On the subject of Mexican eating places, Chicago has all of it. In truth, our Mexican meals is among the fundamental causes your folks will go to through the winter, after which find yourself staying in your sofa for 3 additional days. We have now cash-only neighborhood locations, we now have BYOB eating places for you and 13 associates on a Saturday evening, we now have spots excellent for a date or kicking off an enormous evening out – and in all of these classes (and extra), we’ve gathered one of the best of one of the best under.
For this information, we’ve steered away from taco-only spots. (Tacos are simply too necessary to not have their very own information, and you will discover that right here This listing is solely about full-on Mexican eating places. From fancy River North spots to family-run operations in Archer Heights, Chicago has extra nice Mexican eating places than it is aware of what to do with. So we’ve narrowed it down for you. Listed here are 12 locations the place you’ll discover one of the best Mexican meals in Chicago
Reading: Best mexican food in chicago
The Spots
This is a superb restaurant that works for any event – whether or not it’s date evening, catching up with just a few associates, or eating solo when you might want to remedy a very dangerous temper. The menu primarily focuses on small plates, like a refreshing burrata and cactus salad, wealthy peanut butter lengua, and a few nice tacos. There’s a excessive chance the chef will come out and ask you the way all the pieces is – and also you’ll be too busy stuffing your face to reply, “Great!” On prime of all that, the house is vibrant and upbeat, making this an ideal selection for a summer season cling (particularly if you will get a seat on the patio).
5 Rabanitos is an informal restaurant in Pilsen, and the meals right here is so good that you just’ll end up excited about it when you need to be doing different issues – like dialing right into a convention name, or handing over the rings throughout your buddy’s wedding ceremony. The menu has about 3,589 scrumptious issues so that you can select from, with an ideal collection of tacos, a ton of vegetarian choices, incredible carne asada, and an ahogada torta with carnitas that occurs to be the most effective sandwiches in Chicago, interval.
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If Xocome Antojeria had been a film, then the protagonist would positively be the unbelievable masa, the bottom for the restaurant’s unbelievable tacos, tlacoyos, picaditas, enchiladas, and large quesadillas (that are actually extra like machetes). And the fillings aren’t simply supporting characters – they’re stars in their very own proper. Xocome makes use of tender filet mignon for his or her asada, and all the pieces from the wealthy pink mole to the flavorful huitlacoche ongos is completely seasoned. The menu at this informal spot in Archer Heights is lengthy, so plan on having an existential disaster deciding what to get. And all the pieces’s made-to-order, so count on to attend some time in your meals. However simply sit again, get pleasure from no matter live performance they’ve on the TV, and prepare for a number of the greatest Mexican meals in Chicago.
If La Luna’s vibrant orange exterior isn’t sufficient to catch your consideration, the meals positively will. This enjoyable Mexican restaurant in Pilsen serves scrumptious enchiladas, flautas, carne asada, and quesabirra filled with shredded beef, lined with splendidly caramelized cheese, and weighing about 5 kilos every. And because of the colourful murals, incredible hip hop soundtrack, and occasional dwell music, this place appears like a celebration. It additionally doesn’t damage that they’ve nice cocktails and Glad Hour from Tuesday-Thursday with $10 margaritas and $3 tacos.
The specialty at Huaraches Dona Chio, a tiny spot on a aspect road in Edgewater, is (unsurprisingly) huaraches. However something right here that entails their housemade masa is scrumptious – you additionally need the tacos, sopes, and mole enchiladas. You get to choose your toppings (with choices like pastor, steak, or calabaza), plus your salsa (pink or inexperienced), and there’s actually no mistaken resolution. There are solely six tables right here, however in the summertime in addition they have a cute aspect patio which is correct subsequent to a park.
The unique Carnitas Uruapan in Pilsen is nice, but it surely’s extra of a carry-out operation. The one we’re speaking about right here is the Gage Park location, which is newer and far, a lot greater. The menu continues to be the identical, and it focuses on carnitas – which you will get in a taco or by the pound, with incredible selfmade tortillas on the aspect. As a result of pigs are magical animals and each a part of them is in some way scrumptious, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken selecting the rib, stomach, or shoulder.
Tzuco is an upscale restaurant that feels somewhat like a stylish set up at a desert artwork museum, and we imply that in the easiest way attainable. The meals right here is flavorful and well-executed, from their tetela with tinga de pollo, to chorizo and mussels in a saffron beurre blanc, to scrumptious cochinita pibil. This spot is a good different to the same old suspects in River North if you happen to’re planning a enterprise dinner or a gaggle outing.
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Don Pedro has been in Pilsen for over 30 years, and clearly they’ve spent day by day of these three many years perfecting their carnitas. This spot is small and really informal, and on the weekends you’ll be able to count on a line out the door. When you declare your desk, order the carnitas platter, with pork that’s completely crispy from being fried in its personal fats. It comes with tortillas and chicharrones, so hold making tacos till somebody stops you and/or you’ll be able to now not transfer.
This informal spot in Humboldt Park has birria that we are able to solely describe as transcendent. Whereas we ate it, time stopped and the restaurant dissolved round us like pixels in The Matrix and nothing existed apart from the reality of braised meat and flavorful pink consomé. Birria is (clearly) the specialty, however the menu additionally contains extremely pliable handmade tortillas, scrumptious quesabirria, fajitas, chilaquiles, and a brief beer listing. Plus, it’s embellished with a enjoyable mural that may assist cheer you up even after your meals is gone.
Sol De Mexico is positioned in Belmont-Cragin. The house is charming, and there’s a menu of excellent meals that adjustments seasonally (you’ll discover issues like candy tamales with chilaca cream, lamb in Oaxacan mole, and an adobo marinated duck breast). The ambiance is quiet, which makes it excellent for a date – or some other type of event if you really need to hear the opposite individuals at your desk.
This very informal spot in Wicker Park feels prefer it’s one folding chair away from being a takeout joint. However Alegrias is a sit-down restaurant with unbelievable seafood, and the ambiance appears like a continuing occasion. What you’re going to need to order right here is the shellfish – particularly the prawns (which are available in a scrumptious, spicy broth that you need to absorb with fries) and lobster (which has a seafood stuffing). It’s BYOB, nice for teams, and ideal for having a superb time.
Frontera has been round since 1987, and it’s Rick Bayless’ first Chicago restaurant. We’re not loopy in regards to the location, because it’s in River North and might get crowded with vacationers, however the tasty Mexican meals is price sitting in a busy restaurant full of individuals carrying purchasing baggage from Michigan Ave. You’ll discover guacamole, tacos, carne asada, enchiladas, and way more – all of which is finished exceptionally nicely. It’s an ideal spot for when you’ve got plans downtown after dinner and/or you end up at Mattress Tub & Past on State.
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