New Mexican Restaurant in Arboretum Offers Modern Twist

Mago Grill and Cantina is not your traditional Mexican restaurant.

From the décor to the dishes to its selection of tequila, the South Barrington restaurant is offering guests a totally new experience in Mexican dining.

“This, to me, represents modern Mexico,” said Edgaro Benitez, manager. “The food is traditional but has a twist while respecting the original flavors and recipes.”

Chef Juan Luis Gonzalez, a co-owner, uses his grandmother’s Dona Paula, recipes. She taught him how to cook, Benitez said. Chef Juan has a lot of fans and has received many accolades, he said.

Mago opened last month at 108-166 W. Higgins Road in the Arboretum of South Barrington. It is the third location. The first location opened in in Arlington Heights three years ago. A second opened in Bolingbrook. The reception at its South Barrington location has been great, Benitez said.

One of Mago’s specialties is mole sauce. Chef Juan makes the traditional mole with chocolate and peanuts along with specialty ones, like coconut mole and pistachio mole.

Mago’s offers samplings of the mole sauces so people can chose one they like.

“People are more adventurous right now thanks to the Food Network,” Benitez said. “People aren’t afraid to try new things.”

The restaurant also has an impressive selection of tequila.

“We are trying to have the biggest collection of Tequila,” Benitez said.

Mago’s has 300 labels, some that can’t be found just anywhere. A popular one is Rey del Sol and Oro Azul. There’s tequila that costs $65 a shot.

Casa Noble is the house favorite. It is one of the few 100 percent organic tequilas produced, Benitez said.

Chef Juan is a fan of Lucha libre, a form of wrestling in Mexico where contestants wear colorful masks. He has a collection of masks lining one wall of the restaurant. There’s also wall of Calaveras, or skulls often used to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico.