Perez Restaurant
1163 W 18th St, Chicago, IL, 60608
Perez Restaurant Menu
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Address :
1163 W 18th St
Chicago, IL, 60608 - Phone (312) 421-3631
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Marsha B.
It's true, best Margarita in Chicago! Pico de Gallo and salsa were amazing, hearty chips were also delicious! Corn tortillas, made in house, also delicious. We just had an appetizer and drinks, but will be back for dinner!
(5)Yabi C.
Delicious, huge tacos! (they are about twice the price as normal tacos, but also about twice the size) But strictly from Earth's point of view, Perez is a big offender of the planet: Positives: Perez serves their food on real washable dishes, including their cups if your are dining in. Negatives: Everything to-go is served in Styrofoam. Styrofoam has such a terrible impact on the environment, and Perez doesn't seem to care. They also serve most of their meals with wax paper a top a ceramic plate, a layer of very unnecessary waste. Please keep making delicious Mexican food, but consider switching your to-go containers to a plant-based, biodegradable option. Also, omit the wax lining on your plates! This would save a ton of toxic waste from landing in our landfills!
(1)Dayna C.
Margaritas- a little pricier than expected, but well done- not overly "sweet" Enchiladas de mole were good, could really taste the ham or bacon base in the beans (like), rice was a bit mushy/sticky, but good flavor; tacos dinner was "solid" had a mix of steak, chicken & ground beef
(3)Araceli S.
Staff is friendly and it is said to be mostly famous for its Margaritas,(I don't drink so I can't really know about this) As far as food, although good flavor, I will prefer a more original Mexican flavor. It is mostly a mix of what I would call Tex/Mex flavor, which I am not a fan of. Overall a good place for those who love good Margaritas and Tex/Mex style
(3)Alden V.
Solid Mexican lunch on a sunny patio. Good chips and salsa and traditional fare. I'm newly expanding my Pilsen knowledge, so I'm not an expert. While nothing about Perez was earth shatteringly delicious, it certainly didn't disappoint. The food was good and the margaritas were solid, large, and reasonably priced. All combined with a beautiful sunny day. It wasn't hard to throw down a two hour lunch. (I'm sure the check-in shot of tequila helped too... a little ;)
(4)Rachel P.
I came here last night with a group since La Vaca across the street was closed for repairs. They don't allow you to split checks, even if you ask them in advance to put you on separate tabs. Sorry your staff can't keep track of multiple orders. We'd love to decide who's putting an 8-person tab on their personal card and spend days getting reimbursed, really, so much easier for your customers than your computer system(dripping with sarcasm). This restaurant is not nearly busy enough or high-end enough to demand everything on one check AND in one payment form. I used to wait tables, it takes an extra ten seconds to split payments and you aren't winning yourself any business or tips with an attitude like that. The bright spot was the margaritas; the mango and strawberry margaritas were blended with real fruit and not skimpy on the tequila; a pitcher cost us about $40, and we got about 6 margaritas out of it. However, it's a frozen margarita that they give you a coffee-stirrer-sized straw to drink out of...come on, get normal straws for thick drinks. Other than that, it was clear they had issues with food timing in the kitchen despite not being very busy overall; everything on my taco dinner plate was barely lukewarm at best when arriving to the table, as was everything on my fiance's plate. The taco al pastor I had was just bad; the sauce was not good at all. The steak and chicken were ok, but again, they were cold for being $12 plates. We had to ask for more water, ask the server to take the credit card and run it, and don't feel like we got very good service or food for the money we paid. Our entire group was extremely underwhelmed and left with a bad taste, literally and figuratively, by the experience. We won't be returning, and anxiously await the re-opening of La Vaca!
(2)Daniel N.
We were driving in from out of town when someone had the hankering for tacos. Where else is there great Mexican than in the Pilsen area so we pulled over and in Yelp we trust started hunting. We actually went to the place across the street first, The Vaca who, despite having outdoor seating, would not let us have our dog there. Then we spotting this "tiny looking" place across the street who were ok with the dog being in the patio as long as it didn't bother the other customers. No one minded so we stayed. And boy oh boy are we glad we did! First and foremost, the best thing here is the Pico de Gallo. I've been spoiled my whole life because my mother has been making the best Pico de Gallo since I was born. No one else has ever come close until I came here. I loved it! Plus really great maragritas! Home made tortillas! Extra large burritos big enough for three! If anything, that would be my only complaint, too much food! Share plates when you come here, or just come really hungry because this place will satisfy. Definitely worth the trip down to the south side for me, definite win.
(4)Wakeelah M.
I just finished eating here, and I really enjoyed it. The chicken chimchanga was big and tasted very good. I loved the golden margarita too. I'd like to come back sometime.
(4)Sarah G.
Amazing guacamole!! And that is the way to win me over :-) Nice and chunky, pure avocado and spices...amazing!!! That already helped me celebrate my 30th birthday just the way I wanted! Then pairing that up with the free shots of tequila you get when you check in on yelp? And guess what? It is actually pretty good tequila too! And after that, their pitchers of margaritas are not cheap, but they sure are tasty!!! And if you sit outside on their little patio, you feel like you are just one with the world and your margarita, since we didn't even realize that the inside of this place was almost empty since we showed up so late in the night. And if you love ceviche...the large order of this ceviche is the biggest order I have ever seen in my life! We could not even finish it, and had to bring it home as leftovers (which meant more ceviche fun the next day too!!! score!!). We also got one of their whole fishes that Alex loved and ate every bite of, and they also make large burrittos here too packed with flavor and meat and other fillings. The enchilada we got in our combo plate was not the best enchilada though (and it is pretty hard to mess up tortillas with melted cheese...), but the chile relleno was great and the steak was also pretty tasty too and I loved their refried beans. And a free flan with a candle for my birthday too?? So nice!!!!!!! They definitely made me happy I spent my birthday here, not if only I could find their guac and their salsa in a store near me....hmmmmm.....
(4)Tish D.
Homemade chips and salsa were awesome! Chips not greasy considering they fry them in house. Strong margaritas. Order the ceviche tacos or Tostados if they have them. So fresh and tasty. Great and friendly service.
(4)stan w.
This Place is tied for top choice of my favorite restaurants in Pilsen with la Cebollita. Perez is great for it's shrimp dishes and the Perez breakfast special is outstanding.
(5)Saul S.
Felt ripped off at this place. Ordered a $13 plate of ceviche and all I got was a plate of lettuce with a dab of ceviche sprinkled on top and two dry lime slices
(1)Alysa R.
