Chilango

Absolutely LOVED our meal there. The drinks were fabulous. Our favorite was the Sueño. Bright and fresh and creamy (with no cream in it). The Bad Bunny was nearly as good. For our starters, we had the oysters, which were delicious and fresh and briny, adding fantastic flavor with their mango hot sauce. It didn’t overpower anything on the oysters. We also ordered a masa panisse. It was crispy on the outside, and smooth and buttery on the inside. It didn’t even need any sauce. Entrees: the enchiladas verde and steak fajitas. The enchiladas were delicious. The verde sauce gave some brightness to the dish, without overpowering spice. The enchiladas themselves were perfectly made with fresh, house-made tortillas and the right amount of smoked chicken in them. It was more filling than we expected. The fajitas were about the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly cooked and tender flank steak, with a good amount heat from the spices. A lovely mix of onions and peppers with fresh pico, guacamole, and crema. Well balanced in every way I wanted it to be. Dessert: we were comfortable, but wanted something sweet to top it off. Sebastian Joe’s banana chocolate chip ice cream. The banana was definitely there, but it got mostly covered up by the chocolate ice cream (just how my palate works with chocolate, usually). It was still quite tasty. I highly recommend Chilango, and am looking forward to coming back.

We did Sunday specifically Easter brunch, but face style. It was delicious. Salmon dip is delicious. Must try the salad with super fresh coffee was Always hot I had a mango margarita which honestly wasn’t that good but I can honestly forget them atmosphere food and coffee was delicious so I can totally get past that margarita the views are amazing 🤩

Stopped by for cocktails and absolutely loved the margaritas! We also had the tortilla chips with salsa, and I got to sample my friend’s tacos which were good. Definitely returning soon for more margaritas and to explore more of the menu!

Fantastic experience at Chilango! The margaritas were top-notch—well balanced, a little spicy while still being refreshing. We shared the nachos with chicken, which were loaded with flavor and generous toppings. The 1/2 chicken was juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked to perfection, and the cheeseburger was just as impressive. Read another review that this is one of the best burgers they’d had at it lived up to my expectation. Really liked the atmosphere and the service was friendly and attentive. Zack did a great job taking care of us. Definitely a spot we’ll be returning to!

My husband & I have eaten at Chilango twice now with groups of friends and had great experiences both times! The chef, Jorge Guzman, has a number of JBFA nominations and previously lead the kitchens at Surly’s Brewer’s Table and Petite Leon. Food highlights - our absolute favorites from the menu are the sikil pak and camarones al diablo. Ordered both dishes both times we’ve been there and they have been consistent preparations across visits, plus tons of flavor. Ordered a burger to split 4 ways with our friends last visit and loved it so much we ordered a second one to take home for a late night snack. We’ve gotten the queso twice, once with the brisket and once without. I actually preferred the queso on its own without the brisket, thought the brisket added a greasy element that I didn’t care for, plus it could’ve benefited from a strong pinch of salt. In terms of starters, I love the sikil pak, a smoky, well spiced dip made from pepitas. Highly recommend starting your meal with this! The piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese are a strong second pick, they were delicious. I was craving something sweet at the end of our last meal, so we ordered a slice of the basque cheesecake to share. It was decadent in the best way possible, rich but not too sweet, with a vanilla poppyseed crumble on top that added a delightful texture to each bite. They also have an excellent lineup of cocktails and mocktails - don’t miss out on their strawberry lemonade, it was one of the best iterations of that drink that I’ve tried. Friendly, efficient service and a beautiful space filled with plants and murals. It’s a good spot to celebrate special occasions. They will validate your parking if you park inside the Calhoun Beach Club ramp, but we’ve always easily found a spot to park on the metered street parking around the restaurant.

