Uncle Julio's Vernon Hills Menu

Welcome to Uncle Julio's Vernon Hills, a delightful dining experience nestled in the Hawthorn Center. This vibrant restaurant offers a mouthwatering menu that celebrates the flavors of Mexican cuisine. Guests rave about the tortilla chips, hailed as the best around—thin, crispy, and perfectly paired with a fantastic salsa that strikes the right balance of flavor without overwhelming heat.

The atmosphere is inviting, with pleasant music enhancing the overall experience. Customers appreciate the attentive service, singling out waitstaff like Armando for their magical hospitality. Whether it’s a casual lunch, a birthday celebration, or a summer evening on the patio, Uncle Julio's makes every visit memorable.

Don't miss the chocolate piñata, a fun and delicious highlight that has become a family favorite. With a concise yet satisfying menu, each dish bursts with freshness, ensuring that this gem in Vernon Hills is a must-visit restaurant.

Holiday Tamales

Holiday Tamales

Your choice of one dozen pork tamales with Red Chile, chicken tamales with Tomatillo sauce or a combination of 6 pork and 6 chicken tamales. Must be ordered 3 hours in advance.

US$14.00

Family Enchilada Meal For 4

Chips and salsa, choice of queso or guacamole 3 beef enchiladas with house red sauce, 3 cheese enchiladas with house red sauce, 2 chicken enchiladas with green tomatillo sauce, Mexican rice and beans, plus churros for dessert

US$49.00

Family Taco Meal For 4

Chips and salsa, choice of queso or guacamole Ground beef and pulled chicken with our homemade flour tortillas or crispy taco shells Lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, Mexican rice and beans, plus churros for dessert

US$61.50

Nacho Appetizer For 4

Build your own nachos with 2 full pounds of homemade chips plus all the salsa, queso, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, fresh and pickled jalapenos, beans, sauteed chicken and ground beef you’ll need to serve 4-6 people.

US$30.50

Family Fajita Meal For 4

Chips and salsa, choice of queso or guacamole Mesquite grilled steak and chicken or carnitas fajitas and our homemade flour tortillas, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, Mexican rice, beans, sauteed peppers and onions, plus churros for dessert

US$88.00

Family Fajita And Grilled Shrimp Meal For 4

Chips and salsa, choice of queso or guacamole Mesquite grilled chicken and steak fajitas or carnitas plus 12 grilled shrimp with our homemade flour tortillas, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, Mexican rice, beans, sauteed peppers and onions, plus churros for dessert

US$103.50

Family Fajita And Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Meal For 4

Chips and salsa, choice of queso or guacamole Mesquite grilled chicken and steak or carnitas fajitas plus 12 bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with cheese and fresh jalapeno and grilled over open flame Homemade flour tortillas, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, Mexican rice, beans, sauteed peppers and onions, plus churros for dessert

US$109.00

Family Meals for 4

Appetizers

Shrimp & Fish Ceviche

cod & shrimp lime juice tomato red onions cilantro avocado tortilla chips serrano peppers chimichurri dressing

US$17.25

Tortilla Soup

chicken broth avocado sweet corn Monterey jack tortilla strips tortilla strips

US$7.50

Nacho Appetizer For 4

Build your own nachos with 2 full pounds of homemade chips plus all the salsa, queso, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, fresh and pickled jalapenos, beans, sauteed chicken and ground beef you’ll need to serve 4-6 people.

US$30.50

Honey Habanero Shrimp Appetizer

Sweet and Fiery. Four mesquite-grilled jumbo shrimp stuffed with fresh minced habanero and crumbled queso fresco, wrapped in smoked bacon and topped with the honey chipotle glaze.

US$16.00

Guacamole

Made in-house with fresh Hass avocados, Onions, cilantro, tomatoes and jalapenos. Served with homemade chips.

US$9.50

Chile Con Queso

Spicy blend of cheeses.

US$9.50

Roasted Salsa

One pint of daily hand roasted salsa. Served with Homemade chips.

US$6.55

Queso Blanco

Rich white queso with jalapeno peppers.

US$9.50

Nachos Especial

Individual Chips w/ refried beans, Monterrey jack & Cheddar cheese, served with Pico de Gallo and Guacamole. Choice of: Bean & Cheese, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Steak, Steak and Chicken Combo

US$15.25

Mushroom Quesadillas

Sauteed mushrooms and monterey jack on seasoned flour tortillas with sour cream and guacamole

US$16.00

Quesa-Birria

Adobo rubbed beef, slow braised in savory Mexican spices, folded into spicy corn tortillas & griddled with melted Monterrey Jack Cheese. Served with delicious broth for dipping.

US$17.50

Pulled Chicken Quesadilla

Sauteed pulled chicken, tomatoes, onions, and Monterey Jack on flour tortillas with sour cream and fresh guacamole.

US$17.00

Vegetable Quesadilla

Sauteed peppers, onions, and Monterey Jack on flour tortillas with sour cream and fresh guacamole.

