La Finca Restaurant

I RARELY rate anything five stars but this place gets it, and here is why:
We recently went to Panama City Beach for vacation (reviews to follow) and while we were gone my boyfriends parents dogsat our lil one. To show our appreciation we wanted to buy them dinner. My boyfriends mother and father come to this place every Friday. She mentioned it and I secretly was protesting and begging for another idea in my head. You see, I HATE Mexican food. This has been quite a struggle because my partner is Hispanic. In the 2 ½ years we have been together I have avoided Mexican restaurants and been able to avoid having to learn how to cook most Hispanic cuisine. Since this really was a treat for the parents and not my spoiled ass, I agreed (internally reluctantly.) We got there just as the place was opening on Thursday night. They brought home made tortilla chips and salsa to the table. Pretty damn good. This was looking up. My boyfriend ordered a margarita and his father a strawberry margarita. His mother and I ordered sweet tea. The tea was delicious. I’m kind of a tea connoisseur. This was yummy. Freshly brewed with a hint of lemon. I did taste both margaritas. The definitely don’t skimp on the alcohol. The strawberry one I thought was better, but that’s just my personal preference. They both were really tasty. They ordered guacamole for the appetizer. Another thing I“m not a fan of is avocados. I tasted it because my partner raves about it. It was quite good. That is saying A LOT. I did prefer the salsa to the guacamole, but unbelievably, I did find the guac tasty. I ordered the burrito for dinner with melted cheese. I forgot the Spanish word for that melted cheese, but I think having it made that way costs a little extra. It came with Mexican rice and refried beans. I had planned to pick at my food while making conversation. The burrito was huge. It covered ¾ of my plate. I took a bite and LOVED it. It was so delicious. There was a tomato/​chili type relish/​sauce on top that. I really really loved it. I don’t know if I mentioned before my disdain for Mexican food, but saying I liked this food is HUGE. It’s nothing like the TexMex, Americanized garbage we are all accustomed to. This food is really tasty, with fresh ingredients. Our total ticket was $ 65ish before tip. Remember the guys had those drinks too. And the drinks were a pretty good size. I couldn’t believe it. I was expecting $ 85– $ 100, which would have been well worth it. I can’t believe I like Mexican food. I’m only eating here for all my Mexican food needs. I actually can’t wait to go back. I’m not sure what’s up with all the low reviews here. Maybe we had good night, but I doubt it. His parents go every Friday. You don’t have that kind of loyalty with bad food or bad service, I’m just sayin.

The patio helps make this a nice spring, summer and fall destination. The restaurant is kid friendly. The food is not expensive ($ 4 – 7 for appetizers; $ 6 – 14 for dinner; kids menu is $ 4) and the drinks are good. The staff tries to put the kids/​families one side of the patio and the couples/​adults on the other– keeps the kids from bothering the adults and the kids then play together allowing the parents a brief respite to eat. The gauc is good, creamy and has nice flavor; the split pea soup is tasty; didn’t love the fish tacos, but the mole was savory with good chocolate flavor and the taco salad was substantial: they fill you up on tasty chips as you wait. The staff was attentive and friendly. We really find this a good place to take the kids since the patio has a nice bit of shade fairly early in the evening and you hardly hear the cars on Elston. Street parking is easy to find.

It was my first time on St. Patrick’s Day (hey, guac is green!) and I will be going back for sure! This family run place was delish – from the warm, homemade chips to the great fresh guacamole to the mole sauce on my friend’s dish – and my quesadillas were yummm. The outdoor patio was a treat, too! Give it a try!

