Los Compadres Taqueria
1801 W Algonquin Rd, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056
Los Compadres Taqueria Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Mount Prospect for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1801 W Algonquin Rd
Mount Prospect, IL, 60056 - Phone (847) 437-4601
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 9:3
- Mon : 9:00 am - 9:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
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 : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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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Laura C.
Just moved in the area and if course had to find a Mexican restaurant! This is by far one of the best Mexican restaurants I have been to. The food is extremely authentic. The tacos are amazing as well as the dinner plates. I had the tamales and my boyfriend had the super burrito plate. The prices are great. You get so much delicious food for a reasonable price. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service is excellent. We ate a great meal and were completely stuffed for under $25!! I am definitely impressed and the food is something I will crave! Less than 5 min away from my new place so ill be stopping there frequently!
(5)Jeff C.
So far, so good. This is my first time here. The steak tacos had great flavor. Didn't have to add salsa or anything to them. Can't wait to try other things. Big menu with a lot to choose from. Nice and convenient to work for me, which is a plus! Really hard to find a place to park though.
(4)Peter K.
Been here a few times. Great food. Sopes are amazing here. Really cool hole in the wall mexican joint. Used to be a pizza hut back in the day ( not that it matters ) Their nachos are great!
(5)Paul S.
This is my favorite place on the planet for Mexican food, bar none. I strongly prefer lowbrow Mexican to highbrow Mexican, and I've tried places all over the Chicago & San Francisco areas. Know this... this is a converted Pizza Hut. Most of the clientèle is non-English-speaking. It smells of bleach when they mop the floors (which is often). There are no margaritas. If any of that contradicts what's important to you in a Mexican dive, then don't go here. If, on the other hand, you like fresh and well prepared asada, challenging hot sauce, chips and salsa with your meal, and the occasional sound of "Gooooooaaaaaallllllll" from the TV in the corner, this is your place. Stop by some night; odds are 1 in 7 or better you'll find me here.
(5)Kimberly F.
This is by far the most authentic Mexican restaurant in the area. My friends and I were on the mission to find the best Mexican food in the NW suburbs, so trust me when I say we've eaten a LOT of burritos, tacos, enchiladas... I had the mole enchiladas, which were the best I've had. You get SO MUCH food for a great price as well. I barely touched my rice and beans, but did make sure to sample them. They don't serve alcohol, but there was a full menu of Jarritos, so that was a bonus. My toddler got the kids burrito, which came with french fries. OMG, even the fries were delicious! I'm not sure if this is the BEST Mexican food in the area, but it's a serious contender and hands down the most authentic. Make sure to give it a shot!
(4)Kristin D. W.
Just tried this place for the first time. The food is amazing especially for the price. I dont know what the other people expect that have commented on this place. Yes, the staff isn't the most talkative, but i wouldnt be surprised if they hardly speak english. This is a great "hole in the wall" place! I knew it would be good when the floors were a bit sticky! =) Anyone that gives a bad review based on looks of the place - stop being so stuck up or go somewhere else you find "more classy"! If you want some really good food that's quick and not costly, definitely try this place out! I know I'll be back there again soon.
(4)Brett S.
A bunch of at work go here on a weekly basis. It forces us to get out of the office at least once a week (pathetic, I know). The food isn't the best, but is surely is one of the best in the area. We work in Rolling Meadows were there are probably 5 other Mexican restaurants around us, and we seem to enjoy this one the best. I usually just order tacos (hey, I really like tacos), but have paid attention to what others have eaten and the food usually doesn't come out greasy. It isn't over seasoned with salt. The food is good (not great) and consistent. I had brought my son here one afternoon (he's another taco fan) and he also enjoyed the food. I think the prices are very reasonable. Just eating three tacos is under six bucks. Add rice and beans I believe its only a dollar or so more. The salsa served with the chips is not as consistent. It always tastes good, but the spiciness of it varies from bland to damn, what was that. It is usually somewhere in the middle, but we have noticed it varying. See you there on Thursday. :)
(4)Johnathan K.
I was craving a torta and decided to search Yelp for a Mexican place near my house. I hadn't had much luck with Mexican out here in the burbs, but this place is a real winner. We started with a couple of lime Jarritos and basket of chips which were fresh and came with a cup of pleasantly hot salsa while we looked over the menu. There were a ton of appetizing choices and one of the walls was covered with photos of most of them. I got a vegetarian torta (avocado, cheese, onion, tomato, refried beans) and a side of rice (yellow rice with vegetables mixed in), and my date ordered a carne asada torta combo, which came with fries. Everything was out on the table in about six or seven minutes. My rice and sandwich were absolutely delicious, and my date loved hers as well. She made a few modifications to hers and was relieved that everything came out correctly (I say this only because people will ALWAYS mention when something goes wrong). I have trouble finding any fault with this place whatsoever (wait, I found one, they didn't have takeout menus!). I can't wait to go back.
(5)S A.
My husband and I order tacos from here on a regular basis. Steak with cilantro and onions. Simple and delicious.
(4)Terrence B.
Their steak quesadillas make me violently ill every time I eat them.... yet I can't stop ordering them. They are the best I have ever had.... They are my forbidden fruit. (Note: I have dairy allergies, its not the establishment's fault)
(4)John K.
Heard about it from Steve Dahl (his favorite tacos in Chicago) and gave it a try. This is now a regular weekly lunch stop for our office. Authentic, great prices, very casual (definitely not a Chevy's or Chi-Chi's.) Steak tacos and steak burrito are fantastic.
(4)Jasper Y.
Los Compadres has been my go to place for mexican food in the northwest suburbs for close to 20 years. The food is authentic and the prices are very reasonable. I especially like their tortas and alambres.
(5)Dan F.
A friend and I had lunch at Los Compadres a few weeks ago and we both really enjoyed the food. The food seemed authentic to me. The fact that there was a large Mexican clientele seems to validate this too. I had the Burrito suizo con pollo. The portions were large and inexpensive. The salsa roja and verde with the chips were both pleasantly spicy and flavorful. The service was prompt and friendly. This is not a fancy place, it used to be a Pizza Hut. However, I'll be going back frequently for sure and you should too.
(4)Dan G.
I'm not saying that this is as good as Alinea. Duh! What I am saying, however, is that for a Taqueria this place is fabulous. The tacos - fantastic. Steak, nummy. Chicken, moist. The mole? Surprisingly complex. But the ground beef? Surprisingly tasty! I'm from Chicago and have been dying looking for a solid taqueria ... I finally found one. Hoorah! Update on 3-4-2014 I just knocked off one start ... their carnitas was surprisingly dry. Huh. Either way, still a fantastic place and my go-to tacqueria in the neighborhood.
(4)A S.
Best salsa I've had. The food you're served looks like the pictures, on the menu. The food tastes great. Service is very good. Pricing is good.
(5)Jessica H.
Very solid Mexican food and good service. Like many reviewers have stated, the atmosphere is unassuming and, in some places, a bit tired and run down. That said, you can tell they take pride in their food. I had the burrito suizo with chicken and it was excellent. The salsa served was also very good but the chips weren't my favorite - I'm willing to bet they weren't stale but, likely, a bit over cooked as they were harder than I prefer. Not sure if they are always like this as I stopped here from out of town.
(4)Gavin M.
I'm very picky when it comes to authentic Mexican food and after trying out a few places in the Arlington Heights/Mt. Prospect area, I don't go anywhere else but Los Compadres. It's a solid restaurant that makes a mean burrito suizo. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Iraim S.
The food was good had a Al Pastor taco dinner. Service was great very polite, food didn't take long. Really recommend the horchata.
(3)Selina H.
I absolutely love this place! They have the best authentic Mexican food in town..and always the nicest staff...their horchata is the best I've ever had...I would recommend this place to anyone wanting really good Mexican food!
(5)Ruth G.
My fiance and I came here for lunch. The environment is very casual, I almost thought we ordered at the window instead of bring given menus and being waited on. I ordered the avocado and cheese torta. It was good, random bits of pepper in bites, which was yummy, and you can't go wrong with avocado. My only complaint is that it wasn't very filling since it was just the sandwich. My fiance ordered the steak, cheese and beans gordita dinner. I had a bite and wasn't a fan, but he thought it was good. He completely cleaned off his plate (minus a tomato, but he's slowly liking those now). The beans were perfect texture and had a delightful taste. I'd like to order that as a side next time possibly. Overall, I'd say it's a good, quick place to go when you want authentic Mexican.
(4)Danielle W.
great tacos, great prices, super nice staff. will be back!
(3)Huzefa U.
Great Mexican food! Good prices & outstanding service. Lot of people told me about this restaurant, now I can pass on my review
(5)Ron W.
This is real Mexican food. Good service and good prices. I was in town to catch a flight at O'Hare and needed a place to get some dinner, the tacos were very good.
(4)Dennis P.
Anything less than 4 stars mine boggles me here. This place is on point with real delicious mexican food at it's best... from the meat flavors to the tortilla used, to the green and red sauce.. 2nd to none.. no fu fu BS fake mexican food like that one "chef" that puts out that overpriced crap in downtown Chicago and charges $25 a plate. Even went here on Valentine's day for dinner and was not disappointed, my date to say the least wasn't disappointed as well and neither was every filled table in the restaurant that night. I will say this place can make real waves if it invested a little more on the ambience. Could ultimately be a bad choice in the end, losing it's character could cause it to lose it's authentic taste in food.
(5)Lynne H.
Finding a Mexican restaurant that serves breakfast wasn't easy but it was well worth the search after visiting Los Compadres Taqueria. The menu was written in Spanish for the most part but with a little help from the waitress and my very limited knowledge of a few basic words it was fine. The breakfast menu was small but it had just the right stuff for an authentic Mexican meal. The plates (who am I kidding - these were platters) came loaded with food including the traditional rice and beans and everything was freshly prepared, piping hot and loaded with flavor. I had to wave the white flag about half way in, but my husband happily dug in and made a pretty good dent in what was left. The atmosphere isn't quite Hole-in-the-Wall, but maybe more just broken in and casual. Either way, a return visit will be on my list of things to do to check out their dinner items.
(5)Esther C.
Not a fancy place but food is fresh, authentic and good. The guys love their burritos. I like their tongue tacos! The place gets busy fast and you know it's good Mexican food when the place gets packed with Mexicans like me!! I would recommend their pozole too!! Almost like moms
(4)Theresa S.
I am originally from the heart of the city. I'm part Mexican, Puerto Rican, German and Italy so I know the difference between authentic and chain and this place is most definitely authentic! The prices are so low and the food is extremely satisfying. I've lived in Arlington heights for 2 years and I finally found my gem!
(5)Phil P.
Yes I know there are tons of authentic Mexican joints nearby, but dollar for dollar, this is tops. They jam-pack the tacos with perfectly seasoned meats, barely any gristle in the steak, and fast and CHEAP! Minus 1 star for "eh" horchata.
(4)Sarah S.
El mejor sabor y variedad en comida Mexicana!! I have to agree with their slogan that they are the best flavor and variety in Mexican food in town! :) They have a huge menu at fantastic prices, it's really hard to pick just one thing! Today was my first time going for lunch but I'm sure I'll be back many more times to try more treats. The entire menu is mainly in Spanish and the good news for my coworkers is I came along & am fluent. Bam! I translated some of the veggies & toppings for them so they'd know exactly what they're getting. I had a Lime Jarritos and La Gringa Torta which is appropriate since I'm a white girl and all. La Gringa comes with eggs, ham, two types of cheese, mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes. I absolutely loved this but it's huge! It's $4.99 which is a very good price for the size. After chowing down on the complimentary tortilla chips, I could only muster the strength to finish a half of the torta. I have lunch for tomorrow, woohoo! When you're done, you pay up at the front. I suggest getting a smoothie to go on your way out for $2.50. My friend got the pina colada today and it was Mmm Mmm Delicioso! Update 9/15: The Asada taco was the best I've ever had! Oh myyyy~so tasty! The jamon y queso quesadilla is friggin awesome, too!
(5)Phill C.
How did I forget about this place? I used to come here a lot for lunch, when my office was nearby. Plus there's just a bunch of good food in the area, like the spicy Korean tofu soup joint next door. So I usually get a Mexican breakfast, actually most times, but the other day I tried some Al Pastor and Tripa Taco. Both were delicious, but the tripe was the bomb. Still not better than my favorite taco joint, but it's right up there. My lunch crew and I decided that we'd come back here more often. Anyways, the food here is legit, they have friendly service, and the prices are great! The prices have gone up a bit in the last few years, but it's still a whole lot of food for not a lot of money. Also, get a Pina Colada smoothie. I ended up getting one last time when I went up to pay and was really glad I did. Dayam good!
(4)Bryant H.
PROs: Helpful staff, Great food, Authentic CONs: Not much to look at Didn't really mind how the place looked, only cared for how good their food was. Boy was it delicious! I've ordered the Taco Dinner w/ Asada, Pollo, and Pork w/ Red Sauce. Also with Horchata as my beverage. I told the server that it was me and my girlfriend's first time here and he was very informative with whatever questions we've had with the menu. I was looking for a local mexican restaurant and came across Los Compadres Taqueria. Had a pleasant experience and will be coming here more often.
(4)Joshua P.
Always my go too. The food is amazing, every thing I have had has always been cooked to perfection. It might not look like a up scale restaurant, but the food is worthy of upscale dining; and the staff is exceptionally nice! Aside from the food, the coffee they make is also out of this world. Just the right amount of cinnamon to give it a little pep but not over bearing. The amount of food you do get for the price you pay is very generous. Also If your up by the register, they do have some sweets to go. Give it a try, you won't regret it!!
(5)Michael G.
My coworkers and I go here every so often for lunch. The only reason we don't go more often is it's relatively far from the office. This place is so good it's ridiculous. It doesn't matter what you have.. from tacos to tortas, burritos to dinner plates. It's fresh, authentic, and reasonably $priced$. I normally get a the same thing but today I went to an old standby, a Carne Asada torta. One word - DELICIOUS !!! the bread was so soft and the steak was so well seasoned accompanied by fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and beans. I added the house red sauce for some additional kick, but it would have been fine by itself. If you are anywhere close to this place and like authentic Mexican food, do yourself a favor and stop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Jason M.
Great food great service always happy when we go there never a bad experience A plus in my book
(4)John D.
