La Cantina Grill Reviews

I went their 2nd time after a year as I had good memory of it. We walked in at 5:30PM on Friday as it was beginning to get full. They also have few tables outside but I would classify them as small place. The place has a warmth about it and I enjoy the diverse crowd it has. The service is quick and efficient. Among us we ordered Chicken Chimichanga, Lomo de Arbil, Fajita and Chipotle chicken salad along with a pitcher of Margarita. Waiters were pleasant. Their salsa with chips is hot and yummy.

Very cozy and small restaurant. Tables are very close together and the atmosphere is VERY loud. It's hard to carry on a conversation with your table but you sure can hear everyone else's conversation. Our waiter was attentive. Our food came out fast. My husband and I enjoyed the chicken fajita's. The fajita's were tasty and came with a good mix of vegetables and protein. Good price for what we got.

My co-worker and I were at a meeting at the McCormick Place and wanted to get out for lunch. This was close and had good reviews. We were seated right away, given chips and salsa but then waited for a waiter for quite a while. We decided to order drinks and our lunch right away. We asked for guacamole and it came after asking for it again. It was worth the wait. Chunky and delicious. Portions are huge. I was able to eat about half of my burrito and my friend ate half of her stuffed quesadilla. Both meals were delicious. They made a great dinner back in the hotel room after our next meeting.

We had to take a cab from our hotel to get to this restaurant but this is just right up there in my mexican restaurant benchmark. Delicious food, fantastic and huge margaritas, great service. Hard to find a better mexican restaurant in my humble opinion and I've tried several. Kids loved the quesadillas and much as I enjoyed the enchiladas. Not very big, would recommend making a reservation though.

After a 28 hour trip I did no feel like big hotel dinner. So on Tripit found this authentic, cozy Mexican food place and bar. Great value for money, loads of friendly locals, genuine service...so really recommendable

Went in for dinner and there was a table of 4 people who were extremely loud and obnoxious! They were swearing (and there was young children around) and shouting obscenities to each other just for attention - the staff received multiple complaints and did nothing. Food was ok however an 18% tip was added - this disgusts me as I feel a tip is optional and should be given for good service. Adding a tip on is ridiculous! Avoid this place!!

I was with a Mexican and he was happy (as was I) :-). Great mexican beer choice, and decent buffet service in a private room upstairs. service good too. Very good all round.

Second visit this week and not the last. Yes it’s loud but it has atmosphere. The drinks are great, the food is superb. Go easy on appetizers as the portions are generous. Had tacos el pastor tonight. Simply lovely ! Service is great too. I will be back

We were looking for a great Mexican restaurant to have an private meal for two for my birthday. The food was amazing, fresh, flavorful, and tasty. We will definitely be back. The chimichangas were outstanding.

Convention last week in Chicago and never fails customers are up in the air about times and leaving booths...they all want to stay close and there is only the restaurant at the Hilton....45 minute wait. TA to the rescue....perfect place great meal (I had the skirt steak) reasonable and fast....only .5 miles and an easy walk. or cab ride. Highly recommend it and funny thing is I talked about it today even before TA bugged me to write a review hahahaha

good atmosphere, good cocktails (also without alcool) and good food! There is a lot of choice for mexican food, but careful if you do not want spicy sauces! Ask if the sauce are spicy or not before ordering!

I enjoyed enchiladas and horchata here while visiting Chicago. The others in the restaurant seemed like locals. The food service was very quick.

The place looks a little shabby and generic on the outside and the inside is not much better, but the food and service are great. The portions are generous but not obnoxious and the cocktails are nicely crafted. The menu is a little too much like what you might expect at a chain restaurant; it could use some simplification. I suggest the ceviche and the tacos. Go early if you can because the place gets packed and a little loud later in the evening.

Very comfortable place to grab a drink and a bite. Very affordable and large servings. I had the shrimp fajitas which was far more than I could eat but very good. It could have easily served two and perhaps even three. The skinny margarita was great and the service was friendly.

This was our first time to the La Cantina Grill. The food was very good and the prices reasonable. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere. We would eat here again!

Food is good but service can be slow. Tacos are really good nice place if your in loop. Went with a group of friends who go frequently. Check it out you want be disappointed.

I eat here every c2e2 and am happy to come back. good value and portions. The Guacamole is awesome! a+

This restaurant was recommended by a local. The food was fabulous. I had some type of pork tacos that I wanted to lick the plate afterwards. Everyone loved their lunch. Our server was wonderful. This was not a typical Mexican restaurant. This is a trendy upscale version, no Mexican decor etc. I will be back even though I though it was quite pricy, margaritas were $16.95, maybe just not have a margarita.

We stopped mid day for a bite and the place still had several guests around the tables and bar. Nice hot salsa, great grapefruit margarita (their specialty drink) and all of our dishes were delicious. Tamales were good and a chorizo chimichanga hit the spot. A great find after walking all over town.

