurant thought very busy is very neat, even the restrooms smell nice, haven't been before to a place busy like this having the restrooms this clean... Happy to have them in neighborhood. Good job guys I will visit u anytime
(5)
Franklin V.

First and foremost, I want to let you know that I've been going to Garcia's for over a decade, but this prior dining experience put me over the edge. 1 Star = Horrible Service and Food When I was younger, I thought this was the absolute best Mexican restaurant in the Chicagoland area! But since then, my pallets and my expectations of service have changed. Me, my girlfriend, and her siblings decided to grab a bite to eat after some Christmas shopping. It was a party of 5, we got sat and got our chips and salsa right away (probably the best part of the dining experience). We waited 20 minutes to get our servers attention so we can order. She took our drink, appetizer, and entre order. We order 3 large horchatas, 1 regular horchatas, and 1 Chorizo and Cheese Appetizer. I ordered a Carne Asada Burrito with everything no tomatoes, my girlfriend ordered a Steak Torta with no tomatoes, her brother ordered a Carne Asada Burrito with everything, her other brother ordered a Chorizo and Eggs with corn tortilla, and one of the girlfriends had a 2 Steak taco dinner...... not hard right? After ordering, 25 minutes have passed and we still have not received anything, not even our drinks!! It took us 30 minutes to get our appetizer, which came out cold but at this point we were so hungry we didn't want to complain. Another 30 minutes (a total of 1 hour since we ordered our food) passed and our food was not out yet, at this point we're starving (we devoured the chips and salsa and the appetizer) and I watch as other people's food leave the kitchen before we even get our food. At this point we were tempted to walk out because our Pay Box parking was about to expire. I went up front to the cashier and asked to speak to a manager. When I spoke to the manager and he told me the food was taking a long time because there was a large party, I then asked him why other tables were getting their food before us? He never answered my question and replied back with Sit down, you're food will be out soon, we will give you a discount. Within a couple minutes our food came out, everything was cold and disgusting. Either they put it together on the spot or it had been sitting in the window and no one ran out our food. The waitress who ran out our food tried to explain to me that everyone had to wait for their food... How does that explain people getting their food before us? She replied, not everyone's food is as complicated as yours (see our order above, is it complicated? An 8 year old can put it together) STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR YOUR LACK OF SERVICE. (Either the kitchen eff'd up or you never put our order in) NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER GO BACK AGAIN.
(1)
Stephanie M.

Due to greasy tostadas..
(3)
Dan K.

Saw this place on TV and decided to give it a try. Ordered a burrito for pick-up. The steak & pastor burrito was phenomenal !! The best that I've had IN MY LIFE. The red sauce is very tasty and they give you plenty of it.
(5)
Reema S.

Been here plenty of times and am usually very pleased with the food and drinks. Enchiladas are my go to, which are always filling and their margaritas are great! An older, short haired waitress with glasses usually takes care of us and she's incredibly nice! There have been times where the wait is long when it shouldn't be but not always.
(4)
Jenny D.

So, I gave it a couple more tries just to see if maybe our chef was having a bad day, but the carne asada is always burnt, chorizo always much saltier than it should be. I actually took my sister here because I wanted to know if I was just being biased based on my first couple bad experiences, but... She actually got sick off her food. She prefers her tacos with just onions and cilantro, and lime... Which she had to ask multiple times for. It's hard to mess that up. so confirmed, they're NOT the best tacos in the city. I did order breakfast once, and the huevos divorciados was actually ok. But I wish I knew it was that large because i wasn't in the mood for such a large breakfast. Still super loud, service is slower each time we come back. Did they memorize my face from my yelp reviews!?!? Jk. My friends can go for their "awesome tacos" without me. Pass.
(2)
Jeff G.

3.5 is probably accurate we like the beef tacos and burriito but the chicken tacos tasted like a chicken coop place was about average, nothing special
(3)
Gary C.

No quiero Taco Bell. Yeah. I said it. Screw you, talking chihuahua. You know what else I'm going to say? Garcia's knows what's up. They know food and the managers know how to keep people happy. Over the past half aÃ±o, I've been to Garcia's about cinco times and I've had some, overall, good experiences. I've tried a little bit of everything and here's what I really thought stood out: -Chips & salsa: Crunchy, spicy, and FREE! =) -Fish tacos: When I was younger, I always acknowledged fish tacos as one of the most disgusting foods ever. Let me just say that the fish tacos at Garcia's are absolutely awesome. Tilapia, not breaded, with great flavor and texture. -Flautas: among the best that I've found in the city The food is well portioned and nicely priced. If you aren't a big eater, you'll be happy to know that you're going home with leftovers. Servicio is A-Okay. Nothing special...except the managerial staff. From my experience, they are quite polite and are willing to help customers as needed. One of the nicest things that a manager has done for me is close the door/window things that allow for an "outdoor" eating experience. It was a chilly night and I was dining with my lady friend. We were sat in the bar area next to the door/window things and left there for a while, cold. Wait staff left us on our own because it was packed in the restaurante. Managers apologized for the wait and offered to close the door/window things. Little things like that are nice. Overall, I like the place. It also helps that they're open crazy late. The last thing I'll say is: Â¿DÃ³nde estÃ¡ la biblioteca?
(4)
Caroline G.

Hands down my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Chicago. Although the wait can be a little long to get in on busy nights, believe me when I say it is well worth the wait. With that said, for as often as we go, we've never had to wait very long and sometimes there was no wait at all. Let's start by talking about my favorite items on the menu. The guacamole is incredible. It's got this unique whipped texture and the flavor is just perfect. They come in a small and large size. The small was big enough to last between myself and two other girlfriends of mine. The Queso Con Chorizo is sooooo bad for you but sooooooo good. You cannot go wrong with their fajitas, especially the shrimp. It's a very generous portion and the shrimp are exactly the way I like it... big, with just the right amount of crunch. And last but soooo not least, let's talk about their burritos. I always order the Al Pastor. This thing is ridiculous. And I mean this in the very best way. I can't remember how much it is costwise ($6? $7? $8?) Whatever. This thing can easily make two adults feel more than full. And if you don't like to eat until you're stuffed, then no joke, this can feed three adults. I know, right? ONE burrito! It's a bit salty for my personal taste but for $8 and the size of this monster, I'd say it's a pretty stinking good deal. As far as service, we've always gotten pretty good service here. Nothing memorable, but the tables were always clean, the waters always filled, and reasonable timing when taking orders, receiving our food, and paying the bill. That's all you can really ask for right? For those complaining about the two entrances. Yes, it's a bit strange, however it never bothered me nor affected the quality of food or service. Therefore I don't believe negative reviews were necessary for that reason alone. And noise level? Yeah it can get a bit noisy, but that's not really the fault of the restaurant. The customers are having a great time, and interacting. I'm pretty sure that's a good thing. When you go; go with a friend or two; order the small guacamole (you get refillable chips and salsa too), the Queso Con Chorizo, and one of any of the burritos. You're welcome.
(5)
Sarah V.

Garcia's is my go to Mexican food place. I haven't found anything I didn't like. I like their tortas, tacos, chips and salsa, steak and egg, tostadas, enchilada. My favorite are the flautas and the horchata. They have a tres leches that is to die for. At times, it gets so busy that it takes time for the waiters to come around. The renovations opened up the place. Its nicer and roomier. It's always busy but I enjoy being there and friends never argue when it gets brought up!
(4)
Zack R.

I've heard a lot of hype about the Lincoln Square staple. I've been there twice now, and the place is always packed. The service is slow and terrible; the waitresses make you feel bad for asking questions. The food is just ok. I've tried the asada tacos...nothing special. The burrito al pastor was alright. The meat was a bit too fatty and chewy. It was mighty expensive, but maybe that's because it was the size of a small child. Bigger isn't necessarily better.
(3)
Lulu R.

So I don't really like to go into the Lincoln Square area since parking is hard to find. Garcia's is the exception to that rule. A tad more upscale Mexican Cuisine and newly renovated. The ceiling are decorated with colorful stenciled out colorful sheets of paper. We were seated almost immediately and our waiter was very attentive. Our group ordered and shared the : Enchiladas in Verde sauce, Steak nachos, steak burrito, and steak tacos. What can I say...we like steak in ALL of its beautiful forms. The meat was chunky and beautifully cooked. Its cool because they bring out this barrage of sauces: One a tomato salsa which isn't spicy at all. A bright green jalapeno puree (so it seems). And a Tomatillo sauce which i love to mix with the jalapeno sauce. We had a margarita which was super sized and loaded with Delicious tequila. My only wish is that they have more selections for taco/torta/gordita....maybe a chicaronnes verdes? I am impressed that they have a full bar and excellent service. I love thier drinks and wouldn't mind spending those few extra dollars for good service and the ambiance. I can't wait to return and try something totally different on thier menu.
(4)
Benjamin M.

It pains me to give Garcia's four stars, because the food is sooooo good. I'll get to the missing star in a minute, but I first have to explain why Garcia's is worth going to. Garcia's is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the city. I'm a fan of simple Mexican dishes, and I especially like the tacos and the enchiladas. Their salsa has great flavor, their chips are fresh, the rice has a good taste, their refried beans are not soupy, and their guacamole is delicious. The burritos are slightly on the under-seasoned side, but I'll let it pass, as there are many other delectable options on the menu. Garcia's is great for lunch or a casual dinner with friends or family. Anyway, back to the missing star. Again, it hurts me to criticize this restaurant. However, to be fair to Yelp readers, I must be honest. The service here is so-so. The servers are often slow to take your order and to bring you your check. It sometimes takes some flagging down or eye contact for them to get your attention. Regardless, the food here is amazing, so don't be a stickler and just go.
(4)
Michelle D.

I love this place i have been going to Garcias since i was a kid. I mostly have stuck.with tacos and huge burritos all carne asada . Good fresh guac . Tasty Magaritas passion.fruit is my fav! Also the veggie fajita is yummy .I have taken family/ friends here for yrs .My go to neighborhood Mexican spot.
(4)
Jacqueline S.

Garcia's is the bomb dot com. Coworkers and I go there all the time on a Friday night for some AWESOME (and strong) margaritas and some tasty appetizers (yum to the guac, the flautas, and steak quesadilla). When I'm not there with coworkers, I'll eat a full dinner or take it to go. Always very good. Reasonably priced. The only time I've been upset is when a few take out orders have been incorrect!
(4)
Ed J.

The service is great. Food is delicious. Atmosphere is friendly and lively.
(4)
David Z.

Garcia's can really scratch your itch for the cheap & greasy authentic-ish Mexican food, giant margaritas, and free chips & salsa that any normal person can (and should) crave 24/7. I say authentic-"ish" because I can't imagine that you could actually find such ridiculously huge burritos anywhere in Mexico itself. That's got to be a symbol of American gluttony, and all the glory of over-indulgence. And what a tasty burrito it is! My fiancee refers to them as little "baby torsos," because they are about the same size (I recommend the steak variety). Each bite leaves me feeling a little gross, but also extremely satisfied. Admittedly, the rice and beans is pretty much standard fare, and the chips & salsa are more than adequate in both the taste and artery-clogging department. I can't comment much on the more authentic dishes available (there's even menudo, which I hear is a rarity), but seeing them on the menu at least makes the whole experience seem a little more worthwhile. Don't expect good food service - if you live in the area, just call ahead and do carry out. It will save you the frustration of wondering if your waitress forgot to put your order in, and will also spare you the 20 minutes you will inevitably wait between the time you finish your meal and the time you actually get your check. But if you have an hour+ to kill, or have the itchin' for a big margarita, by all means stop in - the dining area is newly remodeled and larger, which is helping eliminate some of the longer wait times on the weekend. Sure, the undecorated solid white walls might remind you of an insane asylum, but when the food is good the decor doesn't matter that much, right? Prices are pretty cheap as well. Expect to pay about 10 bucks per person without drinks. If you go all fancy-pants and enter margarita-ville, you can still get by for under 40 bucks for a couple. Or you can just slum it like I do - order a burrito from carryout, and then return to the comforts of your tv tray, flat screen, and bottled beverage of choice, all for about 7 bucks.
(4)
Filip F.

I am updating my previous 2-star review. I gave Garcia's two more tries since my neighbors kept talking about it. It definitely did not disappoint. Complimentary salsa is great. Service is fast and friendly. Chicken is flavorful. Margaritas are solid. This place is pretty full even during midday on a weekday. This is one of my new favorites.
(4)
Brian W.

Today's visit was just okay. The order was slightly off (forgot the cheese and green salsa) and the meat wasn't as spot on as usual. Still better than most.
(3)
Ruth S.

I have been there on several occasions. Their service is slow and I believe I did not get the same type of treatment because I am not Hispanic. The food is decent, but I won't go back because frankly I think they are racist. 305-ww
(1)
Ms. R.

Do not patronize Garcia's. There are plenty of other Mexican restaurants with good food and better service. Their food is decent, but the service is consistently very poor. They have little concept of customer service. It seems that they don't want to accommodate you, even an easy request of subbing another meat in a dish (al pastor instead of chorizo). In addition, even though menu items under one category said they come with rice and beans, the waitresses wouldn't accommodate it since it only came with certain dishes. Again another excuse - "we don't write the menu, we just serve the food." And, when I said that they need to indicate that on the menu or change it, the waitress rolled her eyes at me and walked away... Really?! Great customer service! Stay away and spend your hard-earned money somewhere else. Never again, Garcia's. You've lost my friends' and my business.
(1)
Leang E.

I remembered this place being pretty good, and several years later now I'm back. I just got carry out this time around, and appreciate I was able to get a side of fresh jalapenos. I got a couple of tacos - one beef and one steak along with a side of guacamole. It was pretty good. My boyfriend would have gotten the steak, but wasn't able to do a substitution of rice with french fries so we didn't get it. It's unfortunate there is not that kind of flexibility. The food was pretty good, and the prices are average. The food was good, but maybe not as good as I remembered.
(3)
Andrew N.

Vile. The guacamole tasted like it had come out of an industrial vat. I am astounded by the popularity of this restaurant. This is the last time I'm going to trust yelp reviews for Mexican in Chicago. (Hello Chowhound.com !)
(1)
Phil X.

-Fresh Salsa! -Tasty Burritos! -Great Margaritas! But the real reason I come here... ....THEY HAVE THE BEST HORCHATA.....EVER! I like to order their large Horchata "to-go"(even if I'm dining in), with no ice. Why waste space with ice cubes when it can be
(4)
Cathy T.

We were in the area doing some Christmas shopping and thought we'd get a bite to eat. In other words, we didn't make Garcia's our destination but just happened upon it. Well, next time we are in the area it will be a destination. We really enjoyed the Tex-Mex food. The chicken enchiladas with mole sauce were excellent and the pork tostada was tasty. The beans were excellent. I recommend the Cadillac margarita. Service was great, too.
(5)
Caroline A.

Their portions are the size of my head. But what I really love here are the horchatas. Cold, sugary, milky deliciousness. YUM.
(4)
Polly P.

I've been to this place only once, but I loved it so much! I wish could go there more often! Pina Colada was delicious - not as sweet as in all American places. And food was so yummy, I didn't want to go home. Also the neighbourhood is quite famous for being German Village, so it's nice to walk around there.
(5)
Lauren C.

By far my favorite Mexican place to eat! The food is amazing! The service is pretty good. The margaritas are to die for. I've almost tried every margarita and the frozen strawberry are my favorite. Very fulfilling! The burritos are huge!!! Definitely always have something to take home. The chips and salsa are a nice addition to a wonderful meal. Most definitely a good time! I would highly recommend checking this place out if you want some good, reasonably priced, Mexican food!
(5)
Keely B.

Not impressed. The place was recently remodeled, and since I wasn't there before, I can't say if it's really an improvement. What I can say is that the interior itself is deceptively small, and the vaulted ceilings that SHOULD add light and a feeling of space made me feel like I was in a cavern. One wall had a mural, but the other was almost bare. Our service was polite but slow. There's a bit of a fast-food feel to having to order a size of drink with a sit down meal (especially when it's dinner, not breakfast and you're ordering a soft drink rather than juice). No free refills on my "medium" Coke, though I paid almost $2 for it. The food was fine, but that's about the highest praise I can give. I had had food equally as good if not far superior at any number of taquerias around the city.
(2)
D R.

Recently renovated Lincoln Square Mexican fare. You won't leave hungry. This place is outstanding at nothing, and good at everything. They don't have the best anything in town, as noted by the conspicuous omission from the recent Mexican restaurant round-up in Chicago magazine, BUT, it is a packed house every day of the week. I've been to Garcias more than 100 times and I could write a novel about the storied history. Basics: good margaritas, above average basic Mexican food, hit or miss service, fun atmosphere (nicer and larger than a typical taqueria), high volume. At times the service is great, at times you can sit for a half hour before someone takes your order. Before the renovation I always thought the salsa was my favorite, but now it's not as consistent. That doesn't stop us from going back. In that neighborhood, if we don't go to Opart Thai, we wind up at Garcias. I wish the stupid beeping noise coming out of the kitchen would stop, if you have a choice sit as far away from the kitchen as possible. It is a must-try, decide-for-yourself Chicago-Mexican mecca.
(4)
Tiffany N.

I had just stumbled into the street out of a cab after a flight from Denver and a rush to check in. I was on my way to stuff gift bags for Yelp Around the World and I knew I needed sustenance. The cab just so happened to drop me off in front of Garcia's. I looked in the windows and it looked crowded. I sniffed the air and the Mexican smelled right so I stepped in to give it a whirl. Garcia's made me the biggest burrito I've ever had and coming from the state that has Chipotle and Qdoba competing for your attentions that's no mean feat. Better yet, it was good. I mean greasy, Mexican good. I also got guacamole and chips. Again, the largest serving ever. I'd bet there were at least 3 whole avocados in there! So, thanks to Garcia for sustaining me through the gift bag stuffing. If I lived in Chicago I'd come wait for a table in your dining room at least once a week.
(4)
Matthew K.

The Pros: Huge tasty burritos, good quesedillas, and nice yummy tacos. Margaritas are pretty good, and order a pitcher to get one of the best deals in the city. Location is good and the hours are quite convenient if you need a late night snack after adventures in Lincoln Square. The Cons: Service is so-so. While they have good basic mexican fare, if you stray too far from the tacos and burritos the food gets less impressive. The shrimps in my "camarones al mojo de ajo" were a little stringy, and they just dumped a pile of chopped raw garlic on top of them. Refried beans are surprisingly bland. Essentially: if you find yourself in Lincoln Square craving a ginormous burrito and some price effective booze to wash it down with, Garcia's is just fine. Otherwise, its not really a destination spot.
(3)
Sam D.

Amazing Mexican joint tucked into Lincoln Square. If you are on western, you may not even see the door (or white sign which is hardly lit and set on brick). I ordered enchiladas here and they were phenomenal. Fresh salsas came with the meal, and they too were great. Great value for your dollar, portions are big and the food and drinks taste authentic.
(4)
Judy C.

Great place if you like margaritas made with a mix, mediocre but lots of food and a noise level so high you don't have to speak. With so many great Mexican restaurants around I'd say don't bother. I guess if it's 1AM maybe Garcia's would be a good choice but otherwise take a pass.
(1)
Mandy A.

We came here for the inital meeting of our newly formed Supper Club. It's really fabulous, I highly recommend forming your own supper clubs. Anyways, this was our first stop and half of our group had been here before, half of us were newbies. I had read on Yelp that the margaritas and salsa are phenom. And they were. I should have stuck with the chips, salsa and a pitcher of margaritas and it would have been heavenly. I got the tostadas suizas, one with beef and one with steak. It looked like at one point cheese had been melted on top of the tostadas but by the time they came out, the cheese had all congealed again. (Sorry I hate that word, congealed but I'm coming up blank.) Bummer, because that's really the awesome part about things that have "suiza" in their name. The meat was totally overflowing from the tostadas so there was not a chance I was going to be picking them up to eat. Everything tasted great it's just that cheese that put me off a bit. Rice and beans were yummy and I was full and drunk so mission accomplished. Overall the restaurant was nice and we didn't have a single problem with service like others seemed to mention. Just skip the suizas.
(3)
Dominic R.

Ok, it's been 3 years since my last review of Garcia's.......and let's see....what has changed??? Um, just the interior.......which is was much needed! More spacious, nice bathrooms, looks great! The chips n salsa are still the best......the steak tacos are still delicious as always!! I have been going ot Garcia's for years and still will continue! Like I said....no matter how much I drink.......there is always room for Garcia's! Nothing better than tacos at 2am! So if ya strike out at the bar with the ladies.....no need to fear......Garcia's will cheer you up!!!!!
(5)
Todd K.

Ok, while no trip to Tijuana, Garcia's is pretty good Mexican food for the price. After spending a fair amount of time frequenting El Mariachi in Lakeview (and spending a lot of money in the process for OK food), I discovered this slice of paradise with the help of friends: The Good - After going to school in Central Illinois and being introduced to "La Bamba's Burritos as Big As Your Head", Garcia's fits the bill and does it better. The burrito's are seriously the size of a football (no joke). I love their steak burrito and several friends have had the other various barnyard animals wrapped in tortillas as well. Don't forget to get it suizo - adds so much to the dish - You can easily walk out with two meals worth of food after your binge at the restaurant. As a person on a budget, I appreciate this. - Chips and Pico are quite good. You also can't go wrong with the margaritas - try the pineapple. The Meh: - There is one male waiter who really needs a personality transplant. Though, as long as he keeps the chips coming, I can overlook his not so charming demeanor. In short, it's my go-to restaurant for Mexican. Ole!
(4)
matty z.

Any restaurant that can handle me and 22 members of my insane family with grace is a winner in my book. I brought in a large chunk of my family from Indiana yesterday, and our server was great-- and we're a picky family. After I gave the lecture to my siblings (the ol' "Look, I come here a lot... so don't be a mensch" lecture), everyone really enjoyed the generous portions and the excellent seasoning. I warned everyone-- you don't need to order anything with the burrito. They didn't listen. At the end of the meal, with more than half a burrito left, they wished they had. Make no mistake, Garcia's' burritos are amongst the largest in Chicago. Extremely filling and absolutely delicious. Thanks, Garcia's, for treating us so kindly. We'll be back! (With fewer screaming children running around!)
(5)
Michael E.

This is a place for all you folks that are on a real tight budget. There is one meal in this place that you can get that both fills you up for next to nothing! Their burritos are great. They are also huge! Their menu is extensive and the food is good at a reasonable price. If you ever get to the place and cannot find a seat in the dining area, go to the bar...you still get waitress service. A burrito dinner with one bottled beer, chips and salas came to a whopping $11!! And I took HALF of the burrito home it is that big. So is it healthy.............heck no..........is it good.......yes......is it cheap.....yes again......to two out of three isn't bad. Give these folks a try.
(4)
John B.

Apparently I'm the last guy on the planet to find out Garcia's has been remodeled. I stopped in the other day, and was like, "Whoa! Dude!" And yes, that's the first time you ever saw "Whoa! Dude!" come out of John B. That's how impressed I was. So the place is huge now, and clean, clean, clean. Not that it was horrible before, though the men's room was pretty nasty. Now the men's room is the size of a New York studio apartment. The food is as good as ever. The service is as bad as ever. I finished my lunch, which was a mistake, because all I could do for the rest of the afternoon was roll up in a ball and rock, I was so bloated. No ill effects, just too much burrito. I've dropped Garcia's from four to three stars, not because they're any worse, but because I was probably too enthusiastic in my first review. Though their salsa is still great.
(3)
Kimbele S.

a solid 4-5 stars for the garcias on lawrence by ravenswood. it's not the most beautiful environment and the lighting could be improved, but the food is always consistently terrific. the same awesome bartender/server every time we go, so that's also consistent. the fajitas, tampiquena, enchiladas...they're all super delicious. 2-3 stars for the one on lincoln. service is sometimes great, sometimes just so-so, but their food quality plummeted since their renovation and is now just EH. also, it is SOOOO noisy in there as it's just one giant room with nothing to absorb sound. frequently you get screaming kids, large parties, etc. i recommend the bar area.
(4)
Minh D.

Decent urban Mexican fast food restaurant. Not as authentic as it used to be. Big plus for staying open real late.
(3)
Bridget K.

My siblings and I were not sure where to go for dinner until my brother-in-law suggested Mexican. We decided to walk into the heart of Lincoln Square to get dinner. My standards are pretty high for Mexican being that I spend a lot of time in Mexicantown in Detroit. The four of us were seated quickly we then got some good chips and salsa which we ate quickly and got an immediate refill. We ordered and got our food quickly. It was huge and big. I did not realize that the meals would be so big. It was also reasonable for Chicago standards...but not in comparison to the hole-in-the wall Mexican you can find in Pilsen or LIttle Village. We left with three take-out boxes for another meals worth of Mexican. Overall it was a good experience and I would go back again.
(4)
Herminia I.

Necessities of a good Mexican restaurant: 1. Late night hours--Garcia's is open til 3 am, with bar open until 2 am. 2. Amazing margaritas--Had the Mango Gold margaritas, and they were amazing, with actual chunks of freshly blended mangoes. 3. Homemade chips and salsa--Brought to you right when you sit down. 4. Flavorful, food that hits the spot after a long day--My chicken quesadilla warmed me up from the gross weather outside, and I still had enough to take home to the hubster. 5. Lively atmosphere--Unfortunately, Garcia's loses a star because they didn't even have music playing in the background. As nice of a place as this, I expected festive music playing to keep our girl's night out going. Instead, we had the lovely sound of table chatter, the margarita blender and the clinking of silverware against plates to jam out to. Will definitely come back, but hopefully they'll get an iPod before than.
(4)
Beth J.

Have had good experiences every time that I have been here. It might not be the best that I have ever had, but it is classic Mexican fare. Like everyone else out there my food always tastes better when I have had more to drink. I think their margaritas are good. I keep ordering the chicken fajitas and will continue to come back when I need my Mexican fix. It isn't your quiet intimate restaurant as it can get quite loud in there. I always have a good time though. It does help that I can stumble home from this place!!
(4)
Jenni S.

YUM! I love the Flautas! The guacamole, the rice, the beans, the tacos and....my favorite...... THE BEST FLAN IN THE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give Garcia's a try, the price can NOT be beat and the food is PHENOMENAL! ---and for God's sake HAVE THE FLAN!
(5)
Demetrio P.

The wife and I frequent Garcia's whenever we are in the mood for Mexican food. It's a little Americanized, but still good from the tacos al pastor, to the carne asada dinner, to the queso fundido con chorizo. The carne asada tacos aren't the best here, I've had better, but are passable. Also tried the horchata and strawberry licuado, both were good as well. Overall, good food, okay prices, okay service.
(4)
Marie C.

I've been eating here for about 10 years. Probably only because they're the best in the AREA that serves liquor. I'm not a huge fan of their salsa... kinda mushy and vommity looking =( Definitely, not the best mexican I've ever had, but in Lincoln Square theres not too many options to choose from. The food is so-so but they make killer Margaritas... which keeps me coming back :) OH yes... and their Caldo De Pollo is SOOOO delicious.. I WILL VOUCH for that. Its HUGE & only costs like 6-7 bucks. Awesome on these cold Autumn evenings
(3)
Helena B.

Why did I like Garcia's so much? Namely, because I didn't expect to like it at all. "It's so loud!" I bleated. Repeatedly. And loud it was - newly-remodeled, there's no real separation between the "bar" part (with TVs blazing) and the "restaurant" part. This crabbiness dissipated as soon as the salsa arrived on our table. This stuff was good! So fresh! So tasty! I shoveled it down like with no shame. Seriously. There were salsa splatters all over my side of the table. Boyfriend - aware of my fondness for avocados - suggested I get the avocado burrito. Done! He got the two taco dinner. However, we were both kind of curious about the fish taco, so we got one to share. Our meals were quite large. I was able to cut my burrito in half and take part home for lunch the following day. For only $5, that is quite a deal! Boyfriend's meal was similarly proportioned. The food was delicious. Everything was so fresh - from the avocado in my burrito to the tomatoes on the fish taco. I enjoyed every bite I was able to take. mmmmm, and what's that? Not seeming so loud anymore. Apparently good food trumps my auditory senses. The only real negative? Service was slooooooooooow. (Now, in case you're thinking I lack a basic grasp of phonetics, rest assured - those extra o's are there to show my general annoyance at the speed of said service). I wasn't in a rush, but a refill on my Diet Coke would be kinda nice, ya know?
(4)
Adele n.

I love this little Garcia's outpost. The margaritas are deadly strong, giant and tasty. The couple of times I've been bold (stupid?) enough to drink two, I've spilled on myself or my date. The complimentary salsa is addictive. That said, it's also the only healthy vegetarian option on the menu. Be ready to eat four pounds of cheese otherwise. But by the time you're halfway through that second margarita, the fat content of your meal will be far from your mind!
(4)
Rick T.

Amazing food horrible horrible service! Especially this one male waiter! He has the biggest attitude, never checks in with you as well, and will get mad if you ask any questions. I would honestly get carry out if I ever am asked to be seated in his section again
(2)
Patrick T.

Awful. Even when you call in for carry out, the service is unfriendly, surly and often clueless. Seems to be going downhill. Waited 15 minutes for my order when it was sitting on the counter the entire time, getting cold. Will not be back.
(1)
Kaleb B.

Place is wonderful! Sometimes the service is slow but the food makes up for it! I love there chicken fajitas! We use the place as our date night spot!
(4)
katy m.

we went to Garcias for the first time last night. My husband and I live 5 minutes away and my parents were in town wanting to go out to eat. My dad loves combo meals at mexican restaurnats and we wanted to try it. very clean and friendly. the meals we had probably were not the best things to order there. I am vegan and had kind of a hard time getting no cheese or sour cream. my family all eats meat though, so they were happy. they put so much cheese on everything, it was overload. good, clean, family friendly AFFORDABLE mexican food. we will go again for sure!
(3)
Sarah L.

This place was jumping on a Tuesday night! I couldn't believe every table was full around 7:30, we got the last open table. We started with a pitcher of classic margaritas. It was $25 but not enough tequila for me! So that was kind of a rip off. The food isn't that great. I had the 2 steak taco dinner and my steak was burnt and chewy kind of like beef jerky. I honesty can get better Mexican food in my hood. The only thing is Garcia's has a wonderful bar stocked with a lot of tequila! I doubt I will be back but it is a fun place to go when you are a group of friends.
(3)
Sarah E.

My husband and I have been to Garcia's on several occasions. Normally, their food is decent and margaritas are tasty and strong. Last night, however, we has the worst Mexican food of our lives. The salsa, while still very tasty, was served with extremely stale corn chips. I had the enchilada/ chili relleno combination, and both tasted like card board. I actually pulled off all the cheese on the enchilada because it had NO TASTE. The chicken in the enchilada tasted like 5 day old left over thanksgiving turkey, which was bizarre. The cheese inside the chili rellno was not even melted, and the chili itself tasted like nothing, not spicy, not peppery, just nothing. The only thing edible on my plate was the refried beans and rice. My husband had the same experience, although he had a tostada and enchilada combination. To top it off, their margarita machine was down so instead of the normally tasty and strong margaritas, we got a glass of froth with a little tequila and margarita mix. Plus, we both felt pretty ill the rest of the evening. Maybe the difference is weekday vs. weekend, but last night Garcia's was way off. We likely won't be back at the chance we'd have this experience again.
(1)
Gabriela A.

Food is OK. I am not 100% sure, but maybe 85.8% sure Garcias adds sour cream to their guacamole. This is troubling, to say the least. Guacamole doesn't need very much, and in moderation, it is good for you. Why add sour cream? Without spelling it out, I suspect the answer is to add volume. If you are ordering the guacamole, you may want to ask your server if they add sour cream to the guacamole *especially* if your are lactose intolerant, like me :(
(3)
justine h.

I have been here three times I think and only for the convience not for the food. I took my parents here once (my mom is half Mexican) she was appauled with her food. My husband refuses to go back because they don't serve cheese dip. Really? What Mexican restaurant doesn't serve cheese dip? Save your money. There much better places!
(2)
David P.

Had a wonderful time with my partner and our friends on Saturday evening. The service was awesome and the food was excellent. Even though it was very busy, we were seated within a very short period of time. Our waitress was very attentive. I have never had a bad experience at Garcia's. I will say, that it can be a litte on the noisey side, but when you receive good service and excellent food, this can be easily over looked. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Rachel O.

Great margaritas for a decent price. The chips and salsa are good. They really let you customize the combo meals to however you would like. Outdoor seating is limited, but there's usually always something available indoors. Recommend the avocado tostada and the enchiladas.
(4)
Heather H.

I love this place! Good prices, delicious food, friendly staff, open late. What more could you ask for! I've been addicted to the chicken tostadas recently and have been there about 3 times a week. The bar has a great energy and the bartenders are so nice! Other favorites dishes the enchiladas and the tongue tacos. I highly recommend Garcia's.
(4)
Jerry D.

I'm an easy to please guy. I'm not incredibly picky about food or one to give bad reviews because one little thing ticked me off. But having been here maybe 6 or 8 times because the location was convenient, I don't understand what any of the great reviews are about. Whether at the beginning of an evening or late at night as a last stop, I've always been disappointed here. There have been times when the service was just plain slow. The place isn't busy but we sit there 10 minutes before anyone comes to take our drink order. The food we've had has been okay, but nothing spectacular. Pretty typical Mexican food. I love margaritas and have had them all over the U.S. and Mexico, but the ones at Garcia's taste like artificial mix and burn my stomach from about the third sip on. I've even left half a glass of margarita there before because I couldn't stomach the rest of it. Never have I had a reaction like that before anywhere, even at the Mexican restaurant way further south on Lincoln that serves STRONG margaritas! The atmosphere is modern and attractive, but it gets way, way too loud in there, especially when there are families with a lot of kids. I don't think there is much they can do about the noise level, but it isn't always the easiest to hold a conversation here. I'll go there again if it's convenient and whoever I'm with really wants Mexican food, but I'll stick with beer and prepare myself to be underwhelmed. Sorry Garcia's...I hate leaving negative reviews but I've tried over and over to like you.
(2)
Patricia K.

Holy burrito, batman! I stopped by Garcia's with a friend on Saturday night to pick up some pre-party grub. I ordered the veggie burrito with a side of chips and salsa. I was astonished as to the size of this burrito. Seriously, it could feed a family of four - no exaggeration. In fact, it ultimately took three grown adults to put away this beast. And boy was it good! Not a single ingredient overpowered another. It was a yummy blend of beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, avocado and sour cream. Everything was noticeably fresh and well assembled for maximum flavor. I will be back!
(4)
Kristo E.

How can anyone give Garcia's anything lower than a 4?? This place is one of the best restaurants in Chicago, period. On weekend nights, the wait can be 30 minutes. I'm not one of those people that have no patience, so I don't mind. Aside from that, the food is GREAT. The prices are competitive with other sit-down Mexican restaurants. I usually fill up a full meal/drink for less than 12 dollars. Plus you get free bottomless chips and salsa. Service is great too! I used to go every week a few years ago before they remodeled, and they remembered my group whenever we came in. Always courteous, quick, and check on you. =]
(5)
michele m.

Let me start off by saying I have eaten here many times over the past 10 years. With that said, I feel ever since Garcia's remodeled and became quadrupled the size, the food has suffered. I have tried several times since, and have been disappointed. I love the location and the margaritas, but regrettably, I wont go back for the food. The space when crowded is very loud as well. I guess I prefer smaller places where you can have a conversation without yelling.
(2)
Joseph H.

A Godsend! The best Mexican food I've had in a long, long time. I stumbled into Garcia's Restaurant after walking a half a mile in desperate need of some food and some booze. The group I was with saw the lit-up full service bar and dashed in just to grab a few drinks. I decided to order a coconut margarita, which was mediocre and standard, and Enchilada Suiza with rice and beans. My dish was so delectable. The portion sizes were huge! Perfectly cooked and the cheese was melted perfectly, the ranchero sauce was amazing too. The rice was fluffy and the beans were ground up by hand. The salsa was the best too! Great texture! Not too smooth but still had integrity of a chunky salsa. The flavors were excellent and wasn't too overpowering with the cilantro. The chips are always hot and home made! The best part was the entire meal was $8.50. Go here. Eat. Drink. Repeat.
(4)
Megan S.

Oh what to say about this place. I have been here a few times and the food is always top-notch. It is open until 4am. HOWEVER, this place definitely loses a star for the creepy guys that whistle at girls INSIDE the restaurant. It is almost like you order a side of "harrassment" with your chimichanga and enchiladas. It has never failed me. When the waitress offers you to sit in the bar area, if you are a female, REFUSE. Ask to sit privately where no one else is. Otherwise, the food is always delicious and makes chancing a bit of harrassment worth it.
(4)
Joe B.

This is a review of just the burittos from Garcias. Without a doubt, it's in my top 5 burritos in the city. And I have had a lot... they are packed with great fresh-grilled steak (muy importante), ample amounts of veggies/beans, but the pico de gallo that comes on the side, is always the kicker for me. This will set you straight any time of the day, but after the bars, it might be one of the best things you've ever eaten... and one of the biggest!
(5)
Mike P.

New large dinning room is a great addition to the neighborhood late night burrito stand-by. The staff seems extra friendly and the food is serviceable. Like to see a good crowd in there and it adds to the diverse food offerings on Lincoln Square.
(3)
Carolina E.

The food is good don't get me wrong but every time I have come here I have been disappointed with their service.
(4)
Sheay C.

I ordered the avocado burrito. This was by far the worst burrito I have ever had. It had no flavor to it at all. They literally stuffed a bunch of avocado in a tortilla with sour cream and cheese (which I had to pay extra for.) It was so bland. My fiancÃ©e had a chicken burrito, which was a little better than mine but not much. The chips and salsa were good, but we will not be going back.
(1)
L M.

Great food, awesome prices, amazing location! The chicken taquitos are the best. The only setback is the volume of the music, making it difficult to hold a conversation with the person sitting only one foot away from you, across the table.
(4)
Terrence C.

In a search for a late night margarita, I stumbled on Garcia's. Honestly i really ONLY wanted a margarita but I could not just stop in and not have a taco! seriously. The place is dingy looking, but experience tells me the places that lack in decor many times thrive on making good food. The lighting was very very dim, and seats were scattered in an unorthodox manner. Everything felt old, and I was immediately reminded of the bar in "From dusk til dawn" minus vampires. Chairs seemed like they were snatched up from boarded up church, and I did not feel holy enough honestly. My girlfriend thought the tacos were dry, but I found them to be just perfect. I've been on a toco hunt for the past 2 weeks, and these are high on my list, but still lacking a bit. The meat was high quality, but not seasoned so well. AHHH why can't I have the best of both worlds?! At any rate, I'd rather have the good meat, instead of crappy "well seasoned" meat. Ok so yeah, tacos are decent, check it out, open til midnight blah blah blah. Margarita... I had the "cadillac" margarita... seriously who can pass up a drink with such a title? I was don julio and grand marnier and who knows what else. Pretty decent son. My girlfriend had a regular margarita which somehow came out looking like a pina colada?
(3)
Jon D.

If you know good, authentic mexican food then you can stop reading right here. This review isn't for you. If you love chipotle, then I'll start by saying garcia's is pretty good. The burritos are tasty and pretty cheap for how much you get(think chipotle and a half). FREE chips and salsa are always welcome. And they're good too. Today, however, I ventured out of the realm of the innocent burrito and tried their torta dinner. Probably wouldn't order it again. The rice was just awful. Unless their goal was dry, flavorless rice. They did that perfectly. But those are just the sides, the torta itself was decent. The beef milanesa wasn't particularly flavorful, nor were the rest of the vegetables inside. Service was fine. Haven't ever had any of these horror story experiences. TL:DR - stick with the burrito unless you know what you're doing.
(3)
C. Benjamin W.

They don't season their meat. I don't care if they give you two pounds of it on a combination plate, but it wouldn't hurt to add a little cumin or cilantro so that the beef doesn't taste like dog food. There weren't even any onions cooked in with the dishes. People who don't know how to cook make better Mexican food than Garcia's. I don't know what the problems is. Is the chef or owner too afraid of offending the neighborhood with just a little garlic? Is food even a consideration at a location that soaks up business despite the food? I don't know, but I'm an adult now and I'm not impressed by a lopsided price/portion ratio when the food tastes as bland as it did.
(1)
Amy S.

I don't really like this place. The service is great, but the food is bleh. Ginormous portions, but heavy, and I would be scared to find out the calorie and fat counts. I guess if one likes Mexican food and has a lot of people, it would maybe be a good place to go, as it's very spacious and has some large tables.
(3)
Lauren P.

im so glad they renovated this restaurant it was super small before! this is an awesome restaurant because... + bottomless salsa and tortilla chips + HUGE BURRITOS + f a n t a s t i c horchatas + clean washrooms + super cheap ! ! ! those are 5 reasons for 5 STARS!!!!!
(5)
Justin S.

This place has to have been renovated since the last time I came here. From what I can remember (I'm pretty sure I have never been here sober before this last visit), the place used to be more like a wider hallway with seating on the sides. This visit, it was much larger and nicer looking! They even had a bar & a couple TVs. People working were friendly. They didn't drag and seemed to always know when to come by. They always had my glass of water full which makes me happy. Yeah, it doesn't take much to stay on my good side. I'm a big fan of Mexican food, specifically burritos. They had plenty of filling choices including steak, chicken, pork, ground beef, beef & pork, mexican sausage and a few vegetarian options. I had to try the carne asada (steak)! Let me say, it surpassed all expectations! The burrito was one of the biggest I've ever seen...and eaten. I did have to pay extra for the sour cream that is a must on all my burritos, but the steak was nice & juicy. It was sooo good!!! Oh and the salsa you get at every Mexican restaurant was pretty good too. Wasn't too spicy & had a nice little kick to it. Survey says...GO TO GARCIA'S. Doesn't matter if you're sober or drunk, but if you ask me, it taste better when you have all your senses in tact. Enjoy!
(5)
Marjorie F.

My boyfriend took me here a few nights ago when it was freezing out. Needless to say, we didn't have to wait for a table. The service was OK, not the best. The chips and salsa were very good. I tried the ground beef tacos (yes, I was boring) and they were so-so. The re-fried beans and rice were tasty - and I'm pretty picky about that stuff. They have this fruit drink - some kind of smoothie - made with fresh fruit. That was pretty good. Would I go back? Sure... But when I'm REALLY craving Mexican food I'd head somewhere else.
(3)
Scott B.

In the past year, there's been a few changes to this particular Garcias. Last summer they were closed for an extensive expansion and remodel / change of ownership? Nevertheless, now that the restaurant is cosmetically much better, the food & service has declined, drastically! Granted, they still offer a damn good burrito, but don't even bother with anything else on the menu---NASTY!! Tonight was the final straw for me---I adamantly refuse to EVER dine at Garcias again! After being seated, it took our homely server approximately 15 minutes to acknowledge us. When she did realize that wifey & I were not invisible, she came over and pinched me, winked, and said it'd be a minute or two. Well, 10 minutes later, she arrives and realizes that we were indeed thirsty, and ravenous. Order placed. Tick, tock, blood pressure rising. I wanted to get up and leave, but this would embarrass wifey, so we stayed, Seriously, while watching the dumbass senorita who thought she was too fucking cute to bar tend socialize for 20 fucking minutes, we finally received our margaritas. I asked the server what was with the wait. She didn't respond with words...just a grin, and a shrug of her shoulders. Food arrives, immediately after we received our margaritas that were a challenge for senorita bartender to make. Food as ordered? No, but I didn't say anything, as I didn't want the homely server to spit on my burrito. Check, and to go box, as my meter was about to expire. I gave the homely server a gift card Visa with enough money to cover the tab, and her tip. She came back and said "it declined." Uggghhh, no---she was just too fucking stupid to run the gift card Visa. Tip. Twelve percent was probably too much. In all fairness, the burritos are good---just not AS good as they were before the change of ownership. Margaritas---good, but NOT worth the wait, nor the raise in price! I WILL NOT RETURN!
(2)
Natasha L.

The 3 stars are for the margaritas. Quite simply - food = meh, margaritas = YAY
(3)
Juan G.

like the whole renewing they did, but the food just downgraded alot. way to pricey now. n tables are way to close to eachother no space for wheelchair people to get around.
(2)
Lindsay S.

Girls night out needs to happen every once in awhile. And Garcia's is the place to do it. Especially when half those girls are lesbians and need a game on while sipping margaritas. Pros: -STRONG ritas usually at a $5 special -killer nachos! -Cubs games always on -hardly crowded Cons: -when it does get crowded the two people working there don't know how to handle it -our check usually takes 20 minutes to get to us and then another 15 for the cards to be rung up So just go in expecting that or wave/flag your waitress down! Garcia's knows how to make one mean margarita though!!
(4)
Nigel T.

Everything about this lousy restaurant screams "We don't care". It started with an unfriendly, unsmiling hostess, and continued with a disinterested waitress. The bland, soupy scoop of institutional guacamole reinforced the indifference, and the lame entree sealed the deal. I have nothing good to say about this meal. Never again.
(1)
Ha Le P.

I love it here with it being walking distance from where I live. The food is consistent and they give a lot. Margaritas are STRONG (worth a try!) -- jumbo margaritas if you want to be reckless! ( lol ) Difficult parking on nights and weekends on Lincoln ave strip, (there are additional parking lots at the end of the strip) but it's all worth it. My usual go to is their tacos but give their burritos a try! they're HUGE! (Side note: I use the NoWait app on busy nights to "reserve" a spot in line so you're not walking into a busy mess!)
(5)
Lorna S.

Muy Bueno!!! I love the area this restaurant is in, as well as the decor. I ate here recently, and they have blown out some walls and revamped the place. It's kind of loft looking... I love it! Now for the really important part of the review. ***Drum roll** The food was fantastic! From the chips and salsa they put on the table to the delicious flan at the end...it was great. Oh yeah, I ate the chicken enchiladas suiza (red sauce) for my entree. It was so good, and it came with rice an beans as well. The flan was made just right. Sometimes flan is too sweet. This was prefect!!! Don't let me forget the delicious margaritas. They put lots of tequila in there so you only want one. KUDOS to the owners of this excellent restaurant!
(4)
Dee M.

This place cant miss, their prices portions and quality of food is excellent .I have been coming to this particular Garcia's for a while now and I am completely satisfied.
(4)
Roberto C.

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants with great service, you might have to wait for for a table cause it gets packed. if your into soups, try the chicken soup perfect anytime or the chicken enchiladas. Great prices. if you complain, your a cheep a$$ and you should stay home. i rate this place 5 starts. i have been coming here for the past 20 years. i love it. i highly recommend this place. i will definitely be back.
(5)
Francis A.

Simply Put: Craving a delicious burrito and a sweet horchata? Garcia's should be on the top of your list.
(5)
Pickiest Eater A.

Well, if you can speak Spanish apparently you get service, if not...then expect to wait a while for simple things like refill on water or more salsa. Lazy ass waitress. What can you really say after poor service to begin with.
(1)
Desiree K.

STOP THE PRESSES! As of Monday, November, 16, 2009, after a four and a half month renovation, Garcia's on Western has officially reopened! True true story. Not sure about you all, but I was counting down the days to Enchilada goodness and refreshing Margarita bliss, and low and behold on a whim tonight and completely unbeknown to us we ended up at Garcia's during their grand reopening. Lucky us. So, here's the skinny. They have expanded in a major way. The ceilings are higher which means more light, the dining room is wider which means no longer feeling guilty when you have a large party because you'll no longer take up the whole center or corner of the dining room. The bar is bigger, meaning Friday and Saturday waits will be a lot more comfortable. And in the summer we were told that the windows open so there will be a little al fresco feel to the front. Que lindo!! Anyway, they kept some of the "old charm", meaning don't freak out when you see some of the murals from you memories past on the North Wall. The bathrooms have been gutted and now sport fancy schmancy dryers which normally wouldn't impress me, but for some reason had me singing their praises into the late hours of the evening. And they have kept all of the same servers (which may or may not be a good thing for you, but for me was wonderful catching up with some of the "originals".) Now onto the food. Their menu has not changed too much, they've added a chorizo and frijolles appetizer along with a flauta app, and there were a couple other minor changes denoted by an italicized "new" next to it, but overall all the staples are still there and are served exactly how you remembered them. The house salsa and chips were so fresh that I swear the chips melted in my mouth. Our entrees arrived pretty fast and we could not believe how fresh everything tasted (yes, I know it was their first night everything had to be fresh... but let's let's hope it stays this way--it should, I mean it is Garcia's). We had a couple Banana Margaritas and I'm happy to say their recipe has not changed one bit. The service was good, there were times when I felt like the beverage service was a little slow but it wasn't too bad. So it's hardly worth mentioning. We talked to the server who said that there are some additional minor changes yet to be made, so we're really looking forward to seeing the finished project. Fancy tidbit of info some of you may not have known, they hadn't renovated in 18 years!! As a result this place looks fabulous. Que bonita Garcias! P.S. The tables look eerily similar to the ones they had before, do not be fooled, they reordered the same style in a darker shade, they're totally new. I told the server you could probably still use the old ones and no one would notice, she laughed and said I know "but everything fresh! " Love you guys, we'll keep coming back!
(4)
Dr. Stephanie K.

Love, love, love Garcia's!! It is quiet and easy going. It is right in our backyard, so we love to go there!! The staff is always friendly. The food is good and the price is right! We have lived at our current place for almost 2 years...it took us way too long to try this place!!
(5)
Karen K.

Garcias is a place for a margarita and some tacos. It's not the best Mexican you will find, but as far as tacos and a margarita - they fit the bill. The service is attentive, and the patio is great in summer. One thing I'll tell you - their chicken soup is super.6$ and I can breathe for the first time all day (I have a cold). Add some jalapeÃ±o salsa to the soup along with some cilantro and onions and you're in business! The 2 margaritas helped too, I'm sure :)
(4)
Alex R.

