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Rusty Armadillo Grill and Cantina - CLOSED
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Wed. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Thu-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
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- Category:
- Tex-Mex
- Location:
- Skokie, IL
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17 reviews for Rusty Armadillo Grill and Cantina
Shut DOWN!? Why?!?? WHEN?! Can someone explain, por favor? I was so looking forward to spending quality time here with a salt-rimmed margarita and a plate of chicken fajitas on the rooftop deck.
Boooo. Why did they take you away from me? :(
Hey guys I just wanted to let you know that this restaurant is opening back up again sometime this month. I interviewed with them as far as getting a job there and it's all new staff and new management. Not sure when the exact opening date will be though...
I heard it was closed down for underage drinking, not sure if that's true or not, but it makes sense.
The sangria is well worth stopping in here! And Thursday is 1/2 price sangrias... yum!
The food, okay, but I've had better Mexican fare elseware. We ordered fundido, which was alright, but considering I added chorizo, I was hoping for a little more spice to the flavor. My friend who'd eaten here before advised against burritos, but said tacos and enchilladas were good, so I ordered chicken enchilladas... which were spicy, but otherwise didn't have a lot of flavor. The black beans were good, and the rice was fine... but overall I was not overly impressed with the dining experience.
But the sangria... AWESOME! I'll go back for the sangria!
My girlfriend and I had dinner here tonight, so the memory is still fresh.
The rooftop deck, the salsa and the steak each get one star. Those are the high points.
The service could use some "how to be a good server" classes.
It wasn't busy but they were... s l o w.
They forgot our guac dip but they made up for it by giving us two free orders of chips & salsa to go.
All in all, decent place. Wouldn't mind giving it another try. Definitely recommend the steak....anything with steak. Skip the chicken.
Oh yeah and I ventured out and tried my very first Fish Taco EVER! Have to say it was pretty darn good, the mango salsa really complemented the tilapia.
As Larry David would say, "Pretty...pretty good...".
Nice to see a new place with good food open up on the boring old north west side. The prices aren't bad and the service has been above average each of the three times I've come in for a bite.
The buffalo chicken tacos are awesome (though once they went crazy with the sauce and I couldn't taste anything but magma), and as a connoisseur of macaroni and cheese, I give Rusty's version an A+. The chimichanga and the rice and beans aren't bad either.
Side note, everything tastes better with a pitcher of their sangria and a seat on their rooftop patio.
We had to run here as soon as we could because a new restaurant around here is cause for celebration.
The waitstaff was very pleasant, but I felt it was strange that they would have let us sit there all night without giving us the check. The waitress kept coming by asking us how we were doing and the water kept being refilled, but we had to specifically ask for it in order to finish up. Oh and they were still having their thermostat problems, the people behind us joked that instead of the kitchen having a food warmer, they put it out over each table instead.
Nice looking place inside, leaning more towards a bar atmosphere, with several TV's and bar taking up almost one whole side. A decent crowd for a weeknight as well, but of course we inhabitants of the NW side are dying for anything interesting up by us, so we will take full advantage of anything that opens.
I considered the menu to be rather "safe" tex-mex. There was a lot of fried options and your basic faijtas, tacos, etc. The most unusual item seemed to be the fish tacos, which I ordered and I felt were decently prepared. The chips and salsa provided were very tasty & fresh - you get a chunky pico de gallo as well as a spicy salsa verde. I also ordered what may be one of the greatest sangrias ever - it was big and flavourful with tons of apple and orange pieces.
Normally, this kind of place would only rate three stars from me, but I gotta give props to any place that is within walking distance from my house and does not specialize in pierogies.
I went here with a friend on a Tuesday night for my birthday. It was a bit out of the way but I'm always on the lookout for new Mexican restaurants that meet my three criteria - good atmosphere, good food, good margaritas. This had all three for the most part.
Atmosphere
Despite that fact that there was a snow storm going on and that it was a Tuesday night on the far west side, it still managed to have a decent dinner crowd. I figured we'd be the only ones there. I was wrong. The decor is modern and simple with some warm Mexican hues. It's not over the top with pinatas and stuff which is nice because that tends to get cliche. I liked the raised booths. The bathrooms were beautiful! My only complaint here is that they seem to be having some temperature issues. It was either really cold or really hot. Oh and not being a sports person, I could do without the TVs.