The food, service, and atmosphere are incredible! I'm a local who never got around to coming here until a friend recommended it & if you're on the fence DO IT! The moment I walked in I was greeted by the event manager who complimented my coat and made me feel so special! I think her name was Marnie. My server Cole was so attentive and knowledgeable. He clearly is really passionate about the food and drinks here, and he answered all my questions before I even asked them! I got the tuna toastada to start and their cocktail of the moment "the last batch", and both were incredible! Balanced, exciting cocktail and the tuna toastada was clearly very high quality tuna and it was light, but satisfying. The manager Aaron was super kind too and stopped by with my appetizer. We chatted and it felt like he really cared about me and the restaurant and is proud of his staff! I got the Camarones al Diablo for my entrée and it was a really pleasant surprise! It's not a flavor profile I would normally go for, but each bite made me love it more. It's very earthy and robust, and the fresh cilantro and mint on top contrasted the spiciness of the sauce and made the butteriness of the shrimp stand out. Oddly enough, the masa panisse was my favorite part and it almost acted like a palette cleanser for the rest of the dish. Dessert was a showstopper as well! I got the pistachio tres leches and Cole told me it was a family recipe of one of the chefs, which made it better (I didn't know that was possible)! All the staff here were incredible, but Brian ran my food and was just so bright and cheery, Venus was the host that greeted me and he was so friendly, and the bussers Mirsham and Roxanne were so helpful and welcoming! I can't wait to come here more and get to know everyone! I know this is a long-winded review, but genuinely this is the best first experience I've had at a restaurant ever and I'd would highly recommend this place!

This place spiced up our Monday to the extent that I legit thought today was Sunday. First impressions, the atmosphere was so cute and fun. Charming outdoor patio w a lake view; warm and welcoming interior. Went for a book release event and HAD SO MUCH FUN— tried things I never would have ordered and it honestly might have been life changing? I didn’t realize a taco could light up my brain like that. (If the deathbed taco is staying on the menu YOU MUST ORDER IT.) I’m glad the admission price came with a cookbook bc I would have been inclined to deprive myself of it to save a buck, but now I can’t wait to explore it. I think this type of food is what we need right now to save our souls. My only regret is not dressing fancier. Great place to have a fun flirty evening with friends or the more-than-friends ppl in your life — a good metric for testing your social group because if you have a bad time it’s not the venue’s fault.

The food was good just not a traditional Hispanic restaurant and just not my preferred style of restaurant. I should’ve known this from the location in uptown and across from lake bde maka ska. The online menu is current as of 7/5/25.

Chilango has been on my radar for a while and I finally found some time to go! I'm absolutely glad I did! Only issue I had was that there was a large event taking place during our dinner, so it was loud and there were a lot of people coming and going, and crowding around our bar (we were in a booth near the bar). It would've been nice to know ahead of time so we could have come earlier or later. Overall, the service was friendly and attentive. Let's talk about the food: Chile Con Queso: 5/5. Simple and delicious. Guacamole: 5/5. Fresh and delicious. Our table devoured this. Brussel Sprouts: 5/5. The perfect side dish, but can also be eaten as an appetizer. YUM. NY Strip: 5/5. This is a big dish, so my husband and I split it. The steak was cooked to perfection and was incredibly delicious. The flavors were explosive. Probably the best thing on the menu, but I still have a handful of things left to try!

C H I L A N G O if this was helpful, please click to react, and Follow me for more reviews Check out my IG for more news, insight, pairings and other fun related content. -------------------------------------------- First time checking out this James Beard Finalist Restaurant led by Chef Jorge Guzman (same chef and owner behind Petite León) Definitely some customer service opportunities for a new local spot. There were some longer wait times for food and to order our next round of drinks. Most disappointing was someone else besides our server brought out our second round of drinks, with one that we were waiting for. We asked our server to check on the beverage, and instead of checking on it, she questioned us and smelled our glasses to make sure we didn't pound it already. Pretty rude, and uncalled for. This is something you check with bar staff on not smell my glass and treat me like I'm trying to get free drinks, while questioning my integrity. overall I enjoyed the food, but our friends who really know authentic Mexican were as impressed. We ordered so much, and for me I enjoyed the burger, and really enjoyed the queso. The brisket tacos weren't my favorite and the other items seemed to be met with mixed reviews. Two rounds of cocktails and I was happy with them. First I ordered the mezcal variation of the classic old fashioned. The Oaxacan Old Fashioned. I'm not one for smokey cocktail, but the cocktail worked well and I would order it again. The Chilango Margarita was also very good. We ordered the Un Poquito Mas and it was pretty good, sweet but good. Food Allergies gluten free options available! Specifically we ordered flour and corn tortillas, but they messed up in the back of house putting them in the right area so we had to ask 3 times for the corn tortillas. So be aware

Yikes, I would go to Colita. The food was below par, the price was high, and the service was average. We ate on plastic plates, but spent $35 per entree.