I've been here a couple of times, and Garcia's now boasts a remodeled space, which has expanded the dining area and created larger and more modern bathrooms. It is definitely now a lot easier to reserve for large parties. If you intend to come here, be warned that parking is very lacking in the main square, which is where Garcia's is located. My recommendation is that you park on Western or Lawrence and walk it over. The atmosphere here is nice, if not a bit loud. The fare is pretty standard Mexican food. The salsa is decent with a good flavor. The main reason I took off two stars is the fact that the food doesn't blow me away. It's pretty mediocre. I am Hispanic and I have high standards for delicious and authentic Mexican food, and this place definitely misses the mark. I had the enchiladas with mole sauce and ground beef filling. The mole was definitely lacking in flavor and spices. For the vegetarians out there, they do offer a combo that includes a broccoli taco. Another star was taken off due to the service not being that great. The waitress seemed pretty unattentive of us and was definitely aloof and not too friendly. Also, the prices are pretty high for mediocre Mexican food that you can find anywhere else for half the price. $14.00+ for a fajita dish? No thanks. This place is alright if you're already in the area, but I would ceirtainly not go out of my way for it.
(3)
Trina-Hathori K.

This is an amazing restaurant! Its soo authentic and a family run business. I would recommend it! My friends and I came in and they loved it! Great for family, friends, and dates. Plus the Garcia family is so down to earth! U must go! I love their enchiladas and carne asada! Just check it out urself. Its been my hangout since hs. Thanks Braulio for being kind, helpful, and having impressive hospitality etiquette. Will always come here for mexican cuisine and never go anywhere else!
(5)
Tina D.

I've been coming to Garcia's for as long as I can remember. Always got tacos, burritos, etc. but the chicken enchiladas with mole, that's the dish I die for! It comes with rice & beans, the chicken is fresh, and the mole sauce is delicious. Nothing more to say, except one day, as I paid for my bill with my credit card, I left the card in the holder and left in a hurry. Thanks goodness they had my card, safe and sound!
(5)
Robert G.

This is real Mexican like mama made!
(5)
Julia R.

Delicious classic mexican food! I've never been disappointed here, but I guess i've also never been totally blown away. Their salsa is awesome, and the food is always good - i've tried a lot of dishes here and everything has been good. Service is always fast and the restaurant is newly remodeled. My favorite thing here - banana margarita. You must try this - there is real banana in it. Drinking it makes me float from reality and land on a sunny beach somwhere. It's close to home for me and consistently good - so, I come here often!
(4)
Ellie B.

I'm no longer afraid to use the bathrooms at Garcia's. Hooray! Ok, perhaps an odd place to start a review, but Garcia's has been a long time favorite in spite of the bathrooms in the former space. Rancid, putrid, small, stinky, vomit-inducing, call them what you want, but they were enough to make the pee crawl back. Yes, I said it. Crawl right back. No matter how many margaritas you had prior to trip to said bathroom. It's a good thing I was just steps from the stalls, because I just about peed myself when I flung open the bathroom door and was greeted by an immaculate, fresh smelling powder room, with rows of gleaming stalls and the heavy urine stench a distant, foul memory. And the dryers! The high powered hand dryers! How do I get one installed in my bathroom? And do they come in a model for one's hair? Fine fine fine. A clean bathroom does not an excellent restaurant make. So let's talk grub. There a couple new appetizers gracing the pages of the menu, but all the old favorites made it through the renovations, just like the murals. I opted to go with the torta milanesa with rice and beans. My man friend ordered the chicken burrito. This was the big test - sure the bathrooms were great, but was the food? Aaaaah, just the way I remembered it! ALMOST. While the torta was just as huge and delicious as I remembered it, the rice was somehow lacking. It was too... Dry? Bland? Yeah, I think those two words sum it up. But the beans still melt in your mouth, so all is not lost. The chicken was just as dry as I recalled and portions are still beyond generous, with styrafoam leftover containers in my refrigerator to prove it. And let's not forget the service. We had two different servers tag teaming our table, and I think these ladies have a future in law enforcement, because it was total good cop/bad cop. Watch out Oliva Benson and Elliot Stabler, these two blow SVU out of the water! Unfortunately bad cop was the waitron we spent most of our time dealing with. While I greatly appreciate the new space, with it's huge open floor plan and inconceivably high ceilings, what I appreciate even more is the consistency. Garcia's may have had a facelift, some botox, a breast lift and a tummy tuck, but underneath it all, it's all about fresh, flavor filled, quality Mexican food, the food us loyalists have grown to love and expect over the years. Old fans and newbies alike should make it a point to get to Garcia's sooner rather than later.
(4)
Anna H.

I went to Garcia's with a small group for my friend's birthday. The service was very good, but the food wasn't anything special. The burritos are huge, though, so I guess that's something...though there were definite repercussions the next day, if you catch my drift. I don't plan on going back - I've had cheaper as well as better elsewhere.
(2)
Miss S.

Ugh, really bad if you're looking for decent Americanized Mexican food. I ordered chicken enchiladas and what I got was cubes of chicken wrapped in tortillas, covered with a watery orange sauce and topped with a ridiculous amount of cheese. This may have been OK but it had so little flavor. The worst part is the $10 I wasted on this bad attempt at enchiladas when I could have just gone down the road to Albany Park and gotten something way better at half the cost.
(1)
Heather H.

I love Garcia's. The fact it took me 3+ years to discover it's existance since living in Chicago honestly makes me a little sad. First of all, I think their food is amazing. Mexican food can be a sketchy dish around any big city. Where you never really know what you're getting into until you've already committed. Sometimes the hole in the wall places are the best, sometimes they leave you full of regret for days. The fancier restaurants are a bit easier to judge. Garcia's, nestled into the heart of Lincoln Square has a reputation, and it's a good one. The main portion of the restaurant is open and spacious, the bar area is much more cozy. While some of the seating kind of puts you front and center for a good round of people watching the good atmosphere of the place prevails. It can get a little loud with the open space but the great food and yummy margaritas kind of take you away from paying attention to the rest of the world, especially if you are in good company. The menu is pretty expansive and has something for everyone, true Mexican food lovers or not. I love their blended strawberry margaritas, they are reasonably priced and trust me the tequila is in there! I've hit Garcia's for birthday dinners or small one-on-one dinners. I've never had a bad waiter who wasn't pleasent and helpful, even the busing staff checks on you. Needlss to say I've enjoyed myself every time I've paid a visit to this place. Only downside thus far in my Garcia's experience, parking can sometimes be a pain if you're not within walking distance of the area. On a nice night though, who minds a little extra walk?
(4)
John R.

Certainly there must be better Mexican food in Lincoln Square than this. My wife had enchiladas. The mushroom enchiladas in salsa verde were pretty good, not great. The chicken in mole was very bad - the mole had a distinctive powdery taste, which means the paste was not allowed to dissolve in the broth fully before being served. Big no-no. Her beans were totally without flavor. My tacos: asada, ok but lacked any real flavor. The steak needed seasoning, for sure. Al Pastor, totally bland, obviously the pork had not marinated long enough and was very fatty and chewy. Lengua, ok I love tongue tacos, but these were very chewy and lacked any seasoning, again, so they just had that sour boiled tongue flavor, which is nasty. Tostada de Aguacate: the crema was us style, so bad on a tostada, and the beans, again, like some inert paste of yuck. The rice was OK. Salsas were below average and not at all picante. Overall, I would not go here again, not even for tacos. Avoid this place if you like good, flavorful Mexican food.
(2)
Nicollette W.

I've been to this place a number of times now....mostly because it is in my hood....but secondly because the food is pretty damn good! The mole is one of the best I've had. I usually order the enchiladas with mole sauce. The ground beef is a bit dry, so I would stay away from that. The horchatas are also great. The beans are good as well - not my fav, but decent. I do wish they had better lunch specials though (price wise) - but I do understand since the place was just renovated and looks great inside.
(4)
Anceert M.

Ceviche Highly recommend. Good food for Affordable prices & good Margaritas I'm a fan
(4)
Leanne A.

I love that they're open late and in my neighborhood. It's a cool place with the whole community, crowded feeling it maintains. The prices are okay and the food is fine. I go here more for the after drinking thing. But I once got the avocado salad and was anticipating something exciting. I got slices of avocados on a bed of unseasoned, watery lettuce. WHAT?? oh well. Then the incredibly un-interested waitress brought me thousand island dressing. I had to walk up to the bakery-thingy section to find her and ask if there was another dressing. (I asked very politely) NO. Yuck, I don't like thousand island. Especially on my mexican food. So I ate it with nothing but salt and pepper. So much for trying to be healthy. I recommend going simple here. Just get standard burritos/tacos etc. One more note: the man who seated us last time was so rude he was almost scary. I mean it seemed as though he wanted to wrestle the customers. Maybe he had issues....
(3)
Leigh An S.

First off the Margaritas are great! The price is phenomenal for the amount of food you get! The burritos are enormous, be prepared to take half home and the Al Pastor is the best I've ever had!! The have a small outdoor section, that's great to enjoy the Lincoln Square activity. Everything is very clean, including the bathrooms! The staff is very friendly as well!
(5)
Bryce D.

Great food, very affordable. I ordered $7 chorizo burrito and it was HUGE. Made a great lunch the next day. Their guacamole was pretty good but their salsa was delicious. Very prompt about bringing refills on chips, salsa, and water.
(4)
Matthew T.

Great food at a great price. My only issue was the fact that the menu seemed a little too "run of the mill" for a mexican place, but then again it is Lincoln Square and one must consider the clientele. I got the fish taco dinner and was expecting a kind of diced up fish grilled on a flat grill...NOOOOOOOPE, deliciously fresh whole grilled fillet with avocado and pico on a corn tortilla. Absolutely delicious, and did i mention that 3 people ate for less than $50? This place is worthy of a repeat, nicely done Garcia's
(4)
Jade T.

Garcia's a nice change from your average greasy spoon Mexican restaurants. The food isn't anything to rave about. The portions are incredibly huge (burritos are larger than your head). If one Chipotle burrito isn't enough to satisfy your appetite, then Garcia's will. There are mucho vegetarian options (there's even a separate section). Prices are moderate, but you're really getting two meals in one (I heart leftovers). The drinks are strong, always a good thing (you're getting ripped off otherwise). I freakin' love mole sauce. There's something about this weird, brownish-purple thick liquid. There's not much like it. Garcia's mole sauce had a weird aftertaste, but it was okay. It wasn't very flavorful. I didn't even ask if they used chicken stock (let's hope not). I've had much better elsewhere (Blind Faith Cafe's gardein mole dish is spectacular).
(3)
Christine F.

So, after our trip to Fleet Feet last night, we went to Garcia's. First off, best chips and salsa ever. The salsa was super fresh and the chips were salty and delicious. I ordered the avocado burrito with cheese on top and my husband had his burrito deep fried with ranchero sauce and cheese. He also had a margarita. The marg was OK. It was a little sweet/watered down for my tastes, but to each his own. We got our food 10-15 minutes after we ordered it. Holy huge burritos! These are seriously some of the biggest burritos I have ever seen. My burrito must have had at least 3 entire avocados in it, along with beans, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. I was only able to eat half of it, and trust me, I'm an experienced burrito eater. It tasted good, but I wasn't blown away by the taste or anything. You do get an INCREDIBLE amount of food for the price, so that's good. If I'm in the hood again I will definitely go back to Garcia's for some cheap grub, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)
Lin-z C.

Though Garcia's is in a prime restaurant location (Lincoln Square), it's easy to just discard it as yet another weird cheap mexican place (it's oddly narrow with GIGANTIC thrones for chairs). Cheap? Yes. Typical? Not in my experience, at least! I have three things to say about it: First Thing: DO NOT get a pitcher of margarita with ice here. GET THAT SHIT FROZEN. The pitcher of frozen that we got lasted me and my friend well on until we couldn't eat anymore, and let me tell you: WE WERE TRASHED. A pitcher of margarita has never gotten me so completely plastered. From the first sip to the last sip I could taste a strong presence of tequila. And again: it lasted ALL DINNER! We watched another couple get a margarita with ice and they had drained it in half the time it took us. And the ice made it all watery and we, being drunk, talked loudly about what a bad choice they had made. So yeah: FROZEN. Second Thing: Neither of us could eat our burritos in one sitting. I wanted to SO BAD, but I knew I would truly explode. They're GIGANTIC! And if you get suizo ranchero, you are doing yourself a favor. I ate mine 2 whole days later for lunch, and it was still just as awesome. Third Thing: Service was lovely. The lady we had was adorable, and even when we were obviously not able to speak in clear sentences, she was sweet and helpful. It was the first time in a while that I wanted to tip someone well at a restaurant. So the next time you're up in Lincoln Square, bypass the overpriced whatevers and have some quality mexican at Garcia's...and again: get your margarita frozen.
(5)
Erich R.

I'll start by saying, Garcia's is my 2:30am dining option of choice. The copious amounts of cheese, large portions, and "nachos y quesadillas" make it ideal for late night grub. If you call ahead the food is usually ready by the time you get there (ten minutes or so)... That said, a normal weekend meal is a completely different experience. Having been there multiple times for dinner, I've concluded that the same things that make Garcia's late night great (greasy food, large portions, fast service) work against it at dinner service. The value is there and you'll certainly go home full, but delicate Mexican food this is not. Keep an eye out for football sized burritos, mounds of rice and beans, and over sized plates. Go for: -Late night food -Free chips and salsa at the bar while you enjoy a Margarita or a Modelo Skip it for: -Date Night -A light dinner
(3)
Alexis B.

Garcia's is definitely worthy of the "it's a little dingy, but it's good" warning that my friend gave me when she suggested that we come here for dinner. She was right. The interior looks more like an airport bar than a restaurant, so if romance is in the cards for the evening, go elsewhere. I prefer my margaritas on the rocks, and there was a bit of a miscommunication due to Garcia's default being frozen. I drank it due to the fact that I hadn't specified and found it to be very meh compared to other margaritas (Cesar's, Tarascas, Las Mananitas) in the city. They were relatively cheap, so I suppose you get what you pay for. Luckily, our food was much better than our drinks. The enchiladas verde were some of the best that I've ever tried. The sauce had a distinct lime kick and when it was all that was left of my dish, the chips on the table came in handy. Garcia's is mid range Mexican that is kind of good, and kind of cheap. It's worth a try if in the neighborhood, but far from a destination point.
(3)
Eric V.

Nothing earth shattering here, just some good standard Mexican options (burritos, tacos, fajitas, etc.) that are generously portioned for your hard earned dollar. If you're not in a tortilla-filled-with-meat sort of mood, the filete al mojo de ajo is a tasty alternative. They pack enough garlic in there to keep vampires away for days.
(3)
Erica J.

YUMM-E! The margaritas are great too.
(5)
Karla L.

I love Garcia's! I'm a gringo, so I don't feel like a have a say in what's "the best" out there... But DAMN Garcia's never disappoints! Steak tacos for $2.00??? Say what!?!?! And they are delicioso! The pitchers of Margaritas always send me home in a fantastic mood! And the Lincoln Square location is perfect for parking. OLE!
(5)
Joey M.

Beware Lincoln Square fans of Mexican cuisine. At best, Garcia's has an inconsistent hit or miss menu and at worse their head chef might be the Taco Bell dog. Don't let the pseudo upscale aesthetic fool you, this place likes to cut corners in the kitchen. I ordered an appetizer of guacamole and chips, but what was brought to my table could best be described as a mint toothpaste and sour cream spread: a sickly green color with a pasty, unnaturally smooth texture and bland taste. I questioned if avocados even factored into its creation. For an entree, I split an order of mixed (steak/chicken/shrimp) fajitas with my companion, a decision more important than I realized. The portions were huuuuge. Even with two of us, we couldn't hope to finish the plate. This may be somewhat of a plus, however quantity does not trump quality. The steak and chicken were fairly tough, though the shrimp was admittedly pretty tasty. Maybe a place like this could pass in a lacking suburb, but with so many other options at your fingertips in Chicago, I would highly recommend a pass on SeÃ±or Garcia.
(2)
Pat N.

Sad to see / taste that Garcia's has gone way down in quality. It used to be a great late night spot with consistently good food; now I don't want to go back. The food is bland, unseasoned and greasy. My past few visits have been my last to Garcia's. Any suggestions for a replacement?
(1)
Ivana B.

Yummy Mexican food that is always fresh! It can get a little pricey but the Chicken fajitas keep me coming back. Its a large place and usually a lot of people come her for dinner but the wait is worth it. I like that they offer outdoor and bar seating as well. Only cons are that the past few times I ordered a chicken burrito, the meat was off and I don't even think it is chicken. I stopped ordering that. Another con is that The staff is not friendly and constantly disappears for long periods of time even when they aren't busy. Ive waited 35 minutes for a check and it took 10 minutes to get a waiter on a slow day.
(4)
Carly B.

I hate to knock off 2 stars for this review because the food was great! If only they could get a handle on the logistics of running a restaurant, it could be really great. The food, like I said, is great! Nice portions, taste is awesome. The margaritas are made well and taste wonderful. The prices are pretty good, too. However, here are the issues I ran into that really need improvement: -Bathroom only had one stall with toilet paper -Only one sink worked in the bathroom -Bathroom was new, but unclean -Service was slow and confusing -Brought beans inside burrito after requesting they please do not (they did fix this, but took a long time) -Took forever to get bill and have bill collected (credit card payment) We feel perhaps they are understaffed and they are being run ragged...but being on the outside, it is hard to tell.
(3)
Tim V.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC FOOD!!! We native Chicagoans know a thing or two about food. Garcia's has some of the best food in the city. Burritos are STUFFED full of the most flavorful char-grilled steak I've ever had. The chicken quesadillas are truly EPIC!!! And if you're lucky enough to have a slice of the tres leche cake, you'll understand why they get 5 stars! They have earned every single one.
(5)
Joe P.

Everyone raves about how this place is the "best" Mexican food in Chicago. Can there even be a "best" in Mexican food? It's kinda just meh, A-OK, reliable but slightly expensive Mexican food.
(3)
Veronica S.

Delicious Mexican food. Ambience is casual and fun. The tortilla soup is a must try! I'd definitely check this place out.
(4)
Ivana S.

I absolutely must edit this review simply to alert people that their choco con leche is so good it would be a damn shame not to order it the next time you go here. Everything else from my previous review stands- this is a solid place to grab food when you're in Lincoln square.
(4)
Heather C.

We want to Garcia's last night and I had quite possibly the worst dining experience ever. First off the $6 Guacamole tasted like it had maybe mayo or something mixed into it, and I had to add salt and pepper at the table. Not to mention it was a rather small amount for the price we paid. I ordered flour tortilla's, because I don't like the pungent smell and taste of corn tortillas... But when our waitress brought out our tables tortillas, she had mixed them all together in one container... So my flour smelled like corn. That was also the last time we saw our waitress... For over an hour min. We ate, we chatted, we waited for our check for over 45 mins. She never came. All three tables on our side of the patio got up to go look for her! Then I asked for a manager... And NO ONE CAME!!!!!! I manage two businesses, I get it, it can be hectic and hard, but when you know three tables have had to go find their waitress (who came slowly strolling out of the kitchen may I add) you visit the tables. And to not even come when asked for? I will never return. Horrible.
(1)
Rachel T.

Gracia's has really delicious Mexican food, at a very reasonable price! My family and I go here all the time and they have always accommodated us nicely. Complimentary chips and salsa are good. I have only ever ordered the steak tacos and caldo de pollo( chicken soup). The caldo de pollo was everything I ever wanted it to be (two big giant pieces of chicken, amazing broth, and veggies). I will definitely keep coming back.
(4)
Andre W.

Big ass place that is open late and serves Mexican. That small cup of delicious horchata was f'in delicious and felt more like a large! My al pastor burrito was decent, but not sure if I would have enjoyed sober. Peeps that work here are mad cool especially the cutie that took my order I heard they serve drinks...I was too drunk to want one Would come back if I am drunk and neearby
(3)
Cassie C.

The 4 stars is for their margaritas and the service. This place gets super crowded during dinner on the weekends so unless you want to wait 45 min try to go on a weekday. The food is average its slightly overpriced and they don't have all the Mexican dishes. The margaritas are a must. They are make perfectly and I will keep coming back for them. Not to much mix and you can taste the alcohol. -** parking is pay to park and is usually not hard unless it's a weekend.
(4)
Tanner C.

Being from Texas, I should really stop trying to find decent Mexican or Tex-Mex while vacationing away from home. The food was extremely bland and greasy. The salsa was basically water. The only thing worth mentioning was the queso fundido with chorizo. It would have received 4 stars. My quesadilla left a puddle of grease and was made with a below average pulled chicken. The waitress was sweet but too busy, and we were often left for a while with no table visit. It took way too long to receive our check. There are better places to eat in Lincoln Square.
(2)
Lisa R.

Food is great! Its usually packed & wait time could be long. But i like that they are open late. Last time i went waitress was not on point .
(4)
Serene B.

Our party of three went last night. One of us had never been, one goes semi-regularly, and I used to be a weekly visitor about 5 years ago until my job took me elsewhere. As we were going in, we were warned by my friend who is a regular now that the food is fast and good, but they have a bad attitude. We laughed it off. Based on the food and strawberry margarita alone, this should be a four star review, but the roller coaster food and service was too much. (In the sequence in which the following occurred) Con 1- The water tasted like tequila. Now, we have three varying personalities and taste palettes, but everyone took one sip, and all came to the same conclusion, and we didn't touch it again for the rest of the night. (Although my friend was convinced that water with tequila essence is the newest craze in flavored water and we just didn't get the memo yet) Con 2- Something wasn't right with the salsa. One bite and it was a wrap. Con 3- The mango margarita was horrible. I think it might have been blended improperly but it tasted like concentrated mango powder and was grainy. We NEVER send food or drinks back, but at this point the gag reflex was in effect (we couldn't even wash it down with water or get the taste out of our mouths with chips and salsa which made it worse), so we politely (and quietly) asked to speak to our server. Which brings me to... Con 4- After arguing with us about their processes in making the margarita, he said he "would try and see what he could do" but warned us if it wasn't right that time, "that's it" basically saying we would be stuck with a bad drink and have to deal with it. Pro 1- The strawberry margarita was happiness in a glass. Superb. Whatever mix they used was very fresh. Pro 2- The food was piping hot and delicious. Pro 3- The bathrooms were clean. I can overlook less than ideal service for really great food and vice versa. I would go back here because I'm *hoping* this was just a bad night for them and that their usual status quo is the awesomeness of 5 years ago. I'll give it another go at some point in the future and update this accordingly, but after last night and 45 min before one redeeming feature to the evening, I'm afraid my two stars must stand for the time being.
(2)
Reda K.

I know why I like this place. So I went to the bathroom and it was only tissue in one stall . so as soon as I came out I mentioned it to the hostess and he told the manager and she came right over and got one of the workers to go right in and put tissue is all the stalls..that's what I'm talking about. But my question is what have the ladies been doing when they go to the bathroom..
(5)
Allie D.

We were looking for a new Mexican joint to try tonight and Garcia's has been on my bookmark list for some time now. I'm so glad we gave it a shot! Firstly, The salsa is deliciously spicy and my michelada had the perfect amount of kick to it. I appreciate a Mexican restaurant that doesn't tone down the flavors too much to accommodate gringo taste buds. Secondly, the portions are HUGE. Seriously, the burritos are enormous. Unless you're starving (or very large), I would plan on only eating half and saving the second half for later. You definitely get your money's worth here. Lastly, the customer service was excellent. Our server was very nice and attentive. Overall, I was very impressed! We will definitely be back.
(5)
Lorenzo L.

Went here for dinner after a long day at work this past Saturday. Sat at the bar with my buddy just so we didnt have to wait long for a table. Ordered the Chiles rellenos dinner with a cup of tortilla soup. I specified that i wanted the tortilla soup prior to my main dinner. 10 minutes after ordering, I requested to the bartender if we could have the complimentary chips and salsa...server literally reached for some chips and slapped it on the table without saying a word. Didnt think anything of it. Then after specifying that i wanted the soup prior to my main meal, my main dish come first. The server asked me if I still wanted the tortilla soup, which I said no....the he walks away again with an attitude without saying a word. No apologies on the screw up or anything. Wouldn't recommend this place to anybody. The good thing is that there are so many restaurant options if you are around this area.
(1)
Mona S.

Taquitos here are so good !!! And the tacos !! Be cautious of the the green sauce it's very spicy !!!
(5)
Julie M.

They do the typical Mexican standards well, and so I usually stick with tacos - the fish is my favorite, followed by the al pastor. Chorizo can sometimes be dry and so is a toss up. I've never had the service problem some of the other reviewers have, but I dont doubt it happens - Lincoln Square can get pretty entitled at times, so I cant blame the waitstaff for that.
(4)
Sal M.

Had two great meals here over the weekend and never disappointed at all. To be honest I am from Los Angeles and I felt so many mexican restaurants don't have great food at all, nothing like home cooked but a few spots I feel are good enough to eat a few times, and this place is one of them. On my first night I tried their combination plate that consisted of a taco, a tostada and a enchilada. The taco was of Al Pastor and it was delicious, the tostada was of chorizo and that too was good, the enchilada was of carne asada and to me their carne asada isn't good. Had a margarita and tequila with squirt, their house tequila is pretty good. The place looks modern and the staff is pretty helpful and attentive. On my second try we shared more plates such as Queso Fondido con Chorizo and Chorizo with refried beans and cheese, both dishes were outsanding. Sangria was decent. Their horchata was very sweet but their flan was so damn good. I think this place is very good.
(4)
Anna C.

Tonight was the second time one of the waiters in the bar walked up and took a chair we were using to give to someone else. The first time he took it right from under my boyfriend and he almost fell to the ground. We did not come here for over a month due to this incident but eventually decided to give them another chance this evening. We were all blown away when the SAME WAITER DID THE SAME THING again!!!!!! This time he took it while our friend was using the restroom. Her purse was on the chair and it was clearly being used. This time just like the last we ask him why he was stealing a chair that we were clearly using. He responded with "someone else needs it". No clear explanation as he forcefully pulled the chair from my boyfriends hands and handed it to a friend/customer just like the last time. I would like to also point out we were told our wait would be 30 minutes for a table and after an hour we decided to eat and drink at the bar. This same employee has done this twice to us now and it is scary to see he lacks the ability to understand that is not how a person should behave. This guy should not be in a position were he is allowed to interact with other humans.
(1)
Angelina R.

Vicente is the bomb !!! Best bartender ever the food is good to but I go mostly just for the drinks, tip him good people!!!
(4)
Carrie E.

Pretty solid Mexican restaurant. I came here for a birthday dinner and luckily the birthday girl made a reservation because I don't know how long we would have had to wait if we didn't have one. Even when we left at 10pm it was still very full! Another girl at our table suggested I get the mango margarita if I wanted a fruity one. It was very good and at 7.50 I thought it was a good price and it was quite large (see other photos of the margaritas!). I opted for just 2 tacos (pork) and I was very full after eating them! They definitely didn't skimp out on the fillings which was good. I wasn't a fan of the salsa, which was probably for the best because that way I didn't fill up on chips & salsa before my food came. Service was pretty decent. I'd probably come back here if I was in the area, but there are a lot of other Mexican places closer to me that I could go to for about the same food.
(4)
Jen M.

Good. Chips and salsa are solid for sure. Start off with a pitcher of margaritas. Chicken fajitas portion was huge and definitely more than enough for 2 people to share. They did not arrive sizzling and I wish the veggies would have been cooked a bit longer. Bummer. Patio service was super slow on a Friday night. Corn tortillas were killer good. If you are dining inside bring your ear plugs. It gets very loud in there, and table conversation will be difficult...thus why we opted for the quiet outside.
(4)
Bass H.

Best chips and salsa in the city! The staff is always friendly, full bar available if you want something stronger than horchata, and above average food that won't kill your bank account.
(4)
Destiny T.

This is a place my family and I go to over and over again because of the margaritas and decently good food. I love their chips and salsa but the salsa isn't always consistent...meaning sometimes it tastes a little watery and cilantro-y which isn't very appetizing. BUT most of the time, it tastes good:) You can't go wrong with the steak tacos! They are always good and do not skimp on the cheese! I've gotten the tortilla soup before and it was tasty, but I am picky so I would have enjoyed it better if I hadn't gotten the avocado, cheese, and cilantro. BUT other people at my table loved it with all of the works so I won't deduct for my mistake Another positive about garcia's is their customer service. The waitresses/waiters always have a good attitude and are very accommodating even when the place is jam packed. We always get the flan when we come here because it is so dang good and it's big enough to share (with one other person lol) Overall, because of the restaurant's friendly ambiance and the good Mexican food, I will always find myself returning!
(4)
Mike M.

Not what you would expect to hear but best french fries ever. Also they have a melted cheese with nachos that's amazing. Also burito is top notch, made two full meals out of it.
(5)
Nik G.

PATHETICALLY MANAGED AND HORRIBLE STAFF!! I wouldn't return to this place if it was the last Mexican restaurant in all of Chicagoland. Not worth it all, better luck w cart food than this so called establishment!
(1)
Jennifer J.

We ordered tostada dinner Al pastor and chicken (shredded) meat fillings... The Al pastor was dried up, 1/3 burnt, tasteless bits of mystery pork ...the shredded chicken had been grill reheated and also tasteless...so disappointing. The other dinner was steak bits in tomatoes..while it was spiced...it was off...hard to believe the place is so busy. We had good table service...kitchen slow. Won't go back.
(1)
Lauren S.

Meh...the margaritas weren't good (granted we got the least expensive ones(, the food was terrible and the service was awful as well. Won't go into detail but you are NOT missing out if you pass on this place. In fact, your money is much better spent elsewhere.
(1)
Jeffrey H.

I believe they put drugs in their food. This place is so addictive. I love this place and the food their is great. I've tried other Mexican restaurant in the Chicago area and I feel like I'm cheating on this place. I will not chose to go anywhere else.
(5)
Paige W.

I love this Lincoln Square restaurant. The interior and decorations make the vibe very festive. I love the flags hanging all over. The seating area is huge, and they have a full bar. Their menu is huge- all the Mexican staples. And the prices are super cheap. My boyfriend and I had a great meal for only about 15 dollars. I had the queso fundito and guacamole. What can I say, I love appetizers. My date had a taco platter and they looked really great. His horchata was very delicious, too. The only thing I can think to complain about is the service. But it wasn't too bad- and she had a lot of tables. Just a few little things- no plates or silverware- things like that. It was difficult to flag her down as well. We will be back! There are so many other good looking options to try.
(4)
Christina S.

I'll admit this isn't the best place for everything - but what they do, they do SO well - I love it. Really tasty Mexican basics at cheap prices for huge portions - not to mention crazy late-night hours - have made this a standby. Best things to order: nachos, tacos, burritos, enchiladas - anything with refried beans. Go for the nachos topped with al pastor, cilantro and onions - it's a meal for at least two people by itself. (But of course you'll want to order more...). I love the salsa - it's always fresh (which does also mean that the heat can really vary - if you don't like a little heat check first before you pour it on everything). Horchata with a bit of cinnamon and great chicken soup if you're feeling sick. Disappointments: I wish they'd up their game on the margaritas and at least offer one with freshly squeezed juice vs. the pre-made mix. Guacamole has declined - I think they might have stopped making it in house. Quality of the beef can vary - sometimes good, sometimes I get an awful lot of fatty bits - another reason I usually go with pork or chicken. Overall though, one of the best mexican bargains in town - also available at 2am. And I don't know of anyone with better refried beans.
(4)
Sue M.

great atmosphere good food at a decent price margaritas Lengua tacos Green chili salsa Dining Date night That is all...
(5)
Paul G.

I came here for a friend's birthday and maybe that was my first mistake. We had about 20 ish people at our table. I knew this was gonna be one of those super long dinners where you know nobody and splitting the bill is absolutely madness [i have the perfect remedy for that by the way, more on that later]. Anyway, chips and salsa were served at the table. Chips were good, the salsa was bad. They had only one type of salsa and it was mild/bland. I ate them ANYWAY. I was starving. // Traditional lime margarita - $6 - I will say that the margaritas are tasty and relatively strong. They have plenty of flavors. My girl friend got the coconut one. It was blended and far too sweet. We had to send it back. The traditional one was pretty good. triple sec, lime and tequila. What I really liked about it was that you could actually taste the tequila. So often you order a margarita and it is so much sugar, you can't taste the burnnnnn. It was not overwhelming at all, it was right. // Al pastor Burrito - $7.50 - Initially they brought me out the wrong burrito. :-( But they were pretty quick to bring out the correct one. I actually really enjoy it. I order avocado in my burrito as well. It was great. It was even better the following day. The burritos are huge as well! so definitely worth getting. The service was at times unbearable. They brought our checks one by one for like 6 people on one side of the table, then they put the remainder of us [8 ppl] on to one check. AND it took FOREVER. I used my trusty iPhone app "Tab" and it saved my life. AS IT ALWAYS DOES. If you have not downloaded it, you should never go out to eat with a group of people again. You can send me a message later and thank me :-) I would most likely go back to this place. As long as it wasn't a huge group of people and they do have outdoor seating. I am sure it is really nice in the summer. Lincoln square it s a great place to walk around.
(3)
Brianna L.

Went here with friends over the weekend & were we glad we did!!! 2 of us ordered a combo plate. Chicken enchiladas, steak taco & tostada. Omgggggosh!!! It was soo much food. I took the tostada & enchiladas to go w/rice & beans. Great flavors. I want more as I write this. The other 2 ordered Chicago's best burrito. Let me tell you it was the BEST!!!! It had cheese melted on top with a sauce. Inside was steak, al pastor & I believe chorizo. It was a ton of meat going on, but it was full of delicious flavors. Pretty sure they'd both order it again. We also ordered a pitcher of frozen coconut margaritas. Wayyyyy too much!!! We struggled to finish it. They definitely don't skimp on the portions. This is a must go again for sure! It even smells delicious from outside.
(5)
Ashley V.

Excellent mexican food Used to have dinner here when my grandma lived near lincoln sqaure. The family loved it! Food, drinks, staff everything here is great!
(4)
Ann M.

I have now been to Garcia's more times than I can count. I pretty much always stick with the taco dinner. The tacos are very very good! We typically sit at the bar and the main bartender back there is THE BEST! He is super nice and always checks in on us and keeps our drinks full!
(4)
Julie Y.

Came here after a bone thugs concert in desperate need of food with a big group.. They had 30 mins before they closed so we felt like total a holes but had to eat and everywhere was closed. Everything was good and actually pretty perfect! Large servings so we all had food leftover. If you like spicy ask for the spicy green sauce with your chips and salsa. Split a platter and still had food to take home. The staff was friendly even tho they were closing up before we came in. Great food!
(5)
Natalia M.

My go-to spot for Mexican food, especially late at night. I've never had a problem with the service, even when they're busy (which is most of the time), and their food is always consistently good. Plus it's inexpensive! It's more upscale then most Mexican places in the area, but the prices aren't any higher, which is great. They send chips and salsa over to your table to start, and we always need them to refill the salsa a minimum of three times. It's amazing. I always drown my tacos in it as well. Their carne asada tacos are the bessssst. Actually, anything with their carne asada is recommended. Tortas, taco salad, whatever. It's always good. Their al pastor is great too! The only thing I've ever tried that I wasn't crazy about was their fish taco. I like fish tacos, but theirs is a little different than most, and it just wasn't my thing. But everything else I've ever tried was delicious! Oooh and their margaritas... two thumbs up! Definitely recommend Garcia's, for dine-in or takeout.
(4)
Paige W.

Havent been to this place in a longtime. Wasnt even sure it was the same place. Excellent atmosphere for lunch. Chips nice, warm and fresh. Salsa had a nice flavor as well. A little pricey for burritos, but delicious even as leftovers. Ranchero sauce was excellent. Will definitely be back as the weather gets warmer.
(3)
Anna K.

This is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. It combines great food with fantastic service in a comfortable environment. What stands out about Garica's is that it is the *only* restaurant where the wait staff doesn't seem like they want to get rid of you quickly, even when it's busy. Sometimes it can take a while to get your order placed but I tend to like this quality. For this reason it's a nice place to go on a date or to catch up with friends. Plus, the food is really amazing. I've tried a lot of different menu options and I love everything from chips and salsa to tacos, burritos, and the carne asada. It's all very tasty and relatively inexpensive so it's my default choice for good Mexican on the north side.
(5)
Jenny A.

We stopped by to check out the remodel. The remodel is great...the food is best left for 4:00 am. I had a garlic shrimp dish. The main issue I had is that they should put the shrimp in a separate dish. It was bathed in butter. Now I like butter as much as the next guy, but I like the ability to shake the butter off, or dip it in. Instead, the butter ran across the surface of the dinner plate. So, the iceberg lettuce and my rice were sopped in butter. A little harder to shake butter off rice. The quesadillas were also strangely, seemingly dipped in butter before fried. The side of beans, had oil (or perhaps butter) pooling on the edges. The margarita tasted like it came out of a slurpee machine. The taco meat on the other hand was lacking flavor and was a bit dry...not buttery at all. On the plus side - the place looks good and is clean. The bathrooms were nice. The waitstaff was attentive. The portions were large. The drinks were not watered down.
(3)
Mary F.

Closed for renovation...head's up.
(3)
Chris N.

Writing this review is proving to be quite challenging, as I can attest that I have never actually been physically inside this establishment with anything less than a blood-alcohol concentration level of .235. However, I will attempt to do my best with my rather fuzzy recollection. As I recall, the bottomless chips and salsa are quite the delicacy, as are the chicken burritos I repeatedly order upon each of my drunken appearances. I consider myself quite the burrito connoisseur, which is both a blessing and a curse, and I must say that I have nothing negative to report. The burritos are incomprehensibly large, and I have yet been able to completely devour one in one sitting. And even with the addition of avocado, they are still priced in the $6-7 range, which is always beneficial after you had just dropped $80 at Carol's over the preceding few hours. Therefore, if someone has the late-night desire to consume some decent Mexican food, then look no further than Garcia's. I believe that is there motto...or at least should be.
(4)
Iris H.

Food is decent and reasonable. Latina Barmaid round back is a bit slooooooooooooooooooooow and moody. Not a good combo in my book. Gets all smiles though when she comes with the check, as if a toothy grin behind lots of pancake makeup is going to soften my stiffing. Doubt it.
(3)
Jessica M.

THE place for cheap, tasty food in the middle of the night in Lincoln Square. My favorite: Enchiladas Verdes.
(5)
Sara B.

Given my respect for Yelpers' opinions, I am shocked to see how highly regarded Garcia's is. whatithink's review is spot-on. If you give four and five stars only for a lot of food and a good price, then you should also give Old Country Buffet five stars. Garcia's IS cheap and serves huge portions, but the food is really not that great. The cheese in the burritos isn't melted and the beans just sort of taste like lard. Also, the burritos are so big because about 75% of that is rice. Meh. Will it do in a late night pinch? Sure, I'd go there over Taco Bell. But when I have a craving for Mexican food for an actual dinner, there are so many other options that serve truly high-quality food.
(2)
Elaine A.

Garcia's hits the spot everytime! The interior may be lacking, but aren't we here for the food people? So why does it matter that the interior reminds me of Abuelita's? Just keep those complimentary chips and salsa coming! I've tried numerous items on the menu and I definitely recommend the carne asada! The tostadas are loaded with fresh goodness and the burritos are as big as your head. Make sure you gulp it all down with some tasty Horchata! Buen provecho!
(4)
sarah l.

Ok....so this is not about the food. My fiance and I met up after work for drinks here for our first date in April 3 years ago. We are getting married next week!
(5)
Stephanie T.

Garcia's is okay. It used to be real good a few years ago, but the service got stinky because the waitresses pass you by and don't even acknowledge you anymore. The upside to this place is they have good horchatas... the best in fact, and their food is still delicious, but it isn't something I'd dwell upon.
(3)
Sarah B.

Oh Garcia's I love you so. I especially enjoy the 2 taco platter that comes with truly delicious rice and refried beans. My boyfriend really loves getting the burrito with both chorizo and ground beef... a little too much for me but hey to each their own. Ask for the green salsa with the food. Its so good! If you want delicious and authentic Mexican food at ridiculously awesome prices then this place is a must. Its crave worthy. I want it now!
(5)
James V.

seriously, this little joint has the best mexican food ive had. one of the reasons i miss my old neighborhood. every time i go here i know what to expect and they usually deliver. most of the time i get the combo meals especially the one taco/tostada/enchilada meal. their steak and al pastor are very tasty and tender. sometimes i change it up and just get a taco dinner. wanna try something that will fill you up? try what my friends and i affectionately call the drew special: 1 steak torta and 2 steak tacos. problems with garcias are ones that usually coincide with popular places: always packed and limited parking. prices have gone up throughout the years, but the food is worth every penny. since i grew up by this place, i will always have special place for garcias whether its late night at 2am or for just plain old take-out. garcias is what i measure other mexican food places to.
(5)
Marina S.

Delicious food, good prices, okay service!
(4)
Ting A.

large horchata: i have to hold onto it w/both hands. burritos: equally as huge. chorizo torta: yum. chips and salsa: ditto. great prices. been a neighborhood favorite since high school. garcia's, do you have a cousin in san francisco??
(4)
Mike B.

For basic Mexican food, this is my favorite North Side place. A large menu with all of the basic staples, the quality is good and, even by Chicago standards, you get a lot of food for your money. The service is sometimes slow, but that's often more due to the crowds of people. I've taken plenty of friends and family here and they invariably want to come back with me.
(4)
Megan G.

I adore Garcias, though to be fair it is right around the corner from my house - I'm not sure I'd make a trip for it. Garcias is pretty much a taqueria, but it's a step up from the average. The food is dirt, dirt cheap and so yummy. Portions are huge - a $5 burrito is easily two meals for me. Meals all start with fantastic, complimentary chips and salsa. Try not to fill up on those, because the entrees are fantastic. The margaritas are not to be missed - very reasonably priced and really, really strong. I also like the staff and authentic feel of this restaurant - there's usually Telemundo on the televisions and the waitresses are very sweet.
(5)
Melissa W.

Horrible example of mexican food. I ordered the combination plate, enchilladas and quesadillas with chicken. I couldn't even tell that the enchiladas where enchiladas in comparison to the quesadillas. I asked for red sauce on them, and they came looking like a rolled up quesadailla. I asked for an additional side of red sauce sinc eit wasn't visible nor could not be tasted,, and when it came it was red colored water. Maybe a teaspoon full of tomato base in the whole bowl, than just water. It was nasty, runny and flavorless. They went overboard on the cheese, the chicken was all dark meat and then my server charged me $1.50 for the water sauce. I used to like this place, but now I will never return.
(1)
Jessica S.

I love the food here but the service is usually bad. Awesome for take-out though.
(3)
Michael B.

This place used to be hidden. Now every time i go there its packed like crazy. Luckily the food is still good and they try as hard as they can with the service. It used to be a 5 star for me but now after the renovation and with all these yuppies crowding the place, its lost something.
(4)
RALPH C.

Not going back. Here's why . 1. No one refilled our water 2. Enchiladas were extremely salty 3. Beef soup was really watered down, It barely had any color to it. 4.chorizo con huevos smelled like they were soaked in garlic. Too bad because I had good food there 4 years ago.
(1)
Patrick S.

Never had a bad meal here. Best late night stop after a night out, the burrito is incredible, a little green salsa, bam. Homemade salsa, which is FREE, is awesome. Love this place, will miss it when I move.
(5)
Colleen Anne F.

service & staff is top-notch. kitchen offers great mexican breakfast. nice spot for a casual mexican meal.
(4)
Andy S.

By far my favorite neighborhood restaurant to sit and grab some good, cheap Mexican food. Although Garcia's is rather crowded on a Friday or Saturday night, their bar area tucked in the back is quiet and warm. Margarita's are very strong and fairly priced, food is good with large portions (especially the combo meals) but not knockout outstanding. I remember liking this place more when I was in college, I still enjoy my time at Garcia's, but the wow factor is gone and now it's better than alright.
(4)
Melissa B.

Yes, I've had better Mexican food, but I've also had worse. The rice and beans here were the high point for me, they were delicious. Be careful of the margaritas. They're tasty, but they'll sneak up on you.
(3)
Kristen W.

I was not impressed with Garcia's. Just your average, typical Mexican food. The type where the entire plate kind of oozes together in a big mash of tasteless refried beans, wilted lettuce and soggy tortillas. The atmosphere is nothing special - usually crowded and loud with kids screaming and slow service. Skip Garcia's and find a more authentic Mexican restaurant with less chaos.
(2)
Vince F.

Tasty. Cheesy. Cheap. Filling. Cheesy. Did I mention cheesy? Garcia's is the place to go for quick, tasty Mexican food smothered in delicious cheese. It's not a beautiful establishment. And it sure ain't gourmet. But it hits the spot every time you wants some big Mexican food with big taste!
(4)
Adam G.

The best cheap Mexican place in the city PERIOD! The Chips n Salsa are great. The chips are nice and crisp and fresh tasting. The best thing is it's cheap and the food actually has taste. Lots of small Mexican places have bland food. At Garcia's you can taste the cheese, meat, chicken, etc... They even have Cherry Coke! It's not fancy and usually busy but quite good when you're in the mood for cheap food! I really like the Chorizo tacos.
(5)
Paul H.

I was totally underwhelmed with my dining experience at Garcia's. The chips and salsa are the stand outs, but not much else was any good. Our server was really uninterested in our table, maybe she was having a bad day. The margaritas were weak and syrupy. I can forgive syrupy 'ritas if they're strong, sadly these had nothing going for them and were honestly difficult to finish. I ordered two tacos al pastor (pork), and was saddened to find lots of gristle mixed in with the pork. I don't think that I will be making a return trip to Garcia's any time in the near future.
(2)
Ann Y.

I went back again after a wait and it was back to normal which made me happy. I really love the guac and their chips are amazing. This place is nice on your wallet and is my husbands favorite inexpensive mexican food.
(4)
Aurora B.

Delicious food. Huge portions. Very reasonable prices. Great margaritas. Open late. I took some picky vegetarians here and they enjoyed their meal quite a bit.
(5)
Jill W.

Delicious! There is no other word to describe the carne asada tacos I had at Garcia's. Well, I guess cheap would also describe them. $4 for a lunch of two tacos. You can't even get a McDonald's meal for that price. I'd give it 5 stars, but the service wasn't that amazing.
(4)
Jacqueline S.

I love the enchiladas suizas - they are fresh and delicious! The rice and beans are just okay. The horchata is so good! I wasn't a fan of the caldo but the other food looks great.
(4)
Katarina X.

To be fair, my boyfriend adores this place. He would rate it a fivestar! Every couple weekends or so Garcia's becomes the holiday entertainment of champions as we get together with some other gringos to order the killer-strong Margarita pitchers, eat some greasy, gargantuan-portioned food and get so completely wasted we spend the rest of the night: atempting to speak Spanish to the waitresses who roll their eyes in disbelief, going to the German Brauhaus next door to request that the yodeler sing classic Michael Jackson tunes, trying to figure out who was the designated driver, getting a cab followed by more greasyness from Taco Bell or Golden Nugget THEN back to Lincoln Square where we patrol to find where the heck everyone's cars are located. Hence my rating, nothing personal. I actually like the mole sauce... and the limeade is the BEST Chicago has to offer... but geez this scene gets old...
(3)
Carol R.

My husband and I were pleasantly surprised with this restaurant. The address is a Western address, so we thought we were going to a quick hole in the wall place. When we walked in, this place is huge. We didn't realize there was an entrance on Lincoln and cute windows/doors that are open if weather pemits! The food was good, the queso fundido w/ chorizo was amazing!!! The skirt steak fajitas weren't the best steak fajitas I've ever had, but they were good.
(4)
MC H.

Just came back from having a late dinner at Garcia's. This place is great. They got soccer matches going on in the bar at the back of the restaurant, and the food is delish!! And cheap. I'm certainly coming here more often (and would everyday, if it wasn't so darn cold!) The 2-taco dinner and Chicken Pullo burrita are my fav !
(4)
Sarah N.

Recently moved to Lincoln Square neighborhood and heard several recommendations for Garcia's. I love Mexican food, and I was thrilled to try this proclaimed "neighborhood gem". Neighborhood, yes. Gem, not quite....by a long shot. I was going to give one star, but the second star was granted for their prompt friendly service and their excellent, fresh, perfectly spiced salsa. Don't let the delicious salsa blind you to the rest of the sub-par menu. Went there for lunch with a friend (also a Mexican food efficianado). We both commented on the bland, flavorless rice and beans, the mediocre main dishes (ground beef tacos and veggie fajitas), and the green paste-like guacamole, for which they should seriously be ashamed of themselves. I make a mean homemade guac...Perhaps I should consider selling...Anyway, I digress. There are too many great Mexican places in this fine city for me to patronize this establishment ever again.
(2)
Elizabeth H.

Not great but not bad. The first time I went I had the chicken tacos and they really hit the spot. I can't say they were the best tacos ever and you should stop what your doing and go get them but they were good. Now their beans are a different story. Go, go now and get some with rice. I will wait...... Did you get them? Aren't they fantastic? I don't know why either. Maybe they are the same as everywhere else and I've been going to the wrong places, but their refried beans are so very tasty . They aren't a watered down grey mush and have a lot of flavor. Now the reason I am not giving Garcias four or more stars. The second time I went it was for dinner and I ordered the enchiladas mole. Not good. Not good at all. It was a hardened cheese flour sack covered in this thick goo that I can only assume was their mole sauce. I don't know if I got the bottom scrapes of the mole pot or what, but it was off. Of course, I devoured the beans that were on the side and drank a few too many margaritas. I wouldn't dismiss Garcias, but I wouldn't order anything with mole. Stick with the basics since they are cheap and load up on the drinks and beans.
(3)
Johanna C.

This is by far my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area. It is very inexpensive and the quantity of food you get is ridiculous - you'll probably have to take some home. It's casual so don't expect hipster digs. It's located close to the brown line and in the heart of Lincoln Square. Have the veggie burrito with avocado!!
(4)
Jen D.

So, I used to LOVE this place (in my 20s and often at 3am...) but since Chipotle, I can no longer enjoy the authenticity of it! Still, that is because I'm fussy. So, it still gets a good review because it was my 2nd home for many years. They are open late, typically good food and fast, great margaritas and the wait staff has been there forever. A Chicago staple you must at least try!
(3)
Brian T.

