La Costa West Town

Mexican restaurant · East Ukrainian Village

La Costa West Town

Mexican restaurant · East Ukrainian Village

1

1132 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

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La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null
La Costa West Town by null

Highlights

Seafood, large portions, strong margaritas, friendly staff  

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1132 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 Get directions

lacostachicago.com
@lacosta_chi2

$30–50 · Menu

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1132 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 Get directions

+1 773 360 1226
lacostachicago.com
@lacosta_chi2

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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@eater

Chicago’s Best Mariscos Restaurants | Eater Chicago

"The chapuzón platter — a generous serving of shrimp, octopus, and oysters in a tangy house sauce — is a standout at the Jalisco-inspired La Costa, a restaurant with locations in West Town on Ashland and Belmont Cragin on Central. When you hear Jalisco, diving into the caldos is almost mandatory. The delightfully spicy 7 Mares soup, brimming with mussels, clams, octopus, shrimp, fish, scallops, and crab legs, delivers layers of oceanic depth with every spoonful. Pair it with La Costa’s gooey, cheesy shrimp empanadas for a truly satisfying meal. La Costa also puts a creative twist on dishes easily found across marisquerías in the city. Think seafood-stuffed pineapples and coconuts, but here, they also offer cucumbers filled with fish or shrimp ceviche, providing a refreshing, lighter alternative.And a word of caution: the salsas arriving at your table with the complimentary ceviche pack a serious punch. If you’re not into heat, proceed carefully — his fire demands respect. Live music adds to the experience at Belmont Cragin, where mariachi bands play on Fridays and Sundays. To top it all off, pair your meal with a paloma served in a clay cantarito, the ideal Jaliscan complement to the vibrant flavors and atmosphere. Avoid the crowds by visiting during off-hours." - Brenda Storch

https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-mariscos-mexican-seafood-restaurants-chicago
View Postcard for La Costa West Town

Carlos Arechiga

Google
I have finally found my favorite mariscos spot in Chicago. After many restaurants have gone for a more trendy and modern approach to Mexican seafood lately, I’m so happy to have come across La Costa. This is the kind of place were you’ll find the traditional seafood dishes we all crave every once in a while. I had their langostinos and their filete a la crema, I definitely recommend both. Staff is very friendly and the drinks were very good too. I can’t wait to be back.

Brandi

Google
We were celebrating my friend's birthday and we enjoyed the food! We all got the red snapper. 😆 I enjoyed it! We also got chips and salsa with chopped-up shrimp. I can't remember the name. The service was great and very patient with us.

Stacy A

Google
Wow, the service is terrific and flavors fantastic. Very happy with the shrimp entree and included ceviche starter. Understandable why this place is often busy in the evenings.

Natasha Al-Rafie

Google
We came here at 7:30 without a reservation on a Saturday night. It was crowded, and it only took 5 minutes to get sat but after us it took more than 20. This place is fish forward, and it was pretty good. We started with Guac, and shrimp empanadas. They give you free tostada, chips, and salsa (very spicy and good). We then got oysters, they had a lot of shells in them, shucked that way it appears. They were also smaller more round oysters than long. I got the fish fillet with ranchero, they earned me that it was spicy but it was not spicy. It comes with fries and rice. My partner got a platter with shrimp, octopus, squid inside a filet. With fries, and rice. I also got a frozen margarita, and my partner an iced one. They were strong. Because it was so busy the service was slow, but the staff were super nice. The platters are HUGE.

Dina Rosin

Google
Had so much fun here tonight! Great food and great energy. The Piña Rellena was unreal — a delish combination of sweetness from the pineapple, creaminess from the mushroom sauce, and bubbly cheese on top.

Shannon S

Google
The staff was very attentive, vibes were nice & food was delish! The 5 mare soup was beautiful! Seafood was cooked perfectly and broth was very flavorful. Can’t wait to go back!

Claire Hess

Google
Had some margaritas and shared the small crab platter. Service was good, everyone was very friendly. Sat on the patio which is perfect in the summer, only downside is that it’s right on Ashland so can be a little bit noisy.

Steve

Google
La Costa West Town is a gem that embodies all that we should appreciate in life: purpose, joy, and connection through food. If you’re someone who values delicious food, warm service, and a welcoming atmosphere, then this place is for you. If not, well, this might not be your spot. From the moment I walked in, the service was outstanding. Every member of the staff was attentive and genuinely seemed to care about my experience. It’s rare to find a place where you feel truly valued, but La Costa is one of those rare finds. The tostadas and salsas are nothing short of divine. The flavors are vibrant, each bite carrying a sense of authenticity and love for the craft. And then, there’s the garlic shrimp with fries. This dish was a revelation. The shrimp were tender, perfectly seasoned with garlic, and paired wonderfully with crispy fries. Each element on the plate—from the beans to the rice, and even the small side of fresh salad and orange slice—was crafted with care. La Costa West Town serves more than just a meal; it offers an experience that feels like a warm embrace from the universe. I left feeling not just satisfied, but grateful for the moment.
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Bisma K.

