Best Regional Mexican Restaurants in North Center

Our dinner at Istmo was such a pleasant surprise. The staff was kind and knowledgeable. We received a history about the dishes from the owner. The restaurant was beautiful and the food was superb. A complete gem!

Great staff. Our waitress went above and beyond to make our dinner fun

First off, our server was outstanding, friendly and very helpful which made the meal much more agreeable. However, we were a bit put off that we were pushed to a 2-top table (there were only 2 of us eating) for a reservation just after they opened and we were the only patrons in the restaurant the entire time we were there. The main course entrees were very good but the Granacha was nothing to write home about; It was one piece of masa with overcooked pork 'bits' for $11 & had two 'house' margaritas, about 6-8oz., for $14 each. The Arrachera a la Parrilla was done perfectly but you only got 2 strips of meat, about 6oz, with rice, beans and two tortillas for $33 and the 3 chicken enchiladas were good but at $26, a bit pricey. There are a lot of Mexican themed restaurants in the Logan Square area that will give you a better bang for your buck, but YMMV.