Blanco Cocina + Cantina

I feel like this place can be a hit or miss. The first time I came here was earlier this year with my husband, and we LOVED the food. The Parmesan cheese crisp was delicious, the avocado tacos were beyond amazing and incredibly filling. Everything was great. Our second visit however, everything was awful. All the food tasted off/ not the same as before. We ordered the same menu items and still, our experience was just not that great. I really like the atmosphere at this restaurant but I wish their food tasted more consistent. I know some days are always better than others, but this tasted like 2 different recipes honestly. Disappointing.

I wish I could give this place zero stars. This was honestly the worst restaurant experience I’ve had in Illinois. If you’re Black, I would strongly recommend avoiding this place—I felt from the beginning that we were not treated with the same respect or care as other customers. The manager’s attitude came across as passive-aggressive, and at times, her behavior felt racially insensitive. We ordered birria tacos, which came out extremely burnt, and I found hair in my food. When I reported it, the manager asked to see the hair, as if I was lying. We decided to exchange the food for another option, but in hindsight, we should have left. The replacement meal came out, and my friend found hair in her burger as well. Before the food even arrived, the manager made a sarcastic comment like, “Let me move these utensils since there’s hair floating around,” which felt dismissive and unprofessional. Our waiter barely checked on us and avoided our table like he didn’t want to deal with us at all. The whole experience was unprofessional and uncomfortable. And for the record—stop assuming Black customers don’t have money or don’t tip. Even after all of this, I still tipped the waiter, though he didn’t deserve it. The food wasn’t good either. The corn tasted like it was drenched in straight lime juice. Overall, I do not recommend this restaurant. Save your money and your time. Ill share the picture of the food so you can see how appealing it looks I wouldn't have served this to anyone.

We were seated immediately, even though it was a Saturday evening. The staff was really friendly. The food was amazing! That street corn was the best I've had, definitely recommend trying it!

Stopped in for lunch at Oakbrook Terrace location on a whim, and it was outstanding! We were pleasantly surprised at how unique the menu options were. The staff were extremely friendly and attentive. The food was fresh and delicious! Although the margaritas were on the smaller side, they packed a punch with outstanding flavors. We will definitely return on our next trip to Chicago!

Stopped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by the food. The atmosphere is bright and welcoming, however the hostess when we went was unfortunately not. However once seated our waiter was very kind and attentive. We ordered the carne asada bowls and short rib bowls both were delicious. The food and drinks also came out with little waiting. Would definitely return.

The food leaves much to be desired. I asked if the street corn was like traditional elotes or a twist on elotes. The waiter assured me they were traditional and very good. The elotes were drowned in tajin which overpowered everything else (I've never personally had elotes with tajin but I'm sure someone likes it). There was a pretty long break between ordering appetizers and entrees which after looking at other reviews seems to be on brand. When ordering entrees, I asked the waiter if we were able to order the various tacos a la carte or if they only allowed for you to order the taco plates. He said I could do that, just tell him what tacos I want. He proceeded to bring me 2 taco plates and when I told him I only wanted 1 taco plate with additional tacos on the side, he said those tacos are only ordered as taco plates which is why I had 2 full plates. I'm not sure how this was lost in translation but at this point I was irritated and just wanted to leave so I told him it was fine, someone at the table would eat off of it. The carne asada tacos were the only thing I would recommend. I was thoroughly surprised to get beans and white rice with corn in it. I attended for someone's birthday so I didn't look into the menu or restaurant at all so I was a bit disappointed that it was not exactly traditional Mexican food. Overall, I would not recommend.

Omg whoever is back there in the kitchen deserves a chefs kiss! This was the best birria tacos I’ve ever had 🥰 the warm queso was also good!

They have delicious food and had good 3- 4 vegetarian options for people like me follow Hindu Vegetarian Diet, from appetizer I liked Tamale and sweet corn. And papas Dulce was okayish. May be I was full with appetizer.

You will not regret your decision to eat here. We went during a pretty busy time, and while it took a long time to get our food, it was definitely worth it. Please get their guacamole and/or queso before ordering your meals! The service was respectful, helpful, accommodating, and understanding. I was also surprised that it wasn't really loud, considering how busy it was. Im not entirely sure if reservations are a thing here but if so, please do it. This is a pretty busy place to go to and planning ahead will make it easier for everyone. I'd like to come here again when I come back to the Chicago area!