Not bad, but was hoping for better. Difficulty parking--small crowded lot and big semi. Service took order, brought drink, chips& salsa, food, and was never seen again. As noted by others, got bill & paid at register. Strange. At to the food, the tacos were fine, but certainly not that filling. A lot of onion and a little cilantro on each didn't help. The chips & salsa were unremarkable. The refried beans were a small portion and kind of runny. The rice was very starchy, clumps stuck together. I wish that I had the experience others wrote about.
(2)Anna W.
Best burrito I ever had. My dad took me here for dinner once and I thought he was kidding because the place looks intimidating on the outside. Once I got my burrito though, it was heaven on a plate. Everything was delicious and not overy greasy. Been craving a burrito lately so I will be back really soon.
(5)Andy M.
A nice looking middle size taqueria . The two waitresses were working fast and got my takeout quick. The Quesedellas were excellent although seemed a bit small and resembled tacos. I have been wanting To go to one of this areas taco places for a while and was not disappointed. Not bad.
(3)Daroncia S.
I love this place.... the guacamole is DELICIOUS... I would give it 5 ,stars if they had hard shell tacos... nevertheless everything is pretty tasty...
(4)Nicole W.
I'm always on the lookout for delicioso Mexican eats. And I'm not talking about the fluffy, fancy Mexican eats. I'm talking about a taqueria that serves up perfect street tacos, tamales and, especially, a nicely made mole. Well, Los Compadres Taqueria isn't perfect, but it definitely fills the void! It's situated in an old Pizza Hut. I didn't need to research that or anything, you just know it when you see it. Or a Sunday afternoon, this place is packed to the gills! The post church crowd can be found here stuffing a myriad of eats into their hungry bellies. And my oh my is the menu large. Beyond the traditional tacos and enchiladas, there are plenty of options that will likely satiate the masses at very reasonable prices - tostadas, combination platters, sides, burritos, etc. I went with the chicken enchiladas de mole- a huge platter piled high with generously stuffed enchiladas, covered in mole sauce, sprinkled with cheese and spooning the plentiful portion of rice and beans. The mole, while tasty, was a bit too rich when topped with the shredded cheese. Next time I would probably go cheeseless on those enchiladas...and I love cheese, so that's saying a lot. The chicken inside the enchilada was super tender and flavorful! I had enough left over for a substantial lunch the next day, too. While it's definitely not the best authentic Mexican I've had, Los Compadres Taqueria is a winner in the area.
(4)Melody L.
I had the best torta in my entire life at this place today. Their chips and salsa are perfectly spicy and delightful. The employees are very friendly and helpful. The seating isn't the best but the food is so good that it doesn't matter. I had their horchata and it was pretty good but I wouldn't put it up there as the best I've had. I had a really great experience here while eating and watching the World Cup game on the many TVs they had around. I cannot wait to go back and tell my friends all about this hidden gem!
(5)Rachel G.
Ive tried this place twice in hopes that it would get better. Both times I ordered the taco lunch to go. I've tried the steak,pastor and beef. All were just ok. If I were invited to go with friends I would go...but most likely I won't be back. It isn't anything special. Id rather just make my own tacos.
(3)Jay W.
Wife talked me into another try after another restaurant closed early on us. I did so reluctantly, and was happy to see quality came up noticably. They are not back to their former status grandeur, I didn't get chicken (which has been a problem dish several times) and the salsas are still overpowered by pepper, but the food was decent and the service friendly and good as always.
(4)L O.
Yum! All i can say. Little hole in the wall place.nothing special. THe food is what its all about. Waitress could barely understand english, thats how you know the food is gonna be delicious! lol. Authentic. Great staff that are very nice. We are regulars from now on.
(4)Jack Y.
I finally quit procrastinating about trying this restaurant out and came here for lunch. They have quite an extensive menu here , more than the standard tacos, burritos , tostadas ,and tortas. I ordered a chicken taco and steak burrito to go. The place was not crowded at all and it took 15 minutes for my order to arrive So I knew the food had to be freshly prepared. The steak in the burrito was extremely fresh, soft, not the least bit dry, lean and deliciously seasoned. It was moist but not greasy, almost melt in your mouth texture. This was the best burrito I have eaten in years. At $5.99 it was a steal considering the quality and size of the burrito. The chicken taco came in a small cardboard dish. It contained large chunks of tender white meat chicken. It was not quite as good as the burrito but still it was better than average. The red and green salsa both had nice flavor both about a 7 on a scale of 1-10`for heat. There are many Mexican restaurants closer to home but I will drive past them all from now on for this terrific food.
(5)Eduardo E.
I'll be back for more! The steak tacos were the bomb! When people say the food is authentic, what I think they also mean is that the place is chock full of Spanish speaking families who appreciate the great prices and flavorful cuisine. Tele-novelas and FIFA games are prominent on the big screens that surround the dining room. No, it is NOT for the Uncle Julio's Hacienda crowd, who enjoy their Mexican food served with plenty of overpriced Anglo flair. Los Compadres is a restaurant that serves the predominantly Hispanic community along this stretch of Algonquin Rd. Though I suspect the good cuisine and prices draw customers from Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Elk Grove and Arlington areas as well. This place really reminds me of Latin restaurants down in Cicero, IL, where my daughter lived. Where I was wholly dependent on her Spanish skills to place my order. Same relaxed and welcoming vibe. Same solid food and prices. Los Compadres isn't the Maserati of Mexican food, it's more like your daily driver. Go when you're hungry for an authentic experience, and want a good meal and a good deal.
(4)Natalie C.
Came here with my sister after a long hike so we had built up our appetites! The restaurant surprisingly was very busy even though we went in quarter to four. Had the taco special - 3 tacos, rice, and beans for $6.50. Had the lengua, barbacoa, and carnitas tacos. Very good flavor, the beef tongue was extremely tender and delicious, probably my favorite of the three. The barbacoa was a nicely spiced flavorful goat meat, and the shredded pork in the carnitas had a good balance between moist shredded meat and caramelized bits of crunchy fat. I wish my tacos had a little more cilantro and onions, but all in all they were delicious. The restaurant is located next to a strip mall of various Mexican establishments, and the parking lot is small and treacherous - I've never seen a parking lot that has random dead ends where you are need to make a series of 3-point turns to get out of your space.
(4)Don Z.
I continue to be a regular at Los Compadres and I have learned a little... I finally figured out that the reason I get such bizarre service regarding the payment of the bill is that they do not actually want to bring the check to your table. They expect you to walk up to the counter and tell them your table number. This is after they have come to your table to take your order and they deliver the food to your table. In any normal restaurant that operates like this, they would at least bring you the bill, even if they expect you to pay at the counter. So my colleagues and I finish our meal and then stand in line at the counter. Since we are bothering to get up, we decided we might as well pay separately. Each of us in turn states our table number and what food we ordered. Then we complete several individual transactions. I understand the process, but I don't like it. In fact, I must admit that it discourages me from going to Los Compadres for lunch. It is that irritation that resulted in my updated review and the loss of a star in my opinion. To be honest, I would like to give a 3.5 rating, because the food is still very good, but service is so important to a restaurant. I will still be back for my enchiladas de mole, but maybe a little less enthusiastically than in the past.
(3)Mel M.
Ordered a pork torta. I think it wasn't overly oily. Light. Decent prices. Will come back if I'm craving Mexican food
(3)Tom V.
