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At Azul Cantina, family is at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is simple: bring people together through great Mexican food, warm hospitality, and a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’re treated like part of our extended family. Our team shares a passion for creating memorable experiences. In the kitchen, we prepare flavorful dishes inspired by tradition and made with care. In the dining room, our staff focuses on friendly service, laughter, and a relaxed environment where guests can truly enjoy their time. Whether you’re joining us for lunch, happy hour, dinner with family, or a special celebration, Azul Cantina is a place to gather, connect, and make lasting memories.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3920 E Lincolnway, Sterling, IL 61081
Phone: (779) 297-7014
Website: http://azulmexcantina.com/
Menu Photos
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Reviews
B Burlack
Great service and the food was delicious! Also if you want to eat a quick lunch this place gets the food out very quick also! I got steak tacos and cilantro lime rice and my wife got a steak burrito. Very tasty and cooked to perfection.
The best experience was the staff though. All very friendly and joking around with us during lunch. Very cool atmosphere!! Our server Felipe said he was the worst server and joked with us the whole time. We will definitely tell our friends to support this family run business?!
… moreThe best experience was the staff though. All very friendly and joking around with us during lunch. Very cool atmosphere!! Our server Felipe said he was the worst server and joked with us the whole time. We will definitely tell our friends to support this family run business?!
mark bonnell
First visit. Loved it. Great food. Great decor. Excellent service. Lunch specials are too cheap. I’d feel beater about paying a little more. All in all, excellent for a new business. Even when packed at lunchtime.
… moreLucas Hogeboom
I really wanted to love this place, the atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. However, my experience left much to be desired. The good tasting food was easily overshadowed by the pretty unreasonably slow service.
My experience was outlined as follows:
I arrived as a single party at 11 and got a booth to myself. After sitting down, I waited 8 minutes for the half portion of chips (by most standards) and salsa to come out. At this time, 1108, I asked for a drink menu. The server came back at 1113 with a QR code to scan due to the drink menu not being available yet. There are no prices on the drink menu, so you will need to ask. I ordered a 32oz peach mojito and a water at 1115. After waiting for 15 minutes, I walked up to the bar myself at 1130 to get a water. My mojito arrived at the table at 1135. My food arrived at the table at 1138. My server came back around at 1157 to ensure everything was okay. I got my check at 1203.
I ordered the quesabirria tacos, which were quite good. The meat was well seasoned, but the tortillas were not cheese-crusted as the menu description stated. Additionally, my entree arrived without the radish, lime, or a side of rice and beans like they were supposed to. The consome added some moisture, but that was about as far as it went; it was very bland. Had my server came to check in at a more reasonable time, perhaps it could have been corrected.
The peach mojito was actually very good as well. It was $15 for a 32oz mason jar, and I would say it was worth it. It wasn’t too syrup heavy, but more light and refreshing.
The complementary chips and salsa, although portioned small, was average. The chips aren’t homemade and the salsa tastes very similar to El Tap. If you are a heavy dipper, you won’t like the bowls the salsa comes in.
The atmosphere is pretty awesome. The ceiling is covered with flowers and other foliage and festive music can be heard as soon as you walk in. The bathrooms are clean!
Overall, I’ll be back in a few weeks in hopes that they fix the many, many issues with service. From what I got to taste, it was good. Maybe not worth the relatively high price point, but good nonetheless. I can’t recommend this one at this time, I’ll update the review on the second go-around.
… moreMy experience was outlined as follows:
I arrived as a single party at 11 and got a booth to myself. After sitting down, I waited 8 minutes for the half portion of chips (by most standards) and salsa to come out. At this time, 1108, I asked for a drink menu. The server came back at 1113 with a QR code to scan due to the drink menu not being available yet. There are no prices on the drink menu, so you will need to ask. I ordered a 32oz peach mojito and a water at 1115. After waiting for 15 minutes, I walked up to the bar myself at 1130 to get a water. My mojito arrived at the table at 1135. My food arrived at the table at 1138. My server came back around at 1157 to ensure everything was okay. I got my check at 1203.
I ordered the quesabirria tacos, which were quite good. The meat was well seasoned, but the tortillas were not cheese-crusted as the menu description stated. Additionally, my entree arrived without the radish, lime, or a side of rice and beans like they were supposed to. The consome added some moisture, but that was about as far as it went; it was very bland. Had my server came to check in at a more reasonable time, perhaps it could have been corrected.
The peach mojito was actually very good as well. It was $15 for a 32oz mason jar, and I would say it was worth it. It wasn’t too syrup heavy, but more light and refreshing.
The complementary chips and salsa, although portioned small, was average. The chips aren’t homemade and the salsa tastes very similar to El Tap. If you are a heavy dipper, you won’t like the bowls the salsa comes in.
The atmosphere is pretty awesome. The ceiling is covered with flowers and other foliage and festive music can be heard as soon as you walk in. The bathrooms are clean!
Overall, I’ll be back in a few weeks in hopes that they fix the many, many issues with service. From what I got to taste, it was good. Maybe not worth the relatively high price point, but good nonetheless. I can’t recommend this one at this time, I’ll update the review on the second go-around.
Tory Johnson
We went during opening week, so keep that in mind, but overall this place absolutely impressed us.
The presentation alone sets it apart from anything else in Sterling. The steak board with the hanging elote is not something you expect locally, and it instantly made the experience feel elevated.