Went here with a bunch of coworkers. We all ordered different food. I thought the chips tasted horrible, but the salsa was decent. All of my coworkers liked the chips. I ordered the lunch chimi. It was completely flavorless and had so much cheese, it was too much? I have never said that before, but the cheese was inside and didnt mesh with the overcooked chicken. I took one bite of the rice - no flavor. Then I took a bite of the beans, again - no flavor. The best thing about the lunch was the guac on top which was a small amount. I think all of my coworkers had a decent experience. I did not.

Stayed at the Hyatt McCormick Place. Walked here after a concert. Great tacos, I assume that all the food is great.

First off keep in mind that this place gets slammed due to its proximity to McCormick Place, Soldier Field and Wintrust so plan accordingly. We tried twice before we didn't have to wait an hour, settling for lunch on Saturday. Still busy. After waiting for ten minutes we asked for water. Then chips and salsa. Then place settings. We noticed lots of half-eaten dinners being cleared away. We eat a lot of Mexican food and this was as good as our standard places. Good flavor salsa. Large portion of ceviche (we added the shrimp which is extra). My Chile rellenos were hot and perfectly breaded with evenly melted cheese (I'm a little obsessed with my Chile relleno prep) and my husband's Pollo Verde had nicely balanced flavor with a little spicy kick. We waited for the check, finally asking and our server disappeared with the credit card. After 15 minutes we asked the host about it and he scurried around, found the tab and credit card lying somewhere and apologized. I guess the extra crowds from Taylor Swift concert and the ASCO conference affected our waiter's concentration. We will go back. Maybe on a weekday!

The service was fast and the food was fine. I must say that the margarita was the special drink and it was quite watered-down.

My family of 4 visited La Cantina Grill in a recent trip to Chicago. We really enjoy Mexican food and La Cantina came as a recommendation so we gave it a shot. The restaurant is easy to find. Interior is gorgeous and a bit small but we loved it. They welcomed us and our 2 kids and were extremely friendly and helpful. Chips and salsa were great. Salsa had some hidden heat that we all enjoyed. Kids just ordered a la carte enchilada and beef taco. Both were very good, the taco seasoning was phenomenal. Adults had flauta lunch plate and enchilada lunch plate. We were shocked at the amount of food and how delicious it was. Lunch prices were cheap for Chicago, our total bill was $23 which included all lunches and a beer. Absolutely recommend La Cantina Grill for lunch! We can’t wait to head back to Chicago to eat there again.

Every time I come in here these are the saddest looking no smiling workers. I have been a few times this year and I have never experienced a smiling welcoming employee they are so fricken sad looking. They act like you’re bothering them. It has to be family own because they are all nasty acting. Jeeze

We came here for lunch because we were staying nearby at the McCormick place. We walked over in about 7 minutes. We had some margaritas and some entrees. I had the chicken tacos which were excellent. I added a tinga chicken tostada and it was great too. My friend had the chimichanga and other had the chicken tinga quesadilla. All the food was excellent and our server was attentive and polite. We had a great experience and will be back! Thanks!

If I could rate the restaurant a zero I would. I ordered a beef burrito. It was absolutely tasteless. It looked beautiful on the plate but had zero flavor. I could only force down two bites. My friend ordered a taco salad which came out only lettuce, with a few grains of rice, cucumbers, and an unripe tomato cut in fourths - no cheese, no meat. We complained and left without being charged. Seems like the waitress was not surprised. Must happen frequently.

Excellent Mexican cuisine. We were able to be seated on a busy Friday night with very little waiting. Huge menu. Restaurant flexible when we decided to change an order which was greatly appreciated.

I was a bit hesitant to try this place as I am a Mexican food snob, and tend to go towards the more authentic choices. I figured a place named "La Cantina" would be too Americanized for my taste. I was wrong! As a very frequent traveller to Mexico, I know authentic Mexican food as well as anybody, and this place is as authentic as you'll find in the US. The tacos al pastor were amazing, and just like the al pastor you get in the streets of Mexico City. The queso fondito was also VERY good. The margaritas were excellent as well. The only down side was the noise...it is a VERY noisy restaurant.

I was so excited to try this place. Aside from their otherwise great menu featuring wonderfully prepared standard Mexican dishes, they feature a great vegan menu, which allows you to substitute vegan 'meats' in their regular dishes. I had some great vegan chorizo, as part of a really hearty meal. The service was excellent, ambiance was great, and drinks were also stellar. I was very happy we chose to eat here!

Amazed to flip over the menu and see a full menu with vegan options! Everything was delicious (and I didn't just have to order a salad 🙃). Could not have been happier! Will definitely come again the next time I am in Chicago! Thank you, Mollee

As we were staying at the nearby Hyatt Regency - and wanting to have a good meal in the area, we went for a short walk and decided the local crowd was a great clue as to checking out this spot. I ordered an excellent - and filling chimichanga, while my partner chose enchiladas. Along with margaritas, and chips / salsa as starters, we had a great experience. The place was very busy (on a Thursday night) and very boisterous. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

This was a great restaurant. i think we threw them off with our group of 16 in our immediate family but they made it work. The food was delicious. Salsa is spicy! Tostadas were great, they were by far the winner on favorite food. Friendly staff, clean bathrooms!

We were in Chicago to see a game over the weekend and at 10pm started looking for a drink and a meal. Walking on Michigan almost 18th we found La cantina still going strong. Went in and it’s like a little cave semi light full of people drinking eating and singing. That’s where we stayed. We had chimichangas and sangria the others margaritas and tacos. Delicious I loved the chimichanga tasty but not overly spicy and the sangria yummy 🤤 The price was right and the atmosphere sabroso. We will go again.

I have had much better Mexican food. My tortilla soup was horrible and I had to send it back. The broth was thick, dark, and a lot of tomato base. My steak fajita was seasoned well. I would have preferred that I had whole black beans and not smashed ones. My wife had the fried shrimp and she said it was okay. We sat at a table, which unfortunately was a pass through. This made dinner uncomfortable. The bathroom wait is ridiculous because it’s a one stall setup. Nice and festive atmosphere.

Had the fajitas, which were very good. The corn tortillas were a bit dry. Grapefruit margarita was pretty but not a lot of flavor.. more ice. The tortilla soup was unique and highly flavored like chili pepper... not sure I would have this again. Great place for having dinner with friends but it is loud.

Tasty food offerings with a wide variety of tequilas, including some top shelf choices. Friendly service and comfortable atmosphere.

We enjoyed chicken fajitas, guacamole, and a pork tamale. The pork burrito was OK. This also has a smoky flavor and was a bit spicy for my younger daughter. Tables are packed closely together. It was quite loud as it was crowded - The music wasn’t too loud, just lots of people talking. It’s the type of place where you have to yell at the person across from you to have a conversation.

Restaurant was close to hotel and easy to get to. Food was good, service & staff were great. Good sangria!

So two friends pulled me out of the house for my birthday and somehow I ended having to decided on where to eat after our movie. I wasn't in the mood to navigate downtown or north side traffic so decided to focus on the south loop area. After checking out reviews on Yelp, I decided to go for La Cantina Grill. We were not disappointed. We went on a misty Saturday night around 10:30 p.m. Three of us and we were seated immediately. The place is somewhat small so definitely rubbing elbows and can hear some other table conversation, but it's not a nuisance. I ordered quesadillas, one friend got fish tacos, the other got one chicken and two pork tacos. We also did the pitcher of Sangria, which is $13 on Saturdays. Everyone loved their food and, with my help, there wasn't an empty plate left. Our server and bus boys were just incredible. I've never been to a restaurant where the person asks before removing anything from the table. "May I pour another glass?" "Would you like me to take your plate?" Before they touched the table, they always asked permission and while that not necessary for me, I did appreciate it. if I had children, I wouldn't bring them here after 7 p.m. Besides the fact they should be home winding down, you get the vibe (on my Saturday visit) is geared more towards friends' night later in the evening. The music was Top 40s and some latin hits. We saw one couple and the rest were girlfriends or pairs of friends enjoying a Saturday night. This is my new go-to for Mexican food and where I'll be bringing my friends for a fun, yet easy, night out. I recommend.

Great food and great drink specials. Lots and lots of food. We didn't have a wait time. Were seated right away. The chips and salsa were meh.

This is a great casual place for Mexican food. I have been here twice and both times I had the chorizo tacos and pineapple margarita. Very affordable, fresh and tasty.

We ordered on a holiday weekend from a volleyball tourney (ie lots of people ordering from lots of places). Food was great and delivery was reasonable timing. Would absolutely recommend!

Fantastic chicken burritos at lunch with white rice and refried beans. The service was quick and very respectful. Atmosphere was cozy and lots of TVs.

I have been to La Cantina several times due to their great customer service, food and drinks. They're mango margaritas are awesome! I also like the fact that it is located in the south loop and parking is never an issue.

When I walked up I was greeted by live music and I knew I had made the right choice. It was Friday night around 8 PM and the street seats and inside bar and tables were full. We didn't wait long, about 15 minutes, but it didn't matter because we were entertained by the lively atmosphere and music. Once seated our server came quickly. I wasn't a big fan of the fresh guacamole, but I enjoyed my main course enchiladas and my friend enjoyed his chicken fajita salad. The décor was really fun and authentic photos from Mexico added to the ambiance. Tables were close together and the noise level was high, but it was still comfortable enough to have a conversation. This will definitely be my place of choice for Mexican. Thanks, Anne

Enjoyed my dinner here. It was very crowded and nothing fancy, but it was good. I had an egg/chorizo taco and I enjoyed it very much. The salsa was nice.

