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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Waukegan's best

Salsa spots

Made for those who judge the quality of a kitchen entirely by the complexity and heat of its salsa.

Based on 493 Opinions
+490
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Updated April 2026
01
Liguez image 1
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Restaurant

Modern restaurant offers a clean, cozy atmosphere with tasteful decoration and pleasant vibes. The space feels family-friendly and relaxed, making it suitable for casual dining. It maintains a spotless environment that enhances the overall comfort.

Food arrives hot and fast with consistently delicious flavors. Every dish serves up great taste and quality.

Salsa roja stands out with its spicy kick and accompanies dishes like chilaquiles and breakfast burritos. Salsa verde also appears as an option, adding variety to the menu.

People are saying

"The food here is flavorful and delicious."

"The Mexican food here is delicious and well cooked."

"The salsa roja here is spicy and amazing."

Good to know

1

The bathrooms are very clean and well-maintained.

2

Expect longer wait times during busy weekend brunch hours.

3

There is a parking lot in the back with security cameras.

02
Tacos El Vale image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small dining area offers a cozy atmosphere with a clean storefront and ample parking nearby. The place buzzes with efficient pick-up orders, attracting those seeking quick, flavorful Mexican food. Tacos stand out for their authentic taste and fresh, flavorful meat.

Food features delicious flavors and consistent quality. Orders come out accurately and quickly, even for large groups.

Salsas include a delicious salsa verde and a couple of spicy options. Staff offers extra salsa samples to help choose. Two main salsa choices are solid but adding more would be nice.

People are saying

"The green chilaquiles here are so tasteful and authentic."

"The salsa here is rich, complex, and full of flavor."

"I found the food here to be delicious and full of flavor."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesdays offer $2 tacos, a great deal for budget-friendly dining.

2

Parking is ample and convenient for easy access to the restaurant.

3

The dining area is small, so expect a cozy atmosphere.

03
Taqueria El Primo image 1
Taco restaurant

Small space fills quickly with a relaxed vibe and cozy modern design. Affordable prices attract a steady crowd, especially students from nearby high school. Known for authentic Mexican tacos and unbeatable value, it offers some of the best tacos and tortas in the area.

Authentic Mexican dishes come in amazing portions with perfectly cooked food and extraordinary service. Prices stay reasonable while flavors impress consistently.

Salsas here are consistently tasty and very spicy with an authentic kick. The rice and green salsas stand out as favorites.

People are saying

"I thought the Mexican food, especially the tacos and quesabirrias, was the best."

"I found the prices here were super affordable."

"I found the food here to be delicious and amazing."

Good to know

1

The tacos cost $1.75 each, making them very affordable.

2

The taco dinner costs $7.99 and includes four tacos with rice and beans.

3

Burritos are priced at $5.99.

04
Chicken Miche image 1
Restaurant

Colorful decor and beautiful artwork create a relaxing atmosphere with a warm, welcoming vibe. Spacious interior and outdoor patio accommodate groups and even pets. Micheladas and spicy salsa bar add unique flavors to the dining experience.

Food features authentic Mexican flavors with delicious dishes and appropriate portions for the price. The menu consistently delivers great taste and quality.

A salsa bar offers a variety of authentic and spicy salsas. The salsas stay fresh and complement meals like the family combo well.

People are saying

"The tacos de tripa were fantastic and crispy."

"You'll love their salsa bar; it's authentic and spicy."

"The food here is amazing and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers $2 tacos, excluding al pastor.

2

The restaurant has a salsa bar and daily specials.

3

Indoor dining is available for guests.

05
Mi Jacalito Restaurant image 1
Mexican restaurant

Wide space fills with loud band music creating a lively atmosphere. Authentic Mexican dishes like huaraches and al pastor tacos stand out for freshness and flavor. Cozy, quiet vibe contrasts with energetic sound, offering a unique dining experience.

Food here is authentic Mexican with fresh and delicious flavors. Portions are filling and prices are reasonable.

Crunchy chips come in custom ceramic salsa cups. Salsas are delicious and flavorful, standing out from typical Mexican spots. Extra salsa comes with a charge.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and fresh."

"I found the tacos outstanding and so good."

"The salsa here is delicious and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Tuesday is Taco Tuesday with a great sale.

2

The prices are fantastic and the specials help.

3

The restaurant is clean and well-maintained.

06
La Fondita Restaurante Mexicano image 1

Cozy Mexican restaurant with a home-like atmosphere created by family cooking. Quiet and chill vibe with authentic, fresh dishes like birria tacos and squash blossom quesadilla. Unique menu offers vegetarian options and handmade specialties not commonly found elsewhere.

Fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine stands out with homemade freshness and consistently warm, good food. Service shows great pride and friendliness, enhancing the overall experience.

Chips come with fresh salsa that looks light but packs a spicy kick. It pairs well with birria and Gorditas served with beans and rice.

People are saying

"The handmade tortillas here are amazing with the Mexican food."

"The food here is amazing and tastes so fresh."

"The salsa here is excellent and the service is great."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not required but recommended during peak hours.

2

The menu features unique options not commonly found elsewhere.

3

Prices have increased recently, so check the menu before ordering.

07
La Jaiba Mariscos image 1

Restaurant offers a cozy, casual atmosphere with authentic Mexican aromas from homemade tortillas. Fresh seafood and flavorful dishes like ceviche and seafood boil create a taste of the Nayarit coast. Seating includes both indoor and outdoor options, supporting a relaxed dining experience.

Food here is authentic Mexican with exquisite flavors and offers great value. The dishes consistently come out delicious and phenomenal.

Salsas come in a variety of heat levels, including a very hot salsa that servers warn about and milder options. The salsa verta stands out as a chef specialty, and the chip salsa offers a unique spicy flavor different from typical dips.

People are saying

"I found the seafood here to be fresh and tasty."

"The food here is delicious and amazing."

"The salsas served with the ceviche were good."

Good to know

1

On-site parking is limited, but there is a parking garage a block away.

2

Credit card payments incur an extra fee, so bring cash if possible.

3

A 17% gratuity is automatically added to the bill without prior notice.

08
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.

Food here is very flavorful and consistently good to fantastic. Authentic Mexican dishes come with attentive service and a welcoming environment.

Fresh chips come with an assortment of salsas that cover a wide range of flavors. Salsas arrive in a sealed plastic bag to avoid spills during takeout.

People are saying

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

"The food here is seriously good and flavorful."

"I loved all the fresh, homemade salsas and chips."

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.

09
Toluca's Restaurant image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with spacious, cabin-style decor and live mariachi music creates a lively atmosphere. The vibe shifts from relaxed to energetic, often accompanied by sports on TVs. It hosts a banquet hall suitable for gatherings and casual dinners.

Food features a unique flavor not found elsewhere, prepared properly and authentically. Service complements the excellent food consistently.

Green salsa stands out for its rich, tomatillo flavor. Salsas here complement dishes with fresh, vibrant taste.

People are saying

"I found the authentic Mexican food here to be really good."

"I found the food here to be delicious and authentic."

"I found the green salsa delicious and the tacos amazing."

Good to know

1

Parking can be difficult during busy hours.

2

Menu prices may not match the final bill due to weekly changes.

3

Expect larger portion sizes that resemble platters.

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Waukegan, Illinois

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