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    El Pulpo Loco

    4.5 (179 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 10:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order El Pulpo Loco Takeout or Delivery

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    EL PULPO LOCO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Tostada de Ceviche Mixto
    John S.

    It means El Crazy Octopus but there is nothing crazy about the delicious food here. The features at this restaurant are many, but for me, the seafood tostados featuring shrimp, fish and of course octopus are favorites. Very fresh and bountiful portions, a single serving can fill you up if you're not too greedy, but I am, so I order more. Also, the Fin de Semana dish Guisado de Puerco con Corundas is outstanding and saucy, real home cooking, if you haven't had it, try it! The atmosphere is highly local and the vibe is casual and relaxed. Beer is served and seems nearly synonymous with the fare, but soda and other drinks are available. Recent renovations provide a super-clean feel and a freshness that makes the food shine. Longtime waitstaff are cheerful and welcoming! I fantasize that they will get their rotating dessert case working again, it has a magic for me. Also, to get to the bathroom one must go down stairs to the basement, not optimal but a small sacrifice for the experience.

    Menu

    Stopped in for a marg and a quick bite and was really happy with the good food and quick service. A neighborhood spot I will be back to.

    Shay R.

    I came across El Pulpo Loco while randomly looking through Yelp for Mexican restaurants on the Northside. I saw the great reviews and thought it was a must visit. I am so happy I went to check out El Pulpo Loco because it was one of the best torta sandwiches that I have had in awhile. I also got to try a milanesa torta sandwich for the first time and I cannot go back. Our waitress was very friendly. She greeted my party as soon as we arrived and got drink orders as well as menu quickly. The inside of the restaurant is spacious enough to accommodate a a variety of group sizes but mostly 2-4 people parties. I loved the artwork on the main wall. I ordered a burrito and my husband ordered the milanesa torta. The food came out ratherly quickly. I was able to sample the milanesa torta and the first thing I noticed that the bread was fresh (soft and not stale). The steak on the torta was nicely seasoned. The burrito was delicious but I ended up liking the torta a lot more. The burrito was jam packed with with steak and not overly filled with filler items. I was able to able to easily get two meals from my burrito. I would highly recommend visiting El Pulpo Loco if you're in the area.

    Dining room
    Gesselle C.

    Restaurant name translation- The Crazy Octopus Food This Mexican restaurant is a little Rogers Park gem spot! Traditional cuisine for the knowledgeable consumer. La locura del sabor - mi gente! Service The service is bilingual, knowledgeable and friendly. I had a few subs and they were okay with it. The food is fresh served piping hot. Expect to wait 10-15 minutes for a made-to-order experience. Ambiance Beautiful and ultra clean environment and its octopus themed decor is tasteful, just like their food. Last note - Order the flan!!!!!!

    Chris M.

    Absolutely delicious food! I love their Pulpo ceviche! They also have a Campechano taco (or burrito) that is out of this world!

    Pastor taco, cilantro and onion
    Paul G.

    This place has become a regular stop on my list of places to get a great meal at a reasonable price. I always love the food, particularly the steak burrito suizo dinner. A generous portion, and the addition of the fresh guac really puts this over the top. Always friendly service. Pretty easy street parking right out front.

    The best Fajitas de Camaron. Perfectly cooked, fresh, flavorful and a generous portion.
    Jeff K.

    This Rogers Park storefront Mexican place will blow you away with their seafood, service and margaritas. Their ceviche Tostitos should not be missed and their shrimp fajitas are outstanding.

    Lilian T.

    I have visited many seafood restaurants/places but this place is by far the best place in the Rogers Park area. The staff and environment are always friendly.

    Chicken Tacos Dinner
    Maura G.

    This place is my favorite restaurant in all of Rogers Park! I always love to try new places but am always tempted and drawn back here. Staff is super sweet and food is so affordable. My favorites are the Chicken Taco Dinner (my boyfriend always gets the chorizo) and the Enchiladas. Oh! And the margaritas are great too

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    1 year ago

    The tacos dinners were great, filled tacos and delicious beans and rice, three members of our party enjoyed them. Will definitely return.

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    1 year ago

    Fantastic food. Chicken tacos were actually amazing!!!! I'm Latino and this place was legit. It genuinely impressed me.

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    1 year ago

    Very good food with quick service. The tacos, rice, beans, and horchata were fire I would recommend!

