A short walk to the northeast from the National Museum of Mexican Art, we had excellent service as well as food. It was a hot, humid day, but apparently it was warmer inside than on their sidewalk seating, so we dined outside. My wife ordered the Vegetarian Torta ($13.75) and I chose the Shrimp Torta ($14.50). They were each quite large and filling. My shrimp torta was good, but a little one note. The vegetarian torta was an awesome combination of flavors and I would order it again in a heartbeat. Only real negatives were that they did not offer any draft beer options and the Chips y Salsa ($3.75) had a meager quantity of chips to eat their tasty and generous tomatillo and 3-chile salsa options. Would actually go 4.5 stars based on those 2 factors, but gave the benefit of the extra half star due to how good our service was and the excellent flavor of the veggie sandwich. read more

I really don't even want to make this review because I feel like I'm sitting on a goldmine... but FINALLY, we have found a Chicago Mexican restaurant that fulfills every craving. From the queso fundido (we got ours with chicken) to the Mole enchiladas, to the tacos... everything was so good and fresh. Tortillas handmade. Meat is juicy and flavorful. Rice was delicious. I'm so happy we found this place and can't wait to go back! read more

5 Rabanitos - Enchiladas Mole Rojo - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

a great reminder... that i need to ALWAYS go to pilsen when craving mexican. my huarache was divine. the "sandal" itself was perfectly flaky - not greasy or impossible to cut. the veggies were perfectly seasoned, cooked but not mushy...my only "complaint" is i didn't expect potatoes to be part of the veg. i don't understand a carb on a carb but that's just me. the guac was very meh. would not recommend. the marg's are ok...but i'm not a great judge bc as a rule, don't really care for marg's. fabulous service and perfect spot for a show at thalia hall. read more

Came here last week with a group of friends after running the Miche 5 K...and so did almost everyone else who ran the same race! Yeah it was packed! A good sign. If you're looking for a spot in Pilsen for good Mexican home cooking then this is a gem. It has been here as long as I can remember and still has the same charm. I was looking forward to their Mole Enchiladas but unfortunately they were so overwhelmed that day that they were only serving the brunch menu But that didn't disappoint one bit. Instead I went with my other targeted menu item : Chilaquiles Rojos. And I was very well pleased. Yes the quality of ingredients were fresh and I appreciated that especially after running a 5K. I definitely want to go back to try out their other menu items. If they were able to dish out high quality food when it they are overwhelmed after a big race day then I'd love to see what they can do in a normal day. read more

5 Rabanitos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We're from LA, and this is our daughter's favorite Mexican restaurant near the loop after her four years at SAIC. She was very excited for us to try it out. We arrived around 7:30 on a Friday night and the place was packed. We only had to wait 10-15 minutes, which passed quickly with the live Mariachi music. The food came out pretty quickly considering how busy it was. We got: - Margaritas -- piña mezcal, passion fruit and pepino. They were good but a little small for the price. - Pozole Pipian -- It has a verde base that's very light. Something that makes it unique is chicharrones on top. My daughter prefers pork over the chicken. - Carnitas Huarache -- good flavors but probably my least favorite of the meal. - Asada Torta -- this was my favorite dish of the night. The bread was really light and the meat wasn't tough at all. For dessert we got the churritos and Mexican bread pudding. Both were good but nothing special. All in all a great meal. read more

See all

Recently came in for brunch and was happy we got a table because there was a wait immediately after. We got the fried plantain as a starter because it's our absolute favorite. For food, I got the barbacoa de chivo (goat) and my partner got the carne en su jugo. Everything was so delicious. I love traditional Mexican food and loved that they had goat barbacoa that tasted so good. My only complaint is that the carne en su jugo is beans with a separately cooked steak instead of the meat being cooked in the bean broth as it traditionally is. It's flavorful, but doesn't taste like carne en su jugo. read more

5 Rabanitos - Barbacoa de Chivo - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's really cool and chill and you feel good and comfortable in the vibe. The mango mojito was an absolute must have! It was just a great service hard drink, with all the flavors it was supposed to have. The main dish was also oh so very satisfying for the quantity! Surely one of those types of restaurant that should be revisited! read more

Got delivery and it was a mixed bag. Tacos - 4.5/5. Al pastor, pibil and and chicken tinga all great. Flavorful and juicy. Would be incredible live. Empanadas Camaron - 3.5/5. Unusual with shrimp. Crispy shell. Better without the spicy sauce. Enchiladas mole rojo - 3/5. Decent mole sauce and flavors, but not distinctive. Veg pozole - 2/5. Overly spicy. Solid roasted veggies. But lacked flavor. Pescado à la Talla - 1.5/5. Way overcooked fish. Sauces were either bland or just spice. FYI gluten free by default due to the use of corn read more

