Meet us where friendship is a flavor
Three friends, who also happen to be excellent chefs, are the inspiration behind Mexican Republic Kitchen and Cantina on Madison Street in Forest Park. Since all three of the chefs and owners hail from different parts of Mexico, the name Mexican Republic reflects the menu’s diversity of Mexican flavors.
At the cantina, you’ll find dishes inspired by Guanajuato in central Mexico, Oaxaca in southwest Mexico, and Guerrero, near the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains and the Pacific Coast.
Try the Cochinita Pibil (braised achiote pork in banana leaves and orange juice) or the Enchiladas Con Mole Coloradito (tortillas filled with roasted chicken or beef picadillo, mole coloradito, onions, cilantro, pinto beans, and Mexican rice).
The massive taco selection is enough to make your mouth water. The Asada Taco is garlicky-lime marinated sirloin steak while the Calabazitas Taco is grilled zucchini, grilled corn, and caramelized onions topped with sour cream and cheese.
The standard Carnitas Taco with tender pulled pork gets a Mexican Republic twist with fresh pico de gallo while the unique Coliflor Taco includes sauteed cauliflower, lettuce, cilantro, and chipotle mayo.
You don’t want to miss the brunch menu with its Huevos con Chorizo or its Chilaquiles. Not to mention the bottomless mimosas!
There is a full gluten-free menu to choose from as well!
Entrees range from $10 to about $20, and the tacos are about $4 each. You can turn your tacos into a dinner plate by adding rice and beans for $4 more. A brunch entree plus the bottomless mimosas are $29 per person.
Rosalba Diaz, Enrique Gomez, and Fernando Manriquez are the chefs and friends behind the Mexican Republic Kitchen and Cantina. Diaz and Manriquez met in culinary school before going on to work in prominent Chicago kitchens (Diaz at the Peninsula Hotel and Manriquez at the Frontera Grill under celebrity chef Rick Bayless).
Manriquez met Gomez at the Frontera Grill, and all three came together to create their Forest Park Mexican restaurant.
Located at 7404 Madison Street in Forest Park, Mexican Republic is just a half-mile walk from the Harlem Stop on the CTA Blue Line or a one-mile walk from the Oak Park Stop on the Union Pacific Metra Train.
