Don Pepe

We arrived not knowing it was a bar crawl happening but we still got in and waited for a table. It…read moretook 30 minutes to get a table bc of the bar crawl. As much as it was packed from 2:30 til 3:30 we were still were able to order a drink at bar. Martin was so nice and took our order and brought it to us being we went back to waiting line. The place is small with a hard time to walk around when it's full. It's a nice bar restaurant and didn't realized until we were leaving that there's a back area. The bartenders could be a little more social and happy bc that seem a bit dull and unhappy working there. Unlike Martin he was happy. Mildred was our server and she did phenomenal. The food and drinks were great

It was not stated anywhere else on their digital menu that they their tacos come individually;…read morecompared to their three taco plate option, but thanks to checking the yelp menu first I was able to make my choice for 2 birra tacos! (inquire about the 4% service charge added) No rice or beans with any of my parties' dishes, not sure if that is an option. Time to be seated was less than five minutes for a party of four around 2:20 PM on a Sunday; busier times or days enforce their 90 minute time limit policy per table. The food was well seasoned, wish I tasted it a little more on the meat itself, yet all the vegetables tasted crisp and fresh. If you are looking to have intimate conversations be prepared to speak a lot louder, the DJ booth by the front keeps it pretty lively, but difficult to hold conversations across the table. Open authentic Mexican soda is always refreshing, and if you're looking for a place that has soft serve margaritas this is one of them. If you notice and unusual wait time or slow service please make your choice accordingly as I started to notice it was a case by case basis like some of the previous reviews had mentioned.

4.0 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Interior of Buisness

Fish taco

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Chicharron de Ribeye

Bocaditos Mexican Cuisine

4.2(123 reviews)

•$$$

Went here for my birthday dinner on a Saturday night. Nice atmosphere and music but not too loud…read morefor conversation. I loved the decorations. I ordered the steak and shrimp fajitas they were expensive but excellent! Came out on a sizzling plate. I tried the Habernita drink and sangria. The habernita drink had mezcal, orange, pineapple, and habanero so had a nice kick to it. My friend told server it was my birthday secretly and they came out with a sparkler had birthday music playing and shots of tequila for my table! We had a great time and I will definitely be back! I recommend coming here to celebrate your birthday or just to have a delicious meal

I'm not one to knock out places that I haven't been for the first time but this one won't be seeing…read moreme ,any time soon. The food was bland and lacked flavor, the enchiladas didn't have the texture and quality you'd expect for a place that's close enough to down town to make its presence known. The service wasn't bad just lacked effort. The server upsold side dishes , but never brought them out. Had them removed from the check. The ambiance is great , nice decor , great music and spacious. The chicken was diced and dry from being reheated so it had those crunchy edges, which don't belong in an enchilada lol. The drinks were sweet and tasty. Overall try if you're gonna be drinking rather than looking forward to the meal.

Empty restaurant

El Cafecito

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Oro verde our Traditional Guacamole

Barrio

4.1(1.4k reviews)

5.3 mi•Near North Side

I had a great time! Tiyana was the best! I went for a lowkey birthday celebration and she made it…read morefeel very special! I will be back!

Barrio - Chicago Strawberry mint margs + Saturday happy…read morehour = YESSS Chips + dip trio with queso, salsa & guac = all 3 were delicious Steak + shrimp tacos = so flavorful & a must try Cornbread skillet = surprisingly SOOO good, so glad we got it 5/5 Loved the fun patio vibes, nice service, clean bathrooms + such a good Chicago happy hour spot! Happy hour is EVERY DAY 4-6pm Check out the full review on IG: @ratedbyaleena_

4.2 mi•Ukrainian Village, West Town

Interior views

Chicken fajitas

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Margarita time!

