One of the disadvantages of such long running success is that you must make a reservation, or wait a long time for a table. That wait though, would be worth it. This bustling restaurant surprisingly puts you at ease, with its colorful earth toned walls, beautiful paintings, and wonderful service.
Ah, the food, the food is why you’re really here, and the margaritas! To begin your Mexican journey, start simple and go for the freshly prepared guacamole. This ultra creamy blend of avocado, garlic, lime, and cilantro will have your tongue dancing with joy. You’ll really, feel like dancing after trying one of their dynamite margaritas. Prepared table side with your choice of tequila, you just can’t beat the fun and flavor of a drink made just seconds before you take a sip.
While there are a few standard items on the menu such as tacos, it’s time for you to be more adventurous. If you’re still a little on the conservative side, then opt for the sampler. The sampler gives you traditional favorites such as crunchy taquitos, chips, guacamole, and quesadillas. In addition, it stretches your palate a bit with shrimp ceviche and sliced jicama. The ceviche is marinated in citrus juices to produce a fresh, bright flavor, while the jicama bites similar to a pear but with a much milder flavor.
How about chocolate for dinner? Sure it sounds crazy, but it is a delicious and unique way of enjoying your main course. Choose the Mole enchiladas, and you’ll get a taste sensation unlike any Tex-Mex you might be used to. The poblano Mole is prepared with dried chile peppers, ground nuts, spices, and Mexican chocolate. On it’s own, the sauce can be a bit on the sweet side, but when combined with the chicken, soft tortilla, shredded raddish, onions, and cilantro, you get a blissful harmony of flavors. The chocolate actually tones down the heat of the poblanos and balances the bite of the onion. This is truly a dish one should not be afraid of.
When dining with friends, take this opportunity to act on your impulses, and order multiple desserts. Remember, you’re not being gluttonous, you are merely helping design a sample platter, much like one many people order for appetizers. Desserts might be where “Frontera” loses some of it’s harmony. The overly rich desserts should be enjoyed in small quantites. The bannana, blueberry, and chocolate pound cake was inensified with chocolate syrup and a healthy dose of powdered sugar. With desserts this rich, order one, get a few spoons, and then enjoy.
A typical meal for two at Frontera will run you about $65-75, more than most are accostumed to spending at Mexican restaurants, but worth every penny. Overall “Frontera Grill” offers fresh, distinctive meals, killer margaritas, and a suprisingly comfortable atmosphere. It is this winning combination, that should keep “Frontera Grill” a Chicago hot spot for many years to come. Rating *** and ˝ out of ****.
Location
445 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-661-1434 | Fax: 312-661-1830
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