Pozole verde de carne de puerco con chicharrón. Service is great and we always get a table almost immediately. Servers are all very friendly. read more

5 Rabanitos - Pozole verde de carne de puerco con chicharrón Simply delicious. We usually go there when craving pozole! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here on National Margarita day and enjoyed a mango margarita with tajin on the rim! The drink wasn't too strong, but absolutely delicious! I also got the taco platter with 1 chicken tinga taco and 2 vegetable tacos. They were so delicious especially with the rice, beans, and guacamole! The salsa on the table was very fresh and delicious! The tomatillo was my favorite! Our waitress was very attentive and kind and even gave my partner recommendations. When we came it wasn't too crowded and very clean! Really loved my meal and can't wait to come back for the patio this summer read more

5 Rabanitos - Taco Dinner with chicken tinga and vegetable tacos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Rarely do I write out reviews but this place definitely warrants one -- I am really taken aback by how poorly an incident was handled, especially because of a faulty dishware the restaurant served me with. I came earlier today with a companion to the Hyde Park location to dine-in (we're from the East Coast and went out of our way to come back to this spot) and from the start things went downhill. Not only did a large drink glass break right away as I held it up, but the entire contents (20+ oz of a drink) spilled onto me, my belongings/shoes, and my phone. What I didn't expect was the terrible handling of the situation -- I wasn't really offered anything to help except cloth napkins, a shirt to cover up my soaked self, and a lame excuse as to why they couldn't compensate me. Also, I was offered a different spot to sit, but I was so soaked and stinking of the beverage that staying wasn't a decent option. Most of the staff just stared at me, leaving me feeling embarrassed. Additionally, I was told they had no ability to make up for the situation because a manager wasn't on site -- but they did say I could wait around to see what could be done (which doesn't mean a guarantee and who knows when/if someone would've turned up). So I was forced to call an Uber back to my place, had myself and stuff so soaked, my clothing was ruined, I lost my ring in trying to clean myself, and paid full price for food that I no longer had an appetite nor interest in eating after such a bad experience. I am incredibly disappointed in this place for their poor handling of the situation. My companion afterwards found a small cut on her hand that might've been from a broken glass shard and I have to pay for so many things as a result of this visit to 5 Rabanitos. If something worse had happened, would they still have said nothing more could've been done to fix the situation unless a manager was there? read more

Solid casual Mexican restaurant. I have now eaten here 4 times, all for lunch. I've had their caldo de res con fideos, milanesa torta, flautas, enmoladas (enchiladas w mole sauce), and now their braised lamb shank. All delicious. Service is a little spotty, only because sometimes it gets pretty packed and I've seen at most 3 servers working. The last time I was here they let a busker in with a guitar singing his heart out. It was already loud and I had to resort to shouting to have a conversation. Luckily he was there for 3 songs and then went on his way. The menu offers a nice selection of standard lunch fare, but if you're ordering a meal with rice and beans be hungry or prepared for leftovers -the portions are generous. The lamb shank was obviously a generous portion better suited for dinner, but I thoroughly enjoyed it for lunch. The tomatillo based sauce paired perfectly with the chilaquiles enfrijolados. Don't pass up the agua frescas. The crowd reflects the neighborhood undergoing gentrification, but luckily the food is still authentic. read more

5 Rabanitos - Braised lamb shank - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

My wife and I are often in the Hyde Park area, and we finally decided to stop into 5 Rabanitos for lunch -- and we're glad we did! The menu has a great selection of authentic Mexican dishes, and everything we ordered tasted fresh and flavorful. Even though the restaurant wasn't very crowded when we visited, it did take a little while to be serviced, which makes me think wait times could be longer if it's busy. That said, the staff were friendly and welcoming once we were helped, and the overall experience was enjoyable. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood and craving authentic Mexican food! read more

See all

Walking past murals and shops on 18th in Pilsen, Chicago, we were drawn into this bright restaurant for a Michelada. They make it quite spicy, with bright lime, and a salty rim, with your beer of choice. We like Pacifico because it's bold enough to carry the spices, it's just a little sweet, and has a rich texture. The best of beer and cocktail in one :-) We loved the vibrant décor, and the staff are welcoming and attentive. The food look and smelled delicious, but we were focused on getting a little buzz for our continuing mural tour. read more

See all

Five Rabinitos is a stand-out in so many ways. A rare Mexican place with meaningful vegetarian options. But on our visit we were carnivores and went for the pork and the shrimp. The cochinita pibil torta was excellent. Slow roasted Yucatan style pork on a crusty roll with pickled onions. Just about everything you could want. Then there was the shrimp torta. Which was somehow bursting with perfect shrimp flavor. I'm thinking the verde sauce on it must have been made with shrimp stock. This may be my new all time favorite sandwich. Fan-freaking-tastic. And the care in their menu shows with the thoughtful way they choose different rolls for different tortas. You're not going to find that at most places. Plantains appetizer was insanely good. We scarfed it down like wild animals. Seriously, the best plantains I've had in years. Service was so warm and friendly, despite them being absolutely slammed on a Saturday when the Dio de Los Muertos/Halloween festivities in the neighborhood were in full swing. Super close to the Mexican Museum of Art, by the way. Sitting outside is a great option if they're busy and if it's warm enough. If it's busy, you may need to wait a bit for the inside seating. read more

See all

Food is absolutely overpriced and bland. I have been to plenty ofMexican restaurants in the US and Mexico. This one was so hyped up, but it is the lowest of the low. We got a variety of dishes : barbacoa, guacamole and chips, pescado, ceviche, sope, enchiladas, tres leches. Every single dish lacked flavor and overall I was so disappointed. Food was just bad. No seasoning or flavor. read more

See all

Good food at reasonable prices. Outdoor dining. In the heart of Pilsen. Nice server. Nit crowded at lunchtime.

As others have mentioned, they have a separate vegetarian menu, though at least one or two items show up on the regular menu, such as the vegetable tamal. I love that they have flavored horchata (strawberry, yum!) . Last time I got that, the vegetarian taco, sopa to dine in and the vegetarian tamal and pozole. Most places only have rajas con queso if they have vegetarian tamales at all, and almost no one does vegetarian pozole, so take advantage. The sopa was even tastier than the taco (more toppings), and the vegetarian tamal was fantastic - yes, there are roasted peppers but there's more to it and having it served as a plate with sauce and sides made it feel special. My spouse at home was really happy with it too. The pozole wasn't as good as I remembered, but I still really appreciate giant pieces of hominy and chunks of vegetables. Service is pretty quick, even when they're really full. This is a joyful kind of place (bright paintings and posters on the walls; funny T-shirts on the staff) and whenever I'm in the neighborhood I imagine I'll be back. Local street parking possible but you might have to hunt a bit, and YES you should absolutely come here after visiting the Museum of Mexican Art. read more

YES!!!!! These were easily the best tacos I've had since moving from Southern California!! Please if you go anywhere in Chicago go here!! I NEEEEEEEED to go back!! read more

5 Rabanitos - Taco Dinner - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Green posole with pork is an absolute must-try!! It is rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. I've also had the red chicken posole, and honestly, it holds its own just as well. What really sets the pork posole apart is the chicharrón, that satisfying crunch against the savory broth is chef's kiss. The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff is genuinely helpful, and they'll happily walk you through the menu if it's your first time. Do yourself a favor and come here! read more

5 Rabanitos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great chill dinner at 5 Rabanitos! I've seen this spot get very busy on the weekends, but it was pretty open when we went Wednesday evening. It's clean inside, and the staff is super friendly and helpful. We got the Milanesa Torta (with sopa on the side to dip) as well as the Salsa. The torta is a must get - so many delicious flavors but wasn't even that messy to eat! The salsa and chips comes with two salsas which were both very good, but I wish that it came in a bowl or with a bowl rather than just in bottles and a plate because it was kind of hard to scoop off a plate (but maybe that was just my own user error lol). Would def recommend this spot for authentic Mexican cuisine read more

5 Rabanitos - Milanesa Torta - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great Mexican restaurant in the heart of Pilsen. They have a great patio section, so if the weather is nice, I'd recommend eating outside. The staff is very friendly and the food is some of the best I've had in the area. I highly recommend the steak tacos on flour tortillas! read more

See all

I'm still buzzing from an absolutely incredible dining experience I had recently, and I just had to share it with yall. If I could give this place more than five stars, I totally would. Finding a spot was a bit of an adventure we ended up parking a few blocks away, but honestly, the short walk was completely worth it. The restaurant itself sits on a charming corner, and I immediately fell in love with the vibrant artwork adorning the building it really sets a cool, inviting tone. Once we stepped inside, we were seated in a flash, which is always a great start Our server was an absolute gem super friendly, attentive, and his recommendations were spot on. He suggested a lager beer called Monopolio, and while it had a rather skunky aroma, the taste was surprisingly smooth and pleasant. I also tried the horchata, but full disclosure, it was a on the watery side for my preference. However, that was a minor blip in an otherwise stellar meal. Now, let's talk about the food, because wow. The star of the show was undoubtedly the Ceviche Verde with shrimp and scallops. Seriously, it was an explosion of fresh, vibrant flavors hands down the best ceviche I've ever tasted, even surpassing Peruvian ceviche.You absolutely HAVE to try it. We also devoured a Torta Ahogada with a mild sauce. The salsa was packed with incredible flavor, and you could really taste that distinctive oregano kick, which I loved. And the bread Oh my goodness, it was perfectly soft and reminded me so much of the telera bread you get in Guadalajara simply delicious. Then came the tacos, and let me tell you, every single one was a revelation. The steak tacos were so incredibly flavorful and tender, just melting in your mouth. The goat adobo taco, Pure perfection tender, rich, and a definite must try. The cochininita pibil was already fantastic, but that touch of habanero on top elevated it to a whole new level. And the chorizo taco was bursting with savory goodness and cooked beautifully. Seriously, if you're looking for an unforgettable meal with incredible flavors and fantastic service, you absolutely need to check this place out. And whatever you do, do not leave without trying that Ceviche Verde. read more

See all

This was my first time in Pilsen and had heard great things about this place! The taco dinner was good but I had pretty high expectations and wasn't blown away. It was a nice serving of food but would probably try something else next time I'm in the area. read more

I've been here a few times and never been disappointed. The flavor of the food is consistent. Everyone is always friendly. I would recommend going during the week so you are not sitting on to of someone else. The tables are close together. I highly recommend their guacamole. They serve home made tortillas. They may even make them in the back. The short rib was falling off the bone tender. It just needed a little salt but no real complaints. Chicken tacos were a hot as well. You really can't go wrong with their tacos. read more

5 Rabanitos - Beef shortrib - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Excellent Mexican food (coming from California and living in NYC). I haven't had authentic Mexican fare this good in New York yet. Glad I checked this place out while visiting Chicago! read more

I got locked out of my apartment and ended up wandering in here--and I'm so glad I did. I ordered one of their tortas, and it was amazing. The bread was incredible: perfectly toasted with just the right amount of crunch, balancing the flavors beautifully. I'm not sure if they make it in-house, but it was definitely a highlight. The meat was cooked perfectly, and the combination with avocado, house sauces, and other toppings was spot-on. I devoured that sandwich. My only minor critique is that I wish the sandwich had been a bit warmer overall. It might have sat on the counter just a little too long before it was served. A few degrees hotter and it would have been absolutely perfect. Even so, it was a fantastic torta, and I'd definitely come back for another. This is a great place to solo-dine, dine with friends, or even do take out! read more

This place is on so many lists. It's different. We came here on a Tuesday night around 5:30. It wasn't hard to get a seat for 3 of us. We started with guacamole, horchata cold brew, and some roasted potatoes. For my main meal I got grilled chicken with two enchiladas (pechuga de pollo). It comes in a green creamy sauce, with avocados and plantains. It was okay. They do have a kids menu. My partner got the Artichoke / pork torta, he liked it but said it lacked flavor. The horchata cold brew was pretty good. They do not serve chips for free, and their salsas are their hot sauces. read more

See all

This place hits the spot if you're looking for real Mexican comfort food. The pozole is flavorful and filling, just the way it should be, and the taquitos dorados were amazing -The highlight for me, though, was the mole sauce rich, balanced on top of the taquitos, very unique. The torta ahogada was very filling and tasty. Last but not least, the tamarindo margarita was tasty but sweet. You can tell a lot of heart goes into the food here. Definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to. read more

See all

We walked in for Saturday lunch and it was definitely very busy in the restaurant, so if you are looking to secure a table for a larger group, I would recommend a reservation. Service was very friendly and the interior of the restuarant is colorful and lively. We ordered two barbacoa tacos and the chicken enchiladas in mole. The tacos were amazing: loaded with tender, juicy meat and the corn tortillas had great flavor. I would have loved to order more. The mole also was well-spiced and complex, and I liked how the enchiladas still kept their texture. I would love to come back to try more dishes! read more

5 Rabanitos - chicken enchiladas de mole - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Like the last yelper, I am also from los angeles, which is home to great Mexican food. This is on par with anything ive had near home or in Mexico. The pozole pibian Verde with chicharron toppings, hands down, excellent. Tried the queso fundido con chorizo, barbacoa, fresh tortillas, good coffee. read more

