La Presa

When food is as economical and flavorful as La Presa's, it's hard to understand why anyone would eat at the McDonald's next door. With menu prices topping out at less than $14, La Presa is a solid cheap-eats option in Palatine. OK, so they don't have a $1 menu. But you can get a taco for less than $2. They even have a drive-through. The small spot on Rand Road was formerly La Granja, a Peruvian chicken roaster, and before that Chicken Inn, a fried chicken joint. Now you'll find it swimming in Mexican-style seafood and snacks. It's still nothing fancy: The dining room seats fewer than 50, with a cheerful orange and yellow color scheme and d