Zentli
Zentli — one of Evanston's strongest mexican spots. Order the Enfrijoladas. If you drink, start at the bar, and good for vegetarians. "I always love when chips come out hot and fresh" — Rye [$]
What 288 diners keep saying
What 288 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Amazing food and drinks every time I’ve gone. The mezcal tamarind is my favorite mezcal cocktail, so flavorful. The vegan pescado taco is now my favorite menu item (right after the mezcal tamarind) The vegan and vegetarian options are amazing. So often those options are an after thought on a menu, but here, those dishes are their own unique creations, making them very special options. Paired with super friendly staff and an amazing display of art, I’d recommend this hidden gem to anyone looking for tasty, high end and flavorful Mexican food.”

“Great experience. Amazing service. Ensalada Zentli was so much fresh.”

“The vibe of this restaurant is so cool, with gorgeous artwork and ambient lighting. The staff were very friendly, our food came out so quickly, and the food was delicious! I got the alambre and al pastor tacos, and a margarita.”

“12/10. Best spot in Evanston. Reserve your table. Great service, Michelin dining.”

“The food was phenomenal. We ordered the ceviche and corn for appetizers. Flautas and sandwich not sure what it was called. Such depth and bold flavors. The ambiance was vibrant, inviting, and beautiful. The reason for not having 5 stars. After dinner was finished we waited for the waitress to return and ask if we wanted to order dessert. Unfortunately didn't happen. I waited to see how long it would take. After 30 minutes I just decided to get the check instead. You might be thinking maybe they were busy. It was not, there were only 2 other tables there. Just ruined the experience.”
“Most excellent mexi/indigenous food. Great Margheritas too. Highly recommend.”
“The tinga chicken was delicious, maybe the best I’ve ever had. I loved the blue corn tortillas and the mezcal cocktails. The art work is very interesting and adds to the uniqueness of the place. I would recommend Zentli to anyone.”
“Tucked behind the door of an unassuming storefront just east of the corner of Dempster and Dodge in Evanston lies a treasure to behold. Zentli! The dishes are exquisite, with each sauce telling a different story. The artful decor enhances that deliciousness, making you feel as if you have been transported to Mexico, and out for a special occasion. The staff are gracious and considerate and seem to genuinely care. We will make a point of visiting again soon and you should too!”
“Great food and great service. Plenty of gluten free options.”
“Much much much more cute inside than outside. Especially loved the local art and Pride installations.food and service were great.”
“Excellent flavors, great vibe, delicious cocktails, good service. Everyone has their preferences for mole. I love mole that emphasizes the peppers a lot more than their chocolate, which is exactly what Zentli does. The tacos are all unique & burst with flavor.”
“Really nicely decorated place. Lots of art on walls and the skull behind the bar is awesome. I would say a bit pricier than expected, but then we did have a bunch of delicious margaritas with our meal. The service was great and the waitress explained the menu and answered questions on details. Food was delicious, to say the least. I would say creative and more elevated deliveries of the classics. Portions also large.. So back to the fact that well worth it. Will be back for sure.”
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