We lucked out and got parking on the street by the restaurant. It was going to be a four star experience but the manager definitely made it a five star night. We had reservations and when we got there (on time), we still had to wait about 20 minutes before being seated. The place was packed, we were hungry, and I was starting to get frustrated. I do have to say though, that the interior was beautiful. Once we were seated, my husband eagerly ordered his food, fish tacos, while I was still looking at the menu. I felt pressured to pick something so I ordered the papas machas and nachos. I really wanted the enchiladas verdes but I didn't get a chance to read the ingredients. The papas machas were SPICY but we love spicy foods. Honestly, I could have ordered two of these and called it a day, it was so good. I didn't try his fish tacos but he said they were fantastic! The nachos were pretty standard but I was still thinking about those enchiladas. As we were talking to one of the managers, we realized how special this restaurant was and their customer service in the back was nothing short of amazing. I was able to try the enchiladas verdes and it was everything I hoped it would be. Wow. It was a Disneyland of flavors. The choco taco just hit right. It reminded me so much of the ones I used to get at the gas station when I was a kid. I would fly back to Minnesota in a heartbeat to eat this all over again.

There were already a few eager guests waiting outside the locked doors of Chilango just before 5PM on a Saturday, and with good reason. Within 10 minutes of us cozying up to the expansive bar, each bar seat was filled with an enthusiastic diner. The atmosphere was bubbly and loud; the art, plants, and lighting were simultaneously stimulating and relaxing, and the service was excellent. It's easy for me to get behind a restaurant that makes room for bar seating, allowing for walk-ins while also dedicating beautiful space for those who want to make formal reservations. Situated right within the chain of lakes, I couldn't imagine a better location. Get a little glam and visit Chilango for a special occasion, or pop in after a walk around Isles in something more casual. You wouldn't feel out of place in either scenario! Chilango Margarita: for only $15, this Patron marg does the trick. Not too sweet with plenty of good tequila and a hint of salt, would certainly order again. Sparkling Toxic Mezcalinity: did not try, but was apparently delightful -smokey and bubbly at the same time! Beets: appreciated the spice to this dish, a creamy yogurt base helped cut the kick from fresh jalapeños, while the cold beets play well with cojita cheese crumbles, pepitas, and quinoa. I didn't taste the honey-vinegrette, but nonetheless, a solid start to the meal. Flautas: a bit underwhelming. What was described as "cheesy-potato stuffed fried tortillas" was more like a scant potato filling without cheese? I enjoyed the toppings of crema, salsa, and queso fresco, but overall the dish was plain. Although the fried tortillas themselves were delicious. Baja Fish Taco: the smokey chipotle crema and house made tortillas were just lovely. Unfortunately, was a little disappointed with the fish itself. I am sure it wasn't, but it tasted frozen and didn't have that nice golden brown crust but instead a heavy breading without much fish within. Really wanted to love these, but I've had much better fish tacos even just in Minneapolis. Suadero Taco: if you like heat, this trio is for you - so simple yet so so good. The effort that was put into the smoked brisket is evident. Packing flavor with little crispy burnt edges, I could have consumed a bowl of brisket alone. Each taco was topped with tiny but flavorful diced onions and a hint spicy salsa (Chile de Arbol) that leaves your mouth searing after the last bite is devoured. Definitely go for the drinks and vibes, but maybe try the enchiladas instead of the fish tacos and the wings instead of the flautas? I also heard the chips and variety of dips are excellent. With opening night just a few weeks ago, it is already clear Chilango will have a powerful effect on what is considered Mex-Tex food in the Twin Cities. For sure a top notch addition to the ever-growing Summer 2024 restaurant list.

Went to Chilango on the second official day open. It's really good and was busy. Saw Chef Guzman taking food to tables and running around the restaurant. Service was really good and our server, Andrew, did a fantastic job. As for the food, tacos were good, brisket had a very nice smoky flavor and was spicy but a little too fatty for my liking. The chips and salsa were good, think more smoky flavored salsa than chunky or spicy. The chicken enchiladas were really good and I'd order them again. Also got a side of rice which had a very unique flavor I still can't figure out - maybe cumin or cinnamon. Drinks were really good. Definitely will be a popular place during the summer time as everyone wants to be by the lakes. Parking is a little tight but they offer valet for $9. Overall a very good new spot by Bde Maka Ska in the Calhoun Beach Club. Definitely want to go back to try out everything on the menu!

