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Front Street Cantina
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
602 N Des Plaines StPlainfield, IL 60544
(815) 254-3474
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for Front Street Cantina
17 reviews in English
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Review from Patty S.
9/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to catch up with some friends for lunch! It is right off of the main street and easy to access.
It being my first time here, I asked our waitress what she liked best from the menu. She recommended the special which was a chicken or steak quesadilla . I ordered the steak; with it came rice and beans. The portions were perfect.
I'm looking forward to coming back to try another dish. -
Review from Lauren T.
7/15/2011
I was here last night with a group for dinner and I'm glad this place was picked. Outside there is a nice little gated patio with umbrellas and tables right before you go in. Inside you are greeted by a hostess at a stand who seats you. We had a table set up for us but there are also large booths available and a large bar with TV's as well.
The setting was nice, rustic tones with wooden tables and chairs. There were authentic-y looking painting on the wall and there was an exposed beam ceiling. Water was brought for everyone right away and the free chips and salsa were waiting for us by the time we arrived. The waitress was very nice and took our drink orders right away. They took a while to arrive, but we did all order the margaritas. Drinks were a bit pricey at 7.50, but we absolutely delicious and not at all bottom barrel tequila.
The food was all reasonably priced, between 9 and 15$ depending on what you ordered. I had the chicken flautas and while they weren't as good as the ones I had in Mexico, they were pretty close. I can't attest for what everyone else was having, but it looked pretty good. I wasn't charged extra for sour cream as well, also a plus.
When the bill came the waitress added gratuity, which didn't bother me as we took up her table for a couple hours. She also had no problem splitting my bill off so I could pay with a card, which I appreciated. She never rushed us and stopped by every so often to see how we were doing, but not in the pushy and obnoxious way that let's you know they want you out. -
Review from Dan R.
1/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Front Street does everything a little better than all the others. The food is tastier, the service more attentive and menu more interesting.
I really like that they have their own menu and not the standard fare of tacos, burritos and chimichangas. This tells me that they are serious about putting out memorable food and not just order takers. If you want order takers then go to Taco Bell or any of the other run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurants. -
Review from Joe M.
Plainfield, IL
8/4/2010
When you're done with Taco Bell and can't trust the local burrito dive give Front Street Cantina a try. A clean and solid Mexican diner with friendly staff, Front Street is better than average though not to-die-for.
As with most sit down Mexican places they start you with chips and salsa. The chips are warm and the salsa delicious (definitely not store bought as indicated by another reviewer). I highly recommend going on Friday for their special 'Tacos on the Beach'. The white fish is tossed with cilantro and is totally delicious, the beer-battered cod is good also though not better than the white fish (in my opinion). I can't personally speak about the bar but there are usually a few regulars propped up that seem to enjoy it.
The atmosphere is inviting and not as over the top as most. The food is above average and the service is great. There is not a better choice for a sit-down Mexican restaurant in Plainfield.Listed in: Plainfield Eats
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Review from Anthony A.
Joliet, IL
8/6/2011
Not I pressed with my first outing, everything including the chips were too salty and I generally like spicy. May try again but had better luck at that place near the park.
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Review from Michelle L.
Plainfield, IL
8/19/2008
I am from Arizona, now live within walking distance. I am one of those people ALWAYS searching for "good" Mexican. I think the food is very good!!! The service is even better!!!
The bartender is the kind who "remembers your name", even though you don't remember his. (Embarrassed to say.) Lol
The ambiance is great! - For the area, I would say is ranks the highest in decor, cleanliness and service/staff.
The only flaw for me is the salsa. Why is it SO hard to find good food AND great salsa. Chips and Salsa are almost everything to me. The salsa is overly chunky, and just "okay" in flavor. My husband cannot even eat the salsa period. I guess if you are on a diet, it's perfect. Then you do not fill up on chips. - Unless you do order the guacamole.
Overall a good dining experience. Will continue to patron the Cantina! -
Review from Babs H.
Chicago, IL
9/23/2010
I love to come here with my sisters and get a round of margaritas made with 1800, grand marnier, a squeeze of lime, and a splash of orange juice. That's how we like 'em and that's how they'll make them, if you ask! We always get a few appetizers and just split them with the chips and salsa. I've never had an entree, but my sisters and I do more drinking than eating when we go out (yeah, we're fun).
There's not a better place in Plainfield to saddle up for a fine margarita. End of story. -
Review from Tyson H.
Naperville, IL
4/13/2010
I honestly cannot understand how this place can evoke anything more than a shrug and a yawn from Taco eaters and burrito lovers. The decor is nice, and historic downtown Plainfield is pleasant, but the menu is unremarkable and so is the food. The food is not bad, nor is it good. It is not stomach-churning, nor is it ultimately satisfying. It is just there. The Tacos Mexicanos I had were not authentic, nor were they offensive.
When the hostess sat me, my wife, and our toddler who requires a high chair, she tried to seat us at a table that was for 2 people. It makes me wonder if she had ever sat a couple with a child before.
