Mexican street food meets Evanston.
(indigenous Nahuatl Language for corn or maize), is a casual restaurant that serves the best locally grown Mexican street food in Evanston, Illinois. With fresh, natural ingredients and vegan/vegetarian options in eclectic, artistic digs, we’re a local favorite.
We built Zentli to honor the ingenuity and hard work of Mexican people by bringing you the genuine flavors of street vendors through tasty food and mouth-watering drinks.
Through locally grown ingredients, combined with emerging artists’ work covering the walls, we feed the community’s belly and soul.
Based on 84 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.8 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Curbside pickup ✔️ No-contact delivery
Address:
1813 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (224) 999-7486
Hours
| Sunday | 10 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM, 5–10 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.comopentable.com
Reviews
Usuf Khan
Amazing decor , even better food and amazing mixes drinks. Can’t say anything bad about this place. It’s top notch ! My good friend Ryan brought me over showing me this new spot in my old neighborhood and I couldn’t be more delighted to enjoy the amazing food and service. Highly recommend it and will totally be back for more.
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Rye
this place is in plain site and so hidden at the same time, it took us a minute to find it. there is a dedicated parking lot across the street which is nice if you drive. the place inside is spacious and has such pretty decoration. a beautiful mural, festive and very colorful. it’s a very comfy setting. you can make reservations but we walked right in at 1pm on a sunday. the service was fast, and our waitress was welcoming. we started with homemade chips and salsa. i always love when chips come out hot and fresh, and it came with a fabulous roasted salsa, spicy but not burn your mouth spicy. I got the pambazo and this sandwich is stuffed. the sandwich was soooooo flavorful, the first bite melted in my mouth. the salsa guajillo soaked bolillo was a great touch to pull all the flavors together. the sandwich came with escabeche, and the pickled carrots went well with the sandwich. there aren’t many places around north side that has authentic mexican food but this place has some of the best. i’ll be back !!
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Daniela Disterheft
Wow! Service was amazing from the moment we walked in the door.
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Tim Breitberg
We went @8:30pm on a Friday night. It was crowded, which is something for Evanston that late not downtown.
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Mia Strubel Iram
Zentli was amazing! The menu was wonderful and very vegetarian and vegan friendly (which is always a bonus). Food came out quick and the staff was extremely friendly and willing to accommodate (went with two seniors who needed different seating). Prices were extremely reasonable and everything we ate we loved! The atmosphere is lovely but harder going with older people as it is very dark inside. Will definitely be coming back!
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Bryan Bazley
So happy to find this sister restaurant of Libertad. Tried the Pambazo sandwich with chorizo and potatoes, as well as the Flautas Palmar (chicken tinga).
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Timothy Kirby
First time in. Definitely won’t be the last. We were greeted with warm hospitality the moment we arrived. We received excellent, attentive service throughout our meal. Great margarita, tacos were delicious, guacamole was perfect. I would highly recommend this new place for elevated Mexican dining. I already know what I’m getting next time. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
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J. Williams
I wanted so much to give this place 4 stars, 3 will have to do. The Chicken Tingas are good, quite tasty. Rice and beans are ok, though the beans are a bit on the runny side. For $40 bucks I want my tacos on a plate, not in a plastic basket. Margarita was decent, a little heavy on the ice. I’m a fan, they just opened and I can see myself revisiting this place and giving it 4-5 stars.
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Laura Lindroth
SOOOO happy this little gem opened just a few blocks from my house. I will be eating here a lot! Food is authentic Mexican and really delicious! The owner/chef/artist designed a really cool interior and is so welcoming to everyone.
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Annie Sindelar
LOVED! I went with a group of old grad school friends and it was amazing. The cocktails were delicious, the food was outstanding, and they let us linger and chat with just enough checking-in to be attentive but not annoying.
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