We Ranked The Best Mexican Restaurants In Illinois And Here Is Who Made The Cut
A Mexican spot in a Champaign train station serves a salsa flight. Not one salsa.
A whole lineup of them, served with chips, like a tasting menu for dipping.
I love that detail because it tells you the people in charge take the small stuff seriously. Elsewhere in Illinois, a Carbondale restaurant shares space with a grocery store.
Up north, a famous Chicago chef pours thick hot chocolate for dunking churros.
So I went hunting for more places like that across the state. I wanted kitchens from the Chicago Loop all the way down to the southern tip.
Each pick had to earn its spot with something you can taste, not just hype.
The final seven span busy city blocks, college towns, and quiet suburban strips. Some are perfect for a quick lunch.
Others are made for a long family dinner. Which one sits closest to your house?
1. XOCO
Churros with a chocolate shot for dipping might be the sweetest reason to circle a block in River North. Chef Rick Bayless built this counter-service spot around Mexican street food, and it shows.
Tortas are the stars here, served on crusty bread with serious fillings. You can pick from the Ahogada, the Milanesa, or the Cubana, depending on your mood.
Friday brings a special Carne Asada Torta, so plan your week around it if you can. Mornings bring something different, including a vegetarian Breakfast Tlayuda that makes waking up feel worthwhile.
Soups and salads round out the menu for lighter appetites. The Xoco Salad is vegan, and full vegan and vegetarian menus mean plant-based eaters won’t feel left out.
Families will find high chairs, and kids tend to fall hard for the churros. Fair warning, reservations aren’t accepted, and there’s usually a wait during busy evenings.
Parking downtown can test your patience, so a paid garage is often your best bet. Weekday mornings tend to run quieter if you’d rather skip the crowd.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with Sunday and Monday closed. Check ahead before you make the trip into Chicago.
Address: 65 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654
2. Los Cabos Cantina And Grill
Peoria knows a good burrito when it sees one, and this colorful spot on the north side delivers. Hearty Mexican classics fill the menu, with burritos and enchiladas leading the charge.
The California burrito comes packed with tender chicken. Rice and beans on the side get an upgrade with corn and mild peppers mixed in.
Craving steak instead? The Steak & Cheese Burrito and Steak Quesadilla both have loyal fans, and Pollo Vallarta is a popular chicken plate.
Chips, salsa, and guacamole are vegan, which makes sharing easy at a mixed table. A full vegetarian menu adds even more options for meat-free diners.
Here’s the part parents will appreciate. The restaurant offers a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a casual setup that works for family get-togethers.
Parking is usually plentiful, so you won’t circle the lot with hungry kids in the back seat. Outdoor seating is available too, and dogs are welcome outside.
Prices stay friendly, which helps when you’re feeding a crowd. Curbside pickup and delivery are options for busy nights at home.
The kitchen stays open daily, with later hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Check ahead for current times before heading over.
Address: 7800 N Sommer St #106, Peoria, IL 61615
3. Jalisco & Tequila Mexican Restaurant
A molcajete named after Jalisco itself tells you this Rockford kitchen isn’t shy about regional pride. The Molcajete Jalisco arrives in a stone bowl, and it’s built for hungry appetites.
Steak tacos and fajitas headline the menu here. Wash them down with horchata, the sweet cinnamon rice drink that kids and grown-ups both tend to love.
Seafood fans get real choices too. Shrimp cocktail and octopus cocktail bring a coastal touch to northern Illinois.
Lunch is a smart time to stop in. Chilaquiles Verdes show up on the lunch menu, and enchiladas verdes are another green-sauce favorite.
Vegetarians aren’t an afterthought, either. Sopes come in a vegetarian version, and a full vegetarian menu covers more ground.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs ready to go. Reservations are accepted, which is a gift on busy Friday and Saturday evenings.
Free parking is usually easy to find along East State Street. Takeout works if the kids are fading, though delivery isn’t offered.
Mondays are closed, and Sunday hours end early in the evening. Check ahead before you go.
Address: 805 E State St, Rockford, IL 61104
4. AZ-T-CA Mexican Grill
Big portions are basically a house rule at this Springfield favorite on Chatham Road. Signature burritos lead the way, and nobody walks away still hungry.
Chimichangas, street tacos, and chicken fajitas cover the classics. Birria tacos bring that rich, dunkable comfort so many people now crave.
Want something a little different? Power bowls offer a mix-and-match style meal, and ghost fajitas add a fun twist to the usual sizzle.
Save room for dessert, because bizcocho con leche is on the menu. It’s a sweet way to end dinner, and kids will probably try to claim it first.
The atmosphere runs lively and casual. Sports fans can catch a game, which may help if someone at your table needs a distraction.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs. Reservations are accepted, a real plus for busy Thursday through Saturday evenings.
Free parking is usually easy, and there’s outdoor seating when Illinois weather plays nice. Takeout is available, though delivery isn’t.
The restaurant closes on Sundays. Check current hours before planning a weekend road trip to the capital city.
Address: 2753 Chatham Rd, Springfield, IL 62704
5. Maize at the Station
Trains once rolled through this building, and now tortillas get made by hand inside. Maize at the Station sits in a former train station in downtown Champaign, which is a fun story before you even sit down.
The salsa flight is the move for indecisive dippers. You get several salsas with chips, so the whole table can argue over a favorite.
Homemade tortillas make the tacos and flautas stand out. Chiles rellenos, gorditas, and Tampiqueña add more ways to fill up.
Breakfast and brunch are served too. The Breakfast Burrito Plate makes a strong case for an early start on a Saturday drive.
Vegetarian and vegan diners have full menus to explore. Enfrijoladas and nachos are vegetarian, while the refried beans are vegan.
The dining room is bright and open, and the music stays low. That calmer feel can make dinner easier with little ones.
A kids’ menu and high chairs are available. Parking is usually plentiful, and dogs are allowed on the outdoor seating area.
Weekday mornings tend to be quietest. Check ahead for hours before heading to this Illinois college town.
Address: 100 N Chestnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
6. L Mil Amores Mexican Restaurant
Beef cheek tacos aren’t for the timid, and that’s exactly why they belong on this list. L Mil Amores serves cabeza, a tender cut that taco lovers seek out on purpose.
The menu runs wide, so cautious eaters have plenty of safe bets. Steak burritos, tacos, and classic Mexican plates cover a lot of ground.
Chips and salsa get a lot of love here, and they’re vegan. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean everyone in your crew can find something.
Early risers, take note. Doors open at 10 AM daily, and breakfast and brunch are on offer.
Planning a party? A private dining room is available, and the restaurant also handles catering for bigger gatherings.
Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs. Reservations are accepted, which helps since Sunday afternoons and evenings tend to be busy.
Free on-site parking is usually easy to find in Aurora, about an hour west of Chicago. That makes it a handy stop on a Fox Valley outing.
Prices stay reasonable, so a family meal won’t sting. Check current hours before you go.
Address: 518 S Lake St, Aurora, IL 60506
7. El Paisano Grill and Bar
Dinner and a grocery run under one roof? In Carbondale, that’s a real option at this southern Illinois spot.
An attached grocery store sits right alongside the dining area. You can grab a meal, then pick up ingredients to take home.
The food leans traditional. Chorizo tacos, tamales, and molcajete are among the dishes worth trying.
House specialties carry the Paisano name. The Burrito Paisano, Enchiladas Paisano, and Tacos Paisano give you a taste of what the kitchen does best.
Pollo Azteca and fajitas round out the bigger plates. A large horchata is a sweet, cool partner for anything spicy.
Kids are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs on hand. Reservations are accepted if you’re bringing a group.
Late hours make this a smart stop after a day in Shawnee National Forest. Doors stay open until 10 PM most nights and later on weekends.
Free parking is usually easy to find on West Main Street. Prices stay friendly, so feeding hungry hikers won’t break the bank.
Check ahead for current hours before making the drive.
Address: 1925 W Main St, Carbondale, IL 62901