I dunno if we just had an exceptionally good experience or if people are just increasingly hard to please. Supper Club gave this place a resounding 5 stars.
The $ 3 Monday Margaritas were flowing, I think we had 14 for the table. Started with about 14 baskets of fantastic chips, salty and warm and deliciously fried. Good salsa and great guacamole.
I had the Pollo a la Princessa which is a chicken breast with cheese covered in a tomato sauce with shrimp. Served with rice, beans, tortillas and soup or salad for $ 15. It was huge and I didn’t finish it. I never leave food on my plate. Like ever.
I did eat a shitload of chips though and I don’t even like peas but I took the advice of a fellow Unilocaler and got the split pea soup and it was the best decision of the night. I liked that bowl clean. Oh and making the soup choice better was seeing the «side of shredded lettuce» that seemed to pass as a salad. Go for the soup!
Others had the Pollo La Finca, chicken, chorizo and steak tacos, steak fajitas, chile relleno and enchiladas with mole and no complaints from anyone.
My only complaint is that they should have cranked the music up a bit but that’s just because there were only a handful of tables in there early with us and most had children and I’ll just say our conversation was not necessarily appropriate for anyone, let alone children. And once the margaritas start flowing, it’s hard to keep up your inside voices. I apologize if we offended anyone… yikes.

The food is decent. What makes this place really special is the outdoor patio.
So if you live closeby it’s worth checking out and sitting in their nice outdoor patio. If you live far away not really worth going out of your way.
Average food, interior and ambiance are average, but the patio is pretty good.

So the Mexican food here in Chicago is different than what I’m used to back home in Atlanta. Chi-​Mex seems to be more authentic than the tex-​mex style that I love. I have tried several places and been disappointed but La Finca never leaves me wanting more. The food is always fast and delicious– I’m a big fan of the combo plate that includes a taco, a chile relleno & a tostada. You’ve also got to get the traditional margaritas, Muy Delicioso! They also have a great patio, so if it’s warm, sit outside!

Ok the only reason I gave this place 2 stars was because they have an amazing appetizer called Periquitos. The rest of the food is bland and I have honestly had better Mexican food in a Mexican supermarket.
I wish the service could’ve been better as well. I don’t like someone visiting my table every 5 minutes but just maybe come by to see if I want more to drink. I don’t think that is asking so much — the moment I need to look for my waiter is the exact same time I decide never to come back. The only problem is — for this area there are hardly any good Mexican restaurants so if you just want a quick bite… keep driving…

If you want bland Mexican food, this is the place for you!
My in-​laws used to frequent this place pretty often a few years ago, and therefore I was forced to eat here a few times. I’ve ordered a number of items on the menu, and the entrees were always mediocre. The only highlight are the chips and salsa, which I must say are very good. However, everything is downhill from there.
La Finca, if Chipotle — an American faux authentic Mexican restaurant is serving better food than you, you need to reevaluate your menu.

I have lived in this neighborhood my whole life (28years) and have passed La Finca many of times with the intention to try it out. It looked like a very cute place. Of course looks can be misleading. The food was served to us very quicky almost seemed as if everything was sitting under a food lamp. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good for the price I wish I went to Taco Burrito King.

I would give La Finca 3.5 stars, if possible. This was my first time at La Finca. I was out doing my bit to support small/​local businesses in the area and came upon this place while driving home. The space is nice and clean. It has a very familiar feel to it. I didn’t experience any problems with service, but my exp. alone is not the last word, right Unilocalers? Anyhoo, I digress…
I ordered the taco salad. I like the fact that they added more vegetables and fresh avocado. Nonetheless, I’ve had some outstanding taco salads and this was not one of them. It can be challenging to have a vegetarian dish that has some spice to it. I did like the homemade chips and the salsa was good.
The waitress, upon request, made my special afternoon drink: coffee & Kahlua. They didn’t skimp on the alcohol and the price was competitive. Overall, I had a nice lunch and a pleasant dining experience. I might go back if I’m in the area, but I didn’t get that «oh I must go back to La Finca» feeling.