I don't know why I didn't check yelp, and decided to use urban spoon to help decide on a Mexican restaurant in Pilsen. My boyfriend and I had high hopes, but as soon as we were handed out chips things went south. The chips were stale. I got the impression that the chips are not fresh and made there. They tasted like they came out of a bag. Which wouldn't have been a problem if they weren't stale. I ordered the enchiladas verdes. They were good. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat them again, but they got the job done for the evening. The tortillas are waaayyy too thick. I don't think I've ever had a corn tortilla that thick. They took over the enchiladas in a not so flattering way. Also, the waiter did not come and check on us once. Wasn't too fond of that. The place is not awful, but I'm sure there are better options for Mexican food in Pilsen.
(3)Annette G.
Ana and Rosa are great servers and Juan the cook is excellent. We came on a Sunday. They will customize your ordera to your liking. Gluten free doesnt scare them they will provise suggeations
(5)Patrick B.
Poor service on multiple occasions and worse food each time. Waited over 45 minutes for a soggy tostada and three tacos. Chorizo taco was really terrible. The rib eye taco was edible but not for the price and the wait, and the lengua taco never came. Los Camales is right up the road. Go there.
(1)Braydan H.
This restaurant is close to home. I enjoy the their tacos. Very delicious. The service is very kind and fast. A kind of typical Mexican food restaurant. There is outdoor seating in the front, which in my opinion is always a bonus star. I had a frozen margarita, it was pretty good, nothing too extraordinary, just a little over priced. Will be going back!
(4)Jordan P.
No false advertising here. Fantastic margaritas, maybe the city's best?!?!, and amazing chips and salsa. Do yourself a favor and belly up the extra $3 and order a second serving of the Pico and salsa (first order is complimentary). Portion sizes are huge so if you have a +1 I'd suggest one orders the meal and the other go ala cart. Can't beat homemade corn tortillas so try a taco.
(4)Nina J.
I came here because the place across the street I wanted to go to was closed for construction. But I already paid for parking and came on a whim. I ordered the "chicken fajitas" for $15. What I actually got was 2 whole chopped green peppers, 1/4 of an onion and about half a chicken breast that may have been sprinkled with a bit of taco seasoning at most. The whole meal was completely bland, even when doused with all the salsa and pico de gallo from our chips. Plus the chicken was completely dried out. My boyfriends dish was equally awful and overpriced as he also got the fajitas but with shrimp (for $18). Of course, once again, completely bland and mostly consisting of green peppers. Save yourself the trouble and pick up some pre-seasoned meat from cermack produce and just cook for yourself. Even if you have no experience cooking whatsoever, you literally couldn't screw up as bad as this pathetic cheap excuse for a restaurant. Zero stars if it were ever an option.
(1)Isa C.
I've dined at Perez a handful of times and must recommend the camarones rellenos. But I must admit that my favorite and reason for returning is the delicious, thirst quenching michelada. It is the best michelada I have had from any restaurant/bar in chicago. It's a very casual laid back atmosphere, with great menu options.
(4)Brianne W.
I have sampled almost (almost, I'm still working on it) every chorizo taco in pilsen and they have my favorite. Really good margaritas too. Nice outdoor seating in the summer and parking at the side of the building is a huge plus. Waitstaff has always been polite and attentive and the restaurant is clean.
(4)Erica C.
One star for the Juan Gabriel song that was playing when we walked in. To sum it up.. Wobbly tables, sour drinks, asked to move tables so they can clean, over priced food. Let's just say.. The experience was so bad, I was compelled to open a YELP acct.
(1)Alex M.
I've been in here once to try it out since the place across the street was closed for renovations. It's a solid destination. Good Tex-Mex. Good drinks. They had a live band. I don't really have much to add to the conversation about Perez other than to say it's a good place to eat and I'm not sure why I don't come in more often!
(4)Trevor G.
I understand the "no split checks" policy-- perhaps the servers cannot be trusted or are too stupid to know how to count-- but I was a bit irritated when our server announced that we could not pay in split tender either (so, no part cash, part credit card). She ultimately accepted our payment, but not without a bit of arguing. Food is nothing special at Perez.. I know the server is only doing her job-- but the owner of Perez should reconsider the "no split checks or tender" policy. The food is not good enough to make these kind of demands.
(2)Mike P.
The waiting staff was more aggressive than helpful, interrupting our conversation to ask whether we wanted to order food (we had told them in the beginning that we just wanted to get drinks). We ended up going across the street to La Vaca, which I highly recommend over Perez.
(1)Concepts E.
We ate here today. We were one of 3 tables being served so I have no idea why we waited so long for service. I hope the owner eeads this and reconsoders the stupid rule that you have to order a minimum of 3 tacos to get somw of the entrees. It would have ben nice to try 3 diiferent ones. Not the best and cheapwr tacos just paat racine/18th.
(3)Lisa C.
I liked the food, atmosphere, and the tequila sunrise drinks! It has parking which for me is a plus and it's reasonably priced. Overall I enjoyed it.
(4)Monique C.
My family and I frequent Perez so often the wait staff have learned my daughter's name. Their menu is reasonably priced, the portions are generous and the food itself is delicious. I tend to gravitate towards the veg burrito, chicken tortas and chilaquiles and hubs loves the burrito al pastor. Also, they deliver!! Can't beat it!
(5)Zach J.
Well I was I could give 3.5 stars because the burritos are perfectly distributed with meat, cheese, lettuce, bean, etc.... and the steak is delicious; however, I also ordered a beef tongue taco and it was soooo bland and overpriced at $3.00 for one taco and no sides! Especially since they have no idea how to cook beef tongue. Beef tongue needs to be cooked right then is like a tastly stew like taste but if its cooked wrong it tastes like nothing. Well here at this Perez they cook it wrong and bland. They tried to cover up for it by adding tons of onions and cilantro but I picked half of that off and tried the meat for what it was....absolutely nothing. The chips and salsa are complimentary; however, the quality of these always reflects upon the quality of the restaurant and their chips were totally store bought, I could tell just by looking at them. The salsa was alright but not mind blowing, the Pico De Gallo was tasty a little bit but nothing mind blowing either. This a very average joint and that is why I give an average rating. I will not return since their is no point and there are way better places in Pilsen.
(3)Carmen G.