This will be a review for Garcia's margaritas and decor. My girlfriend, a margarita enthusiast, ordered the classic frozen lime. I thought it was similar to slurping some of our slushy gray snow residue. My mango margarita was more of a double-edged sword. I can't gripe when a drink is served with too much of the happy sauce. You'd think the tendency would be to skimp on that stuff. Maybe it was Garcia's plan to get me shnickered. Anyway, it was yellow and orange, so there must've been some mango in there, somewhere. They were proudly airing a live ultimate fighting event. So, if you like your menudo with a side of double armed suplex, then this is your spot. Overall, I did like the decor. It was warm and friendly. It is conveniently located near my favorite lodging facility, a little-known attraction in Lincoln Square.
(3)
Kevin S.

Best steak enchiladas suizas in Chicago. A little on the expensive side for Mexican food but it's worth it. The horchata is great too.
(4)
Trish C.

Love this place. Great food, margarita's and service. The host ALWAYS greets us with a smile. I am here twice a month, if not more. My favorite Mexican place in the city.
(5)
Kristen F.

I had a craving for a taco salad and asked a co-worker who knows my area where I could get a taco salad. He suggested Garcia's which isn't really in my neighborhood but since there is not much else around, I made the trek out there. He showed me reviews about how everybody loved it, it was the best, yada...yada...yada. I got my taco salad and a burrito for the next day. He warned me the burrito was going to be huge and it was, it lasted me a couple meals. I thought the food was okay, it really wasn't what I was looking for when I was craving the taco salad. I would probably like to go there again to eat in and try some other menu items. The menu was quite extensive, there is something for everyone.
(3)
C S.

good food, strong drinks, make reservations around dinner time as it gets packed.
(4)
Nery E.

highly recommended by friends BUT the night we visited the place it was not up to standards. pre-made guacamole was the most disturbing, a mexican restaurant in where the guacamole is not made from scratch should be against the law. will not try again!
(2)
Dennis S.

The best Mexican food I've had in Chicago! this location is the better of the two (Go to this location trust me!).
(5)
Alaine K.

Oh, Garcia's, how I love you. I have never wanted to eat anything else but the cheese quesadillas, and they leave me happy every time. The margaritas are really what I go there for, because I pitcher (of regular flavored, other flavors are more) is only $22, and they do not skimp on the tequila! I prefer frosted to on the rocks, but either way, you can't go wrong! And they have possibly the best "while you wait chips" I've ever had.
(5)
DL L.

I have been going to Garcia's for a long time and have only eaten here a handful of times. That's way too many cause it's been years since I have been here and I went there today for lunch. I just ordered a 2 taco special( carne Asada with rice and beans). First of all, after the waitress brought us our chips and salsa and drinks and took our order, she was never to be seen again. She never came by to check on us or even to refill our water. After we finished eating, we waited and waited for her to come around to wrap our food to go and get our check but nothing. I tried to wave down another waiter but he just bypassed me without looking. Finally I was able to waive another waitress down and asked her to wrap our food up and get the check. She came right away. This is what has happened to me the few times I have been to this place. The food is good but the service is awful. My waitress never came around. I gave it two stars only because the food is alright.
(2)
Miss R.

For some reason I had abandoned this restaurant. Years had passed since I had been here. When a friend was visiting from Germany last week and wanted to eat Mexican we headed over there. It is so close, no reason not too. I think it has been 5 years, maybe longer since I visited. Anyhow, the waitresses haven't gotten any friendlier or more timely, but they do have fish tacos made with deliciously cooked Tilapia, so I am probably going to go back a little sooner next time. You really can't beat $2.50 for a fish taco either. Even if it is served with a bit too much attitude and disdain.
(3)
Dario C.

Damn fine burrito's. I like the chicken better than the steak, actually. Open late, but I'd suggest calling ahead and getting it to go, as sometimes they take awhile.....
(4)
bill m.

Best Tex Mex salsa in Chicago. Order the tacos and pitcher of Margs and you're good to go. Don't miss the smaller Lawrence Ave location versus the newly renovated and larger Lincoln Square location.
(4)
Joel S.

Garcia's is my default Mexican food joint - not too expensive, strong margaritas, chips and salsa are always fresh and they have horchata when I don't feel like having a Margarita. There are better Mexican restaurants, but Garcia's is the type of place that is nice to have as a reliable standard.
(5)
Kimberly L.

Dang, I love their chix burritos. And they'll put jalapenos IN the burrito for me, not just give me a side of them. I usually take out but have dined in a couple of times. Kinda ugly setting and the service is spotty but it's a pretty reliably good experience.
(4)
Birds N.

Best place around!!!! Drinks were amazing, the food was outstanding and so much of it. We had the best time and it was our first time. We will be going back many more times!!!!
(5)
Jess P.

You and your friend (both visiting out-of-towners) being ditched by the guys while you're all helping your other drunken friend, only to find out that they went on a McDonalds drive through run and didn't bring you anything back? Not cool! And a good excuse to leave on your own late night quest for food. The two of you drunkenly discovering that McDonalds really means it when they say they won't serve people on foot through the drive-through? Pretty damn amusing. Though still no food. Wandering around aimlessly, past a closed Burger King, only to see lights in the distance, with the words "Garcia's" and "Mexican" on the sign? Ooooooooooooh. In, ordered, and out within 10-15 minutes. Coming home in triumph with giant burritos, seeing the OMG WANT looks on the guys faces, and going OH YEAH WE WIN AT LATE NIGHT FOOD QUEST? Sweet, sweet triumph. Getting a thoroughly delicious al pastor and avocado burrito (crisped tasty bits of flavorful pork, large chunks of avocado, some lettuce, a little salsa) at 3 am? Priceless. Actually, though, pretty damn inexpensive in fact, which makes it all the more awesome. (note: rating for late night drunken burrito-age. may not apply for other uses.)
(5)
Ray S.

The food is usually good at Garcia's but I wish I could say the same for the help. I do understand that the wait staff is busy with a full house, you might have to wait a little longer than usual. Well it seems that every time I'm there, the waitresses are so slow and the food can take more than 30 minutes to be served when the restaurant is not that crowded. Like I said, if they're packed, it's totally understandable. What I don't understand is why does it take 30 plus minutes to get 3 tacos and a coke? As I said earlier, the food is on the money but the wait staff is nothing to be desired. There's a lot of taco joints in the city and maybe it's time I visit some different ones.
(3)
Gretchen M.

We just happened to wonder into Garcia's since it was in walking distance of our place. The drinks were great=strong, and the food was wonderful for the price. I brought my family to the location in LIncoln Square and it was the same. Quick service, great margaritas!
(3)
Renato P.

This is the grungier little brother to the Garcia's on Lincoln Ave. All the food tastes pretty much the same , but it's kind of like a ghost town there. I've never been there when there were more than 5 people in there. It is way easier finding parking at this location , so at some point I would have easily switched alliances to this place from the Lincoln ave spot. The folks here just aren't consistent , sometimes the burritos were loaded with lettuce , sometimes there was little to no cheese on the refried beans. Look , the food tastes good , though not consistently so ,but the recipes are sound and I have no idea how service will be there any time you're there.
(3)
Sophie G.

Meh...Chicken Mole is ok. I like there Horchata though.
(2)
John D.

i have been going here since i was a kid when we lived in lincoln square, i miss lincoln square, before the remodel. now with the remodel its even more pleasant to sit enjoy chips salsa, corona, and chicken enchiladas with the red sauce. most people i know go for the steak burrito, i think its great, but i can get a burrito anywhere but the chicken enchiladas is good. my hispanic friends say "my mom makes it better", but my mom doesnt make it period, so to me its the best i have had in any mexician resturant. great food reasonable priced, full bar, great location what else more can you ask for???
(5)
Amy H.

I'm here about once a week or so, and while the service and the food aren't always stellar, I'm not usually disappointed. The food's reasonably priced, and they make the best fresh limeade -- just like I've found when in Mexico. Best value is to order a taco dinner with extra tortillas, since they are overstuffed and you can easily make extras. The margaritas here aren't my favorite, but they're not horrible.
(4)
Al K.

I had the 3 taco dinner last night. My choices of meat were fish, steak and chicken. The fish tacos were fantastic given the fact that we're stuck in the Midwest. The steak was flavorful with just the right amount of tenderness. The chicken was seasoned well and moist. The restaurant was fairly empty and so seating was no problem. However, in a city full of Mexican restaurants, if asked I would go but probably never on my own accord.
(4)
jenise r.

they have the best horchata. its so sweet but oh so good. even after the ice melts its still a delight! haven't had the food in awhile, but dont recall being upset about it. i'll try and go again soon ;)
(4)
Illi F.

you know its a real mexican place when the chips and salsa are free. oh dont mind me, im just eating all the free chips i can get. now thats what i call bottomless chips! take that chili's! burritos are about the size of an oversized brick, stuffed with the best authentic mexican stuff so good even god comes around once a while to get his burrito on. you know this place is bumpin when they start playing ranchera music boy!
(4)
Miss L.

Garcia's is awesome. The delicious and cheapness of a dive restaurant but without the dive. We ordered a margarita pitcher last time and probably will every time from now on. Everyone gets a full glass, plus the 8 glasses worth in the pitcher. With such a generous pitcher, we doubted the strength of the drinks but they did not disappoint. If anything, they started out strong and kept getting better towards the bottom of the pitcher. You can all but guarantee a good time here and they conveniently are open plenty late.
(5)
Joseph M.

Though I'm sure it's not the best mexican food ever, the place does serve up some good food. Garcia's has two entrances and a bar. Their always busy and open up late most days of the week. The manager is very social and friendly. I eat there a couple times a month and enjoy very much.
(4)
Harry P.

The best Burrito in the Northside. The only thing that sucks about this place is the long line for a table, especially on the weekends
(5)
Izabella d.

i didn't have high hopes for garcias.. im more of a hole in the wall lover myself.. that is those small mom and pop joints that make the damn best burritos you've ever had, even though they only used the same ingredients every other mexican place has.. garcias is the opposite, its like a powerhouse of mexican food, the dining area is huge, there were tons of people, lots of chaos and noise. my friends raved about the cheap tasty margarita pitchers, so we went for it. we ordered blended strawberry margaritas, which i assumed would be over-sugary made from a cheap blend. it wasn't, in fact it had real strawberry seeds (which makes me think real strawberries too). the salsa was also tasty, well blended pico de gallo, nothing super fancy, but i was super into it. (not sure what bland salsa the other yelpers were given...) but thats where the goodness ends. the rest of the food was suuper greasy, covered in cheese, oily.. yea it tasted ok, but i don't want my refried beans swimming in grease. we ordered the combo platter (taco, tostada, two enchiladas, rice and beans), which was a good deal, alex and i couldn't take it down, even with our joined efforts. but as the grease dripped down my hand while i ate my tostada i felt sick to my stomach,, and that feeling stayed with me well into the night....
(2)
Brian H.

I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said. If you want reliable mexican food, particularly late, and for dirt cheap, this is the spot on the north side. Good margaritas, too.
(4)
Rocky B.

I'd only go to Garcia's again if I was extremely drunk and happen to be right outside of their restaurant or if every other restaurant in Chicago happened to be closed. I'm half mexican and love my divey, greasy mexican restaurants...but this place just sucks.
(1)
Martin P.

I love Garcia's. The Free chips with 2 kinds of Salsa. The burritos suazo (with Cheese) is as big as your head! the tostadas are great too. A little pricier but the steak in the burritos are good. Big portions, other Mexican restaurants may have Little better taste but for large good tasting portions Garcia's can not be beat.
(4)
Kate L.

By far the BEST little Mexican restaurant. Garcia's sets the bar for how a true margarita should taste. If you aren't addicted to margaritas before you go to Garcia's, you definitely will be after going there! The food is cheap and reasonably priced. Margaritas are strong; you definitely get your money's worth. $20 for a pitcher. Split three ways with two friends? You can't go wrong. As long as you go earlier in the night (better on a weeknight), you will feel like it's your second home (except at Garcia's, they wait on you). :) My only complaint is the times they are busy, watch out for annoying little children bouncing around or screaming their heads off. Not fun.
(4)
brittany s.

The food here is pretty good, nothing outstanding, but really good. The margaritas are also pretty good, strong enough, but taste like they are made with really cheap tequila. The waistaff are horribly incompetent and impossible to communicate with. There are always tons of people here and I've had to wait before, which I think is weird, because I definitely wouldn't consider this a destination. The only reason I continue to go and give it three stars is because the food is good enough and it's in my neighborhood.
(3)
Zarko N.

I just realized that I've been coming here almost every week for 16 years. I don't know whether the chef is still the same, but their steak burrito is still affordable ($6), huge and very tasty as it's always been. My wife usually gets shrimp a la Veracruzana (about $12), which is great if you like them spicy. This place has been renovated last year and has new, much better bathrooms. It's clean and has friendly staff, very fast service, and the waiters will never give you "this is not my table" crap, so if you ask any of them for anything you need, it will be there soon. Our favorite waitress is Astrid, very dedicated and polite, always smiling. You can often see cops eat there, which is a definite sign of tasty and affordable food. The two hidden jewels: 1. Best flan in Chicago! It's not very cheap ($3.50 per piece), but it's real and it tastes just like my mother's used to, no instant junk, and no cheese cake. It gets that non-industrial consistency, being darker with some bubbles trapped close to the edges and on the bottom. This is real stuff, made of real eggs. 2. Their frozen margarita is unsurpassed by any other I've ever tasted in Chicago, if you like them like me, which is strong and freezing cold. My little secret is to go there during the off hours just before dinner when there's barely anybody there, because by then the margarita machine has cooled everything close to the freezing point. Only this way you can get a margarita that can cause frequent brain freezes if you're not careful, the one the sticks so you can almost eat it like an ice-cream with the straw. I don't see a reason to order any but their regular frozen margaritas with them being this good. Their house tequila (used in these) is supposedly made by the owner's brother in Mexico, so be careful, because these things are made strong and since they're so tasty, even one of them can fool you into a blissful dizziness if you consume it too quickly while your stomach is still empty. I usually drive there, so I limit myself to no more than one per visit and I sip it quite slowly. The free chips is good, but the quality varies, best being right after they fry a new batch. The home-made red salsa served with it is medium to quite spicy and very good. Their horchata is too sweet for my and my wife's taste. Last, but not least, it's very affordable, so tip them well, because they work much harder for their money than the waiters at fancy places with less tables but much higher prices.
(5)
Rupert V.

Great, authentic, cheap Mexican on the north side. Massive burritos, good margaritas, excellent tequila selection, efficient service, nice people. Decor is reminiscent of a '70's family restaurant, but hey, who cares at these prices. Plus the Mexican jukebox is a great idea.
(4)
michael c.

garcia's has too many reviews to make my stand out and unique, therefore, i will just say they are good. price could be a little better, but whatever. and the restaurant isn't laying sideways like the picture suggests, but that would be unique if it was. toodles gangsters
(4)
Matt M.

Excellent food, made even better by virtue of the fact that the take out window is open until...well, late. The staff is friendly and attentive when dining in, despite a language barrier in some cases. The enchiladas verdes are excellent.
(4)
Monica K.

I refuse to go back to Garcia's - every time I go I've always enjoyed their tacos (flour tortillas for me, corn makes me feel queasy) and have had no complaints about their food. The one thing that makes me want to pull my hair out is the variety in service - some days you'll go in, sit down, and somebody will be immediately over asking what you want to drink and then taking your order. The last time I went in (there were at least three/four tables open, meaning it wasn't THAT busy) - we sat down, somebody came by and brought us our drinks....and a good 10 minutes later a party of 8 walked in and sat down...and then 5 minutes after that the waitress (the same one that brought me my drink) went to the table of 8 and took their order...and still didn't come by our table. We'd already tried to flag them down, but these waitresses are on a mission when they get flustered - they are so focused on getting whatever task they need to get done that they aren't aware of anything else that's going on. At this point I was starving and completely annoyed so we threw down a couple bucks for our drinks and left. It's not the first time we've had to wait forever for somebody to acknowledge that we are at their restaurant to EAT - what a concept. There are plenty of good Mexican places in the square - don't waste your time and your money here.
(1)
Tina B.

Holy portions Batman! These plates are gigantic. The food is super tasty at Garcia's......and CHEAP! Not a whole lot of room to stand/sit when you're waiting for your table. I'm sure it's better when it's warm and you can stand outside. But this is a great spot in good ol' Lincoln Square. Will be back for sure.
(4)
M L.

My 88 year old mother that walks with the assistance of a walker and I have frequented Garcia's for years. She loves loves loves their shrimp fajitas and the waitresses there. We went this afternoon and wanted to run back out the door as fast as we could. Except, as I said, my mother is handicapped and walks with a walker. The music was extremely very very painfully loud. I could hardly hear a word my mother was saying and the waitress kept repeating our order to see if she heard us correctly. My mother is hard of hearing and also complained about the loudness of the music for a Sunday afternoon. We asked the waitress if they could have the volume lowered so we could hear each other. The waitress returned, telling us that the restaurant manager told her there was no volume control and that we needed to put up with it. We truly wanted to walk out the door but since my mother is handicapped plus a diabetic who needs to eat on schedule we stayed. The music blared as if it was a nightclub. We ate as fast as we could. I asked to speak with the owner who had just arrived. He was very apologetic regarding the volume. Our waitress seemed to be supportive of us too as she said she could not even hear the people's orders. I still think Garcia's food is great, but the ambiance and especially the extremely loud music is simply rude and not conducive to normal conversation and dinner etiquette. I love Mexican music but this was over the top obtrusive, annoying, and painful to the ears.
(2)
Cat B.

Went here last night for a bite to eat with an old friend. He recently moved to this area and we were looking for a good place to try. I am always trying to incorporate new restaurants into my social life because I am a little obsessed with telling the yelp-world all about it! The salsa was spicy and the chips were tasty. I did find myself needing to put the salsa on the rest of the food because it wasn't spicy enough. We had guacamole, I had fish tacos, and Rob had the steak tacos. We were both satisfied with the food, but agreed that there could have been more spicy zing to the flavor. The margaritas, on the other hand, were not lacking in any way. Tasty, not too sugary, good sized, and STRONG. Just like we like 'em!! The service was a little rushed, we felt a little hurried to decide what we wanted to eat, but our waitress was very nice. The prices were good and there was a lot to choose from on the menu. I will have to go back and try my other favorite: fajitas! Definitely on my list for reliable places to go if I ever get the urge to return to a restaurant I have eaten at before! The urge to try more new places is just so strong!
(4)
Jackie R.

I hate to join the 'what-happened-to-Garcia's' chorus, but really. What happened. A few years back I used to head to the tiny Garcia's fairly frequently, for cheap mexican food and margaritas. I enjoyed that it was small, I enjoyed the more condensed menu. I thought Garcia's to be one of the better, more basic authentic Mexican places on the North side (growing up on the South side and having access to a lot of great Mexican). This is not to say that Garcia's is bad now, it's not, it's just the overall quality that used to be there is not quite there anymore. The service was not great. To be fair, it was busy the night I went, but my table waited maybe 15 minutes before being approached by a server. Yeah no. Chips were meh, salsa was fine. The menu had increased exponentially, maybe this accounted for why I was brought the wrong order. The food was still tasty and priced-right, just now there are definitely some service issues to contend with.
(3)
steve c.

Really good overall place to sit down for some mexican food. Good food. Big Margartias. Favorite was the enchiladas. least favorite was the guacamole which lacked flavor. parking can be tricky. Theres a lot just south of the place on Lincoln. Gets packed fast so give ample time.
(4)
Jennifer H.

This is a plain neighborhood dive, but it offers solid food, great prices, and good service. The steak tacos are very good and the GIGANTIC burritos are a steal (my husband can't finish an entire one in one sitting, which is saying a lot). Salsa tastes pretty fresh, the chips are hit or miss (usually hit), and the enchiladas verdes are tasty. Quesadillas are ok. The fajitas are boring (very bland). Garcia's stays open very late, which is not only a plus, but probably also part of the reason why it has such a devoted following.
(3)
Freddie W.

Good food, lousy and unfriendly service.
(3)
Jean Z.

I just had some leftovers from here and I've brought my review down to two stars. One cause its flavorful, the other cause its convenient. The other stars were lost due to the grease factor.
(2)
whatithink S.

There were lots of favorable reviews. We gave it a try. What can I say? No, no, no. Do not go. Yes, the portions were enormous & it was inexpensive. If that's all that matters, pig out. Otherwise, listen up: Tasteless, bland food. Neither food or dining area was aesthetically pleasing in any way. The place smelled like a mix of grease & heavy duty cleanser. The only positive thing I can say is that the staff was professional & knowledgeable. What's with the 4 & 5 star reviews??
(1)
Nolan C.

Awesome spot for some mexican food. Renovations are awesome. They are not skimpy on the meat, especially the tacos.
(4)
Robyn S.

I moved to Chicago from Phoenix, AZ. I was terrified good Mexican food would be lost to me forever. Then I was introduced to Garcia's. They have great food, my FAVORITE refried beans, and tasty salsa with the perfect level of heat. Love!
(5)
Amy M.

Garcia's is a good place to have some basic Mexican food for a good price. It's nothing fancy, and certainly isn't a culinary mecca. But if you're looking for some tacos or a burrito and a decent margarita that won't cost you the rent, you can do worse. I like the salsa quite a bit.
(4)
Amanda P.

Tex-Mex at its best, cheap and plentiful and tasty. The rice and beans here are a revelation. (Seriously. They're the best I've ever had). I also love the burritos (avocado is my favorite) and the combination plates for when you just can't decide what you want.
(5)
Bryan B.

I love Garcia's because you get lots (no, seriously lots) of food that's very tasty for a reasonable price. They also serve beer, and the waitress patiently let me practice my lackluster Spanish with her.
(5)
B. L.

If you like quality Mexican food and you enjoy visiting the Lincoln Square area the way I do, stop in so you too can say "salsa." I have even seen the improvements over the years here as they've grown. The inside is cleaner and decorated nicer than it was years ago. All the wall murals were painted by a Mexican artist that now resides here in Chicago. Andele!
(4)
Ade Z.

ok so all i have to say is ARRRIIIBBAAA i love this place i am hispanic and have not really tried too many spanish resturants here in chicago ( i am from NJ originally) but if they are all like this place- i am in heaven. It is always packed so give your name to the hostes and relax. order the guac and a pitcher of margarita''s you will not be disappointed~ it is really good and strong! YUM! than order your food - w.e. you want. I usggest the burrito and get it loaded with all the stuff...you wont regret it all in all. go to garcia's and drink up and eat up! save some for me :)
(4)
STEPHANIE V.

OK so I cant recall how many times I have driven past this restaurant and never really gave it a chance. But I have to say that after a couple years of passing this place up. I finally decided to stop in. The menu itself is well priced and the food was good considering that I have tried a variety of Mexican food. I have to say that I had a good experience here regardless of the hostess not being very accommodating but after all the seat is the least of my concerns. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Jim E.

Loved the Al Pastor Enchiladas Verdes
(4)
Jace M.

Wanted to love it, but we gave up after two bad/weird experiences. We loved the Lawrence location, despite being cramped and dark, and were really eager for the bigger location to finish their remodel. I just moved to Lincoln Square with my wife and two young kids. We love being in a neighborhood that is so walkable and kid-friendly. We went twice on Saturdays at 11am, when the place was nearly empty with 15+ open tables. Our kids are fairly well-behaved, but we like to grab a table near other families and away from couples in case one of the kid fusses, so we don't disturb others and where the high chairs and baby gear aren't blocking others. Both times, the staff insisted on "keeping the big tables open" for larger groups, and pack us in between couples who are quietly dining. We don't get it. There were multiple open tables that size, and **none** of them got used either time we were there. Worse, they proceed to park our stroller at it! Worse, both times, we had to stop eating in the middle of the meal, so we could move our kids' chairs so the people on either side of us could get out to leave! Maybe we're just too worried about disturbing other people, but it basically ended up completely stressing us out both times. We also don't understand the how the waiters are assigned/rotated there, but we spent a lot of time asking for refills and waiting for the check. The food was average. Not bad, not great. Come on, Garcias! Shouldn't you have a little bit of empathy for parents on weekend lunch hours?! Please stop posting a sign that says "seat yourself" and telling us to "sit anywhere" if the next waiter that comes out is just going to move us! You should seriously think about creating a family-friendly section on weekends! For the life of me, I can't figure out how the Lawrence location, which is so small and ill-suited for families, can be so much nicer and accommodating to families. We'd go there all the time if it didn't mean forcing the whole restaurant to practically mountain climb over our stroller to get in and out of the place!
(2)
pennybottom f.

humongoid burritos! you'll pay extra for guacamole and cheese, but it's worth it. The salsa is perfect!
(4)
Diane S.

Bleh. Maybe I went here too many times last summer, but I find this place to be incredibly mediocre. Cheap, yes, but I'm of the mindset that I'd rather pay for good food. The margaritas are good, the service is lousy. Pass.
(2)
L T.

I have been dying for this place to open! They were supposed to open in September, but just opened last week. It sucked, but whatever, it's so well worth the wait! When we got there on this past saturday night, it was incredibly busy, which I was happy about for support on local businesses, but we got seated pretty fast (there was just the two of us though, so that's why) The chips and salsa was very good. The salsa is fresh and they refill it for you. We ended up getting a pitcher of strawberry margaritas and I was determined to finish it. We both got a dinner combination, which was i think 9 or 8 dollars each but it more than filled us up and enough to take home. For the price and the amount of food they give you for it is really affordable. The pitcher of margaritas cost around $27, but it gave us enough for four drinks each, full to the top! It's a cute place and the remodeling opened it up alot. I love this place, we go to it all the time! I take my friends here and to Bowman's when they come to visit, and they all love it as well!
(5)
Rob L.

Good gravy.... I am a very full, a little tipsy and every so satisfied! My friend John had his 29th birthday and we started the night here. We started at their small hidden bar in the back where we chatted until our table was ready and I had a chance to sample their margarita. On the rocks no salt... I was really looking forward to eating, why? I was hungry and this thing they called a margarita was getting my tipsy already. Was it phenomenal? No. Was it doing it's job? Yes. We sat down and his friends who I was sitting by come here quite often, suggested we get the guacamole for our side of the table, I agreed and threw in the nachos. The gauc was smooth and creamy, good, but not awesome, (I like mine a little chunky), the nachos, were again good, but not amazing and the salsa was really good, very fresh. Then I ordered the enchiladas verde, great portion size, very reasonable prices and tasty. I did see someone else get a burrito at the other end of the table.... for once I saw something that no matter how hungry I would ever be, could I even imagine eating the entire thing. The thing was beyond massive, yet looked like a worthy adversary to try and beat. All in all the prices were good, the place was busy, small and quaint, service was friendly and swift and I left just how I like to from a Mexican restaurant... full and tipsy with money still left in my pocket.
(4)
Scott C.

What a great restaurant! I always get the food to go, and if you enter off of Western they have a place for you to order and wait for your food. The tacos and burritos are really good! Good quality meat, especially the chicken. The hot sauce is really good. A wonderful place!
(5)
Ron S.

I can't believe the 4 star rating. I seriously question the reviews of anyone who gives this place more than a generous 3. I've been in there on about 4 occasions (yeah, I know, call me a fool.) Greasy, greasy greasy. Who cares how big a burrito is, when the more you eat, the more likely it is to kill you? Maybe it's just me, maybe I just don't like Mexican food. Or maybe I just don't dig having an upset stomach. Four times and never have I had good service. Yes, the waitresses are generally nice and apologetic, but I'd prefer good service over mucho apologies any day.
(2)
Heather R.

Garicia's (on Lawrence) is never crowded, and the food always comes quickly. The margeritas are strong, and decently priced, and the fish tacos (new) are quite good. THE REASON to go to Garcia's (it ain't the decor!) is to get a container of their salsa to go. Nine times out of ten it kicks butt, and is a good value.
(4)
Charlie F.

garcia's has to be my favorite place in the whole city. they have never let me down. the service, food, and price can't be beat. chips and salsa are always fresh. i always get the steak chimichanga with a large horchata. under 10 bucks? how can i lose. just wish they weren't remodeling right now =(
(5)
Kat W.

I'm not an expert on Mexican food, but it was delicious. Very reasonably priced, and there were a ton of people in it. Their "pitcher of margarita" came with a full pitcher PLUS how manyever glass FULL. What a service.
(4)
Junie B.

Let me tell ya about Garcia's. The service is the worst - but that is only because they have 4 or 5 servers total and it's busy nonstop. I'm actually kinda over Garcia's at this point...no, wait. I have a love hate relationship with Garcia's. If you can sneak a meal in the back bar, that may be your best bet on a Friday or Saturday night. Their Carne Asada Burrito Suizo keeps calling me back for more. There's no arguing with this monstrosity of gooey chewy goodness wrapped inside a huge flour tortilla - it has a mind of its own. It knows things. My last burrito told me to give Garcia's at least 4 stars or it was going to send Hayzeus after me. So, let's talk about the pitchers of margs that come full to the brim, with glasses that are already full. Can you believe that? Believe it. If the food never gets to your table, just order a pitcher of margs and wait - I promise you, it will taste that even better when it finally gets into your mouth. That is the golden rule of burritohood. Thanks.
(4)
Bella D.

late nite college food run trips..the munchies..ya get what i mean....my best roommate in the world visited me from Ohio and she and i took a walk down memory lane here...after we drove around downtown for awhile....enjoyed our steak burritos suizo and chips and salsa with some jorchata!! MMmmm and chatted about how great college and late nite bites were together with our BFs and just enjoyed the never changing Garcia's. Always consistent and can't wait to to back!
(5)
Erin H.

Huge burritos at the right price. Perfect for picking up to go after a night of drinking. They are open late which is a plus, but the service when you dine-in can be spotty. Their margarita's are nice and potent. Try the pineapple flavor.
(4)
Dave T.

A friend of mine recommended Garcia's so I am here to do the same for you. The food is superb and it is a bargain to boot. I usually opt for the burritos, which are huge and the best burritos I have ever tasted. They are so filling too. They contain generous portions of meat, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato and - this is key - avocado. You have to get avocado, especially if you order chicken. They are also open late which is key for those nights when you have been out late and want something to eat before heading home. I suspect Garcia's is the reason there isn't a Chipotle within miles of Lincoln, Western and Lawrence.
(5)
Dana C.

really good burritos, i always think i'll order something else, but when i get there the burritos always win me over. they also have amazing salsa!
(4)
Caroline S.

Big fan! We come here for our own Fajita night. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's not bad and worth it!
(5)
Darla M.

Shitty service is an understatement!!! I agree that they can win any award for HORRIBLE SERVICE! Food is okay but the service tests my patience.
(1)
Alexandra B.

Cheap, amazingly delicious food. Their margaritas are awesome. This is one of the places that I really miss since I moved from Lincoln Square.
(5)
Mich G.

I've been going to Garcia's for a long time and they never disappoint me! Their salsa and chips are good. If you're a meat lover, I highly recommend getting anything with AL PASTOR in it! Its really good!! Steak lovers - definitely get the Tampiquena. Only con would probably be service. Depending on how busy, sometimes the waitresses get off track.
(5)
Megan B.

This place is so greasy and yummy!! Their margaritas are pretty good - the ones on the rocks are definitely a lot stiffer than the frozen ones! The carne asada tostada is delicious! I get that every time! The quesadillas consist of one small tortilla folded over, so definitely order more than one! All their combos are really good! The chile relleno is good, as are all the enchiladas. It's much better to eat in, though -- we've taken out a couple of times and the quality hasn't been as good. A great cheap eat in the neighborhood!
(4)
Matt H.

Great for late nights. Don't make the mistake of taking a date there. Good portions of decent but not great quality mexican food for relatively low prices. I recommend the fish tacos, chorizo tacos and their enchiladas are very good. The fish tacos will make you feel like you are eating semi healthy since it is a healthy portion of tilapia topped with guacamole all for 2 bucks!
(4)
crystal h.

The chimichanga is the size of a burrito from Chipotle - and its like $7. It was good, but you have to order cheese separately, so don't forget or its a little dry. Enchiladas and margaritas were also tasty. Service was good and we were seated immediately on a Friday night.
(3)
Emily W.

The burritos are avocado-laden, the salsa is fresh, the margaritas are strong and the prices are cheap. This is by far the best Mexican place I have been to in Chicago. I find myself craving the avocado burritos on a regular basis. Its a great sit-down place to bring friends...the service is always terrible, but I think its a small price to pay to go to a delicious and inexpensive place. the value is outstanding. One avocado burrito is approx $4.50. Slice it in half, eat one half there and take the second half home. Do NOt eat more than half at one time....or you will have to go home early and lie on your couch, rub your stuffed belly and feel ashamed of yourself. While I recommend ordering a pitcher of margaritas to share w friends, be careful and do not drink more than 2 glasses...otherwise, you will also need to go home and lie on the couch and feel ashamed of yourself for being so so drunk. If you are someone that can function better than I can when full and drunk , then disregard the above. Enjoy!
(5)
Douglas H.

great food good salsa, ok service.
(4)
greg r.

the best refried beans in chicago!
(5)
Diane P.

The burritos are amazing. The quesadillas are just as good. The guacamole is TO DIE FOR. I heart the horchata. I always run to this restaurant whenever I have a Mexican food craving, and they always deliver. The service can be much better, but I think it's due to the imploding amount of patrons wanting excellent Mexican food.
(4)
cathy c.

Love the carne asada dinner. Tacos are good too - especially the pork. Salsa rocks. Inexpensive and generous portions (the avocado salad is as big as your head). Chicken soup is really filling (huge chunks of veggies and big, whole pieces of chicken) and great comfort food. Good, dependable, cheap Mexican. Friendly service. Worth a weeknight meal for sure.
(4)
Beatriz C.

Went twice. Got sick both times. Service was terrible both times. Would not recommend to ANYONE. If you want great mexican food and good service, just head to Tapatio instead.
(1)
Chcogal C.

I was excited to try the place out- have gotten take out for lunch and it was tasty and inexpensive. Guess you get what you pay for though, because dine in on a Saturday night was just so so. No reservations, so even though we went early, we had to wait. (I called and they said they weren't taking resos, not sure if that was just tonight). The ceviche was fresh and generous (should be for $8.50) but our appetizer came out at the same time as all our food. Some of the things I asked for she charged me extra- but had she just said we were already getting that (flour tortillas and guacamole) with our orders, I would have passed. (Especially since it all came out at once!) This fish taco was good- but the steak and chicken were shredded and not so great- flavor was lacking, and salsa was never refilled. The place is so full of light- that it almost seemed like it would have better ambiance if they just dimmed it a bit and gave it a cozy feel. The drinks looked good- but I couldn't drink, so I asked for the NA beer on the menu, but they were out. Oh well- it was OK- and just because it was in the neighborhood, we may go back- but if there was something better within walking distance- I would go there instead. I really don't know how people could think anything they served here was truly BEST in Chicago- this seems more like chain type quality and flavor then anything to knock your socks off. Service was friendly though.
(3)
Genevieve R.

I just ate at Garcias before catching a movie a few blocks down. My first impression was that it was a quaint little Mexican restaurant, however it all went downhill from there. First, there was the cheesy Enrique songs playing over and over. Second, the chips that we were served were stale and definately sub-par for a Mexican restaurant. Third, I ordered the two-taco dinner with Rice and Beans and received tostadas instead and they forgot my rice and beans. The waitress was very polite when I explained the mistake, however this did not make up for the fact that I only had 10 min. to eat once my rice and beans were brought out because I didn't want to miss my movie. My boyfriend ordered the burrito with Ranchero Sauce. It was HUGE and could definately be split in half. The Ranchero Sauce and cheese that it was smothered in was the best part. Overall, the restaurant is a cheap eat but there is definately more authentic Mexican restaurants around.
(2)
larry w.

great pork tacos!!!!
(4)
Trinidad T.

garcia's has some good mexican food man! their burritos are gy-normous. i can usually tell if i'm going to like a mexican place by the chips and salsa that they serve when you are first seated. the prices are pretty good too, i've had worse mexican for way more expensive :( the ambiance is pretty cool in this place too, unfortunately, i've discovered the world of chipotle's and don't know if i'd ever find my way back to garcia's. it was good while it lasted.
(4)
deb s.

yummy yummy. its like $4 for a crazy gi-gantor burrito. i think 2 people can share one & it'd be enough. They're usually pretty quick with the take-out and they're right be the western el stop too!
(5)
Simone G.

I've been coming here for over 10 years now and with any joint this place has its ups and downs. I may not always come here, but it is a staple in my mexican food routine. There are other places that do specialize in certain things, and there are your places that have you completely fresh all natural ingredients. But to get down on some regular, fill you to the brim while not grossing you out mexicano food... you can't beat it. I like to eat there when I have the time, but will generally get it to take home. I will say that the guacamole does need something, but I just take the huge helping of avocado and add my own spices and ingredients at my place as I tend to be stocked with cilantro and other spices, so no bigee. Trying to be bias free cosindering this place has the same last name as my family, this is one spot that can't be beat, and go somewhere else if you require that extra bit of pretension... you'll leave more tables open for people like myself. Peace Out
(4)
Ebru Y.

Biggest burritos I have ever seen! They are humongous, less than half of it will definitely satisfy a normal person's hunger, at least it worked for me. I absolutely love the flavor at this place, whether it's the corn chips, the salsa or the chicken. Everything is delicious at affordable prices. Seating can be a hassle on weekend nights so plan accordingly. There is plenty of space to park but again if you go on a busy night chances are you will have to drive around to find parking.
(5)
Shayna H.

Best Mexican food in the area. Reasonably priced. Will visit again and again!
(5)
Dennis S.

Sorry - nothing appealing here. Getting past Garcia's college cafeteria atmosphere and the "Who's on First" service, the food should be the reason to come here. It's not. Tasteless chips - the kind I suffered through for nine years of terrible Mexican restaurants in New York City. The cheapest bag of chips at Treasure Island has more flavor. The salsa matched the chips - bland and boring. Our food portions were good size, but very ordinary. Yes, I could taste the chicken in the enchilada. And in the collapsed taco. But no personality to the beans, tasteless rice, etc, etc. Even generous splashes of their generic-Tabasco sauce didn't help. Bulk food at reasonable prices - that's their niche. The Dos Equis was good - and cheap.
(2)
Linda E.

This place is huge now, I haven't been since last April. Great for late night chicken burrito with cheese, avocado, and sour cream. The $1.50 quesadilla is bite-sized, you should be warned! Lots of chips and salsa and if you get the guacamole there is a lot of that also!! Nice helpers, but the waitress was terrible, I didn't see her after she took the order. The guys did all the work and deserve the tip!! I want to try the burrito with melted cheese next time, it looks delicious!!
(4)
C W.

I'd say slightly better than average taco joints, like taco burrito king. I had a taco/enchilada/torta platter. It was fresh, and the guacamole was particularly good. My problem was with the steak. Fist, I asked the waitress if I could get the taco steak, and the rest chicken. I was surprised that she was so agreeable, but then it made sense when the meal came all steak. The steak was as low grade as you can get. Everything else was pretty decent. Price is right, but with so many above average places in the area, why go here? I can say this would be a great place for a big family to go, that kind of place. As long as they don't get steak. Superb Horchata!
(3)
Jill A.

Gag. We're thinking of moving to the area, so my boyfriend and I stopped in here while we were checking out the neighborhood. The tortilla soup was awful--melting shreds of cheese in soup are fine with me, but there were also big cubes of some other cheese, as well as chunks of avocado in the soup. Not to mention tons of soggy tortilla strips. I ate two spoonfuls and left the rest. My boyfriend ordered it, too, but only ate half of his bowl. The bowls of soup were big, but that was not a plus in this case. I also had the two-taco plate with beans and rice and it was not good either, but not horrible. I ate one of the tacos, but not much of anything else. My dear boyfriend who always gives anything the benefit of the doubt, said "the rice is pretty good." It was just rice, folks, and it was still the highlight of the meal. Margaritas were OK, but tasted like your average margarita mix. Service seemed somewhat slow. I would also expect, if I'm sending 90% of my meal back to the kitchen untouched, to be asked if there was a problem. Not at this place. Cannot recommend it on any level. Will never go back.
(1)
Matt G.

Much improved since the renovation. My wife had kept wanting me to give it a second try and friends invited us for margaritas and dinner... so I went. It's typical Americanized-Mexifare, but they do a pretty decent job. Service is a tad spotty. I had the Fajita Combo and there was enough for two on this plate. Nice location in the square and worth a trip. Just don't expect Topolabamba type cuisine.
(3)
P A.

What a surprise. Drove by a thousand times, finally found parking one lucky night right in front. So crowded, so happy for a Monday night. Sat in the bar area, very nice service - but they seem a bit overwhelmed. VERY happy with the "Presidente Margarita" - it's a beautiful blend of Brandy, Grand Marnier, and of course Presidente Tequila. Yum it was good - roughly about 8 bucks. Had the fish tacos - 2 white fish tacos on a soft corn tortilla w/ very good rice and beans - roughly about 8 bucks. Flowing chips and pretty good salsa - not quite as good as across the street at Los Nopales - more tangy and less hot - but very good. Ice cold Modelo beer - real cold. Generally happy with everything - happy atmosphere, come as you are, no put-ons here.
(4)
Jenn K.

Terrible experience! The hostess quoted us 20-25 minutes, not bad on a Friday. 35 minutes later I asked her where we were on the list and there were somehow 8 people still ahead of us. The hostess then preceded to tell us it was hard to tell how long the wait will be and it would be at least 20 more minutes. I would never come back to this restaurant during dinner hours.
(1)
Shradha A.

What my man said sums it all up: I'd come here again but not because it rocks, but because what they do is so rare. He's talking about the 100% vegetarian refried beans. And yes, it is indeed rare in Chicago because most establishments mix-in lard there. The furniture here is very nice. The price/quantity are good too. Without the vegetarian refried beans, they would be a 3-star. Warning: they do off-load crazy amounts of cheese on top of tostadas et al and you may want to request light/very light on cheese! They do have screens for games by the bar area!
(4)
Sam H.

Garcia's wins the game for a couple of important-to-me reasons - right off a train, open relatively late, cheap and tasty food. Now, with that out of the way, you get what you expect, pretty standard Mexican restaurant food. Their al pastor is pretty good, and my guy is a huge fan of the lengua. This would otherwise be a 3 star review, except for their horchata. SO. GOOD. It come in two sizes, standard glass size and ENORMOUS STYROFOAM CUP. Like, can't wrap a single hand around it. How much for all this tasty goodness? $3. Sold, my friend.
(4)
Mayra H.

It's definitely not authentic Mexican food..but since I don't live near Nuevo Leon..it's the next best thing! Price is decent and the drinks are delicious. My only complaint is the service...it's sometimes great then way too many times bad. But it's in my neighborhood so I can deal with the not so great service since the drinks are good!
(3)
Erin N.

Pama Margarita is fantastic. The veggie fajitas meal is more food than any one person should eat in a sitting. Delicious though - the corn was a nice touch. Friendly staff, fast service. I'll be back.
(5)
Marcy W.

Just moved to Chicago about 2 weeks ago and this was the first place in the neighborhood that I ate without looking up reviews. I highly enjoyed it. The food was good and filling and not expensive at all. The guacamole was quite tasty. I had the banana margarita which was AMAZING. I've never been to a place that offered that flavor. The next time I went, I had the strawberry margarita and it was equally as good. The only complaint I have about the place is the building itself. It there is a decent amount of people inside, the sound is a bit much. It can get very loud and echo-y; not ideal for conversation. The service was fine. Seated quickly, filled my water frequently and the waitress was good. I would definitely go again.
(4)
Laila C.

My 3 favorite things about Garcias 1. their salsa. SOOOOOO GOOD! I'm picky about my salsa and their's is more like pico than salsa. It's slightly hot, super flavorful and delicious with the chip if you put a dash of salt on the chips! 2. Torta!!!!! EVERYTHING i love about mexican food on a bun! I'm also picky about buns (i don't like bread products), but their buns are soft but very well toasted and not too bready. I always get it with melted cheese. 3. speaking of cheese....the quesadillas!!!!!!!! I'm not sure what kind of cheese they use on all their food, but it's probably the most delicious mexican cheese EVERRRR. I'm chinese, but eating their quesadilla with extra salsa and sour cream and a little lettuce and tomato just feeeels like comfort food that i've been eating since a baby. honorable mentions: their beans are delicious and the burritos are ginormous
(5)
Andreas T.

Garcia's has pretty decent food but you get what you are paying for and with their prices its pretty good. No you are not gonna get home made authentic tasting Mexican food, this isn't someones house, its a restaurant but it is still a lot better than most large scale establishments. The wait staff is usually pretty good unless it is super packed. If you are looking for a quiet dinner this is not the place to go... Its loud its fun and if you are crotchety and don't like people laughing and having a good time go somewhere else. The outdoor patio is also really nice especially during the summer. Quick summary: Great place to sit down outside or at the bar have a few margaritas, modelos and some appetizers.
(3)
George F.

Garcia has gone through a recent remodeling which has certainly upper their game. However, along with the space and decor changes there also seems to have some change for the worse regarding their food. As of the last few visits, I can without a doubt lay claim that their finished product is far less superior to its historic predesessors. The best way to describe it is BLAND. It looks good, smells good but just fails to impress or at the least satisfy in the taste arena. I have been going to Garcia for almost 20 years and it is unbelievable that I am even writing this as I consider myself a franchise customer. I can deal with the occasional mistake and the overall deadly slow service, I always "gave them" those as the payoff was always well balanced. The game changes when you have bad service and the food is beneath mediocre. It's going to be tough to go back there again and the next time I have a taste for this type of food I will likely go to El Asadero on Lincoln and Montrose. It's a small hole in the wall where you come out smelling like their grill, but the quality of food and flavors are chart topping.
(2)
Tim S.

First I would like to complement the prices, in this area you have the ability to make subpar food and charge premium prices, this is was not the case at Garcia's. It's a great Taco joint so don't expect fine dining here but the food is just straight out good! I had their tacos (Steak (don't expect prime cut meat here but the handle it perfectly, great example of doing the best with the least), Chicken (well seasoned could be dry at times), El Pastor (straight forward) and they have superior Langua tacos if you're into that) taste authentic and food comes out fast. NOW, on to the burrito.... GREAT size, they do not cheat you on anything here! Perfect burrito for a late night stop when you might have had too much to drink or you if you are just really hungry, on the western side you can order and sit down while waiting for your food or sit at the bar and have some of their house tequila that is made by Garcia's and the family that owns it. The guy who works the late night register might look intimidating but he is awesome! And whatever you do you have to have a horchata!!! I pledge my allegiance to GARCIA's
(3)
Lee R.

Meh, I think since the remodel the place is fairly characterless (suburban, even). It's hard to cope with all the space in this place now remembering how small-ish and uncavernous it was before. The food doesn't seem to be as good lately either. Not to say it's bad, because it's still good. The margaritas, however, are still as awesome as they ever were!
(4)
Jenna O.

My family and I really like Garcias. The chicken fajitas are very good as are the al pastor tacos. The food is yummy and the lemonade is very good as well. My daughter has taken a liking to Shirley Temple drinks. We ordered one for her and the waitress didn't know what I was talking about (despite having a full bar). I told her to ask the bartender and he'd know what it was. And sure enough, she brought one back. That's not really a complaint, but just an observation! I think I'm in the mood for Garcia's now.
(4)
Christina M.

I wasn't a fan before the remodel. When I went in after the remodel.....it looks nothing like a latin mexican restaurant. It didn't feel ethnic. it's not inviting. The meat lacks seasoning. Very bland. I was really disappointed. It's like where do u have to go for great carne asada? Not garcia's thats for sure.
(1)
Nader A.

Even after the remodel I still love this place! The people are great and the atmosphere has always been welcoming! This is the kind of restaurant I could go to with a group of friends and have a great time well into the night. Now, here is the meat of this review: The best carne asada and horchata I've ever had. I know, I know... I'm definitely going to get a lot of feedback from those two statements, but to my taste buds, this place is epic. Did I mention that they have amazing margaritas? No? Well, this place has AMAZING margaritas!! =D Every time I am back in Chicago you can expect me to enjoy at least one meal here!
(5)
Randall J.

My partner and I went to this place on a Friday night. We were told there was a 30 minute wait for a table (even though there were about 5 empty tables within sight). So, we decided to wait it out at the bar. There were not any seats at the bar when we arrived so we stood close to the bar. The bartenders ignored us even though I waived to notify one of then we would like service. He acknowledged me but never came to take our order. 10 minutes later two chairs opened up so we took them and waited. While we waited the bartenders cleared off the glasses from the prior customers right in front of us and wiped the area down but never took our order or gave us menus. We waited more.... Then a bartender came around the bar next to us dragging a bar stool, ordered us to shove ourselves to the right to make room for a female's friend who had been standing by her. After crowding us in the male patron declined the stool so the bartender dragged it back to where it came...still no bartender to take our order. We waited and asked the female beside us is she had to wait this long...she said she was served almost immediately. The bartenders were talking behind the bar to each other and did not seem busy enough to ignore us because of limitations on their time. After 15 minutes of waiting and much frustration, we raised our hands and yelled, 'can you see us", at which point one of the bartenders cane over and threw down the drink menus in front of us. At that point, we decided we might be in the midst of some homophobia and left the bar area to talk to the manager. The manager insisted they did not discriminate against gays and went toi talk to the bartenders about the situation. When he came back he said the bartenders had been busy. He said he would review the tapes and see what actually happened. I gave him my name and phone number and asked him to give me a call once he saw the video of the situation. To date, I've not heard from him . Take your business to a local eatery that appreciates your business. We ended up going to another Mexican restaurant (even though the manager had offered us a meal on him because of our frustration). I don't need handouts; I just need good service and am willing to pay for it. We will never go back to this place as they need to monitor their employees behavior better and maybe give them some training in customer service and sensitivity training for minorities.
(1)
josie w.

ok burrito and ok margaritas...
(3)
Melissa M.

I had been to Garcia's in over a year and noticed that they had done a major remodeling when I drove through the area the other day. This prompted the desire for a visit so we tried it again last night (a Thursday night). The place is twice as big as it used to be. The tables and food are pretty much the same as they used to be. Contrary to Katy's review though... the tables were not crammed together. There was plenty of room in between. However, the place sure is LOUD. I think they need to bring down the ceiling to complete the remodel and maybe the loud echo will disappear. I had steak tacos with rice and beans... tasty, but I wish they would use a better quality steak... I'm not a fan of "chewy-gooeys". My friend enjoyed his steak fajitas. The guy in the table next to me had a burrito the size of Florida!! Talk about huge!! A burrito at Garcia's can easily be shared by two people. Will have to go again and try something different on the menu.
(4)
Lori L.