Looking for a place for a large group dinner? Head to Blanco Cocina & Cantina in Oak Brook! A ton of drink & shareable options to kick things off & big portions for reasonable prices. The servers know how to take care of groups! Don't skip out on the: Classic guacamole Warm queso dip Elote Spicy mango shrimp ceviche Strawberry Aqua Fresca was a tasty mocktail option that complimented the food

**Vegetarian Friendly** Absolutely stunning aesthetic inside, and great place for large groups! Staff was very friendly, but unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow, that all of the food came out cold. I originally bookmarked this because they had a separate Vegetarian Menu, but they did away with it. The black beans are vegetarian, the charro beans are not. Drinks: (1) Mango Stand - too sweet but good mango margarita if it's up your alley (2) The New Skinny - delicious, wish we had gotten the spicy version because it was on the sweeter side Dinner: (1) Complimentary chips and salsa - the chips were warm, and the salsas were tasty. (2) Nachos con Queso - they made it seem it was an inconvenience to not include meat, otherwise they were okay. (3) Roasted Poblano Chile & Tomato Cheese Crisp - such a let down considering it was one of their top rated items. Essentially this is an open-faced cheese quesadilla with toppings. They skimped on toppings, the cheese was already congealed and wasn't "crisp." (4) Vegetarian Caramelized Sweet Potato Enchiladas - very good enchiladas, enjoyed the sweet and savory combo of the vegetables. Very overpriced for the level of service and food, but overpriced because it's Oak Brook. We wouldn't be back.

Blanco Cocina rocks a Tulum vibe in a mall in Oakbrook, Il. The restaurant is beautiful, hanging gardens, great decor. The staff is warm, professional and friendly from front door throughout the meal service. Food and drinks are very good. Wide variety of options. Drinks are unique and tasty. Reservations were not required but were helpful.

I was walking around the Oak Brook Mall looking for someplace different to eat -- enough of the steakhouses for a while. I decided to try Blanco Cocina + Cantina. I made a good decision. My server, West, was polite and attentive. The food delicious. I ordered the Poblano Shrimp Enchiladas - caramelized onion, jack cheese, poblano crema served with served with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, rice & choice of black or charro beans (charro beans were tender but not mushy). If in the area I recommend this establishment.

This place was solid. Wasn't sure what to expect from a restaurant that orbits the mall. But we were starving after wandering around the mall for a few hours and decided to take our chances. We loved the chips and salsa, grilled avocado tacos, and the mango stand margarita! The mango stand marg was definitely the star of the show: each sip like a tangy, fruity firework! Very cool, airy ambiance. Service was friendly and fast. We weren't wowed by the guacamole but funnily enough, about halfway through the dish my partner and I both agreed that we had warmed up more to it and were starting to enjoy it. Not sure what the other options are like around this mall, but I would come back to Blanco Cocina if I'm in the area again!

I've always passed this restaurant when I'm trying to find parking at oakbrook mall. Was in the mood for Mexican and so glad we stopped by! The first thing I noticed walking through the glass doors is the interior design and the ambiance. This place had a very lively vibe. Something that you would see connected to a tropical destination five-star hotel. Tacos: 5/5 Just loved the tacos ..they load it w marinated shrimp didn't skimp on veggies n sauce. Perfectly balanced every bite . House chips n salsa: 5/5 super thin n crispy chips came out warm and salsa was home made . We went through 2 bowls unbelievable! Taco salad 5/5: Decent size . Classic fresh greens , tortilla strips n savory taco beef. Nothing left over Poblano cheese crisps 5/5: I used to make these at home like mini pizzas on top of tortillas. Who knew it was a thing??! Service 5/5 : Props goes to our waitress Carmen! She knew that we would be sharing some of the foods and she split up salads and tacos into smaller plates. It's service like this that really takes it to the next level. Tip: ask for the hot sauce they will bring you homemade Chili Verde and red sauce in glass bottles. Love the extra mile they go !

Was shopping at the mall and heard good things about the Catina. Tall ceiling main room, but not noisy. Some slowness to get our Queso appetizer right but comp'ed us to make it right. The white wine Sangria was fantastic. Had the Shrimp Fajitas, which were very yummy. And the beef Fajitas hit the spot as well. We opted for the Tres Leches cake for desert and wasn't disappointed! Best ever, nice and moist with strawberries.

