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El Farol
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
36 reviews for El Farol
Review Highlights
"...lay back and reminisced on the beautiful meal from El-Farol."
(in 12 reviews)
"...friends tell me that their steak tacos are outta the world."
(in 2 reviews)
"Get it with avocado and sour cream on the side - yum."
(in 9 reviews)
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36 reviews in English
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Review from WillSandy S.
Chicago, IL
10/3/2011
best burrito in the chicagoland area hands down others have failed to compare. fast,friendly, service. they are always busy no matter what time it is. i love the giant burritos
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Review from Andrea S.
Downers Grove, IL
11/21/2011
Open 24 hours
Meals are cheap
Conveniently located next to I-55
They grill up your food as you order it
There's usually a line but they're quick so you'll be eating in no time!
They have the basics and a few random dishes but I always stick with the steak burrito suizo.
I've never come here during the day but can say that after re-heating leftovers the quality isn't all that great. Trust me, I'm not complaining. I'll keep coming back because It's the best spot in the area to stuff your face with cheesy, steaky goodness after a long night of drinking! -
Review from Yvonne O.
Chicago, IL
6/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
First, I think it is hilarious that Yelp adds the "L" to this place that is really "El Faro", but everyone says "Farol" anyway.
I started coming here when I was at U of C and thought that it was amazing then to see the piles of meat cooking on the grill. Coming back now, I am impressed that they are still around, still making the burritos the same way AND have expanded the menu a bit to include tortas and other options. I LOVE their beans - I am sure they are laden with Lard, but I don't care. The addition of the cheese on top before they seal the cup up makes it all the better.
Late night or mid-day, I adore Faro. -
Review from Rico R.
Bridgeview, IL
9/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Every restaurant closed at overnight in area of Summit but this still open for 24 hrs running. Huge Burrito cost me under $5! Its very cheap and taste good with melt cheese, bean, and sour cream! Yummy :)
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Review from M. M.
Chicago, IL
9/17/2011
the food is okay,Ive had way better. I think maybe the high ratings are because this place is open late hours on the weekend. It's the only mexican restaurant open so I guess after partying and drinking people come here and I guess anything taste good. I'm picky mexican food eater and this place is not the best. Okay for late hours if you are desperate.
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Review from Paul Z.
Justice, IL
6/2/2011
A bug crawled out of my steak taco, threw it away, never went back
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Review from Reuben H.
3/28/2009
El Farol was a staple of my not-so-well-balanced diet as a teenager, and into my college years when I would come home to visit with family and friends. It sits in the loveliest (sarcasm) part of Argo/Summit and is a crossroads for so many parts of Chicago.
Sitting just off of I-55 on Archer, it is only a few blocks from Harlem, 63rd, 1st Ave- and therefore right where the southwest part of the city meets up with both the south suburbs, and the near-western suburbs.
Why does this matter? Simply because it is perfectly positioned to offer a huge variety of people from in and out of town massive burritos and greasy-Americanized Mexican food.
As a kid I thought this was the epitome of "Mexican" food, but that was only because I was an ignorant guerro whose only Mexican-American friends were much more American than Mexican. In fact, most of the time I have ever been in El Farol I realize that it is mainly non-Mexicans eating there. I tend to like my tacos garnished with some chopped raw onions, lime (insert Oxford-comma here?) and cilantro- but unless you let them know- they will top tacos with cheese, tomatoes (another Oxford-comma?) and lettuce. Once again- I think more of an American influence on how things are done there, which isn't necessarily a bad thing- just something to keep in mind if you want to check them out (side note- they do offer things like lengua/tongue there- so it isn't totally Americanized).
That isn't to say that the food is bad, because it isn't true. If you are looking for big-ass burritos that are enough to feed two or three reasonably sized people, this is the place for you!
These burritos are stuffed and packed tight too, and all for a VERY cheap price. If you happen to order a carne asada burrito, you will notice they pull the meat from a Chitchen Itza-sized mound of steak being cooked on their flattop. Plus- the escabeche (pickled hot peppers, cauliflower, carrots and onions) is very good here.
Despite knowing now that their food really isn't all that- I will say that they are three-star quality simply for offering a lot of food for little money.
Oh- and their jukebox is a great mixture of different types of music, much like the people who come here to stuff themselves with massive burritos.
