Stopped here on a whim, hoping for greatness based on fellow yelpers reviews.
ATMOSPHERE: OMG busy. We arrived during restaurant week around 5:45, and met a line out the door. I'm thinking, these must be some incredible tacos! Once inside, I'll say they have certainly maximized their space... tables are almost on top of each other, and the bar / kitchen is condensed into a teeny tiny space on one side of the wall. The host offered to have us sit at the "bar" (much to the people behind us' chagrin), and we took him up on it to avoid the 45 minute wait otherwise. The "bar" was really nothing more than a couple of wood railroad ties / planks strapped to a steel bar well to make additional seats, but hey, do what you can with what you've got, right? NOTE TO "BAR PATRONS" - the wood tabletop of the bar is HORRIBLY uneven. We spilled drinks twice just trying to set them down, and one of our many plates slid off the bartop on to my daughters lap.
FOOD: As straight tacos go, these are alright. Otherwise, we had:
Chicken / steak taco plate: Okay... I wish I could say better, but it was nothing special I was SO hopeful seeing some of the beautiful things leaving the window, and was simply let down by a basic taco, slightly underseasoned, served with rice that was horribly cooked, bland, and cold. One daughter had the kid's version of this, and hers was no better.
Tampiqueña: This was actually quite good. It's one of the more artful Mexican entrees we saw, and it came flavored well and had just enough to fill you without going overboard.
Guacamole - Okay. While creamy and filled with chunks of fresh avacado, it lacked acidity (from limes) and heat (from jalapeno's or other pepper). I like my guacamole with a kick, and this had ZERO... for $9, I was sorely let down.
Kid's Chicken Tenders - OMG this is one of the many items that completely knocked the rating down. They served a nice looking platter of chicken tenders, but they were very bland, poorly breaded, and when we asked for ketchup, we were brought first one bottle and then a second of BROWN ketchup. Folks, this means the bottles are OLD, oxidized, and potentially BAD... the bartender and server tried to convince me they were new and okay, but there is no way they should be serving this to people, especially children, and I was mortified... asked for ranch dressing, which seemed to be okay, and moved on. While I get that american dishes (including ketchup) aren't their thing - the answer is not to poison people - simply take it off your menu!
NOTE -- before you order drinks, check your prices!!!! I was charged $14 for a warm half-glass of wine. This is almost unimaginable to me, to pay $14 for a warm chardonnay that isn't even half full... they didn't tell us drink prices, so it wasn't until the check arrived that we realized what they'd done. Also, $9 for a Tecate? Shame...
SERVICE: Okay. The bartender was a nice guy, chatted up the girls, but the service otherwise was somewhat indifferent. The server herself showed up only rarely, and we were left a little dissapointed between that and the "ketchup incident"
VALUE: Pretty poor... we have a few Mexican restaurants nearby our home that, while they don't offer creative dishes like Filet Mignon fajitas, what they do have is better seasoned / flavored, half the cost, and much easier to live with (brown ketchup... EGAD)!!!
Truth told, I could be convinced to try one more time, and try something a bit more adventuresome, hoping it had the flavor and uniqueness I was hoping for but didn't get. That said, again, I believe if you can't do something right, and give it the attention and love you give the "special" dishes, then you shouldn't do it at all... dissapointing.
Been here twice in the past and have not written a review yet! Casa de Isaac is an incredibly interesting fusion of what seems to be a Mexican restaurant with underlying hints of a Jewish deli thrown in. I mean, they used to be closed on Saturdays for the Sabbath if I'm not mistaken.
They make some really nice margaritas and use good tequila, so definitely order one bc you will most likely be waiting for a table for a bit. Salsa and chips are also very solid and so is the guac.
I've been here twice and ordered two different items, a special steak bizteca dish, skirt steak topped with melted cheese & served with rice and beans. I wasn't blown away at all and it was a little steep in price for what I got...but the memorable meal I had here was the SALMON BURRITO. This is what I am talking about with the Mexican/Jewish fusion!! When have you ever been to a Mexican restaurant that served a salmon burrito? The answer is no where else but here, my friends. Don't be scared to try new things, this is awesome!!!! I will definitely order it again when I come back!
Love the decor, it almost feels like you're in another country if you pretend hard enough :) I guess my only slight qualm is price, it's a little steep for certain items, like the steak I had. Other than that, Casa de Issac is a guaranteed good time, especially with a group of 4 or more people. There is limited seating though, so reservations are recommended!!
I'm not huge on Mexican food, I have to admit, their food is really good. Everything is freshly prepared and its a great spot to come with a small group 4-10 people. They have great guacamole and you must try the margaritas!
A few favorites have been the chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, fish tacos, and the tostadas.
Worth the drive to highland park! A must!
I was a little concerned about the Mexican cuisine in Highwood, because my only other experience was Tacos del Norte. Â La Casa de Isaac blew them out of the water. Â The service was friendly and fast, the salsa was tasty and the entrees were superb. Â I had the duck enchiladas. Â Wonderful. Â I can't wait to go back and try the Salmon and goat cheese burrito. Â Sounds awesome.
Review Source:Outstanding. Amazing. Awesome. Superb. There really aren't enough words to describe my experience at La Casa De Isaac.
My boyfriend purchased a Groupon, after reading all the positive Yelp reviews, for our Valentine's meal during our day trip to Chicago. When he called to make reservations (highly recommended, there is limited seating) he learned they were not honoring the offer on the 14th. So we went on the 13th for a late lunch/early diner instead.
Coming from Milwaukee, it was relatively easy to find (thanks Map app!). The exterior is very brightly colored - so that makes it hard to miss. The whole vibe of the place is fun and authentic; it is a smaller restaurant so it would be quite cozy if it was busy. There was one table finishing up when we arrived, and during our visit we were the only table (!).
Our waiter was extremely friendly and helpful. I asked a lot of questions regarding their specialties and his personal preferences. He was more than willing to spend time with us and go over the specialty menu items. He definitley took pride in his job and resturant; the service was fantastic.
We started a basket of chips & salsa and their top-shelf margaritas. They were amazing, flavorful but not too sweet. Really helped take the edge off the drive. Salsa was definitely homemade and very good.
Next we had the guacamole appetizer. Again, amazing!! Thick and rich, some of the best - if not *the* best - guacamole I have ever had.
After much deliberation I decided on the Molkajete  - an incredible blend of beef chorizo, beans, steak (cooked to order), cheese, cactus, sweet onions, and other yumminess, served in a HUGE lava bowl with tortialls to make your own "tacos." OMG. Seriously one of the best decisions I've ever made (with help from our fantastic waiter!).  It was very unique, I've never had anything similar before. It's hard to describe, because it was an amazing flavor explosion. I even ate the onions (they were large) and I absolutely detest onions. I don't even think I finished half of this dish, and I was so grateful for the leftovers so I could experience this again later.
My boyfriend had the filet minion steak fajitas. He also loved his dish. It was served with rice and beans, which were amazing and much better than other Mexican restaurant rice&bean sides.
We left so full, I almost needed to be rolled out of the restaurant and back to the car.
I will never forget La Casa De Isaac, definitely a 6-star experience. If you are down at the Pleasant Prairie outlet mall, I highly recommend driving down there (it was only 40ish mins). I will be visiting again, even if it is an hour and 20 min drive!!!
If there's a restaurant one must try when in Highwood, it should definitely be a Mexican restaurant for the significant contribution of this culture to this area. Â While so many places in the area tries to be pretentious with its nouveau menu and fancy decor, this place lets the good food do all the talking. Â
Aside from the typical fare that one might expect to get at a Mexican restaurant, the menu is balanced with traditional as well as inventive offerings. Â For instance, I ordered the molcajete - a lava bowl that comes sizzling with chorizo, chicken, cactus leaves, onions, and black beans. Â My husband ordered a variation of stuffed pepper, which came split open with a generous serving of steak on top. Â Both dishes came with warm corn tortillas as well as rice on the side. Â
The guacamole as well as the margaritas were just ok- nothing to write about but the entrees were solid and worthy of a return visit!
This is my go-to spot for Mexican food. Â Unfortunately, it's not closer to home in Chicago, but it's just down the street from where I work so I can visit it as often as I like. Â This restaurant comes so close to five stars I feel like a miser for putting four, but there are just a couple of things that keep it from a top rating.
I'll note that most of my visits are during lunch, though I've gone for dinner on a few occasions. Â There is generally always room at lunch and they let you choose your seat. Â Dinner time was a bit more crowded but not a long wait at all.
Service is consistently good. Â They aren't as insanely attentive as the wait staff at Mc$nooty's Temple of Fine Dining, but they are friendly, always willing to split the check and keep the chips and salsa topped up.
