Tomate Fresh Kitchen

Amazing steak tacos!! I loooove mexican food and this place is one of my favs!

Reviewed on Yelp

Best burritos of my life. Carne asada is absolutely divine. The meat, the colored rice, non-refried beans, onions and cilantro. I crave this place and could eat it every single day. $6.50 for the burrito. -1 star for the fact that the ratio of rice/beans to meat is high. AKA there's a lot of rice/beans and never enough meat. The last 7 times I've come here I have ordered extra meat which is $2 extra. AVOID the tacos at all cost. I remember getting the salmon once and it was old...like it had been sitting there for a while, hard and dry. Ridiculously overpriced to top it off. Chicken tinga quesadilla is delicious and melt in your mouth. Really small though. Like a snack, very thin, not stuffed at all. $5.50 if I remember correctly. Horchata is good, not great, I usually skip it because of the price ($3.50). Stick to the staples at Tomate. Burritos only imo. Tip: you can always ask for spicy salsa and ask for grilled habaneros in your burritos. They may or may not charge you extra for the latter (sometimes they do, sometimes they don't for me, I think it's like 0.75 cent charge?). More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Stopped in for lunch after reading the reviews on Yelp. I had one pork pastor taco and one sweet potato taco. Husband had the steak burrito. We also got a small side (it's more of a garnish) of guacamole. Unfortunately, we didn't know this place wasn't dine-in. There were a couple of tables and chairs outside but they were taken. So we sat at a table outside of the coffee shop next door. Glad they didn't chase us away. ;-) Food was fantastic all around. Tacos were only $3 each and stuffed with filling. These are not skimpy tacos. The guacamole was fantastic. There's something in it I can't put my finger on...some kind of spice. Whatever it is, it's different and good. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Went here as a student. Continue to come here as a graduate. Listen, it is standard good fare. You cannot go wrong. If you grow up on this then you will appreciate it more. Come check them out.

Reviewed on Yelp

Amazing Pibil tacos! No indoor seating, but plenty of outdoor space when it's nice outside. The food is delicious and authentic. Everything on the menu is affordable. I recommend it to all my friends. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Good, conveniently located, cheap. All-around, perfect to satisfy your Mexican food craving. Plus the staff is always super friendly!

Reviewed on Yelp

Yummy yum yum. That's what I'd call the quesadillas here. This was my very first time trying the dish and boy was I in for a treat. My personal favourite was the mushroom one, although the chicken had been quite tasty as well. What a lovely place to get a quick take away from! Northwestern students are a lucky bunch indeed. More...

Reviewed on Zomato

My absolute favorite burrito in the area. I can always count on my dinner or lunch run to Tomate to turn my day around! The staff is always super friendly and hardworking! Their ingredients are high quality, the horchata and Jamaica water are delicious, and I love the super clean open kitchen. Their green salsa is to die for! Loyal to Tomate. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Ordered Tacos for my class to be delivered during class.  Arrived exactly on time, each taco was identified for content so distribution was easy.  I ate a chicken (brilliant) and the Fish with Pineapple (superb).  The tab was $66.00 for 22 tacos.  A class of satisfied students and one super satisfied instructor.  Great working with them as always.  It is a can't miss place. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Best Mexican I've had in a while. Cheap, fresh, delicious. Get the Carne Asada Gordita!

Reviewed on Yelp

Ordered from here last week for the first time and I must say those tacos were the best tacos I've had EVER in the states! !!!! They're on the same level of tacos from when I was in Mexico last year!  This is a must stop and next week I must stop to get more More...

Reviewed on Yelp

phenomenal!!!  So fresh and delicious.  LOVE THIS PLACE!Try the pineapple/mint/jalapeno water.   amazing.

Reviewed on Yelp

A fantastic restaurant! The service is incredibly fast and the food is incredible. I would highly recommend the Al Pastor burrito, but I have heard that essentially everything on the menu is worth a try. It is the perfect place to get a quick, delicious meal. It would be great if they stayed open past 5pm, but it is a great place to get lunch as well.The cashier is super nice too! An all around great experience. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Best burrito on this planet. They also always deliver before the scheduled delivery time. LOVE IT!