Yelp
If you love seafood and want it served in the best way possible (flavor-wise), this is the place to go for that experience! The staff is quite nice and accommodating. The ambience is awesome. All in all a 10/10. I've got twice since I first discovered this a week ago and each time I have left amazed and quite happy (as has been my friends).
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Natasha A.

Yelp
We came here at 7:30 without a reservation on a Saturday night. It was crowded, and it only took 5 minutes to get sat but after us it took more than 20. This place is fish forward, and it was pretty good. We started with Guac, and shrimp empanadas. They give you free tostada, chips, and salsa (very spicy and good). We then got oysters, they had a lot of shells in them, shucked that way it appears. They were also smaller more round oysters than long. I got the fish fillet with ranchero, they earned me that it was spicy but it was not spicy. It comes with fries and rice. My partner got a platter with shrimp, octopus, squid inside a filet. With fries, and rice. I also got a frozen margarita, and my partner an iced one. They were strong. Because it was so busy the service was slow, but the staff were super nice. The platters are HUGE. Overall this place is huge.
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Cassie H.

Yelp
Oh my god hands down the best empanada and ceviche I've had in the city so far. The portions are sooo generous, definitely a feast. The only downside is that it does quite busy and service can be slow, but the quality of the seafood is worth waiting for.
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Kat D.

Yelp
The team is always so mindful of my food allergy and are happy to accommodate. That alone has us coming back. The camarones are incredible but prepare to get messy girls. Ceviche is okay and could be skipped.
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Yousif A.

Yelp
Been to this restaurant a few times but first time leaving a review. So many fun and tasty items on the menu you'll want to come back for more. Not to mention well sized portions. This time I tried a tampiqueno and a modelo. Always a great time and definitely will be back.
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Katrina T.

Yelp
The food..the service...and the ambiance was perfect. Food was so good. We ordered the red fish dish and it was fantastic and the portions are humongous. Great prices
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KELLY M.

Yelp
This is my second time coming here, the first time was 5 years ago. The food is phenomenal. The portion was so big where I couldn't finish. The presentation of the plate and the flavor of the food is 10/10 I would highly recommend. The food comes out pretty quick. Streets parking.
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Marlene S.

Yelp
Came on Father's Day so it was pretty busy - there was a 30 minute wait, but I got a text that my table was ready in about 15 min! When you sit they bring you a small cup of complimentary fish ceviche with crackers. It was actually a lot in that cup and very tasty. We ordered margaritas which were huge for the price. We started off with shrimp ceviche and the portion was crazy big. It was very flavorful. My friend ordered a main dish and that was also a crazy huge portion. This is a great place to grab drinks and dinner. There's no frills but you will get great food for your buck.
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Grace H.

Yelp
What a great spot! The place is clean, comfortable, and casual and the service is fast. We got the shrimp empanadas which were delicious, and then we shared a Molcajete. Granted this is only the third Molcajete I've ever had, but I think it was the best. Everything in the pot was a winner. Their house margarita is good, not too sweet and does not taste like it's from a mix. No complaints at all, we'll definitely be coming back!

Luci L.

Yelp
Genuinely, f me up this was so good!!!! The plate of crab will easily feed 2-3! Great quality on the skirt steak and crab legs! Service was awesome, vibes are fun, and James was by far the star of the show! Already planning my next visit!

Courtney T.

Yelp
This food is spectacular!!! We will be coming back asap. The sauces were delectable. The ambience was so fun too!
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Sara C.

Yelp
The food is so good! Authentic Mexican style mariscos. You will get ceviche while you wait for your order. They offer a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Service on the other hand could be better. It took over 15 min to get water, then 20+ minutes to get our food and the check another hassle.
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Mae B.

Yelp
My friend recommended La Costa. Love the food. Service was fast and server was also friendly. Some items are quite pricey and music was a bit loud for me. Will come back next time
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Agustin C.

Yelp
Food and services is great. I would recommend it. Also be aware of their salsa is very spicy. But then again you got to have spicy salsa.
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Kerease E.

