Chicken Tostada Dinner from Mexico Steakhouse

Item Purchased: Chicken Tostada Dinner from Mexico Steakhouse
Location Purchased: Mexico Steakhouse / 2983 S. Archer Ave. / Chicago, IL
Price: $7.95 + tax
Purchased on: 02/17/07

Review: No one actively seeks out a Mexican restaurant here. Mexican restaurants in Chicago are a dime a million and most of them aren't that good. Residents of this portly city eat at these restaurants quite often. Most of us will even tell you that we like them, but there is rarely a moment in the average Chicagoan's day when their mind is pre-occupied, thinking about that great taco, burrito or carne asada that they are going to get after work at the local taqueria.

Yes, Mexican food is everywhere here, but with the exception of a few choice restaurants' output, Mexican food from the midwest is greasy, soggy and just another meal.

It is for these reasons, and more, that I feel fortunate to have discovered Mexico Steakhouse on Archer Avenue. I feel even more fortunate to be able to walk to this Central American jewel from my apartment even if the snow is up to my knees.

Mexico Steakhouse is much more than a taqueria, but holds no pretensions about being fine dining or family style. With a large dining room, friendly, attentive staff and prices that are more than fair, dining at this establishment gives you the feeling of attending a happy family reunion (what are those like?).

The food also speaks and makes you wonder if you were, in fact, raised in a Mexican household and question whether it is your mother preparing the food just for you.

Forget everything you know about Chicago's soggy tacos, grease balloon burritos and dry tortilla chips. This place takes actual pride in their modest, yet substantial work.

My plate came with three sizeable tostadas, fresh refried beans and a lightly seasoned helping of Mexican rice. Each tostada was piled high with lettuce, cheese and meat of your choice (steak/chicken). I wouldn't normally say this, but choose the chicken! You can tell by just tasting this bird that the meat was recently picked off of the bone and cooked to juicy perfection that you would never find in shredded and torn taco meat anywhere else. The flavor actually convinces you, for a second, that everything is right and just in America's poultry industry.

In addition to the feast you paid less than the price of a haircut for, Mexico Steakhouse also offers the Midwest's best tortilla chips and a complimentary cup of their daily soup.

It would be nearly impossible to leave this restaurant unfulfilled or with a bitter heart. Though out of the way for most of Chicago's dining public, Mexico Steakhouse is worth the trip. There's nothing fancy here... But sometimes something good is all that you need.

Be warned, though. You might just find yourself consciously thinking about Mexican food after eating here.

Rating: 4 / 5

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