Food
Overall quite good. They give you free chips with two kinds of salsa and they were tasty. We ordered guacamole and it came in like 2 minutes. Nice! It was also very good. I ordered the Californian Burrito and my friend had a Chicken Burrito Suizo. My meal came with sour cream, black beans, lettuce, and rice on the side. It was ok. It was a tad bland. I should have gone for my normal veggie burrito cause I'm not a big meat person and I probably would have been happier but that's not the restaurants fault. It was for sure better than other places I've gone.
Drinks
I had a lime margarita and my friend had a banana daiquiri both of which were really good. They have a huge drink list and I would like to try more!
When all is said and done I would for sure go back. It's a little out of the way but I really only have one other Mexican place in the city that I like that isn't a carry out joint. Next time I'll just try something with veggies though.
I went here once with a friend excited for the fact that the owner noticed that there are too many polish and irish pubs in jeff park.
Well I was not excited about the food very much. The shrimp appetizer was pretty good and I got chicken tacos.
My lack of enjoyment for my entree was mainly due to our server. It's almost like he was deaf and blind. Which clearly is fine to be, but not when you are serving food.
I would go back and give it a second chance, because despite bad service the food can always redeem itself. They have a big menu so I'm sure a lot of what is on there is good.
Okay, this place is BRAND NEW. Opening this Friday officially!!
I went to the soft opening of this new restaurant tonight and it was really good. It is on the far northwest side of the city, but if you don't live near it is certainly worth the trip.
This is owned by the same guy who owns Jet's down the street. It is a Mexican restaurant and you can tell that the owner took a lot of care into deciding how to do this restaurant.
The space is beautiful with exposed brick and dark wood bar and furniture. The colors on the walls are a soft southwestern color which gives it a true cantina feel. The main room is large with tables and huge booths that are raised up over the tables...very nice touch. There is also an upstairs area for overflow.
What is even better is that there is a ROOFTOP DECK for summertime margarita sipping!!!!!
There are several flat screen tvs lining the main wall of the restaurant. In most cases I do not like this because I feel it is a distraction, but they are not overwhelming and most of the time I even forgot they were there. It just gives it a definite bar feel to the bar and grill, but not in a bad way.
I went with my friends Rob and Jen. The first thing that we felt we had to try (although Jen couldn't have any. She's allergic...sorry!) was the guacamole. For those of us who really love guacamole, you can really tell a Mexican restaurant from the taste of the guac and chips. The chips were really good, salty and crispy. The guacamole was very tasty, not too salty, but chunky with fresh avocados. Definitely gets the guac points.
The menu is full of the all of the items that you would like to see...burritos, fajitas, etc. We had the range, I am a HUGE fan of fish tacos so I had to take them for a test run. Very good. I would definitely order them again. My friend Rob had the steak tacos. Steak tacos are very easy to mess up...he said that they were cooked very well. My friend Jen had the veggie fajitas with portabella mushrooms, peppers, and other veggies. She was satisfied with her food.
The margaritas were nice too...not too strong as to destroy you for the rest of the evening, but not too sweet. I definitely would have a bigger size next time, but I am not sure I am ready for the "ginormous" ones either!
The waitstaff was really attentive, but I think they were a little hypervigilant about the soft opening...it will ease to a nice happy medium once they are up an running.
The prices are very reasonable too. With what you pay, you get a nice serving of the entree as well as a good portion of rice and beans on the side.
Overall, our experience was great. We spotted some tantalizing desserts on the other tables, but we were way too full!! Definitely have to have the chocolate nachos some time.
Mike Jettner knows how to do it!! Highly recommended.
Atmosphere and service - 5 stars
Food - 3 stars.
Been here twice with my honey. Not impressed with the food. First time I ordered the fish tacos. Not the freshest - fishy smelling and very bland. 2nd time - steak fajitas. A ton of onion and meat. No peppers, nothing else. The steak was nicely seasoned though. Also, my wife liked her salad.