I had to write this review quickly, because in 2 weeks, I will hardly remember eating here. -
Review from Mail S.
Plymouth, IN
10/13/2011
They brought out chips about 20 minutes after seating us with no water. I asked for water twice from two different waiters. It was nice out that day, so we stayed and waited as we put our order in after the chips. They seemed to more interested in waiting on the other table outside with their alcoholic drinks. 45 minutes later I asked again for the water. I then had to go in and get it from the bar myself as I ate a hot pepper from the salsa. This was a terrible experience, however the food was decent. Be prepared to be there a long time before getting your food or drinks.
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Review from Erin L.
4/25/2010
Decent food - but not spectacular.
The salsa was really gross and it tasted like it was from a jar. The chips were better but they gave us a lot of broken up pieces.
I got the Tacos Al Pastor. I think it was around $9 and came with 2 tacos, rice and black beans. I liked that it came with black beans instead of refried beans. The tacos were just ok. My brother got the same dish and he said he was still hungry after he ate the dinner.
The place was decorated cute but the place was really noisy. The restaurant is one big room with tile floors and so the sound doesn't absorb any where. There was an outdoor area in the front of the place where they set up chairs during the warmer weather. The restaurant is located in downtown Plainfield and right across from a park so it's a nice view if you were sitting out on the patio.
I'm not from the area so I'm not sure if there are better places around, but I'd probably try something else if I came back to the area. -
Review from R P.
Plainfield, IL
4/13/2010
I'm a glutton for punishment when it comes to finding a decent Mexican food restaurant. Must say that this place is pretty good. The food is good but it's not authentic. However, rating the food as strictly food- it's good (think "bastardized" Mexican food restaurant w/bar). The portions are generous and I would rate this a "take-home/doggie bag" kind of place even if I can't really consider it a true Mexican food eatery.
The salsa is pretty good (it's corn and black bean) but could definitely use more cilantro. Must admit that it isn't what I was looking for but filled the void that was left after leaving the previous establishment that we tried (see my other reviews). The queso is made of canned cheese so I would definitely recommend skipping it altogether.
They also have a pretty good and inexpensive kids menu.
Waitstaff was attentive.
Parking is tedious during peak hours but the surrounding park-like, downtown setting is really nice.
Ultimately, we are likely to return but not because it's good Mexican food but good food. -
Review from Tommy P.
Plainfield, IL
6/14/2009
This is one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants. The atmosphere is not as festive as most Mexican restaurants which is a nice change of pace, and the cleanliness of this restaurant is top notch. I always go for the Durango combo, which includes a burrito, taco & enchilada.
The service is average, nothing to complain about, but just average. The bar is nice, however the margaritas always leave me wanting more, and not in a I want to get slammed type of way, more of a I want this to taste better.
All in all you won't find better Mexican food in the area. The only reason this restaurant doesn't conjure a 5 star rating is due to the average service and mediocre margaritas.
If your looking for a good Mexican restaurant thats clean and inviting with good food to boot. Look no further! -
Review from Jeff B.
8/8/2010 8 Check-ins Here
Front Street has a great selection of Mexican cuisine. The atmosphere is friendly. I haven't really made the effort to come here more than a few times for drinks, but many times for lunch. The recently changed salsas to a black bean salsa. I'm not a big fan of this switch as I like my tomato-based salsas. They have excellent lunch specials every day of the week.
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Review from Kris W.
Longview, WA
8/11/2010
Meh. It's alright, but not great, and there are MUCH better options around the Chicago area if you're seeking Mexican. I wasn't a huge fan, but I wasn't disappointed, either. If I was in the area again, I might have lunch there if there weren't a lot of other options, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
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Review from cher b.
Plainfield, IL
8/3/2009
Delicious Chimichangas and Spinich enchilada's, very fresh and I like the vegetarian refried beans option. It's in a cute area of historic downtown Plainfield, after our meal we typically take a stroll around the quaint stores. Nice relaxing pace.
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Review from Kelly D.
Plainfield, IL
3/12/2008
Love the Front Street Cantina -- they have the best chips and guacamole in town. They have a good beer selection and make enough different margaritas to keep most everyone happy. Their combination dinners are good us indecisive people, and said combo dinners come with their Spanish rice which is incredibly good.
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Review from James L.
Chicago, IL
8/18/2007
There are folk always looking for authentic Mexican. If I spent my time looking, I would never go to places like this one. Airy, clean, a nice neat, not cluttered Menu. I had a good Modelo Mexican Beer beer, my dinner partner had a Margarita. She had them before...and still raves. She was not surprised that I was very happy with this choice (It was my choice out of the blue.) This lady lives in Plainfield. She had a Burrito... obviously had one before. I had Pablo Polo...Yummy Chicken Fajita..and Ceviche Tostada appetizer was out of this world. The service was good...as if these folks were very happy working there. Nice Job Front Street Cantina. I will be back soon...Maybe today!!!!
