These restaurants are as varied as Mexican fare itself, presenting both fusion cuisine and traditional dishes from multiple regions often paired with drink menus that provide a tour of agave spirits served straight or blended into margaritas and palomas. And the fillings arent just supporting characters - theyre stars in their own right. A tasty homage to the streetside eateries of Mexico City, Taqueria Chingn is a partnership between Oliver Poilevey (Le Bouchon) and Marcos Ascencio (Bar Lupo)two men with a shared passion for the classics. Try one during happy hour from 46pm Wednesday through Friday or 910pm Wednesday and Thursday alongside chips served with a sampler of guacamole, salsa and elote dip. Credit that buzz to the adventurous places shes taking Mexican flavors, techniques, and ingredients evidenced by the peanut butter lengua (braised and pan-seared beef tongue with peanut sauce) and the fried oyster taco. Friends of Chicago's best Mexican restaurant! You can expect great Mexican food prepared by chefs who care deeply for quality Mexican cuisine, delivered hot, fresh and ready for your guests to enjoy at your party. $17pp w/chef. Our favorite? Brought to what we now know as Mexico by Hernn Corts, eating pork meat was proof of Catholic faith during the Holy Inquisition. But anything here that involves their housemade masa is delicious - you also want the tacos, sopes, and mole enchiladas. 1911 S. Michigan Avenue The shop also offers sandwiches made with freshly baked bread, which brings them to another level, and Mexican hot chocolate to pair with the pastries. Comer, Beber y Querer (eat, drink, love) is the mantra at this establishment and a wink to the restaurants liquor license. There is always a line, but it moves quickly, and the dcor and Mexican tunes make you forget you are waiting. The signage on this skinny counter-service taqueria touts its fare as the best Mexican food in town, and while the objective truth of that may be hard to determine, it indeed does some excellent things with pork. A post shared by Chilam Balam (@chilambalamchicago). Service options include buffet servers for $19pp plus taxes or just drop-off $16pp plus taxes. But if you happen to be in the neighborhood around breakfast, be sure to grab an order of chilaquilesdoused in a satisfyingly spicy salsa verde, this massive platter offers almost enough sustenance for two. Your party means a lot to you, and it means a lot to us. All our favorite Logan Square restaurants for all sorts of dining situations. refried beans, not always on offer), newcomers just get blank stares, and everybody gets the carnitas. It is always summer at Baha Restaurant, where patrons can enjoy the flavors of the ocean in every form From the traditional ceviche or the whole grilled fish enjoyed beachside in Mexico to fish sandwiches, tacos, empanadas, and even seafood-stuffed chiles rellenos. The B.Y.O.B. Specialized in a third-generation recipe developed in the 50s, patrons can order either one taco or a whole pound (or many) and choose meat from different pork parts. Finish your meal on a sweet note with a cup of masterfully concocted hot chocolate blended with chile and allspice and a pistachio-glazed churro. RECOMMENDED: More of the best restaurants in Chicago. So weve narrowed it down for you. Dos Urban shows a good understanding of Mexican ingredients with grand entrees like tacos arabes with turmeric hummus. After closing down due to an electrical fire in 2019, this West Lawn family-friendly taquera is back with a relaxed, bright, modern atmosphere, a patio, and a revamped menu that mixes new dishes with fan favorites. Lil Amaru is a continuation of Cuadros mission to explore the soul of Latin American cooking, focusing on delicious dishes that are commonly sold by street vendors in countries like Mexico, Cuba and Colombia. According to Gonzlez, at La Catedral, the traditional chilaquiles verdes are made with tomatillo sauce, or the very spicy a la diabla version, which adds the smokiness, and depth of chipotle chilis to the heat, are the most popular. newsletter, home to the second largest Mexican-born immigrant community in the U.S. after Los Angeles, Chicago's 2022 Michelin Bib Gourmand List, Mapped, Where to Eat and Drink in Chicagos Uptown Neighborhood, 26 New Outdoor Dining Options to Try in Chicago, Outstanding Chicago Restaurants That Are Open Every Day, Where to Find Ceviche and Aguachile in Chicago, Where to Celebrate New Years Eve in Chicago, Where to Eat Chicagos Most Iconic Dishes, 18 Vegetarian and Vegan Options For Super Bowl Sunday Snacking, Where to Order Takeout Food in Chicago During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Where to Find Scrumptious Cookies in Chicago, Where to Buy Fresh Bread for Takeout or Delivery in Chicago, 2500 S Whipple St #4138, Chicago, IL 60623, Where to Pick Up Picnic Food For Chicagos Parks, The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, July 2022, Where to Eat and Drink Near Lollapalooza Chicago, Where to Drink Outdoors in Lincoln Park and Lakeview. 