Rito Huizar built up the menu at the restaurant he named after himself by putting together dishes he brought back from Mexico and cooked at Mexican restaurants throughout the Chicago area.
“Our carne asada is one of our best dishes,” co-owner Huizar said. “You really want to have a quality beef.”
One of the most popular specials is the molcajete, a traditional dish from Zacatecas, Mexico. It includes steak, grilled chicken breast, barbecued ribs, Mexican sausage, grilled cactus leaf, grilled onions and slices of Chihuahua cheese all mixed together in a sizzling stone mortar to keep the food hot. The molcajete is topped off with green sauce and a side of charro beans with tortillas.
Just like in Zacatecas, the salsas are ground instead of blended, he said.
Huizar may be working in the kitchen much of the time, but he’ll always come out and greet every customer with a warm, two-handed handshake. “I feel so happy that customers want to see me. I love for them to come and see, yes, there is a Rito.”
Rito’s Mexican Restaurant is also known for its large margaritas, especially the flaming margaritas. You’ll find a fan-created page on Facebook devoted to the flaming margaritas at Rito’s, which are on special on Thursdays.
“Everybody loves margaritas and it’s my own recipe for 40 years. No one else will do the same margarita,” he said. “Meet your friends, meet your neighbors. We’re a family-type restaurant that brings everyone all together for sure.”
On the menu: Mexican dishes, many of which hail from co-owner Huizar’s hometown of Zacatecas, Mexico. Specials include molcajete, chipotle tacos and cesina tacos. One of the most popular dishes is the Rito’s Combination with a mini chimichanga, chile relleno, enchilada suiza, tamale and taco.
About the owners: Huizar worked for years at Mexican restaurants and borrowed some recipes along the way. His partners convinced him to come back to the restaurant business and he opened Rito’s Mexican Restaurant in 2007 in Aurora after owning a place in Wilmington and stints in between as a truck driver.
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Price range: Appetizers from $6.95 to $10.95. Salads from $6.95 to $9.95. Tacos, burritos, chimichangas, tostadas, flautas, tamales and enchiladas from $6.95 to $10.95. Burgers are $6.95 and $7.95. Chicken dishes are $9.95. Steaks from $12.95 to $14.95. Fajitas from $12.95 to $14.95. Stew is $11.95. Seafood from $11.95 to $18.95. Lunch express menu $6.95 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Combination platters from $6.95 to $13.95. Desserts are $3.50 and $3.95. Margaritas from $5.50 to $14.70. Mexican drinks, beer and tequilas are available.
Logistics: Rito’s Mexican Restaurant is at 3450 Montgomery Road, Aurora. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays, noon-9 p.m. Sundays. Contact 630-236-3539 or ritosmexicanrestaurantil.com/.
Shonda Talerico Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
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