The restaurant is a little tight and loud, but food is very good. There is a large selection of food and drinks. Chips, tacos, guac, salsa, we all top notch. Great choice if you're in the area.

Found this place using Google Maps around me feature (had some good reviews already). This place is a hidden jewel for authentic Mexican food, at very reasonable prices. Place was clean, crowded and lively, which made for a great people watching experience. The service was impeccable, the staff was friendly and our food came out quickly... And eaten just as fast! We were in Chicago for 3 days and ate dinner here every night. Only a 10 minute walk from Hyatt Regency. We were literally just thinking about flying out to Chicago just to eat the delicious steak tacos tinga (2 corn, 1 four). Portion sizes were great and their signature Grapefruit margarita was top notch, and boozy to boot! 😜 Without hesitation - 5 Stars! Looking forward to visiting this restaurant very soon!

We found this walking past it and went in for a drink. They serve the best margaritas I have ever had. We loved the drinks so much we came back the next day for dinner and were blown away by the food. A true highlight of our trip!!

This is a good place if your in the South loop and you need a Mexican restaurant. Prices are fair, service is friendly and atmosphere is quaint.

We walked 1.8 km to get to this restaurant - from the Hilton Hotel. I was starving by the time we got there. We were served the chips and sauce - chips were great, sauce was okay. We ordered the guacamole, it had a weird taste and was very chunky. For our mains my partner had the taco entree which he enjoyed. I had the chicken burrito with the salsa and cheese on it. I've had much better elsewhere. Atmosphere was very dark, the music was mexican - which was nice. Service was good. But wouldn't return.

Within walking distance of McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America. Typical Mexican fare if you want to eat outside of McCormick place/Hyatt Regency. Small place that had potential. While they bring you chips and salsa as soon as you sit down, the service ends there. I was seated on the outside small patio on Michigan Avenue. It took a very long time to get 2 standard tacos on the lunch special. Then I had to literally walk inside to get my check. I asked the busboy if he could get my waiter to bring my check. You would think he would have run inside immediately and brought it out or had the waiter bring it to me. FIRST he cleaned and moved a few tables around THEN after about 5-7 minutes he went in to get the waiter. This was very irritating. I guess customer service doesn't rank very high at La Cantina Grill.

La Cantina has decent food at reasonable prices. The margaritas are pretty basic and kind of expensive.

My son and I ate here for dinner. The restaurant is small and everyone is in pretty close quarters. The food was good...finally a salsa with some spice. We each tried a different type of margarita as there was a wide variety. Mine had a splash of sangria , it was "interesting". The service was good. The only complaint I have is that the tortilla chips were thick and had some type of seasoning.

The service and margaritas were great but not the food. Chicken tacos were good, but quesadillas were greasy. The nachos became soggy within a few minutes. Chicken tortilla soup was broth and tortilla strips. Chicken noodle soup was red broth chicken and veggies, no noodles. Maybe there are other dishes that are good, but I wouldn’t get the ones mentioned above.

Was there with a volleyball team, and though they don't take reservations, they were able to accommodate us. Food was excellent, portions were too much. It was so good I couldn't stop eating.

Little hidden gem with a cozy atmosphere, attentive service, and the best margaritas! The fajitas were excellent. We saved the leftovers to have with our eggs the next morning!

Great Mexican restaurant in the south loop area. We came in for lunch and had the tacos and the million dollar margaritas. Really good.

This neighborhood Mexican bar and grill was just four blocks from the McCormick Center. The complimentary chips and salsa were excellent (medium heat on the salsa). I ordered nachos and they did not disappoint. Fast service with outdoor seating options. Take the walk and skip the food court.

La Cantina is always a "go to" spot for my friends and I whenever we want good Mexican food and drinks. Whether it's the chicken tamales or steak tacos, it's always guaranteed to be good! Definitely can't forget about the various margaritas and tasty sangria! If you have never been... GO!

We went with a large group (9) with no reservation and they told us we would have a 20 or 30 minute wait for tables. We decided to go ahead and get drinks while we waited and the bartender made us FABULOUS grapefruit margaritas. By the time we had our drinks (maybe 5 minutes) they told us our table was ready. The portions were quite large and the food was delicious. Everyone at my table was very satisfied with their entrees.

I have been to a number of Mexican restaurants, including many in Mexico. This place was wonderful! The food superb! The Zamora, fajitas, tamales, enchiladas our group of seven loved! We will be back! Our waitress was knowledgeable & very attentive!

We're big fans of this restaurant. It's a bit on the small side, so if you hit it at a busy time you might need to wait, but the wait is worth it. Plenty of street parking in the area. Great options for vegetarians and vegans. Good bar selection and friendly staff. I like that they use tablets to take down orders, which cuts down on mistakes. The food is always excellent and they have a solid cocktail selection. Atmosphere is cozy, though it can be a bit loud inside.