312-842-1911. 5 Rabanitos is a casual restaurant in Pilsen, and the food here is so good that youll find yourself thinking about it when you should be doing other things - like dialing into a conference call, or handing over the rings during your friends wedding. Sol De Mexico is located in Belmont-Cragin. La Cantina Catering offers your party guests the opportunity to enjoy authentic and delicious Mexican food while you enjoy professional and timely service at a great value. 11AM-11 PM Friday & Saturday Their regional stew of spices and goat meat is prepared with a 100-year-old recipe from the Los Altos region. Open since 2017, this Logan Square restaurant puts a one-of-a-kind spin on classic Mexican dishes. Its BYOB, great for groups, and perfect for having a good time. Brunch at Rick Baylesss casual River North haunt is damn near perfect, boasting a michelada with housemade sangrita and breakfast enchiladas featuring handmade tortillas stuffed with scrambled eggs and topped with creamy tomatillo salsa. A post shared by Birrieria Zaragoza (@birrieriazaragoza). In fact, our Mexican food is one of the main reasons your friends will visit during the winter, and then end up staying on your couch for three extra days. policy as well. Conchas, a headliner at most Mexican bakeries, are a must-try here, and you can find vegan ones. Our picks for when its more about the drinks, but you still want some good food. The scope of the menu may not win you over at firstthis joint serves only about half a dozen itemsbut after trying the delectable tongue tacos, the cabeza tacos full of luscious beef cheeks, the simple yet rich goat consomm or the goat tacos bursting with sumptuous meat, youll find you wont want for anything else. Once you claim your table, order the carnitas platter, with pork thats perfectly crispy from being fried in its own fat. A post shared by Carnitas Uruapan (@carnitas_uruapanchi). Alternatively, order ahead via Clover. Whatever youre craving, the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago are sure to leave you full and satisfied. If Xocome Antojeria were a movie, then the protagonist would definitely be the unbelievable masa, the base for the restaurants incredible tacos, tlacoyos, picaditas, enchiladas, and giant quesadillas (which are really more like machetes). Were not crazy about the location, since its in River North and can get crowded with tourists, but the tasty Mexican food is worth sitting in a busy restaurant full of people carrying shopping bags from Michigan Ave. Youll find guacamole, tacos, carne asada, enchiladas, and much more - all of which is done exceptionally well. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy. Chef Carlos Gaytn, who became the first Latin American to earn a Michelin Star for his French-Mexican restaurant Mexique, continues to prepare the flavors of his native Mexico with haute cuisine techniques at this River North restaurant. Ask him to sing the menu for you. The family also a has a restaurant in West Loop, La Josie. The menu features something for everyone, from eggs, omelettes, and pancakes to crepes and tortas, but this especially rings true for those with a shrine in their hearts to chilaquiles. From fancy River North spots to family-run operations in Archer Heights, Chicago has more great Mexican restaurants than it knows what to do with. Click on a photo to view in full resolution. Gather a group and share weekend brunch and a pitcher of margaritas on the patio or at one of the long tables inside. Or you are welcome to call us at 312-842-1911, 11AM-10PM Monday-Thursday Expect a line to try them, as they come out on freshly made tortillas (available also in blue corn, which can give dishes a little bit of an earthier flavor). Playing on the cathedral