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El Taco Grande
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for El Taco Grande
Review Highlights
"The margaritas are delicious."
(in 8 reviews)
"This is our favorite Mexican place in the 'burbs."
(in 3 reviews)
"My favorites are the enchiladas suizas, the Taco Grande..."
(in 3 reviews)
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21 reviews in English
-
Review from Kyle R.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2012
The best Mexican food around, without question. Nothing else even comes close. Order a pitcher of margaritas with their homemade mix and some Cabo Reposado tequila, the best! Everything on the menu is excellent. I have been coming here since the beginning and been sending friends from out of town here for years. They all reach the same consensus.... the best!
Yes the place is a hole in the wall, but anyone who knows food knows that hole in the walls are the best. If you think OTB, or Pepe's is what Mexican food should be like then you either need to get out more, or actually spend time in Mexico, because you won't find better Mexican cuisine anywhere. I spent 5 weeks in Mexico last year and still craved Grande the entire time.
Just like any small restaurant that serves excellent food, this place gets extremely busy, especially on the weekends, so making reservations is recommended. The staff is extremely friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu as they are either family or have worked there for years. This is the place to go if you want the best authentic Mexican food outside of Mexico City. -
Review from Alex A.
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bueno. Having been here quite a few times, I've invigorated my taste buds with more than one item on the menu.
On my last visit, I scarfed down the Enchiladas de Desebrada (shredded beef or chicken, dipped in red sauce, topped with chopped onions, crumbled white cheese and served with rice and beans). The shredded beef had good flavor and the red sauce was exceptional.
With a house margarita on the side, my stomach and taste buds were satisfied. Will return yet again... -
Review from Steve G.
8/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
My wife likes the food here, but I'm not really all that impressed. If you don't call for a reservation, you'll stand at the front counter for several minutes while everyone races by you not really paying attention. Eventually, they'll stop and grab a couple of menus and seat you. While you're waiting, try not to notice the condition of the coolers just inside the front door and don't look too close to realize that they're reusing containers that probably aren't NSF rated for reuse and storing food in those items. And for sure don't notice the rust on the shelves...
The food is ok. It can be quite salty, especially the spicier stuff, so be ready for that. Chips are good, guac is good. Margaritas are nothing special.
If you're in the neighborhood and craving Mexican, it's worth a stop , but I wouldn't go too far out of my way... -
Review from Christina G.
Chicago, IL
2/7/2011
I have no idea why this place has gotten some bad reviews. I've been here numerous times, and once celebrated my birthday here, and each time has been fun and the food has been delicious. The place does look like a little hole in the wall, and you can easily walk by and miss it. But inside is very nicely decorated, and the place is actually quite large.
The margaritas are delicious. The house margarita is tasty, but the premium ones are even better. We usually order a pitcher for the 4-6 of us.
The portions are generous. The quesadilla dinner can easily feed 2 people. My favorites are the enchiladas suizas, the Taco Grande combo, or the fajitas.
It's especially nice to go in the summer, as this place is located near the river, and we often go for a long walk around town afterwards. -
Review from Eric K.
Chicago, IL
1/20/2011
You can't go wrong with El Taco Grande. Huge menu full of delicious Mexican items from the authentic to the truly "American' Mexican". Delcious food, big portions (if you care) and great Margaritas. Friendly service too.
Right downtown Batavia - convenient for a date or a group. -
Review from Damon B.
Oswego, IL
I'm sorry, but all in all I have to give this place a "Meh" I'm a al pastor connoisseur of sorts... which is what I had here. It was OK... but not great. And with a $10 price tag, the burrito was not impressive in either size or taste. There are many better, and more affordable, mexican restaurants in the area.
-
Review from Nick L.
San Ramon, CA
4/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food might be good but I never chose to find out. The owner was so crabby I could not stand it and walked out.
-
Review from Maura S.
Chicago, IL
3/5/2011
I think that Taco Grande has the best food that downtown Batavia has to offer. Excellent [humongous] burritos will keep you coming back for more! The menu is pretty extensive, with lots of options. The location is both convenient and unique- you walk down into a limestone walled cave of sorts. Service is always friendly and attentive.
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Review from Kedar D.
12/31/2008
El Taco Grande doesn't offer any mockmeats or soy cheese options, but their vegetarian tacos and burritos are quite tasty and filling. The food here is prepared freshly and feels home-cooked and labored-over, rather than just "assembled" at cheaper Mexican joints.
The portion sizes are huge and prices are fairly low. They use a ton of vegetables (broccoli, zuchinni, bell peppers and more) as the fillings for their dishes. Avocado is optional. Make sure to ask about their beans and rice, as I'm not sure they're vegetarian (lard and chicken broth, as usual). -
Review from Jim K.
North Aurora, IL
1/22/2010
Our favorite place for well prepared, delicious Mexican food at a decent price.
The margaritas are great, particularly if you splurge and go for the better, smoother tequilas such as Centenario, but that also adds to the bill.
We've eaten satisfyingly all over the menu, but we keep coming back to our usual, tamales with mole sauce and an assortment of tacos. My wife loves the camarones (shrimp), and I'll typically go for a hat trick of carne asada, chile relleno, and pescado (catfish) on the best soft corn tortillas this side of Frontera Grill. Muy sabroso! -
Review from Vanessa S.