I'm finally getting around to review this place after being a patron for 6 yrs. This was one of the first Mexi places i went to when i first moved into University Village. I happened to pop in simply bc they have parking and i wanted a more hefty homemade meal vs just quick tacos. I'll say it's not the greatest and yes I've had better, but for whatever reason i keep coming back. Service has always been very friendly. I agree w other reviewers in that the place for some reason never seems to be "packed" but i kind of like that. MARGARITAS: Good. And strong. FOOD: Ive ordered plenty of things here... Tostadas de Picadillo (Ground beef) Really good. The meat is well seasoned and not sloppy (some Mexi places make picadillo too soupy/sloppy). They lay on the beef... so much so, that they double the tostada. I get these when I'm in the mood for picadillo. Enchiladas de pollo c mole/Pollo en Mole: The mole is tasty.. doesn't taste like the bottle you buy at the store and add water to. They both come with homemade tortillas which are really good and thick and filling. I prefer getting the enchiladas over the chicken smothered in the sauce only bc I don't like the bones. Personal preference. But you def get a lot of chicken with the meal that isn't in enchilada form. Milanesa Dinner: HUGE piece of breaded steak or chicken. I've never had issues with it being chewy or too greasy like it can be at other places I've ordered at before. Comes with fries, rice, beans and tiny side of guac. Lots of food! 3 steak taco dinner: You get 3 tacos and a hefty portion of rice and beans. I usually just get double serving of rice.. not big fan of refried beans. The rice is very yummy.. tastes homemade. :) I could come here and just order the rice when I'm feeling lazy to cook it at home. The tacos are pretty big (not the ones w the tiny tortilla) All in all i like everything I've tried. My only complaint is the meat (carne asada) tends to have bits and pieces of fat :: gag :: Seems like they don't chop off the fat and i would prefer if they cooked it a little more (aka a bit crispy). But you definitely get plenty of food here. Its always my go to place when i want a meal that seems homemade and I'm too lazy to cook and too lazy to call my mom to make me dinner.
(3)Anna Michal P.
I went in here about a week ago and ordered take out to bring home. The woman who took my order misunderstood my request for 'three tacos' to be 'three taco dinners' so I was charged for three times the amount I should have been. I immediately saw on my receipt and we got the money squared away before I signed. I was promised a refund to my card and that never . Can't believe it! The only reason I'm not giving one star is because the food was pretty good.
(2)John G.
I had the Enchiladas Verdes and they were 120% right! The flavor was spot on and the overall experience was fantastic. I cant wait to try this restaurant our for breakfast!
(5)Yesy D.
Perez you are my new best friend. My sister raved about the food so we decided to head here for a mini celebration. The restaurant was empty so the waitress let us decide where we wanted to sit. I noticed the Bohemias were $3 so I made my hubby order one. He ended up having 2. I couldn't decide what to get so we decided to get different meals and share. He got a steak burrito and I got the chiles rellenos. All I have to say is YUMMY!!!! The homemade corn toritillas are amazing and the dishes were flavorful and massive. I am definitely coming back again to try something else on their menu.
(4)Liz O.
4 stars food quality... 3 stars service... 2 stars atmosphere... but i want to give this place a chance.... I wish the ambiance was better. It was around 9:30pm on a Friday night and the husband and I were in the Pilsen area. We were both starving and I was in the mood for a margarita. We came across Perez Restaurant but had our doubts. We looked in and noticed that it was empty. The parking lot was empty, the restaurant was like a ghost town, but the lights were on. Although we debated and hesitated, we decided to go in. We had minimal expectations being that there were no patrons on a Friday night. Upon entering, the hostess wasn't super eager to take us in. She asked if it was ok to sit up in the front (by the breezy door on a cold winter night). I asked if we could sit in the back (because the place is spacious!). However, she indicated that the back area closed at 10pm but the restaurant is open till 11pm. We were off to a shaky start. When I dine out, not only do I like to enjoy my dish but ambiance is important too. The lights were fairly bright, the seating area up in front was the opposite of intimate--the mood just wasn't right. As the server brought my Margarita I loosened up a bit and tried not to get too distracted from her gum chewing and bubble making abilities. I took a sip and I was in heaven. It was pretty good and satisfying to my taste buds. It wasn't much longer that we got our order (maybe because we were the only customers..ha).. I was in shock! The plate was titanic. On this night my eyes were the same size as my stomach. I ordered the "bistec encebollado" -- it was delightful! I actually finished the entire thing--ok my husband helped me a bit with some of the steak pieces. I was very surprised and very satisfied. At the end of the night I told my husband that we made the right choice. I really, really want to come back. I think this place has a lot of potential to becoming a hot spot for delicious Mexican food on a Friday night. Perhaps I came on a wrong night? Needless to say, if the ambiance is right (music, more people, lively servers) then I will give it 5 stars in a heart beat.
(4)Ginny D.
It's about time I review this lovley place! Methinks folks that don't like Perez's tend to be of the variety of people that would favor taco bell and hacienda style fake Mexican to the real thing. TexMex this is not - its the real deal with probably the very best margaritas in the city. I married an actual Mexican from LA a couple years back and since then have gotten quite schooled in what constitutes great Mexican food and my white gentrifying countrymen will not get this but this place is wonderfully authentic! It is a little more expensive for the area but entirely worth it - their drinks are STRONG and their meals are massive! Phenomenal place and I will be returning regularly. FYI - the last time I was there they were also hosting a 20+ person graduation party and as a result I expected to see a delay in service but no, our waitress was a pro and very attentive, which we really appreciated. Hands down best Mexican place I've been to in the city yet in 5+ years. Go...go now! you're welcome.
(4)Irene F.
Came here on a Thursday afternoon, my family and I haven't been here in 2 years but remembered they had good food... Served us cold fold on a hot platter... All three of our plates were cold! Had the Perez combination, we sent the food back and they brought us more rice and beans served hot over the rice and beans sent back, the enchilada steak and chile relleno were still COLD... We walked out .
(1)Mike D.
There are so many wonderful aspects about Perez I wish to share. First and foremost, it's super convenient for me (it's right around the corner from my apt). Second, they have an amazing selection of authentic Mexican cusine on their menu. I usually get their burrito or quesadillas, which are my favorite. Some burritos are really hard to eat, because they're over stuffed. Eventually, they end up falling apart, and all that's left is a gooey mess of meat and beans. YUCK! Perez expertly rolls their burritos to perfection. They taste amazingly fresh, and are especially helpful in curing those next day hangovers you might have after a night of drinking. Be sure to visit Perez on Monday or Tuesday. They offer 1/2 off margaritas (only $4 on these nights). Their margaritas are one of a kind. Not too sour, not too sweet, with a generous inclusion of tequila, which is the most important ingredient! The servers are always friendly and intuitive, knowing exactly when to refill water and bring the check. It's a gigantic restaurant, so you will always find a seat, and never have to wait for a table. There is also a really cute outdoor patio, which is perfect for sipping on those margaritas and doing a little people watching on 18th St. But heed this warning: there are many street urchins, vagabonds, and riff raff on 18th St, so sit inside if you want to avoid the jungle outside!
(4)Christian M.
Utter and complete garbage. Easily the worst restaurant in Pilsen. Horrible, unfriendly service followed by even worse food (the rice was crunchy from the heating lamp, it was probably the same rice from the day before) makes this a place to avoid at all costs. As a longtime Pilsen resident, this is actually the only place in the barrio I won't be returning to. Did you hear that? Anywhere is better...
