Pueblito Escondido — Restaurant in Elgin

TERRIBLE SERVICE! We came to eat here as we are not from the area on a Saturday at 4:30pm. It looked promising as it serves Mexican, Colombian and Guatemalan food, but be advised, there was no AC and no ventilation, so all the frying smells and heat from the kitchen come to the dinning area. The restaurant was not busy with two waitresses who were on their phones and another three at a table relaxing. Rather than having attentive waitstaff, it was as if we were an inconvenience to the staff that we were there. I don't know if this is normal for this restaurant, but we were not offered water upon sitting at our table. When asked about what sodas they carried, we were met with a heavy sigh from the waitress. Their menu didn't say, if they served Coke or Pepsi products, only "Sodas" and a price, hence the simple question, but the fact that we were being an inconvenience was clearly being known to us through her body language.

We wanted pollo con mole (chicken with mole) and after putting the order in, were told that the kitchen was out of chicken. What restaurant is out of chicken on a weekend before 5pm?!?!!!!

When the food was ready the cooks were ringing the bell waiting for any of the waitstaff to come and get the plates, but there was no sense of hurry. I was seriously going to just walk back there and grab our plates as we were the only ones there at this time. (While we were there, a man came in and ate as did another couple, the lack of attention seemed part of the service for them as well).

We ordered an appetizer of shredded chicken empanadas which were good, chicken enchiladas and flautas off the Mexican side of the menu. The beans were canned and not very good and the red Mexican rice was sticky and not very flavorful which to me was very disappointing. We had been out shopping at Elgin and wanted to take my mom out for dinner as it was her birthday and were starving, but there was zero effort on the staff to ask if we were there to celebrate a special occasion or if we were looking for anything in particular.

There were also no dessert options as far as I could tell from the menu. Speaking of the menu, any person considering eating here shoukd know the prices on the menu are not the actual price, very conveniently and away from the cash register they have a sign where they say they will charge a 4% Fee to all credit cards, the price printed on the menu is only if you pay by cash. A "discount" if you will.

The food may be good but this is NOT a restaurant I would consider going back to after having experienced such terrible service. Friendliness, kindness and how to interact with guests is something the owner(s) of this establishment need to revise and better train their employees. I am saddened to see that many others have had similar experience like ours and only wish we had looked at the reviews prior to spending money here. Dinning at a place where the employees make you feel like an inconvenience and don't even try to hide their malaise towards guests is not an establishment I wish to support nor...

“A Hidden Gem Worth Every Bite”

Walked into this spot on a whim, and let me tell you—it’s the vibe. Dim lighting, colorful decor that feels more like a party than a restaurant, and the smell of fresh tortillas hitting you at the door. You know you’re in for something special.

Started with their house margarita because, obviously, and it did not disappoint. Perfect balance—just enough lime to make you question every pre-mixed monstrosity you’ve ever tolerated.

Then came the tacos. Oh man. I thought I knew what a good taco was—turns out, I’ve been living a lie. The carne asada? Smoky, tender, and seasoned like someone poured their soul into it. And the al pastor? Straight up life-changing. Sweet, spicy, pineapple-y magic.

Even the chips and salsa were on another level. Not sure if they use some secret spice blend or just witchcraft, but I could’ve eaten them all night.

The staff? Cool without trying. Ali was quick, but not rushed. Like they know the food speaks for itself.

Final verdict: I’ll be back. Probably tomorrow. And the day after. If you’re not here yet, what are...

What a hidden gem Pueblo Escondido is, serving an incredible blend of Colombian, Mexican, and Guatemalan cuisines! We indulged in Chicken Pepian, Mole, Coctel de Camaron, Empanadas, and Arepas, and each dish was absolutely delicious. The rich, authentic flavors made everything taste wonderfully homemade—not a hint of being processed.

The ambiance was just as delightful, with charming decorations that made the setting super cute. The music blended perfectly with the overall vibe, creating a fun and enjoyable dining experience.

Finally, we can enjoy this fabulous combination of flavors without making the drive to Chicago. Pueblo Escondido is easily a new favorite for anyone seeking genuine,...