Chilam Balam — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Chilam Balam - A Culinary Gem

Nestled in the heart of Lakeview East, Chilam Balam stands as a beacon of authentic Mexican cuisine, offering a delightful blend of tradition and innovation. This charming and intimate restaurant may be small in size, but it boasts an undeniable sophistication that permeates every aspect of the dining experience.

From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted by the warm smile of owner Soraya Rendón and a cozy ambiance that instantly transports you to the streets of Mexico. The décor is tastefully understated, allowing the vibrant flavors of the food to take center stage.

Chilam Balam's menu is a testament to the culinary prowess of executive chef Natalie Oswald, featuring a tantalizing array of dishes that pay homage to Mexico's rich gastronomic heritage. One standout feature of their menu is the tapas-style presentation, allowing patrons to sample an assortment of small plates and share the experience with friends and family.

Among the myriad of options, the enchiladas potosinas steal the spotlight with their bold flavors and comforting textures. Each bite is a symphony of savory goodness, with tender masa enveloping a filling of cheese and peppers, all bathed in a rich and aromatic sauce that leaves a lingering warmth on the palate.

The flautas are another must-try dish, offering a delightful contrast of crispy and tender elements that dance harmoniously on the tongue. These golden-brown cylinders of joy are filled with succulent shredded chicken and served with a vibrant salsa that adds a refreshing kick to every bite.

For something a little more unconventional, the peneques are a revelation. These delightful pockets of masa are stuffed with a medley of savory ingredients, ranging from duck confit to pico de gallo, before being fried to perfection. The result is a crispy exterior giving way to a meltingly tender center that's bursting with flavor.

No visit to Chilam Balam would be complete without indulging in their exquisite ceviche. Served in small, shareable portions, this refreshing dish is a true celebration of fresh seafood, marinated in a zesty blend of citrus juices and spices that invigorate the senses and leave you craving more.

In addition to the stellar food, the service at Chilam Balam is nothing short of exceptional. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, always ready to offer recommendations or answer any questions you may have about the menu or their homeland! Owner Soraya and our waiter gave us wonderful recommendations on Mexico City, and we hope to visit soon.

Chilam Balam is a hidden Chicago gem. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado of Mexican cuisine or simply looking to expand your culinary horizons, this charming restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you coming...

Friday, October 23, 2015

I rendezvoused with my nephew on Fri, 10-23-15 at Chilam Balam in Lakeview, a tiny, below-street-level Mexican restaurant that had a favorable online rating as a BYOB destination. I arrived before my nephew and I was informed by the hostess that I could not be seated until my entire party was present. She told me I could wait in the bar, but was informed that I could not drink until I had been seated. Once my nephew arrived and we were seated at our table, our server promptly appeared, encouraging us to order two plates each and to place our entire order all at one time. After some negotiation with our server, he relented and let us order guacamole and chips while we decided on our “two plates each.” When we saw the prices per plate we decided to order only two plates (one plate each) of the flank steak which comes with tortillas. The portions are small, so it did not take long for two hungry guys to finish off the fare and the check followed soon after. At 55 minutes from the time we had been seated and were in the midst of enjoying a second beer, another staff person informed us that we did not have to leave…………”you are welcome to go to the bar, but we would like your table so others can enjoy their dining experience.” This was my first time ever being asked to vacate my table in a restaurant.

I asked if there was a time limit on the tables, which he replied, “it is 60 minutes and this is stated on a sign on the entrance door.” I paid our bill and checked the sign on the front door on our way out. It said there was a 90 minute limit on a table when people are waiting.

I checked the online reviews from the present, back to 2009 and the negative ones all had similar complaints:

Strong encouragement by servers for patrons to order two or more dishes each. Prefer patrons to order all dishes at one time, ie, ordering an appetizer while deciding on the other dishes was strongly discouraged. Small portions and high prices considering the portion size Your alcohol consumption must correspond with a certain amount of food ordered. You cannot be seated unless entire party is present, even if patron consents to order a certain number of dishes while waiting for their complete party. Cannot drink unless you are seated at your table. There is 60-90 minute time limit on tables. Cash only

After my Friday evening dinner, I came away thinking that the owner/management of Chilam Balam has chosen as their business model to impose and enforce rigid “rules” on their clientele. Their approach does not seem to be affecting their success as a destination restaurant; however, my one dining experience there was enough for me to decide not to try a...

I can certainly agree with all the other 1 star ratings (would give zero stars if that was an option) on this restaurant; it seems like many others like us have also encountered rudeness and yelling from the staff and owner. Our group came in for a birthday party. I had heard mixed reviews on the place and decided to give it a chance having lived in the neighborhood for years, first and last time for sure! The server and owner were incredibly rude and even threatening to our party. The owner and staff need some anger management and a course in basic hospitality. Our group of 11 was sat at two tables and half of the party got up and left within the first 15 minutes. The entrees are overpriced (around $20/each), with a strong lack of menu options (only about 7 items on the whole menu). We had one person in our party that cannot eat spicy, and they would absolutely not make the option to put the sauce on the side of the dish, rather than how it is served on the bottom. When asked what dishes are least spicy we were given an apathetic reply of "they are all spicy". This is certainly not the place to go if you have any kind of dietary restriction or food preference. We were told that we had to order ASAP since we only had a one hour limit to be there. We were then told that we "did not order enough food" and that we had to order at least 2 entrees per person (this is not listed anywhere on their menu or website). The server told us that we could not open any beverages (byob beers that we brought) if we did not order more food. We said that was fine and we would not drink, we were then still denied service for not ordering enough food. The owner (Soraya Rendon) came over and yelled at us. She then went over to the other table that we were with (across the restaurant) and YELLED (raised her voice and was literally SCREAMING) at and about us from across the restaurant (talk about nice ambiance for the other patrons). She said that we were rude since a couple members of the party did not have a mask on while seated, although we did not see the other tables wearing masks either or told anything about masks upon arrival. The owner also said "we are making no money due to covid" (And this is our problem how? We are here to support your establishment). We are all professionals in our 30s-40s and great tippers, but I guess they will not ever get the chance to find that out. It seems like they are already in danger of closing and I certainly hope they do so we can clean this trash spot out of the neighborhood. My advice is go across the street to Caesers to have a much better experience if you do not want to be yelled at and threatened on...