Easily the best Mexican food in the city. Authentic at a great price. Hole in the wall.

I really wanted to like this place, but it was a bit of a letdown. Ordered takeout: steak torta, quesadilla, two specialty tacos, and rice and beans. I always check my order before leaving (because... life), and of course--the beans were missing. When I went back in, the guy at the register gave me a look like I was making it up. I'm sorry, but who is lying over a side of beans? He asked the cook, she said she added them, and then told him to just give them to me. The whole interaction felt weird and unnecessary. Food-wise, the tacos were okay--handmade tortillas were nice--but for $6.20 each, they were small and nothing special. The rice had no flavor, and the beans tasted like they came straight out of a can. For the price and the service, it just didn't hit. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. read more

We came in to visit family and Mexican was on top of our list for dinner. We came to this little place because of the reviews and it was empty. It was a little scary but talking to the staff, we knew the food would be good. Our kids got the cheese quesadillas and steak tacos. I got the taco dinner and my wife got breakfast (which they accommodated for her). Chicken quesadillas were massive and full of chicken. Tacos were amazing and the salsa was spicy. They served this mustard type sauce which we didn't enjoy. My wife loved her Mexican breakfast. The guacamole and fresh chips were a great starter that we all enjoyed. Looks like a hole in the wall but the food and service is amazing. read more

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We had chicken and steak tacos on homemade yellow and white flour shells. They were delicious. The service was fast and polite. The other customers seemed to be repeat customers. Give them a try. read more

Carry out order based solely on reviews. Was in the area for other matters and placed an order in person. Food was ready in about twenty minutes. Weekday lunch hour was low key. Should have looked deeper at photos posted to the web. Two taco meals and the proteins were burnt! I've seen taqs like this before where, when cooking al pastor or beef, a cook can be trying too hard to ensure the meat is fully cooked. (Get a thermometer and use it! ) Really wished I looked at the food prior to exiting and driving back to the office. Didn't taste anything compelling enough to call and ask for monies or return to request they remake the order. All lady crew and sweet natured. Too bad. In this area, food has to be consistent due to the heavy, local competition. Back to my usual taqs. read more

This is a tiny restaurant in a neighborhood close to North Shore Channel trail. The inside looks like a fast food restaurant. It was a bit hot when we were there. I had Burrito Leon with chicken. It's a good portion for the price. I ended up eating 1/4 of it and brought the rest home lol Would re-visit and try something else! read more

El Terco Leon - Burrito Leon with chicken - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing food and service. Love their quesadillas and salsas. Great vegetarian tacos. Always accommodating to different diets.

Simple and hit the spot for lunch. We ordered carne asada tacos and a pastor taco. Served with two different hot sauces on the side. read more

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Been several times and every single dish has delivered. The family working there is so kind and gracious, with remarkable efficiency for it only being the three (sometimes two) of them. The prices are always reasonable too- but the most important thing is that their salsa isn't just authentic chile arbol and crema verde but is packed with unique flavor. I always make a point of bringing visitors. read more

I really enjoyed my meal and the service was very friendly! The steak was cooked well done and I know that's not everyone's cup of tea but I LOVED it, it was so flavorful and crispy. My partner had the al pastor taco dinner and it wasn't her favorite but she still enjoyed it and really liked the tortillas. The rice and beans were amazing as well, I was SO HAPPY that they use REAL RICE not that cheap weird short grain rice that a lot of places use. I'll be coming back for sure! read more

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Thank you Yelpers! After reading reviews, we stopped in this modest taqueria for lunch. My grandson had a quesadilla with cheese and chicken while I had two flank steak and grilled cactus tacos. While the quesadilla was delicious, the "tacos de suadero con napoles" were truly sabroso (tasty)! Lunch for two with soft drinks and super friendly service: $20. Tough to beat! read more

El Terco Leon - TACO DE SUADERO CON NOPALES - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went here because it's close to my work and I will continue going. The food here is so bomb & the service is super good. read more

El Terco Leon - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

These may be the best tacos in Chicago...amazing food, reasonable prices. They are not stingy with their tacos and everything is fresh and great quality. I'm so mad I didn't discover this place sooner lol, I'm definitely going to be a regular here! read more

Outstanding food at reasonable prices. Love love the chicken burrito. It's huge and just delicious !!

Excellent authentic food. A delicious green sauce on my enchiladas. Nice portions. I will definitely be coming back to El Terco Leon

Hidden Gem when it comes to some of the best tacos I've had. Probably the best Al Pastor around, and the salsa is really good. Tacos on homemade tortillas is huge, and take these tacos to another level. They use to give out chips and salsa when eating there, I guess they don't do that anymore? read more

El Terco Leon - Al Pastor, Homemade TACO PASTOR ROASTED PORK, and home made tortillas. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you like birria, wait for the weekend and get some Consomme de Borrego (lamb soup). This is good stuff - rich, flavorful (not spicy like birria, though), full of lamb chunks, and filled out with some rice and chickpeas. The handmade tortillas are excellent. Speaking of handmade tortillas, they're worth the $1.20 upgrade cost if you like corn tortillas (and if you can't tell a good tortilla from a hole in the ground, skip the upgrade and may the Universe have mercy on your soul). My partner had a bunch of different veggie tortillas, and he liked them all. Service is fast, prices are perfectly reasonable, food is really good. I'll be back. read more

