Reviewing Eataco: A dining experience that blends modern and authentic Mexican cuisine in Northbrook, IL. 

Now open for four years in downtown Northbrook, EATACO celebrates traditional Mexican culture with flair and a delicious menu of culinary specialties. The restaurant is owned by Serah Cicek and her husband, Kadir Cicek, with business partner Manny Gill.   

Bring your appetite to EATACO, and it will delight all of your senses. The restaurant combines color and art with great food and service in a Mexican-oriented environment. The food at EATACO can best be described as a fusion of authentic and contemporary Mexican. Emphasis is on local ingredients from each season with full Mexican flavor. Owner Serah Cicek will warmly welcome you into a colorful and friendly atmosphere. Then the hard part comes: trying to decide what to order.  

Regarding drinks, the selection is over the top, with a full selection of beer and wine. And don’t miss their new Tequila Bar. Popular margaritas include the classic and the jalapeno lime and mango margaritas in cocktail size or 32 oz. jugs. Try EATACO’s refreshing Mezcalitas in classic, jalapeno lime, strawberry, raspberry, or mango varieties. They also offer the always popular Mexi-Cola. 

We started with one of EATACO’s most popular dishes, the Fried Brussel Sprouts with dried cranberries and sweet chili sauce. They were fabulous, and there was even enough left over to take home. I would also recommend the Mexifries, made with nacho cheese, black beans, fire-roasted corn, pico de gallo, queso fresco and sour cream. They really hit it out of the park with this one.  

I chose the Mushroom Rajas Tacos, which featured mixed, baked mushrooms, fire-roasted red peppers, crispy shallots, and cilantro. The taco was rich and savory. I paired it with the Beef Brisket Taco, which featured citrus-marinated beef brisket, cheese, onion, and smoky Pasillas sauce. This is the one I’m definitely coming back for.  

Other taco selections include Lamb Carnitas or Jumbo Coconut Shrimp Tacos, which are crisp and delicious.  

Sara changes up her taco selections with new weekly offerings in the categories of garden, sea or land. New on the menu this week were two new tacos. The Crispy Avocado Taco, made with fried avocados, grilled red peppers, and onions with crispy lentils. The Beef Barbacoa is made with orange-tamarind braised beef, guajillo chile, hibiscus-turnip slaw, and cilantro. All of the tacos are house-made, fresh and crispy. Side dishes include Spanish Rice, Black Beans, and Fire Roasted Corn.  

For more savory dishes, choose the Mexibowl with rice/salad base, vegetarian black beans, fire-roasted corn, pico de gallo, lettuce, queso fresco, and sour cream. You can also add land or sea for a more robust meal. The Burrito Bowl features Spanish rice, vegetarian black beans, fire-roasted corn, pico de gallo, lettuce, queso fresco, sour cream, and salsa.  

To sample a little bit of everything, try their “Tasting Menu” with 10 tacos of the chef’s selection.  

Dessert offerings include churros or rice pudding, sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Outdoor patio dining in season.