Stopped in after hearing Steve Dahl rave about the place. Had the steak tacos and they were very good. It's an old pizza hut and the decor hasn't changed much, but worth the trip for the food.
(4)Pete D.
You must be weary of the everlasting Cat Juice odor. And you must wear a straw hat upon entry and if you don't tuck your slacks into your jeans, you're gonna have a bad time. And another note, after eating go to the bathroom cuz it's come threw fast. Over all, great tacos, clean water, great ass. 5/5 would eat again.
(4)Nicole S.
Good bang for your buck. Big portion and really friendly staff. Not a good location. It's on a busy corner so it's not that convenient. The parking lot is also small. But the food is really good.
(4)Kathy P.
I LOVE this place. It is right across the street from where I live. My family typically has take out from here about once a week. I 9/10 get a steak burrito, my boyfriend gets two steak tacos and an order of rice, I get my 6 year old a steak taco and my 2 year old a small cheese quesadilla and I get an extra order of rice for the girls to share...all this comes out to about $20. The staff is super friendly, prices are low, HUGE HUGE HUGE menu. All the meat is very good quality (no gristle in steak)..chorizo however is a little dry in the burrito or on a taco (the Huevos con chorizo is fantastic however). The nachos are GINORMOUS and are 2-2.5 meals in itself. Pretty much the only complaints I have are parking low is very tiny and a part of a very busy strip mall. Also, I've always done take out and if you don't call ahead, the wait is pretty long (like 10 minutes+ long), which is good because you know you're getting fresh food, but still...call ahead. Still loving this place!!! However, does anyone know if they have coupons anywhere? Would love to see a Groupon for this place (not that the price is bad now).
(5)Samantha V.
Loved this place. The food was wonderful. The only thing I didn't like was that we didn't get chips and salsa, not that I needed it. But other than that it was a great place. I Loved how authentic it was vs. All the other places around here such as 'la Magdalena' or any other american mexican resturaunts. I'm definitely coming back.
(4)Mario Z.
Good food. Good $$$
(5)Paul S.
This is my favorite place on the planet for Mexican food, bar none. I strongly prefer lowbrow Mexican to highbrow Mexican, and I've tried places all over the Chicago & San Francisco areas. Know this... this is a converted Pizza Hut. Most of the clientèle is non-English-speaking. It smells of bleach when they mop the floors (which is often). There are no margaritas. If any of that contradicts what's important to you in a Mexican dive, then don't go here. If, on the other hand, you like fresh and well prepared asada, challenging hot sauce, chips and salsa with your meal, and the occasional sound of "Gooooooaaaaaallllllll" from the TV in the corner, this is your place. Stop by some night; odds are 1 in 7 or better you'll find me here.
(5)Kimberly F.
This is by far the most authentic Mexican restaurant in the area. My friends and I were on the mission to find the best Mexican food in the NW suburbs, so trust me when I say we've eaten a LOT of burritos, tacos, enchiladas... I had the mole enchiladas, which were the best I've had. You get SO MUCH food for a great price as well. I barely touched my rice and beans, but did make sure to sample them. They don't serve alcohol, but there was a full menu of Jarritos, so that was a bonus. My toddler got the kids burrito, which came with french fries. OMG, even the fries were delicious! I'm not sure if this is the BEST Mexican food in the area, but it's a serious contender and hands down the most authentic. Make sure to give it a shot!
(4)Kristin D. W.
Just tried this place for the first time. The food is amazing especially for the price. I dont know what the other people expect that have commented on this place. Yes, the staff isn't the most talkative, but i wouldnt be surprised if they hardly speak english. This is a great "hole in the wall" place! I knew it would be good when the floors were a bit sticky! =) Anyone that gives a bad review based on looks of the place - stop being so stuck up or go somewhere else you find "more classy"! If you want some really good food that's quick and not costly, definitely try this place out! I know I'll be back there again soon.
(4)Laura C.
Just moved in the area and if course had to find a Mexican restaurant! This is by far one of the best Mexican restaurants I have been to. The food is extremely authentic. The tacos are amazing as well as the dinner plates. I had the tamales and my boyfriend had the super burrito plate. The prices are great. You get so much delicious food for a reasonable price. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service is excellent. We ate a great meal and were completely stuffed for under $25!! I am definitely impressed and the food is something I will crave! Less than 5 min away from my new place so ill be stopping there frequently!
(5)Jeff C.
So far, so good. This is my first time here. The steak tacos had great flavor. Didn't have to add salsa or anything to them. Can't wait to try other things. Big menu with a lot to choose from. Nice and convenient to work for me, which is a plus! Really hard to find a place to park though.
(4)Peter K.
Been here a few times. Great food. Sopes are amazing here. Really cool hole in the wall mexican joint. Used to be a pizza hut back in the day ( not that it matters ) Their nachos are great!
(5)Brett S.
A bunch of at work go here on a weekly basis. It forces us to get out of the office at least once a week (pathetic, I know). The food isn't the best, but is surely is one of the best in the area. We work in Rolling Meadows were there are probably 5 other Mexican restaurants around us, and we seem to enjoy this one the best. I usually just order tacos (hey, I really like tacos), but have paid attention to what others have eaten and the food usually doesn't come out greasy. It isn't over seasoned with salt. The food is good (not great) and consistent. I had brought my son here one afternoon (he's another taco fan) and he also enjoyed the food. I think the prices are very reasonable. Just eating three tacos is under six bucks. Add rice and beans I believe its only a dollar or so more. The salsa served with the chips is not as consistent. It always tastes good, but the spiciness of it varies from bland to damn, what was that. It is usually somewhere in the middle, but we have noticed it varying. See you there on Thursday. :)
(4)Johnathan K.
I was craving a torta and decided to search Yelp for a Mexican place near my house. I hadn't had much luck with Mexican out here in the burbs, but this place is a real winner. We started with a couple of lime Jarritos and basket of chips which were fresh and came with a cup of pleasantly hot salsa while we looked over the menu. There were a ton of appetizing choices and one of the walls was covered with photos of most of them. I got a vegetarian torta (avocado, cheese, onion, tomato, refried beans) and a side of rice (yellow rice with vegetables mixed in), and my date ordered a carne asada torta combo, which came with fries. Everything was out on the table in about six or seven minutes. My rice and sandwich were absolutely delicious, and my date loved hers as well. She made a few modifications to hers and was relieved that everything came out correctly (I say this only because people will ALWAYS mention when something goes wrong). I have trouble finding any fault with this place whatsoever (wait, I found one, they didn't have takeout menus!). I can't wait to go back.
(5)S A.
My husband and I order tacos from here on a regular basis. Steak with cilantro and onions. Simple and delicious.
(4)Terrence B.
Their steak quesadillas make me violently ill every time I eat them.... yet I can't stop ordering them. They are the best I have ever had.... They are my forbidden fruit. (Note: I have dairy allergies, its not the establishment's fault)
(4)John K.
Heard about it from Steve Dahl (his favorite tacos in Chicago) and gave it a try. This is now a regular weekly lunch stop for our office. Authentic, great prices, very casual (definitely not a Chevy's or Chi-Chi's.) Steak tacos and steak burrito are fantastic.
(4)Jasper Y.
Los Compadres has been my go to place for mexican food in the northwest suburbs for close to 20 years. The food is authentic and the prices are very reasonable. I especially like their tortas and alambres.
(5)Dan F.
