El Cochino image

El Cochino

Restaurant Mexican restaurant

One of the Best Places To Visits in Lake in the Hills


Address

4580 W Algonquin Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156, United States

Website

www.elcochinotacos.com

Contact

+1 224-858-7000

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (260 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 5 to 10:30 pm
  • Saturday: 5 to 10:30 pm
  • Sunday: 4:30 to 9 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 5 to 9:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 5 to 9:30 pm
  • Thursday: 5 to 9:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: tacos (49) good (28) Great (25) great (19) service (15) recommend (14) time (10) staff (9) friendly (9) nice (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Michael B. 2 years ago on Google
    Had my doubts walking into the place. But I was very surprised at how great the food was. Super flavorful all the way down to the fresh sauces they make in house. Also the staff are super friendly. Sydney the bar tender was great and hospitable. Will definitely return.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kika C. 2 years ago on Google
    Everything was great, the service, the food, the atmosphere! Is a small restaurant but good food and drinks! Definitely coming back!! The avocado tempura is amazing!!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brittany B. 1 year ago on Google
    We decided to do a date night here on a Tuesday evening, which just happened to be their Taco Tuesday special. We had a short wait to be seated as the place was quite busy, but the staff was great at keeping us updated on the progress of our table. Once seated, we were greeted promptly, given a digital menu and ordered a round of delicious margaritas. We tried the wings, tempura pickles and chips with guacamole for apps. I would recommend all of them except maybe the tempura pickles, only because I feel the tempura batter is a little thick for the pickles for our preference. We tried a variety of tacos (shrimp, carne asada, Korean BBQ pork). We also ordered the Al pastor but there was a mixup and we got 2 Korean BBQ instead of one of each - no biggie. Overall the food was good, service was quick and friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed but fun. We will certainly be back! Note: their menu shown online doesn’t do justice to the variety they truly have. I was pleasantly surprised at their multiple varieties of cocktails and food choices. It appears you can also order from the bistro wasabi next door!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sarah O. 3 years ago on Google
    The tacos were amazing (Korean BBQ especially!). The esquites (Mexican corn) was to die forrr. I seriously could have eaten just that and been happy. We also got the nachos which were great. The ambiance was hip and fun, the music was really good, and everyone who worked there was truly having a good time. You could tell they loved their jobs. It was our first time there but we’ll be back for more!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Olivia E. 7 months ago on Google
    Very friendly staff, great selection of food, and nice place! Only thing is if you are looking for a big selection of Mexican food, this is not the place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Trista M. 6 months ago on Google
    We arrived and were greeted immediately! They said about a 15 minute wait. It was about 8 minutes and then we were seated! Our waitress was fantastic and very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was awesome and delicious 😋. I was here a previous time with a big group and we had great service then as well! Will definitely be back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 laurie w. 1 year ago on Google
    I placed a carryout order and was terribly disappointed. We didn't get the drinks that we ordered. The salsa was so bland! All the food was so lacking in flavor. What a waste of money.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nathan J. 2 years ago on Google
    We finally got to try El Cochino and it was everything I was hearing about! We went out for our anniversary and they made it very special. Thank you for helping us celebrate! I had three different Tacos and each one was amazing. I think the fish taco was our favorite. My wife got the Steak and Shrimp bowl. Everything was so fresh, ingredients, salsas, and sauces. Our food came out really quickly and well presented. Of course we had drinks and those were just as good! We will be back this week to try more!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Amanda Z. 3 years ago on Google
    I never been here before until tonight. I called and the lady on the phone told me that it’s an hour wait for inside. This place was packed with side by side people. She didn’t offer me to eat outside. I had no idea I even could. For what you pay for. The portions can be bigger. Especially with the guacamole and margaritas.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Idatyna Z. 4 years ago on Google
    The BEST street tacos anywhere in town...
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Joe W. 3 years ago on Google
    Love the Korean tacos! Would like to see more taco choices. Maybe a monthly special taco or something?

  • 5/5 Shane M. 3 years ago on Google
    Best margaritas and tacos in the area.

  • 5/5 Kristina G. 3 years ago on Google
    Great food! Margarita was fantastic. Street corn excellent.

