Restaurante Nuevo Leon: User Reviews

A must have in Chicago
By JLG from Chicago, April 11, 2009

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Chicago is filled with a wide range of Mexican restaurants although none of which compare to this golden gem located in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The menu includes a wide variety of traditional Mexican dishes, none of which will disappoint any of your taste buds. The “Carne a la Tampiquena, fajitas nortenas and machacado con huevo are some of my favorite dishes. The authenticity also includes there delicious home made flour tortillas. You won’t go wrong when choosing Nuevo Leon, each entrée is priced extremely reasonable and the restaurant is BYOB, so you can bring your favorite Mexican beer or Liquor to enjoy with your meal. When entering the restaurant you feel the energetic vibe of many Chicagoans, tourist and neighborhood regulars. Stop in for breakfast lunch or dinner I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

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Odd Man Out
By Pariscope from River North, March 4, 2009

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Given the never-ending lines of diners waiting to get into the main room, this place must be great -- but not for me. I didn't expect superior Mexican food (or even much above average), but just about everything except the salsa was below average. I had the grilled shrimp and found two partially-eaten shrimp tails buried below the rice. I rated "Ambience" as great because of the energy and the "you could be in Mexico" vibe, but just as easily could have rated it below average given the jostlint, etc. But it's not about the ambiance, it's about the food and lots of Chicago Mexican joints do it a lot better with a lot less hassle.

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Very tastey!
By kerry from lakeview, March 2, 2009

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The tortillas are delicioso! I could wrap myself up in one of those warm blankets :) All the other food is great too, have never been disappointed.

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Great Mexican
By eventgirl from Magnificent MIle, January 8, 2009

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I like some good Mexican every once in awhile. This is the best Mexican I have ever had by far, the nachos, enchiladas, and guacamole are all delicious. The prices are very reasonable and they always give you a free little appetizer. For example, today when we were sitted we all received a small plate with a tortilla, beans, and pork, this is in addition to the standard chips and salsa.

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Almost authentic
By Socram from Sox Town, July 3, 2008

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This place has great food and great prices. The service is a little slow in that they don't come by often, don't bring you what you ask, and sometimes take long (sometimes). It's also not great that in the lower front part everybody's tip-toeing to get around because it's so cramped (at least during lunch and dinner). But the food is good and waiters are nice. I still give it 5 stars.
PS. The chicken enchiladas with red mole sauce are heavenly!

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Que buena comida Nortena!
By Esau from Batavia, February 10, 2008

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Well, trying to visit all the ethnic neighbourhoods in the city of Chicago, after Greektown we decided to go to the Mexican village, so Pilsen was perfect to try and get that experience of Mexican culture here. Strolling along the 18th st. we saw the murals and heard the music, it was very cold and snowing, but we didn't give up. I decided to get authentic northern Mexican food, and the closest I could find was this.
The outside was amazing, a beautiful building with amazing bright colours but not falling into a Kitsche state. Inside, well, it was something else. There are two rooms, the first is very fast-food looking, and the other is nicer, with wooden tables and cloths and better decor.
The food...well...it was GLORIOUS! I ordered te Cazuela something, while my friend ordered Bistec a la Ranchera. We immdeiatelly got sat in the first room. It had Mexican people from the neighbourhood as clients, as well as some non-Mexicans (Mainly Asians). Which was a great sign that locals like this place. We got served nachos and 4 different types of salsas and a complimentary taco which was delicious. The Agua de Horchata is great, for a dollar, it's a deal. We got our food in less than 15 minutes while they prepared it, but the taco (Taco de Picadillo). We got oour entrees and they were...we didn't even talk for like 20 minutes as we savoured and couldn't stop eating the food. It had the right spice, mine had Queso Panela, which is a rare cheese in the USA, very common in central Mexico, no fat, very good. The meat was just perfect, the rice and beans were to die for. We will definately go back for more when it's warmer. My only suggestion is a wine menu, Mexican wines are very good from the Baja California region. Monte Xanic and Cetto wines should be advertised. Beautiful waitresses, who took care of us like babies and attended every need.
Highly recommend this place for authentic Mexican food, especially northern Mexican (Even though I was looking for the more Semetic Cabrito! and the famous Parrilladas). Good music as well!

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First time customers and we...
By Christine from Elk Grove Vlg., Il, January 7, 2007

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First time customers and we loved it. The food was and atmosphere were as if we were in Mexico sitting among the locals....can't wait to go back....6 Stars!

Love it!!! Love it!!! Whenever...
By Maria from Chicago, il, November 9, 2006

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Love it!!! Love it!!! Whenever mexican food comes to mind this is the place I go. Tortillas here melt in your mouth because they are made fresh. I always get the steak fajitas but my husband is always trying other dishes. Never disappointed.

Try this place. The...
By Conor McBurney from Chicago, Il, December 6, 2005

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Try this place. The food is amazing. There are so many items to choose from. Anything with steak is prepared with roasted peppers and is very flavorful. This restaurant is BYOB so don't worry about shelling out extra dough for drinks. You get very large portions for very cheap. The food is as authentic as Mexican food gets. The feel inside is very comforting. Good music plays as you walk in. You may feel like you are in a fast food restaurant when you walk in, but tucked away in the back is a larger seating area where you can go and have a great time. I want to go back so badly to have more carne asada.