A friend and I had lunch at Los Compadres a few weeks ago and we both really enjoyed the food. The food seemed authentic to me. The fact that there was a large Mexican clientele seems to validate this too. I had the Burrito suizo con pollo. The portions were large and inexpensive. The salsa roja and verde with the chips were both pleasantly spicy and flavorful. The service was prompt and friendly. This is not a fancy place, it used to be a Pizza Hut. However, I'll be going back frequently for sure and you should too.
(4)Jodi B.
I met a friend for lunch here because of all the rave reviews. The menu is so authentic that we had to ask our waitress to translate the lunch special. But something got lost in translation. We did catch the word, tripe and since neither one of us were brave enough to try that, we skipped the lunch special. I found out later that tripe is a popular Mexican dish. We ended up ordering our lunch based on the pictures inside the menu. There was a Spanish/English translation and photos for most entrees and drinks. The lunch special was the only item missing that combination. I have not been to a better Mexican restaurant in the Chicago area. The food was delicious and plentiful. Service was good and friendly. The only drawback for me is that I prefer fountain drinks. They serve pop/soda/Coke in cans, but the waitress brought me a glass of ice when I asked, so it was like having a fountain drink. Many of the families and others eating there would be eating the same thing for lunch if they were back in Mexico. It is a busy, distinctively truly, honest, ethnic restaurant. It is no Taco Bell, Pepe's or Chevy's. It's not fancy. It's fun -- I'd call it a Mexican diner. I will definitely go back again and tell all my friends who like Mexican food -- "Try this place."
(4)Dave G.
They have some of the best tacos I have ever ha,. the al pastor just rocks. The steak barrito suzia is another good choice if your looking for a bigger lunch. Then if you like it hot there red pork tamles are quite tasty
(5)Elizabeth R.
I love Los Compadres. I have been coming since I was a little kid. I have never had problems with their horchata, which is definitely home made. It has cinnamon in it, and if you're not used to it, then I can see where you would think it is made of powder. Phenomenal flautas, tacos, and burritos. They are always very sweet.
(5)Erick P.
This place is the best place for some mexican food. I started coming here when I was a little kid, I love their torta de milanesa (sp?). I get it almost everytime I go there. If your ever in the area go and check out this place it's really good and you won't be disapointed.
(5)John S.
I have been going to this place for over 2 years now and have yet to be disappointed. The food is always fresh, service is great. They have a great selection of different meats to choose from, with the Asada being my favorite. Try the chile relleno taco for something different that is pure goodness. Also, if you are a heat lover, their salsas don't disappoint!
(4)Ana E.
I enjoy coming here to pig out. Service is fast, food is good, and the best thing is that the price is just right:-)
(4)Kevin S.
Great steak tacos and horchata. The green salsa is good too.
(4)Kenneth T.
Very good food at great prices
(4)Amanda C.
Los Compadres is awesome! I was shocked at how good the service was considering it is a take-out type place and it is usually extremely busy. They have a very large menu, so if you like mexican food then you will get a vast array of choices here! The food always comes out quickly; Ii is also always hot and freshly cooked. I recommend their chicken tacos! All they need are tomatoes, onion, and a little cilantro and lime! Me gusta mucho!
(5)Jacqueline S.
This continues to be our go to place for authentic Mexican food. The staff is very nice and the food is great!
(5)Charlee G.
Good Mexican food, fast efficient service, all at a very reasonable price. They even have tamales on the menu, my personal weakness. I will return as soon as I diet off today's lunch.
(3)Abraham P.
After driving forever to find this place it was not what I expected. The food here is terrible. The chips and salsa were bland. The horchata which is what I regularly order from any Mexican restaurant is just tasteless as well. I ordered cheese quesadillas not greasy cheese and my girlfriend ordered enchiladas that tasted as bad as they looked. To make things worst our waiter never came back to check on us after serving our food. Never coming back here again.
(1)Missy M.
It was just okay...ordered the flautas and chicken was tasteless, rice was good and beans were okay...Also I ordered a horchata and it was chalky, so they definately use the powdered stuff. Im so disappointed because Im looking for GOOD AUTHENTIC mexican food in the area.
(2)Sandra R.
Just moved to Arlington Heights. My boyfriend and I had a taste for mexican food one evening. We turned to Yelp to read good reviews about mexican places around here and Los Compadres came up and i read alot of good review about it and i always drive past it to and from work and it always seems busy so i figured the food must be pretty good. So since its down the street from our apartment i decided I would call in an order and pick it up. i ordered a torta de asada and my boyfriend got some taco deal that included rice and beans, and we both got 2 large horchata drinks. The lady on the phone said it would take 10 minutes. i got there in 10 minutes and food was already ready. So that was a plus. My torta was was not the best torta I've had. definetly not. And i would know about mexican food because im mexican.The torta had mayo in it which is not what shoukd be in there. It sould;ve had sour cream. It seemed very flat and small oh and yea it came with fries which was super wierd to serve fries at a mexican restaurant. My boyfriend wasnt too impressed with his meal either. He said they werent bad he's had better but he ate them because he was super hungry after work. so basically just settled for it because of hunger which is what i basically did also with my torta. The horchata was ok. nothing special. wasnt bad but wasnt super duper. just mediocre rice water. The price for it was a bit high for my boyfriend and I considering we just got our apartment and are trying to find good food but at a cheap economical price. just dont think we got our money's worth for the food. It cudve been way better. All in all, dont think we will be going back there. We've had better mexican food from other places. from now on if we crave mexican food,we will just drive dow the street to taco bell.
(2)Scott D.
We were the only non Spanish speakers in the place. The tacos (it was a taqueria, after all) were very good, the service was great, and the prices were very reasonable. Well worth a visit if you'd like some good, solid Mexican home cooking.
(4)Becky B.
I'm torn between 2 and 3 stars. There isn't a lunch menu so I ordered a la carte. The steak and chorizo tacos with onions and cilantro were good, but the salsa and refried beans were bland. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. People who said it is authentic clearly haven't had authentic Mexican!
(2)A S.
Best salsa I've had. The food you're served looks like the pictures, on the menu. The food tastes great. Service is very good. Pricing is good.
(5)Jessica H.
Very solid Mexican food and good service. Like many reviewers have stated, the atmosphere is unassuming and, in some places, a bit tired and run down. That said, you can tell they take pride in their food. I had the burrito suizo with chicken and it was excellent. The salsa served was also very good but the chips weren't my favorite - I'm willing to bet they weren't stale but, likely, a bit over cooked as they were harder than I prefer. Not sure if they are always like this as I stopped here from out of town.
(4)Gavin M.
I'm very picky when it comes to authentic Mexican food and after trying out a few places in the Arlington Heights/Mt. Prospect area, I don't go anywhere else but Los Compadres. It's a solid restaurant that makes a mean burrito suizo. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Iraim S.
The food was good had a Al Pastor taco dinner. Service was great very polite, food didn't take long. Really recommend the horchata.
(3)Selina H.
I absolutely love this place! They have the best authentic Mexican food in town..and always the nicest staff...their horchata is the best I've ever had...I would recommend this place to anyone wanting really good Mexican food!
(5)Ruth G.
