Eduardo's: All-around fine Mexican dining

All-around fine Mexican dining

Reviewer: Robert Rickard

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the Mexican restaurant Eduardo's in downtown DeKalb. The building is situated in the center of the small town off Lincoln highway on a side street with a public parking lot within walking distance. Eduardo’s outside does not offer much: a brick building with a simple light- up sign, an overhang, and little more. The inside of Eduardo’s is of stark contrast to the outside. The warm, earthen colors and decorative lighting offered a comfortable waiting area where a receptionist stood attentively at a podium, ready to seat us immediately.

The seating in Eduardo’s is ample and offers variety. If you prefer a more intimate setting there are booths inset into the wall, warmly lit by a personal chandelier. There is also a long banquet table by the windows to host larger parties. There are unique lights with colored glass and large, Hispanic themed paintings that adorn the dining room. Coupled with the décor, the soft, lively music, and the food with its appetizing aromas, Eduardo’s can be an immersive experience.

The food at Eduardo’s is excellent, but the quality may vary depending on what you get. I spoke with Andy, a manager at Eduardo’s about the restaurant and its food. He told me that the head chef, Bobby, “was born and raised in Mexico,” and “has been cooking for 35 plus years.” Bobby’s experience is clearly evident in some dishes, but other dishes could use attention. The salsa that comes at the table is disappointing; it has a vinegar base that drowns out all other flavors. However, the chips come warmed up, have a salt- pepper seasoning on them, and are delicious. To go with the chips I recommend the guacamole, a small is perfect for two people, costs $6, and it has a wonderful taste that is perfect to start your meal off with.

For dinner I enjoyed my Tijuana enchiladas($13), corn tortillas topped with a copious amount of shredded iceberg lettuce, roasted green peppers, caramelized onions, and tender strips of char- broiled steak. My guest had the Chile relleno($11.50), which is a battered poblano pepper, stuffed with soft Mexican cheese, deep fried, and coated in sauce. The poblano pepper was undercooked however, leading to a tough skin that was difficult to eat. All the entrees come with Spanish rice and refried beans piled on the side. The Spanish rice was done perfectly, however I would recommend staying away from the refried beans- they were soupy and contain a lot of salt.

If you are unsure of what you want, but have an idea of what you are looking for the waiter has a good knowledge of the menu and can offer suggestions. Our server was very attentive, offering to refill our drinks, asking if we needed anything, how it was, etc. At the end of the meal we received our check. Eduardo’s is not too expensive, at about $15 per person it includes a meal sure to include leftovers and a drink with unlimited free refills. Eduardo’s accepts all major credit cards including: Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, but do not accept NIU Huskie Bucks.

Rating: **** 1/2
Out of five

Eduardo’s
214 E. Lincoln HighwayDeKalb, Illinois 60115

Phone: 815-758-2677

Webpage: http://eduardosdekalb.com/