theme, its dcor features saints and other religious imagery. You cant go wrong with anything on the menu, from the extra beefy suadero to the intricately spiced longaniza sausage. Catering items and packages are available for delivery or pick up. Do not miss the molcajete sauce made with fire-roasted tomatoes and chilis it is the G.O.A.T. The tamales are served with chile de rbol sauce, sour cream, and cotija cheese. And thanks to the colorful murals, fantastic hip hop soundtrack, and occasional live music, this place feels like a party. Its a great spot for when you have plans downtown after dinner and/or you find yourself at Bed Bath & Beyond on State. Order it crispy, and these little hunks from the cows intestine (not, as you would assume, the stomach) arrive as golden-hued and glistening crunchy nuggets. Whether you order a big plate of tacos (which wont break the bank at $3.25 a piece) or our favorite, the warm and hearty green chicken tamal, youll feel welcome at 5 Rabanitos. A post shared by Dos Urban Cantina & Taqueria (@dosrestaurant). By submitting your email, you agree to our, Sign up for the Or maybe its the roasted Cornish hen smothered in Oaxacan mole or the crispy red snapper hiding under pickled red onions. Select up to 3 options: Vegan, Vegetarian or meat options. According to Inocencios son, Marcos, who runs the family restaurants, some of their customers bring their kids to try carnitas to learn how their grandpa in Mexico ate them. His technique uses a flat, thin, circular hot surface called comal, very much like the ones you will find on the streets of Mexico City. Brian and Jennifer Enyart have opened a unique Mexican restaurant in Logan Square after years working for Rick Bayless. This is an excellent restaurant that works for any occasion - whether its date night, catching up with a few friends, or dining solo when you need to cure a really bad mood. There are multiple reasons why this Logan Squaretaqueria is always bustling with activity. The environment is relaxed, and the Oaxacan servers are well-informed. The tacos de canasta (basket tacos) are also favorites, and unlike other tacos, which are better when consumed immediately, los de canasta travel well by design. Pan Artesanal is only open during the weekends and sells out early. Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. The new addition to Fulton Market, which opened in June 2021, serves up Mexican-inspired fare from chef Guillermo Reyes with novel dishes like chorizo gnocchi with pearl onions, birria meatballs with queso fresco crema and barbacoa short ribs served with parsnip puree. Three decades later, and with several restaurants under his name (including the upscale Topolobampo and the Oaxacan-centric Bar Stano), Fronteras dining room is packed day in and day out with both locals and tourists. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. (greatest of all time). It also doesnt hurt that they have great cocktails and Happy Hour from Tuesday-Thursday with $10 margaritas and $3 tacos. Whether you're craving tacos on housemade tortillas or a steaming bowl of pozole, these Mexican kitchens always deliver. Vegan pastry options are also available. The menu primarily focuses on small plates, like a refreshing burrata and cactus salad, rich peanut butter lengua, and some great tacos. Tzuco is an upscale restaurant that feels a little like a trendy installation at a desert art museum, and we mean that in the best way possible. We have cash-only neighborhood places, we have BYOB restaurants for you and 13 friends on a Saturday night, we have spots perfect for a date or kicking off a big night out - and in all of those categories (and more), weve gathered the best of the best below. Here are 20 of the best spots in Chicago to enjoy this vast and fascinating cuisine. The space is charming, and theres a menu of very good food that changes seasonally (youll find things like sweet tamales with chilaca cream, lamb in Oaxacan mole, and an adobo marinated duck breast). The menu (perhaps due to the chefs stint in Playa del Carmen) features several dishes inspired in southeastern Mexico. Chicagos best all-around taqueria specializes in tacos de fritangas, or fried meats cooked on a wide metal stovetop called a charola. We look forward to serving your catering and private event needs! Hailing from the state of Michoacn, the epicenter of Carnitas know-how, Inocencio Carbajal opened Carnitas Uruapan in 1975. (Tacos are just too important to not have their own guide, and you can find that here This list is exclusively about full-on Mexican restaurants. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Find top-notch pastor, steak, and off-cuts like blood sausage. Spice up your party with the flavors of Mexico. Fan favorites include the aguachile and the Guerrero-style cochinita pibil. Whether you are hosting a business function, birthday party, holiday celebration, or other important gathering, let us help you make sure it will be a success. Upon opening the menu, your eyes will go straight to the tacos (and you should order a few of those), but the antojos section is where you'll find chef Diana Dvilas best workdiscover an ever-changing menu of dishes like bay scallops and snails served with garlicky salsa, or a savoy cabbage tamale steamed in banana leaves and covered in mole amarillo. Warm up with a bowl of pozole sprinkled with dried chili peppers or enjoy a lighter meal of shrimp served in spicy tomato sauce with a side of rice. Theres also a McKinley Park location. Save room for dessert try their caf de olla and tres leches cake. Reborn after being closed for two years due to a fire, this sibling spot to La Josie offers the same laid-back vibe. They offer three different varieties of the saucerojo, pipian and verdeand you can try them all alongside chips and salsa before picking your favorite to top chicken breast or enchiladas. Enjoy complimentary ceviche accompanied with fiery salsa while looking through the extensive menu. The menu includes well-known regional staples like their Oaxacan-style red or green tamales cooked in banana leaves, red mole, and traditional tlayudas, as well as more exotic dishes featuring quail, rabbit, wild boar, and seasonally, grasshoppers. and upscalerestaurants run by chefs with Michelin Stars in River North. ALL PACKAGES CAN BE FUTHER CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR LIKING DURING THE CHECKOUT STAGE. Dont skip dessert and the ceviche. Another popular option known for its large servings of Mexican-style seafood, Alegras, is where folks go to chow down on prawns, langoustines, crab legs, and more at affordable prices. A post shared by Brenda Storch (@lavitaminat). The best in catered Mexican Cuisine for your special event. Michoacano-style tamales, known as corundas made with two different masa types and stuffed with either queso fresco or swiss chard, were recently added to the menu. A post shared by Frontera Grill (@fronteragrill). This small shack specializes in street tacos with both authentic and modern takes on tacos. The two-time Bib Gourmand Award-winning team pays homage to their hometown with their offerings. An ever-changing menu means its hard to predict exactly what will be on offer day to daybut because Bayless is involved, it never really feels like a gamble. A post shared by Mas Alla Del Sol (@masalladelsolchi). Birria is (obviously) the specialty, but the menu also includes incredibly pliable handmade tortillas, delicious quesabirria, fajitas, chilaquiles, and a short beer list. While we ate it, time stopped and the restaurant dissolved around us like pixels in The Matrix and nothing existed besides the truth of braised meat and flavorful red consom. Come from 5:308:30pm Saturday to listen to a guitarist play flamenco and boleros while sipping a passionfruit margarita or visit during brunch for a hearty meal of chilaquiles or huevos rancheros. A post shared by Panadera Nuevo Leon (@pnl_pilsen). You'll find amazing guac and tacos galore. Rendn opened the restaurant amid a financially turbulent 2008. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Owned and operated by the same folks behind Longman & Eagle and Parson's Chicken & Fish, Lonesome Rose is a hipster's paradise, complete with a sweet rooftop deck. Were here to help and assist with your catering and private event. Inspired by the pan dulce their parents brought back from their native Michoacn, Sisters Lizette and Marisol Espinoza opened Pan Artesanal in July 2018. The one were talking about here is the Gage Park location, which is newer and much, much bigger. For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the city of Chicagos COVID-19 dashboard. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! The enchiladas with red sauce, filled to the brim with cheese or chicken and served with a side of addictive refried beans and rice. After 25 years of catering to their customers at the historic Maxwell Street Market, Rubis recently found its permanent home in Pilsen. 12PM-10PM Sunday, Chicagos best Mexican food & bar. Expect thoughtful plating (with slivers of radishes on every dishhence the name) and potentially a visit from Sotelo himself. Chicago has lured food aficionados with its well-known local staples for decades. Maybe there are too many reasons to count. Save room for dessert. In modern Mexico, enjoying a carnitas taco is a different kind of ritual one that equalizes Mexicans of all walks of life and one that Mexicans across time and space share. Paying homage to Chef Carlos Gaytns hometown of Huitzuco, Guerrero, Tzuco quickly positioned itself as a foodie destination for locals and tourists. The Little Village restaurant features an impressive range of options that seamlessly bridge the well-known with the exotic, which this eatery reminds us, can be relative. And very much like it is the case with other prominent chefs, Bayless establishments are a talent incubator and a springboard for aspiring restaurateurs in the city. Sample the flavors of Mexico City in Logan Square at Con Todo, which serves charcoal-smoked al pastor and tacos with housemade chorizo along Mexican-American fusions like the Pamburguesa, a pamboza prepared like a smashburger. Dont miss their handmade tortillas. The Best Restaurants for Group Dining in Chicago, The Essential 24-Hour Restaurants in Chicago, From dynamic fine dining options to tasty taco takeout, Chicagoans should be proud. The first Mexican chef with a Michelin-starred restaurant (Mexique), Gaytns story and gravitas in Chicago and beyond added to the buzz around his noteworthy comeback. When he opened Wicker Park restaurant Amaru in 2019, Cuadros set out to serve pan-Latin cuisine and share parts of the various cultures that inspire his recipes. Hailing from Guerrero, Mexico, the family recently added pozole to their menu. Tacos seem like the obvious choice at this Avondale standby, and you can't go wrong with the taqueria's extra-crispy al pastor or carne asada (especially when they're $2.50 a pop). Dj vu! You also cant go wrong with pastor or grilled beef tacos nestled served in warm tortillas and sprinkled with cilantro and onions. Founded in 1989 by celebrated chef Samuel Linares (lost to COVID-19 in 2020), La Casa de Samuel is an established destination for authentic regional Mexican plates. Try another? Frontera has been around since 1987, and its Rick Bayless first Chicago restaurant. The choices can be prepared in a number of different sauces, and its best to bring a group to try a bit of everything. The menu at this casual spot in Archer Heights is long, so plan on having an existential crisis deciding what to get. Not leaving any part of the pig to waste, the limited menu also includes fresh, warm, delicious pork rinds. Kie-Gol-Lanee (Old Stone in the Zapotec dialect) is the phonetic spelling of Santa Mara Quiegolani, a small Oaxacan village in this states southern sierra. The menu leans Tex-Mex, with crispy fish tacos, burritos and Truck Stop Nachos, which are piled high with black beans, queso, pickled red onions and crema. This eaterys unlikely name is a nod to the chef and owner Alfonso Sotelos childhood on the farms of southern Guerrero, where he sold radishes in the market with his other four siblings, earning them the nickname Cinco Rabanitos (five little radishes). The menu is full of extraordinary dishes like a perfectly prepared guajillo-roasted octopus and ultra tender pork shank served with pickled red onions and habanero salsa. Here are 12 places where youll find the best Mexican food in Chicago. Grab a slab of the chocolate cake or be prepared to be laughed it while drowning in a sea of regret. Try the caf de olla or sample one of the many milkshakes. Their only purpose, however, is to accompany this Bib Gourmand-rated restaurants signature platters of chopped roasted goat meat. Plus, its decorated with a fun mural that will help cheer you up even after your food is gone. Select up to four options of appetizers from a selection of seven. One thing youd expect from a fancier taqueria that you dont get here: inflated prices. Eater Award-winning and much-talked-about chef Diana Dvila opened this lively Logan Square restaurant to share the experiences she