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.
Jim is rapidly becoming the Six Million Dollar Bionic Man. Actually, that price is not too far off after looking at our Medicare bills. He’s had a knee and hip replaced and is now having the other hip replaced. The good news is, this is now considered outpatient surgery and you are in and out in three hours. What can possibly go wrong?
We need restaurant reviews in queue during his convalescence, which in Jim’s case, he’ll probably milk it for a year. Ladies, you know how men are. We remembered an interesting place in McHenry we wanted to check out. It caught our attention last summer due to the sounds of music and laughter coming from within. The name of this restaurant is Whiskey Diablo.
Whiskey Diablo
1325 Riverside Drive
McHenry 60050
(815)893-2110
whiskeydiablo.us
Directions: Take Rte. 47 North to Rte. 176 East, left on Walkup Road, right on Elm Street, Left on Riverside Drive.
Estimated Travel Time: 37 minutes
Be advised it is in downtown McHenry with street parking only, so handicap accessibility can be tricky. The dining room is separated in the middle by a long bar. They offer a variety of seating options, high top tables, booths, and regular tables. The most interesting seating in the restaurant is the porch swings on either side of the tables by the front windows. This could be amusing and dangerous depending on how many margaritas you have consumed.
This restaurant is completely different than the Mexican restaurants we have dined at. They don’t automatically place a basket of chips with salsa on your table, they must be purchased. So, instead we decided on an appetizer of Diablo Quesadillas ($15.24). This was a flour tortilla filled with chorizo, sweet corn salsa, jalapenos, and Chihuahua and Jack cheeses. The outside had areas of crispy browned cheese. As a protein we chose their Tinga Chicken which was shredded chicken with onions in a chipotle tomato sauce. OMG, these were the best quesadillas that we have ever sunk our teeth into!!! The dipping sauce they gave us on the side melded with the quesadilla to make a flavor bomb in our mouth.
It should be noted that with your entrees you have a choice of seven proteins with varying upcharges for each.
Jim spotted the Diablo Vampire Tacos ($15.24) which were two cheesy crispy flour tortillas, your choice of protein, and topped with bacon, avocado, Pico de Gallo, chipotle crema, and Cotija cheese. For his protein he chose the Adobada Pork ($2 upcharge). It came with a side and he chose to upgrade to the Diablo Loaded Rice ($3 upcharge). This was black beans, Pico de Gallo, chipotle crema, Cotija cheese, and rice. The tacos were loaded with delicious seasoned pork and the loaded rice was a perfect compliment.
Nancy tried the Burrito ($12.48) with the Tinga chicken. This was the Diablo rice blend, a cheese blend, black beans, Pico de Gallo, and shredded lettuce wrapped in a flour tortilla. She wanted it done Suizo style ($1 upcharge) which means it was topped with melted Chihuahua cheese and a spicy chipotle pepper. For her side she chose rice and beans, minus the beans, more rice. She said this entrée was absolutely “delicioso.”
Even though we took home half of our meals home in a doggie bag to savor for another day, we decided to have dessert. We ordered the Churro Bites ($9.88). These were homemade churros tossed in cinnamon sugar with a dulce de leche dipping sauce. These were disappointing, they were too doughy for our taste.
The restaurant has an authentic décor and serves very creative and tasty food, but be careful, or the upcharges will give you sticker shock when you receive your bill.
The price for our “devilish” dining was $69.99, not falling off the swing, priceless…
Jim’s take: My tacos tasted incredible and I can’t believe only one filled me up.
Nancy’s take: I’m going back and ordering the quesadillas for my dinner, they were that good!!!
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com
