Salsa 17

Megan FitzPatrick

Restaurants worth visiting are not strictly located in urban areas, contrary to the belief of some folks who never venture beyond any city limits. We promise. Salsa 17 is a gem. Downtown Arlington Heights, Illinois is very fortunate to be home to a vibrant and joyful restaurant serving authentic regional Mexican cuisine. Since Salsa 17 was already hopping by 6 pm, we immediately snapped up spots at the bar. From the first interaction with the bartender, we knew these folks behind the bar cared about not only Tequila but making sure the drink ordered matched what we were looking for. To our most pleasant surprise, Salsa 17 crafts its own sangrita. Sangrita, not be confused with Sangria, is a spicy, tangy mixture of tomato and citrus juices with chiles and other spices. No Tequila tasting is complete without this tasty concoction. Salsa 17’s selection of Tequilas as well as Mexican Beers is complete and impressive.

The menu is deep but not overwhelming. Don’t miss mulling over the moles. Chef Luna offers four moles, plus a mole of the week. Take advantage of the sharp servers and ask any question you might have about the moles or any other item. A crowd favorite is the fresh guacamole made table-side to your specifications. Chef Luna’s focus on the freshest ingredients and true Mexican flavors, combined with a family tradition of cooking, will certainly give you a meal you’ll savor and remember.

Jose Luna, Salsa 17's award-winning chef, grew up in Jalisco, Mexico. He is the third generation of Mexican chefs; his mother and grandmother were both restaurateurs. Chef Luna has more than 30 years of culinary experience and has won numerous awards. One visit to Salsa 17 is all that is required to see and taste his considerable skills. BevX looks forward to a return visit.