I want to like this place, but they really need improve their food offerings.
UPDATE: I have been back. I went on a Friday and the place was packed. The food was better this time. Maybe they needed some time to get up to speed. Will go back again.
I decided to give this new place a try. I thought the place was very nice inside. The problem I found was parking. There is very limited street parking. The staff was very nice.
The food was good. I am going to hold back a little judging the food, since I went the carry-out route and this doesn't always put the food in the best light.
I hope to return for a dine in experience and really look forward to dining on the rooftop.
I will return and give them another try.
Okay... so here I am waiting and waiting for this place to open....
I'm so excited, looks like it's going to be good one... funky sign, great decor, probably some kind of mex-tex I think, and oh so close to my home.
It opens...fabulous!!
The hubby and I venture out for "date night" sans the teenagers.
Wet , cold, rainy/snowy night, walk into the place...
very inviting...nice trendy warm decor...great raised booths with faux suede backs...long wood bar... gracious welcome from the hostess...I eye yummy looking margaritas and sangiras on other tables...great start.
Service was fast and excellent, yummy Pico de Gallo, salsa and chips immediately right to the table.
Different size Sangrias, my husband answers for me... "large for her" (an attempt to get me in the tipsy-lovey mood-somethings just don't change)
Sangria comes...very big & yummy.
We order the "Nachos Grande" appetizer...huge portion...just so-so flavor, oh well.
I order the "Baja Platter" tilapia with grilled veggies, hubby orders "Enchilada Platter"... what a let down.
Very mediocre, presentation was nice, very bland flavor...soooo disappointed.
So anyways let's end on a good note, we ordered the "Fried Ice-Cream" dessert...yum-meeeee!
Now I only gave this joint three stars based on my expectations not being fulfilled with the food. But I would give it five stars for the atmosphere, service, drinks and dessert.
I will be back in the summer for the open balcony patio for drinks, chips and salsa, and desserts!!
P.S. One more good note... prices are excellent-our bill was only $54.00 for all that!
I can say the environment is decent, music does not come close to a Mexican place, and I agree the staff needs training. Out of convenience I have given this place 4 times to get it right. The first, I was there with a group of local 'Mom's night out' for drinks and dinner, had it not been for the good company I would had rather passed. I asked for veggie peppers to have them served to me with a very clear site of ground beef,and the server argued they were vegetarian. Second, I called for take out, once again requested a veggie chimichanga only to receive steak. Thirdly, my husband and I went for a early dinner on a Friday (place was close to empty) they managed to screw up margarita's (yes at a Mexican joint) and gave me 'cheese' enchiladas with a sauce that tasted like meat after requesting vegetarian. And last time was a take out order, without requests (lesson learned) I ordered shrimp chimichangas and a double side of guacamole to have my husband drive for pick up to find out they no longer make this. I will never return to this place, nor order take out. I tried to talk with a manager to be told I would get credit for the items not received. NOBODY called me back (after 2 calls) and my credit card never had a credit from this episode!
went here with another neighborhood couple and love that there is a nice hip place in the neighborhood. Not having to drive far is always a bonus. I had the chicken tacos and the cheese they put on top is really different and tasty. The chips weren't salty enough for me but I have issues with salt, so I typically add my own everywhere. The boys both had steak fajitas and seemed to really enjoy. The other girl had some sort of grilled shrimp that looked delish...probably will try on the next visit. All in all a welcome addition to the neighborhood and a place I will visit again and often...oh and by the way, once this horrid winter ends they are opening up a rooftop area...CANNOT wait to enjoy this in the spring and summer!
We tried out this new mexican resturant last weekend after reading about it in the redeye or metromix or one of those... anyway, as other reviewers have stated this is a welcome addition to our neighborhood because it is pretty sparse when it comes to new and hip restaurants/bars. Overall, very good food. Service was just okay but I am sure will get better with time. Great drinks too! Loved the atmosphere of it all - very friendly and welcoming! The raised booths are a nice touch. A good place for a group to meet or for a date. We are looking forward to going back... especially in the summer when the rooftop deck is open!
this place is closed
