El Faro 3

Just went to El Faro Lillian and am very disappointed. I ordered carry-​out. The order when I got home 20 minutes later was wrong. When I called, they told me I could come back and pick up the correct one. That would have been at least 30 minutes round trip. I opted out but asked for a credit for the next time. They said they couldn’t do that because I would get free food. Who would pay for my time and fuel for me to go back?
I am gluten free and the wrong order was a burrito. The steak was fatty. At least my chips and salsa were good.
I wonder if they realize the good pr they would get had they offered me a free meal the next time? Instead they are getting this post on Facebook, my blog, G+, Twitter, any other outlet on which I find them.

I decided to try this place tonight after reading the reviews and driving pass the restaurant for years. I ordered two steak and one lengua taco with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream on the steak tacos. Their was no flavor in the tacos just a hint of grill taste the shells were not cooked or heated and there was barely any sour cream on the two tacos. Not to mention the fat that was in the steak and the gristle I bit into too. Disgusting!!! I will never go back

If you can’t tell the difference between Taco Bell and Ma Bell then this is your spot. Greasy, bland and uninspired.

Not what I expected. I got a steak taco dinner. The guacamole was very bland the rice and beans were the same. My beans came out cold. My bf got the burrito dinner and he said his was so greasy. I heard from so many people that it was so good I was excited to go too I’m so disappointed.

Always come to get the «Platillo Arriero» for the hubby! The Orden De Flautas is great choice too.

Best Pico you will find in Illinois.

Great food. Great prices. My buddy got this fajita dish that was ridiculous. Full of shrimp and steak that came out sizzling. Atmosphere was ok. Not much ambiance. That said the food… Wow. Close to Elgin CC too!

Bland boring burritos, tasty tacos and a bit pricey. I’ve had better Mexican and don’t think I’ll be going back to El Faro. Nothing wrong with it, just had higher hopes going in.

Great authentic Mexican food. Waitresses speak very little English which is fine because menu has pictures you can point to. Large portions but cheap and there are daily specials. Very small place located on busy road and parking is tough to get when busy. Love the chips and pickled condiments they offer. Be sure to ask for the pickled garlic, spicy and hot.

As much as I try to avoid Elgin, sometimes it can’t be helped. After a client visit, I dropped into El Faro for lunch, and am pretty glad I did. The place has a diner feel, and the seating is small but comfortable. I purr like a kitten when waiters speak to me in Spanish, means my spray tan is working — so I order up asada tacos and get a free side of compliments on my fluency — bonus points! The asada was tender and free of any fat goblets which always turns my stomach, the tortillas tasted fresh and weren’t greasy, and the tomatillo salsa was just the right amount of spicy. I had a fast, quality meal for a great price. If you’re ever in the area, try it out!

We love Mexican & this is probably the best (take out) Mexican in the Elgin area. It’s quick. Good portions and affordable. Tiny restaurant, but huge menu. Our favorites are the Combinacion Galilea & steak burritos. Can’t beat home-​cooked, but this restaurant is great for the price, portions, and flavor.

Decent food to grab when you want some quick Mexican. Nothing special.

Watched them dump the Salsa out of one customers serving into another bowl, add more and serve it to another person. When I brought it to the waitresses attention she said that is what the owner wants us to do. The restaurant décor is very outdated, would categorize it as a sh*t hole. Service slow with attitude. Certain dishes are good.

Such good food when you want Mexican! They are fast and you get what you want when you want it. Lots to choose from on the menu. Great chips and guac!

decent mexican food joint. the steak isnt that good but the lengua is fire. my favorite meal is the lengua suizo burrito. everything else is meh or ok. burritos are really big. finish about half. that lengua suizo burrito is good enough for 4 stars alone.

Everyone loves the steak burritos here, but they are just okay. Al pastor gorditas are where it’s at.

I love this place for several reasons, I live 3 blocks away, it’s open late, good prices and amazing food. I usually bring it home, there aren’t a lot of seating options inside.
Parking can be limited as well, due to a narrow alley right beside the building, parking is in the back
They have a pretty good choice on the menu, pictures of dishes all around, fast service, and real authentic Mexican cuisine.
My only issue would be the size of the dining area, and a «cheap» feel to the place.
But for a great meal, I will always overlook that. I feel the food outweighs the parking hassle, and less than amazing décor. I recommend them to any lover of Mexican cuisine.

This is where it’s at. Very few burritos get me excited anymore, but I’ll throw down on an El Faro steak or pastor burritos. My brother and I used to have a tradition of eating one every X-​mas eve. 1.) because we loved it and 2.) because it was the only damn thing open. An Elgin staple.

Best Mexican food in Elgin, PERIOD! The wife and I order take out at least 3 – 4 times a month. Extremely quick and very affordable. I recommend the chicken flautas or the chicken endiablado. The queso fundido con rojas is a must and their milanesa tortas are to die for and the guacamole can feed a small family. Yummy, yummy, yummy!

El Faros never disappoints! I miss this place so much I’ve been playing catch up by eating a steak burrito every day since I’ve been here on vacation! They start with a lightly toasted tortilla, spread on a layer of refried beans and proceed to fill it with a combination of browned, marinated carne asada, mild cheese, lettuce, and sour cream. If yopu get the dinner you also get sides of spanish rice and refried beans. I’m not sure what they put into their green tea but its somewhere inbetween a unsweetened tea and a sweet tea. Put a lime on it for more SABOR! The hand made salsa comes in green and red. Redder is better. (I like spicy)
Ok, they also serve rice water, tamarind, and cokes in glass bottles.
ENJOY!

Favorite restaurant in Elgin, never come here without a trip to the Faro. Can’t ever get enough El Faro. Complimentary chips and salsa as with most Mexican restaurants, but their salsa is more like pico de gallo and it is wonderful! Burritos and tacos are wonderful, the steak is great, but also enjoy the pulled chicken.
Warning, the Jr. Burrito is big enough for most people, and also a phenomenal price. This is authentic mexican food at its best. Would also highly recommend the guacamole.