Not terrible but far from great. Horrible, SLOW service!
I’ve been to La Finca maybe half a dozen times. It’s better than some of the Mexican joints in the immediate area, but try Kuma’s Korner or Hot Doug’s if you want great food nearby. If you want delivery or are willing to travel a mile or so, La Oaxaqueña has better food and MUCH better service.
Likes: Chips are great — fresh & hot, homemade with real lard (mmmm I know that SOUNDS gross, but believe me it’s awesome). They also make a good appetizer — a bowl of melted jack cheese with bits of smoldering chorizo in it.
Dislikes: Service is very slow & often unfriendly (one guy was ridiculous), and entrees are not that good at all. Like another reviewer said, they lack flavor. Outside of their side items, I haven’t found anything that tastes decently good there. It’s all very bland & low quality. Restroom isn’t great either — kinda nasty, old, & «dumpy» (pardon the pun). Pricing is also fairly high considering the quality of their entrees. They’ve also given me & my coworkers grief a few times about splitting checks — they prefer that you pay with a single card, and they been fairly snooty about it on occasion. I’ve never seen them busy, and I’ve always eaten there around 12 or 1, so that just about sums it up right there!

The one star is not for the food… the food at this restaurant is excellent. The red sauce on the enchilada’s is one of the best I have ever had in my life and the vegatarian tamales are to die for.
Here is the reason for the one star!!! After eating here for 20 years I was completely offended by the waitress, she charged me for an extra basket of chips. What? Really? When I asked her about it she told me that has always been there policy. How come I was never ever charged this before? We had an app, two dinners, and drinks! Then to charge us an additional charge for a second basket of chips. I just found this offensive… the charge was not even listed on the menu. It made no sense to me… there were two of us… shouldn’t we be allowed two baskets of chips… for example if we both sat by ourselves and ordered dinner, then that would be a basket each at no charge right? I should have just told them to seperate the checks at that point. The part that upset me was that we ate here for years and were never subjected to this charge. I could also understand if it was a new waitress but it was the same lady that has waited on me forever. I know that this is harsh but I am going on principal. All of those years of loyalty just thrown out the window in one shot! Good Job Staff at La Finca for pissing off a good customer. I hope it was worth it!!!

My boyfriend and I eat at La Finca at least once a month, sometimes way more than that. The owner is very sweet and they have a fabulous busboy, who makes makes plates appear and disappear quickly.
I really enjoy the high quality of the food, so to me the prices are reasonable because the portions are filling. My parents are fabulous Mexican cooks, so when I eat out, I’m very particular.
The chips and salsa are delicious, and always replenished at least once. They have a great split pea soup, as well as sopa de fideo, which is my idea of the Mexican cure-​all-​soup. Just add salsa and enjoy.
I love their mole Poblano, which they serve over chicken or you can get enchiladas filled with shredded chicken breast, pork, steak, or shrimp!!! If you’ve never had shrimp enchiladas, what are you waiting for? They serve re-​fried beans and rice with it, which I really enjoy, as the rice is fluffy and well prepared, and the beans are not greasy or heavy.
I love their shrimp cocktail, which is nothing like American shrimp cocktail. It’s served in either a tall glass or glass bowl with saltines. You crumble the saltines into it and enjoy the flavors of the shrimp, sauce, onion, cilantro, avocado, saltines, and of course, you add Mexican hot sauce to taste. It’s served cold, so the crackers don’t get soggy immediately.
My boyfriend loves meat, and they serve it in numerous delicious ways. Just go in and find out for yourself.
They offer a monthly seasonal menu that has delicious choices that aren’t typical Chicago Mexican restaurant. They always have flan, tres leches cake, and a dessert on the seasonal menu.
Hope I’ve given you a reason or two to try La Finca!

Really wanted to love this place since it’s right down the street from my new house, it’s not bad, it’s not fantastic. It’s good but expensive.

