Mago Grill & Cantina

Holy guacamole!  I was super impressed with Mago.  I Didn't realize where it was at first then once we got here I was all like "oh yeah, I remember seeing this place"  Then when we left I was all like "Dude we are totally coming back here again.  Probably some of the best mexican food I've had around these parts in some time.  The wait wasn't too terrible,  we showed up on a Saturday night at 6:30 and got a table within half an hour.  We didn't actually get the guacamole, but I have made it before and  they know what they are doing and i knew it was good just by watching them make it.  The tacos are what we got and they were taste.  We both got steak and the lady got one chicken.  The chicken was good, but the steak was great.  I can't wait to try the others.  There was a decent selection of tacos.  The chips and salsa that they put on the table were maybe the best part.  I don't know exactly what is in the green one but it is epic.

I was about to give up on finding good Mexican food in Illinois. I'm glad we finally found this gem. Now I don't have to suffer without my very favorite kind of food till I make my rounds back in Oklahoma which is full of fabulous Mexican places. It was a Thursday night and was crazy busy. I was very shocked to see them so busy on  Thursday. Next time I will make a reservation. The prices are quiet high. We both ordered Tacos. Usually we don't get tacos but they were the only thing on the menu that didn't seem to be horribly expensive.  They were AMAZING! Best tacos I have EVER had. The combinations of the flavors were astounding.And even tho it was 3 tacos it really was more like 6 as there was way to much meat in them and an extra corn tortilla under each.  I love that it doesn't come with rice and beans as I don't eat them anyway and this way I don't have to pay for them.  The guac was also the best I have EVER had! We almost ordered 2 of those huge Guacs. But on a negative note there was a blaring Mexican band that I would have rather shot my self than listened to. Tone it down... It was far to small a place to escape that blaring obnoxious music. We were practically yelling at each other.  The decor was quite weird if you ask me. Wrestling masks? Why? The raspberry lemonade was absolutely sickening. Super strong and even after I poured half of it into my glass of water it was still nasty.  The chips were good but we don't care for any other salsas which kind of ruins the chips, I get they are going for different salsas but I feel a more traditional one should be offered. The service was okay. Overall we will be back regardless of the negatives.

If nothing else, come here for some guacamole and horchata.  Especially the guacamole.  The guacamole calls to me in my dreams, beckoning me, tantalizing me, and holding me spellbound with its creamy, spicy goodness.  Yeah, it's that good.  Although during lunch hours they do not prepare it tableside, it is still delicious, and you get a giant stone bowl of it, which can easily feed four. (Not bad for about $9.)   Not a guac fan?  No worries, since they also present you with chips and a trio of salsas when you get seated.The smokey chipolte salsa was my favorite of the three.

The rest of my meal was equally enticing.  I had the lunch portion of the Pechuga Xico, which was a large airline chicken breast, served with fried plantains, rice, and black beans (which were presented in an adorable little star-shaped tortilla bowl.)  The chicken was smothered in a dark, smooth, creamy, and absolutely decadent mole sauce.  

The interior of the place is rather dark, but I got a kick out of the old Mexican wrestling masks adorning the back wall.  Service was pleasant, although a bit spotty as the meal went on.  The only negative I can point out, was the lack of bussed tables.  It was not very busy at the time, yet the two tables surrounding us were left unbussed.  I'm just not a big fan of staring at people's drying-out table scraps as I eat.  Price was well worth it.  For a beer, a horchata, giant bowl of guacamole, a lunch entree, and a Cuban sandwich, it ran about $40.