(1)Paige L.
Best Margaritas. Great tacos & quesadillas.
(5)Southside C.
Very good dining experience, I ordered the Fajitas, and my wife had fish. So much food on the plate, and the tortillas were excellent! 2 salsas and chips were very good. Free Parking is helpful also.
(5)David N.
4 stars all the way around. Except for parking... Parking sucks, but it could be worse in this neighborhood. Food, service, atmosphere, cleanliness, all solid. Grabbed a table for lunch with no wait. Not too many people inside at the noon witching hour, but we didn't judge the book by its lack of patrons... Anyways, chips, salsa, and water hit the table pretty quick. Really impressed by their fresh salsas (pico de gallo and a smokier, chipotle based sauce) and chips. Service was quick and fairly attentive throughout. Ordered burritos, of which I selected from the vegetable variety. Only took about 10 minutes before our over-sized burritos were delivered. Dug in quick and was surprised at their choice of vegetables ingredients. Pretty original if I say so. Not many places go outside the lettuce, tomato, rice and bean foundation with their vegetarian dishes, but Perez did. My burrito was huge, and packed with lettuce, tomato, carrots, squash, potatoes, onions, cheese, rice and beans; all of which were warm, properly cooked, and paired perfectly with well-prepared and seasoned rice and beans. The cheese could've been melted a bit more, but hey, I can't complain... especially after getting a solid meal for only $5.99. Considering the massive amount of chips and salsa we put down, the place was a steal. Definitely worth a second trip.
(4)Jenalyn J.
well it's not good when you want to start writing your review when you haven't even gotten your food yet, but.....meh. we got here at 830 on a Saturday and we were one of four tables in the place. so you can imagine my surprise when it took ten minutes for us to even get a glass of water. they brought the chips and salsa right away, but NO WATER. so we were dying of thirst by the time we got it. the salsa was good, but you could tell the chips were sitting around in the basket for a while, not even warm. and it says on the front of the menu that they charge for extra chips and salsa, but don't worry cause you won't want to get more anyway. the strawberry margarita was okay, but overpriced. so, the food. I ordered the enchilada dinner, and it comes with three, but you can't freaking get one of each, you have to get three of the same! wtf. I wanted one chicken and two ground beef, but the server said I could only choose from chicken or steak and had to get them all the same, so I got the chicken. again, meh. my husband ordered two a la carte tacos on corn tortillas, and they brought it to him on flour tortillas, which he HATES. the server said they didn't have corn tortillas. which he neglected to mention when my husband ordered them, and they charged us 50 cents each to make them tostadas instead. sheesh. and lo and behold, the tacos were GROUND BEEF. so why couldnt I get a ground beef enchilada?? again, wtf. all in all, nothing was terrible , but it was all just blah with crappy service, and they seem to want to nickle and dime you on everything. we won't be back.
(2)Amanda G.
Handmade corn tortillas and the best pico de gallo ever. Get the parilladas!
(4)Marc R.
Went here with a large group after a gallery walk and while I have to say that the outdoor patio dining drew us in, our group was too large so we went inside. The standard Mexican dishes were nice. Very great salsa here. The prices are a bit high compared to places in the area. Dinners were $8-14, but it was good for a group since the huge Restaurant had table room inside, and an old guy playing guitar. If you are a foodie, there are better places, but for outside dining I think this place is A-OK, and the food was A-OK.
(3)Kymberly J.
I'd like to give 3.5 stars...they've done nothing WRONG but it isnt outstanding Mexican food so I have to round down. I love the little outside eating area; it's quite cozy. The inside has a few different zones. The first zone is a modern set up with brick walls, tall tables and large windows to see the patio and street action. The second zone is a bar on the right and the kitchen on the left. You have to pass baskets of tortilla chips sitting out exposed to everyones germs to get to zone three. Zone three looked like a diner with low lighting, tall ceilings, stainless steel panels and mint green booths. Dont go too far back in the zone or you'll be too close to the kereoke area. It was a little weird on a Sunday afternoon. One woman in a fancy red dress managing the kereoke belting out tunes to really cheesy latin music while three sets of people eat. The first time I was there I had a combo plate. It was OK, nothing to write home about. The portions are really big for the money and the pico de gallo is right on. The second time I went, which was yesterday, I had the burrito al pastor. I was disappointed in the meat. It wasnt juicy and tender like I was expecting. It was a little tough and chopped up like a steak in a steak taco. My friend really liked her juevos mexicanos. They serve breakfast at dinner time!
(3)Andrea F.
Where do i begin- about a year ago this place started to go down hill. I have given them many chances to redeem themselves but they have not. The food is overpriced and becoming as gentrified as Pilsen. The last straw was this morning I asked for pappas con huevos and they gave me french fries and eggs. Palm to face. Well I can see a diner making this mistake but a"Mexican" restaurant - ya i think not. Further the food has just gotten sloppy and gross. I am sad i paid money for this.
(1)Blythe Z.
I thought the food was mediocre. I have been twice and both times the place was totally empty, during prime eating hours. So odd. I really would not suggest this place. The steak fajitas were rubbery and overall very unimpressive.
(2)Travis P.
Unbelievable Mexican food! This is a must stop when I come back home, usually ordering the chilaquiles or the tacos. The flavors and spices are just the right amount, nothing is too spicy and there isn't a thing that is bland. One of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago.
(5)Judie S.
Meh is right. The enchiladas were mostly tortilla, not much queso. There are better options in Pilsen.
(2)Caroline B.
I like Perez. I do not have a go-to Mexican spot but this one makes the cut for a few easy reasons. They have outdoor seating in summer which is nice and fun for people watching up and down 18th street. Parking in the alley.... a bonus. I always order the same, Combinacion #1 and no complaints. Portions are large. Margaritas are tasty. Price tag is nice. Homemade tortillas are definitely a plus. Service is not awesome because the server always disappears somewhere in the vast empty restaurant. I have on more than one occasion left my table to look for someone. Cute and cozy in front... cafeteria in back.
(3)Colleen C.
I've eaten FAR too much Mexican this month, just sayin'. And Perez is...like, ya know. OK. It's not wizardry. It's not terrible. It's just, Mexican. Bonus points for the ENORMOUS slices of cucumber that accompanied all the plates. Not really sure how cukes fit into the cuisine, but perhaps someone was buying veggies at the market and couldn't pass up the world's largest one, or something? Interesting, it added some greenery to the plate, much appreciated. A bit overpriced, service a bit lackluster...and my bad for not seeing the "NO SPLIT CHECKS" sign. I should always know to carry cash in Pilsen, I suppose... Eh. Better food to be found within stumbling distance, methinks.
(3)Roxy C.