Incredible food and fabulous drinks in a beautiful setting! Our group made a reservation for dinner on a Monday for my brother's birthday. We had to wait a bit for a table because it wasn't ready, but not a huge deal because our whole party hadn't arrived. We were given the option to be sat in the bar or the dining room. We sat the dining room as the bar area was a little noisy. We ordered as a group and split everything. Each dish was phenomenal! The Enchiladas Suizas and Suadero Taco were my favorites. The brisket on the tacos was fantastic - I would come back for it in a heartbeat. We also ordered La Parrillada - I was worried it wasn't going to be enough when it came out, but it was plenty, especially with other items! There is nothing like a perfectly cooked steak, and this was no exception. The drinks were also so tasty! The Sparkling Toxic Mezcalinity was the crowd favorite - for both the name and the perfectly balanced flavors. Service was overall good! Our server was so sweet and pretty attentive. Food came out as it was ready, which was nice to help pace things. Drinks were a little slow, but the bar was understaffed, so very understandable. Parking was awful. The website said there was a complimentary ramp, but we ended up paying $20 to leave since the ticket machine didn't work. Not the restaurant's fault, but a consideration moving forward. I would recommend to just valet.

I've always drove past this restaurant whenever I'm near the lake. Finally made it! Parking is available in the lake parking lot across from the restaurant, otherwise the neighborhood behind. This restaurant is nice, big and has 2 different dining rooms. Our server was nice and knowledgeable about the menu. The wings came out with a dry rub and green sauce, the server warned us about the spiciness. Which was perfect because I had used that for the fajitas we ordered.

A summer night here with a drink and good food, and conversation is what you need to experience. The staff were so friendly and helpful! They allowed me to look around the space before being seated. The establishment doesn't look as big as it is but it offers a cozy family members house. Intimate but the opportunity to make new friends always lingers. The food was outstanding! I had to request for shells for my food the initial shells weren't enough. I'm a picky eater but not on this visit, everything looked, smelled, and tasted amazing. Bring your family. Bring your best friend. Come by yourself, you won't feel alone. I'm coming back to see if their drinks are as good as the food. I had a coke this time around.

Fantastic food and service. The mole sauce was so sweet and smoky with a lot of depth. If you get the queso, upgrade it with the brisket, you'll be glad you did. The conchita pibil was so tender and rich, simply amazing. Save room for the choco taco - it's huge and delicious, easily enough for two.

I came to the restaurant with a open mind. I was really excited since the food looked so good and appetizing, when I came in I order the chicken fajitas and the brisket tacos. my honest opinion is that I had better Mexican food.The portions weren't great and the only thing good was the service.

We were a group of two couples dining on a Thursday night. We live very close and used to go to Urban Eatery all the time. We walked there- so no parking hassles. It was fun to see how they opened up the bar there- it makes the whole place seemingly brighter and airier. We had a table by the window overlooking West Lake Street and the lake. The tables have plenty of room between them and there are lots of seats at the bar. They have a seating area in the back which looked a little dark. They have turned the back wall into a brightly colored Mexican themed mural- a nice improvement. Ceilings are high and it's a bit hard to hear- probably more my issue. One of the things I noticed was how many servers they had-plenty of staff. The tables were close to full - although there was plenty of room at the bar for walk ins. Our server was very attentive. They have a lot of specialty drinks which were described to us in detail, an excellent draft beer selection and a limited mid to high priced wine list. Two specialty margaritas were very tasty. We had the guacamole (freshly made chips) and the beets to start- reasonable portions and both excellent. We shared the Thursday special chimichangas and had the market fish- Red Snapper from Mexico. The food came quickly and brought out as soon as it's ready. All very good, the mole sauce was pleasantly spicy. We finished off with the choco taco - filled with Sebastian Joes ice cream. The four of us shared these dishes and had 4 drinks- all for $210. They have a 4.5% staff benefits surcharge. So a bit pricey but not outrageous. The service could not have been better, atmosphere was casual. If I could criticize anything it would be the music- very indistinguishable with a lot of bass.

Possibly the best Mexican/Latin food in Minneapolis. The cocktails were excellent. The staff are kind and friendly, a bit stretched this. Highly recommend over Colita!

My friend and I went to Chilango for dinner on a weeknight and it was pretty busy! The restaurant has a really cool ambiance that makes it feel like you're on vacation somewhere tropical. I got the fish tacos and my friend got the nachos. Our food came out super quickly! The fish tacos were really great and spicier than expected. I would certainly recommend! My friend really liked her nachos as well, but they weren't anything special. Our server was really attentive and we had a great time. Other staff were eager to clear plates and other dishes, which got in the way of our conversation and can be awkward if you eat are varying paces, but I could see where some people would like that. I also got the choco taco for dessert-- it was much more flavorful, salty and sweet, than I anticipated. The parking in the underground ramp was convenient, just remember to ask for a voucher!

There is a lot of hype about this restaurant opening. I didn't feel like the food lived up to the hype. Great location, service was great really beautiful interior and large patio. The food was just meh. We tried several things including the giant fried fish and nothing really jumped out and grabbed me. Other than the location being great for happy hour and some snacks, I didn't feel it was a place I'd return to for dinner.

Jorge does it again! Exceptional chicken enchiladas and margs. The space is open and warmed with wood tables , bar and Mexican glass lighting Next time I'll try flank steak and assorted items

Being a Houston native, I have very strong views about both Tex-Mex and straight up Mexican food. The food at Chilango is "Minn-Mex" at best, and doesn't measure up in the slightest. I got a cucumber agua fresca to drink. While it was flavorful, it was way too sweet and at $10 (plus 5% surcharge) it was also much too expensive for what it was (cucumber, water, mint, and sugar). I didn't bother to try the margarita once I saw that it used Patron--a tequila the Houston bar owners mock given the industrial flavor compared to tequilas like Ocho. The tortilla chips that came with the queso and guacamole had an acrid flavor, as though the oil had been reused too many times. The guacamole itself was quite good. The white queso was solid. On to the mains. This restaurant calls itself "Mex-Tex", claiming to be Mexican-forward. The chef was raised in Yucatán, so I had high hopes. And yet, there was a startling lack of real Mex evident on this menu--from burgers to wings to ribs. I had hoped there would be some good fish options, but both the fish entree options were fried. The enchiladas suizas were solid, but not worth $25 (plus 5% surcharge). Notably, they didn't come with sides of rice or beans like what is standard in a Texas establishment. The one really good thing we got was the enchiladas de camote, which was a stacked-style enchilada with a mole amarillo sauce that actually managed to sneak in a bit of heat. I wish that there had been more adventurous real Mexican dishes--maybe a roast chicken with mole negro sauce or Mexico City-style tacos. Finally, let me add that the hidden surcharges have to stop. Rather than a 5% "not a tip" surcharge, please just price your food accordingly. Had this food been expensive but good, I would have returned--I get that restaurants in Minnesota pay much more fairly compared to in Texas. But the food was disappointing enough that I'd rather go without until I return back to Texas.

GREAT food. GREAT ambiance. GREAT service. Loved the queso, the smoked brisket tacos, and the pollo entree special. The hamberguesa is the BEST burger in the twin cities.

Great food, our whole table of 5 devoured their meals like they hadn't eaten before. Will definitely be coming back again.

It was our 2nd time visiting Chilango in two weeks. Excellent customer service, very knowledgeable about the menu we especially appreciate Taya as our server. Food is excellent and ambiance both patio and inside very comfortable. We could actually hear our conversations. Thank you

We were disappointed in our dinner on Thursday night. The Nacho plate was presented as chips with a black bean paste. Very few peppers, cheese, or salsa. Very few other items included to consider it a Nacho plate. We have been to Chilango a few other times and found it unique with interesting items to try. This time we felt like we were at a Mexican fast food place. With a bit higher price tag.