Thumbs up for having Gap Band on their jukebox probably since "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" first came out.Listed in: Make a frickin' blog…, Yo como mucho!
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Review from Clarissa J.
Chicago, IL
9/17/2007
I've only ever ordered a steak burrito from El-Farol because it's what I crave every time I'm there; I can't possibly stray from my usual. There are plenty of closer Mexican/burrito establishments in my neighborhood, but this is worth hopping into the car for a quick burrito run, God bless it.
This had to be my prime meal of the weekend as it's been a while since we last stopped by. As we pulled up to park on the street, I noticed a line to the door of patrons waiting to order or to get their food. I usually hate standing in line for food since there are plenty of other great places to eat, but I happily got into line and I wasn't going to leave until I got my burrito.
[Note to vegetarian/vegan readers: The following material may be carnivorously graphic and explicit.]
This isn't a huge place, so most people like to take their food to-go, but I have to admit I imagined plopping myself down in a booth and scarfing down my burrito as soon as I would get it. I wanted to dive into the huge land-fill sized pile of chopped-up steak on the grill and start eating my way through it, slithering through its fleshy goodness. I wanted to savor each and every flavorful morsel starting with the rarest, reddest, juiciest bits. I wanted to wash it all down in a sea of sweet, Horchata before diving back in and starting the process all over again. And again, I dive....
*CJ snaps out of daydream at cash register to pay.*
We took our burritos home and, for how ravenously hungry I was, I was only able to eat half of it (they're very huge and filling). I carefully wrapped up the other half and stowed it away into the fridge for the best leftovers life could possibly provide me this weekend. And I lay back and reminisced on the beautiful meal from El-Farol.
They rock.Listed in: My Neighborhood of Make…, Skipping Stones
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Review from Chris H.
6/3/2010
I prefer el famous, but in a pinch el farol will do the trick. However, the meat seems be less flavorful than El Famous and everything is generally more run of the mill.
The one upside is that the burritos are bigger, like honestly, they are bigger than chipotle's. They may be two chipotle burritos jammed into one. -
Review from Dave S.
9/25/2007
The time is 6:00 AM and I am craving a burrito. This is the place to go hands down. This place is a dive - a run down joint. I have known people to be scared away from going in here just because of the way the place looks.
They have a good size menu and the price is right on everything. It is not the greatest quality but It is a good value and these guys are fas, fast, fast serving you up. Even when this place is busy the get you your stuff quickly. -
Review from Chiara F.
Chicago, IL
7/28/2009
As authentic as it could get. The burritos are amazing, and I've had carnivore friends tell me that their steak tacos are outta the world. I love how I live only 5 minutes away from here and I could come down here any time I want, as this place is open 24 hours.
The last time I came here, a good friend tagged along. The night was still young, but a bunch of cops were around, as there was just a shooting that occurred across the street and a bullet went through one of the windows. The cooks and the customers were nonchalant about it (as if that kind of stuff happened every day), my friend (who's from Downers Grove) freaked out, and I was fascinated. I asked the cops a bunch of questions until my friend dragged me out.
Their burritos are worth dodging a pesky bullet or two. I'll be back. -
Review from Sarah P.
La Grange, IL
11/19/2007
Why do I go here so often? The place looks like it is falling apart, te typical crowd is drunk, and they make me go up a few notches on the scale!.
I think it must be the illegal substances they put in this stuff to make it so good. Plus you can't beat the prices either. I need to hit the gym for an extra 1/2 hour today to work off this food I ate last night. -
Review from Ryan M.
Los Angeles, CA
8/6/2007
El-Farol is THE place to go for burritos and pick-up Mexican.
Seemingly, everyone has that hometown joint notorious for serving the biggest, baddest, spiciest Mexican grub. The primetime hours of these places, invariably, is 2 am. My hometown has one, so does my university. I've made a point to travel to as many of these hole-in-the-wall taco stands I could find. I'm yet to try something better than El-Farol. Places like Qdoba and Chipotle who try to capitalize on their giant burritos don't hold a candle to the kind of authenticy that El-Farol offers. Their burritos are wrapped in giant corn tortillas, filled with slow-grilled beef, and all the necessary extras (not just half a pound of white rice). Their traditional salsas are outstanding. Best of all, you practically make money by eating there it's so cheap.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Adrian W.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 1/27/2010 4 Check-ins Here
If I could, this place would schventy five stars from me.
