The main ingredient is fun. Dad and I stopped in for a little of it at Mambo's Cafe last week when the band was in full swing.

We ordered ham croquettes, tasty!

We continued listening to the band. It took awhile for the waiter to take our order.

Dad's Crispy Fried Chicken, despite it being in the style where there were bones involved, Dad loved it and invited me to try a bite. I thought it had nice seasonings and had some spice without being overpowering. He liked the mojo rice which was rice mixed with black beans and fried as something different from the usual.

We listened to the man playing the drums who did some fantastic solo pieces.

I tried the Arroz con Pollo, which was grilled chicken pieces incorporated into a spicy rice with vegetables. It was good, and like Dad's came with some sweet plantain. The plantain injected an authentic and interesting note.

Wishing to continue listening to the music, we decided to order two desserts and share. We ordered the coconut flan and tres leches cake. Both were good, but being a flan fan, I liked it just a bit better. Although the service was a little slow, the waiter and other staff did a good job of making us feel welcome and creating a light and relaxed atmosphere which went well with the music. The age range was nice too, it wasn't just youthful energy, but guests were of all ages.

I am writing this from Waukegan, Illinois. Since I have been with clients the past two days, there hasn't been much of an opportunity to take photos of eating establishments, but I can report that Tsukasa of Tokyo in Vernon Hills did a wonderful Benihana-style teppan yaki complete with chef who created a couple of artistic fires, and shot pieces of stir fried broccoli into everone's mouth from a flip of his spatula. Tonight a smaller group of us drove around for miles looking for something uniquely Illinois, but passed mile after mile of chains. We finally settled on Red Lobster in Gurnee, which was quite good considering how far the seafood had to travel. Tomorrow evening dinner will be in Chicago with a long time friend.