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    Esencia Urban Kitchen

    4.5 (368 reviews)
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    Updated over 3 months ago

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    ESENCIA URBAN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Esencia Urban Kitchen

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    Breakfast Tacos
    Jose C.

    We came here for an early Sunday morning breakfast. The place is small inside, and they also have an outdoor patio but was full when we arrived. We were fortunate enough to still get a table. Everyone that arrived us had to wait. Overall the service was great and the food was good as well. My son ordered their Peach Almond French toast, my wife ordered their Sunnyside Huevos Rancheros and I ordered their Breakfast Tacos. The French toast were served with amaretto custard, peach compote, whipped mascarpone and topped with toasted almonds. A very delicious and sweet dish. My wife's Huevos rancheros came with two crispy corn tortillas, topped with two sunnyside up eggs and salsa roja and served with a side of rice and black beans. This dish was good as well, but the salsa roja needed some more heat. The breakfast tacos was a first for me. I can't think of a time where I have ever order breakfast tacos at a restaurant. These were good though. The tortilla tasted great, and it was served with scrambled eggs, chorizo, spinach and tomatoes topped with queso fresco and a side of salsa. Was pleasantly surprised and wouldn't hesitate ordering these again if I were to return.

    Egg and Pesto
    Laura M.

    I can't believe it took me so long to try this restaurant, but I am so glad I did. This little restaurant has a fantastic menu and coffee selection. We came here for breakfast, and I got the eggs and pesto sandwich. The sandwich was so tasty, and even better perhaps were the side potatoes. The drip coffee had a hint of cinnamon flavor and was bottomless for ~$5. The staff was friendly and the pricing was right for the quality and quantity of food. The only downside is the seating area is quite small, so it might be hit or miss whether a table is available.

    Omlette
    Emily T.

    I rarely go out to brunch anymore because I feel like it's overpriced and not good, but this place was great?? It's a very small Mexican fusion brunch Café in Lakeview right on Broadway. The service was very kind and we had to wait around 45 minutes for a four top on a Sunday around 11:30 so not horrible. They are walk in only. I got the omelette and it was very good, but the star of the show for me were the potatoes that were seasoned perfectly and the biscuits??? I will be coming back here and bringing everyone out here because of the biscuits- Definitely the best ones that I've had outside of the south. They also had this incredible homemade jam that came with it. Just a great experience and the perfect international woman's Day celebration!

    Chilaquiles and biscuits.
    Cary C.

    Stopped in for weekday lunch, their breakfast offerings sounded scrumptious. I was seated immediately in their charming café dining space and received prompt service. I had trouble between choosing between chilaquiles and the chorizo hash, and the chilaquiles were recommended. I went with the green sauce and poached eggs. Presentation was beautiful, like a sculpture of smothered tortilla. The taste overall was good, not mind-blowing. The verde, creme, and cheese was heavy on the sour-tangy notes, and overwhelmed the dish. I also though the beans and rice weren't spectacular, good though. Maybe could have used slightly more quantity. I craved some sort of meat to accompany you to this meal. The poached eggs were elegantly prepared and the runny yolk helped level off some excess tang. The size of the dish itself was fine. Value-wise it's decent for the area. I also ordered butter milk biscuits with a runny strawberry spread. These were excellent. Definitely worth a visit, I'd be interested in trying other dishes here.

    Breakfast Tacos

    I did not realize how small a place this is, it is so cute and the vibes are immaculate. The service was friendly and fast without feeling rushed. The food was delicious, and everything the surrounding tables had looked great

    Huevos con Chorizo Torta
    Erica B.

    Cute little space. Would love to sit out on the patio on a warmer day. The brown sugar sage latte was good and not super sweet. I really like the Cubana. I got no pickles so it could've used an extra crunch, but that's what I get for not liking pickles. The breakfast Torta was also really good but the tomato's were a little big for me.

    Bacon, Chilaquiles, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Shelly V.

    Sooooo good! Lemon ricotta pancakes, bacon and chilaquiles were all so good. Service was great :)

    poblano eggs, pancakes
    C. J.

    Esencia has quickly become my favorite breakfast spot in the city. I've loved everything I have tried - the pancakes, the tacos, the poblano eggs - they all have so much flavor and the textures and temperatures of their dishes are perfect. Their coffee is also extremely good and they offer homemade syrups, which is always a plus in my book. The service is friendly and attentive, and the restaurant itself is bright and cozy. A neighborhood staple!

    La Cubana Torta
    Diane M.