The food was odd. The fajitas had squash and mushrooms and tomato slices. They were good, but you ate the meat and peppers alone on the tortilla. The fried tomatoes were good. The squash was not. But it looked like they used filler to make the plate look bigger. The steak quesadilla was also quite strange. It tasted a lot like paprika -- again unexpected. It was decent, but not great. Drinks were fine. Beer could have been a little colder. Service was good until the end. They don't bring you a bill, just a machine with a total and a tip set in at 22%. I tip well, but I didn't appreciate this aggressive behavior. It made me most uncomfortable. And honestly how difficult is it to print out a slip of paper so diners can examine the bill before paying.

Authentic Mexican food in Chicago Place looks bigger than it is from the outside. Seating can be cramped. Daily drink specials Tasty food

We have gone here several times, always very good! Big fan of the chicken and cheese enchiladas! Hubby always gets the pork tacos every time!

This restaurant has some of the best Mexican food in Chicago. It is not a large space but has a full bar and they really cram in the tables, making it a loud space. Still as long as you don’t have a headache, the vibe is cool, the wait staff pleasant and the food worth any negatives!

Lovely meal and margaritas, walking distance from McCormick place. Lots of choice on menu. Lively atmosphere. Great, friendly service 😀🍸

After touring the Glessner House, we walked over here and enjoyed a fine lunch with excellent service. Will return when we're back in town.

Love this place. I'm totally in love with the fajitas. I've been here with many visiting friends and most recently with my sister who begged me to bring her back. Great margaritas. Nice atmosphere.

The menu here is amazing. They have your classic taco and enchilada platters plus a variety of options such as Pollo en Mole and Steak Arrachera. There are seafood options and a vegan menu too. The pitcher of margaritas is a great deal and the salsa is just the right amount of spicy.

I had a delicious meal here while in town for a conference. It’s an easy walk from the convention centre hotels. The staff were very welcoming and friendly, even for a solo diner. The place was warm, which was great since outside was cold and windy. I had the million dollar margarita. It was huge and a bit too sweet, but otherwise tasty. They serve chips and a homemade, slow burn salsa while you’re deciding on your meal. I ordered the flautas. They came with rice, beans, guacamole and a fresh, fresh salad. It was all excellent. I highly recommend this place for authentic, delicious, friendly Mexican food.

I brought a customer here for lunch and had 0 complaints. Easy on street parking. Great waiter and quick food. I'll definitely be back.

This place was awesome. We loved it. Food was delicious. Staff was super friendly. Cool, quaint atmosphere. Highly recommended.

While in Chicago we celebrated my wife's birthday with a night out at La Cantena Grill. The service was great, the food was excellent and the margaritas were great. They have a good menu of familiar Mexican food items. A great place to celebrate a birthday.

Had a great lunch here with a client. Service was good and prices were reasonable. Enjoyed the enchilada combo... You can pick what you want in your 4 corn enchiladas... Cheese, chicken, steak or beef. I went with 2 chicken, 1 cheese and 1 beef... All were very good.

Decent food in a pleasant setting. Service was adequate although we still hadn't received our appetizer by the time the main course came. Enough other options that I wouldn't hurry back.

Enjoyed every moment in this small Mexican restaurant. Everything seemed perfect . Worth visiting. great food and ambiance

We went to La Cantina because it was walkable from where we were staying near McCormick Place. We ordered a pitcher of the house margaritas and I had the steak tacos. Mexican food is one of my favorites, and my meal did not disappoint! We told our colleagues to go the next night as well. Highly recommended!

I went with friends and my husband a few times, since the food is pretty good- try the queso panela(flaming cheese) and the fajitas, but we always have to wait a long time for a table, and the "hostess " guy gets confused with the order of the line, so I saw people coming behind me that were seated fast. On cinco de Maio is even worse! We had to eat at the bar after waiting a while.

The food was amazing! The guac was okay, but the appetizers, entrees and drinks were really good. Get the $8 margarita - we tried Strawberry, Lime and Watermelon - all really good.

Had a very pleasant early dinner before the dinner rush. The food (chicken enchiladas) was wonderful spiced and very ample food. The service was friendly and attentive. The room is long and narrow and, as it was beginning to get busy, I realized that it is probably a very noisy space when crowded. I'm more into conversation-friendly spaces and would not come here later in the evening.

I was looking for some Mexican food and this place was only a few blocks from my hotel. I went on a Sunday afternoon and it had a pretty good crowd of people. The food was excellent and they had a lot of dishes that you would only be able to get a true Mexican restaurant. I would highly recommend this place if your looking for great Mexican food and outstanding atmosphere and service

Excellent homemade salsa and chips are put on the table as soon as you arrive. Our service was quick and efficientThere were 4 of us and we each had something different. The standouts in our group had to be the Chili Rellenos and Chicken Enchiladas. We also shared the Queso Fundido with Chorizo and it was great tucked into a flour tortilla.