We always start with chips and salsa, it's automatic and sits down at the table just after we do. Â The chips are the authentic sort, thick and crunchy. Â I am always disappointed when I go to a Mexican restaurant and they give me a bowl of Tostitos. Â The Salsa is perfect. Â They usually put a mild salsa down and a hot salsa and the hot salsa is about the perfect kick. Â The only drawback is that I have a tendency to eat too much here and spoil my appetite a little for the meal itself.
The food itself is always excellent. Â There is a difference between cheap and inexpensive. Â There are a few cheap 'taco' joints in Highwood/Highland Park... and they are just that: "Cheap". Â I put Isaac's down as $$, but it's on the low end of $$ to be fair. Â Inexpensive, but never, ever "cheap". Â Chimichangas, tacos, enchiladas... perfectly filled with quality meat, perfect portions of cheese and plenty of sauce. Â It's never dry, always fresh and just excellent. Â Somebody elsewhere mentioned Tacos Del Norte... that place I would describe as "cheap".
I always try to drag my buddies out with me for lunch on Sundays when we are working over the weekend and nobody has ever been disappointed. Â I've even managed to get them to try the lengua, something they'd never do otherwise, and they had nothing but good things to say about it. Â Tongue is not for the faint of heart!
I only have a couple of complaints and one of them is based on something I actually respect, there's just this selfish part of me that gets sad when I think about it: Â As a firmly Jewish establishment, they do not serve pork and they are closed Friday nights and most of Saturday. Â I like pork and I like eating good food on Friday nights!!! Â I can only imagine they'd do pork dishes up amazingly... alas it is not to be.
In all seriousness though, I cannot fault them for this. Â To stick to your beliefs to such an extent that you close your restaurant on a peak dining night is admirable and I salute them. Â That they manage to still be successful in spite of not doing any business that night says something about how amazing they are!
Why not 5 stars? Â I am not a fan of their more 'exotic' fare. Â Duck enchiladas, for example. Â Don't get me wrong, they still taste great, but there's no reason for it to be duck in those enchiladas as opposed to beef or chicken. Â When I get duck someplace else, it's generally a very savory and satisfying experience. Â In enchiladas, the duck just gets lost in the sauce and cheeses and other things that simply make enchiladas what they are.
That I constantly am tempted to buy pay a few dollars more on these dishes and am generally disappointed that they aren't over-the-top amazing has cost a star.
But still... go. Â If you want Mexican and you are in the area, this is the place. Â Don't bother with anywhere else.
Duck Enchiladas in Mole Sauce .... oh so good!
I agree with others that the table salsa was seriously yummy!.
Christopher's steak was nice and tender, but sorely lacking in seasoning. That was very surprising.
The service was friendly and attentive. The decor is cute and festive. My margarita was passable.
If you pay with a credit card and take your receipt around the corner to their deli, you get 10% off. Also, if you check in through Yelp you get a discount in the restaurant. This is probably a one time deal, but we sure appreciated it.
We really liked La Casa de Isaac. We like it enough to drive all the way back up to Highwood to go there again.
I LOVE LA CASA DE ISAAC!
Service: Wonderful service! Absolutely patient with our huge group. It was a birthday celebration for our friend and they even dimmed the lights when we lit the cake! Attentive, caring, hilarious! They are so sweet and helpful whenever we needed anything (they could tell we were starving and always refilled our salsa and chips without us even asking!) With a large party, it was hard to split cards but they were flexible with whatever we needed. Really wonderful staff!
Price: ranges higher than most Mexican restaurants I have been to, about $14-17 per dish but I definitely would split with someone when eating here because the portion size are quite large. Still totally worth it!
Parking is limited but there normally are spots along the street.
Food: Food was phenomenal! Most of my friends got Mama's enchiladas which is made with chicken. I opted to try the Duck Enchiladas. and I was so glad i DID! It was delicious!! Tender and juicy. There was lots of salad and toppings with avocado (LOVE), Each plate comes with 4 enchiladas. I could eat 2 and be almost content, and eat 3 to be completely full.
In conclusion, try the duck enchiladas, and everything on mama's recommended menu! I will definitely come back to try filet mignon fajitas next!
Solid, solid Mexican food (I don't need to write a review of that part, because you know what Mexican food is). Â This place has it. Â No lie.
