Swing by Tipsi Monkey for Mexican fare, massive margaritas

Since opening in November, Tipsi Monkey Taco & Tequila Bar has been bringing in big crowds for dinner by offering great Mexican fare and huge margaritas.

Motif: The space is whimsically decorated with bright green walls painted with images of monkeys and sparkly green monkeys dangling from the ceiling. A large bar features a pair of flat-screen TVs tuned to sports. The quieter dining room area has an electronic fireplace and mellow lighting from lamps mounted to the wall and hanging from the ceiling. On warmer nights, patrons find fresh air in a small outdoor area.

Some discordant decor is left over from the former tenant, Sansaveria, including wine bottles etched on the glass and faux windows, though Tipsi Monkey has tried to make the best of it by having a chimpanzee seemingly peering in from one window.

Crowd: Tipsi Monkey mostly caters to 30- to 40-somethings, with a kids menu making it appealing to families. The place can get swamped for dinner Thursday through Saturday, so you'll want to call ahead. Dress is casual, and when a game is on you can catch fans wearing their jerseys gathered around the screens at the bar. The spot is also planning on offering singles mingles Tuesday night.

Service: Our server was very friendly, attentive and helpful throughout our visit. He was great at making drink and food recommendations, sharing his favorites and checking in regularly to see if we were enjoying them.

Food: The restaurant offers a small menu of primarily Mexican dishes, with the goal of focusing on just a few things to make sure they're done right. The sweet chili shrimp — a set of six crispy coconut-fried shrimp given a bit of kick by the delicious sauce — makes an excellent starter. Tacos dominate the menu, and the grilled steak tacos top the list. The meat is tender and flavorful and blends well with the mix of the onions and cilantro it's served with.

On the entree side, the chili-rubbed skirt steak is large enough for two meals, with the big slices of meat topped with perfectly cooked sautéed onions and peppers and served with sides of rice, refried beans and pico de galo. The chango rolls are well-worth saving room for, a decadent dessert featuring four crispy spring rolls packed with cooked banana, served with ice cream drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauce.

Liquid consumption: Tequila is king here, with 28 anejos, reposados and blancos available as shots. If you prefer your booze in cocktail form, order one of their delicious and huge frozen drinks. Margaritas can be made with a variety of flavors, and the banana margarita was a particularly delightful tropical treat. The Bad Monkey was also great, an alcoholic coffee shake made from a blend of Kahlua, Bailey's, ice cream, cappuccino and chocolate syrup.

Parking: There's plenty of free parking available.

Overall: Friendly service, delicious food and drinks and cheery decor make Tipsi Monkey a perfect place to chase away the winter blues.

Tipsi Monkey

778 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, (630) 855-5668, <a href="http://www.tipsimonkey.com" target="_blank">tipsimonkey.com</a>

<b>Hours: </b>4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday