Walked in not knowing what to expect. Tried their ceviche de pulpo and had it every week since. So good!!! Tacos are yummy too. Can't wait to try more items on their menu. read more

El Tecolote - Ceviche de pulpo - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been unemployed since July 15, but I'm 63 and have been able to save some money over the years, so I'm enjoying the time off. I try to explore two or three different neighborhoods per week, and today traveled to Little Village (from my place in Edgewater). This was my first trip to el barrio since the last time I had just duty at 26th and Cal, about four years ago. By 11 a.m. or so I was hungry and ended up visiting El Tecolote. As soon as I walked in I realized I'd been there before, back in 2018 or 2019 when I was Uber-driving between jobs. That's so long ago that I don't have specific memories. I just remember that I liked El Tecolote a lot! Today I liked it a lot, too! I had juevos rancheros, which were wonderful. The dish consisted of sunny-side up eggs that were nice and runny, just the way I like them. In my experience, restaurants tend to overcook sunny-side up eggs these days. Is that due to people getting sick and filing lawsuits? I don't know, but I hate overcooked eggs, and I thank señora for nice and runny eggs! The red rancheros sauce was delicious and had lots of bell peppers. Also a side of rice and creamy refried beans, plus some excellent, hot corn tortillas. And some very tasty tortilla chips. More than anything else, this breakfast tasted like . . . Mexico. I went to Isla Mujeras four times in the 90s, and today's meal brought me back to those happy trips. Two TVs near the front door were tuned to the same news show, and later the same soap opera. Although I don't speak Spanish, I enjoyed checking out the news and could easily figure out the top story, of course. And I was able to see that Spanish-language soap operas have the same over-acting as their English counterparts! Muchos gracias! read more

I love this Little Villlage gem. It's cheery and bright. The service is attentive, the menu is extensive. Shrimp and octopus are most prevalent throughout the menu. I don't eat octopus for ethical reasons, but any shrimp dish I've had has been amazing. My favorite is Enchipotlados (shrimp in chipotle sauce.) Nomnomnom! Fun choices all around, though. Homemade chips and salsa, of course. And cold cerveza in the cooler! There are lots of great places to dine in Little Village, but Tecolote should be on your list. read more

I thought it was going to be a good place based on reviews but I was very disappointed. Took over an hour to get our drinks and then another 30 mins for our food. Lady was so nice but if I'm honest food was not good. Very disappointed read more

I recommend you come here for the seafood and nothing else. If you all you want to eat is tacos or tortas I recommend you go elsewhere because this is the place for good seafood! My sister and dad ordered the caldo de 7 mares. I ordered the camarón & pulpo enchipotleado....it is spicy! But I love spicy and it was sooooo good. Also your order comes with either a side of bread or tortillas. The bread is a bolillo toasted and buttered. The tortillas were not that great and were a little hard. We also tried the tostada de ceviche de pescado. It was very tasty. Paid street parking can be found but it's not as pricey as in the city. Very nice friendly staff. I will definitely be coming back when in the neighborhood. read more

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This was a fun experience. My husband probably took me here over 10 years ago and we have fond memories of one of our first dates. I cannot believe it took us this long to get back. Food and drinks were really, really good. They are known for their seafood and next level drinks, especially micheladas. Everything we ordered was super tasty and it was a nice day out to experience a 26th street classic! read more

Food and drinks here are top notch. If you're new to mariscos definitely go for the coctel de camaron, I got the small and it was a decent amount of food. Their micheladas will bring you back to life and are good for anytime of the day. One of these days I really want to have the caguama sized one but the regular sized one is big enough to be shared. Portions are very fair and service is super friendly. read more

El Tecolote - Michelada - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Their seafood is good, very good. The service was so slow even after I ordered in advance.

Obsessed with the seafood here and the prices. The place used to be cash only but now they accept credit card. Their tilapia with garlic is amazing! $13 for a large platter with rice, beans, avocado. Yummy! Their ceviches and coctel de camarón is always a must when I eat here. You can't go wrong with ANYTHING you order from this establishment! read more

I am VERY happy to say that you are back to being as awesome as you always were The last few orders were on Point! Thank you for taking your customers opinions seriously. I really do hope you stay around for a VERY long time to come. We have people that come to our house and say... "Hey, can we order from El Tecolote" One of them says she starts craving your Fish Tacos as soon as she knows she's coming to visit me, lol! Thank you again guys... xoxox read more

Very great service, delicious food. Highly recommend trying their dishes, one of the best seafood places I've tried.

I just called the restaurant asking for the owner. The woman who answered said, "He isn't here." I asked if he'd be around the next day, she hung up on me. I called back, she hung up on me without saying hello. Not sure what's going on, but thought that was pretty rude. I was going to bring a guest to eat at the restaurant tomorrow because I thought being Latina she'd enjoy the food. Probably will pass. :( read more

Food is delish. My husband and I love it here. Great micheladas too! Slightly understaffed, but worth the wait.