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    Bocaditos Mexican Cuisine - Enchiladas Maya

    Bocaditos Mexican Cuisine

    4.2(120 reviews)
    8.4 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$$

    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

    Stopped by Bocaditos Mexican Kitchen in Chicago on a Wednesday night before a Blackhawks game and…read moreit was the perfect pre-game spot. The aguachiles were easily our favorite -- super fresh and full of flavor, with really well-balanced ingredients. You can tell the food is made to order and not rushed. The chips and salsa were also way better than your typical starter. The chips came out warm and crisp, and the salsa was smooth, flavorful, and super addictive. We also tried a few drinks, and they were excellent -- well-made, not overly sweet, and a great way to start the night before heading to the game. Our server was amazing -- friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. They kept checking in at all the right times and made the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable even with the pre-game crowd. Definitely a great spot to hit anytime you're in the area looking for solid Mexican food and a fun vibe.

    Photos
    Bocaditos Mexican Cuisine - Empty restaurant

    Empty restaurant

    Bocaditos Mexican Cuisine - El Cafecito

    El Cafecito

    Bocaditos Mexican Cuisine - Oro verde our Traditional Guacamole

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    Oro verde our Traditional Guacamole

    Barrio - Quesabirria tacos

    Barrio

    4.1(1.4k reviews)
    8.1 miNear North Side
    $$

    Cinco de Mayo at Barrio was EVERYTHINGGG…read more We fully committed to the holiday and ordered honestly the entire menu and somehow every single thing that came out was better than the last. Starting with margaritas (because obviously ‍), queso and chips that were dangerously good, and the chicken empanadas that came out perfectly crispy with so much flavor. We kept looking at each other after every bite like "okay wait... THIS is the best thing here" and then another plate would arrive and prove us wrong again The carnitas fried rice??? I genuinely cannot stop thinking about it. So savory, flavorful, comforting, and packed with crispy carnitas on top with the eggs and pickled onions... literally unreal. And then the skirt steak tacos absolutely stole the show. The steak was cooked perfectly, packed with flavor, and paired so perfectly with all the toppings and sauces. Every single bite tasted fresh and homemade in the best way possible. And can we talk about the ambience for a second because WOW. The music, the energy, the vibe inside, everyone celebrating, the drinks flowing -- it felt like the perfect Cinco de Mayo dinner spot. The service was also AMAZING from start to finish and made the entire experience even better. One of those dinners where you leave already talking about when you're coming back If you're looking for the place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, date night, tacos & margaritas, or honestly just an incredible dinner in general... this is IT

    What a fun spot! We had reservations (glad we did) and sat in the bar area at a high-top table…read morealong the window. Perfect seat in my opinion. Views of the city right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago. What I tried: + chips and queso - 8/10 + ribeye with rice and beans (was a special) - 7.5/10 + spicy margarita - 8/10 Great service!

    Photos
    Barrio - Interior views

    Interior views

    Barrio - Chicken fajitas

    Chicken fajitas

    Barrio - Margarita time!

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    Margarita time!

    El Xangarrito - Cheesecake

    El Xangarrito

    4.8(216 reviews)
    2.6 miLincoln Square, Ravenswood

    Thanks to Yelp El Xangarrito has been on my list for sometime, and I was not disappointed. It is a…read morevery small family-owned Mexican restaurant but the seating does not make you feel cramped. We did make reservations/wait list and was seated immediately. We started off with chips and salsa, and the salsa was a bit too spicy for me, but everyone else enjoyed it. We started with the Chicken Poblano - a savory dish with creamy poblano sauce mixed with chicken and sliced poblano peppers topped with corn. We all enjoyed it. Most of the reviews recommended the enchiladas and we ordered a variety of them. The Enchiladas Poblanos stuffed with chicken and cheese. The poblano sauce was rich and smoky. We also had the Enchiladas Morita. They were filled with shrimp and cheese. It was so flavorful and the morita chile added so much flavor. Each dish was served with a side jicama salad. Their special was a shrimp pasta with lobster. It came with full lobster tail. The sauce was creamy and flavorful. It is also BYOB, which is a nice option. Service was excellent, friendly offered recommendations. This is probably one of my favorite Mexican restaurants and highly recommend.

    Xangaritto continues to be a beacon of delicious food and friendly hospitality. They switched…read moreowners about a year ago and the beginning was a little rocky but today was an amazing experience. I love coming here for the tampiquena and the enchiladas. The tamipquena is marinated in something delicious, pretty sure it includes adobo chiles, making the tamipquena flavorful and tender. The enchiladas have some of the best sauces. We especially love then poblano sauce on the chicken enchiladas. The enchiladas have some tender chicken and the sauce is slightly spicy and creamy. Everyone is super friendly, the waiting staff and chef take pride in their work and it shows. I continue to strongly recommend this place for a delicious dinner out. This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. It s a cozy elevated escape.

    Photos
    El Xangarrito - Veggie Pastor Tacos

    Veggie Pastor Tacos

    El Xangarrito - Traditional Pastor Tacos

    Traditional Pastor Tacos

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

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

    Manchamanteles Restaurant - Enchiladas Potosina

    Manchamanteles Restaurant

    4.4(143 reviews)
    5.9 miBucktown
    $$

    Chef Geno Bahena is back in business, and his world famous moles are as complex and satisfying as…read moreever. I had the rack of lamb in mole negro, and it was delicious. Get it medium rare. Kelly had steak fajitas and deemed them amazing. The sopa Azteca is spicy and loaded with complex flavors. Huge portion, too, enough to share or take home. For dessert, the chocolate mole tart and the strawberry ice cream are superb. Palomas and margaritas are good, and the wine list is all very affordable. Get the Rioja or the Cotes du Rhone.

    Came here on Valentine's Day with a reservation, there were three of us, one kid. It was full of…read morefamilies, some couples. The had a tasting menu but we opted out of it. They give you a complimentary spicy trail mix. We started with the guacamole, it was okay. Then I got a traditional margarita, my partner got a pina colada with strawberries, and my kid got a pink lemonade (Marz Brewing made). The margarita was good, not strong but not too watery. For dinner I got the chicken fajitas, the waiter asked if I wanted just chicken which I though was odd because I ordered the chicken fajitas and I wasn't sure what he meant or if he meant no veggies, it came with veggies luckily. It also came with tortilla, corn, and a side of refried black beans with cojita, and rice. It was all okay. My partner got the lamb mole, it was sweet and savory, not spicy. And it came with tortillas. They have a lot of mole options, so if you're into that definitely come here to try! Overall it was just okay.

    Photos
    Manchamanteles Restaurant
    Manchamanteles Restaurant - Dobladas De Mole Negro! Delicious

    Dobladas De Mole Negro! Delicious

    Manchamanteles Restaurant - Queso Fundido!!(keepsmilingphoto.com)

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    Queso Fundido!!(keepsmilingphoto.com)

    Frontera Grill - Trio Ceviche

    Frontera Grill

    3.9(2.8k reviews)
    8.0 miNear North Side
    $$

    Delicious food, friendly waiter, militant hostess…read more We came to dinner before a standup performance downtown (Mateo Lane was hilarious, by the way). I arrived at the restaurant on time (4:30) and checked in with the hostess, who said I could only be seated when the entire group of three arrived. This seemed weird given the restaurant was pretty empty at this time, and ordinarily I'd order a drink while waiting at the table. Regardless, I went to Starbucks instead because I knew the other two were a few minutes behind. When I got back to the restaurant, my friend said the hostess told him we absolutely had to leave within 1.5 hours because we were late... which seemed odd because he may have checked in 15 minutes after our reservation, to an empty restaurant, that already refused to seat me on time. Regardless, the food was delicious. I had the Pollo in ChiChilo-- the mole was delicious, and I loved the chicken and sweet potato. I ordered the mole on the side, which seemed like a nice balance. Since the hostess wouldn't previously seat me, I had a lovely iced matcha latte with oat milk and half a pump of vanilla from Starbucks, which was a nice pairing. The waiter did ask if I wanted a shot of something with it, which seemed odd. Ambiance was cute, probably due for a renovation but seemed appropriate for most dining out occasions- dates, families, a day out in town. Note: the restaurant charges an automatic 20% gratuity which may explain the service. Keep this in mind to avoid tipping more than you intend. Overall, I would definitely come back, and the food and wait staff made up for the abrasive welcome.

    Food - pork tacos - excellent execution of tender pork belly. Every piece was so succulent and…read morefull of crisy pork goodness. Warm, homemade tortillas added to the perfect bite on top of flavor town green tomatillo salsa. The black beans was a good balance the rich pork flavors. Also, if the standard salsa was room tamed for.your liking; they have a good habanero salsa for the asking. Maybe too much foe most. Dessert- ice cream with fudge.. Great tasting of vanilla and chocolate, but wasnt quite over the top. The ice cream was nice and thick, but was a bit gritty for ice cream at an upscale place. Partly why I couldnt give it a perfect score. Service - attentive and intuitive. The waiter seems to know what we like and need without asking too much. Spicy pineapple Cocktail- good, strong, but not great. Couldn't really taste any pineapple. Cleanliness- clean and organized. Cost - affordable for special occasion. Restroom - fancy and clean. Ambiance - warm and relaxing, but a bit cheap with the vinyl or cheap wood veneer tables.

    Photos
    Frontera Grill - Back room, additional eating area at the bar

    Back room, additional eating area at the bar

    Frontera Grill - Duck carnitas

    Duck carnitas

    Frontera Grill - Pork shank

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    Pork shank

    El Pulpo Loco - mexican - Updated May 2026

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