My fiance and I came here for lunch. The environment is very casual, I almost thought we ordered at the window instead of bring given menus and being waited on. I ordered the avocado and cheese torta. It was good, random bits of pepper in bites, which was yummy, and you can't go wrong with avocado. My only complaint is that it wasn't very filling since it was just the sandwich. My fiance ordered the steak, cheese and beans gordita dinner. I had a bite and wasn't a fan, but he thought it was good. He completely cleaned off his plate (minus a tomato, but he's slowly liking those now). The beans were perfect texture and had a delightful taste. I'd like to order that as a side next time possibly. Overall, I'd say it's a good, quick place to go when you want authentic Mexican.
(4)Danielle W.
great tacos, great prices, super nice staff. will be back!
(3)Huzefa U.
Great Mexican food! Good prices & outstanding service. Lot of people told me about this restaurant, now I can pass on my review
(5)Ron W.
This is real Mexican food. Good service and good prices. I was in town to catch a flight at O'Hare and needed a place to get some dinner, the tacos were very good.
(4)Dennis P.
Anything less than 4 stars mine boggles me here. This place is on point with real delicious mexican food at it's best... from the meat flavors to the tortilla used, to the green and red sauce.. 2nd to none.. no fu fu BS fake mexican food like that one "chef" that puts out that overpriced crap in downtown Chicago and charges $25 a plate. Even went here on Valentine's day for dinner and was not disappointed, my date to say the least wasn't disappointed as well and neither was every filled table in the restaurant that night. I will say this place can make real waves if it invested a little more on the ambience. Could ultimately be a bad choice in the end, losing it's character could cause it to lose it's authentic taste in food.
(5)Lynne H.
Finding a Mexican restaurant that serves breakfast wasn't easy but it was well worth the search after visiting Los Compadres Taqueria. The menu was written in Spanish for the most part but with a little help from the waitress and my very limited knowledge of a few basic words it was fine. The breakfast menu was small but it had just the right stuff for an authentic Mexican meal. The plates (who am I kidding - these were platters) came loaded with food including the traditional rice and beans and everything was freshly prepared, piping hot and loaded with flavor. I had to wave the white flag about half way in, but my husband happily dug in and made a pretty good dent in what was left. The atmosphere isn't quite Hole-in-the-Wall, but maybe more just broken in and casual. Either way, a return visit will be on my list of things to do to check out their dinner items.
(5)Esther C.
Not a fancy place but food is fresh, authentic and good. The guys love their burritos. I like their tongue tacos! The place gets busy fast and you know it's good Mexican food when the place gets packed with Mexicans like me!! I would recommend their pozole too!! Almost like moms
(4)Theresa S.
I am originally from the heart of the city. I'm part Mexican, Puerto Rican, German and Italy so I know the difference between authentic and chain and this place is most definitely authentic! The prices are so low and the food is extremely satisfying. I've lived in Arlington heights for 2 years and I finally found my gem!
(5)Phil P.
Yes I know there are tons of authentic Mexican joints nearby, but dollar for dollar, this is tops. They jam-pack the tacos with perfectly seasoned meats, barely any gristle in the steak, and fast and CHEAP! Minus 1 star for "eh" horchata.
(4)Sarah S.
El mejor sabor y variedad en comida Mexicana!! I have to agree with their slogan that they are the best flavor and variety in Mexican food in town! :) They have a huge menu at fantastic prices, it's really hard to pick just one thing! Today was my first time going for lunch but I'm sure I'll be back many more times to try more treats. The entire menu is mainly in Spanish and the good news for my coworkers is I came along & am fluent. Bam! I translated some of the veggies & toppings for them so they'd know exactly what they're getting. I had a Lime Jarritos and La Gringa Torta which is appropriate since I'm a white girl and all. La Gringa comes with eggs, ham, two types of cheese, mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes. I absolutely loved this but it's huge! It's $4.99 which is a very good price for the size. After chowing down on the complimentary tortilla chips, I could only muster the strength to finish a half of the torta. I have lunch for tomorrow, woohoo! When you're done, you pay up at the front. I suggest getting a smoothie to go on your way out for $2.50. My friend got the pina colada today and it was Mmm Mmm Delicioso! Update 9/15: The Asada taco was the best I've ever had! Oh myyyy~so tasty! The jamon y queso quesadilla is friggin awesome, too!
(5)Phill C.
How did I forget about this place? I used to come here a lot for lunch, when my office was nearby. Plus there's just a bunch of good food in the area, like the spicy Korean tofu soup joint next door. So I usually get a Mexican breakfast, actually most times, but the other day I tried some Al Pastor and Tripa Taco. Both were delicious, but the tripe was the bomb. Still not better than my favorite taco joint, but it's right up there. My lunch crew and I decided that we'd come back here more often. Anyways, the food here is legit, they have friendly service, and the prices are great! The prices have gone up a bit in the last few years, but it's still a whole lot of food for not a lot of money. Also, get a Pina Colada smoothie. I ended up getting one last time when I went up to pay and was really glad I did. Dayam good!
(4)Bryant H.
PROs: Helpful staff, Great food, Authentic CONs: Not much to look at Didn't really mind how the place looked, only cared for how good their food was. Boy was it delicious! I've ordered the Taco Dinner w/ Asada, Pollo, and Pork w/ Red Sauce. Also with Horchata as my beverage. I told the server that it was me and my girlfriend's first time here and he was very informative with whatever questions we've had with the menu. I was looking for a local mexican restaurant and came across Los Compadres Taqueria. Had a pleasant experience and will be coming here more often.
(4)Joshua P.
Always my go too. The food is amazing, every thing I have had has always been cooked to perfection. It might not look like a up scale restaurant, but the food is worthy of upscale dining; and the staff is exceptionally nice! Aside from the food, the coffee they make is also out of this world. Just the right amount of cinnamon to give it a little pep but not over bearing. The amount of food you do get for the price you pay is very generous. Also If your up by the register, they do have some sweets to go. Give it a try, you won't regret it!!
(5)Michael G.
My coworkers and I go here every so often for lunch. The only reason we don't go more often is it's relatively far from the office. This place is so good it's ridiculous. It doesn't matter what you have.. from tacos to tortas, burritos to dinner plates. It's fresh, authentic, and reasonably $priced$. I normally get a the same thing but today I went to an old standby, a Carne Asada torta. One word - DELICIOUS !!! the bread was so soft and the steak was so well seasoned accompanied by fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and beans. I added the house red sauce for some additional kick, but it would have been fine by itself. If you are anywhere close to this place and like authentic Mexican food, do yourself a favor and stop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Jason M.
Great food great service always happy when we go there never a bad experience A plus in my book
(4)John D.
Not bad, but was hoping for better. Difficulty parking--small crowded lot and big semi. Service took order, brought drink, chips& salsa, food, and was never seen again. As noted by others, got bill & paid at register. Strange. At to the food, the tacos were fine, but certainly not that filling. A lot of onion and a little cilantro on each didn't help. The chips & salsa were unremarkable. The refried beans were a small portion and kind of runny. The rice was very starchy, clumps stuck together. I wish that I had the experience others wrote about.
(2)Anna W.
Best burrito I ever had. My dad took me here for dinner once and I thought he was kidding because the place looks intimidating on the outside. Once I got my burrito though, it was heaven on a plate. Everything was delicious and not overy greasy. Been craving a burrito lately so I will be back really soon.
(5)Andy M.
