Picasso’s Cantina

went to waukegan to see a show at the Genesse Theatre. went to Picasso’s for dinner before show arrived at 5:15 show at 7;30, thought we would have plenty of time. did not get a full menu they gave us a short menu with just a few things on it (nothing on web to let us know that). waited ½ hr before we were able to put in a drinks order. waited another ½ hr to put in food order and when we received our order it was wrong and cold. asked for fried ice cream it was ice cream rolled in oats (told server I was not paying for it. There should be some type of notice about smaller menu on show nights. while we waited for check other people came in to eat and were going to the show (6:50) told them they would be lucky if they could get there order in on time, so they waited 20 minutes and just ordered drinks. not enough staff to wait on tables and no food runners to bring out food to staff.

I hesitate to write this review because I hate to give negative feedback. This place, however, is not ready for prime time. I’d give it one star if not for the friendly service from our server that night.
I went to Picasso’s because Waukegan was having a Heavy Metal Zombie Walk, and the bands were all playing the restaurant. I’m quite sure that that average night here wouldn’t include goth-​faced headbangers slam dancing in the middle of the restaurant, but honestly, that was the best part of the evening. Just as a point of clarification, I’m no Metal Head. I do however, like to try something new. Headbanging Nachos sounded odd enough to bring me downtown Waukegan.
As for ambience, I appreciated the Picasso reprint of a lactating mother breastfeeding her child looming over my table. Very tasteful.
We started out being seated right away and were offered a limited menu of a few entrees and bar fare. The place supposedly specializes in pre-​theater food because it’s a half a block from the Genessee. We waited just a bit long, but our server came to the table with a mouthful of regrets about how she had to deliver drinks to another table to excuse the wait.
Note to wait staff. A polite «Thank you so much for waiting. We’re a little busy tonight» would have sufficed.
I selected the Camarones Cocktail ($ 11.99) and my dining partner had the Chili Rellenos platter at ($ 8.99). We also ordered two house margaritas on the rocks with salt ($ 5, not bad).
The house fried chips, salsa and pickled pepper, onion, carrot mixture came soon. These were very nice. Since they were included in the price, this was an even better surprise in these days of a’la carte chips.
Next came my shrimp cocktail– in a soup bowl. It had about ¹⁄₈ of an avocado in two slivers, exactly 5 medium sized shrimp thawed, and a few mini salad shrimp in the mix. The sauce tasted pretty good, but the presentation and amount of shrimp for the price at this type of basic Mexican restaurant was completely unacceptable. The chili rellenos platter was standard, but only included one stuffed poblano. That’s would be okay, but the price was too high for the portion.
Then came the margaritas which were unremarkable: kinda weak, actually.
While we waited for our food, I noticed my server standing behind the hostess station right at the front of the restaurant in full view eating a complete platter of food. Umm, no. She made up for it for chatting us up after dinner, so it wasn’t as if we were ignored.
The bill was $ 36.34 for the two of us. Given that I could have gotten better food and more of it for the same price at Tacos El Norte, I left a tip of $ 6.66 because I wasn’t feeling the love. On the way home, I looked more closely at the itemized tab and saw the Chili Rellenos platter was rung up as a house special for $ 10. So not only overpriced, but incorrectly billed.
I guess this is one of those times where I’m supposed to go back to make this right, but honestly, I have no desire to ever eat there again.

Worst service I have ever had anywhere! We arrived at 6:15 pm to have dinner before the smokey robinson show on 10÷3÷14. We walked in and were greeted by hesitant hostess who asked if we had a reservation. Since we did not we could sit at the table by the bar. We sat down and the bartender lady came over with chips and salsa and took drink orders. All seemed ok. Then time started passing and passing and passing. 7pm no one had taken our order yet. We asked the bartender who was waiting our table. She didn’t know so she came over and wrote down our order on a piece of paper. 7:20 I inquired if our good would be ready soon because we had an 8pm show! The hostess went to check and no, no one had started our food yet! We ended up leaving without dinner because we needed to get to the show ! And ended up eating elsewhere after the show. Very disappointed that waiting over an hour and never got dinner! Won’t be back ever!