La Bamba

47

154

446

5 months ago

My coworker came back to work with a breakfast taco from here and it smelled AMAZINGLY good!!! She was nice enough to share a piece with me and it tasted as good as it smelled. Next day I got a breakfast taco. 1 Chorizo and 1 steak. My goodness. So greasy and delicious! Served on corn shells with potatoes, eggs, cheese and your choice of protein. Ive tasted their lunch tacos and they are good, but nowhere near as good as their breakfast tacos. Dangerous that I work a half block away. read more

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Joseph P.

60

0

4 months ago

When I worked downtown a few years ago, I loved this place. It was convenient to where I was at. The prices were reasonable, especially on the taco special days. The clerks were very nice. But I haven't been there recently, and after looking at the more recent menu with the more recent prices, there's no way I would pay those prices for that food. read more

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Hallie L.

27

153

317

2 years ago

Came around 12pm on a Thursday so the market this restaurant was at was super crowded. They had Burrito Thursday which meant burritos were only 8.99. Yay!!! I got the Al Pastor burrito and it was filling and tasted pretty yummy too but nothing mind blowing. It's a good place to buy Mexican food but some of the pricier items seem really expensive (6 dollars for a taco!). read more

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Paris G.

0

8

0

9 months ago

La Bamba makes a great burrito. I've been going here for years. They also have good horchata. For a quick lunch, it's way better than any other place in the Loop. read more

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Kelly R.

318

93

208

2 years ago

Can't beat $2 tacos! Consistently decent & affordable. Always quick with your order. Ample seating, perfect place for carry-out or on-the-go. read more

La Bamba - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Zack R.

Elite 17

52

490

122

2 years ago

I've been eating La Bamba since 1997. Been to many of their locations, but this one is interesting because rather than catering to the weekend late night college crowd, it serves weekday breakfast and lunch to business folk in The Loop. Only open Monday through Friday, and they close by 4pm. The burritos and tacos are as good as ever. And, of course, that hot sauce. It's so great, and no one else makes a sauce that tastes quite like it!! You'll find it in a little food court in the basement of an unassuming building in Madison. It always seems to be the worst kept secret because they're ALWAYS busy! So happy to relive a little bit of my college days and it's not simple nostalgia. The food is LEGIT!! read more

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Keith R.

2

26

34

2 years ago

Great taco joint in Chicago Loop. Would not have found this if it weren't for my Chicago coworker who took me here. Tacos were good, authentic Mexican tacos. Got one of each...chicken, steak, and picadillo. Picadillo was the best. Will get the burrito next time! read more

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Jacqueline C.

29

9

1

1 year ago

Bought the chorizo and egg burrito and it was good, price is reasonable. Fast service. Friendly staff. Love it! Highly recommend.

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Tess R.

0

9

18

2 years ago

A one and a half day trip to Chicago was made complete by the delicious breakfast I got at La Bamba! The service was quick and incredibly friendly, and the prices absolutely can't be beat. I love a hole in the wall spot, and this place is exactly that. Located in the basement of the Loop, it makes for a very cool tucked away breakfast or lunch spot. I got a chicken tamale and a chorizo breakfast burrito. I ate the tamale inside the food court, and took the breakfast burrito to go on a walk to the park. It was the perfect amount of time to let all the flavors meld together, and to let the burrito cool enough that it wouldn't burn my mouth. Both items were incredibly fresh and flavorful, with the chicken tamale being incredibly moist in the center. Can't forget the salsa, flavorful and hot enough to clear my sinuses and wake me up. A must if you're in Chicago! read more

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Anthony D.

0

2

0

2 years ago

The food here is very authentic Mexican! All of the options are delicious! I highly recommend La Bamba restaurant for takeout if you're downtown in the loop! read more

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Tessie E.

