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Name: Tamales
Address: 493 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035
Telephone: (847) 433-4070
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.68

Tamales

493 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

(847) 433-4070
Store is closed

Tamales Menu

Platos Pequenos (small Dishes)

Queso Fundido

Chicken Flautas

Grilled Shrimp

Nachos Grandes

Grilled Torta

Crabcake

Chicken Chimichanga

Mexican Pizza

Fresh Guacamole

Roasted Corn Chowder

Tortilla Soup

Black Bean Soup

Three Mini Crabcakes
Ensalades

Blackened Scallop Salad

Taco Salad In A Shell

Crispy Tortilla Salad With Chicken

Tortilla Salad

Jicama Grilled Chicken Salad Mexicana

Jicama Salad

House Salad
Platos Grandes (bigger Dishes)

Filet Mignon

Paella

Salmon Burrito

Chiles Rellenos

Pollo Espinaco

Grilled Tilapia

Carne De Casa

Chicken Burrito

Steak Burrito

Grilled Vegetable Burrito

Enchiladas
Taco Selections

Carnitas Chipotle Roast Leg Of Pork

Skirt Steak Taco Al Carbon

Duck Taco

Chicken Taco With Guajillo Chile Sauce

Fish Tacos With Grilled Poblano Chiles

Seasoned Ground Beef Taco
Quesadillas

Cheese Quesadilla

Smoked Chicken Quesadilla

Quesadilla With Goat Cheese And Mushrooms

Vegetable Quesadilla

Steak Or Ground Beef Quesadilla

Garlic Shrimp Quesadilla
Our Hot Tamale Selections

Shrimp

Pumpkin

Chicken

Mushroom
Side Dishes

Grilled Vegetables

Jalapeno Mashed Potatoes

Spanish Rice

Pinto Beans

Refried Beans

Black Beans With Sauteed Bananas

Jicama Slices

Additional Tortillas

Additional Chips And Salsa

Side Of Guacamole

Sweet Potato Fries
Desserts

Key Lime Pie

Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce

Mexican Chocolate Sundae

Banana Bread With Ice Cream

Chocolate Sauce

Caramel Flan

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tamales

Platos Pequenos (small Dishes)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roasted Corn Chowder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Black Bean Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three Mini Crabcakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ensalades

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

Taco Salad In A Shell [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Tortilla Salad With Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Jicama Grilled Chicken Salad Mexicana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grilled Vegetable Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Taco Selections

Carnitas Chipotle Roast Leg Of Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Skirt Steak Taco Al Carbon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Chicken Taco With Guajillo Chile Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Tacos With Grilled Poblano Chiles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasoned Ground Beef Taco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Quesadillas

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

Smoked Chicken Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla With Goat Cheese And Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Steak Or Ground Beef Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Shrimp Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Our Hot Tamale Selections

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

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

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

Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Dishes

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

Jalapeno Mashed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

Black Beans With Sauteed Bananas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Additional Chips And Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Sweet Potato Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Key Lime Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Banana Bread With Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Visit below restaurant in Highland Park for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 90 Skokie Valley Rd )

Denny’s ( 2063 Skokie Valley Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Highland Park for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 90 Skokie Valley Rd )

Denny’s ( 2063 Skokie Valley Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Evelina L.

Not sure what part of everything we tasted - queso fundido, guacamole, tamales, duck tacos, steak special and the enchiladas were truly mexican, but somehow we ended up paying a lot of money that evening... Between the 4 of us we split 2 pitchers of margaritas, which tasted great to consume, but not so much the next morning :) Just to validate, the next day I reheated some of the leftover duck tacos and confirmed that yes, they really #1 didn't have an authentic flavor and #2 were really tough. Not sure what all the hype about this place is about, but we will stick with some hole-in-the-wall places in the city, that offer 3 tacos for $5, not $15 and taste much better.
(2)
Graham D.

Quality meets creativity!
(5)
Elina S.

I came here the other night with a friend of mine for dinner and we had a nice time. I've always wanted to come here in the summer when all the tables are out, and what better than enjoying nice margaritas and guac when the sun is shining? Well, that's okay, we had the more authentic in door experience. The place is cute, has Mexican music playing all the time, it's got nice colors inside on the walls, a few black leather booths as a layout which makes for a comfy sitting atmosphere. The place has a nice, simple, casual Mexican restaurant vibe. It's not like Mercadito in the city where you have to see and be seen. It's mostly the Highland Park community in their casual gear. Now onto the food, the chips were served warm but a little too hard in my opinion, the complimentary salsa was a little wattery and not my cup of chiwawa if you ask me. We ordered the guacamole, full portion is $9 and half is $5 and that was pretty good, it had a nice flavor to it, but a little pricey for how little you get. I've definitely had better. Later straying aside from my typical tacos and fajitas that I order at Mexican restaurants we each ordered the enchiladas. I got the chicken ones which were served with beans and rice (on the bland side) and some lettuce and sour cream. The enchiladas were actually my favorite part of the meal, you get 3 for $14.50 and they were pretty good, lots of flavor, liked the mole sauce on top and the cheese was also not overwhelming. So I'm happy that I ventured out. I wanted to try their caramel flan but from all the dipping with those chips, we were too full. Overall, the place is just okay, I liked the casual vibe, service was good too, and the food was good, not spectacular but not horrible. I may have to come back in the summer and get some cold margaritas next time.
(3)
Valerie W.

Tamales has become a staple for me, now that I spend more time in Highland Park than anywhere else. Everything I've tried on the menu has been delicious (I still haven't tried the tamales... crazy, I know.) Some of my favorites/must trys: +Roasted corn chowder +Tortilla soup +queso fundido... I have a soft spot for anything chorizo. +quesadilla with goat cheese (melt my heart, with mushrooms, OMG this thing was AMAZEBALLS.) +enchiladas. +chilequiles. My man loves him some chilequiles. I have to agree. Next time, if I don't order at least ONE tamale to try... someone yell at me!
(5)
Tasha P.

After 3.5 years of hearing about Tamales... A Mexican Joint, I finally decided to stop in for dinner. I'm an old lady at heart, so I like to wrap up my dinner before 6:30. We got there just after 5, and for the duration of my visit we were one table out of only three. Service was perfect. There was always a server in the room watching the tables so we were never left unattended and never wanted for anything. I had the famed tamale platter, with 2 tamales (one chicken, one mushroom) with rice and beans. Chips and salsa came to the table immediately upon seating. The chicken tamale was my favorite. I couldn't find a whole lot of mushrooms in the other, but it was still tasty, My date had steak tacos. I have no complaints at all. Apparently, the duck tacos are amazing (per other Yelpers), so maybe next time.
(4)
Michael P.

We took the Yelp suggestions and had the pumpkin tamales and duck tacos and they did not disappoint. But it's not just the food. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was comfortable, and the owner visited out table without being obnoxious about it. This was our best restaurant experience in 2013 and this is December!
(5)
Elaine M.

I have been here many times and in the past have always been disappointed, until last night. I have finally figured out the menu. The items that I am most attracted to are not the best. I usually go for the duck tacos, quesadilla with goat cheese and mushrooms or the salmon burrito. All of these are filled with ingredients that I love but never taste that great. So last night I made a point to try new things. Wow, it was great! Started with the house margaritas. Then an appetizer of the grilled torta. This was amazing, filled with portabella mushrooms, spinach and goat cheese. It was so yummy. The garnish of sweet potatoes was really good too. I dipped them in the poblano sauce. For my main dish I ordered the carne de casa. It was very good. I ended up switching dishes with my husband though because the paella that he ordered was too spicy for him. I thought the paella was okay but I wouldn't order it myself. The service was terrific.
(4)
Audrey B.

Ordered take out. Requested that guacamole not be included in our orders as we are allergic to Avocado's. Half our order came with it. Called the restaurant and spoke with the owner. He asked what he could to do to make it right. I requested a refund on the two meals as the guacamole was all over the entree. He took my number and promised he would refund us that evening and call me the next day. He never did. I called again several times and he never returned my calls. Will not order or eat here again.
(1)
Rachel O.

