As someone else mentioned, this is the only restaurant close to Portage theatre, so I guess they have location going for them for people attending things there. The fajitas were pretty good (although they seemed a bit generous with the black pepper), but there were several other problems we had when dining here that means I'm not going to be coming here again and won't recommend it to anyone.
The service was a bit slow - there was us and one other table in the restaurant, so it shouldn't have taken that long for her to come take our order. When she got there, she didn't seem all that friendly, either. We both ordered chicken fajitas, one with no tomato or cheese. When she brought out one order, we figured that just meant the other was being cooked separately to accommodate the request... finally, after 5-10 minutes waiting for the second one to come out, we asked her how much longer it would be (since we were going to the Silent Film Society's presentation of Phantom of the Opera, and didn't want to be late). She was surprised that we had two orders. Was she not listening when we ordered the first time?... it was very specific! If we had ordered just the one without tomato and cheese, it would have been wrong anyway since mine came that way. One other thing to note, which probably isn't a big deal to many people but should be mentioned, is that they don't have flour tortillas. She brought out corn ones and since I don't like the corn ones, I asked for flour. No dice.
I ordered a cheese quesadilla as an appetizer since it was so cheap. I didn't expect it to come out with the fajitas instead of before, but no big deal. What was a little more bothersome was that the cheese in the center wasn't fully melted (you could still see shredded cheese in the center, instead of the gooey mess of cheesy goodness it should be), and honestly it was cold. I guess that's why it's an appetizer, to be brought out before the rest of the food is cooked.
When the second entree was brought out, we asked for the check since we noticed it was taking several minutes for the other table (still only the two parties) to get theirs. Ten minutes or so later, when she was busing the other table... we asked again, since she hadn't brought it to us. I guess it was a good thing we didn't just leave our cash, because she overcharged us. She brought us a check that had what we ordered on it, but no prices; I had figured out the total in my head based upon what we ordered (two orders of fajitas, a cheese quesadilla and a can of pop that I wouldn't have ordered if I'd known it was in a can), and according to what the prices were on their menu, it should have been about $20. She charged us about $23.
Needless to say, if I really *have* to eat something before going to another Silent Film Society event, I'll either bring a sandwich or stop at the Burger King down the street.
The ONLY reason I came here was because I was going to the Portage Theater and they were directly across the street and I didn't want Subway.
I ordered a steak burrito because they don't serve barbacoa ;-(
I only get rice, beans, cheese, and meat in my burritos. She said rice was $1 extra. Get the fuck outta here!!! Ofcourse I declined the rice.
I then asked her how much for just a bag of chips(no salsa) she looked like she was just thinking up a number for me to pay. She said $1.50. Even though that price was ridiculous, and I saw her taking the chips out of a plastic storage bin, and not a heating table, I still bought them.
My friend asked her how much for bottled waters and she looked again as if she was just making up prices. She said $1.25.
She rang up our order and when I told her the price she quoted was too high she started to argue. She finally took out her calculator and after adding everything up she realized that we were right and she had miscalculated. She gave us a shit eating grin and said she wouldn't charge taxes on the meal. How about giving me the rice that I asked for? That would have made me much happier.
The meal wasn't bad, the flavors were OK. But not worth the arguing, crazy prices, or the waitstaff 101.
If it wasn't for the fact that it was right across the street from my destination and I wasn't in the mood for subway, I would have never come in, and after what I experienced I will never come back.
The main attribute is that this place is directly across from the illustrious Portage theater and is literally the only restaurant in a two-block radius. That neighborhood is depressed and I don't know how they stay open, unless they get major turnover from The Portage.
The decor is Mexican taqueria dive-retro. Oh sombrero-wearing man leading a donkey poster, 1984 called to say hello and I've missed you.
The waitress/counter lady is all smiles and genuinely friendly, like an aunty who wants to fill you with food!
The food is simple, fresh and tasty. All the ingredients look like they walked in from the farm just this morning.
The guacamole is AMAZING and ultra-fresh, like mi abuela used to make.
The service is fast and your water glass will be refilled like clockwork.
The orchata tasted authentically homemade, not powdered.
Dinner for 2 with drinks was under $15. It's BYOB too, so bring your fancy or slummy drinkies as you like.
I want more!
This place is totally a hidden gem! Located right across Portage Theatre, cheap, and byob, a group of four of us decided to come here before our Peaches show.
When you walk in, there are 9 tables and only 2 employees. I really think the lady who took our order cooked some of our food too. Ha.
The guacamole was some of the best I've had in the city. My burrito which was only $4.95...full of steak, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, etc...was pretty good and filling. So, total bill? $40ish, I think, for a selection of tacos (I totally want to try those....they looked amazing), two burritos, and enchiladas...and guacamole. Â
A bit far out, but if I go back to Portage Theatre, I'm totally coming back.
So you've worked up a hunger playing dress-up at Fantasy Costume, now what?
A few doors down sits Lomas Verdes, a sleepy little Mexican restaurant. I got the impression they don't get a lot of foot traffic, let alone 9 people all at once on a Sunday afternoon. There was only a woman (maybe the owner) running the front and one guy in back doing all of the cooking.
Food was just ok, I've had much better and the misfortune of having much worse. Service was aloof, I don't know if there was potentially a language barrier or what, but the woman running the front was very hands off, if not slightly disinterested in us.
