Mystery Diner in Crystal Lake: Chingon Tex-Mex BBQ smoked meats are top choice

The first thing you notice when entering Chingon Tex-Mex BBQ in Crystal Lake is the distinct aroma of smoking brisket, pork and chicken. The scent is almost decadent.

And looking at the menu, there are multiple ways Chingon presents its smoked meats, including traditional Mexican tacos, burritos, quesadillas and a fajita-taco plate, to a variety of barbecue concoctions, from a pulled pork sandwich ($15) and Chingon Mexican Torta ($13-$16) to St. Louis Ribs ($28 for a full slab, and $18 for a half slab) and an El Jefe Sandwich (pulled pork and a hot link, $18).

In addition, there’s a unique Homemade Nacho Platter ($20-$24) that’s about a yard long and loaded with chips, beans, onions, cheese and your choice of meat.

Our group tried a variety of options.

The first meal was the Tex Mex Salad ($18), a mixed salad with fresh greens, corn, beans, cherry tomato, cilantro, jalapeño, and citrus lime juice, which we selected to be topped with steak and blue cheese dressing. This is a big salad with bold flavors and the right hint of spice. The steak was prepared to our request, and was tasty. This salad is a meal unto itself.

Next was a Burrito Bowl ($16) with rice, cheese, sour cream, onion, cilantro, beans and brisket. The brisket was tender, flavorful and served in a large metal bowl. Again, there is a lot of food and flavor here, and the brisket made the dish pop.

Our final item was the Brisket Grilled Cheese ($18), a classic grilled cheese with brisket, barbecue sauce and grilled onion on Texas toast. This sandwich was mouthwatering. The brisket was sliced thicker than the meat in the Burrito Bowl. The dish came with coleslaw and a healthy offering of fresh-cut fries, which are some of the best we’ve had. This is a unique sandwich.

Chingon owner Michael Alejandro recently told the Northwest Herald’s Cassie Buchman that all of the barbecue items at Chingon – pulled pork, brisket, hot links, ribs and more – are smoked for about 18 to 20 hours. He said the meats are marinated for two days and are all charbroiled.

For a new restaurant, Chingon is ready for prime time. Its smoked meats are of high quality, portions are plentiful, and the atmosphere is a step up from the barbecue restaurant it replaced.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Chingon Tex-Mex BBQ

WHERE: 540 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake

PHONE: 815-893-0592

INFORMATION: www.facebook.com/ChingonTexMexBBQ