Yelp
We dined here on a Friday evening and were sat rather quickly. It was a bonus that they have free parking for the area which is typically very busy! We had a really great server and the food rolled out quickly and was very hot! This was one of the better places that I have visited where I didn't feel like the food was overcooked. My husband's steak was well seasoned and delicious! The shrimp ceviche was very fresh and refreshing which was perfect for such a hot day. We will be returning to try more items on the menu.

Jerry G.

Yelp
Food was bland. not much taste . wanted to try because went to another Mexican seafood place in lindenhurst which was fabulous. We live close to this place on central. So won't be back

Abigail W.

Yelp
I love this place!! The vibes are great. The food is delicious and it is reasonably priced. I have zero complaints.
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Lenyy R.

Yelp
Visited La costa and tried their fresh oysters - they were absolutely delicious however on the smaller side. Served on a bed of ice, each oyster was the perfect balance of salty. The waiter was attentive and quick. The restaurant was beautifully decorated!
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Norma A.

Yelp
Service was great , as soon as we walked in we got greeted . When we got sat they gave us a tostada de cangrejo which was BOMB guys . I ordered a caldo de 7 mares which was so delicious and my boyfriend got an order of empanadas de Camarón. Also it's BYOB !!!!! De bathrooms where cleaned and the decor almost made it seem like we where at the beach eating . Over all we will be back .
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stephanie b.

Yelp
Love love love. Incredibly bold flavors that keep you craving it ! Great portion of food. I always get the skirt steak with shrimp . Authentic Mexican food

Sally A.

Yelp
Food is amazing. Love the free ceviche that is served table side. The portions are huge. You will be taking food home
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Nena V.

Yelp
Okay spot for date night or hangout spot with friends or family members. We usually go every 4-6 months. I usually get the Tampiqueña. ( Tampiqueña was a little smaller than usual and for the $20.00 price.) the tortillas were heated/cooked in oil I believe. And the Hubby goes for the Micheladas. 3 stars only because the waitress completely ignored us after she took our order. We got what ever else we needed from the other waiters including our bill. And boxes to go.
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Vincent S.

Yelp
My first visit here and the food is very good and fresh. I wasn't wild about my margarita. This place was jam packed with people waiting. Make a reservation. They are very short-staffed, but the staff was very friendly, accommodating, and personable.
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Portia D.

Yelp
The crab is a good portion and super flavorful. The cocktails are good too. Servers are nice and they have TVs if you're looking to catch a game. My new favorite spot for crab.
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Jazz S.

Yelp
Not crowded on a Tuesday night! We came here for a birthday party with about 14 people and it was no problem for the staff to manage with only one waitress! They also gave us a tequila shot at the end for the bday boy! This place is an experience, with the giant portions and creative plates. We had so many people that we got to order and try a bit of everything. From a presentation perspective, the molcajetes are really cool because come in a steaming clay pot. There are also dishes that come in a pineapple or coconut! Our favorite flavor-wise was the pulpo. The Nayarit sauce is also good. The fries are delicious!!!! Get more of those if you can! Decent amount of street parking on Ashland. If you are looking for another, less crowded option from the other Mexican seafood places on the street, this is the spot.
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Bernadette D.

Yelp
As for starters we got chips, salsa and ceviche. It was quite tasty and my friends and I gobbled that up. For my entree I got tilapia and it came with rice, a salad, fries, and a piece of bread. I thought the price I paid for the dish was very reasonable. The tilapia was really tasty and perfectly cooked! I think I'd come back here to try the other dishes because they seemed intriguing and tasty too.
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Ameer S.

Yelp
For some reason, the blocks of Ashland ave between division and Chicago ave is packed with Mexican seafood spots and this one is my favorite. Prices are reasonable and the menu is varied enough (just the front and back of a paper) that it can appeal to most people without overwhelming them. The free starter ceviche dish and salsas are good. Be prepared for pretty hot spice on the salsas. We got the pulpo (octopus) plate made in the house Nayarit sauce and the coco rellena plate (different types of seafood cooked in a coconut and cheese sauce; kind of heavy but delicious) which were both great, but the pulpo was fantastic. Both dishes come with fries, rice, salad, and garlic bread. It's a lot of food, so I would recommend getting one of these dishes with an appetizer if you're going to share with someone else. Our friends got the fried snapper and aguacate fabuloso. I was easily impressed with the snapper. Unfortunately our server was the only server there, so the poor guy had to tend to at least 7 tables. I think he did well given those circumstances, but they should place more waiters out front.
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Araceli C.

Yelp
Want try this place for a while We try it Friday night Me and my friend We order langostinos And huachinango And 2 lrg micheladas The langostinos mmm ok lot salad fries and rice and few langostinos The huachinango taste like hot ketchup butter and little hot sauce In 1 hour the server Come 1 time to our table
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Isamar V.