The building is a bit small and it is often crowded. Â You might have to wait a minute (or 50) for a table. Â But the wait is worth it. Â
Get some guacamole and chips. Â Then order an entree. Â Have a few cervesas as well. Â You will leave full and happy.
With last night being the last night of Hanukkah, my lady friend and I went to CdI for a latke fix. They have three kinds of latkes - traditional and two Mixican styles with either ranchero or guajillos sauces. Great flavors and the latkes were cooked to perfection..
They plan on having the latkes available for all of December. You can also get them at their other resaurant (Casa de Isaac & Moishe) on First St. and at their grocery store/deli in Highwood.
Holy Crap describes my first experience to this authentic Mexican joint.
Holy Crap...because I had to pee so bad before I ate that I stood outside the door while some lady took the stinkiest crap...EVER!!! I didn't want to enter. I didn't want to do it. But I did and so wished they had an air freshener in there. They did have three hand soap dispensers surrounding the sink. No getting out without washing! Well at least I hope she washed. Eewww.
Holy Crap...because my nachos were pretty OUT OF THIS WORLD! Split a light lunch with my hubby here, and we shared a plate of nachos. He doesn't eat meat or I would have ordered beef. I've ordered nachos before at other Mexican restaurants, and it seems like I always know what to expect. But here the ingredients were truly fresh. Piled high with tomatoes and cheese, the beans soft and not can-like. The chips were light and not thick corn chips like most places I know. Nice to fill up on the ingredients for a change. $9 for a plate, and the menu is a bit pricey for my budget. But, I did notice their omelets look like they could be pretty amazing and are served all day until 3PM. That might be the bargain menu item right there.
Service was excellent. The inside felt a little seedy, but homey and authentic. As a kid I spent some time in Guadalajara where my uncle was teaching. My fondest memories are the outdoor open air restaurants with tables...in the backyard of private houses! Open up the industrial garage door and this place would replicate that without a doubt.
Sure, I will probably check this place out again. It's more than I typically like to spend, but those nachos really were pretty darn fantastic!
Disregarding the obvious, the most noteworthy aspect of this place is their table salsa--the best of any Mexican restaurant anywhere, ever. Â The best, Jerry--the best! Â I furiously plowed through two entire baskets of chips in order to slurp up every last drop of the stuff. Â (I think that my wife ate only four or five chips because she was afraid to mangle her hand reaching into the basket.)
The second most noteworthy aspect is the cramped quarters. Â I have NEVER seen tables packed so close together. Â When the hostess pointed out our two-top I thought she was crazy. Â We could barely even squeeze through to get there, let alone pull out the chairs and sit down. Â There was a table of eight perpendicular to us and our elbows were literally scraping their backs. Â We heard every word of the conversation held by the two gents to my left. Â I understand that they do a brisk business, but come on, give me a break. Â It's a lively room, which is fun, but being packed in like a sardine does not make for pleasant dining.
Despite the tight squeeze, the service was great, both from our main server Cassie and the guy who initially took our orders because she was too busy. Â They were all smiles and brought preemptive chip and soda refills.
I chose duck enchiladas for my entree even though they were topped by lettuce, tomato, onion, and avocado. Â To my surprise, the cool, crisp vegetables held their own and matched up nicely with the hot food underneath it. Â In fact, the vegetables helped to moderate the heat of the enchiladas. Â And because there were FOUR whole enchiladas, I did not miss the beans and rice that accompany most of the other entrees. Â There were two sauces on the plate, and I far preferred the red to the green, but overall I give this dish an enthusiastic two thumbs up.
Whatever you do, try to come at an off-peak time. Â We were lucky to score that besieged two-top at 7:15 on a Saturday night. Â By 7:30 there was a long line of people waiting for a table.
This place is all about the tight fit.
Tight parking lot: there are probably about six legit spaces in the back, but they'll keep waving in car seven, eight, maybe nine.
Tight dining room: there are probably about four or five tables beyond what should really fit in the space, but luckily our neighbors were of average size and wingspan.
Tight pants: there is no way to escape without overwhelming your waist band at least a little.
3.5 stars
I'm pretty picky with my Mexican food because I live a 10 minute drive from Pilsen. Â For me, Casa de Isaac is indeed a winner and a little gem in Highwood. Â It is damn tasty and reasonably priced with a friendly staff. Â The chips they serve at the beginning are salty and addictive.
