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Cafe El Tapatio - Glenview, Glenview, IL

Cafe El Tapatio - Glenview

4.3
4.3
343 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican
Cafe El Tapatio was established in 1974 becoming a Chicago Staple for Authentic Mexican Cuisine and Drinks. Brought to the North Shore in 2017, Cafe El Tapatio brings the heat to the suburbs in a hip and urban environment. Focusing on traditional Mexican flavors we go above and beyond the typical run of the mill Mexican restaurant bringing one entrees like Arrachera XX, Pollo en Mole de Reyna, Camarones al Tequila, and Salmón Citrico; alongside various other traditionally flavored dishes. In regards to our drinks, all our specialty cocktails are made with small batch boutique 100% Blue Agave Tequila.

We hope to see you soon! We're open for Lunch and Dinner during the week and Brunch and Dinner on weekends.

Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @cafeeltapatiogv

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Brunch Fri, Sat 11:30 am–3:30 pm Dinner Fri, Sat 3:30 pm–9:45 pm
  • Phone number
    (224) 470-5120
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighbourhood
    Glenview
  • Cross Street
    GREENWOOD AV
  • Parking Details
    STRRET MALL PRIVATE PARKING
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 343 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • North Suburbs

    Child-Friendly

  • North Suburbs

    Great for outdoor dining

343 Reviews
  1. JamesH

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent Mexican food. The guacamole appetizer is great especially with the side pickled onions. Very good Mole sauce with big portions.

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  2. Shubs1121

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food! If you go before the crowds you can be seated immediately. Has outdoor seating.

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  3. Foodie4life

    Detroit

    36 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    The service was friendly, but my order was incorrect. The food that I did get was not good. I ordered cheese enchiladas but got chicken. The mole was sweet and I didn’t bother to ask them to correct it. The chips were great, the salsa was very good but a bit hot with nothing else to buffer (for the record, I like foods very spicy).

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  4. MaryB

    Chicago

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious. Highly recommend. Great staff and good is incredible.

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  5. RuthG

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on July 8, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience2
    Was expecting better based on friends recommendations. Shrimp fajitas were good and plentiful with good flavor. Green rice was cold and tasteless. No beans. Tortillas held together. Wife’s salmon was good flavored sauce but mediocre fish quality. Guacamole expensive and the guacamole I got with my dish was plentiful but limey if you like that. Noise from music not great. Music not great. Outdoors seating partially too close to greenwood. They do deserve another try with different entrees.

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  6. TimC

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It’s our go to place on date night in Glenview. Really good food. The owner is the son of another excellent restaurant in Chicago.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great experience. Fantastic chef and team. Will be back for sure

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  8. Carolina

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 16, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience2
    Extremely loud inside and hard to talk. They bring you chips and salsa when you sit down and the salsa was very spicy. So I asked for a mild salsa. When we got the bill, I was charged $2 for an EXTRA salsa. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve never been charged for a mild salsa request anywhere else. I ordered the shrimp appetizer that came with garlic bread. They burned the garlic bread and it had huge black charcoal marks on it. Tasted terrible. I will never go back.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Nice service and all people working at the place. Our shrimp and steak fajitas were a bit short on meat and large margaritas a bit smaller than in few different places, but everything else was perfect. I would definitely come back.

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  10. NeelaJ

    Chicago

    34 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Tried some new things off the menu- amazing as always. So lucky this place is close by! Hands down best Mexican food in the area!

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  11. MaryA

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is always delicious and service is wonderful and fast. The only thing I would change is the music was very loud but I guess it is part of the atmosphere of the restaurant!

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  12. JoeH

    Chicago

    18 reviews

    1.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience3
    Will Never Return. Found a bright blue chip of something in my food. Server tried to say it and insisted it was from a jalapeño. Called and spoke with a manager, apologized but wasn’t honest. Never said who the server was, but he knew who it was. Margarita tasted like a lime sour, no alcohol for $17.00. Very disappointing.

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  13. Latrosaddie

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The best Mexican food I have had. Very friendly and fun atmosphere

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  14. MBAChi

    Chicago

    57 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great Mexican food that is always consistent time after time!

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  15. CherylA

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience1
    Mediocre food. Horrible ventilation system; could not accommodate smoke when fajitas were delivered. Menu shown on website was for city location and not the same as the actual menu offered. No combination offerings. Very expensive for mediocre food.

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  16. Luv2eat

    New York Area

    139 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    139 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great fajitas!! Fabulous service!! Nice atmosphere.

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  17. OccasionalDiner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Carne Asada and Camarones dishes were excellent. Delicious Papas Gorda as well. Good service.

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  18. IreneS

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Manny was amazing! All staff were very friendly and accommodating

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was great as usual. Very on top of seeing if we needed anything. Love the chicken flautas.

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  20. BethA

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love it here. Awesome food, great service

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful experience celebrating two birthdays!

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great waiter, great portion size and ambiance

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  23. Donabanana

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Had a very good first-time visit. We had reservations at 5:15 on a Saturday. Most tables were empty at that time, but the restaurant quickly filled up. It’s a cute place but not very big. So by 6:45, they were definitely moving us along, which is understandable as there were people waiting for tables. Service was great. I was disappointed they did not have enchiladas de mole on the menu, but our waiter said they could accommodate me. Their mole sauce was very good. Everyone else said their entrees were very good. I will go there again, just maybe not on a Saturday evening.

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  24. ClaudiaC

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    A variety of authentic Mexican fare plus other culinary creations, as well as flavorful cocktails. Festive decor and fun ambience.

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  25. Kaylee

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    We had a table in the back and enjoyed our evening. The food was really good but the service was just ok. The server was barely engaging.

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  26. NirupaM

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Had a wonderful time celebrating a friends bday. The service was incredible and our food and drinks were fantastic.

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  27. MargaritaL

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and drinks are on point! Service is phenomenal! Highly recommend this restaurant!!!!!

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  28. SaraR

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love El Tapatio- its family favorite. Delicious, fast, fun and my kids love it!

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  29. Fitz

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    2.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience3
    Have eaten at Cafe El Tapatio in the past and the food was great. This must have been an off night as the food was dry and tasteless.

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  30. PatrickA

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great as usual!

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  31. foodieover40

    Chicago

    160 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    160 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great meal and great service. Wonderful local spot. We come here often. Enchiladas are delish, chips are fresh and not salted, which is wonderful! Salsa has some kick.

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  32. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service!

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  33. Gretchen

    Des Moines

    106 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    106 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Salsa was super spicy and the verde was delicious!!!

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  34. Renee23

    Chicago

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic, as always. Carne Asada dinner is highly recommended. Staff are friendly and attentive!

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  35. luv2eatout

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and drinks both were great! Reasonably priced. Will definitely visit again.

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  36. Kristine18

    Orange County

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Food was great as always, but it was extremely cold where we sat this time, and I had to wear my jacket the whole time. Server was great and very attentive.

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love Cafe El Tapatio! It’s fun and food is always delicious!

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  38. fox1979

    Chicago

    108 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    108 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Had a nice time here. Everyone who worked here seemed to be happy and helpful. The food was very good too.

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  39. Kbug

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2022

    overall1food2service5ambience1
    We arrived early; they did not have my reservation. When they went to push together two small tables, I asked for a quiet table in the back, which they did not give me - although they then gave it to other tables who came after us. We were stuck at two small tables pushed together in the middle of the restaurant - every server coming out of the kitchen / bar walked by us, and every customer going to the bathroom. Service was fast - food is no better or worse than any other Mexican place. However, it is more expensive than it should be. Worst part is the noise - by 5:45 the place was full, with people waiting in line. The noise was incredibly loud - I literally could not hear my friend sitting next to me without raising our voices. It was extreme sensory overload - plus, the servers literally kicked us out at 7:00. This was my second visit - will never, ever go again.

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  40. Shubs1121

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    First time here. Food was great. Charges for extras (cheese and lettuce). Overall great place. Will go back.

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FAQs

Cafe El Tapatio - Glenview offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (224) 470-5120.

Cafe El Tapatio - Glenview is rated 4.3 stars by 343 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cafe El Tapatio - Glenview

9707 N Milwaukee Ave, Glenview, IL 60025

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    GREENWOOD AV
  • Neighbourhood
    Glenview
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Brunch Fri, Sat 11:30 am–3:30 pm Dinner Fri, Sat 3:30 pm–9:45 pm
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking Details
    STRRET MALL PRIVATE PARKING
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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