    I stopped by Esencia Urban Kitchen for lunch after a workout class a few weeks ago and thought it was so cute and inviting. I got a diet coke with the Cubana Torta and fried potatoes which was honestly one of the best cozy meals I had that week. The seating area is a bit tight, so I can imagine that it gets pretty busy on the weekends, but this would be a perfect weekday solo lunch spot. The waitress was also very sweet. Will definitely be back!

    Huevos con Chorizo Torta
    Nisa S.

    This cute little corner restaurant had such great service and a great vibe. The playlist they had going in the restaurant was full of my favorite songs. My fiance and I stopped in closer to the afternoon. He ordered the chorizo and egg torta and I had the Milanesa torta. Both were so good and the bread was perfectly buttered and toasted. I had the rice and beans as my side. The beans were a bit salty and the rice had some harder bits. Other than that the food was great. I would definitely visit this spot again.

    Huevos con Chorizo Torta
    Maria L.

    We loved being able to walk the neighborhood and grab breakfast here. The food was fresh, the outdoor seating was great and we only had to wait a few minutes. I could see how it might be a long wait on a busy day so just be forewarned. The service was friendly and quick. Will visit again! My only thought to share is that we ended up having to put the umbrella down because it was too light and when a breeze came by it tried to flip the table. The breeze wasn't super strong, the umbrella and table just had no ballast. So that might help in the future as with it down I felt like I couldn't see my date across the table!

    Huevos Rancheros, Butternut Squash Taco, Rajas con Papas Taco... all stellar
    Alice D.

    Smol (heart eyes emoji) cute (heart eyes emoji) neighborhood brunch spot of my dreams! It's perfect for a catch up with a pal or a sweet lil date. They've got solid Mexican-inspired brek&lunch plates with chill ambiance and friendly service. Their lavender oat milk latte is a faaave. Super tasty & not overly sweet. I also love their tacos- I've had the butternut squash and rajas con papas ones for lunch and the breakfast tacos. All were delish, especially when paired with their salsaaaa... it's YUM! It's a mini little place, so on weekends, I'd recommend going in small parties & getting there 20-30 mins early to put your name in (& pop into Unabridged bookstore or Windy City Sweets down the street while you wait!).

    Price
    Bob S.

    We had a great meal today on the patio. It's wonderful to eat outside with family and friends. I had the breakfast torta. It was awesome. The Huaracha was the best I've ever had also.

    Salsa Verde chilaquiles

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    4 months ago

    delicious & fresh :) biscuits were amazing- i got their classic breakfast w/ eggs, toast, bacon & potatoes. highly recommend!

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    1 year ago

    So good! A small place with so much flavor. Their lavender latte was divine and the breakfast potatoes....yummy!!!

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    9 months ago

    Incredible food service and outdoor seating. Lives it. Went twice in one long weekend!

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    2 years ago

    Very good. Brunch menu is a bit short but the quality of the kitchen's output is there. Potatoes were special. Delightful cafe latte.

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    Ask the Community - Esencia Urban Kitchen

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    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.

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    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!

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    El Xangarrito - Cheesecake

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    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.

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    5 Rabanitos - Chilaquiles verdes

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    a great reminder... that i need to ALWAYS go to pilsen when…read morecraving mexican. my huarache was divine. the "sandal" itself was perfectly flaky - not greasy or impossible to cut. the veggies were perfectly seasoned, cooked but not mushy...my only "complaint" is i didn't expect potatoes to be part of the veg. i don't understand a carb on a carb but that's just me. the guac was very meh. would not recommend. the marg's are ok...but i'm not a great judge bc as a rule, don't really care for marg's. fabulous service and perfect spot for a show at thalia hall.

    We're from LA, and this is our daughter's favorite Mexican restaurant near the loop after her four…read moreyears at SAIC. She was very excited for us to try it out. We arrived around 7:30 on a Friday night and the place was packed. We only had to wait 10-15 minutes, which passed quickly with the live Mariachi music. The food came out pretty quickly considering how busy it was. We got: - Margaritas -- piña mezcal, passion fruit and pepino. They were good but a little small for the price. - Pozole Pipian -- It has a verde base that's very light. Something that makes it unique is chicharrones on top. My daughter prefers pork over the chicken. - Carnitas Huarache -- good flavors but probably my least favorite of the meal. - Asada Torta -- this was my favorite dish of the night. The bread was really light and the meat wasn't tough at all. For dessert we got the churritos and Mexican bread pudding. Both were good but nothing special. All in all a great meal.

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    Manchamanteles Restaurant - Enchiladas Potosina

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    4.4(143 reviews)
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    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.

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    Frontera Grill - Trio Ceviche

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    3.9(2.8k reviews)
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    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.

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    Esencia Urban Kitchen - cafes - Updated May 2026

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