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  5. Aurora
El Jefe Leña y Mar, Aurora, IL

El Jefe Leña y Mar

4.5
4.5
142 Reviews
$31 to $50
Mexican
With a focus on grilled Mexican food, at El Jefe we ​​offer you a diverse menu that includes from traditional seafood to delicious meats with that unique touch that charcoal food has. Visit us in Aurora and enjoy a warm atmosphere perfect for living surrounded by family and friends. We have live music on weekends!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (630) 340-3328
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

What 142 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Chicago / Illinois

    Good for groups

  • Chicago / Illinois

    Hot spot

  • West Suburbs

    Good for groups

  • West Suburbs

    Hot spot

  • West Suburbs

    Lively

142 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Lots of workers but slow inattentive service., ok food but overpriced, ok atmosphere if your into a club like loud environment. We won’t be back.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience4
    Service was great but when we got there they stated they no longer use opentable and did not have us on their reservation list. They were still able to seat us but it was not too busy. I’d recommend using their website or calling to confirm. They are still showing in OpenTable so I’d recommend calling to confirm if booking.

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  3. JannetG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything we ordered from drinks, appetizers, main courses, and desert was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this. The ceviche was one of the best ceviches I have ever had.

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Walked in immediately club vibes but with some kids lol maybe the music choice was definitely inappropriate for kids. The drinks were good not strong but good we had Molcajete was super delicious but ours didn’t have any shrimp. Their fire red salsa was hot and delicious. We also had the queso flameado, ostiones el jefe soooo good The others had birra tacos and a burrito they all liked their food. Only downfall for me will be them closing at 11 maybe 1am on the weekend. And no Children after 9. Other than that we will be back!

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 12, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Table of 10 Server had a hard time understanding English was very kind but we had a lot of miss orders and not understanding when ordering. The food is amazing, drinks are yummy fun atmosphere…it’s very dark lighting and music is very loud. Celebrated a birthday was so fun but maybe needed more than one server. 5:30 reservations left at 9pm. It’s was a long night.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great experience and food was delicious. My birthday dinner was amazing!

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall2food1service1ambience3
    Food took way too long, the server I had was horrible never came to check on us or refill drinks. My Birria tacos tasted burnt.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was excellent!! Awesome dinner! Can’t wait to go back!!

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first time dining and OMG loved it!!! Fernanda was a peach; she made my hubby and my 4th year wedding anniversary part 1 celebration that much better! We will definitely be back.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was 🔥🔥 ! Alejandro was an excellent server!!!!

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  11. AngelicaL

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service, sever is very polite and helpful

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was excellent! Our server, Alejandro, was attentive, knowledgeable, and very friendly. We would totally recommend this restaurant and cannot wait to go back to try other things on the menu.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Alejandro was great!!! The food was amazing we will be back!!

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  14. RocioP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    Solo una de las sillas estaba quebrada y me lastime y pedi una bebida de piña y me trajeron una de pepino 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️mi esposo pidió tequila con agua mineral y skirt y le le trajeron un cantarito pido una segunda vez y el vaso sin tajin encima o sea nada decorado 🤦‍♀️

    Is this helpful?

  15. KristiB

    Las Vegas

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was amazing. Great drinks. Would be fun for a birthday or a GNO. Super loud BUT I am in my 50s so be sure to use that to gauge. : )

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  16. KenaB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love the food and service. Music was loud but not bothersome!

    Is this helpful?

  17. underx1

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on July 17, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Food is above average Servers are just ok, they seem distracted and go missing at times. Extremely loud inside, hard to hold a conversation.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Indiana

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 16, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    We recently visited El Jefe for dinner last night and I had a great night! We ordered oysters for appetizers and it was one of the best oyster's I ever had! Truly amazing. Definitely recommend! For the main course we got 4 dishes - octopus, salmon, cheese mushroom quesadilla and shrimps. Out of that the vegetarian entree was decent. Octopus was a little over cooked but tasty. The best were the shrimps followed by salmon. Overall I loved the food and the vibe of the place. Service wise we didn't have good experience. Our server forgot the "free" table nachos that they give when seated. We needed to remind her twice. After she messed up one of the enter dishes. The only con I would say that it's not recommended for small kids. They have live DJ music and was a bit Loud for the kids. If you are looking for a fun Friday Saturday night and don't want to go to the city, this is the place to visit!