So disappointed. I've been eating here for years and their chicken tacos were my favorite. BUT they changed the chicken in them! Before it was wonderful pieces of white meat in a spicy sauce- today it was shredded mystery meat mash of white meat, dark meat, and fat in a bland sauce. What happened?!
(1)
Steve K.

I have been eating here for almost 14 years, 2-3 times a year. Last week was the first time I tried their burrito. This was by far the my favorite burrito and the tastiest of any burrito I've ever had. I typical have their fajitas, which are good, the burrito is now a craving food. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Karmin A.

Been here twice and really enjoyed ourselves both times. The staff is really nice. I think it's the owner that helped us he last time. Very nice guy! The food is great, big portions and tasty. I had the Tinga...yummy! Outdoor seating is always nice. Well be back!
(5)
Bennett B.

Had the fajitas Wednesday night... combo steak and shrimp. Good guacamole. Owner recognized my Texas drawl so he made me some queso. Add a few shots of tequila and I was set.
(4)
Daniel S.

Enjoyed but didn't love. Certainly would go back for some solid Mexican food. Good service as well
(3)
Rodger W.

Tamales is not a Mexican restaurant in the traditional sense. That is, if you are looking for corn tortilla tacos with 14 different meat choices and simple onion and cilantro toppings, avoid this place. Normally, I avoid "Mexican inspired" places in favor of real Mexican street food, but Tamales is a different and delicious diversion Located in tony downtown Highland Park, Tamales offers a creative alternative to Tex Mex fare common in suburban locations. Our meal started off with chips and salsa that were bottomless and tasty. No, its not the chips, limes, radishes, and 4 salsa spreads of the urban taquerias, but they were delicious. We then had a pumpkin tamale as an appetizer. I was not expecting much, but is was amazing. Topped with ranchero and verde at each end, it was served with guacamole and sour cream and pico on the side. It was delightful. Sweet and savory as one of my relatives would say. The main course was just as good. We had both the fish and duck tacos, but that was a misnomer. The tacos were served fajita style with separate tortillas. Included on my fish plate was sour cream, guacamole, pico, lettuce, and a wonderful piece of fish that was seasoned with a southwest style spice combo and perfectly cooked. The duck tacos were served in a similar fashion, but included a fruit based salsa and marinated and roasted duck that was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The portions were very generous. The service was very attentive and the price was very reasonable. Bottom line, Tamales delivered a delicious and affordable meal in a very upscale neighborhood. If you are in Highland Park and hungry, go here.
(5)
Shira G.

Watch your credit card in this place. The waiter added onto his tip. I keep bills till I see them correctly charged. Most people do not do this or do not check. When we brought this to the owner's attention, he didn't even apologize or confront the waiter (we pointed him out). He just opened the register and gave us the difference in the bill. That was it. Maybe this is common practice for them? The owner did not seem shocked, embarrassed or apologetic in the least. FYI - that waiter still works there. While the food is good, if you are looking for authentic Mexican, this is not it. But it is good food in its own way. We won't be going back there. If you choose to go, keep tabs on your credit card.
(2)
Liz A.

I came here with a friend to use a groupon that we had for the restaurant. I had the tamale entree (2 tamales, rice & beans) for $12-- this was a pretty good deal, lots of food for not too much money. You can choose from pumpkin, chicken, mushroom or shrimp tamales; I had the pumpkin and shrimp. The pumpkin tamale is very unique, and I really enjoyed it; it's both spicy and sweet. The shrimp tamale was good, but the quality of the actual shrimp was not perfect. The rice and beans were just o-k. I also had the black bean soup which was very good with lots of flavor, but they put a huge dollop of sour cream on top that was way too much for the size of the cup (but an easy fix for the future). Overall, I really enjoyed this restaurant; the pumpkin tamales are very unique, and I would go back again for these. Some of the other entrees seemed a little pricey (~$20), but I still would consider trying them based on the food that I tried already. Also, each table is given chips and salsa to start, and the wait staff is very friendly-- all pluses. The groupon definitely makes it worthwhile, but even without, if you're in the area, I would still consider giving this place a try.
(4)
Anne W.

Great place! I loved it! I went with a group of friends for my 21st birthday, and obviously the waiter carded me when I ordered a margarita. After staring at it for forever he realized it was my birthday and said happy birthday to me. The food was great - I have two friends who are vegetarians and they loved the vegetarian burrito. I got the carnitas tacos which were divine, just the right amount of kick. My other friends seemed to like their chile rillenos, steak burrito, and chicken fajitas as much as everyone else enjoyed their food. At the end of the meal, they even brought out a complimentary bread pudding for me! It was definitely one of the best bread puddings I've ever had and I would definitely order it again. All in all, a great meal with a great atmosphere and surrounded by great people! Definitely make a trip here.
(5)
Lauren F.

I've been going here for years and I probably go every time I'm in town. My favorites have always been the pumpkin tamales, fish tacos, and bread pudding. In more recent years I started getting their margaritas, which I highly recommend, especially the passion fruit. Mmm... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! If you get the tamales, go with the red sauce. I don't know what it's called, but it's the best sauce they have. I know the duck tacos are a general favorite among my friends and family, definitely a splurge, though. But everyone should go at least once if you're in the general area. You won't be disappointed (as long as you don't get a burrito, I've only heard not so great things...).
(5)
Amanda H.

I used to love this restaurant but it seems to have changed in a bad way. The food is overpriced, the restaurant is too tight, the service is not good. When I went there I got the fajitas and specifically asked for corn tortillas. I told the waiter that they could not under any circumstance give me flour tortillas because I am severely allergic. Well, obviously they messed up. I couldn't tell I was eating the wrong tortilla until later. It made me extremely ill for weeks. If you want good Mexican food, don't go here. You can get better prices, service, and food somewhere else!
(1)
Tom Z.

Went for a late lunch after purchasing a Groupon. They were closed at 1:40 when it started 2:30 on Yelp. Not a good way to run a business. I never did get a chance to dine there. I'm not sure I would give them another chance or not.
(2)
Sue F.

After trying many suburban Mexican restaurants, I find tamales one of the better ones. The salsa is real, not out of a jar and quite tasty. The mole sauce ranks third on my list. Tarascas in Lincoln park gets top slot. It is the best mole in the burbs that I have had. They worked on the refried beans...I liked them. Usually beans are left on the plate since most restaurants are so careless with them. Pumpkin tamale....couldn't taste any pumpkin. Margaritas were good.
(4)
Marko V.

By rule I never dine at restaurants with "Kushi" in the title. So on my last trip to Downtown Highland Park, we opted for Tamales... ...A Mexican Joint. Thanks for the clarification, Tamales! I do have to admit though, the dissonance between the dancing donkeys and dia de los muertos decor that adorn the florescent orange, yellow and blue walls did leave me a tad befuddled. Since when did donkeys become a symbol of Mexico? Outside of Tijauana, that is. I suppose at some point in this review I should address the food, which I was indeed able to consume despite the tumult and turmoil aroused by the asses above me. Salsa: The combination of chunkiness and liquidness left me a bit confounded and unable to formulate an unwavering opinion. I did eat an entire serving of it though, so take that as you will. Tacos: We shared an order of steak and duck tacos. There was no doubt here. These were 100% legit--the real deal holyfield. I did order a side of refried beans to smother on my make-your-own tacos, but they weren't quite as thick as I was accustomed to, and much sweeter for some reason. Tasted great on the tacos, but not so much on its own. Order these. 9.5/10 Tamales: Ah, the namesake! Any time a specific food is listed in the name of a restaurant, it's gotta be pretty good. The tamales at Tamales were no exception. We went with the chicken, and as our waiter Juan placed the half-verde-half-ranchero plate of utter goodness upon our table, I knew I had come to the right Mexican Joint in town. 8/10. Despite the redundancy of the restaurant name and just a total lack of authenticity outside of the fact that every single employee in this overstaffed place was Mexican, the food was pretty excellent and moderately priced to boot. If you are looking for tasty Mexican in the suburbs, or even a place to pin the tail, I highly suggest Tamales... ...A Mexican Joint!
(4)
Diana w.