built from her own family travels throughout Mexico and diners have been eager to partake in the journey. Theres a generous B.Y.O.B. Tacos al pastor are tender and laced with rich adobo essence; others are stuffed with delicately flavored chicharron and slathered with fresh, chunky salsa verde. This casual neighborhood eatery is open for dinner but offers a weekend brunch and is usually busy. XOCO alum chef Alfonso Sotelo's dishes are delightfully comforting with just the right amount of personality. Enjoy our authentic and mouth-watering dishes that will truly satisfy your taste buds! This anecdote is somewhat poetic, as the Catholic Church has historically been involved as part and patron of Mexicos culinary history. Drawn by the desire to sample a variety of Mexican regional specialties by pastry chef and co-owner Marisol Espinoza, customers of this Hermosa bakery come from as far away as Wisconsin, Indiana, and even Ohio. According to the owner and chef Jalisco-born Ambrocio Bocho Gonzlez, his collection has grown thanks to the saints and other religious motifs his customers gift him. The Zaragozas take great pride in their process and ingredients, which include their own goats. For this guide, weve steered away from taco-only spots. We already have this email. Whatever youre craving, the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago are sure to leave you full and satisfied. Consistently earning a Michelin star since 2015, Topolobampo is the fanciest and most upscale of Rick Baylesss Mexican restaurants. Guests rave about the nostalgic Mexican dishes brought to life with family recipes, food memories, and inspiration drawn from French cuisine and its techniques. This fun Mexican restaurant in Pilsen serves delicious enchiladas, flautas, carne asada, and quesabirra full of shredded beef, lined with wonderfully caramelized cheese, and weighing about five pounds each. So whether youre tucking into fresh oysters or ceviche or one of the beautiful moles, you know youre eating the best the season has to offer. People flock to Rubis for the asada tacos or quesadillas, which can be mixed with beef tongue or chicharrn en salsa verde, a delicious dish prepared with tomatillo sauce and pork rinds, and their spicy red mole. His River North restaurant transports you to the environment of an upscale restaurant in Mexico. Cash and Venmo are accepted. The meat is seasoned and cooked for several hours, making it juicy and tender (patrons can choose from a few meat options, including goat head, and tripe) and served with a tomato consomm, red mole, handmade tortillas, and a fleet of garnishes (onions, cilantro, chilies, and lime). Do not miss the Instagram-worthy ceviche towers, a Sinaloan seafood fad that stacks ceviche, seafood, avocado, and a generous amount of condiments into tubular structures. Select your preferred dessert (up to four). There are only six tables here, but in the summer they also have a cute side patio which is right next to a park. A post shared by Kie Gol Lanee (@kiegolchicago). Upon opening the menu, your eyes will go straight to the tacos (and you should order a few of those), but the antojos section is where you'll find chef Diana Dvilas best workdiscover an. Like it or not, seven-time James Beard Award winner Rick Bayless offered a platform to Mexican food in the U.S. way before UNESCO declared this cuisine a cultural treasure in 2010, giving it a serious awareness boost. Its hard to go wrong with the selection of tacos, tortas, caldos, and vegetarian-friendly dishes, many of which showcase this Tompolobampo and Xoco alumns heart for his hometown while leveraging longtime family recipes. Longtime Maxwell Street Market vendors Rubi's have moved into a brick and mortar space in Pilsen, serving a menu of tacos and quesadillas featuring charcoal-grilled asada and pastor. The specialty at Huaraches Dona Chio, a tiny spot on a side street in Edgewater, is (unsurprisingly) huaraches. A post shared by Pan Artesanal (@panartesanalchicago). The original Carnitas Uruapan in Pilsen is great, but its more of a carry-out operation. Focused on sustainable cuisine and freshly sourced ingredients, Chilam Balams dynamic menu of shareable plates features a creative take on traditional dishes like the corn masa black-bean-stuffed memelas with goat cheese, tomatillo, and chile de rbol salsa or the roasted delicata squash with pecan mole and cranberries.