Faros Restaurant #2 - Visit #1

Whilst Mrs. M.O.A.B. is out stalking Rick Springfield in Rockford, Illinois this weekend, the doctor's prescribed diet goes a little askew and someone (namely me) is getting back out into the burrito trenches. (I'm still waiting for a response Chipotle! You owe me a refund!)

serendipity
n : good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries

That is what Faros Restaurant #2 in Bartlett is. What a fantastic, little gem of a place! M.O.A.B. will be honest here...the exterior looks startlingly similar to that of Taqueira Acapulco...(SHUDDER!)...and regrettably the place has been avoided. What a mistake this has been! I was just going to sashay into the place for a little reconnaissance, and boy am I glad I did!

Appearances are definitely deceiving here! Inside is a beautifully laid out Fine Mexican Dining experience. It is very warm and welcoming. There are numerous booths. The tables are Mexican in theme. The chairs are various hues of Mexican pastels. Lovely Mexican murals adorn the walls. This place will definitely be worth some repeat visits. M.O.A.B. was mega impressed.

Their take-away menu mentions that there is a Faros #3 and a Faros #4. M.O.A.B. wonders what happened to Faros #1! It is not mentioned at all. M.O.A.B. loves a mystery! Especially burrito mysteries!

Faros also serve cerveza in this place. Whoo hoo! As I sat waiting for my order to be made, sipping on some suds, the guy brought out a little basket of (incredibly good - not store bought) nacho chips and one HELL of a tomato-corn salsa. BONUS POINTS FOR THAT, FAROS! What an unexpected surprise. I mean, I ordered take-out, but was made to feel very welcome in their place. Definitely dining in next time.

There's 113 (!!!) individual menu headings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner items are all well represented. Fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, and burritos! Combo platters of all kinds! Chicken, Steak, Seafood and Vegetarian options. They've even got an El Faro's Happy Meal section for those spoiled little suburbanite kids who don't good food when it's in front of them.

They've also got a listing for Tacos Junior. (Mexico City Style.) Pork, tongue, grilled steak and the very interesting sounding:
Cabeza - Beef Head. (Going to definitely try that one!)

Ooh! Lookie here on the menu! Sangria only $1.45 a glass! Oh my! That could get deadly! (And in a good way!)

Let's see what they have burrito-wise:
Suizo (Those are served 'wet' with a salsa suiza and Chihuahua Cheese for the uninitiated.)
Vegetarian (rice, beans, sour cream, avocado, lettuce & tomato.)
Chile Relleno (Stuffed pepper.)
Huevos con Carne Asada (Eggs w/ broiled skirt steak.)
Huevos con Chorizo (Eggs w/Mexican Sausage.)
Huevos con Papas (Papas are stick-size, French pommes frîtes style taters.)
Al Pastor (Roasted Pork)
Carnitas (Fried Pork)
Pollo (Chicken)
Carne Asada (See above.)
Picadillo (Ground Beef)
Lengua (Tongue)
Tripas (Intestine! M.O.A.B. is very interested in this one, too.)
Chorizo
Lomo (Loin of Beef.)

15 different varieties!

And check this out!
Regular combination burrito. Your choice of any of the two meats!

You can also order extra meat, avocado, sour cream and cheese.

PHEW! What a list!

M.O.A.B. didn't see the entire burrito menu when ordering, so I went with the Mexican Steak Burrito. And what an excellent choice this was!

Faros #2 - Mexican Steak Burrito. Yummy!!


Wrap / Presentation - *****
You couldn't have asked for a better wrapped burrito. Nice flavor to the tortilla, too.

Fillings - *****
Rice, beans, cheese and chopped ribeye steak that's been grilled with hot peppers, tomatoes and onions!!! Wow! What a delicious combo! Everything from Faros was still hot when it arrived home.

Flavor - *****
To quote SNL's 'The Continental' - Wowie! Wow! Wow! Wow! Faros is going to give my compadres over at Taco Patio a run for their burrito money! That burrito sho' wuz tasty! A wonderfully delicious flavor combo!

M.O.A.B. is aware that this is merely a photo of Christopher Walken, but M.O.A.B. spent the better part of his work afternoon trying to locate a screenshot of 'The Continental.' To no avail.

Staff - *****
A 'Good evening' and a 'How are you tonight?' Wonderfully nice gentleman took my order.

Condiments - *****
Faros wins the condiments competition, hands down! The meal came Mexican rice, refried beans, sour cream served on the side. ALSO - pickled carrots, onions and jalapenos! What a marvelous addition! Their red and green sauces are DYNAMITE!! Their guacamole was out of sight!

OVERALL AVERAGE SCORE: FIVE OUT OF FIVE!!!


"It is as if Michelangelo sculpted you by hand, and then kept you for himself…in a closet…to visit on lonely nights…Would you care for a glass of cham-pag-nay?"