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Local picks in Waukegan

Mexican dinners

The evening calls for a sit-down meal of Mexican food that feels like a proper night out.

Based on 555 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
La Chuparosa Waukegan's Premier Mexican Restaurant image 1
La Chuparosa Waukegan's Premier Mexican Restaurant image 2
La Chuparosa Waukegan's Premier Mexican Restaurant image 3
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Stylish restaurant with a modern interior and festive decor creates a lively, cozy atmosphere. Live Mexican music and DJ sets energize the space, drawing a crowd that enjoys vibrant entertainment. Communal seating encourages a social vibe, making the experience feel special and engaging.

Offers upscale Mexican cuisine with a sophisticated vibe. Features unique dishes like Korean tacos and Flor de Jamaica tacos alongside excellent cocktails.

Dinner offers a varied and creative menu with delicious Mexican dishes. Special occasions get extra flair with staff singing at the end of the meal.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and beautifully plated."

"The Mexican food here is delicious, especially the pork belly tacos."

"The dinner here is delicious, especially the arrachera and seafood."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers food and drinks at low prices, typically around $8.

2

The happy hour menu features a variety of specialty tacos.

3

Expect a lively atmosphere during happy hour with great food options.

02
Master Sushi & drive thru image 1

Restaurant combines modern design with a clean, cozy atmosphere and a Japanese-South Korean decor influence. It offers a drive-thru option, unusual for sushi places, and plays good music that adds to the welcoming vibe. The space feels bright and well-kept, attracting both groups and solo diners.

Tacos stand out with shrimp tacos featuring an Asian twist and salmon tacos offering unique flavors. The Master Burrito and sides like street corn and guacamole complement the menu well.

Poke bowls serve as a solid option for dinner. Staff bring drinks and meals directly to the table, adding convenience for families with toddlers.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious, fresh, and high quality."

"I thought the shrimp tacos were excellent and unique."

"The poke bowls are delicious for dinner."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers a drive-thru for quick takeout orders.

2

Prices are affordable, typically under $15 for a quick lunch.

3

The establishment maintains a high level of cleanliness throughout.

03
The Pink Cactus image 1
Restaurant

Colorful, festive decor with bright accents and traditional Mexican touches creates a cheerful, energetic environment. Vibrant atmosphere suits young crowds and lively gatherings, though music can be loud. Space feels cozy with modern, cute design but seating is somewhat cramped.

Menu features authentic dishes like tacos, chilaquiles, wings, and burritos. Flavors come through strong, with perfectly cooked wings and tropical mules complementing the meals.

Atmosphere suits family dinners, date nights, and girls' brunches. Menu offers taco dinners and tropical cocktails for relaxed evenings without high costs.

People are saying

"I thought the food here was really good."

"This Mexican food is a flavor bomb, truly phenomenal."

"It's a cute place with a great vibe for dinner spots."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for larger groups to ensure seating.

2

An 18% gratuity is added to each check without prior notice.

3

Expect a 20-minute wait before placing your order during busy times.

04
Forastero's Tako Restaurante image 1

Small, homey Mexican restaurant with beautiful decor and authentic flavors fills the air with the aroma of freshly prepared food. Warm, welcoming atmosphere features friendly staff and a vibrant community vibe. Homemade tortillas and large portions highlight the genuine dining experience.

Authentic Mexican food features freshly made corn tortillas and a wide variety of options like El pastor tacos, chorizo quesadillas, and corn tamales. The menu offers reasonable prices and includes drinks like micheladas.

Dinner includes homemade chips as a starter. The menu offers a variety of dinner options suitable for family nights.

People are saying

"I loved the delicious tacos, especially the lengua."

"I've never had Mexican food this good; it's the best I've ever had."

"I found the food at these dinner spots to be fantastic."

Good to know

1

The menu features a wide variety of authentic Mexican food options.

2

Parking is ample across the street from the restaurant.

3

The restaurant only accepts cash payments.

05
American Place Casino image 1

Spacious and well-organized casino with clean layout and easy parking. Atmosphere ranges from lively energy with DJs and live bands to cozy and welcoming environments. Offers a wide selection of slots and table games alongside multiple dining options and a vibrant bar scene.

Tacos stand out with quesabirra and Asian-Mex twists. Guacamole and chips come fresh and flavorful. Flautas and enchiladas with green sauce offer solid traditional options.

Dinner features special occasions like birthdays and Valentine's Day with complimentary meals and wine dinners. Options include steak houses and spots with karaoke for a lively evening.

People are saying

"The dealers and staff here are so friendly and make it fun."

"The staff here makes dinner spots feel so welcoming and friendly."

"The Mexican food here is great, thanks to Bella's excellent service."

Good to know

1

The casino regularly hosts fun activities and promotions throughout the year.

2

Karaoke night occurs every Thursday, starting at 10pm with a two-drink minimum.

3

Friday promotions include games like cornhole with chances to win free play.

