Carniceria Maribel
Carniceria Maribel Photos
Business Info
CARNICERIA MARIBEL ATMOSPHERE
What's the vibe?
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - Carniceria Maribel
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
These tacos are amazing. Walk all the way to the back to order then bring the slip to the front to pay. They take about 15-30 minutes to make but are so worth it. It is not a good spot for a large group because there is very limited seating.
Went for the carne asada and stayyyyyed for the carne asada! It is cool how you can go to the front (the convenient store part) to grab a Jarrito and bring it back to enjoy with your meal.
My beef with the New York City taco scene is biblical. I'm so tired of paying $5+ for a one bite taco. It's against the whole ethos of the taco. The humble taco has its beginnings as a street food meant to feed workers, families, and travelers at an accessible price. Walk into a Tacombi today and they look you dead in the eye and charge you $5.99 for a tiny chicken tinga taco. What has happened to the great and powerful taco? I know I'm probably being dramatic, as no one else I talk to gets this emotional charged over Taco-gate like I do, but I can't help how I feel. All this to say, I approached Carniceria Maribel in Chicago ready for my hope to be restored. I had no idea Chicago had such a large Mexican population, but that's why traveling is the best thing ever. You learn so much in such a short period of time. As we entered, my dopamine receptors began to flood when I realized this taco spot was in the back of a liquor store. This is how you know a spot is gonna go crazy. I felt like I was back in a hole in the wall taco in Puerto Vallarta. As we approached the menu I couldn't believe my eyes. All tacos (Carne Asada, Al Pastor, Chorizo, Ribeye, Lengua, Carnitas, Pollo, & Beef) were $4.99. Damn. I mean it wasn't Tacombi prices, but I was expecting $3.99 max. Are tacos everywhere just cooked? I put in my order for 5 tacos, sat at one of the 8 metal chairs, and began to spiral. "Maybe the affordable taco that I grew up on in the US is just gone..." After about a 10 minute wait, our names were called. My eyes LIT up when I saw these gargantuan tacos. My first thought was "omg there's no way I'm going to finish these." Each taco was served with two thick, handmade corn tortillas with a large surface area STUFFED with meat. At least double the size of a taco I had come to expect in NYC. It was a bigger serving per taco than the $11 burrito from Los Burritos Juarez in Brooklyn. Just when I thought all hope was lost, the good Lord threw me a life raft. These tacos were PHENOMENAL. SENSATIONAL. My favorites were easily the chorizo and the carne Asada. My goodness. Steam coming out and juices dropping on every bite, with a distinct flavor that reminded me of my favorite taco spots in San Diego. I'm getting hungry at my desk at 7:34am just thinking about these things. I will GLADLY pay $4.99 for this taco. As we were getting up to leave, I saw them making a few burritos and became rushed with regret that I didn't get one. If I had to do it over, I would have got 1 chorizo taco, 1 carne asada taco, and a carne asada burrito... but hindsight is always 20/20. Shoutout to Rob Martinez for the rec. A Rob Martinez rec has never let me down. If Rob Martinez has no fans, I am long gone. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo
I'm here a couple of times a month. Everything is fantastic! This is a go to for me! Fav pastor in the city and the asada is a close second!
The food is AMAZING! I decided to stop by for a late lunch and I was not disappointed. The restaurant is located in the back of a convenience store, so I was a bit apprehensive. That soon passed once I was warmly greeted. I ordered a Ribeye Burrito, Chorizo Tacos, and a Chicken Torta. The Ribeye is the clear winner across the board. I definitely will be going back to get another burrito or Ribeye Torta (the bread was so soft)!
No atmosphere. It's the back end of a Pilsen bodega but of course that's where you always get the good stuff. We had 4 tacos - asada, al pastor, lengua, and tripas. The asada and lengua were absolutely first rate. The tongue was so tender and flavorful and the asada was tender and had a great char. The al pastor and tripas were a notch below. Definitely good but not mind blowing. The tripe was fried and crunchy, not soft and braised as we're used to. Not our preferred style but that's a matter of personal preference. Oh, and the tacos are very generously portioned. Two per person was plenty. Service was friendly and fast and parking is available if you're willing to cruise around a bit.