A nice looking middle size taqueria . The two waitresses were working fast and got my takeout quick. The Quesedellas were excellent although seemed a bit small and resembled tacos. I have been wanting To go to one of this areas taco places for a while and was not disappointed. Not bad.
(3)Daroncia S.
I love this place.... the guacamole is DELICIOUS... I would give it 5 ,stars if they had hard shell tacos... nevertheless everything is pretty tasty...
(4)Nicole W.
I'm always on the lookout for delicioso Mexican eats. And I'm not talking about the fluffy, fancy Mexican eats. I'm talking about a taqueria that serves up perfect street tacos, tamales and, especially, a nicely made mole. Well, Los Compadres Taqueria isn't perfect, but it definitely fills the void! It's situated in an old Pizza Hut. I didn't need to research that or anything, you just know it when you see it. Or a Sunday afternoon, this place is packed to the gills! The post church crowd can be found here stuffing a myriad of eats into their hungry bellies. And my oh my is the menu large. Beyond the traditional tacos and enchiladas, there are plenty of options that will likely satiate the masses at very reasonable prices - tostadas, combination platters, sides, burritos, etc. I went with the chicken enchiladas de mole- a huge platter piled high with generously stuffed enchiladas, covered in mole sauce, sprinkled with cheese and spooning the plentiful portion of rice and beans. The mole, while tasty, was a bit too rich when topped with the shredded cheese. Next time I would probably go cheeseless on those enchiladas...and I love cheese, so that's saying a lot. The chicken inside the enchilada was super tender and flavorful! I had enough left over for a substantial lunch the next day, too. While it's definitely not the best authentic Mexican I've had, Los Compadres Taqueria is a winner in the area.
(4)Melody L.
I had the best torta in my entire life at this place today. Their chips and salsa are perfectly spicy and delightful. The employees are very friendly and helpful. The seating isn't the best but the food is so good that it doesn't matter. I had their horchata and it was pretty good but I wouldn't put it up there as the best I've had. I had a really great experience here while eating and watching the World Cup game on the many TVs they had around. I cannot wait to go back and tell my friends all about this hidden gem!
(5)Rachel G.
Ive tried this place twice in hopes that it would get better. Both times I ordered the taco lunch to go. I've tried the steak,pastor and beef. All were just ok. If I were invited to go with friends I would go...but most likely I won't be back. It isn't anything special. Id rather just make my own tacos.
(3)Jay W.
Wife talked me into another try after another restaurant closed early on us. I did so reluctantly, and was happy to see quality came up noticably. They are not back to their former status grandeur, I didn't get chicken (which has been a problem dish several times) and the salsas are still overpowered by pepper, but the food was decent and the service friendly and good as always.
(4)L O.
Yum! All i can say. Little hole in the wall place.nothing special. THe food is what its all about. Waitress could barely understand english, thats how you know the food is gonna be delicious! lol. Authentic. Great staff that are very nice. We are regulars from now on.
(4)Jack Y.
I finally quit procrastinating about trying this restaurant out and came here for lunch. They have quite an extensive menu here , more than the standard tacos, burritos , tostadas ,and tortas. I ordered a chicken taco and steak burrito to go. The place was not crowded at all and it took 15 minutes for my order to arrive So I knew the food had to be freshly prepared. The steak in the burrito was extremely fresh, soft, not the least bit dry, lean and deliciously seasoned. It was moist but not greasy, almost melt in your mouth texture. This was the best burrito I have eaten in years. At $5.99 it was a steal considering the quality and size of the burrito. The chicken taco came in a small cardboard dish. It contained large chunks of tender white meat chicken. It was not quite as good as the burrito but still it was better than average. The red and green salsa both had nice flavor both about a 7 on a scale of 1-10`for heat. There are many Mexican restaurants closer to home but I will drive past them all from now on for this terrific food.
(5)Eduardo E.
I'll be back for more! The steak tacos were the bomb! When people say the food is authentic, what I think they also mean is that the place is chock full of Spanish speaking families who appreciate the great prices and flavorful cuisine. Tele-novelas and FIFA games are prominent on the big screens that surround the dining room. No, it is NOT for the Uncle Julio's Hacienda crowd, who enjoy their Mexican food served with plenty of overpriced Anglo flair. Los Compadres is a restaurant that serves the predominantly Hispanic community along this stretch of Algonquin Rd. Though I suspect the good cuisine and prices draw customers from Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Elk Grove and Arlington areas as well. This place really reminds me of Latin restaurants down in Cicero, IL, where my daughter lived. Where I was wholly dependent on her Spanish skills to place my order. Same relaxed and welcoming vibe. Same solid food and prices. Los Compadres isn't the Maserati of Mexican food, it's more like your daily driver. Go when you're hungry for an authentic experience, and want a good meal and a good deal.
(4)Natalie C.
Came here with my sister after a long hike so we had built up our appetites! The restaurant surprisingly was very busy even though we went in quarter to four. Had the taco special - 3 tacos, rice, and beans for $6.50. Had the lengua, barbacoa, and carnitas tacos. Very good flavor, the beef tongue was extremely tender and delicious, probably my favorite of the three. The barbacoa was a nicely spiced flavorful goat meat, and the shredded pork in the carnitas had a good balance between moist shredded meat and caramelized bits of crunchy fat. I wish my tacos had a little more cilantro and onions, but all in all they were delicious. The restaurant is located next to a strip mall of various Mexican establishments, and the parking lot is small and treacherous - I've never seen a parking lot that has random dead ends where you are need to make a series of 3-point turns to get out of your space.
(4)Don Z.
I continue to be a regular at Los Compadres and I have learned a little... I finally figured out that the reason I get such bizarre service regarding the payment of the bill is that they do not actually want to bring the check to your table. They expect you to walk up to the counter and tell them your table number. This is after they have come to your table to take your order and they deliver the food to your table. In any normal restaurant that operates like this, they would at least bring you the bill, even if they expect you to pay at the counter. So my colleagues and I finish our meal and then stand in line at the counter. Since we are bothering to get up, we decided we might as well pay separately. Each of us in turn states our table number and what food we ordered. Then we complete several individual transactions. I understand the process, but I don't like it. In fact, I must admit that it discourages me from going to Los Compadres for lunch. It is that irritation that resulted in my updated review and the loss of a star in my opinion. To be honest, I would like to give a 3.5 rating, because the food is still very good, but service is so important to a restaurant. I will still be back for my enchiladas de mole, but maybe a little less enthusiastically than in the past.
(3)Mel M.
Ordered a pork torta. I think it wasn't overly oily. Light. Decent prices. Will come back if I'm craving Mexican food
(3)Dan G.
I'm not saying that this is as good as Alinea. Duh! What I am saying, however, is that for a Taqueria this place is fabulous. The tacos - fantastic. Steak, nummy. Chicken, moist. The mole? Surprisingly complex. But the ground beef? Surprisingly tasty! I'm from Chicago and have been dying looking for a solid taqueria ... I finally found one. Hoorah! Update on 3-4-2014 I just knocked off one start ... their carnitas was surprisingly dry. Huh. Either way, still a fantastic place and my go-to tacqueria in the neighborhood.
(4)Tom V.
Stopped in after hearing Steve Dahl rave about the place. Had the steak tacos and they were very good. It's an old pizza hut and the decor hasn't changed much, but worth the trip for the food.
(4)Pete D.
