Upscale Mexican eatery in Gurnee cheerful and fresh
By Tina Johansson Special to The News-Sun February 9, 2012 12:06PM
Waitress Jannette Olmedo of Zion (standing) serves dessert to Kathleen Kennedy of Gurnee (left) her husband Mark (right) and their son Hugh. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
Wholly Frijoles Mexican Grill
Fish dishes include: Mexican fish stew with shrimp and red snapper; Parrilladas with shrimp, tilapia, salmon, fish of the day and a splash of tequila grilled table-top; and family plate with Macho shrimp, chile relleno, borrego chipotle and enchilada. Dinners range from $7.99 to $15.99. Lunch specials on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are $6.99. Closed Monday. Call for hours of operation.
5414 Grand Ave.
Gurnee
224-399-9762
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Updated: February 9, 2012 12:06PM
For a fresh taste of Mexican delights and seafood specialties pay a visit to a hidden gem nestled between hotels and shopping.
Open for a year, Wholly Frijoles is unlike most typical places of its genre. Here you will get upscale food, homemade desserts, and everything fresh and made from scratch. “Even our ice cream is made right here,” said owner Raul Lopez of Lindenhurst.
Dinner meals include soup — there’s delicately seasoned tortilla soup daily, or special house salad with fresh corn and homemade cilantro-ranch dressing.
A nice Friday night fish fry replacement is “Parrilladas,” served for two or more including cooking table-top on an individual Brasero (grill). The “De Mariscos” parrilladas feature shell-on shrimp, tilapia, salmon, fish of the day and a splash of tequila. You can also have it with meats including sirloin steak, chicken breast and chorizo.
Other fish dishes include a “Caldo de Camaron y Pescado” — Mexican fish stew; “Camarones Caribe” — shrimp with coconut and mango; and red snapper fajitas. Or try some “Macho Shrimp” marinated in tequila, lime and garlic and sautéed with spicy chile de arbol.
Fabulous fish tacos are available, either as a meal or ala carte. Some people enjoyed them on a recent Friday night, including a group of former co-workers.
“Everything here tastes so fresh,” said Carol Wright of Waukegan who joined friends from EMCO Chemical Distributors of North Chicago. Some of the ladies commented about the sunny décor and classy attitude including colorful tablecloths and shiny floors. “I didn’t know this place was here. Someone recommended it, and I’m glad they did,” said Wright, who opted for the steak tacos.
Carne (meat) lovers won’t be disappointed here, as the menu features plenty of it. “Bistec Borracho” — grilled hanger steak marinated in Corona beer is one option, as well as “Milanesa de puerco” — breaded pork loin served with black beans and hearty chipotle mashed potatoes. Presentation is excellent often featuring fresh grilled vegetables and roasted peppers.
The servers make it fun at Wholly Frijoles, and you will never forget their names — they write it on the table for you.
Drinks are delightful with fresh fruit and tiny umbrellas. Upbeat server Jannette Olmedo of Zion creates some of the best including refreshing mai tais, mojitos, and iguanas.
For dessert try anything made with the homemade vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. The mango cheesecake and the crème brule with vanilla bean are also popular.
Lopez’s cousin J. Carmen Villegas started the Wholly Frijole concept a dozen years ago and is owner/operator of the first one in Lincolnwood. Villegas, a longtime Lettuce Entertain You employee who worked at the Pump Room, oversaw the menu at the Gurnee place for Lopez.
But it was Lopez and his daughter Laura who worked patiently getting Gurnee licensing, inspections and permits for the construction of the place. “It was just a vanilla shell when we started,” said Villegas. “We had to do everything.” He added of his daughter, “I couldn’t do any of this without her. She’s my right hand.” Laura is there on weekends while his wife Yolanda helps out when she can.
The experience here is one you won’t soon forget. Once you try Wholly Frijoles, you’re sure to be back!
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