After walking through this crazy, rainy, cold weather I could have eaten a horse but happily settled for La Cantina Grill. It's loud, busy, and just what I needed. I had the chicken in chipotle sauce. Nothing extraordinary but well done in good Tex-Mex fashion. Friendly staff. I can certainly endorse it for anyone wanting to experience a moderately priced place about a mile from McCormick Place.

Came right before they closed, so food came out quick. Ordered steak tacos, chicken enchiladas, steak tostadas. All very good. Was not really a fan of their lime margarita, ordered a pitcher, so we had to finish it…didn’t taste like much alcohol at all.

Appetizer of Spinach and Avocado with three cheeses where enjoyable. Main course was chicken grilled salad. It was huge and very enjoyable.

Stayed at the Regency next to the McCormick center and this place is about a ten minute walk. The atmosphere food and drinks were superb. Best thing within walking distance of McCormick.

This is a great South Loop restaurant serving the community that has tasty food at decent prices. It is a popular spot especially on Friday nights, but they will do their best to get you a table. The chicken quesadillas and mole de pollo are great. There are often drink specials so be sure to check them out

Visited this restaurant with a group of my colleagues during our work trip. I'm a vegetarian and really enjoyed my vegetarian choice. My colleagues were happy with everything they have ordered. Prices were reasonable and interior was appropriate for a Mexican restaurant. I would come again and strongly recommend this La Cantina to everyone! Thank you once again!

We live in the neighborhood and this is one of our regular spots - go about one per month. Food is consistently good and usually try something new each time. One of our favorite apps is the queso fundido with chorizo.

But for the money, skip it and go to Pilsen. There you'll get four times the yum for 1/4 the cost, though often its BYOB in Pilsen. It's a shame the South Loop hasn't gotten it's game in restaurants. Living in the neighborhood, I always go to the Loop if I have a choice. Sorry South Loop.

We dined here with our four children ages 12-6. We did not have reservations yet were seated in a timely fashion during peak hours. The place with bustling with people. Service was prompt. Our margaritas were of a good flavor and did not taste weak. The guacamole is fabulous. Our food was very reasonably priced for Chicago was flavorful. The children enjoyed eating off of the kids menu. We would definitely eat there again.

Recently stayed at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and there aren't a lot of restaurants within walking distance. This restaurant is within walking distance and the food and service was wonderful. We didn't have reservations, the restaurant is busy but seating was available. I would definitely go back when I return to Chicago and definitely recommend it!

The restaurant is very noisy, and dark. The long narrow restaurant means that the tables are close together. The food wasn't anything spectacular, and one of the first times I felt that a Mexican restaurant didn't use enough salt. The margarita was very weak.

We had a nice dinner here before walking to a Bears game. Server was very nice, even recommended a drink set that was on special that we missed. The margaritas were good pours and decent alcohol in them. The food portions were large, quick to table, and rather tasty. Prices were pretty standard for combination dinners. We would check this place out again in the city.

I live in a nearby building and frequented the restaurant when I first moved here. During recent visits, the service was horrible. During one visit, I sat for about 15 minutes without being acknowledged, despite the restaurant not being busy. I left. I'll only consider returning because of it's proximity to home. The food is okay. It's overpriced unless you're there for lunch or happy hour.

If you go to La Cantina Grill you must try the burritos they are amazing. The few times I've been there with friends everyone has enjoyed their meal. Parking is easy and food is great. Customer service is just ok. It gets particularly busy in the summer.

This place was bussing when we 4 of us arrived for a meal. the dishes flying out around us looked splendid and we were certainly not disappointed by the taste either. All four of us had a different dish and we were all more than satisfied with both the quality and quantity of the food. Indeed we all rolled ut the door wih stuffed bellies. Excellent, friendly service. Nice choice of Mexican beers too to go along with it. Cannot recommend this place highly enough. Would gladly return on my next visit to Chicago.

I live close to this restaurant, and frequently visit for some tacos and margarita's. Food is delicious and portions are big, always have leftovers. Cocktails are expensive, but the margarita's strong.

the food was horrible, the service only a bit better. We went for lunch, our food was cold, very difficult to get our server's attention. If not for the chips we would have been very hungry.

Tried for first time for dinner before a show with my husband. At 6 pm it was crowded but got a table right away. Sangria was delicious, chimichanga appetizer was super delicious and filling enough that we cancelled one of our entrees. Also orderded steak quesadillas which were delicious! My only regret was not trying the margaritas which looked delicious being served at the bar. They also play great spanish music, not mariachi at all. The server was a little rough around the edges but perfectly competent. Great atmosphere for dates but also outings with friends. Will be going back as soon as I can!