Went there for the first time since yelp reviews were so good. Very friendly staff but service is just okay. We ordered the suizo steak burrito and it was alright, not too impressed with the steak. We give tamales 4 stars all due to the salsa... Delicious.
(4)
Scott B.

This is some of the best Mexican food on the North Shore. It's not always true to the traditional recipes, but it is fresh, extremely well prepared and fantastic all the way around. Be sure to try the pumpkin tamale. It's worth the trip for that tamale alone. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared for a wait. There is usually a line out the front door, and seating inside the restaurant can be tight. During the summers there is an outdoor seating area so that you can enjoy some of the nice weather.
(4)
Andrew S.

This place was good, but nothing too special. It was super small and crammed. But if you check in here you get a buy one get one free margarita which is pretty sweet. The portions are decent, and the chips and salsa are pretty good. Check it out if you're in the area. But don't go too far out of your way. I had their chicken enchiladas. They were tasty. No complaints with the food.
(3)
David M.

I think this is my first online review ever. This place was that good. Had tamales for an appetizer. I had the filet minion, my wife had enchiladas. Everything was amazing. Service was first rate. Jeff the owner couldn't have been nicer.
(5)
Sarah M.

Excellent variety and great food!! I went there with a small group from work, for a "we've earned it" break from the office. What a delight! We devoured the chips and salsa in minutes. The wait staff was very attentive and our orders were delivered very quickly. Delicious! I had the shrimp enchiladas with the (very spicy) mole sauce. They were perfect! We all shared "just a bite" of our food with each other, and everything was delicious! Both the flour and corn tortillas are perfect - practically melt in your mouth. Lunch prices were very reasonable - cheaper than many other Mexican restaurants in the area.
(5)
Alex H.

I probably go to Tamales every two weeks. It is super small and the tables are close together. The owner and staff have great attitudes and are very pleasant. It is hard to hear/make conversation because it is very loud but fortunately, the food makes up for everything. As soon as you sit down they give you a free appetizer of homemade chips and salsa. The salsa is the best salsa I have ever had in my entire life. I usually get Chicken Fajitas for the main course and they come out sizzling from the kitchen. 100% fantastic. Best Mexican food in the north suburbs of Chicago!
(4)
Elyse C.

I cannot believe how good the duck tacos are! I was really impressed! Mmm I want to go back right now! The salsa could be spicer but hey the chips were salty and delicious. The margarita was strong. I think I found my new Mexican spot!
(5)
Joseph H.

I love the place! Great food, great drinks and great atmosphere!!! Start with a house marg, then move onto the tortilla soup, chicken chimichungas, enchilada mole, burritos, fajitas, etc. You cannot go wrong!!
(5)
Lauren T.

I really think taco bell is better than this shit! Everything about this place was terrible. The salsa and beans were watery, the chips had thick chunks of salt on it and the the neon orange rice tasted like it was from a box I got a shrimp and chicken tamale and they were okay...except there was so much corn, there was no room inside for meat. The prices were so expensive as well. Four tacos were 15 dollars and one tamale was 4.75. The larger meals were even more expensive, around $20. I would understand if it was actually good, but there was nothing mexican about this place besides the bus boys.The thing that baffled me was the place was busy! The only thing good about this place was the IBC root beer my younger brother got. How sad!
(1)
Adisak P.

I went there with my family this weekend. There was some concern because my brother is not a big fan of Mexican food. However, everyone ended up loving the restaurant. He got the Fish Tacos which came with a delicious Mango Salsa. I got the Duck Tacos which came with a very unique Jicama Relish. The Flan there is amazing. So are the Mushroom Tamales.
(5)
Debra G.

Best Mexican Ever!! Jeff is a great, welcoming host. Food is awesome, good margaritas and good staff
(5)
Ann G.

Terrible service--gross food. We went on Monday evening. We sat outside. Our server gave us menus and we ordered drinks. She then took out menus. I said, "We are going to order" She apologized and was really spacey. Then another server came up to us and asked us if we wanted to order drinks. What!! we have 2 servers?? They did not have it together. Our drinks arrived. The passion fruit margarita is not as good as it sounds. YUCK!! I ordered a chicken burrito which was covered in greasy cheese. I asked our server what sauce was the spiciest and he said "we don't have any spicy sauces." I then said, "Isn't this a mexican restaurant?" He didn't say anything. Then the bees and flies came out. It was terrible. Our server tried to get us to order another drink but we had enough of their b.s. I will never return. We left a 15% tip but should have left $0. Casa De Isaac is much better!! great, real Mexican food and excellent service!!
(1)
Bridget M.

Whenever going to Tamales, be ready to roll up your sleeves and pray that your waistband has some give. The food is delectable - from the crisp chips and zesty salsa to the oversized nicely presented entrees, it is hard to go wrong. As always, once I start munching on salsa and chips, it is difficult to stop. Thankfully, the servers are more than willing to refill as needed. The entree once delivered may be intimidating in size, but the flavor that will ensue is well worth your inability to fit into your clothes after a meal here. I've had the drinks here and they don't play. Luckily, the fat enchilada I ate which undoubtedly contributed to my sweet pot belly helped subdue the effects of the alcohol. The only drawback is the distance to get here - warning: overeating induces food coma... that plus a long drive is never a good combination.
(4)
Andy O.

Went for diner last night. We ordered the pumpkin tamale for an appetizer and it was very good. My wife ordered the enchiladas mole and she liked it. I ordered the grilled torta and was disappointed. Instead of nice fluffy, slightly chewy, torta bread, this was made with tortillas. Excuse me, I think you call that a quesadilla, and that's not what I wanted. Finally, this place is expensive. Our meal, which included one diet drink, was $36.00. Not worth the money. There are lots of places serving better food at lower prices. I had read that yelpers got a complimentary guacamole. That isn't the case anymore, though that fact didn't influence my review.
(2)
Chris M.

This is seriously good mexican food. My parents always want to come here when we crave mexican, as it's better than any mexican place around Northbrook, including Las Palmas. The food, very fresh and and lots to choose from. This is the place to go before hitting up a concert at Ravinia. My suggestion though, don't bring in a huge group. This place is pretty small and you'll have a heck of a time getting a large table, especially on a concert night. Take your lady here or a group of four before a romantic show at Ravinia...then let all the romanticism go to the wayside once this cuisine settles in the stomach :)
(4)
Parker P.

Overpriced and way overrated...service not either time we have been there. Better spent at Tres Hermanas or Tco del Norte in Highwood.
(1)
Asha B.

Amazing food..We found this place unexpectedly but glad that we had an amazing time. The food was simply superb, the ambience too. I would highly recommend this place for anyone craving Mexican food
(4)
Russ K.

Great tamales...but be sure to save your credit card receipt and check it against your credit card bill. I got a big surprise when I looked at mine. A tip of 11.60 was registered for my 47 dollar meal. Now, I'm a good tipper, but I don't tip 25%. There was a little shenanagans going on after I signed my bill. Great tamales, but dishonesty leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
(1)
Rafi A.

We returned for dinner there two weeks ago, again very impressed with the food and drink. What I love about the place is the intimacy that comes from having tables so close together. The couple next to us recommended the pumpkin tamales. They were AMAZING! I could easily get by on their tortilla chips and salsa, pumpkin tamales and a margarita or two. My wife had the vegetable burrito. Of course I ate most of that as well. The goat cheese made it all worthwhile. Of course goat cheese that good makes anything taste good. For an appetizer, I also ordered guacamole. While it looked fresh and chunky (no complaints about that), I was disappointed by the lack of flavor. I wouldn't travel an hour to come here, but if you're in the area and in the mood for a festive atmosphere with great food and drink, Tamales fits the bill.
(4)
Jean g.

I LOVE their Pumpkin Tamales which are nothing like the usual, skinny, small tamales you may be used to. The mushroom tamales are good too and my husband likes the duck tacos and I do think their duck meat is very tasty. Try subsituting the Mexican mashed potatoes for the standard Mexican rice for somthiing different. I usually order a second order of pumpkin tamales to take home with me to heat up later in the week. Love 'em.
(4)
Dima M.