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  19. DelilahD

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a blast we will go again soon!! Great place to party and celebrate

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  20. RafaelM

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience2
    Not really what I expected, food not good no much choices to choose from.

    Is this helpful?

  21. AmyM

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great birthday celebration on the outdoor patio!! The staff was wonderful and the birthday cake made on site was delicious!! It couldn’t have been better it was our first time we will be back and tell our friends and family!!

    Is this helpful?

  22. Jenn

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food and drinks! Great, upbeat ambiance. I sat in their outdoor patio space, and it was a fun time.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5
    Location was great. Food was good. A lot going on and really loud in my option. Couldn’t have a conversation with my date. Service was ok. They brought our appetizers out quick but our drinks took a while and waiter didn’t come back as often in my opinion. Overall ok would go back and give them another shot!

    Is this helpful?

  24. LupitaR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Food was good and so were the vibes but our waiter kept taking for over to visit or bring the food or the check

    Is this helpful?

  25. BinoyJ

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    El Jefe is our new found favorite as the food, the drinks, the vibe all are a blast everytime we go there. The Birria Questacos and the Molcajete Lena Y Mar are off the charts awesome. Compliment with a full bar (margies and bourbon prices can't be beat) and you are set for a fantastic spot for the weekend. Reservations recommended!

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  26. CarlosV

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Drinks were good and food was good too. We ordered appetizers and they were brought out with all of the food. Will try again would recommend the salmon

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  27. SubitM

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    Food was strictly OK for the price. Ambience was good though.

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  28. CarinaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Hands down the best place to come and celebrate a special occasion! Food, service, and ambience is superb! 3rd time client and will definitely be back with family and friends! Keep up the great work El Jefe!

    Is this helpful?

  29. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I always love coming here for a good brunch or dinner with family and friends.

    Is this helpful?

  30. TerriT

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience1
    Food was great. Really unable to enjoy or talk because music was so loud

    Is this helpful?

  31. BarbaraS

    Indiana

    4 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall2food5service4ambience1
    The food is great, the service was great, but the music is so ridiculously loud that we will NEVER go back!

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great to experience Will be back again Service was great

    Is this helpful?

  33. JuanV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Tido muy bien comida atencion solo una cosa los chips le estan echando mucha sal a mi me pusieron una vez y le dije a la mesera y me trajo mas pero estaban igual una sugerencia que no le echen tanta sal o no le pongan seria mejor gracias

    Is this helpful?

  34. matb23

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    Dinner experience was very energetic and fun, food and drinks were great! Noise level really could be turned down a couple notches because you can't even talk at your own table or to your server. A fun and great time!

    Is this helpful?

  35. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had such a good time celebrating my birthday here. the food and drinks were really good. the fruit was soooooo fresh and good! Definitely going again!

    Is this helpful?

  36. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food &,great customer service, and good prices

    Is this helpful?

  37. ElPicador

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 6, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    El Jefe wants to be an upscale restaurant, but it just ends up being over priced. While not horrible, the food is definitely marketed towards the American palate.

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  38. DaphneS

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Everything was great! As it was our first time, or waitress suggested items that were delicious. We loved the music and the atmosphere. We will visit again.

    Is this helpful?

  39. Bupick

    Chicago

    73 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    73 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time visiting. Family dinner of 5. We all enjoyed the food. Menu is elevated Mexican food with tasty twists to expected offerings. Roberto was great server - attentive, helpful, and friendly.

    Is this helpful?

  40. Meek

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good food good vibes definitely will be back again

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

El Jefe Leña y Mar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (630) 340-3328.

El Jefe Leña y Mar is rated 4.5 stars by 142 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for El Jefe Leña y Mar

1271 N Lake St, Aurora, IL 60506

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Aurora
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Full Bar, Takeout, Wheelchair Access
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