Sabroso! Mexican Grill

4.7(551 reviews)

Jesus was the best server I've ever gotten made it his mission to make sure we had everything and…read moreanything we needed definitely needs a raise for such a good service reminded of my grandpa which made it feel just like home definitely had a great experience thank you beautiful atmosphere and delicious food

Four of us (two adults and two kids) visited Sabroso! Mexican Grill for the first time during a…read moretrip to Chicago. I must admit that I had low expectations because quite frankly, I have not enjoyed Mexican food outside of Mexico or California. However, we were hungry, and it was near where we were staying, so I decided we should check it out, and I am so glad we did! The food was great. Both adults and the VERY picky children in our group all enjoyed our meals. I ordered the green chicken enchiladas and the other adult ordered a chile relleno combo, which I also got to try. Everything was delicious and devoured by all! We were so full but the owner talked us into the chocoflan, and we did not regret trying it. It was soooo good! Speaking of the owner, the service was great. We really enjoyed how he and the rest of the staff were very courteous. It is a small establishment, and it gets a good amount of people, so I assume that there are waits during peak hours. I highly recommend Sabroso! And we plan to return the next time we are in the area.

Interior din6

Enchiladas

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CHICKEN TAQUITOS

Carniceria Maribel

4.7(207 reviews)

2.3 mi•Pilsen

If you're looking for authentic tacos, this place is absolutely worth the trip. Between the…read moreincredible 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.

On the hunt for delicious tacos and decided to check them off my list! I walked in and was a little…read morelost as the front was a grocery, I hadn't read the reviews, but the smells drew me to the back to the restaurant lol. I placed an order for 4 tacos. 2 carne adada and 2 ribeyes. It took about 7-10mins during the lunch run at around 12pm, so not too long. Everything was fresh and hot, prepared correctly. I would rate them a 3.5, but the setvice got them a 4. I would return if in the area for sure.

The kitchen. Order here and take ticket up front to pay

Tacos de asada

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Tacos de asada y al pastor

XOchimilco Mexican Restaurant

4.8(364 reviews)

8.3 mi•Ravenswood

Top service and incredible food. Everything was delicious and the staff is super nice!!!read more

Fabulous place. The enchiladas and steak tacos are standout. Service is also lovely. They have…read morediscounted margaritas on Tuesday, so worth checking out then.

8.7 mi•Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

Dining Room

Pineapple special. Simply the best.

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Pollo en Mole

El Xangarrito Mex Restaurant

4.8(223 reviews)

A great BYOB spot for high quality Mexican…read more Excellent mole negro, ceviche, fried plantains, and enchiladas. It is supposedly tiny inside but it has a lovely outdoor patio in front of the restaurant.

Such a cute place. They have a huge patio area, too. Food…read morewas very flavorful and the enchiladas options were really good. Several different types to choose from. Sauces very authentic and served with a smile from our server. She checked in on us several times and really seemed like she wanted to be making our dining experience a good one. Free chips and salsa on the table at the beginning and the BYOB solidified the fact that me and my girlfriends will be back for sure!!

They seem to have a bunch of take out business, also.

Traditional Pastor Tacos

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Steak Enchiladas Mole. A generous portion to share or to take some home with you for a late night snack.

5 Rabanitos

4.2(851 reviews)

2.5 mi•Pilsen

The chef who owns this restaurant trained with Rick Bayless for 19 years and it really comes out in…read morehis cooking. All of the food was absolutely delicious. We came later on a Monday night so we did not have to wait to get a seat although it was still pretty busy. The place is decorated nicely. Well on a block with many other Mexican businesses. Located right off the pink line it is very easy to get to and also noted to be near the Mexican art Institute. The chicken mole enchiladas were delicious. Spicy and bitterness of the chocolate balanced super well. rice was also cooked perfectly. The shredded beef dish was short rib and mashed potatoes. They were meant to be assembled into a homemade tortilla - a very interesting concept. The homemade tortillas were so warm and fluffy. I have never had such good tortillas. I took a tamale plate home. It was large and had a good portion of shredded pork. Super flavorful, but also I felt the texture might've been firmer than I would've expected.

I was introduced to the place by a Mexicans from Chicago and it's such a hidden gem. She suggested…read morethe we try the sopes and i don't regret it at all. I got the chicken tinga and carne asada and it was really good. We had the verde ceviche (not pictured) and it was a table fav. We also got the elotes which were good but nothing special. It was my first time have queso fundido and i really like its. The staff was really friendly and the place is so cute. Most places are going for a minimalist look not but the bright blue, green, and yellow works really well today as well as the various artwork!

Interior

Chips & Guac

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This bright mural on the side of 5 Rabanitos drew us is for refreshing Micheladas!

