Foodie Review: La Cocina Jalisciense

As you have probably read in other blog posts created in 2023, I set a goal to visit one “new-to-me” Mexican restaurant each month. These restaurants have been around for years, but for some reason, I’ve never visited. This summer, I’ve visited several restaurants so far, you can check out these experiences on Instagram. 

• May – Antique Taco (Bridgeport, Chicago, IL)
• May (Bonus) – Blanco Cocina and Cantina (Oakbrook, IL)
• June – Hola Mexican Cocina + Cantina (Las Vegas)
• July – La Patrona (Food Truck Festival, South Loop, Chicago, IL)

In August, La Cocina Jalisciense is number eight on the list.  

La Cocina Jalisciense is located in a small shopping center at a busy intersection, 95th and Kedzie, in Evergreen Park. I’ve driven by for years and decided to add it to this year’s goal of sitting down in the establishment and checking out the menu. 

For some reason, I decided to go on one of the hottest days of the year. In fact it was Chicago’s hottest day in over a decade; and it beat the record index at a whooping 120 degrees!! Anywhoo, while in the restaurant, they were attempting to kick out as much air conditioning as possible. We weren’t sweating, but I felt bad for the cooks in the back!

The menu had the typical affairs: tacos, taquitos, tortas, tostada, fajitas, quesadillas, etc.  Both the hubby and I set our eyes on the steak taco dinner. I’m glad we made that choice, as I knew if they made a great steak taco, the rest of the food would be good too.  

I wasn’t disappointed. The steak was perfectly seasoned as well as the rice and refried beans.  I’ve visited some restaurants where the rice is mushy. No, at Jalisciense, the rice was perfectly fluffy and the refried beans had a nice flavor – good for dipping the chips. Speaking of chips, those were fried fresh with a nice tomatillo and spicy salsa. 

I’ll definitely make a trip again to this restaurant and try out the rest of the menu.  Hopefully on a cooler day too!

La Cocina Jalisciense
South Suburbs
3224 95th Street
Evergreen Park, IL 60805
708-424-1111