  • 5/5 Joan W. 3 years ago on Google
    Good service, they have tents set up outside. Nice and cool in the afternoon

  • 5/5 Chirag G. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice food, Great Service from Brooklyn. Highly recommend!!

  • 5/5 Mike L. 3 years ago on Google
    Creative cocktails and excellent tacos!

  • 5/5 Arif K. 3 years ago on Google
    I liked it .... great place for a meal and cocktails

  • 5/5 Mike B. 3 years ago on Google
    Great tacos

  • 5/5 Leslie M. 4 years ago on Google
    The most delicious al pastor tacos

  • 5/5 Eric G. 4 years ago on Google
    Great food and great people

  • 5/5 David A. 4 years ago on Google
    Great selection of tacos, taco tuesday is buy 2 get 1.

  • 5/5 Shannon D. 3 years ago on Google
    Great food as always friendly staff.

  • 5/5 Denise T. 4 years ago on Google
    Fantastic tacos, full of flavor, marinated meat topped with fresh cilantro. Salsa, Pico and guacamole. Limited menu of Tacos and apps. Great Tequila Bar, delicious Margaritas, with unique flavors. My personal favorite grilled pineapple jalapeno. Super cool decor reminiscent of a restaurant/Bar you would find in the city. Great wait staff, always friendly!!

  • 5/5 Soapy S. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing food and atmosphere. Totally recommend the Korean BBQ Pork taco on your first visit. Everything else taste awesome as well, but the Korean pork is truly satisfying.

  • 5/5 Becky L. 4 years ago on Google
    Super yummy food!

  • 5/5 Bob L. 4 years ago on Google
    Great tacos and tequila selection!

  • 5/5 Tom 3 years ago on Google
    Fantastic variety of unique tacos. Some of the best in area. Disappointed they are no longer open for lunch, but in fairness its probably in my best interest 🤣. Nachos are top notch. During quarantine the meals we ordered from here were among the best, nothing lost in transporting the food home that you often get with carryout/curbside pick up.

  • 5/5 Randall B. 3 years ago on Google
    Food is just awesome here

  • 3/5 Sherri M. 3 years ago on Google
    Just didn't measure up to the hype. Order was wrong.

  • 5/5 Monica A. 4 years ago on Google
    Excellent food

  • 5/5 Eduardo O. 2 years ago on Google
    The place has a nice atmosphere and vibe. The place is fit for something casual like what I had with my friends. We had a good time here. The place is clean, and aside from the atmosphere, the service is also great. The staff are nice, friendly, attentive and, of course, very accommodating. We all ordered tacos and other sides, and we waited for a short while for the food. The service is not fast, but it is not slow either. I got different tacos and all of them were good. The tacos that stand out to me the most are definitely their fish tacos. All of the tacos are good, but the fish tacos are definitely better than all of them, and my friends also agree with me. The tacos tasted fresh, and the chips and salsa were good too, and I personally liked their salsa, which is definitely not like the salsa I usually get from other spots. The tacos are a bit small and reasonable for their price. We had a good time here. We liked the ambiance as well as the food. This place is definitely good if you are looking for good street tacos, great ambiance, and wonderful service. I highly recommend this place.

  • 5/5 Samuel M. 2 years ago on Google
    Hands down the best food I've had in a long while. Great energy, service and most importantly food. Ordered the corn dish appetizer along with each of the offered tacos. All are exceptional. Would recommend the pork, korean steak and fish as the best of the tacos. Chips and salsa are also very good. Highly recommend

  • 5/5 Jeffery L. 2 years ago on Google
    Food was amazing. Had the steak & shrimp tacos. Definitely recommend for anyone!!

  • 5/5 Mario G. 1 year ago on Google
    BEST Al pastor tacos ever!!!!! Period the al pastor is the best. You have to try them out so you can taste and see for yourself!!!! Highly recommend!!!!!

  • 5/5 cwfrazor 1 year ago on Google
    Overall great experience food was great and everyone there was super nice especially Makenzie Erickson she really deserves a raise. Definitely coming back

  • 5/5 Pavan B. 1 year ago on Google
    Some of the best Mexican food I've ever had - I didn't want to stop eating! Came here for the first time with family and did not disappoint! I was feeling adventurous so I tried the diablo sauce and man, it was hot!!! But so good!!! We showed up roughly an hour and a half before the restaurant closed, the food and drinks came out swiftly! Our waitress was really nice and it had a chill vibe! We will definitely be back!