Waited 30 minutes past reservation time (7:30 reservation for 6). Server was friendly and engaging but disorganized and slow. Drinks took over 10 minutes. Food was less than meh-tortillas were hard to cut (microwaved) and gummy. Ordered the vegetarian enchilada and it was hard to eat. Smoked pork enchilada was so overly spiced (mole was way too tricked out). Apps and desserts were decent. Overall pretty disappointing.

I was looking forward to going to Chilango when I read about it opening in the old Urban Eatery location at Calhoun Beach Club. The setting is great and we got a table right by the windows. The vibe is fun in the bar area. When I looked at the menu I was surprised by how expensive it is...especially with so much competition in the Mexican food scene. I went because the chef is Jorge Guzman who also owns Petite Leon so I expected the food would be beyond what I would've expected, and maybe the prices justified it. I honestly don't think it did. We ordered dishes we split so we had a variety. We had the beet salad which was my favorite. The Fajitas were very ordinary and the vegetables were very oily. The Enchiladas Verdes (recommended) were fine. I thought the portions were on the small side as well and barely enough to share between the four of us. The least expensive bottle of wine is $52 which is too high priced for the quality of the food. The last thing that is really irritating is getting out of the parking ramp which is really the only place to park. They told us they validate parking and gave us tickets that didn't work in the machine and we had to use the call button to get someone to help. There was quite a line to get out behind us. They really need to get this figured out.

Food and drinks are so good. Bartenders are awesome and super knowledgeable. There's nothing on the menu that isn't superb. Kinda pricey but it's in one of the most upscale spots in the city so makes sense. Highly recommend.

I live close, so I want so badly for Chilango to be good, and to succeed. The location, decor, space, and service are all great. Everyone is super nice, responsive, and professional but also friendly and approachable. I've only been twice, so would love to update this review with some better news, but the food so far has been so-so. I just ate three enchiladas, at 8 dollars each. I'm still hungry. The sauce was good, but nothing to write home about. I've had face-melting tex-mex and Mexican food for a quarter of the price, and if this is supposed to be an elevated dining experience, I want to have at least that same first-bite "wow" that I've had at plenty of other Mexican restaurants that are walkups and holes in-the-wall. This was fine. Good, but not 24-dollars good. I've spent 10 dollars at La Casa and had my mind blown. Or, back before they expanded and got bad, Los Ocampo could send me places for 12-16 bucks. And, for that price, I want to be full, and satisfied. I am neither. I like the idea of a moderately high end "Mex-Tex" place. But if I'm paying those prices, you should at least give me a better experience than the average Chicago walk up. Minnesotans don't know good Mexican. You have a chance to show them! I hope you will.

Great experience, friendly staff, bar team was on top of it. Had the beets and fajitas, both were delicious. Tortillas couldn't be better. Menu is well rounded and everything sounds good. The space is beautiful and was very busy

Living in the neighborhood, I was excited to have a new restaurant with promises of great food. Sadly, Chilango was a disappointment. Although the atmosphere was buzzing and servers were engaging, it couldn't make up for the over-priced and underwhelming offerings. The server shared that they had adjusted the menu since opening - mainly by removing a number of items to focus on the balance of the menu - so fewer options. Our group of three shared the nachos to start...not terrible, but fairly bland. I had the Saudero Tacos (2) and have never before had such dry carnitas that I could barely swallow leaving one on the plate. My friends ordered the Camarones al Diablo and Gem salad. Although the shrimp were well cooked, again, there was no flavor, no heat whatsoever and the salad was uninspired. None of the plates were finished. We ended by sharing the choco taco which was sadly the highlight of our meal. With a margarita, wine, martini and a couple of beers, tab came to just over $200. Not worth it. Hoping Chilango will continue to evolve and make it worth a return visit. Until then, there are many better options in the area.

Definitely insta-worthy spot, but food and portions were extremely average and overpriced. Would perhaps return for a drink, but wouldn't order a meal again. Save your bucks and grab texmex elsewhere.

Great food. Beautiful place with view on the street and the lake. Lots of parking space inside.

Went here. It was decent nothing to write home about. Awesome feel and ambiance in the restaurant but food was lack luster. Service was ok, I'll cut our server some slack since I went on the first night soft opening but his communication skills were very poor and his recommendations were even worse. Don't waste your time just go to or by nixta if that's in your driving area. If not most Mexican owned restaurants or taqueria are comparable to chilango for 40-60% of the price.