El Alebrije Mexican Restaurant & Bar opened in the former 7 Gates restaurant location on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The family-owned restaurant is located at 10050 W. 55th St. in Countryside after relocating from its previous location in Chicago.
The restaurant features an unexpected drive-thru despite offering higher-quality, fresh food. There was ample parking, an outdoor patio, and a large interior with plenty of seating. There was only one other group dining when I went on a Wednesday night around 7 p.m. My waiter was friendly, attentive, and accommodating, and the restaurant was clean, played lively Spanish music, and had comfortable seating, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
The menu offered a wide variety of meat options for each dish, along with traditional Mexican cuisine and even gourmet pizzas. It also featured an extensive selection of drinks. I went with two other people, and we ordered the guacamole ($13), shrimp fajitas ($31), red mole chicken enchiladas ($22), and steak tacos ($22). We felt the food was overpriced for the portion sizes and overall quality.
We ordered the guacamole because it featured pomegranate seeds, which added a bright pop of flavor and made the dish stand out. However, the guacamole lacked many ingredients beyond the base of avocado, making it somewhat bland. It was not spicy, and I prefer dishes with more heat. We were able to use the excess guacamole to top our entrées.
The shrimp fajitas included sides of sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, and beans. The colorful peppers, onions, and shrimp were flavorful with hints of lime, and the dish was filling. It included a grilled jalapeño that added a controlled amount of spice that other dishes lacked. Both this dish and the tacos were paired with blue corn tortillas.
The steak tacos were well-marinated with a noticeable lime flavor. In my opinion, steak was the best meat option compared to chicken and shrimp. It was served with beans, salsa, and cactus salad. The cactus salad was unique and refreshing, but it was not my personal favorite. The tacos were topped with cilantro and onion, and the salsa added a bit of spice, bringing all the flavors together cohesively.
The last dish we tried was the red mole chicken enchiladas. We ordered this item because it was rated three flames for spiciness, but it only had a slight amount of heat. The mole sauce was sweet and warm, but the chicken was slightly bland. It came with a choice of rice or mashed potatoes.
Overall, El Alebrije delivers an enjoyable dining experience with a few standout dishes, but better value would elevate the experience. The shrimp fajitas and steak tacos were my favorite dishes. I would go back to try the drive-thru when looking for a quick, healthier option. El Alebrije is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

3 paws