This place is really good, but I really can't justify driving an hour just for this. I went to this place when I was out in that area visiting a friend. The drinks were excellent and the food was quite delicious. If you live out there, this is a great choice, but the prices, while not outrageous, are more than I would like to pay for Mexican food, considering that I can get great Mexican food right here in the city. Yes, distance from the city is also a factor in how I rate restaurants since that's part of the experience too. The decoration is nice and very warm and welcoming. The service was just OK. We went on a rainy afternoon, before the evening rush, and we were there with only two or three other tables. There were about 5 waiters/busboys, and we still did not get water refills, and I waved so hard to get someone's attention, I almost fell out of the chair. The place isn't even THAT big. Needless to say, there was nothing that would make me ever say "ooh, I'd love to go back to that place." But it's worth the try if you're around that area for another reason. I just wouldn't go all the way to Highland Park to just go there.
(2)
Hendrix B.

Better margaritas than Primo's in Dallas....a new standard, and in Highland Park no less. Amazing, but true.
(3)
EmmBee L.

My fajitas featured raw onions, raw green peppers, shrimp from a can and BBQ sauce that someone added some red pepper to before serving. Sound gross? Congratulations. You have taste buds. Apparently the folks at this place do not. My DH had 2 microwaved tamales that had the tell-tale rubber corners of things that get microwaved a tad too long. We paid $40 for lunch.I cannot believe I stopped here instead of driving 2 more miles and eating at any number of wonderful Mexican joints in Highwood. I feel guilty. I feel queasy. I feel ripped off! *urppp* Next time, I'll micro up some tamales from Trader Joe's. Geesh!
(2)
Ronni G.

Great casual Mexican dining. Go easy on the Margaritas-these have plenty of Tequila in them. Food is well-prepared. Try the pumpkin tamale. The restaurant is small, and gets crowded at dinner, but they do honor reservations promptly, and service is good. Prices are reasonable for the quality.
(4)
Tiffany G.

Subpar food. Worse service. All that, and it wasn't even a bargain. Proving once again that the eating establishments in Highland Park leave a LOT to be desired...and that the locals, for whatever reason, just don't "get it."
(2)
Casia J.

Deducting one star because of cramped seating/a lacking wait-to-be-seated area/ambiance, and rushed--but still friendly I must add--service. Went here expecting the worst. The crowd, the name, the exterior, the location all told me it would be one of the many Tex-Mex type of disasters found predominantly in, but not limited to, the far-out suburbs. Wrong, thank God! Margs ridiculously strong but also tasty. Menu not big, but with interesting items like pumpkin tamales. (Personally, I prefer Mexican restaurants that are a mix of traditional and nuevo latino, i.e., not all combo plates or not just Topolobampo gourmet outrageousness.) For the area, I don't think you can find a better place. The food reminds me of what That Little Mexican Cafe in Evanston USED to be back in the day, when they were near Pete Miller's and so, so much better. Can't wait to go back when I'm in the area. I will go either early or late. Highland Parkers are an amiable enough bunch, but it was too cramped for me.
(4)
Timothy W.

Great place!
(5)
Laurence M.

Rude wait staff. No manager on duty. Yes, they used to be good, but they clearly don't care any more.
(1)
Erin C.

I have been here several times and the food is always excellent. I would recommend the salmon burrito. Its even big enough to share. Many of the dishes are a unique take on the typical mexican standards-always something fun and new to try. The margs are also awesome and heavy handed on tequila. None of that wussy sugary stuff. The service is not anything special, but you dont need to be schmoozed when the food is this good. The atmosphere inside is fun and a smidge cramped, and the outside is perfect and chill.
(4)
Elle J.

Great food - had the chicken/beef fajita combo. They were honestly the best I've had in recent memory. I piggied-out and scraped the plate clean. I've had the bbq chicken enchiladas before and they are awesome too. Awesome service - the server was very quick, attentive, removed clutter (empty glasses, chip basket, etc.) promptly and unintrusively. As we left a whole group of people (the bartender, cook, server, busser) all warmly said "Adios", waved & smiled. Very genuine... Very reasonable prices - dinner for 3 (2 adults, 1 kid) including 4 margaritas, and the total bill was $70 INCLUDING a very generous tip, which I based on the service. One head's up for those of you bringing kids... While they do have a kid's menu with about 5-6 decent selections, it's part of the regular menu. They don't have the whole crayons & paper thing so you might want to bring your own "supplies". Overall experience - MUY FANTASTICO!!! I highly recommend it.
(5)
R. P.

We had high hopes after reading lots of nice reviews, but oh, how disappointing our dinner was. The salsa was bland and tasted like tomato juice. The guacamole tasted like it had been sitting out for hours, even though we arrived for dinner just after the restaurant opened. The waiter dripped hot sauce from my plate down my arm and onto my dress pants, with barely an acknowledgement. My husband, who had a burrito, reports he's had better mexican food in a school cafeteria. My shrimp enchiladas were okay, but nothing special. For much better choice, head down the street to La Casa De Isaac & Moishe.
(2)
Sari K.

Sure it's yuppie Mexican, but it's GREAT and one of my favorite Mexican places. It gets *packed* on a Saturday night. The waiters are as nice as can be and I love the cutout donkeys along the picture molding at the top of the wall. The duck tacos are great. I love that it comes with goat cheese and some chutney on the side (!)...and black beans instead of the usual refried ones. All *great* in your tortilla. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)
Cat B.

This is a great place with delicious food! This place is really cute, small and quaint. I had the tilapia, which came perfectly cooked with grilled veggies and a yummy spicy sauce on top. My friend Laura had the steak tacos, which she said were really good (and she is my resident expert on steak tacos!). The ingredients were all fresh. The margaritas were really good too! Good sized, not too big, but not too small. Definitely not skimping on the tequila! My friend Laura (she is preggers) will have to wait a while before trying one! Sorry momma!! The service was wonderful and everyone was really nice. Even when we told them that even though we wanted more chips that we probably didn't need them, they brought us a refill anyway with a smile. This place is a warm inviting place. There are several tables and then a few bar tables in the windows. I will definitely go again when I am in this neck of the woods.
(5)
Brian S.

Very surprised by the quality, cleanliness, and friendliness of this restaurant. I had the steak quesadillas and duck tacos while my wife had veggie fajitas. Staff continually (but not overly so) inquired about our happiness and satisfaction. No need to ask for refill on chips, they kept coming. I can't wait to go back. Definitely took care of my Mexican food craving.
(5)
Grace L.

Had a decent lunch here, but nothing really special. We ordered the chicken enchiladas and another chicken dish. (forgot the name but it was a specialty.) If you have a choice of sauces like I did for the enchiliadas, don't get the mole, the tomatillo is better. The service was great, and the environment was festive, but the food didn't really taste that great. There are some tables outside for sunny days.
(2)
C S.

The Tamales is actually much better than the previous owner. The service was fast knowing you can just stop any waiter to get you something. Love my Carne de casa. The meat are tender and cooked just how I ordered it. My favorite here is the crabcake and scallop salad. The prices are competitive with the other restaurants in the neighborhood. If you are a group of 5, you should come early. It is always hard to find a table on weekends. This place is usually packed!
(4)
Sandra M.

The food is not bad here, but the service is just so-so, in terms of genuine interest in serving their customers.
(2)
Eli R.

Food is great. Service stinks.
(3)
L. W.

Well to start off, it is awkward from the beginning because you walk in a door that has the cash register. The tables are 6 inches or less a part. The waiters are all yelling at each other. My enchiladas were decent but the rice and beans were disgusting. We all ordered churros and they were cold so the manager took them back to fix it. He literally came back with the same churros, just reheated. Gross. I have no idea why this place was so busy! The bathroom was disgusting with water everywhere. I will NEVER come back here.
(1)
W M.

The food here is phenomenal! They have tamales that are out of this world, especially the pumpkin tamales. The flan is also stupendous. It was the BEST Mexican food I have ever had in the U.S.
(5)
MJ D.

Its in the center of Downtown Highland Park. We enjoy sitting outside on a summer evening. The inside is a little cramped with tables close together but it works. The mexican food is very good and we will keep going back.
(5)
Brian S.

