Celebrating a friends birthday, I came in with a small group for the first time recently. We were there on Taco Tuesday, and I did the Taco Passport, which I LOVED! I wish more places did this because it was freaking awesome. Service was great.. food was amazing and the margarita flight went great with all of my tacos. Super happy to have found Barcocina. read more

Awful service, we were seated for 25mins before I asked the hostess where our waiter was, then 5 more minutes before we got water. The food was fine, our server Rudy had no knowledge of the kitchen preparations for allergies which was disappointing. Once we got our food and drinks, we had to flag him down again to ask for silverware and napkins. It's an alright dining experience if you're willing to wait half an hour to speak to another human! EDIT: We did get seated by the hostess lol we did not just seat ourselves read more

With upbeat music and chic, fun decor, this is a super festive spot that makes for a fun outing! They have an excellent happy hour, with cocktails, brews, and bites 50% off. My friend and I stopped by to kill some time and ordered the Smoke House and House Fire margaritas alongside a guacamole to share. The drinks were super yummy- I especially enjoyed the first, which had a mezcal base and was smoky yet crisp and perfectly sweet. The spicy margarita was great too, but not for the feint of heart as they do *not* skimp on the jalapeño juice! We were super impressed with the guacamole- it was very unique and fresh. The balsamic dressing went together very well with the generous cotija topping. We devoured the entire generous serving and chalked it up to a girl dinner night. The food nearby looked very good, too. I will definitely be back to try more of the menu and a proper meal! read more

Barcocina - Barcocina Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It had been a rough week in our household so we knew we needed a little happy hour to get our minds right. This spot isn't too far from our kids school so we're constantly passing it and decided to stop in. The place was pretty empty when we got there so we're constantly passing sat at the bar. They had one bartender serving about 8-10 people. So it took a little bit to get an order in and get drinks. We ordered the smoky margarita with mezcal. Easily the best drinks of the night. The food was a major let down. Who the fuck puts egg on queso fundido? And who makes queso fundido with cream cheese. It's clear that this place is trying to appease a certain crowd and we weren't it. For those that enjoyed those covid era domes they have some set up in the patio for nostalgia. Take advantage while the weather is still cold. read more

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My friends and I stopped by here recently and had an amazing experience from start to finish. We ordered a variety of dishes to share, and everything was delicious. The guacamole was fresh and flavorful, a perfect way to start the meal. For tacos, we tried the shrimp tacos, steak tacos, and birria tacos -- all were excellent. The shrimp tacos were perfectly cooked, the steak was tender and well-seasoned, and the birria tacos were rich, savory, and packed with flavor. We also had the taco salad, which was hearty, fresh, and very satisfying. I ordered a spicy margarita and it was absolutely delicious -- well-balanced, refreshing, and had just the right amount of heat. Overall, great food, great drinks, and a fun atmosphere. We all left happy and full, and I'd definitely come back to try more items on the menu. Highly recommend! read more

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The worst customer service I've ever experienced. Our waitress never came to our table, so we ended up going to the bar instead. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, but the bartender acted like we were inconveniencing him. He had zero patience, and when I asked about a menu item and whether it was good, he just said, "it's spicy." It's disappointing because the drinks and food were actually good, and I would've liked to recommend this place - but I can't get past how we were treated. Especially on Cinco de Mayo, you'd expect them to be prepared to actually serve their customers. read more

Location isn't ideal. You will hear the train right above your conversations often and the smell of burning rubber when you eat. Not the cleanest, not even towels in the bathroom. I felt very dirty and could not eat the food. The fish had an old fish smell. Presentation was fine but quality lacking. Cocktails were fail. Service was fine. Can't possibly return. read more

Barcocina - Truffle Street Corn Guacamole - only decent thing - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I liked the outdoor patio vibes since it was such great weather to sit outside. We got timely service from our waitress she was great about checking on us. To start we ordered queso fundido which is not like traditional queso fundido. It was still very good, just not traditional when it came to the cheese itself and a little small of a portion. We ordered the bang bang shrimp tacos, adobo steak tacos, cheeseburger tacos, and Mahi Mahi tacos. They were all substantial and we all enjoyed them. The adobo do have a slight kick if you're sensitive to spice. Also the bathrooms were nice and clean which I feel like is worth noting! read more

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Food: mid, but pretty (also got Yuka tots not pictured) Vibes: great Went for happy hour (half off select apps) before a cubs game and got all food and no drinks. For half the price, the food was okay but if I paid full price, I would not have been happy. There's a Tuesday deal w a margarita flight, chips and salsa or guac, and bottomless tacos for $35 that might be better. It's probably all better if you are drinking too but I would not go back just for the food. The server was really nice though and brought us new chips when all of ours were broken. Also she gave us to-go containers for each item/sauce and a bag which was above and beyond in my opinion! read more

