Restaurant El Tinajon: User Reviews

Guatemalan Goodness
By Ann M. from Roscoe Village, September 9, 2008

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Cold beer in a frosted glass. Magnificent mole. Tasty burritos. My favorite restaurant in Roscoe Village.

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Solid Dining Experience
By lilwing88 from Roscoe Villiage, May 23, 2008

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Went here with my wife for a nice night out. Was very pleased with overall experience. The food was tasty and seasoned well. I had the beef stew. My wife had the chicken enchiladas. Both very good. I also sampled a native Guatemalan brew, very tasty as well. The service could use some tweaking. They weren't too friendly and seemed annoyed by my questions but they weren't rude or anything.

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yum
By smarcus from lakeview, January 26, 2008

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If you try to go out for brunch in Roscoe Village on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you'll find that you have to stand in line for a long time. I left two places and then ended up at El Tinajon and it was a pleasant surprise. The breakfast food was really good, the service was excellent ,and it was kind of nice to have chips and salsa before the food came. They serve typical American egg dishes, and then egg dishes with a Guatemalan flair. Check it out!

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I love this place. ...
By P from Chicago, IL, May 7, 2007

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I love this place. My boyfriend and I are vegetarians, and this place offers plenty of incredibly delicious, soul-satisfying options for folks like us. I'm no expert on Guatemalan food, but my sense is that the raw ingredients are similar to that of Mexican food, but the sensibility is different. Tinajon's food tends to have really amazing, subtle, refined flavors (especially herbal flavors). We both totally adore the "Platillo Tecpan," which consists of the following: a black bean tamal, a potato flauta and a cheese quesadilla (both with subtle, delicious tomato-chile-herb sauce), plantains and crema, and (our favorite) their incredible refried black beans. I love the Platillo Tecpan!

I appreciate this restuarant for...
By Porch Ch0p Inc from Chicago, IL, August 19, 2006

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I appreciate this restuarant for having more than just the traditional "Mexican Food". The plantains and black beans gave the dishes something different. Don't worry though, if you really must have a Chimchanga they DO have a traditional "Mexican" section on the menu. I would recommend trying some of the authentic Guatamalen dishes.

Excellent service! Try the...
By Cori from Chicago, IL, July 12, 2006

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Excellent service! Try the house potato soup and sweet fried plaintains. The food is amazing!!!! Definitely a place to visit again and again.

I am a huge fan...
By Big Al from Chicago, IL, July 5, 2006

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I am a huge fan of El Tinajon; I have had breakfast and dinner there. The food and drinks top-notch, I particularly enjoyed their Sangria. This is authentic Guatemalan cuisine- it is similar to Mexican but with South American and Cariban influences (black beans, fried plantains, etc). The atmosphere is not fancy but the neighborhood is very nice (the "downtown area" of Roscoe Village on Roscoe). If you are looking for something different or enjoy trying different ethnic foods this place is for you!

I've been eating at this...
By RD from Chicago, IL, January 27, 2006

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I've been eating at this place since its location on Western Avenue 20 some years. The food has always been very good and consistent in its flavor. Nothing to do with Mexican food and if you go there, don't eat tacos or burritos. It is not a Mexican Rest. but a Guatemalan with its own delicacies like Beef Soup, Tamales, Salpicon, Shredded Beef, etc. The service is excellent, and the prices are just right.