Catrinas Mex: Downtown Joliet's Hidden Gem, Ferak Food Review

JOLIET, IL - Last September, I met up with my parents for dinner on a Friday night at Catrinas Mex, a new authentic Mexican restaurant in downtown Joliet. The two-story brick facade at the corner of Jackson and Ottawa Streets had been vacant for almost ten years. Back in the day, this was one of the most popular restaurants in all of Joliet, the legendary Olde Keg.

On Thursday, now nine months later, I made a return trip to Catrinas Mex: Real Mexican Food. If you haven't been to Catrinas Mex, you're missing out. The food is outstanding.

I went with the Chilaquiles Rojos O Verdes - a meal I could never properly pronounce. It's deep fried tortillas chips simmered in green or red sauce, topped with cheese, sour cream, onion and two eggs. For $1 more, you can add chicken or for $2 extra, steak. I went with the steak and the red sauce. The steak was the best part. It was nice and juicy.

My whole plate, which is pictured at the top of this article, is $10.99.

My meal had a little kick to it, which is just the way I like Mexican cuisine. I'll be honest, I kind of regret that it's been too long of a break. I should be eating at Catrinas Mex more than once every nine months. This place knows what it's doing.

But don't take my word. Go to the Facebook page for Catrinas Mex and you can judge for yourself.

The family-owned restaurant that started up from scratch has climbed up to 973 Likes on Facebook and 990 Facebook Followers. It has a Facebook rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on the opinions of 74 people.

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On a positive trend, Catrinas Mex has drawn a number of out of town people to dine in downtown Joliet, owner Amy Montiel told me on Thursday. Aside from Joliet, she's getting customers from Lockport, New Lenox, Mokena, Plainfield and Tinley Park, she pointed out.

"A lot of people say this is the best place in the area for authentic Mexican. They say the place is very nice," Montiel said. "I am working very hard in my job to bring people from outside Joliet to the area."

Montiel also said she's assembled a top-notch staff. The workers are starting to gel.

"This restaurant is not just a business. To me, it's part of my family and my life and I am so happy that my waiters feel the same way."

Weekday business, especially during the day time, is hit or miss.

Some days are better than others. But weekends are when business usually picks up steam. In about two weeks, Catrinas Mex hopes to begin offering outdoor patio dining.

Montiel said she is humbled by the volume of people who have told her afterward that "this is the best Mexican food in the area."

"Eighty-percent of my customers," Montiel said, "I can sit and talk to them."

What I like about Montiel is that she is a realist.

She doesn't believe Catrinas Mex has reached its full potential yet.

Here are some of her key obstacles she wants to overcome:

1) We're Not A Vacant Storefront. Given that The Keg sat empty for practically 10 years, Montiel believes there are literally thousands of motorists traveling the Route 30 corridor, past her brick building, who don't even think of stopping for breakfast, lunch or dinner because they still assume it's closed. Catrinas Mex is open seven days a week.

2) We're not a bar. While Catrina's Mex has a beautiful little bar near the entrance, this is not a tavern, she insisted. This is a sit-down family-oriented restaurant.

3) Word of mouth is still essential. You won't see slick expensive advertisements for Catrinas Mex appearing on Chicago's television stations. Instead, the downtown Joliet restaurant, located at 20 Jackson St., relies on social media and word of mouth to grow the business. To have long-term success, it's essential that more and more people across the Joliet region give Catrinas Mex a try.

My final word: Catrinas Mex meets all of my criteria for a well-run, sit-down local restaurant. You can dress casual and feel at home. It's a great place to go for a dinner date or to bring your whole family. Catrinas Mex does accept reservations, but it's not a requirement.

One reason I like Catrinas Mex and want it to succeed is because Montiel and her restaurant staff are so down to earth, plus the inside is gorgeous. It really is.

Her motto is that "Our customers be happy. Whatever they want, we are here to make them happy."

The restaurant phone is 815-714-2101. To check out all the food and drink selections, visit the website for Catrinas Mex here.