See all

Back here again and they still got it! The food is consistently good. We tried the ceviche appetizer this time and it was phenomenal. Perfectly fresh seafood and a delicious salsa that was amazing to scoop up with chips. Highly recommend! read more

Loved this restaurant! Heard that it had highly rated pozole so decided to come check it out with some friends. Lots of great menu options, lively atmosphere, friendly staff. I ordered the pozole verde and my friend got the huarache al pastor, both were delicious! I ordered my pozole with chicken, and everything about it was great. I would totally come back here next time I'm in the area. read more

5 Rabanitos - pozole verde, huarache al pastor - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I ate here with a big group, it's a great spot for vegetarian Mexican food. Service was a little slow because it was super crowded, but we enjoyed everything we ate! Try the plantains, and I liked the Green Vegetable Enchiladas. The dessert menu looked phenomenal, so we'll have to save room next time. read more

5 Rabanitos - Green vegetable enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There is a park a block away and helped with the parking. I tried to make a reservation, but they only allow reservations during non-peak hours which kind of defeat the purpose. When we walked 10mins before 12pm, half the tables were still available. 15 mins later, the place was almost full. The service was quick with different people delivering food and clearing tables. They have a good rhythm for turning the tables quickly during busy hours. I wanted to try their brunch menu, but arrived a little too late. The menu had a lot of soup options for a cold winter day. The Short Rib Caldo came with corn tortillas. We asked for spicy and it was more than medium spicy. The soup is a meal by itself. The Carne Asada Torta was decent sized. I didn't need to plate it with beans and rice. The tacos are smaller portion, but very well flavored. We did not have room for dessert, so will have to try that next time. read more

See all

For tasty and authentic Mexican food in the city look no further than 5 Rabanitos. They have a cozy restaurant that serves big tastes and have curated a relaxing atmosphere. We came as a big group (called ahead to make a reservation) during the lunch rush and they handled us without any problem. In fact, the most difficult thing during the visit was deciding which tacos to order because they all sounded great! Spoiler alert: they were tasty! All the food was, drinks included. The staff was friendly and very understanding of a snafu on our part... I had given my credit card for the bill and it made it's way back to me. I pocketed it and, somehow, never ended up signing the bill! We left and the staff politely informed our last member of our group that we hadn't paid yet! Oops! I ran back in and apologized and they understood. Nice spot for a meal, I recommend it! read more

Best of the best! Attentive and courteous! Good vibes and cheerful setting! You simply cannot make a mistake ordering anything on the menu. So happy that this place exists! read more

See all

Stopped here with a girlfriend for a drink as we were bar hopping in Pilsen and this was a goodie! The drink was tasty and fairly priced. We got served right away. It is a small spot as are a lot of the spots around here but they had plenty of seating available. Curious to come back and try their food! read more

Mexican eatery originally from Pilsen opened their Hyde Park location! Saw it was super packed during grand opening and knew I had to come try it. I went on a Friday around noon with no wait at all. Overall rating: 4.5 Ambiance (5/5): The restaurant is huge but there's a good amount of seating that can comfortably fit 2-6 people. Decor is almost homey and a little rustic. Service (5/5): Service was fast and our servers were very attentive. They were able to recommend us a torta and offered us habanero salsa. Waters were always filled to the top. Food: - Horchata (3/5): not bad by any means but it had a distinct coconut flavor that I didn't expect. Probably wouldn't get it again but if you like coconut I think you would enjoy it - Chips, guac, salsa (4/5) ~ $11: the guac was very fresh with chunks of avocado - I wish it had more onion chunks and lime but it was still delicious. Chips were sturdy, thick, and freshly salted. The habanero salsa was my favorite and definitely spicy. I personally didn't feel the red or green salsa were spicy at all. Red had a chipotle flavor while green didn't taste like much of anything - Quesabirria app ~ 14.5 (3.5/5): the tortilla was soooo crispy but it was the predominant flavor. Meat was tender and cheese was somehow barely warm. The dipping sauce was very flavorful and I recommend eating it with the habanero salsa - Barbacoa Torta ~ $13 (3.5/5): small for the price and it didn't come with much else besides the barbacoa meat in the bread. The bread was perfectly crisp and the meat was tender but we could've used more additions for the price. Still delicious and simple. - Al pastor taco ~ $3.85 (4/5): solid street taco with tender Al pastor meat that was pretty flavorful! I'd definitely return and try the other tacos Food came out pretty quickly and everything came out fresh and warm except the quesabirria felt a bit stale. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and would come back again! read more

See all

This place is super good! Highly recommend the civiche, special tacos, and tortas. Nice outdoor seating too