This restaurant falsely advertises as the best margaritas in town when they don't even make margaritas from scratch. It was two of us last evening and we ordered two: one strawberry and one mango. Horrible taste because they obviously use the cheapest tequila and the fruit juices tastes like Jumex. So it's a mix of jumex with the cheapest tequila. I even asked the waitress if they use real fruit for the margaritas and she said yes. But no, they use some type of colored water with fruit or something like Jumex juice. If you know what a good margarita tastes like, you will definitely regret ordering it here. When our waitress asked how it tasted we told her we didn't like the taste and she left right away. No friendliness whatsoever. Really bad service. We didn't drink the rest after tasting the bad flavor. We went to the cashier, she charged our bill, and another waitress started to argue with us because we were giving them our opinion. I asked if she had tasted other margaritas and she started arguing saying they could not please every client. She even showed us the bottle (like the color water used for raspados) they use for margaritas. Unbelievable! High-fructose color juice. We were very respectful with them, so I don't get why they didn't treat us like a customer. Hopefully, a manager reads this and I hope they provide better service in the future to non-regulars and they change their preparation of margaritass; or at least to have knowledgeable waitresses. I don't want to imagine how they make their food. It's a big place, no wonder why they had only a few customers on a Saturday evening. They surely don't know about drinks and customer service.
(1)Carol K.
Minimally this place gets one star alone for having a liquor license since that seems to be the wild card in restaurants on this side of town. But I'm a bit challenged as to how Perez stays in business for on the night we were there- we were the one table in a very empty dining room. Having been to a few other places along 18th Street- Perez looks fairly contemporary, with a nice outdoor seating area, decent sized bar up front and a back room large enough to seat both small and large groups. I did like the fact that the chips came with two types of salsa- a dark, spicy one and the more traditional chunky tomato. The challenges? The service was lackluster and uninspired. I really don't think either of the servers like what they do. And the food? Well the food was expensive for typical Mexican fare. The average entree ran about $12- $16 which while still less expensive than some restaurants- is pricey for this neighborhood and for Mexican food overall. I will say that my fajitas were good- with lots of steak, green peppers, onions and hot flour and corn tortillas. If you want standard Mexican fare with bar service- then Perez will probably fit your need. However- my suggestion would be to grab some libations at one of the neighborhood stores and try one of the other BYOB joints along 18th. It will cost you less and leave you feeling that you got your money's worth- which was the question I was asking myself as we left this place.
(2)Deepak N.
Margaritas were ok. Outside seating is fun. Carne asada dinner - felt like it needed more flavor. Free chips n salsa. Flan was good. Service, while they tried hard, was sub par + language barrier. Guy playing guitar and singing mexican songs was nice touch. Overall avg experience, have had better.
(3)Nancy L.
I come here when I get home from work sometimes and my dog, Diamond always tags along, they have a neat outdoor area where Diamond joins me for dinner. The quesadillas are very good. Chille Rellenos not so much...cheese tasted fake after is turned back to its original state. Pina Coladas and Margaritas are strong... :)
(3)Allan M.
Truly mediocre Mexican. Not quite Lupita's(in Evanston) bad, but definitely El Presidente-ish(on Ashland Ave.) in mediocracy. I wasn't too hungry, so I just opted to get the fundido with chorizo on it. Not bad, but nothing special about it either. The fact that they seem to have a decent-looking sound system, clean bathrooms, and that you can order Mexican cane sugar Coke save this from 1 star. Still though, even if for whatever reason this was one of the few Mexican restaurants with a liquor license on 18th(unsure how to figure out if this is supposedly true or not), I'd much rather seek out a BYOB restaurant next time when in the area. Especially considering how very inattentive the servers were here!
(2)Megan L.
I love that this place is 1/2 a mile from my house. As soon as you enter the place, you're greeted & told to sit anywhere. (Nice.) Seconds later, your waitress shows up at your table with a tray of chips, salsa, & pico de gallo. (Awesome!) Their Veggie Combo makes my mouth water just thinking about it. An order of their nachos (add jalapenos) & strawberry margarita and/or a diet Coke with lemon is another way to go. I'm excited to try some other dishes on the menu, but being vegetarian, I don't have that many options. But that's fine. The few things I've had here, will make me come back for more. Definitely wish this place was open 24 hours.
(4)Leticia L.
I have been here a few times and I must say it is a nice little Mexican restaurant. On our first visit I had chilaquiles verdes. This is now my go-to dish here. I have also tried their carne asada which was delicious especially with the homemade tortillas. On my last visit I tried their chile rellenos which were also tasty, authentic and not overly done. As someone else mentioned they are a little more pricey than some of the other restaurants in the area, however, their portions are large. Each visit I have taken leftovers home for lunch the next day, this is a big plus for me. I actually enjoyed this location far better than the one on Randolph.
(4)Arturo V.
Great food! I recommend Perez to all my friends. This is the best Mexican food in Pilsen. They have hand made tortillas! I recommend La Tampiquena!
(5)Kairo C.
2 stars: Meh. I've experienced better. simply put. on my way over towards Honky Tonk BBQ with BenO we came across Perez Restaurant on a beautiful night.... they had an outdoor patio and a sign highlighting $4 magaritas... BenO is a SUCKER for outdoor seating... he also hasn't had Honky Tonk so he had no idea yet what he was missing out on what you saved on the magaritas though you spent on the dinner. plates range from $9-$15.... most being at $12 though. for tacos??? for enchiladas?? in pilsen?? they MUST be bomb for those prices right??? they MUST be authentic cuz it's in pilsen?? wrong and wrong. the mole was decent... but Nuevo Leon has unbeatable mole enchiladas plate for half the price just down the street. the only thing that was authentic about the plate was that i am 99% sure it's prepared by a mexican.... maybe 5th generation though cuz the plate was really quite bland... where was the flavor so commonly touted by mexican fare? it wasn't the bomb but it bombed... if you catch my drift... on top of that my margarita was yuck. strawberry on ice was probably not the best choice i suppose so i'll take half the blame. BenO's limon was far better. he downed 2 before i could choke down my 1. BenO had a quesadilla that was quite tasty... plump with avocado and chicken.... more like a chicken taco seared shut by cheese... not bad, i actually preferred his plate... i suppose i'd get it if i came back but REALLY who can mess up an quesadilla??? it certainly didn't save them from my opinions. the waitress was sweet in demeanor but inattentive. at the end of our meal we sat for quite a bit before she came back out with the check! my thoughts: if you are reeeaaallllyyy itchin' for good mexican (that is much cheaper) keep a-walkin' down 18th street. if you must have a patio seat to enjoy a great night.... Perez shouldn't disappoint you but it will not impress you either.
(2)Jack S.
