This place used to be good when it first started. Their service has declined as their prices continue to increase. I came in for lunch and ordered a taco dinner and a mini burrito. We saw as they made 10 to go orders as they walked in before they made our food. We waited 45 minutes before our food came out. This is the longest I've waited at this restaurant. I don't believe I'll be back. read more

The skirt steak was cooked perfectly -- tender, flavorful, and seasoned just right. The grilled chicken had an amazing smoky flavor and was cooked perfectly without being dry. Everything we ordered tasted fresh and well prepared, and the service matched the quality of the food. Overall an excellent experience and definitely a place we'll be coming back to. read more

Great seasoned food. The chicken tacos were okay - I loved the steak ones though. I'll be back to try the whole chicken meal. The rice and beans are heavenly! Kinda pricey for a taco place but tasty food. FYI: The green sauce is SPICY read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Entrance - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing arracheda and salsas- and great service as well. Chicken is delicious- everything fresh

I got a chicken burrito with everything including avocado. My wife got a burrito bowl. Both were delicious! Enough for two meals each. So many soft-drink choices! The servers were friendly and helpful and completely bilingual. The food came in a reasonable time. read more

Today we went and it's a Tuesday special. Order one whole chicken and get 1/2 one for free! Well we devoured that sucker between 3 of us! The chicken is perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The sides were all good. You get rice, refríes beans, and regular beans. I absolutely love the rice! The service is always great. Same girl always takes care of us. She is very attentive and friendly. This place is clean and nice. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm always looking for good Mexican so when my boy told me about this spot, I had to check it out. Me and my crew of 6 rolled over on a nice Friday afternoon. As soon as you walk in you can smell the awesomeness of this place. Its one of those places where its small enough to walk out and smell like the kitchen lol! Staff was very accommodating when it came to making sure there was proper seating for the 6 of us as they had to move around some chairs and tables. We started out with chips and salsa which was a bit on the spicy side which is definitely welcome. The menu looked very good but the popular dish known as arrachera al carbon (charcoal skirt steak) seemed to be the route I needed to go. The 8oz steak comes with rice, beans, and guacamole. Very good and well worth the $17 price on it. Every bite got better as that was a well seasoned piece of steak. The place is BYOB so we had about 6 bottles wine flowing here. Good spot a little ways west on 55th street...get here as its well worth it! read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Charcoal skirt steak...very good! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We have both eaten in person and ordered from this place times. It's not a fancy environment - - your conversation is punctuated often by the sound of chickens being chopped up. However, the food is delicious, both the steak and the chicken. The salsa is very special. read more

I haven't had everything on the menu but I've had the bowl and nachos. Both, delicious! Super fresh ingredients and the m at cooked perfectly. Want a burrito bowl, skip Chipotle, go here! read more

This new place is very good. The meat was cooked perfectly and the salsa was perfect and nice and spicy. The hand made tortillas are an excellent addition. And the arrachera was really great as well. We didn't have any problems at all and I'll definitely be back. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great food, both quality & quantity.. BUT, there is that same unprofessional lady that takes the phone orders. She yells over the phone and claims that she can't hear you and either hangs up or says that your speaker is too loud. It's always the same thing. She definitely needs better training. She's the face of this place but ruins it. Sorry, 4 star rating until then. read more

Last week I tried a pretty well-known establishment in Pilsen. I ordered the whole chicken combo and received a half chicken for free. Came with rice, beans and tortillas. It was tasty though everything was a bit under seasoned. I was preparing to go back (despite the drive from Ashburn) when my husband mentioned Mezquite Pollo Express. Not only was it much closer to our home but the food was PHENOMENAL!!!!!!! Like EVERYTHING!!! I ordered a whole chicken combo (comes with salsas, pickled onions, rice, beans and tortillas) and 1lb of Arrachera! Each item I tried was an explosion of flavor without being overly seasoned! It was complete PERFECTION! After trying Pilsen, my daughter advised me she wasn't interested in having that meal again so soon after so she was going to cook something else. When we got home, after picking up our food from Mezquite once she tasted a little bit of everything, she quickly put her meal of choice aside for another day and thoroughly enjoyed the food from Mezquite! In addition to the food being outstanding, the service was just as great! Super friendly! They also have tables inside in case you want to dine in. It was spacious and very clean though we got our food to go. My family and I will definitely be back. I am so happy to have found this gem and that's it's so close to home! If you don't live close, it's worth the drive! If you're looking for delicious, juicy and flavorful pollo, arrachera, beans, rice and salsa, you want to head to Mezquite Pollo Express on 55th in Gage Park! Oh and don't forget the guacamole like I almost did! read more

