Family recipes becomes top Mexican cuisine at Lalo’s

By Eva Hofmann

Not long ago, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and mouth-boiling salsas, though delicious, were standard Mexican fare to the average Chicago diner. Few were aware of the vast array of sauces, spices, and flavors that make Mexican cuisine unique.

That changed in 1972 when Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant opened its doors. Lalo’s traces its roots to a 24-seat eatery in the heart of Chicago’s Mexican community. By following a strict policy of serving only top-quality, authentic dishes, the little establishment steadily grew in popularity. Before long it became too small to serve its growing clientele, and Lalo’s expanded to a full-sized restaurant just two blocks away. By establishing the same food systems and serving the same traditional Mexican dishes, Lalo’s drew even more customers.

Today Lalo’s runs 12 Chicago area restaurants, one of which opened in summer 2005 at 733 W. Maxwell St. in the heart of the University Village community, where it continues Lalo’s winning traditions.

“We’re a family owned restaurant, and we treat our customers like family,” said Benjamin Mondragon, who manages the Maxwell Street Lalo’s. “We’ll spoil you like family, too.”

All Lalo’s dishes are based on old family recipes. The extensive menu offers appetizers as well as specials Monday through Friday, with something for every taste and appetite.

Top sellers include the enchiladas suizas—rolled up corn tortillas filled with chicken and topped with melted Mexican cheese, green tomatillo sauce, and sour cream.

For those who like their food “the spicier the better,” Lalo’s offers the tinga de camaron a la plancha—grilled shrimp on a bed of tomatoes, onions, and chipotle peppers.

A big hit for customers with more robust appetites is the carne asado o pollo a la tampiquena—your choice of skirt steak or chicken breast served with cheese enchiladas in red adobo sauce.

If you have enough room, you can top off your meal with traditional Mexican desserts such as flan con rompope—vanilla custard served with Mexican eggnog; Mexican fried ice cream served in an edible shell with strawberry sauce and whipped cream; pastel tres leches, sponge cake soaked in a three-milk sauce and a touch of brandy; and fruit tacos filled with mangos, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with a scoop of ice cream.

The Maxwell St. location also caters for parties of 25 or more. “We also do great parties right here in the restaurant,” said Mondragon.

After dinner, revelers can celebrate into the night, enjoying a wide variety of music from the DJ who spins every Wednesday through Saturday night. On Fridays, Lalo’s features mariachi musicians.
The restaurant offers a full bar and is renowned for its margaritas. Try one of its famous fruit margaritas in your choice of strawberry, mango, peach, guava, or raspberry. Other possibilities are the azul margarita, Lalo’s ultimate, and Sauza premium.

Lalo’s is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Wednesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday. Convenient garage parking is available in a corner parking lot just east of the restaurant. For more information, call Lalo’s at (312) 455-9380 or go to www.lalos.com.