Good food! It was exactly what I expected and the outdoor seating sealed the deal! As far as price, it's about the same at most places.. They also give you a deal on any beer as long as you purchase the meal. Very clean and good ambience.. Spacious.. Check it out!
(4)Phil N.
Good Mexican food. Not the greatest, but certainly worth the money. Their homemade corn tortillas are very good. The service was quick and friendly. The salsas were pretty good. The food was pretty good. I would go back if I'm in the area. 3.5 stars is more like it, so I rounded up
(4)Ben A.
In my opinion, this IS the restaurant to go to in Chicago for good authentic Mexican food. I've tried a variety of places in Pilsen and keep coming back to this one, again and again, as my favorite. While the menu at Perez is mostly standard Mexican fare, all of the dishes I've tried have been done extremely well. I've brought many different people here and they've all gone home very happy. Here is why you should go here: --It is incredibly clean. --Great sauces. I'm a huge fan of the chile de arbol sauce which I normally get with the taco dinner. -- Great chips and salsa. The salsa is smoky, flavorful and unlike most other salsas I've had. --They make their own corn tortillas which happen to be delicious, give them a try. --I feel the food is lighter than some of the other Mexican restaurants in Pilsen, like Nuevo Leon, and feel a little less guilty ordering it. Of course its still not health food, but nevertheless... Add in some solid margaritas(half-price on Monday and Tuesdays) and you have a place that you have to visit if you're in Pilsen. I would say the biggest drawbacks would be the atmosphere and perhaps the price. The inside of the restaurant feels like a diner and does not have the feel to match the food. It has a nice outside area to sit and eat if the weather is nice, however. The price I feel is fair for the quality of the food ($9-15) and is comparable to other mexican restaurants I've been to on the north side, but you will find cheaper options in Pilsen if you're on a budget.
(5)Isela C.
Food was okay horrible customer service!!!
(2)Nate W.
Check it. I had one of the fajita platters. The steak had a rubbery consistency and had the flavor of my own sweaty arm after a hard workout. I actually thought of this while I was chewing on the food then imagined what Jeffery Dahmer tasted when he was eating all of those people for no good reason and then it made me gag... and THEN I thought to myself, "Did I REALLY pay this much to nearly throw up into my own mouth?" So pretty much, this is a short run-down of my experience at the Perez spot. I might give it another chance after I try the millions of better spots on 18th street, but it will only be if I am in a Soylent Green, Dahmer-esque kind of mood. ta ta.
(2)Sarah B.
go across the street for margaritas. big purple sign with a cow on it, you can't miss.
(1)amy z.
VERY overpriced drinks and food, especially for Pilsen! it's still delicious though if you're willing to dish out the cash. Patio is awesome. Service good too. I agree with other reviewers in that the ambience is subpar unless you're on the patio (summer is the only time I go) and it's usually empty (I live around the corner and walk by it almost daily).
(3)Katie T.
Margaritas!!!!
(4)Sarah K.
Great Mango Margaritas. Also the Lime ones are not too bad. Interesting live singer as well (Saturday night) must experience to believe.
(4)Amanda Z.
When asked about something that she's kind of "so-so" on, my good friend likes to give a little shrug and say "medium." (For example, If you were to ask her, "Did you run during the 5K?", a response of "medium" would indicate, "Sorta.") If someone asked me my opinion of Perez, I'd probably say "medium." It was alright, and I've definitely had better (come on, we're in Pilsen, there's Mexican places all up and down 18th street!)...but this place did not offend me. I had Combinacion #1, which was strip steak, chile relleno, and an enchilada. The strip steak was flavorful and tasty, the chile relleno was cheesy and delightful...the enchilada was really spicy though. I like spicy food, but this kinda caught me off-guard. Good rice and beans, though. And the salsa (pico de gallo?) with chips was tasty. They do have a liquor license, so you can get your cans of Tecate here (and a few other kinds of imports along with the standard domestics) and a margarita. Service was OK, nothing special, and I agree with Carol K., both of the servers just seemed to not be happy working. No split checks (which it does say plainly on the door) so when I went in pursuit of an ATM to get cash, the server told me to cross the street to right by the flower shop. So I did, only to find a Cadillac blasting "Sexy Back" on repeat, but no ATM. Fortunately, I saw one back on the other side of the street just up the block. I was a little irritated at the whole "having to leave and get cash" but I did get a few offers for future dates in that process...maybe I shall return to Perez for that... So, I guess I've come to the conclusion: Pilsen, yes. Perez Restaurant, probably not again. There are too many options around here to settle for just "medium."
(2)Nikki C.
la cerveza está frÃa the carne asada is tasty and the medium rare is cooked medium rare with a nice char crust on the outside the chips still crispy, but how long have they been sitting out on the counter up front where foot traffic walks on by? the bathrooms are clean the decor and service is tired and there out of habit does this place warrant a return visit? maybe but I'm not a holding my breath.
(3)Mandy P.
This place was decent; I think you're definitely promised a consistent meal here, which is sometimes all I ask for. I don't think it was horribly authentic, but what do I know? I'm Italian. I tried the "Worlds' Best Margarita" or whatever they called it and it was good (one did the trick). If by chance you know you wont be able to eat for a few days, order the burrito. It's the size of a newborn and can feed a small village.
(3)Chella G.
You're in Pilsen and want some Mexican food. You better be hungry if you're coming to Perez because you will have a MONSTER plate of food. Good margaritas for about $5. Huevos con jamon (eggs with ham, cheese and onions) plus lots of rice & beans for $5.90. My boyfriend and his brother eat like starving orphans and even they couldn't finish all of their food. I was so full that I couldn't move for a good hour after leaving here.
(4)Perla T.
If you want mexican food that comes closest to being homecooked, then you have to come here. The corn tortillas are handmade. I don't know of any other restaurants where you can get them as good as here. They have an extensive menu. There are also a few vegetarian items to chose from. The prices are great for the huge amounts of food you get. Great place to go with a group.
(5)Ryan C.
