New Mexican Restaurant Opens Near JJC

JOLIET, IL —A number of companies spend thousands of dollars to have a flashy digital advertising sign along Interstate 80 or Interstate 55. But sometimes simple is better. A new Mexican food restaurant across from the entrance into the Joliet Junior College main campus has a small yellow sign along Houbolt Road that proclaims, "MONDAY & TUESDAY $1 TACOS EL MOLCAJETE NOW OPEN."

On Tuesday, there were consistently between a dozen and 15 customers inside the small restaurant at 1116 A Houbolt Road. The commercial strip mall on Joliet's west side also includes Jimmy John's and The Gaming Goat.

For El Molcajete, this marks their second area location. Their original restaurant is in Plainfield near the Speedway gas station at Route 30 and Renwick Road.

On Tuesday, the Joliet restaurant staff told me that their $1 tacos on Mondays and Tuesdays have been a big hit.

The tacos that are available for the $1 specials are: Al pastor (marinated pork),(Pollo) chicken, Carnitas (pork), Asada (steak) and Picaddilo (Ground beef.)

Normally, all of the tacos on the menu are $2.35.

Here's a rundown of other selections from the El Molcajete menu:

• Burritos, either $6.19 or $7.10
• Huaraches: $7.29
• Sopes: $3.49
• Tortas: $6.79
• Quesadillas: large/grande $6.99 or regular size/normal $2.60
• Chimichanga: $7.49
• Taco Salads: $6.49
• Gorditas: $3.49
• Tamales: $2.99.

There are about 15 dinner plate selections, some as cheap as $9.09 for the three taco dinner. The most expensive dinners are $18.19; the Molcajete, which the house specialty steak, chicken breast, mex, sausage, pork steak, eggs, jalapenos and Nopal cactus.

The new Joliet restaurant also offers several items for breakfast, all under $10.

El Molcajete's phone is 815-630-5733. Hours of business are: 10 a.m.to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. The Houbolt Road restaurant offers dine-in, carry out plus catering services.