First, the good......Parking isn't an issue. Plenty of metered and unmetered street parking. Service was pleasant, and the staff was friendly. It seemed suspect because it's located in the rear of a bodega. If you know, then you know. They take your order in the rear, and you pay at the register in the front. All orders were prepared fresh. I tried a few carne asada tacos and a carne asada burrito. I grabbed a Jarrito for good measure. The wait wasn't long, but it was longer than I expected. This was on a light foot traffic day. 10-12 minutes, I was in and out. The less than good:The tacos were very dry. I specifically ordered them with cilantro and onions so I could really taste them. The salsa was flavorful, but the steak was overcooked. I added salsa and lime, but it didn't help much, but it wasn't the worst taco I've had. Next, the burrito......Great flavor, and the steak wasn't overcooked. Nice size.....The only problem, it fell apart after the first bite. I wished it was packed tighter and sealed with a little heat on the flap side of the burrito. I enjoyed the burrito more than the tacos, and I must admit, I went for the burrito, so this wasn't a disappointment. I'm willing to give the tacos another try, just in case this was an anomaly.
Yes this place is as good as everyone says it is! The tiny little entrance to the store leads to the restaurant in the back, where you get to experience the joy of these flavor packed tacos. Carne asada and pastor were perfectly seasoned, grilled to perfection, and portion serving sizes are huge! They also sell some items there, such as mugs, hot sauce, and spices.
Hands down top 2 asada y pastor tacos I've ever had. Made to order so it's as fresh as it can get. When you order you get a ticket to pay at the front register so you can grab drinks up front. Asada is seasoned solid and very thin strips with no chewy bites. Pastor had a great blend of traditional pastor spices with little crispy pieces. Def a must have!
Admittedly, I was solidly hungry but when our tacos arrived (sitting in the back of a corner store/tiny grocery store - you order at the back and then pay at the front) and I took a bite, I truly thought to myself: these might be the best tacos I've had in Chicago. They are definitely in my top 5. We got the cecina, carne asada, carnitas, and lomo tacos and all were good. My absolute favorites were the lomo and cecina, but truly everything was so good. I was having a stressful day and sitting down and eating these tacos really fixed me and brightened my day.
10/10 loved this place. I was immediately greeted and thanked. The food was bomb. Burritos were my favorite. Everyone was very nice and fast. It's a cute little store, perfect for snacks and drinks. Next time I'm in Chicago, I'll come back again.
Carniceria Maribel - Chicago, IL: The Hidden Taqueria That Just Punched Way Above Its Weight Class I almost don't want to write this review because I selfishly want Carniceria Maribel to stay my little secret, but greatness this pure deserves to be shouted from rooftops. Walk past the meat cases and coolers in this unassuming little carniceria on the Southwest Side and you'll find a tiny taqueria counter that is quietly serving some of the best tacos and tortas in the entire city. No hype, no neon signs, no influencer photos, just pure, soul-satisfying Mexican flavor. The tacos de cecina are an absolute revelation: thinly sliced, salt-cured beef that's griddled until the edges caramelize and curl, then piled into steaming corn tortillas with cilantro, onion, and a salsa verde so bright it makes your eyes water in the best way. Salty, chewy, beefy perfection. The al pastor is spun and shaved to order from the trompo out back: juicy, pineapple-kissed pork with that perfect char, stacked high and dripping. One bite and you're transported straight to Mexico City. But the torta de asada? Holy mother of God. A toasted bolillo overflowing with juicy, thinly sliced grilled steak, melted Oaxaca cheese, creamy avocado, beans, lettuce, tomato, and just enough mayo and jalapeños to make it messy in the most glorious way. It's the size of your forearm and costs less than a fancy coffee downtown. Everything is made fresh, portions are insane, prices are stuck in the 90s, and the ladies behind the counter treat you like family. Grab some carne for home while you're at it; the quality is ridiculous. Carniceria Maribel isn't trying to be trendy. It's just quietly, consistently, outrageously delicious. Tacos de cecina, pastor, and that torta de asada are now permanently in my top 5 in Chicago. Do yourself (and your taste buds) a massive favor and go tomorrow. Five stars isn't enough. This place is a treasure.
If you're looking for authentic tacos, this place is absolutely worth the trip. Between the incredible Selena mural outside and the fact that it's tucked inside a liquor store, the whole experience feels like discovering a hidden gem. I eat a lot of tacos, and this was, without question, the best pollo (chicken) taco I've ever had. I was expecting the usual dry, bland, or overcooked chicken, but instead it was incredibly juicy, packed with flavor, and generously loaded with meat. Every bite was outstanding. The only downside was the wait time, but once the food arrived, it was easy to see why people are willing to wait. If you're a taco lover, this is a must-visit. I'll definitely be back. read more
This is a small liquor store that also sells tacos. The tacos were good and had plenty of flavor, but the service was extremely slow. There were no other customers, yet we still waited about 20 minutes for only two tacos. The food was worth trying, but the wait time definitely needs improvement. read more
22 days ago
These tacos are amazing. Walk all the way to the back to order then bring the slip to the front to pay. They take about 15-30 minutes to make but are so worth it. It is not a good spot for a large group because there is very limited seating. read more
2 months ago
Went for the carne asada and stayyyyyed for the carne asada! It is cool how you can go to the front (the convenient store part) to grab a Jarrito and bring it back to enjoy with your meal. read more
My beef with the New York City taco scene is biblical. I'm so tired of paying $5+ for a one bite taco. It's against the whole ethos of the taco. The humble taco has its beginnings as a street food meant to feed workers, families, and travelers at an accessible price. Walk into a Tacombi today and they look you dead in the eye and charge you $5.99 for a tiny chicken tinga taco. What has happened to the great and powerful taco? I know I'm probably being dramatic, as no one else I talk to gets this emotional charged over Taco-gate like I do, but I can't help how I feel. All this to say, I approached Carniceria Maribel in Chicago ready for my hope to be restored. I had no idea Chicago had such a large Mexican population, but that's why traveling is the best thing ever. You learn so much in such a short period of time. As we entered, my dopamine receptors began to flood when I realized this taco spot was in the back of a liquor store. This is how you know a spot is gonna go crazy. I felt like I was back in a hole in the wall taco in Puerto Vallarta. As we approached the menu I couldn't believe my eyes. All tacos (Carne Asada, Al Pastor, Chorizo, Ribeye, Lengua, Carnitas, Pollo, & Beef) were $4.99. Damn. I mean it wasn't Tacombi prices, but I was expecting $3.99 max. Are tacos everywhere just cooked? I put in my order for 5 tacos, sat at one of the 8 metal chairs, and began to spiral. "Maybe the affordable taco that I grew up on in the US is just gone..." After about a 10 minute wait, our names were called. My eyes LIT up when I saw these gargantuan tacos. My first thought was "omg there's no way I'm going to finish these." Each taco was served with two thick, handmade corn tortillas with a large surface area STUFFED with meat. At least double the size of a taco I had come to expect in NYC. It was a bigger serving per taco than the $11 burrito from Los Burritos Juarez in Brooklyn. Just when I thought all hope was lost, the good Lord threw me a life raft. These tacos were PHENOMENAL. SENSATIONAL. My favorites were easily the chorizo and the carne Asada. My goodness. Steam coming out and juices dropping on every bite, with a distinct flavor that reminded me of my favorite taco spots in San Diego. I'm getting hungry at my desk at 7:34am just thinking about these things. I will GLADLY pay $4.99 for this taco. As we were getting up to leave, I saw them making a few burritos and became rushed with regret that I didn't get one. If I had to do it over, I would have got 1 chorizo taco, 1 carne asada taco, and a carne asada burrito... but hindsight is always 20/20. Shoutout to Rob Martinez for the rec. A Rob Martinez rec has never let me down. If Rob Martinez has no fans, I am long gone. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo read more
The food is AMAZING! I decided to stop by for a late lunch and I was not disappointed. The restaurant is located in the back of a convenience store, so I was a bit apprehensive. That soon passed once I was warmly greeted. I ordered a Ribeye Burrito, Chorizo Tacos, and a Chicken Torta. The Ribeye is the clear winner across the board. I definitely will be going back to get another burrito or Ribeye Torta (the bread was so soft)! read more