The atmosphere is one of the coolest I’ve seen around here. The decor feels intentional and detailed. You can tell they put real effort into it.
Service was friendly even though they were clearly busy. Our server really made the experience. She was relatable, kind, helpful, and quick to fix issues without making it awkward.
Now the food.
The steak was well seasoned and full of flavor. I ordered medium rare and it came out closer to well done, but it still tasted great, which says a lot about the quality and seasoning.
The broccoli was probably the best I’ve ever had. Perfect texture and flavor.
The elote looked awesome, though it could have used a little more seasoning. The rice was slightly overcooked.
Drinks were good and well priced. We ordered the 88oz margarita tube, which is a fun concept on its own. It was delicious, but it did leak during our stay. Nothing major, we just put a napkin under it. Opening week things.
My fiancée’s order came out wrong initially, but they replaced it and apologized within minutes.
Overall, for a brand new spot, this place shows serious promise. The small issues are fixable, but the vibe, presentation, and effort are already there.
We’ll definitely be back.
Update;
We went back for valentines day. Food was great, presentation is even better. They were busy and still new so the server was not very attentive, but friendly.
… moreThe presentation alone sets it apart from anything else in Sterling. The steak board with the hanging elote is not something you expect locally, and it instantly made the experience feel elevated.
The atmosphere is one of the coolest I’ve seen around here. The decor feels intentional and detailed. You can tell they put real effort into it.
Service was friendly even though they were clearly busy. Our server really made the experience. She was relatable, kind, helpful, and quick to fix issues without making it awkward.
Now the food.
The steak was well seasoned and full of flavor. I ordered medium rare and it came out closer to well done, but it still tasted great, which says a lot about the quality and seasoning.
The broccoli was probably the best I’ve ever had. Perfect texture and flavor.
The elote looked awesome, though it could have used a little more seasoning. The rice was slightly overcooked.
Drinks were good and well priced. We ordered the 88oz margarita tube, which is a fun concept on its own. It was delicious, but it did leak during our stay. Nothing major, we just put a napkin under it. Opening week things.
My fiancée’s order came out wrong initially, but they replaced it and apologized within minutes.
Overall, for a brand new spot, this place shows serious promise. The small issues are fixable, but the vibe, presentation, and effort are already there.
We’ll definitely be back.
Update;
We went back for valentines day. Food was great, presentation is even better. They were busy and still new so the server was not very attentive, but friendly.
Jolina Ramos
We decided to try this new spot out. I walked in and could not believe how beautiful it was inside! So many plants and beautiful light fixtures, the wood mixed with the greenery on the ceiling is a whole vibe. Absolutely loved it. They were pretty busy but we were seated quickly. Our server, Poli was busy running back and forth, but he was very apologetic for any prolonged wait periods and we could tell he was doing his best. The food was good, but a little cold once it was brought out to us, nothing terrible though. I had a pina colada margarita and it was STRONG! Definitely got my money’s worth with that one. We also tried the fried ice cream which was very tasty. Very cute place for a date night or girl’s night.
… morePenny Beelendorf
Finally got to try this new restaurant! People who know me know I’m extremely picky especially about food and eating out!! Good thing I didn’t follow the reviews and decided to give this place a try on my own. Very busy walked in and greeted by a very nice young man letting us know there would be about a 10-15 minute wait. He was right on with that and seated us in his time frame noted. Our waitress, Rebecca, was very pleasant and attentive. Definitely not too pushy but made sure we were taken care of. The complimentary chips were made perfectly… warm, crunchy, and made to perfection. My beer was cold and my meal was excellent!! Atmosphere was nice and restaurant was very clean. Staff worked extremely cohesive together! I ordered a dish with steak, onions, peppers, and beans /rice. Absolutely delicious!! I normally cannot eat food at restaurants because the oil they use makes my stomach hurt. My meal was seasoned perfectly, cooked perfectly, and very filling! 5 starts wasn’t enough to leave but that’s the highest this allows.Try this place and they are still new so give a little grace if needed. If they had kinks people mentioned, they definitely worked them out!! Great add to the Sauk Valley area. Very happy customer that will return:)
… moreSarah Figueroa
I love coming here they have the best drinks and food I always have a good experience they are way better then” el tapatío “ this restaurant is my top #1 to go too I love it here
… moreTanya Millan
Two times in this place and it’s been great!
Good music, atmosphere, food, interior design
Kudos to Diego on his first day! You killed it
… moreGood music, atmosphere, food, interior design
Kudos to Diego on his first day! You killed it
Kaitlyn Crawford
First time trying this place tonight we went in around 5 ish they were a little busy but not too bad, food was excellent and didn’t take long at all! Very fresh and great portions. Will definitely be going back! Remember people new places have to work out kinks but so far i don’t see much we waited a little bit here and there but our server was also doing lots of other things we understood! Also it is so nice to have a place that authentic Mexican!! So many different options definitely gonna try a drink next time! ❤️❤️❤️
… moreDavid Ruggles
My wife and I went today for the first time. Loved the decor. Franco was very attentive, friendly, and courteous. When asked what marriage was he gave explanation and offered a sample. My wife got the Cantina Nachos (not greasy) and I got the Mexican Torta chicken AWESOME!) and fries (LOVE the seasoning). They were delicious and not grease-soaked like many other places. Price for quality really wasn’t bad. Definitely recommend.
… more