Chill, enduring spot offering standard Mexican fare, including chimichangas, plus outdoor seats.
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Menu – El Zarape Restaurant
Authentic Mexican. Fresh Ingredients. Friendly Staff. Loyal Patrons. Lively Atmosphere. … (Dinner for 2) Large skillet filled with steak, chicken, shrimp, …
El Zarape Authentic Mexican Cuisine – Mexican restaurant in …
El Zarape Authentic Mexican Cuisine stands out as a delightful destination for lovers of traditional Mexican fare in Wheaton. Nestled just outside the …
El Zarape – Updated 2026, Mexican Restaurant in Wheaton, IL
When dinners in the western suburbs of Chicago are hankering for some authentic Mexican food with recipes passed down through the generations, they go to El …
Reviews
Tim Berneche
I’ve brought consultants here and they loved it. Recently I brought my toughest critic: my wife who usually doesn’t like Mexican food. She loves the food here! Nice cozy place in DT Wheaton.
… moreKevin Isabelle
Went there for dinner on a Monday evening recently. It has been probably 13-14 years since the last time we ate here. It has an impressive length of time at this location. Many years ago I thought they would expand or find a larger space, but surprisingly they have not. Interestingly they charge $3 for the standard basket of chips and salsa. I am used to those being no extra charge at similar Mexican restaurants (I am sure the cost is built into the entree and drink prices). However at El Zarape you will pay for them, and the prices of the entrees and drinks is pretty much in line with similar restaurants if not slightly higher. So in general you will pay more for a meal here. We ordered one coke, a beer, 2 dinners, and a basket of chips and it was about $55. The dinners were good and tasted fresh. Service was great, but the restaurant was for the most part empty. I think only one other table was occupied. I drive right by the restaurant at least 4 times a week and I know it is popular and crowded on the traditional eat out nights like Friday’s and Saturday’s. Overall it is a nice place for dinner.
… moreVince
I’m am sure that the food here is good, but unfortunately, the owner’s behavior leaves much to be desired. After a minor fender bender, we pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. The owner approached us, inquired whether we intended to file a police report, and upon learning that we did not, he remarked, “I’m having my dinner and need my spots.” We expressed our apologies, to which he responded, “You need to get your stuff together.”
We were genuinely taken aback; if he were truly focused on making money, he could have invited us to stay as paying customers, especially considering he didn’t even check if we were okay. If this is how he conducts himself as an owner, I can only imagine how the restaurant is managed. We will not be returning here again.
… moreWe were genuinely taken aback; if he were truly focused on making money, he could have invited us to stay as paying customers, especially considering he didn’t even check if we were okay. If this is how he conducts himself as an owner, I can only imagine how the restaurant is managed. We will not be returning here again.
Ploy Wang
This was my first and last visit to this restaurant. While dinning here we were hurried by the staff to pay our bill and move on. The bill was delivered to our table 5 minutes after are meals were delivered to our table. We had not even had an opportunity to order desert. On 3 separate occasions the owner and the waitress both tried to collect the payment for the bill as I was putting a fork in my mouth. We were still eating and my friend and I were still chatting. Lack of professionalism from the management this evening. The best thing an employee could have done for us this evening is to ask us, “can I get you anything else this evening?” Having the News On The TV is another unattractive characteristic of this restaurant. Politics doesn’t belong in eating. It is time to reevaluate customer service at this restaurant beginning with the owner’s lack of professionalism. Chips and salsa are expensive here while neighboring restaurants chips and salsa are free.
… moreRalph Chilton
Hidden gem!
Just outside the main downtown of Wheaton, this unassuming spot is well worth a visit.
Affordable and approachable, the food here is presented deliciously simply and with care.
We’ve enjoyed the enchiladas, tacos, chimichanga, but my favorite has to be the green chili pork. So rich and flavorful.
Service is as warm as the tortilla chips!
… moreJust outside the main downtown of Wheaton, this unassuming spot is well worth a visit.
Affordable and approachable, the food here is presented deliciously simply and with care.
We’ve enjoyed the enchiladas, tacos, chimichanga, but my favorite has to be the green chili pork. So rich and flavorful.
Service is as warm as the tortilla chips!
Christina Landwehr
This has turned into our Friday night spot. Food is consistently amazing and brought out so fast. The margaritas are always delicious. No frills just really great Mexican food. We really appreciate this place!
… moreSteven Zlatic
Good friends recommended El Zarape. They were so right.
We were met at the door, warmly welcomed, and walked to a table. Decor was fun and everything was clean. Fresh Guacamole lived up to its name. Fresh and delicious. Tacos Al pastor were savory … some of the best ever. Rice and beans were AMAZING! So so good.
Our waitress was attentive and the host checked in near the end of our meal. When leaving, staff wished us well. What a great team there!!
… moreWe were met at the door, warmly welcomed, and walked to a table. Decor was fun and everything was clean. Fresh Guacamole lived up to its name. Fresh and delicious. Tacos Al pastor were savory … some of the best ever. Rice and beans were AMAZING! So so good.
Our waitress was attentive and the host checked in near the end of our meal. When leaving, staff wished us well. What a great team there!!
BOOGIE
Tried El Zarape for the first time today. Came in for a late lunch with my mother. First impressions of the place are nice. Small restaurant with nice decor and kind servers. The reason I’m giving 3 stars is based entirely off the food. I ordered normal burrito with onions steak beans and rice no peppers. The burrito looked amazing when it was placed in front of me the problems arose once I took a nice cut into it to realize that more than half of my burrito was just Onion and Tortilla. I’m not sure if this was how they normally serve their burritos or if they extremely overcompensated for the fact that i asked for no peppers, but the overwhelming amount of onions made the burrito almost not edible. Be cautious when ordering.
… moreCat Gomez
I ordered the enchiladas ( one chicken and one cheese ) and a medium horchata. The enchiladas were good, I definitely liked the chicken one better than the plain cheese and the salsa verde was tasty. The marinated chicken had a savory flavor that was similar to tinga but different in a good way. The meal came with rice and refried beans that were 10/10 and a small bag of chips and salsa. Would give them 4.5 if I could because I am definitely excited to see what else they have but today’s meal was a just a little pricey for what it is.
… moreDennis Bert
We have been coming to El Zarape for years. The food is absolutely delicious, the service, efficient and friendly, and their prices, extremely reasonable. We recently decided to use them to cater our event of 50 people and were NOT disappointed.
Marguerite helped plan our menu and arrange details in advance of our party, and the manager and staff were wonderful in getting our order out quickly, even in the height of Saturday dinner hour. The food was awesome and raved about.
Highly recommend, dining in, or catering out.
… moreMarguerite helped plan our menu and arrange details in advance of our party, and the manager and staff were wonderful in getting our order out quickly, even in the height of Saturday dinner hour. The food was awesome and raved about.
Highly recommend, dining in, or catering out.