Review of La Magdalena Restaurant in Elk Grove, Illinois

Located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois there exists the well known Mexican restaurant known as La Magdalena. The store location is at 950 Town Center Plaza situated amongst several other restaurants and retailers in this suburban strip mall west of Chicago. The experience of La Magdalena all began with a work/office lunch a few years back. I have since revisited the location with some positive as well as negative experiences to look back on.

La Magdalena Restaurant Review - Service

We usually do our family dining out on Saturdays or Sundays. Our last visit to La Magdalena was on a Saturday evening with the restaurant surprisingly providing some open tables, though we dined at a later time as it was close to eight o'clock in the evening. The host showed us to our table and the water glasses were filled immediately. The chips and salsa were brought forth after repeatedly asking for the "complimentary" appetizers twice. The server was very nice but apparently forgetful. We also seemed to wait a long time to be given our bill. Apparently, the server or manager wanted us to spend the extra time deliberating on whether we should change our minds and order a post dinner drink or dessert. Aside from the forgetfulness of the chips and bill, the server was on top of the rest of the orders whether it was dinner or drinks.

Magdalena Restaurant Review - Atmosphere

The Elk Grove restaurant stands apart from the neighboring restaurants located within the Town Center Mall. The restaurant boasts authentic décor throughout the exterior and interior with the terra cotta motif and the Mexican art hung on the walls. Walking into the restaurant, one will be exposed to Mexican acoustical guitar music and aroma of freshly made corn tortillas that seem to lift your spirits and put you in a happy state of mind. If this doesn't do it, then perhaps the sangria or margarita will.

La Magdalena Restaurant Review - Food

The menu at La Magdalena in Elk Grove Village has pretty much all the standard fare one will see on a typical Mexican restaurant in the Chicago land area. The menu boasts tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tortas, chili rellenos, flautas, and chimichangas. There are some specials of the house, but I have not tried any to this day. All meals at La Magdalena seem to include a bowl of chicken soup served with a wedge of lime. I have been to this restaurant three times and have always enjoyed this soup. The soup always tastes consistently good with the fresh lime juice and cilantro flavor accenting the chicken broth. I feel like I am getting a good immunity boost with this dinner starter every time I have dined at this spot.

My previous meals at La Magdalena have consisted of Chimichangas and flautas which have been quite delicious and the portion size always adequate. My wife always orders a steak burrito of which she attests tastes as good as the burrito served at Panchero's from her college days at Iowa. The meals for the kids consisted of children's menu tacos that featured a cute little cactus shaped cookie to conclude the meal. My kids not only enjoyed their taco dinners, but also really dug into the chips and salsa afterwards.

La Magdalena Restaurant Review - Price

I think the prices charged at La Magdalena are average based on competition. The bill obviously gets high as alcohol based drinks such as margaritas and imported beers are ordered. The food is priced a little higher than what I believe is right, but then we usually get a table right away and leave the restaurant in good spirits.

Mexican food probably should be kept a very low prices considering the meals are primarily consisting of inexpensive ingredients. While that is true for the most part, one should also consider the price of the alcohol which may inflate the check when using premium tequilas or beer. The other reason menu prices might be high is to accommodate the hidden costs of the homemade complimentary chips and salsa and the occasional live entertainment.

La Magdalena Restaurant Review - Verdict

I recommend a visit to La Magdalena at Town Center Plaza in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The establishment is clean, vibrant, and has for the most part courteous and friendly staff. I will return to the restaurant soon enough to perhaps try a special or other item that I have not purchased before. I also recommend ordering the margarita or homemade sangria to go with your meal.