US$15.75

Fajita Quesadilla

Steak or Chicken Fajita, sauteed onions and Monterrey jack on flour tortillas with sour cream and fresh guacamole.

US$18.00

Quesadillas

Famous Fajitas

Beef Barbacoa Fajitas

Tender adobo-rubbed beef, slow braised in savory Mexican spices, complemented with Grilled zucchini and squash, sauteed peppers & onions, crumbled cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, corn tortillas

US$27.00

Carnitas Fajitas For One

Savory braised pork with honey chipotle glaze, lime crema and fresh cilantro

US$26.00

Carnitas Fajitas For Two

Savory braised pork with honey chipotle glaze, lime crema and fresh cilantro

US$46.50

Seasoned Shrimp Fajitas For 1

Mesquite grilled fajita-style shrimp generously spiced with our signature parrilla spice. Served with Mexican butter

US$26.00

Seasoned Shrimp Fajitas For 2

Mesquite grilled fajita-style shrimp generously spiced with our signature parrilla spice. Served with Mexican butter

US$46.50

Grilled Vegetable Fajitas For One

Mesquite grilled vegetables including zucchini, yellow squash, portobello mushrooms, sauteed peppers, and onions. Served with fresh guacamole, sour cream, cheese, with our homemade flour tortillas.

US$22.00

Grilled Vegetable Fajitas For Two

Mesquite grilled vegetables including zucchini, yellow squash, portobello mushrooms, sauteed peppers, and onions. Served with fresh guacamole, sour cream, cheese, with our homemade flour tortillas.

US$39.00

Steak And/Or Chicken Fajitas For One

Tender cuts of Midwestern grain-fed steak, hand-trimmed by our butcher and mesquite grilled chicken topped with whipped Mexican butter. Served with fresh guacamole, sour cream, cheese, sauteed peppers and onions with our homemade flour tortillas.

US$25.00

Steak And/Or Chicken Fajitas For Two

Tender cuts of Midwestern grain-fed steak, hand-trimmed by our butcher and mesquite grilled chicken topped with whipped Mexican butter. Served with fresh guacamole, sour cream, cheese, sauteed peppers and onions with our homemade flour tortillas.

US$44.00

Jalisco

Spicy mesquite grilled jumbo shrimp and mesquite grilled chicken and steak fajitas. Served with Mexican butter, fresh guacamole, sour cream, cheese, sauteed peppers and onions, and our homemade flour tortillas

US$32.00

Guadalajara

Mesquite grilled jumbo bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with Monterey Jack cheese and fresh jalapeno with mesquite grilled chicken and steak fajitas. Served with Mexican butter, fresh guacamole, sour cream, cheese, sauteed peppers and onions, and our homemade flour tortillas.

US$33.00

Crab & Shrimp Enchiladas

crab shrimp poblano cream sauce monterey jack pickled onions rice cabbage slaw

US$23.25

Crab & Shrimp Stuffed Poblano

roasted poblano shrimp crab queso cotija cilantro rice with corn refried beans

US$22.50

Cheese & Onion Enchiladas

Choose between two or three cheese enchiladas with red chile sauce. Comes with rice and fresh cabbage slaw.

US$15.00

Chicken Enchiladas

Choose between two or three chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce. Comes with rice and fresh cabbage slaw.

US$16.00

Beef Enchiladas

Choose two or three ground beef enchiladas with red chile sauce. Comes with rice and fresh cabbage slaw.

US$16.00

Combination Enchiladas

Choose two or three enchiladas: ground beef, pulled chicken or cheese & onion. Comes with rice and fresh cabbage slaw.

US$16.00

Tex-Mex Combination Dinner

Beef enchilada with agave queso sauce, chicken enchilada with creamy hatch chile sauce and one crispy beef taco. Comes with rice.

US$18.75

Tex-Mex Enchiladas

Tex-Mex Tacos

El Dorado Tacos

three fried corn tortillas lettuce pico de gallo monterey jack cotija cheese mexican rice

US$16.00

Mushroom Tacos

three corn tortillas monterey jack cabbage mix pico de gallo chopped cilantro chipotle crema Cilantro rice

US$18.00

Baja Fried Fish Tacos

three corn tortillas Avocado Crema cabbage mix pico de gallo cilantro rice

US$19.00

Carnitas Tacos

three corn tortillas roasted pineapple habanero salsa onions cilantro queso fresco mexican rice

US$19.00

Soft Taco Plate

Choose between two or three pulled chicken, ground beef, mesquite grilled fajita chicken or beef tacos with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese. Served with Mexican rice.

US$13.50

Crispy Taco Plate

Choose between two or three pulled chicken or ground beef tacos with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese. Served with Mexican rice.

US$13.50

Chicken Tortilla Bowl

Sauteed pulled chicken, rice, roasted corn, black beans, sauteed peppers, onions and queso fresco, topped with crispy tortilla strips, a lime crema drizzle and pickled avocado escabeche.