This is a chill spot to visit after doing some shopping at Oakbrook Mall. I believe this place is new too. The food is pretty average but good. Don't expect the food to be authentic. To drink, we got the mango and watermelon margaritas. They were watered down cause I'm a light weight drinker and I didn't feel the alcohol at all. But it was refreshing to drink still. We shared the sweet corn tamale and the complimentary chips & salsa which were both pretty good! For my entree, I got their shrimp fajitas which comes with a choice of corn or flour tortillas, beans, salsa, guac, and cheese. It was very filling. My friend got the short rib chimichanga and that thing was massive! I got to try some and it was pretty good too.

Blanco Cocina is a fantastic spot to grab a bite to eat. In fact, I challenge you to find something on the menu that doesn't sound great. The feeling when you walk in the front door is one of up-scale cantina. The friendly hostesses greet you with a smile and you are whisked away to a table that seats everyone comfortably. As you pass the bar, however, you can't help but wonder if that were the better choice of seating... Nonetheless, you know you're in for a treat as you enter the spacious dining room that is lively but not loud. Your waiter is surely to be as delightful as ours was, ever eager to please. The drink menu teases and the food menu delivers - everything is SO GOOD! And that goes for the service as well. We chose an app and a varied array of entrees and enjoyed our choices immensely. No one at our table could or wanted to stop eating! Leaving no room for dessert, of even another drink, we left knowing we made the right choice for the meal. We will, absolutely, be back again in the future!

I recently visited Blanco Cocina + Cantina for a dinner date with a friend, and this was my third time at this fantastic location. I highly recommend making a reservation, especially on weekends, as it tends to be quite busy! As always, I started with their delicious chips and salsa, along with a refreshing margarita. For my meal, I couldn't resist the nachos--let me tell you, I absolutely annihilated them! They were incredibly tasty and definitely hit the spot. My friend ordered the steak fajitas and enjoyed them overall, but she mentioned that the meat was a bit tough and that her veggies were over-charred. However, the staff truly impressed us; our server and the manager were incredibly helpful and promptly provided her with new veggies. The service was great, and the atmosphere is perfect for a date night. I'll definitely be back for more delicious food and that fantastic ambiance!

Located in the very busy Oakbrook Center,Blanco Cocina is a real gem. As soon as you walk inside,you are greeted by a hostess . We made reservations but they were not too crowded on a Sunday afternoon. we asked for a booth by the window and they had one already reserved for us..very impressive. They have an extensive beverage menu from Margaritas,Sangria,Beers and of course Tequilas. I had a Tecate and my wife had the Strawberry Mandarin Agua Frescas. Very refreshing but a little too much lime. We started with the Spicey Mango Ceviche. Fresh and delicious with shrimp. A real treat! We asked our server Emily if we could share the Short Rib Machaca bowl which came with rice and beans. She said she could split it for us. I also ordered the Sweet Corn Tamale. Our food arrived very fast and is brought out by a different server. We were surprised the bowl was not split so she brought us a bowl so we could split it ourselves. Not sure what happened? The portion size of the bowl was small in comparison for what they charge so I was glad I ordered the tamale which was super tasty and covered in Oaxaca cheese The foods are very favorable and made fresh. Great atmosphere even tho parking can be a real hassle since there are so many restaurants nearby. I would go back for drinks and appetizers and maybe try one of their Chimichangas.

Short pit stop to grab a beer while waiting on some friends. It was a nice place to stop. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was pleasant. The food, from what I could tell from a glance, seemed very tasty. Might have to come and actually eat vs just grabbing a beer at the bar. The bar tenders were both very hospitable and made you feel very welcome.

Came here while in the area for work and it was so good I went back a week later when visiting family in the area for Thanksgiving. Seriously so good! The spicy marg is actually spicy which I adore

I'm not from the area so decided to stop by and pick up some food to go. I ordered the steak fajitas with Charro beans and corn tortillas. The meat was very tender and seasoned very well. I also got chips and salsa that was included. For dessert I went with the Tres Leches cake. All of it was delicious. The staff was very friendly. I will definitely be returning to try something different.

Having now been here three times for work related functions I have to say this place is just not great. The food is mid-level fast casual but it's a little pricier than that. I like the street corn but the fish tacos and the pork flatbread thing, not great. Services pretty hit or miss - today was quite slow even though the restaurant wasn't very full (which isn't great as a place that's largely catering to a work lunch crowd).