Barcocina - Barcocina Guacamole Elotes Corn Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Closed the bar 15+ minutes early for a 3 hour drink package and bar tenders were rude about it. Also closed off over half the bar for private events which was not outlined in the ticket. read more

Beautiful place. Great vibes. The music was flowing, though a bit loudly, so if you wanted to have a conversation, this ain't the place. Service throughout the meal was okay. However at the end, they brought us shots on the house and we were a large party celebrating a couple birthdays--so bonus star for that. The ahi tacos were nice and had a classic soy-umami taste. The street corn salad was raved about. The guacamole was plentiful. Some of the other dishes ordered were not as loved. The drinks were delicious-definitely come here for the drinks. read more

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Was just walking and found this place for bottomless brunch. It was a little on the pricey end for the area but the food was delicious and I could order more drinks than just a mimosa which was awesome. There was also a buffet that was available for all you can eat. The service was good and our server was really nice. The restaurant is lively and overall the experience was worth the money. Would definitely recommend. read more

I've been to Barcocina a few times, most recently for my friend's birthday. We had the octopus app and the ahi tuna tacos. Both dishes were very tasty but I must say the ahi tuna tacos were my favorite as the shell was perfectly crunchy and the ahi tuna was very flavorful. The service at Barcocina was unmatched (as always). I've had different servers/ bartenders each time I've visited and I've always had very positive experiences. read more

Barcocina - Spanish Octopus - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Solid experience at Happy Hour! Loved their chips & guac, the balsamic glaze addition was delicious and they have great, thick chips (4/5). Wasn't obsessed with my margs, the sweet one was a bit too sweet/syrupy (3/5) & the spicy one was a bit too spicy (2/5). Tacos were both just okay, Jamaican jerk was better than the mahi, both a 3/5. Loved the ambiance of this place tho! Huge, bright space and large patio. Also had fantastic service here! Would come back again to sit outside. read more

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Great place for brunch! I'd likely not search this place out on my own, but for a coworker brunch, it was a great choice. Cheeseburger tacos! Okay, let's try them. YEP. Delicious. Solid place for brunch. They have a breakfast buffet also, if you partake of that sort of thing. read more

Barcocina - Cheeseburger taco! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is really nice. There's outdoor dining with heated igloos and plenty of indoor dining. I tried their restaurant week prix fixe $45 menu which had four courses which is over the common three course. Of course, we started with chips and salsa which were delicious! Fresh chips and salsa always hits the spot. First course was queso fundido which had an egg included which elevated the dish. A must try. Second course was barbacoa dumplings. These were creatively delicious. Light and mildly flavored. The thin dough of the dumplings just right paired with the sautéed kale and sauce was excellent. Third course was two jerk chicken tacos. At first I thought the food was just ok. I didn't taste much of the chicken in my first taco. I thought it was a bit bland. But my second taco was better. The second taco had more meat for sure and the jerk flavor was more pronounced. Good taco. The last course was dessert and I got the horchata tiramisu. I'm not a tiramisu fan since I'm not a coffee drinker but the horchata version had me sold. I would say this was delicious. The presentation was excellent. The plate was cold and beautifully decorated. I would definitely return to try other dishes. The combination of Mexican and other cuisines is uniquely creatively delicious! read more

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Perfect place to have a party or gathering for a larger group. We had rented out the back space/patio for a holiday party and it was a great price for the drink package. Great food and snacks. The bartender and servers are great. read more

My friend and I got to give Barcocina Lakeview a try and I will say it was worth it! The lunch special was amazing! $15 one appetizer, a salad, and two tacos! The food was really fresh and it was very filling! The churros could have been Cooked a bit longer but other than that it was amazing! The service was great! Our waitress Bella was very helpful and gave good suggestions! The atmosphere was different from other places I have been to! Give BL a try and you won't be disappointed! read more

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What an absolutely epic party--the best one yet! The bartenders and Sam were incredible. Desi, our party planner, truly outdid herself, and it meant so much that the owners personally thanked us for our continued patronage. Thank you for always taking such wonderful care of us. The food and signature cocktails were simply to die for! Do not leave without trying their bang bang shrimp tacos and an espresso martini! read more

