Tacos "El Tio #8" — Restaurant in Libertyville

Terrible service and disappointing food. I came in with my boyfriend and ordered the skirt steak dinner plate. As soon as the food was dropped off, our server asked if everything was good—before I even had a chance to take a bite. When I finally tasted the skirt steak, it had a weird, unpleasant flavor. I told my boyfriend, and he tried to get the server’s attention, but she was on the phone for at least 15 minutes, laughing and clearly distracted. At that point, we just wanted to leave after we waited for a good time.

When we got up to pay, I told the server I didn’t like the skirt steak because it tasted bad. She got the manager, and he told us we still had to pay more than half the price of the dish because they “didn’t want to take a loss.” I even explained that I work in a restaurant myself, and I’ve never heard of this kind of policy. Most places either offer to remake the dish or take it off the bill—not argue with you and refuse to make it right.

The server never offered to switch out my plate, and when I mentioned how she only checked on us once—literally two minutes after dropping the food off and before I’d even tried anything—she blamed us for not speaking up sooner. We tried, but she was too busy in la la land on the phone.

What really blew my mind was when the manager told me, “Well, just take it home if you don’t want to eat it here.” We were like… if we didn’t want to eat it in the restaurant, what makes you think we’d want to eat it at home? That logic makes no sense. I told them I had only eaten the rice, and I even said they could charge me for just that, but they still insisted on charging me half the price because they “don’t want to take a loss.” That’s not even a real policy—it’s just poor service and no accountability. Supposedly they called the owner and the owner agreed to all of this.

So not only did I pay for food I couldn’t eat, I had to stop somewhere else afterward to actually get a meal. I’ve seen other reviews mention a rude server, and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were talking about the same girl. Wouldn’t recommend on...

My experience was creatively good with the second waitress. She was so lovely! The food was great. The recommendation she gave us was great, she made us feel like we were at home☺️ her energy is amazing. Great attitude, smiling with every customer she had at that moment. The music was right❤️ im giving one star to the other girl.. she had an attitude the moment we walked in. Didn’t even greet us. We waited for her to come and take our order but she was to busy getting her tips. And boom she was gone.. the girl who had the hello kitty shirt had ask multiple times about an order and the other wasnt answering. I feel like everyone should be able to work together. She should be able to communicate with everyone specially who is cover the next shift. Like hey this table need their food, the other table need their order to be taken. You know.. she was just being rude to the other girl.. she doesnt have a great attitude at all. She wasnt smiling or being nice. she could’ve at least said of she will be taking your order soon but no we had to wait even more.. she was just ready to leave.. this happen like at 11pm. Few mins...

I have never in all my 22 years of life went inside a restaurant and had the server complain about having to work?! I have had tacos el tio#8 at least 6-7 times in the past as this is the only place in the north suburbs that is open late enough after I finish up at lifetime fitness. The only reason I go is on tuesdays with a group of 5 of my friends bringing business at 11:30pm every Tuesday. Today I finally had enough and decided I was going to write a review. I am honestly nervous every time I walk in this establishment because of how we get treated by one particular female server. And as some of these reviews have mentioned this is not a one time thing. Tacos are ok at best and their Tuesday deal is only for one type of meat. This place isn’t worth the abuse you receive from your server. Stay away if you are planning...