Whiskey Taco — Restaurant in Pekin

We were a group of 12 (reservations were made 2 days prior, so they knew we would be there). We arrived at about 5:45 and place drinks and appetizer orders very shortly after. It seemed to take a while to place orders, so I counted the number of customers the waitress was working, and it was 30. We were able to place our food order at about 6:15. Then at about 7:20 or 7:30 the food orders started to come out, but they were only coming out 1 or 2 at a time. By the time the last person was served at about 7:50, the first two had finished their meals. One couple ordered desert togo and it took the manger and 3 attempts to get it right. Every person at our table said that the flavor of the food was good but everyone one of us also said that the food was luke warm at best. One person had very simple ground beef and cheese tacos and his had been sitting so long that the cheese has begun to turn dark and the ground beef crumble was dark and dried out at the edges. I work in a kitchen part time so I know that sometime when you get in the weeds it is very hard to recover. I think much of this was a management issue in that they saddled a new waitress with the big table, a 12 top, a 6 top, and three 4 tops. We happened to be in a spot where we could see the pass and I was watching. I only saw 3 people in the kitchen, seems like they were severely understaffed, but maybe the crowd that night was just a one off that is really not possible to plan for. The food was NOT sitting at the pass and getting cold while it sat, it was just getting to the pass cold. The poor waitress apologized all over herself for something that was out of her control and did not ONE time blame anyone else. She just said she was sorry and took the blame on herself. I am 100% sure our group will not go again, but I will likely go back one more time with fewer people just to make sure it was not one of those crappy nights where the kitchen gets hammered and can't get it back together. BTW the waitress still got her tips because we all understood she did her best in a...

Love this place, we have been a couple of times and will definitely be back. I will mention however that some of the things on the menu are a bit pricey if not on special. Our wait person. Was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and specials. They were also very helpful when asked their opinion on certain items. Most importantly they kept our drinks filled and checked on us accordingly for any additional needs. My description of the interior I would call Rustic Modern. Clean polished cement floor with rustic wood table tops. There is a combination of regular and high top tables in the bar area and a separate dinning area which I am sure will be used spring summer and fall with garage style doors that will be a big hit. The drinks and drink specials are great. The food itself is excellent as well. A mix of southern barbecue meets Mexican cantina with an upscale introductory twist. The pulled pork chimichanga is a favorite as well as a collection of tacos including traditional, barbecue, smash burger (yes a cheese burger taco), bang bang shrimp, baja, and an interesting combination of taco meets hot wings called the Dragon which I will need to try next time. My one criticism as earlier mentioned I did feel a few of the items were a bit pricey for what you get ( but remember I do not own or run a restaurant, I just eat out alot 😉) however if you can catch some of these on their weekly specials they will be well worth it. Make this a definite stop and be sure to bring friends to enjoy the indoor outdoor environment when the...

This restaurant has it all- great food, great atmosphere, and best of all, great people and service.

A gem for Pekin to have; I just hope that the people in this town appreciate Whiskey Taco, and will support them, so we can have them around for a long time to come.

The name gives a good idea of things- WHISKEY TACO. They've got a bar (that serves much more than whiskey, if desired), and a very decent menu of, you guessed it- TACOS (among other Mexican delights). Personally, I'm a big fan of of the fish tacos.

The atmosphere is a mix of urban/industrial chic, with lots of great live plants and trees added in. Amazing natural light pours into the restaurant from massive, operable garage doors on the front, huge windows in the rear, and enormous skylights that cover nearly the entire ceiling! Despite the urban/industrial aspects, this space doesn't have the bad, echoey acoustics of others like it, so it's much easier to converse with your group, and talk to the staff. Thank goodness for that!

Family owned AND operated, I think I've seen every member of the Pekin family- the parents as well as their teenage kids- hustling and putting in time at this establishment. Talk about a family that works together! What great family values!

If you haven't been to Whiskey Taco in Pekin, please, go check it out. I promise you won't leave in tears! You may even leave with a satisfied appetite, and a smile...