No atmosphere. It's the back end of a Pilsen bodega but of course that's where you always get the good stuff. We had 4 tacos - asada, al pastor, lengua, and tripas. The asada and lengua were absolutely first rate. The tongue was so tender and flavorful and the asada was tender and had a great char. The al pastor and tripas were a notch below. Definitely good but not mind blowing. The tripe was fried and crunchy, not soft and braised as we're used to. Not our preferred style but that's a matter of personal preference. Oh, and the tacos are very generously portioned. Two per person was plenty. Service was friendly and fast and parking is available if you're willing to cruise around a bit. read more
1 month ago
First, the good......Parking isn't an issue. Plenty of metered and unmetered street parking. Service was pleasant, and the staff was friendly. It seemed suspect because it's located in the rear of a bodega. If you know, then you know. They take your order in the rear, and you pay at the register in the front. All orders were prepared fresh. I tried a few carne asada tacos and a carne asada burrito. I grabbed a Jarrito for good measure. The wait wasn't long, but it was longer than I expected. This was on a light foot traffic day. 10-12 minutes, I was in and out. The less than good:The tacos were very dry. I specifically ordered them with cilantro and onions so I could really taste them. The salsa was flavorful, but the steak was overcooked. I added salsa and lime, but it didn't help much, but it wasn't the worst taco I've had. Next, the burrito......Great flavor, and the steak wasn't overcooked. Nice size.....The only problem, it fell apart after the first bite. I wished it was packed tighter and sealed with a little heat on the flap side of the burrito. I enjoyed the burrito more than the tacos, and I must admit, I went for the burrito, so this wasn't a disappointment. I'm willing to give the tacos another try, just in case this was an anomaly. read more
2 months ago
Yes this place is as good as everyone says it is! The tiny little entrance to the store leads to the restaurant in the back, where you get to experience the joy of these flavor packed tacos. Carne asada and pastor were perfectly seasoned, grilled to perfection, and portion serving sizes are huge! They also sell some items there, such as mugs, hot sauce, and spices. read more
Hands down top 2 asada y pastor tacos I've ever had. Made to order so it's as fresh as it can get. When you order you get a ticket to pay at the front register so you can grab drinks up front. Asada is seasoned solid and very thin strips with no chewy bites. Pastor had a great blend of traditional pastor spices with little crispy pieces. Def a must have! read more
1 year ago
Admittedly, I was solidly hungry but when our tacos arrived (sitting in the back of a corner store/tiny grocery store - you order at the back and then pay at the front) and I took a bite, I truly thought to myself: these might be the best tacos I've had in Chicago. They are definitely in my top 5. We got the cecina, carne asada, carnitas, and lomo tacos and all were good. My absolute favorites were the lomo and cecina, but truly everything was so good. I was having a stressful day and sitting down and eating these tacos really fixed me and brightened my day. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
5 months ago
10/10 loved this place. I was immediately greeted and thanked. The food was bomb. Burritos were my favorite. Everyone was very nice and fast. It's a cute little store, perfect for snacks and drinks. Next time I'm in Chicago, I'll come back again. read more
10 months ago
Carniceria Maribel - Chicago, IL: The Hidden Taqueria That Just Punched Way Above Its Weight Class I almost don't want to write this review because I selfishly want Carniceria Maribel to stay my little secret, but greatness this pure deserves to be shouted from rooftops. Walk past the meat cases and coolers in this unassuming little carniceria on the Southwest Side and you'll find a tiny taqueria counter that is quietly serving some of the best tacos and tortas in the entire city. No hype, no neon signs, no influencer photos, just pure, soul-satisfying Mexican flavor. The tacos de cecina are an absolute revelation: thinly sliced, salt-cured beef that's griddled until the edges caramelize and curl, then piled into steaming corn tortillas with cilantro, onion, and a salsa verde so bright it makes your eyes water in the best way. Salty, chewy, beefy perfection. The al pastor is spun and shaved to order from the trompo out back: juicy, pineapple-kissed pork with that perfect char, stacked high and dripping. One bite and you're transported straight to Mexico City. But the torta de asada? Holy mother of God. A toasted bolillo overflowing with juicy, thinly sliced grilled steak, melted Oaxaca cheese, creamy avocado, beans, lettuce, tomato, and just enough mayo and jalapeños to make it messy in the most glorious way. It's the size of your forearm and costs less than a fancy coffee downtown. Everything is made fresh, portions are insane, prices are stuck in the 90s, and the ladies behind the counter treat you like family. Grab some carne for home while you're at it; the quality is ridiculous. Carniceria Maribel isn't trying to be trendy. It's just quietly, consistently, outrageously delicious. Tacos de cecina, pastor, and that torta de asada are now permanently in my top 5 in Chicago. Do yourself (and your taste buds) a massive favor and go tomorrow. Five stars isn't enough. This place is a treasure. read more
3 months ago
Their half el pastor half carne asada burritos are . I get one at least once a week. So delicious! the staff that works there are friendly. Nice little local neighborhood corner store/ restaurant. read more
9 months ago
9 months ago
Every visit to family in Chicago earns a trip to C. Maribel. Neighborhood convenience store with customers lined up enjoying the fare along the lone counter. Order, pay up front and in about 10 minutes the most delicious, decent sized, double wrapped tacos are served. $5 per is a good value considering the quality. 3 tacos about right. Tostas look great, next time! read more
Came here for a quick bite to eat. Unfortunately, it was a packed Thursday night. I didn't think it would be that busy, but a group of hippies packed the place down. There was nowhere to sit and had to wait longer than I would have wanted for my tacos. The place is also small with limited seating. The kitchen is in the of this supermercado. I would say though, that it was definitely worth the wait. I ordered a carne asada taco as well as an al pastor taco. Both tacos were really delicious and went perfect with the salsas. The tacos are served on tortillas amarillas, which truly is the best tortilla for tacos. Staff he was great as well. Will definitely be returning. read more
8 months ago
10 months ago
9 months ago
Before you even order , welcoming atmosphere here is exceptional! Tacos by far the best I've ever had. Asada, Pastor, you name it ! Can't go wrong with their horchata read more
7 months ago
We got a Torta, Tacos w Lengua, ribeye, and al pastor Meat was all delicious in their own way. The lengua and ribeye could've used a touch of salt to enhance it more. Al pastor though was marinated so so well. Highly recommend and the tortillas- according to my boyfriend he said it tasted really authentic and the texture reminded him of mexico's small location so be aware in case you need to do take out, parking is alright but could be better due to level of pavement, but price goes well with what you get read more
Overall Thoughts: This is a small grocery store with a well-known restaurant section in the back serving up traditional corn tortilla tacos with robust flavor. It was busy on a Sunday afternoon and it took awhile to both place my order and get my food (there's also no bathroom, unfortunately). I ordered the Chorizo and Carne Asada tacos, and both were packed with flavor. I preferred the chorizo as the carne asada steak was a bit dry/tough, but tasty nonetheless. The tacos are $4.99 each which includes tax. Seats are limited too, with just a counter of stools available, but most people get takeout. I will definitely be back here-- they're most famous for their tacos, but I'd also be interested in trying their torta and burritos! -- Price (relative to peers): 4.3/5 Food: 4.5/5 Ambience: 4.1/5 Service: 4.4/5 Overall Value: 4.4/5 read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
If you want authentic, juicy, and always fresh tacos, this is the spot! I go here whenever I get a craving for some tacos or a burrito. Ask for the shrimp tacos if you want to mix it up, always a hit. Besides the top quality food, the service and atmosphere is really a vibe -- love neighborhood spots like this! read more
9 months ago
Literally so so delicious, some of my fave tacos I've ever had. Since having birria, it's been hard going back to non-birria tacos, but the carne asada are just as good -- so fresh, so homemade. I could eat these every day. In a carniceria so you know it's good. read more
2 years ago
food was amazing definitely recommend this place to any one definitely amazing and would for sure come regularly and service is really fast it was like five minutes and it was ready But overall this was an amazing food and service read more
2 years ago
5 stars for the tacos alone. The carne asada is delicious. If you come on the weekend, be prepared to wait. There isn't much of a system, I saw some people ordering in the front with the grocer and some in the back at the taco stand. Orders were way backed up. But everything that came out looked hot, fresh, and tasty. Service is friendly also. read more
Page 1 of 6
More info about Carniceria Maribel
1801 W Cermak Rd
Chicago, IL 60608
Pilsen
Directions
(773) 254-6446
Call Now
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
More Info
Health Score
Carniceria Maribel Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Carniceria Maribel
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
17 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
8 months ago
7 years ago
4 years ago
12 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
11 months ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
6 years ago
8 years ago
2 years ago
11 years ago
15 years ago