Yelp
La calidad de la comida nada que ver con la localización original. El pan estaba medio duro, el arroz crudo, y el salmón no sabe nada como el que prove previamente. No soy el tipo de persona que le gusta quejarse pero dejo este comentario esperando que hagan cambios para tener la misma calidad que el otro restaurante.
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Choua T.

Yelp
Best margaritas in town! Gad to order two! Food was honey just ok. The ceviche gas no flavor and shrimp was not cooked all the way and was in it's huge size instead of smaller pieces for better bites. The charola mixta was very bland. Was so disappointed of the nayarit style sauce no flavor at all. Mussels were good though

Yuval T.

Yelp
This place is beyond perfect. It's a sea food paradise! So fresh, so flavorful and rich. Super authentic and the portions are big. Definitely suitable for sharing. Even the fish appetizer they serve complimentary is delicious. I highly recommend on the molcajetete.
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Rebeca M.

Yelp
This is my 3 or 4th time at this spot and it's consistently delicious! I've been to the original location in Cragin, and it's super far and always packed.. so I was super excited that they opened one closer. The good. 1. The food is spectacular. Fiancé ordered the grilled butterfly shrimp and I ordered the carne asada plate with a quesadillas and chorizo. Steak was flavorful was cooked to perfection, along a side of rice, salad and tortillas. 2. This spot is never busy and service is great! The bad. 1. The salsa they start you off with is waaay to spicy .. I'm Mexican and love salsa, and this one is a bit of a turn off. 2. We ordered the stuffed avocado with shrimp..and it was just fancy guacamole .. we're surprised they came with Saltines and not chips, I prefer chips.
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Brenda B.

Yelp
So I LOVE seafood and this location did not disappoint! There is free parking in a parking garage across the street (which is rare for Chicago!) I ordered the molcajete fabuloso which is to delicious to leave any behind! My husband order the cóctel vuele a la vida & 12 oysters, those looked incredible! The live music was great and the waitress was very quick to take our order as well as bring our food. We will totally be going back! Me encantan los mariscos y este restaurante no me decepcionó! Hay estacionamiento gratis en un estacionamiento al otro lado de la calle (¡lo cual es raro en Chicago!) ¡Pedí el molcajete fabuloso, que es muy delicioso y sería pecado dejarlo atrás! Mi esposo pidió el cóctel vuele a la vida y 12 ostiones, ¡parecían increíbles! La música en vivo fue genial y la camarera fue muy rápida para tomar nuestro pedido, también NO tuvimos que esperar mucho tiempo para nuestra comida. ¡Volveremos!
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Daniel N.

Yelp
It's been a while since I've had a meal that made me so happy during and post-meal. The joy my wife and I experienced here quite possibly made me love her even more. Something about a nice Mexican restaurant with upbeat cha cha music and buttery seafood that gets you going. This place is amazing, easily top 3 meal I've had all year. The portions are larger than you can imagine, it's at least two hefty meals. When my wife and I go back we will probably split one dish. We got the camarones plate Nayarit style, which was a sweet tomato sauce with delicious butter and garlic, mild spicy. That sauce was great on the shrimp, rice, and bread that it comes with. The shrimp seemed never ending, I swear there were 50 little guys on one plate alone. We also got the pina la costa, which was rice, salad, garlic bread, noodles, mussels, crab, shrimp, scallops, octopus all served in a half pineapple and with a similar Nayarit sauce. The crab and mussels were the best seafoods in here. You cannot go wrong with those two dishes. The seafood is high quality and the mishmash of food was pure heaven. I've been to similar Mariscos in Cabo and this one is very similar in terms of food and quality. It's also byob but I got one of those massive coronoa-ritas! I can't wait to go back here.
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Nicole S.

Yelp
Probably one of the best marisco (fish) places in the city! This place is such a hidden gem! I go to this restaurant often because of their proximity to my job and their consistently great service and delicious food. Every time I go, I order something different and have yet to be disappointed. Last night my friend was wanting fish tacos and wanted to go to a very popular taco joint in Wicker Park which I am not a fan of, so I recommend we come to La Costa, and she was down. She was so surprised that I hadn't taken her there sooner cuz it was so yummy! Needless to say La Costa had won me over. Keep up the great service and delicious food.
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Sofia P.

Yelp
The waiters made me uncomfortable since they were just staring at me really weird from across the restaurant as i was just minding my own business and eating with my mom and her friends. So, in an attempt to have the waiters ignore me, i went on my phone, but they still kept staring at me and it was creepy. The food prices were too expensive as well considering how bland they all tasted. even the "Well Done" steak i ordered wasn't even cooked properly. The nayarit sauce also had no flavor. The only thing i enjoyed was garlic bread, very good garlic bread fr. Also 1 of the waiters was not so creepy since he was very helpful whenever me or my mom and her friends needed anything.
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Michael J.