This is a nice place to eat Americanize/ TexMex Mexican food. We went in as a large group for dinner. We were able to get a reservation in the same day given this was a weekday. Parking was a bit difficult but the food was delicious! I ordered carnitas tacos with ranchero beans and rice. All was really good but it was a lot to eat for sure. I ordered a beer but others in my group got cocktails. Overall, it was a great place for dinner and drinks. The staff was nice and super outgoing.

Food, service & ambience is on point here. Everything I've had here has been really good! The jalapeño margarita is AMAZING!!

The Short Rib Chimichanga was amazing. I wasn't sure because I'm not a huge fan of ribs but it was great! I have no regrets. The rice is also amazing, I'm not a bean fan and so I opted for extra rice. The service was pretty slow, but we were a party of 8 so that may have had an influence. They were very nice though. It's very nice and unique inside.

Beautiful atmosphere, excellent service, fantastic food. The grilled mahi tacos are outstanding. And of course, you can't go wrong with the chips and salsa that they bring to your table.

Blanco is a great spot for a fun date night or dinner with your friends. My fiancé and I had dinner here on a Saturday night and everything was delicious. Be sure to make a reservation a head of time, this place was packed and I noticed not many walk ins were able to be seated right away or at all. We sat at the high tops by the bar and the views here are stunning. It really put us in a mood to just relax and enjoy the summer beachy vibes. We ordered the mezcal old fashioned and mango stand for drinks. If you are able to get both, do it lol. Both of them are polar opposite and much needed. THEY ARE SOO GOOD! Old fashioned is like 'alright, gimme something strong' and the mango stand is fruity and fun. For dinner we shared the carne asada tacos and the carnitas tacos. The corn tortillas are made in house so we opted for those and wowwww, fresh and delicious. The side rice is crazy tasty and full of flavor. I wish I got our servers name bc she was awesome - the perfect amount of attentive, kind and very friendly. She even asked to see my ID and it made my night haha!

We chose Blanco on a whim because almost nothing else was open on July 4th. Boy, are we happy we did! We started with a coconut mojito and the watermelon shrimp ceviche with chips. So yum. The drinks are stiff, the booze sneaks up on you. We ordered two tacos (shrimp and steak) with rice and black beans and my husband ordered a steak burrito. Very good. The black beans and rice were outstanding, I have a thing for black beans and they did not disappoint! Our server was super helpful and friendly, service was quick. I loved the ambience of the place. It actually felt like we were on vacation between the food, drinks and the vibes. We will be back!

I've been twice and plan on going again. Both meals I tried were good, and took no time at all to come out. Full of seasoning and incorporated lots of flavors. Wait staff are all super accommodating and sweet as well. + This place is ADORABLE, the interior is so cute with hanging plants and plenty of comfy seating.

Right when we walked in, we absolutely loved the aesthetics of the place. Beautiful lush greenery and bold colors. We checked in at the front desk and wanted to wait for the other couple. We checked in again with a different person from the front desk who looked confused, but thankfully got seated in a booth shortly after. The booths were extremely comfortable and spacious! Our server was prompt and took care of our drink and food orders right away. We ordered the spicy mango ceviche and the warm queso. The hot appetizers came without chips and we waited for our server to come to our table, but we then also had our entrees quickly delivered. I enjoyed the ceviche and queso. My boyfriend got the carne asada bowl which was fairly small for the price you pay for. I enjoyed my grilled chicken fajitas, they came with onions and peppers and all the fixings. We also loved the chocolate impossible cake over the tres leches cake. Pretty pricy, but still a good fun spot to check out in the Oak Brook Mall.

This place is great for groups! They have it decorated super trendy but also makes you feel like you're not in the middle of Oak Brook. Love the drink menu, can't go wrong with a marg or the Paloma Rosa- which is super fancy with a sprinkle of roses on top!! I went with the carne asada tacos that order comes with beans and rice. Service is good here too, the chops and drinks were flowin. I will be back to try the fajitas!

Had Mother's Day brunch here ... all the food was good . Drinks were spot on . Service was ok , best part was the salsas and free chips .

I really enjoyed the margaritas, the bar is nice and spacious. The food is more like Americanized tacos, and the rice and beans were kind of gummy, weird texture. We tried some apps that we did enjoy, recommend the taquitos and cheese crisp.