So it's been two weeks since I last showed up tonight and crave my usual- giant steak burrito just sour cream and extra cheese - and get it.
i get to the cashier, the lady/owner (?) tells me it's 4.80.
i reach into my wallet and give her six and turn around.
she says to me to hang on
tell me to take the dollar back and wait for my two dimes.
and does it.
she refused a tip.
lemme say it again.
she refused my mediocre tip of one dollar and twenty cents.
if this place ever closes down, i will seriously cry.
(ps. they now take credit card purchases OVER ten bucks.)Listed in: South by Southwest
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/23/2009
Still five stars.
got the chicken tacos in addition to my giant steak burrito with extra meat, extra… Read more »
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Review from Michael M.
Lyons, IL
4/6/2010
Like many other reviewers I too came here as a gangly youth and discovered a burrito that was larger than life. There was no way I could eat such a monstrosity...but I did...and it was good. DAMN GOOD!!! So we kept coming back after a night of hellraising and the burrito was always there for us. Back in the day there were cops directing traffic. Not so much anymore, but the burrito is still the best- better than El Famous which is right down the road (though I'll give that 4 stars).
This is a very well put together burrito, though it is the size of an infant it isn't messy like one even with extra cheese and sour cream. The seasonings are perfect and the atmosphere....well...let's just say it can only truly be appreciated at around 3 in the morning. Biting into one of those burritos brings me back to my happier days hanging with my friends without a care in the world. -
Review from Erin C.
Chicago, IL
8/12/2007
Best. Burrito. Ever.
and it's so cheap! Go there. Now. And then you can go rollerskating nearby afterwards and have a super time. I hardly ever leave the city, but I would drive here for this. And believe me, there really isn't any other reason to drive to summit, il. -
Review from Nantambu R.
Matteson, IL
4/13/2011
Giant burritos great prices
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Review from Greg L.
Tinley Park, IL
2/21/2009
Been going here for years, and I always am amazed at the huge mound (see it and you will understand) of steak cooking on the griddle when you walk in. It is just a steak burrito lovers dream!
This place has it down---from the way they make their football sized burritos to the service, and the hospitality.
I highly recommend the other items on the menu---you will not be disappointed.
My personal favorite is their Chile Rellenos which you can also order as a burrito ingredient. It will just leave your tastebuds singing! -
Review from Brian M.
Campbell, CA
8/2/2008
I heard great things about El Farol, and being a Mexican food and burrito connisseur, I was excited to try it out. Service is interesting. The cashier (mine, at least) takes your order without writing anything down, which is kind of jarring. I was 100% expecting to have a totally wrong order, but it came out okay.
Burritos are large, but not as good as, say, El Alegre in Westmont or El Famous across the street. Prices were average, and sides were good.
It's good food, don't get me wrong, but with the original El Famous right there, I'm going El Famous. -
Review from Y.D. K.
Des Plaines, IL
Updated - 12/27/2010
The steak, if you can call it steak, is still questionable in quality and consistency, but its still a decent place to go to considering its a 24x7 place.
Its still seedy in this area, watch out for the 25 mph speed limit, and its still a decent place to go to as I went a couple of weeks ago. Still not bad, though their horchata seems a bit watered down. Rating is still maintained at 3/5.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/4/2007
Went to this hole in the wall place many times within the last 10+ years - great hours (24x7), great… Read more »
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Review from joseph m.
Mesa, AZ
8/30/2008 4 photos
I first heard about El Farol in the late 80's when I was going to college and worked a late shift. After work, a group of us would want to stop and grab a bit to eat. One night as we drove home, we discovered this place.
WOW! They have the best burritos I have had anywhere, and I'm Mexican from the southwest!
Now I'm back in Arizona, but everytime I'm in the Summit area I HAVE to stop and have a 'Monster Burrito' from El Farol.
The place reminds me of the restaurant from 'What's Happening!' or maybe 'Mel's Diner', not the classiest of facilities, but hey, who cares! The food is what I go there for! -
Review from Ed K.
