Blanco Cocina + Cantina

Decided to do a reservation for Valentines Day ahead of time as we just settled in the waitress comes in and tells us about the special drink they got going on and quickly asks if we are ready for an appetizer not even 2 min of her giving us the menu so we asked for a little more time and less than 2 minutes she comes by so we ask only for the drinks and she keeps insisting of getting an appetizer but we just sat down and were giving the menus. Once the drinks were ready she came back and asked if we were ready to order and we did as we were eating we asked for another drink the frozen Paloma which was really good. We finished eating and quickly she asked if we were ready for dessert we declined since we were working on the drinks she just handed therefore she proceeded to do a stroll in less than 3 min asking if we needed more time we nodded our heads and we wanted to order one more drink but she didn’t even gave us the chance to tell her and ran the check and placed it on the table inside a cup where we both saw the price of the dinner which felt was so awkward. We felt rushed out this restaurant only an hour inside the restaurant mind you there were empty tables…so our Valentine dinner ended in an hour couldn’t even take a picture with my date 😂. Food was good, drinks better than expected but service was so poor.

Super cute setting. Plants in the ceilings are cute and the lighting is nice. Our server was super nice but seemed to be all over the place. She had tables in the dining room and the bar. She came as much as she could. I believe a manager also helped too with the drinks and chips and salsa. The food took FOREVER to come out though. The fajita veggies were only half grilled so I got a raw jalepeno. The steak was okay. The sides came out weird. The beans looked like they sat for a while under the light as well. The flavor of the free salsa was the best. The meat lacked seasoning. The drinks were cute, but the skinny margarita gave my friend a migraine. Cute place, but probably wouldn’t be back for the food.

It's a great place to eat, although not authentic Mexican food but still good food. The atmosphere is for 20-somethings, very spacious between the tables so very roommy. There's a Mexican cheese dish made with AMERICAN CHEESE!!!! IT'S ADVERTISED AS A MEXICAN RESTAURANT SO STOP USING PROCESSED AMERICAN CHEESE!!!! AND INSTEAD USE MEXICAN CHEESE!!!!

my new favorite. It is a Very busy and loud place. This modern Mexican gem offers a vibrant ambiance that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining adventure. Our culinary journey began with a zesty spicy salsa and Grilled Mexican street corn that delighted our taste buds. The roasted poblano and tomato cheese crisps were a savory revelation. they were nice to modify the dishes to vegetarian version and guide us what can be modified or not. Among the main dishes, the grilled avocado tacos and veggie fajitas stood out for their exquisite flavors. Drinks, including the smashed watermelon margarita and jalapeño and pineapple margarita, were perfectly balanced. Their alcohol content hit the mark, enhancing the experience. This restaurant is a must-visit, blending modern charm with exceptional Mexican cuisine and cocktails. they have a private area which can be used for birthday parties, corporate parties or bigger groups.

As their web site says...once you arrive you are transported to a vacation in your neighborhood.This is their first location in Illinois. Most locations are out West . We started with cocktails .I had the Spicey Skinny which had Serrano Chile,agave and lime. Delicious with just the right amount of spice. Also tried the Dodges Cadillac mixed with Grand Mariner and House Naranja Liqueur..way too easy to drink..lol. For starters I had the Guacamole,Mexican street corn and Spicey Mango Ceviche. The guacamole was good but nothing out of the ordinary. Street Corn could have had more Cotija Cheese on it but the Ceviche was to die for..so fresh and just the right amount of spice. Also had the Chopped Chicken salad mixed with strawberry,candied mango,quinoa,kale,manchego cheese and jalapeno lime dressing...very fresh and tasty. For the main course I had to try their tiger shrimp fajitas in garlic butter. I would have preferred more spice and the vegetables could have been cooked longer in my opinion. Comes with a side of black beans. For dessert you must get the Brown Sugar Caramel Flan topper with fresh fruit..need I say more! Blanco is definitely a place I will go back to again and again and again!

I recently had dinner at this trendy place and loved the experience. The cocktails are tequila based (and strong!), all very tastefully done. The mango ceviche is wonderful, guac is good too. The pork chile verde enchiladas are a delicious and filling entree, and for dessert you can't go wrong with a classic caramel flan. This is a great place for date nights or small groups.