As a native Texan, I don't make it a habit of eating Mexican food in Chicago, as it's normally not what I enjoy. Hot Tamales proved me wrong! The guacamole was awesome, the portions were huge and well priced. I would absolutely go back. The only downside was the greeter was a bit of a jerk, as we had reservations at 7:00 for a party of 5, and we are all there at 7:03, and he gave our table away, and we had to wait longer.
(4)
Faith E.

So I stopped in around 5pm on a Thursday as I had some time to kill before an appointment nearby. I was the only person in there and thought the decor was nice, festive, and clean. I didn't, though, appreciate the staring of all the male employees while I sat/ate, especially since I was by myself. I just wanted something small so I ordered a cup of the tortilla soup and some kids entree for chicken tacos. The food was mediocre at best. Salsa was totally bland and too chunky for my liking. The tortilla soup was also bland and I couldn't even finish the small cup of it. The worst part was the tacos. I don't know if the kids portion is somehow different from anything else but what a disaster! The rice was florescent orange and tasted just like the Uncle Ben's rice you can microwave in a pouch. Seriously, I tried that rice about a week ago and this tasted the same. The chicken was cut into small cubes, which weirds me out in tacos, and was grilled with no flavors or spices. Thrown on top was a sprinkling of maybe 5-10 pieces of shredded American cheese. LAME! As you know from my other reviews, American cheese on tacos is a no-no for me. I also asked for corn tortillas and got flour. I think this is a place for the gringos only that like very unauthentic, bland Mexican food. I think I would have to seriously smoke a joint to get me to eat at this "Mexican Joint" again.
(2)
Tim P.

Great food! Great Staff! If you don't like closeness...and the owner getting to know all his customers...don't go! Yes, you may have mutiple servers!! Why? To make sure you are VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF! Don't expect the same small joint type of Mexican food...this place thrives in HIGHLAND PARK! I would never call this food 'greasy' as someone else did...just wondering what they expected. Yes it is very small...so if you do not like people or great Mexican food with a Highland Park attitude (Salmon Burrito is AWESOME!!) then go somewhere else and save room for me!!!
(5)
gnat c.

Hot Tamales is another great spot in the Highland Park. The space is small, so it's a bit challenging with larger parties. The food is awesome, wait staff are friendly, and as cocktails and margaritas should be...delicious. Who knew such great Mexican food was in Highland Park, IL?
(5)
Rich A.

nice place
(4)
Lauren D.

At this point in my life, I like to consider myself a bit of an expert on quesadillas and margaritas in America. (Although most certainly I am not, according to certain sources.) Tamales is fantastic. It was recommended to me by a man I work with who is from Mexico, so I'm quite positive that he knows what he is talking about. It is small and busy, but the service is efficient and in the summer the outside seating is quite nice. Their quesadillas are top notch, as are the margaritas. I'd definitely stop in if you are in the neighborhood cravin somethin hot and spicey!
(5)
John K.

Excellent place. Made you feel very welcome. First time trying because of yelp reviews. Thank you for recommending this place. The tamales are really awesome, but they are very big, so if you order them take left overs home. I had the steak burrito. Very good burrito. If you order the rootbeer, you get a bottle and a glass of ice. The best part is leaving, and grabbing some candy hot tamales in a gumball machine that does not require money. They are delicious.
(5)
Bob B.

The pumpkin-chicken tamales are REALLY special. If everthing else was mediocre, the tamales would have made the whole dinner worthwhile. BUT, nearly everything else was good! Not typical Tex-Mex - much better! The chips and salsa were only so-so. Ditto for the guacomole (which was free with a mention of Yelp).
(4)
James C.

Ended up here on a summer weeknight after walking around downtown highland park. Had a taste for mexican (actually wanted to eat lou malnaltis but the one there is a carry out only) so we walked in and got sat inside right away. There was a wait to be seated outside but we wanted to eat right away so we ended up inside... which for some reason was completely empty. 5 minutes go by and we find out why it was empty inside... it felt like a sauna! I guess this place doesn't believe in A/C or something but man, it was unbearable. We tried their tamales since the restaurant was named after them... which to my surprise was pretty delicious. It was very different from the tamales that I've tasted in Pilsen but very good nonetheless. It tasted authentic to me (i have no idea what authentic mexican is) and everything else was ok. Shared a steak burrito with the woman which by the way was HUGE. It's not one of those "pick it up with your hands and eat it" burritos... it was ones covered in cheese and it was gooey so you had to eat it with a fork. I didn't mind it but I prefer my burritos to be burrito-ish... like wrapped in a tortilla... kinda like ... u know... a burrito. My friend got the steak tacos which looked pretty good... came with all these veggies and salsas. That thing was huge too... everything here was huge. But then... the prices weren't that great so i guess they try to compensate that with huge portions. Overall, this was an ok pick in downtown highland park... dunno if i'll ever go back there again but it was good at the time.
(3)
Steve O.

First, I'm no authority on Mexican food. However, HP has many mexican restaurants and this is my favorite. The salsa alone is enough for me. Great menu. Perhaps not "authentic", but very high quality and tasty. Its small and tight, but I've brought my little kids many times and never had a problem.
(5)
Megan S.

I live in the city and was introduced to this place by a friend. I ate there 2 years ago and LOVED it. I had not been back since because i couldn't remember the name and how to navigate back to this amazing place. While out on my trek to Northbrook my friend put the address for another restaurant in downtown HP into the navigation system in my car so that we could get close to where we thought the restaurant would be. WE FOUND IT!!!!! Meal was awesome! My friend and i both got the Crispy tortilla salad! If i had not been so full i probably would have ordered another to go to have for lunch today. Definitely worth the drive and would and will do it again!
(5)
Jay Y.

Hard to go back to a mexican place that charges extra for the sides for a fajita. Food is fine but xtra for sour cream and guac for fajitas? Have I mentioned they don't actually give u the sides for fajitas? The nerve. Also, they recommended the tortilla soup for a kid. It was spicy as hell.
(3)
Sonny P.

I happened to stumble on this place last friday when my mom and I were in this area. This was our first time in downtown Highland Park area and I really liked it. We came here during lunch time and were one of 2 tables here. Prices were fair and portions were large enough. Chips and salsa are fresh and service was prompt.
(4)
Joe M.

As the name implies, this is the place for tamales! While there are plenty of decent Mexican restaurants in the area, Tamales stands alone with their variety of delicious ad well-executed tamales. Wait staff is generally very hospitable and attentive. A little pricey but on a par with most downtown HP dining.
(4)
Bleep S.

4.5...Loved the skirt steak with grilled vegetables,mango salsa, grilled vegetables and jalapeÃ±o mashed potatoes. My brothers grilled tilapia was perfectly cooked. Excellent salsa. Lots of Mexican beer selections, including my beloved Negra Modelo. Definitely going back when in HP.
(4)
Jody B.

So... after I left the following tip Saturday, I am now doing the review: I called three days ago and made a reservation for tonight. I just called to double check and was told no one took my reservation. That's not a good sign. I hope they now know I have a reservation when I show up. I'll let you know in my review... Review: We showed up and they had our reservation! Not only that, they offered us inside or outside (since it was a really nice evening. The service was GREAT! The server and the owner/manager kept checking back to see if we needed anything. Very attentive but not overly so. Chips and salsa were fine. Nothing special, but good enough. I had wine and hubby had a beer, so we can't comment on the drinks/margaritas. I trusted my fellow yelpers and ordered the skirt steak (Carne de Casa ~$20). It was so tasty. I like things spicy so when I mixed a bite with the jalapeno mashed potatoes and the veggies, there was a party in my mouth! I ordered it medium.... it was perfect. Hubby had the tilapia. He too was happy with his meal. Our friends ordered a Pollo Espinaco which came with this to-die-for-looking spinach side dish. I didn't taste it, but the other couple raved. They also had fish tacos. They loved them... not fried. I had the churros for dessert (bad girl!), but they were worth it. I love crunchy fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar. Yummmmmm. It comes with a yummy caramel dipping sauce. So it turned out my fears were unwarranted. It was a great evening!
(4)
Adriane P.