Cicero, IL
7/1/2011
El Farol and it's counterpart El Famous are well known on the South and Southwest sides and it seems that either you're a fan of one or the other, but not both. Let me say that over the past 30 years I've gone to El Farol countless times and El Famous only once. El Farol is THE place to go--no matter what time of the day or night (yes, I've gone there at 6am on my way back from spending the night out with friends). The steak burritos with beans, queso blanco, lettuce, and tomato (don't disgust everyone else there by asking for sour cream on it) with the homemade salsa verde and pickled jalapenos are to die for. There was a time when I was able to pound 2 at one sitting and still maintain a size 34 waist, but alas, no more. The homemade horchata is excellent also, as are the steak tacos (they've added chicken tacos and burritos to their menu since I first went there, but for me it's steak or nothing). Pay no attention to the idiot who wrote that a bug crawled out of his burrito--he's just looking for some attention. I've never seen any creatures--ever. The crowd can look a little rough late at night on weekends but if you have a problem with that then you shouldn't be on the Southwest side.
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Review from mike b.
Western Springs, IL
5/26/2010
My first experience here was 20 years ago about 4am. I was standing in line waiting to order a football sized burrito. I stood in line with a Mariachi band, gang bangers, businessmen, little people, bikers; a real genuine no-mans land because everybody knows that the burittos are thee best. Earthy atmosphere. Dining area has questionable hygiene but behind the counter I see the help keeping things clean, and they wash their hands. A biggy with me. Creepy late at night. Safety risk for sure at night. Enter at your own risk late night and maintain vigilance. You can encounter issues. But, hell, the buritto is great, and the staff is great. Summit Argo cops eat there, so if they are in there when you are eating you are gold, so try and time your meal and leave when they do. Daytime and Lunch, early dinner, no problem. Go.
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Review from Bob D.
Chicago, IL
8/10/2009
The year was 1985, my friends were stoned I was not. I followed there cloudy judgement to a hole in the wall on Archer called El Farol. They ordered for me and what was to follow was a three year battle with my weight, I sprang from 165 to 220 in those three years, I blamed the Burrito with its addictive qualities and 3 lb girth, then as quickly as it came I went away, for 13 years I was gone, now I have returned my waistline has remained stable for 15 years or so, 185, little has changed except the L in the title, now I order a burrito and share it , it is still the best burrito, bar none.
What makes this burrito the best, lets count the ways
1 you can eat it without being covered in grease, not lean and dry mind you, but very little slop dripping out the bottom
2 a perfect balance of ingredients beans, beef,lettuce, cheese, tomato
3 I believe this to be the biggest reason, they are busy 24 hours a day, they cook their meat 20 to 40 pounds at a time, the meat stews or braises in its own juice for a lot longer than other restaurants, the meat is more tender, better seasoned and placed evenly throughout.
4 busy means fresh, they tear through the ingredients so no brown lettuce no stinky beans, cheese is white no streaks of green or blue in it.
As far as tacos go, the pork tacos are good, the chicken tend to be bland and dry, remember busy, always go with the big seller in a place like this
5 No rice in this burrito, I have not had a Cali style burrito I like.
Special hints for the perfect burrito experience,
Have your burrito cut in half, the filling won't settle all in the bottom this way
Get sour cream and avocado on the side, you will get a dasterdly amount of sour cream for .35 and you can control where it goes.
No take out always eat at El Faro, by the time this puppy gets to its destination it will have turned the lettuce into two day old cole slaw and will have lost its beauty.
The restaurant is considered a dive, the bathrooms are dingy, but the kitchen is really organized well and very clean, the cooks have good sanitation skills and I have very high confidence eating here.
There have been some rumors going around since the early 80"s, maybe longer, one is true one is not
1 They use dog meat, absolutely not, they are way to successful, way to much meat, where in the hell could you possibly get that much puppy meat, no freakin way.
2 2 people have been shot there, true as far as I know 2 people have been shot inside the restaurant in the last 25 years, maybe more, I only know of those two.And no they did not grind them up and make burritos out of them.
If you are looking for authentic Mexican, this is not the place, if you are looking for the quintesential Chicago burrito you may look no further.Listed in: Some of my favorite local Taco…, Breakfast in my hood.
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Review from Vanessa M.
