Tequila Restauranté has two locations (see Lowell address below*) in Northwest Indiana but this review pertains to the Crown Point location. I reserve five-star ratings for restaurants that occupy a rarefied stratum like the now-defunct Charlie Trotter's in Chicago, so giving this Mexican eatery four stars means it is good. Very good.
Located on the Square in quaint Crown Point, Tequila is owned by Ron and Michelle Burgett. These Anglos and their Hispanic cooks really get it -- from the Tuna Ceviche to the margaritas many ways, everything has that authentic sabor (flavor, for gringos).
You'll be started with complimentary tortilla chips that are freshly made and not greasy. I heartily recommend the guacamole prepared tableside to accompany them. Then, the sky's the limit.
You'll find a nice selection of antojitos (appetizers), including Mexican crab cakes, queso fundido con chorizo (melted cheese with sausage) and others, along with the more mundane nachos and stuffed jalapenos.
Traditional entrées abound -- fajitas, burritos, chimichanga, flautas, tamales, chiles rellenos -- but the restaurant shines in its specialty offerings like Chocolate Chicken (shredded chicken breast with mole sauce), Carne Asada (grilled skirt steak), Vaquero Bone-in Rib Eye (22-ounce cowboy cut steak aged 21 days).
Don't miss the seafood tacos (my favorite) served with red or green rice and refried beans or grilled veggies. Fresh catch of the day like sea bass, salmon, mahi mahi, and ahi tuna are shipped frozen from Hawaii and can be prepared pan seared or cast-iron grilled, steamed in parchment paper or blackened.
Dessert, if you can manage it, should definitely be shared. Try the Cheesecake Flautas (cheesecake rolled in a flour tortilla, deep fried, spinkled with cinnamon sugar and served with vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce and dollops of whipped cream).
Amenities include full bar and lounge, alfresco dining weather permitting, Taco Tuesdays, Fajita Wednesdays, 2 for $20 menu on Thursdays, drink specials and music on Thursdays and Fridays, carryout, and more. It's a fun place that's always crowded with a convivial group that ranges from familie to college kids to seniors.
Tequila Restauranté
Address: 110 S. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: 219-661-8226
Website: http://www.tequilarestaurante.com/
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays, noon-11 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, closed Mondays
Price range: $$
*(2970 E. 181st Ave., Lowell, IN 46356, 219-696-8226)