Prices are reasonable, even when you aren't grossly undercharged. Unfortunately, we didn't figure this out until after we left, but our first clue should have been having enough money to leave a 70% tip. If only we were high rollers who could afford to drop insane tips like that!
Bottom line: On a fairly barren stretch of Milwaukee, conveniently located near Fantasy Costume and Portage Theater, it's a decent spot for a reasonably priced bite.
WARNING: The bathroom is sketchy. It was out of soap and the lock was jerry rigged by something resembling a paper clip. The exhaust fan was so loud I felt like I was underneath a hotel ice machine with the deafeningly loud rumblings; I worried that at any moment a pile of ice might crash through the ceiling.
Across from the Portage Theater on Milwaukee Ave sits the fairly inconspicuous Lomas Verdes.  I am sure I would have walked right past this restaurant had it not been for my guide. There's not much to the décor in the place. It's a typical Mexican hole in the wall with a few tables, cheap artwork and a corner fridge stocked with authentic Mexican drinks.
The lady behind the counter seemed a little confused and overwhelmed when our party walked in. It took her a few minutes to be galvanized into action. Â In all fairness, I too might have been confused and overwhelmed if a party of 9 walked in for lunch at 4 PM. Â
The menu had a variety of different choices. Â I opted for an enchiladas poblanas platter with spicy pork. Â The delivery of the plates was staggered and some of my dining companions got their meals before me. Â I experienced burrito envy when I saw the gigantic wraps placed before them. Â The envy disappeared as soon as my enchiladas arrived. Â Doused with a traditional mole sauce and melted cheese, my platter looked very appetizing and emitted a very pleasant aroma. Â
I could have done without the refried beans and rice, but the spicy pork enchiladas were delicious. Â I suspect the burritos weren't as good since one of my lunch companions needed to spice hers up with a lot of extra jalapenos. Â
In terms of value for money, Lomas Verdes is a real steal. Â The massive burritos were under 5 bucks each. Â The incredibly low total bill surprised us all. Â I intend on going back if for nothing else than to determine whether I made the right choice in picking spicy pork enchiladas over the steak burrito.
A great little Mexican restaurant. I always go there when I go to the Portage theater across the street. A small place, BYOB. Very good food and quite cheap. Tacos for 1.50  burritos which are a good size for abotu 4.50.  well worth it. I get stuff pretty simple, just onions  and cilantro, but they will add cheese, sour cream etc if you want it. I had the Huachinago(snapper ) there too and it was good.  I hope this place stays open, that neighbourhood is spotty and  in that area this is  the best place next to La Pena to eat.
Review Source:I live nearby and was very pleasantly surprised the first time I went in for a burrito. The guacamole is great, and everything else I've tried is great too. A nice friendly woman seems to run the joint. I took my Dad there to grab a quick lunch and she jokingly taught us both some spanish while we were there. Definitely give this place a try and support a great local small business that has quality food and friendly staff.
Review Source:PLEASE visit this restaurant! I know there are plenty of great Mexican places across Chicago, but I'm glad I got to try Lomas Verdes yesterday. The veggie burrito had rice, beans, avocado, cheese, sour cream, and corn, if I am remembering correctly. Incredibly cheap and delicious at $4.25. I also got a banana shake and that thing was GOOD! The hostess was a genuinely nice person. I will get to the Portage Theater early for any future shows I attend so I can eat here again.
Review Source:I got a lunch special which included a taco, sopa, and a quesidilla with beans and rice for only 5.85. Â I also got a Mexican Coca-Cola (made with sugar and not corn syrup!). Â As far as authenticity goes, I cannot vouch. Â But everything I had on my plate was superb. Â The sopa had little bits of chopped cilantro, crispy fresh iceberg lettuce, mexican cheese, sauteed yummy onions, delicious chicken meat (no gristles or dark meat), and a bit of sour cream all on a very interesting thicker shell (she described it to be like a gordita). Â Great texture. Â The taco was 2 corn tortillas and chicken meat with lettuce on top - also good. Â The refried beans were delicious. Â And I usually don't like spanish rice, but I really liked the rice here. Â
The service was awesome and friendly. Â My only complaint is the chips that come out at the beginning. Â They were a bit greasy and stale. Â Oh yeah, and the restaurant itself smelled a little funny.
Other than that, I highly recommend this place! Â I will definitely bring my friends/family here. Â It was really refreshing.
Consistently delicious and very inexpensive Mexican food. It always seems to be the same woman behind the counter/waitress and perhaps cook? hard to say. This is a pretty small operation.
The veggie burrito ($4) is not one of those Big as Your Head frat-boy burrito, but for $4 it is plenty large. It has all the stuff you want, but nothing in excess. The burritos here seem excessively healthy as opposed to the situation at a lot of places where grease makes up for otherwise missing flavor.
And while we are speaking of flavor, the Quesodilla con Rajas (poblano peppers) ($1.60) is brilliant and includes bonus grilled onions.
I had coffee today which had that kind of weird but not exactly delicious Mexican flavor. I'm guessing that it is intended to be sugared and creamed up or something.
The atmosphere is what you might expect for a tiny rustic Mexican joint - a step above your typical taqueria, but only a tiny step.
The service is great and personal.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