Elite 24

140

199

419

5 years ago

They say the best restaurants are hidden gems and if this is true, La Bamba fits the description. Tucked away, on the lowest level, in a building on Madison you will find La Bamba in the cafeteria. They serve $1.50 beef tacos all day every day. They also have a taco Tuesday special. I went on a Wednesday for once and wanted to try something different. The burritos are as big as your head and the quesadillas are too. What you see is just HALF of my steak filled quesadilla. I too was surprised to find the other half resting peacefully underneath. It also came packed with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. I ate half for lunch and had the other half for dinner. The guac is also very good! read more

La Bamba - Steak quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Marvin J.

0

9

0

2 years ago

Food was great. I had 3 different types of tacos they they all were top tier. I had chorizo, steak & pork. 10 out of 10, highly recommend

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Janelle S.

Elite 23

15

194

185

3 years ago

I found this place on the maps and decided to try it. It can be hard to find and you have to go down stairs to get to it, the stairs are kind of small and it can be hard to get up or down. It is almost like a food court. The tables at the food court are very wobbly and the restrooms are decent. I ordered a horchata and a cheese quesadilla. The horchata was kind of watery but decent. On the quesadilla I was asked if I wanted everything with it and I said yes, I figured everything would be on the side but they added it to the quesadilla so it was more like a weird burrito? I think one of those would be able to feed two people easily. I chose not to take the extra home though because I don't like soggy lettuce (which happens after you warm it up) read more

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Brian F.

459

800

1377

8 years ago

In the mid to late 90s, La Bamba was the staple late night (or really any time) spot in Urbana-Champaign if you wanted burritos the size of your head. The line was always out the door after the bars closed and always short on seating. So what does that mean for this location? Well while it's in the Loop, and buried in the basement of a non-descript building, the flavor is EXACTLY as I remember it, instantly bringing back the memories from decades before. I got the chorizo burrito, regular size, everything on it. It was more than enough to satisfy my lunch time hunger. The included homemade, red, hot sauce was as spicy and flavorful as ever, and I emptied out the container and will probably ask for more next time. Pro-tip: The mini size is just enough for anyone and comes in at under $7. Also, water is free and definitely needed if you're going to indulge. Highly recommend and will be back! read more

La Bamba - Made fresh. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Peter P.

126

39

11

3 years ago

Hands down the best dive taco burrito joint in the Loop. Everything here is good and prepared fresh. They're open for breakfast and much more awake then I am. You can order and sit down and eat in the dining area or take it to go. Most orders are done 4-5 minutes and they don't disappoint. The lady working the register is always friendly and courteous and I've never had them make a mistake on my order. My go to breakfast into lunch order is a chorizo breakfast burrito, refried beans and chips. This combo will keep me full until I get home. read more

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Jon S.

1

32

37

3 years ago

Yeah, ok so what others have said is true. I'm in Chicago visiting and am exhausted of pizza and heavy Italian food. Now, let's start by saying I live in an area of California well known for authentic Mexican food and have a high standard for burritos. This place delivered in spades. The meat was flavorful and cooked to perfection, with none of the gristly bits you'll find in most cheap places. The burrito followed through on its promise to be bigger than my head. I only finished half. Beans were tasty, their hot sauce is a perfect, thick, rich blend of heat and flavor. Not just chunks of onion and tomato, not just "look how much it hurts" posturing. All flavor, amplified by medium-hot spice. Service was fast, price was reasonable on the cheap end of the spectrum, and the fact that it's downstairs in the basement of an office building means it's a comfortable temperature. I've paid way more for way worse. Check it out sometime. read more

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Avanti A.

Elite 23

131

163

533

7 years ago

I think the only draw back for this place is is hidden in the basement of not so famous building within the food court. I wanted to try this place just because the name sounded fun and hey who knows it actually turned out to be good. I've ordered a regular size chicken burrito(they have mini and super sized ones). I guess a mini should have been enough from a meal portion sand point. Regular is bit heavy for me. It really tasted good, the chicken inside itself is marinated that it's spicy enough for me that left my mouth burning after I finished up the whole thing. You will also get a side of sauce which I think is habanero, tops up the spice if you are in for more heat. Burrito is juicy, which I have not seen anything so far that is this juicy so be prepared and get some extra napkins and make sure u don't spill it all over yourself . read more

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Lily F.