**Fantastic Dining Experience with a Few Hiccups** My recent visit to this Mexican restaurant left me with a mix of awe and minor frustrations. Walking in, the restaurant's ambiance was undeniably charming. The dedicated waiting area, beautifully decorated welcome desk, and the well-designed layout from the bar to the dining area, all contributed to a delightful atmosphere. The roof lamps and decor in the dining area added a touch of sophistication. The menu, though not incredibly diverse for vegetarians, managed to impress us with its flavors. The Grilled Mexican Street Corn and Cheese Crisps were delightful starters, and the modified Vege Fajitas, crafted upon our request, were a delicious and thoughtful addition. The Avocado Taco and Traditional Cheese Enchiladas were equally delightful, showcasing the chef's expertise. The drink selection was equally satisfying, with the Skinny Margaritas standing out as a definite highlight, alongside the refreshing Smashed Watermelon cocktail. However, the one significant drawback was the noise level. The restaurant was exceedingly loud, making it challenging to engage in a conversation at our table. It somewhat dampened the overall dining experience. On a positive note, the availability of outdoor seating was a saving grace. During pleasant weather, it provided a perfect setting to enjoy the delicious food and drinks without the noise hindrance. In summary, the restaurant's ambiance, excellent food, and impressive drinks make it a must-visit. With a bit of attention to the noise level, this place could easily be a five-star dining destination. Despite the noise, I would recommend it to anyone seeking an authentic Mexican culinary experience in a vibrant setting.

The food here is so flavorful and the setting is bright and cheerful. I started with an Agua Fresca that was refreshing but a little heavy on the lime. My husband and I shared the Spicy Shrimp Mango Ceviche which had the perfect combination of bright flavor in every bite. The shrimp were a good size and they didn't skimp on the portion. The tortilla chips are served warm, freshly made and gluten free. I was a bit disappointed in the portion size of the Short Rib Machata Bowl for the price. But to their credit it wasn't just a bowl of lettuce but perfectly balanced and again full of flavor. We also shared the corn tamale which was huge and delicious. Our server was good and we didn't feel rushed. We will return again. Note to those not familiar with Oak Brook Center that parking is free but hard to find a spot close unless you are prepared to drive around and stalk people walking to their car.

I have only dined at the bar area on the few times I have been at Blanco Cocina. The service has always been efficient and gracious. Depending on the day and time, parking at the Oakbrook Mall could be challenging. For the times when I did not make any reservations, we have always just walked in and checked if there were seats open at the bar area. The last couple of times that I have gone, the dining area seemed less busy than it was when it just opened. For alcoholic drinks, they had a good selection of cocktails, beers, and others. As for food, I have tried the SHORT RIB MACHACA, CARNE ASADA, QUESO, and the PORK CHILE VERDE BOWL. The flavors were okay, and the portions were decent, but they always had so much oil. When I had the pork chile verde bowl and the carne asada, I couldn't eat almost half of my dish because everything was swimming in oil. The overall vibe of the place was lively and fun. The bathrooms were clean and I liked the service that we've received from the bar area. Hopefully, they can do something about their dishes so that this could be a solid spot not just for drinks, but also for good food.

We went after shopping at Oak Brook. It's a nice casual atmosphere. The music is really loud, but you could have a conversation. We had short rib tacos and steak fajita tacos. Both were really good. The beef was some of the best I've had at a Mexican restaurant. It seems they usually use a cheaper cut of meat, but here the beef was great. Free chips and salsa, although our server brought it after about ten minutes. If they forget to bring it like she did, make sure and ask for it because it's great. The menu has lots of interesting things to try, and I'll definitely go back. I should mention that it's pricey. I was a little surprised by $4.50 for iced tea. That's the most I've paid recently. But the food is definitely worth the higher price for the better quality.

Blanco Cocina offers a bustling dining experience with good food and a warm welcome. The menu boasts a variety of drinks and standout items like crispy potato fries and flavorful salsa verde. Their vegetarian options are impressive, providing a satisfying choice for non-meat eaters. The chips and salsa, particularly the salsa, are delightful, setting the tone for the meal. Corn and tacos round out the menu with tasty options. The dessert, chocolate tiramisu, is a sweet ending to the meal. However, the restaurant's major drawback is the excessive noise, which can make conversation challenging. Despite this, Blanco Cocina is a solid choice for those seeking a lively atmosphere and a diverse selection of food and drinks.

The food service here was really amazing. The server was very accommodating to making a drink that wasn't on the menu. The food was plentiful and delicious. The salsa wasn't too spicy which was nice, but still very flavorful.