I got food poisoning here on my birthday! And the pacing and food presentation need work. Went Saturday night with a friend and my doggie. It was busy so there was a bit of a wait for a table. It was weird they had no host and no list for seating. They didn't even take a name. The haphazard manner for service continued for the night. Waiting for ordering items, servers being confused as to if we even ordered, and my bday dessert being very late after we paid the check. The food was mediocre for the price. The masa is TOO THICK on the TAMAL. The chips a bit too salty. Margs were ok.My chicken fajitas tasted typical but were greasy and I wasn't wowed. Got home at eight and hit the hay because I work at dawn. I wake up at midnight and began violently vomiting. Over and over. And when I didn't have any of that meal left it was bile. Then just severe dry heaves. I had a splitting headache and cold chills and sweats for hours. I had to call in sick to work and I never do that especially since it was my dog sitting job so it totally inconvenienced a last minute replacement. Needless to say this was the worst restaurant experience I've had for years!! It was my birthday, we spent like $70 with tip, and I lost a days wages. Tamales - a Mexican joint for bulimics who like crowds. Or someone who wants their bathroom to look like a Jackson Pollock painting.
(1)
Debbie M.

Wow- I can't wait to go back. The tamales were awesome. The sauces were amazing. The mashed potatoes with jalapeÃ±o were to die for. Good drinks. Nice atmosphere. Pleasant, prompt service. More than fair prices and HUGE portions.
(5)
Matt G.

Still looking for good Mexican food around the North Shore. The food had little to no flavor, calling it average would be a stretch. I'd have been better off finding a taco truck, would have saved a few dollars to boot. Chilles Rellenos had no flavor, and the skirt steak fajitas were only slightly better. I guess Southern California spoiled me when it comes to Mexican food, this place wouldn't even be in business in L.A.
(2)
Shahna R.

We started going to this place before we were married - so as we near our 15th anniversary, I can say it's been a long time. Two kids have gotten in the way of regular date nights, so this visit was our first in a few years. I have a feeling the place has definitely changed hands since our last meal here. The restaurant used to be called Hot Tamales and was hands-down the best and most innovative Mexican food on the North Shore. We would regularly drive from Evanston to eat here. And seriously, what Evanstonian actually leaves Evanston to eat in another suburb? It was that good and we regularly made the trek to Highland Park to eat here. The restaurant is now called Tamales and really isn't worth driving to at all...not even if we lived in Highland Park. We got there on the early side on a Saturday night (pre-movie) and were cursorily acknowledged, despite there only being one other group dining, and told to sit wherever we wanted. Our server was efficient, but either totally hates his job or was having a grumpy day - sort of amusing since he was wearing one of the restaurant's signature "No Whiners" t-shirts. His service throughout our meal was fine, but devoid of personality, no checking in on us, no offers for drink refills, dessert, etc. The chips and salsa came out and while the chips were good, the chopped tomato and onion can't possibly be called salsa in good faith. I fondly remember the salsa at the old incarnation of Tamales and this wasn't it. We ordered former favorites, grilled torta, mushroom and chicken tamales and grilled vegetables with rice and beans. Nothing was bad, but nothing was a standout. The torta was overcooked and the mushroom sauce was bland. The masa on the tamales was very thick and left room for very little filling. Veggies were blah - nothing our kids can't make at home. It seems like the new owner bought the old restaurant's recipes, but not their chefs. The same ingredients were there, but the execution was lacking and in the end product was just bland Mexican food on a plate - served by an unhappy guy. Tamales is no longer going to be a destination for us. Sad to see it go.
(3)
Moira H.

We have been to this restaurant a couple of times. Although the first time exhibited some missteps, we went back for another try. We had a tamale (of course! ),salads with amazing herbed dressings, as well as some traditional Mexican choices. The food was flavorful, the portions generous and the team responsive.
(4)
Bob R.

The Pollo Espinaco ($18.50) is delicious. The chicken is charred but not burnt, and the portobello mushroom underneath adds to the grilled flavor. Topped with a delicate Pablano Pepper cheese sauce. The side of spinach with chihuahua cheese is very tasty. The black beans are nothing special. Garnished with fresh radish slices. Chips and salsa are okay, and service was good. Nice to sit outside in Highland Square, a quaint little town.
(4)
Pamela D.

Tamales has become our favorite dinner spot prior to attending a concert at Ravinia. To say it is a good choice for a pre-concert meal is an understatement--it is a very short walk from two Ravinia shuttle stops. Tamales is a little on the expensive side, which is likely due to its location. Service has been fine although we've only been there on weeknights right after they open for dinner, so we've been dining in a mostly empty restaurant. Their sizeable menu contains the usual Mexican staples plus some less common dishes. My favorite is the Pollo Espinaco while my husband usually opts for the fish tacos. Chips, salsa, and guacamole are all good. On our last visit we shared a chicken tamale as an appetizer, which was good although a little too heavy on the masa. Ambiance is like any other Mexican restaurant. The inside dining room is small and we imagine it can fill up quickly. There is an outdoor seating area too, but it's just a bunch of tables set up on the sidewalk. We give Tamales 5 stars for the location, 4 for the food, 3 for the service, and 2 for the ambiance. Overall, we give it 3 1/2 stars but will round up to 4.
(4)
Carlos B.

This Mexican restaurant has a variety of food. I went there with my family and we got amazing service by Luis our waiter. We ordered the pumpkin tamales and they were good. But they were a little dry even with the sauce. The chiles reyenos were good and very saucy. They were a little spicy. We also ordered the enchiladas and they were quite good. The portions are big and the chips are crispy. I wish the salsa was a little spicy and more flavorful. The food is very tasty and the price is great. Something that does not make sense in this restaurant is their sitting style. While we were eating this man with his son wanted a table outside but the man requested a table that could sit 5 people for both of them. So the hostess gave them a big table for the two of them. This is just ridiculous! Because little after that a group of 5 people came and wanted to eat outside but no more tables were available only tables that could sit two. This reflects poorly on their customer service.
(4)
Karen K.

I may have expected too much after reading reviews about the food here and I was craving tamales like crazy but overall I thought the food was just ok. On the house: Chips and salsa -never ending if you let it and super addicting Appetizer: FISH CEVICHE -delicious but super duper spicy! The fish tasted so fresh. I actually preferred eating the ceviche with the tortilla chips than with the saltine crackers that came with the dish. Tamales: PUMPKIN,CHICKEN,MUSHROOM -the pumpkin was a little too sweet for me but I would get this again -the chicken was good but I wish it had a bit more flavor -the mushroom was good as well but nothing amazing to report I got the tamales with rice and beans and the tamales were smothered with different sauces. I didn't care too much for the sauces and I actually thought they were a little overwhelming and salty but the rice and beans were great! Portions are huge and our waiter was really nice. I would come here again when I'm craving tamales (still looking for a place with amazing tamales.. any suggestions?) or if I want that amazing ceviche again
(3)
Richard B.

Crowded. Tight tables. Pretty good service. Expensive Mexican Food. Not a Latino customer in sight. Even the street food like Taco's is fairly pricey! This is not a Taqueria. So, after you get in there and get over the shock of $5+ Tamales (each) and almost $15 for a few street Taco's....get over it and enjoy the well prepared food (except the Masa is a bunch of Masa on the $5 Tamale). Pumpkin tamale was okay. Fish taco's were really good. I guess the bottom line is we would go back and try some of the differnt selections if the prices matched the quality AND the lack ambiance (due to the close fit) It's crowded. I'm not real sure why. Large Parking lot is almost across the street, so don't sweat parking. I think they are open for lunch too, but really? Again, this is not a Taqueria.
(3)
Mr H.

Tamales isn't a destination, it's a convenience. People don't drive here from far away places, they come here because it's close to home. The space is small, jam packed on the weekends and fairly uncomfortable. The food is less than to be desired, nothing is memorable. It's like every other Mexican place you've ever been to. The prices are insane. $40 for a pitcher of weak, super sugary margaritas. Give me break. I'll happily pay $12 for 1 delicious margarita served in a nice glass, but these come in water glasses with a straw. Not good. $4 extra for cheese, lettuce and guacamole on the already $19 fajitas ? What other restaurant charges you $19 for fajitas, and then another $4 if you want to sprinkle some lettuce and cheese on top? Just charge me $23 for your average fare, and not make me/you feel like a cheapskate. I know a restaurant has to make money, but there are other places doing it without being stingy. I'm not going to name names, but drive 15 minutes to D.N. in Wilmette and you be the judge.
(1)
Paula B.

