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Mystery Diner: McHenry's Main Street Station has quality Mexican options

Soon after, a commuter train arrived. The Mexican eatery isn't just an old train station, its an active one adorned with all sorts of train memorabilia, from historic train photos covering the walls to safety arms in the corners of the dining area.

Soon after, a commuter train arrived. The Mexican eatery isn't just an old train station, its an active one adorned with all sorts of train memorabilia, from historic train photos covering the walls to safety arms in the corners of the dining area.

You even have to walk onto the platform from the back parking lot to reach the dining room. Once we entered, we were able to pick out a booth in the corner.

Quickly, waters and a basket of chips with a mild-to-medium salsa arrived at our table.

I listened to the beer list as our server rattled off a list of 10 to 15 options, but the two adults at the table ended up ordering the same thing, a Negra Modelo. When they arrived, the bottles came with an eight-ounce glass with a lime on the side.

By then, we had settled our order from the expansive, numbered menu that runs up to No. 99. We started with a small bowl of queso to add to the chips and salsa we were already sharing. It ultimately resulted in a few chip refills. I would have tried out the chori-queso, but the younger diners in our group might have objected. So I picked the safer route. The queso came out warm, but not piping hot, so we could enjoy it immediately.

Our younger diners picked from the Smaller Mexican Appetite section of the menu. One picked two soft-shelled corn tacos with beef ($5) while the other had two small chicken burritos ($6). Almost immediately upon its arrival at our table, the tacos-choosing guest commented on how good it tasted. Plenty of the ground beef fell out of the tacos in the process, but she used a fork to finish it, along with the serving of rice and beans that came on the side.

When the burritos arrived, one of our fellow diners gave a big grin and commented on how cute the tiny burritos, covered with cheese and sauce, looked. He then proceeded to finish his entire plate. (Shaw Media)

Another fellow diner picked out a cheese quesadilla ($7), which filled the plate and filled her up, along with some rice and beans she borrowed from my meal. As for my meal, I'll add a stipulation. I had been here once before, on a Friday, and tried out the Camarones a la Diabla, which was shrimp sauteed in a house-special, spiced red sauce over a bed of rice with tortillas. For me, that was going out on a limb with something out of the ordinary and I ended up pleased. It was both spicy and delicious. It also was a ton of food, so I brought half home and mixed the leftovers in with scrambled eggs the next morning.

So this time, I went a more traditional route with a chicken chimichanga ($7), which I upgraded with melted cheese ($1) on top, and came with the aforementioned rice and beans that I shared with my neighbor. The first thing I noticed, what I always look for first at a spot such as this, was the quality of the chicken inside. It was premium meat and I certainly appreciated that in the dish that came topped with sour cream and guacamole.

Our other diner ordered the enchilada dinner with onions, stuffed with beef. They were smothered in melted cheese and gravy, with rice and beans on the side. After filling up on the chips and queso from earlier, that diner took half of the meal home to enjoy later.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story. WHAT: Main Street Station WHERE: 4005 Main St., McHenry WHEN: Kitchen open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday INFORMATION: Call 815-385-4110 or visit themainstreetstation.com