La Chuparosa Waukegan's Premier Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Waukegan

I was excited to try La Chuparosa, and while the ambiance is trendy and Instagrammable, the overall experience fell short, especially when it came to the food.

The drinks were okay but definitely on the pricey side. I did really enjoy the mezcal cocktail though—it was the highlight of the evening for me. The service was amazing as well!

What threw me off the most was the food presentation. Almost everything was pink, which made the dishes look unappetizing and artificial. The sashimi appetizer wasn’t what I expected. There was no ponzu flavor and it looked more like poke smothered in a pink aioli. They pieces were fatty and hard to chew. The aguachile shrimp looked swollen and off, and the flavor was overwhelmingly limey. Again, it was pink and just didn’t look fresh.

The arrachera dish was okay, but the meat wasn’t seasoned well. The orange sauce on the plate and the mashed potatoes had a strange sugary taste that didn’t pair well with anything, though the sliced potatoes were actually pretty good. The steak temperatures were inconsistent across our party. One person ordered medium and received well done, while others ordered medium rare and got it blue and undercooked.

The restaurant itself is visually impressive, but it feels like more focus was placed on decor than on the food and recipes. I might come back just for drinks or if they make changes to the menu, but overall it was a miss for me. I see the...

We celebrated Halloween here and purchased two bottles of Don Julio 70 for our table. Unfortunately, the service was very disappointing. The waitress took forever to take our order, and when we ordered cranberry and Squirt to accompany the tequila, the second round of cranberry was literally water with a splash of color.

I asked to speak with a manager. The host came to our table, tasted the drink herself, and immediately acknowledged it was water. She then returned and told us they had run out of cranberry which is understandable, but the waitress should have informed us instead of serving watered-down drinks and hoping we wouldn’t notice. We could have simply ordered something else.

On top of that, the service was extremely slow. We repeatedly had to ask for things, and items were brought out one at a time. For such a beautiful place, this was a very disappointing experience.

To make things worse, the gratuity was automatically included. The waitress received over $140 in tip for service that didn’t deserve it. We always tip generously when service is good, but in this case, it should have been optional, not forced.

Gorgeous venue, but the service needs...

🌟 Soft Opening Review: Chupa Rosa – Waukegan, IL 🌟

I had the pleasure of attending the soft opening of Chupa Rosa, and I must say—it’s a beautiful addition to Waukegan’s dining scene! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and tastefully decorated with a modern yet authentic Mexican flair.

The menu offers a refreshing twist on traditional Mexican dishes, with standout flavors that clearly show the love and creativity behind each plate. The [mention standout dish—e.g., “birria tacos” or “mole enchiladas”] was absolutely delicious—tender, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure every guest felt at home. Despite it being their soft opening, the service was well-organized and enthusiastic, which says a lot about the potential of this place.

If you’re in or near Waukegan and enjoy elevated Mexican cuisine, I highly recommend giving Chupa Rosa a try. I’m excited to come back once they’re fully open—this spot has all the makings of a local favorite!

¡Felicidades al equipo de...