Very nice surprise. Living in the area, we've tried a number of restaurants specializing in Mexican food and this is by far the best we've found. Everything was very fresh. When my son wasn't sure if he'd like the Ancho BBQ enchilada - they brought him some sauce to try before ordering and that sold it for him. I had the salmon burrito (gluten free so more deconstructed) and the salmon was generous and grilled to perfection. We will definitely be returning to Tamales....a Mexican Joint. Even hours later, my son was still raving about the food.
(4)
Jacob B.

Nicest owner in the world, Jeff. The food was amazing. The bread pudding was amazing. Great atmosphere. 10:00 at night and it's packed! Amazing food! Great service!
(5)
Stacey A.

Ordered steak tacos. Should have been easy enough. They were bland and overpriced. I will not be going back.
(3)
Suzan B.

Cute place with the most unusually delicious food. Owner is a great guy-very friendly. Staff extremely accommodating to clientele. I recommend the pumpkin tamales and BQ enchiladas. Fun atmosphere here!
(5)
Alyssa L.

I stand corrected! Fabulous dinner tonight! I really enjoyed the tortilla soup, chicken tamales, wonderful duck tacos, and fresh dessert! The staff and owner were incredibly friendly, helpful, and knowledgable about the food. A warm and cozy environment! I will certainly be coming back again and again!
(4)
Jim B.

The Chimichanga was by far the best I've ever had. The tortilla was like flaky like a fresh croissant. Amazing!
(5)
Colin S.

I came here and loved it. The service was great and has a nice cozy atmosphere. The things I would recommend is the corn chowder soup and the duck tacos. Two things I have never had and were great. Also I tried a mushroom tamale. I have to admit I was skeptical but it works. I am going to try the pumpkin tamale next time. Great overall restaurant.
(4)
Jackie S.

It's late but I wanted to get this in, hot off the press... This evening a few of us made an impromptu plan to see a movie at the Renaissance. Led by "the leader of the pack," after the movie, we treked the few blocks to Tamales. It was clearly near, perhaps after closing and the guys were wrappin' it up for the night. We signed through the window, we just wanted a quick drink. The owner & his associates, were welcoming and only happy to serve us, and even offered some Guac & chips, apologetic that it was late. They made us feel special, because we are. Been a while since I've eaten here. Can't wait to go back again. Thanks so much for being so hospitable. Love that! ; )
(5)
Brian G.

Very welcoming and friendly place. Pumpkin tamale was tasty. Duck tacos were fantastic. Best duck I've had in a while.
(4)
Michele B.

I've driven past this place and always said "self, you should go there, you love Mexican". so this was one of those times that "self" was right on. I couldn't decide what soup I wanted (yes soup on a night in May!) and the owner happened to hear me and brought me out a little bit of all three. Nice touch-but confused me even more because all three were GREAT. The corn chowder had a great fresh taste and a little creamy, the tortilla had a nice kick and they blended the chips with the soup instead of just those little threads of tortilla the other places do, and the black bean soup YUMMMMMM. I also had the small Jicama salad with avocado and cucumber and fresh spices. Top it all off with an out of this world mango margarita and friendly people--I will no longer just drive by!
(4)
Susan C.

The best Mexican food on the North Shore. I have used them for catering and it was a huge success, I don't even think we had left overs. They were also willing to tailor the menu to my needs. I took my family to dine in there and while the food was good, the restaurant is not exactly clean, and the service was friendly, but slow. I really wish they would give the place a through scrubbing and revamp the interior a bit, but the food is delicious.
(3)
Jennifer H.

We've been to Tamales numerous times and it's become a favorite joint to get Mexican. The food is always solid. My hubby is in love with their fajitas. I particularly enjoy their enchiladas. However, last time I tried the duck tacos and they were *amazing*. Rich and spicy. A fabulous mixture. Think I might have a new favorite. The margaritas are good. You can get he house of you're not picky or go for the Patron. Yummy! The place is small and compact. They use every ounce of space for tables so it can feel crowded when the place is filled. In the summer they have tables outside. There's a tiny bar/waiting area so if it's winter there isn't much space to wait. If you're on your way, call to get on the list. And be sure to say hi to John, the owner. He's always working and often visits tables himself just to check in with guests. He's got a good sense of humor -- the staff's shirts say "No Whining" on the back of them.
(4)
Lucas W.

I've been going to Hot Tamales since the very first day it opened. (It renamed itself to Tamales...A Mexican Joint when the owners sold the place to one of the long time employees there, but I still go by Hot Tamales). Every meal starts with chips and salsa - unlimited - and the salsa is top notch. Absolutely delicious. I always have to force myself to stop eating salsa so that I have space to enjoy my main meal. Everything I've had at Hot Tamales has been great. My personal favorite is the barbecue chicken enchiladas. The smoked chicken inside is great and I absolutely love the sauce they put on them. Comes with some rice and beans which are fine - fairly standard. I've also gotten the salmon burrito a number of times and it's always very tasty. The salmon goes so perfectly with the black beans and sort of cream cheese sauce or whatever it is. I do recommend going for dinner and not for lunch. The portions are larger at dinner (3 enchiladas vs 2 at lunch) and so it's a better value I have found. Every friend I've taken here has absolutely loved it and every single one of them has returned. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Diana P.

Pleasantly surprised and the delicious meal we got and how fresh it was. Will definitely come back for the salads and delicious homemade GUAC. In the summer, it's fun to eat outside too...not many places do this.
(4)
Christine L.

It's been difficult finding good tamales in the suburbs, but my friend was craving them so we decided to check out this place. Food was ok, a little on the expensive side, but hey it's downtown Highland Park, what else can you really expect? They had Spanish music playing throughout the restaurant, and lighting was pretty dim, but the atmosphere was still pretty laid back. We started with the fish ceviche, which was really good. It had a nice spicy kick with fresh tomatoes, ripe avocado, and big chunks of fish. Between that and the pico de gallo with tortilla chips we were already getting full before our main dishes came. My friends ordered the tamales because, hey, it's called Tamales so they must be good. They were much bigger than any tamales I've ever eaten and my friends seemed to enjoy them. I had the chicken enchiladas with guajillo/red sauce and they were pretty good. Very cheesy. Food was just ok, the extra star is really for the service, prompt, friendly and very patient with us as we were figuring out the bill.
(4)
Mike C.

We enjoy Mexican food, and have had several good options in the area. Today, while in Highland Park for the Fine Arts Fest, we noticed that Tamale's had outdoor dining for lunch, so we stopped. Amazing. Exceptional. Best Mexican in the area. Salsa...exceptionally fresh with large diced tomatoes. Not too spicy, chunky, fresh, very tasty. Chips are outstanding. Crunchy, salty, delicious. This is reason enough to stop by. We shared the skirt steak fajitas. Exceptional. Meat was delicious and tender, and the peppers and onions were cooked just right in a very light flavoring. Delicious with or without the meat. Also, this is one place that doesn't at all skimp on the sides. Plenty of guac, diced tomatoes and sour cream for the fajitas. Absolutely delicious. Dining al fresco on a beautiful day and this quality food, you cannot go wrong. The owner, Jeff, is outstanding. As we were paying our bill he asked if we wanted an after dinner drink, on the house. A small shot of 43 with heavy cream poured over. The most delicious after dinner drink we have had. I highly recommend this place. The food, location, service are outstanding, and the owner is one of the nicest people you will meet.
(5)
Max S.

I grew up in the restaurant industry and have worked in corporate hospitality for the last 10 years. When Jeff, the owner found out we just moved to town, he promptly sent over a great app and the dinner was awesome. Excellent food and truly one of the most welcoming and finest operators I've seen. Must try!!
(5)
Afrim U.

