Islas Jarochas — Restaurant in Palatine Township

Updated Review September 2025 - still our favorite place for authentic Mexican seafood dishes! We have tried some other places, recently, only to be disappointed and reminded that this place is “the one.”

Always recommended-

The Ceviche Mixtos - incredibly fresh seafood mix with tostadas on the side.

Caldo de mariscos- seafood soup that is perfect for these cooler fall days.

Shrimp tacos filled with fresh toppings- my husband’s fav. ——————————————————————-

Updated Review April 23,2022 - first really warm day in April and we knew exactly where we were going after our walk! Islas Veracruz is without doubt one of the best overall restaurants we have found in the northern Chicgo burbs.

The variety of seafood and quality of ingredients are always fresh and delicious. The Margarita could be a bit stronger, but the food never fails to delight!!

This time we tried our seafood staples of the mixed seafood soup and tostadas mixtas (also mixed seafood) along with the steak tacos.

My husband loved the tacos, but I prefer their seafood dishes overall. What we also appreciate is that all those fresh ingredients they serve are not overly seasoned or salty, allowing you to enjoy the food and season to taste with their fresh limes wedges, crazy spicy, but delicious verde, or just eat as is.

Highly, highly recommend this place. And the waitress, who communicates well enough to take our order, is very charming and kind. She takes care of us by checking in but isn’t that type of waitstaff that comes to your table every 15 minute- we love that!!

——————————————————————- We found a new favorite with Islas Veracruz. I saw that some said it was a bit pricey, but when you see the quality of the ingredients, care that goes into the presentation, and amount of seafood in each order, I feel it is worth it.

My husband and I stopped in for lunch and were greeted by a friendly young woman who only spoke a bit of English, but made it easy to communicate. And, personally, the language barrier is a keeper in my book, as it tells me they are catering to a largely Spanish-speaking crowd that will have natural expectations about the food - keeping it more authentic for the rest of us.

We ordered the mixed seafood ceviche tostadas, the mixed seafood soup, and shrimp tacos. Everything was so well presented, so fresh, and so packed with seafood. I would recommend all of them, especially that warm frothy soup broth for these cold Chicago days.

Their salsa is also fantastic, clearly homemade and is partnered with one of the most flavorful Verdes I have had in a long time.

We will definitely be back for more food and some...

My coworker went to get our order and they give us this what kinda business service food like this and then you go to get your money back and the owner won’t even come out for the back to show his face to talk for a refund or do another order the stupid cashier wants to keep talking and talking then say she can’t do nothing for me ok so here’s where you will hear me this is bullshyt worse place ever that the police had to be involved and the owner then wants to tell the girl give her a refund we don’t need police problems no more and they keep deleting my reviews also like next time service the right food and not someone else plate and just throw it in the tray like really that’s nasty and she still didn’t throw the food out she went and took it to the cook and they went and put it in the pot like nasty how can you do...

Unfortunately came to find this place not what it used to be, food not fresh nor at least warm after waiting for at least 15 min. The langostinos quality were to not ever eat there again. Our waitress was nice but she wasn’t really taking care of us even tho there were no more than three tables for two waitresses. We came in a Saturday which we have done it before for drinks and music but this last time the music was unnecessarily loud. We had to be yelling at the waitress. Drinks tasted cheap. Not just talking about the alcohol but the mixes. Just our last visit to this place for sure.

This was three years ago…. We loved it, when the day spicy that’s exactly what they mean. Food tastes fresh might take some time but it’s worth it....