Delicious food and fast service. If you are vegetarian as your server for assistance, we learned the rice and charro beans are not vegetarian, but black beans are. The guacamole is an excellent addition to the chips and salsa. The food was all fresh and tasted well balanced. There is comfortable outside seating during warm months and a bright open space inside.

It's been bothering me this much that I actually have to stoop this low and complain to let others know. Do not go here. To give you a reason why, it's the price of the food when the quality is low. 2 adults 1 child. Appetizer - 1 warm queso dip $14.00 Meal 1 - steak quesadilla (no condiments no rice no beans no sour cream included) $21.00 with a Diet Coke $4.25 Meal 2 - taco salad $15 with a water Child - steak flour tortilla plain (literally a tortilla with some pieces of steak) $11 , French fries. Water Our total was $71.00 not including tip. Some may say, that doesn't seem bad of a price, but if I had known the price for what we were given Id have taken pictures to show all just how ridiculous and inflated these prices are to seem like they're this extravagant fine dining Mexican joint. What bothered me the most was my 5 year old daughter's taco... just a plate with a tortilla and some steak slapped onto it, and my dish which was the quesadilla. Literally no lettuce, tomato's, sour cream or anything on the plate. Just two tortillas smashed together with cheese and some steak. When I saw the price, my jaw dropped. I was expecting it to be at most $50 dollars for the amount of food we got. It was all half a$$ed put together and I'd have better tasting food from a taco vender. These restaurants throw themselves in these upscale neighborhoods with insane prices and sh!tty food to appeal to the rich folk to make them feel all preppy. For that kind of money, at least throw some rice and beans and some other condiments on the dishes. So this way when I go to pay, I'll say it's worth getting a fist shoved up my a$$ for paying that price.

Great happy hour spot in Oakbrook Mon-Fri from 3-6pm. The menu offers a lot of food and drink options. Tacos, nanchos, guacamole, margaritas, Paloma's, sangrias, beers. I mean it's a pretty extensive happy hours menu with no item over $10 and I'm here for it!! Service was solid. The bar fills up pretty quickly and I see why. They've gotten happy hour right!

The steak tacos were great, the guacamole was average and that's where it ends, it's a nice restaurant and good customer service. I am surprised someone should invest so much money on a restaurant like this and pay attention on every item on the venue. The salsa tastes just like a premade salsa you would buy at the grocery store. If it's not the great job on making it taste the same. The rice just tasted weird, it looked like it was cooked in butter it was shiny and it didn't have much flavor. If I ever stop by again I will definitely order the steak tacos, bring my own hot sauce and tell them to keep the rice and beans.

It was the best tacos ever and it had amazing service.also the ambiance was so good .

If we did half stars I'd give it 3 1/2. My friend and I were seated at a table for two, but it's really a small table. When we ordered the braised beef cheese crisp and carne asada fajitas to share, we barely had room to eat and were constantly worried about knocking over our drinks. I wanted to like it more but the cheese crisp is just an open faced quesadilla but the beef brisket itself was very tasty. Fajitas came with rice or beans and rice was very average. The restaurant has a nice decorative set up, but trying to put in too many tablesand not getting good service just to refill my water was frustrating. I was seated right next to the server stand with the water pitcher and at one point turned around and refilled my own water.