service is good the drive true he order 1/2 chicken and 2 sides I order 1/4 chicken and 2 sides chicken was dry yes I know is grill but taste like was there for a while or maybe last day who knows the beans they called frolijoles charros was just beans broth and lots of jalapeños the tortillas was sobaqueadas* not hot not cold I eat this meal then next day I get sick read more

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I have had the grilled chicken before at a place in Pilsen, but this place is by far the Best grilled chicken I have had. It is fresh, it is tender and seasoned with just the right amount of well "everything". Their rice and beans are definitely home made not out of a box of can. My daughter introduced me or rather informed me about how delicious their food was. It was just recently that she brought some home since it is close to her job. OMG is all my husband and I could say. This has to be close to Mexican Excellent regards to their cooking and presentation. Highly Recommend!! read more

I stopped in here for a little food on the way to the airport, and had a nearly religious experience. My 1/2 grilled charcoal chicken was simply outstanding -- intensely seasoned with salt, spice, acid, and smoke; cut and smashed so as to be moist and delicious throughout. It puts every other grilled chicken in Chicago to shame. (Apparently they have skirt steak too, which I have to try next.) This amazing little bird was accompanied with delicious tortillas, a pair of great salsas (especially that tart green thing in a squeeze bottle), some limes, and an unusually delicious side of beans and rice too. I spent the entire meal trying these things in combination, stunned and happy. I can't wait until the next time I have to go to the airport. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express is a wonderful local restaurant in Pulaski that has the best combination of food, prices, and service! I came here with a couple friends on a quiet Friday night and noticed that there were just take out orders than sit down. We got a whole chicken between the three of us and it was definitely ample food. The whole chicken cost slightly less than $16 and it comes with two sides in addition to chips and salsa as a complimentary appetizer. The chicken itself was deliciously cooked and well seasoned. The meat was nice, tender, and juicy and the proportion of thighs, breast, and wing was also well distributed. We got corn and rice for the appetizers. Although we expected the corn to be a traditional Mexican side dish, it was actually just straight out of a can. We also got the hand pies as desserts which was a nice, inexpensive way to finish off the meal. I highly encourage a visit to this restaurant and look forward to coming back! read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Many cops dining in is a great sign of good local food and this place came through with great roasted chicken. Rice and beans on point. Cashier assumed takeout, but was nice when I opened it at a table and offered water. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Today I just try a bowl mis and it was delicious. If you like burritos you need to try this bowl, you are going to like it. Plus the staff is very friendly and they can suggest or acomódate any change In the meal. read more

I have been going to this restaurant for 4 years now and have never experienced blatant racism until today: 25AUG21. Prior to today's interaction I gave this restaurant 5 stars. The food is exceptional. However, racism is not. I am a black male and told them I wanted to dine in. I was told if I wanted to dine in, I needed to pay in advance. It didn't strike me as odd at the time because I considered it to be a new COVID-19 procedure. I then sat at my table and had to pick up my own food from the pick up station as if I ordered out. Again, I wanted to dine in! A Hispanic couple came in after me and was not directed to pay prior to receiving their meal and was also given a waitress for their table. I too came with a dinner date, and the only thing different about us was that we were black. I will not be returning to this restaurant again. read more

Ordered the half chicken. Super flavorful. Not dry. All of the sauces were delicious. Will be back 2 try the steak. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Half Chicken! Aka Food COMA!! So so good - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had tried the chicken before at a family party, which everybody was a fan of. Decided to try it again but ordered the carne asada as well and was extremely surprised on how good it was. Can't wait to go back read more