You must be weary of the everlasting Cat Juice odor. And you must wear a straw hat upon entry and if you don't tuck your slacks into your jeans, you're gonna have a bad time. And another note, after eating go to the bathroom cuz it's come threw fast. Over all, great tacos, clean water, great ass. 5/5 would eat again.
(4)Nicole S.
Good bang for your buck. Big portion and really friendly staff. Not a good location. It's on a busy corner so it's not that convenient. The parking lot is also small. But the food is really good.
(4)Kathy P.
I LOVE this place. It is right across the street from where I live. My family typically has take out from here about once a week. I 9/10 get a steak burrito, my boyfriend gets two steak tacos and an order of rice, I get my 6 year old a steak taco and my 2 year old a small cheese quesadilla and I get an extra order of rice for the girls to share...all this comes out to about $20. The staff is super friendly, prices are low, HUGE HUGE HUGE menu. All the meat is very good quality (no gristle in steak)..chorizo however is a little dry in the burrito or on a taco (the Huevos con chorizo is fantastic however). The nachos are GINORMOUS and are 2-2.5 meals in itself. Pretty much the only complaints I have are parking low is very tiny and a part of a very busy strip mall. Also, I've always done take out and if you don't call ahead, the wait is pretty long (like 10 minutes+ long), which is good because you know you're getting fresh food, but still...call ahead. Still loving this place!!! However, does anyone know if they have coupons anywhere? Would love to see a Groupon for this place (not that the price is bad now).
(5)Samantha V.
Loved this place. The food was wonderful. The only thing I didn't like was that we didn't get chips and salsa, not that I needed it. But other than that it was a great place. I Loved how authentic it was vs. All the other places around here such as 'la Magdalena' or any other american mexican resturaunts. I'm definitely coming back.
(4)Mario Z.
Good food. Good $$$
(5)Jodi B.
I met a friend for lunch here because of all the rave reviews. The menu is so authentic that we had to ask our waitress to translate the lunch special. But something got lost in translation. We did catch the word, tripe and since neither one of us were brave enough to try that, we skipped the lunch special. I found out later that tripe is a popular Mexican dish. We ended up ordering our lunch based on the pictures inside the menu. There was a Spanish/English translation and photos for most entrees and drinks. The lunch special was the only item missing that combination. I have not been to a better Mexican restaurant in the Chicago area. The food was delicious and plentiful. Service was good and friendly. The only drawback for me is that I prefer fountain drinks. They serve pop/soda/Coke in cans, but the waitress brought me a glass of ice when I asked, so it was like having a fountain drink. Many of the families and others eating there would be eating the same thing for lunch if they were back in Mexico. It is a busy, distinctively truly, honest, ethnic restaurant. It is no Taco Bell, Pepe's or Chevy's. It's not fancy. It's fun -- I'd call it a Mexican diner. I will definitely go back again and tell all my friends who like Mexican food -- "Try this place."
(4)Elizabeth R.
I love Los Compadres. I have been coming since I was a little kid. I have never had problems with their horchata, which is definitely home made. It has cinnamon in it, and if you're not used to it, then I can see where you would think it is made of powder. Phenomenal flautas, tacos, and burritos. They are always very sweet.
(5)Erick P.
This place is the best place for some mexican food. I started coming here when I was a little kid, I love their torta de milanesa (sp?). I get it almost everytime I go there. If your ever in the area go and check out this place it's really good and you won't be disapointed.
(5)Dave G.
They have some of the best tacos I have ever ha,. the al pastor just rocks. The steak barrito suzia is another good choice if your looking for a bigger lunch. Then if you like it hot there red pork tamles are quite tasty
(5)John S.
I have been going to this place for over 2 years now and have yet to be disappointed. The food is always fresh, service is great. They have a great selection of different meats to choose from, with the Asada being my favorite. Try the chile relleno taco for something different that is pure goodness. Also, if you are a heat lover, their salsas don't disappoint!
(4)Ana E.
I enjoy coming here to pig out. Service is fast, food is good, and the best thing is that the price is just right:-)
(4)Kevin S.
Great steak tacos and horchata. The green salsa is good too.
(4)Kenneth T.
Very good food at great prices
(4)Amanda C.
Los Compadres is awesome! I was shocked at how good the service was considering it is a take-out type place and it is usually extremely busy. They have a very large menu, so if you like mexican food then you will get a vast array of choices here! The food always comes out quickly; Ii is also always hot and freshly cooked. I recommend their chicken tacos! All they need are tomatoes, onion, and a little cilantro and lime! Me gusta mucho!
(5)Sandra R.
Just moved to Arlington Heights. My boyfriend and I had a taste for mexican food one evening. We turned to Yelp to read good reviews about mexican places around here and Los Compadres came up and i read alot of good review about it and i always drive past it to and from work and it always seems busy so i figured the food must be pretty good. So since its down the street from our apartment i decided I would call in an order and pick it up. i ordered a torta de asada and my boyfriend got some taco deal that included rice and beans, and we both got 2 large horchata drinks. The lady on the phone said it would take 10 minutes. i got there in 10 minutes and food was already ready. So that was a plus. My torta was was not the best torta I've had. definetly not. And i would know about mexican food because im mexican.The torta had mayo in it which is not what shoukd be in there. It sould;ve had sour cream. It seemed very flat and small oh and yea it came with fries which was super wierd to serve fries at a mexican restaurant. My boyfriend wasnt too impressed with his meal either. He said they werent bad he's had better but he ate them because he was super hungry after work. so basically just settled for it because of hunger which is what i basically did also with my torta. The horchata was ok. nothing special. wasnt bad but wasnt super duper. just mediocre rice water. The price for it was a bit high for my boyfriend and I considering we just got our apartment and are trying to find good food but at a cheap economical price. just dont think we got our money's worth for the food. It cudve been way better. All in all, dont think we will be going back there. We've had better mexican food from other places. from now on if we crave mexican food,we will just drive dow the street to taco bell.
(2)Scott D.
We were the only non Spanish speakers in the place. The tacos (it was a taqueria, after all) were very good, the service was great, and the prices were very reasonable. Well worth a visit if you'd like some good, solid Mexican home cooking.
(4)Becky B.
I'm torn between 2 and 3 stars. There isn't a lunch menu so I ordered a la carte. The steak and chorizo tacos with onions and cilantro were good, but the salsa and refried beans were bland. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. People who said it is authentic clearly haven't had authentic Mexican!
(2)Jacqueline S.
This continues to be our go to place for authentic Mexican food. The staff is very nice and the food is great!
(5)Charlee G.
Good Mexican food, fast efficient service, all at a very reasonable price. They even have tamales on the menu, my personal weakness. I will return as soon as I diet off today's lunch.
(3)Abraham P.
After driving forever to find this place it was not what I expected. The food here is terrible. The chips and salsa were bland. The horchata which is what I regularly order from any Mexican restaurant is just tasteless as well. I ordered cheese quesadillas not greasy cheese and my girlfriend ordered enchiladas that tasted as bad as they looked. To make things worst our waiter never came back to check on us after serving our food. Never coming back here again.
(1)Missy M.
It was just okay...ordered the flautas and chicken was tasteless, rice was good and beans were okay...Also I ordered a horchata and it was chalky, so they definately use the powdered stuff. Im so disappointed because Im looking for GOOD AUTHENTIC mexican food in the area.
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