I'm really trying to figure out the hype with this place. After 36 hours of running a relay from Madison to Chicago, traveling in a van with six other sweaty runners, and only eating popcorn, peanuts, and granola bars, I really wanted some nice, warm, flavorful food. Garcia's was chosen and I was marginally disappointed. First, the margaritas are excellent, which alone are worthy for a return trip. The chips and salsa were good. The salsa a little too spicy for my liking, but not too spicy that I didn't indulge a little. I did enjoy the guacamole and I would order it again. I found my entree to be mediocre at best. I ordered the tostada dinner. One tostada with al pastor, the other with steak. The al pastor didn't have much flavor, at all. I ate with gusto only because, as stated earlier, this was the only real food I consumed in several days. The rice was fluffy and not dried or hardened. The refried beans, were refried beans. I didn't eat my steak tostada until the next day. It was good enough for me. Next time, I know to order just the steak and not the al pastor. The service was slow. It took forever to get refills for chips and salsa, along with our check. I've had better, and I've had worse Mexican food. Garcia's won't be the first or even second on my list, but I also won't put up a stink when it becomes an option.
(2)
Katie M.

Salsa is awesome. Margaritas are awesome. One if my favorite neighborhood spots.
(5)
Dennis B.

I love mexican food. This place has nice drinks too, nice and large. I went here with a large group of people. Food was typical. They had a nice music selection playing. The waitress messed my order up. I asked for 3 tacos but only got 2 which was fine because less money I have to pay. Portions are large.
(3)
Belinda E.

Expensive margaritas and below average Mexican food. I was born in Mexico and raised in Texas, this has to be one of the worst Mexican restaurants I have ever been to, save your money and use it for a vacation to Mexico. And yes. It is safe!
(1)
Dean S.

My friends and I ate at Garcia's after our initial lunch plans fell through. I suggested it after remembering their burritos being featured on TV (190 North) the night before. Overall we had a very enjoyable experience eating here. We came in a little past the lunch hour, so they were not very busy at all. The space is very open and has plenty of seating for groups of five or more. The decor is somewhat "rustic mexican" and very colorful. The waitresses were very nice, funny, polite, and were very fast in regards to taking our order, getting our drinks, and making sure we had a good dining experience. We got chips and salsa right away, and refills early and often. We all got different kinds of burritos and were all very pleased with our choices. I had the Burrito Suizo Ranchero (the one I saw on TV) with carne asada. Their burritos are huge and very tasty! The price is very affordable and the quality of ingredients is very good. There are better and more authentic mexican places out there, but this place is a nice place if you're feeling like going to a mexican place a step above Chipotle or the dirty Burrito place a few blocks from your apartment. I also learned that they are open very late. Next time my friends and I are hankering for a late night meal after a night out, I might have to suggest Garcia's. Good food at a good price.
(4)
Derick M.

Ive been going here for years (8+), have at least tried 8 other Mexican restaurants on the northside, and its time they got a review. This is well deserved. This is prob. the BEST Mexican place on the north side with decent prices and a great environment. I do miss the old place prior to the construction, but its definitely understandable they had to expand due to their popularity. The service has always been on point. They come around and do their check in's with their customers, without it being too constant or annoying. Even on their busiest nights, their waitress' dont forget to check in on you, and the food is still delivered fast. As far as the food goes, Ill be honest in saying I need to expand my tastes in the other food choices. For years, Ive stuck with the burritos, tacos, and huevos con jamon (breakfast: eggs with ham). As far as choice of meat goes, I would say their carne asada is the best choice when choosing their burritos, tacos, etc. Next to the carne asada would be the chicken. Overall, their food consistency is always right, and service is great. Lastly, the owners are terrific. Sometimes when I do order carry out, Ill usually run into the son or father, and they will always strike a conversation. Out of the many hundreds of many people they see a week, its surprising how they remember me. That just goes to show how down to earth this establishment is, regardless of how busy or successful they've become. Keep it up!
(5)
Alicia S.

Is anyone else thinking that Gordon Ramsey had a hand in remodeling this place? The menu, the decor, the absence of greasy burrito's...all different. I use to dislike this place so much...after the remodel though, I gave it another chance. Now, listen to me. I do not get anything besides the Chicken Fajitas. And I'm about to tell you why. THEY ARE DELICIOUS. And orange. The chicken is orange...but don't be scared off by this. I don't know what it is, but that orange chicken is the makings for the best fajita I've ever had! Comes with a side of guacamole & other fixins so don't waste your money getting a side order of guac. Just enjoy the free chips and salsa before your food comes. Paired with a margarita & some good friends, Garcia's is my new go-to place for meeting up for a drink & some dinner. Oh, and if you're in the mood for something light, no don't order an appetizer...just split the fajita's with a friend!
(5)
Lucas W.

This place is great. The burritos here were gigantic and a fantastic value. They were not too greasy and filled me up in just the right way. I cannot recommend the avocado burrito enough for people who are a fan of avocados; they literally put two whole fruits in it. I have two complaints: The margaritas were not cheap and kind of weak. I could be wrong but I am pretty sure they use a mix. Not a classy decision. Secondly, the decor and lighting gives the place a gloomy cafeteria vibe. This is not a place to have a romantic date.
(4)
Sara C.

Best Mexican Food in the city!! And the best part is almost every entree is under $10. Their cadillac margaritas are the best in the city. My roommate and I will go out of our way in order to eat here. The service is awesome and combined with the food and margaritas it's unbeatable in my opinion! By far one of my favorite places.
(5)
Jill H.

I used to like this place - really I did. I went all the time for cheap tacos and mediocre drinks that really satisfied my margarita cravings, but tonight made me want to never go back. Ever. First, we were seated in the very very back - even though there were open tables that weren't in a cave. Great. The table was dirty when we got there and there were stacks of extra chairs around us and lots of rice on the floor. Okay, I can over look this - maybe - except the rice? Gross. I don't even want the bottoms of my shoes to touch that. Next, our waitress was abhorrent. She didn't show up for ever, finally took our order (and don't worry, we ordered dinner and drinks at the same time, it is Wednesday night, yo.) and then didn't bring us our drinks until AFTER we had our food. Our water was not readily replenished and when she asked if we wanted more salsa and I said "YES" she never brought us more. I don't know about you, but I don't want to eat a dry taco without some salsa. The food was also less than good - my tacos were boring and dry. My bf's taco salad looked wretched, though I cannot comment on the taste. And, I SAW my margarita sitting at the bar for 10 minutes before it was brought to my table. So, when I got it, it was watery and terrible. 30 bucks for this totally crappy dinner and service. I don't think so. I will not be spending money there again. I'm totally disappointed and this is a place that I have been to at least a dozen times. Fail, Garcia's, total Fail.
(1)
Ross A.

I recently went to Garcia's for the first time in years; I used to live in Lincoln Square and go occasionally when it was a narrow hole in the wall. Now the dining room is twice as large, there's a bar, and better decor. It's still loud inside, though not as terribly noisy as before. Food isn't the best Mexican food I've had, but it was pretty good and the portions are a good size for the money. I ordered a 3 steak taco dinner, which was a mistake, as 2 would've been more than enough.
(3)
Nikki V.

I've been eating here ever since I was a kid! (way before Garcia's did their renovation, which let me tell you, was complete torture b/c they were closed the entire time!!) I miss their old place b/c even though it was small, it was still very inviting. Now, when I walk in, I feel like I'm walking inside a huge warehouse, the Sam's Club of Garcia's! Regardless, their food is scrumptious! I always order the same thing as I'm worried that if I order anything else, I won't be as satisfied. Their carne asada is to die for!! Their skirt steak is made to perfection and I love eating it w/ rice and beans!! Whenever I go with someone, they always order one of their burritos and I must warn you, they are gigantic! Most people are full from just eating half of it and I'm pretty sure they're still good when you heat them up late at night!
(5)
Cella W.

Service IS horrible. Drove about 35 minutes to get here and have dinner with my parents. We were a party of 7. Had just settled in with 3 kids. Waitress asks us if we could move from our table. We said no the baby and toddler were at peace. Waitress tells her crew and they all come (5) out asking us to move. We stay firm with our no. Original waitress comes back and asks us if we still want our margaritas since she didn't know if we were staying. Really!?! At that point we all got up and left the place.
(1)
Melissa H.

I seriously don't understand why people like this place so much. My husband and I wanted Mexican food, but unfortunately Los Nopales (our standby-great food, excellent service) is closed until August 5th so we headed to Garcia's instead. We had been here once before and found it disappointing then as well but thought we'd give it another chance. Never again. As we were walking into the restaurant through the Lincoln entrance I was literally ran into and shoulder checked by a rushed bus boy heading to the patio. There was no "sorry" or "please excuse me" or anything. Okay...I just shake it off and we head in. We were seated with in a few minutes and looked over the menu for nearly 10 minutes before our server greeted us. Seriously, our water glasses were refilled twice before our server showed up. At least they had that going for them. Since we'd been waiting for so long we knew everything we wanted, drinks and entrees. I ordered a cadillac margarita on the rocks with no salt and husband ordered a regular margarita frozen with salt. For entrees I had a chicken burrito and he had some kind of combination platter. Ten minutes later our food comes out but we are still waiting for our drinks. We're halfway through our dinner when the waiter checks on us and said he hadn't forgotten about us but the bar was backed up. I kind of find it hard to believe that it would take that long for two pretty simple drinks, but okay. As for the food, it was bland and borderline gross. I did not enjoy it at all. When our drinks finally arrive mine has salt on it. Of course it does. I'm a server too so normally I would just wipe it off and enjoy my margarita but it has taken so long at this point that I don't even want it anymore since we are basically finished with our disappointing meal. Waiter comes by I tell him I ordered it with no salt and at this point please just take it off the check and bring us the bill we just want to get outta there. The waiter brings us the bill and surprise! the $13 margarita I ordered but never drank is still on the check. Um...no. Ask the waiter again to take it off and he brings us the correct bill. Bad service, rude bus boys who run into you without a care in the world and mediocre food at best is the reason we will never, ever go back to Garcia's.
(1)
Jim T.

I adore this place. It doesn't matter if its the Ravenswood and Lawrence or the Lincoln and Western restaurant. Garcia's is the place to go and get a burrito. Hands down. The steak is smoked and is just awesome. The waitstaff is fairly friendly and efficient. I recommend their margaritas on the rocks. Albeit, you may regret that the next day, but who cares? Just go there and enjoy!
(4)
Iris K.

Love Garcias :) I rate the service as high if not higher than the food. Both are great! At the end of the meal, our table is full of empty plates and glasses. My boyfriend and I go here frequently because we both love Mexican. Even though the dishes aren't 'authentic' I want to say, I still think for the price you get a hell of a deal! I love that I work next door, makes lunch time so easy!
(4)
Rachel H.

I have two confessions to make: 1. Now whenever I'm on this part of Lawrence, I think of the morning I saw a naked man walking down the street, right here. Right in front of Garcia's. Maybe he had to pay for his burritos with his clothes? 2. Until last night, I'd never had a burrito. Burrito virgin. I know. It's hideous. Burrito cherry officially popped by Garcia's at age 27. I should go shoot myself with a Taco Bell sour cream gun. I can't think of a better burrito to start off with.. no really, obviously I can't. I got the carne asada burrito, added some cheese, and sneakily saved some of our guac so I could stick that on there too. Genius. The steak was very flavorful, and the monster size was enough for me to have leftovers. I love that in a meal. Margaritas were also good, though get them on the rocks. My pal's first one was a frozen one (her choice) but she proclaimed the non-slushy version to be much stronger in the tequila area. Guac was good, salsa was not very spicy, but once you know to ask for the spicy one, you're good to go. Service was a little slow, though it was hopping in there and apparently usually this isn't the case. Prices are cheap, and since my friend lives spitting distance from this little gem, I'll be back for more burritos!!!
(4)
Ritu R.

Went here for the 1st time. My hubbie is a major Mexican food lover and we travel EVERYwhere to get some good Mexican food. He rates this as a 4.5 if that was an option. WE went with a friend that lives nearby who frequents Garcia's. Lets begin....we were promptly seated. Drinks. They have Horchata and its good! Chips & Salsa. Salsa was fresh and tasty. Perfect spiciness for our taste. The chips could have been fresher but were good. Guacamole. Seasoned well and creamy. Very nice. The small was enough for the 3 of us. Chicken and Shrimp Fajita. SOOOO good. Perfectly seasoned, the hubbs just finished the left overs. Large portions. Very nice. I would have liked to have seen black beans instead of the refried beans. Taco Dinner. The other 2 had the 3 taco (combo of ground beef & Steak) dinner. He liked the option to have the 2 taco dinner just in case he felt like it. Liked the steak more than the beef and its packed full of meat. Enough so you have extra to dip in your chips after! Next time he plans on having extra cheese b/c they have nice cheese. We find that some of the best places have food that tastes good the next day and we are currently eating them and my fajitas are still SO yummyt! So we definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Natalie S.

I can practically see this place from my backdoor... but how have I only been here once? I'll have to fix that very soon. We had a great experience here. I was feeling like a shell of my former self (hangover) so I didn't drink and now I'm sad... best margaritas ever? I must try. Soon. I had the floutas. They were perfect. Crispy and not greasy. My husband had enchilladas and he was a big fan. We were both part of the clean plate club. Maybe one of my activities this weekend should be a visit to this place?
(4)
Sarah F.

In a town where the Mexican restaurant is as ubiquitous as Packers hatred or corrupt politics, Garcia's is a solid choice. Many times we've ordered the steak burrito; today we opted for "Chicago's Best Burrito," which is a glorious, glorious burrito made with steak. Not sure whether Garcia's deemed it as such themselves or were once ranked the best, but let me put it this way: I actually laughed out loud when the waitress set it down in front of me. First off, it truly is as big as your head--my BF and I each ordered one and easily could have been non-fat-asses about it, read: just split a burrito--and secondly, oh my lord they spared this burrito nothing. Sour cream, avocado, ranchero sauce, literally about a half-inch layer of cheese oozing over the top, plus juicy, high-quality steak. When I made it to the halfway point, I sat back, all satisfied with myself that I hadn't plowed through my half nearly as quickly as the BF had plowed through his, but then I noticed that he had actually sectioned his burrito into thirds, and in actuality had made it through only a third. So yes, I was plowing. It was a very good burrito that I will be fantasizing about. I also had a house margarita on the rocks and felt that it could have been a little stronger; granted, the density of the burrito probably wiped out the effects of the tequila.
(4)
Sue K.

My family has ate here a couple times, and yay! we're fans. There is plenty of street parking, although you may have to walk a bit to the restaurant. There may be a wait..but it has never been as long as they estimated. We went once and they estimated a 30 minute wait. 10 minutes later, we were seated. They have free, endless chips and salsa, huge huge portions, and very reasonable prices. I prefer the steak or chorizo over the chicken.
(4)
Jason H.

This place feels authentic and could've had the best burritos ever. The salsa is good and the chips were still warm when they came out of the oven. The got a burrito with chicken and steak. They were both in filets then we got to cut them up and place them into our warm flour tortillas. All the food was perfectly prepared, warm, soft, tender and all that other good stuff. We arrived early so the service was great, and the staff all is bi-lingual so we were able to practice spanish too! The chairs are awesome there but the decor could be improved. Overall a great spot especially if your into the latin scene.
(4)
Ryan B.

THE BEST Mexican restaurant in Chicago. Why pay $40 for a Rick Bayless dinner when you can spend $10-15 at Garcia's and get an equally good (if not better) dinner?? I've been going here since 1987 and I think I've put all of their kids through college with the amount of money I've spent on burritos all this time. Try the chicken enchiladas in mole'...out of this world. Hot salsa and hot chips to snack on, coupled with perfectly cold and sweet horchata round out your meal. My only complaint is that the restaurant is no longer the hole-in-the-wall go-to Mexican restaurant that few people know about. The days of "Hi Ryan, the usual?" are gone. It's now waiting for 45 minutes for a table, which is a testament to the quality of the food. They've sold out to the man and this has become a chic, trendy joint, but I can't blame them. The food is that good...why not make a bunch of money??
(5)
Patrick B.

I've been here twice and both times the food, margaritas, and service have been outstanding. I highly recommend this place for dinner as a date or with friends. The burritos are fantastic, and gigantic for the price.
(5)
Jay S.

I could go on and on about this place. Fab food, fab prices, decent service & steak burritos to die for! What more could you ask for?
(5)
sarah s.

The murals are nice. That is about all that is good. Worst salsa. Even worse mole. Even the margaritas are not so tasty.
(2)
Jessica H.

Ive been here a few times, will definitely keep returning. the food is good, prices are fitting. Bf loves the burrito which is pretty big. carne asada is yum as well as the margaritas. Serving size of the guacamole is pretty small though. Probably my only complaint.
(4)
Danielle C.

New Ownership- Not only is the place brighter, has fancy HUGE wooden chairs, the food is changing. Last time I was in here, I was really on the fence. What had been a quiet easy place to grab some good, inexpensive Mexican food seemed to be changing into something I was no longer sure of. We could wander in, grab a table by the window, enjoy some drinks and food, then leave- for under 50$ for 3 of us. On my last visit, we were seated at a new, larger table that was awkwardly placed. It was pretty busy. Then a table of 8 came in. They were seated behind us- in fact- we had to move so that Garcia's could seat them. OK- can do. It was a Thursday night, all of us were tired, wanted one drink- and food. The big table got LOUD- I mean really loud. To the point where I was giving the stink eye about every 2 minutes. These MAYBE 21 year olds could not hold their booze and everyone else had to suffer. The quesedillas have a huge amount of various cheeses. The fajitas have been pretty good, but last time, nope- not so much. I have not been back since- but I certainly got the feel that the new ownership, waitresses and staff were OK with this. In the past- the two sisters would have taken care of it. We shall see what happens next time. I am not throwing in the towel yet!
(3)
Jackie O.

The upsides: it's open late, the margarita pitchers are cheap, and Garcia's is centrally located to everything else in the square. It's the perfect place for a quick bite and a lot of drinks with a group of friends. The downsides: Everything I've had here has been sub-par, or torn up my stomach for hours. I've also seen a few drunken fights break out here... but maybe that should go in the upsides category. Dinner and a show!
(2)
Kathleen I.

Food is amazing. The prices are so cheap!! I can have a Tostada, my partner a taco or tostada and two drinks.. and we're out for under $20. The drinks are the best! They are always strong and not super cheap liquor. The problem: the service SUCKS. Once you receive your food you will NEVER see your waitress again. Forget about asking for more napkins! They get 3 stars for food and lose 2 for lack of service.
(3)
Sarah M.

Oh Garcia's, you've let me down. I just went back for the first time since the remodel (yeah, been a while) and I am bummed. First, the good: -The bathrooms... such an improvement. It had been two grungy stalls in a cramped room and now they're bigger than my apartment. -The salsa is still incredible. Perfect texture, big flavor, love it! -Much more seating. -Basically the place LOOKS better, but now they need to work on their food and service.., The bad: -I ordered chilaquiles and was not liking it. Pretty sure the eggs (which the waitress confirmed with me that I wanted them) were not there. I tasted sauce and tortillas. Lots of sauce. Sort of soupy. -The staff. Argh! I think it took 45 minutes before my water was refilled. The waitress kept disappearing. We sat there FOREVER after the meal just talking, but also waiting for the check... finally they started clearing the table and hovering so we'd leave... we had to mention the check and they seemed to think we'd already paid. Nope, not yet... but if you'd rather we skip that part, that's fine... The food is not outstanding. There are so many better places here for Mexican food, that if Garcia's wants to stick around long enough to pay off their remodeling debt they really need to step it up.
(2)
Michael M.

Just took my date here and found the food to be solid. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. Service is very good. This is not knock your socks off Mexican food, but still good stuff.
(3)
Jeremy G.

Went to Garcia's last week after finding out Los Napoles was closed due to them being on vacation. It's been a couple years since we've carried out from Garcia's....don't know if we've gotten spoiled by Los Napoles, but Garcia's was just okay. I'd classify it as a good midnight-1 AM type place. They give you plenty of food for the money but it was a bit greasy compared to what we're used to. The salsa was pretty good, guacamole was thumbs down.
(2)
Leah W.

I would be totally enthusiastic about Garcia's if it were the only Mexican restaurant within walking distance. However, it's one of a crowd, and between cheap taquerias and more upscale places, Garcia's doesn't stand out at all. It's also a big barn of a room on the inside. The menu is standard with nothing original that really stands out; food is acceptable but perhaps a little pricey for the quality. Big portions though. Every time I've gone we've ordered a pitcher of margaritas, and they are nice and strong.
(3)
Adrian T.

Have eaten at Garcia's several times and mostly have gotten either the tacos or burritos dinner which comes with rice and beans. Food is pretty good and service is standard. The fact that they're open late keeps me coming back when I have a late night taste for tacos.
(4)
Mike S.

FOOD POISONING!!! I got the el pastor and was so sick I called poison control to see if I could die from food poisoning. The wife got shrimp fajitas and also got sick!!! Eat at your own risk, just make sure youre not doing anything for the next couple days
(1)
Howard A.

And the winner is.... Garcia's is not only my favorite Mexician restaurant in Chicago, it may be my favorite restaurant period! I've always loved the food but since their renovation, Garcia's has gotten even better. Gone are the disgusting bathrooms. Guests must have really complained because they are now spa-like. Gone is the old 70's diner decor, replaced with high ceilings and fans. It can get noisy but the bar area is much quieter. They added a ton of tables so they were able to keep the low prices. The margarita pitchers are a potent bargian. For around $30, you get a full pitcher with little ice PLUS 4 full glasses. This is for the Grand Marier margarita! You'll stumble out! I almost always get the carne asada burrito ranchero suizo, the most amazing burrito on the planet. First time visitors always gawk in amazement when the server brings the steaming football-shaped blimp out. If you order a pitcher, you may want to wait to put in your food order later. Unless it's slammed, food can come out quick. Service seems to be a team effort. The person who takes your order, brings out your food and drops off la cuenta is often 3 different people. If you need anything, just flag down the multitude of bus boys. Most importantly, make sure you save time to take a short stroll through the heart of Lincoln Square afterwards to settle your stomach and sober yourself up!
(5)
Elle M.

I came here with my parents, like some others, purely out of convenience. I live in the area and we were looking for something low key. The food was fine, the margaritas were fine. That's pretty much as far as I can go. We had nachos with ground beef as a starter, and it tasted fine, but looked awful. The ground beef was just shoveled over the top of it all like dog food. Ignore the whole "eat with your eyes" philosophy here. The burritos are the size of small dogs and taste pretty good. My dad liked his shrimp & my mom said her chiles were decent. However, Dad & I ordered flan for dessert and it was pretty bad. Super dense and incredibly sweet. Served with a weird maraschino cherry on top? Bizarre. Neither of us finished it. The service wasn't great either. The hostess asked us if we wanted to sit outside or inside and I guess we took too long to decide because she sat us inside before we could make up our minds. The whole thing was just really rushed until the very end when we tried to pay the check. Then we sat and waited about 10 minutes before our waitress made it back to the table. With all the amazing Mexican restaurants in the city, I probably won't go back to this one.
(3)
Shonda D.

I'm going to piggy back off of the other yelpers... -The restaurant is small. I agree, the place looks like a dive, but that's not necessarily a bad thing....is it? - I ordered the fish tacos, which were huge and reasonably priced. - They also serve breakfast all day. - Now here's the clincher... the margarita's. One word: WoW! Can we say mission accomplished!? - Parking is easy. - The women's restroom is old, but clean. Good place to grab some descent Mexican food and a good margarita!
(4)
Lisa B.

Don't you hate it when it's 10:30 on a Monday morning and you want some good Mexican food? Like, what Mexican restaurants are even open then? Well, Garcia's is and it's pretty damn good too. The salsa was the best I have had since the demise of Lindo Mexico -- fresh and spicy and muy fantastico. Our entree was pretty basic Mexican fare, but plentiful and tasty. The decor is nothing fancy, that's for sure, but the chairs are made of attractively carved wood, which adds to the Mexican ambiance. Service is friendly and efficient, and there is no TV set in the place! Yay! Why do all but the shmanciest restaurants have TVs nowadays? I hate that. Plus ten jillion stars for finally getting to share a meal with someone I have admired for ages. Hope we can do it again sometime.
(4)
Robert P.

This place is great for its late night hours. I'm rarely here before 9:30 pm any visit. Decent al pastor, decent burritos. Been coming here for well over a decade at this point. It's a reliable favorite. Nothing will really blow you away but after a few margaritas it might just be the best place ever.
(4)
Diana W.

Okay, so we dined in the other night and wanted to bump them up a star because I am a fan. My previous review was going off of past experiences as in over a year ago. Since then, their food went from exceptional to just edible.....and, as of the other night, back to exceptional again. They must have hired the same cooks from back in the day because there was a kick in my pico de gallo and flavor in my carne asada! Yes Garcia, you've done good.
(4)
Natalie A.

Tacos mmmm!! Came in on 10-16 to pick up my steak tacos with sour cream...cheese...and avocado... Maybe considered a bit pricey but I loveee the meat quality! Gets really busy on the weekend so arrive early or order to go!
(5)
Laura B.

Not worth the wait. Go to Los Nopales or walk to Taqueria El Asadero. This place is so overrated. I don't understand it. It is so far from the Los Angeles Mexican food that I grew up with and the service is always a disappointment. I have eaten here 4 times over 4 years and always asked myself why I bothered!?! Right now Garcia's is under construction and I hope when it re-opens the food and service improve.
(2)
Dan G.

Chicago is the land of plenty. Plenty of Mexican fare that is. So I have become somewhat picky on the subject of Mexican food. I think getting just "Okay" Mexican is a crime in the city because there is so many great spots. And Garcia's is one of those great spots. It doesn't look like much on the outside but to me that can be a sign of greatness on the inside. I have yet to go to the fancy one in Lincoln Square because this one is a hop, skip, and a jump from my place. The food is good. I have yet to experience a dish that is less than great. Your standard Mexican dishes. This fish tacos are great and the burritos are huge and tasty. But the real prize here is the margaritas. Not only are they delicious and strong, you get a lot. We usually order a pitcher which is a full pitcher with your margarita glasses already full. So its like pitcher of margaritas plus. So being in walking distance of this place sure does help. Overall great Mexican, decently priced, and killer margaritas. May not look like a great place on the outside but, venture in. You'll be glad.
(4)
Gary B.

I can only comment on the Margaritas here and they were awesome. Great place to stop in after hopping off the train. I have never tried the food because I was there on a drinking mission but everything I saw people eating looked really good as well. Hopefully I get back to taking the Metra in 09.
(4)
Amanda M.

Since my last review, I've been back several times. Their palomas and margaritas are delicious, the service is always nice, and the nachos are incredible. I had to upgrade the stars! Seriously, try the nachos.
(5)
Kyle F.

I used to go to the Garcia's in Lincoln Square before they closed for remodeling and then found this, smaller sister restaurant just down the street in Ravenswood. I'm sticking with this one because you get the same meal for the same price but it has a cozier atmosphere that includes a bar. The chips and salsa (the saving or sinking grace of any Mexican restaurant) are very passable. And as far as appetizers go, the spinach and cheese quesadillas are absolutely delicious. Now, I always get the pollo (chicken) burrito with added avocado, onions, tomato, and sour cream. The thing is absolutely huge and easily good for a whole 'nother leftover meal. Not only that but it's cheap ($5 without the extras) and the chicken is seasoned just right and juicy. No neighborhood is complete without a cheap, authentic Mexican establishment that offers generous services. Garcia's is that establishment for Uptown/Ravenswood
(5)
junior k.

Among the best two or three tacos/burritos in the city, particularly bistec and chorizo. Waits can get pretty long and the place is kicking until closing time, so call ahead for takeout.
(5)
Kat L.

everyone not hispanic that i know-- loves this place. everyone i know that IS hispanic, things it's just "alright" I think it's pretty good! A torta with every dressing, sour cream, and guac for about $5? can't beat that. The meat is good quality and pretty tasty too. Big portion that I can eat in two sittings. That's a great value to me. With the renovation, it's so much a nicer place to go with some friends to have a bite if you're shopping in the square. Their horchata rocks and they even serve tres leches! mmmm.... Even the complimentary chips and salsa taste fresh (boo to stale chips.) Bottom line. Mexican joints in chicago can be pretty hit-or-miss with the numerous hole in the walls out there. But Garcia's has great quality, great prices, and offers a whole lot more than just tacos and burritos. I've also sampled their tortilla soup and ceviche... some other things. And nothings ever disappointed.
(4)
Boon K.

if you are out late and what to grab some cheap mexican, this is the place. I can go through salsa and chips with horchata and maybe a steak taco. The spanish rice is really tasty. The prices are great and everyone is usually happy with their order. I do like the remodel, they needed it.
(3)
Lauren H.

OK, here's your formula per this review: x = everything I said in the other Garcia's location review y = the amazing frozen margaritas at the other location z = much better atmosphere and cozier x - y + z = just as much love for the Lawrence Garcia's as the Lincoln Square one!
(4)
Jes S.

Their service is disappointing and the last time we ate there, both of us spent the whole night in the bathroom. The portions are huge and the food is like average Mexican food. I'm a decently patient person, especially at restaurants, but we waited for a VERY long time for the server to bring us our check, not to mention for them to pick it up with our credit card and bring it back. I will not go back again.
(2)
Gale B.

Great restaurant for large groups. Also late night eats! The tortilla soup is DELISH!! Large portion sizes at a reasonable cost. I would definitely recommend Garcia's.
(4)
Moon Beam B.

TORTILLA SOUP! TO DIE FOR x 100! Nice atmosphere & food is par or above with other good Mexican places in Chicago.
(5)
Dustin L.

Seriously their "best Chicago burrito" is really the best burrito I've ever had! Prices are great and who doesn't like margaritas? You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Debra L.

This was my first time at Garcia's. I was the first one in our party of 10 to arrive. I was approached by several of the wait staff and explained that we had a large party arriving shortly. They quickly accommodated us by moving tables together. My first impression was that the service was already good. The good service continued when our server quickly brought out my margarita, chips and salsa. As my friends wandered in, each one promptly received their drink. The quick and friendly service continued throughout the meal. Absolutely no complaints on the service. The problem was the food wasn't that good. The guacamole was fine, and the chips and salsa were okay, but my meal kind of sucked. I got the vegetarian combo plate. Now Mexican cooking has such a fine array of flavors and spices that could have been used to make this meal taste good, but apparently they weren't used. Seriously over-cooked broccoli and slimy frozen spinach on a corn tortilla doesn't quite cut it. Rice and beans were nothing to write home about, or I should say, nothing to Yelp about. A little creativity would go a long way with the vegetarian combo. As far as all the other meals went, well, no one really commented on the food either way. The restaurant is large and attractive, but parking in Lincoln Square can be a bit challenging. I really can't recommend that anyone outside of the neighborhood bother to come here. There's so many more interesting, fresh and creative Mexican restaurants in our city.
(2)
LaVerne A.

My absolute favorite steak taco on the north side of the city!!! Well seasoned. perfectly uniformed nuggets of goodness that taste like beef! Idk what is wrong with most peoples taste buds that frequent Mexican restaurants whose beef flavors that of a donkey..... never had it per se but absolutely sure a ton of restaurants serve it! I will at some point go on to name those of such! Delicious! Nice atmosphere good prices! Perfecto!
(4)
Ralaina B.

The last couple of times we went everything was absolutely amazing. The service was always a little eh, but the food was great. I'm slightly obsessed with the salsa (is that a hint of basil I detect?) with just the right amount of kick and the never ending flow. But the last time we went (Third times the charm? Not so much.) left us wondering what happened. It was a little busy but it felt like the bus boy was taking better care of us than our waitress. When ever she did come to the table, she made it seem as if we were more of an inconvenience than a welcome customer. I've worked in the food industry for 16 yrs and am normally a great tipper, but if you purse your lips at me while I'm trying to ask for something as small a straw (which they keep in their apron pocket)...it's bound to knock a couple of dollars from your tip. Also the food was really greasy to the point that my husband couldn't properly eat his burrito. He had to dump everything out and eat the filling with a fork. If he wanted a taco salad, I'm sure he would have ordered one. Even my tacos were drippier than usual. My husband ordered a long island and all you could taste was tequila. He had to order a coke just mix it together to make it slightly more drinkable. Not sure if we will go back...might save our selves the drive and go down the street to Taco Burrito King. Same food but the service is usual better....
(3)
Rodrigo R.

Great place for a date its big enough for a group awesome authentic mexican food you'll get it in Margaritas are great burritos are loaded and the price is right.
(5)
Kathleen M.

I eat at Garcia's fairly often. I usually order a veggie burrito and a diet coke or a frozen margarita. Their burrito's are large and rapidly prepared so I usually don't have more than a 5 minute wait for my food even when it's crowded. They made a fine salsa-some visits it's better and spicier than others (which is a good sign to me). I've had their guacamole but it's pretty bland and not worth ordering in my opinion. I was pretty pleased when they remodeled and expanded a number of years ago but the high ceilings in the restaurant make it very loud. Add in tile floors, large groups eating, tvs in the bar, etc and it can be very difficult to hear your dining companions. On an afternoon it's quieter and it becomes a nice place to eat a burrito and read for a little while.
(3)
Mark D.

I hate to write such a poor review because our server was so nice, but I have nothing good to say. The margarita was ok, I say "ok" because it was big. Anything smaller would have made me give Garcia's one star. *Deep Breath*. The nachos. I feel like if I described them accurately no one would believe me. Here we go.......a white porcelain plate, corn chips, dollops of refried beans, a couple handfuls of Kraft finely shredded cheddar jack cheese, microwaved for 1 minute. Good god. A person may have never been more disappointed in nachos than I was at Garcia's. I can't go back there. Ever.
(2)
Andy M.

As most of you know, I love Mexican food. Love might be an understatement. Garcia's is not the usual hole in the wall joint I like to frequent. The interior is clean, bright and pleasing. I'll try not to hold that against them. Then you may ask...why am I only giving Garcia's four stars? Well......I must confess, I was blasted. Not just buzzed, but that Hunter S. Thompson kind of drunk that only comes once or twice a year. I do remember enjoying my football sized Burrito. The Steak was beautifully marinated and the fillings were fresh. But I'm reserving the final star for a more sober visit to Garcia's. So until next time, when I can actually remember what I ate, may your Burrito's be large and your Margarita's be plentiful.
(4)
Teal R.

I stopped here on a Saturday afternoon for a drink and a quick bite to eat. The service was less than satisfactory and I am pretty sure I got a slight case of food poisoning from my pork nachos. A little pricey as well, for a margarita and nachos it was $20.
(2)
Claudia A.

I have been planning to try out this place. First time it was so packed, I just decided to order take out. I ordered a steak taco dinner and chicken burrito. Overall the food was great and the service was also friendly.
(4)
Natalie K.

I LOVE GARCIAS. Favorite spot for Mexican food in the city. The burritos are legit.
(5)
Melanie V.

Although I still think that Garcia's food is still overpriced, I have to give them credit where credit is due. Three words: GREEN SPICY SALSA. OMG...this is too good for words. I usually opt for a torta of some sort (milanesa, probably) and that hot sauce MAKES the sandwich. Please try it.
(3)
Pam A.

This place is AWFUL! Service is horrible and food is absolutely disgusting. You can't just melt cheese on top of a dish and call it Mexican food. Get me some tequila pronto to get the taste of plastic off my mouth!! The servers are always in a rush and the manager is some high school drop out playing manager at daddy's company. Not that there's anything wrong with that but sister you need some type of knowledge when it comes to customer service. The only good thing about this place is the decoration and the margaritas other than that this is just the fancy version of Taco Bell.
(1)
Bobby E.

Probably the best salsa and burritos in the Lincoln park or surrounding area. Family favorite for years but get there early bc they are always busy! Enjoyable, casual is definitely the standard. Oh and the house margaritas or for bigger crowds the margarita pitcher make it fun.
(4)
Kimothee Z.

If you don't like Garcia's, chances are I don't like you. It's not fancy, but it's delicious. Bottom line, if you don't like it, get over yourself.
(5)
J S.

The food is good, the location is wonderful, and overall, it's a great experience. The portions are HUGE! My favorite part about Garcia's? The free chips and salsa! The salsas are delicious and are just spicy enough to add a nice kick.
(4)
Kelsie L.

I wasn't impressed with their food and I really hate the way their tables are set up in the main room, it's by far the strangest setup I've ever seen. Their chairs are gigantic. My friend said her bloody Mary was good but they really skimped on the mix ins.
(2)
Brittany H.

We get take-out from here about once every other week. The al pastor tacos are a-mazing! I also highly recommend their salsa verde, nachos (be sure to add the al pastor) and chicken tacos. We've been here about 10 times and have yet to be disappointed! They have sister restaurant on Lawrence right next to the Ravenswood Metra stop and the food is just as amazing and the margaritas are to die for! Absolutely love it!
(5)
Santiago G.

This place is great!! Amazing burritos, orchata, tacos, and amazing fajitas. Parking can be a problem depending on what time of day you go but the place is great.
(5)
Jack P.

In the midst of winter blahs, the Universe called and suggested a margarita. Where is the closest place to get one? Garcia's, probably. So I came here for the first time in six years. And it does require an update, since it's a whole new restaurant from the one I came to last time. Very spacious, full comfortable bar, high ceilings. So the new space is great. As a solo diner, I was seated in the bar area. Service was muy rapido y muy amable. The margarita was pleasingly large and tasty. Priced right a $6.50. I ordered the Combination numero uno, which was two enchiladas and one Chile Relleno. This was about as "meh" as meh can get. I probably could get better Mexican food or enchiladas, at least, from my Lutheran aunt in Iowa. So I had to bump them up for the new space and the service, but the food remains American diner quality. A good place to hang out at the bar for drinks and tacos or a burrito? Si.
(3)
Steve H.

I used to love coming here, but hadn't been in a while. I remember it as a laid back neighborhood place with great salsa, veggie burritos, margaritas, and otherwise standard fare. Tonight? Still some families with young children, but also a chorus of bros screaming "USA USA!!!" every 2min while playing drinking games. I think Ln Sq as a whole is having an identity crisis. I was told it would be a 25min wait (party of 2). We were seated an hour later. To their credit, drinks, chips and salsa showed up quickly. Salsa is not what I remember. This was watery, heavy with cilantro, but the cilantro tasted like it'd gone bad a while ago. Guacamole was very bland, and wasn't mixed thoroughly (big chunks of avocado). We both got enchiladas, with a mix of mole and verde sauce. The mole sauce was... I guess bland? They made up for it with volume, though. I swear there was more sauce than enchiladas. I spooned a vat of it over to the side of the plate so I could try to focus on what was left of the soggy enchiladas. That would've been ok, but then dinner ended for both of us after just a few bites when I found a long curly hair in the food. I found it by pulling it out of my mouth. Yeah, not my hair, not my date's hair. We don't have that color hair. I'm assuming it was from the cooks, as it was well buried in the food. THE GOOD: The waitress was fast, competent, had no issues getting the manager, and was apologetic. The manager was apologetic, and comped everything except for my margarita, which was every bit as good as I remember. So maybe next time, we'll stick to just margaritas.
(2)
Lorelei W.

Hands down, the best Mexican restaurant on the Northside. I have been frequenting Garcia's for 20 years, and it is so awesome to see them expand and do so well! Go to Garcia's, they do not disappoint!
(5)
Kunjal W.

I've been coming here for the past, at least, 15 years. It started off as a small, narrow restaurant, and I've seen it expand into a beautiful restaurant w ample seating to accommodate their growing fan base! Their food always impresses- if you want delicious food, reasonable prices, and a good time, pick Garcia's. See ya this Friday night!
(5)
V L.

Usually is our go to for Mexican style food in the neighborhood. Today we order some tacos and a couple tortas for pick up and when I got there to get the food I was received with a "sorry we have no bread but here are your tacos". This was on a Thursday at lunch time.
(1)
Lou C.

Thinking of some negatives but there really nothing that bad so 5 stars is still deserving. Really never had a bad meal and over the years this place has been getting better from service to food and renovating. Margaritas are really good and strong I love the combo plates or sometimes the camarones al mojo. It's a little more expensive than most mexican resteraunts but it's worth it. Salsa needs a little help. Parking can be a problem at times.
(5)
Patti M.

Second time there. Great atmosphere but not crazy about the food. Large portions with little authentic flavor. Not a fan.
(2)
Melissa R.

The food is greasy, salty. And because they're so busy the service is lackluster. If you want to eat here go early in the day, and avoid weekends.
(2)
Allan M.

If I rated Garcia's on my earlier trips here, I probably would've given it 4 stars. Unfortunately, I was mildly disappointed with my food the last time I went here, and think overall averaging all my visits to here, I'd give it 3 stars. Margarita wasn't bad though. Service can occasionally be a tad slow, but it isn't so bad that I'd be deterred from returning. I did like the renovation they did to this location a few years ago.
(3)
Brett G.

I've been to Garcia's about a bajillion times, and I've never ordered anything that disappointed me. The margaritas are great, and other drinks aren't too terribly pricey. That being said, the service can be reeeeeeaaaally slow sometimes. I've had times where I waited for the check for more than half an hour. Sooooo... I guess take that for what it is. Summation: Food, good. Service, hit or miss.
(4)
S R.

To me, Garcia's is a restaurant I'm always game for going too. It's a laid back place that I like to go to after work or on a sunny weekend. Me and the people I've gone with haven't had a problem with the food or the wait staff. I personally like the "Chicago's Best Burrito" and always get a jumbo house margarita.
(5)
Anna T.

Garcia's has awesome burritos for pretty cheap. Their fish tacos are amazing. Since they redid the place it's so nice to have a sit down meal there. The ambience is great inside and out on the patio. If you want take out food, remember to call it in ahead of time because the wait in the front area can be a little long. Overall one of my favorite Mexican places in Chicago.
(5)
Pamela B.

Love Love Love Garcias. So glad its walking distance from our house. We love their steak. Kids love the quesidas (probably spelled that wrong). My dad loves the dinners they have. Prices are reasonable. We love Mr Garcia. we miss him working there. He was/is a friendly gentleman that knew what he was doing. Every time we call a order for pickup and the lady answers (always the same lady) our order Is screwed up. Other than that we love this place
(4)
Troy E.

My wife and I have been eating at Garcia's for years, one of our favorites in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the last couple of visits have been uncharacteristic. This evening's experience has ruined it for me.... It's time for me to find another hotspot. I've noticed recently that the restaurant has started to accept reservations, but management has failed at executing the transition. The hostess' are more concerned with following the instructions of their iPad app than using common sense. When we arrived 7:08, there were a handful of 2-tops available (requested table for 2 adults and high chair) with ample room for a high chair, based on past precedent, it was common for Garcia's to use the two-tops for our small family. There was an empty four-top, and a table set for a large party. The hostess quoted a 30 minute wait time, and said that we would receive a text when our table was ready. It seemed odd that there were so many empty tables, and so many guests waiting for a table, but the app must have said there were reservations a few minutes away. A few of the tables were filled with couple's finishing up at the bar, the four-top was filled by two couples dining together, and then more table's opened up. My wife asked if we could sit at one of the tables that had been open for over 10 minutes, but the hostess said they were waiting to fill with "people that made reservations". We patiently waited for 20-30 more minutes, starring at empty chairs and tables, at this point we had invested 30-40 minutes entertaining our 2 year old. I was reciting scenarios in my head of what I would say when they decided to seat us at the empty table I had been standing next to; one that would be slightly inappropriate, a few that would show severe sarcasm, and then another where I would really let loose if I had the guts. I kept my cool and asked the hostess if she could check on our name. She couldn't find our name and said that we would have to wait another 20-30 minutes. I'm obviously in line, you asked for my number and I have a text welcoming me to Garcia's. I didn't lose it, but I did express that I didn't understand why I had just waited close to 45 minutes for a table, after being quoted 30 minutes, and then asked to wait another 20... while there was a table open the ENTIRE time. Stop checking your app, use your head. It's likely these "people who made reservations" did not show. It's tough for me to not play the parent role here, but I necessary in this case to reiterate my position. Thankfully, I was able to bundle my son up, help my wife with her coat, and get out of the restaurant without embarrassing my wife and saying something rude. The hostess did say she was sorry for the inconvenience as we left. Moot point. We crossed the street and enjoyed a nice dinner at the Italian joint, Trattoria Trullo. As we sat down, the Garcia's text came through. I guess my name had been entered! The food and service at Trattoria was fantastic, and the atmosphere was calming. A new family favorite.
(1)
Christian V.

WHOAH!!! What a disappointment......I don't even know where to start, I'll take it from right when my family walks in, we had a "reservation" for 11:00am for Easter brunch and as my uncle comes through the door he gets stared down by a staff member who clearly was not expecting anyone at that time without even a hello, my uncle then tells the "hostess" or whatever she was that we had a reservation for 11:00am and she kept asking really? Are you sure? because I don't see anything on my end to confirm that......I guess all 7 of us could've fabricated this "reservation" in our minds right?......anyway the place was empty ok, and by empty I mean there were only two occupied tables in the whole restaurant from what we could see, those of you who have been here know how many tables were left over, A LOT! So why even question a reservation for a party of 7 given the availability which is just a logical conclusion one can reach by observing all open tables at the time right? Judging from the waitress's rude, short & dry attitude it wasn't acceptable in this establishment to compromise on matters such as these and acted as if it were a favor to seat my family, so it's safe to say that the service was HORRIBLE straight out the gates..... Anyway let's get to the part where the most inauthentic and insulting poor excuse for a Mexican breakfast was served. My mother and I decide to order the same classic Mexican breakfast "Huevos Rancheros", upon taking our order the waitress asks in a very impatient and almost annoyed tone " how do you want your eggs? Medium or rare? " as if it were a steak we are talking about instead of "over easy" or "sunny side up" which are the only appropriate options for eggs to be served on this dish ok...whatever medium is fine I guess. We also ordered queso fundido right, yeah ok, more like a skillet filled with those three cheese "Mexican" premixed bags you can find in any dairy section at your local grocery store, not melted or "fundido" enough to the point where you could almost see the individual shreds of cheese at the top, and the tortilla container came with 5 tortillas at a time ok......yes 5 tortillas for a party of 7. Anyway after a couple of refills on the strict 5 tortilla filled containers in comes the main serving, and that's when I lost all hope for enjoying the meal, I was served what looked like poached eggs, but unlike poached eggs cooked ALL THE WAY THROUGH!!! My best description was a poached then boiled egg but let's move on. The "salsa ranchera" was more like watered down tomato sauce with big chunks of what I'm pretty sure were bell peppers which are at the very least IRRELEVANT in this dish much like the salt shaker was in the preparation of such. But hold on tight for here comes the best part, ready? THEY LEFT OUT THE OTHER HALF OF THIS MEAL which consists of a fried tortilla at the bottom of each egg OK?!..........yes they did. This led me to believe that there was some kind of tortilla shortage in the place given the strictly 5pc filled containers and the missing ones in my dish. My mother and I give each other this look like EWKAY..... you gonna try it first? So I dig into this abortion and couldn't go further than eating one egg and a bit of beans.......that was it. My mother also discarded the meal as soon as the first few bites were taken, AWFUL!!! I had a couple of "Micheladas" and they were MEH at best which was the only thing keeping me afloat the whole time. I will NEVER return to this spot given it was my THIRD experience with them with no difference in any visit and I can assure you there was no charm in this third try. HASTA NUNCA "GARCIA'S"
(1)
Rod C.

English The worst service in the city of Chicago! We waited 10 minutes to get water and a basket of chips and salsa! After 15 minutes and still no waitress to take our order, we got up and left! Of course, I grabbed menus for my family as I was not going to wait to see a menu! I also greeted myself since there wasn't anyone to greet us! I would recommend the Greek restaurant across the street, as their service is much better than Garcias! It's a shame because the food is actually good at Garcias, as I've never had any problems at the Lawrence location! I've never eaten here because I dont feel that you have to wait this long to get decent Mexican food in Chicago! The first time I had to wait for a table, there were 5 tables available that needed to be cleaned! I guess the manager doesn't know how to correctly staff a restaurant! Espanol El peor servicio en la ciudad de Chicago! Esperamos 10 minutos para conseguir agua y una cesta de patatas fritas y salsa! DespuÃ©s de 15 minutos y todavÃa no camarera para tomar nuestro pedido, nos levantamos y nos fuimos! Por supuesto, me agarrÃ³ los menÃºs para mi familia, ya que no iba a esperar a ver un menÃº! TambiÃ©n saludÃ© a mi mismo ya que no habÃa nadie para recibirnos! Yo recomendarÃa el restaurante griego en la calle, ya que su servicio es mucho mejor que Garcias! Es una pena porque la comida es realmente bueno en Garcias, ya que nunca he tenido ningÃºn problema en el lugar de Lawrence! Nunca he comido aquÃ porque yo no sienta que tiene que esperar tanto tiempo para conseguir buena comida mexicana en Chicago! La primera vez tuve que esperar por una mesa, habÃa 5 mesas disponibles que necesitaba ser limpiado! Supongo que el director no sabe cÃ³mo dotar de personal correctamente un restaurante!
(1)
Vicky A.

I've been going to Garcia's for many years. It has greatly improved since the remodeling. The salsa and chips they provide are very delicious. Their margaritas are pretty good. I love their carne asada. The quesadillas taste way better than they did before, but I still think that the cheese is kind of thick. All the other food I've gotten from there is good though. The people working there provide good service and are friendly.
(4)
Irene H.

I absolutely love the food here. Enchiladas suizas are the best. Everyone should try them.
(5)
Danielle S.