Have you heard about that chicken place on 18th St that is super famous?? well they are some how related. I saw that this place opened and knew that I had to check it out. a couple of moths passed by and never made it here till last Saturday. Usual morning for me, relax all morning long, then have brunch and relax some more, or so that was my plan. Long story short, sister call me, pick up nephew from airport and drive him to NW IN. Not before I eat something. We pick him up and I made the mistake of asking them were did they want to eat? Oh big mistake, I don't want this or that, not that place, I don't want Mexican. I just drove them here and told them we are having chicken, lol. I had seen the menu before and some of the dishes looked great. We get there and park right in front. One whole chicken with, rice and charro beans, arrachera plate and quesadilla de pollo. I had seen on their menu some interesting side dishes, e.g. ensalada de nopales (cactus salad) but they did not have a few of the sides listed on the menu so -1* for that. Aside from that, everything else was right on, the chicken was flavorful and moist, rice and beans were solid good, salsas are pretty good. Arachera plate was perfect. Perfectly cooked arrachera, rice, beans and guacamole. Hand made tortillas for it all. Nice place, cool service and unbeatable prices. Def a come back place for me read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Plato de arrachera - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Okay, I'm bumping it up a star. The food is good here, but still have those little flaws. Steak Taco - This was good, but she really put those onions on it. Half Chicken Combo - Chicken was hot and moist. They gave us refried beans this time, but I don't eat beans, but my guy had no complaints. Chips and Salsa - They actually had two salsas this time. One was smokey and one was more like a pico de gallo salsa. Okay, my guy asked for water and they had ice. YES! Well, I got a can of Coke and it was barely cold. BOO! Only one thing worst than warm Coke and that's NO Coke! Will be back for sure! read more

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After a barrage of "ya gotta go here and try the chicken and arrachera" from my co-workers, my wife and I - big foodies - paid a visit last night and were pretty much wowed by the flavors, the service, and the clean organized nature of this new opening. (By the way - this is a "city worker" haven at lunch, so you know it has to be good!). The indoor grill with mesquite wood is a wonder in itself. It is so well attended by the staff, that we got tired just watching them work so hard to keep the fires burning with fresh coal, and keeping a watchful eye on the chicken grilling on the suspended wire rack. Then there's the guacamole guy. He mashes the crap out of the avocado with a cup in a huge bowl for a long time, producing an incredibly creamy dish. Absolutely the best guac I have had in the city!! I had the Arrachera Combo of a 10" steak, cebollitas, guac, charro beans, and not-your-typical Mexican rice for $13.95! The steak was so tender and flavorful from the mesquite grill. My wife had the Chicken Bowl ($6.65), that is basically everything you put on a taco, but assembled diced up in a bowl for you. All you have to do is make your own tacos if you want, or just eat out of the bowl. The mesquite chicken is so juicy and tender. The restaurant is modern and very clean. The workers labor very hard in the open kitchen, manning the grill and dicing up the fresh ingredients. It was nice to go into a clean, modern, un-graffit-ed bathroom for a change!! This place really does steak and chicken right. Go and enjoy "the show" and a great Mexican meal. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Arrachera Combo - delicious and tender! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Have been going here a couple of times and the food is top notch every time. I recommend their guacamole. I'll definitely be back.

Called an order in. Was told 15 mins. Got there 15 mins later and still had to wait 30 mins. Ordered 3 nacho orders (30 bucks for 3 nachos) got my order got home and I got ripped off cause all three were missing guacamole. Barely any beans,cream it was all chips and cheese with some meat. And now they're closed. I guess check your orders before you leave . Even though this was a Simple order. Called them right away to them them know and they didn't and the phone even though they don't close for 30 mins. read more

Really good food! Clean and spacious place. The charbroiled chicken is delicious! The tacos are too. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Front of the store - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

(This place has been moved across the street from its original address) the place is big for a restaurant, the food was good, the horchata was too sweet for me, the employees were decent and the purchase of the food was a bit expensive. It's an alright place. read more

Great arrachera and pollo asado! Customer service was awesome, waitress was friendly. Various salsas with their own unique flavor. HANDS DOWN BEST FRIJOLES CHARROS!!! read more

