Chicago Restaurants

Frontera Grill

#828 of 830 things to do in Chicago

#586 of 592 mexican restaurants in North America

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: food

Not good for: atmosphere, service

  • Address
    • 445 N Clark St
  • Transport
    • Red Line to Grand
  • Phone
    • 312-661-1434
  • Price
    • small plates $7-9, mains $18-29
  • Hours
    • 11:30am-2:30pm Tue-Fri, 10:30am-2:30pm Sat, 5:30-9:30pm Tue-Thu, to 10:30pm Fri & Sat

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Lonely Planet review for Frontera Grill

Perhaps you've seen chef Rick Bayless on TV, stirring up pepper sauces and other jump-off-the-tongue Mexican creations. His isn't your typical taco menu: Bayless uses seasonal, sustainable ingredients for flavor-packed fare. No wonder it's a fave of President Obama.

 

Traveller reviews for Frontera Grill (1)

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    Steak tacos at Epcot Center

    andalinc does not recommend this,

    After eating at Frontera Grill, I wonder if all the fuss has more to do with Rick Bayless’ celebrity status than the actual dining experience.

    Frontera Grill is raucously loud, both aurally and visually. The décor is Disney-fied. The bright and oddly textured canary yellow and orange paint is a caricature of the multi-colored haciendas Frontera Grill tries hard to impersonate. Frontera Grill, at first glance, seems like a cog in Bayless’ empire. His books and salsas are on sale in the front of the restaurant along with other brand paraphernalia. I half expected to see some of the diners wearing Frontera Grill t-shirts and caps.

    The wait staff, although friendly, was inexperienced and trained in the art of rushing diners in and out.

    The food, however, was excellent. The gold margarita was well balanced, and did not leave me smacking my mouth from over tartness. The guacamole was simple, with fresh cilantro. The mole poblano sauce on the enchiladas had complexity and depth, and a spiciness that crept up on me several seconds after I had taken a bite. The skirt steak tacos were tender and juicy, and the flavor of the meat was not hidden behind the red chili spice. The frijoles charros, flavored with ham, accompanying the tacos were my husband’s favorite part of the meal. We finished the good meal with the chocolate tres leches cake. Frontera Grill’s interpretation of torta tres leches was disappointing; the chocolate flavor of the biscuit masked the delicate flavor of the three milks, and the whipped cream on top covered up the cake beneath it.

    While I did like the food, I will visit the other Chicago authentic Mexican food restaurants before returning to Frontera Grill.

    Good for: food

    Not good for: atmosphere, service

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