815

1599

2983

9 years ago

This La Bamba recently took over the Dunkin Donuts in the bottom basement/food court next to Pho Apple. And thank you for doing so. The food here isn't necessarily phenomenal but the value for the breakfast tacos are too good to give it anything less than a four stars. For a little bit more than a buck you get an incredibly overly filled tortilla. Like the taco was filled to the point where it didn't resemble a taco but more like a breakfast brick. A delicious brick stuffed with eggs, potatoes, eggs and your choice of meat. The potatoes were interesting. I'm not sure what kind of seasoning is put on them, but they come out orange. I don't care. They could be green potatoes and I'd still eat them. The chorizo was good, but I actually liked the steak better. I can only imagine how big their burritos can be. I just imagine they just slap a tortilla on a live pig and give it to you. The hot sauce was decent too. Definitely a dangerous addition to add into my breakfast rotation. read more

La Bamba - Breakfast items are such a good deal - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

La Bamba - Two overly filled breakfast tacos for $3 - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Mark H.

4

73

44

5 years ago

Tasty taco takeout in a food court. Great hot sauce. Cheese between fresh corn tortillas. Good flavor. read more

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John F.

0

40

0

4 years ago

Great little Mexican place in a really strange, bare bones "food court" tucked into the basement of an old office building. I had the burrito which was very tasty. They have 3 sizes and the smallest one was enough for lunch. If I worked in the area I'd be here at least once a week. read more

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Vanessa V.

2

30

4

4 years ago

I definitely recommend their breakfast tacos OMG so freaking good. I usually just order their taco salads but everything is good even the customer service. read more

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Teresa S.

0

9

7

2 years ago

What can I say about these guys.. Hmm, been going here for 19 years and have yet to be disappointed. The food is just delicious, and the staff, well they r fabulous.. 19 years later and nothing has changed they are still as delicious and awseome as the 1st day I started going there.. Stop in and see for yourself.. you won't be disappointed.. read more

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Jackie F.

Elite 23

120

269

874

9 years ago

I love their quesadillas and their salsa. The fact that the rice is vegetarian is a huge plus for me because you never find that in Mexican restaurants. I'm so grateful that they reopened. There is something in this food that sooo addicting, maybe the quality and reliability every single time. Ohh and try the tamales! read more

La Bamba - HUGE quesadilla with lettuce tomato and cheese - totally addicting! Affordable for the Loop too. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Claudine P.

0

26

35

3 years ago

This is one of Chicago's hidden gems located in the basement of a nondescript office building. The $1.99 ground beef tacos are so delicious, they make my mouth water just thinking about them. I couldn't figure out how they got the tortillas to taste so darn good until I realized they melt a slice of chihuahua cheese between the tortillas. They are very generous with the meat and their salsa is so good. They cater to the office worker lunch crowd and can get you in and out very quickly. Kudos to the lovely lady at the register. read more

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Dealan S.

0

1

0

3 years ago

I did not have the experience of going inside, but I ordered tacos with chicken. The chicken had a very weird texture, possibly because it was super dry. The texture was almost like eating beans, which is SUPER disappointing and disgusting. read more

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Niecy E.

0

1

0

3 years ago

I'm going to be honest the food taste HORRIBLE the steak meat tastes like rubber and the chicken is like they took a chicken breast and through it on a shell. I'm so upset I spent $18 then my lunch break is only 30 minutes so I couldn't go anywhere else it was a waste I through it in the garbage!!! They have good lemonade though that's it!!! read more

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Steven H.

3

124

8

9 years ago

Huge, great tasting burritos at a fair price for downtown AND they work as a terrific laxative. Update: I'm nauseous too. read more

La Bamba - Chicken burrito/Dulcolax substitute. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amy L.

20

133

10

5 years ago

ASked for steak, was given beef by mistake and it leaked through the bag which got all over the place

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Denise H.

99

46

75

7 years ago

Pretty authentic for the Loop. The bread for the torta is super fresh and soft, plus it's overflowing with meat so grab a fork. Horchata is decent but I always cut it with a little water for my taste. They have green salsa but the red one is soo good. Enjoy! read more

La Bamba - Steak Torta - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sara P.

