Coronado Mexican Kitchen — Restaurant in South Elgin

I had a taste for Mexican and I wanted to try something new. When we pulled into the parking lot it started to look familiar and my husband said.."We've been here...it was awful...are you sure you wanna go in?" I told him yes lets give it another try. So we went in and were seated right away.

We both ordered the carnitas and asked for table side guacamole. As we waited for our food the cart came by with the guy that's makes the guac. He made it exactly how we wanted it. Amazing! Then the food came shortly after...the carnitas were Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mouth watering! As I bit into a taco I had made with the with the corn tortilla I couldn't believe how much flavor it had...not in a bad way either...Oooooooooooooh so much goodness as it dripped a little down my arm lol. It was amazing.

Oh and let me not forget about the staff! we had 2 very attentive servers. I truly wish I could recall their names :-( ...young guys..high school age...very polite...very well versed in the food we were ordering. I am half Mexican and my grandparents are from Aguascalientes and I know good Mexican food...I asked the waiter if the chef was mexican and if so what part is he/she from. They returned and informed me he is from Michoacan. Great too know.

Our 6 year wedding anniversary is coming up next week and I am going to suggest to my hubby that we return to celebrate there. Please go and try this.

By the way we spoke with the staff and explained we were hesitant about returning since the first time...though a few years back...we had bad service and bad food. The waiter informed me Coronado was new a few months to only a year old and that the previous owners had an Italian restaurant there that flopped. That explains the hesitation when we first arrived.

Give it a shot. I'm positive you'll have an awesome experience...

Up until a week ago, this was my “go to” Mexican restaurant in the Elgin area. I recommended it to everybody I know. We have easily been here 50 times and I have catered food for my work from this restaurant several times & really big orders. On Saturday, 7 days ago, it left a very bad taste in my mouth to the point where I am not going to return here. I placed an order online where they were offering free delivery. My order should’ve been delivered at 9:30 PM. The restaurant called me at 9:31 saying they don’t have drivers and can’t deliver my food. So after my husband had to go pick up our food, I had requested that they reimburse me for the tip that I gave for a driver who didn’t deliver my food. When my husband picked up the food, they reassured him that the manager was going to call me and refund me, THEY DID NOT. I went in there again on Tuesday, in person, Asking for a refund and they said the manager was going to call me. I explained to them about my wrong order and the tip that I need reimbursement for and left my phone number again. NOTHING. It is now Friday, no call. Not to mention, by the time my husband got to the restaurant, picked up the food and brought it home, the restaurant was closed. I had ordered a ground beef chimichanga and cut into it to find out it was chicken. No recourse. So now my husband was eating my dinner for lunch for the next two days. And it’s really sad because I’ve eaten here 50 times and they’ve lost a very loyal customer over a $16 tip and trying to make my meal right. Shame on you...

I really wanted to like this place. I love Mexican food, and feel like a good Mexican restaurant is exactly what those strip malls in South Elgin need to be a nice break from the large chains (Red Robin, Chili's, Chipotle, etc.). Unfortunately, Coronado's falls short of expectations.

First off, parking is horrible. We had to park in the lot behind Coronado's because there wasn't a single spot to be found.

Second, the service was so slow. A meal that should have taken an hour - tops, including conversation - took over 2 hours. Simply due to slow service.

Lastly, the food just wasn't good. My first impression, honestly, when I saw that my tortillas were delivered to my table in aluminum foil was "Is this a joke?". No tortilla warmers in what is supposed to be a nicer Mexican restaurant? Fail. I shouldn't see a piece of aluminum foil anywhere when I'm eating my meal. Then the taste of the food is just bland at best. No hint of Latin spices at all. A big disappointment.

This place is definitely a joke and I...