San Gabriel Mexican Cafe: User Reviews

Terrible service, stale chips, bad margaritas, bad food
By Mike4 from North Burbs, March 16, 2008

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I've dined at San Gabriel once before, about a year ago, and enjoy my experience. This time, however, things had changed for the worse. We arrived for dinner at 7:00 on a Friday night. We were told there would be a 5 minute wait, which was fine. After about 10 minutes we were shown to our table, an overflow room outside the main dining area. The room was ok, I guess, but lacking in the charm and atmosphere of the main dining area. Once there, we waited, and waited and waited. There was no service. After about 15 minutes someone came to pour water. Over the next 20 minutes two different waitresses arrived, each asking to take an order. We ordered guacomole for an appetizer. It took another 20 minutes before we finally had to flag someone down to see if they forgot our order. Finally someone came to make the guacomole tableside. For something that was to be enjoyable to watch, they ran through the exercise as if they should have been in the kitchen area. There was no showmanship at all Just combine ingredients, mash and throw on the table. The chips were poor, tasted stale. We ordered margaritas which were very poor. The waitress was nice, and offered to bring new ones, but each time they tasted terrible. We ordered and waited forever. At one point, after 30 minutes had gone by after ordering, with no sign at all of any service, I had to go into the main dining area to talk to the manager. He listended, but didn't seem to really care. He just said, "thanks for telling me, I hope it isn't like this next time you come here". We waited some more and our food finally arrived. If it was good, I wouldn't have taken the time to post a review, chalking it up to a bad night. But the food was not good at all. I ordered the Mahi mahi and it tasted as if it has been caught a week ago. The other meals were not enjoyed either. All in all, the service was the worst I had seen, the chips were stale, the margaritas were terrible and the food was bad. I was very disappointed as this place does have good guacomole, but unfortunately the rest is poor enough for me not to return.

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i love going to this...
By graham from barington , il, September 10, 2006

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i love going to this resturant for its great mexican food especially there molcajetes. and i love it when the make the guacamole right in fron of you. it's a great place anybody who likes mexican should go here.

If you're looking for great...
By Kimberly from Barrington, IL, July 22, 2006

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If you're looking for great Mexican food in the suburbs, this is the place! Authentic Mexican flavors, a wide selection of top shelf tequilas and excellent service.

The food is very good,...
By Michael from Highland Park, IL, July 22, 2005

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The food is very good, especially the guacamole that is made at your table. The service on the other hand is really in need of overhaul. The staff is very nice and helpful when you can find them.I was there last night the restaurant was about 25% full but had to wait 45 minutes to get our entree.I've experienced slow service in the past but I think it's getting worse.

It is agreat place. ...
By SP from Vernon Hills, IL, March 20, 2005

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It is agreat place. Also, Family friendly. The chairs are patio but that gets overlooked. The food is great, service good. The wine and tequila selection good. Definitely recommended

I TRAVEL KIND OF...
By MIKE STUART from CHICAGO, IL, June 18, 2004

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I TRAVEL KIND OF NORTH OF CHICAGO WITH SOME FRIENDS AND WE GOT INTO THIS MEXICAN RESTAURANT BECAUSE SOME FRIENDS REFERED TO IT AND WE GOT SHOCK WITH THE WONDERFUL FOOD THAT NIGHT WE STARTED WITH THE GUACAMOLE AND THE CRAB CAKES,I HAD THE RED SNAPPER A LA VERACRUZANA AND MMMMMM... DELICIOUS AND THE MARGARITAS WHERE FENOMENAL AND THEY TEQUILA SELECTION IS AWSOME MY FRIENDS TRIED THE BREAST OF CHICKEN FILLED WITH THE HUITLACOCHE AND THE POBLANO SAUCE AND MMM ... WE BROKE THE RULES OF DINING BECAUSE WE LICKED OUR FINGERS AND WE ARE GOING BACK SOON FOR MORE DELICIOUS MEXICAN FOOD.CONGRATULATIONS SAN GABRIEL WELL DONE.