FIRST: PEREZ REUSES CUSTOMER SALSA AND CHIPS..AVOID THIS PLACE UNTIL CHANGES ARE MADE! I am so sorry for both of us Perez. I have dined at Perez quite a few times but no more. I won't waste your time with how I once enjoyed the food...particularly the no frills/fairly cheap al pastor tacos and the guacamole/chips on the porch on a hot day...because frankly, that thought makes me gag now. Maybe it's my fault? Did I double dip where I wasn't supposed to? FOOD: TASTY (expensive for entrees - tacos are good/cheap) After the chips and salsa were dropped off at our table we ordered some guacamole and sodas. After we downed almost all of the delicious guac and chips we ordered the tacos/burritos. Moments later we were absolutely stuffed and content. Definitely no awards here..but good. SERVICE: MEDIOCRE (regardless if it's busy or not) Absolutely lifeless and distant service. The waitress that took our order (very petite and smiley) disappeared on us after our order. Maybe that's how this place works...regardless, not a fan. That same waitress was daydreaming in the back (listening to some woman sing absolutely ridiculous muzak-karaoke) so the other waitress gave us our bill and we headed up front to pay. THE NASTY: Double Dipped Salsa and Chips. As we waited by the front bar for our credit card slip, we noticed the waitress grab the salsa and chips from our table. She proceeded to dump "our" chips (the ones with our fingers in them) back into the bin for future customers. With her other hand she opened the fridge, poured the salsa remaining in "our" bowl into another bowl and closed the fridge. Once you place a bowl of salsa or chips on a customer's table you don't then reuse the refuse or save their leftovers for future customers?!?! We definitely double dipped in the salsa! We absolutely and without remorse left pieces of guac and chips and maybe even some pork (oops) in our salsa bowl. I can promise you don't want to discover my pieces of pork or guac in your salsa, and I don't want to find yours. RESTATED THESIS: Seeing PEREZ REUSE THEIR SALSA AND CHIPS IS DISGUSTING. AVOID THIS PLACE UNTIL CHANGES ARE MADE!
(1)Khadijah L.
I rarely venture inside the Pilsen yard but I've heard so much of the good mexican food found here. We walked into Perez because it seemed to have more people than the one across the street ( I forget the name) The place is actually huge when you walk inside. The waitress was super friendly and polite almost to a fault. We changed our mind twice about sitting inside, then going outside, then coming back inside again, and she didn't seem to mind very much, even though we really felt bad about it. (it got a lot colder once we were outside) The food was really good, the chips and the salsa was pretty solid. I had the shrimp in spicy sauce 'camarones a la diablo' and the boyfriend got the carne asada. I am not a mexican food expert but they were both pretty good. A lot of food, I must say. It was a little pricier for average mexican fare, I think? (entrees between 8-15) but I am sure I won't find many places that will serve a plate of seafood/shrimp like that for less than $14. So I was very happy. So happy that I fell asleep almost immediately upon returning home from dinner. I would give this 3.5 stars if I could. 4 stars mean that I am a fan and will return. BUT there are way too many other mexican restaurants that I want to try in this area and nothing I had there was quite mindblowing enough to make me commit to coming back. (To be fair I will give merit for the horchata and the nice waitress). Oh, the horchata was amazing. Seriously. Amazing. Sweet and creamy and one of the more amazing horchatas that I've tasted. Margaritas cheap, but I did not get any. I'll add/edit if we ever do visit again.
(3)Rachel H.
Having lived in Pilsen for 2 years, going on 3, with a companion just down the street, its pretty much a crime that I've never been here before. My future roomie Jenny and her soon to be former roomie Ben and I hit up the patio before heading out to the Pilsen Art Walk. We started out with a huge pitcher of mango margaritas which were quite tasty and the pico de gallo with the chips was very fresh and delivered a nice kick. My carne asada hit the spot, I tasted Jenny's shrimp fajitas which she had no trouble polishing off, and which I think I may try next time, and for the coup de gras, Ben ate an entire giganto chorizo chimichanga. AMAZING. Good times, good food, good drinks and we made it out for $24 each including many drinks, good food, tax and tip. I'll be back.
(4)Elizabeth C.
I've been here several times now. I love to sit outside, the inside is very 1980's and sometimes they have karaoke in Spanish. Food is good, margaritas are excellent. This is my stand by when I can't decide on another place to go to.
(4)Kimberly L.
Pretty good little place! It was brrr freezing outside but nice and toasty inside. The service was friendly and efficient. The food was tasty enough. I had the tampiqueña (thinly sliced steak) and my friend had the fish with spicy sauce. We both had margaritas, which were quite good. I'd come back if I were in the neighborhood but I wouldn't drive across town to dine here.
(3)Marybeth S.
Wish I could give less the a star- one of the worst dining experiences in my life. Read attached 'quick tip'
(1)Sarah S.
Good food (and margaritas) at a decent price. My mexican restaurant of choice If I don't feel like cooking. Outdoor seating is nice in the summer, and take-out is always a quick option.
(4)Kelly U.
I really like this place. It's not necessarily that the service is amazing or the food is out of this world. I think maybe it's the naked women murals on the wall. The food is on par with Nuevo Leon, but they have tasty, cheap margaritas. Being able to sit outside is nice in the summer. I don't think the food is wildly expensive. It's about average for Mexican places in the city. The bathrooms are always freezing, though. Off-street parking is nice.
(4)Kelly E.
We have lived in University Village for 4 years and are kicking ourselves for not trying Perez sooner. Super clean, great service, reasonably priced Mexican food, better than Nuevo Leon without the crowds. They start you off with 2 salsas - a spicy dark red salsa + pico de gallo and chips. Great margaritas and delicious homemade corn tortillas. My husband had the chicken mole which was spicy with a mild sweetness and we loved that they served the chicken without the skin. My only suggested improvement is that the carne asada tacos came with iceberg lettuce, cheese, and tomato. I would have preferred authentic mexican tacos with cilantro, lime and onion instead, although I am sure they would accommodate that request. Will definitely be back.
(4)A M.
nice service, shrimp diablo is good. overall a good option but nothing special
(3)Steven V.
I really like burritos. I really like carne asada. So far in my 3 years in Chicago, I've eaten at 14 restaurants that sell burritos. I grade these restaurants on 4 points: 1, cleanliness and sanitation practices; 2, is the burrito's tortilla grilled after preparation; 3, amount of meat in relation to vegetables; 4, price. It's not a very objective scale or rating system at the moment; I'm still working on that. But, subjectively, this is how I rate Perez Restaurant in Pilsen: Cleanliness and Sanitation - Outstanding. The bar is always clean. From the barstool, the stainless steel at the prep counter is spotless. From the same vantage point, the cooking area also looks spotless. I worked in food service for 6 years and I was a "certified food service sanitation" manager (woot!). Grilling - Perez does spend a little extra time grilling the tortilla so it's a little brown on the top and bottom. This makes the tortilla a little crispy, hotter, but also helps hold the burrito together beter. Meat vs. Vegetables - I think the Perez ratio of meat to vegetables is good. I would like a few more tomatoes, but compared to other restaurants Perez is in the top quartile of restaurants meeting my preferred meat to vegetables ratio. Price - Under $6 (without tax) for all of the above? Excellent! I haven't tried Perez's other location on Randolph, and I don't plan on it because I never travel in that area. I ride my bike through Pilsen twice a day and I love stopping at Perez on my way home.