Delicious food, excellent service, clean ambiance--all at a great price! Been here multiple times

Quality authentic food and generous portions at incredibly fair prices. I got 2 burritos and an horchata for less than my normal chipotle order. I work PT in Evanston and there's nothing for quality Mexican, until now. Definitely will be back. read more

The most disgusting food I never had on my lifetime the meat was. So old and lot's of salt the Waitress was. So mean and antiprofesional . She make me. Pay. For something horrible and disgusting. It was the first and. Last time. Going there. I TELL MY WAITRESS ABOUT. MY FOOD AND SHE SAY'S. IS HOW. THE SERVED THE. FOOD 15$ for nothing . If you Going. There. For. Food please don't waist your time and money read more

The best Al pastor I've had. Ingredients are yummy and fresh. The ladies who work there are super sweet. Laidback and open for lunch.

This spot is a low-key out of the way find. The food is very authentic and the menu is extensive. The Tacos are the best and the guacamole was fresh and homemade. read more

El Terco Leon - Guacamole Perfection!! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Oh my gawd finally found a real authentic Mexican place with REAL tacos. 100% my new taco place, carne asada was cooked perfectly not greasy or dry. Only thing I will say is the cebollitas are not real, they are just chopped grilled onions which I was sad about read more

El Terco Leon - Carne asada taco dinner - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Walked in and decided to dine in. We were greeted right away and the gentleman was very nice and friendly. Was surprised they had menudo on Monday. Also had a tripa burrito, steak taco with grilled cactus which I liked! Also had a chile relleno taco which was filling to me. The hot sauces are good and their limes were ginormous! Thankful we have a neighborhood spot to go when I'm lazy to cook! Will go back! read more

I've ordered many times from here and it has been always good, the family is nice, desserts are great so I'll be back sir many more visits I hope. read more

Eaten here probably 40-50 times and never been disappointed. My favorite tacos on the north side and extremely affordable. Definitely try the pastor and the choriqueso! read more

Bigger burritos than chipotle (and better) The chicken and rice in the burrito was great, amazing beans and great service. It was busy on a Saturday night but that's expected. Our new go to Mexican joint read more

We finally ordered from El Terco Leon last night and thought the food was very good. The shrimp tacos are filled with large shrimp - not the tiny salad shrimp often found in tacos. Also the homemade tortillas hold up better than the commercial variety. We also shared a grilled tilapia fillet entree dinner which was tasty and included rice, beans and salad. We will definitely order again! read more

The meat on one of the taco orders was straight up burnt, the meat on a different one was dry and rubbery. I asked for no cilantro and they were covered in cilantro. Terrible tacos. read more

Some of the most authentic and tasty tacos anywhere on the north side. The suadero (roast beef) tacos are amazing- we had both the suadero con nopales and the tacos campechanos (roast beef and chorizo) and Havr been craving them ever since! The rice and beans remind me of my mom and grandmothers- sooo good! Other great tacos to try are taco queso fundido and the taco de chile relleno. I've finally found a great taco place with great prices close to home! read more

Absolutely delicious! Authentic Mexican flavor and generous portion sizes. Hubby and I will definitely be back. read more

El Terco Leon - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Felix and his wife make some of the best authentic Mexican food ever. Every Wednesday after our bike rides we stop in for these awesome treats. Thanks felix! read more

This place is flipping amazing. Go and get 20 tacos. The whole family loves them. Steak and chicken are great. Pork is good but a little fatty. Grilled jalapeños, grilled onions and salted cucumbers are excellent side dishes. Start with big horchata and guacamole. read more

literally the best tacos I've ever had, and it isn't close. prices are great, and the folks here are super friendly, too! do yourself a favor and try the al pastor tacos ASAP read more

They let us in right as they were closing and while we waited they came by to offer us little candies. We are delicious, fresh, and perfectly seasoned Carne Asadas and Chicken Enchilada Verdes. Would recommend. read more

This spot was the best Mexican restaurant I have ever been too! The tacos have an immaculate taste and the owners are amazing hard working people. I would definitely recommend this place! read more

Passed this place a month ago and it was so cute we had to check out. Due to covid, we couldn't eat there but were seamlessly able to order by phone and pick up. Oddly, I felt like shrimp fajitas tonight, a very different order than my norm, and wow I'm glad I veered onto a new path!! It was a plentiful and fresh bounty of grilled onions and colorful peppers enough for 3 people along with a massive stack of warm corn tortillas. An above average rice and bean combo accompanied the meal. We also added fresh, thin and salty chips with salsa to our order and this was also a great idea. Love the unique, almost creamy salsa verde and the chips were right up my alley for texture and authenticity. My husband ordered a taco dinner, carne asada and a pastor with rice and beans, which were high quality and delish, but my heart is with the fajitas. A fair and decent price for two full meals, enough to feed at least four people, and chips to satisfy anyone's craving. Go for it! read more