Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.
A travel agent’s job is never done. Nancy is always on the lookout for a good deal for her clients but why travel when you can have Mexico come to you in the form of Pablo’s Restaurant & Cantina in Crystal Lake?
Inside, no detail is overlooked — from the painted parrots, palapas, and palm trees to the serape upholstered booths, ole!
In a previous life, Pablo’s was a seafood restaurant. That is why in the wall separating the bar from the dining room there are glass portholes etched with “Mexican” fish (look for “Angel”).
Jennifer Falbo, a waitress at Pablo’s for 12 years, bought the restaurant in December 2013 and added the finishing touches to the décor, including our personal favorite, the red, green, and white Christmas lights strewn about the dining room and bar.
After ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the interior, we were escorted to our booth, and our waitress brought over warm tortilla chips and homemade salsa. Jim and I were really hungry for lunch today, so we ordered the queso ($4.95) for an appetizer, which was hot melted cheese and chorizo served with more of the delicious warm homemade chips.
For our south of the border lunch, Jim ordered the steak fajitas ($12.95). This was strips of steak seasoned with Pablo’s “secret” fajita spice, accompanied with grilled onions and green and red peppers. It was served sizzling at our table with five warm flour tortillas and pico de gallo.
Nancy had the Pablo’s Chimichanga ($10.95). It was a flour tortilla filled with shredded beef and Colby cheese, deep fried, crispy, and golden brown and topped with ranchero sauce.
All entrees are served with guacamole, sour cream, Spanish rice and refried beans. As usual, we ordered iced tea. Jim thought it was a little too early for Margaritas. I told him we should have gone later!
All in all, this was a great little fiesta for a Saturday afternoon, with a siesta following later on. The portions were huge. Jim is having a combo lunch on Monday with the leftovers. Try Pablo’s if you want to experience an authentic Mexican cantina where you can even drink the water!
FYI: The food is not overly spicy, and since Nancy likes it hot like her men, she almost went through an entire bottle of Cholula sauce. Also this restaurant is handicap accessible and there is a private room for parties in the back.
Our bill for the “whole enchilada” was $35.07 and as Speedy Gonzalez would say, “Arriba, Arriba! Andale, Andale!”
He said/she said:
Jim’s take: The fajitas were the most tender and delicious I have ever had. Refried beans can be akin to cement, but these were really good. Parrots, palm trees, and palapas, what’s not to like?
Nancy’s take: I think I enjoyed the atmosphere the best. It was adorable, and I really felt like I was in Mexico. The Spanish rice was the best ever! I don’t usually eat it, but I did here. I beg to differ, it’s always Margarita time in Mexico!
• Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.
Pablo’s Restaurant & Cantina
230 Virginia Avenue
Crystal Lake
(815) 455-7398
Website is “Under Construction”
Directions: Take 47 north to Algonquin, east to Randall, north (which becomes Rakow) to Pyott, north to Virginia Avenue west
Estimated time: 20 minutes