Barcocina - EXIT Strategy Realty Management - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Don't waste your time on Taco Tuesdays. Service is at a snail's pace so you get a couple of tacos, a small marg flight, and guac + chips. When you do eventually get a taco or two they are not great. Place looks nice, but go somewhere else. read more

This is one of my favorite spots in Lakeview for dinner before a night out. I love the location of Barcocina. Besides their selection of tacos, they have delicious dips/sides options and appetizers to split. You can definitely find something here if you aren't in the mood for tacos. Their drink menu is solid and expansive too. My favorites are the Kiwi Cooler, Guava-Mente, and Blackberry Sangria. The vibes here are great. I love their patio space in the summer. During the winter, they sent up igloos outside. Our server was awesome and very attentive the last time we visited. read more

Horrible service, drinks were mid at best. Offered unlimited drinks and it would take 20 minutes to get 1. Food is advertised as Mexican but is just gentrified worse than Taco Bell food. Would be great for anyone not Latino. Reservation and party are the same thing, how can there be a party without a reservation, mind blowing. read more

A place for singles to mingle. If you're a mellenial looking to get over your hangover on a Sunday morning this is your place. I warn though the music is load. The pear mimosa was refreshing - strangely watermelon like. Had the churro waffle and chilaquiles both excellent. The elote was ok. Listen the food here is secondary. This is a spot for a gathering of your friends in a trendy chic place that's its raison d'être. read more

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Great attentive service Amazing atmosphere and patio Guacamole was good and came with a balsamic glaze on top of it that was an interesting flavor combination. Tacos were probably a 3/5 on taste but that's coming from a Tex mex affecionado so I'm picky about tacos! Will definitely come back to try a marg! read more

Barcocina - Taco Tuesday deal - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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do not come her!!! there is no heat!! this is the worst! I would like to add a video of everybody in the restaurant with their jackets and gloves on. read more

Barcocina in Lakeview has quickly become one of my favorite spots, and it's all thanks to their amazing staff and unbeatable happy hour deals. Every time I come here, I'm greeted with friendly smiles and great service that make the experience so much better. Their happy hour deals are fantastic and have kept me and my friends coming back for more! Their delicious drink options to their must-try guacamole and addictive yucca tots ate total staples, and we can't resist ordering them every time. read more

Barcocina - Barcocina Guacamole Yucca Tots - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for brunch for the first time and it was energetic! The playlist was so fun (mid 2000s and I knew every word). It was also VERY loud, so be warned if you're interested in having a quality catch up or have someone hard of hearing in your group. Service was normal - nothing especially incredible or terrible. Normal is good! I had the avocado toast which was just what I needed. I wasn't in the mood for a ton of sugar or a huge meal. Mission accomplished! I'm not sure what all was on it but it wasn't basic. I all do decided to try a mocktail - Summer Bliss I believe it's called. Lovely and refreshing! My friend ordered churro bites but the dulce roll appeared. Our server did correct it, but it took a long while for the right dessert to come out. Once it did, we fully enjoyed it. The churro bites were so soft! The chocolate sauce is Nutella and was my favorite dip. They currently have rentable outdoor igloos if you'd like a winter dinner for two or a small crew. I was happy to find free parking across the street! Permits aren't enforced but between 6pm-6am, so you're clear for brunch! read more

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The patio at the Lakeview location is one of the best patios in the area !! I absolutely love meeting friends here for dinner because the vibes are always so good. The food is also good but the portions are small in my opinion for what you pay! I also ordered the corn dip as an app and they gave a TON of chips for a small small corn dip. I wish they had proportioned that better! read more

I liked the ambiance and space, they had both indoor and outdoor seating. I enjoyed the variety on bottomless drink menu, I just wanted a little more at the all you can eat buffet portion. Overall, I enjoyed my visit. read more

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I went on a taco Tuesday when it was worthy because you could have all you can eat tacos, that has changed I think so or at least at West Town location. Poke taco is a MUST, shrimp taco is delicious too. I would have probably every single appetizer if I could. Drinks are good too, especially mezcal margarita. It can be a bit pricey for tacos though. Overall great place. read more

I had the tacos and they were absolutely delicious! Everything was crazy and well done and fast. Definitely worth going. read more

Really good drinks and killer food. Shout out to our server David for keeping us entertained! While I enjoyed the menu items throughly (quesabirria ftw), the best part about Barcocina is the night patio. The inside feels a little too clubby but the outside has gorgeous lighting and dynamic seating options. I nearly forgot I was in Chicago for a second. It feels like a bar in California! - AT read more