Chicago, IL
4/5/2008
I've only ever come here at night, so the place is always pretty busy. I always get the veggie burrito, hold the refried beans. The burrito is huge and deliciously cheap. The best part of the place though are their spicy carrots. They basically have them in a food service tray mixed in with jalapenos and are so freaking good. They give them to you for free, and being greedy, I always ask for extras and then end up taking a softball sized container home. Everything there is great priced and very tasty. The neighborhood can be a bit shady though.
Listed in: Because sometimes I'm broker…
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Review from John L.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2007
If "hole-in-the-wall" were to have a picture next to it in Websters, there would be a picture of El Farol. But, when you walk in and order at the counter, note the mound of chopped marinated steak on the grill. I have never heard other than steak burritos ($3.75) and tacos ordered. They use quality lean and tender skirt steak. I don't know what they marinade it in, but it is quite tasty. The green salsa has a nice spice to it as well. I would give it 5 stars for the food, 3 for the atmosphere, so, 4. If you like huge steak burritos at an insanely cheap price, you'll keep coming back to El Farol.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from josie w.
Chicago, IL
3/10/2010
This is that placed I compared Garcias to-the Legendary El Farol! We used to ride 45 minutes in the back of a cabless pik up in December to come here in hi skool and it was worth the trip!**** Careful bout parking tho-u can't park at that factory across the street no more!****
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Review from Siobhan M.
Summit Argo, IL
8/11/2010
This place is great, its open 24hrs and their food is awesome. I drive 30 mins out of my way for it and its worth the drive, plus you just can't beat the prices!!!
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Review from wen n.
Chicago, IL
3/29/2009
All I can say is STAY AWAY!! After eating a beef burrito An onset of food poisoning was in full fledge!! And by more than one person in my group.
The health Dept. should and will be looking into this establishment! !!!!! -
Review from Dyan F.
Chicago, IL
8/30/2009
Carne Asada burritos washed down with a Jarrito, worth risking your life for. Really...it's just that good.
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Review from Ronald L.
Bolingbrook, IL
3/8/2010
The L in El Farol was a misprint, after all these years, they finally lost the L, and is called El Faro. I have been going here since they opened, I have watched the owners kids take over, and nothing has changed. It is dungeon like. It is dark, dingey, and yes, don't use the toilet unless you can stand. I have always got the extra meat skirt steak burrito, extra cheas, and sour cream. This will fill me up for 2 days. $6 buys that and a drink. When you go there at 2am, just get your food, eat it there, and don't look for trouble as it will find you. There is always a fight between 2am and 5am on weekends. Known to us locals as Burritoville, I love it, and can't get enough of it. Look past the darkness of this place, try it, and you will be back often. The horchata (rice water) is a must to flush your food down.
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Review from Denise F.
Redwood City, CA
12/24/2007
We all know about the GREAT steak burritos and tacos - but have you ever tried one of their chile relleno tacos? Great vegetarian option and one will easily fill you up. Get it with avocado and sour cream on the side - yum!
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Review from Bill F.
DuPage County, IL
Updated - 4/10/2010
Burritos always great, but try their chiles rellenos tacos on corn tortillas...absolutely amazing! My daughter loves to drink the horchata, I get the bottled Jarritos. The jalepenos and carrots are delicious and worth eating, even if you pay for it later, haha!
Go here, just watch your speed on Archer...25MPH is it.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/19/2009
I've been going to El Faro since they opened! Never found a better burrito. As others have attested,… Read more »
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Review from Bob L.
Plainfield, IL
3/25/2010
People giving these guys a 5 star just were not around 20 years ago when the steak in the burritos were to die for. I mean your knees would buckle it was so so good. 20 yeaars ago they had lines outside the joint with cops directing traffic it was so good. I went there today after many years of not , and they were just ok. The steak was not steak ,it was like a stringy roast. Very disappointed. Ye there huge ,but anyone can buy good ,tomatoes and lettuce,and cheese. ITS THE STEAK THATS NOT THERE ANYMORE. Thats what makes it a burrito. For the money $4 its a luch and thats it. Were is the old recipe PLEASE.
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Review from Jason K.
Orland Park, IL
2/24/2011
Best burrito place I know of anywhere in Chicagoland.
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Review from Cassie B.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2007
we used to call this place "Burritoville" when i was in high school, though i don't know why. good place to go at night when you're drunk or, ahem, other. tasty and cheap, and Mexicans eat here too, always a good indicator when selecting a Mexican establishment.
