El Puerto means “the port” in Spanish. And this restaurant in Fox Lake is literally a port for diners and boaters on Nippersink Lake.
In what was once a steakhouse, El Puerto serves up Mexican food that’s fresh and never frozen, owner Saul Moya said. “Even the chicken tenders,” he said. “That’s why the food takes a little longer sometimes.”
Moya is very hands-on at El Puerto. All the recipes are his, brought from the Mexican restaurant where he worked for nearly two decades in Chicago. He taught his employees how to make El Puerto’s dishes.
“Everyone in the kitchen knows how to make my recipes. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen just to make these dishes,” he said. “My employees know what they’re doing. They can’t say they can’t do it because they know I can do it.”
About the owners: Saul Moya opened El Puerto Mexican Restaurant in 2001, 18 years after he started as a dishwasher in a Mexican restaurant in Chicago.
Decor: A large awning was added last summer to give diners the choice to eat inside or outside, covered or uncovered. “Now people can choose to be in the shade,” he said. Moya has expanded El Puerto four times since he bought the old steakhouse.
Specialties: Mexican fare such as enchiladas, burritos, tacos, steaks, nachos, Mexican pizza, tamales, flautas, chimichangas, taco salad, seafood, tostadas and nine kinds of fajitas. Plus flan and fried ice cream for dessert.
We’re different because: “I’ve had employees who have worked here many years. Anybody wants to, they can work in here,” he said, adding that many of his employees are in high school and college, and work at El Puerto on school breaks and vacations.
Philosophy: “We do a lot for the community. I like to try and do the best that I can,” he said.
Price range: Appetizers from $2.95-$10.95. Mexican favorites from $9.95-$17.95. Steaks from $12.95-$17.95. Seafood is $16.95-$17.95. Burritos are $10.95-$11.95. Sides are 60 cents-$4. Desserts are $4.
Logistics: El Puerto is at 200 N. Forest Ave., Fox Lake. Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Call 847-973-1370 or go to www.elpuertorestaurant.net.
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