  • 2/5 Gianna S. 11 months ago on Google
    Had a bad experience. Pick up order was cold. I called and spoke with a manager. She apologized and said she would make it right. I was asking her a question and mid sentence she said thank you and hung up on me. Not cool. Don't think we will be returning

  • 5/5 Faith B. 1 year ago on Google
    Hannah was phenomenal. The birra tacos out of this world. What ever you do, do not sleep on this place. 10/10 would recommend

  • 3/5 Fred L. 9 months ago on Google
    We went here on a Friday afternoon/evening after being invited by a friend. I wanted to love this place because I really enjoyed Bistro(next door). However, our service was really slow the day we visited. We will probably visit again in hopes this was a one off situation. We sat outside for our meal and had a large party which could have contributed to the service challenges.

  • 4/5 Stewart P. 10 months ago on Google
    The food is great. However, they have a limited menu, mostly tacos and a variety of bowls. Our waitress named Brooklyn, was fabulous, had a wonderful smile, was attentive, and had a wonderful personality. She made excellent recommendations! The margaritas are good and they have a large selection of tequilas. It's a small place with outdoor sidewalk seating. My only suggestion would be that the chairs and booths are all wood, no padding. I would recommend for great authentic tacos!

  • 4/5 Shea L. 10 months ago on Google
    El Cochino is adorably decorated and the food is good. Diablo shrimp bowl was very tasty with just the right amount of spice although the shrimp were tiny. Where they fall short is that the food took a long time to come out. They nickel and dime you on everything. Chips and salsa are a $6.00 add-on, flavored rice was an extra $2.00 and the portions were pretty small for the price of the entree.

  • 1/5 Cesar M. 3 years ago on Google
    Awful name

  • 5/5 matt K. 4 years ago on Google
    Great little bar. and tacos.

  • 5/5 Mark 4 years ago on Google
    Best modern Mexican around. Daily specials

  • 1/5 Ryan K. 4 years ago on Google
    Ordered today for dinner at 430 for it to be delivered at 6 and at 630, we got an email saying that the order is canceled.

  • 5/5 Rebecca C. 4 years ago on Google
    Great restaurant! Food is always great and ready fast here! Never disappointed!!

  • 5/5 Aaron P. 3 years ago on Google
    This is the best place for tacos in the area. The shrimp taco is amazing. The Korean BBQ tacos are great. The corn dish is like corn mac and cheese. The guac had a lot of flavor and was delicious with their super salty corn chips. Even the little side salsas we're really good. We will definitely be back. Can't wait!

  • 5/5 Mark W. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing good restaurant with very good vegetable preparations! Very kind staff, nice ambiance.

  • 5/5 Vivian P. 3 years ago on Google
    new to the area so finding a new taco spot was somewhat of a challenge especially when i lived by yummy mexican restaurants at every corner. BUT thank the lawd my boyfriend and i found this place which is right around the corner for us! we probably eat here like once..sometimes twice a week lol. no regrets! they’re not lying when they say they have the “Best Cheese Curds Ever!”

  • 3/5 Sina B. 3 years ago on Google
    I ordered pick up and when I got back home I realized they forgot my guacamole! Great food. Okay service.

  • 5/5 M B. 3 years ago on Google
    The food is delicious (especially the mango salsa!), and they were nice enough to put a rush on my order since I was on my lunch break. Definitely will be back next time I'm in the area.

  • 4/5 Tcsparks77 4 years ago on Google
    Tacos are very good but the drinks are a bit pricey for the area.

  • 5/5 Mitch C. 4 years ago on Google
    Love this place. GF and I always have an amazing time.

  • 5/5 Lindsay C. 3 years ago on Google
    Two words: FRIED AVOCADO. This is one of our favorite restaurants! The decor is super cool/great vibe - we love to sit at the bar and chat with the bartenders. They can always recommend a good marg to go with our tacos. The panko shrimp tacos are amazeballs. Highly recommended!

  • 5/5 Ryan L. 5 years ago on Google
    best tacos Ive had! this place is a must try!!

