2026-06-22T18:46:47.673Z

My favorite item here is the pumpkin tamale. You have to get it. The portions are fairly large so my wife and I usually get a pumpkin tamale and shrimp fajitas and never leave disappointed. We dined on Saturday night and it was busy because of the festival, but had a great experience. The table next to us looked like a group of 3 separate families and about 6 very young kids. It was around 7:30, which is late for kids to eat dinner. The owner was so nice, showing the kids the pasta he'd make them (they'd only go somewhere with noodles). They brought it out as fast as they could (i'm sure they had to make a large pot of boiling water which takes time). They were super accommodating and I hope those families left a big tip. Looked like they had their hands full!

2026-06-17T19:48:59.098Z

Consistently good!

2026-06-11T13:45:42.189Z

Great local restaurant with excellent food and attentive service. Always enjoy their hospitality. Highly recommend

2026-06-04T22:43:28.838Z

Always a dependably delicious experience and their bread pudding is the best in the world.

2026-05-30T01:31:32.374Z

You absolutely must experience this incredible place! Jeff and his team are outstanding, and the food is truly exceptional. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be here!

2026-05-25T01:16:29.162Z

This place is incredible! I’ve been coming here for two decades but the recent addition of the Mexican meatloaf is a game changer. The staff is very kind, the owner is the best, you can’t go wrong!

2026-05-10T02:15:08.766Z

I always like the food here because it’s consistently delicious. The pumpkin tamales are the best (and have never seen them at any other Mexican restaurant in the north shore or anywhere else). One could say they have a monopoly on these pumpkin tamales!

2026-05-09T17:52:39.393Z

Nice, had 'Street' chicken fajita tostadas. Tasty, fast.

2026-05-09T17:51:49.469Z

The flavors of the fish tacos were superb and the ambiance creative and relaxing.

2026-05-09T01:13:45.061Z

Fantastic

2026-05-07T14:09:27.673Z

Delicious food!! Drinks are amazing too! Everything about it is wonderful and love it there. It’s our favorite restaurant for authentic Mexican cuisine. I highly recommend!!

2026-05-06T02:27:54.697Z

Amazing food and wonderful service!

2026-05-04T23:23:34.201Z

Fantastic food and the service made it an exceptional night! The owner is a community builder

2026-05-03T01:37:31.294Z

owner is super helpful and gives great advice, service is amazing and everything is so delicious

2026-05-01T15:28:07.773Z

The food was excellent as was the service and Jeff was very warm informative generous and engaging including a delicious dessert shot and we look forward to a return visit!

2026-05-01T14:11:12.460Z

We had a fantastic experience dining here, thanks in large part to Jeff, the owner. He went out of his way to take great care of our family—personally recommending dishes that were spot-on and making sure everything was perfect throughout the meal. The food was excellent, and the service felt genuinely warm and attentive. Highly recommend.

2026-04-24T16:26:22.642Z

I been coming here since my childhood. I know the owner of the restaurant well. He always checks on all the tables to see how everything is going. The waiters check on their tables to make sure everyone got what they wanted, order. They added new things to the menu recently. This’s one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in lake & cook county.

2026-04-21T15:17:52.956Z

I’ve been dining here for years and the food is always excellent. Started with Cadillac margaritas and chicken flautas, superb. Next a new dish, the queso biirra tacos with a consume dipping sauce. Also the taco platter with succulent pieces of steak and shrimp, tortillas and mango salsa, pico de gallo and guacamole. Finishing with flan that had ample caramel sauce. It had been too long since our last visit and we forgot how good everything tasted. Also, really great servers that were friendly, attentive, made sure we had everything we requested.Thanks guys! We’ll be back soon

2026-04-17T23:57:25.954Z

Great food, friendly service, great tequila. What more could you ask for??

2026-04-17T23:55:25.469Z

Burrito was amazing; but the jicama salad is UNREAL!!! Enjoy!