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicago. Authentic Mexican food with a fantastic variety of dishes. From seafood to tortas to tacos. Since I live Northshore and find myself on fewer occasions in La Villita than I would prefer, I typically find myself ordering a couple of dishes every time I'm here. There are several decent options of Mexican food in Chicago, but this place truly takes me back home. Bookmark this place and go several times. read more

My first time here from being out of town and I fell in LOVE with this restaurant everything is great everything is homemade they have the best horchata read more

Only good thing. There food is really good. Ordered camarones a la diabla. Now the bad Went on sunday.80 percent full Waiter doesnt know where to leave the food. People are screaming over here! 2nd. They served other table first and we got there first. We were about to walk out since we already had 15minutes waiting. 3rd waiter served us. Got us 2 large drinks. My gf ordered medium Also with no ice. Luke warm jamaica water 4th waiter brough the chips no salsa 5th waiter never brought the consume we ordered. 6th different waiter brought our food. No forks or spoons so we had to wait again 7th waiter brought 4 forks instead of 2 forks 2 spoons. They brought us forks because i kept asking. 8th waiter never brought the bread wen he brought our food he offered us bread with the food. Never got it 8th waiters never asked us if we need more drinks or food. read more

The first time I came was busy of course I came on Mothers Day but the wait was not long and the people were very attentive on serving everybody. Shrimp Tostadas & empanizados were great! And the salsa they provided with the chips was to die for! Overall great food! read more

Just went today with my husband and son. We are always picky with seafood places. Our 2 go to favorite seafood spots are far from each other and this one was right in between. We LOVED it! We first ordered micheladas (which we are picky about those too) and I had mine with cerveza Pacifico and my husband with Negra Modelo. We enjoyed them. The michelada mix was not overpowering at all. They were actually really smooth drinks. We then ordered the Pico de Gallo Jarocho as an appetizer which consists of shrimp, crab, octopus and fish in a Pico de Gallo and it was soooooo good. I ordered the Shrimp and Crab soup which had so much flavor and it was really hot. I made it very spicy with Habanero salsa. My son had a Torta de Asada. It was good but it wasn't' seafood. My husband ordered the Piña Rellena (Stuffed) and he said he loved the flavors. We give it a 10 out of 10 even though they only had 2 waiters and the place was practically full but we didn't mind. The prices of our dishes were actually cheaper than the other 2 spots we go too. I would love to go again. read more

El Tecolote - Pico de Gallo Jarocho. Droooooollll! Perfect flavors - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Been here twice. Came back for the great tacos, will be back for the EXCELLENT Ceviche Tostadas! (Tacos not as amazing this time 'round...but still really good) read more

El Tecolote - What you're looking for when trying to find the place! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food seems to have gotten a lot better. Stopped by last week and I was very happy to find out that they were still serving their awesome comsume soup. :) read more

Very great food experience. The food is always fresh and fast. It is a small joint that is a bit understaffed, but just tell them what you want and they will give it. Simple as that. It is Southern Mexican seafood style it is great.. Our server was very nice and attentive. That Evelyn girl who commented does not know what she talking about. A real business person does not attack another business person. Passive- aggressive comments are counterproductive. read more

Seafood is the specialty, I don't recommend their tacos or tortas. If you really want to have a great meal try one of their micheladas, best micheladas around. The cocktails are great and the camarones al mojo de ajo are my favorite. read more

Very good food good portions the service it's ok but the food make a big good difference. I love arroz con mariscos and filete telleno ther delicious.... read more

Awesome food every single time.!!! Never a miss. One of the better places for Mexican style seafood.

June 18,2017 I came to tecolote and honestly I was extremely dissatisfied for the fact that this place was just Unorganized! I got in line to place my order as I was waiting in line there was people behind me complaining why did they get over charged and the lady behind her was complaining that she reserved a table why she has to wait and not to mention all I was ordering was a michelada to go and that was all so as the line was moving I was up next still the cashier wasn't focus due to the overcharge didn't once even take my order or anything so then the lady behind all the other lady's that were complaining just started ordering keep in mind I was up next so I ask the young lady which she was a waitress the cashier was no where to be found honestly I lost patience and I ask can I speak to the manager as soon as she showed me who the manager was yes I did ask her does he know how speak proper english at that point I was just beyond annoyed and just the fact that everything was just unorganized like was the store running itself because that was just unprofessional just everything in general. Like why waste your money on a place like this I know I wouldn't that's just me I'll rather look for a place where there is good customer service great quality not no b.s like tecolote for the owners observe your workers check if there giving the customers what they want are they paying attention to the customers because with out us customers there's no business keep that in mind wise words coming from a business women CEO read more

Severely understaffed on weekends specially but the food is amazing! The neighborhood is a little shady but if you can't park right up front it's definitely worth it..prices are great tooz read more