It's an unassuming spot, situated just west of Burtons Bridge not far from Kief's Reef and the Fox River.
On a recent weekday night, we headed there for an early group dinner to explore Carlos River's options.
For starters, we ordered the guacamole and chips ($6.25), along with a Negro Modelo and a Dos Equis for the adults at the table. I've never tried a Mexican Coke ($2.25), Jarritos ($1.75) or horchata ($2.50 for 32 ounce), but they have those, as well.
Then we picked out our entrées.
The kids menu has several options for $4.50, but we picked out the cheese quesadilla with rice and beans.
Another ordered a regular chicken burrito meal ($6.75) and a third ordered two sopes ($2.75 each) with beef.
There is a wide variety of the items you would expect – burritos, tacos, tortas, tostadas, enchiladas, fajitas and chimichangas to name a few – on the menu and also a wide variety of steaks and seafood options, which mostly include shrimp cooked different ways.
The restaurant isn't huge and – if you sit up at the bar on one of the well-furnished stools – you can get a first-hand look at the cook in action.
There are about 10 booths that line the windows on each side of the restaurant and a few tables that don't.
Soon, our guacamole and chips arrived and we went after it quickly. The guacamole is fresh made, with avocado chunks here and there. It definitely gets a thumbs up of approval.
While eating it, we chatted about the start of school and what we were planning for the weekend.
It was a healthy serving, for sure, but, quickly enough, it was gone. Because five people going after a plate of top-notch guacamole isn't going to last.
Afterward, the main course arrived.
The quesadillas always are a favorite, while the rice and beans are some of the better tasting ones around, I was told multiple times.
One thing that can definitely separate authentic Mexican restaurants is the quality of the meat.
In this case, I couldn't have asked for more from my King Chimichanga dinner ($8.45). It was a huge chimichanga, filled with top-quality pulled chicken, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, beans and sour cream and deep fried before it's topped with a dollop of guacamole, some sour cream and cheese.
It's one of the best I've had, for sure.
As for the sopes, that diner was happy with the beef, too, though that kid told me it would have been better without the lettuce. But that was more of a taste preference thing than commentary on the actual lettuce. Kids and vegetables, you know.
The plate with a regular chicken burrito was pretty clean, and the face of that kid wasn't, by the end of the meal.
And the other adult at the table ordered one of the four combination plate options, combination No. 1 with a taco (chicken), tostada (chicken) and cheese enchilada with rice and beans. It was a heaping of food on that plate and we got to take some home (along with half of my chimichanga), which made for an excellent lunch the next day.
We soon were ready to go, but a couple of us had some enthusiasm left to try out a dessert option. They have fried ice cream and flan on the menu, as well, but we picked out two churros.
After a few minutes, they arrived warm and fresh made. And, yeah, we were glad we stuck around to taste the fried dough sticks covered with cinnamon and sugary goodness and drizzled in warm chocolate sauce that we dipped it in.
I've been to many of the authentic Mexican places in the area and Carlos River Cafe is certainly one of the best.
I'll be coming back, for sure.
• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.
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IF YOU GO
WHAT: Carlos River Cafe
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: 1707 Nish Road, Crystal Lake
INFORMATION: Call 815-444-9024