Manchamanteles Restaurant

4.4(152 reviews)

5.3 mi•Bucktown

Manchamanteles is as fun and exciting on the inside as its boldly colored outside would lead you to…read morebelieve. The staff are donned in themed regalia, and will gleefully sing you a happy birthday song even if you're quite far from adolescence (and also a few days out from your actual birthday). The moles were all phenomenal, and the mezcal margarita pitcher more than satisfied our group. The interior is a bit bright and skews somewhat family oriented, so I wouldn't recommend it for every crowd. But for my group of friends and I, Manchamanteles more than delivered in food, service, and fun alike.

I recently had dinner at this location, the food was ok, but looking around i noticed the location…read moreappeared unclean, my group paid the tab, and as we walked to our parking spot I noticed rats running through the property. When I got home I immediately looked up this location on the city of chicago food inspection reporting system, there i found since just April of 2026 it has been written violations for rat dropping, and a live rat seen by a customer in the restaurant. On the web site above you will also see so many violations for other violations due to lack of cleanliness. I will in the future consult the chicago food inspection reporting system to find what these restaurants are hiding from there customers!

Dobladas De Mole Negro! Delicious

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Queso Fundido!!(keepsmilingphoto.com)

Frontera Grill

3.9(2.8k reviews)

5.4 mi•Near North Side

The vibes were really nice for casual Mexican food. Dim lighting, candles on the table, and a cozy…read moreatmosphere. 8/10. The Chicken Taquitos (8.5/10) were perfectly crispy with tender, smoky chicken inside paired with fresh guac. The Corn-Masa Quesadillas (8/10) were more like crispy cheese-filled turnovers. The cheese pull was crazy, and the tomatillo salsa added a nice tangy kick. The Enchiladas de Birria (8/10) had tender, savory birria with a nice crunch from the cabbage and radish. The chile-sesame salsa added a great depth of flavor. The Barbacoa (7/10) was tender. I wasn't a fan of the salsa borracha, but the consome was delicious with a nice kick. The Fried Sweet Plantains (8/10) were soft and caramelized. The crema and cheese were a great addition. Overall, a solid spot for Mexican food when you want something a little nicer than a casual taco spot.

It's a terrific still solid stalwart of restaurants in Chicago's legendary portfolio of amazing…read moredining experiences. Creative authentic Mexican specialties and delicious specials. The service is impeccable warm and welcoming! The restaurant interior and adjoining dining experiences are beautifully art directed from Rick Bayles's brilliant eye for art culture and food. The mole is lendary and the branzino was delicious. Beautiful food great full bar and drinks.

Back room, additional eating area at the bar

Duck carnitas

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Pork shank

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9 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Allison M.

0

1

0

1 month ago

First time eating here and they came out swinging. The food was fresh, portions were massive, and you definitely get your money's worth. Nora was locked in from the minute we walked through the door and stayed on top of everything the entire meal--something a lot of places seem to have forgotten how to do. The restaurant itself was clean, open, and comfortable. Good food and sharp service make this an easy spot to come back to. read more

Muhammad A.

14

30

1

8 years ago

This place has really good Mexican food! Their tacos de canasta are the best I have ever tasted. I would recommend the tacos de canasta made of mole and the cheese ones. Their food made my trip from California to Chicago well worth it. Oh and their prices are really reasonable! read more

Michelle P.

20

2

6

12 years ago

OMG!! I love this place it is fabulous and authentic I ordered the Papa Don Pepe....the chipotle dressing is so flavorful with a kick of spiciness. The carne en su jugo WOW! Also the way they serve all they're dishes is really nice. read more

Saúl M.

0

4

7

3 years ago

Espectacular! La carne en su jugo, el pozole y las quesabirrias estuvieron deliciosas! Además unas micheladas muy ricas. El servicio muy bueno, las meseras muy atentas y amables. Hasta ahora mi lugar favorito en la calle 26. read more

Don Pepe E.

30

1

3

12 years ago

Best service and food quality!! Real mexican food! Totally stands out !! Tacos al vapor are a different iten that you will hardly find in other menus.Place is clean and friendly service read more

Vanessa G.

101

23

39

10 years ago

Amazing food! The wait was a little long but the food was fresh and they kept the chips coming! Will definitely be back!