(5)Zenia R.
i'm not all that taken with the food, nor have i sampled many dishes. but my review is based purely on their margaritas, they are fantastic: big and strong. i also enjoy the murals of mexican ruins behind me as i sip on my fantastic margarita in the outdoor patio. pilsen doesn't haven't many al fresco options, so despite the only scenery being cars racing down 18th and a little girl going up and down on her roller skates, i'll take it. oh, and they have parking!
(4)fabe c.
It's a nice looking place but that's about it. Food is not all that, mediocre. Prices are ridiculous for what they are serving. I'd rather eat better tasting Mexican food from the dingy place all along blueisland and 18th st
(1)Chelcie P.
BOYCOTT Perez! The owner himself called me a nigger this morning. Why? A dog shit in his parking lot and he assumed it was mine. I told him repeatedly that it was not he lied and said that he had me on camera. Which is impossible, because I ALWAYS pick up after my dog. I asked him why was he picking on a single woman with a puppy, who has done nothing to him when there are gangbangers outside of his business everyday causing real problems. His response? To call me a nigger. I have eaten at this restaurant for 4 years and have sent people there many many times. I can not support a business by someone that has to resort to threats (he also said he would call the police on me- for dog shit, that was not from my dog) and disgusting name calling. I too am a business owner and activist in this community. And if you own a business you should be level-headed enough to handle your problems better than this.
(1)Jennifer S.
My roommates and I discovered this place after living in Pilsen for quite a while. How were we unaware of the magnificent fresh-squeezed mango margaritas? How did we never hear about the fun music/karaoke? I don't know how we missed out on this place for so long. They make their own corn tortillas. Delish! And when they bring out the chips and salsa, they offer a nice smoky chipotle salsa, which I don't see everywhere. Unfortunately, the food does lack that something special. It is not bad at all, but it is pretty typical, not something to rave about. That's the only thing that held me back from giving it a full five stars. Most people, if they are going to Pilsen for good mexican food, are headed to Nuevo Leon, which is also outstanding, but since I live here, I wanted to check out some other places. Perez is one I will definitely go back to.
(4)Jessica G.
i like this place better than nuevo leon... tacos are great... they have this smokey salsa that is pretty damn good also
(4)Martha Z.
I found this place to be pretty pricey and the food so-so. I preferred my experience at the Randolph location much better. If I am Pilsen I think I will stick with my gold medal winner, Mundial for some to die for yet reasonably priced Mexican fare.
(2)Walker H.
I had the chile relleos for dinner later one evening. They were getting ready to lock up, so they were not into letting us linger over our food. Ah well.... The chips were a helluva lot better than the ones at that Restaurant on the southwest corner of Cermak, Blue Island, and Ashland.
(3)Anastasia Beaverhausen I.
Just discovered this place after hearing alot about the original on randolph. I cant say enough good things about this place. First and foremost, the service is EXCELLENT! Cordial, friendly, the works. As for the food, you cant go wrong. I love seafood and especially with a latin flavor. THis place delivers. Prices are extremely reasonable. The decor could use some refining, but then again...this place is about the food. GO taste for yourself. (try the caldo de camaron ...shrimp soup) Update: been back recently...this place is slipping. Not the same. Still will go back, hopefully these were isolated incidents of sub par service and food. (LOST 2 stars from me)
(3)Jimmy S.
LOVE IT!!!! Amazing margaritas, and the tosadas and the shirt steak and the fajitas to die for. Also the pecho de gallo... just like mama makes..maybe better! Sorry Mama!!!!
(5)Carl S.
I eat here almost every day and don't see myself stopping anytime soon! The waitresses are VERY friendly. In fact almost as soon as I walk in they know what I'll want and I have it in my hands within 10 minutes! I have some really great memories from Perez, including being serenaded on my birthday! Too bad I don't know more Spanish, though its never been a detriment in having a good conversation with anyone there!
(5)Dena L.
I've been here quite a few times and the service gets worse and worse with every visit. The food is bland, the margaritas are bad and the service is horrible!
(1)Laurie S.
I used to live around the corner and enjoyed and recommended it often. Since moving away, I've craved it on occasion. The food is simple, authentic and customizable. Both the salsas served with chips are fantastic and when the main dishes come the meat tastes like meat. Not over seasoned, just fresh and delicious. They will happily change out or customize a dish to your request for no extra charge. Their horchata is heavenly and the margarita's are fabulous, just be careful, they don't skimp on the tequila. I went back tonight and was reminded why I loved it so much. The topper has always been the welcoming attitude for all the people I've brought in. I've been there with many different groups of friends and have never has an issue like some other places in the city.
(5)Casey L.
I live very close to Perez and my boyfriend and i go there often. The corn tortillas are the best in the city in my opinion! They are homemade and very fresh! The service is also very fast and friendly! Favorite dishes are the Chiles Rellenos, Enchiladas Verdes, Roja Y De Mole, Fajitas De Carne Asada and Ceviche Tostadas. Also the Orchata is very good just the right amount of sweetness. I think that this is a great place to come and hang out with family and friends and enjoy a great meal. You can't beat the prices and i have never had any problems.
(4)Dawn B.
I desperately want this place to do well, but I'm not sure it will. I've been in there about four times and we're usually the only table. The food is good although a bit on the expensive side for the neighborhood. The place is clean, has a decent bar, and the service has always been excellent. I highly recommend the huevos rancheros for breakfast and the chile rellanos for lunch or dinner.
(4)R N.
chile rellano taco! so yum! from the chips and salsa to the mango margaritas everything was really tasty. and cheap!
(4)Jeremy H.
I ate here for the first today, even though I've lived a block away for two years. I had your standard Mexican dish, tacos. The lettuce wasn't finely shredded and the tomatos were slices as oppose to diced. This doesn't seem like a big deal but it bothered me A LOT. I am right not, however, polishing off the leftover burrito my friend forgot in my fridge and its pretty tasty. I'd say standard but there's not a whole lot you can change about a burrito. The salsa was also tasty enough to take notice of. I did feel the price was right and look forward to trying some other dishes. The waitress and hostess were also very friendly. The service was personal, but then again we were literally the only people in there. Finally, if you have the right sense of humor being in this place is HILARIOUS. The music sounded like a spanish-adult-christian-contemporary and they had some of the most bizarre paintings I've ever seen lining the wall. I wouldn't be surprised if it was meant to be a joke. All in all, i will definitely be going back.
(3)Unknown K.
This is owned by the same family that owns Perez on Randolph. The waitresses are VERY nice and friendly - good service. The drinks are stronger than usual and pretty cheap for margaritas. The food is fresh and good - certainly cheaper than anything north of Roosevelt, but perhaps not the dirt cheap prices you get at a taco stand. Portions are generous as well. They also have parking and an outdoor seating area, although sitting on 18th may not be the idea al fresco location.
(4)