Reviewed on Facebook

Best food in town
Live, Love ,Eat
Eat ,Love, Repeat

Reviewed on Facebook

Some of the best tasting food I ever had. Absolutely delicious.

Reviewed on Facebook

Really incredible food and even better service. Would give 6 stars if I could.

Reviewed on Facebook

Be sure to eat here, you'll be happy! Try cochinita pibil, chicken tinga & any veggie tacos! Staff is so nice, too

Reviewed on Facebook

Tried every veggie taco on the menu, and all of them were phenomenal! This place is a "hidden treasure".

Reviewed on Facebook

We love Tania's empanadas on Saturday mornings at the farmers market, so we're really happy to try her other delicious creations as well. Her olive-oil cake w/ berries is great! Who knew she was a pastry chef as well? More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Tomate catered the Roberts Architects and Construction Team monthly lunch meeting. Awesome tacos, burritos. The sweet potato taco was incredible too. Delivery right to our office was on time, hot and fresh.
Everybody wants our next lunch meeting catered by Tomate again. Thx to Kat for finding Evanston's new go to eatery. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

The food on offer here is a work of art. Thoughtfully paired ingredients which accent one another perfectly to make a meal that you will be talking about, thinking about, dreaming about; until the next time you make it by Tomate Fresh Kitchen!! I truly cannot praise them enough! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

This is my go-to lunch spot! Honestly you can't go wrong - everything here is delicious. The store is small, so plan on carrying out. I would also recommend ordering ahead of time by phone or through grub hub. This way you can avoid a wait. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I'm from California and got to admit this is damn good Mexican food. and great prices too. Definitely going back for more!

Reviewed on Yelp

Just as delicious and fresh as everyone says they are. Their menu board has huge font, so you don't have to squint! Others weren't kidding when they said that there is zero seating available, literally no dining in option. There's a small board that hangs out of the wall where you might be able to stand and eat, but even that space is crazy cramped. We ended up eating in the backseat of our car. All items came with salsa, which was nice to have! We got...chicken tinga quesadilla: perfect balance of cheese to meat and not greasy carne asada burrito: not the best burrito I ever had, but definitely tasty and packed with rice and beanspotato & spicy queso empanada: nicely baked, but kinda pricey for the small sizepineapple+mint+habanero drink: must get! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Tomate is SUCH a gem in Evanston, especially for Northwestern students that crave incredible Mexican food. Living near downtown Evanston, walking to Tomate is quite the trek but it's always worth it. I can't say enough positive things about this little shop. I also didn't know that it's a woman-owned shop until today, which makes me even more excited to stop by as much as possible (and so should you!) :)There's a lot to order on the menu, and each item has its own incredible and unique flavor. My favorite is definitely the chicken tinga burrito, and I always add cheese and guac! The menu items come with what's described, so you need to make sure to add cheese, guacamole, sour cream, or anything else that you'd like into your burrito for a small extra cost. They also give you a container of salsa with your order!While it's not a sit down place, and there's only barely enough room for the line (which is usually out the door during lunch time), they do have outdoor seating when the weather is warmer. Just be aware that this seating fills up really quickly as well. The line does get super long during lunch time, but it moves really quickly and it's worth the wait. The staff there are so kind and do such an incredible job keeping the line moving.For the price, which is comparable to Chipotle, you're getting so much more in quality. If you're up north on campus for classes, you need to give this place a try. Coffee Lab is right next door so it's a great way to take a quick break to grab a meal and do some work. You won't be disappointed stopping by if you're in the mood for some great Mexican food. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We had the salmon tacos, chicken tinga, and plantains.... DELICIOUS!