Jovanny N.

0

2

0

3 years ago

Exelente comida muy buena atención recomiendo completamente este negocio tiene muy buen servicio muchas gracias

Ivan D.

24

2

0

9 years ago

Reimagine a potato... A must try item. Mustard, cheese, steak, bacon and his majesty The Potato

Roberto G.

24

1

7

10 years ago

Todo muy rico!!! En especial el pozole y las Micheladas, y los taquitos de canasta...

Don Pepe - mexican - Updated September 2026

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I go here all the time. Their shrimp soup is very good and flavorful the steak is cook perfectly…read more The prices are good and they are open late on the weekends.

The lady offered me onions and cream and I said no I don't want onions but I do want cream. Also…read moreplease add extra cheese. I picked up my order and came home to eat but there was onion and no Panela cheese. I was charged extra for the cheese. I called to confirme and make sure I wasn't charged extra but she confirmed that I did get charged extra and that the cooks said they made the order correctly. She said the only way to confirm that what I said was true was so go back in and show them my food. I'm not gonna waste my time. Horrible service. It would have sufficed if they just refunded the up charge. I'm not going to waste the time and energy and go back there. Not worth it.

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A few coworkers and I ordered delivery. They ordered tacos and I opted for the steak plate. The…read moresteak was seasoned well but a little tough. Unfortunately I didn't have a knife so had to bite off the steak since they came in big slices. The rice, beans and cabbage were also seasoned great. I'd definitely come in person so that I could experience everything fresh and hot off the grill.

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La Casa Del Pueblo

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My daughter and i had a late lunch here. Place was clean and the servers were nice. You order at…read morethe front and you can see what they have on offer for the day, cafeteria style. I got a cheese chile relleno and my daughter got the chilaquiles w/green sauce and rice and beans. After, we sat down at a table. The lady brought us water, napkins and utensils. A few minutes later, she brought out our food. The first thing i tasted was the chile relleno sauce which was bursting w/flavor. Then i took a bite of the relleno itself. Lightly fried and a good amount of cheese, it was delicious. Very authentic to what i know of latin food. My daughter never had chilaquiles, but she loved it. Said it was really good and enjoyed the rice and beans as well. Bring cash or be prepared to pay a 3.99% surcharge to cover the cost of your credit card. If back in Pilsen, i'd stop back here in a heartbeat.

Back in the barrio to said hi to my favorite server Diana I order menudo con pata and flour…read moretortillas pretty good New plates very mexican thank youuu See you soon again

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the food is was amazing the service was amazing and the ambiance was very family friendly totally…read morerecommend

I brought a very large group here with no warning and they welcomed us with open arms. The service…read morewas great, the food was good and it has a very nice local ambiance. Definitely recommend!

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Total random stop. Not familiar with this side of town but we were hungry and saw the sign. Wow…read morewhat a treat!!! Coming from the west coast, I love Mexican food so I'm always open to try a spot, especially locally owned! My husband and I got tortas, 1 mushroom and 1 steak. We also got beans and rice. When I tell you these beans are THE BEST refried beans I've EVER had, omg! Wow! So good and fresh! Our server was so sweet and kind. Very attentive to us and we appreciate great service. The ambiance is like sitting at your Abuelas house for dinner :) I would totally drive across town to eat here again! Support local businesses!

Overall, the food and service is pretty good. The portions…read moreare huge. My friend and I ordered the chilaquiles & huevos con papas. The dishes that we ate both came with rice and beans; which is pretty delicious! My dish also came with tortillas to eat. I rated a 4/5 bc I found some small egg shells in my eggs, but that's okay. The food came in a very fast time manner and the server who took care of us was really attentive, came to check up on a us many times throughout the service. Love the ambiance, we went on day of the dead and it's really decorative and colorful in there. Overall, I'd recommend this restaurant if you're looking for some delicious Mexican breakfast!

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Ok, my husband found bones in his queso birria a week after I posted my initial review and we have…read morenot gone back since. Also, meat was seen left outside for hours. Probably explains why they were shut down by the city. Just fyi! But they had a grand reopening!

Amazing tortas! Have a taste for one? You have to split it with a friend as they are huge and sooo…read moregood! You won't regret it!

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