06
Lucky Scottie Restaurant image 1

Historic building with speakeasy-style bar and live DJ music creates a warm, lively atmosphere. Crowd enjoys fresh, flavorful food and a variety of cocktails including superb Negronis and Margheritas. Games and entertainment add to the inviting, fun vibe.

$2 Taco Tuesdays offer a great deal with tasty tacos. Enchiladas and tacos come out delicious and fresh. Complimentary homemade chips and salsa add to the meal experience.

Offers quick dinners ideal for a night out. Serves well for last minute celebratory meals and pre-show dining near the Genesee Theater.

People are saying

"The food here is fresh and delicious."

"The Italian food here is so delicious and creamy."

"The enchiladas here are so delicious and fresh."

Good to know

1

Karaoke night happens every Thursday with $5 drinks available.

2

Taco Tuesdays offer $2 tacos, making it a popular night.

3

The kitchen closes early on show nights, so arrive in advance.

07
La Mexicanita Restaurant image 1
Mexican restaurant

Spacious interior with an outdoor patio creates a relaxed, chill atmosphere filled with romantic music. Authentic Mexican vibe shines through fresh, creative tacos and delicious margaritas served in a well-decorated setting. The place draws families and offers wide variety of reasonably priced options.

Huge steak tacos and fresh guacamole come in large portions. The menu features authentic Mexican dishes like mole de olla, fajitas, and cheese quesadillas with rich flavors.

Steak tacos and quesobirria tacos stand out as flavorful dinner options. Cheese quesadilla and asada tacos also feature on the dinner menu with solid reviews.

People are saying

"I found the authentic Mexican food here to be savory and flavorful."

"The food here is so authentic, it reminds me of home."

"I ordered the steak tacos dinner and considered them the best tacos I have ever had."

Good to know

1

The menu offers a wide variety of options, all reasonably priced.

2

The burrito costs $9.99.

3

They give salsa in a sealed plastic bag instead of a cup for takeout.

08
Anastasia's-Waukegan Restaurant & Sports Lounge image 1

Spacious sports bar and lounge with plenty of TVs and ample indoor and outdoor seating, including a quiet patio area. Atmosphere is clean, warm, and cozy, balancing a classy vibe with a lively crowd during games. Shuttle service and live streams add convenience and unique touches.

Chicken fajitas come with lots of vegetables but little steak. Taco salads look appealing but taste less flavorful. Burritos and chicken fried steak appear as other options.

Dinner offers a great atmosphere, especially on weekends, with delicious food across all meals. Staff create a friendly vibe, even taking time for group pictures after dinner.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing, with perfect portions and presentations."

"The dinner spots here are delicious, especially the pizza."

"The Mexican food here is amazing and the service is great."

Good to know

1

Expect longer wait times during major sports events.

2

Happy hour features $6 Moscow mules on Mondays.

3

Half-price pizza night occurs every Tuesday.

09
El Rey Del Pollo Asado image 1
Mexican restaurant

Narrow space inside an old pizza hut building creates a cozy, bustling atmosphere with a family-friendly vibe. The place draws steady crowds, often busy enough to recommend ordering takeout. Known for flame-grilled chicken and seasoned sides, it stands out as a top spot for Latin-style roasted chicken.

Tacos come with authentic seasoning and a good price of $6.50 for two. The menu features flame-grilled chicken, carne asada burritos, and steak quesadillas that stand out for their flavor.

Full chicken dinners come with three sides, warm tortillas, and grilled jalapeรฑos on top of perfectly grilled chicken. Large events or family dinners suit this spot well. Prices run high, with chicken dinners over 30 dollars.

People are saying

"The food here is really delicious and flavorful."

"The Mexican food here is packed with flavor and seasoned to perfection."

"The chicken dinner here is fantastic, with warm tortillas."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times during peak hours; takeout is recommended.

2

The restaurant charges a fee for credit or debit card payments.

3

Lunch specials offer great value, typically around $10 for a meal.

10
Birrieria Jaliscos Restaurant image 1

Authentic Mexican restaurant with peaceful atmosphere and aroma of fresh birria filling the air. Small interior feels hot and crowded, with focus on takeout orders over dine-in. Known for best birria and homemade tortillas, though some dishes vary in quality.

Birria stands out with goat and beef options, both fresh and flavorful. Handmade tortillas and a spicy house-made salsa accompany the birria tacos, which come with consomรฉ and lime for added taste.

Dinner includes 3 birria tacos served with beans and rice. Options also feature quesadillas and chilaquiles. Some dishes lack strong flavor despite reasonable pricing.

People are saying

"The birria tacos here are amazing and delicious."

"You have to try the handmade tortillas; they make a huge difference."

"I demolished the dinner; it was so delicious."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited, but there is space for large vehicles.

2

Expect to pay around $30 for a meal, including tips.

3

The restaurant is primarily focused on takeout orders.

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Waukegan, Illinois

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