Yelp
The perfect marsicos dive. The free ceviche with chips is very good, the margaritas are large and a little too sour but they for sure had some liquor in them. The fish filet with garlic sauce is really good. The garlic sauce is really garlicky and it had some nice shrimp floating in it. I even liked the rice. My partner enjoyed the langistinos with nayarit. The seaoned fries are remarkably good. The salad is just lettuce, no dressing. The drink menu is worn out like crazy but that's what you get at dives. Enjoy!
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William B.

Yelp
Great tasty food and super friendly smiling staff. Our Server did a great job. We ordered 2 soups and 2 main dishes which was waay too much for 1 couple. We ate only half of the food we got and we take the rest home. I can not eat spicy food so I ask for mild version of a meal. Dishes was prepared just right. Perfect place for a dinner. Highly recommend.

Ren R.

Yelp
Atmosphere is very laid back. Service was excellent. The food was ok for me, but I know others loved their meals. Delicious guacamole but my fish tasted a little too fishy. The flavor of their Nayarit sauce was ok, it had a little spice but not much more. I wish there had been more fish filet options, seemed like you could only get tilapia or salmon. The portions are HUGE so the price is very fair for what you get.

Milagros Y.

Yelp
I enjoy eating here, unless I order for pickup please just make sure to check your langostinos because when they're busy the quality is not standard and might get less langostinos. Other than that I like the food.
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Raymond S.

Yelp
HeRe With My Buddies Ruben & Alex & Orlando We have A Ostiones La Costa it Has Octopus on it Chapuson and Crab legs in Salsa Natarit. & Molcajete Delicious!!! For drinks We Had Strawberry Margarita and Cazuelas wiht Tequila! The Waitress was on her game The Foood Was Sooo Delicious That I Highly Recommend U TQQ Stop On Bye.
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Zulma M.

Yelp
This is the first time I've had the WORST customer service at this location! my kids had to get up and asked for a cups of water... the waitress was constantly on her phone and didn't bother coming to our table to ask if we needed anything else or if we wanted another drink! Lastly I had to ask for the bill because she wouldn't come to my table! The worst customer service for being the only customers in the restaurant ! And The "manager" that was there literally saw her on her phone but didn't say anything to her. She called herself a manager but a manager wouldn't say ok to a customer complaining and or not let the waitress be on her phone instead of taking care of her customers !

Hernan A D.

Yelp
Best Mexican seafood spot in the area! The staff is absolutely excellent and have become like a pet of our family. Will never stop coming here!
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Eli F.

Yelp
Starting with the atmosphere when you first walk in it feels like an authentic seafood place, the server was prompt in getting our drinks. I ordered a margarita and I have to say it was delicious fresh and it had just the right amount of alcohol. Next, the best part, the food.. so delicious it melted in my mouth I devoured it and I highly recommend it, it was the stuffed coconut.. the combination of the taste is to me hard to pull off but it was just the right amount of everything. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because we were a party of about 9 and the food came out separately with about 10 to 5 minutes in between each time they brought a plate or two. However, it was a Saturday evening and they were slammed and the food, upon arrival was hot and totally worth it! I will definitely come back again and I'll make sure to post pictures.
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Amy C.

Yelp
Everything we ate here was delicious... And the margaritas are the best that I've had in the US. I would highly recommend the seafood molcajete!!!

AppLe T.

Yelp
The staff and the food here is amazing!! The atmosphere was warm, and also the drinks are great! I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for good mexican food with a good time. Love this place and will be coming back!

Elise K.

Yelp
Obsessed with this place. The drinks, the food, the vibes. It's always a party! Come hungry because you WILL feast.

E R.

Yelp
Look close at the pictures you can see the shrimp was old with the black on the legs and mushy . Also, I ordered camarones $30.00 and they sent me a dinner . The waitress said that they asked uber eats what sauce I wanted. Then the woman on the phone said I didn't order ostinioes especiales . Now I Have to dispute all the charges . Tried to support a small business and food was not fresh. The restaurant needs to review their descriptions on uber eats with their staff . We ended up throwing out all the food as it was inedible, smelled rotten and my friend literally gagged when she tried one of the oysters.
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Lori B.

Yelp
I love this place. Of all Mexican style seafood restaurants I've tried in Chicago this is the very best. Their ceviche is amazing! Their soups! Their Micheladas are SO authentic! I really love this place.