Fuji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi
15132 South LaGrange Road, Orland Park, Illinois
Cuisine: Japanese Hibachi/Sushi
Price: $$-$$$
Although it was a longer drive to get out here from our neck of the woods, I was really happy with the overall experience and food that Fuji provided to us.
ATMOSPHERE: Even though Fuji is tucked away in a mini-mall, don't let that scare you, it is definately worth checking out. Upon entering, we noticed right away that this place was packed! However, we had a reservation, so we got our table right away. There was a small amount of japanese decor around, but my eye was drawn to the several hibachi grills looming before us. I will say that compared to other hibachi style restaurants we've been to, the seating and spacing between tables was a little tight. However, I know that they only had so much space to work with, so they utilized it very appropriately.
DRINKS: We didn't delve too deeply into the drinks because we were on the spot to order quickly, so, we opted for the traditional japanese beers, I got a Sapporo and Jon got the Asahi. I did notice that they had a variety of Saki, Wine and a full bar available as well.
FOOD: I decided to go with the Hibachi Chicken and Garlic Shrimp combo, while Jon opted for the Scallops and Calamari hibachi style. To start with, they bring out a cup of onion soup in a light broth along with a Fuji Salad with Ginger dressing. Several people at our table ordered Sushi for an appetizer and I will say that the one spicy tuna roll I tried definately was in the top five of sushi restaurants in the area; it was delicious! After our soup and Salad, our Hibachi chef showed up and started grilling up the fried rice. The giant fireball he created from the oil on the gril was definately a spectacle! He did some very entertaining egg tricks in which he flipped them up in the air with his spatula and then cracked them open and fried them to go along with the rice. After that, he cooked up the vegetables in which he did the traditional onion volcano trick and then moved onto the meats.
The Garlic Shrimp was AMAZING! Even though everyone at the table made some cracks at how my breath was going to smell afterwards, it wasn't overpowering. The shrimp had a great flavor and perfect tenderness. In between cooking the chicken, he served Jon his scallops and calamari. Jon's dish made me wish that I ordered his. The scallops were succulent and not chewy or dried out. The Calamari was suprisingly tender and flavorful as well! It was nice to try calamari for once unfried. After the seafood, our chef cooked up the chicken. The chicken was definately good, but it was a tad on the dry side after having tried the scallops and calamari. It was still good however, and is a great standby for those who are afraid of seafood.
After everything was cooked, he even went on to cook mushrooms and sprouts. At this point, I felt like after eating for 30 minutes, that my plate just kept filling itself up again!! We had SO much food! I threw in the towel shortly after and asked for a box to take my goodies home in.
After all of the main course eating was over... I got news that we got ice cream too! Oi! Jon and I opted to get the Green Tea ice cream since I had never tried that before and it was wonderful! (The other two choices were vanilla and sherbert). On top of ice cream, we were also given sliced oranges.
SERVICE: The service was right on target, the waitresses were fast and attentive, never letting anything go empty or letting empty plates sit around for too long.
Overall, I would say that this is a fantastic hibachi grill to visit. The service was impeccable, the food was delicious and the atmopshere was definately fun and entertaining. Sure, the prices may be a bit high, but you definately get what you pay for in food (including soup, salad, rice, meat, veggies, ice cream & fruit). Definately check it out if you're in the area, you won't be sorry!
WOULD WE GO BACK? In a heartbeat! This place is worth every penny!
- Review by Theresa
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tequila!
Tequila's Mexican Restaurant & Nightclub
1101 N. LaFox Street (route 31), South Elgin, Illinois
Cuisine Type: Mexican
Price: $-$$
After collectively realizing we were slipping in our recommended daily salsa intake, Theresa and I headed over to Tequila’s Mexican restaurant in South Elgin for dinner. Located in a small strip mall off Rt 31, Tequilas is a short drive down Rt 20 from Pingree – GPS users take note that your destination may be a block or two off, but the sign is easy enough to spot from the street.
ATMOSPHERE: The restaurant is much bigger inside than it looks from the street (it doubles as a nightclub after dinner hours), and holds a casual authenticity not found in other Mexican restaurants thanks to the latino pop soundtrack and lack of “Zorro’s aged Spanish villa” decorations. The entrance is plastered with flyers for upcoming DJs & live acts, tequila bottles adorn the walls, and a large wooden dance floor is located right next to the bar. While on our way out, I noticed there was another whole bar/club in the back of the restaurant already jumping with a live band, and the lit area around our table was already dimming in preparation for the Friday night crowd. It’s obvious the place parties after the kitchen closes, but it makes the restaurant no less comfortable to eat in – no effort was made to rush us out, but the “eating time is over, now we dance” vibe was undeniable. We got a laugh out of it.
DRINKS: Since we were with friends and already started catching up when our drink order was taken, we didn’t spend too much time browsing the selection. Needless to say they had a good selection of margaritas, Mexican beers and tequila (I’m guessing) to choose from. Theresa went with a Dos Equis and I ordered a Modelo served in a chilled salt-rimmed mug, mmm.
