A conga line of Mexican food fans have found their little slice of Veracruz by way of Sleepy Hollow at Salsa Street Mexican Restaurant & Cantina. Just a few minutes from Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee, the modern eatery’s menu leans more toward the Rick Bayless school of South-of-the-border flavor (minus the downtown Chicago prices).
The minimalist dining room has an industrial look with a rectangular wraparound bar at its core. Contemporary Latin music is muy bueno in the background. It was unobtrusive yet complemented our experience on a recent Thursday night. Homemade green salsa, a “crudo” or raw tomatillo sauce, and fresh tortilla chips hit the table even before the menu, which is welcome when your Mexican food craving is urging “vamos a comer.” The salsa is bright with a nice acidity but very mild on the heat scale. Up your chili quotient by requesting something hotter, say a habanero salsa. It was hot but certainly not incendiary enough to blow the taste buds before our meal. Mama Huerta makes it in a molcajete (mortar and pestle) in the kitchen. The chips are made from a lighter, white tortilla so you can actually down half the basket and still want to attack your appetizer.
Salsa Street Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
Margaritas aren’t my go-to cocktail. But, if you’re going to have just one, like me, make it the Street Margarita that uses top-shelf ingredients like Patron Tequila and Gran Marnier. It’s outstanding. Even the house margarita ($6) is prepared with Cuervo. Next time I’ll opt for the Jalapeno Street-rita made with Cuervo 1800 Tequila, triple sec, citrus lime mix infused with jalape