We were looking for a place to get a quick bite to eat, so we went to the first place we saw, which was Garcia's. Mistakes have been made. When we first walked in it looked very nice - bright colors, nice paintings on the wall, clean, and lots of seating. I thought we had made a decent choice. However, we did not. It wasn't THAT busy, and it took forever to even get seated. We got chips and salsa and water right away, but it took our waitress about 10 minutes to even greet us. We saw her twice the whole time we were there - once to take our order, and once to bring the check. The service is really lacking here. The menu has a little of something for everyone. I decided on the guac and the 2 taco dinner. The food is cheap, and it came out freakishly fast. But it sucked. The guac barely tasted like anything (I had to add salt and it was still crap), and the tacos were lukewarm. The cheese wasn't melted, the meat was dry and tasteless. It was like it had been sitting out. Yuck. We left hungry.
(2)
Aley M.

Came here with Eddie W and Katie L who did a review of this place back in 2008 and 2007. They STILL come here and STILL love those margaritas. I had the chicken tacos and the chops and salsa were magnificent! Having heard about this place for 6 years, it met my expectations and I was pleased to come here after all the hype.
(4)
Michelle K.

Gosh, this review is long over due! I was visiting friends and family back in Chicago back in April and met up with one of my best friends for food and drinks. First of all, I love the Lincoln Square area and secondly, I was looking forward to a frosty beverage so Garcia's was perfect! I ordered the steak tacos and my beans and rice were solid. Love the interior of this restaurant. Appreciated the solid, decorative wood chairs and the high ceilings. The staff were super friendly and even our chips and salsa were great. I did appreciate that they came complimentary with our meal. The salsa was super spicy but for some reason, I couldn't stop at just one chip. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in the area and you're craving Mexican. The food was fresh and the service was equally good. Best frozen margaritas in Lincoln Square! I highly recommend the mango flavored one!
(4)
Felipe A.

The food is good, although it has the american twist, but overall you can have a good mexican food experience. The shrimp fajitas are generous and tasty. I have had the steak burrito and is not really my favorite, the meat was bland. Their guacamole is good very close to the original recipe and the margaritas and PiÃ±a coladas are very good
(3)
Diana C.

So i have been coming to garcias for years and i loved it. But my last visits have not been the best the steak is not flavorful and is never warm which makes me Believe its been sitting there. I used to really like their margaritas but last time it had way to. Much of the lime juice. Bye garcias
(2)
Amy M.

Great atmosphere, delicious margs, and wonderful food! We had a large group and had to wait only 45 min on a Saturday night.
(5)
Caitlin B.

Yes, the service here is terrible. You probably won't get a refill on your water. You definitely won't get a refill on your diet coke. So get a pitcher of margaritas and you won't have to go thirsty. Problem solved. It is always crowded, and you'll probably have to wait for a table, unless you come at an off time. Suck it up. Super inexpensive and decent mexican food. I wish I could comment on anything but the nachos, but that's all I ever order here. A huge, cheese and refried bean covered plate, with guac and sour cream on the side. For a ridiculously cheap price, you probably won't even be able to finish these. The chips are different than the chips you get as an appetizer (thicker), so they stand up to the toppings better and don't get soggy. Highly recommended. PS- my dining companions never get nachos, and have always liked their food, too, so you should be covered even if you don't love nachos like I do.
(4)
Tammy H.

So, serving/service hasn't gotten any better, but Joe and I have moved to just getting take out. Take out is always awesome! And the 4 stars are strictly for the food!
(4)
Patrick C.

I thought we had a deal ... Mexican food yum and somewhat spicy ..... What we got was yuk and bland. The good news is they don't care ..... And I found a Taco Bell out by the airport with that dollar menu
(2)
Wing C.

I would give Garcia's 3.5 stars because it's just average. There's nothing too unique about this place but it's very affordable. We split a pitcher of the house margarita among four people. It was only $25 for about three glasses each. I had fish tacos. There was a big filet of fish, more than every place I've been too, but there wasn't enough flavor. The fish could've been better seasoned but it was cooked well, fried with a very light batter. I really liked the rice and beans though. Otherwise, it's a great space to go with a large group because there's plenty of space with sidewalk seating too.
(3)
Rachel S.

Im more in the middle of 4 and 5 stars only because the waitresses ain't the greatest. They definitely get a five star because the food there is amazing! The best Mexican food ever! I've been going here for years.
(5)
Ruben M.

My friend kept bragging about this place so I came with him. I'm not really impressed. Its pricing is great, but its what I call "fancy" mexican food. I guess I'm much more into the sloppy and greasy real stuff, rather than the "fine'dining" atmosphere. (Of course I'm over exaggerating).
(3)
Ellen B.

I really love it here. It is authentic Mexican at a great price! There is a great selection and they have great tortillas, rice, and beans :)
(5)
Russ A.

I wanted to like this place. It started out great with an excellent margarita and a friendly hostess. We got a table within 30 mins with a serving of chip & salsa right away. The salsa tastes great and spicy to my liking but I don't care for the chips. They are hard and tasteless. When my food arrived, Carne Asada, it came with over cooked green onions which was badly burned. I scooped it out and put it in the chips basket and asked for new green onions. The waitress came back with the green onions shortly after that but that was the last time she stopped by. She didn't check with us how it tastes or anything. My Carne Asada was tasteless, not as good as Lalos. I could only eat half of the meat and that was it. I didn't even care to take the rest home. Portion of the dish and the prices are reasonable. Like I said, I want to like them. I will give them another try.
(3)
Angie M.

We've all been there: 1am, totally drunk, need food, want to keep drinking. It's a difficult spot to be in because most late night food choices (rightfully so) do not serve booze. So you fight an internal battle: Eat or keep drinking. Well, with Garcia's you don't have to choose. You can get a burrito AND a pitcher of margaritas. Now, I can't say this was the most excellent burrito I've had, mainly because my memories of the burrito are pretty vague, but it certainly got the job done. And I have to give props to the waitstaff for calmly dealing with a herd of wastypants fools (my party) without skipping a beat. So there you have it. Drunk food. Drunk margaritas. Happy nights!
(4)
Kerry S.

This location is VERY different from the Lincoln Square location. In fact, minus the food and drinks, it's the complete opposite. That location is yuppies with kids. This is very much a bar that always has football on (no, not the American kind) with some locals bellied up. I like this about a bar. It's small, a little rough, service isn't necessarily cheerful, but heck, when you want a pitcher of margs and some enchiladas, this is the place. Oh, and chips and salsa? Five stars.
(3)
Nate W.

Do you like tacos? Do you like margaritas? Do you like tacos and margaritas? And chips and salsa? Who doesn't? This is a great place to go with friends and grab drinks and dinner. Good food, big portions, and pretty cheap. Enjoy!
(4)
Nikki C.

They still have the little baseball game gumball machine here, and things have not changed much in years, but the food just doesn't have the same OOOH yeah goodosity that i remember from many years past. Still a good lagte night steak burrito here, and better than most, but not the magic bag of goodness I remember.
(3)
Dave O.

Hello! What happened here? Last time I was at Garcia's it was a smallish & plain mexican joint with good tacos and even better burritos. Now it's a...MUCH bigger and upscale looking restaurant. The taco's were as good as I remembered, and everyone else I was with seemed to be happy with what they got (tho no one had a burrito). So, I still give it a thumbs up, this is decent mexican fare. I will be back..
(4)
Kurt B.

My single favorite meal in Chicago is Garcia's steak burrito with cheese, cilantro, and a side of green salsa. Burritos weigh 3 pounds, use real skirt steak, and are frickin' delicious. Also of note are their horchata, amazing salsas, and vegetarian plates. Very affordable, and they're so busy that the food is always fresh. Occasionally during off or odd hours you will get rubbery/overcooked (but still fresh) meat due to the steak sitting on the griddle for too long. I don't know how they do it, but their avocados are always perfect. Open ridiculously late.
(5)
Sonya B.

I wish there was a 3.5 option. Came here for a hearty lunch after running around, starving all day, with my family. We were pleasantly surprised with the huge portions and real, cooked chicken in our quesadillas. The rice was also quite good, lightly seasoned. The only downside is that it was a little pricier than typical Mexican restaurants.
(4)
Stephanie O.

I really enjoy this place because that have awesome food for a really low price, but I have to say that they don't seem to pay much attention to their guests. I'm lucky if my waitress comes back & asks me if I need a refill. It also takes awhile for them to give you your check when you are done. Other than that, the food is great!
(3)
Erin E.

spinach quesadillas. best thing ever.
(5)
Steve J.

TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!! I really hate to rate this place a one star restaurant, especially since the food is very good. But the service I have received on my past two visits has been so terrible that I doubt I will return. Today, I went in with a friend around 4:30. It took the waitress around 10 minutes to come and take our order. We ordered two margaritas and two orders of tacos. The drinks arrived within 5 minutes, but the tacos never came out. We waited and waited and waited...all while watching 8 (I counted) members of the crew standing around. After almost 30 minutes of waiting (really...how long does it take to make a taco?), I flagged down a table server (our waitress never returned to check on us) and told her we were leaving and needed the check for the drinks. I mentioned how long we were waiting and we couldn't stay any longer to eat the tacos. She walked away and I saw her talk to the manager...and then they both went about their business and started carrying out food to other tables. We threw down cash for the drinks and bolted out the door ... never getting a check! The previous visit was just about the same.... different waitress, but just as inept and rude. We ordered drinks that never arrived... she totally disappeared and we actually had to go up to the bar and get them ourselves. Not sure what is going on with this place, but I went from being a big fan to not wanting to ever return. While the food is great, I would suggest spending your money at a restaurant that actually cares about service and treating its patrons with respect.
(1)
Brendan S.

"Hey, it's late and I'm starving. Where can we go?!?!" Yea, we've all been there. Thank goodness for us north-siders we have Garcia's. Especially key in those moments of extreme hunger since they bring you some of the best salsa the moment you sit down. The menu has all the traditional favorites and combination varieties. I enjoying adding one of their fish tacos on to a plate sometimes. Definitely a tasty taco. The flautas are also great as is the streak they use. Good margaritas, sure. But if you're more of a beer person like myself and you've played out the Carona card one too many times, switch it up for a Pacifico. Similar in taste but definitely distinguishable.
(4)
Patrick E.

This was the first place in Chicago that I tried for Mexican Food and overall it was a great experience. The service was exceptional, friendly and quick. The prices were great (compared to NYC), $25 for the equivalent of 8 margaritas. The chips and salsa were awesome and refilled promptly, but the main course was not impressive for the most part. The rice and beans were good. Taco was just a bunch of under flavored meat placed on top of a tortilla and the enchilada was not sauced enough. The tamale was great though. If you are in the neighborhood and you want to have some margaritas and decent grub with friends then by all means, but if you want to experience mind blowing Mexican, look elsewhere.
(3)
Tony R.

Now the interior matches the food! Outstanding steak taco's and burritos.....excellent fresh salsa, and great service. See Lenny and you will get a smile and some extra "reds" or "greens" salsa with your meal. Great late-night! What's better than Garcia's on a Sunday about noon after you just slept one off!!
(5)
Jason G.

The salsa and chips were prompt and quite tasty. I had two chicken tostadas and they were prepared perfectly. I would highly recommend this place for Mexican night.
(5)
Grant G.

Tough to tell what's going to happen here. My first experience with Garcia's was post-renovation on a busy Friday night and I'm not exactly sold yet. I arrived a little later than my original party and was promptly warned about the service. I'll give the waitress the benefit of the doubt as she looked a little shell-shocked at the crowd that had gathered for the first "big" night since it reopened. Other tables looked to be getting their drink and food orders no problem, but it took a little while for my margarita, which had been ordered before I got there, to get to the table. I'm from the South and we do margaritas frozen down there and I had hoped that this would be a decent margarita. The first was pretty good, but the second went way overboard on the mix and was way, way too tart for my liking. The other person at my table who was drinking margaritas agreed. Too much mix. The burrito I split with my fiancee was pretty good. Nothing remarkable, but it was HUGE and we split it and both came away full. It was a "good" burrito. Not great, just good. I'm looking forward to going back once the initial crowds subside, hopefully on a Saturday afternoon or Tuesday night to try a little bit more of the menu. For now though, it's 3 Stars for Garcias.
(3)
An P.

So there has been lots of hype over the years from my friends and also fellow Yelpers on the awesomeness of Garcia's. After a night of hard drinking at Garcia's, we decided to grab a late night bite and run over to Garcia's which has a full bar on one side and serves cocktails. Coming into Garcia's at Friday 1:30am was not too bad, except that the tables were a little bit too close to each other. Our party of five sat at a table, but then we were asked to move after our water and chips were delivered because another group of thirteen came through. You would imagine they would just try to seat them elsewhere since we had gotten there first! I ordered some flautas, quesadillas and a mango margarita. On the liquor side, I'd say that I was buzzed from Daily Bar & Grill, but Garcia's got me to the right side of drunk. The margarita is strong and I smelled of it after I finished it. My friend ordered a beer and was doing his thing too. Where Garcia's kind of doesn't quite do it for me is in the food. My friend ordered a chicken burrito and hell it was giant as hell with a lot of sauce over it, served wet. He was able to take down about half of it. My flautas came with tons of sour cream and guac, but they only served flautas with chicken. All in all not a bad flauta (it's really hard to mess that dish up), but the quesadillas were not very good. They are made with corn tortillas and were extremely greasy. All ten of my fingers were soaked from the orange drip of Mexican eats, but I couldn't say it was all too delicious. Mad props for late night action, selling good cocktails, but please work on improving the food and seating room.
(3)
Molly F.

This place rocks. I mean...how else can you get in and out for less than $25 AND you're more than tipsy?? I had the Chicken Fajitas which are some of the best fajitas I've ever had. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Kymberly S.

This is your typical Mexican Resturant. Food is good, margaritas are good. Staff is the same as you get at any typical Mexican resturant.. alright. I will be back because it is close to my house and decent.
(3)
Megan B.

I've had a few run-ins with Garcias over the past month or so and I think I'm finally ready to spill my guts and talk about my feelings. Get your therapist hat on, this might be a long session... My first visit was a "let's order carry out and watch movies instead of going out" situation. In retrospect, considering the level of wine consumed that night anyway, the whole not going out mantra was really a moot point. For a measly $23 we both got HUGE (no joke) chicken burritos and split the steak nachos. I was a big fan of the burrito. Reminded me of the good ol' days in Ann Arbor munching on BTB post football game. The steak nachos were so-so and I don't think I would order them again. They were all chips, cheese, meat ... no veggies, salsa, etc. The next two visits were drunk and dine-in visits and I must say, my delight with Garcia's increased exponentially with the experiences. The second visit, I got the enchiladas verdes and was so happy I got the hiccups. It was also very spicy (nasty side effect of spicy food). In the few months following I went a handful of times and the food was consistently solid drunk food. A great way to wind down your night with a god group of people - definitely a late night spot for you and 14 of your closest friends. The more people, the more rowdy, the more fun! And the margaritas sure help with that. Especially since they come in pitchers. In future visits, I will probably go drunk and dine in, since they don't deliver and there's no way I'll drive.
(3)
Luan N.

Garcia's sets the bar for my pastor and fish tacos. You get a great filling meal out of the $5 burritos, but tastewise not as good as the tacos. One thing I got to scold you for is the guacamole though. I'm sorry Garcia's but it was an utter disappointment. It seemed like there wasn't much avocado content and mostly some kind of filler. I have to tell ya, even Chipotle does better guac!
(3)
Lisa H.

I dunno why Garcia's in the single $ section, for the quality of the food, it's actually pretty pricy! Having recently discovered Lincoln Square, Garcia's stuck out as the only non-European restaurant in the 'hood. Walking pass Garcia's on a Fri night, it was one of the hottest bars on the block with a full-house at the bar! So I decided to bring some friends along and check it out on a less busy day, such as a late Sat lunch. The moment the menu was served, our party of 6 scanned through for the authentic dishes. "Do they have anything with Mole?" Checked. "Mexican style ceviches? This should be interesting!" Checked "Oooh Flautas on the menu eh?" Checked "They have Horchata, but not Jamaica?" hmmmm...... The ceviches were fresh, but waaay too spicy which took away the natural aroma & fragrance of these lime-soaked tilapia bites. The flautas were short & skinny, deep-friend with sour cream, tomato slices and lettuce on the side. Real flautas are meant to be long & fat! The enchiladas were swimming in a reddish, marinara-like sauce... My two tacos (con al Pastor y Bistec) were overcooked, dry, and tasted like they were simply seasoned with Mojo, if any seasoning at all. At least the horchata packed a punch on the cinnamon. If you want CHEAP yet delicious Mexican food, do yourself a favor and take a ride down south. If not, come down to Addison Red Line & hit up El Burrito Mexicano! I promise you can get a better Torta + Horchata for less than $10.
(2)
Ngoc H.

You can never go wrong with the fish tacos here. Enchiladas are pretty great too. Parking is a bit of a pain but you can usually find a spot after a few rounds around the neighborhood. The dining room is really nice now, after the remodel. The washroom (the one time I've ever been) was actually clean, I liked that they have sensored sinks so you don't have to touch any handles to turn it off. Staff are ALWAYS so nice. There usually isn't a very long wait. Prices are very reasonable.
(5)
Emma C.

Sometimes one just gets a taste for cheap Mexican in Lincoln Square, and then, ok, Garcia's (insert shrug here). When it's good, it's good, and usually good just means a lot of cheese and generous portions. I like the red sauce, it tastes homemade and is full of peppers. On the flip side, food quality and preparation is inconsistent and leaning toward the bland, and what is consistent is that the service is slightly, and needlessly, contemptuous. Pretty bathroom.
(2)
Andy C.

You know, I've been here sober, buzzed, semi drunk and completely incapacitated...and the food at Garcia's taste the same regardless. I would deem it average... there is a lot of good Mexican food in Chicago, unfortunately there are many options in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Yes the burritos are good, but the carne asada was quite tough... the ceviche was pretty much unedible.....the salsa is really good, tastes homemade... but the were a let down. I want tequila not something that's driving me to look for my insulin. I hope it gets better... glad they've made it all these years...they obviously must be doing something right....maybe I should drink more next time...
(3)
Max S.

I have eaten at many of the finest restaurants this wonderful city has to offer, my friends ---- this is the best Mexican Food i've ever had. The food is fresh, tasty, the meat is lean and the Cerviche is outstanding. A big thumbs up, luckily i'm only a couple blocks away so I can enjoy, enjoy over and over again...Thank you to Garcia's for finally putting a GREAT Mexican restaurant in Lincoln Square !!!!
(5)
Ry O.

We decided to swing by on our way to the Davis to catch a movie; it started pouring so we ducked into Garcia's for a quick bite and a margarita, got a table by the window in their open air dining room, ordered some dinner, a couple pitchers of margaritas and forgot all about the movie. ...which would have been a fantastic night, had it not been for the service. Water was never refilled, getting our waitress to take our dinner order took a half-hour, getting her to take away the plates took an hour, and she forgot someone's dessert order altogether. To make matters worse, when it started downpouring, the wind picked up the rain and blew it into the restaurant, and no-one ever came by to close the windows. Luckily, we voluntarily decided to forgo the movie, otherwise the review might be much worse. It was still a pretty fantastic night, as the company was right... but it still put it damper on things.
(2)
Rachel B.

My all time favorite Mexican food in the city. Freshest salsa, delicious margaritas, and the refried beans are so delicious. They only use olive oil to refry them and so they are not too runny. I have been going here since high school and plan to keep on returning!
(5)
Damian C.

Good food at a fairly cheap price. I think I was stuffed on under $10. It is a little smaller of a restaurant than the 7 of us had anticipated, so be prepared for a little bit of a wait. I would also say that the salsa was great! I am a fan of the spicy, so .... anywhere that serves spicy, restaurant-style salsa gets my kudos. I would stay away from the chocolate milkshake concoction. My friend ordered it, and we weren't really too sure about it. Slightly watery?? I dunno. It tasted kinda funky, too.
(4)
Butch G.

I don't recommend this restaurant as a sit down place. I find the atmosphere loud and the service mediocre at best. 5 minutes to be greeted and once the food arrives, our waitress disappears. Food quality, I would say average at best, but they do give you a lot for the buck. The burritos here are HUGE and not too bad. I recommend this place as a good take out option but not as a sit down one.
(3)
Jake C.

Oh Garcia's, you and your margaritas, you had me at hello. Seriously, my only complaint is you don't do the half pitcher of margaritas anymore. The single glass is not cost effective for what my wife and I want to consume usually, but the full pitcher lights us up and leaves me sprinting through the neighborhood and waking neighbors while I sing in buzzed glee all the way home. Oh, and you serve food too? Cool. Food is good not great. This is not exotic dining. Enchiladas and tostadas and guacamole are all credible, burritos are ridiculously huge. It ranks for me as good and perfectly acceptable tex-mex / mexican food. But the real reason to come is tasty margaritas.
(4)
Ruma T.

Hmm...I'm conflicted on this review. I know a lot of ppl that swear by this place but I worry that their food judgement is impaired by volume of alcohol consumed. Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge fan of the Garcia's margarita..the mango one being my fave. The food howere, not so hot. Its okay. Not bad. But definitely nothing extraordinary. So if you're hungry and go here, I recommend drinking a lot cuz everything tastes better when intoxicated.
(3)
Leif M.

Garcia's has done what others fail to do following a big renovation. Maintain quality. Great spot for affordable, yet authentic, Mexican food. Three taco dinner is my go to. One of a few nice Mexican joints in Lincoln Square. Also, check out Los Nopales for more of a dressed up experience.
(4)
Dan D.

Woo-wee, now this is a great burrito. For just 5 bucks, I ate an amazing burrito that had tons of meat, not greasy, very lean cuts of steak, fresh avocado, and tons of fillings (without having any of the "filler rice" inside). The carne asada steak was prime. Like really, it was not greasy at all! And the meat was super lean and tasted great. I'm impressed simply at the quality meat. The burrito itself was quite huge. A friend of mine says that Garcia's changes the burrito size to reflect the American economy. So when the recession kicked in, my friend noticed a smaller burrito. But now, it was huge ---- maybe that says the economy is about to get better! (crosses fingers). Anyways, you will NOT leave this place hungry and unsatisfied.
(4)
Rachel G.

whoa....what happened to Garcia's?! My boyfriend and I were over in Lincoln Square a few weeks ago and went by Garcia's and had to take a double look. What happened to the small, dark and crowded restaurant I knew? It was no longer there. Instead over the winter they transformed it to a larger, cleaner and brighter place! We both said we had to come back STAT! So we did....and it's the same except for the few upgrades mentioned above. Yes, love the extra seating and tables not so cramped together. Also they re-painted and it seems they made the ceiling taller? The food is still as good as ever and the prices have not changed either. Only thing that hasn't changed that I wish would....the service. Prompt at taking your order, but after that they become no shows. Bus-boy always re-filled our water glasses and the one time our waitress stopped by she didn't even notice my b/f's empty coke glass. They need to upgrade the service here, which is why I usually just order take-out. But very glad they finally re-modeled the place...it needed it!! Even more glad the food is just as tasty!
(4)
Amanda Z.

Alright, Garcia, I gave you another shot. A few Guinesses down the block made me hungry for a a cheesy quesadilla...so I ventured down that way. Ya know what? Your quesadilla (I got one) seemed laughably small, but it was just enough to do the trick. Tasty, cheesy, and salty, it was everything I was craving. And the price was right: Two steak tacos, a cheese quesadilla, a small order of guac with chips = less than $13. Score! Know what? Cuz you're in my 'hood, and apparently I have returned to the "burritos at 2:00 a.m. phase in my life" (I must've been drunk sans burritos when I wrote that first review), I'll be back for more salty, cheesy goodness. Although, Garcia, we need to talk about the guac. It was alright, but I felt like it need a smidge more...something. Maybe I come over and show you how I do it...cuz mine's better. Uh oh, you've just been sassed by a gringa.
(3)
Janis W.

I ordered the queso fundido which was as good as it gets in my opinion. I also ordered mini flautas which never came. I think our waitress had things on her mind. She was hanging on the please wait to be seated sign, staring into space. They've remodeled and you should see the bathrooms. There are more stalls than at O'Hare.
(3)
Lee T.

I started eating at the location on Lawrence about 15 years ago (eek, I'm telling my age). I became a fan all that time ago, mainly, for 2 reasons: I love their salsa and their tacos, especially the al pastor. They are so generous with the meat that I have to eat some of it before I can properly pick it up. I don't know that I can claim that they are the best tacos in the city or the best Mexican restaurant or whatever. Chicago is fortunate to have many great options. I just know that over the years they have provided consistently delicious food at what I consider to be a reasonable cost. This past weekend was no exception.
(5)
Justin H.

The one star is for the company I had with me. I ordered my usual Mexican restaurant fare. Chicken Burrito Suizo... This was the Driest, most flavorless burrito I have ever laid my taste buds on... BUT that was nowhere near the worst part of my visit to Garcia's. A full day and a half sitting on the pot more than i was sleeping or working... I would avoid this location at least if you care at all about your health!
(1)
Rick W.

Very good Mexican food! Second best I've found in the city so far. The burritos are the size of a small car! The rice and beans are so-so, but the meat is great. I'm still in search of the big 3 (great meat, beans, & rice)!
(4)
Parker L.

I love this place. The tacos here are so fresh and light tasting. I love their chicken tacos. Today I had chicken enchiladas for the first time and they were fabulous. Would highly recommend.
(4)
Alberto J. M.

Garcia's is a neighborhood staple. I've been coming here for years, no matter how far I may move from the old 'hood, I'll always come back. Their dinner platters are huge, the margaritas are strong, the burritos are big, and it is open late for your late-night munchies crave.
(4)
Chris B.

Great food! Low prices! And margaritas so strong, they numb your lips. What more do you want? Garcia's is muy Bueno!
(5)
Betsy J.

I've only been here once but I will return again. The service wasn't excellent but it was good enough. The waitress was a little curt and harried but we were waited on quickly, the food and bill came quickly, and all 5 of us got exactly what we asked for so that's good enough for me! The food didn't have remarkable taste to it, but I was satisfied with my tostadas and everyone else enjoyed their burritos and nachos and at the end we were stuffed, with a lot left over to bring home, and the bill was only $36! (We did not order drinks though, just food). If I were to put all my emphasis on the quality of food and service than I'd probably give them a 3, but since I generally focus a lot on the price and quantity of the food as well, they get bumped to a 4.
(4)
K N.

LOVE this place! The salsa is the best in town...hands down! I love their burritos and also their carne asada tacos. You can't go wrong here.
(5)
Rod D.

When I want to get a quick fix on decent Mexican food, I visit Garcias. It's in Lincoln Square. They newly renovated the place and it looks SO much nicer than before. The spanish rice and the burritos here are yummy. Not the best but definitely not the worse you can get. Plus the prices are very affordable.
(3)
Jason Z.

I hate to review this place, because every time I've been to Garcia's it's well after midnight, on a weekend, after a long night of...playing monopoly. And sometimes after playing Monopoly for several hours, you sometimes are not thinking as clearly as nights when I haven't been...playing monopoly. That being said, I like this place. The other night I stopped in for 2 tacos (steak), chips and guac, and a quesadilla. The steak tacos were tasty, not dry or rubbery, and loaded with meat. The quesadilla was small (it's only $1.50) made out of a taco shell (should have gotten 2) with warm, melted, flavorful cheese. The second time we went we got nachos covered in beans, cheese, guac, and sour cream. Very good. At the end, we actually ran out of chips. "How often does that happen?" I could be way off base, like I said, I had been playing Monopoly at a friends house before going to a show, and then played Monopoly while at the show (Bloc Party-Aweseome), so maybe my senses were a little off, but everything was very delicious.
(3)
Chloe M.

Personally you guys would get 2 stars in my book because of you atrocious service. You get a whole extra star for being my husbands favorite Mexican restaurant on the North Side, lucky you. There is always something wrong whenever we are here, service wise. Not refilling waiter, taking forever to take our order, not bring the check, and at times forgetting us completely. Too bad you have such good food. Oh and Mark A. is correct, totally worse after remodeling.
(3)
Jacques M.

If you're looking for good bare bones Mexican food this is your place. If you're more into Mexican fusion (like Mixteco Grill & Fridas) or a healthier style of Mexican food you probably won't dig it. Personally, I tend to favor the more basic style. Moreover, this place is nothing short of a bargain. I paid $9 for a combination platter, a dish which came with a Taco, Tostada, and 2 Enchiladas. The portions were huge and the Tostada had so much meat I could not see the shell. These are not lunch portions folks (even though we were there for lunch), you could probably feed two (moderately hungry) people with one $9 platter, can't beat that. All the items were pretty tasty also. I wasn't crazy about the salsa that can with the chips though, it was bland and almost tasted store bought. The atmosphere is cozy and has a somewhat industrial feel. While the prices are low the atmosphere is nice enough for a casual date. The server was friendly and attentive and it's not the kind of place where you will sit with an empty water glass for several minutes. If you're looking for a new twist to an old favorite you won't find it here. However, if you just want a good old fashion Enchilada for a great price Garcia's is your place.
(4)
Lynaire A.

I LOVE Garcia's. I grew up in the suburbs never knowing what I was missing out on! I was introduced to this restaurant when my fiance took me there for one of our first dates. Ever since that date I've been obessed with Garcia's. Their salsa, tacos, enchiliadas, burritos- you name it. There is not one dish that has let me down. The staff is friendly and the owner is so sweet. Everything about it is what makes Garcia's my favorite Mexican restaurant. WAIT- I do take it back- they let me down once- summer of 09. After a long day I made it out to the city to find that they were remodeling, but it's ok the drive to their other location was just a couple miles down. :)
(5)
Patricia S.

I used to love this place but now since they remodeled and more white people go here. The service is bad. The waitresses are just rude and look at you like you dont have the money to spend there. Its just bad when your own race looks at you that way and treats you that way. This has happened to me more than 2 times. They have become over priced and they are becoming bland in flavor.
(1)
Christine N.

Oh Garcia's. . . I have been going to this place since I was little. I used to ride my bike over to get a taco, and eat it on the way home. The food is really really good and quite cheap. They also have giant pitchers of margaritas. Honestly I have tried everything on the menu and it is all good. I love the combinations. The burritos are indeed enormous, and they have a ton of meat in them. I would suggest getting half meat half avocado to lighten it up. The food is pretty authentic, but it is a bit Americanized because of the neighborhood. They have a lot of soups on the menu which shows that it is still true to a traditional Mexican restaurant. It has recently gone though a much needed face-lift, and the food is still as good as always.
(4)
Lynda L.

OMG! So freaking good. I'm SO glad I live in Uptown now, because I get to be closer to this fantastic place. The veggie items are delicious! I love a Mexican place that has good rice and beans - it's so basic but it makes the whole dish. The chips and salsa are fresh and tasty. MARGARITAS - amazing. You really don't need more than one :) Simply GREAT food and drinks that are VERY INEXPENSIVE! Love.
(5)
Joe T.

I had to deduct a star. I can't rate this place five stars in good conscience. I'm still a fan, but I have to get real about this reviewing business. Garcia's is where you go when you've been drinking (or playing monopoly, I guess) late at night and you just want a fish taco or two. Don't bother dining in. The service isn't great, and I personally think the tacos taste better after they've been wrapped up for carry-out. Their salsa is really excellent, but overall the food just can't compare with places like Las Palmas, Los Nopales, or El Tapatio.
(4)
Mark S.

Garcia's was recommend by a guy I was playing golf with and so I looked forward to going there. The restaurant is huge and very bright, so right away the atmosphere was an issue, almost like a school cafeteria. I thought the service was good and prices were ok, but the food was bad. At least for my level of spiciness I thought it was bland. Given all of that I am not going back.
(2)
Meredith B.

Ya know those nights where you can't make a decision on what you want to do and what you want for dinner and you're not sure if you should just stay in but you're hungry and lazy and you know you don't want to spend a ton of cash....go here. I've eaten in the restaurant many times, and while the atmosphere is nothing special the food and service are consistently good. Also, a friend and I can go and split and order of guac as an appetizer and a #3 combo for dinner and both leave STUFFED for less than 15 bucks total. Also, I've ordered takeout from Garcia's and it's always good portions and they're very quick. Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Steve G.

Tyler is moving to Alaska for six months to play a homosexual banjo-playing bear in a "History of Mt. McKinley" dinner theater show. To mourn/celebrate/encourage his departure, his friends all gathered at Ricochet's on Lincoln until the wee hours of the night. In fact, my own arrival was well after 11pm, thanks to a late improv show at a north-side high school and a very fussy baby. At around 1 am, when people had been there long enough to be polite and to work up a healthy appetite, someone suggested we head to Garcia's. And we did! Garcia's is wonderful for several reasons. First, it's open very late. And they don't treat you like late night visitors. They treat you like it's dinner time, and you're not a fool/loser/bad parent for eating your supper at 1 am. They seat you at a table, just like a civilized person. And even though you're probably intoxicated, and the people you're with are babbling about the quality of meat in Argentina and which days Hot Doug serves duck fat fries, you're given a nice napkin to drop in your lap. Second, Garcia's food is ultra cheap. I ordered three tacos, couldn't even clean my plate, and dropped about $5 on the meal. And third, the food is great. I've had a few different things there at all sorts of hours, and never once have I been disappointed. Granted, at 1 am you really drop your standards... but quite honestly when I eat at Garcia's I never feel like I've sold myself short. It's never, "ah crap, Garcia's is the only thing open?" It's always, "Oh, whoooopy! Garcia's is open!" These four stars are not only for the restaurant, but for the company. So if you're hungry at 1am, give Jim, Garrett, and Chris a call. Chances are they're already there, debating the subtle flavor differences between German and Italian sausage.
(4)
Suzanne P.

If you want a delicoius burrito and a great margherita, then this is your place! For being quite inexpensive, Garcia's makes great food. The burritos are literally the size of a human head, and every single time I've ordered one, it has tasted awesome. The taco salad is also really good. They make really really great margheritas (that are also realllly strong!). The chips that they make themselves are also really good, and they will refill them multiple times so it's hard to not fill up on those! So if you need a cheap but yummy dinner and are in the mood for Mexican, I defintiely recommend Garcia's!
(4)
Rubie R.

Solid place for good, cheap Mexican food. Unfortunately, the quality has been slightly compromised now that it's no longer a hidden gem. The complimentary chips and salsa are good, though much less consistent these days. This is still my favorite place to order chicken flautas. Perfectly crispy, served with guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, refried beans, and rice. I usually also order a large horchata (which is humongous and I end up walking out with it). In fact, their portions are generally huge, which says a lot because I eat like a beast. They're actually slightly smaller now but, again, still definitely enough to keep you full. The very slow service is the only downside to this place. Don't expect to see your server after they bring you your food until the check. You'll see them walking around to other tables but you'll have to flag them down if you need anything else. If you're like me and drink a lot of water throughout your meal, you're better off asking for a pitcher from the get-go.
(4)
Ellie L.

The portions are gigantic. $9 for a taco, tostada, 2 enchiladas, beans and rice-I could have eaten it over 2 meals. The Margaritas are great, they had an excellent tequila selection, we just had the house margaritas and paid the MOST reasonable price of $6. I liked the atmosphere, the location (off the beaten path and in walking distance to me), the service and again the food quality. Great restaurant, highly recommended.
(5)
Martin B.

I love Garcia's. That is why I will not let my negative experience from today ruin my overall love for them. Our waitress did not look happy. Lemme rephrase that: she looked mean. She must have had a long day. Anywho, foodwise I ordered 3 tacos: chicken, pork and al pastor. The dish was stone cold and the few pork pieces lying on my taco were merely fat, rather than actual meat. Our waitress also took our order wrong. She apologized. Throughout the meal another waitress took over. They were all clearly busy, but unfortunately set a negative tone for the evening. And I clearly wasn't the only one frustrated, as people form various tables were continuously looking over their shoulders to see if anybody would help them. Come on Garcia's, hire two more waitresses and you'll have more happy customers!
(2)
Kim G.

The Liconln Square location looks great since rehabbed, on busy nights make a reservation a couples hours before, you will feel like VIP walking infront of those waiting. I like this resturant, but it gets 5 stars because anytime any of my friends come over and we are deciding what to eat they only choose this place. They have a wide variety of choices, and a fair price, not to mention the great taste!
(5)
Josh C.

My roommate and I went for lunch. We waited 10 minutes for chips and then another 10 more minutes for water. After 20 minutes or so from the time the water was brought, the waitress finally brought our food out. They were busy, but not THAT busy. I ordered a Chimichanga and the last time I checked Chimichangas were more than a deep-fried burrito packed with 2 pounds of meat. What's the point in going to a sit-down restaurant and paying for the service if the service is terrible? I might go back and try something else, but I'll get it to go because their service sucked.
(2)
Katy W.

Don't. Just...don't. When we got there on a Friday night it was very busy and people were waiting to be seated. Diners looked cramped in the large room, with tables right next to one another, and it was very loud. I could barely hear what the hostess was saying to me. I requested a table by the window (near the bar), and told the hostess we would wait however long. 30 minutes later (which is fine, because walking around Lincoln Square is good times) we were seated at a table near the bar. The waiter did not approach us for another 15 minutes (which was fine at the time, because we weren't in a rush, and I take a long time to order anyway). However, my guy was going to order a margarita during this time but decided not to in the duration of the wait. I ordered the steak tacos and my guy a steak burrito. His burrito simply had steak, tomato, and lettuce. He was picking cheese off my tacos and pouring on the salsa in order to add flavor. My tacos were disappointing as well. The steak tasted like nothing but grease. I did like the rice and beans included. But, rice and beans aren't enough to make me come back when the headliners simply aren't good.
(1)
Nathan W.

Garcia's is OK - food is about the same as one of the mediocre hole-in-the-wall places, but at a higher price point. Outside seating on Lincoln is nice, otherwise the inside is a pretty charmless cavern. Nothing horrible about this place, but nothing great either. You can do better.
(3)
Deirdre L.

2 Steak tacos - Daaaamnn Delicious. Plus cheese and avocado. Perfection. Beans - eh, ok. LaPasadita's are better Rice - Good, but I'm not the biggest 'rice' person Chips and salsa, a tiny bit hotter than I would have liked, but delisch. Dirt Cheap. Clean. Around the corner from me? This could be disaster.
(4)
Adam M.

I don't get the hype behind this place. I used to work in the area, and my coworkers would always send those "lunch?" emails at about 11am, and, without fail, at least 4 people would reply with "Garcia's!" every damn time. I've been here maybe 3 times, and each time, the food was mediocre at best. I particularly remember the cheese not being melted on whatever dish it was that I got that had cheese on it. Poor performance. This place might be authentic, but the chefs are authentically bad.
(3)
Chiiik S.

I've been coming here a Lil over 10yrs. The customer service is ok. A great Nside Mexican restaurant especially for dine-in. My faves are the tacos, chimichanga (the burritos r big), chicken soup, guacamole, chicken flautas, limonada, horchata, and chips with Pico de Gallo. The Pico de Gallo is chunky and tasty although sometimes it has been real bland or watery, but overall good food and reasonable prices.
(3)
Michael S.

Despite the shitty service, this food is so damn good, I'll be back. I'd even come back on a zoo-ish Sunday evening like tonight. But really, Garcia's could win shitty service prizes in any shitty service contest. Like,... you have to beg for water and salsa, and wait a long time for change when you pay the bill...like, stand around with your coats on tapping your foot waiting for your change. That kind of shitty service. But tilapia taco, relleno taco, and big ass burritos....yum. Three of us ate for a double sawbuck. Can't beat that when the food is delicious. Tip: huge portions. We were too stupid to ask or look around at other tables before we ordered what really was too much food.
(4)
Yasmeen A.

Oh, God. Oh... God. I think they put crack in these burritos because I go into immediate withdrawal once I've digested one. The food here is delicious - chicken and steak burritos (these babies are HUGE), guacamole, salsa, margaritas... I'm not sure why they have chocolate chip cheesecake, but I don't even care. The service is great, too. I often call in and pick up, and have never had to wait more than the 2-block walk or drive for my food to be ready. Price is unbeatable - $7 for a ginormous burrito that can seriously last 2 days. There's a reason this place is packed until 3am!
(5)
Elly K.

It had been about a year since we tried this place, so my husband and I gave it another go, despite being pretty underwhelmed the first time. Apparently in that year's time the food got worse instead of better. The steak tacos were dry and bland and my husband's breakfast burrito, while big, lacked flavor (and had pretty much no chorizo in it). The queso fundido was good (but it's pretty hard to screw that up). There's really no reason to go to this place with Los Nopales in the neighborhood. The only reason we ended up there, actually, was because my husband wanted a margarita (Los Nopales is BYOB).
(2)
Vanessa C.

YUMMY! i can't believe that I gave Chipotle the same rating. LOL! This place is awesome! I'll start by saying my mom has tried to copy their salsa, and while hers is great, Garcia's has a knack for some good salsa. And that's only the START.....they are cheap ( and not in the negative way), authentic, in a nice area, and.....have a juke box!!!! how cool? I suggest that anytime you go you MUST start your appetizer with NACHOS!!!! and from there.....anything goes! because there that good! also, my parents and aunt seem to really enjoy the margarita's here!
(5)
Linsey C.

I love this place! I mean, any restaurant that sells guacamole by the pound is tops in my book! One of the reason I love going to Mexican is the free chips and salsa. I find Garcia's salsa a little spicy so I order a side of guac and mix the two together-I'm not kidding it's heaven in your mouth!! I always get the avocado burrito and I usually end up sharing it or bringing half home. It's HUGE!!! The first time I went I was speechless when the food was set in front of me. I mean, I'm a big eater and I can only finish half-that's saying something! My roommates and I are within walking distance so we frequent Garcia's and on the way I home I always get what I now call Garcia's Belly. You know the feeling. It's when you are walking so slow you doubt you'll ever make it home but somehow you still manage to have a side ache from over exertion. We often share a pitcher of margaritas and no matter what flavor you get it really just tastes like tequila (not a bad thing necessarily) so I recommend just ordering the regular and saving a few bucks by not getting a flavor. The pitcher arrives almost over flowing and the glasses are full upon arrival too...awesome! Good thing we're with in walking distance! It's not a place to go if you're looking for ambiance or if you are trying to woo someone. It's the place to go when you're hungry and want good food and drink.
(4)
Emily M.

Garcia's is one of my fallback restaurants. It's in a great location on Lincoln Ave in the heart of Lincoln Square. The food is decently priced and pretty good. The atmosphere is open and fun. It's a place to take parents when they're visiting. Pretty safe and one of my fave restaurants in the downtown Lincoln Square area (mostly because it's not over priced and pretentious and has decent food)
(4)
Liezl P.

Good food, very good prices. We always come here in a big group, so our service always seems to be a little slow. Try the guacamole, its Deeelicious!
(4)
jen t.

This is a nice local Mexican sit down restaurant. They have a bar too which is important for Mexican cuisine. They basically serve the standard Mexican fair and the food is consistently good. They recently redid the front exterior and it looks really nice. There's also another Garcia's on Lawrence. I think it's the same owners that's not as nice. The service is also really good and authentic. A nice stable in Lincoln Square. It's been in the area long before many of the other shops and restaurants. The fact that it's been there so long is a true testament.
(4)
kris k.

Garcia's is our new go-to Mexican spot in the neighborhood. Mind you, we haven't tried them all yet, but Garcia's is much better than another place down the street closer to Damen. We ordered take-out, but after reading some of the other reviews I want to head back to dine in and try the margaritas. The steak in the burrito was actually steak! Imagine that actual carne asada instead of the usual mystery meat. The guac was pretty darn good. I read another yelper say it wasn't made fresh, but ours certainly was. I was a little surprised when we walked in. The place definitely feels more like a bar than a Mexican restaurant, but I think I like it. See ya later Garcia's!
(4)
Nick F.

Enchiladas mole to die for. They give you a lot of food for what you pay for. I will be coming back here again
(4)
Marlon V.

All the food is great, but the last time I was there I tried the Shrimp Ceviche & wasn't too impressed. I guess I was a little spoiled by the Shrimp Ceviche I had in Cabo San Lucas. Everything else is always good.
(4)
Nick G.

Amazing food! Great magaritas! What more could you want from a mexican restaurant??? Amen I live walking distance from them!
(5)
Sara L.

So I went to the newly remodeled Garcias and I was very happy with the new and improved place!!! First of all it was wayy bigger ( I think they added next door building to the place). The food was good but the salsa seemed to taste different. The service was the same with all random people serving you it's kinda hard to tell who your real server is. Other than that it was nice. I heard there was long waiting when they first reopened, but i am unsure how it is currently. Bottom line the food is cheap, tasty and the serving size is big. The service will continue to be average and the atmosphere is improved. I would go again!!!
(3)
Jeffrey C.

Why go to Garcia's when you can go to Los Nopales two blocks away and indulge in authentic Mexican food? Like some other reviewers (and real life people), I am stymied by the success of the place - except it does cater to the heaping portions, trans-fat (read fat!) crowd. As a local resident, I am put off by the plumes of Chernobyl-like smoke that billow out of the restaurant's exhausts. Of course city inspectors are probably dining there for free.
(2)
Kairo C.

it's funny the things you remember... i remember the margaritas were significantly good (how i remember beats me)... but i most importantly remember the service was significantly bad don't go here before a movie... because you won't make it... don't go here when it's busy... because they WILL forget about you don't go here on a rainy summer day and sit by the window... because you'll feel it without being accommodated for it don't go here with more than 2 people... because after 2 you have a 50% chance they will forget you're order completely thereafter (only 3 of 4 got served their plate!) don't go here ravenous... because you will need to wait quite awhile before you eat don't get the mole.... unless you like it more gritty in texture and chocolatey in flavor don't drink your magarita tooooo fast.... because the waitress won't be attentive enough to make sure it doesn't run dry for 15 mins before it needs to be replaced don't go out of your way to go here... there is a hundred other great mexican places in the city there are so many don'ts you may as well "don't go here" but the food isn't bad, and the drinks aren't bad, and the atmosphere isn't bad.... this is the only reason they get 2 stars instead of 1. it's just the service! if they fired 50% of their non-waitresses and hired real ones they'd be 4-star! so maybe only when you feel lucky... and only if you are in the area... do give them 1 chance... but don't give them as much mercy on yelp if they fail you too!
(2)
Rudy S.

Garcia's is a great mexican restaurant. They know how to serve delicious afforable food and make strong drinks and they do it well. This place is always crowded, i think it's one of the best kept secrets in Chicago. The chips are crispy and the salsa is fresh and delicious. If you're in Lincoln Square, you should definately try out this place. The staff is friendly and the food is good, this is better for a quick bite with a group of friends rather than a first date.
(4)
Jake B.

Steak tacos to go. No need to say more!
(5)
Emily A.

I've had better Mexican food. This place is good in a pinch, but I'd rather go to a simple greasy hole-in-the-wall place (with better prices) for a good authentic taco that'll really hit the spot. The chorizo is often too salty, the steak is chewy and fatty, and the chicken is kinda flavorless. And if you order by phone, expect your order to be messed up. But I have a hard time talking bad about the place too much, because the owner and staff are really friendly and will probably fix any mistakes if you bring it up. The place remodeled recently and is really nice looking with huge windows that open up to the nice main drag of Lincoln Square so that a certain area of the restaurant feels patio-like, which is nice. But other than that I can't even say much for the atmosphere. The rest of the place is large and open with a bunch of tables lined up kind of cafeteria-like. But if you're in the Square and want Mexican food, this would be the place to go, as any other place to get good Mexican food is a decent walk away.
(3)
Daniel B.

A newly acquired friend of mine and I ate here the other day and as usual it was great. I've been coming here for awhile now and never have a bad experience. I usually get the bistec a la mexicana, which is nice and spicy. Their salsa is awesome. A lot of times I just call in an order for rice, beans and an order of chips and salsa to go. Their burrito is gigantic and I'm also a big fan of their fajitas. Also their guacamole is made with the hand of Jesus or Satan. I'm really not sure which, but it is so damn good. I would have given them 5 stars, but their service is pretty crappy most of the time. They just don't seem to want to be at work. Maybe it's because they always seem to be so busy. I can overlook the service because their food is so good.
(4)
Lizzie M.

Been coming to this place since I was 16 and it's still amazing food. The family that owns this place are so nice and decided to providing great food and service. I have NEVER been disappointment and still come to this place when I'm in town from the east coast. The best Mexican Food PERIOD.
(5)
Crafty K.

Since moving away from a Chipotle I've needed a new replacement "Chipotle Thursdays" in my arsenal. I quickly found that Garcia's could do the trick. Their enchiladas are drowning in some pretty good sauce and their $5 burrito surprised me. That al pastor had such a great flavor - nicely browned on the grill and yummy. So, I decided that the Garcia's burrito would suffice as my go-to quick burrito - just add in some cheese. Lately (and I mean within the last two months) it seems like my burrito is sopped up with grease and that meat - it's just nowhere near the same as it was. It's like longer strips of pork and has no grill-heated and browned yumminess that it used to have. I'm not sure what happened but I want my old burrito back! So, burrito Thursday has gone un-burritoed for a while now. Maybe I'll give Garcia's another try soon and hope it's back to what it was. On a side note, that burrito is gigantic. I cut that baby in half when I get home and I save the other half for a delish lunch the next day. Through the magic of some microwaving and some toaster oven action, you can get that burrito tasty again and it hits the spot.
(3)
Eric X.

I changed my mind. This place isn't nearly as bad as I griped about earlier. The tortas are quite good, and I reordered tacos and had a better experience. Also they have a nopales salad! Awesome.
(4)
Katrina M.

Service can be a hit or miss here, but never the food! The wait for a table can be long too, esp. on the weekend. I love getting the horchata, as well as the chicken nachos or a chicken torta. Portions are huge, and the prices are low. It's definitely on my to-go to list when I'm up for a satisfying, delicious meal for cheap!
(4)
Vee C.

Love this place , well cooked food, tasty and good portions .Comparable prices and this particular Garcia's has on street parking . The other one on western has no parking and is all ways crowded .The bar has good spirits @ comparable prices and there is plenty of cozy seating for your significant other or the kids .
(4)
Ellie M.

