Our Menu
Looking for authentic Mexican food in Highland Park, IL?
Welcome to the Tamales Mexican Restaurant menu, serving fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine in Highland Park, IL for over 20 years. Our kitchen prepares everything daily using quality ingredients, from our signature house-made tamales and sizzling fajitas to street-style tacos, enchiladas, burritos, salads and desserts. We offer both a full Dinner Menu and a Street Menu, with options for dine-in, takeout and online ordering. Vegetarian, gluten-friendly and kids menu options are also available.
Dinner
Enjoy our chef-crafted dinner menu featuring house specialties, seasonal sides, and family-style entrees. Ask your server about tonight’s specials and dietary accommodations.
Platos Pequenos
Queso Fundido
With Chihuahua Cheese, Chorizo, Sausage, and Poblano Chiles. Served with four flour tortillas
$17.95
Chicken Flautas
Chicken and potatoes rolled in a corn tortilla and lightly fried. Served with llettuce, Pico de Gallo and guacamole on the side.
$15.95
Blackened Shrimp
With Spanish Rice, Marinated Vegetables & Ancho Barbeque Sauce
$18.95
Grilled Torta
Two whole wheat tortillas stuffed with Portabella Mushrooms, sauteed spinach, tomatoes, goat cheese, red peppers and garnished with jicama fries and Poblano Cream Dipping Sauce
$17.50
Nachos Grandes
Corn chips topped with black beans, jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, cheddar and Chihuahua cheeses (Choice of Chicken, Chorizo or Ground Beef)
$18.95
Chicken Chimichanga
A spicy combination of chicken, cheese, corn and black beans fried in a flour tortilla. Garnished with shoestring potatoes and a spicy red sauce
$19.95
Fish Ceviche
Served with crackers
$13.95
Mexican Pizza
A crispy flour tortilla crust with chicken, cheese, black beans, fire-roasted red peppers & sour cream
$15.95
Fresh Guacamole
With Chips
$10.95/Half order
$12.95/Full order
Roasted Corn Chowder
With Bacon, Onions, Peppers, and Tomatoes
$6.95/Cup
$8.95/Bowl
Tortilla Soup
With Añejo Cheese and Chips
$6.95/Cup
$8.95/Bowl
Black Bean Soup
Served with Sour Cream
$6.95/Cup
$8.95/Bowl
Queso Dip
$6.95
Fajitas
All Fajitas are served with Four Soft Corn, Flour or Wheat Tortillas. Tortillas can be substituted with Lettuce Wraps
Filet Mignon
$28.50
Chicken Breast
$24.95
Skirt Steak
$28.50
Shrimp
$28.50
Vegetable
$23.50
Combination of 2
$28.50
Sides
Shredded Lettuce, Sour Cream, Tomatoes, Cheese and Guacamole
$5.95
Rice and Beans
$6.50
Taco Selections
All Tacos are served with Four Soft Corn, Flour or Wheat Tortillas. Tortillas can be substituted with Lettuce Wraps | All Tacos are garnished with Guacamole, Pineapple & Mango Relish, Salsa, Sour Cream, Lettuce and Cheese
Fish Tacos
With Grilled Poblano Chiles
$24.95
Duck Tacos
$26.95
Chicken Tinga Tacos
$23.95
Shredded chicken in a Chipotle Chile Sauce. (Substitute chicken breast $2.95)
Seasoned Ground Beef Taco
$22.95
Skirt Steak Taco al Carbon
$26.95
Carnitas Chipotle
$20.95
Roast Leg of Pork
Shrimp Tacos
Sautéed in a Red Guajillo Chile Sauce
$26.95
Combination of any 2
$28.50
Side Dishes
Grilled Vegetables
$8.95
Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes
$5.95
Spanish Rice
$3.95
Pinto Beans
$3.95
Refried Beans
$3.95
Black Beans
$6.95
With Sautéed Bananas
Jicama Slices
$2.95
Additional Tortillas
$0.50/each
Additional Chips and Salsa
$3.95
Side of Guacamole
$2.95
Jicama Fries
$6.95
Side of Spicy Salsa
$1.00
Mexican Street Corn
$5.95
Ensaladas
Served with Choice of Dressing: Balsamic Vinegar, Raspberry Vinaigrette, Creamy Cilantro, Lime Oregano or Cilantro Citrus Vinaigrette. Chopped add $1
Blackened Scallop Salad
With Tomato, Avocado, Cucumber and Blue Cheese
$24.95
Taco Salad in a Shell
With Chicken Breast or Ground Beef, Cheese, Beans, Avocado and Tomato. Substitute Steak, Shrimp, Salmon or Scallops Add $4.50
$19.95
Crispy Vegetable Salad with Chicken Breast
With Vegetable Crisps, mango, and avocado. Substitute Steak, Shrimp, Salmon or Scallops Add $4.50
$19.95
Tortilla Salad
With Chicken Breast, Avocado, Tomato and Cucumber on Grilled Tortilla Wedges. Substitute Steak, Shrimp, Salmon or Scallops Add $4.50
$19.95
Jicama Grilled Chicken Breast Salad Mexicana
Substitute Steak, Shrimp, Salmon or Scallops Add $4.50
$19.95
Jicama Jicama Salad
With Cucumber and Avocado
$11.95
Quesadilas
All Selections Are Made With Real Chihuahua Cheese and served with Pico de Gallo, Sour Cream and Lettuce.
Cheese
$16.95
Goat Cheese and Mushroom
$19.95
Steak or Ground Beef
$19.95
Grilled Chicken Breast
$18.95
Vegetable
$17.95
Our Hot Tamale Selections
All Tamales are prepared in a Fresh Corn Husk
Shrimp Tamale
$7.95
Shrimp tamales are served with Shrimp Cream Sauce
Pumpkin Tamale
$7.95
Pumpkin tamales are served with Roasted Tomatillo and Guajillo Chile Sauces.
Chicken Tamale
$7.95
Chicken tamales are served with Roasted Tomatillo and Guajillo Chile Sauces.
Mushroom Tamale
$7.95
Mushroom tamales are served with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce.
Any 2 Tamales
$18.95
Served with rice and beans
Kid’s Menu
Intended for customers under 12
Chico’s Nachos
$9.95
With Black Bean Dip & Chihuahua Cheese
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
$9.95
Kid’s Cheese Quesadilla
$10.95
Kid’s Mexican Pizza
$10.95
Kid’s Steak or Ground Beef Taco
On flour tortillas topped with Cheese. Served with Beans & Rice
$10.95
Kid’s Chicken Taco
$10.95
On flour tortillas topped with cheese. Served with Beans & Rice
Chicken Nuggets
$10.95
Platos Grandes
Paella
Spanish rice served with mussels, shrimp, clams, chicken, beef sausage and Poblano Peppers
$29.50
2 Filet Mignon Medallions
2 4oz center cut filet medallions with a Mushroom Tequila Sauce, served with jalapeño mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables
$29.50
Salmon Burrito
A flour tortilla stuffed with goat cheese and black beans. Served with cucumber salsa and Spanish Rice
$25.95
Chiles Rellenos
Poblano Pepper stuffed with Anejo and Chihuahua Cheeses. Served with rice and beans with a mild red sauce
$22.95
Pollo Espinaco
Grilled marinated chicken breast with Portabello Mushrooms. Garnished with black beans, spinach with Chihuahua Cheese, served with a Poblano Pepper Cream Sauce
$24.95
Enchiladas
Three corn tortillas rolled with cheese and your choice of One Filling and One Sauce. Fillings: Chicken, Ground Beef, Shrimp, Vegetable or Cheese. Sauces: Tomatillo, Mole, Guajillo or Ancho BBQ
$24.50
Enchiladas
(Combination of any 2)
$25.50
You get 2 Enchiladas and sauces to choose from. You can pick two types of Enchiladas
Carne de Casa
Grilled Skirt Steak and vegetables served with jalapeño mashed potatoes and mango relish topped with a Demi-Glace
$28.95
Grilled Tilapia
Blackened and served with grilled vegetables and roasted red pepper sauce
$27.95
Grilled Vegetable Burrito
Stuffed with grilled zucchini, squash, carrots, and goat cheese on a sundried tomato tortilla. Garnished with grilled tomatoes and jicama fries
$23.95
Bean Burrito
$17.95
A flour tortilla stuffed with Pico de Gallo, refried beans, and cheese. Topped with cheese and Guajillo Chile Sauce. Served with rice and shredded lettuce
Ground Beef Burrito
A flour tortilla stuffed with Pico de Gallo, refried beans, and cheese. Topped with cheese and Guajillo Chile Sauce. Served with rice and shredded lettuce
$18.95
Chicken Breast Burrito
A flour tortilla stuffed with Pico de Gallo, refried beans, and cheese. Topped with cheese and Guajillo Chile Sauce. Served with rice and shredded lettuce
$19.95
Steak Burrito
A flour tortilla stuffed with Pico de Gallo, refried beans, and cheese. Topped with cheese and Guajillo Chile Sauce. Served with rice and shredded lettuce
$19.95
Shrimp Burrito
$21.95
A flour tortilla stu!ed with Pico de Gallo, refried beans, and cheese. Topped with cheese and Guajillo Chile Sauce. Served with rice and shredded lettuce
Desserts
Key Lime Pie
$9.95
Bread Pudding
With Caramel Sauce With Ice Cream (Add $2.00)
$9.95
Caramel Flan
$8.95
Mexican Chocolate Sundae
$8.95
Churros
$3.95/each
With caramel dipping sauce
Street Menu
Our Street Menu features authentic, hand-made favorites—crispy tacos, savory tamales, and bold, flavor-packed small plates crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Perfect for sharing or enjoying on the go.
Burrito
One burrito per order filled with refried beans and wrapped in flour tortilla.
Tinga Burrito
$13.50
Steak Burrito
$13.50
Fish Burrito
$13.50
Shrimp Burrito
$13.50
Al Pastor Burrito
$13.50
Carnitas Burrito
$13.50
Ground Beef Burrito
$13.50
Chicken Breast Fajita Burrito
$13.50
Chorizo Burrito
$13.50
Tostadas
Two tostadas per order-served exactly the same way. On a bed of vegetarian refried pinto beans.
Tinga Tostadas
$9.95
Steak Tostadas
$9.95
Fish Tostadas
$9.95
Al Pastor Tostadas
$9.95
Carnitas Tostadas
$9.95
Ground Beef Tostadas
$9.95
Shrimp Tostadas
$9.95
Chicken Breast Fajita Tostadas
$9.95
Chorizo Tostadas
$9.95
Tacos
Two tacos per order-served exactly the same way. Served on corn or flour tortilla.
Tinga Tacos
$9.95
Steak Tacos
$9.95
Fish Tacos
$9.95
AL Pastor Tacos
$9.95
Carnitas Tacos
$9.95
Ground Beef Tacos
$9.95
Shrimp Tacos
$9.95
Chicken Breast Fajita Tacos
$9.95
Chorizo Tacos
$9.95
Extras
Sour Cream
$0.75
Cilantro
$0.75
Onionq
$0.75
Pico de Gallo
$0.75
Lettuce
$0.75
Tomato
$0.75
Chihahua Cheese
$0.75
Cheddar Cheese
$0.75
Mango Relish
$0.75
Rice
$0.75
Avocado
$2.00
Guacamole
$2.00
Visit Us
Hours & Location
Address
493 Central Ave
Highland Park, IL
Phone
(847) 433-4070
Hours
Sunday – Thursday: 4:30pm – 9:00pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:30am – 9:30pm
Contact
Have a Question?
Ask about allergies, large parties, catering options, or anything else we can help with.
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Bandido Inc., DBA Tamales Mexican Restaurant
Modern, fresh Mexican cuisine in the heart of Highland Park. Dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering & private parties.
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