***** RAT INFESTED ***** RAT INFESTED*** RAT INFESTED ***** I was wish I could give this place a zero rating. I recently brought my fiancee here on a date. After sitting down and looking the menu I noticed service was slow. Staff wasn't too attentive, but that's all right though I can look past that. We ordered the margaritas which was recommended to us by the server. When they arrived, we tasted them and though it was just a simple mix I could made at home. So after we order I went to use the WC to wash up. When I enter the restroom I found 2 gigantic rats near the sink. I ran back to the table,and told my fiancee what was going on. She jumped out of her chair as if it was on fire. I left $$ for the margaritas and left Tamales with no intentions on ever coming back. After telling all of my friends to avoid this joint, I began hearing more stories of disappointment. STAY AWAY!!!
(1)
Taylor M.

I came here with Michele B. and ran into Valerie W. and Graham D. my first time at Tamales. They had actually recommended it to me. We had gotten our hair done around the corner at BloOuts and felt our bellies begin to rumble. I began to scarf chips and salsa as I sipped on my mango margarita. For my meal, I ordered chicken enchiladas with a red sauce as recommended by the waiter. Everyone was super friendly including the owner who comes out to mingle with diners. I used to drive by this place all the time when I worked in Highland Park. I am sad that I finally fell in love and I no longer work in the area! All the more reason to visit!
(4)
Adam C.

We keep trying to find a good Mexican place on the North Shore and keep coming up empty. There is one place that is so highly rated on Yelp but it might as well change its name to Casa de' Closed, since it's never open whenever we want to go. That said, we had high hopes for Tamales, but everything we tried lacked punch and flavor. We tried the chicken enchilada with mole, the ground beef taco, the quesadilla and steak fajitas. The Steak fajitas were the best of the bunch, but the ground beef taco was bland and lacked seasoning. The chicken mole enchilada was ok, but again, felt somewhat bland. The cheese on the quesadilla was really greasy and gave my daughter a stomach ache. The search continues.
(2)
Richie D.

While in Highland Park for a school play, I was Yelping on my phone to find a new restaurant for an early dinner. I came across Tamales...A Mexican Joint. I thought to myself: "An authentic Mexican restaurant in the upper-class downtown 'village' of Highland Park? Hmmm. Questionable" Just the fact that a "Mexican food" chain like Las Palmas was across the street made me shiver. I must admit...I was extremely skeptical! That was until I bite into their TAMALES! The price seemed a bit steep at $5.75 a pop or $12 with two tamales, rice and beans. However, they are HUGE and made with delicious masa. I ordered a chicken tamal which is served "Christmas-style" (as New Mexicans would say) with half the tamal drowning in a smokey Roasted Tomatillo salsa (red) and the other half with a mild Guajillo salsa (See photo at: yelp.com/biz_photos/Ny3yâ€¦ ). While my heart really wanted the unique pumpkin tamal, I ended choosing the mushroom tamal as my second which was served with a slightly sweet yet creamy red pepper salsa. Both were OUTSTANDINGLY delicious! I usually prefer my tamales boiled in palm leaves since those heated in corn husks can be on the dry side, but these were PERFECT. I guess I should have expected to be pleased with the item being part of the restaurant's name but they still blew me away. The interior of the restaurant is adorable with bright painted walls, cute burros, and Hot Tamales candy machine at the entrance. Yet this is only the icing on the cake (the cake was definitely the tamales!). I'll be sure to make the drive from Chicago in the near future to try the pumpkin tamal and duck tacos!
(5)
Susan S.

This is our fave date place. House margaritas on the rocks are authentic and perfect. Prices are great -- affordable compared to competition, and food is MUCH better than other North Shore Mexican restaurants. Consistently-excellent food reminds us of our small, favorite Mexican restaurant in Palm Springs, CA where the chefs are literally directly from Mexico. Just the right amount of spicy. Genuine people working there, not the fake wait staff who pretend they care about you. Tortilla soup is the best I've ever had!
(5)
Kevin F.

The wife and I had a solid meal at Tamales . . . A Mexican Joint on a cold Saturday night. The dining room was crowded when we walked in, but the host assured us that he would have a table in just a few minutes . . . and he did. We were hurried to the table; chips and salsa that were not terrible arrived. A nice server took our drink orders and brought them. We got the seafood ceviche as an appetizer. I think any raw meat-dish is a fair measure of a kitchen. "Tamales . . ." ceviche is a hearty, chunky and tasty bowl where big pieces of fish do battle against avocado and tomato in a spicy citrus marinade. One of my few regrets of the evening is that we only got one order. Since we were at a restaurant called "Tamales . . ." we ordered the tamales as our main dish. Between the two of us, we got one of each tamale on the menu (chicken, mushroom, pumpkin and shrimp). The tamales were good -- not great -- but filling and flavorful. The one thing I like in a tamale that wasn't present, for me, was size. The tamales were a bit too big, allowing the corn mixture to overwhelm the filling in the over-all profile of the dish. I still cleaned my plate. The service was quick, and focused -- the tables turned over fast and our meal was efficient without being rushed. I wasn't amazed, but I wasn't disappointed. We had a nice meal at a place we will definitely visit again.
(3)
Andrea R.

We recently made the trek to Highland Park to have dinner with friends and their adorable 1 1/2 year old twins. In order to avoid any nighttime meltdowns (from the kids, not me ;)) we opted for the early bird special at 6pm. The challenge: to find a kid friendly restaurant that could seat our party of 6 adults + 2 high chairs. This wouldn't be an issue downtown, but apparently eating at 6pm in HP is a regular occurrence. Thanks to Yelp I discovered Tamales and had no problem scoring a last minute reservation. It's located in the downtown area of Highland Park, which is so cute that I (almost) considered moving to the burbs 10 years from now. The restaurant was loud (perfect for the shrieking twins) and fast. Like any good Mexican meal we began with lots of chips, salsa and guacamole (complimentary if you mention you're a yelper- whoo hoo!). The chips and guac were pretty tasty, although I didn't love the salsa they served. Lots to choose from on this menu, but I opted for the tamales because when in Rome... My chicken tamale was just so-so, but the mushroom tamale was one of the best I've had! Mmmm... We skipped the margaritas this time, but those looked pretty good too!
(4)
Emily P.

Tamales is very good! The owner greeted us at the door and immediately walked us to our table.. no wait! They start by bringing chips and salsa to your table, which are really good. We got an additional side of guacamole, which was amazing and did not disappoint. Along with the chips and salsa, my family and I all enjoyed our meals and the service was very good and fast. I highly recommend the pumpkin tamales.. they are SO good! Tamales is a great restaurant and I highly recommend it!
(5)

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Address : 493 Central Ave
Highland Park, IL, 60035
Phone (847) 433-4070
Website https://www.tamalesmexicanrestaurant.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Mon : 11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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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Tamales

493 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035

Tamales Menu

Platos Pequenos (small Dishes)

Ensalades

Platos Grandes (bigger Dishes)

Taco Selections

Quesadillas

Our Hot Tamale Selections

Side Dishes

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tamales

Platos Pequenos (small Dishes)

Ensalades

Platos Grandes (bigger Dishes)

Taco Selections

Quesadillas

Our Hot Tamale Selections

Side Dishes

Desserts

Evelina L.

Graham D.

Elina S.

Valerie W.

Tasha P.

Michael P.

Elaine M.

Audrey B.

Rachel O.

Steve K.

Karmin A.

Bennett B.

Daniel S.

Rodger W.

Shira G.

Liz A.

Anne W.

Lauren F.

Amanda H.

Tom Z.

Sue F.

Marko V.

Diana w.

Scott B.

Andrew S.

David M.

Sarah M.

Alex H.

Elyse C.

Joseph H.

Lauren T.

Adisak P.

Debra G.

Ann G.

Bridget M.

Andy O.

Chris M.

Parker P.

Asha B.

Russ K.

Rafi A.

Jean g.

Dima M.

Hendrix B.

EmmBee L.

Ronni G.

Tiffany G.

Casia J.

Timothy W.

Laurence M.

Erin C.

Elle J.

R. P.

Sari K.

Cat B.

Brian S.

Grace L.

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Sandra M.