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Rudy's Mexican Grill
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
35 reviews for Rudy's Mexican Grill
Review Highlights
"The owner stopped by our table and introduced himself."
(in 5 reviews)
"We had the Parrillada Mixta and it was awesome."
(in 3 reviews)
"...more that I too can come back and eat this delicious food."
(in 3 reviews)
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35 reviews in English
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Review from Lucas T.
Fox Lake, IL
10/24/2011
This is probably the best Mexican food I've ever had. The prices are incredible, considering the quality of the food and the size of the portions you get. (The pictures are accurate in describing just how large the portions are.)
The food is excellent, the service quick, and the owner is very friendly. I've already been given free entrees and drinks.
If you want to eat some of the best mexican food in Lake County, this is the place. Did I mention the inside is perfect for dining or sitting at the bar there? -
Review from Jeff S.
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
The place was roughly an hour from home but we had a Groupon to use and the reviews on Yelp looked promising. The seating area is quite small (less than maybe ten tables) so our early Friday evening arrival was timed just right to grab the last remaining table for two. Throughout the evening there was always at least one party waiting at the door.
Our server asked if this was our first visit and when we mentioned GroupOn and Yelp he proceeded to explain the Establishment was run by his father, his family are all foodies, and then walked us through some of his favorite meals on the menu.
The Parrillada de Carnes was recommended as a good way to try out a variety of grilled meat: smoked sausage, pork, chicken, and skirt steak. It was delivered on a plate nearly as large as our table and among the meat were heaping plies of grilled green peppers and onions. The accompanying rice, beans, and guac was good, and the meat was excellent. Nice to see that the veggies were not skimped on either.
If we happen to be near Grayslake looking for a place to eat I'll make a point to stop by here again, but not sure I'll be making any special trips. -
Review from Luciano C.
Grayslake, IL
11/26/2011
I took my mom there while she was visiting, because we thought it was very good first time we visited. Unfortunately, the second visit left that "what's missing?" feeling in the back of my head.
The service was a little sloppy and it took an awful long time for us to get our lunch, which came very fast and with excellent quality at our first visit. It took me sometime to realize what was going on until my wife pointed out the owner was not there that day.
In our first visit, we ordered a Burrito and a Taco Dinner, both where excellent looking plates and tasty. The owner was in the bar and came around and introduced himself. we canot say the service was 5 stars because the waitress did not know how to answer a bunch of questions we had about the food. The place looked nice and clean, but there were some fixing and painting going on. Overall, I'd give this visit 4 stars.
On our second visit, we had a party of four for a late lunch. The place was completely empty and one of the ladies behind the bar came to greet us. We sat for 5 minutes until the other girl came to bring menus and ask if we wanted drinks. After the drinks came, it took other 15 minutes until she came to take our orders. While we were waiting for our food, 6 guys walked in and stood standing for 2-3 min until our waitress, who was simply seating in a bar stool, sat them. The other lady was MIA. Our food arrived after I had 3 glasses of water already, it really took a lot more time than needed. This time, we had Quesadillas, Taco Dinner and the Parrillada Mixta. The cheese was OK in the Quesadilla, but the ground beef on the top was burned and oily. Same thing with the Taco... the meat was way past done and oily. The Parrillada looked nice in the picture, but in our plate it was awful. Again, looked like someone has dropped a cup of oil on top of it. And... it was cold. I was wondering how could that be possible with just 2 tables in the restaurant. For this visit, I'd give 2 stars because the place looks nicer now, there was some good music playing, and we got free drinks for the wait. Otherwise, it would be an easy 1 star.
One thing is certain, if I ever come back and don't see the owner around, I'll turn around and walk away.
Final score: Ahhh-OK - 3 stars ... to make justice. Our first time there was really nice. -
Review from M M.
Grayslake, IL
1/6/2012
I like Rudys! He has traditional and customized recipes (from his mom), all are good. Yes, it can get crowded, it can be slow, but this is a Mexican restaurant (go to mexico and try to get better service, it is supposed to be a bit slow so you can enjoy your food). Rudy is friendly and ready to offer a sample of whatever new item he is experimenting with.
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Review from Leisa C.
Grayslake, IL
11/8/2011
small storefront restaurant with brightly painted, neat and clean interior. The owner and wait staff are always friendly and provide good service, I loved the grilled fish tacos topped with a little lettuce and salsa verde. The other seafood dishes are great, too
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Review from Michele D.
Niles, IL
11/13/2011
This is possibly the best Mexican food I have had. We had the Parrillada Mixta and it was awesome! It was this wonderful mixture of shrimp, sausage, pork, beef, chicken, served over onions and peppers and with tortillas, beans, rice, and lettuce on the side. We were just there last night, and I already want to go again. The drinks were fabulous as well. Oh, and did I mention the flan? The flan was absolutely heavenly. You really must get the flan. Rudy even stopped by our table and introduced himself. We had so much fun, and the food was so delicious. We will definitely be back as this might be our new favorite Mexican restaurant.
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Review from Dan M.
Round Lake, IL
5/31/2011
Rudy's has a great menu, well beyond your standard Mexican fare. They dig deep with some outstanding and unique traditional meals.
Service was just a bit on the slow side.
Also, if you like Menudo, they have the best I've ever had. -
Review from john r.
Waukegan, IL
5/20/2011
The Quick and Dirty - friendly service, solid food, large selection, some hit or miss items, slightly overpriced.
(visit date was Sunday 04/10/11 @ 630pm)
Located in a small strip mall with seating for approx 30 patrons. About 12-15 were present when we took our seats. As expected, Mexican style music was playing to go along with the theme. Our server quickly greeted us with menus and chips/salsa. The salsa had a little kick to it, which I like, but was runny - needed to be bolstered up a bit with chunks of tomatoes.
Carry-out seems to be a favorite option for many, as we witnessed three order pick-ups during our visit. After we placed our order, it took about 20 min for out food to be served. Although, our shrimp ceviche appetizer came immediately. The ceviche consisted of rough diced shrimp, diced tomatoes and onions, cilantro and a couple lime slices, it came with ordinary saltine crackers - in my opinion, corn chips would be more appropriate.
The menu is extensive, almost too much - but better than the alternative, plenty of choices to satisfy. I ordered the tostada, poblano pepper, and enchilada combo for about $12. Slightly overpriced for my when comparing to other restaurants - but if I deem the food to be of "quality", then this is a non-issue. The enchilada red sauce had a slight bitter taste. The flavorful tostada had a nice crispy shell and was topped with ground beef, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. The poblano pepper was bland - but I have limited comparables. Included with the meal was Spanish rice (good flavor, but a small portion and not as moist as I would prefer), beans (nice portion, good flavor).
Wife and mother-in-law - ordered the Parrillada Mixta combo for two. Shrimp, sausage slices, beef, chicken, grilled onion, grilled green peppers ($35). They enjoyed where food, my wife's biggest complaint was the very small portion of rice - barley enough for one, let alone two. Therefore, she ordered a side of rice ($2) - which she rated as "just average". Other then the quantity of rice, this entree could feed three people....easily.
We were the last to leave - owner did stop over and ask us how we liked the food - said that he had been there going on six years - seems like a friendly guy. Our server was very responsive to our needs - even though with the coupon that we had - she was guaranteed a 20% tip. The coupon allowed me to save $22 off the $81 bill (including tax and tip). -
Review from Kristen P.
Grayslake, IL
3/3/2011
We stopped here on a Thursday evening, and we were not disappointed. The food was great and very generously portioned, service was prompt and friendly, and the atmosphere was very welcoming, thanks in large part to Rudy. He came over, introduced himself, and made us feel very welcome. Add to that the beer he sent my husband on the house, and he was definitely in heaven.
The salsa is on the spicy side, but the waitress brought me out some ranchero sauce for me (yeah, I'm a wimp), and it was delicious. I had the tacos de James, and just poured the rest on the tacos, it was that good. Husband had the ranchero burrito, so I didn't have to share that delicious peppery sauce because he had his own. This place is definitely a win, and a great addition to the neighborhood. We will be stopping by again for sure. -
Review from Joanne L.
Northbrook, IL
10/31/2011
Used A Groupon And Had A Fabulous Meal...Rudy Stopped By Our Table To Say Hello. He Remembers His Customers!!! Great Place, Friendly Atmosphere,Plus Terrific Affordable Food. Highly Recommend It !!
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Review from Rich A.