North Aurora, IL
6/3/2009
I've eaten at the other El taco Grande several times and I was a little hesitant to try this location due to it being located in the sub basement of an old castle looking building.
No, the atmosphere isn't hip, and the crowd isn't happening, but the food is really good. I know they're owned by the same people but to me this food just tasted a lot better, fresher.
Their menu is extensive, and you'd be hard pressed to not find something you'll like.
My main qualm with this restaurant is the guacamole, seriously. First, it's $7. I'd be OK with the price if it was tableside, but it comes out in this little cup, and it looks less than fresh, it's got the pale green color that makes me think it's been blended with sour cream, which makes my stomach turn. Avoid it, so not worth it.
Pretty decent food, but really if you can't get quality guacamole at a Mexican restaurant, what's the point? -
Review from Jen K.
Chicago, IL
10/20/2009
The best nachos on in the burbs.
The homemade margaritas are to die for and the atmosphere makes
for a perfect date.
I've been coming here for awhile and it's one of Batavia's best kept
secrets. -
Review from Jeremy F.
Batavia, IL
1/9/2010
El taco grande is a good place to get some decent Mexican food.
It does seem like the quality of ingredients has gone down over the years, and some staples, like the guacamole, just don't show up. If you are a true fan of guac, stick to the salsa.
The atmosphere is great, that's probably the best part of eating here. And while the margaritas are a little pricey, they are good. -
Review from Sabrina M.
Batavia, IL
3/26/2011
Alright so I havne't been to the bigger one, but i have heard this one is the better of the two anyways. It does not look like much from the outside and even when you first walk in, you may be a little concerned, but they take into the dining area which is actually quite cute. Nothing fancy, but great atmopshere. The people were really nice and attentive. I had a peach margarita that was amazing. And for a night with the girls or guys you can get a pitcher of their house margaritas, which they make there. They are decently priced and have a lot of different options. And I thought there food was excellent. It is great of lunch or dinner because you can choose to just have a couple tacos or something, one of their meals, or one of their giant platters, which if you don't share more than likely you will be taking home leftovers.
-
Review from Tina E.
North Aurora, IL
6/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
El Taco Grande has Always been my fav Fox Valley Mexican restaurant, but today they kinda lost me. I went over to get some breakfast which they recently started on the w/e's. I was about 10mins too late. Oh well, I got my standard fare-Avocado tacos, enchiladas rojas,flautas-all good stuff. When I got home, I had a little surprise of someone else half-eatten breakfast leftovers w/ dirty fork and all. I sure hope this was an accident and not some smartass way to give me the breakfast I was trying to order in the 1st place. Check your bags!
-
Review from Troy S.
Batavia, IL
1/14/2011
The food and atmosphere were both good the only catch is the pricing. Paying $8 for a Torta that I can get at any other Mexican joint for $5 just doesn't make sense. Way to pricey!
-
Review from Brandon S.
Batavia, IL
8/7/2010
The El Taco Grande is a wonderful gourmet burrito restaurant. You won't find the typical chicago style burrito here.
I had the "El Taco Grande" Burrito. As good as it gets.
This place is way better than Pepe's. -
Review from Lori R.
Naperville, IL
1/1/2008
I gave this place three stars not because there was anything wrong, it's a perfectly decent place, but because nothing really blew me away. Except for one thing--this place is fantastic for groups.
I went by Sunday when they opened to let them know I'd be back around 6 with a group of ten people. 'No problem' the guy says.
Well it wound up being 16 people who showed up closer to five than six. They seated us quickly, produced fresh chips and salsa (and kept them coming too), took our orders quickly, and brought the food out super fast! Even more amazing than that was that they got everything right! I eat out with groups of 8 and more a lot and that just doesn't happen. Someone's order _always_ gets messed up. Not here though.
I only ordered a burrito but looking around at the variety of things ordered by the rest of the party (and judging by the lack of complaints) they did at least an adequate job on the food.
I'm not an expert and they're style wasn't to my taste (my favorite place is El Famous, so....) but the food was fresh and tasty.
I would definitely go here again. Also Adam's review (below) is right, their menu is enormous. -
Review from Sara H.
Batavia, IL
11/19/2008
I like El Taco Grande. More importantly, my husband, who doesn't usually like Mexican, likes El Taco Grande. So, it's an easy choice for us, even if it's not a favorite. I wish the guacamole was fresher and the prices were lower, but other than that, it's a safe choice.
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Review from Heather S.
Batavia, IL
1/5/2010
This is our favorite Mexican place in the 'burbs. The margaritas are outstanding, the food is always tasty and the service is exceptional. Gets crowded on the weekends (esp. in the summer) but definitely worth the wait.
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Review from Burbalicious X.
Elburn, IL
9/22/2008
Taco Grande gets 3.5 stars in my book - the atmosphere is blah, the food is good, the chips and salsa are pretty good, everything is just a tiny bit too greasy for my taste, and it's expensive compared to other Mexican joints in the area (i.e. my favorite - El Puente). They have a huge menu and I've only tried a few things (a spicy chicken dish, cheese enchiladas - which were super cheesy and good). There's never a wait here, and service is decent. We've done carry-out, too, and they managed to get the entire order right which was a plus!