Everything is good here from the salsa to the margaritas! Especially the Coconut Margarita, they have a few flavors to choose from and it tastes like they use real fruit instead of a flavored syrup. Everytime I go it seems like I have to order a steak tostada, even if its on the side of my main dish because its got to be one of the best I have had so far!!!! YUM! Go here, you will not be dissapointed and you can always walk off your full belly in the square afterwards!
(4)
Kelli J.

what happened to you Garcias? I think perhaps you're still trying to pay for the remodel? We used to grab Garcias frequently as a good buy for a to go meal. I decided to grab a veggie burrito tonight - beans, rice, lettuce and a few bites of tomato - $6 - no guac, no cheese, no sour cream - $6. Are you kidding me? I guess I should thank you for saving me the extra calories. So long old friend....
(2)
Hannah G.

I would probably give it 3-1/2 stars to be honest. A lot of yummy fresh-tasting food for the money - I had the chicken fajitas and ate about a 1/3 of it. I'm a bit of a wimp with the really spicy stuff and the salsa they provide has a little too much bite for me. The guacamole is really good and they give you lots of it, and great Sangria too. Not 5-stars because the service was not too friendly (but not bad either) and the ambience is.... strange? Noisy and couldn't hear any music. I might come back if with a group of chatty friends that want to try their gigantic margaritas.
(4)
Kristen M.

I love Mexican food, and there are plenty of places to go to get good Mexican food in Chicago. Don't waste your time at Garcias.
(2)
Mike E.

Best Killer Meat Burrito Rice be damned! This burrito is filled with a half a cow's worth of meat! Yeeeeeee Haaaaaw. Also, the place is open very late. The salsa is very tasty as well with a generous helping of fresh cilantro. Margaritas by the pitcher help wash it all down. Ahhhhh, a tasty beverage to quench my thirst.
(5)
Haley S.

when i first moved to the city, garcia's was one of those small BUT amazing mexican restaurants. since then they have expanded their seating and unfortunately destroyed what was once such a great thing. their food is still a good bang for the buck: large (2 day) portions for an affordable price. their service and flavor have decreased in excellence. the staff are inattentive, snippy and clearly spread too thin. the food lacks the great mexican flavor that it once had and the guacamole is possibly one of the worst i have ever had. with so many other great mexican restaurants in this city... keep looking, garcia's is not it.
(2)
Rush L.

Nothing special about this place. Prices do cost more than other Mexican restaurants. Decor is much better now, and it's alot bigger. Food is good, but to me it's taste like other places. Service was also good.
(3)
T K.

As far as mexican goes, i'm pretty obsessed... Garcia's can be slow at times (who wouldn't with a packed house) but the food is great. I eat the enchilada suizas and they are always topped with lots of cheese, which is the way I like it... These guys stay open pretty late into the evening (not sure of how late exactly) so it is a great place to end the evening off with as well...
(4)
Joe W.

Cheap, plentiful, bland Mexican food, very very boring, like you'd find in Wisconsin somewhere off the highway. My infant son dines better. This place is very popular and I don't understand why, except that the neighborhood has few Mexican restaurants of any kind. I vastly prefer La Cabana de Don Luis, only a few blocks up Lincoln Ave.
(2)
Regina F.

One of my friends always loved this place and mentioned to me before, but I guess I never paid attention because I don't remember haha. I had a Groupon for Gyood (review after this) that expired today, and we decided to have dinner nearby before dessert. I guess my friend didn't even know till we arrived that the place has been remodeled and is a lot bigger.... YAY- Portion: I think this is the first Mexican restaurant I've been to with portions so big! I ordered mushroom and spinach enchiladas, and I had at least 5 or 6 of them PLUS rice and beans of course. I don't know why I didn't just eat half and save half for lunch today for work. Silly me. Price: My enchiladas was just under $10. That's usually around the same price for other Mexican restaurants for the normal portion size for 3 enchiladas. NAY- Got water?: My pet peeve is when food is too salty, and I know alot of restaurants have that. The food wasn't that salty to the point where we can't eat it, but we def kept chugging out glasses of water. Service: I didn't really realize it till towards the end, but our server and the service in general was slow. Took forever for them to fill our glasses of water. And our server seemed as if she had an attitude problem the whole night. She also gave us our check even before we asked for it. She seem as if she was in a rush for us to go. Mushrooms: Another pet peeve of mine is canned mushrooms.. not a big deal but just a note for those who are curious. Needless to say, I was really full. I wouldn't mind going back again, but it wouldn't be my first choice mainly because of the service.
(3)
topic d.

I love this place! Im a big eater,and the steak burritto fills me up! The steak is the best.Big ol' Burritto! The service is great,and so is the food.Not too expensive.The steak burritto is only like 7 bucks.And it's huge! Check it out!
(4)
Kirsten F.

This is the best Mexican food ever! The price and what you get is amazing. The atmosphere is great, the food is excellent, and the staff is amazing. Michigan doesn't have great Mexican food and this is one of the stops when I'm visiting home and need a fix. I wish I had this every day.
(5)
Brent D.

I'd give this place 3.5 stars, but I'm going to give it 3 on the notion that I'll be back to have a burrito next time. I'm a sucker for a carne asada taco. And as such, it's how I initially judge all mexican restaurants. I want to order something different, but I just can't. With that being said, the tacos here are just okay. The meat was a good consistency and the flavor was okay, but the meat was way too dry. We found the service to be quite good and the prices were great. Most of all, I think we really both liked the atmosphere. It was a lively mix of all sorts of people enjoying some good food and boisterous conversation. We will most certainly be back here when we need a Mexican fix with some margaritas. If we've got the time to pack our own, we'll probably be back to Los Nopales.....unless I'm craving an enormous burrito, in which case, Garcias here I come. EDIT: 12/08/2009 In a buzzed and slightly lifted state, me and a friend made our way to Garcia's for a little food last night. As stated earlier, I was going to have one of their burritos. Let me state that I far from a burrito connoisseur. Outside of taste, I really don't have a way of judging from one to the next. Are there different types from different regions? Is there a standard of what constitutes a burrito? I really don't know. With that being said, I'd throw the Garcia's burrito into the aptly named Meat Log category. Its 9 inches long by 4 inch diameter of tortilla filled meat. And your choice of meat will greatly affect the overall enjoyment. I went with the carne asada and much like the tacos, it was decently flavored, but a bit dry. Overall, this place is a solid 3. It's a great, lively place to knock back some margaritas and have some decent Mexican food. Nothing here is going to blow your mind and nothing is going to disappoint.
(3)
Andrew H.

Garcia's is a fine mexican restaurant in Lincoln Square. So fine, in fact, that I suggest you stop reading this review, and go there now. I mean it. Haven't left yet? Well, here's why you should. 0) The corn tortilla chips and salsa is good, but don't over-eat what they bring; this would be a strategic mistake. 1) Portions. With the dinners, you get a good size of rice, beans, and condiments (lettuce, sliced tomato, etc.). The burritos are delicious and large. They also have some dinner platters. I had the Pechuga de Pollo, and can honestly say the chicken was some of the best I've had at any restaurant. 2) Price. For food of this quantity and quality, you wouldn't mind paying twice what they charge. Luckily, if you're like me, you only pay half of what you expect. Summary: the place is cheap. 3) Horchata. If you haven't had it before, try it when you go. It's a sweetened rice-water beverage with spices (this description doesn't do it justice). So, go already!
(5)
Michelle D.

Great margaritas and very reasonably-priced Mexican food. They completely renovated their restaurant last year and it looks great. Very clean with friendly service. I am a big fan of the queso fundido with the chorizo and peppers. Yum!
(4)
mildred v.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! Yummy and cheap burritos, tacos (they even have fish tacos!!!), chorizo anything, desayunos, quesadillas, horchatas (sometimes a lil too sweet for me), i mean probably anything off the menu is great!!!! They are open late, whether you dine in or take out. The waitstaff is nice and the food comes out fairly quick. My only issue is parking, this area has gone up so fast (potbelly's, cold stone and all the new commercial-y places) that it's always a busy :( I have been coming here for years and it's never failed me. My bf always orders his burrito the same way (only beans, cheese, rice, and sour cream) and they have NEVER gotten it wrong - even if they did. All would be easily forgiven!!!! :) Garcia's is one of my top local spots for some gooooood mexican food.
(4)
M L.

You know how you're riding the el home with your friend . . . . or driving along, sharing a ride home, . . . and you're both like "this sucks, . . . work sucks, . . . . i'm poor, . . . i'm always single and why are all the dumb girls having babies . . . . i'm gay and i don't like gay men . . . tori amos, . . . i wish i wasn't from indiana as i think that might be the root cause of my difficulties in life . . .?" Well, Garcia's Margaritas will cure you and your carpool friend of this shared unpleasantness. I don't know why, but they are happy-ritas. I have one and everything is much better. I definitely recommend you try it!
(4)
Carolyn Z.

Garcia's is cheap and it's good. If I could live on their horchata and margaritas I would. Portions are big, great majority of food is tasty. I will admit I loved Garcia's a bit more before the remodel, with its cozy interior and cheesy but lovable paintings everywhere. I also think the food may have suffered a bit since the remodel. But the beans and cheese are still delicious, the taquitos are always tasty, and OMG the horchata and margaritas! (Just not together).
(5)
Olga Q.

The food quality is pretty good although I think their quality has gone down a bit since their remodeling, but nothing drastic enough to deter me. The price point is great for the large portions and tasty food they serve! I can only wish they'd deliver.
(4)
rebecca s.

Before going here i had heard all but good things. When i actually ate here i wasnt too pleased. The burrito was okay, tacos were too greasy, taco salad ehhh. Maybe im just in love with La Pasidita burritos too much.
(3)
Camille R.

Went here for a belated birthday lunch with my brother and his wife. Not bad! I got the chicken and steak combination for $12. The food came quick! A LOTTTT of food so I had to take them to go. The taste? It seemed a little bland but nothing that salt and pepper can't fix! Service was great except for the fact that they didn't seem happy. Overall OK experience.
(3)
Gretta H.

I feel bad passing such a low review to the masses but Garcia's needs a face lift. We just moved to Lincoln Square and found that Garcia's was always busy. Naturally, we hustled over there as soon as a Mexican craving hit and waited for 20 minutes until a table opened up. Unfortunately we sat on the West end of the restaurant instead on the East and caught the door draft every couple of minutes. I had a mean craving for quesadilla & was disappointed to find that my dinner didn't even come with guacamole or sour cream. I cannot eat quesadilla plain! Service was pretty poor and so was the overall environment. The corner that we were stashed in had all of its lights burnt out so we were trapped in a cold dark corner where nobody was helping us. What more can I say. The one star is because we got served food and it was cheap, cheap, cheap.
(1)
Roberto F.

We came for a late night snack, with a large group and we were seated rather quickly, As a side note this place is pretty deep with plenty of seating. On the verge of being a three stars but not quite there for the reasons below. However, I'll admit that I'll more then likely give this place a second chance. So what went wrong this time. Well it definitely wasn't the menu selection or the price. Which is very extensive and relatively cheap for most of the items. My issue was with my torta. The bread was so so and needed to be toasted a bit more. It was to soft and almost soggy. The chorizo was little soggy as well and could have been a little more crispy as well. So why would I go again, well service was good and quick, salsa and chips were excellent and they had a good menu to choose from so why not a second chance.
(2)
Judy C.

I went to Garcia's for lunch and didn't know what to expect with such a divergence of reviews here on Yelp. It was not as bad as some reviewers indicated and not as good as others - an average quick/cheap-but-not-a-chain kind of place. Yes, a bit greasy but not horribly so. Kind of rundown looking (I imagine it used to be a former Greek/American type of place) but clean enough. Prices were very good and the service was quick and cheerful. The food was good enough but not special. Average chips, salsa and guacamole. Kind of bland. I order a spinach quesadilla and a steak quesadilla but was served 2 steak quesadillas. Annoying. Taste was OK. Coffee, pretty good. Overall average.
(3)
Barbara D.

Ok, the rating isn't changing....but I have to comment on that salsa again. Put a little salt on it and it might just be the best salsa in this area. Great food, lousy service with a smile. Those girls do try, they really do but they just cannot keep up with the crowds that gather here.
(4)
Paulina Y.

I've been eating here since I was a kid. This is my favorite Mexican Restaurant. They do not deliver because They don't have to!!!! They have 2 locations and are always packed. They have relcently remodeled and the place is gorgeous. Their food is delicious, the bis tec a la mexicana is my favorite. The burritos are huge and the enchaladas suizas are faboulous not to forget the chips and salsa delicious!!
(5)
rachel p.

Garcia's is great for neighborhood taqueria food (i.e. I eat here even when I'm not completely hammered). The place looks like a dive, because it kind of is. The food is cheap and tasty as all hell. I definitely recommend ordering the cheese quesadillas, simple, but loaded with gooey, melty chihuahua cheese. Oh, and don't forget the margaritas... they're cheap, strong, and deeeelicious. Btw, if its a choice between the garcia's on lawrence and the garcia's on western, go for this one, hands down. Last time I ate at the one on western, the guac tasted like egg salad and wreaked montezuma's revenge on my stomach.
(4)
Emily K.

This place gets an extra star because they have a full bar and a big TV where I can watch a baseball game AND eat a taco. Too bad the taco isn't really all that great. I've eaten here way more often than I should but it's purely out of convenience. If I'm not desperate for booze and cable TV I'd much rather give El Taco Loco my money. Good, strong Margaritas and I love the salsa they serve when you dine in. But that's about where it ends. Their torta bread is usually stale and special requests (no sour cream, no tomato, etc.) is usually ignored. Actually, every time I've eaten with someone who has made a request to have something left off their plate has always recieved it. It's just not anything special. I'm telling you though, they've really got me between a rock and a hard place because of the booze and the cable. But that's it.
(2)
Kara T.

My husband has been going to Garcia's since he was a little kid, and took me here for the first time about 10 years ago. Keep in mind, this is before they expanded into their current, giant, newly updated space. It was not much to look at....but the food was great! Nothing fancy--just good, standard mexican food and friendly service from the same staff visit after visit. I personally love their salsa (fresh and perfectly mild), and we very rarely deviate from our regular order, taco dinner for me, steak burrito for husband, and guacamole to start. If you are looking for a trendy, creative mexican place--that is not Garcia's. But, if you are looking for a solid, great tasting meal--definitely check it out!
(4)
Benjamin W.

I love Mexican food, and although you can hardly find true Mexican in the U.S. (like Oaxacan quesillo or arrechera), Garcia's comes very close. This place is very nice, and shall I say the burritos are the size of your head? Yes, there is a lot of good going on in this establishment...great margaritas, very friendly staff, chips and salsa refills, delicious food, and great location. I haven't been a huge fan of the change inside since they've remodeled...they opened up space, but it's less the friendly environment, more classy. But still, if you Love Mexican, you def. need to try Garcia's.
(4)
Heather R.

I'm a Southern girl, and I like my Mexican food...but that also means, I am incredibly picky and critical about my Mexican food. Thus far, Garcia's is the only place I've been to that I can say I can tolerate. I usually don't even bother trying Mexican restaurants because I am always disappointed. However, their tostadas and guacamole are heaven sent, along with their margaritas, They're good and strong. And they have a variety of flavors!
(3)
Danyelle D.

I keep coming back here more because it's convenient than spectacular. I like their food, but it's really not anything special to go out of your way for. It's fair priced and their portions are good. But if you're looking for amazing Mexican food or something a little less traditional you might want to try some place else.
(2)
iddells E.

First of all, Garcia's has THE BEST horchata I have ever tasted in my life...they're so thick and sweet. Sadness overcomes me as I take the last sip of my horchata. Whenever I'm here, I always order the Enchiladas Verdes with chicken. The enchiladas are delicious and their portions are huge. I love coming here!
(5)
Lisa R.

When I first moved to Chicago I was somewhat off-put about the Mexican food I found in the city that was until I found Garcia's. Now the food is pretty good but the price is just right. The salsa is actually decently spicy which is saying a lot because I'm from Texas. You get a ton of food for the price. This is about the closest thing to Tex-Mex in Chicago, but even then it is a bit on the bland side. Still I always came here when I was missing my hometown when I lived in Chicago. The margaritas while not the best in the city will totally kick your butt at least. The price is really what sells this place, the food is good for the price.
(3)
Matthew U.

Very good food, and decent prices. The inside looks awesome now that they have finished the remodeling. This is a staple for the lincoln square neighborhood.
(4)
Brett G.

Pros: The margaritas and the salsa. Cons: The guacamole isn't very impressive, nor is the spicing on any of the food. To get even a little kick to the guac, I had to combine it with the salsa. The burritos and tacos were subpar, and dare I say, not very tasty at all. If you're looking for decent Mexican food and good margaritas, this would be a safe place to go. Go for the drinks, chips, and salsa, and go elsewhere for a good Mexican meal.
(3)
Andrew C.

My all-time favorite Mexican Restaurant. Yes, I said all-time. I've even lived in Southern California for a couple of years and tried countless of Mexican restaurants, but none could beat my beloved Garcia's. My go-to dish is the steak chimichanga, which is basically a deep fried burrito topped with guacamole and sour cream. It's filling, cheap, and just can't be beat. Their chips and salsa are also solid.
(5)
Jillian S.

I hadn't been to Garcia's in at least 2 years, and then this past week I went twice!!! A lot has changed at this restaurant... it's a lot more fancy now! Not over the top fancy, but super clean and much nicer all around. Everything else is the same from what I can remember... great chips and salsa, and great margaritas!! This is a great place to go if you want good Mexican food, but not overpriced and not a hole in the wall. We made Friday night reservations for a big group of 16, and the service was great - and the Hubs and I came here for lunch on Tuesday, and the service was great. Consistant, friendly, well-priced. A-OK.
(3)
Michael S.

What makes this place standout? Honestly, it is great for the location in Lincoln Square. The fact it is open 24 hours is also great for those times when you're just hungry for some good, greasy mexican food after a night of drinking or whatever other time. The food is good though I really can't say I am any expert in mexican food. I like their portions and think their horchatas are really good over there. Also, their oatmeal shake is quite tasty. The price just can't be beat either. It isn't just another mexican restaurant. I think the things I've mentioned put this one to 4 stars.
(4)
Katie S.

Horrible service. Used to come here when it was a hole in the wall and it was much better back then. Waiting 15 minutes for a server is insane. Waiting 20 for the check has made up my mind to never come back here again. They're trying to be upscale and failed at everything but raising prices!
(1)
Eva Z.

Garcia's has great food at a great price! Can't be in the area and not stop for a steak burrito. If you gotta have great Mexican food, you gotta have Garcia's.
(5)
Kim J.

Y'know, I should've known I was in trouble when I read one of the reviews here on Yelp and it talked about how great Garcia's is because it doesn't put much heat in its dishes. A Mexican restaurant without spice? Chi-Chi's on line 1! And I should've taken notice of the review that praised this place as a good spot to hit up at 2am. But I didn't. Los Nopales, my usual Mexican standby, is closed on Mondays. And I was craving Mexican something fierce. So I dragged my boy there on Monday, against his own protests. The salsa had no heat and the chips were mondo-greasy. And the guacamole? Meh. Anyone can smash an avocado up and call it guacamole. But there's more to it than that. Apparently Garcia's never got the memo on that. I had chicken in mole sauce. The chicken was ok, but something about the mole sauce was just off. The boyfriend had the skirt steak, and the steak was not cooked right - it was tough and chewy. There was no heat in anything - it was boring, Americanized Mexican food. Two stars for the margaritas. That was the only redeeming feature of this meal.
(2)
Steven P.

AWESOME HORCHATA!!!!!!!!1 That's all I have to say. Food's good too. Service, meh.
(4)
A A.

the margaritas here are FANTASTIC! food is aiite... it taste FANTASTIC after you have a margarita, so bring your ID (or dont bc they seldom card lol). cant wait to get another drink this weekend (or maybe today for lunch and go back to work with a smile :-)
(3)
A B.

I adore this place! I would eat there every day if it wouldn't clog my arteries completely shut. Great burritos at super-cheap prices. Verrry strong margaritas for $5.50/each. Friendly atmosphere and great location right on Lincoln Square.
(5)
Pauline T.

First off, my husband and I love the food. It is not important to us that some dishes are not authentic, all we care about is that the food taste deliciouso, margaritas is really good, prices are reasonable and it is very convenient for us to stop by after work when we feel lazy to cook at home. The location is also very nice with other small shops in the Lincoln Square strip. However, there is a certain waiter that we always wish wld not be our server, unfortunately we are not always in luck and the latest incident was I thought very annoying and worthy of sharing (thus the 3 stars only rating). This guy is unbelievable. We order a pitcher of margarita right after the bus boy serves us the usual salsa and chips. We are on our 2nd salsa and chips and still no margaritas. In the meantime, we see our waiter taking orders from various customers who has just come in and taking checks. After we were getting full with all the chips and salsa we had consumed, my hubby finally asled him about our drinks. He then went over to the bar w/c was literaly next to our table. Our drinks were stting there all this time (12 min. wait), and guess what, not one apology from this guy. Ofcourse after dinner, he was quick to serve our check and came back for it 3 times until my husband finally put the pitcher on top of it in full view as the pitcher was only half empty. My husband is usualy very generous with his tips for he has worked as a waiter once, but this time, he made his displeasure felt.
(3)
Beth A.

minus one star cause as much as i luv this place i dont particularly like smelling like it until after my next shower fantastic food here...laaaaaaaarge serving sizes burritos...tostadas are very tasty and u gotta have some rice water egh not so keen on the dining atmosphere...crowded...not as clean as i like my eateries...and really noisy but the service is good and the cooks are fast and its wonderful
(4)
dave a.

I don't see what the attraction is here. Simply having huge burritos and a passable salsa are not the keys to mexican food heaven. Went Saturday night, I had the pozole and gf had shrimp fajitas. Pozole was thin, watery, no body, no flavor, no condiments (had to ask, no have radishes). Shrimp fajitas were bland, bland, bland. I should have tried the bistec ala mexicana first, which is a true barometer of mexican restaurant goodness. 2 stars
(2)
Judith K.

My husband and I ate there Saturday 07/22/12 at about 6 p.m. Service was not good. The place was less than 1/4 full but the waitress kept pressuring us to order food after we ordered drinks even after we told her we wanted to enjoy our drinks first and would let her know when we were ready to order, and I had to ask her for a water refill that she never brought, although she did wander past our table filling other people's water glasses after that. My margarita tasted great, although rather skimpy for the price. The food was average to below average; ground beef tacos, chile relenos and spinach enchiladas practically tasteless. The chicken tostada was delicious; crisp, well seasoned grilled chicken. At 7 p.m. when we were leaving the place filled up and was terribly loud (nothing to absorb sound) from voices and over-charged, bland, loud Mexican music, you could not carry on a conversation in a normal voice. Price was not expensive. Since we don't live very near this area, we are not going to go out of our way to come here again.
(2)
Jodi R.

Dinner at Garcia's on a recent Friday night left my feeling like I drank unfiltered water in Mexico. What did me in- shrimp fajitas. Just average. The nopales sauted with other veggies was quite good. I had never had a hot preparation of napoles. I had to send back the red sangria. It tasted like peach schnapps. Gauc was tasteless- very bland. I took one bite of the flan and that was it. Eevery tooth that i have is a sweet tooth. So for me not to eat a dessert really says something Service to our large party was friendly and attentive. Perhaps if I hadn't been violently illl for several hours after eating at Garcia's, I would have given it another chance if someone twisted my arm. Except for the fact that they have a liquor license, I don't know why anyone would choose to eat here over Los Napoles on Western & Wilson.
(1)
Bill F.

Garcia's has HUGE burritos, great service. A great authentic Mexican food made with love. Need to visit this restaurant! Great atmosphere, and great quality food.
(5)
Javier B.

Has to be done! My review must be bumped up a star. I have been going to Garcia's every now and then during the two and a half years I have been in the neighborhood and recently it finally hit me that I really like this place. It really is not your typical middle of the road Mexican place. The restaurant itself is very nice, yet comfortable and casual. They did a phenomenal job when they expanded and renovated a couple of years ago. For the atmosphere and location, you simply cannot beat the prices at Garcia's. They have the same pricing as your typical hole in the wall taqueria, while providing a much superior experience. Their Margaritas are strong, huge and very well prepared. Not something you can typically get at a taqueria. The service is always super friendly. Yes, perhaps it has a lot to do with the fact that I usually go there with my 18-month old son and all the waitresses just can't get enough of him, which leads me to the main reason I am bumping it up a star. My son absolutely loves this place! It is colorful, full of activity (but spacious and comfortable), he loves the food and gets tons of attention. The food can still be a bit hit or miss, but there are plenty of tasty things in the menu. Love the tortas and the al pastor or chorizo tacos. Their chicken with mole is also very nice. Great chips and salsa too (though the salsa is a little heavy on the onion). What can I say? I am now officially a Garcia's fan.
(4)
Theo P.

Greasy food and slow service. Their vegetarian burrito is good and the only thing on the menu that hasn't made me sick afterwords...avoid anything with meat in it. The place mostly caters to yuppies...not the most authentic experience. Service is also a problem...I often find myself waiting for exorbitantly long times to place an order, have my drink refilled, or even to get my food when I know it only takes them 10 minutes to make it. Take out service is better and recommended unless you're REALLY not in a hurry.
(2)
erin m.

This place can be kind of hit or miss. I've had some really good food here, and some food that's not so special. I agree with some of the other reviews- some days the food just isn't seasoned or spiced or everything niced properly. Service and value are also totally average. The atmosphere of the place is also unremarkable. I used to frequent it when I lived in the neighborhood but have since moved on to greener pastures.
(3)
Ronald H. R.

RonR Message flagged Tuesday, July 3, 2012 6:40 PM I passed by Garcia's for years. Then, one winter day I stopped in and had a really delicious bowl of Chicken soup. It was fantastic, it comes with two generous pieces of chicken, you should specify white or dark meat, plenty of crunchy vegetables, and a really tasty broth. I recommend it. And, it is not expensive and, it is a meal. The chips and dips are also very good. Another time I tried the chicken flautas. hard, rolled tortillas filled with the meat of your choice. Comes with sour cream, guacamole in which to dip your flautas, fried beans, etc. Probably the best flautas I have ever had in Chicago. Maybe I've just beenlucky as I found the service to be very good even when crowded. The noise level is pretty high when they are crowded, poor acoustics. I've been there about ten times thus far and I have found it to be consistently good and with good service, and the prices reasonable. For dessert, their flan is out of this world, filling but really, really, good. I had it with a cup of coffee. Makes me hungry to go there just writing about it. If I have a bad experience at Garcia's, I'll let you know. Try the soup or flautas, my favorites. Not both at one meal, it'd be too much. Or, skip both and have their flan which is a good size wedge like a piece of pie.
(4)
Julie F.

Good food, great price, quick service! That sums up my experience at Garcia's. The food isn't the best Mexican food around, but I enjoyed everything that I tried. The price is very reasonable. The ala carte menu has a great selection of inexpensive items. The service was friendly and unbelievably quick. We got our food within 10 minutes of ordering. The location is perfect - right on Lincoln Square. There are so many stores and bars in that area if you are looking for something to do after you enjoy your meal at Garcia's. I will definitely be back for more!
(4)
Edward P.

The service is not too great. The salsa is bland. The food is above average for Mexican food in Chicago. The margaritas are weak. I wouldn't dissuade anyone from trying the place, but it is nothing special.
(3)
Yujin A.

Another gem I found through the boy I am dating. Their two dollar fish tacos are the bombs. So is their pineapple margarita. Queso Fundido really fills you up. I also love their spicy pork tacos and burritos. Service here can be painfully slow even when it's not crazy busy. It opens late and is cheap. It fulfills your hunger after too many weiss beers at Huttenbar late at night. So I am giving it four stars.
(4)
Chasity L.

Good mexican food and decently priced. Big burritos here, but I've never had trouble finding big burritos in Chicago. Nothing too special about this place. Personally, I think it is a little over-rated, but not a place that I would leave out of my options.
(3)
Maria L.

Man, was this place overrated on Yelp! Portions were small for the price, and I just wasn't impressed. I keep thinking there's actually a decent Mexican place on the "North Side", but this is not it. It's not bad, just not good. I had standard tacos- chicken, with avocado and cilantro only- and rice and beans. The serving of rice was small and it was blah and the beans were really thick and greasy. I'm a rice and beans freak, and these did not meet my standards. Plus: the chicken wasn't greasy and the portions of it on the tacos were generous. However, whenever a "Mexican" place has fajitas on the menu, it automatically loses a star. Fajitas are Tejano! Not Mexican! Oh, and since it's obligatory in the US to serve chips and some kind of salsa in Mexican joints, please don't give me pico! Granted, this was at least a fresh (but lame) pico. Gimme some chipotle salsa, some red, some orange, some avocado. Please!
(2)
Justine F.

Garcia's food is slightly above average - but the amount of food you get for the price is priceless. Oh and be warned, if you go on around seven (with or without reservations) on a Saturday night... you'll probably have to wait for a table. I planned my friend's bachelorette dinner here. For eight of us to eat the bill came to $75 with drinks, a twenty percent tip and yes, dinner. Everyone was pleased and some went home with doggie bags. For me, the vegetarian burrito with avocado hit the spot. You can't argue decent food with bottom-line prices!
(3)
Tim C.

My wife and I stumbled across this place nine years ago and have yet to find it's equal. Great portions, quality, and price. The burritos are (quite literally) my favorite. I've had them all, and the best are marinated steak, and the pork. If you're really in the mood, get them Suizo. Their cheese blend is amazing. When eating in, I almost always order the Tampiguena. Wow! and the steak is cooked to a perfect medium rare (when asked). Their table salsa is never the same spiciness, which I love because it means there is no standard recipe and it's always fresh. Bonus: When we order a pitcher of margaritas, they not only bring a full pitcher but give you already full glasses. And they're strong. (the only place I've EVER known to do this!) Note: I sort of miss the "dive" aspect to it since it's renovation, because now it seems that the secret is out. However, the food and service is still awesome.
(5)
Eddie W.

For the price, the mexican food is competent. I usually get the carne asada burrito, and aside from the couple times they overcooked the meat, it was tasty. Their chips and salsa is really good also. Now the main attraction: the margaritas. Simply put - the best margaritas I've ever had! Only 5 bucks a piece and 20 for a pitcher (which equates to more like 6 margaritas at least) is a great value and delicious! I don't know what kind of tequila they use but it's the bomb!
(4)
Dave S.

Love the Burritos! Cool restaurant with friendly staff!
(4)
Mike T.

I was looking forward to the Mexican food. I had heard it was good. We ordered margaritas to start, which were not too strong and not too weak, so I could have drank and enjoyed a few of them. I must have eaten an entire basket of chips/salsa because they were so good. However, I ordered pollo de mole and I've never tried it before. I was scared because of the way it was described to me. When the dish came out, it did not look appetizing and after the first bite, I had to muscle down the rest of the chicken. I am not sure if the mole was bad here or if mole is just not good to me. The service was good, attentive, and someone was always there to help serve us. They always gave us more chips and salsa, which is always the minimum requirement at any Mexican place. I want to try this place again and order some other dishes, but so far, only 3 stars.
(3)
Evelyn T.

Just go for the margaritas. Hopefully you won't get a rude service.
(2)
johnny b.

Better than a lot of places but forgettable.
(2)
Grace M.

Good Mexican Place. It looks better now that it's been renovated. I like it much better...it's much open and cleaner than it was a few years ago. The food is good. They give you big portions. Fast service. The only thing for me is that the tables are so close together...I don't think I'll be there around dinner time on the weekends. Too crowded for my liking.
(4)
Bee B.

I gotta say...Garcia's is one instance when my fellow yelpers let me down. I thought the food was really pretty mediocre. I was really cravin some quesadillas, and my favorite Mexican place, Los Noplaes (which, incidentally, i did discover through yelp, and its like a couple blocks away from Garcia's and SO MUCH BETTER) was closed on Monday. Boo Monday. Anyways, I did a quick yelp check, and Garcia's got good reviews so we called them up and ordered take out. I ordered mushroom and onion quesadillas and they told me they didn't have mushrooms :( What? No mushrooms. Fine. Veggie Fajitas, and my dining companions had chicken tacos and carne tacos. I also got some extra rice and beans. Word was the chicken was dry, the carne was better and the guac was pretty good but no Los Nopales. Bottom line was, could it be the margaritas that make this food so "amazing?" At Los Nopales I know its the food that's really amazing and not the liquor, because they don't serve any!!! Its BYOB and I always forget to, and the food is terrific just the way it is... So go there instead. Just not on a Monday.
(2)
L L.

Hands down, the worst Mexican food I've had in Chicago. Completely bland. Ick. Even worse than El Cid.
(1)
Jenn P.

I had an experience last night that could have been so upsetting and terrifying, words could not explain. It chilled me to the bone. I traveled upwards of 1,000 miles from Denver to Chicago for my beloved Garcia's burrito. I then traveled from the suburbs to the city and my best friend's house, we loaded up into the car and off we went. My heart was full and happy and I was counting the blocks ....3, 2,1 ... we made our turn into Lincoln Square ... and then ...it happened. My friend's voice cracked as we drove by the sealed off restaurant. " Ummm Oh my THAT doesn't look good" ... what? What ? WHAT doesn't look good ????? My heart sank and my palms grew sweaty ... could the universe be so cruel as to have something happen to my beloved Garcia's ??? As it would turn out ... YES !!! "Remodeling" they call it and that translates into "Your burrito will be available in September"! OK Jenn ..breathe ...stay calm ...in with the good air, out with the bad. As we fervently tried to rethink things, and locate another burrito place, my BFF remembered ..... another Garcia's just up the street ! Although much smaller, it is owned and operated by the same folks!!! My pulse returned to normal and we even found a rock star parking spot ... things were looking up! I had what I always have. A steak burrito with sour cream, cheese, avocado, re fried beans, lettuce and tomato. This burrito is the size of my forearm and weighs about 4 lbs. It is hot and gooey and absolute perfection, I fought off tears of joy as I took my first bite. Hallelujah, and whatever else one proclaims after experiencing pure bliss. I can say no more. They are simply my favorite food on this earth. The folks at the table next to ours were equally excited and pleased, they yummed and groaned and inhaled with the same level of intensity as we did. This is no coincidence, these burritos are amazing. My BFF had the Fillet AL Mojo DE Ajo ... which is fish in a garlic butter sauce with rice and avocado. The garlic was cooked perfectly, tender, succulent and not burned at all. Burned garlic can really booger things up. It was amazing, the flavors and the texture could not have been better. This dish, as different as my burrito as could be, just proves the quality of the chefs here, not just people slapping together some burritos, the menu is large and every dish is as good as the next. Our pitcher of Margaritas was nothing to sneeze at either! We had another wonderful meal. I love you Garcia's and I am so very glad to have seen you again. So remodel if you must and I will be back soon. That is a promise.
(5)
Liz H.

Ive been going to Garcia's for like five or six years now and i love it. The giant burritos are awesome. Everyone can find something on the menu that they will love. Its worth it to find parking to eat here. The only draw back is the service is a tad bit slow. Dont go if you have somewhere you need to be.
(4)
Dianna V.

I've been going to garcia's for years and I adore their tortas sandwiches and their margaritas. The service can get slow especially during dinner rush and during their weekends, but the food is fresh, tasty, and cheap.
(4)
Meredith W.

It would be really faster and easier if I just served myself here and I am wearing dark sunglasses so I don't have to see the hideous decor....but a 2 am veggie taco with the best guacamole and a pitcher of margaritas when I'm already smashed, makes it impossible to hate on Garcia's.
(3)
Alicia V.

I live down the block from Garcia's and was excited to have a nice sit down Mexican restaurant in the area that was fairly inexpensive. The first time I went I ordered the vegetable fajitas. As a non-meat eater I had always wanted to be able to experience the sizzling fajita presentation, but meatless options are rarely offered. I was extremely disappointed when a lukewarm plate of mushy vegetables was set down in front of me. I had it boxed and vowed to never return. Luckily the salsa was AMAZING and I was able to make a meal out of that. The reason for the 4 stars you might ask? A friend wanted to meet there the other day and although I was skeptical, I did my due diligence on Yelp and it looked like the fish tacos were the way to go. They are. And at $2.50 a pop for a whole fish fillet per taco, it's a steal. Cadillac Margarita, complimentary chips and salsa and 2 fish tacos. Delicious and totally reasonable. The main seating area is totally unappealing and cafeteria-ish so I always ask for one of the tables in the bar area. Seems a bit more cozy. It's also open really late which is nice since there aren't a lot of options for food in the area past 10.
(4)
Jenn C.

All I wanted was some guac. Thats it. Perhaps a little margarita on the side. AND I GOT IT!!! I yelped "Guacamole" and got a few choices, none really telling me what I wanted to see. So this is for all the guac fans... Garcia's is a tad north for me, but the adventure of a new mexican food place was no problemo. The service was great! It was a Friday night, 7:30, we were seated as soon as we walked through (apparently, new doors) and there were so many people eager to please us, I felt like I had read the wrong reviews on yelp. BACK TO THE GUACAMOLE- Heavenly and creamy (since its summer, the avocados are in season, so it seems to be creamy everywhere). We got the $4 smaller size and it was larger than the $8 guac at Salud, the market priced green mush at Tecalitlan, the $6 varying sized Irazu, and just a whole lot better than those not worth mentioning. We couldnt even finish it, granted there were only 2 of us, but still...I think if you opened a vein in my arm, avocado would come out- I live on it... therefore, I was surprised at its glorious weigh in. Flavor: nummy. Not to oniony, hints of tomatoes, could possibly matured with a touch more spice but who''s complaining? Not me.... For the rest of the meal: Needless to say, cheesy, yummy goodness. my vegetarian platter was covered in cheese (Salsa Verde enchilidas, beans, rice- thumbs up) And I took home a to-go box. One should not be filled with that much dairy in one sitting. This place, for me, since I dont eat meat... is your middle of the road greasy mexican spot. Its tasty, kind to your wallet, the margarita wont give you acid reflux (fingers crossed), and the bathrooms are super duper. That seemed weird writing about the bathroom... Kudos to Garcia. and all you lovers of the goddess avocado.
(4)
Marc L.

Garcias is a solid 3.5 stars. 3 stars if I'm sober and 4 stars if I'm drunk. The bathrooms are really nice and it's open fairly late, all plusses when intoxicated. I had the spinach burrito, because I think that's the best thing they have. It doesn't taste Mexican at all though. It needs to be drowned in salsa because it's a little dry otherwise. But it was tasty, and hot. I'd eat it again sometime. Basically, I wouldn't travel out of my way to come here, but it is good enough that I'd come back for the spinach burrito if I was either A) right there or B) drunk and hungry in this general area.
(3)
Jim F.

Sit down at any table in this popular Lincoln Square restaurant and they'll give you some very fresh, very good home made salsa with traditional corn chips. For you spicy food people they have a green version that packs some kick. Or at least that's what I'm told. I'm an absolute wimp. It's great and they are more than happy to refill your salsa, and or chips during your entire stay. I'm sold already and I haven't even ordered. Garcia's offers a host of traditional Mexican cuisine along with some non traditional for you "gringos". My particular favorite is their Burritos which are as large and lovely as they come. Skirt steak, chicken, and even veggie, these things come loaded and fresh. I can only finish their burritos when I'm hammered and, because Garcia's keeps late weekend hours I've finished many a burrito. And enjoyed them. Garcia's Burritos are what I believe the people behind the chain "Chipotle" had in mind. Outside of Burritos Garcia's offers many reasonably priced Mexican fare. You can easily eat and eat well for under $10. Con's: The restaurant is on the small side so depending on when you go you might have to wait. I've only had to do that once in my many times having gone there though. The bathrooms are on the gross side and they serve pop/soda drinks in stryofoam which is sort of tacky but on the other hand these styrofoam cups are enormous so you are actually making out volume wise. None of the food is gourmet quality. Over all Garcia's is great. It's a staple in the Lincoln Square scene. Everyone there is very friendly and service is very very quick.
(4)
Sarah K.

Yes Garcia's has been renovated. Yes it's much larger and much more crowded now. But the food is still the same, solid mexican and the margaritas are great. It's lost a bit of the charm, but the food and the prices stayed the same so I can't really complain.
(3)
Cara B.

Good food fast and cheap! Used to be primarily a very late night stop, but since the renovation, we have been there many times for dinner. Food is always good and waitstaff is friendly.
(4)
tony c.

wow. garcia's has been a regular meeting place for me and an old friend since high school. there were the early days where you just grabbed a seat and hot, greasy delicious mexican food flew out of the kitchen. then came the post 'check, please' days where you waited for twenty minutes to be seated and side stepped down the narrow aisles to make your way to the have-you-had-all-your-shots bathroom. dont get me wrong, i was still a regular. tonight, i finally took my maiden voyage into the newly remodeled garcia's. wow. the space has more than doubled in size, everything looks pristine, there are some nice industrial touches along the lofted ceiling, and it seems as though it's easier to have a conversation at a normal speaking voice. added bonus: i barely finished putting in my order and it was already on the table. reunited and it feels so good.
(4)
Sarah K.

The burritos are seriously delicious, but they're the only thing I've had there. I give them major props though because the vegetarian burrito is cheaper than the meaty burritos, which is not true for the majority of delicious burritos I've had. Negative? You have to pay extra for cheese! Everything on the menu looks tasty, and it's always packed (always a good sign).
(4)
Chris W.

You can get take out which is great if you're on the run or you just don't want to sit down in a restaurant at maybe 2am. Which is what we ended up doing and there were no complaints. My boyfriend was the one who picked up our food inside and he said that the guy who handed him everything and took care of him really hooked him up with all of the normal extras kinds of things he usually asks for and was super nice. The food was awesome. I got a chicken torta (it was my first torta too so now my impression of them is two thumbs up) meal and it came with rice and beans. I swear I couldn't even finish it there was so much food. And considering how much food they give you, the prices on everything are really cheap. I most defiantly expect to be going back there one of these days, especially for the torta.
(4)
Jennifer Y.

I've gotten take out from here at least a dozen times and have eaten in only once. I highly, highly recommend the steak burrito with everything + rice. Oh my god, it's the definition of food coma. But soooooooo good. I got the steak taco salad there once .. bleh. (I was trying to be healthy) And shrimp fajitas another time. Bleh. STEAK. BURRITO. PLUS RICE. STEAK BURRITO PLUS RICE.
(4)
JD C.

Well, I have to update my previous review. I went back after the remodeling. Man, was I dissapointed. I walked in at around 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. I was told 5 min before a table would be ready. I ended up going to the bathroom after 10 minutes and noticed at least half a dozen tables empty (uh-uh, here goes service, I thought). 15 minutes after we walked in we were seated. No waitress for another 10 minutes and no chips for at least 15 minutes. When the waitress comes back we place an order. About 30 minutes (4 stars to 3 stars) the food comes back and it's totally missing my son's order! (2.5 stars) His order arrived about 10 minutes later when we were practically done with our food. After my wife complained about a piece of hair in the food and the missing food to a hostess (there doesn't seem to be any manager in there), she assures us that the extra item for my son will be taken out of the total bill. 15 minutes later, after pressing hard, we get the bill, which of course, includes my son's order (2 stars). We ask the waitress to correct & re-run the bill. The next day when I check my credit card statement I noticed that the order was rung twice !!! (1 star) The service is so horrible at this place, that the food becomes irrelevant. This place is now on my list of "must avoid". I now have to find myself another place for my chimichanga craving. p.s: I can't even use the "stinky cheese" rating as it is an insult to any cheese lover. 1 "velveeta" star.
(1)
giuseppe b.

Wow!! one of my friends from work told me to go here so i was like what the heck i had a taste for a burrito so i'll go and it was one of the best BURRITO'S i ever had THE CARNE SADA WAS GOOD TON'S OF IT, the pico de gaio sauce on the side was also great tasting. The price was good for alot of food it was a lot and worth it!! YUMMY!! CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK and try other stuff IT WAS DELICIOSO!!!!
(5)
Julee M.

I was not impressed by this place at all. I had a few friends in town and we wanted Mexican food after the Air & Water show. I looked on Yelp for a place close to my house and this was only a block away and favorably reviewed. We gave it a shot thinking it would be a little nicer than where we normally go, El Taco Loco a few doors down. First off when we walked in there were only two tables that could hold larger parties (there was 5 of us). One of the larger tables was being used by two cops and the other by a couple and their baby who was in the stroller. We sat at two taller tables which were divided by a half wall. No biggie I guess. Anyway, the menu was extensive and it was definitely cheap for a sit-down Mexican restaurant. Of course you have to pay extra for everything like cheese and sour cream which may or may not be added to your meal and then you may be charged for it regardless. They will tell you it is in there even though you have dug through your entire burrito and have not found one trace of cheese or avocado. This happened to both people who ordered the "extras". The free chips and salsa were good though. The guacamole was also too expensive for the amount you get. I had a vegetarian combo and everything was very bland. Everyone felt the same way except for one friend who said her steak and stuffed pepper combo was really good. The margarita I had was ok. A little too strong and it was obviously made with very cheap tequila. Not bad for $5 though. The strawberry one my friend had was better. The service also seemed slow and unresponsive even though the place was mostly empty. We should have stuck with El Taco Loco.
(2)
Jami K.

This place is usually crowded and there is a reason for that. They serve decent, simple Mexican food, lots of it, they're open late, and there's a huge cross-section of people who go here. On my most recent visit we ordered a pitcher of Mango margarita to share. It wasn't what I expected. I expected one of those cute little pitchers that will fill up 2 glasses twice and that's it. What we got: 4 glasses already entirely filled and then a huge water pitcher filled to the brim with slushy goodness. I did my part, but unfortunately our group was unable to finish the entirety of our alcohol. The quality of everything here isn't the best, but that's not what you expect. It's good, not expensive and will fill up your stomach.
(4)
Emily C.

This place makes my favorite burrito. EVER. ^^ Avocado burrito suizo with ranchero sauce, for anyone who really cares deeply enough to emmulate my burrito order. Seriously though, most burrito joints will take a veggie burrito order as an excuse to stuff a burrito with rice, which, in my estimation, is about the most boring thing one could ever invent to stick in a burrito. Might as well fill it with wall plaster for all the delciousness rice adds to a burrito. Just my little hangup. No rice/wall plaster here though.... It's all beans, lettuce, tomato, and GOBS of avocado. Add in that suizo/ranchero combo and you'll find it dripping with melted cheese and delcious red sauce. I'm getting a serious drool on just thinking about it (and it's 8 a.m. - not even burrito hour)! Are you convinced yet? Perhaps I should add that it's open late, it has a bar, it's totally affodrable, and the burrito will most likely feed you twice unless you're Connie Conehead.
(5)
Karen G.

In the mood for cheap but good margaritas, and maybe some Mexican food? Then try Garcia's. Their menu is reasonably priced with generous portions, especially their baby-sized burritos!!! Their margarita's are delicious and also light on the wallet. Garcia loses one point for ther guacamole. I'm not too sure if it's real guacamole. I decided to do a test with it. I bought the quacamole and put it in the fridge. If it was still the same green color instead of the oxidized brown color after a night in my fridge, then I was not going to buy their mutant guacamole again. Needless to say, I've been going elsewhere for my guac and chips!
(4)
David M.

Note: One person probably cannot finish the sangria pitcher. But it's worth a try, because the sangria here is amazing! The food here is very good as well, and the prices are good. My experience has been that the food usually comes quickly and the portion sizes are good as well. I'm not a mexican food connosieur but I think it's pretty authentic too. I hope to be back soon!
(4)
A G.

The salsa was delicious! The fish tacos were great, the refried beans were great, the ground beef tacos were excellent too! The service was excellent, and the waitress was so nice and refilled our glasses constantly. The green salsa was fantastic! Probably the best I have ever had. BTW the Horchata was awesome too.
(5)
Sheila X.

The remodel is done, and it looks MUCH nicer in there. Salsa and food is still excellent. =)
(4)
Anthony B.

Real Mexican, real clean, real large portions. A must have for the Northside and open late which is a plus. Refreshingly welcoming. Family owned and it shows through in the quality ingredients.
(5)
Julietta t.

I give Garcia's a two star , i just don't feel comfortable there. Seating is very limited and the space there is crapped . I mean you seat elbow to elbow with every one in the restaurant . Good for comfort level matter to me to make it a five star restaurant. Also you can easily spend more than you bargain for getting out. Also is a busy place, so parking is limited and need to pay for so bring quarters ready. Public transportation is advise . Near western bus route and brown line one block away. You might want to visit local cold stone ice cream place 1/2 block from Garcia's. You also have a theater that isn't too expensive along the way. Is a great block of awesome restaurant . Not to mention the local star bucks.So if you go to Garcia's you'll have a lot fun looking and shopping in local business.
(2)
Shannon G.

So cheap. So delicious. And you know what else? As someone who always-and I mean always- gets the taco dinner at every Mexican restaurant, I thought it was really great how they give you the 2-taco or 3-taco option! The salsa is a tad soupy, but the chips are nice and crunchy. Everyone there was so nice and the service has been friendly whether it's 7pm or 2am! It's a new favorite!
(5)
Phillie P.

Garcia's is my favorite Mexican joints north of North Ave. I only say that because my favorite Mexican joint south of North Ave is La Pasadita. The salsa @ Garcia's is excellent. I've only gotten the tacos and burritos there. The steak tastes like steak. The chorizo tastes like chorizo. It's awesomely great cheap Mexican food. If I still lived in the area, I'd be going there at least once avery 2 weeks (hey, I'm trying to watch my figure....)
(5)
Aesha W.

I visited this place based on Yelp reviews, and because it's only a couple miles from my apartment. It wasn't bad, but I can't say that I've found THE Mexican place I will always visit without fail. As I saw mentioned in another review, the service wasn't the fastest, but we weren't ever really waiting for anything, either. The quesadillas looked more like tacos than what I was expecting (and different from what I've had at other Mexican restaurants), but that's ok. The other person in my party ordered chicken fajitas, which was HUGE, with lots of veggies (always a good thing). He also liked the guacomole a lot, and I thought the rice and beans were good. Would I go again? Yes, but I've got a few more Mexican places to check out first.
(3)
Ross R.