Gurnee, IL
2/16/2011
Rudy's is a quaint Mexican Restaurant that offers authentic dishes. The food is fresh and quite good. I think it's the best in the area by far. Most importantly, my young sons love it, who like many kids are finicky eaters. They love coming back to this place, and that is awesome, as the more they learn and love Mexican food, the more that I too can come back and eat this delicious food. The tamales hooked them in, and they are now branching out and getting a little adventurous. The last time that I was there, the owner was present and kept coming by and talking to us. I love it when owners come out and not only mingle, but talk about their food. It demonstrates great pride in their craftsmanship in making their food. We definitely will keep coming back. Well done, Rudy!
p.s. their salsa is a little on the hot side, but quite excellent -
Review from Brandy M.
Grayslake, IL
10/22/2011
The owner, Rudy, is the nicest guy. He came over and talked with us, and bought us a round of shots and dessert on our first visit. The food is good, not amazing, but good. Enjoyed the mole. Great huge menu with options for everyone. Will definitely go back.
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Review from Mel C.
Round Lake, IL
6/6/2011
I'd give the restaurant 1 star except the staff were very nice. Service was kind of slow. Both our dishes did not have much flavor. Our table was uncomfortably close to our neighbor.
The ambiance was kind of nice. A lady did come to the table trying to get us to buy a glass of wine. I don't really like that kind of thing. We won't be back. -
Review from Laurie T.
St Joseph, IL
2/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was impressed as I walked iinto this place. The interior is cozy and smartly decorated. It is small, but not in a crowded way. It felt intimate, and intimate is how I would describe my entire eperience. As I was dining alone, I sat at the bar and was immediately glad I had. Rudy took care of my drinking and eating needs, and he made me feel welcome.
I started off with a margarita, which Rudy topped off with an extra splash of tequilla. The menu had plenty to offer but I had a taste for fish. I ordered the red snapper with garlic because I LOVE garlic. Rudy warned me that it would take about 15 minutes for my order, but I wasn't worried because I had my margarita and a supply of chips and salsa. The chips tasted homemade to me. The other patrons at tha bar were also friendly and engaged in small talk. They weren't too pushy, and I was able to do some reading while I waited.
When my dinner arrived, it was smiling at me. Sorry, I gotta be honest. I have no problem eating off an animal that still has a face, but I know there are some that cannot handle it. The fish was slightly tough, but the garlic sauce was to die for. It went with the snapper like peanut butter and jelly.
Above all I would have to say the service and atmosphere is what make this a place to come back to again and again. When I had finished off my margarita, Rudy poured more tequilla in my glass. He simply wanted to finish off the bottle, but the fact that he walked over to my empty glass and filled it made me feel like he really wanted me to enjoy my experience. He also offered to bring me some dessert, which I declined because I was full.
If you are looking for a place that is like Cheers, then look no further. This is the place to go. This was the first time I had been there, but I felt like I knew them already. -
Review from Caitlin S.
Chicago, IL
8/8/2010
Rudy is the best! I just had Rudy cater my wedding - his first wedding! Let me just say - he was amazing, as was his staff. Not only was Rudy's food INCREDIBLE, (everyone had seconds at LEAST,) but Rudy himself was so helpful and kind - set up on time, helped clean up, organize, lend us extra chairs, find us silverware, etc etc.
My friends and family loved talking to him, and he did a great job convincing my very white family to get a little adventurous with their palettes and try something new.
I would recommend Rudy not only as a delicious place to grab lunch or dinner, but to cater big events as well. Rudy's the best! -
Review from Sue K.
Mundelein, IL
7/31/2011
Family comfort doesn't get any better than this. Restaurants that do a good job of "down home cooking" always bring a certain je ne sais quois to their flavors. Steak with beans exhibited this. The seafood mocaljete (sp?) makes a bold entrances to the table - perfect way to satisfy out-of-town guests affordably.
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Review from Andrea C.
Grayslake, IL
7/26/2011
My husband and I were excited to try this place since we live so close, but unfortunately we were disappointed.
The salsa was way too spicy for my taste, but my husband likes spicy and he did like it. The chips were good - nice and crunchy. We also tried the guacamole, which was super chunky and filled with lots of tomatoes, onions, etc., but not enough avocado. My husband ordered beef tacos and he said they were tough, chewy, and very bland. I ordered chicken enchiladas verdes and they were almost too spicy for me to eat - I had to power through it with frequent sips of my soda. The rice was good though, and I devoured it.
