Dorado Restaurant Chicago Bites Podcast #143

Dorado Restaurant
Chicago Bites Podcast #143

Posted by Bridget at 9:00 pm

Jul 142009

The jicama salad is crisp and refreshing.

I was talking on my cell phone on the train recently, and when I hung up, this guy came up to me with a shy, kind smile. “Excuse me, but do you run a podcast called Chicago Bites?”

That’s how I met our podcast fan, Brett. He actually recognized my voice! I couldn’t believe it. It just goes to show you that you never know who you’re going to meet on the train.

As we chatted about our favorite restaurants and food trends on our way from point A to point B, Brett and I decided a dining experience was in order. So he and his fiancée, Julie, recommended Dorado, a little neighborhood BYOB they enjoy, and Tammy and I met them there. Tune in to hear all about it. It was a pleasure to commune with fellow foodies. Brett, I’m so glad you said hello!

(10.5 M)

Show Notes:
00:00 – 01:07 Famous among dozens
01:08 – 02:53 A neighborhood place with a menu of surprises
02:54 – 05:18 Starters: well dressed jicama salad & a guacamole blossom
05:19 – 07:53 Entrees: saucy fish, scallops, and chicken enchiladas
07:54 – 09:03 Dessert: Bread pudding and flan
09:05 – 09:45 BYOB & dining space
09:46 – 10:05 Ratings and sign-off

The diver scallops are sizable, and prepared well.

Dorado Restaurant
2301 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60625-1825
(773) 561-3780
Get directions

	Bridget’s Ratings	Tammy’s Ratings
Food Quality	3	2
Value	3	3
Service	3	3
Ambiance	3	3
Overall	5	5

Average price per person: $30

The chips were stuck in the guacamole for us, creating a blossom effect.

Online buzz about Dorado Restaurant:
Boorah
Google
MenuPages

Have some thoughts on Dorado? Know other neighborhood spots we should try? Drop us a line on Twitter: @chicagobites.

Los Moles Quick Bite

Posted by Bridget at 7:00 am

Jul 022009

The shrimp at Los Moles looks great.

Los Moles is a good place to dine on a dime. In addition to a variety of affordable a la carte items, Lakeview’s newest addition to the mole scene offers a $40 five-course prix-fixe menu daily that’s an absolute steal. You’ll taste what’s best on the monthly menu when you let the chef take the wheel.

Los Moles is currently a BYOB, which also helps to keep a few more dollars in your pocket, although an impressive bar lines one wall of the oblong dining space, so bringing your own liquor may not be an option for long.

After I had a full-sized appetizer, salad, meat entrée, seafood entrée, and dessert, I waddled out of Los Moles completely satisfied with my meal and feeling like I’d gotten much more than my money’s worth. My dining companion had the prix-fixe menu too, and since we were served different dishes throughout, we made our way through a total of ten different menu items in one sitting!

Overall, the food is good at Los Moles, but some dishes are certainly better than others. The standouts for me included a dark chili flavored soup called Sopa Azteca, and the seafood special topped with green mole sauce. I also liked the white mole sauce I sampled. It’s a creamy blend of almonds, pine nuts, yellow peppers, white chocolate, golden raisins and white pepper that’s not overly sweet, and I haven’t found it anywhere else. It’s definitely worth a taste.

However, I’d steer clear of the shrimp with mole sauce. I’ve had it twice now, and it looks better than it tastes. Both times it was over cooked and served with too much sauce. Everything else I’ve tried on the menu falls somewhere in between the extremes, turning in a solid, if not spectacular performance.

The dining area is dimly lit, but still manages to have a friendly vibe, and the staff is attentive, but the service is a little slow. Still, this new kid on the block is worth a try. Los Moles is just getting on its feet, but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s a good bet for the price.

Los Moles
3140 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 935-9620
Get directions

Been to Los Moles? What did you think? Drop us a line via Twitter: @chicagobites.

De Cero Taqueria - Another Look

Posted by Bridget at 8:00 am

Jun 042009

Tacos are the specialty at De Cero.

A restaurant in Chicago with staying power has usually got game. And De Cero seems to be holding its own.

Tammy and I first reviewed it roughly three years ago, and when we returned Friday night to celebrate Karen’s Birthday (Yea!) it was bustling, just like it was during our first visit. But did this most recent experience match up with our initial impressions? Does De Cero still have it?

Yes and no.

De Cero is still a solid choice with good service, decent food, and a fun atmosphere. In fact, I think it’s very much what it ever was.

But I wasn’t as impressed with it this time. That’s partly because I’ve eaten a lot more Mexican food over the years, and my tastes have changed. But it’s mostly because the house margaritas weren’t nearly as good as I remembered!

Here are some additional impressions to consider if De Cero is on your to-do list:

De Cero is a good place for a party. The staff does a great job with large groups, both planning for them and taking care of them throughout the evening. Our server even suggested pitches of margaritas to be cost conscious. De Cero also has a very reasonable cake-cutting fee if you want to bring in an outside dessert for a special occasion.

Tacos are the specialty here and there’s lots to choose from! You can order as many or as few as you like in any combination, which is great for portion control. The flank steak taco was my favorite… the tuna was a tad over-cooked.

The sauces are tasty! We liked the salsa verde, guacamole, and the sauce on Tammy’s ahi tuna entree.

It’s really loud in the dining room, and as we’ve said before, it’s certainly not the place for a quiet chat.

The tables are super narrow, making both leg and wheelchair clearance tough.

All things considered, De Cero is still worth a visit.