I give Garcia's 4 stars...an unenthusiastic 5 stars for the dishes I have had, and a disappointing 2.5 stars for the food that everyone else I goes with seems to order. Do the math, (5 +2.5)/2 = 4. On all of our visits to Garcia's, I have ordered something that I thought was very good (tongue tacos, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros), and my fiancee has ordered something that was disappointingly bland (i.e. all of the vegetarian entrees). So basically, the food is hit or miss, but to better your chances of getting something tasty, veer towards the items that wouldn't appear on a standard "combination plate". The breakfast type items have been batting 1.000 I think the reason we keep coming back is for the margaritas...holy cow, they will do a number on you, and you won't even know it, and they are reasonably priced. The space is kind of weird because of how open it is, and the lighting is way too bright, but it is clean, and it doesn't smell (that's always good right?).
(4)
Tracy K.

If you're looking for good, cheap Mexican food & lots of it, this is the place to go. My first impression of Garcia's was that it was loud, cramped & kind of chaotic.. it being a busy Friday night. The host was kind of unfriendly, but it was busy.. Their margaritas are decent.. if I order a pitcher from them again, I'll be sure to get 'em on the rocks because the frozen variety bottle-necked in the carafe they serve it in and made quite a mess. My veggie combination plate was good and had enough food for two+ meals, and the same goes for my boyfriend's five lb burrito, although he said it was lacking in flavor. I thought their salsa was great, but the guacamole too was a little lackluster. I know I'll be back, but hopefully during a less busy/crazy time. Edit: who knew that if you asked nicely, you could get your margaritas to go in a giant milkshake container?! Plus one star!
(4)
Rachel O.

There are better options for Mexican in the area...its just not authentic and the service is REALLY slow!
(2)
Drew S.

We end up at Garcia's every couple months and then kind of remember why we haven't been in a while. There's nothing really wrong with Garcia's, even less now with the renovation: open space, better lighting, expanded bar, but they still make a very unauthentic margarita with extra sweet and sour mix. Juice some limes, yo! And the burritos, while huge, are kind of dry- chez dom delouise a few blocks further north on Lincoln is cheaper and tastier...and unfortunately a much more awkward place to sit down for a meal.
(3)
Haley M.

When you leave, odds are, you will smell like Garcia's. That being said, are you down for burritos the size of your head? Amazing guacamole, salsa, and sour cream like nothing you've ever tasted? Tons and tons of quesadilla cheese, marinated chicken and amazing steak? Fajitas, tacos al pastor, horchatra that I could probably drink myself to death on, and the most amazing margaritas. Sometimes they play mariachi, and sometimes there's so many people, all you hear is the din. All I have to say is, "Yes."
(4)
Alyssa V.

For my 60th review, I thought I would review the restaurant where I spent my first Valentine's date...and many evenings thereafter. Garcia's has awesome margaritas and burritos, but my favorite thing there is there nachos. Each chip is carefully ornamented with individual toppings, and you can tell the freshness by how crisp the chips still are. Mmm! I haven't gotten too adventurous with Garcia's because I am stuck in the burrito/nacho rut, but I know my Valentine's date got the chimichanga and ordered it for weeks afterwards, so that must be tasty too (even though it looks intense). These burritos are large, so go hungry!
(4)
Kathleen C.

Garcia's is cheap sit down Mexican food. Been there a few times and it is always good. Chips & salsa are actually pretty good, too! Although the guacamole is a little funky. I think they add sour cream to it to make more. And I am super picky about my chicken but this place has pretty decent quality meat. Watch out for waits on Friday nights but you can always order To Go. And they are open really late so feel free to stop in on the way home from a bar!
(3)
Casey C.

Excellent Mexican yumminess. New layout is a bit like school cafeteria, but still 5 star food. May I recommend the mole sauce?
(4)
Vanessa A.

Sorry Garicas but you stink! I've lived in LS all my life, when it first opened it was good, but as soon as they started to do well - there went the quality. Sure it's always going to have business because of all the bar and people who don't mind eating 'Mexican slop' being passed as food. When you can't even melt the cheese on nachos or make guacamole and not puree of avocado, perhaps I'll think about returning. Go to Los Nopales, just south of this nasty pit!
(1)
Gil N.

Garcia's burrito's have been a staple in my diet for over a decade. (Wow I'm getting old) Great food, good service, generous portions, and good drinks. For lunch, dinner, late-night munchies, whatever the case may be, you'll find something at Garcia's. Parking can be a pain during peak hours and you might have to wait for a table but it is well worth the wait. Some people may say that there are nicer looking places or restaurants that are more "authentic". However, pound for pound and more importantly, dollar for dollar, you won't do better. But don't take my word for it, my friends and I and our less than stellar physiques, will attest to it.
(5)
Milie S.

I love this place! Loud and busy they are but the service usually friendly. (true. true. some waitresses more than others.) There was a time when we went to eat here 3 days in a row. Just a note: Be prepared to wait, and I mean wait, a long time for your bill. It is a cheap eat and they open late which is a huge plus for us night owls. Skip the burritos as they are too humongous to even try to contemplate how to eat them but do try their tacos and flautas!
(4)
Emily M.

i will start by saying i used to frequent garcias often and i recommended it to anyone looking for mexican food... however, since the remodeling, it no longer has a place in my heart. it is SO SO SO loud! the acoustics are HORRIBLE. i can't hear the person i'm sharing a meal with but i can hear the conversation from two tables away. it was so annoying. conversation pretty much ceased - and not because the food was so good we didnt have time to talk. service - garcias has always been eh - but now that its so much larger its like they cant handle so many customers at once.... they have way more bus boys/waiters now (which is good) but most of the time they are just standing there.... the food quality has gone down too - but my boyfriend said it always sucked. i guess now that i no longer like the place, im more inclined to give in and say its blah! chicago has waaay better mexican food! ive given the new look a few tries now, and last night i just decided that was it. its not worth it anymore....
(2)
Kirsten N.

Thank goodness I'm not the only one. The 5 times I've been here I end up visiting the toilet gods for days. The food is bland and I've had so much better at other places in the city. The next time I want Mexican I'm going to Cafe El Tapatio!!
(1)
Mark C.

Really like 3 1/2 stars. Guacamole: pasty (over-blended). Lentil soup: terrible (salty and watery). Pozole: Weekends only, not bad (worth it). Enchiladas with rice and beans: excellent. Service: Very good. Ambience: Nice atmosphere. A bit noisy. Food quality: Very good for the most part. Better than most of the tacquerias in the neighborhood. Neighborhood: Almost charming, Lincoln Square.
(4)
Brandon W.

Oh you never do me wrong do you??
(5)
Alex F.

good tacos
(4)
Steve K.

I really like their recent renovations. The space is very attractive, open and airy. But I don't know what's happened to their food. If I had written this review a year ago, I would have given them four stars, but the last two visits to Garcia's have been unpleasant. The most recent time was for a friend's birthday. I tried to choke down my pollo en mole, but it was very dry. My friend had lomo de arbol, which can't possibly be dry, but it was. The previous time was worse. Although the food wasn't bad that time, the staff was eating something communally. You could see them picking pieces of something and eating it without cutlery. They were licking their fingers and digging in again. This went on for at least half an hour. Occasionally one of them would come out to attend to a table, or serve food, not bothering to wash his/her hands. Update: I'm downgrading them to 1 star because I went again over the weekend and it's so gross that I'm contacting the Health Dept. today. The staff was constantly picking at food in the kitchen, licking their fingers, and then serving customers' food without washing their hands. If you go, watch for it. I guarantee that I'm not exaggerating-- it's much more gross than I'm describing it. They'll even be chewing when they wait on tables, and their fingers are constantly wet. It's fricking DISGUSTING. So only dine at Garcia's if you like your rice and beans with a large dose of saliva.
(1)
Mandy P.

I am quite biased towards Tecalitlan's burritos suizos, but the one I had at Garcia's the other night was pretty tasty. I thought their veggie burrito had less flavor than Tecalitlan's, but I tasted my husband's chile relleno and it was very good. He also had a cheese enchilada which he enjoyed. The food was generously portioned and it was inexpensive. It was a wonderful find and I would go there again. In addition to good food, the place was very cozy and not very crowded, which I appreciated. However, I would still not give it a perfect 5 because with two t.v.s showing different sports events (GOL! GOL! GOL! Los Tigres!!!), the environment was kind of loud. The service (after our food was served) was ... also ... incredibly ... s...l...o...w.... The women were really nice -- lots of smiles to go around -- and happy to help when you wanted something, but we (and everyone else that was there) had to get up to get the servers to get our checks, go boxes, etc. All said, if you want a laid back atmosphere, maybe a place to catch a Sox game AND a soccer game, drink a few beers (or excellent licuado), and have decent (though not amazing) Mexican food for a GREAT price, go here!
(3)
Elaine C.

LOVE GARCIA'S. Having moved here from Cali, it was awesome to find a good cheap Mexican place with the chunky guacamole, not the runny kind. Also, it's open super late... which is when Mexican food tastes best.
(5)
Bridget T.

I have to agree with Andrea, Garcia's is toxic! I was forced to go to Garcia's against my better judgement the other night to meet some friends. From previous experiences there, I smartly chose not to order food and stuck with a margarita (blah)....guess what? I was the only one who wasn't up all night with cramps and other fun bowel issues. I also made a trip to the bathroom and got to see a few cockroaches roaming around the floor. It is the absolute LAST time I ever go there. How does this place stay open? It is filthy and the food is inedible! I would much rather go to Los Nopales down the street.
(1)
roberto a.

Garcia's is one of those old neighborhood standbys that can take on many rolls (I mean roles, sorry, mind is on sushi right now) depending on what time of the day you happen to be in. Be it an excuse for an afterwork dinner, weekend drinking with friends and eating Mexican food, or waiting in the take out area for a late night burito, Garcia's has something for everyone. Main dishes are reasonably priced, starting from $7 for a taco plate with tacos burried in shredded cheese and veggies, to $15 for the full entrees. The food is good and when the place is not busy, comes quickly. When the place is busy, well, that's another story. At that point, grab a few drinks cuz you may be waiting. By the way, their margarita's have a stealthy kick to them. They taste weak and fruity, but even with a full stomach, you'll feel it later on. Their burritos are awesome. Although I've moved beyond saying they have the best burritos I've tasted, they still one of the biggest. My favorite is the steak burrito with avocado and cream cheese. Having said this, the one thing I don't like about Garcia's (and other burrito places) is that they nickel and dime you after you order the basic burrito. Want avocado, cream cheese, special toppings? Time to ante up. On the plus side Garcia's is open late and when I'm out late, I'd much rather order here than take my chances with some Speedy Burrito place that may or may not cause digestive discomfort later on. All in all this is a long time establishment that has seen Lincoln Square change all around it. There are better places, but for most people on the northside, Garcia's will be good enough. Interesting Tidbit: I know two friends that while pregnant, couldn't get enough of the burritos from this place. They claim it was something in the food that made them crave Garcia's. I still think it was an excuse to finish the entire burrito. One still craves Garcia's at the oddest times of the day. Pros: Good all around Mexican food, reasonable prices, decent service and ambience. Take out is available. Cons: Prices on the high side for some, can get crowded and service suffers when this happens, can probably find better Mexican food for the price. To sum it up: It's Lincoln Square 2007. Be happy there is a Mexican place like this that is still around in this area.
(3)
Jimmy M.

OK, went to the Cubs game then Garcia's for the first time. I got ah'steak burrito suizo w-a side of ranchero sauce.By the way, the chips & salsa was good too. The burrito was awesome! Garcia's is right across the street from the Gnugget-Which i also love and have on speed dial. Ok My'guys check out Garcia's Peace! Jimmy Ask for wendy if ya'go to the Gnugget.....she's there late night.
(5)
Sandy M.

The food is great as usual, but the new decor loses a lot of the intimacy of the old place.
(3)
Not J B.

Boo. They charge extra for sour cream, cheese and guacamole. What's left is meat, iceberg lettuce and tomato on a wilted tortilla. The chorizo taco is the only thing I ordered that I even partially enjoyed. $10 min. for credit cards
(2)
Samantha G.

I have a special affinity for burritos the size of my head, and these do not disappoint. Also, it's hard to find Mexican food that doesn't come pre-drenched in cheese, which these did not. I'm staying away from the dairy, so this was nice. Crazy cheap!
(3)
Robert F.

Health nazi's can sit this one out. For the rest of us who enjoy a guilt free serving of old fashioned "greasy spoon" cookery, I hope you brought your appetite. Nothing fancy about the food here. Its just uncomplicated and satisfying Mexican diner food that just happens to come in big portions. How big? My girlfriend and I usually eat half for lunch, then doggy-bag it and eat half for supper. Nothing fancy about the atmosphere either. Unpretentious, bustling, sometimes loud, but cozy in the manner of family restaraunts of old. The staff seem happy to see you, which is always a plus. Last, but not least, is the price point. Beer for two, meal for two (which lasted two meals each!), plus tip came out to about 14 or $15... or half the cost of an entre at De La Costa. [smirk] Garcia's loses 1 star for using fake quacamole, which is shamefull for a Mexican restaraunt.
(4)
Ora R.

My first experience was 2 stars and I'll give it one more for my recent visit. Yesterday my husband and I walked and placed a take out order. Service was quick and we waited less then 10 mins for our order. My husband choose his favorite steak burrito. I do admit that although I didn't like it on my first visit my husband really seemed to enjoy it. The burrito is very big and the price is just right. I had the mole chicken enchilada dinner. I've been craving mole for a while and I usually never order mole at restaurants. I liked it, it wasn't too greasy like other places. The portion was good and so was the price.
(3)
Scott J.

I would consider this to be in Lincoln Square rather than Ravenswood, espcially since its pretty much under a sign that says Lincoln Square. Onto the food, went here with my g/f and my sister and was very impressed. The burritos were very very big, very good, and very cheap. I don't know if there is a much better combo than that. My g/f had the tacos and she said they were excellent as well. The drinks were very strong, which when you are drinking a margarita is not always the best thing. The dining room is well kept, definetly nothing special. The one complaint I did have was the cleanliness of the menus. It seemed like all of the menus we had we had were dirty is some fashion. Outside of that I would definetly recommend this to anyone looking for some Mexican food on the square.
(4)
Ronald A.

Went there last night for a bite with friends. Tried it once before it was remodeled. Nice changes. Recommend better seating through the hostess. Was in line waiting for a table for 4. People came in after us and got seated. She seated a table of 4 at a 6 top. She seated a party of 6 at a 6 topper. Not once was there an explanation. Frustrating! Total wait time 18 minutes while there were open tables. Really need to improve the manner in which people are seated. The food and Grand Manier Margaritas, excellent! Service was good too once we were seated. Will return and hopefully my frustration with seating will be resolved..
(4)
J. V.

Very good, cheap mexican food.....HUGE burritos! The veggie is the best. Service is generally very poor....they don't ever check back and see if you need anything else. They take the order and bring the check....so if you know that going in you will be fine. But it is always open late (1-2 a.m.) and always consistently good. Great homemade salsa (ask for the green...you don't get it unless you ask...amazing) Give it a shot if you want low key mexican. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Susan M.

While the service can be kind of shady at times the generous portions, delicious food, wallet friendly prices and unlimited chips make up for any waitress attitude. This is usually my first stop with any out of town visitors and they always, ALWAYS agree that Garcias has some of the best (if not the best) Mexican food around. I personally reccomend the chicken burrito with avacado...yum...yum!
(5)
Erin C.

The margarita about knocked me on my ass (much to my husband's amusement!) Usually, I'm a two-drink-per-dinner type of girl, but this time one was more than sufficient. I actually fell asleep on the couch for a little while after we got home. The food here is just ok, but it's actually much better than other mexican places i usually frequent. We would definitely come back. The chips and salsa were better than usual. I had one of the combination dinners with an enchilada, two flautas, and a taco, all served with rice and beans. The enchilada was awesome! The flautas too greasy and the guacamole flavorless. The taco was a bit dry. The rice was good, but the beans needed about a handful of salt to make them taste like anything. Next time, just order the enchiladas and skip the rest.
(3)
Mac G.

I work right by here, so I have been going more frequently then I used too. I first went to Garcia's with a group of friends and had a blast and have been introducing other friends to the place ever since. The food is almost always fantastic. In fairness, I do tend to stick the the same few dishes, but I have been making it a point to branch out a little more. (Recommended: enchiladas). I did try their Spinach quesadillas, though, and was disappointed. They were soggy and not what I expected from a place that has such satisfying cheese quesadillas. Oh well. What they lack in spinach they most definitely make up for in Pineapple margaritas. If for no other reason, check out Garcia's for those--they also have mango and the usual strawberry and a few other flavors. They are PHENOMENAL, as in delicious and strong. The service, I have noticed, is something that can improve. The hostess is usually pretty nice, but the wait-staff doesn't have much consistency. Most of the times I have been there it has been OK, one time it was just bad. In talking to other friends who frequent the restaurant I have discovered that they have noticed the same thing, so I guess the service is pretty hit-or-miss. One or two of those margaritas, though, and you probably won't notice.
(4)
Ann J.

Cheap strong margaritas! And the steak here is to die for! It is SO tasty! The salsa is pretty good! You must try the tostada suiza! U only need one! Promise! The only thing that I am unhappy about right now is the fact that it is so much more crowded than usual. The other location has been remodeling so everyone is venturing over to this location. I prefer it the way I found it - slow and quiet! I hope it goes back to that since they get a lot of carry out orders.
(5)
Matt W.

My wife and I nicknamed Garcia's "El Pollo Loco" for no other reason than endearment and affection. We discovered it the first night we moved into our Lincoln Square studio as they have these quesadillas for a buck to a buck fifty that are STUFFED, and I do mean STUFFED FULL of cheese and either meat or spinach. They're not heart healthy, they're not lo carb and they're not the best quesadillas you'll find but for a buck fifty you quite literally will not find a better deal for so much food. Four of those, split down the middle between spinach and chicken with some salsa verde and a side of frijoles con queso fed me for under $6 and believe you me, I'm not an easy guy to fill up. Their burritos are also quite impressive altho the Taco Burrito King #2 down Western near Addison is better. However Garcia's makes up for this with the Burrito Suezo, slathered in ranchero and cheese. Suddenly what was an alright burrito becomes a really, really good one. Funny that. Behold the power of cheese.
(4)
Sadie P.

The awkwardness begins the moment you walk in the restaurant and waitresses whiz by you while you stand there, trying to figure out if you seat yourself or if you wait for someone to seat you. After another a few minutes and another busy waitress ignores you, you decided to sit down and once seated, you are again ignored for a few minutes, if you are lucky, or up to 15 if you are unlucky. Finally, so-so chips and salsa appear, along with water. If you are smart, you will either order a large lemondae which is a perfect combination of sweet and tart in a jumbo sized styrofoam cup or a creamy horachata, because it is highly unlikely that your water glass will be refilled again. The food is reasonably priced, but as the quality is only adequate, its not really a bargain. The margaritas are also adequate. If you are in Lincoln Square and want a reasonably priced meal, then Garcia's is the place to go but it's not a destination restaurant.
(3)
Dennis J.

Garcia's was always packed, but ever since they remodeled..the place is busting at it's seams! The reason for that....Damn good Mexican food..Fresh and flavorful, Good Drinks, and reasonable prices for the quality.
(4)
Jessica D.

My roommate and I really like this place. So much we've had it twice in two weeks. My spinach quesadilla was delicious and her steak burrito looked yummy! We ate it up and had leftovers for later! Another thing we loved about it was the large guacamole was huge and super fresh with chucks of avocado. They throw in two bags of chips for plenty of dipping. We had asked for a side of sour cream, which was pretty big, not some little plastic shot glass-like cup. The guy at the register was super nice and asked if we wanted some salsa too and give it to us fo free! We will definitely be ordering from this place again.
(4)
Elizabeth H.

I could go on and on about what a special place this joint holds in my heart, but I will simply say this: Garcia's is great. period.
(5)
Duff B.

Great neighborhood mexican joint, with large portions and delicious food. I get the burrito suizo ranchero con carne asada like the fatass I am, loaded with cheese and topped in a tomato sauce. Expect leftovers.
(4)
C K.

Looking at some of the reviews, I thought Garcia's was the best thing around. I thought the salsa was decent and guacamole pretty good. I also enjoyed a quesadilla appetizer. Only giving it 2 stars is due to the chicken fajitas being dry, rice (ok) beans (flavorless). My friend ordered tortas with pork which also needed a heaping tablespoon of salsa to doctor it up. I believe I went in with an open mind and reasonable expectations, but there are too many mexican joints left to try.
(2)
Alex B.

In a town filled with Mexican restaurants, why Garcia's? Well, frankly because it's a block from me and open late. All of the food here is solid and slightly on the bland side. Stand-outs are the chicken burrito. Dissapointments? The vegetarian burrito is a waste of money (bland, gross) and they only offer beans of the refried variety. When you're drunkenly ordering a burrito, do yourself a favor and call ahead, otherwise you'll find yourself sliding off the wall as you wait twenty-five minutes for your food. And if it's not late and you're not drunk? Walk another block down to Los Nopales for some GREAT Mexican food.
(3)
Lauren M.

20 dollar pitcher of margs anyone? great food, quick service, even better margaritas. its not too greasy, their burritos are HUGE, and you always leave in a food coma. wait is never too long, so if its full, wait it out, its worth the short wait.
(4)
renee C.

Watch out when eating there. Parked with valet and got a ticket that they ripped up and only when the noticed was mailed to me did I know. I contacted Garcia's for help getting contact info and no one would call me back from Garcia's. I won't be eating there again
(1)
Petras D.

Garcia's is a staple of the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square neigbourhoods. It's a multi-site restaurant that doesn't lack in it's feel of being a local, drop in, taqueria. I've been to the location on Western on a number of occasions and now having moved within walking distance of the Lawrence establishment I've visited at least 4 or 5 times already. Garcia's delivers on good eats at a reasonable price with a quick turnaround. Other than one bizarre case of food "disagreement" when I ordered fish tacos a few weeks back (never ever had that happen here before) they have consistently provided delicious meals perfectly complimented by the steady flow of chips & salsa. The margarita's are quite tasty as well, a decent balance between tasting the tequila and the other flavours in equal measure. The servings are substantial as well so you really get two meals out of the one that you pay for which is something I can always appreciate.
(4)
Pat m.

very warm place, good food great service, love their apps, tortas and burritos! PLUS , accidentally left my debit card there and when I called, the manager assured me it was locked up and safe! Really expected, in these times, to hear, "nope, we don't have it".
(4)
Fela O.

Garcias has went through a remodel/expansion and the place is amazing the food is delicious the prices are within the budget the margaritas are the best in the northside i have ever tasted really good place to bring friends, family,significant others lighting is perfect inside, conversation is easy and the employees are welcoming... GREAT JOB LADIES AND GENTLEMAN
(5)
Sarah I.

Their margaritas are huge and delicious! The steak chimichanga is amazing. Their customer service isn't spectacular, but that's not why I come here. Food is consistently good and everything is reasonably priced!
(5)
Oscar G.

I love this place and their food... TampiqueÃ±a its so good... And the service its ok... Could be better.
(4)
Chel D.

This place use to be great but after they remodeled it has not been that great. The food is decent, mixed drinks are okay, Service is okay.
(3)
Stay N.

I've been coming here for over 15 years and this restaurant has never failed me. One of the best Mexican spots around. Everything I've had here has been great. Definitely a must try if you haven't. The tacos, burritos, nachos, chimichangas, enchiladas, the skirt steak and pastor are delicious.
(5)
Rainbow R.

The taco salad is to die for. The pina colada I had "frozen" but it was mostly mix--not mostly ice like most places. I freaking love this place!!
(5)
Juli A.

Used to be a staple when I lived in Ravenswood. Love the margaritas, the enchiladas and the tostadas. The place is always packed and there is a reason for that. Most authentic Mexican food I've found outside of Pilsen. Staff is friendly and attentive.
(3)
Frank C.

Have never had an issue. Buritos are Huge full of meat. Tampiquena ALWAYS hits the spot. Suggest nachos with picadillo(groundbeef/potatoes).
(5)
Kari F.

This is what I hope for when looking for Mexican food. The decor was nifty with a vintage/classic Mexico look to it. They have a decent sized bar connected that I hope to spend some time in, once I visit my friend and hopefully eat here again to make a more informed review. The menu was pretty well organized, but left me with tough decisions. Huevos, carnitas, chalupas.. OH MY!!! You could get basically anything you wanted. I got the enchiladas with steak.... yuuuuummmm! The waitress was really nice when I was asking questions, and she even customized my order when I couldn't decide what sauce I wanted on it (half green, half red :). However, it was so difficult to understand her at times. After saying "what?", "excuse me?" "say that again please?", I just said.......... "oh, okay".... :| ... having no idea what she said again. That wasn't a big deal to me, really. The service was very fast and attentive. My glass was always full, and eventually my belly.... which didn't take long considering the hefty portions. The price was definitely right for everything we had. I regretted not getting a margarita, even in this caraaazy cold Chicago weather. I was so excited to take home what I had left and eat it later, but I tragically left my to-go box on a Cheetos shelf in 7-11, while at an ATM........ I am still having nightmares about this mistake.
(4)
Cynthia N.

Oh my...their food is delicious! I had my fair share of Mexican food in my life and this is pretty high up on my chart. I ordered their chicken enchiladas with green sauce and it was so flavorful. Even the rice, which I'm not often fond of, tasted very good. Their chips and salsa were great too. The chips were warm and their salsa was spicy and yummy. The downside is the service. It was absolutely horrible. My boyfriend got pretty pissed since the waiters barely came by. Only to take our order and give us our food. Please up the service and it'll be fantastic here!
(4)
Yanyao N.

Delicious horchata. Tasty lengua and al pastor tacos. (Double corn tortillas, cilantro, onions, lime) Friendly service. These 3 things make me totally content and satisfied with Garcia's. They'll be seeing a lot of me, I suspect.
(4)
Ty N.

Two words... Mango Margarita. Yum! The service was a bit slow, but it WAS busy on a Tuesday night!
(4)
Carolyn M P.

My sister and I went here on Thursday night. It was very loud that I couldn't hear my sister at all and she was right across from me. But the food was "FABULOUS ", & VERY FILLING we started with chips and salsa which was too hot for me and we asked for something mild it came but it was warm but good. I has a glass of horchata Rice Milk. I ordered a Torta Sandwich with Steak this was a dinner and it came with rice & refried beans. This was so good and so filling we both ate 2 basket's of chips while waiting for our dinner's. She had Al Pasto with pork also as a dinner she had beans,with onions served with rice, pico de gallo & 2 tortillas. She also had horchata to drink with the meal. I had a second glass because they don't do refills. We even had brought home our leftovers . Which I just had last night. Now I'm craving for more food.
(5)
Magyar U.

I've been going to this place for about 20 years and no, that's not an exaggeration! Unfortunately I'm old enough for statements like that to be true. This restaurant was gone through some changes. It used to be a smaller place and wasn't the nicest to look at but the quality of food was good and the prices were cheap. They renovated a few years but back luckily the prices remained the same. Now it has a nice bar and more tables. I've noticed recently prices went up a little but they still beat their competitors and there are some other Mexican restaurants in the area. I used to order the steak tacos but recently I've become hooked on their steak burritos. There is a movie theatre nearby called The Davis. After we would see a movie we would stop by here and eat. Good atmosphere, never had to wait a long time for my order and decent prices.
(4)
Linzi M.

I've heard a lot of good things about Garcias, so I was looking forward to seeing what all the hype was about. The margaritas were strong and not too sweet. However, the burrito was absolutely flavorless. I had half of it while at the restaurant. I was hoping maybe the rest would taste better when I was hungry in the morning, I was wrong. It needs some spice/lemon/flavor of some sort. I don't think I'll be coming back.
(2)
Rebecca B.

After hearing rave reviews from friends and co-workers, I was excited to have dinner at Garcia's. Everyone has been telling me to go to Garcia's. How could I have lived in this neighborhood so long and not been there? At first, I was incredibly happy. I can walk to Garcia's from my home (always a plus), it is conveniently close to public transit (also a bonus) for when I'm coming from work, and they are open late, which is just generally awesome. Then I arrived, and the room was so loud that I found myself shouting all night in order to be heard. On top of that, the service was incredibly slow, and our server attempted to charge us for two side orders that we had never requested or received. And the food, well the food left something to be desired. In addition to my own meal, I tried a bite of everyone else's meals, and everything was...okay. Nothing was terrible. Nothing was great. It was all just...okay. Everything was a little bland and not very exciting. My margarita tasted as though it was made from a mix, rather than being hand made, and I was generally unimpressed with the entire meal.
(2)
Erika G.

Total crap. The margaritas are horrifying. Taste like Mountain Dew Margarita Mix dumped in a glass. The Sangria is no better - some weird syrupy peach concoction that bears no resemblance to actual wine. Tacos. Dry, dry, dry and boooooring. Service was fine, and the outdoor cafe is pleasant. But otherwise, I only went here 'cos Gene's Rooftop was closed on this Monday night. I won't make that mistake again.
(1)
Jenny L.

Where do I start?? I have always loved this place but today was not what it used to be at all. My friend and I decided to go here because I recommended this because of past positive experiences. First of all we get there and we are told the credit card machine is down...okay fair enough it happens right??...but what kind of restaurant does not have an ATM? It was annoying because my friend happens to be 8 1/2 months pregnant and we have to go walking down Lincoln Avenue to find an ATM so we could have money to pay our bill. Secondly my friend arrived about 15 minutes prior to me getting there and I literally sit down for 15 seconds and the server is asking if I am ready to order..."um no I am not you can see I just sat here can I have a minute to look?!" Not personable at all and just ready to take our order so we can get out of her hair it seemed. So after this happens I ask if we can have a mild salsa....then out comes something in a bowl that was smoking literally from heat like a soup. What in the world??!! So then I order the 2 taco dinner...and I say "dinner". I told the server twice and when my food comes out no sides which are rice and beans. So I explain to her and she seems puzzled. Then she leaves comes back with the sides on a side dish not to mention the actual tacos were cold. If you screw up an order then you take all the food back to the kitchen you don't bring it out piece by piece. After this happens I notice I also don't have any cheese or sour cream which I asked for. So again she comes out with the sides and just leaves them on the table. Seriously!!?? If I wanted to make my own tacos I would have cooked them at home. It was honestly so rediclous I finally told her to take it back and fix it ( which I never have done). When we are finally finished eating she brings the bill so we give her both two twenty dollar bills and we both had entrees under ten dollars and just soda so it brought our bill to under 10 bucks. She comes back and gives us a ten and two fives. I also work in this industry and with a bill at that amount and the horrendous service she gave us you cannot possibly expect to think I was going to give you a $5 tip!!?? The whole experience was just beyond irratating. The food was awful and the service sucked. I am really disappointed in this place, and considering that you majorly screwed up my order not once but TWICE....I was dumbfounded that she had the audacity to charge me for the "sides" which was supposed to come with what I ordered originally not to mention again we actually had to leave to go retrieve an ATM. Totally inconvenient and no consideration for their customers. Honestly sorry guys but I will never come back. This was the worst service I have probably ever had anywhere.
(1)
Rebecca H.

I go here often because it's in my hood and it has I few tex-next dishes I miss from home in Texas. But why every time I go it takes forever to be waited on. I wait at least 5 minutes to be seated while I have minimum 5 people working looking straight at me at the hostess stand. Then at least 10 more for someone to even come to my table. Then another 10 to come back and take my order after giving me water. Great once they finally show up but damn!!! Btw it's never at a peak time I go later afternoon not busy at all ever!! For this I give 1 star.
(1)
Anne M.

My party of 3 dined here over the weekend and we all enjoyed it. Some highlights: - ginormous burritos (and chimichangas). They take up the entire plate they're served on and they're definitely a two-seating-eat. They're also pretty cheap, though it's kind of annoying that you have to order some basic toppings like sour cream, cheese and sauce ($.50 - $1.00 extra each) but whatever... I was happy with the massive chimi. - good chips & salsa. Fresh salsa and lots of it. Chips were hot and crispy just like they should be. We needed seconds of the chips & salsa and didn't have to ask for it. Our waitress just brought us more. Thank you! - decent margaritas. We split a pitcher of the house margaritas and they were pretty good. Not super strong, but not overly sweet, and moderately priced. This place was packed when we arrived but our food still came out relatively quick, and water refills happened throughout the meal when needed. When the mood for Mexican (and gigantic burritos) strikes - I know where to turn.
(4)
Kelly M.

My sister and I stopped here for a quick lunch this weekend and really enjoyed it. The chips were fresh and the salsa was tasty. I went for the two-taco meal, which came with rice and beans. I went for the fish taco, which came with a guacamole pico de gallo, and an al pastor taco, which was topped with a medley of onions, cilantro and jalapenos. My lunch was absolutely fantastic - I was surprised that my meal came with two fish filets that were perfectly grilled and generously topped with seasoning. The al pastor taco was stuffed with crunchy tidbits of pork. I also thought the rice and beans were great and fresh. The service, however, was slow, and my sister lunch looking like an unappetizing plate of fried stuff. Perhaps she just ordered wrong, but it was disappointing when coupled with my superb entree.
(3)
George J.

This place has fallen off as far as their food goes, the service and staff are friendly and helpful. I used to come here many years ago with a few friends and it was one of our favorite Mexican spots. Unfortunately coming back after many years with a few friends their food wasn't good at all. Their meat tasted old and dry not much flavor at all the only good things there was their chips and guac dip. I gave this place a second chance just to be fair and still not good, we won't be going back anymore.
(2)
Tammy M.

Came in for the first time in December with a group and was greeted by a super snotty hostess. Proceeded despite several empty tables and a 6pm arrival to keep saying we should have called for an RSVP. Repeatedly. Enough. If you can't seat us, just say so. Then proceeded to toss menus at the guests. I said then we would not come back and would have left loudly had we not been with a group. Family liked the meal enough to urge me to try again. Different experience this time. And guess what, Bad Hostess was not there! Food and margaritas were very good. Service, great. Oscar was so nice and attentive. He started our meal by thanking us for joining them tonight. Can't remember the last time someone said that. Well done and Oscar will be our requested server when we come back. His attitude should be the standard. To the owners, please do deal with the snotty hostess. She lost you repeat business from many others the night we came in. Shame on her!
(4)
Shin T.

Been here a lot in the past. Good tacos, tostadas, you know the simple stuff. Came back after a while not being here and it seems they got too big for their britches. Ordered the chewiest Carne Asada I think I ever had. If I worked any harder to eat it I would have asked for a pay check! Had to smother it in salsa. Refried beans were like day old oatmeal. Not a happy camper. Carne Asada is a BASIC. Take your time, get it right, and everything else will fall into place. My wife had a great Margarita and some avocado tacos which she enjoyed. Staff was friendly but overworked. Only stopped by a couple of times, including bringing our meal. You're crowded now and tomorrow but if you keep serving substandard food it will eventually catch up to you. Don't go by way of that restaurant Tanzitaro on Elston and Milwaukee. They got too big, too fancy, and their food suffered, prices got inflated and within a few years they closed their doors. Too bad! They started out with great food and great prices. I may return in the future and give Garcias one more shot and hopefully they'll get it right as in the past.
(2)
Erin H.

My boyfriend and I come here for the pitchers of margaritas and always leave sooo stuffed! The house margarita pitcher is delicious and HUGE! I love the salsa here. It's very fresh tasting and has a really nice kick. The cheese enchilada is really good. Everything else is mediocre Mexican food but will do the trick when paired with the tasty margs!!!
(4)
Andrew W.

Food is awesome here. If you want late night Mexican food. This is the place. The burritos are a good size and the price is just right.
(5)
PJ J.

This place is an institution amongst the peeps from Rogers Park....even though it's not in Rogers Park. This a weird thing that I have always noticed, I'd say the peeps from Albany Park and even Lincoln Square are pretty indifferent towards it. The place is clean, and the service is decent. Some of the normal complaints you'll hear are gonna be in regards to their lack of (spicy) heat, and the large but very run-of-the-mill tacos, ohh. The beans....I hear a lot of crap about lardy beans, and yeah -but I kinda like them. Anyway, before you guys snub this place...and no, this is not Little Village, or Pilsen...this is more like "The world's greatest and best Pepe's"..... The following things here are very yummy: Skirt steak dinner, combo, or with eggs...truly a perfect cut of well seasoned and TENDER beef, very hard to do with skirt -and no, cutting across the grain like the Food Network tells you is not a cure all. My favorite thing at this place is skirt steak, so nothing cutting edge, but damn it's good. Huevos rancheros, I've heard that these are actually "huevos ahogados", but you know...there are a million variations to this dish. Garcias is my favorite, mainly because it's not just some afterthought green sauce splash on some over easy eggs. Maybe even best in city. Plain ass tostada, just beans, and rice maybe. So good. I remember the flan being "jello packet", but decent. Oh, the chips and salsa!!!! good. In closing, if you're from out of town, like Iowa or Green Bay ...or you're from a place that has a Carlos O'Kelly's. This place might just blow you away. If you're any kind of Mexican/ street ethnic food aficionado...this place may suck.
(3)
Roger M.

Generally okay as far as sit down Mexican (which is a step above a Taqueria), but the service is really lacking when they're busy. Inexperienced young hostesses don't know how to control the flow of customers and you end up waiting 20 minutes for a table when there are quite a few open ones visible to the eye. The hostess we had acted as if she didn't care if we patronized their business (maybe she had clubbing on her mind), so we humored her and left. This happened before and in my book, it's three strikes you're out. Food is good at times, and only great when we ordered take out. Maybe we were just really hungry. It's standard Mexican fare; arracheras, bistec, chicken, enchiladas, tacos, burritos and the combo plates lobbed with lettuce and beans. For my money, I'd rather hit up Burrito House on Lincoln or Addison or if I want finer dining and creative flair, I'll go to Wholly Frijoles on Touhy in NIles.
(2)
Tanya Z.

This plase is so crowded and very loud. We went for a girls night out made reservation and still had to wait 40 min. Meanwhile the smoke from the kitchen was killing me, its sooo strong my clothes and hair smelled like mexican food all night because afterwards we went for drinks. Food - mediocre. Bland and unseasoned. I ordered steak fajitas, its like i ordered onions and peppers only: not good!!! Margaritas were not bad and the service too, she cheched on us pretty often. Make sure you check your tab even if u might be tipsy from the strong margritas. We had split the tab and she had to change it twice because of the extra items on there!!! Preeety sneaky! Will not be back!! I can eat way better mexican food some place else without having to smell like it all night long!
(1)
Yunnis S.

Our friends are regulars here at this restaurant and knowing that my husband and I love Mexican food, they wanted to treat us to this place. Our friends told us that every time they have called, the individual who answered the phone would say "No reservations are accepted" so our friends have never made reservations in the past. The same happened this time where we had a party of 6 but we didn't make reservations because our friends were never able to in the past. Not a big deal. We arrived at 6:30 pm on Feb 1, 2014 (Saturday) and the hostess asked us if we had reservations. Our friends explained their past experience and the hostess asked us who would say that to them. Our friends said they never asked who it was on the phone so they didn't know. The hostess asked if it was a guy on the phone and our friends said it had been a woman always. My husband then, being the comedian that he naturally is, joked around and handed her $2 asking her if she could help us out with a table. The hostess had this disgusted look on her face and said in a very rude way, "Um, no, you can put your money away. Thanks." Okay, fine. Not everyone might be as susceptible to my husband's comedy but this hostess from the start acted like we deliberately didn't make reservations. She treated us like we were an annoyance to her but we are the customers and.... the "customer is always right." I can NEVER understand individuals who go into a business where they have to deal with people every second of the day, yet they have the worst attitude for the job. After the rude remark, the hostess, whose name she revealed as Katie, said that she will look at what's available. She returned and we were able to sit at a table about 2 minutes later. No wonder our wait wasn't long. We were lucky and got the table that happened to be right by the door. The staff moved some tables together (tables that weren't the same size so one of the tables was jutting out a little bit) so that they could accommodate the 6 of us. Now, of our group of 6, two of us being pregnant and one with a serious illness where she cannot be in a cold area for too long were sitting at the table RIGHT in front of their door. After sitting for a few minutes, we realized the area was too cold because the draft from the door opening was continuous. One of us went over to Katie and told her the situation of how our friend cannot be exposed to the cold for too long and asked if we can switch to another table. Katie said there was nothing she could do and that if we wanted, we could wait for another table but that might take as long as 35-40 minutes. No, we were not going to wait that long after being told over the phone multiple times that reservations aren't accepted. We had our ill friend sit as far away from the door as possible and she just dealt with it. Luckily, nothing bad happened and the two pregnant ones had their husbands have their backs to the door trying their best to keep the wind away. The meal itself was pretty good, but it wasn't excellent. My husband and I both agreed that we would definitely take our business elsewhere. We had been excited prior to this visit, having heard great things from our friends about the food. We also have seen the restaurant quite busy, especially during the summer months but after experiencing it on our own... it's not worth it to us. The rudeness and bad customer service is not something we just put up with, UNLESS the food is out of this world.... and trust me, there are way better places with way better customer service to waste our money here in the future. We will say that at the start, we thought our waitress, Sandra, was in on it too with Katie. After awhile, we figured Sandra was just overworked. She seemed very busy and frantic. We asked for an extra silverware a couple of times because when she initially brought it, she only brought 5 instead of 6. When we asked for the bill, that took awhile too. We thought we'd be rushed out of there because they were getting quite busy but we didn't receive our check right away. Oh and it took awhile for someone to take our order too. So, if you don't care how you're treated and you just want an okay meal while visiting Lincoln Square, sure, give this place a try. My husband and I just know that we will never be returning because it just isn't worth it to be treated the way we were by their hostess (which is the first face you see when you enter Garcia's). I will be happy to never see her face or deal with that attitude again.
(1)
Brian E.

Unfortunately, this place has gotten a bit too popular since the remodel a couple years back. Despite the extra room and fancy customer queuing software they use to seat customers, the service has dramatically gone downhill. An estimated 20 minute wait took nearly an hour to be seated and the waitress's response time wasn't much better. All this, while there were several empty tables likely due to pending reservations. The food remains excellent which is the only reason it still gets 3 stars. But I can only take so much before I start looking elsewhere for my burrito fix. Here's hoping they can turn their service around soon.
(3)
Benjamin M.

This is the third time in this place and everything was great... Diana the bartender is the best... She made me the best Michelada i ever had plus a great conversation and great food, what else can i ask for? Overall i recomend this place.
(5)
Laura C.

After one of the longest work days, I was looking forward to relaxing with a nice, cold margarita. It did it's job, but the burrito fell short. For the price, it wasn't worth it, knowing that I could get a similar, if not better bite, down the street at a dive-y Mexican joint. The clientele the night that I was there was a bit sketchy. There was a large group of guys basically blocking the hallway to the ladies room, so getting through them was a bit upsetting as they had some very "ungentlemanly" comments. To those d-bags, you had no chance with me in the first place, and secondly, the comments just made you even more disgusting. We got out of there quickly and won't be back any time soon.
(2)
Joanne B.

One of the best Mexican restaurants in the city! I am now convinced that there are no good Mexican restaurants in the suburbs after eating here for years. The food is fresh and plentiful. Something is wrong if you go home hungry. Service can be slow and a little confusing for the uninitiated. It all changes when you get their fresh salsa. They also offer an amazing fish taco for cheap prices. The restaurant is constantly busy but you can almost always find a table. They are also a very reliable choice for takeout. Btw....Did you know that their beans are vegetarian? I was told this by my fiance's sister.
(4)
Jemajo M.

King of all burritos. Got the suizo and had the best steak to other ingredients ratio.
(5)
Rach H.

Food was pretty tasty. We had the steak tacos and Chicagos best burrito, no complaints there. We did agree it was a little more on the pricey side for Mexican food. Service was fine a little busy inside but that didnt bother me. I really like the garcias a little more east down Lawrence more. They are cheaper and have margarita specials and everything is wicked fast. I'm sure ill return here and would recommend it.
(3)
Meghan K.

Good food for dinner or breakfast. I didn't expect their breakfast to be so tasty. I had chorizo and scrambled eggs with refried black beans and rice. Was even better with guacamole on it. It was enough for 2 meals. Service and drinks are good too.
(4)
August B.

I really don't get this place, the crowds, the noise, the quality...it's mind blowing that so many people wait for greasy Mexican food that could be found at any hole in the wall joint anywhere in the city for half the price. So i think this was my second time here and really no better or different than my first time, something like a year ago. Can't blame them, why change if you have such a loyal following? It's really average food with a nice atmosphere, hence two stars. Still it's loud and the water guy doesn't make rounds unless requested. in summary, I would take a date here if I wanted to break up.
(2)
Natalie S.

I very rarely write a review; a place must be very good or very bad to warrant the effort. Unfortunately, in the case of Garcia's, it is the latter. We live near Lincoln Square and have tried only a couple of the restaurants. We took our baby daughter out for a walk on a Sunday and stopped in for lunch. From the moment we walked in, it seemed as though we had caught them at a bad time and were putting them out by seating us. It was busy, but not packed. We received chips, salsa and water within a couple of minutes, but while we saw several servers pass us, take orders from people seated after us, and look at our closed menus, we were not approached for nearly fifteen minutes. Right as we were gathering things to leave, a server came to our table and shortly asked what we wanted. OK, may as well stay. Maybe the food is good. In about half the time it took to have our order taken, our food arrived. I ordered the broccoli, spinach and rice burrito, which was very large for the price. Sadly, it was overflowing with frozen vegetables that tasted freezer-burned and room temperature. The flavorless cheese was not melted inside the burrito. There was no seasoning whatsoever. If you have a vegetable dish on a restaurant menu, it cannot feature frozen vegetables. I could have made it at home for about a dollar, and felt bad about the result...so eating it at restaurant was, to put it lightly, disappointing. My husband described his steak tacos as street-fair quality. I tried his refried beans, which were grainy and salty. The food was not redeeming the experience. Surprise! We did not see our server again until we asked the guy who cleared our plates if we could have our check since our baby was starting to get restless. Our baby was not screaming, but she had let out a few cries, and I would assume that might motivate them to move us along. Apparently not. Could have been a slow Sunday, service-wise. Doesn't excuse the food that might have been made in my college apartment on a night when I didn't feel like "cooking." Won't be returning.
(1)
Gund E.

They cannot solve the problem of this food by melting cheese on it. Two of my friends and I ordered three different meals but they looked and tasted nearly the same. It could be anything but not Mexican food, for sure. Margaritas are great though...
(2)
Claudy C.

Came to Garcias last night and service has gotten a bit worse. The server was kinda rude when we asked for more water and soda refill. Ordered nachos and they were ok. They forgot to put jalapeÃ±os and the beans weren't so good. Thinking about changing to a New Mexican restaurant.
(3)
Chris W.

Probably not the best or most authentic Mexican restaurant you'll find in the vast city of Chicago, but it can certainly do the job. The margaritas are great and a pitcher is huge, 6 or 7 drinks in one. The portions are also massive and you could easily split a meal or pull a lazy Sunday and eat the whole thing to yourself. If you like fish, get the fish tacos, each has its own fillet! Soo much food for little money.
(3)
Roseann M.

Well, at least Garcia's is consistent. Same unremarkable food, same poor service, same same same. I can only imagine that the good reviews are coming from people who had margaritas and, therefore, their taste buds were anesthetized and their sense of time passing was altered. So why did I end up here? Well, we were coming back from a lovely day spent at King Spa, and my friend said, how about some Mexican food? I rarely say "no" to that question. Unfortunately, it was a rainy Monday, and Los Nopales is closed on Monday. We ended up at Garcia's. I had hopes, friends, I had hopes. That happens when you're hungry. You think, maybe today, this place will be good. Maybe today, I'll have a good meal and receive good service. You know what the definition of faith is? It's the triumph of hope over experience. Well, my faith is dashed. We arrived mid-afternoon on Monday. The dining room is cavernous when there are only 4 tables occupied, and 2 waitresses to serve them. The busboy brought over water, utensils, chips, salsa and menus quickly. The waitress took our orders - one fish taco, one avocado burrito - in quick order. My friend, who ordered just one fish taco, was diving into the chips and salsa. I had one or two; the salsa is just okay. And I had a burrito coming. Our food arrived in about 5 minutes. My friend bathed her fish taco in salsa. What does that tell you about the flavor? She continued her assault on the chips. I took a bite of the avocado burrito - there is no taste other than avocado. Maybe that's as it should be. But there's no heat, either of the temperature or the flavor variety. Cold and clammy. Well, I do like avocado, so I ate half of it. When you're hungry, taste isn't as important. Meanwhile, my friend has emptied the chip basket and the salsa bowl. It would be nice to receive refills. I might like to add some flavor, however small, onto my honking big burrito. However, the waitress is nowhereto be seen in the dining room. I glanced over at the far wall, and see the two waitresses holding up the restaurant structure by leaning against the wall with their arms folded. Refills? Hah! You don't need no stinking refills! Finally, we flagged down the busboy and asked for our check. The waitress somehow pried herself loose from the wall to deliver the check. She does not waste her valuable energy by saying anything to us like "how was everything?" "Is there anything you need?" Yes, dear, there's something I need. I need Los Nopales open seven days a week, thank you very much, so I never have to cross your path again. A couple weeks later, I'm still pissed off writing about this. I left a 10% tip. I can't not leave a tip. You want a tip, waitress? Try doing your job. You'll make more money that way. And you'll have customers actually coming back, instead of bad-mouthing you on Yelp like I'm doing. I will pry gum from the sidewalk and eat that before I go to Garcia's again. fyi: the Garcia's outpost on Lawrence Avenue is better, and the staff are nicer. Maybe because it's a small place. They can't hide so easily from the customers there.
(2)
Todd M.

I loved the food at this restaurant! And I liked the ambiance and service. I ordered the #3 combo which consisted of a taco, torta and enchiladas; my version was all chicken, plus re-fried beans and rice. It was a big plate that arrived in front of me that I had to wrap up for eating at home later. All that and my meal cost less than the fajitas that my friends ordered. I'll definitely return.
(4)
John C.

Garcia's is just outstanding. We have been many times and are still finding interesting items on the menu. The food is great. Try the Chicken Tortilla soup or the Caldo Pollo. Simple but delicious fare.
(4)
Kei A.

ohhhhhhhhhh shiiiiiiizz. My girlfriend and I visited this place on impulse, and boy were we in for a TREAT! The food is extremely affordable and is very well done. It's not a high class place, but who cares? It does the job beautifully! Server was on-point, food as excellent, and the price was well worth it.
(5)
Jacqueline M.