It was very nice of the owner, Rudy, to stop by our table and introduce himself - he was a very nice guy. I wish we liked the place enough to go back. :-( -
Review from Earl M.
Kenosha, WI
7/24/2011
The first thing I notice when I try a place for the first time is the service. It was spot on. Our server made sure we did not have to ask for anything. This in itself is impressive. Rudy came over more then once to make sure everything was as it should be. Oh yeah, and the food was excellent.
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Review from Greg P.
Round Lake, IL
4/29/2010
2 Carne Asada Burritos with sour cream and guac
2 bean and cheese burritos for the kids (It's a Cali thing)
2 large Horchatas
$35.00
Now I'm not sure where the folks that said this was "affordable" grew up, but that's outta control. I grew up in C'ville. That meal runs me $18.00 at home. The taste is better and I get a bigger portion there too. I'll give this place another shot for dine in, but I don't have high hopes. -
Review from Steve Q.
Grayslake, IL
4/4/2011
This place is great! The food is bursting with flavor! I love that there are traditional recipes as well as Rudy's own twists on the classics. Also the best home-made Horchata I've ever had, anywhere, period. I've sampled a few dinner items on the menu thus far and have loved them all! I'll definitely be a regular! I just can't believe I've lived so close to this place for the last couple years, and just not got around to trying it... I also love the personal touch of this place. Rudy is right there, behind the bar, greeting you and chatting with you. He's a great guy, doing great things here. This is how you run a business. This is how Mexican food should taste! 2 huge thumbs up!
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Review from Jay K.
Round Lake, IL
9/6/2011
Food was good., Service was poor, they popped on an automatic 18% gratuity for our table of 6 adults and 1 baby with separate checks. That irritated me. If you are going to charge an automatic gratuity, your service needs to be tip top. this wasn't. It was slow, and forgetful. The Paella was very good, decent seafood in it was a surprise. The irritating tip and the poor service will most likely stop up from going again.
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Review from Kay S.
Antioch, IL
6/27/2011
Wow. Delicious. Went in on a Groupon deal and can't wait for an excuse to go back. A little pricey, yes. But the quality was phenomenal. We had the shrimp cerviche, I think it was the best I'd ever had. I had mine with the tortilla chips, not saltines.
We had the meat mixed grill for two and loved every bite of it. I would agree that a bit more rice & beans/sides would be great, perhaps each person could have their own plate when you order a meal for two. But other than that - no complaints. It is a bit tight in there, but we had nice conversation with the people next to us, then minded our business for the rest of the meal.
I cant wait to go back, we want to try both the rabbit and the goat. Rudy came by to talk as well, and there's just something about an owner who takes such pride in his restaurant... -
Review from Ann G.
Chicago, IL
2/12/2009
This place is way better than Taco Bell and Taces el Norte. I cannot believe someone could say that!
They have a great menu and low prices for the huge servings. The family is so friendly.
Good for take out! -
Review from Jill L.
Lake Zurich, IL
7/24/2009
This place is really good. I remember when they opened, for some reason I didn't want to go there. But my husband one night stopped there and picked up dinner and it was fantastic.
We love their Chili Rellenos, Steak Tacos or Chimichangas, and I've even thought of stopping to get the Chiliquilles for breakfast.
The only thing is that they do get really busy from time to time, especially with pick up, so I've had to wait a couple times, 15 minutes past the time they say. But they are friendly and reasonably priced.
Great place. -
Review from B. N.
Chicago, IL
12/1/2010
Rudy's is a solid local place that is always great for a hearty dinner when I don't feel like cooking after a long day at work. My favorite thing on the menu is the Mexican Taco dinner - and if Rudy's mom is cooking, then she makes them extra tasty and extra spicy. The chips and salsa are especially tasty.
Rudy's a great guy. He makes an effort to get to know his regular customers and will do his best to make sure you become one. -
Review from Junho P.
Des Plaines, IL
8/27/2011
Excellent food, great prices, fresh ingredients, friendly staff! The place is a bit small and the servers were running around like crazy to keep up w/ the demand, but were very friendly.
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Review from Dan C.