I've been here with friends a few times and we've always had fun. Â That may be in part to the tasty margaritas that they serve. Â Margarita Mondays are the best day to come in as they're discounted. Â I like the burritos and the tacos. Â Be careful what you order for your taco fillings. Â Once, one of my tacos didn't have anything inside! Â Another time I was served the wrong filling. Â It didn't bother me too much because this is a casual restaurant and they were cool about the errors.
We usually stop in late so it's never crowded and we haven't had to wait for a table. Â Once when I was there, a group of folks were celebrating a birthday and the staff took the sombrero off the wall and placed it on the birthday boy's head. Â After the group left, some idiot tried to impress his date and steal it, walking out the door with it on his head. Â Don't be that guy.
Anyone who's seen my Yelp! Profile by now, knows that I love Mexican food, BUT never have I had the tasty kosher style Mexican cuisine that La Casa de Issac offers! Â I had the traditional margarita which was great--better than other ones I've had. Â Our waiter was very quick and attentive, and helped me with customizing an enchilada order to my sauce preference. Â My only reason for not giving it 5 stars was because of atmosphere. Â The place is rather small, which made it seem crowded. Â My friend and I were seating right by the entrance at a small 2 top table and were distracted by patrons coming and going.
Review Source:OMG! I cannot believe that I just ate the best dish I have EVER had at any Mexican restaurant ever! Â Duck soft tacos were unreal. They said they were only going to be on the menu about a week or two more because it is a seasonal dish. Â It was melt in your mouth pulled duck with a mango type relish. Spicy tomatillo sauce on side perfected it. It all went so well together. Â I look forward to trying more dishes here. I will definitely be coming here to meet all my Mexican food needs!
My food snobbery is even allowing me to overlook the fairly large bone that was in one of my tacos.
This place is a true gem!
We came here Sunday night and had a fantastic meal starting with the fresh guacamole and the ceviche tostada appetizers. Â The guac was freshly made, as were the chips and the tilapia ceviche tostada was fresh and bright. Â Then, we all had the same entree, the Mama's Favorite Enchiladas. Â They were wonderful with chicken, avocado, lettuce and tomato with a fresh sour cream topping. Â They were very light and fresh tasting, not your typical drowning in sauce and cheese Americanized enchilada.
The staff was wonderfully attentive and friendly and the margaritas were also fantastic.
We loved everything about Casa de Isaac and can't wait to return!
Muchas gracias to the higher power for blessing the incredibly boring northshore suburbs with an authentic Mexican restaurant that serves well-prepared fresh food.
Had the tilapia ceviche. Â huge portion, fish was acidic but not too acidic, firm and not mushy. Â Chile rellenos, I can actually taste the pepper's sweetness! Â The fresh tomatoes on the side taste like tomatoes and none of that refried bean crap that others always use to pad their dishes. Â Husband had the el molcajete which had tender beef, juicy cactus and savory bean sauce. Â He requested extra spicy and it was. Â
For people who find the food bland, that's because they don't dump a bag of salt in their cooking like other cheap restaurants do. Â Here, you can taste the ingredients! Â
Excellent service and they're packed by 6pm on a Sat night. Â Very friendly to families.
Sunday nights are good for casual, friendly family dinners. Last weekend Erica and I met friends Joel and Stephie up near their suburban hood of Highwood. The destination was mexican neighborhood restaurant La Cassa de Isaac. The place was packed and busy all night long, though some might not like having tables so close that I could have tasted the taco next door easier than Stephie's sitting across from me. La Cassa definitely has an authentic feel and it adds charm with a huge blackboard featuring daily specials hanging over the grill.
We kept things simple and ordered a pitcher of sangria for the table and a large bowl of guacamole. Both went fast. The food took slightly longer than expected but it didn't matter as the chips kept flowing alongside the drinks. Erica ordered the enchiladas and I went with a blackboard special of steak fajitas. The steak was great with the melted cheese on top and sides of beans and rice. I don't usually need tortillas with my fajitas and I was thrilled when they asked if I wanted any and I could just say no. Erica's enchiladas were equally tasty and we sent back clean plates.
La Casa de Isaac is a great option for the locals. It was worth trip to hang out with friends and eat tasty Mexican. Solid choice.
Food: 3
Decor: -
Service: 3
I got some food from La Casa on a Wednesday evening when they were at the Highwood evening farmer's market.
