El Zarape Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Mendota Township

The parking here is very tight and a little difficult to navigate if it is a busy night. The handicap accessibility getting in the restaurant is not the easiest but once you are in it is very easy to get around. We have been here many times and for the most part enjoy it. Tonight the service was just ok. I am pretty sure they changed their salsa recipe as it was not as flavorful as it normally is., it tasted like and had the consistency of a can of diced tomatoes and onions. The other hot sauces they offered were very good though. The chips were all crushed and were not as fresh tasting as they normally are. The strawberry banana margaritas were very good and well balanced. 3 of us at the table ordered the steak chimichanga meal and they did not disappoint. They were crispy and well filled with steak and cheese, the sides were rice and a little fried corn taco shell holding the refried beans were very tasty. The chicken roll was pretty bland tasting but was filled with what the menu indicated. There is a sign on the door asking if you would please use cash to help them keep costs down which was...

Love the food. Service is usually good. (I think out of ten visits one time service was little lazy, but may have been an off day for the server- we all have them) typically we stop in at off meal times, so pretty empty atmosphere - but that the way my wife and I like it, part of why we don't go out at typical meal times. most recent visit was just before the sweet corn fest parade, was surprised it wasn't busy, but everyone probably at the festival already. Dinning room typically clean, restrooms can be a different story, just do yourself the favor of eating first, in case you loose your appetite.

Edit: been going here more often lately as my mother has been turned on to the food, and she likes to look for an excuse to have my family go somewhere with her to spend time together. All though this is a Mexican restaurant, I very highly recommend the fried chicken. My kids like to make fun of my for going to a Mexican restaurant to eat fried chicken,...

Traveling across this country where our final destination is Tucson, Arizona, mecca for Mexican food, I was wary to try a Mexican restaurant in the middle of the flatlands of central Illinois.

I’m glad I took the chance! This place was awesome!

I got the shredded beef Chimichanga, and got it smothered in melted queso. Topped it with their red AND green hot sauce, which had a great cilantro flavor.

Best Chimichanga I’ve ever had! Now, you don’t know me, but if you did, A, I’d feel sorry for you, but, B, you’d know I take my Mexican food very seriously.

Go here. You will...