Elite 21

130

443

57

6 years ago

Great, quick lunch option in the loop. The steak mini burrito is plenty of food for lunch, and comes with a tasty hot salsa. The chips are pretty good too, but I don't get them all the time because the mini burrito is usually plenty of food. If you order ahead with Yelp, you don't need to wait in line. The food court this place is located in is pretty bare bones, but if you're not looking for a fancy place, it'll do just fine. Price for the mini burrito is great too. read more

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Laura W.

29

37

3

8 years ago

Hard to find "authentic" Mexican restaurants in downtown, besides La Cocina. Hidden gem in downtown. Food is great. Wish they served tamales for breakfast instead of after 11 am. read more

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maurice s.

2

247

0

8 years ago

Best option for a burrito in the downtown area. The basement foodcourt is a little hard to find but well worth the effort. read more

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Juan G.

98

14

2

7 years ago

Solid fast food mexican joint in loop. I get steak burritos regularly, but breakfast tacos are fire too. I love that I can order via yelp and arrive with food waiting for me to avoid lines. Remember, this is fast food, so temper your hipster expectations. read more

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John W.

0

19

4 years ago

What would there possibly be to complain about. A delicious burrito the size of my head ready in minutes to refuel during my work day? No, no complaints here! I got the half pork, half beef burrito, and loved it. It was not only delicious but surprisingly easy to eat if you slowly peel off the tinfoil. I would highly recommend stopping in during your next lunch break! read more

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Veronica O.

0

5

4

7 years ago

La Bamba has the most authentic Mexican fast food in the loop area. The burritos and breakfast tacos are delicious. The food is reasonably priced. The locale is in a basement and can be hard. Noon is super busy. I like to order ahead of time through the yelp app, I usually go 10 minutes after I order and my food is ready. read more

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Eddy H.

0

18

21

5 years ago

Very friendly staff. Clean place, the full kitchen is right plain sight. The steak is tasty and flavorful. The hot sauce is on another level, full of flavor not just heat. Oh and yes to the breakfast tacos!!! read more

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Lancing C.

0

17

3

4 years ago

Very good authentic food. This is a lunch-time regular and it is always fresh. Suggested for anyone who likes Mexican food.

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Juline W.

7

47

14

7 years ago

Surprised this place does not have more reviews. Hidden in a basement of a building I was not expecting much just wanted a quick bite to eat that was close to my hotel. However, I could not be any wrong. Food was spot on (3 tacos w/ steak/pork, rice and beans), extremely delicious and very filling. Authentic Mexican food at its finest will definitely be back. read more

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Sandra W.

30

14

7

8 years ago

I got a veggie burrito with no rice just avocado and beans. I normally don't care much for Mexican food (beans and rice) but this was really delicious. The food court also has a Pho store and a Japanese sushi type place and was really clean (in basement of building). The burrito was made fresh. The regular size I got was generously filled and very satisfying and filling. read more

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Chuck P.

1

30

0

6 years ago

I've been coming here for years. The place never disappoints. Chorizo breakfast tacos are insanely good. Some of the best chicken tacos in the city. The customer service is top notch. They even have veggie burritos! read more

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More info about La Bamba

105 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60602
The Loop
Directions
(312) 964-5252
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://labambaburritos.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does La Bamba open?

La Bamba opens at 7:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

What time does La Bamba close?

La Bamba closes at 3:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.La Bamba is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 3:00 PMSat-Sun Closed

Payment methods

Does La Bamba take credit cards?

Yes, La Bamba takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does La Bamba serve alcohol?

Yes, La Bamba serves alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does La Bamba have TVs?

Yes, La Bamba has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does La Bamba have parking?

Yes, La Bamba has parking options.

Other Amenities

Does La Bamba have free WiFi?

No, La Bamba does not have free WiFi.

