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.
The holidays are over, and we’re still trying to pay our bills and make amends to all the relatives we offended. It’s freezing cold outside, and there’s not much to do but hunker down and wait for the inevitable spring thaw. Imagine how excited I was when Jim said he wanted to go to Antigua! What immediately came to me were visions of sandy white beaches, palapas, and a handsome island boy serving me tropical drinks with those little paper umbrellas in them. So, I jumped on the internet looking for flights when he said, “no, we can drive there.” Then it dawned on me that we weren’t thinking of the same thing. My thoughts were on having fun, and his main concern was his stomach, as usual. He then swept me off to Antigua Mexican Grill in Crystal Lake.
Antigua Mexican Grill
1500 Carlemont Drive – Unit J
Crystal Lake 60014
(815) 526-3078
www.antiguamexicangrill.com
Directions: Take Rte. 47 North to Algonquin Road, East to Randall Road, North to Alexandra Blvd., West to restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 21 minutes
This restaurant is in a strip mall, but unless you look closely, you would never know it was there. It’s a very small venue, but beautifully decorated. One entire wall was a mural which made it seem like you were looking out onto old Mexico.
As usual in Mexican restaurants, chips and salsa was delivered to our table. The flavor of the salsa was different, and not too spicy. If Italian’s made salsa, this is what it would taste like, it had more of a tomato flavor.
Nancy was going to order one of her favorite dishes, Chiles Rellenos, but it was stuffed with mozzarella cheese (there’s got to be an Italian around here somewhere). She decided instead to order another one of her favorites, Shrimp Fajitas ($15.95). This was marinated grilled shrimp with onions and bell peppers. It came with rice, beans, and tortillas. It was served on a sizzling hot cast iron skillet, and she said it was delicious.
Jim found something unusual, as usual, and had to have it. He ordered the Alambre ($16.99) which was charbroiled skirt steak with chopped bacon, bell peppers, onions, chorizo, and ham with melted mozzarella on top (there’s that Italian again). It was served with guacamole, rice, beans, and tortillas. He couldn’t stop eating this unusual concoction, but managed to take some home in a doggie bag.
In the past, we usually never order dessert in a Mexican restaurant. That is until we tried Churros a while back. So now, Jim gets his dessert when we go to Mexican restaurants. They are now our “go to” dessert, so why should today be any different. We ordered the Churros ($2) which was one long fat churro cut into three pieces. Jim being the dessert eater, ate two pieces, and I only had one. This was served piping hot and was covered in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with chocolate sauce. What’s not to like???
FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.
This may not have been Antigua, but the mural on the wall made you feel like you were in a warm place. They offer the old Mexican standbys, but they stepped up the menu with items you don’t normally see.
Jim gave me the cheapest trip to Antigua ever, our bill was $41.96. He won’t hear the end of this soon, Crystal Lake is nice, but it is no Caribbean island. Remember Jim, happy wife, happy life!
Jim’s take: My skirt steak was tender and delicious. The churros were a sweet treat at the end.
Nancy’s take: My fajitas were awesome, I ate the whole thing! I agree with Jim, the churros were a sweet treat.
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.