Love the chicken! I been here 5 times to pick up food for work, the chicken is excellent! The specials are very good, love the guacamole green Salsa, a must order! The staff is very good and nothing beats the chicken! read more

Everything here is delicious. I am a huge fan of pollo express in pilsen. When I found out that they were opening another location with an expanded menu I was so happy. Been here several times and have tried pretty much everything on the menu and nothing has disappointed. The tortillas are made fresh at this location and they offer arracheras, cochinita pibil and birria. Sometimes they run out of things, but I'll just order something else. No biggie. My go to restaurant in Gage park. And they take credit cards at this location. Yay! read more

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Charcoal chicken really is the best thing on the menu here. In every mouthful essentially, you get a taste of that delicious, smokey flavor that makes you want to take another bite.The best thing about this type of chicken also is, it doesn't have that gross chicken flavor most of the time. Some of the other things here are okay, the a ranchera carne comes to mind, it's a very flavorful meat, however the tenderness factor isn't always there. Like someone pointed out, you know right of the bat that this is a good place to eat because you can always find some of Chicago's finest taking lunch breaks here. One other thing, it's also nice to see that they don't cook behind closed doors, you can see the guy grilling the charcoaled chickens right in front of you.They also feature hand made corn tortillas for every meal.You can see the lady who makes them on occasions making them on the side. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Charcoal chicken - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am absolutely hooked on the Mezquite bowls! They are layers of goodness! Rice, beans, lettuce tomato, onion, cilantro, and your choice of meat or none at all, topped off with sour cream and a a side of salsa-just delicious I tell ya! My mistake was making that my very 1st item to try because now I really don't want anything else! I'm sure I'll try some of the other offerings one of these days. The horchata and jamaica drinks are pretty damn good as well. I've never seen this place empty and rightfully so. There's seating , televisions, great pricing and I believe they serve some alcohol too(I'll have to double-check on my next visit) . It's worth a visit for sure. read more

Mezquite Pollo Express - Pollo Mezquite bowl - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Must get the Chicken, especially when it's buy one get one. The chicken is perfectly flavored with spices and freshly cooked on the grill. You can taste the grill. read more

By far some of the best steak tacos I've had in the city. My only problem is the inconsistency of the food. Sometimes when I go they've run out of items on the menu or the food tastes slightly different. But when everything is in sync it's amazing! read more

Love this place! The chicken is full of flavor along with their salsa. Mezquite Pollo Express provides a variety of sides along. My favorite are the frijoles charros. read more

Good quality food but the other things on the menu besides the chicken are pricey for the cost over all recomendado

Food is good. I called several times on 3 separate occasions to place an order for delivery and nobody picks up the f'ing phone!!!

after waiting what seemed like forever for the 55 in the freezing cold, two friends and i finally made it to mezquite pollo express, an unassuming store front in a small commercial district in gage park. the restaurant was relatively empty for dinner; however, we were undeterred and extremely excited for some grilled chicken. we ordered the full chicken meal with corn and rice to share, which also came with chips, tortillas, and two salsas. we initially decided on getting corn as a side because we thought since it was the most expensive side to order a la carte, it would definitely be the most delicious, which was admittedly an extremely rookie move. although we anticipated elotes esque corn, the corn looked like it was straight out of a can, but delicious nonetheless; however, i would order beans next time for sure. however, the corn was the one mishap of the meal as everything else was well prepared and delicious! the chicken was succulent, juicy, and extremely flavorful with a beautiful smokey flavor that went well with the two salsas and tortillas. the chips were fresh, and i really enjoyed them with the light green salsa. the rice was standard, but i love mexican rice in any form! overall, mezquite pollo express is a great option in gage park for a satisfying meal for 3-4 for around 18 dollars. the grilled chicken, no matter whether dark or light meat, was super juicy and satisfying and the sides rounded out the meal! would highly recommend to anyone craving a meat feast! read more

A little pricey but can't go wrong with this place! Definitely prefer this one than Palenque down the street. Smoked and grilled flavor chicken that never disappoints. If you're ever craving chicken and in the Gage Park neighborhood than this is your go to spot. read more