La Finca (or ‘building’ — pretty straightforward, ain’t it?!?) is exactly the third point of what would be an isosceles triangle.
Pretty yummy triangle if you want to know since the other points are two of the most famous and sought after Chicagoan culinary destinations…
Ready?
Kuma’s Corner and Hot Doug’s.
Yep. That’s right.
Yummy but busy, yummy hence busy.
Too busy for me.
Well — at least yesterday.
It’s still finger food, it’s still juicy and slippery and messy and running on your hands (and potentially ruining your shirt/​blouse/​dress) but you take a trip across the border on top of it.
What’s not to love?
The best part of this place tucked in the corner of Elston and Roscoe is the patio area… big, airy, shady, sunny, with a sweet fountain in the middle sporting two kissing doves. Ivy growing along the huge brick wall, Latino music to entertain your ear and tell you stories about ‘corazones’ and stretches of papel picado (you know… these cute and colorful little flags) complete the scene.
Forget the cars. You are in Yucatan.
This very family style restaurant offers lots of traditional goodies to chose from, and $ 3 margaritas on Monday. Get the delicious home-​made guacamole and tortilla chips — you won’t regret it. The queso fondido con chorizo is rather addictive too and comes with flour tortillas. Tacos, enchiladas, tortas… you name it. Wash it all down with a nicely chilled horchata and relax.
Leave the long queues to the other guys.
You now know better.

This is a sort of secret local date spot. Ask to go outside. They have this quiet, charming patio area outside that is all the more romantic on a cool quiet night, you can see the park and sort of a glimpse of stars above– it never seems crowded, ever, which I appreciate.
Enjoy the addictive chips, the salsa, order guacamole and have a margarita! If you tolerance is more substantial than mine (which is renowned for it’s patheticness)… enjoy a few! They make all strong, fresh, not from a cheap bottle or mix– and those specials can be astounding– I have a special place in my heart for one made with mango and rimmed with salt mixxed with spicy chile powder… amazing… La Finca grows on you (kind of like my charm). Try it.

I go here fairly often because I live a stone’s throw away, and I’ve been coming here for about the past 3 years or so.
I’ll echo what Nathan W. says about the tortilla chips, they are probably my favorite in the city. I love their salsa too!
The rest of the food is just fine. Not outstanding, not horrible, just fine. My favorite item on the menu is their queso fundido, but I also have a thing for melted cheese and chorizo, so it’s right up my alley. Everything else on the menu I’ve had has been acceptable or good. I don’t have anything bad to say about the food at all.
The main draw for me, other than proximity, is the outdoor patio. I love sitting out there over the summer and sipping sangria or margaritas.
Overall, service is sometimes spotty, but I guess after the aforementioned sangria or margaritas it doesn’t really bother me. Just don’t go if you’re in a hurry I guess.
Also worth mentioning is they only take credit cards for checks over $ 12.00, so if you are dining alone or carrying out for one, be prepared to pay cash.

Having gone here at a business meeting nearby, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I had a craving for a chimichanga, which they had along with many other tex-​mex staples. Actually, this was one of the better menus when it comes to variety of recognizably ethnic foods. I was especially happy that they had Negra Modelo too, which in my opinion goes great with the perfect mexican dish.
They also make fresh tortilla chips in house, but I must say that the highlight of the visit was my main course. The mix of steak, cilantro & cheese had me bowled over. Service was on the slow side which would be annoying if I was in a rush to be somewhere.

Had a great dinner here on a Saturday night. The place wasn’t too packed and service was good. As soon as we sat down they brought out the chips and asked us if we wanted guacamole and margaritas and of course we said yes to both. And both were awesome!
There were three of us at dinner and we all loved our food. One had fajijata’s, one had a steak option off of the main menu, and I had the steak and shrimp with mushroom and grilled onions off of the main menu. Dinner for the 3 of us (including the $ 20 pitcher of margaritas) was $ 85.
La Finca is our new favorite mexican restaurant in the neighborhood. We will be going back for more.

I met some friends at LaFinca on Fat Tuesday where the party was happening full blast. Beads, masks, music and a parade. It was quite the scene, though probably not at all the best way to judge the restaurant on its own.
The margaritas were delicious, as were the tacos and chile relleno. The enchilada was small without much in it and fairly disappointing. Good rice and beans, but that’s sort of hard to screw up.
My friends in the neighborhood tell me there is better Mexican food nearby than LaFinca, but in the summertime their back patio with the strung up lights call to me.
The prices are decent, the bathroom clean and the street parking really handy (for those that drive — I walk from home).