US$13.95

Steak Fajita Bowl

Mesquite grilled skirt steak with rice, roasted corn, black beans, sauteed peppers, onions, chipotle crema, grape tomatoes, queso fresco, topped with crispy tortilla strips and a lime crema drizzle.

US$17.75

Grilled Cauliflower Bowl

Seasoned Mesquite Grilled Cauliflower, cilantro rice, roasted corn, black beans, sauteed peppers, onion , guacamole, pico de gallo, queso fresco, topped with crispy tortilla strips and a crema drizzle.

US$13.95

Bowls

Salads

Southwestern Cobb Salad

Mixed greens avocados egg tomato salad corn monterey jack bacon

US$15.75

Classic Taco Salad

Choose from: ground beef, pulled or fajita chicken on a bed of fresh romaine lettuce. Topped with avocados, grape tomatoes, black beans, roasted corn, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese in our homemade tortilla shell with homemade ranch on the side

US$15.50

Fresca Salad

Seasoned shrimp served chilled atop a mix of greens and cabbage, with carrots, roasted corn, tomatoes, avocado escabeche & cotija cheese. Choice of: Ranch, Jalapeno Ranch and Herb Vinaigrette

US$13.75

Mexican Caesar Salad

romaine sliced avocado tomato salad parmesan cheese croutons house-made caesar dressing with anchovies. chicken fajita grilled shrimp steak fajita

US$16.00

Limited Time! Mango Habanero Salmon

A lightly seasoned salmon mesquite grilled to perfection on a bed of cilantro rice. Topped with a sweet & spicy mango habanero sauce and a vibrant pineapple Pico de Gallo, accompanied with a side of traditional elotes. Squeeze a lime wedge to intensify the heat of this dish and bring all the flavors together.

US$29.00

Jalisco

Spicy mesquite grilled jumbo shrimp and mesquite grilled chicken and steak fajitas. Served with Mexican butter, fresh guacamole, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, sauteed peppers and onions, and our homemade flour tortillas

US$32.00

Guadalajara

Mesquite grilled jumbo bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with Monterey Jack cheese and fresh jalapeno with mesquite grilled chicken and steak fajitas. Served with Mexican butter, fresh guacamole, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, sauteed peppers and onions, and our homemade flour tortillas.

US$33.00

Bacon Wrapped Camarones

Six jumbo shrimp stuffed with Monterey Jack and fresh jalapeno, bacon wrapped, and mesquite grilled. Served with Mexican butter, homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican rice and frijoles a la charra

US$32.00

Camarones Diablos

Six spicy mesquite grilled jumbo shrimp. Served with Mexican butter, homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican rice and frijoles a la charra

US$30.50

Honey Chipotle Salmon

Mesquite grilled salmon filet topped with honey chipotle glaze served with Cilantro rice, homemade pico de gallo and black beans

US$25.50

Pechuga De Pollo

Mesquite grilled chicken breast with sauteed peppers and onions. Serve with homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican rice and frijoles a la charra

US$23.50

Carne Asada

Hand-cut marinated 21-day aged skirt steak*. Served with homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican rice and frijoles a la charra

US$32.50

Mesquite Grilled Specialties

Desserts

Churros

house-made dusted with cinnamon sugar with chocolate & cajeta sauce for dipping

US$8.25

Kid Chicken Fajita

Kid-sized serving of Uncle Julio’s famous original fajitas! Mesquite grilled chicken served with rice, refried beans and fresh flour tortillas.

US$8.00

Kid Crispy Or Soft Taco

Single beef or chicken taco with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Served with rice and refried beans.

US$8.00

Kid Quesadilla

Melted yellow cheese between triangles of grilled flour tortillas served with rice and refried beans. Four to an order.

US$8.00

Kid Burrito

US$8.00

Kids Chicken Tenders

Three juicy fried chicken tenders with your choice of ranch or ketchup for dipping. Served with French fries

US$8.00

Kids Menu

Beverages

20oz Fountain Drinks

US$3.50

Side Sauteed Mushrooms

US$6.50

Side Small Fresca Salad

US$6.50

Side Of Guacamole

US$2.25

Side Of Sour Cream

US$1.25

Side Of Half & Half Cheese

US$1.29

Side Monterey Jack

US$1.50

Side Cilantro Rice

US$2.50

Side Mexican Rice

US$2.50

Side Black Beans

US$2.50

Side Frijoles Ala Charra

US$2.50

Side Refried Beans

US$2.50

Order Of Flour Tortillas (3)

US$2.25

Order Of Corn Tortillas Tortillas (3)

US$2.50

Large Bag Of Chips

US$4.25

Quart Of Roasted Salsa

US$7.50

Pint Of Roasted Salsa

US$4.25

Side Peppers & Onions

US$4.75

Side Mexican Butter

US$2.00

Extras