Irazu

1865 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773.252.5687
Costa Rican

Irazu is one of those "gems" in the Bucktown area. It is Costa Rican food, which I find very flavorful yet lighter than Mexican or Cuban food. I have been there a few times, and have never been disapointed.

The restaurant is a family owned establishment that is named after the highest volcano in Costa Rica. It opened in 1990 and has a really good following. There are only about 15 tables or so, so be prepared to wait for a table if you are dining-in during the late dinner rush.

You have to walk in knowing what to expect. It is just a little bit above the typical "hole in the wall" feeling. However, the atmosphere is comforting and warm, being a very family-friendly place.

Many of my friends who enjoy Irazu love their fruit shakes. Since I am not a shake fan, I have never tried them. But they seem to be pretty popular, with many different flavors including some exotic fruits--and they can be made with either water or milk.

They start off by giving you a basket of tortilla chips and green and red salsa. The chips and salsa are just ok, so don't fill up too much on them to save room for the actual meal!

For my dining experience, I ordered the eggplant vegetarian plate special. Imagine eggplant parmesan, but lighter. There were two slices of eggplant that were lightly breaded, had a smooth coating of tomato, and then a thin layer of cheese. It was a great flavor, but I had a hard time cutting the eggplant with my butter knife without tearing it to pieces.

On the side, there were fried plantains, beans, Costa Rican rice, and cabbage salad. I have never been a fan of beans and rice...but I love their version. The beans were just the right texture and flavor to go with the tender yellow rice. And the fried plantains are probably the best I have had--crispy and burnt on the edges and chewy in the middle. The cabbage salad is also a nice refresher for your palate, with the cool cabbage and beet combination. The portions here are huge, too, for what you pay! So go hungry or prepare to take home a doggy bag!

Another dish that Irazu is known for is their burritos. I think that I will try one the next time I go.

I would definitely recommend going there...multiple times since there are so many mouth-watering choices on the menu. Just remember that it is not open on Sundays, and they only take cash. Their prices are super reasonable...the huge burritos and sandwiches are around $5 while their main entrees are around $8-12. It is also very close to the El--Blue Line Western stop.

So, what are you waiting for?

*Note: Irazu will be closed from January 31-Feb 13 for vacation.