Mystery Diner in McHenry: La Huerta 5 serves well-seasoned, meaty Mexican fare

Most of the space at La Huerta 5 is dedicated to a grocery store, featuring many authentic Mexican foods to take home and cook.

But the restaurant attached to the market, at 4605 W. Elm St. in McHenry, serves up some of the best food in town, and without breaking the bank.

Plus, the meals are prepared quickly, without being a fast-food joint. I noticed there were no bar stools out at the counter for on-site eating, but if and when indoor dining resumes there, it would be a good spot to grab a bite.

When we decided to test the restaurant on a Friday, though, we went inside to place a takeout order for supper; each menu item pulled its weight, doing plenty to fill up some hungry diners.

Before we even got back home, we had some sips out of the large horchatas ($3.99 each) in the car. It was an absolutely perfect drink, with the right amount of sweetness and cinnamon, and I was sure to save most of mine to enjoy with my meal.

While there aren’t traditional appetizers offered on the menu, we started by each having a chicken taco ($2.99).

The rib-eye steak and chicken tacos both were enhanced by the green salsa and the red salsa, which had a unique, roasted flavor that brought the right amount of heat. (Mystery Diner)

We were delighted with the flavor of the poultry. A squeeze of some of the many freshly cut lime slices enhanced the taste. The tacos came with just enough sour cream on top to make them tasty and hearty, without being too messy.

Next, I bit into my Hawaiian torta ($8.99), which is listed as a special item on the menu. It was superbly crafted. While the thin-cut meat and amazingly seasoned pork stood out, the other meat on the sandwich, a cut-up hot dog, blended surprisingly nicely with the others. The sweetness of the pineapple pulled the different flavors together really well, as the bun soaked in delectable droplets from the fruit and meat.

The gorditas are filling and come with plenty of well-seasoned meat. A squeeze of the fresh-cut lime slices made them even better. (Mystery Diner)

It definitely was worth drizzling some of either the red or green salsa provided by La Huerta 5 onto the beef tongue tacos ($3.99 each), rib-eye steak tacos ($2.99 each), the steak burrito ($7.99) that my companion ordered and the two rib-eye steak gorditas ($5.99 each) that we each devoured.

The green salsa added just a bit of a kick, and the red had a unique, roasted taste to it that brought a little more heat.

As for the burrito, ordered without the usual onions and cilantro, it was huge and came as a full meal with rice and beans. The asada (grilled steak), like the other meats on the menu, seemed to be seasoned or otherwise flavored in a way I have never experienced before, and I wanted to try more with each bite. My companion described the burrito as the best she had ever eaten.

The superb taste of the steak in La Huerta's burrito made me start thinking about buying some of the meat, which is offered by the pound at the restaurant. (Mystery Diner)

The meat was so well prepared at this place that I have been thinking about heading back to buy some offered by the pound for between $13.99 and $16.99, depending on your preferred cut. I’m sure it would be a hit to serve for a special occasion or to house guests.

We cannot wait to return to La Huerta, and maybe do some shopping in the adjacent market while we wait a few minutes for some savory treats.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: La Huerta 5

WHERE: 4605 W. Elm St., McHenry

PHONE: 815-578-1850

INFORMATION: Facebook at shawurl.com/3ef2

Mystery Diner in McHenry: La Huerta 5 serves well-seasoned, meaty Mexican fare

Market’s restaurant prepares exceptional recipes at fair prices