Updated 2021

MEXICAN RESTAURANTS IN WINNETKA
AND THE NORTH SHORE

If you love Mexican food like me, you are always on the lookout for good restaurants in the suburbs.    Is your palate beyond cheesy burritos and heavy bean/rice side dishes?  (not bad stuff, just not "inspired".) You know what I mean - the type of Mexican restaurant that does "fusion" or "nuevo" or whatever you wish to call it. 

Winnetka, has two of its own Mexican restaurant, and Northfield, Wilmette, Glencoe, Highland Park, and Skokie do too.  No chains here, just good, fresh and innovative Mexican fare.

Guanajuato - located near the corner of Green Bay and Scott St.,  this little gem is known for its tequila bar.  Excellent margaritas, fresh food, and crispy chips. A local favorite!
1005 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka  847-242-0501

La Taquiza - Fresh traditional Mexican food handed down from family recipes. All the favorites you would expect including tamales, flautas, enchiladas, tacos, and tortilla soup. Take out or eat in.
556 Chestnut St., Winnetka,  847-386-7926 (also in Northbrook and and Glenview.)

Depot Nuevo - is housed in an old railroad car in downtown Wilmette.  Nice cozy interior, beautiful outside patio dining, and food that is touted as "a melding of Latin American sights and flavors."  
1139 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette.  847-251-3111

Taco Nano - this is basically a takeout place with an expanded dining area.   Their specialty?  Tacos - nine different tacos and a few sides.  But they pack a ton of  flavor and include such choices as turkey picadillo, pork al pastor, blackened or battered tilapia or shrimp and even a vegetariano. Oh, there's also some killer fried plantains.  
1743 Orchard Lane, Northfield.  847-386-7159

La Casa de Isaac - two locations in Highland Park although the newest is called La Casa de Isaac & Moishe.  Very busy spot with early closings on Fridays.  Great food, fun atmosphere - a genuine place with unique authentic dishes.  431 Temple Ave., Highland Park.  847-433-5550

Yolo Mexican Eatery - a BYOB in Skokie that delivers intense flavors and a mole negro that has over 30 ingredients. Small, so make reservations.  5111 Brown St., Skokie.  847-674-098

Don Juan's Cantina and Taqueria Okay, I'm cheating a little. This great eatery is not in the North suburbs - it's in Park Ridge, a suburb west of the North Shore.  This location was opened in July of 2021 after 30 years in their previous Chicago location. My absolutely favorite place - been going there for over 20 years. Innovative specials menu and legendary margaritas.
Don Juan's Cantina & Taqueria, 650 N. Northwest Hwy, Park Ridge. 847-430-3535

Have I missed any of your favorites?  Let me know!

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Margaret Goss is a full-time real estate broker since 1998 working in the North Shore communities of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, Glenview, and Evanston.

She can be reached at:

Phone:  847-977-6024

Email:  margaret.goss@bairdwarner.com

See her full BIOGRAPHY