Reviewed on Facebook

Yum! Great food & flavors are robust! Try it out

Reviewed on Facebook

Grilled Chicken or Sweet Potato Burrito with Cotija Cheese. Also the horchata and add guacamole as you please. This place is a woman-owned and operated local business! They are the sweetest people and put out good, fresh, and cheap food~ please choose this place over Chipotle! Additionally, I have ordered catering for student events three times. They've always been punctual and accurate with their orders and even once offered to drive me to the drop-off location. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

HOLY HOLY HOLY FREAKING FRIJOLES. If Yelp allowed me to give 6 stars to one restaurant, this one would be it. This is the best place for Mexican food in Evanston. Maybe even Illinois. Okay I'm just kidding on the second part, but it doesn't change the fact that Tomate has changed my life (and saved me from certain starvation many many time as a Northwestern student). I didn't discover Tomate until junior year of college, where my apartment happened to be located really close to the store. It's one of the very few restaurants located on the north side of campus, so for us students that lived north, it was the most convenient food option. The store itself is small, you order at the counter and wait to get your food. It could get cramped and hot in there at times, especially in the summer. The wait is normally not that bad, except for peak meal hours- 12pm-1:30pm, and 5pm-close. For around $7, you can get a burrito- my favorite is the carne Asada. It comes with grilled sweet onions, steak, tomato rice, and black beans. The meat is seasoned to perfection and cut up in small cubes, and there is the perfect amount of each. You can also customize the burrito too at no additional charge. Also, the burrito is pretty big so for me it can usually last me 1.5 to 2 meals.I've also tried the grilled chicken burrito and the horchata. The grilled chicken is well seasoned and the horchata is nice and cinnamon-y. After the first time, I started coming here every time I didn't have time to make food, which was every other week. I ended up loving Tomate so much, I catered it, as part of my student group events. It was always the most popular food option, and everybody in my student group loved it too. On top of the food being delicious, the customer service is amazing too. Not only do the workers try their best to keep the line moving, the owner of the restaurant is so nice! One time, I forgot to include the tax exempt number on one of my catered orders, and the Tomate owner was able to adjust my total right away once we entered in the tax id number. This is some top notch quality service. Tomate is undoubtedly my favorite restaurant in Evanston, for the value, the food, and the customer service. And, I guess, for the nostalgia factor because it reminds me of my student days. Even though I've graduated, I still find myself craving Tomate from time to time. The coolest thing is that there's nothin fancy about it-- there's no exotic spices or rare seafood or anything like that-- only good, old, down to earth, authentic Mexican food that everyone should try. I already can't wait till the next time I'll be able to come back here! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Highkey very good. I love the gorditas. Everything is delicious, I would recommend. And it's so amazing that it's a female run local business! The store is so cute too!! The location on Noyes is super convenient esp for NU kids living up north More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Stopped by this spot before a doctors appointment here in Evanston.  It's small spot reminiscent of a downtown joint where you walk in, order your food and walk out.  There's no room for seating so this is definitely a takeout spot.  Delicious chicken empanada, cheese quesadilla and veggie tamale. Great service too! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Tomate is one of the best food options for Northwestern folks that spend a lot of time on north campus. It sure has saved me numerous times during my undergrad years from the horrors of gruesome school cafeteria food. Tomate's business revolves around take-out and delivery. The place has no tables inside, and just a couple of tables outside you could sit at if the weather permits it. It is a very popular spot for students, so you can expect a long line at lunch and dinner hours. Although it may take a while to order, the food has come out fairly quickly for all of my previous visits. I always order a burrito, and one burrito always fills my belly up to the brim. Portion size has never been a problem for me. And all of the burritos I have gotten to try are delicious. Some of my recommendations include the carne asada, chicken tinga, al pastor, and tilapia burritos. Being a near-carnivore, I was really surprised at how good the fish (tilapia) burrito was. And I LOVE how they prepare their chips; they're thick, fried to perfection, and taste homemade. If you're putting down a big order with a bunch of people, chips & salsa, chips & guac, or nachos might be a great add-on to your meal. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Amazing quesedillas and burritos.. loved the food and service, inspight of being so busy thry were extremely efficient and polite. Reasonable too!

Reviewed on Yelp

Note: This review is as a Northwestern alum, but the sentiment should apply to everyone.This restaurant is the savior of north campus.  South campus may have access to an entire, multifarious city center, but all I need is this restaurant (and Al's).First, the experience: There is not seating indoors, and only a couple chairs outside when the weather permits.  Do not let this deter you.  When you walk in, Polo may be the one greeting you: he is exactly what you want in an owner in the midwest, and he will treat you kindly if you treat him so.  He and I had many conversations, brief and incredibly pleasant, during my pickups.  Second, the food: The food is delicious: the fish is great though sweet, and I prefer it without pineapples.  The carnitas is a fan favorite and the meat is unbelievably tender.  My favorite is the Yucca with Chimichuri. Though be warned, you will probably need the sauce they give you for the burrito, as they are relatively plain without it.  The red is the spicier of the two, and I prefer the green, though they are both good.  Moreover, the best things on the menu may not be the burritos.  Their guacamole is delicious, well seasoned and tastefully spicy, and the gorditas!  Very solid all around, though the tacos are probably not worth it in the light of the other items.Third, the price: Very modest for a restaurant of its quality.  You can get a meal for a good deal under 10 dollars, even with a drink.All in all, a very solid restaurant, and a Northwestern and Evanston staple.  Worth a trip. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Incredible restaurant! The staff are so incredibly friendly and they have amazing food - plus their catering is great.

Reviewed on Yelp

One of our favorite Mexican places. One of the few burritos that my wife loves. Kids love the rice. Owners are great. Call ahead and ask what the empanadas of the day are. They rotate them, and they always keep them fresh, meaning once they're gone they're gone. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

my mouth is watering as i'm writing this review. tomate is deliciously vegan friendly. i was very surprised to see that they offered tons of unique flavors and blends of plant-based ingredients, in addition to their innovative, but still traditional meat-based dishes. best of all, the menu changes every so often! right now, looking at the menu, i can see that there is the sweet potato with carrots, cauliflower, and charred corn,  yucca with chimichurri, caramelized onions and charred poblano, black beans, tofu, made into tacos/burritos. but i remember eating a delicious mushroom burrito from here once! -1 star for sometimes too hard rice that is uncooked to one degree :-( and closes too early! sometimes i want tomate after 5pm... i mean always... More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Authentic Mexican cuisine made while you wait.  There is strictly a togo place.  The nacho salad was crispy with just the right amount of cheese, pico de Gallo, and black beans.

Reviewed on Yelp

My absolute favorite spot in Evanston. Lived right around the corner from Tomate for 2 years while I was at Northwestern, and this place was a STAPLE in my diet. I'm not a vegetarian, but my go-to was the mushroom burrito with the spicy hab salsa. You also can't go wrong with the carne asada burrito. They are SO friendly here, always smiling -- a restaurant has never felt more like home. I just graduated and moved away, but my Tomate cravings have definitely not received the message. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Tomate Fresh is one of my favorite and probably my most frequented place in Evanston! Amazing, authentic Mexican food

Reviewed on Yelp

Tomate Fresh Kitchen is the Latina mother who makes sure that your stomach is bursting like a five year old's balloon at his birthday. Tomate is the leprechaun that everyone swears exists and then you don't believe it until you see it. Actually, I'm not too keen on how I came up with that metaphor but it seems fitting to the circumstances. Carne asada burrito, complete with succulent onions and cilantro, I will be waiting overseas (in the Bay Area) until you come back home. If this place ever gets shut down, I will be in full protesting mood. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Lucky to snag an outside table our first time.  The place is just a counter but putting out some very good food.  Best part is the lovely vegetarian and vegan options---Thank you!!

Reviewed on Yelp

Yum yum yum!  This is a place I could eat from every day and never get tired of it.  So happy to have a great spot like this nearby :)

Reviewed on Yelp

Tomate is consistent-- I love their burritos and they are a reasonable price (about 6.50 a piece). Their ingredients are always fresh, and the tortillas are fantastic. The tacos and empanadas are very good as well. The service is always friendly and fast. One time they forgot my empanadas in a large delivery order and they apologized and told me to stop by later that day. They gave me my forgotten empanadas and a couple extra as an apology-- they were delicious. My one wish is that when they fill the burritos they spread the filling a little more evenly throughout-- it sounds silly, but sometimes I'll get one piece of tofu (in the case of a tofu burrito) at the top of my burrito, and all the rest at the very bottom. Doesn't happen all the time, and it isn't that big of a deal; but it would be my one request. Love this place and highly recommend! Just try to go when the NU undergrads aren't swarming it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp