I wanted to reach out and share what an incredible experience we had at Estrella Negra for the World Cup viewing. The food specials were amazing, the owner was incredibly generous with special shots for the house, and the staff went above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome. In a city full of exceptional restaurants, Estrella Negra truly stands out as an adorable neighborhood gem. The vegetarian pozole was unforgettable, and the fish tacos--especially with the signature sauce--were fantastic. Beyond the great food, drinks, and service, it is the exceptional hospitality and warm "family vibe" that make it a special home away from home. We cannot wait to return. read more

Came here with my daughter and her sisters to have cookies with Santa. There was plenty of parking around the area which I loved! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a pretty chill spot, not too noisy or busy, which I loved![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was delicious and the drinks were perfect! We loved that the girls were able to take pictures with Santa and got a few gifts, I did see that they have other activities throughout the week, so definitely check them out! The staff were welcoming and very attentive, it's definitely a place I'd take another drive for! read more

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Absolutely delicious food and great service. Drinks are great too. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute, cozy space.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Love this gem!

This place was so good. The food was amazing and the chicken pozole was to die for. We cane at happy hour time and the server s awesome...she took care of us and was so friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance here is super cool with great artwork and nice music.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I will definitely be back read more

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Food was just fine. Nothing crazy but not bad. Wouldn't make a trip for it. Service was nice. read more

Estrella Negra - Tamale Sampler (4pc.) - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had a great dinner here tonight. It's a place I've had on yelp, but haven't ever been to yet. So there was a lot of confusion for this place and their hours. I made a reservation for 830pm and soon I got a call from them saying they're in the process of switching to "winter hours" and their kitchen actually closes at 830pm now. The lady was apologetic and I appreciated the call. Instead of cancelling, I decided to pre-order and try to get there earlier. We actually got there like... 815pm and she placed the order when we arrived. So all, good. It was just kind of awkward. The waiter wasn't as... Idk. He was kind of ok. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is a pretty small Mom&Pop type of shop, which is great. Probably has approx 8 tables total, or so. It was a Sunday night and it was very very quiet in there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I can see why they want to close earlier. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I just hate to be in a situation where you kind of get rushed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Anyway, that's something I'd like to avoid next time, but on to the all important food. So you don't get chips and salsa here. Either that, or they didn't being it due to rushing to close up. I tasted a few items. First of all, the mango salsa cheese enchiladas were good. I had just the cheese one and it was a nice unique flavor in the mango sauce. Really something different and I liked it. Then, I had the vegetarian quesadilla - corn and poblano and that was great. Instead of like melty cheese, both items had some other cheese. Maybe goat? Lives the flavor and the corn and poblano make it so good. Loved it. Lastly, I asked for an a la carte todtada, made vegetarian. this is where they kind of screwed up. I clearly said I wanted everything in the tostada, but just out beans instead of meat. Idk. It kind of seemed sparse, like they couldn't handle the change request. There wasn't much on it. Very dry. I asked for salsa and that helped, but it was kind of a too much of a tart flavor. Oh, I'll mention that the beans here are vegetarian, for anyone that's checking. So the 2 main items that I ordered unaltered were great. Really loved the new yelp find. I'll definitely be back and hope timings will be updated and less awkward. read more

Great food and drinks. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Artfully decorated bsrebones room.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Thoughtful, caring service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a tiny Mexican restaurant in a ugly location with amazingly high food standards.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Go, you win't regret it! read more

This review is long overdue [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant gives you playa del Carmen beachside bar vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff treats you like a regular, which is welcoming. The drinks are amazing. I come back for the pepino loco, it's a refreshing cucumber, pineapple drink that's just refreshing. All the food I've tried has been good. The poblano surf and turf burger is a favorite, but you can't go wrong with the tacos either. read more

Estrella Negra - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Funky cool little spot with great vibe[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and great not entirely traditional Mexican food. Pleasing to the palate alcoholic beverages read more

The wings are great, they have a happy hour, and the staff is super friendly. Will definitely be back!

Made a reservation which is highly recommended since the place is pretty small. Maybe 15 tables at most. They have a great cocktail and mocktail menu for everyone to enjoy. Started out with the three salsa combo and they just got spicier as you went across. They were all good. The empanada sampler is a must. The goat cheese and chicken ones were excellent. The spinach and chorizo ones were also good. The first two were better. The deep fried avocado spears were great if you could get past the texture. It was odd for me but they were very good. The service was on par but next time we are sitting in one of the six chairs at the bar. Make a reservation. read more

Estrella Negra - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had three tacos for their taco Tuesday special. They were great; very filling, clearly made with quality ingredients, and had a great taste, each for the great price of around 3.50. Their horchata was also excellent. Service was exceptional. The waiter was very accommodating and friendly, and created a welcoming atmosphere within the restaurant. read more

Estrella Negra - Horchata - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm a little sad I didn't visit Estrella Negra before this spring! I've been missing out. This is a great little neighborhood spot with fresh flavors and a well designed menu. We tried a range of items including salsas, flautas, and a soup. The cocktails were also really fresh and flavorful. I'll definitely be back. The flautas in particular were fantastic and the salsas were so fresh and bright. Service was solid. No wait when we arrived for an early dinner on a weeknight but it filled up quickly. read more

A friend recommended this place when I lamented the unavailability of posole sans pork. My cafeteria at work used to make it with a chicken base, and I loved it. I'm a vegetarian but I will deal with chicken broth as that is also the only way I can have my beloved matzoh ball soup. However pork is a little too... just no. In any event I placed an order and and got the much lauded mango enchiladas, goat cheese quesadillas, and the vegan posole. Pick up was easy because, at 7pm on a Thursday, the place was dead. (People! Why aren't you in here eating?) The sieve is fun and cozy. I took my food home and it was delicious as expected. I really like the unique flavors in the enchiladas, though I was a little disappointed they were presented so poorly, crammed into a small container and kind of a mess. I liked the quesadilla a lot, but then I love goat cheese. The dried mango was a nice contrast to the cheese. The vegan posole verde was pretty good. Maybe the rojo flavors are more my thing, but I'll have to stick to the veg version. read more

Estrella Negra - Poor enchiladas, crammed into this tiny container. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Surprised us with how great everything tasted. There were strong kicks of flavor and overall the food felt fresh and home made. Prices initially felt a lil high, but everything was well worth it. Strongly recommend a visit! read more

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Empanada's are fabulous, [[HIGHLIGHT]]Day of the Dead art theme[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], and great service. This team has been around a long time and they deliver. read more

First time here. We came for Sunday brunch and it was amazing on all points! The food and drink menus had many tantalizing options. The food was delicious. The cocktails were delicious. The service was top tier. Justine is an A+ server. We need to try everything on the menu in the near future. We will definitely return and highly recommend to all! read more

Estrella Negra: where have you been all my life? I tried this restaurant during a visit to Chicago. I live in LA where food options are endless. Still, I came home after enjoying Estrella: Mind. Blown. Ambiance: modern Mexican and Chicano arts, colorful and elevated. Casual, stylish comfy. Lots of Insta-friendly moments! Service: phenomenal table and bar service. The EN team is top-notch and are clearly committed to earning your repeat business (it was obviously a "where everybody knows your name" type establishment. FOOD: where do I begin? The menu is modern Mexican, with a twist by Chef Otoniel Michel. Without fear of disruptive creativity, Chef Otoniel offers a carefully curated menu with a delightful play on flavors. My recs: Mango Salsa Goat Cheese Enchiladas. You read it right. I got them with chicken and I've been craving them long after coming back to LA. Tamarindo Wings: again, yes. The award-winning wings are a must-have experience. Posole: there's vegan green and chicken red. I love them both, but I dream of the vegan green. No soy, no tofu, no processed protein source - only avocado. Mezcal and beer offerings abound. My fave: El Alacran mezcal cocktail. Go get yourself one...or five. read more

Estrella Negra - Vegan Green Posole, Tamarindo Wings, Red Chicken Posole, mezcal bevs - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really good food... the burrito bowls!!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute spot and great service![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We will be back!

Don't walk- run here! The food is amazing!!!!! The service was fantastic and the ambiance is truly unique! Went on a Thursday when they first opened and that was a perfect time. I am not sure how busy they get but they are a smaller restaurant. So opening time was perfect. Everything we ate was delicious. I had the concha burger and that did not disappoint. The burger was cooked perfectly and the sweetness of the concha mixed with the burger was a perfect combination of flavors! read more

Estrella Negra - Concha Burger and fries - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Good place on a desolte strip of Fulerton.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] small place but good food. We had the Empanada sampler, Both verde and Rojo Pozole, and the mango salsa enchilladas. read more

This hidden gem is small in size, but huge in what it delivers. The chef owner is a perfectionist and creates cocktails appetizers soups - - one of which is a green pozole that is totally exquisite in taste. Whether it's a concha burger made with homemade roll, yummy tacos dozens of varieties of unique margaritas, tamarind chicken wings or fried avocado wedges- - you'll wonder why you've missed out on this artful intimate retreat. The menu is creative, and what is served to you has been so thoughtfully delivered. . The chef has a rare ability to know precisely when to stop with a certain seasoning. -- he's an expert and it shows. Buen provecho! read more

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My wife and I stopped into this restaurant by chance. We ordered the Elote Man Corn Kernel Tamale & Mango Salsa Shrimp Enchiladas. It was arguably some of the best tasting Mexican cuisine I've ever tasted. This restaurant is a neighborhood gem and have a very friendly staff. Take care. Gil Edmond read more

Appetizer Shrimp ceviche: Amazing with the presentation was beautiful and they provided a lot of shrimp! This was topped with guacamole and a chip shaped like a star. I think this was our favorite out of everything that we got. Chicken soup: this was good and it was filled with chickpeas,onions and chicken. It was perfect for a chilly afternoon. Mango smoothie: this was made with ice and mango and water. Is it in he's like a smooth it was more like an icy texture. Chorizo empanadas: this came with two empanadas the first empanada was a little burned so when I was eating it that's all I tasted but the second one was not that bad my fiancé did enjoy that one more. Steak burrito: This was a very big. The overall burrito was pretty salty. It was overly stuffed with black beans versus any other ingredients that was placed inside. Interior: this was a small space good for a date, it would occasionally get loud with the blends going on and off but otherwise not too bad. read more

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I've been living a block from this place for years and have never gotten to try , but I'm so glad I did. The place is pretty small but good atmosphere and the staff is super friendly. The Paloma is an absolute must and 6$ on Wednesdays. The Loaded Fries as well were super crunchy and packed with flavor . Also the quesadilla with goat cheese was amazing read more

Really adorable little spot that features art from local Hispanic artists in the area on the walls and delicious and invented Mexican cuisine on the plates! Love the vibrant energy of the space and the staff was very accommodating and warm. Ordered a simple quesadilla and a Nutella tamale for dessert and both were delicious and very filing. I was told it's a late night kind of place so after a night of drinking had here for some authentic Mexican eats and more drinking! read more

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I can only speak to the drinks + experience of Estrella Negra, but I rate it 5 for that! We came in for their great happy hour deal, which is a deal on margaritas and palomas, and thouroughyl enjoyed ourselves. It was easy to get a table, and the staff were kind and attentive! We also enjoyed the colorful decor inside along with the cool music. I ordered two different margaritas, one mango and one jalapeno. Now, let me tell you that I am NOT a margarita person, but this place had incredible, delicious margaritas that were just the right amount of tequila, and had fresh ingredients to make the mango and jalapeno flavor. I loved it! My partner got the paloma and this was also fresh and just perfect. I'll definitely be back for the drinks! read more

Oh how I love love love this little quaint restaurant. The decor of the restaurant was so vibrant and beautiful. I could not stop looking at the gorgeous artwork on the walls. My guest and I were the only two individuals in the restaurant, which made it quite nice because it gave us more of a feel like we were on an private island somewhere. The food was absolutely amazing. I've never had pozole before, but I keep hearing how good it is. I love that they have a vegan option for this as it was absolutely delicious. The chicken flautas were so fresh, crispy, and yummy. I didn't like that it only came with three because I literally could've eaten 10 of them easily. I will absolutely visit this restaurant again because the food is great! If you're ever in the area make sure you check them out. read more

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You have driven by a million times, you need to stop in. The restaurant is a must try. Fabulous cocktails, amazing food, great service and a chill vibe. I really have enjoyed everything I've ever ordered here on multiple occasions. Free parking in front on Fullerton, what are you waiting for? This is also a charming date night spot without club music blasting in your ear. COVID really hurt smaller Chicago restaurants, so please support local business. read more

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I ordered take-out from here after hearing about it from a friend. The shrimp tacos were delicious and I was a big fan of the sweeter salsa. The chips were sturdy and crisp. I will be back, can't wait to try more! read more

It's fitting that my first review of 2020 goes out to my first meal of the year. I'm in Chicago visiting for NYE and popped in here with some family before I left the city. Luckily for me, this is one of the spots that was open on New Years Day. We made a reservation just to be safe, and thankfully we did because it was packed in here when we got in. Things I loved about Estrella Negra: 1) Cheap, affordable, Mexican street food with a twist. For appetizers we split the avocado fries and chips and salsa. The coconut battered avocado fries were amazing! They paired very nicely with the spicy chipotle mayo sauce that it came with. For my entree, I got the mango salsa enchiladas and added chicken, with a side of the sweet potato churro fries. Wow, just wow. These were some of the most delicious enchiladas I've had. This dish was featured as a must order by Chicago's Best and also picked as the winning dish on Check Please, and the awards were right! Also, you cannot leave this restaurant without trying their sweet potato churro fries. I need to learn what spices they used on this because these may be the best sweet potato fries I've eaten. This entire meal was my favorite I ate in Chicago. 2) The funky art and colorful decor. All the art pieces on the walls were beautiful and the entire restaurant reminded me of an eclectic art gallery. 3) Our server was fabulous and attentive. Our water glasses were never empty and he made sure to check in on us constantly. 4) The very, very, very cheap kids menu. I was with my 9 year old cousin and took a peek at his menu. Everything was priced from $2-$4. I don't have kids of my own, but I still have to recognize what a steal this is! Very happy I got to check out this spot and will definitely come back when I'm in Chicago next! read more

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I was really disappointed in the customer service me and my friend received tonight. I was really excited to bring a friend to try it out celebrating cinco de Mayo. I've been here for a couple of years and never had the customer service I had tonight. I had reservations at 9:00 pm and got seated upon my arrival 8:50 pm. It is now 9:15pm and I had to step out because I was really disappointed how no server came to greet us. I went over to the bar to check if we order there or in our table since it had been months since my last visit. The bartender rudely said " can't you see where busy take these" and handed me two glasses and a jar of water. I immediately stepped out because I refuse to dine in somewhere I'm being talked to rudely. read more

Estrella Negra - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I stopped by here with my wife and a friend of ours prior to going for beers at Maplewood Brewery (which I also reviewed), as it was nearby and the menu intrigued me. As a Mexican-American, I grew up eating homemade Mexican dishes since I was a kid from the best Mexican cook in the universe, my mom, thus, I typically do not seek out Mexican restaurants when I go out to eat. However, Estrella Negra's spin on Mexican cuisine, such as Tamarindo chicken wings and the concha burger, was enough to capture my attention. Upon arrival, the first thing I noticed was the día de los muertos decor throughout the restaurant, along with the painted murals on the outside and inside walls. The vibrant and numerous colors definitely nailed the spirit of being in a Mexican village. We were promptly seated by our cordial waitress and brought waters for the table. After looking at the menu online, I already knew exactly what I wanted: the Tamarindo wings along with the concha burger and fries. My wife went with the Alacrán nachos as an entrée, though it's listed as an appetizer, while our friend with the chorizo torta with rice and beans as a side. For drinks, my wife ordered a michelada (not listed on the drink menu, but similar to a Bloody Mary, thus, they were able to accommodate), I went with the Alacrán cocktail, and our friend with a locally brewed mango beer. My wife was pleasantly surprised with her michelada, as she usually makes them at home and does not like them at restaurants. I enjoyed my smoky Alacrán cocktail, though, mezcal is an acquired taste. Our friend liked her beer well enough too, as did I after trying a sip; so much so, I bought a 4-pack to take home! Our waitress consistently checked in on us to make sure we were okay and clear out the table of any trash, without feeling intrusive, which is always a tricky balance to strike. The 6 Tamarindo wings came first, which are tossed in their Tamarindo sauce and garnished with goat cheese and chopped green onion. Being a fan of Tamarindo, the sauce was very tasty, similar to a sweet and sour sauce, and the wings were coated thoroughly, causing a mess when eaten, but a good mess! The goat cheese provided a gamey element to the dish that I could do without, but can appreciate the inclusion for those that are fans of goat cheese or gamey flavors. The main courses came next, and just as advertised, my main attraction was served, the concha burger. For those that don't know, a concha is a type of Mexican sweet bread, and was used here as the buns for the burger. Many people, including my wife, are weirded out by the combination of sweet and savory foods, chicken and waffles being another popular plate that fits the bill, however, I enjoy the combination when done right. The concha burger was no exception, and blended the flavors very well. From the first bite, the patty was very juicy and tasted yummy, as it was seasoned well. When including a sweet element, some might fall into the trap of adding too much savoriness to contrast the sweetness, and while a couple of bites did feel too salty, overall, the main two flavors complemented each other well. The cheddar cheese and jalapeños added a couple of other layers of flavor and spice that tied the burger together in a deliciously good way. The burger itself was cooked more on the well done side, causing the patty to be less tender than what I would have liked, and I was not asked how I would have liked it cook. If I were to eat it again, I would request to have it cooked medium if possible, as that would have really elevated the burger. My wife's Alacrán nachos were a fantastic mountain of cheese, beans, guacamole, homemade tortilla chips, and grilled pieces of chicken. All 3 of us were able to eat from my wife's plate, and still did not get through half of the serving. Needless to say, we all thought they were pretty good! Our friend was able to eat half of her torta as the portions were generous, and she was overall satisfied with it and her rice and beans. All in all, we left feeling positive about the place, though not blown away. Everything that we ordered was very yummy, with the highlight being the concha burger for me; with a couple minor tweaks, I think this could be a really great burger. The prices are more than fair given the portions, and none of us were disappointed by the flavors. I would recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for Mexican-like cuisine. read more