1. Ceviche, 4 <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/PJE_qUZiwkcT_uC41d8uiQ?userid=2fN8mN7uUjOw-QqtcgYqXQ">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
Mediocre. Cold raw fish cooked in lemon juice, served with some salsa on top of a small soft taco. It tasted okay, but it reminded me of a cold fish taco.
2. Crispy chicken taquito, 7 <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/PJE_qUZiwkcT_uC41d8uiQ?select=JnudQsgRzHf7IzKC5CUUWg">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
Okay. Chicken was good and taquitos were crispy, but I was hoping that the chicken would have been crispier. The chicken was actually shredded, and they topped the four taquitos with salsa, lettuce, onions, and cilantro.
While driving into Highland Park, we noticed this little gem of a restaurant out of the corner of our eyes. OK, Saks in H.P. can wait, as some Mexican grub and Margaritas takes precedence.
Since it was an abnormally beautiful Chicago afternoon (70 degrees+), we opted to sit outside. Surprisingly, it was kinda' dead, and absolutely desolate inside. When we FINALLY had someone acknowledge us (Luis, I believe?), we were ready to order. Wifey got some chicken taco salad concoction, and I went with the carne asada taco plate. Oh, and of course a margarita, on the rocks.
After, what seemed like an eternity, our drinks came out. Who cares about the pregnant wifey's tea, because it's freakin' tea. Now, more importantly, my margarita was absolutely delicious, but kinda' pricey. ($10 for 6oz.) OUCH$!
The food- once again, took forever; but, both of our orders were very good. After we finished, once again, it took Luis FOREVER to bring our check. I think Luis might have been high, because he just didn't seem all there.
All in all, good food, damn good margarita, but shitty service. Not to mention, kind of pricey for what you get. If the service is good on my next visit, this could easily be upped to 5 stars.
Yelp check-in FTW!
Not only was the food at this moderately upscale Mexican joint on point, but we got 20% off the bill  when I checked-in thru on my phone. What you gotta do is use the Yelp! App to check in and it brings up a screen that says you get the 20% off. Show the phone to your server, they'll show it to the jefe and you just saved enough for another round of cervezas, 'migo. It took our bill (for 4, with an app and drinks) from $85 down to a downright reasonable $68.
As for the food, this place has an absolutely awesome entree for vegetarians: the Burrito Campestre. For $9.50 you get a burrito stuffed with black beans, diced portobellos, queso, asparagus, yellow squash, zucchini and avocado. I was a bit skeptical at first, as these seem like nontraditional ingredients, but the end result was a full-on double rainbow of taste. The wrapped up deliciousness is then lightly rolled around a skillet, sealing it and adding crunchiness to the flour tortilla (almost like a chimichanga, but I dont think it was deep-fried).
Other diners got the three taco platter with lengua, tinga, and asada (couldn't decide what was best) and an average looking but well-received tostada platter. The margaritas were perfect, but we did shy away from the house tequila ("Juarez"), because the only cheap tequila I drink wears a red hat and goes by the name El Toro.
Service was great. We went on a weeknight about 30 min before closing and lamented the lack of outdoor seating. Faster than we could order drinks at the bar, a table for 4 was set up for us with a smile. Salud!
Filet mignon fajitas. Salmon and goat cheese burritos. Isaac and Moishe, Orthodox Jews from Mexico DF, know how to do Mexican food right. From the creative (see the aforementioned) to the traditional-- they offer the best mole around-- Casa de Isaac is certainly one of the best choices for Mexican food and, hell, a great meal in general in a small town that's packed to the gills with restaurants and bars.
Highly recommended is the huge guacamole appetizer-- save a little to enjoy with your entree!-- and the steak fajitas. The latter are perfectly seasoned and come with a wonderful blend of fresh peppers, onions, and tomato slices sizzled to tender perfection.
The restaurant has limited hours due to the sabbath (no, really!) and very limited seating. Make reservations and avoid the mixed drinks-- nothing special. Service is attentive, friendly, and efficient, despite the huge crowds.
So excited to see Isaac and Moishe expanding to the deli next door and into Highland Park with a new restaurant venture!
I was there last night for dinner. Â The waitress was a bit pushy with the appetizers, we eventually decided on not having any appetizers.
