Originally opened in Dallas, Uncle Julio's ( 855 W. North Ave. and other Chicagoland locations; UncleJulios.com ) has now spread to locations across the country, but its Texas roots are still strong. Everything from its south-of-the-border-inspired decor to its mesquite-grilled fajitas and "go big or go home" portions transports it patrons away from the busy Lincoln Park streets and into a truly laid back Texan experience.
Everything from my first sip of the strawberry guava lemonade to the very last bite of dessert was well-made, delicious and something I would definitely order again.
A few must-try items: The ceviche fresca was a wonderfully light and refreshing medley of shrimp, scallops and tilapia marinated in citrus juices that served as a perfect appetizer to start a meal.
I ordered the jalisco fajitas for my entree. Our server recommended them, and they did not disappoint. They were a lovely combination of mesquite-grilled jumbo shrimp, chicken and steak topped with a garlic-butter sauce.
The real icing on the cake that was this meal, though, was the chocolate pinata my dining companion and I ordered for dessert. It was delivered in the form of a large, hollow chocolate ball suspended over a platter that was nearly the size of our table. Our server handed me a wooden baton and told me to hit the pinata. When I did, an assortment of fresh fruit and bits of homemade churros came tumbling down. I would honestly return to Uncle Julio's just for that chocolate pinata. The fruit was all juicy and delicious; the shell was chocolate, so how could it be bad? And the homemade caramel sauce paired perfectly with the fallen items for dipping.
As if the chocolate pinata isn't reason enough to make a trip to Uncle Julio's, the atmosphere should be. Even at 3 p.m. on a Friday, the bar was pleasantly full of happy hour drinkers. Families and couples surrounded us in the dining area. The decor was charming and the staff was friendly and welcoming, but the food puts Uncle Julio's over the top.