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Bar Cocina is a great neighborhood spot for an outdoor patio in Lakeview. There is usually lots of room, unless it is Tuesday for Taco Tuesday deals. For outdoor seating alone I would give it a 5/5 Their happy hour menu is limited but great for a quick bite. I had their bang bang shrimp tacos, and they were alright. Definitely have had way better tacos in the area, and for food alone I would give it a 2/5. Drinks are very good and fairly priced. 5/5. Special shoutout to the passion fruit margarita. Our service has been wonderful every time we have been here. Overall, we keep coming back for the outdoor seating and convenience of location. Barcocina is right next to the Diversey Stop, which makes this a great place to try if you frequent the brown or purple line. read more

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I came in to eat good food so this review is for that. I came with bunch of friends for a Friday night dinner. The place was empty so we got seated instantly. We ordered Chicken Tinga, Bang bang Cauliflower, Al pastor Tofu tacos, pesto chicken quesadillas. It was below average in the taste and were overpriced. The tacos were pretty light on the filling also for an $18. We also ordered corn elote which was better than everything else on the table. I'm giving it a 3 stars only because the service was great and super attentive. The ambiance was pretty lively and they played some good music. A good place can invite me inside but only good food will want me to go back again. I will not visit again. Recommend for drinks, but not food. read more

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The vibe of this place is so fun! We sat outside and it was perfect, the service was great! Our food came so fast and everything was delicious. Would love to come back here again next time I am visiting! read more

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First time ever at Barcocina! This restaurant is hard to miss - it's all white on the outside and has an upbeat, spacious outdoor patio. We were able to get a reservation superrrrrr last minute (I'm talking 1 hour before arriving last minute) and they actually had a good amount of times available online. We were seated inside quickly. The service was super slow, but then again it was a Saturday night. We didn't get waters or greeted until around 20 minutes into sitting. We also asked for separate checks at the very beginning since I know it can be annoying for servers to do that (especially at the end when the orders are already placed) and they said yes but still brought out 1 check at the end. However he was super nice and the hostess also let me charge my phone at the host stand which was very sweet of her! The food was okay, nothing too crazy or out of the ordinary. I had the tuna poke tacos and they were good, but as a huge poke fanatic it wasn't anything I'd necessarily go out of my way to get again, but I did enjoy them. My friend got the chicken quesadillas and said they were lacking some flavor. My other friend got the cheeseburger tacos and said they were just regular ground beef tacos. I got a skinny marg with a Chamoy rim and I liked it a lot! I would come here again to try out their outdoor patio with some other shareables and drinks! read more

Happy hour is awesome! Great prices, would highly recommend the House Fire margarita. Love the patio space. Good shade and seating. Service was slow for not being very busy. Didn't stop us from having a great time. WILL COME BACK!!! read more

I wanted to like this place because it has super cute decor and the menu looked appetizing, but the service really brought the overall experience down. I can with a group of friends on a Friday night. My friend Adam recommended it. We didn't have a reservation, but we were promptly seated outside. It took 15 minutes for us to receive menus and when they came, it was only 3 even though we were a table of 5. It took an additional 5 minutes to get water, and our cups were dirty. Food: we ordered the elote dip and a round of drinks for the table. The dip was very lime-y, so if that's not your thing I wouldn't recommend ordering. Our 1st round of cocktails never came. All the tables around us got multiple rounds of drinks and food before our server even returned back to our table to check in. The most frustrating part of all of this was that our bill had a service fee tacked onto it. When I inquired what the fee was for, I was told it was the credit card processing fee that was being passed down to the customers. What doesn't make sense to me is that we intended (and did) pay with cash, so there's no reason the fee should be automatic. I don't live in Chicago, but needless to say I won't be returning back here when I'm in the city for a visit. 0/5 read more

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Came here for lunch and ordered from their lunch menu! The cauliflower tacos were a perfect mix of sweet and tangy! The guacamole was delicious and flavorful! The corn salad could've had more corn, but overall delicious. The cherry on top was the service. We requested dessert and they didn't have desserts till 4pm but our server was so awesome and got us a delicious dulce de leche cake with ice cream dessert! We were all so pleasantly surprised! Great time as our first time and will definitely be back again!!! :) read more

Barcocina - Their summer mock tail was perfect drink for the Summer day! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good patio vibes with good food and drinks. Service was good and accompanying as we kept having additional friends joining our table. We were so hungry that I didn't get a chance to take a picture of our food but the adobe steak tacos were really good along with the yuca tots. The yuca fries were not as good as the tots they were more on the dry side since the tots were filled with cheese. The guac and chips were also pretty good. My husband also liked the shrimp quesadillas. read more

Barcocina - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois