Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant Menu

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  • Yvonne H.

    We have eaten at most area restaurants is the region and Santiago's is by far the most authentic. Great food! Terrific service. Been eating here for years and would rate this as the best in northwest Indiana. Their salsa is absolutely incredible and the fresh made chips are really great! Our favorite is enchilada verde. Prices are reasonable for what you get. Need to move into Lake County.....with another restaurant...but believe me, it is worth the drive. Bob and Yvonne

    (5)
  • Paul P.

    I stopped by here on a Sunday with my family. I wasn't impressed. First we almost drove away because it looked closed since there were patio umbrellas lying around out front. Once inside the main dining room was empty and we were directed to a side room that was hot and stuffy. Our table had crumbs on it and the floor was not very clean. When I got my menu it was filthy - full of broken tortilla chips so I asked for another one that was marginally better but still full of food. The chips and salsa were ok and the dinners were too. The margaritas were horrible. After we paid the waitress in the next section informed us that they don't have a liquor license so they use wine in the margaritas. Would have been nice to know before ordering. I've been to probably 200 Mexican restaurants and have never had such a bad margarita. Would have been nice to know there was no tequila.

    (2)
  • Connie G.

    Not bad food, but not my first place to go. The only problem I've really had here is the staff. They seem miserable to be working there and if the place is busy forget about it. I've been in there a couple times on a Monday (of all days) and the place was packed like it was the only place to eat! And when newcomers attempt to get a table the staff is quick to happily tell them there is no table. Not just this place, but I've noticed the busier a restaurant gets the quality of food tends to go down. I still go there from time to time when I want something more than fast food mexi, but it's not something I crave.

    (3)
  • Jen A.

    Authentic Mexican food for an amazing price. The homemade chips and salsa are superb.

    (4)
  • Holly W.

    This really is the best Mexican restaurant in Porter County! I love their enchiladas verde and pork tacos. My family loves the chips... They give you half flour/half corn. It's yummy!

    (4)
  • Karl H.

    Great Mexican food. Service can be a bit spotty when it's really busy but I have never had a bad time. They also have outdoor seating now during good weather. Homemade chips are awesome. This place holds it's own against it's Chicago counterparts.

    (4)
  • Marissa G.

    Seriously the best Mexican food in the area. Almost as good as my favorite place in Chicago!

    (5)
  • David N.

    Seems to be the theme here, food is above average, but wait and service time drags Santiago's down a bit. Fortunately it seems to be worth the wait... Called in advance with a table of ten. Everything was set up and waiting for us when we got there. The chips and salsa were great, and I especially liked the way they mix up corn and flour tortilla chips. Don't see that often, and it's a nice change from the usual. Waited a bit to place our food and drink orders, and unfortunately waited even longer for something to come out. The problem is obvious, as a sole waitress manned the dining room, phone calls, and take out orders. Luckily the chips and salsa satisfied most and our party wasn't in a rush, otherwise a lack of gratuity and foul language would most certainly have followed. Anyways, we endured a 20 minute wait for cans of pop, 2 margaritas, and a couple bottles of beer. REALLY?!. NOTE TO SELF: Pester about the drinks next time, i.e. what the hell is taking so long...Maybe they will come out faster? A bit later our food came out. Everyone in our party seemed happy with their dishes, which tonight included Cheese Quesadillas, Tostadas, Chicken Fajitas, Burritos, Tacos, Steak Tampiquena, and Chimichanga. I ordered the Chicken Fajitas, which were great. Served on a sizzling cast iron griddle, complete with green peppers, onions, rice, beans, small lettuce and tomato salad, and guacamole... Just how it should always be!! A little on the oily side, but seasoned well and cooked to perfection. Nothing burnt and served at a toasty, sizzling temperature. Looking around our table, the burritos were made in typical, "big as your head" fashion, the tacos and tostadas were loaded, and all the ingredients appeared fresh, flavorful, and void of any complaints from the peanut gallery. Quick breakdown - Big menu, fresh ingredients, great chips and salsa, quality libations, and good prices. Just don't stop in if you're short on time. The service, albeit friendly, is at a snail's pace and may not be worth it for you. Definitely call ahead if you're bringing a group, as they will set something up for you no problem.

    (4)
  • Dan L.

    We're originally from southern California, so we know true authentic mexican food. While in Indiana, we decided to try Santiago's. Our expectations were very, very low because 99% of Mexican food found in the midwest is cr@p. But to our massive surprise, we found Santiago's to be fantastic!! Wow, we'd not believe this if we didn't eat the food ourselves. I spent 8 months working a project in Mexico, and Santiago's is on par with food there.

    (5)
  • Sonni W.

    Food was just OK. Found the super oily chips revolting. Other reviewers seem to like that style; it's not for me. Santiago's was neither cute nor comfy. Sweltering hot and stupid lighting; in the room where we dined, we had to get up and move a spotlight that was literally baking our heads! Without great food, I have no reason to return.

    (1)
  • C H.

    Great Authentic Mexican Food The chips were brought to us hot and the salsa was great! I had the Wet steak burrito and was very pleased. I now visit this place with my co-workers and family.

