El Gordito Grill — Restaurant in Palatine Township

I have been here a few times now. First time was the hardest to do because....it's in a gas station. But if DDD has taught us anything, it's take a chance on the gas station place... So, I finally did. I didn't risk much and had a cheese burger and fries. It was huge and really good ... Not greasy but still juicy. Fries were crispy and hot. Also, like others have said, owner is super friendly and the service was great. My next time, I resolved to do tacos. Ok, there are lots of taco shops in the area. I had 2 that I love....great tacos and salsa, and great, friendly service. Do we need another taco place.? On visit 2 I had the steak tacos and fries (hey, this is a very unique option you have here...don't knock it, the fries are really good). Tacos were very tasty and well portioned....lots of meat. They have 2 sauces: red and green. I asked which was hot...he sort of hedged his answer and said the green is hotter. They both have a kick, not rocket hot but certainly gets your attention after a few hits. Both sauces are really good. On later visits, I got rice (I'm not a bean guy) and put the green sauce on it....super good...I even do the sauces on the fries... I now have 3 taco shops I love...and one of them has fries and other stuff There are some things to know: 1) somewhat limit hours, they are not open late. 2) no drinks. You have to use the Kwik-E-Mart that has Kwik-E-Mart prices...or bring your own 3) only a few tables inside. Last time I was there, it was sort of crowded...great for the owners, but for me, not so great getting a table. BTW, I have never seen a dirty table here 4) I sort of get the idea that the menu is only a starting point. They have specials and some things that are not on the menu. 5) get over the gas station part...it's nothing to worry about. Way to go guys... I will see...

Tucked away in an unassuming gas station, this small Mexican restaurant offers a delightful foodie surprise. I decided to try their 3-taco dinner, which comes with a side of beans and rice. The meal was a mixed bag, but overall, it left a positive impression.

I ordered two steak tacos and one chicken taco. The steak tacos were the star of the show—perfectly seasoned with a flavorful blend that complemented the tender meat. Unfortunately, the chicken taco didn’t hit the same mark for me. It was seasoned with adobo (I believe), which, while flavorful, just wasn’t my personal preference. The seasoning overpowered the chicken a bit, and I found myself wishing I had stuck with all steak tacos.

The green and red salsas were outstanding—bright, fresh, and packed with flavor. They added a wonderful kick to every bite. The refried beans were creamy and well-seasoned, though they could have been served hotter; they arrived lukewarm, which was a slight letdown. The rice, however, was perfectly cooked and paired nicely with the rest of the meal.

The service was friendly and efficient. My order came out quickly, and the staff was welcoming, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

Despite the minor hiccup with the chicken taco and the lukewarm beans, this gas station Mexican restaurant is a hidden gem. The steak tacos and salsas alone are worth the visit. If you’re in the mood for a quick, flavorful meal, don’t let the unconventional location deter you—this spot delivers on taste and charm. I’ll definitely be back, though next time, I’m sticking with...

Had high hopes with all the five stars review but was thoroughly disappointed. Steak was really salty and I even bit onto a piece of bone or something hard whatever that is. The amount of meat was average but there was SO much excess tortilla on the ends; Wish I took a picture of it. Rice and beans were average, nothing special but at least they were not overly salted like at many other places. Also unsure why i seemed to be charged 20%+ for taxes. Seemed kinda high. Receipt is not itemized so I don’t know how they calculated it.

I highly recommend burrito express in vernon hills instead if you need a...