I ordered the enchiladas with the mole sauce. Â The mole sauce tasted like it came out of a jar. Â I got it with chicken which worked well for this dish. Â My girlfriend ordered the chimichanga with steak. Â I tried some of her chimichanga and it was very tasty, but a bit too salty for my taste. Â
It was a bit pricey for a Mexican restaurant that wasn't an upscale restaurant. Â I'd suggest going to Tacos El Norte for better food at a better price, too, if you're in the north shore.
Another Groupon success. Â I would have probably gone without it, as my family lives in the 'burbs, and because of the raves on LTH, but the Groupon facilitated my visit and I'll definitely come back.
From the minute we walked in, service was attentive, seated us without our whole party, put the baby's high chair in a good spot, and just generally provided great service. Â
While the companion and I waited for sister & family, we were treated to warm, fresh chips, which were salty as some have mentioned, but I, as you may have read in other reviews, have a lust for NaCl. Â Oh, did I mention I'm also a nerd? Â Yup, it's true. Â These chips also came with a zippy salsa, and complimentary guacamole (!) Â You can buy a bigger one, but the freebie was sufficient for four. Â
They had more than the average number of vegetarian goodies for my companion, and not boring old beans either. Â Everything else was great, as well. Â Sister's tacos were meaty, brother-in-law's huge torta was packed with chorizo (beef b/c the owners are Jewish and don't serve pork or shrimp on the menu), and I loved the tampiquena, cooked medium rare, very flavorful, and served with an enchilada along with the standard rice and beans. Â Made for excellent leftovers. Â
The only downside is that it's a bit cramped, particularly depending on your table, and a few of the entrees are a little pricey, but it's the North Shore, and everything was absolutely delicious. Â I'll be back, probably to try the whole red snapper and maybe some Monday night margaritas. Â Luckily it's not too far from Metra.
I'm kinda glad that I'm not the only one a little bit thrown off by the entire Orthodox Jewish Mexican restaurant thing. Â When I pointed out how unexpected that was, my mom's response was a blunt, "You know, there are Jews all over the world." Â My mom offers up pearls of wisdom like that to me on a frequent basis.
I do appreciate the plentiful reminders that this is a Jewish-run establishment, from the giant sign up from that informs customers that they're closed on Saturdays for Shabbat... to the cute plastic mezuzah on the front door. Â These juxtapositions against the wall of tequila bottles and hanging sombreros only serve to befuddle me in the most enjoyably entertaining of ways.
Oh, and of course... as everyone else has mentioned, the grub's great.  The beef tips on my mom's taco salad were -so- tasty and tender.  My own tacos were solid (I'd recommend going all carne asada, though -the lengua and chorizo were both unimpressive).  And although everyone seems to rave about the guacamole, I thought it was just passable.  Drop some jalapeños or serranos in there and it'd be killer.
Cute joint, great service, reasonable (though not cheap) prices, and excessive amounts of food. Â What better way to lunch with the parental units?
Dear Casa de Issac,
How in the world did you hide from me for this long? Â Filet minon fajitas are for real! Â I've been to countless Mexican restaurants and that was one of the best dishes that I've ever had. Â The rest of my party also raved about your food. Â There is a good chance that I might never go back to Tacos Del Norte. Â Issac you sure know how to make a mean meal! Â Please be sure that my diet coke is refilled quicker next time.
Thanks,
Luke
When it comes to Mexican food Las Casa De Isaacs takes the cake!! (Or taco I guess)
La Casa De Isaacs, owned and operated by brothers Isaac and Moises, is a phenomenal Mexican joint located in Highwood. Isaac and Moises, both originally from Mexico, bring real Mexican food to the Burbs. Everything on the menu is promised to be good. I personally recommend Isaacs mothers enchiladas!!! They are too die for!
It can be a little expensive at times, but 100% worth it. Portions are massive, which is always a plus in my book, and food speaks for itself. At a quick glance down this page, I have yet to see any negative remarks about Isaacs, and there is good reason for that. Basically what it comes down to is if you want GOOD Mexican, save yourself the trouble and go to Isaacs. (just not Friday night or before sundown Saturday... They observe Shabbot)
Delicious; Â Wonderful; Â Tasty; Â Enjoyable; Â Inviting; Â Yummy; Mouth-watering; Â Satisfying; Â Top notch... oh wait, this isn't a thesaurus entry for synonyms of La Casa de Isaac. Â My bad! Â Guess I'll just write a review then :)
Anyway, if you couldn't already tell, I had a great experience here. Â We went on a Wednesday night and the place was packed. Â We didn't have reservations but we only had to wait about 5 minutes and there was space at the (tiny) bar so it was no problem. Â Our server couldn't have been nicer, answering questions and coming around often enough that we never felt lacking but not so often that she was hovering.