    (5)
  • B K.

    Myself and 3 of my friends went here last night for the first time. The food was pretty decent authentic Mexican food. Buuuttt....we were all coming out to enjoy plenty of drinks and laughs. Our waitress got us our first round of drinks, took our orders and then pretty much NEVER came back to our table. When she did come back after our food came she was so fast we were laughing that we couldn't get a word in before she'd run off. They were not that busy either, and we really wanted more drinks! She NEVER once asked us if we wanted another round even though when she came to our table all our drinks were empty. We ended up going down the street to drink elsewhere. I've worked in this industry before and that's pretty much basic stuff?! I mean if you keep the drinks coming that = more money which equals bigger tip!! It was just pretty sad, because we would have been there for awhile and at least bought 3 additional rounds, but because we didn't feel that she wanted to refill our drinks we went elsewhere! I probably won't be coming back! :/

    (2)
  • Don D.

    The previous reviews had stated that this place has the best food in the area and that the service sucked. Lets just say one of those statements is true. The service was poor. We had to wait for a while just to place a order. While we were eating neither my wife or me were asked about refilling our drinks. I noticed dried food on the wall. My fajitas were ok but nothing to write home about. My wife's meal was not so good. I normally am not a picky eater but her food was sub par and flavorless. I think this place has potential but they have a lot to work on. Maybe they need a visit from Chef Gordon Ramsey.

    (1)
  • Melody M.

    Great food, crap service. But I willingly brave the absent or haughty waitresses for those delicious homemade chips.

    (3)
  • Greg M.

    This is really the only place to go within 20 miles of Chesterton if you want something beyond simple TexMex food. I usually get the enchiladas verdes, with a nice tomatillo sauce, but they really have much more. The soups are interesting, the pork with cactus, and also a pork stew - all are good. They even have a mole sauce. They just renovated the outside, most of the wonderful garden is gone but now they will have outside seating in the Spring. This should be one of the nicer spots for eating outside.

    (4)
  • Michael B.

    Santiago's is not part of a chain; it is one-of-a-kind and a wonderful dining experience. The staff is attentive, the pre-dining chips are incredibly good, (especially the flour chips...you get both corn and flour) and the food is well-seasoned, but not overly so. I've had the best chili rellenos of my life there. The restaurant is located in a rather remote area and is hard to find if you don't know where downtown Porter is, but it's well worth the search.

    (5)
  • Katie A.

    Decent tasting mexican food with good portion size and great value. The service was below average. We waited almost 10 minutes for someone to greet us, and when I asked the waitress about ingredients in certain dishes, she didn't seem to pay much attention or understand the possible severity of food issues. Nonetheless, the enchiladas I ended up getting were excellent. I think the food is worth the diner-like atmosphere and unfriendly staff.

    (3)
  • Anjulee P.

    I have been a regular at this restaurant for years. My family and I love the food here. It is so tasty, their salsa is incredible. The service can be a bit slow and they are not quick to catch on to what you need with refills, etc. But I still go back because the food is excellent and they make substitutions when you ask. Their nachos are a must order, so good!

    (4)
  • Karen D.

    Mama's Specialty chicken soup is so good, I've been known to eat it & then take an order home for the next night. We stop every time we drive home to Chicago from my sister's in Michigan. The chips & salsa/guac are great, my husband loves the tacos. Other reviews are right, you don't necessarily come for the service - we've always found it quite friendly but it can be slow. However once we order, the food comes out quickly. Keep in mind this is not "fine dining" - it's simply terrific home-grown Mexican food!

    (4)
  • Hal E.

    Great burritos. That is all I get when I go. Service is good. Actually it is in Porter. If you are looking for Mexican in out of the way place this is it.

    (3)
  • Steven and Monik B.

    We come to santiago's once and awhile,and we have a few words to say....THE FOOD HERE IS PRETTY DAMN GOOD....

    (4)
  • Cary T.

    Were else can you get fresh made warm corn and flour fried chips. Awesome shrimp cocktail. Almost like a shrimp stew with avocados, cilantro, tomatoes in a delicious broth that you have to pick up and drink its so good. Seafood enchilads are the bomb. Red Snapper and shrimp in a lite roasted pepper sauce. Out of this world. Servers are a little young but they know there shit cause their right on top of it.

    (5)
  • L. R.

    I really liked the chips and salsa as well as the Mexican soup which was amazing. The rest of the fare is a ho-hum Americanized version of Mexican. It wasn't exceptional but it wasn't terrible.

    (3)
  • Larry L.

    If you are from out of town or have not been to this restaurant before, do not go unless you are willing to accept being ignored for 10-30 minutes. My wife and I stopped in when returning from a trip to Indiana Dunes from Chicago. The food was a reasonable mid-western U.S. interpretation of Mexican (it was OK). However, the service really caused us concern. A group of folks came in about five minutes after us who were obviously local and well known by the staff. While my wife and I were ignored, the staff immediately asked the later-coming local group for their drink choice and whether they were ready to order, etc. My wife had to ask a passing waitress if someone would take our order before anyone showed interest in us.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

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Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant

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