This place was good, huge portions! A little pricey, margaritas are not made with good liquor, ask for a quality tequila.
(3)
Stella A.

Mexican food is my comfort food and Garcia's comforts me like a warm and loving abuelita. Their steak taco dinner is my go to meal most times. Other times it's their taco salad or the fajitas. Whatever I order it's always good. And my fav part of the meal is always the complimentary tortilla chips and salsa. Once I start on those, I can't stop. I'm convinced they're laced with crack.
(4)
Vicky Q.

The restaurant is extremely loud and the service is horrible. The waitresses and servers have an attitude. Never coming back.
(1)
Sarah R.

Oh Garcia's! I remember when you were just a narrow stretch of a restaurant between Western and Lincoln. Now you've flourished into a beautiful cantina style place for gathering and dining ( and your amazing food of course). The only problem I have with this place is the fact that the acoustics of the building don't absorb the noise. Naturally, with this restaurant being so good it's always busy. That's the problem. The noise. If only they had some kind of insulation in the celling that would absorb that noise. Something! That won't stop me from dropping in at least twice a month to get a big a$$ burrito. Or maybe their amazing soup? How bout the rice? No one can top their amazing rice. How do they get it so fluffy?!!??! My Vegan girlfriend loves the avocado tacos and veggie fajitas. I LOVE LOVE LOVE their Horchata and Lime-ade. DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE AMAZING AND BOUNTIFUL CHIPS AND SALSA! That's it. I can't finish this review. I'm going to Garcia's....See you there!
(4)
Sangeetha R.

I am so sad to give them this review since this used to be one of my fav Mexican places in the neighborhood for many years. As a vegetarian, I feel that there are very few places out there that will mindfully serve veggie food without mix up. Last night they broke my heart! (LOL). I asked for veggie enchiladas, asking to make sure that the refried beans and mole sauce had no lard and the rice had no chicken stock etc. Excited for my meal, half way through my first enchilada, we found not invisible meat by products but an actual piece of chicken hidden under the refried beans! Whaaaaat!? And when we asked the waitress, her explanation was they have all these things in the kitchen separate but then when putting it together it could have all gotten on the plate?!?! Really?! Since I had my old love for the place I told her it could be a health violation and she said ok. That was it. I think more than the piece of chicken the lack of accountability was the scary part. There are so many people with allergies and belief systems that don't allow them the freedom of these "oops" moments and restaurants really need to be more mindful of that.
(1)
Amber S.

Why I Love Garcia's... I've bee a fan of Garcia's for about 10 years. 1. They are pretty consistent. You know what you like and you know its going to come out as expected. That means a lot to me. I tend to go for traditional favorites, taco dinner plate (mix and match... carne asada, cebolla, cilantro, picadillo with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, chicken & cheese, whats your favorite? oooh lala). 2. Burritos as big as your head! For REAL! When I first moved here from Miami, I was super spoiled by cuban food. Like, taco bell was mexican to me back then! But now, being a 7 year Chicago resident, Mexican Burritos are a must! These burritos are so big, you will have leftovers for sure. Portion control, people! Just thinking about it makes me want one right now! 3. Pitchers of margaritas. enough said! I personally think the frozen fruity ones are better tasting. Salt on the rim, please... Pitcher+burrito+good friends and convo = Great Time at an affordable cost. Ambiance: I am a sucker for a swanky environment, which is why this place gets 4 out of 5, for me. That being said, they have Mega upgraded their establishment over the last few years (especially the bathrooms!).. yay for them! Also, their waitresses wear cute black pants usually. :-)
(4)
Mattie L.

Just moved to the area and have plans to eat more at this restaurant, but I have only one thing to comment on until I try more! They have my favorite EVER tortilla soup. Add the chicken. It is amazing! And a meal in itself or 2, for sure. I could eat it every day.
(4)
Joe M.

Food was very fresh and portions were generous. I had the enchiladas which tasty, but not much seasoning. The menu seems very family friendly so your kids won't find the food too spicy. Hostess was very friendly. The food is a great value for the price. The restaurant takes reservations for parties of 6 or more.
(3)
Greta B.

This place is awesome. I live nearby so I stop in every once in a while and eat dinner at the bar. The bartender, Vincente, is AMAZING. He may well be the hardest worker in town. Chicago's Best Burrito is yummy. Salsa is hot.
(4)
Terrel K.

always on point,,everything!!!
(5)
John L.

They need to close off the entrance on Lincoln and stick to the entrance on the other side on Western Ave. because the very average food is more fitting to something along Western than Lincoln. Really, this place sort of doesn't fit in with the whole Lincoln Square thing but I guess it's close enough to Lawrence to make sense. That being said, however, this place sure comes in handy on those nights when you waited a little too late to go out to dinner and it's the only thing still open. It stays open pretty late and I can walk there from my place. It happens about once every 3 months, the wife and I are staring into an empty fridge at 11pm trying to come up with anything when we both know that we're going to end up at Garcias because it's the last thing open unless we want to go to 7-11 and get something horrible there. It's not fresh, but you know what, it's not that bad. The beans and sauces clearly all come from a can or a jar. The cheeses are all very plastic-like. Not good quality. I don't know what it is but sometimes the food can be strangely satisfying, sort of in the way that the food at a cafeteria can sometimes be enjoyable even though it's not the best. The service is hit or miss but I've never been completely ignored or had a bad experience. The margaritas are average. When all else is closed, go to Garcias.
(3)
Alex F.

I'll venture to say this is one of my favorite mexican restaurants in the city. The service isn't the greatest but I can't say I go there for the service as much as I go for the food. First off, it is the most reasonably priced food in the area and you seriously get a bang for your buck. Great chips and salsa and gigantic and fresh margaritas... I usually get the fish tacos which I can honestly say I have no complaints about. I find that in most of my visits the server does not frequent the table all that often but I'm not one to complain about not being bothered while I'm eating and they're always very polite.
(4)
Pam D.

Garcia's a rather large and busy place. It is cavernous, but nicely decorated and for sure they have put money into the place. That being said, I have to say I was rather disappointed in the food. I had to ask for hot sauce because the steak and stuffed pepper I ordered were amazingly tasteless for Mexican food. Christopher felt the same way about his combo platter. It wasn't bad, just not very tasty.
(2)
Mags P.

I seriously love Garcia's! They have some of the best Mexican food, hands down! The portions are generous so you'll get two meals for one! Nom Nom Nom Nom! You'll be hooked after for sure!
(5)
Mork M.

I went for the first time with my girlfriend and her friend, who was celebrating a birthday. We downed pitchers of (tasty) margaritas and the ladies ordered a smattering of tacos, which were reportedly delicious. The pico was kept flowing, chips (excellent, fresh) were replenished constantly, and our wonderful waitress checked up on us constantly, probably trying to figure out if she should administer a BAC test. I had lengua tacos the other day so I didn't want lengua, but I did want something.. meaty. I also had a long day and was sort of grumpy, so I didn't want to read their extensive menu. My eyes settled on "CHICAGO'S GREATEST BURRITO." Sure. Whatever. Its a carne asada burrito suizo and its the size of a fucking 15 lb baby. I think it was 9$ or something. I ate the whole thing, its 10:45am and I'm at work and I still feel so full I want to die (not in a bad "that was gross" way but a satisfied "fuck, yes, I am so fat I am going to die and then if I reincarnate, I will order another one in whatever language I may be able to communicate in"). I'm rarely up here but it is really good. The burrito is far from the best in chicago, but it was very good warranting an excellent review. It just had lettuce, tomato, sour cream and about 14 lbs of carne asada with a cheese blanket rivaling the thickest wool blanket your grandmother ever made.
(5)
Lucy F.

Steak burritos are ok...but everything is extra...sour cream, cheese, and avocado. I order the "old fashioned" drink and it was done very poorly. I tried to give it another shot and order the "Mojito" and the lime that they put in the drink tasted stale. Our waitress was really nice and we were seated promptly no complains there.
(2)
David L.

Huge portions of tradition authentic Mexican dishes. I really enjoyed the posole and the beef liver and onions. Service was very good, and the prices extremely reasonable.
(4)
Tim H.

Recently went with friends to Garcia's and thought it was an average Mexican restaurant. The menu seemed fairly standard with prices for dinners around $10-20, which I think is a little pricey. In my opinion I'd rather go to a smaller taco joint and get food just as good (if not better) for half the price. Food was fine (had pollo en salsa) and the portion was big so I was able to get multiple meals out of it. Still fail to see how chicken, salsa verde, rice, beans, shredded lettuce and a slice of tomato equates to $12 bucks though, but I guess with large portions I can't be too picky.
(3)
Ben B.

When you're sick of your hole-in-the-wall Mexican standby and you want something slightly fancier than Chipotle, Garcia's is a good choice. We arrived on a Friday evening and the place was packed. It's fairly spacious, but all the seats were full. Even the bar was full. There's not really a good place to wait for a table, so we stood in the entranceway, getting jostled as people came and went. After maybe 20 minutes, enough seats had opened at the bar and we sat down for a bit. Quickly, our table was open and we rolled over to sit down. The ceramic tiles on the floor and the high ceilings make for a very noisy environment. This is not a good place for a date, but it's pretty good for a hang-out with friends. I had the carne asada burrito. For just $6, it was very large and very filling. The steak inside was good. I ate until I was full and kept eating until my plate was clean. As far as the complimentary chips and salsa, I prefer a much chunkier salsa than the watery variety that seems to pop up at so many Mexican joints. But the chips were good. At one point, I dropped some salsa off my chip and onto my arm. Without thinking, I scraped the salsa off my arm with a chip and ate it. Ridiculous, but I guess that's a sign that I liked it. Service was adequate. One server was dripping something from one of the plates when he brought it over, but it didn't drip on us. (Do I give him props for not dripping on us or dock points because one of our plates was dripping some kind of liquid on its way to the table?) Good value, festive atmosphere and good food bring Garcia's tres estrellas.
(3)
Selina K.

Great local Mexican restaurant. The staff is friendly and attentive. The first time I went I had an enchilada combo platter with mole sauce. It was tasty the first few bites but then got too overwhelming. So for my second time I had the Combination #1 with 2 enchiladas and a chile relleno with green sauce which was excellent. My friend had a shredded chicken soup and another chicken plater and was raving about it. Also the chips and salsa were to die for. However, when we asked for more salsa our waitress never came back. Boo for that. The night before we walked by and saw they were open until 4 am so we will definitely be back for a late night to try their margaritas!
(4)
Tom K.

We met our print salesman here for lunch today -- we had never been, but the Brauhaus down the street is closed on Tuesdays and we weren't in the mood for the other stuff on the street. Gotta say, I was disappointed. A couple of us had the chicken flautas -- they somehow managed to be dry and greasy at the same time. Another had the chicken mole and said it was good, and the tostadas another had looked big but a bit dry (I didn't ask how they were). Mostly the problem is the noise level -- it's all hard surfaces in there, and during the lunch rush it was incredibly loud. We couldn't hear ourselves at all, even when we basically hollered at each other. Some places aren't good for business meetings, and I understand that. This is one of them, and we won't be back for that purpose. But I'm willing to go to loud places on my own time if the food and service are good enough. But we waited a long time for the check, and for water and other odds and ends before that (because parts of our order were missing). I didn't hate it, but I don't see any reason to go back in a city like Chicago where there's great Mexican food on almost every corner. The prices were a little higher than a more modest taqueria. I will say in their favor that they do have very good guacamole.
(2)
J B.

This place was recommended to me by a friend who says this is some of the best Mexican food in the city. Service was decent. The waitress was lacking in the personality department, but brought my food and drinks in a reasonable amount of time. The physical restaurant was very nice. It looks very new, clean, nice tables, nice bathrooms and spacious. Food was okay. The salsa and chips were good and I had the bistec a la Mexicana for lunch. I have looked all over the city for a place that makes it well and unfortunately, theirs was very average. I have had much better at other places that I would not come back for this dish. I did look at what some other people were having and the fajitas looked good. Overall, an okay experience in a good looking restaurant...
(2)
Lucy P.

Hard to believe all the reviews are for the same place, as they can be so drastically different! Anywho, here's my opinion....since that's what this site is about. We decided to come in here on a recommendation of some friends of ours. We were meeting (different) friends of ours and decided to give Garcia's a go. When we stopped in they told us it would be ~45 minute wait, so we wandered over to the bar. I'm generally not a huge fan of margaritas, I don't dislike them, but they usually aren't my first choice. I decided to go against my "usual" and took up the bartender on his offer of a margarita. I asked him to make me his favorite. He returned with a fabulous banana strawberry margarita. I couldn't have been more pleased! In much less than 45 minutes our table was ready. We ordered, and I swore the food came out minutes later. We couldn't even believe that it was actually our food. This got me super excited. I joked that "they don't even pretend that it takes an hour to make your food here." (You know, some places like to add to the "experience" by making the food take longer. So you think it was all actually made right then and there down to chopping the onions). Anywho, my husband obviously didn't hear my excitement for the fast food delivery, and he said that he didn't appreciate how quick it comes out. He said that he enjoys that intentional-food-delay. I ordered the cheese enchiladas. In general they are nothing fancy. These were pretty standard for cheese enchiladas. But since I think cheese enchiladas are fantastic. I thought these were fantastic. (I won't deny the fact that I generally like anything that combines excessive cheese and carbohydrates). My husband ordered some vegetarian combo type thing and said he wasn't impressed. I didn't taste his food, so I can't say one way or the other. I was tempted to give this place 5 stars, but since I got something pretty basic, and my husband wasn't completely impressed, I'll give it 4 for now. Maybe I'll bump it up after we visit again. I almost forgot to mention how freaking cheap this was. We could NOT believe our bill for 4 people when they brought to us. We checked it over more than once expecting that something was missing, but it wasn't Good food, cheap food, what else is there to want!
(4)
Miles M.

The most flavorful part of any meal at Garcia's is the decor. Followed by the drinks and then the salsa you get served shortly after you sit down. I ate here last summer after securing the lease to our new apartment in Lincoln Square and was less than impressed. My wife has been wanting to try it so I went back again today with her. The portions may be great, but the food has no flavor. The chicken which looks well-seasoned is anything but. Even the hot sauce (Green Salsa) has no flavor aside from its heat--though the heat is quite nice. The servers and staff have always been friendly and the decor and music add a certain pep when you step in, but neither of those can make up for the taste-less meals. Sad face. 5 stars for decor and service... 1 star for the food.
(2)
Jamie B.

This place gets a solid 2 stars from me since I can't give 2.5. I agree with a lot of the other reviews that the food lacks flavor. If you're craving a margarita and just some ok-enchiladas or tacos, then I think you will be pleased with Garcia's.
(2)
Isaac G.

This is by far one of the best Authentic Mexican restaurants in the city! I am amazed at some of the comments made, on service, food, etc... not being favorable! Are you kidding me the place is awesome, the food comes thru as being made with the feeling of home, and the drinks are the best in the city, with bartenders that are the toast of the town! This is a family owned tradition. The amount of work they placed into the decor shows they care about the comfort they want all of their patrons to feel as the come in set down and relax. I'm sorry some of you had problems with the wait staff, but have you seen the amount of people who come into this place, it gets super busy! Not everyone is going to be served 100% perfection all of the time, relax, come in, stay a while, talk with friends, if you want fast Mexican food thrown together, that tastes like mystery meat, then go to Taco Bell, I bet you wont like it when they screw up your order in drive thru, and you have to drive back LOL!
(5)
Sandra A.

I've been eating here and at the other location since I was 3 years old. I am almost 20 now. I love their enchiladas verdes with ground beef, ground beef tacos, and their pico de gallo salsa with chips. Oh, don't forget the horchata! YUMMY!
(5)
AV G.

No. This is not a good taco place. Although it is nice and the service is very prompt ( i do not know why there is so much chatter about rudeness and poor help...everyone was lovely and friendly) the food is not good. I am active with Old Town and am at Lincoln Square more than weekly--the food is just not very good, although cheap. Of note--the call top shelf liquor is $1-$3 less than many othe LS bars--to stop here for coktails and chips ahead of an Old Town event is not a bad idea.
(2)
Mary T.

After a seminar at Fleet Feet, me and my running peeps were in need of a quick bite. Breezing by on my way to FF, I secretly hatched a plan for dinner here. Given how much this group likes to eat*, I should have known I'd have them at "Garcias?" I was surprised how busy this place was on a Monday evening; fortunately, there wasn't a wait and they were able to pull together a table for our dirty dozen lickity split. As soon as the chips and salsa hit the table, we pounced on them like we just came off a 10-day fast. That salsa was damn good, we were using the spoon to scrape every last morsel on to our chips. The only downer was that they weren't very quick to replenish them. One of my friends ordered chips and salsa to take home - I think it cost $5 for a decent take-home portion. I ordered a regular margarita and the taco-tostada combo. The margarita was big and strong - just how I like 'em. I went with the tilapia taco and a veggie tostada. The taco was just ok, I've had better fish tacos in the city; it might be because I'm not wild about avocado, but the special avocado sauce did nothing for me. Adding some of their hot salsa verde for some kick did the trick though. The tostada was good, but messy. They don't skimp on the ingredients, I had a tower of tostada goodness. Portions are quite generous here, especially for the price. My friend's burritos were enormous, they made Chipotle burritos look like junior-size ones and were only $6-ish. I think everyone who ordered one took at least half home. Even the tortilla soup came in what looked like a mixing bowl. Service was the one weak spot, and from the other reviews a chronic problem. Service was not bad, just aloof. It should also be noted that if you're dining in a group, they'll only split the check two ways and take a maximum of two cards for the tab - I recommend bringing cash to make settling the check easier. It wasn't the best Mexican I've had, but it was very solid; I'd definitely come back for at least some margs, chips and salsa. *However, nothing like Yelpers love of food
(4)
Cassie M.

Exceedingly bland. I've never had Mexican food that didn't have SOME flavor. This was like elementary school cafeteria type Mexican food. Gross refried beans, chicken that was desperately in need of some sort of seasoning, or at least salt. Even their pico was bland. The flautas were so dry I actually choked on a couple of bites. Oh & no free refills? My large came in a styrofoam to-go cup even though we were eating in, & my dining partner's medium came in a nice glass. Don't even get me started on the craptastic service. Even less personality in the servers than in the food!
(1)
Susan P.

Tortilla Soup for $4...need I say more?
(4)
Sergio H.

Honestly, this is one of the best in the whole city. Its hard for me to agree with everyone else about their customer service being anything less than 5 stars! Their food is fresh, authentic, and best of all its what Mexican food should be like. My experience: 1)Their Carne Asada is amazing! 2)Margaritas are done just Perfect! 3)The waitress was courteous and very prompt! 4)Mexican food is at it's best here! I definitely will continue to come for the best Mexican food in Chicago! They set the standard and I love coming here. Thanks Garcia's the drive is definitely worth it!
(5)
Heather P.

Garcia's from the outside is not at all what comes across inside. Granted, there are a million Mexican restaurants in Chicago and this certainly isn't comparable to many of the upscale, fusion-like, swanky places in the city but for good, solid food at reasonable prices - it is your best bet, especially for this neighborhood. The restaurant itself is ginormous, tables are nicely spread out. The size and ceiling height makes it loud and I wouldn't recommend this for a romantic date spot, it's just not that type of place. For families or gathering with a couple friends, it's perfect. The complimentary chips and salsa are delightful. I tend to be a bit of a salsa snob and I always judge a restaurant by the quality and freshness or lack of freshness of the salsa. Garcia's passed my test! The burritos are massive and though I didn't have one, they looked delicious and the people at my table who ordered them were more than impressed with both the size and flavors. I had a combination platter with chile relleno and enchilladas. Loved the enchilladas, will skip the chile relleno next time. The egg batter was a bit overwhelming and the charred taste that I love about chile rellenos was missing here. The margaritas were excellent. It only took one to put me in a margarita drinking day kinda mood that exceeded way past lunch time. The strength was just enough to give me the grand idea of picking up more margarita mixing madness from the Jewel down the street....so yes, I would say it wasn't strong in a bad way - strong in a very, very good way!
(4)
Esther S.

Love the food. The steak tacos are to die for. A lot of food for the price and it's open late.
(4)
Rebekah H.

Garcia's is one of those unexpectedly reasonably priced places to eat that lies in the heart of a not so reasonably priced area! The food is pretty decent, their tacos are huge and the meat is well seasoned, the chips and salsa on the table are great and they have good enchiladas. Try a combination plate so you can sample some of everything! The best part is their drinks, from the Horchata to the Margaritas they do them very well. The large Horchata is huge and creamy with just enough sweetness and cinnamon to almost feel like you are drinking a dessert. The margaritas are also well balanced and huge, my favorite is the coconut, it is to die for! All in all great place for groups or a date and they are open late when most of the other business in that area are closed, so parking is pretty easy if you are looking to get a late night bite to eat!
(4)
Erica I.

So I've been back here quite a few times since it's in the neighborhood, and it's growing on me. The quesadillas are pretty tasty and juicy, and the guac is good too. Also there's usually not too long of a wait when we go. I'd even give it 3 1/2 stars if I could!
(3)
Dennis L.

I have not been to Garcia's several times, and it is a solid Mexican restaurant. The complementary chips and salsa are very good. The chicken and al pastor tacos are both Delicious. Their burritos are very large and have great flavor. Our only disappointment was the guacamole. Perhaps it was a one time thing, but it was very bland and oddly creamy. While it is not the best Mexican around, it is good overall.
(3)
Julie P.

This is my go to mexican restaurant for late eating. This place is usually packed during the day and crazy during the night. Slow and nice during the late nights. I just wish the horchata was given in a bigger cup.
(3)
Andy C.

Mexican joints are a beautiful aspect of Chicago. Living in uptown, I was 0.5 miles away from five different restaurants, three of which were open 24 hours. However, moving west a mere 1.5 miles, Garcia's is now the easiest to get to, and open latest. And yet, every time I hang up the phone after ordering, I always regret it. The food is not very good quality, with the carne asada very well done to cover up the poor quality, and the guacamole is indeed quite pathetic. The price would have you assume otherwise, though, as a simple torta costs over $6 (unless you want sour cream on that, for which they charge extra!). The staff makes you feel as though your patronage is inconveniencing them. I suppose there are some perks. They are open late, they do have a huge dining area, and.. well, that's probably about it. Honestly, don't bother; take the one mile trip east for a better all-night option. And leave Garcia's alone; your purchase would only bother them.
(2)
Jane K.

Not the most authentic tasting mexican food. This just means it's too bland for me. But my standard is that I love Menudo and Pozole and the like. I've only been two or three times so I'm not sure if I just didn't order correctly, tried the burrito and chimichanga and tacos but nothing memorable.
(2)
Maggie M.

Fan frikin tastic. Having come from the south where most ethnic food joints are Americanized and have bland food, I can say that Garcia's has FLAVOR! (and lots of it) I usually order the torta with avocado instead of meat and its the best sandwich you could ever want to eat. My husband makes it a point to try something new every time and has not been disappointed yet. His favorite so far is the Huevos Con Carne Asada. The chicken soup is a LARGE portion so be careful if you order it as a side. We love this restaurant!
(5)
Mark A.

First, let me say this....They ruined the place by remodeling. Its like a HS gym with tables and Mexican decor. Way too big and way too loud. And no music playing?? The service is slow and indifferent. The prices are too high for the quality of food. The burritos are HUGE but unfortunately have no taste and are VERY greasy. I got a steak burrito suiza and my partner got pork/steak combo burrito. Both of us were severely disappointed. The meat tastes like nothing...literally. Has this place ever heard of seasoning? Also after cutting mine in half, my plate was a pool of grease. Gross. French fries were undercooked and the the margaritas sucked as well. Definitely from a prefab mix. Again, gross. The bottom line? There are way too many good options in the city for good (and cheap) Mexican food to bother going back to Garcia's.
(2)
Liz W.

The good: The best chips and salsa i ever had. I could eat a whole bag to myself. Enchiladas with the red sauce are cheesy and good. The OK: Their tacos are alright. A liltle bit too greasy for me. The bad: The rice is really bland and refried beans were too oily. The steak was really greasy. If you want good mexican food there are a lot of better places out there. I suggest you stop by for some chips and salsa.
(3)
Vanessa C.

I love Garcia's. I grew up around Lincoln Square so it became one of my absolute favourite places to eat. I'm not really a fan of Mexican food in general, which is funny considering I'm part Mexican, but Garcia's is just too delicious. I, unfortunately, moved out to the suburbs with my family a few years back, but whenever I go to Chicago and am craving some good Mexican food, I head on over to Garcia's. My favourite food to order is their chicken flautas with sour cream and shredded cheese. Oh, and their chips and salsa are really good, too. Ay, now I'm hungry! Oh, and the only reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the lack of room; my social anxiety flares up when I'm wedged between loud groups of people. Aside from that, I have no complaints. The food itself gets 5 stars.
(4)
Emily W.

I love you, Garcias. Your food is pretty good. I like your salsa. Your fish tacos are tasty. You're close to public transit. Thank you for expanding your dining area. I have nothing more. You're welcome.
(4)
Liz D.

I hadn't been here in a number of years. Last time I went (before the remodel) I enjoyed the food very much. This time...the service was horrible and the food not much better. My burrito was terribly greasy and consisted only of meat. Usually there is a bit of vegetable in with the meat. My friend did not care for the food either and actually spent the rest of the day with a stomach ache and feelings of queasiness. If you want tasty Mexican in the area I suggest going a block or two down Western Avenue to Los Nopales. Small, cozy and the food is quite delicious!
(2)
John H.

I've been to Garcia's several times. Decent mexican food for slightly up-market prices. The tacos are excellent, and the tamales are meh... However, Garcia's location on Western Ave, and late hours make it an easy to place to grab a quick meal. Lastly, their renovation has make the place cleaner and more palatable. If you want a fairly standard, utilitarian Mexican restaurant in Lincoln Square, Garcia's is a good place to eat. On the other hand, if you're going out for dinner and want really top-notch Mexican food, try Los Napoles down the street.
(2)
Ashley V.

I loved Garcias... the atmosphere was great, the servers seemed to be working pretty quickly. We were in a large group and didn't have to wait long to get seated or get our food, and even though it was super busy the servers were very attentive. I never had to hunt anyone down for more water. The food was inexpensive and good, it was pretty authentic. The only thing I didn't care for was the service at the door. We apparently came in a wrong entrance and employees could see that we were lost and just kind of looked at us and kept it moving. Other than that the food was great and so was the wait service.
(4)
Cathleen M.

My husband and I went here on a Friday night for a change of pace from the other Mexican restaurant we frequent in Lincoln Square. When we arrived, the place was hoppin', which is usually a good sign. The service was fine and the margaritas were good, but the food was just OK. They have a HUGE menu, which leads me to believe that they are cranking out a lot of different dishes and not really specializing in anything. I had chicken fajitas that tasted bland, although the next day I reheated the leftovers and they seemed to have improved. The portions were gigantic, so I guess if you're hungry, that's a plus. They are open late so I'd guess this place might taste better after a night of drinking. We probably won't go back to Garcia's unless it's late and we're stumbling home from Huettenbar.
(2)
Jaime J.

i heard such great things about Garcia's but i was not too impressed.. . the food was great.. their garlic marinated shrimp is my favorite... but the customer service is not so great.. My water cup stayed emptied the whole time and the servers made me feel like i was bothering them.. i ordered a sprint and it came out with my check at the end.. and the host in the beginning refused to give us a bigger table bc we had 3 people... he insisted that the table for two would work with an extra seat.. one of the people that came with us had to sit on the hallway where everyone was walking back and forth.. that was a bit annoying.. i might just order carryout next time.. if i go back..
(2)
Shawn O.

I love Garcia's. I have been here with large groups at the last minute on a Friday and a more intimate 2 person meal on a Tuesday and have never been disappointed. Good Margarita's and great spinach broccoli Tacos. Service is good and location is perfect.
(4)
Lindsey W.

I've been a fan of this place for YEARS. Their burritos are HUGE, full of really good ingredients. I've tried nearly everything on the menu and I've never been let down. The enchiladas are deliscious and you can get them with mole or red sauce. I really like the tacos, and the queso fundido. The mixed drinks are really great too. Big fan of the tequilla sunrise. Garcia's is open late and is super inexpensive. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Gina K.

Upon speaking with one of the servers I have come to find out that the chips they serve are NOT gluten free. (Cross contamination from other gluteny items fried in the same oil.) However, if you explain your restrictions and ask politely they may not have a problem with you bringing in your own! I also now stick to tacos on corn tortillas just to be safe.
(5)
Claire S.

Fair enough. I stand corrected. I have given the Garcia's on Lawrence two different chances since my first visit to the Western/Lincoln location and I've concluded that I must have ordered the wrong thing for my first time. In my first review, I wrote that I had the vegetarian fajitas. This was a BAD choice. Since then, I've had veggie tacos and a veggie burrito and both were very good! The burrito is a particularly great value too ($4.50 plus another $1.40 for cheese and avacado--it's huge and delicious). I fully intend on frequenting Garcia's from now on.
(4)
scott k.

good food, had the taco dinner with rice and beans. can't go wrong give um a try. casual place better for hanging then date night.
(3)
Daniel D.

I cannot say how much this place really rocks! it is so damn delicious and not expensive at all! you literally can order anything off the menu and it is guaranteed to be awesome. it's always packed but now that it was renovated and expanded it is much easier to find a table. jus thinking about the place makes me hungry!
(5)
Emma K.

Garcia's...Yum. Perfect for the late night, post bar craving. It's huge, bring your friends :-)
(4)
Kristina C.

The service here is unacceptable. My boyfriend and I have been to Garcia's about 10 times (because we like the food) and every single time, the service has gotten worse. We had lunch there today, and will never come back. When you walk into this place, you're ignored. The waitresses are unfriendly and uninterested. You have to ask for things a bunch of times before you get them. You get refills if you're lucky. The management here really needs to wake up.
(1)
Carmen O.

Horchata is very good but the torta de lengua could have been better. The ambience of the place is enjoyable. Debating whether I would go back.
(2)
Joe H.

I'm knocking Garcia's down a peg or two. The last two meals I've had there have not been their best work. I think the service is slipping a bit and food quality isn't far behind. I have only been there since the remodel, being new to LS. Stumbled in one nigh walking around the square with an empty tummy, could smell the wonderful odors their kitchen was omitting from blocks away. I am a huge fan of Mexican food, and could probably eat here every day if allowed and socially acceptable. The food here is great, but as another former southern Californian pointed out, not the best. Make no mistake, you are not wandering in the Barrio, you are in Bavarian Lincoln Square. But don't let that fool you, the food is delicious and so cheap its almost free. I recommend the Mole sauce, I have only had it better one other place. I have tasted from other peoples plates that were in my party, and am yet to find a bad dish on the menu. Don't go on a Friday or Saturday night if you are in a hurry, I have waited no less than a half hour to sit down and that was a weeknight. If you have the patience though, it IS worth the wait. Good salsas, better Margarita to wash down the spice!
(3)
John-Ryan G.

AVOID this place. It's super gross, and the staff is rude.
(1)
Unity O.

So, last night we ordered take out from Garcia's and I was a bit trepidatious since they are not always on top of their game when it comes to take out. Mainly due to the fact that they are ALWAYS packed & can get distracted with the phone constantly ringing & also the customers standing by the register. Since we had a big order, I wanted to make sure when I spoke to the guy on the phone that he got everything--he was patient with me so that is great. At pick up--the lady behind the register read back the order to us and viola everything was in there--yippee!! It has happened where we did not get everything we ordered--but last night all was good. So, if you order out, make sure you check your stuff before you leave or you might get surprised later. You've been warned. By the way, food was on point as always!
(5)
Carol J.

I like Garcia's enough but there is something here that put me off a little. I like the dumpy vibe of the place and have been coming here for years, you know, before Lincoln Square was gentrified and it was a rather seedy little destination. I love that its cheap. I mean crazy cheap. I think its funny that the extras are like fifty cents upcharge. I mean really, fifty cents. I also like that they modify everything for my picky little self but what I don't like is the texture of their guacamole. It frightens me. I would swear there is lard in it as a filler but can't be certain and that is a horrible rumor to spread. But honestly, I highly doubt they would read this review of even care because they will always have the loyalty of the drunks regardless of my slanderous accusation. Service is decent and mariachi guys say sexually inappropriate things in Spanish that make me laugh
(3)
Mandy C.

My favorite Mexican food on the north-side. Huge portions, cheap food, strong margaritas. But what happened within the past few weeks? They remodeled, and now business is booming. Good for them, but I miss having the place all to myself. Definitely order one of the combos. I've eaten nearly everything on the menu (making it a personal goal in the Spring of 2009) and the #3 is still my favorite.
(4)
Renee L.

Love this place--- from the giant margaritas to the authentic food it is the best! I think that this restaurant is iconic. The food is great after a night out when you need a bite to eat. Can't really say much more about it!
(4)
Josef N.

I just came home from there. Never been there before, a friend took me. We were sat quickly.....our food was brought in about 20 minutes, was good. I ordered a spinach, broccoli, rice and cheese burrito; which I know was weird, but enjoyed it. The mango frozen margarita was delicious. The tortilla chips kept coming like clockwork and the service was fine. Nothing too exciting, but nothing horrible. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Megan H.

In an area swarming with tacquerias, this is our go-to place. The portions are large, and the food is good. It's an even better deal if you eat in-house, because they have waiter service (a rarity for a taco stop) and free chips and salsa. I think the burritos got smaller recently, but they're still big enough for two meals if you play it right. The chimichanga is a deep-fried version of the burrito, which means it's huge! The combos are best if eaten at the restaurant.
(4)
Keara K.

Oh no Garcia's! It really pains me to write this. What is happening?! You're slipping! Second time in a row I've become ill from the food! I avoided chicken hoping to avoid the last bout of food posioning (over Thanksgiving weekend), so went with veggie enchiladas, and still felt sick afterwords. Also, service was really awful. Keep in mind, I've worked in the industry forever, so I'm really forgiving about service, but this was non-existant. After we ordered our entrees we only saw her when she dropped our food, and when we asked for more chips and salsa, as there were 4 of us, and we went through the basket pretty quickly, she only brought salsa (even though we had no chips), and when we asked for some more chips, she said she that would cost us. I've never heard of a Mexican restaurant charging for more chips when everyone has ordered dinners. Food was eh... not her fault, but just saying. We also waited forever to get our check, then she never came back when it was time to pay. We had to grab another server to take our check for us. And it was not busy at all... Oh Garcia's. I don't want to give you a bad review, but you are starting to slip in ranks. Get it together so I can enjoy dining there again.
(2)
Amanda E.

Went on a Sat. early evening. Made a reservation for 12 and had to add one at the last min. no problem for Garcia's. Our waitress did great with our food and drinks. Didn't have to wait long for either. I had the carne asada dinner, DELISH! My steak actually wasn't over cooked. I had a margarita and 5 sips in I could feel it! So these drinks are not watered down. I love going here and will be back!
(4)
Paul K.

I've stumbled into Garcia's drunk many times and walked away with a paper bag full of burrito. I was never let down yet I was always drunk and therefore my standards lower. A couple nights ago my roommate and I went there stone-cold sober and actually had a sit-down meal. Hell. Yes. Chips and salsa at no extra charge. Cheap, delicious burritos. Pacifico. At one point I asked for salsa verde (for my burrito) and the server brought out an entire bowl of it and another basket of chips. Eat here.
(4)
Scott H.

I have a love-hate relationship with Garcia's. I've been going there since my wife and I lived a couple blocks away several years ago. The food has always been hugely abundant and tasty and an amazing value for the money. The salsa is always fresh-tasting with just the right amount if cilantro. The chips are warm and fresh-tasting and not too oily. BUT, the service is almost always AWFUL! I know this sounds terrible, but I always feel like I'm getting the "gringo treatment" here. Long waits to order, disinterested waitstaff, empty water glasses awaiting refills, nearly accurate orders, etc. But like I said, I can get stuffed here for well under $10 a head so I'll continue to return...however reluctantly.
(3)
Ray G.

Good food at a great price! Their portions are generous and flavorful. I always leave stuffed!
(4)
Lauren G.

I love Mexican. I love things loaded with everything I should feel guilty about eating, but with cheap up-charges I am going to get cheese and crema EVERY GOD DAMNED TIME. Their food is cheap and one burrito will last a few days. Frugality aside, their food is good and undoubtedly worth more. I have some complaints, however, with the following: their guacamole left something to be desired. We ended up just mixing the salsa they give you with it to make it worth eating. Their vegetarian burrito is a tad bit flavorless without any sort of salsa. I can vouch for their chicken tacos and pork burritos as being virtually flawless. And oh my god, it is cheap. I'm sure if I were drunk when I went, I'd think it was heaven on earth.
(4)
Mr. H.

Best mexican food. Get so much food for your money and the home made tequilla is awesome for the margs. Can't beat free chips n salsa!
(5)
Darcy M.

This place is amazing! I have been here so many times since moving to Chicago in 2008. I am never disappointed. Their tacos al pastor is the best I have ever had. I also recommend their combination # 5 carne asada and chile relleno. The only thing I would avoid is their guacamole, it has a weird taste to it. The service is always great! They also make great pina colada.
(4)
Robyn B.

I interpreted the negative reviews complaining about too much cheese as a positive for me because I usually like cheesy Mexican entrees. But, truly, it's overkill on the cheese and the food is generally too bland. Next!
(2)
Frederica B.

The interior is seriously lacking. Looks very cheesy and dingy. I'm confused why this place was so crowded. Food was fine. The waitress/bartender on the other hand was not. We ordered 1 horchata and the waitress brought us 2 and we told her we only ordered one and she accusingly shouted "NO YOU ORDERED 2." Uhh, nice. I don't think I want to pay money for someone to yell at me.
(2)
Dave S.

There are like a billion Mexican restaurants within walking distance of my house. I wish I could say that I've tried them all. I haven't and so I can't compare Garcia's to much of anything. What I do know is that the food and service at Garcia's are very good. I have tried a couple of things. First, a ground beef tora with avacado and cheese. Very tasty. The ground beef was well seasoned, the bun nicely toasted, overall a great dinner. Secondly, a chicken burrito. This was huge and way more food than I could eat at one sitting. The chicken was flavorful and not overcooked. Both of these dinners could (with rice and beans) be had for around $10. That is a steal. One could complain that this might not be the most "authentic" Mexican restaurant, but this is in the heart of gentrified Lincoln Square, what more do you expect?
(4)
Bonnie L.

I have been to this place a lot however it doesn't have the best quality of steak. My boyfriend ordered the enchilada, and I ordered the taco meal. Both of us ordered steak and it was very tough and chewy. I usually order to chicken because it tastes great. If you go here don't order the steak instead go for a different type of meat. The serve was okay and they need to get the food out quickly.
(3)
monica l.

I feel terrible giving Garcia's just 3 stars even though it was highly recommended by a friend who frequents the place all the time. We were quoted a wait time of 30 minutes but was seated in less then 5. The dinner started off great....quick service of water, salsa and warms chips (which lack salt). The wait staff was very attentive. We thought that we were in for a good time. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas and the Guacamole appetizer. The Guacamole came out very quickly. After tasting the guacamole, I realized that it wasn't homemade. It tasted like the Dean's (fake) guacamole dip that you can buy at the grocery store. Wholly Quacamole tasted better then this crap. It was sent back. Within a couple of minutes our burritos came out. Even though I know that it doesn't take much to make a burrito....I was very surprised that it came out within minutes of us ordering them. The burrito was huge and the steak was really good but the burrito was barely warm. I was highly disappointed especially since I paid extra for avocado and cheese. The cheese wasn't melted and I found maybe the equivalent of one slice of avocado at the bottom of the burrito. It wasn't even distributed through out. The saving grace for Garcia's were the margaritas and the waitstaff. Believe it or not, it took longer for them to make the margaritas then it did for them to bring out the guacamole and our burritos. Go figure! The margaritas were delicious and they actually had a punch to them. My friend and I couldn't even finish the entire pitcher due to the fact that we wouldn't be able to drive home. If I do go back to Garcia's, I will definitely try something that they actually have to cook like the fajitas or steak.
(3)
Terri T.

I went here a week or so ago with my roommate - we had heard awesome things and wanted to try it for ourselves. The service was standard, the portions were huge, but the food was not very tasty. Our veggie-friendly dishes had limp, yellow broccoli. The queso was dripping in extra fat (yeah, yeah, I know that I shouldn't be complaining when I knowingly order queso, but this was a bit much). The house margarita was actually okay for the price. Overall, I was disappointed. I was hoping for yummy Mexican food for low prices and a convenient location. Two out of three normally isn't a bad deal, but the food turned me off. I won't be back.
(1)
Allison R.

I have vowed to stop coming here late night - even if its the only place open. The past few times, the experience was exhausting and frustrating. First of all, the lighting is far too flourescent and highlights all the mascara-smudging of a long night drinking and dancing. Beyond that the ornate chairs are too heavy! Once I finally settle in and skooch up to the table, I've waited too long to order horchata and burrito. I fill up on chips and salsa (which is admittedly, fresh, good, and spicy), overeat my veggie burrito when it finally arrives (after 20 minutes!) and then wait uncomfortably for the server to present the check so I could get the hell out of there. Most recently, I had to leave some cash with my friends and just dip out. Here's the bottom line -After a long night out, I expect my mediocre Mexican food to be served promptly. Waiting too long for pre-hangover food that isn't that tasty is excrutiating.
(2)
Carly O.

Long, long ago, Garcia's was my favorite, go-to Mexican restaurant in the city. This is before I knew about neighborhoods like Pilsen, hole in the wall taquerias or new joints like Los Nopales. My best friend and I would stuff our faces with chips and salsa and sip on their delicious horchata, which is the closest thing to a dessert drink as the oatmeal shakes from Irazu. I would ALWAYS get the enchiladas suizas with either chicken or steak. You get FOUR, slathered in creamy tomato based sauce and melted cheese. I hadn't been in a good two years, mostly because I've grown fond of other Mexican restaurants. But the other day, with a craving for al pastor tacos, I decided to go with my boyfriend on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. With tummies grumbling, we inhaled a small guacamole. It was a little too smooth for my taste and kinda bland...not enough salt or kick. He had a steak chimichanga, which he enjoyed. I was happy with my two al pastor tacos. However, the rice and beans, much like the guacamole, were pretty bland. So there you have it. The entrees are great, the horchata is dreamy, the chips are great, the sides and guacamole are "meh".
(4)
William B.

I've given this place too many chances. With all of the Mexican options available in this city, don't waste your money here. The service has been consistently bad. The food, while maybe comes in big portions, is always greasy. Like, I pick up my burrito and a stream of grease pours out. No flavor. No creativity. As some one else noted, a weird barn of a room. Living in the neighborhood though, I have found that it is an ok place to stop for a drink and some chips and guacamole. Otherwise, stay away.
(1)
Sarah B.

Um, I'm just one person, but the food that was set before me could have fed a small family. I mean, I don't need that much food. So, naturally, I ate almost all of it. Yikes. First things first, I was in dire need of a diet Coke after last nights debauchery. When I saw the server walking over with that great big plastic cup it was like the clouds parted, a light shone down and angels started singing. That damn diet Coke was huge, and topped with a juicy lime wedge, no less. God in heaven, that was nice. The guacamole was a bit bland, I like a bit of spice and plenty of cilantro. This had neither, but it was edible. The salsa was pretty tasty, though. I had the Enchiladas Verdes, also gigantic. There was some good flavor, the tortillas had a nice corn flavor and the sauce was delicious, but again, could have been more spicy. Next time I will order an item to share instead of gorging myself on my own entree.
(3)
Stephanie S.

GREAT neighborhood spot to grab a burrito the size of your head! We have a tradition to visit after spectating the Chicago Marathon or after a day of imbibing at either Germanfest or Mayfest. The chips and salsa are absolutely wonderful and the margaritas are HUGE. You'd spend more at a chain and get a quarter of the food.
(4)
Jerome J.

big tasty portions, and really nice inside and out after they renovated.
(3)
Darin E.

On our recent visit to Chicago, we got to go to this place, one of my sister-in-law's favorite neighborhood bites. They are big fans and, overall, so am I now, even though it is kind of tough to give 4 stars after just one visit. It was Sunday night, peak dining hour and they were absolutely packed, which is a good sign, with hispanic-looking people, which is an even better sign (right?). I am an unapologetic middle-class blue plate diner. I really appreciate a nice plate of food prepared by people I might otherwise run into in my neighborhood, and that is what it feels like you get here: Comfort food for when you don't feel like cooking or to venture outside your normal cookbook habits. Service was forgivably slow given the fact this was rush hour. The servers themselves were very apologetic and helpful. They started us off quickly with chips and salsa. The salsa was very fresh tasting, with lots of bright flavor - not too salty or vinegary. It was on the hotter side of medium for me, and by the time the heat snuck up on me, I was wishing the server would show back up with some water for us. Water and our drinks (mexican beers for the other couple, margaritas for myself and my wife) showed up quickly thereafter though, to save my palate. The Margarita was very good, on the rocks with salt - too often frozen = neon green radiator fluid looking stuff. This one was very good - not overpowering, but not watery either. I gather (second hand) that while the pitcher isn't that much more expensive than a round of 4 margaritas, it actually holds 7-8 medium sized drinks (God bless the Chicago Transit Authority). As I have (nearly) fully exited my misspent youth, one was enough for me and it lasted throughout dinner. I ordered the Combination Dinner with a Chile Relleno & Steak Enchiladas (see photo). The Chile Relleno was excellent: Lightly battered and stuffed with just enough cheese. Not greasy, not overcooked -- just right, so the pepper had just a little body left to it. The steak enchiladas were great too. The meat was tender and well-seasoned. The ranchero sauce was a bit of a disappointment -- it was quite runny, and tasted a bit watered down too, almost like the had to stretch the tail-end of that batch out a bit or something. Rice and beans rounded out the plate to much more than I could eat, and they were both flavorful and full of that comfort-food goodness that my favorite neighborhood Mexican joints have. I look forward to going back the next time we visit. Ah, wait! Footnotes! For you hardcore down-home Mexican cuisine fans, I noticed some dishes you don't see very often. In addition to beef and chicken tacos, you can get your tacos (and other dishes) with 'lingua.' Now, I am not sure I want the meat I consume tasting me back, so I will shy away from tongue for the time being, but I am sure some if not many of you will decry my banal palette, so I offer this - go eat some yourself. Another one a little off the beaten path: Pancita. The description line said "delicious honeycomb tripe..." -- as a general rule, any time someone has to convince me to eat something by calling it out as "delicious" in the menu is immediately suspect. "Go ahead, try it! It's delicious" Yeah, right. Last time I heard that, it was a Korean friend convincing me to eat their version of shitlins, err I mean chitlins. Anyway, I am sure once again that some of you will be delighted to know that they are keeping it real at Garcia's. Enjoy.
(4)
Casey M.

Garcia's is perfect. Great little fast food Mexican restaurant in Lincoln Square. I have their number in my speed dial and love every meal they offer. Whether it is the Cheese Enchiladas Suizas, the Guacamole or just a Veggie Burrito, this place is great whether you go there at 2pm or 2am. Best late night Mexican place in the Lincoln Square. Great customer service and wonderful food at all hours of the day.
(4)
Anna G.

There's no shortage of terrific Mexican food in my neighborhood, thank god. Garcia's is conveniently located *both* in Lincoln Square and on Western (I know, it's spooky). Sometimes I park outside the Bad Times PayLess Shoes and run in; most recently I went with some friends from out of town for actual real person service-- which didn't disappoint. The vegetarian fajitas (full of actual vegetables, spinach, broccoli and potatoes (?)-- fantabulous) and broccoli and spinach burrito are super and gigantic-- If you can finish either in one sitting... well, you're an American. I usually love a burrito suiza, but the sauce on this puppy-sized puppy was kind of lacking and the cheeses kind of gummy. My cheese-loving dining companions had no complaints, but I'd probably downgrade next time. Ooh- and they bring you a big bucket of diet coke if you order the large. Go for it, it's your special day.
(5)
Victoria W.

I had higher hopes for Garcia's after seeing all the positive reviews here, but my food was so greasy and the place was pretty dirty, I just can't give it more stars. I had the vegetarian combination #2, which I thought sounded like a healthy option, but the little pools of grease on the tostada and around the plate proved me wrong. They were busy, so I can understand why everything seemed dirty, and since my husband loved his burrito al pastor I know we'll be back. I'll just have to try something different next time. Meanwhile, I'm going to keep searching for a better taqueria in the 'hood.
(3)
Kristin A.

Food is excellent and the margarita's are amazing. They have about 20 different flavors. Not too pricey. The service is typically fast, but they always make me feel a little rushed. Also, if you're with a big group, sometimes it's hard to get a table right away. There's not really a waiting area, so it gets easily crowded.
(4)

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Address : 4760 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL, 60625
Phone (773) 769-5600
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :10:00 am - 1:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

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Garcia’s Restaurant

4760 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625

Garcia’s Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Ensaladas - Salads

Dinners

Side Orders

Posters - Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Garcia’s Restaurant

Appetizers

Ensaladas - Salads

Dinners

Side Orders

Posters - Desserts

Bernard L.

Lois B.

Kerry S.

Joseph S.

Jason G.

Pauly D.

Dan D.

Gene H.

Jasmine L.

Laura N.

Latonya D.

Dan P.

Jithu K.

Andrew N.

Kyle H.

Jose L.

Kyle M.

Alan Q.

Erica P.

Sean G.

All Systems Hvac L.

Norah R.

Emily B.

Aaron Jae M.

Mi S.

Mary K W.

Khris L.

Paul N.

Genevieve L.

Douglas B.

Jose V.

Jon H.

Leigh Ann T.

Elaine M.

Nana B.

Andy W.

Raul I.

Sarah S.

Amy H.

Jason R.

Maria R.

Ellen B.

Frank B.

Bill M.

Rebecca O.

Ned B.

Martin L.

Dan H.

Carlos V.

Stephanie C.

Kat C.

Michael A.

Tyler M.

Pete V.

Evan M.

Jun F.

Angela R.

Don W.

James M.

Melissa A.

Kosta B.

Brian P.

Hoang L.

Scott O.

Damaris C.