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La Mejikana

4.3(432 reviews)

2.5 mi•Pilsen

The vibes were very nice with nice music and lighting but it might be a little loud for some. I…read morewent with my friends to try the soft serve margaritas and we got some food as well. Everything was really good quality, I personally really enjoyed the skirt steak as it was seasoned and cooked perfectly. Do expect a bit of a wait time though as there is limited seating.

We arrived not knowing it was a bar crawl happening but we still got in and waited for a table. It…read moretook 30 minutes to get a table bc of the bar crawl. As much as it was packed from 2:30 til 3:30 we were still were able to order a drink at bar. Martin was so nice and took our order and brought it to us being we went back to waiting line. The place is small with a hard time to walk around when it's full. It's a nice bar restaurant and didn't realized until we were leaving that there's a back area. The bartenders could be a little more social and happy bc that seem a bit dull and unhappy working there. Unlike Martin he was happy. Mildred was our server and she did phenomenal. The food and drinks were great

1.3 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

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Chicharron de Ribeye

Bocaditos Mexican Cuisine

4.2(119 reviews)

•$$$

Amazing food and drinks! The oysters and the Mezcalita are my favorite. I'm going back this weekend…read morefor the after hour.

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

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Barrio

4.1(1.4k reviews)

0.5 mi•Near 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!

2.0 mi•Ukrainian Village, West Town

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Sabroso! Mexican Grill

4.7(537 reviews)

I came for a late weekday lunch and was glad to see how busy it was--plenty of seating but lots of…read morepeople getting food, always a good sign! The waitstaff were so sweet and friendly. And the carne asada fajitas? HUGE. More than enough for 2 meals. Perfectly seasoned, and served sizzling with all the sides imaginable. And little touches like the tortillas being served in a warmer, and the salsas and chips for the table being delicious! I'm definitely coming back to try quesabirria and tacos!

PROS: - huge portions. great bang for your buck…read more- amazing loaded nachos = huge, filling. just wish had more meat or upcharge option. would prefer actual cheese (it's cheese sauce), but it's still great - has taco salad! the taco bowl is very tall :) - quesadillas = like a grilled cheese - the pickles jalapeños are large and tasty CONS: - not enough pico de gallo. they need larger "side order" options (like the large salsa) - if ordering through online platforms, no extra meat upcharge option

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CALIFORNIA BURRITO

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Carniceria Maribel

4.7(197 reviews)

2.9 mi•Pilsen

Tasty authentic tacos that come out quickly. Service was great! I'll be back to try the ribeye…read moretacos!

Top 3 Best taco place in Chicago! They're flavorful and…read morefilling. Definitely a place you will crave and go back to. The place is unassuming, reminds me of being in Mexico. Tell your friends, but only if they're not from the Northside. Keep this secret on the Southside!

The kitchen. Order here and take ticket up front to pay

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XOchimilco Mexican Restaurant

4.8(358 reviews)

6.1 mi•Ravenswood

We wandered in one night, noticing how everyone in a cheerful mood was squeezed in, enjoying their…read moremeals. When we wandered out, we knew this was on of THE places for enticing, authentic Mexican food. Beyond the food, the waitstaff swoop gently, making sure all is well. We're due to return shortly. Can't wait!

First visit with my husband to Xochimilco Mexican Restaurant was great! We came on Margarita…read moreMonday, so that alone plus the free chips and salsa were fabulous. He loved his steak enchiladas and my shrimp fajitas were delicious. The side salad was a nice touch but it did feel a little out of place, however everything was super fresh, seasoned and flavorful. The staff were very sweet and friendly and the dining room was cozy and colorful! We both want to come back and try more soon

6.8 mi•Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

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El Xangarrito

4.8(216 reviews)

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.

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

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4.2(830 reviews)

2.6 mi•Pilsen

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.

Chips & Guac

This bright mural on the side of 5 Rabanitos drew us is for refreshing Micheladas!

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Torta Pibil

Manchamanteles Restaurant

4.4(143 reviews)

3.8 mi•Bucktown

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.

Dobladas De Mole Negro! Delicious

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Queso Fundido!!(keepsmilingphoto.com)

Frontera Grill

3.9(2.8k reviews)

0.6 mi•Near 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.