El Tradicional Mexican Restaurant and Cantina — Restaurant in Northfield Township

El Traditional Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in The Glen, Glenview, offers a mix of experiences that left me with somewhat mixed feelings. While the food was passable, I couldn't overlook the fact that the service and wait time were major letdowns.

Let's start with the positives. The restaurant has a charming ambiance with a traditional Mexican vibe that adds to the dining experience. The menu boasts a variety of Mexican dishes, and the flavors were decent. However, the major downside was the incredibly long wait time for our food. Waiting for over an hour is quite unacceptable, especially on a weekday. It significantly affected the overall enjoyment of the meal, and it's something the restaurant should address promptly. Perhaps the kitchen was understaffed that day, but such extended waiting times are not easily forgiven.

On a brighter note, our server seemed like a very friendly and polite person. But here's the catch: he was not attentive enough, and it seemed like he wasn't around much when we needed assistance. This further added to the frustration of the prolonged wait for our food.

While I understand that restaurants can have off-days, it's essential to maintain consistency in service quality. Perhaps, as the review suggests, the experience may differ on weekends when they might be better prepared to handle a larger crowd.

All in all, El Traditional Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is an okay place for a casual meal, especially if you're in the mood for Mexican cuisine. However, be prepared for possible hiccups in service and long waiting times, particularly if you visit on a weekday. If you decide to try this restaurant out, I'd recommend doing so on a weekend to see if the...

I recently dined at El Traditional, and I have to say, it was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've ever had. From the moment I walked in, the lack of cleanliness was evident. The tables were sticky, and the floors looked like they hadn’t been swept in days.

But what really took the cake was the food. I and my wife ordered dishes that was supposed to be cooked to perfection, but what I received was an embarrassment. The meat was undercooked, and the flavors were bland and uninspired. It felt like the kitchen had thrown together a meal without any care or attention to detail. Also there were flies all over the back wall of the restaurant where we were sat.

I expected much better from a place with such a reputation. It’s unacceptable to serve food that doesn’t meet basic safety standards, let alone be enjoyable. I will not be returning, and I urge others to think twice before choosing El Traditional for their...

Nice friendly locally run restaurant with nice food and a really good selection of Tequilas. All the normal traditional offerings in food. If you are not so inclined for Mexican food, try the Salmon Salad with Italian dressing on the side which is really good. They have steak Carne Asiada that never disappoints.

Back to the Tequila, these folks have some fun offerings like the Cadillac Margarita! Or, if you want sipping Tequila there are many choices like Don Julio and the outstanding Herradura (OMG, the Anjeo' is to die for) and if you like special treats, try the Don Julio 70!!! Nice refined clear 3 year aged special anniversary special. If you have not really been a Tequila fan yet... This is a good place to taste and learn what is an amazing treat this is.

Friendly fun people behind the bar. Glad to have these folks in the...