I have wanted to try this Mexican-style restaurant in the Oakbrook area for some time. It sits next door to the extremely popular Cheesecake Factory. The name of this restaurant is Blanco in Oakbrook. I came here with my wife at lunchtime around noon. The restaurant was already starting to get quite busy. This definitely seems like a very popular spot in the area. In my book, this is always a good sign that the restaurant probably has good food if it is busy. The interior is very modern and high-end. My only complaint is the chairs are not very comfortable. They are metal and when you sit too long, they start to hurt. We were seated and the waitress immediately came up to ask if we wanted anything to drink. I was disappointed that they do not carry Horchata. They did, however, carry Mexican Coke, which was a great second choice. We started with their highly recommended queso and Elote corn. They give you complementary chips and salsa. Both the salsa and chips were very tasty. The queso came to our table first. It was out of this world delicious. It was so creamy. I thought to myself taking a spoon to it and eating the cheese with no chips. It was that good. The Elote corn on the cob was sliced into pieces, which made it somewhat awkward to eat. The corn, though, was very good. I love Elote-style corn. For my main dish, I ordered the short rib chimichanga and my wife ordered the chicken Tinga with ancho chili sauce. These were so perfect that they were Instagram-worthy. The flavors were delicious. The meat was extremely tender. The sauces also complemented the entire dish. The rice that came on the side also was very good. It was white rice with hints of citrus. Every single thing that we ordered was delicious. Of course, with everything nowadays everything is extremely expensive. We spent just under $100 for lunch. I rate Blanco an 8.3 out of 10. This is definitely somewhere that you need to check out. It is easily one of my favorite higher-end Mexican restaurants.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina is a fun and vibrant addition to the Oak Brook Mall area. The first location for this chain in the Illinois area. The inside is a mix of california boho, eccentric, and sophisticated with nods to classic mexican motifs. The menu offers a wide variety of classic and elevated food and drink options. The open kitchen in the main dining area is also a fun touch to the space. When I think of a taco salad, I think of the crunchy corn shell filled with taco items. This salad version is by far the step up to a classic I crave endlessly. I leave feeling full but not stuffed. The skinny margarita was also tasty! Both presentations were simple yet pleasing. I love this hot spot and make it a priority to visit when in the Oak Brook area! Tip: Check out the weekday happy hour offerings! Just note that this is offered first come, first serve at the bar area (no reservations offered for this area).

Food was very good! A 2 taco platter w/ beans and rice was around 18 but 1 taco was 9. That was disappointing. Way too much for 1 taco. And soda was 4.25. Again, too much.

We thoroughly enjoyed Blanco! We did not have a reservation. They told us 45 minutes, which was easy bc the mall is right across the street! It was only 20 minutes before we got the text that our table was ready. We sat on the patio! The salsa had a beautiful kick to it. As stated on my profile, smooth guacamole gets 5 stars every time! I had shrimp, ground beef, and chicken pastor. I actually liked the chicken pastor best. The service is stellar. The manager came over to make sure we we were good. Fun fact: Their guacamole is made fresh every hour! And it tastes it! It's so good! I can't wait to come back!

Amazing chips and queso Shrimp enchiladas on point Good cocktails and good service Would go again

Wet large place with good food. Had the quest with beef, most excellent. The pineapple jalapeño margarita was very very good. The burrito was huge and very filling, short rib was cooked perfectly. The strawberry mandarin drink was very refreshing. Service was excellent.

I'd heard such good things about Blanco so I decided to check it out for happy hour. My first impression was that it's really cute but small compared to other Oak Brook restaurants. I don't see them being able to accommodate more than 50 patrons at a time and I could see the wait getting ridiculous on the weekends. Luckily I was there on a Tuesday at 4pm so the wait was minimal. Next observation is they have no busboys or bar backs so the floors and tables stay dirty. Our table had food in the chairs and on the floor under the table. I requested they at least clean the food from the chairs. This was a big turnoff for me, dirty restaurants do not make me trust the kitchen or bathroom is clean either. The drinks were ok, not very strong or large. Maybe the regular menu is better than the happy hour options but the prices are also twice as high. The food was good but once again not worth paying full price. Even during happy hour our bill was $75 for two people and we only ordered one full price item (chicken tinga enchiladas). The portions are average and nothing is stellar. I don't think I would return and pay full price.

Overall very good service and ambiance. Staff was very nice and friendly. The chips and queso were fantastic but for the main food I might have just ordered the wrong thing. My boyfriend and I just both got a burrito bowl but it ended up being super wet and more like soup. Wasn't a favorite lunch of mine but wonder what the other food is like!

I decided to stop here to grab a bite after an exhausting day at the hospital . I've been prior and the atmosphere is always welcoming. Chips and salsa is plentiful and normally it's crowded but today not so much . I opted for shrimp fajitas w/flour tortillas. The server brought corn ( no biggie). More than enough food . Last time I ordered the Paloma but didn't this time because I wasn't feeling well but it's a must try!!! It is made perfectly!!! The ceviche is also awesome!

Another great experience! I had the smashed strawberry and mandarin margarita. It was a nice balanced drink! I had a chicken taco and short rib taco. They were delicious! I think the chicken enchiladas were my favorite still! We had queso for an appetizer. It was also delicious. It had pico, sour cream, and guacamole on top. I would get again! The flan is a good size for one person or split between two people. I normally don't care for flan but this one was fantastic. Great texture and flavor. The whip cream on top and fruit paired perfectly. The general manager ended up being our waiter. He was funny, personable, and had great recommendations!