  • 5/5 Gracie L. 5 years ago on Google
    Steak was tender and so delicious. Chicken tacos were perfectly marinated. Their salsas were perfect. Fish tacos were amazing. Best I’ve had in the area by far!!! We will be back for sure. So close to our house too! So happy we tried will definitely be back!! And recommend !!

  • 5/5 Dana H. 4 years ago on Google
    Like the service and atmosphere. Can get a quick bite here. Food is good. Tacos and nachos are tasty.

  • 5/5 Matt S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great local taco place. Everything they serve is really good. My only wish is if they would expand the menu a bit.

  • 4/5 Colleen M. 4 years ago on Google
    There is a reason the menu is small. Because they perfect each thing on it!! Guac was so good. Chicken tacos amazing. Steak tacos seasoned wonderfully. Makes you want to come back tomo. Thank you !

  • 2/5 Brandon R. 3 years ago on Google
    The worst customer service, they over charged for items that we never got and then the order was wrong and they told me that I must have placed my order that way

  • 5/5 Tom M. 5 years ago on Google
    Pleasantly surprised. I had the Korean pork tacos and the Pastor tacos... both very good Came in Friday night, and had to wait about an hour. They only have six tables but pretty good-sized bar. It was busy, and the servers were not very attentive but they were friendly and courteous...and our food came out very quickly. Definitely will return

  • 5/5 Zack P. 4 years ago on Google
    Great tacos and extensive collection of Mezcals (try the Cruz de Fuego)

  • 4/5 Mike J. 4 years ago on Google
    Great food. Good service. Tacos are the house specialty and they are very good!

  • 4/5 Mimi K. 4 years ago on Google
    Limited menu (only reason for 4 stars). Great food. Try the avocado tempura! Extensive tequila selection.

  • 5/5 Rosa Ana C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) For its rich tacos and excellent attention I love it (Original) Por sus ricos tacos y una atencion excelente me encanto

  • 5/5 Eddie m. 4 years ago on Google
    For my wife and I it was very good.

  • 5/5 Glenn H. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place. Love the Steak tacos

  • 5/5 Joseph P. 4 years ago on Google
    Tacos and margaritas like no othet

  • 5/5 Cindy H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great al pastor tacos! (Original) Great al pastor tacos!

  • 5/5 Viki S. 4 years ago on Google
    Wonderful hidden gem! As someone who travels to Mexico often, their al pastor is so authentic, non greasy and just so tasty. Bar has a wide variety of tequilas and mezcal, and specials on their fruity margaritas. The little place is so cute, very clean, and all employees /servers are attentive and friendly. - I recommend very much!

  • 4/5 Brenda F. 4 years ago on Google
    Food is very fresh but limited. They have more business than they have staff to handle.

  • 5/5 Kevin M. 3 years ago on Google
    Best street style tacos around. Try the curds!

  • 5/5 James G. 4 years ago on Google
    Great Mexican style tacos. Small place, think about calling ahead.

  • 5/5 John B. 4 years ago on Google
    Great food and atmosphere.

  • 5/5 M. A. K. 4 years ago on Google
    Perfecto. It doesn't get any better. Patron Silver, avacado tempura, al pastor & my girls.

  • 5/5 Anthony D. 4 years ago on Google
    Great fusion of Asian and Mexican cuisine...their chicken wings and shrimp is phenomenal....but spicy hot

  • 5/5 Virginia F. 4 years ago on Google
    The food was really good took my mom out and we had the lunch special they have a nice selection

  • 5/5 Carrie W. 4 years ago on Google
    Great atmosphere, awesome staff. Had Espolon tequila samples and featured blood orange margaritas today. Also had lots of Espolon tequila giveaways for customers that visited on 10/31. Had a great time visiting this location. Will definitely come back again.

  • 5/5 Cherrell W. 4 years ago on Google
    Great food ,fast, friendly service. Love this place !

  • 5/5 Carol S. 4 years ago on Google
    Incredible food! Kate is a wonderful server and her suggestions on the tacos were straight on. While waiting for my carry out, I had their margarita! Very nice! I will return and will recommend to others!


Call +1 224-858-7000 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Kerbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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