We opted for this place because it was one of the closest restaurants to our hotel. We were so glad we chose it. The had great Mexican food. The portions were huge. They have a lot of choices on the menu. It's very loud and the place is small so be prepared for that if you go.

Quaint restaurant with good food and awesome daily drink specials. Outside seating when weather permits.

Very much enjoyed our food. Chips were fresh, salsa was the best ( spicy, but not mouth burning). Had Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo, Mayan Tamales, and enchiladas with mole. All were excellent. Place is small with a good neighborly vibe. Service was attentive and provided great advise this being our 1st trip

We went there for lunch.Bustling, busy restaurant with great food and margaritas .I had great tacos and the beef nachos were excellent .

We’ve been loyal customers at La Cantina Grill for over 8 years, and it saddens me to write this review. I’ve tried to overlook the issues during my recent visits, but I feel compelled to share my experience. When AJ was the manager, the restaurant was always lively, the food was consistently great, and the service was exceptional. He truly went above and beyond for his customers. While Bebe is also great, the same can’t be said for the rest of the staff. Unfortunately, the quality of service and overall atmosphere have gone downhill. On my last few visits, I’ve repeatedly had the same server (a man wearing a black cap), and each time, the experience has been disappointing. He has been consistently rude, and what’s more concerning is the unexplained 20% service charge added to the bill—even for a table of just 3 people. There is no mention of this charge on the menu, which feels misleading and unfair. It’s incredibly disheartening to see what was once my favorite restaurant become a place I now avoid. I urge anyone dining here to double-check their bill to ensure there are no hidden charges. Sadly, I’ll be finding a new go-to spot and will no longer be recommending La Cantina Grill to family and friends.

A coworker and I ran over to La Cantina because it was a quick 5 minute walk from where we were training. We sat down, were given water and not offered anything else. About 5 minutes passed and he came back, took our order and we didn't see him again until he brought our lunch, at about 12:45. We had to ask for our bill when we received our food because he didn't know if we would see him again and had to return to work. We had to flag down another server to get us a to-go box since we didn't have time to finish our food at the restaurant. The food was very good and maybe that is the only server that would be a problem.. I would recommend La Cantina but maybe not if you're on a time crunch.

The order was chicken and shrimp. The shrimp was forgotten BUT the chips and salsa were world's best ever!!!

We went there on a Wednesday evening and were seated immediately. I told the waitress we were in kind of a hurry since we had to take someone to the airport. We had a Groupon which included two margaritas, any appetizer, and any two entrees. We each had regular margaritas which were large, and tasted great. The shrimp cocktail was awesome. It must have had 10 jumbo shrimp mixed in with a red sauce. The entrees came shortly after the appetizer which was great since we were in a hurry. We each had fajitas. We travel to Mexico alot and I commented to my wife that this was the best Mexican food we'd had in a long long time. The service was great, we were out of the place in under an hour. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very good and the food presentation was outstanding. We will definitely be going back again.

I've been here a few times and have never been disaapointed. The food is alwasy good and service is good. On my last visit service was excellent and she was extremely busy but never missed a beat. On our last visit, we tried a cheese appetizer that is lit on fire using tequila. Kind of like the Greek saganaki. They give you warm tortillas and it's delicious. The maragritas are huge and leave a little kick. The only downside is that once the restaurant is full, the volume is a bit loud. My recommendation is to go at an off time unless you like "the scene".

I'm italian and I was searching for a good mexican restaurant in chicago I took the tamales and was quite good My Father took "el gordo" ... was very big but not amazing at all The service was far from perfection and the restaurant noisy Anyway, absolutely not bad food

Great experience. Food is great and very fresh. Very nice friendly atmosphere --felt higher end without the high prices. I will go back next time I'm at McCormick Place. I felt safe walking back to hotel at 8pm.

We have been here several times and it has become our goto place for mexican food in Chicago. They have great drink specials during the week and have a numerous selection of margaritas. the food is excellent as well. My wife an I often split a burrito as the portions are huge. The service is always great. There is also ample metered street parking. The only drawback is that it does get quite busy sometimes and as it is not a large restaurant, there is often a wait for a table at peak times.

The seating is tight and it can be noisy. We had dinner here twice during a one week visit to Chicago. Their spicy selections are SPICY. The portions are generous to large and a good value.

Great for a low key business dinner. Fast, fresh, authentic, cool vibe. Flavorful fajitas and tasty margaritas. Guacamole is good. Locals populated the place. Go!

I love the Mexican food here because it comes loaded with veggies. I ordered off the Fresh Mex menu and had a Taco Salad with Chipotle Ranch dressing. It was so tasty. My friends ordered burritos which were big enough to eat over two days. The drink menu was creative and fun. The prices were a bit expensive, but not overly so, you are dining in a city location so they were in line with what I would expect. The restaurant is very dark. The staff was friendly.