FOOD: To start, they gave us a sampling of various salsas and chips; They had your traditional spicy salsa, a black bean salsa, pico de gallo salsa (amazing), and another green chili/sour cream conncoction that they wouldn't give us the secret to. The actual menu can intimidate you, there are lots of appetizers, entrees and specials that all sound great. I eventually chose the ground beef flautas – three small flour tortillas filled with ground beef and fried, served with rice, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, refried beans and guacamole on the side for piling on top. Normally I’m not a fan of fried dishes, but these were fried lightly enough to give the tortillas some crispness without drenching them in oil, and the beef inside was lightly spiced. What surprised me was the lightness of the dish throughout, nothing felt heavy or greasy, and the right amount of sides were given with the dish so you can enjoy the entire thing without having to be rolled out of the place on a wheelbarrow. Theresa ordered the pork tamales with red sauce covered in cheese. She said that it held an amazing flavor and wasn't too heavy on the sauces or cheese. It also came accompanied by enough rice and beans to feed a mariachi band.
SERVICE: Our waitress was very friendly, knowledgeable about the cuisine and was a good sport about us being silly at the table, especially when Steve’s enormous bubbling steamy witch cauldron dish (I believe it was the Parrillada, a huge meat filled dish meant for two) arrived.
OVERALL: Tequila’s is a great place to grab a casual lunch or dinner – the food is delicious and affordable, the atmosphere is friendly, and the witch cauldron dishes guarantee a laugh. Just be out after dinner hours or you’ll be trampled on the dance floor ;)
WOULD WE GO BACK? For sure! It's a great tasting authentic meal for a great price, you can't beat that!
- Review by Jon
1101 N. LaFox Street (route 31), South Elgin, Illinois
Cuisine Type: Mexican
Price: $-$$
After collectively realizing we were slipping in our recommended daily salsa intake, Theresa and I headed over to Tequila’s Mexican restaurant in South Elgin for dinner. Located in a small strip mall off Rt 31, Tequilas is a short drive down Rt 20 from Pingree – GPS users take note that your destination may be a block or two off, but the sign is easy enough to spot from the street.
ATMOSPHERE: The restaurant is much bigger inside than it looks from the street (it doubles as a nightclub after dinner hours), and holds a casual authenticity not found in other Mexican restaurants thanks to the latino pop soundtrack and lack of “Zorro’s aged Spanish villa” decorations. The entrance is plastered with flyers for upcoming DJs & live acts, tequila bottles adorn the walls, and a large wooden dance floor is located right next to the bar. While on our way out, I noticed there was another whole bar/club in the back of the restaurant already jumping with a live band, and the lit area around our table was already dimming in preparation for the Friday night crowd. It’s obvious the place parties after the kitchen closes, but it makes the restaurant no less comfortable to eat in – no effort was made to rush us out, but the “eating time is over, now we dance” vibe was undeniable. We got a laugh out of it.
DRINKS: Since we were with friends and already started catching up when our drink order was taken, we didn’t spend too much time browsing the selection. Needless to say they had a good selection of margaritas, Mexican beers and tequila (I’m guessing) to choose from. Theresa went with a Dos Equis and I ordered a Modelo served in a chilled salt-rimmed mug, mmm.
FOOD: To start, they gave us a sampling of various salsas and chips; They had your traditional spicy salsa, a black bean salsa, pico de gallo salsa (amazing), and another green chili/sour cream conncoction that they wouldn't give us the secret to. The actual menu can intimidate you, there are lots of appetizers, entrees and specials that all sound great. I eventually chose the ground beef flautas – three small flour tortillas filled with ground beef and fried, served with rice, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, refried beans and guacamole on the side for piling on top. Normally I’m not a fan of fried dishes, but these were fried lightly enough to give the tortillas some crispness without drenching them in oil, and the beef inside was lightly spiced. What surprised me was the lightness of the dish throughout, nothing felt heavy or greasy, and the right amount of sides were given with the dish so you can enjoy the entire thing without having to be rolled out of the place on a wheelbarrow. Theresa ordered the pork tamales with red sauce covered in cheese. She said that it held an amazing flavor and wasn't too heavy on the sauces or cheese. It also came accompanied by enough rice and beans to feed a mariachi band.
SERVICE: Our waitress was very friendly, knowledgeable about the cuisine and was a good sport about us being silly at the table, especially when Steve’s enormous bubbling steamy witch cauldron dish (I believe it was the Parrillada, a huge meat filled dish meant for two) arrived.
OVERALL: Tequila’s is a great place to grab a casual lunch or dinner – the food is delicious and affordable, the atmosphere is friendly, and the witch cauldron dishes guarantee a laugh. Just be out after dinner hours or you’ll be trampled on the dance floor ;)
WOULD WE GO BACK? For sure! It's a great tasting authentic meal for a great price, you can't beat that!
- Review by Jon
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