Grayslake, IL
1/12/2011
Food is decent.. Rudy is a very nice person.. Not too thrilled with the ambiance.. Was way too bright in there and not very private setting.
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Review from Soniya S.
Gurnee, IL
5/25/2011
I decided to try Rudy's because of a Daily Deal offer. I checked out the menu online and was excited that they offered a vegetarian menu. After seeing the yelp rating, we bought the coupon which promised $20 worth of food and 2 margaritas for $10!
The place is cute and Rudy himself came to our table to greet us!
Maybe the meat stuff is good but we were very disappointed in what we ordered.
We ordered nachos for my son and it was huge pile of chips with lot of beans, hardly any cheese and covered with sour cream which I had specified to be put on the side since the kids don't like sour cream. All the toppings covered the top layer of chips (like 8 chips) and the bottom ones, (which was 75% of the serving) had nothing on them. It is one of my pet peeves with nachos. My grilled vege platter was so bland with no flavor. My husband thought his burrito was okay. We usually go to Taco El Norte or lately have fell in love with Wholly Frijoles (both in Gurnee). Wholly Frijoles has the most delicious grilled vegetable platter with amazing, amazing flavor and served with chipotle mashed potatoes so this one was a disappointment.
On top of that, somehow we ended up paying $37 for the dinner with the "deal".
We will just be sticking with our tried and true mexican places. -
Review from Diane Z.
Grayslake, IL
7/9/2011
We live close by and had not been in until yesterday, we will definitely be back. The food was great, we had a simple meal, taco salads, a few tacos and kids meals. The atmosphere was relaxing, margaritas were great as well. Rudy stopped by and said hello. Great local Mexican restaurant!
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Review from Joyce C.
Grayslake, IL
7/17/2011
Dined at Rudy's today as it was nearly 100 degrees out and too hot to cook. Coming off of several days of no electricity from a storm, Rudy's was cool, spotless and delicious. The owner make a point of greeting guests himself and he served up wonderful frozen margaritas, both lime and strawberry. The food was perfect and our server was friendly and responsive. This is a favorite place for my family. Rudy is alway helpful in the community as well. Stop by for REAL Mexican food!
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Review from Dave G.
Grayslake, IL
10/12/2009
My wife and I have been there twice. Enjoyed it both times. Everything we've had has been very good. The owner stopped by our table and introduced himself. Nice guy. We'll be back.
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Review from Benjamin G.
Woodstock, IL
9/12/2010
Just discovered Rudy's tonight via Yelp and was well impressed!
Most Mexican places are similar, but Rudy's stands out in a few different areas. The menu includes some interesting dishes I've never seen (and the ones we tried were delicious), the refried beans were freshly made and much tastier than any I've ever met, and all the ingredients were VERY fresh. Also, all the meat was perfectly tender and deliciously seasoned.
The service here was also phenomenal. Our server was friendly, attentive, and quick-witted. Rudy was also there, and we met and talked with him for a bit. He seems to be a very down-to-earth, understanding, and nice fellow, concerned with serving delicious and healthy food well to his customers.
It was truly a pleasure to eat at Rudy's, I hope to be back soon.
-BIGS -
Review from Nicole B.
Grayslake, IL
Updated - 4/23/2010
Rudy's has received their liquor license! They have also amped up their menu. Food is great, service is okay. It depends on which of the daughters you get :)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/4/2009 First to Review
This is a very small, family run Mexican business. I have eaten here several times for lunch and I… Read more »
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Review from Scott H.
Grayslake, IL
1/22/2011
OMG! they have so much good food. The quality is excellent. I had the taco de James, a shimp & steak combo that was fantastic. My wife got the chicken chimichanga that was wonderful. The owner explained they got a new chef a while ago and improved the menu and quality. It was Great! Please stop by and try their food, you won't be sorry. P.S. They now serve beer & wine.
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Review from Barry V.
Gurnee, IL
3/10/2011
Tonight was our first time at Rudy's Mexican Grill and we were very impressed. We were greeted as we walked through the door and felt very welcomed there. Rudy came over and introduced himself and explained the menu. We ended up having a big taco platter and my description does not do it justice. It came out on a tower and had beef, chicken, pork, sausage, shrimp, stuffed prawns, onions, peppers, and other great stuff. The entire menu looked delicious and we will be back. This place is a gem!!!