Wonderful Mexican food. Fresh, hot and extremely quick. Great place to grab lunch when at the McCormick Place Convention center. Zaget rated for all the right reasons.

I was attending a conference at McCormack Place West and therefore was staying close by. Since google maps recommend this restaurant, I figure I would give it a try. The restaurant had a good energy with a large Friday night crowd. The staff appeared to be well - trained, not always the case these days. I've saved the best for last - food and drink. Both are very good. The menu has a wide but not an overwhelming selection. Bottom line: this restaurant is worth a visit.

There are few restaurants within short walking distance from the McCormick Place (other than Chinatown) and this was one of them. The ironic thing is that the food was some of the best Mexican we have ever had. We dined here twice, once with me and hubby and another time with a third person, a friend/co-worker. The first time I had the mini quesadillas, hubby had the enchiladas and our friend had the Taquitos. When asked how everyone would rate the food, it was a resounding 5/5. Being not that hungry, the mini quesadillas were just enough, not overly huge portions, but there were probably about 10-12 small triangles of cheesy heaven. The enchiladas were 3 chicken enchiladas with a decent amount of cheese and sauce and not spicy. The rice was some of the best any of us have ever had, with peas/carrots and other things. Spanish rice. The beans were refried beans and nice for dipping chips. They were the right consistency too. The second visit had us trying a steak burrito and the ground beef taco meal. I am drooling thinking about this food… The burrito was delicious with tender, quality cuts of meat and fresh ingredients. The tacos were excellent too, along with more of their yummy rice and beans. The service was pretty good with frequent drink refills although a little less quick during the first visit. Servers were all very friendly though. The restaurant itself is not very big, kind of long and narrow, and the first visit had us sitting pretty close to our neighbors. If that type of seating makes you feel like your space bubble would be infringed upon, ask to be seated on the left side of the restaurant where it did not feel as cramped. There is also a bar on the right side of the restaurant and outside seating. Even though it is pretty far from Wheaton, I am sure we will be going back to this restaurant.

We found this place last minute. Trying to find our way around Chicago (loop). It's a small location but clean bar setting. Food was great but if you order the burrito. Split it with someone because those things are massive. Good but massive. I couldn't finish it and didn't want to try lol. My husband enjoyed his shrimp and steak fajitas.

Highly disappointed. Ordered a steak burrito & a chicken burrito to go. Asked that no beans or tomatoes be on either burrito. Of course that meant to give me two tasteless, cheese less, extra lettuce but no sour cream burritos. Im talking DRY AS HELL. No Flavor. Oh not to mention they were busted open. So I couldn’t even pick the damn burrito up. I called and I was offered a chance to bring the burrito back and have it remade. Yes, I just LOVE having to go out of my way after paying $30.00 for two f up burritos, to make a second trip to a restaurant in order to have the food I paid for made properly. I’m so over the poor management, poor customer service, weak unseasoned food and I’m definitely sick of having to babysit these grown as restaurants. You all know better. I have eaten here too many times. I was generous with my one star by the way. Anyway, I would not recommend. If you’re like me, I don’t play about my food, time or money and they wasted all three.

Went there for a late night dinner after a ball game. The place was packed!.... A good sign for a restaurant!... Lots of food! Good prices!

Went to dinner tonight at La Cantina Grill. Short walk from the Hyatt. Went with two colleagues. Each one of us enjoyed our meals. Portions are large. I had the steak burrito and it was wonderful.

My wife ordered the shrimp quesadilla and I had a ground beef and chorizo burrito. Portions were huge and the flavor was delicious. I prefer my corn chips a little thinner but all in all an excellent lunch.

Small busy place yet pleasant. Staff is friendly and efficient. Everyone in my group ordered traditional, burritos. This selection worked out well they were very happy. However I chose to get the Pechuga Reyena which essentially is stuffed chicken breast. They tell you it takes a minimum of 35 minutes, to receive your order, no problem. I was disappointed, the chicken was so over cooked, could hardly cut it . If your looking for traditional Mexican this is the place.

Looked for restaurants within walking distance of the convention center. We were seated immediately on a mid-Saturday afternoon and chips and salsa were served soon after we placed our orders. I had the Bistec O Pollo A La Tampiquena, and the huge plate was full when presented. I especially enjoyed the beans and rice. Adding beers and margaritas, and a din from the patrons almost filling the seating, we left satisfied with the visit.

A local resident told me about this place. I wasn’t sure if it would be good but was glad it was. Had chicken and steak fajitas and a cold Modelo Negro. This place is packed and a bit noisy but no problem with getting seated or getting food. Very happy and would recommend!

Wonderful atmosphere, great food, friendly staff. Good prices and good drink specials. Also a good place for lunch if you work in the area.