Estrella Negra - Concha burger, really good mix of sweet and savory - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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An interesting take on mexican food! I went here with my boyfriend on Friday night and had reservations. The decor was super interesting / day of the dead inspired. We started off with drinks (I got a regular marg and he got a michilada). The margarita was quite good and maybe even a little spicy? I definitely wanted to try another drink but we had plans to go out after. We got the mango guac which was pretty standard. Our entrees came with appetizers. I got the churro sweet potato fries which was basically like dessert so I liked it :) my boyfriend got the pozole soup which was also quite good. The *star* (pun intended) of the show were the mango enchiladas. Omg these were some of the best of my life and really the reason why I'm giving this place 5 stars. The portion was smaller than usual for enchiladas so I literally ate the whole thing aside from the bit I gave to my boyfriend. My boyfriends entree was the bacon tacos which was good but definitely not as good as the enchiladas which really puts much food to shame. Basically a new favorite Mexican spot! We are looking forward to going back. read more

I really like this place, I love the ambiance and the food. Everything I've tried does not disappoint. The staff is always been friendly and are open to making any food recommendations if you find yourself in a pickle. My top two appetizers are Spinach & Artichoke Empanadas and the Diablito Shrimp (SPICYYY) for entres the Concha Burger and Flautas are great! The concha burger might throw you off because of the sweet element but it's just the right amount. Also the Pozole is never a miss, always good. read more

Estrella Negra - Pozole rojo as a side and for the drink it is pepino loco both great! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Started with chips and salsa and nachos. Their chips are thick and crispy, salsas are all flavorful. The nachos had generous toppings. Unfortunately, our entrees took a long time to come out and service was slow. We were close to getting full from the starters and pozole because of this wait. The restaurant wasn't busy and only had one other table. Shrimp tostados were fine, nothing special, but very generous and high quality shrimp. 3 people ordered tamales and all agreed they were extremely over-salted. We should've skipped the entrees.. read more

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Pozole loving teenager calls Estrella Negra's version "mid". $60 bucks for a gallon of pozole that had so little meat I almost called to complain about it. Flavor and color was legit but it was so light on hominy and meat! I like that it came with a nice serving of guac but that doesn't make up for the lack of essentials. With the number of alternatives I don't think we'll be back. read more

Honestly incredibly mid all the way around. Service was so so and the food itself was overpriced and the quality was not there. You're better off trying a more local, family owned place like tocanzo el tío or any other authentic place. read more

I love this place. The food is always fresh and terrifically well prepared, and for this most recent brunch trip I had a green tea horchata (2 great flavors that marry incredibly well) and a breakfast bowl. So SO good! But to be fair, I am an unrepentant breakfast food addict... The relaxed vibe is nice, we were not in any particular hurry, but it felt like we did get just a little lost at the end of our meal. Just a tiny bit more attentiveness and I'll be more than happy to tack on that fifth star (but don't let that keep you away, this little gem is definitely worth a visit, just setting expectations on the casual pace). read more

We biked to this location a few weeks ago and were pleasantly surprised with our experience. They have many drink specials for different days of the week so definitely reference those if interested. The chips and salsa were very tasty and I enjoyed my burrito, our server was very kind and checked on us often. read more