2026-04-15T02:38:07.045Z

Back here for the second time this week again. The wife and I were in last night for dinner and I had the chance to stop back by while she worked late.I love the new floor along with the redesign Jeff is working on. Can’t wait to see the new ceiling when it is done.The wait staff is on top of their game as soon as you walk in with chips and salsa that is one of my favorites.Drinks are nicely poured.Plenty to eat with the meals, we always end up with food to take home. Jeff has always been accommodating with changes to what the wife likes to order. Highly recommend this place.

2026-04-15T02:01:43.944Z

I can’t say enough good things about Tamales Highland Park. Everything I’ve had here is amazing, but my go-to order is the fish tacos—and they are so good. Perfectly cooked, super fresh, and packed with flavor every single time.What really sets this place apart, though, is Jeff, the owner. He genuinely takes the time to get to know his customers, and you can feel how much he cares about the experience he’s creating. That kind of personal touch is rare and makes coming here feel extra special.I also love that they’re open a little later than many places in Highland Park—it’s become my go-to spot to grab tacos after I finish teaching evening yoga classes, which is honestly the perfect end to the day.You can taste the care in the food too—high-quality ingredients, balanced flavors, and nothing ever feels heavy or overdone. It’s the kind of place you find yourself craving again and recommending to everyone.If you’re in Highland Park, don’t miss this place—total local gem!

2026-04-15T01:27:29.750Z

Food was amazing, drinks were delicious, and service was impeccable. Jeff has the personality and attentiveness that all other services at other establishments should emulate. I have been searching for a place that can make a Margarita (no added flavors) perfectly and Jeff did his thing with it. I will definitely shout from the rooftops that this is the place to come to eat some good food and have some good drinks. Great job and do not change the warm, inviting, attentive, and energetic atmosphere this place gives.

2026-04-15T01:23:08.770Z

Jeff was absolutely FABULOUS. Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. Highly recommend to anyone who wants delicious food with a great vibe!

2026-04-15T00:17:36.259Z

I've never had a bad meal here.They have the best black bean soup. Tried a new item on the menu, quesabirria. Sort of a cross between French dip and quesadilla. It is delicious and highly recommended.

2026-04-15T00:16:50.900Z

Love love love Tamales!! The new menu is awesome I had the fajita chicken salad and it was delicious!

2026-04-15T00:11:38.060Z

We love Tamales! Absolutely top notch service with a warm and friendly staff and delicious food prepared exactly how we want it. Highly recommend!

2026-04-07T21:51:13.759Z

Love the new look, can't wait to see the rest of the changes. Food and drinks never disappoint. Nice to see a business that is locally owned and operated.

2026-03-24T05:39:09.160Z

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🇲🇽 🌯 🌮 🫔¡Está delicioso! Tamales is hands down the place to be if you’re hungry for authentic Mexican food in Highland Park. Tamales has been my family’s go-to for authentic Mexican food for over 30 years. It’s rare to find a place that stays this consistent, and somehow, it just keeps getting better.The food always comes out piping hot, full of flavor, freshest ingredients, and in generously large portion sizes. Their tamales and fajitas are the best I’ve ever had, perfectly seasoned, authentic, and unmatched by any other Mexican restaurant in the area. Whether you’re dining in or carrying out, the quality is always spot on, and the value is incredible for the portion sizes.What really sets Tamales apart is the service and hospitality. Jeff, the owner, is genuinely welcoming and goes above and beyond to make every guest feel taken care of. You can tell this place is built on pride and community. And don’t skip the margaritas, he makes one of the best around.Pro tip: save room for dessert. The homemade key lime pie is unreal and the perfect way to end the meal.Bravo to the wait staff in front of the house and the chefs in the back! If you’re in Highland Park or the North Shore and craving authentic, delicious Mexican food, Tamales is a must-visit. Consistent, flavorful, welcoming, earned my highest recommendation.

2026-03-17T11:42:08.919Z

The pumpkin tamale is the bomb! Love the duck tacos and chicken enchiladas. The Mexican food is delicious and authentic. Jeff and his staff are very kind.