We started with the guacamole. Â Yum yum yum! Â Fresh and tasty. Â Not very spicy but very flavorful. Â I also had a margarita (and ooh it was good with Patron...). Â For dinner, my date had a burrito with tinga (chicken in a red sauce - more on that later) and I had the vegetarian burrito (it had asparagus and squash and mushrooms and cheese, among other things). Â Both came with beans and rice. Â Both burritos were outstanding. Â Of course I had to taste his because I LOVE tinga. Â And it is really difficult to find good tinga in Chicago. Â
As we were leaving the restaurant, the owner gave us a $5 gift certificate to use on a return trip. Â And return we certainly will! Â This place may be out of the way, but boy is it worth it! Â Delicious food, great atmosphere, and what a value for the neighborhood!! Â 5 stars for sure!
A place located on the North Shore, owned by an Orthodox Jew (who is also, for the record, from Mexico)? Sounds kind of random. But La Casa de Isaac is amazing! This isn't some ordinary, watered-down Mexican food. They pay attention to packing dishes with flavor. No skimping here. I especially like the spicy chicken (tinga?). It has a great smoky/chipotle flavor...so good. They're very accommodating, too, if you want to modify your dish when ordering. And the owner is very personable and often works at the front of the house, smiling at and talking to customers.
(There's even Purell dispensers on the door frame. What more could you want? Seriously.)
Other reviewers have covered La Casa de Isaac well; Good food and great service are their hallmarks.
We started off with chips and ordered a bowl of Guacamole for the table as an appetizer; it was tasty but I felt quite high priced- as much as an entrée for a small bowl of guac?
I enjoyed their flavorful salsa- a member of our group felt it was too spicy and the waiter brought her a toned-down portion of salsa for her. I thought that was extremely nice and thoughtful.
I ordered the Burrito Campestre; It was tasty and enjoyable. I was again surprised at the relatively high price of their Traditional Favorites menu. I imagine if you can fill the place every night, why not ask premium prices?
Wow, things have changed around here. Â First of all, not only is there good Mexican food in the North Chicago suburbs, there is EXCELLENT Mexican food here. Â If you are anywhere on the North Shore and dying for a home-style meal in a non-pretentious, non-chain environment, make the trek up to Highwood and take a seat at Casa de Isaac.
I live in San Francisco now, where Mexican food is good, cheap and plentiful - so I just figure that it is a cuisine that I will have to do without when I am visiting hometown of Glencoe. Â My Mom insisted that we go to her favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch, and not only did I not have high expectations, I was slightly confused (..."well they are owned by Orthodox Jews, so we have to be out of there before 3pm on Friday..." uhhh, okaaaaaaay).
Nestled between a trendy French bistro and an old-style fine-dining restaurant, La Casa de Isaac looks and feels like an authentic Mexican eatery that materialized out of nowhere. Â The inside is charming with embroidered tablecloths and tiled floors, with big tubs of agua frescas greeting you as you walk in the door, along with a sign that says "a margarita a day keeps the doctor away".
Warm homemade chips and chipotle salsa are brought to the table. Â I recommend ordering the guacamole which is delicious and served in a lava-rock bowl. Â It's not made at your table but it may as well have been - this is no pre-made guac. Â
I had the Isaac's Mother's Favorite Enchilada for lunch - a large portion of chicken enchiladas with green sauce and an artful drizzle of sour cream. Â Tasty and satisfying, absolutely; heavy, no. Â
We shared an order of the Flan for dessert, the lightest and most flavorful flan I have ever tasted. Â With a mug of freshly made Mexican coffee, this was a perfect ending to our meal.
Service was excellent - our server Lizet was as sweet as could be. Â In fact, everyone there was full of warmth and smiles, and it truly felt that we were dining in someone's home kitchen.
Although they do not open until after sundown on Saturday, they are open for breakfast during the week - a meal that I will be sure to sample while I am in town. Â And on a winter's day, I am sure a hot bowl of their pozole feels like a warm blanket. Â
Some people come home for Mom's cooking, and so do I...the only difference is that that mom belongs to Isaac.
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